loO ^HEODORE ]jUND ^IIQU^T LJrEVE By John uri Lloyd REPRINTED FROM THE ECLECTIC MEDICAL JOURNAL Cincinnati, February, 1900. THEODORE LUND AUGUST GREVE THEODORE LUND AUGUST GREYE, Born April 2d, 1830. Died December 9th, 1898. S OME men voice themselves in printed words, and but for those words which rub soon away, they would have no records. The works of other men are engraved in deeds. The first are watch- ing ever for a chance to catch an idea to attach to their own name, purloining from the deeds of others in order to be perpetuated in print. The printed words become moth-eaten, the paper turns yellow, the book disappears and their names too, but the deeds of him who trusted not to ink and pen move on. The purloiner has, however, served a good purpose, selfish though the incentive has been, for he has spread abroad the thought of him who created. Useful then is each, the man who serves to bring these deeds before others, and he whose deeds are recorded in his works. To the second class belongs the subject of this sketch ; whoever seeks to learn of what he did, must search the works of others or listen to their words. Indifferent to the class of those who read, and alike indifferent to self fame or conspicuity, Dr. T. L. A. Greve moved among men a thinker and a reasoner, a student and a philosopher, a critic who had at his command the richest store of fact, both scientific and historical, gained by study, practice and travel, that ever it chanced my good fortune to meet. I make no claim to exceptional advantages or observation, but believe that I have been fortunate in the social contacts I have enjoyed with men of letters, science and affairs, among whom Dr. Greve seems to me to have stood conspicu- ous as one alike at home in all the fields. One year ago I took upon myself what is still a sad but not an un- welcome duty, that of writing a brief biography of this friend. At that date, too near was the voice and face of him whose works I was attempting to review and establish in print, but time has mellowed the pain that always follows when close upon the ending of a com- rade’s life, one thinks of his face and form, deeds and actions. And now when comes a melancholy satisfaction as I write I shall try and bring my friends to know Dr. Greve as I knew him, and make a brief record of events that concerned his early life. Theodore Lund August Greve was born April 2d, 1830, at St. Michael’s Donn, in Holstein, Germany. He was the only child of Joachim Greve and Anna Margaretha Lund. His father was a prom- f 3&B43 4 THEODORE L. A. GREVE. inent teacher and writer, publishing a number of standard books on educational subjects, one being of particular importance, a history of the Duchy of Holstein — a standard work which is to be found in the Harvard and other libraries. Dr. Greve received his early education in the schools of that neigh- borhood, and when the family moved to the popular University city of Kiel, he was enabled to take advantage of the opportunities there presented, and obtained a classical education. His father was, as has been said, himself a man of learning and scholarship, and a somewhat strict disciplinarian, and the habits of study acquired in his youth, and impressed upon the subject of this sketch by association with his father, clung to him throughout life, so that education with him was not ended until the very day of his death. He acquired a knowledge of English in his youth, which was so accurate and idiomatic that he used it as freely as he did his mother tongue. He also gained a good knowledge of Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, and Italian, and a very thorough grounding in the natural sciences. In 1848 the family moved to America, settling on a farm in the wilds of Southern Illinois. In 1854 Theodore came to Cincinnati and took employment in T. C. Thorp’s drug store on the corner of Court and Plum. About 1858 he left Dr. Thorp, and was for a short time in charge of the laboratory of Wm. S. Merrell & Co. Between 1858 and 1860 he studied medicine, and received the degree of M. D. from the Eclectic Medical Institute of this city, with which he held official connection as Vice President until, on account of feeble health, he resigned a year before his death. The summer of 1860 was spent on his father’s farm, after which he returned to Cincinnati, and in that year purchased the property and drug store on the south east corner of Sixth and John sts, where he continued in business until the day of his death. In 1862 he married Clara Esther, the daughter of Jonas R. Emrie ; one son, Charles Theodore, formerly Assistant U. S. Attorney, in Cin- cinnati, and now Referee in Bankruptcy, being the result of the union. His wife died in 1873, and in June, 1875, he married Harriet Fisher, daughter of Elwood Fisher, By this union there survive two sons, Clifford, an officer of the Sixth U. S. V. Infantry during the recent war, and Brennick, and a daughter, Julia. A half brother, Chas. M. Greve, resides in Chattanooga. For many successive years Dr. Greve held office in the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy, and always took an active part in both State and National pharmaceutical affairs. He declined a professorship in both the Eclectic Medical Institute and the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy, preferring to devote that time to study and recreation. But the relation of bare facts, can not tell the story of this man as I learned it by an acquaintance of thirty- five years, and which grew THEODORE L. A. GREVE.'’ 