Testament of Endurance: Frederick Rauh & Company, 1872-1994

Queen City Heritage

A photograph taken in 1913 firm. Pictured are (fourth row) Rauh, Betsy Sickles Rauh, Rauh, Richard (Dick) Rauh, for the fiftieth anniversary of Bertrand Rauh Sidney Rauh, Frederick Rauh, Louis Lincoln and Frederick (Fritz) Rauh. Frederick and Betsy Sickles Selma Rosenthal Rauh, Jane Rauh; (second row) Amelia (CHS, Business Archives, Rauh, includes the founder of Rauh Oettinger, Julian Rauh, (Millie) Bernheim Rauh, Frederick Rauh & Co. Frederick Rauh & Company Stella Rauh, Isadore Rauh, Grace Netter Rauh; (first row) Collection) and his sons and grandsons Stanley Rauh; (third row, Louise Rauh Brown, Helen who later headed the family seated in chairs) Sylvia Adler Rauh Bettman Heller, Morton Fall 1995 Testament of Endurance Testament of Endurance: Frederick Rauh & Company, 1872- 1994

Steven L. Wright

Ahead of you lies a rich future spread out full of hopes in sweet reverie. Oh, would dream and hope become true, How quickly temporal existence wanes. Yes, should you, worthy of good fortune Never have to miss what your pure heart desires. Frederick Rauh August 7, 18581

Frederick Rauh composed this poem for a dear friend but it could also be a prophesy for Rauh and the successful company he founded. A rich future was in store for the young Rauh as well as for future family members who became involved with the business. Originally founded as a single person, general insurance agency that transacted business largely with the Jewish community, Frederick Rauh & Company became one of the premier insurance agen- heavily influenced by the rapid population growth cies in Cincinnati. Throughout the company's long that occurred during the 1850s and the burgeoning tenure in the city, all of the company's presidents post-Civil War economy. By the late 1860s home encouraged progressive advancements within the based and foreign companies could not keep up with insurance profession and became involved in commu- policy demands. And soon insurance companies par- nity affairs. The company's reputation as a "high layed their business to local agents, who sold the quality, trustworthy and intelligent agency" have respective company's policies and earned a portion of 2 endured. Frederick Rauh's hopes and dreams remain the premium as a commission. Indeed, for people who alive after almost 125 years. He did not miss what his did not own the capital to start a manufacturing oper- pure heart desired. ation or the political connections to study law, insur- In 1856 Cincinnati boasted of sixty-three ance offered them a respectable alternative and a insurance related enterprises. Ten insurance compa- potentially lucrative career. In 1872 Frederick Rauh's nies were headquartered in the city; forty-three "for- first year in the insurance business, thirty insurance eign" companies, based either in Europe or in the companies maintained their home offices in eastern United States, maintained an office here; and Cincinnati, one hundred four "foreign" companies ten local, independent agencies operated in the city. A had representatives, and eighty-six independent agen- dramatic expansion of general insurance activity was cies operated within the city.3

Steven L. Wright, Business research and writing for local Frederick Rauh & Company, a Archivist for the Cincinnati businesses and organiza- general insurance agency Historical Society Library, tions. founded in 1872 by Frederick provides information services Rauh, became one of the pre- which include collecting and mier insurance agencies in processing records, curating Cincinnati. (CHS, Business exhibits, and historical Archives, Frederick Rauh & Co. Collection) Queen City Heritage Like many American entrepreneurial may also explain how Rauh became interested in successes the roots of Frederick Rauh & Company insurance. But why did he start his own agency? began in Europe. Frederick Rauh was born in August "From the end of the Civil War until the 1838, in the small town of Altenkunstadt, in northern beginning of the twentieth century," an historian Bavaria, Germany; the son of Koppel Rauh, a haber- wrote, "the United States witnessed the emergence of dasher, and Hannah Mack. Little is known of his a full-fledged anti-semitic [sic] society."7 This preju- early years or his educational background. In 1853, at dice affected every aspect of life: where one lived, age fifteen, he left Germany and emigrated to the what organizations one could join, social and recre- United States. After a few months in Pittsburgh he ational activities, and business opportunities. moved to Cincinnati where he boarded for approxi- In the business world, Jews suffered mately eight years with distant cousins, the mainly from the suspicions raised by their Christian Kornbliths, owners of a wholesale clothing business counterparts. In 1866 after a series of devastating fires at 138 Main Street.4 destroyed numerous Jewish owned properties located During his first three years in Cincinnati in New York City's clothing district as well as prop- Frederick Rauh learned English, probably completed erties located in the West and South, eastern insur- his schooling, and became acclimated to American ance companies contended that the fires had been life. In 1856, lacking any marketable skill or trade, deliberately set by their owners to collect the insur- the eighteen-year-old Frederick began working as a ance money. Within a few months Aetna, Manhattan, bookkeeper in his cousins' firm, J. & M. Kornblith Niagara, Germania, Hanover, Phoenix, and Republic Clothiers. Frederick remained there until 1863 when Insurance companies secretly agreed not to sell poli- he and Moses Newburger, a former co-worker, estab- cies to Jewish businessman.8 "In the future," the lished Newburger & Rauh Wholesale Clothiers and agreement stated, "all applications to insure wares of Dealers in Cloths, Cassimeres & Co. located at 70 Jews must be forwarded to the general agent for fur- West Pearl Street. The operation remained in busi- ther instruction prior to making insurance binding; ness until 1871 when Moses Newburger died. Unable otherwise the insurance is to be considered closed to find another partner, Rauh returned to his cousins' without the authority and the insured to be informed firm, now called M. & B. Kornblith Co. on 80 West thereof."9 Initially, the deal was a secret, but soon it Pearl Street, and worked here about a year. The fol- was leaked to the press causing a major Jewish lowing year, however, Frederick's fortunes changed protest. Jewish businessmen in New York City, St. when, at the urging of Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, he Louis, Missouri; Richmond, Virginia; Cleveland, started his own insurance business from a small Ohio,- and Nashville, Tennessee,- held meetings cen- office at 34 West Pearl Street.5 suring the companies. Why and how Frederick Rauh became A key leader of the Jewish protest in interested in the insurance business is not known. A Cincinnati was Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, the founder few pieces of evidence have surfaced that offer a plau- of Reform Judaism. In addition to reporting on events sible explanation. In 1856 J. H. Carter, an insurance occurring in New York through the Jewish newspa- agency owner, and H. K. Lindsey, the local agent for per, Die Deborah, he demanded that the main perpe- Aetna Insurance Company, underwrote the trator, Rudolph Garrigue, the president of Germania Kornblith's fire and personal goods insurance.6 Fire Insurance Company of New York, be removed Because Frederick Rauh boarded with the Kornbliths, from office by the stockholders. "He not only acts it is possible that his interest was raised as he lis- against the interests of the company," Wise wrote, tened to Carter and Lindsey discuss the policy with "but against the spirit of the Republic, the truth, and the family. The Kornbliths renewed their Aetna poli- in defiance of humanity and advocates acts that stig- cy through 1871, providing Rauh numerous opportu- matize Jews as a class of criminals."10 Wise warned nities to query the men about the business which other conspirators that, "We no longer have to put up Fall 1995 Testament of Endurance 5 with the president of Germania. We can only warn the stockholders of the company and suggest to them to end the infamy. For the time being, we exhort all Jews to withdraw from the Germania and the four other companies. . . ."" Jews throughout the nation canceled their policies. It was not long before the seven companies began to court them again, hoping to regain the Jewish business. However, Jewish businessmen still felt vulnerable to the whims of gentile businessmen. Although no written proof exists, it is very likely that Rabbi Wise approached Rauh and encouraged him to open an insurance agency that catered to the local Jewish community. Wise probably viewed a "Jewish" owned agency as a means of protection against future anti-Semitic acts. Plus Wise was a close friend of a congregation day school teacher, Betsy Sickles, whom Rauh had married in 1863. It took Rauh a number of months to acquire the capital necessary to begin his new career. Regardless of the enormous risks involved with secur- ing funding and owning an agency, he was convinced that he made the right decision. Through his diligent efforts he not only established an ongoing business, but simultaneously ensured that "his" people would not fall victim to outsiders. In 1872 he wrote his first policy with American Central Insurance Company of St. Louis.12 By 1874 Rauh's business had grown to the point that he needed a larger office. He decided to move his agency from Pearl Street to Third Street, the city's banking, commerce, and insurance hub. Although he moved a few times on Third Street, he remained in this business center until 1900. By 1875 Rauh felt confident enough to join with two partners, Henry K. Lindsey and George K. Snider, formerly of Lindsey, Snider and Perkins General Insurance Agents, Brokers and Adjusters. Both men had a lot of experience in the insurance field and probably brought with them a large quantity of business,- accounts and contacts that Rauh could not obtain. The great promise of success did not materialize, however, as Lindsey, Rauh & Company lasted only one year. In 1876 Lindsey and Snider left to become Central Department managers for the Niagara Fire Insurance

