A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 67

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 67

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LUKE BRENNAN.

Luke Brennan, who for many years was prominently identified with contract- ing interests in Cleveland, but since 1900 has lived retired, putting aside active bus- iness cares when he had reached the age of three score years and ten, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in October, 1830. His parents were Ennis and Ellen (Gavican) Brennan. The father came to Cleveland in 1862 and here passed away in 1872, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife long survived him and died in 1884, at the age of eighty-four years.

Luke Brennan was educated in the schools of his native country, spending his youthful days in that picturesque land which is far famed in song and story. When nineteen years of age he sailed for the new world, settling first at Brooklyn, Con- necticut, where he secured employment as a farm hand. During the succeeding five years, which constituted a period of unfaltering industry and close economy, he carefully saved his money with the idea of engaging in business on his own ac- count. When he arrived in Cleveland in 1853 he brought with him some capital which he at once invested in teams and other equipment, preparatory to engaging in the sewer and street contracting business. During his active career he built niore streets and sewers than any other contractor of the city and for many years had the entire contracts for street cleaning and improvements. He came to Cleveland with but limited capital, save for boundless industry and unfaltering determination, but he soon worked his way upward until he became the foremost contractor in his line in the city and is the oldest living contractor. He has erected and owned numerous properties in the business district of the city as the years have gone by and his judicious investment has made him a man of considerable means, so that he is now enabled to live retired without further recourse to labor as a source of livelihood. He has served as a member of the board of improvements of Cleve- land by appointment of Mayor Babcock.

There are two instances in the life of Mr. Brennan which illustrate the luck which has at times attended him and also indicate his sympathy for the unfortunate. Some years ago a cannon target practice was held in Cleveland presided over by the light artillery, on which occasion a prize of one hundred and fifty dollars was given for hitting the bull's eye at a range of three-fourths of a mile. Mr. Brennan happened to be present, paid for a shot, made mental calculation as to the sight,

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LUKE BRENNAN

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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

fired and, although unused to firearms, his ball hit the target and he won the prize money. There has always been in him a strong sense of justice combined with deep sympathy for those to whom fate seemed unkind. This is illustrated in a little instance which occurred in 1880. While he was traveling he overheard a detective planning with an accomplice to secure the conviction of a prisoner named Welch accused of murder at Fremont, Ohio. It transpired that through manufactured evidence Welch was convicted and sentenced to be hung, the detective to receive the reward of three thousand dollars which had been offered for his apprehension and conviction. As the day of execution drew near Mr. Brennan, convinced of the man's innocence, went to Columbus and interceded with Governor Foster in his behalf and succeeded in having his sentence changed to that of life imprisonment.

In April, 1852, Mr. Brennan was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Barlow, a daughter of Patrick and Ann Barlow. Mrs. Brennan was born in County Ros- common, Ireland, in 1831, and their marriage was celebrated at Brooklyn, Con- necticut. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1902 and traveled life's journey for seven years thereafter but were separated in the death of Mrs. Brennan June 4, 1909. Their children were as follows: Frank and Hubert, both of whom died at the age of twenty-one; Anna, the wife of Charles M. Le Blond, of Cleveland, by whom she has three children-Luke, Rev. C. Hubart Le Blond, and Charlotte; John F., who married Lillian Ohlemacher, of Sandusky, Ohio, and has one daugh- ter, Norma ; and Terese, the wife of Charles P. O'Reilly, of Cleveland, by whom she has two children, Ralph and Paul.

Mr. Brennan retired from active business in 1900, after which he visited his old home in Ireland and made a tour of continental Europe. He had visited Europe in 1859 and again in 1886. He is, however, satisfied with America as a place of resi- dence, for the greater part of his life has been passed here and he is deeply attached to this land and her institutions. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Columbus and politically he is a democrat. He held a commission as lieutenant during the Civil war from Governor Tod. He belong to the Cathedral Catholic church and was for years an active member of the Knights of St. John. For half a century Mrs. Brennan was prominently identified with the benevolent and chari- table work of the Roman Catholic church of which she was a lifelong member. She always responded most readily to any tale of sorrow and distress and the poor and needy found in her a warm and generous friend. Mr. Brennan has never found occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for he found here the business opportunities that he sought and with labor unhampered by caste or class he has steadily worked his way upward until he is now numbered among Cleveland's men of affluence.

