USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Cleveland, Ohio, pictorial and biographical. De luxe supplement, Volume II > Part 16
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The paternal grandparents of Colonel Edwards were Captain Oliver and Rachel (Parsons) Edwards. Their son, Dr. Elisha Edwards, was born in Chesterfield, Massachusetts, in 1795, and in early life went to Northampton to acquaint himself with the drug trade. Later he made his way to Springfield, where he soon estab- lished a drug store, which he conducted successfully until his death in 1840. He was a man of many sterling traits of character, who exerted his aid and influence for the material and moral progress of the community, his labors being effective forces for good in the dis- trict in which he made his home. He married Eunice Lombard, a daughter of Daniel and Sylvia (Burt) Lombard, and, surviving her husband for many years, she passed away in 1875. Their family
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numbered four sons and five daughters, including General Oliver Edwards, who died in Warsaw, Illinois, in 1905. The brevet rank of major general of volunteers was conferred upon him in April, 1865, for conspicuous gallantry at the battle of Sailor's Creek, Virginia. Three members of the family are now living, namely: Mrs. C. E. Warner, who resides at the old homestead in Springfield, Massa- chusetts ; Mrs. C. H. Hurd, of Dorchester, Massachusetts ; and Mrs. Oscar A. Childs, of Cleveland.
Colonel William Edwards, known and honored as one of the most prominent and valued citizens of Cleveland for many years, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, June 6, 1831. His early educa- tion was acquired in a classical school presided over by a Mr. Eaton, in his native city, and when fifteen years of age he made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in a mercantile establishment, where he remained until 1852, during which time he gained broad experience concerning the methods of the business world.
On severing his connection with his first employer he made his way westward to Cleveland, which was entering upon a new era of development consequent upon the building of the railroads. Colonel Edwards and many other eastern men were induced to found homes in the growing city on the lake. Their New England foresight and keen perception enabled them to see and value the possibilities and probabilities of growth and of future importance and enterprise. Colonel Edwards possessed an alert mind and keen perceptive facul- ties, noted the signs of the times, saw and recognized the opportunities for business activity and was well equipped for the successful con- duct of important interests at the time of his arrival in Cleveland. His first connection with the commercial interests of the city was as an employe in the wholesale grocery house of W. J. Gordon, which at that time was the largest wholsale grocery establishment in the west. The young man proved himself efficient, capable and progressive, and after a year spent with Mr. Gordon he entered into partnership with Marcus A. Treat, under the firm name of Treat & Edwards, for the conduct of a jobbing grocery business, their store being located on Canal street. Colonel Edwards bent every energy toward the devel- opment and extension of the trade and his persistency of purpose, utilization of opportunity, and reliable business methods were im- portant factors in the establishment of a large trade. After a little more than three years he purchased the interest of his partner and admitted Hiram Iddings, of Trumbull county, to an interest in the business. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war the yearly sales of the house aggregated nearly a quarter million dollars, and as the rapid growth of the business demanded the aid of others in an exec-
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utive capacity, Hon. Amos Townsend was admitted to the firm in 1862 under the style of Edwards, Iddings & Company. When Mr. Iddings died a lear later, J. Burton Parsons became a partner on the Ist of January, 1864. The firm name was then changed to Edwards, Townsend & Company and so continued until December, 1886, when Mr. Parsons withdrew and the name of William Edwards & Com- pany was assumed, which was the style of the house at the time of Colonel Edwards' death, in September, 1898. On the Ist of January, 1906, the business was reorganized under the name of the William Edwards Company, with J. W. Roof as president; George A. Jones, secretary; and Harry R. Edwards, vice president and treasurer. From the beginning Colonel Edwards was the leading spirit in the development of this enterprise. His business insight was keen, his methods reliable, and his progressive spirit and ready adaptability enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and work steadily upward until he ranked among the foremost wholesale mer- chants of the middle west. The reliable policy of the house, which was inaugurated at the outset, has always been maintained and the firm has ever held to high standards in the line of goods carried, in the personnel of its representatives and in the character of the service rendered to the public.
