USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II > Part 29
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On the 28th of July, 1859, Mr. Ingram was married to Miss Emily E. South- ern, a daughter of William Southern, who came to Cleveland at a very early day from the state of New York. He was born, however, in Maryland. Fol- lowing his removal to Ohio he purchased a tract of land in what is now Lake- wood and followed gardening, spending the remainder of his life here. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ingram were born eight children, of whom four are yet living: Willitm J., Erwin E. and Julius Robert, who are partners in a dry goods estab- lishment ; and Emily E.
In all matters relative to the welfare of the city Mr. Ingram was deeply. actively and helpfully interested. He was imbued with the thorough American spirit, regarding this the greatest country on earth, and was most loyal to its interests. He was a very intelligent and active man, honest, upright and hon-
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ored by all who knew him. His fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth and ability, elected him representative to the city council from his ward. He was a member of the Volunteer Firemen Company in early days and at all times did everything in his power to promote general progress and improvement. He was very domestic in his tastes and habits, finding his greatest happiness at his own fireside in the midst of his family. He erected a residence on what is now West Forty-seventh street and there he lived and died. He was also numbered among the prominent influential members of the Franklin Avenue Methodist Episcopal church and took great interest in its various activities. He was also most char- itable, giving generously and freely of his means to the poor and needy. His loss not only came as a great blow to his family but was the occasion of deep and widespread regret to many friends, when on the 4th of February, 1902, at the age of sixty-six years, he was called to his final rest. He had established himself in business circles as a man of thorough reliability and good citizenship, and in church circles his worth was widely acknowledged. He left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name, his many good qualities constitut- ing an example that is well worthy of emulation. Since her husband's death Mrs. Ingram has removed to a new home on Grace avenue in Lakewood, where she is now most comfortably situated. She, too, has many friends here, and the hospitality of a large number of Cleveland's best homes is extended to her.
WILM KNOX.
Wilm Knox, the senior partner of the firm of Knox & Elliot, architects of Cleveland, was born in the suburbs of Glasgow, Scotland, January 20, 1858. His parents, Thomas and Margaret (Neilson) Knox, both died in that city, the for- mer in 1882 and the latter in 1883. The father was for some years a representative of its building interests.
In the Free Church Seminary at Glasgow Mr. Knox pursued his education until he was graduated in 1875, completing a general course. Later he pursued a special course in architecture and studies pertaining thereto both in his native city and in Edinburgh. When thorough training had equipped him for a success- ful business career he became the successor of Mr. Aitken in the firm of Moffett & Aitken, one of the oldest and best known firms of Edinburgh. In 1886, how- ever, he left that city in order to travel and see something of the world. Upon visiting Chicago he became impressed with the fact that American buildings seemed to present something far ahead of his knowledge of the business, and he applied for a position with the firm of Burnham & Root, architects, who were then constructing the Rookery building which had attracted his attention. He was given a position, and he remained in the western metropolis, continuing with that firm for some time. Later he became office manager for Henry Ives Cobb, an eminent architect, who was then engaged in the construction of the Fisheries building at the World's Columbian Exposition, the University of Chicago build- ings and the Newberry library.
His removal to Cleveland in 1893 was occasioned by the fact that his wife's relatives resided in Painesville, not far from this city. He opened an office here and was alone for a few months, after which he admitted J. H. Elliot to a partner- ship that still exists under the firm style of Knox & Elliot. They have been the architects for many large office buildings, including the Confederation Life build- ing, at Toronto, Canada ; the Sun Life building, Montreal, Canada ; the American Screw Works building, at Hamilton, Ontario; the Presbyterian church at Joliet, Illinois ; the Trinity Congregational church of Cleveland; and the Rockefeller building, the largest and finest office building in Cleveland. They are now engaged on plans for the new building to be erected in Cleveland for the Brotherhood of
WILM KNOX
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Locomotive Engineers and also the handsome new building for the Elks, and they have also built many large manufacturing plants and handsome residences.
