Anderson Township (part 4 of 4)

Jacob Haehl, blacksmith and wagonmaker, Avondale, was born in Bavaria, Germany, February 9, 1816. Here he learned his trade as a wagonmaker. He then came to America, landing in New Orleans, November 6, 1833, thence to Cincinnati, taking twenty-one days in making the trip from New Orleans to Cincinnati by steamer. Arriving in Cincinnati Mr. Haehl began to work at his trade. In 1835 heestablished in business for himself, and to-day is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) wagonmaker in business in Hamilton county. Mr. Haehl has been a resident of Hamilton county ever since 1833, with the exception of some five years in Indiana. He was for a number of years working at his trade near the old Brighton House, with Daniel Young, an old pioneer blacksmith. In 1865 Mr. Haehl came to Avondale, where he has remained since engaged in blacksmithing and wagonmaking, employing some four hands, and occupying a two-story building thirty-one by fifty feet in size. He was married in 1836 to Barbara. Bolander. She was born in Germany, and came to America in 1835. By this union they have ten children. Had three sons in the late civil war - Jacob, Henry and George; all were brave soldiers, being honorably mustered out. Mr. Haehl was four years a member of the school board of Cincinnati and two years overseer of the poor.

Louis H. Bauer, residence Avondale, was born in the grand duchy of Baden, Germany, October 30, 1836. He came to America and landed in New Orleans in 1851. Mr. Bauer worked at the bakery trade in New Orleans, St. Louis, and Cincinnati; at the latter place he carried on the bakery business for himself, being very successful. He, in 1877, moved to Avondale and erected his present building; here he has carried on the saloon business. Mr. Bauer was a soldier in the late civil war; he enlisted in company G, Ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, where he did good service for two years, participating in the engagements of his regiment. He contracted sickness (rheumatism), and on this account was honorably discharged. He has suffered from the rheumatism very much since, being a cripple in the hand from its effects. Mr. Bauer was a policeman in Cincinnati five years and was a good officer.

William Asmann, retired, residence Avondale, was born in Hanover, in 1811, about September. He came to America and landed in Baltiniore, in 1842, thence went direct to Cincinnati. Coming here in meagre circumstances, he went to work at day's labor. He managed to save a little money, and in 1850 he entered the grocery business on Mulberry and Main streets, in Cincinnati.

Here he remained until 1858, when he moved to Avondale and opened a grocery store, being one of the first, in business in this town. Mr. Asmann continued actively in business up to 1880, when he retired, being very successful. He married in Germany to Miss Annie Bruchemann, and with wife and one child, accompanied him to America. By this union of marriage they have two children living, a son and daughter. Mrs. Asmann died in 1880.

S. Newby & Son, wagon manufactory and blacksmith shop, Avondale. Among the leading manufacturing establishments of Avondale is that owned and operated by S. Newby & Son, both men being practical mechanics, learning their trade in England. Henry, the son, finished his trade as a machinist in one of the largest machine shops in the world. In 1870 this firm came to Avondale, where they erected a small shop. Since then, by their good management and attention to business their trade has steadily increased, until now they occupy a large three-story house, twenty-five by eighty feet in size, and employ as high as three hundred hands doing a general wagon manufacturing, repairing and blacksmithing business.

Gustave Jander, residence Avondale, was born in Prussia, April 30, 1827. He came to America in 1849, and was for three months a resident of Cleveland, Ohio,

'thence in the same year came to Cincinnati; here he began to work at his trade as a saddler, which trade he learned in Germany. Continuing in Cincinnati, he in 1868 moved to Avondale and carried on the saddlery and harness business in the brick house opposite his present location, for some six years, when he soon after opened a saloon. Mr. Jander married Schuster, of Bavaria, Germany. have four children.

F, J. Diss, contractor and builder, residence Avondale, was born in Lorraine, France, September 6, 1821. He learned his trade as a carpenter in his native country. He then came to America and landed in New York city in- 1840. He went to Pittsburgh and worked at his trade for some six months. In 1840 he came to Cincinnati and commenced to work at his trade. In 1852 Mr. Diss moved to Avondale and has remained one of its honored residents ever since, during which he has contracted and erected a number of prominent buildings of this place. He was the first/ builder boss to locate in Avondale. Mr. Diss came tg Cincinnati in poor circumstances; to-day he is one of the successful builders and contractors of this vicinity.

