History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 160

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.

FERDINAND KIPP, grocer, was born near Carthage, Ohio, December 12, 1857, eldest son of John and Lena (Kuderer) Kipp, both natives of Germany, the former born in Bavaria, in 1819, the latter in Baden, in 1830. They emigrated to this country in 1848, and coming direct to Hamilton county engaged in farming on the site where Elmwood Place now stands. At the present time they reside in Carthage. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom are living: Ferdinand; Min- nie, wife of G. B. Sullivan, and Mary, all residents of Carthage.

Our subject was reared and educated in St. Bernard and Elmwood Place, and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he engaged in the wheel-manufacturing business, which he followed four years. He then engaged in the grocery business for himself, which he has since followed. He is a member of the Catholic Knights of America. Catholic Knights of Ohio, and of the Catholic Church of Carthage. Politically, he is a Democrat, having served one term as assessor of Mill Creek township. He was married January 7, 1885, to Miss R. E., daughter of Albert and Anna Bauer, and they are the parents of four chil- dren: John, Albert, Anna and Elnora.

R. C. PHILLIPS, carpenter and contractor, was born in Cincinnati, January 13, 1834. His father, Henry B. Phillips, was born January 21, 1809, and died January 6, 1867; he also was a carpenter and contractor. The mother of our subject, Eliz- abeth (Boswell) Phillips, was born in New Jersey, November 22, 1806, and died May 2, 1891. They were of German descent, and the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living: George W., Fuhrmann A., Robert R., Rachel A. (wife of Dr. Barre), Mary A., and R. C., all residents of Hamilton county.

Our subject received his education in the district schools where Elmwood now is, and after leaving school commenced to learn the art of building and contracting, which he has always followed. He was married in August, 1857, to Miss Louisa P., daughter of William and Nancy Gibson, of Carthage, Ohio, and of English descent. They were the parents of eight children: Harry A., Clinton, Charles H., Fuhrman, David S., Louis, Gena (wife of John B. Shotwell, of Cincinnati) and Bessie. The sons are all residents of Carthage except David S., who is a sailor on an American vessel. Mr. Phillips has held a number of public offices; was a mem- ber of the board of education, Carthage, seventeen years; a member of the village council, eight years; mayor, four years, and township trustee, six years. He has been agent for the Etna Insurance Company, at Carthage, for twenty-five years. Politically he is a Republican, and in religious faith he is a member of the Methodist Church.

PETER W. DURR, government gauger, was born December 15, 1861, in Cincin- nati. Edward Durr, his father, who was born in Saxony, Germany, July 25, 1828, emigrated to this country in 1845, and followed farming. He died November 3, 1892. He was the father of six children: Edward J., president of the school board, Winton Place; Peter W .; John G., proprietor of Elmwood Supply Company; Louis E., in Cincinnati; Gustave and May, at Remington. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Cincinnati, after which time he accepted a position as super- intendent of stamping and wrapping for Procter & Gamble, with whom he remained nine years. He then entered into the government service as gauger, and is filling that incumbency at the present time. He is a township trustee of Mill Creek town- ship, and mayor of Elmwood Place, at present serving his second term. He was married in 1886 to Miss Emma, daughter of Frederick and Mollie Freytag, of Ger- many, the former of whom is a musician of considerable note in Germany.

LOUIS J. HELFRICH, proprietor of the Carthage Buggy Works, was born in Car- thage June 20, 1862, a son of Louis Helfrich, Sr., who was born in Germany August 25, 1824, and emigrated to this country in 1852. His mother, Eva (Schartel) Hel- frich, was born in Germany February 25, 1836, and emigrated to this country in 1857. They both settled in Carthage where they have since remained. They are

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

the parents of seven children: Katie, wife of William Damman, deceased; Lizzie, wife of Charles Werthbroad; Louis J., our subject; Carrie, wife of William Lang, deceased; Fred, in business with Louis J .; Barbara and George, all residents of Carthage. Our subject was reared and educated in the schools at Carthage, since which time he has followed blacksmithing and the manufacture of buggies, com- mencing business at his present stand in 1883. He is a member of the Protestant Church. Politically, Mr. Helfrich is a Republican, and has served three terms as councilman of Carthage.

