USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 34
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Of all the important matters that came before the seventy-sixth general as- sembly none was fraught with greater consequences to the state and to Governor
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Herrick personally than that of temperance legislation. His attitude in this re- spect was very simple. He was determined that an efficient law should be passed making it possible that saloons be removed from the resident districts of cities, but he was equally insistent that the law should be just and that it should not, because of the violence of its provisions, prove to be unconstitutional. His po- sition satisfied neither anti-saloon leaders nor the saloon and brewery interests. The former, wishing only radical measures, did not consider the question of un- constitutionality, or even of legal fairness. There was no definite and fixed bill which the friends of temperance legislation were agreed upon from the start. Numerous and radical changes were made after the proposed legislation was first introduced. Mr. Brannock himself introduced two bills. Both provided for ward local option and were referred to the committee on temperance, which reported back house bill No. 180, with some forty changes. After still further amend- ments the committee report was finally adopted by a vote of seventy-two to thirty- three, on March 22, 1904. The next day the bill as amended received its first read- ing in the senate and the senate committee on judiciary reported the bill back witlı half a dozen amendments. The senate made as many more changes and then passed the bill by a vote of twenty-seven to six, but it was now so different from its origi- nal form as to be scarcely recognizable by the author and as thus amended was rejected by the house by a vote of forty-two ayes and forty-eight noes. This brought on a deadlock, the house standing for one bill and the senate for certain amendments which the house refused to accept, and Governor Herrick at that time suggested four changes. He stated that he was in favor of a residence local option that the people might vote out saloons from the midst of their homes : that he did not favor the bill passed by the house because it was unfair and unjust. He stated that he had hoped the senate would eliminate the unfair and unjust features but that it had failed to do so and if the house concurred in the senate amendments he would veto the measure. He advocated changes in the following words :
"First-The residence district should in no case contain more than fifteen hundred electors, instead of five thousand.
"Second-Any street between intersecting streets, or for five hundred feet, as set forth in the bill, should be treated as a business section and not included as residence district, if more than one-half of the frontage is business property, in- stead of seventy-five per cent as the bill provides. This is a majority rule.
"Third-In determining the character of the frontage in questions saloons should be treated as business property. They are business and not residence prop- erty. You might as well say that no saloon-keeper should vote on the question as that his property should not be counted on the question.
"Fourth-When an election is held the result of such election should control for a special of two years, whether the sale of liquor has been permitted or pro- hibited. Section 6 of the act provides that if the sale be prohibited the result of the election should control for two years, but it does not provide that if the sale be permitted such result should control for two years.
"If these changes are made the bill will be an effective and fair local option measure, and I will approve it. Without these changes it is not a fair measure, and I will feel compelled to veto it."
The conference committee, made up of friends of temperance, accepted the principles of Governor Herrick's suggestion, incorporated them in a bill some- what modified, retained all the senate amendments and reported back the bill thus changed, and the conference report was passed by both houses, after which it was promptly signed by the governor. The changes favored by Governor Herrick were all suggested by lawyers who had carefully examined the bill and every sug- gestion was made for the purpose of securing a law so fair and equitable in all particulars that the courts would uphold it and public sentiment enforce it. As stated, his course awakened opposition on the part of those who favored and those who opposed the saloons, but time has vindicated the wisdom of the course and
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policy which he advocated and Ohio's most effective temperance legislation was placed on the law books of the state. The records show that thousands of saloons have been put out of commission by the very law that was so bitterly fought by the anti saloon league and which was the foundation of the bitter opposition to Governor Herrick's reelection in 1905.
The question second in importance to the temperance agitation during Gov- ernor Herrick's administration was that relating to a bill concerning race-track gambling. With the ostensible purpose of securing legislation to "further en- courage and promote the breeding and developing of light harness horses," Rep- resentative Chisholm introduced a bill that permittted the sale of polls at race meets. Strange as it may seem, those back of the measure succeeded in obtain- ing favorable action by both house and senate. It is incredible that any one should have thought that Governor Herrick would give his sanction to a bill that would be a disgrace to Ohio as long as it remained on the statute books. When the measure came to him he promptly returned it with the following message to the house: "I return herewith house bill No. 222 without my approval, for the reason that the same is against the moral interests of the state, violates a sound public policy and is forbidden by the constitution. The opinion of the attorney general upon the constitutionality of the proposed act is herewith transmitted for your consideration." This message was a signal for a fierce attack upon the governor. Why he did not receive the instant and hearty commenda- tion of all those who had the least interest in the maintenance of the dignity of the great state of Ohio is beyond comprehension. There is only one explanation possible-that the people of Ohio were not then alive to the terrible consequences of race-track gambling and that the public sentiment lacked the moral stamina it has since gained.
