History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 73

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

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EDWARD D. MANSFIELD. An account of the prominent men of Cincinnati would be defective without an honorable mention of this well-known man. Among the oldest pioneers of this place, he was not only a witness of the rapid and substantial growth of the city, but in time, talents, and money he also largely contributed to it. His parentage and education prepared him to be a man of wide influence, and a leader of society.

His father, Col. Jared Mansfield, was one of the first scholars of Lis day. He wrote a book on mathematics which attracted the attention of Mr. Jefferson, then President of the United States, and secured to him, from that distinguished man, the appoint- ment to the office of Surveyor General of the Northwest Territory. Col. Mansfield devised and made the beginning of that accurate and admirable system of survey of the public lands which the nation still employs. He established the meridian and base lines upon which the whole survey of the territory was made. The perform- ance of these duties necessitated his residence in the territory. Accordingly, he came with his family from New Haven, Conn., where Edward was born, August 17, 1801, occupied a house in the woods near where Cumminsville, or North Side, now is, and here he remained for a number of years. Called by his appointment as pro- fessor in the Military Academy at West Point, he changed his residence to that place. Thus as a pioneer in his boyhood did Mr. Mansfield see the wild beasts of the forest occupying much of the ground now covered by the dwellings and business houses of Cincinnati. He went with his father to West Point, entered the Military Academy in 1815, and in June, 1819, at the age of eighteen, was graduated lieuten- ant of engineers. His mother, literary in her tastes and religious in her principles, preferred that her son should not devote his life to military pursuits. At her sug- gestion he devoted himself to literary studies at Farmington, Conn., during the year 1820, and finally was graduated with high honors at the college of New Jersey, at Princeton, in September, 1822. He chose the profession of law, and studied under Judge Gould, at Litchfield, Conn., during the two subsequent years. In 1825 he returned to Cincinnati.

As a lawyer, Mr. Mansfield entered into partnership with the late Prof. Mitchell, who reflected so much honor upon Cincinnati by his success as an astronomer. But the firm of Mansfield & Mitchell was not prospered in the law. The clients, who entered the office to secure the able service of the firm, found the members so busily engaged in scientific and literary investigations that their attention could not be called to the dull and practical points of fact and principles of law. Of course the peculiarly professional life of Mr. Mansfield was of short duration. In 1826 he engaged personally in canvassing the city for names and facts which he put into shape, and, in connection with Benjamin Drake, published as a directory of the same year. This book is now rare, and is eagerly sought after by those who are interested in the early history of the city. The stronger tendencies of Mr. Mansfield began now to assert their influence, and he at once started on his literary career. His first book, "The Political Grammar," still published as the Political Manual, was writ- ten and sent to the press in 1834. This book was well received. It was adopted as a text-book in many schools throughout the country; and justly established for the author a reputation for legal and literary ability. He did not continuously devote himself to the art of book-making, but from time to time gave to the world pro- ductions which have attracted much attention. In 1834 he published the "Utility of mathematics;" in 1845, "The Legal Rights of Women; " in 1846, tlie " Life of Gen- eral Winfield Scott; " in 1848, the "Mexican War; " in 1850, " American Education;" in 1855, "Memoirs of Daniel Drake;" in 1868, "Life of General Grant," and in

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1879, "Personal Memories." But his most distinguished services to society were rendered as editor of the Cincinnati Chronicle from 1836 to 1848; of the Chronicle and Atlas from 1849 to 1852; of the Cincinnati Gazette during the year 1857, and of the Railroad Record from 1853 to 1871. As an editor and contributor he was free from "isms," and was the most extensive newspaper writer in the country, with perhaps one exception. In the management of his paper he did much to de- velop the talent for writing in others. Among the many he encouraged is Har- riet Beecher Stowe, who wrote some of her first productions for his paper. During the Civil war his contributions to the New York Times over the signature of "Vet- eran Observer," and to the Cincinnati Gazette over that of "E. D. M.," were recog- nized as the ablest and most reliable commentaries on current events contained in any publication. In these productions he freely took hold of the most interesting topics of the times, and advocated sound and healthful views on all scientific and social questions. An honest and able advocate of all true progress and reform, he did not identify himself with measures unduly radical, and productive of more change than improvement.

