A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 13

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

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Hermon A. Kelley, who was born at Kelley's Island, Ohio, May 15, 1859, pursued his college course in Buchtel College at Akron, Ohio, and was gradu- ated in 1879 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Determining to make the practice of law his life work he then pursued a course in the Harvard Law School, which conferred upon him the Bachelor of Law degree in 1882. He also attended the Goettingen University in Germany, where he pursued a spe- cial course in Roman law, and in 1897 his alma mater conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. Mr. Kelley began practice in 1884 and after a year spent in Detroit came to Cleveland, where he entered into partner- ship with Arthur A. Stearns. This relation was maintained until 1891, when Mr. Kelley became first assistant corporation counsel of Cleveland, which posi- tion he filled until 1893. The present firm of Hoyt, Dustin & Kelley was then formed and is regarded as one of the strongest and most prominent in the state. Later Homer H. McKeehan and Horace Andrews were admitted to a partner- ship and the style is now Hoyt, Dustin, Kelley, McKeehan & Andrews. Mr. Kelley makes a specialty of admiralty law, and his knowledge of that branch of jurisprudence is so comprehensive and exact that his opinions are largely ac- cepted as authority by his fellow members of the bar and are seldom seriously questioned in court.

On the 3d of September, 1889, Mr. Kelley was married to Miss Florence A. Kendall, a daughter of Major Frederick A. Kendall of the United States regular army and his wife, Virginia Hutchinson Kendall, a daughter of one of the famous Hutchinson family of singers of New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Kel-

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ley have three children: Virginia Hutchinson, a student in Vassar College; Alfred Kendall, attending the University School of Cleveland; and Hayward Kendall.

Mr. Kelley is a valued niember of the Union, University, Country and Euclid Clubs. Citizenship is to him no mere idle term, and unlike many men who have attained eminence or success in their chosen field he does not regard politics as something that should be left to others. On the contrary, he is active in sup- port of the principles in which he believes and finds in his love of country the incentive for his allegiance and support of the republican party. In municipal affairs he is also deeply interested, cooperating in all things for the betterment of the city, and is now one of the trustees and the secretary and treasurer of the Cleveland Museum of Art and was also a member of the building committee which has charge of the erection of the new art building. The cause of educa- tion likewise finds in him a champion, and he is serving as a member of the board of trustees of Buchtel College. While undoubtedly he is not without that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, he regards the pursuits of private life as being in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. His is a noble character-one that sub- ordinates personal ambition to public good and seeks rather the benefit of others than the aggrandizement of self. Endowed by nature with high intellectual quali- ties, to which are added the discipline and embellishments of culture, his is a most attractive personality. Well versed in the learning of his profession, he is re- garded as a strong advocate and wise counselor, whose powers have brought him to a foremost position at the Cleveland bar.

JOHN S. FETZER.

As alderman of the city for many years John S. Fetzer was closely con- nected with the events which leave their impress upon the municipal history, and his public service was characterized by a devotion to the general good that none questioned. His birth occurred December 13, 1845, in Oberhausen, Neut- lingen, Wurtemburg, Germany. His parents were Andrew and Mary Fetzer, who became early residents of Cleveland, where the father conducted business as a cabinetmaker. He emigrated with his mother and brother to America in 1853, when a youth of eight years. Here they joined the husband and father, who four years before had crossed the Atlantic and had established a home for them in the western world.

John S. Fetzer continued his education in the schools of this country to the age of thirteen years, when he entered the leather business in connection with the firm of Cook & Dennison, with whom he continued for twenty years. No higher testimonial of his faithful service, diligence and capability could be given than the fact that he was continued in their employ for two decades. In 1880 he became interested in the firm of J. M. Weitz & Company on Water street, and there he remained until his death as a partner in what was recognized as one of the leading enterprises of the character in the city. After his death the business was continued by his brother and brother-in-law, and is now conducted under the firm style of the Fetzer & Spies Leather Company.

