USA > Ohio > Ohio's progressive sons; a history of the state; sketches of those who have helped to build up the commonwealth > Part 49
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Charles Fleischmann,
Deceased, whose name in connection with some of the most extensive manufacturing interests throughout the country has become almost a household word in America, was born
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in a little town near Pesth, Hungary, Austria, on the 3d of November, 1835. He obtained his education in the schools of Vienna and Prague. When he reached the age of thirty-two years he emigrated to America, the Land of Promise. During his first years in America he was employed in factories in New York City, working mostly on machinery. After a few years' stay in the metropolis of the East, he came to Cincinnati, formed a partnership with James W. Gaff, and embarked in the manufacture of compressed yeast, which estab- lishment was the first factory for the making of this commodity in this country. While the business at its inception was small and confined to a limited area of usefulness, it soon spread with a healthy growth, and year after year saw the firm develop until to-day the wagons bear- ing the name of Fleischmann are seen in every city and almost every hamlet of the United States and Canada. About the time of the establishment of this now tremendous enter -. prise, Mr. Fleischmann entered into the dis- tilling business at Riverside, Cincinnati, in partnership with Mr. Gaff. This firm continued to exist until the death of that gentleman in 1879, when Charles Fleischmann and his brother Maximilian became sole proprietors. Mr. Charles Fleischmann was interested in many other industrial and banking enterprises, CHARLES FLEISCHMANN and was President of the Market National Bank from 1889 until his demise, in 1897. He was an ideal citizen, a man of limitless business capacities, public spirited and a philanthropist in the truest sense of the word. In political belief he was a Republican and held many positions of honor. He was twice elected State Senator on the Republican ticket (in 1880 and again in 1896); he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Chicago which nominated James R. Garfield, and in 1884 when Blaine became the standard bearer of his party. In 1886 Mayor Amor Smith appointed Mr. Fleischmann a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners, a position which he held until 1890, when he resigned. During Governor Foraker's administration he was appointed by the Governor, in 1889, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Longview Insane Asy- lum, and later was re-appointed by Mckinley. He also acted as a member of the staff of Governor Mckinley. As a club man Mr. Fleischmann was well and favorably known, he being a member of all the important business, political and social clubs of the Queen City. He was very prominent in Masonic circles, being a thirty-second degree Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. His marriage occurred in 1869, when Miss Henrietta Robertson, of New York, became his wife. Two sons, Julius and Max, and one daughter, the wife of Dr. Holmes, were the issue of this union. Mr. Fleischmann closed his earthly career in 1897, and was buried with high honors from the Scotch Rite Cathedral, followed to the grave by the leading citizens of the community in which he had so long and honorably lived.
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Julius Fleischmann,
Present Mayor of Cincinnati, is one of the youngest and busiest men who ever held that position in any great city of the United States. He was born on the 8th of June, 1872, in Riverside, now a part of the city of Cincinnati. His father, Senator Charles Fleischmann, was a leading manufacturer and capitalist in the city of his birth, and well known for his popularity, philanthropic spirit and good citi- zenship. With the exception of one year Julius Fleischmann's education was obtained in the public schools. He attended Hughes High School for three years, but was not graduated, leaving at the age of 15 years to take a pre- paratory course in the Franklin School. It was his intention at this time to attend some university, but after one year he abandoned this course and decided to enter his father's business. He began his business career in 1889, starting at the very bottom. His position was simply that of a clerk with a salary of $5 a week. Gradually he worked himself through the different departments of the vast enter- prise and secured an intimate knowledge of all the details of the business. When finally it developed upon him to take absolute charge, he knew the business thoroughly. In the spring of 1900 Mr. Fleischmann was elected Mayor of Cincinnati on the Republican ticket by a large majority for a term of three years. JULIUS FLEISCHMANN His administration of municipal affairs was so successful and popular that the Republican City Convention, which was held in February, 1903, and which was the largest city convention ever held in Cincinnati, unanimously ten- dered to Mayor Fleischmann a re-nomination for his high office, and despite the sacrifice to his great private interests he obeyed the enthusiastic call of his party and accepted the nomina- tion. His opponent on the Democratic ticket was Hon. M. E. Ingalls, the President of the Big Four Railroad, and one of the most prominent citizens of the Queen City. After a most strenuous campaign he was triumphantly re-elected by a majority of over 16,000 votes.