On the 21st of June, 1891, in Painesville, Ohio, Mr. Knox was married to Miss Agnes Julia Child, a daughter of C. O. Child of that place. They have three chil- dren, Carlos Child, Beulah Gillet and M. Neilson, aged respectively fifteen, thirteen and ten years. Their Cleveland residence, built two years ago, is at No. 2020 East Sixty-fifth street, while their summer home is at Gates Mill, where Mr. Knox purchased nineteen acres of woodland on a high elevation overlooking the valley -one of the most beautiful places in Cuyahoga county. For many years Mr. Knox has been especially interested in the study of mushrooms and is considered an authority on the subject. He has made water-color drawings of over two hun- dred and fifty different specimens of the edible plant and of the poisonous toad- stool. He is now engaged in making hand-colored lithographic reproductions of these in sets which he is distributing to coworkers in this line of science. He has also given much study to sea-weeds and has the finest collection in this part of the country. His interests in scientific research of this character have led him to become a member of several botanical and historical societies throughout the country. He is likewise a member of the American Association for the Ad- vancement of Science, the Chamber of Commerce and the Euclid and Rowfant Clubs. In politics a republican, he takes a deep and active interest in the vital political questions of the day but has never been an aspirant for office.
GEORGE M. PAGE.
George M. Page is the senior partner of the firm of Page & Corbusier, archi- tects of Cleveland. There is no surer proof of the capability of a business man than the patronage that is extended to him, and that Mr. Page has been promi- nently connected with the construction of many important buildings in Cleveland shows conclusively that he has attained creditable rank among the architects of the city. He was born in Rochester, New York, December 3, 1867. His father, Clark Deane Page, was a native of New Hampshire and by ox-team traveled westward, becoming one of the pioneer residents of Rochester, where he made his home as early as 1826. He was an inventor of considerable note and the patentee of the Page patent lime kiln and of other mechanical devices of worth. He married Miranda Thompson, a native of Medina, New York, and she is still living, making her home in Cleveland.
Spending his youthful days in his father's home, George M. Page pursued his preliminary education in the public schools and was also a high-school stu- dent in Rochester. He likewise attended the Mechanics Institute at the same place, giving his attention to the study of architecture, machinery and mechanical drawing. Later he entered the office of Otto Bock, an architect of Rochester, with whom he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he made his way to Buffalo, where he entered the firm of Lansing & Beisel and was after- ward with the firm of Green & Wicks for one year. On the expiration of that period he went to New York city and entered the employ of W. W. Kent. He returned to Rochester and took charge of the city's architectural work under the water department and was connected therewith for three years. In 1896 he went to Boston and entered the service of C. H. Blackall, having charge of the office work for six years or until 1902.
In that year Mr. Page opened an office in Cleveland under the firm name of Blackall & Page, architects. During this time he designed the W. A. Harshaw home at Cleveland, it being in colonial design. He is now completing the Ranney home for Mrs. J. R. Ranney at Shaker Lake, it being built after the French Louis XVI style. On the 22d of February, 1908, the firm of Page & Corbusier was formed, J. W. C. Corbusier being admitted to a partnership. They have
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done a splendid work in pine colonial architecture for T. E. Burton and have built an elegant home for him on Shaker Heights. Mr. Page was one of the designers of the Colonial Theater at Boston, Massachusetts, and the designer of the Women's Club House at Huntington avenue in Boston.
On the 18th of December, 1903, Mr. Page was united in marriage to Miss Marion Avery, of Rochester, and they have one daughter, Ruth. Mr. Page is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, belonging to Cleveland Chap- ter, and he likewise belongs to the Euclid Avenue Baptist church. He is very fond of music and it has always been a point of interest in his life. His atten- tion, however, has been largely given to his business affairs, and their capable direction constitutes a strong feature in his success.
ADRIAN G. NEWCOMB.
