USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II > Part 37
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MICHAEL ALBERT ALBL, M.D.
Dr. Michael Albert Albl, a prominent and successful representative of the medical fraternity in Cleveland, where he has been actively engaged in practice since 1892, was born in this city on the 8th of October, 1869. His father, Michael Albl, a native of Bohemia, came to the United States in 1850, locating in Cleve- land, where he was engaged in the grocery business until the time of his retirement from active life. He has now attained the age of sixty-eight years and still makes his home in this city, being well known and highly esteemed as one of its most respected and worthy residents. Public spirited to a marked degree, he has taken an active part in matters pertaining to the general welfare and at one time served as a water-works trustee. At the present time he is a director of the Broadway Savings & Loan Company. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Katherine Pech and was likewise a native of Bohemia, passed away on the 20th of Novem- ber, 1901, when fifty-eight years of age, her death being occasioned by pneumonia. Dr. Albl of this review was the second in order of birth in a family of seven
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sons and one daughter, and the six surviving sons are all now identified with the business and professional life of Cleveland.
Michael A. Albl obtained his education in the public schools of his native city and after completing the course in the Central high school entered the Cleve- land School of Pharmacy in 1887, there pursuing his studies for two years. Subsequently he was engaged in the drug business for a period of one year and three months and at the end of that time entered the medical department of the Western Reserve University, which in 1892 conferred upon him the degree of M. D. Having thus quailfied for his chosen vocation, he immediately opened an office and in the intervening years has gained a very large general practice here. For the past eighteen years he has also been on the consulting staff of St. Alexis Hospital. He is a member of the Cleveland Academy of Medicine, the Cleveland Medical Library Association, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, thus keeping in close touch with the advance- ment made by the profession.
On the 25th of August, 1892, in Cleveland, Dr. Albl was united in marriage to Miss Frances Stadnik, a daughter of Frank and Anna Stadnik, of this city. Unto them have been born two children, namely: Frances, fifteen years of age, who is a student in the South high school; and Oswald, ten years old, who is attending the Fowler school. The family residence is at No. 5074 Broadway.,,
Dr. Albl is identified through membership relations with the Masonic fra- ternity, the Knights of Pythias, the C. S. P. S., a Bohemian organization, the Quinnebog Fishing Club, the Norton B. Fishing Club and the Forest City Hunting Club. Hunting and fishing are his principal sources of recreation, and he makes yearly fishing trips to Canada, while each fall he goes to Maine on a hunting trip, bringing home various trophies as evidence of his skill in this direction. He en- joys the full respect and confidence of all who know him and has many warm friends in the city where his entire life has been spent.,
EZRA NICHOLSON.
Ezra Nicholson has been a witness of Cleveland's growth and development through seventy-five years and has also participated in many public events which have left their impress upon the history of the city. His birthplace, which was his father's farm comprising several hundred acres, now constitutes the present site of Lakewood. He was there born in 1835, a son of James Nicholson, who was one of the pioneer settlers on the west side of the Cuyahoga river, only two other houses being on that side of the river at the time of his arrival, one of these being at Rocky river while the other was the property of the ferryman. James Nicholson settled there about 1812. He was born in Chatham, Massachusetts, in 1783, of good old Puritan stock, and having arrived at years of maturity mar- ried Betsey Bartholmew of Waterbury, Connecticut. There was a tiny village on the site of Ohio's present metropolis at the time of his removal to the west. There was little lake navigation and the era of railroad travel through the western forests had not been dreamed of. The only way of crossing the river in those days was by ferry, Mr. Carter operating a ferry boat at the little village. Mr. Nicholson, of this review, remembers of his father telling him of the first high pressure steamboat on the great lakes. It was called "Walk on the Water" and ran between Buffalo, Cleveland and Detroit. James Nicholson was a man of remarkable vitality and devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits, owning and cultivating an excellent farm of several hundred acres, to which he devoted his energies until his death in 1859. His widow survived him for many years and died in 1886, in her eighty-sixth year. She left three children, Delia, Louis and Ezra.
