A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III, Part 59

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 59

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X. X. Crum, the subject of this sketch and son of Joseph Crum, was born on a farm in Macoupin county, Illinois. After a course in the public schools, he attended Lombard University and later Blackburn University, where he took his degree of A. B. when twenty-one years of age. At that time he was honored by the appointment as superintendent of schools in Carlinville, Illinois, his home city, and continued in the position for five years. He resigned to become a teacher of the sciences in the schools of Keokuk, Iowa. 'A' year later, when but twenty-six years of age, he was offered the superintendency of the schools of Lincoln, Nebraska, but decided to enter on a business career. In 1881 Mr. Crum came to Cleveland and became secretary and treasurer of the Board of Trade, later known as the Chamber of Commerce. While thus serving, Mr. Crum wrote a history of the Chamber of Commerce and of the commercial life of Cleveland, which was favorably received and stands as an authentic record. In order to organize the National Safe & Lock Company, Mr. Crum resigned his position with the Chamber of Commerce. Later he had charge of the safe deposit department of the MacNeale & Urban Company of Cincinnati. After four years he returned to Cleveland and entered the real-estate business and is now one of the largest operators in the city, handling principally city blocks.

In 1883 Mr. Crum was married to Miss Marcia Phelps, daughter of Captain Alfred Phelps of the United States navy. Miss Phelps was a direct descendant of the historic Ledyard and Phelps families, who were prominent socially in the early days of this country and who served in the Colonial and Revolutionary wars. Her father commanded different gunboats on the Mississippi during the Civil war, and at its close he, with his brother, Captain Seth Ledyard Phelps, (afterward minister to Peru under President Arthur) opened the Pacific Mail

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Steamship Service between the United States and Japan. He died in Kobi, Japan, in 1869, while still in charge of the affairs of that company. Mr. and Mrs. Crum have two sons: Alfred Phelps, a graduate of Harvard, class of 1906, and Har- vard Law School, 1909; and Rolfe Pomeroy, who is now in his junior year at Western Reserve University. The family residence is on Euclid Heights. Mr. Crum is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of other clubs. There are few men whose early life was spent in educational fields who have made such a success of business as has Mr. Crum. He is a highly educated, polished gen- tleman, who is always interested in the development of the city which has been the scene of many of his business ventures. The influence of such a man is very powerful and when exerted, as it is, in favor of law and progress, the resulting effects are very beneficial.

JOHN C. WILLIAMS.

There is no single agency which has done so much for the development of the country and the promotion of all the varied interests which contribute to general progress and improvement as the building of railroads and with this work John C. Williams, of Cleveland, was for many years closely associated, being recognized as one of the leading railroad construction engineers in the country. He was also the president of the Forest City Steel & Iron Company, in which connection his efforts were of material value to the city of his residence as he stood at the head of one of the most important productive industries here. At the time of his death he had been a resident of Cleveland for forty-eight years and during that period had been a cooperant factor in some of the largest railroad construction enterprises in Ohio.

Mr. Williams was a native of Maryland, his birth having occurred in Hag- erstown on the 3d of June, 1830. There were no unusual experiences in his boyhood and youth and his business career was that of a gradual evolution and development which resulted from his expanding powers and brought him into most important business relations. His first active railroad work was on the first survey of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad west from Cumberland, Mary- land. He was also instrumental in securing the right of way for the first tele- graph line between Washington and Baltimore. He first took up his abode in Cleveland in 1851, when he became chief engineer of the Cleveland & Mahon- ing Railway, later a part of the Erie system. In the meantime he had established a substantial reputation as a construction engineer and railroad builder, and his services in that connection were, therefore, in demand in various parts of the country. Later he removed to Wisconsin but returned to Cleveland in 1861 and reengaged in railroad work. He soon afterward became chief engineer of the Cleveland & Toledo, now a part of the Lake Shore Railway system and was successively chief engineer of that line from Union, Pennsylvania, to Titus- ville, Pennsylvania, the Ashtabula branch of the Lake Shore and of the Mahon- ing road. In 1874 he was in charge of the construction of the stone work of the Superior Avenue viaduct and in 1880 he became chief engineer of the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad Company, afterward winning promotion to the general superintendency.

