USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 2 > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
Aside from business, Mr. Miller was a citizen of whom Cincinnati had reason to be proud He was charitable and generous, public spirited and law abiding and a representative of all that is best in citizenship.
In 1857 Mr. Miller was married to Sophia Miller, who survives with their four daughters, namely: Amelia, wife of Henry A. Heister, president and treasurer of the William Miller Range & Furnace Company; Alice, who is the wife of H. W. Weisbrodt, who is a wood engraver of Cincinnati; Alma, . who is the wife of H. W. Lothman, who is secretary and treasurer of tlie firm of Rendigs & Lothman on Fourth street, Cincinnati; and Clara, wife of George Rendigs, president of the company just mentioned. The handsome family residence is situated on Highland avenue, Mount Auburn, one of the aristocratic sections of the city, the family being very prominent socially.
COL. PHILIP DEITSCH.
COL. PHILIP DEITSCH, the late noted head of Cincinnati's Department of Police, died January 23, 1903. The passing of this great chief brought grief to the whole city of Cincinnati and expressions of regret came from almost every city of the country. Col. Philip Deitsch was born October 7, 1840, in Rhenish Bavaria, in the village of Edenkoben, and was one of four sons born to his parents, all of whom are now deceased. His half-
945
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
sister lives in Philadelphia at the present time. He was but a youth when he crossed the ocean to this country. He had a fondness for military life and in New York City enlisted in the regular army, in the Fourth United States Infantry, and was sent to a frontier post. He was but 16 years of age at that time but performed his duties so well that in the fall of 1858 he was appointed corporal, at which time he made a hazardous trip as escort to General Mansfield, which long was mentioned to his credit. At Fort Yamhill, Oregon, his company was commanded by Lieut. Philip H. Sheri- dan, and the company of which Corporal Deitsch was a member took an active part in the various engagements with hostile Indians.
Upon the expiration of his term of service, the young soldier reenlisted, and at the outbreak of the Civil War his company and regiment boarded a steamer at Panama, later crossed the isthmus and embarked at Colon for New York. The Fourth United States Infantry became identified with the Army of the Potomac and participated in these battles: Yorktown, Williamsburg, Beaver Dam, Gaines' Mill, the seven days fighting at Mal- vern Hill, Second Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Bobotomail Creek, Petersburg and Gettysburg. He was wounded in the last mentioned fight, and in the following October General Grant recommended his promotion to ordnance sergeant.
At the conclusion of the war, Chief Deitsch came to Cincinnati and was appointed a patrolman on the police force, where his army experience stood him in good stead on many an occasion; his bravery and attention to duty gained him promotion, first as sergeant, and then as lieutenant, being assigned to the Second ( Hammond street) District, which was then con- sidered the equal, in toughness, to Five Points or the Bowery in New York. While serving in that district he was obliged to participate in a number of street riots. In 1873, he resigned his position and accepted that of a gauger in the United States internal revenue service, in which capacity he was brought into contact with Hon. Charles Fleischmann, whose inti- mate friend he became. He served as gauger until 1885, then entered the Probate Court as clerk. It was at this juncture that the question of placing the Department of Police on a non-partisan basis, with a permanent head, was greatly agitated and became a reality soon after. Mayor Amor Smith, Jr., was acquainted with Philip Deitsch, and upon the hearty recommenda-
946
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
tions of Senator Fleischmann and Gen. Andrew Hickenlooper, our subject received the appointment of superintendent of police, taking the reins of office on June 23, 1886. The limits of this article forbid even a brief men- tion of the difficulties which confronted the new chief, or the methods he used to overcome them.