Adrian G. Newcomb, attorney at law, was born in New York city, April 27, 1881. He completed his collegiate course by graduation from Baldwin Uni- versity in 1901, at which time he received the Bachelor of Arts degree. He won the Bachelor of Law degree on his graduation from the Western Reserve Law School with the class of 1903 and was then admitted to the bar after which he became associated with his brother, R. B. Newcomb, in the general practice of law. This association has since been maintained under the firm name of R. B. and A. G. Newcomb.
NATHANIEL D. CHAPIN.
Many business enterprises contribute to the commercial and industrial activity and consequent growth of Cleveland, and many men are factors in the develop- ment of the city along business lines. Nathaniel D. Chapin, however, is num- bered among those who have made substantial contribution to the evolutionary activities of the city, occupying a prominent place among its manufacturers as the president-treasurer of the Billings-Chapin Company. He started upon life's journey in Cleveland, his natal day being October 12, 1861, his parents, Herman M. and Matilda (Fenno) Chapin. At an early period in the colonization of New England the Chapin family was there founded by Deacon Samuel Chapin, who came to America between the years 1633 and 1635 and resided in Boston until 1642, when he took his family to Springfield, Massachusetts, becoming a promi- nent factor in its affairs. He was a contemporary of Pynchon and Holyoke, names that figure prominently on the pages of early New England history. Near the public library in Springfield stands a bronze statute typifying "The Puritan" -Deacon Samuel Chapin.
Herman M. Chapin, father of Nathaniel D. Chapin, was a native of East Walpole, New Hampshire, for in the intervening years representatives of the name had scattered over various sections of New England. He remained a resi- dent of the east until 1848, when he came to Cleveland and here figured for many years as a successful business man and prominent citizen. He founded the well known packing-house of H. M. Chapin & Company, and his labors were effective forces in promoting the material development of the city through the middle portion of the nineteenth century. His wife was a native of Chelsea, Massa- · chusetts.
Nathaniel D. Chapin is indebted to the excellent public schools of Boston for the early education which he enjoyed, and later he attended a private school at Dedham, Massachusetts, the high school at Concord, Massachusetts, and the Central high school at Cleveland, from which he was graduated with the class
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of 1879. He entered business life as a clerk in the First National Bank of this city and remained there for two and a half years, while subsequently he spent a brief period with the Ohio Barb Fence Company but resigned to accept a posi- tion with Billings, Taylor & Company, manufacturers of paints and varnishes. He later became secretary of that company and so continued until 1899, when the business was reorganized under the name of the Billings-Chapin Company, of which he became president and treasurer. In this connection he has done much to make Cleveland a world center in the manufacture of paints and varnishes and has always held to the highest standards in his business, demanding that the output of the factory shall be of most excellent grades and that the product shall come fully up to the representation made in the advertising department. The house, therefore, sustains an unassailable reputation for commercial probity as well as enterprise, and its trade now brings a most gratifying annual revenue. Mr. Chapin is also interested in a number of other corporations in the city, and his keen business discernment and the determination with which he pursues a path that he has marked out have constituted important elements of success in other connections. He is a member of the National Association of Paint Manu- facturers, of which he was elected treasurer in 1902, while in 1903 he was hon- ored with election to the presidency. He is also a member of the branch bank committee of the Cleveland Trust Company.
In 1888 Mr. Chapin was married in Newburyport, Massachusetts, to Miss Annie Spalding, a native of that place and a descendant of an old and numerous family of that section. Their two children are Nathaniel Thayer and Helen Miriam, the former a student at Yale College of the class of 1913.
Mr. Chapin is a member of the Union and Country Clubs and also a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church. His political views are in accord with the prin- ciples of the republican party, and a few years ago, while a resident of Wil- loughby, he served as president of the town council and vice president of the board of education. The social, intellectual and moral influences of the commu- nity, which are of a commendable character, receive his earnest endorsement. He has never measured life by the only rule of self but has sought to form his opinions in accordance with those interests which have constituted moving forces in the world's progress and civilization.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER THOMPSON.