With other important construction works Mr. Williams was closely asso- ciated and the nature of his labors was such as to gain him prominence ir. his chosen field. He built the first iron draw bridge across the Cuyahoga on the site of the present Lake Shore bridge near the mouth of the river. He was at one time also general superintendent of the old Mad River Railroad, which be- came known as the Ohio, Sandusky & Cleveland. He also took an active part in numerous other railroad enterprises, continuing in close connection with the

JOHN C. WILLIAMS

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construction of important railway lines until his retirement from business about 1900.

Mr. Williams was married in 1859 to Miss Sophia M. Lockwood, and they became the parents of five children but only two daughters are now living : Mrs. C. B. Ellinwood and Miss Sara D. Williams. The others were: John S. Williams, formerly general manager of the Forest City Steel & Iron Company ; Mrs. J. C. White; and Miss Sophia L. Williams.

Mr. Williams was devoted to the welfare of his family and rejoiced in his success because it afforded him the opportunity of giving to his loved ones all those things which contribute so much to the comfort and pleasure of life. The family residence was at No. 4005 Franklin avenue, Northwest, and there he passed away on the 7th of February, 1909, his death resulting indirectly from a fall which he had sustained the previous September. He was at that time in his seventy-ninth year. His life had been one of great usefulness and activity characterized by all that is honorable and straightforward in business affairs and in private life by the characteristics of substantial manhood. At time of his death he was a member of decennial board of appraisers.

WILLIAM S. KERRUISH.

Cleveland has no more prominent representative of the legal profession than William S. Kerruish, being regarded as one of the leading trial lawyers of the city. He is also a close student of the great economical questions which are before the country today and is an excellent speaker who, when occasion de- mands, presents his views in a most clear and concise manner. Ohio numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Warrensville, Cuya- hoga county, October 30, 1831, his parents being William and Jane (Kelley) Kerruish, both natives of the Isle of Man. On coming to this country in 1827, they located in Warrensville, Ohio, where the father followed farming, making that occupation his life work. His death occurred in 1863. There were only two children in the family, our subject's sister being Miss Jane Kane, who died some years ago.

William S. Kerruish spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the par- ental roof and began his education in the public schools of Warrensville. Later he attended the Twinsburg Institute, and in 1852 joined the sophomore class in the Western Reserve College, where he was a student for two years. At the expiration of that time he entered the senior class at Yale and was graduated therefrom in 1855. He has always been a great student of languages. Gaelic was his mother tongue from earliest infancy. He is familiar with German and is second to none in exact knowledge and mastery of Latin, which he has made in lifelong study. The year following his graduation from Yale he taught lan- guages in Twinsburg Institute and in 1857 commenced the study of law in the office of Ranney, Backus & Noble, being admitted to the bar the following year by examination before the supreme court at Columbus, Ohio.

On taking up the practice of his chosen profession Mr. Kerruish located in Cleveland, where he has since made his home. For some time he was alone in practice and then became a member of the firm of Hayes & Kerruish. When this partnership was dissolved he was again alone but subsequently became a member of the firm of Kerruish & Heisley, and later was in partnership with George I. Chapman as a member of the firm of Kerruish & Chapman. Sub- sequently his son, S. Q. Kerruish, joined them and upon the death of Mr. Chap- man in 1906 the firm name was changed to Kerruish & Kerruish, which it re- mains today.

In early life Mr. Kerruish took quite an active part in political affairs but is now independent in politics, although he leans toward the republican party.

