A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 49

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

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In 1886 Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Letella E. Fessenden, whose birth occurred in Ohio in 1868. The Fessenden family were among the early settlers of the Western Reserve, having come across Lake Erie on the ice from New York to Ohio in 1823. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have two children, namely: Letella Marguerite, who was born on the 7th of February, 1892; and Philip F., whose natal day was August 28, 1894.

In politics Mr. Baker is a stanch republican, never failing to support the men and measures of that party by his ballot. He belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees and is also a member of the Builders Exchange. His success is well merited, for he has ever followed the most honorable methods in carrying on his business and therefore commands the respect and good will of his fellowmen.

ARNOLD C. SAUNDERS.

The late Arnold C. Saunders, who died January 22, 1908, was one of the lead- ing business men of Cleveland, being president of the Lorain Coal & Dock Com- pany, of which he was the organizer. He had been connected with matters per- taining to the lake trade since he was sixteen years of age, and had developed an extensive business when his plans were ended by death.

Born in Rome, Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1852, he was a native son of the state he lived to honor. His education was received at Lisbon and Akron, but when only sixteen he came to Cleveland to enter the firm of Rhodes & Company, one member of which was the late M. A. Hanna. This concern became in 1885 M. A. Hanna & Company, and Mr. Saunders was taken into partnership. The connection continued until 1893, when he left the firm to organize the Lorain Coal & Dock Company, of which he was made president, continuing in that posi- tion the remainder of his life. He was also vice president and director of the Johnson Coal & Mining Company, as well as interested in other companies of magnitude, his ripened experience and shrewd judgment being eagerly sought after.

At his death Mr. Saunders left a widow and three children: Clarence R .; Mrs. A. J. Miller, a resident of New York city ; and Arnold, a student. of Hotch- kiss preparatory school of Connecticut.

In addition to his vast business interests Mr. Saunders found time to serve as a member of the University School Corporation. His political convictions made him a stanch republican, while his religious affiliations were with the Calvary

A. C. SAUNDERS

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Presbyterian church. The Union, Roadside, Country, Euclid, Tavern and Coal Clubs all had him as a member and he always took pleasure in them. He was a man whose life was filled with so much that was calculated to win public esteem and personal affection that he was sorely missed when death claimed him.

ALLYN F. HARVEY.

Allyn F. Harvey, assistant general manager at Cleveland for the Pittsburg Steamship Company, was born in the Forest city, February 3, 1871, and is of English descent, representing a family that was founded early in the eighteenth century in New England. About 1830 his grandfather, Henry Harvey, removed from Vermont and settled in Chillicothe. Later the birth of H. A. Harvey there occurred and after attaining his majority he engaged in the milling business in Chillicothe and was for many years prominently identified with the industrial in- terests of the city. He wedded Mary Williams, a daughter of William Williams, of Cleveland. Her mother was a representative of the Fitch family and both the Williams and Fitch families were prominently connected with the banking and real-estate interests of Cleveland for many years.

Allyn F. Harvey was educated in the Cleveland public schools and was grad- uated from the Central high school with the class of ISSS. He is a Yale man of 1893, at which time he won the Bachelor of Arts degree. He is another example of the value and worth of college education as a factor in success. In 1894 he entered the employ of Pickands, Mather & Company as assistant in the general office and in 1897 was transferred to the transportation department as assistant director of transportation. There he continued until 1901 and in the meantime gained comprehensive knowledge concerning transportation interests, so that he became well qualified for duties that have since devolved upon him. On the formation of the United States Steel Corporation, he became associated with the Pittsburg Steamship Company, at which time he was appointed assistant general manager with headquarters at Duluth, Minnesota, there remaining for three years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Cleveland as assistant general manager and has since been retained at this point, his duties involving large responsibilities and demanding constructive effort and administrative direc- tion.

