USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Cleveland, Ohio, pictorial and biographical. De luxe supplement, Volume II > Part 9
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On the 5th of March, 1891, Judge Henry was admitted to the Ohio bar and at once entered upon active practice. In the fall of that year he accepted a clerical position in the law office of Web- ster & Angell, with whom he continued for a year and a half, after which he was with Lamprecht Brothers & Company, conducting a banking and investment security business. He acted as office at- torney for the firm for a year and a half and at the same time en- gaged in general practice. In 1894 he was examiner of claims for the Fidelity & Casualty Company of New York and also engaged in general practice. In 1897 he formed a partnership with Louis H. Winch, now of the circuit bench, and John A. Thompson, under the firm style of Winch, Henry & Thompson, this relation being maintained until 1898, when he became a partner in the firm of Ford, Henry, Baldwin & McGraw. Changes in partnership oc- curred from time to time, leading to the adoption of the firm style
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Judge Frederick Augustus Henry
of Ford, Snyder, Henry & McGraw, while later Mr. McGraw withdrew and in November, 1904, Judge Henry was elected to the circuit bench, taking his seat on the 9th of February, 1905. In 1902 he was nominated by the republican party for the common pleas bench but declined to become a candidate. His present term of office covers six years. He has great respect for the dignity of judicial procedure and no man ever presided in a court with more respect for decorum than has Judge Henry. As a result of that per- sonal characteristic the proceedings were always orderly upon the part of every one-audience, court and the officers from the highest to the lowest. His opinions are fine specimens of judicial thought, always clear, logical and as brief as the character of the case will permit. He never enlarges beyond the necessities of the legal thought in order to indulge in the draperies of literature. His mind during the entire period of his course at the bar and on the bench has been directed in the lines of his profession and his duty. He has been professor of law in the Western Reserve University Law School.
Ever deeply interested in the cause of education he is now presi- dent of the board of trustees of Hiram College, which position his father previously occupied, while his maternal grandfather was one of the founders of the school at which James A. Garfield applied for a position as janitor in order to pay his tuition and was given the place-a fact which has been immortalized in poetic form in a poem entitled "Garfield Rang The Bells of Hiram." Judge Henry has had much to do with the upbuilding of Hiram College, taking conspicuous part in furthering its interests. Shortly after his graduation from the Michigan University he was offered the position of instructor in economics in that institution but refused to accept. He would have served under Henry Carter Adams, now statistician of the Inter State Commerce Commission. He was also offered a professorship in law in the University of Michigan but he preferred to continue in the life work for which he had prepared and in which he has since attained to high and honorable position.
On the 25th of January, 1893, Judge Henry was married to Miss Louise Adams, a daughter of Levi T. and Charlotte D. (Clair) Adams, of East Smithfield, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where she was born October 23, 1868. She was graduated with the Bache- lor of Philosophy degree in 1890 from Hiram College, where she became acquainted with her future husband. She is the eighth in descent from George Adams, of Watertown, Massachusetts, 1645, the line being George, George, John, Ahijah, Ahijah, Caleb, Levi T. and Louise. The family was established in New England at a
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pioneer epoch in colonial days. Unto Judge and Mrs. Henry have been born four children, Marcia Louise, Charles Adams, Charlotte Sophia and Margaret Rhoda, the first named being now in the sec- ond year in the Central high school.
Judge Henry is a member of the Phi Delta Phi, a legal fra- ternity of the University of Michigan. He also belongs to the University Club, of which he has been a trustee, the Union Club, the New England Society and the New England Historic & Genealogi- cal Society. He is also connected with The Old Northwest Genea- logical Society and belongs to the Tippecanoe and Western Reserve Clubs, both republican organizations. He has always been a stal- wart republican in his political belief and was active in the work of the party before going on the bench. Never neglectful of the higher, holier duties of life, he holds membership in the Euclid Avenue Christian church, of which he is one of the elders and for several terms chairman of the official board. He takes an active and helpful part in the church work and is also one of the trustees of the Young Men's Christian Association. Judge Henry is a man of scholarly attainments, whose thoughtful consideration of vital questions has enabled him to place correct valuation on life's con- tacts and purposes. He has always stood for that which is best in citizenship and in manhood and is today one of the most honored representatives of the Cleveland bar.
