A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 75

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

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On the 25th of January, 1892, Mr. Foerstner was married to Miss Mary L. Wiemals, a daughter of William and Johanna Wiemals, of Cleveland. Unto them have been born the following children: John C., Stephen J., Rose, Ruth and Victoria. All are with their parents at the pleasant family residence at No.

J. A. FOERSTNER

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7615 Colgate avenue. Mrs. Foerstner is active in church and social circles, pre- siding with gracious hospitality over her pleasant home and also aiding in the or- ganized work for the moral development of the community. Mr. Foerstner is a republican in politics where state and national issues are involved but casts an independent local ballot. He holds membership in St. Stephen's Catholic church and is acting as a member of its board of trustees. He likewise belongs to the Credit Men's Association of Cleveland and the Cleveland Athletic Club. His favorite pastimes are hunting and fishing and he is also fond of all outdoor ath- letics. A man of quiet tastes, he is devoted to his home and family and enjoys the high esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact by reason of his upright, honorable life. In business he is thoroughly reliable and his record indi- cates what may be accomplished through determined and earnest purpose, for, starting out in the humble capacity of office boy, he is now occupying a prominent position as secretary and treasurer of the J. H. Somers Company.

ALFRED B. JENNE.

Alfred B. Jenne, who chose gardening as his life vocation and through his enterprise and diligence won a creditable measure of success, was born Novem- ber 16, 1822, in Utica, New York, and died on the 15th of April, 1899. His parents were Ansel and Elizabeth (Brown) Jenne, who removed from Utica to Cleveland about 1826. The father was a farmer by occupation and remained - in Cuyahoga county for a brief period, after which he went to Warrensville, Ohio, where he purchased and cultivated a tract of land.

Alfred B. Jenne, brought to Ohio in his fourth year, attended school in Warrensville and Euclid to the age of sixteen years, when he put aside his text-books and began providing for his own support by working out among far- mers for a few years. He then went to Berlin Heights, Erie county, Ohio, where he continued for ten years, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He next removed to Amherst, Ohio, where he purchased a farm, which he continued to cultivate for eight or ten years, and then sold that property, after which he went to Wood county, Ohio. He did not long remain in that locality but returned to Amherst and in 1872 took up his abode at Collinwood, a suburb of Cleveland, where he purchased land and gave his attention to garden- ing. His entire life was devoted to tilling the soil, either in the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to climatic conditions in Ohio or to the cultivation of garden products. He was diligent, persistent and determined and these quali- ties brought him a measure of success which was both creditable and gratifying.

O11 the 24th of March, 1846, Mr. Jenne was united in marriage to Miss Isabel McIlrath, a daughter of Thomas and Jerusha (Brainard) McIlrath. The father removed from New Jersey to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and thence to Cleveland in 1803. accompanying his parents, who were pioneer set- tlers of this part of the state. The mother came from Connecticut with her parents in 1828. The McIlrath family had its origin in the north of Ireland, the ancestral home being in County Antrim. Representatives of the name on coming to America in 1714 settled in Pennsylvania, becoming residents of Washington county, that state, in 1790, and in 1803 came to Cleveland, which was at that time a hamlet containing only four or five families. Andrew Mc- Ilrath, the grandfather, purchased a tract of land from Jedediah Crocker and some of his descendants still reside thereon. He gave the land on which was built the first Presbyterian church in East Cleveland, then called Collamer, in 1807, and he was one of the fourteen original members who organized the church. Both the McIlrath and Jenne families were represented here in early pioneer times and they left their impress upon the growth and development of this portion of the state. Mrs. Jenne was born in Cleveland, December 18, 1828,

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and died November 23, 1909. She was a member of the Early Settlers Asso- ciation. Few residents of Cleveland were more familiar with its history, for although absent for brief periods Mrs. Jenne was practically connected with this city for nearly eighty-two years. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children : Clara, the wife of Sterling Wing; Augusta, the wife of George Kuder; Theodore; Adelbert, deceased; John C .; Mrs. Lydia Kuder and Charles W., both of whom are now deceased.

