USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 74
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Mr. McKenna belongs to Cleveland Lodge, No. 18, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks; Cleveland Aerie, No. 135, Fraternal Order of Eagles; Cleveland Council, No. 735, Knights of Columbus; Division No. I of the An- cient Order of Hiberians; Court No. I of the Knights of Equity; and Branch No. 33 of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. He was recently elected a member of the board of directors of the Irish-American Civic Association. In politics he is a stalwart democrat and is one of the few men of his party elected in the recent campaign, running third on his ticket. He was elected a member of the quadrennial board of assessors of the real property for the city of Cleve- land.
Mr. McKenna was married to Miss Mary Rath, of Cleveland, and they have two sons and two daughters: Hazel, sixteen years of age, who is now in the second year in the East high school; Joseph E., fourteen years of age, and Marian, eleven years of age, both attending St. Thomas Acquinas School; and Edward, three years of age. Mr. McKenna and his family are members of the Immaculate Conception church.
JOHN JAMES CORLETT.
John James Corlett, who for many years was one of Cleveland's most hon- ored citizens, and who during a long and useful life always did the duty which lay nearest at hand, carrying out in every act the faith which was his, was born in Plattsburg, New York, December 18, 1833, and died March 30, 1900. He was a son of James and Elizabeth (Kissick) Corlett, who came from the Isle of Man to New York, where the father worked in a tannery for several years. Later he moved his family to Willoughby, Ohio, in 1835, this being a suburb of Cleve- land. Here he became a large landowner, investing extensively in farming property. Still later he removed to the city to live with his son, John James, at whose home his death occurred May 23, 1867, when he was eighty-three years of age.
John James Corlett was educated at the Willoughby Seminary as well as a business college, leaving school at the age of twenty years. At this time he be- gan his business career as a clerk in the sporting goods store of the late Henry Hattersley, his uncle, continuing with him until 1871. In that year Mr. Cor- lett embarked in the crockery business on Pearl street in the old Merrill build- ing, remaining at that location for six years, when he sold. He then entered the same line of trade his uncle had carried on for so many years, opening up in the old location with a full stock of sporting goods. So successful was he that in time he formed a stock company and continued to supply a large trade for a quarter of a century, or until his demise.
On December 19, 1865, Mr. Corlett married Melvina Chamberlain, a daugh- ter of Jonas B. and Maria (Merritt) Chamberlain, of Portchester, Westchester county, New York, where Mr. Chamberlain was an extensive miller. Mr. and Mrs. Corlett became the parents of four children : Arthur L., of Los Angeles,
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California ; William F., who died in infancy; Roy C. and Herbert L., who are employed in this city.
Mr. Corlett was a man of quiet tastes who was engrossed in business and while a republican shunned politics or public life. He was a member of the order of Chosen Friends, and, while brought up a Presbyterian, he attended the Metho- dist church. In his long life he helped many, keeping much of his charity to him- self, attached men to him by reason of his characteristic nobility and uprightness, and when he passed away he was mourned by a wide circle of those who knew and appreciated his true worth.
F. C. KARNOWSKY.
F. C. Karnowsky, to whose management the success of the Vimo .Ginger Beer & Ale Company of Cleveland is largely attributable, was born in the north- ern part of Germany, March 7, 1878, and is a son of Charles and Minnie Kar- nowsky. The father was also a native of the northern part of Germany, where he served as a coachman until 1882, when he came to Cleveland and was em- ployed as stationary engineer by the Columbia Brewing Company and is now with the Ullman-Philpott Paint Company in the same capacity.
F. C. Karnowsky, brought to America in his youthful days, attended the parochial school of the Lutheran church to the age of fourteen years, when he started in business life, engaging with the Sherwin-Williams Paint Company, with whom he remained for three years. He was afterward in the employ of the Schneider & Trenkamp Company, gas stove manufacturers, as a stove mounter and subsequently was advanced to the position of assistant foreman and stockkeeper, in which capacity he served for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he became associated with the Vimo Ginger Beer & Ale Com- pany, bottlers and distributers of the Vimo ginger beer, ginger ale, root beer, peach and raspberry soda, lemon sour and pear cider. In February, 1908, the business was reincorporated and Mr. Karnowsky became manager and one of the directors. The plant has a capacity of eight hundred gallons per week. They employ six men and utilize three wagons in distribution, their sales being mostly to the local trade, although they make some shipments to small towns adjacent to Cleveland.
