A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III, Part 58

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1106

USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 58

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Dr. Sherman was honored with the presidency of the Cleveland Academy of Medicine in 1903, and since 1906 has served continuously as president of the Cleveland Medical Library Association. For the past two years he has been the president of the Ohio State Alumni Association of Columbia University and has been chairman of the public health and sanitation committee of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce for the past five years. He likewise belongs to the American Medical Association, the American Ophthalmological Associa- tion, the American Academy of Opthalmology, Otology and Laryngology, the Ohio State Medical Society, and various other medical and scientific organizations.

On the 14th of June, 1882, Dr. Sherman was married to Miss Jennie Bates, a daughter of James Bates, of Boston, Massachusetts, and their family numbers five sons and a daughter. They maintain a summer home at Painesville, Ohio, with an attractive winter residence in Cleveland. Dr. Sherman was elected presi- dent of the Western Reserve Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution on the 22d of February, 1910. He also belongs to the Delta Tau Delta and is a Scottish Rite Mason. He holds membership with the Union and various other clubs, gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is an Unitarian in his religious faith. Never neglectful of those interests which constitute vital forces in modern life, a champion of the church, school, club and other organiza- tions, he nevertheless regards the practice of medicine as his real life work, and · his conscientious performance of duty in his chosen field, combined with compre- hensive knowledge of scientific principles, has made him one of the leading specialists of Cleveland.

ISRAEL J. LEHMAN.

Israel J. Lehman is senior partner of the firm of Lehman & Schmitt, archi- tects of Cleveland, whose skill and ability in professional lines have been widely sought, leading them into active connection with building interests in various parts of the country. Owing to his wide and favorable acquaintance the life history of Israel J. Lehman cannot fail to prove of interest to many readers of this volume. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, October 29, 1859, being the second oldest child in the family, and as the name indicates, came of Ger- man lineage. His father, Joseph Lehman, a native of Bavaria, Germany, ar- rived in America in 1841, settling in New York city, and after several changes, during which time he spent a few years in California subsequent to the discov- ery of gold on the Pacific coast, he removed to Cleveland in 1862 and here re- sided up to the time of his death, being engaged in the dry-goods business until his retirement from commercial lines. He married Hannah Schwarz, also a native of Germany, who arrived in America some years prior to her marriage. Her death occurred in 1869, the father surviving until November, 1883, when he passed away at the age of sixty-two years.

Coming to this city when in his third year, Israel J. Lehman is indebted to the public-school system for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He was also under the instruction of private tutors in drawing, and after leav- ing school entered an architect's office at the age of fourteen years, serving an apprenticeship of three years. Later he was employed in other offices for a number of years and in 1880 occupied a position in the county courthouse as draftsman employed in making the decennial maps, at the same time con- tinuing his architectural studies. From 1880 until 1884 he was employed as draftsman in the office of George H. Smith and during that period was a co- worker there with his present partner, Theodore Schmitt. They entered into partnership relations in July, 1884, and the connection has since been maintained,

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covering now a quarter of a century. With two exceptions this is the oldest firm of architects in Cleveland. In the opening years of their business their work was principally in the designs for residences but in later years their atten- tion has been confined almost exclusively to public and commercial buildings. Their first contract for a public building was awarded them in 1886, when they made the plans for the Scovill Avenue Temple and in 1887 they were architects for the City Hospital. Among the more important buildings they have de- signed are: the Central Police Station, erected in 1893; Sheriff Street Market, in 1890; Cleveland Driving Park, 1894; Central Armory, 1894; the West Side Police Station on Detroit street in 1888; the Temple at Willson avenue and Central street in 1893; the Cuyahoga county courthouse in 1902; the Weideman Company building; the Joseph & Feiss Company building; and several other prominent structures. They have also made the designs for many fine struc- tures in other cities, including the courthouse in Lexington county in 1898; the Children's Home in Lorain county, Ohio; the courthouse in Towanda, Pennsyl- vania ; the Central Police Station at Sandusky, Ohio; two hotels in Lima, Ohio; the Alsace Hotel and the Baptist church in Franklin, Pennsylvania. They are now engaged in the erection of the courthouse at Peru, Indiana, and the county courthouse in Cleveland. They are also building the Euclid Avenue Temple and have recently completed the Excelsior Club and The Bailey Company's buildings. In the process of time with the development and growth of the city they have torn down residences they had built years ago to replace them with substantial modern business blocks. In the spring of 1899 Mr. Lehman spent four months in Mexico making drawings for public schools.

