USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland, (Vol. 3) > Part 17
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The account of his introduction to science, written by Doctor Stockwell himself, is thus quoted : "In the spring of 1849 I commenced the study of algebra. The public schools provided no instruction in that science and I had no means for pursuing it elsewhere. I was therefore obliged to get along without assistance or abandon the study. The difficulties which I first encountered, however, gradually disappeared and I was surprised at the simplicity and elegance with which arithmetical problems could be
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handled by means of algebra. I afterward made the discovery that no teacher was necessary.
"I have often been asked how I happened to take an interest in astronomy and at what age that interest manifested itself. It is easy to answer both of these questions now, although at one time it was a little difficult to answer the latter with certainty. Two circumstances, however, which I well remember, enable me to remember the date. My interest was awakened to the subject of astronomy by a total eclipse of the moon which occurred early in the evening, about the beginning of winter. I have already men- tioned the fact that I lived with my uncle, and that he lived with his uncle, who was nearly eighty years of age. We were all somewhat frightened at the occurrence and the old gentleman asked me with some earnestness if I thought that I would ever be able to foretell when such an event would occur again. The idea of foretelling such an event was entirely new to me. I had never heard of such a science as astronomy, and I could only reply to the old gentleman by saying that I did not know but that I would try. From that time on I was a careful student of all the old almanacs that I could get possession of, and I picked up a good many items of interest in astronomy.
"I found the study of algebra so interesting that I devoted every leisure moment to its consideration and in the period of about eight months I had solved nearly every problem in Day's Algebra, which was then used in the principal colleges of this country. In the autumn of 1849 I procured a little book on practical geometry. In fact, I became so absorbed in study that the labors of the farm became rather irksome, and I sometimes suspect that the growing crops suffered detriment for the benefit of science. There certainly seemed to be a degree of incompatibility between my natural tastes and my occupation, and this incompatibility soon led to a modifica- tion of the conditions that were so satisfactory at the age of fourteen.
"It was about that time that the wonderful discovery of Neptune took the scientific world by surprise and the fame which rewarded the theoretical discoverer of that planet served as a stimulus to continued exertion. In 1850, while attending the college commencement at Hudson, in July, I found Olmstead's Astronomy with Mason's Supplement, which I pur- chased and which I afterwards read with a great deal of interest. I also obtained the writing of Dr. Thomas Dick, who was a very charming and popular writer on scientific subjects. His works, called 'Celestial Scenery,' Sidereal Heavens' and 'The Practical Astronomer,' afforded a vast amount of general information on the subject of astronomy."
At the age of twenty, in the spring of 1852, he came into possession of Laplace's great works, "Mecanique Celeste." In 1852 he composed and prepared the material of a "Western Reserve Almanac" for the year of our Lord, 1853. A little later he became acquainted with Dr. B. A. Gould of Cambridge, Massachusetts, editor of a journal of astronomy. This acquaintance delevoped into a friendship ended only by the death of Doctor Gould. In August, 1854, Mr. Stockwell went to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to accept under Doctor Gould a situation as a computer in the longitude department of the United States Coast Survey at a salary of $400. After eight months he returned to Brecksville and on December 6,
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1855, married Miss Sarah Healy, a foster daughter of his uncle and who had lived in the family during about ten years.
Soon after the breaking out of war in 1861 Mr. Stockwell again accepted a position as computer under Doctor Gould at the United States Naval Observatory at Washington, and continued in service there until the end of 1867.
In the meantime he had made the acquaintance of Mr. Leonard Case of Cleveland. To quote his own words: "My acquaintance with Mr. Case was most fortunate and his friendship was cordial and continuous during the remainder of his life. From him I received the material encouragement which has enabled me to devote the greater part of my time during the past twenty years to scientific pursuits. It was he who encouraged me to undertake a complete discussion of the mathematical theory of the moon's motion, the subject on which I was engaged at the time of his death, and which I have continued at intervals since. But the continuity of my efforts were then broken, and I have since been obliged to confine my attention to some specific problem in relation to the subject rather than to a general advance all along the line."
