USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 63
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his business, which ill health had compelled him to discontinue. He next served as superintendent of the McClintocville Petroleum Company, owning one of the leading oil producing farms in the Oil Creek district of Pennsylvania, remaining there until 1868, when he was called back to Cleveland to assume the manage- ment of the banking house, which, after the retirement of Mr. Brockway and Mr. Wason, was operating under the style of Everett, Weddell & Company. In May, 1876, he was tendered and accepted the dual offices of vice president and general manager of the Second National Bank, capitalized for a million dollars. In the following January he was elected to the presidency, in which position he continued until 1882, when the Second National Bank went into liquidation. He next founded the National Bank of Commerce with a capital of a million and a half dollars and was chosen its first president. A few years later he resigned that office to engage in the organization of the Union National Bank, of which he assumed the active management and succeeded in making it one of the city's leading financial institutions. In 1891, after having devoted nearly twenty years to banking interests conducted according to the national banking system, he re- tired from active business affairs to devote his energies to the management of his extensive private interests, continuing, however, as a director of the Union National Bank until 1900.
Among the institutions in which Mr. Everett was largely interested and of which he was chosen a director were the Cleveland Rolling Mill Company, the Little Consolidated Street Railway Company and the Cleveland Railway Com- pany. He was the chief promoter and served as vice president and treasurer of the Valley Railway, which in due course of time he sold to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, this line being subsequently known as the Cleveland Ter- minal & Valley Railway Company, of which he has served continuously as a director. He promoted, financed and built at Akron, Ohio, the first successful electric street railway in the United States and also promoted and financed the Erie Pennsylvania Electric Motor Company, comprising the street railway sys- tem of that city. For many years he has been closely identified with the Citizens Savings & Trust Company, serving on its board of directors. He is largely iden- tified with mining interests in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Michigan and has extensive mining and ranch properties in Colorado, while as a shareholder, direc- tor or executive officer he is associated with various important corporations in those states.
Mr. Everett is also well known as a republican leader of Ohio, having been a lifelong advocate of the party and one who has wielded a powerful influence in its councils. In April, 1869, he was the republican nominee for city treasurer and was one of the only two successful republican candidates at that election. For seven consecutive terms, covering a period of fourteen years, he was con- tinued in that office and at several elections received almost the entire vote of both parties. Four times he was the unanimous nominee of both parties and during six terms he was practically the only republican executive officer connected with the city administration. He then retired, declining further election to the office. No higher testimonial of the confidence reposed in him nor of his fidelity to the interests entrusted to his charge could be given. During his incumbency in the office he instituted many reforms in the system of accounting, enhancing the city's credit by placing it on a sound basis, causing the municipal bonds to be largely sought by the investing public, his work in this connection being the sub- ject of special resolutions and official recognition. In 1872 he served as alter- nate at large to the convention which nominated General U. S. Grant for a second term. In 1880, after a bitter contest, he was chosen a delegate to the convention which nominated his intimate friend, General James A. Garfield, for the presi- dency, and took most active part in the ensuing campaign. In 1888 Mr. Everett was made a presidential elector and with the Ohio delegation cast a solid vote for General Benjamin Harrison for president. Again in 1896 he was a delegate to the convention at St. Louis when William McKinley was the successful nominee.
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He has long wielded a wide influence in city, state and national political circles, seldom failing to win success for any candidate whose cause he has espoused.
The social interests of Mr. Everett's life are also many. He was one of the founders and became a charter member of the Union Club and was its first treasurer. He is also a member of the Country and Roadside Clubs and the Manhattan, Lawyers' and New York Clubs of New York city, the Automobile Club of America of New York city and the Blooming Grove Hunting and Fishing Club of Pike county, Pennsylvania, which owns a reservation of about forty thousand acres.
