USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 75
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CHARLES F. KOKLAUNER
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chased his partner's interest and has since remained the sole proprietor of the business, enjoying a profitable and constantly growing trade. He furnishes employment to eleven people and in the capable control of his business affairs has won a measure of success that entitles him to recognition among the pros- perous and representative residents of his native city.
On the 4th of August, 1887, in Cleveland, Mr. Koklauner was joined in wedlock to Miss Katharine C. Dunn and they now have three children, as fol- lows: Pearl C., who is now twenty-one years of age and the wife of Roy Jones, of Jacksonville, Florida; Philip, who is fifteen years of age; and Martin, a lad of twelve. The two sons are public school students. The home of the family is at No. 2083 West Forty-first street.
In his political views Mr. Koklauner is a stalwart republican, while his re- ligious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church. He has attained high rank in Masonry, belonging to Concordia Lodge, No. 345, F. & A. M., Hillman Chapter, No. 166, R. A. M., Cleveland Council, R. & S. M., Holyrood Commandery, No. 32, K. T., Lake Erie Consistory and Al Koran Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Cleve- land Lodge, No. 18, B. P. O. E. Starting out in life for himself at the age of fifteen years, he has in the course of an active career made steady advance- ment by reason of his indefatigable energy and his persistency of purpose, com- bined with a reliability that has won for him the unqualified respect of those with whom business or social relations have brought him into close association.
CHARLES R. LIVINGSTONE.
Charles R. Livingstone, who in 1905 established the merchant tailoring busi- ness which he is conducting under the name of the Charles R. Livingstone Com- pany, was born in Cleveland, February 7, 1872. His father, C. A. Livingstone, who was born in 1842 at Watertown, New York, came to Cleveland from Os- wego. After the close of the Civil war, of which he is a veteran, having served under General Grant as quartermaster, he came to Ohio and was given the man- agement of the clothing house of Yates & Sons, of which he had charge for a number of years. He was afterward manager for the clothing house of E. M. McGillen & Company for a number of years, while subsequently he became man- ager and vice president of The J. L. Hudson Company, with which he was as- sociated until 1904. He then left the mercantile field to engage in the real-estate business, becoming secretary and treasurer of The Mars Wagar Realty Com- pany, also doing business under the firm style of C. A. Livingstone & Son. He laid out the Livingstone allotment in Glenville, on Livingstone avenue, and is well known as the builder and owner of various apartment houses. In 1907 he retired from active business and removed to his country home at Geneva on the Lake, but is still identified with the city through his property investments. He holds membership in the Memorial Grand Army post and also with the National Union. He was married in 1866 to Miss Nellie Brigg, a native of Oswego, New York, and their family numbers five daughters and three sons.
'After passing through the grades of the public school, Charles R. Livingstone entered the high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1886. He is also a graduate of the Caton Business College, this constituting his equip- ment for the practical duties that come with entrance into the commercial world. He first entered the employ of The J. L. Hudson Company, of which his father was vice president, acting as salesman in the clothing department for twelve years, or from 1887 until 1899. This proved an excellent training school for his present line of business and yet on leaving the Hudson Company he did not at once engage in the conduct of a tailoring enterprise but turned his attention to the real-estate field in connection with his father, business being carried on
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for three years under the firm name of C. A. Livingstone & Son. On the ex- piration of that period he assumed the management of a store on Euclid avenue for the English Woolen Mills Company, remaining in charge for a year and a half, and in 1905 he established the merchant tailoring business now conducted under the style of the Charles R. Livingstone Company. He is one of Cleve- land's young business men, who is proving his business worth and versatility in commercial circles, having promoted an enterprise which is now of goodly proportions.
On the 21st of February, 1895, Mr. Livingstone was married to Miss Hat- tie L. Sills, a native of Cleveland, and they have one son, Willard Heatley, eleven years of age, who is a student in the Parkwood school, and a daughter, Dorothea Alice, seven years of age, who has also begun her education in the Parkwood school. Mr. Livingstone is a member of the National Union and his interests are further indicated by his membership in the Cleveland Athletic and the Cleveland Automobile Clubs. He is well known in this city, where his entire life has been passed, his business interests bringing him a wide acquaint- ance, which in strictly social circles he has gained many friends, a large number of whom have tendered him their warm regard during an acquaintance that has lasted through years.
