USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume II > Part 98
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In 1856 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Wyles Peters, a granddaughter of Chief Justice Peters of Connecticut. They had two sons and a daughter: Clifford C., who married Miss Emma Lewis, of Chicago; Augustus
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F., who married Miss Mary P. Sackett, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and Carrie B., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith traveled life's journey happily together for more than a half century, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years went by, until Mrs. Smith passed away six months after the celebration of her golden wedding, leading an extensive circle of warm friends to mourn her loss. Mr. Smith became a member of the First Presbyterian church of Cleveland in 1854, acted as superintendent of its Sunday school for a number of years, has been a member of its session since 1866 and is now senior elder in the church. In manner he is entirely free from ostentation or display, yet there is not about him the least shadow of mock modesty. He readily recognizes his opportunities and his duties, utilizes the former and fully meets the latter. He knows that man's best development comes not through the concentration of one's energies upon selfish ends, and a deep and sincere interest in his fellowmen and their welfare has prompted his ac- tive cooperation in various movements which have contributed to reform, progress and improvement.
W. D. B. ALEXANDER.
W. D. B. Alexander, the president of the National Screw & Tack Company and a man of extensive business interests, was born in Cleveland on the 21st of August, 1858, his parents being David Brown and Frances Alexander. He ob- tained his education in the public schools and in 1876, at the age of eighteen years, secured employment as a telegraph operator, being thus engaged until 1879, in which year he became an accountant in the Union Steel Screw Company. In 1889 he organized the National Screw & Tack Company, was elected its president and has since acted as the chief executive officer of this important concern. He is likewise the president of the National Acme Manufacturing Company, the Adams- Bagnall Electric Company, the Cleveland Bolt & Manufacturing Company, the Adams Drill Company and the Allegheny Coal Company, and is a director of the Cleveland Trust Company, the First National Bank, the Elliott-Fisher Company and the D. C. Griese & Walker Company.
In 1881 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Alexander and Miss Lida Graham and they now have three children : Harold Graham, William Brownlie and Helen Gertrude Alexander. In his political views Mr. Alexander is a stanch republican but has no desire for the honors nor emoluments of public office. Socially he is identified with the Gentlemen's Driving Club, the Union Club and the Euclid Club, having served as president of the last named for one term.
CHARLES ALFRED PAINE.
Among the strong men who have given solidity to the banking interests of Cleveland, establishing here some of the strongest financial institutions of the nation, is numbered Charles Alfred Paine, the vice president of the Superior Sav- ings & Trust Company. He was born in Cleveland, October 18, 1865, and is a son of George S. Paine, who was born October 10, 1842, in England. At the age of five years the latter was brought to America by his father, Charles Paine, who con- tinued his residence on this side the Atlantic until his death. George S. Paine en- gaged for many years in the plumbing business as senior partner of the firm of George S. Paine & Company, retiring from active life in 1898. His wife, Mrs. Mary Paine, was a daughter of John Pinkney, a representative of one of the old Pennsylvania families.
Through successive grades in the Cleveland public schools, in the central high school and in the Spencerian Business College Charles A. Paine pursued his educa-
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tion and crossed the threshold of business life as a messenger in the employ of the Ohio National Bank in 1883. Later he was promoted to corresponding clerk, ter- minating his connection with that institution in 1886, at which time he became gen- eral bookkeeper with the Euclid Avenue National Bank. In 1890 he was appointed assistant cashier of the newly organized Central National Bank and in 1900 was elected cashier. He is now vice president of the Superior Savings & Trust Com- pany, to which position he was elected in January, 1909, is a director of the Cen- tral National Bank and the president of the First National Bank of Burton, Ohio. He is also a director of the Martin-Barriss Company.
In June, 1890, occurred the marriage of Charles Alfred Paine and Margaret Martin, a daughter of John T. and Sarah (Gage) Martin. Mrs. Paine died in August, 1902, leaving two children, Charles A. and Margaret. On the 4th of Jan- uary, 1909, Mr. Paine wedded Ruth Elizabeth Kendig, a daughter of Daniel S. and Esther A. (Palmer) Kendig, of Waterloo, New York. Mrs. Paine was edu- cated at Miss Piatt's school, in Utica, New York, and is greatly interested in the work of the Emmanuel Episcopal church and its charities.
