USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 101
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P. J. McMYLER.
P. J. McMyler, deceased, was for many years prominently and successfully identified with the business life of Cleveland. He was born in this city on the 4th of March, 1854, a son of John and Anna McMyler, who were pioneer settlers here. He completed the prescribed course of study in the grammar schools and attended several terms of night school, for when but twelve years of age he secured a posi- tion as clerk in a coal office and his time was thus occupied during the day. In 1878 he became interested in the coal business in connection with the firm of Foltz, Mc- Myler & Company and six years later turned his attention to the oil trade. He was made treasurer of the National Refining Company and also became a director in the Northern Ohio Oil Company, the Globe Oil Company, the Plumo Specialty Manu- facturing Company and the Atlas Oil Company. He was likewise one of the vice presidents of the Lakewood Savings Bank and acted as a member of its advisory board after it was consolidated with the Cleveland Trust Company, and his sound business judgment and keen insight proved an important factor in the success of this institution as well as of the other concerns with which he was connected in an official capacity. The Chamber of Commerce numbered him among its valued members and he was also on the board of trustees of Riverside cemetery.
On the 2d of November, 1890, Mr. McMyler was united in marriage to Miss Bertha G. Aiken, whose birth occurred in Cleveland in 1855, her parents being Hiram and Lydia (Lindley) Aiken, natives of Connecticut. The father, a farmer by occupation, was numbered among the early settlers of this city, taking up his abode on the south side. Mrs. McMyler is a granddaughter of Seth Aiken and one of her ancestors, Joseph Triscott, was a prominent factor in the early history of Connecticut and Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. McMyler became the parents of four children, namely : Helen Gertrude, who was born November 2, 1891, and is now attending college ; Doris, whose natal day was September 10, 1895; and Ster- ling C. and Aiken, both of whom are deceased.
In his political views Mr. McMyler was a stanch republican but not actively in- terested in politics, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs. He attended religious services at the Unitarian church, and held member-
P. J. McMYLER
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ship relations with the Clifton Club. He found pleasure and recreation in music, and was also an ardent disciple of Izaak Walton and was very fond of travel, but was happiest at his own fireside in the companionship of his wife and children. He justly merited the proud American title of a self-made man, for an analyzation of his life record indicates clearly that his success was due to his utilization of oppor- tunity and his strong and determined purpose to accomplish what he undertook. His death, which occurred on the 18th of April, 1908, when he had attained the age of fifty-four years, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret in both the business and social circles of the city in which his entire life had been spent. Mrs. McMyler has resided in Cleveland from her birth to the present time and is widely and favorably known here, having won the warm regard and esteem of all with whom she has come in contact.
WILLIAM B. GLENDINNING, M. D.
Dr. William B. Glendinning, one of the rising young physicians of Cleveland, was born in Troy, New York, May 11, 1876, a son of John E. and Sarah M. (Trimble) Glendinning. The father was born in Cookstown, Ireland, in 1841, of Scotch-Irish parentage. He was a linen merchant and manufacturer, follow- ing that business after he came to this country. He died in the spring of 1909. His wife was born in Troy, New York, in 1849, a daughter of William Trimble, a grocer and meat dealer of that city. She was a graduate of the Sarah Willard Seminary, which has the distinction of being the oldest girls' school of its kind in this country.
Dr. Glendinning was a pupil in the common schools of Troy and Brooklyn, New York, in which he obtained the foundations of his education. Later, in 1890, when his parents went to Ireland, he accompanied them and entered the Rainey endowed school at Belfast. He then attended lectures in the literary course at Queens College, Belfast, attaining the Second Arts degree. In 1893 he returned to America and entered the Cleveland Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1898. He next became a student in the Cleveland College of Physicians and Surgeons, receiving his medical degree from this institution in 1902. The next year he spent as interne in the Huron Street Hospital, after which he engaged in general practice. In full command of all technicalities of his profession, he also possesses a keen and discriminating mind and, being gifted with a cheerful and sympathetic personality that makes him welcome in the sick- room, he has built up a large and lucrative practice.
