USA > Ohio > Ohio's progressive sons; a history of the state; sketches of those who have helped to build up the commonwealth > Part 65
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Lewis G. Bernard,
Of Cincinnati, Ohio, enjoys the distinction of being known from one end of the United
LEWIS G. BERNARD
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States to the other, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Canadian borders to the Gulf of Mexico. He is the recognized leader of the Hamilton County Democracy, and since more than two decades has played an important part in each and every local and State election in Ohio. Mr. Bernard is a native of the Empire State. He was born in New York on the 4th of October, 1845. His father, Gustavus Bernard, was a rabbi and an intimate friend of the late Rabbi Isaac Wise. Mr. Bernard obtained a very careful and thorough education, and after graduating from the Normal School in Albany, New York, he entered the Albany Law School, where he studied law under that distinguished jurist, Judge Ira Harris. He graduated from this institution in 1865, and in the same year came to Cincinnati and began an active business life. For the next ten years he was engaged in the hardware business. In 1875 he was elected Clerk of the Board of Improvements, holding that position for one year, and then took charge of the office of County Clerk, to which position he had been elected at the previous election. His term of office was three years, at the expiration of which time Mr. Bernard started upon his journalistic career with the Cincinnati Enquirer. Since then he has been continuously engaged in that profession. In 1883 Mr. Bernard was elected Chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Hamilton County, and he has held that responsible position ever since. Mr. Bernard is one of the founders of the famous Duckworth Club, the Democratic crack organization of Ohio and the Central States. Twice he has been chosen President of that organization. He is also a member of the K .of P., the A. O. U. W., and of the Walnut Hills Business Men's Club. Mr. Bernard is a man of brilliant executive abilities and keen judgment, a born organizer, and of quiet, unassuming character. He has a multitude of friends, even among his political opponents. He is married, and is the father of three sons. A pretty residence, located at No. 3003 Woodburn Avenue, Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, is his home.
AUGUST LIGOWSKY
August Ligowsky,
Deceased, who during his life was a highly respected citizen of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, died in July, 1899, in his residence, at Wyoming, Hamilton County, Ohio. He was born on the 22d of November, 1826, in West- phalia, Germany, in whose schools he received a splendid and careful education. Upon the close of his school career he studied civil engineering. When he had reached the age of twenty, Mr. Ligowsky entered the Prussian army, and served for one year, resuming his professional studies after entering again pri- vate life. In 1848 Mr. Ligowsky entered the German navy, remaining in that service for several years. He emigrated to America in 1853, and upon his arrival in the city of Phila- delphia, engaged with Percival Smith, map publisher, as the Surveyor of Clinton and Lewis Counties, New York. Two years later, in 1855, he removed to Madison, Wisconsin, where he became Deputy County Surveyor and City Engineer. He remained in that city
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until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he immediately offered his services to his adopted country, and organized Company D of the Twenty-sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, of which he became Captain. His company was sent to Virginia, where Mr. Ligowsky became attached to the Eleventh Army Corps. In the autumn of 1862 he was detailed upon the staff of General Carl Schurz, as chief of topographical engineers. He participated in many of the bloodiest battles fought during the Civil War, such as Fredericksburg, Chancellor- ville Gettysburg, Wauhatchie, Missionary Ridge, and others. In the fall of 1864 Captain Ligowsky obtained his discharge by reason of ill health. Coming to Cincinnati, he became city editor of the Volksblatt, the leading German newspaper of Ohio, in 1865, and remained in that capacity for the period of ten years. Soon after his arrival in the United States, Cap- tain Ligowsky became identified with the Democratic party, with which he was affiliated up to the time of his death. He was elected Treasurer of the city of Cincinnati in 1875, and filled that office to the entire satisfaction of the community. Later he became interested in different industrial enterprises, and was the originator of clay pigeons, now known all over the world by sportsmen. During the last years of his life, Mr. Ligowsky filled a position in the City Engineer's office, Cincinnati, Ohio. As a man, Captain Ligowsky was one of the striking characters in the State. His commanding appearance and highly intellectual features attracted marked attention. His nature was kind and lovable. He had a high sense of honor and was loved by all who came into personal contact with him. His family resides at Wyoming, Ohio, in which city his son occupies the position of chief engineer of the public waterworks.
