USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Cleveland, Ohio, pictorial and biographical. De luxe supplement, Volume II > Part 15
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The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson was blessed with two children : Charles L., who is his father's successor in business, and Mrs. S. A. Mintz, of Ashtabula, Ohio. Mr. Hutchinson was greatly
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John T. Dutchinson
interested in the welfare of the city and did much toward its advance- ment. In all of his business affairs he was thoroughly reliable and trustworthy and the spirit of enterprise also characterized his work. His success came to him gradually as the reward of persistent effort, careful management and laudable ambition, and he remained an active factor in the shipping interests of Cleveland until his death, which occurred in May, 1903. He was most widely known among all those connected with lake navigation and his salient qualities of character won him respect and good will.
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Joseph H. Beck
Thon. Joseph Dunt Breck
HE Breck family of Cuyahoga county is descended T from ancestors whose history constitutes an interesting chapter in the early annals of New England. Edward Breck, the first of the name in America, sailing from England to the new world, became a member of the Massachusetts bay colony five years after the landing " of the Puritans at Dorchester in 1630. All of the descendants of the Breck family have honorable and worthy records, while some have gained distinction as scholars, soldiers, clergymen and in other pro- fessions as well as in various other walks of life.
Robert Breck, the great-grandfather of him whose name intro- duces this review, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1737. He married Rachael Hunt, a sister of Ebenezer Hunt, and became a trader and importer in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he con- ducted a store from 1766 until his death in December, 1799. He was clerk of the court for the counties of Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden from 1781 to 1798. He possessed some property which included the acquisition in April, 1799, of a considerable acreage in the Western Reserve. His holdings in Brecksville, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, amounted at first to five thousand, seven hundred and eleven acres, while his son John held two thousand and fifty-four acres more. At this time Robert's holdings outside of Brecksville were about twice as large as they were in it. Later, the holdings in Brecksville of "the heirs of Robert Breck" were nearly doubled. He had seven sons, all dying without issue excepting Joseph Hunt and John, who became prominent citizens of Northampton. From the records there appears no doubt but that the township and village of Brecksville was so called in his honor, due in part to his prominence in Northamp- ton and in part to his real-estate holdings; although the prominence of his sons, especially John, doubtless added to the sentiment which made the name seem appropriate.
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Don. Joseph Dunt Breck
Rev. Joseph Hunt Breck, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1798, was graduated from Yale college in 1818, and from Andover seminary in 1823, was ordained in December of that year, and was at once sent to Portage county as a home missionary to Ohio. He was first installed in the Presbyterian church in Andover, Ashtabula county. In 1828, he first located in Brecksville (being the first of the Brecks in that town), where he preached until 1833, when he took up his residence in Cleveland and opened a school for boys. In 1843, he removed from Cleveland and settled in the town of Newburg, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life in honored retirement. He married Miss Alice Angeline Snow, of Northampton, Massachusetts, who died in 1838. Three children were born to them, namely: Joseph Hunt; Angeline Maria, born in 1834, who died when eighteen months old; and Angeline Snow, who married C. B. Denio, of Galena, Illinois, later going to Vallejo, California. In 1844, he married Miss Diantha Chamberlain, of Monkton, Vermont, there being no issue. He died in Newburg in 1880.
Hon. Joseph Hunt Breck was born in Brecksville, Ohio, June 23, 1831, and two years later removed from that village to Cleveland, where he remained with his parents until 1843, when he accompanied his father (his mother having died when he was seven) on his settling in Newburg. He continued his education in the schools of that place, and later finished his instruction by two years at Shaw Academy. Then he returned to the farm, where, young though he was, a large part of the responsibility in its operation rested upon him. At this time it became his desire to enter a commercial life and, after receiv- ing his father's consent, he secured a position as bookkeper for E. I Baldwin (a dry-goods merchant on Superior street), which he held for about a year, or, in fact, until his father, after much endeavor, induced him to return to the farm, where affairs were in need of his attention. Previous to this and almost entirely alone, he had chopped and delivered a distance of three miles over the most primitive roads, sufficient cord-wood at two dollars and a half per cord to pay for every brick in the old homestead of thirteen rooms and attic. There he remained until 1906, when he sold his land to the railroad com- pany and again took up his residence in Cleveland, only to pass away a year later.
