A history of Cleveland and its environs; the heart of new Connecticut, Part 101

Author: Avery, Elroy McKendree, 1844-1935; Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago, New York The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 904

USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland and its environs; the heart of new Connecticut > Part 101

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Edwin A. Kamerer spent his early life on his father's farm near Greenville, and ac- quired most of his training in the public schools of that city. At the age of sixteen he found work as clerk in a clothing store at Greenville and that opened up to him the ex-

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perience and opportunities of a permanent career. At the age of twenty-one he left Greenville and spent two years at Warren, Ohio, and on June 20, 1876, arrived in Cleve- land.

In this city his first employers were Adams & Goodwillie, manufacturers, jobbers and re- tailers of men's clothing. He was with that firm until they elosed out in 1879. January 1, 1880, he went with Morgan, Root & Com- pany, dry goods and woolen jobbers, and spent ten years traveling over a large ter- ritory handling and representing their goods. He built up a large business in woolens per- taining to the tailoring trade, his territory comprising Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, Western Virginia and Virginia, Western New York, Eastern Indiana and Eastern Michigan.

Unusually well fortified by experience and equipped in every way for independent busi- ness, Mr. Kamerer in February, 1890, started his present establishment as a merchant tailor at 99 Euclid Avenue. Later the business was moved to 387 Bond Street, and in October, 1898, to his present quarters on the second floor of the Garfield Building. Here he has a suite of four rooms and employs more than twenty expert tailors and workmen working to capacity for the purpose of supplying the very best trade in the city.

Mr. Kamerer has been too busy a man to participate much in civic affairs. He is in- dependent in polities, a member of the Chris- tian Church, and is affiliated with Tyrian Lodge, Aneient Free and Accepted Masons ; Cleveland Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Holyrood Commandery, Knights Templar ; Cleveland Consistory Scottish Rite; Al Ko- ran Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Cleveland Athletic Club.

His home is at 8312 Hough Avenue. He married in Cleveland in 1909, Miss Abbie Jane Moran, a native of Jefferson, Ohio.

GEORGE WYMAN, director and treasurer of the Wyman Mining Company and in full charge of the Cleveland branch of the busi- ness at their offices in the Williamson Build- ing, is a veteran in the business and publie life of this eity and his active earcer covers more than half a century. Three generations of the Wyman family have lived in Cleveland, and all of the name have been distinguished as good business men and highly capable and publie spirited eitizens.

The Wyman family is of English origin, Vol. II-34

and settled in New England in colonial times. Moses C. Wyman, father of George, was born at Rutland, Vermont, in 1805, grew up in that New England town, married in New York City and a few years later moved to Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, and from there eame to Cleveland in 1852. Ile was a carpenter and builder and contraeted and built many of the early homes and other structures in Cleve- land. He died in this eity in 1896. He was a republican in polities. Moses C. Wyman mar- ried Ann Lamb, who was born in Nottingham, England, in 1824. She died at Cleveland in 1876. Their children were: Helen, who is now eighty-four years old and living at Milan, Illinois, widow of Alexander Owens, who was a contractor and builder ; Annie L., who at the age of seventy-nine is living at Cleveland; Mary, who resides in Cleveland at the age of seventy-two, widow of Edward A. Price, who was a miner; and George.

George Wyman was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, December 10, 1848, and was four years old when the family eame to Cleve- land. He was educated in the public schools here, attending high school one year. His for- mal association with books and school closed at the early age of thirteen, and from that time forward he depended upon his own ex- ertions and capability to put him ahead in the world. Mr. Wyman worked six years in the photograph business when that art was in its infaney. For seven years he was con- nected with the real estate office of Wilson M. Patterson. Mr. Wyman made a record for long continued and faithful service with the Government as chief deputy in the United States Marshal's office at Cleveland. He was with that office seventeen years, through all the stages of political administration, and was the trusted man in charge under several dif- erent marshals. Since 1895 Mr. Wyman has devoted his chief attention to mining in Old Mexico. He spent fifteen years in Sonora, where he acquired some active interests in the silver mines of that Mexican state. In 1903 he promoted and organized the Wyman Min- ing Company, of which he is director and treasurer.

