A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 90

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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tion ; Charles H., who was born in 1870 and is an attorney of Cleveland; Mary Doan, born in 1873; Dr. A. C. Taylor, who was born in 1876 and is a leading phy- sician of this city; and Frank Heber, born in 1879, who for a number of years was connected with the Guardian Trust Company. The mother's birth occurred in East Cleveland in 1841. She has spent her entire life in this city, watching its development from a small village to metropolitan proportions and feels just pride in what has been accomplished.

In his political views Charles W. Taylor was originally a republican and af- terward a prohibitionist, thus advocating the temperance principles which always constituted a force in his life. He was a member of the First Presbyterian church of East Cleveland, in the work of which he took active and helpful part, serving as elder and trustee for many years. He reared his family in that faith and two of his sons are now elders in the same church. His entire life was characterized by an unfaltering devotion to what he believed to be right and his ideas of right were based upon his Christian faith and belief. He was not only just and gen- erous in his treatment of men but lenient in his judgments and charitable in his purposes, and while he did not seek prominence and while there was nothing spec- tacular in his career, his history is that of a man whose honesty, loyalty and fidel- ity won him the honor and respect of all with whom he came in contact.

MICHAEL NAYLON.

Michael Naylon, who although connected with the Moline Rolling Mills, of Moline, Illinois, is a citizen of Cleveland. He was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1853, his parents being John and Catherine (McAlister) Naylon. The father, who was an engineer in the Black Rock Rolling Mills of Buffalo, was a loyal democrat and a member of the Holy Angel's church. His demise occurred in 1865, when the subject was still a boy. In his family were four sons and four daughters. The sons were Thomas, John, Michael and Joseph, all deceased with exception of Michael. Ann is now the widow of Ransom Barlow and resides in Rochester, New York; Ellen and Catherine are deceased ; and Mary is the widow of Thomas Feeney.

Michael Naylon spent the first twenty-one years of his life in Buffalo. When quite young he enjoyed a few years' schooling, but at the age of ten was enrolled among the wage earners. He entered the rolling mills in which his father was employed, it being his duty to pull up doors for heaters. He gradually learned the more difficult and dangerous processes and at the age of seventeen secured employment in the Pratt Mills of his home city. After four or five years he went to Hamilton, Canada, where for four years he worked in the guide mill, and then was promoted to roller, at which he continued for the next two years. About this time the owner of the mill, Charles Fuller, purchased the Aetna Mills of Cleve- land and brought Mr. Naylon with him to the Forest city. He took charge of the mill as boss roller and held this important position for the ten years, between 1879 and 1889. He then removed to East St. Louis and remained there for three years in a similar capacity. From St. Louis he went to Belleville, Illinois, where he superintended a rolling mill for the space of a year. Returning to Cleveland, he was employed for five months in the Cleveland Rolling Mills, and then went to Joliet, Illinois, where he engaged in his special line of work for three years. Again he came to Cleveland but remained only a short time and then went to Alabama, where he assumed charge of rolling mill interests. His last and most important position was the charge of the Moline Mills, in which he is still inter- ested. Desiring to retire and enjoy the fruits of his previous activity in leisure, he, a few months ago, gave over his responsible position in the Moline Mills into the hands of his sons, Robert John and Michael C., and if they exhibit the same ability possessed by their father, his retirement will be permanent.

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In 1876 Mr. Naylon was married in Buffalo, New York, to Melvina George, a native of Ramma, Canada, and their union has been blessed by the birth of six sons and three daughters. Catherine Melvina is the wife of William H. Jamison, who is engaged in the wall-paper business in this city. Robert John, now of the Moline Mills, has established a home for himself by his marriage to Miss Lizzie Heisler. Joseph Henry married Miss Lottie Heisler and has two children, Rob- ert and Helen. Michael is associated with Robert John in the Moline Mills. William is engaged in the automobile business. Georgia Irene is at home. Jen- nie is deceased. Elton and LeRoy J. attend St. Agnes School.