Rauh wrote his first policy with American Central Insurance Company of St. Louis. (CHS, Business Archives, Frederick Rauh & Co. Collection) Queen City Heritage Company of New York.13 petitors. "Of the sixteen companies whose interests Three years passed before Rauh formed a have been entrusted to him, not [sic] one but will be new partnership with David J. Workum, the former recognized as rated with the strongest of the home, part owner of the retail boot and shoe store, and the most thorough of the foreign corporations tak- Kilsheimer &. Workum. Even with the new partner, ing risks in this vicinity."17 Rauh maintained Frederick Rauh & Company, the By 1881 Rauh saw the need to diversify name he had operated under since the departure of and to offer additional lines of insurance. Increased Lindsey.14 technology necessitated Accident, Plate Glass, Although numerous types of insurance Elevator and Boiler Insurance. Faster forms of trans- began to appear in the marketplace, Rauh was catego- portation increased the quantities of goods being rized as a specialist in fire insurance, and represented shipped that required both Ocean Marine and Inland the products of "foreign" companies— those firms not Marine Insurance. The same type of companies that headquartered in Cincinnati. In fact, Rauh's younger entrusted Rauh to represent them in the fire insur- son recalled, "Practically all our business in the early ance line asked him to represent their products in years was Fire Insurance and not over 5 percent was in these new areas. Rauh worked with Fidelity and other lines."15 Rauh represented Guardian Assurance Casualty Company of New York for Accident, Plate Company of London; German American Insurance Glass, Elevator and Boiler Insurance; for Marine Company of New York City; Hamburg Bremen Fire Insurance he worked through Marine Insurance Insurance Company of Germany; Lancashire Company, Ltd. of London; and, for Inland Marine he Insurance Company of Manchester, England; worked with Louisville Underwriters. By 1883 Transatlantic Insurance Company of Germany; Lion Frederick Rauh & Company represented a fairly com- Fire Insurance Company of London; British America plete line of insurance plans from some of the world's Assurance Company of Toronto, Canada; Niagara Fire most noted companies.18 However, one area into Insurance Company of New York; Citizens Insurance which the company did not venture for almost anoth- Company of New York; Mercantile Fire and Marine er sixty years was life insurance. Insurance Company and the American Insurance In the nineteenth century and through Company both of Boston; People's Insurance the first part of the twentieth century, a reputable Company of New York; and Security Insurance insurance agent did not aggressively solicit his busi- Company of New Haven, Connecticut.16 The compa- ness door to door. He transacted business mainly nies that entrusted Rauh to issue policies were through word of mouth and by becoming known as a impressive, and soon he became the envy of his corn- leader in the city's cultural and civic affairs. Frederick

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In 1869 Frederick Rauh joined the Congregation of Bene Yeshurun (Plum Street Temple) and served as secretary for twenty-five years and the congregation's president in 1902, 1903, and 1904. (CHS Photograph Collection) Fall 1995 Testament of Endurance 7 Rauh operated his business in this fashion. His pro- Relief Committee for War Sufferers. Its main goal was fessional associations and community involvements to provide the necessary funds for the "unfortunate enabled his business to grow and to prosper. and helpless Jews" in the war stricken zones of Family members never thought Europe.22 Frederick "was a deeply religious man." They fre- Not long after Rauh started in business quently shared the story about how on Yom Kippur, two opportunities arose which greatly benefited his the day of fasting, Frederick would sit solemnly in his agency and enhanced his professional reputation. In front row pew until the noon recess when the choir, addition to operating his own business, in 1887 largely consisting of gentiles, would leave and meet Frederick Rauh became president of Germania Fire Frederick for a sumptuous meal.19 Regardless of this and Marine Insurance Company of Cincinnati, a local slight indiscretion, he cherished his membership in company founded in 1864 by J. H. Carter, the same the Congregation of Bene Yeshurun on Plum Street man who sold Rauh's cousins their fire insurance pol- which he had joined in 1869. Not only did he attend icy in 1856.23 A leading publication wrote, "Its safe the synagogue regularly and sing in the choir, but he and conservative methods have secured for it a steady held positions of influence. In 1873 ne served as the prosperity and the confidence of the insuring public financial secretary for the congregation. He held this in the States of Ohio and Michigan. . . ."24 Originally, position until 1878 when he was chosen to be record- from 1864-1872, it engaged in both fire and marine ing secretary. He maintained this position, as well as insurance, but then restricted itself solely to fire serving on the fiftieth anniversary committee, until risks. William McAlpin, A. J. Seasongood, Julius 1895 when he was elected to a two year term as a Freiberg, Max Mack, A. J. Friedlander, and Henry Stix trustee. In 1898 he served as vice president and was were some of the city's prominent businessmen that elected president in 1902. He was re-elected as presi- served on the board of directors. dent for two additional terms in 1903 and 1904. In his The second opportunity came early in final report to the trustees Rauh thanked them for 1890 when Rauh received an interesting request from their confidence and reminded them that "His was a the German American Insurance Company, a New 20 work of pleasure, not of hardship." Rauh's adminis- York firm that he had represented since 1876. The tration oversaw the construction of the Sabbath New York firm voiced concern about the nineteen School Building in Avondale, a significant accom- companies nationwide that used the name plishment. Rauh maintained his membership in the "German," "Germania," or "German American" in congregation until his death. their title. In an effort to prevent confusion, to gener- Another organization which Rauh joined ate more business, and to eliminate its competition, that brought him in contact with other German Jews the directors of German American Insurance was the Allemania Club, one of two Jewish social Company, inquired about buying Germania Fire and clubs created specifically because Jews were excluded Marine Insurance Company of Cincinnati. On from the city's other popular clubs. Although mainly December 20, 1890, Rauh presented the proposal to a social organization that hosted elaborate dinners Germania's stockholders who agreed to be bought by where Rauh was often the toastmaster, Allemania the New York firm. Four days later German also exposed members to the literary, musical, and American Insurance Company purchased Germania dramatic arts. It was also a place where the elite busi- stock for $95.00 a share.25 ness owners met and transacted business; no doubt Rauh's business soon progressed to Frederick Rauh was among them, offering advice and where he could afford additional employees. His old- 21 answering their questions about insurance. est son, Louis Lincoln, joined the firm in 1885 and During World War I Rauh served, along another son, Bertrand, started in 1890 as an errand with J. Walter Freiberg and Rabbi Louis Grossman, on boy. Robert D. Schmitt hired as a clerk about 1888, the executive committee of the American Jewish later worked as a bookkeeper and underwriter. By Queen City Heritage 1893 the company had branched out and offered an Company, or Laws Insurance Company. additional type of insurance called Employer's Frederick Rauh &. Company's largest Liability, the predecessor to the workmen's compen- block of business continued to be with German sation of today.26 American Insurance Company of New York, the firm Since its founding, Frederick Rauh &. that had purchased Germania Insurance Company of Company had moved three times, but always Cincinnati. Rauh wrote an average of $19,543 m Pre- remained within the commerce and banking center on mium for this insurer, equating to about twenty per- Third Street. In 1899, in need of larger and more cent of the agency's business. Other insurers that impressive office space, the company moved to the Frederick Rauh & Company regularly wrote business United Bank Building on the southeast corner of with included North American Insurance Company, Third and Walnut streets. Frederick Rauh & Company Atlas Assurance Company of America, Fidelity and remained here until 1905 when, following the lead of Casualty, Pennsylvania Fire Association Company, the banks and insurance companies, it moved from Niagara Fire Insurance Company, and a rather obscure Third Street to the corner of Fourth and Walnut company, Magdeburg Fire Insurance Company, head- streets in the First National Bank Building.27 quartered in Magdeburg, Germany. In the years 1904- By the close of the nineteenth century 1905, the company ranked third with an average Frederick Rauh &. Company was a very important and annual premium of $97,661. It was only surpassed by prosperous agency. The company's premium returns Gray, Dolle and Latta and A. W. Schell and Company. from 1896-1900 and from 1904-1912 were indicative In 1905 the company surpassed the $100,000 mark in of the firm's growth. The company usually ranked as written premium for the first time. During the period one of the top three agencies in the city, a few times it 1909-1911, Frederick Rauh & Company continually even held the top ranking. During the period 1896- placed first among all agencies in the city with an 1900, total premium averaged $93,076, and the com- average annualized premium of $I2,8,42O.28 pany ranked either second or third behind arch-com- Frederick Rauh's connections within the petitors Neare, Gibbs & Company, Adam Gray & Jewish community undoubtedly helped establish the

