USA > Ohio > The biographical cyclopaedia and portrait gallery with an historical sketch of the state of Ohio. Volume II > Part 35
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which had saved from an awful disaster, and perhaps from death, his wife and children. During his career as a com- mander he never met with any serious casualty. One char- acteristic fact should be mentioned. He knew that most accidents occurred between one and five o'clock in the morning ; therefore, during these hours he never slept. Add to this the fact that he always employed the best talent and paid the highest wages. For five years he paid Aaron M. Jordan and Robert Whitney, two of the most experienced pilots, each five hundred dollars a month. Captain Ross, being an intelligent and observing river man, gave much thought and time to the question of the improvement of navi- gation on western waters. He was interested in the enlarge- ment of the Louisville Steamboat Canal, and used his influ- ence at the national capital to secure that result. Another of the most important matters that engaged his attention was the bridge question. This was very ably discussed by him. His vigorous words and work in Washington had much to do in breaking down the " narrow span system," and in pro- curing the character of congressional legislation that obtains to-day with reference to bridging the Ohio. Upon his return to Cincinnati Captain Ross submitted a report of his labors in this behalf to a meeting of merchants, manufacturers, and steamboat men, held in their rooms upon the Public Landing, at the conclusion of which the following resolution was unanimously adopted: "That the thanks of the steamboat men, manufacturers, and merchants are hereby tendered to Captain A. Q. Ross for his efficient services in the City of Washington, as our agent and representative, in securing bridges of proper span on the western rivers." And as ap- propriate to the occasion, the following letter was read :
"UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER, WASHINGTON, July 23d, 1868.
"JOHN J. HOOKER, ESQ., AND OTHERS, Committee :
"GENTLEMEN-It affords me great pleasure to bear testi- mony to the energy and zeal with which Captain A. Q. Ross has advocated the interests of the people of the valley of the Ohio. He has been untiring in his exertions by which Con- gress and the country have been aroused to the importance of the measures he has so earnestly advocated. A more fitting and unfaltering representative could scarcely have been selected. The captain has had a strong opposition to overcome, and has, I think, succeeded in mastering it. To him the honor of accomplishing what has been done is mainly due. Yours truly,
"O. P. MORTON."
In 1871 he abandoned the fascinating life of a commander upon the western waters. In this period of twenty-two years he had extended his acquaintance in traveling circles until his name had become a household word by many a fireside, North and South ; and he was the possessor of many pleas- ing and valuable souvenirs from the hands of those who thus endeavored to manifest their appreciation of his faith- fulness as an officer, conduct as a gentleman, and kindness as a friend. As an inventor Captain Ross is singularly eminent. His reputation as such extends to the old world. General' Andrew Hickenlooper, in a public address, recently said of him, that "he is a man to whom the wide range of applied mechanics contains few untrodden paths." The two inventions that have given him prominence in this country and abroad are the " Hot Water Apparatus " and the ma- chine for "Charging and Discharging Gas Retorts by Steam." From a report accompanying United States Senate Bill No. 845, presented by Senator Drake, the following extracts are
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taken as evidence of the value of the service rendered by the "Hot Water Apparatus " during the war:
"Captain A. Q. Ross is the inventor of an improved mode. of using hot water and steam as a weapon, offensive and de- fensive, in naval engagements ; and that, having perfected his invention in the early part of 1861, he, actuated by patri- otic motives and a sincere desire to serve his country, came to Washington, and exerted himself to secure the adoption of his invention by the Navy Department, asking no com- pensation for it, and offering his services to superintend its construction and application to any vessels upon which its adoption should be ordered. The testimony is very full and ample as to the efficiency of the invention, not only as a weapon of offense and defense, but also as a means for ex- tinguishing fires, working pumps, and cleaning and purifying the vessels, and it is conclusively shown that much valuable property was saved to the government by it. It is clear, from the statements herein embodied, that the invention of Captain Ross was quite extensively used during the war by the government, and found to be of great service in various ways, saving to the government a very large amount of property. It has never been the custom of the government to use the invention of its citizens without due compensation, neither would such a course be right or just. To depart from its uniform practice in this regard in this case would be, in the opinion of your committee, particularly unjust, inas- much as Captain Ross so signally demonstrated his patriot- ism and unselfish attachment to the government by proffering not only the use of his invention without pay, but his time and labor in superintending its application to the various vessels."
