A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 70

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 70

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Dr. Weir was married in Halifax, England, October 6, 1906, to Miss Mar- jorie Roslyn Campbell, a daughter of the late James B. Campbell, formerly of Montreal, Canada. They have two sons, James Campbell, born June 9, 1908; and William Corsane, born October 9, 1909. The family residence is at 2072 East Forty-sixth street.

WILLIAM BARRANCE.

The life of William Barrance covered almost three-quarters of the nineteenth century. Diligent, industrial and persevering, he was enabled as the result of his activity to spend the last years of his life in quiet retirement and in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He was born at Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, Eng- land, July 8, 1822, and was a son of William and Annie (Smith) Barrance, of the same place. The father was a gardener and farmer there, continuing a resident of that locality until called to the home beyond.

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At the usual age William Barrance began his education in the English schools, but when his father died he was forced to put aside his books and provide for his own support, which he did by working as a gardener and at farm labor. From time to time favorable reports reached him concerning the opportunities of the new world and in 1846, at the age of twenty-four, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made his way to Cleveland. He did not at once find employ- ment in his chosen line of labor and, as it was necessary that he at once secure a position in order to provide for his own support, he sought and obtained work along the docks. About a year later, however, he entered the employ of Leonard Case, driving a team for a time, while afterward he became gardener and was promoted to head gardener, being thus associated with the Case estate for thirty years, or until the death of Mr. Case, when the property was divided into city lots and sold. Mr. Barrance then purchased a home on Payne avenue and for several years held a position with the City Railway Company. The last few years of his life, however, were spent in honorable retirement, for he had previously saved his earnings until his competence was sufficient to enable him to put aside business cares.

On the 19th of September, 1853, Mr. Barrance was married to Miss Mary Townsend, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Judge) Townsend, who was a gardener and farmer of Potton, England. Mrs. Barrance came to this city from England, arriving on the 16th of June, 1853. She is now eighty-two years of age and not only survives her husband but also their only daughter, Elizabeth Emma Barrance, who died in her twenty-second year. She is a member of the Old Settlers Association, having for more than a half century lived in this city. In politics Mr. Barrance was a republican, and he held membership in North church on Superior and Case avenues. Honesty and industry were among his salient characteristics and he was a self-made man, well known and loved by all with whom he came in contact. His manner was genial, his courtesy unfailing and these, with his deference for the opinions of others, were qualities which won for him high regard.

FRIEDRICH GREBER.

Friedrich Greber is numbered among the men who, having spent busy days garnering the good things of this world, are now ready to leave their former activities to others, and enjoy what they have earned. Having the time and opportunity they are able to enter into civic improvements, and to give the best of themselves personally to their localities. One of the respected residents of this city is Friedrich Greber, now retired, who was born in Switzerland in 1845. He not only attended the schools of his own country, but also those in France that gave him a good working knowledge of the language.

In 1870 when in the very prime of vigorous young manhood he came to Cleveland, from Baltimore, where he had landed and remained a few months after coming to America. His first work in this city was in a store on Superior street, owned by Nusbaum. Here he remained for a short time, and then engaged with A. H. Stone and with the McBeath Foundry Company, continuing with them for about two years. Having concluded that his abilities could be put to the best use if he worked for himself, this young man studied hard to learn the language of his new country, and master its business methods, until he was able to engage in the manufacture of patent medicines. From the start he made a success of his undertaking and continued in this line for thirty-five years, traveling all over the United States, creating a demand for his products, which he sold as a jobber.

Mr. Greber came to Cleveland and at a time when all east of Case avenue was a farming district. He built his house on Sixtieth street at a time when it was in

FRIEDRICH GREBER

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the country. He is very proud of the fact that he is a citizen who has materially assisted in the making of Cleveland. While not a native-born American, there is no one in the country who is more patriotic or who honors its institutions more than he.

Mr. Greber has been married twice. In 1871 he wedded Dora Keller, and they had one child, Louisa, now the wife of Henry Birnbaum. Mrs. Greber died September 7, 1872. In 1873 Mr. Greber was married to Minna Weimer, a native of Germany, and they had one child, Louise, who married Frank Morgestern, proprietor of a meat market. Mrs. Greber died June 20, 1907. She was a woman of noble disposition and a devout member of Kimel church on Case avenue, to which Mr. Greber also belongs. Mr. Greber is a member of the Swiss Society of this city.

