A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 9

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 9

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Isaac Lamson, the eldest child of Ebenezer and Ruth (Phillips) Lamson, was born at Charlton, Massachusetts, February 19, 1764, and was one of the self-made men of the olden time. His education was largely self-acquired, but

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

he was a man of great natural ability. As a youth he worked for three dollars per month with the privilege of light and books in the winter time. He availed himself of every means to acquire knowledge, became a school teacher and for twenty years taught in the same town. He removed from Charlton to Mount Washington, Massachusetts, in the early part of the nineteenth century and soon became an active participant in the town's affairs and its business interests. In 1807 he purchased some small wood lots and in 1809 purchased the city saw- mill. Later he secured four hundred and sixty acres, the same being the south half of Mt. Everett. He was town clerk from 1809 to 1816 inclusive and from 1819 to 1838 inclusive. He served as selectman in 1810, 1819 and 1820 and as a member of the school committee from 1814 to 1817 and from 1832 to 1834 in- clusive. He was assessor in 1809, 1810 and 1813. He was married in April, 1784 or 1785, to Keziah Sharpe, who was born in 1767 in Ashford, Connecticut, and was a daughter of Solomon and Judith (Knowlton) Sharpe. Their eight children were born at Charlestown, Massachusetts. Their married life was ter- minated by legal separation and for his second wife Isaac Lamson chose Deborah Pray, who was born at Oxford, Massachusetts, March 20, 1784, a daughter of Ebenezer and Deborah Learned (Robinson) Pray. Isaac Lamson removed with his second wife to Mount Washington, Massachusetts. Four children were born of this union and the wife and mother died March 22, 1812. He was again mar- ried July 24, 1814, when Mrs. Waitstill (Holley) Patterson became his wife. She was the widow of Mark Patterson and a daughter of John and Rebecca (Lewis) Holley. She was born June 4, 1786, and died September 20, 1857, having for more than thirteen years survived her husband, Isaac Lamson, who died January 24, 1844.

Isaac Lamson, a son of Isaac and Keziah Lamson, was born at Charlton, Massachusetts, February 8, 1799. He was a well informed man for the time in which he lived. Although a man of few words, when he spoke it was always to the point and he impressed his hearers with his honesty and sincerity. By occu- pation he was a collier and farmer and for many years lived in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. He also served as selectman and in various town offices. He was a life-long Methodist, prominent in the church and for some time acted as class leader. He also served in the state militia. On the 4th of January, 1825, he mar- ried Celina Miller, who was born October 7, 1805, a daughter of the Rev. Thomas and Asenith ( Andrews) Miller. The first four years of their married life was spent in Sheffield, Massachusetts, whence they removed to Mount Washington and there on a farm among the rocky hills and unfruitful soil they spent the greater part of their lives and reared a family of eight children. They removed to Connecticut a few years before the death of the father that they might be near their children, and he passed away at Burlington, Connecticut, March 25, 1886, while Mrs. Lamson died August 1, 1888. The genealogy of the Miller family, has been traced back through eight generations to John Miller, who came to America from Maidstone, Kent county, England, about 1649, settling first at Lyon, Massachusetts, and removing later to East Hampton, Long Island. The Rev. Thomas Miller, father of Mrs. Celina Lamson, was a descendant in the first generation of John Miller and was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Filer) Miller. He was born in 1783 and died in 1859. He married for his first wife Asenith An- drews, of Wallingford, Connecticut, by whom he had eleven children. She died August 27, 1819, and he afterward wedded Phebe Canfield, of Canfield, Ohio, who was born in 1800 and died in 1854, leaving ten children.