5 finally into an intimate friendship, extending over much of the latter part of that period. As a chemist and a pharmacist Dr. Greve stood second to none in this city. He was versed in both sections of these handmaid sciences not superficially, but in every way as one foremost in knowledge. An accomplished linguist, he drew from other languages, appealing to first hands for his information, and in this direction he was ever abreast of the times. Touch upon any subject connected with phar- macy, past or present, and Dr. Greve would be found at home ; touch upon any section of chemistry, practical or theoretical, and he would be found no less proficient. When, about thirty years ago, the old nomenclature in chemistry was displaced by the new, Dr. Greve, un- like some others of his age, took up the new and carried it in detail to the very day of his death. But as a pharmacist was he known to Cincinnatians, rather than as a chemist, and this is the kind of pharmacist I knew him to be — abreast of the few and ahead of the multitude ; a practical pharmacist in that for over the third of a century he not only expertly manufac- tured, but accurately dispensed medicines. His preparations were above criticism ; his record as a dispensing pharmacist such that no charge of neglect or error was ever made against him. For many years Dr. Greve and the author of this biography were in some direc- tions competitors in business. This rivalry would have continued longer than it did, had Dr. Greve cared more for business ; but, con- tent in the enjoyment of his well earned intellectual laurels, indiffer- ent to the attractions that lure some men to take upon themselves an- noying responsibilities, he preferred a moderate business establish - lishment and peace of mind and time for recreation, social intercourse and study, to great cares and business slavery. Thus a master in pharmacy, he lived a peaceful life and enjoyed the time gained by his philosophic methods, laying up intellectual treasures that were freely dispensed to whoever came in contact with him. Dr. Greve was a physician and versed in therapy as well as pharmacy. He combined the three qualities that make a professional pharmacist, and as has been said, never has this city of Cincinnati seen a man better versed in all that conspires to make a qualified general phar- macist. He gave to the authors of our standard works, and gave to those who, without credit, used his information aslif it were their own. He contributed to both medical and pharmaceutical print directly and indirectly, and kept no record of these deeds. The files of the E. M. Journal bear his name as the contributor of many papers ; the Ameri- can Dispensatory, by John King, credits him freely with the most valu- able articles, and the work ‘‘Drugs and Medicines of North America” by the writer, was enriched by'information'properly credited to him, which no other man could give. In this connection, be it said, that Dr. Greve knew the early history of hydrastis and the connected Eclec- THEODORE L. A. GREVE. 6 tic concentrations and resinoids, better than any man living during the past decade, and to him, the present writer turned for data that are yet to be put into print on that subject. But not in this city alone was the work of Dr. Greve valued : he was known to pharmacists throughout the state and throughout America. An active member of the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy, of the Ohio Pharmaceutical Association, and of the American Pharmaceutical Asso ciation, he contributed to one and all by voice and words, being elec ted to honorary membership in the State Society at the meeting held the year of his death. If not the best debator and most forcible advocate in all their member ship of a cause championed by him, he was surely second to no other man. Quick at catching an opponent’s weak points, he was no less expert in pressing his own strong ones, and thus he usually managed to quickly place his antagonist upon the defensive ; never have I seen a man better qualified to keep him there. And yet, with all his know- ledge, his argumentive gift, his keen perception and his linguistic powers, Dr. Greve wrote but little, preferring to give to others through word of mouth, rather than by mark of pen. And this is why pharma- ceutical literature eon tains comparatively little from one who might, had he but inclined, have given so freely. As a literatus, Dr. Greve was perhaps best known to non- profess- ional persons. A reader of the best thought of the best men, he was ready at any time, to speak understanding^ concerning subjects, both current and past, of general interest to mankind. History, both ancient and modern, travel