USA > Ohio > The biographical cyclopaedia and portrait gallery with an historical sketch of the state of Ohio. Volume III > Part 31
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clay-shale land was secured on Lake Cliff, a beautiful loca- tion but a few miles west of Cleveland, overlooking the lake, bay, harbor and city. The land was well stocked with grass, weeds, briars and bushes. Industry soon subdued it and planted fruits and vineyards, hardy varieties of choice table grapes being a specialty. Success rewarded work, and the exhibition of grapes by him at Ohio State fairs and Northern Ohio fairs were honored with many first premium cards. At the Cincinnati Industrial Exposition of 1872 he took all the principal premiums, including the elegant diploma and silver medal, for the best display of hardy grapes. Sixty- three varieties were exhibited, his collection being pro- nounced by prominent horticulturists the largest and finest ever shown in the vine-growing valley of the Ohio. Of the crop of 1874, over thirty-four tons of grapes for table use were sold by a commission house in Detroit from his vine- yards. It was the motto of his life, "He that by the plow would thrive, himself must either hold or drive." In 1846 he was alderman of Cleveland, and in 1847 was elected mayor. These are the only official positions he ever held in Cleveland. He was reporting clerk of the Ohio house of representatives during the session of 1856-57 ; was a frequent delegate to political State conventions ; representing the Cuy- ahoga Congressional district in the National convention which nominated General Winfield Scott, and was one of the first to propose, and the first editor in the Union to hoist the name of John C. Fremont for President of the United States. Early in his term of office as sheriff of Lorain county, he married Miss Esther M. Race, who was also a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and commenced house- keeping in the log county jail. She proved a true wife and helpmate-an active and devoted friend of the poor, the sick, the orphan-and was engaged in woman's sanitary work for the soldiers of the Union during the war of Secession. To her he attributed much of happiness and success in life. Four sons and a daughter were born to them.
DOANE, WILLIAM HOWARD, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mus. Doc. by title, and president of the J. A. Fay & Co. manufacturing corporation, was born at Preston, Connecticut, February 3d, 1832. His parents were Joseph H. and Frances T. Doane. His father was a large cotton manufacturer, in his native town. After studying some time at a country school, he was sent to what was then called a special high school, remaining there one year. He then entered Woodstock Academy, where by three years of study he com- pleted his course, graduating in 1848. He then entered the counting-rooms of Doane & Treat. The heads of this firm were his father and his future father-in-law. At the expira- tion of three years thus engaged he went to Norwich, Con- necticut, to take charge of the books and finances of J. A. Fay & Co., manufacturers of wood-working machinery. Here he remained some five years, when he was sent by the firm to Chicago, to take charge of their business, their West- ern salesroom and general agency being located at that city. In 1861 he became a partner in the concern, and removed to his present residence, Cincinnati, Ohio, having complete control and management of the business, which has outlived and outgrown all others, being now its sole manufacturing establishment. On November 2d, 1856, he was married to Miss Fannie M. Treat, the daughter of his father's partner. Two children, both girls, have blessed this marriage. They are a happy family, living in a lovely home on Mount
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Auburn, a suburb of Cincinnati. From infancy Mr. Doane had great musical taste and ability, which have been culti- vated and utilized through life, and he is to-day one of the most popular and widely known authors of devotional and Sunday-school music in the United States. When but a mere child, long before he could read, his father would place him upon a high chair to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for visitors. At the age of fourteen he could play on several instruments, and at the same age was appointed leader of the choir at the Woodstock Academy. At the age of sixteen he composed his first piece of music. About this time he commenced studying thorough bass and harmony under the best teachers of the day, continuing the same for many years, three years of which were spent under the great German musician, Kauhoysen. During these years of study he taught many singing-schools, having at one time seven, occupying every evening in the week. In 1852-3-4 he was