Although engaged in building up an important and profitable commercial enterprise, Colonel Edwards always found time to co- operate in movements for the general good and was a man of much influence in the management of city affairs and of matters relative to the upbuilding of northeastern Ohio. Undoubtedly he could have had almost any office within the gift of the people of his part of the city had he not declined to accept political preferment. On the most earnest solicitation of those in charge, however, he consented to be- come a director of the work house, and for eleven years filled that position most creditably and acceptably. He was a leader and stal- wart advocate of the republican party but never placed partisanship before the general good nor sacrified public interests to personal aggrandizement.
In many ways outside the field of political work or influence, Colonel Edwards did important service for the public. He was for years president of the Board of Trade prior to its reorganization into the Chamber of Commerce and at one time he was president of the Lakeview Cemetery Association. In 1872 he became a member of the board of directors of the Citizens Savings & Loan Association, thus continuing for many years, and was also a member of the Cham- ber of Commerce and a director of the Guardian Savings & Trust Company. He was for years and up to the time of his death a member
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of the sinking fund commission and was also one of the Ohio com- missioners to the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Colonel Edwards did not secure his military title at the front but that he was entitled to it was the opinion of all who knew him. During the exciting years of the Civil war he was one of the most ardent Union men in Northern Ohio and because of his efforts in forming miltary organizations he was given the honorary title of colonel, which clung to him until his death. He was also an honorary member of the Loyal Legion.
Colonel Edwards was also an enthusiastic club member, being identified with the Roadside, Country and Union Clubs and was always eagerly welcomed by his associates in those organizations. He was president of the Cleveland Driving Park Association, which under his management gained a reputation second to none. Indeed it was largely due to his efforts that the Cleveland Driving Park Association was organized. From his boyhood his love of fine horses was one of his characteristics and he was one of the chief supporters of the old Northern Ohio Fair Association. Believing that a driving park would prove a success both financially and from the standpoint of a pure sportsman, Colonel Edwards induced many of his friends to assist him in organizing the Cleveland Driving Park Association, of which he was president at the time of his death. He cared more about it than any other pleasure interest he had in life. He was always present in his place in the judge's stand and was the spirit of every meet. At the last circuit races in July preceding his death, he was in his place as starting judge. Thoroughly understanding horses and the racing of them, he stopped every race at the start if it was unfair, sternly admonishing any driver guilty of trickiness or discourtesy and kept the audience well informed on the status of events on the track. It was owing largely to his influence and exertions that the Gentle- men's Driving Club was organized and brought to its high standing among clubs of a similar nature, for Colonel Edwards took an active interest both in the sport and in the business of the organization. In this his influence was always on the side of the best, and the purity of the sport of the organization was itself a tribute to his character. From the time of its formation in 1895 he was honorary president of the club.
Colonel Edwards' home life was exceedingly happy and his ad- mirably appointed residence on Prospect avenue was one of the most hospitable of the city. His manner was most attractive, his cordiality and interest sincere and deep rooted and his friendship could always be relied upon if it was once gained. Colonel Edwards wedded Miss Lucia Ransom, of Clarence, New York, who still occupies the home-
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stead on Prospect avenue. They became the parents of four children. Clarence R., after attending Brooks Military Academy, entered West Point and was graduated in 1879. For a while during the Spanish-American war he was on the staff of General Coppinger and later was with the lamented General Lawton in the Philippines, going out with him. He also had charge of the bringing of the re- mains of that brave officer to the United States. He has been at the head of the insular department at Washington since it was organized, bearing the rank of brigadier general. He married Bessie Porter, of Niagara Falls, New York, and they have had one daughter, Bessie Porter Edwards. Harry R. Edwards, the second son, prepared for college at Brooks Military Academy, being graduated in 1879. He then entered Harvard and was graduated in 1883. In August of that year he entered the establishment of which his father was the head and is now vice president and treasurer of the William Edwards Company. He is also a member of the advisory board of the Citizens Savings & Trust Company, succeeding his father as an official in that institution. Prominent in club circles he is identified with the Union, Country, Euclid, Roadside, Tavern, Athletic, Hermit and Gentle- men's Driving Clubs. He is also an enthusiastic dog fancier and as a breeder and judge of setter dogs he is one of the best known in the United States. His kennels are at Chardon and they are maintained more as a diversion than for profit. Lucia R., the surviving daughter, is the wife of Charles A. Otis, of Cleveland, and they have two chil- dren, William Edwards, and Lucia Eliza; Kate R. died in early life.
