USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 112
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.
mere lad. He walked in the funeral procession of George Washington in 1799, and afterwards in that of Alexander Hamilton. Has passed through all the pres- idential campaigns from Washington to that of Garfield. Came to Cincinnati at an early day; was one of the original members of the Pioneer association and possess- ing more than ordinary powers of mind. Has passed through many and varied experiences of life since that time, having always taken an active part in matters of ยท public concern, and has always been considered a very prominent man. He lives to-day a great-grandfather and possesses more than mere ordinary faculties of mind and body.
Charley B. Lewis, proprietor of bakery and lunch- room, 193 West Sixth street, came from Portsmouth, Ohio, to Cincinnati in the year 1861. His father, Thomas C. Lewis, now living, owned the rolling mills of that place, the only ones then west of Pittsburgh, in which mills Charley learned the business of machinist. The property is now owned by his brother-in-law, George Baylis, who is probably one of the wealthiest men of the State. Mr. Lewis was for three years after coming to Cincinnati a driver of a bakery wagon, for which he re- ceived one dollar a day. From this he was promoted to a clerkship, and in 1866 bought out the entire busi- ness, since which time he has owned it himself. He also owns the building No. 206.
MILL CREEK.
Rev. Jerome Kilgersteen, in charge of St. Aloysius Orphan asylum, was born in Cincinnati February 22, 1847, his parents being early settlers of this city. Our subject graduated from the St. Francis college in June, 1863, and was ordained in 1870. His first charge was to St. George, of Corryville; thence to St. Stephen, of Hamilton, Ohio. From there he came to his present appointment, which he has been filling very faithfully since.
John Henry Dahman, superintendent of the German Protestant cemetery, was born in Hanover, Germany, May 27, 1836. He came to the United States and landed in New Orleans in 1853, coming direct to Cin- cinnati. He was a soldier in the late civil war, enlisted in the Second Missouri cavalry, company C, where he served for four years and nine days, being mustered out as sergeant of company C. He did good service, and was honorably mustered out. He then returned to Cin- cinnati, where he has remained since. In February, 1879, he was appointed superintendent of the cemetery, in which position he is giving entire satisfaction, gaining the good-will of all. He has made a good many im- provements in the cemetery, and it is to-day one of the handsomest and neatest cemeteries.
Anton Barkly, florist, near the German Protestant cemetery, was born in the grand duchy of Baden, Janu- ary 15, 1823. He came to America and landed in New Orleans in 1846, then went to Polk county, Tennessee; in 1847 came to Cincinnati; and in 1849 went to Nash- ville, Tennessee, and engaged in the gardening business. In 1863 he returned to Cincinnati, from which time his gardening business here dates. Of late years he has
given his attention to the florist business,, of which he is making a good success. He has two hot-houses in good order, one sixty by thirteen feet in size, and the other eleven by forty feet. Mr. Barkly's father was a large grower in the old country; he was also a soldier under Napoleon, and participated in the battle of Waterloo. He died in Polk county, Tennessee, at ninety-six years of age.
Christian Henning, florist, near the German Protes- tant cemetery, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 3, 1834, where he learned the art of landscaping, garden- ing and florist, working at different private places on the Rhine. He then came to the United States, and landed in Baltimore. In December, 1860, he came to Cincin- nati and accepted a position with one of the leading florists of Cincinnati, where he remained for some fif- teen months. He afterward was gardener for some of the leading private families of the city. Then he ac- cepted a position with the German Protestant cemetery, where he remained for thirteen years, during which time he superintended the laying out of the grounds and the erection of the buildings; after which he began his pres- ent business. Mr. Henning has just begun in the busi- ness, but is meeting with good success, ranking as a number one florist.
John D. Seefried, florist, near the German Protestant cemetery, was born on the old homestead where he is now engaged in business, March 11, 1857, and is the son of John and Margaret Seefried, who came to Ham- ilton county and located on this farm at an early day. Our subject is a practical florist. He worked at his trade as a florist in some of the leading private places around Cincinnati. In 1877 he purchased his present business, which had been operated for some years before his purchase. Mr. Seefried has three hot-houses, size seventeen by fifty, fourteen by fifty, and eleven by fifty. He is an active worker, and is meeting with fair success in his enterprise.