REV. BERNARD DOTTMANN was born in Cincinnati, May 17, 1857, son of Bernard and Elizabeth (Derenkamp) Dottmann, both natives of Germany, who came to this country at an early date. They were the parents of two children: Bernard, our subject, and Henry, with the firm of Alms & Doepke, of Cincinnati. Rev. B. Dott- mann was reared and received his early education in Cincinnati, attending St. Xavier College two years, Mt. St. Mary's of the West seven years, and at St. Mary's of Baltimore, Md., three and a quarter years. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Elder, on December 24, 1882, and has occupied a number of places, among which we mention: four years at St. Lawrence Church, Price Hill; one and one half years at Arnheim, wlience he came to Elmwood Place, where he has since remained, being the first resident priest of that village.

St. Aloysius Church. In January, 1887, the Catholics of Elmwood Place began to agitate the question of building a church within the limits of their village. To obtain their purpose Catholic men and women organized respectively a " St. Aloy- sius " and a St. Clara Society. After some months, permission to proceed with the preparations for building was obtained from His Grace the Archbishop.

Soon after, but with great difficulty, a suitable location, on the corner of Spring Grove and Township avenues, was obtained. In the beginning of 1888 active work on the building of the proposed church was begun. The Men's Society appointed a building committee whose duty it should be to prosecute the work, and preparations were made to break ground for the erection of a building suitable for church, school and residence, and adapted, therefore, to the present needs of the congregation. In April of the same year (1888) Most-Rev. Archbishop Elder appointed Rev. A. E. Drufues, then pastor of St. Charles' Church, Carthage, to act as rector of the con- gregation in Elmwood Place, and to supervise as much as necessary the erection of the new church. Rev. Drufues took matters in hand at once. Churchwardens were elected, and things progressed favorably. On May 13, 1888, the corner stone of the new church was laid by Very Rev. J. C. Albrinck, V. G., assisted by several other priests, in the presence of a large concourse of people from the neighboring towns and from Cincinnati. Work progressed so favorably that the beginning of Holy Week (April 14, 1889) found the building complete. On Easter Sunday, April 21, 1889, Father Drufues celebrated Mass for the first time in the new church. He continued at the head of the congregation until he was succeeded by Rev. Father Bernard Dottmann, who became the first resident pastor. Rev. B. Dottmann took charge of St. Aloysius Congregation of Elmwood Place on May 12, 1889. On August 4, 1889, the church was dedicated by Most Rev. Archbishop Elder, assisted by ten priests and several students, in the presence of a large gathering of people. The new pastor showed the same zealous energy that characterized the members when the question of building a church was agitated. About the middle of Sep- tember of the same year the school was opened, the first teacher being Miss Mary Seiter, who was succeeded, respectively, by Mr. J. Meyers, Miss M. Tucks, and Mr. Kel- ler. Early in September the St. Joseph's School Society was formed with the purpose of giving financial aid to the school. In February, 1891, the St. Rose Young Ladies' Society was organized, and in March, 1892, the St. Stanislaus Young Men's Society. In September, 1892, the school was given in charge of the Sisters of Providence, whose Mother House is on the Highlands, back of Newport, Ky. The rooms under

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

the church, which until now had been used as a pastoral residence, being given over to the Sisters for a dwelling, the congregation bought the lot adjoining the church lot in the rear containing a nice one and one-half story frame house to be used as a temporary residence for the pastor. During these years the interior of the church was beautifully frescoed, and through the munificence of kind friends its walls were adorned with fine station pictures, its sanctuary with beautiful statues, and in its tower was hung a sweet sounding bell, so that the church stands complete in almost every detail .- [Contributed.

J. E. TOWNSLEY, physician and surgeon, is a native of Clermont county, Ohio, born May 9, 1856, a son of W. B. and Nancy (Rust) Townsley, the former of English, the latter of German, descent. The father was a miller by occupation; the mother died December 2, 1881. Our subject was reared near Batavia, Ohio, and began active life as a stationary engineer. After attending Batavia High School it was his steadfast resolution to obtain a medical education, and when he had accu- mulated sufficient money he entered Columbus Medical College, from which he graduated in 1889. During the period he was prosecuting his studies he was dependent entirely upon his own resources, and also supported a sister. He began practice at Edenton, Clermont Co., Ohio, immediately after his graduation; a year later he removed to No. 47 Pike street, Cincinnati, Ohio, but remained there only nine months, and has since resided in Linwood. Here he has built up an extensive practice, and enjoys great personal and professional popularity. On July 15, 1880, the Doctor married Anna, daughter of Zebulon and Susan (Crossen) Dickinson. He is connected with the Masonic Fraternity, in politics is a Democrat, and with his wife belongs to the Baptist Church.

