USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 12
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Mr. York belongs to the Cleveland Automobile Club and the Automobile Club of America and further indication of his social nature is found in his iden- tification with the Union, Tavern, Country, Roadside and Mayfield Country Clubs. He is fond of golf, motoring and driving and indulges his love of these in leisure hours. He has traveled extensively both at home and abroad. His belief in re- publican principles is manifest in his support of the party at the polls when state and national candidates are on the ticket but at local elections, where no party issue is involved he votes independently. He resides at No. 2708 Euclid avenue and stands very high among Cleveland's younger generation of business men, being popular in business and social circles.
FRANK C. NEWCOMER.
Frank C. Newcomer, now enjoying an extensive clientele as a real-estate dealer and fire insurance agent, is the president of the Frank C. Newcomer Com- pany of Cleveland. His birth occurred at Bergen Point, New Jersey, on the 15th of January, 1881, his parents being I. W. and Arabella (Rose) Newcomer, who are natives of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Cleveland, Ohio, respectively.
ROY F. YORK
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The Newcomer family is a very old one in this country, representatives of the name having located in Hanover, York county, Pennsylvania, about three hun- dred years ago. The paternal grandfather of our subject removed from York county, Pennsylvania, to Philadelphia, that state, and in 1855 established his home in Cleveland, Ohio. The maternal grandfather of Frank C. Newcomer was a native of England and after crossing the Atlantic to the United States, resided for a short time in Buffalo before coming to Cleveland, the year of his arrival in this city being 1830. I. W. Newcomer, the father of Mr. Newcomer of this review, came to Cleveland in 1860 and for a time was identified with the business interests of the city as a member of the firm of Rose Brothers. Subsequently he became connected with the concern that later developed into the Cleveland Pro- vision Company. He still survives and yet makes his home in Cleveland, being widely recognized as one of its most substantial, respected and representative residents.
Frank C. Newcomer obtained his education in schools of New York, Cleve- land and Chicago. After putting aside his text-books he entered the employ of the Cleveland Provision Company, of which his uncle, Benjamin Rose, was presi- dent, remaining with that concern for five years. On the expiration of that period he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Market National Bank, but after two years associated himself with the Prudential Trust Company as manager of its real-estate department, serving in that capacity until the company was ab- sorbed by the Citizens Savings & Trust Company. At that time he embarked in business for himself, and recently organized the Frank C. Newcomer Company, of which he is president, his comprehensive familiarity with property interests making him well qualified for the duties which devolve upon him in this connec- tion. The company figures prominently in real-estate circles of Cleveland and makes a specialty of the improvement of estates.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Newcomer has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. He is connected through membership relations with the Hermit, Euclid, Union, Chagrin Valley Hunt, Lakewood Yacht and Mayfield Country Clubs, and is a lover of all manly outdoor sports, being especially fond of horseback riding. He likewise belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and the Cleveland Real Estate Board. Mr. New- comer is yet a young man but has already attained a gratifying measure of suc- cess, while 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.
HARRY GORDON.
Harry Gordon, who occupied a position of distinction in connection with business interests and fraternal and club circles of East Cleveland, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1865, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 7th of January, 1907, when he was called to his final rest. His father, Clifford Gordon, was born in Stroudsburg. Pennsylvania, July 16, 1827, and became a prominent merchant of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. On the 20th of March, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Corah, who was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1829.
In the schools of his native city Harry Gordon pursued his education to the age of thirteen years. When a youth of fifteen he was employed as fireman in connection with the operation of an engine at a sawmill and there remained for two years. When seventeen years of age he left Williamsport and came to Cleve- land, at which time he accepted a position with the Bell Telephone Company. His evenings, however, were devoted to study and thus he completed his education,
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wisely using his spare time in advancing his qualifications for business life. In this way he learned bookkeeping and later accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Lake Shore & Valley Railroad, serving in that capacity until he became asso- ciated with the Knickerbocker Ice Company, which he represented as bookkeeper for seven years. He also occupied a similar position in Lorain, Ohio, with the Lorain Steel Company. He then became connected with the late Mayor C. E. Bolton in real estate, official and business matters, and was connected with real- estate operations until his death. His investments were judiciously made, for he informed himself thoroughly concerning property values and the possible diminu- tion or rise of prices in property. His activities also constituted forceful factors in public progress. He was a member of the city council of East Cleveland for two years, and cooperated in many movements for the upbuilding and substantial development of that section of the city. For many years he acted as vice president of the Tippecanoe Club and later was its president for two years, taking an active part in the executive management of the affairs of that organization. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, which found in him a stal- wart champion of its interests. The opportunities of his youth were limited and he could well be termed a self-educated and self-made man. Without the oppor- tunity of attending college he acquired knowledge far in excess of that of many a college-bred man. He gained broad, practical information that served him well in the conduct of official and business interests and in the management of social affairs promulgated by the clubs with which he was connected. He not only held membership in the Tippecanoe Club but also belonged to the Cleveland Ath- letic Club, the Auto Club, the Western Reserve and the Royal Arcanum. Neither was he unmindful of the higher, holier duties of life, for he cooperated in the work of moral progress through his membership in the First Baptist church.
