USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II > Part 38
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acter as manifested in many kindly ways, in ready sympathy and generous benev- olence, that gave him his firm hold on the friendship and love of those with whom he was brought in contact. The birds and squirrels upon his estate knew him for a friend, and he was the companion of children and the benefactor of the poor. He died September 25, 1908, at the age of fifty-six years.
Mr. Robison was of Scotch parentage, his father, Martin Stanfort Robison, having emigrated from Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania, and it was in Pitts- burg that Frank D. H. Robison was born in 1852, but his youthful days were spent in Dubuque, Iowa, and his early education was supplemented by study in the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Deleware, this state.
Mr. Robison started in business when eighteen years of age. He was married in Philadelphia at the age of twenty-three to Miss Sarah C. Hathaway, a daughter of Charles Hathaway, of that city, who was a builder of street railroads and found an active partner and able assistant in his son-in-law. In the year 1877 the firm of Hathaway & Robison was organized, and the field of the firm's activities ex- tended rapidly over the United States from New Orleans on the south to Fargo, North Dakota on the north, and from Maine in the east to California in the west. In Canada the firm's interests extended into all the principal cities with the excep- tion of Quebec. The first street railway building of the firm in Canada was at Hamilton, and in a few years Hathaway & Robison had practically no competition in the Canadian field. Mr. Robison personally undertook the construction of the cable lines in Cleveland and was the president and principal owner of the Superior avenue, Payne avenue and St. Clair avenue lines. It was his plan to have equipped the St. Clair avenue line with cable, but the idea was abandoned when he consoli- dated his properties with those controlled by M. A. Hanna, which included the Woodland avenue and west side lines. The cable lines as constructed by Mr. Robi- son were conceded to be the most perfect in detail in the country. Twenty-four miles of road in Cleveland were operated from a single power house, and had the St. Clair avenue line been completed twelve miles more would have been added, making thirty-six in all. In connection with Mr. Hathaway Mr. Robison, as direc- tor and operator, had been financially interested in more than one-third of all the roads constructed by the firm, and up to the time that electricity came ino use as a motive power their operations gave continual employment to thousands of men.
Mr. Robison became even better known in connection with baseball interests. In the winter of 1886 James Williams, who had managed the Columbus Club in the American association that year, persuaded Mr. Robison that it would pay to build a ball park on the Payne avenue line. He studied the situation with the result that a company was organized of which he was president, the other directors be- ing George Howe and Davis Hawley. Cleveland remained in the American associa- tion for 1887-88 and then entered the National League. In 1898, the patronage being considered too small for an expensive club, Mr. Robison bought the St. Louis National franchise and the following year sold out his Cleveland baseball interests to Messrs. Somers and Kilfoyl. Mr. Robison was himself an enthusiastic supporter and admirer of the game and on the day prior to his death witnessed the one which which was played in Cleveland.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Robison were born three daughters, but Marie, the eldest, and Hortense, the youngest, are now deceased. The surviving daughter is Helene, the wife of Schuyler P. Britton, by whom she has two children, De Hass R. and Marie R. Mr. Robison erected a fine residence on the Lake Shore boulevard, over- looking the lake, and there entertained royally. He was a most hospitable man and delighted in gathering his friends about him. He was always greatly inter- ested in athletics and was president of the first athletic club of Cleveland, which had eleven hundred members. He also belonged to the Country, Union, Roadside and Detroit Clubs and to the Lambs Club, of New York, and to the Missouri Ath- letic Club, St. Louis. He was likewise the first president of the Cleveland Kennel Club. Very active in Masonry he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite and the Knight Templar degree in the York rite. His citizenship was marked