Mr. Paine holds membership in the Union, Euclid and Hermit Clubs and is a director and treasurer of the Euclid Club. He is also a prominent member of the Chamber of Commerce, in which he served as director for two years and as treas- urer for two years. He gives allegiance to the republican party at elections where national issues are involved but his local ballot is cast without regard for party ties in support of candidates whom he thinks will best conserve the public welfare in the faithful performance of duty. For three years he was a member of the Cleveland Grays, a military organization of which the city has ever been proud. When the stress of business affairs is not too great he enjoys golf and fishing, but allows nothing to interfere with his duties in connection with the banking in- terests of the city, his close application and his capacity for making friends easily being strong points in his success.
JUDGE JOHN CUSHMAN HALE.
Judge John Cushman Hale, who has lived retired since 1905, was formerly a prominent and successful representative of the legal fraternity in Cleveland as a member of the firm of Boynton & Hale and for two terms served as judge of the circuit court. His birth occurred in Orford, New Hampshire, on the 3d of March, 1831. The first representative of the family in this country was Thomas Hale, who made the voyage from England to the United States in 1636 or 1637 and joined the colony at Newbury, Massachusetts. One of his sons, Thomas Hale, was the father of Samuel, whose son Jonathan became the father of John. The last named, who acted as a surgeon in the Revolutionary war, was a brother-in-law of Colonel Prescott, that gentleman having married his sister, Abigail Hale. Three sons of Surgeon John Hale-John, David and William-likewise aided the colon- ists in their struggle for independence as soldiers in the Revolutionary army. One of these sons, John Hale, wedded Miss Lydia Tillottson and they became the parents of Aaron Hale, the father of our subject. Aaron Hale, whose birth oc- curred in Hollis, New Hampshire, in 1785, followed farming throughout his active business career and passed away in 1868. In early manhood he had wedded Miss Mary Kent, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Humphrey) Kent.
John Cushman Hale obtained his early education in the public schools and pre- pared for college at Orford Academy. Subsequently he entered Dartmouth Col- lege, completing the course in that institution with the class of 1857. Following his graduation he came to Cleveland and during the first three years of his residence in this city was engaged in the profession of teaching, also reading law in the meantime. He was admitted to the bar in July, 1861, and located for practice at Elyria, Ohio, where he served as prosecuting attorney from 1863 until 1869. In
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1877 he was elected judge of the common pleas court, capably discharging the duties of the office until 1883, when he returned to Cleveland and formed a part- nership with Judge Boynton under the firm style of Boynton & Hale. In 1893 John C. Hale was elected judge of the circuit court and continued in the office for two terms. His decisions indicated strong mentality, careful analysis, a thorough knowledge of the law and an unbiased judgment. The judge on the bench fails more frequently, perhaps, from a deficiency in that broad-mindedness which not only comprehends the details of a situation quickly and that insures a complete self-control under even the most exasperating conditions than from any other cause ; and the judge who makes a success in the discharge of his multitudinous delicate duties is a man of well rounded character, finely balanced mind and of splendid intellectual attainments. That Judge Hale was regarded as such a jurist was evidenced in his reelection. In 1897 the degree of Bachelor of Laws was conferred upon him by Dartmouth College.
In December, 1859, Judge Hale was united in marriage to Miss Caroline San- born, who was born in December, 1833, her parents being Moses and Esther (Kins- man) Sanborn. She was called to her final rest in June, 1903, and her loss was deeply mourned by all who knew her.
In politics Judge Hale has ever been a stanch advocate of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. He served in the constitutional convention of 1873. He belongs to the Alpha Delta Phi fra- ternity and is also a member of the Union and University Clubs, while for many years he was prominently identified with the Colonial and Euclid Clubs. He is very fond of travel and has visited many parts of the United States as well as foreign countries. His residence is at No. 7901 Euclid avenue. He has now passed the seventy-ninth milestone on life's journey and can look back over an active, useful and honorable career, having at all times fully merited the respect and admiration so uniformly accorded him.
JOHN K. HORD.