Too much cannot be said in praise of these men of foreign birth who have come to this country, learned its language and customs and faithfully lived up to its laws. They have proven themselves citizens of whom any land may well be proud, and ever borne a full measure of responsibility for local improvements.

. W. N. BREWER.

Although the Otis Lithographing Company has but recently entered the busi- ness world of Cleveland it has had a rapid growth, and holds the best Cleveland trade, this advancement, being in no small degree due to the ability, enterprise and progressive methods of W. N. Brewer, one of its organizers and now its treasurer and general manager. He was born in this city, May 8, 1860, and is a son of Nelson C. and Caroline C. Brewer, both of whom were killed in an auto- mobile accident, which occurred July 27, 1907, at the corner of Clifton boulevard and One Hundred and Fifteenth street. The former was prominent in different phases of Cleveland's activities. He had come to the city in 1856, had opened a drug store here, and as he acquired a substantial success became connected with other business interests, including the founding of the Rubber Paint Company and the Saving & Trust Company, later merged into the Citizens Saving & Trust Company. At the time of his death he was a director of the Central National Bank and president of the Otis Lithographing Company.

W. N. Brewer attended the public schools of Cleveland, and after completing the work of the West high school in 1878, he entered Williams College, Massa- chusetts. . His first business experience thereafter was obtained as an employe of the Rubber Paint Company, of Cleveland, which was then under the supervision of his father. Later he formed the Zeno Manufacturing Company, which has gained countrywide notoriety, as the manufacturers of the Zeno Chewing Gum. In 1903, he organized the Otis Lithographing Company, which has also prospered to a remarkable degree, the quality of the work the firm is able to produce obtaining for it a wide recognition throughout the United States, and making it possible for them to control the most desirable business in their line. Their financial suc- cess is also assured through the sound business policies which have ever been characteristic of the company. Since adding theatrical posters to their business about two years ago, the growth has been phenomenal, and they now maintain offices at 1402 Broadway, New York, where they have a studio with a good corps of artists; at 1008 Empire building, Pittsburg; and 1147 Marquette building, Chicago. The policy of the management has always been quality and to this they attribute their success.

In 1884, at the beginning of his business career, Mr. Brewer was united in marriage to Miss Lulu A. Sherwood, of Cleveland. They have four children : Wilbert Sherwood, who is now sixteen years of age; Caroline M., who is thir- teen ; Evalyn, who is eleven; and Elizabeth, who is four years old.

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Mr. Brewer is deeply interested in the commercial welfare of the city and is a member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, an organization which has as its object the advancement and the growth of the city's mercantile con- cerns. Also as president and treasurer of the Brewer Realty Company, one of the large firms here, he is identified with another phase of the city's activities. He took a prominent part in the development and improvement of Lakewood, in opening up residential streets and laying out town lots, and he alone built twenty modern houses on Elburn avenue. He is a charter member of the Clif- ton Club at Rocky River, and through the attractive personality which is his has attained to a distinct popularity among his fellow members. Like his father he is a man of energy, full of life and vitality, and one who is a hard worker.

FRANK M. COBB.

Frank M. Cobb was born in Cleveland, June 21, 1874, and received his early education in the public schools of this city. He prepared for college at Oberlin Academy, and was graduated at Yale with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1897, and at Western Reserve University Law School with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1899. In June, 1899, he was admitted to the Ohio bar and for about a year thereafter practiced in the office of Dickey, Brewer & McGowan. In 1900 he formed a partnership with W. R. Hopkins and R. B. Newcomb, and later with Ben P. Bole under the firm name of Hopkins, Bole, Cobb & Newcomb, but on January 1, 1907, this partnership was dissolved. Mr. Cobb is a contributor to the Harvard Law Review and a member of the faculty of the Law School of West- ern Reserve University. Socially he is a member of the University Club, Nisi Prius Club, the Cleveland and Ohio Bar Association, and of the Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Delta Phi fraternities.