As a politician Mr. Mansfield supported the Whig party with all his ability. The doctrine of a protective tariff he advocated on the ground that only by discrim- ination in favor of the products of home labor can the condition of the American working man be kept better than that of European laborers. No man did more for the triumph and rule of the Republican party. When the party came into power, in 1860, it might justly have been expected that Mr. Mansfield would have been taken into its councils and patronage. As one of its ablest and most distinguished supporters, as a citizen of learning, capacity and integrity, he deserved a prominent place of trust and service. But because he was not among the scramblers for office, he was left by the party unrewarded for his services. The only civil office he ever held was that of State Commissioner of Statistics for Ohio, the duties of which he performed during the years from 1857 to 1867 inclusive. His reports upon the con- dition of the State, materially and morally, are the best representation ever given of a territory of equal extent, and a population of equal numbers.

Personally Mr. Mansfeld was known and esteemed by a wide circle of friends. Simple in his habits, easy of approach, cheerful, vivacious and sympathetic in his temperament; ready, genial, and sprightly in conversation; intercourse with him was most delightful and refreshing. In his religious belief he was broad and char- itable, having a profound respect for all religious convictions. All the activity of his nature he turned into his practical religious life. He was ready to relieve the wants of the needy; to support the claims of a broader benevolence and religion, to preach a sermon, deliver an exhortation, or take part in religious meetings, as duty indicated. He did not believe that true science will utter a single word in contra- diction to the word of revelation. He believed that the Bible is man's best guide in life. When bearing the weight of years, he had all the energy, vivacity and cheer- fulness of middle life. He was every day industriously employed upon what seemed to him of value to his fellow men. He ever sought to be useful rather than suc- cessful, as the world judges, and he depended upon the productions of his pen for his daily support. He was honored by the most prominent literary corporations of the country with the honorary degrees of A. B. and LL. D., but said he wished inscribed on his tombstone:

Here Lies a Working Man.

He died in October, 1880, and now rests peacefully in the beautiful cemetery of Spring Grove.

JOHN SHILLITO was born at Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Penn., November 24, 1808. He migrated to Cincinnati in 1817, and though a mere boy of nine years entered the employ of Blatchley & Simpson, at that time the leading mer-

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

chants in this city. While serving his clerkship with this firm, by constant appli- cation to his duties, supplemented by his naturally keen foresight, he soon acquired that knowledge of commercial affairs which so successfully inured to his benefit during his entire business life.

In 1830 he severed his connection with Blatchley & Simpson, formed a partner- ship with William McLaughlin, and began the dry-goods business on Main street under the firm name of Mclaughlin & Shillito. A year or so later the firm dis- solved, and Mr. Shillito entered into co-partnership with Robert W. Burnet. Two years later James Pullan was admitted, and the business was now done in the firm name of Shillito, Burnet & Pullan. In 1833 they removed to other quarters on Main street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, and here the firm employed four clerks, which caused the town people to comment on the vast business they were doing. In 1837 Shillito purchased the interests of his partners, and immediately established the firm of John Shillito & Co., the other members being M. H. Coates, Isaac Stephens, William Woods and Edward Holroyd. They removed their stock of goods to the north side of Fourth street, between Main and Sycamore, where Mr. Shillito erected a building considered at that time the most commodious dry-goods store west of the Alleghany Mountains. At intervals Mr. Shillito purchased the interests of his partners, and in 1842 became sole proprietor. The business con- tinued prosperous, and realizing that it would soon become necessary to have more room to accommodate his rapidly increasing trade, he secured a lot on the south side of Fourth street, between Race and Vine streets, just west of the new Chamber of Commerce building, where he built a large store, into which he removed in 1857. Here he prosecuted his trade for twenty-one years, during which time he at inter- vals admitted into partnership his sons, Wallace, John and Gordon. Continuing to meet with phenomenal success, he again found it necessary to secure more com- modious quarters. After a long canvass of the real-estate market, he purchased, in the spring of 1877, the property bounded by Race, Seventh, and George streets, and erected the colossal dry-goods palace of to-day, into which the firm removed September 1, 1878, and opened up to the public the following day. Stewart Shil- lito was admitted to the firm January 1, 1879. John Shillito died September 10, 1879, in the seventy-first year of his age, after having lived to see his last and greatest mercantile achievement crowned with eminent success. The firm of John Shillito & Co. was succeeded by The John Shillito Company, a corporation organ- ized under the laws of Ohio, June 28, 1882.