The result of Doctor Stockwell's laborious researches are found in a long list of articles published in the Astronomical Journal and other sicentific journals of this country and abroad. Some of the more notable of his published works were: "Memoir of the Secular Variations of the Sanitary Orbit in Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge," 1872; "Stocks and Interests Tables," 1873; "Theory of the Moon's Motions," 1881; "Eclipse Titles," 1901; "Sheet Tax Tables," 1903; "Theory of Sanitary Perturbations and the Cosmogony of Laplace," 1904.
In general, philosophers are esteemed according to the sincerity with which they persist in the search for truth. Newton and Laplace each gave over sixty years to science and traversed and improved the theory of many of the great phenomena of the world. Our venerable Doctor Stockwell has followed worthily in their footsteps. For nearly seventy years he culti- vated with vigor, originality and conscientious effort the improvements of Celestial Mechanics in its various branches, and his efforts were crowned by numerous advances which add lustre to the age in which he lived.
If he had lived in former centuries, he would have been the associate' of Newton and Laplace, who laid and finally established the foundation of the theory of universal gravitation. If he had lived in the age of Archi -; medes, Apollonius and Hipparchus, he would have added lustre to the Alexandrian School of Astronomy. At Cleveland, Ohio, he witnessed the- celebrated experiments of Michelson and Morley on the stagnation of the Æther about our moving earth and himself cultivated and adorned nearly every department of the science of the motions of the heavenly bodies.
Doctor Stockwell was preeminently a true philosopher, happy in his researches and seeking no reward but the noblest of all rewards, the advance- ment of truth.
Doctor and Mrs. Stockwell lived together more than sixty years, a companionship of wonderful devotion. Six children were born to them, and those surviving Doctor Stockwell were Orison Lincoln of Greensburg, Kansas; Edward A., of Cleveland; Netta Augusta, now Mrs. Walter S. Sapp, of Cleveland ; and John Nelson, Jr., of Cleveland.
John 18 Sammen
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JOHN HENRY LOWMAN, M. D. The patent of nobility that securely rested its claims in the personality of the late Dr. John H. Lowman, of Cleveland, was one of deep intrinsic worth of character, of transcendant professional ability, of abiding human sympathy translated into active serv- ice, and of effective work in advancing the standards of his profession, both as a practitioner and educator. Within the scope of a memoir as brief as this must needs be it is impossible to give manifold details concern- ing the career of this distinguished Ohio citizen, nor is such indulgence necessary. The fullest measure of lesson and incentive offered by the story of his life and labors comes to the one who is able to "read between the lines." He who serves is loyal, and in noble service to humanity Doctor Lowman justified himself in the ultimate degree. He was a man of broad intellectual ken, of high ideals, and of fine appreciation of all that makes for true value in the scheme of human thought and action.
Dr. John Henry Lowman was born in Cleveland, Ohio, October 6, 1849, and his death occurred in New York City January 23, 1919. He was a son of Jacob and Minerva (Peet) Lowman, and was a representative of sterling pioneer families of the Ohio metropolis. The schools of his native city afforded Doctor Lowman his earlier education, and he attended school also at Meadville, Pennsylvania, prior to matriculating in Wesleyan University at Middletown, Connecticut. In this institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1871, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1874 his alma mater conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. He also graduated from Columbia University, receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree. In the autumn of 1871 he began the study of medicine under the able preceptorship of Dr. G. C. Weber, who was at that time one of the most distinguished physicians and surgeons in the City of Cleveland. In 1873 he was graduated from the medical depart- ment of Wooster University, and after thus receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine he further fortified himself through the valuable clinical experience that he gained through his service as an interne in the Charity and Maternity hospitals of Cleveland. In 1874 Doctor Lowman assumed a position as house physician in the Charity Hospital in New York City, this being now known as the City Hospital. He soon became associated with Dr. Clinton Wagner, of the Metropolitan Throat Hospital, and in this connection he gained authoritative knowl- edge of diseases of the throat and chest. It was through his efforts that a special ward was set aside in the Charity Hospital for the special care of laryngeal cases. After his work in the New York Charity Hospital was completed Doctor Lowman returned to Cleveland and estab- lished himself in the practice of his profession. In 1876 he was appointed professor of materia medica and therapeutics in the medical school of Wooster University, and in this position he continued his effective service until 1881, and he continued his educational service after this department was consolidated with the Cleveland Medical College, which later became the medical department of Western Reserve University. From 1881 to 1899 he was professor of materia medica, during the ensuing five years he was professor of medicine, and he was then made professor of internal medicine and clinical medicine and ethics, in which position he continued his loyal and distinguished service until the close of his life. His work
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as an educator in this connection covered a period of forty-two years, and his was large and benignant influence in the upbuilding of the splendid medical school of Western Reserve University, and in a more generic sense he made large contribution to the advancement of medical science. It is worthy of note that in 1889 he obtained the funds necessary to provide microscopes for the laboratory of the histological department of the medical school.
