USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume III > Part 91
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109
On the 3d of October, 1894, Mr. Excell was united in marriage to Miss Maud M. Amerman, a daughter of James and Rachel (Teeters) Amerman, of Alli- ance, Ohio. They have one son, Allen J., born May 14, 1896. The parents are members of the Euclid Avenue Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Excell be- longs to the Men's Club of that church and is interested in various lines of church work. He also holds membership in several political clubs and belongs likewise to the Cleveland Athletic, the Whist, the Crank and the Sociological Clubs. He is likewise connected with the Chamber of Commerce, the Cuyahoga Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. Firm and resolute purpose to make the best use of his opportunities and his natural endowments have brought Matthew B. Excell to a creditable position at the Cleveland bar.
ALONZO MITCHELL SNYDER.
Alonzo Mitchell Snyder, attorney at law of the firm of Ford, Snyder & Til- den, who though engaged in general practice are making a specialty of corpora- tion law, was born in Morrow county, Ohio, July 23, 1865. The family is of German lineage and was established in America by his grandfather, Michael Snyder, who was born at Darmstadt, Germany, and on coming to the United States settled in Pennsylvania, where he spent a few years. He then removed to Ohio, taking up his abode on a farm near Mansfield.
His son, George Snyder, the father of Alonzo M. Snyder, was born in Wash- ington, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1835, and is now living in Galion, Ohio. When a young man, however, he removed from the Keystone state to Mansfield, Ohio,
ALONZO M. SNYDER
917
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND
afterward becoming a resident of Galion. He had been locally prominent in political circles, serving as a member of the board of education and as a member of the city council of Galion, while at the present time he is a member of the board of tax review. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his elections have indicated his personal popularity and the confidence re- posed in him, for he lives in a democratic city. His business connection has been along mercantile and financial lines. He is very active in Masonic circles, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He mar- ried Harriet Mitchell, who was born in Morrow county, Ohio, January 10, 1840, and they became the parents of three sons, the brothers of our subject being : Frank J., who is engaged in the grocery business in Galion, Ohio, and is also president of the county board of elections; and Charles A., who is connected with the auditing department of a big steel manufacturing plant at Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Alonzo M. Snyder pursued his education in the Galion public schools, com- pleting the course by graduation from the high school with the class of 1880. In Kenyon College he won his Bachelor of Arts degree as an alumnus of 1885 and also first honors, standing highest in a class of seventy, and in 1887 he completed the course in the Cincinnati Law School, at which time the Bachelor of Law de- gree was conferred upon him. He began practice in Galion and for a time was alone but afterward became a partner of Sylvester Price under the firm style of Price & Snyder. This was maintained until January, 1888, when his health failed and he went to California, there remaining until May, 1889. He then returned to Ohio and in October of the same year came to Cleveland. Here he entered into partnership with Harry L. Vail as a member of the firm of Vail & Snyder and so continued until 1891, when he became associated with the firm of Squire Sanders & Dempsey. On the Ist of January, 1900, he became a partner in the firm of Ford, Snyder, Henry & McGraw, which relation was maintained for about five years, when Mr. McGraw withdrew and Mr. Henry went upon the circuit bench in 1905. The partnership was then maintained as Ford & Sny- der until 1906, when they were joined by Judge Tilden, who had recently restired from the bench, forming the present law firm of Ford, Snyder & Tilden. While they engage in general practice their specialty is corporation law and they num- ber among their clients many prominent business firms and houses of the city. Mr. Snyder was married to Clara Brightman, a daughter of Latham Bright- man. His son, Gaylord Kenyon, is now attending Stanford University. Mr. Snyder is a republican in his political views and an Episcopalian in religious faith. He belongs to the Beta Theta Pi Greek letter society and to the Theta Nu Upsilon sophomore society in college. His social relations with Cleveland are represented in his connection with the Union, University and Colonial Clubs, and he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. For twenty years he has practiced at the bar of this city and is no less esteemed for his professional suc- cess and prominence than for his social qualities, which win for him a constantly broadening circle of friends.
MATHIAS J. HINKEL.
