John William Sohn
John William Sohn, long a resident of this city, is a native of Windsheim, formerly a free city of Germany, but now a part of Bavaria, where he was born on the 23d of May, 1815. Windsheim was one of the numerous cities which formerly composed the Hanseatic league, retaining its independence until the conclusion of the wars of Napoleon, when it was annexed to Bavaria, being confirmed to that state by the treaty of Vienna. It has a beautiful location, being surrounded by vine-clad hills; the town itself is defended by strong stone walls, and its appearance is at once antique and beautiful. Its attractions are still further enhanced by a promenade on the top of the wall, which gives a fine view of the distant hills. Mr. Sohn's parents were Wilhelm Ludwig Sohn and Catherine Daehner. Without being possessed of wealth, they were able to give their children good educations. There was an excellent Latin school and gymnasium in Windsheim and until the lad was seventeen years of age he steadily attended them, making good progress. His father, whose trade was that of a brewer, lived the city, and also carried on a vineyard, and with him the son began learning the mystery of the vine—how to plant, prune, and cultivate it, and finally to express its juice and change it to wine. At seventeen he became an apprentice to his father as a cooper and brewer, and served two years diligently at this trade, but when nineteen concluded to remove to America. At the time Charles X was dethroned in France, and was succeeded by Louis Phillippe, the revolutionary ideas then inculcated had an extensive currency in Germany. Secret societies were formed in the colleges and among friends, and the doctrines of the rights of man were assiduously studied. The events of this period made a strong impression upon Mr. Sohn, and much was then to be heard of America. Many of the German soldiers who fought under the British ensign in the Revolutionary War had settled not far from where he was born, and many old men still lingered who recounted their exploits in America, and told how fertile its land was and more recent travelers had made known the ease with which a livelihood could here be obtained. From Alsace and Lorraine an emigration had sprung up immediately after the pacification of Europe, in 1815, and those who came over sent letters back to their friends more than confirming the stories they had previously heard. Mr. Sohn determined to cast in his lot with us, and embarked for our shores, at Bremen, in 1834, landing at Baltimore. He came west on foot, with an occasional ride on a canalboat. In Hamilton, which he reached in November, 1834, he finally found employment at chopping wood at twenty-five cents a cord. After a little he went to work in a brewery, and then in a pork-house, and after nearly a year went to Cincinnati, working as a brewer, remaining there three years. Returning to Hamilton in June, 1839, he bought a small brewery with the saving of his previous labor. The business gradually extended, and his sales became larger, until in 1846 he embarked also in tanning. This enterprise assumed extensive proportions, and he now has two large tanneries, one in Hamilton and in Pike County. As a convenience to those who dealt with him, he also opened a leather findings store. His brewery does a large business, and he is also extensively engaged in the manufacture of malt for other brewers. He has the largest vineyard in Butler County, and has had great success in the growing of native wines. To these he adds the packing of pork, in which he does the largest business n the county, and is interested with two of his sons-in-law in the manufacture of the Universal Wood-working Machine, which is the invention of the young men, and is of very decided utility in the manufacture of scroll and other kinds wood-sawing and dressing. He is also a farmer, having a great deal of land that he owns, and has cultivated under his own instruction. He is a director of the First National Bank, and for fifteen years was president of the Hamilton Insurance Company.
In 1840 he was married to Miss Catherine Rosenfeld, a native of Saxony, and daughter of Rev. Charles Ernst Rosenfeld, pastor of the German Lutheran and Reformed Church of Hamilton. Mr. Rosenfeld was born in 1779, at Koenigsberg, and came to this country in 1836, first settling in Chillocothe. In 1838 he came to Hamilton. His wife, Anna Barbara Schmidt, was born in 1801 at Koenigsberg, and died in Eichelsdorf, in Saxony, in 1834, before he came here. He possessed an excellent education, and loved to impart knowledge. Shortly after arriving in this country he opened up a school for Germans, which was the first ever held here in their native language. An excellent musician, he taught both the piano and organ, and gave instruction to the member of a brass band organized soon after his arrival. It was difficult at that time to get music especially arranged for brass instruments. Mr. Rosenfeld took the piano score, arranged the various parts for each performer, wrote them out with his own hand, and taught each man how to use his own instrument. He understood the method of performing on every of modern date, and on some reached a degree of excellence. Among his treasures was a violin presented to him by Carl Maria Von Weber, the author of "Der Freyschutz," when they were both young and were intimate companions. This instrument is not preserved with religious care by his daughter, Mrs. Sohn. Mr. Rosenfeld was also a musical author. He furnished the melodies to many popular airs, and in some cases wrote both the words and music. He had a prodigious bas voice, and none who ever heard him sing "A mighty fortress is our God" will ever forget it. His acquirements were not limited to books and music. He was the first gardener of his day in this neighborhood. All plants and vegetables were understood by him, and he knew the art of coaxing the reluctant earth to yield up its fruits. His example was highly beneficial to his countrymen, and indeed to all the dwellers in this neighborhood who kept a garden. His kindness to those weaker and less informed than himself was great. He wrote letters to Germany for his flock, carried on legal correspondence, acted as trustee and guardian, and decided disputes, all without fee or reward. He received no compensation for teaching the brass band, nor would he accept any thing for the favors he bestowed upon those around him. He died in 1855. He had six children, Ernst Ludwig, Philipp Albrecht, Katharina Barbara, Johann Christian, Carolina Barbara, and Catharina, all of whom have died, excepting the two last named.