On the 18th of January, 1859, Mr. Breck was married to Miss Harriet Maria Brooks, a daughter of Hezekiah and Hannah (John- son) Brooks, who came to this state from Middletown, Connecticut, in 1819, and settled in Carlisle, Lorain county, Ohio. Her father was a tradesman in Connecticut but gave his attention to general
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Don. Joseph Dunt Breck
farming in Ohio. James Brooks, her grandfather, was a sea captain until after the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, when he enlisted in defense of the colonies. He was a private in the commander-in- chief's guards and was taken prisoner a number of times but on each occasion succeeded in making his escape. Four children delighted the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Breck, namely: George Dwight, Theodore Brooks, William Merriam and Mary Louise.
In his political views Mr. Breck was at first a progressive whig and hence was a first recruit in the formation of the republican party, of which he remained a stalwart member to the end. His interest in public improvements and progressive legislation was ever active and zealous and was inspired by motives worthy of his Puritan ancestors. He was recognized in Cleveland for his sterling qualities and was honored among those who were prominent in the councils of his party. He was elected to the Ohio legislature from his county for twelve years, and over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. His course was characterized by fidelity to duty and by earnest and determined advocacy of what he believed to be right and for the best interests of the commonwealth. He was the author of the salary bill, which put all city and county officials upon a salary basis, thereby saving to the public many thousands of dollars. He died June 27, 1907. His mistakes were few, his noble actions many, and even his political opponents did not question the honesty of his opinions.
James J allen
ames T. Allen
J AMES T. ALLEN, who for many years has been en- gaged in general contracting here, ranks high among those devoted to this line of work and his long years of experience have developed within him a degree of conservative business judgment which has enabled him not only to maintain his own prosperity but also to contribute to enhancing the financial standing of the city in which he is widely recognized as a substantial business man whose straight- forward dealings and honest and upright relations make him also a worthy and desirable citizen. He was born November 22, 1867, a son of Joseph Allen, a native of Indiana, born August 12, 1838, who spent some time in Virginia, later removing to this state. During the Civil war he was among the first to answer the country's call to arms and served on the Union side for three years in the Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. About 1864 he married Catherine Culp, a native of West Virginia, born in 1832, and entered into rest in 1904.
West Virginia was the birthplace of James T. Allen, but when he was about one year of age his parents located in Clinton county, later removing to Greene county, Ohio, and in these places he ac- quired his education in the public schools. Upon completing his studies he turned his attention to husbandry and for about five years tilled the soil in Greene county, and at the expiration of that time re- paired to Dayton, Ohio, where he was employed in the production of agricultural implements for ten years and in 1895 located in this city, where he learned his trade after about four years' apprentice- ship. He followed his occupation as a journeyman until 1899 when he undertook general contracting. He was alone in business until 1907 when he took others into partnership and incorporated what is known as The James T. Allen Contracting Company, one of the best known firms in this city. His work, most of which is done in Cleveland and vicinity, consists chiefly in erecting residences and apartment houses and his business has been attended with such suc-
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James T. Allen
cess that at present he is recognized throughout the city as a reliable and prominent contractor.
In 1890 Mr. Allen wedded Florence M. Knott, a native of this state, and to this union have been born Iva May, Ethel Marie, Hazel Jeanette, Walter James, Raymond Cushman, Herbert Thomas, Erma Ruth, Myrtle Christina, Leonard Burrell, Dorothy Lucille, Homer Wilbur and Clyde. Mr. Allen belongs to the Knights of Pythias, in the affairs of which he is active. Always endeavoring to conduct his business relations on the basis of honesty and ranking among the city's most enterprising and aggressive citizens he justly deserves his repu- tation as one of Cleveland's foremost business factors.
