USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II > Part 82
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Obed C. Billman supplemented his early educational advantages by study in Smithville Academy at Smithville, Ohio, and in the Ohio Normal Univer- sity, at Ada. He also attended Heidelberg University, at Tiffin, Ohio, and with a desire to become a member of the bar, read law in the office of Yocum & Tag-
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gart, of Wooster, Ohio. Later he matriculated in what was then Columbian University but is now George Washington University, at Washington, D. C., from which institution he was graduated May 31, 1899, as Master of Patent Laws, that being the only school in the United States which confers the M. P. L. degree.
Returning to Ohio, Mr. Billman commenced practice in March, 1900, at Lodi, where he remained for five years, when he came to Cleveland, where he has since practiced alone. He has won more than local fame as a patent attor- ney, devoting his attention exclusively to that branch of law bearing upon patents, trademarks and copyrights. This branch of the profession demands a com- prehensive knowledge not only of legal principles appertaining thereto but also of the work that has been done in industrial circles where patents and trade- marks are used. He ranks among the most prominent representatives of patent law in Ohio and has been the attorney for The American Steel Package Com- pany at Defiance, Ohio, from its inception. He is also attorney for a number of other corporations in connection with which he has conducted considerable litigation in patent law. He secured the patent for Samuel T. Foster, Jr., at Tamaulipas, Mexico, on an electric gun. With the exception of one brought out in Sweden, this is the only electric gun that has ever been patented. So important and far-reaching has been the nature of his work that he is regarded as a most valuable contributor to the Scientific America, the Technical World Magazine and other publications of like character. He is also editor of the patent department of Popular Electricity of Chicago.
On the 26th of December, 1905, Mr. Billman was married to Miss Jean- ette Mehl, a daughter of Lewis and Sarah (Miller) Mehl, of Cleveland. Mr. Billman belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Unitarian church. He has always been a stalwart republican in his political views and while residing in Lodi, served as mayor from 1903 until 1905. He does not take active part in politics at the present time, however, as an office seeker, preferring to con- centrate his energies upon the important and growing duties of his profession, wherein he has gained notable and well won distinction.
PHILIP TROTTNER.
Philip Trottner was for more than a quarter of a century prominently iden- tified with the cigar and tobacco business of Cleveland, of which city he became a resident when a youth of fifteen years. He was born in Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin, May 7, 1858. His father, Nicholas Trottner, who was born in 1810, died on the 19th of October, 1864. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Mar- garet Geier, was born June 16, 1817, and died March 17, 1887.
On coming to Cleveland, about 1873, Philip Trottner sought and secured em- ployment in connection with the cigar and tobacco business as a clerk in the store of his brother-in-law, G. H. Mack, there remaining for about two years. When seventeen years of age he began business on his own account, opening a cigar and tobacco store at No. 2305 Ontario street. He continued in the same line of business until his death, which occurred February 26, 1903, hav- ing in the meantime developed a large trade which made his one of the important business enterprises of this character in Cleveland. He was also in partner- ship with his brother-in-law, George Mack, in the cigar and tobacco business on Pearl street at the foot of Detroit.
Mr. Trottner was at one time a member of Battery A, of the Cleveland Light Artillery, and served with the rank of sergeant. He also belonged to the German-American Club and was a member of the Altenheim Association, in which he took active part, while to its support he was a liberal contributor. He was a well known man about town, in both social and business circles, was
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noted as a dog fancier and owned and bred many valuable pointers and setters, always making entries in the annual field trials. Few men in Cleveland could boast a larger circle of friends, for his social qualities won him the kindly re- gard of all with whom he came in contact.
On the 8th of May, 1896, Mr. Trottner was married to Miss Caroline Ell- sasser, a daughter of William and Magdalena (Schilling) Ellsasser, of Cleve- land. Her father is retired from active business and lives with Mrs. Trottner. Mrs. Trottner, with her daughter Elsie, who is now attending the Hough school, resides at 1746 East Ninetieth street.
JAMES R. DOWNS.