Warren Farr
Warren Farr
W ARREN FARR, founder and promoter of the Farr Brick Company, one of the most extensive produc- tive industries of the city, in the course of an active career made steady and consecutive progress which brought him from a humble position in the business world to one of prominence. He was born in Me- dina county, Ohio, in 1845. His father, Thomas Jefferson Farr, was a native of the state of New York, whence he removed to Pennsyl- vania and later to Ohio. He married Sarah Korecky, and, establish- ing their home in Medina county, Ohio, they there reared their fam- ily, Warren Farr pursuing his education in the public schools.
In 1873 he arrived in Cleveland where he believed that a large city offered better opportunities than he could secure in his home county. A seminary education constituted the foundation for his progress in the business world and before his removal to Cleveland he engaged in teaching school. After reaching this city he acted as assistant market superintendent of both the east and west side mar- kets, filling the position most efficiently. He then took the contract for cleaning the streets of the city and doing teaming by contract. He made arrangements to do the teaming for the Cleveland Sawmill & Lumber Company for a time and was engaged in the sewer con- tracting business at a later date.
As he needed brick for the work on paving contracts which were awarded him, his attention was naturally directed to the business op- portunities furnished in the line of brick manufacture and he pur- chased a small brickyard of Mr. Gillmore. He began to make brick on a limited scale but thereby laid the foundation for the immense business of the Farr Brick Company. He devoted the remainder of his life to brick manufacture. His early output was about fifteen thousand bricks per day but later he enlarged the capacity of the plant to thirty thousand per day and since his sons have come into the ownership of the business the capacity has been further increased
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Warren Farr
until it is now capable of turning out one hundred thousand daily, the capacity being about thirty million brick annually. The plant is located at the foot of Reeves avenue and is equipped with all modern machinery for the conduct of the business. Mr. Farr gave close study to the opportunities of the trade as well as to the processes of manufacture and the best methods of introducing his product to the market and as the years passed on he won substantial success, bring- ing him to a prominent position among the representatives of in- dustrial life in Cleveland.
Mr. Farr was married in Medina county to Miss Mary Ann Nye, who survives him, and unto them were born four children: Mrs. Ida M. Williams, now of Vancouver; Mrs. Agnes N. Stark- weather; and Herbert J. and Ernest W., who are carrying on the business established by their father. Herbert J. married Florence E. Barney and has two children, Ruth A. and Herbert J., Jr. Ernest W. married Zetta A. Wightman.
Mr. Farr was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and also of the Foresters. In politics he was an active republi- can and frequently a delegate to conventions, while in local political circles he exercised considerable influence, his opinions carrying weight in the councils of his party. He held membership in the Methodist church and was greatly interested in everything pertain- ing to the material, political, intellectual, social and moral progress of the community. The end came when he passed away December 26, 1903. He was but in his prime and it seemed that his life's labors closed too suddenly, but in the fifty-eight years which were allotted to him he accomplished much in a business way and was, moreover, a prominent factor in the moral progress of the community by rea- son of an honorable, upright life.
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Tired Changer
Ar. and Mrs. F. J. Langer
1 N a history of the successful mercantile interests of Cleveland it is imperative that mention be made, if the record be complete, of Fred J. and Mary E. Langer, who have directed their business ability and artistic perceptions into a channel which has brought them success, for the Langer millinery establishment is widely known throughout the country and is recognized by con- noisseurs of fashion and art to be unexcelled. This enterprise was a success from its inception and has enjoyed a continually growing patronage. It was the first store to open in the Colonial arcade, where since February, 1898, they have been located.
