USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Cleveland, Ohio, pictorial and biographical. De luxe supplement, Volume I > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
William B. McAllister supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the public schools of Cleveland, by a course in the mili- tary school at Ossining, New York, where he pursued his studies from 1886 until 1892. During the following four years he attended the Case School of Applied Science and after leaving that institution became associated with his father in the contracting business. Fol- lowing the latter's death he bought the interests of the other heirs in the business and in January, 1899, reorganized the concern under the name of the W. B. McAllister Company. On the 14th of De- cember, 1903, the company was incorporated. As the president of this concern Mr. McAllister now occupies a prominent position in building circles and he is widely recognized as a man of untiring energy, keen foresight and excellent business ability. He belongs to the Carpenter Contractors Association, the Builders Exchange and the Employers Association of Cleveland, and is a member of the executive board of the Building Trades Employers. He likewise has membership relations with the Chamber of Commerce, the Her-
133
134
William Barriss McAllister
mit Club, the Tavern Club and the Phi Kappa Psi. Throughout his business career he has always faithfully executed the terms of a con- tract and met the obligations devolving upon him and the enviable reputation which he enjoys as a representative of industrial interests is therefore well merited.
C
S
amialle
Colonel Arthur McAllister
HILE almost twelve years have passed away since W Colonel McAllister was called to his final rest, he lives in the memory of his many friends as the higher type of the loyal citizen and progressive, reliable business man. Such a history is a source of inspira- tion and may well serve as an example for others. Never faltering in the performance of any task which was rightfully his, never neglecting any duty, never betraying any trust, he stood as one of whom his fellowmen had only words of praise, respect and good will. Moreover, he attained a notable position in business circles as one of the most prominent contractors and builders of northern Ohio, and to this position of eminence he worked his way steadily upward by his own efforts from the early age of eight years, when he began providing for his own support by picking the seeds from the cotton in the cotton mills of Darby, Pennsylvania. It was in that city that he was born, September 30, 1830, a son of Christo- pher and Margaret (Morton) McAllister. The latter was a repre- sentative of a very prominent family residing near Belfast, Ireland. In the same locality lived the McAllister family but Chistopher McAllister and Margaret Morton did not become acquainted until after they had crossed the Atlantic and were residents of Baltimore, Maryland. Their acquaintance, however, soon ripened into love and in that city they were married. It was in the year of 1800 that the father made the voyage to the new world. Later he served in the United States navy and was on board the ship Philadelphia when it was grounded at Tripoli.
In his youthful days Colonel McAllister entered the public schools of his native city but when a youth of eight secured a posi- tion in the cotton mills of Darby and it was only by reading and study in his leisure hours that he improved his mind and further pro- moted his education. He continued to work in the mills until fif- teen years of age, when, thinking that he might find other pursuits more congenial and profitable, he decided to learn the carpenter's trade and spent the succeeding five years as an apprentice to one of the prominent carpenters of New York city. He mastered the busi-
137
138
Colonel Arthur McAllister
ness in principle and detail, becoming a thorough and expert work- man. In fact his progress in his chosen calling was such that at the end of two years he was placed, as foreman, in charge of a number of workmen and at the age of seventeen years took charge of the con- tract to construct a bandstand in Central Park, New York, carrying forward the work to successful completion and receiving compli- mentary mention therefor from both the contractor and the park offi- cials. At the end of his apprenticeship, when he was about twenty years of age, he engaged in business as a stage carpenter, becoming connected with several of the best theaters of New York city, where he remained until after the outbreak of the Civil war. While thus engaged he came in contact with many of the celebrated actors of the day and his reminiscences of stage celebrities were most interest- ing not only to his family but to a large circle of friends. He con- tinued in business in New York until 1862, when his patriotism was aroused by the continued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union and he offered his services to the government, becoming a private of the Fourth New York Battery. He not only continued in the mili- tary service of his country throughout the war but also for two years after its close and was mustered out with the brevet of lieutenant colonel. He served in the Army of the Potomac until 1863, when he was ordered to New Orleans and operated with the Army of the Gulf in Louisiana, Texas and Florida. He participated in several important engagements and gained special mention for his valor and meritorious conduct in the battle of Fredericksburg. Gradually he was promoted from intermediate ranks to that of captain and in 1867 was made captain and lieutenant colonel by brevet, having been re- tained in service after his term by General Sheridan upon special authority from the war department, and spent the last two years of his army life upon the staff of that gallant commander.