and biography, were to him alike familiar. He had traveled much, and had taken the opportunities to attend the best lectures given by those who travelled and taught by lectures, adding to his fund of information by every method possible. Taking these things into connection with his general scientific knowledge, for he was versed in the sciences generally, as well as in chemistry and pharmacy, it is no wonder that the conversational powers of the subject of this sketch, were such as to command exceptional attention. I have listened to him by the hour, as subject after subject came be- fore us ; never did I tire of listening to this man whose fund of infor- mation seemed inexhaustible. In politics Dr. Greve was democratic, but conservatively so. He believed in the general doctrines of the fathers in democracy, but he did not favor free silver coinage, believing it not to be a doctrine of his party. For that reason, he did not cast his vote for the nominee of the Chicago Convention. He opposed political corruption and vigorously combatted the methods in vogue, whereby conventions and elections were manipulated by the few to the disfranchisement of the many. These and similar lamentable subjects, the suppression of which is of vital importance to the good of the country, he vehemently THEODORE L A. GREVE. r i attacked regardless of business complications, and most forcibly too, as many who suffered his displeasure can testify. Dr. Greve was strongly antagonistic to prohibition. He contended for the utmost liberty of action, both as to food and drink. He claimed that alcoholic liquids were not injurious if used in moderation, and that less injury to mankind came from liquor, than would follow the practice of total abstinence, if practiced by a nation, for a few gene- rations. He believed that a stimulant, such as alcohol, was neces- sary for the development of the best intellect of mankind, and that of all stimulants, alcoholic beverages were the best. He claimed that the decay of the victorious Mahommedans began when Mahomet ordered his people to eschew the use of wine, and he argued that every civil- ized nation, both ancient and modern, consumed alcoholic beverages which were necessary to development, but he decried dissipation in alcohol or other substances. While Dr. Greve admitted that individ- uals might be indiscreet and abuse this friend to humanity, he claimed that this abuse was largely due to the fanatical clamor of prohibition- ists, who did not distinguish between the use of a friend and the abuse of friendship. He lamented the fact that men of intelligence would permit their children to go out into the world without a proper understanding of the good use that might be made of alcoholic bever- ages in moderation, and to these men he laid much of the blame of drunkenness among weak people who drink to excess. But, notwith- standing that much abuse of liquor is practiced, Dr. Greve contended, that were it not for alcoholic liquor, civilization would retreat, and that a great part of mankind, after a few generations, would degenerate. • As concerns religion, Dr. Greve w r as not less positive nor less irreg- ular. He was an agnostic in that he had no confidence in the know- ledge of any man concerning a personal God. He contended that this entire matter of the hereafter was a perfect blank, as far as man- kind is concerned. He claimed that the ideal life consisted in “the living well,” and that the ceasing to breathe was as natural as the beginning to breathe. He had no fear of death nor of anything after death, and when he came to die, as if to support his argument, he lay down on the sofa, and without a struggle, as gently as a babe goes to sleep, ceased to breathe. Such was the life and manner of death of this friend of mankind, whose portrait faces these pages. A kind husband and father, an open advocate of whatever he believed to be right, regardless of self, no less an antagonist of wrong as he saw it. The charities of Dr. Greve were many, and freely extended to those he deemed worthy of receiving them. This is not an idle assertion, but one based on knowledge of his deeds. Still, no publicity was ever desired by him concerning these acts which he considered but as the duty a fortunate man owed to those in misfortune. 3 2 09868 877 Q w 8 SARCOMA. In his business affairs he was the soul of honor. His word was his bond, and perfect fairness to those with whom he dealt was the rule that ever guided him. A year has passed since, as one of his close friends, at the request of the family, I spoke a few final words and read a few appropriate selections beside his casket, for it was thought befitting that an old friend who knew him well should do this. A year has passed since, beside that open grave, we who mourned stood in the snow, and yet it seems as if it were but yesterday that I spoke the words which follow : “Here rests at last in everlasting rest, the mortal form of our brother and loved one. Go, give thy body to the air, the waters, and the plants, for it belongs to them. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” John Uri Lloyd.