History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 148

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1592

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

was instrumental in securing the lot for St. George's Church in Corryville, and donated all of the pressed brick required in building this handsome church. He also donated the life-sized bronze statue of St. Francis to the church of that name, located at Liberty and Vine streets. Politically he was a Democrat, and served as register of elections for several years.

EDWARD N. ROTH was born in Cincinnati August 5, 1846. He is the son of the late Balthazar and Theila Roth, both of whom were natives of Gottingen, and com- ing to this country located for a time in New Orleans. They then came to Cincin- nati, Mr. Roth becoming associated with George Selves in the conduct of the St. Charles restaurant and Bank Exchange, on Third street near Sycamore. In 1863 Mr. Roth leased the two fine private residences at the southeast corner of Fourth and Race streets, and there established the "St. Nicholas Hotel," which from its. inception has enjoyed a reputation that is to-day world-wide for quiet elegance and an unrivaled cuisine. The subject of this sketch, Edward N. Roth, graduated from Mount St. Mary's College in 1865, and in the following year became associated with his father in the management of the "St. Nicholas." In 1870 he was made a partner in the business, and in 1879, upon the retirement of his father, became its sole proprietor. He was married, in December, 1882, to Margaret, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Bruce, of Lexington, Kentucky.

ADAM KLEIN is a native of Prussia, Rhine Province, Germany, born January 19, 1846. His father, Nicolas Klein, is also a native of Germany, born in 1818. He is a farmer by occupation, and lives in Cincinnati. His first wife, Mary Klein, was born in 1817, and died in 1862, and the father subsequently remarried. There were five children, three of whom are living: John, a resident of Cincinnati; Barbara, of California, and Adam, the subject of this sketch. The latter was educated in the public schools of Germany, and afterward followed farming with his father up to the age of twenty-six years. In 1871 he emigrated to this country, and settled in Cincinnati, where he learned the trade of plastering, following same for eight years, when he engaged in the saloon and restaurant business, in which he has since con- tinued. Mr. Klein married, in November, 1881, Miss Katherine, daughter of Fred- erick Ceppel, of Cincinnati. They have two children, Albert and Clara. Mr. Klein is a member of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1875 he returned to Germany on a visit, and on his return brought his father, mother and sister to make their home in Cincinnati.

JOHN P. PFAFF, proprietor of the "Columbia Hotel," Cincinnati. This gentle- man is a native of Edeingen, Prussia, where he was born November 18, 1844, the son of Conrad and Catherine (Daniels) Pfaff. Our subject's parents were also natives of Prussia, Germany. His father followed the occupation of a shoemaker, which was the main business of his life. In October, 1854, he came to America with his wife and five children, and settled in Linwood, Hamilton Co., Ohio, where he car- ried on the boot and shoe business, and spent the remaining portion of his life. John P. was the fourth child. He learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for a few years, when he started a saloon. In 1887 he moved to his present place of business, and since then has conducted the "Columbia Hotel." This hotel has twenty-eight sleeping rooms, with a pool room and a sample room. Mr. Pfaff gives his entire attention to his business and has made his own way in the world. He was united in marriage, September 14, 1866, with Miss Lena Scheets, who was born in Baden, Germany, but has lived in Hamilton county since 1848. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Pfaff has been blessed with three children: William Conrad, Cather- ine and Howard. The family are members of the Lutheran Church, in which Mr. Pfaff has served as trustee and president of the Sabbath-school. In politics he is a. Republican. He served one year on the police force of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the Chairs in the Subordinate Lodge and Encampment, and is also a member of the Knights of

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Pythias. While he resided in Linwood Mr. Pfaff was a member of the village council. In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth O. V. I., and served until the close of the war. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 200, and is Past Commander. In 1890 he was elected junior vice-commander of that Post.

BIOGRAPHIES OF HAMILTON COUNTY OUTSIDE OF CINCINNATI. .

STEPHEN J. SUTTON, farmer, was born in Anderson township, Hamilton Co., Ohio, June 29, 1816, the son of Stephen and Deborah (Justis) Sutton. His father was born in New Jersey in 1760, of English descent, and served three years in the American army during the war for Independence. He died in September, 1846. He was twice married, first time to Hannah Wood, who died in 1809; his second wife died September 6, 1869. He was the father of fourteen children, three of whom survive: Stephen J. ; Harvey W .; and Harriet A. Harvey W. was captain in a cavalry regiment during the Civil war.