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by a public spirit that gave ready response whenever a call was made for coopera- tion in matters relative to the general welfare. He was, moreover, a man of benev- olent spirit, and his charities were almost numberless. It is said that during the days when he was operating largely in street railways his personal expenses were not less than one hundred dollars a day. At that time no one applied to him in vain for assistance, and one of his former secretaries said that on the removal from his office in the Cuyahoga building notes and other promissory papers were burned to the amount of fifteen thousand dollars, Mr. Robison giving out at least ten thousand of this amount with the absolute certainty that he would never be repaid a penny. Some one has said that the best test of a man is his treatment of his infe- riors, and Mr. Robison may be judged by the words of his coachman, who for seven years was in his employ and who said, "No other coachman ever had such a good job as I had." He displayed great love for nature in various phases, es- pecially of animate nature, and each day would rise early and feed the birds upon his estate, for which he had put up many bird houses. There were also at least two dozen squirrels there that would eat from his hands, and he would never counte- nance the least show of cruelty to any animal. One of the beautiful phases of his life was his companionship with his little grandson, Frank Britton. The two might be seen every day having a game of baseball together, and the little lad always escorted his grandfather to the street-car line half a mile from his home. In busi- ness affairs he displayed the keenest discernment and at all times sought justice at the hands of others nor ever failed to give equivalent for service rendered him. He set the deepest imprint of his life on the country at large through his activity in traction development, his work in that direction being of he utmost benefit to more than one hundred cities of the United States and Canada.
Mrs. Robison still makes her home in Cleveland, and her many admirable traits and social qualities have made her a favorite among her many friends.
MOSES L. ALLEN, M.D.
Dr. Moses L .. Allen, practicing in Cleveland throughout the years of his con- nection with the medical profession and leaving behind him many friends at the time of his death, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, July 12, 1853. His father was David Allen, who was born near Steubenville, Ohio, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary McCandless, was a native of Pennsylvania. In the early '50s the parents settled in Hancock county near McComb, where the father followed the occupation of farming. The removal of the family to Jeffer- son county caused Dr. Allen to pursue his early education in the district schools there, while later he attended commercial college at Harlem Springs, Ohio. He also spent two years in Hopedale College, and then with broad literary and busi- ness training to serve as a foundation for his preparation for a professional career he came to Cleveland and attended the medical college of the Western Reserve University for three years, being graduated with the class of 1888. Im- mediately afterward he began practice, opening an office at what was then 525 Pearl street but is now 1882 West Twenty-fifth street. There he remained until his death and enjoyed a large and liberal practice, his support being indicative of the confidence and trust reposed in him by his many patrons. He attained promi- nence and influence, and his practice gradually increased as there came to him the recognition of his ability, which was being continuously augmented by his read- ing and research. For many years he had charge of the Cleveland Christian Orphanage.
On the 3d of October, 1889, Dr. Allen was married in Bergholz. Ohio, to Miss Eva McIntyre, a daughter of Peter and Martha ( Armstrong) McIntyre, of Jef- ferson county, Ohio, who were prominent farming people there. Mrs. Allen was born in Jefferson county and has been a resident of Cleveland since 1889.
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Dr. Allen was a republican but never cared for political office. He held member- ship in Halcyon Lodge, F. & A. M., and in Forest City Commandery, K.T., and was also identified with the Knights of the Maccabees. In early life he was a member of the Presbyterian church and in later years belonged to the old Stone church. He was a great Bible student and devoted a portion of each Sunday to Bible study as a member of a class of over two hundred. He possessed strongly marked literary tastes and was the owner of a fine library with the contents of which he was largely familiar. A few years before his death he contracted can- cer of the stomach and spent a year and a half in the west seeking relief, but he could find none and returned home. Here he passed away June 3, 1909, and is sorely missed in many a household to which he held the relation of a loved family physician.
N. D. FISHER.
While N. D. Fisher was well known as one of the prosperous representatives of the lumber trade in Cleveland, his social qualities won for him an equally wide and favorable acquaintance and his broad information and ready expression led him frequently to be called upon to address public gatherings, on which occasions his remarks were always of a most well chosen nature. The breadth of his infor- mation, his appreciation for and understanding of the deeper experiences of life and the wise use which he made of opportunities, combined to make him a man among men, honored and respected wherever known and most highly esteemed where best known.
