USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Cleveland, Ohio, pictorial and biographical. De luxe supplement, Volume II > Part 22
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 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
Mr. Chisholm knew no such word as fail. His industry was un- tiring. In political affairs he took no part except to perform his duty as a good citizen. His heart was large. Nothing meritorious ap- pealed to him in vain. The religious and benevolent institutions of Cleveland missed his helping hand. To every institution of this kind he contributed liberally, and those engaged in charitable and philan- thropic enterprises learned to put assurance in his sympathy and sup- port. His employes were treated by him, after he had attained riches, in the same hearty, genial manner which had characterized his rela- tions toward them when his income was small. They were sure of his rectitude of action. He was accessible to the humblest workmen in his mills and they entertained for him high esteem. They looked upon him as belonging to their own class and as having simply been more fortunate than they. He was a man of strong domestic attach- ments and loved to be at home, surrounded by his family and friends. He was a trustee or director of four of the charitable institutions of the city and for twenty years was an active member of the Second Baptist church of Cleveland. He was a heavy stockholder in several banking and manufacturing institutions.
Before leaving Scotland Mr. Chisholm was married to Miss Jean Allen, of Dunfermline, Fifeshire. He had three sons and two daugh- ters. The oldest son, William Chisholm, was a thorough and ener- getic business man, full of life and energy, and took his father's place in the Cleveland rolling mill. He was for seventeen years vice presi- dent and general manager of the Union Rolling Mill Company at Chicago. When that was sold out he came back to Cleveland and for a year before his father's death acted as his general assistant, reliev- ing him of many cares. He later became president and director of
424
Henry Chisholm
the Cleveland Rolling Mill Company, but is now deceased. Stew- art H. Chisholm, the second son, is mentioned on another page of this work. Wilson B. Chisholm, the third son, is one of the represen- tative citizens of Cleveland. The two daughters are Mrs. A. T. Os- borne and Mrs. C. B. Beach.
Henry Chisholm died May 9, 1881, after a short illness of three weeks. The news of his death affected the community like a blow. The men in his employment immediately stopped work and went to their homes. They could not go on. The societies with which he was connected passed appropriate resolutions, the works were closed down, and the community felt that one of their best men had been taken from them. He was a man of great power, but above all of love for his fellowmen, and as such is regretted.
fell Nicholas
Fred Al. Richolas
F RED M. NICHOLAS, who through the years of an active business career was a forceful factor in the man- agement and successful control of various important business enterprises and is still financially interested in many large and profitable business projects al- though now living practically retired in the city of Cleveland, was born in Vermilion, Erie county, Ohio, in 1855. His father, Isaac W. Nicholas, was a native of Vermont but came to Ohio in 1828, settling at Vermilion, where he engaged in shipbuild- ing until his retirement in 1875. He built the first three-masted schooner on the lakes and was one of the best known vessel builders on the inland waters. His death occurred in Cleveland in 1900, in which year his wife, a native of Ohio, also passed away.
Fred M. Nicholas attended the common schools of Vermilion and also the Central high school of Cleveland, from which he was graduated in the class of 1874. On the completion of his school days he became connected with the Republican Refining Oil Com- pany, which was absorbed by the Standard Oil Company in 1879. Although a part of the great corporation, the former retained its or- ganic existence and Mr. Nicholas remained therewith until 1881, when he was transferred to No. I Works of the Standard Oil Com- pany, having charge of the barrel preparing, shipping, glue manu- facture and paint and color works departments until 1886. In that year his business standing and ability secured him a flattering offer and he became identified with the McConway, Torley Company, of Pittsburg, now the Malleable Iron Company of Pittsburg, as its treasurer. He continued in that position for two years and is still financially interested in the business. As the years passed on he ex- tended the scope of his activities, his ability bringing him into impor- tant business relations. He became one of the organizers of the National Safe & Lock Company, of Cleveland, and acted as its secre- tary for four years. He is also interested in the Nicholas Transit
427
428
Fred A. nicholas
Company, the Minch Transit Company, the Bradley Fleet Ore and Grain Carriers, the American Ship Building Company and others of equal importance, his ripe judgment and wide experience serving to make his aid a valuable asset to any concern. In 1892, however, Mr. Nicholas decided to put aside some of the more engrossing activities that had hitherto crowded his busy life and in the years which have since come and gone has practically lived retired.