In October, 1900, Dr. Glendinning was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet Masterson, of Cleveland, a daughter of John Masterson, now deceased. They are the parents of one daughter, Ruth, who is now seven years of age. Dr. Glendinning has always voted the straight republican ticket and has been very active in promoting the interests of his party in this city. He is a member of the Cleveland Athletic Club, being a very enthusiastic advocate of physical exercise in its many and various forms. The success of the few years he has been prac- ticing in this 'city entitles him to be regarded as one of the rising young physicians.
DANIEL J. METZGER.
Daniel J. Metzger, the vice president of the Auer Register Company, is a na- tive of this state, born in Tiffin, February 4, 1884, a son of Daniel and Mary E. Metzger. His paternal grandfather, who was also known as Daniel Metzger, came to America from Germany in 1779, locating in Pennsylvania, where he followed farming. In 1805 he came to Ohio, and his descendants have grown up
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with the country, participating in as well as witnessing its development. His son, Daniel Metzger, the father of our subject, was born in Circleville, Ohio, in 1818. He likewise was a farmer and a politician, prominent in the local affairs of the community in which he lived for upwards of a score of years, the in- cumbent of many public offices and in particular of that of county commissioner. His wife was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1857, and they were mar- ried in Seneca county, this state.
Daniel J. Metzger obtained his early education in the public schools of Tiffin and then attended the high school of Toledo, after which he embarked upon his business career, although he continued his studies in the Melchor Business Col- lege of Toledo, which he attended in the evening after the day's work was over. He became advertising manager for the Toledo Critic, having previously gained some experience in that work while he was yet a pupil in school and in 1904 he became connected with the Auer Register Company, removing to Cleveland the following year. He advanced rapidly in the esteem of his employers and in 1907 was made vice president of the concern. They are the inventors of wall registers and of the modern methods of warm air heating, having patented means for decreasing the amount of fuel consumed while increasing the comfort. At the same time they have paid especial attention to the artistic quality of their product, making it an unobtrusive bit of the furnishing of a room, for their register is in fact a warm air grate, which has a front for use during the summer months. Pursuing progressive business methods and guided by men of pronounced ability, the firm has made a place for itself among the many prosperous enterprises of this manufacturing city.
On the 7th of May, 1905, Mr. Metzger was married to Miss Mary Auer, a daughter of George S. Auer, the president of the Auer Register Company. Fra- ternally Mr. Metzger enjoys pleasant relations with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and belongs to the U. C. T. and to the Turnverein. He is a member of St. Agnes church, in whose support he is most liberal, and politically he affiliates with the democratic party. While a resident of Toledo he was a member of Battery D, Ohio National Guard, but with the increase of duties here he has been compelled to relinquish his connection with that organization. He is a young man of much ability, is endowed with sterling principles and is well de- serving of the high regard and esteem in which he is held by those who know him either socially or through business intercourse.
HENRY C. THOMAS.
Henry C. Thomas, president of the Rogers, Thomas, Dodd Optical Company, of Cleveland, was born in London, England, August 14, 1866, a son of Frederick and Janet Thomas. When he was six months old, the family removed to Glasgow, Scotland, where twelve years were spent before a change was made to Liver- pool. There they remained until August, 1883, when they came to the United States, locating in Philadelphia, where the father died in 1897, and the mother one year later.
The education of Henry C. Thomas was received in the excellent schools of Glasgow and Liverpool, and he served an apprenticeship of two years to the optical trade under his father, who was an optician. When he arrived in Phila- delphia, he found employment with J. W. Queen & Company, the oldest opti- cians in the country, remaining with them until 1888, when he went to Pitts- burg and engaged with William E. Stieren & Company, this association con- tinuing until 1890. In that year Mr. Thomas returned to Philadelphia and em- barked in a business with his father, but after a year he entered the employ of J. F. Borsch, at the head of the leading prescription house of that city, remain- ing in Philadelphia until 1893.