As pertinent to another field in which Doctor Lowman rendered a great service of enduring value, the following quotations are consistently incorporated in this memoir :
"Notwithstanding the demands of a very large and important practice Doctor Lowman succeeded in keeping thoroughly abreast of the times in the medical world, and also succeeded in originating and developing various socio-medical institutions and associations of far-reaching value. In 1902 he visited the most prominent tuberculosis sanatoriums and insti- tutions in France and Germany, and in 1905 he attended the Interna- tional Congress on Tuberculosis held in Paris. Upon his return he con- ceived and founded the Anti-Tuberculosis League of Cleveland, an asso- ciation that later became responsible for the development of the Municipal * Department of Tuberculosis and also the Warrensville Sanatorium. *
* The Anti-Tuberculosis League of Ohio counted him as one of its founders, and he became its first president. In 1913 he was made president of the National Society for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis.
"Ever unsparing of himself, the strain of unremitting devotion to his professional and philanthropic work began to tell upon Doctor Lowman, and for several years his health had been distinctly impaired, although his activities were not permitted to lapse. His reputation as an authority upon the subject of tuberculosis had become international, and when the necessity arose for sending a commission to study the conditions of that disease in Italy, Doctor Lowman was appointed its medical director. Although physically unfit for the hardships and uncertainties of such a task, he at once accepted, and as a major of the American Red Cross, started with the other members of the commission to Europe. He arrived in Rome at the height of the epidemic of influenza, and was shortly afterward taken ill with that disease. Although not sufficiently recovered, as events proved, he was urged by his superior officers of the Red Cross to return home as soon as possible. Relapsing on the voyage, he reached New York City in a serious condition of illness, and two days later, on January 23, 1919, he passed away."
At the time of the death of Doctor Lowman the United States secre- tary of war wrote as following concerning the service which he had rendered in the connection noted in the preceding paragraphs: "I write to express my personal sympathy and my official gratitude for the unselfish service which cost Doctor Lowman his life. Throughout my life in Cleveland Doctor Lowman was one of the greatest influences for better and wiser things in public affairs, and when the world's great test came he could not help sacrificing himself to minister to the stricken and suffering. Surely he died a soldier's death, after living in the best sense .of the word a soldier's life."
His native city and all that concerned it ever signified much in the
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thought and loyal interest of Doctor Lowman, and here his noble humani- tarian spirit reached its apothesis. Of his manifold activities along benevolent and philanthropic lines we need not speak in detail. Here, as in all other relations of life, he gave of his best, fully and heartily, and with deep appreciation of personal stewardship. It is to be noted that he was an inspiring force in the movement that resulted in the estab- lishing of the Babies' Dispensary and Hospital in Cleveland, and he was a member of its executive committee at the time of his death. He was chairman of the staff of Lakeside Hospital, and was one of the founders of the Cleveland Medical Library. At his suggestion was organized the Cleveland Museum of Art, and from the beginning of its history to the close of his life he was an honored and influential member of the board of trustees.