Stephen J. Sutton was reared on his father's farm, and received such education as the local schools afforded. In 1846 he built the first store house at Mt. Wash- ington, and named the place, of which he may be regarded as the founder. After conducting a general merchandise business for five years, he relinquished it, and turned his attention to farming, at which he has since been engaged. He owns a fine farm, well improved in every way, and situated within the corporate limits of the village. On December 31, 1846, he married Bridget Cordelia, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Bennett) Mitchell, of Point Pleasant, Clermont Co., Ohio. Mr. Mitchell was a justice of the peace thirty-five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Sutton ten children were born: Louis K. and George L., wholesale commission merchants, of Columbus, Ohio; Elizabeth H .; Adelaide M., wife of Edmond O. Ragland, general agent for the Elgin Creamery Company, Cincinnati, Ohio; Harry S., located at Denver, Colo .; Alice; Stephen; Laura; Horace and Jessie, deceased. The mother of these died in November, 1879. Mr. Sutton is a member of the I. O. O. F., and a Democrat in politics. He was township clerk and township trustee for many years; also a mem- ber of the board of education, fifteen years, and is now president of the same.

MICHAEL LECLERE was born in Lorraine, France (now in Germany), June 29, 1816, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Lemon) Leclere. His father held the rank of lieutenant in a company of coast guards; he died in 1827, his widow in 1892. They were the parents of four children: Michael, Barbara, Christina (who resides in France), and Susanna (deceased). Our subject received his education in France and Germany, and learned the trade of stone mason. In 1841 he immigrated to America, locating first in Cincinnati, whence he removed to Wineburg, and in 1847 to Mt. Washington. In 1856 he embarked in mercantile business, which he contin- ued until 1891, when he retired in favor of his son. In 1846 he married Anna Woolf, daughter of John G. Woolf, and to this union four children were born: John and Louis, merchants, Mt. Washington; Josephine and Leoni. The mother of these died June 23, 1892. Mr. Leclere is a member of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat in politics, and has held the office of village treasurer for eight years.

VINCENT SHINN (deceased) was born in Burlington, N. J., March 23, 1784, son of Vincent and Elizabeth (Budd) Shinn, both of whom were members of old English Quaker families. In 1804, at the age of twenty, our subject moved to Hamilton county, locating near the mouth of the Miami river, but when in the prime of life he purchased a farm on Clough creek. He was a carpenter by trade, but in later life gave his exclusive attention to farming and stook raising. Although reared a Quaker, he united with the Methodist Church in early youth, and was a consistent member until the close of his life, giving liberally of his time and means for the support of religion. He was one of the founders of Bethesda Methodist Protestant Church, for which he gave the site, and a considerable subscription in money. In

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politics he was a Republican, and was one of three men who first voted that ticket in Anderson township. The others were the Rev. Mr. Denham and T. Hanford, and the candidate for whom they voted was James C. Birney. Mr. Shinn manifested a considerable interest in public improvements, and gave liberally of his means. He was twice married, first, when about the age of twenty-one, to the widow of Col. Brown, an intelligent and pious lady, who died twenty-seven years later. On May 21, 1838, Mr. Shinn married Mary Hyle, and to this union five children were born: John A., Vincent (who died December 12, 1892), Mary E., Julia M., and Susan B. Mr. Shinn died July 13, 1857, his widow surviving him until March 29, 1892.

ANDREW JACKSON AVEY, general express agent and agent for the Cincinnati, Georgetown & Portsmouth railroad, Mt. Washington, was born in Cincinnati Sep- tember 19, 1830. His father, Jonas Avey, whose parents immigrated to America from Germany, was born in 1799, and settled in Cincinnati in 1800, dying on his farm in Clermont county April 5, 1884. His mother, whose maiden name was Julia A. Tumy, was born in the State of Delaware May 12, 1809, and now lives at Mos- cow, Ohio. Both her grandparents were from the North of Ireland, and served in the American army during the Revolutionary war. She married Mr. Avey at Cin- cinnati June 6, 1824, and their children are as follows: Oliver; H. P., of Indian- apolis, a painter by occupation; Mrs. Eliza J. Boles, of Fort Scott, Kans. ; Andrew J .; Mrs. Mary E. Gallager, of Moscow, Ohio; Mrs. Emily J. Cartwright, of Boston, Mass., and William M., of Cincinnati.