conductor of the Norwich Harmonic Society; he also conducted many musical conventions, in various localities. In 1854 he as- sisted in conducting the Wyndham County Musical Conven- tion (Connecticut), at the close of which he was presented with a set of Weber's "Theory of Musical Composition," then the greatest modern work on music. It may seem strange to some that one so highly educated in classical music should take to writing children's melodies, or Sunday-school music. It was a mere matter of conviction with him, as he felt that he could accomplish more good in this way. His first book, entitled "Sabbath-school Gems," was published in 1862. This was followed by "Little Sunbeam," in 1864; "Silver Spray," in 1867 ; and "Songs of Devotion," in 1868. Since that date he has been associated with Rev. Robert Lowry in editing musical works. In 1869 "Pure Gold " was pub- lished; and in 1871, "Royal Diadem " appeared. These have been followed by "Temple Anthems," "Tidal Wave," "Brightest and Best," "Welcome Tidings," "Glad Hosan- nas," and "Fountain of Song," a temperance book. In ad- dition to the above he has published a considerable amount of sheet music. While crossing the White Mountains (from the Glen House to the Crawford House), on the top of a stage coach, he composed the "Old, Old Story," and on that same even- ing it was sung for the first time, in the parlors of the Craw- ford House, by Mr. and Mrs. H. Thane Miller and others of the party. In 1867, while attending the American Institute Fair, in New York City, "More Like Jesus " was written for the Rev. W. C. Van Meter, then of the world-renowned Howard Mission, now of Rome, Italy, who came to see him, in order to obtain an original tune for the coming anniversary of his mission. Mr. Doane had no hymn, and so told him. It wanted but three days to the anniversary. Just then a boy came in with a letter addressed to W. H. Doane. Upon opening it, he found the hymn, "More Like Jesus," and the following note :
" MR. DOANE,-I feel impressed to send you this hymn. May God bless it! FANNY CROSBY."
The tune, as it is now sung all over the world, was quickly composed. It was first used at the Howard Mission anni- versary. Since that time Fanny Crosby has written over five hundred hymns for him, of which number about one- half have already been set to original music, among which are, "Pass me not," "Rescue the Perishing," "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," "Draw me Nearer," "Every Day and Hour," " Tell it with Joy," "A few more Weary Marchings," and a score of others, which are endeared to Christian hearts
all over this and other lands, some of which have been translated into more than twenty different languages. In 1865 the Denison University, at Granville, Ohio, conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Music, a title given to very few individuals. "Doane Hall," one of the finest and most complete college library buildings to be found, is named in honor of its founder, and contains the library of the above-named University. Many years ago Dr. Doane dedicated all receipts and profits from his musical labors to benevolent and religious objects, which has been more than fulfilled. His name is a household word in a large propor- tion of the Churches and schools and homes all over our land; his songs have been sung not only in this but in many other countries and tongues, wherever evangelical missions have been planted. As a business man, Mr. Doane occupies a leading place among the prominent representa- tives of Cincinnati's large manufacturing interests. Since he assumed the presidency of the J. A. Fay & Co. concern it has grown to mammoth proportions, and its interests have extended throughout the entire country. This growth has been chiefly due to the great impetus it has received from Mr. Doane's judicious and aggressive management. In busi- ness affairs his judgment is keen and his decisions rapid. His energy is unbounded, and his power of application in keeping with it. His organism is of an emphatically nerv- ous temperament. He thinks, talks, and acts with great rapidity, and has a remarkable faculty for dispatching busi- ness. Besides his large business interests, over which he exercises the closest supervision, he devotes much time to music, both as an author and a devoted friend to and sup- porter of all efforts to advance the science of music in his city. He has been for many years a member of the Baptist Church, and in Church and Sabbath-school work there is probably no man in Cincinnati who has been more zealous, or has devoted more time, than Mr. Doane. His life is an intense one-always thinking, always acting. In his beauti- ful home, surrounded by a charming family circle, can be seen evidences of refinement, culture, love of art, and all the merited rewards of a well-spent life.
