USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II > Part 35
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Joseph Henry Snow pursued his early education in the schools of his native state and in 1854 accompanied his parents to Albany, where he continued his studies for several years. Ambitious to obtain further education he worked his way through Albany College, and at the age of sixteen years he left home and went to Huron, Ohio, where he accepted a position in a country store. He spent six or eight months there and then returned to the Empire state. He was but seventeen years of age when at Gloversville, New York, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, responding to the country's call for troops on the 19th of Aug- ust, 1861, when he was enrolled as a member of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment of New York Volunteers. He was connected with the army for three years but did not do active duty in the field of battle, his service being that of correspondent for the company and regiment. After the war he entered the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of Albany and for six years remained in that employ as bookkeeper and cashier.
It was in the year 1872 that Mr. Snow came to Cleveland, settling on Church street with his family, after which he entered the stove business in connection with his brother-in-law, J. J. Parsons. Four years thus passed, and the firm be- came involved in the widespread financial panic and was forced to discontinue business. Mr. Snow then accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Cleveland Box Company, with whom he continued for a year, and then entered the insurance
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business, acting as treasurer for the Equitable Life Insurance Company for six years. In 1894 he became connected with the Masonic Mutual Insurance Com- pany, succeeding W. D. Folsom as manager. Nine years passed in that connec- tion, and he then retired from active business in 1903, but he could find no pleas- ure in absolute leisure and therefore continued in business to a limited extent in his own home.
On the 24th of January, 1866, in Huron, Ohio, Mr. Snow was married to Miss Anna E. Smith, a daughter of Reuben and Lucretia (Fox) Smith. The father came from Hartford, Connecticut, and was a well known lake captain, sailing between Huron, Cleveland and Buffalo. The mother was a representative of a prominent old family of Fredonia, New York. Simeon Fox, the grandfather of Mrs. Snow, served in the Revolutionary war and lived to enjoy the fruits of liberty for a long period, spending his last days in Fredonia, New York. The children of Mr. and Mrs Snow are: Charles Joseph, secretary of the Bruce-Mc- Beth Engine Company, of Cleveland, who was born in Albany in 1867 and mar- ried Marie Knauff, of Cleveland, by whom he has two children, Wallace J. and Lois K .; George A., a court stenographer of Cleveland, who was born in Albany in 1869 and married Georgiana Hunt, of Boston, by whom he has one child, Doro- thy A .; Fannie, who passed away at the age of three years ; Frank who died when nine months old; and Edith, born in Cleveland in 1878, who became the wife of Lloyd Wellington Sanborn, connected with the Bruce-McBeth Engine Company, by whom she had two children, Katherine and Marjorie S., of whom the first named is now deceased.
In his political views Mr. Snow was a stalwart republican and kept well in- formed on questions and issues of the day. He held membership in the First Congregational church, and his life was an adequate expression of the Christian faith and belief. He closely followed the teachings of Him who came not to be ministered unto but to minister, was kindly in action, generous in spirit and chari- table in his judgments. He also exemplified in his life the beneficent spirit of the Masonic fraternity and stood high in Masonic circles, holding membership in Forest City Commandery, K. T., in the Consistory and in El Koran Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He possessed a wonderful memory, so that the lessons of life proved of value to him. His example shows what may be accomplished by deter- mined and enterprising spirit, for he was a self-made man who, without special advantages at the outset of his career, won success as the years went by through the wise use of the opportunities that came to him. His friends appreciated his loyalty, his city benefited by his support of progressive public measures, and his business associates honored him for his commercial integrity. But his best traits of character were reserved for his own home and fireside, and when he was called to his final rest August 18, 1906, his death was deeply deplored by all with whom he came in contact but mostly by those of his own household who suffered the loss of a loving and devoted husband and father.
CHARLES S. BEARDSLEY.
