USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland, (Vol. 2) > Part 3
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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
Mr. Clum married at Washington, District of Columbia, on June 2, 1886, Miss Lizzie W. Bohrer, the youngest daughter of George A. and Catherine (Otterbach) Bohrer, old residents of that city. At one time the father of Mrs. Clum served as president of the Oldest Inhabitants' Association of Washington, District of Columbia. Mr. and Mrs. Clum have had three children : Ethel J., who is deceased; Harold H. and Ralph W. Harold H. Clum is now an assistant professor in the University of Michigan, and is an overseas veteran of the World war. He served with the One Hundred and Eighth Ammunition Train on the Argonne front, and was with the first contingent of the Army of Occupation at Coblenz, Germany.
Mr. Clum is a member of the Cleveland Bar and the Ohio Bar asso- ciations, the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, the Civic League, the Cleveland Council of Sociology, and the Western Reserve Club. Since December, 1914, Mr. Clum and his family have been residents of Cleve- land Heights, and are members of the Cleveland Heights Presbyterian Church.
COL. CHESTER CASTLE BOLTON, of Cleveland, is a scion in the third generation of one of the old, honored and influential families of the historic old Western Reserve. He was born in Cleveland, on the 5th of September, 1882, a son of Capt. Charles Chester Bolton, and a grandson of Judge Thomas Bolton, who was born in Sipio, Cayuga County, New York, November 29, 1809. In 1833 Judge Thomas Bolton was graduated from Harvard College (now university), with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and thereafter he devoted one year to the study of law in Canandaigua County, New York. In September, 1834, he came to Ohio and established his home at Cleveland, the future metropolis of the state having at that time a population of less than 3,000. After a year spent in the law office of James L. Conger he was admitted to the Ohio bar in September, 1835, and immediately entered into a professional partnership with his former preceptor, Mr. Conger. A year later he formed a partnership with Moses Kelley, a Harvard classmate, and for the ensuing twenty years the law firm of Bolton & Kelley continued one of the strongest and most influential in Cleveland, the alliance continuing until the senior member, Judge Bolton, assumed judicial office. He had served a full term as prosecuting attorney of Cuyahoga County, and declined a second term, owing to the inadequacy of the salary. In 1856 he was elected to the bench of the Court of Common Pleas, and as his term neared its termination he was unanimously renominated, the ensuing election returning him to the office with no opposing candidate. After serving two full terms he retired from the bench, and he did not resume the active practice of his profession, his time and attention being given to his private affairs, involving varied
Vol. IT-2
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interests of important order. Originally a democrat, Judge Bolton in 1848 transferred his allegiance to the whig party, and in 1856, at the convention held in the City of Pittsburgh, he assisted in the organization of the republican party, with which he continued his affiliation the remainder of his life. He continued as one of the leading citizens of Cleveland until his death.
Capt. Charles Chester Bolton was born in Cleveland on the 23d of March, 1855, and after a thorough preparatory course in Phillips Exeter Academy, in New Hampshire, he entered his father's alma mater, Harvard University, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1877 and with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. For two years thereafter he traveled abroad, and upon his return to Cleveland he became associated with Rhodes & Company, later reorganized as the M. A. Hanna Company. With this important and representative concern he maintained his alliance twenty-five years, and in 1904 he retired from active business. Captain Bolton served as president of the Cleveland Associated Charities, and has been influential in the affairs of other representative civic organizations. He is a life member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and holds membership in various clubs and societies. He was a charter member of Troop A, one of the fine military organizations of Cleveland, and in the same received promotion through the various grades to and including the office of captain.
On the 24th of November, 1880, Captain Bolton wedded Miss Julia Castle, daughter of Hon. William and Mary (Newell) Castle, her father having served as mayor of Cleveland and having been one of the city's honored and influential citizens.
