USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume I > Part 2
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
WILLIAM HENRY ELDER, D.D., archbishop of Cincinnati, is a descendant of one of the oldest Catholic families in America. His great-grandfather, William Elder, came from England and was one of the early settlers of Maryland. In the early half of the eighteenth century, when the anti-Catholic sentiment pro- cured the passage of the law prohibiting the celebration of the mass except in pri- vate homes, William Elder built a large log house about two miles south of
Emmitsburg, in which was one room
large enough to accommodate all the Catholics in the vicinity, and here the Holy Sacrifice of the mass might be attended by all who desired to do so. This building, which was made historic because of its associa- tions, was occupied by some of his descendants until a few years ago, when it was torn down. Thomas Elder, the grandfather of the arch- bishop, was born in Maryland and lived there during the early years of his life, but later removed to Bardstown, Ky., where he died at a ripe old age. His son, Basil, married Elizabeth Miles Snowden, of Mary- land, and they reared a family of ten children to maturity, the arch- bishop being the ninth. William H. Elder was born in the city of Baltimore, March 22, 1819, his father having taken up his residence in that city some seventeen years before, to engage in the grocery and commission business. In 1831 the archbishop entered Mt. St. Mary's college, Emmitsburg, Md., then under the charge of John B. Purcell, D. D., afterward the second bishop and first archbishop of Cincinnati. In 1837 he graduated, and in 1842 left for the Propaganda, Rome. He was ordained priest on Passion Sunday, 1846, returned to his native diocese, and was soon after appointed professor of dogmatic theology in his alma mater. In 1855 the death of Rt. Rev. J. O. Van De Velde left a vacancy in the See of Natchez, and the choice of his successor fell upon Dr. Elder. At that time the diocese included the whole State of Mississippi, with the people few in numbers, poor in purse, and badly scattered over the large area. Notwithstanding all this, the new bishop, after his consecration at Baltimore by Archbishop Kenrick, May 3, 1857, entered with commendable zeal upon the discharge of his duties and remained there until appointed coadjutor to Archbishop Purcell in 1880. During these years the great Civil war and the yellow fever scourge made his work far from pleasant, but in the most trying
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times he never left his post of duty. Always ready to assist and encour- age the priests and nuns of his church, who were daily and hourly making sacrifices in behalf of suffering humanity, he endeared himself to all who came in contact with him, Catholics and Protestants alike. He fell a victim to the dread disease, and for a time his life was de- spaired of, but he recovered, greatly to the delight of his co-workers and followers. In 1879 he was offered the archbishopric of San Fran- cisco, and while he did not directly refuse, he did ask to be permitted to remain with his diocese because of its deplorable condition. The Pope, pleased with this manifestation of self-sacrifice, refrained from ordering his acceptance and he remained at Natchez until late in the year 1879, when Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, asked for a coad- jutor owing to his declining years and the financial troubles of the arch- bishopric. On Jan. 30, 1880, Doctor Elder assumed the duties of coad- jutor to Archbishop Purcell, who retired to St. Martin's convent, leav- ing all the administration of the affairs of the diocese to his assistant. The death of Archbishop Purcell occurred in 1883, and on December 13th of that year Dr. Elder became the archbishop. For nearly three score years Archbishop Elder has devoted his best energies to the cause of the Master, and to relieving the sufferings of his fellow-man. He has officiated at the altar, when two happy hearts have been made as one ; he has christened the innocent, smiling infant, and in later years confirmed it into the church; he has crossed the hands of the dead upon the breast and pronounced the final benediction as the lifeless clay was lowered into its last resting place. Thus he has stood by the cradle, the altar and the tomb, speaking words of cheer or consolation, and now in his old age he peacefully awaits the command of his Master to "Come-up higher."
