A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III, Part 10

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: 1106

USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 10

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Aside from his other business interests Mr. Sherwin is well known in various connections, being a director of the Cleveland Trust Company, the Society for Savings, the Osborn Manufacturing Company, the Lawrence Paint Company and the First National Bank. He is also affiliated with other progressive under- takings and is a prominent member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

other civic organizations. He has never allowed personal interest or ambition to dwarf his public spirit or activities. His is the record of a strenuous life-the record of a strong individuality sure of itself, stable in its purposes, quick in per- ception, swift in decision, energetic and persistent in action.

In September, 1865, Mr. Sherwin was married to Miss Frances M. Smith, the only daughter of Deacon William T. Smith, one of the oldest, best known and highly esteemed merchants and Christian gentlemen of this city. Their children are three daughters. Mr. Sherwin has been a member of the Baptist church for nearly a half century and has been a liberal contributor to the various branches of the church work in the city, state and country. He was for many years pres- ident of the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is still a trustee and is likewise a trustee of the Denison University at Granville, Ohio. Mr. Sherwin is an expert angler and has a valuable collection of books on angling. He is also a member and one of the founders of the Oustalea Club near Sandusky, a club of limited membership which is known the world over. He is truly democratic in manner and spirit, rating men by the aristocracy of worth rather than of birth and standing himself as a splendid type of American manhood and chivalry.

P. A. McHUGH.

P. A. McHugh, a self-made man in all that the term implies, the exigencies of the case demanding economy in his youthful days so that he gained real knowl-" edge of values and the worth of opportunities, is now connected with the indus- trial interests of Cleveland as a manufacturer of chairs and seats. He was born at Summit Hill, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1864, his parents being John and Mary (Gildea) McHugh. His father came from Ireland at the age of seventeen years and opened up the first coal mine in Ohio. His mother's ancestors were among the first settlers of Pennsylvania who went to that state after the founding of the colony by William Penn.

At an early age P. A. McHugh accompanied his parents on their removal from Summit Hill to Rolla, Missouri, where he attended the public schools and after he had ceased to be a student he engaged in teaching near Rolla for two terms. In the meantime he worked on the farm with his father and early became familiar with the tasks incident to the development of the fields. He afterward entered the Missouri School of Mines & Metallurgy, in which he pursued a three years' course. Returning to the north at the age of twenty-two years, he settled in Cleveland and went to work for Henry Slatmyre, with whom he continued for a year. He was afterward with Horace W. Power, who was state agent for the Travelers' Insurance Company, and remained in the insurance business for six years. He next secured a position as sleeping car conductor, acting in that ca- pacity for a year after which he removed to Buffalo where he engaged in the insur- ance business with the Railway Official Employes Company. Because of a rail- road strike he returned to Cleveland and accepted the position of shipping clerk with the firm of Likely & Rocket, trunk manufacturers. At the end of a year he became buyer for the W. A. Banks Company and for Haas Brothers in the prod- uce business. About this time he conceived the idea of engaging in the seating business which he entered, making seats for tents and circuses. He afterward invented a portable grand stand which was later adopted by circuses. His first large contract was in furnishing seats for the Grand Army encampment in Cleve- land, but owing to the death of President McKinley he lost considerable money. He is still engaged in business as a chair and seat manufacturer. This is the only industry of its kind in the world, Mr. McHugh originating and building it up himself. He contracts for seating large audiences all over the United States, manufactures the seats for all the circuses in the United States and is known all over the country as "McHugh, the Seat Man."

