A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 31

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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At the age of nineteen years Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Annie Nicholson, a daughter of Alexander Nicholson, and unto them were born eleven children, six sons and five daughters. Of this number four of the sons are deceased and one daughter has also passed away. The surviving sons, Alex- ander N. and Malcolm Peter, succeeded their father in the contracting business

ALEXANDER CAMPBELL

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and are now prominently known in this connection in this city. The daughters are Annie, Margaret, Jemima, Minnie and Johanna. Annie is the widow of Cap- tain Henry Johnson of Cleveland, and has eight children; Jemima is the wife of Isaac Kidd, of this city, and has four children; Johanna is the wife of H. P. McRassev, of Rosland, British Columbia, and has one child; and Minnie is Mrs. Charles Miner, of Cleveland, and has two children.

Mr. Campbell is very prominent in the Odd Fellows society and is now past grand of Cuyahoga lodge. In politics he is usually independent, voting as his judgment dictates without regard to the party affiliation of the candidates he sup- ports. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and he and his family occupy a pleasant home at No. 1854 West Fiftieth street. Mr. Campbell with his wife and two daughters visited his native land in 1886. As the years have gone by he has made judicious and extensive investment in property in and around Cleveland, of which Campbell block at the corner of Twenty-fifth and Superior streets constitutes a part. As he carried on his contracting business he watched his opportunity for judicious purchases of real estate and now derives his income largely from his property interests. His has been a well spent life in which industry and energy have constituted salient characteristics while in all this his honorable dealing has won him the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.

EDWARD P. STRONG.

Edward P. Strong, engaged in the general practice of law in Cleveland, where he has won local distinction in the trial of personal injury cases, is also financially and officially interested in several business corporations. He was born in this city, August 27, 1882, and is descended both in the paternal and the maternal lines from early settlers here, his two grandfathers, Andrew Strong and Jeremiah Fitzgerald, having taken up their abode in the Forest city when it had scarcely emerged from villagehood. Michael E. Strong, the father, was born in Cleveland in 1844, was a hardware merchant during the years of his active connection with the business in- terests of the city, served as a member of the board of education and was promi- nent in democratic circles. He served as a soldier in the Civil war, and six uncles of Edward P. Strong were likewise numbered among the defenders of the Union cause on the field of battle. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Katherine Fitzgerald, was born in Cleveland, February 16, 1857.

In the pursuit of his education Edward P. Strong attended Notre Dame Acade- my in Cleveland, also St. John's School and St. Ignatius College, in which he spent five years. He afterward entered the law school of the Western Reserve Uni- versity, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Law degree in 1904. The same year he was admitted to the bar and at once began practice. He has al- ways continued alone in his profession, and his rise has, therefore, resulted not from any aid or influence but from his own well developed powers. He has con- tinued in general practice, although he does considerable personal injury work. He has been accorded a good clientage, and the court records indicate his success in the trial of many notable cases. In commercial circles, too, he is recognized as a man of sound judgment and keen discrimination and is secretary of several cor- porations.

On the Ist of August, 1908, Mr. Strong was married to Miss Lillian Klein, of Cleveland, and they are favorably known in this city, where they have a large circle of friends. In politics Mr. Strong is an active republican. He did not follow in the political footsteps of his father but, giving careful consideration to the ques- tions and issues of the day and to governmental policy, came to the conclusion that the republican platform embodied the ideas most essential in the conduct of national affairs. He has been a delegate to many city and county conventions, and his words carry weight in local councils. A Catholic in religious belief, he belongs

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to St. Thomas Aquinas church. He is past exalted ruler of Cleveland Lodge, No. 18, B. P. O. E., and his name is on the membership rolls of Cleveland Aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Tuxedo Club, the Western Reserve Club, the Tip- pecanoe Club, and many others which indicate his appreciation of the social ameni- ties of life, while in more strictly professional lines he is connected with the Cleve- land Bar Association and the State Bar Association. He is one of the more suc- cessful among the younger lawyers of Cleveland, and in a profession where ad- vancement depends entirely upon individual merit he has made substantial and gratifying progress.