The "Ross Steam Stokers" were patented in 1875. Let- ters patent have been secured in Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, France, and Canada. There have been vast sums expended, and many machines built, to accomplish the same object, without corresponding results. This is the only suc- cessful attempt, practically demonstrated, at stoking gas re- torts by machinery in the world. They are now in successful operation in the leading gas companies, in this country and in Europe. The Journal of Gaslighting, Water Supply, and Sanitary Improvement, published in London, England, speaks thus of this invention :
"The drawing and charging of retorts is labor of a kind which no far-seeing manager would care to have perpetuated as a handicraft. There are many kinds of toil less apparently arduous, though in reality more deadly ; and the pallid shop- man is, as a rule, shorter lived than the swarthy stoker, who is continually exposed to the most sudden and severe changes between heat and cold. Yet retort-stoking is such purely routine work that the consumption of human energy in carrying it on becomes inexcusable so soon as suitable ma- chinery for the purpose is made available. The Ross appa- ratus seems to carry the substitution of steam for manual labor to the farthest extent yet attempted. The in- ventor of this appliance appears to have perfectly compre- hended the necessities of the case as it was presented to him. He set himself to construct steam machinery for drawing and charging single retorts, and he succeeded. The most promising feature of the machines, is, perhaps, their adaptability to retorts of all sizes, and charges of any weight; and for this reason, among others, it is safe to predict for them a good reception in this country."
To Captain Ross's reputation as an inventive genius he has added that of possessing literary abilities of a high order, for one whose education was mainly acquired in the world's un- graded school-experience. By appointment of Governor Noyes, Captain Ross served as Boiler Inspector, until the law creating that office was repealed. From 1878 to 1881 he served as member of the City Council of Cincinnati. During the year 1881 he was the Republican candidate for member of the Board of Public Works of that city, but shared in the general
defeat brought about through the political reaction produced by the Pond law. At present he is President of the Bell Waterphone Company, and is also a director of the Newport Light Company. He has visited the Old World twice, com- bining business growing out of his inventions with pleasure. Upon his second trip, during the summer of 1882, he was ac- companied by his only daughter, and visited Great Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. May 27th, 1857, he married Harriet E., a daughter of the late David J. Brown, of Cleves, Ohio. For twenty-four years she was his faithful, helpful, hopeful wife. Her words of cheer and sympathy sustained him always, whether pavilioned by darkness or canopied by cloudless skies. For that success which came to him at last, and which she lived only long enough to realize and be thankful for, her prayers had never ceased to ascend. Then a viewless hand led her away from his side. She died July 27th, 1881, and was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery. She peacefully sleeps in a lowly bed upon the hill-side, beneath a costly monument, affectionately de- signed by the husband, whose inspiration she had so often proved. There, as near to nature as art can approach, are sculptured in imperishable granite her form and features, as if to wrest from the grave its victory over the corruptible and clothe with the immortality of a living rock that beloved form. Among the inscriptions, one taken from one of the fly-leaves of her Bible reads: "Every word of God is pure. He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." The poet, Will S. Hayes, a friend and associate of Captain Ross, composed and inscribed to her memory the words and music of "She Sleeps," a touching and beautiful tribute. And in a memorial article which he contributed to the Louisville Courier-Journal, abounding with pathos and tender tributes, and profound sorrow, he uses these words: "She spent the happiest hours of her life in worshiping God, loving her husband and children, making her home happy, and going about doing good." Their only son, William St. Clair, was born March 2d, 1858. He is the senior member of the firm of Ross, Robbins & Co., wholesale paper dealers, Cincinnati, Ohio. Their only daughter, Aida Harriet, was born Decem- ber 16th, 1867. Captain Ross has a commanding presence, comporting with his high moral and intellectual character. Self-reliant, resourceful, the soul of honor, he is yet remark- able for that "modest stillness and humility " which ever characterizes true merit. In social and business circles his presence always commands respect ; while in deliberative bodies and public assemblies he has often displayed the qualities of a ready speaker.
