John B. Cornell
John B. Cornell, cashier of the First National Bank is the fourth of ten children of Joseph Cornell and Elizabeth Beeler. He was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, February 1, 1833. The father was a native of Pennington, New Jersey, and the mother was born in Hamilton Coutny. The father came to Ohio in 1816, with his father, when seventeen years old. He was a school-teacher, John B. Weller being one of his students. John B. Cornell was educated in a log school-house, and at college in Cincinnati, but on account of his health, withdrew at the age of twenty-one. He taught school a year and a half. He then went into Dr. Peck's private bank as book-keeper till 1861, when the bank suspended. In February, 1862, he engaged as book-keeper with Gwyn & Campbell, in a gun manufactory which made government carbines. In August, 1863, the First National Bank was organized, and he was made assistant cashier. In April, 1864, he became cashier, a position he has ever since held. In 1878, he engaged in the ice business and has been president of the Lake Erie Ice Company since that date, in company with S. D. Fitton, its founder. He cast his first vote for Chase, as governor, and has been a Republican and Abolitionist all his life. He has been active in politics. He has been a Mason for many years, and was for some time secretary of his lodge in Sharonville.
Mr. Cornell was married April 9, 1857, to Miss Phebe F. Hageman, in Sharonville, Hamilton County, the daughter of Adrian and Mary Hageman. She died May 24, 1864, leaving two children, Carrie, born October 18, 1859, and Charles, born September 7, 1861. Carrie has spent the year in Berlin, studying the languages and music. he son is a book-keeper in the bank. Mr. Cornell was again married on the 18th of April, 1866. One child, John, was born October 18, 1869. With his two oldest children, Mr. Cornell went to Europe in 1881, taking a tour through the principal cities, and going as far south as Rome and Venice.
From A History and Biographical Cyclopædia of Butler County Ohio, With Illustrations and Sketches of its Representative Men and Pioneers, Western Biographical Publishing Company, Cincinnati Ohio, 1882.