A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 64

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

USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II > Part 64

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Fred C. Engel, spent his youthful days in Cleveland when the boundaries of the city were more restricted than at the present time and when it presented the appearance of a growing country town rather than of a metropolitan center with its ramifying trade interests reaching in every direction. He pursued his educa- tion in the old school which stood on the present site of the St. Alexis Hospital on Broadway. In his youthful days he assisted his father on the farm for a time and later engaged in the trucking business. The loss of his right hand while working with a pile-driving machine in 1881, caused him to take up other lines, thus going into the news business. He turned his attention to the development of a news agency which he conducted for the leading journals of the city and had more than twelve hundred subscribers. For thirteen years he carried on business in that way and was very successful in his undertakings.

Moreover Mr. Engel was always active in the affairs of Cleveland, taking a great interest in his home city. He did everything in his power to promote its growth and best interests and supported every movement which he deemed a mat- ter of municipal virtue and pride. He never withheld his aid and cooperation when he believed that they would prove of benefit and his influence was always on the side of progress and advancement. His political allegiance was given to the repub- lican party and he never sought nor desired office. He was prominent and well known in fraternal circles, held membership in both the subordinate lodge and the uniformed rank of the Knights of Pythias, with the Protective Home Circle and the Pathfinders. He attended in early life the First German church on Superior avenue.

In 1876 Mr. Engel was united in marriage to Miss Mary Heimberger, a daughter of Christian Heimberger who arrived in Cleveland in 1852, coming from Germany. His first wife and two children died in one night of cholera during the epidemic of 1852. For his second wife he married Caroline Wieland, who was

FRED C. ENGEL

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first married to a Mr. Brems in Germany. He died in New York, leaving a widow and two children. She came on to Cleveland, where she married Mr. Heinberger, and here they spent their remaining days, the father devoting his life to the tailor's trade which he had learned in his native land. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Engel were born three children but Albert, the eldest, and Freddie, the youngest, are now deceased. The second son, Dr. Rudolph Engel, is a graduate of the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Cleveland of the class of 1902, and has been actively engaged in prac- tice here for several years. He wedded Mary Sluka and has two sons, Walter Al- fred and Alvin Ralph. The death of Mr. Engel occurred December 5, 1907, and was the occasion of the deepest regret to his friends, who found him faithful and loyal; to the city, which recognized in him a progressive and public-spirited resi- dent; and to his family, who knew him for a devoted and ever-loving husband and father. He found his greatest happiness in ministering to the welfare of those de- pending upon him and a most congenial companionship existed between him and his wife. His home for many years was at what is now 4607 Broadway.

WILLIAM PRESCOTT.

William Prescott, vice president of the American Agricultural Chemical Company, is one of the best known men in his line of business in the country. On the Ist of March, 1850, Mr. Prescott was born in Somersetshire, England, a son of Robert and Mary (Webber) Prescott. The father was a builder and continued his connection with that line of activity in England until 1854, when, with his family, he sailed for the United States, taking up his abode in Cleve- land, where the residue of his days were passed. He died in 1888, at the age of sixty-seven years.

William Prescott received his education in the public schools of Cleveland, in Humiston's Institute, a well known school in its day, and the Spencerian Bus- iness College. In 1873 he with others established the Cleveland Dryer Com- pany, which was incorporated the following year with Mr. Prescott as its vice president. He so continued until 1899, when the business became a part of the merger which formed the American Agricultural Chemical Company, Mr. Pres- cott then being chosen a director and local manager of the new corporation, while in 1907 he was elected vice president and a member of the executive com- mittee. He is also an official in a number of other corporations. For nineteen years from its inception, he was president of the Brooklyn Savings & Loan Association, but resigned in 1907 because of the pressure of other business in- terests which required his attention.

Mr. Prescott was married in Cleveland to Miss Ella S. Groff and they have two sons and two daughters. Fraternally Mr. Prescott is a Mason. As a re- publican he served for four years as mayor of Brooklyn, was also a member of the board of education for three years and in 1895-96 was a member of the Cleveland city council.

JEROME B. CARMAN.