Mr. Fetzer was married twice. He first wedded Rose Knecht, and unto them were born four children: Mrs. Henry Dippel; Mrs. Henry Spies, now deceased ; John, who has also passed away; and Mrs. William Schwemler. On the 9th of September, 1883. Mr. Fetzer was again married, his second union being with Elizabeth Spies, a daughter of Valentine and Eva (Seibel) Spies, who came to Cleveland in the early days from Germany. The children of the second marriage are: Florence A., Mrs. Eitel Distelhorst, John G., Carl S. and George H.

JOHN S. FETZER

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Mr. Fetzer was one of the leading German citizens of Cleveland, popular as a member of the Schwaben Verein and the German Beneficial Society. He was also one of the organizers of the German Pioneer Society and the highest officer of the Harugari. He was also a very prominent and influential Free Mason and became a charter member of Aurora Lodge, No. 259, A. F. & A. M. He was also deputy quartermaster of the United States. He belonged to the Deutscher Ritterorder, and to the Order of Red Men. He was very popular in all these organizations, for he possessed a genial manner and unfailing courtesy, which won him high regard, while his allegiance to the beneficient principles of the societies was a well known fact in his career. He was also prominent in affairs relative to the city and served for a number of years as a member of the council, his aldermanic record being at all times free from anything that savored of misrule in public affairs. He desired and labored for the best interests of the city at large, placing the general welfare at all times before personal aggrandize- ment. He died April 21, 1899, at the age of fifty-two years, and his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret to the people of his nationality and to those with whom business, political or social relations had brought him in contact.

SAMUEL GROSSMAN.

Samuel Grossman, president of the Grossman Paper Box Company, in which connection he has developed an enterprise of large and profitable proportions, was born in Hungary, October 27, 1861, and is a son of Marcus and Anna Gross- man. He was only a year and a half old when his parents bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed with their family for America, becoming residents of Cleveland in 1863. When he had attained the usual age Samuel Grossman was sent to the public schools and later he pursued a course in a business college, thus becoming well qualified for the duties which devolved upon him in later years. In his youthful days he engaged in clerking for his father, who was then engaged in merchandising, as proprietor of a notion store. He was nine- teen years of age when in connection with his father he began the manufacture of paper boxes under the name of the Novelty Paper Box Company. This little industrial enterprise, then in its embryonic state, occupied two rooms in the rear of the notion store at No. 350 Ontario street. They began with a force of six girls and for eighteen months continued at the original location, when the growth of the business demanded a removal and the firm secured two floors at No. 67 St. Clair avenue. There they remained for two years, when the continual increase in their patronage justified the erection of a brick factory in the rear of No. 73 Bolivar street. At that place the business was conducted for five years. In 1892 the father died, at which time Samuel Grossman assumed the management and control of the entire business, which continued to develop under his capable guidance until still larger quarters were needed and a second building was erected on Bright street. At length he purchased property from 1729 to 1745 Superior avenue and built thereon his present factory, constituting a splendidly equipped plant, supplied with all the modern machinery necessary for the con- duct of a business of this character. He continued as sole proprietor until Janu- ary I, 1906, when the business was incorporated under the name of the Grossman Paper Box Company, with Samuel Grossman as president, Louis Glick vice presi- dent, and H. L. Brainard secretary and treasurer. Something of the growth of the business is indicated in the fact that while they started with six employes, they now have two hundred and fifty people in their factory, while the output is shipped throughout this country and also into Canada and Mexico. In various sections they have resident agents, and the enterprise has become one of the extensive and prosperous industries of Cleveland, contributing to the business activity whereon the growth and development of the city depend.