EZRA NICHOLSON
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In his boyhood days Ezra Nicholson attended the district and city schools and afterward became a pupil in the Urbana University. After his college days were over he assisted his father with the farm work for several years. Follow- ing the father's death, Ezra Nicholson divided the property and leased it to dif- ferent parties but still lived in the homestead which he yet occupies. It is one of the old landmarks of the city and an interesting reminder of the past, although it is kept in such excellent state of preservation as to seem much like the more modern dwellings. In 1885 Mr. Nicholson became interested with the firm of Johnson & Palmer in the ownership of lake vessels, which at that time was a very profitable business. He had lived to witness the remarkable development of lake transportation. He remembers the steamboats Bunker Hill, Commercc, Julia Pal- mer and Empire, all of which, with the exception of the last named, were of the high pressure type and sailed the lakes in the '40s. Gradually the tonnage of all lake steamers has been increased until today there are upon the waters of Erie and the other great lakes fine floating palaces, supplied with every modern con- venience. In 1893 Mr. Nicholson laid out what is known as the Nicholson allot- ment in Lakewood. The cross streets-Grace avenue and Clarence avenue-were the first streets west of Kentucky to be paved and were supplied with all modern improvements. These streets were named after his children, and the deeds to the property were given to Mr. Nicholson's father by the state treasurer of Connecti- cut, for in the early days this land was owned by the state of Connecticut and for a time was termed Connecticut before the name of Western Reserve was adopted.
Not only has Mr. Nicholson operated largely in vessel owning and real estate but is also an inventor of some note, inventing the Nicholson Recording Ship Log, an instrument for recording the speed of a vessel. This instrument, a prod- uct of the Nicholson Ship Log Company, manufacturers, is the only log of its kind in the world and is controlled entirely by this company, with patents for the United States and all maritime countries of Europe and Asia. It is in use on twenty-eight battleships, three cruisers, torpedo and gunboats and colliers of the United States Navy. This company also manufactures the Nicholson distance and range finder, an invention of Mr. Nicholson's which is of great value in coast navigation. The Nicholson Company, of which he is the head, his associates being his two sons, has been in business in its present quarters in the Beckman building on Superior avenue for about seven years and is a very promising manufacturing enterprise.
In 1863 Mr. Nicholson was married to Miss Alice Fowles, a native of Wiscon- sin, who removed to Cleveland in 1862. There were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson six children, of whom only three are living, one daughter and two sons. These are: Grace E., Ezra Louis and Clarence Percy, all of whom at- tended the public schools of Cleveland. Mr. Nicholson belongs to New Jerusa- lem church of Lakewood, has always been an enthusiastic republican and was the first clerk of the hamlet of Lakewood. He is perhaps better informed concerning the history of this section of the city than any one man and his activity in business has constituted a force for general development as well as a source of individual profit.
COLONEL FREDERICK H. FLICK.
The qualities which make for popularity were salient characteristics in the life of Colonel Frederick H. Flick, whose courtesy, geniality and kindly spirit were evenly balanced with his business ability, firm determination and loyalty to what- ever he believed to be right. For years he occupied a conspicuous position in the business, military and political circles of Cleveland. He was born in this city June 6, 1847, a son of Nathan and Helen M. (Wahl) Flick. His grandfather, Nathan Flick, Sr., was a native of Germany, who on coming to America took up
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his abode in Liverpool, Medina county, Ohio, at an early period in the develop- ment of that section of the state. Ere his emigration to the new world he had served in the Napoleonic wars. His son, Nathan Flick, Jr., removed from Liv- erpool, Ohio, to Cleveland in 1832, and was a prominent meat dealer in the early days.