Mrs. Langer is the eldest of six sisters and one brother and is the only one of a family in whom business qualities were developed. Her father, Adam Eyerdam, following the death of the only son, Adam, Jr., wished that his daughter Mary should become the business head of the family and to this end gave her such training and instruction as should develop in her executive force and commercial qualities. The father was born in Germany in 1848 and after coming to the United States wedded Miss Mary Richner. He met with a sub- stantial measure of success during his residence in Cleveland, be- coming the owner of a beautiful apartment building in the east end and other interests. As is too frequent the case, when the time came that he might enjoy the fruits of his labors and the companionship of a happy family, he was called to the home beyond, passing away on the 26th of June, 1908. He left his widow lonely but well pro- vided for. His daughter Mary, whom he had trained in many of the ways of business, was only fifteen years of age when she became connected with the millinery trade in the employ of Mrs. Shaw. She has been continuously engaged in the millinery business since that time and is not only one of the most popular representatives of the trade in the city but has the reputation of carrying the most ar- tistic, beautiful and attractive line of goods in Cleveland. Her pa-
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Mr. and Mrs. F. F. Langer
trons include not only the best families of this city but of the state as well. Her conscientious methods of conducting business, as well as her skill in introducing artistic millinery ideas, have won for her a fame and reputation second to none in this line. At times an occasional customer, in order to avoid a three or four hours' wait, has drifted away but only to return to her establishment in order to find just that production in millinery which is most to be desired, and it is seldom, if ever, that a customer once secured does not remain as a patron always.
Mr. Langer was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1868, and is a son of Franz Langer, who was a successful manufacturer of that country. To fulfill a promise made to his wife when she was upon her death bed he brought his family to America in order that the sons might avoid compulsory military service and have a chance in this new and free country to develop their latent talents in the field of industrial, commercial or professional activity. True to his promise Mr. Langer sacrificed his business interests, although this was to his dis- advantage financially, and came to the United States, settling in Cleveland in 1872. He brought with him his two sons, Frank and Fred J., and two daughters, Mary and Frances, the last named being now the wife of Anton Doering, of this city. In spite of his father's efforts Frank Langer, the elder son, enlisted in the regular United States Army soon after his arrival in the new world. He served faithfully and bravely and after three years was honorably dis- charged and given transportation home, but when upon his home- ward journey was drowned in the Missouri river at Yankton, South Dakota, and his remains were never recovered. The father, dis- tracted by his son's death, never afterward engaged in active busi- ness and, heartbroken, passed away in 1883.
Fred J. Langer attended the common schools of Cleveland and afterward worked his way through the Cleveland Spencerian Col- lege. He entered the business world in connection with the whole- sale millinery house of the Reed Brothers Company and there re- mained for twenty years, working his way steadily upward until suc- cessive promotions brought him to a prominent position in the busi- ness world. In 1896 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Eyerdam and in 1898 they established their millinery business in the Colonial arcade. Mrs. Langer has charge of the sales and trimming departments, while Mr. Langer gives his supervision to the business management, their carefully devised and executed plans bringing them gratifying and substantial success. Their establishment is to- day unexcelled in Cleveland and, in fact, largely sets the standard for millinery production in this city. Inventive genius is very pro-
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Ars. and Mrs. F. 3. Langer
nounced in Mr. Langer, he having invented and successfully marketed several very valuable millinery accessories which proved very bene- ficial to the trade, such as dyeing by spray, steaming, ironing and renovating all at the same instant, also a remarkable hygienic lung developer and many other valuable and interesting articles beneficial to all mankind.