Mr. Shillito married Mary Wallace, daughter of Col. Robert Wallace, of Ken- tucky. At the time of his death they had four sons and one daughter living: Wal- lace, who resides in New York; John, who died August 6, 1888; Gordon and Stew- art, who reside in Cincinnati; and Mary, who is the wife of Henry P. Rogers, of New York City. Mr. Shillito was a director and treasurer of Spring Grove Ceme- tery; a director of the Lafayette and National Bank of Commerce; treasurer of the Cincinnati Music Hall Association, and the Music Festival Association; a director of the Children's Home and of the Old Men's Home. He was also a member, trus- tee and treasurer of the Second Presbyterian Church.

John Shillito was a strong man among men. His business capacity was as marked as his ability to meet men under all circumstances. He was full of the milk of human kindness. His daily life was a complete system, but he could always, in the midst of it, present the pleasant side of human nature. Honor and integrity with him went hand in hand with intelligence and enterprise, and he always strove, so far as he was concerned, to maintain the high character of Cincinnati's mer- chants. The result was, he built up for himself both reputation and fortune. He was a cheerful giver, and always contributed liberally to everything which tended to build up and perpetuate the memory of the community in which he made his wonderful business success. In his death the mercantile interests of Cincinnati

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

sustained a great loss, the community felt keenly his taking away, and all with one accord sympathized with the family and his business associates in the irreparable calamity.

JAMES PULLAN, the eldest of William and Elizabeth (Butterfield) Pullan's family of six sons-James, Thomas, William B., John, Richard B. and Joseph-and three daughters-Mary, Sarah and Elizabeth-was born September 2, 1805. His busi- ness life began in the counting room of Adingham Low Mill, the extensive Worsted Works of William and John Pullan on the River Wharf, Yorkshire, England. The market for their fabric was in foreign lands, mostly through correspondents in New York, Philadelphia and other American cities. That business increased from year to year until its magnitude invited them in 1821 to move to this country, where they lived part of the time on the Hudson and part in New York City; but all the time they continued their accustomed busy life, forgetful of the dangers of very success- ful men pursuing such a course in a new country with entirely new surroundings.

As incidents in the life of a private in the rank of the great army passing through life, and only worthi recording when they may happily influence the lives of others wearily moving in like directions, we will cover the decade of decadence in the for- tune of this family from 1821 to 1830, when with their three large wagons that served for lodging and transport of household goods, laden with precious memories and a Jersey dearborn for the mother and daughters, all its members crossed the Alleghany Mountains to the then far-off city of the great West by saying-that James Pullan and his brother always and under all circumstances did what was pos- sible to help their father in liis various undertakings, and never failed in their devo- tion and respect because of their failure. The knowledge of this, and their scrupu- lous care to leave no debts of his unpaid, secured for four of them positions, soon after they reached Cincinnati, with the best of its citizens. Among them, Lewis Howell, one of the trustees of Woodward High School, where the two youngest had been placed by their elder brother on its opening, made the writer of this sketch a benefi- ciary of William Woodward's bounty. As the life and character of James Pullan after 1830 was pretty fully described in the editorials of the city papers when he died, June 21, 1886, their historical statements, with slight correcting necessary, will possess more interest than anything now prepared. Hence the editorial of the Commercial Gazette is reproduced in the hope that it may aid in realizing the hope expressed in the concluding sentence.

