USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland, (Vol. 3) > Part 25
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Dr. William Amherst Knowlton was born at Strongville in Cuyahoga County, acquired his early education in public schools, and then entered Wooster University at Wooster, Ohio, where he pursued the classical course for two years and then entered the Medical School, graduating Doctor of Medicine in 1895. Doctor Knowlton for twenty-nine years has practiced medicine and surgery, and since 1916 has been a resident of Cleveland, where he enjoys an extensive general practice. He is a member of the Cleveland Academy of Medicine.
He married in 1904 Miss Effie Dyer, who was born at Cambridge, Ohio, daughter of William and Margaret Dyer. She died in 1916, and in 1918 Doctor Knowlton married Miss Pauline Smith, a native of Cleveland, daughter of Charles and Sophie Smith.
WALTER CATO ASTRUP. One of the successful business men and rep- resentative citizens of the south side of the city is Walter C. Astrup, president of the Astrup Company, one of the oldest and best known manu- facturers of awnings, tents and awning hardware in Cleveland. He was born in the old Astrup family residence on Twenty-fifth Street (then Pearl), July 28, 1886, the son of the late William J. O. and Margaret G. (Cato) Astrup.
William J. O. Astrup was born in Denmark, in 1845, and died in Cleveland in 1917. He learned the trade of sail making in his native coun- try, and came to the United States and to Cleveland in 1866. In 1872 he began the manufacture of tents and awnings under his own name, beginning in a small way and doing all his work, and that was the beginning of the Astrup Company of the present day. Gradually, as the business grew, he employed help, and before many years had passed his concern was one of the leading ones of the city. In 1909 he incorporated the business under its present name, he becoming president of the company, with his son,
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Walter C., as vice president and his son, William E., as secretary and treas- urer, which organization continued until the deaths of the father and son, William. Mr. Astrup was for many years regarded as one of the leading business men and citizens of the south side, where he took an active part in the civic affairs, lending his support to all movements which had as their object the welfare and improvement of the community. He was a member of Bigelow Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and took his advanced degrees in Masonry in Scotland. It was in Aberdeen, on a visit in Scotland, there he met and married his wife, Margaret, who was born in that city in 1848, and died in Cleveland in 1921.
Walter C. Astrup was educated in the public schools, graduating from high school in 1904. Upon leaving school he went to work for his father, and for the last eighteen years he has been identified with what is the Astrup Company, for the last six years as president.
Aside from the Astrup Company, Mr. Astrup has other important business interests. He is a member of the advisory board of the Pearl Street Savings and Trust Company, is a member of the advisory board of the United Bank and Trust Company, and a member of the board of directors of the Exchange Savings and Loan Company. He is a member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and of the Cleveland Chamber of Industry, and is a member of Bigelow Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Cleveland Athletic, Cleveland Yacht, Dover Bay Country and the Exchange clubs.
In 1910 Mr. Astrup was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Meinberg, of Cleveland.
FRANK JAUH KERN, M. D. The medical profession of the City of Cleveland, Ohio, has long been accounted an eminent scientific body, and this reputation was in no way lessened when its ranks were opened to admit, in 1913, a youthful general practitioner in the person of Dr. Frank Jauh Kern, who had already become widely known in the field of journalism, and who since then has become a leader in scientific research.
Doctor Kern was born at Skofja, Jugoslavia, March 18, 1887. His parents, Frank and Mary Kern, spent their entire lives in their native land, respected and worthy people in every relation of life and faithful members of the Catholic Church.
In the common schools of his native land Doctor Kern had the usual educational privileges, and later very superior ones in the gymnasium at Krainburg, Germany, where he spent six years. He early cherished an ambi- tion to come to the United States, and in 1903 circumstances made this possible. He made his way to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he entered St. Paul's Seminary, and there for three years he was a student of philosophy and theology under the jurisdiction of that eminent and highly honored prelate, the late Archbishop Ireland, who was not only reverenced and beloved by the Roman Catholic Church, but by the country at large. Doctor Kern in his sociological studies came under the preceptorship at St. Pauls of Rev. John A. Ryan, who is now a member of the faculty of the Catholic University at Washington, District of Columbia.