Mr. Everett was married in January, 1860, to Miss Mary A. Everett, a daugh- ter of Charles and Catherine (Evans) Everett, of Philadelphia. They became parents of four children : Holmes Marshall, Catherine Evans, Margaret Worrell and Ellen. His second marriage, which was celebrated October 22, 1879, was with Alice Louisa Wade, a daughter of Randall P. and Ann R. (McGaw) Wade and a granddaughter of Jeptha H. Wade, founder of Wade Park and one of the most prominent of Cleveland's early business men and the pioneer in the construction and operation of telegraph systems of the middle west. Mrs.
Everett takes a deep interest in all children's charities and is especially devoted to the work of the Cleveland Orphan Asylum, of which she is a trustee and generous supporter. Her own family numbers two sons and three daughters : Randall Wade, a Yale graduate of the class of 1903 who married Miss Georgia Ellis of Colorado; Alice, who is a graduate of Ogontz College of Philadelphia, Miss Spence School of New York city and Madame de Morrinni's Finishing Schools in Paris, France, and is now the wife of Justin G. Scholes, of Cleveland; Sylvester Homer, who was graduated from Yale in the class of 1906 and married Flora Pierce Morris, a daughter of Calvary Morris, of Cleveland; and Anna Ruth and Esther, at home. The family residence at No. 4III Euclid avenue is one of the finest on that avenue of palatial homes. Their country places are at Engadine, Transylvania county, North Carolina, and Parkdale, Saguache county, Colorado. Mr. Everett finds recreation in riding, driving, motoring and travel, having toured extensively by coach and automobile both in America and Europe. Throughout an active business career of nearly fifty years he has seemed to pos- sess an almost unlimited capacity for work and has found the days often too short to complete the duties that his multiplicity of interests have forced upon him. While he has passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, he still enjoys the robust health and mental vigor of middle age. He has a fondness for works of art and his home contains splendid collections gathered in his travels in all parts of the world. He is conspicuously prominent in the business, civic, political and social life of Cleveland, where he has lived for sixty years-years which have accom- plished the transformation of a farmer's boy into a successful man of large affairs. He is known as a genial, generous and kindly man, deservedly ranking among Cleveland's most popular and highly respected citizens.
WILLIAM G. SPENCE.
William G. Spence, who was a partner with his brother in the general con- tracting business, received his preliminary education in the public schools of Cleveland, subsequently completing a course of study in Specerian College. After graduating from that institution he secured a position as bookkeeper for Rose & Prentiss, in which position he remained for about three years, and then engaged in the dairy business with his brother, John M. Later they turned their attention to general contracting and building, in which they are now interested.
Mr. Spence wedded Mary K. Watkins, of this city, by whom he has had five children : Mrs. Arthur Wilson, her husband being a civil engineer of Cleveland ;
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Belle C., who resides with her parents ; and William J., John D. and A. M., who are engaged in the contracting business with their father.
Mr. Spence is an ardent supporter of the republican party and takes an active interest in public affairs, being an enthusiastic advocate of its principles and also loyal to its candidates. In local affairs he has taken considerable in- terest and for the past twelve years has been an efficient member of the school board. He is a business man of remarkable ability and in contracting lines ranks among the foremost.
VIRGIL P. KLINE.
Virgil P. Kline, an eminent member of the Cleveland bar and one of the leaders of the democracy of this city, was born November 3, 1844, and spent his youthful days in Conneaut, Ohio, supplementing his preliminary education by study in the Eclectic Institute at Hiram. He afterward matriculated in Williams College, com- pleting his literary course by graduation in 1866. Coming to Cleveland, he entered upon the study of law and, passing the required examination in 1870, secured his admission to the bar. For almost forty years he has continued a representa- tive of the profession, being for some time associated in partnership with Albert T. Slade, the connection being terminated in Mr. Slade's death. In 1876 he be- came a member of the firm of Henderson, Kline & Tolles, while later the name was changed to Kline, Tolles & Goff and following Mr. Goff's acceptance of the presidency of the Cleveland Trust Company the firm of Kline, Tolles & Morley was organized. This is one of the strongest and most influential law firms of the middle west. Mr. Kline has won for himself favorable criticism in his chosen life work, enjoying at all times the good will and respect of the courts and op- posing counsel because of his close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics.