John K. Hord is recognized as one of the ablest lawyers that has ever practiced before the Cleveland bar. He is enshrined in the memory of his friends in the halo of a gracious presence, charming personality and splendid intellectual attainments, and in him was blended a rare combination of the courtesy of the old school, with the ability and progressiveness of the modern era. On the 17th of June, 1827, on a plantation in Rockingham county, Vir- ginia, John K. Hord started upon the journey of life. The family has been represented in the old Dominion since the earliest colonization of the new world His ancestors came from Bampton, near Oxford, England, the old homestead being known as Cote House, which was built in the sixteenth century and is still well preserved. It remained in possession of the Hord family until 1854. The ancestry can be traced back to the early part of the sixteenth century by official records, etc. It was in 1632 that the family was founded at Jamestown, Virginia, and the original home, then built, is in a fair state of preservation. The first to locate here were of that class that aided in conquering the wilder- ness of the western world, who faced the dangers that menaced them by rea- son of the savage foe that resented the encroachment of the white race, and yet with brave, courageous spirit they aided in planting the seeds of civiliza- tion on the American continent. Peter Hord, the father, was born in Madison county, Virginia, in December, 1802. The mother, Mrs. Eliza Hord, was the daughter of a Virginia planter and was born in Orange county, that state, in March, 1802. Fearing not to face the arduous conditions of pioneer life, Peter Hord, in 1832, removed with his family to Homer, Licking county, where he
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engaged in business and became an active factor in the substantial development of that part of the state.
John K. Hord was a little lad of five years at the time of the removal to Ohio and in this state attended school with several who afterward won national fame, including General W. S. Rosecrans, Bishop Sylvester Rosencrans and Judge Charles H. Scribner. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof in Homer and in his twentieth year entered the law of- fice of J. W. Wilson of Tiffin, Ohio, with whom he studied until twenty-two years of age, when, having mastered many of the principles of jurisprudence, he was admitted to the bar in Tiffin. That he enjoyed the confidence and good will of the people was manifest in the fact that he soon acquired a good clientage, and that the trust reposed in him was well merited was indicated in the suc- cess which he won at the bar. While residing in Tiffin, he was without his knowledge elected to the office of probate judge of Seneca county, in 1853. He never sought nor desired political preferment but his ability won him recog- nition of this character and he discharged his duties in most acceptable man- ner.
In the year 1865 Mr. Hord removed to Fremont, Ohio, which furnished him with better railroad and traveling facilities and he continued in the practice of law there until 1869, when his health failed and he removed to St. Martin's parish, Louisiana, where he made his home on a sugar plantation which he purchased. Outdoor life proved beneficial and with apparently restored health he returned to Ohio in 1872 and resumed the practice of law in Cleveland. He was not long in attaining a position of distinction at the bar of this city and was connected with much important litigation tried in its courts, but in 1881 his health again partially failed and ever afterward it was necessary for him to spend the winter months in the south. Though somewhat lacking in physical strength and vigor, he had a mind of remarkable power and pre- sented his cases before the courts in a most masterly manner. He never en- tered the court room until he had thoroughly prepared his cases, planning for the defense as well as the attack and his arguments presented the clearest and most cogent reasoning that could be given for his contention. He stood as one of the strongest and most able members that has ever practiced at the Cleveland bar and no member has ever been more careful to conform his prac- tice to a high standard of professional ethics. He never sought to lead the court astray in a matter of fact or law. He treated the court with the courtesy that is its due and indulged in no malicious criticism because it arrived at a con- clusion in the decision of the case different from that which he hoped to hear. Calm, dignified, self controlled, free from passion or prejudice, and over- flowing with kindness, he gave to his client the service of great talent, unwearied industry and rare learning, yet he never forgot that there were certain things due to the court, to his own self respect, and above all to justice and a righteous administration of the law which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success would permit his to disregard.
Mr. Hord gave his early political allegiance to the democracy but in 1856 sup- ported the first presidential candidate of the republican party-John Fremont -and continued one of the substantial champions of the party throughout the remainder of his days. While he was never an aspirant for office, he was deeply interested in the great political problems of the day and stood as a fearless champion of those principles which he believed to be right. In the political campaigns of 1856, 1860, 1864, 1868, 1872 and 1880 he took an active part, deliver- ing many addresses in different parts of the state upon the questions of vital im- port. These were marked by clearness of statement and close logical reason- ing and were delivered with force and eloquence. Such was the respect en- tertained for his opinions and the honesty of his convictions that his words were an influencing factor with many.
