USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 2 > Part 26
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In 1857 Mr. McFarlan entered the wholesale grocery house of Straight, Deming & Company, as an equal partner, adding to the already high standing of that firm. In 1864, when the house decided to open a commission and grocery concern in New Orleans, the plan was successfully carried out and the firm name then became McFarlan, Straight & Company, continuing thus until Mr. Straight and Mr. Deming retired from business. Mr. McFarlan formed a new combination and the business continued still with his name at the head, as McFarlan, Baldwin & Company. In 1892 all members of the firm retired from activity and the firm dissolved, although Mr. McFarlan did not purpose entirely withdrawing from commercial functions. In 1886 when The William Powell Company, controlling the Union Brass Works was formed, he became a director and stockholder and was later made vice-president of the concern.
Mr. McFarlan was always a stanch supporter of the Republican party and was a loyal citizen who served as a soldier during a part of the Civil War. He was prominently public spirited and always had the welfare of the city at heart. He was a man of large charities and many institutions in this city benefited by his liberality. Especially was he generous to the various Baptist organizations, of which church he was a consistent member for many years.
In 1845 Mr. McFarlan was united in marriage with Kate D. Magill, who was a daughter of Charles and Catherine (Grove) Magill, and the surviving children, all of whom are prominent in this city, are: Carrie C., who married James Powell, president and manager of The William Powell Company ; Charles E. McFarlan, who is proprietor of the McFarlan & Spilker Manu- facturing Company, and also vice-president of The William Powell Company ; and Rev. Frank G. McFarlan, S. T. D.
LARZ ANDERSON.
LARZ ANDERSON, deceased, was one of the best known citizens of Cin- cinnati, and his business and social connections were such that he will long be tenderly remembered by her citizens. He was born June 9, 1845, and died June 26, 1902.
The Anderson family has long been one of distinction in America. The grandfather of our subject was Col. Richard Clough Anderson, aid-de-camp
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to General Lafayette and commander of a regiment of Virginia soldiers, dur- ing the Revolutionary War, who, at its close, came to Cincinnati as surveyor- general of the military lands in Ohio and Kentucky. Another distinguished member of the Anderson family was Gen. Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter fame.
Larz Anderson was a son of Larz and Catherine (Longworth) Ander- son, the latter being a daughter of the elder Nicholas Longworth. He was one of nine sons born to these parents, the survivors being : Edward L .; Frederick P .; Dr. Joseph L .; Charles and Davis.
Larz Anderson studied law in Harvard, and received careful preparation for a business career. His business and social connections, identifying him with many great financial enterprises, made him one of the most prominent men in Cincinnati. He was vice-president of the Union Savings Bank & Trust Company; executor and trustee of the large Anderson estate; trustee of the Nicholas Longworth estate; at one time trustee of the Joseph Long- worth estate; and director and one of the originators of the Citizens' Mort- gage Loan Company, in which he took so great an interest. Until a short time before his death he was director of the Citizens' National Bank.
Mr. Anderson was a director of the Fresh Air Society; a vestryman of Christ Church for a long period and for 25 years superintendent of the Sunday-school; a Sinking Fund trustee; and a director of the Spring Grove Cemetery, where he was laid to rest. At one time he was president of the Commercial Club; and was a member of the Queen City Club, the Grandin Road Golf Club, the Riding Club, and other social organizations. At all times his public spirit and liberality were notable, and the beautiful 16th century Venetian well-head of Istrian marble, which adorns Eden Park, was but one of his many gifts to his beloved city. His purse was ever open to the call of charity, and his benefactions reached immense amounts.
Larz Anderson was united in marriage with a daughter of the late Dr. George Mendenhall, and she with three sons survive him. The sons are: George M. Anderson of the architectural firm of Elzner & Anderson; R. Clough Anderson, of the American Book Company; and Robert Anderson, of the Ferro Concrete Company.
Mr. Anderson's charming home at "Hill and Hollow," on the aristocratic Grandin road, was filled with articles gathered from many lands, and there many happy hours were spent with his valued treasures, notable among
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which are rare paintings of which no duplicates exist. Especially is this true of the priceless collection of portraits of Indian chiefs, with autographs, from the brush of H. F. Farny, which occupy one room by themselves. Mr. Anderson's life work has ended. His achievements were those of an upright, public spirited and generous man, one who ever gave his influence in the direc- tion of what was best and most uplifting. His death was a distinct and irre- parable loss to Cincinnati.