An orator of notable power, Mr. Kline is frequently called upon to address public gatherings on questions of general interest. He has made a particularly close study of financial and economic questions and the logic of his argument is evident to all who hear him. The democratic party has frequently made him its nominee for office, his name being placed upon the ticket in connection with the candidacy for common pleas judge, circuit judge and state supreme judge. While his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him have enabled him to run ahead of the party ticket, the republican majority is too strong to be overcome. He has also been mentioned for congress and gubernatorial honors. His ability has enabled him to grace any position, and yet in the practice of law he has found ample opportunity to give scope to his splendidly developed powers.
HON. WILLIAM GEORGE PHARE.
Hon. William George Phare, state senator and one of the representative republicans of Cleveland, in the exercise of his official duties is giving ample proof of his allegiance to all that is most progressive, practical and beneficial in citizenship relative to the welfare of the commonwealth. He was born in War- rensville, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, June 29, 1863. He comes of an old English family that is, however, of French descent. His father, Thomas Phare, was born in Plymouth, England, October 14, 1822, and came to the United States in 1851. He put in the first paving on West Superior street in Cleveland, built the Warren residence, the Chadwick residence and other substantial homes and buildings of the city. He wedded Mary J. Short, who was born in Plymouth, England, in 1828, and died on the 7th of May, 1895.
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William G. Phare acquired his early education in the East Cleveland public schools, afterward attended Shaw Academy and later studied in the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the class of 1882. He then engaged in general merchandising for a time at Fair- mount, now Cleveland Heights, but while still continuing his efforts along those lines he took up the study of law, devoting his leisure hours thereto for eight years. In 1890 he was admitted to the bar and began practice. He has never entered into partnership relations and, therefore, his success is attributable en- tirely to his own efforts. He has made a specialty of law pertaining to real estate, although he has engaged also in general practice. He is thoroughly in- formed concerning real-estate law so that his legal advice is sound and accurate, while in the conduct of real-estate litigation he proves his force and ability. In 1902 he organized the Fairmount Savings Bank, of which he was secretary and treasurer until 1905, when the institution was consolidated with the Cleveland Trust Company. He is interested in real estate, operating on his own account for himself and others.
Mr. Phare is also recognized as a prominent factor in political circles, being one of the republican leaders of Cleveland. In 1900 he was elected a member of the state legislature and served during the ensuing two years, active as a member and secretary of the judiciary committee, as chairman of the committee on dairy and food products and a member of the committee on municipal corporations and common schools. Still higher political honors awaited him, however, for in No- vember, 1908, he was elected to the state senate and is now serving on the finance committee, the committee on common schools, colleges and universities, on roads and highways, agriculture and others. He is regarded as an able legislator, fol- lowing a conservative course that does not, however, eliminate progressiveness. He gives careful consideration to each question which comes up for settlement and as the years have gone by he has proven his capability to handle vital prob- lems which are effected through the agency of state legislation.
On the 27th of November, 1886, Mr. Phare was married to Miss Matie M. Linder, a daughter of Samuel and Malinda Linder, and they have one son, Roy W., who was born January 12, 1888. He was clerk for some time in the First National Bank and later with Citizens Savings & Trust Company, but is now associated with his father. The family are prominent socially and their hos- pitable home, erected by Mr. Phare, is a most attractive one at Cleveland Heights.
Mr. Phare belongs to a number of the leading local social clubs, is also connected with the Cleveland Bar Association and the State Bar Association and is active in the work of the Cleveland Heights Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds membership and is serving as a trustee. He is preeminently a man of affairs and one who is wielding a wide and beneficial influence for he is alive to the best interest of citizenship and is patriotic in the support of valuable public measures.
CHARLES W. BRAINERD.
