USA > Ohio > Ohio's progressive sons; a history of the state; sketches of those who have helped to build up the commonwealth > Part 87
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WILLIAM MCCANNON WALKER
William McCannon Walker,
A prominent citizen of early Cincinnati, was born in Newcastle County, Delaware. on the 27th of June, 1789. In 1805 he moved to Philadelphia, where he attended school. When he grew up, the desire to go West became so strong that he took his family and traveled to Cincinnati, in 1825. He lived first on the west side of Broadway below Fourth Street. He was a man of great attainments, and took an active part in the social and business life of early Cincinnati. He invented a method of making gunney sacks which became universal. His name appears on record as one of the most ardent supporters of the movement both for the Whitewater and Miami Canals. He had a factory located on the site of the present Water Works. He died on the 4th of October, 1870, leaving a widow and the following children : Matilda Smith, Caroline Blair, Mary Bryson and Louise Walker.
Wright Smith,
A pioneer merchant of the Queen City, who enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens when Cincinnati was quite young. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on the 4th of November, 1811, and came West and located in Cincinnati in 1819, with his father, Wright Smith. In 1835 he married Hannah Matilda Walker, daughter of William Walker. Their home was on the southeast cor- ner of Race and Sixth Streets. He entered the mercantile life, opened a store on the west side of Main Street, above Fourth Street, and was very successful. In 1841 he moved to Boone County, Kentucky, and four years later to Covington. He was a life member of the old Cincinnati Volunteer Fire Department.
Mr. Smith died on the 12th of March, 1862, leaving a widow and five children: Mary Walker Ranson, Wright, William Walker, Sallie R. Woods and Oliver Smith.
William Walker Smith,
Was born in Boone County, Kentucky, on the 17th of January, 1843, where his father, Wright, had recently moved from Cincinnati, Ohio. He first went to school in Covington, in Miss Harbley's private school, and after-
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wards studied under John G. Carlisle in Cov ington High School. At an early age he entered the steamboat business, and became clerk on the Hettie Gilmore. When the war broke out Mr. Smith was making a trip on the steamboat Hettie Gilmore on the Red and Onchita Rivers. The Confederates captured the boat, compelling him to walk back to Covington, Kentucky, as he had no money. He was on the steamboat Messenger when that boat burned in 1862, near Pittsburg. In 1864 he went into the grocery business with William G. Hill. Their first store was located- on Madison Street, Covington, Kentucky. In 1871 they moved to No. 45 Vine Street, Cin- cinnati, where they carried on a wholesale grocery business. They continued in that location until 1895, when Mr. Smith retired. Mr. Smith had great faith in real estate in the WILLIAM WALKER SMITH suburbs of Cincinnati, and was a pioneer in building apartment houses outside of the city proper. He never took part in politics, and belonged to no organizations except the Chamber of Commerce and the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the Golden Rule Lodge of Covington, Kentucky. Mr. Smith married Emily Louise Van Deventer, the daughter of Peter S. Van Deventer, of New Brunswick, New Jersey. They had two sons, William Walker Smith, Jr., and Edwin Van Deventer Smith.
