USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume I > Part 4
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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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T. J. SMITH, of Cov- ington, Ky., is a Ken- tuckian, born in Henry county, July 31, 1838, and removed to Coving- ton with his widowed mother, in 1846, where he has since lived, but conducts his printing and publishing business in Cincinnati. When little more than a child Mr. Smith became an apprentice in a printing establishment, and hav- ing an alert, receptive mind, soon mastered the details of the trade, at which he wrought as a
journeyman for some years. In 1860 he. started the Cincin- nati Dramatic Review, which venture succeeded, and his busi- ness finally developed into an extensive book and job printing concern. In 1868 he projected and established the Merchant and Manufacturer, which publication was the first to suggest and advo- cate the series of industrial expositions-an enterprise that during its course did more to advertise and render Cincinnati famous on both sides of the Atlantic than any or all other agencies. Since then Mr. Smith has engaged in several other journalistic ven- tures, among them the A. O. U. W. Bulletin, for years the national organ of Ancient Order of United Workmen ; the Shoe and Leather Age, the Jobber and Retail Grocer, and the Knights' Journal, organ of the Knights of the Golden Rule, of which order he was one of the founders, and for which he wrote the ritual and shared in preparing its constitu- tion and general laws. For fourteen years Mr. Smith held the office of supreme secretary of the order, and was devoted to its welfare. The papers submitted by him to the supreme commandery are models of their kind and stamp him as a clear, logical and original thinker, and a thoroughly equipped authority on subjects pertaining to beneficial orders, having for many years given to them his best thought and most energetic efforts. Mr. Smith ranks with the oldest and most popular citizens of Covington, whose people he has faithfully served in various
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positions of trust and honor, in the school board, in the city council, where he was for two terms president, and one term as the president of the board of aldermen. The esteem and respect of his fellow towns- men he enjoys in an unusual degree-the reward of a life of moral, personal and political cleanliness and probity, and the faithful discharge of every public duty imposed upon him. Having no offspring of his own, Mr. Smith has reared and educated several orphan children. Be- sides, his love of the little ones is so well known that half the children in his neighborhood greet him as "uncle." He is no bigot, but, with charity and tolerance for all, he is a consistent and liberal member and supporter of the church of his preference.
THOMAS W. GRAYDON, M.D., an eminent physician of Cincin- nati, O., and a citizen who has been closely interwoven with the official life of the city for several years, was born in Ireland in the year 1850. In his youth he was a diligent student, but at the age of fifteen his eyes began failing and he was compelled to forego the pleasant associations of his books to prevent total blindness. When he was eighteen he came to America, where for a year or two he was employed in farm work in the State of Illinois. The outdoor life and the continued abstention from reading so strengthened his eyes that in 1871 he entered Griswold college, at Davenport, Ia., and graduated from that institution with an honorable standing. Next he received a degree from the Iowa State university, and while a student there he was elected as the Iowa repre- sentative to the interstate oratorical contest, at Indianapolis, where he was awarded the second prize. In 1876 Dr. Graydon located in Cin- cinnati, which city has ever since been his home. Here he soon suc- ceeded in building up a lucrative practice, in which he commands the respect of his brother physicians and enjoys the confidence of his patients. Politically Dr. Graydon is a Republican, but his opponents give him the credit of being a fair fighter. His interest in public matters led to his being elected to represent Hamilton county in the state legislature in 1885-86, and he was offered the nomination for a second term, but declined in order to attend to his practice. In 1888 Governor Foraker appointed him a member of the old board of public affairs, upon which he continued to serve until 1890, when it was abol- ished, the board of city affairs taking its place. The mayor of the city appointed Dr. Graydon a member of the new board, where he served for some time, always being in favor of every measure that had for its purpose the upbuilding of his adopted city. For many years he was an earnest and persistent advocate of new water works, but failed to
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secure the support and co-operation of the people. Dr. Graydon has a wife and an interesting family of five sons and four daughters. Their home in Clifton is one of the coziest in that section of the city and is always open to their friends.