Mr. Naylon and his family are consistent members of St. Agnes church. Mr. Naylon is a supporter of the democratic party, but on local issues he is independ- ent in his exercise of the right of franchise. In addition to his milling interests he is a property owner, his holdings including the elegant Naylon flats on Eighty- second street and three residences on Jones Road. Mr. Naylon must be placed on the roll of successful men, but what he has achieved has been directly due to his own wisdom and ability. Asking only a fair field and no favors, he has advanced through successive stages from the lad who earned a pittance in his lowly capac- ity in a mill to be a man of property, enjoying the respect of his fellowmen.

ALANSON T. OSBORN.

Alanson T. Osborn came to Cleveland in 1862 and has since been associated with the interests that have given character and strength to the city. He has been especially active in prominent manufacturing interests and his efforts have been equally effective through the offices of the church in promoting the moral development of the community. His life record began in Rensselaerville, Albany county, New York, April 11, 1845.

His father, William Osborn, was born February 6, 1799, in Albany, New York, and there engaged in the merchant tailoring business for many years. He enjoyed the friendship of a large number of the public men of the day and was an intimate associate of Thurlow Weed, of the Albany Journal. He became a stalwart champion of the cause of abolition in the early days of that movement. His death occurred in 1887. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Ann Amelia Hotchkiss and was also a native of the state of New York. Their family numbered five children: Charles Hotchkiss, who was born September 22, 1841, and is now deceased ; Ralph Addison, a resident of Denver ; Alanson T., of this review ; and Maria Louisa and Amanda, residents of Horseheads, New York.

In the public schools of Elmira and of Horseheads, New York, Alanson T. Osborn pursued his education and on its completion he became chief clerk in the Horseheads postoffice, which constituted his initial service in the business world. In September, 1862, he came to Cleveland, where he has since made his home and here he engaged with R. P. Myers in the manufacture of stoves, tin plate and tinners' supplies. A subsequent change in the partnership led to the adoption of the firm name of Myers, Rouse & Company, while later it became Myers, Osborn & Company. A. T. Osborn remained with the firm until 1868, when he became associated with the Sherwin-Williams Company and so continued until 1882. This brought him wide experience in connection with the paint trade and later he engaged in the retail paint and supply business, which he carried on from 1882 until 1906, when it was discontinued. In the interim, covering twenty-four years, he met with success, the volume of trade transacted over his counters being an extensive one. As the reward of his close application and capable management he has practically retired from very active life and is only looking after his pri- vate interests and is now enjoying the rest which he has fully earned and richly deserves.

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His activities in lines of church work and moral development have been equally untiring and effective. For a long period he has been numbered among the leading members of the Euclid Avenue Baptist church and has been most helpful in promoting the church work and kindred interests. He is president of the board of trustees of the Baptist Home of northern Ohio, has served as pres- ident and vice president of the Cleveland Baptist Mission Society, and has been active in the Young Men's Christian Association, serving for a number of years on the board of trustees, also as treasurer and as a member of a number of its most important committees. His political allegiance has been given to the repub- lican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and at the time of the Civil war, although yet a boy in his teens, he served a term of enlistment as a member of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being stationed during that time at Washington, D. C. His interest in municipal affairs has been manifest in various movements for the public good and in those measures instituted by the Chamber of Commerce, of which he was for many years a member.

On the 7th of October, 1868, Mr. Osborn was married to Catharine Arnet, a daughter of Henry and Jean (Allan) Chisholm. Her father was one of Cleve- land's best known citizens and extended mention is made of him elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Osborn is a member of the board of the Protestant Orphans Home, president of the board of lady managers of the Baptist Home of northern Ohio, and also of the Ladies Society of the Euclid Avenue Baptist church. She has long been helpfully interested in the various charities of the church and she and her husband are as one in their activities along church and benevolent lines. Their family numbers two sons and a daughter : William A., the eldest, was graduated from the Rockwell high school and from Yale Uni- versity in 1893 and completed post-graduate work there in 1894. For several years thereafter he was chief chemist for the American Steel & Wire Company, and he is specially interested in amateur photography and chemical research, be- ing one of the first to successfully engage in color photography. The daughter Jean, is the wife of R. G. A. Phillips, secretary of the American Multigraph Company, and they have two children: George Howe and Catharine. Henry Chisholm, the youngest son, is the president of the, American Multigraph Com- pany.