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J. Landesman
Jacob Landesman
J ACOB LANDESMAN, one of the foremost business men and manufacturers of his time in Cleveland, took a most prominent part in the development of an in- dustry in which Cleveland has become a center-that of cloak manufacturing. Mr. Landesman was the founder and for years the head of probably the best known house in that line in this country-operating under the style of Landesman, Hirscheimer & Company.
He was a native of Vienna, Austria, and when but a child of four years lost both his father and mother. Thrown upon his own re- sources, he began life's struggle alone and to have achieved the success he did surely entitles him to classification with the self-made men. Mr. Landesman came to America in 1876 and after attending the centennial exposition in Philadelphia made his way to Cleveland, where the following year he began the manufacture of cloaks, laying the foundation of an enterprise that brought him both fame and for- tune. Like many of our largest business concerns, the firm of Landes- man, Hirscheimer & Company had a modest beginning. It was the pioneer in a new field of industry and was not without its drawbacks, while various difficulties tested the courage and business acumen of the founder. Employing only the most honorable business methods and endeavoring to make a product that was the best, the success of the enterprise was soon assured. The business expanded and with the same keen insight displayed in its management Mr. Landesman surrounded himself with a capable corps of lieutenants, thus becom- ing relieved somewhat of the responsibility attending the manage- ment of detail. He was, however, remarkably familiar with every detail of the business and it was largely his watchfulness over minor points that contributed to the splendid success of the major projects which he instituted. The business was later incorporated as Landes- man, Hirscheimer & Company, with Mr. Landesman as president- a relation he continued to bear until 1900, when failing health neces-
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Jacob Landesman
sitated his giving up active business cares. However, his advice and counsel continued important factors in the success of the business.
Mr. Landesman was twice married. His second wife was Miss Ida Rosenzweig, of Denver, Colorado, and unto them were born five children: Gazella, Geoffrey, Helen, Dorothy and Elsa, all of whom, with the mother, survive the husband and father.
The latter years of Mr. Landesman's life were largely spent in recreation and pleasure as his health would permit. He traveled extensively both in this country and abroad but an undermined con- stitution finally had to give away and his death occurred September 10, 1905, when he was sixty-three years of age. In business circles few men of his day were held in such high esteem and the many expressions of sorrow and condolence that came from individuals and firms of long business relations at the time of his death were evidences of his high integrity and business honor. One who had known him and dealt with him many years said: "He was the personification of all that was fair and honorable in business dealings."
Few men are as mindful of the comforts and welfare of others as was Mr. Landesman. His kindness of heart and his genuine sympathy always caused him to think of others before himself. The city at large mourned his departure and especially is he missed in Jewish charitable circles, for he gave generously and freely in response to the needs of the hour. He was the president of the Mount Sinai Hos- pital, was one of the organizers of the Infants Orphan Asylum on East Fortieth street in Cleveland and was also one of the incorpora- tors of the Federation of Jewish Charities. He was a valued member of the Chamber of Commerce and thus cooperated in substantial measure in the movements for the city's welfare and upbuilding. He was appreciative of good music and possessed a correct ear that enabled him to understand all the harmony that can be produced by voice or musical instrument. Fond of his home, a most kind husband and indulgent father, he put forth every effort in his power to pro- mote the happiness of his wife and children and his greatest pleasure was obtained in their companionship. He rejoiced in his success because of what it enabled him to do for the members of his own household, as their welfare was ever his first consideration. While he displayed commendable characteristics in business circles of public life and in connection with his charitable activities, his best traits of character were ever reserved for his own home and fireside.
