USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II > Part 15
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James B. Wilbur was reared on a farm in New York and pursued his educa- tion in the public schools of the Empire state. Reports reached him concern- ing a certain growing western city on the south shore of Lake Erie, and, believ- ing that Cleveland would offer him a good field of labor, he made his way hither in 1818 and afterward sent for his parents. He was first employed as clerk in a grocery store for Mr. Hill and continued in that position for about three years. Subsequently he entered the grocery business on his own account, and later he became proprietor of the Forest City House, thus conducting one of the early hostelries of Cleveland. He continued in that business until forty- three years of age, when he retired and entered into the real-estate business, which he conducted for three years. He was also employed at the postoffice for many years, having charge of the stamp department, and in every relation his business methods were such as would bear close scrutiny and investigation. He not only believed that "honesty is the best policy," but exemplified that maxim in his life.
With many events of a public nature that have left their impress upon the history of the city Mr. Wilbur was associated. He was at one time a member of the Old Famous Cleveland Grays and was sergeant-at-arms in the senate for two winters at Columbus, Ohio. He was also sergeant-at-arms in Cincinnati, Ohio, when a Mr. White was appointed chief justice, and in fact was instrumental in securing his appointment. Mr. Wilbur was recognized as one of the promi- nent political leaders of Cleveland. In his early life he gave his support to the Whig party, and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the republican party, to which he gave stalwart support. His opinions carried weight in its councils, and his efforts were an influencing factor in shaping its course. He was also an Odd Fellow, well known as one of the first members of Cleveland lodge.
On the 29th of March, 1842, in this city, Mr. Wilbur was united in marriage to Miss Loretta Welsh, a daughter of Benjamin S. and Sophia (Wilson) Welsh, who removed from New York to Cleveland in 1815, finding here a town of but
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JAMES B. WILBUR
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a few hundred inhabitants, situated on the banks of a great lake that was but little navigated, while to the south lay almost impenetrable forests. Her father had served as a soldier in the war of 1812, was appointed Indian agent and sta- tioned at Mackinaw, Michigan, where he remained for two years, there being only four white women there at the time he made his home in that district. After coming to Cleveland he purchased a farm and assisted a Mr. Merchant in surveying a large portion of the property that is now included within the cor- poration limits of the city. He also made surveys through to Chillicothe, Ohio, and later conducted the old Cleveland Stage House and operated the first hack in Cleveland. He was also prominent in military circles in the early times, when there were local militia companies, whose drilling constituted an important feature in the life of the community. His daughter, Mrs. Wilbur, was born in Cleveland in 1826. She is one of the oldest native residents here and a member of the Old Settlers' Association. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur are Charles, Mrs. Loretta Whitehead, Mrs. Metta Tate and James B. Wilbur. Thus through the greater part of a century the family has figured in connection with the growth and development of Cleveland, and its members have been interested witnesses of the changes that have been wrought as the Forest city has emerged from villagehood to take its place with the ten largest cities of the United States.
SANFORD K. BARSTOW.
Sanford K. Barstow, merchant and banker, whose life has been one of con- tinuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, is today identified with the oldest and most prominent furniture establishment of Cleve- land. He is also well known as the president of the State Banking & Trust Com- pany and in both connections measures up to the highest standards of business enterprise, integrity and progressiveness. He was born in New Castle, Maine, April 22, 1849. His father, George Barstow, whose birth occurred in 1810, traveled life's journey until he had compassed the intervening years to 1889. He was a seafaring man, to which life he was naturally attracted, as his father, Joseph Barstow, was a shipbuilder at New Castle, Maine. The Barstow family is of English origin and was founded in America in the early part of the seven- teenth century. The brothers who came at that time were four in number and settled at Hanover, Massachusetts, founding the town. In more remote periods the lineage is traced back to William the Conqueror. Through successive gen- erations the family figured in New England, especially in Maine, where George Barstow, father of our subject, was known for some years as the oldest captain in point of continued service in that state, having sailed the seas between the ages of fifteen and seventy-six years. He had many adventures with pirates, particularly in the Caribbean sea and in the course of his long service encoun- tered severe storms, when it seemed that the vessel would surely be wrecked and the lives on board all lost. He lived, however, to devote more than sixty years to active service on the sea and possessed that sturdy, honest and rugged char- acter of the man who is again and again brought face to face with nature in all of her moods and realizes of how little value are the artificialities of life. He married Sarah Borland, a daughter of Captain John Borland, of New Castle, Maine, who was a sea captain of Scotch descent and came from the north of Ire- land.