The family of Isaac and Celina (Miller) Lamson numbered four sons and four daughters. Samuel M., born at Sheffield, Massachusetts, January 1, 1826, was associated for a time with the Lamson & Sessions Company of Cleveland, but afterward returned to Connecticut, where he spent the remainder of his life on a farm, there passing away in June, 1909. Thomas H., born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, July 16, 1827, was one of the Lamson & Sessions Company and died in 1882. Celina. born at Mount Washington, Massachusetts, June 16, 1829,

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

was married July 30, 1848, to Darius Campbell, of Bristol, Connecticut. He died August 19, 1904, but Mrs. Campbell is still living in Bristol. Isaac P. is the next of the family. Esther, born at Mount Washington, August 23, 1834, was married in November, 1855, to Henry Judson, who died March 8, 1878. On the 12th of October, 1892, she became the wife of I. T. Rowe and they reside in Bristol, Connecticut. Waldo, born February 11, 1837, died September 20, 1844. Lucinda, born November 17, 1844, became the wife of John Elton and afterward married Walter Camp, their home being now at Southington, Connecticut. Mary, born at Mount Washington, April 13, 1848, was married November 26, 1868, to Le Roy A. Gleason, for thirty-six years general manager and inventor of the Lamson & Sessions Company. The four daughters all survive but Isaac P. Lam- son is the only surviving son.

In the public schools of his native county Isaac P. Lamson was educated and at the age of eighteen years he left home to engage in the bolt manufacturing business. He learned the trade and followed it for eighteen years, becoming fore- man and superintendent of a factory. In 1865, in association with his brother and S. W. Sessions, he organized the Lamson & Sessions Company at Mount Carmel, Connecticut, and conducted a successful business there until 1869, when the plant was removed to Cleveland and soon became one of the city's important manu- facturing interests. In 1884 the business was incorporated with Mr. Sessions as president and Isaac P. Lamson as superintendent. The concern has now enjoyed a successful existence for over forty years and since 1884 has occupied its present site. This is one of the largest enterprises of its kind in the city and the factory is splendidly equipped for the conduct of the trade. The employment of skilled workmen and the utilization of modern machinery insures the excellence of the output, which finds a ready sale on the market. Mr. Lamson is now president. Since the creation of the company Mr. Lamson's attention has been chiefly con- fined to the machinery and manufacturing departments of the business, involving duties for which he was amply qualified by his early mechanical experience and training. Of the vast number of improvements in machinery and devices for manufacturing bolts and nuts during the past half century, few have escaped the critical inspection and careful study of Isaac Lamson. Always keenly on the alert for new inventions and novel ideas in the construction and adaptation of mechanical devices, his practical eye never failed to discover their merit or detect their faults. None of the numerous valuable machines in the mammoth factory of the Lamson & Sessions Company was placed there without the sanction and approval of Isaac Lamson, and it is admitted that he has rarely, if ever, erred in passing judgment on the merit of a new invention. Though not an inventor, Mr. Lamson is quick to comprehend the merits or faults of the inventions of others.

Mr. Lamson's attention has been closely confined to the bolt and nut business, but he is connected with a number of other extensive commercial, manufacturing and financial enterprises in Cleveland and elsewhere.

On the 17th of May, 1856, Mr. Lamson was married to Miss Fannie L. Ses- sions, a daughter of Calvin and Lydia (Humphreys) Sessions. She was born in Burlington, Connecticut, April 21, 1836. By her marriage she became the mother of one daughter, Lillian, now the wife of John G. Jennings and the mother of one son, I. Lamson Jennings, who attended the public and University schools of Cleveland and was graduated from Yale in 1907. He is now superintendent and one of the stockholders of the Lamson & Sessions Company. Mrs. Lamson died in Cleveland, January 24, 1908. She was very active in church and charitable work and served for many years as president of the board of lady managers of the Jones Home. She was also actively interested in various charities and her assistance was of a practical character that accomplished far-reaching results. At her death the Rev. D. F. Bradley, her pastor, said of her : "Mrs. Lamson from her girlhood until the days when, in the maturity of a wide experience, she became the center of a circle of congenial spirits, had the passion for kindness and the

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

opportunity for kindness, and the beautiful memory of her life is the result of her full use of the disposition and the opportunity. It would scarcely be appropriate to say of Mrs. Lamson that she did her duty to her honored husband, to her church and children and friends, and to all who looked to her for cheer and hope. Duty with her was illuminated and uplifted. It became only the starting point for manifold service such as the quick mind and tender heart can give. Cold duty was kindled into a glow of gladness in every helpful, warm-hearted min- istry. We came to expect from her, and not in vain, something sweeter and deeper than the ordinary processes of friendship and love. And those who knew her best and expected much of her were never disappointed. In all these years she has poured out her heart in devotion that never wearied."