Charles S. Beardsley, a successful attorney of Cleveland, conducting a practice in the various courts of the city, was born in Buchanan, Michigan, November 12, 1875. His father, Solomon L. Beardsley, who was a manufacturer there, died March 17, 1906, while the mother, Mrs. Martha (Foster) Beardsley, is still liv- ing. After acquiring his education in the public schools of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Charles S. Beardsley engaged in teaching in the district schools, between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one years. He also devoted one year to a special course of study in Kalamazoo College. Afterward he spent three years in the literary and law departments of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor,
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completing the law course by graduation in 1899, at which time he received the Bachelor of Law degree.
Coming at once to Cleveland Mr. Beardsley was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1900 and to practice in the United States courts in 1902. He entered upon his professional career here in the law office of Bentley & Vickery and a year later entered upon general practice alone. When another year had passed he formed a partnership with R. M. Morgan, that has since continued. He has never specialized in any particular line but has continued in the general practice of law with a comprehensive knowledge of all departments of jurisprudence. He never fails to give careful preparation and seems to possess a natural discrimina- tion as to legal ethics, while in the presentation of his cases he never fails to recognize the main points at issue.
On the 4th of June, 1904, in this city, Mr. Beardsley was married to Miss Ada Malloy, a daughter of John D. Malloy, of Cleveland. They are members of the Emmanuel Episcopal church, and Mr. Beardsley gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is inter- ested in its various movements for the benefit and welfare of the city. He holds membership in the Cleveland Bar Association and in more specifically social lines is connected with the Athletic Club, the Indiana Society and the Westwood Golf Club, golf furnishing his principal source of recreation. Modest and retiring in disposition, quiet and reserved in manner, he has nevertheless through his genuine worth of character gained a firm hold on the friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact.
WALTER CHARLES BAKER.
Walter Charles Baker is the president of the American Ball Bearing Com- pany, the largest enterprise of its kind in the United States. This position he has attained within the comparatively short space of fourteen years for it was in 1895 that he completed his school course and made his initial step in the business world. He was born in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, June 27, 1868. His mother, Mrs. J. R. Baker, is still living in Cleveland. Her maiden name was Jeannette R. Hall, and she is a native of Brattleboro, Vermont. In the Green Mountain state, in 1859, she married G. W. Baker, and they became the parents of a son and a daughter, Walter C., and Ida, now the wife of Frank Cody, a business man of Canada. Mrs. Baker was one of the charter members of the Dorcas Society of Cleveland and has been very active in the organization up to the present time.
Walter C. Baker largely acquired his education in the public schools of Cleve- land, becoming a resident of this city in 1870. He also attended the Case School of Applied Science, pursuing a course in mechanical and civil engineering and after leaving school entered the railway service, becoming connected with the engineering department of the Valley Railroad. He acted for a short time as chief engineer and then returned to school, completing his course with the class of 1890. For three years thereafter he was engaged in civil engineering and on the expiration of that period entered the service of the Cleveland Machine Screw Company as assistant engineer, being the assistant to John J. Grant for one year. In 1895 he organized the American Ball Bearing Company and became its first president. In this connection he has given his attention to the manu- facture of many new and original devices and in 1899 produced the first Baker Electric Vehicle. He served until 1906 as the vice president and mechanical en- gineer of the Baker Electric Vehicle Company. The American Ball Bearing Company, to which he now largely gives undivided attention, is the largest in- stitution of the kind in the United States, producing a general line of ball-bear- ing parts for all makes of automobiles. He is also the president of the Matthews Boat Company, of Port Clinton, Ohio.
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WALTER C. BAKER
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Mr. Baker is identified with several organizations which draw their mem- bership from the ranks of those who are prominent in engineering circles. He is a member of the Engineers' Club of New York and also of the Civil and Elec- trical Engineers' Club of Cleveland. He is interested in the city, its adornment and its improvement, through the promotion of its commercial and industrial interests, in his membership in the Chamber of Commerce. He belongs to the Union Club, to the Cleveland Athletic Club, to the Automobile Club and to the Lakewood Yacht Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith finds expression in his attendance at the Unity church.
