USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II > Part 32
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In 1879 Mr. Holden was united in marriage to Miss Alice E. Bucher, who was born in Massillon, Ohio, and came to Cleveland with her parents. Her father, Wil- liam Bucher, was senior partner of the firm of Bucher, Adams & Goodspeed, who for many years were well known shoe manufacturers of this city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holden were born four children: Alice, the wife of R. M. Groch; one died in infancy ; Mrs. Beulah Bluim; and Rollin T. Mr. Holden's interests cen- tered in his family, and he always regarded as his most pleasant hours those which he spent in the companionship of his wife and children. A resident of Cleveland from his early childhood days, his interest in the welfare and progress of the city was deep and sincere and found manifestation in many tangible and resultant ef- forts for the public good. In politics he was always a stalwart republican, never faltering in his allegiance to the party. He was elected to the city council from the old sixteenth ward in 1884, and his service proved so valuable that he was re- elected in 1886 and again in 1888. He was one of the best informed officials of Cleveland in general municipal affairs, and his integrity in all public matters as in business and in private life was above question. He belonged to the Union and Colonial Clubs and was popular with his associates in those organizations. His pronounced traits of character were of a most sterling quality, and when he was called to his final rest on the 4th of April, 1902, Cleveland lost a representative and valued citizen, his associates, a trustworthy friend and his family, a devoted husband and father.
HARRY BERTOLETTE KURTZ, M. D.
Dr. Harry B. Kurtz is a prominent and well known representative of the med- ical fraternity in Cleveland, giving special attention to diseases of the skin. His birth occurred in Washingtonville, Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 14th of April, 1870, his parents being James Roland and Emma Amelia ( Bertolette) Kurtz, who were natives of West Chester and Hubbard, Ohio, respectively. Throughout his entire business career the father was actively engaged in general agricultural pur- suits at New Philadelphia, Ohio, where his demise occurred in the fall of 1907, when he was sixty-five years of age. His wife was called to her final rest in 1888 at the age of forty-four years.
Harry B. Kurtz completed his course in the New Philadelphia high school, when eighteen years of age, and then took up the study of medicine in the office of his uncle, Dr. James B. Bertolette, under whose direction he read for one year. During the spring of 1890 he was a student in the medical department of the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, which he reentered in the following Sep- tember for a three years' course. He was graduated therefrom on the Ist of March, 1893, and immediately entered upon the active practice of his profession in partnership with his uncle. During the winter of 1893-4 he attended the New
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York polyclinic, while the winter of 1900 was spent at the Chicago polyclinic. In 1901 he sold his partnership interest and spent nine months traveling through Mexico, California and Alaska, visiting Valdez, Yakutat and also the Copper River country of Alaska. Upon his return, in the fall of 1902, he located in Cleve- land, and this city has since remained the scene of his professional activities. He has given much attention to skin diseases and in 1910 intends taking a trip to Eu- rope, where he will devote several months to special work in dermatology, with a view to making a specialty of that science in the future. In the winter of 1902, owing to the illness of Dr. Guy B. Case, then professor of dermatology in the Cleveland College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Kurtz was invited by the faculty to take his class. He accepted the offer and has since taught that subject there, going through the various stages and titles until he was made professor of dermatology in the spring of 1909. He is a member of the staff of St. Luke's Hos- pital and the Cleveland City Hospital, and is medical examiner for the National Life Insurance Company. That he keeps in touch with the profession in its ad- vancement, experimentation and experience is indicated through his membership in the Cleveland Academy of Medicine, the Cleveland Medical Library Associa- tion, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
On the 21st of June, 1899, at Elkhart, Indiana, Dr. Kurtz was united in mar- riage to Miss Eva M. Hazelton, a daughter of Walter S. Hazelton, a banker of that city. They now have two children, Walter H. and Robert W., aged eight and four years respectively.
Dr. Kurtz has attained high rank in Masonry, being a member of Woodward Lodge, Mckinley Chapter, Oriental Commandery and Al Koran Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is very fond of motoring and fishing, and these sports afford him much needed rest and recreation. His home is at No. 20 Rosalind avenue, East Cleveland. In his practice he ever maintains the highest standard of professional ethics, gaining thereby the unqualified respect and good will of his professional brethren.