Chester C. Bolton received the advantages of the public schools and also the University School of Cleveland, and in 1905 he was graduated from Harvard University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In his native city he thereafter became assistant treasurer of the Bourne-Fuller Company, and he continued his service in this capacity until the spring of 1917, when he was commissioned captain in the ordnance department of the United States Army. Later he was transferred to the general staff and detailed to duty in the office of the assistant secretary of war in Washington. In January, 1918, he was promoted lieutenant colonel and was sent to the government war college for a course in field-staff duties. In due time he was assigned to the office of assistant chief of staff with the One Hundred and First Division of the United States Army, and in this capacity he was in service at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he was stationed at the time the armistice was signed and brought the World war to a close. He was then sent to the national capital, where he remained a member of the general staff of the army until he received his honorable discharge, he having been mustered out December 24, 1918.
Since the completion of his war service Colonel Bolton has not become active in business affairs, his time being given principally to public service of official order. For some time he was specially active in the directing of the interests of the Cuyahoga County Council of the American Legion, of which he continues a most loyal and popular member. In his home village of Lyndhurst he served two terms as a member of the Municipal Council, and in November, 1922, he was elected on the republican ticket
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THE CITY OF CLEVELAND
as a representative of the Cleveland district in the Ohio State Senate. He had much of leadership in the ensuing session of the Legislature as an influential figure in the councils of the Senate and the deliberations of the various committees to which he was assigned. He was made chairman of the committee on banks and trust companies, and also of that on military affairs, the while he served as secretary of the committee on taxation, and as a member of the committees on manufacture and com- merce, fish and game, and Soldiers and Sailors Home. Colonel Bolton has served as chairman of the American Legion, is a trustee of the Lakeside Hospital of Cleveland, is a trustee of the Welfare Federation, and also a trustee of the Western Reserve Historical Society. He is a member of the Union Club of Cleveland, of which he is vice president in 1923, is at this time president of the Mayfield Country Club, is an active member also of the Tavern Club, the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club and the Hermit Club. Colonel Bolton is a member of the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Trust Company, and also those of the Standard Tool Company and the Lake Erie Bott & Nut Company.
The maiden name of the wife of Colonel Bolton was Frances P. Bingham, and she is a daughter of Charles W. Bingham, of Cleveland.
The children of this union are three sons: Charles Bingham, Kenyon Castle and Oliver Payne.
SENATOR LAWRENCE GILL COLLISTER, lawyer, banker, business man and state senator, is one of the leaders in affairs in the city of Cleveland, especially on the South Side, in which district he was born and reared, the locality having at that time constituted the Village of Brooklyn.
Here Mr. Collister was born on the 4th of October, 1893, a son of Cæsar C. and Ellen (Gill) Collister, both natives of the Isle of Man, England, where the former was born in 1843 and the latter in 1845. The parents were reared on their native island and there their marriage was solemnized. Shortly after the close of the Civil war they came to the United States and established their home in what is now the south side of Cleve- land. Here the father was for many years engaged in business, and here his death occurred in 1910, his widow being still a resident of Cleveland. Cæsar C. Collister was a member of Brooklyn Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Glenn Lodge of Odd Fellows and of the Pearl Street Methodist Episcopal Church, in which his widow still retains membership.
Lawrence G. Collister was reared in Brooklyn Village and has been identified with this part of the City of Cleveland all his life. He was graduated from the high school as a member of the class of 1912, and for a period of about four years he traveled out from New York City on sales promotion work. In this connection he covered thirty states and also Mexico. He next completed a course in the law department of the University of West Virginia, thereafter attended the Cleveland Law School three years, and in 1920 he was graduated from the Baldwin-Wallace Law School, Berea, Ohio, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws; he also holds the degree of Master of Laws from the Ohio Northern University. He was admitted to the bar of his native state, and has since continued in the successful practice of his profession as one of the representative younger members of the Cleveland bar. He is a
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member of the law firm Collister, Lemmon and Brueckner, 233 Old Arcade. He also maintains offices at the corner of Clark Avenue and West Twenty- fifth Street.
In the World war period Mr. Collister served as secretary of the Cleveland Ordnance District Board, this district embracing the entire State of Ohio, and later he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the chemical warfare service, with which he continued his active connection until the close of the war. He was then appointed a member of the Cleve- land Salvage Board, with which he continued his service until the latter part of the year 1919. During recent years Mr. Collister has served as president of the Community Publishing Company, publishers of the South-end News and other community newspapers and the weekly news- papers.