After being released from military duty Colonel McAllister es- tablished himself in business as a contractor of St. Louis, spending two years in that city. He then removed to Fort Scott, Kansas, and was prominently identified with the building interests of that place. About 1870 he returned to New York, where he carried on the con- tracting business until 1875, at which time he came to Cleveland, opening a shop in the rear of his home at No. 44 Huron street. It was not long, however, before his marked ability won recognition and, the growth of his business demanding larger quarters, he re- moved to 20 Newton street, where he continued until 1896. He en- larged his plant from time to time as was required by the growing business and continued as one of the most prominent contractors of northern Ohio until he succumbed to the illness which finally ter-
-
139
Colonel Arthur McAllister
minated his life on the 15th of August, 1898. Since that time the business has been carried on by his son, W. B. McAllister, who is mentioned on another page of this volume. Many of the city's most expensive and modern structures are the product of the handiwork of Colonel McAllister. Early in his connection with Cleveland he erected the residences of ex-Senator H. B. Payne, Samuel Andrews, C. W. Bingham, Charles F. Brush, S. T. Everett, Stewart and Wil- liam Chisholm, A. A. Pope and George Stockley, all on Euclid avenue, of Charles J. Sheffield on Prospect street, and the summer residence of C. W. Bingham on the Lake Shore. He was also awarded the contract for the building of the Second Presbyterian church and St. Bridget's Catholic church and numerous other build- ings of more or less note in Cleveland and vicinity. In 1888 he formed a partnership with Andrew Dall under the firm name of McAllister & Dall and they continued to enjoy the reputation and hold the high rank which Colonel McAllister had won as a foremost representative of building operations in this city. They built the Calvary Presbyterian church, the Euclid Avenue Opera House, the building of the Society for Savings and the building of the Erie County Savings Bank at Buffalo, New York. The last two are classed among the finest of the modern structures of Ohio and New York respectively. The firm also erected the Soldiers and Sailors Monument of Cuyahoga county, which stands in the public square of Cleveland and is one of the most magnificent monuments in the country. They were the builders of the depot for the Lake Shore Railroad at Toledo and many of the finest business blocks and homes of Cleveland. Thoroughness and accuracy were features which Colonel McAllister always insisted upon in the labors of those who were in his employ and he gained a reputation for reliability second to none in the city. The skill which he manifested in making plans and in construction work also constituted a strong feature of his suc- cess, which for many years was of a most gratifying nature and placed him with Cleveland's men of affluence.
In 1870 Colonel McAllister was married to Miss Emma Barriss, of Painesville, Ohio, and unto them were born three sons: Arthur, who was born in 1874, and passed away in 1906; W. B., born in 1877; and Colin, in 1879. The death of Mrs. McAllister occurred in 1879, Colonel McAllister therefore surviving for nineteen years. In 1896 he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Kate Fitz- hugh Benham, who still survives him.