FRANK B. WIBORG.
FRANK B. WIBORG, vice-president and secretary of The Ault & Wiborg Company, manufacturers of printing inks and dry colors and owning the largest establishment of its kind in the world, is one of the prominent citizens of Cincinnati. He was born April 30, 1855, at Cleveland, Ohio, and is one of the two children born to the late Henry P. Wiborg, one of the pioneer business men of Cleveland.
Mr. Wiborg was educated in the public schools of Cleveland, and came to Cincinnati in 1878. For the past 25 years the business house in which he is partner has been firmly established here, growing with the city's growth and being one of the important industrial plants of the place. This concern gives employment to a large force of competent men, distributes an im- mense amount of money and sends its products around the world, its inks · having a commercial value in Japan and, indeed, all along the East Asian coast, from Vladivostok to Bangkok. It is recognized, having been amply proved, that Cincinnati is the center for the manufacture of printing inks and the location of the great plant of The Ault & Wiborg Company has much to do with this distinction. Both L. A. Ault, who is president and treas- urer of the company, and our subject are men of rare business ability and that they have the esteem and affection of their large army of employees, on account of their fair and just treatment, was shown on August 28, 1903, when the pleasant ceremony took place of the presentation by the latter of a handsome bronze statue to the members of the company. The factory is located on New street, where excellent transportation facilities are at hand for the handling of the output.
In 1882 Mr. Wiborg was married to a daughter of Maj. Hoyt Sherman,
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of Des Moines Iowa. Mrs. Wiborg is a niece of the late distinguished states- man, Hon. John Sherman and the renowned soldier, Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, both of Ohio. Maj. Hoyt Sherman, whose death took place in Des Moines, Iowa, January 25, 1904, was born in Lancaster, Ohio, November 1, 1827, and was the youngest son of Hon. Charles R. Sherman, judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Until he was 18 years old, he divided his time between work in a printing office and his studies at school. He removed from Ohio to Fort Des Moines, Iowa, in 1848, two years after the Hawkeye State was admitted to the Union, and continued to make that place his home for over half a century. Fort Des Moines was then the extreme frontier gar- rison. He was admitted to the bar the year following his arrival and subsequently practiced law, handled real estate and investments and became a large land owner. He was the second postmaster of Des Moines, receiving his commission from President Zachary Taylor, and served in that capacity four years. He was also clerk of the District Court at the same time, and performed all the duties of these two offices in a one-room log cabin. In 1854 he established the banking house of Hoyt Sherman & Com- pany, and two years' later he was leader in organizing the State Bank of Iowa. This was the most famous of the great State banks of the then far West, which, under special charters and rigid State supervision, brought order out of chaos in the time of "wildcat" money. He was a great financier, and to his management of the State Bank was chiefly due its success. It was the means of regulating money and provided currency for the State and directly gave more help than any other agency to the early development of the State. His writings on banking and finance are among the ablest of his period. He was appointed United States paymaster, with the rank of major, by President Lincoln, and served during the Civil War, at the con- clusion of which he returned to Des Moines and again engaged in business. He was repeatedly chosen a member of the State Legislature and could have been Governor had he wished. He accumulated one of the largest fortines in the Hawkeye State, which is now chiefly invested in business property in Des Moines. His health having failed several years ago, lie had led a retired life for some time.
Mr. and Mrs. Wiborg reside in one of the most beautiful homes of that delightful suburb of Cincinnati,-Clifton,-on Clifton avenue, to which are welcomed the members of the highest social circles of the city. Mr. Wiborg
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is identified with many of the more prominent fraternal and social organiza- tions of Cincinnati, is a leader in public spirited enterprises and occupies a conspicuous position in the city's commercial life.
WILLIAM BROMWELL MELISH.
WILLIAM BROMWELL MELISH is president and the largest stockholder of The Bromwell Brush & Wire Goods Company, of Cincinnati, one of the largest concerns of its kind in America, controlling numerous plants in the Central States. He was born in Wilmington, Ohio, July 28, 1852, and is a son of Rev. Thomas Jefferson and Maria (Bromwell) Melish, and grand- son of John Melish. The grandfather was born in Paisley, Scotland, came to America in 1817 and became a prominent book publisher of Philadelphia.