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In that year Mr. Thomas came to Cleveland and established himself in busi- ness at No. 155 in the Arcade, in partnership with E. N. Davis, under the firm name of Davis & Thomas. This association continued until the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, when Mr. Thomas enlisted in troop A, First Ohio Vol- unteer Cavalry. The troop was not required, however, only reaching Lakeland. Florida, and returned the same year. Having proven his loyalty, Mr. Thomas reentered the optical business at the old stand, which had changed hands and continued there for six months. He then opened a store at 127 Colonial Ar- cade under the name of the H. C. Thomas & Company, remaining there until the organization of the present corporation in 1907, of which he is president. Un- der his progressive methods, backed by his thoroughly practical knowledge of every detail of the business and his ripened experience, the house has rapidly advanced to a foremost position and is controlling an immense business.
On October 26, 1899, Mr. Thomas married Florence E. Welch, of Cleveland. Still in the full flush of his business career, Mr. Thomas bears easily the load laid upon his shoulders and is full of plans for the future of his concern. He and his wife are pleasantly located at their beautiful home No. 10213 Hampden avenue, where they enjoy all the comforts of urban life with those connected with the nearby country.
GEORGE WILLIAM PHYPERS.
George William Phypers, the president of the Phypers Brothers Company, which is extensively engaged in the general insurance business, was born in Cleve- land, Ohio, on the 8th of April, 1873. The paternal grandfather, John Phypers, crossed the Atlantic from England to the United States in 1850, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, and for many years conducted a merchant tailoring business in the basement of the Lyceum theater. His demise occurred in this city in 1903, when he had attained the venerable age of eighty-eight years. George S. Phypers, the father of our subject, was born in England and was but a year old when brought to this country by his parents. For the past twenty years he has served as foreman of the Standard Sewing Machine Company and is well known and highly esteemed as a most worthy and respected citizen. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Elizabeth Barker, is also a native of England and was brought to the United States in her infancy.
George William Phypers attended the public schools of this city until fourteen years of age and then secured a position as messenger boy for the Postal Telegraph Company, while subsequently he spent five years in the office of the Lake Shore Railroad. When twenty years of age he became identified with the general in- surance business as an employe of the firm of Olmstead, Thomas & Company, now the Fred P. Thomas Company. After three years had passed he made arrangements with his employers to work only a half day and attend the Western Reserve University during the other half of the day. At the end of a few weeks, however, he found that this plan was not feasible and was therefore obliged to leave college. He remained with Olmstead, Thomas & Company until 1900, when he entered the insurance business on his own account in association with his brother, Charles J. Phypers, and on the Ist of January, 1909, the concern was incorporated as the Phypers Brothers Company. That success has attended the enterprise is indicated by the fact that it is now the fifth largest out of about one hundred concerns of like character in Cleveland and is continually growing in volume and importance.
On the Ist of September, 1900, in Cleveland, Mr. Phypers was united in mar- riage to Miss Maud P. Maynard, a stepdaughter of Thomas S. Farley, who was for many years city agent for the Travelers Insurance Company. Mrs. Phypers is a graduate of Miss Mittleberger's School at Cleveland and also attended
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Smith College of Northampton. She belongs to a family that has been repre- sented in Boston for over three hundred years and is therefore one of the oldest in America. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Phypers have been born four children, as fol. lows : June, who is now eight years of age; Paul, a little lad of six; Fordham, who is four years old; and Thurlow, a year and a half old. The family residence 1s at Greenwood Farm in South Euclid, Ohio, where Mr. Phypers has a country home of eighteen acres. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, the Credit Men's Association, the Cleveland Athletic Club and the Masons. He is also a valued and prominent member of the East Cleveland Baptist church, being one of its three organizers. Motoring is one of his chief sources of recreation. He is widely and favorably known in the city where his entire life has been spent, for his many good qualities, his social manner, his genial disposition and his cordiality have made him popular with those with whom he has been brought in contact.
FREDERICK PRATT THOMAS.