Colonel McAllister was popular in various social organizations, including the Union, Roadside and Athletic Clubs, in which he held membership. He was also a member of the Military Order of the
140
Colonel Arthur McAllister
Loyal Legion and of the Grand Army of the Republic and ever manifested the deepest interest in his old army comrades. He served by appointment of Mayor Gardner for a term of five years upon Cleveland's board of criminal correction but otherwise neither sought nor held public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and to do his public service as a private citizen. He never faltered, however, in his allegiance to the repub- lican party, which was the defense of the Union when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields and which he always deemed to be the party of reform and progress. He was a lover of art and lit- erature and there was an analytical trend to his mind that enabled him to determine definitely the purpose and plan of what he perused and at its close to give a most thorough review thereof. His love of art prompted him to adorn his home with one of the finest collections of water colors, etchings and engravings which Cleveland possesses. Throughout his life it was characteristic of Colonel McAllister that he assimilate only the best. He was never content to choose that which was of mediocre quality, whether in art, literature, in business or in friendship. He was, however, quick to recognize the good in others and judge men by real worth rather than by that success as estimated in a material way. Strong in his views, his position was never an equivocal one and yet he was ever ready to accord to others the privilege which he reserved to himself of forming an unbiased opinion. In his business life he displayed marked executive ability, strong powers of administration and a ready recognition of the es- sential. At the outset of his career he recognized the fact that ca- pable workmanship was his best advertisement and throughout his entire life it was characteristic of him that he live up to the spirit as well as the letter of his contracts. Because of his known honesty and reliability, his unwillingness to misrepresent anything, his sup- port of that which was best, he came to be a man of marked influence and his endorsement of any public project was sure to win a large following. No man of Cleveland in recent years has passed from life who has been more highly respected or has more deserved the honor and esteem of his fellowmen.
Frank L. Boynton.
Frank L. Boynton
F RANK L. BOYNTON was born February 29, 1872, at Elyria, Ohio, a son of Milton S. and Mary M. (Eldred) Boynton. He was educated in his native city until he had mastered the work of consecutive grades and finished the high-school course, which completed his literary training. Endowed by nature with musical talent, which he has cultivated under the direction of able instructors as well as by more than sixteen years' identification with bands and symphony orchestras, during which time he played with Innes's Band and was a member of the Washington Symphony Orchestra for four years under the direction of Reginald DeKoven, he has attained an unusual degree of efficiency in the field of musi- cal art.
On the 10th of October, 1901, Mr. Boynton was married to Mrs. Elsie Fell Fulton, a native of Philadelphia and a daughter of Wil- liam Jenks and Harriet (Troutman) Fell and granddaughter of George M. Troutman, who was for more than thirty years president of the Central National Bank of Philadelphia. Mrs. Boynton is descended from an old Quaker family of Pennsylvania. Her father was a member of the firm of C. J. Fell & Brother, who in their time were well known wholesale dealers in spices in Philadelphia. By her first marriage Mrs. Boynton became the mother of one daugh- ter, Harriette Fell Fulton, who was born July 26, 1893, now a stu- dent in the Hathaway-Brown school of Cleveland. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Boynton : Eldred Troutman, No- vember 7, 1902; and Delano King, June 18, 1908.
In 1906 Mr. Boynton became a resident of Cleveland and be- sides making several real-estate investments he soon began the manu- facture of violins and bass viols, in which business he continues with excellent success. His own musical talent and correct ear and keen appreciation of harmony enables him to easily judge the value of his own products not only in their practical workmanship, but also in tone and quality. The enterprise which he has established is a growing one, for the instruments of his manufacture have taken a high position among the best of modern construction.
143
144
Frank L. Boynton
Mr. Boynton is a member of the Hermit Club and his political views are manifest in the stalwart and unfaltering support which he gives to the republican party at the polls. His wife is a member of Emmanuel Protestant Episcopal church. The family home at No. 1902 East Eighty-ninth street, is a most modern and pleasantly ap- pointed residence, while their summer home, on the lake shore about twenty miles west of Cleveland, is one of the most attractively lo- cated and delightful country homes in that section. Mr. Boynton is numbered among the progressive and thrifty of the young business men of Cleveland, where substantial success has come to him as the legitimate and logical reward of intelligence and well directed effort.
ما
a Nicholson.