On the 17th of December, 1890, Mr. Gordon was married to Miss Myrtie D. Ensign, a daughter of Calvin and Deborah (Burdick) Ensign, of the state of New York. The father was a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war. The grandfather, Ezra Ensign, came from Vermont to Ohio in pioneer times, settling at New London. The maternal grandfather, William Burdick, on his removal from the state of New York took up his abode at Spencer, Ohio, in 1834, and devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Gordon is a native of Penfield, Ohio, but has resided in this city since 1890 and is well known in East Cleveland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gordon were born two children: Bessie Frances, who was born March 19, 1892; and H. Ralph, March 16, 1895. The family were called upon to mourn the loss of the husband and father on the 7th of January, 1907. He had throughout his entire life wisely used his opportunities and, never living to selfish purpose, had given his life in large measure to the service of others. His geniality and cordiality rendered him popular in political and social organizations, and the constantly increasing circle of his friends was indicative of the high re- gard and esteem in which he was uniformly held.
JOHN PETER VAUPEL.
John Peter Vaupel figured prominently in business circles in Cleveland for a considerable period, both before and after the half century mark of the nineteenth century. He was born in Kurhesen, Germany, November 26, 1815, and his death occurred in Cleveland, November 14, 1872. Attracted by the business advantages of the new world, which he regarded as superior to those furnished in his own country, John Peter Vaupel sailed for Quebec. Canada, where he resided for a time, during which period his daughter, Mrs. M. E. Born, was born. In early manhood he had wedded Eleanor Bech, who was born December 9, 1818, in Bleich-
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enbach, Hesse-Darmstadt. They continued their residence in Canada until 1852, when they came to Cleveland.
Mr. Vaupel was a cabinetmaker by trade and followed that pursuit for a time, after which he was engaged on general work but soon established a cigar box factory and conducted business along that line until his death. He built up an extensive trade and was quite successful. The character of the workmanship, the nature of the output and the reliable business methods of the house were all factors in the growth and prosperity of his business. While living in Canada he had owned and operated a soap and starch factory and his entire life was one of unremitting business activity and enterprise.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vaupel were born seven children, of whom three are yet living: Charles P., who conducts a druggists' laboratory in Cleveland; William ; and Mrs. Margaret E. Born, who has three children-Carl P., who is engaged in the plumbing business at Beechland, Ohio; Arthur W., who is connected with the Patterson Supply Company ; and Mrs. Eleanor Vondenstein, of Cleveland. The death of Mr. Vaupel occurred November 14, 1872, and his wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1899. He was ever a public-spirited and progressive citizen, interested in whatever pertained to the welfare of the community along the lines of substantial reform and upbuilding. He was especially active during the war in raising funds wherewith to prosecute hostilities, for he was a most earnest ad- vocate of the Union cause. He was, however, too old for active duty at the front, having passed the age limit. In his earlier manhood he was a member of the Methodist church but subsequently united with the Presbyterian church and served as one of its elders. His political allegiance was ever given to the republican party from the time of its organization and he kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, believing firmly in its principles. He sustained an unas- sailable reputation for integrity in business affairs, for loyalty in citizenship and for faithfulness in friendship. His sterling traits of character were many and won for him the high regard, honor and respect of all with whom he was brought in contact.
THOMAS WEST.
Thomas West, the founder of one of the first banking institutions on the west side, and for years a prominent and highly respected business man of Cleveland, was born near London, England, June 10, 1840. From the age of ten years he re- sided in Cleveland, at which time he came to this country with his father, mother and sister. His parents are both now deceased but his sister survives and is Mrs. James Pellett, a resident of Lakewood. The father was a bookkeeper, devoting his life to that pursuit.
After the arrival of the family in Cleveland Thomas West pursued his educa- tion in the west side schools and was graduated from the West high school on Kentucky street, of which Mr. Hopkinson was then principal. Even as a boy he was industrious and frugal, devoting his time outside of school hours to the care of furnaces, pumping church organs and to selling papers. He was a most dutiful son, never neglecting the commands of his parents and the admirable traits which he displayed in his boyhood found expression in most honorable characteristics in later years. At the time of the Civil war he entered the navy, with which he served until honorably discharged in 1863. Returning to Cleveland, he secured a position in the First National Bank, where he remained for thirty-two years, during which time he was advanced through successive promotions, holding all the intermediate positions from clerk to cashier. He then resigned the cashiership to become the founder of one of the first banking institutions of the west side and as its secretary and treasurer he served for fourteen years, or until the time of his demise, which occurred September 12, 1907. He was the chief executive
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officer of the institution, having the practical management of the business and his long previous experience in banking well qualified him for the conduct of what became the most important moneyed concern of the west side.