Long before the time for the state convention to meet it was evident that Governor Herrick would be renominated. He had no desire for public office, much preferring to serve his party and the state as a private citizen, but the many unjust attacks that were made upon him by special interests decided him to ask a renomination, for he knew that his administration deserved the approval of the people. He was the first man in the history of the state to receive two unanimous nominations for governor. Secretary of war, now President Taft, presided over the convention and thoroughly and unqualifiedly endorsed the leading and promi- nent measures of Governor Herrick's administration. The campaign that fol- lowed was a most spectacular one. The advocates of special interests that he had opposed and the anti-saloon and the saloon elements were all arrayed against him ; as well as the democratic forces of the state. The opposition to his reelection began with his action in relation to the Brannock law, was strengthened by his veto of the Chisholm racing bill and the enactment of the inheritance tax law. In addition to this the minds of the people were inflamed by the recent expose of the methods of political bosses and they were in a conditon to vote against any can- didate against whom the charge of "bossism"-whether merited or unmerited- had been made. Nothing could have been more unfair or unjust than the claim that Governor Herrick stood for bossism and machine politics. The independent attitude of the business man-such as he was and is-was entirely opposed to this. But he was declared to be the tool of George B. Cox, of Cincinnati, and in the midst of the campaign Secretary Taft made a most unfortunate address in Akron, in which he declared that he would not support the Cox ticket in Hamilton county. There was no foundation to the statement that Governor Herrick was influenced in the slightest measure by Cox, for the records of the general assem- bly showed that during his administration many more Cox measures were de- feated than passed and that they were defeated because of the insistance of Gov- ernor Herrick.
With his retirement from office Governor Herrick resumed an active part in the business and civic affairs of Cleveland. Too broad minded to allow any per- sonal feeling to swerve him in his duty or in his relations to the government, he
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took his place again in the ranks as a party worker. He was asked to preside as temporary chairman of the Ohio republican state convention in the spring of 1906. As the time for the republican national convention of 1908 approached he used all his influence to advance the interests of Secretary Taft, notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Taft's Akron speech was largely responsible for his own defeat. He be- lieved that Mr. Taft was the best qualified to discharge the duties of president of all those seeking the nomination. He has extended his efforts in business fields, his ability making him a leader in many enterprises of importance. In the fall of 1906 he was chosen to the presidency of the Central Colorado Power Company, formed for the purpose of supplying Denver and the surrounding country with cheap water power. Long a careful and thorough student of financial and bank- ing problems, he is frequently requested to speak on such subjects and at the an- nual convention of the American Bankers Association, in 1906, he delivered an address before the savings bank section, and at the convention of the Ohio Bankers Association in June, 1907, he urged the need for currency reform and made an earnest appeal to bankers to do their utmost to curb improper financial expansion, warning them that unless they did so trouble would soon follow. At a meeting of the National Civic Federation in New York city, in January, 1908, he delivered an address on postal savings banks and his opinions carried with them the weight of wide experience and compelled consideration. He is and always has been op- posed to the establishment of a postal savings system in this country. In his opin- ion the facilities offered by the savings banks now established are so nearly ade- quate that it would be a serious mistake to inaugurate such a daring innovation. And more than that, in his opinion, the difficulties in the way of sucessfully ad- ministering postal savings banks are insurmountable. When the financial panic of 1907 came on Governor Herrick's services were in great demand in rehabilitat- ing wrecked business enterprises, and when strenuous efforts were made to for- mulate a plan whereby the Knickerbocker Trust Company of New York city might resume business, he was made a trustee, together with Henry C. Frick and L. C. Ledyard, with full power to select such directors and officers that the com- pany might regain the confidence of the community. In this they were very suc- cessful. Later Governor Herrick was placed on a protective committee to look after the interests of the security holders of three railroads that had failed-the Chicago, Great Western, the Wabash-Pittsburg Terminal and the Western Mary- land.
Governor Herrick in early manhood married Miss Caroline M. Parmely, of Dayton. They have an only son, Parmely W. Herrick, who is showing much of his father's splendid business qualifications in the conduct of important com- mercial and financial interests.
GEORGE H. HODGSON.
George H. Hodgson, general manager of the Cleveland Worsted Mills Company and one of the most capable men in his line in the country, was born at Bradford, Yorkshire, England, September 19, 1865. He was a son of Frederick and Sarah (Rowland) Hodgson, both of whom were natives of England and never came to America, the father dying when his son George was only ten years of age. The mother yet makes her home in her native land.