ZDENEK SOBOTKA.
Zdenek Sobotka, who has been brew master of the Pilsener Brewing Com- pany since October, 1908, has been actively connected with the brewery in- dustry during the greater part of his life, both in this country and in the land of his birth. He was born in Jungbunzlau, Bohemia, January 23, 1876, a son of Joseph and Marie Sobotka. The father was a teacher in Klatau, Bohemia, and is still living. Mr. Sobotka attended the public schools of his native land until he was eleven years of age, and then entered the high school to complete his education in four more years. At the end of his school life he served an apprenticeship of two years in the brewery business, to which all his time has since been devoted, either in informing himself of improved methods or in the active pursuit of his vocation.
In September, 1892, Mr. Sobotka went to Podkovan, Bohemia, where he worked in a brewery for two years, going thence to Tabor, Bohemia, where he was similarly employed for seven months. After six months spent in the breweries at Hof, Bavaria, he entered the army to fulfill the three years' ser- vice to the fatherland exacted of every German born male. Upon his discharge he went to Gablons-an-der-Neise, Bohemia, and after two years spent in a dis- tillery there he attended a brewing school in Prague, Bohemia, for eight months. At both Vienna Neustadt and Laun, Austria, he worked a year at his trade, and then came to America. He landed at New York and quickly made his way to Chicago, where he worked for the United Brewing Company as brewer at Branch No. I, and a year later filled a similar position with the Atlas Brewing Company, with whom he remained four years. Feeling that there was yet much to learn about the theory of brewing, Mr. Sobotka, at the termination of his service with the last-mentioned firm, took a course at the Wahl Henius In- stitute for Fermentology at Chicago. He then came to Cleveland, where he engaged as brew master with the Pilsener Brewing Company, the position which he holds at present.
In Chicago, on the 18th of February, 1905, Mr. Sobotka was united in marriage to Miss Emma Stocek and is now the father of one son, Charles. His home is at 2160 West Sixty-fifth street, where he and his wife have a cordial welcome to all friends that come to see them.
ZDENEK SOBOTKA
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Mr. Sobotka is one of those foreign born citizens who generously contrib- ute their share in industry and fine national traits of character to what in time will be the American race. His interest in American life grows continually and his loyalty needs only time to develop. He is already identified with an amal- gamating organization, the C. S. P. S. of America, and takes an active interest in the meetings of the society. .
ULYSSES SANFORD BREWSTER.
Ulysses S. Brewster, who was born in Ridgeville, Ohio, died in Cleveland on the 27th of April, 1891. He belonged to an old New England family, being descended from one who came over on the Mayflower. He was educated in the public schools of this state and in starting out in life for himself, secured a position as traveling salesman. His experience upon the road brought him valuable knowledge concerning business methods and the demands of the trade. The careful husbanding of his resources at length enabled him to engage in business on his own account and, purchasing a stock of goods, he opened a hardware store on Broadway, where he continued in business up to the time of his death. The establishment is still conducted by his wife and son, who are managing it along progressive lines and are therefore winning success.
It was on the 30th of August, 1877, that Mr. Brewster was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret Tettlebach, whose father, Peter Tettlebach, was a pion- eer of Cleveland, residing in this city for more than sixty years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brewster were born a son and daughter, both of whom are now married and reside in Cleveland. The former, Roy S. Brewster, is the active manager of the hardware business established by his father; and the daughter, Mae, is now the wife of Henry C. Hutchison, of this city.
Mr. Brewster was independent in his political views, forming his opinions after careful study of the political questions and issues of the day, but without regard to party ties. He was an exemplar of the Masonic fraternity and with his family attended the church of the Disciples. His life was upright and hon- orable, his actions manly and sincere, and his purposes above question. His so- cial, genial nature won him many friends, and among those who knew him his death was deeply regretted when, on the 27th of April, 1891, he passed away.
CHARLES ROHDE.