Probably no man engaged in the police business in the United States was more widely known than Chief Deitch. He was one of the promoters and organizers of the National Association of Police Chiefs of the United States and Canada, and for many years had been a member of the executive board of that organization. The last convention of the association he attended was held in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to his other duties, he had for several years been president of the board of directors of the National Bureau of Identification. In the course of his police career he questioned thousands of individuals concerning every crime under the sun, and during all this time his personal honesty was never questioned and his official acts seldom criticised. He had many adventurous experiences, his life was attempted half a score of times, and unaided and alone he cleared up many a mystery. Although he was a strict disciplinarian, he was himself ever ready for any duty, and won the esteem of every subordinate. The following extract from the Salt Lake Telegram shows his prominence and the esteem in which he was held throughout the United States :
"Chief Deitsch is dead. Who is Chief Deitsch? He was a super- intendent of police, who did his duty without fear or favor-who did it because it was duty and for no other possible reason. All over the land superintendents of police have been paying respect for the memory of the man who had once been honored with the presidency of the National Police Chiefs' Association. He was liked by everybody-except the crooks, po- litical as well as light-fingered ones-and they had a most wholesome respect for him. He was a genuine friend of the distressed, and his kindly actions, unknown to the public, were done day after day during all the long years of his police service. In every circle of civic, religious, social and commer- cial life, the people of Cincinnati have been giving testimonials of their high regard for the sterling qualities of their dead police chief. His life was a splendid lesson for municipalities to learn thoroughly."
Colonel Deitsch was the devoted husband of an invalid wife. He married Anna Johnston, a daughter of James and Sarah ( McNess) Johnston, her
947
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
father being a native of Scotland where he followed the occupation of a weaver. She was one of nine children and was born in England, but was living in New York when she met Philip Deitsch. To this union were born the following children : Lieut, Auswell E., of Plattsburgh, New York, with the Fifth United States Infantry; Philip, Jr .; Fred; Sarah; Mrs. W. H. Wilson, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Mrs. F. L. Watchell, of Muncie, Indiana; and Mrs. S. Arthur Roll, who died November 25, 1903, at Ashe- ville, North Carolina, leaving two bright little children. Mr. Roll was auditor of The Christian Moerlein Brewing Company until his death on December 29, 1902, and in attending his funeral Colonel Deitsch is presumed to have caught the severe cold from which he never recovered. Mrs. Deitsch resided at her cozy home, No. 4304 Hamilton avenue, with her unmarried daughter, Sarah, until her death June 15, 1903.
Colonel Deitsch was a member of Hoffner Lodge, No. 253, F. & A. M .; Knights Templar; Scottish Rite; Mystic Shrine; and the German Pioneer Association. He was also a member of several Grand Army of the Re- public posts and of the Itan-Nic-Nics. In politics he was a Republican, al- though his political opinions never interfered with the administration of his department.
COL. ANTHONY DAVIS BULLOCK.
COL. ANTHONY DAVIS BULLOCK was born in Philadelphia, October 2,' 1824. He received his early education in that city and at the age of 17 he came West, locating for a time at Pittsburg. After staying there for a year he came to Cincinnati where he went into the wool business for him- self, consigning his purchases to his father's firm in Philadelphia. This made necessary extensive traveling throughout the Ohio Valley. He sub- sequently formed a copartnership with Henry Lewis under the firm name of A. D. Bullock & Company. The business rapidly grew in magnitude and to-day its successor, The P. R. Mitchell Company, is one of the principal business houses of the city.
From his earliest residence, Colonel Bullock took a great interest in the city of his adoption, where almost every business undertaking of a public character owes something to his business judgment. He was among the first to become interested in the local street railway undertakings and
948
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
until the day of his death was a director and for some years president of the organization which controlled this great public utility. He also was largely interested and active in the management of the various street rail- way companies connecting this city with Covington and Newport. He was a founder of the telephone business of this city and was president of The City & Suburban Telegraph Association. He served as director of The Cincinnati Gas Light & Coke Company for more than a quarter of a century, being, to quote the resolution of the board of directors of that com- pany, "the last one of the old guard, Torrence, Mills, Wilshire, Bugher, Shillito, Hinkle, Burton, West and Springer who so devotedly served its interests in hours of adversity as well as in its years of prosperity." For 16 years prior to his death he was a member of the board of directors of the Firemen's Insurance Company and for the same number of years of the board of directors of the Little Miami Railroad Company. He was for many years a director of the Commercial Insurance Company of Cincin- nati and of the Cincinnati Northern Railroad Company. The National Lafayette Bank, gof which he was a director and large stockholder, was for many years an institution in which he took especial pride.