The family residence is at No. 2317 Euclid avenue and they have a country place, Hazel Dean, on Gardner Road, in Nottingham, a beautiful estate of thirty acres, giving him ample opportunity to indulge his love of flowers and gardening. He is an enthusiast on the subject of motoring and now has leisure for the en- joyment of those things which constitute his interests and pastimes, owing to the enterprise and capable management which he displayed in his business affairs in earlier years.

MARTHA A. CANFIELD, A. M., M. D.

While woman has demonstrated her power to capably fill every position demanding mental alertness and comprehension rather than physical force, there is no field in which she has done more excellent work than in the practice of medicine, owing perhaps to a delicacy of touch and a ready sympathy which. are usual attributes of the feminine. That Dr. Canfield is most capable in her. chosen life work is indicated in the extensive practice accorded her. She was born in Freedom, Portage county, Ohio, September 10, 1845, and in both the pa- ternal and maternal lines comes of old New England families, her maternal grand- father being Captain Daniel Brown, of Sheffield, Massachusetts, allied with the Barretts of Concord, Massachusetts. Her father's mother, Fanny Goodrich, was a direct descendant of the original Goodrich family of Wethersfield, Con-

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DR. MARTHA A. CANFIELD

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necticut. Her parents, Henry and Eliza Ann Robinson, were pioneers in Free- dom, Portage county, Ohio, and carved a beautiful farm out of the wilderness, where their four children were reared, all of whom received a liberal education. After retirement they lived twenty years more in Cleveland in the home of their daughter Dr. Canfield.

Dr. Canfield pursued her education in The Western Reserve Eclectic Insti- tute at Hiram, Portage county, Ohio, and in Oberlin College, where she was graduated in 1868, and subsequently received the Master of Arts degree from the same institution. Wishing to become a member of the medical fraternity, she entered the Cleveland Homeopathic College and won her degree on gradua- tion with the class of 1875. She at once located for practice in Cleveland, where she has remained continuously since, save for the period when she was pursuing a post-graduate course under Dr. Leopold, in Dresden, Germany, in 1899, and an- other course of study under Dr. Pozzi, a noted gynecologist of Paris, in 1905. She was professor of diseases of women at the Cleveland Homeopathic College for seven years, from 1890 until 1897, and has been on the staff of the Cleveland Maternity Hospital since its organization. She is president of the Women's and Children's Free Medical Dispensary and has conducted a private hospital for sixteen years. She is at present director of the Canfield-White Hospital, in which connection she is doing important professional work. Indeed in all of her relations with the medical profession her labors have been far-reaching and effective, being accompanied by substantial results in the restoration of health. She is a contributor to medical journals and is a member of the County, State and National Homeopathic Medical Societies and the Cleveland Medical Library Association.

On the 7th of September, 1870, Dr. Canfield was married in Freedom, Por- tage county, Ohio, to Harrison Wade Canfield, of Auburn, Geauga county, Ohio, now an attorney of Cleveland. Four children were born unto them: Elma C., the wife of H. B. Cody, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Cleve- land; Mary, the wife of Rev. J. R. Ewers, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Hiram Henry, an attorney, who is associated with his father ; and Charles Morrill, who died in infancy. Dr. Canfield is a member of the Euclid Avenue Congregational church and of the Women's College Club and is interested in moral, intellectual and social progress, as well as professional advancement. She is a woman of broad sympathy and keen insight-qualities which enable her readily to under- stand her patients, while her professional skill meets their needs in the line of medical relief.

LORIN S. SHEETS.

Lorin S. Sheets, who offers in his life an excellent illustration of what can be accomplished through patient endeavor and progressive methods, is now a mem- ber of the important firm known as The Sheets Brothers Elevator Company, dealers in flour, grain, mill feed, builders supplies and coal, at Nos. 6529-6533 Broadway. Mr. Sheets was born in Ashland, Ohio, in June 1857, a son of Samuel and Emeline Sheets. Samuel Sheets was born in the same place in 1827, and there he spent his life engaging in farming. He died September 20, 1902, but the mother still survives.