George H. Hodgson acquired his early education in the public schools of Eng- land and at the age of thirteen secured employment in a textile factory. His father had been engaged in the woolen mill business and it was a work to which the boy was naturally inclined. He gained considerable knowledge and experience in the manufacture of textile fabrics in his native land, but wages were comparatively poor and, thinking to have better opportunities to acquire a competence more rap- idly on this side the Atlantic, he sailed for the new world when twenty-eight years
GEORGE H. HODGSON
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of age. Making his way to Cleveland, he was first engaged with the Briggs Priestly Company and later entered the service of the Cleveland Worsted Mills Company as designer. He is now general manager of the business, which is one of the impor- tant productive industries of the city and the largest independent concern in its line in the country. His success is undoubtedly due in part at least to the fact that he has always continued in the line of business in which, as a young tradesman, he em- barked. His time and talents have never been wasted in search for success along other lines and his constantly increasing experience and proficiency have brought him to a prominent position in manufacturing circles. He also has financial invest- ments and is a director of the Broadway Savings & Trust Company.
On the 2Ist of December, 1898, Mr. Hodgson was married to Miss Margaret Flannigan, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Conway) Flannigan. They are now parents of two children, George E. and Olive L., the former a pupil in the public schools. In his political views Mr. Hodgson is a republican, having continuously supported the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He lived in a country where there were no restrictions to trade and where wages were accord- ingly low. He favors a protective policy and is in sympathy with the party upon other vital questions. He holds membership in the Epworth Methodist church, be- longs to the Cleveland Athletic Club and to the Chamber of Commerce-associa- tions which indicate much of the nature of his interests. He is also fond of auto- mobiling and golf, which afford him pleasant recreation from business cares which would otherwise prove too strenuous. He attributes his success in life to hard work and close application. He has never shirked a duty that has devolved upon him and in each position to which he has been promoted he has fully mastered his tasks, so that he was ready for further promotion when the opportunity came. Thus he has reached a prominent place in manufacturing circles in Cleveland.
PERL BONAPARTE WILLIAMS.
Out of the struggle with small opportunities Perl Bonaparte Williams has come into a field of broad and active influence and usefulness, and the varied experiences which have come to him in the successive stages of his business development have brought him finally to the position of treasurer and general manager of the Tran- Cais Time Recorder Company, which, though one of the more recently organized industries of Cleveland, seems destined to reach a foremost position among the important productive concerns of the city.
Mr. Williams was born in Sidney, Shelby county, Ohio, in 1879, a son of William B. and Mary A. (Wiles) Williams. His grandfather, William Bard Williams, was born in New Jersey, November 15, 1794, and at an early day, prior to the development of the great coal fields of the country, he engaged in shipping wood from Philadelphia to New York. In 1814 he wedded Mary O'Neal and unto them were born five children. After the mother's death William Bard Williams was married in 1826 to Rachel Clevenger, who was born September II, 1806. There were nine children of that marriage, of whom William H. Williams, the father of our subject, was the seventh in order of birth. In 1833, William Bard Williams, accompanied by his mother, his wife and children and his cousins, Nathan and Harriett Austin, set out in covered wagons for the west and after a journey of six weeks arrived at Centerville, Ohio. They soon made their way to Shelby county, Ohio, where Mr. Williams purchased eighty acres of land for two hundred dollars. Upon that tract he built a log cabin in the midst of the primeval forest, where wild turkeys, squirrels, deer and other kinds of wild game abounded. As it was some time before the farm was sufficiently productive to meet family expenses, he and his two eldest sons worked on the Erie canal in order to obtain the necessaries of life.
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William H. Williams, the father of Perl B. Williams, was born August 16, 1841, on the farm where he still resides. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having remained at the front throughout the entire period of hostilities. He first en- listed in Company F, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in response to the call for three months' troops, and was honorably discharged at Columbus, September 27, 1861. He reenlisted at Newport, Kentucky, October 1, 1861, becoming a member of Company F, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; he veteranized at Vicksburg, January 1, 1864; was wounded before Atlanta, July 22, 1864; and was honorably discharged at Columbus, July 15, 1865. On the 7th of April, 1864, he was married to Miss Mary A. Wiles, a daughter of David and Catherine Wiles. They reared a family of eight sons and two daughters and both par- ents are still living.
Perl B. Williams acquired the greater part of his education in Sidney, Ohio, and after his graduation from the high school attended the Youngstown (Ohio) Business College. He then returned to Sidney to pursue a course in A. B. C. Hitchcock's Normal School and was thus qualified for the practical duties of life which come when school days are over. For two years he engaged in teaching in the public schools of his native county and in 1899 accepted a position as teacher in the commercial college of Youngstown, a large institution having one hundred and twenty pupils. It was during his residence there that he did his first auditing work, thus representing the Greenwood School Supply Company.
