A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III, Part 24

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1106

USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 24

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From the iniquitous proceedings in the case and the manner in which it was prosecuted and the excitement it produced, the community was led to reflect upon the evils of the system and the oppression of the law, and from that day until the slave girl Lucy was sent back into Virginia in 1862 (to appease, it was said, the

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wrath of the rebels), not a negro was sent back into slavery from Cleveland or Cuyahoga county.

Mr. Bolton left the democratic party in 1848, or, as he claimed, it left him when it adopted its national platform of that year. He then joined the freesoil party, was a delegate to the Buffalo convention and one of its secretaries. In February, 1856, he assisted in organizing the republican party at the Pittsburg convention and in the summer of the same year was a delegate from his congres- sional district in the Philadelphia convention, which nominated Fremont and Dayton.

When Judge Bolton was admitted to the bar the court of common pleas, under the old constitution, consisted of four members, a president judge and three asso- ciates, elected by the legislature ; and the supreme court of the state consisted of four judges, also chosen by the legislature. A session of the supreme court was held by two of its members once a year in each county, and three sessions a year were held by the court of common pleas in Cuyahoga and adjoining counties. In 1851, by adoption of the new constitution, the judges were elected by the people for a term of five years. Hon. Samuel Starkweather was the first judge elected under the new system and in 1856 Thomas Bolton was chosen his successor. In 1861 Judge Bolton was unanimously renominated and elected without opposition, and on the expiration of his second term, in 1866, he retired not only from the bench but also from the bar. He had come to the bar of Cleveland before the city was incorporated and entered upon practice with the force and earnestness which were the ruling elements of his nature. He was a strong man among eminently able fellow practitioners and his promptness and punctuality in the courts were proverbial. If he granted indulgences, he never asked for any. He was less given to books than his partner, Moses Kelly, who was the student and chancery member of the firm, but in the ordinary departments of the common law and in criminal practice Judge Bolton was most at home. He prepared his cases with the most thorough premeditation of the line of his own evidence and of all the opposing evidence that could possibly be anticipated. His arguments, while not studied as to finish, were strong, intensely practical and to the point. On the bench he was hardy and vigorous in his perceptions and understandings, thoroughly versed and ready in the law of pleadings and evidence. His ten years' service as judge was honorable to himself and valuable to the public. In all the phases of his pro- fessional career and private life he was thoroughly upright. He retired with an ample fortune amassed through foresight and business energy and his remaining years were devoted to his family and home, of which he was very fond.

Judge Bolton first married Elizabeth L. Cone and after her death wedded Emeline Russell, who survives, as do his two sons : Charles C., of Cleveland, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; and James H., who is clerk of the United States district court at Sioux City, Iowa. Judge Bolton's death occurred February 1, 1871.

WILLIAM FERNLEY BONNELL.

William Fernley Bonnell, well and favorably known in industrial, financial and investment security circles in Cleveland, is a native of Bradford, Yorkshire, England, born November 16, 1862. His father, Joseph Fernley Bonnell, a man- ufacturer of harness, died in England in 1876, while his mother, who previous to her marriage was Elizabeth Duffill, died in that country in 1896.

William Fernley Bonnell pursued his education in private schools to the age of fifteen years, when he entered the English navy, spending three years as a midshipman. On the expiration of that period, in 1880, he concluded to try his fortunes in America. Locating in Chicago, he at once became identified with the iron business and remained there until 1882. This was the beginning of an identification that continued for more than a quarter of a century, during

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which time Mr. Bonnell became one of the well known men of the country in the iron and steel trade. In 1882 he located at Youngstown, Ohio, where he subsequently became prominently identified with that line of industry. In 1890 he was made treasurer of the Hubbard Iron Company and in 1893 was elected treasurer of the Mahoning Valley Iron Company. He became district sales agent of the Republic Iron & Steel Company in 1899 and that year removed to Cleveland.

