USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II > Part 73
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Mr. Hotze was married in 1882 to Miss Linda Stallo, a daughter of Judge Stallo, of Cincinnati, who, under President Cleveland, was minister of the United States to Rome. The death of Mrs. Hotze occurred in this city in 1889 and was the occasion of deep regret to many friends.
In his political views Mr. Hotze, as he expresses it, is "a gold democrat of the independent sort." He is a member of the Bar Association and has the high re- gard of his professional brethren. For many years he was a close student of psychology and the science of the soul, carrying his researches far and wide into that realm of knowledge and at a later date expects to publish the results of his investigations. He is a man of broad scholarly attainments, finding his most congenial friends among those to whom literary pursuits and scientific experi- ences are a pleasure.
JOHN A. DONALDSON.
Existing conditions in the business world make it necessary for great con- cerns to put their affairs in charge of men whose reliability and experience is unquestioned. These immense corporations have too many and varied interests for them to be handled by any one man, therefore they appoint agents at various congested points, presided over by a general agent through whose hands pass the details of mighty transactions. John A. Donaldson holds such a position with the Pittsburg Coal Company, being their general agent at Cleveland. He was born September 26, 1865, in Candor, Washington county, Pennsylvania, a son of Thomas D. and Margaret A. (Christy) Donaldson.
Thomas Donaldson was born in Pennsylvania in 1839, and died in 1906, after a long life as merchant and farmer. A short time prior to his demise he retired from active labor. His wife, who was born in the Keystone state in 1842, survives him. The Donaldson family is an old and honored one in Penn- sylvania, having been established in Washington county by sturdy Scotch-Irish ancestry.
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Growing up in his native place, John A. Donaldson received a good common- school education, supplemented by a business course at the Iron City Business College. After leaving school he entered the employ of the T. B. Robbins Coal Company, Mr. Robbins being one of the early coal barons of Pittsburg. With him for sixteen years, Mr. Donaldson learned thoroughly all the details of the business, beginning at the bottom and working up through his own efforts. In 1893, desiring a wider field of operation, he came to Cleveland to take charge of the interests of the Pittsburg, Fairport & Northwestern Dock Company and the Pittsburg & Chicago Gas & Coal Company, with offices in this city. These two united in 1899 to form the Pittsburg Coal Company, with Mr. Donaldson in charge of the docks and fuel department until 1901. In that year the National Dock & Fuel Company and the Midland Coal Company of Pittsburg were formed, with Mr. Donaldson as vice president of the latter and general man- ager of the former. These properties were sold to the Pittsburg Coal Company in the fall of 1902, and Mr. Donaldson took charge of the lake department of the above mentioned company, and in the spring of 1903 he was made its gen- eral agent. In addition Mr. Donaldson is interested in the following concerns : Huron Iron Mining Company, the MacDonald Mining Company, Groveland Mining Company, Wayne Iron Company, of which he is treasurer, The Valley Steamship Company, of which he is director, and the Western Reserve Insurance Company, of which he is director.
Mr. Donaldson was married, November 27, 1895, to Margaret Robb, of Pitts- burg. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to the Pittsburg lodge, and is also a Shriner. Socially he belongs to the Clifton, Cleveland Athletic, and Cleveland Coal Clubs. Politically he is a republican. Mr. Donaldson is one of the strong men of the city and a recognized factor in the coal and mining in- terests here and in Pittsburg. His long and intimate association with these in- terests has given him a keen comprehension of the business in all its allied lines, and makes him a valued addition to any company connected with such activities.
CARL F. SCHROEDER.
Carl F. Schroeder is the secretary and treasurer of the Cleveland Home Brewing Company, which was organized in 1907 in association with Ernst Muel- ler. He was born in Stassfurt, Germany, on the 12th of August, 1852, a son of Frederick and Louisa Schroeder. The paternal grandfather, Peter Schroeder, was a native of Trabitz, engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and passed away in 1860. Frederick Schroeder, the father of our subject, was born in Stassfurt, Germany, his natal day being Janu- ary 24, 1823. He obtained his education in the public schools of his native land, and in 1860 set sail for the new world. After landing in New York he came at once to Cleveland, Ohio, and, turning his attention to the profession of teach-
ing, was the first person in the city to give a German lesson. He gave instruc- tion in his native tongue until 1869, and then became a teacher in the public schools, being thus successfully engaged until the time of his retirement in 1889. His death, which occurred in January, 1908, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained an extensive and favorable acquaint- ance during his long residence here.