Catharine Karl, residence Avondale, and the subject of this sketch, is one of the old and respected pioneers of Avondale. She was born in Germany in about 1814. She was married in Germany to the late Frederick Karl, of Germany, and they, in company with three children sailed for America and landed in New York city in 1835, coming direct to Cincinnati. Here Mr. Karl worked as a day laborer; he was for a short time watchman on a steamboat. In 1849 the family moved to Avondale. Here, in 1851, he began in a small way in the dairy business, and by his industry he built up a good and profitable trade. He continued in business until his death, which occurred in 1864. Thus passed away an honored and respected citizen of Avondale, leaving a wife and three children to mourn his loss. The three children are, Maggie, Amelia and Caroline.

F, Spangler, residence Avondale, and the subject of this sketch, was born in the city of Brunswick, Germany, August 5, 1822. He, in 1848, came to America and landed in Galveston, where he remained but a short time, thence to New Orleans, and in the spring of 1849 came to Cincinnati, where in this vicinity he has remained ever since one of its honored and respected citizens. Mr. Spangler was for a nuniber of years engaged in the ladies' furnishing and trimming business, on the corner of Fifth and Vine streets; he was also engaged in other mercantile occupations. He was married in Cincinnati to Miss Mariah Lizzie Warner, of Albany, New York, by whom he has two children living. Mr. Spangler was very actively engaged in the late civil war; was captain in the Seventh Ohio regiment. He was promoted and served as gencral inspector of ammunition, where he did good duty. Mr. Spangler,.in 1849, became a member of the Cincinnati Leidertafel Singing society, the third oldest singing society in America, and Mr, Spangler being the sixth oldest singer in the northwest. At an early day Mr. Spangler was presented with a beer mug trimmed with silver mounting, with an iron-screw on the top, for best singing.

Thomas Knott, florist, residerice Avondale, was born in the western portion of Ireland, in the year 1818. Here he grew into manhood, and in 1840 came to Cincinnati, where he accepted a clerkship in a dry goods store. He remained but a short time. In 1841 he moved to Avondale, then Locust Grove, and with a capi tal of some three hundred dollars embarked in the florist business, near his present location. He states that when . he commenced there were only four more in the florist business here in Avondale. Mr. Knott has remained ever since, working continuously, at his occupation, and to day is perhaps the oldest florist near the city, and the oldest settler of Avondale. He has been very successful as a florist, owning one of the largest places of the kind near Cincinnati, having some fifteen large houses, under glass, and all filled with the choicest plants. One rosebush he has, which is the LaMark, a pure white rose, he cut from it, one Easter, one hundred dollars' worth of buds at a moderate figure. Mr. Knott employs six hands in the florist business.

George Thale, dairyman, Avondale, was born in Hanover, May 25, 1838, came to the United States and direct to Cincinnati in 1864. Here he worked at day's labor. He was then engaged in driving a sprinkling cart in watering the streets; then as driver of a milk wagon, Coming to Avondale, he commenced in the dairy business with forty-two cows. Since then his business has grown very extensive, and to-day he has the credit of keeping one of the Lest dairies in Hamilton county, owning seventy-seven head of cows, and running two milk wagons in connection with his business.

Thomas Lambert, retired, residence Avondale. The subject of this brief notice was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, March 5, 1825, coming to the United States and direct to Avondale in 1850, which has been his home ever since. He is now one of Avondale's pioneers. Here he entered the nursery business, which he carried on very successfully for a number of years. He entered the grocery business in Avondale, and continued in it up up to 1878, when he retired. Mr. Lambert has been very active in building up Avondale. He has filled several offices of public trust with honor and credit. He was for twelve years assessor of Avondale precinct. He is now superintendent of streets.

John Schroeder, saloonist, residence Avondale, was born near Frankfort on the Rhine, Germany, September 24, 1839. He learned his trade as a carpenter in Germany, and in 1867 came to America, landed in New York city, and then came direct to Cincinnati. Here he worked at his trade, and in 1870 he opened a grocery and saloon in Mount Auburn, continuing there until the year 1877, when he erected his present brick block, which is two stories high, and an ornament to that part of Avondale. Here he entered his present business, which he has continued since.