Mr. Collister is specially active in civic and political affairs in his native city and county. In his first try for public office he was elected state senator in 1922, on the republican ticket, to represent the Twenty-fifth District, having been elected by a splendid plurality.
Mr. Collister has been most loyal in supporting measures and enter- prises tending to advance the interests of his native city. He is vice president of the Lincoln Savings & Loan Company; vice president of the County Mortgage Company ; a director of the Harvard Savings & Loan Company; president of Old Chippewa, Inc .; president of the Clean Play Company ; president of the Business-Site Leasehold Company ; presi- dent of the Garden Acres Company; secretary of the State Mortgage Company; director of the Chippewa Lake Park Company; president of the West Twenty-fifth Street Business Men's Association ; a director of the Southwestern Civic & Business Men's Association; and a member of the Cleveland Industrial Association; Delta Theta Phi law fraternity, member of the Executive Committee, 1924, National Republican Com- mittee in Cleveland.
Mr. Collister is a member of the Cleveland Bar Association and the Ohio Bar Association. In the Masonic fraternity he is a charter member of Elbrook Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is affiliated with Cleveland Chapter, Royal Arch Masons .; Cleveland Council, Royal and Select Masters; Oriental Commandery, Knights Templar ; Al Koran Temple of the Mystic Shrine; Cleveland Lodge of Perfection, Scottish Rite, in which he has received the thirty-second degree; and the Masonic organization known as the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. He is affiliated also with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a member of Lake Erie Post of the American Legion, and holds mem- bership in the Cleveland Yacht Club, the Cleveland Automobile Club and the Old Century Club. He and his wife are members of the Pearl Street Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Collister wedded Miss Biela M. Chabek, who likewise was born and reared in Cleveland and who is a daughter of John D. Chabek. The city home of Mr. and Mrs. Collister is at 1407 Mentor Avenue, and their summer home is at Bay Village, on the west shore of Lake Erie.
HON. DUDLEY S. BLOSSOM. In tracing the history of some of the prominent families of Cuyahoga County the biographer comes in close
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touch with the memorable days of early settlement in Ohio, when the wilderness was still unconquered, when Indians were savagely inclined to give battle for what they claimed to be their rights. It may never be definitely known, because of loss of early records, whether the first repre- sentative of the Blossom family found in Ohio came here with his comrade veterans of the Revolutionary war, with the Ohio Company in 1787, but in all probability this was true. The authenticated and accepted records lead back to some time prior to 1820, seventeen years after Ohio became a state, to one Orrin Blossom, a native of New England and a reputable citizen of the Village of Chardon, in Geauga County. His marriage is recorded there in 1820, to Emma Louisa Nash, who was a daughter of Rev. Alvan and Abiah (Sheldon) Nash. They were the great- grandparents of Hon. Dudley S. Blossom, member of the Ohio State Legislature, and one of Cleveland's active men of affairs.
Dudley S. Blossom was born at Cleveland, Ohio, March 10, 1879, a son of Henry S. and Leila (Stocking) Blossom, and a grandson of Henry C. Blossom. The grandfather was born at Chardon, Ohio, a son of Orrin and Emma Louisa (Nash) Blossom, and spent his school days there. Later he gained business experience by clerking in stores at Painesville, in Lake County, and in 1843 he became identified as a traveling salesman with the pioneer hardware store of William Bingham at Cleve- land, founding a connection that has continued to the present day. He was a man of business ability and later became a partner in the firm of William Bingham & Company. His death occurred at Hamburg, Germany, while on travels for his health, in 1882.
Henry S. Blossom, son of Henry C., was born at Willoughby, Ohio, February 2, 1852. He was educated in the public schools of Cleveland and the Presbyterian Institute at Brooklyn, New York. Displaying busi- ness capacity, he was taken into the employ of William Bingham & Com- pany in 1870, and in 1875 was admitted to partnership, and in 1888, when the business was incorporated as the William Bingham Company, he became secretary, and so continued until his death on January 21, 1903. He was a man of sterling character and marked business capacity. Mr. Blossom was twice married. In 1877 he was united to Leila Stocking, a daughter of Zalmon Stocking, and five sons were born to them: Dudley S., Carl Woodruff, Henry S., Pelham H. and John T., all of whom survive except Henry S. The mother of these sons died in April, 1892. In June, 1893, Mr. Blossom married Eva (Gillam) Pinson, a daughter of Dr. Lewis Gillam, of Atlanta, Georgia.
