USA > Ohio > The Biographical encyclopedia of Ohio of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 20
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offices of the Lake Shore Railroad would be transferred to practised his profession many years in the courts of eastern Ohio, a portion of the time in partnership with the late Benjamin S. Cowen, of St. Clairsville. Being an active local politician, he was chosen as the nomince of the Whig party for State Senator in the days of its adversity in the district, and made a good run. General Taylor tendered his services to the country at the outbreak of the slave- Chicago, Mr. Jones' standing and popularity in Toledo were at once demonstrated. Several leading citizens, un- derstanding that this movement would probably take Mr. Jones to Chicago, approached him on the subject and in- sisted on his remaining in Toledo. Mr. Jones' own judg- ment was not averse to their suggestions, provided the way seemed open. Pending the consideration of this matter, [ holders' rebellion, proffering to take a position in the field, Mr. Jones met Mr. Locke socially, and a one-half interest but was dissuaded from doing so by Governor Dennison, in a letter commending his spirit of patriotism, on account of age and inactivity caused by corpulency. He died in Cam- bridge, October 15th, 1863, aged sixty-four years. Sarah Taylor, his widow, survives in good health, residing in Cambridge, aged seventy-three years. They reared and educated on the farm in Guernsey county the following children : William Penn, John Clarkson, Joseph Danner, Alexander Addison, James Byron, George Kennon, Wilson Shannon, Thomas Corwin, David Danner, and Sarah Eliza. All these survive, except William, who died February 18th, 1870, aged forty- four years. Two daughters died in youth. The surviving daughter is the wife of Rev. A. I .. Petty, of the Pittsburgh Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, and Presiding Elder of Cambridge district for four years past. Several of the sons are elsewhere mentioned in this work. in the Blade coming into the market about this time, the result was that in 1867 Mr. Jones purchased one-fourth of the Blade, Mr. Locke ( Nasby) taking a one-fourth interest at the same time. Mr. Jones became at once its business manager, and by his financial ability and admirable execu- tive talent added to its growth in assisting it to be one of the most profitable newspaper enterprises in the West, placing it in the front rank among the leading journals of the United States. In 1872 he, with Mr. Locke, bought the other half of the Blade, and in February, 1875, Mr. Jones became its sole proprietor. Continuing, as he has always done, to manage its affairs, he also controls and directs its policy, and will undoubtedly make it, if he has not already done so, one of the most powerful and far- reaching political organs of the Northwest. Ile is a clear thinker, quick to apprehend, ready to take and strong to hold a position, and possesses in an musual degree the ability to present briefly and tellingly the points which de- termine his advocacy of a measure or his repudiation of a OTTER, EZRA, Real Estate Dealer, was born in Butler county, Ohio, on December 10th, 1810. Ile is of Welsh-Scotch descent, although his an- cestors, on both his father's and his mother's side, policy. Ile is exceptionally correct in his intuitions, and following, as he does, his convictions with perfect and straightforward honesty, his success, accomplished or pros- pective, is not problematical. Mr. Jones is a Republican, from political convictions, cast his first vote for Lincoln, and is one among the most active members of that party. Ile has never held public office, and has neither time nor inclination therefor. Ile was at one time a member of Chicago Light Artillery, Company A. Mr. Jones married, October Ist, 1863, Rosa Bell, of Rock Island, Illinois.
0 were, for generations, residents of New Jersey, and were identified With the early history of Long Island. He enjoyed in his youth the meagre educational advantages to be obtained in the log school houses of the pioneer settlement in which he was born, obtaining there the mere rudiments of an English education, employing thus the intervals when he could be spared from the work of assisting his father to clear up the wilderness and prepare the land for cultivation. When he was twenty-five years old he embarked in business for himself, opening a general country store in Butler county. He continued in this busi- ness for eighteen years, achieving a fair success during that time. Ilis health, however, was delicate, and the confine- ment incident to mercantile business disagreed with him. Ile gave up storekeeping, therefore, in 1856, removed to Hamilton, and there engaged in the real estate business, which has ever since continued to occupy him. Ile has mixed but little in politics, but has been identified with all measures, political or otherwise, which had for their purpose the improvement of the eity and the elevation of society. Ile is a man of quiet, equable disposition, but possessing great strength of character and unyielding integrity. Ilis business career has been one of quiet, steady success, and
AYLOR, ALEXANDER D., was born in Hamp- shire county, Virginia, November Ist, 1799, and was taken in infancy to Belmont county, Ohio, where he received a common school education, and was married to Sarah Danner, March 10th, 1825. Ile farmed, manufactured brick, dealt in real estate, and taught school, prior to his settlement on a farm in Oxford township, Guernsey county, in 1832. Ilere he served as Justice of the Peace for a number of years, during which time he studied law and military tactics, serving as Captain, Colonel, and afterwards as General of Ohio militia, until the organization ceased, proving himself a thorough tactician and first-rate commander. Ile was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the State, and | his home is one of the most elegant and refined in the city.