LOUIS BARDES, storekeeper, or county stationer, of Hamilton county, O., was born in the city of Cincinnati, Aug. 14, 1856. He is the second son of Chris- tian and Lisette Bardes, both of whom were natives of the province of Bavaria, Germany. Christian Bardes was born at Anweiler, in March, 1827. He was edu- cated in the public schools of the Father- land, afterward learning the trade of butcher. When he was about twenty years of age he came to America, settled in Cincinnati, and there followed the butcher business until 1869, when he purchased a tannery which he conducted until his death, July 16, 1878. During his life he was one of the promi- nent figures in the city, taking considerable interest in politics as a Republican. He was a member of the Lutheran church. Louis Bardes was educated in the Cincinnati public schools, learned the trade of his father and followed the same until 1879. After the death of his father he became associated with his brothers in the management of the tan- nery, until 1896, when he sold his stock to his brothers to engage in other business. In 1898 he received the appointment of deputy clerk of the Hamilton circuit court, holding the position until August, 1900, when he was appointed to his present position by the county commis- sioners. Politically, Mr. Bardes has always been an unswerving Repub- lican and ready to defend his opinions against all comers. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, belonging to lodge, chapter, commandery, Scottish Rite and the Mystic Shrine. He is also a Knight of Pythias, a Knight of the Maccabees, a member of the Royal Arcanum, and is supreme eminent ruler of "Ye Ancient Order of Why-not." On Oct. 21, 1878, Mr. Bardes was married to Miss Flora Belle Houk, and to this union there have been born the following children: Florence and Lulu, twins, born Nov. 21, 1879; Henrietta, June 2, 1881 ; Chris- tian H., Aug. 7, 1883, and Fred. L., Jan. 10, 1885. The family live at 2402 Jefferson ave., South Norwood, where Mr. Bardes owns a beautiful residence. It is believed that the Bardes family are descend-
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ants of the old Bardes family of Italy. On the reaches of the Appenines there still remains the ancient seat of the Bardes, bearing the name "Alto Mena." The early ancestors were the Bardes who loaned to Edward III. the money to marshal his hosts that fought the battle of Crecy, and on the walls of Alto Mena hangs an old parchment pledging the crown of England to repay the loan, but the pledge has not been kept. After Crecy the Black Prince, the first Prince of Wales, to prove his admiration for the valor of the blind king of Bohemia, adopted from his insignia the three plumes and the motto, "Ich Dien," for his own crest.
JACOB BASCHANG, whose portrait appears at the head of this sketch, is a descendant of the good, old, conservative German element that has been such a potent factor in building up the city of Cincinnati. His parents, George Fred and Elizabeth Baschang, were natives of Ger- many. The father learned the trade of carpet weaver in the Fatherland and while still a young man came to America. Set- tling in Cincinnati he continued to follow his trade until the Civil war broke out, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and remained in the serv- ice of his adopted country until his death, in 1865. He was an ardent Republican in his life, and a member of the German Lutheran church. The mother, left a widow with four children, managed to rear and educate them by her own labors and the assistance of a pension received from the government. One of these children is the subject of this sketch. He was born in the city of Cincinnati, June 3, 1859. After receiving a common school education he began life in the Pape Bros. picture frame works. Later he went with the Mosler-Baumann safe and lock works. Here he began as a drill boy, gradually working his way up until he had charge of the intricate machines used for cutting out the steel for safe doors. He remained with this company until 1887, when he was appointed janitor in the county auditor's office. After six years in this position he was made night watchman in the treasurer's office, and in 1896 was appointed Dow tax collector, which office he still holds. In all the positions that Mr. Baschang has filled in the public service, his appointment has been made as a Republican,
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and it is no exaggeration to say that he is one of the party's most active workers in Hamilton county. He holds membership in a number of secret societies, in which he is popular because of his genial disposition. On Feb. 8, 1882, Mr. Baschang was married to Josephine Miller, daugh- ter of Frederick and Magdalena Miller, of Cincinnati. Her father came from Germany about 1850 and settled in Cincinnati, where he reared a family of seven children, Josephine being next to the eldest. He died in 1883 and his remains rest in the Vine St. Hill cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Baschang have four children living, viz .: Ida, born July 18, 1883; Edward, March 28, 1885; Albert, Aug. 22, 1888, and Elsie, Dec. 18, 1892.
