A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III, Part 106

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

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DR. W. A. PHILLIPS

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time. He was also graduated at the University of Medicine and Surgery in Cleveland and holds, in addition, a certificate attesting a course of instruction in the New York Ophthalmic Hospital. In the years of his work as a practi- tioner, educator, editor and author, he has risen to distinction, his work being of vital significance; for his investigations into the realms of science have enabled him to apply many valuable truths which have been of inestimable benefit in checking the ravages of disease and in the restoration of health. He belongs to the American Institute of Homeopathy and is a member of the Home- opathic Society of Ohio, of which he was repeatedly reelected secretary, while in 1896 he was chosen its president. He was also a charter member of the Homeopathic Eye, Ear and Throat Society and was one of its early presidents. A few years ago the Pennsylvania Homeopathic Society elected him an hon- orary member of that body and in 1894 he was unanimously elected dean of the Cleveland University of Medicine and Surgery, which office he continued to hold for several years after this institution was merged with the Cleveland Medical College. Since 1875 he has held the position of professor of ophthal- mology and otology in Cleveland. He is a member of the staff of the Huron Road Hospital and a member of the board of trustees of the college. In ad- dition to conducting his special line of practice, he has been a frequent contributor of papers of recognized value to different medical journals and societies. In all of his practice and in his work as an educator and writer he has been actuated by a spirit of helpfulness that is one of his strongest characteristics. His de- sire that his work should benefit humanity has made his efforts of peculiar use- fulness, prompting him to delve deeply into the realms of science and to keep in close touch with the ideas advanced by the most eminent representatives of the profession. He is today one of the distinguished specialists of Cleveland and has the deepest respect and admiration of his fellow physicians. In manner he is most modest and free from ostentation, never at any time seeking publicity.

JACOB PERKINS.

Jacob Perkins, born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, September 1, 1822, was coming into the full powers of his manhood when, the great questions of secession and slavery were prominently before the people, and as a public speaker he did much to influence thought and action at this momentous period in the his- tory of the state and nation. Later through business lines and in other ways he contributed largely to the upbuilding of the commonwealth. He was next to the youngest son of Simon Perkins, one of the earliest pioneers and most prominent business men of the Western Reserve, who came from New York to Ohio as one of the agents of the Connecticut Land Company and owned extensive tracts of land in this state.

There were still many evidences of frontier life during the period of Jacob Perkins' boyhood and youth. He possessed a studious disposition, manifesting special aptitude in mastering any line of thought, and indeed displayed a very passion for reading useful works. He pursued his preparatory course of study in the Burton Academy, then under the direction of Professor H. L. Hitch- cock, later president of Western Reserve College, and completed his preparation at Middletown, Connecticut, in a school conducted by Isaac Webb. In 1837 he entered Yale and while there was distinguished for the elegance of his liter- ary style and the wide range of his literary acquirements. He delivered the phil- osophic oration at his junior exhibition and was chosen second editor of the Yale Literary Magazine. Ill health, however, in his junior year prevented his gradua- tion until 1842. He then entered the office of his father at Warren, where he was busily employed in the conduct of affairs until his father's death two years later, when he became one of the executors of the estate.

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During his residence there Mr. Perkins occasionally appeared before home audiences as a public speaker and his fame as an orator spread abroad. In politics he early adopted and freely advocated anti-slavery principles which were then unpopular. Without solicitation on his part he was nominated and elected a member of the convention that framed the present constitution of Ohio and took an active part in forming the organic law of the state. He was one of the senatorial presidential electors for Ohio on the Fremont ticket in 1856, and at all times was deeply interested in the vital political questions, kept well in- formed on the issues of the day and offered strong arguments in their behalf, his oratory being of a most convincing character. Mr. Perkins was also deeply interested in the upbuilding of the schools and colleges of the state and his labors and influence were far reaching and effective in that direction. He first sug- gested and urged President Pierce to adopt the conditions of the present "per- manent fund of Western Reserve College," and with his brothers made the first subscription to that fund. He was associated with Hon. F. Kinsman in founding Woodland cemetery at Warren and various matters of public concern received his endorsement and cooperation. Soon after his return from the constitutional convention he became interested in the Cleveland & Mahoning Railroad and was the most influential factor in obtaining the charter and organizing the road. He was elected its president and became almost the sole financial manager. The line was constructed from 1853 until 1856 and his strenuous work in conducting the enterprise at a time of financial panic and bringing it through numerous threatened failures to ultimate success undermined his health so that he was obliged to resign the presidency soon after the completion of the road.

