USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 39
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WILLIAM FREDERICK REES.
William Frederick Rees, assistant treasurer of the Society for Savings at Cleveland, has been continuously identified with that institution since the year 1880, when he entered the employ of the bank in the capacity of bookkeeper. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Cleveland, his birth having here occurred on the 22d of March, 1858. His father, John H. Rees, who was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, came to Cleveland about 1846 and was for many years associated with the Merchants Dispatch of this city. He served through- out the entire period of hostilities between the north and the south, being under command of General Barnett as a member of Battery K, First Ohio Infantry. His demise occurred in Cleveland in 1884, when he had attained the age of fifty-nine years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elvira Warner, was a daughter of W. J. Warner, a very prominent building contractor of this city, who erected the old postoffice, the Kennard Hotel and nearly all of the large buildings of his day. His sons are now prominent and prosperous residents of Cleveland, one of them, Theodore M. Warner, acting as accountant for the So- ciety for Savings. Mrs. Elvira Rees was quite active in musical circles and for many years was a member of the Cleveland Vocal Society. She became organ- ist at the Old Stone church when but thirteen years of age and later was organ- ist at St. Paul's church for a number of years. She passed away in June, 1900, when sixty-five years of age, and her demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
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In his youthful days William Frederick Rees attended the public schools of this city and later became a student in Brooks Military Academy. When nine- teen years of age he entered the law office of M. R. Keith, who was registrar of bankruptcy here and also acted as attorney for the Standard Oil Company. After a year spent in that connection he went to Colorado, where he was asso- ciated with Captain Wetzel, secretary of the Cattle Growers' Association of Colorado, who owned a ranch at Riverbend, ninety-five miles from Denver. At the end of a year he returned to Cleveland in 1880 and entered the service of the Society for Savings as bookkeeper. He has remained with the institution through- out the intervening twenty-nine years, working his way up through the inter- mediate positions to the office of assistant treasurer, the duties of which he as- sumed in June, 1908. He is likewise treasurer of the Las Cerras Copper Com- pany of Santa Clara province, in Cuba, the treasurer of the Knollwood Ceme- tery Company, a director in the Glenwood Cemetery Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is also financially interested in various other enterprises.
On the 7th of March, 1883, in Cleveland, Mr. Rees was united in marriage to Miss Abbie Champney, a sister of W. P. Champney of the Eberhard Manu- facturing Company. They have become the parents of two daughters, Mildred D. and Julia E.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Rees has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party, but has never sought nor desired public office, preferring to devote his undivided at- tention to his business affairs, in which he has met with enviable success. For about twenty-two years he was connected with the Cleveland Grays and held all the ranks from private to major. He was made captain in October, 1894, and on the formation of the battalion in 1906, was elected major, being the first to hold that office. A year later he resigned from active membership. He is an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and also belongs to the Loyal Legion, the Hermit Club and several others. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Paul's Episcopal church. During the winter seasons, he resides in Cleveland, but the warm months are spent at his summer home, "Meadow Banks," in the village of Euclid. Such in brief is the life record of William F. Rees, who has spent practically his entire life in Cuyahoga county. No breath of suspicion has ever assailed his good name and on the contrary he stands as a splendid type of the honorable, reliable, successful man, the public- spirited citizen and the trustworthy friend.
WILLIAM THOMAS BARGER, M. D.
Dr. William Thomas Barger has for fourteen years engaged in practice in Cleveland. He was born near Urbana in Champaign county, Ohio, October 24, 1869. His father, Joseph M. Barger, was a native of the same county and de- voted many years to merchandising but in later years turned his attention to farming. He married Etna J. Speese, also a native of Champaign county. and they are residing at Degraff, Logan county, Ohio. Mrs. Barger's parents were both living to a recent date and celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary, on which occasion representatives of five generations of the family were present. Her father still survives at nearly one hundred years of age.
