History of Cincinnati, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 136

Author: Ford, Henry A., comp; Ford, Kate B., joint comp
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, O., L.A. Williams & co.
Number of Pages: 666

USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > History of Cincinnati, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 136

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G. H. Rechtin, merchant, of Cincinnati, was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, June 15, 1816; he came to the United States and landed in New York city June 15, 1837. He went to Cleveland and then to Cin- cinnati, the same year, where he worked as a laborer. In 1842 he entered the grocery business as a clerk. In 1847 he went into the grocery business for himself, on the corner of Central avenue and Ninth street. He was in the mercantile business one year in Evansville, then returned to Cincinnati and entered business near his present stand. In 1857 he moved to his present store, where he has remained ever since. He married in Cin-

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cinnati Miss Barbara Hubber, of Germany, by whom he has ten children.

Mrs. Mary C. Miller, who has a grocery at Corryville, was born in Germany and with her parents came to the United States in 1838, first settling in Pittsburgh, com- ing from there to Cincinnati. Here Mrs. Miller's moth- er died and soon after, in 1849, her father died. Mrs. Miller married the late Andrew Miller, who was one of the old pioneers. He died respected and honored in 1866, leaving wife and children to mourn his loss. Mrs. Miller has been engaged in the grocery business in Cor- ryville for the last sixteen years; consequently is one of the oldest settlers of this place.

Charles Koheler, retired merchant, of Cincinnati, was born in Byron, Germany, January 28, 1812. After learning his trade as a shoemaker, he in 1836 came to America and landed in Baltimore. He then visited sev- eral large cities and in May, 1837, came to Cincinnati, where he remained a short time, then worked a few months on the Whitewater canal in Indiana. Soon after he began work at his trade, and in 1845 opened a boot and shoe store on Main street, between Fourth and Fifth, which he carried on very successfully until he re- tired from business in 1875. February 23, 1841, he married Miss Mary Ann Keesler, who came to the city in 1836. They have six children living.

Joseph Darr, of Cincinnati, was born in Wetzler, near Frankfort, Germany, April 27, 1799, and is the son of Michael Darr. Our subject sailed from Amsterdam for America, and after a voyage of seventy-eight days landed in Philadelphia in November, 1819. He then went to Pittsburgh, and embarked on a flat-boat down the Ohio river, going with a family to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, then going to New Orleans. He afterward made twen- ty-four voyages down the Mississippi river to that port from St. Louis and Cincinnati, trading in produce. In 1828 Mr. Darr began business in Cincinnati, opening a restaurant on Front street, which he continued for some ten years. He then moved to a farm of three hundred and twenty-two acres near Carthage. September 30, 1828, he married Theresa Walliser, of Elser, France, who came to Cincinnati in 1828.

Mrs. Mary Grommelmann, Cincinnati, is the wife of the late Frank Grommelmann, who was born in Hanover, Germany, November 9, 1816. He married Mary Stork, of Hanover, Germany. They, with one child, in 1847, came to America and landed in Baltimore, thence came direct to Cincinnati. Here he began to work as a laborer, but soon after obtained work in a foundry where he managed to save a little money and entered the grocery business, which he followed for some twenty years. He was a sufferer from a stroke of paralysis for some seven years, from which he died June 11, 1880, respected and hon- ored, leaving a wife and four children. Mr. Grommel- mann was a member of Cincinnati Holy Trinity church, being at one time one of its trustees.

K. Dickmann, expressman, Cincinnati, was born in Germany April 15, 1838. He came to Cincinnati about 1865 and went to work on a farm, and soon after driv- ing a dray. Being very industrious he saved money, and

with a capital of one hundred and forty dollars he started his present business, with one wagon. He worked hard, and by good management his business has gradually in- creased, and he now owns nine large moving cars and seventeen fine horses. He employs twelve men and is, perhaps, one of the largest as well as one of the safest movers of furniture, etc., around Cincinnati.

W. Helmholz, cooper-shop, Cincinnati, was born in Germany, where he learned his trade as a cooper. In 1859 he came to America and landed in New York, coming direct to Cincinnati. Here he has been engaged in the cooper business ever since, with the exception of the time he was in the late civil war. He enlisted in company C, Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, and after serving his time he was honorably mustered out, when he returned to Cincinnati. He is now employing three hands and manufacturing first-class work.