Sanford K. Barstow, coming of sturdy New England stock, spent his youth- ful days in New Castle, Maine, where he pursued his education in public and preparatory schools until he entered a private school at New Haven, from which he was eventually graduated. On putting aside his text-books he went to New York city, where he spent two years, and in 1869 he arrived in Cleveland, where he became connected with John A. Vincent, the founder of the Vincent-Barstow
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Company, the firm then operating under the name of Vincent, Sturm & Company. Mr. Barstow entered their employ in the capacity of bookkeeper but gave such practical and efficient demonstration of his ability and enterprise that at the end of two years he was admitted to a partnership, and the firm name was changed to Vincent, Barstow & Company. On the incorporation of the business in 1882 he was elected president. Theirs is the oldest existing furniture business in Ohio and one of the most important commercial enterprises of the city, founded and conducted along substantial lines, a progressive spirit being tempered by a safe conservatism, while in all of its equipment the store is thoroughly modern. The firm holds to high standards in its personnel and in the character of service rendered to the public, and the business methods of the house have won for it a large and continued patronage. In addition to his connection with the com- pany, Mr. Barstow also figures prominently in financial circles as the president of the State Banking & Trust Company, to which he was elected in October, 1907.
On the 22d of February, 1882, Mr. Barstow was married to Miss Hermione Burrows, a daughter of S. S. and Julia ( Mills) Burrows, of Geneva, Ohio. Her father was a brother of Senator Burrows and of Judge Burrows, of Painesville. Dr. Burrows served throughout the Civil war as a loyal advocate of the Union cause, became prominent in his profession and was superintendent of the Asylum for the Blind, at Columbus. He also represented his district in the state senate for several terms and left the impress of his individuality upon regulative and constructive legislation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barstow have been born two chil- dren: Kenneth Glidden, attending Dartmouth College, and Burrows, a student in the University School, at Cleveland. The family residence is at No. IIII9 Belleflower road, and they have an attractive country place at Geneva, Ohio. Mrs. Barstow is active in church and charitable work, cooperating in many move- ments toward ameliorating the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate. Mr. Barstow is an active and valued representative of the Chamber of Commerce and also of the Colonial Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, his religion is manifested by his membership in the Unitarian church, and his advocacy of the fraternal spirit is shown in his identification with the West Side Masonic Lodge. While he occupies today a position of distinction in mercan- tile and financial circles, his honors and successes have been worthily won through the wise use of his time, talents and opportunities. Strict and unremitting at- tention to business has been the salient feature in his advancement, bringing him the success which ever follows persistent and unfaltering labor intelligently con- trolled.
JOHN A. ENSIGN.
John A. Ensign was one of the pioneer hotel men of Cleveland and active in other lines that contributed to the substantial upbuilding of the city and also to its moral progress. He was born June 17, 1816, in Falls Village, Litchfield county, Connecticut. He was a direct descendant of James Ensign, who came to America from England and was one of the first settlers of Cambridge, Mas- sachusetts. In the year 1636 James Ensign removed to Hartford, Connecticut, then called Newtown, with the Thomas Hooker colony. He was one of the first settlers there, and his name is inscribed upon the monument erected by the citi- zens of Hartford in the old Center burying ground to the memory of the founders of the city.