At all times interested in matters pertaining to his profession, Mr. Lehman has been a member of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Cleveland Architectural Club, but resigned. He is now a member of the Cleveland City Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith; the Excelsior Club; and the Chamber of Commerce. He belongs like- wise to Willson 'Avenue Temple, of which he has been a trustee for fifteen years, being chairman of the Temple committee, which has charge of the building.

On the 27th of May, 1885, in Cleveland, Mr. Lehman wedded Miss Nannie Scheuer, a daughter of Joseph Scheuer, of Cleveland, and their four children are : Joseph, Irene and Nina, twins, and Edgar. The family residence, completed in the fall of 1908, is at No. 1657 East One Hundred and Fifteenth street.

ALVIN A. PIFER.

For the past fourteen years the abilities of Alvin A. Pifer have found con- genial scope as vice president and manager of the Cleveland Armature Works. His parents were Christopher and Gertrude Pifer and his birth occurred in the western part of Pennsylvania, January 14, 1868. His father was born in Ba- varia, Germany, and on coming to America settled in Pennsylvania, where he engaged in shoe manufacturing and farming until his death in 1897.

After attending the common schools until his fifteenth year Alvin 'A. Pifer entered the Mount Union College of Pennsylvania, where he took a two years' course in the commercial department. This was followed by a year's experience as a school teacher in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, after which he came to Cleveland and was employed for a year as deliverer and clerk for Bradford & Company. For the next six years he filled the position of armature winder for the Brush Electric Company and spent another year in the same capacity with the Elliott-Crawford Company, later Elliott & Lincoln. In a short time he found himself in the higher capacity of manager with the Theodore Volman City Repairing Company. When this firm consolidated with the W. H. Elliott Electric Company in 1894, he was made treasurer, and upon its reconsolidation

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in 1896 with James L. Mauldin, when it became the Cleveland Armature Works, he was elected vice president and manager.

Mr. Pifer was married September 24, 1891, to Miss Maggie N. Rennison, and five children have been born to them. Lee and Jay, who would be ten and six years old respectively, are deceased. Evelyn, twelve years old, and Marguerite, eight, are public-school pupils, and Harold is a lad of four. The family home is located at 10727 Grantwood avenue.

Mr. Pifer is a protestant in religious faith and a democrat in politics. The remarkable prosperity of the Cleveland Armature Works can not but reflect satisfactorily upon his capabilities, and he commands the esteem of those who know him best.

FRANCIS J. PECK.

The subject of this sketch, Francis J. Peck, was born in West Farmington, Trumbull county, Ohio, September 7, 1866, where he resided until five years of age, when his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. His grandparents were among the very early settlers of the Western Reserve, having come from Con- necticut in the. year 1819 and locating on a large farm near where West Farm- ington is now located.

His father, Dr. Allen Francis Peck, was born February 7, 1828, on the farm originally located by his father and at the age of seventeen left home, going to New Mexico, and in the year 1846 enlisted in the First Cavalry of New Mexico under Colonel "Kit" Carson the famous Indian scout, under whom he served for two years. Returning to the east, he took up the study of medicine and surgery, graduating from the College of New York Physicians and Surgeons in the year 1854 as assistant surgeon. He practiced one year in Bellevue Hospital and then returned to his old home, where he practiced his profession until the time of the Civil war, when he again enlisted under his old commander Colonel Christopher Carson as surgeon, serving four years, being honorably discharged at the end of that time with the title of major.

Returning to his native town, Dr. Peck was married in the year 1865 to Cor- delia A. Fuller, also native of West Farmington, Ohio, whose parents had also come from Connecticut in the year 1825. In the year 1869, the family which now consisted of Dr. and Mrs. A. F. Peck, Francis J. and Corrine M. came to Cleveland, Ohio, where the Doctor practiced his profession until the time of his death, February 27, 1878. Immediately after the death of the father, the mother and her two children moved to Warren, Ohio, where the children se- cured their high-school education.

