History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 79

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

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Prof. Venable resides in an elegant and commodious house on Mt. Tusculum, built and furnished with the profits of his literary labors. He has a charming fain- ily of four sons and three daughters. Though generally losing himself in entranced companionship with his books and pictures when at home, he is always ready, with cheerful and inspiriting courtesy to receive the friends and callers who seek his coun- sel, his aid, or the delight of his conversation. Cincinnati has no citizen in whom she feels more honored than William H. Venable .- [From the pen of John B. Jewett.

JOHN B. JEWETT is the eldest son of Col. E. F. Jewett, well-known to the people of Hamilton county, from his past service in the offices of county engineer and county surveyor. The subject of this sketch was born at Newtown, June 24, 1865. From his mother, who possessed considerable talent, and acquired some note as a writer, he inherited a strong love for literature. He received his educational training in the public schools of Newtown and at Chickering Institute, Cincinnati. While at the latter school his deep literary sympathies and aptitude for composition attracted the attention of Prof. W. H. Venable, who thenceforth bestowed upon him especial

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encouragement and instruction. After leaving school, and until his twenty-first year, he followed his father's profession of civil engineering, being a part of the time in the service of the county. In 1887 he took a place on the staff of the Cincinnati Evening Post, but did not hold it long. At the beginning of Judge Ferris' first term, in February, 1891, he was offered a clerkship in the probate court of this county, which he accepted and retained for two years. Mr. Jewett's literary productions have been published in the various newspapers and magazines of the first class. His writ- ings, both prose and verse, show sensitive feeling, and a faculty that is inclined to be original, ingenious and artistic. A distinguished writer and critic has pronounced one of his romantic prose stories "equal in quality to Irving."-[Written by Edwin F. Flynn.

REUBEN R. SPRINGER was born in Frankfort, Ky., in 1800. His father, Charles Springer, was a native of West Virginia, a soldier under Gen. Wayne and a partici- pant in the battle of Maumee in 1794. For many years he was postmaster of Frank- fort, and also cultivator of a farm near Lexington, same State. He was killed in 1816 by being thrown from a wagon. Reuben Springer's mother, Catherine Runyan, a native of Princeton, N. J., survived her husband several years.

Young Reuben received a very meager education in the schools of Frankfort. At thirteen, he entered the post office as clerk, and succeeded his father as postmaster. He held this position for two years when he became a clerk on a steamer running between Cincinnati and New Orleans. He was very economical, and in a few years he was able to buy an interest in the line to which the boat belonged, and continued in the steamboat business for twelve years. On January 30, 1830, lie married Jane Kilgour, daughter of Henry and Catherine Kilgour. Mr. Kilgour was at that time a member of the firm of Kilgour, Taylor & Company, the largest wholesale grocery firm in Cincinnati. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Springer became a junior partner of the firm with which he continued for the next ten years. His close appli- cation to business impaired his health, and in 1840 he was obliged to retire from active business. The firm dissolved, and each member retired wealthy. Charles Springer, a brother of Reuben Springer, succeeded to the good will of the house. He was lost at sea in the ill-fated steamer "Arctic," in 1854. Mr. Springer then turned his attention to the recovery of his health. In 1842 lie left for Europe, but unsettled business compelled his return the following year. He revisited Europe in 1844-45 in 1849 and 1851. On his fourth and last trip he was accompanied by Mrs. Springer, and together they spent much time in visiting art centers of the Old World. By turning his attention to a study of the laws of health, he renewed his impaired constitution and lived many years beyond the limit his hopes had fixed, dying December 10, 1884. In all these years he took advantage of every means to prolong his life. Mr. Springer was wealthy. His wealth consisted principally of real estate, railroad bonds and other securities. His income from rents alone was said to be $75,000 a year. He was a large stockholder, and for many years a direc- tor of the Little Miami, Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago, and Lake Shore railroads. He declined a re-election as director of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago rail- road, after serving sixteen years in that capacity. He owned $700,000 worth of first mortgage bonds of the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago railroad, which bore six per cent. interest. He was a large stockholder and director in the Third National, Lafayette and other banks, as well as in the Equitable and other insurance companies. He never held a political position. He was very careful and cautious of his investments, always placing his money where it would be safe, and cause him the least anxiety or care. His extreme caution made him look with suspicion on Southern railroad schemes, and he consequently held himself aloof from such enter- prises. In politics Mr. Springer was a Henry Clay Whig, and a personal friend of that great statesman, but became a Republican at the birth of that party. In religion he was a Catholic, and a member of the Cathedral congregation. He gave to the