WILLIAM EGGERS.
William Eggers, who as a sewer contractor won in his business life success that indicated his ability and determination, in that he started out empty-handed, was born near Hanover, Germany, on the 16th of July, 1845. He became a resi- dent of Cleveland in 1870 and here continued until his death, which occurred on the 20th of August, 1907.
Mr. Eggers was a son of Henrich and Minnie Eggers, who were born in the vicinity of Hanover and were well known farming people there. Their son ac- quired his education in the schools of the province, which he attended until six- teen years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the stone-mason's trade, to which he devoted his time and energies until he attained his majority. It was in 1864 that he crossed the Atlantic to America, settling first in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed the stone-mason's trade for six years. In 1870 he came to Cleveland, where he engaged in the liquor business for fourteen years, and then selling out began sewer contracting, which undertaking claimed his time and ener- gies until his demise. He was awarded many important contracts and employed a large force of workmen. He was truly a self-made man in that the success he achieved was attributable entirely to his own efforts. He was widely and promi- nently known in German circles and had many friends among the German-Ameri- can element in the city. He was preeminently, however, a home man and most devoted to his family.
On the 25th of June, 1870, in Cincinnati, Mr. Eggers was married to Miss Hen- rietta Wakford, a daughter of Jacob and Angelica (Barbee) Wakford, of Geld- heim, Bavaria, who were prominent representatives of agricultural life in that locality. Mrs. Eggers was born in Bavaria in 1840 and came alone to America
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WILLIAM EGGERS
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when thirteen years of age, making her home in this country with her grandpar- ents. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eggers were born three daughters: Eva, the wife of Paul Burke, of Cleveland; Minnie, the wife of William Schmidt, of this city; and Ida. the wife of Frank Brigaman, also of Cleveland. In his political views Mr. Eggers was a republican and gave unfaltering support to the party but did not seek nor desire public office. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and other organizations, and manifested in his life many of the sterling and conspicu- ous traits of the German race-qualities which found him favor with the people of his own nationality.
OLE MARTIN FRIESTAD.
Ole Martin Friestad, Norwegian vice consul at Cleveland, was born at Aren- dal, Norway, November 11, 1868. His father, Christian A. Friestad, is also a native of that country and a son of Amund Friestad. He wedded Caroline Han- sen, a daughter of Ole and Margaret (Sum) Hanson, the latter a representative of the Sum family that has played a very important part in the history of Den- mark.
It was in the year 1882 that Christian A. Friestad came with his family to the new world and took up his abode in Cleveland. His son, Ole M. Friestad, had pur- sued his early education in the public schools of his native country and later at- tended the public schools of this city. After putting aside his text-books he se- cured a position as messenger with the Western Union Telegraph Company and later was promoted to telephone clerk, night clerk and on through various posi- tions until he became chief bookkeeper. In 1892 he became a member of the Fifth Regiment of the Ohio National Guard and served as an officer of that or- ganization during the Spanish-American war, being commissioned battalion ser- geant major. He continued with the army through the period of the war and was mustered out November 5, 1898. He is now a member of Camp Major Cramer of the Spanish-American War Veterans. In June, 1906, he was ap- pointed vice consul of his native country at Cleveland and has since served in that capacity in a most satisfactory manner, wisely representing the interests of Nor- way at this point.
On the 19th of April, 1904, Mr. Friestad was married to Miss Charlotte Toon, a daughter of Charles and Eliza (Wade) Toon, of Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Friestad are both members of St. James Episcopal church. Mrs. Friestad is very active in the charitable work of the church and in various benevo- lent lines and is a member of the house committee of the Home for Crippled Children. She is also prominently known in social circles. He is interested in sailing and bowling and for many years was one of the leading yachtsmen of the Cleveland Yacht Club. Both Mr. and Mrs. Friestad have a very wide circle of friends here, and their own home at No. 2993 East Seventy-fifth street is ever open for the hospitable reception of those whom they meet socially.
