USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 13
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On July 30, 1891, Mr. Robinson married Mary Charlotte Bundell, who was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, and they have one daughter, Grace Maidwell, born December 19, 1897. Mr. Robinson is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, and belongs to a number of other fraternal organizations. He is a member of Emmanuel Episcopal church, of which he is choirmaster. In addition he belongs to the Ohio Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and the Church Club of Cleveland. Mr. Robinson has won his way through his own ability, and has never been assisted by political backing in his business advancement, but only by his close attention to the duties of whatever position he occupied and the intelli- gence with which he did his work.
CHARLES E. FERRELL.
With appreciation for humor, with geniality and deference for the opinion of others, Charles E. Ferrell has firmly established himself in the regard of his fellow citizens, while his record in business has won him the confidence and the good will of all since he entered upon the struggle for a livelihood at an early age, the exi- gencies of fate forcing him to meet various difficulties and obstacles in life at a period when most boys are concerned with the attempt to acquire an education.
He was born in Poland, Ohio, November 2, 1840. His father, William Fer- rell, was of Scotch lineage and wedded Mary E. Bishop, a native of this state. The son spent his boyhood days in Atwater, Portage county, Ohio. He was left an orphan when but six months old and from early youth has made his own way in the world unaided. He acquired his education in the public schools of At- water and also spent one year in Mount Union College. Later he was an officer at the State Industrial Home at Lancaster for one year before coming to Cleve- land in the latter part of 1865. He assisted in organizing the Industrial Home in this city, of which he was made assistant superintendent, occupying that position for ten years, while his father-in-law, Robert Waterton, was superintendent. Withdrawing from that position in 1895, he engaged in the real-estate business, in which he has since continued alone. His success therefore cannot be attributed to the aid or influence of another but has come as the direct result of his unfalter- ing labor, close application and the judgment which he displays in his investments. In early years he laid out and sold several allotments but in more recent years has confined his attention largely to the commission branch of the business and the settlement of estates. He has established a reputation for integrity and fair dealing that has won for him many clients and gained for him the favorable regard of his colleagues in the same field of industry. He is now well known as a mem- ber of the Cleveland Real Estate Association and is the vice president of the West Cleveland Banking Company. He is also a member of the Chamber of Industry. His energy has brought, too, a constant expansion of his business interests until he now occupies a creditable place in real-estate circles.
In politics Mr. Ferrell is a republican, believing in the worth of the party prin- ciples, yet he does not hesitate to cast an independent ballot if occasion demands. He belongs to the Highland Congregational church and is interested in its various activities and generously contributes to its support. For fourteen years he has been a trustee of the church and is now chairman of its finance committee. He likewise belongs to the Old Settlers Association and is much interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the city, giving hearty support to every interest which is a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
On the 22d of June, 1865, Mr. Ferrell was married in Cleveland to Miss Minnie A. Waterton, a daughter of Robert Waterton, the superintendent and
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organizer of the Cleveland Industrial Home, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fer- rell became the parents of two daughters: Bessie, the widow of Franklin L. Baker; and Mrs. J. C. Ross. Both are still residents of Cleveland. With a social disposition and a fund of good humor, Mr. Ferrell has long enjoyed the friendship of those with whom he has come in contact, his associates finding him a congenial and companionable gentleman.
LOUIS A. OSBORN.
Louis A. Osborn is a successful and enterprising representative of business in- terests in Cleveland as the president of the J. M. & L. A. Osborn Company, job- bers in tin plate, sheet iron, metals, tinners', roofers' and furnace men's sup- plies. His birth occurred in this city in 1865, his parents being James M. and Hulda A. (Wheeler) Osborn, the former a native of New York and the latter of Michigan. In 1878 R. P. Meyers and James M. Osborn organized the My- ers, Osborn Company for the manufacture of stoves and jobbing in tin and sheet mill supplies. It is one of the pioneers in this line of activity in Cleveland, the business being started by R. P. Myers in 1859. Until his death, in May, 1909, M. J. Osborn was associated in business with his son Louis and was long num- bered among the prosperous, respected and representative residents of this city. His wife, who came to Cleveland in early life, is yet living and has an extensive circle of friends here.
