JOSHUA DELAPLANE was born in Frederick county, Maryland, June 24, 1807.  He came west in 1819, and located

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near Rossville, followed farming until he was twenty-one years of age.  Afterward he learned the cabinet-making trade and undertaking business until 1865, when he sold out to Sortman, Blum & Co., and retired from active business.  Mr. Delaplane was the pioneer undertaker of Hamilton and Rossville.

     HARRISON WATSON, was established in business on High street, on the site of the Universalist church building, opposite C. Schmidtman's bakery, in February, 1841.  At this date he manufactured coffins at less than half their former price.  Plain coffins at less than half their former price.  Plain coffins sold at his shop, from $2.00 to $5.00 apiece.

     R. G. DUFFIELD, in 1845, removed from High street to Pearl (now Reily street), adjoining the Intelligencer office, where he carried on the cabinet business.  He was prepared to serve on funeral occasions with hearse, etc., at his former prices.

     LOUIS SOHNGEN & D. CRAINE, on Jan. 3, 1850, announced to the public that they had taken Harrison Watson's old shop on Market Square, and were manufacturing cabinet-ware and coffins.  The duties of an undertaker were promptly complied with.

     The following were the undertakers in 1866: Crowley & Dye, Sortman, Blum & Co., Theobald & Morman, P. H. Gilbert entered the calling in 1869.

     CHARLES W. GATH was born Oct. 21, 1853, in  the village of Oxford, Butler county, Ohio.  He was born of English parentage.  When but a mere boy he used to accompany and assist his father upon his professional calls.  He was educated in the public schools of Oxford, and at Miami university.  At the age of nineteen years he engaged in the undertaking business for himself.  Having associated with the profession from early boyhood, he brought to it a knowledge of its delicate requirements.  In 1880, he came to this city, where his strict integrity of character, his merits as a gentleman, and his intelligent appreciation of his chosen vocation, soon placed him in the front rank and earned for him the success that he has achieved.  Socially, Mr. Gath is a prominent Mason; is a

PORTRAITS:

JOSHUA DELAPLANE,     ALEX. HUNTER,
C. W. GATH,   SAMUEL GATH,   SAMUEL GATH, JR.,
CHARLES E. GRIESMER,   WILLIAM O. GRIESMER

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Knights Templar, a member of Syrian Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine, of Cincinnati, I. O. O. F., K. of P., Royal Arcanum, K. of H., K. and L., J. O. U. A. U. A. M.  Mr. Gath is a close student in his professional work.  He has the confidence of the community; is an accomplished and model funeral director.

     ALEX. HUNTER was born in this city, Jan. 5, 1849.  He was educated in the Hamilton public schools, and the Furmandale Academy.  Afterward he followed farming.  In 1886, he came to Hamilton and engaged in manufacturing brick for four years.  He entered the undertaker's profession in 1892.  He has become prominent in his calling, which has done from credit.  He is an active and fundamental member and trustee of the Westminster Presbyterian church.

     CHARLES E. GRIESMER, was born in Sharon, Hamilton county, Ohio, June 1, 1861.  His father moved to Monroe, Butler county, in 183 and followed cabinet making and the undertaking business.  Charles Griesmer was educated in the public schools of Monroe.

     JOHN O. GRIESMER was born in Monroe, this county, in February, 1864.  He was also educated in the public schools of his native town.
     The Griesmer Brothers were early educated in the business and long before their father's death, in 1890, they were schooled in the practical workings of the profession.  Their early experience stood them in good stead, when this great misfortune threw the burden of the family support upon the

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young men.  They were equal to the occasion and in a few years had not only great alteration in the policy of the concern, was the establishment of Hamilton branch in 1892, in its present convenient quarters at the Gray Eagle stable.  The elder partner, Charles E. Griesmer, came on to give the new venture his personal care and supervision.  Its success was immediate and permanent.  He brought with him the technical skill, the gentle courtesy of manner, and above all, the reputation of fair and honorable character, which are necessary to success in this most delicate of all human vocations.  In a few brief months the child had cut-grown the parent.  In the spring of 1896, the necessity for more room led them to purchase a half interest in the Grey Eagle stables, and the entire remodeling of the offices and warerooms of the concern.  It stands today in every sense a model establishment.  Mr. Griesmer employes the best approved modern process in embalming.  By his method the remains are permanently preserved from decay.  Both these young men have been reared in the business and are thoroughly qualified for their profession.  The original business is still conducted at Monroe by the junior partner, John O. Griesmer, who is a young man of the highest qualities and consideration.