THOMAS H. HOGSETT.

Thomas H. Hogsett, for twenty-seven years a member of the Ohio bar, prac- ticing in Cleveland since 1895, now devotes his attention largely to corporation law, in which connection he has secured a large and distinctively representative clientage. A native of Highland county, Ohio, he was born May 17, 1858, a son of John N. and Hannah E. (Hughes) Hogsett. The father, a native of Ohio, devoted his active business life to farming and is now living retired in New Vi- enna, Ohio, at the age of seventy-seven years. For a long period he was justice of the peace and prominent in the affairs of the county. His wife was a daughter of John L. Hughes, who served several terms in the Ohio legislature and was well known as a merchant and farmer of Highland county. Her brother, Judge O. H. Hughes, is now a member of the Ohio Railroad Commission. On both the paternal and maternal sides Thomas H. Hogsett comes of Scotch-Irish an- cestry. His great-grandfather in the paternal line and his grandfather in the maternal line came from the north of Ireland, while both grandmothers were from Scotland and in the early days of Ohio's development the grandparents on both sides came to this state from Virginia.

Thomas H. Hogsett, the eldest in a family of seven children, was educated in the common schools until he had completed the high-school course and was then under the instruction of a private tutor for some time. Making choice of the profession of law as a life work he began study with Hon. Charles H. Collins, an attorney of Hillsboro, as his preceptor. Later he entered the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated in 1882 and the same year was admitted to the bar, but because of ill health did not begin practice until 1883 when he opened an office in Hillsboro. The following year he formed a partnership with Judge Albert G. Mathews, which continued until the death of the judge two years later. Mr. Hogsett then became associated in practice with Judge Samuel F. Steel, of Hillsboro, which connection was maintained until 1895 when he came to Cleveland and formed a partnership with Judge George B. Solders, with whom he remained for three years. On the expiration of that period he was appointed by Mayor Farley, a director of law for the city of Cleveland and held that office during the Farley administration, subsequent to which time he formed a partnership with M. B. and H. H. Johnson, which has since been maintained. During his connec- tion with this firm his attention has largely been devoted to corporation practice. The lawyer has come to be a silent partner in the great mercantile establishments and manufacturing industries of the country and molds and shapes the manage- ment of the great corporations. It is in this department of law that Mr. Hogsett now figures prominently.

Interested in all that pertains to public progress in municipal affairs he has endorsed and cooperated in many movements for the general welfare. For two terms he was a member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and for a time was connected with the Municipal Association. He was also a member of the committee of three to advise with the governor in the preparation of the municipal code during the administration of Governor Nash, and by ap-

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pointment of Governor Harris he served as a member of the Ohio tax commis- sion .. In all matters of public concern he works along the lines of practical reform and improvement, and his efforts have been far-reaching and effective.

On the 8th of June, 1883, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Hogsett wedded Miss 'Rebecca Jones, a daughter of Barclay Jones, formerly a merchant of Philadelphia and later a resident of Columbus, Nebraska. Mrs. Hogsett comes of Quaker stock and is a graduate of Swarthmore College, conducted under the auspices of the Friends Society. Two children have been born of this marriage: Edith, a graduate of Vassar College of the class of 1908, and Robert, now attending the Boys University at Cleveland. The family reside at Euclid Heights, where Mr. Hogsett has purchased a fine residence, and he also owns and operates a farm in the southern part of the state. He finds pleasure and rest from professional la- bors in golf and horseback riding and is a member of the Union, Euclid and Co- lumbus Clubs. He is also a member of the American, the Ohio and Cleveland Bar Associations and thus meets in social organization those with whom he is connected in professional relations. Giving his support to the democracy, he was formerly active in its ranks but now takes little part in political work. He belongs to the Calvary Presbyterian church, of which he is a trustee, and his influence is always found on the side of justice, truth and general improvement. While interested in all those concerns which are vital forces in the life of the present age he is preeminently a lawyer devoted to the interests of his clients and with a practice that is extensive and of an important character. His legal learning, his analytical mind, the readiness with which he grasps the points in an argument, all combine to make him one of the able lawyers of the Cleveland bar.