Charles W. Brainerd, secretary of the National Screw & Tack Company of Cleveland, is one of the representative business men and substantial residents of this city, where he has spent so much of his life. He was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, in 1861, being a son of Jesse K. and Malina (Sacket) Brainerd, of whom separate mention is made elsewhere in this work.
The education of our subject was secured in the public schools of Brooklyn, Ohio, and the Spencerian Business College, and when he was twenty years old he began his business career in an oil refinery in Pennsylvania, where he remained three years. Returning to Ohio in 1891, Mr. Brainerd began working for the National Screw & Tack Company as office clerk. So firm was his grasp upon the
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affairs of the business, that in 1893 he was elected secretary, which responsible position he still fills. This company is one of the largest of its class in the coun- try, and employment is given to one thousand people.
In 1886 occurred the marriage of Mr. Brainerd and Bertha Snow, a daughter of W. C. Snow, of Brooklyn, Ohio. They have two daughters, and the pleasant family home is located at No. 4201 Clinton avenue. Mr. Brainerd cares but little for club life, taking his pleasure in his home with his family. They all attend the First Congregational church.
Mr. Brainerd belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and the Clifton Club, and in politics he is a republican, but, aside from the normal business man's interest in securing good government, he takes no part in public affairs. All of his ener- gies have been bent toward the betterment of his business. Perhaps this is the secret of his success. He has had a definite aim and never allowed anything to divert him from it. It is such men as Mr. Brainerd-sound, reliable and con- servative-who form the backbone of the country's prosperity and upon whom every dependence can be put in time of need.
SAMUEL H. BECK.
Samuel H. Beck, field manager of the United States Casualty Insurance Company of New York, was born in Lancaster, Ohio, February 9, 1852, his parents being Jacob F. and Elizabeth (Reimund) Beck. The former was a na- tive of Baden, Germany, and came to America at the age of six with his parents and two brothers and a sister. The two brothers, George and Martin, and the sister, who became Mrs. Meyers, are now all deceased. Shortly after their arrival the family located in Lancaster, Ohio, where the head of the house established himself in the dry-goods business. There he lived until his death in 1860, and his son, our subject's father, subsequently succeeded to the business. His great-grandfather, George Beck, was secretary to the Duke of Baden. He enjoyed preferment and during his lifetime accumulated a large estate, which is now held by the German crown.
In Lancaster, Samuel H. Beck was reared and attended school, from which he was graduated at the age of eighteen years. Upon the death of his father, his mother undertook the management of the dry-goods house, and soon as he left school Mr. Beck gave her his assistance. He was thus engaged for twelve years, and at the end of that time started in mercantile business on his own account. He continued thus for five years and then sold out. In 1894 he re- moved to Cleveland, where he was to try a new line of activity, for which he was especially well fitted, becoming field manager of the important insurance company mentioned above, and in this capacity he continues at the present day.
On June 8, 1876, Mr. Beck was married to Miss Tillie C. Rippey, a daughter of William and Matilda (Curtis) Rippey. Mrs. Beck, whose parents are deceased, comes of distinguished ancestry. Her great-grandfather, William Rippey, who kept a hotel at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, served in the Revolutionary war as captain under General George Washington and although captured three times as a spy escaped each time. It was his happiness to be personally complimented by General Washington for bravery.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Beck has been blessed by the birth of four chil- dren. Mr. Beck is a stalwart champion of education and a glance at the career and education of his children gives ample evidence of the fact that his convictions bear a fruitage of deeds rather than words. The eldest daughter, Mary Rippey, was graduated from the Western Reserve University and is now teaching math- ematics in the Cleveland high school. The second daughter, Florence M., is artistically inclined and upon completing her course in the public schools entered the Cleveland Art School and finished with post-graduate work in Columbia
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University in New York city. She also is enrolled as one of Cleveland's high school teachers, her specialty being art. Bertha E., a graduate of the Western Reserve University, is the wife of Ralph West, president and general manager of the West Steel Casting Company of Cleveland. She is the mother of two children, Ralph, Jr., and Thomas D. The youngest member of the Beck family, William Rippey, is pursuing a five years' course in mechanical engineering in the Western Reserve University and the Case School of Applied Science. The at- tractive family residence is situated at 35 Windermere street.
