USA > Ohio > The Biographical encyclopedia of Ohio of the nineteenth century. Pt. 1 > Part 22
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ENCKENSTEIN, JULIUS, Merchant, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 26th, 1846, and is the son of John Christian Benckenstein, who emi- grated from Prussia in 1830 and settled in Balti- more in 1831 ; he then removed to Cincinnati, Ohio; he was engaged through life as a gardener and florist, and until his death, which occurred March 7th, 1868, was the owner of the place known as " Benckenstein's Garden." Julius was educated in Cincinnati, and graduated from one of its institutes of learning in 1865. Ile subse- quently entered the retail boot and shoe store of C. T. Spear
found employment as head salesman in the wholesale boot and shoe house of J. S. Howe, 128 Walnut street, between Thad and Fourth streets, where he remained for a period of six years, serving during the latter portion of this time in the capacity of buyer for the establishment. In 1871 he formed a copartnership with James P. McNamara, for the purpose of carrying on the wholesale auction and commission boot and shoe business. Their house was opened at Nos. 37 and 39 West Pearl street, where a successful business at- tended their united efforts. October 1st, 1874, he purchased the entire interest of his associate, and continued the busi. ness under the firm-style of " Julius Benckenstein & Co.," which name has been retained up to the present time. He is now proprietor of one of the largest boot and shoe houses in the city, and does an annual business of over $400,000 -- a larger business perhaps than is done by any other house of its age in Cincinnati. Aside from his regular business he has made some very profitable investments in city real estate, the taxes on which amount to over $1000 per year. Ilis residence, with extensive attached grounds, on the corner of Harrison and McLean avenues, is cited as one of the handsomest places of its kind in the suburbs of the city. Commencing his business career with a small capital, he has, through the. medium of natural ability, reinforced by strict habits of regularity, incessant attention, and unvarying integrity in all the affairs of life, won, and deservedly won, a place among the leading citizens and merchants of Cincinnati, and ae- cumulated a very large fortune. He was married, June 11th, 1868, to Lizzie Schwenkmeyer, by Rev. Joel Swartz, pastor of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cincinnati, of which both he and his wife are members. The fruits of this union have been three children, two sons and one daughter; Leonard Frederic, Carrie Sadie, and Julius James.
MIZER, WESLEY, M. D., was born in Clermont county, Ohio, February 28th, 1828. He was the youngest of seven children. His father, Philip Surizer, was a native of Maryland, and engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits. He became one of the earliest settlers of Clermont county, re- siding there until his death, which occurred on July 5th, 1$39. His mother, Mary Cannon, was a native of Ohio, and died in 1870. Wesley Smizer when quite young was taught to take part in the labors of the farm, but notwith- standing this, his education was very liberal, being received at the best institutions of his native county. In 1849 he commenced the study of medicine under the direction of Henry Smizer, a prominent physician of Waynesville, War- ren county, Ohio, reading diligently for a period of three years; he graduated in 1856. Ile then began the practice of his profession at Paducah, Kentucky, which he continued for about eight months, when his health failing, he was
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obliged to return to Waynesville, where he remained three |personal friend of both Messrs. Ball and Chase, called upon years. He attended a comse of lectures at the Cincinnati Reflectie College, and graduated from that institution in 1856; immediately afterwards locating in Sharonville, Hamilton county, Ohio, where he has resided up to the present time, actively engaged in the duties of his vocation and commanding a very large practice. In matters of re- ligion, the doctor's views are very liberal, not being limited by the doctrines of any particular church. Politically, he is a Democrat. In social life he is pleasant and genial, rather reserved in disposition, avoiding any attempt of display, and to an attentive observer his face indicates a character resolute and distinguished for uprightness. He was married in the year 1858 to Elizabeth Hook, a native of Ilamilton county. Her father, William Hook, was a prominent resident and successful farmer of that place.