On the 27th of August, 1884, Mr. West was married to Miss Josephine A. Solloway, a daughter of Daniel P. and Ann (Halloway) Solloway, of England, who came to Cleveland at an early day. The father established his home here about 1830 and conducted a packing business, supplying vessels with meat. He was one of the prominent pioneer citizens and had wide and favorable acquaint- ance among the representative business men.
Mr. West gave his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally was connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows. A devoted member of the Episcopal church, he served as senior warden of the Church of the Ascen- sion of Lakewood for many years and in other ways took active and helpful part in church work and the extension of its influence. He never regarded the ac- cumulation of wealth as the sole aim and end of life but gave his business interests their due relative position, dividing his time and attention with those interests which have bearing upon the social, intellectual and moral progress of the com- munity. He died September 12, 1907, at the family residence in Lakewood and among an extensive circle of congenial friends his loss has been deeply felt.
WARREN FARR.
Warren Farr, founder and promoter of the Farr Brick Company, one of the most extensive productive industries of the city, in the course of an active career made steady and consecutive progress which brought him from a humble position in the business world to one of prominence. He was born in Medina county, Ohio, in 1845. His father, Thomas Jefferson Farr, was a native of the state of New York, whence he removed to Pennsylvania and later to Ohio. He married Sarah Korecky, and, establishing their home in Medina county, Ohio, they there reared their family, Warren Farr pursuing his education in the public schools.
In 1873 he arrived in Cleveland where he believed that a large city offered better opportunities than he could secure in his home county. A seminary educa- tion constituted the foundation for his progress in the business world and before his removal to Cleveland he engaged in teaching school. After reaching this city he acted as assistant market superintendent of both the east and west side markets, filling the position most efficiently. He then took the contract for cleaning the streets of the city and doing teaming by contract. He made arrange- ments to do the teaming for the Cleveland Sawmill & Lumber Company for a time and was engaged in the sewer contracting business at a later date.
As he needed brick for the work on paving contracts which were awarded him, his attention was naturally directed to the business opportunities furnished in the line of brick manufacture and he purchased a small brickyard of Mr. Gill- more. He began to make brick on a limited scale but thereby laid the foundation for the immense business of the Farr Brick Company. He devoted the remainder of his life to brick manufacture. His early output was about fifteen thousand bricks per day but later he enlarged the capacity of the plant to thirty thousand per day and since his sons have come into the ownership of the business the ca- pacity has been further increased until it is now capable of turning out one hun- dred thousand daily, the capacity being about thirty million brick annually. The plant is located at the foot of Reeves avenue and is equipped with all modern machinery for the conduct of the business. Mr. Farr gave close study to the opportunities of the trade as well as to the processes of manufacture and the best methods of introducing his product to the market and as the years passed on he won substantial success, bringing him to a prominent position among the repre- sentatives of industrial life in Cleveland.
C
WARREN FARR
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Mr. Farr was married in Medina county to Miss Mary Ann Nye, who sur- vives him, and unto them were born four children: Mrs. Ida M. Williams, now of Vancouver; Mrs. Agnes N. Starkweather; and Herbert J. and Ernest W., who are carrying on the business established by their father. Herbert J. married Florence E. Barney and has two children, Ruth A. and Herbert J., Jr. Ernest W. married Zetta A. Wightman.
Mr. Farr was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also of the Foresters. In politics he was an active republican and frequently a delegate to conventions, while in local political circles he exercised considerable influence, his opinions carrying weight in the councils of his party. He held membership in the Methodist church and was greatly interested in everything pertaining to the material, political, intellectual, social and moral progress of the community. The end came when he passed away December 26, 1903. He was but in his prime and it seemed that his life's labors closed too suddenly, but in the fifty- eight years which were allotted to him he accomplished much in a business way and was, moreover, a prominent factor in the moral progress of the community by reason of an honorable, upright life.
JAMES EDWARD CORLETT.
The name of Corlett is found on the early records of Cuyahoga county and long before Cleveland even dreamed of attaining its present commercial and indus- trial importance or thought to rank with the leading cities of the country, James Edward Corlett, as a boy and youth, was familiar with the prominent landmarks of the county and with the events which were shaping its history. He was born in the village of Newburg, September 30, 1839. His parents, William B. and Jane (Cannell) Corlett, had come from the Isle of Man with a party of emi- grants in 1827. They located in what was then the village of Newburg, the father leasing a plot of ground of fifty acres, which he afterward purchased for five hundred dollars. This was the second purchase made from the Connecticut Land Company, who had bought the Western Reserve from the Indians. He not only tilled his fields but also conducted a blacksmith shop on his farm, continuing in active business until 1859, when he retired and spent the succeeding decade in well earned rest, being at the end of that time, in 1869, called to the home beyond. He was one of the early and prosperous pioneers, through his thrift and economy accumulating a very substantial fortune which was later inherited by his sons, Charles and James. The Cannell family was also an early one here, as Patrick Cannell, the grandfather of our subject, settled in Newburg in 1826, being one of the early ministers of the gospel in the vicinity.