Ezra nicholson
E ZRA NICHOLSON has been a witness of Cleve- land's growth and development through seventy-five years and has also participated in many public events which have left their impress upon the history of the city. His birthplace, which was his father's farm comprising several hundred acres, now constitutes the present site of Lakewood. He was there born in 1835, a son of James Nicholson, who was one of the pioneer settlers on the west side of the Cuyahoga river, only two other houses being on that side of the river at the time of his arrival, one of these being at Rocky river while the other was the property of the ferryman. James Nicholson settled there about 1812. He was born in Chatham, Massachusetts, in 1783, of good old Puritan stock, and having arrived at years of maturity married Betsey Bartholmew of Waterbury, Connecticut. There was a tiny village on the site of Ohio's present metropolis at the time of his removal to the west. There was little lake navigation and the era of railroad travel through the western forests had not been dreamed of. The only way of crossing the river in those days was by ferry, Mr. Carter operating a ferry boat at the little village. Mr. Nicholson, of this review, remembers of his father telling him of the first high pressure steamboat on the great lakes. It was called "Walk on the Water" and ran between Buffalo, Cleveland and De- troit. James Nicholson was a man of remarkable vitality and de- voted his life to general agricultural pursuits, owning and cultivat- ing an excellent farm of several hundred acres, to which he devoted his energies until his death in 1859. His widow survived him for many years and died in 1886, in her eighty-sixth year. She left three children : Delia, Louis and Ezra.
In his boyhood days Ezra Nicholson attended the district and city schools and afterward became a pupil in the Urbana University. After his college days were over he assisted his father with the farm work for several years. Following the father's death, Ezra Nichol- son divided the property and leased it to different parties but still lived in the homestead which he yet occupies. It is one of the old
147
148
Ezra Richolson
landmarks of the city and an interesting reminder of the past, al- though it is kept in such excellent state of preservation as to seem much like the more modern dwellings. In 1885 Mr. Nicholson be- came interested with the firm of Johnson & Palmer in the owner- ship of lake vessels, which at that time was a very profitable busi- ness. He had lived to witness the remarkable development of lake transportation. He remembers the steamboats Bunker Hill, Com- merce, Julia Palmer and Empire, all of which, with the exception of the last named, were of the high pressure type and sailed the lakes in the '40s. Gradually the tonnage of all lake steamers has been increased until today there are upon the waters of Erie and the other great lakes fine floating palaces, supplied with every modern con- venience. In 1893 Mr. Nicholson laid out what is known as the Nicholson allotment in Lakewood. The cross streets-Grace ave- nue and Clarence avenue-were the first streets west of Kentucky to be paved and were supplied with all modern improvements. These streets were named after his children, and the deeds to the property were given to Mr. Nicholson's father by the state treasurer of Con- necticut, for in the early days this land was owned by the state of Connecticut and for a time was termed Connecticut before the name of Western Reserve was adopted.
Not only has Mr. Nicholson operated largely in vessel owning and real estate but is also an inventor of some note, inventing the Nicholson Recording Ship Log, an instrument for recording the speed of a vessel. This instrument, a product of the Nicholson Ship Log Company, manufacturers, is the only log of its kind in the world and is controlled entirely by this company, with patents for the United States and all maritime countries of Europe and Asia. It is in use on twenty-eight battleships, three cruisers, torpedo and gun- boats and colliers of the United States Navy. This company also manufactures the Nicholson distance and range finder, an invention of Mr. Nicholson's which is of great value in coast navigation. The Nicholson Company, of which he is the head, his associates being his two sons, has been in business in its present quarters in the Beck- man building on Superior avenue for about seven years and is a very promising manufacturing enterprise.
In 1863 Mr. Nicholson was married to Miss Alice Fowles, a na- tive of Wisconsin, who removed to Cleveland in 1862. There were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson six children, of whom only three are living, one daughter and two sons. These are: Grace E., Ezra Louis and Clarence Percy, all of whom attended the public schools of Cleveland. Mr. Nicholson belongs to New Jerusalem church of Lakewood, has always been an enthusiastic republican and was the
149
Ezra nicholson
first clerk of the hamlet of Lakewood. He is perhaps better in- formed concerning the history of this section of the city than any one man and his activity in business has constituted a force for general development as well as a source of individual profit.
