USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II > Part 52
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CHARLES H. EVERS.
Charles H. Evers of the Evers Iron Works, situated at 1569-1571 Merwin avenue, has been engaged in his present business since 1890. He was born in Hanover, Germany, October 10, 1849, his parents being Henry and Sophie Evers. The father, also a native of Hanover, was a blacksmith by trade, and died in 1872. Mr. Evers attended the public schools of Hanover until his four- teenth year, then entering a school of engineering where by dint of three years
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application he prepared himself for a useful and original life work. After three years practical experience in a machine shop, he came to America, and located in Youngstown, Ohio. After working for two years as machinist for the Homer Hamilton Company he found his way to Cleveland. In the following years he made several changes, and gained steadily in skill in his special line of work. His first employment was with the Globe Iron Works where he remained for eleven years. He was then engaged by the Variety Iron Works where he was advanced to the position of foreman, and after two years here, he went to the Dangler Stove Company where he spent another two years as foreman of the tool department. For two years he made machinery for the F. E. Kellsy Cigar Manufacturing Company, and again for two years he worked for the Cleveland Ship Building Company. The year 1890 was important in that he now cast off the role of employe for that of employer, entering into a partnership with C. O. Barlett, of the Barlett Machine Company. In 1895 he bought out Mr. Barlett and removed from 63 South Water street to 1569 Merwin street, where he has enjoyed great success. Mr. Evers possesses considerable inventive talent, the Evers & Hildebrandt patent smokehouse for the smoking of meats being his in- vention.
Mr. Evers was married in Cleveland, October 10, 1871, to Miss Sophie Broc- hauser. They have a family of six children: Harry, aged thirty-four years, Albert, aged thirty years, and Charles, aged twenty-three years, all are engaged with their father. Two daughters, Lizzie, aged twenty-three years, and Ger- trude, are at home, the latter a public school student. Emma is the wife of Fred Schmitt. The home is at 2193 West Thirty-eighth street.
Mr. Evers is a Mason with membership in the Blue Lodge, and belongs to the Social Turners. He supports the principles of the democracy and his church is the German Evangelical Lutheran. Possessing, as he does, business integrity and the spirit of progressiveness, the secret of his success is an open one.
LESLIE N. ROOD.
Among the flourishing concerns which have come into being within the past few years is the German Chemical Supply Company, located at 1565 Merwin avenue, and its success is in large measure due to the methods of its superin- tendent, Leslie N. Rood. Mr. Rood was born in Portage county, Ohio, Novem- ber II, 1862, his parents being Norman and Louisa Rood. His grandfather, William Rood, came to America in 1760, in time to live through the stormy days of the Revolutionary war. He settled in Connecticut and farmed there until 1812 when he journeyed westward with his goods and chattels, and, set- tling in Portage county, Ohio, farmed there for the rest of his life. His father was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, July 6, 1806, and made his livelihood by driving a peddling wagon from which he sold gunpowder and tinware. In later years he drove a six-horse team freight wagon between Pittsburg and Cleve- land. He lived until 1885.
Mr. Rood attended the public schools of Portage county until his sixteenth year, and for the next two years worked on the farm owned by his father. Abandoning the ploughshare he engaged as traveling salesman for the McCor- mick Machine Company, selling their agricultural implements over a territory embracing eastern Ohio. When about twenty years of age he came to Cleve- land and became a motorman for the Cleveland Electric Railway Company, continuing in their employ for twelve years. For another year he acted as agent for a fire extinguisher company, and then concluded to become more in- dependent. In pursuance of this idea he organized the German Chemical Man- ufacturing Company, and acted as vice president and general manager until January 1, 1907, when the firm reorganized as the German Chemical Supply
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Company. He has filled the position of superintendent since January 1, 1907, and with it has enjoyed success.
Mr. Rood's wife was before her marriage, Miss Emma Clark, their union
1 occurring November 19, 1888, in Edenburg, Portage county, Ohio. They have a family of three children. Norman, twenty years of age, is one of the force of the German Chemical Supply Company; Orrell, fifteen years of age, attends high school; and Wendell, eight years of age, is a student in the public schools. Their home address is 10817 Olivet avenue.