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In 1901 Mr. Grossman was united in marriage to Miss Dora Bryan, of Cleve- land, and they have three children, Marcus L., Samuel F. and Dora Violet. Mr. Grossman belongs to Excelsior Club and also has membership in the Chamber of Commerce. While he usually votes with the republican party, he does not consider himself bound by party ties at local elections, for he belongs to that public-spirited, useful and helpful type of man whose ambitions and desires are centered and directed in those channels through which flow the greatest and most pronounced good to the greatest number. It is true that his chief life work has been that of a remarkably successful manufacturer, but the range of his activities and the scope of his influence have reached far beyond this special field. His business career, however, is one which may well cause the individual to pause and consider. It is another illustration of the fact that no matter what the early environment and the place of birth, the individual of America has oppor- tunity for the development of his latent forces and talents, for here labor is un- hampered by caste or class, and indefatigable effort, intelligently directed and supplemented by honorable dealing, will eventually win its merited results.

CALVIN MCMILLIN, M.D.

Born in Ohio during the first quarter of the nineteenth century, Dr. Calvin McMillin has for eighty-seven years been a witness of the progress and develop- ment in this city, noting its transformation as the conditions of pioneer life were put aside and the elements of growth and advancement have brought the state to a foremost position in the ranks of the great commonwealths of the nation. When he attained manhood he took his place among the world's workers, and his life's labors have been of material benefit to his fellowmen down to the pres- ent time. His birth occurred May 31, 1822, in what was then Franklin but is now Kent, Portage county, Ohio. His father, Samuel McMillin, was also born in this state and was a representative of an old New Jersey family, the grand- father of Dr. McMillin having followed farming in New Jersey. They are of a long-lived race and as citizens their worth has been proven in hearty coopera- tion in the plans for development and progress in the different communities in which they have lived. Samuel McMillin became a blacksmith by trade and about the close of the war of 1812 was stationed in Cleveland but later returned to Franklin and subsequently became a resident of Trumbull county, Ohio, where he followed his trade until his death. He made the iron for the first locks in the canal there. He passed away in Shelby, Ohio, in 1859, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Mathews, and was born near Warren, Ohio, died in 1860.

In the country schools Dr. McMillin pursued his education to the age of sev- enteen years. He was one of a family of eight children, and owing to the some- what limited financial circumstances of the parents he was then obliged to leave home and depend upon his own resources for a living. His father apprenticed him to a tailor at Youngstown, Ohio, where he completed his term of indenture of three years, and then he worked at the trade for a year and a half in Warren. In the meantime he became acquainted with Drs. H. and A. Everett, who were practicing medicine in Cleveland and who pursuaded him to take up the study of the science. In May, 1846, he came to this city and spent a few weeks, after which he returned to Warren and arranged his affairs there preparatory to es- tablishing his residence permanently in this city, which he did in September, 1846. He then eagerly entered upon the study of medicine in the office of Drs. Everett, who directed his reading for two years, and during the latter year he also attended the Western Reserve Medical University. As his funds becanie exhausted he could not complete the course but entered at once upon active prac- tice and after a short period opened an office in Shelby, Richland county, Ohio,

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where he continuously and successfully followed his profession for thirty-six years. He soon built up a large practice there and found it impossible to leave it and finish his college course until the scholastic year of 1866-7, when he was graduated, was accorded his diploma and also received the Doctor of Medicine degree.

In 1886 Dr. McMillin once more took up active practice in Cleveland, where he has remained continuously since, and although he is now eighty-seven years of age he still continues a large office practice in the treatment of chronic diseases and is occasionally called into consultations with other physicians, both in this city and in neighboring towns. As far as his practice would allow Dr. McMillin took an active part in public affairs in Shelby and served in various local offices. He was regarded as the leader of the medical profession there and was active in other lines as well, serving as a member of the city council and on the school board until 1860, when he put aside all other interests in order to give bis un- divided attention to his profession, to which he has since devoted himself ex- clusively. As a young man he was in sympathy with some of the whig and some of the democratic principles, but later he joined the free soil party and even- tually became a republican, since which time he has been a loyal supporter of its principles, although he does not consider party ties so strong that he dare not vote an independent ticket at local elections when the occasion seems to de- mand it.