Mr. Wyman married at Cleveland in 1873 Miss Clara C. LeVake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George J. LeVake, both now deceased. Her father was for a number of years in the coal business at Cleveland. Mrs. Wyman, who died in June, 1917, after they had been mar- ried forty-four years, was the mother of three sons, all of whom are now prominent in busi-

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ness life. George R., the oldest, is a gradu- ate of the Cleveland High School and is audi- tor for the Central National Bank of Cleve- land. He resides at 3075 Edge Hill Road in Cleveland Heights. Leonard C., the sec- ond son, is a graduate of the Case School of Applied Science with the degree Bachelor of Science and now represents the Wyman Min- ing Company in active charge of its silver mines in Sonora, Mexico. Clifton L., the youngest son, is a graduate of the Case School of Applied Science with the degree Bachelor of Science, is connected with the furnace department of the Pickands, Mather and Com- pany. His home is on Terrace Road in East Cleveland.

CHARLES A. WARREN is president of the Euelid Superior Auto Supply Company at 13444 Euclid Avenue, one of the most com- plete organizations and best equipped estab- lishments of its kind in the city. Mr. Warren is an expert machinist and business man, and has had a wide and varied experience that qualifies him for successful handling of his present company.

Mr. Warren was born on a farm at Cole- brook, Ohio, October 29, 1896. He is of Eng- lish ancestry. His grandfather, George Thomas Warren, born in Devonshire, Eng- land, came to the United States in 1850 and settled on a farm at Newburg, now a part of Cleveland. George Warren, father of Charles A., was born on Guernsey Island in England in 1845, and was a very small boy when his parents came to Cleveland. He grew up on a farm and was working in a rolling mill at Cleveland when the Civil war broke out. Though very young at the time he enlisted in 1861 in Company I of the Forty-First Ohio Infantry. From that time until the battle flags were furled at the close of the war he was almost constantly on duty and exposed to danger in some of the greatest battles of the conflict. He fought at Shiloh, at Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, to mame only a few of the principal engagements of his regiment. He was twice wounded. After the war he returned to Cleveland, but in a few years bought a farm at Colebrook, Ohio, and was busy with its management and cultivation for twenty years, after which he retired and came to Cleveland where he died in 1917. He was a republican and a man very much interested in local affairs, serving as township trustee and assessor in Colebrook. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Re-

publie and was a member of the Baptist Church. George Warren married Elizabeth Lawrence, who was born at Cleveland in 1860 and is still living in this city. She was the mother of nine children : George, who served as an American soldier in the Spanish-Amer- ican war, was a railroad man by trade, lived at Conneaut, Ohio, and was killed in a rail- road wreck at Rocky River, Ohio. Gertrude, living at Cleveland, is widow of J. L. Cook, a Baptist minister. Edith, who died at Cole- brook, Ohio, was the wife of Bry Webb, who now lives at Buffalo, New York, and is service man for the International Harvester Com- pany. William G., who is in the automobile business with his brother Charles. J. L., a jeweler living at San Francisco. Charles A. Earl, who died at the age of thirteen. E. A., who is also associated with the Euclid Supe- rior Auto Supply Company. Walter, in the engineering department of the National Lamp Company at Nela Park, Cleveland.

Charles A. Warren spent most of his boy- hood at Colebrook, Ohio, left the public schools there at the age of nineteen and served a four years' apprenticeship as a machinist in the Lake Shore Railroad Shops at Colling- wood. His introductory experience in the automobile business was acquired with the Brock Electric Company at Fortieth Street and Payne Avenue in Cleveland, with whom he continued three years in this city, and then represented the same firm in Rochester, New York, two years. In 1915 Mr. Warren re- turned to Cleveland and established the Eu- clid Superior Auto Supply Company, which he and his associates have made one of the chief business concerns of its kind. The com- pany is incorporated, C. A. Warren, presi- dent; E. A. Warren, secretary; and W. G. Warren, treasurer.

Mr. C. A. Warren is a republican and a member of the Baptist Church, is affiliated with the East Cleveland Chamber of Com- merce and Cleveland Lodge No. 63, Loyal Order of Moose. At Cleveland in 1910 he married Miss Margaret Howard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard, both now de- ceased. They have one child, Marie, born in 1911.

William G. Warren is treasurer of the Cleveland Auto Supply Company, was born at Colebrook, Ohio, July 11, 1886, was edu- cated in the public schools and reared on a farm. At the age of seventeen he left farm- ing and put in seven years as a painter and seven years as a carpenter at Akron. After

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this varied experience he came to Cleveland and became associated with his present busi- ness. He is a republican and a Baptist. He married at Cleveland in 1907 Miss Eleanor Clute, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Chute, her father still living a resident of Colebrook, Ohio, where he is a farmer.