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lle has been twice married. His first wife was Mary L. Į sales and business relations of this house are large and im- Good, of Butler county, to whom he was married in 1835. She died in 1841, leaving two children. In 1844 he mar- ried Catherine M. Miller, also of Butler county. Three children have resulted from this union, two of whom still survive.
IRBY, HION. JOSIAII, Manufacturer and Inven- tor of the first Bung. Making Machine, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1816. With little schooling and at an early age he was placed to learn the carpenter's trade. In 1837 he and his futher m :- ved to Cincinnati, and there, relinquish- ing their original intention of settling in St. Louis, decided to become permanent residents of the city. Ilere he con- tinued to work at his trade until 1847, when an incident occurred which turned the work of his life into a new channel. Ilis attention was called to the necessity of a machine for making bungs. Upon this long-felt need he centred his thoughts, and before a year had elapsed his idea was perfected and the desired machine completed. In the following year he secured its protection under patent rights. Before he was able to reap any permanent benefit from his invention, however, his entire establishment was consumed by fire. Leaving the scene of his misfortune, north of the canal, he located his factory on Seventh street, east of Sycamore street, and there at once applied himself to the construction of a new machine. Without funds, and hampered also by various debts, he was placed temporarily in very embarrassing circumstances, and was compelled to prosecute his labors at a great disadvantage. But knowing the value of his invention, and placing unlimited faith in the future realization of his hopes, he continued at his toil, persistently and bravely. Becoming dissatisfied with his first and second machines, he produced and patented others, until he had obtained, in all, patents on nine or ten different inventions-bung-making machines. In 1868 he manufac- tured a machine which turned out one hundred bungs per miante, and his most sanguine friends imagined that he had reached the most perfect result possible. In 1875 he completed another whose productive capacity was over thirty thousand perfect bungs per hour. May 31st, 1875, several hundred gentlemen assembled to witness the work- ing of this machine, among them many competent judges of mechanical productions, and all testified in glowing terms to its excellence and thoroughness. On this occasion a generous banquet was provided at the expense of the in- ventor, at which M. Halstead of the Cincinnati Commer- cial, and several other well-known citizens, delivered con- gratulatory speeches. This factory has been, for several years, located on Lodge street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, and has now in constant use five or six bung makers, with saws, planing machines, and every mechanical inven- tion designed to increase the value of time and labor. The
portant, their trade connections extending like a network over the entire Union and the Canadas, and existing even in Europe. Since 1873 the establishment has been owned and operated by a stock company, of which the original head and founder is President and chief stockholder. Probably no other manufacture has brought wealth to Cin- cinnati from a larger area of the country than this, while, with an extension of the patent, the inventor will certainly acquire a very large fortune. Other bung-machines since in use are merely modifications of his invention, and in many points of inferior excellence. In addition to attend- ing to his own private interests, he has been concerned in a more or less intimate relation in many of the more im- portant measures bearing upon the growth and advancement of the city. Ile was one of the projectors of the Southern Railroad, and for several years was President of the Board of Trade Railroad Committee. To that body he subse- quently submitted several important reports. He became one of the originators of the Board of Trade, and in 1870 was elected to occupy its presidential chair. Ile is now one of its most active and valued members. For several years he officiated as President of the Cincinnati, Rockport, & Southwestern. Railway Company. In 1863 he was elected, on the Republican ticket, to the State Legislature, and served through his term of two years with marked ability. Ile has also been mentioned recently in connection with the Governorship of the State. Peculiarly the archi- tect of his own fortune, he has deservedly acquired the favorable reputation which, bringing him prominently before the public, promises to place him in a high and honorable position. The "National Union Association," an im- portant war organization, came into being in his office, and to his efforts and labors its successful existence is mainly attributable. Hle was a member of its Executive Commit- tee. It was officered by many of the leading citizens of Cincinnati, and was composed of from four to five thousand members, in Hamilton county, with branch organizations throughout the State. Acting as the people's medium in contributing toward defraying election expenses, and aiding in every way the cause of the Union, it was free from any aspect of secrecy or taint of nativism, aiming only to sup. port and defend the principles and measures of the Federal government. One of the leading sentiments of the Asso- ciation was : " Forgetting all past political differences, and placing the salvation of the Union above all party or other predilections, we are for the maintenance of the Federal government against all enemies at home or abroad." Through this organization, and the zealous and efficient part he took in its action, he first came into political prominence. It remained intact until the close of the war, when the few hundred dollars still remaining in its treasury were given to one of the charitable institutions of the city. Wholly withont personal political aspirations, he yet takes an ear- nest interest in the important movements of the day, and is