Henry Bertrand, florist, near the German Protestant cemetery, was born in Brunswick, Germany, August 19, 1839. Learning the florist's art in his native country, he followed this business in Leipsic, Brunswick, and Hanover, in some of the leading gardens. He then sailed for America, landing in New York city in August, 1865; thence to New Jersey, where he remained some eight months; thence to Louisville; and in 1866 he came to Cincinnati. Here he was engaged as a private gardener and florist in two of the finest private places in Cincinnati, where in the later years he was as manager. He then began his present business, now occupying three buildings, and it is perhaps one of the best and most complete houses in the florist business. Mr. Ber- trand is a practically educated florist, standing at the head of his profession. He was appointed as one of the judges of the florist department of the Cincinnati expo- sition, where he gave entire satisfaction.
Reinhold Schaefer, florist, at the rear of the stock yards, was born in Germany in 1850. At fifteen years of age, he began to learn the florist business. He spent some four years in the city of Perlin, being foreman of
53
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.
private gardens. He made a study of landscape garden- ing. In 1872 he came to the United States, and worked at his trade in Brooklyn, New Haven, Cleveland, thence to Cincinnati, where he worked six years for H. Harline, one of the leading florists, three years as foreman. In 1879 he commenced his present place, which, for a new place, is one of the most attractive, having two hot- houses thirty-five by fifty-four feet, and one house twelve by thirty-two feet. Mr. Schaefer has made very good improvements on his new place, and is doing a very profitable business.
William Schilling, gardener, was born in Hanover, Ger- many, September 15, 1831. He came to the United States and landed in Baltimore in 1858, coming thence direct to Cincinnati; commencing to work at the garde- ner's business in 1858, which business he has continued ever since, moving to his present place in 1868, consist- ing now of four and one-fourth acres of fine, improved land, which property he accumulated by hard work and good management in the garden business. Mr. Schilling has been married twice-the first time in 1860, to Miss Sophie Voss, a native of Germany. From this union five children were born. Mrs. Schilling died about 1877. He afterward married his present wife, Sophia Righfeld. She is a native of Germany.
William Hockstedt, gardener, was born in Prussia, Sep- tember 3, 1832. He came to the United States and landed in New Orleans in 1849, thence went direct to Cincin- nati. He then went on a farm in Delhi township, Ham- ilton county, where he remained until about 1856, when he commenced gardening, which business he has contin- ued ever since. In 1865 he moved to his present place, which is a fine, improved gardening farm, which improve- ments were made principally by Mr. Hockstedt. He was married in Delhi township April 30, 1852, to Miss Louisa Kolthoff, who was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1831, coming to Hamilton county in 1852. By this marriage they have one child, William H., who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, August 3, 1859. Mr. Hock- stedt owns nearly seventeen acres of fine land situated near Cumminsville.
Frederick Parker was born in England in 1818. In 1839 he came from England to America, and made his first home in Mill Creek township, Hamilton county, Ohio. Margaret Langland, his wife, was born in 1820. They have had six children-four are now alive-David F., Mary F., William, and Alexander L. David is the only one married. The names of children not living are Sarah and John. Mr. Parker has been for some time employed in the lumber trade.
Herman Henry Fricke, gardener, was born in Prussia, December 15, 1824. He came to the United States and landed in Baltimore in 1847, coming direct to Cin- cinnati, arriving here December 25, 1847. Coming here he commenced to work on a farm as a laborer. In about 1849 he embarked in the garden business, which he has continued ever since. He moved to his present place in 1861, which is a very fine garden farm of twelve acres, located near Cumminsville. Mr. Fricke married in Cincinnati Miss Mary Liella, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
By this marriage they have nine children. Mr. Fricke was trustee of Mill Creek township for two years, filling this office with acknowledged ability. He is a member of the German Protestant church.
Edward Morris, gardener near Winton place, was born in Realm of St. David, North Wales, July 4, 1819. In 1832 he came to the United States and located in Washington county, Maryland, where he re- mained until 1839, when he moved to Cincinnati. Here he was engaged for several months as stage driver to Lebanon, Ohio. He worked for John Kilgore in the gardening business for some six years. In 1847 he en- tered the gardening business for himself; has been loca- cated on the present place for the last twenty-seven years. Mr. Morris married, in 1847, Miss Jane Watson, of England. She came to Cincinnati in 1831. By this marriage they have nine children.
