A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 51

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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C. HERBERT PORTER.

C. Herbert Porter, who is the assistant treasurer and director of the White Sewing Machine Company, was born in Cleveland on the 15th of November, 1861, a son of Darcy and Marie Porter. From the Cleveland schools he received his education, having taken the complete course from the primary grades through the high school, which he supplemented by a course at a business college. His education completed, he entered the business world and twenty-five years ago. was engaged as a clerk by the company of which he is now director and a stockholder. This great rise has been occasioned solely by his own efforts, by his unswerving devotion to the interests of his employers, his hard work, and his strict integrity.

In 1888 Mr. Porter was married to Miss Clarkson Hoodless, a daughter of a merchant of Hamilton, Canada, and they now have two sons: H. Wilber and Darcy H.

Mr. Porter is an active member of the Euclid and Union Clubs and is ever a genial figure at their social gatherings. He is also one of Cleveland's most loyal sons, who by his earnest work and high principles and through his long and hon- orable connection with his firm, has done his share in raising the standard of cit- izenship in this city. Fidelity and industry have been the traits of character by which he has been able to win this success.

JAMES W. CONGER.

James W. Conger is vice president and treasurer of the Auld & Conger Com- pany, manufacturers of and dealers in roofing, slates, grates, mantels and tiles. Under capable management the business has developed to substantial propor- tions, being recognized as one of the important commercial enterprises of the city. Mr. Conger was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1845. His ancestors in the paternal line came from Northumberland, England, in the six- teenth century and located at Morristown, New Jersey, whence the grandfather of our subject removed to Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1796. His son, William Henry Harrison Conger, was born in Washington county and devoted his life to farming and stock raising but died in the county of his nativity when

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his son, James W., was but six years of age. He had married Martha Auld, also a native of Pennsylvania, who died when their son James was but fifteen months old. Her father was Archibald Auld, who was born in the north of Ireland but was of Scotch descent, as the name plainly indicates. He married Rebecca Car- roll, an Irish girl, who came to America in childhood, as he had done. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. H. Conger were five children, of whom three are yet living, the sister of our subject, being Mrs. McClaren, of Redlands, Califor- nia, and Mrs. Carey, of Hamilton, Missouri.

James W. Conger, who was the third in order of birth, was only seven year. of age when he went to Mount Gilead, Morrow county, Ohio, to make his home with his grandfather, Archibald Auld, a farmer of that locality. There the lad attended the district schools until sixteen years of age, pursuing his studies through the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to the work of the fields. Between the ages of eleven and sixteen years, because of the ad- vanced age of his grandfather, he did all of the farm work except the harvesting. Unable to content himself at home while the safety of the Union was imperiled, in September, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company B, Forty-third Ohio Infantry, and served until July, 1865, acting as quartermaster sergeant during the latter part of his connection with the army. His service was entirely in the west save that he was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea and was pres- ent at the surrender of Johnson at Durham Station, near Raleigh, North Caro- lina. Proceeding northward, he participated in the grand review in Washington, D. C., where the Union soldiers marched through the streets of the capital amid long lines of cheering thousands. In July, 1865, he received an honorable dis- charge at Louisville, Kentucky. During his entire service he was never in the hospital or absent from his regiment for a day. Before his first enlistment of three years had expired he had veteranized, enlisting for three years more. He was mustered out December 26, 1863, on account of his reenlistment and was granted a thirty days' furlough before he again took up active military duty in the field. An interesting fact in his army life is that he and his cousin, David Auld, at that time formed a partnership that has existed almost continuously since 1862. It was at the battle of Corinth that David Auld drew a sketch of the battlefield and then, forming a partnership with Mr. Conger, they had the sketch lithographed and sold many copies. It was this drawing that was used by General Rosecrans in his "Battles & Leaders."