Dr. Barger was largely reared on the home farm and became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His early mental training was received in the district schools, while later he attended the high school at Quincy, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the class of 1891. He then entered the Starling Medical College of Columbus, now affiliated with the Ohio State University, from which he was graduated in 1894, winning his degree at that time. Immediately afterward he entered upon the active duties
DR. W. T. BARGER
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of the profession, locating for practice at Hardin, Shelby county, Ohio, where he continued until the fall of 1895. He then removed to Cleveland and entered upon active practice in this city, at the same time pursuing the regular course of lectures at the Western Reserve Medical College, during his first year's resi- dence here. He also did some dispensary work at the Lakeside Hospital Dis- pensary for about two years, but the duties of his private practice now make exclusive claim upon his time and energies. He is the family physician in many households and, moreover, is medical examiner for the Prudential Life Insur- ance Company and the North American Union.
On the 12th of June, 1895, Dr. Barger was married at Hardin, Ohio, to Miss Loa Wilson, a daughter of Henry V. Wilson, of Shelby county, Ohio. They have two children : Mabley Wilson Barger, thirteen years of age, and Mildred, ten years of age. The family residence is at No. 8514 Wade Park avenue, and Dr. and Mrs. Barger are members of the Wade Park Methodist Episcopal church. His professional associations are with the Cleveland Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Pediatric Society and the Cleveland Medical Library Association. He stands high in his profession, his rating being the result of the ability which he has dis- played. He is very careful in the diagnosis of his cases, arrives at correct conclu- sions concerning the outcome of diseases and in matters of professional opinion his judgment is seldom at fault.
NELSON B. SHERWIN.
Nelson B. Sherwin is a man whose life is one continuous round of duty faith- fully performed, of accomplishment of deeds worth recording and the giving of the best in himself for the good of others. Looking back over his well regu- lated, useful life, the retrospect must afford satisfaction to him and make him realize that he has made the world better for his presence in it.
He was born May 21, 1832, in Weathersfield, Vermont, and attended school in West Randolph, that state, entering Williams College in 1853, and graduating therefrom in 1857. He then came to Cleveland and was graduated from the Ohio State Law School the year following. After being admitted to the bar, he formed a partnership with the late Hon. William Slade, which association continued until the latter was made consul to Nice by President Lincoln in 1862. Mr. Sherwin then continued in general practice until he was appointed assistant internal revenue assessor in 1863, continuing in that office until his election as a member of the fifty-eighth general assembly in 1867, from Cuya- hoga county, in which capacity he served one term. He was appointed by Presi- dent Grant, internal revenue assessor for the eighteenth congressional district, which at that time included Summit, Cuyahoga and Lake counties, and he was continued in office until its abolishment in 1874. Soon afterward he was ap- pointed postmaster of Cleveland by President Grant and reappointed to the same office by President Hayes. At the close of his official career as postmaster, Mr. Sherwin entered the life and fire insurance business in 1884 and is still thus engaged with offices in the Garfield building.
In 1860 Mr. Sherwin married Lizzie M. Kidder, of Weathersfield, Ver- mont, and they have two sons and three daughters, namely: John is mentioned elsewhere ; George Nelson, a graduate of Central High School and Adelbert Col- lege, entered the banking business as teller of the old Park National Bank and at the organization of the First National Bank, was appointed assistant cashier and still holds that position ; Clara P., a graduate of Miss Mittleberger's private school and Alice, a graduate of the Central High School, are living at home; Maude K., a graduate from Miss Mittleberger's private school, married Ed-
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ward Bushnell, who is an attorney of Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Sherwin with their family are members of Cavalry church.
Mr. Sherwin is a man of strong principles, upright and honorable, who has exalted the offices he has held and raised a standard of excellency in them that is difficult for his successors to maintain. At a time when many men have re- tired, he is still active, transacting a large amount of business and displaying extraordinary ability and demonstrating his firm grasp upon current affairs. It is such men as Mr. Sherwin who have made the Cleveland of today.
REV. CHARLES JAMES MOSELEY.