Mr. Harvey is well known in the club life of Cleveland as a member of the Union Tavern, Country, Chagrin Falls Hunt and Mayfield Country Clubs. He also belongs to the Yale Club of New York, the Kitchigami and Country Clubs of Duluth and the Delta Kappa Epsilon. In politics he is an independent republi- can. He is interested in athletics and all manly sports, enjoys the motor car and finds pleasure in horseback riding, golf, hunting and fishing. While at Yale he played short stop on the baseball team. His humanitarian and benevolent spirit is manifest in his interest and support of the Children's Fresh Air Camp, in con- nection with which he is serving as a member of the committee on ways and means. He has prospered in business life, is popular socially and finds that the best homes of the city are open for his reception.

MARCUS G. MONAGHAN.

Marcus G. Monaghan, whose history was that of a self-made man who worked for the opportunities that sometimes come to others through inheritance or friendly assistance, was born in County Derry, Ireland, December 4, 1837. His parents were John and Katherine (McCloskey) Monaghan, also natives of the Emerald Isle, where the father was well known as an expert stucco artist.

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In the schools of his native country Marcus G. Monaghan pursued his edu- cation until thirteen years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic to Boston, where he remained with an uncle, acting as his assistant and attending school to the age of twenty years. He was apprenticed to learn the boiler maker's trade, which he followed until 1857, when he came to Cleveland and took charge of the boiler manufacturing department of the Lake Shore Railroad Company as fore- man and superintendent. His capable service and reliability in this connection is evidenced in the fact that he occupied the position for forty years, retiring in 1897 with the confidence, good will and respect of all with whom he had been associated through that long period. He then purchased the Eagle Laundry in partnership with Charles P. Leininger but took no active part in the management of the business, which was left to his partner. Mr. Monaghan continued to live retired until his death, which occurred April 24, 1904, in Greenville, South Caro- lina, when he was visiting there.

Mr. Monaghan was married in Boston to Miss Mary C. Collins, who died about two years later, and on the 20th of April, 1864, he wedded Mary T. Demp- sey, a daughter of James and Ann (De Binder) Dempsey. Her father sailed from Ireland to Philadelphia and became a resident of Cleveland in 1845. He acted as railroad engineer on many of the first roads built through this part of the country. Mrs. Monaghan was born in Buffalo in 1843 and since brought to this city by her parents when two years of age has made her home continuously in Cleveland, so that its history is largely familiar to her. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Monaghan were: Charles and Letitia, both now deceased; Marcus A., who is engaged in the hardwood finishing business in Cleveland; Gertrude E .; Joseph and Ann, both deceased ; Jane L .; Mary B., the wife of F. J. Ranney, in the insurance business in this city ; and Francis M., who has also passed away.

Politically Mr. Monaghan was a democrat but without ambition or desire for office. He belonged to St. John's cathedral, in which he served as council- man and was very prominent in church affairs. He held membership in the Catholic Men's Benevolent Association and was a most earnest and enthusiastic worker in St. Vincent De Paul's Society. In other charitable organizations he also took active and helpful interest, for he was a man of generous spirit and as he prospered gave freely of his means for the benefit of others. He found pleas- ure and recreation in hunting and fishing and was a great fancier of fine dogs, owning at one time a large kennel containing thoroughbreds. He was very fond ot reading, spending his leisure hours with his favorite authors and in this way he became a man of broad general culture, while his business connections made him a man of thorough experience. His life record may well constitute an exam- ple and a source of inspiration, showing what may be accomplished when earnest purpose and laudable ambition lead the way.

GEORGE B. THOMAS.

George B. Thomas, who has been resident manager of the United States Cast Iron Pipe & Foundry Company of Cleveland since 1899, was born in this city on the 12th of November, 1853, his parents being Jefferson and Jane Thomas. The father, whose birth occurred in Euclid, now Cleveland, Ohio, in 1809, attended the public schools in early life and after putting aside his text-books began learn- ing the mason's trade. Subsequently he was successfully engaged as a building contractor until 1868, when he was appointed sewer inspector. In 1883 he re- tired from active life and two years later was called to his final rest, his death being the occasion of deep and widespread regret.