While Mr. Conger was at the front his grandfather had removed to the west, so that after the war Mr. Conger came to Columbus and made his home with an uncle, during which time he pursued a course in a commercial college and was graduated. In 1867, in connection with others, including his present partner, he formed a corporation under the name of the Columbus Steam Brick Company and in the capital city established the first steam brick plant in the state, having general supervision thereof until they sold it a year later. He then entered the office of his uncle, who was an architect and building contractor and gained much valuable business experience during the two years thus passed. In 1870 Mr. Conger formed a partnership with David Auld and engaged in general contract- ing in Columbus and in the fall of that year they took a contract for one of the largest churches in the state at that time, at Steubenville, and removed to that place. They did other important building there and in the meantime engaged again in brick manufacture, establishing a brick plant at Steubenville for their own use. Their business gradually developed from contracting lines until they were doing a slate roofing and jobbing business throughout the state. In 1873 they moved to Cleveland, where they established the largest slate jobbing business in Ohio and in the expansion of their interests they acquired, in 1885, quarry properties in Rutland, Vermont, and since that time in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, being today among the largest producers of slate roofing in the country. Mr. Conger is also a director of the American Sea Green Slate Com- pany, of Granville, New York, vice president and treasurer of the Bangor Build-

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ing Company, president and treasurer of the Aulcon Building Company and is interested in numerous other commercial enterprises.

Mr. Conger was married in Columbus, Ohio, in 1869, to Miss Anna M. Hig- gins and they have one daughter, May G., now the wife of L. J. Braddock, of New York city, and two sons, Frank H. and Howard F., who are in business with their father.

Mr. Conger is a trustee of the Cleveland Medical College. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Builders Exchange and was one of the organ- izers of the Colonial Club, with which he is still connected. He also belongs to the various Masonic bodies and the Mystic Shrine and he attends and contributes liberally to the support of the Calvary Presbyterian church. In politics he is a republican, supporting the party since casting his first presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln and serving as presidential elector at the Mckinley and Roosevelt election, but never seeking political preferment for himself. He is now engaged with others in preparing a history of Fuller's Ohio Brigade, of which he was a member during the period of his service in the Civil war. Fishing is his chief source of recreation and in it he indulges when business conditions afford him leisure. He is a large, athletic man, splendidly preserved, dignified but courteous, genial and sociable. In his business career he has wrought along well defined lines of activity and in accordance with progressive, modern ideas has added to the volume of trade now accorded to the house, while his interest in other con- nections makes him one of the substantial residents of Cleveland.

GEORGE A. SCHNEIDER.

George A. Schneider, the secretary of the Cleveland Athletic Club, one of the guiding and stimulating forces in promoting greater physical development and healthy activity in the realm of amateur athletics, among the young men of Cleveland was born in this city May 24, 1877, and is a son of Mathias and Elizabeth Schneider. The father died when his son was still a youth, but the mother is still living. George A. Schneider attended the public schools of Cleveland and after passing through the high school, entered upon his busi- ness career. For ten years he devoted himself to life insurance, becoming au- ditor for the United States Life Insurance Company. Next he became editor of the American Sportsman, which he managed for three years, and then en- gaged in general newspaper work until the organization of the Cleveland Ath- letic Club opened an opportunity for the exercise of his ability.

The club was established February 1, 1908, and three months later, May I, 1908, when Mr. Schneider became connected with it had two hundred and fifty members. Now its full quota numbers fifteen hundred representative business and professional men of the city and three hundred non-resident members. The society has also prospered financially for they have now over half a million dol- lars to be invested in club property and in the erection of a new club house. This will be as complete, handsome and well apointed a place of its kind as an architect's skill can make it. The location, on Chestnut avenue east of East Ninth street, will place it in the heart of Cleveland's new business center, and as only a portion of the large lot is to be used for the building proper, the sur- rounding gardens will make it a small park. The gymnasium, always an im- portant feature of any athletic club, will be up-to-date in every respect and well equipped, as will also be the natatorium. To the ladies will be assigned a complete section, including dining rooms and rooms for private dinner and card parties, while special arrangements will be made for their accommodation in other parts of the building. Nor will the social features of the club be neglected, but special attention will be given to main and private dining rooms, whose construction and decoration will be along artistic lines, and the service and