Henry Pogue,
Deceased, who during his existence was one of the most prominent merchants of Cin- cinnati, and who died on the 15th of January, 1903, of bronchial pneumonia, was born in May, 1829, in County Cavan, Ireland, and was one of five brothers who came to Cincinnati and engaged in business. He received his education in the schools of his home county, and after serving an apprenticeship in the dry goods business in the town of Cavan, came to the United States in 1851. He located in Cin- cinnati and obtained a position in a dry goods store on Fifth Street. Just prior to the Civil War, Henry Pogue bought an interest in a small dry goods store on Fifth Street, and entered the arena of business under the firm name of Pogue & Jones. In 1865, despite the depression incident to the war, the business had so prospered that Mr. Pogue was able financially to buy the large interests of John
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Crawford, who afterwards became his father-in-law, and formed the company of the H. & S. Pogue Company, Samuel Pogue becoming a partner. Later, the other brothers, Thomas, William and Joseph, also entered into the partnership. In 1878 the business was removed to the present location, on Fourth Street, between Race and Vine Streets. Later the com- pany acquired the corner of Fourth and Race Streets, and erected what is considered the greatest dry goods emporium west of New York. Henry Pogue was the Secretary and Treasurer of the great company he founded, of which his only surviving brother, Samuel, continues as President. His two sons, Henry and John, have entered the firm, and will help carry on the business which owes so much of its remarkable growth to the enterprise of their father. Although gifted with a business faculty which enabled him to excel com- petitors, Mr. Pogue was something more than a merchant, and was well qualified by nature, study and travel to fill any position in life; but his tastes were so simple, his wants so few, that he sought neither social nor political distractions. He belonged to several clubs, but to no secret organizations. His elegant home, with the domestic circle intact, his well selected library, his treasures of art, his choice of friends, and his private deeds of beneficence made up the sum of interest in his life, outside the cares of his business. He was a man of strong will, and this was noted in his last illness, when, through its sheer force, he combated with death until he could take one last look upon his sons, who had been hurriedly summoned from college. Mr. Pogue was an acknowledged Christian, a pioneer member of the Central Presbyterian Church at Mound and Barr Streets, and was for years its treasurer. He was a man of a kind, loving and generous disposition, and extremely charitable. Mr. Pogue . married Mary O. Crawford, second daughter of John Crawford, and he is survived by his widow and six children, viz .: Mrs. William Walker Smith, Jr., Elsie, Natalie and Margaret, and Henry, Jr., and John Crawford.
WILLIAM JOHN WILLIAMS
William John Williams,
Secretary of the Western and Southern Life Insurance Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, is a man conceded to be an authority on all questions pertaining to the business in which he is engaged. He is a native Cincinnatian, born on the 8th of March, 1858. His parents, William G. Williams and Mary E. Williams, were natives of New York and Ireland, re- spectively. The parents gave their son the advantages of a thorough literary and business education and sent him, after passing through the public schools of Cincinnati and Wood- ward High School, to St. Xavier's College. Subsequently he took a course of business instructions in the Nelson Business College
at Cincinnati. Mr. Williams started into public life at the age of twenty years, filling the position of a clerk in a local insurance office, where he first received his knowledge of the business. By his own initiative he has forced his way to the front, until to-day he is one of the most important factors in the
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insurance business in the State of Ohio. In 1887, upon the organization of the Western and Southern Life Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Williams was elected to the office of Secretary of that corporation, a position which he has filled with marked success. Mr. Williams is a man of pleasing address, with a kindly and courteous manner, thereby making a host of friends. As a business man he combines rare executive ability with sound judg- ment and aggressiveness. Socially, he is a thirty-second-degree Mason and a Knight Ten- plar. In 1889 Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Emma J. Morris, by which union he is the father of one son, Frank Caldwell Williams. His residence is located at No. 1235 Ida Street, and his place of business corner of Fourth Street and Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Charles F. Williams,
Attorney at law at Cincinnati, Ohio, and special counsel in the office of the Attorney General, is one of the best known and most promising younger attorneys of the Queen City. He was born on the 23d of April, 1873, in Cincinnati, his parents, William G. Williams and Mary E. Williams, being natives of New York State and Ireland, respectively. Mr. Charles F. Williams received his education in the public and High Schools of Cincinnati, graduating from Woodward High School in 1891. Later he took up the study of law and attended the well-known Cincinnati Law School, from which celebrated college he grad- uated in 1897. Since that time he has been continuously engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, meeting with splendid success. Mr. Williams is recognized to be a conscientious, painstaking lawyer, who enjoys the confidence of his fellow practitioners and the people in general. In political belief he is a staunch Republican, who has served his CHARLES F. WILLIAMS party in many capacities. He was elected to the Lower House of the Seventy-fifth and Seventy-sixth General Assemblies, where he served with great distinction. Notwithstanding his youth, he was considered to be one of the most valuable and efficient members of the Legislature, and his advice was often sought. Mr. Williams' offices are located in the Traction Building, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Albert B. Sangster,
Of Cleveland, Ohio, a teacher of piano, harmony and history of music, is one of the most promising young musicians in the northeastern part of Ohio. He is a native of the Forest City, and is the son of James W. and Ellen C. Sangster. Mr. Sangster enjoyed the advantages of a thorough education, both literary and musical, displaying in early youth a splendid ability for the art, which he has made a life study. He was instructed by the best musical talent obtainable. After finishing his musical studies, he engaged in teaching piano, with studios in the Bangor Building, corner Erie and Prospect Streets, Cleveland, Ohio. His ability as a teacher has been demonstrated beyond doubt, and that he is a capable musician'
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is evidenced by the many flattering encomiums given to him by the musical critics of his native city. Mr. Sangster has large classes of pupils belonging to the foremost Cleveland families who have made a remarkable progress under his able instructions. He believes in the broadening of the young students by the his- tory and theory of music, thereby developing in them an inspiriting desire to perfect their natural talents. His work is thorough and painstaking. Mr. Sangster resides at No. 185 Streator Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.