Mr. and Mrs. Sohn have had nine children, three sons and six daughters, all of whom, save two named hereafter, are living. Caroline, the eldest, is married to Captain William C. Margedant, of the firm of Bentel, Margedant & Co., manufacturers of the Universal Wood-worker mentioned above. The house does a large business. Wilhelmina, the second child, is the wife of Frederick Bentel, of the same firm. Augusta, the third was the wife of William F. Doepke, a prominent dry goods merchant of Cincinnati, but died n February, 1881. William G.P. Sohn, the fourth child is the husband of Charlotte SLARB, and is now living in Hamilton. He is a successful tanner. Charles E. is the fifth, and Christian Sohn is the sixth. He received a collegiate education in Germany, and is now living in California. Adelheid died 1879. Leonora and Alma are living with their parents in Hamilton.
Mr. Sohn is a Republican, and has been a leader of the party for many years. During the war he vigorously advocated its prosecution. His first vote was cast for Martin Van Buren, and he adhered to the Democratic party till the war. Since then he has been a staunch supporter of the unity of the nation. His first political office was that of member of the city council. He was a member of the school board that introduced the union school system in Hamilton, and supported the measure with all his ability. In the two bodies last mentioned he has frequently been a member. In 1846 he was elected county commissioner, and held the office for three years. In 1872, in common with many other Republicans, he became dissatisfied with the conduct of affairs by General Grant and his friends, and he saw the imperative need there was a change. The supporters of Horace Greely nominated Mr. Sohn for the position of member of Congress, and that nomination was indorsed by the Democracy, although he had for many years been opposed to them. Unfortunately, he was defeated.
Since his arrival here he has been the leading German citizen of the town. Few public enterprises have been begun in which he has no taken part, and of nearly all those in which the Germans are concerned he has been the originator. He was instrumental in organizing the first benevolent society of his countrymen in Cincinnati, in 1836, which is still in existence. The first German singing society which was organized in Cincinnati was begun by him. It served for many years as the choir of St. John's Church, and helped much to promote the acquaintance of members with each other. He was its first president. For many years he has been president of the United German Society, which has done much to aid and improve those who come here from the Rhine and the Danube.
Mr. Sohn is still busily experimenting in matters tending to promote the prosperity of the human race. For the last five years he has been testing the effects of sowing grain in heaped up ridges, answering the same purpose that hilling corn does. It increases the production, renders cultivation more easy, and checks the injuries both of drought and flood. In addition to the thing itself, he has discovered the way to do it. A machine invented by him drops the grain and makes the furrow and ridge at the same operation. He truly deserves the credit to be given to him "who makes two spears of grain to grow where one grew before." The principle is that the seed is planted in raised up ridges of mellow earth. Under the ordinary plan the seed is planted near the hard pan, and low down. In wet weather the water accumulates and soaks upon it, and in dry weather it's the place soonest dry and most liable to be affected in drought. Under the new and improved system invented by Mr. Sohn the plant germinates in soft kindly soil. The roots reach out in every direction, unaffected by hard clods of earth or by hard pan. The earth is porous and allows the greater portion of the rain to be drained immediately off, while its cellular condition, like that of a sponge, retains a very considerable portion of moisture, even in the dryest season. The sun and air strike the soil, and as the greatest portion of plant food is derived from the atmosphere, progress can not fail to be rapid. Experiments tried on farms in this neighborhood prove that increased crops are gained, varying in corn from five to twenty-five bushels per acre, and in proportion in wheat, barley, and other grains.
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.