Joseph George Feth
For the majority of his life, Joseph G Feth was a well-known and successful Campbell County businessman and citizen, running his own business for almost forty years, participating in numerous civic and commercial ventures, raising a family and selling his customers a variety of wares. He even constructed a building that still stands to this day, long after his life’s work and legacy have faded from public memory as the years, decades, and even a century slowly passed. Only now has a seemingly mundane item a small glass medicine bottle remind us of who he was. (seen at the Campbell County Historical & Genealogical Society in Alexandria Ky.)
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 2 August, 1895, page 7
Edward Costello transferred to Joseph Feth a lease on the lots situated at the northwest corner of Fairfield Avenue and McKinney street for $40 and other considerations.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 9 September 1895, page 7
Joseph B (sic) Feth against Rosa Catherine Roeslin, claims a one-half undivided interest in the property lots Nos 136 and 127 in Gilmore's addition to Dayton, and asks for an order of sale and distribution of the proceeds. The property is the most valuable in Dayton, being 140 by 250 feet, at the corner of McKinney Street and Fairfield Avenue.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 24 September 1895, page 7
Some one entered the cellar of Joseph Feth's drug store at Eighth and York streets, yesterday and opened the faucets of turpentine and linseed oil can, wasting about 20 gallons of each on the floor, and in the evening Mr. Feth caught Wilson Phillips, the 9 year old son of Dr. Phillips of Isabella street, in the cellar and arrested him. The boy said the faucets had been opened by John Wall, while he (Phillips) kept watch.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 15 October 1895, page 7
A number of prominent citizens are urging Alderman A J Mosset to run for re-election independent of his party. Among the signers are Joseph G Feth.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 21 October 1895, page 7
AD-Chamberlain Pain Balm for sale at 50 cents per bottle at J G Feth, Newport.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 8 November 1895, page 7
The appeal of Henry Wellman against the City of Newport was dismissed. This was the case in which the appellee was sentenced to six months in jail on a charge of stealing oil from Joseph G Feth, the druggist.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 3 July 1896, page 5
In the Campbell Cunt Court Thursday the following transer was made: Joseph G Feth and wife to the Central Christian Church, lot No 269 and part of lot 268 in the East Row addition, 48 x 115 feet, at the northeast corner of Sixth and Monroe Streets; $2000.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 21 August 1896, page 5
The Central Christian Church congregation of Newport, Ky. was organized in October 1895. Since that time religious services have been held in a hall at the southeast corner of Sixth and Washington Avenue. Rev J M Bailey has occupied the pulpit since February 1896. On Saturday, July 1, a lot 42 by 115 feet on the northeast corner of Sixth and Monroe Streets was purchased from Joseph G Feth for $2800.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 18 December 1898, page 7
The bond of the Newport Postmaster is regulated by his salary, which is governed by the amount of business done at the office. Justus Hetsch has received $2900. Each bondsman is required to be worth in real estate twice the amount for which he signs. Hetsch bondmen are: Joseph Feth, $15,500.
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Kentucky Post, Saturday, 19 December 1896, page 5
Hetsch's bondsmen held a meeting in the First National Bank Friday afternoon. They are Joseph G Feth, John G Hetsch, Fred Baumbach, H M Healey and Daniel Hetsch, bondsmen and John P Newman, attorney for the bondsmen. The bondsmen were unanimous in making a settlement with the Government without the formality of a lawsuit. Mrs. Catherine Hetsch, mother of the missing postmaster paid $2000. The bondsmen paid $2602.50.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 14 January 1903, page 5
The Newport National and the German National Banks, in Newport, elected officers Tuesday afternoon. The officials are as follows: German National, President, Louis K Marty; Vice President, Joseph G Feth; Cashier, Albert M Larkin; Assistant Cashier, David Davis; Directors, Joseph G Feth, William M Donaldson, Matt Herold, John Todd, Thomas Foster, William C Botts, L K Marty, George G Perkins and J P Weckman.
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Kentucky Post, Saturday, 16 May 1903, page 5
Dayton will have a bathing beach if the plans of the owners of the old Clark brickyard, at the foot of Walnut Street, are carried out. The property is owned by George Veith, Joseph Feth and other well known Newport people.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 20 May 1903, page 5
Another sale was made in the estate of the late John Cline, in the case of Fannie Green vs. Cline heirs. Lot 252 in Buena Vista addition to Newport, southeast corner Ninth and York to J G Feth, $2300.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 2 June 1903, page 5
The Newport Mutual Fire Insurance Company Monday elected directors; Joseph G Feth.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 13 January 1904, page 2
Angry words between father and son resulted in a fierce fisticuff Tuesday night at Newport Ky. when Joseph Feth and his son George fought. The son had been collecting money for his father and disputes over the amounts led to trouble, a repetition of similar occurrances which took place at their home Eighth and York Streets.
