USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland, (Vol. 3) > Part 36
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Fifth of these children was the late James H. Van Dorn, who was born at the home farm in York, Union County, Ohio, in 1841. His boyhood was spent on a farm and in attending district school. Cleveland Van Dorn, his older brother, had become a school teacher and his influ- ence was exerted to have the Van Dorn children receive a good education,. James H. availing himself of every opportunity his brother offered or made possible. Cleveland Van Dorn served as a captain of the Union Army all through the Civil war, and later became a minister of the Gospel in the Baptist Church. He died in Fenton, Michigan, two months ·before his brother James H., a brotherly affection and warm friendship always existing between the two men.
School years ended for James H. Van Dorn in about 1860. He then became a blacksmith's apprentice, going to Elyria, Ohio, and placing himself under the instruction of John A. Topliff. Later he spent two years as a journeyman blacksmith in the firm of Aultman & Miller of Akron, Ohio. During that period, he bought a small home in Akron, where he fitted up a room in the cellar, spending months in perfecting an iron fence of attractive type, which, when erected in front of his own prop- erty, proved such an interesting exhibit that it became town talk. That fence was the foundation of his fortune and later business prominence, for it attracted capital and led to its manufacture in Akron. His first partner was a man named Goodrich who advanced part of the needed capital for patents and manufacturing plant, and together they prospered for two years. When Mr. Goodrich was called to Minneapolis by other business engagements, the partners then made a division, Mr. Goodrich retaining the factory building and Mr. Van Dorn taking the machinery patents and good will of the business. With those assets he came to Cleveland, Ohio, and securing financial aid through legitimate channels, received a site from the city at the intersection of the Pennsylvania and Nickel Plate railroads, there erected a plant, and began manufacturing his patent iron fence.
In 1898, the Van Dorn Iron Works Company was incorporated, a large addition was made to the plant and the manufacture of a structural iron work begun. Many additions have since been made to the factory and to the list of products, art metal furniture for offices becoming an important line. The Williamson Building in Cleveland, long rated the city's largest and best, was constructed by the Van Dorn Iron Works Company, as were several other large buildings in Cleveland and elsewhere ..
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The steel crib in Lake Erie, just five miles outside the Cleveland break- water, was built by the company and during the World war the Van Dorn Iron Works Company made a good percentage of all steel tanks used by the allies, its war work being rated 100 per cent. This plant was Mr. Van Dorn's contribution to Cleveland's industrial greatness, and until the day of his passing, he was the capable and energetic head of the business he founded. That business has been vigorously prosecuted by his successors, his sons, and with the years greater usefulness and pros- perity have followed under the present officials: Thomas Burton Van Dorn, president ; H. A. Rock, first vice president; James P. Van Dorn, second vice president ; sons and son-in-law of the of the founder. James H. Van Dorn was also president of the Van Dorn & Dutton Company, and president of the Van Dorn Electric Tool Company.
The following is a partial list of contracts completed by the Van Dorn Iron Works Company during his lifetime, and indicates the magni- tude and variety of its operations under his leadership: Metallic furniture -Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York; Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky; Orange City, Sioux County, Louisiana; Monticello, Piatt County, Illinois ; Jefferson, Fayette County, Mississippi ; Cleveland, Cuya- hoga County, Ohio; St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota ; Belton, Bell County, Texas ; Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin ; Mayersville, Issa- quena County, Mississippi; Union Bank & Trust Company, Helena, Mon- tana; Library of Congress, Washington, D. C .; Post Office Department, Washington, D. C .; Treasury Department, Comptroller of Currency, offices in State Capitol Building, Columbus, Ohio; Kings Hall, Brooklyn, New York; Cook County Court House, Chicago, Illinois ; State Capitol Build- ing, St. Paul; Larkin Company, Buffalo, New York. The company built the first 130 voting booths for casting the Australian ballot for the City of Cleveland in twenty-eight days. These lasted eleven years with slight repairs. Later the company manufactured 150 more for Cleveland, 100 for Boston and a number for several different cities.
Fencing contracts : Illinois Railway Company, to be used in the vicinity of Chicago, five miles; New York, New Haven & Hartford Railway Company, two miles; New York Central & St. Louis Railroad Company, two miles; New York Central & St. Louis Railroad Company, one mile ; City of Cleveland, three miles; City of Pittsburgh, three miles, and a large amount for the City of Boston.