Mr. Rood belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, supports the principles of the republican party, and is a Protestant. He must be reckoned as a valuable citizen, one who enjoys the affection and confidence of his asso- ciates.
CHARLES HENRY WEED.
Charles Henry Weed was born November 14, 1846, in Cleveland, a son of John and Jane (Jones) Weed. His educational training was received in the schools of his native city, and selecting a business, rather than a professional ca- reer, at once after leaving school became associated with his father in the boot and shoe business with which he was identified, until about 1880.
Mr. Weed was married on November 19, 1879, to Miss Mary F. daughter of Edmond and Harriett (Lowrie) Lenis, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Weed became connected with the Lake Erie Iron Works, in which his father-in-law was extensively interested. The change from a retail to a manufacturing business, was one that Mr. Weed readily adapted himself to, and soon became a valuable lieutenant in the management of that extensive industry. His connections therewith continued until it was sold out to the Scofield family.
Impaired health, at this time, prevented his engaging in any active business, other than the management of his private interests, which had became extensive, and included connection with some of the leading financial institutions of the city.
Mr. Weed was deeply interested in the growth and development of Cleveland and never permitted personal interests to dwarf his public spirit or activities. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and endorsed all of its measures for the upbuilding of the city. His interest in political affairs was that of a busi- ness man and not an office seeker, and his affiliation was with the republican party. He left the impress of his individuality upon public and private interests. He was not only a just man in all of his business relations, but manifested quali- ties that won him the respect and esteem of all who knew him. His friendship too was prized by those with whom he came in contact within social relations. His death occurred January 15, 1903, leaving a widow and three children, as follows: Alice Loraine; Lewis Hill, a graduate of Yale, class of 1908, and a member of the class of 'II, at Johns Hopkins University; and Martha Gladys, a graduate of Smith College, class of '08. Mrs. Weed is active in charitable work in the city.
JOHN PHILLIPS, M. B.
Dr. John Phillips, recognized as one of the able members of the medical fra- ternity of Cleveland, was born in Welland, Ontario, Canada, February 19, 1879. His father, Robert Phillips, who was a native of County Monaghan, Ireland, was brought to Canada when but two years of age. He followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and remained a resident of Can-
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ada until called to his final rest in 1897, when sixty-five years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Jane Mccullough and was a native of Canada, passed away in 1906 at the age of seventy years.
John Phillips spent his early life amid rural surroundings and supple- mented his preliminary education by a course in the Welland high school, from which he was graduated in 1896. He then followed the profession of teaching for three years and on the expiration of that period entered the medical de- partment of the University of Toronto, where he completed the prescribed course and received his degree in 1903. In September of that year he came to Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the Lakeside Hospital as house physician, which position he held until April, 1905. Subsequently he spent three months at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and after returning to this city served as resident physician to the Lakeside Hospital until October, 1906. Since that time he has been engaged in the private practice of internal medicine at his present location-No. 10509 Euclid avenue. In October, 1906, he was appointed demonstrator of medicine at the Western Reserve University, serv- ing in that capacity until October, 1908, when he was appointed instructor of medicine at that institution. In December, 1909, he was appointed assistant professor of medicine. For one year, beginning in October, 1906, he also served as demonstrator of anatomy at the Western Reserve University. Since May, 1907, he has been attending physician to the dispensary of the Babies Dispensary and Hospital, and since October, 1908, has been physician in charge of the medical dispensary of Lakeside Hospital. He is likewise acting as chair- man of the supervisory committee of the Children's Fresh Air Camp. He was secretary of the clinical and pathological section of the Cleveland Academy of Medicine in 1909 and also holds membership in the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Cleveland Medical Library Association. He has been a frequent contributor to medical journals on sub- jects pertaining to internal medicine and children's diseases and is one of the collaborators of the Cleveland Medical Journal.
