USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 2 > Part 3
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Few newspaper men throughout the Ohio Valley have been better known or more admired for their conception of true journalism than the late editor of the Volksfreund. He was a valued member of all the leading German fraternal and benevolent organizations of the city, and in many of them was the leading spirit. Throughout his long career of far reaching usefulness, he was always a man of note, possessing, as he did, the social qualities which ease and sweeten life, and those manly attributes and high ideals that com- mand admiration and reverence.
AUGUST W. BRUCK.
AUGUST W. BRUCK, an attorney-at-law of Cincinnati, was born in Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, October 8, 1860, and is a son of Nicholas and Christina (Walter) Bruck. His father was born in Bavaria, Germany, and his mother was a native of Baden, Germany; both came to America with their respective parents, locating near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There they were married, and in 1862 moved to Cincinnati, where Mr. Bruck was employed in the City Water Works for many years. The father died in 1892, and his widow is still living.
August W. Bruck attended the public schools and Entrup's Academy, after which he learned type-setting. He was employed for a time by the
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Cincinnati Star and later by the Cincinnati Enquirer. While holding cases on the latter paper, he began the study of the law, later entered the Cincinnati Law School and was graduated with the class of 1885. He then began the 1 practice of his profession with ex-Judge T. A. O'Connor, with whom he
continued until the latter's death. He was then associated with Hon. John A. Caldwell until the latter's election to the bench of the Common Pleas Court. Mr. Bruck was identified actively in two campaigns with the Labor party, in the first as a candidate for a seat on the Superior Court bench, and in the second for the Probate judgeship. With these exceptions, his political affiliations have always been Democratic. He was for a period of four years title examiner for the B. of A. Fraternally he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Elm Street Club and the Musik-Verein. For several years he was an officer of Typographical Union, No. 3. Mr. Bruck is married and the father of a boy, and resides with his family on Dayton street. Mr. and Mrs. Bruck are members of the Presbyterian Church.
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GEORGE WASHINGTON McALPIN.
GEORGE WASHINGTON MCALPIN, whose death took place April 20, 1890, was at that time the oldest wholesale dry goods merchant, in term of years, in Cincinnati, and was widely known all over the State for his hon- orable business methods and for his integrity of character. Mr. McAlpin was born in Cincinnati, July 4, 1827, and was appropriately named after the father of his country. He was a son of Andrew and Margaret (Merrie) McAlpin, the former of whom was born in 1793, in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to Cincinnati in 1817. The latter was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, in 1798, and came with her parents to Cincinnati in 1804. She sur- vived her husband 13 years, dying in her 78th year. Andrew McAlpin was an old business man of Cincinnati, a manufacturer and dealer in furniture and also in hardware, his death in 1863 closing a long, successful and hon- orable business life.
George W. McAlpin was given the best educational advantages the city afforded and completed the courses of study at Woodward High School and Cincinnati College. In 1842 he began his. business career, at that time entering the wholesale dry goods house of John Taylor, the firm later becom-
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ing Taylor & Ellis, and there he remained until 1850, during this period acquiring that thorough knowledge of mercantile and commercial trade which contributed to his later success. In 1850 he was admitted to partnership, the firm name changing then to John W. Ellis & Company, later to Ellis, McAlpin & Company, still later to McAlpin, Polk & Hibbard, then to Mc- Alpin, Polk & Company, and then to Geo. W. McAlpin & Company. This firmly established business was discontinued soon after his death, and others have since organized the retail establishment that is now conducted under the style of The Geo. W. McAlpin Company in the imposing quarters erected for it on Fourth street. Mr. McAlpin devoted the best energies of his life to the upbuilding of this great business which had its foundation built upon the rock of business integrity. It is now and long has been one of the largest in the country and its trade relations extend to every land where the flag of commerce floats. Mr. McAlpin accumulated one of the largest fortunes in Cincinnati and it was his pride and joy that it bore only the stamp of honest methods and fair dealing. Aside from his mercantile interests, Mr. McAlpin was interested in other enterprises and for 15 years was a stockholder in, and one of the directors of, the First National Bank of Cincinnati. A large oil painting of Mr. McAlpin adorns the walls of this bank. He was for five years a trustee of Lane Theological Seminary and for a like time a director of Spring Grove Cemetery. He was deeply interested in the various charities of the city and particularly so in the Orphan Asylum, of which he was the treasurer for 10 years.