Rey. Hilary Hoelscher, pastor of the Catholic church at Carthage, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 14, 1857, and is the son of John and Mary Elizabeth (MitgoesJ=-both parents, natives of Hanover, Germany, having come to America at an early day. Our subject, when he was two years of age, moved with his parents to Covington, Kentucky. Here he received his education, graduating from the St. Francis college in 1875, when he entered upon his ministerial studies, and was ordained as a minister in 1880, his first appointment being as pastor of the Catholic church at Carthage, which pulpit he is now filling.

E. A. Brown, supervisor of Longview asylum, was born in Windham county, Connecticut, and followed farming in his native State. In 1861 he enlisted in company B, Eleventh Rhode Island infantry, where he served full time and was honorably mustered out. In 1876 he came to Hamilton county, Ohio, and received a place in the Longview Asylum as watchman. He was soon after appointed to his present position, in which place he is giving the best of satisfaction. ;

A. L, Stephens, superintendent of the colored department of the Longview asylum, residence Carthage, The subject of this brief notice was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, July 19, 1839. He was for seven years connected with the lunatic asylum at Dayton. In 1873 Mr. Stephens accepted a position with the Longview asylum, where he has remained ever since. He has been very faithful, and is acknowledged to be the right man in the right place.

John T. Colling, warden of the Hamilton county infirmary, residence Carthage, was born in Aisne, France, in 1834, where he received his principal education. In

1852 he came to Cincinnati. He was for four years an employe of the Commercial hospital, when he received an appointment from Dayton Asylum, and was superintendent of that institution for some two years, and returned to Cincinnati and was in charge of the asylum at Lick Run for two years. In 1860 he entered the employ of the Western Insurance company as assistant secretary for one year, then secretary for nineteen years, being a faithful employe. He was very successful, and took an active part in improving Carthage. He moved there in 1866. He was eight years a member of the council, and trustee of the schools for some ten years, filling these offices with acknowledged ability. In 1879 Mr. Colling was appointed to his present positton, where he is giving the best of satisfaction. He was married in Cincinnati in 1856 to Miss Elizabeth Sauer, of Maryland, and has five children, four sons and one daughter.

J. E. Ash, station agent Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad at Carthage, was born in Logan county, Ohio. When a young man, he went to Bellefontaine and worked in a carriage manufactory as a carriage painter. The work not agreeing with him, he left and began to learn telegraphing, which business he has followed for the last twenty-five years. He opened the office at Middletown, and was telegraph operator there until he went to Springfield. From there he came to Carthage January 1, 1862, as telegraph operator and station agent. his position Mr. Ash has filled ever since, and is to-day the third oldest railroad operator between Toledo and Cincinnati. While a citizen of Carthage, Mr. Ash has won many warm friends. He has filled several offices of public trust with honor. He was councilman one term and clerk one term. He, in connection with his station agency, operates a coal and lumber yard, which business he has been in for the last ten years.

John Bickers, section boss Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, residence Carthage. Was born in Germany, having come to Hamilton county in 1852. In 1853 he began work on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad as a section hand. In 1857 he was made foreman of his present section, which position he has filled with the best of satisfaction ever since, and today perhaps is the oldest railroad section boss in Hamilton county. Mr. Bickers was a member of the Carthage council for two terms, filling this office with acknowledged ability.

John McCammon, contractor and builder, residence Carthage, was born in Shippensburgh, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1814, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (Piper) McCammon. His father was anative of Ireland, and a cabinetmaker by trade. He died in 1858, aged eighty-six years and two months. Our subject, with his parents, in 1816, came to Cincinnati, floating down the Ohio river in a keel-boat, locating in Cincinnati, where they remained until 1821, then moved to a farm in Springfield township, Hamilton county. Here Mr. Mc- Cammon remained, working on the farm. In June, 1831, he began to learn the carpenter's trade in Cincinnati, which business he continued up to 1858, when he was appointed superintendent of buildings of the schools of Cincinnati. This position he filled until June 20, 1875, during which time about all the public schools of this city were erected under his supervision. Mr. Mc- Cammon superintended the erection of the new music hall and the wings. He also superintended the erection of the gas building in Carthage. His life has been very active, and to-day, perhaps, he has superintended the erection of more prominent buildings than any one man in Cincinnati. He was married, June 14, 1840, to Miss J. Bonnel, a native of Hamilton county, Ohio. By this | marriage they haye had eight children, of whom six are living. In 1868 Mr. McCammon moved to Carthage, which has been his home ever since.