" Born in England in 1805, he came when a youth of sixteen with his father to New York. In 1830 he removed to Cincinnati, and here he has ever since resided. Here he began business as a clerk in Michael P. Cassilly's business house. Within a year Mr. Howell bought the stock and good will, upon being assured that Mr. Pullan would continue his services. He then took charge of Lewis Howell's busi- ness, the largest dry-goods house at that time, and with such success that on Mr. Howell's death in 1834 the executors sold Mr. Pullan the entire business. In an early directory of our city, dated 1834, we find his name recorded as with Lewis Howell, merchant. He soon became a partner in the house of Shillito & Pullan. He afterward established the house of Pullan & Bros. He was the second president of the Lafayette Bank. Then his matured energies were devoted not only to his private interests and duties as president of the bank, but they were exerted earnestly and effectively in favor of the resumption of specie payments. He was one of the leading spirits and organizers of our unrivaled Spring Grove Cemetery. He planned and well nigh established a grand public park for Cincinnati, which would have been for situation, landscape, forests and prospects one of the most beautiful in the world. In this enterprise lie 'deserved, though he did not achieve success.'

" As in his commercial, so in his public career, he depended on his capacity for work, and without seeking place or asking promotion waited until he was needed and called. He and his family were identified with the early anti-slavery move-

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

ments, and were among the founders of the Republican party. He was a trusted friend of Secretary Chase, and when the International Revenue system was adopted he was notified from Washington of his appointment as assessor of the Second Dis- trict of Ohio, then one of the most important in the country. The system was new and complicated, and Mr. Pullan rendered silent services to the country, in response to calls from the great secretary, which never can be fully known or appreciated. He continued in this position until relieved by Andrew Johnson, and subsequently, when Mr. Johnson wished to appoint Gen. Cary, Mr. Pullan, to aid the General to perform the duties, modestly accepted the position as assistant, which he filled until Gen. Cary was relieved.

" He had now reached the verge of old age, and his active life was over; yet his experience and judgment were ever at the service of the government and its officers; of the community and his friends. His character and reputation as a trustworthy man caused him to be sought for as a trustee and referee, and his report in the mat- ter of the Southern railway is notable for its ability and fairness. To do justice to the memory of such a man were impossible; we can not express our sense of loss, but we hope that his example may inspire others, and especially the young men of our great city, to cultivate and exercise those virtues which were the heart and soul of true commerce, and which render the public-spirited merchant a most useful and honored citizen."

The steel portrait of James Pullan which appears in this work was engraved from a photographic copy of a portrait which hangs in the National Lafayette Bank of Cincinnati.

ROBERT WALLACE BURNET, the third son of Judge Jacob Burnet, was born in Cin- cinnati in 1808, in the old brick home occupying part of the lot on which the "Bur- net House" now stands. At the age of sixteen he entered the United States Mili- tary Academy at West Point, and was graduated with his class. After several years of service in the army, in the Indian campaigns in the Southern States, he resigned his commission, retired into private life, and has resided in the city of his birth until the present time.

On the occasion of his election as a member of the Ohio Commandery of the · Loyal Legion, Gen. M. F. Force said of him: "To be presented as a member of the third class of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, one must have distinguished himself for loyalty during the war, and must, as a citizen now and since the war, have a record above reproach. All this has Robert W. Burnet, and more." He was himself a pioneer, being a son of the late Judge Jacob Burnet, who was one of the original settlers of the Ohio Valley, and both father and son took a lively inter- est in the growth and prosperity of that region. Having been educated at West Point, and seen years of service as a soldier, his sympathies were always with the men in the field; and when the war broke out, although prevented by ill health from taking active service in the cause of the Union, he found work to do at liome, and did it. Being at the time president of the Literary Club, he at once organized it into a military company, known as the "Burnet Rifles," which he thoroughly equipped and personally drilled. Of this company, seventy became officers in the Union army, and were distinguished for their service in field and hospital.