The death of Colonel Edwards occurred September 21, 1898. He was ever generous and his benevolent spirit promoted his ready assistance to those in need or want. Always unostentatious in his giving, his deeds of kindness were made known only to the recipient. For forty-five years he figured prominently as a leading merchant and business man of the city and in all of the different interests which constituted his life's contacts and experiences he was known as an honorable and honored man, in whom were many sterling qualities that well entitled him to the high regard in which he was uniformly held.
بسواعد
Ralph Pratt Myers
HILE Ralph Pratt Myers has passed from the scene of earthly activities, in which he won an honored name, the beauty of his better self lives on in the mem- ory of his upright life, which is cherished by all who knew him. His influence was at all times a beneficent one and his record constitutes an example that shows forth the work of noble character building.
He was born in Schodack, Rensselaer county, New York, on the Ist of January, 1820, and his youth was spent in Sand Lake, a little town not far from Albany, where he profited by such educational opportunities as the time and place offered. As he reached adult age he felt it wise to take advantage of the broader business oppor- tunities offered in the city and went to Albany, where he soon secured employment in a large dry-goods house, but a laudable ambition prompted him to engage in business for himself and when he had saved from his earnings sufficient capital to purchase a small stock he joined with a partner in establishing and conducting a store. With hopes and fears, with anticipations and apprehensions, they opened their little mercantile enterprise but a few years later Mr. Myers perfected plans that led to his removal to the middle west. His partner had already preceded him and they again engaged in business together, opening and conducting a store at Akron, Ohio. They again began handling dry goods but within a very short time changed their field of labor to the manufacture of stoves.
Always appreciative of opportunity, Mr. Myers recognized the advantages that might accrue from a removal to Cleveland, which was then a small but substantial and developing town. He came to this city in 1859 and for more than thirty-eight years resided within its borders. He established himself in business here and throughout that period maintained an unsullied reputation for commercial integ- rity and progressive methods. As the years passed he became recog- nized as a factor in financial circles and was one of the original direc-
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tors of the Savings & Trust Company, organized in 1883. He re- mained in that connection with the bank until his death and was a member of the fianance committee for many years. In fact he was widely trusted in financial relations, had a wide acquaintance among men of business and accomplished a definite work both as a business man and a citizen.
In 1843, when twenty-three years of age, Mr. Myers was married to Miss Hannah Mary Osborn, of Albany, a lady beautiful both in person and character. They dwelt together in that harmony which constitutes an ideal married relation, congenial in their tastes and at all times at one in their interests, until Mrs. Myers was called to the home beyond in 1883. In 1886 he married Mrs. C. A. Austin, of Akron, Ohio, with whom he lived until his death four years later. He left two surviving children, Mrs. Nathaniel Schneider and Harry E. Myers, both of whom reside in Cleveland.
Through his entire life his church was one of Mr. Myer's chief interests, having identified himself with the First Baptist church upon making Cleveland his home. In that organization he held various offices, being a deacon for a long term of years and in fact up to the time of his death. The last years of his life were comparatively free from all business cares. He had an office in the Savings & Trust building, now the Citizens Savings & Trust, and there spent much of his time among the friends to whom he was very devoted. A friend who knew him intimately summed up his life as one conspicuous in fidelity to the best that he knew, adding also that he possessed an old fashioned courtesy and was thoughtful and chivalrous to all with whom he came in contact. On the 20th of February, 1898, Ralph Pratt Myers passed away, confident in the hope of another and better existence "farther on."
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Twin G. Gunthery
Ermin G. Buthery
E RWIN G. GUTHERY, one of the younger members of the Cleveland bar, entered upon the practice of law in 1902. He is senior member of the firm of Guthery & Guthery, composed of himself and his brother, Bernard J. Guthery, with offices at 1201 Citizens building. The firm enjoys an excellent reputation and has built up a clean, substantial civil practice. Although en- gaged in general practice, they are making a specialty of corporation law. Mr. Guthery is resident vice president and counsel for The American Fidelity Company, of Montpelier, Vermont, and an officer and director in several corporations.