LOUIS GRIESSER.
Louis Griesser, sales manager for the Cleveland Electrical Supply Company, was born in this city December 28, 1876. His father, Constantine Griesser, was a native of Germany and came to this city in 1868. For many years he was here engaged in the confectionery and bakery business and still resides in this city but is now living retired. He married Victoria Metzger, who was also.of German birth and died in 1896 at the age of forty-two years.
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Spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, Louis Griesser pur- sued his education in the Mayflower school and afterward made his entrance into business life in connection with the Cleveland Electrical Manufacturing Com- pany. He was with that company for twelve years, during which time he gained broad and comprehensive knowledge of the business and then withdrew to start out upon an independent venture. He founded the Commercial Electric Com- pany, of which he was made the general manager, controlling its interests until 1902 when this company was consolidated with the Cleveland Electrical Supply Company, and he became sales manager of the latter. He has since had charge of the sales department and his position is one of large responsibility for the trade of the house is continually growing.
On the 14th of November, 1903, Mr. Griesser was married to Miss Amelia Simon and they reside at No. 1189 East Eighty-seventh street. Mr. Griesser gives his political allegiance to the republican party where national issues are before the people but casts an independent local ballot. He finds recreation from arduous labor in sailing and fishing and for a number of years was an active member of the Cleveland Yacht Club. He is preeminently a business man, how- ever, his success being the direct outcome of hard labor, close application and keen discrimination. By the exercise of those qualities he has steadily worked his way upward. He finds delight in gardening and is a lover of flowers, having many fine plants at his home. Having always lived in Cleveland, he has a wide acquaintance here and there is no more indisputable evidence of a well spent life than is to be found in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
GEORGE FRANKLIN BOWMAN.
George Franklin Bowman, who at the time of his death was recognized as one of the leading business men and merchants of the west side of Cleveland, was born near Huntington, Ohio, March 27, 1839, a son of George Runyons and Orpha Angeline Bowman. The father was a Methodist minister and became one of the early circuit riders of this part of the country, taking active and helpful interest in promoting moral progress in the community in the early days when most of the settlers were widely scattered, but when the spirit of helpfulness and religious in- terest was a salient feature in the life of the community.
Reared amid frontier environments, George Franklin Bowman pursued his ed- ucation in the schools of Newburg, enjoying good opportunities in that direction that well qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. His youthful days were spent in the family home which still stands at Woodland Hills and Miles avenues and is one of the landmarks of the southern section of the city. He was a youth of exceptionally good habits, of such characteristics that old and young, rich and poor alike entertained for him friendly regard. He started in the business world as an employe of W. D. Baker on Superior street and there ac- quainted himself with the news and stationery business. In that field he continued when he started in business on his own account, opening a store on the Detroit street hill. He afterward removed to Pearl and Detroit streets, where he con- tinued in business for a quarter of a century, and about six or seven years prior to his demise he established a store at Nos. 417-421 Pearl street. Each change indicated a substantial growth in his business, and with the passing years he be- came one of the best known and most popular business men on the west side. The volume of his trade was exclusive and the attractive line of goods which he carried, combined with his reasonable prices and thorough reliability, constituted the source of his ever increasing and substantial success.
On the 31st of December, 1863, Mr. Bowman was united in marriage in New- burg to Miss Sarah Albertene Burgett, and unto them were born two sons and a
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daughter. Homer Preston, the eldest, was married July 18, 1896, to Anna Martha Reuss, who is now deceased, and they had one child, Homer Reuss Bowman, born April 18, 1900. Frank Burgett was married June 23, 1908, to Ada Reading. Edith Bowman became the wife of Albert Grant Langell February 9, 1893, and has one son, Dudley Bowman Langell, born April 28, 1895.