Otto Mildner, proprietor of the Miami calico print works, was born in Germany, learning the art of calico printing under his father, whose family dates back over two hundred years in the calico printing business. Our subject came to Cincinnati in 1863; without any capital he went to work, and by hand made a bolt of calico. He has been very industrious and is now doing a thriving business, and ere long will occupy his large works to be erected in Cumminsville. Mr. Mildner has im- ported a calico printing machine from Berlin, the only one of the kind in America. By this machine he has a capacity for manufacturing fifteen hundred yards per day. He employs six hands and has the capacity to manufac- ture over six hundred styles of calico.

J. C. Spills, professor of music, Cincinnati, was born in Hanover, Germany, June 24, 1815, and came to the United States and landed at Baltimore in 1839, thence to Cincinnati, arriving here January, 1840. Here he gave instruction in music and dancing, introducing the waxed floor, the first in Cincinnati. His dancing-schools were attended very largely. Professor Spills has played in the orchestras of some of the old theatres of Cincinnati- Woods, National, Shyers. The professor has given in- struction in dancing in the more prominent halls of Cin- cinnati. His success has been very good, and to-day he is the oldest as well as the most successful dancing- school teacher in Cincinnati.

Henry Alexander, jr., butcher, of Camp Washington, was born in Cincinnati in 1849, and is the son of Henry Alexander, one of the oldest butchers of Cincinnati. In 1876 our subject commenced the butcher business for himself in Camp Washington, and has built up a good business. He married Miss Mary Wulfhorst, a native of Cincinnati.

B. Miller, saloon-keeper, of Cincinnati, was born in Prussia, Oldenburg, Germany, March 3, 1825. He came to the United States, landing in New Orleans in 1844, and came to Cincinnati in December of the same year. Here he began work at his trade, blacksmithing, but after continuing several years he entered his present business.

J. Anton Lange, dealer in boots and shoes, Cincin- nati, was born in Prussia, December 25, 1825. After

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learning the shoemaker's trade, he came to America, landing in Baltimore in 1840. July Ioth of the same year he arrived in Cincinnati, and began work at his trade, which he has followed ever since. He has been located in his present place of business since July Io, 1848. In 1848 Mr. Lange married Miss Agnes Ralph- sen, of Germany, and has six children. Mr. Lange is one of the charter members of the German Pioneer society.

William Kraft, butcher, at Camp Washington, was born in Germany September 12, 1830, and coming to the United States, landed in New York in 1847. He began work on a railroad, then went into the butcher business in Pittsburgh. Soon after, he came to Cincin- nati, and about 1854 located in Camp Washington, where he has been engaged in the butcher business ever since. Coming to the city in poor circumstances, Mr. Kraft, by hard work and attention to business, has been very successful. In 1852 he married Catharine Schueler, and they have had ten children. Mr. Kraft has been a member of the school board for some nine years.

John Eger, of Cumminsville, was born in Prussia, Germany, April 7, 1846, and coming to the United States, landed in New York city in 1868. After spend- ing two years in Louisville, Kentucky, he came to Cin- cinnati, and entered the wagon-shops of Peter Ludwig, where he is now engaged. Mr. Eger is also engaged in the saloon business, being the owner of a nice, quiet place. He married Miss Josephine Grainer, daughter of one of the old pioneers of Cincinnati.

William Ahlborn, boots and shoes, Cincinnati, was born in Hanover, Germany, February 16, 1818. At the age of eighteen he began to learn his trade as a shoe- maker. In 1838 he sailed for America and landed in Baltimore. He then went to Columbus, Ohio, worked at his trade a short time. In 1839 he came to Cincinnati, and has been working at the shoe business ever since; now one of the old pioneer shoemakers of the city. In 1849 he began business in his present place, where he has remained since. In 1841 Mr. Ahlborn married Miss Catharine Dobbler ; she died. He then married his present wife, Miss Louisa Walschmiat. He has eight children-two by his first and six children by his present wife.

Peter Bohl, shoemaker, Cincinnati, was born in Rhine Bavaria, Germany, February 25, 1809. After learning his trade as a shoemaker, he, in 1833, came to America, and landed in New Orleans, thence to Cincinnati, arriv- ing there July 7, 1833. Here he began to work at his trade, which he has continued ever since. In 1858 Mr. Bohl began to keep a hotel, which he continued up to 1870, when he returned to his old trade, shoemaking, and is to-day one of the oldest shoemakers in active business in Cincinnati. He married in Cincinnati, April 7, 1838, Miss Barbara Conrad, of Germany, by whom he has eleven children.

Louis Havekotte, wagon manufacturer, Cincinnati, was born in Franklin county, Indiana, 1842. At eighteen years of age he began to learn his trade as a blacksmith.