Mr. Beck has several fraternal affiliations in which he takes great pleasure, holding membership in the Masonic order with the degree of Knight Templar, and in the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum. He gives his support and sympathy to the Windermere Presbyterian church. He is an uncompromising republican, and as a man whose high principles and native ability fit him for the assumption of public trust and leadership, has been urged to run for office, but lack of time and other considerations have necessitated his declining. While a resident of Lancaster he was a member of the City cemetery committee and named its cemetery "Forest Rose." As to his natural tastes, one of the strong- est of these is a fondness for reading, his home being a veritable storehouse of good literature. He is particularly devoted to modern history and has a penchant for mathematics. Cleveland is fortunate in citizenship such as Mr. Beck's, for he is liberal minded and progressive and ready to support any measure likely to bring the greatest good to the greatest number.
THOMAS ERNEST BORTON.
On the list of prominent financiers in Cleveland appears the name of Thomas Ernest Borton, a member of the popular and successful brokerage firm of Borton & Borton. He was born in Plymouth, Indiana, December 14, 1868, and all through his life has been actuated by a laudable ambition that has prompted him to accomplish whatever he has undertaken when close application and capable management could attain the end desired. The Borton family is of English origin but for many generations the family has been represented in America, the ancestors of our subject coming to the new world with William Penn. His father, Dr. Amos O. Borton, was born in Ohio, studied dentistry and for many years practiced his profession in Plymouth, Indiana. He wedded Mary Cooper, a native of Penrith, England, and a representative of good old stock of that coun- try. Dr. Borton is now deceased but the mother resides in Redlands, California. Their family numbered three sons: Fred S., of the firm of Borton & Borton; Chester C., general foreman on the Southern Pacific Railroad at Oakland, Cali- fornia, and Thomas E.
The last named spent his boyhood in Plymouth, Indiana, and was graduated from the high school as a member of the class of 1887. He continued his educa- tion in Wabash College, pursuing the scientific course as a member of the class of 1893. In the interval between his high school and college days he had engaged in teaching in the country schools of South Dakota for four years and upon leaving Wabash College he turned his attention to commercial interests, entering the employ of the American Steel & Wire Company at Cleveland. He had occu- pied that position only a short time, however, when upon the opening of the Dime Savings & Banking Company he entered that institution in a minor capacity. His thoroughness, close application and ability, however, enabled him to rise from one position to another, leading him from collector to the very responsible position of manager of the trust department, in which position he was serving when he severed his connection with that institution to accept the office of assist- ant secretary of the Reserve Trust Company. He remained in that capacity for two years and then, upon the organization of the Prudential Trust Company, he
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became its secretary and treasurer, so continuing for a year and a half, when he resigned and went to California. He spent two years on the Pacific coast in rest and recreation, after which he returned to Cleveland and became assistant cashier of the Cleveland National Bank. He had occupied that position for two years when he resigned and joined his brother, Fred S. Borton, in organizing the firm of Borton & Borton, brokers. They are well known in this connection and for three and a half years have operated as members of the Cleveland Stock Ex- change. They have ever maintained a conservative policy and have a large clientele among the bankers of the state. They buy and sell some Ohio municipal bonds and also conduct an extensive business as note brokers, occupying attract- ive offices on the ninth floor of the Guardian building. The consensus of public opinion accords them a prominent position in financial circles and their success is the well merited reward of carefully directed and honorable activity. Thomas E. Borton is also treasurer of the Shaker Heights Improvement Company and is interested in various other commercial and financial enterprises of Cleveland, from which he derives a substantial annual income, while his business judgment and keen discernment are factors in their successful control.
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