Thomas Cope, gardener, residence near Winton place, was born in Staffordshire, England, in about 1803 or 1804. He came to the United States and landed in Philadel- phia in 1829; remained in Pennsylvania until 1832, when he came to Cincinnati, Hamilton county, which has been his home ever since, with the exception of four years in Iowa. In 1840 Mr. Cope commenced garden- ing. In 1866 he moved to his present place of six acres. Mr. Cope is one of the oldest gardeners around Cincin- nati. He married in Cincinnati, in 1834, Miss Jane Lister, of England. She came to Cincinnati in 1831. She is the only one living of the family. By this mar- riage they have eight children living; had one son in the late civil war; he enlisted in the Second United States artillery. He was a brave soldier. In 1862 he was killed at the battle of Hanover Court House, Virginia.
Lawrence Kessel, gardener, residence near Winton Place, was born in Germany and is the son of J. Kessel, who was born in Byron, Germany, in 1820, where he married Miss Susan Deal. They, with three children, in 1854, came to the United States and landed in New York city; thence direct to Cincinnati. Here he com- menced to work as a private gardener, working in Clifton and suburbs, then in business for himself on a piece of land where the toll-gate is located-Spring Grove ---- thence moved to the place where our subject is now gar- dening. Here he continued gardening up to his death, which occurred in about 1878. He was respected and honored for his liberal and honest dealings. Leaving a good estate, Mr. Lawrence Kessel is working on the old homestead.
Henry Beckmann, a gardener, was born in Prussia, Feb- ruary 21, 1826. He came to the United States and landed in New Orleans in 1855. From there he came to Cincinnati, and has been a resident of Hamilton county ever since. Coming here very poor, he went to work as a hired man. After working by the day for about two years, he purchased a piece of land and began gardening for himself, and to-day owns a fine improved property of over nine acres of land situated near Cum- minsville which he has accumulated by hard work at the gardening business. Mr. Beckmann was married in Cin- cinnati in 1856, to Miss Louisa Weded. She was born
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.
in Germany. By this union they have six children, four girls and two boys.
F. Varnan, gardener, was born in Germany, March I, 1833. He came to the United States and landed in New York city in 1848. From there he came directly to Cincinnati, commencing to work at the gardener's business which he has continued ever since. He came here in meagre circumstances, and to-day owns one of the best improved gardening farms in Mill Creek town- ship, consisting of five and a half acres of land. Mr. Varnan was married in Cincinnati, to Miss Caroline Cold- hof. She was born in Germany, having come to Cin- cinnati in 1851. By this union they have ten children. He has been a resident of the present place near Cum- minsville since 1859.
Lucas Niehaus, retired dairyman, is one of the old and respected citizens of the township. He was born in Hanover, Germany, October 31, 1800; was married in Germany, to Anna Pheodock. In 1838, with wife and one child, he sailed for America, landed in Baltimore, and then set out in a wagon for Cincinnati, arriving here in June, 1837, after being on the road some seventeen days. Mr. Niehaus, walking the greater portion of the way, came here very poor. He went to work by the day as a laborer; he was engaged in cutting and selling wood for a number of years, and then entered the dairy business in a small way with one cow. His business gradually improved until he at one time had some ninety cows; he was doing exceedingly well, and, after continuing in the dairy vocation for some thirty years, he has re- tired, the business being carried on by his son, who is meeting with fine success. Mr. Niehans has been a resident of his present home for the last thirteen years. His first wife died, and he was married a second time, to Miss Mary Lambers, of Germany, who came here in 1840. They have five children, two by the first wife, and three by the present wife. Mr. Niehans has led a very active life. He, in later years, has suffered from pains, being unable to attend to business.
John Schrenk, a dairyman, was born in Germany September, 1829, where he remained until 1853, when he came to the United States and landed in New York city. While in this country he was working in the tan- neries. In 1868 he moved to Mill Creek township and entered the dairy business for himself, and with his enter- prise and hard work he to-day owns a very neat dairy with fifty-four cows, doing a very profitable business. He married Mary Klaiber, of Germany, by whom he has two children.
