OHIO STATEWIDE FILES OH-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List Issue 340 *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 00 : Issue 340 Today's Topics: #1 Bios: Hamilton Co. (Freiberg, Fren [christina m hursh To: OH-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <20001115.172301.-288623.2.frog158@juno.com> Subject: Bios: Hamilton Co. (Freiberg, French, Fruend, Fricke) Content-Type: text/plain MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-MIME-Autoconverted: from 8bit to quoted-printable by clmboh1-smtp2.columbus.rr.com id SAA04164 Julius Freiberg Cincinnati, The Queen City, Vol. 3; published in 1912 Transcribed by: Michelle Leslie It would be difficult to designate the field of activity in which the efforts of Julius Freiberg have been of most importance, for his labors and business judgement were features of advancement in all the different commercial and manufacturing enterprises with which he was associated, and at the same time he figured as one of he most patriotic citizens and as a philanthropist. Few men in all the history of the city have done as much for public progress or for the benefit of their fellows, for a kindly, charitable spirit prompted him at all times to reach out a helping hand to those in need. He was born May 1, 1823, in New Leiningen, Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, and his life record spanned the intervening years to the 7th of December, 1905. He was a young man of twenty-four years when he came to America, thinking to have better business opportunities than seemed possible to obtain in the older world. He located first in Williamstown, Kentucky, where he was engaged in general merchandising for several years. While there he became acquainted with many distillers and also learned the fact that Kentucky whisky was scarcely known outside of the state at that time. In 1852 he brought to Cincinnati the first Bourbon whisky sold here for trade purposes. His first business enterprise in Cincinnati was the manufacture of vinegar but in 1853 he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Levi J. Workum, under the firm style of Freiberg & Workum, and began the sale of whisky, selling only to the jobbing trade, in which line the firm was continued to this day. This firm built the Lynchburg distillery in 1857 and throughout the years since its establishment the business has continuously grown. Their first location was a small store at 20 Sycamore street but in 1858 the demands of their trade were such that larger quarters were secured at Nos. 13 and 15 Sycamore street. They sold only to the jobbing and wholesale trade and not a distillery in the country has been so long operated by one firm without change or interruption as the Lynchburg distillery which was purchased by the firm in 1857. In 1867 the Boone County Distillery was acquired and was steadily operated and enlarged until 1899, when it was sold. In 1866 the building surround by Baum, Produce and Kirby alleys in Cincinnati, was purchased and used as a bonded Class B warehouse until bonded warehouses of that kind were abolished by the government. It was then transformed into a redistilling and rectifying house and is so used today. In 1869, the firm removed its office to Nos. 28 and 30 Main street and in 1895 to Nos. 216 to 220 East Front street where it remains. No change occurred in the personnel of the firm until 1883, when upon the death of Levi J. Workum his two sons, Ezekiel L. and Jephta L. were admitted to a partnership, together with J. Walter and Maurice J. Freiberg, sons of Julius Freiberg. The death of the former two occurred in 1896, since which time the business has been conducted by the surviving partners. It was on the 13th of February, 1856, that Mr. Freiberg was united in marriage to Miss Duffie Workum, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah Workum. The death of Mrs. Freiberg occurred in 1903, about two years before her husband passed away. They are survived by two sons, J. Walter and Maurice J., who are their father's successors in business, and four daughters: Minnie, the wife of Dr. Joseph Ransohoff; Sallie, now Mrs. Edward S. Heinsheimer; Clara, now Mrs. Jonas B. Frenkel; and Jeannette, the wife of Dr. Albert H. Freiberg. The home relations were very ideal. Mr. Freiberg was most devoted to the welfare of his family and found his greatest happiness in promoting their comfort and pleasure. He ever loved to entertain his friends, who were many, and the hospitality of his home became proverbial. In addition to his other business Mr. Freiberg was a director of several of the prominent insurance companies of the city and was connected with several financial and manufacturing concerns. His sagacity was keen, his judgement sound and his energy enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. While he was equally widely known. His record is one of which Cincinnati has every reason to be proud because of his works of charity and his patriotic devotion to the community. His aid and cooperation could always be counted upon to further any movement