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On December 20, 1890, stock- (CHS, Business Archives, holders of Germania Fire and Frederick Rauh & Co. Marine Insurance Company Collection) of Cincinnati accepted a proposal to be purchased by German American Insurance Company for $95.00 a share. Fall 1995 Testament of Endurance

company as one of the city's premier agencies. His numerous social and cultural contacts generated some of his business, but Rauh did not build a successful agency and gain the respect of his peers by being affa- ble. He earned it by the manner in which he conduct- ed himself and the fairness he espoused as an officer, committee chairman, and member of the Cincinnati Fire Underwriters Association. Although the Cincinnati Fire Underwriters Association's name has changed eight times since its founding in 1838, its basic principles have remained the same: to maintain order and fair practices among fire insurance companies and agencies, and to provide continuing education to agents.29 In the days before state regulation, members met and established insurance rates on a weekly basis. The Association either created or encouraged many lasting civic services such as forming the volunteer fire department, enact- ing or revising the city's building codes, and founding the Underwriters Salvage Corp. some of the losses experienced by local insurance In the late nineteenth century much of companies. They proposed that a representative of the the damage sustained to property and contents was Association attend all fires and work alongside the caused by the large quantities of water used to extin- firemen. Sanctioned in November 1886 by the fire guish the flames. Such was the case in the disastrous department, it took only one week before Frederick Third Street fire in 1882. The enormity of the collater- Rauh and two other insurance businessmen founded al damage awakened Cincinnati's insurance industry the Cincinnati Fire Underwriters Salvage Corps. The to study the possibility of organizing an efficient sal- organization became so successful at discovering and vage corps, an organization that could prevent fires, or preventing potential fires and at saving property and discover them early and save and preserve personal life from conflagration, that in 1902 the Ohio General property. The Cincinnati Fire Underwriters Assembly enacted a law that permitted a nonprofit Association discussed the subject at a meeting. corporation to be organized under the state's general Members agreed something had to be done to alleviate incorporation laws.30