Jerome B. Carman, a man who has always done what he believed to be his full duty and lived up to his religious faith in his daily life, is one of the old set- tlers of Cleveland. He was born in Geauga county, Ohio, September 20, 1828, being a son of John C. and Rebecca (Allen) Carman, of Chautauqua county, New York. Receiving a common-school education, Jerome B. Carman remained in Ravenna, Ohio, to which place his family had removed, until he was sixteen. At that time he began working on his father's farm, but soon thereafter went to

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Cayuga Falls to learn the machinist trade, which he followed for two years. In 1846 he came to Cleveland and apprenticed himself to Ezra Thomas, a carpen- ter, serving with him for two years, and for several years afterward working in his planing mill. In 1851 he entered the employ of a Mr. Emerson, who was engaged in the same line of business, and for twelve years remained thus asso- ciated. However, in 1863, Mr. Carman entered the employ of J. Bell Cartwright & Company, proprietors of a large planing mill business, and continued with them for twelve years, when he retired, having given them a faithful service and proved himself worthy of all trust reposed in him.

During the Civil war Mr. Carman was drafted into the army but was dis- charged on account of ill health, but he always espoused the principles for which the Union troops fought in the mighty conflict and is a strong republican.

On September 15, 1857, in Hiram, Ohio, Mr. Carman married Emily A. White, a daughter of Wade and Emily White, who belonged to old and promi- nent families of Vermont. Mrs. Carman died November 20, 1907, and is ten- derly mourned by her husband and their only surviving son, Edward Wade Car- man, who is engaged in a mining business in Nevada. She was a devoted Chris- tian lady and had many friends in the city. Mr. Carman has been a member of the Woodland Avenue Presbyterian church for years. He also belongs to the Old Settlers' Association, enjoys its meetings and, because of his long residence here, can contribute many interesting stories concerning Cleveland as it was in the days prior to the war before it had attained its present importance.

EARL W. CLEMENTS.

Earl W. Clements, who is a promising young business man and for the last five years has been secretary, treasurer and manager of the East End Cartage & Storage Company, was born in Cleveland, February 28, 1884, the son of Robert J. and Katie Clements. The grandfather, James Clements, came to this country from County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1843, and located in this city, where he engaged in business as a stonemason. Later he was able, as the result of his own efforts, to become a mason contractor, and it was under his direction as foreman that the Masa stone mansion was built. In 1888 he put aside the active pursuit of his business, and lived retired until his death, which occurred three years later. His son, Robert Clements, the father of the subject of the sketch, was born in this city, December 25, 1846. He attended the public schools here until he was twelve years of age, when he started upon his business training. He en- tered first an architect's office, where he remained five years, acquiring much knowledge that was valuable to him in his later work as a mason. He engaged in this trade almost immediately after leaving the office, and when the great fire swept Chicago, he went to that city, seeing large opportunities there, and as a foreman helped to rebuild much of the burned section. He remained there but a year, when he returned to Cleveland and began taking contracts for mason work, meeting with creditable results. A large number of important buildings stand as proof of his skill as a workman, including schools, churches and fine residences. The Masonic fraternity, the Chamber of Commerce and the Build- ers Exchange number him among their members.

Earl W. Clements devoted the first eighteen years of his life to acquiring those fundamentals of education which made possible his later business success. He was twelve years of age when he finished the course at the grammar schools, which he supplemented by a four years' course at the high school. Upon com- pleting his education he entered the auditing department of the firm of Sherwin & Williams, paint manufacturers. It was good experience, but it demonstrated to him that he would be more contented when conducting a business of his own than when working in the employ of another, so after a year spent in the office

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he started the cartage and storage business, and has had no reason to regret the venture, for the enterprise has shown a healthy growth and has long since became a profitable investment. Mr. Clements now employs fifteen men, has twenty-three horses and twenty wagons, which he utilizes in the business.

On the 20th of November, 1906, Mr. Clements was married to Miss Mildred Warner, daughter of John H. Warner, and they now have a little son, Sterling Warner. The young couple reside at 11462 Euclid avenue, and are frequently the entertainers at congenial gatherings of friends.