John Kauffmann,
Deceased, who during his lifetime was one of the most prominent brewers of the Queen City, and a man whose memory is held in high esteem by all those with whom he came in con- tact, was a native of the (at that time) French province of Lorraine, born on the 10th of February, 1830, at Kirviller. His early educa- tion was received in the public schools of his native land, and at the age of fifteen years he emigrated to the United States, settling in the city of Cincinnati. Immediately upon his arrival in that city he was employed by his uncle, the proprietor of the old Franklin brew- ery on Deercreek, his first work being as a common laborer, later as a maltster, and finally as foreman of the brewery. His uncle dying, Mr. Kauffmann organized the Ohio Brewery, which was erected under his supervision, and of which he became manager. Severing his connection with that company, he became fore- man at the Jefferson Brewery, and subse- quently Superintendent of the Eichenlaub's Brewery on Walnut Hills. The latter position he held for four years, when, in connection with Messrs. Eichenlaub and Rudolph Reinbold, he purchased the brewery established by his uncle, conducting the business under the name
JOHN KAUFFMANN
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of Kauffmann & Co. After the expiration of four years, in 1859, the firm of Kauffmann & Co. commenced the erection of the Kauffmann Brewery on Vine Street, Cincinnati, and the same was completed in the following year. While that brewery was in the course of erection Mr. Kauffmann purchased the Walnut Street Flour Mill, now Schneider's, and controlled the same for a number of years. In 1865 Mr. Eichenlaub retired from partner- ship, and Kauffmann & Reinbold continued the business until 1877, when Mr. Reinbold retired and Mr. Kauffmann became sole proprietor. He continued as head of the rapidly growing Kauffmann Brewery until the time of his death, which occurred on the 15th of January, 1886. He was married in 1852 to Miss Marianna Eichenlaub, who survived her husband until 1903. There are two sons living at the present time, John and Charles Kauff- mann, both of whom are interested in the business.
Joseph M. Rice,
One of the most popular business men in Cincinnati, and well known in political and social circles, is a native of the Blue Grass State, being born in Hopkinsville, Ky., on the Ist of August, 1854. His father was a mer- chant. Colonel Rice had the advantages of a common school education in his home district, until he was twelve years of age, when he came to Cincinnati. From this time on he had to struggle for his livelihood. He went to work and occupied different minor positions until eighteen years of age, when he entered the commercial world. For about a quarter of a century, Colonel Rice has been connected with the firm of Bishop, Sterne & Stein, for which firm he has traveled from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Canadian frontier to the Gulf of Mexico. Colonel Rice has the gift to make friends, and what is much more important and difficult, to keep them. He is JOSEPH M. RICE a man of the most affable manners, a brilliant conversationalist, and with broad human sym- pathies. Being one of the most prominent members of the order of the Knights of Pythias in Ohio, he is Chief of Staff of the Ohio Brigade, with the rank of Colonel. He also belongs to the Commercial Travelers' fraternity. In political belief, Colonel Rice is a staunch, uncompromising Democrat, and he has served his party in many capacities. In 1880 he was elected to the City Council, representing the Seventeenth Ward of Cincinnati in that body, and it may be truthfully said that he always had the interests of his constituents and the people in general at heart. The same was true when he served on the Board of Fire Trustees, being appointed to that responsible position by Mayor Tafel. The Colonel is one of the most active members of the Duckworth Club of Cincinnati, that famous Democratic organization. He has a held a number of important offices in that body, and at the present writing is Vice President of the club. Colonel Rice has been married since 1877, and is the father of one son and two daughters. He lives in the beautiful residence part of the Queen City, in which community he is immensely popular.