Andrew J. Avey received his education at the public schools of Cincinnati, Woodward College, and Gundry's Mercantile College, graduating at the last named institution in 1849. In 1850 he was bookkeeper for William B. Wilson & Company; in 1852 he was elected city weigher; in 1854 he was bookkeeper at Raccoon Furnace, Greenup, Ky .; in 1857 he was overseer of the poor in Cincinnati; in 1844 he was connected with the Ohio militia; in 1846-47 he served seven months in the Mexican war as a musician in the Fifteenth United States Infantry. At the outbreak of the Rebellion Mr. Avery enlisted in the Twelfth O. V. I. for three months, and June 1, 1861, was promoted to drum-major. On September 19, 1861, he re-enlisted in the Sixty first O. V. I., served through Pope's Virginia campaign, was wounded at Minor's Hill September 12, 1862, and afterward served on the staff of Governors Tod and Brough as brevet-major. In January, 1864, he left the army, having been in fourteen battles and rendered conspicuous service. He was elected magistrate of Fayette county, Ind., at the close of the war, serving in this office four years. He also served as an official at the Soldiers' Home, Dayton, Ohio, and has been con- nected with municipal affairs in the village of Mt. Washington as councilman. Since 1851 Mr. Avey has been identified with the press, and is still employed by the Cincinnati Post as a correspondent. In 1860, as he was leaving the "Burnet House," Cincinnati, Stephen A. Douglas turned to James J. Farren, of the Cincin- nati Enquirer, and said: "Major Avey has introduced me to more press officials throughout the West than any other individual." In politics Mr. Avey is a Demo- crat. In 1857 large placards were posted all over Cincinnati, calling for a public meeting at the east end of the old Fifth Street Market House to adopt measures for the suppression of a scurrilous sheet called "Town Talk." A thousand people collected, and Major Avey, who happened to pass through the crowd, was elevated to a butcher's block and called upon to preside. He at once divined the purpose of the assembly, which was to mob the office. This object he determined to frustrate, and, having appointed a committee on resolutions, he made a humorous address. The committee's report was adopted, and, the passions of the crowd having sub- sided, the major adjourned the meeting. But one copy of the paper was subse- quently issued, and thus the object was accomplished without recourse to violence.

On October 14, 1871, Maj. Avey married Nancy B., daughter of William Wor- ley and Miranda (Jorden) Williams. Her father, a relative of the Williams who

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Andrew

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was one of the captors of Maj. Andre in the Revolution, was born in 1813, and died May 15, 1875. Her mother was born at Claysville, Ky., in 1812, and died in November, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Avey have four children: Mrs. Emily J. Baily, Edwin W., John William Blair and Cynthia. The Major has been a trustee of Mt. Washington M. E. Church six years. He is past commander of Joseph F. Trotter Post No. 268, G. A. R., and a member of the old Woodward Club of Cincinnati. Mrs. Avey is a worker in the Woman's Relief Corps and Ladies' Aid Society.

JOSEPH R. PURSELL was born in Cincinnati December 15, 1829, the son of Joseph and Mary (Ross) Pursell, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former of German and the latter of Scotch descent. His father came to Cincinnati in 1804. He was the first wharfmaster of the city, and was also employed as pilot between Cincinnati, Nashville and New Orleans. He died in 1829, his wife in 1867. They were parents of five children: Benson and Mary, deceased; Sarah, wife of Capt. John N. Brown, of Indianapolis, the oldest living pilot of the West; Harriet B., wife of A. P. Johnson, of Pittsburgh, and Joseph R. The last named, who was the youngest of the family, received a public-school education. In 1845 he obtained employment on the river and soon became pilot, which occupation he followed suc- cessfully. There was never a life lost on a boat while he was pilot. In 1891 he retired from business, and now lives at his beautiful home at California, Hamilton Co., Ohio. In December, 1852, he married Mary E., daughter of John and Ann (Griffin) Miller, both natives of Kentucky and of English descent. Her grand- mother was a Lewis and a niece of Thomas Jefferson. Mr. and Mrs. Pursell are the parents of four children: Anna, wife of Henry M. Sibley, a farmer of Warren county, Ohio; Charles R., real-estate agent, Cincinnati; Hattie B., who became blind after an illness of scarlet fever, and Jessie M. Mr. and Mrs. Pursell are mem- bers of the Christian Church. He is connected with the I. O. O. F., and is a Republican in politics.