During the Civil War, Colonel Bullock rendered almost invaluable service to the cause of the North, contributing both time and money. Al- most at the outset of the war, there was great complaint concerning the quality of the clothing purchased by the State for the soldiers. This led Governor Dennison to call upon Colonel Bullock's expert knowledge and in July, 1861, he was appointed assistant commissary of subsistence with the rank of captain and from that time, acting as assistant quartermaster- general of the State, he took charge of all purchases made by the State which resulted in the cessation of complaints. At a later period he took an active part in the work of the Sanitary Commission to which he contributed liberally and freely. He also served for a time as provost marshal of the city during the time of the threatened invasion from the South. It was as a result of all these services that he received from Governor Dennison the title of colonel by which he was invariably known.
Despite his great interest in public affairs and the numerous oppor- tunities almost forced upon him to enter public life, his personal taste was entirely in the line of business and social activity. He felt that he could serve the community best by assisting in the building np of the great enter-
949
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
prises which entered so largely into the life of the city. He had great faith in its development and progress and did not hesitate to expend his money and time in enterprises that required confidence in the future. As a result of this confidence he became a wealthy man and his interests not only in Cincinnati but in other communities were quite large. He was very fond of outdoor life and became largely interested in the Berkshire Hills, where at Williamstown was his summer home. Both there and in his handsome residence in Vernonville he became noted for his hospitality which was partaken of by many of the most prominent men of the land, including three Presidents of the United States. On October 3, 1890, just as he was en- tering upon his 67th year he died quite suddenly at his residence on Oak street and Vernon place in Vernonville.
In 1853 Colonel Bullock married Sarah Wilson, a daughter of the well known citizen James Wilson, and she with two sons, James Wilson Bullock and George Bullock, survived him.
DAVID LORING.
DAVID LORING, who was one of the pioneer merchants of Cincinnati, died in this city January 22, 1849, after 35 years of active connection with the commercial interests of the city of his adoption. He was born in Fair- haven, Massachusetts, November 8, 1784, being descended from Mr. Richard Warren, who came over in the "Mayflower."
Mr. Loring started out in his career in life as a cabinet-maker, finally becoming the proprietor of a cabinet business in New York City. Meeting with a total loss through the destruction of his place by fire, he conchided to remove to Cincinnati, then a small but thriving river town in what was considered to be the far West. In 1814 he made the journey, which con- sumed five weeks, traveling over the mountains to Pittsburg by stage with his wife and four small children, the youngest an infant, and completing the journey by keel-boat down the Ohio River. Upon his arrival here, Mr. Loring engaged in the grocery business and very soon proved himself to be a successful merchant. It was his custom to take a raft load of goods from Cincinnati to New Orleans and bring back groceries in exchange. He brought the first "mosquito bar" to Cincinnati from New Orleans. He
950
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
took a great interest in all public matters in the then thriving town, and had many interests. He was one of the original founders of the Spring Grove Cemetery Association. His wife was Maria Lowey, of Nantucket, Massa- chusetts. Mr. Loring's family consisted of three sons,-James Lowey, David and Elpalet,-and seven daughters,-Sarah B. (Mrs. George Carlisle), Jane W. (Mrs. John T. Foote), Susan M. (Mrs. John W. Hinsdale), Har- riet W. ( Mrs. Daniel W. Corwin), Mary F. (Mrs. Milo G. Williams ), Eliza B. (Mrs. Chas. R. Anderson) and Georgianna C. (Mrs. Edward Hooker). Mr. Loring's last illness was caused by exposure during the great flood of 1847, which submerged the lower floor of his house. The homestead was on Water street between Race and Elm streets, and was sur- rounded by a beautiful garden ; the house is still standing.
Soon after Mr. Loring's removal to Cincinnati, he became a receiver of the doctrines of the Church of the New Jerusalem ( Swedenborgian). At that time, Rev. Adam Hurdus was holding public worship in the first New Church Temple in Cincinnati, on Longworth street between Race and Elm streets. Mr. Loring connected himself with the society with which he con- tinued during the remainder of his life.
HON. GEORGE B. HOLLISTER.
HON. GEORGE B. HOLLISTER, deceased, who was engaged in the prac- tice of the law in the city of Cincinnati, for nearly half a century, was born at Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York, April 29, 1820, and was a son of Alva and Polly ( Munson) Hollister. His parents were both natives of Manchester, Bennington County, Vermont, where they lived most of their lives, each living to be considerably over 70 years of age. The father was a farmer by occupation. Our subject's paternal grandfather and maternal great-grandfather were soldiers in. General Ethan Allen's army of "Green Mountain Boys," and his ancestors, direct and collateral, took an active part in the Revolutionary War.