On the 24th of October, 1850, Mr. Perkins was married to Miss Elizabeth O Todd, a daughter of Dr. J. I. Todd, of Milton, Trumbull county, Ohio, and in 1856 removed his family to Cleveland. His wife died on June 4 of the fol- lowing year, leaving three children, but only one son, Jacob Bishop, now sur- vives. After a long illness Mr. Perkins passed away at Havana, Cuba, January 12, 1859, and his remains were interred in Woodland cemetery at Warren, Ohio. His name is inseparably interwoven with the history of the state in various lines of material, political and intellectual progress, his record constituting an impor- tant chapter in the annals of Ohio.

JOHN H. ORGILL.

The records of the Ohio courts in recent years indicate the prominence to which John H. Orgill has attained as an attorney at law. He has been con- nected with the defense or prosecution in many important cases, many of which have involved legal principles of far-reaching importance or of established prece- dence. He came to the bar in 1902 and in the intervening years has made contin- uous and substantial progress along professional lines.

Mr. Orgill was born in Staffordshire, England, March 3, 1879, and was but two years old when brought to the United States by his parents, Thomas and Sarah A. (Turner) Orgill, who made their way direct to Ohio. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Orgill, Sr., never left his native land but was employed in the rolling mills of England up to the time of his death in 1858. His son and namesake was born in April, 1846, and is now in the employ of the Union Roll- ing Mills Company of this city. His wife was born in March, 1848, and also survives.

At the usual age John H. Orgill became a pupil in the Cleveland public schools, wherein he continued his studies until he was graduated. He afterward spent one year in the Western Reserve Law School, at the end of which time he turned his attention to newspaper work to which he devoted a twelve month. He en- tered for the senior year the Law School of Baldwin University and was gradu-

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ated in 1902 with second honors in a class of thirty-eight, receiving at that time the Bachelor of Law degree. Locating for practice in Cleveland, he became a member of the firm of Hobday, Mathews, Orgill & Quigley, and so continued until 1904, when the present firm of Mathews & Orgill was organized. While he engages in the general practice of law he specializes to a large extent in real estate and probate law. The firm were attorneys for Mike Ryan, who was ar- rested in 1906, charged with election frauds, it being alleged that he voted for dead men and men who had moved away. This case, which is now pending in the supreme court, attracted much attention. The firm were also attorneys for parties to enjoin the use of the voting machine in Cuyahoga county and this case was decided in favor of their clients by the supreme court.

Mr. Orgill was attorney in a case which involved the question that in the in- stance of the insanity of a married person no divorce by the same party could be obtained on account of inability to obtain service on an insane person in di- vorce proceedings. The lower courts so held and an appeal was taken to the upper court, where was established the new rule of law that such service could be made and the proceedings could be continued as in other cases. Mr. Orgill was also connected with the case which established the principle that where a bank or individual does business with a person who has just reached majority that bank or individual is bound to see that such person has proper advice and is not influenced by former guardian or other persons. The special instance was that of a girl who became of age, inheriting at such time property, the bank making a loan to her on property the day after she became of age, the money being given to her father, her former guardian. In this instance the note and mortgage was canceled. Mr. Orgill was also attorney for parties that succeeded in obtaining the passage of a law in the legislature, whereby a city having a popu- lation of less than five thousand could surrender its corporate rights as a city and become a village, following this plan for the purpose of lowering taxes. He was also with the other members of the firm retained for the defense of parties on trial in the United States court for the counterfeiting of Austrian money. The Austrian government has been trying for three years to extradite offenders for trial but Mr. Orgill and his partner are so defending them that they are still in this country. The Austrian government has now taken up the matter with the department of justice in Washington and international complications may arise.