The enormity of the damage er them early enough to save In November 1886, Frederick and loss caused by the 1882 property. (CHS Photograph Rauh and two other insur- Third Street fired caused Collection) ance businessmen founded Cincinnati's insurance indus- the Cincinnati Fire try to consider organizing an Underwriters Salvage Corps. efficient salvage corps which (CHS Photograph Collection) could prevent fires or discov- IO Queen City Heritage Frederick Rauh probably joined the impact on the business. "Both Louis and myself," Cincinnati Fire Underwriters Association shortly after Bertrand recalled, "were greatly in favor of meeting he entered the insurance field, and he remained a this cut but I can well remember my father's sound Class No. i member for the rest of his life. President advice to us that we should under no circumstances in 1881 and 1892, Rauh, in addition to regularly serv- meet this competition." Frederick Rauh reasoned ing as the arbitrator for rating and rebate disagree- that when the policy expired, the agent's clients ments, chaired committees that dealt with ratings, would demand a renewal at the reduced rate, some- bylaws revision, ways and means, and the organiza- thing the agent could not guarantee. "My father's tion's anniversary celebration. A member of the exec- judgment proved to be correct and this agent lost utive committee in 1893, he served as chairman in most of a fine business eventually, and a few years 1896, 1902, and 1903.3I These activities not only afterwards retired."34 afforded him the opportunity to meet with his peers At an Association meeting in January and to discuss key insurance issues of the day, but 1902, the president assured the membership that steps enhanced his credibility and reputation as an agent. would be taken to stop "underhanded underwriting." Frederick Rauh's grandson, Fritz, often According to the minutes, Frederick Rauh was recog- joked about how his grandfather established the fire nized immediately, where he reflected upon "the insurance rate for a given week. "He was one of a proper spirit which should guide the members in their committee of agents who would sit down periodically dealings, calling particular attention to the evil of at lunch and endeavor to assign equitable rates for rebating and doing business with non-board agents."35 various fire exposures. The size of the agreed upon In May 1902, another debate ensued concerning who rates probably was affected significantly by the quali- had the authority to reinstate former members. ty of the meal/'32 There may be a kernel of truth in Apparently, it got so out of hand that a few former this statement. The setting of the rates was totally members who had been denied membership hired arbitrary. At times it was based on whether the com- attorneys to represent them. Once again Frederick mittee liked the insured party or not. Except for a rate Rauh took the floor and urged the membership "to scale based on the type of industry that operated with- refrain from legal proceedings to settle differences, in the building, there was not any scientific basis or and to be more in harmony with each other."36 Rauh interaction with insurance engineers after the build- offered a constitutional amendment that called for a ing was inspected. Despite this, Frederick Rauh's vote by secret ballot requiring two-thirds of the mem- quality work on the rating committee earned him a bership to approve admission or reinstatement. The reputation for complete honesty and fair dealing. membership agreed and approved the amendment. Troubles that arose among competing Frederick Rauh &. Company's reputation agents were often adjusted and resolved by Frederick as a company that regularly followed the rules was Rauh. Because of his conduct and honest dealing, questioned only once and proved unfounded. In Frederick became known as the final arbitrator in September 1906, the governing committee investigat- resolving such matters. His fellow agents usually ed a rumor that a rebate had been paid to Louis Stix &. requested that Rauh be appointed to the disciplinary Company, a dry goods and notions store. Five agencies and arbitration hearings.33 including Frederick Rauh & Company were known to Not long after Bertrand Rauh started have done business with the store. Rauh gave an affi- working for his father, a prominent agent in town had davit denying that he or an agent from his company a grievance with the Association. The agent was not had offered the rebate. Three other agencies also satisfied with the Association's decision so he denied involvement. However, the fifth agency, resigned from the group and commenced a rate war. Gansel 61 Company, admitted that they had paid Stix The agent had a clientele similar to Frederick Rauh & & Company a rebate. As punishment the governing Company and the situation started to have a negative committee imposed a fine of $25.00, required the Fall 1995 Testament of Endurance II agency to cancel all policies written or placed by them ly went to Europe."43 Louis' family remained very with Stix & Company, and restricted it from doing important to him throughout his life. In fact, Louis any business with Stix & Company for one year.37 regularly left the office early so that he could visit and Frederick Rauh remained active in the play with his first grandson, Albert "Buzz" Brown.44 business he founded until his death on January 9, Louis managed the company as frugally 1918, seven months short of his eightieth birthday. as he managed his own affairs. A favorite saying of his The local insurance community mourned his loss. was, "A prudent fellow saves as much as he spends."45 The Cincinnati Fire Underwriters Association eulo- Indeed, under Louis' tutelage Frederick Rauh &. gized Rauh as "a man and a gentleman, strong in his Company continued to be one of the city's dominant convictions and fearless in living up to them, the soul agencies. Louis expanded the business, and continued of honor, warm and staunch in his friendships. He his father's tradition of being involved in insurance was genial and charming in his intercourse, making and community affairs. In 1922 when Louis Rauh friends without effort and without effort keeping hired a young insurance engineer, Joseph F. Cloud, the them fast bound to him. . . ,"38 Presidents and vice- company acquired what became termed as its "main presidents of insurance companies sent their condo- lences. "There is no man in our profession/' wrote Thomas Gallagher, general agent for Aetna Insurance, "for whom I have greater admiration. He was honor- able and upright in his dealings with everyone. . . ."" The vice president of The Phoenix Insurance Company, George Lovejoy, wrote: "His was that rare combination of wisdom and gentleness, and his influence upon our business was always for good."40 The general manager and secretary of Atlas Assurance Company, Ltd., London, Samuel J. Pipkin, stated, "For over twenty years the Atlas has been represented to the entire satisfaction of the management here by your esteemed firm . . . we have felt privileged in having the goodwill of your esteemed senior in whose hands the interests of the company were so well safe- guarded."41 Following Frederick Rauh's death management of the company passed into the capable hands of Louis Rauh, the son who had been handling the day- to-day operations for a number of years. Louis had started working for his father in 1886 immediately after graduating from Woodward High School. By 1918, after thirty-two years experience in the business, Louis had little difficulty managing the firm.42 Louis' son, competitive weapon."46 With this addition, Frederick Mort, recalled of his father's work ethic, "Dad was the Rauh &. Company could compete effectively against one who put the steel in the backbone. ..." However, those agencies who used rebating as their prime unlike his gregarious father, Louis was "very reserved method for lowering rates. Using Fire Inspection [and] didn't show emotion," Mort remembered. "Yet, Bureau standards and codes, Cloud, a trained fire pre- he was very indulgent to his kids. When I was eight vention engineer, was able to lower or adjust the cus- we went out west, and then eight years later the fami- tomer's insurance rates legally. In addition to having

In 1899 Frederick Rauh & Company moved to the United Bank Building on the southeast corner of Third and Walnut streets. (CHS Photograph Collection) 12 Queen City Heritage brought in great reductions, Mort Rauh remembered Cloud as being an aggressive salesman and a capable producer, too.47 The addition of new personnel helped the company's total premiums increase during the period 1918-1929. In 1918 premiums totalled $287,000. This amount increased regularly every year and by 1929 premiums totalled $485,600. By 1930 premiums totalled $502,395, a company record that remained unsurpassed until 1937 when premium totals reached $542,610, which remained the company record until 1941.48

Louis Rauh had been a member of the Cincinnati Fire Underwriters Association since he had started working for his father. Soon he became as involved as his father had been. Louis served numerous times on the rating committee during the 1890s, and in 1911 was elected vice president of the governing committee. This was followed in 1912 and 1916 with his election to a two year term as a trustee of the same governing body. He was appointed regularly as the organization's representative to the national con- vention of insurance underwriters. In 1916 the Ohio Association of Insurance Agents, of which he was one of the founding members, appointed Louis as their representative to the legislative committee that reviewed laws governing the insurance business within the state. One year later, Louis became president of the Cincinnati Fire Underwriters Association, the same position that his father had held twice before.50 During his tenure as president Louis To help a friend who owned a building dealt mainly with issues emanating from America's with high vacancy, Louis moved the company from participation in World War I. He encouraged all of the the First National Bank Building to the Keith Building Association's members to co-operate in the local Red located on Walnut Street. Mort Rauh remembered it Cross Fund Drive to raise a million dollars. as a building with "shabby tenants," but because his Additionally, Louis urged that his fellow members father got a good deal on the lease Frederick Rauh & join the National Protective League, an "extra legal" 49 Company remained there until 1950. organization designed to ferret out German sympa-

To help a friend who had a Under the leadership of Louis Archives, Frederick Rauh & high vacancy rate in his Rauh, who became head on Co. Collection) building, Frederick Rauh & the death of his father in Company moved to the Keith 1918, Frederick Rauh & Building on Walnut Street Company continued to be and remained there until one of the city's dominant 1950. (CHS Photograph agencies. (CHS, Business Collection) Fall 1995 Testament of Endurance 13 thizers and supposed communists. Louis' progressive ties that they appointed him to the board of directors leanings as president were exhibited by his response of the Great American Indemnity Company, a posi- to a question a member raised as to "whether colored tion that he held until his death.53 On October 27, solicitors were eligible to membership?" Rauh replied 1926, executives from Great American, including W. that he did not believe that blacks could be excluded H. Koop, the vice president, traveled to Cincinnati to because "there was nothing in the Constitution that celebrate and to honor the fiftieth anniversary of the exempts them from becoming members."51 During agency's appointment as an agent for the company; a the disastrous 1917 winter, when large numbers of definite honor, as no other agency of Great American homes caught fire because of defective flues, Louis in Ohio was believed to have represented the compa- Rauh acted on a resolution proposed by another mem- ny continuously for fifty years. Great American's ber which encouraged a closer association with build- president had planned to attend, but on the advice of ing inspectors, architects, and the Ohio fire marshall his physician remained in New York City.54 in the design, specification, and construction of chim- During the first forty years of the twenti- neys and flues.52 eth century the economic success of Jewish immi- The business relationship that Frederick grants and the goals they set for their children in edu- Rauh & Company had developed with German cation, social, and cultural activities frightened many American Insurance Company of New York, renamed Americans. Despite and perhaps because of Frederick Great American Insurance in January 1918 as a result Rauh &. Company's success, the anti-Semitism expe- of anti-German hysteria during World War I, became rienced earlier by Louis' father in Cincinnati had not even closer during Louis' tenure. The directors of abated. The Rauhs could be accepted and even Great American felt confident enough in Louis' abili- respected in professional circles, but they continued