LOUIS GLICK.

Louis Glick is an excellent example of the type of sturdy, industrious, econom- ical men Hungary is sending to the United States. They make good citizens, are not afraid of hard work and know how to succeed and to bring prosperity to those associated with them. Mr. Glick was born in Hungary, June 15, 1858, and is a son of Solomon and Esther (Gross) Glick, both deceased. The father died and was buried in Hungary, but the mother came to this country and was laid to rest in Fir street cemetery, Cleveland. Their children were Rasie, now the wife of Adolph Roth, of Cleveland; Herman, also a resident of this city ; Louis, of this review; and Morris, of Ely, Nevada.

Coming to the United States July 4, 1873, Louis Glick immediately located in Cleveland, where he bought a stock of goods and went about peddling his ar- ticles. For six years he continued this hard work, constantly denying himself so as to secure a little capital, and in 1879 he removed to Leadville, Colorado, where he saw an opportunity to open a general merchandise store. After a year

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there, he removed to Crested Butte, Gunnison county, Colorado, and embarked in the same line of business under the style of Glick Brothers, in which he con- tinued to be interested until 1905. In 1897 he returned to Cleveland to become associated with the Grossman Paper Box Company, and in 1905 was elected its vice president and treasurer. An account of this company is to be found else- where in this work.

Mr. Glick was married August 1, 1886, to Rosa Grossman, a native of Cleve- land, and a daughter of Marcus and Hannah (Solomonson) Grossman, both of whom are dead and buried in Mayfield cemetery, Cleveland. Her brothers and sisters are Emma, the deceased wife of Benjamin Wiesenberger; Samuel and Louis J., both of Cleveland; and Malvine, the wife of Henry Bauman, of Cleve- land. Mr. and Mrs. Glick have two daughters and one son: Jay M., who at- tended the common schools and Central high school and is now associated with his father and uncle as clerk in their offices; Edith, who was graduated from Central high school with the class of 1907 and is now attending the Woman's College; and Sylvia, who was graduated from Central high school with the class of 1909 and is also attending the Woman's College. The family belong to Tifereth Israel congregation of The Temple.

Mr. Glick belongs to Crested Butte Lodge, No. 58, A. F. & A. M., and Elk Mountain Lodge, No. 52, I. O. O. F. Coming here a poor man with no knowl- edge of the language, pursuing a humble calling for years, Mr. Glick has per- severed until he is one of the officials of a big concern. His energy, courage and zest for work, have resulted in his success. He not only has dominated his bus- iness associates, but he has won their confidence and respect and made for him- self and family a place among the substantial people of Cleveland.

H. E. WILLARD.

Men are not chosen for responsible positions unless they have earned them by faithful application to duty, and the development of ability of an unusual order. Those who are not worthy of rising, remain in the ranks; those who are, advance to command. Throughout the years of his connection with business interests H. E. Willard has made steady advancement, the simple weight of his character and ability carrying him into important commercial relation, until by the steps of orderly progression he has reached a place of prominence, being now general manager and a director of the United States Coal Company. Mr. Willard was born October 18, 1860, in Cleveland, and comes of old and honored families. He is a son of Elliott S. Willard, born in Cleveland March 7, 1823, who came from Willson and Euclid avenue, and grandson of John Oliver Willard, who came from Massachusetts to Cleveland in 1813, being one of the first settlers in the Western Reserve. He cleared his land, and took active part in the early development of this region. His death occurred in 1824. Before he came west John Oliver Wil- lard married Sarah Lamb, a native of Vermont.

The Willard family was founded in Massachusetts by Samuel Willard, first royal secretary, who came to the new country during the reign of George III. The Willard family has always been prominent in both business and educational life here, and some of them have held official positions on the faculty of Har- vard University.