Rev. Charles James Moseley, born May 17, 1877, in Glenville, Ohio, studied in the public schools of Glenville and Collinwood, until he was twelve years of age, when he entered the Jesuit College of St. Ignatius, Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was graduated in June, 1895. In September of the same year he entered St. Mary's Theological Seminary to prepare himself for the priesthood. He was ordained by the Right Rev. Ignatius F. Horstmann, D. D., June 1, 1901, and on Trinity Sunday, in St. Joseph's church, Collinwood, where he had so often served as acolyte when a boy, Father Moseley celebrated his first solemn mass, assisted by the Right Rev. Monsignor Felix M. Boff, vicar general ; the Revs. John W. Bell and William H. Moseley. A month later the young priest received his first appointment to assist the pastor of the Immaculate Conception church, Youngstown, Ohio. He remained there until September of the next year, when he received the appointment he now holds as curate of the Immacu- late Conception church, Cleveland, Ohio.
REV. WILLIAM HARRISON MOSELEY.
Rev. William Harrison Moseley, born September 13, 1871, in Cleveland, Ohio, received his preliminary education in the public schools of Glenville and Collinwood, after which he attended St. Ignatius College, Cleveland, from which he was graduated in June, 1899. He studied for the priesthood in St. Mary's Theological Seminary and was ordained by the Right Rev. Ignatius F. Horst- mann, D. D., June 17, 1905. The following day he celebrated his first solemn mass in St. Joseph's church, Collinwood, assisted by his brother who had been ordained and had celebrated his first mass four years before, and by the Revs. John W. Bell and Thomas G. Ring. The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Boff for the second time, enhanced the ceremonies by his presence. Father Moseley was curate at St. Agnes' church on Euclid avenue, Cleveland, for one year and at St. Pat- rick's church for three years. On July 17, 1909, the Rt. Rev. John P. Farrelly, D. D., appointed him to the pastorate of Willoughby and missions, where he is located at present.
The Revs. Charles J. and William H. Moseley are brothers, descended from an old and respected New England family. The grandfather, William Harrison Moseley, was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1796. On account of his military bearing and his general knowledge of military affairs of the time, he was appointed major general of the state militia in January 24, 1835. General Moseley took part in the obsequies of Lafayette in Boston; was an intimate friend in those days of Daniel Webster, Rufus Choate, Edward Everett and other distinguished men; was cashier of the Hampshire Bank in Northhampton and later became postmaster.
In 1850 the General went to Syracuse, New York, and commenced the pub- lication of the Syracusean, a monthly magazine. Having been made librarian
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of the court of appeals of Onondaga county, he published in 1857, a catalog of the library, which to this day is a most valuable book of reference. The pub- lication of the Syracusean was suspended in 1861 on account of the breaking out of the Civil war, but because of his efficiency as librarian, he held the position until his death, which occurred April 3, 1870.
General Moseley was survived by a number of children, among whom was Charles James Moseley, Sr., the father of the two priests whose names intro- duce this review. He was born February 5, 1847, in New York city. His parents soon afterward took up their residence in Syracuse, where the young Charles, on completing his education in the public schools, went into the office of the Onondaga Salt Company. In October, 1868, he married Miss Johanna F. Burke and came to Cleveland in March of the next year and settled in what was then a little village, Glenville.
Mr. Moseley became associated with prominent Clevelanders, such as A. W. Fairbanks, William H. Gaylord, William Edwards and others. He was con- nected with the Northern Ohio Fair Association, while he resided in Glenville. He entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, May 17, 1881 ; the next April he suffered the loss of his household effects by fire and himself narrowly escaped incineration. For the past thirty years Mr. Moseley, the father of two Catholic clergymen, has resided in Collinwood, Ohio, an in- fluential and highly respected citizen.
The mother of the Revs. Charles and William Moseley was Miss Johanna F. Burke, a daughter of Patrick and Margaret Burke, of Syracuse, New York. She was born December 8, 1847. Her father, Patrick Burke, a contractor and builder, was engaged in the construction of the stone work of the Erie canal in Onondaga county at the time of his death, which occurred suddenly. With but meager opportunity for early schooling, he nevertheless developed a re- markable natural mathematical talent, for which he was known throughout central New York. He was a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, and settled in the Central City (Syracuse), in the early '40s. His sudden death proved too great a shock to his wife Margaret, who died a year afterward, leaving a family of young children alone in the world. Johanna, the eldest of the girls, went to live in the family of Allen Monroe, a wealthy and retired gentleman. She was then only nine years of age and, though surrounded by luxury and pleas- ure, which are so often subversive to righteousness if one is susceptible, she never forgot the childhood lessons she learned at mother's knee. These reli- gious influences which made her so strong in her Christian faith as a child, have helped here make her home and family what they are today.