On June 3, 1908, he married Mildred E. Ford, a daughter of H. Clark and Ida T. Ford. Mrs. Cobb is a graduate of Smith College, class of 1901, and is active in various lines of charitable work and in particular the Day Nursery and Free Kindergarten Association and the Visiting Nurse Association.

Frank M. Cobb is a son of Caius C. Cobb, who died July 11, 1898, and Helen M. (Andrews) Cobb, a resident of this city. Caius C. Cobb was born January 16, 1826, at Cambridge, New York, and in 1840 entered the employ of his brother, Moses C. Younglove, one of the pioneer booksellers of Cleveland. Later he be- came a member of the firm of J. B. Cobb & Company, and afterward of Cobb, Andrews & Company, the well known bookdealers of this city.

HERMAN P. KNOBLE.

Every branch of commercial activity has its full representation in Cleveland for the city is one of the industrial centers of the country. Among the men who are successfully engaged in business here is Herman P. Knoble, a member of the firm of Knoble Brothers, florists. Mr. Knoble was born in Germany, No- vember 9, 1880, but when six years old was brought to the United States. He is a son of Daniel and Rosa (Laib) Knoble, the former of whom was born in Germany, April 13, 1847, and died there January 10, 1884. For some years he manufactured umbrellas, and then, buying one of the first threshing machines ever made, he operated it until his death. His widow was born August 8, 1856, in Germany, but, surviving, lives in Cleveland.

Mrs. Knoble brought her young family to this country after the death of her husband, locating at Monroeville, Ohio, and then moved into the country on a farm. Herman P. Knoble was reared in the family home and was educated

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at Huron. Upon leaving school the lad tried to increase his knowledge by con- tinuing his studies in correspondence courses, with a Chicago concern. At the same time he worked for a Huron physician, continuing with him for six years. On August 1, 1899, he came to Cleveland and began working for the McIntosh Hardware Company, remaining in that connection for five years. In 1905 he bought out the Ohio Floral Company and established his present business, thus being able to engage in work that had always interested him. This house makes a specialty of cut flowers, funeral work and decorations. Owing to the artistic nature of their work, the partners have built up a large business and have cus- tomers in all parts of the city who depend upon them for all floral supplies. Mr. Knoble belongs to the Cleveland Chamber of Industry. His social connections are with the Elks and Royal Arcanum.

On June 28, 1906, Mr. Knoble married Lydia Spang, who was born in Ger- many, but was brought to the United States in childhood, her family settling in Cleveland soon after their arrival in America. A little daughter, Lucile, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Knoble on March 25, 1907. Mr. Knoble is a republican, but is liberal in local affairs, desiring good men in office more than a strict draw- ing of party lines. His religious affiliations are with St. Mary's Catholic church. Like so many of his nationality, Mr. Knoble seems born to be a florist, under- standing the handling and arranging of flowers as though he had never devoted himself to any other business. For this reason and because he loves his work, he has been very successful and his house has developed an amazingly large trade.

EDWARD BUSHNELL.

Edward Bushnell, engaged in the general practice of law, was born in Fre- mont, Ohio, May 18, 1865. The Bushnell family is of English lineage and was founded in the United States by Richard Bushnell and his brother, who are said to have come on the ship Increase from England in 1621, this being the first ship that reached New England after the arrival of the Mayflower. The grandfather, Thomas Hubbard Bushnell, was born at Norwich, Connecticut, and devoted his life to surveying. Ebenezer Bushnell, the father, was born in Granville, Ohio, November 18, 1822. A previous removal of the family to this state made them pioneer settlers of Ohio and from that time to the present the family has figured prominently in connection with all that stands for progressive citizenship and the upbuilding of the commonwealth. The Rev. Ebenezer Bushnell became a min- ister of the Presbyterian church. He was graduated from the Western Reserve University with the Bachelor of Arts degree and received the Doctor of Divinity degree from Marietta College. For a quarter of a century he was pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Fremont, Ohio, and remained active in the work of the ministry until 1882, when he became secretary and treasurer of the West- ern Reserve University. He was a man of marked influence in church circles, his activity proving a resourceful element in the moral progress of the commun- ities in which he lived, while his scholarly attainments placed him in a leading position as a representative of the Presbyterian church. His death occurred in Cleveland March 9, 1900, and his memory is revered by all who knew him and remains as a blessed benediction to those who at any time came under his teach- ings. His wife, Cornelia Kingsbury Woodruff, was born at Bainbridge, Michi- gan, in October, 1828, and died in Cleveland, June 9, 1900. She was a daughter of Simeon Woodruff.

