Austria

Biography of Bethina Angelina Owens-Adair

Berthina Angelina Owens, born February 7, 1840, in Missouri, showcased resilience from childhood as her family settled in Oregon after a challenging westward journey. Despite early hardships, including a brief, unhappy marriage, she pursued education diligently, working to support herself and her son. Owens overcame obstacles to become a successful milliner and later moved on to medicine, graduating from multiple institutions, including the University of Michigan. She built a thriving medical practice in Portland, where her skills earned her respect, eventually marrying Colonel John Adair in 1884.

Biography of Joseph Lister

Lord Lister

Joseph Lister, commemorated in Westminster Abbey, made significant contributions to the science of health and disease, particularly in surgical practice. Born to a Quaker family with a passion for science, he studied at University College London before moving to Edinburgh, where he worked under renowned surgeon James Syme. Lister’s major achievements included the development of antiseptic techniques using carbolic acid, which drastically reduced post-surgical infections. His work faced skepticism but ultimately transformed surgical practices, earning him lasting recognition as a pioneer in modern medicine.

Biography of Frederik Gustave Bardenheier, M. D.

Dr. Frederik Gustave Adolph Bardenheier, born in St. Louis on April 13, 1881, is a renowned specialist in otolaryngology. Educated locally, he graduated from Marion Sims Beaumont Medical School in 1903 and gained clinical experience at city hospitals. After specializing in Europe, he returned to St. Louis, where he has achieved significant success and holds positions at Josephine Hospital and other institutions. Married to Virginia Andrews, Dr. Bardenheier is active in his community and served in the Voluntary Service Corps during World War I.

Biographical Sketch of William S. Blau

William S. Blau, born in Austria on September 7, 1875, was a prominent manufacturer and treasurer of the Friedman-Blau-Farber Co. He received a limited education and began his career in wholesale notions before co-founding his own business in 1883. Under his leadership, the firm became a significant producer of fancy knit goods, employing over 400 people and distributing nationwide. He married Miss Sloss in 1892, and they had four children. Blau was active in his community, participating in local clubs and the Republican Party.

Biographical Sketch of Frank Carl Friend

Frank Carl Friend, born in Austria on November 17, 1862, was a prominent lawyer and civic leader in Cleveland. After his education in public schools, he studied law under E. K. Wilcox and was admitted to the bar in 1884. Friend served two terms on the City Council and was involved with the Board of Education and Board of Health. He formed a law partnership with Wilcox in 1893. He was a Republican, a Mason, and an avid reader, particularly enjoying works by Dickens and Thackeray.

Biographical Sketch of Adolph Kohn

Adolph Kohn was born in Austria on September 1, 1860, and married Rose Koblotz in Cleveland on June 16, 1882. He spent twenty-eight years in the scrap metal industry, working with several companies including R. C. Koblitz Co. and Pollock-Kohn Co. Kohn held the position of president at both Koblitz-Kohn Co. and the Euclid Prospect Investment Co.

Biographical Sketch of Rudolph C. Koblitz

Rudolph C. Koblitz, born in Austria on May 15, 1863, was the son of Moses and Julis Miller Koblitz. He received education in Tabor and Cleveland, eventually marrying Tillie B. Smitz in 1888. After struggling with English in school, he left at 14 to learn cigar making and started his own business. Koblitz became vice president of The Koblitz-Kohn Co. and treasurer of The Euclid-Prospect Investment Co., also serving as receiver for The Sanitary Co. and director of the Jewish Infants Home. He enjoyed motoring.

Biographical Sketch of Louis Klein

Louis Klein was born on September 25, 1871, in Austria, and later moved to Cleveland, where he attended public schools. He married Fanny G. Gottlieb in 1894 and had two daughters. Klein worked in the cigar business, initially with Halsey Montgomery and J. R. Quinn. In 1907, he founded the Louis Klein Cigar Company, which included nine retail stores and a wholesale operation. He was active in community organizations, including the Elks and the Cleveland Independent Aid Association.

Biographical Sketch of Emanuel Lowith

Emanuel Lowith, born in Austria in 1841, was educated at the University of Prague. He served in the Austrian Army prior to immigrating to Cleveland in 1883. In 1880, he married Marie Wilhemina Schnal in Newark, N.J. Lowith held prominent positions as vice president of The W. P. Southworth Co. and president of The Highland Realty Co. He was also an active member of the Ezekiel Lodge, No. 90, I. O. B. B., and the Chamber of Commerce, with a strong interest in literature.

Biographical Sketch of Joseph F. Prosser

Joseph F. Prosser, a mechanical engineer born in Austria on March 17, 1872, was the son of Louis and Katerina Franck. He received his education in Austria and married Mary B. Peterka in Cleveland in 1899. Prosser began his career as a machinist in 1888 and served in the U.S. Army from 1895 to 1898, where he studied mechanical engineering. He held various engineering roles before founding The Prosser Engineering Co. in 1907, where he served as president and manager. He had six children.

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Charles Placak

Joseph Charles Placak, born in Cleveland on February 22, 1882, was a physician educated in public schools and at Ohio Wesleyan University, followed by postgraduate studies in Prague. He served as a resident pathologist and physician at Cleveland City Hospital and took on various roles, including medical superintendent at Cooley Farms and lecturer at Cleveland College of Physicians and Surgeons. Placak was involved in the fight against tuberculosis and held memberships in several medical associations and community organizations. He married Eunice S. Emde in 1907 and had two children.

Biography of Harry Degen

Harry Degen, born on November 11, 1875, in Austria, immigrated to the United States at twelve. He began his career working with relatives in Kansas before co-founding Degen & Company, a clothing store. In 1910, he established a successful dry goods store in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where he earned a strong reputation for his business ethics. Degen passed away on April 16, 1921, leaving behind a thriving enterprise managed by his widow. He was a respected community member, involved in various fraternal organizations, and fathered three children.

Olbrich, John – Obituary

John Olbrich, a 74-year-old pioneer of Union and Baker counties, passed away at his Big Creek home following a prolonged illness. A native of Austria, he had lived in the area for 45 years. His funeral services and burial took place in Baker on Tuesday afternoon. He is survived by his widow, four daughters, one son, and eighteen grandchildren.

Lopez, Dorothy I. “Dee” Burke Mrs. – Obituary

Dorothy I. “Dee” Burke Lopez, 86, formerly of Baker City, passed away on January 8, 2006, in La Pine. Born on June 16, 1919, in Baker City, she founded the creative writing department at Mount Hood Community College, serving for 37 years. Lopez was an accomplished author and editor, contributing to various newspapers and writing columns for the U.S. Army Stars and Stripes during WWII. She is survived by her three daughters, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for February 13 in Portland.

Biography of Henry Wickenburg

Henry Wickenburg, born in Austria in 1820, migrated to the United States, reaching Arizona in 1862. After working at Fort Yuma and traveling to La Paz, he pursued a group of explorers to Peeples Valley, where they discovered gold near Turkey Creek. Wickenburg then located the significant Vulture Mine and faced legal battles over its ownership. By 1864, he established a camp in what is now Wickenburg, developing ore processing methods and facilitating multiple milling operations by 1866, substantially contributing to the region’s mining industry.