JOHN D. McCLAIN.

John D. McClain, serving for the fifth term as city councilman, in which con- nection he is rendering valuable service to the ninth ward as well as to the city in general through his support of practical and progressive public movements, was born in Hamilton, Ohio, January 12, 1865. His parents were John D. and Rebecca (Vaughn) McClain, also of Hamilton, where the father followed the machinist's trade until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted as a volunteer Union soldier and went to Louisville. There he became ill and was brought home. As soon as he had sufficiently recovered he proceeded again to the south, was taken ill the second time and died, thus laying down his life upon the altar of his country.

John D. McClain was a pupil of the public schools of Hamilton between the ages of six and fourteen years, when the necessity of providing for his own sup- port caused him to seek a situation. His first employment was in a flour mill where he remained one summer. He afterward worked for one year in the Niles Boiler Works, and the ability, mechanical ingenuity and executive force which he displayed secured for him the position of foreman with a leading con- tractor. In this connection he had charge of the building of the water works in Hamilton. In November, 1883, he came to Cleveland and entered the employ of the American Bronze Works as a laborer. There he continued for twenty-one years, during which time his ability won him recognition in successive promo- tions, and he advanced through various positions to that of superintendent of the company. In this connection large responsibilities devolved upon him, which his previous experience well qualified him to meet, and he remained as a valued representative of the company until October, 1904, when he resigned.

In the meantime Mr. McClain had become well known and popular as a citi- zen, and his fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth, called him to public office in April, 1901, when he was elected councilman from the first district comprising the section now included within the first, second, third and fourth wards. He

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was elected at the time Mayor Johnson was first chosen as chief executive of the city. After the new code went into effect the city was redistricted and divided into wards. Such was Mr. McClain's popularity that he was reelected and at each successive election has been called to the office until his service covers four terms as the councilman of what is now the ninth ward. He has exercised his official prerogatives in support of many projects and measures which are directly beneficial to the district in which he lives and to the city at large. He devotes his time and energies to the discharge of his financial duties, serving on various important committees as one of the most efficient as well as one of the most popular aldermen of Cleveland.

On the Ist of February, 1883, Mr. McClain was married to Miss Adda L. Rankin, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah L. (McComb) Rankin, of Hamilton, Ohio. Her father is a well known conductor on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & In- dianapolis Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. McClain have one daughter, Bessie M., now the wife of Clarence L. Thompson, of the Burrows Book Company.

Mr. McClain belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and possesses a social, genial nature, with tact that enables him to place anyone at ease in his presence. He displays himself great adaptability in meeting with different classes and this, combined with his thorough understanding of political problems, enables him to give effective service to the republican party and, through the office which he holds, to the city in general.

CHARLES E. KAPITZKY.

It is a recognized fact that progress in the business world in this age where competition is rife and energy a dominant force is won at the cost of persistent and indefatigable effort. The record which the American citizens holds in high- est regard is that of the man who has been the architect and builder of his own fortunes. Such is the record of Charles E. Kapitzky, the treasurer of the Stowe- Fuller Company, of Cleveland. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, April 18, 1868. His father, Rudolph Kapitzky, was born in 1832 and was a native of Germany. He came to America in 1856 and engaged in farming and stock rais- ing. The mother bore the maiden name of Mary Meyers.

In the public schools Charles E. Kapitzky acquired his elementary education, which was supplemented by study in the Mount Union College and the Spen- cerian Business College. After putting aside his text-books he engaged for a time in teaching school, but thinking to find a more profitable field of labor in commercial circles he became interested in general merchandising at Strasburg, Ohio. In 1897 he sought the wider opportunties of the city and came to Cleve- land, accepting the position of bookkeeper with the Stowe-Fuller Company, with which he has since been connected, his fidelity and capability winning him recog- nition in various promotions until he eventually became assistant treasurer, while in 1904 he was elected treasurer of the company. His fertility of resource and his intelligent appreciation of opportunity have made him a valued factor in busi- ness circles and his career has been characterized by a steady progress as each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunity. He is now associated with various corporate interests, being treasurer of the Federal Refractories Company, treasurer of the National Fire Brick Company, treasurer of the Minor Fire Brick Company and president of the Citizens Bank of Stras- burg, Ohio.