One of the enterprising business men of Cleveland is James R. Downs, of the firm of Adams & Downs, representatives of various electrical apparatus com- panies. Lenox, Massachusetts, was his birthplace and his natal day was May 31, 1875, his parents being Michael and Ellen E. (Rodgers) Downs. He acquired his education in the public schools, being graduated from the higher department at the age of nineteen years. Removing to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, he entered the Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing Company as an apprentice and his services proved so valuable that he was subsequently promoted to salesman, in which ca- pacity he remained for eleven years. It was in Cleveland that the last five years were passed and here he met George F. Adams, his present business associate. Their decision to join forces under the firm name of Adams & Downs in repre- senting such important industries as the Burke Electric Company and the Pitts- burg Transformer Company has been proved by subsequent events to be a wise one, their daily increasing success attesting to this. They are located at No. 713 New England building, where they deal extensively in such commodities as gen- erators, motors, transformers and switchboards.
On November 29, 1905, Mr. Downs was united in marriage to Miss Jessie G. Callinan, their union being celebrated in this city. They are the parents of two children : Jessie G. and Margaret Ellen. Their residence is situated at 1840 East Seventy-Ninth street, Northeast.
Mr. Downs gives his loyal support to the republican party, to whose decisions he gives implicit confidence. He and his family are faithful members of the Cath- olic church, and in the Knights of Columbus he is accounted a valuable factor. Possessed of laudable ambition combined with unfaltering integrity, his continual advancement is a foregone conclusion.
JOHN H. EARLY.
John H. Early spent the greater part of his life in Cleveland but a short time prior to his death was made the New York representative of the American Steel & Wire Company. He was born in Cleveland in 1857, a son of Thomas Early, who came from England in 1850. After two years spent on this side the Atlantic the father took up his abode in Cleveland in 1852 and was with Morgan. Root & Company, in the bookkeeping department, for twelve years. On resign- ing that position he went to the Second National Bank and later became asso- ciated with the Cleveland Provision Company, with which he was connected for twenty-one years. He became well known in the business circles of the city as a man of unfaltering integrity and reliability, who possessed, moreover, in- defatigable enterprise and unfaltering perseverance. He did not confine his attention to business to the exclusion of outside interests but did active work as a member of the Emmanuel church and was interested in many questions af-
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fecting the progress of the community in other lines than in a business way. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. A man of domestic tastes, he was unwearied in his efforts to promote the happiness of his family. In 1855 he wedded Miss Anna Black, whose father came to this country in 1849, settling in Detroit, where he engaged in business for a time and then removed to Cleveland. In the latter city he lived retired.
John H. Early, a son of Thomas and Anna (Black) Early, spent his youth- ful days in the city of his nativity and its public schools afforded him his edu- cational privileges. He made his initial step in the business world in the em- ploy of the firm of Root & McBride, but after a short time he withdrew from that connection and became bookkeeper for the Cleveland Rolling Mill Com- pany. His fidelity and ability were recognized by those whom he served and after the organization of the American Steel & Wire Company he was made one of the assistant managers. He sought in every way possible to make his service of real value to those whom he represented and thus by close study and application he increased his usefulness until he was given a responsible position in the sales department. A short time prior to his death he was sent to New York to become connected with the sales department in that city.
In 1884 Mr. Early was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hurlbut, a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (Ranney) Hurlbut and a representative of one of the pioneer families of the city. They became parents of two children, Margaret and John Hurlbut. The husband and father died May 17, 1905. He was a member of the Emmanuel Episcopal church, to the support of which he contributed generously. His political views accorded with the principles of the republican party and his social nature found expression in his membership in the Rowfant Club. Among his chief sources of recreation were reading and study. He had a scholar's delight in all that broadened his knowledge con- cerning subjects that had vital bearing upon the world's progress and was an extremely well informed man with whom association meant expansion and ele- vation.
JOHN ANISFIELD.
