USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 56
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any consciousness on his part of my inexperience or his superiority. In this his art in concealing art seemed to me perfect. In his argument, whether to court or jury, in the one respect so many seem to me to fail, namely, observance of due proportions of things, he had no superior. It was not his habit to come into court loaded down with books-one or two authorities, in which the prin- ciple was enunciated, generally sufficed him. His reasoning was masterly, and if his premises were admitted it was exceedingly difficult to escape his con- clusions. He never indulged in the habit of dwelling on unimportant things. He never wearied the listener with complicated details about irrelevant matter. He saw the real issue at a glance and dealt with it directly. The most marked characteristic of the man was his ability to arrive instinctively and instantan- eously at a point which other men reached by study and the comparison of data. I have seen him come into courtroom and casting a quiet glance around among the persons present he would seem to have divined in some mysterious fashion not only what had been going on, but what was in contemplation, almost as well as some others could ascertain the same facts by half an hour's cross-examina- tion."
In the course of a public address at the "Old Roman" banquet Judge Thur- inan thus referred to him: "For forty years I have been a devoted friend of Rufus P. Ranney, and I firmly believe that he has been mine. It may therefore be permitted to me to say that of all the great lawyers I have ever known, no one ever seemed to me to be his equal. With a quickness of apprehension al- most supernatural, with a power of analysis that Pascal might have envied, with an integrity that never for a moment was or could be brought into doubt, with a courage that never permitted him to fear to do what he believed to be right, with an industry that brought all his great qualities into successful operation, and with a mind cultivated beyond the sphere of his profession, he is, in the eyes of those who know him as I know him, a man of whom Ohio is and always will be most justly proud. He is a star in her firmament that will never be blotted out."
Judge Ranney never sought to appear learned, but rather to adapt his argu- ment to the comprehension of the weakest member of the profession and of a layman. The course of his reasoning is readily followed to a conclusion which is impregnable. His style is charming, his choice of words felicitous. Clear- ness of expression is matched by purity of diction. His opinions are not more noteworthy for the soundness of the conclusions reached than for the beautiful simplicity of the language in which they are clothed. His tastes were simple and domestic. His home life, in its affection, confidence and constancy ex- hibited the gentler traits of his strong character.
His attachments to wife and children were of the tenderest and most endur- ing quality. He married Adeline W. Warner, who at the age of seventy-eight survives and is greatly beloved. Mrs. Ranney was a daughter of Judge Jonathan Warner, of Jefferson, Ashtabula county, who was an associate judge of the com- mon pleas court and one of the pioneers of the state. Their family consisted of six children, four sons and two daughters. Both daughters and two of the sons are dead. One son, John R. Ranney, was educated in the law but is not now engaged in practice. The other son, Charles P. Ranney, is a suc- cessful business man of Cleveland.
FRED A. PEASE.
Fred A. Pease, general manager of The Fred 'A. Pease Engineering Com- pany, with offices in the Williamson building, belongs to that class of young men who, becoming fully cognizant of conditions in the business world at the present time, qualify to meet the demands which the exigencies of modern busi- ness life create. Choosing the profession of civil engineering as a life work,
F. A. PEASE
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he has made such progress in his chosen calling that he is now accorded high rank among those who direct their efforts in the same field of labor. He was born in Kingsville, Ohio, July 17, 1873. His father, H. H. Pease, was also a native of Kingsville and became a mason contractor. He wedded Mary Eliza- beth Barnum, of Rock Creek, Ohio.