WILLIAM M'CALLISTER, comptroller-assessor of the city water works, of Cincinnati, O., was born in that city in 1844. He attended the city schools until his sixteenth year, and in 1860 entered the employ of the Little Miami railroad (now operated by the Pennsylvania com- pany), and was for thirty-nine years with the Pennsylvania company, working his way up from messenger boy to the position of Cincinnati agent for the Union fast freight line. For five years, beginning in 1895, Mr. McCallister was a member of the city school board. He was president of the union board of high schools in 1897-98, and during the same period was also president of the Cincinnati chamber of com- merce. In 1899 he was elected a member of the board of city affairs, and after serving one year was appointed to his present position. Since
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
coming into this office he has increased the revenue of the department over $100,000, which speaks well of his executive ability, and tells bet- ter than words could possibly do the story of his unimpeachable integ- rity. Mr. McCallister is a Republican in politics, but believes in doing rather than talking. He is, therefore, not a noisy politician, but one who tries to carry out in practice the principles advocated by his party. He is an Odd Fellow, a Royal Arch Mason, and a Presbyterian, and in church, lodge and the community he has a deservedly high standing.
CAPT. ELIAS RIGGS MONFORT, A.M., LL.D., postmaster at Cincinnati, O., was born at Greensburg, Ind., March 2, 1842. His father, J. G. Mon- fort, D.D., LL.D., was a descendant of the Huguenots, and his mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Riggs, was a daughter of Rev. Elias Riggs, one of the pioneer clergymen of New Jersey. Her brother, also named Elias, was for sixty years a missionary to Turkey, under the auspices of the American board of Chris- tian missions. From ancestry composed of sturdy English, Irish, French, Dutch, Welsh and Scotch blood, Mr. Monfort inherited those vigorous traits of character that have con- tributed in a large degree to his successful career. In 1855 his parents removed to Cincinnati, and the following year his father became presi- dent of the Glendale female college, one of the leading educational in- stitutions of Ohio. Elias received his early education in the schools of Cincinnati and Glendale, and in 1859 entered Hanover college as a sophomore. Before completing his course the Civil war broke upon the country, and he was one of the first to give up the peaceful life of the student to take up arms in defense of his country. On June 18, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Sixth Ohio volunteer in- fantry. On October 8th, of the same year, he was made a second lieu- tenant and transferred to the Seventy-fifth Ohio infantry. He was commissioned captain Jan. 12, 1863, and served in that capacity until discharged from the service in January, 1864. His regiment was in more than twenty severe engagements, among them being the second Bull Run, Laurel Hill, Carrick's Ford, Franklin, Va., Cross Keys, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Chantilly, and Gettysburg. In all these engagements Captain Monfort was with his company and several
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times distinguished himself by his coolness and bravery. At Gettys- burg, July 1, 1863, he was severely wounded in the hip, which at first was feared would prove fatal, but he recovered and was honorably dis- charged by a military board for total disability early in January, 1864. He was also wounded at the second Bull Run, but remained at his post of duty. Returning home, he re-entered Hanover college, com- pleted the remaining two years of the course in one year, and graduated in 1865. He then entered the Cincinnati law school, graduated in 1867, and was admitted to practice in the Ohio courts the same year. He located in his native town of Greensburg, where he served as district attorney and prosecuting attorney for a number of years. In 1874, his old wound so impaired his health as to interfere with the practice of law and he came to Cincinnati, at the request of his father, to accept a position as associate editor of The Herald and Presbyter, a Presbyte- rian weekly. Later he became the business manager, remaining with the publication until 1896. During these years he helped to increase the influence of the paper by his strong editorials and by his business ability placed it upon a more secure footing. Captain Monfort has for many years been one of the active and influential elders in the church. In 1869 Hanover college conferred upon him the degree of A. M., and in 1885 he received from Highland university the degree of LL.D. For many years he was one of the trustees of Hanover college and also of Lane Theological seminary, of which he was treasurer for eight years. He has twice been a member of the General Assembly of the Presby- terian church, and in 1888 was appointed by that body as one of the representatives to the meeting of the alliance of reformed churches, held at London, England. In 1896 he was appointed to the office of county clerk of Hamilton county, by the board of county commissioners, and served until his successor was elected, Sept. 1, 1897. In 1899 he was appointed postmaster, and at the expiration of his term was re- appointed by President Roosevelt. Although primarily engaged in church work, Captain Monfort has not lost his military spirit, and neither age nor his wound has dampened his patriotic ardor. He is a member of the Loyal Legion, and in 1900 was the department com- mander of the Grand Army of the Republic of Ohio. He is a member of F. C. Jones Post, No. 401, Grand Army of the Republic, and is prominent in Masonic circles, being a Knight Templar, a thirty-second degree member of the Scottish Rite, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He has also taken a great interest in municipal affairs, and as a mem- ber of the Cincinnati board of education played an important part in securing the Walnut Hills high school, which has the finest and best
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
equipped school building in Ohio. Captain Monfort married Miss Emma Taylor, daughter of Eli Taylor, a prominent business man, and a sister of Capt. J. G. Taylor, who served on the staff of Gen. Gordon Granger during the war. They have three children: Joseph Taylor, Hannah Louise, and Margaret Morehead.