or measure for the public good and his fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and his loyalty to the general welfare, elected him as their representative to the Ohio constitutional convention of 1873. His high standing in the public regard and the confidence reposed in him are indicated by the fact that he was chosen by both parties. He was very prominent in the deliberations of that body and his clear insight into present and possible situations made his opinions of worth in framing the organic law of the state. He was never an office seeker in the usually accepted sense of the term but when the public sought his cooperation he was always ready. His charitable work made continuous demands upon his time and energies. He was elected vice president of the Home for Jewish Aged and Infirm; was a director of the Jewish Hospital; vice president of the board of governors of the Hebrew Union College; and president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Nor was his liberality confined to the people of his own race, he extended a helping hand wherever aid was needed, for his life was in no way narrow. He was a man of fine physique and most pleasing personal appearance. He died at the age of eighty-two years and the record which was thus closed was ever a most honorable one. The chamber of Commerce of which he had long been a worthy and helpful member drafted the following memorial: Julius Freiberg, an honorary member of this association, who was called from earth to his eternal rest on Thursday, December 7, 1905 at the ripe age of eighty-two years, has paid nature's debt, leaving a glorious heritage of an upright life, exemplary not alone in his conduct as a merchant and leading manufacturer of our city but also did he leave the impress of his honorable and useful career as a citizen upon the city of his adoption through the many channels of his busy life. We feel confident there is no exaggeration in asserting that no merchant, manufacturer or citizen of our beloved Cincinnati has contributed more to its good name, its development, growth and prosperity than did he. The thousands of denizens whom he helped by employment and thus ennobled honest labor will with us bear testimony that his pleasant smile, cheery words, his manly handshake, will ever remain a sweet and pleasant reminder of his good and noble life. In all that appertains to the qualities of a peerless merchant he was indeed a true ideal. His word was equal to his bond and all who had the good fortune to have had business connections with him will bear uniform testimony to his high integrity of character, his unflinching honesty and loyalty to each and all obligations. In his demise we have indeed lost a strong pillar of our association. He became a member of our Chamber, January 7, 1861, and so impressed himself upon the membership by a career of rectitude and usefulness that the chamber in September 1894, conferred upon him the highest honor within its gift, that of honorary member for life. It is not alone his career and conduct as a member of our Chamber that we can proudly point to, but likewise in the capacity of his cosmopolitan citizenship he was ever ready to serve the best interests of the municipality, supporting liberally every measure for the advancement and improvement of the city of his residence. Already in the year 1872 the good people of Cincinnati recognized his unimpeachable uprightness and sound judgement and elected him a member of the Ohio constitutional convention of 1873 and during the whole time of its prolonged session he faithfully and conscientiously attended the duties of that distinguished assemblage; and our honored fellow citizen, Hon. Rufus King, it's presiding officer, frequently extolled in high terms the able assistance and wise counsel which Mr. Freiberg gave and contributed to the deliberations of that convention. He served as a member of the board of sinking fund trustees from 1896 to 1901 by appointment of the superior court of Cincinnati, giving freely of his time and talents to the best interests of our city and constantly studying hard and advising frequently with our leading public men and financiers as to the best and most useful policies and methods to pursue in order to promote and further elevate the already high credit of our city, resigning only when his failing health prevented him from any longer performing what he conceived to be his loyal duty. He was naturally a leader and a strong one, and thousands of us who where fortunate enough to frequently serve with him in the consideration of public enterprises or charitable projects or to succor the distressed in any section of our own or other countries, can testify that his strong and concisely expressed convictions frequently carried the day and made men's minds yield to the lucid views which he so pathetically urged in behalf of the suffering and needy. If there was one virtue more than another possessed by our dear friend it was his broad toleration. He loved all men irrespective of creed or nationality, and an appeal from suffering