Mathias J. Hinkel, president and treasurer of the M. J. Hinkel Company, wholesale liquor dealers at No. 814 Prospect avenue, Southeast, has continued in this field of business for many years but it does not limit the extent or scope of his enterprise or financial connections, for he is interested in several other commerical concerns. He was born in Cleveland, August 31, 1868, of the mar- riage of Jacob and Katharine (Sauer) Hinkel, both of whom were natives of Germany. He attended the public schools to the age of twelve years and then became an office boy, entering the service of Townsend, Edwards & Company.
918
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND
That he was faithful and diligent in their employ is indicated in the fact that by successive promotions he was advanced until he finally became manager of the liquor department. He subsequently established a wholesale liquor business for himself on Pearl street and there remained for seventeen years, after which he removed to his present location at No. 814 Prospect avenue, Southeast. Here he has a large liquor store, selling only to the wholesale trade, and the business, conducted along well defined and reliable lines, has secured an extensive pa- tronage. Mr. Hinkel belongs to the State Wine & Liquor Association. He has not confined his attention in business to one single field, for he is now the presi- dent and treasurer of the American Beveling & Art Glass Company and is finan- cially interested in several other enterprises.
In 1889 Mr. Hinkel wedded Miss Minnie Willslager, of Cleveland, and their children are : Clarice, Lillian and Satie. Mr. Hinkel attends St. Mary's cathedral and is a member of the Quinnabolo Club. That he started out in life for him- self at the age of twelve years and has since been dependent upon his own re- sources, places him with the self-made men whose business activity, enterprise and commercial probity are manifest in their success.
CHARLES EDWARD BENHAM.
That Cleveland's commercial and industrial importance has been greatly aug- mented by her splendid port and other excellent shipping facilities is a fact rec- ognized by all. Among those most prominent and widely known in connection with shipping interests is Charles Edward Benham, vessel agent who from the age of nine years has been closely associated with marine transportation and for some years sailed the lakes as master and vessel owner.
He was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, September 29, 1847, a son of Samuel and Harriet N. (Williams) Benham, both representatives of old New England fami- lies. The father, a native of Middletown, Connecticut, removed to Ashtabula, Ohio, as a young man, and there engaged in merchandising for many years, or until his removal to Cleveland in 1852. He became identified with mercantile interests in this city, being first located on River street and later on Detroit street, where he continued until his death, which occurred in 1897, when he was seventy-seven years of age. During the war he was located in the Northern Transportation building on River street and shipped provisions to the army for the government. In his early days he was interested in the vessel business in Ashtabula, and it was during that period that his son, Charles Edward, made his start in the same line. The mother was a native of Weymouth, Massachusetts, who died in 1897 at the age of seventy-five years.
Charles Edward Benham supplemented the education which he acquired in the public schools of Ashtabula by a course in Bryant & Stratton Business Col- lege at Cleveland. He was only nine years of age when he began sailing on the lakes in the summer seasons, having always a great fondness for the water. During the winter months following the completion of his commercial course, he read medicine with Drs. Boynton and Van Norman for two years and after- ward with the latter alone for two years. He likewise attended lectures at the Huron Street Homeopathic Hospital Medical College but with no intention of engaging in the practice of medicine as a life work, his reading being done simply from his interest in the profession. On the 13th of August, 1862, when sixteen years of age, he sailed his first vessel as master of the Industry on Lakes Erie and Huron and from that time forward was in command of vessels of every description. He first became financially interested in shipping at the time he was made master and gradually increased his investments, owning at different times the Henry C. Richards, Queen City, Zack Chandler, C. H. John-
รับครม ขา
C. E. BENIIAM
921
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND
son, the Reindeer, George Sherman, and the Metropolis, some of which he also sailed. He was likewise for eleven years the owner of the tug Sampson, the most powerful tug on the lakes. This he sailed for five years. He also owned numerous other tugs and at one time controlled and operated a White Stack Tug Line of seven tugs. He also commanded numerous other sailing vessels and at one time sailed the Ketchum, in which he had an interest, and was, more- over, interested in numerous other vessels, owning the Nahant, H. B. Tuttle and Edward S. Pease. In 1882 he practically left the lakes, but has continued his financial connection with vessel interests to some extent to the present, although he ceased to be actively interested therein when he entered the government ser- vice as special deputy collector of customs in 1898.