Mrs. Hannah French, dealer in dry goods at Carthage, is the wife of the late Mr. French, who was born in England' He graduated from the Kilkenny college and > soon after came to America, locating in Chicago, thence to Sandusky, Ohio, where he taught a select school. He then went to Plasdated, on the Peninsula, and here taught school and became acquainted with the subject of this sketch, Miss Hannah Slackford, who was born in London, England, and is the daughter of Thomas Slackford, who was a sea-faring man. 'They, in about 1867, came to Cincinnati. Mr. French was acknowledged to be the best penman around Cincinnati. He taught penmanship in Covington. He entered the office of Gilmore & Dunlap, as a clerk, and soon afterwards was their general correspondent. In 1860 they moved to Carthage. Here Mrs. French commenced the notion and drug store business, being the first to start a drug store in Carthage. She continued in business up to 1879, since which time her sons have been carrying on the business. Mr. French died in April, 1878 - a man respected and honored. 'Thus passed away one of Carthage's best citizens, leaving a wife and four children to mourn his loss.

Pedro Benner keeps a drug store at Carthage. He was born in Hamburgh, Germany, in 1851, and came to America in 1855, and in 1859 came to Cincinnati, where he received his principal education, and then entered a leading drug store in Cincinnati, where he remained for several years as a clerk. In December, 1874, he commenced business for himself, in Cincinnati. In 1877 he moved to Carthage, and began business in the post office building. Here he remained up to 1879, when he moved to his present cozy quarters, which is the leading drug store of Carthage. Since Mr. Benner came to Carthage his business has gradually improved, and today he is doing a very good drug business.

Edward P. Oberle, grocer at Carthage, was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 16, 1827. He came to the United States and landed in New York city, in 1853, thence direct to Cincinnati, arriving here in August of the same year. Here he learned the trade of a baker with his brother. In 1855, he moved to St. Bernard, and carried on the bakery business up to 1858, when he moved to Carthage, where he embarked in the bakery trade in a small frame house. In 1860 he built his present store and continued the bakery up to 1874, since which time he has been in the grocery business, being very successful. Mr. Oberle, in connection with the

Leonard Engel, butcher, at Carthage, was born in Wodenburgh, Germany, April 16, 1836. He came to the United States and landed in New York city in 1855, thence to Indiana, where he remained two years. In 1857 he came to Hamilton gounty. In 1865, he moved to Carthage. He is the oldest, as welP-as the most successful butcher in this vicinity. Mr. Engel "has filled several offices of trust. He was elected a member of the city council, but on account of his business he resigned. He has been a member of the school board for the last four years.

Chris Schmidt, gardener, at Carthage, was born in Germany, in 1837. He came to the United States and landed in New York city in 1854, thence direct to Cincinnati, arriving there in May, of the same year. He engaged in the gardening business. He was a resident of Camp Washington some ten or fifteen years. In 1870 he moved to Carthage, and in 1873 was elected to the city council, which office he has filled with honor and credit for some two terms. He was married, in Hamilton county, to Miss Mary Gruber, of Germany. They have three children.

H. H. Lammers, keeper of a hotel and feed store, at Carthage, was born in Oldenburgh, Germany, in 1830. He came to the United States and landed in New Orleans in 1848; thence he came to Cincinnati, arriving there in January, 1849. Here he began to work at his trade as a wagon-maker, which trade he had learned in Germany. He continued at his trade in Cincinnati up to 1858, when he moved to Carthage and carried on the business until 1860, when he entered his present business. Mr. Lammers has been very successful while a resident of Carthage, By his hard work and good management he has accumulated a good property, and made hosts. of friends. He was one of Carthage's honored cotincilmen for one term. He is .a hard worker in the Catholic church, taking an active part in the church and school. He is a director of the St. Mary's cemetery, which bids fair to become one of the handsomest cemeteries around Cincinnati.

L. W. Haley, who keeps a tin and stove store' at Carthage, was born in Winterport, Maine, in 1848, He learned his trade as a tinner in Waldo county, Maine, when he was eighteen years of age. In 1869 he came to Cincinnati and worked at his trade. In September, 1873, he embarked in business for himself in Carthage, where he has remained since. He is now doing a good business - employing as high as seven men - doing work for the public works in and around Carthage. Mr. Haley has represented Carthage as city councilman for one term, filling that office with honor and credit.