JAMES F. BLAIR, physician and surgeon, Linwood, was born in Adams county, Ohio, July 21, 1844, son of William L. and Catherine (Steen) Blair, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Kentucky, and both of Irish descent. The father, who was a pioneer farmer of Adams county, died in 1870; the mother passed away December 25, 1880. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom six are living.

Our subject spent his early boyhood days on his father's farm. When but a seventeen-year-old boy he enlisted October 1, 1861, under Capt. Cockerill, and went into Camp Dennison. Here he remained until the following December, and then went to Louisville, Ky., thence to Nashville; in March, 1862, was sent to Pitts- burg Landing, and was with Gen. Buell at the siege of Corinth. He participated in the Bragg raid and in the battle of Perryville, Ky., followed Bragg over Lookout Mountain, then returned to Nashville, and was in the battle of Stone River. He then went to Reedville, and camped there until June 23; was in the Chattanooga campaign; was under Thomas at the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, and was mustered out in July, 1865. Returning home, he taught school about five years; took a medical course at Louisville, Ky., graduating there in 1876. In the summer of 1876 he began practice at Marshall, Highland Co., Ohio, remaining there until 1885, when he came to Linwood. Here he enjoys a large practice, and in an eminent degree the confidence of the community.

SAMUEL FERRIS was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, March 6, 1820, on the farm where he recently died. He was a son of John J. and Ruth (Knapp) Ferris, both natives of Fairfield county, Conn., and of Anglo-Saxon descent. His father, who was a farmer, moved to Linwood in 1813, and bought the farm a part of which our subject now owns. He died in 1857, his widow in 1870. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four are living: Mary J., wife of S. M. Ferris; Nathaniel, who resides at Linwood; George, also of Linwood; and William M., a surveyor of New- town.

The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, and received his edu- cation at the schools of the neighborhood. He continued to work on the farm, and

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

owned about thirty five acres. In September, 1842, he married Salina, daughter of John and Salina Williams, and seven children have been born to them, five of whom are living: James, a farmer; Ester A., at home; George W., Eri J., and Mason. The deceased are: Louisa and Clinton. Politically, Mr. Ferris was a Republican. He died September 25, 1893.

MARY W. FERRIS was born at Greenwich, Conn., and is a daughter of Samuel and Esther (Farris) Ferris. Her father was also a native of Greenwich, born in 1793; he was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1843. His wife survived him until 1881. Of twelve children born to them, six are now living: Susan (wife of Benjamin Stanford), Henry E., S. K., N. H., Mary W., and Hannah. The subject of this sketch resided with her parents until their death, when she removed to Lin- wood, where she has since resided, actively engaged in the management of her property. She is a member of the Congregational Church. Her family in the Connecticut community, where it has been represented for several generations, and, wherever known, has uniformly enjoyed a reputation for unswerving truthfulness.

GEORGE E. SCHOLL was born in Linwood, Hamilton Co., Ohio, May 14, 1856, a son of Charles A. and Mary A. (Fisher) Scholl, the former a native of France, the latter of Germany. The father was a manufacturer of wine in his native country. When he immigrated to America, in 1845, he first located in New Orleans, and thence removed to Cincinnati. At Linwood he engaged in cultivating grapes and making wine, a business he conducted successfully until his death in 1890. His widow continued to reside at Linwood. Their family numbers four children: John, a Cincinnati commission merchant; Regina B .; Mary E., wife of Frank Backer, a printer of Cincinnati, and George E.

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood on his father's farm. At the age of sixteen he learned the butchers' trade, but after following this for some three years in Linwood, he kept a grocery store one year, and then engaged in the buying and selling of cattle four years. On November 28, 1882, he married Trecia, daugh- ter of Aloysius and Mary E. (Hugg) Reichard, and to this union the following named children have been born: Mary A., Florence B., Anthania R., Carl A., Loretta M. and Constance T. Mr. and Mrs. Scholl are members of the Catholic Church; in politics he is a Democrat.