Mr. Lamson is of the same Christian faith as his wife but not a member of the Pilgrim Congregational church, though he is much interested in its various departments of work, especially that field of church work which has to do with the care of the poor and needy. He is now president of the Jones Home and he and his wife were in the utmost sympathy with all efforts to ameliorate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate. Mr. Lamson is a member of the Chamber of- Commerce and to a considerable extent has cooperated in its measures and movements for the public good. He has been a life-long republican, coming to his majority shortly before John C. Fremont was made the nominee of the party for the presidency. For one term he served as a member of the city council from the old thirteenth ward, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. He has been a delegate to the republican national conventions which nominated Benjamin Harrison and William McKinley, and he also served as the presidential elector when the former was chosen chief executive.

Mr. Lamson is fond of spending an hour at golf and has always been a lover of fine horses. He was for many years one of the leading matinee drivers of the city, owning some of the fastest pole teams. He resides at No. 2330 West Fourteenth street and has a country home, the Edgewood, in the midst of a sixty-acre farm on the St. Lawrence river near Alexandria Bay, New York. He has traveled extensively and spends his winters in Florida, where he owns and conducts an orange grove. For forty years he has been a representative of the manufacturing interests of Cleveland and from the age of eighteen has been dependent upon his own resources, seeking advancement along the well defined lines of labor where discriminating judgment has led the way. His labor, intelli- gently directed, has brought him to a prominent position in the business world as the representative of one of the most extensive and important industrial en- terprises of Cleveland.

OTTO MILLER.

Otto Miller stands as a typical example of the college-bred young man of the present day, whose natural powers and acquired ability enable him to become a forceful factor in business, while his enterprise leads him as well into active con- nection with other interests that are vital elements in public life. A native of Cleveland, he was born on the Ist of July, 1874, his parents being James H. and Sophia M. (Hensch) Miller. The father was a Union soldier who served as lieu- tenant and adjutant in the First Ohio Light Artillery under General James Barnett.

Otto Miller pursued his preliminary education in the University School and was graduated with the class of 1893. In the fall of the same year he entered Yale College, completing a course in the Sheffield Scientific School in 1896, at which time the Bachelor of Philosophy degree was conferred upon him. The following year was devoted to travel, during which period he visited many points of modern and historic interest in various sections of the world. At the out-

OTTO MILLER

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

break of the Spanish-American war he enlisted as a member of Troop C, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, with the rank of quartermaster sergeant. The command was sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lakewood, Florida, and afterward to Hunts- ville, Alabama, but was never called to the scene of action and when the war was brought to a successful termination Mr. Miller was mustered out of the ser- vice at Cleveland. He afterward engaged for several years in the bond business and in 1908 became a partner in the firm of Hayden, Miller & Company, handling municipal and corporation bonds. He has been largely instrumental in placing his firm in the front rank among the enterprises of this character in the city. He is today well known as a prominent factor in financial circles, enjoying an extensive and gratifying clientage. He is a director in the Bank of Commerce National Association, treasurer of the University School, director of The Troop A Riding Academy'and treasurer of Troop A Ohio National Guard.