The Guthery family in this country came from Scotland and traces its lineage to the proud owner of Guthrie Castle, a stopping- place for the royalty of its day. The family is of Scotch-Irish descent, and only part of that branch of the family to which Mr. Guthery belongs has dropped the Scotch spelling of the name. Colonel John Guthery was brought to this country in childhood and reared on his father's farm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He served in the Revolu- tionary war and the war of 1812, ranking as colonel. In 1797, he came to Ohio with his four sons and founded the town of Piketon, Pike county, Ohio, where a monument is now erected to his memory. Besides an agriculturist, he was a contractor of wide reputation, having built the first Ohio state house at Chillicothe, Ohio. Joseph D. Guthery, one of the four sons of Colonel John Guthery, and Mr. Guthery's great-grandfather, was one of the early settlers of Pennsyl- vania. He was engaged in the produce business, and rafted his pro- duce down the Ohio river, thence by the Mississippi to New Orleans. He continued in this business until the year 1826, when he invested all his money in a raftload of produce and the same was lost en route to New Orleans. This misfortune left him penniless and in debt. He then removed with his family to Marion county and settled upon a small tract of land. Here the family cow was taken on execution,
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but he finally paid all his debts and at his death left his family in moderate circumstances. John D. Guthery, a son and the paternal grandfather, continued as an agriculturist after the death of his father. He died in 1903 at the age of eighty-four years and was rated at his death as the largest stock raiser and landowner in Marion county, Ohio. He was active in politics, a stanch democrat, served as state represenattive for two years and held many offices of trust in his town and township.
Joseph D. Guthery, the father, was born at La Rue, Ohio, March II, 1854, and now resides in Marion, Ohio. He has made a com- fortable fortune, principally in farming and stock raising, and is now living in retirement, although giving active superintendence to his agricultural and other interests. He is active in democratic circles and has held some minor political offices. He married Mary E. Wol- ford thirty-three years ago at Green Camp, Ohio, who now enjoys his retirement with him. She is a woman of strong convictions and splendid common sense, a devoted mother, and has considerable ar- tistic ability.
Erwin G. Guthery received his early education in a country school about a mile from his home and at the age of thirteen entered the La Rue high school, from which he was graduated three years later. He then entered the Ohio Wesleyan University in the fall of 1895, graduating with the class of 1900 and receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, college fraternities. While in college, Mr. Guthery met Miss Anna Bragg ,a daughter of Henry E. Bragg, of St. Joseph, Missouri, of the class of 1899, whom he married June 23, 1902. They have one daughter, Katharine.
After leaving college, Mr. Guthery entered the law offices of his uncle at Marion, Ohio, where he studied for six months. He then came to Cleveland and continued his studies in the offices of Brewer, Cook & McGowan, where he held a clerkship for two years. He then took the examination for the bar in 1902, winning first honors. In January, 1903, he opened an office in the Citizens building, and has been engaged in the general practice of law since that time. The present partnership with his brother was formed January 15, 1907.
In politics Mr. Guthery is a republican and was appointed solici- tor of the village of Lakewood in January, 1910. He is a member of the Tippecanoe Club and takes an active interest in all political issues. He is a member of the Lakewood Methodist Episcopal church and the Young Men's Christian Association and also belonged to Lake- wood Lodge, No. 601, A. F. & A. M. He is much in demand as a public speaker and has a forceful and convincing manner of address.
Very sincerely Abner Royce
Abner Royce
T HE interests and cooperation of Abner Royce touched so many lines of activity and usefulness as to make his record one of great worth to Cleveland. His sympa- thy reached out to all mankind and found expression in the tangible aid which he gave to others in private life or in public affairs.
He was born in a little log cabin on the shores of Lake Champlain the 23d of June, 1839. His ancestry extended back through the early period of the republic and through colonial days to Robert Royce, who in 1630 landed at Boston. In his life were manifest many of the sturdy and sterling characteristics of this New England ancestry, and his early experiences were those of the farmer and frontiersman whose opportunities were limited owing to the isolation of families in a sparsely settled district.
His early education was acquired in a log schoolhouse and with a desire for better opportunities than he had already received he later engaged in teaching in the district schools to secure funds sufficient for the continuation of his studies, this ambition being realized at Baldwin University.