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

Cathedral over thirty thousand dollars, at the same time contributing to many public and private charities. Mrs. Springer died several years ago, leaving no children. Mr. Springer educated four young relatives of his wife. He was a man of refined tastes and a lover of all that is beautiful in art and nature. During his travels in Europe he collected many valuable paintings and works of art. His home at Plum and Seventh streets, Cincinnati, was filled with these souvenirs of travel. In conver- sation Mr. Springer was always most interesting when talking on the subject of art. The success of the Musical Festivals in 1873 and 1875 demonstrated the possibility of a permanent institution in Cincinnati, and Music Hall was the result of the enthu- siasm created by these festivals. In May, 1875, Mr. Springer addressed a letter to John Shillito offering to donate $125,000 for the purpose of building a Music Hall, on two conditions: First, that the lot on Elm and Fourteenth streets be secured from the city for the perpetual use of the society to be formed for the purpose, at a nominal rent and free from taxation; and second, that a further sum of not less than $125,000 be donated by the citizens. The offer was received with enthusiasm, and committees to carry it into effect were appointed by the Board of Trade, Chamber of Commerce and other bodies. When it was found that subscriptions flagged on account of the apparent preference being extended to Music Hall over Exposition, Mr. Springer, on June 7, agreed to donate $50,000 more for the Exposition interest as soon as the $125,000 were subscribed by the citizens, on condition that they should subscribe a further $100,000. The taking of subscriptions became even more arduous than before, and in November Mr. Springer offered to give another $20,000 on con- dition that $15,000 (the amount needed to make up the one hundred and twenty-five thousand) be raised within thirty days. This was accomplished by gathering small sums, hundreds of laboring men and operatives contributing $1.00 each, for which they received certificates of stock entitling them to one admission into the first Exposi- tion to be held in the new hall. On December 1, 1875, the Music Hall Association was formed. Work on the building commenced in September, 1876. The trustees soon ran short of funds, and Mr. Springer added to his already munificent gift by donating $20,000 on two different occasions. Mr. Springer's gifts were as follows: Original subscription, $125,000; additional subscriptions: in November, 1875, $20,000; in April, 1877, $20,000; in January, 1878, $20,000; organ fund, $5,000; premium for carving, $500; Art Museum fund, $10,000; Exposition buildings, $50,000; new build- ing College of Music, $40,000; endowment College of Music, $80,000-total, $370,500.

A life-sized statue of Mr. Springer, executed by Preston Powers, son of the cele- brated sculptor Hiram Powers, was unveiled at the Music Hall Monday, May 15, 1882, with appropriate ceremonies. It is seldom that the living are so honored. but in this case it was fitting that the first statue erected in the great building should be that of its great patron. Mr. Springer was singularly modest, and notwithstanding his large gifts to the Music Hall and College, he refused to have it named after him- self. He was generally unostentatious and liberal to all public charities, and he will always be remembered as one of the city's greatest benefactors.

COLONEL PETER RUDOLPH NEFF was born on June 19, 1832, in Baltimore, Md., a son of Peter Neff, whose father, also named Peter Neff, was the son of Rudolph Neff (Näf), who emigrated from Switzerland to the United States in 1749. Col. Neff's mother prior to her marriage with his father was Mrs. Isabella Lamson, a widow, her maiden name being Freeman.