ORLANDO T. HOLLOWAY, super- intendent of the fifth division railway mail service, composed of the States of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, with headquarters in Cincinnati, O., was born on a farm in Fairfield township, Columbi- ana county, O., Dec. 2, 1854. When he was about seven years old his father, Gen. E. S. Holloway, removed to the village of Columbiana, where he became owner and editor of the Independent Register, a weekly publication of general circula- tion. Orlando graduated from the Col- umbiana high school in 1871, and then attended and graduated from the Duff Commercial college at Pittsburg, after which he entered his father's office and learned the printer's trade, becoming in time part owner and foreman of the office. He continued in this occupation until 1881, when he entered the railway mail service as a postal clerk, being assigned to first duty on a line between Pittsburg, Pa., and Cin- cinnati, O., and later to the line between Pittsburg and Chicago. After working his way up through all the grades of the service, he was assigned as chief clerk in charge of a number of lines and located at Crestline, O., where he continued until again promoted in 1897 and assigned as superintendent of the division above noted, with headquar- ters at Cincinnati. Mr. Holloway is a member of Salem Commandery, No. 42, Knights Templars; a thirty-second degree member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Ohio Valley, Cincinnati ; and of Syrian Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also of Cincinnati, and affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married in 1873 to Lomie S., daughter of Lafayette Stuckman, of Columbiana. They have no children living.
JOHN W. CARROLL, inspector of police, Cincinnati, Ohio, was born at Springfield, in the same state, Feb. 2, 1852. His father, Will- iard W. Carroll, was born in the North of Ireland in 1822, but came in
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
his early manhood to America. For a number of years he was in the grocery business in Cincinnati, and died there in 1862. The family removed to Cincinnati when John W. was about seven years of age, and he received his education in the schools of that city. At the age of seventeen he learned the plumbing trade and worked at it for about fifteen years. About the time he began learning his trade he became a member of the First regiment, Ohio National Guard, and remained in the service for seventeen years, rising from private to the rank of major. While captain of Company C, March 17, 1887, he was appointed drill master of the Cincinnati police force, with the rank of sergeant. Three years later he was made lieutenant, and on June 4, 1903, he was made inspector, with the title of major. Mr. Carroll is a Republican in his political affiliations and takes a deep interest in political con- tests. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is a past chancellor of his lodge in the Knights of Pythias, has taken the Grand Lodge degrees, and be- longs to the Uniform Rank: He was married March 17, 1890, to Miss Ida Foster, of Cincinnati, and they have two children, Williard W. and Avis C.