Hamilton E. Hoge,
Prosecuting Attorney of Hardin County, Ohio, is a lawyer of extraordinary ability. He is the son of a prominent banker of Kenton, and received a very careful education. After leaving school, he took up the study of law, ALBERT B. SANGSTER and in due time was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, taking up the practice of law immedi- ately afterward. Mr. Hoge enjoys the fullest confidence of his fellow practitioners and the people of his home county in general. The latter elected him to the responsible office of Prosecuting Attorney of Hardin County, a position he fills to the utmost satisfaction of his people and with credit to himself. Mr. Hoge, who is still a young man, is a conscientious and painstaking lawyer and a brilliant orator. There is no doubt but that there are more honors in store for him. He lives in Kenton, Ohio.
Martin Greenwald,
A well-known music publisher, teacher and conductor of prominent singing societies in the Capital City of Ohio, was born on the 29th of December, 1872, in Breslau, Silesia, Ger- many. He is the offspring of a family of accomplished musicians, and his father, Her- mann Greenwald, was a Supervisor of Music in the schools of his native city. Mr. Green- wald emigrated to this country in 1893, after having received a thorough literary education in Breslau and Berlin, in which latter city he attended the Graue Kloster-Gymnasium. His musical studies were directed by the great Moskowski, and by the masters of the famous Royal Conservatory of Music, at Leipsic, Get- many. After having taught music in the old
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country for a period of two years, Mr. Greenwald came to the United States and settled in Columbus in 1899. Here he almost immediately took a leading part in the musical affairs of that city, and became a teacher and conductor of German singing societies, and since 1904 a publisher of music. Prior to his coming to Columbus, Mr. Greenwald followed his profession in New York City, Binghamton, New York, and Concord, New Hampshire, in all of which cities he is well and favorably known. Mr. Greenwald has composed a number of piano studies and male choruses. He is a publisher of music of established reputation. His residence and studios are located at No. 967 Dennison Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.
Carlos Emme,
Concert pianist, instructor of music, and musical director in the city of Columbus, Ohio, was born on the 17th of December, 1849, in the city of Hamburg, Germany. His father was bookkeeper in the celebrated Hamburger Nachrichten, in later years the organ of the Iron Chancellor, Prince Bismarck. Mr. Emme was carefully educated in the Ham- burg schools, and having manifested unusual talent for music, was given into the hands of the best musical masters in his home city. He studied piano under Julius Zander, and theory under the famous Emil Krause. At the early age of eleven years Mr. Emme « appeared in public, creating a sensation for his remarkable ability on the piano. Deciding to devote his life to the profession of music in the New World, he, in 1867, emigrated to the United States, landed in New York, and in this metropolis of the East commenced his career as a teacher at the age of nineteen. For twenty-eight years Mr. Emme remained in that city, where he not only practiced his profession as a teacher, but also often appeared in his capacity as piano virtuoso. His first appearance in New York was in Steinway Hall. From New York he often made concert tours, playing in the large cities, like Philadelphia, Buffalo, Cincinnati, New Haven, etc., meeting everywhere with pronounced success. After remaining in New York for a period of twenty-eight years, Mr. Emme removed to Cincin- nati, where he was connected with musical affairs for six years. Since then he has made Columbus his home, and is looked upon as a teacher and soloist of great merit. He is a composer of numerous pieces for the piano as well as songs. His best known compositions are a "Polonaise Brillante," "Sailors' Song," etc. Mr. Emme resides at No. 260 East Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio.