On the 29th of December, 1849, in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, Dr. Mc- Millin was married to Miss Elizabeth Hadley, who died March 21, 1907, in her eighty-first year. They were parents of four sons and a daughter : H. E., now one of the leading music dealers of Cleveland; F. C., a lawyer of this city ; Emma A .. the widow of Charles E. Richardson ; J. H., who was a jewelry clerk and died in the west about eight years ago; and S. S., now at the head of the Marble-Shat- tuck Chair Company, a large chair-manufacturing industry of Cleveland.

Dr. McMillin resides at 9700 Euclid avenue, where he erected his home in 1888. He has been a devoted member of the Christian church since 1841, as- sisting in organizing a congregation at Shelby, and was one of its elders for twenty-eight years. He is the only living charter member of Shelby Lodge, I. O. O. F. Now in the sixty-third year of his practice, Dr. McMillin enjoys the distinction of being the oldest physician in Cleveland in active connection with the profession and probably in the state. He is also the oldest Odd Fellow in Ohio. He has enjoyed remarkable health, being wonderfully preserved for one of his age, his appearance being that of a man twenty years younger. Now in life's late evening, knowing "the blest accompaniments of age-honor, love and troops of friends," he is able to look back on a career filled with worthy labor in the service of his fellowmen. It is the men of the type of character of Dr. McMillin who have contributed to make the American commonwealth foremost among the governments of all times. With such a citizenship our republic must endure until time shall be no more.

LEVI A. SACKET.

Levi A. Sacket, whose activity in business was for many years a distinct con- tribution to the upbuilding and progress of the city, while his personal qualifi- cations placed him prominently in the front ranks in social circles, was born in Cleveland on the 5th of August, 1842. His father was Alexander Sacket, a son of Augustus Sacket, of Sacket Harbor, New York. The former was born Au- gust 17, 1814, and received a good mercantile education in New York City, his training well qualifying him for the attainment of success when he came to Cleveland in 1835 and became a factor in the commercial circles of this city. Here he at once engaged in the wholesale and retail trade in the old Weddell

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block on Superior street. The undertaking was a success from the beginning, the trade continually increasing under his capable management and business discernment until 1854, when he became connected with the commercial interests on the river, being thus engaged until 1868. In that year he retired from trade relations to give his undivided attention to his large real-estate interests, for from time to time he embraced his opportunity to make judicious investments until his holdings had become very extensive and his prosperity was accordingly augmented. With the growth and improvement of the city his property rose con- tinually in value, and its control occupied the entire time and attention of Mr. Sacket.

In 1836 Mr. Sacket was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Johnson, a daughter of Levi Johnson, one of the early prominent residents of Cleveland. They became the parents of seven children.

Levi Sacket supplemented his early school course by study in Shaw's Academy and in early life assisted his father for some years in the grain business. He then entered his father's office and became his active assistant in the management of his real-estate and other investments, and this position claimed his attention throughout his remaining days. They laid out Pearl street and greatly improved that section of the city. That they were prominent in its development and up- building is indicated by the fact that Sacket school was named in their honor. In many other ways the family has figured prominently in the affairs which have contributed to the business advancement and the social and municipal in- terests of Cleveland. They own a fine home on Euclid avenue, together with a large tract of land on that thoroughfare, which is one of the finest in the world. On the 14th of February, 1894, Levi A. Sacket was united in marriage to Miss Rose Barclay, a daughter of Dr. J. Thomas and Hannah (Hisey) Bar- clay. Her father is a distinguished representative of the dental fraternity of Cleveland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sacket was born one child, Mildred Harriet. Mr. Sacket was connected for three years with one of the leading military com- panies of Cleveland, being a member of Captain Hanna's Company of the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio, in which he held the rank of corporal. He was always deeply interested in the affairs of city life, his influence and aid being always counted upon to further measures for the public good, and he was es- pecially interested in the plans for the adornment of the city. He died April 12, 1897, when in the prime of life, his record having been such as won for him an enviable position in the regard of his fellowmen. He possessed a social na- ture that found expression in his geniality and deference for the opinions of others. Moreover, he was a man of marked personality and force of character, whose intellectual growth and keen insight made him an influencing factor in molding public thought and action along many lines.