In 1835 Col. Neff's father removed from Baltimore to Cincinnati, Ohio, having in 1824, in conjunction with John Rudolph, William and George Washington Neff, his brothers, founded in the latter city the hardware house of Neff & Brothers, which had already become widely known in the West, indeed in the whole country, as a leading firm in this department of business, and he raised his sons in a busi- ness atmosphere; but this did not prevent him from giving the closest attention to

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their education. Peter Rudolph was first placed at the school of the Misses Com- stock, which was conducted in the basement of Christ Church, Cincinnati, and when less than ten years of age was sent to Woodward High School. By special permission he occupied the room of Dr. Joseph Ray, eminent in his profession, where he remained two years. After a short time spent in Cincinnati College his education was committed to private teachers who came to the house at stated inter- vals. These were Charles Mathews, who instructed his pupil in mathematics; George C. Lindley, in Greek; Thomas S. Milligan, in Latin, and C. J. Bourgoin, Adolph H. Gerard and August Doisy, in French, the last-named gentleman, of rare acquirements, also giving him a course of English literature. From the Rev. Thomas H. Stockton he received instruction in elocution. In addition, he took lessons in music and drawing. It will thus be seen that the preparations for a thorough education were singularly complete, and it may be remarked as showing how largely the sympathy of the father was enlisted in the work which was laying the foundation of the character and usefulness of his son that he made it a point to be present at almost every recitation, which generally took place at night. Peter Neff generally recognized the fact that a man was the better in this world for hav- ing a specific employment, so that he cultivated in his son the habit of spending his spare hours in his store, where he was gradually inducted into the methods and usages of business. In November, 1848, Peter Neff found himself alone in busi- ness in his own name, his brothers, William and George W., having retired; and the firm of Neff & Brother by mutual consent having just been dissolved, John Rudolph Neff, William Peter Neff, his son, and Kirkbride Yardley, a brother-in- law, formed a partnership under the firm name of Neff Brother & Company for the conducting of a business similar to the old firm. This marks an important period in Peter Rudolph Neff's life. His mother having died on the 6th of March, 1844, with a strong desire that her sons should be united with their father in business, if he were associated with any one, the time for the gratification of her wishes was. now at hand. In six months after the dissolution of the firm of Neff & Brother William Howard and Peter Rudolph Neff were admitted to partnership with their father in the hardware business, the name of the firm being changed to Peter Neff & Sons. The sons were first each given one-fourth interest, which, when William Howard arrived at his majority, in March, 1847, was increased to one-third, each of the two sons having a like interest with their father. From this time, for twenty- two years, the subject of this sketch was thoroughly identified with the business of the firm of which he was a partner.

Peter Rudolph was married in Brooklyn, N. Y., June 30, 1853, and the newly- married couple soon thereafter commenced housekeeping in Cincinnati. Prior to this he had laid the foundations for the religious work of his life, for which he has become distinguished by uniting with the Second Presbyterian Church of Cincin- nati May 5, 1850. In the August following he was elected superintendent of the German Mission Sunday-school, which, under his management, became a religious power in Cincinnati, having been brought from about 150 to 600 persons in attend- ance. In 1870 he, with others, organized a Mission Sabbath-school under the auspices of the Second Presbyterian Church, which was held in the basement of the edifice of that congregation on Fourth street. Like the one already alluded to, the school grew rapidly until it became known far and wide as a model of its kind, numbering in its maximum average 545 persons and presenting for ten years the unusual average of 440 in attendance. In 1883 Col. Neff determined to organize a. Presbyterian Church on Price Hill, and late in that year, having already on his own account leased Library Hall for three years, invited twenty-one persons, comprising his wife, his four married daughters and their husbands, and others to meet at his residence, where, on the first day of November of that year, was founded the West- minster Presbyterian Church of Cincinnati, he being at the same time elected and

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installed a ruling elder, a position which he had previously held in the Second Pres- byterian Church. The first meeting of the newly-formed Church was held on Sun- day, November 11, 1883, a Sabbath-school having also been commenced at the same time with an attendance of 102 persons, Col. Neff being the superintendent.

Col. Neff was one of the founders of the Home Missionary Society of the Second Presbyterian Church, organized as far back as 1850, and was also one of the early members of the Society of Religious Inquiry, which subsequently became the Young Men's Christian Association. Of this society and its illustrious suc- cessor he filled about every office, twice having been president, for many years a member of the executive committee, a warm advocate of the purchase of the present valuable property of the association, and always its devoted friend and active sup- porter. He was for years a trustee of Lane (Theological) Seminary, finally becom- ing vice-president and a member of the executive committee. In 1878, associ- ated with Col. George Ward Nichols, Reuben R. Springer and others, he became one of the founders of the College of Music of Cincinnati, and, without compen- sation, consented to become its first treasurer.