Mr. Langer is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Forest City Lodge, Cleveland Chapter, Holyrood Commandery and Al Koran Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
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oseph Sherman Van De Boe
T HROWN upon his own resources at the age of twelve years, Joseph Sherman Van De Boe is today one of the most successful and prominent representatives of real-estate interests in Ohio, conducting business in Cleveland, Columbus and Buffalo, as president of the Van De Boe-Hager Company in the field of real-estate operations, while in the insurance line business is carried on under the style of Van De Boe, Hager & Company. It has often seemed that the biographer has rather emphasized the fact that because of one's lack of early advantages and of few opportunities, the individual wins success. Is it not, however, that he works his way upward in spite of these obstacles, calling forth every latent energy and power of his nature to overcome the difficulties and ob- stacles which are his because of his few advantages in youth? A self-reliant, enterprising and determined spirit has led Mr. Van De Boe to a prominent place in the business world, his record be- ing at all times creditable, while his success is most gratifying. A native of Cooperstown, New York, Mr. Van De Boe was born Jan- uary 2, 1859, on the trail of J. Fenimore Cooper. His father, John Leeland, also a native of the Empire state, was of Holland lineage, tracing his American ancestry back to one of the passengers on the first boatload of Dutch settlers that came to the new world, found- ing the colony on the Hudson river. J. L. Van De Boe was a far- mer by occupation. He, too, started out in life empty handed but became a large landowner and also engaged in the raising of fine horses. His death resulted from a runaway accident in 1865, when he was but forty-four years of age. His wife also passed away about the same time and thus Joseph S. Van De Boe was left an orphan at the early age of six years. He lived with his grandparents on a farm near Deposit, Delaware county, New York, until twelve years of age, when he left their home to start out in life on his own ac- count. For two months he was employed at farm labor at ten dol-
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Joseph Sherman Van De Boe
lars per month, but he felt this would not win him rapid advance- ment and he secured employment with a manufacturing drug con- cern at Andover, New York, with which he was connected for a year. He next went to Ulysses, Pennsylvania, and arranged to work in a country store mornings and evenings for his board, while dur- ing the periods of vacation he was to receive a salary. He there attended the Ulysses Academy until he was graduated at the age of sixteen years, after which he went to Poughkeepsie, New York, and pursued a commercial course in Eastman's Business College, then the largest institution of the kind in the country. He had come to realize the need and value of education and with characteristic spirit set to work to overcome the disadvantage under which he labored by lack of early school training. Upon finishing his course he returned to Potter county and accepted a clerkship in a country store and when eighteen years of age, at the request of the school board, he took charge of the school there, which he conducted with great success, receiving a higher salary than had ever previously been paid. He was urged to continue as teacher the following year but refused, for, ambitious to still extend his own education, he matriculated in Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Massachu- setts, where he remained until he completed the course.
At that time Mr. Van De Boe came to Ohio with the intention of reading law and entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, where he took up some special work. He was married about that time, being then twenty-two years of age, and this changed his plans, for his wife was suffering from pulmonary trouble and for the benefit of her health they went to Florida, where Mr. Van De Boe planted an orange grove and remained there in the cultiva- tion of citrus fruits for eight years. He also occupied a position as head bookkeeper and general manager of a wholesale and retail dry- goods and grocery house at Sanford for four years, after which he began merchandising on his own account, handling a line of fancy groceries. In that business he continued until 1887, when his store was destroyed by fire, leaving him in debt to start life anew.
Mr. Van De Boe then returned to the north, locating in Chi- cago, where he engaged in the general real-estate brokerage business for a year. He afterward became connected with a Boston real- estate firm, subdividing real-estate and removing to that city. He began with the firm at a salary of fifteen dollars per week and with- in ten months was made general manager at a salary of one hun- dred dollars per week and expenses, having charge of twenty-five offices throughout the country. In 1893 he resigned that position to engage in real-estate business on his own account, locating in Buf-
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Joseph Sherman Dan De Boe
falo, where he subdivided some property. In 1895 he formed a partnership with W. M. Hager and they came to Cleveland, where they established their present business, which they are now conduct- ing under the firm style of the Van De Boe-Hager Company, with Mr. Van De Boe as president. During the fourteen years in which they have operated here they have laid out thirteen subdivisions in Cleveland and also established a branch in Columbus, Ohio, in 1897, there laying out five subdivisions. They have enjoyed the patronage of more than eight thousand clients and have confined their busi- ness to purchasing and subdividing property exclusively. In 1905 they also organized the firm of Van De Boe, Hager & Company, which is devoted entirely to insurance of all kinds except life. Their clients in the real-estate field demanded their embarkation in insur- ance lines and in this they have been equally successful.
