USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 2 > Part 7
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grocery and commission house. Under the administration of Maj. Will- iam Oliver, he obtained a position in the Cincinnati Post Office, where he remained until he formed a partnership with Charles R. Fosdick and em- barked in the mercantile business, handling flour and grain. The firm of Fosdick & Foulds was very successful and continued for four years, when. Mr. Foulds withdrew to establish a new business house in connection with the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway, in the western part of the city. He erected one of the largest commission warehouses in the city, constructed according to modern ideas, with accommodations for the admission of freight cars and he made his house a leading one in this part of the State. To Mr. Foulds belongs the honor of having built the first grain elevator in Cincinnati. He took as partner Nathaniel Wright and they, had a contract with the railroad mentioned, to handle all of its grain trade for a number of years. In 1867, after a period of continuous prosperity, they sold the entire business to the Cincinnati Elevator Company. They then purchased machine works and foundry at Covington, Kentucky, which conditions of the trade made it the part of wisdom to sell two years later.
Mr. Foulds was appointed postmaster of Cincinnati by President Grant, and the same scrupulous care that had characterized his private business career was continued in the performance of the duties of that office. His name was never associated with rings or cliques, while public affairs were managed with the celerity, honesty and economy which true loyalty to the city and government demanded. He started the list in Cincinnati that was signed by many influential citizens and presented to Congress, urging that body to make an appropriation for a new government building in the city .. Mr. Foulds also made a personal visit to Washington to urge the necessity for a new building. He was by no means a politician, his appointment as postmaster being a great surprise to the politicians of the city.
For years he was an active member of the Cincinnati Chamber of Com- merce, and for a number of years served as its vice-president. He served as director, vice-president and treasurer of the Young Men's Mercantile Li- brary Association, and always showed his interest in the success of young men, particularly those struggling against adverse circumstances. His name headed many charity lists, while his private benefactions were without number.
In 1853, Mr. Foulds was married to Mary E. Hubbell, a daughter of
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Nathaniel Hubbell, and they had seven children, six of whom are living. Re- ligiously, he was a Methodist. He was a man of domestic tastes, and no matter what success or honor he received from the outside world, his hap- piest moments were spent by his own fireside.
NORMAN G. KENAN.
NORMAN G. KENAN, president of The Cincinnati Gas & Electric Com- pany, is one of.Cincinnati's prominent self-made men. It would be scarcely possible to mention the great gas interests of the city for many years past without recalling Mr. Kenan, so identified has he been with this great branch of commercial life. He was born December 28, 1849, at Boston, Massachusetts, and was eight years old when his parents"removed to Clover- port, Kentucky. His father, Samuel Kenan, was interested in the manufac- ture of oil from cannel coal and, not possessing sufficient capital of his own, engaged in this business with a company of Cincinnati and Eastern men at Falling Rock, Kanawha County, West Virginia, where oil works were built. The outbreak of the Civil War interrupted this enterprise, and Samuel Kenan was instrumental in raising a company, for service in the Eighth Virginia Volunteers, being later made colonel of this regiment. Later he came to Cincinnati and secured employment as engineer with the gas com- pany at the West End works, but death from cholera, in 1866, closed his life and transferred the support of his widow and five children upon the endeavors of young Norman, who was then but a youth of 17 years. Those who became interested in the struggles which followed are enthusiastic as they tell how he first established a fine cigar trade at the old St. Lawrence Restaurant, and gladly accepted a position as conductor on the old Third and Fourth street car line in June, 1867. After working all day, his eve- nings were passed at night school, and his intelligent appearance and close attention to duty attracted the favorable notice of President Miller of the Cincinnati Gas Light & Coke Company, who was a frequent passenger on the street car line. Acquaintance but better satisfied Mr. Miller that the young conductor was a man he would like to have in his employ, and in December, 1868, Mr. Kenan became timekeeper at the West End works. Within a year he was made assistant clerk, and in 1873 was made chief clerk of botlı
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East and West End works. His further promotion was a matter of course, for the same qualities which attracted the attention of Mr. Miller continued to be prominent characteristics, and in 1884 he was made superintendent of the West End works. In 1887 he was made general superintendent of all the works of the company. Three years later he was appointed assistant to the president and it was during this period that he had the supervision of the construction of the first electric light station built by the gas company. 1 In 1892 Mr. Kenan was elected vice-president and served in that capacity until October 15, 1903, when he was elected president of this great corpora- tion, succeeding President Andrew Hicklenlooper, of whom a sketch will. be found in this volume.