Dudley S. Blossom grew up in his native city, fortunate in educational and social environment. Following his graduation from the University School, at Cleveland, he entered Yale University, and was graduated with the class of 1901, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Upon his return to Cleveland he followed in the footsteps of his father in becoming a clerk in the William Bingham Company, beginning his practical business training at the bottom, but rapidly advancing, and in 1910 was made vice president of the company, which office he still fills.
In 1917, when the United States became involved in the World war, it was soon discovered that not only youth, brawn and astounding courage were needed to face dangers and to further every issue across the sea, but
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also there was necessity for disciplined business men to solve equally important problems behind them. With a captain's commission in the service of the American Red Cross Mr. Blossom went to France and remained until the close of hostilities at Paris as chief of the Bureau of Supplies for the Red Cross, economy and efficiency marking his efforts. With duty in this direction well done, Mr. Blossom returned to Cleveland, and on September 10, 1919, became director of public welfare for the City of Cleveland, through appointment by Mayor Harry L. Davis, and continued in that office until January 1, 1921, when he retired in order to give closer attention to his important business interests. In addition to being vice president of the William Bingham Company, he is on the directorate of the Central National Bank of Cleveland, and is similarly connected with other financial concerns.
Mr. Blossom has long been active in political as well as business circles, believing such to be the duty of a good citizen, and in November, 1922, he was elected as a representative of Cuyahoga County in the Ohio Legislature, his present term expiring on December 31, 1924. He is serving with honor and efficiency on many important committees and is chairman of the Committee on Benevolent and Penal Institutions, his deep and intelligent interest along this line and in other humanitarian causes being well known. On January 1, 1924, he was appointed safety director of City Manager Hopkins.
At Cleveland, Ohio, on September 29, 1910, Mr. Blossom married Miss Elizabeth Beardslee Bingham, who is a member of the old Bingham family of this city and a daughter of Charles W. Bingham. Mr. and Mrs. Blossom have two children: Dudley S., Jr., and Mary Payne. The family belongs to the Church of the Covenant.
Mr. Blossom has always been a patron of the arts and a supporter and encourager of cultural agencies at Cleveland, and in January, 1921, he became executive vice president and treasurer of the Musical Arts Association, which has wide scope and manages the Cleveland Orchestra. He is a member of the Union, Tavern and Hermit Clubs, and of the Mayfield Country Club. He not only bears an old Ohio name but has distinguished it.
LEONARD SCHLATHER. It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that have moved a life of ceaseless activity and large business success ; little more can be done than to note their manifestation in the career of the individual under consideration. In view of this fact, the life of the distinguished business and public spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a striking example of well defined purpose with the ability to make that purpose subserve not only his own ends, but the good of his fellow men as well.
Leonard Schlather long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order, supplemented by a thorough mastery of technical knowledge without which one cannot hope to rise above mediocrity. In his chosen field of endeavor Mr. Schlather achieved success that few attain, and his eminent standing among leading business men was duly recognized and appreciated not only in Cleveland, the city long honored by his
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residence, but also throughout the United States. In addition to his long and creditable career in the business world, he also proved himself an honorable member of the body politic, rising in the confidence and esteem of the public. In every relation of life he never fell below the dignity of true manhood nor in any way resorted to wiles or methods that invited criticism. He was essentially a man among men, ever mov- ing in a way that commanded respect and by innate force and superior ability won his way to the front, a place that was his by every right. His course was ever above criticism, and those who were favored with his intimate acquaintance were ever profuse in their praise of his manly virtues and upright character, that of a true gentleman.
For sixty-two years Mr. Schlather was a resident of Cleveland, locating here in 1856, a young man of twenty-two, who three years prior had left his native Germany. During these years he prospered, building a large industry, remaining as its head for forty-five years, or until 1901, when he retired, content to pass the remaining years of his life looking after his varied interests and caring for his loved ones.