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Because of the anti-German Frederick Rauh & Co. hysteria during World War I, Collection) the German American Insurance Company of New York changed its name to Great American Insurance. (CHS, Business Archives, Queen City Heritage Although the effects of the severely depressed economy eroded the agency's total income from a high of $100,479 m I93° to a low of $68,751 in 1933, nothing impacted the company as greatly as the unexpected death of Louis Rauh in February 1932.57 "On account of his many good qualities, capabilities and untiring efforts in behalf of the best interests of the insurance business," the Cincinnati Fire Underwriters Association proclamation stated, "the Association has suffered a distinct and irreparable loss. . . ."58 This "distinct" loss probably affected young Fritz Rauh more than anyone. At age twenty- seven he found himself in charge of an agency mired

to be excluded from social clubs. One of Louis' more important community involvements occurred in 1902 when he, along with other pioneers: Carl Iglauer,

Simon Kuhn, Charles Stix; Walter and Maurice Freiberg and Walter and Edgar Friedlander, decided to form their own social organization. Louis served as first secretary of the original club which was located at the old Oakley race track. Four years later the club moved to Langdon Farms in Pleasant Ridge and was reorganized and incorporated as the Losantiville Country Club. At the May 1907 opening Louis, a member of the board, delivered a dedicatory address. "I am delighted to transfer to you, your home for pleasure and recreation may you all ... among your fami- in the depths of the Great Depression. Four years later lies and your friends, enjoy its advantages and its the company suffered additional losses when its two opportunities for many, many years."55 most experienced partners, Robert Schmitt and Joseph By 1932 Frederick Rauh &. Company Cloud, died.59 By 1936 Fritz Rauh was managing an consisted of five partners, Louis and Bertrand Rauh, agency that in just four years had undergone signifi- Robert Schmitt, Joseph Cloud, and Louis Rauh's son, cant changes. Frederick, commonly referred to as Fritz who had Throughout the 1930s the company joined the firm in 1926 after graduating from Williams occasionally had difficulty collecting fees from clients College.56 Mort Rauh, Louis' younger son, joined the and commissions from the insurance companies. In firm after graduating from Harvard College in 1932 one instance Fritz became suspicious of an insurance and became a partner in 1937. company's soundness and sent Mort to a broker's

In 1922 the agency hired Frederick Rauh & Co. Mort Rauh, younger son of Joseph F. Cloud, a trained Collection) Louis, joined the firm in 1932 fire prevention engineer. By following his graduation from using Fire Inspection Bureau Harvard and became a part- standards and codes. Cloud ner in 1937. (CHS, Business was able to lower or adjust Archives, Frederick Rauh & customers' rates legally. Co. Collection) (CHS, Business Archives, Fall 1995 Testament of Endurance 15 office to evaluate the company's assets. Mort conclud- Commercial Union Insurance Company's inland ed that the company was not solid and, in the interest marine specialist. He visited us frequently to promote of Frederick Rauh & Company's clients, its policies this new kind of business, and Fritz was smart enough should be replaced. Their instincts proved correct. to see it," Mort recalled.62 Fritz first found a market Not long after the transfer occurred the insurance in the local fur storage business. He wrote policies on company in question went bankrupt.60 the fur departments of some of Cincinnati's major The years 1932-1936 were difficult years department stores: Shillito's, Rollman's, Mabley &. for Fritz. Not only had he lost his father and two key Carew, McAlpin's, and Pogue's as well as for indepen- partners, but the company's revenues were $10,000 to dent furriers: The A. E. Burkhardt Company, The $20,000 less than they had been during the 1920s.61 Theodore Dietrick Company, the Felix B. Friedman Despite these concerns, Fritz and Mort forged a new Company,- and numerous dry cleaners that stored furs. and closer relationship that complemented each With this success, it was not long before Fritz insti- other. Where Mort was creative and imaginative, Fritz tuted the personal property floater, which covered all was an aggressive producer. They worked together and types of personal property regardless of where it was gradually became interested in a new line of insur- located, from furs and jewelry to golf clubs and fine ance, inland marine insurance. arts. It too became very successful. Frederick Rauh &. Frederick Rauh & Company had repre- Company retained this line of insurance until home- sented inland marine insurance companies almost owners insurance did away with the specific need for since its founding. However, Fritz became increasing- many types of floaters.63 ly interested in inland marine floaters which insured Like his father and grandfather before property that did not have a final destination or did him, Fritz Rauh became an active supporter of the not remain stationary. Particularly as the ability to Cincinnati Fire Underwriters Association. In move goods greater distances became easier and December 1933, just seven years after entering the quicker, it seemed natural to Fritz that the company insurance business, he was elected to a two year term take the lead and persuade insurance carriers to broad- on the governing board. In 1934 and 1935 he support- en the description of coverage, its location, and the ed having "Smokey Rogers" the fire clown, give a risks covered. "Our interest was furthered through the series of lessons on safety and fire prevention to association with Ernie Schirpser. He was the Cincinnati Public School children. Also in 1935, after

An enthusiastic golfer, Louis Rauh was one of the "leading spirits" in building the Losantiville Country Club and served as its first president at the Pleasant Ridge location. (Picture courtesy Albert Brown) i6 Queen City Heritage

months of meeting with University of Cincinnati offi- the Civic Garden Club, and the Fine Arts Fund. Two cials, Fritz and another member established a basic of Fritz's most prized activities included supporting insurance course which was offered to students for a Camp Joy, an inter-racial and inter-faith outdoor camp number of years. Fritz was elected president of the for young children, and raising one million dollars for Association for two consecutive terms in 1945 and the permanent housing of the Cincinnati Fire 1946. He achieved the same success in this position as Museum.66 had his father and grandfather.64 Frederick Rauh & Company, like many Fritz Rauh's philanthropic ventures and companies, experienced a shortage of workers during community involvements became almost legendary. World War II. In 1942 Mort left the company to work His son, Louis, recalled years later, "Dad was a moti- for the federal government in Washington, D. C. vator of people for social good."65 His choice of ven- Other support staff were drafted causing Fritz to ask tures reflected his own tolerant attitude as well as his wife, Harriet, to handle claims and to cover for how far Americans had come in their dealings with him when he was on appointments.67 Before the war one another. Fritz's activities stretched across reli- ended Fritz brought in an additional partner, Robert gious, economic, and cultural lines. During the late Winkler, to handle the burgeoning business. Although 1930s he was one of several businessmen who spon- he lacked the insurance background, Winkler was an sored refugees escaping Hitler's Germany. It required excellent businessman who acted as a sounding board a major commitment because being a sponsor meant for Fritz and became an important asset to the compa- financially supporting and taking care of the refugee ny.68 Additionally, Fritz hired J. C. Rielage to head the for at least five years. He was chairman of the Jewish engineering department and R. H. Schulte to operate Welfare Fund, served as a leadership volunteer for the fire and marine departments. Both men later many United Appeal campaigns, and was on the board became partners in the business. The business contin- of The Jewish Hospital, Big Brothers, the Cincinnati ually grew during the immediate post-war years. In Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Nature Center, 1944 the company's premiums totalled $612,000 and