At the usual age Fred A. Pease began his education in the public schools of his native village, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the high school at the age of seventeen years. He then began preparation for business life by undertaking engineering, being employed in supervision and construction work in the northwest and in Canada for two years. On his return to Cleveland he took up the further study and practice of civil engineering, which he pursued along various lines. Mr. Pease was appointed assistant county engineer in charge of road construction in 1899. He continued in this office until 1901, when he organized and established The Fred A. Pease En- gineering Company, becoming vice president and general manager. He occu- pies the dual position at the present time and in this connection has done much important work in the line of his profession. This engineering company are engineers for the villages of Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Rocky River and Euclid. In addition to that they execute extensive municipal improvement work, design subdivisions and engage in electric railway work. They are en- gineers in charge of the Gates Mills development work for the Maple Leaf Land Company, Oakwood-on-the-Lake, Rocky River, the Shaker Heights Land Com- pany and the Deming-Forest Hill subdivisions. Their services in an engineer- ing capacity have been employed on electric railway work by the Eastern Ohio Traction Company, the Wheeling Traction Company, the Cleveland, Southwestern Railroad Company and by various other enterprises in this and adjoining states.
Mr. Pease is devoted to hunting in the western states, which affords him a pleasurable source of recreation, and as a member of the Cleveland Grays he is identified with military organizations of the city. He also belongs to the Cleve- land Athletic Club, the Cleveland Auto Club, the Builders Exchange and as a member of the Chamber of Commerce is associated with various activities for municipal betterment. In more strictly professional lines he is an associate mem- ber of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a member of the Cleveland Engineering Society. His time is given almost exclusively to his business inter- ests, which have shown remarkable development in extent and importance, as The Fred A. Pease Engineering Company occupies a representative position in professional circles of this city.
JOHN H. QUAYLE, M. D.
Dr. John H. Quayle, physician and surgeon of Cleveland, was born in Madi- son, Ohio, June 25, 1874. His father, Henry Quayle, also a native of this state, was born in Painesville but for many years has resided at Madison, where he is now living retired at the age of seventy-six years. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary E. Bower and also survives.
Dr. Quayle spent his boyhood at Madison and acquired his education in the public schools of that city, which he attended until seventeen years of age, when he began preparation for a professional career as a student in the Cleveland University of Medicine & Surgery, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in the class of 1895. Soon afterward he pursued a course in the Cleveland College of Physicians & Surgeons, of which he is also a graduate, and later he attended the New York Post Graduate College and likewise did post-graduate work in Europe, receiving instruction from some of the emininent physicians and surgeons of the old world, so that his training for the profession was most thorough and comprehensive.
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Dr. Quayle engaged in practice in Madison, Ohio, for nine years, and since that time has been a representative of the medical fraternity in Cleveland. While he continues in general practice, he has given particular attention to gynecology and obstetrics and his researches along those lines, together with his continually broadening experience, have made him one of the foremost representatives of his specialty in this city. He is a member of the Cleveland Academy of Medicine, the Cleveland Medical Library Association and the Ohio and American Medical Associations. He has been an occasional contributor to the current literature of the profession and the ability which he has displayed has won him recogni- tion not only from the general public but also from his fellow practitioners.
Aside from professional interests Dr. Quayle is known in financial circles as a member of the auxiliary board of the Guardian Savings & Trust Company. He is also well known as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of the Cleve- land Athletic Club and of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Forest City Commandery, K. T., and in Al Koran Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He finds his principal recreation in athletics and recognizes the value of outdoor exercise as a source of health promotion. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he is not an active worker in its ranks.
Dr. Quayle was married at Chardon, Ohio, October 3, 1896, to Grace C. Dayton, a daughter of Frank J. Dayton, of Madison, Ohio. They have a daughter, Alice Lynette, seven years of age, and a son, John H., two years old. Dr. Quayle owns a home at No. 4724 Franklin avenue. He is a fine appearing young man, of athletic build, of frank and genial nature and pleasant and social disposition. In his profession he has achieved high rank for one of his years.
JOHN F. RUST, SR.