Mr. Schlather was born in Jebenhausen, Wurttemberg, Germany, June 20, 1834. He was a son of Adam and Rosa (Vollmer) Schlather. His father was a prosperous brick manufacturer and the head of a large family, the subject of this review being the fourth son. When a year past his majority it was decided that two of his older brothers, Frederick and Christian, should come to the United States, but at the last minute the latter, who was not very strong, decided to remain at home. Without any preparations Leonard decided to accompany Fred- erick, and in due time arrived in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Here were living members of his mother's family, and he immediately secured employ- ment with the Vollmer Brewing Company.
It was with this brewery that he learned the brewing business, con- tinuing until 1856, the year of his arrival in Cleveland. Through the help of his brother Frederick, who loaned him $10,000, Mr. Schlather started a small brewery in a two-story frame building at the corner of Carroll Avenue and West Twenty-eighth Street. From this small begin- ning there in later years developed the largest brewery in Cleveland, the plant covering more than a city block, the last addition being made in 1885. Mr. Schlather continued as the active head of this enterprise until 1901, when he disposed of his interests to the Cleveland-Sandusky Brewing Company, and retired from all connection with the Leonard Schlather Brewery.
In addition to his personal business Mr. Schlather was largely inter- ested in Cleveland banking, being vice president of the People's Savings Bank, director of the Union Bank of Cleveland and was also connected with the Society for Savings. At the time of his death he was the last member of the first Board of Directors of the Union Bank of Cleveland, now the Union Trust Company.
Being at all times deeply interested in the welfare and progress of his adopted city, he was for years an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. A republican in politics, he always took a deep interest in the country's affairs, giving liberally of his time and means.
Mr. Schlather was twice married, his first wife being Catherine Buckes,
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of Cleveland. As a result of this union five daughters were born: Rosa, deceased, became the wife of Mars E. Wagar, of a prominent Cleveland family of pioneers. To them were born three children: Leona Serena, wife of Grover Cleveland Hasford, and they have one child, Leona Serena ; Mars F. J., and Leonard, Catherine and Emelia, the second and third children of Mr. and Mrs. Schlather, died in young womanhood. The fourth child, Anna, deceased, became the wife of Dr. J. F. Hobson, also deceased. They had one daughter, Helen Emily, who married Harry T. Hatcher of Cleveland. They have one daughter, Barbara. The fifth child, Lena, married Dr. Charles B. Parker of Cleveland, who is deceased.
October 7, 1897, Mr. Schlather married Miss Anna Catherine Sophia Schwarz, of Wheeling, West Virginia, daughter of Henry and Theresa (Luedeke) Schwarz, and granddaughter of Daniel Schwarz, an inn- keeper of Fulda, Hessen, Germany. The father came to the United States from Germany and for many years was connected with the Nail City Brewery of Wheeling, West Virginia. Mrs. Schlather survives her husband and makes her permanent home in the beautiful residence on the Schlather estate, Rocky River. This property was very highly cultivated by Mr. Schlather and today it is considered one of the most attractive homes in Northern Ohio.
Following Mr. Schlather's retirement from business he and his wife made a world's tour lasting for one year. Since then both made many journeys to Europe, South America, Africa, the West Indies, Panama and were familiar with the places of scenic and historic interests of the United States. Mr. Schlather was a life member of the Western Reserve Historical Society and in No. 100, transactions and annual reports of the society, is published a comprehensive review of the life of Leonard Schlather, their long time associate.
Living unostentatiously, Mr. Schlather was rich in the possession of a noble character which endeared him to his intimates and drew down upon him the universal emotions of genuine sorrow and keen personal loss. In all expressions of his friends and associates there is a unity of thought, especially on one phase of Mr. Schlather's makeup, namely, his persistent stand for the highest ideals which were to him of far greater importance than any other consideration that might be involved. This was true not alone in his business undertakings, but in everything with which he was in any way connected. He was clean of habit and mind, and in every endeavor he was conscientious and painstaking. His charities were many, and today Mrs. Schlather is continuing his policies, being one of Cleveland's foremost workers for charity.
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