John Anisfield, whose name is an honored one on commercial paper because of the extent of his investments and the important business interests which he controls, was born near Vienna, Austria, on the 5th of March, 1860. His parents were Israel and Amelia (Geldwerth) Anisfield, who on coming to America in 1876 settled in Cleveland, Ohio.
John Anisfield was at that time a youth of sixteen years. He was educated in the public schools of Vienna and in the technical school, where he studied engineering. After reaching the new world he turned his attention to manufac- turing interests, becoming connected with his uncle, Dr. James Horwitz, of this city, who was then at the head of the D. Black Cloak Company. Here he re- mained for six years as manager and traveling salesman, during which time he gained a good knowledge of the business in all of its phases. In 1882 he estab- lished an independent business under the name of the John Anisfield Company, manufacturers of cloaks and suits. In the intervening years he has built up an extensive business, now ranking among the largest concerns of the kind in the country. He employs many operatives in the factory and the output commands a ready sale on the market. He is also a large holder of bank stocks and has made judicious investments in various profitable enterprises. His close appli- cation and ready tact as a salesman have constituted the basic elements of his success. and today his commercial interests are very extensive. In 1909 Mr. Anisfield erected the Anisfield building on East Ninth street and Huron road.
On the 26th of March, 1886, Mr. Anisfield was married to Miss Daniela Guttenberg, of Vienna, Austria, who passed away about sixteen years later,
JOHN ANISFIELD
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dying in 1902. They had one daughter, Edith Karolyn, a graduate of the West- ern Reserve College and a highly talented musician. On the 17th of January, 1904, Mr. Anisfield wedded Miss Alice Strauss, a daughter of Adolph Strauss, of New York city, and they reside at No. 2101 East Eighty-third street. A fine library is one of the attractive features of the home, for Mr. Anisfield is very fond of the best literature and has been a broad reader. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, interested in every movement put forth by that organi- zation for the benefit of the city. He is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Webb Chapter. In politics he is a republican and in social relations is connected with the Oakwood Golf Club and the Excelsior Club. A spirit of broad humanita- rianism also features in his life and he is a director of several benevolent institu- tions, while the Jewish Infants' Home, of which he is the vice president, is one of his chief cares.
GEORGE F. ADAMS.
Among Cleveland's progressive citizens must be mentioned George F. Adams, who is associated with James R. Downs as representative of various electric supply companies, among them the Burke Electric Company and the Pittsburg Transformer Company. Mr. 'Adams attended the common and high schools until his graduation from the latter at the age of eighteen and then worked upon his father's farm until attaining his majority. In 1891 he entered the University of Minnesota and took a course in electrical engineering. With the great advantage of thorough preparation for his vocation, he engaged with the Twin City Rapid Transit Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, and continued in their employ until two years later, when he went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. There he accepted a position with the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company as engineer and salesman. This connection was not terminated until 1907, when he became a partner of Mr. Downs in representing electrical appar- atus firms. This has proved a most satisfactory arrangement and one attended by success.
Mr. Adams was married in September, 1900, to Miss Nathalie W. Quack- enbush, their wedding taking place in New York city. They are the parents of three children. Donald and Hermione, aged eight years and six years respec- tively, are students in the public schools; and Nathalie, aged three, attends the kindergarten. The family reside at 5918 Olive Court.
As to Mr. Adams' associations and convictions, he is a member of Phi Gam- ma Delta fraternity and of the Cleveland Manufacturers Association. He is independent in politics and a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Adams is happy in all his relations, his straightforward business methods being coupled with fine capabilities for friendship.
JOHN EMERICH.
John Emerich, a self-educated and self-made man whose force of character was indicated in his successful accomplishment as the years went by, was born May 14, 1834, in Germany, and died July 6, 1873. He was a son of Adolph and Katherine (Schuman) Emerich, natives of Darmstadt, Germany, where the father followed farming and shoemaking. He also served for three years in the German army, thus meeting the requirement of the German law in regard to military service.
