A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III, Part 32

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 32

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Again the Leader says, editorially: "Judge Vickery has won golden opinion by his work on the bench, which he has adorned less than a year. His popu- larity has increased greatly, and he has earned all the credit which the public has given him. He has been active, earnest, businesslike and efficient. His courtroom has been the scene of many stinging rebukes to unworthy members of the bar. Petty chicanery has often been swept away there to make way for quick justice."

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While Judge Vickery is a republican in politics, he is not a partisan and be- lieves in the elimination of politics from the courts, and the court from politics.

Besides being an able lawyer, a teacher and jurist, Judge Vickery is a scholar in rather a marked sense. He is a bibliophile of bibliophiles and has one of the best libraries in the city of Cleveland. He is a close student of Shakespeare, and the Elizabethian and restoration drama, and has probably the best private library on Shakespeare and Shakespearana in America. He is known all over the United States as a Shakespearean student, being president of the New York Shakespeare Society, the largest organization of that kind in America. He is a member of the Rowfant Club, of Cleveland, and has been its president; also a member of the Bibliophile Society of Boston, Massachusetts; and of the Car- teret Book Club, of Newark, New Jersey. He is president of the Rowfant Bindery Company, which company binds books as artistically and beautifully as anywhere in the world. Judge Vickery loves books and has a fireproof library where he keeps his many rare treasures. He loves beautiful books beautifully bound, and he has many rare examples of finely bound books both ancient and modern. He is constantly called upon to lecture upon his favorite themes, and his lectures have the rare charm of coming from one full of the subject which he loves.

Judge Vickery has written and published several books, notably "Caliban," translated from the French by the late Mrs. Vickery, with introduction written by him; "A Search After a First Folio," published by the Rowfant Club; "Oscar Wilde, a Sketch," besides having written the introduction to the Bankside Res- toration Series, issued by the New York Shakespeare Society, of which series he was one of the joint editors with Dr. Appleton Morgan, of New York. Judge Vickery has perhaps the best collection of books and works of Oscar Wilde of any one in the world and has made a close study of that erratic genius.

Judge Vickery is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias, a member of the Tippecanoe Club and of the Chamber of Commerce Club. He has been three times mar- ried and has three children by his first wife: Lucile H., a graduate of the Wom- en's College of Western Reserve University, now a teacher in the Cleveland schools; Melville, a junior in Case School of Applied Science; and Howard L., who is at Annapolis preparing to enter Annapolis Naval Academy. Their mother; Anna L. Snyder, who had been a high school teacher, died when How- ard was a babe. Later Judge Vickery married Eleanor R. Grant, of Boston, Massachusetts, a lady of rare literary talent and much culture, who died in 1902. In 1904 he married Mrs. Rosalie Griggs Mayberry, of Cleveland, and they now live in a modest quiet home at 1640 East Eighty-fourth street, where Judge Vickery can usually be found, surrounded by his books and works of art, a hard working, painstaking, able judge, giving thoughtful attention to his judi- cial duties.

EMMETT ELLSWORTH HART.

The technical training and practical experience demanded for an important service in connection with the operation of railway interests constitute features in the life of Emmett Ellsworth Hart, who is now chief engineer of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, with headquarters at Cleveland. He was born in Little Valley, New York, September 18, 1861, and comes of New England ancestry, the early representatives of the name in America-people of English birth-having settled in New England soon after the work of colonization was begun there. His grandfather, Amasa Hart, was a native of Vermont and the father, Austin Hart, was born in the Green Mountain state on the IIth of April, 1828. When ten years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to the state of New York and was there reared to manhood on his father's farm. He married Dorleski Manley, a daughter of John and Abigail (Wilson) Manley.