Mr. McAlpin's interest in the progress and development of the city was constant and during his 15 years of service as a member of the City Council his advice and influence always favored movements looking to permanent and substantial results. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce and was one of its most valued members. In politics he was a Republican, but no politician. For many years he was an elder in the Clifton Presbyterian Church, in which beautiful and aristocratic suburb his home was located; he had previously been an elder in the Seventh Presbyterian Church on Broadway, also in the Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church.
On July 2, 1850, Mr. McAlpin was married to Emily Louisa Spining, a daughter of Pierson A. Spining, a prominent merchant of Springfield, Ohio. The following are the children of Mr. and Mrs. McAlpin, all of whom are deceased: William Barkalow, who married Harriet Woodruff; James
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Andrew ; Pierson Spining; and Emily Spining, who was the wife of Arthur Stem. Mrs. McAlpin still resides in the elegant family home at No. 318 Lafayette avenue, Clifton. A portrait of the subject of this brief sketch may be found on a foregoing page in proximity to this.
J. HENRY FRENCH.
The sudden death of J. Henry French at his beautiful home at No. 974 Dana avenue, Avondale, in November, 1903, removed from the business and social circles of Cincinnati one whose long association with them had brought him worldly wealth and the highest measure of esteem.
Mr. French came of New England ancestry, and his birth took place in 1828, at Derby, Connecticut. In seeking wider business opportunities, he left his native place in boyhood and located for a time at Granville, Ohio, from which place, in 1849, he came to Cincinnati. After a short season in the dry goods business, he became connected with the great grain firm of Tweed, · Sibley & French, as its junior member, with which firm he was identified , until 1874. Business prospects attracted him to Chicago, where he became very actively interested in the grain trade, and was there honored by election to the presidency of the Chicago Board of Trade. After successfully com- peting with the business giants of the Windy City, he returned to Cin- cinnati to resume old social associations and to establish here his permanent home. He was warmly welcomed and soon after accepted the position of treasurer of The Procter & Gamble Company, an office he held until his death. Mr. French's record as a business man was one of success, and in no small way was he successful on account of his careful attention to every obligation and his constant recognition of all the relationships of commercial life.
On September 20, 1853, Mr. French was united in marriage with Cath- erine C. Smith, who was born in Vermont of Kentucky and Vermont parent- age. Mrs. French still survives, with their three children, viz .: Herbert G., who is assistant treasurer of The Procter & Gamble Company; Harry D., who is in the piano business in Chicago; and Mrs. Charles E. Cate, of Cleve- land, Ohio.
While Mr. French was highly esteemed by all who knew him on account
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of his sterling characteristics and gentle courtesy, he was more than usually beloved in his immediate family. The celebration of the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. French, which occurred in September last, was an occasion which will remain a comforting and sweet memory with his children. Although never ostentatious in his giving, he was a man of many charities, in many cases selecting the Episcopal Church as his medium. Since boyhood he was one of its consistent members and for years was closely identified with Christ Church. Among those who came to pay a last tribute to his memory at Spring Grove Cemetery, were the leading citizens of Cincinnati, many of whom had been his friends from young manhood.
FRANKLIN T. CAHILL.
FRANKLIN T. CAHILL, an attorney-at-law of Cincinnati, Ohio, was born in this city, September 18, 1859, and is a son of John F. and Cynthia (Clark) Cahill and grandson of James Cahill.
James Cahill was a native of Ireland and became a linen manufacturer of considerable means. He came to America in 1820; looking about for a satisfactory place of business and residence, he passed Cincinnati by as too small and unpromising a place, and located in Rising Sun, Indiana. He later returned to Hamilton County, Ohio, settling on a farm in Delhi township, where he resided until 1876, when he died at the remarkable age of 103 years. His brother, Rev. D. W. Cahill, D. D., was one of the most distinguished Roman Catholic divines and orators of the first half of the 19th century.