In 1880 occurred the marriage of Mr. Nicholas and Miss Jennie M. Hopper, a daughter of George H. Hopper. They have one child, Marjorie, who was a student in the Hathaway-Brown school and is now attending Mrs. Dow's school at Briarcliff Manor, New York. Mr. Nicholas owns one of the finest country estates in northern Ohio- Broadfields, located at Unionville, Lake county, and adjoining Elm- wood, the celebrated country home of the Hopper family. Broad- fields was selected for representation in "One Hundred Country Houses" which were chosen as modern American examples of such structures, the volume being issued by the Century Company in 1909. Mr. Nicholas may well be proud of this magnificent estate. It is lacking in none of the equipments which constitute features of a most progressive and thoroughly modern country estate. Upon it is to be found the second best apple orchard in Ohio, the best private golf course in the state, while a trout stream was stocked by the government with ten thousand trout. His stables are filled with splendid speci- mens of work horses as well as fine driving stock. There is a large aviary and in fact no equipment of the modern country place is lack- ing. The friends of the proprietor call him "Farmer Nicholas" and the title is a pleasing one to him, for he delights in working his own land.
Mr. Nicholas is identified with the leading clubs and social organ- izations of Cleveland, including the Euclid, Roadside, Hermit, Cleve- land Automobile and Cleveland Singers Clubs. He also belongs to the Lambs Clubs of New York city and the Ohio Society of New York and was a member of the old Gatling Gun Battery of Cleveland. Mr. Nicholas is not only a high type of the modern agriculturist and a splendid representative of the astute, keen business men who have made Cleveland an important commercial and industrial center, but also possesses talents along other lines which would probably have won him fame had he been compelled to rely upon them for support. He is a singer of more than local renown, possessing a remarkably fine voice and his musical talent is often used in church and charitable entertainments ; otherwise it is cultivated only for the pleasure of him- self and friends. It sometimes seems a pity that such talent as his should be hidden beneath "the bushel" of business cares, yet he never
429
Fred M. nicholas
refuses his aid when his musical ability is sought for the benefit of some worthy charity or benevolence, or for the delight of his friends. Mr. Nicholas moreover possesses marked histrionic knowledge and ability, delights in high class stage performances, would make an ex- cellent actor and frequently takes part in amateur theatricals. For many years he has had charge of the music of the Church of the Holy City, of which he and his family are members, and the musical service rendered upon special occasions had hardly an equal in choir work in other cities.
It is seldom that a man is so richly endowed as Mr. Nicholas and his versatility makes him a welcome companion in all social circles. As has been indicated, his enterprise, ready recognition of possibilities, thorough understanding of the needs of business and indefatigable energy made his a strenuous yet a resultant business career, many im- portant commercial and industrial projects profiting by the impetus gained through his cooperation. He retired from those fields to be- come an equally dominant factor in agricultural circles. His personal activities have not ceased because of his withdrawal from commercial life, for his time is occupied to the fullest extent and his influence is strongly felt in local matters. The circle of his friends has been con- tinually increasing as the circle of his acquaintance has broadened and it would be difficult to find a more popular or highly respected man than the genial, courteous gentleman who is the proprietor of Broadfields.
Henry P. AlcIntosh
C LEVELAND with its pulsing industrial and commer- cial activities is constantly drawing to it men of busi- ness enterprise, while the native sons of the city recog- nize its opportunities and, retaining their residence within its borders, achieve success if they have but the determination and energy to overcome obstacles and utilize the chances which are offered to all. There was nothing at the outset of his career to indicate that Henry P. McIntosh would gain a place among the competent representatives of financial interests in Cleveland, but as the years have passed his persistency of purpose, coordination of forces and power of bringing seemingly diverse in- terests into unity, have won for him continuous advancement until he is now widely known as the president of the Guardian Savings & Trust Company. He was born in Cleveland, October 27, 1846, and in his life has displayed many of the sterling characteristics of his Scotch ancestry. His father, Alexander McIntosh, was a native of Auldearn, Scotland, and on coming to America in 1835 settled first at Astoria, Long Island, where he engaged in the nursery business. After five years he removed to Ohio and in 1843 came to Cleveland, where he also established a nursery. As the years passed he developed a profit- able business in that connection and moreover was active in city gov- ernment, serving for some time as a member of the council, during which period he exercised his official prerogatives in such a manner that the public welfare was conserved thereby. He was long a mem- ber of the old Cleveland board of improvement and was in hearty sympathy with each project of practical use in advancing Cleveland's interests. He married Agnes Nicol, a daughter of Alexander Nicol, of the north of Scotland, in which district the wedding was celebrated, their voyage to the United States constituting their wedding journey. They became the parents of eight children: Eliza, Agnes and Eliza- beth, all now deceased; Margaret, the wife of R. W. Teeters, of
433
434
Denry P. AcIntosh
Alliance, Ohio; John, who passed away; Alexander, of New York city; George T .; and Henry P.