Charles Rohde, seeking the business opportunities of the new world, came to America at the age of eighteen years and thereafter made his home in Cleve- land until his death. He was born in Germany, September 14, 1853, and passed away September 21, 1907, at the age of fifty-four years. His parents were Frederick and Dorothea Rohde, also natives of Germany, where the father worked as a laborer and farmer. The son spent his boyhood days in his par- ents' home and, in accordance with the laws of his native land, attended the public schools until fourteen years of age, after which he began earning his own living, working in the neighborhood for four years. In the meantime he heard attractive tales concerning the advantages of the new world and in 1872 he severed the ties that bound him to him native country and at the age of eighteen sailed for America, stopping in Cleveland. Here he was employed in different ways for six or eight years, eagerly embracing every opportunity that would yield him a good living or win him advancement. Later he became con- nected with the Schlather Brewing Company and in 1883 he engaged in the saloon and liquor business, in which he continued for seventeen years, meeting
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with good success, so that he was enabled to retire with a handsome competency in 1900. He was a thrifty and energetic man and as indolence and idleness were utterly foreign to his nature, he was not content to sit down and do nothing. He therefore assumed the duties of janitor and overseer of the central police station and continued to act in that capacity until his demise.
On the 18th of November, 1876, Mr. Rohde was united in marriage, in Cleveland, to Miss Wilhelmine Lapp, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Dunker) Lapp, who came to Cleveland from Germany in 1870. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rohde were born three daughters: Rose, now the wife of Alexander Calder; and Lillian and Celia, who are yet in school. Mr. Rohde was a kind and loving father, devoted to the interests, welfare and happiness of his family. He was a man who never smoked or drank intoxicating liquors but lived a life of indus- try and thrift, winning his success by close application to business.
His political support was given to the democracy and he had pleasant fra- ternal relations with the United Workmen. He was also a member of the German Evangelical Protestant church, in which faith he was reared. He had no occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for he here found and improved good business opportunities and success eventually crowned his labors.
CHARLES A. HALL, M. D.
Dr. Charles A. Hall, who in his professional career has given special atten- tion to surgery, his practice in that direction growing until it almost excludes his other activities as a medical practitioner, was born in Baldwinsville, New York, December 8, 1863. His father, Lemuel D. Hall, was a native of the Empire state and followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He mar- ried Eunice Lanfare and died on the 21st of February, 1899, when in his sev- enty-second year, while his wife still survives at the age of eighty years and is living in Warner, New York.
Dr. Hall passed his boyhood days in Baldwinsville, New York, where he en- joyed the opportunities offered by the district schools and later became a high- school student in the town. In 1886 he removed westward to Cleveland and in preparation for the practice of medicine as a life work he entered the Cleve- land Homeopathic College, from which he was graduated with the M. D. de- gree in 1888. He also attended the College of Physicians & Surgeons and was graduated therefrom in 1899, that institution also conferring upon him the pro- fessional degree. Thus he secured both homeopathic and allopathic degrees, became conversant with both schools of practice and from each has retained that which he regards as most valuable in the work of checking the ravages of disease and restoring health. Upon his graduation in 1888 he entered upon the private practice of general medicine but from the start has given special attention to surgical work and gradually has concentrated his energies more and more largely upon that field of labor almost to the exclusion of internal medicine. A perfect master of the construction and functions of the component parts of the human body, of the changes induced in them by the onslaughts of disease, of the defects cast upon them as a legacy by progenitors, of the vital capacity remaining in them throughout all vicissitudes of existence, Dr. Hall has done excellent work in his profession and has gained much more than local reputation.
Dr. Hall was assistant to the chair of gynecology in the Cleveland Homeo- pathic College from 1890 until 1894; was a member of the surgical staff of the Huron Street Hospital from the Ist of January, 1897, until 1899; has been sur- geon for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad Company since 1898; and is also surgeon for the Great Lake Dredging & Dock Company and for the Ohio Quar-
DR. CHARLES A. HALL
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ries Company and other corporations. He belongs to the State Homeopathic Medical Society and also the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical Society, aiding in its organization thirteen years ago, while at the present writing he is serving as its president. He is also an active member of the Cleveland Medical Library As- sociation. He has done some original work in gynecology which has been rec- ognized by the old school, and he ranks today as one of the ablest representa- tatives of homeopathic practice in Cleveland. Indeed he stands very high among the physicians of both schools. The tendency of the times, however, has been toward the adoption of all that is valuable and useful in the methods of one school by the followers of the other and Dr. Hall is too broad-minded to limit his efforts to one set of teachings if he believes that something better can be secured. His aim is to aid his fellowmen and his work has been attended by excellent results.
