John Bradley Trevor 
pages 318-319
Portrait

IN PRESENTING the following brief sketch of the late John Bradley Trevor, for many years a widely known business man of the city of Cincinnati, we find that the battle of life was well fought by this enterprising, self-made and honored citizen. That he was endowed with financial abilities of no mean order must be admitted, yet there was added to this an honest determination of purpose, a zeal to know the truth, and a kind heart which impelled him to help others while he was making plain the path of prosperity for himself. From an early age his desire was to earn every cent needed in the prosecution of his business. He always lived up to his principle, never a dishonest dollar passing through his hands. His later life especially was serene and happy, for as old age crept on apace, with the ambition to accumulate not so strong upon him as in earlier years, with unencumbered property, he stood among the financially strong men of his home city. He was plain and unassuming in manner, and by reason of his noble character was frequently sought for as counselor and friend. The lives of many were better for having come in contact with him.
Mr. Trevor was born at Connelsville, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1832. He was a son of Caleb and Nancy Trevor. His father was a native of England, from which country he emigrated to the United States when young and here married and established his future home.
John B. Trevor received his education in the common schools and Woodward High School, Cincinnati, later taking a business course. He had little assistance in getting a start in the world and deserved a great deal of credit for forging to the front on his own accord. He never ceased to be a student until the end of his mortal existence, and he became an exceptionally well-rounded man mentally. When a boy his chief desire was to become an architect, but friends influenced him to prepare for school-teaching, which he followed for some time with much success, having been principal of schools in Cincinnati for seven years. But believing that the business world held greater advantages for him, he abandoned the school-room to take a position as bookkeeper for the John Church Company, of Cincinnati, well-known manufacturer of pianos. His ability, fidelity and sound judgment won him rapid promotion and he became manager of the firm, finally obtaining control of the same and was president of the company for many years, during which he greatly increased the prestige and success of the firm through his wise management and keen business acumen and foresight, the business growing to vast proportions and extending over a wide territory. Honesty and promptness were his watchwords. He studied every phase of the business carefully and kept fully abreast of the times in the same. The firm not only manufactured pianos of a superior quality but dealt in all kinds of musical instruments. Having accumulated a competency through his close application and the exercise of rare business judgment, he retired from the firm and active life at the age of sixty years, and with his faithful wife, who had done much toward his success, he traveled extensively for some time, making a trip around the world. He was a keen observer and could talk most entertainingly of his travels abroad.
Mr. Trevor was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 13, 1865, to Jennie E. Newton, a daughter of Silas and Emily D. (Steward) Newton, and to this union two children were born, John B. Trevor, the second, now deceased, and Jeannette Newton Trevor, now the wife of Wilmot Grant Peirce; they live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and are the parents of two children, John Trevor Peirce, and Wilmot Grant Peirce, the second. Mrs. Peirce received very careful training in her girlhood.
Mrs. Trevor is known to her many friends as a woman of many commendable attributes of head and heart, of high ideals, pure Christian sentiment, kind, noble, and she has always been a great home woman, an ideal housekeeper, the welfare of her family always uppermost. She is of happy and genial disposition.
Mr. Trevor was by nature a great mathematician and expert calculator and by years of training in his business this quality was greatly augmented. He belonged to no lodges or clubs, being contented to stay at home as much as possible, in fact, could always be found by his own fireside when not attending to business or church duties. He was a liberal supporter of the church. He was public-spirited and interested in all that pertained to the general good of the city and State. He was uniformly courteous and was beloved by his employees and customers alike. He was very charitable, often helping those in need about him, but never in an ostentatious manner. He was of a quiet and reserved nature, never courting publicity. He was attentive and very methodical in business, keeping everything under a well-regulated system. He was a man of positive character, never wasted words. He was quick to see the flaws and the virtues in others, few ever deceiving him. He was a lover of nature, liked to get away from the city's dust and heat and turmoil and bask in the delightful sunshine of the countryside. He was friendly, neighborly, companionable, liked to romp with children, with whom he was always a favorite. He showed true tact and wisdom by denying himself of many of the pleasures of life in his earlier years in order that he might succeed in business. Harmony and love were watchwords in his home. He was ever kind and gentle. His word was as good as a note. He was a man of great integrity.
Mrs. Trevor has long been very active in religious work. She is a member of the Mt. Auburn Baptist Church, and also the missionary society of the same, in which she takes an active interest, and her church and charity work has resulted in incalculable good. She has been an extensive reader, and, like her late-lamented husband, is possessed of a bright intellect. Her many friends often gather at her beautiful and well-appointed home in Cincinnati.
Mr. Trevor was summoned from earthly scenes on February 28, 1912, at the age of eighty years, after a long, useful and successful career, which was fraught with much good to the world.

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