In 1876 Mr. Kenan was married to Fannie F. Cassidy. He is very prominent in many social organizations of the city and is 'an active Re- publican, having served as vice-president of the Blaine Club. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; he has been exalted ruler of the Elks and belongs also to the Knights of Honor, the Knights and Ladies of Honor and to the National Union.
Mr. Kenan is a trained business man and he has brought business habits and business standards to bear in the administration of the affairs of the great company with which he has been so long and prominently identified.
HON. ALFRED M. COHEN.
HON. ALFRED M. COHEN, senior member of the well known law firm of Cohen & Mack, of Cincinnati, is one of the most prominent citizens and a leading politician of Hamilton County. For a number of years he has been conspicuous in public life and is now an acknowledged leader of the Hamilton County bar. Senator Cohen was born in Cincinnati in 1859 and is in the zenith of his mental strength.'
Although Senator Cohen now occupies so prominent and honorable a position, he has not attained it without struggle. From the public schools he entered the office of Gen. Samuel F. Cary and began the study of the law. ' and was admitted to the bar in 1880. He became associated in partnership with Hon. L. W. Goss, and soon his ability won him favorable notice and preferment. Election to the City Council followed and it was during his
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service in that body that he showed such devotion to the interests of the public, against the demands of the corporations, that he was selected as a friend of the people, and as such was elected to the State Senate on the Fusion ticket in 1897. His course in the Legislature was approved by a reelection, in which he led the Democratic and Fusion ticket to victory by more than 2,000 votes. No man was more influential in the Senate than was Senator Cohen, his fearless course meeting the approbation of all who believed in the principles of good government. In 1900 Senator Cohen was nominated for mayor of Cincinnati by the Fusion convention and his influence is still given in the direction of the protection of the people's rights. Senator Cohen is conducting an absorbing private law practice and is well known through the State for his legal ability. He has been conspicuous also in many Jewish societies. He was the founder of the Young Men's Hebrew Association, and was the prime mover in the movement for the relief of the Russian 1 refugees. He is secretary of the Mound Street Temple, a member of the B'nai B'rith and the Sons of Benjamin, a Mason and an Odd Fellow and is one of the most popular members of various Jewish social organizations. He has been noted for his liberality to charities and has liberally contributed to the enterprises for the betterment of the municipal government.
Senator Cohen was married in 1889 to Millie Phillips, and has a family of three children. The pleasant family home is situated on Reading road, Avondale. Senator Cohen has an enviable record as citizen, lawyer and statesman. While he is outspoken in his condemnation of what he believes' wrong, he is known to be sincere and there are few men in this city who have a larger following of personal friends.
HON. SAMUEL W. SMITH, JR.
HON. SAMUEL W. SMITH, JR., judge of the Common Pleas Court of Hamilton County, is ranked among the leading exponents of the law in Cin- cinnati. Judge Smith was born in the Queen City of the West, his father, Samuel W. Smith, being a wholesale liquor dealer. His early education was acquired in the public schools. In 1876 he was graduated from Chick- ering Institute. Subsequently he attended Brown University for four years
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and received his degrees. Upon his return to Cincinnati, he attended the Cincinnati Law School and was graduated in 1882.
Upon engaging in his chosen profession, Mr. Smith entered the law office of Lincoln & Stephens. After the decease of the eminent jurist, Timothy D. Lincoln, Mr. Smith was connected with the firm, which then became known as Lincoln, Stephens & Smith. He acquired an extensive practice, and in 1896 was elected judge of the Common Pleas Court. He performed his duties in so sterling a manner that he was reelected to the same office with a greater majority in the November election of 1901.