BENJAMIN RUSH COWEN, of Cincinnati, was born in Moore- field, Harrison county, O., Aug. 15, 1831, his parents being Benjamin Sprague and Anne Wood Cowen. For many years his father was pre- siding judge of the court of common pleas. Until he was twenty-six years of age Benjamin R. Cowen lived at St. Clairsville, O., obtaining his education in the classical institute of that village. He then learned the printers' trade, working at it for several years and studying medicine in the meantime. For nine years he was editor and proprietor of the Belmont Chronicle at St. Clairsville, afterward engaging in the mercan- tile and real estate business at Bellaire. In 1860 he was elected chief clerk of the lower branch of the Ohio legislature, and since that time he has been a prominent figure in state and national affairs. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the Fifteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was soon after appointed first lieutenant and assistant commissary of subsistence, serving three months. In June following he was ap- pointed additional pay-master by President Lincoln, and served with the army of the Potomac and in West Virginia until January, 1864. In October, 1861, he was elected secretary of state, of Ohio, on the ticket with Governor Tod, but resigned the succeeding May and returned to the field. In 1864 he was appointed adjutant-general of Ohio by Gov- ernor Brough, on a leave of absence without pay from the army, hold-
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
ing the office through the administrations of Governors Anderson and Cox. For organizing and sending out the "hundred days' men" in 1865 he was brevetted brigadier-general by President Johnson. Prior to 1856 he was a Whig, but in that year he voted for John C. Fremont, and since that time has affiliated with the Republican party. He was a delegate to the Republican national conventions of 1856 and 1868, being secretary of the latter. From 1865 to 1867 he was chairman of the state Republican committee. He was a candidate for the nomination for governor in 1867 and was defeated by General Hayes by ten votes. Declining the nomination of lieutenant-governor the same year he was appointed supervisor of internal revenue in 1869 for the states of Cali- fornia, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, but a year later was transferred to the southern district of Ohio. From 1871 to 1877 he was assistant secretary of the interior department under President Grant; commis- sioner to appraise lands in the Indian Territory, in 1871 ; commissioner to visit Sitting Bull's tribe in Montana, in 1872 ; commissioner to survey and appraise certain Indian lands in California, in 1873; commissioner, with Admiral Rodgers, to investigate the race troubles in New Orleans, in 1874, and wrote the report of the commission; commissioner in the spring of 1875 to investigate the Mormon troubles in Utah. In 1880 he returned to the field of journalism as editor of the Ohio State Journal, at Columbus, and continued in that capacity until November, 1884, when he was appointed clerk of the Federal district and circuit courts for the southern district of Ohio. General Cowen is a Scottish Rite Mason ; a member and past commander of the Loyal Legion; Fred Jones Post, Grand Army of the Republic; ex-president Sons of the Revolution ; member of the Society of the Colonial Wars and the War of 1812; ex- president of the Cincinnati Literary club ; ex-president of the New Eng- land society ; a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was for ten years secretary of the Elizabeth Gamble Deaconess Home association and Christ's hospital. On Sept. 19, 1854, he was married to Miss Ellen Thoburn, of Belmont county, O., daughter of Matthew and Jane Lyle Thoburn, natives of County Antrim, Ireland. She is a sister of Bishop J. M. Thoburn, of India and Malaysia, and of Col. Joseph Thoburn, who was killed at the battle of Cedar Creek while in command of a division of the Union army. Of the eight children born to General and Mrs. Cowen, only three survive. They are James Lyle, of Tokio, Japan ; Benjamin Sprague, manager of the Associated Press at Cin- cinnati, and Sidney Joseph, also of that city.
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
CHARLES A. BOSWORTH, assist- ant treasurer of the United States, in charge of the sub-treasury at Cincinnati, O., was born at Wilmington, Clinton county, O., in the year 1853. After a primary training in the schools of his native city he entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and graduated in 1877 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then became the vice-president of the First National bank of Wilming- ton, of which his father was the presi- dent, and in 1888 succeeded to the presi- dency. He continued to hold the position at the head of the bank's affairs until 1895, although he came to Cincinnati in 1890, entered into partnership with United States Senator J. B. Foraker, having studied law with Mr. Foraker from 1878 to 1880, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. This partnership lasted until 1893, and the law firm of Black & Bosworth still continues to exist. Mr. Bosworth was appointed to his present position as assistant treasurer in 1898. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In Masonic circles he is a promi- nent figure, being a thirty-second degree member of the Scottish Rite, a Knight Templar, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.