The initial step in the business career of John F. Rust, Sr., was not such as would attract the attention of others. In fact, he started in life in a humble capacity but his ready recognition of opportunity led him continually to broaden the scope of his labors until he attained a commanding position in the financial and business circles of Cleveland as the vice president of the Citizens Savings & Trust Company, as a director of every national bank in the city and as the owner of large real-estate interests here, while his business connections also included investments in other parts of the country. He was born in Rutland, Vermont, June 15, 1835, and was the youngest of a family of five sons and three daughters, whose parents were Amasa and Charlotte (Ward) Rust. On leaving Rutland they removed to Marine City, Michigan, John F. Rust being at that time two years of age. Spending his boyhood days there, he attended the public schools and at the age of eighteen became an engineer in the employ of his brother, who was the owner of a sawmill. Soon afterward he went to Saginaw, Michigan, with his brothers and there engaged in the lumber business. He was also connected with the firm of Ward Brothers, who were prominent shipown- ers. He retained his residence in Saginaw until 1865, when, having saved some capital from his earnings, he decided to come to Cleveland and enter business circles in this city. Here he formed a partnership for the conduct of a lumber enterprise under the firm name of Rust, King & Company, and when the silent partner of the firm sold out the name of Rust, King & Clint was adopted. For a number of years they did a profitable and growing business as lumber mer- chants and then Mr. Rust, in 1883, sold his interest and became one of the founders of what is now the Citizens Savings & Trust Company. In this he was associated with Messrs. King, Newcomb, Leuty and other prominent busi- ness men, and assumed part of the active management of the business as director and vice president. He was largely instrumental in instituting a safe and con- servative policy which won public confidence and, taking on the legitimate
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branches of a banking business, did much to promote the efficiency of the bank and, therefore, win the patronage of the public. He retired from active busi- ness interests in 1886 and through his remaining days gave his time to those interests for which his taste inclined him and his leisure permitted. His name, however, was closely linked with banking interests, for in addition to his con- nection with the Citizens Savings & Trust Company he was vice president of the Western Reserve National Bank and a stockholder in every national bank of Cleveland. He was, moreover, financially interested in many of the most important business houses of the city and was a heavy investor in real estate, owning much Euclid avenue and down town property that proved very profit- able. At the time of his death he was the owner of many of the most valuable sites in the down town districts, was the owner of large vessel interests on the Great Lakes, as well as mining interests in the west and in the lumber districts of Michigan. In fact, he had extensive holdings in various sections of the country and came to be considered as one of Cleveland's wealthiest business men, who was widely known and courted socially by club men and those promi- nent in society.
On the 15th of December, 1863, at Saginaw, Michigan, Mr. Rust was mar- ried to Miss W. A. Smith, a daughter of Isaac and Weltheina (Stevens) Smith, the former a prominent jeweler of Knowlesville, New York. Mrs. Rust was born in Knowlesville in 1845 and came to Cleveland in 1863. The children of this marriage were six in number : Frank P., who was born in Saginaw in 1864 and died in 1901; Gertrude, the wife of George Chandler, of Cleveland; Charlotte, who wedded Wilson Potter, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Clara, the wife of H. H. Hill, also of this city; and John F., Jr., and Irma, both residing in Cleve- land. Mr. Rust was prominent in many projects for the city's welfare and was very widely known in Cleveland. He attended the Second Presbyterian church, in which he was a trustee and to which he was a liberal donor, and he held mem- bership in the Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Industry, the Union, Euclid, Colonial, Roadside and Gentlemen's Driving Clubs. He was a director of the Huron Street Hospital. He was also a Master Mason and appreciated the duties of the metaphorical teachings of the order. He was fond of driving and always kept some good horses. His home interests, however, were para- mount to all else and his success was a source of gratification to him because it enabled him to provide the members of his own household with the comforts and the opportunities of life. His death occurred August 9, 1899, Mrs. Rust surviv- ing until December, 1909, when she passed away in Philadelphia. So many and varied were his activities that he touched in large measure the general in- terests of society, nor was he ever unmindful of his obligations to his fellow- men. He never allowed personal interests or ambition to dwarf his public spirit or activity. His was the record of a strenuous life-the record of a strong individuality, sure of itself, stable in purpose, quick in perception, swift in de- cision and energetic and persistent in action. It is a recognized fact that in this, the twentieth century, other things being equal, the men of substance are the stronger force in the progress of the world and it was to this class that John F. Rust belonged.