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On the 30th of April, 1850, Mr. Hord was married to Miss Eleanor Spooner, a daughter of Alanson Spooner, a resident of Tiffin, Ohio, and a native of the state of New York. They became the parents of a son and two daughters: A. C. Hord, who was admitted to the Ohio bar and afterward became principal owner of the McIntosh Hardware Corporation of Cleveland; Mrs. S. D. Cole, living in Birmingham, Alabama; and Mrs. C. S. Selover, of Cleveland.
In all personal relations Mr. Hord was signally mild in manner, notwith- standing his decided opinions, and was at all times imbued with that thorough appreciation which was typical of the southern gentleman of the old school. His interest in his fellowmen was deep and sincere and he looked upon life from the standpoint of hope, believing in the progress of the world and in the desire of the great majority for those things which are enobling rather than detrimental. The death of Mr. Hord occurred September 17, 1894, at which time the fol- lowing resolution was passed by the bench and bar: "Resolved, That the in- tellectual, moral and social traits of our deceased Brother have left upon us an induring impression and furnish the example of a life which commands our respect and honor." Thus was brought to a close a life of usefulness, characterized by the commendable development of his native powers and talents and the wise use of his opportunities. A man of broad mind, his view of life was no narrow or contracted one but recognized the opportunities of the in- dividual not only for his own advancement but in his relations to all man- kind. The respect which he entertained for his fellowmen brought him their unqualified regard, while his high mental attainments won their admiration.
JOSEPH EDWIN UPSON.
Joseph Edwin Upson has shown marked capacity for the successful conduct of affairs of great breadth and is now closely associated with various corporate interests of Cleveland. His ability and undaunted enterprise have made him a dynamic force in commercial and industrial circles and his business connections cover a wide range indicating his ready mastery of varied business problems. He is now the president of the Upson-Walton Company, makers of cordage and importers and jobbers of ship, mine, mill and railway supplies. He is also the president of the Cleveland Block Company, manufacturers of metal tackle blocks, president of the Wilson Transit Company and a director in other important enterprises.
Mr. Upson started upon life's journey August 14, 1842, in Tallmadge, then Portage but now Summit county, Ohio. His great-grandfather, John Upson, and his grandfather, Horatio Upson, both lie buried in the Tallmadge cemetery for the family was established there in pioneer times and since that day the representatives of the name have been substantial factors in Ohio's growth and development. Edwin Upson, the father of Joseph E. Upson, was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, and made the journey to Tallmadge on foot accom- panied by three companions in the year 1822. That portion of the state was then largely a wild and unimproved district and with the work of frontier de- velopment he became closely associated. Later he returned to Connecticut and was there married to Miss Betsey Blakeslee, a daughter of Jacob Blakeslee, of Watertown, Connecticut, who was one of the largest stock farmers of that state and was the owner of the first coach in that town. Following his marriage Edwin Upson returned with his bride to Ohio, making the journey by way of the Erie canal when it was first opened. He resided in Tallmadge until the time of his retirement from active business about 1878 when he came to Cleve- land, making his home with his son Joseph, until his death which occurred on the Ist of May, 1885, when he was eighty-one years of age. Throughout his business career he had given his energies to general farming. His wife sur-
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vived him for about seventeen years, passing away in 1902 at the age of eighty- nine years.
In the academy at Tallmadge Joseph E. Upson acquired his more speci- fically literary education and then equipped himself for a business career by attending Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York. After the outbreak of the Civil war he found that he did not enlist with the regulars but served with the Squirrel Hunters, called out by Governor David Tod to protect Cincinnati and the southern part of the state against the Morgan raid- ers and drive the Confederate general and his troops from the state. After this service was successfully completed Mr. Upson returned home in September, 1862. He also enlisted in response to the call for troops to serve for one hun- dred days and thus as opportunity offered he manifested his loyalty to the Union by active military service.