On the 2d of July, 1903, Mr. Orgill was married to Miss Lillian M. Rodway, a daughter of Edward and Jane (Jones) Rodway, of Cleveland. They are mem- bers of the Congregational church and Mr. Orgill is connected with the Delta Phi Delta, a fraternity of the Western Reserve University, with the Western Reserve and Tippecanoe Clubs, the Foresters and the Knights of Pythias. His political allegiance is unfalteringly given to the republican party and from 1903 to 1907 he was a member at large of the city council. He is now deputy state supervisor of elections for Cuyahoga county, his term extending until April, 1912. He has been a delegate to the city, county, state and judicial conventions, attending in almost every instance since attaining his majority. He has figured actively in public affairs in many ways and at all times is actuated by a devotion to the general good that makes him a loyal and progressive citizen.

CHARLES PERCIVAL RANNEY.

Cleveland and other districts of Ohio as well are largely indebted to the efforts of the Ranney family for the maintenance of the political and legal status of the state and the promotion of its industrial and commercial development. It is in the latter field that Charles Percival Ranney has become well known, having for almost a quarter of a century been closely associated with the iron industry, which finds one of its chief centers in the Forest city. He was born

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October 7, 1847, in Warren, Ohio, a son of Judge Rufus Percival Ranney, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume, in which connection is also given the ancestral history of the family, which was founded in America by Thomas Rany-for so the name was then spelled-from whom Charles Per- cival Ranney is a descendant in the seventh generation. His grandfather was Rufus Ranney, while his grandmother was Dolly D. Blair, a grandniece of Gen- eral Warren, the hero of Bunker Hill. The mother of C. P. Ranney was Miss Adaline Warner, a daughter of Judge Jonathan Warner, a native of Connecticut, who removed from Chester, that state, to Jefferson, Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1804. The journey was made by ox teams across the Alleghany mountains to Buffalo and from that point across Lake Erie on a raft propelled by Indians. In that manner they reached the Ashtabula river. On one occasion the raft was driven ashore by storms and the family lost many of their household effects. Judge Warner was the second resident of Jefferson and was closely identified with its pioneer development. At the time of his arrival Ohio was largely cov- ered with its native forests, through which roamed the deer and bear, while wild game of the feathered variety was to be had in abundance. He bore an active part in shaping the history of Jefferson and Ashtabula county during its formative period and served as judge of the county court. He also bought and cleared and placed under cultivation extensive tracts of farm land.

Charles Percival Ranney was united in marriage on the 12th of February, 1873, to Miss Alice Benedict, and to them were born four children: Rufus Per- cival, who is mentioned on another page of this work; Cornelia, the wife of John N. Stockwell, a member of the general assembly, also represented elsewhere in this work; Constance Ethel, who was born March 6, 1882, and died the same year; and Alice Elizabeth, attending the Hathaway-Brown School in Cleveland. Throughout the entire period of their married life Mr. and Mrs. Ranney have resided in Cleveland, occupying a prominent position in the social circles of the city and esteemed by all for the possession of those qualities which recognize man's obligations to his fellowman in a spirit of broad humanitarianism. Unlike the majority of the members of the family, Charles P. Ranney did not take up the profession of law but gave his attention to commercial pursuits and in the promotion and development of large enterprises wrought for success and won a reputation no less enviable than others of the name have gained as members of the legal fraternity.

HUBERT HORTEN.