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P. A. MCHUGH

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

In 1891 Mr. McHugh was married to Miss Marie Jeavons, a daughter of W. A. and Sarah Newman Jeavons. Her father, now deceased, was a prominent manufacturer of Cleveland. Mr. McHugh is identified with several social organ- izations, including the Travelers Club, the Tippecanoe Club and the Cleveland Athletic Club. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and his life is in harmony with the beneficent purposes of the order. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he was at one time probate clerk. He takes great delight in hunting and target shooting and is a member of the National Rifle Association. As the years have gone by he has met many difficulties and obstacles, but his perseverance has enabled him to push on in spite of these. In his early manhood he was for eight years without a home; in his youthful days he had the experience of farm life where rigid economy was practiced, but this gave him knowledge of the real value of a dollar; he also learned that the only success worth having is that which is earned, and his entire life has been charac- terized by laborious, persistent effort. Eventually, however, he solved the prob- lems that confronted him and is now conducting a productive and profitable busi- ness in the manufacture of chairs and seats.

FRANCIS H. WAGAR.

Francis H. Wagar, the oldest native son of Lakewood, is in his ancestral connections a representative of one of the old Dutch families established at Lansingburg on the Hudson in the sixteenth century. He is the youngest son of Mars Wagar and a great-grandson of Nicholas Wagar. His mother was Katura Miller, a descendant of early English and French settlers. Mars Wagar was numbered among those who planted the seeds of civilization in the Western Reserve, making his original purchase of land from the Connecticut Land Company. He was numbered among those men whose industry and intelli- gence constituted the magic wand that has transformed the western wilderness into one of the most prosperous and thickly populated sections of the country. In 1826 he sold sixty acres of land for three hundred dollars and accepted in compensation for the greater part of it some Latin and Greek books which have since passed into the possession of his grandson and namesake. He was a surveyor and teacher by profession and in both capacities was closely asso- ciated with the early progress and development of this part of the state. He aided in promoting the school system in pioneer times and was the first of the name to become actively connected with the teacher's profession here, while his son Francis and his grandson, Mars E. Wagar, have since done good work in the same field of labor, the latter being at one time in the Central high school.

Francis Wagar was only fourteen years of age when his father met an accidental death and thereafter for forty years there was displayed on the part of the son the most unselfish and filial devotion toward the mother. In 1853 he married Serena Tucker, a daughter of John Tucker, who was for fifty years a teacher and physician. Mrs. Wagar comes of Revolutionary ancestry and is a descendant of John Alden. Mr. and Mrs. Wagar have now traveled life's journey together for fifty-seven years, sharing with each other in the hard- ships and trials of life in the early days, subsequently profiting by the business conditions of later years and now in their declining days they are untroubled by the usual ills attendant upon old age, spending their time quietly in a com- fortable home amid friends who entertain for them warm and lasting regard. His son says of him, that the best thing he has always heard about his father is that "Frank Wagar's word is as good as his bond." He belongs to the Old Settlers' Association and is a prominent representative of that class of men whose labors laid the foundation upon which the present prosperity and progress of

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

the city and county rest. Mr. Wagar is now living on the same land where his birth occurred. The family home was originally a log cabin surrounded by an unimproved tract on which the timber had not been cut until Mars Wagar, Sr., undertook the task of developing his home there. Francis Wagar has lived to see the old homestead become a part of one of Cleveland's most beautiful suburbs, with all the latest adjuncts necessary to a highly developed community.

His eldest son, Mars E. Wagar, so named in honor of his grandfather, is president of the Western Reserve Insurance Company, president and treasurer of the Wagar Realty Company and is prominent in the business life of the city in other connections.

THOMAS HENRY LINAS.

