USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 2 > Part 33
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At the outbreak of the Civil War, when many so-called patriotic citi- zens saw, in the increased demand and inflated prices, chances to advance their own business interests, it will be remembered that Thomas G. Odiorne gave up his various activities, and with true patriotism as well as Christian benevolence devoted himself to the personal care of the unfortunate. He was elected a member of the Cincinnati Branch of the Sanitary Commission and soon proved so valuable that he became president. His labors carried him everywhere; one day he would be in Washington, consulting with Secretary Stanton or President Lincoln; another, at the front in the hospital or camp; one week, raising supplies; the next, chartering steamboats to send them to their destination. An appeal that he issued gives an idea of the situation. "The tramp of contending armies," he says, "has thrown upon the border an increase of refugees truly appalling. A single steamer landed at our wharf, about two weeks since, near four hundred of these people, about one-half of whom were children. Their substance had been consumed, their homes made desolate. If citizens here or elsewhere would know the desolation that war makes among families, let them visit the barracks, the stables, the temporary shelter of rails or boards, where these sufferers are found. They will not return with the impression that we
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will not help the families of Rebels, or that this class of people should not have come North. * With little or no food, starvation stared them in the face. In extreme cases temporary shelter is provided, but here private sympathy and aid must come in to protect, cheer, clothe, and care for all, and especially the many who are sick. We plead for helpless, homeless women and children." He did not ask in vain, for such confidence was placed in
. his word that the mere announcement brought response. Edward Everett put the Eastern funds under his direction, and at the termination of hostil- ities over half a million had been disbursed without one dollar of expense so far as his labors were concerned. He was characterized as "foremost in personal attention and hard labor-in going after the wounded, in visiting the hospitals, in forwarding the supplies and in caring for sick soldiers."
During a very extended period Mr. Odiorne ranked as one of the lead- ing merchants of this city. He served as president of the Citizens' Insurance Company, which concern prospered under his administration. He was one of the oldest members of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and was held in the highest esteem by the members of that association. Mr. Odiorne was a man of few professions; his life was given to actions. In business his transactions were marked by inflexible probity. He might have amassed great wealth had he taken advantage of openings thrown in his way, but he did not desire this, feeling certain that a competency was adequate. He viewed means simply in their purchasing power and was content with mod- erate demands. His charities were multifarious, and the amount of good he did is incalculable. Whatever he undertook was supported with his whole heart, his very earnestness at times making him seem blunt. It was only, however, the intensity of a strong nature that would not brook restraint. He was the very soul of hospitality and never seemed happier than when shar- ing the good things of this world with .. others.
Mr. Odiorne was a deeply religious man and labored zealously in the interest of Christianity, being a. devout member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Upon coming to Cincinnati,' Christ Church became his home. Three years later, in 1849, when the movement was projected looking to- wards the organization of a church in the western part of the city, Mr. Odiorne allied himself at once with the undertaking, withdrawing from Christ Church with Gideon Burton. When he left the Sunday-school, of which he was superintendent, he was honored by being made a life mem-
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ber of the American Tract Society, all of the scholars contributing toward the securing of this distinction. The formal organization of St. John's Church took place in June, and Mr. Odiorne became the first senior warden. He continued as one of the pillars of the church for a third of a century. The parish of St. John's Church was united with that of St. Paul's in 1882, and he thereupon became one of the incorporators of St. Luke's Church and served upon its first vestry, assisting very materially in improving the physical condition of the church. During the last years of his life he attended St. Paul's Church. In spite of niany and pressing public require- ments, he was ever constant in attendance on the means of grace. During his long connection with St. John's Church, he assisted his indefatigable wife in the infant class, which became a noted feature in the work. He was con- spicuous at the annual church conventions and was listened to with pro- found attention. He was much interested in St. Luke's Hospital, which he served as a member of the board of trustees and as vice-president. He was a constant contributor to the Western Episcopalian and the Standard of the Cross. The subject which he championed most was that of the afternoon Sunday-school. His fondness for the clergy was noteworthy and his house was always a haven for them.