In December, 1881, in Lebanon, Ohio, Mr. Van De Boe was married to Miss Mary A. Wood, a daughter of John Wood, a con- tractor of Lebanon. They had one son, Hugh Robert, who was born in Sanford, Florida, October 14, 1885, and was educated in the Cleveland public schools, graduating from the Central high school. He then entered the United States Naval Academy at An- napolis, Maryland, from which he was graduated in 1909, and is now a lieutenant in the navy. He was married June 5, 1909, in An- napolis, to Miss Mary E. Scott, of Petersburg, Virginia, who be- longs to an old Virginian family. Mrs. J. S. Van De Boe died December 27, 1909, at Hong Kong, China, while on a visit to her son, who was then on a cruise in oriental waters.
Mr. Van De Boe is much interested in the city's welfare and progress along lines of general improvement and development and cooperates with the efforts of leading business men to promote pub- lic progress, especially through his membership in the Chamber of Commerce and the Cleveland Credit Men's Association. He is prominent in Masonry, having been initiated March 18, 1887, in Sanford Lodge, No. 62, F. & A. M., at Sanford, Florida. There he was raised as a Master Mason and is now a member of Tyrian Lodge, No. 370, F. & A. M. He became a Royal Arch Mason in Buffalo Chapter, No. 71, on the 15th of March, 1893, and was created a Knight Templar in Holyrood Commandery, No. 32, at Cleveland, May 10, 1899. He has held the various offices in the commandery and now enjoys the rank of past commander. He also attained the thirty-second degree in Lake Erie Consistory, S. P. R. S., October 27, 1899, and was constituted a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Al Koran Temple, May 25, 1899. He became a charter member of Al Sirat Grotto, No. 17, M. O. V. P. E. R., November
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Joseph Sherman Van De Boe
21, 1904, of which he is now monarch. He belongs also to the Cleveland Athletic Club and the Cleveland Automobile Club and in religious faith is an Episcopalian. Politically he is a republi- can, active to some extent in local politics but never seeking office. Avoiding sham and pretension, his genuine worth has nevertheless won him the merited regard and good will of his fellowmen, while his business record awakens their admiration and respect inasmuch as his advancement is due entirely to his own efforts, proving the strength of his character and of his business capacity.
N.S. Calloni
Retton S. Calhoun
T HE industries of Cleveland are immense and they are in the hands of capable, reliable, far-sighted men who understand how to keep up the prestige the city has gained as a commercial center. There are a number of concerns here that give employment to many and supply a wide territory with their prod- ucts. The men at the head of such enterprises have to possess more than average ability in order to meet the exacting demands of their positions. Such a man is Newton S. Calhoun, president and treas- urer of The Johnston & Jennings Company, conducting a foundry, machine shop and chemical plant.
Mr. Calhoun was born in Connecticut, February 12, 1855, a son of William F. and Almira (Tracy) Calhoun. The father was born in the same state, October 12, 1813, while the mother was born there in 1817. They spent their lives there, he dying in November, 1881, and she is 1895. The family early settled in Litchfield county, Connecticut, as far back as the seventeenth century, and on the paternal side was from Scotland.
Newton S. Calhoun was educated in the Suffield Academy in Connecticut and Brown University, of Providence, Rhode Island, from which he graduated with the degree of M. A. in 1879. On leaving school he taught for two years in the Providence high school and then studied law while teaching and during his vacations. For a year he was in Judge Tillinghast's office in Providence and left there in the fall of 1882 to come to Cleveland. Here he began the practice of law in January, 1883, in partnership with Alexander C. Caskey, which association continued until the death of the latter in 1904. In 1896 Mr. Calhoun was made treasurer of The Johnston & Jennings Company, of which he is now at the head, and at the time of his partner's death forsook the law to devote all of his time to the business. In 1905 he was made president and has since filled both offices. They have a branch factory in Chicago, and the ter-
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Retton S. Calhoun
ritory covered by them extends all over the country. They manu- facture special machinery for deisgning and building and have a number of their own patents. Mr. Calhoun is also vice president and treasurer of the Royal Tourist Car Company and is interested in a number of other enterprises. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is one of the representative men of the city.
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