The death of the husband and father occurred April 15, 1899, when he was in the seventy-seventh year of his age. He was always a public-spirited citi- zen and while living in Wood county served as justice of the peace for three years. He was also assessor in East Cleveland and Collinwood for twenty years and had been elected for the twenty-first term when called to his final rest. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. He was a well known and prominent citizen, good hearted and generous, and those who knew him well could count at all times upon his friendship and be sure of his kindly spirit. He lived to see remarkable changes in Cleveland from the time when he came with his parents to this city more than eight decades ago. The little village by the lake, with limited industrial, commercial and shipping interests, has since developed into a city of metropolitan proportions, and at all times Mr. Jenne rejoiced in what was being accomplished as the work of modern progress wrought its wonderful transformation.

GEORGE C. WRIGHT.

In the list of notable men who have directed their efforts toward securing a commercial supremacy for Cleveland, certain names stand forth conspicuously prominent by reason of what they have accomplished and their manner of se- curing results. George C. Wright, president and general manager of The Dia- mond Show Case Company, belongs to this class of men and his standing and that of his company is unquestioned.

Mr. Wright was born in Port Huron, Michigan, August 24, 1869, a son of Reason and Minerva (Spaulding) Wright. The father, who was born in Michi- gan and died in 1873, was a mason contractor. During the Civil war he served in Company A, Fourth Michigan Cavalry as sergeant. This was the company that captured Jefferson Davis, and Mr. Wright was with it until the close of the conflict. His wife was born in 1833 in Rochester, New York, but went to Port Huron, Michigan, where she was married. She still survives her husband and is living at the old home in Port Huron. Her father, Jedediah Spaulding, was born in Norwich, Vermont, September 7, 1797, and died June 23, 1864. He was married in Canada West, November 29, 1821, to Sallie Tolman, who died May 7, 1836, in Pendleton, New York, at the age of thirty-five years, five months and twenty-two days.

George C. Wright secured a common-school education and early began earn- ing his own living in various shops. When only eighteen years of age he came to Cleveland, obtaining employment as a glazier with the Van Cleveland Glass Company. He continued with them until the present name was adopted with the exception of a few years when working for other firms in the same line. Beginning at the very bottom, Mr. Wright has worked up through the various grades of promotion until he is now president and general manager, securing this distinctive honor through individual effort. In the spring of 1903, the com- pany became the Diamond Glass Company. In 1900 Mr. Wright had patented all the devices manufactured by the old concern, including the glass show cases, glass shelves and electric lighting appliances under the name of the Show Case Company and was placed in charge of this important department. On August 24, 1906, the company was incorporated as the Diamond Showcase Company

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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

with Mr. Wright in his present official position. Their trade extends over the entire country, and its remarkable growth is almost entirely due to his efforts. All of the manufacturing is done in Cleveland, and he designs all the work him- self. Every day shows an increase in territory, and he has many new plans for the near future.

On September 5, 1888, Mr. Wright married Salina Berleyet, who was born in Port Huron, Michigan, and they have three children: Robert A., born Feb- ruary 25, 1890, who is associated with his father in business and is a remark- ably bright young man; Minerva B., born October 31, 1891, who is attending a convent and is making a specialty of music; and George N., born August 17, 1902.

Mr. Wright belongs to the Knights of Columbus and several smaller or- ganizations. His religious affiliations are with St. Colman's Catholic church. While exceedingly liberal in politics, he usually supports the republican party. The life and efforts of Mr. Wright point a moral that cannot be disregarded. Commencing with a large concern as a workman, without either money or in- fluence through sheer ability and continued effort intelligently directed along legitimate channels, he has steadily risen to the head of a company made suc- cessful by him. Recently he purchased a half interest in the Lorain & Clark Avenue Garage, located on the corner of Lorain and Clark avenues, where they have their salesroom, livery and storage, and they also do a general line of re- pairing. In addition to his city residence, Mr. Wright has a beautiful summer home-Rosalmingo-at Keewahdin Beach, Port Huron, Michigan.

SETH 'ALDEN ABBEY.