In 1841 Mr. Odiorne was married to Annette W. Phelps, who is a daughter of Ralph Rudolphus and Abigail (Sloan) Phelps, being the only surviving member of the parental family of nine children. Ralph R. Phelps, who was a graduate of Dartmouth College, practiced law in Manlius, New York, for a number of years, but later removed to Cincinnati, where he erected beautiful mansion. Mrs. Odiorne still resides in this city; there resides with her a faithful maid who has served her for 46 years.
ZOHETH FREEMAN, M. D.
ZOHETH FREEMAN, M. D., an eminent physician and surgeon of the Eclectic medical school, located for many years in Cincinnati in the active practice of his profession and in attendance upon professorial duties in the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, was born in Milton, Queens County, Nova Scotia, July 17, 1826, and died February 22, 1898. His father was a
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lumber manufacturer, owning sawmills and vessels in the lumber trade and shipping lumber, staves and fish to the West Indies and South America.
Zoheth Freeman came to the United States in 1846, and early in 1847 was the first matriculant and attendant of the first course of lectures of the Buffalo Medical College. In the summer of the latter year he attended a short course of lectures at Fredonia, New York, conducted by Profs. B. L. Hill and L. E. Jones, of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, and Orin Davis, of New York State. He next attended lectures in the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati during the winter session of 1847 and the spring session of 1848 and graduated at the end of the spring session. In the summer of 1848, he gave a course of lectures on anatomy and oper- ative surgery in a newly established Eclectic medical college at Rochester, New York, and during the winter session of 1848 and spring session of 1849 was demonstrator of anatomy in the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. In the summer of 1849, he again lectured in the Rochester Medical College on anatomy and operative surgery, and demonstrated an- atomy in the dissecting room upon cadavers shipped from Cincinnati in barrels of new whiskey. This was risky business, for cholera was then raging here; had the people of Rochester known what was being done in a quiet corner of an upper room they would have soon stopped the business. No diplomas were issued from either the school in Fredonia or the one in Rochester, but the lectures were counted in favor of those who afterward attended the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati and received diplomas here. In the winter of 1849 Dr. Freeman lectured on anatomy and demon- strated the same in the medical department of the Memphis Institute, an Eclectic school, at its first session. On account of the failure of the city to endow the Memphis Institute, as an inducement for the establishment of the medical department, those at the head of the enterprise sold their rights, privileges and property to the Memphis Medical College, an Allo- pathic organization that gave its first course of lectures in 1851. Dr. Free- man, with several associates of the faculty, returned to Cincinnati and as- sisted in reorganizing the Eclectic Medical Institute. He purchased the stock of Prof. H. P. Gatchell and took from him the chair of anatomy and the position of demonstrator of anatomy from Dr. William Owens, for the opening session of 1850, the winter session of 1851 and the spring session of 1852.
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On establishing what was called the "free school," cutting down the full amount of all the professors' fees to $20 for each student, Dr. Freeman ·resigned and went South during the fall of 1852, but was called back and took the chair of surgery in the spring of 1853. Two years later, he re- turned the chair of surgery to Prof. R. S. Newton and accepted the chair of the principles and practice of medicine for two succeeding sessions. Then he returned to the department of surgery and filled that chair most acceptably until 1872, when he resigned on account of ill health. From 1872 until his death, he was emeritus professor of clinical medicine and surgery. During the years that Newton's Clinical Institute was in operation, he lectured twice a week on clinical medicine and surgery to the entire class, perform- ing many interesting and difficult operations, and treating before the class a large number of varied and difficult diseases. This clinic was for a num- ber of years a prominent and attractive adjunct to the Eclectic Medical In- stitute.
Dr. Freeman was for 50 years in active'surgical and medical practice while in Memphis and while engaged professionally in Cincinnati. He was regarded as an excellent surgeon and teacher.
JOSEPH OKER.
The death of the venerable Joseph Oker on February 16, 1903, at his late home, No. 3424 Colerain avenue, removed from Cincinnati one of its prominent citizens and a founder of one of its largest industries. He was born March 5, 1821, at Scheihnger, Germany, and was educated in his native country. At an early age he was left an orphan and his sterling traits of character were nourished through his own unassisted efforts. A cooper by trade, at the age of 28 years he came to America to find a wider field for operating, and a happy chance caused him to settle in the growing city of Cincinnati, whose commercial prominence he so materially assisted.