Elliott S. Willard was one of the original stockholders of the company that built the first street railroad in Cleveland. For fourteen years, probably from 1856 to 1870, he was a member of the city council, and was otherwise actively identified with the city government. His death occurred March 4, 1877, and in his demise the city lost one of its best and most substantial men. In 1848 Elliott S. Willard married Ruth Delphia Hudson, who was born in Cleveland, in 1829, on the present site of the Fairmont waterworks, a daughter of Thomas and Delphia

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(Sherwin) Hudson. The father was born in New York in 1768 and belonged to the original Hudson family. His wife was born in 1790, and died in 1886. In 1807 M.r. and Mrs. Hudson came to Cleveland, settling on the place where Mrs. Willard was later born. Here they developed a good home, and bore their part in the advancement of the city.

H. E. Willard was born on the same place as his father and there grew up, attending the Cleveland public schools and Oberlin College. Upon leaving school he began working for William Bingham & Company, wholesale dealers in hard- ware, with whom he remained six years. He then went to New Philadelphia and built an iron-pipe mill, of which he had charge for four years. When that period expired, he came back to Cleveland, and started in business with A. C. Sanders & Company, handling coal and iron ore for four years. In 1900 he formed a part- nership with Robert Rhoades and M. A. Bradley, which resulted in the organiza- tion of the United States Coal Company. The business activities of Mr. Willard are now largely confined to the coal trade and its connected interests, he being actively identified with the business in a broad and large way.

On July II, 1891, Mr. Willard married Edith Smith, who was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio. They have three children : Marie, born June 11, 1894; Elliott Sherrill, born June 12, 1898; and Pricilla, born December 5, 1903. Mr. Willard belongs to the Clifton Club and the Cleveland Athletic Association. Politically he is a republican. An excellent business man, social by nature, and fond of his home and family, Mr. Willard is one of the best representatives of Cleveland's most responsible citizens. Mr. Willard's home is in Lakewood and is perhaps more widely known than any other place in this vicinity, it having been the home- stead of Dr. Jared Kirtland, a man of wide fame as a naturalist and philosopher, and on the grounds are seen today many rare and beautiful trees, brought by Dr. Kirtland from many parts of the world. The house and grounds remain largely as they were left by the great naturalist.

WILLIAM HOWARD BRETT.

William Howard Brett, who has become widely known as a very earnest worker in library and educational circles, is now occupying the position of librar- ian of the Cleveland public library and has done much to make this an institution of which every loyal citizen is proud. One of Ohio's native sons, his birth oc- curred at Braceville in 1846, his parents being Morgan Lewis and Jane (Brokaw) Brett. The father was born in New York in 1810, while the mother's birth oc- curred in Virginia five years later. Both passed away in Cleveland. Their chil- dren were three in number, namely: William H., of this review; Ida J., who fol- lows the profession of teaching in this city; and Mary V., who likewise taught school and who is now deceased.

Spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, William Howard Brett was sent at the usual age to the public schools in Warren, Ohio. He afterward studied in Western Reserve College at Hudson and in the University of Mich- igan at Ann Arbor, while from Hiram College he received the degree of Master of Arts. Mr. Brett has devoted much of his life to library work. He has himself always been a student and his reading has been wide and varied and his research thorough. His success in this work is founded upon his broad general knowl- edge and his devotion to the cause of public libraries as an element in general education. In 1884 he was appointed librarian of the Cleveland public library and has since occupied the position. In his official capacity he has done much to influence and elevate the public taste, endeavoring to create a demand not only for that class of books which are termed "popular" but also for those volumes which have a more select circle of readers because appreciation depends upon a more cultured mind. The work of Mr. Brett has not been confined alone

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to his duties in Cleveland, for he has labored assiduously and effectively to promote the library interests of the county at large. He was largely instrumental in forming the Ohio Library Association, of which he served as the first presi- dent in 1895 and 1896, and in 1897 was president of the American Library As- sociation, while the following year he was chairman of the Trans-Mississippi Library Congress. He has likewise been dean of the Western Reserve Library School since 1903 and was the originator of the Cumulative Index. His efforts have been of a most practical character and the ideas that he has advanced have been incorporated in library work in different parts of the country to the benefit of such institutions. Chief among these ideas have been the practicability of allowing readers free access to the shelves in large libraries, the development of the system of brancli libraries and other distributing agencies, and the organiza- tion of library work with children.