In 1901 Mr. Bonnell became a member and active business manager of the firm of Otis, Bonnell & Company of Cleveland, conducting an iron and steel commission business. Each change marked a forward step in his business career, bringing him into important relations with the iron and steel trade. In May, 1909, he became manager of the Cleveland branch of the firm of W. C. Langley & Company, brokers of New York. Mr. Bonnell's well known business ability, his hosts of friends and the high standing of the firm have been factors in quickly building up one of the leading businesses of the city, with a very high class clientele. Moreover, he has varied and extensive interests, being first vice president of the National Car Wheel Company and a director of the F. B. Stearns Company. His activity and enterprise constitute a dynamic force in the successful management of various concerns which are valuable factors in com- mercial and industrial circles.

On the 30th of June, 1904, Mr. Bonnell was married in Rochester, Penn- sylvania, to Miss Mabel M. Fry, a daughter of H. C. Fry of that city and a graduate of Vassar College. Their son is William F., Jr., four years of age. Mr. Bonnell's residence is at No. 1972 Ford Drive. There a spirit of cordial hospitality always greets his many friends. Mr. Bonnell believes that the best interests of the country are conserved through the adoption of republican prin- ciples and therefore gives to the party his loyal support at the polls. Otherwise he is not active in politics but movements for municipal progress receive his en- dorsement and support. He is connected with the Builders Exchange, while in more specifically social lines his membership relations extend to the Union, Roadside, Country, Euclid, Tavern, Hermit, Cleveland Automobile, Cleveland Athletic and Gentlemen's Driving Clubs of this city, the Youngstown Club, the Mahoning Golf Club and the Royen Club. He is now the president of the Cleve- land Automobile Club.

WILLIAM B. MAXSON.

William B. Maxson, well known in insurance circles as senior partner of the firm of Maxson & Perdue, at the outset of his business career recognized the truth of the epigrammatical expression by the old Greek sage, Epicharmus : "Earn thy reward : the gods give naught to sloth." Putting forth earnest effort, therefore, in the course of his business career, Mr. Maxson has made steady progress and is now conducting an extensive insurance business. He was born in Andover, New York, March 23, 1865, a son of F. S. and Almira (Clark) Maxson. The father, also a native of Andover, was born in 1835, came to Cleveland in 1872 and is now associated with his son William, being still active in business at the age of seventy-four years. His wife died in 1901.

Brought to Cleveland at the age of seven years, William B. Maxson acquired his education in the public schools here and in 1885 entered the Mercantile Insurance Company as a clerk, there remaining until 1890, during which time he obtained considerable experience in insurance lines. In that year, associated with Thomas E. Gill and Horace Foote, he formed the firm of Gill, Foote & Maxson, which firm became the successors of the Mercantile Insurance Com- pany. In 1900 the name was changed to William B. Maxson & Company and on the Ist of January, 1907, became Maxson & Perdue, Robert H. Perdue hav-

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ing entered the firm in 1900. They carried a general line of insurance, repre- senting a number of the old, reliable companies and their annual volume of business is indicated by a large figure. Mr. Maxson is also president of the Cleveland Fire Insurance Exchange and president of the Fire Insurance Clear- ing Association. Directing his energies into other fields of activity, he has also become president of the Shaker Parkway Land Company, president of the Cov- entry Road Land Company, president of the Ohio Desk & Chair Company, vice president of the Union Elevator Company and director of the Thomas H. Geer Company. He is likewise associated financially with various other business organizations and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. His activity has been so varied and his interests so extensive as to make his labors of particular benefit to the upbuilding of the city along lines of commercial, industrial and financial progress.

Mr. Maxson is also well known as a director of the Cleveland Athletic Club and a member of the Union, Roadside, Euclid and Hermits clubs. He has always been active in local military organizations, joining the Fifth Ohio Regiment as lieutenant of Company B. in 1883. In 1886 he joined the First Cleveland Troop, serving through the regular term of enlistment and in 1889 became a member of the Gatling Gun Battery, serving as adjutant. In 1898 he was elected a lieu- tenant of the Naval Reserves and afterward became captain of Company I, of the Tenth Ohio Volunteers. In politics he is a republican but is not an active worker in party ranks. He belongs to the Euclid Avenue Baptist church and is a lover of all outdoor sports, particularly fishing, baseball and golf.

Mr. Maxson was married in Cleveland, February 6, 1896, to Miss Gertrude Perdue, theirs being the first wedding celebrated in the Calvary Presbyterian church. Mrs. Maxson is a daughter of Eugene H. Perdue, formerly proprietor of the Cleveland Leader, and by this marriage there is one son, Clark P. Maxso11, ten years of age.