In Cleveland in 1890 occurred the marriage of Dr. Hall and Miss Olive E. West. They had one child, Alger C. Hall, who is now sixteen years of age. On the 9th of October, 1901, Dr. Hall was married in Richmond, Virginia, to Miss Ethel M. Curry, of that place. The family residence is at No. 12994 Clif- ton boulevard in Lakewood. The Doctor belongs to the Ustian fraternity and was a member of the Century Club during its existence. He is a lover of music and his violin and the family circle furnish his principal recreation. He is of a quiet, retiring and studious disposition but always courteous and agreeable, the instincts of a gentleman and the embellishments of learning combining to make him one of the most respected physicians of the city.
JULIUS FRENCH JANES.
Many enterprises give impetus to the commercial and industrial activity of Cleveland, and each successful business is a factor in the general growth of the city. He whose name introduces this review is connected with one of the profitable concerns of Cleveland, being treasurer of the Morgan Lithograph Company. He was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1877. His father, Heman Janes, also a native of Erie, was a son of Heman Janes, Sr., and hav- ing arrived at years of maturity wedded Miss Julia Williams, a daughter of Andrew J. and Amelia (French) Williams, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Heman Janes, Jr., was one of the early circuit ministers of the Methodist church of this state, wielding a wide influence in the moral development of the district.
Julius F. Janes, coming to Cleveland in 1884 when a lad of seven summers, attended Brooks Military School and further pursued his education in the Uni- versity School and in Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts. He is a Yale man of 1902, having matriculated in the New Haven university in 1899, while in 1902 he was graduated from Scheffield Scientific School, having pur- sued special scientific courses.
On his return to Cleveland on the completion of his college days, Mr. Janes entered the sales department of the Bourne-Fuller Company and there continued for three years. He was afterward with the Morgan Lithograph Company as salesman and was promoted to the joint management of the sales department, while in 1908 he was chosen treasurer of the company. His advancement has followed as the logical sequence of his constantly expanding business powers, and his energy is one of the forceful factors in the success of this company.
Mr. Janes was married on the IIth of November, 1904, to Miss Ruth Haw- kins, a daughter of Albert Hawkins, of Cleveland. They have one son, Julius F. Their home is at Shaker Lakes and Mr. Janes in his leisure hours indulges in golf, tennis, fishing and outdoor sports, all of which afford him much pleasure. He belongs to the Calvary Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is also a member of the Hermit and Euclid Clubs
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and is prominent socially, his geniality, deference for the opinions of others and cordial spirit winning him warm friendships, while his business activity has gained him recognition in commercial circles as a representative and progressive young man.
GEORGE STILES SMITH.
George Stiles Smith spent almost his entire life in Cleveland, and in the years of his active connection with commercial interests here was accorded both honor and admiration for what he accomplished and the methods which he pur- sued in the management of his interests. He was born in South Britain, Con- necticut, on the 12th of September, 1856, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Stiles Smith, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He was in his first year when his parents removed to Cleveland and here his youthful days were passed under the parental roof. At the usual age he entered the public schools, wherein he mastered the elementary branches of learning, and later he attended the Brooks Military Academy, while subsequently he completed his education at the Grey- lock Academy at South Williamsport, Massachusetts.
Mr. Smith entered upon his business career as an employe in his father's store, which was then conducted under the firm style of Smith & Curtiss. He applied himself closely to the mastery of the business in principle and detail, and year by year his responsibilities were increased as he gave proof of his power to manage and handle important interests of the house. Following the death of Mr. Curtiss, in 1899, the firm name was changed to S. C. Smith & Com- pany, George Stiles Smith becoming the junior partner. He thus continued until his demise and made for himself a most enviable name in commercial circles by reason of his unfaltering fidelity to a high standard of business ethics.