Mr. Julius Fleischmann is one of the youngest Mayors in the State of Ohio. He, was an aid-de-camp on the staff of Governor Mckinley, succeeding his father in that position in the spring of 1894, and occupied the same position on the staff of Governor Bushnell. Colonel Fleischmann has inherited the fine business instincts of his father, and on the death of his honored sire, with his brother Max, undertook the management of the great estate left by Senator Charles Fleischmann. Their interests are not only in Ohio, but in New York and other States, aggregating large investments. Mayor Fleischmann is not only the active head of all the Fleischmann interests, but holds many other responsible positions. He is at the head of the Illinois Vinegar Manufacturing Company, one of the largest concerns of its kind in the world; he is President of the Market National Bank, in Cincinnati; President of the Cincinnati College of Music; President of the Union Hay and Grain Company ; one of the
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Governors of the Queen City Club; a member of the Chamber of Commerce; of the Manu- facturers' Club; the Business Men's Club; the Commercial Club; the Walnut Hills Busi- ness Men's Club ; Blaine Club ; Stamina Republican League. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Noble of the Mystic Shrine and he also belongs to the Royal Arcanum, K. of P., Elks and numerous other social organizations. He is Vice President of the C., N. & T. Railroad, the only quasi-public corporation with which he is connected, having sold all his stock in the Cincinnati Gas and Street Railway Companies upon being elected Mayor of Cincinnati. Mayor Fleischmann is well known throughout the country as a sportsman and his yacht, the "Hiawatha," is one of the prettiest boats in the Eastern waters. In his turf interests he was a close associate of W. C. Whitney, August Belmont and other noted East- ern horsemen. His stable was rated as one of the best in the country, and every spring he sent a division of his stable to Latonia, where he has established the Cincinnati Trophy for two-year-olds, a magnificent silver cup. Mayor Julius Fleischmann is one of the principal owners of the Cincinnati Baseball Club, a member of the New York and Atlantic Yacht Clubs, a life member of the Cincinnati Gymnasium and is an all round athlete. His chief delight is in driving and riding. Mayor Fleischmann was married on the 8th of April, 1893, to Miss Lillie Ackerland, one of his playmates of childhood. They have three children.
Morgan Wood,
A. B .; A. M .; S. T. D., formerly pastor of the Plymouth Congregational Church, of Cleve- land, Ohio, a lecturer of National reputation, was born on the 8th of August, 1867, at Free- port, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Rev. E. M. Wood, a Methodist minister, and Lillian Flitcraft. Wood, both of whom were natives of Ohio and of English ancestry. Dr. Wood received his early education in the public and High Schools of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, after which he attended Mt. Union College, Alliance, Ohio; Yale University, and finally the Boston School of Theology, graduating from those institutions of learning with the degrees of A. B., from Mt. Union ; A. M., from Yale, and S. T. D. from the Boston School of Theology. At the age of 21 years Dr. Wood started his public career when he accepted a call as a missionary to the Sioux Indians, in South Dakota, and was among them at the time of the great Sioux uprising. Later he became the pastor of the Congregational Churches at Salem, New Hampshire; New Orleans, Louisiana; Bloomington, Illinois; Detroit Michigan, and Toronto, Canada. In 1899 Dr. Wood accepted the pastorship of the Plymouth Congregational Church, Cleveland, Ohio, and occupied the pulpit there until the Ist of November, 1904, when he resigned. Dur- ing this period he became recognized as a man of broad views, with original conceptions both forceful and eloquent. While in Detroit, in MORGAN WOOD 1895, he was appointed by Governor Pingree, of
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Michigan, a member of the State Board of Corrections and Charities. Dr. Wood first attracted the attention of the country during the reform campaign, which led to the election of Gov- ernor Pingree in 1894, when he stumped the State of Michigan in the interest of that candi- date. Since that time he has always taken a keen interest in the political affairs of the State and Nation, and has strong convictions and the power and will to express them when he thinks that his influence is needed for the betterment of the people. He is a Republican. In 1904 he again entered the political arena and participated in the Presidential campaign, making many brilliant speeches in Southern Indiana in favor of Theodore Roosevelt. Many flattering comments have been printed as to the ability and forcefulness of his oratory. At present Dr. Wood is a member of the Lyceum Lecture Bureau. In 1888, he was united in marriage to Miss Ella Amblerton. Three daughters and one son are the issue of this union. Socially, Dr. Wood is a member and Chaplain of the Cleveland Grays, a Mason, Odd Fellow and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Henry P. Deuscher,