On the 19th of September, 1907, in Cleveland, Dr. Phillips was joined in wedlock to Miss Cordelia Louise Sudderth, of North Carolina. Their union has been blessed with a son, John Edward, born September 30, 1908, and they make their home at No. 10000 Lamont avenue.
JOHN F. PANKHURST.
Among the men who have been active in inaugurating and shaping the busi- ness policy and commercial development of Cleveland was John F. Pankhurst, active in the control and management of the Globe Iron Works Company, the Cleveland Dry Dock Company and other business enterprises. His demise there- fore removed from the city one whom she could ill afford to lose, a man whose strength of purpose and undaunted energy found expression in the development of business concerns whose magnitude made them not only a source of individ- ual profit but also an element in the city's growth.
Mr. Pankhurst was born in Cleveland, March 28, 1830, and was a son of J. J. and Sarah Pankhurst, natives of England. After coming to America his parents resided for a brief period in Syracuse, New York, and then removed to Cleveland, where the father followed the carpenter's trade, and as his financial resources increased made investment in real estate. His son was a pupil in the Cleveland schools to the age of seventeen years, after which he pursued a special course in engineering and mechanics. The advantages of his youth, however, were comparatively few and a portion of his education had to be attained by at- tending night school. For some time he was engaged in work along engineering and mechanical lines, his evening hours being devoted to study. This course he
J. F. PANKHURST
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followed for five years and in the early '6os he sailed as assistant engineer on a lake steamer under Captain George P. McKay, who was afterward manager of a fleet of vessels owned by M. A. Hanna & Company. It was Mr. Pankhurst's plan to become a marine engineer but other opportunities opened before him and he bent his energies in a different direction. In 1865 he became a partner in the firm of Wallace, Pankhurst & Company and opened a machine shop on the east side of the river. Three years later the Globe Iron Works were purchased. This concern had been conducted under a partnership relation formed in 1853. Un- der the new management the business steadily and rapidly increased and was reorganized and incorporated in 1886, with a capital of five hundred thousand dollars, with H. M. Hanna as president, J. F. Pankhurst as vice president and general manager and Luther Allen as secretary and treasurer. Previous to the incorporation of the Globe Iron Works Company, Robert Wallace and H. D. Coffinberry were associated with Mr. Pankhurst but in 1886 there was a separa- tion of interests, two corporations being formed. For thirty years Mr. Pank- hurst was connected with the lake carrying trade and was a guiding spirit in the Globe Iron Works Company, operating the most extensive shipbuilding interests with one exception in the entire United States. In the development of the ship- building of the Great Lakes Mr. Pankhurst indeed figured prominently. Ship- building and marine engineering were his natural trend, his early education and experience fitting him for the eminent position which he filled. Moreover, close application to business was one of his marked characteristics and he informed himself so thoroughly concerning every phase of the business that if a plan called for a quick judgment it was never an ill advised one owing to a lack of under- standing of the situation. He became known all over the United States in con- nection with the Globe Iron Works Company and through his efforts and those of two or three who were associated with him in business, Cleveland attained her present proud position as a shipbuilding port. Although ships were built in Cleveland many years before Mr. Pankhurst became connected with the ship- yard, it was within fifteen or twenty years of his demise that the city became classed as one of the largest shipbuilding ports of the world, the plant of the Globe Iron Works Company being surpassed in extent only by the works of William Cramp's Sons in Philadelphia. Under the management of Mr. Pank- hurst lighthouse tenders and revenue cutters were built for the government, the magnificent floating palaces of the North Land and the North West were con- structed and the largest of the new type of steel ore carriers were built. The Globe Iron Works in large measure are a monument to the spendid business ability, executive force and carefully formulated and well defined plans of him whose name introduces this review.
On the 28th of July, 1856, was celebrated the marriage of John F. Pankhurst and Miss Marie Coates, a daughter of Matthew and Charlotte Coates, who, com- ing from England, settled in Cleveland at an early period in the development of this city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pankhurst were born three children but two are now deceased. The surviving daughter, Abigail M., is the wife of T. H. Pratt, of Paris, France, and their daughter is the Countess Mercati of Athens, Greece.
