Hamilton County Biographies

R. A. Becker Varnish Companys Cincinnati, The Queen City 1788-1912, Published 1912 Pages 278-279 Transcribed by: Kimberly Graman, Dayton, OH

        The R.A. Becker Varnish Company was founded in 1889 by Richard Becker on the location its office and factory now stand at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Girard Street, Cincinnati. It began in modest quarters but under excellent management soon gave evidence of good staying qualities and as time advanced gained substantial recognition from a growing patronage. Today the company occupies a handsome brick building, one hundred feet front and extending back one hundred feet. It is provided with all modern facilities for manufacturing and handling a large line of varnishes and Japans, which have an extensive sale throughout the country.
        Richard Becker is a native of Ireland and was born November 2, 1861, being a son of Thomas and Rosetta (Plunkett) Becker. The father crossed the ocean with his family to the New World in 1866 and located in Cincinnati. He is a man of good education and for many years engaged in bookkeeping in this city. He is still active in mind and body, although past seventy-six years of age. The son Richard attended the public schools of this city and the old Resor Academy in Clifton. After laying his school books aside he was for a year office boy in the law office of Thomas A. Lane, and then entered the employ of William Randle, one of the pioneer manufactures of paint in Cincinnati, who began business on Pearl Street as early as 1830. Mr. Becker continued as a clerk under Mr. Randle for three years and then went to New York City, where he engaged in manufacturing for a short time. Returning to Cincinnati, he was placed in charge of the manufacturing department of the Hammer Paint Company, continuing with this firm from 1881 to 1882. In the latter year, with a Mr. Cater as partner, Mr. Becker opened a small place of his own, but this business did not prove successful and he returned to the employ of Mr. Randle. In 1889 he established his present business, which is now a partnership concern, his brother Lawrence being his associate. Thomas Becker, the father was identified with the business for some time but disposed of his interest in 1909.
        In 1889, at Cincinnati, Mr. Becker was united in marriage to Miss. Lida Randle, a daughter of William Randle, and they have three children, William Randle, Elliot Dallon and Lida Jeannette. The older son is with his father in business.
        Mr. Becker is a man of large practical experience and by application of principles of strict integrity and reliability he and those with whom he is associated have developed a business, which yields a handsome annual revenue. The superior quality of materials handled by the company has gained for it an enviable reputation wherever its products are used and the name of The R.A. Becker Varnish Company is accepted as a synonym for reliability and straightforward dealing. Mr. Becker devotes his entire time and energies to the management of the business and enjoys the well-deserved respect and esteem of all who know him.

Anton Berger Cincinnati, The Queen City 1788-1912, Published 1912 Pages 564 - 565 Transcribed by: Kimberly Graman, Dayton, OH

In a country where effort is unhampered by caste or class there are many notable examples of young men working their way from comparative obscurity to prominence in business circles. Such is the record of Anton Berger, now the president and general manager of the Julius J. Bantlin Company, manufacturers and jobbers of saddlery, hardware, etc., at No. 339 Main Street. In a humble capacity he became connected with the business and his advancement has been the expression of his capability and mystery of the tasks assigned him until now as president of the concern he is bending his efforts to administrative direction and executive control. He was born in Tyrol, Austria, January 23, 1842, and in his native town learned the harness maker’s trade. He was twenty-six years of age when he left Austria and came to America, making his way direct to Cincinnati. He had no friends or relatives here and entered indeed upon an independent career. He worked at harness making for two years and on the 10th of March 1870, secured a position as porter with Julius J. Bantlin, a jobber in saddlery and hardware, then located at the corner of Third and Main Streets. He proved his trustworthiness and his skill and was promoted until he became salesman and afterward manager of the business. When the Julius J. Bantlin Company was organized in 1902 he was elected to the office of vice president and general manager and in March 1910, when the other stockholders bought out the interest of the Bantlin family he became president and general manager. The other officers of the company are: L. Rummell, first vice president; Otto H. Berger, second vice president; and J.R. Menninger, secretary and treasurer. The business is capitalized for sixty thousand dollars and about thirty-five people are employed. The output of the house is of excellent quality and the straightforward business methods of the company commend them to the continued support of the many patrons whom they have gained. In addition to his other interests Mr. Berger has since 1880 been president of the Calhoun Loan & Building Company.
In 1870 Mr. Berger was united in marriage to Miss. Mary Klinger, who had been his boyhood sweetheart in Tyron Austria. After coming to the New World he saved enough money to send for her and they were here married. To them have been born ten children, of whom six are living, namely: Annie, the wife of George W. Harsch, of Washington, D.C.; Regina, who married L.C. Graeter, of Cincinnati; Louisa, the wife of William Owen Stovall; Otto H.; Emma, who married Charles Mittendorf; and Clara. Fraternally Mr. Berger is connected with Excelsior Lodge of Masons. Mr. Berger has represented his ward on the board of education for ten years and remains a member. He has carved out for himself a creditable position in business circles in his adopted city, and he has not for a moment regretted his determinations to improve the opportunities of the New World in the attainment of success.