Deceased, formerly one of the most promi- nent and progressive business men of Hamil- ton, Ohio, was born on the 21st of May, 1829, in the city of Baden, Germany. He was the son of Michael and Christina Scheurer Deuscher, who came to the United States when their son, Henry P., was but a child. They set- tled near Lancaster, Pa., and later removed to Trenton, Butler County, Ohio, where they bought some property and subsequently set- tled on a farm. At this time Henry P. Deuscher was 7 years old, and he was placed in the school of Trenton, where his early education was received. The early life of Mr. Deuscher was spent on the farm, and he was brought up as a farmer's boy, engaged in the ordinary pur- suits which naturally follow. He toiled in the fields, working from early in the morning till late at night, and acquired the strong and rug- ged constitution which has fitted the farmer boy all over the world to the battle with life to the best possible advantage. His pursuits HENRY P. DEUSCHER were healthy, clean and manly. From early youth he was intimately in touch with laborious endeavors and whatever of success he made in the world was due to the fact that by his own unaided efforts he forced his way to the front. In the fullest sense of the word he was a self-made man. Starting in life as a farmer, he soon became embued with the ambition to occupy a more leading position in the affairs of men and toiled assiduously to fulfill that purpose. Leaving the farm he became employed as a laborer in a distillery at Collinsville, working there for some length of time, after which he came to Hamilton. In that city he engaged in the malting business in 1874, where he remained engaged in that business for a number of years meeting with splendid success. He finally founded the H. P. Deuscher Manufacturing Company, which, in the course of time, gained a National reputation, and which today is one of the largest manufacturing enterprises
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in the city of Hamilton. Mr. Deuscher closed his earthly career on the 20th of January, 1903, mourned by the whole community. During his active life he was a man with the power of an almost unlimited business capacity and splendid executive ability, broad in human sym- pathy, kind and generous and a model citizen. He was a Civil War veteran. In 1862 Mr. Deuscher recruited Company G, Thirty-eighth O. V. I., and was made Captain of that com- pany, with which he saw active service until honorably discharged. He was married on the 23rd of November, 1854, to Ellen Ball, and was the father of six daughters and a son, Frank, who died when he had reached the age of 25 years.
Edward R. Thompson,
Of Youngstown, Ohio, one of the most prominent architects in the northeastern part of the State, is a native Ohioan, born on the 25th of April, 1873, at Cleveland. He is the son of Mr. R. F. Thompson and Marie De Antagon Thompson. The profession in which Mr. Thompson is engaged is the same as that occupied by his father, who for many years was engaged as an architect in Youngstown. During the War of the Rebellion Mr. R. F. Thompson was a Union soldier and served with distinction during the whole period of that struggle. When but 7 years of age Mr. Edward R. Thompson came with his parents to Youngstown and was placed in the common schools, where his early education commenced. Later he obtained an academic training, after which he entered his father's office and sub- sequently took a special course to better prepare himself for the architectural profession. In 1898 he formed a partnership with his father under the firm name of R. F. and E. R. Thompson. The firm soon became one of the foremost in the northeastern portion of Ohio. Mr. Edward R. Thompson is an architect of unquestioned ability and an artist of high rank. He has created the plans for many elegant residences and imposing structures, among which might be mentioned the National Bank Building, the Greek Catholic Church at Youngs- town, Youngstown's new High School Building, Plymouth Congregational Church at
Youngstown, Elks' Club at Warren, and many other important structures. He is Secretary and Treasurer of the Wilkins Leonard Hardware Company, a flourishing concern of Youngs- town. In political belief Mr. Thompson is an ardent Republican, and for a number of years he has been a member of the Board of Education of Youngstown, of which body he was elected President in 1902. He has also served the Republican party in many other capaci- ties, and was delegate and officer in county and Senatorial conventions, and also Secretary of one Congressional convention. He is President of the Oak School Alumni Association, a member of the Y. M. C. A., the Foraker and Montgomery Republican Clubs, K. of P., K. G. E., I. O. O. F., and Sons of Veterans. For a number of years Mr. Thompson was a member of the Fifth Regiment, O. N. G., and he is at present Adjutant of the Eighth Ohio Regiment. He resides in Youngstown, in which city he has a host of friends.