On January 30, 1950, the company announced it was moving to larger headquarters in the Vernon Manor Building at 2810 Burnet Avenue. (CHS, Business Archives, Frederick Rauh & Co. Collection) Fall 1995 Testament of Endurance increased regularly each year thereafter until 1948 underwriter appeared. Buzz got the position, and soon when total premiums reached a company record of found himself responsible for all the casualty under- $1,099,000.6y writing in the office. By the late 1950s Fritz admitted By the late 1940s it became obvious to Buzz as the fifth partner to the company. After Fritz that the Keith Building no longer provided ade- Winkler's death in the mid-1960s, Buzz's influence quate space. The quantity of business the company with his Uncle Fritz increased a great deal.71 generated necessitated a larger office. On January 30, For many years Frederick Rauh 8k 1950, the company sent announcements to its clients Company had serviced the insurance needs of some of stating that Frederick Rauh 8k Company was, Cincinnnati's most prestigious companies: Crosley "Expanding and Moving with Cincinnati," to a larger Corporation, Cincinnati Shaper, Taft Broadcasting, headquarters on Burnet Avenue in the Vernon Manor U. S. Shoe Corporation, Gruen Watch Company, Building.70 Lodge 8k Shipley, and Nutone. However, after 1945 A new office was not the only important and throughout the 1950s, increased competition event that occurred at the company that year. Also in from other local insurance agencies forced Fritz to re- 1950 Frederick Rauh's great-grandson, Albert Brown, evaluate his business strategy.74 Jr., commonly referred to as "Buzz," joined the Fritz decided to meet this increased com- agency; a job he enjoys forty-five years later. Buzz, the petition by expanding. Several key additions were son of Louise Rauh Brown, Fritz Rauh's sister, and Dr. made in the early 1960s. In April i960, Fritz's son, Albert Brown, had worked for his uncle as an office Louis, started working for the company after graduat- boy during high school performing tasks like shaving ing from Antioch College and fulfilling a one year off the grooves on the dictaphone cylinders, general military obligation. Like his cousin, Louis had worked filing, and running errands. After graduating from for his dad as an office boy during the summer before Walnut Hills High School in 1946, Buzz attended entering college. At no time during his college years Miami University at Oxford and continued working did his dad pressure him to join the business. In fact, in the office during the summers. In 1950 he earned Louis was a co-op student and worked for several his B.A. in Business Administration. "I always wanted companies in different types of industries. He still to work for him [Fritz]," Buzz recalled. "He was a pos- wanted to enter the insurance field and so after itive role model. I never considered anything else."71 attending the Aetna Insurance School in Hartford, He started officially with the company in September Connecticut, Louis started selling and servicing 1950, but Fritz ironically had no idea how to use the accounts. Although years later Louis agreed that the fresh college graduate. Fritz's dilemma was soon insurance business was not always exciting, he solved because Buzz's career was interrupted by the enjoyed its stability.75 Korean War. Buzz was drafted and served in the army Another key personnel addition occurred 72 for two years. in 1965 when Fritz hired a young University of When Buzz returned from the army, the Cincinnati graduate, Stephen Wolter. Like all new company still did not have a clear understanding of employees, his impact was not immediate,- however, what to do with its new employee. Robert Winkler within just fifteen years he became a key ingredient of jokingly gave Buzz the title of "plant manager." It the company's success. When he first joined the com- became one of Buzz's responsibilities to water all the pany, Stephen wanted to sell, but Fritz had him spend plants in the office! Finally, in September 1953, Buzz his first four years administering the company's per- enrolled in the Aetna Insurance Company training sonal lines. Partially to fulfill his desire to sell and to program in Hartford, Connecticut. After completing compete, Stephen started selling professional liability the training he returned to Frederick Rauh 8k insurance to the strong doctor client base that the Company and began selling all different lines of insur- company had maintained for a number of years. ance. It was not long before an opening for a casualty Although Stephen increased the company's doctor i8 Queen City Heritage client list, something more was needed.76 Once again Frederick Rauh & Company In the late 1960s Fritz, Buzz, Louis, and had outgrown its office space and in March 1969, Stephen started gradually to analyze various growth moved its operation to 3300 Central Parkway. Besides strategies. Total premiums had increased throughout its own internal growth the move was necessitated the 1960s, from $1,312,000 in i960 to $2,328,000 in because in January 1969, Frederick Rauh &. Company 1967, but this increase tended to be very incremental. acquired Isaacs &. Bernstein Inc., the other old line The company's top three insurers were Commercial Jewish agency in Cincinnati, founded in 1919. The Union Insurance Company, Aetna Insurance Company, and Great American Insurance Company.77 Eventually, they became convinced that for the company to progress and to expand it needed to develop individual departments. Stephen Wolter recalled years later: "I wanted to take a good reputation and add five or six spokes."78 Fritz slowly distanced himself from daily involvement in the company during the 1970s, and Buzz, Louis, and Stephen began implementing their plan. They divided the company into five key departments: personal lines, engineering, surety bonding, commercial, both professional liability and small accounts,- and life and benefits. A qualified manager

acquisition, engineered by Buzz and Louis, enabled the new company to represent twenty property and casualty insurance companies and to become the exclusive general agency in the region for National Life Insurance Company of Vermont. The new company was incorporated as Frederick Rauh-Bernstein, Inc,- the first time in its history that Frederick Rauh &. Company had been incorporated. This acquisition had an even more dynamic effect on the company. "We went from being mainly a 'family' business, to being a full fledged, real business with real business prob- lems."80 Such growth forced management to institute became responsible for each of the department's per- numerous changes, from starting profit sharing and formance. As the new decade approached, this depart- shared ownership plans to beginning an aggressive mental plan coupled with other changes proved bene- advertising campaign, something the company had ficial and profitable.79 not practiced since the early days.81

Stephen Wolter became the Wolter used innovation in first non-family member advertising and marketing to president. Between 1980 and increase sales. He engineered 1990 Wolter had major the first formal sales meeting impact on the company. His where "Fritz" urged the sales industry and innovative ideas force on. (Picture courtesy altered everything. (Picture Albert Brown) courtesy Stephen Wolter) Fall 1995 Testament of Endurance

However positive it appeared on the sur- what kind of company Frederick Rauh was when an face, it was not long before the consolidation soured. outside interest can gain control."83 Within two years the principals from Isaacs & On February 10, 1981, Fritz died sudden- Bernstein either retired or their interests were bought. ly at his Hyde Park home after returning from a day In March 1971, Frederick Rauh & Company reverted consulting at the office. Just three months earlier, at to its old name but remained incorporated. Two the Cincinnati Fire Museum opening ceremony, Fritz months later Fritz Rauh assumed the newly created was named an honorary fire chief in appreciation for position of chairman of the board and Buzz Brown his help raising the million dollars needed to renovate became president, the fourth generation family mem- the old fire station and build exhibits. It was a project ber to have earned this position. Louis Rauh was that he wanted to see finished. 82 elected executive vice president and secretary. A few years earlier Fritz had reflected on Fritz Rauh resigned his position as chair- his family's history, "Seldom can a story such as ours, man of the board on December 31, 1975. His retire- a history of real people, living real lives, sparkle with ment basically ended a forty-nine year career with the glamour unless one of the figures has been a family business although in 1978 he returned as a paid scoundrel, a genius, or a great public figure."84 Fritz consultant. The chairmanship position remained did not fit any of these categories, but the contribu- vacant until November 1981, when Buzz Brown tions he made to the family business and to became the company's second chairman of the board. Cincinnati were considerable. His loss was not limit- An important indicator of how far the family business ed to those in the insurance business. Upon hearing of had come was exemplified when Stephen Wolter Fritz's death, a prominent citizen stated, "This town became the first non-family member president. "We has a lot of unusual people, but Fritz Rauh was spe- were willing to do this for the good of the company/' cial." In a eulogistic editorial, the Cincinnati Post Buzz noted. "It was a difficult decision, but it shows wrote: "He leaves behind the best monument of all —