The company shipped 2,500 tons of timber hangers in three years, the Van Dorn Iron Works Timber Hanger having been adopted and used by the Boston School of Technology, the school's order given July 3, 1902. Cell work for various penal institutions was completed as follows: Jail at Washington, D. C., 116 cells ; Connecticut State Prison, 187 cells ; Tombs Prison, New York, 352 cells; Nebraska State Prison, 240 cells; West Virginia State Prison, 360 cells; Maryland State Penitentiary, 820 cells ; Hartford County Jail, 120 cells ; New Haven County Jail, 116 cells ; miscel- laneous jail contracts, 8,750 cells.
Mr. Van Dorn was a member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, an attendant of the Second Presbyterian Church, member of the Cleve- land Athletic Club, and until the election of President Mckinley affiliated
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with the democratic party. He then became a republican and thereafter acted with that party.
James H. Van Dorn married at Canton, Ohio, September 10, 1865, Sarah Ann Getridge, daughter of David and Elizabeth Getridge of an old Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, family. Her brothers, William and David Getridge, were soldiers of the Union and William a color bearer at the fight on Lookout Mountain during the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Van Dorn had five children, the oldest being Mrs. Margaret A. Baer of Cleve- land. Thomas Burton, president of the Van Dorn Iron Works Company, has four children: Winifred, wife of Howard D. Mills of Cleveland ; Isabelle, who married Arthur R. Mckinstry; Martha Early; and James Thomas. Elizabeth Van Dorn, deceased, was the wife of H. A. Rock, one of the officials of the Van Dorn Iron Works Company, and they have a son, Van Dorn Rock. James P., second vice president of the com- pany, married Edith King Sterrett. Sarah L. is the wife of Chester D. Blong of Cleveland.
The beautiful home of the Van Dorns, the Woodhill estate, was greatly prized by Mr. Van Dorn, who there found relaxation from the burdens of business, and reveled in his books, in art, music, nature and the com- panionship of his family. He was interested in the work of the Western Reserve Historical Society. Since his passing, Mrs. Van Dorn has sold the home and lived until her death, August 23, 1924, at 2256 Delaware Road, Cleveland Heights, with her widowed daughter, Mrs. Margaret A. Baer.
In the death of James H. Van Dorn on August 31, 1914, the City of Cleveland, Ohio, lost one of its most substantial citizens. Among the large manufacturing enterprises that have made Cleveland famous throughout the world as an enterprising city of great commercial and manufacturing importance, the Van Dorn Iron Works stand as a mute witness to the value of one man's life. James H. Van Dorn was a man who was most widely known, highly respected by all who knew him, and whose influence for the good of his adopted city was felt in many ways. He was a man of noble heart and purpose, genial and light hearted, a lover of his fellow men, of children especially, delighted in the works of nature; he was an absolutely just man in all his dealings, unvaryingly kind and generous. In contemplation of Mr. Van Dorn's career, it is worthy to remark that great cities are built up and prosper, institutions are founded and natural progress is furthered by men of his type.
FRED WILLIAM THOMAS. The ordinary citizen, giving his attention day after day to his private business and personal interests, may seldom give much thought to the actual operation of civic government in its details until, perhaps, some exigency arises in his own affairs that awakens him to knowledge that is apt to be enlightening. Among other things he discovers that the orderly management of municipal affairs, to which he has owed protection by civic laws and the enjoyment of civic privi- leges, is on a comprehensive plan that could not be effectively carried out without the faithful cooperation of those especially fitted for their tasks. A well-known citizen of Cleveland who has been identified with official life at Cleveland for many years is Fred William Thomas, a man of
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high personal character and thorough business training, who is now serving in the office of clerk of the city council of Cleveland.
Mr. Thomas was born at Cleveland, Ohio, November 17, 1876, a son of George R. and Bertha W. (Hanna) Thomas, the former of whom was born in Wales, and died at Cleveland September 12, 1922, at the age of seventy-two years. The latter was born at Cleveland, of German parentage, and still survives. Of their family of six children Fred Wil- liam was the older born of twins, son and daughter.