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He stands as a strong representative of the profession which has close bearing upon the stable progress and prosperity of every community in conserving the rights and privileges of the individual. His law practice became so extensive he found no opportunity to engage in public affairs, and although now seventy-eight years of age, he is still engaged in active practice and is a recognized leader among the trial lawyers in Cleveland, having in his time tried more cases than most men in his profession. He has won considerable fame in the trial of murder cases and his ability as a speaker both in the courtroom and at social gatherings is widely recognized. He is frequently called upon to address the public on some momentous question and is always listened to with attention and interest, for his views are the correct and carefully presented epitome of the points under consideration. He has been especially interested in economical questions and few men are more thoroughly informed concerning such. Moreover, his ideas are practical and in their embodiment lies the solution of various important ques- tions. His efforts have been very effective in lines of activity promoting public progress or advancing the interests of benevolent organizations. But it is to the law that he devotes his attention principally and his progress at the bar is due to his untiring efforts and energy.

In 1859 Mr. Kerruish was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Quayle, a native of the Isle of Man, who came to this country when a young girl. Ten chil- dren were born of this union, six of whom are still living, namely : Sheldon Q., who is in partnership with his father; Maud Isabelle, at home; Lizzie, now Mrs. M. S. Towson; Grace Antoinette, now Mrs. E. S. Whitney; Miriam G., now Mrs. C. W. Stage; and Helen Constance, at home. There are also eight grand- children and the family is one of prominence in the city where they reside. Re- ligiously they are connected with St. Paul's Episcopal church.

WILLIAM ORRVILLE OSBORN, M. D.

Dr. William Orrville Osborn deserves recognition and representation in the history of the medical fraternity of Cleveland. Thorough study, research and investigation have well qualified him for his chosen field of labor, and that his abilities are well directed is indicated in the liberal practice accorded him. His record is in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for Dr. Osborn is a native son of Cleveland, where he is now successfully practicing, his birth having here occurred September 3, 1867.

His father, James M. Osborn, was a native of the state of New York and in the early '50s went to Akron, Ohio, while a few years later he came to Cleve- land. He first engaged in the manufacture of stoves but later turned his atten- tion to the jobbing business in sheet iron, tin plate and tinners', furnace men's and builders' supplies. He was the senior member of the J. M. & L. A. Osborn Company, established about 1893, but lived retired for about ten years previous to his death in May, 1909. He married Huldah A. Wheeler, who was born in East Cleveland and survives him.

The public schools of this city afforded Dr. Osborn his early educational priv- ileges and in Adelbert College he won the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1890. He afterward entered the Cleveland Medical College, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1895 and in 1898 he won the same degree on his gradua- tion from the medical department of the Western Reserve University. He served in the Huron Street Hospital for two years, from 1894 until 1896, and spent sixteen months, beginning in 1896 in the City Hospital. Thus with broad gen- eral practice as an excellent equipment for future work, he entered upon the private practice of general medicine in June, 1898, and has continuously and suc- cessfully followed his profession here. He was instructor in physical diagnosis at the College of Physicians & Surgeons and was affiliated with the Wooster

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University for one year, after which he resigned the position to become assistant in medicine at the Charity Hospital medical dispensary, which office he still holds. For the past eight years he has been surgeon for the American Steel & Wire Company at one of its Lake Shore mills and has done other emergency surgical work during that period. During the year 1908 he spent several months with the clinics of Berlin and Vienna, investigating the methods of practice of some of the most renowned physicians and surgeons of the old world. He is a member of the Cleveland Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical So- ciety, the American Medical Association and the Cleveland Medical Library As- sociation.

In June, 1905, Dr. Osborn was married to Miss Ethelwynne Walton, a daughter of J. W. Walton, of the Upson-Walton Company. They have two children, Mar- garet and James Walton, Dr. Osborn was for many years a member of the Singers Club but has recently withdrawn from active association with that or- ganization. He belongs to the First Baptist church and is identified with the Chamber of Commerce, the University Club and two college fraternities-the Delta Upsilon and the Nu Sigma Nu. His manner is jovial, courteous and kindly, and these qualities render him a congenial companion. He is devoted to his pro- fession and is an earnest, consistent worker, thorough and painstaking in the smallest details of his professional duties. His family holds first place in his interests and affection and with them he spends all of his leisure time.

BRUCE L. DAVIDSON.