Thomas H. Linas was a contractor of Cleveland and substantial structures of the city stand as monuments to his enterprise and ability in the field of his chosen labor. He came to Ohio in 1871 from Belfast, Ireland. A native of the Emerald isle, he pursued his education in the schools of that country and then sought the opportunities of the new world, concerning which he had heard such favorable reports. Arriving in Cleveland, he entered the employ of David Copperfield as foreman, and in that connection had charge of the build- ing of the public vault in Lakeview cemetery. He continued to act as foreman for Mr. Copperfield for two years, during which time he had demonstrated his ability in making estimates on contracts, and architects of the city, because of this, prevailed upon him to go into business upon his own account, assisting him in every way they could. His first contract of any note was the Cleveland Cen- tral high school and he also built the medical college of the Case School of Ap- plied Science. He was likewise awarded the contract for the construction of the two wings of the old postoffice building and many of the fine homes of the city, including the Charles F. Brush and Samuel Andrews residences. As the years passed his business increased in volume and importance, his work being proof of his ability and skill. The structures which he erected were of sub- stantial character and attractive architecture, adding much to the appearance of the city. He had been awarded the contract for the building of the Arcade before his death occurred and had himself set the corner stone for that struc- ture which, after his demise, was completed by his son John. He was a man of notable enterprise and energy and was making rapid progress toward the goal of prosperity when his life's labors were terminated. With a nature that could never be content with mediocrity, he thoroughly qualified himself for his chosen work, mastered the scientific principles underlying building operations and kept in touch with the continuous progress that is manifest in the work of the architect and builder.

Ere leaving the Emerald isle, Mr. Linas was married, June 4, 1863, to Miss Anna Albin, who was also a native of Ireland, and they became the parents of three sons, but the first born, John, is now deceased. The others are William Albin and Thomas H. The former is a graduate of the Central high school, which was erected by his father, and won the valedictorian honors of his class.

The death of Mr. Linas occurred June 28, 1889, when he was but forty-seven years of age. It seemed that many more years of usefulness should have been allotted him and yet he had made good use of his time and opportunities in the decades which were his, winning not only a goodly measure of success but also an honored name. He was a public-spirited citizen and an earnest Christian man, holding membership in the Church of the Good Shepherd. Since his de- mise his widow has transferred her membership to St. Paul's Episcopal church. Mr. Linas was endowed with his share of Irish wit, his ready repartee and ap- preciation of humor adding much to the enjoyment of many situations. He

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

possessed a studious nature and literary tastes and spent many of his leisure hours with his books and his greatest pleasure came to him through his companionship with his family. He was devoted to their welfare and happiness, was loyal in his friendships and public-spirited and progressive in his citizenship. Though twenty years have passed since he was called from this life, his memory is yet cherished by those who were associated with him while he was still an active factor in the world's work.

JACOB HENRY SILVERTHORN.

There is perhaps no resident of Cleveland more capable of speaking with authority concerning many of the events and conditions of the city of Cleveland than Jacob Henry Silverthorn, who in the evening of life, surrounded by the comforts of his own earning and with the serenity which must come through the contemplation of what he has accomplished, is now living retired, making his home at the Hollenden Hotel. He knew Cleveland when it was scarcely more than a village, its business district bordering the river, while its commercial and industrial enterprises were of primitive character.

Mr. Silverthorn was born in Ohio on the 17th of November, 1827, a son of William Silverthorn, who was one of the earliest residents of this city. The father died during the boyhood of his son Jacob, after devoting his life to agri- cultural interests, with which he was connected until his demise about 1840. In early manhood he had wedded Miss Polly House, also a native of Ohio. They lived in this section of the state throughout their entire lives, although they were representatives of old Pennsylvania families of German descent.

Jacob H. Silverthorn acquired his education in the early schools, the first "temple of learning" in which he pursued his studies being a little log building such as was common in primitive times. He left school and home when ten years of age and went to Sandusky, Ohio, with the family of W. H. Mills and when a youth of fifteen made his way to Ashtabula, Ohio, where he learned the trade of building fanning mills. He remained at that place for three years and then removed to Willoughby, Ohio, where he was employed for a year by a man with whom he had previously learned his trade. He then began business in the same line on his own account, devoting two years to that undertaking.