Mr. Clements is an energetic young business man for whom the future must hold much good in store. He is the kind of man who not only seizes the op- portunities as they present themselves, but makes opportunities for himself. In politics his support is given to the republican party, as embodying in its plat- form principles most nearly in accord with his own views. In his religious views he is a Presbyterian.

CLYDE ELLSWORTH FORD, M. D.

Dr. Clyde Ellsworth Ford was born in Leetonia, Ohio, March 26, 1874. His parents, Homer J. and Emma (Berry) Ford, long resided there, the father being at one time a merchant of that city. Dr. Ford pursued his professional course in the medical department of the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he was graduated in 1902 with the degree of M. D. Two years later he en- tered upon active practice in Cleveland. He is now instructor in surgery in the Ohio Wesleyan University and has been secretary of the Academy of Medi- cine since 1904. He was recently appointed Superintendent of the Sanitation of Cleveland, is also counsel of the Ohio State Medical Association and is a mem- ber of numerous other medical and scientific organizations. His ability has gained him not only the recognition of the general public but also of the pro- fession whose judgment is more critical and whose approval therefore is a sure indication of ability.

ERNEST M. POST.

Ernest M. Post, who since the Ist of October, 1907, has been manager for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York in northeastern Ohio, was born September 1, 1862, in Avoca, Louisiana. His parents were Ralph B. and Ellen L. (Deming) Post. His father was a wholesale grocer and one of the pioneer vessel owners in the gulf trade, his ships sailing between New Orleans and Havana, Cuba.

Ernest M. Post had the benefit of instruction in private schools and also attended Selleck's Military Academy at Norwalk, Connecticut, and the Hanover Academy of Virginia. After leaving school he was connected with his father's wholesale grocery business, which he represented as a traveling salesman through the territory of Georgia and Florida for seven years. This gave him valuable knowledge concerning the best methods of becoming acquainted with the trade and awakening a possible interest in his business and constituted the basis upon which he has built his success in insurance lines. In 1892 he became connected with the New Orleans agency of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, found the work interesting and has since continued in this field of indus- try. In 1893 he removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as representative of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York and in 1903 was made manager for the Company for the territory of northern Michigan with headquarters at Marquette. At the end of the same year he was transferred to the position of

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manager for northern and central Indiana with headquarters at Indianapolis, and on the Ist of October, 1907, he received appointment as manager for north- eastern Ohio with headquarters at Cleveland.

On the 27th of March, 1894, Mr. Post was united in marriage to Miss Alice Paine, a daughter of Charles C. and Clarissa ( Paine) Paine, of Milwaukee, Wis- consin. They now reside at No. 1974 East Seventy-first street. Mr. Post is a member of the Athletic Club and also of the Chamber of Commerce

BERNARD J. GUTHERY.

Bernard J. Guthery, junior member of the firm of Guthery & Guthery, com- posed of himself and his brother, Erwin G. Guthery, entered upon the practice of law in January, 1907. Although he has been practicing but a short time, he has rapidly advanced in the practice of his profession.

Mr. Guthery was born at La Rue, Ohio, January 30, 1882. He received his early education in the district school and entered the La Rue high school in his fifteenth year, graduating three years later. However, he finished his high school course one-half year ahead of his class and entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at the beginning of the winter term of 1900 and came back in the spring to attend the commencement exercises of his high school and receive his diploma. He then continued his studies in the Ohio Wesleyan University and was graduated four years later, receiving the degree of A. B. He then went to his home in Marion, Ohio, and took up the study of law with the firm of Crissinger & Guthery. He remained there one year, and in 1905 entered Western Reserve Law School, where he studied law one year. The remainder of the time he spent in study in the office of his brother, and in the fall of 1906 took the bar examination. On January 15, 1907, he formed a partnership with his brother, who had been established since 1902. The firm of Guthery & Guthery has not only built up a clean, lucrative practice, but enjoys an excellent reputation as well.

While in college, Mr. Guthery won many honors in oratory. He was chosen class orator, the highest honor of the class for commencement day, and was called back in the spring of 1905 by the class to present to the university its memorial. He is a good public speaker and is often called upon to give speeches, both in the city and out. Mr. Guthery is a republican. He belongs to the Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, fraternities of the Ohio Wesleyan University, and Phi Delta Phi, a legal fraternity of the Western Reserve. He is a young man of attractive social qualities, which render him popular, while his laudable ambition augurs well for a successful future.