William A. Thompson, secretary and treasurer of the Mollen, Thompson & James Company, wholesale grocers, began his business life as an office boy. The steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible and have led him along a continuous path of advancement to his present important connection with the trade interests of the city. He was born in Cleveland October 15, 1877, and is of Irish lineage, his parents being Richard M. and Frances Elizabeth Thompson. The father, a native of Dublin, Ireland, was born in 1834 and came to America in 1874. Establishing his home in Cleveland he was for some years engaged in various business enterprises here, but is now living retired.
In the public schools of Cleveland William A. Thompson acquired his edu- cation and after putting aside his text-books engaged as office boy with the Standard Oil Company, with which he remained for three years. He did not continue in his original position through that period but received successive pro- motions in recognition of his close application and reliability. At the end of that time he became connected with the firm of A. J. Wenham's Sons as bill clerk and subsequently was made bookkeeper, acting in that capacity until the house went out of business in 1906. The following year he joined John C. Mol- len and Harry D. James in organizing the Mollen, Thompson & James Company for the conduct of a wholesale grocery, and manufacturing business. He was
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chosen secretary and treasurer of the new organization, which was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, the three men owning a controlling interest. Although this is one of the new commercial enterprises of the city it has already met with creditable and substantial success, and its condition is that of healthful growth.
On the 31st of December, 1903, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Nellie Brimicombe, a daughter of Albert and Sophia ( Holmes) Brimicombe, of Cleve- land. They have one daughter, Florence Elizabeth, who is the light and life of their home. They reside at No. 10624 Tacoma avenue. Mr. Thompson is a mem- ber of the Commercial Travelers and is independent politically. He finds recrea- tion in fishing, baseball and outdoor sports, in all of which he is keenly inter- ested. His success is due to his energy and perseverance and to his quality of winning substantial friendships. His presence is one which inspires confidence, and his course bears out the good will and esteem which he easily wins.
WILLIAM BENJAMIN FASIG.
When death claimed William Benjamin Fasig on the 21st of February, 1902, the news of his demise brought a sense of personal bereavement to the great majority of those with whom he had been brought in contact, for his kindly spirit, his integrity and his sterling honesty had endeared him to those who knew him. As a horseman he had a national reputation and was accorded leadership in his line of business in the United States. With him honesty constituted a principle from which there could be no deviation and he hated nothing in the world except meanness and falsehood. No man loved justice more than he and his very presence at the great sales of his firm seemed to inspire the people with confidence. For a long time he was manager of the driving Park at Cleveland and when the Tattersalls came from London they made Mr. Fasig the manager of their business in New York and in Cleveland. He afterward began business on his own account as the senior partner of William B Fasig & Company, and in 1898 he formed a partnership with Edward A. Tipton. This company had almost a monopoly of the auction sales of thoroughbred and trotting harness horses throughout the country and all the large sales conducted the last few years have been held under their management. In addition to the use of Madison Square Garden, in New York, for several weeks for the most important of the sales held in the winter, various race tracks were utilized for large auctions during the summer months. The sales' paddock of the firm at Sheepshead Bay, Long Island, is the most perfectly equipped in the country. At Cleveland a large sale was held annually and the firm handled the stock of Marcus Daly and other equally prominent owners of fine horses.
Mr. Fasig was particularly well known in trotting circles and in the '8os was active as one of the secretaries of the grand circuit meet. At the time of his death he had just become established in a new home which was formerly the property of Daniel Drew. This was surrounded by ninety acres of land, enabling him to lay about a half-mile track, upon which he proposed to develop his trotting horses. He had at various times visited California and Kentucky, knew all the great breeders of those states and the arrangements of their extensive establishments, but Bennyscliffe, his newly equipped property, was to rival if not lead all. His remarkable talents were entirely devoted to the trotting industry and his interests were by no means wholly mercenary, for his hand and voice, as well as his time, were unceasingly employed in behalf of what was best for the harness horse on and off the turf.