In 1906 the young collegian came to Cleveland to become assistant editor of The Nova Domovina, a Slovenian newspaper, but later accepted
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the editorship of The Glasnik, a Slovenian newspaper at Calumet, Michigan. In 1907 he returned to Cleveland as manager of The Glasnik, and in 1908 he entered Western Reserve University Medical School, from which he was graduated in 1912 with his medical degree, a most worthy achievement reflecting great credit upon his studious habits. He served for a time as an interne in Charity Hospital, Cleveland, and then entered into general medical practice, and has become well known in this field in city and county to the general public, and deeply interesting to his brother practitioners here and elsewhere because of his scientific investigations. Doctor Kern is a pioneer in the use of ultra-violet ray therapy in Ohio, and his learned article entitled "Actino Therapy in General Practice : with Case Histories," which appeared in the Ohio State Medical Journal in April, 1922, met with medical approval and opened up much interesting and scientifically valuable discussion.
Doctor Kern married, at Calumet, Michigan, Miss Agnes Wertin, who was born at Calumet and is a daughter of Matthias Wertin, who came from Europe to the United States in 1864 and became a pioneer in the copper region of Michigan. Doctor and Mrs. Kern have three children, Francis, Edward and Ella, aged respectively, nine, eight and six years.
Doctor Kern is a member of the Cleveland Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. He is supreme medical examiner for the largest Slovenian Benefit Society in the world, at Chicago, Illinois, which has a membership 'that numbers 35,000. In addition to his other work and study Doctor Kern is an author and compiler, and his English-Slovene Dictionary, issued in 1919, is a com- prehensive work and the only complete one of its kind ever published. He is not only held in great respect professionally, but is much esteemed per- sonally, an educated, courteous gentleman, never forgetful of his native land, but appreciative of the blessings of his adopted country.
ABRAHAM B. GROSSMAN, A. B., M. D., whose loyal stewardship is shown not only in his able and successful professional ministrations but also in effective civic and welfare work in his native city, was born and reared on Lorain Avenue, on the West Side of Cleveland. The Doctor is a son of Benjamin and Rose (Gelb) Grossman, who were born in Hungary and whose marriage was solemnized in Cleveland, where the father became a successful merchant and honored and influential citizen. Benjamin Grossman was born in the year 1859, and was about twenty-four years old at the time the family home was established in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1883. Here he passed the remainder of his life, his death having occurred in 1908. His widow, who was born in 1863, was reared and educated in her native land and came to the United States in 1882, in which year she became a resident of Cleveland, where she still maintains her home.
Doctor Grossman was born August 24, 1889, and in the public schools he continued his studies until his graduation from the West Side High School in 1907. In 1911 he was graduated from Adelbert College of the Western Reserve University, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in the medical department of the same university he was graduated as a member of the class of 1914. After having thus received his degree of Doctor of Medicine he found further
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technical reinforcement through the service which he gave, 1916-17, as an interne in the Michael Reese Hospital in the City of Chicago. He then engaged in general practice in his native city, but his private interests were soon subordinated to the call of patriotism, when the nation became in- volved in the World war. In August, 1917, the Doctor received com- mission as a lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps of the United States Army, his preliminary training having been received at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He was later assigned to service with the Three Hun- dred and Thirty-second United States Infantry at Camp Sherman, Ohio, and later he was in service as surgeon at Camp Perry, this state, and Camp Merritt, New Jersey. In June, 1918, he embarked with his command at Hoboken, New Jersey, and set forth for overseas service. The regiment landed at Liverpool, England, and the Doctor was thence sent to the training camp at Chaumont, France, then the headquarters of General Pershing. Six weeks later he was assigned to duty on the Piave front in Italy, and he took part in the great Italian offensive movement against Austria. He remained on that sector six weeks, and was there when the' Austrian-Italian armistice was signed. From Italy he was ordered to Jugo-Slavia and assigned to service with the Army of Occupation in con- trol of Dalmatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania. While in Italy Doctor Grossman received promotion to the rank of captain, and he con- tinued in service overseas until April 29, 1919, when he embarked for the voyage to his, homeland. At Camp Sherman, Ohio, the Doctor received his honorable discharge, on the 20th of May, 1919, and he then resumed the active practice of medicine in Cleveland, where he mantains his office at 7828 St. Clair Avenue. Doctor Grossman is a member of the staff of Mount Sinai Hospital, with assignment to the pediatric department, is physician in charge of the Jewish Orphans Home, and also of the Welfare Association for Jewish Children. He is a member of the Cleveland Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Society, the Cleveland Clinical Club, and the American Medical Association. He is affiliated with the Zeta Beta Tau and the Phi Delta Epsilon college fraternities, is an appreciative and popular member of the American Legion, and is loyal and zealous in his service in connection with general civic and welfare work. He is an active member of B'nai Jeshurum Temple.