The birth of Mr. Fisher occurred in Wellington, Ohio, and he was always proud of the thought that he was a native of the state for which he ever had a most loyal attachment. He was descended from New England ancestry, his father having come from Connecticut to Ohio, here establishing his home within thirty miles of Cleveland. Reared under the parental roof, N. D. Fisher supplemented his public-school education by a college preparatory course, which he left unfin- ished that he might join Company H of the Second Ohio Cavalry in defense of the Union cause, enlisting when he was but eighteen years of age. He at once became popular among his comrades and promotions followed at every available opportunity until he became captain of the company. There were hundreds who entered the service, yet boys in their understanding of life, who came out men not in years alone but in all of those experiences which ripen and season manhood, causing the individual to understand the value of daily experiences and oppor- tunities. A self-reliant character developed in Captain Fisher, together with the ability to maintain discipline among his men, while at the same time he enjoyed their fullest regard, having great appreciation for the comradeship that grew up among the soldiers and in many instances endured while life lasted. His experi- ences in the line of his military duty were many and varied and with a most creditable war record he returned to his home.
Entering business life, Captain Fisher's record in commercial circles never at any step manifested retrogression. On the contrary he so combined and manipu- lated his forces as to become recognized as one of the most prominent lumbermen of Cleveland. He was widely known as president of the Fisher & Wilson Com- pany, his associates in his later years being his cousin, E. L. Fisher, who was vice president and treasurer of the company, and A. M. Allyn, secretary. This company was organized in 1884 after the death of H. V. Wilson, of the firm of Fisher, Wilson & Company, in which concern N. D. Fisher had become interested in 1878. He was, however, associated with the lumber trade of Cleveland from 1866, at which time he entered the employ of Bottsford & Potter, wholesale lum- ber dealers of this city. Until within a few years of his death he remained one of the most active, aggressive and foremost lumber operators on Lake Erie. He
NEWTON D. FISHER
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was always very successful in his undertakings in that direction, his company be- coming large distributers of hardwood lumber, the trade extending over a wide territory. He was very prominent and popular among lumber men of this section of the country and was several times president of the Cleveland Lumbermen's Board, and in that position reflected those sterling qualities which brought him to a leading place among the business men of the Forest city. When he presided at the banquets or other social functions of the board, his abilities and character were evident to and honored by all present. His marked traits were energy coupled with deliberation, keenness of discernment with soundness of judgment, amiability reinforced with indomitable perseverance.
In Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1868, Mr. Fisher was married to Miss Imogene Telford, who was born in the state of New York but was at that time residing in Michigan. They became the parents of six children, but only two are living : Lee B., of this city, and L. Blanche, at home with her mother. Mr. Fisher was devoted to his family and his wealth perhaps gave him no greater pleasure than from the fact that it enabled him to provide a luxurious home for his wife and children. As a friend expressed it, "He was of frugal mind and yet no inherent frugality prompted him to unwisely moderate his charities nor restrain his benefactions to his fellowmen." He gave freely of his means to every good cause. He held membership in the Disciples church and his connection therewith was a bond of sympathy between him and President Garfield, of whom he had long been a valued friend, for the latter also held membership with the same church. He dis- played excellent abilities as presiding officer and was a most entertaining and at times brilliant after-dinner speaker. He could be called upon on almost any oc- casion and would respond readily and to the point. It has been said that he was never known to write out a speech, although he was many times called upon to employ his talents in that direction. His interest in public affairs and the welfare of the state was indicated by his attendance at political meetings and his efforts to nominate his friends for office, yet at no time was he an aspirant for political preferment. His recreation came through his annual summer vacations in Wisconsin, which were usually spent at Ashland, that state, although he fre- quently took a fishing trip up the Brule river. He was also fond of fine horses and usually kept an excellent driving team. He passed away November 17, 1893, after an illness of several years, to which his intellect and buoyant disposition never succumbed. When he was laid to rest, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. S. L. Darsie, pastor of Franklin Circle Disciples church, many friends of the family, together with his late associates in the lumber trade and the members of the Grand Army of the Republic, assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to one whose spendid qualities made his friendship valued and will cause his memory to be cherished for years to come. Since 1888 the family home has been at what is now 1620 Prospect street.