CAMPBELL, SAMUEL D., merchant and capitalist, late of Chillicothe, Ohio, was born in Shippensburg, Penn- sylvania, on the 12th of January, 1799, and died on the 29th of December, 1875. He was the younger brother and con- stant companion of Mr. Francis Campbell, a sketch of whose life has already been written in this work. Mr. Campbell occupied a prominent position in the list of Chil- licothe's oldest and wealthiest citizens. He was associated with his brother in business, and at his death inherited a large fortune, which unfortunately brought him but little happiness save in the opportunity it gave him to bestow kindnesses upon those he esteemed and loved, as an accident which he received shortly after the accession to his fortune made him an invalid, from which death alone brought him relief. He was connected with several business enterprises,
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and was director of the First National Bank. His life was quiet and uneventful, but he gained the admiration and affection of his fellow-citizens, and was regretted by all. He was married on the 17th of March, 1841, to Miss Mary A. Sharp, and at his death he left a family of five children, but of whom only two daughters now survive-one, Sarah Ellen Campbell, being married to Mr. J. C. Quinn, of Chillicothe, and the other, Mary A. Campbell, to Mr. Clark W. Story, a prominent merchant, also of Chillicothe. A military com- pany, known by the name of the Campbell Light Guards, was named after him, of which he had been an active pro- moter and most liberal supporter.
RENICK, GEORGE, was born in Hardy County, Vir- ginia, on the 7th September, 1776, and died 15th September, 1863. The genealogy of the Renick family is only traditional. From the accounts handed down in the family we learn that their progenitors emigrated from Germany, with many other families, to Scotland, to escape religious persecution. After a time a part of the family, at least, removed to Colerain County, Ireland. In the mean time the name had undergone a change from Rinewick to Renwick, probably to suit the dialect of the country. In process of time one of three brothers of the ancestral stock was created a peer of the realm, and he purchased the property of the other two, and they with their father emigrated to America. The peer, not being able to pay the purchase-money at the time, engaged to send it to them within a specified period. This proved a fortunate arrangement for the brothers, as it happened that the vessel in which they embarked was plundered by Black Beard, the pirate ; but their money came safely to hand at the stated time. The brothers above mentioned, with their father, settled first in Eastern Pennsylvania, at least they ap- pear to have remained there until they received their money. Afterward they removed to Hardy County, Virginia, on the south branch of the Potomac River, and from that point their descendants scattered in various directions-some south to James River; others to Greenbrier County, Virginia; others still to the States of Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio. In the mean time the spelling of the name had undergone two more changes-first from Renwick to Rennick, then later one of the n's was dropped, making the name spell Renick, as at present. Although the family has been in the country for over two hundred years, and although for a considerable portion of that period it has been scattered over many different and widely separated localities, yet there appears to have existed among its members, from the first, a singular unanimity of sentiment in eschewing public life. Men of wealth and large influence have abounded in the family. It is apparent, how- ever, that they have uniformly been well-nigh devoid of political aspirations, and without being indifferent to the public welfare, to have preferred a more retired, unassuming, and independent life. That this disposition has not inter- fered with their usefulness as members of society is shown by the fact that for several generations past, at least, the members of the family have generally been enterprising and public-spirited, taking an active, if not a leading, part in every scheme or enterprise that presented a fair promise of resulting beneficially, either to their respective communities or to the country at large. Mr. Renick was brought up on a farm, though a considerable portion of the years of his minority were spent in a store in Moorefield, Virginia. He was twice married ; the first time in September, 1802, to Miss