M. F. Trostler,
Proprietor of Trostler's Dancing Academy, Cleveland, Ohio, is a teacher of the art of dancing, of more than local reputation. The practical and scientific method of instruction originated by Mr. Trostler makes every lesson given by him a pleasant recreation instead of a fatiguing exercise. The artistic elegance and luxurious appointments of his establish- ments are in themselves a source of the keenest enjoyment and elevating influences. The buildings and premises occupied by Trostler's Dancing Academy are owned and controlled by Mr. Trostler, which is the only institute of its kind in Cleveland as happily situated, thus insuring responsibility, and privacy to his patrons. All the buildings are modern and provided with the latest conveniences, embodying the best system of ventilation that engineering skill can devise for the health and comfort of the pupils. Having ample facili- ties which permit the keeping of the various departments strictly separate, from the merest beginners to the adept, advanced scholars, the pupils are consequently cared for more efficiently than in other similar institutions. A splendid orchestra of from eight to twelve trained musicians is always employed throughout the season. All the latest dances in vogue are taught, and the novelties of European, as well as those of American origin of merit
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are introduced in Trostler's Academy. A special department of the institution embraces theatrical dancing, pantomimes, gestures for songs, etc., for professional purposes or home amusements. Mr. Trostler's reputation as a thorough, painstaking and conscientious teacher is firmly established. He was educated for his profession by teachers of international fame. He is a man of original ideas, some of which have found expression in well-known dances which have attracted considerable attention. He is the author of many graceful and fasci- nating dances, and has arranged, taught and directed many public performances. It would be interesting for any visitor to the city of Cleveland to pay a visit to the Trostler Dancing Academy, which for the magnificence of its halls is considered one of the sights of the Forest City. The academy is located at No. 1002 Willson Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.
U. F. Bickley,
The subject of this sketch was born on the 27th of March, 1866, in Morgan Township, Butler County, Ohio, being the eldest of four children, whose parents were Benjamin H. Bickley and Sarah Grant Bickley, each of whom were born and always lived in Butler County, Ohio.
U. F. Bickley, after completing the com- mon school course attended the New London High School, where he finished, passing the county teachers' examination, obtaining a teacher's certificate, and began teaching school in Morgan Township, Butler County, Ohio, at the age of twenty years, and after teaching four years in the schools, accepted a traveling position, serving a year. He then resigned and entered the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, taking up the study of law and a special course in the literary department of the University. Graduating from that institution U. F. BICKLEY in June of 1893, obtaining his degree and standing second in his class of three hundred and twenty. Returning to Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, he opened a law office in January of 1894 at Hamilton, Ohio, associating him- self with Judge Philip G. Berry until April of 1895, when Philip G. Berry died; after which U. F. Bickley continued alone in the practice without the formation of any partnership or other association until July of 1902, when he took into partnership his brother, Ben. A. Bickley, who had previously completed a High School course in New London High School, and afterwards, having entered the State University of Michigan and graduating therefrom, and returning to Hamilton, formed the partnership of Bickley & Bickley, which now exists, and whose offices are in the new Rentschler Block, which firm follows the general practice of the law, having built a large and lucrative law practice, and ranking as one of the leading firms of Southern Ohio and of the Hamilton bar ; both members of said firm being strong and able trial lawyers before both Court and jury.
U. F. Bickley was nominated for Congress in the historical Third District of Ohio in June of 1900, and had as his opponent on the Republican ticket Hon. Robert M. Nevin, of
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Dayton, Ohio; which election, in November of 1900, was one of the most spirited and bitterly contested of any ever held in the Third Congressional District, at which U. F. Bickley was defeated by the small majority of one hundred and fifty-four votes. Since this time U. F. Bickley has taken only an active part in politics for his friends, although urged and requested to be a candidate for various offices. He has devoted his time and energies to the practice of law and other investments in which he is interested.
U. F. Bickley is a member of the Congregational Church at New London, Butler County, Ohio; of Washington Lodge, No. 17, F. & A. M., and its higher bodies; also is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Hamilton B. P. O. E. Lodge of Elks, No. 93, being prominent in each order, and has a wide and extensive acquaintance in Butler County and throughout Ohio.