J. b. b. Holenshade
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untiring in his exertions to secure for the local and general governments the services of those best qualified to fill the various offices. Ile was married in 1837 to Miss Hargy, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
OLENSHADE, JAMES C. C., Merchant and Manufacturer, was born on May 12th, 1828, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ile was. of Scotch-Irish descent on both sides of his family, although his father was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and his mother at Marysville, Kentucky. Ilis father was an invalid, and the son was ambitious to render himself independent of parental support at the earliest possible moment. When he was only seven years of age he began to work for his own livelihood. It may readily be supposed, therefore, that his educational advantages, during his earlier years, at least, were of the most limited description, But though he gained but a meagre supply of knowledge from books, he put himself, thus early, in the way of acquiring a practical knowledge which was to stand him in better stead, later in life, than any amount of mere book-learning could possibly have done. When he was seven years old, he went to work as a breaker of type in the Cincinnati Type Foundry of Wilson, Guilford & Co. . Ilere he worked through years of patient industry, graduating in every department of the establishment. Then-for it was the most natural thing in the world to step from the making of types to the using thereof-he went to work in the printing office of Brooks & Co. Ilere he remained until he had mastered the details of the business, and then, still following the natural sequence of industrial progress, he entered the book binding establishment of Cropper & Co. Ile remained in this business long enough to fit himself for the performance of all the duties of every department. Notwithstanding the fact that he had no school opportuni- ties up to this time, or perhaps in consequence of that fact, his love and respect for books were intense, and his present occupation served to increase them. The opportunity to develop and gratify his literary taste was what he earnestly desired. Therefore, on leaving the bookbindery, he sought | miles above Cincinnati. When the success of this enter- and obtained employment in the book-store of J. C. & W. prise had become fully assured, he resigned his position as President and Manager of the association, and engaged in the hardware business in Cincinnati. In this he continued for several years, and achieved great success in it. When the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad was being built, he com- peted with the Eastern establishments for the supply of bolts, etc., necded in the work. Ile was awarded a heavy contract, to be fulfilled in thirty days, and, although he had no factory of his own, he was so energetic and enterprising that his full supply of material was forthcoming one day before the time stipulated. This success led to the organ- ization of the firm of Holenshade & Brother, who owned and operated the Great Western Bolt Works, of Cincinnati, for a term of several years, during which their success was P. Jones. Ilere he not only gratified the desire so long felt, but also acquired a thorough knowledge of practical business details. . Ile was prepossessing in manner, and his rare business capacity was manifest to all, and these quali- ties, attracting, as they did, the attention of many, led to his engagement, at a lucrative salary, with one of the lead- ing merchants of the city. For several years after this he was employed in the dry-goods house of John M. Brad- street, and was subsequently engaged in the queensware business with William Lilley, and in both places he won the high regard of employers and patrons. Still entertain- ing his literary ambition, and having in view a professional life, he took up a systematic course of study, and by dint