Mr. Hollister when a youth attended the Burr & Burton Seminary, an institution founded in part by his great-uncle, Josiah Burton. After the completion of his preparatory studies, he entered Middlebury College, but owing to ill health attended but two years. In the hope of regaining health
.
التى
1
953 OK
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
he went to New Bedford, Massachusetts, and shipped upon a whaling vessel then about to start on a long voyage. During the following two and half years the vessel cruised the Pacific Ocean, Behring Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, and was the first whaler to enter the Japan Sea. After a success- ful voyage the ship returned by way of Cape Horn, and young Hollister came back in most vigorous health. In 1848 he came west to Cincinnati, and entered upon the study of the law under the preceptorship of Thomas J. Strait, who was then associated with S. S. Cox. He was admitted to the bar in 1850, and engaged in successful practice up to the time of his death in 1898, the latter years of this period being spent in partnership with his second son, Thomas. In politics, he was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party when he joined its ranks. While a member of the City Council, as chairman of the law committee, he took charge of the organization of the McMicken, or Cincinnati, University, and subsequently was a member of the board of trustees for a period of 16 years. He was elected to the Ohio State Senate and served during 1866-67.
Mr. Hollister was married in 1851 to Laura B. Strait, the only daugh- ter of his law preceptor, and to them were born ' the following children : Ella S .; Emma B .; Howard C .; Thomas; Laura S .; and Burton P. The family home is on Southern avenue; Mount Auburn, where Mrs. Hollister has lived for more than 60 years. For many years Mr. Hollister was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, and was an elder in the Mount Auburn Church.
LEVI J. WORKUM.
LEVI J. WORKUM, deceased, was born June 27, 1822, in New York City, and was the eldest son of Jacob L. and Sarah (Levy) Workum. In their early youth, Jacob L. Workum and Sarah Levy came with their re- spective parents from Amsterdam, Holland, to New York, the Netherlands of America. They were married in New York and after the birth of Levi J., their first son, they removed to New Orleans, Louisiana, where they lived a few years, and then came to Cincinnati in 1825, establishing a permanent home here. The Workum family was one of the first Jewish families of Cincinnati, and for many years, with a couple of Jewish families of English extraction, were the only Jewish residents of the city. There were only
51
1
954
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
enough to form a prayer meeting according to Jewish customs, and the first of such services was held in the home of Jacob L. and Sarah Workum. From these first meetings held from time to time was gradually evolved the organ- ization of the Plum Street Temple many years later.
Born of honorable, sturdy, strong minded and energetic parents, Levi J. Workum was endowed with fine physique, intellect and abilities for the battle of life. He attended the public schools, St. Xavier's Parochial School, and afterward Woodward College, from which he was graduated. An inci- dent of school life, occurring when he was 12 years old, is recalled : A school statute was passed, awarding a prize to the best pupil, and the first awarded was to the subject of this sketch for excelling in English composition.
After graduating at Woodward College, at the age of 17 years, Levi J. Workum left Cincinnati for Louisville on a flat-boat via the Ohio River, and proceeded thence overland to the then extreme far West-Indian Terri- tory-where for four years he dwelt with Chief Ross of the Cherokee Nation as an Indian trader. He was much liked. and favored by the chiefs, and upon his return brought with him numerous gifts, among them being a beaded suit made by the hands of the wife of Chief Ross. In those days white settlers were seldom seen' and after four years of frontier life Mr. Workum eagerly reentered the civilized world. Returning to Cincinnati, he commenced a commercial life as clerk and soon became a merchant, finally associating with Julius Freiberg under the partnership name of Freiberg & Workum, a business name known and respected in all the States of the Union, and in many foreign countries where their business transactions have extended. -
Mr. Workum developed into a magnificent man, physically and men- tally. He was a grand type of the gentleman of the old school, of which few are left. His studies and broad reading continued through life. His keen intellect, broad education and information, and easy, gentle manner made him an influence and power among men and in the early commercial world of Cincinnati. He was kind, sympathetic and charitable. A lover of art, literature and science, he possessed a knowledge and scope of information that was marvelous. He acquired, for the day, large wealth and was able to surround himself with those things that appeal to a refined taste.