humanity, from whatever source it came, brought forth from Julius Freiberg at all times a hearty and generous response. Though we deeply mourn his loss his life work is well completed and we are justified in thanking the Giver of all good tings that such a man as Julius Freiberg lived. Mr. Freiberg never sought to figure prominently in public life or to keep himself in the public eye, and yet he left an indelible impress upon the community by reason of the fact that in the performance of his daily duties and in his recognition of his obligations to his fellowmen his life reached out in helpful spirit toward the individual and the city. His name is inscribed high on the roll of those whom Cincinnati honors. --------- J. Henry French Cincinnati, The Queen City, Vol. 3; published in 1912 Transcribed by: Michelle Leslie J. Henry French, long prominent in the business and social circles of Cincinnati, held the position of treasurer of the Procter & Gamble Company at the time of his demise, which occurred November 5, 1903. He came of New England ancestry and was born at Derby, Connecticut, in 1828. Seeking wider business opportunities, he left that place in boyhood and for a time resided in Granville, Ohio, whence he came to Cincinnati in 1849. After spending a short season in the wholesale grocery business he became connected with the well known grain firm of Tweed, Sibley & French, remaining the junior partner until 1874. Business prospects attracted him to Chicago, where he became very actively interested in the grain trade and was honored by election to the presidency of the Chicago Board of Trade. After successfully competing with the business giants of the western metropolis he returned to Cincinnati to resume old social associations and to establish here his permanent home. He was warmly welcomed and soon afterward accepted the position of treasurer of the Procter & Gamble Company, serving in that capacity until called to his final rest. His success as a business man was largely attributable to this careful attention to every obligation and his constant recognition of all the relationships of commercial life. On the 20th of September, 1853, Mr. French was united in marriage to Miss Catherine C. Smith, who was born in Williamstown, Vermont, of Kentucky and Vermont parentage. To them were born four children: Harry D., who is engaged in the piano business at Baltimore, Maryland, wedded Miss Mable Kimball, by whom he has two children, Dudley K. and Edith M., the wife of Harry E. Bachtenkirker and the mother of one child, Raymond F.; Nellie C., who is the wife of Charles E. Cate, of Cleveland, Ohio, by whom she has two children, Russell F. and Dorothy A.; Charles L. French, who died when three years of age; and Herbert, living in Cincinnati, who is the treasurer of the Procter & Gamble Company. Mr. and Mrs. French celebrated their golden wedding in September 1903, and the occasion will ever remain a sweet and comforting memory to their children. Mr. French was one of the most liberal and withal one of the most unostentatious supporters of Christ Episcopal church, he having joined the Episcopal faith in boyhood and for many years was closely identified with Christ church. His many sterling characteristics and gentle courtesy won him the high esteem and regard of all with whom he came in contact. Among those who came to pay a last tribute to his memory at Spring Grove cemetery were the leading citizens of Cincinnati, many of whom had been his friends from young manhood. To the poor and needy he extended a helping hand and they found in him a warm friend. So upright and honorable was his life in all of its phases so commendable his principles so manly and sincere his actions, that his name is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him in a way that time cannot obliterate. He himself was quite a musician and critic on musical matters, taking the deepest interest in all productions in this branch of art undertaken in Cincinnati, promulgating and fostering all laudable efforts made in that direction. His widow resides in a beautiful home at No. 974 Dana avenue, Avondale. ------- Jacob Fruend Cincinnati, The Queen City, Vol. 3; published in 1912 Transcribed by: Michelle Leslie Jacob Freund is at the head of two important industrial concerns at Winton Place, Cincinnati, -- the Jacob Freund Roofing Company and the Cincinnati Roofing, Tile & Terra Cotta Company. He is one of the pioneers in the roofing business, having been identified therewith as a workman and manufacturer for forty-five years. His birth occurred in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 15th of January, 1854, his father being Leonard Freund, a native of Germany. He attended school until thirteen years of age and then learned the roofing business, first working as a journeyman and later acting as superintendent for different concern of Cincinnati. In 1879 he became a partner in the old firm of James Hunter & Company on Central avenue, which in 1883 was succeeded by the Jacob Freund Roofing Company. On the 8th of March 1892, the Jacob