Carl F. Schroeder pursued his education in the public schools of the father- land until sixteen years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and, locating in Cleveland, secured a position as bundle boy with the E. I. Baldwin Dry Goods Company. He later became bookkeeper for the con- cern and remained in that employ until 1889, when he entered the service of the Phoenix Brewing Company as finance man. In 1898 he became secretary and treasurer of the Cleveland & Sandusky Brewing Company and also acted as
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financial agent, his connection with the company being maintained until. 1907. In that year, in association with Ernst Mueller, he organized the Cleveland Home Brewing Company and, being a man of sound judgment and excellent executive ability, has already built up an extensive and profitable business. The company turns out seventy-five thousand barrels of beer annually, has forty men on its payroll and utilizes eight wagons.
In February, 1882, in Cleveland, Mr. Schroeder was united in marriage to Miss Clara Krause, by whom he has three children, as follows: Erna, who is engaged in teaching in the public schools; Clara, who prepared for teaching in the Woman's College and is now teaching in the Nottingham high school; and Walter, a young man of twenty-four. The last named attended the Case school and was general sales agent for the Murphy Iron Works of Cincinnati, Ohio, but is now associated with his father-in-law, John Huntington, in the roofing business.
Mr. Schroeder gives his political allegiance to the democracy and fraternally is identified with the Masons, being a member of the blue lodge. He is vice president of the Gesang Verein and was the organizer of the old Philharmonic Orchestra, now known as the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. In fact, Mr. Schroeder is identified with all movements looking to the betterment and prog- ress of the Germans of Cleveland. His home is at No. 5918 Hawthorne avenue. The period of his residence in this city now covers more than four decades, and through energy, perseverance and determination he has steadily advanced from a humble position in the business world to one of prominence and pros- perity.
JUDGE WILLIAM EDGAR SHERWOOD.
William Edgar Sherwood, who was judge of the court of common pleas and was widely recognized as an authority on municipal law, ranked for many years as a leading representative of the Cleveland bar. He was born at North Royal- ton, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, October 2, 1850. His father, Orsamus Sherwood, was born December 15, 1815, in Genesee county, New York. He married Ann M. Caine, who was born on the Isle of Man, November 18, 1822. They became early residents of Cuyahoga county, where the father followed the occupation of farming.
Judge Sherwood's early education was acquired in the public schools of Cleve- land and later he attended the Western Reserve University, at Hudson, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the class of 1872. He afterward became a student in the Law School of the Columbia University, of New York city, and thus qualified for the profession which he made his life work. He early evinced a decided taste in reading works historical, biographical and political, and was fond of disputation and debate. His natural tendency in this direction fore- shadowed the line of activity which he would choose as a life work. The pro- fession of the law made strong appeal to him and, locating for practice in Cleve- land in 1874, he never changed the character of his business or his loca- tion throughout the ensuing period to the time of his demise. He soon won a liberal clientage, connecting him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of the city. He enjoyed a very wide reputation for his knowledge of municipal law and was seldom, if ever, at fault, even in a matter of minor detail concerning that department of jurisprudence. His only partnership was with Amos Denison, which relation was established in 1886 and was continued until Judge Sherwood's election to the common pleas bench in 1889. In his judicial connections his record was in harmony with that which he had made as a man and citizen-distinguished by the utmost fidelity to duty and by a masterful grasp of every problem which was presented for solution. Judge Sherwood was called to several other offices, some of which were directly in the line of his pro-
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fession. He was a member of the city council of Cleveland in 1876 and 1877 and was clerk of the board of improvements of Cleveland from July 1, 1878, until July 15, 1881. On the latter date he became first assistant city solicitor and so continued until the Ist of January, 1886, the ability and faithfulness with which he discharged his duties inscribing his name high on the roll of Cleveland's hon- ored citizens. His cooperation was sought in many movements relative to the public good and he was regarded as particularly able in drawing up bills for the legislature. In association with Judge Blandin he drew up the original bill for the federal plan of government. He worked long and hard on this task, making ciose study of the subject and the judicial power of his mind enabled him to view each question from every possible standpoint and to arrive at a just and equitable conclusion.