DAVID FITZPATRICK. Among the notable business enterprises that have made Cleveland a great commercial center and a recognized manufacturing point in the United States, is The Cleveland Worm & Gear Co., the rapid and unusual growth of which must be di- rectly attributed to the experienced energy and enterprise of David Fitzpatrick, its able general manager. Mr. Fitzpatrick is well malified, having devoted over twenty years to the careful study of worm gearing from a

standpoint of both designing and manufac- turing. In England, his native land, among the pioneers of worm drive, his name has long been identified with its highest development, and it may be noted that in practically every instance where a success in worm drive has been made in the United States, it is possible to trace the expert work of Mr. Fitzpatrick in one capacity or another.

David Fitzpatrick was born at Leeds, Eng- land, June 6, 1863. His parents were John and Mary Fitzpatrick. Until he was ten years of age he attended the excellent public schools in his native city. The unusual tal- ent possessed by the youth had already com- menced to develop and his aptness in relation to mechanics, procured for him his parents' consent in the matter of entering his grand- father's manufacturing plant, largely devoted to the manufacture of worms, the family busi- ness for generations, and because of his ready understanding of mechanical problems there encountered, was given further encourage- ment and at the age of twelve years was en- rolled as a student in the Mechanics Insti- tute, where he had thorough and comprehen- sive training and remained until 1879.

Mr. Fitzpatrick then served for one year as an engineer for the Cunard Steamship Company, on varions vessels, returning then to his grandfather's works at Leeds, where he continued until 1901, when he became con- neeted with the firm of E. G. Wrigley, of Bir- mingham, which concern has always been prominent when high grade worm gears have been considered. In 1905 Mr. Fitzpatrick associated himself with the firm of David Brown & Sons (IIddfd), Ltd., and continued

until shortly before he made his memorable decision to come to the United States.

In the spring of 1912 Mr. Fitzpatrick came from England to Cleveland, his object being to introduce the worm and gear business as at present conducted, and in May of that year The Cleveland Worm & Gear Co., was or- ganized, with F. M. Gregg as president; Da- vid Fitzpatrick as vice president and gen- eral manager, and C. J. Fitzpatrick as see- retary and treasurer. The first years' output was 2,000 sets of gears and employment was given twenty men. Today the output is up to the full capacity of the company's cquip- ment, 80,000 sets, with 350 men employed, and when more space and added facilities are acquired, the output will be doubled accord- ing to the present business outlook. This busi- ness has, in the short space of five years, grown to be the largest of its kind in the world and has increased far beyond the op- timistic expectations of its founders. There is an easy explanation. While the worm is one of the oldest and most powerful of all mechanical devices, to make it economically applicable to modern machinery, particularly in the automobile trade, it required improve- ment and more accurate construction, and in the engineering works of his grandfather, Da- vid Fitzpatrick learned the methods of per- fecting this useful bit of mechanism. Its use in England is no longer a matter of comment and since Mr. Fitzpatrick, with his skill and practical business methods has succeeded in placing it so widely before the public that it has become indispensable in the manufacture and operation of high grade automobiles of all descriptions. The company has issued a very interesting pamphlet explaining fully the value of the worm and wheel as now used and manufactured by The Cleveland Worm & Gear Co. Mr. Fitzpatrick, with the prac- tical ideas that have been so notably displayed in his successful business operations since com- ing to Cleveland, brought with him his own force of expert mechanicians and his equip- ment, all the machinery being especially de- signed. All worms manufactured by this com- pany are ground after hardening instead of lapped.

Mr. Fitzpatrick was married in Leeds, in February, 1885, to Miss Lillie Clark, and they have two children, Charles J. and Clif- ford W., both of whom are associated with their father in business, the former being sec- retary and treasurer of The Cleveland Worm & Gear Co., and the latter, a graduate of

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the Leeds Mechanics Institute, is foreman of the works, both experienced engineers. Mr. Fitzpatrick has long been a member of the Masonic fraternity but otherwise has given comparatively little attention to organizations outside the bounds of his profession. He has made a profound impression in business cir- cles in this city and the respect and admira- tion entertained for him is sincere.

HARRY B. KNAPP. Success in business as well as in life is a matter of adjustment to new responsibilities and duties with every year bringing widening capacity for useful- ness and service.

