USA > Ohio > Ohio's progressive sons; a history of the state; sketches of those who have helped to build up the commonwealth > Part 83
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FRANC ZIEGLER
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sixty-five applicants who were admitted to the famous Royal High School of Music, acknowledged the greatest violin school in the world. While in that institution, he became a favorite of the great Joachim, and was appointed one of the leading first violins of the celebrated High School Orchestra. Mr. Ziegler graduated from the Royal High School of Music with the highest honors, and won the unstinted praise of the best musical critics. In the city of Leipsic he was first violinist of the world-renowned Gewandhaus Orchestra, and played under the direction of the world's greatest conductors and composers, such as Brahms, Rubinstein, Griegg, Reinecke and others. An unusual honor conferred upon Mr. Ziegler was the unsolicited offer of a free scholarship in the Royal Conservatory of Leipsic and a permanent position in the Royal Theater Orchestra. This offer was not accepted, however, as Mr. Ziegler felt that his best interests would be conserved by his presence in America. Before returning to his native shores, Mr. Ziegler made a concert tour of the principal cities of Germany, and met with unqualified success as a violin virtuoso. After returning to Columbus, he immediately took up the practice of his profession, in which he has been eminently successful, and those who are so fortunate to be under his instructions advance with unusual rapidity, as Mr. Ziegler imparts to them the same superb methods he acquired from the masters of the Old World. Since his return to America, Mr. Ziegler's time has been constantly filled with concert engagements, as well as teaching his many pupils.
John Louis Shearer,
Superintendent of The Ohio Mechanics' Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, was born at Lengfurt, near Wurzburg, in Bavaria, Ger- many. His father, Philip Scherer, was the owner of a small landed estate, and a maker of spinning-wheels. The mother, by the maiden name of Margaretha Liebler, was the daughter of an estimable citizen at Erlenbach, two miles distant.
From earliest youth young Shearer had been impressed with the beauty of the natural scenery of the vine-clad hills bordering on the river Main and the rugged regions of the famous Spessart Mountains. The historic Castle Triefenstein, with its extensive parks and forest preserves, were the scenes of many exploits of the youthful enthusiast.
His early education was acquired in the public schools (Volksschule) of his native place, and subsequently, for three years, in a private school. At the age of nearly sixteen, JOHN LOUIS SHEARER young Shearer left his native land and came to America, but arrived at a most unfortunate time. The panic of that memorable year, 1873, inade it almost impossible for him to obtain employment. However, after considerable patient search, work was found in a machine shop of Brooklyn, New York. There he attended a night school, where he acquired the elements of the English language, yet yearning for a broader practical knowledge. Having become accustomed to manual work from youth up in his father's shop, also in the fields
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and vineyards surrounding his native place, it was no hardship for him to accept in America any sort of employment that would lead to promotion. From the machine shop he passed to a waiter's position in a hotel in New York, which gave him a welcome opportunity to learn the English language, and enabled him to gain a wider view of life in a great city.
In the autumn of 1874 young Shearer went to the progressive West for the purpose of visiting relatives in Indiana, incidentally looking for a chance to climb higher, which is a difficult matter in overcrowded cities. For a time work was found on the farm of an uncle, but recalling the advice of his father, he determined to learn a trade, and for several years worked as harness maker and then as carriage trimmer. In the small town of Roanoke, Indiana, making his home with a physician, he found it possible to save his earnings for future school work. When not employed in the shop, he pursued the regular course of study in the public school and in one winter reviewed the entire course in English, which was represented by his German common school education. This was followed by one year at the Roanoke Classical Seminarv. In 1879 he attended a summer normal term at Fort Wayne College, and in September of that year was a teacher of a district school in Allen County, Indiana. During the summer vacation, 1880, he spent six weeks at Chautauqua, New York. The influence of this place determined his future career and led to the choice of pedagogy as a profession. The various Chautauqua courses of reading offered oppor- tunity for private study. While continuing a regular college course at Fort Wayne and teaching to defray expenses, he also found time to organize and conduct a flourishing Chautauqua Club, which began in 1880 and finished the course in 1884. As special summer occupation, Mr. Shearer had charge for six seasons of the School of Languages at Island Park, Rome City, Indiana, and was associated during these years with many of the most active students and educators of the State.
