University of Cincinnati - Cincinnatian Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

Page 15 text:

3 g .Q 'an c1 INV. '57 iNV- F64: 1NV.76 m .83 TO THE MEMORY OF CHARLES MCMICKEN THIS VOLUME 0F THE CINCINNATIAX IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. 2,;

Page 17 text:

rF- kl h a r! lea M e M fig hen , t' 11HE use of history is to give value to the present hour and its duty? It is with these words of the poet-philosopher in mind. that we would give a short sketch of our honored f01111der.a11d seek to hriefiy portray his noble character. that it may serve as :1 model in this. our gen eration. Ifthere was ever a character suited to he used as a model, if ever a life was htted to serve as a guide. it was that of Charles Mc- Micken. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1782: and. although his educational advantages were quite 1in1ited.he was trainedlto habits of industry and thrift. At the age of tw'enty-mie with no other possessions than the horse and saddle upon which he rode. he traveled to the village of Cincinnati. Here he engaged in river trafiict and by close attention to 1.111siiiess was soon enabled to establish himself as a merchant in the South. Successful in his undertaking. he purchased a s11111111erhm11e in Cincinnati. spending his winters in the South. During all this time he sought to improve his limited education. Pos- sessing; a vigorous crmstitutiml. and being temperate in his hahitst he re- tained undhninished his vigor of mind and body. His skillful lmsiness iilailagement enahled him to accumulate a large fortune. which he was ever ready to use for acts of kindness and charity. Feuz if any. knew him intiinatelyiand it was not until innnediateiy before his death that he made knawn to any one the desire of his life. He died in March. 1858.c011hde11t that he had faithfully performed the work of life. Of his charities and donations none ever knew. His gifts were not a matter of ostentation : they were deeds of charity. The hrst undertaking which enlisted his sympathy was the Free-Labur Tropical Cultivation. 'JI