ALL, HON. FLAMEN, Lawyer, was born in New York city, January 5th, ISog, being the only son of Flamen Ball, an eminent lawyer of that place, ; of Register. This important position, unsolicited by him, he and a lineal descendant of Allen Ball, who, in 1643, was one of the founders and proprietors of the colony of New Haven, and a grandson of Rev. Eliphalet Ball, the founder of Ballston, Saratoga county, New York, which was named after him. In the year 1832 Mr. Ball removed from New York to Cincinnati, with his wife Evelina, youngest daughter of the late Cap- tain Samuel Candler. In 1838, having adopted his father's profession, he formed a law partnership with Hon. Salmon l'. Chase, late Chief-Justice of the United States, the firm- name being that of Chase & Ball. They established them- selves in a large and valuable general practice, and re- mained in partnership for over twenty years, winning their way to eminence as lawyers of commanding talent. Their reputation became more than a local one : it was national, for they appeared as leading counsel in important civil and criminal actions in the State and Federal courts of all sections, and conducted esses which attracted the attention of the entire country. They were influential in political affairs, giving their counsel and energy to movements which affected the civil affairs of the nation. It was per- Laps as much, if not more, to Mr. Ball's sagacity and fidelity, than to the influence of any one else, that Mr. Chase was indebted for his rapid advancement to promi- uence in political affairs. Unfortunately, for the continu- ance of a law firm which had covered so great a field of labor and had achieved so splendid a reputation, the in- satiable love of public office which animated Mr. Chase, and his growing ambition for the Presidency, finally wronght the dissolution of a partnership which was known as the oldest and characterized as the ablest in the West. In 1861 President Lincoln, who before his election was known as a thoroughly read and skilful lawyer, and a warm
the latter to fill the Secretaryship of the Treasury. At the same time he appointed Mr. Ball as Attorney for the United States for the Southern District of Ohio, in which capacity, shouldering the entire responsibility of conducting that office himself and avoiding a division of the labor by the aid of assistants, he served the country throughout the rebellion with zeal and ability. The war brought up many new and grave questions, and developed cases of an al- together novel and intricate character; but he became the master of them all. These questions related to supplies for the army and navy, to the duties of provost marshals, asses- sors and collectors, to the seizure of goods, contraband of war, shipped in aid of the rebellion. There were frequent criminal prosecutions for resisting officers, for obstructing the draft and for the violation of the revenue laws. All these, to the detriment of his large private practice, fully occupied his time. In 1867, upon the passage of the Bank- rupt law, Mr. Chase then being Chief-Justice, he appointed, by virtue of powers delegated to him by that law for the selection of registers in bankruptcy, Mr. Ball to the office accepted, and still fills it acceptably. The beautiful village of Clifton-a suburb of Cincinnati-where Mr. Ball has re- sided uninterruptedly for more than a quarter of a century, owes its development to him. In 1849 he conceived the plan of a municipal or chartered corporation for the govern- ment and protection of that then small settlement, com- posed mainly of merchants and professional men whose health required the invigorating stimulus of pure country air. A meeting was held at his residence, at which he presented the draft of a law for the incorporation of Clifton as a municipality, and a petition addressed to the General Assembly praying for its passage. This petition being signed was duly presented to the Assembly, which, in March, 1850, granted a special charter for the incorporation of that village. Mr. Ball consented to serve as its Mayor, and ex-officio President of its Council, and for nearly twenty years acted in this capacity. In 1834, with others, he established the Young Men's Bible Society, and for fifteen years acted as its Corresponding Secretary. Upon his re- tirement he was created a director for life of the American Bible Society, as a mark of respect for his character and long-continued and faithful labors. In 1849 he was chosen by the General Assembly of Ohio a trustee of the Ohio Medical College, and still holds that office. For the past sixteen years he has served as President of the Board .of Trustees of that venerable institution. Mr. Ball was ori- ginally a Democrat, hut upon the formation with the Free- soil and Republican parties, in the organization he aided largely, he has co-operated with them in the belief that through their agency the principles of pure Democracy might be best established and promoted. As a lawyer, Mr. Ball is profoundly read in all departments of the science of jurisprudence, lle is a forcible and eloquent advocate,
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and is careful in the preparation and management of the | April 19th, 1850, he was admitted to the bar, and soon cases intrusted to him. He is greatly esteemed for his social as well as professional qualities, and for the support he has given to works of a public character. In 1864 his first wife was removed by death, and in 1873 he was again married to Elizabeth II. Parmlee, of Brooklyn, New York.