Louis A. Osborn attended the public schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion and after putting aside his text-books entered the employ of his father in the capacity of shipping clerk, being gradually promoted to positions of greater re- sponsibility as he demonstrated his faithfulness and capability in the discharge of the duties entrusted to his care. In 1888 the style of the concern was changed to the J. M. & L. A. Osborn Company and manufacturing was discontinued, the establishment being converted into a jobbing house. The business was incor- porated in 1901 and they now enjoy an extensive and gratifying trade as dealers in tin plate, sheet iron, metals, tinners', roofers', and furnace men's supplies. Most of their business is done in the central west. As the president of the com- pany, Mr. Osborn has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods. He is also interested in a number of other concerns, among them being the Mer- win Manufacturing Company. The latter is the firm which manufactures most of the products handled by the Osborn company.
In 1893 Mr. Osborn was united in marriage to Miss Emily L. Baldwin, of Youngstown, Ohio. Their children are three in number, namely : William B., Lucretia M. and Mary Elizabeth. Mr. Osborn exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is a devoted and consistent member of the First Bap- tist church. He has gained many friends during his life-long residence in this city and has won for himself favorable regard in business circles in recognition of his enterprise, his alert and energetic spirit and his successful accomplishment.
JOHN HENRY DREMANN.
John Henry Dremann is the president and general manager of the Fuller Cleaning Company, today controlling the most extensive establishment of the kind in the city. Bending his energies to its further development, he is meeting with that success which comes from close application and intelligently applied energy. He was born in Cleveland, September 6, 1854, and is the eldest of the
LOUIS A. OSBORN
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children of John H. and Margaret (Frese) Dremann. The father, born in Han- over, Germany, September 21, 1831, was brought to America in 1843, when a youth of twelve years, at which time he became a resident of Cleveland, although later he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where at the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army, serving under command of General Siegel. In the midst of the war he returned home with health wrecked by the hardships and rigors of his military experience and passed away on the 21st of September, 1863. In Cleveland, in 1853, he had married Margaret Frese, and to them were born five children: John Henry, of this review; Herman Gerhart; Clara Margaret, the widow of William H. Wischmeier; Anna; and Louise, the wife of William E. Meyer.
In the schools of St. Louis John Henry Dremann pursued his education un- til nine years of age, when the family removed to Springfield, Illinois, where he continued his studies in a parochial school. He was there engaged in various busi- ness enterprises until 1896, when he returned to Cleveland and became associated with the Fuller Cleaning Company, which was established in 1870 by John M. Ful- ler and was the pioneer enterprise of this character in the city. From a modest be- ginning it has gradually developed under the wise and capable management of Mr. Dremann and his associates until it is the largest business of the kind in the city, the operating plant being equipped with the most modern apparatus obtainable, and has a number of Aero wagons with the modern vacuum system equipment. On Mr. Fuller's retirement his interests were purchased by Mr. Dremann and the business was incorporated under the name of the Fuller Cleaning Company, with Mr. Dremann as president and general manager. Many new features have been added from time to time, among them the house cleaning and rug manufacturing departments. The business has always been conducted with a view of pro- ducing something new and original and "The Fuller Way" has become a synonym for the best obtainable in this field of labor. The extent of the business, exceed- ing that of all other houses of this character in the state, is significant of the honorable and enterprising methods of the firm.
On the 4th of May, 1876, Mr. Dremann was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Schwentker, a daughter of William and Mary Elizabeth (Clausing) Schwentker, of Cleveland. Their children, five in number, are: Mollie Elizabeth, Louisa Mar- garet, Anna Caroline, John Henry, Jr., and Walter William. The family residence is at No. 7706 Lawnview avenue, Northeast. The parents are members of the Protestant Lutheran church and Mrs. Dremann is very active in mission and charitable work in connection with the church and is a member of the Ladies Aid Society. Mr. Dremann gives his political allegiance to the republican party on na- tional questions, casting an independent local ballot. He belongs to the Lutheran Benefit Order, of which he has served as one of the trustees for many years, and is also a member of Tippecanoe Club. He finds rest and recreation in driving and motoring but allows no interests of this character to interfere with the conduct of his business, which, capably controlled, has brought him substantial and grati- fying success. A close study of the needs of the business and unremitting appli- cation, combined with inflexible integrity in commercial matters, have gained him the admiration, trust and respect of his fellowmen.