Frederick Pratt Thomas, president of The Fred P. Thomas Company, and one of the prosperous business men of this city, and one who has accomplished much during his career, was born in Buffalo, December 9, 1866, being a son of Enoch Thomas. The latter was born in England in 1838, but came to this country when a young man. He located in Buffalo where he was a florist for years. Still later he came to Cleveland, where he was a real-estate dealer and insurance agent, and continued actively in business until his death which occurred in 1907. His business career in this city extended from 1860 to 1907, a period of forty-seven years. His wife bore the maiden name of Eliza L. Cannon, and she too was born in England, in August, 1838. About the same time as Mr. Thomas came to America, she came here, and they were married in Buffalo. She survives her husband.
Frederick Pratt Thomas came to Cleveland in boyhood, and was here educated in the public schools. His first work was clerking in the insurance office of J. P. Standard, and after six years he was admitted to partnership. After the death of Mr. Standard, Mr. Thomas became the managing head of the concern. This business has developed wonderfully, and it is now the largest fire and casualty in- surance agency in Ohio. His agency does a general insurance business, repre- senting ten leading fire insurance companies, as follows: Fire Association, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; National Fire Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut ; Security Insurance Company, of New Haven, Connecticut ; Michi- gan Fire & Marine Insurance Company, of Detroit, Michigan; Globe & Rutgers Fire Insurance Company, of New York city; Nassau Fire Insurance Company, of New York city ; Granite State Insurance Company, of Portsmouth, New Hamp- shire ; New England Underwriters, of Concord, New Hampshire; American Un- ion Fire Insurance Company, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Camden Fire Insurance Association, of Camden, New Jersey. They are general agents for northern Ohio for the Maryland Casualty Company which writes all forms of casualty insurance. They also represent the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company of California for the automobile insurance department, the British & Foreign Marine Insurance Company of England and the American & Foreign Marine In- surance Company of New York as general agents of their Marine and Tourist Floater departments, also the Lloyds Plate Glass Insurance Company of New York.
The business has grown to a point where it has become necessary to establish an eastern branch at No. 100 William Street, New York city. The company places insurance both at home and abroad, numbering among their clients several of the largest insurers in this country.
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FREDERICK P. THOMAS
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Mr. Thomas has always been very prominent in the insurance business of Cleveland, and active in the Cleveland Fire Insurance Exchange. He served on its governing committee for several years and was its president for three succes- sive years. He is also a member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, and for two years was on its board of directors. In addition he has also served as second and first vice president of the Chamber. Always active in committee work, he has been for years one of the most valued members of the Chamber. In addition to his work in insurance circles, Mr. Thomas has been active in outside interests, being president of The Thomas Realty Company, vice president of The Pineland Orange Grove Company, secretary of the Cleveland Bethel Union and a stock- holder in several insurance companies and manufacturing enterprises.
In October, 1899, Mr. Thomas was married to Susan Louise Sears, born at Saginaw, Michigan. They have two children : Eleanore Louise, attending school, and Howard E. Mrs. Thomas is very much interested in church work, belong- ing to the Windermere Presbyterian church, as does her husband. She is also prominent in social affairs, and their beautiful home on Euclid avenue is the scene of many pleasant gatherings. The handsome residence is surrounded by extensive grounds where Mr. Thomas indulges his fad for gardening.
Socially Mr. Thomas is a member of the Union and Euclid Clubs, while fra- ternally he is a Knights Templar, being treasurer of Coeur de Leon Commandry. Mr. Thomas is an enthusiastic golf player and enjoys motoring, but outside of his business interests, his heart is centered on his home. He is a man of strong char- acter and more than ordinary executive ability, and the remarkable growth of his business testifies to his right to be numbered among those whose business career has been unusually successful.
A. E. FOSS.
The name of Studebaker carries with it weight wherever found, and those connected with the company bearing this name consider themselves fortunate. A. E. Foss, garage manager of the Studebaker 'Automobile Company of Cleve- land, is one of the representative men of this city. He was born in Rangeley, Maine, in 1862, and is an excellent example of the self-made man of the present day. He was educated in the common schools and the Hanover Preparatory School of Bates & Bowden. He is a practical mechanical engineer, having had charge of the outside construction of power houses as superintendent for the Boston branch of The Westinghouse and General Electric Company from 1886 until 1900.