of untiring application, he passed through the course at Woodward High School, Cincinnati, and was rapidly ad- vancing still farther, when failing health compelled him, for the time at least, to give up the severe strain of so much mental labor, and to relinquish his cherished project of professional life. With a view to giving a full share of work to his body as well as his mind, he next took employ- ment in the moulding department of William, Resor & Co.'s foundry, in Cincinnati. Ile possessed great mechanical and inventive genius, and very soon developed rare me- chanical skill, and these qualities were speedily recognized, and won for him rapid promotion. Ile possessed strong and marked personal characteristics, and these gave him a high degree of influence among those with whom he was thrown in contact. During the remarkable strike of the workmen in the stove manufactories of Cincinnati, in 1848, this influence was shown to be extraordinary, and directed by his cool judgment and his clear perceptions, it enabled him to prevent many an act of hostility and violence. Ile could not bring himself to remain idle, during the strike or at any other time, so he became salesman for Buss & Shep- hard, on Fifth street. Ile had long since determined to go into business on his own account, and therefore he re- mained but a short time with this firm, notwithstanding their tempting offer of fifty per cent. of the profits of a branch establishment, on condition that he would manage it. Ilis sympathy with the striking mechanics was very - great, and he became their active and zealous advocate. The workmen, on their part, chose him, a skilled mechanic, a promising merchant, and a man of rare and valuable personal qualities, for their fitting champion. Ilis interest in the workingmen's movement, and his purpose to estab- lish himself in business in Some other capacity than that of employé, led him to develop a plan, striking in its bold- ness and comprehensiveness. In pursuance of this plan, he organized a corporation, the stock of which was to be paid in labor. This work he began and prosecuted on his own personal resources and credit, and the result of his exertions was the erection and the successful operation of th . Moulders' Union Foundry, at California, Ohio, eight
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great and uninterrupted. In 1860, although only thirty-two | $61,626.33. Ile was exempted, by reason of physical disa- years of age, he retired from active business life, and de- bilities, from military service; but though not liable to the draft, he furnished not less than four substitutes to the army. For seven years be was an active member of the Cincimati Fire Department, and did much to bring it to its present high standard. Ilis family residence stands on College Ilill, where he did much by his energy and liberality to promote the cause of education. He was the founder and one of the most active promoters of the Ohio Female Col- lege there. When the college building was destroyed by fire he at once undertook its reconstruction, furnishing the means and superintending the work. The new edifice- much superior to the old-was ready for occupancy in a surprisingly short time, and the educational work of the in- stitution was not seriously checked. As funds to reimburse him for his advances-although he generously tendered about twenty-five per cent. of the outlay as a gift to the col- lege if the remainder should be raised-were not provided, he ultimately became the owner of the property, and con- ducted the college as a private affair. The reverses of the panic, united to differences with some of his teachers, tended to diminish the patronage of the college, and an offer to convert the building into a sanitarium for the treat- ment of nervous disorders was accepted in the winter of IS73. It will thus be seen that he was especially interested in the cause of female education; indeed, for over sixteen years he made it his life-work. About this time his health began to fail, and from May Ist, 1875, until his death on January 9th, 1876, he was a constant sufferer, requiring watchers at night. Ile was upheld through all his suffering by his firm faith, which, producing patience and even cheer- fulness, rendered his sick chamber a place full of instruction and inspiration to his family and friends. His life was an eminently active one. It is full of encouragement to those who are hemmed about by adverse circumstances; but per- haps the most valuable lesson it teaches is that the best success is only attained by doing everything thoroughly, from the first step to the last. voted himself to the culture and improvement of his fruit farm on Colerain turnpike, about six miles from Cincinnati. The breaking out of the war, however, recalled him to the field of active business enterprise. When the first eall for army wagons was made, in May, 1861, he determined to secure to his native city the advantages to be derived from meeting that call. He was not in the wagon-making busi- ness, but with the versatility that characterized him, he went into it, and bid for and secured the contract for supplying the needed wagons. Soon he was at the head of an estab- lishment employing from 300 to 600 men, and so great was his executive ability that he reduced his organization to a working system which enabled him to turn out a perfect wagon every thirty minutes. Throughout the war, aided by his personal influence in the departments at Washington, he managed to retain at Cincinnati the depot of supplies for the armies of the West and Southwest. Ilis fitness to meet and master emergencies was well illustrated by his construc- tion of the celebrated pontoon train, consisting of 160 large wagons, So boats, and all the needed equipments therefor. This great achievement was accomplished and the entire train in readiness for the army within cleven days after the order was given, just following the battle of Stone River. Ilis inventive genius was no less than his executive ability, and it found fitting acknowledgment in the reports of Admiral Dahlgren and General Ripley, regarding his Cin- cinnati breech-loading cannon. As an employer he always possessed in an eminent degree the affection and regard