The reward that comes of faithful, conscientious work and earnest effort is worth striving for especially when it takes the form of that accorded Bruce L. Davidson, now chief inspector of new buildings for the board of education of Cleveland. From boyhood he has worked steadily toward a specific goal and has centered his efforts upon reaching it. Not ashamed to begin at the bottom, he has worked up and now holds one of the most responsible positions within the jurisdiction of the board. Mr. Davidson was born in Madison county, Ohio, June 19, 1868, and is a son of John Smith and Mary Jane (Lotspeich) Davidson and the grandson of the founder of the family in Ohio. The latter came from Rock- bridge county, Virginia, to Ohio in 1808 and was descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry.

John Smith Davidson was born in Ohio in 1828. Early in life he engaged in farming but later embarked in mercantile business, finally retiring from active labor and dying in January, 1905, at London, Madison county, Ohio. His widow, who was born August 9, 1839, survives him and makes her home on the old farm. All his life John S. Davidson commanded the confidence of his associates for he was an upright man who strove to do his duty as he saw it and his success was well merited.

After completing a common-school course Bruce L. Davidson began learning the carpenter's trade, at which he found employment for five years in his home town, but he was not satisfied with his progress. Wishing to advance more rap- idly, he decided to learn another branch of the building trade and in 1891 entered an architect's office as an apprentice and was with him for four years, when he felt justified in starting in business for himself. For the following three years he continued alone, but in 1898 came to Cleveland, where he was employed by vari- ous firms until in 1900 his work attracted the attention of the board of education. As it was deemed worthy of consideration, contracts were awarded him and finally he was promoted from draughtsman to his present position of chief inspector of new buildings in January, 1907. During his incumbency of the office a large amount of very important work has been carried to completion and he has much on hand at present.

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On November 27, 1895, Mr. Davidson married Louise McAllister, a native of Ohio. Two children have been born to them, as follows: Harold McAllister, No- vember 4, 1896; and Dorothy Louise, October 20, 1905.

Mr. Davidson is a Mason, belonging to Thatcher Chapter, R. A. M., and also to the Knights of Pythias. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist church. Politically he is a republican although he does not take an active part in public affairs, his business occupying his attention. As an architect Mr. Davidson has attained distinction and as he understands not only that part of the work but is also a practical builder, he is peculiarly well fitted for his present position. The board of education has demonstrated the ability of its members to choose efficient men to represent the interests of the people in appointing Bruce L. Davidson to look after the school buildings erected for the children of Cleveland.

EMMET J. STRONG.

Emmet J. Strong, vice president of the J. M. & L. A. Osborn Company, is a man of marked personality and executive ability, who has contributed largely toward the success of the concern with which he is connected. He was born in Huntsburg, Ohio, January 31, 1862, a son of Lyman and Lydia (Curtis) Strong and a grandson of Noble Strong. He comes on both the paternal and maternal sides of a long line of New England ancestry and is a representative of two of Ohio's early pioneer families. His grandfather, Noble Strong, was born in Hawley, Massachusetts, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his removal to Ohio. He was one of the very early settlers of the Western Reserve, taking up his abode at Mesopotamia, Ohio. On the journey westward in 1812 he stopped at Cleveland, which at that time was a very small village, containing only a few houses situated on the lake shore, while all around was the unbroken wilderness, and the most farsighted did not dream that the seeds of civilization were to be scattered broadcast over the land even to the Pacific coast. His last days were spent in Huntsburg, where he died in 1858. His son, Lyman Strong, was born in Mesopotamia, Ohio, in November, 1827, and he, too, was an agriculturist but is now living retired with his son, Emmet J. Strong. He married Lydia Curtis, a daughter of Willard and Betsey (Moffat) Curtis, the former coming to Ohio from the state of New York about 1815.

Emmet J. Strong attended the public schools in his youthful days and after- ward became a pupil in the Grand River Institute at Austinburg, Ohio, where he continued his education for four years. He then worked on his father's farm until 1893, but other pursuits proved more attractive to him than the work of the fields and in that year he went to Niles, Ohio, where he became one of the organizers and proprietors of the Curtis Steel Roofing Company, starting in the capacity of superintendent and remaining with that house until 1901. Mr. Strong then removed to Zanesville, Ohio, where he aided in organizing the Musk- ingum Valley Sheet & Steel Company, acting as its treasurer for one year, after which his interests led him to Cleveland and he was elected vice presi- dent of the J. M. & L. A. Osborn Company, with which he has since been con- nected, becoming a very important factor in its management.