George B. Thomas pursued his studies in the old Rockwell school until six- teen years of age and then became bookkeeper for E. N. Hammond, a coal dealer, being thus employed for three years. Subsequently he became assistant pay-

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master for the Big Four Railroad, in which position he remained until January, 1876, when he entered the service of the Lake Shore Foundry in the capacity of bookkeeper. In 1885 he was elected secretary of the concern and in 1899, when the Lake Shore Foundry was succeeded by the United States Cast Iron Pipe & Foundry Company, Mr. Thomas was made general manager of the Cleveland plant of the latter corporation. Under his able management the capacity of the plant has been doubled and they now manufacture all pipes for the city water- works and gas companies and likewise do a general line of foundry work. Throughout his business life Mr. Thomas has made it his aim to do thoroughly whatever he has undertaken and he long since demonstrated his trustworthiness as well as his enterprise.

In October, 1876, in Cleveland, Mr. Thomas was joined in wedlock to Miss Nellie Morgan. Their union has been blessed with three children, as follows: George M., a young man of thirty-one years, who is the president of the George M. Thomas Company; Warner E., twenty-nine years of age, who is connected with M. A. Hanna & Company, dealers in iron ore and pig iron; and Winifred, a young lady of twenty, who is a graduate of the Middleberger School.

Mr. Thomas gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the re- publican party and is a Presbyterian in his religious faith. Fraternally he is identified with Woodward Lodge, No. 508, A. F. & A. M., and Webb Chapter, No. 14, R. A. M., while socially he is connected with the Euclid Club and the Westward Golf Club. He resides with his family in a comfortable and attrac- tive home at No. 2038 East One Hundred and Second street and they are highly esteemed in the social circles in which they move, having gained a large number of friends in the city.

LESTER EUGENE SIEMON, M. D.

Dr. Lester Eugene Siemon has since the fall of 1896 been actively and success- fully engaged in the general practice of medicine at Cleveland, giving special at- tention to obstetrics. His birth occurred in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of December, 1867. His paternal grandfather, Adam Siemon, was a builder of highways for the German government at Frankfort-on-the-Main, and a leader of the "Landwehr" or Land Reserves of his district. In the revolution of 1848 he turned his forces against the government and a price was placed on his head, but he escaped to America with Carl Schurz, locating in Ross county, Ohio. His demise occurred in 1885 when he had attained the age of seventy-seven years. George F. Siemon, the father of Dr. Lester E. Siemon, was a native of Germany and came to the United States in 1855, taking up his abode at New Brighton, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the baking and confectionery business. In 1876 he came to Cleveland and has since made his home here, living retired at the present time. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sophia Neely and was a native of the Keystone state, passed away in 1891, when forty- six years of age.

Lester E. Siemon, who was a lad of nine years when he came to Cleveland with his parents, obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of this city. When fourteen years of age he took up stenography, being afterward em- ployed in that capacity by the Lake Shore Railroad and the Standard Oil Com- pany. Later he was engaged in court reporting until 1892, when he began the study of medicine in the Cleveland University of Medicine & Surgery and under the private tutelage of Dr. H. F. Biggar. In 1896 the degree of M. D. was conferred upon him, and to his theoretical training he added the broad experience obtained in hospital practice. Subsequently he became house surgeon for a large private sanitarium in Illinois, acting in that capacity until the fall of 1896, when he came to Cleveland and has here since been engaged in the private practice of

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medicine, devoting special attention to obstetrics. He augmented his knowledge of this science by post-graduate work in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, and since 1905 has held the chair of obstetrics in the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College, while since 1902 he has been on the teaching staff of the in- stitution. He is visiting obstetrician to the City Hospital and for several years held the same position at the Huron Street Hospital. He is surgical adjuster of the North American Accident Insurance Company and examiner for the Bankers Life Association, the National Union and the Physicians Casualty Association. In 1908 he acted as president of the Ohio State Homeopathic Medical Society and at the present time is chairman of the legislative committee of that organiza- tion. He likewise keeps in touch with the progress of the medical fraternity through the enlarged ideas and the discussion of experiments in the American Institute of Homeopathy, the Eastern Ohio Homeopathic Medical Society and the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical Society, in all of which he holds mem- bership.

On the 23d of January, 1901, at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Dr. Siemon was united in marriage to Miss Ada Rice, a daughter of John Rice, one of the pio- neer foundrymen and steamboat builders of the northwest and a prominent and prosperous citizen. They now have one child, Marjorie, five years of age.