SAMUEL M. FERRIS was born October 12, 1817, at Mt. Lookout (now Cincinnati), Ohio. His early life was spent on the farm and in his father's shop. In 1838 he married Mary Z. Ferris, who was born April 27, 1818, whose father was cousin and brother-in-law to Andrew Joseph and Elizabeth Ferris. He came to Ohio from the East in 1811, and became a prominent man. The two families of Ferris were not related, but the ancestry is traceable to the days of William the Conqueror. Two years after the marriage of our subject, they lived at Mt. Lookout, and then moved to Linwood. His first business venture, owing to small capital, was as a village blacksmith, which together with wagon making, he followed many years with much success. By rigid economy and untiring industry, he was able, in 1856, from his hard earnings to build a home and shop, and open business on a larger scale, and in this, with additions, he has since continued. He has seven children now living- four daughters and three sons. Appreciating the advantage of an education Mr. Ferris has given them a liberal education. Mrs. Anna M. De Armond, the eldest daughter, and Mrs. Harriet Smith both live in Linwood. Mrs. Emma Hawkins lives in Clarke county, Ohio, her husband being a farmer. Clara M. is the wife of Charles G. Waters, engaged in mercantile business in Cincinnati. Mr. De Armond is the head of the J. A. De Armond Manufacturing Co., and Mr. A. E. Smith is a member of the firm of Roots & Company, Cincinnati commission merchants. Frank Ferris, the eldest son, resides with his family in Linwood, and is a farmer.

ELMER E. FERRIS, secretary and manager of the Linwood Lumber Company, served in the capacity of bookkeeper seven years in the factory owned by his father.

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In November, 1885, he was united in marriage with Ella Higbee, daughter of W. W. and Susan Higbee. This union has been blessed with one child, Lucile. Mr. Ferris is a member of the Masonic Lodge, a Sir Knight of Cincinnati Commandery No. 3, a member of the Mystic Shrine, a charter member of the Blue Lodge of Lin- wood No. 567 and a member of a College Secret Society, Sigma Chi. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and has been treasurer of the village of Lin- wood eight years.

JOHN L. MCCLURE was born in Clermont county, Ohio, July 27, 1845, the son of Hiram and Sarah (Slade) McClure, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky. His father was a shoemaker by trade, and followed this calling until 1859, when he came to Hamilton county, and kept the Duck Creek toll gate on Wooster pike from that time until his death, in 1865. His widow resides in Texas. They were the parents of four children: Richard H., who resides at Linwood; John L .; Amelia A., and Fanny, deceased.

At the age of ten years our subject was compelled to begin the battle of life for himself. At twenty-two he began to learn the trade of painter, at which he worked in Cincinnati until 1878. He then began to take contracts individually, and has since transacted a large and profitable business. On May 22, 1870, he married Emma, daughter of Samuel Davis, of Clermont county, and seven children have blessed this union: Louis, Flora, Charles, William, John L., Ella and Emma. Mr. McClure is connected with the I. O. O. F. and the Masonic Fraternity, and was the founder of the Masonic Lodge at Linwood. He is a Democrat in politics, and although the township in which he lives has a large Republican majority, he has been township trustee continually for a period of sixteen years. He was also a member of the Linwood village council from 1874 to 1892, and is president of the company recently organized for the construction of water works at that place.

REV. OLIVER LANGDON, deceased, was born in South Wilbraham, Mass., October 9,1769. His father, John Langdon, son of Lieut. Paul Langdon, was born June 21, 1728, and married Eunice Torrey, December 29, 1757; the result of this union was eight children: John W., Artemus, James, Josiah, Joanna, Oliver, Eunice and Solomon. Of these Artemus died in infancy, and the brothers, excepting Josiah, all migrated to Ohio in 1807.

