It is often made a special matter of praise when one continues throughout an entire business career in a single field of labor, winning substantial advancement along the line, but it is certainly even more creditable when one’s life record covers a continuos period of public service in connection with a given department of city affairs and wins promotion therein, for in such an office the incumbent is continuously subject to public criticism and only the utmost fidelity can continue him in the position for years, for political power and envy are forces constantly brought to bear against him. J.A. Archibald, therefore, is deserving of much credit because of the splendid record, which he has made in connection with the Cincinnati fire department, of which he has served continuously as chief since 1893, or for eighteen consecutive years. His record is unparalleled in
the history of the city and Cincinnati has never had a more capable or efficient chief.
        John A. Archibald was born in the Queen City January 21, 1859, and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. He was twenty-three years of age when he first entered the service, becoming pipeman of Chemical Company No. 1 in 1882. In less than a year he was transferred as pipeman to Fire Engine Company No. 3 and in 1884 his excellent service won him promotion to the position of lieutenant of Company No. 3. He never sought to shirk a duty, manifesting the utmost fearlessness in the face of danger, and yet never to the point of recklessness. Sound judgement enabled him to carefully direct the men under him so as to produce the most effective service, and all this won him further promotion in 1887, when he was made captain of Company No. 1. He filled that position for six years and was then advanced to the highest place in the service, becoming chief of the entire department in 1893. The Insurance Times, of Cincinnati, said of him some years ago: " During Chief Archibald’s term of service he has proven his wonderful ability as a director at large fires. Indeed, he worthily represents the department vastly in many ways. Since the late big fires he has urged the increase of facilities, and has at last the agreement of the mayor and fire board to increase the department by three companies and fifty men, and also to add more apparatus." He is a man of forceful character, ever ready in emergency, yet his friends, and they are many, find him a man of attractive social traits and engaging personal qualities.
 
 

        As a manufacturer Otto Armleder, of Cincinnati, years ago gained an established reputation and wagons from his factory are in active demand in every part of the United States and many foreign countries. The large business of which he is the head has been developed through his ability and energy and is a worthy tribute to well directed effort. He comes of Teutonic ancestry on both sides of the house and is a native of Cincinnati, born October 15, 1862. His father, John Armleder, was born in Germany in 1827 and came to America in the early part of the ‘50s. He died in 1872. During the war he was a member of the Home Protectors in Kentucky.  The mother, Maria Geiser before her marriage, was born in Germany in 1830, and died in October 1894.
        Otto Armleder received his early education in Dayton, Ohio and at St. Xavier College, later graduating at the Queen City Commercial College. After leaving the commercial college he began learning the flour milling business, in which he continued for six months. He then went into the beer bottling business on his own account, although only seventeen years of age, as the Cincinnati Beer Bottling Company. The venture proved successful but the field was not wide enough for an ambitious young man and at the age of twenty he embarked in the wagon-making business on the south side of Longworth Street, the title of the firm being Armleder & Company. He employed twenty men and applied himself with such ability that it became necessary to secure larger quarters and he moved to a six story building on the north side of the same street, to which he later added two more stories. He also opened a factory on Hunt Street and maintained a mill at Carr and Seventh Streets. In 1904 he moved to the site which he now occupies at Twelfth and Plum Streets and consolidated the various branches of the business at that point. The plant covers an area of one hundred and twenty-five thousand square feet and the company now employees two hundred and sixty persons, its name being favorably known throughout every part of the United States. Heretofore Mr. Armleder confined his business to the manufacture of wagons exclusively but he is now beginning the manufacture of commercial automobiles, for which he sees an increasing demand.
        On the 19th of November 1889, Mr. Armleder was married at Cincinnati, to Miss. Katherine Manss, a daughter of Henry and Helen (Fitzgerald) Manss, both of whom are now deceased. In politics Mr. Armleder votes independently, as he prefers to support the man rather than to give his adherence to any political organization. He is a Scottish Rite Mason of the thirty-second degree and a Shriner, being also a life member of the Elks. Socially he is well known. He takes an active interest in club life and is a member of the Business Men’s Club and the Queen City, Avondale Golf, Cuvier Press, Pen and Pencil and Laughery Clubs. He is a man of pleasing address and his genial nature has attracted many friends, who place in him their complete confidence.  He may truly be designated as one of the substantial, representative citizens of Cincinnati. For many years he has been active in every movement for the advancement of Cincinnati’s interests and was president of the fall festivals of 1903 and 1906, both of which were artistic and financial successes.

        J.S. Atkins, who has been engaged in the loan and investment business in Cincinnati for the past six or seven years, was born in the vicinity of Memphis, Tennessee, in 1879, being a son of Asa and Mary (Walker) Atkins.
        Mr. Atkins was reared in the town of his nativity, where he acquired his preliminary education. After the completion of his high-school course he entered Cumberland University, from which institution he was graduated in the early ‘90s with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In order to qualify himself for his present vocation he entered an office in Nashville, until such time as he felt he had the essential practical understanding of the business needed to enable him to intelligently and profitably conduct an establishment of his own.
        Mr. Atkins married Miss. Charlotte Miller, a daughter of H.K. Miller of Georgetown in the vicinity of Denver, Colorado. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Atkins, Elizabeth and James.
        The family attends the Episcopal Church of Avondale, of which Mrs. Atkins is a member. During his student days at Cumberland Mr. Atkins joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity with which he has ever since kept in close touch. Both he and his wife are very popular in the social circles of Avondale, where they have a very pleasant home.