Mr. Baker was married October 27, 1891, to Miss Fannie E. White, a daugh- ter of Rollin C. and Elizabeth (Warren) White, of Cleveland. Mrs. Baker is a graduate of the Hathaway-Brown School and is well known in the art and musi- cal circles of the city. She is also interested in the affairs of the Unity church and its charities, is intersted in the Children's Fresh Air Camp, and does active service in connection with other benevolences. Mr. and Mrs. Baker reside at Clifton Park, and a motor car adds much to their pleasure in leisure hours. Mr. Baker is also fond of yachting, shooting and fishing and served for a time as vice commodore of the Lakewood Yacht Club .. Moreover, he is greatly interested in scientific instruments, of which he has a fine collection. His interests have never been so exclusively confined to one line as to produce an abnormal devel- opment in that direction but have covered a wide range, making him a well rounded man who wields a wide influence in the various lines of activity, social, musical and commercial, to which he directs his energies.
MOSES A. CRAIG.
Moses A. Craig, who in 1907 was chosen to the dual position of secretary and treasurer of the Bankers Surety Company, is among Cleveland's business men who have come from the south. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, September 10, 1874, his parents being Samuel A. and Mary (Williams) Craig, natives of Knox- ville. His maternal grandfather, Moses Williams, was widely known as an iron manufacturer, becoming superintendent of the Cleveland City Forge Company, in which capacity he served for many years. In both the paternal and maternal lines Moses A. Craig represents old American families and from more remote ancestry come the mingled strains of English and Scotch blood that flow in his veins.
In the public schools of Knoxville and in the University of Tennessee Moses A. Craig pursued his education and was graduated on the completion of the classical course in 1892. He then went to Terre Haute, Indiana, and accepted a clerical po- sition in the office of the county clerk. At the same time he became local represen- tative at Terre Haute for the Bankers Surety Company of Cleveland and did such excellent work in their employ that he was induced to come to this city and was made superintendent of agents at this point. Here he gave further demonstration of his ability in the careful management of the interests which were entrusted to his care succeeding his promotion and again he was advanced in his election to the position of secretary and treasurer in 1907. For two years, therefore, he has been one of the chief executive officers of the company and, having acquainted himself with every phase of the business, studied the possibilities for success and wrought out new plans for its expansion, has thus proven himself a valuable asset in the company's management.
Pleasantly situated in his home life Mr. Craig was married in 1906 to Miss Sarah Dickinson, a daughter of J. R. Dickinson, of Huntington, Indiana. Mrs. Craig holds membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution and is a lady of social nature, presiding with gracious hospitality over her home. Mr. Craig belongs to the Cleveland Athletic Club, to Terico Lodge, F. & A. M., of Terre Haute, Indiana, and to Cleveland Lodge, No. 86, B. P. O. E., in which he takes an
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active interest. He votes with the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. A genial disposition and attractive traits of character have made him a favorite of those with whom he comes in contact, while his innate talents and powers have brought him to his present creditable position in financial circles.
GEORGE N. SHERWIN.
Among the men whose activities have contributed to the substantiality of the banking interests in Cleveland is George N. Sherwin, assistant cashier of the First National Bank. He was born in this city, March 20, 1871, a son of N. B. and Martha (Kidder) Sherwin. The father was a prominent attorney of Cleve- land, who also filled the position of postmaster here and represented the district in the state senate. After completing the high-school course in Cleveland George N. Sherwin attended the Western Reserve University and was graduated from the academic department in the class of 1892. His business record had its be- ginning in the service of the Lake Shore Railroad Company, three years being spent by him in the auditing department. This brought him comprehensive knowledge concerning the management of business affairs, especially in the finan- cial departments, and he then accepted a position as receiving teller in the Park National Bank. On the consolidation of that institution with the Euclid Avenue National Bank he was made assistant cashier of the Euclid Park National, the resultant organization. He has ever made it his purpose thoroughly to understand and master every task intrusted to him and thus laid the foundation for his ad- vancement, his broadening experience and his undaunted energy constituting the forceful factors in his business progress. He is also a director in the Sheriff Street Market & Storage Company and one of its stockholders.