JACOB WEISKOPF.
Jacob Weiskopf, proprietor since 1875 of a thriving business in woolen rags and paper stock, with office and warehouse at 1575 Merwin street, was born in Austria, January 6, 1854, his parents being Alexander and Anna Weiskopf. The father, whose birth occurred in Austria in 1813, was a horse dealer and was killed by a fractious horse in 1877. He was survived by the mother for over twenty years, her death occurring in 1898. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Ben-
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jamin Weiskopf, also a native of Austria, was born in 1764 and died in 1865, having passed the century mark. He was survived by his wife for about five months and she had reached the advanced age of ninety-eight years at the time of her deatlı.
Jacob Weiskopf attended the Austrian schools until fourteen years of age and then entered a dry-goods store as a clerk, continuing there until his eighteenth year. He then came to the United States and located in Cleveland, where he worked in the cooper shop of the Standard Oil Company for six months. Later he was employed as a clerk in the grocery store of Henry Goldsmith for three years and for a year and a half was a junk peddler. He was next employed as manager for the firm of Stone Brothers, who were his brothers-in-law and pro- prietors of a woolen rag business, remaining with them for eighteen years. Since then he is engaged in business on his own account as a wholesale dealer in woolen rags and paper stock and has met with most excellent success.
On the 21st of November, 1875, Mr. Weiskopf was married in Cleveland to Miss Rosie Stone, a daughter of Joseph Stone, who came to Cleveland from Austria in 1873, accompanied by his family of twelve children, all of whom mar- ried in this city and were present at the death of their father in 1890. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weiskopf were born three children: Ray, who is now the wife of Jo- seph Goodman, a member of the firm of Strauss Brothers & Company; and Henry and Charles, who are now engaged in business with their father. Mr. Weiskopf is particularly proud of his grandchildren, of whom he has five, his daughter having two sons-Lewis M. and Russell A. Goodman-while his son Henry has three children-Edward A., Morris and Elsbeth Weiskopf. The family residence is at 8017 Whitehorn avenue.
Mr. Weiskopf is of Hebrew faith and is a member of the National Union. The lad who came timidly to America, hoping to win for himself a place in the new world, has more than fulfilled his dreams and in addition enjoys the pleasures of a wide friendship.
CHARLES C. CORLETT.
Charles C. Corlett, for years a well known representative of agricultural pur- suits in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, was born in the village of Newburg. December 27, 1841, and passed to his final rest May 18, 1906. 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.
Charles C. Corlett, reared in his parent's home, pursued his education in the old Manx school until about seventeen years of age and through the periods of vacation assisted his father on the home farm. After putting aside his text- books he continued to work in the fields upon the old homestead until 1869, when he was married. In 1870 he leased the farm upon which the family now reside from his father and continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits thereon until 1880, when his mother died. The farms, through the terms of the will, were
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then inherited by the sons and Charles Corlett received the one which he had rented. He continued to engage in farming until his demise and the rich and productive tract of land responded readily to the care and labor which he be- stowed upon it, returning to him generous and abundant harvests.