In politics Dr. Siemon is a stalwart democrat and an active worker in the local ranks of the party. He has capably served his fellow townsmen in various positions of public trust and responsibility, ever discharging his official duties in a prompt and efficient manner. He is a valued member of the Phi Upsilon Rho and in 1907 and 1908 acted as president of the national body or Supreme Corpus. He likewise belongs to the Country Auto Club and the Gesang Verein, and re- ligiously is identified with the Friends church, in the work of which he has taken an active and helpful part for many years. His principal sources of recreation are hunting and fishing, and he lives in a pleasant and commodious residence on Forty-ninth street East. In professional and social life he holds to high standards and enjoys in large measure the confidence and trust of those with whom he is brought in contact in every relation of life.

SILAS ALBERT BOYNTON, M. D.

Dr. S. A. Boynton became most widely known, perhaps, in connection with the professional service which he rendered President Garfield during the days in which he lingered after the assassin had done his work. In Cleveland, however, Dr. Boynton had established a high reputation as a skillful and able physician and as a broad-minded, influential man whose abilities well qualified him for the position of leadership which was accorded him. He was born in Orange, Cuya- hoga county, Ohio, February 24, 1835, a son of Amos and Alpha ( Ballou) Boyn- ton. The latter was a native of New Hampshire and by her marriage became the mother of six children. The father was one of the pioneers of Cuyahoga county. He and President Garfield's father were half-brothers and settled on adjoining farms in this county, giving their attention to general agricultural pur- suits. Both families were members of the Disciples' church and S. A. Boynton and James A. Garfield in their boyhood days were sent to Hiram College, an institution conducted under the auspices of that church. Their friendship con- tinued not only through the period of youth and their college days but also in their later life, being continued up to the time of the president's death. In the attainment of his professional education S. A. Boynton attended the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College and began practice in Warrensville, Ohio. In 1863 he came to Cleveland and established himself in general practice, enjoying grati- fying success as the years passed. He always kept in touch with the most ad- vanced thought and methods of the profession, carrying his scientific research

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and investigation far and wide into the realms of professional knowledge. He was at one time professor in the Homeopathic College here and the profession, as well as the public, accorded him prominence as a representative of the medical fraternity.

On the 20th of October, 1869, Dr. Boynton was married to Miss Anna Thome, a daughter of the Rev. James A. Thome, who for twenty-five years was pastor of the Congregational church on the west side. He was a native of Kentucky and for ten years was a professor in Oberlin College. He took an active interest in all those movements and measures which contribute to the civilization of the world, was at one time president of the board of education and was very active in the affairs of Ohio civics. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Allen, was a native of Connecticut. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Boynton was born a son, James, now deceased. The death of Dr. Boynton occurred December 2, 1907, and thus passed away one of Cleveland's most honored and respected physicians and citi- zens. In politics he was ever an earnest republican and was a most public-spirited man, withholding his aid and cooperation from no movement which he deemed would prove of benefit to the city. He was also very charitable and found ample. opportunity to assist his fellowmen through his professional relations. When James A. Garfield was shot down in the depot at Washington, Dr. Boynton was among the physicians who were called to his bedside and the aid which he there rendered won him the everlasting gratitude of the nation. For many years he was a most successful physician of Cleveland, continuing in active practice up to the time of his demise, which occurred when he was seventy-two years of age. While he manifested an interest in his profession from the scientific standpoint, the predominant influence in his work was his broad humanitarianism, which prompted him to put forth the most earnest effort to alleviate suffering and restore health. His warmth of heart made him loved wherever he went and he was most honored and respected where best known.

W. GALEN SMITH.

For many years W. Galen Smith conducted a business of no small propor- tions in Cleveland, the extent and importance of his activities gaining him recog- nition as one whose worth is regarded as a valuable asset in the business circles of the city. Ohio numbered him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Moorefield, Harrison county. At the usual age he entered upon the task of acquiring his education in the public schools and later he had the benefit of instruction in Hiram College, his father, Dr. W. G. Smith, having engaged in the practice of medicine in Hiram, Ohio, for a half century. His mother bore the maiden name of Mary Price.