In 1901 Mr. Williams came to Cleveland, where he accepted a position with the Fox Furnace Company as bookkeeper. His ensuing association with the Cleveland Audit Company was important in that it determined his subsequent career, or at least was largely instrumental therein. After serving for a time as bookkeeper with the old Park National Bank, since amalgamated with the First National Bank, Mr. Williams returned to Youngstown for the purpose of estab- lishing an accounting system for the firm of Rice & Feldman, and for some time had charge of the financial interests of the business. Upon terminating that association he made an extended trip through Florida for rest and recreation and on his return to the north settled in Cleveland, where several important business tasks engaged his attention. He assisted in auditing the books of the waterworks department for the city as well as those of the Farmers & Mer- chants Bank, after its failure in 1908, and the Bonelli Bank, which suffered a sim- ilar adversity.
Mr. Williams continued in the auditing business with his brother, M. T. Wil- liams, as the Logan-Williams Company for a number of years, but severed his active connection with the firm to become general manager of the Tran-Cais Time Recorder Company, a manufacturing concern incorporated in 1909 at Co- lumbus, with an authorized capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. This company is manufacturing something entirely new in the way of time recorders, combining employes' "in-and-out" registers with a computing machine for pay rolls. It is possible with this machine to have an employe's time recorded, carried to the pay roll record, working time registered, figured and ready for payment. The company claims to save at least seventy-five per cent of the time now required in most time-keeping departments. They also manufacture cost keeping, depart- ment and department store clocks. Their time recorder was recently tested at the Cleveland postoffice by the United States government. The officers of the company are: William Greif, of the Greif Brothers Company, president ; Frank Cais, vice president ; M. T. Williams, of the Logan-Williams Company, secretary ; Frank J. Tran, assistant secretary ; and P. B. Williams, treasurer and general manager. Messrs. Tran and Cais are the inventors. The company is planning to establish branch offices in New York, Chicago, Denver and a dozen other large cities on account of the numerous inquiries received from all parts of the United States. The factories are located in South Brooklyn, where are employed expert mechanics to turn out recorders to fill the numerous orders already received.
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Mr. Williams was married in August, 1907, to Miss Gertrude Cathleen Han- ley, a daughter of P. T. Hanley, and they reside at No. 1414 West Eighty-fifth street. At national elections Mr. Williams gives his allegiance to the democratic party, but locally votes as his judgment dictates without partisan considerations. While keenly interested in public affairs, his business so fully occupies his time as to preclude his active participation in political work. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and belongs to both the Cleveland Chamber of Industry and the National Credit Men's Association. He is extremely fond of outdoor life, being especially devoted to rowing, tennis and motoring, and gives a whole-hearted enthusiasm to America's great national sport, baseball. While he has won a creditable and gratifying position in business circles, the social side of his nature is also well developed and he rejoices in the possession of many friends.
SAMUEL LIPPERT.
Samuel Lippert is distinctively a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence, so that he well deserves prominent mention among the repre- sentative citizens of Cleveland, where he is now actively engaged in business as the vice president of the American Pump Company, with headquarters in the Schofield building. Mr. Lippert was born in Shelby, Richland county, Ohio, January 22, 1866, and is the youngest in a family of twelve children, whose parents, Peter and Charlotte Lippert, were of German birth and ancestry. The father was born April 16, 1808, in Mannheim, near Heidelberg, and it was in the far famed University of Heidelberg that he completed his education. Hearing and heeding the call of the western world and attracted by the broader oppor- tunities here offered, he came to America in 1837 as a passenger on the sailing vessel Mississippi, which was six weeks in accomplishing that voyage. It is safe to hazard that the young German would have found little credence for the prophecy that one day the voyage could be accomplished in as many days. In the spring of 1838 he sailed up the Hudson river to Albany, thence made his way to Buffalo and traveled overland to Cleveland. Settling here in the embryo city, he was for some time engaged in the meat business. When the Cleveland & Columbus Railroad, now the Big Four, began laying its track to Shelby, Ohio, he removed to that town, where he continued to conduct a meat market until 1876, when he retired from active business. He was permitted to round out a long and useful life, passing away in 1893 at the age of eighty-five years. His loved wife had died just a year previous.
Samuel Lippert was a pupil in the public schools of his native city between the ages of six and fourteen years, after which he secured employment as a machinist with the Champlain Machine Company of Springfield, Ohio. After a year in that employ and a half year spent as machinist with Thomas Ludlow & Rogers, also of Springfield, he decided on a change of occupation and from 1882 until 1887 was employed as a traveling salesman in various lines, at different times handling machinery, oils, tobacco, cigars and crackers. His broadening business experience equipped him for further activites and larger responsibilities and in the year 1887 he became general agent for an insurance company, which he thus represented for four years. On the expiration of that period he began taking contracts for drilling oil wells but in 1894 ill health required him to retire from the oil fields and he once more became connected with the insurance business. In 1900, however, he again went into the oil fields and drilled over five hundred wells during the succeeding four years. It has always been Mr. Lippert's custom to thoroughly study and master every task to which he has turned his attention and every question which comes up for solution. This same principle of thor- oughness led him to the recognition of the fact that one-half of the energy
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