Hamilton County Biographies

David Wilson Belding Cincinnati, The Queen City 1788-1912, Published 1912 Pages 186 - 189 Transcribed by: Kimberly Graman

        The life record of David Wilson Belding is a notable example of brilliant achievement through individual effort and such a history makes the American title of a "self-made man" more to be envied than the inherited and often empty honors of royalty. There came to him the highest honor and respect, paid to him instinctively by those who know aught of his history, recognizing in him a man whose inherent force of character and well developed talents gave him prestige beyond that of the majority of men. Mr. Belding was born at Ashfield, Massachusetts, February 11, 1832, a son of Hiram and Mary (Wilson) Belding, who were of English descent and representatives of early families of New England. The father was a farmer and merchant, thus providing a comfortable living for his family which numbered five sons and a daughter. Removing to the west with his family a location was made in Michigan in an early day, the father becoming the owner of a small farm near Patterson’s Mills. Of his children one of the sons
Frank Belding, died in early life. The other four, David W., M.M., now of New York, H.H., now deceased and A.N., now of Rockville, Connecticut, traveled about the country selling silks and other goods from peddlers’ packs, and in that way established the foundation of a business that was destined to become one of the greatest silk manufacturing enterprises of the country, the plant being comprised of five large factories between Maine and California, in which employment is furnished to over six thousand people.
        David Wilson Belding pursued his education in the public schools of Ashfield and in an academy at that place, and like his brothers started out in the business world with a peddler’s pack selling silk and other goods. He continued in that line of business throughout his entire life, although the modest beginning bore little resemblance to the prominent place which he occupied in his later years when
well directed energy, keen business insight and unfaltering perseverance had placed him among the foremost representatives of the silk trade in America. About 1857 he went to Michigan, where he lived for a short time, and for a brief period he was also a resident of Wisconsin. Because of ill health, however, his physicians advised a change of climate and he went upon the road as a traveling salesman, selling silk for about seven years all over the south. He found that this life was beneficial physically as well as financially. In the meantime the brothers had concentrated their energies upon the establishment and upbuilding of a manufactory and about 1864 David W. Belding came to Cincinnati where he took
charge of the local factory, then but a small concern and bent his energies toward the extension of the business. He studied the trade from every possible standpoint, watching the sales department as well as the manufacturing end of the business, and in time secured a patronage of such extensive proportions that many traveling salesmen were employed. The name of Belding is synonymous with the silk trade in America and has ever represented the standards of manufacture in that line. It has been claimed that opportunity is always a factor in success but careful consideration will show that opportunity not only comes once but many times. Each day holds for every individual a chance to accomplish something, to
take a step forward, and many men fail because they lack perseverance, energy or adaptability. Possessing all these requisite qualities, Mr. Belding gradually worked his way upward and maintained for many years a prominent position among the manufacturers and merchants of America.
        On the 15th of February 1858, occurred the marriage of Mr. Belding to Miss. Jeanette Kittridge Cooper, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Mathews) Cooper, the wedding being celebrated at Niagara Falls. Mrs. Belding was born at Paris, Maine, January 5, 1836. Her father was a farmer who, born at Plymouth, Massachusetts, removed with his father, Judge Cooper, to Paris when but two years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Belding were born five children: Nettie, the deceased wife of Thomas McGarry, of Florida, by whom she had three children, Frnaces B., Paul D. and Marion, her death occurring on the 24th of September 1910; Milo, who passed away October 19, 1900; Thomas F., a farmer of Morrow,
Ohio, who married Mary Cooper and now has one child, Erwin; David C., of Oil City, Pennsylvania, who married Jennie Strong, by whom he has two daughters, Elizabeth and Meneatha; and Marion, the wife of E.O. Black, of Cincinnati. Mrs. Belding still survives her husband and has been a resident of Avondale for over forty-five years, occupying a beautiful home at No. 702 Gholson Avenue.
        The death of Mr. Belding occurred March 5, 1907, and his remains were interred in Spring Grove Cemetery. In politics he had been a lifelong Republican and took an active interest in political questions in Avondale before the annexation of that suburb to the city. He stood for all that counts for progress and improvement in the city life and while a most successful and capable man in business did not
concentrate his energies upon his manufacturing interests to the exclusion of all else. Moreover in business circles he made a record which is most enviable and his example may well serve as an inspiration and encouragement for others.