ADAM J. FAWCETT.

Adam J. Fawcett, one of the progressive young business men of Cleveland, whose name has been connected with automobile interests for some time and who is now actively and successfully engaged in the confectionery business in connection with The Bailey Company, was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1878. He pursued his education in the schools of his native city until his graduation from the high school, when he entered business life as a clerk in the employ of J. Boyd, a lumber contractor operating in the woods of Canada. He was thus engaged for a year, after which he came to Cleveland, and in the fall of 1896 entered the employ of the Cleveland Sawmill Company, with which he remained until 1898, when the Spanish-American war was inaugurated. Although not a native-born citizen of the United States, Mr. Fawcett's interest was keenly aroused in the conditons which brought on the war and, enlisting in the navy, he served for two years. He left Cleveland in May, 1898, to join the Onondaga revenue cutter as an ordinary seaman. Before reaching Boston, however, he was promoted to quartermaster of the third class. Arriving at Norfolk, Virginia, his boat was put into the coast service, cruising between Norfolk and Eastport, Maine, and during this period he was promoted to the rank of quartermaster of the first class.

Leaving the service in the fall of 1900, Mr. Fawcett returned to Cleveland and accepted his old position with the Cleveland Sawmill Company, and through the influence of his friend L. D. Holden, who was president of this company, he became connected with the Hollenden Hotel. After serving as night clerk for about six months he was made auditor of the hotel company and remained in the position for four years. On the 15th of March. 1903, he became associated with his father-in-law, M. F. Jewell, in the confectionery business on Erie street and they

A. J. FAWCETT

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also secured the concession in their line with the Bailey Company's store, the soda fountain business in that connection being the largest in Cleveland. In addition Mr. Fawcett owned and operated the Tabernacle garage from 1907 until the property was sold to the Brothehood of Locomotive Engineers for their head- quarters. When he gave up his garage business Mr. Fawcett became agent for the Oakland car, establishing business under the name of The Avenue Motor Car Company, and was also agent for the Pope-Hartford people, but when this agency was taken over by the General Motors Company in January, 1910, Mr. Fawcett retired from the automobile business and now devotes his entire energies to the conduct of his confectionery and soda business, which is the most extensive in the city.

On the 24th of April, 1902, occurred the marriage of Mr. Fawcett and Miss Daisy Jewell, a daughter of M. F. Jewell, and they have three children : Gertrude and Jean, twins, six years of age; and Millard, aged two years. Mr. Fawcett is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He belongs to the Cleveland Athletic and to the Cleveland Automobile Clubs, and is exceedingly popular in both. He is also a prominent representative of Masonry, holding membership in Iris Lodge No. 229, F. & A. M .; Webb Chapter, R. A. M .; Oriental Commandery, K. T., and Lake Erie Consistory. S P. R. S., thirty-second degree Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He is very fond of outdoor sports and he and his wife each year go to northern Canada deer hunting. Mrs. Fawcett is also an ardent enthusiast and has brought down several fine deer. Mr. Fawcett has one of the finest collections of modern rifles and guns of all descriptions in Cleveland and is a true sportsman, thoroughly at home in the forests, with knowledge of woodcraft such as few possess. A varied and interesting life has been that of Mr. Fawcett and in the short time he has been in business he has achieved an enviable prominence, estab- lishing a reputation as a most alert, energetic and progressive man, well deserving the confidence of those with whom he is associated.

HENRY WICK CORNING.

Henry Wick Corning, capable and resourceful, manifesting a ready and in- telligent adoption of expedients in the conduct of extensive business interests as the secretary and treasurer of the Standard Sewing Machine Company, was born in Cleveland, January 13, 1869. The ancestral history is one of close con- nection with American interests in the direct line since the early colonization of the new world. Samuel Corning, the first representative of the family in this country, arrived in 1637, settling at Beverly, Massachusetts. The line is traced down through his sons, Samuel, John, Benjamin, John, and Warren Corning. The last named removed from Acworth, New Hampshire, to Mentor, Ohio, in 1810 and became the founder of the family in this state. He erected the first frame dwelling in Mentor township. His son, Solon Corning, wedded Almira Elizabeth Holmes, a daughter of Orrin Holmes, one of the early settlers of Willoughby, Ohio. Her mother was Mary Gardner Card, whose father was one of the first residents of the Western Reserve, coming to this state from Rhode Island.