On the 5th of June, 1889, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary Poppleton, a daughter of Houston H. Poppleton, who was born in Bellville, Richland county, Ohio, on the 19th of March, 1836. He was a son of the Rev. Samuel and Julia A. Poppleton. The former, who was born in the state of Vermont in 1793, came to Ohio in 1820 and resided in Richland county from 1822 until 1853. In that year he removed to Delaware, Ohio, where he spent the greater part of his time until his death, which occurred September 14, 1864. He was a soldier of the war of 1812 and after the cessation of hostilities he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church and engaged in preach- ing for nearly half a century, his words of truth and wisdom proving a potent element in the moral progress of the locality in which he lived and labored. His son, Houston H. Poppleton, spent much of his youth in his native town and there acquired his early education in the public schools. Later he entered the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, in 1853. As he was not able to attend continuously he did not complete the course by graduation until 1858. During the winter seasons, in the intervening years, he had taught school, but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, and in September, 1858, entered the law office of Stevenson Burke, at Elyria, Ohio. After studying there for one year he matriculated in the Cincinnati Law School, where he mastered the entire course and was graduated on the 16th of April, 1860. The same day he was admitted to the bar in Cincinnati and immediately afterward re- turned to Elyria, where he successfully engaged in the practice of law in con- nection with Judge Burke and others until 1873. In that year he was appointed general attorney for the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Rail- road and removed to Cleveland to enter upon his duties in that connection, be- ing recognized as one of the prominent corporation lawyers of the state.
It was on the 10th of February, 1864, that Houston H. Poppleton was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda H. Cross, of Cincinnati. Their daughter, Mrs.
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Smith, was reared in Cleveland, where the family home was established in 1875, and by her marriage she became the mother of two sons, Houston Poppleton and Stiles Curtiss.
The death of the husband and father severed many ties of friendship, for he was well liked wherever known and had an extensive acquaintance in Cleve- land. He was prominent in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Bigelow Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and to Holyrood Commandery, K. T. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce he took an active and helpful part in affairs relating to public progress and to the city's growth and improvement along many lines. He likewise belonged to the Century Club, was a member of a chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and one of the charter members of the Cleve- land Gatling Gun Battery. In his death the Church of the Epiphany sustained a great loss, for Mr. Smith was one of its most active and helpful workers and a member of its vestry. In all the relations of life he measured up to the full standard of honorable manhood and his memory is yet cherished by many with whom he was associated during the years of his residence in Cleveland.
HENRY HARRISON GILLETTE.
Henry Harrison Gillette, one of the early business men of Cleveland and apprenticed to the harnessmaker's trade at the age of sixteen years, was born in Hebron, Connecticut, in January, 1812. His life record covered the inter- vening years to January 14, 1876, and throughout the entire period his well directed activity and enterprise constituted the rounds of the ladder on which he climbed to success. He was a son of Captain Amasa and Martha Gillette, of Hebron, Connecticut, the former a prominent farmer there and captain of a company of artillery during and after the war.
Spending his boyhood days in his parents' home, Henry Harrison Gillette attended the public schools of Hebron until sixteen years of age, when he put aside his text-books to learn the more difficult lessons in the school of experience. He took up the harness and saddlery business, in which he engaged in Hebron for several years. He became an excellent workman and the products of his shop, therefore, found a ready sale on the market. When several years had passed however he sold out and settled in New York, where he remained for a short time. In 1836 Mr. Gillette came west to Cleveland and took up his abode in this city. It was a town of comparatively little industrial and commercial importance, but, recognizing the advantage of its situation, he believed that it would one day become a thriving business center. He, therefore, opened up a harness and saddlery shop on the west side, that district of Cleveland in the early days being called Ohio City. There he continued for five years, after which he returned to the east, settling at Sag Harbor, Long Island, where he continued in business for eight years. Mr. Gillette then returned to Cleveland, where he made his home until his death. Throughout his entire life he carried on harness- making and one element of his success lay undoubtedly in the fact that he always continued in the line in which he embarked as a young tradesman. He per- formed all the duties that devolved upon him, however small the recompense might be, conscientiously and industriously, and after his return to Cleveland a splendid prosperity was steadily his. It is true that like other business men he may not have found all the days equally bright, and at times, indeed, he saw the gathering of clouds that threatened disastrous storms, but his rich inheri- tance of energy and pluck enabled him to turn defeats into victories and promised failures into brilliant successes. His strict integrity, business conservatism and judgment were so uniformly recognized that they brought him a lucrative pat- ronage and he became one of the successful business men of Cleveland.
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