Freund Roofing Company was incorporated with a capital stock of forty thousand dollars, while in 1896 the Cincinnati Roofing, Tile and Terra Cotta Company was established and incorporated with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. Jacob Freund is the president and general manager of both these important industries and has developed an extensive and profitable business in the manufacture of galvanized cornices, ornamental tile and slate roofing. About one hundred men are employed in the two plants. The manufacture of tile roofing, was begun in 1897. The plant of the Jacob Freund Roofing Company was destroyed by fire in May 1909, and a larger and more commodious structure was erected on its site. Our subject has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen. In 1870 Mr. Freund was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pancera, by whom he has one daughter, now Mrs. Magdalene Meyer of Cincinnati. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has spent his entire life in Cincinnati and has long been numbered among its prosperous and representative citizens. ------- Henry H. Fricke Cincinnati, The Queen City, Vol. 3; published in 1912 Transcribed by: Michelle Leslie The wholesale and retail baking interests of Cincinnati find a capable representative in Henry H. Fricke, who is still conducting the business he founded here more than forty years ago. His birth occurred in this city in 1854 and he is a son of Henry Herman and Mary Sophia (Lilley) Fricke. His father was a native of the province of Westphalia, Prussia, where he was reared and educated, at the same time acquiring a thorough training in agricultural pursuits. Having determined to become a citizen of the new world he took passage for the United States in 1832, landing in Baltimore after spending three months in a sailing vessel on the Atlantic. Together with Louis Duhme, who became a pioneer jeweler of this city, he went overland to Pittsburgh, coming down the river from there on a flat boat to Cincinnati. He obtained employment with William Resor, who was engaged in the stove business, continuing in his service for many years. With the rapid development of the city Mr. Fricke recognized a growing need for a larger and better supply of small fruits and vegetables, so decided to engage in truck gardening. He, therefore, withdrew from his position and sent to Germany for the seeds of several vegetables not common in this vicinity at that time, among them being asparagus and cauliflower, and turned his attention toward agricultural pursuits. His was one of the first market gardens in this section and proved to be most lucrative, its cultivation occupying his entire attention during the remainder of his active career. He was a very capable and enterprising man and at one time conducted a general store at what was formerly known as Van Weddings, on the Big Four Railroad, when Dearborn county, Indiana was first being opened up. He moved from there to Cincinnati, where he took part in public affairs. Henry H. Fricke obtained a good practical education in the common schools of this city, and at the age of seventeen years engaged in business for himself. In 1871 he established his baking plant, learning the business as he went along, and two years later he extended his activities by adding a wholesale department, and began supplying the groceries, hotels and restaurants. He is very practical, yet progressive in his ideas and has always made a careful study of his business, constantly striving to improve not only his products but his methods of manufacture. There is less bread baked in the home every year, and considered hygienically this has many commendable features. Owing to the greater precaution and more rigid observance of the laws of sanitation in all plants where foodstuffs are produced, the laws of science are being more carefully followed in the factory than in the average household. Baking is recog ============== Missing page 861 ============== stand as a monument to the memory of this man, who never saw a need in either private or public life but that it was his desire to supply it. He possessed many most estimable personal qualities that won for him the regard of those he came in contact with, his friends being practically coextensive with his acquaintances. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fricke there have been born two sons: Arthur C., who is an attorney, and was elected judge of police court of the city of Cincinnati, at the November election, 1911; and Chester, who is associated in business with his father. During the long period of his connection with business life Mr. Fricke has witnessed the great changes effected in American commercial methods through the innovations introduced by modern inventions, many of which have been instrumental factors in promoting his own prosperity. ________________________________________________________________ -------------------------------- End of OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest V00 Issue #340 *******************************************