Going back to the picturesque times of the early days when Cleveland was a village upon the western frontier and when the seeds of civilization and de- velopment were just being planted in this part of the state, we find that Seth Alden Abbey figured prominently in the life of the community and did not a little to promote public thought and shape the public policy. He came from Delaware county, New York, where he was born October 3, 1798. Here he remained until his death, which occurred March 15, 1880, when he was eighty- two years of age. He was a descendant of John Alden of the Mayflower. In early life he made his way westward to Cleveland, arriving in this city when it had little importance as a shipping port and practically no commercial or in- dustrial standing. However, there were some men foresighted enough to see the natural advantages of the place and were active in the building of a city on the lake shore where a natural harbor was to be found. Mr. Abbey was the first constable and first sheriff of Cuyahoga county and lived in the old log jail and also in the courthouse on the square. He likewise did official service as police judge during three terms and he was a valiant defender of the Union cause throughout the . Civil war, holding the rank of colonel in a regiment of cavalry. He was a man absolutely fearless in the face of danger when duty called and during his service as sheriff he became a menace to all those who had no regard for law or order.

Mr. Abbey's old home was located on the Huron road where the Market house now stands and he was one of the most prominent and respected men of his time, very active in the affairs of the city and in promoting municipal prog- ress. In politics he was always a thoroughgoing republican from the organi- zation of the party and was a great reader, keeping well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day, political and otherwise. While he figured promi- nently, however, in public life, he was also a man of domestic tastes who found great pleasure at his own fireside. On the 8th of February, 1821, at Watertown, New York, he wedded Mercy Hunt, and they became the parents of eight chil-

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dren, of whom one is living, Mrs. Frances Freeman, of Orange, New Jersey. Later Mr. Abbey wedded Mrs. Mary (Lyon) Goodwin, the widow of William Goodwin. She came to Ohio with her father, Liakin Lyon, making the journey with an. ox-team in her girlhood days. The family home was established at Strongsville, where Mr. Lyon followed farming.

There was only one child by the second marriage of Mr. Abbey-Minnie, now the widow of C. A. Prentice. Mr. Prentice was a son of Dr. Noyes B. Prentice, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this work. Charles A. Prentice was born in Canfield, Ohio, in 1854, was educated in Cleve- land and at a college in Cincinnati. He afterward served as deputy United States marshal under his father and subsequently removed to Mentor, Ohio. settling on a stock farm, where he was very extensively engaged in stock-raising for some years. He married Miss Minnie Abbey, October 7, 1879, and they had one son, Noyes B., who was educated at the Western Reserve College. The husband and father died September 19, 1895. He left his family the priceless heritage of a good name as well as a comfortable competence, which he had ob- tained through practically directed business affairs, close application to business and the wise employment of the opportunities and advantages which had come to him.

STILES HENRY CURTISS.

The life record of Stiles H. Curtiss covered little more than a half century and yet in that period he accomplished much that conserved the best interests of the city, his business affairs contributing to its commercial enterprise, while his labors in other directions were found as a substantial factor in promoting intellec- tual and moral upbuilding, charitable work and municipal progress. In pioneer times the Curtiss family was established in Ohio, Charles and Mary (Gleeson) Curtiss, the parents of our subject, becoming prominent in the early period of the development of Summit county. The former was a native of Connecticut, while the mother's birth occurred in the state of New York. In 1840 Charles Curtiss arrived in Ohio and took up his residence in Summit county, where his energy, ability and public spirit brought him to a position of prominence. He was widely recognized as a man of sterling worth and integrity and his fellow townsmen felt deep regret at his loss when in 1860 he removed to Cleveland. In the latter city he engaged in business with S. C. Smith, under the firm name of Smith & Curtiss, wholesale dealers in coffees, teas and spices, developing an extensive enterprise and winning a position of distinction among the business men of this county. He was connected with the Summit county branch of the State Bank of Ohio and also the National Bank and no man occupied a more honorable or enviable posi- tion in mercantile or financial circles. The enterprise which he established here flourished as the years passed by and he continued at the head of the business until his demise, when it passed into the hands of his son. His religious faith prompted his membership in the Presbyterian church and while he conducted a successful business, at the same time he was concerned in the deeper experiences of life and interested in those questions bearing upon the uplifting of humanity. His death occurred December 27, 1872, when he was sixty-five years of age. His wife's parents, Moses and Polly Gleeson, were prominent among the early pioneers of Cuyahoga county.