It was during his residence in Willoughby that Mr. Silverthorn was united in marriage to Miss Jeannette Jackson, a native of Rutland, Vermont, from which place her people had come to Ohio. In 1853 Mr. Silverthorn removed with his family to Rocky River and during the greater part of his life since that time has been identified with hotel interests. At that place he purchased the old hotel property and conducted a popular hostelry for fourteen years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and purchased a farm, on which he spent about six months, after which he came to Cleveland and bought the property where Adel- bert College now stands. He became owner of nineteen acres and conducted a road house for about four years, having the most extensive patronage in the city. From that point he went to Coit-on-the-Lake, where he remained for two years in the hotel business, and in the meantime he became interested with Drake & Company, wholesale dealers in teas, coffees and spices. He was associated with that enterprise for three years, after which he returned to Rocky River and again purchased the hotel property in 1884. For seventeen years he continued there in the hotel business, after which he retired from active life. He was the first man able to command a dollar per meal in the county. Among his patrons were Gen- eral Sheridan, General Hayes and other distinguished guests, and his was one of the most popular hostelries of the state.

In all the years of an active business career Mr. Silverthorn was an interested witness of the growth, progress and development of the city and county. In 1838

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

he saw the first locomotive ever in Ohio, at which time General Harrison was on the train as a member of a delegation to Fort Meigs. Cleveland at the time Mr. Silverthorn first became acquainted with the city contained no jail, having merely a cage in which to incarcerate the culprits who broke the law. It was at that period of the city's existence that all of its business was conducted along the river, while its residence district covered but a small area. As the years have passed he has contemplated with interest the marvelous growth and development of the city along industrial and commercial lines, feeling just pride in what Cleve- land has accomplished, giving her rank with the ten largest cities of the Union.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Silverthorn were born two children: William Henry, now president of the Railroad Steel Spring Company and of the Car Lighting & Heating Company, his home being in New York city; and Mrs. H. B. Brooks, a resident of Birmingham, Alabama. Eighteen years ago Mr. Silverthorn was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife and the later years of his life have been spent at the Hollenden Hotel, where he is now comfortably located.

His business life brought him into close contact with many prominent men with whom he had personal acquaintance, knowing them not as they appeared in history but as they were in every day life, so that his reminiscences are delight- fully entertaining. A republican in politics, he has supported the candidates of that party since its formation and has cast his vote for men of his per- sonal acquaintance, thus assisting them to the highest offices in the land. He has now reached the venerable age of eighty-two years but in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. He stands as a splendid example of the hotel proprietor of an earlier generation, who played a most important part in the history of the state before modern invention made travel a matter of but a few hours from Cleveland to the eastern coast. His years rest lightly upon him and he is yet deeply interested in all that pertains to Cleveland, its growth and its upbuilding, while throughout the city he is honored as one of Ohio's worthy pioneers.

COLONEL THOMAS AXWORTHY.

The name of Colonel Thomas Axworthy was long an honored and prominent one in the business circles of Cleveland, where he operated as an iron and coal merchant. He was also the owner of many of the vessels engaged in the carrying trade and was a large investor in mining properties. Possessing broad, enlight- ened and liberal minded views, with faith in his own powers and in the vast poten- tiality for development inherent in his country's wide domain and with recognition of specific needs along the distinctve lines chosen for his life work, his was an active career in which he accomplished important and far-reaching results, con- tributing in no small degree to the expansion and material growth of the state and from which he himself also derived substantial benefits.

Colonel Axworthy was born in Devonshire, England, June 11, 1836, and his life record covered the years to the 6th of December, 1893. His parents, Thomas and Anna Axworthy, came from Devonshire, to America, in 1830, and the ances- tral history of the family is traced back to the time of William the Conqueror. In the public schools of Philadelphia Colonel Axworthy pursued his education to the age of sixteen years, when he was apprenticed to the stonecutter's trade in the service of William Struthers & Son, a leading firm of Philadelphia. He served for a term of five years and completing his trade, remained with his original em- ployer until 1858. He then borrowed five hundred dollars and purchased a milk route, which he conducted for two years and sold out for one thousand dollars. He next accepted a railroad position but soon abandoned it for a position in the Philadelphia gas department. In 1857 he also became connected with the Phila- delphia fire department and was soon made an honorary and active member of the West Philadelphia and Columbia Engine Company, with which he held various

THOMAS AXWORTHY

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

offices for eleven years. In 1863 he manifested his fidelity to the Union cause by assisting in raising a regiment at Harrisburg.