Harry Rossel,
President of the Council of Newark, Licking County, Ohio, and General Agent for the Consumers' Brewing Company, of that city, was born on the 13th of March, 1863, in the city mentioned, in which he has continuously lived up to the present writing. His father, George Rossel, was a native of Germany, coming to this country in 1860; his mother was a native Ohioan. Mr. Rossel received his early education in the public schools of Newark, and early in life learned the trade of molder, which occupation he followed for a number of years, working in the B. & O. Railroad shops at Newark. Later he became identified with the Consumers' Brewing Company, of that city, and is now a director and General Agent for that enterprise. Mr. Rossel's public career started in 1898, when he was elected Councilman
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of Newark to serve two years. At the termi- nation of that period he was re-elected to the same position in 1900, and again in 1902. When the new code for the Ohio municipalities went into effect he was elected President of the City Council, which position he now holds. During the years 1899, 1900 and 1901 Mr. Rossel was President of the Council. In politi- cal belief he is a Democrat. Socially, Mr. Ros- sel belongs to the K. of P., Elks, Eagles, Red Men of the World, Masons and several Ger- man beneficial societies. On the 12th of Feb- ruary, 1885, Mr. Rossel was united in marriage to Mary Fessler, and is the father of three children, Ralph, Harry and Helen. He and his family attend the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Rossel lives with his family at No. 60 Prospect street, Newark, Ohio.
Charles K. Davis,
Coal mine operator, of Glen Roy, Ohio, is HARRY ROSSEL a man who, by his own efforts, has attained an unusual degree of success, in working up, as he has, from a common laborer to that of President and director of some of the strongest operating companies in this State. He was born on the 21st of May, 1872, at Brownsport Furnace, Decatur County, Tennessee, and is the son of L. W. and Mary J. Burk Davis, both of whom were natives of the State of Ohio. When very young he came with his parents to Jackson County, Ohio, where he obtained his early education. He remained in school until he reached an age which would allow him to earn his own living, when he went to work in the mines as a coal miner. Acquiring much practical knowledge while employed in that occupation, he soon saw opportunities of putting his knowledge towards bettering his posi- tion in life and being successful in obtaining capital opened new coal mines, some of which proved very renumerative to the owners. As a proof of his ability he has been honored with the position of President and director of the Alma Coal Company, the Alma Cement Com- pany, the Elk Fork Coal Company, all at Wellston, Ohio, and in each of which he is finan- cially interested, as well as occupying the official position as mentioned above. In poli- tics Mr. Davis is a Republican, but he has not entered into a political career, as all his time is taken up in the furthering of the large interests with which he is identified. His residence is at Indianapolis, Ind., and his office is located at Glen Roy, Ohio. His interests are both in Ohio and Indiana. On the 28th of June, 1893, he was united in marriage to Miss Alma B. Lucas.
Joseph J. Pater,
One of the leading Democrats of the Buckeye State and a man who has held many hon- orable positions of political trust, was born on the 9th of April. 1853, in Hamilton, Ohio, the city in which he has always made his home. He is of German parentage, his father, Gerhard Pater, and mother, M'ary Pater, both emigrating to the United States from Ger- many. They first lived in Cincinnati and later removed to Hamilton. Mr. Joseph J. Pater
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was educated in the St. Joseph's Parochial School, at Hamilton, and St. Mary's institute, of Dayton, from which college he graduated with high honors. He later took a classical course in Cincinnati to prepare himself for the medical profession. He read medicine with Dr. Dan Millikin, but later abandoned his studies in that science and took a position as teacher in St. Joseph's School, where he remained for five years. Since 1882, after leaving St. Joseph's School, he became identified with his brother-in-law, Joseph Schumaker, in a rheumatism cure (Angeline), which has been sold all over this country, Canada and parts of Europe. Mr. Pater is intensely interested in philanthropic and charitable work, and to his efforts is principally due the erection of Mercy Hospital, which was founded in 1892. He was the active Chairman of soliciting commitees which collected $20,000. During the first ten years of its existence nearly two thousand patients, irrespective of creed, have benefited by the noble work of this institution. In poli- tics Mr. Pater has always been connected with the Democratic party. He is a firm believer in the principles of Democracy, and has been honored with important positions by the peo- ple among whom he has so long resided. H? was a member of the Hamilton Board of Water Works Trustees, and President of the Board of Control, of Butler County. In September, 1902, at the Democratic State Convention, held at Cedar Point, Ohio, Mr. Pater was nominated for the State Board of Public Works, but was JOSEPH J. PATER defeated with the balance of the Democratic State ticket. He is a charter member of the Central States Water Works Association, and from 1901 to 1904 was President of that body. On the 20th of April, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Endress, and by that union is the father of five children. Mr. Pater is a man of commanding appearance, of a jovial nature, broad-minded and liberal in his views, with splendid mental endowments, forcefulness of character and fluency of speech. He has often appeared in public as an orator. His residence and place of business are located at Hamilton, Ohio.