Mr. Workum was married December 7, 1858, at Richmond, Virginia, to Hannah Ezekiel, eldest daughter of Jacob and Catherine (DeCastro)
955
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Ezekiel, and his married life was ideally beautiful. Mrs. Workum, who survives, is a woman of gentle birth, education and manner, and possesses a most charming personality. Her youngest brother is Sir Moses J. Ezekiel, of Rome, Italy, a, sculptor of international fame, upon whom honors and decorations have been bestowed. Mr. Workum died at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, July 23, 1883, leaving his widow and nine children. Of these children, Jeptha L. and Ezekiel L., who died in 1896, were members of the firm of Freiberg & Workum; both were remarkable men, and were prominent in the commercial and social world of Cincinnati. The other children are: David J. Workum, of Cincinnati and Julius F. Workum, of New York City, both counsellors-at-law; Theodore Workum, merchant, with Freiberg & Workum, of Cincinnati; Mrs. Eugene W. Small, of New York City; and the Misses Sallie, Katherine and Clara Workum, of Cincinnati. Levi J. Workum was a stanch Democrat, and though he never held any office other than one term as a member of the Board of Education, he was a power in the council of the party. He also served as vice-president of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Workum's portrait accompanies this sketch.
·
ANDREW JACKSON HOWE, M. D.
ANDREW JACKSON HOWE, M. D., who was one of the most noted sur- geons ever in practice in this city, was a resident of this city for nearly 35 years, during which period he held, for almost a third of a century, a posi- tion on the faculty of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. He was born at Paxton, Massachusetts, April 14, 1825, and died in Cincinnati Janu- ary 16, 1892. The house in which he was born, which was built in 1743 and which is still standing in a good state of preservation, has been the home of four generations of Howes. The family comes of distinguished English ancestry. Dr. Howe's parents were Samuel H. and Elizabeth (Moore) Howe.
The early days of Andrew Jackson Howe were passed in the country, where his unusual fondness for the study of Nature led him to observe the habits and haunts of the birds, fishes and fur-bearing animals, which knowl- edge served him so well in later years as a comparative anatomist. He was educated in the common schools of Paxton and of Leicester, to whichi town
956
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
his family had moved, and at the Leicester Academy. His first course in medicine was taken in 1847, at the Worcester Medical Institute. After this, he determined upon gaining a better preparatory knowledge, with a classical training. He returned to Leicester Academy for this purpose and in 1849 entered Harvard College, from which he graduated in 1853. Agassiz was one of his instructors, and our subject seriously thought at one time of de- voting his life to the science of geology, but medicine finally received the preference. Returning in the autumn of 1853 to Worcester, he found that his first preceptor, Dr. Calvin Newton, had died, and he thereupon engaged again in the study of medicine with Dr. Newton's successor, Dr. Frank H. Kelly. The two following winters, 1853 and 1854, he attended lectures at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in 1854-55 he attended lectures in New York City-at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and at the New York Medical College, besides frequenting the hospitals for clinical advantages. Returning to Worcester Medical College, he took his medical degree in 1855. His learning and ability at once won for him the appointment of demonstrator of anatomy in his alma mater, followed shortly thereafter by his elevation to the chair of anatomy. The professor of surgery in that institution, Dr. Walter Burnham of Lowell, having been elected to the Massachusetts State Senate, Dr. Howe attended to the former's surgical practice in Lowell for six months and then opened an office in Worcester. As soon as he was fairly established in practice, he was invited, in 1856, to enter the faculty of the newly organized Eclectic College of Medicine of Cincinnati, Ohio, and in the following year removed to this city. The surgeon selected for the school, Dr. Burnham, being ill, was not able to lecture, and Dr. Howe, in addition to his own duties, acted as professor of surgery. Upon the merging of the Eclectic College of Medicine with the Eclectic Medical Institute, in 1859, Dr. Howe was ap- pointed professor and demonstrator of anatomy and in 1861, upon the resignation of Dr. Zoheth Freeman, our subject was made professor of surgery, which position he held until his death, lecturing a portion of the time, in addition, upon forensic medicine.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.