John Fehrenbatch
John Fehrenbatch, superintendent of the City Hospital, which position he has filled since August, 1896, was born in Rochester, N.Y., June 29, 1844. He was reared in that city, and attended the public schools there.
In August, 1863, he came to Cincinnati, Ohio, having in the meantime served an apprenticeship as blacksmith and machinist in his native city, so that he was qualified to take up work as a skilled mechanic on coming to Ohio.
He was first employed as a machinist in the Charles Winchell Machine Shops, but soon afterward he enlisted in the United States Military Railroad service in the department of the Mississippi, being on active duty in 1864-5.
After his discharge from the service in March 1865, he returned to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he remained until November 1870, when he took up his residence in Cleveland, Ohio, and where he was elected as member of the Ohio legislature in the fall of 1875 as a representative of the industrial interests of Cuyahoga County and served during the two sessions of the Sixty-second General Assembly. During this term he introduced a bill creating the State Bureau of Labor, a department which has worked wonderful good for the interests of organized labor. He was also the originator of the idea to license value, not only to workers in those fields, but to the public generally.
Some knowledge of the scope of his activities may be gained from the fact that he has served as president of the “International Association of Mechanical Engineers,” United States Supervising Inspector of Steam Vessels, Supervising Engineer of the City of Cincinnati, president of the National Association of Stationary Engineers, Superintendent of the Cincinnati Hospital and President of the American Association of Hospital Superintendents; also consulting engineer of the Board of Hospital Commissioners in building Cincinnati’s new hospital.
He is at present commander of the William H. Lytle Post No. 47 Dept. of Ohio Grand Army of the Republic.
Upon completing the usual course of study, he was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School with the class of 1894, but after two years of practice, at the earnest insistence of his friends, he retired to take up the place he now holds so creditably to himself, and advantageously to the public.
His 15 years service in this connection has won him high commendation from all interested. The most thorough system has been instituted and the utmost attention is given to cleanliness and sanitary conditions.
Mr. Fehrenbatch possesses moreover, a business ability and executive power, and these qualities have made him a most competent official.
Mr. Fehrenbatch is a member of all the Masonic bodies of both the York and Scottish Rites, being affiliated with Kilwinning Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Cincinnati Chapter R. A. M., Cincinnati Commandery K. T., Scottish Rite Consistory, S. P. R. S., and Syrian Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Queen City Council of Mechanical Engineers, and of the Cincinnati Association of Stationary Engineers, and is ex-president of the National Association of Engineers.
He is the author of a library on “Steam Engineering,” one of the greatest and most widely read and quoted works on this subject.
He likewise holds membership with the Laughery Club and the members of these various organizations entertain for him a warm regard which indicates the possession of attractive personal qualities on the part of him who receives the esteem and friendship of his fellows.
From Cincinnati, The Queen City, Volume III, by Rev. Charles Frederic Goss, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912