Mr. Pankhurst was prominent in the higher circles of Masonry, having at- tained the thirty-second degree, while his membership also extended to the Mys- tic Shrine. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was one of the vestrymen of St. John's Episcopal church. He took active and help- ful part in all that pertained to municipal progress and sought the benefit and improvement of Cleveland in many ways. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and served on the committee of one hundred organized for the en- couragement of Cleveland industries. As he prospered in his undertakings he embraced his opportunity for judicious investment and was financially interested in many important concerns, including the Forest City Savings Bank, of which he was vice president. His name, however, will be best remembered in connec- tion with the development of the Globe Iron Works, which has furnished em-
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ployment to thousands of workmen and won for the city prestige in shipbuilding circles. The innate force of his character as manifest in laudable ambition, firm purpose and unfaltering energy carried him to success that made him one of Cleveland's renowned captains of industry and a conspicuous figure in the iron and steel trade of the country.
HERBERT H. HYMAN.
The name of Herbert H. Hyman was well known to Cleveland citizens as that of one who figured prominently in connection with municipal affairs and was recognized, moreover, as one who wielded a wide influence in local democratic circles. He was born in Petersburg, Virginia, October 22, 1851, and was only six months old when brought by his parents to this city. His father, Solomon Hyman, was for years engaged in the dry-goods business here on Superior street and also on Euclid avenue, being throughout the middle portion of the nineteenth century a leading factor in commercial circles. He was always active in the de- velopment of Cleveland and his citizenship was of a high order, being character- ized by the utmost devotion to the public good. His death occurred in 1879. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Davis, is also a native of Peters- burg, Virginia, and yet survives, making her home in Cleveland.
In his youthful days Herbert H. Hyman was a pupil in Miss Guilford's Private School and afterward attended the high school of this city. When his course was completed he entered into partnership with his father and even in that early day evinced particular aptitude in politics and became actively engaged in the contests of about a third of a century ago. He did not neglect his business opportunities but made steady progress along commercial lines and, after being associated with his father for a number of years, he entered the toy business in connection with Sam Windecker, their store being located at 188 Superior street. They opened business there in 1880 and were associated for two years in the conduct of their enterprise. Later Mr. Hyman withdrew largely from com- mercial circles to devote his attention entirely to politics. On the election of Robert Blee as mayor of Cleveland in 1893 Mr. Hyman was appointed director of fire and when John Farley was elected in 1899 Mr. Hyman was again appointed fire director and continued in the office until the administration of Mayor John- son in 1901, being the last of the old Farley cabinet to be removed from office by Tom Johnson. It was then that Mr. Hyman formed a partnership with Echo Heisley and from that time until his death he devoted his attention and energies almost entirely to mercantile pursuits. As a public official he was always loyal to the interests entrusted to his care and active in the performance of the duties which devolved upon him. He was deeply interested in the work of the fire de- partment and through both of his terms there was never a dangerous conflagration in which he did not personally assist the fire fighters. He was a familiar figure as he watched the work of the firemen, dressed in a rubber coat, boots and cap, with his badge of authority upon his coat. To other public positions he was called, serving as a member of the city council and as a federal office holder, being the Ohio dairy and fruit commissioner for some time. From his boyhood he was a stalwart champion of democratic principles and it was characteristic of Mr. Hyman that he always gave earnest and active allegiance to every cause or principle which he espoused. He, therefore, became a leading worker in the ranks of the democracy and was a man of considerable influence in the local councils of his party.
Above all mere partisanship, however, Mr. Hyman was a public-spirited citizen and cooperated in many movements for the general good, advocating various measures which have been a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. For twenty
H. H. HYMAN
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years he was a member of the Cleveland Grays, one of the most celebrated mili- tary organizations of the country.