After completing his schooling at Warren, Ohio, Francis J. Peck attended school at Hudson, Ohio, and completed his education at the University of Mich- igan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, graduating in the years 1891 and 1892 with the degrees of B. S. in chemistry and E. M. in mining engineering. Immediately after his graduations, he secured a position as mining engineer and chemist with the Mansfield Iron Mining Company, at Crystal Falls, Michigan, which position he held for one year.

Being offered a good position in Chicago with Commercial Mining Engineers and Chemists, he took a position in that city, remaining there for about one year, and then took charge of a branch office for the same firm in Cleveland, Ohio, and for the next three years was in the employ of the leading commercial laboratories in this city. In 1897 he was appoined city chemist of Cleveland, which position he held for two years, at which time he went into business for himself. Mr. Peck is manager of the firm of Francis J. Peck & Company, with offices and laboratories at 731-735 Williamson building, Cleveland, Ohio, with branch offices in Chicago and Pittsburg. This firm numbers among its patrons

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firms and moneyed interests in this country, Canada and Mexico and is among the leading firms in their line of work, mining engineering, chemistry, assaying, inspectors of iron, steel and cement. He is a member of the Chamber of Com- merce, Cleveland Athletic Club, Cleveland Lodge, No. 18, B. P. O. E., Commer- cial Travelers' Association, American Institute of Mining Engineers, The Can- adian Mining Institute and the American Chemical Society.

On November 20, 1891, he married Caroline M. Cramer, of Elyria, and on December 5, 1894, was born to them a daughter, Helen Dorothy Peck. His mother, Mrs. Cordelia A. Peck, and his sister, Mrs. Dr. Franklin H. Clark, both reside in Cleveland.

EDWARD ALEXANDER SCOVILL.

Research into the early history of Cleveland shows that the Scovill family was established here when the city was just merging from villagehood, and the birth of Colonel Edward A. Scovill here occurred December 22, 1819. He was a son of Philo and Jemima Scovill, who were closely identified with early events that left their impress upon Cleveland's pioneer history and their personal worth commended them to the friendship and regard of those with whom they came in contact.

Colonel Scovill, with the exception of two or three unimportant intervals, remained a resident of Cleveland throughout his entire life and early gave evi- dences of the tastes and traits of character which made him in manhood a general favorite in a broad circle of friends and acquaintances. He always held friendship inviolable and was equally loyal as a citizen and patriot. In manner he was genial, frank and manly and in every relation of life was ever trustworthy. When Cleveland was still "a town" with a volunteer fire depart- ment, he belonged to the Phoenix Fire Engine Company which was a coveted privilege as it was the popular company of the city. He was also one of the first members of the Cleveland Grays, which has ever remained the leading mil- itary organization here, and he was one of the sixteen men of that body who, in 1839, were detailed as an artillery squad. With the company he was present at the memorable celebration at Fort Meigs in 1840, where the organization at- tracted great and merited attention. The gun squad finally developed into the widely known Cleveland Light Battery, which in 1861 was the nucleus of the First Regiment of Ohio Light Artillery and which constituted the training school of many distinguished artillery officers. The Grays and the Cleveland Battery have maintained from the first the character of citizen soldiers of model type. Said one who knew Colonel Scovill well: "I remember him distinctly- a young man of fine, open face, sturdy yet graceful figure and manly carriage." When the south attempted to overthrow the Union, refusing longer to acknowl- edge Federal authority, Mr. Scovill promptly offered his service to Governor Denison in any capacity which might be useful, and he was placed upon the staff in charge of ordnance matters. The position proved a responsible one and during the earlier months of the war he was busily occupied in obtaining and distributing ordnance material to the Ohio regiments so rapidly formed. The incumbent duties took him to camps over the state and into West Virginia and Kentucky where the emergencies of the times frequently required troops to be sent but indifferently equipped. Thus employed, he was one of a quiet but effi- cient body of workers serving under Governor Denison, whose ability and zeal constituted an important aid in enabling Ohio's chief executive to deserve the repute that came and holds to his name.