In 1883 he was awarded the Fellowship in German at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. This he held for two years, at the same time pursuing studies in the University, which were needed to round out the plans conceived ten years earlier. At this time the Chautauqua movement, which spread very rapidly throughout the country, and which had afforded very helpful and inspiring work for the summer months, opened a new career, teaching in a modified form. To this, after removing to Cincinnati in 1885, was added a publishing enterprise and the establishment of a literary bureau, to which Mr. Shearer devoted the major portion of his time until 1898. In this new field he met and enjoyed the intimate friendship of such eminent persons as Dr. T. DeWitt Talmage, Sir Edwin Arnold, Locke Richardson, Mary A. Livermore, Joseph Cook, William McKinley and many others. The inspiration he derived from these associations left its lasting impress on his open-minded character. As a recreative side occupation, however, he pursued special studies in the line of industrial economics, and lectured at many Chautauqua assemblies, schools and educa- tional institutes. It was this work that brought Mr. Shearer in touch with The Ohio Mechanics' Institute, a school which was founded in 1828, and has been an essential factor in the building up of Cincinnati as an industrial manufacturing center. Of this school Mr. Shearer has been the active head since 1898, and he has reason to be proud of his achievements during the seven years of his administration as Superintendent. The courses, in the hands of more than thirty competent teachers, have been broadened, well-equipped workshops and laboratories have been added, and each successive year finds the different departments greatly strengthened.
The profound esteem in which the school is held by the citizens of Cincinnati and vicinity is attested to by the encouragement given from all sides by word and deed, and is signally indicated by the marvelous growth in attendance every year. During Professor
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Shearer's administration the enrollment has been brought up from about four hundred stu- dents attending night classes only, to about fourteen hundred students receiving instruction both during the day and evenings. All these achievements are a monument to the energy, the resourcefulness, and last, but not least, the sterling personal integrity of the Superin- tendent, Professor Shearer.
In recognition of his most conscientious educational career, the Kentucky Wesleyan College has conferred upon him the degree of M.A .; still, Mr. Shearer has never attached much value to college honors, it being his conviction that the pursuit of knowledge should be a lifelong occupation, and should not depend upon measured courses intended merely to lead to the acquisition of titles, which are not always a reliable indicator of true scholarship.
Personally, Professor Shearer is a man whose magnetic presence and frankness of char- acter inspires confidence and love, and his best friends are those that know him longest. In disposition he is affable and kind, yet is conscientious enough to speak his mind with unusual frankness and directness whenever an important occasion calls for it.
Professor Shearer is married and has one son. In politics he is an ardent Republican, though not active in party work, but believes thoroughly in the greatness and fitness of American institutions. He has traveled extensively in Europe, having visited nearly every point of importance. His acquaintance in America extends to every State of the Union.
H. A. Cassidy,
Superintendent of the Public Schools of Lancaster, Ohio, is of Scotch-Irish parentage. He received a thorough education in Ireland, graduated from the University of Dublin, and took two years' normal training in Marlboro Normal School. Mr. Cassidy came to America in 1888, and one year later he was elected Principal of the High School at Bellefontaine, Ohio. He had the pleasure of seeing this school grow under his care from a membership of sixty up till it registered two hundred. In 1902 he was elected Principal of the High School at Lancaster, under the Superintend- ency of Professor George W. Welsh. In 1903 the health of Mr. Welsh became such that he was compelled to resign, much to the regret of all concerned, and Mr. Cassidy was given the place.
CHARLES L. LOOS, JR.
Charles L. Loos, Jr.,
Principal of the Steele High School at Day- ton, Ohio, one of the most successful educators in the great State of Ohio, is a highly educated and well-read man, of broad mind, and pos- sesses the happy faculty of transferring the knowledge which he has obtained by years of study into the minds of the young people who are entrusted to his care. Mr. Loos has charge of the largest High School in the State of Ohio, and it is needless to say that his success has been in proportion to his natural ability. His reputation as a thorough teacher is well founded and reaches over the borders of his native State. He has always been deeply
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interested in all educational matters, and has made it the work of his life to further and elevate the noble profession of teaching. He is a member of a number of scientific and social organizations, and is a well-known contributor to different educational journals. He is married, and resides in the Arcade Building, Dayton, Ohio.