Spending his entire life in this city, Colonel Flick was an interested witness of its substantial growth and development and played not an inconspicuous part in the promotion of its interests, which have given to the city high standing in busi- ness and military circles. He attended the grammar schools until fifteen years of age. Soon after the Civil war was inaugurated, he made every effort to get to the front, but because of his youth his services were not accepted until two years had passed away, when he was finally allowed to enlist, joining Battery B, of the First Ohio Light Artillery, which at that time was commanded by Cap- tain Standard and later by Captain Baldwin, while the regiment was under the command of General James Barnett. Mr. Flick was mustered out in 1865 after having taken part in the most important of the later engagements. Although a youth in years, his valor and loyalty were no less pronounced than those of many a veteran of twice his age. Throughout his life he maintained an interest in military affairs and gained a substantial and prominent position in connection with the Ohio National Guard. Shortly after his discharge from the army he, in association with Colonel Louis Smithnight, organized the Cleveland Light Artillery, which is known in military circles as the crack organization of the state. He was elected to a lieutenancy, which rank he held for several years and was then chosen to the position of colonel of the Fifth Infantry Regiment of the Ohio National Guard, continuing in command of that organization for five years.
His business record was equally creditable. Soon after leaving the army Colonel Flick entered the employ of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Company, and during the early part of 1868 was made superintendent of the docks of the Cleveland and Pittsburg Company. He continued in the employ of this company for a term of more than twenty-five years and was well known among the workingmen of Cleveland and employed thousands during his long term of service with the railroad. Workmen looked upon him as a friend and one who had their interests at heart. Many times he was called upon to settle party griev- ances, and it is said that through his mediation many strikes were averted. In 1890 he accepted the city agency of the Equitable Life Insurance Company and continued in that position until his life's labors were ended in death.
The home life of Colonel Flick was a manifestation of many of the most ad- mirable traits of his character. He was twice married. In November, 1866, he wedded Helen M. Stewart, of this city, and unto them were born three children, Guy A., Cora V. and Fred H., but the first named is the only one now living. The mother passed away in 1885, and on the 15th of June, 1887, Colonel Flick married Miss Mary W. Russell, of Mount Vernon, Ohio. She is a daughter of Dr. John W. and Anna S. (McBride) Russell, the former a prominent physician of Mount Vernon, Ohio. Her grandfather, Dr. John W. Russell, Sr., came to Ohio in 1828 and was one of the most distinguished physicians and citizens of the state at an early day. He was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, January 28, 1804, and was a graduate of Jefferson College, of Philadelphia, with the class of 1827. He became a physician of international reputation, occupying an eminent position as a foremost leader in the medical fraternity, and died at the advanced age of eighty-three years at his home in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Unto the second marriage of Colonel Flick was born one son, Harold R., who with the mother survives the husband and father.
The death of Colonel Flick occurred June 18, 1901, at his home on Hillsdale avenue in the city where his entire life had been passed. In addition to those qualities which gained him prominence in political, military and business circles he had other well pronounced traits which were equally commendable and made him a man of broad and liberal culture. He was a collector of art, an excellent
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critic of both art and music and was a great lover of books. Along these lines of liberal culture his advancement was pronounced. The opportunities of his life were those which he won for himself, and his advancement was the logical sequence of his own merit. He was a member of the Ascension Episcopal church of Lakewood and was also connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, with the Knight Templar Masons and the Cleveland Grays. He never entered any organization for what he could get out of it, but for the higher purpose of being of service therein. His political activity was the expression of a firm belief in the principles of the republican party as elements in good government. He stood always for what he believed to be right, and his position at no time upon any important question was an equivocal one. The honesty of his opinions was unquestioned, and the soundness of his views made him a leader in party councils, in military organizations, and in social life.
ALBERT K. QUAYLE.
Cleveland is indebted to Albert K. Quayle for what he did for the architec- tural improvement of the city. He was for a long period one of the leading con- tractors here, and in all of his work he was actuated by a desire to add to the at- tractive appearance of the city as well as to win the success which is the legitimate reward of earnest and capably directed labor. His life record began at Newburg, Ohio, on the 8th of May, 1841. His father, John Quayle, had settled there in early life and was a brother of Thomas Quayle, a member of the leading and well known firm of Quayle & Martin, who for years were noted shipbuilders of Cleveland. In the family of John Quayle were six children but only two are now living, Mrs. Bolton, of Lakewood, and Mrs. George Canfield of this city.