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cuisine will be up to the highest standard. Other special features will be the lounging rooms, the card rooms, the library, the sleeping apartments, billiard rooms and bowling alleys, Turkish and Russian baths, rifle and pistol range, handball, rackets and squash courts, and many other accommodations which will look for the comfort and convenience of the members and their guests. Mr. Schneider has taken an active part in all these arrangements, has been conspicuous in promoting the growth and welfare of the organization, which, without his indefatigable industry, could not make so gratifying a showing.

It was in April, 1896, that Mr. Schneider was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Huston Smith, of Pittsburg. One son, George Henry, who is now twelve years of age, has been born to the couple. Mr. Schneider is a member of the Masonic lodge of Cleveland, while his interest in athletics and allied diversions justified his membership in the Cleveland Road Drivers Association, in which he now holds the responsible position of secretary and treasurer. He is a young man of no mean ability, worthy of the trust and confidence which have been reposed in his integrity and in his good judgment.

HENRY NORTH RAYMOND.

Henry North Raymond was one of the prime factors in the early charitable work in Cleveland and it is largely through his efforts that philanthropy now oc- cupies such an important place in the minds of all citizens. He was born August 22, 1835, a son of Samuel Raymond, who was a pioneer in the dry-goods busi- ness in this city. He attended the public schools and later entered Union College at Schenectady, New York, having selected that institution because four or five of his boy friends were attending it, Sidney Norton and Samuel Newbury being among that number. After graduating from that college he entered the dry-goods business in partnership with his father. In 1866 his father and mother, accom- panied by several friends, contemplated spending the winter in Havana, Cuba. They were going by boat down the Mississippi river and when about opposite Vicksburg the boilers exploded. Mr. Raymond was among those who lost their lives, but his wife was saved by clinging to a bale of hay and rescued by a small boat that put off from a passing steamer, bound from New Orleans to St. Louis. She suffered a broken limb but otherwise escaped uninjured, save the severe ner- vous shock incident to see her husband go down to a watery grave unable to ren- der him aid. When Mr. Raymond learned of his father's death he went at once to his mother, finding her in a hotel under care of a surgeon at Vicksburg, and later brought her home.

It was in connection with the Cleveland Associated Charities and other charita- ble organizations that Henry N. Raymond deserves especial mention. In 1881 he assumed charge of the work of the Society for Organizing Charity, of which H. M. Hanna was the first president, and devoted himself to its interests until it was consolidated with the Bethel Relief work. It was hard work in those days, too, for the public was not aroused to the necessity of public charities and could only with the greatest difficulty be interested in the project. Indeed, his duties were so strenuous that after eighteen years he was compelled to resign, afterwards going to California to regain his health, which had broken under the strain. At present he is not connected with any business enterprise but looks after his father's estate, while he still retains a measure of his interest in the charitable work of Cleveland.

In 1859 Mr. Raymond was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Strong, a daughter of John and Helen (Adair) Strong, of Schenectady, New York. Two daughters have been born to them. The elder became the wife of Henry F. Du Puy, a graduate of Union College. He was offered a professorship in that in- stitution but, preferring to engage in mercantile life, entered the employ of the

HENRY N. RAYMOND

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Westinghouse Electrical Manufacturing Company, of Pittsburg. Later he be- came associated as secretary with the Babcock & Wilcox Company of New York. With the desire of seeing the world he resigned his position to spend two years in travel. For two winters he sojourned in India, within that time being enter- tained by one of the native princes. The other daughter, Helen Adair, is at home with her parents.

