USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 40
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JOHN M. SPENCE.
John M. Spence is a member of the firm of Spence Brothers, one of the most extensive contracting concerns in the state of Ohio. His birth occurred in Cleveland on the 19th of February, 1859, his parents being John and Isabella (Ormiston) Spence, who were native's of England and Scotland respectively. The father crossed the Atlantic to the United States when a young man of eigh- teen years and in 1847 came to Cleveland, Ohio, becoming an active factor in the business circles of the city as a stone contractor. His shop was located where the opera house now stands and he had a yard near the Center street bridge. He won a highly gratifying measure of success in his undertakings and was widely recognized as one of the most prosperous and respected residents of the city, his loss being deeply deplored when he passed away in 1869. His wife, sur- viving him for more than a quarter of a century, was called to her final rest in 1896. She had made the voyage to this country in early life and after residing in New York for a time, came to Cleveland, where she gave her hand in mar- riage to John Spence.
John M. Spence obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of this city and subsequently entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1881. He then followed the profession of teaching for about a year and afterward con- ducted a dairy business in association with his brother for a number of years. On selling out their dairy interests they entered into the contracting business under the firm style of Spence Brothers-a partnership that has been maintained with mutual pleasure and profit to the present time. They are among the most extensive dealers of crushed stone in the state of Ohio, owning and operating the Bruce trap-rock quarries and Bellevue limestone quarries. They handle about seventy thousand tons of stone annually, which is sent in over the rail- road and also have three freight boats on the lake. They have built nearly all of the boulevards in the city, making a specialty of public work, and in addi- tion to their extensive contracting interests also devote some attention to the real estate business. Mr. Spence of this review possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execu- tion, and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today his.
On the 30th of August, 1882, Mr. Spence was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary N. Orr, of Chillicothe, Ohio, by whom he has four children, as follows : Wedden O., who is associated with his father in business; Mary Belle, who is now attending the Lake Erie Seminary; Dorcas Marie, at home; and Harry Morton, who is a student in the Euclid Heights school. The Spence family is one of the oldest on Euclid Heights, living on the same place that John Spence purchased when he first came to Cleveland.
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In his political views Mr. Spence is a stalwart republican and an active and prominent factor in the local ranks of the party. He acted as mayor of Euclid Heights for two years, served as a member of the state executive committee for one term and has been on the Euclid Heights school board for a period of fifteen years. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason and also be- longs to the Mystic Shrine. In the city where he has resided throughout prac- tically his entire life he is most widely and favorably known, the circle of his friends being almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances. Through- out his business career, he has been watchful of indications pointing to success, has utilized his opportunities to the best advantage and has been notably prompt, energetic and reliable in the execution of contracts.
REV. ANGELICUS RALPH IDONE.
Rev. Angelicus Ralph Idone, pastor of St. Mariani's Catholic church of Cleveland, was born in Italy on the 22d of February, 1876, his parents being Joseph and Eleanor (Lafacke) Idone, the former a merchant of Italy. In prep- aration for his holy calling, the Rev. Idone attended St. Bonaventuris College of Allegany, New York, and also studied in Washington, D. C. On the 22d of December, 1901, he was ordained in College Chapel by Archibishop Quigley and celebrated his first mass on the following day in St. Andrew's church of New York city. For four years, he did missionary work, conducting missions in New York, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Long Island, Pittsburg, Buffalo, western Pennsylvania and Cleveland. It was on the 2d of October, 1905, that he was appointed pastor of St. Mariani's Catholic church of this city by Bishop Horstmann.
He organized the parish, built a small frame church with a seating capacity of one hundred and fifty and devoted himself to his work with such consecrated zeal that his influence at once became recognized as a forceful factor in the advancement of Catholicism in this city. His parishioners number eighty families, and plans are already under way for the erection of a new house of worship in the near future.
PETER GRABLER.
The name of Peter Grabler is associated with a number of important busi- ness enterprises of Cleveland, he being a member of The Dickey-Grabler Com- pany, manufacturers of steel stamps and stencil goods, and superintendent of the Cleveland Flushmeter Company, as well as the inventor of the flushmeter. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 10, 1862, a son of Michael and Anna Grabler, who brought him to this country when very small.