MEANS, JAMES, SEN., a manufacturer in iron and railroad promoter, was born in Clinton, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, June 16th, 1792; died in the city of Philadel- phia, June 4th, 1855. The paternal side of the family was originally descended from the Covenanters. Our subject's father came from Tyrone, Ireland, to Philadelphia in 1785, whence he moved west to Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. In 1808 he moved his residence to Steubenville, Ohio; and there engaged in mercantile business in company with an uncle. He became interested in river transportation between New Orleans and points on the Ohio, and followed flat-boat- ing until 1817. In that year he quit the river, and went to Cadiz, Ohio, where he established a general merchandise store; but his residence there was short, returning in the fol- lowing year, and resuming business in the store at Steuben- ville, operating the same in connection with the boating business, as formerly. Mr. Means became permanently lo- cated at Steubenville, and in 1820 was married to Sarah Page, a resident of that place. Mr. Means early interested himself in matters of public interest relating to the advance- ment and prosperity of the city of Steubenville. In 1821 he established an iron foundry, which afforded employment for a considerable number of persons, and which, as the pioneer
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enterprise of its class in that section, did much toward shap- ing the industrial character of the surrounding country. The enterprise proved to be very profitable to its projector ; but its resources-as, indeed, all other available means of its proprietor-were largely used in furthering a project which contemplated giving to the city of Steubenville its first rail- road outlet. Thus in 1851, through the instrumentality of Mr. Means and others, was commenced the construction of the Steubenville and Indiana Railroad. Mr. Means was president of the organization, and witnessed the completion of the road as far west as Newark, Ohio, before his death in 1855. This road, with its extensions and acquired lines, is now (1884) the Pittsburg, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad, having twice undergone a change in its corporate name. Mr. Means died in Philadelphia, suddenly, from congestion of the lungs. At the time, he was conducting important financial negotiations on behalf of the city of Steubenville. To Mr. Means, more than any other citizen of his time, is due the credit of giving to the city of Steubenville an impetus which greatly increased its importance as a center of business. He was unquestion- ably the head and front of the enterprise which gave to Eastern Ohio its first railroad connection with the West. He has been described as "a man of clear judgment, sound practical views, indomitable perseverance, whom no danger could appall, and no efforts of others intimidate in the dis- charge of his duties. Integrity of purpose was the ruling principle of his actions, and among his fellow-citizens his memory will ever be cherished as one of its most useful, active, and successful business men." Mr. Means's prom- inence in his community gave him considerable political in- fluence, which he could never be prevailed upon to use in his own behalf. He always acted with the Democratic party, and in 1834 was tendered a nomination for Congress, which he declined. He left a family of six children, viz .: Joseph, Otis, Thomas, James, George B., and John P. James Means, who is noticed below in this work, is the present head of the firm of James Means & Co., founded by his father in 1821.
MEANS, JAMES, JR., a prominent manufacturer in iron, and general freight agent of the Pittsburg, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad, was born in Steubenuille, Ohio, Jan- uary Ist, 1829. He is a son of James Means and Sarah Page, the first a native of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, the other of Stratford, New Hampshire. The latter was a near relative of Franklin Pierce, elected in 1852 to the Pres- idency of the United States. The subject of this sketch at- tended Florence Academy, in Pennsylvania, and Grove Academy, at Steubenville. He was early inducted into busi- ness pursuits, and from 1848 to 1851 was occupied with his father in the management of a large flouring-mill. In the last-named year he entered the iron foundry of his father at Steubenville, and was connected with its affairs until 1857, when ill-health necessitated a change of occupation. In 1861 he was appointed paymaster of the Pittsburg, Columbus and Cincinnati Railroad (now the Pittsburg, Cincinnati and St. Louis), which position he held until 1864. He was then ap- pointed general freight agent for the road, a position which is esteemed an important one, requiring executive ability of a high order. He continues to fill the position at this writing -- 1883. Mr. Means is the senior member of the firm of James Means & Co., iron founders, which was established by his father as early as the year 1821. For more than sixty years it has been an important influence in the community as an
extensive employer of labor. He has never accepted polit- ical office, either elective or appointive, but has always taken an active interest in the success of his party organization. His counsel and opinions in such matters are received with great deference and respect, and wield a large influence among his associates. Before and during the war of Re- bellion he was a Democrat, and strongly in favor of. main- taining the Union. He has since found it consistent with his views to rejoin the Democratic party. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and for several years was Grand Com- mander of his encampment. He was married, in 1852, to Miss Hettie Stewart, and by this union had issue two chil- dren. One only is living, Mrs. Robert J. Beatty, of Steu- benville.