At the death of Col. Nichols Col. Neff was chosen his successor in the office of president, and on the 15th day of September, 1885, entered upon the performance of the laborious duties of this office, for which his education, tastes, experience and executive ability so admirably fitted him. He was in 1883 appointed one of the trustees to administer the Wood- ward fund, and was elected president of the Union Board of High Schools in 1885, serving one year. He was also a member of the commission for the inspection of charitable and correctional institutions of Hamilton county, Ohio, serving in this capacity for two years from 1883. For twenty-five years he has been one of the managers of the Cincinnati Relief Fund, five years of which he was a vice-presi- dent. In 1884 he was president of the Associated Charities of the Eleventh Dis- trict, and in January, 1885, was elected president of the central board, but declined a re-election because of the pressing nature of other duties. He was president of the Philharmonic Orchestra one year, and was intimately and energetically identified with the management of all the opera festivals, as well as sustaining a close rela- tion to the May festivals; was also an active member of the Committee of Public Safety, the Tax Payers' League, and the Citizens' Committee.

Although Col. Neff was not actively in the field for any considerable period dur- ing the war of the Rebellion, he was yet busily employed from the commencement to the close of hostilities in matters pertaining to the prosecution of the war. Immediately on the organization of the military committee of Hamilton county he was appointed its secretary by Governor Dennison, and was continued in the position by each successive governor of the State until the close of the war. These duties practically engrossed his time. The committee met every day during the war; every man who enlisted in Hamilton county appeared before this committee; every recruit who took a bounty received a check from the secretary, signed by the presi- dent and himself; and when the subscribers to the fund of $250,000, which was raised in 1863 to save the county from the draft, were reimbursed, the commis- sioners entrusted the issuing of all the bonds to the secretary of the committee. During all this period, save when the company was for a short time in the charge of Gen. McClellan and Col. Groesbeck, the Pearl Street Rifles were commanded by Col. Neff, with which he drilled on every week day night during the war. When the expedition was authorized by Gen. Fremont to proceed to Paducah, Ky., to build a pontoon bridge for the use of Gen. Grant, who had moved across the Ohio river into Kentucky, the command was entrusted to Col. Neff; and at the time of the Kirby Smith invasion no military organization rendered more prompt or cheerful service than the one which he commanded. The firm of Peter Neff & Sons con- tinued in existence until 1871, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, Peter Neff and Peter Rudolph Neff retiring, William Howard still for some years continuing the business in his own name.

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Col. Neff was twice married; first time June 30, 1853, to Caroline Margaretta Burnet, who died August 4, 1864. This union resulted in five children-four daughters, all of whom are married, and one son, who died in early boyhood. The colonel was married, the second time, to Miss Josephine Clark Burnet, June 19, 1867, both wives being daughters of William Burnet, Esq., by different marriages and granddaughters of Judge Jacob Burnet. By his second wife he had seven children, four of whom-two daughters and two sons-are living.

Such are the salient points of the life of Peter Rudolph Neff. They exhibit a valuable life, now in the zenith of its usefulness, built upon the secure foundation of good stock, wise instruction, judicious parental control and sterling example, a life conscientiously and actively employed in good works. With a conscience which always recognized the claims of duty, and a judgment which usually saw where duty lay; with convictions that were clearly defined and with unusual ability to control men, he has identified himself with nothing on which he has not made a tangible impression.

BENJAMIN F. POWER, one of Cincinnati's most prominent dealers in leaf to- bacco, was born in Bracken county, Ky., November 16, 1828, and is a son of Robert and Nancy (Meyer) Power, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. His paternal grandfather, who was an early settler in Virginia, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Robert Power's family numbered eleven children, of whom Ben- jamin F. was the fourth; he has one living sister, Miss Laura Power.