J. HENRY HUELSMANN, a prominent undertaker and funeral director of Cincinnati, O., was born Dec. 17, 1858, at Cincinnati. His father was Ferdinand Huelsmann, who was born in Germany, coming to America in 1852 and settling in Cincinnati, where he followed the trade of blacksmith. His mother was Mary (Roettinghouse) Huels- mann. Mr. Huelsmann's early education was received in the Cincinnati public schools, after leaving which, at the age of thirteen, he entered the furniture factory of Henshaw & Sons in 1871, and continued in their service until 1895. By constant application to his duties and an earnest endeavor to forge ahead he was made foreman of the factory at the age of nineteen years. In 1895 he entered the undertaking business and connected himself with Henry Dusterberg under the firm name of Dusterberg & Huelsmann, which association continued until 1901, when Mr. Huelsmann purchased the interest of his partner and has since been conducting the business alone. In 1895 he graduated from Clarke's school of embalming at Cincinnati. He was married in 1881 to Louise Schmidt of Cincinnati and they have had four children, the following of whom are living: Mary, Gertrude and Alfonse. Mr. Huelsmann is a member of St. Paul's Roman Catholic church.
WILLIAM RIEDLIN, president of the Bavarian Brewing Com- pany, of Covington, Ky., is a native of Germany, having been born at the town of Mulheim, in the province of Baden, Nov. 20, 1850. In 1870 he came to America, landing on July I, and three days later he was in Cincinnati. There he learned the blacksmith trade with John Aulls, who had a shop on Central avenue, near Findlay street, and after learn- ing the trade was for many years in the employ of McNeil & Urban. On the twenty-first day of June, 1877, he opened a grocery at the corner of Elm and Greene streets and continued in that business for
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some time, afterward becoming the manager of Tivoli Hall. In 1882 he came to Covington and became associated with John Mayer in the brewing business. This undertaking developed into the Bavarian Brewing Company, one of the distinct features of Covington and one of the largest concerns of its kind in the country. Mr. Mayer retired from the business in 1890. In addition to the brewery proper, the company is largely interested in the manufacture of ice, having one of the largest and most complete plants to be found anywhere. Mr. Riedlin is a man of enterprise and public spirit, and for the last fifteen years has been regarded as one of Covington's most valued citizens, always contributing with his money and influence toward the best inter- ests of the municipality. From October, 1891, to January, 1897, he was a member of the city legislature as an alderman, and while in that position he aided in the introduction of many needed reforms, which have contributed in no small degree to the city's growth. Mr. Riedlin is one of the directors of the German National bank and is promi- nently connected with other public institutions of Covington. He is a Republican in his political views, but his broad-mindedness has won for him a host of Democratic friends. On Aug. 2, 1877, he was mar- ried to Miss Emma, daughter of Samuel and Maria Hoffman, of Ries- enburg, Prussia. To this union there have been born eight children, four of whom are living. They are William F., born July 19, 1881 ; Walter, born Oct. 31, 1888; Mary, born March 24, 1883; and Louisa, born June 2, 1890. William was married on Nov. 9, 1903, to Norma, daughter of August Wittgenfelt, of Cincinnati, and is now associated with his father in business. Carl, Emma, Edward and Charles are deceased.
JAMES COLLINS (deceased), for many years a familiar figure in the business world of Cincinnati, O., was born in Mason county, Ky., March 17, 1835, and died at his home on Mount Auburn, Cincinnati, Dec. 15, 1903. When he was but five years of age his father, Levi Col- lins, came to Cincinnati, where James began his business career, while still in his boyhood, as an employe of the United States Express Com- pany. Later he was with the National Union and still later with the American Express Company, where he had charge of all the eastern shipping up to a short time before his death. This company thought so well of him as a man, and so highly appreciated his services as one of its trusted employes, that for several years prior to his death he drew a pension from the company, being unable to perform his duties on account of failing health. Mr. Collins was a modest, unassuming
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man, whose highest aim was to subserve the interest of his employers by a courteous treatment of all the company's patrons and a close appli- cation to the business entrusted to his care. He was a man of steady habits and a member of Kilwinning Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, in which he had a high standing. Mr. Collins was united in marriage to Miss Isabella, daughter of Jonathan Wilson and Elizabeth (Ashton) Bendle. She was born in Liverpool, England, but came in early life with her parents to America. To this marriage- there were born the following children: Albert Henry, Emma B., Clifford Fred- erick, Ella Ashton, Jennie Shaw and Harry Stanley. These children with their mother still survive. Albert Henry married Marie Brady of Cincinnati, on Nov. 2, 1897. She died on Nov. 2, 1901, leaving one son, Robert Wilson, born Nov. 30, 1898. Clifford F. married Miss Lot- tie Beal of Cincinnati, and they have four children: Dorothy, Glenn, Marjory and Clifford. Ella Ashton married Edward Schoenbaum, superintendent of the Otto Marmet Coal Company, of Cincinnati. Jennie Shaw married Frank Butler and resides in Philadelphia, Pa. Harry Stanley is unmarried and is with the Fairweather & La Due Company, of Chicago.