The youthful days of Albert K. Quayle were spent in Newburg, where he acquired his education in the public schools. He was a carpenter by trade, learn- ing that business in early manhood and following it continuously until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, feeling that his first duty was to his country, he put aside all business and personal considerations and donned the blue uniform of the nation. He went to the front with Company B, One Hundred and Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served creditably for three years. Fol- lowing the close of hostilities he returned home with a most creditable military record, and soon afterward he came to Cleveland, where he took up the business of contracting and building, in which he continued until about a year prior to his death. Gradually he worked his way upward in that field of activity until he was in control of a business of large proportions. He erected many of the finest homes on Euclid avenue, devoting most of his attention to the construction of residences. He studied out many new plans and methods to improve his homes in the line of originality, of attractive design and of utility, and many of the palatial residences on the various fine thoroughfares stand as monuments to his enterprise and ability.
Pleasantly situated in his home life Mr. Quayle was married January 7, 1868, to Miss Amarilla G. Compton, a native of Cleveland and a daughter of Charles Compton. Her paternal grandfather was Jacob Compton, who married a Miss Phelps. He came to Ohio from New Jersey in 1815 and purchased a farm on what is now Euclid Heights. There the birth of Charles Compton occurred in 1817, and through the period of his manhood he followed farming on the old homestead, being busily employed in the work of the fields until his death in 1868. Two of his children, Mrs. Quayle and her sister, Mrs. Wilcox, inherited the greater part of the home place, which they held for a number of years. Mrs. Quayle, however, sold her interests about four years ago, and the old farm has now been divided into building lots and constitutes one of the finest residence sec- tions of the city. The wife of Charles Compton bore the maiden name of Amanda
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G. Compton. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Quayle was blessed with two chil- dren : Leon C., who is a graduate of the Case School of Applied Science and is now a civil engineer ; and Wendell H., who died at the age of three years. Mrs. Quayle died September 6, 1909.
Mr. Quayle was a very active man in affairs relating to public interests and was the champion of every measure that was a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He gave generously of his means to assist in the work of public improve- ment, and his opinions were at all times practical and helpful. In politics he was a stanch republican, and his religious faith was manifest in his membership in the Christian church, in which he held the office of deacon. His actions found their motive spring in principles which neither sought nor required disguise. It was not a matter of policy with him that caused him to be just in his business dealings and loyal in his friendships: he followed the former course because he believed it to be right and the latter because he had high appreciation for the companionship of his fellowmen and never sought to disregard his obligations nor duties to society in general.
LEWIS H. KITTREDGE.
The name of Lewis H. Kittredge is widely known in trade circles throughout the country for, although a young man, he has attained to a position of eminence in manufacturing circles as the president of the Peerless Motor Car Company of Cleveland, manufacturer of one of the most superior and finished products of this character in America. Setting for himself high standards in business, mani- festing intelligent appreciation of opportunity and wisely utilizing every means at hand, he has reached a most enviable position as the head of an enterprise that is showing marked growth annually.