Lemis L. Kittredge
T HE name of Lewis H. Kittredge is widely known in trade circles throughout the country for, although a young man, he has attained to a position of eminence in manufacturing circles as the president of the Peer- less Motor Car Company, of Cleveland, manufac- turer of one of the most superior and finished prod- ucts of this character in America. Setting for himself high stand- ards in business, manifesting intelligent appreciation of opportunity and wisely utilizing every means at hand, he has reached a most en- viable position as the head of an enterprise that is showing marked growth annually.
A native of New Hampshire, Mr. Kittredge was born in Harris- ville, June 18, 1871, and after attending the high school in Keene, New Hampshire, he continued his studies in the New Hampshire State College at Durham, being there graduated in 1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He was thus well equipped by lib- eral mental training for any duty that might devolve upon him in the business world. He made his initial step in commercial circles in connection with the New York Belting & Packing Company of Passaic, New Jersey. In 1897 he came to Cleveland to associate himself with the Peerless Manufacturing Company. In the twelve years which have since elapsed his has been a notable record, mark- ing an entire transformation in the business in the character of its output and showing as well the clearly defined methods which Mr. Kittredge has followed in attaining to the position which he now oc- cupies. He made his service of value to the company which he rep- resented, regarding no detail as too unimportant to claim his atten- tion, nor fearing to give service for which he did not receive im- mediate adequate return. His capability, his energy and fidelity, however, won recognition in successive promotions. In 1899 he was made secretary and general manager of the company and in 1901 the office of treasurer was added to his duties. The following year the firm name was changed to the Peerless Motor Car Company and in 1904 he was elected to the vice presidency, while in 1906 he was chosen for the presidency and has since remained the chief executive
153
154
Lewis I. Kittredge
officer. Mr. Kittredge is also president of the Peerless Motor Car Company of New York and the Peerless Motor Car Company of New England, is secretary of the Association of Licensed Automo- bile Manufacturers and is financially interested in other corpora- tions.
The growth of the Peerless Motor Car Company is noteworthy, considering the fact that through the process of growth of the last six years it has gradually and consistently risen from a very small be- ginning to one of the leading companies in the automobile industry. The start of this remarkable business was made in a small factory located on Lisbon street, adjoining the Cleveland & Pittsburg tracks in a building with scarcely ten thousand square feet of available floor space and equipped with machinery originally intended for utterly different uses. The year 1900 marks the beginning of this business in the form of manufacturing automobile parts. In 1902 the com- pany was incorporated under its present title and the manufacture of complete motor cars was begun. Since then an organization has been formed, composed of able and progressive men, who, imbued with the idea of improving and perfecting the product, have worked together towards that end, always demanding the best from each subordinate and at the same time quick to recognize and reward su- perior merit wherever found. This spirit of loyalty prevailing in the organization has made it possible to transform step by step the motorette, manufactured eight years ago and then regarded as a curi- osity of experimental value only, to the present high-power touring car that is acknowledged to rank among America's best product. In 1904 ground was broken for a new factory on East Ninety-third street and Quincy avenue and each succeeding year has seen new fac- tory buildings constructed until this year, at the beginning of the 1910 selling season, will see the present tract of land, comprising about six acres, entirely taken up with buildings of this company. The group consists of twelve factory buildings two and three stories in height, with a handsome four story office building. The company also has fourteen acres adjoining and contracts have been let for the erection thereon of several large factory buildings. Under the pres- ent organization nearly two thousand families receive an income each week from the business. The increased output each year indi- cates more than anything else growing favor towards the Peerless cars and with the increased facilities over seven million dollars of product will be manufactured during the next selling season.
In the fall of 1907, at the time of the panic, the Peerless Motor Car Company maintained seventy-five per cent of its force and em- ployed on longer hours than any one other individual factory rep-
155
Lewis D. Kittredge
resenting a large industry in the city. The sale of the product is distributed through branch houses in New York and Boston and likewise through representative dealers in every large city in the United States and Canada.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.