On the 27th of February, 1876, Mr. Hyman was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Liebenthal, a daughter of Moses Liebenthal, who came to the United States from Germany, where he was born about 1844. He was sixteen years of age at the time of his arrival in the new world and later became a factor in business cir- cles of Cleveland, conducting a merchant tailoring establishment on Superior street. His home was located on the same thoroughfare where the Masonic temple now stands. He was very much devoted to the city and its welfare and took a deep and abiding interest in its affairs. His death occurred in 1878. In the , Liebenthal family were four children: Albert, who is now living in California ; Fannie; Mrs. Anna Montner, of Cleveland; and Mrs. Hyman. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hyman have been born two sons and a daughter : Walter, Henry Kitchen and Ethel. The husband and father died March 2, 1909. It is given but to few men to foretell so clearly the method of their demise but for some time Mr. Hyman felt that his passing would be as it was. His partner had died suddenly and Mr. Hyman felt that his end would come in the same way and so it proved. He was stricken in the De Klyn store on Euclid avenue and although medical aid was summoned he died without recovering consciousness. He was a popular man with many friends, genial, courteous and always approachable, with appreciation for the fun and humor as well as for the serious side of life. He had been prac- tically a lifelong resident of Cleveland and had a very wide acquaintance in this city, especially among those who had been active in shaping the course of public affairs.
JAMES RUDOLPH SPRANKLE.
While the record of the business man may be less spectacular than that of the statesman or the military leader, it is none the less essential and none the less valuable. In fact, the stable prosperity and substantial growth of every community depends upon its enterprising, reliable business men who day by day perform their daily duties, advancing slowly yet steadily, utilizing every means that come to hand not only to advance their own interests but also to promote the public welfare. To this class belonged James Rudolph Sprankle, who was the second vice president of the L. P. & J. A. Smith Company. His birth occurred at Navarre, Ohio, in 1842, and he was educated there and at Mount Union College of this state. Becoming a resident of Cleveland, he en- gaged in business as a general commission merchant in 1862 and so continued for about fifteen years, largely handling grain in connection with his father, Rudolph Sprankle. On the termination of that period, however, he went to Muncie, Indiana, where he opened a flour mill and also established the Dela- ware County Bank, which he conducted for five years. He then sold the bank but retained the mill. In 1896 he returned to Cleveland and entered into bus- iness relations with L. P. & J. A. Smith as second vice president, his associa- tion therewith being maintained for nine years or until his death on the 30th of May, 1905. He was a man of resolute purpose, carrying forward to suc- cessful completion whatever he undertook. When one avenue of advancement seemed closed he sought out another path which would lead to the goal and would brook no obstacle which could be overcome by persistent, determined and honorable effort. He became financially interested in a number of con- cerns in this city, including the Dime Savings Bank, of which he was a direc- tor.
Mr. Sprankle was married twice. He first wedded Miss Victorine Gresella and unto them were born two children: Mrs. Mary (Heinshon) McWhorton, now living in Sylvester, Georgia; and James R., of Cleveland. In 1893 he wedded Angela M. Smith, a daughter of Patrick Smith, who was one of the
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early residents of Cleveland and is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Her grandfather was John Smith, who arrived in this city in 1836. Mr. Sprankle lived on Euclid avenue between Thirty-sixth and Fortieth streets, the old num- ber being 896.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Sprankle was a Mason and socially was con- nected with the Euclid Club. He also belonged to the Chamber of Commerce and took a deep and helpful interest in everything that related to Cleveland's progress and improvement. He sought her upbuilding along modern lines and while he never desired to figure prominently in public affairs, the weight of his influence and his support were nevertheless potent forces for her improvement. He passed away May 30, 1905, and a life of genuine and unostentatious use- fulness was brought to a close, his sterling worth, however, being manifest in the appreciation of his large circle of frends.
VIRGIL CORYDON TAYLOR.
For almost two-thirds of a century the Taylor family has figured in the cit- izenship of Ohio. They were New England people and William Taylor, Jr., the grandfather of Virgil Corydon Taylor, continued his residence throughout his life in Connecticut with the exception of the time that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was in Company A from Simsbury, Connecticut, and took part in the battles of Lexington and Monmouth.
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