He came to Hamilton county, working in Cincinnati. He was a soldier in the late civil war, enlisting in com- pany C, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, where he served his full time, and was honor- ably mustered out. He returned to his trade in Cincin- nati and established business for himself in 1866 on Elm street. In 1875 he began at his present stand, and to-day is doing one of the largest businesses in his line in the city, manufacturing a greater portion of the milk wagons of Cincinnati, employing twenty-one hands. The firm is now Havekotte & Bode.

George J. Schwab, saloon-keeper, Cincinnati, was born in Baden, Germany, October 18, 1829. He came to America and landed in New York city. He located in Cincinnati in 1858. Mr. Schwab was for a time a resi- dent of Portsmouth. He began at his present place of business, located on Court street, some two years ago, since which time he has been meeting with good success. He married in Cincinnati Miss Agath Sahm.

Valentine Gradolf, butcher, Camp Washington, was born in Germany February 20, 1839, and came to the United States and landed in New Orleans in 1861, com- ing direct to Cincinnati. Here he began to work at the butcher business. In 1865 he embarked in business for himself, and is now one of the old and successful butchers of Camp Washington. Mr. Gradolf married in Cincinnati Martha Bauhsanaert.

George Renner, malt house, Cincinnati, was born in Germany, April 15, 1824. He came to America and landed in New York city in 1852, then to Pennsyl- vania, where he remained but a short time, when, in October, 1852, he arrived in Cincinnati. He is now engaged in the malt business, and is meeting with very good success, handling a large lot of malt yearly. He was married in Cincinnati to Miss P. Himler, of Germany. They have one child.

John Bouvy, boots and shoes, Cumminsville, was born in Loraine, Germany, in 1832, and came to America and landed in New York, thence to Cincinnati in 1833. Here he began to work at his trade as a shoemaker, which trade he learned in his native country. M. Bouvy is one of the oldest shoemakers of Cumminsville. Since lacating here he has been very successful. He erected his present store in 1866. He has, represented Cum- minsville in the council for one term very satisfactorily.

Gottfried Hegner, Cincinnati, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 5, 1825. Came to America and landed in Baltimore, then direct to Cincinnati, in 1846. Learn- ing his trade as a wheelwright in Germany, he, after arriving in Cincinnati, worked at his trade in different places. He also operated a mill at Palestine, Ohio, for a number of years. His milling business in Cincinnati has been very successful. He is now one of the oldest millers of Cincinnati. He was married in Cincinnati to Miss Barbara Heiselmann, of Germany. They have two children living.

Barbara Kubisch, Cumminsville. She was born in Baden, Germany, August 18, 1823, and came to Amer- ica landing in Philadelphia in 1853, then to Baltimore, from there to Cincinnati, February 22, 1854. She was

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married in 1854, to William Muhlig, of Baden, Ger- many; he came to Cincinnati at an early day. He eelisted in company F, Thirty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, and was killed by a shell at the battle of Chick- amauga, September 19, 1863. Mrs. Kubisch married for her second husband Frank Kubisch, who was a prominent citizen of Cumminsville. He, returning from a meeting of the school-board, the night being dark, he fell into a pond of water, and before assistance came was drowned. She has three children, two by her first husband and one by her second.

Theresa Wichman, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, De- cember 6, 1861.

Herman Giesken, merchant, Cumminsville, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1820. He came to America and landed in New Orleans in 1847, and in 1848 came to Cincinnati. Since his arrival here Mr. Giesken has been engaged in several branches of business. He has been in the dairy, cattle dealing, and grocery business, respectively, which he has followed for a number of years. In 1870 he returned to the grocery business, which he has continued since. Mr. Giesken has made a visit to his native country, where he remained for several months. He was married in Cincinnati to Miss Theresa Neamiller. They have five children.

Leonhard Graf, Cumminsville, was born in Baden, Ger- many, October 9, 1831. He came to America and landed in New York in 1860, thence direct to Cincinnati. Here in 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, company C, as a private, where he served faithfully until the close of the war; participating in the battles and marches of his regiment, receiving three flesh wounds at the battle of Resaca. He was for seventeen months color-bearer. At the close of the war Mr. Graf returned to Cincinnati. In 1867 he com- menced business in Cumminsville, where, in 1879, he lost his house by fire. He immediately rebuilt, and to- day he owns a very fine property and is doing a good business. He was married in Cincinnati to Miss Barbara Hermann.