In 1856 Mr. Oker established the Joseph Oker cooperage plant and engaged in the manufacture of wine casks and kindred goods. His perse- verance and ability caused the growth and enlargement of the business and in 1893 a company was incorporated under the firm style of Joseph Oker
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& Sons, at which time the founder admitted his sons-Joseph, Frank, Stephen and William-to partnership. To-day this plant is one of the largest and most complete in the country and manufactures hard wood cooperage products of the highest grade, and is a leading industry of Cincinnati.
Mr. Oker was twice married, the first union being with Lizzie Glocken, who died II years later, leaving two children, namely; Joseph, born Feb- ruary 1, 1852, who married Caroline Miller, daughter of Charles Miller of Harrison, Ohio, and has three children,-Elizabeth, Edith and Irene; and Katherine, born April 23, 1857, who married Bernard Krause, who died a few years since, leaving three children,-Mary, Kate and Rose. On May 1, 1862, Mr. Oker was married to Mary Strebel, who was born De- cember 25, 1839, and is a daughter of Joseph and Frances (Straub) Strebel. Mrs. Oker was born at Sasberg-Walden, near Achern, Germany, and came to Cincinnati. in 1858, an orphan. The children born to this union are: Verona, born January 29, 1863, who married Ignatius Stuhl- miller on June 10, 1882, and they have nine children,-James, William, Emma, Edward, Alfred, Clifford, Ferdinand, Adolph and Martha; Louise, born August 25, 1864, who married Philip Hock, son of George Adam Hock, on May 1, 1883, and they have six children,-George, Arthur, Alvin, Viola, Raymond and Philip; Frank, born October 5, 1866, who married Frederika Appel, daughter of John and Frederika (Wise) Appel, on No- vember 26, 1891, and they have two sons-Clifford and Frank; Stephen, born November 18, 1869; Andrew, born February 12, 1871; Mary, born December 24, 1873, who married, on No- vember 17, 1896, Theodore Knoll, who with his father con- ducts a large general store at St. Peter, Minnesota, and they have two children,-Viola Rose and Franklin Oker; Emma, born January 6, 1875, who married, on November 14, 1899, John B. Wellen, son of John Wellen, a prominent West End shoe manufacturer, their one son being John W .; Amelia, born November 12, 1877, who married, on October 28, 1902, Edward P. Leininger being a member of the firm of Leininger Brothers, prominent haberdashers in this city, owning one store at Court and Main streets and another at Sixth and Vine; and William, born September 19, 1879.
A few days prior to his death, Mr. Oker suffered from a paralytic stroke from which he never recovered. His funeral obsequies were attended
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by a large concourse of sorrowing friends and kindred and by business citizens generally, anxious to show last tokens of respect to one of Cincin- nati's most honored citizens.
RODERICK D. BARNEY.
RODERICK D. BARNEY, president of The Robert Clarke Company, one of the largest business houses in its line, not only in Cincinnati, but also in the United States, is one of the Queen City's most prominent and esteemed citizens. Mr. Barney was born in Jefferson County, New York, in 1836, and he is a son of Hiram H. and Mary Ann ( Eliot) Barney.
Hiram H. Barney attained eminence as an educator in Cincinnati, to which city he came in 1847, and he was the main organizer, as he was later the principal, of the first high school in this city. When the Hughes High School was established five years later, Professor Barney was called to be its head, and in 1854 he was made State school commissioner of Ohio. He married Mary Ann Eliot, who was a lineal descendant of the great mission -. ary among the Indians and philanthropist, John Eliot.
Roderick D. Barney became a pupil in the common schools of Cincin- nati, having previously attended an academy at Aurora, New York, and he has the distinction of being, at the age of 16 years, a member of the first . class ever graduated at Hughes High School. His tastes were of a literary character and led to his connection, in a clerical position, with the then very prominent book firm of Cincinnati, H. W. Derby & Company, with which he continued six years. In 1858 Mr. Barney, with Robert Clarke and John W. Dale, formed a business partnership, under the firm style of Robert Clarke & Company. This congenial and profitable partnership continued for 36 years, and then, in 1894, The Robert Clarke Company was incorpor- ated.