B. H. Macke, a dairyman near Bond Hill, was born in Oldenburgh, Germany, in 1824. He came to the United States and landed in New Orleans in 1848, coming directly to Cincinnati. Here he commenced to work in a foundry, where he continued for some eight years. In 1858 he began the dairy business, starting with thirty-two cows; his business has increased through his manage- ment until now he owns eighty four cows in connection with the dairy business. Mr. Mackey commenced the improvements on his present dairy farm some thirteen years ago until now he has one of the best improved
farms in Mill Creek township. He was married in Cin- cinnati, to Catharine Sanders, of Germany, by whom he has four children.
Thomas H. Kaiser, a dairyman and one of the most succcessful and fair-dealing men in the business, may be mentioned. The above named gentleman was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1831. He came to the United States and landed in New Orleans in 1850, thence directly to Cincinnati. Coming here in meagre circum- stances he worked at different kinds of business until he entered the dairy business in 1866. Commencing with twenty cows and some six head of stock, his business has gradually improved until now he owns ninety-five head of cows and twelve head of stock. His dairy is located near St. Bernard, is very complete and kept in first class order.
John Philipp Rhein, proprietor of the Island house near the German Protestant cemetery, was born in Germany April 15, 1828. He came to America and landed in New Orleans in 1851, thence to Cincinnati the same year. Coming here in meagre circumstances, he worked as a hostler, then as an omnibus driver from Cincinnati to Mt. Auburn, which he continued some four years, when he began vegetable gardening near his present home. Here he gardened for some seven years, when he and his brother Jacob started in the omnibus business and purchased four omnibuses and horses for the same, to run between Cincinnati, Mt. Auburn and suburbs. This business increased until they had seven omnibuses in the line. Doing a good business in 1872 Mr. Rhein retired and entered his present vocation. He was was married to Mrs. J. Bessemer, a daughter of John Seefried, who was born in Germany, and came to America and landed in Philadelphia, thence to Cin- cinnati, where he worked at his trade as a locksmith ; he then moved to the farm, where he died respected and honored, one of the oldest pioneers.
H. Broermann, a stock-raiser near Bond Hill, was born in Germany, came to the United States and thence to Hamilton county in 1855. He was for some ten years engaged in the dairy business ; since then he has been engaged in stock-raising, which he has been very successful in. He was married in Mercer county, Ohio (where he resided for some five years), to Miss Agnes Kramer. Mr.' Broermann has been a resident of his present homestead for the last fourteen years.
H. H. Macke, hotel keeper, near Bond hill, was born in Aldenbush, Germany, April 19, 1819. In 1844 he sailed for America, and landed in Baltimore, thence to Cincin- nati, arriving here in 1844, about June 13th. Mr. Macke, by his hard work and good management, saved sufficient money and went into the grocery business, which he car- ried on in Cincinnati for some ten years. He was for a short time a resident of Plainville and the Four Mile house. He also carried on the dairy business for some four years. In 1861 he moved to his present homestead, where he has put up some very valuable buildings and improvements. He is engaged in the hotel and saloon business, and is one of the best-known and most highly respected German citizens of this vicinity. Mr. Macke
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.
married Mary Niehaus, who has since died. He married for his second wife Anna Gotting. He had seven children, four by his first wife, and three by the second.
John H. Funk was born in Prussia, September 25,1828; came to the United States and landed in New Orleans in 1852, thence direct to Cincinnati, arriving here June 8, 1852. He carried on the saloon business for several years, and then engaged in the sale of glassware and queensware, at which he continued up to 1875, when he moved to his present place, where he has remained in ac- tive business since. Mr. Funk was married in Newport, Kentucky, to Miss Louisa Kramig. She was born in Germany, coming to the United States when she was about two years of age. By this marriage they have one child living.
Mrs. Nancy (White) Culbertson was born in the north- west corner of Hamilton county, May 10, 1810, and is the daughter of Providence White, who was born in Pennsylvania, or Virginia, March 9, 1784. He came to Hamilton county when he was a boy, with his parents. Then there were plenty of Indians, and he had his toe shot off by them while making a trip to Fort Washington for soldiers to come and help the settlers, who were in danger. He married Catharine Tucker. Both of Mrs. Culbertson's parents are dead. She was married to Wil- liam Culbertson and went to Kentucky, where she lived thirty-two years, and, in 1877, returned to near the old home, where she is now living. Her grandfather was a captain under General Washington.