NOWLES, SAMUEL S., Lawyer, was born in Athens, Athens county, Ohio, Angust 25th, IS25. lle is of Scotch-Irish extraction. Ilis grand- father, a Highlander, was a soldier and an active participant in the Revolutionary conflict. Ilis grandmother was a native of Ireland. Ilis earlier education was acquired at the Ohio University, located in his native place. At the conclusion of his course of studies in this institution he began the reading of law under the instructions of Ilon. L. L. Smith and 1 .. Jewett, of Athens, Ohio. Ile was admitted to the bar in 1852, and from IS52 to 1856 officiated as Proseenting Attorney of the same county, having been twice elected to that position. In the spring of 1861 he removed to Marietta, Ohio, where he has since resided, engaged in successful and professional labors. From May to October, 1864, he acted as Captain of a com- pany of infantry in the 148th Regiment of Ohio National Gnards, stationed at Bermuda Hundreds. Ile was subse- quently mustered out of the service. For four years, from 1862 to 1866, he presided as Mayor of Marietta, and for two years, from January, 1866, served in the Ohio Senate from the counties of Nable, Washington and Morgan. In October, 1875, he was elected Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas of the Third Subdivision of the Seventh Judicial District of Ohio, and entered at once upon the discharge of his office, in which capacity he is now serving. Ile was married, June 23d, IS52.
PENCE, GEORGE, Lawyer, was born in Clarke county, May 220, 1828. Ilis parents were Wil- li. and Elizabeth ( Wones) Spence, both natives of Yorkshire, England, who came to this country abont IS16 and settled on government land in Clarke county. George was the seventh son in a family of thirteen children. Ile received the most of his education at the public schools, working on his father's farm during the summer and attending school in the winter. At the age of seventeen he sustained very severe personal injuries, having both legs and one arm broken in a thresh- ing machine, which unfitted him for the heavy manual labor of the farm, and probably had some influence in de- termining his career. He was sent for a short time to the old Springfield Academy, and in 1848 began the study of law with the distinguished firm of Rodgers & White. On|
after began practice in Springfield, where he has ever since remained, having acquired an extensive practice and high standing at the bar. Ile has been a constant sufferer from the injuries received in his youth, but the great vitality of his nature and the energy of his character have sustained and impelled him to a life of more than usual activity. Though seldom a candidate for office, he has taken a prominent part in politics. In 1860 he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Charleston, and, after the adjournment to Baltimore, sustained the Northern wing in the nomination of Donglas. He was also a dele- gate to the Chicago Convention that nominated Mcclellan and Pendleton, in 1864. He has frequently been a member of the State Convention, and active on the Committee on Resolutions. In 1865 he was the Democratic candidate for Treasurer of State, but with the whole of his party sus- tained defeat. Ilis influence in municipal affairs has been very considerable. He has been seven years in the City Council, and his name has been identified with every measure looking to the improvement of the place. Ile was the principal projector of the Springfield street railway, and has been President of the company since it was organ- ized. Ile is largely interested in real estate, and has a fine home in the western part of the city, on a farm of about forty acres, surrounded by a park of native oaks of four acres. Ile was married on July 30th, 1855, to E. Jane Edmondson, of Dayton, Ohio, by whom he has had two children ; but one, George E. Spence, about fourteen years of age, is living.