Tr. Wallace Dille
TUI. Wallace Dille
T HE Dille family is of Hugenot origin but has been distinctively American in its lineal and collateral branches for many generations. Two brothers of the name started from Scotland but one died at sea, while the other, David Dille, made his way to Kingston, Jamaica. His descendants came to America, settling in South Carolina. There were two sons, David and Ichabod, both of whom went to New Jersey. They became engaged in a controversy which led them to locate in different parts of the state and caused Ichabod to change the spelling of the name by adding "y." The elder, David Dille, had five sons and one daughter, namely : William, Israel, Aaron, David, Jr., Elizabeth and Asa. David, Jr. was the greatgrandfather of W. Wallace Dille and was born in New Jersey in 1753. He removed from that state to western Pennsylvania, set- tling in Washington county, whence he afterward went to Belmont county, Ohio, sixteen miles below Wheeling. During his residence there he became an extensive landholder. He removed from that county to Cleveland to become a permanent resident in September, 1803, and six weeks later took up his abode in Euclid township, becom- ing the first actual settler in that township. There were but a few houses on the entire district now covered by the Forest city, and Ohio was then largely unsettled in every portion of the state, only a few white men having penetrated in its dense forest regions to improve its natural resources and utilize them for their individual benefit. He was previously engaged in the Indian warfare, which was so nec- essary as a protection of the white settlers against the red men, and was one of the number who participated in the expedition under Colonel Crawford when that commander was burned at the stake near Upper Sandusky, Ohio, in 1872. He had previously had military service in the Revolutionary war, enlisting in March, 1778, and doing duty for one year as a sergeant. In March, 1780, he again joined the army and for one year served as lieutenant, while the Ist of May,
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1782, marked the beginning of his year service as a private. This David Dille was twice married. He first wedded Nancy Viers, and to them were born five sons and one daughter: Nehemiah, Lewis B., Calvin, Luther, Asa and Cassina Elizabeth. For his second wife the father chose Mary Sailor, and they had sixteen children. The death of the father occurred October 7, 1835. His brother Asa had settled in East Cleveland township in 1804, so that the Dille family is one of the oldest in this part of the state, having for more than a century been connected with the substantial development of Cuyahoga county. Asa Dille had nine children.
Luther Dille, the grandfather of W. Wallace Dille, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1785. He married Esther Hickox. He and two of his brothers served their country as soldiers in the war of 1812. Eri M. Dille, the father of our subject, was born in Euclid, Ohio, November 9, 1812, and was here reared amid the environment and conditions of pioneer life. He devoted his time and energies to the occupation of farming, thus providing for his family as the years went on. He married Emaline D. Randall, who was born in East Haddam, Connecticut, June 9, 1818, and the same year her parents, Joel and Phoebe (Payne) Randall, removed with their family to Ohio, settling in Cleveland, at what is now East Eightieth street and Euclid avenue.
Such is the ancestry from which W. Wallace Dille springs-a family that through succeeding generations has been loyal in citizen- ship, progressive in public affairs and active, diligent and reliable in business. He whose name initiates this review was born in Euclid, Ohio, March 11, 1838, the place of his birth being now in Notting- ham, a suburb of Cleveland. In the "little red schoolhouse" of Euclid he pursued his education until fifteen years of age, when he received the benefit of two years' instruction in Hiram College. He then re- turned home and again attended the "little school" around which clustered pleasant memories of his early boyhood. At the age of nineteen years he again entered Hiram for one term and afterward spent nineteen weeks as a pupil in Shaw's Academy. For one term he engaged in teaching school and then devoted his attention to the work of the home farm, continuing to assist his father until gradually he assumed the entire management and control of the property, owing to the advanced age of his father, who passed away in 1904. The mother had died in 1899, and after the death of the father a part of the farm was sold and since that time W. Wallace Dille has lived a retired life, his property interests being sufficient to give to him an income that supplies him with all of the necessities and comforts and some of the luxuries of life. His education being far in advance of
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M. Wallace Dille
that of the average farmer of the day, he became recognized as an expert agriculturist, horticulturist and stockman, his opinions on such subjects being largely regarded as authority throughout the com- munity.
On the 19th of September, 1860, Mr. Dille was united in marriage, in Cleveland, to Miss Mina T. Gilbert, a daughter of Francis and Emily (Geer) Gilbert, who removed from the state of New York to Cleveland in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Dille have an adopted son, C. W. Dille, a prominent lawyer of Cleveland. Mr. Dille descends from a family that gave stalwart allegiance to the whig party for many years and in his boyhood he was trained in that political school. He came to his majority soon after the organization of the republican party and has since been one of its stalwart supporters, casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. His life record has been characterized by all that constitutes manliness, probity and public-spirited citizenship.