John F. Cahill was born at Rising Sun, Indiana, and in time became a prosperous merchant in Cincinnati. In 1869 he purchased a farm in Delhi township, where he resided until 1880, then returned to Cincinnati, where he has since lived. He married Cynthia Clark, who was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, of old New England stock, being a second cousin of Franklin Pierce, President of the United States. She died in 1883.
Franklin T. Cahill received his early education under private tutors and at St. Xavier College. Determining to enter the legal profession, he read law in the office of Stephen Coles and attended Cincinnati Law School, from which institution he was graduated. He was admitted to the bar in 1880, and has since practiced with unvarying success. He is a Republican in
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politics, but has never been a seeker for political honors. He is a member of the Cincinnati Literary Club, and the Cincinnati Art Club. He was for several years professor of medical jurisprudence in the Cincinnati College of Med- icine and Surgery. Mr. Cahill's brother, Rev. Casper B. Cahill, is pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, of Cincinnati.
JAMES W. LEAHY, M. D., D. D. S.
The death of Dr. James W. Leahy, on September 20, 1903, at his home, No. 14 West Seventh street, Cincinnati, removed from this city a very promi- nent man in his profession. He was born in Cincinnati in 1868.
Dr. Leahy was reared and educated in Cincinnati, entering upon the practice of dentistry in 1890, soon drawing a large part of the most lucra- tive trade of the city. His skill became noted and for a number of years he was a member of the faculty of the Cincinnati Dental College. For a long time he was regarded as the leading professional man in his line in this part of the State. 1
Dr. Leahy was also held in high regard by various fraternal orders in which he had taken an active part. He was a prominent Elk and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Young Men's Institute and the Inde- pendent Order of Foresters. The funeral services were under the auspices of these orders, and were of the most impressive character. A consistent member of St. Francis Xavier Church, requiem high mass was sung and his remains were laid away in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Thus at a comparatively early age passed away one who will long be recalled with tender memories, for he was honorable and trustworthy in business and was kind, generous and thoughtful in fraternal and family relations.
GEN. SAMUEL FENTON CARY.
GEN. SAMUEL FENTON CARY was born at the head of Main street in Cincinnati, February 18, 1814. His father, William Cary, came to Ohio from New Hampshire in 1802. His mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Fenton, was a native of New York State and came west in 1805.
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Samuel Fenton was the youngest of three sons. The eldest, Freeman G., became a noted educator and was the founder of Farmers' College, College Hill, now the Ohio Military Institute. When the subject of this sketch was six weeks old his parents removed to College Hill, then an unbroken wilder- ness. He received his early education in the neighborhood school, and at 17 entered Miami University where he graduated in 1835. He was made a Doctor of Laws by his alma mater. He graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1837, and formed a law partnership with Hon. William B. Cald- well, afterward Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Samuel F. Cary was elected to the Supreme Court bench by the Legislature of this State, when only a few weeks over the legal age, but owing to his large private prac- tice he declined the honor. His political career began from the time he left college. At the age of 22 he stumped Ohio and Indiana for Gen. William Henry Harrison, the Whig candidate for President. He was chief of staff of three Governors of Ohio, was paymaster general of the Ohio troops during the Mexican War, appointed by Governor Bartley and reappointed by Governor Bebb; he then received his title of general. He became a Republican at the breaking out of the Civil War and was a delegate to the National Re- publican Convention when Lincoln was nominated for the second term. Dur- ing the Civil War he devoted his time and his talents to the work of raising recruits for the Union Army, and Governor Morton of Indiana said he did more to stir up the patriotism of the North and had raised more troops through his fiery eloquence than any 10 men in the country.
General Cary was assistant provost marshal of Cincinnati at the time an attack was expected from Gen. Kirby Smith's brigade. At the close of the war, he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the Cincinnati dis- trict, but afterward resigned. He was elected as an independent candidate for Congress in the Second Congressional District of Ohio in 1867 and was the only Republican member of the House that voted against the impeach- ment of President Andrew Johnson. In 1876 General Cary was the Green- back candidate for Vice-President of the United States with Peter Cooper at the head of the ticket. The year previous he was on the ticket with Gov- ernor Allen, for Lieutenant-Governor of Ohio.