The boyhood and young manhood of John A. Ensign was passed in a small Connecticut village. One of his schoolmates and his most intimate friend in his boyhood days was William H. Barnum, who afterward became United States senator from Connecticut. After his marriage in 1844 John A. Ensign succeeded his father as proprietor of the hotel at Falls Village, Connecticut, which had been owned and maintained by the family for many years. Subsequently he owned
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and managed a hotel at North Canaan, Connecticut, and continued in this business until 1849, the year of the discovery of gold in California, when he became im- pressed with the great opportunities which the west offered to energetic and ac- tive men. He resolved to try his fortune in the west, not as a seeker after gold, for he was hardly possessed of the characteristics of the adventurer which in- duced so many to risk their lives and fortune in the mad rush for gold to the new Eldorado. He was more conservative in his temperament, and his attention was entirely drawn to the "New Connecticut" or the "Connecticut Western Reserve," as Ohio was then called. This state had been settled almost wholly by Connecticut people, a very large proportion being from his own county of Litchfield, while many of them were known to him as friends and neighbors. On the Ist of May, 1849, he arrived in Cleveland, which was then a thriving city of about thirty- thousand population, although it had not very close connection with the outside world. Such commercial advantages and activities as it enjoyed. were carried on mostly on the lakes. Mr. Ensign made the trip from Buffalo by boat, as the railroad connection with that city was not completed until a later date. His firs residence in Cleveland was in what was then a part of East Cleveland town- ship, his home being on Euclid avenue, a short distance east of Willson avenue. Soon after his arrival he purchased a small farm, consisting of about fifteen acres on Euclid avenue, extending through to Cedar street. There was a brick house upon the property, which was located on the exact site of the stone resi- dence now owned by Thomas H. White, at the corner of Lincoln and Euclid avenues.
Mr. Ensign soon became impressed with the future prospects and advantages of Cleveland and began to invest in land. During most of his life he was engaged in operations in real estate in and about the city of Cleveland, and his sound judgment and keen discrimination enabled him so to place his investments as to secure substantial financial return therefrom. About 1852 he purchased from the Farmers' Loan & Trust Company of Cincinnati a farm of something over one hundred acres in what was then Newburg township, just east of Willson avenue, lying on both sides of Kinsman street and extending through to Willson avenue. Upon this property he erected a brick residence, in which he established his home in 1853, there residing continuously until his death in 1885, with the exception of a period of about four years. About 1868 this portion of Newburg was annexed to the city of Cleveland and became the fifteenth ward. Mr. Ensign was the first councilman elected to the city council from this new ward and served in the council with the Hon. Nathan Payne who was afterward mayor of Cleveland, Maurice B. Clark, John Huntington and others.
In 1860, just prior to the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Ensign at the soli- citation of the owners became the proprietor of the American House, succeed- ing the late A. P. Winslow. At that time the American and Weddell Hotels were the leading hostelries of Cleveland. He remained in the American House for about two years, when he went to Pittsburg as proprietor of the Scott House of that city. He remained in Pittsburg until the close of the war, when he returned to Cleveland.
Mr. Ensign, in connection with S. N. Sanford, Levi T. Buttles and others, was identified with the establishment and organization of St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal church on Woodland avenue. He was a member of the church and one of its vestrymen and in the various departments of its work took active interest.
Mr. Ensign was married in 1845 to Miss Caroline M. Pope, and unto them were born two children: John E. Ensign, formerly a lawyer of Cleveland, now living in New York, and Carrie J., who married U. L. Marvin, judge of the cir- cuit court of Ohio. Mrs. Ensign still survives her husband at the advanced age of eighty-six years and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Marvin, in Cleveland, only a few blocks from the residence she first occupied in this city sixty years ago. Thus in brief is the life history of John A. Ensign, who in 1849 became a resident of Cleveland and throughout the remainder of his life was largely asso-
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ciated with the development and upbuilding of this section. "Well descended and well bred," reared in a life of constant and healthful activity, his work was of worth in the world, while his genial companionship and tenacious regard for the simple truth were among the qualities that gave him firm hold on the affec- tions of those with whom he was brought in contact.
REV. JOHN J. SCULLEN.
Rev. John J. Scullen, assistant pastor of St. Augustine's church of Cleve- land was born in Bellevue, Ohio, March 23, 1878. His early education was acquired in parochial schools; after which he attended Assumption College at Sandwich, Ontario, Canada. He continued his education in St. Ignatius College of Cleveland, from which he was graduated, and in St. Mary's Seminary of this city. On the 28th of May, 1904, he was ordained to the priesthood and celebrated his first mass on the following day at Bellevue, Ohio, in the Church of the Immaculate Concep- tion. On the IIth of June, 1904, he was appointed assistant pastor of St. Augustine's church, where he has since lahored, attending to the duties with conse- crated zeal.