JACQUES RITCHIE.
JACQUES RITCHIE, for many years a prominent citizen and merchant of Cincinnati, died suddenly at his beautiful residence on East Walnut Hills, April 16, 1903. While he had been a sufferer from rheumatism for many years, the immediate cause of his decease was apoplexy and he breathed his last a few minutes after being attacked.
Mr. Ritchie was born at Zurich, Switzerland, December 15, 1829, and was one of two children born to Casper and Elizabeth (Wasser) Ritchie, both of whom were natives of Switzerland. Jacques Ritchie was brought to Cincinnati by his parents when four years of age, and spent most of his life here, being one of the early residents of what is now a great city. He attended the public schools and old Woodward College, after which he returned to Zurich, Switzerland, where he attended the celebrated university there and completed his studies six years later.
After completing his studies abroad, Mr. Ritchie returned to Cincin- nati and embarked in the mercantile business, becoming one of the most, 1 successful business men of the city. When the Swiss government established consuls in this country in 1866, Mr. Ritchie was appointed consul at Cin- cinnati, an office which he filled with efficiency, honor and dignity for 27 years. He was one of the originators of the first German Saengerfest ever held in America, the event taking place in Cincinnati in 1849. In 1862 he was one of the leading members of the Sanitary Fair Committee, chosen to care for-the families of soldiers who were fighting the battles of their country.
In 1853, Mr. Ritchie was married to Mary Moore, who is of Scotch ancestry and a daugliter of Hugh Moore, who was one of the leading hat
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manufacturers of Cincinnati in the early "forties," and at the time of his death in 1889 was living in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie became the parents of six children, four of whom are now living, namely: George H. and William C., both business men of St. Louis, Missouri; Emma, widow of Dr. John McLeish, a noted physician whose death occurred in Mexico, August 16, 1896; and Elizabeth. The two daughters reside with their mother at the beautiful family home on East Walnut Hills. Had our subject lived until November, 1903, but a few months longer, he and his wife would have cele- brated their golden wedding anniversary, an event for which Mr. Ritchie had been making preparations, looking forward to it with the keenest pleasure. The family have always moved in the best social circles of the city, where they have scores of friends of long years standing. Religiously, they belong to the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Ritchie was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, either in business or private life. In his political belief, he was an ardent Republican and served with efficiency on the State Board of Equalization. He was a member of the Blaine Club. He was a member of all the Swiss societies · of the city, and a Mason of high degree. The funeral services were con- ducted at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
ABRAHAM J. FRIEDLANDER.
ABRAHAM J. FRIEDLANDER, deceased, was for 47 years a resident of Cincinnati and was long prominently connected with the business life of this city. His life was marked by the most absolute fidelity to duty, whether of a public or private nature, and he was honored by all with whom he came in contact. Walking ever in the path of rectitude, his commendation was something to prize, and to be named his friend evidenced sterling worth on the part of the recipient. Few men were more prominent or more widely known in the city than he. He was an important factor in business circles and his popularity was well deserved as in him were embraced the character- istics of an unbending integrity, an unabating energy and an industry that never flagged.
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Mr. Friedlander was born in 1830 in Friesenhausen, Bavaria, Germany, and was one of a family of seven children born to Joseph and Charlotte Fried-
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lander. His parents were wealthy and appreciated the worth of a good education and gave their son every advantage. In 1850 Mr. Friedlander came to this city and engaged in business with his uncle, the firm being Mayer & Cohen, well known clothing manufacturers. He remained in that capacity but a short time when he became a member of the firm of Heidel- bach, Wertheimer & Company. This continued until 1861, when the firm was changed to Heidelbach, Friedlander & Company, and so remained until the death of Mr. Friedlander, May 8, 1897. The business was one of the largest of its kind in Cincinnati and had a reputation second to none throughout the State. Our subject was a man of intelligent comprehension of the liabil- ities and responsibilities of business enterprises, and in his broad view of questions that arose for his decision he was neither over hasty in reaching conclusions nor vacillating in position. He considered the bearings, planned the course to pursue, and entered earnestly, upon the accomplishment of the ends in view. He thus possessed and disclosed the elements of success in undertakings.