OSBROOK, JOHN L., son of Daniel and Eunice (Bates) Hosbrook, was born, November 15th, IS17, in Sycamore township, Hamilton county, Ohio, on the farm adjoining his present resi- dence. Ile was the fifth of a family of ten children. His father was a native of New Jer- sey, and although following through life the occupation of farming he was at the same time a skilful surveyor. Ile became one of the earliest settlers of Hamilton county, and united in promoting the best interests of the place. Ile was the first Sheriff of that county, and was several times elected a member of the State Legislature. Ilis death oc- curred in 1868. John's mother was also a native of New Jersey. Iler son was early taught the principles of labor, at the same time receiving a liberal education at the com- mon schools; afterwards improving himself by teaching and reading. At the age of eighteen he began life as a carpenter, and remained at this occupation about one year, relying on his own exertions for support. Having, by per- severing industry, fitted himself for surveying, he now entered on the duties of this profession, which he has con- tinned ever since, at the same time superintending his farm and taking contracts for building. Ile is thoroughly versed
IS Sance
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in mathematics, and in 1842 was elected Surveyor of Ham- [ his attention for two years, but was not profitable, though ilton County, and being re-elected held the office for the teim of six years. He was also County Engineer for several years. He was for many years connected officially with the School Board, and has always been actively inter- ested in educational matters. ITe has also acted as Notary Public for a number of years. Ile was married, January 7th, 1841, to Deborah, daughter of Solomon Ferris, one of the earliest and most successful settlers of Hamilton county. Of this union there are two sons, Daniel and Asaph, who are also surveyors and engineers, and are now officially connected with the business of the counties in which they reside, viz .: Hamilton county, Ohio, and Marion county, Indiana; and one daughter, Mary, who is an artist and w.is last year a successful competitor for the medal at the Cincinnati School of Design, and is also organist for the Methodist Episcopal Church at Madeira. In politics, Mr. Ilosbrook is a Democrat. Ile is a prominent member of the Methodist Church, having united with it when quite young. His manner is quick and resolute. In private life he is pleasant and affable, winning many friends. Ilis life has been well spent. Active and industrious, he leaves no duties unperformed.
AVE, COLONEL P. P., Manufacturer, was born in Nassau, near Albany, New York, October 5th, 1821, being the son of David and Melinda Lane, both of whom were natives of Killingsworth, Connecticut. For several years they lived in New York, and moved to Ohio in 1828, locating in Portage county when it was still a comparative wilder- ness. They were compelled to cut a roadway through a dense forest to reach the site where they intended for the future to make their home. Being the oldest son, Colonel Lane shared with his father in the rough and exhausting lahor incidental to placing heavily-timbered land in con- dition for cultivation. The tract was to be cleared of thick underbrush and closely studded trees, buildings were to be erected, and the tuif, which before, perhaps, had not been touched by civilized man, prepared for the sowing of crops. In this taxing backwoods career he became habituated to industry and economy, necessary in the support of a large family, and to these traits thus developed he owes in a great measure the success which has attended him in busi- ness. The school system followed the pioneers, and in a rudely-equipped school-house during the fall and winter months, when the settlers were somewhat relieved of ardu- ous farm labors, he obtained the rudiments of an education, which in subsequent years, by close application to study and a well-selected course of reading, he rendered very comprehensive and thorough. When twenty-three years of age he left home and went to western Pennsylvania, where he engaged in a lumbering enterprise. This fixed
he gave all his energy and attention to it. He then found employment in the machine shop of Bill & Brother, at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, which suited his tastes and talent, and in this new avocation he made rapid progress. Subse- quently he worked in Massillon and Ashland, and in 1848 went to Cincinnati, where, until IS50, he worked as a jour- neyman. In the latter ycar he started a small repair shop on Pearl street, the room occupied being 17 by 40 feet, and employed one journeyman. Ile prospered in this enter- prise, making it a point to satisfy the demands of all his customers. In the same year he married Sophia R. Bos- worth. In 1852 he took into partnership with him Joseph T. Bodley, a former fellow-workman, the firm being known as Lane & Bodley. Their business grew so steadily that in IS56 it was found necessary to find laiger quarters, and they removed to the building of Reynolds, Kite & Tatum, at the corner of John and Water streets, part of which they rented. In 1859 the latter firm suspended, and offered the property for sale. Messrs. Lane & Bodley bought out the entire establishment, and necessarily involved themselves in a large indebtedness. They carried this safely, and with every prospect of speedily clearing it, when the rebellion broke out and deprived them of a large Southern trade, which proved a serious blow to them. They conducted their affairs with the utmost prudence, and in this way won the confidence of their creditors, who granted them exten- sions and saved them from impending failure. Both Mr. Lane and Mr. Bodley were staunch Unionists, and so far as their individual influence, which was not inconsiderable, was available, they exerted it in