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George Britton Durell
G EORGE BRITTON DURELL, president of the National Handle Company of Cleveland, is a man whose mind readily appreciates the opportunities for the establishment and conduct of vast enterprises, while his executive ability makes of him a splendid organizer and promoter, so that he has been connected with some of the leading houses in his line in the country. He was born in New Jersey, September 27, 1861, a son of Edward Hicks and Hannah A. Woodward. The former was born in Florence, New Jersey, in 1829, and still survives, but his wife, also a native of New Jersey, passed away in 1873. Both were representatives of old fami- lies of that state. The father was a clergyman of the Methodist church and after thirty years devoted to the ministry he resigned to engage in the cultivation of cranberries and is still conducting that business at Woodbury, New Jersey.
George B. Durell, after completing a public school course, entered Princeton University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He took the experimental science fellowship, which required an extra year of study at Princeton. He afterward engaged in teaching for two years at Chester, Pennsylvania, but the business world rather than the schoolroom seemed logically his field of labor because of his ability to plan and to perform, to organize and coordinate forces. Removing to Chattanooga, Tennessee, he there began the manufacture of hoes, forks and rakes under the style of the Chattanooga Tool Company, of which he was first treasurer and later manager. After three years he went to Harriman, Tennessee, where he organized the Harriman Hoe & Tool Company, of which he became president and manager. During his residence in Harri- man he was also for six years president of the Manufacturers National Bank and was also vice president of the Handly-Goodman Whole- sale Grocery Company. He continued in Harriman, profitably con- ducting his business interests, until 1903, when in search of a wider
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George Britton Durell
field of labor he came to Cleveland and was chosen treasurer of the American Fork & Hoe Company. Ever watchful of opportunities, in 1907 he assisted in organizing the National Handle Company and is its president, his long experience in this line making him eminently fitted to take charge of the vast affairs of this concern, its trade extend- ing all over the United States. There are branch factories and depots at different points and the remarkable growth of the business is due to the intelligent efforts of Mr. 'Durell and the men he has chosen to fill important positions under him. He is also a director of the Amer- ican Fork & Hoe Company and a member of its executive committee; is vice president, treasurer and manager of the Union Fork & Hoe Company of Columbus, Ohio; is president and treasurer of the Eagle Coal Company of Kentucky; a director of the Roane Iron Company of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and vice president of the United States Handle Company of Piqua, Ohio.
In 1893 Mr. Durell married Genevieve Hill, who was born in New York, and they have three children: George Edward, Gladys and Kathryn. The family residence is beautifully located at No. 8308 Euclid avenue and is one of Cleveland's hospitable homes. In his political views Mr. Durell is a stalwart republican and while residing at Harriman he served as mayor of that city, his administra- tion being particularly businesslike and progressive. Socially he is connected with the Union and Euclid Clubs. The energy he has displayed in the accomplishment of the tasks which he has undertaken and the execution of the plans which he has formulated is a keynote to his character, and by reason of his forcefulness and resourcefulness he has accomplished large results, placing him in an enviable com- mercial position while hardly yet in the prime of life.
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Oducendo
Colonel Talilliam Cowards
OLONEL WILLIAM EDWARDS, who in many C ways left the impress of his individuality upon Cleve- land and her substantial progress, came of ancestry distinctively American in both the lineal and collat- eral lines. He was himself a native of New England, where both his paternal and maternal ancestors had lived in early colonial days. His line of descent was traced back directly to Alexander Edwards, who came from Wales and was one of the seventy original proprietors of Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1640, and there resided until his death a half century later. Among his descendants was the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, probably the most noted divine in New England in his day. In the maternal line Colonel Edwards is descended from the Burts, Lombards and other prominent families. Henry Burt, the first representative of the family in America, was an intimate friend and business associate of Colonel John Pynchon, and assisted later in his negotiations for the purchase of Northampton from the Indians in 1653. His death occurred ten years later. His descendants became very numerous and many are now found in or near Long Meadow, Massachusetts, constituting one of the leading and honored families of that section.
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