In 1860 the father of Mr. Thomas came to the United States, locating first in old Newburg, and while living there served on the board of educa- tion. For fifty years he was engaged in the retail shoe business, living retired during the remainder of his life. He took intelligent interest in public affairs in Cuyahoga County in particular, and at one time served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Sawyer. He was a member of the Early Settlers Association, and belonged to the fraternal order of the Knights of Pythias, an honorable, trustworthy man in every relation of life.
Fred William Thomas completed his public school training in the Cen- tral High School, after which for twenty years he was in the hat busi- ness and with Browning, King & Company in various capacities, being one of the buyers of that firm when he retired. Mr. Thomas then became secretary to Mayor Davis, and remained with this high-minded public official until the latter resigned in order to accept the nomination for governor, to which office he was elected on the republican ticket. Mayor Fitzgerald succeeded Mayor Davis at Cleveland, and Mr. Thomas served as his secretary for nine months, then became director of parks and public property, and on January 1, 1922, became clerk of the city council of Cleveland. In this capacity one of the duties of Mr. Thomas is to render the council office of the most possible advantage to the public. The records are kept up to date, six clerks are employed and information is given quickly and cheerfully. The office publishes the City Record, a weekly which contains the proceedings of the board of control, of the civil service commission and of the city council. Mr. Thomas' courtesy and spirit of accommodation have been in evidence ever since he took charge of the office and are greatly appreciated by his fellow citizens.
Mr. Thomas married on December 7, 1907, Miss Esther Thompson, who was born at Bedford, Ohio. Her parents, who were natives of Eng- land, are deceased. Mrs. Thomas is more interested in providing a comfortable, well ordered home for her husband and their two young daughters, Blanche and Margaret, aged twelve and ten years, respectively, than outside matters. They are members of the Christian Science Church.
In political sentiment Mr. Thomas is a republican. He is a member and past master of Halcyon Lodge No. 498, Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a member of Al Sirat Grotto, Al Koran Temple and Lake Erie Consistory of the Scottish Rite, and of the Loyal Order of Moose. He belongs further to such representative organizations as the Exchange, the Advertising, the Tippecanoe clubs and the Western Reserve Republican Club and the League of Republican Clubs.
SZABADSAG (Liberty) is the name of the oldest American Hungarian daily newspaper, published at Cleveland by the Szabadsag Printing &
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Publishing Company at 700-701 Huron Road. The first issue appeared on November 12, 1891. The late Tihamcr Kohanyi, the founder of the paper, acted also as the editor in chief.
This has been one example of the foreign language press which through- out has been edited in a thoroughly American spirit. In its political platform it is independent republican. It grew rapidly in popularity, and its influence was extended all over the country wherever Hungarians live. The twentieth anniversary of its foundation was a celebration of country-wide interest, former President Taft attending the jubilee banquet.
Shortly after this occasion Mr. Kohanyi died, and for some time the management was in the hands of his widow. Later on Dr. Andrew Cherna became head of the enterprise. The general manager of the Szabadsag is Mr. Herbert Kobrak, and the managing editor is Mr. A. Fonyo.
Doctor Cherna as editor in chief of the Szabadsag and publisher and president of the corporation, has had two aims to accomplish, one being the foundation of a 100 per cent American concern, and the other the development of a great English printing establishment and the securing of better news service and a more complete editorial policy.
The Szabadsag Printing & Publishing Company now has one of the largest printing shops in Cleveland, with modern machinery equipment and facilities that make it available for printing and manufacturing a number of periodicals, weekly newspapers and other publications in English.
The thirtieth anniversary of the Szabadsag was celebrated in 1922. On this occasion the governor of Ohio, Harry L. Davis, in appreciation of Doctor Cherna's services rendered during the late war, also during the Liberty Loan campaign, appointed Doctor Cherna a colonel in the Ohio National Guard. Doctor Cherna is a member of the Republican County Executive Committee and the Republican State Executive Committee.
SARAH E. HYRE has been a recognized leader in the educational affairs of the City of Cleveland for many years. She was born near Akron, Summit County, Ohio, daughter of Thomas Miflin and Nancy Carlisle Cadwallader. Her Revolutionary ancestors were Isaac Cadwallader and Elizabeth Mitchner, and she is a collateral descendant of Gen. John Cadwallader.