From the Journal of the Outdoor Life for May, 1919, is taken the following appreciative estimate: "Among medical leaders in the anti- tuberculosis cause Dr. John H. Lowman was of unusual distinction, by reason of his gifts of mind and heart. By reading and travel he was well informed in all that pertained to medicine, and especially to tuber- culosis. His intelligence was penetrating, and was aided by wide inter- ests and sympathies. His desire for human welfare, and his under- standing and culture, would have made him eminent in any field as a teacher, publicist and organizer. Fortunate was it, indeed, that medicine had the benefit of his life work, and tuberculosis workers the genius of his leadership."
It is well that in this memoir be perpetuated the following excerpt from a memorial written at the time of the death of Doctor Lowman : "Doctor Lowman's life was characterized by unceasing industry, a strong and dominating purpose to secure for himself and for his fellowmen the things that were essentially worth having and worth fighting to obtain. He had little patience for slothfulness of any kind, or for the kind of individualism that keeps a man from sharing the best that is in him and the best that he can do. His tastes were liberal, and that which was beautiful in art, music and literature made for him the strongest appeal. Even though he stood for every method and process which science has won for the care and prevention of bodily disease, nevertheless human life was always for him something which transcended its bodily tene- ment and which fed itself at sources not always easily discernible. Never at any time was a man, in his estimation, a mere manikin, but rather a creature set in the midst of an infinitely varied medium of life. Thus the joys, the sorrows, the hidden anxieties, the pinch and strain of money worries, the disappointment of frustrated energy, with all their implica- tions and their bearing upon physical health, came within the consider- ation of his liberal and richly informed mind; and therefore, as well as because of his scientific attitude, he was a sound diagnostician."
Doctor Lowman was reared in and ever held to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and this faith found benignant expression in his daily life. After his death a most impressive memorial service was held in the Amasa Stone Memorial Chapel of Western Reserve Uni- versity, and there tributes of love and honor were paid to the man who had lived righteously and wrought nobly during the entire course of
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an active and useful life. It has consistently been stated that his was a human life that offered convincing evidence of the divine.
There can be no wish to lift that gracious veil that guarded the ideal home life of Doctor Lowman, but it may be said that every relation of the home was gracious and idyllic. Mrs. Lowman, who sur- vives him, shared with him in cultural and humanitarian interests and service, and is one of the true gentlewomen whose influence in Cleveland has been most gracious and benignant. In the year 1891 was solem- nized the marriage of Doctor Lowman and Miss Isabel Wetmore. Doctor Lowman is survived also by three sons, each of whom entered the nation's service with utmost loyalty and promptitude when the United States became involved in the World war. John W., the eldest son, became flight commander of the American Aviation Detachment in Italy, and he, like his brothers, still resides in his native City of Cleveland. He married Miss Edith Marie Lehman, of Wooster, Ohio, and they have a little daughter, Elizabeth. Henry, the second son, became an officer in the American Aviation Corps, and Shepard was in service in the United States Marine Training Camp at Paris, South Carolina. Shepard Low- man married Miss Josephine (Frisbie) Cherry, of Bowling Green, Ken- tucky
Mrs. Lowman takes lively interest in the history of Cleveland and the State of Ohio, and in this connection it is interesting to record that she has in her beautiful home a complete file of the city directories of Cleveland, as well as books pertaining to the original Shaker settlement in Cleveland.
ALBERT HENRY HAWLEY has been a prominent fixture in railway labor circles for a number of years. He came to Cleveland with the removal to this city of the national headquarters of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, of which he is general secretary-treasurer. His individual experience in railroading covers a period of nearly forty years.
Mr. Hawley was born at Davenport, Iowa, May 13, 1866. His early American ancestors were of Scotch-English stock. His grandfather, Sam- uel Hawley, was a native of New York State, married Mary Satterlee, of the same state, and he and two of his brothers going west, stopped in Indiana for a time, but Samuel went on with his family to Iowa, and engaged in farming near Davenport. He died when a comparatively young man, leaving a widow and six small children. It was characteristic of the frontier customs of that day that the neighbors, after the death of the head of the family, helped his widow to care for the crops. They appeared at the Hawley farm at six o'clock and worked until dark until the grain was harvested. Mrs. Samuel Hawley died at an advanced age in West Liberty, Iowa.