About 1882 Mr. Benham entered the firm of Palmer & Benham, vessel own- ers and agents, and while associated therewith represented the marine interests of the Mercantile Insurance Company and also looked after the wrecking and appraising of seven different companies. The firm of Palmer & Benham was the first to occupy the Perry-Payne building. Two years later the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Benham became a partner of Captain Joe DeVille. This relation was discontinued in 1897, when the firm became C. P. Gilchrist & Com- pany, vessel owners, the principal partners being C. P. Gilchrist and Charles E. Benham. Alone Mr. Benham conducts an extensive business in marine survey- ing, appraising, wrecking and looking after the construction of steel and wooden ships. Probably no other man in Cleveland has a wider acquaintance with the various crafts which navigate the lakes or is more competent to speak with au- thority upon shipping interests.
In 1887 Mr. Benham removed his residence to the west side, becoming a member of the water board of the West Cleveland corporation, of which he was chairman until the annexation of the district to Cleveland. He was chair- man until the annexation of the district to Cleveland. He was chairman of the West Cleveland annexation committee and also chairman of the joint committee of annexation of the two cities. As a member of the water board he estab- lished the same system as used in Cleveland for the tapping of all water lines and also the system of keeping records in the office. Thereafter under the Gardner administration he was a member of the infirmary board and under Mayor McKisson was a member of the city council. During his term of service he acted as chairman of the committee which investigated the books of the Con- solidated Street Railway Company to ascertain the cost of carrying passengers. Aside from his private business interests and public service already mentioned he is now the first vice president of the West Cleveland Banking Company, with which he has been connected since its organization. He is likewise interested in various other financial and commercial institutions and enterprises and is the owner of valuable west side real estate. He has been an active member of the Chamber of Commerce for many years and at one time was chairman of the navigation committee and has for a long period been a member of the river and harbor committee. He was appointed by Cleveland to represent the city in the deep water convention held in Toronto and in many other ways has put forth effective and far-reaching efforts for the promotion of public progress. He was elected to succeed Herman Baehr as president of the Cleveland Chamber of Industry when that gentleman was elected mayor of Cleveland and was later reelected, now serving in that position.
In organizations which have had for their object the benefit of shipping in- terests Mr. Benham is also known as senior past grand president of the Ship Masters Association of the Northwestern Lakes. The social side of his nature has found expression in his membership in the Cleveland Yacht Club, the Rough Riders Club and the Tippecanoe Club, and his fraternal spirit has been manifest in his membership in all branches of the Odd Fellows Society, including the grand lodge and also in the Royal Arcanum. Furthermore, he belongs to the
922
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND
Republican Club and was the first president of the First Ward Republican Club, with which he has always been prominently identified, being one of its principal supporters. His activities therefore touch the various interests which consti- tute vital phases in the public life and his efforts have always been put forth along the lines of substantial progress and improvement.
On New Year's Eve of 1867 Mr. Benham was married in Cleveland to Miss Mary J. Prescott, a daughter of William Prescott, of Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Benham, who died on the 10th of January, 1899, was very active in chari- table and benevolent work and also in Edgewater Rebekah Lodge, No. 264, of which she was past grand president. She was a most liberal contributor to the Old Ladies Home and benevolent institutions. By her marriage she became the mother of five sons and two daughters, namely: Captain C. A. Benham, master of the steamer McGehan of the Hutchinson fleet; William P., master of the steamer J. J. Sullivan; George E., master of the steamer W. S. Mack; Robert H., chief engineer of the steamer J. J. Sullivan; Harrison M., who has attended the Case School of Applied Science and is now oiler of the J. J. Sulli- van; Eva May, the wife of J. W. Karr, of the firm of Karr & Mitchael, dealers in ship supplies; and Jennie M., a graduate of the West high school of the class of 1909. The family reside at No. 9901 Detroit avenue, Northwest, where the home is surrounded by extensive grounds that are adorned with an orchard and gardens.