HENRY B. CHILDS.

Henry B. Childs was for many years senior partner for the firm of Childs, Groff & Company and thus in business connection was well known to the gen- eral public, while those who knew him in social relations found him a most congenial and companionable gentleman. He was also a public-spirited citizen, interested in everything pertaining to the welfare and the upbuilding of Cleve- land. His birth occurred in this city in 1842 and at the usual age he entered the public schools, being thus qualified by a liberal course for the duties and responsibilities of life. He made his initial step in the business world in con- nection with the firm of Crowell & Childs, the junior member, O. A. Childs, be- ing his brother. On the retirement of this brother in 1875 the business was re- organized under the firm name of Childs, Groff & Company, H. B. Childs re- maining at the head of the establishment until his demise. An extensive busi-

BERNARD J. GUTHERY

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ness was built up in this connection, the firm figuring for many years as one of the leading concerns of the kind in Cleveland.

In 1864 Henry B. Childs was united in marriage to Miss Carrie M. Iddings, who survives him. They became the parents of two children but both died in infancy, so that the death of Mr. Childs, May 22, 1896, left his widow alone. He was a man of sterling characteristics, held in high esteem, for he possessed those traits which in every land and clime awaken admiration and regard. In the public life of Cleveland as manifest in its social, political, municipal and moral aspect aside from business connections, he was also well known and prominent. He became one of the charter members of the Union Club and was a member of the blue lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Orient Chapter, R. A. M., and was likewise connected with the Chamber of Commerce, while he was always active in the development of Cleveland, taking a great interest in its affairs. In as far as possible he cooperated in every movement calculated to pro- mote the general welfare or was a matter of civic virtue or civic pride. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and, while he never sought nor desired office for himself, he championed the principles of the organization and therefore sought to elect its candidates. He belonged to the Trinity church and in his religious faith was the root of his honorable life. He never sought to obtain success in business by any devious methods but on the contrary mani- fested at all times an unfaltering regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities.

RUSSELL KNIGHT PELTON.

Russell Knight Pelton was born on the 8th of November, 1856, in Brooklyn, Ohio, which was then a suburb but is now a part of the city of Cleveland. His father, Francis S. Pelton, whose birth occurred in Chester, Connecticut, was brought to Brooklyn, Ohio, in 1835 when but an infant. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Mary Knight, came to this state from Glens Falls, New York, in 1853.

Russell K. Pelton is a capable, energetic, successful business man and is en- gaged in the real-estate business. He has always lived in Cleveland and has held many public and private positions of trust. He is a member of the Cleve- land Chamber of Commerce and of several social and musical clubs.

LORENZO FRANCIS MCGRATH.

Lorenzo Francis McGrath, a prominent attorney of Cleveland, is senior member of the law firm of McGrath & Stern. His father, James McGrath, a native of Ireland, came to the United States at the age of twenty years in 1860 and located on a farm in Marion county, Ohio, where the subject of this review was born November 28, 1871. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary P. Columbus, and whose birth occurred in Canada in May, 1844, is of French descent. On the maternal side Mr. McGrath comes of a family noted for lon- gevity, and he still has three uncles living at Galion, Ohio: Edward Columbus, who is one hundred and one years of age, Joseph Columbus, who is ninety-four, and Frank Columbus, who is in his ninety-first year, all of them being still hale and hearty. They were among the early pioneers of Cleveland, holding land on Water street near Superior street, but removed to Galion, Ohio, a number of years ago.