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Albert E. Lynch,
One of the foremost patent lawyers of the State of Ohio, and a member of the well- known firm of Lynch & Dorer, with offices located in the Society for Savings Building, at Cleveland, Ohio, was born at Prescott, Ontario, Canada, on the 24th of October, 1860. When but seven years of age he came with his parents to Cleveland, where he was educated in the common schools of that city, passing through the High School in 1878. Upon his graduation he accepted a position as correspondent of an oil firm, remaining with that concern about one year. During this time he took private lessons in shorthand, and in the winter of 1879 and 1880 he became connected with the Cleveland Herald as a reporter. His success as a newspaper man was pronounced, and his career in that field was one of promise. Receiving, however, an advantageous offer from the firm of M. D. & L. L. Leggett. attorneys, to enter their service as shorthand reporter, he accepted the same. While in the employ of the firm the attention of General Leggett was called to his marked ability, and by his advice Mr. Lynch entered upon the study of law, under the preceptorship of that gentleman. In December, 1882, he was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of Ohio, since which time he has been continuously engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, making a specialty of patent cases. He is recognized in his particular line as one of the leading and ablest patent attorneys in the State of Ohio. Mr. Lynch was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1887, having pre- viously been admitted to the United States Circuit Courts. For a number of years Mr. Lynch has been connected with the firms of M. D. & L. L. Leggett and M. D. Leggett & Co., and was associated with them in many prominent cases in the different parts of the country, his practice during this time being confined almost exclusively to patent cases. He was appointed in January, 1889, a United States Commissioner for the Northern District of Ohio. After the expiration of his term in office, Mr. Lynch resumed his practice, which has become a very lucrative one. He has earned an enviable reputation by reason of his experience, knowledge and probity. Mr. Lynch is a member of the firm Lynch & Dorer, suc- cessors to M. D. Leggett & Co.
Townsend F. Dickinson, M. D.
A well-known physician of Cincinnati, Ohio, ranks among the most prominent Democrats of the Queen City. He is a native of the Buckeye State, born on the 13th of June, 1858, at West Woodville, Clermont County. Dr. Dickinson is of English-Irish descent. His ancestors on his father's side emigrated to America before the War of the Revolution, in which struggle his great-grandfather took a prominent part. A brother of his great-grand- father, John Dickinson, was a representative in the Continental Congress from New Jersey. After the Revolutionary War, Dr. Dickinson's great-grandfather came West, crossed the Allegheny Mountains, and sailed down the Ohio River from Pittsburg on a flatboat. He
TOWNSEND F. DICKINSON, M. D.
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was one of the first arrivals, in 1788, at the site of Columbia, now a part of Cincinnati. When he reached his destination, the lower lands and many of the log cabins built by the early settlers were under water by reason of a great flood. This caused Dr. Dickinson to travel further down the Ohio, and he finally landed where is now Dearborn County, Indiana, and cultivated a farm. Here Dr. Dickinson's grandfather and father were born. The latter left his native county in 1841, settled in Clarksville, Ohio, married and raised a family. He was born in 1820, and at the present writing is still alive and enjoys good health. Dr. Dickinson spent the years of his youth on his father's farm, and obtained such early edu- cation as was possible in the district schools of his home. Later, for one year, he attended the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. In 1877 he took up the profession of teaching, and for the period of one year taught school in Clermont County. Having resolved to devote his future life to the medical profession, he, in 1878, entered Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, graduating from that well-known institution in 1881 with the degree of M.D. After his graduation Dr. Dickinson located in Edenton, Cler- mont County, practicing there from 1881 until 1888. In the latter year he came to Cincin- nati, where he has practiced ever since. His residence is located in Hyde Park and his office on Eastern Avenue. Like his father and grandfather, Dr. Dickinson has always been a faithful Democrat, having taken an active part in the affairs of Democracy since his maturity. Under President Cleveland's second administration he was Pension Examining Surgeon. In 1900 Dr. Dickinson was the nominee for Coroner of Hamilton County, on the Democratic ticket, but he was defeated with the balance of his ticket, the county going overwhelmingly Republican. He also was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention at Zanesville, Ohio, which nominated John R. McLean for Governor. For a number of years Dr. Dickinson has been a member of the well-known Duckworth Club, of Cincinnati, in which organization for the last six years he has held the office of Treasurer. He is a
AUGUST C. BUSCH, M. D.
member of the different branches of the Ma- sonic fraternity, of the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine, and of the Ohio State Medical Asso- ciation. On the IIth of October, 1880, Dr. Dickinson was married to Miss Julia D. Hodges. Two daughters and one son are the issue of their union. The son, following in the footsteps of his father, is preparing himself for the medical profession.