Until he was fourteen years old, Mr. Grabler attended school at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and then began working as a machinist in the same place, thus continuing for several years. For nine years he traveled all over the United States, visiting the principal cities, where he worked at his trade and finally lo- cating in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1893, where he started into business, manufactur- ing specialties of his own invention. This he continued until 1898, when he came to Cleveland and engaged in the same business until he sold out to what is now the Grabler Manufacturing Company. Later he joined A. H. Dickey and organized The Dickey-Grabler Company. This company manufactures sten- cils, steel letters and figures, steel stamps, brass signs, brass checks, badges, seals, book binders' dies, box printing dies, stamping dies, blanking dies, forming dies and similar specialties, and do punch press work. Mr. Grabler is the in-
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ventor of the Cleveland Flushmeter, which is used on the various closet appli- ances with remarkable results. The Cleveland Flushmeter Company manufac- ture this article, and Mr. Grabler is superintendent of the works as well. In all of his operations he has been remarkably successful, and he has other inventions on which patents are pending, for he is a born genius.
On February 10, 1886, Mr. Grabler was married in St. Louis, to Miss Mary Berkley, and they have five children: Rose, Minnie and Bessie, who are at home ; and Elderda and Marion, who are attending the public schools. The family resi- dence is at No. 1517 East Eighty-first street.
Mr. Grabler belongs to Biglow Lodge, No. 243, A. F. & A. M .; Mckinley Chapter, R. A. M .; and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while in poli- tics he is independent. All of his life he has been interested in mechanics and has given his whole attention to the subject. Like many others, he is con- tinually experimenting on his inventions, and looks forward to the time when he will have a number of them on the market, all as good as his flushmeter.
HON. WILLIAM GREY ROSE.
Hon. William Grey Rose is numbered among those who have been active in shaping the history of Cleveland and few men in public life have incurred so little enmity. Even those opposed to him politically entertained for him the warmest personal regard and admiration. It is said that he never forgot a friend-the playmates of his boyhood, the associates of his early manhood and those with whom he labored in legislative circles were remembered through all the years with their added responsibilities and honors. He was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, September 23, 1829. His parents were James and Martha (McKinley) Rose. The father, who was of English lineage, defended Ameri- can interests in the war of 1812, while the maternal great-grandfather, David McKinley, who was also the great-granfather of President Mckinley, was num- bered among the heroes of the Revolutionary war.
Spending his boyhood days under the parental roof William Grey Rose was provided with good educational privileges, attending successively the public schools, the Austinburg Grand River Institute and Beaver Academy. In the latter institution he was made instructor in Latin and mathematics and in 1853 he studied law with the Hon. William Stuart, of Mercer. Becoming interested in politics and desiring to use his influence to further the principles which he deemed of greatest value in good government, he bought out the Independent Democrat, which he made a freesoil paper, and through the labor which he did in that connection he turned the district into one strictly republican and so it has remained to the present time. Interested in every vital question, few, if any, were better informed upon the issues of the day or discussed with more clearness, fairness and force the questions which were agitating the public mind. In 1857 he was elected to the state legislature and in 1860 was appointed a dele- gate to the republican convention which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. When the differences of opinion between the north and south led to the inauguration of Civil war he volunteered for service and joined a Penn- sylvania regiment at Mercer, Pennsylvania. With his command he went to Parkersburg, West Virginia, being there when Morgan was captured.
At the close of the war Mr. Rose engaged in the oil business and later turned his attention to real estate, where his sound judgment and judicious investments won substantial success within two years. He then sought a home in St. Louis and afterward in Chicago, while eventually he located in Cleveland. He was elected its mayor in 1879 and during his administration introduced many restric- tive regulative and constructive measures. He stood unequivocally for righteous- ness in public office and was a terror to city officials who conducted the city busi-
MRS. WILLIAM G. ROSE
WILLIAM G. ROSE
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ness for personal profit. His administration was productive of various needed reforms as well as progressive measures.