In 1864 Colonel Axworthy took charge of the retail and shipping business of the Powelton Coal & Iron Company of West Philadelphia-a position of great responsibility. Soon afterward the firm sent him to Buffalo to establish business there but deciding that Cleveland was the better place, directed him to remove to this city, which he did in 1868, taking up his abode with his family on Franklin avenue on the west side. He succeeded in building up a coal business equal to any on the lakes and gradually he made progress in business circles until he owned and controlled many iron and coal vessels engaged in the carrying trade and also had large interests in many important industries. He likewise made ex- tensive investment in iron mines in the Lake Superior region. He stood as a splendid type of the self-made man, of reliant, independent spirit, finding in the business conditions of his day the opportunity for successful achievement. Such was the regard entertained for his opinions that his advice and counsel were often sought and were freely given for the benefit of others. Aside from the interests already mentioned he was actively engaged in promoting the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railroad when his death occurred. In his demise the city and country lost a prominent man of affairs, whose labors were of a character that contributed in large measure to general advancement and prosperity, as well as to individual success.

Colonel Axworthy served as one of the most valuable men of the board of health during Mayor Payne's administration and in 1883, at the urgent solicita- tion of many of the leading business men of Cleveland, he accepted the nomina- tion for city treasurer on the democratic ticket and was elected by a majority of thirty-four hundred votes in a district where a republican had hitherto always been elected. His bond, which was placed at nine hundred thousand dollars, was vouched for by friends who represented a capital of over twenty-five millions. He never sought to figure prominently in public affairs of a political character and the very fact that he was known as a conservative and reliable business man made him the choice of the people for the position of custodian of the public funds. In all matters of citizenship he maintained a progressive attitude and his endorsement of every movement of a public nature was sure to gain for it a strong following.

On the 17th of March, 1858, in Philadelphia, occurred the marriage of Colonel Axworthy and Miss Rebecca Barrett, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (My- rick) Barrett, of West Philadelphia. The father was superintendent of a large wholesale harness establishment there. The grandfather, Captain Myrick, sailed whaling vessels between China and Africa, returning home only once in ten years. Unto Colonel and Mrs. Axworthy were born four children, Mrs. Mary E. Ar- thur ; Anna E .; Rebecca A., who became the wife of L. P. Presley, but both are now deceased; and Jane A., the wife of L. H. Geller, of Cleveland. At one time there were four generations of the family: Mrs. Axworthy, Mrs. Presley, the granddaughter, Mary A. Presley, and a great-granddaughter, Lillian C. Segrave.

Colonel Axworthy was a man of domestic tastes, deeply interested in the wel- fare of his family, whose happiness was his chief concern. He always held friendship inviolable and was loyal to every interest to which he pledged his word. He was an ardent sportsman and had many trophies of his hunting and fishing expeditions. He was also a great horseman and owned many valuable and fast horses. He held membership in the Jockey Club and also in the Union Club, while fraternally he was connected with Bigelow Lodge, A. F. & A. M., the Odd Fellows Society and the Knights of Pythias. Throughout the greater part of his resi- dence in Cleveland he held membership in St. John's Episcopal church and was vestryman for nineteen years. With a nature that responded readily and gener- ously to the call of the needy, he gave assistance to many who have reason to esteem him for his kindly and timely aid. He recognized fully the obligations of wealth and as he prospered gladly shared his success with others less fortunate.

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

He is therefore remembered for his many kindly deeds as well as for the splendid success which he achieved, placing him with the prominent representatives of the iron and coal trade in Cleveland, which is one of the most important centers of the mining industries of the country.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III, Part 10

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: 1106

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: 1106