Judge Sherwood was married October 8, 1874, to Miss Mary Hall, of North Royalton, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. Her father, John Hall, numbered among the early residents of Cuyahoga county, was identified with the agricultural interests during the period of his abode here and came to the new world from County Tyrone, Ireland.
Judge and Mrs. Sherwood had three children, two daughters and a son : Mary A., now a resident of Cleveland; Anna, the wife of Frederic S. Porter; and William Edgar, who died at the age of nineteen years. The death of the wife and mother occurred in Cleveland in 1896. Judge Sherwood was a stanch republican in politics and a public-spirited citizen, but other affairs were always preeminent with him. To the welfare of the members of his own household Judge Sher- wood gave his deepest thought and attention. He was loved by all who knew him and most of all where he was best known. Added to a strong intellectuality there was manifest in him a kindly, generous spirit and those sterling qualities of the true gentleman whose aristocracy is not that of birth alone but of worth.
DE WITT M. CALKINS.
De Witt M. Calkins, who at the time of his death was one of the oldest em- ployes of the Big Four Railroad Company located in Cleveland, devoted his entire life to service of that character. A native of Jefferson county, New York, he was born June 16, 1836, a son of Amos and Susan (Adam) Calkins. The father was a farmer by occupation and trained his son in the work of the fields. He con- tinued his residence in the Empire state until 1852, when he removed westward with his family and settled in Cleveland. In 1880, however, he returned to New York and died in Jefferson county in 1888, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife was a daughter of Mark Adams, a representative of an old New England family and a native of Connecticut. Mrs. Calkins passed away long prior to the death of her husband, her demise occurring in 1851. She was the mother of three children, of whom two reached maturity, the daughter being Mrs. Mary Nichols, who died in New York in 1889.
In his youthful days De Witt M. Calkins became familiar with the common branches of English learning as a pupil in the public schools of his native state. He was a youth of sixteen when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this city, where he attended the St. Clair school for about two years. He then entered business circles as a railway employe, becoming a brakesman on the Cleve- land & Sandusky Railroad, which is now a part of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway system. He acted as brakesman for a year on a mixed train, running between Cleveland and Sandusky, and then secured a regular run from this city to Toledo, acting as train baggageman for four years. He retired from this position in 1857, with S. F. Tinney as master of transportation, and entered the service of the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad as train baggageman. In the fall of 1858, however, he returned to Cleveland and resumed his connection
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with railway interests, this time as freight baggageman for the Cleveland & Co- lumbus Railroad. He acted in that capacity until he broke his arm at Shelby a year later. On his recovery he was made check recorder at the old passenger depot in Cleveland and continued in that position until about the close of the Civil war, when he was appointed depot baggage agent. In that capacity he rendered service until 1876, when he was promoted to the position of general baggage agent of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, now the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, more familiarly known as the Big Four. In that position he continued until his demise and was one of the most trusted representatives of the line. His long experience in railway circles made him widely known and his record was at all times commendable and trust- worthy.
On the Ist of September, 1861, Mr. Calkins was married in Mentor, Ohio, to Miss Maria M. Fenton, whose father, Horace Fenton, was one of the early and prominent contractors and builders of Cleveland. He came to Ohio from Ogdensburg, New York, where he had been engaged in the same line of business. He built many of the churches of this city and also the Marine Hospital. He first arrived in Cleveland in 1830 but did not take up his permanent abode until 1840, making the journey westward by wagon, for the era of railroad travel had scarcely been inaugurated at that time. His wife bore the maiden name of Lois Thorpe and was also a native of New York. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Calkins were born a son and daughter. Jay Burt followed in his father's footsteps, becoming connected with railway interests at the age of sixteen years and at his father's death suc- creded to his position, becoming general baggage agent of the Big Four Railroad. He married and has one son, William Gray, born January 10, 1906. Nellie Fenton, the only daughter, is at home with her mother.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Calkins was a Mason, holding membership in Cleveland City Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M., in which he was honored with the of- fice of Master. He was also connected with Webb Chapter, No. 14, R. A. M., and Holyrood Commandery, No. 32, K. T. His death occurred on October 2, 1902. He was one of the best known and most highly respected of the old railway em- ployes of the city, his personal worth being recognized by his many friends and his business worth widely acknowledged by the company which he long repre- sented.