BETTMAN, BERNHARD, merchant, of Cincinnati, was born at Weidnitz, a small village in Upper Franconia, Bavaria, August 2d, 1834. His parents were Jacob and Jean- nette Bettman, both members of old and highly respected families. His father was during his life engaged in general merchandising. Young Bettman had the privilege of attend- ing excellent common schools until he was thirteen years of age. He was then sent to Bamberg, where he received a very thorough education. His early tastes inclined him to literary pursuits, and especially in the field of poesy, for which he is endowed with unquestionable talent, and which he has to a considerable extent indulged and cultivated throughout his active business career. He has written many beautiful poems during his leisure hours, and also many ex- cellent articles for magazines and newspapers. Two of his poems have attracted much attention among the lovers of verse. " The Last Night at Home," which appeared in 1878, perhaps has given him more celebrity as a poet than any other of his poems. It has already been translated into several different languages, and is held in high favor even among critics in Europe. "At the Coffin of the First-born," which he wrote in 1880, has also met with great favor, and is cer- tainly a poem that would do credit to poets of more preten- sions than its humble author. Mr. Bettman has been a great student all his life, and has devoted much time in compan- ionship with books, and, though a business man, has dwelt more in the realms of thought than in the desire of accumu- lating wealth. After the defeat in 1850 of the bill giving equal political rights to the Bavarian Israelites, Mr. Bettman emigrated to the United States, arriving in Cincinnati July 5th, 1850. For a few years he was engaged as clerk and book-keeper in different mercantile houses in that city, and on January ist, 1856, embarked in the wholesale gents' fur- nishing trade, in company with his brother-in-law, Mr. S. Shohl. This firm continued successfully until Mr. Shohl's death in 1866. Mr. Bettman then established the still exist- ing firm of B. Bettman & Co. As a business man he has been judicious, honorable, and successful, and has acquired a comfortable competency. Among the Israelitish Brother- hood of Cincinnati (who, indeed, constitute much of the wealth and business enterprise of that city), Mr. Bettman has been for years one of the leading representatives in popular movements, public enterprises, intellectual efforts as an ora- tor, a writer, and as a gentleman. He was chiefly instru- mental in establishing the Hebrew Union College at Cincin- nati in 1874, and has been since that time president of its Board of Governors. He was one of the founders of Union of American Hebrew Congregations, and from its inception
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a member of its Executive Board. He was for six years Master of Hanselman Lodge, 208, Free Masons, and in a multiplicity of ways has been identified with the progress of public measures and popular enterprises. He is one of the inost eloquent and popular orators (in the German tongue) in Cincinnati, and a speechi he made on the death of Lin- coln was printed in many newspapers in Germany. He is the chosen speaker and lecturer, on nearly all occasions, be- fore societies, Masonic orders, and Israelitish assemblies. He belongs to the Reform Congregation of Dr. Isaac M. Wise, and is one of its most influential members. In politics he has been a consistent Republican since 1855, voting first for Salmon P. Chase for Governor. He has never been in any sense a politician, though he has repeatedly refused political preference, including that of State Senator. He was mar- ried, October 26th, 1859, to Miss Tillie Wald, born of Ger- man parents, in New York City, August 2d, 1842. Of this union five children are now living. Two of his grown sons, both of whom are most excellent young men, are associated with their father, and in due time will succeed him in business.