SAMUEL COOPER BLAKE.
The name of Samuel Cooper Blake has figured in connection with many im- portant cases tried in the courts of Cleveland and the extent of his clientage is proof positive of the ability which he displays as a practitioner at the bar. He was born in Euclid, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, December 27, 1855. His father, John M. Blake, was a native of London, England, arriving in America in 1832. In early life he followed the miller's trade and afterward, became a shoemaker and was well known. His death occurred September 1, 1879. His wife, who survived him until the 12th of July, 1880, bore the maiden name of Harriett Lattimer Cooper and was born in Cuyahoga county in 1817. Her family came from East Haddam, Connecticut, settling in this county in 1814, among its pio- neer residents.
Samuel Cooper Blake was educated in the public schools of Euclid, in Shaw Academy and in Oberlin College, which he attended for three years. This com- pleted his literary course and constituted an excellent foundation upon which to build the superstructure of his legal learning. He then pursued a course in law in the law school of Michigan University at Ann Arbor, where he won the Bachelor of Law degree in 1883. He was honored with the presidency of his class during the senior year. Immediately afterward he entered upon active practice in this city and in 1886 he joined J. A. Smith in the organization of the law firm of Smith & Blake, which continued until 1901. Mr. Blake has since been alone, giving his attention to general civil practice and to probate and office practice. In connection with J. G. White he was attorney for the plaintiff in the tax case against Mayor Johnson and his associates. He has been connected with various other important cases and his handling of legal interests indicates that he is thoroughly familiar with the work of the courts, that he has compre- hensive knowledge of the law and that he is most accurate in the application of legal principles. Aside from his profession he is interested in the Garfield Bank as one of its directors and is a member of its finance committee.
On the 26th of June, 1889, Mr. Blake was married to Miss Mary Asenath Camp, of Euclid, and they have two children: Anna H., who formerly attended the East High School and is now a student in Vassar College; and Allan B., born in 1894.
SAMUEL C. BLAKE
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In his youthful days Mr. Blake served as township clerk at Euclid and was also a member of the school board at that place. He is likewise a member of the Cleveland Bar Association and is identified with the various Masonic bodies, being a Knight Templar Mason and a veteran member of the Oriental Com- mandery of the I. O. O. F. Actively interested in the work of the Euclid Avenue Congregational church, he is serving as one of its board of deacons and does all in his power to promote the growth and extend the influence of the church. The salient characteristics of his life are industry, diligence and per- severance and as the years have gone by these traits have brought him success and advancement in his chosen field of labor. He is fond of history as a means of recreation and is today a broad-minded man, thoroughly conversant with the topics of vital import affecting the state and national welfare at the present time.
LESTER C. BEARDSLEY.
Lester C. Beardsley, now living retired, was for many years actively associ- ated with business interests as an inventor, merchant, and manufacturer. He was born in Canandaigua, in the Mohawk valley of New York, in 1831 and in 1838 came to Cleveland with his stepfather, Jasper B. Carpenter, who first lo- cated north of Euclid where he followed farming for a time. The family re- moved to Columbia, Lorain county, Ohio, when Mr. Beardsley was about fourteen years of age and in his youthful days he sailed the lakes for a time on the brig Belmont, commanded by Captain Burrows. He then took up the tinsmith's trade, which had great possibilities in those days and which constituted the foundation upon which he built his later success. With a youthful friend he planned to go to California in 1848, following the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope. It was their purpose to proceed by raft down the Ohio and then to New Orleans and they went from Pittsburg as far as Cincinnati, where they spent the winter. In the spring of 1849 Mr. Beardsley started alone for New Orleans and on ar- riving there secured a position at his trade and remained for several years. While in the Crescent City there was an epidemic of yellow fever, and Mr. Beardsley was attacked by the disease together with eight others in his boarding place, and only two out of the nine survived. In the '50s he made his way north by river, stopping at St. Louis for a year, after which he worked at his trade. In the meantime his people had removed to Vernon, Wisconsin, to which place he made his way in order to visit with relatives. He afterward spent some time in Wau- kesha and in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, having in the latter city a half-brother, Martin Carpenter, and a sister, Adeline, while his step-sister, Caroline, lived about one hundred miles west of Milwaukee. His mother and his step-father continued to spend their remaining days in Vernon and both were laid to rest in the ceme- tery at that place.