C. R. HILDEBRANDT.
C. R. Hildebrandt, president of the Hildebrandt Provision Company, was born November 4, 1865, in the province of West Prussia, Germany. He was educated in the common schools of his native country and in 1883, when about eighteen years of age, decided to try his fortunes across the Atlantic. He came directly to Cleveland and secured his first position in the packing house of X. Armbruster, where his efficiency speedily gained him favor. Upon the death of Mr. Armbruster in 1887, Mr. Hildebrandt and his brother-in-law, August Haber- mann, purchased the business from the widow. Some years afterward, in 1893, he disposed of his interest to Mr. Habermann, and in the same year established his present business of a similar nature, the production of sausage and other provisions in the meat line. In September, 1906, it was organized as the Hilde- brandt Provision Company, with an incorporated stock of sixty-five thousand dollars, the subject of the sketch holding the position of president and manager, while his brother, Julius H. Hildebrandt, is secretary and treasurer. The
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plant is exceedingly well equipped with the most modern machinery designed for turning out the products, such as dealt in by the Hildebrandt Provision Company. It possesses both electric and steam power and is conveniently housed in a modern brick building. It is open at all times to public inspection, which the management particularly invites. All the meats used by the company are first examined by government or city inspectors. The growth of the Hilde- brandt Provision Company has been truly phenomenal for, while at its incep- tion the force consisted of only Mr. Hildebrandt and two men, now sixty-five men are employed in the manufacturing department, with eight local sales- men and one upon the road.
Mr. Hildebrandt was married in 1886 to Miss Katherina Foltz, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1884 and located in Cleveland. Their union has been blessed by five children: Hugo A., born March 3, 1888, was educated in St. Michael's parochial school and the Edmiston Business College. After finishing in these institutions, he began to assist his father and at present serves as his bookkeeper. Matilda, a graduate of St. Michael's paro- chial school, is at home. Katherina, a graduate of the same school and also of the Metropolitan Business College, is employed as her father's stenographer and assistant. Robert J., sixteen years of age, is a graduate of St. Michael's and is now pursuing a general course in St. Ignatius College. Francis P., has finished at St. Michael's and is a first year pupil in Lincoln high school.
Mr. Hildebrandt is an enthusiastic Mason, holding membership in Concordia Lodge, No. 345; Hillman Chapter, No. 166; Cleveland Council, No. 36; Holy- rood Commandery, No. 32; Lake Erie Consistory, S. P. R. S. (thirty-second degree) and Al Koran Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is past master of Con- cordia Lodge. Among his numerous other affiliations are membership in Pearl Lodge, K. P .; Cleveland Lodge, B. P. O. E .; and three German societies: the Cleveland Gesang Verein, the Turn Verein and the Heights Maennerchor. Mr. Hildebrandt and his family contribute materially to the support of St. Michael's church, in which they are communicants. It is evident that he is equally suc- cessful in the management of his business concerns and in his social and frater- nal relations, the latter having a more substantial status on account of the high standing he possesses in the former.
JOHN H. BELT, M. D.
For forty-two years Dr. John H. Belt has engaged in the general practice of medicine and is now one of the oldest physicians of Cleveland in years of continuous connection with the profession, having first opened his office here in 1871. The years have chronicled his constantly increasing success, as viewed from both the financial and professional standpoints, for at all times he has kept in touch with the progressive work and improved methods of the medical fraternity. His birth occurred in Clermont county, Ohio, August 22, 1843, his parents being Richard and Susanna (McNeal) Belt. The father was born in Baltimore and the mother in Clermont county, where her death occurred during the infancy of her son John. The father was a prominent farmer in Clermont county, but in 1892 also passed away. Dr. Belt was the second of his father's children, the others being William Belt, deceased ; Dr. Richard C. Belt, of Milford, Ohio; Dr. Charles E. Belt, of Batavia, Ohio; Matilda, the wife of T. L. H. Holman, of Saunemin, Illinois ; Drusilla, deceased; Luella, the wife of Dr. Whittaker, deceased; and Adeline, of Batavia, Ohio.