William Staddon, tailor, Cumminsville, was born in England about 1811. He came to America and landed in New York in 1837; he then went to New Orleans and from there to Cincinnati in 1838. Here he commenced to work at his trade (tailor), which he had learnt in Eng- land. Being a very fine workman he had no trouble in finding work, and was soon recognized as one of the best tailors in Cincinnati. In 1839 Mr. Staddon moved to Cumminsville, which has been his home ever since. He is one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of the place. He was married in England to Miss Man- ning, who accompanied him to Cincinnati. They reared an adopted son-Charles W. Manning.

Frederick Dhonan, wagon manufacturer, Cummins- ville, was born in Prussia, Germany, January 12, 1828, and came to the United States and landed in New Or- leans, and form thence came direct to Cincinnati, arriving here May 5, 1849, with but two dollars. He went to work at his trade-wagon-maker-and being very indus- trious he managed to save enough money so that in 1852

he began in the blacksmith and wagon manufacturing -for himself in Cumminsville. Here he has been steady at work ever since, and to-day is one of the oldest as well as one of the most suecessful business men of the place. Mr. Dhonan was married in 1852, in Cumminsville, to Miss Caroline Icerman, of Germany, by whom he has eight children. Mr. Dhonan is a member of the German Protestant church, of which he has been the treasurer for some nine years.

Anton Kasselmann, dairyman, Cumminsville, was born in Germany in 1835. He came to America, landed in Baltimore and came direct to Cincinnati, arriving here in 1850. Here he learnt his trade as a stove-moulder in one of the large foundries, which business he followed for some eleven years. He managed to save a little money, and in 1863 he moved to Cumminsville and began his dairy business, with a small capital. Since then Mr. Kasselmann, by his good management, has been very successful, now owning a good property and a large dairy stock. He was married in 1857 to Miss Anna Hunighake, of Germany, by whom he has eight children.

Peter Ludwig, blacksmith, Cumminsville, was born in Germany in 1829. He came to America and landed in Baltimore in 1854, and from thence came direct to Cin- cinnati. With the exception of a short time in Butler county Mr. Ludwig has been a resident of Hamilton county since 1854. Here he began his trade as a black- smith, being about the first to locate in the neighborhood where he is now in business. He is doing general black- smith and wagon work, meeting with good success. He is a member of the German Lutheran church. He was married in Cincinnati to Miss Liza Miller, of Germany, by whom he has two children.

Philip Siebert, Cumminsville, was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, December 28, 1840, and came to America with his parents in 1842. They lived in Indi- ana, where his father died. Philip went to Camp Wash- ington in about 1848. In 1861 he entered the army, en- listing in the Fourth Ohio cavalry, company E, as a private, and served faithfully for three years and two months, participating in the battles and marches of that regiment. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Perry- ville, remaining prisoner but a short time. At the close of his service he returned to Camp Washington, follow- ing his old occupation of gardener. He then moved to Cumminsville. In 1872 Mr. Seibert started in his pres- ent business. He was married in Camp Washington in 1865 to Miss Mary Berkman.

Jacob Vogel, pork-packer, Cincinnati, was born in Germany, July 14, 1828. He came to America, landing in New Orleans, and then came direct to Cincinnati, ar- riving here in January, 1853. Coming here in poor cir- cumstances he went to work as a day laborer, and saving a little money embarked in selling pickled tongues, then in the market selling smoked meats, where he continued for several years. He then engaged in killing, and pack- ing pork, first employing about ten hands. Mr. Vogel's business has gradually increased until now he is one of the most successful pork-packers of Cincinnati, employ-

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ing about forty-five men. He was married, in Cincin- nati, to Miss Mary Schuck, of Germany, by whom he has five children.

Jacob Stengel, butcher, Camp Washington, was born in Germany, January 28, 1832. He came to Amer- ica in 1852, landing in New York city, where he remained until 1860, engaged in the butcher business. He then came to Cincinnati, where he continued at the butcher's trade. In 1866 he moved to Camp Washing- ton, where he has been identified as one of the success- ful butchers. Mr. Stengel was a soldier in the late civil war, enlisting in company F, Tenth Ohio volunteer in- fantry, where he served as a faithful soldier for three years and three months, participating in the battles and marches of the regiment. He was married in Cincinnati in 1865 to Miss Catharine Vogel.

Peter Bochmann, merchant, Camp Washington, was born in Germany, in the year 1816. He came to the United States, locating in Cincinnati in 1845, where he commenced to work at his trade, shoemaking, which bus- iness he has been engaged in ever since, and he is now one of the pioneer shoemakers of Cincinnati. Mr. Boch- mann was married in Cincinnati to Miss Catharine Au- berger, of Germany, by whom he has three sons, who are all working in the shoe store with their father. Their names are Peter, William, and August.