Rev. Thomas Jefferson Melish was for many years the distinguished rec- tor of. St. Philip's Protestant Episcopal Church of Cincinnati, in which city he resided from 1845 until his death in 1896. He was married in 1849 to Maria Bromwell, who was a native of Ohio and a daughter of William and Sarah (Davis) Bromwell, her father being a prominent merchant and at one time a member of the City Council of Cincinnati.
William B. Melish attended the public schools of Cincinnati, and later Denison University at Granville, Ohio. He entered the field of business in 1871 as clerk and bookkeeper of the company with which he is now identi- fied. He later acted as traveling salesman for a period of four years, when he was taken into the partnership. He was secretary and treasurer of the company from 1883 until 1896, then was elected to the presidency. The Bromwell Brush & Wire Goods Company owns and operates large factories in Cincinnati and Mansfield, Ohio, Jackson, Michigan, and Greensburg, In- diana, giving employment to one thousand hands. Mr. Melish is one of the most capable business men of Ohio, possessing splendid executive force and superior powers for planning and carrying forward to completion whatever he undertakes.
Mr. Melish has attained particular prominence as a Mason, standing among the foremost in the councils of that order. He became a member of this fraternity at Milford, Ohio, in 1873, and made rapid advancement until he had received all the higher orders of Free Masonry. He is now past grand
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commander of the Knights Templar of Ohio, and also a past grand master. In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite he stands preeminent among the first of the order. As a ritualist he excels in the esoteric working of the elaborate degrees of that branch of speculative Masonry. In the city of Cincinnati his labors as a Mason have been prodigious, relieving the distressed during the great floods of 1883-84, and in rebuilding the Scottish Rite Cathedral which had been destroyed by fire. He instituted Syrian Temple, A. A. O N. M. S., in Cincinnati, and was largely instrumental in establishing temples at other points in the West. In 1892; he was elected imperial potentate for North America, the highest position in the order, in which capacity he pre- sided at the great Shriners' conclave at Cincinnati in 1893. He served a second term in 1895. He is now grand captain general of the Grand En- campment, Knights Templar, of the United States.
Politically, Mr. Melish has always been a Republican, but not a poli- tician although an enthusiastic worker for party success. He was appointed in 1896 as senior aid-de-camp on the staff of Governor Asa S. Bushnell with the rank of colonel. In 1898 he was appointed one of the Water Works Com- missioners to build new Water Works for Cincinnati. He is a member of the Blaine Club, Queen City Club, Bankers' Club and Manufacturers' Club of Cincinnati and the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Melish was married September 16, 1873, to Sallie H. Gatch, a daughter of Capt. Francis M. and Selina (Barber) Gatch, of Clermont County, Ohio, and they are parents of two children: Mrs. May Melish Harris; and Thomas G. Melish. Mr. and Mrs. Melish are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
T. J. WIDRIG.
T. J. WIDRIG, who was one of the prominent and esteemed citizens of Newport, Kentucky, and for many years a valued member of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, was born March 6, 1830, at Ragatz, Switzerland, and died April 3, 1902, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George Krebs, at Hamilton, Ohio, while on a visit.
Mr. Widrig, upon coming to America, directed his steps toward Cincin- nati, where he arrived February 2, 1845, a few months later establishing
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his permanent home in Newport, Kentucky. His business interests were mainly in that city outside of his feed business, which he conducted on Mon- mouth avenue, Cincinnati, for more than 40 years. He was a man of integ- rity and accumulated a large fortune by legitimate means, expending large portions of it in charities. He retired from business some years prior to his death. He filled a number of responsible positions during his long life of 60 years in Newport, for 12 years serving as one of the Water Works Commissioners, and also as president of the Trustees of the Sinking Fund. From the date of its organization until his death, he was president of the Newport Mutual Fire Insurance Company and of the Phoenix Building Association.
