A well known river man of Cincinnati is Captain J. Victor Ehrhart, who
is head of the Ehrhart Marine Wrecking Company, which he established
about
thirty years ago. He is a native of Switzerland, his birth having
occurred,
on August 8, 1846, but at the age of eight years he emigrated to the
United
States with his parents, who located in Cincinnati. Here he obtained
his
education in the common schools of the city and grew to manhood, and at
about the age of twenty years he went on the river. The work proved to
be very fascinating to him, having at that time just enough danger
attached
to it to make a strong appeal to a healthy, vigorous youth such as he
was.
At that period there were many wrecks, but the government snag boats
have
cleared up the river and government lights now mark the course of the
channel,
so that navigation has been robbed of the many dangers that made it
alluring
to the youth of days gone by. River wrecks in the early part of the
last
century and on past the Civil war provided ample opportunity for many
acts
of chivalry and heroism, that were adapted to both song and poem as
well
as romance. After he had familiarized himself with the river and
navigation
generally Captain Ehrhart engaged in the wrecking business, and for
over
forty-five years he has been a submarine diver. He followed his
vocation
from Pittsburg to New Orleans, up the Mississippi and the Missouri
rivers,
and has a very extensive acquaintance with men in all of the various
capacities
of inland navigation, throughout the central states. About thirty years
ago he became associated with George W. Neare, who conducted the large
insurance agency of Gibbs & Company and was given charge of the
wrecking
and rating departments of their business. Mr. Ehrhart has been very
successful,
and is one of the widely known and most capable men in his line on the
river.
Captain Ehrhart married Miss Anna M. Shields, a daughter of John
Shields
of New Orleans, who passed away on the 11th of April, 1911. Five of the
children born unto Captain and Mrs. Ehrhart are living, and in order of
birth they are as follows: Captain Leonard, who is associated in the
wrecking
business with his father; Ernestine; William; Minnie; and J. Victor,
Jr.
Captain Ehrhart has been a resident of Cincinnati for fifty-seven
years,
and during that time has witnessed the many changes that have taken
place
in the city with the progress and development of modern civilization.
River
transportation has very largely been superseded by the many railroads
that
now run into the city, while he has also witnessed the improvement and
modern luxuries that have been introduced for the comfort of passengers
on the boats, making this mode of traveling a source of pleasure rather
than the danger fraught hardship it was fifty years ago.
John H. FUNK was born in Prussia, September 25, 1828; came to the
United
States and landed in New Orleans in 1852, thence direct to Cincinnati,
arriving here June 8, 1852. He carried on the saloon business for
several
years, and then engaged in the sale of glassware and queensware, at
which
he continued up to 1875, when he moved to his present place, where he
has
remained in active business since. Mr. FUNK was married in Newport,
Kentucky,
to Miss Louisa KRAMIG. She was born in Germany, coming to the United
States
when she was about two years of age. By this marriage they have one
child
living.
Mrs. Nancy (WHITE) CULBERTSON was born in the northwest corner of
Hamilton
county, May 10, 1810, and is the daughter of Providence WHITE, who was
born in Pennsylvania, or Virginia, March 9, 1784. He came to Hamilton
county
when he was a boy, with his parents. Then there were plenty of Indians,
and he had his toe shot off by them while making a trip to Fort
Washington
for soldiers to come and help the settlers, who were in danger. He
married
Catharine TUCKER. Both of Mrs. CULBERTSON's parents are dead. She was
married
to William CULBERTSON and went to Kentucky, where she lived thirty-two
years, and, in 1877, returned to near the old home, where she is now
living.
Her grandfather was a captain under General WASHINGTON.
Charles GRIES, residence Lick Run, Mill Creek township, was born in
Baden, Germany, December 1, 1821. He came to the United States and
landed
in New York city in 1852, thence direct to Cincinnati, arriving here in
December of the same year. He commenced to work with his brother,
Michael,
in the butcher business, where he remained for some fifteen months,
when
he engaged in the same business for himself, and continued in it for
about
ten years, when he entered his present business, grape-growing and
wine-manufacturing.
He now owns seven and a half acres of land in the cultivation of grapes
-- one of the best improved vineyards in the vicinity. His son, John,
is
manager of the Union Eagle wine hall, situated in the vineyard, and is
a very neat summer resort. Mr. GRIES' first wife was Theresa ELINE, who
is now dead. He married his present wife, Louisa WYRECK, in Lick Run.