In 1900 Harry B. Knapp was enrolled as a clerk in The Standard Sewing Machine Com- pany's plant in Cleveland. He is today one of the live and enterprising officials of that organization. He was promoted from clerk to bookkeeper, to head accountant, next to cashier, became assistant secretary and since 1915 has been secretary of the company. This is a large and important business, its offices and plant being located at Cedar Avenue and the C. & P. Railway.

Mr. Knapp is a native of Cleveland, born December 9, 1879. His father is Charles B. Knapp, who was born in Malmesbury, Wilt- shire, England, in 1847. He grew up in his native country, but in 1865 came to Cleve- land. For some years he was a captain in the fire department, and later was secretary of the city fire department. Since 1913 he has lived retired. He is a republican and is affiliated with Cleveland City Lodge No. 15, Free and Accepted Masons. Charles B. Knapp married Julia A. Mock, who was born in Cleveland in 1850. Her father was one of the early teaming contractors of the city and died here. Of the children of Charles B: Knapp and wife the only two now liv- ing are: Harry B. and George H. The lat- ter lives in Cleveland and is superintendent of motive power for the Lake Shore Rail- way.

Harry B. Knapp was educated in the Cleve- land public schools, spending two years in high school. At the age of seventeen he left school to go to work, and until he entered the service of the Standard Sewing Machine Company was with the Pennsylvania Railway offices as messenger boy and in other clerical positions. Mr. Knapp is a republican and is a member of the Crawford Disciples Church and is affiliated with Cleveland City Lodge No. 15, Free and Accepted Masons.

In 1903 at Cleveland he married Miss Ida Abbott, daughter of Fred A. and Elizabeth (Spencer) Abbott. The mother lives with Mr. and Mrs. Knapp. Her father, deceased, was for forty years credit man for the Ster- ling & Welch Company. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp have one child, Elizabeth J., born November 10, 1910.

CHRIST MINDERHOUT is one of the business men of Cleveland whose activities represent the stock yards district, where he is a mem- ber and officer of one of the largest general commission firms, the Sadler Commission Company.

Mr. Minderhout is of Holland Dutch ances- try on both sides, his paternal grandfather having been born in Holland and that was also the native country of his mother. His grand- father Minderhont emigrated with his family from Holland to New York State, and in 1865 came to Cleveland, where he died about thirty years ago. Arno Minderhout, father of Christ, was born near the Catskill Mountains in New York State in 1856 and was brought to Cleve- land when nine years of age. After finishing his education in the public schools he took up the wood working trade and has worked in that line ever since. He is still active in busi- ness and resides at 3246 West Eighty-Sixth Street in Cleveland. He is a republican and a very active member of the Christian Re- formed Church. Arno Minderhout married Ellen Nyland, who was born in Holland in 1862. They had just two children, Christ and Minnie. The latter is the wife of Peter Cook, who lives at 3244 West Eighty-Sixth Street, and is a shoe salesman.

Christ Minderhout, who was born at Cleve- land July 8, 1885, gained his education in the public schools and the Edminston Business College. After finishing his course at the latter in 1901 he was employed as a stenog- rapher and typewriter until 1906, when he was promoted to bookkeeping and general office responsibilities. For a man of his years he has made rather unusual progress and has held the office of secretary and treasurer of the Sadler Commission Company since 1910. The offices of this firm are in the Exchange Building at the Union Stock Yards. It is one of the largest live stock commission houses at Cleveland. The officers of the company are : W. K. Sadler, president; R. K. Sadler, vice president, and Christ Minderhout, secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Minderhout served as secretary of the

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Cleveland Live Stock Association for five years previous to his resignation in 1918.

Mr. Minderhout is an old school republican and a member of the Christian Reformed Church. In 1908, at Cleveland, he married Miss Amelia Van Laaten, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Van Laaten. Her father is deceased and her mother lives in Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Minderhout have one child, Arnold C., born February 24, 1911.

THEODORE ISAAC KERNS. Probably no sec- tion of the City of Cleveland has improved more rapidly in the last twenty-five years than what is known as the South Side, and it is doubtful if any individual has supplied more enterprise and capital to that work than Theo- dore I. Kerns, who for many years was an active merchant and is now primarily con- cerned with real estate development, with offices in the Kerns Building at 3792-3794 West Twenty-Fifth Street.

Mr. Kerns is bound by many ties of loyalty and family connections to this part of Cleve- land, since he was born in the old village of Brooklyn in Cuyahoga County, September 4, 1857.