Mr. Karnowsky was married in this city to Miss Elizabeth Rothner, on the 18th of May, 1905, and they have one son, Arthur L., three years of age. In his political views Mr. Karnowsky is independent. He belongs to the German Evangelical Lutheran church, but takes no active part in public life, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, in which he is meeting with signal prosperity. He is watchful of every detail pointing to suc- cess and his carefully devised and well executed plans are forceful and potent elements in the attainment of the desired end.
AUGUST W. SEITZ.
August W. Seitz, hearing and heeding the call of the western world, became a resident of Cleveland in 1891 and in the intervening years has gained for him- self a creditable position among the contractors of the city. He was born in Baden, Germany, March 8, 1874. His father, L. Seitz, was a native of Baden, born in 1835, and his life record covered the intervening years to 1905, when at the age of seventy he passed away in his native city.
August W. Seitz spent his youth to the age of seventeen years in his native country but in 1891 came direct to Cleveland because of the favorable reports
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which he had heard concerning America and its business opportunities. He had been educated in manual training at Karlsruhe, Germany, and had become a proficient workman in all branches of building and cabinet work. His ability enabled him to secure employment with A. Raber, a manufacturer of cabinets in Cleveland, on the location which he now occupies in the conduct of his own business. He remained with Mr. Raber for three years and was then employed by C. E. Wadsworth, a furniture manufacturer, for two years. He afterward became foreman for the contracting firm of Peter Sauman & Company, one of Cleveland's prominent building firms, continuing therewith for six years. He started in business on his own account in 1903 and has since been awarded many important building contracts. He operates a large planing mill in connection with his constructive work and therein manufactures all of the lumber that he uses for inside finishing in the execution of his contracts. Among the many substan- tial and attractive buildings that have been erected by Mr. Seitz may be men- tioned the business block at the corner of Orange avenue and Broadway. His faithfulness in the execution of every contract, his fidelity to the terms agreed upon and his promptness and dispatch in executing the work are all qualities which have brought him substantial success and are promoting his advancement.
In 1907 Mr. Seitz was married to Miss Margaret Grossman, a daughter of Emil Grossman, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Socialer Turn Verein and the Turner Maennerchor, a singing society. He greatly en- joys fishing and hunting and finds time each year to devote a brief period to his favorite sports. He resides at No. 3406 Meyer avenue and his attractive home as well as his business is an indication of the success that has come to him in the conduct of his growing industrial interests here.
FREDERICK CLAUS.
Frederick Claus, who is conducting a furniture and undertaking business in Cleveland, is another instance of the success attained by the sons of Ger- many who seek opportunities in this land. There is something in the German training that makes a man thorough and enables him to progress where others fail. Mr. Claus in his life work has demonstrated the truth of this. He was born in Hanover, Germany, May 26, 1851, a son of Henry and Elizabeth Claus. Until he was fourteen years of age he attended the excellent public schools there and then assisted his father on the farm and at the same time learned the trade of cabinetmaking, thus continuing until he was nineteen years old.
At this time he came to America and on landing came direct to Cleveland, where he worked for his brother who was a member of the firm of Claus & Busch, furniture manufacturers, and for four years was one of their cabinet- makers. At the expiration of that time he entered the employ of the Cleveland Burial Case Company as cabinetmaker and continued with them for eight years. By this time he was well versed in the details of both lines of business and es- tablished himself as a furniture dealer and undertaker at No. 7071 Broadway. His work is of such a nature as to meet with the approval of those who need his services and his ready sympathy and kindly interest have cheered many a be- reaved heart.
On May 28, 1874, Mr. Claus married Miss Anna Weschmeyer and they have six children, namely: Martin, was married May 31, 1905, to Miss Bertha, a daughter of August Goodschek, of Cleveland, and they have one child, Flor- ence born February 9, 1906. He is engaged in business with his father. Amelia is a widow. Ida is Mrs. Martin Blase. Frederick, Jr., is also in business with his father. Sophia married Art Schefft. Edna is at home.