Stiles H. Curtiss was born in Peninsula, Summit county, Ohio, May 27, 1846, and was therefore a lad of fourteen years at the time the family home was estab- lished in Cleveland. He supplemented his public-school course by study in the Western Reserve College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1867. He then took up the study of law, reading under the direction of the firm of Prentiss & Baldwin, well known attorneys of this city. In 1869 he was admitted to the bar and engaged in practice until 1872, when upon the death of his father

STILES H. CURTISS

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he succeeded to his commercial interests and, although trained for a professional career, displayed marked capability and excellent management in controlling his business affairs. Mr. Curtiss manifested an intelligent appreciation of every op- portunity, which he used to the best advantage, and his enterprise brought him a measure of success that was most satisfactory. Aside from his wholesale house he had important financial interests and was one of the directors of the State Na- tional Bank and also of the Citizens' Savings & Loan Association.

On the 30th of September, 1875, Mr. Curtiss was married to Miss Lucia M. Stair, a daughter of Edwin and Marcia L. Stair, of Cleveland. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Curtiss was blessed with four children: Charles Edwin, Henry Stiles, Edwin Stair and Anna Marcia. Mr. Curtiss was an early and very active member of the Rowfant Club and also one of the pioneer members of the- Univer- sity Club. A book lover and great reader, he spent many hours most pleasantly in his library. The death of Mr. Curtiss occurred April 15, 1899, and thus there passed from the stage of earthly activities one who had played well his part, meas- uring up to the full standard of honorable manhood, recognizing and fully meet- ing the purposes of life. He served for some time as a trustee of the Second Pres- byterian church, was interested in its various activities, cooperated in its move- ments and contributed to its support. As he prospered in his undertakings, suc- cess followed his intelligently directed efforts, he gave freely of his means to be- nevolent purposes but was ever quiet and unostentatious in his charity, which was the manifestation of a sincere and abiding interest in and sympathy for his fel- lowmen.

CRISPIN OGLEBAY.

Crispin Oglebay, president of the Ferro Machine & Foundry Company, is one of Cleveland's younger generation who by force of native ability has already secured his right to the title of captain of industry. He was born in 1876 in Wheeling, West Virginia, and in 1880, when but four years of age, removed with his parents to Kansas City, Missouri. He received his early education in the common schools of that city and was then sent to St. Paul's school in Con- cord, New Hampshire, from which he was graduated with the class of 1896. In the fall of that year he entered Yale University and four years later took his degree with the class of 1900.

Upon leaving college Mr. Oglebay returned to Kansas City, where his first experience in the world of affairs was gained as a clerk with the Swift Packing Company, with which he remained for a year. He severed this connection to engage in the real-estate business for two years, and in 1903 removed to Cleve- land to accept the position of secretary to the Hoffman Hinge & Foundry Com- pany, in six months time being promoted to the presidency of the concern. In the spring of 1906 the Ferro Machine & Foundry Company was incorporated with a capital of two hundred and twenty thousand dollars and took over the Hoffman Hinge & Foundry Company. The new industry abandoned the hinge and hardware department, supplanting it with automobile accessories, engine parts and the like, and also putting on the market a marine engine for motor boats, this particular plant being the largest of its kind in America. The foundry product was changed from light gray and iron castings to auto cylinders and pistons, the entire foundry being devoted to the production of these. It is larger in volume than any other in the world and supplies some forty-five of the largest automobile factories.

Some idea of the extent of the Ferro Machine & Foundry Company may be gained from the fact that eleven hundred men are employed in the plant and fifteen hundred agents, while the catalogue is written in four languages. The company can point to eighteen hundred engines operating outside of the United States and Canada which were produced by them, their representation thereby

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extending to virtually every country on the globe. The growth of the concern has been indeed remarkable and while its success is manifestly due to the en- terprise and efficiency of its management, it cannot but reflect credit upon Cleve- land, whose surpassing progress is due to her fortunate possession of just such substantial concerns. Mr. Oglebay has the happy faculty of knowing how to select his assistants, always choosing men of ability into whose hands to put the responsibility of those minutiae which his own personal supervision cannot reach.