In 1858 Mr. Widrig was married to Margaret Fethi, who died July 30, 1896. The eight surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Widrig are as fol- lows : T. J., Jr., who is a prominent business man of Newport, Kentucky ; L. C., who is a wholesale and retail dealer in drugs, paints and oils in New- port; Joseph, who is in business in New York City; Edward, a business man of Newport; Mrs. Henry Enne-King, who resides in Newport; Mrs. George Krebs, who lives in Hamilton, Ohio; Mrs. Casper Krebs, who also lives in Hamilton; and Emma.
This brief summary of the life of a useful and valued citizen may be appropriately supplemented by a quotation from the resolutions adopted by the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, when that body learned of his death : "To many he has not only been a friend, but a counsellor, always ready and willing to help a fellow man. Of a genial and happy nature, he made the world better for his living."
To make the world better for living-what a noble record to leave be- hind! Faithful in every relation of public and private life, he thus left to his family a memory which is in itself a precious heritage.
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JOSEPH L. HALL.
JOSEPH L. HALL, whose name is known the world over as the founder of the famous bank lock and safe manufacturing house of Cincinnati, and who for many years of his active life was identified with this city's flourish- ing industries, died at his home in Cincinnati, March 10, 1889. Mr. Hall
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was born at Salem, New Jersey, May 9, 1823, and was the second son of Edward and Anna (Lloyd) Hall, who removed from New Jersey to Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, in 1832. There the father engaged in various enter- prises, but as success did not at that time crown any of them, the sons were obliged at a very early age to become wage earners.
Hence it came about that Joseph L. Hall had but limited school ad- vantages for he was but eight years old when, by running errands and making himself as useful as one of his years could be, he contributed enough to the family fund to provide his own support. He early developed talents in a mechanical line, but prevailing conditions opened no avenue for him to exer- cise his skill, and it was not until he was 17 years old that he secured per- manent employment of any kind. He then went into the steamboat business and continued on various boats of the Mississippi and other rivers until 1846. Upon his return to Pittsburg he became interested, with his father, in the manufacture of fireproof safes, an industry then in its infancy. Both father and son possessed remarkable mechanical ingenuity and skill, but lack of capital constantly hampered them, even after they removed to a better field of operation,-the city of Cincinnati. In 1851 the father of our subject withdrew from the business, disposing of his interest to William B. Dodds and the firm of Hall, Dodds & Company was then formed, an organization of enterprising, energetic business men, which was soon in a position to employ a force of 15 men and turn out two complete safes a week. By May, 1867, the business had grown enormously and Mr. Hall then organized the Hall Safe & Lock Company, becoming its president and treasurer. His inventive genius now had full play and his time was given to the improvement of old methods and the construction of locks and safes which have never been equaled for stability or suitability. He obtained more than 30 patents for his various improvements and was the patentee of II different bank locks, always taking first premium at every exposition. It is a proud and justified assertion of this company, that no safe of their manufacture has ever failed of its purpose in time of fire.
In addition to the vast amount of business entailed by this great enter- prise, Mr. Hall was interested in many other corporations in Cincinnati, with which he held official relations. For many years he was one of the directors and conservative advisers of the Cincinnati National Bank. Although re- peatedly solicited, he would never consent to hold political office. His life
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interests were centered in his business, his family, and in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a consistent member for many years. He was a man of affable manner and pleasing personality, of great benevo- lence and a generous dispenser of charity.
In early manhood Mr. Hall married Sarah J. Jewell, a native of Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania. These children grew to maturity : Anna M., deceased , May 24, 1903, who was the wife of Richard T. Pullen of Cincinnati; Ed- ward C., who married Anna M. Mix, a daughter of Capt. William F. and Ann (Freeman) Mix, and has five children,-Katherine, Sarah, Edith, Ed- ward C., Jr., and Joseph L .; Joseph L., Jr., deceased May 18, 1879, who married Carrie Potts; Katherine L., who married John B. Hart of Cincin- nati: William H., who married Mary Pullen, and has three children,-Sarah J., Jessie Lloyd and William H., Jr., who died November 24, 1901 ; Charles O., who married Adella B. Bryan of Elmira, New York; A. Acton, who mar- ried Mary Foulds, daughter of Thomas F. Foulds, of Cincinnati; Walker P., who married Lavinia Baker, and is a member of the business firm of Roberts & Hall of this city; Pearl, who married Dr. Gustavus S. Junker- man, dean of the Cincinnati College of Dental Surgery, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Sarah J., who married Frank H. Clark of Spring- field, Ohio; Chloe; and Jessie, the youngest, who is the wife of Alfred Trevor. Chloe Hall married S. F. Kemper, a son of Henry L. and Eliza- beth ( Martin) Kemper, the former of whom was born August 14, 1829, in a house at the corner of Highland and McMillan streets and for many years was a member of the firm of Kemper Brothers, dealers in carriage trimmings. . Mr. and Mrs. S. F. Kemper have had three children . S. F., Jr. ; Marian H., who died at the age of six years; and Henry Lawson (3).