BENJAMIN W. BROWNE.
Benjamin W. Browne, who with marked success has conducted the inter- ests of the Great Western Oil Company since its establishment in 1901, has throughout this period been its president. He was born near Lancaster, Eng- land, December 2, 1863, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Widdman) Browne and a grandson of Benjamin Browne. He acquired his education at Thornton in Lonsdale, England, and at the age of twenty years sought the opportunities
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of the new world, settling in Cleveland, where he became connected with the firm of Scofield, Shurmer & Teagle. He advanced through a series of promo- tions to the position of general manager, continuing with that house for eighteen years and then, desiring the opportunities that are afforded in the conduct of an independent venture, in 1901 he founded the Great Western Oil Company and became its president, since which time he has conducted its affairs with con- stantly increasing success, his labors being crowned with gratifying results.
On the 12th of October, 1886, Mr. Browne was married to Miss Helen M. Goodrich, a daughter of John and Angelina Goodrich, of Cleveland, and they now have two children: Stewart B. and Ralph G., who are with them at their home at No. 13311 Euclid avenue. Mr. Browne finds pleasure in motoring and driving and is also greatly interested in farming and country life. He belongs to the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, to the Euclid Club and to the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. His political faith is that of the republican party, while his religious belief finds expression in his membership in the Win- dermere Methodist Episcopal church. His wife also holds membership in that organization, is prominent in church and charitable work and is a member of the Sorosis Society. She gives ready response to the call of the poor and needy, ex- tending a helping hand to many who seek assistance and who have been vic- tims of an untoward fate. Both Mr. and Mrs. Browne are well known socially here, having a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their ac- quaintance. Mr. Browne has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek his fortune in America, where advancement is more quickly secured as the result of the bountiful natural resources of the country. Recognizing the fact that close application is ever a salient element in business, he has given his time and energies in almost undivided manner to the business duties which the years have brought and is enjoying the profits of his labors resulting from the con- duct of a growing enterprise.
FRED M. NICHOLAS.
Fred M. Nicholas, who through the years of an active business career was a forceful factor in the management and successful control of various important business enterprises and is still financially interested in many large and profitable business projects although now living practically retired in the city of Cleveland, was born in Vermilion, Erie county, Ohio, in 1855. His father, Isaac W. Nicholas, was a native of Vermont but came to Ohio in 1828, settling at Ver- milion, where he engaged in shipbuilding until his retirement in 1875. He built the first three-masted schooner on the lakes and was one of the best known vessel builders on the inland waters. His death occurred in Cleveland in 1900, in which year his wife, a native of Ohio, also passed away.
Fred M. Nicholas attended the common schools of Vermilion and also the Central high school of Cleveland, from which he was graduated in the class of 1874. On the completion of his school days he became connected with the Republic Refining Oil Company, which was absorbed by the Standard Oil Com- pany in 1879. Although a part of the great corporation, the former retained its organic existence and Mr. Nicholas remained therewith until 1881, when he was transferred to No. I Works of the Standard Oil Company, having charge of the barrel preparing, shipping, glue manufacture and paint and color works departments until 1886. In that year his business standing and ability secured him a flattering offer and he became identified with the McConway, Torley Company, of Pittsburg, now the Malleable Iron Company of Pittsburg, as its treasurer. He continued in that position for two years and is still finan- cially interested in the business. As the years passed on he extended the scope of his activities, his ability bringing him into important business relations. He
F. M. NICHOLAS
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became one of the organizers of the National Safe & Lock Company, of Cleve- land, and acted as its secretary for four years. He is also interested in the Nicholas Transit Company, the Minch Transit Company, the Bradley Fleet Ore and Grain Carriers, the American Ship Building Company and others of equal importance, his ripe judgment and wide experience serving to make his aid a valuable asset to any concern. In 1892, however, Mr. Nicholas decided to put aside some of the more engrossing activities that had hitherto crowded his busy life and in the years which have since come and gone has practically lived retired.