In the latter year Mr. Foss came to Cleveland to associate himself with L. P. Moore and Harry Savage in the motor car business. They founded The Peerless Motor Car Company, building under French license. Mr. Foss con- tinued this connection until 1904, when he entered the Chisholm-Phillips gar- age, the first one built in the city, and had full charge of it until 1906, when he equipped a garage for The Reese Motor Car Company. The following year the Metropolitan Motor Car Company was formed with Mr. Foss as general su- perintendent, and they conducted a business as dealers, repairers and garage storage, building under the personal direction of Mr. Foss and according to his plans a garage with more floor space than any between New York and San Francisco. In November, 1908, the business was sold to the Studebaker Com- pany, and they now use it for a garage and distributing point for Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania, Mr. Foss having entire charge of the garage and supplies.
In 1886 Mr. Foss married Elizabeth Martin, of Lenox, Massachusetts. They are members of the Baptist church, and he also belongs to the Cleveland Ath- letic, the Cleveland Automobile, the A. A. A. and the Gordon Park Motor Boat
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Clubs and enjoys his associations with them. Fraternally he belongs to Star Lodge, No. 30, A. F. & A. M., of Maine, and is also a member of the chapter ; and to the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 99, of Maine. He is a genial gentle- man, pleasant and courteous to all with whom he is brought into contact. He understands every detail of his business with which he has been connected so long, and his value is appreciated not only by the patrons of the garage but by the Studebaker people who know his true worth.
SAMUEL KELLER.
Samuel Keller, a successful real-estate dealer of Cleveland, is numbered among the city's energetic and enterprising young business men and has already met with a gratifying measure of prosperity in the management of his property interests. His birth occurred at Antwerp, Ohio, on the 5th of August, 1885, his parents being Norman S. and Elizabeth Mary (Bradley) Keller, who established their home in East Cleveland in 1885. The father is a native of Pennsylvania and in 1875 married a daughter of Alva Bradley, the pioneer vessel owner of Cleveland and the founder of the Bradley estate. M. A. Bradley, a son of Alva Bradley, is one of the best known real-estate men and capitalists of Cleveland.
In the acquirement of an education Samuel Keller attended the common and University schools of Cleveland and afterward devoted five years to a prepara- tory course of study at Hendershot's 'Academy. Subsequently he spent a year as a student in the Hudson Academy and then, having been well qualified by excellent educational advantages for the practical and responsible duties of a business career, he entered the real-estate field. In this connection he has since built up quite an extensive and profitable enterprise, handling business buildings and apartment houses as well as improving his real estate.
In 1907 Mr. Keller was united in marriage to Miss Helen M. Russell of Cleve- land, whose father, William Russell, is a native of Scotland and a graduate of the Sheffield (England) schools. He acted as general superintendent of the Payne avenue street car line when it was operated by cable.
Mr. Keller is a well known and popular member of the Cleveland Athletic, Cleveland Automobile and Colonial Clubs. Genial and courteous in manner, he has a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the city in which practically his entire life has been spent, and the creditable position which he has already attained in business circles augurs well for a successful future.
GUSTAVE SCHARMANN.
Gustave Scharmann, an architect of Cleveland, has in recent years contrib- uted in substantial measure to the architectural adornment and improvement of the city through erection of many of its residences, apartment houses and business blocks. He was born across the water and is a native of Hessen, Germany, where his birth occurred on the 10th of May, 1883. The paternal great-grand- father emigrated to Brazil and in that country the grandfather was born. The latter was prominent politically and took an active part in public affairs. He eventually crossed the Atlantic to the United States and his son Theodore, the father of our subject, was born in New York city. When but three years of age Theodore Scharmann was taken to Germany by his parents and after he had attained his majority he served for three years in the German artillery. He has been successfully identified with general mercantile pursuits throughout his active business career. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Katrina Luley and was born in the fatherland, still survives.
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