Members of Frederick Rauh & Business Archives, Frederick Company celebrated the hun- Rauh &Co. Collection) dredth anniversary. Pictured left to right: "Buzz" Brown, Max Bernstein, Louis Rauh, "Fritz" Rauh, Joe Rielage, and Ron Rose. (CHS, 2O Queen City Heritage into the company. By 1994 it represented twenty-five percent of the operation's total revenue.88 A key reason for the company's dramatic increase was the aggressive sales approach used by Stephen Wolter. Louis Rauh stated, "Between 1980- 1990, Stephen Wolter was the most important factor in the company, for he made the most impact in the direction of the company."89 His industry and innovation altered everything, from advertising and marketing to personnel and management's responsibilities to employees. He pushed and sometimes pulled the personal lines of insurance away from the top producers and forced them instead to direct their sales efforts into the commercial lines. Sales goals were established and incentives, such as the Goal Achievers Club, became available for deserving agents. In addition, Wolter brought in talented personnel to manage the various departments. In the 1970s the company hired Peter Dowd, Tom Schaefer and Ed Hagins, men the love and gratitude of his fellow Cincinnatians."85 who had the skills and tenacity that Stephen Wolter To Stephen Wolter, Fritz was "a father figure. A man believed were necessary to move the company for- who could make decisions."86 To nephew, Buzz ward. In the early 1980s Stephen hired David Eslick Brown, Fritz was a mentor and a close friend. "He was who performed so exceedingly well that he became the reason I chose to enter the insurance business. It president in 1993 after Wolter retired.90 was having the opportunity to be associated with him While the company maintained a lot of that attracted me to Frederick Rauh &. Company. He the same clients during these years, the names of the was a man that knew right from wrong; what was insurers changed. CNA, The Hartford Insurance important and was not important."87 Company, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, and By the 1980s the departmental structure Crum &. Forster replaced some of the old line compa- strategy that Buzz Brown, Louis Rauh, and Stephen nies that Frederick Rauh & Company had worked Wolter had developed throughout the 1970s began to with for decades.91 These, however, were not the only show results. Premium totals reached record highs. In advancements. 1977 premiums totalled $17.5 million. Three years The increase in business caused a corre- later premiums totalled $20 million. By 1984 premi- sponding increase in the number of employees. In ums reached $25 million. Just two years later premi- 1965 the company employed fifteen people. By 1978 ums totalled $48 million. Over ninety percent of the the number increased to fifty-five and in 1986 it premiums were derived from commercial accounts totalled sixty-three. By 1990 the company employed with the remaining percentage being generated from approximately one hundred people.92 Other changes personal lines. The major commercial accounts con- were afoot, too. sisted of companies that Louis Rauh had developed In the 1980s Frederick Rauh &. during the early 1920s and Frederick Rauh & Company, like many other businesses during this era, Company had been servicing for thirty to fifty years. was approached routinely about being purchased, but From 1980 to 1990 the company tripled its revenue company officers always demurred. However, in 1987 from $3 million to $9 million. Additionally, in 1984, they received an attractive offer from American the Life and Benefit Division became fully integrated Business Insurance, Inc. (A.B.I.), a San Francisco based

Albert "Buzz" Brown (right) son why Brown entered the became the fourth generation insurance business. (Picture family member to serve as courtesy Albert Brown) president of Frederick Rauh & Company. He regarded his Uncle Fritz (left) as a mentor and close friend and the rea- Fall 1995 Testament of Endurance 21 subsidiary of Great American Insurance Company, were translated from German into English by Marianne the company that Frederick Rauh & Company had Shrader, a manuscript department volunteer at the Cincinnati Historical Society. The author thanks Ms Shrader for her quick worked with since 1876, and which was owned by response and dedicated effort. Cincinnati entrepreneuer, Carl Lindner, who had relo- 2. Interview by author with Stephen Wolter, January 24, 1995. cated it to Cincinnati. A.B.I.'s offer solved the internal 3. Williams' Cincinnati Directory (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1856); questions that the company's directors had in secur- Ibid., 1872; L. J. Bonar, A Sketch and Some Sketches on Fire Insurance (Mansfield, Ohio, 1920). ing the company's financial longevity. Instead of pos- 4. Rauh Family Reunion-April, 1994, Washington, D.C.; sibly being purchased by outside interests such as Williams' City Directory, 1853. Marsh &. McLennan Cos., Inc. or Alexander & 5. Ibid., 1863, 1871, 1872. Alexander Services Inc., the directors believed that, 6. Aetna Insurance Company, The Cincinnati Historical Society, MSS 714, Volume 2, Register of Fire Policies. "There was no one better to hook-up with than Carl 7. Leonard Dinnerstein, Antisemitism in America (New York Lindner."93 Being a part of his vast empire still afford- City, 1994), p. 35. ed Rauh growth potential, autonomy, and the right to 8. Ibid., pp. 36-37. keep its name. Effective January 1, 1988, A.B.I, con- 9. "New York Newspapers Sharply Rebuke the Anti-Jewish Officials of the Fire Insurance Companies of the East," Die trolled eighty percent of the company. Five years later Deborah XII March 29, 1867, 150, Hebrew Union College, A.B.I, obtained ownership of the remaining twenty Cincinnati, Ohio. percent. Ironically, in August 1993, just as A.B.I, 10. Isaac Wise, "On the Germania," Die Deborah XII April 5, obtained total control of Frederick Rauh & Company, 1867, 154, Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, Ohio. 11. "Isaac Wise Calls for a Boycott by Jews of the Germania Fire Carl Lindner sold A.B.I, for about $130 million to Insurance Company of New York until Rudolph Garrigue is Acordia Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana.94 The firm oper- Discharged or Resigns," Die Deborah XII March 29, 1867, 150, ates currently as Acordia-Rauh. Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, Ohio. 12. American Central Insurance Company Policy, Frederick Frederick Rauh had taken a tremendous Rauh &) Company Archives. risk in 1872 when he sold his first insurance policy. 13. Williams' City Directory, 1874; D. J. Kenny, Illustrated Through the years he endured the difficult times, and Cincinnati: A Pictorial Hand Book of the Queen City by the force of his personality, professional abilities, (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1875), p. 365. 14. Williams' City Directory, 1879. and community involvements, he succeeded. His 15. "Bertrand Rauh, Fifty Years of Service and a History of basic method of practicing business slowly evolved Frederick Rauh &. Company," Frederick Rauh &) Company into a company culture: exceed the customer's expec- Archives. 16. The Industries of Cincinnati: Manufacturing tations in business and become involved in the com- Establishments and Business Houses, (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1886). munity for the greater good. While Frederick's son, 17.Ibid. grandson, and great-grandsons added their own partic- 18. Cincinnati Illustrated Business Directory, (Cincinnati, ular ingredients as events warranted, none altered the Ohio, 1896), p. 517. 19. Rauh Family Reunion-April, 1994 Washington, D.C. basic business philosophy inculcated 125 years ago by 20. Congregation Bene Yeshurun, MSS 62, Box 5, Series C, Frederick Rauh. "It was truly a land of opportunity Minute Books, 1891-1906, Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, that accepted a fifteen-year-old German immigrant Ohio. and then made it possible for him to prosper and to 21. Mack Family Papers, Box Y164, Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, Ohio; Jonathan D. Sarna and Nancy H. Klein, The raise a family of seven children. It is also an example Jews of Cincinnati, (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1989); Charles T. Greve, of how a small enterprise grew as it passed from one History of Cincinnati and Representative Citizens, 3 vols. generation to the next. "Perhaps because it is so typi- (Chicago, Illinois, 1904), I: 948-949. cal," Mort reflected, "the history of Frederick Rauh & 22. Annual Report: American Jewish Relief Committee 1918, 95 pp. 1, 46, 36, The Cincinnati Historical Society. Company needed to be told." 23. Williams' City Directory, 1864; J. W. Leonard, The Centennial Review of Cincinnati, (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1888), pp. 3O-3I- I. Mack Family Papers, Box Y164 Hebrew Union College, 24. Ibid. Cincinnati, Ohio. This poem and the articles from Die Deborah 25. Great American Insurance Company Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio,- Frederick Rauh &) Company Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio. 22 Queen City Heritage