He is known and noted for his general knowledge and thorough scholarship, culture and refinement, and his social and genial nature, with his commanding presence, inspires a confidence in all those with whom he comes in contact, and proves him worthy of the high position and place he holds as a friend, counselor, lawyer and citizen. .
Almon Mitchell Warner,
A prominent attorney at law of Cincinnati, Ohio, was born on the 6th of March, 1843, at Plainfield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. His parents, James and Fidelia Warner, were descendants of noted ancestors, among whom was Robert Bruce, once the idol of Scotland, Mr. A. M. Warner received a careful education both in the common and in private schools of Massachusetts, and in 1862 graduated with credit from Williston Academy, at the age of nineteen years. He then joined Company H of the famous Thirty-seventh Massachusetts Regiment. His position in his company was soon that of Second Sergeant, and upon being transferred to Company E he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant. He took part in eighteen actual engagements, among them Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Winchester and Petersburg. At the battle of Sailor's Creek, Virginia, on the 6th of April, 1865, he was severely wounded, while attempting to capture the enemy's flag, for which he was promoted ALMON MITCHELL WARNER for bravery from the ranks to the position of Lieutenant. On the 28th of August, 1865, he was honorably discharged. After regaining his health he studied law under Church & Sawyer, a noted legal firm of New York State, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1869, after which he immediately took up the practice of his chosen profession at Albion, New York. In the spring of 1870 he moved to Leesburg, Virginia, and later to Huntington, West Virginia, and in 1874 came to Cincinnati, where he has permanently settled, and in which city he enjoys an enviable reputation and practice. In political belief he is a staunch Republican. Mr. Warner is a member and Past Post Commander and Past Department Commander of Ohio of the G. A. R., a member of the
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I. O. O. F. and F. & A. M. On the 12th of October, 1870, he married Elizabeth H. Dens- more at Albion, New York. He is the father of two daughters by this union. His residence is located at No. 2643 Alms Place, and his office at the Lincoln Inn Court, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Joshua M. Dawson,
Attorney at law at Cincinnati, was born at Columbus, Ohio. His father was the late Dr. John Dawson, an eminent physician of that city, a professor in the Starling Medical College and editor of the Ohio Medical and Surgical Journal. His mother was Adelia Dawson, a daughter of Dr. Mathias Winans, one of the early pioneers of the State, and descended on his mother's side from the Jan- uary family of Kentucky. Mr. Dawson's early youth was passed at the place of his birth, where he passed through the public schools and through the second year of the Columbus High School. At the age of eighteen he entered Washington College at Lexington, Virginia, then under the administration of General Robert E. Lee, as President. At the death of General Lee the college became enlarged to a University under the name of Washington and Lee. In his third year at this institution Mr. Dawson was honored with the President's Scholarship. Upon finishing the classical course at the University he com- menced the study of law in the offices of Cox, Barnett & Follett, and enjoyed association with the three distinguished members of this firm-the Hon. Jacob D. Cox, Governor of Ohio, and Secretary of the Interior under General Grant; Henry L. Barnett, now Dis- trict Attorney of New York, and Hon. John F. Follett, ex-Member of Congress. In the JOSHUA M. DAWSON year 1876 Mr. Dawson graduated from the Law School of Cincinnati, and was in the same year admitted to the bar. A few years later he became a member of the well-known law firm of Follett, Hyman & Dawson, and engaged in the general practice of his profession. In the year 1883 Mr. Dawson was elected City Solicitor of Cincinnati, and for two years directed the vast legal matters of that city. During his term of office the important litigation over the terminals of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad was successfully conducted and settled. Upon retiring from office, Mr. Dawson resumed the practice of law in connection with Mr. W. L. Overbeck, with offices in the well-known Hammond Building at Fourth and Vine Streets. Having a natural inclination for corporation law, Mr. Dawson was soon retained in important railroad litigation. In 1894 the controversy between the Monon Railroad and the Fort Wayne, Terre Haute & Southwestern Railroad, involving $750,000 of guaranteed bonds, arose, and Mr. Dawson was employed to represent the bondholders. He was afterwards elected President of the latter company, and continued in that office until the road became consolidated with the C., C., C. & St. L. Railroad. In 1895 the line projected by the late Colonel Jere Baxter, from Nashville to Knoxville, Tennessee, became
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