The last named was a pupil in the Cleveland public schools and when his school days were over he took up the study of telegraphy and was employed with the Cleveland & Erie Railway Company. In 1868 he turned his attention to the banking business in Alliance, act- ing as bookkeeper. There he remained until 1876, after which he returned to Cleveland and entered the employ of the Hon. H. B. Payne and Colonel O. H. Payne, remaining as manager of their properties until 1899, when he became associated with the Guardian Savings & Trust Company as president. He is now concentrating his attention upon executive management and administrative direction and his keen insight and ready solution of financial problems constitute im- portant and forceful elements in his success and business progress.
On the 19th of January, 1871, Mr. McIntosh was married to Miss Olive Manfull, a daughter of C. C. and Hannah J. (Shourds) Man- full. Their children are six in number: Ralph, now deceased; Fannie, the wife of John Sherwin, president of the First National Bank of Cleveland; Alexandrine, the wife of Robert D. Beatty ; Olive Marie, the wife of Edwin H. Brown; Henry Payne, who is assistant manager of the real-estate department of the Guardian Savings & Trust Company; and John Manfull. The family resides at No. 7341 Euclid avenue. Both Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh hold membership in the Calvary Presbyterian church, of which he is a trustee. Mrs. Mc- Intosh also takes an active and helpful interest in church and chari- table work and is especially interested in the Home for Aged Women, of which she is a trustee. Mr. McIntosh belongs to the Country, Euclid, Union and Rowfant Clubs and is popular among his associates in those organizations. He is a member of the American Bankers' Association and president of the trust company section of that organ- ization. He also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce. In fraternal relations he is a prominent Mason, having taken the thirty-third de- gree and is a past grand commander of the Knights Templar of Ohio. In politics he is a democrat where national questions are involved but locally votes without regard to party ties. He has never sought nor desired public office but feels a hearty concern for the public welfare and has been helpful in bringing about those purifying and wholesome reforms which have been gradually growing in the political, munic- ipal and social life of the city.
6 lange ml. Edward Son
George Mountain Comondson
G EORGE MOUNTAIN EDMONDSON, inheriting artistic taste from his father, began the study and prac- tice of photography at the early age of fourteen. He is now recognized as the leading portrait photogra- pher of Cleveland, devoting his life to that profession which is not only a source of intense interest to him but has rewarded his perseverance and patience in following it on to its higher planes by marked material benefits.
Mr. Edmondson was born in Norwalk, Ohio, August 23, 1866. His grandfather, George Edmondson, was the proprietor and presi- dent of Queenwood College in England. His son George W. Ed- mondson, father of George M. Edmondson, was born in that country and was educated in his father's college. In 1865 he came to America, settling in Norwalk, Ohio, where he became well known as a photog- rapher. In 1889 he removed to Cleveland, where he is still engaged in business at the age of seventy-three years, doing excellent work in unexplored fields of the photographic profession.