On the 6th of January, 1893, Mr. Strong was married in Claridon, Ohio, to Miss Lenora Goodwin and they have two children, Lester and Stewart, aged respectively fourteen and seven years, and both are attending school. The family are pleasantly located in an attractive home at No. 1642 East Ninety-third street. Mrs. Strong is a daughter of Clinton and Lucy (Taylor) Goodwin, the latter a daughter of Judge Lester Taylor, who was president of the senate when the present statehouse was dedicated and served for several terms in the Ohio legislature. He lived to the remarkable old age of one hundred and two years. The Taylor family were from Connecticut and were among the earliest resi-

EMMET J. STRONG

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dents of the Western Reserve. Mrs. Strong is a prominent member of the Daughters of the Revolution and is very active in church and charitable work. Mr. Strong is a member of the New England Society and finds his chief recrea- tion in horseback riding. He is a republican in his political views but his at- tention is so largely occupied with business affairs that he has little time for public matters. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist and a most liberal supporter of the church. He has risen to his present prosperous condition by following the straight line of duty and quickly taking advantage of the oppor- tunities that have been presented. He has long since proven his worth in the business world and his success is not only manifest in the fact that he is the vice president of one of the large business enterprises of the city but also in the fact that his landed holdings are extensive in Ohio, Michigan and Illinois. His strong purpose has enabled him to overcome difficulties which would have de- terred many a man of less resolute spirit, but if one path of success seemed closed he has sought out another which would lead him to the same goal.

ROBERT FULLER DENISON.

Robert Fuller Denison, specializing in the department of railroad law and officially connected with various corporations, is now with the firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey. He was born in this city, January 4, 1876. In the year 1631 William Denison and his family sailed from England to the new world. Of the number was George Denison, who became very prominent in colonial affairs. He settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and afterward removed to Ston- ington, Connecticut. He was prominent in the Indian wars of the early days, serving as an officer on military duty and is referred to in the histories of those times. He held a commission from Massachusetts as magistrate while in Con- necticut and was fined several times for exercising his authority, for the Con- necticut authorities claimed that he had no jurisdiction in their colony. His paternal great-grandfather, Dan Denison, of the fifth generation of the descen- dants of George Denison, was born in Saybrook, Connecticut, and about 1821 came to the Western Reserve, settling on a farm on what is now Denison ave- nue, named in honor of the family, and one of the important thoroughfares of the city, being largely a residence street. His son, Dan Denison, Jr., also a native of Saybrook, Connecticut, accompanied his parents to Ohio in early childhood and married Ursula Euphemia Taylor, January 12, 1842.

Lemuel T. Denison, the father of Robert F. Denison, was born in Cleveland, May 28, 1843, and was formerly identified with banking but is now president of the Denison Allotment Company, operating in the field of real estate. He is likewise connected with a number of other corporations and his business enter- prise and strength have carried him into important relations. In the early '80s he served as deputy county treasurer. He married Sarah Louise Fuller, who was born in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, March 4, 1847, and died October 10, 1895. She was a daughter of Charles and Mariel (Allen) Fuller. Her father, who was born in 1811, passed away in 1904. At the time of the Civil war Lemuel T. Denison enlisted for service as a member of the One Hundred and Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years, from 1862 until 1865, in Ten- nessee and Kentucky.

Robert Fuller Denison was educated in the public schools of Cleveland until he completed a course in the West high school with the class of 1892. His later education was acquired in Williams College, from which he graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1897. He also attended the Columbia Law School, graduating with the LL. B. degree in 1900. That same year he was admitted to the bar, after which he at once began practice and has since been associated with the firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey. His specialty is railroad law and upon

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III, Part 59

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