Edward Bushnell acquired his education in the public and high schools of Fremont, Ohio, preparing for college under the direction of his father and sis- ter, after which he entered Adelbert College, which conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1887 and the Master of Arts degree in 1889. Upon the broad basis of a liberal literary education he has builded the superstructure

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of his professional knowledge. After teaching for two years in the academy at Green Spring, Ohio, he studied law in the office and under the direction of the firm of Sherwood & Denison, well known attorneys of Cleveland, and was admit- ted to the bar in December, 1890, after which he began practice in this city, re- maining alone until 1896, when he joined J. H. Sampliner in organizing the firm of Sampliner & Bushnell. During 1900 and 1901 he was with W. G. Cleveland in the firm of Cleveland & Bushnell and with the exception of these partnership relations has been continuously alone in general practice, his time being most largely given to real-estate law and probate law, in which he has done excellent work, so that his clientage is constantly increasing both in volume and import- ance. He has also done educational work in professional lines, acting in 1902 as instructor in the law school of Baldwin University on the subject of torts.

On the 20th of April, 1892, Mr. Bushnell was united in marriage to Miss Maude Kidder Sherwin, a daughter of Nelson B. Sherwin, who was postmaster of Cleveland under President Garfield, and for many years has engaged in the insurance business. The mother is Mrs. Lizzie M. (Kidder) Sherwin of Cleve- land. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell: Elisabeth Sherwin, who was born May 2, 1894, and died May 23, 1907; and Nelson Sher- win, born May 10, 1899.

In politics Mr. Bushnell is a republican in the exercise of his franchise but is not active in party work. He belongs to the Union, University, Country, Cleve- land Whist, East End Tennis and Nisi Prius Clubs, associations which indicate his social nature and the character of his recreations. He is a member of the Calvary Presbyterian church and in all of his life has been actuated by high ideals, whether in matters of citizenship, in professional connections or in private life.

JAMES AITCHISON.

James Aitchison, who for a long period was engaged in the real-estate business and in the development of property interests in Cleveland, was born in Dunslaw, Scotland, July 28, 1846. After acquiring a public-school education he went to Canada at the age of twenty-one years and there entered business circles as a traveling salesman for a jewelry firm which he represented for a few years. It was during his residence there that he was married and subsequently he removed to Chicago, while later he became a resident of De Kalb, Illinois. He afterward established his home in Michigan, where he was connected with river navigation. From that point he returned to Canada, but remained in the Dominion for only a brief period, when he made his way to Cleveland and was identified with the interests of this city throughout his remaining days. He made his initial step in business circles here as an engineer and afterward was employed in putting machinery in an elevator and in other work of that character. He also conducted a machine shop, but twenty years prior to his death he turned his attention to the real-estate business and handled much property, negotiating many realty transfers. He also had much to do with developing different pieces of property and tracts of land and became known as a speculative builder as well as a most successful and enterprising real-estate dealer. He contributed largely to the improvement of the city through the erection of a large number of buildings, the last of which was the Aitchison, a fine apartment building at Forty-eighth street and Franklin avenue. His enterprise carried him into large undertakings but at all times his course was guided by sound and discriminating judgment, so that he made no mistake in placing his investments, in giving his confidence or in conducting business transactions.