IIis father, Isaac Kerns, born at Spring- field, Columbiana County, Ohio, April 12, 1827, came to Cleveland when a young man, married here and followed several occupations to provide for his family. He did general teaming, for four years was a farmer and finally entered the stone business. While in that business he lost his life as the result of an accident in 1883. He was well known in Cuyahoga County and for a number of years, in fact until his death, held office as street commissioner in Brooklyn Village, now a part of Cleveland. Politically he was a democrat. He was a Mason and a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church.

July 16, 1850, Isaac Kerns married Cath- erine Poe. She was born in Congress, Wayne County, Ohio, May 29, 1831, and died at Cleveland December 22, 1902. She was con- nected with the same family as America's greatest poet, Edgar Allen Poe. But of even more interest is her direct descent from Adam W. Poe, her grandfather, whom history has fitly ascribed rank among such pioneers of the western wilderness as Daniel Boone. Adam W. Poe was born in Maryland in 1746. During the Revolutionary war he served in Capt. McCormack's Company in 1776 and in 1777 was under the command of Captain Baseard. From this service his descendants,

including Mr. Kerns, is entitled to member- ship in the Sons and Danghters of the Amer- ican Revolution. In his great western ex- ploits Adam W. Poe is always associated in history with his brother Andrew. They came westward together about 1770, crossing Mary- land and Pennsylvania, and finally making their location in Columbiana County, Ohio, though at the time they thought they were still in Pennsylvania, learning differently only when the state's line survey was made. Thus their names and services are identified with Eastern Ohio as well as with Western Penn- sylvania. The early home makers in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania owed much to their strength and influence on the frontier. Their greatest single exploit and the one which re- moved from the frontier settlements one of their most persistent foes, was their hand to hand conflict with a band of hostile Indians under the command of the celebrated chief Big Foot of the Wyandot tribe. Chief Big Foot was a giant in stature and strength, but was killed by Adam Poe, and his band of followers practically annihilated. Adam Poe was then about twenty-three years of age, and he lived an honored and useful citizen of Ohio until his death in 1840 at the age of ninety-four. He was one of the finest speci- mens of physical manhood among the pioneers, was 6 feet 3 inches in height, broad shouldered, muscular, as straight as an arrow, and had all the accomplishments and skill of the true frontiersman and woodsman. It is said that even when ninety years of age he was known as a dead shot.

Adam W. Poe married Elizabeth Cadman, and their youngest child was David W. Poe, father of Catherine Poe Kerns. David W. Poe, with his youngest son, David Jackson Poe, a lad of fifteen years, was frozen to death in a Nebraska blizzard in 1856, a fact that indicates that he too was possessed of the pioneering instincts of his family.

Isaac Kerns and wife had three children : Angenette, wife of William C. Keyser, who for many years was in the wholesale plumbing business and is now retired, living on Denison Avenue in Cleveland; Allen, who died in 1862 at the age of seven years, and Theodore I.

Theodore I. Kerns was educated in the grammar schools and in the high school at Brooklyn and attended these institutions quite steadily until he was about eighteen years of age. At the age of fourteen, during school vacations, he worked as a lather (about one year altogether at that trade), after which

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also during school vacations he worked with his father cutting stone and laying stone side- walks until he finished school. He then oper- ated a street car for about one year, conducted a meat market one year, and followed the trade of butcher three years. The business with which he was longest identified was as a coal merchant at Twenty-Fifth Street and Garden Avenue. He began business at that location August 25, 1878, and continued it actively for twenty-five years, finally selling out May 15, 1903. In the meantime he had used his surplus to acquire and develop local real estate, and has been a factor in that line since 1905. For many years he has averaged the construction of several houses every year on the south side, and has completed about 200 honses altogether in that section of the city. A number of years ago he built the block at the corner of Garden Avenue and West Twenty-Fifth Street, where he has his own of- fices. In 1902 he erected at 3799 West Thirty- Third Street one of the most modern resi- dences of Cleveland. He also owns a summer home at Strongsville in Cuyahoga County and has three farms, aggregating 103 acres, two of them in Cuyahoga County and one in Medina County.

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A history of Cleveland and its environs; the heart of new Connecticut, Part 101

Author: Avery, Elroy McKendree, 1844-1935; Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Chicago, New York The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 904

Author: Avery, Elroy McKendree, 1844-1935; Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago, New York The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 904