Mr. Fasig was a member of the Roadside Club. Those who met him socially knew him as a fast friend and a generous giver. His sympathies were always with the weak and oppressed. That he was a man of marked individuality and independence of thought is attested by all who knew him, his close associates
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WILIAM B. FASIG
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saying that they could not determine in advance what stand he would take on any proposition. He firmly advocated, however, the course that he believed to be right and he had an unfaltering love for inflexible justice. To those who were unfortunate or needy he was most kindly and sympathetic and thus it was that he enjoyed the love of many thousands.
ANTON FRANK PAV, M. D.
Dr. Anton Frank Pav, a resident physician of Cleveland, was born at Eiglau, Austria, March 30, 1869, and is a son of Anton and Frances (Klectecka ) Pav. About 1874 the parents came to the United States and established their home in Cleveland, where Mr. Pav engaged in carriage manufacturing until his retire- ment, a short time prior to his death, which occurred in 1893, when he was fifty- six years of age. His widow still survives.
Brought to America at the age of five years Dr. Pav received his education in the Cleveland public schools and the Central high school, after which he en- tered the medical department of Western Reserve University to qualify for the practice of the profession which he had determined to make his life work. He was graduated in 1889 with the M. D. degree and put his theoretical training to the practical test in service as house physician at the City Hospital while pur- suing his medical course. Following his graduation he entered upon private practice here for a short time, after which he removed to Colfax county, Ne- braska, and was there elected to the office of coroner. In 1893, however, he re- turned to Cleveland, since which time he has been actively identified with the practice of medicine here, having many patrons in the vicinity of his present location. While his practice has been general, he has also made a specialty of physical diagnosis. Almost continuously since his graduation he has been con- nected in a professional capacity with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Com- pany, being the medical examiner for their ordinary department. He belongs to the Cleveland Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Pav was married in Cleveland to Miss Tillie Heckler, of this city, and they reside at No. 2648 East Fifty-fifth street. They have a wide acquaintance and many friends in the district. Dr. Pav is deeply interested in munici- pal affairs and political problems from a humanitarian point of view and has written some very original and able papers on political, economic and scientific topics, which show wide research and investigation of the problems therein pre- sented.
· PAUL MATZINGER.
Supplementing by thorough training the gifts with which nature endowed him, Paul Matzinger is regarded as one of the rising young architects of Cleve- land. In fact he has met with success in his profession since he opened his office in this city in 1893. Science, art and industry are all features in his chosen calling, for he has comprehensive knowledge of the principles that un- derlie the profession, combined with a keen perception of the value of propor- tions and the artistic effects that are worked out through detail, at the same time knowing that in all labor unfaltering industry must constitute the basis upon which success is built. He was born in Canton, Ohio, in 1870. His father, Herman Matzinger, was a native of Switzerland and came to Ohio in 1838. He devoted his entire life to the work of the ministry, and his influence was of no restricted order, for the seeds of truth which he sowed sprang into fruitfulness in the lives of many who came under his teaching. He continued an active worker in the Master's vineyard until his death in 1903. He is still survived
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by his widow, who bore the maiden name of Mary Ruetnik, and is a native of Ohio.
Mr. Matzinger of this review largely spent his youth in Chicago and after attending high school in that city entered Calvin College at Cleveland, from which he was graduated with the class of 1888. He then became an apprentice in an architect's office and also pursued lectures along that line at Cornell Uni- versity in Ithaca, New York. In 1893 he became an independent follower of the profession, opening an office in Cleveland, where he met with immediate and gratifying success. He built and designed the Zion Lutheran church on Pros- pect avenue and also designed the business block at the corner of Superior and Madison street-a very difficult task but one which he successfully accomplished. He has put up many fine apartments and residences, continuing in the general lines of architecture, and is rated as one of the coming representatives of the pro- fession here. Already his business has become extensive, bringing to him well merited success.
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