AUGUST HAFFNER. One of the well-known insurance men of Cleve- land, and particularly of the St. Clair Avenue district, is August Haffner, who has built up a large and prosperous clientele.
Mr. Haffner was born in the town of Laibach of Jugo Slavia, Europe, August 7, 1885, and is a son of the late Peter and Mary (Dezman) Haffner, both of whom passed their entire lives in their native land, where they died. In the town of his birth August Haffner was given the advantages of a public school education, and there also he mastered the trade of cabinet maker. He was eighteen years of age when he decided to seek his fortune in the United States, and on his arrival in the country he located at Cleve- land. Here he soon found employment at his trade, and during the next four years applied himself to learning the language of his adopted land and to further preparing himself for a business career. Naturally ambi- tious, when the offer came he accepted a position as bookkeeper and teller
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of the Franklin Savings and Banking Company, in March, 1907, and on October 11 of the same year transferred his services to the branch bank of the Cleveland Trust Company at East Fortieth Street and St. Clair Avenue, in the capacity of teller. While thus engaged Mr. Haffner became interested in insurance, and September 15, 1916, resigned his posi- tion at the bank and opened a general insurance office at 6106 St. Clair Avenue, where he has since been located. In 1919 Mr. Haffner became one of the organizers of the North American Banking and Savings Com- pany, with Dr. J. M. Seliskar, Francis M. Jaksic and others, and was made its first treasurer, as well as a member of the Board of Directors and of the executive committee. He remained as such until August 15, 1920, when he resigned his official connection with this institution because his insurance business claimed his attention to the exclusion of all other matters. He is a member of the Cleveland Insurance Agency, of which he was one of the incorporators, a member of the Ohio Association of Insur- ance Agents and a member of the Cleveland Fire Insurance Club.
On June 11, 1907, Mr. Haffner married Miss Mary Grdina, daughter of John Grdina, a Cleveland business man.
FRANK JOSEPH SVOBODA. One of the prominent newspaper men of Cleveland is Frank J. Svoboda, founder, owner and publisher of The American, the leading Czechoslovak daily newspaper of Cleveland, and one of the most influential and prosperous foreign language publications in the United States
Mr. Svoboda was born in Bohemia, on May 1, 1874, and came to Cleveland direct from the old country in 1884. Here he finished his educa- tion in the parochial and night schools, working in a job printing shop during a part of that period, thus mastering the fundamentals of the printing trade. Leaving school, he found employment as compositor and proofreader on a Bohemian newspaper for four years, and in 1893 he opened a small job printing office of his own, doing work in the evenings.
In 1899 he established The American, starting its publication on limited means, but with unlimited confidence in himself and the future, and the success of the enterprise has fully demonstrated that both the man and project fully warranted the undertaking, for, starting without advertising or circulation prestige, Mr. Svoboda built up one of the leading newspapers of Cleveland, one which is a real factor in the affairs of the city, especially in the affairs of the large Bohemian population of Cleveland and of the state.
Recently, when The American celebrated its twenty-first anniversary, a special photogravure edition of eighty-six pages was issued, containing twenty-four full-page advertisements, together with the history of Czecho- slovaks in Cleveland, which was embellished with the portraits and biog- raphies of many of the pioneer and prominent Bohemian citizens of Cleveland. Three thousand copies of the edition were mailed to Czecho- Slovakia in order that the people of that country might know and appreciate the influence of an American newspaper in their language.