Mr. McGrath supplemented the education he acquired in the public schools of Marion county by attending the Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware and the

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National Normal University at Lebanon. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he prepared for his profession in the office of George D. Cope- land at Marion and was admitted to the bar in June, 1894. Coming to Cleve- land in the following September, he practiced his profession alone until Janu- ary, 1905, when Joseph L. Stern, who had been a student in his office, became his partner under the firm style of McGrath & Stern. Unflagging application, intuitive wisdom and a determination to fully utilize the means at hand are the concomitants that insure success and prestige in the legal profession, which stands as the stern conservator of justice. Possessing all the requisite qualities, Mr. McGrath has already gained for himself an enviable reputation as a repre- sentative of the legal fraternity, and at the same time is a successful business man, being interested in a number of coal companies, railroad lines and coal lands in West Virginia and Kentucky. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the State Bar Association, and belongs to the Clifton and Ath- letic Clubs and the Westwood Golf Club. Politically he is an independent re- publican, who is widely versed in general economics and as a shrewd and able attorney is highly esteemed by the members of his profession in this city.

THEODORE SCHMITT.

It is a trite saying that there is always room at the top and yet if the people who enter the business world were to keep this in mind there might be more definite and resultant efforts to reach a position of leadership. In all of his business career as an architect and builder, Theodore Schmitt has never regarded any position in his business life as final but rather as a point from which to ad- vance to still greater success. His ability is pronounced and his position is among the foremost architects of the middle west. Mr. Schmitt was born in Cleveland, July 27, 1860. His father, Jacob W. Schmitt, was a native of Germany and came to Cleveland in 1848, leaving his native land owing to the fact that he had been concerned in the revolutionary troubles of Germany of that year in which so many broad-minded, intelligent men protested against the oppression of mon- archical rule. With great appreciation for the freedom and opportunities of the great middle west, he allied his interests with Cleveland and for many years figured as a prominent factor in the official interests of this city. For thirty years he was continuously in public office and his service was at all times actuated by the utmost loyalty to the general good. While Cleveland was a village he served as marshal and when the metropolitan police force was organized he was made superintendent of police and acted in that capacity for three decades, or from 1862 until 1892, holding the office longer than any other police superintendent in the United States. He stood as a fearless defender of law and order and his very name was a menace to those who did not hold themselves amenable to the law. In his native land he was married to Antonetta Reutlinger, also a native of Germany, who had accompanied him to the United States in 1848. Her people were of the nobility of the fatherland. The death of Jacob Schmitt occurred in December, 1893, his widow surviving him for almost a decade, passing away in 1902.

At the usual age Theodore Schmitt entered the public schools and continued his studies through the various grades, after which he was sent abroad and en- tered college at Carlsruhe and was also for a time a student in a college in Han- over, after having prepared for his collegiate work in a military school at Mann- heim, Germany. His collegiate course was completed by graduation in 1881, at which time the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. He had pur- sued various scientific and literary branches and had also taken up the study of architecture with the view of making the profession his life work. Ten years were given to study in the fatherland and in 1881 he entered upon his active

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career as an architect in Cleveland, as an assistant in the office of George H. Smith, with whom he remained until 1884. In that year the firm of Lehman & Schmitt was organized and has so continued to the present day. They have long occupied a foremost position among the architects not only of Cleveland but of the middle west, their skill and ability being evidenced in the splendid struc- tures which they have erected. The first contract of importance awarded them was for drawing the plans and erecting the Sheriff Street Market & Storage building. When this contract was faithfully executed others of equal or greater importance were accorded them and they erected the Central Armory, the Will- son Avenue Temple, the Central police station, the Eighth Precinct police station, the Pearl Street Banking & Trust Company building and a large number of structures in the manufacturing and wholesale district, together with various large warehouses. To them was also entrusted the erection of the Cuyahoga county courthouse, at a cost of three million dollars, the County Police and the Criminal Court building, these three being erected according to a group plan. In addition, the firm has done a great amount of public and private work out of the city, erecting the First National Bank building of Canton, Ohio, the City building at Sandusky, Ohio, the Courthouse at Lexington, Kentucky, and the courthouses at Peru, Indiana, and Towanda, Pennsylvania. They now have in course of construction the New Temple which is being built on the corner of Euclid and Eighty-second street in Cleveland, and the department store for the Bailey Company. A large number of the fine residences of Cleveland likewise stand as monuments to their skill and handiwork. The firm are not only familiar with all the scientific principles which underlie their work but have in the exe- cution of their contracts given the most thorough satisfaction and established for themselves a reputation second to none among the architects and builders of this city.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 64

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