The memorial which was prepared by the Loyal Legion of the United States after the death of Colonel Scovill gives the following account of his military experiences during the Civil war: "In December, 1861, Mr. Scovill recruited

EDWARD ALEXANDER SCOVILL

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Company B of the Hoffman Battalion, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and January 3, 1862, he was commissioned its captain. This battalion was stationed on John- son's Island, in Sandusky bay, as guard to the large and important depot of prisoners of war established there. By the subsequent addition of other com- panies the battalion became the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which Captain Scovill was commissioned major, August 25, 1863, and lieutenant colonel, August 6, 1864.

"Though not in command of the post at Johnson's Island, the immediate re- sponsibility for the Confederate prisoners held there devolved largely upon Colonel Scovill. These prisoners, mostly officers, sent there from the supposed security of the position, varied in number from two to three thousand, fifteen thousand in all having been safely guarded during the continuance of the post. There was a constant element of anxiety and danger connected with the care of so large a body of men of rank and energy, restless under restraint, and anxious to strike some telling blow for the Confederacy. The memorable con- spiracy of September, 1864, will be readily recalled, when a body of southerners, coming through Canada, seized two Lake Erie steamers, designing by them to overcome, through prearranged treachery, the United States steamer Michi- gan, stationed near the island as part of its protection, and to liberate the pris- oners, some of whom were in collusion and ready to participate in the at- tempt. The lake cities were then to be put to ransom or destroyed, and the state to be raided, thus making a powerful diversion from the activities of the front. At a late moment the commander of the Michigan became suspicious that mischief was brewing and by his preparations thwarted the design on steamer and post.

"The responsible and delicate duties connected with his position were cared for by Colonel Scovill with satisfaction to his superiors and acceptably to the prisoners of war who were the enforced recipients of his ministrations. This must be considered a high compliment to his character, tact and abilities. He made many friends among the southern soldiers, and kept up a most pleasant acquaintance to the end of his life with not a few of them, through correspon- dence and mutual visits.

"The varying necessities of the war called him more or less frequently from this post, with portions of his command. Thus, in the spring of 1863, he was sent, with two companies of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth, to West Virginia, and there served under General Mulligan, of Lexington ( Missouri) fame, who was killed near Winchester the next year. During this detail Cap- tain Scovill was in command, together with the companies of his own regiment, ot a battery of artillery, a company of regular infantry, three other companies of infantry, and a company of mounted infantry. On another occasion he had charge of an expedition to Vicksburg, in which he transported and ex- changed one thousand nine hundred prisoners of war."

After four years of active service in state and national employ, Colonel Scovill was mustered out April 20, 1865. He then devoted a few years to ac- tive business but for ten or twelve years prior to his death lived retired except inasmuch as he was connected with the management of the large estate of which he was one of the heirs. In his youthful days he was interested in the woods, fields and streams, was a master with the rod and the gun and a friend and critical observer of wild beasts, birds and fish. In his later years he found pleasure in his membership in the Winans Point Shooting Club, in Sandusky bay, the Castalia Trout Fishing Club, on Cold Creek, near Sandusky; and the Salmon River Club, in Oswego county, New York. These are all select and noted organizations, membership in which is an honor highly prized and not easily obtained. Colonel Scovill ranked high in those clubs as a comrade, naturalist and sportsman. When at home he was frequently seen at the evening gather- ings at the Ark, an institution known to all the old residents of Cleveland. Way back in 1840 the friends of William and Leonard Case would gather at evening

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in the discarded office building of their father which by reason of its cabinets and collections of natural history came to be known as the "Ark." In the course of years the old office was torn down and Leonard Case, surviving his father and brother, prepared a handsome suite of rooms in the then new Case library building and gave the use of it, rent free, to these friends as long as any of them should survive. These "Arkites" were a notable body of men of whom Mr. Scovill was an original member. He belonged also to the commandery of the Loyal Legion and regularly attended its annual meetings. He was a mem- ber of Memorial Grand Army Post of Cleveland and to the Society of the Army of the Cumberland. His deep interest in his old soldier comrades never abated and he was known frequently to assist those to whom misfortune or an untoward fate had brought hardships.