For many years Mr. Barney has resided in the beautiful suburb of Wyoming, and has been thoroughly identified with its interests. In 1880 he was elected village councilman and three years later was chosen mayor, in which position he served continuously for 16 years, during which time the village made great strides and, through his excellent management, be-
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came what it now is, the beautiful home of many of the city's capitalists, whose residences are made attractive with all that wealth, art and culture can bestow.
In 1875 Mr. Barney was married to Clara A. Yates, who was born at Newark, New Jersey, and is a daughter of Hon. H. J. and Sarah A. Yates. Mr. and Mrs. Barney have two children,-Clara Louise Barney and Ethel Wyllys Barney. They have a charming home on Glenway avenue, Wyom- ing, which is noted for its genuine hospitality.
Mr. Barney is interested in a number of other business enterprises aside from the one with which he has been so long connected. He is on the direct- ing board of the Wyoming Electric Light Company, and is the director of The Union Savings Bank & Trust Company. For a long time he has been a member of the Union Board of Cincinnati High Schools. Fraternally, he is a Mason.
HON. DAY CLIFTON SHEARS.
HON. DAY CLIFTON SHEARS, deceased, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, attained wide prominence as manager of the Grand and Gibson hotels in the city of Cincinnati. He was engaged in the hotel business from his boyhood days and had a thorough knowledge of it in all its details. Mr. Shears was a man of enterprise and great public spirit, and was deeply inter- ested in all that tended to the betterment of the city.
Day Clifton Shears was born at the Clifton House, Niagara Falls, Canada, on September 8, 1849, and was a son of George P. Shears. The father conducted the Clifton House for some years, then removed to Toronto, Canada, where he was connected with the Rossin House. After completing his schooling, our subject became identified with the banking business at Toronto, then assisted his father in the hotel business. Upon the death of his father, Mr. Shears moved to Toledo, Ohio, and was identified with the Madison House until 1882, in which year he removed to Cincinnati. Here he was connected with the old Palace Hotel until 1885, then with the Emery. His success was such as to attract the attention of A. G. Corre, and as a result in 1891 he was made vice-president and general manager of The A. G. Corre Hotel Company, which owned both the Grand Hotel and Gibson House. He was for many years president of the Hotel Men's Mutual
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Benefit Association of the United States, and president of the Ohio State Hotel Association. He easily ranked as the most influential hotel man in Cincinnati. He was also an enthusiastic worker in the Fall Festival Associ- ation. Fraternally he was a Mason. In religious attachment he was vestry- man in Christ Protestant Episcopal Church for a number of years. He was one of the organizers of the Church Club and served as its president. He was a director of the House of Refuge and in his death this institution lost one of its most able supporters. He was a director of the Protestant Epis- copal Hospital for Children.
On October 22, 1874, Mr. Shears was married to Belle Roberts of Glendale, Ohio, where her parents were an old and highly respected pioneer family. The illness of Mr. Shears dated back two months pior to his death, but it was not thought to be serious. He suffered a stroke of facial palsy and as his improvement was slow he was advised by his physician to go to Asheville, North Carolina, for complete rest. He was accompanied by his wife and remained some weeks but all to no benefit. His death occurred on March 27, 1902. His remains were brought home to Cincinnati for interment in Spring Grove Cemetery. The funeral services were held in Christ Church, which was beautifully decorated with flowers. The floral offerings from friends and different organizations to which he belonged were many and beautiful and were a silent tribute to the love borne the de- parted. That sent by the Fall Festival Association was typical of the career of Mr. Shears, consisting of 52 American Beauty roses, and 27 Easter lilies, the first indicative of the length of his life and the latter of the length of his married life.
DAVID D. BRAMBLE, M. D.
DAVID D. BRAMBLE, M. D., dean of the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, is a prominent and highly esteemed physician of the city of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where he has lived for so many years. He was born at Montgomery, Hamilton County, Ohio, December 1I, 1839, and is a son of Thomas C. and Effie M. (Denman) Bramble. His father, who was a native of Virginia and of English extraction, was one of the pioneer blacksmiths of Hamilton County. He also engaged in mercantile pursuits at Sharon where for many years he was a well known and respected citizen. He died in 1859.