BENJAMIN T. ARCHER Cincinnati, The Queen City 1788-1912, Published 1912 Pages 41 - 42 Transcribed by: Paula Carle Bosch, Sweetwater, TN         Benjamin T. Archer, who has been engaged in the practice of law in Cincinnati since June 1898, and has applied himself with a zeal and ability productive of highly gratifying results, was born near Amelia, Clermont county, Ohio, January 17, 1876. His father, James S. Archer, was born at the same place, November 16, 1849. He was a farmer and a flour and feed merchant. He is now living retired in Amelia. The mother, Rosella Tone before her marriage was born near Amelia and is now deceased. There were three children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Archer: Benjamin T, of this review; Mabelle, who is the wife of Mr. Emmett A. Fagin, of Muskogee, Oklahoma; and Rosella T., who is the wife of Charles A. Ford, of Washington, D. C.
        Mr. Archer of this review attended the common schools of Clermont county and carried his studies further in the high school of Amelia and Woodward high school, of Cincinnati. He was a student in the University of Cincinnati and the Ohio State University, graduating at the Ohio State University with the degree of LL. D. in 1898. In June of the same year he began practice in this city. Two years later he entered into partnership with State Senator George W. Hardacre, which association continued until 1903, when Senator Hardacre removed to Portland, Oregon, Mr. Archer succeeding to the legal business of the firm. He engages in general civil law practice with offices at 61-62 Atlas Bank building, and by faithful attention to the interests of his clients and the application of marked energy and ability he has gained a reputation as one of the thoroughly capable lawyers of the city. He has shown himself perfectly at home in the courtroom and has won a large percentage of the cases entrusted to his care. Being a good counselor, he has been instrumental by well timed advice in greatly advancing the interests of many who have sought his services without resorting to the usual processes of the courts.
        On the 6th of June, 1906, Mr. Archer was married to Miss Martha E. Rooney, a native of Cincinnati. Her father died when she was a child and the maiden name of her mother was Eva O. Galloway. Two promising children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Archer: Martha Mildred, who was born May 30, 1907; and Mary Jane, born November 21, 1909. Mr. Archer is a prominent Scottish Rite Mason. He is past master of his lodge and has taken the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and shrine. He is also a valued member of the Knights of Pythias. He is well known in social circles and holds membership in the Business Men's Club, the Stamina League and the Hyde Park Business Men's Club. Always prompt and efficient in the discharge of obligations, he has gained the confidence of his fellowmen and his clients are to be found among the leading citizens of the city. He is endowed with an attractive appearance and address and, as he possesses an intimate knowledge of the principles of law and carries forward his work with undiminished interest, the future holds forth for him the promise of increasing prosperity.

FROOME MORRIS Cincinnati, The Queen City 1788-1912, Published 1912 Pages 43-44 Transcribed by: Paula Carle Bosch, Sweetwater, TN Fromme Morris, whose ability in the practice of his profession has been used for the benefit of the city as well as in the upbuilding of what is now an extensive private practice, was born in Cincinnati on the 17th of May, 1879, his parents being Robert T. and Annie (Froome) Morris. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges until he had completed a course in the Hughes high school with the class of 1869. Ambition for further educational advancement led him to enter Amherst College of Massachusetts, where he completed the classical course by graduation in 1893 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. His preparation for the professional career was made in the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated in 1895. On his return from Amherst he at once began his law studies, and following his graduation at once entered upon active practice. While attending law school he also studied in the office of Bateman & Harper, and subsequently became a member of the firm of Littleford, Morris & Ballard. The splendid work which he did in the office of first assistant county prosecuting attorney, which position he filled from January, 1901, until January, 1909, brought him prominently before the public as a capable lawyer, and the prestige which he has won in his profession has been the logical outcome of ability that enables him to successfully handle the most intricate and involved pronlems of the law.
Mr. Morris is a republican and has been an active factor in local political circles in city and county, his opinions carrying weight in the local councils. Fraternally he is a Mason, holding membership in Avon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and he likewise belongs to the Business Men's Club and to the University Club, finding within their ranks many warm friends and that congenial companionship that exists between men whose reading and interests have carried them into the broader field of thought, wherein is aroused and interest in questions of far-reaching and vital importance.