Mr. Claus is a republican, politically. In his religious belief he is a mem- ber of the German Evangelical Lutheran church. His untiring industry has
FREDERICK CLAUS
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resulted in the establishment and maintenance of a business of which any man might well be proud. During his long years of service in the employ of others he did his duty faithfully and well and is now reaping the result of honest methods and thorough training.
JOHN H. McBRIDE.
John H. McBride, known as one of the public-spirited citizens as well as leading business men of Cleveland, has in his active life given many tangible evidences of his devotion to the public good. Moreover, he is operating in com- mercial circles as the vice president and treasurer of the Root & McBride Com- pany, controlling one of the oldest and best known dry-goods houses in America.
The family has been represented on this side of the Atlantic for more than a hundred and sixty years, the progenitor being Samuel McBride, the great- grandfather of John H. McBride. He came to the American colonies from Bel- fast, Ireland, in 1771. Samuel H. McBride, the father of John H., was a mer- chant and resided for many years at Lowell, Mahoning county, Ohio, at which place occurred the birth of John H. McBride on the 20th of January, 1843. His early life was spent in hard labor through the summer seasons, while in the winter months he attended the district schools. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, although but nineteen years of age, and served for one year.
In 1864 Mr. McBride came to Cleveland and entered the employ of the dry- goods firm of Morgan, Root & Company, in which an elder brother, Leander McBride, was a partner. He continued with that firm for some time as an employe, later was admitted to a partnership and when the business was reor- ganized under the present style of the Root & McBride Company he became vice president and assistant treasurer, which offices he held until 1909, when he succeeded his brother as president. While this is one of the most important mercantile enterprises of the city, he also has extensive busines interests else- where, being president of the Cleveland-Akron Bag Company and Detroit Bag Company ; vice president of the Superior Savings & Trust Company and of the Cleveland Storage Company; a director of the Bank of Commerce, National Association and a number of mining, industrial and railroad companies. His keen perception, his ready appreciation of opportunity and his utilization of ad- vantages which have come to him have placed him in a prominent position among Cleveland's business men. His sound judgment and enterprising spirit have also been brought into play in behalf of various important public projects. He is the president of the University School corporation and a trustee of several educational and charitable institutions of Cleveland that benefit through the business ability and determination which he brings to bear in their management. He was a member of the board of park commissioners that established the park system of Cleveland and for four years served as president of that body. He is a member of the Union, Country, Winous Point Shooting Clubs and the Castalia Fishing Club, together with other social organizations of the city. He takes great interest in civic matters and is always foremost in any movement leading to the advancement of the city of Cleveland.
In 1868 Mr. McBride was married to Miss Elizabeth Wright, who died February 4, 1910. To them were born five children, three sons and two daugh- ters. One of the daughters is now the wife of Henry Sherman and the other of Dr. George W. Crile, the famous surgeon. The sons were Herbert, Mal- colm L. and Donald. Of these Malcolm L. McBride is the treasurer of the Root & McBride Company. He prepared for Yale at the University School and was graduated from Yale in 1900. Ile was very prominent in athletics at both institutions and at Yale was captain of the varsity football team of 1899.
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Herbert McBride, the eldest son, was one of the most prominent of the younger business men of Cleveland, and his untimely death in the midst of a career of great usefulness caused a widespread feeling of regret and sorrow. He was born in Cleveland and prepared for college at St. Paul's School of Concord, New Hampshire, after which he entered Yale in 1887 and was graduated with honors in the class of 1890. He was quite prominent in athletics during his col- lege days. He immediately became connected with the Root & McBride Com- pany and at the time of his death he was director and assistant treasurer of the corporation. He was a member of the board of directors of the Cleveland Trust Company and a director of the Chamber of Commerce. He was also vice president and treasurer of the Bates Bag & Valve Company, a director of the Tod-Stambaugh Company and a member of the corporation of the Case School of Applied Science. He held membership in the Union, Country and Tavern Clubs of Cleveland and the University Club of New York. He was a member of the Trinity Cathedral. He married Ethel, daughter of the late John Tod, of Cleveland, and died March 13, 1907, at the age of thirty-seven years.
