Edward Greiwe & Brother
The caption of this article is the firm name under which is conducted a substantial business enterprise. They are tin, slate and tile roofers and manufacturers of galvanized iron and copper cornices. The business of today is the outgrowth of an enterprise established by Adam Greiwe, who was engaged in the hardware and stove trade and in sheet metal work at the corner of Broadway and East Twelfth Street, where he opened his establishment in 1866. He was a native of Germany and in 1839, in his boyhood, was brought to the new world by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Greiwe, who were also natives of the fatherland. John H. Greiwe became one of the early grocers of the city and later took up the occupation of farming. Adam Greiwe was largely reared in this locality and after entering the field of active business he purchased the Oswald place and became well known in trade circles of Cincinnati as a dealer in hardware and stoves and as a worker in sheet metal. The business, which he established, was carried on under a partnership relation, the firm name being Greiwe & Timmers. This relation was maintained until 1891, when the sons took over the business. The father lived retired for a brief period but is now deceased. In early manhood he married Miss Elizabeth Lietemeyer, who was a native of Germany, and they became the parents of four children but only two are now living, Edward, the eldest, and Maria, the youngest, being now deceased. The others are John H. and William.
The sons were reared in the usual manner in which the city lad spends his time when the acquiring of an education occupies the greater part of his days. In the year 1891 the two sons, Edward and William, became their father's successors in business and extended the scope of their activities to include the roofing business. For ten years the partnership was continued and was then dissolved by the death of Edward Greiwe. The business has since been carried on under the firm style of Edward Greiwe & Brother and employment is furnished to from twelve to twenty people. The shop is at No. 1128 Broadway and the firm has become well known as tin, slate and tile roofers. They also manufacture their own cornices, both galvanized iron and copper, window caps, skylights, finials and tiles. The business has had a substantial growth and liberal patronage makes this a profitable enterprise. William Greiwe holds membership in the Elks lodge and is widely known in Cincinnati where his entire life has been passed. He is preeminently a businessman, concentrating his energies almost exclusively upon the development of the trade, and since the death of his elder brother the entire responsibility of the management and control has devolved upon him.
From Cincinnati, The Queen City, Volume III by Rev. Charles Fredric Goss, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912