Mr. Sheets attended the public schools of Ashland until he was sixteen years old when he came to Cleveland and engaged as driver on the old Broadway & Newburg Street Railway horse cars, thus continuing for two years. Following this he worked for A. A. Jackson, a gardener and general merchant, as his clerk, for five years. Having by this time saved some money, he started a grocery, coal and feed business with his brother James, and during the five years that fol- lowed they were so successful that they abandoned the handling of groceries, con-

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fining themselves to coal, feed and builders supplies. In May, 1899, they incor- porated the business with Mr. Sheets as president, and since then have enlarged their territory considerably, using ten wagons and giving employment to twenty- five people.

Mr. Sheets was married in Cleveland, in September, 1884, to Miss Brainerd, and they have five children, namely : Helen, who takes a great interest in music; Brainerd who is attending the University high school; Ruth, a pupil in the East high school; Alice and Elizabeth who are public school attendants. Mrs. Sheets is a daughter of Joseph L. and Mary (Sears) Brainerd. Her grandfather, James Sears, was one of the pioneers of Brooklyn township, where he settled on com- ing to Ohio from Connecticut. Joseph L. Brainerd who was born in 1827, was a Union soldier of the Civil war, serving in the One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He died January 21, 1909. Mrs. Brainerd still survives.

Mr. Sheets is a republican and has always been a faithful supporter of his party. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church. As a diversion, Mr. Sheets is greatly interested in automobiling and horses and his social connections are with some of the most exclusive people of Cleveland. Mr. Sheets' uprightness of character, genial and wholesome manner and the frankness of his intercourse have attracted to him hosts of friends, while in his business relations he demon- strates his natural ability and keen grasp of detail.

GEORGE PRESLEY.

On the honor roll of Cleveland appears the name of George Presley, who was possessed of a cash capital of but three dollars on his arrival in this city. In the years of an active business career he attained both prominence and success and his rise was due entirely to his ready adaptation, his intelligent appreciation of opportunities and his persistency of purpose. He was born February 22, 1820, in Cornwall, Lower Canada, his parents being John and Almira (Ray- mond) Presley. In the paternal line he comes of a family of Scotch origin, while his maternal genealogy is of pure English strain. During his childhood days he accompanied his parents on their removal from the Dominion across the border into Jefferson county, New York, where the father engaged in farming, George Presley assisting him in the work of the fields through the summer months. In the meantime he also acquired a fair education in the public schools and when eighteen years of age he started out in life on his own account, making his way to Clayton, Jefferson county, where he engaged with George S. Wicks to learn the trade of shipbuilding. He completed his trade with John Oades in 1843 and in the same year sought the opportunities of the growing middle west. Removing to Cleveland, he retained his residence here up to the time of his death and always lived on Clinton street. His parents subsequently removed to this city and also continued here until called to their final home.

Upon his arrival in Cleveland Mr. Presley sought and obtained employment with the firm of Sanford & Moses, who were then prominent shipbuilders here. He subsequently engaged in similar work for Washington Jones and still later entered the employ of S. & A. Turner but throughout all this time was actuated by the laudable desire to some day engage in business on his own account. In 1848 he first began individual operations in contracting for and building vessels, and in this way was associated with Ira Laffriemier and William Stevens. Two years later he formed other business connections in the same line, a new firm be- ing organized. Its existence was maintained until 1850, when Mr. Presley be- came the junior partner in the firm of Stevens & Presley, thus conducting busi- ness until 1878. In that year the firm of Presley & Company was organized and conducted a prosperous business until its dissolution in 1887, being merged into