At the close of his term of office Mr. Rose went to Europe, where he closely inspected the methods of economy in the government of cities there and later proceeded to put his knowledge into practical use. After his reelection to the mayoralty in 1891 he succeeded in materially reducing the cost of gas. He was a friend to the laboring classes and took an active part in settling a street railroad strike. He also liquidated the debt of a quarter of a million dollars on the viaduct, increased the sinking fund for the city and spent more than a quarter of a million dollars for street paving, one-half of the sum being met by the property owners and one-half by the city. His work was at all times of a most practical character and his public-spirited citizenship and devotion to the general good were manifest in the most practical way.
In 1858 Mr. Rose was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Parmelee, a daughter of Theodore Hudson and Harriet (Holcomb) Parmelee, of Tall- madge, Summit county, Ohio. They had four children: Evelyn, Hudson, Frederick and William Kent. The death of Mr. Rose occurred in Cleveland; September 15, 1899, and a life of much usefulness was thus ended. His life record finds embodiment in the words of Pope:
Statesman, yet friend to truth ; of soul sincere, In action faithful and in honor clear ; Who broke no promise, served no private end, Who gained no title and who lost no friend.
MRS. W. G. ROSE.
. In no age has the world been so largely indebted to womankind as at the present time. Thoroughly aroused to the needs which have been brought about through modern conditions and recognizing also the value of organized effort, women are today meeting and forming societies which are doing a most splen- did and effective work toward ameliorating hard conditions of life. Mrs. Rose occupies a prominent place among those who are giving much time to charitable and philanthropic work, her labors in this direction being far-reaching and bene- ficial. She is also equally well known as as leader in cultured society circles where opportunity is had for intellectual and esthetic advancement.
She was born in Norton, Ohio, March 5, 1834, of the marriage of Theodore Hudson Parmelee and Harriet Holcomb. She is a granddaughter of Captain Theodore Parmelee, of Litchfield, Connecticut, whose long continued and pa- triotic service in the Revolutionary war was rewarded by a grant of land. In 1811 Theodore H. Parmelee removed from New England to Ohio with his uncle, David Hudson, who founded the Western Reserve College, of Hudson, Ohio, now Adelbert College of Cleveland. Following his death his widow re- moved to Oberlin, taking up her abode there in 1847 and in the excellent schools of that city the daughter received her collegiate training, winning her diploma in 1855. Following her graduation she engaged in teaching music in the sem- inary at Mercer, Pennsylvania, and it was there that she became acquainted with W. G. Rose, who sought her hand in marriage. They were married in 1855 and in Cleveland they reared their family of four children.
Mrs. Rose is very widely known here in charitable and philanthropic circles. Prompted by no sense of duty but by the higher motive of a sincere interest in and love for her fellowmen and by recognition of the brotherhood of the race, she has done much effective work for the benefit of others. She has been par- ticularly interested in the working women of the city and has devised and put into operation many plans for the relief and improvement of their condition.
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She founded the Women's Employment Society, which gave work to needy women who could sew, put the garments in stores in exchange for more goods and had private sales. She also obtained government work from the Indian affairs department at Washington, receiving eight hundred dollars for furnish- ing shirts and trousers for that department. In 1881 Mrs. Rose was made presi- dent of the Cleveland Sorosis, which in three years-the term of her office- increased its membership to two hundred and sixty-nine, thirty-one of whom went in a private car to the general federation of women's clubs held in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania. She founded the Health Protective Association in 1898, after an address made by Colonel George Wing, junior street commissioner of New York. They took his children's pledge and petitioned the city to put in waste paper boxes, which are to be seen at present. Mrs. Rose attended the general federation of women's clubs at Los Angeles, California, as a delegate from Chautauqua, New York. She there met Mrs. Herman Hall, whom she invited to come to Cleveland and aid in forming a civics club. She was made the chairman of playgrounds and through her instrumentality three were lo- cated, the first in Cleveland Heights. Once a year the children visited the fresh air camp, Bostwick animal show or Euclid beach. Forty-five children were enrolled at that playground. For three years these children met in Mrs. Rose's rooms to make raffia work, burnt wood and garments.