Sarah Emma Cadwallader was reared in Mogadore, Ohio, and educated at Akron, attending Buchtel Academy and College from 1880 to 1885, and received the honorary degree Master of Arts from that institution in 1906. She engaged in teaching, and on April 15, 1886, was married to the late Alonzo Eugene Hyre. Mr. Hyre was a son of Henry C. and Alameda (Poff) Hyre, and was also a graduate of Buchtel College. For a number of years he pursued a career as an editor and publisher, and it was largely due to his efforts that the Cleveland Chamber of Industry was organized in 1907. He was elected and reelected annually executive secretary of that body from 1907 to the time of his death, 1922. He was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.
Mrs. Hyre was one of the first women elected by popular vote to the Cleveland Board of Education, serving as a member of that board from 1905 to 1912. In 1912 she was elected clerk of the board, and has served
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continuously to 1923. Mrs. Hyre is a republican in national politics but independent in municipal affairs. She was a member of the committee of 150 Cleveland citizens to welcome the National Republican Convention in 1924. She is a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma College Sorority, belongs to the Woman's Club of Cleveland, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Service Star Legion. While a member of the board of education from 1905 to 1912 she performed some noteworthy service in developing the use of school buildings for social purposes by the com- munity and the Parent-Teachers Organization. She is the only woman who has ever occupied the position of clerk of the Cleveland Board of Education, to which she was elected in 1912, as well as the position of treasurer, to which she was elected in 1918, holding the office of clerk- treasurer till July, 1923.
Mrs. Hyre had two children: Rexford Cadwallader Hyre, who first married Hazel Henderson, and after her death married Nora Williams Longabaugh. The second son, Raymond E. Hyre, married Gabriel Weber. Mrs. Hyre has one granddaughter, Sarah Lora Hyre.
HENRY AUGUST HENKE. One of the prominent business men of the West Side of the city was the late Henry A. Henke, president of the Henke Furniture Company, on Lorain Avenue, who was born on a farm in Dover Township, this county, on February 1, 1861, the son of Franz Henry and Catherine Mary (Lindemeyer) Henke, natives of Han- over, Germany. The parents came to the United States on the same sailing vessel in 1844, and were married in Cleveland four years later.
On arriving in this city Franz H. Henke found employment as a laborer in the country, later worked a farm in Euclid Township, and still later one in Dover Township. Returning to the city, he found employ- ment in the shipyards. Finally, by the closest of economy, he accumulated sufficient money to buy a span of horses, and engaged in teaming. Later on he became a contracting teamster for the old oil firm of Riley & Robinson, which firm subsequently became known as the Rockefeller & Andrews Oil Company, and was really the beginning of the Standard Oil Corporation of today. In 1871 Mr. Henke disposed of his teaming business and, forming a partnership with his brother-in-law, John F. Puls, under the firm name of Puls & Henke, engaged in the furniture business, opening a store on what in those days was known as Detroit Street Hill, where is now located the high level bridge over the Cuyahoga River. Four years later they removed to a store at the corner of Lorain and Penn streets, now Lorain and West Thirty-second Street, a block west of the present store. In 1875 Mr. Puls withdrew from the part- nership, and Mr. Henke formed the firm of Koch & Henke. In 1881 he purchased the concern's present site at 3001-321 Lorain Avenue, and at once began the erection of a three-story brick block, where he con- tinued in active business until he retired and turned the business over to the management of his son, Henry A., in 1888. After a long and honorable career both as a business man and citizen, Mr. Henke, Sr., died in 1906, at the age of eighty-two years, enjoying the esteem of all those who had had business relations with him, and the warm friendship of his intimates. His wife preceded him to the grave, she dying in 1901, aged seventy-five years.
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Henry A. Henke was a boy of two years when he came with his parents from Dover Township to Cleveland. He attended the Lutheran parochial schools and took the courses at the old Forest City Business College. In early youth he assisted his father in the store, taking over the management and relieving his father more and more with each succeeding year, so that by the time his father was ready to relinquish the business entirely Henry A. was ready and competent to assume the full responsi- bility. In 1910 the business was incorporated as the Henke Furniture Company, the stock being held by the Henke family, and Henry A. was elected president and so continued until his death, on August 5, 1924. Under his management the business grew from year to year in volume of trade and popularity, the Henke Furniture Company becoming one of the recognized commercial institutions of the city, enjoying a patronage from all parts of the community.