While a youth Dr. Belt went to live with an uncle in Cincinnati, where he attended the common schools until he was thirteen years old, at which time he entered the Williamsburg (Ohio) high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1860. He was afterward employed in various ways until May,
DR. J. IL. BELT
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1864, when he enlisted in the Union Army, as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the following October. This regiment was a member of the Ohio National Guard and was tendered to the government by Governor Tod for one hundred days' service, during which time the troops were on active duty.
In 1865 Dr. Belt began preparation for the practice of medicine as a student in the Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons, the medical department of the Iowa State University. He pursued a course in Bellevue Hospital of New York in 1867 and, returning to this state, settled in Cincinnati, where he opened an office for general practice. He there remained until May, 1871, when he removed to Cleveland. Almost from the beginning a liberal patronage was accorded him, bringing him substantial success, and his ability has, moreover, been recognized by the profession who honor him for his close application to the highest standards of professional ethics. He served as a member of the United States Medical Examing Board for this district, under the administration of Grover Cleveland, and he belongs to the Cleveland Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
In the year in which he began practice in Cincinnati-on the 12th of June, 1867 -Dr. Belt was united in marriage to Miss Christiana D. Salt, of Williamsburg, Ohio, a daughter of L. D. Salt, a merchant of that place. Both he and his wife are now deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Belt had one child, Ada C., who is now living with her father. Mrs. Belt passed away May 6, 1909, and was laid to rest in Woodland cemetery.
Forty-two years' experience has given Dr. Belt broad and comprehensive knowledge of the practical work of the profession, while constant reading and study have supplemented his understanding of the principles of the medical science. He has closely followed the progress that has been made by the pro- fession, has investigated theories that have been advocated and has been quick to adopt any new agency which his judgment has sanctioned as of worth in minister- ing to the needs of the sick and suffering.
EDWARD CREIGHTON MCKAY.
Edward Creighton Mckay, now devoting his time exclusively to real es- tate, handling down town leases, warehouse property, railroad and water front manufacturing sites, in which connection he has secured a large clientele, was born in Cleveland, November 19, 1876. He is a son of Captain George A. and Margaret Adam (Creech) Mckay. Following his graduation from the Central high school, he entered the employ of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce under Ryerson Ritchie, secretary, and continued with the chamber for four years. He left that employ to go with Mr. Ritchie when the latter organized the American Trust Company, since merged with the Citizens Savings & Trust Company. When Mr. Ritchie left the bank, Mr. Mckay became chief clerk of the local office of the Carnegie Steel Company and later held the same posi- tion with the United States Steel Corporation. He was in the office during the period that Andrew Carnegie acquired iron ore mines and vessels.
About nine years ago Mr. Mckay left the steel corporation to become sec- retary and treasurer of the Ohio Rubber Company and continued with them for three years, or until he sold out. He then became principal owner of the business conducted under the name of the Bodifield Belting Company, which he reorganized under the name of the Republic Belting Company, building up in three years a volume of business that approximated about nine hundred thou- sand dollars a year. In June, 1909, he disposed of his interest in that under- taking and is now giving his time exclusively to real estate, handling down town leases, warehouse property, railroad and water front manufacturing sites. He
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has already been connected with some of the most important realty transac- tions of the past year and his long connection with the business interests of the city have brought him wide knowledge concerning business property.
On the 20th of June, 1905, Mr. McKay was married to Miss Louise Patten, of Plainfield, New Jersey, and they have one daughter, Margaret, two years of age. Mr. McKay was at one time a member of the old Gatling Gun Battery and Naval Reserves for four years. He belongs to the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, the Union Club, the Euclid Club and the Loyal Legion and is popu- lar in these organizations, whose membership embraces many of the most noted and distinguished residents of the city. He is making rapid and substantial advance in business life and already has proven his ability in handling interests of great importance.
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