In 1901 Mr. Sherwin was united in marriage to Miss Florence W. Jones, a daughter of Judge James M. Jones, and they have one child, Martha Leland, who was born in April, 1907. Mr. Sherwin is a member of the Union, Hermit, University, Country and Tavern Clubs, spending many pleasant hours there in the companionship of congenial fellow members. He exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and devotes much of his leisure to outdoor sports, being recognized as an authority on tennis and acting as referee in the championship games of Cleveland. He is public spirited in his devotion to the citizens' welfare and his interest therein finds tan- gible manifestation in his cooperation with many movements that have been ef- fective forces in the city's growth, improvement or adornment.
LEONARD FRANKLIN BURGESS.
The salient interests in the life of Leonard F. Burgess were threefold. Busi- ness, politics and philanthropy divided his time, and in each he held to high stand- ards and labored for continuous improvement. He was born in Cleveland, Jan- uary 27, 1823, and was therefore among the oldest of her native sons when on the 6th of April, 1902, he was called to his final rest. His father, Almon Bur- gess, came by canal and wagon to Cleveland from Vermont in 1819 and spent his remaining days in this city, passing away, July 12, 1873. His wife was Betsy Hill, a native of Massachusetts, and their children were Almira, Clarissa, Eliza, Solon, and Leonard F., now deceased.,
During the youthful days of Leonard F. Burgess the winter seasons were devoted to the attainment of an education in the village schools and through the summer months he did such work as he could secure and thus from an early
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age was dependent entirely upon his own resources. He was still quite young when he accepted a clerkship and through that avenue gained much business ex- perience. In 1843, when a young man of twenty years, he went to Massillon, Ohio, with a small stock of groceries, but competition and lack of capital caused him to close out his business and return to Cleveland. He afterward spent some time in Milwaukee, but again came to his native city and entered the employ of S. L. & M. H. Petrie. In the fall of 1848, still ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he purchased a stock of goods from L. L. Beardsley and was shortly afterward joined in a wholesale enterprise by Solon Burgess, an elder brother, under the firm style of L. F. & S. Burgess. The latter remained with the house for a long period but retired some time prior to his death, which occurred about twelve years ago. The business was owned and conducted solely by L. F. and S. Burgess until 1890, when George K. and T. W. Ross were ad- mitted to the firm, and the name was then changed to Burgess & Ross, while later it became Ross, Sprague & Company, William Sprague, a nephew of Mr. Bur- gess, being admitted to the firm at that time. For many years Mr. Burgess re- mained at the head of this undertaking, which by reason of his capable direction, executive force and the ability which he displayed in gathering around him an able corps of assistants, became one of the leading mercantile enterprises of the city. He thus advanced from a humble to a prominent position in financial cir- cles, and as his resources increased he utilized his means for the benefit of others as well as himself.
On the Ist of September, 1853, Mr. Burgess was married to Miss Renda L. Lyon, who survived her husband for about seven years, passing away in March, 1909. The only member of the family now living is a daughter, Miss Anna Bur- gess.
In public life Mr. Burgess was prominently known, having been connected with numerous institutions of importance in the life of the community. He be- longed to the Early Settlers' Association and gave his political allegiance to the re- publican party, for which he was always an earnest and indefatigable worker. He served as one of the directors of the workhouse for a number of years and at one time was president of the board. He was likewise the president of the Humane Society and treasurer of the Children's Aid Society, and was greatly interested in charitable and benevolent work. He acted for some years as a trustee in the Third Presbyterian church, and throughout his life he sought opportunities of do- ing good to his fellowmen, both in ways of individual assistance and in coop- eration in measures for the general good.
CHARLES A. McDONALD.
Charles A. McDonald, secretary of the James Mullins Coal Company, was born in Allegheny city, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of April, 1862. His father, Duncan McDonald, was a native of Wellsville, Ohio, and a son of Angus Mc- Donald, who was born in Scotland and was a wholesale grocer. Duncan McDonald died in 1867 at the age of fifty-two years. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Mccullough and was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Nesley ) Mccullough.