Rev. Oliver received but a limited schooling, owing to the poor facilities for education in that early day; but he loved his books and devoted his spare hours from the farm labor in perusing them, eventually becoming well-informed on gen- eral subjects. On coming to Ohio he settled in a log house located on the farm which he owned to the time of his death. This log cabin was known as Red Bank Station, a kind of blockhouse to which the white settlers flocked for safety in times of threatened Indian outbreaks. Afterward he built the house now standing; here he lived the remainder of his days, dividing his time between rural pursuits and the ministry. His house was the rendezvous for all the itinerant Methodist preachers who came along, not one of whom failed to commend his hospitality. In an early day he built a small house on his farm which was used for school and church. The value of his labors in the moral vineyard, his piety and devotedness to the cause he espoused, could be attested by hundreds who participated with him in this labor of love. It was his happiness to be governed by the most exalted principles of integrity and truth; and although possessed of a humble and childlike disposition, mingling with care and pleasure in all the domestic enjoyments of family and friends, yet in his adherence to those fixed principles he was strong and unmoved. Rev. Langdon was a Republican in heart and life, and as a citizen and member of society cheerfully conformed to the will of the majority, but was always opposed to despotism. These laudable traits in his character rendered him an ornament in the Church to which he was so long attached, and in which he labored with so much zeal. For upward of thirty years he was an humble preacher of the Gospel, dur-

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ing which time he exhibited in his life and conduct that uniformity which always characterized the good man. In his death, which occurred September 21, 1828, the suffering poor lost a friend and benefactor. Few men, if any, who ever lived in his community were as pure in character and so generally beloved by all as he was. Politically he was a lifelong Democrat, and his sons all followed in his footsteps.

Rev. Langdon was twice married. His first wife was Nancy Brown, daughter of William Brown, of Stamford, Conn., and six children were born to this union: Nancy B. ; Solomon, who was a well and favorably known business man of Cincin- nati, and the founder of the Langdon Bakery, now known as the Langdon Branch of the U. S. Baking Company, which is now in charge of his only son, Perin Lang- don; Mary B. ; Dr. Oliver M., a well-known physician, who was the first superintendent of Longview Asylum, occupying that position for ten years (he served in the Mexi- can war under Col. Brough in the First Ohio Regiment, doing duty as a surgeon); Caroline, and Ruth L., of whom the last named, Mrs. Punshon, is the only survivor. Mr. Langdon's second wife was Catherine West Bassett, daughter of Elisha Bas- sett, of Martha's Vineyard, Mass .; three children were the result of this marriage: Eunice M .; Col. E. Bassett, and Catherine E. The daughters reside on the old homestead, which is still in possession of the Langdon family. Col. E. Bassett received a wound while in the service of his country from which he finally died. Men- tion of him is given in the following sketch from the pen of Whitelaw Reid, editor of the New York Tribune, and a portrait is also inserted through the generosity of his beloved sisters, as a token of respect for their brave brother and soldier.

COLONEL E. BASSETT LANGDON was born February 24. 1827, in what is now Lin- wood, a village on the Little Miami railroad, adjoining the corporation of Cincinnati. His father, Rev. Oliver Langdon, died in September, 1828. Bassett Langdon spent his boyhood on the farm where he was born, but he displayed such a fondness for in- tellectual pursuits that his mother often said of him, " Bassett was never intended for a farmer." He attended the public school in the neighborhood for a short time, and was then sent to Woodward College in Cincinnati, where he spent three years. After this he entered Miami University, where he remained two years, but did not gradu- ate. He then returned to the farm, and notwithstanding his mother's prediction, re- mained in charge of it until he was twenty-five years of age, when he was placed on the Democratic ticket for a member of the Legislature, and was elected. He was twice re-elected to the same office, and afterward served one term as Senator from Hamilton county. During the leisure hours of his legislative career, he pursued the study of law, and at its close was prepared by Hon. William S. Groesbeck for admis- sion to the Bar, entered upon the practice of his profession, and was engaged therein at the time of the breaking out of the Rebellion.

Upon the organization of the First Ohio Infantry for three years' service, he was commissioned its major, and served in this capacity in all the movements of the regiment until after the evacuation of Corinth, in 1862, when, at the urgent re- quest of Gen. A. M. McCook, he accepted the position of inspector-general upon Mc- Cook's staff. After the battles of Perryville and Stone River, upon the promotion of Col. Parrott to the command of the brigade, Lieut. - Col. Langdon (he was pro- moted to lieutenant-colonel June 2, 1862), returned to the command of his regiment, which he retained through the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain. He was mustered out with his regiment, and was afterward brevetted brigadier-general "for gallant and meritorious services at the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Mission Ridge," to date from March 13, 1865. After the war he received the appointment of assessor of Internal Revenue in the First District of Ohio. His nomination was opposed, and it was not until the third effort that it was confirmed by the Senate. This opposition embittered the last days of his life. He held the office at the time of his death, May 30, 1867.

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History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 160

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