Mr. Raymond has always been a stalwart champion of the interests of the re- publican party, while he holds membership in the Old Stone church, in which he has been an elder for twenty years. For a number of years he belonged to the University Club but recently resigned in order that he might devote more time to his wife whose health has become impaired. On July 28, 1909, he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding. On that occasion one of the bridesmaids, now Mrs. Annie Spencer, of New York, was present, while other members of the bridal party of fifty years before-Mrs. Marsh of Watseka, Illinois, Rev. George Bart- lett, of York state, and Rear Admiral J. Rufus Tryon, of New York, were all living. Mr. Raymond has witnessed the growth of Cleveland from a village to a metropolitan center and has participated in one phase of that development which is indicative of a high civilization.

LUCIEN B. HALL.

Lucien B. Hall, who is a prominent factor in the wholesale drug business of Cleveland and is also actively connected with numerous mercantile organiza- tions of this city, is one of Ohio's native sons. He was born in Brimfield town- ship, Portage county, a son of Porter B. and Mary L. (Hinsdale) Hall. The former was born in Brimfield, Ohio, in 1825, and died in 1870. His father, Henry Hall, came to Ohio from Vermont, driving overland, and was among the first settlers of Portage county. The Hall family is of English origin and was founded in New England during the early period of American colonization. The mother of L. B. Hall is still living at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The family removed from the home farm in Brimfield township, Por- tage county, to Hudson, Ohio, and Lucien B. Hall, who had attended the pub- lic schools through the fall and winter terms until fifteen years of age, after- ward began preparing for college at the Western Reserve Preparatory School, but before he matriculated in the university he decided to accept a position in a retail drug store in Cleveland, where he worked for little over two years. In 1870 he became associated with the firm of Benton, Myers & Canfield as a trav- eling salesman. He traveled for them for six years and in 1876 was brought into the firm as a partner, the name being changed to Benton, Myers & Com- pany. In 1904 the name was changed to Benton, Hall & Company, under which style it still continues to do business. Therefore, Mr. Hall has been connected with the wholesale drug business since 1870, and it can be said of but few men in this line of work that they have rendered continued service to one house for almost two score years.

While Mr. Hall has been prominent as a merchant, he has also been a con- spicuous figure in an association which has as its aim the promotion of the wel- fare of druggists throughout the country. He served the National Wholesale Druggists' Association as chairman of the board of control for five years and while administering the duties of that office achieved such success and such far-reaching practical results that he was unanimously elected to the presidency of the association October 6, 1905. He served one term and is still active in the organization. Among the many mercantile organizations of Cleveland with which he has been actively connected may be mentioned the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, of which he served for one term as vice president and for four years as director. He is also active in the Cleveland Associated Char-

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ities and served on its board of trustees. He is a member of the Cleveland Wholesale Merchants' Board, of which he was president for two years, and he is a trustee and for many years was a member of the executive board of the Cleveland Young Men's Christian Association.

On the 23d of December, 1880, Mr. Hall was married to Miss Jennie E. Lyon, a daughter of Richard T. and Ellen (Starkweather) Lyon, the latter a representative of one of the old New England families. The father was one of Cleveland's early pioneers and business men, coming to this city in 1823, after which he engaged for nearly sixty years in the commission business.

Aside from those organizations which are factors in the public life and prog- ress of the community Lucien B. Hall is connected with a number of the social clubs of Cleveland, including the Union, the Clifton, the Westwood Golf and the Lakewood Yacht Clubs. Golf, motoring and yachting constitute his chief sources of recreation and he enters into all with a boyish enthusiasm and zeal that shows that he has not been satiated with life's interests. Seen in commercial relations, one would think him totally absorbed with business affairs, so thoroughly does he concentrate his attention upon the matter in hand. This faculty of bending every energy to work or to recreation, to public service or to other interests in which he is engaged, is one of the strong and salient forces of his character, enabling him to use every moment to the best advantage and to accomplish substantial results.

RICHARD P. CATTRALL.

Few men in Cleveland had a wider acquaintance than Richard P. Cattrall, who for forty-two years was the manager of the local branch for R. G. Dun & Company. No further indication of his efficiency and reliability are necessary, for this fact speaks for itself. About four years prior to his demise he retired from active life and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He was a native of Liverpool, England, born January 14, 1832, and was comparatively young when his parents passed away.