The Hall's Safe Company is one of the large and important husiness organizations of Cincinnati, with Edward C. Hall as president, William H. Hall as vice-president, S. F. Kemper as secretary, and Mrs. Frank H. Clark (nèe Sarah J. Hall) of Springfield, Ohio, and A. Acton Hall of Piqua, Ohio, as incorporators.
The Hall's Safe Company is one of the leading concerns of its kind in the world. It has a capacity of 8,000 safes annually and has a record of constructing not only the largest but the most complete safes ever put upon the market. Its trade relations cover every part of the world and the com-
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pany has agencies in the following cities: New York City; Chicago, Illinois : Boston, Massachusetts; Baltimore, Maryland; Richmond, Virginia; Savan- nah, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana ; Nashville, Tennessee; Dallas, Texas; St. Louis, Missouri; Kansas City, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska; St. Paul, Minnesota; Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Washington; Spokane, Washington; Montreal, Canada; while among the foreign coun- tries in which this company has established agencies are: China, India, Java, New Zealand, South America, Africa, Holland, Australia, Austria, Norway, Colombia, Vancouver, British Columbia, and the Philippine Islands. The success which has accompanied the invasion of so widely separated points has justified the assertion that the Hall's safes and locks have no superiors
LOUIS E. MEIER.
The death of Louis E. Meier, on May 28, 1901, at his beautiful home on Eden avenue, Cincinnati, removed from this city a man whose identifica- tion with its lumber and other interests had made him known, while his honorable methods had made him also esteemed by all who had relations with him. Mr. Meier was born in Cincinnati on October 9, 1863. His father was Henry Meier, who had long been engaged in the lumber business in this city.
Louis E. Meier completed his education in his native city and then became associated with his father and two brothers in the lumber business. His energy and industry, combined with other business qualifications, en- abled him to contribute much to the advancement of the firm.
Mr. Meier was an active Republican and was one of the leading spirits of the Blaine Club. He had no political aspirations, but was considered one of the party's safest advisers. He was a valued member of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, and was always ready to demonstrate his interest in civic affairs and contributed willingly to advance the interests of the city. Among many enterprises in which he was interested was the Onyx mine, in the State of Washington.
His charities were notable, although unostentatiously rendered. For some years he was one of the directors of the German Protestant Orphan Asylum, a member of various benevolent organizations; and was
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HUBERT HEUCK.
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a Mason of high degree,-a member of N. C. Harmony Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M., Cincinnati Commandery, No. 3, K. T., and the Mystic Shrine; and was also connected with the social order of Turn-Verein.
Mr. Meier was married on April 2, 1884, to Ella Aug, who with three children survives him. Mr. Meier was a man who was personally much beloved, his friendly bearing and sincerity of manner winning him admirers and attached friends. By request, his burial obsequies were held at the Cathedral, a church he had devoutly attended through life. The large concourse present all desired to show their sympathy for those be- reaved and to express respect for one who had lived so honorable a life.
HUBERT HEUCK.
In one of the beautiful homes on Jefferson avenue, Corryville, resides Hubert Heuck, Cincinnati's pioneer theatrical manager, whose portrait ac- companies this sketch. He is widely known in the profession throughout the country, and for more than a quarter of a century has been prominently identified with the theatrical interests of Cincinnati. He is vice-president of the Empire Circuit of Theaters; director of Heuck's Opera House and president of The Heuck's Opera House Company; and director of the Ly- ceum and People's theaters of Cincinnati and the Empire Theater of In- dianapolis, Indiana.
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