Rev. Daniel Heile, pastor of St. Bernard's Catholic church, was born in the province of Hanover, August 6, 1842, and is the son of Bernard and Elizabeth (Schulter) Heile, both parents nativesof Germany. Our subject, in

1867, came to America, coming to Cincinnati. He entered the St. Francis college, where he remained for several years. After receiving a thorough education, attending different colleges, he was ordained as minister July 26, 1874, at Oldenburgh, Indiana, He was for six years pastor of St. Stephen's church, of Hamilton, Ohio, when, in 1880, Father Heile received a call from his present church, where he has filled the pulpit ever since.

G. H. Esselmann, superintendent of the German Catholic cemetery, at St. Bernard, was born in Hanover, Germany, May 11, 1853; came to the United States and landed in Baltimore in 1871, coming direct to Cincinnati. Since then he has learned his trade as a:steel polisher, working in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Mansfield, thence to Cincinnati. He was for four years connected with the St. Joseph cemetery. In 1879 he was made superintendent of the present cemetery, which position he has filled with ability since, giving the best of satisfaction. He married, in 1878, Miss Katie Estermann, she being a native of Cincinnati, her parents locating here at an early day.

Joseph Wallrath, superintendent of the New German cemetery near St. Bernard, was born in the Rhine province, Germany, May, 1848; came to the United States and landed in New York city in 1867, coming direct to Cincinnati. Here he was engaged in landscape gardening, being concerned in laying out some of the finest places in Clifton. He made.a visit to California, remaining ashort time. He returned to Cincinnati and again entered his profession as a landscape gardener, and was made superintendent of the new cemetery, which so far is acknowledged to be one of the handsomest cemeteries around Cincinnati.

Bernard Strothman, gardener, near St. Bernard, was born in Hanover, April 19, 1841; came to the United States, and landed at New York city, in 1854, thence to Cincinnati. Here he was engaged by day's labor. In 1864 he entered his present business, in which he has been very successful. He built the improvements on his present place, which consists of four and one-fifth acres of land, all in good order. Mr, Strothman attends to the gardening. He married, in Cincinnati, Miss Henrietta Faurnan, of Germany, by whom he has had five children,

Frank Kaufmann, grocer, St. Bernard, was born in Prussia in 1816. Here he learned his trade as a blacksmith, He soon after came to America and landed in New York city in 1848. He then went to Pittsburgh. Here he worked at his trade, and was married to Miss Mary Brandhover. After remaining there until 1850 Mr. Kaufmann, with his wife and one child, came to Cincinnati, where he worked at his trade up to 1854, then on the Reading road some two years, when, in 1856, he came to St. Bernard and worked at his trade for a number of years, when he engaged in the grocery business, and coming to Cincinnati with but little money, is to-day one of the most successful and highly respected business men of St. Bernard, He has five children.

Herman Knuwener, head of the prosperous firm of Knuwener & Verhage, owning and managing the Cincinnati soda and mineral water works, is of full German blood on both sides; was born in Hanover, now in Prussia, July 23, 1848; the oldest son of William and Lizzie (Huxal) Knuwener, both natives of the same German State, and both are still living at the old home in the Fatherland. He was educated in the elementary schools, under the compulsory system of school attendance long in vogue throughout Germany. In his fourteenth year he began active life among total strangers at Diepholtz, some distance from his native place. He engaged as an apprentice in the dry goods business, serving according to the German system, not only without pay, but at his own cost for instruction in the business. For four years he sustained this burden, not being allowed the use of any money, and being pledged against the use of tobacco in any shape, his father signing a bond that he would observe an agreement to this effect. At the expiration of his apprenticeship, feeling opposed to the stern, severe military laws, which would presently have called him into needless service for three years, he resolved to emigrate to America, and again Started out alone in the world. He landed in New York in 1866, came on at once to the Queen City, and for about a year did not engage in business, but improved his time in learning the language of his adopted country and taking a full course in Nelson's Business college. His acquaintance in the city, and with the English speech, then enabled him to obtain a situation in the now great dry goods store of Alms & Doepke, then a comparatively small establishment in the old building at the head of Twelfth street. He was given the honorable post of salesman at the front counter, and was otherwise very kindly treated by the firm, to whom he justly attributes the beginning of his fortunes in Cincinnati. He was with them but a year, however, and then entered as a salesman the store of Messrs.C. Steinkamp & Co.,on Main street above Twelfth, in which, after only about half a year, he became a junior partner. He went out of this connection in 1874, and the house has since become extinct. Mr. Knuwener sold his interest to Mr. Steinkamp, and embarked in the soda and mineral water manufacture, buying the business of his father-in-law, Mr. J. H. Overdyck, at 719 Home street, after the death of the latter. He conducted the business alone until 1876, when the establishment was consolidated with the similar works of Mr. Henry Verhage, on Walnut street, and the two joined their energies in a strong and prosperous partnership. In the spring of the same year, they moved to the much more spacious and convenient quarters they now occupy, at 270-2 Sycamore street, near the corner of Eighth street, where their business and popularity have grown upon their hands until they now have the largest establishment of the kind in the city and in the State of Ohio, and probably in the entire west. They have certain specialties in soda fountains (steel) not enjoyed by any other house in the city, and now supply most of the dealers in soda-water. Their business is almost exclusively with city retailers, and is a good, safe traffic, which nets them very profitable results Mr. Knuwener is the sole manager in charge of the works, and to him may be credited the success and prosperity of the firm.