Captain Benham is numbered among the few lake commanders who have not only mastered navigation but have also displayed marked ability in dealing with the financial problems of lake transportation, and through the utilization of the opportunities which have been opened in connection with the shipping interests of Cleveland he has won success that places him in a creditable and enviable financial position. At the same time his has never been a self-centered life but with broad outlook he has cooperated in concerns of public importance wherein the city has been a direct beneficiary nor has he been unmindful of the social amenities of life, which are a source of much happiness to him.
CHARLES O. EVARTS.
Charles O. Evarts is president of the Evarts-Tremaine Flicker Company and treasurer of the National Union. With a nature that can never be content with mediocrity, he has resolutely pushed forward in the legitimate lines of business, seeking the just and merited rewards of persevering energy and intelligently directed effort. The firm of which he is now the head controls the largest indem- nity insurance business of the city and in other lines Mr. Evarts has been an effect- ive factor in the attainment of success. He was born on the island of Jamaica, July 17, 1847. His father, William H. Evarts, was a native of New York and for some years was connected with the missionary service of the Congregational church in Jamaica, where he died at Brainard Station. He was graduated from the Oberlin College and, determining to devote his life to the work of the mission- ary, was then sent out by the American Missionary Society and labored for some years in the West Indies.
In his childhood days Charles O. Evarts accompanied relatives on their return to the States 'and his home was established in Carlisle township, Lorain county, Ohio, where he spent his boyhood on a farm. He attended the district schools until fifteen years of age, pursuing his studies through the winter, while in the summer season he worked in the fields. Not content with the education he ac- quired in this direction, he afterward entered Oberlin College, where he remained as a student for three years. He had taught school during his preparatory course and at length he left college to enter business circles of Cleveland. For ten years
CHARLES O. EVARTS
925
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND
he engaged in dealing in milk and afterward became an employe of the Standard Oil Company. In the meantime, utilizing his opportunities for judicious and safe investment, he bought property and began operations in the real-estate allotment business, in which he has since been considerably interested, his property deals add- ing materially to his annual income. On resigning his position with the Standard Oil Company he became a deputy in the county treasurer's office and was later appointed city sealer. He afterward was elected to the office of clerk of the board of health and was later elected city clerk but resigned that position to accept a proffered position in the Woodland Avenue Savings & Loan Company on its organ- ization. There he continued for three years, during which time he established his reputation in financial circles as one competent to handle and control important moneyed interests. He was then elected secretary and treasurer of the Produce Exchange Banking Company and so continued for fifteen years or until 1904. He was also connected for a time, about 1880, with the postoffice, having charge of the registry division under Postmaster Jones. He became interested in the insurance business during his connection with the Woodland Avenue Savings & Loan Com- pany and at times has been a member of the firms of C. O. Evarts & Company, Lauer & Evarts, Evarts & Company, Evarts, Tremaine & Company, the Evarts- Tremaine Company and now the Evarts-Tremaine Flicker Company, of which he is the president. These changes in firm name have followed a change in partner- ship relations eventually leading up to the conduct of a business which is now of a most extensive and important character.
In 1883 Mr. Evarts joined the National Union and has now served as its treasurer for over twenty-two years. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Masonry. His mem- bership is with Iris Lodge, F. & A. M .; Cleveland Chapter, R. A. M .; Lake Erie Consistory, S. P. R. S .; and Al Koran Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He was also for many years identified with the Century, Colonial and Masonic Clubs. During the presidential campaign when the name of James A. Garfield headed the republi- can ticket he served as secretary of the county central committee and later as its chairman. He was elected and served as township clerk of Newburg township and in his political affiliation has always been a republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence.