It was on Christmas day of 1869 that Mr. Corlett wedded Miss Belle A. Cor- lett, who though of the same name was not a relative. Her parents were Cap- tain William and Catherine (Gill) Corlett, who came from the Isle of Man to Cleveland in 1828. Her father was a sailor and became a captain on the lakes. He sailed a vessel to Chicago in 1829, when there was a fort and a few log cabins on the site of the present populous city. He remained upon the lakes until 1851, when he purchased a farm in Warrensville and thereon spent his remaining days, his attention being given to general agricultural pursuits. His daughter, Mrs. Corlett, was born in Warrensville, now Shaker Heights, April 9, 1850, and has resided all her life in this city, living for over forty years in her present home, which is located in Newburg.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Corlett were born ten children: Ida B., who was born September 25, 1870, and died April 17, 1900; Catherine J., who was born August 5, 1872, and is the wife of George Emmke, a machinist of Newburg; William W., a farmer of Newburg, who was born September 29, 1874, and married Miss Ber- tha Hoppea; Mabel A., who was born December 15, 1878, and is the widow of John Kupps; Frank N., who was born April 14, 1881, and died April 9, 1884; Ora E., who was born September 23, 1883 ; Charles E., who was born November 27, 1885, and is a carpenter by trade; Martha R., born October 18, 1887; Jessie A., who was born June 24, 1890, and is the wife of William Kenworthy; and Minerva, born September 5, 1893.
In his political views Mr. Corlett was a stalwart democrat and was recognized as one of the local leaders of the party. He filled various offices, serving as coun- cilman, school director and road supervisor of Newburg, his official service cov- ering many years. He was at all times recognized as one of the prominent men of the locality and his influence was always on the side of right, progress, re- form and improvement. He attended the Methodist church and was esteemed by all who knew him for his many sterling traits of heart and mind.
ALEXANDER M. JOHNSON.
The history of Cleveland would be considered incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make definite mention of Lakewood's honored and valued citizen, Alexander M. Johnson, the oldest native son of this city and a most promi- nent representative of the pioneer days. His father, Jonathan Johnson, came to Cleveland in 1814 and his residence occupied the first lot east of the one on which the opera house on Euclid avenue now stands. He was a lake captain, closely connected with the early navigation interests. In 1821 he married Minerva Allen, a native of Black Rock, New York, now a part of Buffalo. She was a lady noted for her musical talent and vocal accomplishments, sharing the honors in that line in the Western Reserve with only one other. At the time of her marriage the hus- band took up his abode in the family home on Euclid avenue. His death occurred in 1856 and Mrs. Johnson, long surviving, passed away in 1871.
It was in that home that Alexander M. Johnson was born February 19, 1823, and in the intervening years he has seen the city grow from a hamlet of three hundred and fifty inhabitants to one of the leading metropolitan centers of tlie country, classed with the ten largest American cities. He remembers well the old block courthouse and various events of the early days made deep impress in liis mind. He relates the circumstance of Lorenzo Dow delivering a sermon from a stump at the foot of Water street in the '30s. Mr. Johnson says his father broughit the first baby carriage to Cleveland, making the purchase at Buffalo when on
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one of his lake trips. The occasion of the investment was the birth of twins in 1834. The boy afterward became well known as Captain Henry Johnson, while the girl, Helen Jane, became the wife of Joseph Bezneer. Levi Johnson, an uncle of Alexander M. Johnson, came to Cleveland in 1809. He, too, was a captain on the Lakes and a pioneer shipbuilder, who became a very prominent and wealthy citizen of Cleveland. He made investment in realty here and was the builder of the Johnson block and the Marine block. He also built lighthouses at different ports on Lake Erie and died in 1871 at an advanced age. Sufficient has been said to indicate that the Johnsons were among the prominent and honored pioneer families of Cleveland, closely connected with the early development and substantial improvement of this city.
Alexander M. Johnson pursued his education in the district schools. In 1835 the father moved his family to Ashtabula and he soon afterward began his busi- ness career by borrowing money from his mother and engaging in the grocery business at the Harbor when eighteen years of age. He continued to conduct a store successfully for several years, after which he sold out and turned his atten- tion to the lumber business in Michigan, with which he was connected for six years. On his return to Cleveland in 1874 he engaged in gardening in Lakewood, a business which he pursued profitably until 1900, when he retired.