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In his youthful days E. E. Hart pursued a public school education and also attended the preparatory school at Franklinville, New York. Later he pursued his studies in Tenbroeck Academy and, having determined upon a field of action which he believed would offer him a congenial and profitable occupation, he en- tered the engineering school of Cornell University in 1883 and after the full four years' course was graduated with the class of 1887, at which time the Civil Engineer degree was conferred upon him. After leaving college he took a posi- tion as draftsman with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway lines west of the Missouri river and was promoted to assistant engineer and division engineer successively, remaining with that system until 1895. His daily experience broad- ened his powers and capabilities and moreover the publications bearing upon his profession received considerable of his attention, so that investigation and expe- rience were continually adding to his skill. His next service covered two years with the United States deep waterways commission, having to do with the base line work from Oswego to Herkimer, New York.

Mr. Hart has been a resident of Cleveland since July, 1899, when he came to this city to accept the position of division engineer of the Nickel Plate Railroad and in November of the same year he was appointed to the office of engineer of the entire system. He has had much to do with the extensive physical improve- ment of the system and, realizing that the success of the road depends upon the efficiency of its service, he is continually seeking out ways for its betterment. He enjoys social relations with representatives of the profession through his mem- bership in the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Associa- tion and with the Cleveland Society of Engineers.

Mr. Hart was married in May, 1891, to Miss Rachel Joy, a daughter of Chris- topher and Mary (Wilson) Sprague, of Little Valley, New York. Their home at No. 2101 Adelbert Road is attractive with the presence of six children : Austin, Bernice, Joy, Mary, Ellsworth and Dorothy.

Mr. Hart is an independent republican, regarding the welfare of the country as paramount to all party affiliation. Hunting and fishing constitute his chief recreations in the line of outdoor sports, while a complete library manifests his fondness for literature and indicates a chief source of pleasure to himself and family at their own fireside.

CAPTAIN DANIEL HENDERSON.

Captain Daniel Henderson, whose life as a representative of shipping interests has brought him wide acquaintance, is now filling the position of harbor master at Cleveland. He was born in Oswego, New York, in 1861, and is a self-made man in the best sense of that oft misused term. He was a pupil in the public schools until fifteen years of age, and soon afterward began sailing on the lakes. In 1877 he arrived in Cleveland and entered the service of the Robert Green- laugh Tug Company. One season served to prove his worth and Mr. Hender- son in 1880, then a young man of nineteen years, was given charge of one of the company's tugs. He remained in that position for ten years, after which he was made captain of one of the vessels owned by John Corrigan. He served in that capacity until 1898, when Mr. Corrigan commissioned him to have charge of the building of the steam freighter, "Alvah S. Chisholm." But before it was com- pleted the vessel was sold to the Kelly Island Lime & Transport Company, and Mr. Henderson was made captain of that vessel, so continuing until he re- signed to accept the position of harbor master in January, 1910. He thus rounded out twenty years as a lake captain and over thirty years' service in connection with marine interests. His long experience and the knowledge gained thereof well qualified him for his new duties and he was chosen to the position from many applicants.

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In 1880 Captain Henderson was married to Miss Lena Anthoney, of Cleveland, and they have become parents of six children. William, the eldest, now identified with the White Sewing Machine Company, wedded Mary McGraw of this city, and they have one son, Daniel J., named for his grandfather. Albert died at the age of four years. Ruby, a graduate of the West high school, is now the wife of William Alpers, who is manager of the paint department of the Cleveland Window Glass & Door Company. Grace, fourteen years of age, is a pupil in the West high school. Harry and Cloide are attending the Kentucky street school.

The family are members of the Presbyterian church. Captain Henderson is extremely domestic, finding his greatest enjoyment in the companionship of the members of his own family. He is a member of Phoenix Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Greater Cleveland Camp of the Woodmen of the World. He has been a life- long republican, stanch in his support of the party, but has never desired nor held office until called to his present position. He has a wide acquaintance among those who have been brought into association with shipping interests and his ability for the duties of his present position is recognized by all who know aught of his history.

COLONEL WILLIAM EDWARDS.