On the 26th of September, 1875, Mr. Evarts was married to Miss Josie C. Brown, a daughter of Peter H. and Mary J. (Vreeland) Brown, of Passaic county, New Jersey, but now residents of Cleveland. Mrs. Evarts is prominent in the social club life of the city and extends the cordial hospitality of her home to many friends. The household numbers two children: Frank B., who was graduated from Adelbert College and from the Cleveland Law School and is now secretary to the Hon. Theodore Burton, United States senator from Ohio; and May Belle, who is a graduate of Laurel Institute and is a talented musician, active in social circles. Their home is at No. 112II Belleflower Road. Mr. Evarts is fond of motoring, while travel in other ways is also a source of interest and recreation to him. In all of his interests he manifests a contagious enthusiasm and in business affairs inspires his associates with much of the zeal and activity which has ever prompted him in carrying forward his individual interests.
GEORGE FRANKLIN HART.
'Among the younger business men of Cleveland who have already attained notable and commendable success is numbered George Franklin Hart, the treas- urer of The Guardian Savings & Trust Company. He was born in Allegan, Michigan, December 25, 1872, his parents being James H. and Mary L. (Stil- well) Hart. The father was with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail-
926
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND
road from the time of his marriage until his death, being agents for a time at Allegan and later freight agent at Laporte, Indiana, where he passed away No- vember 12, 1888, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife, who was born in the Empire state, is still living in Cleveland.
In the public schools of Allegan, Michigan, George F. Hart began his educa- tion and later continued his studies in Laporte, Indiana, but put aside his text- books when about fifteen years of age to enter business life as an employe of the banking firm of A. P. Andrew, Jr., & Son, serving as messenger boy until his ability won him recognition in promotion. He remained with that house for eleven years, working his way upward to the positions of teller and individual bookkeeper, a position in that banking institution, because of its small force, of almost unlimited trust and responsibility.
On the Ist of February, 1900, Mr. Hart arrived in Cleveland and became identified with the banking business of this city as an employe of The Guardian Trust Company, acting in a clerical capacity in the trust department. During more than ten years' connection with this corporation he has worked steadily upward through all of the intermediate positions, serving for a time as teller, while in January, 1902, he was made assistant treasurer and in February, 1906, was chosen treasurer. He has devoted his attention exclusively to his duties in connection with the banks and is one of the youngest men in a position of similar trust and responsibility in Cleveland. He owes his rise not to any for- tunate combination of circumstances or outside influences but to close applica- tion and unfaltering perseverance.
On the 17th of October, 1894, in Laporte, Indiana, Mr. Hart was married to Miss Sadie Whiting, a daughter of Dr. Samuel C. Whiting, a prominent physi- cian of that city. They have one child, Helen Cornelia, born July 20, 1897. Their attractive home, Maplecliffe, in Lakewood, was erected by him in 1908.
Mr. Hart is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and belongs also to the Indiana Society of Ohio at Cleveland. He is treasurer of the Visiting Nurses' Association of Cleveland, and on the Ist of January, 1910, became a member of the board of education of Lakewood, being elected to that position in November, 1909. He and his wife hold membership in the Episcopal church and in poli- tics he is a republican but not strongly partisan. His work is constantly broad- ening in its scope and in its possibilities, and to extend the former and improve the latter is the task to which he has resolutely set himself.
CHARLES H. EICHHORN.
Charles H. Eichhorn, who since the Ist of March, 1909, has been the cashier of the Market branch of the State Banking & Trust Company, located at Broad- way and Ontario street, was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on the 17th of January, 1859, his parents being Jacob and Clara Eichhorn. The paternal grandfather, George Eichhorn, who was a native of Baden, Germany, came to the United States in 1847 and took up his abode in Cleveland, Ohio, here passing away in 1850. Jacob Eichhorn, the father of our subject, was born in Baden, Germany, on the 6th of January, 1836, and when a lad of eleven years accompanied his father on the voyage to the new world. He supplemented his preliminary edu- cation, obtained in his native land, by a year's study in the schools of Cleveland and then put aside his text-books in order to learn the carpenter's trade. He worked at that occupation for several years and afterward entered the service of the Big Four Railroad Company, with which corporation he continued as foreman until January, 1910, at which time he was retired with a pension granted by the Big Four, having spent forty-five years in their employ.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.