August C. Busch, M. D.,
A well-known physician of Cincinnati, was born on the 28th of October, 1871, in the Queen City. His parents were August Busch, an undertaker, who came from Oldenburg, Germany, and Jane Meyer Busch, a native Ohioan. Dr. Busch was educated in St. Joseph's parochial school, St. Mary's College at Dayton, Ohio, and the Ohio Medical Col- lege, from which institution he graduated in 1894, with the degree of M.D. After leaving college, he took a post graduate course in his science at the celebrated universities at Hei-
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delberg, Berlin and Strassburg, where he remained from 1894 to 1896. Returning to his native land, he settled in Cincinnati and immediately took up the practice of his profession, in which he has become pre-eminently successful. He has a large and lucrative practice, and his offices are located at No. 845 West Seventh Street. Dr. Busch is the physician of different organizations, and is a member of the Eagles, Foresters and the C. K. of O. A lifelong Democrat, Dr. Busch for many years was very active in the political affairs of his native city and State. For a period of five years he was Treasurer of the Democratic Campaign Committee of Hamilton County, and for the same length of time was a member of the Hamilton County Executive Committee. For two years Dr. Busch was Vice Presi- dent of the celebrated Duckworth Club, the leading Democratic organization in Ohio. In June, 1904, Dr. Busch was joined in wedlock to Miss Luise Bering, a resident of Fayetteville. Ohio.
Henry Charles Wendel, M. D.,
A prominent physician and surgeon of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, was born on the 4th of March, 1869, at St. Leon, Dearborn County, Indiana. His father, a farmer, was a native of Hessen, Germany, and emigrated to this country in 1851. Dr. Wendel was raised on the farm, and followed the same routine of labor that is given to all farm boys, thereby acquiring a rugged constitution and a splendid training, which in later years has been of incalculable value to him. His education was obtained in the public schools of Franklin County, and at the Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, from which institution of science he graduated in 1893, with the degree of M.D. Immediately after his graduation he started the practice of his chosen profession, in which he has been eminently successful, and by which he has gained a splendid reputation and an immense practice. Dr. Wendel is a man of affable man- ners, gentle in disposition, lovable by nature, HENRY CHARLES WENDEL, M. D. broad in sympathy and thoroughly conversant with all the details of his profession. He is a member of all the principal medical bodies of the city, such as Cincinnati Academy of Medicine, the American Medical Association and the Ohio State Medical Society. Socially, Dr. Wendel is a member of the leading fraternal orders. He belongs to the different branches OI Masonry, the Tribe of Ben Hur, Elks, A. O. U. W., K. of P. and I. O. O. F., and a num- ber of social clubs and societies. He is the official physician of many insurance companies and fraternal organizations. He is a married man, and has his office and residence at No. 519 McMicken Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio.
August W. Bruck,
A leading lawyer of Cincinnati, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the 8th of October, 1860, and is a son of Nicholas and Christina (Walter) Bruck. His father was born in Bavaria, Germany, and his mother was a native of Baden, Germany; both came to
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America with their respective parents, locat- ing near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There they were married, and, in 1862, moved to Cincin- nati, where Mr. Bruck was employed in the City Waterworks for many years. August W. Bruck attended the public schools and Entrup's Academy, after which he learned type-setting. He was employed for a time by the Cincinnati Star, and later by the Cincinnati Enquirer. While holding cases on the latter paper he began the study of the law, later entered the Cincinnati Law School, and was graduated with the class of 1885. He then began the practice of his profession with ex- Judge T. A. O'Connor, with whom he con- tinued until the latter's death. He was then associated with Hon. John A. Caldwell until the latter's election to the bench of the Com- mon Pleas Court. Mr. Bruck was identified AUGUST W. BRUCK actively in two campaigns with the Labor party, in the first as a candidate for a seat on the Superior Court Bench, and in the second for a Probate Judgeship. With these exceptions, his political affiliations have always been Democratic. He was for a period of four years title examiner for the B. of A. Fra- ternally, he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. For several years he was an officer of Typo- graphical Union, No. 3. Mr. Bruck is married, the father of a boy, and resides with his family on Dayton Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. His offices are located in the Commercial Tribune Building, that city.