Colonel Wlliam Edwards, who in many ways left the impress of his individ- uality upon Cleveland and her substantial progress, came of ancestry distinctively American in both the lineal and collateral lines. He was himself a native of New England, where both his paternal and maternal ancestors had lived in early colo- nial days. His line of descent was traced back directly to Alexander Edwards, who came from Wales and was one of the seventy original proprietors of Spring- field, Massachusetts, in 1640, and there resided until his death a half century later. 'Among his desecndants was the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, probably the most noted divine in New England in his day. In the maternal line Colonel Edwards is de- scended from the Burts, Lombards and other prominent families. Henry Burt, the first representative of the family in America, was an intimate friend and busi- ness associate of Colonel John Pynchon, and assisted later in his negotiations for the purchase of Northampton from the Indians in 1653. His death occurred ten years later. His descendants became very numerous and many are now found in or near Long Meadow, Massachusetts, constituting one of the leading and honored families of that section.

The paternal grandparents of Colonel Edwards were Captain Oliver and Rachel (Parsons) Edwards. Their son, Dr. Elisha Edwards, was born in Ches- terfield, Massachusetts, in 1795, and in early life went to Northampton to acquaint himself with the drug trade. Later he made his way to Springfield, where he soon established a drug store, which he conducted successfully until his death in 1840. He was a man of many sterling traits of character, who exerted his aid and influence for the material and moral progress of the community, his labors being effective forces for good in the district in which he made his home. He married Eunice Lombard, a daughter of Daniel and Sylvia (Burt) Lombard, and, surviving her husband for many years, she passed away in 1875. Their family numbered four sons and five daughters, including General Oliver Edwards, who died in Warsaw, Illinois, in 1905. The brevet rank of major general of volunteers was conferred upon him in April, 1865, for conspicuous gallantry at the battle of Sailor's Creek, Virginia. Three members of the family are now living, namely : Mrs. C. E. Warner, who resides at the old homestead in Springfield, Massachu- setts ; Mrs. C. H. Hurd, of Dorchester, Massachusetts ; and Mrs. Oscar A. Childs, of Cleveland.

Colonel William Edwards, known and honored as one of the most prominent and valued citizens of Cleveland for many years, was born in Springfield, Massa-

WILLIAM EDWARDS

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chusetts, June 6, 1831. His early education was acquired in a classical school presided over by a Mr. Eaton, in his native city, and when fifteen years of age he made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in a mercantile establishment, where he remained until 1852, during which time he gained broad experience concerning the methods of the business world.

On severing his connection with his first employer he made his way westward to Cleveland, which was entering upon a new era of development consequent upon the building of the railroads. Colonel Edwards and many other eastern men were induced to found homes in the growing city on the lake. Their new England foresight and keen perception enabled them to see and value the possibilities and probabilities of growth and of future importance and enterprise. Colonel Ed- wards possessed an alert mind and keen perceptive faculties, noted the signs of the times, saw and recognized the opportunities for business activity and was well equipped for the successful conduct of important interests at the time of his ar- rival in Cleveland. His first connection with the commercial interests of the city was as an employe in the wholesale grocery house of W. J. Gordon, which at that time was the largest wholesale grocery establishment in the west. The young man proved himself efficient, capable and progressive, and after a year spent with Mr. Gordon he entered into partnership with Marcus A. Treat, under the firm name of Treat & Edwards, for the conduct of a jobbing grocery business, their store being located on Canal street. Colonel Edwards bent every energy toward the development and extension of the trade and his persistency of purpose, utili- zation of opportunity, and reliable business methods were important factors in the establishment of a large trade. After a little more than three years he pur- chased the interest of his partner and admitted Hiram Iddings, of Trumbull county, to an interest in the business. Soon after the outbreak of the civil war the yearly sales of the house aggregated nearly a quarter million dollars, and as the rapid growth of the business demanded the aid of others in an executive capacity, Hon. Amos Townsend was admitted to the firm in 1862 under the style of Edwards, Iddings & Company. When Mr. Iddings died a year later, J. Burton Parsons became a partner on the Ist of January, 1864. The firm name was then changed to Edwards, Townsend & Company and so continued until December, 1886, when Mr. Parsons withdrew and the name of William Edwards & Company was assumed, which was the style of the house at the time of Colonel Edwards' death, in September, 1898. On the Ist of January, 1906, the business was reor- ganized under the name of the William Edwards Company, with J. W. Roof as president ; George A. Jones, secretary ; and Harry R. Edwards, vice president and treasurer. From the beginning Colonel Edwards was the leading spirit in the development of this enterprise. His business insight was keen, his methods reli- able, and his progresive spirit and ready adaptability enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and work steadily upward until he ranked among the foremost wholesale merchants of the middle west. The reliable policy of the house, which was inaugurated at the outset, has always been maintained and the firm has ever held to high standards in the line of goods carried, in the personnel of its representatives and in the character of the service rendered to the public.