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the Cleveland Dry Dock Company, which represented the interests of Mr. Pres- ley and the Globe Iron Works Company. As the owner of half the stock he was a prominent factor in the counsels and management of the new concern. He superintended the construction of the steamers H. J. Johnson and George Pres- ley and the company had other important work under its control. This was not the first shipbuilding, however, that Mr. Presley was connected with for he had built many boats before this. His work in the construction of steamers at that time, however, constituted the beginning of the great enterprise later developed under the name of the American Shipbuilding Company. In 1850 the firm of Stevenson & Presley built the first horse power railway for hauling out vessels, but in 1856 abandoned that line and built a new large steam railway. In 1870-1 they built the first dry dock, which they owned until it passed into possession of the Cleveland Dry Dock Company. Mr. Presley's work was ever of a most im- portant character in connection with the shipping interests of this part of the country. He built and floated upwards of fifty vessels and averaged at least one a year through all the years of his connection with the industrial life of Cleveland. He was a man of resolute and determined spirit and accomplished what he un- dertook. He did this through the careful coordination of forces, through the utilization of every honorable means at hand and through a persistency of pur- pose that enables him to overcome any obstacle that might be set aside by in- defatigable energy. As the years passed he prospered in his undertakings until he reached a high financial position. Moreover, he ever sustained an honored name, for he never won success at the cost of another's prosperity and in all of his dealings was thoroughly reliable and trustworthy.

Mr. Presley was married twice and is survived by four children of the second marriage: Maria, now the wife of Barnabas Eldridge, a prominent manufac- turer of sewing machines at Belvidere, Illinois; George; Charles H .; and Lewis B. In his religious faith Mr. Presley was a Methodist and in his early political views was a republican but later because of his great interest in the temperance movement he gave his support to the prohibition party. He served for several years as a member of the city council, ever exercising his official prerogatives in support of measures which he deemed of value in promoting general progress and improvement. A Knight Templar Mason, he belonged to the lodge, chapter and commandery in Cleveland and also to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. The forces of his life were well balanced. While he made continuous and gratifying progress in business he did not sacrifice to material interests the time which should be given to matters of citizenship or to moral development. He was actuated in all that he did by high and honorable principles and worthy motives and fully met every demand that was made upon him.

GEORGE PRESLEY, JR.

George Presley, Jr., well known in Cleveland as one of the native sons of the city, acquired his early education in its public schools and afterward had the benefit of instruction in Oberlin College, from which he was graduated in due course of time. On the completion of his college course he went to Detroit, Michigan, where he engaged in business, and it was during his residence there that he met the lady-Miss Elizabeth Minturn-whom he afterward made his wife, their marriage being celebrated September 3, 1873. She was a daughter of Adam Minturn, one of Detroit's reliable and stalwart business men and a repre- sentative of an old New England family. Unto Mr. and. Mrs. George Presley, Jr., were born two children: Edith, now the wife of Robert Reed; and Ruth, who was graduated from Vassar College in 1909. The death of George Presley, Jr., occurred August 17, 1902. Like his father, he had occupied a prominent place in business circles. He was a member of the firm of Bassett, Presley &

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Company, owners of iron and steel warehouses-a business established twenty- five years ago. He took active interest in the moral progress of the community and for eighteen years was treasurer and president of the board of trustees of the Franklin Avenue Methodist church. Mr. Presley was a member of the Cen- tury Club and a Consistory Mason, and was popular in the city where the greater part of his life was passed. Relieved of the necessity for the strenuous labor which was his father's lot in early years, he had time for the cultivation of social interests and for individual progress, and was numbered among Cleveland's wor- thy and respected citizens.

GEORGE L. SCHRYVER.

George L. Schryver, is head of the firm of G. L. Schryver & Company, in which connection he represents one of the oldest dry-goods establishments in this city. He entered business circles in Cleveland at a salary of eight dollars per week and previously had worked for a much less compensation in his native country. He was born in Napanee, Ontario, Canada, October 4, 1848, a son of George Schryver. Tradition has it that the name of George has been handed down through generations to the eldest son of the family. The Schryvers were of Dutch lineage, the family being founded in America by George Von Schry- ver, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, who came from Holland and located in the state of New York near New York city. There the family re- mained until the Declaration of Independence was issued, when rather than take up arms against the crown, they removed to Canada where the family has since become very numerous, many representatives of the name still living in that country. George Schryver, the father, was also a native of Napanee and for many years was a railroad engineer, being at the time of his death the oldest em- ploye in point of service of the Grand Trunk Railway Company. He possessed the unique record of having served for more than a half century without having received a single reprimand during that entire time. He died in June, 1907, at the age of eighty-five years, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Patty Bowerman, died ten years ago.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II, Part 90

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