Charles Gries, residence Lick Run, Mill Creek town- ship, was born in Baden, Germany, December 1, 1821. He came to the United States and landed in New York city in 1852, thence direct to Cincinnati, arriving here in December of the same year. He commenced to work with his brother, Michael, in the butcher business, where he remained for some fifteen months, when he engaged in the same business for himself, and continued in it for about ten years, when he entered his present business, grape-growing and wine-manufacturing. He now owns seven and a half acres of land in the cultivation of grapes-one of the best improved vineyards in the vicin- ity. His son, John, is manager of the Union Eagle wine hall, situated in the vineyard, and is a very neat summer resort. Mr. Gries' first wife was Theresa Eline, who is now dead. He married his present wife, Louisa Wyreck, in Lick Run. She was born in Germany, and came here in 1853. Mr. Gries is a member of the Catholic church.
Herman Grover, farmer, residence Mill Creek, near Walnut Hills, was born in Hanover, Germany, November I, 1828. He came to the United States in 1845. He stopped in New York and Buffalo a short time, and then came to Hamilton county. He is now one of the oldest German pioneers in this vicinity, and is a member of the Catholic church. He is the son of Henry and Ann Grover. They were married in Germany, and with four children came to America. Henry Grover worked on a farm, and died in 1849, with the cholera. Mrs. Ann Grover was born in 1800. The subject of this sketch owns seventeen acres of fine land.
Rev. Alfred F. Blake, pastor of Grace Episcopal
church, Avondale, was born in Gambier, Knox county, Ohio, May 28, 1842, and is the son of Rev. Alfred and Anna Jane ; Leonard, his father, was an Episcopal min- ister ; he came to Ohio and located in Knox county, as early as 1828. Our subject, after receiving a thorough collegiate education, having graduated from Kenyon college in 1862, and after graduating from a theological seminary, he, in 1867, was ordained as minister, when he soon afterwards came to Avondale and took charge of his present congregation, where he has remained since.
Rev. D. O'Meara, pastor of the Catholic church, Avondale, was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, Decem- ber, 1839, and is the son of David and Mary (Casey) O'Meara. In 1860 our subject came to America and located in Cincinnati ; here, in 1864, he graduated from Mount St. Mary's college. In 1866 he was ordained as minister. He went to Mobile, Alabama, where he took charge of St. Mary's church; which church and congrega- tion, with hard labor, he built up and left in good condi- tion, afterwards visiting Ireland and other parts of Europe. In 1876 he returned to Cincinnati, and in March, 1878, he was appointed to his present charge, since which he has done very noble work, bringing the church out of debt. It is now in a flourishing condition.
Thomas A. Stephan, head animal-keeper of the Zoologi- cal garden, Avondale, adjoining Cincinnati, was born in Dayton, Ohio, May 22, 1846, his parents being early settlers of that city. Our subject, when quite young, moved to Lafayette, Indiana. He learned a trade as a machinist, which business he followed for a short time. He at twenty years of age began his present business taking care of animals, which business he has made a study, and to-day is, perhaps, one of the finest as well as one of the best animal-keepers and trainers in America. He has travelled with a number of leading circuses and menageries of this country-De Haven's, Heming & Cooper, Great Eastern, Great Hippodrome, Dan Rice, etc., visiting in his travels thirty-four States of the Union and throughout Canada. In 1875 Mr. Stephan was ap- pointed to his present place, since which time he has be- become so familiar with all the animals under his charge that he can enter the dens of the most ferocious beasts.
William Borman, tin-shop, Avondale, was born in Prussia, June 4, 1827, came to the United States and landed in New York city in 1846; remaining there for a time working at his trade as a tinner, then went to Buf- falo, and in 1847 came to Cincinnati. Here he began to work at his trade. In 1849 Mr. Borman established himself in the tinner business in Cincinnati. He has filled several offices of public trust with honor and credit-six years as justice of the peace and a member of the school board some fourteen years. Mr. Borman mar- ried Miss Matilda Retsch ; he has nine children living.
J. B. Cook, Avondale, was born in Hanover, Ger- many, March 14, 1826; came to the United States, and landed in New Orleans in 1853, and in 1854 came to Cincinnati. He came here poor. In 1862 came to Avondale and purchased an interest in the dairy busi- ness, which he continued very successfully until 1876, when he retired. He is now in the saloon business, and
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