In early manhood Colonel Scovill wedded Miss Catherine Sholl, a lady of most attractive characteristics and social qualities who presided in generous and gracious hospitality over their home, making it a place of unchangeable welcome to the old friends and those of a later generation. Her death, which occurred in 1886, was the greatest blow that ever came to Colonel Scovill. Their two sons, Edward Tracy and William Sholl Scovill, are both residents of Cleve- land. Colonel Scovill survived his wife about four years, his death occur- ring April 20, 1890. There thus passed away from the scene of earthly activities one whose connection with Cleveland covered more than seventy years, during which period he witnessed the city's transformation from a village to a town and then to a metropolitan center. All through the years he had maintained a close acquaintance with its leading citizens and by all was honored and re- spected, while few men have been more generally or sincerely mourned.

FRANK M. DREW.

One of the popular theaters of Cleveland is the Star, which is under the management of Frank M. Drew, well known throughout the country as the proprietor of first-class playhouses. His father, Frank N. Drew, was an actor of prominence and the brother of John Drew, of national fame. He died in Philadelphia at the age of seventy-three years. His mother, Mrs. Louisa M. Drew, also died in Philadelphia.

Frank M. Drew was born in New York city, June 30, 1852. He qualified for the practical duties of life in the public schools of Philadelphia and later in the military academy at Village Green, near Chester, Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania. When he left school he decided to become an actor and for two years he followed that profession in New York city. He then went into the circus business, with which he was connected for the next sixteen years, in the sum- mer with Mr. Barnum and in the winter with various theatrical companies. He next conducted museums in Providence, Columbus, Cleveland and Indian- apolis, at the same time surveying the theatrical field for an opportunity to enter it as a manager. From 1882 he dates his active connection with Cleveland. In 1883 he built the Cleveland Theater and later became associated with Mr. Campbell, to whom he sold an interest in the Star Theater. These two men have been prominent in conducting playhouses throughout the country, having high priced attractions in many of the larger cities. The Colonial Theater, which they lease in Cleveland, they have now sublet to Ray F. Comstock. Mr. Drew has made a success of his undertakings, gaining from his business a handsome income, and through a discriminating study of public tastes and adherence to lofty principles has done his share in advancing the best interests of the stage in Cleveland.

In 1885 Mr. Drew wedded Miss Blanche C. Collard, of Wyandotte, Mich- igan, and they have six children. Will N., the oldest, is engaged in the theatrical

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business in New York. George resides in this city. Frank is the manager of the Avenue Theater of Detroit, operated by his father's company. Emma B. is in Girard, Pennsylvania, with her mother. Robert W. and Arthur C. are also in that city attending school.

There Mr. Drew has a fine country home, said to be one of the handsomest between Cleveland and Buffalo. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks and is prominent in several of the Masonic bodies. He is a member of Cleveland City chapter, has taken the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and has been admitted to membership in Al Koran Temple of the Mystic Shrine. His genial personality and social graces make him popular among his fraternal breth- ren, while the interest he has evinced in the welfare of Cleveland has secured him the support of its citizens. He spent over one hundred thousand dollars recently in improvements upon the Star Theater, which is now one of the most attractive and best equipped of any of its size in the country.

X. X. CRUM.

X. X. Crum, a prosperous real-estate dealer of Cleveland and a man of sub- stance, comes from a family famous in southern Illinois for its intellectual and capable sons and brilliant daughters. Jacob Crum, the grandfather, bought large tracts of land in Indiana, near Vincennes, in the early days of that state, which grew rapidly in value. His large family of energetic sons, following his example, bought largely of land in central and southern Illinois. Joseph Crum, father of X. X. Crum, became a large landowner of Macoupin county. He married Miss Sarah Dew. Owing to his wealth and prominence, Joseph Crum exerted a strong influence over his neighbors and directed it toward securing good educational advantages for the young. His own sons and daughters he educated highly at colleges ; one became a banker, another a minister and another a physician. Jo- seph Crum died in 1895, after a long and upright life of usefulness and many charities.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III, Part 58

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1106

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1106