Subsequent to the war Mr. Upson entered the employ of a savings bank at Waterbury, Connecticut, and after a short time went to New York city as a representative of another house. Later he returned to Cleveland and for some time was in the employ of William Bingham & Company, wholesale hardware dealers, after which he entered the service of L. L. Lyon, a ship chandler, with whom he continued until Mr. Lyon's death. About that time-on the Ist of February, 1871,-he formed a partnership with John W. Walton and estab- lished business as ship chandlers at No. 127 River street under the firm style of Upson & Walton. In 1872 Henry F. Lyman was admitted to the firm and the name changed to Upson, Walton & Company, the business being thus conducted until 1893 when it was incorporated as the Upson-Walton Company, Mr. Up- son serving continuously to the present time as its president.
In addition to his activity in the Upson-Walton Company the labors of Mr. Upson proved a resultant factor for success in the Cleveland Block Company and the Wilson Transit Company, of both of which he is president and in various other important enterprises of which he is a director. The business of the Upson-Walton Company has gradually developed along substantial lines and at the same time Mr. Upson has been a factor in organizations for the gen- eral promotion of trade, being connected with the Chamber of Commerce, the Lake Carriers Association, the National Rivers & Harbors Congress and the Merchant Marine League of which he was one of the original members.
While his business activity and energy have brought him notable success Mr. Upson's interests have by no means been self-centered and if the bio- grapher were asked to characterize his life in a single sentence it might be done in the words: a business man whose diligence and business acumen are well balanced with broad humanitarianism. Indeed so few men so fully realized or met the responsibilities of wealth. As his financial resources have increased Mr. Upson has never been neglectful of his opportunities to aid his fellowmen who have been less fortunate and to support worthy movements for the good of the community. He has assisted in founding several churches in Cleveland, was one of the organizers of the Calvary Presbyterian church and later was one of the prime movers in establishing the Bolton Avenue and Collinwood Presby- terian churches. His membership is now in the Euclid Avenue Presbyterian church, of which he is serving as an elder. In politics he is an independent republican, opposed to anything like misrule in public affairs or to machine-made politics. This has led him on many occasions to cast an independent ballot when he has be- lieved that the general good could be best conserved thereby.
On the 29th of September, 1868, Mr. Upson was married to Miss Cornelia M. Lyman, a daughter of Luther F. Lyman, then a retired merchant of Cleve- land but now deceased. Mrs. Upson is also greatly interested in conditions re- lating to progress and has been identified with the Woman's Auxiliary of Wooster University for a number of years. She has always taken an active interest in church and charitable work, being in hearty accord with her hus- band's efforts in that direction. Their marriage has been blessed by five chil-
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dren : Frances E., who is the wife of Robert Young, of Hollywood, California ; and has two children, Mary and Clarence Upson; Mira, who died at the age of two years; Oliver W., who is associated in business with his father; Walter L., professor of electrical engineering in the Ohio State University, at Columbus ; and Clara C., the wife of E. H. Churchill, of this city. The family residence is at No. 11447 Euclid avenue. Mr. Upson having erected his dwelling there in 1896. He is devoted to his family and home, being preeminently a man of domestic tastes and regarding the home relation as the center of a Christian civilization.
A. BURNS SMYTHE.
A. Burns Smythe, well known in musical and athletic circles but preemi- nently a business man, well qualified for the responsibilities that devolve upon him as the manager of the realty department of the Cleveland Trust Company, was born in Nevada, Ohio, August 4, 1874. His grandfather, William Smythe, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1807, and died in Holton, Kansas. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Story, was born in Ohio in 1808. The birth of Marcus M. Smythe, the father of A. Burns Smythe, occurred in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1837, and when he had arrived at years of maturity he wedded Mary Burns, who was born in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1846. Her grandfather was an own cousin of the poet Robert Burns. Her father, the Rev. John Burns, was the principal of Milford Academy and received the degree of Master of Arts from Kenyon College in 1856. The family of Marcus M. and Mary ( Burns) Smythe numbered three daughters and a son. Mrs. Josiah Catrow, of Germantown, Ohio; Mrs. E. V. Wells, a resident of Lima, Ohio; Mary Alice Smythe, of Berkeley, California, and A. Burns Smythe.
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