Dorothy Harness, of his native county, by whom he had ten children, seven of whom survive him, she dying in Decem- ber, 1820. He was again married in March, 1825, to Mrs. Sarah Boggs, who, though only a few months his junior, survived him five years. She was a sister of the late General James Denny, and was a pioneer from Pennsyl- vania to the Pickaway Plains, Ohio, in 1798. Mr. Renick first visited Ohio in 1797, at Marietta, in company with Mr. Jonathan Renick, who afterward settled on Darby Creek, Pickaway County, for the purpose of competing for the contract for the surveying of the government lands lying on and east of the Scioto River (they both being practical surveyors), but from some misunderstanding they failed in their purpose (Mr. Thomas Worthington, afterward Governor of Ohio, being the successful competitor), and after attending, even then, at Marietta, a so-called birthnight ball (though Washington was still living), they returned to Vir- ginia. A few months later Mr. Renick again visited Ohio, this time by way of Wheeling and Zane's newly cut trace, when there were but four cabins on the way between Ohio Wheeling Creek and Chillicothe; and at Lancaster Prairie he saw for the first time in Ohio the so-called, but misnamed, Kentucky blue grass growing in rank luxuriance. After prospecting about Chillicothe for a short season, he, by special invitation, started to accompany General Massie on a sur- veying tour among the Virginia military lands west of the river, but sickness overtaking him, he was obliged to return to Chillicothe. There being no white physician in the place, he would not suffer the Indian doctor to approach him, but soon becoming delirious the Indian was called in, under whose treatment he soon recovered. When becoming con- valescent, and taking exercise to regain strength, he wit- nessed the nailing on of the first shingle that ever graced a roof in the now city of Chillicothe, all the former buildings being only cabins. After fully recovering his health he pro- ceeded on his way through what was for many years after called the wilderness, to Kentucky, where he spent the win- ter, returning the following spring to Virginia, through Ohio. Although Mr. Renick did not finally locate in Ohio till the fall of 1802, yet in this interim he was back and forth, spend- ing a considerable part of his time after 1800 in Ohio. In the fall of 1802 he was married, and immediately removed to Chillicothe, opening a store of the largest and best assortment of goods hitherto offered in the place. Mr. Renick early per- ceiving, as he thought, from the large bodies of rich bottom land lying on the river, that corn would be the staple pro- duct of the country, and the consequent necessity of a market for it-acting under this conviction-he urged some of his friends who had preceded him, and who were already raising considerable corn, to feed it to cattle; but the great distance from market deterred them, they believing that fat cattle could not be taken so great a distance in a fit condition for beef, and that the undertaking would, in all probability, re- sult in a failure. He thought otherwise, and resolved to try the experiment himself, as soon as he could prepare for it. Accordingly, in the winter of 1804-5, he fed a lot of cattle, sending them to Baltimore the following spring, and mar- keted them himself. The result was highly satisfactory, and his cherished hopes fully realized. Thus was another avenue of trade practically opened that for half a century contributed largely to the wealth of the Scioto Valley. In 1808 Mr. Renick, having accumulated a large landed property, retired from the business of merchandising, and gave his whole
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attention to farming, improving his lands, already having a considerable stock of blooded horses, cattle, and hogs. Throughout Mr. Renick's long life he never enjoyed robust health ; indeed, so much had his health become impaired, that in the spring of 1816, by the advice of his physician and friend, Dr. Scott, he removed to Woodford County, Kentucky, to a farm previously purchased for that purpose, selling off the greater part of his live stock, including all his extensive stock of fine blooded horses, and his fine stock of China hogs, which he had himself introduced into the country some years before, retaining a select few of his favorite cattle only. His health receiving no benefit from the change, he returned to Ohio in the fall of the same year. Thenceforth Mr. Ren- ick's special attention, so far as live stock was concerned, was given to cattle almost exclusively, having commenced in that branch as early as 1804, by the purchase of a portion of the English blooded cattle brought to this country by Mr. John Patton, then lately deceased, from which stock Mr. Renick, by judicious breeding, raised some of the most gigantic sized animals of their kind ever produced in the United States, or that we have any record of in the world. Mr. Renick early and earnestly interested himself in the im- provement of the live stock of the country, sparing neither time, trouble, nor expense to further his favorite purpose; indeed, his name for fifty years was identified with every im- provement or effort made to improve the stock (cattle in particular) of the Scioto Valley, always taking an active and leading part ; and doubtless to him more than to any other one man is due the credit of the present greatly improved stock of cattle of the country. Mr. Renick persistently eschewed a political life; the only office or nomination he could ever be induced to accept was that of Presidential Elector in favor of his early personal friend, Henry Clay. Mr. Renick was a man highly conscientious, moral, benevolent, extremely modest and unassuming, of unblemished honor and integrity. During his last sickness he was received as a communicant in the Old-school Presbyterian Church, and died in that faith.