She
was born in Germany, and came here in 1853. Mr. GRIES is a member of
the
Catholic church.
Herman GROVER, farmer, residence Mill Creek, near Walnut Hills, was
born in Hanover, Germany, November 1, 1828. He came to the United
States
in 1845. He stopped in New York and Buffalo a short time, and then came
to Hamilton county. He is now one of the oldest German pioneers in this
vicinity, and is a member of the Catholic church. He is the son of
Henry
and Ann GROVER. They were married in Germany, and with four children
came
to America. Henry GROVER worked on a farm, and died in 1849, with the
cholera.
Mrs. Ann GROVER was born in 1800. The subject of this sketch owns
seventeen
acres of fine land.
Rev. Alfred F. BLAKE, pastor of Grace Episcopal church, Avondale,
was
born in Gambier, Knox county, Ohio, May 28, 1842, and is the son of
Rev.
Alfred and Anna Jane; Leonard, his father, was an Episcopal minister;
he
came to Ohio and located in Knox county, as early as 1828. Our subject,
after receiving a thorough collegiate education, having graduated from
Kenyon college in 1862, and after graduating from a theological
seminary,
he, in 1867, was ordained as minister, when he soon afterwards came to
Avondale and took charge of his present congregation, where he has
remained
since.
Rev. D. O'MEARA, pastor of the Catholic church, Avondale, was born
in
the city of Cork, Ireland, December, 1839, and is the son of David and
Mary (Casey) O'MEARA. In 1860 our subject came to America and located
in
Cincinnati; here, in 1864, he graduated from Mount St. Mary's college.
In 1866 he was ordained as minister. He went to Mobile, Alabama, where
he took charge of St. Mary's church; which church and congregation,
with
hard labor, he built up and left in good condition, afterwards visiting
Ireland and other parts of Europe. In 1876 he returned to Cincinnati,
and
in March, 1878, he was appointed to his present charge, since which he
has done very noble work, bringing the church out of debt. It is now in
a flourishing condition.
Thomas A. STEPHAN, head animal-keeper of the Zoological garden,
Avondale,
adjoining Cincinnati, was born in Dayton, Ohio, May 22, 1846, his
parents
being early settlers of that city. Our subject, when quite young, moved
to Lafayette, Indiana. He learned a trade as a machinist, which
business
he followed for a short time. He at twenty years of age began his
present
business taking care of animals, which business he has made a study,
and
to-day is, perhaps, one of the finest as well as one of the best
animal-keepers
and trainers in America. He has travelled with a number of leading
circuses
and menageries of this country -- De Haven's, Heming & Cooper,
Great
Eastern, Great Hippodrome, Dan Rice, etc., visiting in his travels
thirty-four
States of the Union and throughout Canada. In 1875 Mr. STEPHAN was
appointed
to his present place, since which time he has become so familiar with
all
the animals under his charge that he can enter the dens of the most
ferocious
beasts.
William BORMAN, tin-shop, Avondale, was born in Prussia, June 4,
1827,
came to the United States and landed in New York city in 1846;
remaining
there for a time working at his trade as a tinner, then went to
Buffalo,
and in 1847 came to Cincinnati. Here he began to work at his trade. In
1849 Mr. BORMAN established himself in the tinner business in
Cincinnati.
He has filled several offices of public trust with honor and credit --
six years as justice of the peace and a member of the school board some
fourteen years. Mr. BORMAN married Miss Matilda RETSCH; he has nine
children
living.
Goswinn BAUER, wagonmaker and blacksmith, Avondale, was born in
Baden
Baden, Germany, April 9, 1838. Here he learned his trade as blacksmith
and horse-shoer. He was foreman of the horse-shoe department of the
artillery
for seven years -- he received a diploma for fine work. Mr. BAUER
served
in the army nine years, six years for himself and three as a
substitute.
In 1866 he came to America, and located in Cincinnati. Here he worked
at
his trade until 1867, when he began work in Avondale, since which time
his business has gradually improved, until to-day he owns one of the
leading
shops of Avondale, employing a number of first-class mechanics.
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 he established in business for himself, and
to-day
is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) wagon-maker 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 Baltimore, 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
Miss Annie SCHUSTER, of Bavaria, Germany. By this marriage they 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 to Cincinnati in poor circumstances; to-day he is one of the successful builders and contractors of this vicinity.