Earnest, persistent labor constituted the salient feature in the life work of Hubert Horten, who won his success not through any outside aid or influence but by placing his dependence upon the substantial qualities of close application and unremitting diligence. He was born August 16, 1831, at Trier, Prussia, a son of Matthew and Barbara Horten, who also resided at that place, where the father followed the occupation of carpentering. The son while spending his boy- hood days under the parental roof attended the schools of his native province until fourteen years of age. He was then left an orphan by the death of his parents and the necessity of providing for his own support caused him to secure a position in a flour mill which was operated by wind power. He studied between times and thus obtained a good education, using many leisure hours for reading and research. In 1856, when twenty-five years of age, he crossed the Atlantic to America, for the favorable reports which he had heard concerning this coun- try and its opportunities led him to wish to enjoy the advantages here offered. Ac- cordingly he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States, settling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He remained with an uncle on a farm for six years or until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he came to Cleve-

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land. He engaged in farming in this locality and in 1862 he returned to his native land, where he was employed as a driller of oil wells. Three years were spent in Germany, after which he returned to Cleveland and engaged again in farming on what is now known as the west side of the city. There he continued in active connection with agricultural interests until his death, which occurred August 2, 1887. He was a man of industry and determination and brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, annually gathering therefrom rich and abundant crops.

Before leaving Germany Mr. Horten had enlisted for three years in the army of that country, but owing to impaired eyesight only served for six months. His study of the political problems of this country led him to give stalwart alle- giance to the democracy and his influence was always on the side of progress and improvement in municipal affairs, although he did not seek office. He held mem- bership in the German Catholic church, sang in the choir and served as one of the church trustees.

On the 22d of July, 1859, in Milwaukee, Mr. Horten was united in marriage to Miss Anna Borlinghausing, a daughter of Gottfried and Katherine (Krietz) Borlinghausing, formerly of Milwaukee and later of Cleveland, arriving in this city in 1873. Here they remained until called to their final rest. Her father also served for three years as a soldier in the German army. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Horten were born nine children: Mrs. Lizzie Schwartz, Hubert, P. P., Mrs. Clara Acker, Mrs. Rosa Schwartz, Mrs. Anna Wagner, Mrs. Katy Barr, Mrs. Barbara Atzberger and Mrs. Susan Dehoff. All are still living in Cleveland with the exception of Mrs. Acker, who is a resident of Springfield, Illinois. Mr. Horten is remembered by many of the older residents of the west side and his good qualities and business enterprise gained for him the high regard of those with whom he came in contact. '

BRUNO LANGE.

Bruno Lange, vice president of the Brookside Sausage Company, is a self- made man who, without any special advantages to aid him when he came to America, has in this country so utilized his time and his opportunities that he is now active in control of a profitable and growing business in Cleveland. Born in Saxony, Germany, on the 24th of January, 1865, he is a son of Frederick and Amelia Lange. The father was also a native of Saxony, where he spent his en- tire life as an architect. The son attended the schools of that country to the age of fourteen years and afterward learned the baker's trade, to which he de- voted three years in Germany. He afterward became a butcher's apprentice and so continued until 1891, when, attracted by the broader opportunities of the new world, he came to America. After spending six weeks in New York he proceeded to Detroit, Michigan, and spent seven months there, working at the butcher's trade. Later he went Chicago, where he was employed in a similar capacity for one and a half years and on the expiration of that period he came to Cleveland, where for eleven years he was in the employ of Mr. Bertholt, a butcher. His industry and careful expenditure brought him capital sufficient to enable him to engage in business on his own account and, forming a partner- ship with Mr. Riegler, he organized the Brookside Sausage Company in 1905. The business was incorporated, Mr. Lange becoming its vice president. in which connection he has since remained. The business has been carefully and sys- tematically conducted and the firm has secured an extensive patronage which has made their enterprise a profitable one.

In August, 1895, Mr. Lange was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Kocian and unto them have been born three children: Ruth and Alma, twins, who at the age of thirten years are atending the public school; and Lidda, eleven years

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of age, also a public school pupil. The family residence is at No. 4403 Archwood avenue. Mr. Lange holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and belongs to Garfield Union. He is independent in politics, nor has he ever sought political recognition in office, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his business affairs. His success is undoubtedly largely due to the fact that he has always continued in the field for which he qualified in his native country, working his way upward through persistent, earnest effort. He is now conducting a good business and his life record is an indication of the oppor- tunities which are open in America to young men of determination and industry.