On May 12, 1910, the first brick store was destroyed by fire, including the stock, and almost immediately was begun the erection of a concrete store on the same site of four stories in height; but, when nearing com- pletion, the building collapsed, resulting in its total loss, and the loss of several lives. However, another and larger store was soon under con- struction, with a frontage of 100 feet and a depth of 140 feet, which is today one of the handsome business blocks of the city of today.
Aside from his furniture business Mr. Henke had other important interests. He was a member of the West Side Advisory Board of the Cleveland Trust Company, a member of the advisory board of the United Banking & Savings Company, and a stockholder in the Lorain Street Savings & Trust Company ; he was secretary of the Lutheran Cemetery Association ; for sixty years he was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, of which he was a member of the board of trustees for twelve or more years, following which he became chairman of that church. He was a member of the first board of trustees of Lutheran Hospital, and in later years gave liberally to that institution. He was a member of the Cleve- land Chamber of Industry, and was interested in and a supporter of all civic movements whose object was the promotion of the welfare of the community. Especially was he interested in his church affairs, contrib- uting freely to all of its work, including Synodical Conference work, Synodical colleges, and to all Lutheran institutions. But all of his benevo- lent and philanthropic work was done in a quiet and unostentatious man- ner, for he was of a quite, almost modest, nature and preferred to do his part without boast. Mr. Henke was popular among his friends and business associates, all of whom esteemed him for his many sterling traits of character.
Mr. Henke was united in marriage with Marie Louise George, the daughter of Christian Adam and Caroline (Meyer) George of Cleve- land, and to them have been born the following children : George F., who is associated with the Henke Furniture Company; Louise, who married Harry Dankorth, of Cleveland; Helen, who married Clarence Hansen, of Cleveland, and they have a son, James Edward ; Henry August, Jr., mar- ried Harriet Hinchliffe, and they have a daughter, Emaline Louise ; Emily L. ; Edwin August, married Marion McArdle.
Henry A. Henke died at his handsome Lake Avenue residence on August 5, 1924.
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JOHN T. BOURKE has been identified with Cleveland newspapers for almost forty years, all the time with the Cleveland Leader and affiliated publications. His long experience as political editor has made him an authority on Cleveland and state politics. Mr. Bourke was born in Sus- quehanna, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1858, son of Thomas H. and Jane (Barlow) Bourke. His father, an expert machinist, was connected with industries in several cities in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and for a number of years was proprietor of a machine shop in Cleveland, where he died in 1895.
John T. Bourke was educated in Rayen School, Youngstown, Ohio, took the engineering course in Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Pennsyl- vania, and as a young man was employed as a civil engineer on construction work for the Burlington Railroad lines in Northwestern Kansas and Western Nebraska. His active career as a newspaper man began at Denver, Colorado, in 1884. He was on the staff of the Tribune of that city, but in 1885 came to Cleveland and began work for the Leader. He was in turn reporter, assistant city editor and city editor. Since 1905 he has been political editor of the Leader, the Cleveland News and the Sunday News-Leader. Since 1914 he has been president of the Ohio Legislative Correspondents' Association.
Mr. Bourke served as a member of Cleveland's first civil service com- mission, from January, 1910, to February, 1914. He is a republican in party politics, and was a supporter of Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. In Masonry he is affiliated with Meridian Lodge and Webb Chapter. He belongs to the Lakewood Country Club of Cleveland, and the Church of the Ascension, Protestant Episcopal. Mr. Bourke married at Marshfield, Wisconsin, January 14, 1893, Charlotte Frances Johnson. Her father, Henry Johnson, who was a student under James A. Garfield at Hiram College in Ohio, became a pioneer in Wisconsin.
SAMUEL WALTER KELLEY, M. D., for many years an authority in pediatrics, has been located in Cleveland since he began practice. He was the first American surgeon to write a treatise on the surgical diseases of children. Through his book, and through the many years he devoted to teaching and staff work in Cleveland hospitals, he has exerted a profound influence on the medical profession of today.
Doctor Kelley was born at Adamsville, Muskingum County, Ohio, September 1, 1855, son of Walter and Selina Catherine (Kaemerer) Kelley. Both parents were born in this country, his father being a child of an Irish born father and American mother, while Selina Catherine Kaemerer represented German ancestry, but established in America before the Revolution.
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