Mr. Bowman gave his political support to the republican party and was post- master for several years, filling the office when the carriers were placed on the west side, at which time there were only four in his employ. He was well known in Masonic circles, holding membership in Halcyon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Thatcher Chapter, R. A. M., Forest City Commandery, K. T., and El Koran Tem- ple of the Mystic Shrine. He used his influence for every good enterprise and re- mained an active factor in the business circles of this city until about three weeks prior to his death, when he became ill with typhoid fever and passed away No- vember 21, 1901. He belonged to that class of citizens whose force.of character constitutes the basic element in success. He wisely used his time and talents, met the confidence of his fellowmen with the highest principles of honor and business integrity and as the years went by made a record which is deserving of com- mendable mention in the history of Cleveland's representative business men.
HENRY HAINES.
On the roll of men who have figured prominently and honorably in connec- tion with the business activities and public interests of Cleveland is found the name of Henry Haines, who was well known in the Forest city in real-estate and banking circles. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in York county on the 30th of September, 1826, and was, therefore, a young man of about twenty- five years when he removed to Ohio, settling first in Springfield. He had previ- ously acquired his education in the schools of his native state, and in 1851 he sought business opportunities in the Buckeye state. For about a year he remained in Springfield and in 1852 came to Cleveland, settling on Woodland avenue and living there and on Kinsman road for some time. He afterward erected a fine residence on Bolivar road, where he spent his remaining days, continuing a resi- dent of this city until called to his final rest on the 14th of November, 1879. In 1872 he purchased a tract of land at what is now Ninety-seventh and adjacent streets, subdivided the same and sold it off in building lots. He was one of the organizers of the old Everett & Weddle Bank but devoted most of his attention to handling and developing real estate, in which connection he contributed in large measure to the growth, progress and improvement of the city.
Mr. Haines was numbered for a considerable period with the foremost resi- dents of Cleveland, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was one of the most devoted and consistent members of the old First Methodist Episcopal church, acted as treasurer during the construction of its house of worship, and when he passed away the church lost one of its most valuable representatives. Often while acting as church treasurer he advanced the money out of his own pocket to carry on some project or line of church work, biding his time until the congregation could reimburse him for the outlay. He dealt justly with all men, and while he believed that honesty is the best policy he was actuated in his business life by a still higher principle-Christian faith and his desire to follow the teachings of the Holy Scriptures. In politics he was a republican. He was neglectful of no duty of citizenship nor unmindful of any obligation that devolved upon him, and his upright, honorable life gave him a firm hold on the affection of his fellowmen.
The fine old home on Bolivar road was occupied by the family for over a half century. It was on the 6th of March, 1850, that he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Leber and unto them were born two children, but the son.
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Harry Haines, who was the younger, is now deceased. The daughter is Mrs. Clara A. Hower. The wife and mother survived her husband for about two years and passed away in 1883.
The daughter is, therefore, the only surviving member of the family at the present writing, in 1909. Reared in Cleveland she was married in 1874 to Jeremiah M. Hower, Jr., a native of Wooster, Ohio, who for years was the efficient bookkeeper for the firm of Hower & Higbee. Later he engaged in orange culture in Florida and subsequently went to Colorado, where he died Jan- uary 9, 1907. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hower was born a son, Henry Haines Hower, a graduate of the Central high school, who is now advertising manager of the F. B. Stearns Automobile Company and a rising young man.
Mrs. Hower is a member of the Early Historical Association. Having spent her entire life in this city, she has been a witness of much of its growth and development. She was a pupil at the old Mayflower School and remembers the day when the first street car was run in Cleveland. She is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and she has a large circle of friends in this city, the hospitality of many of the best homes of Cleveland being freely accorded her. Her own home is a favorite resort with her many friends and is most attractive by reason of its air of culture and refinement.
ORVILLE BIRD SKINNER.
Orville Bird Skinner was numbered among the native sons of Cleveland who have spent their entire lives in the city. Through the period of infancy, boyhood and manhood he continued to make his home here and his sterling traits of character as manifested in his business activity and in his citizenship, won him the friendly regard and high esteem of all with whom he came in contact. His birth occurred in the old family residence which stood for many years at the corner of Champaign and Ontario streets and his father, O. B. Skinner, was the auditor of Cuyahoga county at one time and was very active in the early affairs of the city, doing not a little to shape public progress and mold the destiny of Cleveland in its formative period. He died here September 4, 1834, at the early age of thirty-six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha St. John, died on the IIth of March, 1850, when seventy-six years of age. He was widely known among the pioneer merchants of the city.