When the United States Sanitary Commission was organized, Robert W. Burnet was appointed president of the Western Branch, and continued as such until the close of the war and after until, in fact, the Commission had ended its labors, giv- ing his time, and liberally of his means, in furtherance of the work of the Commis- sion. His work as president of the Commission was known and felt throughout the country, and all the departments under his supervision accomplished results that were appreciated and remembered. He is now living a quiet and retired life at his home on the Grandin road, East Walnut Hills.

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

THE GANO FAMILY. The ancestors of this distinguished family were Huguenots. who fled from France to avoid religious persecution. They came to America, and settled in New Jersey, whence we note the beginning of the family in this country.

Rev. John Gano was born at Hopewell, N. J., July 22, 1727, and was ordained to the ministry in 1754. He became a distinguished Baptist, and organized the first church of that denomination in New York City, becoming its pastor in 1762. Early espousing the cause of the colonists against Great Britain, he joined the Rev- olutionary army on the breaking out of the war, became a brigade chaplain, and re- mained in the service until Independence was established .. He left his society in New York, April 5, 1788, and removed to Kentucky, dying at Frankfort, August. 10, 1804, aged seventy-seven years.

JOHN S. GANO, son of Rev. John Gano, was one of the early settlers of Columbia. He held commissions as captain, major, brigadier and major-general of the first division of Ohio militia, from September 1, 1803, when these offices were posts of honor, danger and duty, until 1818, when he removed to Covington, Ky., of which place he was the principal proprietor. He was topographical engineer, commanded an advance party, and surveyed the route for the march of the army under Gen. St. Clair, and shared in the battle and defeat November 4, 1791. He also commanded a battalion of 132 men in an expedition to the field of St. Clair's depot, buried the dead, and brought off 1,050 stand of arms, two field pieces and other munitions of war. He commanded a company of one hundred volunteers who marched to the relief of Capt. Kingsbury, who was besieged by the Indians at Dunlap's Station, and he also took an active and responsible part in the war with England in 1812, raising volunteers, drafting, mustering, organizing and equipping several detachments. Part of the time he was stationed at Sandusky, and for six months he was in command of the Ohio militia on the frontier under Gen. Harrison. He also surveyed and marked the sections and fractions in one of the ranges of land in Symmes' purchase. On the early organization of the courts, Gen. Gano was appointed clerk, and held this office until his removal to Covington in 1818, where he died January 1, 1822. His remains were afterward removed to Spring Grove Cemetery. His mother was the daughter of Judge William Goforth, Sr., the first judge appointed for Hamilton county. Mrs. Gen. Gano was born in New York City. She was remarkable for her intelligence, grace, dignity, and hospitality. Her remains were brought to Cincin- nati in 1858, and interred in Spring Grove Cemetery.

DANIEL GANO was born May 23, 1794, near the mouth of the Little Miami, where Benjamin Stites and party made the first settlement in Symmes' purchase November 18, 1788. After receiving the rudiments of an education he was, in 1805, put in a boarding school. When only thirteen years of age he rode 1,100 miles on horse- back to Providence, R. I., across the mountains, at that time a wilderness. This journey was regarded as extraordinary for one so young. He was accompanied by his uncle, Dr. Stephen Gano, who organized the first Baptist church at Columbia, in 1790. He was the son of Rev. John Gano, and was born in New York December 25, 1762. After completing his medical studies he served some time in the Revolution- ary army as a surgeon, and was captured and sent aboard a British prison ship. After this he entered the ministry. In 1792 he was called to the pastoral care of the First Baptist church, Providence, R. I., and continued to occupy that important sta- tion until his death, which occurred August 18, 1828. Here Daniel remained with his uncle and prepared to enter college, but was deterred on account of a severe acci- dent which incapacitated him for some time. On his recovery he abandoned his col- lege pursuits, returned to Cincinnati and entered his father's office as assistant clerk. He soon became a deputy, retaining that position until 1818, when his father resigned, and he was appointed clerk, in which capacity he continued until 1856, except a few months when Gen. Harrison filled the office. The life of Daniel Gano was a remark- able and busy one. When eighteen years of age he was commissioned by the gover-

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History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 73

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