Henry Probasco

Henry Probasco ( born July 4, 1820 Newtown (Connecticut ); † 25 Oktober1902 ) was an American businessman and art collector.

Life

Henry Probasco was a son of Peter Probasco and his wife Anna, nee Lott. Another son, Richard Probasco was born 1824. His first life and school years were spent Henry Probasco in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania). Around 1830 the family moved to Warren County, Ohio in 1834 to Cincinnati. Peter Probasco worked in the company E. F. Seybold and Company, iron goods produced and sold. 1835 Henry Probasco entered the hardware store of Tyler Davidson. In 1840 he married his first wife, Julia Carrington, a daughter Abijah Carrington and half-sister of his employer Davidson. This first marriage remained childless.

With his marriage was Probasco business partner of his former superiors. Within the next six years, the company Tyler Davidson & Company experienced a rapid boom and became the largest hardware store in Cincinnati. 1851 Probasco had a store of sandstone - which represented an innovation - build that far exceeded all hitherto existing in Cincinnati and was a great success: Three years later, the income had quadrupled.

Tyler Davidson died in 1865 and a few months later Probasco sold the business to long-time partner of Lowry Lowry, Perin & Company in order to compete after an extended trip to Europe. He did not return until late in the year 1867 in the USA back.

Early 1886, Henry died Probascos first wife. In 1887 he married Grace Sherlock, the eldest daughter of Thomas Sherlock, Esq., The daughter of Grace and 1890 the son of Henry Probasco Jr. gave birth to him in 1888. The son died in infancy in 1901, the daughter later married the banker John Jay Rowe. The year of his second marriage gave Probasco financial losses that forced him to live in the foot and modest to accept a post as inspector of the Spring Grove Cemetery, where he was buried.

Cultural interests and Honorary Appointments

Henry Probasco had many and varied interests. He was a member of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, which was founded in 1870, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and the Horticultural Society of Cincinnati and imported plants from around the world. He also amassed an interesting library and manuscript collection and lay down one of the best art collections in the country to. In addition, he committed himself to the public library, the St. Luke's Hospital, the cemetery, where he was to be buried later, and the orphanage Cincinnati. At times he was the mayor of Clifton.

Henry Probascos book collection is now cared for by the Newberry Library in Chicago. The art collection lost Probasco as far back again, probably from financial distress: On January 6, 1887, the New York Times reported on the sale of the collection of paintings Probascos by the American Art Association. The value of the collection, which consisted mainly of paintings of foreign artists, was estimated at 100,000 to 200,000 dollars. The author of the article was the general disappointment over the fact that the images now Probasco not, as he had originally intended it apparently, the Cincinnati Art Museum bequeathed. On Probascos financial situation was discussed only in so far as his upcoming second marriage was mentioned with the daughter " of one of his wealthy Clifton neighbors".

The country house

During an eight -month stay in Europe in 1856 Henry Probasco learned the villas of successful business people on this continent know and decided to also adopts such property. Between 1860 and 1865, his country seat " Oakwood ", which was built by William Tinsley and equipped by Gustave Herter, created in the West Cliff Lane in Clifton (Ohio ). The plot had a size of 20 acres and the whole company Probasco cost about $ 500,000. Probasco chose a combination of limestone and sandstone for his house, which is a novelty in house building was at this time, but then found many imitators.

Fountain

From his European tour 1866/67 Probasco brought home with plans to donate to the public in Cincinnati a well. He had discussed in his lifetime his brother with this idea. In the Royal Bronze Factory in Munich, she had taken shape and Probasco had dealt with Kaulbach and August of Kreling to schedule an equally beautiful and practical fountain. The execution was a matter, the foundry of Ferdinand von Miller. On October 6, 1871, the fountain, which was dedicated to the late Tyler Davidson and had cost more than 100,000 dollars, was inaugurated. The actual cost exceeded the original estimates by several times. The city of Cincinnati contributed financially by the then Probasco Square -called square where the fountain was erected, redesigned accordingly, which is about $ 50,000 cost. To this day, the Tyler Davidson Fountain, also called Probasco Fountain, one of the landmarks of Cincinnati is, as Probascos former residence " Oakwood ".

Another, more modestly designed fountain made ​​of granite and bronze gave Henry Probasco the city Clifton.

Roads and marine

At Cincinnati Probasco Court and Probasco Street are named after Henry Probasco. Furthermore, it was also the Henry Probasco named after Henry Probasco, a paddle steamer, the route Cincinnati -St. Louis- Memphis ( Mississippi) sailed. The Probasco went under in November 1873 after she was in poor visibility on a sharp rock, which belonged to the so-called Grand Chain, accrued. The passengers were rescued, but the sinking of the ship drew an insurance dispute by themselves.