REV. ANTHONY HARTMAN, S. J.

Rev. Anthony Hartman, well known as a representative of the Catholic ministry in Cleveland, is pastor of St. Mary's of the Assumption. He was born in the diocese of Muenster, Westphalia, Germany, February 19, 1862. He was educated in the Jesuit College at Feldkirch, Austria, and graduated at Vechta in Oldenburg. From there he entered the University of Innsbruck, Austria, and later on the Jesuit order. He made his studies in Holland and England. After spending five years in teaching at Buffalo, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio, he returned to Ditton Hall, England, where he was ordained by Bishop Whiteside of Liverpool, September 2, 1894, and on the following day celebrated his first mass. In 1895 he returned to the United States and has since been a resident of Cleveland. He acted as professor of the classics in St. Ignatius College of this city until 1902, when failing health compelled him to take up parish work, at first in Buffalo, New York, while on the 23d of August, 1903, he was installed as pastor of St. Mary's of the Assumption.

GEORGE SHERMAN BECKWITH.

Coming to Cleveland eight years ago, his residence in this city dating from 1902, George Sherman Beckwith in the years which have since elapsed has developed an extensive business as a dealer in coal and timber lands under the firm style of G. S. Beckwith & Company, and as an officer and director of other corporations has contributed to the substantial results which have been obtained in their specific lines. He was born in Hartsgrove, 'Ashtabula county, Ohio, January 23, 1874. His father was Gurden Albert Beckwith, a descendant of one of the original settlers of Ashtabula county, who had come to this state from Connecticut about the year 1800. Gurden A. Beckwith wedded Miss Caroline Eunice Cloes, a native of New Sarum, Canada, who was brought to Ohio in her girlhood days by her parents. Her father was a Scotch Canadian, but her mother was a native of this state.

George Sherman Beckwith attended the public schools of Ashtabula county, being graduated from the Jefferson high school. For two years before he had finished his studies there he taught in the commercial department of the school and the following year was associated with the Ashtabula Business College. He was then engaged in bookkeeping and in mercantile lines from 1897 until 1902, after which he came to Cleveland, where for a year he was employed by others. He then established his present business, which is conducted under the style of G. S. Beckwith & Company. Offices are maintained at No. 1113 Wil- liamson building and the firm is engaged extensively in handling coal and timber lands. They have extensive holdings in the coal fields and also in the lumber regions of several states, their properties covering many thousands of acres. Within eight years the business has been developed to mammoth proportions.

GEORGE S. BECKWITH

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Mr. Beckwith and his associates making judicious and extensive investments as opportunity has offered until the firm is today regarded as among the fore- most representatives in their field of business in the United States. Into other lines Mr. Beckwith has also extended his efforts and is an officer and direc- tor of several corporations. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

On the 20th of November, 1900, Mr. Beckwith and Miss Lucy Minerva Mann were married in Ashtabula county. She, too, is a native of that county and a descendant of the New England family of that name. Her great-grand- father was a pioneer of Ashtabula county, having settled in the Western Re- serve in 1806. Mrs. Beckwith, however, spent a considerable portion of her girlhood in Portland, Oregon, where she acquired her education. Three chil- dren have been born of this marriage: Thayer, born June 1, 1902 ;- Virginia, September 12, 1904; and George, January 13, 1909. The parents have won many warm friends in Cleveland during the eight years of their residence here and Mr. Beckwith has become known as an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, being identified with both the York and Scottish Rites. In politics he has always been a stanch defender of the principles of the republican party but aside from exercising his right of franchise and exerting his influence in behalf of efficient government, he has taken no active part in municipal affairs, for he feels that his constantly growing business interests make full demand upon his time. His capacity for successful management, his initiative spirit, his undaunted enterprise and his incorruptible commercial integrity are manifest in the splendid results which have attended his efforts.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III, Part 106

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