Warren Holmes Corning, the father of Henry Corning, was born September 18, 1841, and became senior member of the firm of Corning & Company, of Peoria, Illinois, while later he was prominently identified with the banking and financial interests of Cleveland. He wedded Mary Helen Wick, a daughter of Henry and Mary Sophia (Hine) Wick, extended mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume.

Henry W. Corning, after attending the public schools of Cleveland, continued his education in St. Paul's School, of Concord, New Hampshire, and in Har- vard University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of

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Arts with the class of 1891. Returning home after his graduation, he became his father's assistant in the management of his various private interests and in 1895 became connected with the Standard Sewing Machine Company, of which he was elected treasurer, while later the duties of the dual position of secretary and treasurer were entrusted to him. The interests of the company have been substantially promoted through his efforts, enterprise and sound judgment. He is a director of the First National Bank, of the Guardian Trust & Savings Bank and the Adams & Bagnall Electric Company, in which concerns his voice is an influencing factor, for he is recognized as a man of strong business sense and keen discernment.

On the 2d of November, 1897, Mr. Corning was united in marriage to Miss Edith Warden, a daughter of William G. and Sadie (Bushnell) Warden, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There are two children of this marriage, Mary and Warren Holmes. Mr. Corning's military experience embraces membership with Troop A of the Ohio National Guard, in which command he has served as sec- ond and first lieutenant. He also served as captain of Troop A of the First Ohio Cavalry during the Spanish-American war, his course in this connection setting at naught the contention of many that young men of means of the present day are entirely self-centered and have little concern with the events which shape the history of the country. His political allegiance is given to the republican party where national issues are involved, and at local elections he is identified with the independent movement which is seeking to elect men of trustworthiness and good business ability, without regard to political affiliations, to administer the business affairs of the city. Neither are the social interests of life neglected by Mr. Corning, who is a popular and valued member of the Cleveland Athletic, Union, Roadside, Country, Tavern and Mayfield Country Clubs, of Cleveland, and the Knickerbocker Club, of New York. His leisure hours are regaled with the delights of golf, tennis and motoring, and the success which is his is the legit- imate result of his well-directed business activity, which enables him to main- tain an attractive home at 5219 Prospect avenue and a country place at Mentor, Ohio.

JOHN MILTON DOWNEY.

John Milton Downey, a practicing attorney of Cleveland, was born in Har- risonville, Ohio, May 29, 1860. In the paternal line he comes of Irish ancestry, his grandfather, William Downey, having been born in County Down, near Bel- fast. About 1825 he came to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of farming. His son, Nathaniel Downey, was born in the vicinity of Freedom, Pennsylvania, in December, 1833, and was a gunsmith by trade. He came to Ohio about 1858 and in 1861 removed to Jack- son, where he has since resided. He is now living retired. In 1863 he responded to the president's call for aid and enlisted as a member of the First Ohio Heavy Artillery. becoming first lieutenant. He served until the end of the war and was with Sheridan in the Cedar Creek campaign and witnessed the famous ride of that general at Winchester, when, covering twenty miles in an almost incredible time, he turned the tide of war and saved the day. During the winter of 1863-4 Nathaniel Downey was on garrison duty at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and was afterward with Grant in the Wilderness campaign. He married Sidney Stephen- son, who was born in Jackson county, Ohio, in December, 1833, and died in the city of Jackson, November 3, 1905. Her father, John Stephenson, was born in Virginia in 1796, and died in 1860. He was a farmer by occupation and while looking after his sheep one night he fell over the edge of a cliff and was crippled. He therefore had to give up farming and removed to Jackson, after which he was elected probate judge of Jackson county and later was reelected. He held successively thereafter every county office except county coroner and prosecuting

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attorney, acting at different times as sheriff, clerk of the courts, treasurer and county recorder. He died while in the latter office, after entering upon his second term. He was a whig in his political views and was recognized as one of the leaders of the party in his district. The Stephenson family comes of Scotch ancestry and William Stephenson, the great-grandfather of John M. Downey, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His son, John Stephenson, mentioned above, was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife was a daughter of John For- ney, who was born in Maine, and, coming to Ohio, cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of the southern part of the state. He made his home in Gallia county, took part in the Indian fights of the early days and assisted in developing the district in which he lived.