His education was obtained in the public schools of his native town, and at Augusta College, Kentucky. He read law at Maysville, and was admitted to the bar in 1850, but never followed the practice of that profession. Throughout his entire business career, he has been connected, in various places and in various ways, with the tobacco trade. He began by purchasing tobacco in the country towns of Ohio and Kentucky, and selling it at New Orleans, as there was, at that time, no market at Cincinnati. In 1865 he came to this city, and became a member of the firm of Worthington & Power, dealers in all kinds of leaf tobacco, located on Water street. They also had a branch warehouse in New York City, of which Mr. Power had charge. About 1870 they removed to Front street, where they conducted a tobacco warehouse and dry house business. In 1888 Mr. Power organized the firm of B. F. Power & Company, which has since transacted a general tobacco commis- sion business. It will thus be seen that Mr. Power is one of the gentlemen who were prominently identified with the establishment of the Cincinnati Tobacco Mar- ket, which is one of the most finely regulated lines of trade in the city, and the sec- ond largest tobacco market in the world. The Burley leaf tobacco alone brings to Cincinnati an annual income of nearly ten millions of dollars.

Mr. Power was married April 13, 1870, to Miss Mary E. Clark, of Augusta, Ky., where they now reside. They worship at the Presbyterian Church, and, though not an aspirant for public office, he has always affiliated with the Democratic party.

SAMUEL FOSDICK, born in New London, Conn .. in 1801, was a descendant of Samuel Fosdick, who was born in December, 1655, at Charlestown, Mass., and a son of Richard Fosdick, who came to Ohio from Connecticut in 1810. His parents sent their effects from New York to Philadelphia by water, but as so many young men of New London had been lost at sea his mother had an aversion to going on the water, and, being unwilling to risk herself and family on the boat, she came over- land to Philadelphia, whilst her brother, C. L'Hommedieu, and his family took the steamer to Perth Amboy, and traveled thence by land to Philadelphia, where the party reunited and came over the mountains to Pittsburgh. Here they embarked on keelboats and floated down the Ohio. As the water was extremely low they did not reach Cincinnati until October 21, 1810, having been twenty-one days making the voyage.

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After carefully surveying the town and its surroundings, Capt. Richard Fosdick was strongly impressed with its natural advantages, and felt assured of its future greatness. At the time of the arrival of the family the post office was kept at what is now the corner of Front and Lawrence streets, and often our subject waded. through mud and water to his knees to get there. Many of the blockhouses which had been erected in the country for places of safety for the first settlers were still standing, and Fort Washington, although abandoned, had not been demolished. Only one family was living at Covington, but the United States Arsenal had been established at Newport, and a few other houses erected. Capt. Fosdick was in- formed that it was useless to try to save pork or beef in this climate. He did not believe what was told him, and experimented to convince himself of the falsity of the assertion, and he had the satisfaction of living to see Cincinnati become a noted place for pork-packing. Previous to his arrival here our subject had been taught the rudiments of an English education by Ulysses Dow, a brother of the famous Lorenzo; but as the facilities for acquiring further education here were exceedingly poor, he was taken by his father, after being here five years, to Long Island, where he attended school for four months. He made the best of his time and advanced. rapidly. While there he witnessed the wreck of the British war vessel " Sylph," on January 8, 1815, in which one hundred and eleven lives were lost, and only the purser and five seamen were saved. This was the day on which Gen. Jackson won his brilliant victory at New Orleans. In 1816, while still engaged with his father, our subject made a trip to the Kanawha salt region with keelboats, and was thirty days going. This was probably the first venture of the kind from Cincinnati, and was a success. In 1834 he was elected sheriff of Hamilton county, being then thirty-three years old; he was re-elected in 1836, and, after the expiration of his second term, went into the general commission business, on Sycamore street, where he continued about fifteen years with marked success. In 1844, in company with Anthony Harkness and Jacob Strader, he built the first and only cotton factory in Cincinnati. The business was conducted with excellent results for nearly twenty years, when the death of both of his partners having occurred, Mr. Fosdick became the purchaser. He was an original incorporator in the unfortunate Life & Trust Company; and also of the Hamilton & Dayton railroad. During the active years of his life Mr. Fosdick probably bought and sold more real estate than any person in Cincinnati, except the late Mr. Longworth.

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History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 79

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