Thomas A. Stephan
Thomas A. Stephan, head animal-keeper of the Zoological garden, Avondale, adjoining Cincinnati, was born in Dayton, Ohio, May 22, 1846, his parents being early settlers of that city. Our subject, when quite young, moved to Lafayette, Indiana. He learned a trade as a machinist, which business he followed for a short time. He at twenty years of age began his present business taking care of animals, which business he has made a study, and to-day is, perhaps, one of the finest as well as one of the best animal-keepers and trainers in America. He has travelled with a number of leading circuses and menageries of this country -- De Haven's, Heming & Cooper, Great Eastern, Great Hippodrome, Dan Rice, etc., visiting in his travels thirty-four States of the Union and throughout Canada. In 1875 Mr. Stephan was appointed to his present place, since which time he has become so familiar with all the animals under his charge that he can enter the dens of the most ferocious beasts.
From History of Hamilton county, Ohio, Henry & Kate Ford, L. A. Williams & Co., Publishers, 1881