JOHN COFFEY (deceased), for many years the senior member of the law firm of Coffey, Mallon, Mills & Vandenbury, of Cincinnati, O., was a native of the Emerald Isle, having been born in Dunnamore parish, County Cork, Ireland, Jan. 6, 1844. He died on May 8, 1904. When he was ten years of age he came with his father to this country and for about five years lived in the city of Boston. In 1859 he came west and finally located at Cincinnati. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the Thirty-fourth Ohio infantry and, although but little more than a boy, he was made sergeant of his company. Young Cof- fey remained with the regiment until the expiration of the war, when he worked some time as a book agent, studying law in the meantime as opportunity offered, until he was able to pass a satisfactory exami- nation and secure his admission to the bar. Early in the seventies he was admitted to practice and soon afterward formed a partnership with the late Patrick Mallon, whose son was later a member of the firm, and in a short time he acquired a wide reputation as a criminal lawyer. Mr. Coffey soon came to be recognized as the wit of the local bar, and many a time this wit has helped him out of a tight place. As an after dinner speaker he was hard to excel. His proverbial wit was always made to do duty on such occasions and the guests at social functions were always glad to observe his name on the programme for a response.
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In 1887 he was nominated by the Democracy of Cincinnati for the office of judge of the probate court, but the city at that time was hopelessly Republican and he was defeated with the rest of his party ticket. On Aug. 25, 1877, Mr. Coffey was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bolger, daughter of Captain Bolger, of Cincinnati. To this union there were born ten children, seven of whom are still living. They are Guy, John F., Edward, Clarence, Albert, Ruth and Marguerite. Mrs. Coffey pre- ceded her husband to the tomb. Mr. Coffey was a member of the Church of the Guardian Angel, Mount Washington, and was a con- sistent practitioner of the precepts of his religion. His death was the result of disease incurred while serving in the army during the war. He has left to posterity a clean record as a lawyer, a citizen, and as a man. He was a strict observer of the ethics of the legal profession and avoided everything like pettifogging ; he was a law abiding and patriotic citizen; his wit was always refined and free from sting, and his char- ity was of the kind that lets not the left hand know what the right hand doeth.
EZRA W. VAN DUSEN, of the Buck- eye Bell and Brass Foundry, of Cincin- nati, O., is one of the oldest, if not the oldest active business man in that city at the present time. He was born Aug. 20, 1824, at the southwest corner of Elm and Water streets, his parents being Abraham and Johanna (Kellog) Van Du- sen, who were among the early settlers of Cincinnati. His grandfather, Matthew Van Dusen, was born on June 15, 1761, died in Cincinnati, Aug. 6, 1820, and was buried in the rear of the old stone church on the site now occupied by the Wesley Chapel, on Fifth street. Abra- ham Van Dusen and Johanna Kellog were married on April 9, 1809. Ezra Van Dusen received his early education, which was somewhat limited, by attending the common schools and night schools. At the age of twelve, he went to work in the glass works of Parker, Cum- mings & Alexander, on East Front street. In April, 1838, he went to the Buckeye Bell and Brass Foundry, his first duty being that of running the engine. Next he got to making cores and finally became the boss core- maker, thus laying the foundation for acquiring a thorough knowledge of the brass foundry business. In 1856 he became a partner in the
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concern with which he had been employed for eighteen years, the other members of the firm being G. W. Coffin and C. T. Tift. Some six years before this Mr. Van Dusen had purchased the scales of Francis Meyer for the manufacture of chime bells. In 1865 Mr. Coffin retired from the company and upon the death of Mr. Tift, in 1894, Mr. Van Dusen purchased his interest from the estate. Since then he has been the sole owner and proprietor of the works. About a year after this Mr. Van Dusen cast the largest swinging bell on this continent. It was cast on Oct. 30, 1895, and hangs in the belfry of St. Francis de Sales church, East Walnut Hills, Cincinnati. The contract called for a bell weigh- ing thirty thousand pounds, with a tone of D sharp or D natural, and so perfect was the work done that it requires the most expert musi- cians to detect its tone lacking vibrations. The bell is nine feet in diameter at the