John F. Follett,
Deceased, belongs to those whose life's story has been written in the annals of the history of the State of Ohio. He was a native of the Green Mountain State, and a son of another John F. Follett, who, when his son was but a boy, emigrated to Licking County, Ohio, where he settled on a farm and reared nine children, three of whom have been prom- inent at the Ohio bar-Judge Charles Follett, Martin B. Follett and John F. Follett. The Folletts came from old New England stock, dating back to colonial days, when they were prominent, as they were during the War of the Revolution. John F. Follett was educated in Greenville, Ohio, and graduated at the head of his class at Marietta College, in 1855. For a year after his graduation he taught in the Columbus Asylum for the Blind, and then became Principal of the Columbus High School. While teaching, he began the study of law, as he had a natural liking for that pro- fession, and decided to make it his life's work. JOHN F. FOLLETT Consequently, he entered his brother Charles' office at Newark, Ohio, as a law student. His progress was remarkable, for but one year afterwards found him a full-fledged member of the legal fraternity, being admitted to the bar and a partner of his brother. The two brothers continued together until 1868, when John F. Follett came to Cincinnati, his future home city. In 1865, he was elected a member of the Ohio State Legislature, and two years later was re-elected and then became the unani- mous choice of his party for speaker, and by acclamation was elevated to that distinguished position. During all his active years, Mr. Follett earned the reputation of being a man of irreproachable character, gifted with splendid mental attainments and thoroughly versed in the knowledge of his profession. As an orator he gained an early recognition ; his arguments were powerful, logical and convincing. Among many of the conspicuous cases in which Mr. Follett figured as an attorney was the famous Piatt-Longworth case, in which the Piatt heirs sued the Nicholas Longworth estate for a share of the property. Owing to the splendid efforts of Mr. Follett, the case was compromised for the sum of $225,000. In political belief, Mr. Follett was always a Democrat of the most pronounced type, ever ready to give to his party his time, efforts and substantial backing. The party tardily showed its apprecia- tion by sending him to the United States Congress from the First Congressional District of Ohio, in 1882. At the next Congressional election, Mr. Follett again received the nom- ination, but was not elected, it not being a Democratic year. After the expiration of his
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term in Congress, Mr. Follett resumed the practice of his profession, in which he gained the highest standing. He died in 1902, at Cincinnati, mourned by practically the whole community. His memory lives in the hearts of his friends.
Albert Ohlmacher, M. D.,
Formerly Superintendent of the Ohio State Hospital for Epileptics, at Gallipolis, Ohio, has a National reputation as one of the first pathologists of the country. This institution under his supervision is the first hospital in the United States dedicated to the cure of epi- leptics, and under his care the hospital has flourished and become famous. He was born thirty-nine years ago at Sandusky, Ohio, the son of a leading business man in his native city. Dr. Ohlmacher received his education in his home city and at the Northwestern Uni- versity at Chicago, Illinois, from which institution he graduated in 1890. After graduation he practiced as a physician in the city of Chicago; later he was made Professor of Path- ology in the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, Ohio, and then for five years became pathologist at the Hospital for Epileptics. He resigned that position to accept the Profes- sorship of Pathology in the Northwestern University at Chicago, but in the year of 1902 returned to Gallipolis to take charge of the Hospital for Epileptics in the capacity of Super- intendent, a position he held until the spring of 1905.
Ferdinand Gardner,
A 'celloist of unusual ability, who practices his profession in the city of Columbus, Ohio, was born in Bingen on the Rhine, Germany, in 1876. He is a descendant of a noted musical family, and has inherited the love and talent for the musical art. His mother, an accom- plished musician, was the daughter of Kapell- meister Schlemmer, the famous German band- master, and his uncle is first violinist of the world-renowned Berlin Philharmonic Orches- tra. Early in life Mr. Gardner began his studies on his favorite instrument under the tuition of the best masters in the city of Berlin and made rapid progress. He soon became a member of one of the most famous orchestras in Berlin, where his experience in playing with artists, backed by his superior natural gifts, augmented his ability. A number of years ago Mr. Gardner emigrated to the United States and located in the capital city of Ohio, where FERDINAND GARDNER he soon took a leading part in the musical affairs of his community. His work on thc 'cello attracted wide attention, and conse- quently his services were in great demand. Mr. Gardner is connected with a number of musical organizations of Columbus, and is a valuable acquisition to the Howe Correspond- ence School of Music, in which he is a teacher of the violoncello. Mr. Gardner undoubtedly has a brilliant future before him.