On the 4th of December, 1901, Mr. Miller married Miss Elisabeth Clark Tyler, a daughter of Washington S. and Marian (Clark) Tyler, of Cleveland. Mrs. Miller is a trustee of the Babies Hospital, is a member of the Sunbeam Circle and is helpfully interested in various philanthropic and charitable organiza- tions. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two sons, Otto, Jr., and Washington Tyler. The family residence is at No. 3738 Euclid avenue and is the scene of many delightful social functions. Mr. Miller is prominent in various social clubs and organizations, belonging to the Union, University, Tavern and Country Clubs, of Cleveland; and the University Club of New York. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is interested in the various plans of that or- ganization for the development of the business interests and municipal progress of the city. He retains his interest in military affairs and is now first lieutenant of. Troop A, Ohio National Guard, in which he has served as private corporal and second lieutenant. He was also personal aide-de-camp on the staffs of Governors Herrick and Pattison and is now serving on Governor Harmon's staff. He belongs to the Spanish War Veterans Association, the Sons of the American Revolution and to the Loyal Legion and zealously cooperates in any movement toward promoting the standard of excellence for military organiza- tions in this state. His chief recreations are tennis, horseback riding and mo- toring. He is popular in the younger social circles of the city, where his entire life has been passed, his geniality winning him the friendship of those with whom he comes in contact. With all of his interest in business, military and social life, he is not unmindful of his obligations to the unfortunate and is now serving as a member of the board and of the finance committee of the Associated Charities. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, but while keeping well informed on the vital questions of the day, he is without ambition for office.

TALMAR JAY ROSS.

There is perhaps no stronger indication of advancing civilization than is found in the general awakening of the public conscience-a fact which is being manifest in almost every city of the Union in the prosecution of public officials, who, untrue to the oath of office, have used opportunities to further their own interests rather than to protect the general welfare. In the prosecution of some notable cases of this character, Talmar Jay Ross became recognized as one of the leading lawyers of Cleveland, and while he does not desire now to specialize in the department of criminal law, he yet has much important practice of that character and at the same time is proving his professional service of equal worth in the department of civil law.

Born in Galion, Ohio, November 11, 1865, Mr. Ross is a son of William Y. and Amanda J. (Rhinehart) Ross. His grandfather, Moses Ross, was a farmer

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

of Pickaway county, Ohio, to which district he removed from New Jersey in pioneer times. His son, William Y. Ross, was born in Pickaway county, Octo- ber 26, 1835, and followed the occupation to which he was reared. When thirty- six years of age he removed to Indiana, where he resided for ten years, and then became a stock drover at Delphi, Carroll county, Indiana. In 1881 he re- moved to Galion, where he continued business as a stock drover, conducting a profitable business, which was of value to the community as well, in that it fur- nished a market for the stock-raisers of his district. The appreciation of his fellow townsmen for his progressive citizenship and devotion to the public good was manifest in his election to the city council for two terms, and for one term he served as president of the council at Galion. His death occurred May 7, 1901. His wife was born in March, 1842, and was a daughter of Thomas J. and Susan (Garbarick) Rhinehart. The two brothers of T. J. Ross are Ralph W., of Cleveland, who is an expert electrician, especially on motor cars; and James O., prominent in the political circles of Galion, Ohio, where he has served as city clerk for many years, also as city auditor and in other local offices.

Talmar Jay Ross pursued his early education in the public schools of Pitts- burg, Indiana, and in the high school of Galion, Ohio, and also received private instruction. After giving some time to the study of law he was admitted to the bar June 5, 1888, and entered upon active practice in Cleveland on the 14th of January, 1889, in association with the firm of Smith & Blake, with whom he continued until the following November. He then formed a partnership with J. C. Poe, under the firm name of Poe & Ross, which continued until September, 1895, when he joined E. J. Hart, in organizing the law firm of Hart & Ross. They practiced together for two years, and Mr. Ross was then alone from 1897 until January 8, 1899. He was then appointed assistant county prosecutor, which position he held until November 1, 1905, filling out the unexpired term of his predecessor, prior to which he had been nominated by the republican party but was defeated in the democratic landslide of 1905. Since his retirement from office he has practiced alone. The court records show that he has been connected with much notable litigation. He has tried many murder cases, acting for the prosecution in the case of Ed Ruthven, a notorious desperado and thief, who was tried for murder in the first degree and confessed to more than thirty burglaries. He had escaped from the police on various occasions but was at length apprehended, and the city was much stirred up over his trial. Mr. Ross has tried probably twenty murder cases as county prosecutor and assistant but does not now make a specialty of criminal law, although much practice of this char- acter comes to him because of his known ability in this department. He prose- cuted the city-hall fraud cases in 1902, arising from the passing of fraudulent bills through the city auditor's and treasurer's offices. He appeared before the supreme court in this case and won his suit, sending Albert Davis and Samuel Brook to the penitentiary. He has ever been fearless in his prosecution, dis- charging his duties in the most prompt and faithful manner, although many . would have considered it doubtful policy to follow the course that he pursued, knowing that it would work against his further political advancement. He also tried the coal cases versus the coal trusts, where a county combination of coal companies was formed to raise and maintain the price of coal sold to the city as well as to private parties. Mr. Ross has had much experience in this line of practice, being for seven years almost continuously before the grand jury or in the trial of cases before court and jury. Since his retirement from the prose- cutor's office he has frequently been called upon to defend criminals and has met at the bar many eminent lawyers, his own ability being proven in the foren- . sic victories which he has won.