Such in brief is the life history of John H. McBride, but reading between the lines one learns of the business ability and spirit of enterprise which have not only brought him up from a humble position in mercantile circles to a place of prominence, wherein important services in connection with the manage- ment and executive control of the enterprise are his, but beyond this he has extended his efforts into other fields, having voice in the management of va- rious important commercial concerns.
STILES CURTISS SMITH.
The name of Stiles Curtiss Smith was long prominently and honorably known in mercantile, financial and charitable undertakings of the city. In all his life he seldom failed to attain the result desired, his well directed energy and keen business discernment carrying him into important relations with the business concerns of Cleveland. He represented one of the old New England families, his birth having occurred in New Britain, Connecticut, March 20, 1831. His education was acquired in a private academy of New Britain and in 1857, when a young man of twenty-six years, he sought a home in Cleveland, recog- nizing the business opportunities of this growing city of the middle west. He became the senior partner of the wholesale tea, coffee and spice house which was conducted under the firm style of S. C. Smith & Company. From the be- ginning the enterprise prospered, its trade steadily increasing, for the firm ever maintained a high standard in the character of its service, in its personnel and in the quality of goods handled. As Mr. Smith won prosperity in this line he also extended his efforts into other business fields, becoming a factor in financial, industrial and manufacturing as well as mercantile circles. For some time he was a director in the First National Bank, also in the Cleveland Malleable Iron Company and the National Malleable Castings Company. He was likewise called to the directorate of the Eberhard Manufacturing Company and the Cleveland & Southwestern Traction Company. In all things he displayed an aptitude for successful management and his record was one of the valuable assets in the business history of his adopted city. His life was one of intense and well directed activity, his usefulness not ceasing with his advanced years, for even up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-six years of age, he was still associated with a number of charitable and financial undertakings which profited by his sound judgment and his cooperation. The mercantile house which he established ever sustained an unassailable reputation for commercial integrity and largely set the standard for relations of that character.
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It was in Cleveland that Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Cath- erine Gleeson, who was born in this city, April 22, 1831, a daughter of Moses Gleeson, one of the pioneer residents here. They became the parents of five children but the first two, George S. and Caroline M., are both now deceased. The others are: Anna, the wife of Henry Abbott, of Cleveland; Lewis, living in this city ; and Flora M., the wife of Frank Gilchrist, also of Cleveland. The mother yet makes her home here, having been a lifelong resident of Cleveland. The death of the husband and father occurred at his home on Euclid avenue, December 5, 1907, after he had passed the seventy-sixth milestone on the journey of life. There are few men who have realized more fully the responsibilities of wealth. As he prospered in his undertakings he gave generously to many measures for the public good, while his philanthropy was one of the strongest elements in his life. He became a trustee of the Associated Charities, of the Children's Fresh Air Camp, the Jones Home, the Huron Street Hospital and the Western Seamen's Friend Society, while his private benefactions were al- most numberless. To any tale of sorrow or distress he responded with immediate assistance and sympathy, so that his memory is now enshrined in the hearts of many who were benefited by his kindly and generous aid. He was a member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and was greatly interested in every movement for the public good. He belonged also to the Masonic fraternity and was one of the organizers of the New England Society, of which he served for some years as treasurer. His political allegiance was given to the republi- can party and while he did not seek office, he did not regard politics as some- thing outside the pale of the life of the business man but rather as an issue in which every individual should be keenly interested and he therefore kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He was everywhere regarded as one of the substantial, public-spirited men of the city and he achieved the measure of success which comes with a life of conscientious effort. He was a very prominent member of the Plymouth Congregational church and, inspired by the teachings of Him who came to minister and not to be ministered unto, he gave of his time and talents for the benefit of his own household, his fellow- men and the community at large.
JAMES HUMPHREY HOYT.
The law firm of Hoyt, Dustin, Kelley, McKeehan & Andrews occupies a dis- tinctive position amid the representatives of the bar in Cleveland, and James Humphrey Hoyt as senior partner is known as one of the eminent lawyers of the city bar, who in civil law practice has given proof of comprehensive under- standing of legal principles, his, clear exposition thereof constituting a forceful factor in the management of various important corporations as well as in the control of litigated interests.