George M. Edmondson pursued his education in the public schools of Norwalk and at the age of fourteen took up the study of photogra- phy, to which he devoted his attention during the vacation periods. After leaving school he worked for his father for a short time and in 1887 came to Cleveland at the request of James F. Ryder to become assistant operator in the Superior street studio of that veteran of the profession. It was here that his knowledge of enlarging on the then new bromide paper won for Mr. Ryder several prizes in friendly rivalry with other brothers of the craft. After a year and a half Mr. Edmondson joined the forces at the old Decker & Wilbur studio in the Gaylord residence on Euclid avenue. After the firm dissolved partnership, Mr. Wilbur retiring, Mr. Edmondson remained with Mr. Decker, and after six years was taken into partnership, the busi- ness being conducted under the name of the Decker Studio. Six years later Mr. Edmondson succeeded to the business and soon afterward,
437
438
George Mountain Comonoson
enlarging his facilities, removed to No. 1822 Euclid avenue, his pres- ent quarters. This is a residence studio, the whole building being needed to accommodate his growing business. He has recently secured a studio in the residence section of Euclid avenue, No. 2362, into which he will move as soon as the extensive alterations necessary for his accommodation are completed. He has concentrated his atten- tion chiefly on portrait photography, for which he has received numerous medals and awards, and has ever been in advance in intro- ducing in his studio work the latest discoveries in his art. Especially noticeable was his demonstration in color photography and his won- derful success in the almost-science of home portraiture. He has been elected to the presidency of the Photographers Association of Ohio and in 1902 was chosen president of the Photographers Association of America. He is now secretary and treasurer of the Professional Pho- tographers Society of Ohio and is also a member of the Professional Photographers Society of New York. He belongs, moreover, to the Chamber of Commerce, to the Lakewood Yacht Club, the Cleveland Athletic Club and to the Unitarian church. He is a man of broad- minded and liberal views on all questions.
..
....
alonzo W Enyves
Alonzo Mitchell Snyder
A LONZO MITCHELL SNYDER, attorney at law of the firm of Ford, Snyder & Tilden, who though engaged in general practice are making a specialty of corporation law, was born in Morrow county, Ohio, July 23, 1865. The family is of German lineage and was established in America by his grandfather, Michael Snyder, who was born at Darmstadt, Germany, and on com- ing to the United States settled in Pennsylvania, where he spent a few years. He then removed to Ohio, taking up his abode on a farm near Mansfield.
His son, George Snyder, the father of Alonzo M. Snyder, was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1835, and is now living in Galion, Ohio. When a young man, however, he removed from the Keystone state to Mansfield, Ohio, afterward becoming a resident of Galion. He had been locally prominent in political cir- cles, serving as a member of the board of education and as a member of the city council of Galion, while at the present time he is a member of the board of tax review. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his elections have indicated his personal popu- larity and the confidence reposed in him, for he lives in a democratic city. His business connection has been along mercantile and financial lines. He is very active in Masonic circles, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He married Harriet Mitchell, who was born in Morrow county, Ohio, January 10, 1840, and they became the parents of three sons, the brothers of our subject being: Frank J., who is engaged in the grocery business in Galion, Ohio, and is also president of the county board of elections; and Charles A., who is connected with the auditing department of a big steel manufacturing plant at Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Alonzo M. Snyder pursued his education in the Galion public schools, completing the course by graduation from the high school with the class of 1880. In Kenyon College he won his Bachelor of
441
442
Alonzo Mitchell Snyder
Arts degree as an alumnus of 1885 and also first honors, standing highest in a class of seventy, and in 1887 he completed the course in the Cincinnati Law School, at which time the Bachelor of Law degree was conferred upon him. He began practice in Galion and for a time was alone but afterward became a partner of Sylvester Price under the firm style of Price & Snyder. This was maintained until January, 1888, when his health failed and he went to California, there remain- ing until May, 1889. He then returned to Ohio and in October of the same year came to Cleveland. Here he entered into partnership with Harry L. Vail as a member of the firm of Vail & Snyder and so con- tinued until 1891, when he became associated with the firm of Squire Sanders & Dempsey. On the Ist of January, 1900, he became a part- ner in the firm of Ford, Snyder, Henry & McGraw, which relation was maintained for about five years, when Mr. McGraw withdrew and Mr. Henry went upon the circuit bench in 1905. The partner- ship was then maintained as Ford & Snyder until 1906, when they were joined by Judge Tilden, who had recently retired from the bench, forming the present law firm of Ford, Snyder & Tilden. While they engage in general practice their specialty is corporation law and they number among their clients many prominent business firms and houses of the city.