PIERCE HART LONERGAN.
While the trend of emigration has always been westward there are yet many who have traveled toward the rising instead of the setting sun to find suitable business opportunities that point to the goal of success. Among this number is Pierce Hart Lonergan, the secretary of the Lake Erie Ore Company. He was born in Sacramento, California, May 27, 1876, and is a son of James F. Loner- gan, whose parents were Pierce and Mary (Tobin) Lonergan. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Anna Hart and was a daughter of Thomas Hart.
While born on the Pacific coast, Pierce H. Lonergan acquired his education in the east, attending the public schools of Philadelphia and also St. Joseph's College of that city. For two years after leaving college he was associated with
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his father in connection with the brass and iron foundry business. In 1895 he came to Cleveland and entered the service of the Standard Lighting Company. Subsequently he was with the Winton Bicycle Company and afterward with Drake, Bartow & Company. In 1905 he took active part in the organization of the Lake Erie Ore Company and was chosen as secretary and one of the directors of that corporation. He has since been largely instrumental in placing the com- pany prominently among the representatives of large ore interests of this city. Its volume of trade is annually represented by a high figure, and the house has won an unassailable reputation in those trade circles to which its business con- nections have extended.
On the 15th of February, 1904, Mr. Lonergan was united in marriage to Miss Olive Ratliff, a daughter of General Robert R. and Jane (Tod) Ratliff, of War- ren, Ohio. They have one child, John Bartow, living with his parents at Ravenna, Ohio. Mr. Lonergan belongs to the Hermit, Euclid and Cleveland Athletic Clubs, takes his recreation in golf, horseback riding and other outdoor sports, gives his political allegiance to the republican party and manifests his interest in community affairs by active cooperation in movements for municipal progress or in matters which are factors in civic virtue and civic pride. During the years of his residence in Cleveland he has won for himself a high and credit- able position in business, club and social circles.
JONATHAN PRESCOTT BURTON.
Jonathan Prescott Burton, among the college bred men who are well trained to mental alertness and to a ready recognition of opportunities that are presented, is now proving his worth as a factor in the business world in discharging the duties of the presidency of the Kennon Coal & Mining Company and of the Ridgway-Burton Company. A native of Massillon, Ohio, he was born January 12, 1876, a son of Jonathan P. Burton, Sr., who was a native of Penns Manor, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in the '6os. Locating at Massillon he there engaged in the operation of an iron furnace and in mining coal until his death, which occurred in 1899, when he was seventy-nine years of age. He was thus prominently associated with the development of the coal and iron industries of the state, utilizing the natural resources there offered in the conduct and ex- pansion of an important business. He wedded Mary E. Zerbe, a native of Mas- sillon and a representative of a prominent family of that place. She is still liv- ing there. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Prescott Burton, Sr., numbered four children, all of whom survive, the younger brother, Courtney Burton, be- ing associated with the subject of this review, who is the third in order of birth.
In the public schools of Massillon Jonathan Prescott Burton pursued his early education and afterward attended the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale Univer- sity, from which he was graduated in 1896 with the Bachelor of Philosophy degree. He largely studied along the line of civil engineering but following his graduation entered actively upon the work of mining engineering in connection with the Ridgway-Burton Company, with which he was associated until 1898. In that year he became secretary of the Burton, Beidler & Phillips Company and in 1899 was elected to the presidency of that firm, having now remained as its chief executive officer for a decade. He is also the president of the Kennon Coal & Mining Company and of the Ridgway-Burton Company, miners of bituminous coal, and of the Trevorton Coal Land Company, operating an anthracite colliery in Pennsylvania. He is thus engaged in mining both anthracite and bituminous coal, the former in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ohio. His operations in this direction are now extensive, for the companies with which he is associated handle large quantities of coal. He is also interested in and is a director of several other corporations.