John Emerich attended school in his native country to the age of sixteen years, when he came to America with an uncle to avoid compulsory service in the Ger-
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man army. He had studied bookkeeping in his native country and after coming to the United States made his home for a time with his uncle near New York city and there learned carriage-making and blacksmithing. He remained in the Em- pire state until 1859, when he came to Cleveland on a visit and was so impressed with the opportunities and possibilities of the place in a business way that he de- cided to remain and soon sought and secured employment at his trade. He later learned the machinist's trade, which he followed for several years and afterward accepted a responsible position in the Gegley & Krieger machine shop, where he remained until his death. He was an expert workman, thoroughly understanding the machinist's trade and manifesting much skill in handling different implements and tools which were required in the conduct of the various trades with which he was at different times associated.
On the 21st of November, 1860, in Cleveland, Mr. Emerich was married to Miss Anna B. Shade, a daughter of John and Barbara (Silk) Shade, who came from Raubelhausen, Germany, to Cleveland in 1852. The father was a German war veteran. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Emerich were born the following named : Anna Elizabeth, the wife of Edward Hoffman; Anna Katherine, who wedded Charles Durgetts; Josephine L., the wife of Fred Kipp; Katherine E., the wife of Charles Daus; Ida M., who married Paul Koehler; and Emma, who died at the age of twenty-three years.
In his political views Mr. Emerich was a democrat where national issues and questions were involved, but voted for the best man at local elections and sought at all times to further municipal progress by the endorsement of good men for office. He held membership in the Presbyterian church, was kind and loving to his family and was ever mindful of his obligations to his fellowmen. He died at the comparatively early age of thirty-nine years and, though more than a third of a century has since passed, he is yet kindly remembered by those who were his associates during the years of his residence in Cleveland.
ALBERT E. DUDLEY.
Albert E. Dudley is closely identified with that line of business pertaining to the city's property interests and its architectural improvement, being a member of the firm of Dudley & Jones, real-estate dealers and builders. His birth occurred in Troy. New York, on the 7th of June, 1867, his parents being Edward and Lydia (Warren) Dudley, both of whom were born in England in 1839. They were married in that country and subsequently crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Troy, New York. When a few years had passed, however, Edward Dudley established his home in Cleveland and here spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1906. During his early manhood he was associated with the Otis Steel Company for a number of years but in later life he was engaged in the insurance business. His widow still survives and makes her home in Cleveland.
Albert E. Dudley pursued his education in the public schools of this city and after putting aside his text-books he secured a position in the office of the Otis Steel Company, remaining with the concern for three or four years. Subse- quently he spent three years in the employ of the W. Bingham Company, hard- ware dealers, and then entered the service of the Eberhard Manufacturing Company, in the office of which concern he remained for ten or twelve years, having charge of the sales department. While still in the employ of that com- pany he began purchasing real estate, erected residences thereon and then sold the property to good advantage. In 1902 he severed his connection with the Eberhard Company in order to devote his entire attention to his operations as a real-estate dealer and builder and has since been successfully engaged in that line of activity, being associated with George D. Jones under the firm style of
A. E. DUDLEY
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Dudley & Jones. They have erected and sold a large number of apartment houses and terraces in East Cleveland, and Mr. Dudley has met with a gratifying measure of success in his undertakings, being now widely recognized as one of the prominent and most prosperous representatives of building interests in the city.
. In February, 1892, Mr. Dudley was united in marriage to Miss Evelyn How, of Cleveland. They now have four children, namely: Edith, who was born in 1893; Evelyn, whose birth occurred in 1895; and Edward and Robert, who were born in the years of 1900 and 1903 respectively. The family residence is at 1640 East Eighty-second street. Mr. Dudley is a motor enthusiast. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. As a business man he has been conspicuous among his associates, not only for his suc- cess but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods. In everything he has been eminently practical and this has been manifest not only in his business undertakings but also in social and private life.
WILLIAM J. MCLACHLAN.