Mr. Kapitzky has found stimulus for his business activity in providing for an attractive family. He was married May 30, 1900, to Miss Myrtle Kuhn, a dangh- ter of Reymer and Ida (Cline) Kuhn, of Shelby, Ohio. They have two chil- dren, Helen and George, who occupy with them a pleasant home at No. 2 Rosa- lind avenue, East Cleveland. The parents hold membership in the East Cleveland

C. E. KAPITZKY

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Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Kapitzky belongs also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of the commandery, the consistory and the Mystic Shrine. Motoring and outdoor sports occupy much of his leisure time but the hours of business find him an alert, energetic man, watchful of every opportunity point- - , ing to honorable success and utilizing each advantage to the utmost-which is the secret of all substantial progress in commercial circles.

JAMES H. GRISWOLD.

The activity of James H. Griswold covers various lines and makes him a prominent factor in the life and interests of Cleveland. He is now practicing law as senior partner of the firm of Griswold & White, and is legal and financial representative of various important corporations. He has also been a recognized factor in republican ranks, while further investigation into his history shows that he is descended from an ancestry honorable and distinguished. He was born in Hartsgrove, Ashtabula county, Ohio, January 27, 1873. In tracing the ancestral history of the family it is found that Edward Griswold, who was born in Kenil- worth, England, in 1607, came to the United States in 1635 with his brother, Mathew Griswold and the Rev. Ephraim Huit, an eminent divine. From these brothers are descended all of the Griswolds in America and among their de- scendants have been large land owners and men prominent in the affairs of Con- necticut. The death of Edward Griswold occurred in 1691 after he had taken an active and helpful part in promoting the interests of the colony durings its form- ative period. His son, George Griswold, born in Windsor, Connecticut, in 1633, was extensively engaged in farming, owned a mill on the Connecticut river, and died in 1704. He was the father of Daniel Griswold, who was born in Wind- sor in 1656, and died in 1728. The next in the line of direct descent was Ensign Nathaniel Griswold, who was born in Windsor in 1684, served as an officer in the French and Indian war and died in 1753. His son, Nathaniel Griswold, who was born in 1742 and died in 1800, was the father of Nathaniel Griswold, whose birth occurred in 1773. He became the founder of the family in Ohio, removing from New England to Windsor, this state, in 1830, his death occurring later in the same year. He was accompanied to the middle west by his son, Nathaniel Wells Griswold, who was born in 1800 and died in 1873. He was one of the leading pioneer settlers of Ashtabula county, Ohio, was a prominent representative of the Masonic fraternity, gave his political allegiance to the democracy and held a number of local offices. In fact he was one of the leading and honored factors in community life for many years. His son, Henry F. Griswold, father of James H. Griswold, was born in Windsor, Ohio, March 8, 1840, and devoted his life to the occupation of farming. He, too, was a leading and much respected citizen of the community, who served as justice of the peace and was also a member of the board of education for many years, and passed away in 1907. Two of the descendants of Mathew Griswold, the brother of Edward Griswold, the founder of the branch of the family to which our subject belongs, became governors of Connecticut. These were Roger Griswold, Sr., who was governor in 1784, and his son, Roger Griswold, Jr., who became governor in 1814. In the direct line of James H .. Griswold's ancestry was Bishop Alexander Viets Griswold, who was bishop of all New England for many years. Nathaniel Griswold, the great- great-grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving with the rank of sergeant. There were eighteen Griswolds, residents of the town of Windsor, Connecticut, who enlisted for active service in the war for in- dependence.