Mr. Friedlander was modest and unobtrusive in manner, yet broad minded and liberal, and a generous giver to every worthy cause. Of stern integrity, his business life was one of honor and uprightness. Those who dealt with him knew that all dealings would be governed by true principles and a strong sense of justice.
As a friend, the subject of this sketch was loyal, sincere and tolerant; as a business man, just, honorable and true to every pledge. Mr. Friedlander was a member of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and was ever ready and willing to assist in anything pertaining to the good of that body, and his familiar figure and kindly face will long be missed amid the activities of that association of able men. As a member his influence and energies were ever cast upon the side of progress. He was devoted to his family within whose circle were the strongest of endearing attachments. He did not aspire to personal prominence but was content to see honors fall to others, devoting his time to his business, in the discharge of which he was very conscientious, winning the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. His competitors appreciated highly his fairness and uprightness and he enjoyed their full confidence and respect.
In 1857, Mr. Friedlander was united in marriage with Lisette Friedman; this union was blessed with eight children, of whom seven survive. Besides
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his own family and relatives, Mr. Friedlander left a host of friends to mourn his loss, and by his death Cincinnati lost a loyal citizen, the Chamber of Commerce a valuable member and the family one whom they will ever hold in loving remembrance. Our subject and family were members of the Jewish Church and Mr. Friedlander's remains were laid at rest in the United Jewish Cemetery.
JOSEPH AUB, M. D.
JOSEPH AUB, M. D., whose reputation as an oculist extended far beyond the limits of Cincinnati, and whose services at the Cincinnati Hospital and as professor of ophthalmology in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery brought him into touch with every form of eye disease and the leading practitioners of the city, died at his home in Cincinnati, May 14, 1898. Dr. Aub was born in 1846 in this city, within two doors of his place of . decease. His father was the distinguished Abraham Aub, noted for his benevolence and philanthropy, who for many years was president of the Cin- cinnati Jewish Hospital and of the Cleveland Orphan Asylum.
.Dr. Joseph Aub was educated primarily in the public schools and belonged to the graduating class of the Medical College of Ohio, in 1866, his associates being such men as Dr. Thomas C. Minor, Dr. James T. Whittaker and Dr. George W. Hale. His studies 'were continued at Erlang, Bavaria, where his attainments brought him a degree. Still investigating, Dr. Aub then went to Paris, where he came under the instruction of the oculist Liebreich, who later attained notoriety by accompanying the Empress Eugenie in her hasty flight from Paris. Returning then to Germany, Dr. Aub resumed his investigations and experiments under Albrecht von Graefe of Berlin, and later became an assistant to the eminent Dr. Knapp. Besides studying in Erlang, Paris and Berlin, Dr. Aub studied in Vienna and London. He accompanied Dr. Knapp when the latter removed to New York and then came to Cincinnati, immediately entering upon a large practice in his native city. His years of preparation and experience, supplemented by his careful experi- menting, had resulted in the acquisition of a most complete knowledge of the special work to which he devoted: his life. He was the introducer of the method of removing foreign substances from the eye by the use of the electro-magnet.
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Although at the head of his profession, Dr. Aub was so thoroughly alive to its ethics, and so imbued with the nobility of its aims, that he never spared himself when demands were made upon him. The various hospitals, asylums and clinics for the help of the helpless and for the instruction of young prac- titioners, all benefited by his generosity. To them all his death was in the nature of a calamity. He was unusually charitable and always ready to respond to a call of need, and was particularly liberal in his gifts when a public disaster fell. He was one of the most eminent physicians that has ever practiced in Cincinnati.
On September 22, 1875, Dr. Aub was married to Helen Thorner, daugh- ter of Samuel Thorner, a prominent merchant of Cincinnati, whose death occurred June 17, 1899. Mrs. Aub, with one daughter, the only surviving issue of her marriage, lives in Cincinnati. Dr. Aub is recalled by a wide circle of personal friends to whom his genial nature especially endeared him. A beautiful monument marks his last resting place in the United Jewish Cemetery. .