His removal to the west occurred in 1845, when his parents brought their family to Ohio, settling in Crawford county, where he remained until after the outbreak of the Civil war. Constrained by a spirit of patriotism, he offered his services to the government but remained with the Union army as a member of the Fifty-fifth Ohio regiment for less than a year, being discharged on account of ill health.
Following his return to the north, Mr. Royce was married in 1863 to Miss Henrietta L. Knapp. In the year following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Royce located in Cleveland when Mr. Royce became associated with S. E. Stone in the life insurance business. Some years were devoted to that undertaking and then, branching out into other fields, he commenced the manufacture of flavoring extracts on a small scale in 1879. The new venture proved profitable and with the
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growth of the business he extended its scope to include the manufac- ture of perfumes and toilet articles, and with the passing years this undertaking grew to be one of the city's foremost productive in- dustries.
In time the business was reorganized and incorporated as The Abner Royce Company, with the subject of this review as its presi- dent and chief executive head. Since his demise the enterprise has been successfully continued and its ramifying trade interests have made it known throughout the entire country.
The nature of Mr. Royce was by no means a self-centered one. Few men have so fully realized the obligations of wealth or have been more mindful of their responsibilities to their fellowmen. His nature was essentially charitable and kindly, and he rejoiced in the oppor- tunity of doing good to others. He held membership in the Epworth Memorial church and through its different lines of activity improved the chances of assisting his fellow travelers on life's journey. He was also in thorough sympathy with the beneficent principle of the Ma- sonic fraternity and was an enthusiastic member of Forest City Lodge, F. & A. M .; Webb Chapter, R. A. M .; Cleveland Council, R. & S. M .; Oriental Commandery, K. T .; Lake Erie Consistory, S. P. R. S .; and Pearl Chapter, O. E. S. He had the unqualified regard and love of his brethren of the craft and he was equally popular and honored in Memorial Post, G. A. R., in which he held membership and in Cleveland Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. It has been said of him, "A bright touch of kindliness marked his ,every act" and that, "In the city's business growth, in its religious activities, and its development in the spirit of fraternity he had been a constant, unfaltering laborer, bearing an honored part."
Mr. and Mrs. Royce became the parents of a daughter and son, Mrs. W. H. Hyde and W. D. Royce. To his family Mr. Royce dis- played the utmost devotion, considering no sacrifice nor effort on his part too great if it would enhance the welfare of those of his own household.
He passed away December 2, 1903, at the age of sixty-seven years, leaving to his family the rich reward of well directed labor, but more than that, the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. Those who knew him best and were most familiar with his nature, rich in its kindly sympathy and generous spirit, may well echo the words:
"He was a man. Take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again !"
ARStatek
henry Reynolds patch
T HE subjective and objective forces of life have ever been in Henry R. Hatch well balanced, making him cognizant of his own capabilities and powers, while at the same time he thoroughly understands his op- portunities and his obligations. To make his native powers subserve the demands which conditions of society impose at the present time is the purpose of his life and by reason of the mature judgment which continuously characterizes his efforts, he stands today as a splendid representative of the merchant and capitalist to whom business is but one phase of existence and does not exclude his active participation in and support of the other vital interests which go to make up human life. Mr. Hatch is descended from two of the old families of New England. His father, Abijah Hatch, was born at Highgate, Vermont, and, having arrived at years of maturity, wedded Abigail Lyon, who was born in Charlotte, Ver- mont, and was a daughter of the Rev. Asa Lyon, who represented his district in congress for two years and was long prominent in the work of the ministry. Their son, Henry R. Hatch, was born at Grand Isle, Vermont, October 8, 1831, and his youthful days were passed on his father's farm until he attained his fifteenth year, when he se- cured a situation in the mercantile establishment of John Brown at North Hero, Vermont. From early childhood it was his desire to enter commercial circles but he did not find his first position a desir- able one and returned to the farm, where he continued for two years longer but never put aside his ambition to enter mercantile life. He made his next essay of that character as an employe in the store of C. F. Staniford at Burlington, Vermont, but promised his father to return to assist him during the busy seasons on the farm as a compen- sation for time, as he had not yet attained his majority. During the year spent with Mr. Staniford he received his board and forty dollars. The next year was an advance in his business career, as in the employ of S. L. Herrick, a dry-goods merchant of Burlington, Vermont, he
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