BOLTON, THOMAS, lawyer and jurist, was born in Scipio, Cayuga county, New York, November 29th, 1809, and died in 1870, at Cleveland, Ohio. He was the son of a farmer. At the age of seventeen he entered the high school on Temple Hill, in Geneseo, where he fitted for college ; and, in 1829, he entered Harvard University, from which he graduated in 1833, the first in his class in mathematics. After graduating he entered upon the study of law at Canan- daigua, in the office of John C. Spencer. At the end of a year he left Canandaigua and, traveling west in search of a place in which to locate and enter upon the practice of his profession, he reached Cleveland, then a mere village of two thousand five hundred inhabitants. Two years later he was appointed on a committee to draft a charter for the city of Cleveland and to determine its limits, when he strongly urged that both sides of the river should be embraced, but was overruled, and Ohio City was established. This city was afterward united to Cleveland. He studied law in the office of James L. Conger for one year, and was admitted to the bar in 1835 by the supreme court of Ohio. After a partner- ship with Mr. Conger of one year Hon. Moses Kelly en- tered into business relations with him, which continued twenty years, when he was elected to the bench. In 1839 he was elected prosecuting attorney by the democratic party. Two years later both whigs and democrats urged him to take the office another term, but he declined. In 1848 he left the democratic party, and in 1856 assisted in organizing the republican party at Pittsburgh, and in the same year was a delegate from this congressional district to the Philadelphia convention that nominated Fremont and Dayton. For ten years he filled the position of judge of the court of common pleas, being the second elected under the new constitution. At the close of his second term he retired from both the bench and the bar. As a lawyer, force and earnestness were ruling elements of his character. Less polished and scholarly than his partner, his vigorous intellect always seized upon the strong points of his cases, and being well and thoroughly versed in common law and criminal practice, he was a for- midable antagonist. As a judge his ten years of service was honorable to himself and valuable to the public ; and as a man he was always a power in any direction.
GARRETT, HORATIO GATES, a prominent banker, living in 1884 at Steubenville, Ohio, is a native of that place. His father, whose name was also Horatio, was a native of Newcastle, Delaware, and before his removal to the West, in 1812, was the proprietor of a large paper-mill at Wil- mington, in that State. On coming to Steubenville he as- sumed the management of a paper-mill at that place, which was probably the first establishment of the kind west of the mountains. He died in 1832. Horatio Junior represents the fourth generation in the line of American descent. Both his paternal and maternal grandfather served in the War for In- dependence. He was educated in private schools in Steuben- ville, and in 1840 entered business as a dry goods merchant, in which he continued with success until 1865. Until the dis- solution of the Whig party, Mr. Garrett acted with that organization, and cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay. On the organization of the Republican party lie joined its ranks, and has acted continuously with it. In 1860 he was elected to the Board of Trustees of the city water- work's of Steubenville; and it was during his incumbency of the position that measures were taken which brought the works their present state of efficiency. He held the position until 1875, and came to be recognized as having been more particularly identified with the water-works improvement than any other resident of Steubenville. In 1878 he was elected to the City Council, and served in that capacity two terms. His interest in politics is not active, but when mani- fested exerts a potent influence with his associates. He is the chief financier of the Union Deposit Bank, an institu- tion which maintains a high standing among the fiduciary institutions of Eastern Ohio. His standing as a financier and man of business is exceptional. He built Garrett's Opera- house at Steubenville in 1865, which was the first amusement hall of any consequence built in the city, and still maintains its prestige. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has served in all the offices of his en- campment. At this writing (1884) he is unmarried.
TAYLOR, JOSEPH DANNER, a lawyer of distinc- tion, in 1882 elected to the United States Congress from the Seventeenth District of Ohio, resident at Cambridge, Ohio, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, November 7th, 1830. He is descended from a long line of American ancestry, and is of German and Irish extraction. In youth he attended both private and common schools, and later matriculated at Mad- ison College, where he completed his education in 1856. He then taught school, and pursued in private the study of law under the tutorship of the Hon. T. W. Tipton. He com- pleted his legal studies at the Cincinnati Law School, and was duly admitted to practice. He, however, did not at once commence practice, following the occupation of teaching until 1860. He practiced without any associate until 1871, when he admitted to partnership his former student, Colonel T. H. Anderson, of Cambridge. . In 1861 he purchased a one-half interest in the Guernsey Times, which he owned un- til the fall of 1871. Under his management the Times's cir- culation was trebled, and the paper's usefulness and effi- ciency greatly increased. In 1863 he was elected Prosecut- ing Attorney of Guernsey County, and held the position until 1867. His administration of the office was marked by a vigorous prosecution of the saloon-keepers in the county of Guernsey, which resulted in the total extinction of the liquor traffic, for a time, in that county. In 1863 he entered the
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