R. P. Cattrall pursued his education in the schools of his native country and there his parents died. He came to America as a young man and, establishing his home in New York, that Mecca of so many people of foreign birth, he at length secured a position with R. G. Dun & Company in that city. There he re- mained for five years in the employ of the company, after which he came to Cleve- land and was associated with the same firm. He was an employe of the company altogether for forty-one years, and one of its most reliable and trusted represen- tatives. As the manager of the local branch in Cleveland he formed a wide ac- quaintance and men throughout the commercial and industrial world here found him a forceful factor in business circles by reason of the keen discernment and sound judgment which he displayed in the control of the business of the company which he represented.

In 1855 Mr. Cattrall was married in England to Miss Sarah Davis, born near the quaint and interesting old city of Chester, whose walls were built by Caesar in 50 B. C. Following the marriage, the wedding trip of the young couple con- sisted of the voyage to America and after living for about six years in the eastern metropolis they came to Cleveland in 1861. As the years passed six children were added to the household, of whom three are still living: Frank, who is now with R. G. Dun & Company ; Alice ; and Richard. The three children who passed away were George, who was a singer of considerable note; Fred ; and Hattie.

Mr. Cattrall retired about four years prior to his death, which occurred Oc- tober 19, 1906, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He was a man of domestic tastes, devoted to the welfare of his wife and children, and counting no effort or sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote their

R. P. CATTRALL

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best interests. For a number of years the family residence was at 1961 East Ninety-third street. In municipal affairs he was deeply interested inasmuch as he desired the best good of the community and cooperated in many movements of civic virtue and civic pride. He belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, to the Colonial Club and attended Emmanuel Episcopal church. He was very charitable and benevolent in his nature and gave freely of his means where aid was needed. He was a great lover of outdoor life and nature and took pleasure in amateur photography, in which he displayed much skill, his family having now in their possession many highly prized evidences of his work, displaying much artistic ability. He was, moreover, a man of wide general information who read broadly and thought deeply, and all these qualities rendered him a congenial companion to his many friends and his good opinion and society were greatly prized by those with whom he came in contact.

ALBERT L. ASSMUS.

Albert L. Assmus, widely known in financial circles as manager of the St. Clair office of the Cleveland Trust Company, was born in Cleveland on the 5th of February, 1876, and in both the paternal and maternal lines comes of Ger- man ancestry. His father, Michael Assmus, was born in Baden, Germany, whence he came to America, arriving in Cleveland in 1855. Here he engaged in the meat business, conducting his interests along that line for a considerable period. He was married in this city to Miss Marie Wollweber, of Germany, who still survives, but Mr. Assmus passed away in 1896 at the age of fifty-six years.

At the usual age Albert L. Assmus began his education in the public schools, continuing his studies through consecutive grades until he entered the Central high school. Later he became connected with the firm of Carlton & Lee in the insurance business, in a clerical capacity, and in 1893 he became connected with the East End Banking & Trust Company as bookkeeper. He served in various capacities and at length was made manager of the St. Clair office of the Cleve- land Trust Company. His understanding of financial problems is comprehen- sive and his knowledge concerning the best methods of management in financial affairs makes him well qualified for the onerous duties that are devolving upon him in his present business association. What he undertakes he accomplishes, and, not being content at any one point of his career to stand still, he has worked his way steadily upward, achieving results that can only be won through persist- ent effort and energy.

On the 26th of September, 1905, Mr. Assmus was married to Miss Daisy S. Butler, of Cleveland, and they have an interesting little daughter, Eleanor. Their home is at No. 10013 Hampden avenue. Mr. Assmus is a member of the Man- ufacturers Club and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He votes independ- ently at local elections but gives his political allegiance to the republican party on other occasions. His pastimes are in the nature of outdoor sports, and thus he finds needed recreation from business cares.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 51

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