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On the 8th of January, 1903, in Cleveland, Mr. Burton was married to Miss Kate Winston Burnham of this city and they have two children, Winston Pres- cott, four years of age, and Katherine Burnham, two years old.
Mr. Burton belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, and his pleasure in the so- cial amenities of life is indicated in his membership in the Union, Country and Tavern Clubs. His political support is given to the republican party. While widely recognized as one of the prominent young business men of the city, in manner he is modest and retired and of a genial, pleasant disposition, which wins him friends wherever he goes, among the young and old, rich and poor.
HON. JOSEPH T. LOGUE.
Hon. Joseph T. Logue, whose name occupies a conspicuous position in the judicial records of Cleveland, acted as police judge and also as judge of the com- mon pleas court, being incumbent in the latter position at the time of his death. Born in Summit county, Ohio, July 9, 1849, he was a son of Rev. James W. Logue, D.D., a minister of the United Presbyterian faith and the founder of the first church of that denomination in Cleveland. His birth occurred in York, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and he prepared for the ministry in Albany, New York, being graduated from Union College of that city. In 1843 he arrived in Cleve- land and throughout his entire life was very active in church work, his intelli- gently directed efforts and zeal constituting a forceful factor in the growth of the denomination in this section of the state. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Jane Cooper.
Hon. Joseph T. Logue, one of five children, pursued his preliminary studies in the district schools of Northfield, Ohio, and took up the study of languages under the direction of his father. At nineteen years of age he entered the busi- ness field as proprietor of a grocery and general mercantile store, which he conducted for four years. But in the meantime he determined to study law and entered upon a course of reading under the direction of the firm of Emerson & Wildes, of Akron, Ohio. He completed his studies with Brinsmade & Stone, of Cleveland, and was admitted to the bar April 20, 1876.
Mr. Logue then opened an office in this city and practiced continually until 1891, making substantial advance in his profession as year by year he demon- strated his power to successfully cope with the intricate problems of the law. He also advanced in political activity and distinction and was first called to office in 1887, when he was elected councilman from the nineteenth ward. The capa- bility of his service received endorsement in reelection in 1889, so that his in- cumbency continued until 1891. He was also a member of the board of im- provements and chairman of the judiciary committee. In 1891 he was named as candidate for police judge and elected by a majority of twenty-two hundred votes. Again the worth of his first term's service caused his reelection in 1893, and at his retirement from the office in 1895 he was elected judge of the common pleas court. Again he was chosen for a second term when in 1897 he was once more elected common pleas judge, presiding over that court until his death, which oc- curred November II, 1899. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial, being based upon comprehensive knowledge of the law, upon thorough understanding of the facts and appreciation for the equity of the case.
On the 30th of August, 1881, Judge Logue was married to Miss Nellie Green, a daughter of Eli C. and Jane M. (Booth) Green, who removed from Utica, New York, to Cleveland, in 1867, the father becoming a leading real-estate dealer of this city. Unto Judge and Mrs. Logue were born two sons: Raymond G., now a business man of Seattle, Washington, and James C., a Cleveland attorney. Judge Logue was a home man, finding his most congenial companionship at his own fireside. However, he delighted in extending the hospitality of his home to
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his friends, who constituted a large proportion of Cleveland's citizenship. He be- longed to Tippecanoe Club and was a devoted member of the First United Pres- byterian church, serving as a trustee in the church and as a teacher in the Sun- day school for many years. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and on all questions of vital importance he took a firm stand, advocating political integrity and loyalty as well as professional and individual honor. He measured up to the full standard of upright manhood and is remembered no less for his individual worth than for his professional ability.
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