J. H. Doppes
J. H. Doppes, president of the J. B. Doppes Sons Lumber Company, located at No. 1244 to 1266 Gest Street, was born in Cincinnati on January 24, 1857. He is a son of the late J.B. Doppes, a native of Germany whence he immigrated to the United States in his early manhood, locating in Cincinnati. He began his business career in the Queen City as an employee in a lumber yard. In addition to the energy and perseverance that usually characterize the Teuton he possessed those rare inherent qualities that stamp the successful man. Keen foresight and fine business acumen, accompanied by unremitting energy, enabled him to climb the ladder of success, until from a minor employee he attained a position in the business world that entitled him to the respect he was accorded by all with whom he came in contact. He arrived in Cincinnati in 1849 and twenty-two years thereafter he became identified with the business that he had solidly established at the time of his demise in 1893.
The public and Catholic parochial schools of Cincinnati provided J. H. Doppes with his education, which was completed in the night High School where he graduated in 1875. In 1869 he began his business training under his father, to whom he attributes much credit for his success. He worked about the lumberyard and office while still a school boy, becoming his father's bookkeeper at an early age. Among his valued possessions now are the original books of the company, particularly the first order book. After the death of their father the sons, of whom our subject is the eldest, succeeded to the business, which they incorporated in 1904 with J. H. Doppes as president. Although they conduct a wholesale business their trade is almost exclusively retail.
In 1881 Mr. Doppes was married to Miss. Katherine Keating and to them there have been born three children, two daughters and a son.
The family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic Church, belonging to St. Lawrence's parish on Price Hill. They take an active interest in all organizations connected with the parish, Mr. Doppes being an earnest and enthusiastic worker in the Men's Club. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, Price Hill Council. His political support he usually gives to the Democratic Party, but he is not personally concerned in political affairs further than to meet the requirements of good citizenship by the casting of a ballot on Election Day. His success Mr. Doppes attributed very largely to the fact that he thoroughly mastered every detail of the business and is still studying and learning. Under the capable supervision of his father he early acquired the habit of thoroughness, and has lived to appreciate the fact the American business failures can more often be attributed to a superficial understanding of fundamental principles and conditions than any other one thing.
From Cincinnati, The Queen City, Volume III by Rev. Charles Frederic Goss, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912