Early in life General Cary consecrated himself to the advancement of the temperance cause. He was elected most worthy patriarch of the National Division of the Sons of Temperance in 1848. In 1870 he went to England
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and for 10 months lectured on temperance and the "Rights of Labor." He edited several magazines devoted to the temperance cause and for years wrote able articles for the daily press on the money question and other economic subjects. He was the author of the "Cary Memorials" and extended gene- alogy of the Cary family. He was a life member of the Ohio Society, Sons of the Revolution. He was one of the founders and for 50 years a member of the College Hill Presbyterian Church. He was twice married. His first wife was M. Louise Allen, and a daughter of this marriage, Mrs. Sayre, still lives on College Hill. The second wife, Lida Stilwell, survived him three years, and left two children: S. F. Cary, Jr., of the Cincinnati Enquirer staff and Miss Jessie Cary.
General Cary died at his home on College Hill September 29, 1900. His last public address was at the unveiling of the Harrison Monument in this city in 1895. Alice and Phoebe Cary, the authors, were his cousins, and were reared in the same neighborhood. He was an orator with few equals and no superior. The absolute honesty and irreproachable private character of General Cary was acknowledged by his most bitter political opponents, and that he did not achieve greater political honors was due to his firm ad- herence to principles rather than party, and his strong advocacy of unpopular reforms.
JAMES GILMORE.
JAMES GILMORE, whose death occurred July 12, 1897, was one of the foremost retired capitalists of Cincinnati. He was actively and conspicuously connected with the financial circles of the city, for many years as the head of the banking house of James Gilmore & Company, until he withdrew from the banking business, December 2, 1878. He was born at Bridgehampton, Long Island, September 21, 1814, and was a son of Gurdon R. and Phoebe (Sandford) Gilmore, the former of whom was born at Bailieborough, County Cavan, Ireland, and the latter at Bridgehampton, Long Island.
In 1821 Gurdon R. Gilmore and his brother John Gilmore removed to Cincinnati and established the earliest private banking house in this city, under the firm name of J. & G. R. Gilmore. It was located on Main street, on the West Side and its site can yet be noted. On October 21, 1832, Mr. Gilmore died, a victim of cholera.
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Prior to the death of his father, Mr. Gilmore of this sketch entered Yale College, where he was graduated in 1834. He then entered upon the study of the law, but he was encouraged by his uncle to take up his father's banking interests, and on January 1, 1840, he established his banking house which he continued to personally manage until his retirement from activity in 1878. During this long career in business, Mr. Gilmore sustained a character for ability and uprightness, and was identified with much of the growth and development of Cincinnati.
On July 8, 1842, Mr. Gilmore was married to Mary Jane Stibbs, of Cincinnati, and five children were born to this union, of whom his son Virgil G. was the last to be associated with him in business. Virgil G. Gilmore is ranked as one of Cincinnati's leading men; he served as French consular agent in Cincinnati from 1876 to 1885. He resides with his family at the Hotel Alms, Walnut Hills, having retired from active business pursuits. They are very prominent in the social life of Cincinnati. Clarence D. Gil- more, brother of Virgil G., was also associated with his father, James Gil- more, in the banking business. He died March 16, 1890. A grandson of our subject, who carries his name, James Gilmore, is a son of Virgil G. Gilmore. James Gilmore is one of the leading architects of this city, being a partner of J. W. Mclaughlin in the firm of Mclaughlin & Gilmore. James Gilmore was born in Cincinnati, and at an early age evinced a liking for the profession of an architect, being sent abroad at the age of 10 years to prepare himself for his present profession. He graduated from the tech- nical schools of Florence, Italy, the University of Pisa and the School of Application of Engineers in Rome.
CHARLES H. FOERTMEYER, M. D.
CHARLES H. FOERTMEYER, M. D., one of the prominent and skilled medical practitioners of Cincinnati, was born March 1, 1841, in Bohnhorst, Hanover, Germany, and is a son of D. F. and Doris (Mente) Foertmeyer, the former of whom was born March 10, 1798, and the latter, July 28, 1801. The father was a man of education and ability and was well known in his own locality as an educator and as an organist. His death occurred May 24, 1861. His parents were Wilhelm and Louisa (Mell) Foertmeyer, the
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GEN. THOMAS TINSLEY HEATH.