Henry F. Griswold was united in marriage to Miss Susannah Laird, who was born in Mesopotamia, Ohio, November 25, 1841, and died September 22,

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1901. She was a daughter of James Laird, whose birth occurred in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1809. He followed the occupation of farming as a life work and passed away in 1873.

James H. Griswold pursued his preliminary education in the district schools of his native county and afterward attended New Lyme Institute, in Ashtabula county, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree in 1892. He afterward engaged in teaching in a high school and was superintendent of schools at Windsor, Ohio, for two years. For the further improvement of his education he attended Oberlin College, where he won the Bachelor of Arts degree on graduation with the class of 1898. His law course was pursued in the Western Reserve University, where he was graduated in 1901 with the Bachelor of Law degree. He at once began practice in the office of Judge Alexander Had- den, of Cleveland, Ohio, and after a year was admitted to partnership, the re- lations between them continuing until Mr. Hadden was appointed probate judge in 1905. Mr. Griswold then entered into the present partnership as senior mem- ber of the firm of Griswold & White, and is engaged in general practice. His knowledge of the law is comprehensive and he is seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of a legal principle. He gives to his clients the benefit of unwearied industry and to the profession the benefit of great talent. His ideals concerning the purposes of the profession are high, and these he will never sacrifice for monetary gains. He is, however, a successful and prosperous lawyer and busi- ness man and is now financially interested in many important industrial and com- mercial concerns, being a director of The Lane Tool Company, The Lagron Coal & Supply Company, The Prosser Engineering Company, The Roll Manufactur- ing Company, The Public Hand Laundry Company, and The Kling Realty Com- pany, all of which benefit by his business discernment and legal knowledge.

On the 30th of September, 1902, Mr. Griswold was married to Miss Hope Erwin, a daughter of William and Jane (Cooper) Erwin, and they have two children, Erwin Nathaniel, born July 14, 1904, and James Wells, born June 5, 1909.

Mr. Griswold is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is interested in all matters pertaining to municipal progress. He gives earnest support to the republican party, and from 1904 to 1906 served as a member of the council of East Cleveland. He has frequently been a delegate to conventions of the party, and he is equally active in church work as a member of the Windermere Presby- terian church. His record reflects credit upon that of an honored ancestry, and his activities have always been in lines where success depends upon individual merit and capability.

ROLLIN T. HOLDEN.

Although Rollin T. Holden passed away in 1902, he is yet remembered as one who was very active in municipal affairs. He served for several terms as a mem- ber of the city council but, whether in office or out of it, was most loyal to the pub- lic good and recognized the opportunities for advancement. His influence was al- ways on the side of public progress, and his labors were effective, beneficial and far-reaching. As a business man, too, he was well known, for many years con- ducting a wholesale enterprise as a dealer in paint and oils. His birth occurred in the little village of Geneva, Ohio, in 1846, and he was three years of age when, in 1849, his parents removed to Cleveland, where he acquired a good education in the public schools and prepared himself for a practical business life by a course in the Spencerian Business College. He had just finished his studies when the call to arms was heard, for the Confederacy had made the attempt to overthrow the Union by firing upon Fort Sumter. Mr. Holden, although then but fifteen years of age, offered his services to the government and joined the Eighth United States

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Infantry. Few volunteers have seen harder service, and none has ever been more loyal to the old flag. Although a mere boy in years and in physique, Mr. Holden never absented himself a day from his regiment from the time of his enlistment in 1861 until he was mustered out in 1867. The extreme exposure and hardships which he endured had their effect upon him, later disabling him for some years. After his return, when the condition of his health had improved, he turned his at- tention to business interests, and his good judgment, wise investments and upright dealing brought him success. For some time he was engaged in the manufacture of cabinets for sewing machines but later sold out to Theodore Kuntz and subse- quently turned his attention to the wholesale paint and oil business, building up an extensive and profitable enterprise on Frankfort street. He closely studied the trade, carried a stock which he knew would meet the public demands and as the years passed by was accorded an extensive and growing patronage that made his one of the profitable enterprises of the district.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 31

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