John Galvin
The profession of law gives excellent opportunity for men of ability to gain recognition and it was through this channel that John Galvin came to the notice of the people of Cincinnati. For more than a quarter of a century he has been an active and able advocate in the courts, and in offices of trust and responsibility he has demonstrated his personal worth. He ranks today among the leaders of the Cincinnati bar, and as a man of well-proven integrity has a host of friends who stand ready to indorse him for any position to which he may aspire. He is a native of this city, born on Mulberry Street near Main, June 13, 1862. His father, Maurice Galvin, was a native of the Emerald Isle and was born in 1827. At the age of twenty years, believing that the land of opportunity lay westward, he crossed the ocean and in 1851 arrived in Cincinnati. He was married in this city January 13, 1857, to Miss Ellen Cronin, who was born in Cincinnati, August 6, 1836.
John Galvin received his preliminary education in the public schools of Covington, Kentucky, and was graduated from the Covington high school in June 1880, being then eighteen years of age. Attracted to the study of law, he entered the Cincinnati Law School and was graduated in May 1883, with the degree of LL. B. He has practiced continuously in this city since his admission to the bar and either as a public official or in a private capacity has endeavored to perform his whole duty. He was appointed assistant city solicitor May 1, 1887, and remained in this office until May 1, 1894. On January 1, 1908, he became vice mayor of the city, a position which he held until July 27, 1909, when through the death of Mayor Markbreit he succeeded to the office of mayor, a responsibility which he discharged until January 1, 1910. He has since filled the office of vice mayor, his present term expiring January 1, 1912. As he possesses rare tact, clear judgment and the fortitude to follow the course which he deems right and just, he has as a public official won the approval of the best citizens irrespective of party and is one of the highly popular men of Cincinnati.
On the 28th of February 1889, at Covington, Mr. Galvin was married to Miss Julie Edair Cusson, a daughter of Leon and Elizabeth Cusson. One child, Julie Elizabeth, was born to this union March 29, 1900. In politics Mr. Galvin gives his support to the Republican Party and he is an active worker in the Young Men’s Blaine Club and the Stamina Republican League. He has been a member of Cincinnati Lodge, B. P. O. E., since October 1887, and has proven one of its most efficient organizers and workers. In recognition of his interest, in the order he was elected exalted ruler of the lodge and served from April 1896, to April 1897. He was next advanced to the highest position in the order, that of grand exalted ruler of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America. This office he filled most acceptably from June 1, 1898, to June 1, 1899. He is also a member of the Business Men’s Club and the Pen and Pencil Club. He is a man of pronounced social instincts, courteous and affable in demeanor, and a true lover of home, family, friends, city and native land. He is an eloquent and often witty speaker and as an advocate at the bar he has few superiors. Notwithstanding the time he has devoted to public affairs his private interests have been ably managed and he has the satisfaction of having performed his duty in accumulating a competency for his family. He was especially fortunate in the selection of a wife whom he pronounced “the best woman on earth,” and his friends will readily agree that the head of the family proved one of the best mayors Cincinnati has known.
From Cincinnati, The Queen City, Volume III by Rev. Charles Fredric Goss, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912