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former of whom learned the tailoring trade. Wilhelm Foertmeyer's father served in the army of the King of Hanover, holding the rank of lieutenant of artillery and won distinction at the battle of Dettinger in 1743, when 35,000 English and Hanoverians defeated the French army of 60,000.
Dr. Foertmeyer obtained his early education at Bohnhorst, and after coming to America studied pharmacy and later entered upon the study of medicine with the late Dr. C. A. Miller, of Cincinnati. In the spring of 1872 he was graduated at the Medical College of Ohio and immediately opened an office for general practice, on Mill street, Cincinnati. He has met with great success and is well known in the city, county and State. He is a member of the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine and the Ohio State Med- ical Society and for years he has been the medical examiner of the Knights of Honor, to which he belongs. He has honorably and efficiently filled other positions, and during 1878-79 he was medical examiner of the insane at the Probate Court.
On February 3, 1868, Dr. Foertmeyer was married to Rose Rentz, daughter of Sebastian and Cecelia Rentz, of Cincinnati. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party.
GEN. THOMAS TINSLEY HEATH.
GEN. THOMAS TINSLEY HEATH, distinguished as lawyer and soldier, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was born at Xenia, Ohio, March 10, 1835, and is the eldest son of the late Rev. Uriah and Mary Ann ( Perkins) Heath. His paternal and maternal ancestors were soldiers in the Revolu- tion, and his father was a major in the militia of Ohio.
Rev. Uriah Heath was one of the leading Methodist ministers in the Ohio Conference, was a champion and advocate of higher education, an ardent Abolitionist, possessed of one of the best libraries in the State, and suc- cessively filled the pulpit in some of the most desirable towns and cities in Ohio. He was a trustee of Ohio University at Athens, and also of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware.
Thomas Tinsley Heath was named after Judge Tinsley, the law pre- ceptor of Henry Clay. He was always a student, even in his younger days, and in the preparatory department of Marietta College, Maxwell's Academy,
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received the first prize. He excelled in athletic sports as well, being very fond of skating, swimming, baseball, hunting and riding. In leisure mo- ments and during vacations he indulged his natural bent for mechanics, mak- ing wagons, sleds, book-cases, etc., and taking a turn at the tailor's, black- smith's, harnessmaker's and carpenter's trades. Before he was out of school, he surveyed and platted a town and with his own hands built a dwelling house. Upon his father's removal from Marietta to Columbus District, he matriculated in Ohio Wesleyan University, and in addition to the prescribed course, in furtherance of his ambition to become a lawyer, he read Walker's "American Law" and Blackstone's and Kent's "Commentaries". After three years in that institution, he came to Cincinnati and entered the Cincinnati Law School, at the same time entering the office of Hon. Bellamy Storer, Sr., then judge of the Superior Court of Cincinnati, and with him he continued for two years. In 1858 he was graduated from the law school, among his classmates being such distinguished men as Col. Fred C. Jones (who fell at Stone River), Governor E. F. Noyes, Judge William L. Avery and others. He was admitted to the bar but instead of practicing took a trip abroad, spending a year in Dublin, London, Edinburgh and Paris, in which cities he observed the procedure in the various judicial courts. Returning, he · began practice, becoming a partner of Hon. Thomas C. Ware under the firm name of Ware & Heath. This firm continued until the election of his partner to the office of city solicitor, our subject continuing the office and business. As soon as news that Fort Sumter had been fired upon reached him, he closed his office with the object of entering the service. He was one of a committee appointed to go to Washington and secure the acceptance of three regiments recruited in Cincinnati, and then under authority of Gen. John C. Fremont at St. Louis he mainly recruited, organized and equipped the regiment known as the Fifth Regiment of Ohio Cavalry. Not having received a military education, he would not accept the 'command of the regi- ment, but induced W. H. H. Taylor, a nephew and son-in-law of President William Henry Harrison, to be mustered in as colonel, and himself became lieutenant-colonel. He was constantly in camp and the instruction and disci- pline of the regiment devolved upon him. Tiring of being held in the Camp of Instruction, he appealed to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, who ordered Colonel Townsend to make out the orders, which came through Major-General Halleck, and in two days Colonel Heath, with two battalions
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