On returning to Cleveland Mr. Beardsley worked at his trade on the different buildings of what is now the Big Four Railroad, between this city and Cincinnati. He was always studying and planning out some new machinery or device, and invented a ventilator for passenger coaches, but at that time it was too expensive for railroads to use it universally. In 1867 he engaged in the tinware, stove and furnace business at the corner of Michigan and Seneca streets. There he was in business for several years and subsequently he engaged in the manufacture of powder kegs and tin can packages, the business being conducted as the Beardsley Can & Powder Keg Works. Mr. Beardsley erected a building with thirty feet frontage on Michigan street and a depth of eighty feet. It was three stories in height and back of that, facing on Canal street, was a building one hundred and three feet deep and four stories high which the company also occupied. They employed about two hundred men, and the enterprise was a profitable one. Mr. Beardsley retired from business in 1893 on account of failing health. He had
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previously invented a machine known as the Beardsley double seamer for work- ing up tinware without the use of solder. As the years passed his enterprise brought him success, and he developed an important productive industry, but at length with a handsome competence he retired and is now spending his time in the enjoyment of pleasures and interests for which leisure and wealth equip him.
In 1863 Mr. Beardsley wedded Celesta Converse and unto them were born two daughters, Adeline and Lilly. The former is the wife of Andrew Mason and the latter of Richard Harris, and both are still living in Cleveland.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Beardsley offered his services to the gov- ernment and became a private of Company K, One Hundred and Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Edward Vaillant and Colonel Henry B. Banning. He received his dischargee from the service in 1865, returning home with a most creditable military record. He cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont and has always been an ardent supporter of the republican party, which stood loyally in defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and has always been the party of reform and progress. For a number of years he was a member of the Gentlemen's Driving Club of Glennville, so continuing until its disbandment. He has a fine collection of ribbons taken by various horses which he has owned, for he is a lover of fine stock and always keeps on hand some splendid specimens of the noble steed. Fraternally he is connected with Banner Lodge, I. O. O. F.
Mrs. Beardsley died in 1897 and was buried in the family lot in Lakeview cemetery. Mr. Beardsley has now passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey and during much of the time has lived in Cleveland, where he became recognized as a progressive and resourceful business man and an enterprising citizen. He improved the opportunities of early life and of later manhood, learned the lessons that each experience contained and as the years went by directed his labors by a judgment so sound that his activities placed him with Cleveland's men of affluence.
FRANK N. FOOTE.
Among the younger business men of the Forest city, who are forging their way to the front is Frank N. Foote, manager of the Audit Company of Cleve- land and also secretary and treasurer of the Foote-Howard Company. With the exception of his first year, his entire life has been spent in Cleveland, his birth having occurred in Akron, Ohio, on the 7th of June, 1873. The following year his parents, Orlo A. and Sarah Jane (Young) Foote, natives of Pennsyl- vania, removed from Akron to Cleveland and when he had reached the designated school age the subject of this review entered the primary grade and by succes- sive promotions passed on through the ensuing years until he became a high-school student. When he had put aside his text-books to learn the more difficult lessons in the school of experience he entered the employ of the Bishop & Babcock Com- pany in the capacity of timekeeper. His trustworthiness and capability won him promotion to the position of bookeeper, in which capacity he continued for ten years. He then came to the Audit Company, which he represented as accountant for three years, after which he spent two years in the position of assistant man- ager and in 1907 won promotion to the position of manager. He is also the sec- retary and treasurer of the Foote-Howard Company, manufacturers' agents of electric supplies with offices in the Caxton building. His fertility of resource and his indomitable energy enable him successfully to manage both interests and in his business career he is making steady progress, each forward step bringing broader outlook and wider opportunities.
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