WILLIAM JOSEPH ECKMAN Cincinnati, The Queen City 1788-1912, Published 1912 Pages 179-180 Transcribed by: Linda Thompson, Wabash, IN         For eleven years William Joseph Eckman has been connected with the M.B. Farrin Lumber Company, of which he is now the vice resident. When fifteen years of age he was an office boy in the employ of S. H. Parvin's Sons Advertising Agency. It is a far reach to his present position, and yet the steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible. He had not proceeded far on his business
career ere he learned that the most effective forces in the attainment of success are industry and honesty. Realizing this, he has employed those agencies in every business transaction and in every position which he has filled, and thus won logical advancement until he is today the second executive officer of one of Cincinnati's important industrial concerns.
        His birth occurred in this city, October 19, 1867, his parents being William Lind and Elizabeth (Jones) Eckman. While spending his youthful days under the parental roof he attended the public schools. A desire to provide for his own support led him to seek employment when fifteen years of age, and for a year he was office boy with the H. S. Parvin's Sons Advertising Agency. Later he became
associated with George William McAlpin & Company, wholesale dealers in dry goods, with whom he served in various office positions until given full charge of the accounting and credit departments for that corporation, then known as The George William McAlpin Company. He continued with the house until the business was taken over by New York interests in 1900, when he became associated with
the M. B. Farrin Lumber Company as auditor. Eventually he became secretary and was given charge of the sales. Upon the death of Mr. Farrin he accepted the vice presidency of the company, and at all times his position has balanced up with the principles of truth and honor.
        In early manhood he showed conspicuously the traits of character that have made his life successful. He performed all the duties that have devolved upon him, however humble and however small the recompense might be, conscientiously and industriously. His strict integrity, business conservatism and judgment has been so uniformly recognized that he was enjoyed public confidence to a notable
degree, and naturally this has brought him a lucrative patronage since becoming a partner in the M. B. Farrin Lumber Company. Mr. Eckman belongs to the Business Men's Club and also to the Lumber Men's Club, while in Masonic circles he is connected with McMillan Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Hanselman Commandery, K. T.; and Syrian Temple of the Mystic Shrine.

Robert W. Carroll David O'Carroll dsocarroll@hotmail.com January 27, 2001 Extract from "Centennial History of Cincinnati" by Charles Theodore Greve, 1904

Robert W Carroll, who for many years was at the head of the great publishing house of R W Carroll & Co of Cincinnati, died at his home in Avondale, December 17, 1897. He was born July 28, 1826, in St. Clairsville, Ohio and was the son of Dr.Thomas Carroll and Anne Lynch (Williams) Carroll. HIs father was one of the leaders in the medical profession in Cincinnati from 1841, his date of settlement here, until his death, March 13, 1871. His mother was a native of Lynchburgh, Pennsylvania.

Robert W Carroll, who was the second of his parent's sons, after completing his literary education at Woodward College, entered the office of Judge William Johnston for the study of the law. He made rapid progress and was admitted to the bar in 1848 and practised for one year at Springfield, Ohio, removing then to Cincinnati, where he entered into partnership with his preceptor, Judge Johnston. He soon gained a reputation for legal acumen second to none, and enjoyed a lucrative practice. His ability in his profession was marked and through his whole life, although giving his attention to other interests for a time, he displayed those qualities which distinguished him so long before the bar. In 1862 a combination of circumstances induce Mr Carroll to embark in a mercantile business which he continued with remarkable success for four years, during which time he founded the publishing house of R.W.Carroll & Company. In the disastrous fire of 1866, his business was swept away, but he soon resumed and continued in the publishing line until 1880, one of the issues of the house being the Christian Standard, of which Elder Isaac Errett was editor. The firm was distinguished for perfect integrity and uprightness. In 1880, the publishing business having been disposed of, Mr Carroll resumed the practice of the law and with as much success as formerly.

IN 1854 Mr Carroll was married to Lydia B Conway, of Delaware, who died January 19, 1857. The death of the mother was followed by that of their only child, little Nora, on January 10, 1860. On May 1, 1860, Mr Carroll was married to Mary Arabella Piatt, daughter of Jacob Wycoff Piatt, the Piatt family being one of the oldest and most honoured in the Queen City. Jacob Wycoff Piatt was a most remarkable man and took a conspicuous part in the early political history of Hamilton County. He possessed great vigour and independence of character, which were brought to the public notice by his position on the Bible, school and fire department questions. He was a most zealous friend of fire department reform, and the introduction the paid fire department into our city was due in no small degree to his championship of it in the City Council, against violent clamour and opposition from the members of the old volunteer department. Mrs Carroll and all the children, five in number, survive. Two sons live in Cincinnati: Louis, who is secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Sinking Fund; and R de V., who is a prominent member of the bar, with offices in the Union Trust Building. The other members of the family are Eugene, the oldest son, who is manager of a water company in Buttee, Montana; Laura (single), who lives in New York; and Belle (Durphy), who is also a resident of New York.

Mr Carroll was a leader in all public movements tending to the prosperity and advancement of educational and reformatory enterprises. He was a man of the most perfect integrity and, although not formally united with any religious body, contributed to the support of all. He was of a refined nature and possessed a cultivated mind and was a welcome addition to social circles. He left a large number of sincere friends who respected him for his exemplary character and loved him for his personal attributes. He passed away in serenity of spirit and those about him recall his own words, uttered to comfort those who grieved: "Death is neither to be dreaded nor deplored."