W. S. TURPIN was born August 17, 1840, in Clermont county, Ohio, the son of Erastus and Evaline (Phillips) Turpin. His father was born in 1815 in Pennsyl- vania, and when a young man came to Clermont county, where he engaged in farm- ing and resided until his death in 1881. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church, and in politics he was a Republican. They were the parents of the following children: Lafayette, W. S., William (deceased), Leonidas, Harriett (deceased), Eugene, Scott and Lizzie.

Our subject lived with his parents until he reached the age of fourteen, when, his mother having died, he went to live with a Mr. David Meeks, with whom he remained until he attained his majority. He then came to Hamilton county and attended school at Mt. Washington one year. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Eighty-ninth O. V. I., at Camp Dennison. His first service was at Covington and Newport, Ky. ; the regiment was then stationed at Point Pleasant, W. Va., being employed in driving the Rebels from the Kanawha Valley. Preparations were made to spend, the winter there, but they had scarcely been completed before orders were received to proceed to Nashville, Tenn. Fort Donelson was reached just in time to save it from the enemy. The regiment now became part of the army of the Tenn- essee, with which it participated in the battles of Hoover Gap, Resaca, Tullahoma, Bridgeport, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Kenesaw Mountain, Mari- etta, Kingston, Atlanta, Jonesborough, and the famous march to the sea. Thence they proceeded to Raleigh, Richmond and Washington, where Mr. Turpin was dis- charged. After the war he was engaged in farming until 1880, when he opened a store at Asbury, Anderson township, which he still conducts, and in connection therewith is postmaster of the village. On August 12, 1862, he married Mary Belville, who is a native of Anderson township, born December 8, 1844, daughter of John and Catherine Belville. Her father, who was of French descent, was born in 1819, and died in 1867; her mother was born in 1818, of German ancestry, and

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died in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Turpin are the parents of the following children: John Wesley, who married Sarah Haaff; George Allen, deceased; Fannie; William Nelson, who married Annie Haaff; Kate Belle, wife of William Jones; Alfred, deceased; Eva and Maud. Mr. and Mrs. Turtin are members of the Methodist Church.

ANTHONY WOLFER was born in Cincinnati, December 19, 1849, son of Michael and Barbara Wolfer. His father was born in Germany, October 12, 1820, and his mother in Cincinnati, December 12, 1828. The former emigrated to America at the age of twenty. His ship was wrecked, and he landed at New Orleans almost penniless, and with no clothes but those on his person. He remained at New Orleans a month, engaged in doing odd jobs, and then came to Cincinnati, where he found employ- ment as a butcher, having learned that trade in his native land. In 1860 he removed to Delhi township, and was there engaged in farming until his death. He was quite successful, having acquired, as the result of his labor and business manage- ment, forty-four acres in Delhi township, and two hundred in Anderson. He also gave to each of his children an ample start in life. He was a kind husband, and an indulgent father, a liberal benefactor of the poor, and a consistent member of the Catholic Church. His widow resides on a farm in Delhi township.

Anthony Wolfer, the subject of this sketch, spent the first eleven years of his life in Cincinnati, and then removed with his parents to Delhi township. His active bus- iness life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and at the present time he owns a well-improved farm of sixty-three acres. He married Philomenia J. Leuser, who was born February 5, 1855, in Anderson township, the daughter of Adam and Julia Leuser, farming people, who were members of the Catholic Church. The following named children have been born to this marriage: Michael W., who was born May 18, 1875, and died May 22, 1890; Clara, born September 15, 1877; John B., born December 8, 1879, died in 1882; Rosalia, born January 4, 1882; Joseph, born March 3, 1884; Alfred M., born May 27, 1886; Ludwin, born November 29, 1888; Bertha, born May 23, 1891; and Zitta P. A., born September 27, 1893. Politically, Mr. Wolfer is a Democrat.

F. J. WOLFER was born July 14, 1853, in Hamilton county, Ohio, son of Michael and Barbara Wolfer, a sketch of whom appears in connection with that of Anthony Wolfer. He resided with his parents until April 14, 1874, when he was united in marriage with Clara Lipps, who was born January 25, 1855, daughter of Andrew and Catherine (Grebbner) Lipps, natives of Germany. His father was a farmer and gardener in this country. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wolfer: Tillie, Minnie, Michael, Katie, Georgiana, Carrie, Emmerence (deceased), Rosa and Henry. For three years our subject and his brother Anthony farmed the home place in Anderson township; he then removed to his present farm of seventy- four acres, near Cluff post office, where he has since resided. The family adhere to the Catholic Church, and in politics Mr. Wolfer is a Democrat.