Mr. Snyder was married to Clara Brightman, a daughter of La- tham Brightman. His son, Gaylord Kenyon, is now attending Stan- ford University. Mr. Snyder is a republican in his political views and an Episcopalian in religous faith. He belongs to the Beta Theta Pi Greek letter society and to the Theta Nu Upsilon sophomore so- ciety in college. His social relations with Cleveland are represented in his connection with the Union, University and Colonial Clubs, and he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. For twenty years he has practiced at the bar of this city and is no less esteemed for his pro- fessional success and prominence than for his social qualities, which win for him a constantly broadening circle of friends.
henry Hammersley
HE life record of Henry Hammersley is a splendid T example of what perseverance, determination, energy and ability may accomplish. These are the qualities upon which he has builded his success and which have carried him into important business relations. He is now local treasurer of the Nickel Plate Railroad and through successive stages of promotion has worked his way upward to his present position of responsibility.
A native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, he comes of English lineage. His father, James Hammersley, was born in Northumber- landshire, England, about 1805, and was the son of a prominent land- owner. Becoming dissatisfied at home and being provided gener- ously with funds, he came to the United States when twenty-five years of age and purchased a large block of coal land in what is now North- umberland county, Pennsylvania, and also a plantation near Memphis, Tennessee. He likewise engaged in merchandising for a short time but abandoned that pursuit when his son Henry was four years of age, devoting his time to his real-estate interests, which were of consider- able magnitude for those days. He died in 1857 at the age of fifty- two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Davis, was born in Wales but was reared in England. Of her family history her son Henry knows but little. His elder brother, long since dead, gave the information that she came of an influential family and that her father was financially interested in the mining of tin in Wales and spent his time between the mines and London. Unto Mr. and Mrs. James Hammersley were born three sons and one daughter, of whom George Washington Hammersley of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, and Henry, of this review, are the only survivors.
The latter was educated in the public schools and in Western Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, but left the latter institution before his grad- uation, owing to a disagreement with his guardians, of whom there were two in addition to a trustee of the estate. He ran away from
445
446
Denry Dammersley
home and engaged as a cabin boy on the steamer Roebuck, a new boat built especially for the cotton trade and bound for the Yazoo and Big Sunflower rivers. He was then but fifteen years of age. In time he was advanced to the position of receiving clerk and remained on the river between four and five years, running in various trades on the Ohio, Mississippi, Cumberland, Tennessee and Yazoo rivers. His experience on the river was the most fascinating and romantic of his entire life, especially that on the lower Mississippi, when palatial steamers used to plow its waters. Railroading is tame when compared with steamboating of those days, for steamers were the scene of many brilliant festivities and because of their splendid equipment could well be termed "floating palaces."
When Mr. Hammersley retired from the river he returned home to lay claim to his share of the estate, much to the surprise of the execu- tors, who supposed that he was dead. He then studied bookkeeping and was graduated at the end of three months, completing the work that usually required six months. The books written by him then are still in his possession and are models of neatness. Making his way northward from Nashville, Tennessee, he engaged in the boat store business at Evansville, Indiana, but sold out in eighteen months. He was prominent and active in public interests in Evansville during that period and raised the first regular militia company in southern Indiana, known as the Evansville Rifles, in which he received the command from Governor James D. Williams. He also held the po- sition of deputy surveyor of customs, deputy surveyor port and deputy disbursing officer at Evansville, his commission being issued by Sec- retary John Sherman. As deputy he disbursed the money for build- ing a new postoffice and custom house at Evansville. After a year, however, he resigned to devote his entire time to private business in- terests. On disposing of his boat store in Evansville, he returned to Paducah, Kentucky, and for several years was engaged in the office of the Kanawha Salt Company. While with them he made for the home office at Charleston, Virginia, an account sales, using English and German text for a fancy heading with the body in neat backhand. The head office then wrote the agent at Paducah complimenting Mr. Hammersley on the work, stating that they had framed it and hung it up in the office. He next accepted a position at Evansville, Indiana, as chief accountant in the office of L. Ruffner, Jr., & Company, at that time one of the largest grain and commission houses in the south- west, one item of their yearly sales being ninety thousand barrels of salt, while their sales of grain, hay and flour were immense, their trade extending to Charleston, South Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, and other southern points. They were also pork packers and plow manu-
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.