It is alleged that when the men were separated George was choking his father. The police arrived but no arrests were made, George having left.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 12 April 1904, page 3
Newport Realty Deals-Joseph G Feth and wife to William R Williamson, lot on the south side of Fourth street, between Saratoga and Monmouth, 25 by 107 feet; $1300.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 4 January 1905, page 1
The trial of John Liebert for insanity, begun yesterday in the Kenton Circuit Court. John Lippe, a brother in law, said he noticed the prisoner some six months before the arrest and thought him queer. The prisoner told him he had written letters to O'Shaughnessy, J G Feth and Rev Whitehead.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 22 May 1905, page 5
Attorney S W Adams, representing A M Harrison, Revenue Agent for the state at large, filed suits in the Campbell Circuit Court against Joseph G Feth of Newport, for $25,000.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 24 May 1905, page 5
Members of the Fire Company No 1 of Newport, received a call after midnight from the store and residence of Joseph G Feth, Eighth and York sts. When the firemen reached the place they found the entire building from top to bottom filled with dense smoke. Feth with his wife and daughter had awakened and got out of the building just in time to escape being suffocated.
The firemen made an investigation of the cause of the smoke and found in the cellar beneath that portion of the building used as a drug store an old mop that contained a smoldering fire. It had been used in mopping up oil on the floor where a quantity of inflammable stuff was store. It is thought the mop caught fire by spontaneous combustion.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 12 July 1905, page 5
At the banquet given by the officers and Directors of the Newport Mutual Insurance Company, on the society's twenty-fifth anniversary, two of the original stockholders were present. John W Schneider and Joseph Feth, who are the only two living of the 20 incorporators.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 10 January 1906, page 5
The German National Bank re-elected all of its old Directors-Joseph G Feth, William M Donaldson, Matt Herold, John Todd, Thomas Foster, William C Botts, Albert M Larkin, George T Perkins and J P Weckman.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 29 January 1906, page 5
Joseph Feth is confined to his room with an attack of Brights disease.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 25 April 1906, page 5
Joseph G Feth, Vice President of the German National Bank, is quite ill at his home, Eighth and York streets.
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Kentucky Post, Saturday, 2 June 1906, page 3
Joseph G Feth, one of the wealthist men of Newport and Vice President of the German National Bank, who has been ill for several months, is reported dying.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 5 June 1906, page 5
The physicians attending Joseph G Feth, Vice President of the German National Bank, have given up all hope of his recovery.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 13 July 1906, page 8
Joseph G Feth, 60, one of the best known citizens in Campbell co. passed away this morning at his home, Eighth and York sts. at 7 am. He had been ailing for a long time from intestinal trouble and last August went away in the hope of regaining his failing health. Since that time he has been very poorly and his condition has been serious for some time.
He leaves a widow and five children, all grown; Albert, Marcella, George, Isabelle and Clara.
During life, the deceased was an earnest worker for the welfare of the city and engaged in the drug business at Fifth and Columbia st. until he erected the handsome building he now occupied at Eighth and York. He accumulated a vast fortune during life and was always considered one of the best citizens in Newport. He was a brother-in-law of T J Widrig and Louis C Widrig, druggists of Newport.
He was also a prominent worker in the Holy Name Society of the Immaculate Conception Church. The funeral will take place on Monday morning.
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Kentucky Post, Satuarday, 14 July 1906, page 5
The funeral of Joseph G Feth, whose death was announced yesterday's Post, will take place Monday morning. Requiem high mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 9 am.
Cincinnati Enquirer, Saturday, 14 July
1906, page 10
Joseph G Feth, Vice President of the German National Bank, died
yesterday morning at his home, Eighth and York streets, Newport. The deceased had been a
sufferer from Brights disease for more than a year and his death was not
unexpected. For 48 hours preceding his death, Mr. Feth had been unconscious.
The deceased was one of Newport's most substantial citizens. For almost 48 years, he had been engaged in the drug business in Newport, and this trade formed the basis for his fortune. Some 15 years ago,he erected the fine building at Eighth and York streets where he had been doing business until he was taken ill. He had been connected with the German National Bank since its organization and the Director of that institution will take action on his death.
He was also connected with the Newport Mutual Life Insurance Company. Mr. Feth was 61 years of age and leaves a widow, three daughters and two sons. they funeral will be held Monday morning. Requiem high mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 9 am. The funeral will leave the family residence at 8:30 am.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 16 July 1906, page 5
The funeral of the late Joseph G Feth took place Monday morning from the Church of the Immaculate Conceptionat 9:30 am. Requiem high mass was celebrated by three priests and a full choir. The church was crowded with friends of the deceased, who was one of the foremost citizens of Newport.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 19 July 1906, page 5
The will of the late Joseph G Feth was left for probate in the Campbell County Court this morning in Newport. He leaves his entire estate, both real and personal and mixed to his wife, Clara J Feth and appoints her executrix without bond. The document was dated Sept 12, 1896 and was witnessed by Thomas Healy and Albert Feth.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 27 July 1908, page 3
Albert Feth, 27, scion of a promient old Newport family, was reported missing to the Newport police this morning. Young Feth is a son of Joseph Feth, former wealthy druggist of Newport. He has been engaged in the practice of law in Newport for several years.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 10 August 1911, page 3
Newport Lodge, No 280 FOE, completed a deal this morning whereby they became owners of the Feth Building, at the southwest corner of Eighth and York sts. The purchase price was $14,000.