While the United States was engaged in the World war Mr. Svoboda gave all possible assistance to the Government, especially in giving publicity through his paper to the sale of all bonds and securities. He is affiliated
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with the various Bohemian organizations, is active in municipal affairs, is a member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, the City Club and the Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Svoboda is married and has two daughters and three sons, one of his daughters being the wife of Dr. Frank Stovicek, the other daughter being a student at Ursuline College.
WILLIAM HUGHES. One of the best examples of the self-reliant, self- made and successful business men of Cleveland, William Hughes has achieved a well deserved popularity while laying the foundations for his present prosperity. He was born in Cambridgeshire, England, September 29, 1875, a son of the late Samuel W. and Mary (Smith) Hughes, both natives of Cambridgeshire, where he was born in 1836, a son of a farmer and cattle buyer, and he followed in the same lines of business, becoming prominently identified with the livestock and slaughtering business in Cam- bridgeshire. Meeting, however, with business reverses, he decided to seek a new home in America, and in 1881, with his wife and seven children, he came to this country. He first located in Warrensville Township, and by degrees returned to the livestock and slaughtering business, and from 1884 until his death he was an active figure in the industry. In 1906 he moved to Cleveland, and in 1909 became a member, with his sons, of the Hughes Provision Company. His death occurred in 1910, but his widow survived him until 1922, when she died at the age of seventy-six years. To them were born the following children, all of whom are living: Jennie, who was born in England, married Edward Castle, and resides at East Cleve- land ; Clara, who was born in England, married Frank Judson, and resides at Cleveland ; Ada, who was born in England, married Harry Bates, and they reside at Cleveland ; Carrie, who was born in England, married John Gibbs, and resides at Lakewood, Ohio; Ernest, who was born in England, married Libbie Crane, and resides at Lakewood; William, whose name heads this review; Maude, who was born in England, married Frank Day, and resides at Cleveland; John, who was born in America, married Emma Schermeier, and resides at Cleveland; Rubie, who was born in the United States, married Howard Cole, and resides at Akron, Ohio; and Oliver, who was born in the United States, married Ella Hopperlin, and resides at Cleveland.
William Hughes was a boy of six years when he was brought by his parents from England. He attended the public schools at Warrensville, and from the time he was old enough until his eighteenth year he assisted his father in buying and slaughtering livestock. In 1893 he began buying and selling livestock for the Cleveland market on his own account, and later was in partnership for two years with his brother-in-law, Edward Castle. In 1898 he sold his business and went to the gold fields of Alaska. accompanying a Cleveland party of thirty-five, and spent a year and seven months in those regions. Returning from Alaska in 1899, he engaged in the buying and slaughtering business in partnership with his brother-in- law, John Gibbs, and in 1901 he again engaged in the same business on his own account, killing at the Cleveland stockyards, and so continued until 1909, when he, with his brothers, organized the Hughes Provision Com- pany, and bought the plant of the Retail Butchers' Association. Since 1921
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Mr. Hughes has been president of this company, his associates being his brother John, George Hockey, J. L. Bestricky, A. E. Dressler, Hugo Hoffman and Earl Hughes, the latter his son. All of the above mentioned gentlemen are on the Board of Directors of the company. The plant, one of the large ones in the packing house district, is absolutely modern in equipment both for slaughtering and for preparing the meats for the market. The company also maintains large retail markets at Akron, Canton and Youngstown, Ohio, and the annual business of this concern aggregates over $1,500,000.
Mr. Hughes is a member and former director of the Cleveland Chamber of Industry, and he and his wife are members of the Franklin Circle Church of Christ.
In 1900 Mr. Hughes married Dora Pratt, who was born at Cleveland, a daughter of the late Dr. Frederick and Dora (McDonald) Pratt. They have one son, Earl William, born April 26, 1901, who is a director in the Hughes Provision Company. He married Marion Rye, of Cleveland.
CLIFFORD NORTON, who for many years has been actively identified with the photographic profession in Cleveland, is a native of that city and member of an old pioneer family of Cuyahoga County.
He was born in the family residence at old Root Street in Cleveland, son of Walter Norton, who was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1836, and grandson of Capt. James Norton. Capt. James Norton was a noted mariner on the Great Lakes in pioneer times, and at one time was on the first steam- boat on the Great Lakes, the "Walk in the Water." He brought his family to Cleveland in 1841. At that time Cleveland derived its importance almost entirely from its situation as a port on Lake Erie and as a com- mercial and supply center for the country behind it. There was no manu- facturing. Captain Norton purchased land now included within the city limits, and he farmed and grazed land now covered with dwellings and business blocks. He lived in the city until his death. He married a widow. whose maiden name was, Gorham. She was born in New York State, and, surviving her husband, reached the venerable age of ninety-seven years.