CHRISTOPHER WHITMAN VAN GUNDY was born September 2, 1830, in Withamsville, Clermont Co., Ohio, son of Henry Van Gundy, a sketch of whom appears in this work. He resided with his parents until the age of twenty-one, receiving a fair com- mon-school education. After his marriage he rented his father's farm for three years, but was obliged to go in debt for his farming implements, stock, and even household furniture, and he left the farm in debt $400. He then removed to Cherry Grove, and engaged in teaming; he also bought a peach orchard for $62, and at the expiration of seven years had the great satisfaction of paying all his debts and pur- chasing his present farm of thirty-two acres. At that time it was a wild uncultivated tract, but careful tillage has made it one of the most productive farms in the town- ship. Mr. Van Gundy is also a public auctioneer, in which capacity he is well-known throughout the county. His wife, whose maiden name was Anne Matthews, was born June 18, 18-, daughter of James and Julia (Kerlin) Matthews. Her father was born February 28, 1827, and died July 19, 1891; her mother was born Novem-

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ber 23, 1832, and died October 19, 1873. He was a successful farmer and an influ- ential citizen, having served as township trustee three years. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious belief a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. and Mrs. Van Gundy are the parents of two daughters: Clara and Henrietta. The fam- ily is connected with the United Brethren Church.

GEORGE MICHAEL WOLFER Was born September 24, 1855, at Lick Run, Hamilton Co., Ohio, son of Michael and Barbara Wolfer, a sketch of whom appears in this work. Our subject resided with his parents until 1880, and then farmed in Delhi township three years, after which he removed to Anderson township. Here he has a farm of fifty-one acres near Cluff post office, in an excellent state of cultivation.

In 1880 he married Mary, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Betz) Becltly, natives of Germany, where the former was born in June, 1833, the latter December 24, 1835. They came to Cincinnati when young, but shortly afterward moved to Anderson town- ship, where they have since resided. They are the parents of the following named children: Mary; Lizzie; Anna; Carrie; Maggie; Charles; John, and Edward, Mr. and Mrs. Wolfer's children are: Mary M. B .; Barbary O .; Frank G .; Jacob L. ; Carry; Anthnetz, and Lisebeth. Mr. Wolfer is a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife belong to the Catholic Church.

JACOB S. KUHN, deceased, who was one of Anderson township's best men, was born there December 19, 1843. His parents died when he was young, after which he lived with a sister, Mrs. James Matthews, until he was about fifteen years of age, when he concluded to learn the blacksmith's trade with a Mr. Lemon Cox. He was serving his apprenticeship when the Civil war broke out, and he laid aside his tools, and took his musket to defend his country, enlisting in Company D, Seventieth O. V. I., for three years, or during the war, and served all of that time as a private. He was made a prisoner at Jackson, Miss., with thirteen others, and was held as such for eleven months, being the only one of the fourteen that came from the prison alive.

After the war Mr. Kuhn followed his trade for twelve years, and by good work- manship and fair honest dealing soon built up a good trade. He then entered mer- cantile trade at the same point, keeping a general stock, and was engaged thus up to the time of his death. The venture was successful, and he left his widow and two sons in good circumstances. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and a Re- publican in politics. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the I. O. O. F., being a member of Mt. Washington Lodge, in which he filled the Chair. and presided over the assembly. He was enterprising, devoted to religious work, and a great help to the church of which he was a member. A kind and indulgent hus- band, his death was mourned by all who knew him.

Mr. Kuhn was married, November 6, 1854, to Miss Jemima Bogart, born July 14, 1837, in this county, daughter of Abraham and Patsey (Bridges) Bogart, whose sketch appears in connection with that of James Bogart, in this work. This marriage was blessed by two sons: Henry S., married to Mary Bridges, and Edward T., un- married. The sons are engaged in the mercantile trade at Cluff post office, Hamil- ton Co., Ohio.

JOHN WITTMYER was born in Dry Ridge, Hamilton Co., Ohio, May 22, 1853, son of Gottlieb and Mary (Windall) Wittmyer. His parents were born in Wittenberg, Germany, and immigrated to America in 1852. They located for some time on a farm in Hamilton county, Ohio, and then removed to Indiana, where they remained for eighteen years, thence removing to Missouri. They were the parents of the fol- lowing named children: John, Gottlieb, Frederick, Henry, William, George, Jacob, Benjamin, Carrie and Albert.

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History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 148

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1592

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1592