GEORGE BENNETT SIDDALL.

George Bennett Siddall, attorney at law, who in his practice has confined his attention and efforts almost exclusively to banking and corporation law, is now a member of the firm of Henderson, Quail & Siddall. His birth occurred in Oberlin, Ohio, December 13, 1866, his parents being Dr. James F. and Orinda (Candee) Siddall, the former a representative of an old Virginia family, while the mother came of New England ancestry, of Scotch and English origin, con- nected with the McAlpine family. Ancestors of George B. Siddall served in both the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812. Dr. Siddall, a native of Ohio, located in Oberlin in 1854 and there engaged in the practice of dentistry until his retirement from active life about ten years ago. He died in Oberlin, October 12, 1909, at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife, a native of Michigan, is

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still living. Their family numbered six children, of whom five survive, Dr. W. A. Siddall being a prominent dentist of Cleveland.

George Bennett Siddall, the fourth in order of birth, supplemented his public- school education by study in Oberlin College, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in the class of 1891. He afterward engaged in teaching mathematics at Oberlin for two years and then in preparation for the practice of law entered the Western Reserve Law School, which he attended for two years. He was admitted to the bar at Columbus, March 12, 1896, and at once began practice in Cleveland, becoming a member of his present firm January 1, 1904, and in the years of his active connection with the bar has con- fined his legal work almost exclusively to banking and corporation law. One of his financial interests has been the organization and development of the Peer- less Motor Car Company, of which he is a director and secretary. He is also interested in various other financial and commercial enterprises which consti- tute features in his individual success and are always elements in the commer- cial development of the city.

On the 17th of August, 1892, Mr. Siddall was married in Calumet, Michi- gan, to Miss Nettie M. Danielson, a daughter of John A. Danielson, surface superintendent of the Calumet & Hecla mines at that place. Mrs. Siddall is a graduate of the Conservatory of Music at Oberlin, of the class of 1891, and is an accomplished musician. Prominent in the social circles of the city, their home is most attractive by reason of its cordial and gracious hospitality. Mr. Siddall is a member of various clubs and social organizations, including the Union, University, Hermit, Euclid and Clifton Clubs of Cleveland, the Columbus Club of Columbus, Ohio, and the University Club of Chicago. He also belongs to the Pilgrim Congregational church and in professional relations is connected with the local and state bar associations. His political allegiance is given to the republican party where national issues are involved, but at local elections he casts an independent vote, being identified with that movement, which is one of the hopeful political signs of the period, indicating that men prominent in the pro- fessions and in business are awake to the conditions of the times and will not blindly follow a party leader. Mr. Siddall makes golf his principal source of recreation. Interested in municipal progress he has been very active in the Chamber of Commerce and was for one year a member of its directorate and for three years served as chairman of its committee on education, during which time he had much to do with the preparation of the present school code of the state. He has since been chairman of the committee on legislation and has given much time to that branch of the work of the organization. His insight into the issues and questions of the day is keen, his deductions sound and logical, while at all times his efforts are practical and resultant.

MOSES G. CARREL.

Moses G. Carrel, who in 1902 was appointed division passenger agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, which position he still fills, was born in Fulton county, Ohio, June 4, 1854. His father, William P. Carrel, was a native of Lake county, Ohio, and was a son of Thomas Carrel, a native of Morris- town, New Jersey. The latter came to Ohio in 1809, settling on a farm in Lake county. There his son, William P. Carrel, was reared and educated and not only early became familiar with the duties of agricultural life but also became a factor in the community in connection with its educational interests. He served for some time as a school teacher and was likewise justice of the peace in his locality. He married Elizabeth Waite, a daughter of John and Ann Waite, who were of English birth and came to the United States when their daughter, Mrs. Carrel, was but a young child.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 13

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1150