In 1879 Mr. Brett was united in marriage to Miss Alice L. Allen, of Cleveland, and to them were born six children, as follows: Morgan L., a graduate of the West Point Military Academy and now first lieutenant of Coast Artillery ; Allen V., editor of Concrete Engineering ; George H., Edith A. and William H., Jr., students ; and Harold, who died as an infant. Mr. Brett is a member of the Row- fant Club and of the Chamber of Commerce.

LOUIS JOHN ESTY.

Louis John Esty is well known as a popular and rising young lawyer of the Forest city now engaged in general practice as a member of the firm of McMillin, Esty & Pattison. A native of Cleveland, born April 12, 1877, Louis John Esty is a son of John B. Esty and a grandson of Ezra B. Esty. The great-grandfather Esty was a captain at the battle of Lundy's Lane in the war of 1812 and Louis J. Esty now has his sword scabbard and belt. Earlier representatives of the family were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. Ezra B. Esty was born in 1826 and his life history covered the intervening years to the 19th of September, 1903. The family removed from the Empire state to Ohio in the '30s and was established in Cleveland in 1868, after living for a number of years at Hiram Rapids. For many years Ezra B. Esty had charge of the sales department of the old Peerless mowers and reapers and afterward became special agent for the Equitable Life Assurance Association but lived retired for twenty-five years prior to his death. He was an active republican and served on various election boards but did not care for politi- cal preferment. He was known as an exemplary and loyal representative of the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained the Knight Templar degree and his many admirable qualities and social disposition made him a popular man.

John B. Esty was born in Mantua, Ohio, March 18, 1848, and for some years was closely associated with the iron industry in this city as secretary of the Cleve- land Iron, Steel & Nail Company, which is still conducting business but under a different name. He wedded Carrie E. Griffin, who was born in Ravenna, Ohio, a daughter of Alexander B. Griffin, whose birth occurred in New York, September 18, 1819. Removing to Ohio he became owner and proprietor of the Ravenna Hub & Felloe Works, conducting one of the leading manufacturing en- terprises of the city, and at the same time his official service made him one of the most valued and honored residents of Ravenna. He filled the office of mayor for two terms, was clerk of the court, a member of the city council and also in other offices. Thus at his death, which occurred June 10, 1901, the city lost one of its leading residents. One of the maternal great-grandfathers of L. J. Esty was Auren Stowe, who was born at Braceville, Ohio, and was a general merchant. Mr. Esty also has in his possession documents signed by Return J. Meigs, postmaster general of the United States, and Thomas Jefferson, president of the United States, commissioning Auren Stowe to take the mail over the route between Cleve- land and other points. The Griffin family is of English origin. Alexander Buell

LOUIS J. ESTY

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Griffin, the father of Mrs. John B. Esty, was a son of Richard C. and Ann C. (Buell) Griffin. This Buell family is also of English lineage, tracing the ancestry back to a lord mayor of London, the family having a record in direct line to the twelfth or thirteenth century.

Louis John Esty was only two years old at the time of his father's death and then went to make his home with his grandparents in Ravenna, Ohio. His prelim- inary education was supplemented by study in the Ohio Wesleyan University, which conferred upon him the Bachelor of Science degree in 1899, and in 1901 he received the Bachelor of Law degree from the law department of the Western Re- serve University. The same year he was admitted to the bar and entered upon practice in Cleveland. After two months he was appointed attorney for the Sav- ings & Trust Company, now the Citizens Savings & Trust Company and devoted his entire attention to the legal affairs of the bank until January 1, 1909, when he associated himself with F. C. McMillin and C. W. Pattison in the general practice of law under the firm name of McMillin, Esty & Pattison. He is also a director of the Cleveland Power Equipment Company.