He has taken time, however, to interest himself somewhat in politics and other affairs, and is a member of the Lincoln club and sundry other organizations. | In 1880, though a Republican, he was elected, against his inclination, in the strong Democratic Sixteenth ward, a member of the board of councilmen, in which he is now acceptably serving his constituents. When the new committee of the council was formed on the consumption of smoke, under a recent act of the legislature, he was appointed a member of this important committee. In the council he has kept a vigilant eye upon the public interests, particularly the plunder of the city treasury, and not long since moved a resolution of inquiry into the vast expense of the city advertising, which was passed and has already been productive of much good.

Mr. Knuwener was married in Cincinnati February 23, 1871, to Miss Louisa, daughter of Mr. J. H. Overdyck, a well-known German citizen, and Mrs. Henrietta (Dunker) Overdyck. Their children number two: Millie and Henry Knuwener. The family live in a pleasant residence at No. 388 West Court street. ;

Hanover, Germany, October 8, 1811. He came to the United States and landed in Baltimore July 13, 1833, where he remained in that vicinity for about four years, working as day laborer. In 1837 he came to Cincinnati and worked at gardening. He soon after began teaching school, and followed school teaching for some six years. In 1850 Mr. Schulhof started in the gardening business where is now located the Catholic graveyard, which business he continued there until 1862, when he began the grocery business, which he has continued in St. Bernard ever since, being now one of its highly honored pioneer settlers. Mr. Schulhof married Miss Catharine Dickmann, who came to Cincinnati at an early day. She . was a good Christian lady, respected and loved by all. She died January 26, 1877. There are five children living - two sons and three daughters.

George Young, blacksmith, St. Bernard, was born in Camp Washington December 30, £845, and is the son of George Young, who came to Hamilton county at an early day. Our subject is to-day the pioneer blacksmith of St. Bernard. He is now engaged at the blacksmith business, employing three hands in the manufacture of wagons and the general blacksmith business. He married Miss Annie Sprung, of Cincinnati. By this marriage they have seven children living. Mr. Young was a soldier in the late war, serving in the Twenty-second Indiana volunteer infantry, company B, for two years and a half. He was a faithful soldier, and was honorably mustered out at the close of the war.

The subject of this sketch, Jacob Ries (deceased), of St. Bernard, was born in Germany in 1822. He came to the United States in 1841, coming direct to Cincinnati. In 1856 he moved to St. Bernard. Here he was actively engaged in business up to his death, which oc- He was a man liked by all for his uprightness and honorable dealings. He took an active part in the building up of St. Bernard. He died respected and loved by a host of friends. He was an active member of the Catholic church. Thus passed away a kind father and a loving husband, leaving a wife _ and five children to mourn his loss. He was married in Cincinnati in 1848 to Elizabeth. Morio, who came to Cincinnati with her father, Michael Morio, his wife and four children.