rim, five feet at the crown, seven feet in height, and the sounding board is nine inches in thickness. The only bell on the West- ern Continent that approaches it in size is the one in the Notre Dame Cathedral, Montreal, Canada, the weight of that bell being twenty- eight thousand pounds. Notwithstanding his fourscore years Mr. Van Dusen is active in his business, takes great pride in turning out good work, and rarely uses glasses to assist his sight. He was married on Oct. 16, 1844, to Miss Annie Eliza Dowds, and to this union there have been born the following children: Henrietta Elizabeth, married William P. Mounts, of Morrow, O .; Ezra W., married Annie Rogers, of Branch Hill, O .; Rhoda ; Annie, married Dr. M. F. Baldwin, of Blanchester, O .; George W., married Grace Julian; Charles Alser ; Martha W .; Cora, married J. F. Dye, of Newport, Ky .; Frank E., married Carrie Cullom, of Mainville, O., and now resides at Love- land in the same state. Mr. Van Dusen is a member of Christ Episco- pal church, is a strong temperance advocate, and never takes any active part in political contests. The best efforts of his life have been given to building up a business in which he stands at the head in the United States, and when he shall have laid down the burden of life the world will be the better for his having lived in it.
ROBERT J. BONSER, of Cincinnati, O., one of the largest whole- sale carpet dealers in the United States, was born in London, Canada, March 5, 1863, his parents being Edward E. and Sarah (Potter) Bonser. His mother, a daughter of Col. Robert Potter, of the English army, was born in the West Indies while her father was stationed there on military duty. In the early sixties Edward Bonser came with his family to Cincinnati, where he followed the vocation of painter
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and paper-hanger. In 1872 he went to Lafayette, Ind., and established himself in the wall paper business, later becoming a member of the firm of Ward & Co., of that city. Returning to Cincinnati in 1877 he remained there until 1884, when he removed to Topeka, Kan .; went to Tacoma, Wash., in 1884, and subsequently returned to Cincinnati, where he still lives. Robert J. Bonser was educated in the public schools of Cincinnati and in 1879 began his business career as a sales- man in the collar and cuff department of C. R. Mabley. After a short time in this department his superb qualifications as a salesman began to be made manifest and he was transferred to the men's cloth- ing department, where he remained for nine years, rising from one important position to another until he had charge of the department. Other mercantile establishments noted his ability as a salesman and his services were sought after by some of the best houses in the city. Early in July, 1889, Mr. Bonser purchased an interest in the wholesale and retail carpet house of Lowry & Goebel, and although he had never handled that line of goods, within a month he educated himself in all the details of the business, took the road as a salesman, with the result that from the start his orders compared favorably with the old veterans. In 1897 he severed his connection with this house and established him- self at No. 21 West Pearl St., under the name of Robert J. Bonser, as a wholesale dealer in carpets, mattings and linoleums exclusively. The first year the volume of business amounted to three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and this has steadily grown until now the house does a business amounting to a million and a quarter of dollars annually. A corps of efficient and energetic traveling salesmen represent Mr. Bonser in the States of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Ken- tucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and the eastern portion of Illinois. The growth of the business necessitated larger quarters and early in 1904 Mr. Bonser leased the adjoining building at No. 23 West Pearl St., having previously established a large warehouse at No. 26 West Second St. He also uses the storage warehouse of the Big Four rail- way. The marvelous growth of this house is due chiefly to the energy, ability and personal magnetism of Mr. Bonser. Added to this is the good taste shown in the selection of stock, designs, etc., which, with the prompt payment of bills, gives the concern a reputation second to none in the country and makes Mr. Bonser the acknowledged monarch of the carpet trade in the territory where his house is known. Mr. Bonser is a prominent figure in fraternal circles in Cincinnati and vicinity. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason in the Cincinnati Con- sistory, and has also taken the York Rite of the Order, being a mem-
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