FREDERIC WILLIAM STRIEBINGER.
Frederic William Striebinger, who is recognized as one of Cleveland's ablest architects, was born in Cleveland, April 22, 1870. He is a son of Martin Strie- binger, one of the pioneers of the city, who was identified with many of its most important developments.
After an education in the public schools of Cleveland he continued his studies at Columbia University, New York, and under the guidance of the re- nowned painter, William M. Chase, of New York. In the spring of 1893 he went abroad where he spent nearly five years in study and travel throughout Europe. After a careful training at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, France, he returned in the fall of 1897, to Cleveland, where he began the practice of architecture.
He is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects and was for a term of years president of the Cleveland Architectural Club. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and in more strictly fraternal relations is connected with the Forest City Lodge, No. 388, F. & A. M .; Mckinley Chap- ter, R. A. M., of which he is a charter member : Oriental Commandery. K. T .; and Lake Erie Consistory of Scottish Rite Masons, in which he has received the thirty-second degree. He is likewise a member of Al Koran Temple of the Mystic Shrine and of the Knights of Pythias.
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On the 25th of August, 1908, Mr. Striebinger was married to Miss Eliza- beth Maude Smythe, a daughter of the late Rev. David Smythe of Guelph, On- tario, Canada.
He has always lived in Cleveland where he has a large circle of intimate friends and acquaintances. Travel and training have brought him broad cul- ture and a broad mind, and this thorough preparation for his profession has constituted the foundation upon which he has built his business success.
CLARENCE R. SAUNDERS.
Clarence R. Saunders, oldest son of the late A. C. Saunders, one of the most notable of Cleveland's business men, who is extensively mentioned above, was born in the city in 1878. He graduated from the university school of Cleveland in the class of 1897, after which he entered Harvard, from which he was grad- uated in the class of 1901. Leaving school, Mr. Saunders became associated with his father in the Lorain Coal & Dock Company. He has always taken much interest in club life and is connected with the following social organiza- tions : Union, Country, Tavern, Roadside and University Clubs.
ALTON H. GREELEY.
Alton H. Greeley is one of those citizens who belong to Cleveland doubly by reason of birth within her limits. Before considering the career of this successful and influential man of business a glance at the history of his ante- cedents will be well worth the while, for it is of unusual interest and even dis- tinction. His parents were Harvey D. and Ellen (Hovey) Greeley. The father lived in Cleveland for fifty-six years and was a man widely known in business circles of the city. Previous to the reorganization and extension of the Big Four Railroad he was employed as car inspector. He was also actively concerned in the construction of the Panama Railway in Central America. In his latter years he held the position as president of the Greeley Brothers Company, contractors. Harvey D. Greeley was married on Christmas day, 1861, to Miss Ellen Hovey, of Leroy, Ohio. Three children were born to them: Mary E., Horace E., and Alton H., the subject of the sketch. The father died in Cleve- land, August 13, 1900, at the age of seventy, his birth having occurred at Mas- sena Point, New York, February 7, 1831. Mr. Greeley's mother was a daughter of Philetus and Aurelia (House) Hovey. The former was born in Leroy, Ohio, in 1808 and lived there for many years. Here in 1834 Mr. Greeley's mother was born and here received her education, numbering among her school- mates, James A. Garfield. The Hovey family removed to Cleveland in 1852, and here the father's death occurred in 1881.
Mr. Greeley was born in Cleveland, December 1, 1871, and was here a student in the public schools until the age of nineteen. About this time he accompanied his father to California, where they remained for some time. Upon his return to Cleveland, the young man brought into existence a new concern which was called The Greeley Brothers Company.
