Henry Pogue 
pages 302-304
Portrait

EXAMPLES that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of record in the annals of history wherever they are found. By a few general observations the writer hopes to convey, in the following paragraphs, succinctly and yet without fulsome encomium, some idea of the high standing of the late Henry Pogue as a business man, public benefactor, and a genteel Christian gentleman, one of the representative citizens of the city of Cincinnati for several decades. Those who knew him best will readily acquiesce in the statement that many elements of a solid and practical nature were united in his composition and which, during a series of years, brought him into prominent notice throughout the southern portion of the State of Ohio, his life and achievements earning for him a conspicuous place among his compeers. He was a man of great nobility of soul. He knew Christ as his Savior; cherished the fellowship of the saints as his joy and protection; prized and used the means of grace, both private and in commercial life; and set an example before the youth of the land that they can ill afford not to heed if they would be successful in material things of this world and at the same time be of benefit to their fellows and a blessing in many ways to the race, for he was of the type whose light will shine more and more unto the perfect day.
Like many of the enterprising men of affairs in this country, Mr. Pogue was a native of the fair land of Erin, and of Scotch- Irish extraction. His birth occurred in County Cavan, Ireland, May 5, 1829, and from there he emigrated to the United States when young. He enjoyed the advantages of an extensive early education, and with characteristic Celtic thrift and foresight he courageously began to develop his latent powers, and by wide home reading and close observation he became an exceptionally well-informed man. He located in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1851, and, having had the sagacity to foresee great future opportunities there, decided to make that city his permanent home. He began his career by clerking in a dry-goods store on Fifth Street. Being punctual, alert and courteous to his employers and to the trade, he gave the utmost satisfaction, and meanwhile learned the various phases of the business, which stood him well in hand in later life. Prior to the Civil War, he purchased an interest in a dry-goods store on the same street where he had previously been employed as clerk. The firm name was Pogue & Jones. Although he started in business for himself in a modest way, by great industry, business tact, the exercise of sound judgment and wise foresight and honest dealings, his business constantly increased, despite the general depression incident to the great war between the States. Subsequently Mr. Pogue purchased the interest of his father-in-law, John Crawford, who was at that time the leading merchant of Cincinnati. He managed this large establishment with rare acumen, and, taking as a partner his brother, Samuel Pogue, organized the firm of H. & S. Pogue, of which our subject was secretary and treasurer and Samuel Pogue was pres-ident. They built up one of the greatest department stores out-side of New York City. Their store was a model of that time In every respect, convenient, extensive, tastily kept, stocked with a large and carefully selected line of general merchandise and managed under a superb system. Scores of competent assistants were employed, and the total annual business reached gigantic proportions. This great store was patronized not only by the people of Cincinnati by the thousands, but by large numbers from nearby cities and towns; for its prestige and reputation soon be-came widespread, the many patrons knowing that here they would receive uniformly honest and courteous treatment. This is all still true of the Pogue store.
Henry Pogue continued in this line of endeavor until his death, whereupon his son, Henry Pogue, Jr., assumed the duties of secretary and treasurer, and John Pogue became manager of the firm, and they have continued to conduct the store along the lines inaugurated by their father, our subject, and have met with encouraging success all along the line. Their father gave them every advantage, not only carefully training them for successful business careers, but paid especial attention to their educations, the best obtainable. After finishing their preparatory courses, they entered Princeton University, in New Jersey, where they both made excellent records for scholarship and from which insti-tution they were graduated in due time. They are in every respect worthy sons of a worthy and illustrious sire, and their daily lives reflect the wise and careful training of their honored father.
Henry Pogue was married in 1875 to Mary I. Crawford, sec-ond daughter of John Crawford, one of the leading business men of Cincinnati in an early day, but he removed to New York City when Henry Pogue purchased his interests here. Mrs. Pogue received good educational advantages and she proved to be a worthy helpmate of her distinguished husband, his large success having been due in no small measure to her sympathy, counsel and encouragement. She is still living in the beautiful Pogue home in Cincinnati and is popular with a wide circle of friends who esteem her for her many commendable attributes of head and heart.
The union of Henry Pogue and wife was blessed by the birth of the following children: Mrs. William Walker Smith, Jr., is the eldest; Elsie is unmarried; Mrs. John Langdon Gates has two children, Natalie Lee and Muriel; Margaret is unmarried; Henry, Jr.; John Crawford, the youngest son, married Faye Elliot, and they have one child, Patricia. Two of our subject's daughters, Charlotte and Elizabeth, died in infancy.
Henry Pogue was summoned to his eternal rest on January 15, 1903, in his seventy-fourth year, after a long, useful and honorable life.
He was not a public man and was never active in politics, preferring to give his undivided attention to his vast business prior interests and to his family. Neither did he belong to any fraternal organizations or clubs. He was a great home man. His elegantly appointed residence was known as a place of hospitality and good cheer to the many friends of the family. It was stocked long ago with many fine art treasures. He was not only a lover of art but also of nature and delighted in excursions into the country. He was public-spirited and wielded a potent influence for the general welfare of Cincinnati, especially in a business way. He was a helpful friend, charitable, and a man of studious habits, owning a splendid library. He was modest, quiet, unassuming and easily approached. Many a deserving young man received from him substantial aid or good advice when starting out in life. He was a man of strong will and undaunted courage when he knew he was right.
Religion was the keynote of Mr. Pogue's nature. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church and very liberal in his support of the same. He had an abiding faith in the lowly Nazarene and tried daily to humbly follow in His footsteps, having unswerving faith in Him as a personal Redeemer.
When his friends think of the quality of his manhood, his devout reverence, his fidelity to trusts, his chivalric spirit, his remarkable grasp of complicated problems, his loyalty to truth and friendship, his perfect home life, his keen sense of honor and fairness, his contempt for sham and littleness, with kindred traits uncounted, and withal a modest reserve, then they realize what a loss befell them in his death.

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