Mrs. Rose wrote up the trade schools of France, under the name of Charles C. Lee, for the daily papers and in that way aided and established the manual training schools of Cleveland, a valued department of high-school work. In many ways she has created public sympathy and interest in movements that have been most valuable in promoting benevolent work. She became a charter member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Cleveland, also treasurer of the National Health Protective League and president of the Cleveland Health Protective Association. Wherever she sees the need of assistance it is her earnest desire to aid and her kindnesses are numbered by the thousand. Many of these have been of a most quiet character, known only to herself and the recipient, for she seeks or desires no public praise for her work.
Mrs. Rose is the mother of four children, who are married and doing well in business. One son was graduated from the Boston School of Technology and another from Harvard in the classical department, and one was four years at Cornell University with his sister, who there graduated in 1880. He is now one of the trustees. Mrs. Rose is the author of three books: one is Travels in Europe and Northern Africa; another, An Album; and a third, Reminiscences or Character Building. She has given rooms for a mission for a purity league and for a boys' club. She is a lady of remarkable executive skill and business ability with a faculty for organization, and her foresight and tact have enabled her to do most excellent service in philanthropic lines and to awaken the coop- eration of other women in this field of labor throughout the middle west.
STEPHEN L. PIERCE.
Stephen L. Pierce, the proprietor of the firm of S. L. Pierce & Company of Cleveland, has been successfully engaged in business as a shoe manufacturer of this city since 1885. His birth occurred in Birmingham, Ohio, on the 4th of November, 1852, his parents being Bennett and Nancy M. (Clarey) Pierce, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of New York. In early life the father accompanied his parents on their removal to Wakeman, Ohio, the family being among the early settlers of the Western Reserve. The over- land journey from Connecticut to this state was made by ox team. Bennett Pierce obtained his education at Milan, Ohio, where was situated one of the best schools in this part of the country at that time. Throughout his active busi-
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ness career, he was engaged in business as a merchant and met with a well merited degree of prosperity in his undertakings. His demise occurred in the year 1861. His wife, who lost her parents when very young, was brought to this state by one of her brothers. She likewise received her schooling at Milan, Ohio, where she subsequently gave her hand in marriage to Bennett Pierce. She was called to her final rest in December, 1874.
Following the death of his father Stephen L. Pierce, who was then but a lad of nine years, accompanied his mother and the other children of the family to Oberlin, Ohio, where he obtained his education. After leaving school he came to Cleveland in 1872 and here secured a position with the wholesale firm known as the Childs-Groff Shoe Company, in the employ of which concern he was retained until 1885. In that year he started out on his own account as a manufacturer of shoes and for three years conducted business as a member of the firm of Allen & Pierce. On the expiration of that period he purchased his partner's interest and the concern has since been known as S. L. Pierce & Com- pany. It is practically the only enterprise of its kind in the city of Cleveland and the plant is one of the best equipped in the country, being a five-story build- ing especially designed and erected as a shoe manufacturing establishment. Though he began business on a small scale Mr. Pierce has since developed an enterprise of extensive proportions, shipping goods throughout the entire United States. The output of the factory includes ladies', misses', children's and in- fants' shoes as well as footwear for boys and youths. Mr. Pierce is also a director in the First National Bank, the Guardian Savings & Trust Company and the Clifton Park Land & Improvement Company and is widely recognized as one of the prominent, successful and enterprising business men of Cleveland.
In 1882 Mr. Pierce was united in marriage to Miss Kittie H. Hawkins, a native of Ohio. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and also belongs to the Union, Roadside, Clifton, Euclid and Lakewood Yacht Clubs. In the Clifton Club he is serving as president. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party and he loyally supports its men and meas- ures. His genial disposition and cordial spirit render him popular, while his forceful character and undaunted enterprise have gained him a position of dis- tinction in manufacturing circles.
ALVIN F. CLARK.
Alvin F. Clark, the genial and progressive representative of the O. M. Stafford & Goss Company, a general insurance firm with offices at 5504 Wood- land avenue, has served in this capacity for the past seventeen years. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, May 6, 1849, and is the son of Alexander and Ada- line Clark. His father, who was a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was a tinsmith, but upon removing to Wayne county, Ohio, embarked in mercantile business. His death occurred in 1901.