W. Galen Smith remained a resident of Hiram until early manhood when, believing that the business conditions of the city would offer him better advan- tages, he came to Cleveland and accepted the position of bookkeeper in the employ of D. A. Dangler. Subsequently he acted as bookkeeper for John D. Rockefeller and Mr. Hughes, but afterward entered into business with others in organizing the firm of Butts, Bassett & Smith, for the conduct of a wholesale jobbing trade in caps and furs. Mr. Smith took charge of the office of the firm and was asso- ciated with that house until after the war, when he engaged with others in organ- izing the Crystal Carbon Company. In that connection an extensive and profit- able business was built up and to its further development and expansion Mr. Smith devoted the remainder of his active life. He always recognized the fact that the present, and not the future, holds the opportunities and therefore utilized each passing moment to the best advantage. Moreover, he knew that diligence and close application are indispensable factors in the attainment of success and

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his industry and persistency of purpose were therefore utilized to good advantage in the conduct of his business.

By his marriage Mr. Smith became the father of two sons: Clarence Galen, who resides with his mother; and Theodore, who has departed this life. The husband and father passed away May 24, 1900. He was a great lover of home and spent all of his leisure hours with his family, considering no effort or sacri- fice on his part too great if it would promote the happiness or enhance the wel- fare of his wife and children. He was a most honorable man, beloved by all who knew him and his sterling traits of character found expression in his pub- lic-spirited citizenship, in his conformity to a high standard of business ethics, in his loyalty to his friends, and in his unfalterng devotion to his family.

SYDNEY CURTIS VESSY.

Sydney Curtis Vessy, attorney at law, was born in Warren township, Trum- bull county, Ohio, February 2, 1866. The family is of Scotch-Irish lineage and was founded in America by the grandfather, who came from the north of Ireland and settled in the Keystone state. He was a weaver by trade and lived to be more than one hundred years of age. His son, John Vessy, was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, in 1824, and died March 12, 1896. He followed farming through much of his life and for a number of years also engaged in the manu- facture of upholstered goods. In business affairs he was quite successful and in addition to his agricultural interests he engaged in raising, buying and sell- ing stock. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Warren township, Trumbull county, Ohio, to which he drove across the country before the building of the turnpike road. He became a prominent factor in the community and was active in political circles but never held office. His wife, who bore the· maiden name of Esther Crow, was born at Martins Ferry, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1828. Her father, also a native of the Keystone state, was a raftsman on the Allegheny river. The Crow family was likewise of Scotch-Irish lineage. The military history of the Vessy family is most creditable, for four uncles of S. C. Vessy were soldiers of the Civil war and the father, John Vessy, was a recruiting officer. William Vessy during the course of his service rose from private to the rank of captain. One of the family was wounded four or five times and died as the result of his injuries. Alec Vessy served throughout the entire war and was twice wounded. Wallace was with the army for two and a half years and James served for a short period.

In the country schools Sydney C. Vessy began his education, which he con- tinued in the West Farmington Academy and later in the Western Reserve Insti- tute at Austinburg, Ashtabula county, Ohio. He was graduated from Grand River Institute in 1888, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, and after devot- ing some time to the study of law was admitted to the bar in 1891. He practiced alone in Cleveland for two and a half years, after which he formed a partnership with Judge Harvey R. Keeler. The firm dissolved a year later, when Mr. Vessy was appointed to the office of deputy coroner and did legal work in that connec- tion for about two and three-quarter terms. He was then taken ill and did not recover for some time after the term expired. In December, 1896, he resumed active practice and was alone for six months, after which he formed a partner- ship with Hyman D. Davis, who a year later was appointed assistant prosecutor of the city. Mr. Vessy then became senior partner of the firm of Vessy & Bader and in 1903 became senior partner of the firm of Vessy, Davis & Manak. This firm was dissolved in 1908 and Mr. Vessy has since practiced alone, with a large clientele that is indicative of the confidence generally reposed in his professional skill by the public. During his connection with the coroner's office he had to in- vestigate the Central viaduct disaster, where sixteen were killed by an electric

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 49

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1150