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William Zimmer,
Conductor of the Orchestra in Weller's Theater and teacher of violin at Zanesville, Ohio, is without any doubt one of the most efficient and talented musicians in the central part of the State. He was born on the 26th of October, 1880, in the city of New York. He is of German descent, his father being born in Bavaria and his mother in New York City. Mr. Zimmer's literary education was obtained in the public schools of his home city. In early life he evidenced a wonderful talent for music, and displayed rare ability in execution. His talent was so marked that his parents decided to send him to the best teachers obtain- able, and consequently he studied under the directorship of Henry Schmidt and Carl Hild, two of the best violinists of the Eastern metropolis. When sixteen years of age Mr. Zimmer crossed the Atlantic, and for a period of three years he was under the tutorship of Jacobsohn, the celebrated violin virtuoso of Berlin. After completing his musical educa- tion he returned to New York City and became identified with Kaltenborn's Orchestra, and also played in the comic opera orchestra at Terrace Garden. In 1902 he removed to Zanesville, where he soon became recognized as a thorough musician and conscientious teacher. He has a large class of pupils, many of whom belong to the very best families of Zanesville. In 1903 Mr. Zimmer was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Grace McCain, and is the father of one boy. His studio is located in the Citizens' Bank Building, on Main Street, Zanesville, Ohio.
William H. Henninges,
Proprietor and director of the well-known Henninges Studios, located in the Arcade Building, Cleveland, Ohio, is a teacher of voice culture, who has gained an enviable repu- tation for the thoroughness of his instructions. He is the scion of a family which has had for its members musicians of note. His father, W. Henninges, a native of Germany, played an important part in the musical history of the Forest City after his emigration to the United States. Mr. William H. Henninges received a very careful literary education in the Cleveland schools, and under the direction of his father absorbed much musical knowledge in his early youth. He later was instructed by the very best music teachers in the city of Cleveland, and finally went abroad, where he studied for a number of years in Germany, having as his masters men of international musical reputation. Desiring to take up the study of medicine, Mr. Henninges attended both the Homoeopathic and Allopathic Col- leges of Medicine at Cleveland, graduating from them and receiving the degree of Doctor of Med- # icine from both institutions. These studies have been of incalculable value to him in the teach- ing of voice culture, by reason of his intimate knowledge of the construction of the throat. After his graduation Dr. Henninges founded the "Henninges Studios," an institution which
WILLIAM H. HENNINGES
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is in the highest grace of the music-loving people of the northeastern part of the State. Dr. Henninges is assisted by a number of eminent music teachers and his classes of pupils belong to the very best Cleveland families.
Henry A. Ditzel,
Teacher of music and piano virtuoso, at Dayton, Ohio, is indisputably a musician who ranks among the leaders of the musicians of the State, not only in his capacity as a teacher, but also as a piano virtuoso. His name is very well known in the musical circles of this country, and judging by the reputation he has acquired in the past it can safely be said that a brilliant future awaits him in the days to come. Mr. Ditzel is an American, of German descent, and has inherited the love and talent for the most beautiful of arts from his forefathers. He received a very careful and thorough education, and displaying a remarkable musical talent when a child, it was concluded by his parents to give him the very best musical training within their means. He consequently studied under some of the very best teachers in this country, and then went abroad to complete his musical education. For five years he devoted himself to the acquisition of musical knowledge in Berlin, Ger- many, and Paris, France. Completing his studies in those famous centers of musical culture, Mr. Ditzel returned to his native shores and took up his residence in the pretty city of Dayton, Ohio, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession for a number of years, and where he has met with the most gratifying and flattering success. Mr. Ditzel finds his time completely taken up by his art and besides teaching a large class, he is con- stantly in demand as piano virtuoso, appearing in the great cities of the East and Middle West. His residence and studios are located at No. 16 North Broadway, Dayton, Ohio.
BEREGT O.N.C.