Alvin F. Clark left school at the age of fourteen. Although a mere lad at the beginning of the Civil war, he managed to enlist in 1864 in Company D of the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Volunteer Infantry and served for the space of a year. Upon his return to Wayne county he worked as a clerk in a gro- cery store until 1869, when he came to Cleveland and accepted a position with R. F. Danford, a dealer in oil and lamps, which he held for two years. After clerking for some time in the grocery store of E. F. Stafford, he and a Mr. Rose started in business for themselves under the firm name of Rose & Clark. In 1877 Mr. Clark sold out and opened a grocery of which he was sole proprietor. This store, which was situated on Woodland avenue, he operated for three years and then sold in order to start a similar concern at the corner of Case and Wood- land avenue. In 1878, he secured a position as traveling salesman for the J.
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M. Stewart Grocery Supply Company and remained with them for three years, when he made a radical change, becoming superintendent of the Roberts Manu- facturing Company. Having held this post for ten years, he enjoyed a short retirement, but the attractions of active life prevailed and in 1892 he accepted the position of manager of O. M. Stafford & Goss Company's branch office at 5504 Woodland avenue, where he has enjoyed much success.
Mr. Clark was married in March, 1868, to Miss Amanda Goudy, their wed- ding being celebrated in Wayne county, Ohio. They have two daughters: Mrs. Cora E. Andrews, a widow; and Mrs. Ida R. Hoover, of Jackson, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Clark make their home at 2191 East Eighty-fifth street.
Mr. Clark's political convictions incline him to the republican party. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and attends the Christian Science church. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of all those with whom he comes in contact, both in his social and business relations.
FRANK HRUBECKY.
Among Cleveland's residents who are now living retired, their present com- mendable financial position being the direct result of former activity and enter- prise along business lines, is numbered Frank Hrubecky, living at 7916 Central avenue. He is a retired grocer who for many years successfully conducted a store. He was born in Bohemia, June 29, 1853, his parents being John and Cath- erine (Bouse) Hrubecky, both of whom were also natives of Bohemia and are now deceased. Their children were Mary, the widow of M. Zak, of Kekle, Bo- hemia; Jacob, deceased; Constantine, the wife of John Zamicnik, of Cleveland; John, of this city; Anna, the widow of M. Fashenbaur, of Cleveland ; and Frank.
The last named spent his boyhood and youth in his native land, pursuing his education in the public schools there, and at the age of sixteen years came to America, arriving in this country in 1870. He has since been a resident of Cleve- land. He did general work until 1872, when he secured a clerkship in the store of Joseph Stafford & Company, with whom he remained until they went out of business. He afterward engaged in clerking for the firm of Rhodes & Clark and later worked for the Kretze Company in the same line of business. In the mean- time his efforts were actuated by the laudable ambition to some day engage in bus- iness on his own account, and the year 1880 witnessed the fulfillment of his hopes in his establishment of a store on Central avenue. There he conducted a grocery business for twelve years, after which he removed to Seventy-ninth street and Cen- tral avenue, in property which he still owns. There he conducted business until about six years ago, when failing health caused him to retire.
Mr. Hrubecky also owns property where he resides with his wife, whom he wedded on the 7th of April, 1875. She bore the maiden name of Barbara Zikes, and was born in Bohemia. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Zikes, of Cista, Bohemia. Her brothers and sisters are: John Zikes, of Cleveland ; Julia, the wife of Joseph Cermak, of Cleveland ; Emma, the wife of Christopher Smith, of Orrville, Ohio; Theodore and James, both deceased; Anna, the wife of Evan W. Jones, of Cleveland; Bertha, the wife of Joseph Ptak, of this city ; Theodore, of Cleveland; and Charlie, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hrubecky are prominently known among the Bohemian residents of this city. He holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the C. S. P. S., a Bohemian benevolent association. He was secretary of the supreme lodge of that order and was secretary and pres- ident of the grand lodge for three years, while on several occasions he was a dele- gate to its conventions. He is also a member of the Council of Higher Education, and is prominent in the various organizations with which he is connected. He was the first president, as well as one of the founders of the Lodge Sokal, of Cleveland, an organization like the Turners. For thirty-eight years he has also
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