Marvin Kent,
Retired capitalist of Kent, Portage County, Ohio, projector of the Atlantic & Great West- ern Railroad, now forming the four western divisions of the Erie Railroad, from Sala- manca, New York, to Dayton, Ohio, and ex- President of the Ohio portion of said railroad, was born in Ravenna, Portage County, on the 2Ist of September, 1816, a son of Zenas and Pamelia Lewis Kent, both of Connecticut birth and of Revolutionary descent, the father of each having borne arms in the struggle for American independence. Mr. Kent passed his early years in his father's store, and in attend- ance at Tallmadge Academy and at Claridon Academy. In his nineteenth year he was dis- Patched to Philadelphia and New York to purchase a stock of spring goods for his father.
MARVIN KENT
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with instructions to rely on his own judgment as to his investments, and the sagacity he displayed on this mission was very gratifying to his parents. The year after attaining his majority he was admitted into partnership with his father at Franklin Mills, now Kent, but precarious health caused him early to relinquish his business. He then assumed the management of the tannery built by his father for John Brown, of Ossawattomie fame, and while thus engaged married Miss Maria Stewart, daughter of Colonel William Stew- art. In 1844 he resumed mercantile pursuits, and at the same time became largely inter- ested in the manufacture of flour, continuing in the latter for nearly twenty consecutive years. In 1850, in connection with others, he erected and put into successful operation the extensive window glass factory at Franklin Mills, and at about the same time entered upon the most important enterprise of his useful life, that which has secured for him a reputa- tion, co-extensive with the inauguration and completion of a great public transportation route, between the East and West, he devising, projecting and drafting the charter for the incorporation of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, designed to connect the Erie with the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, all of which railroads were of six-foot gauge, thus form- ing a grand trunk line with a six-foot uniform gauge throughout from New York to St. Louis. In 1851 the necessary legislation was secured, but in order to secure the charter he was obliged to subscribe for the full amount of stock required by law for the organi- zation of the company, as well as to indemnify some of the first Board of Directors for the payment of one share subscribed by each to render them eligible for election, which furnishes a significant illustration of the want of faith in the success of an undertaking of that magnitude at the time. The organization of the new company was completed, and Mr. Kent was made its first President. That position he filled with a success characteristic of his great ability and energy until the final completion of the road, in 1864, save an interval of about three years. On the 4th of July, 1853, he broke the ground for the new railroad by removing the shovelful of earth, at Kent, Ohio. Eleven years later, on the 21st of June, 1864, he had the proud satisfaction of looking back over many years of unremitting labor and anxiety, at last crowned with success, when he drove home the last spike in the last rail, at Dayton, Ohio. At or about the same time the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company had covered its track with iron rails on both sides from Dayton to Cincinnati, thus connecting the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad with their six-foot gauge. The first continental line from New York to St. Louis was completed. His life's work done, Mr. Kent retired from active business to the enjoyment of a private life. In 1865, his father died, and he became his successor as President of the Kent National Bank, which position he has held ever since. In the fall of 1875 he was elected State Senator from the Twenty-sixth District of Ohio, and he served his constituents for two years with credit and ability. At the conclusion of his term of office, Mr. Kent declined a renomination. Mr. Kent is a man of varied experience, and his life's work is a proof of his business quali- fications. He was equally capable as an engineer or as a financial manager conducting a great institution. Mr. Kent always had remarkable tenacity of purpose, and once resolved as to the value of an enterprise, no ordinary obstacle could prevent him from carrying it out. He is a man of liberal views and generous impulses, and has in various ways aided in advancing the material welfare of those among whom he lives. He has been a generous promoter of nearly every business enterprise in the city of Kent. the city which bears his name. There are enduring monuments of his public spirit on every hand in his com- munity, such as public and private edifices, business blocks, mills and factories, and about them all there is an evidence of permanency, durability, exactness in details, and adapt- ability to the uses for which they were designed. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin
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Kent were born two children-Henry Lewis, who died on the 21st of April, 1873, and William Stewart, who is Vice President of the Kent National Bank.
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