While so deeply engrossed in business, Mr. Oglebay finds time for the social side of life and is pleasantly identified with the Tavern Club and the Country Club, in whose haunts his presence is always warmly welcomed. He is also a member of the Mayfield Country Club and the Chamber of Commerce, and is a director of the Superior Trust & Savings Bank.

CLARENCE O. AREY, M. D.

Dr. Clarence O. Arey, whose death on the IIth of August, 1896, was a distinct loss to the medical fraternity as well as in social circles, where he was most highly honored and respected, was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1857. His father, Oliver Arey, became an early resident of Cleveland, where he followed the pro- fession of teaching, and was living in Rochester, New York, at the time of the death of his son Clarence. In this city he had married Miss Harriett E. Grannis, who was one of the early teachers in a private school here and was also a writer of ability. She did considerable work in editing a magazine before Harpers was first published. Reared in a home of intellectual culture and refinement, Clar- ence O. Arey was given excellent educational advantages, completing a course in literature at the Michigan University at Ann Arbor and also in civil engineering. Following his graduation he came to Cleveland and began as an architect here, planning many of the large buildings, including Case's School of Applied Science and others. His ability was pronounced, winning him an extensive and important patronage, and he followed the profession with growing success until the death of his little son from diphtheria awakened in him a great longing to study bac- teria in all of its forms that he might aid in checking the ravages of disease thus propagated. Accordingly he gave up his business and attended the University of Pennsylvania, pursuing a course in the medical department and also attending the Bacteriological College and the College of Hygiene, spending four years in broad and thorough study. Returning to Cleveland, he spent one year in the laboratory of Dr. Howard, studying the different forms and causes of diphtheria, and subse- quently spent a short time studying in the east. In the following spring he re- turned to Cleveland and entered upon the active practice of medicine, for which he was so well qualified by reason of his thorough and comprehensive preparation and his deep interest in the work. However, he only lived until the succeeding August and the profession thus suffered the loss of one who would have been an honor to the calling. He was a man of strong purpose, who held to high ideals in all things and could never be content with mediocrity in any direction. He therefore attained prominence in architectural lines and was recognized as one of the leading and distinguished members of the Civil Engineers Club and also of the Club of Architects. He would have gained equal fame in the practice of medicine had he been spared to conclude his labors in that field.

Dr. Arey was married in Cleveland to Miss Martha H. Haywood, a daughter of Clark Haywood, who came here at an early day and was extensively engaged in business for many years, becoming one of the foremost representatives of the lumber trade in the city. His son, Charles Haywood, is still conducting the busi- ness which was established by the father. This son, Mrs. Arey and a sister, Mrs. Alice Haines, all occupy the old Haywood home built by the father on East Seven-

CLARENCE O. AREY

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ty-ninth street. It is one of the old landmarks of the city, commodious and at all times attractive by reason of its warm-hearted hospitality. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Arey were born four children, of whom Jack Haywood and Ellen Harriett are at home with their mother. The father died August 11, 1896. He was a man of forceful individuality and marked strength of character, who could never be con- tent with accomplishing only that which the great majority did, but always sought to attain perfection that he might give in his professional life the best service pos- sible. Moreover he was a gentleman of unfailing courtesy, appreciative of the good in others and his own spirit of friendship won for him friendly regard in return.

F. J. GOTTRON.

F. J. Gottron, who for the past two and a half years has been secretary of the P. A. Geier Company, manufacturers of instruments of precision and high-grade machinery, was born in Cleveland on the 27th of February, 1881, a son of Anton and Katherine Gottron. The father was born in Menz, Germany, March 3, 1847, but was only nine years of age when he came with his parents to America, locat- ing in Fremont, Ohio. In his early manhood he engaged in the lime and stone business there, which he followed for many years, until he came to Cleveland to go into the wholesale grocery business. After a time, however, he returned to Fremont, where he embarked in the grain elevator business, which he is conduct- ing at present.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 75

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