HENRY JOHNSON REEDY.
HENRY JOHNSON REEDY, formerly president of The H. J. Reedy Com- pany, manufacturers of passenger and freight elevators, whose death took place December 31, 1899, was born August 22, 1840, in County Tipperary, Ireland.
He was brought in infancy to America by his father. Becoming an adept at the carpenter's trade early in youth, he was but 20 years of age when he established a small factory for the building of hand-power elevators, and invented and patented the various devices which entered into their con- struction. One of his original ideas was the construction of a valve, for the operation of hydraulic elevators, which he patented, and then entered upon the manufacture of these modern conveniences on a large scale. His active mind did not rest, however, with this success, for he soon invented and patented a safety device to enter into the construction of steam elevators, and this new invention was added to his products of manufacture. The world has learned that his invention of the "Climax Steam Passenger Ele- vator" combines the greatest safety with the smoothest operation and the
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HON. HERMAN PHILIP GOEBEL.
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greatest rate of speed. The H. J. Reedy Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio.
Mr. Reedy was in sympathy with the Republican party, but consented to hold but one political office, and was elected to the Council with a hand- some majority from the Fourth Ward, a noted Democratic stronghold. Dur- ing his term of service he introduced the original motion for the new City Hall.
Mr. Reedy was twice married, first to Mary Shea, a daughter of Emmer- son Shea, of Newport, Kentucky, and four children of this union survive, namely : Daniel V., who is connected with The H. J. Reedy Company, and Bertha, Charles and Henry J., Jr. Mrs. Reedy died in 1878. The second marriage took place, in 1882, to Josephine Burke, who is a daughter of Christopher Burke of Cincinnati. The surviving children of this union are: Howard W., Henrietta L., Laura H., and Jeannette C. The religious connection of the family is with St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Mr. Reedy was a man of great force of character and made his mark in the business world. Although denied many educational advantages in youth, he was possessed of excellent judgment and an inventive faculty which brought him large means and a world-wide reputation. Personally, he was much esteemed and had a wide circle of warm friends.
HON. HERMAN PHILIP GOEBEL.
HON, HERMAN PHILIP GOEBEL, who ably represents the Second Con- gressional District of Ohio in the halls of Congress, is one of the best known public men of the Queen City, where he has been engaged in the practice of the law for the past 30 years, with the exception of the period taken up by his services as judge of the Probate Court of Hamilton County, Ohio. He was born in Cincinnati, April 5, 1853, and is a son of Christian and Eliza- beth Goebel.
After completing his studies in the public schools of his native city, Judge Goebel entered the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was gradu- ated when but 19 years old. As he was under age, he was forced to wait two years before he was admitted to the bar. He then entered upon the practice of his profession, and attained . distinction early in his career. He
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was elected to the State Legislature of Ohio in 1875, when only 22 years of age, but lack of years did not prevent him from representing his district most creditably. He was chosen judge of the Probate Court of Hamilton County in 1884, and proved himself one of the ablest men that ever held that office.
Upon resuming his practice, Judge Goebel prepared and published an exhaustive review of the opinions and decisions rendered by him while on the bench; he is considered an authority on probate matters, his book often being quoted with great weight. Upon retiring from the bench after six years of judicial labors, he associated himself in the practice of the law with Albert Bettinger, with whom he had previously been in partnership, under the firm name of Goebel & Bettinger. Judge Goebel has been extremely suc- cessful in his professional work. He stands very high at the bar, and enjoys · the respect of his fellow citizens to the fullest extent. In the November election of 1902, he was elected to represent his district in Congress. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
EMIL BENJAMIN.
The city of Cincinnati lost one of her prominent and highly respected citizens in the death of Emil Benjamin, which took place November 29, 1896. He was born in the city of New York in 1847, and at the age of nine years accompanied his parents on their removal to New Orleans. Mr. Benjamin came prominently into notice during the great yellow fever scourge in that city in 1878, when he fearlessly gave his services to the nursing of the sick and assisted in the burying of the dead, under the auspices of the Independ- ent Order B'nai B'rith.
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