DIRECTOR
8
WILLIAM R. PALMER
William R. Palmer,
Of Akron, Ohio, bandmaster of the famous Eighth Regiment Band, "Mckinley's Own," is a native of England, born on the 6th of July, 1860. He is the son of William and Mary Palmer, who emigrated with their family 111 1860 to the United States. Mr. Palmer's father was a very large man, who on account of his size had been selected as a member of the Queen's own guards. Mr. William R. Palmer received his education in the schools of Michigan and Ohio. When still a boy, he demonstrated a great musical talent, which was developed under a number of good teach- ers. When sixteen years of age, Mr. Palmer started upon his professional career as a mem- ber of bands and orchestras, and in the follow- ing four years he belonged to some of the most famous musical organizations of this country. In 1880 he was chosen as solo cornetist for the Eighth Regiment, O. N. G., and in 1887 he was appointed director of that band, a position he fills with marked success. Mr. Palmer is
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a musician of recognized ability, and has large experience in band, orchestra and church choir work. During the Spanish-American War he was Chief Musician of the Eighth Regiment, O. V. I., Band, and served with his band in Cuba from July until September, 1898. Socially, he is a member of the K. of P., I. O. O. F., M. W. of A., K. O. T. M., B. P. O. E., Spanish- American War Veterans, and the Society of the Army of Santiago de Cuba. He also is a member of the Eighth Regiment, O. N. G. Mr. Palmer was married to Miss Clara Lasher at Akron, in 1881. Three children, Grace, Gertrude and William J. Palmer, are the issue of their union. They are attendants of the English Trinity Lutheran Church.
The Eighth Regiment Band, of which Mr. William R. Palmer is conductor, was organ- ized in 1880. It was made up of the best musicians that could be selected from the band men in Akron at that time. It was backed financially by A. L. Conger, then Colonel of the regiment, and was well equipped with everything pertaining to a first-class organization Mr. Ward Babcock, an old Akron band leader, was its first bandmaster. He led it for about a year and then the conductorship was handed over to Charles E. York, an old and experi- enced Regular Army bandmaster. Being a fine cornetist, he instilled new life into the men, and in a very short time the "Eighth Band" was known as one of the best in the State. Professor York led the band until 1887, and during that time the band's motto was "Onward and Upward." The band played in nearly all of the large cities of our country, and in 1886 made a trip across the Continent to the Pacific coast with the Department Headquarters of the G. A. R. of the State of Ohio. In 1887, Professor York resigned and moved to San Diego, California, where he took charge of the San Diego Band. Mr. W. R. Palmer, solo cornetist of the band, was then made bandmaster of the organization, of which he was a charter member. Mr. Palmer took up the cornet when he was quite young, and played in most all of the Akron bands since 1875 on, besides some of the best bands in other parts of the State. He continued in the same line of teaching and discipline that had been in force during Professor York's leadership, and added to and kept pace with the best bands of the country, until to-day it is one of the best non-professional bands in existence. It has played at almost all of the National and State occasions that have taken place since its organization. In 1898 the band enlisted in the regular service with its regiment at Columbus for the Spanish-American War, and encamped at Camp Alger, Falls Church, Virginia, until July, and then served in Cuba until the end of the war. It was then mus- tered out of the regular service and again mustered into the O. N. G. The band made a reputation while in the service which it can justly be proud of. Following are some of the principal engagements filled since its organization: Funeral of President Garfield, Cleve .. land, Ohio; dedication of Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, Dayton, Ohio; Grand Army Encampment, San Francisco, California; Flower Show, Los Angeles, California; conclave of Knights of Pythias, Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; the Washington Centennial, New York City, New York; Knights Templar conclave, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; G. A. R. Encampment, Washington, D. C .; Knights Templar Conclave, Cincinnati, Ohio; Militant Conclave, I. O. O. F., Detroit, Michigan; Dedication of Garfield Monument, Cleveland, Ohio; Cen- tennial of Ohio, Columbus, Ohio; Reception to San Carlos Club, Santiago, Cuba; Dedication of Grant Monument, New York City, New York; World's Fair, Chicago, Illinois; Wayne County Centennial, Wooster, Ohio; Concerts and Receptions, San Diego, California ; Recep- tion for the Governor of Kansas and the Governor of Ohio, Topeka, Kansas; Triennial Conclave of Knights Templar, Cleveland, Ohio; Knights Templar Conclave, Louisville, Kentucky ; Inauguration of President William McKinley, Washington, D. C .; Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo, New York; G. A. R. Encampment, Cleveland, Ohio. The "Eighth" was the official band for the military division which escorted the remains of President
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