Although engaged in building up an important and profitable commercial en- terprise, Colonel Edwards always found time to cooperate in movements for the general good and was a man of much influence in the management of city affairs and of matters relative to the upbuilding of northeastern Ohio. Undoubtedly he could have had almost any office within the gift of the people of his part of the city had he not declined to accept political preferment. On the most earnest so- licitation of those in charge, however, he consented to become a director of the work house, and for eleven years filled that position most creditably and accept- ably. He was a leader and stalwart advocate of the republican party but never placed partisanship before the general good nor sacrificed public interests to per- sonal aggrandizement.

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In many ways outside the field of political work or influence, Colonel Edwards did important service for the public. He was for years president of the Board of Trade prior to its reorganization into the Chamber of Commerce and at one time he was president of the Lakeview Cemetery Association. In 1872 he became a member of the board of directors of the Citizens Savings & Loan Association, thus continuing for many years, and was also a member of the Chamber of Com- merce and a director of the Guardians Savings & Trust Company. He was for years and up to the time of his death a member of the sinking fund commission and was also one of the Ohio commissioners to the World's Columbian Exposi- tion in Chicago. Colonel Edwards did not secure his military title at the front but that he was entitled to it was the opinion of all who knew him. During the exciting years of the Civil war he was one of the most ardent Union men in northern Ohio and because of his efforts in forming military organizations he was given the honorary title of colonel, which clung to him until his death. He was also an honorary member of the Loyal Legion.

Colonel Edwards was also an enthusiastic club member, being identified with the Roadside, Country and Union Clubs and was always eagerly welcomed by his associates in those organizations. He was president of the Cleveland Driv- ing Park Association, which under his management gained a reputation second to none. Indeed it was largely due to his efforts that the Cleveland Driving Park Association was organized. From his boyhood his love of fine horses was one of his characteristics and he was one of the chief supporters of the old North- ern Ohio Fair Association. Believing that a driving park would prove a success both financially and from the standpoint of a pure sportsman, Colonel Edwards induced many of his friends to assist him in organizing the Cleveland Driving Park Association, of which he was president at the time of his death. He cared more about it than any other pleasure interest he had in life. He was always present in his place in the judge's stand and was the spirit of every meet. At the last circuit races in July preceding his death, he was in his place as starting judge. Thoroughly understanding horses and the racing of them, he stopped every race at the start if it was unfair, sternly admonished any driver guilty of trickiness or discourtesy and kept the audience well informed on the status of events on the track. It was owing largely to his influence and exertions that the Gentle- men's Driving Club was organized and brought to its high standing among clubs of a similar nature, for Colonel Edwards took an active interest both in the sport and in the business of the organization. In this his influence was always on the side of the best, and the purity of the sport of the organization was itself a tribute to his character. From the time of its formation in 1895 he was honorary presi- dent of the club.