On the 17th of January, 1905, Mr. Ross was married to Miss Clara L. Mott, a daughter of Daniel Mott, of Girard, Pennsylvania. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the Knight Templar degree and also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the

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Knights of Pythias fraternity and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Prominent in the ranks of the republican party, he belongs to the Tippecanoe and the Western Reserve Clubs, two republican clubs, and has been a delegate to the county and congressional conventions. He brings to political questions the same keen analysis which has been brought to bear in his law work and at all times has manifested his public-spirited citizenship in effective and beneficial ways.

WILLIAM J. ROBERTSON.

William J. Robertson was born in Oswego, New York, September 7, 1864. His father, Andrew Robertson, was born in Scotland in 1826 and came to America in 1850 when a young man of twenty-four years. He sailed between America and European ports and for many years was on the Great Lakes, be- coming one of the well known men in the early days of lake navigation. He married Ruth Glassford of Prescott, Canada, who was born in 1836 and died in 1875. Mr. Robertson long survived his wife and passed away in 1897.

William J. Robertson was educated in the Oswego public schools and after putting aside his text-books made his initial step in the business world as a mes- senger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Company. He entered the rail- way service in 1881 with the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, re- maining in a clerical capacity until 1885 when he went to St. Paul with the Min- nesota & Northwestern Railway as car accountant. There he continued until 1888, when he came to Cleveland with the Nickel Plate and was made car accountant in November, 1891. This position he still fills.

On the 28th of July, 1891, Mr. Robertson was married to Miss Josephine Pool, a daughter of Augustus and Frances (Rathbun) Pool, of Oswego, New York. They reside at No. 6103 Curtis avenue and have many warm friends in this city. Mr. Robertson belongs to the Cleveland Athletic Club and to the National Union, but his interest centers in his home.

JOSEPH COX.

Joseph Cox, one of the Civil war veterans and for many years a successful gardener of Cleveland, conducting an extensive business, was born in Knowlton, England, November 15, 1829. He represents an old family of English origin, his parents being John and Sarah (Sheppard) Cox, who came to the United States during the boyhood days of their son, Joseph, and settled in Cleveland.

The personal history of our subject has no spectacular chapters but is fraught with lessons concerning the value of character and the worth of indus- try and perseverance in the business affairs of life. After coming to Cleveland he engaged in gardening, having received his training under the direction of his father, who was a farmer of England. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and responded to the call of his adopted country for troops. His enlistment in August, 1862, made him a mem- ber of Company G, of the Sixty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He joined his command at Suffolk, Virginia, serving under Captain Charles Minor and Colonel A. C. Voris. He was at the front throughout the remainder of the war, participating in many hotly contested engagements and in one battle was shot through the upper part of the leg. At the close of the war he received honor- able discharge and returned home with a creditable military record, having given ample demonstration of his loyalty and his bravery.

After the war Mr. Cox entered the employ of Dr. Streator, on Euclid ave- nue, and planted all of the trees on that beautiful thoroughfare, including the

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famous magnolia trees of which only two are now left-one white and one pur- ple. For many years Mr. Cox continued in business as a gardener, building up an extensive patronage, and his success is indicated in the fact that he is now able to live retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 9

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