Gilbert Bettman papers

Gilbert Bettman, youngest of four sons of Louis and Rebecca Bloom Bettman, was born October 3, 1881. He was educated in Cincinnati and entered Harvard University upon graduation from Hughes High School. He graduated cum laude in 1903 and in 1904 received a Master's degree. He graduated with high honors from Harvard Law School in 1907. Bettman then returned to Cincinnati and joined the firm of Kramer and Kramer. He soon became a full partner in the firm and by the mid 20's had established his own successful practice. In 1917 Bettman gave up his practice in order to serve as counsel for the War Risk Bureau. He was later appointed Captain in the United States Army and assigned to the General Staff as an intelligence officer. Following the war, Bettman returned to Cincinnati and became active in public affairs. He was elected Vice Mayor of Cincinnati but gave up the position to become Ohio Commander of the American Legion. He was active in Legion Affairs and was one of the authors of the Adjusted Compensation Bill. Bettman also took an interest in the Y.M.C.A Evening Law School and was appointed to its faculty in 1919. He later became Dean. Bettman's first major political campaign was that for his election as Attorney General of Ohio in 1928. He was re-elected to that office in 1930. In 1932, he was the Republican candidate for the United States Senate. Following his defeat in this election, he returned to private practice. In 1940, he was elected Judge of the Ohio Supreme Court. He served in this capacity until his death in July 1942. Bettman was married to Iphigene Molony in 1916. Iphigene was the daughter of Cincinnati lawyer James Molony and granddaughter of Isaac Meyer Wise, the founder of Hebrew Union College. Iphigene and Gilbert had three children, Gilbert Jr. born 1917, Carol Helen born 1918, and Alfred Milton born in 1922.