William J. Mclachlan, merchant tailor of Cleveland and exponent of "Ad- vanced Tailoring" here, thoroughly appreciates the fact that the well dressed man of today insists upon perfection in style, material and workmanship and is pre- pared to give his customers just what they want. He was born in Forest, Ontario, Canada, April 4, 1884, a son of Hugh and Margery McLachlan. The father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was a building contractor, and he pursued the same business upon going to Ontario and is still connected with it.
When he was fifteen years old William J. McLachlan left school to go to Sarnia, Ontario, to become an apprentice in a tailoring establishment and re- mained there three years, learning the trade thoroughly. For the following two years he worked for a tailor in Toronto, Canada, and then went to Detroit, Michi- gan, and for six months was employed by a tailor there. From Detroit he went to Cincinnati and worked at his trade for eight months, and then came to Cleve- land as a cutter. He next went to Pittsburg and was a cutter there for one year but returned to Cleveland and held a first class cutting position until August 15, 1909, when he opened a fine, modern store at 35 Taylor Arcade, with a beautiful line of goods and since then has turned out some very handsome garments.
On November 25, 1907, Mr. Mclachlan was married in Cleveland to Miss Edna B. Briggs and they reside at No. 1619 Hollywood Road. In politics he is an independent. He is an earnest, conscientious young man, whose perception of the requirements and possibilities of his business are well developed, and there is no doubt but that he will succeed in his new venture because of the painstaking care he gives to every detail.
JOHN SINGLETON.
John Singleton was for the greater part of thirty-nine years a resident of Cleve- land, although ill health at frequent intervals forced him to temporarily remain away from the city. He was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, England, July 5, 1835, and died on the 26th of March, 1909. His parents, John and Ann ( Mill- wood) Singleton, were also natives of Dewsbury. The father was a paperhanger and the mother conducted a china store. They were both of the faith of the So- ciety of Friends, or Quakers.
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In the schools of his native country John Singleton, whose name introduces this review, was educated, and afterward he learned the paper-hanging trade, subsequent to which time he became his father's active assistant. In 1858 the family crossed the Atlantic to Canada and he there followed his trade for twelve years. In 1870 he arrived in Cleveland and as a paper-hanger entered the employ of William Downie, with whom he continued for several years. He afterward worked for Mr. Vliet in the same way but when a short time had passed his health so failed that he was obliged to go to Florida and with his son Wilfred he lo- cated near Alva, Florida, where he purchased and conducted an orange grove. There he remained for about six or eight months, when, becoming ill, he returned to Cleveland. He afterward established a florist business here, which he carried on for two or three years with good success. His health again failing, he went to New Mexico and Florida, where he continued for a number of years. At length, however, he returned to this city but his last days were spent in the home of his daughter at Worcester, Massachusetts.
On the 23d of July, 1861, Mr. Singleton was married in Quebec, Canada, to Miss Mary S. Vaux, a daughter of John and Arabella R. (Pollock) Vaux, of Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. The father was a prominent groceryman in that and other cities, conducting an extensive business. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Single- ton were born ten children: Arabella; William Edward, who is now engaged in the real-estate business in Montana; May M., who is now the wife of F. S. Mor- ley, a resident of Cleveland ; George H., a resident of this city; Lucy Ida, who is the wife of John H. Brice, of Cleveland; Wilfred, who is now manager of the Star Baking Company, of this city, and is also acting as president of the Bakers Association of Ohio; John F., who is manager of the advertising department of the Firstone Rubber Tire Company of Akron, Ohio; R. H., who is a practicing osteopathic physician of Cleveland; Marian W., who is the wife of Rev. J. D. Bevin, of Worcester, Massachusetts; and Fanny, now Mrs. Thomas Dawson, of Los Angeles, California. There are also thirteen grandchildren.
Because of his Quaker training, Mr. Singleton did not believe in secret socie- ties. His political support was given to the republican party and, although reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, he afterward placed his membership in the Congregational church of Brooklyn. Although hampered by ill health he made good use of his opportunities and the sterling traits of his character won him the high regard of friends and neighbors. Mrs. Singleton has resided in Cleveland for the past forty years and is well known here, being greatly esteemed by all with whom she has been brought in contact.
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