Her son, James F. Hawley, was born in Indiana, in 1839, and in 1874 went back to New York State, to Port Henry, where he followed his trade as house painter and decorator until his death in December, 1885. He married Ann E. Butterfield, a native of Swanton, Vermont, daughter of Clark and Nancy Butterfield, and a member of an old and prominent fam- ily. Mrs. James F. Hawley died at Crown Point, New York, in 1916, at the age of seventy-two.
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Albert Henry Hawley was eight years of age when his parents went back to New York. He finished his common school education at Port Henry, and at the age of thirteen became an employe in a hotel at Ticon- deroga. For six years he lived in that historic section of Northern New York and worked in hotels and at other employment in Ticonderoga, Port Henry and Whitehall.
Mr. Hawley began his railroading experience in 1885 in New York City as an employe of the Manhattan Elevated Railway Company, which at that time used steam as power for its engines. His first work was in painting the structural work of the elevated roads. For one year he was an engine wiper, for eight and one-half years a fireman, and for six and one-half years an engineer.
Mr. Hawley in 1901 resigned his position with the Manhattan Elevated Company to become an inspector in the service of the Interstate Commerce Commission. He was with the commission from 1901 to 1909, his duties requiring constant travel all that time. On January 1, 1909, he assumed the duties of general secretary-treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen.
Since the national headquarters were removed to Cleveland his offices have been in the Guardian Building. Since May 1, 1917, he has been a resident and citizen of Lakewood.
Fifteen years ago, when Mr. Hawley took up his duties as an official of the Brotherhood, its total membership was 65,000, with financial resources of $500,000. The Brotherhood now has 118,000 members, with resources of $12,000,000. Mr. Hawley is also a trustee of the Railroad Firemen's Home at Highland Park, Illinois.
He is active in Masonry, being affiliated with Davenport Lodge No. 37, Free and Accepted Masons ; Davenport Chapter No. 16, Royal Arch Mason, Knights Templar Commandery and Mohammed Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Peoria, Illinois. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and belongs to the Cleveland Athletic, Dover Bay Country and Lakewood Country clubs, and the Creve Coeur Club at Peoria.
Mr. Hawley married in 1896 Carrie Wilson, a native of Davenport, Iowa, daughter of William and James (Kerr) Wilson. She died in 1907. On October 10, 1909, he married Miss Mary T. Scully, of Peoria. She was born in Michigan, the daughter of Edward and Mary (Gleason) Scully. The only child by the second marriage is Jean, born January 3, 1911, at Peoria, Illinois.
DENNIS JOSEPH LYONS is a native of Cleveland, was in railroad service until disqualified by accidental injury for further active duty, and has since taken up the law and gained an enviable position in the Cleveland bar. His offices are in the Society for Savings Building.
Mr. Lyons was born in what is now the heart of the down town district of Cleveland, on Hamilton Street, December 23, 1883. His father, Patrick Lyons, was born in Ireland, in 1844, and came alone to the United States and to Cleveland in 1861. For over forty years he was an employe of the New York Central Railway Company. He died at Cleveland in February, 1920. His wife, Mary Lynch, was a native of Ireland, came to this country a few years after her husband, and they were married in St. Johns
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Cathedral at Cleveland. They were for many years active members of that parish. She died in 1913.
Dennis Joseph Lyons was educated in the Catholic parochial schools, and after leaving school entered the service of the New York Central Rail- way Company. While on duty he lost. his right arm in an accident, and following that for three years was in the service department of the city, then for two years in business for himself, and for one year was with the Otis Steel Company. From 1918 to 1921 Mr. Lyons was employed in the office of County Clerk Edward B. Haserodt. At the same time he was diligently pursuing the study of law, and subsequently entered the Cleveland Law School of Baldwin-Wallace University, and was graduated with the Bachelor of Laws degree in June, 1921. Admitted to the Ohio bar July 2, 1921, Mr. Lyons at once engaged in general practice, and has secured a large clientage and has made a mark among the younger members of the profession.
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