John Milton Downey pursued his early education in the common schools and was graduated from the high school at Jackson in the class of 1880. He then studied law in the office of Moore & Atkinson at Jackson, and was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School as LL. B. in 1882 and was admitted to the bar. He at once began practice in Jackson and was there elected and served for one term as city solicitor. He continued in practice there until 1885, when he pur- chased an interest in the Jackson Journal and became its editor, there remaining until January 1, 1888, when he removed to Cincinnati and became a reporter on the Cincinnati Post. After nine months he went to the Cincinnati Times-Star, of which Charles P. Taft was then, as now, proprietor. Three months later, on the recommendation of Mr. Taft, he accepted a position as editor of the Ham- ilton Daily News, published at Hamliton, Ohio, and continued in the editorial chair for seven years. In 1896, however, he resigned to become staff correspon- dent of the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, with which he continued from the Ist of January until the Ist of July, 1896. The paper then consolidated with the Cincinnati Tribune and Mr. Downey removed to Canton, becoming staff cor- respondent with the Scripps-McRae League in the campaign of 1896. After the November election he went to New York and was staff correspondent on the New York Press for a few months but his wife did not like the east and they returned to Ohio, settling in Cleveland. Soon afterward Mr. Downey was ap- pointed assistant chief clerk of the waterworks department and so continued un- til the spring of 1899, when he resigned and entered upon the practice of law, in which he still continues, giving his attention to general practice.

On the 29th of May, 1885, Mr. Downey was married to Miss Tillie Hadway, a daughter of Porter and Mary Ann (Johnson) Hadway. Her father was judge of the court of common pleas in Jackson county, Ohio, being elected in 1867 and serving for a second term. He retired in 1877 and died in 1879, at the age of fifty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Downey have one son, Ivan Ellsworth, who was born February 9, 1887, and was graduated from the Shaw high school in 1909. The family residence is maintained in East Cleveland, a suburb of the city. Mr. Downey is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, a stal- wart republican in politics and a member of the Epworth Memorial church. His life has been one of intelligently directed activity, whether in journalistic circles or in the field of law practice, and he is now accorded a large clientage which attests his ability in the work of the courts.

CAPTAIN GEORGE STONE.

Cleveland owes her growth and prosperity primarily to the fact of her ad- vantageous situation on the shores of the lake and later to the fact that the men who settled here in early days possessed foresight and prescience sufficient to 11ndlerstand the value of the situation and used it to promote the trade con- ditions of the growing western city. Among this number was Captain George Stone, a conspicuous figure in the early lake navigation. He was born at Nor-

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mandale, in County Norfolk, Canada, March 17, 1823. His father, John Stone, on leaving Canada, settled at Port Huron, Michigan, where for some time he was connected with vessel interests and thus closely associated with navigation on the lakes. His wife bore the maiden name of Leah Manuel.

Captain Stone came to Ohio from Canada when seventeen years of age, mak- ing location at that time in Vermilion. He first shipped as a sailor on the lakes in 1844 and owned his first boat when twenty-five years of age. About 1848 he became master of the Napoleon, which he sailed for two seasons and the next year he sailed with the Tom Corwin. During the succeeding five years he was master of the New Haven, at that time one of the largest vessels on the lake, with a capacity of seven thousand bushels of wheat. In 1857 Captain Stone became associated with Captain Alva Bradley and was superintendent of all the Bradley boats, became financially interested in the Bradley Transportation Company and acted as general manager for some time. In fact the business and friendly relations between Captain Stone and Captain Bradley existed until the death of the latter in 1885, when Captain Stone was appointed one of the execu- tors of the Bradley estate. The vessels which Captain Stone commanded for the Bradley Transportation Company included the schooners Wagstaff, Escanaba, Fayette Brown and Alva Bradley and the steamers J. S. Fay, E. B. Hale and Henry Chrisholm. He continued in active connection with the lake navigation until 1880, when he retired and from that time until his death gave his attention to the supervision of his own business interests.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III, Part 24

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