In 1902 Mr. Greeley formed and became general manager of The General Cartage & Storage Company, including in the organization The Greeley Brothers Company. The present company now have a ninety-nine years lease on the site at No. IIII Superior Viaduct, where John D. Rockefeller first started in business. Plans are now being prepared for the erection on this site of one of the largest storage warehouses in the world. The growth of this company has been remarkable, the company now own one hundred and fifty wagons.
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have three warehouses covering over five acres of floor space and employ one hundred men.
Mr. Greeley is a member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, the Cleve- land Athletic Club, the American Warehousemen's Association, and several other civic organizations. He is a republican in politics and a member of the Presbyterian church. He has a wholesome fondness for all outdoor sports and is one of Cleveland's automobile enthusiasts, having the enviable ability to extend his interests far beyond the business field in which he has been so emin- ently successful. Mr. Greeley has one son, Alton H., Jr., born June 22, 1896, who is now a student at Shaw Academy, being captain of the football and baseball teams.
FREDERICK THOMAS SHOLES.
Frederick Thomas Sholes, secretary and treasurer of the Continental Sugar Company, and associated with various other corporate interests which have profited by his judgment and wise counsel, was born in Buffalo, New York, September 2, 1857. His parents were Thomas G. and Harriet (Estee) Sholes, both of whom were natives of New England and representatives of ancestors who served in the Revolutionary war. They removed from Buffalo to Cleve- land in 1859 and this son was sent as a pupil to the public schools, continuing his studies through successive grades until he left high school to become a clerk in his father's shoe business. He was thus employed for two years and in September, 1876, became office boy with the Marsh-Harwood Company. He continued with that house and its successor for twenty-four years and the diligence which he manifested and the aptitude which he displayed in mastering the duties entrusted to him, led to his promotion from time to time, his con- nection with the business covering service as bookkeeper, cashier and auditor. In 1887 the business of the Marsh-Harwood Company and that of other en- terprises of the city were absorbed by The Grasselli Chemical Company, of which Mr. Sholes became auditor. He remained with that corporation until 1900, when he resigned to become secretary and treasurer of the Continental Sugar Company of Cleveland, with factories at Fremont, Ohio, and Blissfield, Michigan. This company is engaged in the manufacture of beet sugar and its business is now of an extensive and important character, the Cleveland office controlling the large sales of the products of the two manufacturing plants. Mr. Sholes' long and varied experience in commercial lines has well fitted him for the onerous duties which devolve upon him as he bends his energies toward the expansion of the trade and the control of the interests of the company. He is likewise a director and stockholder in the Bishop & Babcock Company, the Cleveland Faucet Company, the Lennox Chemical Company, the Buckeye Land Company, the Defiance Sugar Company, and other corpora- tions.
On the 28th of September, 1902, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sholes and Miss Helen Gertrude Ranney, a daughter of the Hon. Henry C. Ranney, and their family now numbers four children: Kathrine, Helen Ranney, Mary Gertrude and Frederick Thomas, Jr.
In his political views Mr. Sholes is a republican but never seeks preferment along political lines. He has been very prominent in club, fraternal and social circles of the city, holding membership in Tyrian Lodge, No. 340, F. & A. M .; Cleveland Chapter, R. A. M .; Cleveland Council, R. & S. M .; and Holyrood Commandery, K. T .; while in the Scottish Rite he has atttained the thirty- second degree of the consistory. He is an enthusiastic motorist and was presi- dent of the Cleveland Automobile Club for three years. He organized and became the first president of the Ohio State Automobile Association, was chair-
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man of its executive committee and is a trustee of the club. He was also chair- man of the auto committee of the Citizens Committee of One Hundred of Cleve- land. He was vice president and lieutenant of the Cleveland Bicycle Club and later its captain, when the bicycle first appeared in Cleveland and he belongs to the Church Club and Union Club. He holds membership in St. Paul's Episcopal church and has been prominent in musical circles of the city for many years, acting as baritone in St. Paul's Episcopal church until quite recently and remains chairman of its music committee at the present time. His interests are varied, and his social qualities have made him popular in the various organizations with which he is associated.
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