BATES, JOSHUA HALL, lawyer, of Cincinnati, was born March 5th, 1817, in Boston, Massachusetts. His par- ents, George and Elizabeth (Hall) Bates, were both natives of Massachusetts, and were from families dating back to the early part of the seventeenth century in the history of that State. Mr. Bates's paternal grandfather, was a major in the Revolutionary war, while on his mother's side his ancestors were distinguished men of Boston, some of whom became noted in public and political life as governors of State and other high positions. . The father of Mr. Bates was a prominent physician of Boston, and a warm personal friend of Andrew Jackson. Young Bates early attended the Boston Public Latin School, where in due time he graduated. In 1833 he was appointed cadet to West Point, through the friendship of President Jackson. At the end of four years he was graduated as second lieutenant and given a com- mission as such in the 4th Regiment of Artillery. He served five years in the regular army, the first three of which were spent in active service in the Florida wars, during the outbreak of the Seminoles and other tribes. He was then sent with his regiment to the Northern frontier to quell the Patriot disturbances with Canada, where he spent the remaining two years of his service. He had been pro- moted in the mean time to a first lieutenancy, and was in
command at Fort Niagara when he resigned, December, 1842. The young officer, though pleased with military life, in which he was encouraged to continue by his success and promotions, which would have without doubt continued until he had reached a high rank, determined to adopt another vocation for his future. So he began during his service to improve his spare hours with the study of law, and in the mean time was enabled to attend a course of lectures at the Law School of Cambridge, Massachusetts. After leaving the service he went to Cincinnati, and entered the office of the late Bellamy Storer, under whose tutorage he continued his studies, and in a few months was admitted to the bar. The War Department paid him the compliment of withholding the acceptance of his resignation for several months after it was presented by him, so that he enjoyed the benefit of his rank until admitted to practice. He associated himself in practice with Hon. William Key Bond, an old attorney, with whom he remained two years. He then formed a partner- ship with Mr. W. S. Scarborough, which was continued for about twenty years, during which they enjoyed an extensive practice. Mr. Bates's knowledge of and experience in mili- tary matters at once commended him to the War Depart- ment at the outbreak of the Rebellion as the proper man to take charge of the troops to be raised in Ohio. Accord- ingly, he was summoned to Columbus to consult with the Governor and Adjutant-general in regard to the matter. Mr. Bates was at once commissioned brigadier-general, and given command of all the regiments raised in Ohio which were stationed at Camp Dennison. He immediately began organ- izing and drilling them, and by October (the expiration of the term for which he was commissioned) he had sent about fifteen regiments to the field. The greater portion of his time during the remaining years of the war was devoted to the Union cause, and he was in frequent consultation with the chief authorities of the General Government and of the neighboring States in regard to the military condition of the country, especially of the States bordering on the Ohio River. General Bates had command of a body of troops sent against Kirby Smith's raid into Ohio. Thus was his time spent during the remaining years of the Rebellion, rendering the cause most valuable service whenever op- portunity presented itself. In 1864 he was elected to the State Senate, to fill an unexpired term of one year, during which his whole influence was in behalf of the Union cause in securing measures to promote the war. After peace was established he again resumed the practice of the law, in company with his oldest son, Clement Bates, to which he de- voted himself successfully until 1875, when he was again elected by the Republicans to the State Senate, where he served his constituency in a most satisfactory manner. At the expiration of his senatorial term he resumed the duties of his profession. In the Spring of 1883 he took as partner Mr. Rufus B. Smith, with whom he is still associated. In 1872 General Bates was a member of the Electoral College which elected General Grant for the second time as President of the United States. Though General Bates is not a poli- tician he has labored with the Republican party for twenty years, by which he has been three times elected to important offices. Originally he was a Democrat, but left that party on war issues. He has been a citizen of Cincinnati for over forty years, and, with the exception of one or two inter- ruptions, has been entirely occupied with his legal duties. Throughout that long career he has never accepted a munici-
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