In 1880 occurred the marriage of Mr. Nicholas and Miss Jennie M. Hopper, a daughter of George H. Hopper. They have one child, Marjorie, who was a student in the Hathaway-Brown school and is now attending Mrs. Dow's school at Briarcliff Manor, New York. Mr. Nicholas owns one of the finest country estates in northern Ohio-Broadfields, located at Unionville, Lake county, and adjoining Elmwood, the celebrated country home of the Hopper family. - Broad- fields was selected for representation in "One Hundred Country Houses" which were chosen as modern American examples of such structures, the volume being issued by the Century Company in 1909. Mr. Nicholas may well be proud of this magnificent estate. It is lacking in none of the equipments which consti- tute features of a most progressive and thoroughly modern country estate. Upon it is to be found the second best apple orchard in Ohio, the best private golf course in the state, while a trout stream was stocked by the government with ten thousand trout. His stables are filled with splendid specimens of work horses as well as fine driving stock. There is a large aviary and in fact no equipment of the modern country place is lacking. The friends of the propri- etor call him "Farmer Nicholas" and the title is a pleasing one to him, for he delights in working his own land.
Mr. Nicholas is identified with the leading clubs and social organizations of Cleveland, including the Euclid, Roadside, Hermit, Cleveland Automobile and Cleveland Singers Clubs. He also belongs to the Lambs Clubs of New York city and the Ohio Society of New York and was a member of the old Gatling Gun Battery of Cleveland. Mr. Nicholas is not only a high type of the modern agriculturist and a splendid representative of the astute, keen business men who have made Cleveland an important commercial and industrial center, but also possesses talents along other lines which would probably have won him fame had he been compelled to rely upon them for support. He is a singer of more than local renown, possessing a remarkably fine voice and his musical talent is often used in church and charitable entertainments; otherwise it is cultivated only for the pleasure of himself and friends. It sometimes seems a pity that such talent as his should be hidden beneath "the bushel" of business cares, yet he never refuses his aid when his musical ability is sought for the benefit of some worthy charity or benevolence, or for the delight of his friends. Mr. Nicholas moreover possesses marked histrionic knowledge and ability, delights in high class stage performances, would make an excellent actor and frequently takes part in amateur theatricals. For many years he has had charge of the music of the Church of the Holy City, of which he and his family are members, and the musical service rendered upon special occasions had hardly an equal in choir work in other cities.
It is seldom that a man is so richly endowed as Mr. Nicholas and his versa- tility makes him a welcome companion in all social circles. 'As has been indi- cated, his enterprise, ready recognition of possibilities, thorough understanding of the needs of business and indefatigable energy made his a strenuous yet a resultant business career, many important commercial and industrial projects profiting by the impetus gained through his cooperation. He retired from those fields to become an equally dominant factor in agricultural circles. His per- son ?! activities have not ceased because of his withdrawal from commercial life. for his time is occupied to the fullest extent and his influence is strongly felt in local matters. The circle of his friends has been continually increasing as the
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circle of his acquaintance has broadened and it would be difficult to find a more popular or highly respected man than the genial, courteous gentleman who is the proprietor of Broadfields.
JOHN FRANKLIN RUST.
John Franklin Rust, a capitalist whose time is devoted to the management of the Rust estate, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, June 16, 1882, a son of John F. and W. A. (Smith) Rust, extended mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. The son attended private schools and also the University School of Cleveland, after which he went east to continue his education in the Lawrence- ville school of New Jersey. He also attended Princeton College, from which he was graduated in 1907 with the Bachelor of Arts degree, and on leaving college he was called to manage the estate left by his father. His attention has since been given to the property interests and investments which constitute the estate, and his business ability is manifest in the capable manner in which he has con- trolled the interests entrusted to him.
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