Mr. Hoyt was born in Cleveland, November 10, 1852, a son of James Madi- son and Mary Ella (Beebe) Hoyt. After attending the public schools of this city he prepared for college at Hudson, Ohio, and spent one year in Western Reserve University before entering Amherst College, in which two years were passed. He next matriculated in Brown University in 1871 and was graduated with the class of 1874. In preparation for the practice of law he read for one year with the firm of Spaulding & Diekman and then entered the Harvard Law School in 1875. He was graduated with the class of 1877, winning the LL. B. degree.
Mr. Hoyt at once returned to Cleveland, where he formed a partnership with Henry S. Sherman under the firm style of Sherman & Hoyt. They were later joined by Mr. Willey under the firm style of Willey, Sherman & Hoyt, and in turn the partnership became Sherman & Hoyt and Sherman, Hoyt & Dustin.
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On the death of the senior partner the firm of Hoyt & Dustin was assumed and successive changes led to the adoption of Hoyt, Dustin & Kelley and Hoyt, Dustin, Kelley, McKeehan & Andrews. Mr. Hoyt has given his attention to civil practice successfully and is one of Ohio's most widely known and eminent lawyers. He stands today as one of the conspicuous figures of the Cleveland bar, his opinions largely being accepted as authority by the profession upon intricate and involved legal propositions. His clientage has been of a most important character and his legal interests are of an extent that make him one of the prosperous residents of this city.
Mr. Hoyt is also recognized as one of the most prominent republicans of Ohio, his opinions constituting an influencing factor in shaping the policy of the party. He was a candidate for nomination for governor in 1895. He is also a leading club man of Cleveland, belonging to the Union, Tavern, Country, Euclid, Roadside, Mayfield Golf, University Club of Cleveland and the Cen- tury Association and University, Lawanhoka-Corinthian Yacht, New York Yacht and Metropolitan Clubs of New York. He is also one of the directors of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and actively interested in the various movements promulgated by that organization for enhancing the commercial and industrial activity and connections of the city. Questions of general interest concerning foreign lands as well as of his own country have elicited his atten- tion and in travel he has gained broad knowledge and culture. The leisure periods of his life, which are not sufficiently long to permit of visits in this coun- try and abroad are devoted to driving, motoring and golf.
On the 17th of June, 1884, Mr. Hoyt was married to Miss Jessie P. Taintor, of Cleveland, who is much interested in the Day Nursey and Lakeside Hos- pital of Cleveland, serving on the board of directors of both institutions. She has become the mother of two children: Katherine Boardman; and Elton 2d, who was graduated from Yale University in 1910. The family residence is at No. 2445 Euclid avenue and is one of the hospitable homes of the city and the scene of many attractive social functions.
Mr. Hoyt's reputation as an orator and brilliant after-dinner speaker make his services in this direction in constant demand. He is ready in resource, drawing from a mind that the years have stored with comprehensive and diver- sified knowledge, while tact ever makes his application a correct one. His face is a familiar one where the most intelligent men of Cleveland gather, and he stands today as one of the distinguished lawyers of the city and eminent polit- ical leaders of the state, thoroughly conversant with the economic, sociological and political problems which are engrossing the attention of thinking men at the present time.
CHARLES F. KOKLAUNER.
Charles F. Koklauner, conducting an extensive and remunerative business as a manufacturer of cigar boxes at Nos. 431 to 437 Champlain avenue in Cleve- land, was born in this city on the 4th of September, 1864, his parents being John H. and Clara Koklauner. He pursued his education in the German Luth- eran school until fifteen years of age and then entered the employ of the Adams Express Company as a porter, while later he became a messenger for the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company, acting in that capacity for a period of ten years. Subsequently he worked as a driver on a delivery wagon in the employ of the Wells Fargo Express Company for four years and then embarked in business on his own account as a manufacturer of cigar boxes. At the end of five years he and Henry Kluever bought out the firm of George H. Wilson Brothers, cigar box manufacturers, and successfully conducted the enterprise under the name of Koklauner & Kluever until 1905. In that year Mr. Koklauner pur-
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