Calvin Whitney,
President of The A. B. Chase Company, of Norwalk, Ohio, manufacturers of high-gradc pianos, is probably one of the best known men in his business in this country, being at the head of the famous company mentioned above for more than thirty years. This company was incorporated on the Ist of September, 1875, and has been in continuous operation since its organization, with no change, location, or management. "Perfection"isthe motto, and every instrument manufactured has been as good as the choicest material and skilled artists could make it, and every one has borne the name "A. B. Chase." So uniform has been the high standard maintained that the full name, A. B. Chase, on the piano is a universally recog- nized guarantee of supreme excellency. The purchaser of every instrument made by this
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celebrated firm can be assured that from whomever he may buy, or whatever the style he may select, he will obtain an instrument of unquestioned worth possessing a musical tone, which, for purity and power, is unsurpassed by any other piano, and a sympathetic touch and action that will be a constant delight, as well as a durability that is almost unlimited. Without attempting in detail to review the methods used in attaining this high standard of excellence, it will be found of interest to note a few of the forces that have operated so suc- cessfully to that end. Chief among those forces are correct and exalted ideals of piano music and its possibilities, with ability, laudable ambition and a determination to excell. At the inception of the enterprise skilled artists were secured as foremen for the head of each department, selected for their knowledge and technical ability from the best factories in America. They brought with them the most advanced ideas known in piano production where they were employed. The concrete knowledge gathered from the different factories gave The A. B. Chase Company an aggregation of knowledge and skill at the start not to be found in any other single factory, however progressive, resulting in their piano at once com- ing to the front rank. To secure the best efforts, not only of the men at the head of each department, but of the men at the bench, the company offers a liberal system of prizes to their employees for suggestions of improvements on their pianos, regardless of cost. These prizes are open to every man in the factory. In this way every man is alert to discover every possible plan for improving the piano, since a suggestion means ready money to himself, and, if the improvement is patentable, an interest in the patent besides. Every man to whose hands any part of the piano passes is obliged to report on its condition while in his care. Should he fail to make a correct report, or allow any defective workmanship or material to enter into the construction of any A. B. Chase piano, he is subject to summorary dis- charge from the services of the company. This enforced watchfulness on the part of every man in the factory makes it possible to give with every A. B. Chase piano an unlimited warranty for absolute excellency. While the company makes a great variety of regular styles, as is shown in their beautiful catalogues, they frequently make pianos with specially designed cases to match the furniture or finish of music rooms. There is often some nook or corner in which it is desirable to fit the piano, some style of architecture of the room or its furnishings, with which the instrument should harmonize. This may be new or old, plain or elaborate in design. The veneers, or wood used, may be selected by the one for whom the piano is built. The finish may be of any shade, style or quality desired. In short, the possibilities for gratifying individual taste in this direction are unlimited. This feature of The A. B. Chase Company's business is not new, but the growing demand for this class of work leads them to make a specialty in this direction from designs furnished by artists or architects. If desired, the company will submit designs for approval to harmonize with the architecture of rooms or furniture when photographs of the rooms or furnishings are sent to them. Necessarily, work of this kind calls for extra patterns in designing special cases for the piano, hence they cost more to manufacture. Close estimates, however, are given of the cost of any special design submitted, and a careful account is kept of the work done and charges made in accordance therewith. The time necessary to manufacture any such spe- cial piano depends entirely upon the amount of extra work called for in its construction. It is safe to estimate not less than six months for the construction of one of these specially designed instruments. For this reason, where homes are being built, it is well to place the order for special pianos from architects' designs when the contract for the house is given, so that the piano may be ready for its place when the home is complete. In consequence of the spirit which dominates The A. B. Chase Company, their pianos are found and appreciated in the very best homes in the land. It might be of interest to quote the following letter,
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