36. Ibid., May 19, 1902. 37. Ibid., September 6, 1906. 38. Ibid., February 4, 1918. 39. "Death of Frederick Rauh," Frederick Rauh &) Company Things to look for in Archives. 40. Ibid. an insurance agency 41. Ibid. 42. "Bertrand Rauh, Fifty Years of Service," Frederick Rauh &) Company Archives. 43. Al Brown and Louis Rauh interview with Mort Rauh, March 1994; Interview by author with Mort Rauh, August 31, 1994. 44. Interview by author with Al Brown, February 1, 1995. Al Brown happened to be Louis' first grandson. 45. Interview by author with Mort Rauh, August 31, 1994. 46. Al Brown and Louis Rauh interview with Mort Rauh, March 1994. 47. Interview by author with Mort Rauh, August 31, 1994. 48. Frederick Rauh e) Company Archives. 49. Al Brown and Louis Rauh interview with Mort Rauh, March 1994. 50. The Cincinnati Insurance Board Archives. 51. Ibid., Minutes, June 13, 1917. 52. Ibid., December 13, 1917. 53. Great American Insurance Company Archives. 54. Frederick Rauh &) Company Archives-, "To Have an Anniversary," The National Underwriter, October 28, 1926. 55. Frederick Rauh &) Company Archives-, "A Golden Anniversary Celebration, 1906-1956," (A History of the Losantiville Country Club). 56. Frederick Rauh &) Company Archives. 57. Ibid. 58. Minute Book, March 10, 1932, The Cincinnati Insurance Board Archives. 26. "Bertrand Rauh, Fifty Years of Service," Frederick Rauh &) 59. "Bertrand Rauh, Fifty Years of Service," Frederick Rauh eO Company Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio,- Williams' City Company Archives. Directory, 1893. 60. Al Brown and Louis Rauh interview with Mort Rauh, March 27. Ibid, 1899, 1905. 1994. 28. Frederick Rauh &) Company Archives-, The National 61. Frederick Rauh &) Company Archives. Underwriter, The Ohio Underwriter: An Insurance Newspaper, 62. Al Brown and Louis Rauh interview with Mort Rauh, March and The Western Underwriter, 1896-1900. Although this insur- 1994. ance newspaper had three different names, it was always the 63. Interview by author with Al Brown, February i, 1995. same organization. Materials are located on microfilm at The 64. The Cincinnati Insurance Board Archives. Unfortunately, National Underwriter Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. the Minute Books for the years in which Fritz served as presi- 29. The Cincinnati Insurance Board Archives, Cincinnati, dent no longer exist. Therefore, it is not possible to elaborate on Ohio. specific events. 30. Frederick Rauh &) Company Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio,- 65. Interview by author with Louis Rauh, February 21, 1994. Kenneth H. Dunshee, Underwriters Salvage Corps Centennial 66. "Frederick Rauh," The Cincinnati Post, February 17, 1981; History, (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1957), pp. 6-12. "Frederick Rauh," The American Israelite, February 19, 1981, 31. The Cincinnati Insurance Board Archives, Cincinnati, pp. 1, 22. Interview by author with Al Brown, February 1, 1995; Ohio. Interview by author with Louis Rauh, February 21, 1995. 32. Rauh Family Reunion. 67. Al Brown and Louis Rauh Interview with Harriet Rauh, 33. The Cincinnati Insurance Board Archives. February 1994. 34. "Bertrand Rauh, Fifty Years of Service," Frederick Rauh &) 68. Interview by author with Louis Rauh, February 21, 1994. Company Archives. 69. Frederick Rauh &) Company Archives. 35. Minute Book, January 16, 1902, The Cincinnati Insurance 70. Ibid. Board Archives. 71. Rauh Family Reunion-, Interview by author with Al Brown,

Through its 125 year history Business Archives, Frederick the Frederick Rauh & Rauh &Co. Collection) Company has maintained a reputation of complete honesty, fair dealing and working on behalf of its clients and the insurance business. (CHS, Fall 1995 Testament of Endurance 23 February 1, 1995. 83. Ibid., November 27, 1981; Interview by author with Al 72.Ibid. Brown, March 6, 1995. 73.Ibid. 84. Rauh Family Reunion. 74. Interview by author with Al Brown, February 21, 1995; 85. "Frederick Rauh," The Cincinnati Post, February 17, 1981. Interview by author with Stephen Wolter, January 24, 1995; 86. Interview by author with Stephen Wolter, January 24, 1995. Interview by author with Louis Rauh, February 21, 1995. 87. Interview by author with Al Brown, February 1, 1995. 75. Interview by author with Louis Rauh, February 21, 1995. 88. "Profile of Frederick Rauh 8k Company by Hales & 76. Interview by author with Stephen Wolter, January 24, 1995. Associates, 1978-1986," Frederick Rauh &) Company Archives. 77. Frederick Rauh &) Company Archives. 89. Interview by author with Louis Rauh, February 21, 1995. 78. Interview by author with Stephen Wolter, January 24, 1995. 90.Ibid. 79. Interview by author with Al Brown, February 1, 1995; 91. "Profile of Frederick Rauh 8k Company, 1978-1986." Interview by author with Stephen Wolter, January 24, 1995; 92. Ibid. Interview by author with Louis Rauh, February 21, 1995. 93. Interview by author with Stephen Wolter, January 24, 1995. 80. Frederick Rauh &> Company Archives-, Interview by author 94. Ibid.; Interview by author with Al Brown, February 1, 1995; with Louis Rauh, February 21, 1995; Interview by author with Interview by author with Louis Rauh, February 21, 1995; Al Brown, February 1, 1995. "Lindner to Sell Insurance Firm," The Cincinnati Post, August 81. Interview by author with Louis Rauh, February 21, 1995. 26, 1993. 82. Board Minutes, March 23 and May 25, 1971, Frederick Rauh 95. Correspondence author received from Mort Rauh, March 17, &> Company Archives. 1995-

By using advertising, such as (CHS, Business Archives, billboards and radio commer- Frederick Rauh & Co. cials, Frederick Rauh & Collection) Company increased its name recognition and attracted new clients and business.