A native of New Hampshire, Mr. Kittredge was born in Harrisville, June 18, 1871, and after attending the high school in Keene, New Hampshire, he continued his studies in the New Hampshire State College at Durham, being there gradu- ated in 1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He was thus well equipped by liberal mental training for any duty that might devolve upon him in the business world. He made his initial step in commercial circles in connection with the New York Belting & Packing Company of Passaic, New Jersey. In 1897 he came to Cleveland to associate himself with the Peerless Manufacturing Company. In the twelve years which have since elapsed his has been a notable record, mark- ing an entire transformation in the business in the character of its output and showing as well the clearly defined methods which Mr. Kittredge has followed in attaining to the position which he now occupies. He made his service of value to the company which he represented, regarding no detail as too unimportant to to claim his attention, nor fearing to give service for which he did not receive im- mediate adequate return. His capability, his energy and fidelity, however, won recognition in successive promotions. In 1899 he was made secretary and gen- eral manager of the company and in 1901 the office of treasurer was added to his duties. The following year the firm name was changed to the Peerless Motor Car Company and in 1904 he was elected to the vice presidency, while in 1906 he was chosen for the presidency and has since remained the chief executive offi- cer. Mr. Kittredge is also president of the Peerless Motor Car Company of New York and the Peerless Motor Car Company of New England, is secretary of the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers and is financially inter- ested in other corporations.
The growth of the Peerless Motor Car Company is noteworthy, considering the fact that through the process of growth of the last six years it has gradually and consistently risen from a very small beginning to one of the leading companies in the automobile industry. The start of this remarkable business was made in
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L. H. KITTREDGE
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a small factory located on Lisbon street, adjoining the Cleveland & Pittsburg tracks in a building with scarcely ten thousand square feet of available floor space and equipped with machinery originally intended for utterly different uses. The year 1900 marks the beginning of this business in the form of manufacturing automobile parts. In 1902 the company was incorporated under its present title and the manufacture of complete motor cars was begun. Since then an organiza- tion has been formed, composed of able and progressive men, who imbued with the idea of improving and perfecting the product have worked together towards that end, always demanding the best from each subordinate and at the same time quick to recognize and reward superior merit wherever found. This spirit of loyalty prevailing in the organization has made it possible to transform step by step the motorette, manufactured eight years ago and then regarded as a curiosity of experimental value only, to the present high-power touring car that is acknowledged to rank among America's best product. In 1904 ground was broken for a new factory on East Ninety-third street and Quincy avenue and each succeeding year has seen new factory buildings constructed until this year, at the beginning of the 1910 selling season, will see the present tract of land, comprising about six acres, entirely taken up with buildings of this company. The group consists of twelve factory buildings two and three stories in height, with a handsome four story office building. The company also has fourteen acres adjoining and contracts have been let for the erection thereon of several large factory buildings. Under the present organization nearly two thousand families receive an income each week from the business. The increased output each year indicates more than anything else growing favor towards the Peerless cars and with the increased facilities over seven million dollars of product will be manu- factured during the next selling season.
In the fall of 1907, at the time of the panic, the Peerless Motor Car Company maintained seventy-five per cent of its force and employed on longer hours than any one other individual factory representing a large industry in the city. The sale of the product is distributed through branch houses in New York and Boston and likewise through representative dealers in every large city in the United States and Canada.
Cleveland may be taken as a barometer of sales and it may be of interest to note that the demand for the Peerless product in 1908 showed an increase of forty per cent over 1907. The selling season of 1909 which is now closed shows an increase of fifty per cent over the sales made in Cleveland during 1908. Mr. Kittredge by no means takes unto himself entire credit for the development of the business. He has surrounded himself with a corps of able assistants and col- leagues of whose work he is thoroughly appreciative, knowing that they have rendered signal service in the building up of this mammoth industry.
Mr. Kittredge is a member of Unity church and his name is on the member- ship rolls of the Mayfield Country, Euclid, Union, Clifton, Cleveland Athletic and Automobile Clubs, of Cleveland, and of the Automobile Club of America, of New York city. One cannot meet him without being impressed with his alert manner and spirit of enterprise and, yet, he is never too busy to be cordial and courteous for he has keen appreciation for companionship and the social amenities of life.
FRANK DE HASS ROBISON.
The character of an individual is perhaps best determined by the feeling of regret which is caused by his death. The most kindly regard was felt for Mr. Robi- son by all who knew him, and when he passed from this life the news of his sudden demise caused deep sorrow wherever he was known. He had figured prominently in connection with traction interests throughout the entire country, had been even more widely known as a baseball magnate, but it was his personal traits of char-
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