Charles A. McDonald was educated in private schools of his native city prior to 1878, when he entered Worcester University, pursuing a philosophical course. He left college, however, before the time of graduation and took up the reading of law, but did not complete his studies in that direction. He became instead interested in the coal business in 1883 in connection with the James Mul- lins Coal Company in the capacity of salesman. He has remained in active con- nection with the company to the present time and in 1906 was elected its secretary, having active charge of the Cleveland branch of the business. He has made his
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home in this city since 1902, and in him are recognized the salient, forceful qualities that mark the man of enterprise and determination. He is now re- garded as one of the representative business men of the city, handling his in- terests with the accuracy that comes from broad knowledge and experience, while his laudable ambition prompts him to reach out along new lines that promise large success.
On the 13th of January, 1895, Mr. McDonald was married to Miss Minnie L. Carrothers, daughter of James and Ida ( Price) Carrothers, of Mansfield, Ohio, and they now reside at No. 10010 Lamont avenue. Mr. McDonald finds his recreation in outdoor sports and is interested in all manly athletics. He belongs to the Coal Club and the Hermit Club in this city and has attained high rank in Masonry, being a Knight Templar of the Commandery and thirty-second degree Mason of the Consistory and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. His political al- legiance is given to the republican party, and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, especially those vital problems which concern the trade relations of the country. In matters relating to the municipal welfare he occupies a progressive stand, manifest in his cooperation with many move- ments for the public good.
ALBERT D. ERNNE.
The life record of Albert D. Ernne, whose name appears on the list of Cleve- land's honored dead, is another illustration of the fact that in a land, unham- pered by caste or class, success may always be attained by persistent and intelli- gently directed labor. Mr. Ernne came from across the water to seek his fortune in the new world and, greatly embracing the opportunities that offered, he worked his way steadily upward until he reached a creditable and gratifying position in commercial circles, being for many years closely associated with the jewelry trade of Cleveland.
A native of Switzerland, he was born in Zurich on the 26th of June, 1836, and pursued his education in the schools of that country. At the age of eleven years he began to learn the watchmaker's trade under the direction of an uncle and after a time became so expert that he could make every part of a watch. At the age of twenty years he went to England and engaged as manager of a watch factory there, his ability contributing to the reputation which Switzerland has always enjoyed as the home of the most efficient and expert watchmakers that the world has produced. Thinking to find still better business opportunities in the new world Mr. Ernne crossed the Atlantic in 1871 and at once came to Cleveland, where he entered the employ of Mr. Crittenden as a watchmaker and repairer. He was thus employed for eighteen years, during which time he had charge of their business. He then engaged in the jewelry and watch repair busi- ness for himself, opening a store at No. 94 Euclid avenue, where he continued for about ten years. When the colonial arcade was built he was the first person to open a store there and in the ensuing years he built up an extensive business. He was known as one of the best watchmakers of the country, and watches which were made in Switzerland were sent to him from all parts of America to be repaired. His ability was of an expert character and he not only built up an ex- tensive trade in the line of watch repairng but also as a jewelry merchant, car- rying a large and well selected line of jewelry and precious stones. At the time of his death he had in his possession a watch every piece of which he had made when only a boy.
Mr. Ernne was married to Miss Mary Burt, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, whose parents, however, were married in Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Ernne had one daughter, Josephine R. He was a man very domestic in his tastes, devoted to the welfare of his family and finding his greatest happiness at his own fireside.
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A. D. ERNNE
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He gave his political allegiance to the democracy and was a inember of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He was greatly interested in charitable work and was president of Concordia Lodge, a German benevolent society. His kindly spirit prompted him to respond readily to every tale of sorrow or distress and to put forth every effort to alleviate trouble. In business circles he was known as a man of the utmost reliability, energetic and determined, and his commercial probity and honor gained him the unqualified respect of those who knew him. Mr. Ernne died very suddenly, just as he was closing his place of business to re- turn home, on the 14th of January, 1909. His death brought a sense of personal bereavement to many friends for he had gained the kindly regard and good will of all with whom he came in contact, and enjoyed the close companionship of many with whom his association was of a more strictly social character. For years the family home was at No. 1567 Crawford road.
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