Colonel Edwards' home life was exceedingly happy and his admirably ap- pointed residence on Prospect avenue was one of the most hospitable of the city. His manner was most attractive, his cordiality and interests sincere and deep rooted and his friendship could always be relied upon if it was once gained. Colonel Edwards wedded Miss Lucia Ransom, of Clarence, New York, who still occupies the homestead on Prospect avenue. They became the parents of four children. Clarence R., after attending Brooks Military Academy, entered West Point and was graduated in 1879. For a while during the Spanish-American war he was on the staff of General Coppinger and later was with the lamented Gen- eral Lawton in the Philippines, going out with him. He also had charge of the bringing of the remains of that brave officer to the United States. He has been at the head of the insular department at Washington since it was organized, bearing the rank of brigadier general. He married Bessie Porter, of Niagara Falls, New York, and they have had one daughter, Bessie Porter Edwards. Harry R. Edwards, the second son, prepared for college at Brooks Military Academy, being graduated in 1879. He then entered Harvard and was grad- uated in 1883. In August of that year he entered the establishment of which his father was the head and is now vice president and treasurer of the Wil-

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liam Edwards Company. He is also a member of the advisory board of the Citizens Savings & Trust Company, succeeding his father as an official in that institution. Prominent in club circles he is identified with the Union, Country, Euclid, Roadside, Tavern, Athletic, Hermit and Gentlemen's Driving Clubs. He is also an enthusiastic dog fancier and as a breeder and judge of setter dogs he is one of the best known in the United States. His kennels are at Chardon and they are maintained more as a diversion than for profit. Lucia R., the surviving daughter, is the wife of Charles A. Otis, of Cleveland, and they have two children, William Edwards, and Lucia Eliza; Kate R. died in early life.

The death of Colonel Edwards occurred September 21, 1898. He was ever generous and his benevolent spirit promoted his ready assistance to those in need or want. Always unostentatious in his giving, his deeds of kindness were made known only to the recipient. For forty-five years he figured prominently as a leading merchant and business man of the city and in all of the different interests which constituted his life's contacts and experiences he was known as an honorable and honored man, in whom were many sterling qualities that well entitled him to the high regard in which he was uniformly held.

J. GRANT ALEXANDER.

Through successive stages of development and constantly broadening experi- ence J. Grant Alexander has reached his present position of responsibility as paymaster of the Nickel Plate Railway system. . He was born in Troy, Ohio, De- cember 16, 1868. His father, William Henry Alexander, who was born August 5, 1843, traveled life's journey until the 2d of March, 1909. He was a native of Ohio and for a long period made his home in Troy, where he was living in retire- ment at the time of his demise. During much of his active life he had engaged in farming and was a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of his community. He served for some time as secretary and treasurer of the Miami County Agricultural Society and was for eight years county commissioner. He was widely recognized as one of the prominent and influential citizens of the county, public-spirited and enterprising, giving active and valuable support to every movement which he deemed a measure for the public welfare. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Boone, was a daughter of Isaac and Mary Ann (Holderman) Boone. Her father was a direct descendant of Daniel Boone and a native of Virginia. In early life he removed to Troy, Ohio, and in that locality engaged in farming. He also possessed considerable inventive genius and mechanical skill. His daughter, Mrs. Alexander, passed away in 1879, when but thirty-five years of age.

In the public schools of Troy, J. Grant Alexander pursued his early education and afterward took a business course at Wilts Commercial College in Dayton. When he put aside his text-books he secured a position as bookkeeper, being thus employed in various commercial houses until 1889, when he became connected with the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, acting as general clerk at Troy. In 1891 he removed to Chicago and for a short time was associated with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, but on the Ist of October, 1891, entered the service of the Nickel Plate Railroad as bill clerk. He next became book- keeper and was also collector in the cashier's office. In 1895 he was promoted to the position of assistant cashier and in 1899 was made cashier at Cleveland, acting in that capacity until January, 1905, when he was appointed paymaster of the system, which position he still fills. It is a well known fact that no corporation or business house demands such a high degree of capability and faithfulness as do the railroad companies and that Mr. Alexander has been from time to time promoted is therefore proof positive of his high standing with the company, resulting from his loyalty and business capacity.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III, Part 32

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