George Reber, of Hamilton, was born in Germany, March 9, 1826; came to the United States, landing in New York in 1852, and in 1853 came to Cincinnati. He followed farming for a time, and then engaged in his present business. He was married in Cincinnati to Miss Magdalena Highbecker, of Baden, Germany.

Fred Bosch, Cincinnati, was born in Germany in the year 1835. He came to America and landed in New York; then came direct to Cincinnati in 1864. He began business on Vine street in the city, and remained there up to 1873, when he moved to his present place of business. Mr. Bosch was married in Cincinnati to Miss Elizabeth Hebbig.

Charles Kline, foreman of Snodgrass' tannery, Camp Washington, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 12, 1839, and is the son of Adam Kline, one of the old pio- neers of Cincinnati. Our subject, when sixteen years of age, began to learn his trade as a tanner, which busi- ness he has followed ever since, with the exception of his service in the army. He enlisted in the Fourth Ohio cavalry, company M, and served full time, being a faith- ful and brave soldier, participating in the battles and marches of his regiment. Mr. Kline was married in Cin- cinnati to Miss Catharine Lushier, of Germany, and they have seven children living. Mr. Kline has been foreman of Snodgrass' tannery for the last eleven years.

Adam Renner, Cincinnati, was born in Rhine, Bavaria, Germany, May 1, 1830, and came to the United States and landed in New Orleans in 1847. In 1848 he came to Cincinnati. He commenced in the barber business which he carried on for a number of years on Main be- tween Twelfth and Canal streets. He then entered the present business on Sixth street; then farmed a short time. He soon after came to Camp Washington and has been

engaged in his present business ever since. He was mar- ried in 1851 to Miss Margaret Kuhn. She since died. He then married his present wife, Miss Louisa Renner, daughter of Philip Renner, who came to Hamilton county at an early day. They have seven children.

J. Justice Gans, Camp Washington, was born in Hessen, Germany, May 15, 1815. Came to Amer- ica and landed in Baltimore, June 6, 1838, thence to Cincinnati, arriving here July 5th of the same year. Here he began to run a carding and weaving machine, which he continued about one and a half years. He then moved to a farm in Springfield township, Hamilton county, where he remained engaged in farming some thirty-eight years. He then moved to Camp Washington, retiring from business. Mr. Gans was married in Ger- many to Miss Caroline Gerke. She died, and he then married Miss Minnie Jordan. They have two children living.

F. and C. Wuest, proprietors Mohawk wagon manu- factory, Cincinnati .- This firm was formed in 1878, but the business was first established at an early day by their father, who was a practical mechanic. He came to Cin- cinnati in 1855. His sons grew up in the business, and to-day F. and C. Wuest operate one of the most success- ful businesses in the city. They employ seventeen hands. Their building covers a large space of ground. They make a specialty of manufacturing butcher wagons and other strong work. Part of their shops are located in the old Bull's Head tavern, which was one of the first build- ings built in this neighborhood, and was used for a tavern and a dancing hall.

C. B. Hoehne, M. D., was born in Würtemburg, Ger- many, November 4, 1832, receiving a thorough educa- tion in the city of Vienna, graduating from one of the leading institutions of that city in 1862. He then be- gan his practice in Vienna, where he remained for sever- al years with good success. In 1868 Dr. Hoehne came to America and located for a short time in New York city. In 1869 he came to Cincinnati, where he has re- mained since, engaged in the successful practice of his chosen profession. He was located on Race street for some five years, doing a large and lucrative practice, but is now located on State avenue, in the suburbs of the city.

Reinhold Schneibold, foreman of the Western brew- ery, was born in Germany, July 17, 1849, where he, at the age of fifteen, began to learn his trade as a brewer. After following this business in Germany until 1865, he came to Cincinnati and entered the employ of the Nei- haus brewery, working there a short time. In 1869 he entered the employ of the Western brewery, where he gradually worked himself up until 1878, when he was made its foreman, and has faithfully filled the position since. He is recognized as one of the best posted brewers in the city.

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History of Cincinnati, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 136

Author: Ford, Henry A., comp; Ford, Kate B., joint comp Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Cleveland, O., L.A. Williams & co. Number of Pages: 666

Author: Ford, Henry A., comp; Ford, Kate B., joint comp
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, O., L.A. Williams & co.
Number of Pages: 666