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The mother of our subject, who was born in Maryland, of English descent, died February 5, 1897.
Dr. Bramble spent his youth until his 14th year in attending public schools, then entered Farmers' College on College Hill, where he completed the course of instruction, and then accepted a position as instructor in the intermediate school at Montgomery. After 18 months, the young in- structor was appointed principal of the school and served in that capacity for four years. At the age of 18 years he began his medical reading under Dr. William Jones and then entered the Medical College of Ohio, from which he graduated with honor after completing two courses of lectures. His ability was so marked as to receive immediate recognition and he was appointed house physician in the Commercial Hospital, where he served through one year. In 1866 he accepted the chair of anatomy in the Cin- cinnati College of Medicine and Surgery and served also as college treas- urer until 1872, in which year he was transferred to the chair of surgery and made dean of the institution. He has since served in that capacity and has been an honor and credit to the position.
On May 15, 1864, Dr. Bramble was united in marriage with Celestine Rieck, a daughter of John Rieck, who was a pioneer merchant of Hamilton County, one of the wealthiest citizens and largest tax payers of Sycamore township. Three children were born to our subject and wife, as follows : Emma E., who married Dr. John C. Kunz, associated with Dr. Bramble in practice, and has two children,-Walter B. and Mary Elizabeth; Jessie M., who married W. L. Shigley, treasurer of the William G. Fischer Manu- facturing Company of Kokomo, Indiana, and has two children,-Celestine and Marguerite; and Mary R., who resides with her parents in their beauti- ful home in Avondale.
Dr. Bramble became an Odd Fellow in 1860, and still keeps up his fra- ternal relations having filled all the chairs. He has for many years been an enthusiast in Masonic work, and is a prominent and valued member of the order. He was initiated into Kilwinning Lodge, No. 356, F. & A. M., October 16, 1875; took the fellow craft degree December 15, 1875; was raised to Master Mason January 21, 1876, and served two years as master of his lodge; became a Royal Arch Mason in Cincinnati Royal Arch Chap- ter, No. 2; received Knight Templar degree in Cincinnati Commandery, No. 3, K. T., February 7, 1880, but later joined Trinity Commandery, No.
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44, K. T., of which he was eminent commander from November, 1890, to November, 1891. He received the ineffable grades, Gibulum Grand Lodge of Perfection, 14th degree, March 30, 1876; received ancient traditional grades, Dalcho Grand Council Princes of Jerusalem, ^16th degree, April 20, 1876; received philosophical and historical grades, Cincinnati Chapter of Rose Croix, 18th degree, April 27, 1876; and received modern historical chivalric grades, Ohio Sovereign Consistory, S. P. R. S., 32nd degree, May 18, 1876. On March 11, 1880, he was elected trustee of Gibulum Grand Lodge of Perfection, in which position he has served continuously, being the oldest living trustee of that body. In September, 1900, he was elected to the 33rd degree at the meeting held in Boston, Massachusetts, and re- ceived the same degree in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 17, 1901.
EDWARD T. HOLLINGSWORTH.
EDWARD T. HOLLINGSWORTH, an old and most highly respected resi- dent of Cincinnati, passed away at his home, No. 807 Hutchins avenue, Avondale, June 14, 1903. Mr. Hollingsworth was born in Ireland, of old English stock, December 15, 1823, and came to America in 1843, soon locat- ing in Cincinnati which city continued his home through life.
After settling in Cincinnati, Mr. Hollingsworth entered the counting room of the Cincinnati Enquirer, where for a half century he was one of the most highly valued employees, and at the time of his retirement from activity, some four years prior to his death, was cashier and bookkeeper. In this position he was personally known to a wide circle of newspaper men, by whom he was universally esteemed. At one time in his career he was a somewhat active Democratic politician and served both in the City Council and on the Board of Education.
The immediate cause of Mr. Hollingsworth's death was from the effects of a street car accident, sustained some four years previously, which, com- bined with advanced age, made recuperation impossible. His friends were many and he will long be recalled by his business associates who had learned through years of companionship to value his fidelity and integrity. At his death he left quite a large estate.
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