On the 15th of May, 1902, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Esty and Miss Grace L. Davis, a daughter of Edward L. and Emma L. (Davis) Davis, of Gar- rettsville, Ohio. They now have one child, Roger E., born January 26, 1905. Mr. Esty is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree. He also belongs to the Masonic Club, the Cleveland Gun Club and the East End Tennis Club. His political endorsement is given to the republi- can party and his religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Having spent his entire life in Cleveland, he is well known and the fact that many of his warmest friends are those with whom he has been ac- quainted from his boyhood days is an indication of his conformity to high stand- ards of manhood, of citizenship and of professional ethics.

ORLANDO HALL.

Orlando Hall, an attorney who has largely withdrawn from the active prac- tice of law to devote his attention to the management of estates, was born in Summit county, Ohio, September 28, 1855. There are extant family records which give account of the ancestry back to the year 1639, when the first rep- resentative of the name in America came from England and settled in Connecti- cut. There are still members of the family residing in Fairfield county, Con- necticut, where the ancestors of our subject in direct line remained until Orlando Hall, Sr., the father, came to Ohio. He was born in Fairfield county, June 20, 1819, and, removing westward, became a merchant at Akron, Ohio, owning and conducting the leading store at that place. He was one of the most honored, in- fluential and prominent citizens of Akron, where he had located in early manhood, entering into business with his brother, P. D. Hall, which association was there- after maintained. His death occurred in Akron in 1855. He married Sophia Towne, who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, September 14, 1820, and died in Cleveland in April, 1892. She was a daughter of Benjamin and Mehitable (Gage) Towne. Her father, a native of Massachusetts, came to Ohio in 1819 and, settling in Trumbull county, there followed the occupation of farming. He was descended from William Towne, who took the Freeman's oath in the Massa- chusetts bay colony in 1630.

In private schools of Cleveland Orlando Hall began his education, which he continued in the Cleveland Academy and in Greylock Institute at Williamstown, Massachusetts. He is also a Yale man, having been graduated at New Haven in 1877 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He studied law with Judge R. P. Ranney and afterward pursued a course of lectures for one year and studied in the Co- lumbia Law school of New York. In February, 1880, he was admitted to the

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bar and entered upon practice in Cleveland. He has never been associated in any partnership relations but has always placed his dependence upon his abil- ity to build up a clientage for himself. After a few years, however, he gradually withdrew from the practice of law, as his private interests absorbed his time. He is now the owner of property in Akron, Ohio, which he is plotting and de- veloping, and he has extensive and important business interests elsewhere which are now under his control.

Mr. Hall is a republican in his political views. He belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon, a Greek letter fraternity of Yale, to the Union, Tavern, Country and Roadside Clubs of Cleveland and the University and Yale Clubs of New York city. He is a man of broad general culture, who finds his companionship in those social circles where intelligence is regarded as a necessary attribute to congeniality. In the management of his estates he gives evidence of his business ability and wise direction of important interests and thus he has come both so- cially and in business lines to a prominent place in the life and activities of Cleve- land.

ALEXANDER W. PENNINGTON.

History should not concern itself alone with those who are now factors in the world's work, but should also include the record of those who at any time have been active in promoting general progress along material, intellectual, social or political lines. They have all left their influence upon the public life of the community and deserve mention in its annals. Alexander W. Pennington, whose name intro- duces this review, was for many years one of the leading contractors of Cleveland and had much to do with the city's substantial improvement. He was born in New Jersey, December 7, 1833, and in early life learned the carpenter's trade, which he chose as a life work. As the years passed and his efficiency increased he became widely recognized as an expert workman and this led him to enter business on his own account. While the original contracts accorded him were small and unimportant his business steadily increased until he became one of the largest contractors in the city, employing many men. He was widely known for his honest and excellent work and it was well known that if he accepted a contract he would live fully up to its terms and give the best possible service. He thus won a reputation for business probity and sincerity that was most enviable. He held membership in the Builders Exchange and enjoyed the high regard of those who were associated with him in a similar line of work, as well as of those who met him in other connections outside of business relations.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 67

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