James E. Corlett pursued his education in the old little white schoolhouse which was located on what is now the corner of Union and Rice avenues. He continued his studies there for sixteen years, but at the age of twenty-one put aside his text-books and devoted his entire attention to the work of assisting his father on the home farm. In 1871 he purchased the school building in which he had pursued his studies in his boyhood days, removed it to the old homestead and with his family occupied it until the death of his mother in 1880, when he took up his abode in the old family residence which his father had built. He was con- tinually connected with agricultural interests until his death on the 6th of June, 1901. His life in a measure was quiet and uneventful in that he never sought to figure prominently in public affairs, but the substantial qualities of his manhood won him the honor and respect of all who knew him. He prospered as the years went by and in 1888 he sold twenty-six acres of his farm for five hundred dollars per acre, which sum was the original price that his father had paid for fifty acres in 1827.
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On the 15th of May, 1872, Mr. Corlett was married to Miss Mary M. Day, a daughter of Leonard and Louisa ( Burlingame) Day, who came from the east and settled in Sheffield, Lorain county, in pioneer times. Mrs. Corlett's father died when she was but three months old, after which she went to live with an aunt, coming to Cleveland in 1855. In 1862 her aunt removed to a farm on Kinsman street, where Mrs. Corlett remained until her marriage. She is now historian for the Reunion of Teachers and Scholars of the little white school, which she as well as her husband attended and from which have gone out men who are to- day most prominent and well known. Mrs. Corlett has acted as historian for thirteen years and has gained comprehensive knowledge concerning those who in youth mastered the elementary branches of learning in that school. She is a most well preserved woman, of keen intellect and of kindly spirit, and is esteemed and loved by all who know her. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Corlett were born eleven chil- dren : Mary Louise, who was born February 20, 1874, and died March 28, 1875; Edna Viola, who was born December 17, 1875, and is the wife of Dr. Guy Har- well of Cleveland ; Harriet May, who was born July 29, 1876, and is the wife of George Snell, of Toledo; Charlotte Jane, born June 26, 1878; Mary Lucille, born April 23, 1880; Mona Catherine, who was born August 23, 1881, and died Feb- ruary 6, 1902; Lillian, born April 4, 1883; Claribel, who was born January 30, 1885; James Edward, who was born November 9, 1887, and died May 18, 1889; Thomas Norton, who was born March 10, 1889, and is now attending the West- ern Reserve University ; and Delane, born December 22, 1893.
Several times has the family circle been broken by the hand of death and in 1901 the husband and father passed away, to the deep regret of all who knew him. In his community he had served as road supervisor and school director for many years and he attended the Methodist church. His influence was always on the side of right and progress and his word was as good as any bond solemnized by signature or seal. While a most respected and worthy citizen, he preferred the quiet of home life and to his family was most devoted, considering no effort or sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the welfare and happiness of his wife and children.
EDWARD J. ROBINSON.
Edward J. Robinson, president and treasurer of the Water Works, Sewer & Paving Construction Company, incorporated as engineers and general contractors, with offices in the Citizens building of this city, is a man of broad-gauged ideas and remarkable force of character, capable of carrying out his plans no matter how difficult they may be. He was born August 23, 1864, in London, England, a son of Edward Glyndwr and Elizabeth (Maidwell) Robinson, the former born in Liverpool, England, December 18, 1837, and the latter in Wales, March 26. 1839. They were married in London. The mother is still living and now makes her home in Cleveland.
The education of Edward J. Robinson was secured in private schools in London. His preliminary work was divided among several lines of business, but in 1884. when he began with the company erecting the water works at Sharon, Pennsylvania, he felt he had discovered what just suited him. He acted as as- sistant to the chief engineer who built the works, and later had charge of them for twenty years, thus securing a practical knowledge of the requirements of such a plant. In 1904. Mr. Robinson started in business for himself in Cleveland under the title of The Water Works Construction Company, an Ohio corporation, the name being changed later to the present one, The Water Works, Sewer & Paving Construction Company, with business confined to Cleveland and surrounding cities. Among other contracts, the company has built the plants of Sharon, Pennsylvania, West Middlesex, Pennsylvania, Falls Creek, Vermilion, Cleveland Heights and
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made many improvements for the Euclid Heights board and those of Cleveland Heights. Their equipment and facilities are unsurpassed, and their work cannot be outclassed by any other concern in a similar line.
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