On the 16th of November, 1848, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Sarah E. Childs, of Ashtabula, Ohio, who died in Lakewood in 1892. They were the par- ents of five children, namely : Sarah Minerva, the deceased wife of Frank Weth- erell, of Ashtabula, her death occurring in 1897; Alfred A., making his home on a ranch in Modesto, California ; James William, with whom the father resides, who has for several years been street commissioner of Lakewood; Lawrence, a resident of San Antonio, Texas; and Walter B., who died in 1882 at the age of twenty years.
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Early Settlers Association of Cuyahoga county and assisted Robert Cowan, aged ninety-six years, and Newell Cozad at the one hundred and twelfth annual flag-raising in the public square in 1908, and Robert Cowan and J. M. Burgess at the one hundred and thirteenth annual flag- raising in the succeeding year. He can relate many interesting incidents of the pioneer times and his opinions are largely accepted as authority upon matters of local history.
V. MUMFORD MOORE.
V. Mumford Moore, secretary and general manager of the Chisholm & Moore Manufacturing Company, was born at Newtown, Long Island, New York, September 12, 1851. Newtown is now a part of greater New York but the old homestead in which Mr. Moore was born still stands in a splendid state of preservation, although over two hundred years old. His father, Samuel H. Moore, was born in New York city in 1822. Early in life he tried farming on Long Island, but this not proving congenial, he returned to the city and en- gaged in the wholesale produce business, in which he remained for many years. He married Elizabeth Ann Sammis, of New York city, and to them were born two sons and five daughters.
V. Mumford Moore received his early education in the Fairchilds Insti- tute at Flushing, Long Island, and later took a course in the Polytechnique Institute in Brooklyn, graduating with the class of 1867. His father's store presented a business opening for the young man and in his seven years' asso- ciation with the concern he gained a wide and valuable commercial experience. When the family removed west Mr. Moore went with them and resided for about one year in Madison, Wisconsin. They then concluded to go to Chicago and there he and his father and brother organized the firm of S. H. & E. Y.
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V. MUMFORD MOORE
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Moore, dealers in wholesale hardware and iron. This was subsequently merged into the Moore Manufacturing Company, with the subject of the sketch as secretary and treasurer. The company continued in successful oper- ation in Chicago fer about fifteen years. In 1888, however, they removed to Milwaukee, where under the name of the Moore Manufacturing & Foundry Company it held a secure place among the industrial concerns of the city for nine years.
In 1897 those at the head of the Moore Manufacturing Company became of the opinion that Cleveland afforded superior advantages for the manufac- turing of their specialties and with this conviction they came to the city and enrolled themselves among her large enterprises. They continued for one year under the old name and then reorganized as the Chisholm & Moore Manufac- turing Company, with Mr. Moore as secretary and general manager. The company manufacture chain hoists, trolleys and other specialties, many of which are the inventions of the Moores. Also among their output are malle- able iron castings and kindred commodities. The plant, which is an extensive one, is situated at Lakeside avenue, northeast, between Forty-ninth and Fifty- third streets.
Mr. Moore, in 1879, was united in marriage to Miss Ida Louise Aldridge, who died in 1893. Three daughters were born to them. The eldest, Hellene A., died at the age of two and a half years; Elizabeth L. married J. E. Saw- hill and now resides in Oregon; and Louise M. resides in Cleveland with her father.
Mr. Moore is a well known club man, holding membership in a number of the Forest city's important organizations, both social and athletic, the most of these being a pleasant combination of the two. They include the Colonial Club, the Mayfield Country Club, the Cleveland Athletic Club, the Cleveland Automobile Club, the Cleveland Aero Club, and the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Moore is also a member of the American Iron and Steel In- stitute and the Merchants Marine League. He was formerly an enthusiastic bicyclist but since that sport became passe he extracts his greatest comfort and recreation from his automobile. He is, however, very catholic in his ath- letic tastes and warmly advocates all out-of-door games and amusements. Politically he gives his adherence to the republican party, and though reared an Episcopalian, is now a member of the Second Presbyterian church. Mr. Moore displays many of the traits of the ideal citizen, combining with splendid executive ability and business acumen, social and fraternal proclivities and a public-spirited desire to do all in his power to further the interests of the whole social body.
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