Walter Norton was educated in the city schools of Cleveland, and after leaving school worked in the ore docks. He resigned his position there as superintendent to enlist in Shields Nineteenth Ohio Battery, and was with- this command in many battles of the war. After his honorable discharge he returned home, followed several occupations, and for twenty-five years was an employe of the Standard Oil Company. He died at the age of seventy-eight. His wife, Hannah Francisco, was born at Boat Creek, New York, and also died at the age of seventy-eight, though surviving her husband. They reared five children : Samuel Gorham, Walter Francisco, Nellie (wife of Franklin B. Hall), Guy Payne and Clifford.
Clifford Norton as a boy attended the old Bolton Avenue School and Central High School. After finishing his education he went to work for the W. Bingham Company, remaining with that business six years. He then took up photography, and for many years has conducted one of the best known studios in the city. He married in 1914 a Miss Irene Marie Alexander, a native of Cleveland, and daughter of John W. and Ann (Degnan) Alexander. They have three children: Jane Rita, Elizabeth Ann and Donald Alexander.
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CARL H. BROWN is proprietor of one of the oldest undertaking services in the City of Cleveland, a business that was established more than eighty- five years ago, and in which the Brown family has been continuously active for over sixty years.
Carl H. Brown was born at the Brown family home in Cleveland, on old Dodge Street. His father, Jacob H. Brown, was born at Utica, New York, in 1843. The grandfather, Charles H. Brown, was also a native of Utica, New York, and in one branch his ancestry ran back to the May- flower. Charles H. Brown was a tailor by trade, and about 1860 came to and established his home at Cleveland, where he was engaged in business for several years and lived retired until his death at the age of eighty-four. Charles H. Brown married Susan Hayes, who reached the age of eighty- two.
Jacob H. Brown was reared and received his early education in Utica, and was about seventeen years of age when he came to Cleveland. He soon became associated as a partner with Daniel Doty, a pioneer under- taker of Cleveland, who had established his business prior to 1837, since in the city directory of that year his place of business is noted as occupying the site of the Rose Building on East Ninth Street. Jacob H. Brown was actively identified wth the undertaking business until 1911, when he retired and his death occurred in January, 1921. He married Frances Van Ness, who was born at Utica, New York, in 1845. Her father, John Van Ness, was also a native of Utica, and of old Holland Dutch ancestry. John Van Ness established his home at Cleveland about 1865, and for some years was associated with Jacob H. Brown in the undertaking business, and afterward lived retired. John Van Ness married Catherine Cutler, and both of them reached a good old age. Mrs. Jacob H. Brown died in 1899, having reared four children, Ida, Bessie, Carl H. and Ralph. Ida, now deceased, married Frank Neff. Bessie died at the age of eighteen years. Ralph is in the real estate business at Cleveland.
Carl H. Brown attended the public schools of Cleveland, including the University School, and as a young man began assisting his father in the undertaking business. When his father retired he was well qualified both in a technical and in a business way to be his successor, and under him the service has been continually improved and its facilities measure up to the reputation the firm has so long enjoyed.
In 1901 Mr. Brown married Miss May Clements, daughter of Robert J. and Catherine Clements. Their two children are Frances and Carl, Jr. Mr. Brown is prominently known among Ohio funeral directors, being a member of the Ohio State Undertakers' Association. He is active in the various Masonic bodies, including the Scottish Rite Consistory, and be- longs to the Exchange Club, the Acacia Country Club and the Athletic Club and Civic Club.
HON. HENRY GEORGE REITZ, well-known citizen and civil engineer of Cleveland, was born on the family homestead farm in Rockport Township, Cuyahoga County, on the 14th of January, 1883, the place of his birth being now within the city limits of Cleveland, in the district known as West Park. His grandparents on the paternal side were Peter G. and Barbara (Lehr) Reitz, who came from Germany to the United
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