of his workmen, the result of his warm and active sympathy with all their efforts; and more than one beautiful and sub- stantial token, presented by those in his employ, testify to the appreciation with which they regarded him. In the midst of all his multifarious activities he was an earnest and consistent Christian. From early youth he was a member, and at the time of his death a Ruling Elder of the Presby- terian Church. For nearly a score of years he was the devoted Superintendent of the Sabbath-school of his church, and was active and prominent in promoting all the benevo- lent works of the church, besides giving his influence to the advancement of all societies having a beneficial and benevo- lent purpose. In the orders of Masonry and Odd Fellow- ship he was specially prominent and active. Ilis philan- thropy no less than his patriotism led him during the war to make an offer which was as characteristie as it was practical. IIe proposed to serve as Treasurer of Hamilton county for two years, and to devote the entire proceeds of the office- approximating $30,000 per annum-to the benefit of the families of the soldiers in the field. Ilis munificent offer was declined by his party, and his liberality found other modes of expresion. He gave freely of money, time, and personal effort. lle was one of the most active managers of the great Sanitary Fair of Cincinnati, having charge of a department which netted to the Sanitary Commission
URNET, JUDGE JACOB, L.L. D., was the son of Dr. William Burnet the elder, of Newark, New Jersey, and the grandson of Dr. Ichabod Burnet, a native of Scotland, who was educated at Edin- burgh, removed to America soon after his educa- tion was finished, and settled at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, where he practised his profession with great success as a physician and surgeon until his death, in 1773, at the advanced age of eighty. Dr. William Burnet was born in 1730, educated at Nassau Hall during the Presi- dency of the Rev. Aaron Burr, and graduated in 1749, before that institution was removed to Princeton. Ile studied medicine under Dr. Staats, of New York, and prac- tised it with success until the difficulties with the mother
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country became alarmingly serious, when he took an active and leading part in resisting the encroachments of the Brit- ish government. Ile was a member of the Newark Com- mittee of Safety, composed of himself, Judge J. Hedden, and Major S. Hays, until, in 1776, he was elected a member of the Continental Congress. He resigned that position to accept an appointment as Surgeon-General of the Eastern Division of the American army, which position he filled with distinction until the close of the war. Dr. Burnet died in 1791, in the sixty-first year of his age. Jacob Burnet, his sixth son, was born in Newark, New Jersey, February 22d, 1770, was educated at Nassau Hall, Princeton, under the Presidency of Dr. Witherspoon, and graduated with honor, in September, 1791. He remained there a year as a resident graduate, and then entered the office of Judge Boudinot, of Newark, as a student of law, and under that distinguished lawyer laid the foundation for his future at- tainments in his profession. He was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the State in the spring of 1796, and proceeded at once to Cincinnati, in the neighborhood of which his father had made considerable investments. At that time Cincinnati was a small village of log cabins, including about fifteen rough, unfinished frame houses with stone chimneys. There was not a brick house in it, and only about 150 inhabitants, and the entire white population of the Northwestern Territory was estimated at about 15,000 souls. In 1798 it was ascertained that the Territory contained 5000 white male inhabitants, and was entitled to enter upon the second grade of Territorial Government provided for under the ordinance of 1787. This provided for a General Assembly, consisting of representatives elected by the citizens of the Territory, and a Legislative Council of five persons, nominated by the lower House and ap- pointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the United States Senate. Judge Burnet was appointed by President John Adams a member of the first Legislative Council, together with James Findlay, Henry Vanderburgh, Robert Oliver, and David Vance. Ile remained a member of this body until the organization of the State government in 1802-3. The practice of lis profession, which obliged him to travel over the whole settled portion of the Territory as far as Detroit, in Michigan, on the north, and Vincennes, in Indiana, enabled him to become acquainted with the Territory and the people by personal observation, and in the Legislative Council he was able to use the information thus acquired to good purpose in shaping legislation to meet the wants of the rapidly growing population of the Territory, and was himself the author of most of the important meas- ures adopted by the Legislature. When it was proposed to go into a State government, Judge Burnet believed the step premature and opposed the action, and when the State was formed he retired from active participation in politics and devoted himself to the practice of his profession. His talents, ripe scholarship, and brilliancy as an advocate secured for him from the first an extensive and Incrative
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