On the 28th of March, 1868, in Canada, Mr. Aitchison was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Foster, of London, Ontario, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom six are yet living, namely: Mrs. Susanna Doty, George,

JAMES AITCHISON

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Thomas, Magdaline, Gertrude and James. The husband and father was called from this life on the 14th of February, 1909. He was a man of domestic tastes, devoted to the welfare and happiness of his family, regarding no personal effort or sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the interests or pleasures of his wife and children. His loss, therefore, was most deeply felt at his own fire- side but his death was also a keen blow to other interests with which he was connected. He was for many years an active member in the Bethany Presby- terian church, which he assisted in building and to which he generously contributed as the years went by. A short time before his death, however, he joined the Congregational church, which was near his home, for his health would not permit him to go as far as the church with which he had been so long connected. He was a republican in politics and a most honorable, upright and public-spirited man, who never willingly over-reached another in a business transaction or neglected a duty or obligation. He was ever loyal to the course which he believed to be right and his memory is therefore cherished and honored by all who knew him while he was still an active factor in the world's work.

JOHN H. GERSTENBERGER.

John H. Gerstenberger was a self-made man whose progress in the business world was the direct result of his earnest purpose and close application. He was born in Medina, Ohio, May 3, 1858, and died October 27, 1903. His parents were John H. and Elenore (Borges) Gerstenberger. The grandfather, Gottlieb Gerstenberger, came from Germany and took up his abode in Cleveland, where he carried on business as a cabinetmaker and carpenter. His son, John H. Gerstenberger, was a shoemaker by trade and followed that pursuit until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when on the 16th of November, 1861, he joined Company H, of the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years' service. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant January 10, 1862, and in Feb- ruary of that year reported to General Sherman at Paducah, Kentucky, partici- pating in the Shiloh campaign and in the siege of Corinth. Becoming ill, he went to the hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where he died July 2, 1863, his remains being there interred. He thus laid down his life on the altar of the Union.

John H. Gerstenberger was only five years of age at the time of his father's death. He attended the German Lutheran school of Cleveland, mastering the elementary branches of English learning. He was brought to this city by his mother in 1863, soon after the death of the father, and here he pursued his studies to the age of thirteen years, when he left school, as it seemed necessary that he provide for his own support. At that time he secured employment in a grocery store owned by Mr. Broker, with whom he remained for eight years, a fact indicative of his faithfulness in the business. He also served for two years for Mr. Hattendorf and on the 5th of February, 1880, with a capital which he had acquired through his own earnings, he entered the grocery business for him- self on Broadway and there continued until 1886, when he built at 2909 East Thirty-fourth street, where he continued until his death in 1903. He was thus for twenty-three years a grocer of Cleveland and conducted a large, profitable and growing business. Following his demise his brother-in-law took charge of the business and has since conducted it.

On the 4th of February, 1880, Mr. Gerstenberger was married to Miss Clara E. Schake, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Happensack) Schake, who came from Hanover, Germany, to Cleveland in the early '40s. Her father was a car- penter and was thus identified 'with early building operations in this city. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gerstenberger were: Dr. Henry J. Gerstenberger; Karl W .; Ernst O .; Mrs. Metta F. Wilkening; Clara L .; Ruth; Erick E.,

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deceased; Edna M .; Paul J .; Esther, who has also passed away; Marie H .; and Hugo S.

Mr. Gerstenberger gave his political support to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him. He was a self-made man, who from early boyhood was dependent upon his own resources and gained his success by reason of his close application, intelligent appreciation of oppor- tunities and honorable methods. He was a leading member in the German Luth- eran church, in which he served as trustee, and his Christian spirit was manifest in his kind heartedness, his generous appreciation of the good in others and his helpfulness to all who needed an encouraging word or substantial assistance.

GEORGE WASHINGTON STURTEVANT.

George Washington Sturtevant, who became a resident of Cleveland in 1853 and made the Forest city his home until his death in 1889, was throughout that period identified with the iron industry, which has been one of the most import- ant sources of the city's wealth and industrial progress. He was a native of New England, born in Bennington, Vermont, and on his removal to Ohio lived for a short time in Painesville, whence he came to Cleveland in 1853. He was a millwright by trade but after arriving in this city branched out in other fields of labor, becoming associated with the Britton Iron & Steel Company in an official capacity. This company manufactured structural iron and Mr. Sturtevant had charge of the same. Thoroughness and accuracy characterized all of his work and his spirit of enterprise and determination constituted important elements in the upbuilding of this industry.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 70

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