Herman Witte, a resident of St. Bernard, was born in Hanover, Germany, February 18,1820. He learned the bakery trade, and in 1845 he sailed for America, and landed in Baltimore. Here he worked for some six months at his trade, and in the same year (1845) he came to Cincinnati, coming here very poor, having only a five-franc piece, which was soon after stolen from him. He, besides working at his trade, worked on the railroad and at other labor until he, in 1850, entered the grocery business on the corner of Race and Green streets. In 1852 Mr. Witte moved to St. Bernard, and has been one of its honored and respected citizens ever since, and is now one of the oldest settlers of the place. He moved in a little frame house, where he carried on business until 1861, when he built his present place of business. Mr. Witte was married in 1850 to Miss Rosena Stubbe, the late Val Eckert, who was born in France in 1815. He came to the United States and landed in New York cityin 1834. Hé went then to New Orleans, and in 1845 came to Cincinnati. Coming here in meagre circumstances, he went to work at day labor. He managed well, and by hard work he accumulated a good property. In 1854 he moved to St. Bernard, where he became one of its most honored and prominent citizens, taking an interest in the building up of the town. He was married in Cincinnati in 1846 to Carrie Meyer, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Eckert died in 1878, leaving a wife and five children to mourn his loss.

Mrs. Julia A. Kemper, of St. Bernard, was born in Mill Creek township, Hamilton county, Ohio, March 31, 1820, and is the daughter of John Boswell, who came to Hamilton county from Maryland as early as 1812. He farmed here up to his death. Of that family there are five children living: George, Elizabeth, Mary Jane, Alexander. and the subject of this sketch, who has remained a resident of Mill Creek township ever since she was born. She was married in 1841 to the late Reuben Kemper, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, July 28, 1813, and is the son of Presley Kemper, who was one of the pioneers of this county. Reuben Kemper was raised on the farm. He also follow2d the tannery business for sev-

-eral_years, but spent the greater portion of his life on the farm. He died on the old farm respected and honored, leaving a wife and four children: Robert,, Henry, Mary E, and Sarah.

Thomas Branch Weatherby, retired, a resident of College Hill, was born in Thetford, Vermont, July 20, 1802, and is the son of Danforth and Lucy (Stiles) Weatherby. Our subject, with his father and family, in 1806 started in wagons for Kentucky, but on their way, after being out eleven weeks, arrived in Cincinnati, where they located, remaining there until about 1808, when they moved to Columbus, and in 180g returned to Cincinnati, living in a rented log cabin on the land where the Grand Hotel is now located. In 1810 the family moved to Eighth street, between Broadway and Sycamore. Here they remained until 1816, when they moved to a farm in Springfield township. In 1831 the father and mother moved to Oxford, where they both died. Our subject in 1832, where he has remained ever since. Mr. Weatherby was married in Springfield township to Miss Mercy Van Zant. She was born in Hamilton county, her parents being among the early settlers, by whom they have had four children.

A. B. Johnson, superintendent of the Avondale*public schools, was born in Ogden, New York. His father was a teacher of thirty years' experience, and gave his son a good education in the schools of his native town and in those of Rochester, New York. He also learned to work on a farm, and afterwards studied book-keeping and the principles of penmanship, and the knowledge thus gained enabled him to earn a sufficient amount to graduate him in the Oberlin college, which occurred in the year 1853. He taught school in the college, and during vacations on the evenings and Saturdays of each week he posted books. In 1856 he received the degree of A. M. He taught school one year after graduating in New York, having charge of the Academy of Sodus, Wayne county, of that State. In 1855 he came to Avondale, where he has been elected superintendent of the school twenty-five times in as many years, without a single opposing vote in the board of education of his place. He has been for years an active member of the teachers' association of Hamilton county; has been county examiner of teachers of his own county, and now holds the position as one of the State examiners of applicants for State certificates. His estimable wife has labored with him during these long years of toil, and done much to make the schools of Avondale what they are.

John Trotter, sexton of Spring Grove cemetery, was born in Scotland May 12, 1836. In 1863 he came to America, and landed in New York; thence to Chicago, Illinois, where he remained, engaged in the gardening business, until 1867. In 1869 Mr. Trotter entered the employ of the Spring Grove cemetery as gardener. In 1871 he was made the sexton, which position he has filled very satisfactorily since.

Keeshan & Weber, grocery and meat store, Avondale, is one of the leading business firms of Avondale. The meat store was established about the year 1864 and was one of the first meat markets of the place. Mr. T. J. Keeshan is a native of Ireland, having come to America when very young. He has been engaged in the mercantile business for the last twelve years. Mr. Henry Weber is one of the old pioneers of Hamilton county. He was engaged in farming in Glendale. Afterwards the firm of Keeshan & Weber was formed, since doing business in Avondale.