Orville B. Skinner, whose name introduces this review, was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the early schools of Cleveland. As the years passed he watched with interest the progress of events that marked the city's upbuilding and growth. He was connected with railroad interests during the early part of his life where his ability won him promotions from subordinate positions to a place of prominence. At one time he was traffic manager of the Big Four, but for fifteen years prior to his death he was retired from active business because of his health.
On the 24th of December, 1855, Mr. Skinner was united in marriage to Miss Helen Campbell and unto them were born three children: O. C., who is now living in Pennsylvania ; Helen Campbell ; and John Devereaux. Mr. Skinner was devoted to the welfare and happiness of his wife and children, his interest centering in his home while his best efforts were put forth for the welfare of his family. He was prominent in Masonry and attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. For a long period he served as vestryman of Trinity Episcopal church and took a most active and helpful part in its work and contributed generously to its support. In municipal affairs Mr. Skinner was deeply interested and his influence was always given on the side of civic improvement. He was very domestic in his habits and yet he was neglectful of no duty toward the public or to his fellowmen. He was ever ready to extend a helping hand to those in
ORVILLE B. SKINNER
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need or to bestow charity as the occasion required. An honorable and ever an upright man, to him was paid the deference which the world ever instinctively extends to those whose lives are largely blameless and are actuated by high ideals. Mrs. Skinner still resides in Cleveland and enjoys a very wide acquaintance here, the warm regard of all who know her being freely accorded her.
DAVID MARINE, M.D.
Dr. David Marine, instructor in experimental medicine in the Western Reserve University Medical College, was born in Whiteleysburg, Maryland, September 20, 1880. His parents, David and Mary E. (Neal) Marine, were both natives of Sussex county, Delaware, and are now deceased. The father was a farmer merchant at Whiteleysburg, where he continued until his death in 1884. The family is of English descent and of long residence in Sussex county, Delaware, where they were agriculturists as well as in England.
Dr. Marine pursued his education in the public schools of Caroline county, Maryland, until fourteen years of age. He afterward attended the Western Maryland College at Westminster and was graduated in 1900 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. Five years later his alma mater conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree. He spent five years in study in the Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore, from which he was graduated in 1905 with his medical degree, and on the Ist of July of the same year he came to Cleveland, acting as resident pathologist to Lakeside Hospital until October 1, 1906. He then accepted an appointment in the medical department of the Western Reserve University as demonstrator of pathology, which position he still fills, and on the Ist of Octo- ber, 1907, he was also made instructor of experimental medicine. In this uni- versity he has been continuously engaged in research work and is thus closely associated with professional advancement by reason of his studies concerning the thyroid gland, on which subject he has been a frequent contributor to medical journals.
Dr. Marine holds membership with the Cleveland Academy of Medi- cine, the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Cleveland Medical Library Association and the Society for the Advancement of Science. He is deeply interested in scientific research, especially along the line of his profession, and has gained a recognition that is seldom accorded one of his years for the work that he has done in this connection.
LOUIS KOEHL.
Louis Koehl has been engaged in business on his own account in Cleveland for twenty-three years and is now proprietor of an extensive hardware store at No. 2321 Ontario street, through to No. 2262 East Fourth street. He pos- sesses many of the strong and sterling characteristics of his Teutonic ancestry, for as the name indicates he comes of German parentage, being a son of Valen- tine and Katherine (Wenz) Koehl, both of whom were natives of Germany. The subject of this review was born in Columbus, October 28, 1862, and was only about a year old when the family removed to Ashland, Ohio, where he acquired his education as a pupil in the public schools. He entered business life when a youth of fifteen years, being employed in a hardware store at Ashland, and his faithfulness and capability find tangible evidence in the fact that he there re- mained until twenty-two years of age. Thinking to find broader business oppor- tunities in the larger city he came to Cleveland on the 15th of November, 1884. He was then made salesman for Davidson Brothers & Company, hardware mer-
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