supporting the adminis- tration. Upon consultation they decided that one of them should take the field, and the other remain at home to carry on the business. Mr. Lane determined to join the army, and within a few days he became a member of the Home Guards, with the intention of entering the three months' service. The quota for this service was, however, filled. In a short time came the call for three years' troops, and the Guards were accepted and went into camp at Camp Dennison, where they were mustered into the 11th Regi- ment Ohio Infantry. Mr. Lane was elected Captain, and in this capacity went with the regiment to West Virginia under General J. D. Cox. ITis company was mainly com- posed of mechanics, and they rendered most acceptable service as pioneers in making roads, buikling bridges, ar- ranging ferrics and in constructing fortifications. In 1862 they were assigned to the Army of the Potomac. Colonel Coleman, who commanded the regiment, was killed at the battle of Antietam, and at the unanimous request of the surviving officers Captain Lane was commissioned to the vacant Colonelcy. In 1863 the regiment was sent to Nashville, where it joined the Army of the Cumberland, and remained with it until its tenure of service expired. Colonel Lane was a thorough disciplinarian, and his com- mand soon gained the reputation of being one of the best
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organized regiments in the field. The men were intelligent and soldierly in their bearing and qualities, and in the field or on review always elicited the commendation of the di- vision and corps commanders. The gallantry and bravery of their colonel stimulated the men and rendered them conspicuous in action. It was well said of them, " They were never called upon to do duty in the rear, except on a retreat." Upon his return from the army Colonel Lane found to his gratification that his business had greatly pros- pered under ine careful management of his copartner, Mr. Bodley, who was a man of excellent qualities in every respect. He died in IS68, and the business then, in its supervision, devolved principally on Mr. Lane. The works of this firm are among the largest in the West, and are favorably known in almost every section of the country, and in foreign lands, by the excellence of their machines. Colonel Lane was one of the organizers of the Cincinnati Board of Trade, and is one of its most active members. The establishment of the Cincinnati Exposition was largely due to his efforts, and since its inception he has been promi- nently identified with its management. Mr. Lane went to that city in 1848 with little money and with no acquaint- ances to aid him with their sympathy or more material support. He has progressed step by step, blending in his business enterprise with energy and honorable dealing, and has the satisfaction of knowing that his position in the community has been earned by hard labor, without any ad- ventitions fortune.
URRII.L, M. S., Principal of the Cumminsville Intermediate and District Schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, was born near Pleasant Ridge, Hamilton county, Ohio, February 8th, 1831. Ilis father was a native of New Milford, Connecticut, from which place his grandfather, Jared Turiill, emi- grated in August, 1818, to Ohio. Ilis mother was a daughter of James Wood, who was one of the earliest pioneer, and settlers of Pleasant Ridge, to which place he emigrated from New Jersey, in iSto, and purchased, at the rate of fifty cents per acre, the land now constituting that town. His earlier years were passed on the paternal farm, and in attending the district school, where he acquired the primary elements of his present varied store of learning. When fifteen years of age he became a student in the Farmers' College, at College Hill, Ohio, and graduated from that institution in the autumn of 1851. Having de- cided to embrace teaching as his profession, he applied himself diligently to the acquisition of the needed qualifi- cations, and, while pursuing his studies in the college, was also occupied for three terms in imparting instruction. In the early part of December of the same year he removed to Cumminsville, and was first employed in the school district west of that village. After three years' efficient service he was elected Principal of the Cumminsville Union School, a
position which, with but unimportant intermissions, he has since occupied. During 1857-58 he presided as Assistant Teacher in the Cincinnati Thuteenth District School, under John B. Trevor. During 1867 he was engaged, in partner- ship with his father-in-law, Caleb Lingo, in the sash and blind business in Cumminsville. The latter occupation, however, was foreign to his tastes, and he shortly after returned to his original profession. For five successive terms he acted as Clerk of the incorporated village of Cumminsville, and in 1868 was appointed by Judge E. F. Noyes one of the Hamilton County Board of Examiners of Teachers, serving three years in this capacity with John Hancock, of Cincinnati, and A. B. Johnson, of Avondale. In addition to his ordinary routine labors in the school- room, he has contributed frequently to educational periodi- cals, and also made many valuable reports of the State Teachers' Associations of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky for various newspapers. As a disciplinarian and an educator his talents are unquestioned, while many of his former pupils now fill honorable positions in public life in Ohio and other States. Also as a geologist he has deservedly acquired an extended reputation, and has collected a valu- able cabinet of the leading minerals and fossils of Ohio and environing States. He was married in 1862 to Mary I .. lingo, and has a delightful residence on one of the many beautiful knolls in the north part of the Twenty-lifth Ward of Cincinnati.
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