HORACE JOHNSON STANLEY, deceased, late chief engineer of the city of Cincinnati, O., was born at Mayfield, Fulton county, N. Y., Aug. 12, 1846. His father, Thomas Samuel Stanley, was born at Hartford, Conn., in the year 1817. He was a farmer and lumberman by occupa- tion. He married Abigail Burr, a daugh- ter of Nathan Burr, of Kingsboro, N. Y., and they had the following children: Adeline Burr, wife of Joseph Birch, of Amsterdam, N. Y .; Roxana Leonard, wife of Jeremiah Watson, of Staunton, Mass .; Eugenia Mills, who married Charles Deal, of Amsterdam, N. Y., and Horace Johnson, the subject of this sketch. Horace J. Stanley received his elementary education in the public schools of his native town and Kingsboro, and in 1869 went to Cincinnati, where he entered the office
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
of R. C. Phillips, starting in to learn the profession of civil engineer. On the first day of May, 1870, he entered the office of the city engineer of Cincinnati as a draughtsman and from that time until his death he was connected with the office, to which he devoted the greater portion of his active business life and energies. From draughtsman he was pro- moted to the position of assistant city engineer, and in March, 1880, was made chief engineer by the board of public works, which position he held until his death, on Feb. 9, 1905. Had he lived about a month longer he would have been chief engineer a quarter of a century. Dur- ing the time he filled the office he discharged his duties with signal ability and fidelity, as may be witnessed by the long time he held the position. Mr. Stanley was a Republican, firm in convictions, yet he had a host of Democratic friends who respected him for his many ster- ling qualities aside from his difference of political views from their own. He was married on Jan. 16, 1873, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Michael Tempest, and this union was blessed with the following chil- dren : Clarence, Lincoln, Susie Burr, Horace Tempest and Helen Abi- gail. Mr. Stanley was Presbyterian in his religious views, and was a consistent practitioner of the tenets of his faith in his daily conduct with his fellow-men.
J. A. ARCHIBALD, chief of the Cin- cinnati fire department, was born in that city Jan. 21, 1859. He attended the city schools until he was seventeen years of age, when he went into an architectural iron works, where he learned the trade of finisher. In January, 1882, he was appointed to the position of pipeman in the fire department. His promotions in the department were rapid and well de- served: lieutenant in 1884; captain in May, 1887; and chief, March 1, 1893. This record of advancement is due to his temperate habits, his robust physique, his clear mentality, and his even disposition. As an executive officer he has few equals and no supe- riors. His coolness and courage in trying moments during great fires have excited the admiration of the populace, while his justice and impar -. tiality have won the confidence and respect of the men under his con- trol. Called to the position of chief when thirty-four years of age, he has, by his quick intellect and indefatigable energy, during the eleven
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
years of his administration, placed the department upon a high plane and made it the peer of any in the country. Having r.sen from the ranks, he knows the duties and trials of the humblest fireman, com- mends each one for the faithful performance of duty, and sympathizes with those who fail because of unforeseen contingencies. His orders are promptly executed, because the men know that they are based on a thorough knowledge of the demands of the department, and the result is that perfect discipline and good fellowship prevail. Mr. Archibald does not drive men into perilous situations. His position is that of a leader, and he is generally in the forefront, his cry of "Come on" in- spiring others to follow his example. Politically Mr. Archibald is a Republican, but he never takes an active part in campaigns. His busi- ness is to protect property. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In all these societies "Jack," as he is familiarly called, is a popular fellow, to whom the "glad hand" is always extended when his duties will permit his attendance at the lodge meetings. He is also a member of the Presbyterian church.
F. D. COMSTOCK, local treasurer of the Big Four Railroad Com- pany, at Cincinnati, O., is a native of the Badger State, having been born at Fox Lake, Wis., June 23, 1856. When he was about four years of age his parents, both of whom were natives of Ohio, removed to Cleveland. There the subject of this sketch was educated in the . public schools, and when about seventeen or eighteen years old he began his business career as agent for an oil company. He continued in this line of employment until 1881, when he entered the service of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis railroad, usually re- ferred to as the "Bee Line." In 1889 this company was merged into the Big Four, Mr. Comstock going with the new organization. Since then he has continued in the employ of the company, filling various positions of trust and responsibility, until 1892, when he was appointed to his present position. Mr. Comstock is well known to railroad men all over the country as a careful and efficient official. During the twelve years that he has been local treasurer, thousands of dollars have passed through his office, but his affairs are always in such a shape that an examination of his books at any time would only add to his already well established reputation. Mr. Comstock is a member of the Presbyterian church.
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