USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > History of the city of Cleveland : its settlement, rise and progress > Part 29
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 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
452
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
Having earned and paid for his preparation for college, he decided to stay out the first year of his college course and teach. He taught a high school at Denmark, Maine, also at Lovelle Village and at Bridgeton Center, in Maine, and at the end of the year went back to college with money sufficient to pay his way for two years. He ranked as one of the best scholars in his class and was elected class poet. Having determined to make a permanent home in the great West, he decided at the close of his Soph- omore year to go to the University of Michigan. He went. there, and was at once admitted on presentation of his certificate of standing from Waterville College. Againfrom lack of funds he was obliged to teach for another year, and at the same time kept on with his studies at the univer- sity. He secured a position in one of the Union schools of Ann Arbor, and was examined at the close of each term in the university, thus keeping up his studies and earning sufficient money with which to carry him through the last two years of his college life. He graduated in 1858, and, on the recommendation of the faculty of the univer- sity, he was elected to the professorship of rhetoric and English literature in Kalamazoo College, Michigan. For three years he filled this position, and remembers those as the three best years of his student life. Mr. Holden had always desired a literary life, and the work of a college professor was especially pleasing and satisfactory.
In August, 1860, he married Miss Delia E. Bulkley, of Kalamazoo. The following year he was elected Superin- tendent of the Public Schools of Tiffin, Ohio, and accepted the position, filling the same for one year. While at Kala-
453
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
mazoo and in Tiffin he took up the study of law, and in 1862 came to Cleveland to finish his law studies, entering the office of Judge J. P. Bishop where he studied for a year and was admitted to the bar in 1863.
At this time the city of Cleveland had begun to grow rapidly and there seemed to be excellent opportunities for investment in real estate, and to this business instead of practicing law Mr. Holden devoted himself and was abun- dantly rewarded. He was one of the first to see the ad- vantages of East Cleveland and its great importance as a location for homes for the business men of Cleveland. He moved there and became identified with all its interests; was for nine years a member of the Board of Education of that village, and for eight years president of the Board. Under his administration the schools were classified, the High School building was erected, and everything that could be done by his influence to make life desirable and homes attractive in that portion of the city. Being largely interested in real estate, he was one of the first to move for the introduction of gas and water and to the general improvement of the streets, and was always sup- ported by the most enterprising citizens. He was the prime mover in the annexation of East Cleveland to the city of Cleveland.
In 1873 Mr. Holden became interested in iron mines in Lake Superior, and was manager of the Pittsburgh and Lake Angeline in 1873-74, and by his foresight that prop- erty was brought from a losing to a paying basis and made one of the most productive mines in that section of the country. In 1874 Mr. Holden became interested in
454
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
mines in Utah, near Salt Lake City. He made a thorough study of metallurgy and mining geology, and by his knowledge and personal energy built up a very extensive business. He developed what was known as the "Old Telegraph " group of mines, built large furnaces, concen- trating and leaching works, and became one of the largest operators in that section of the country. While he had always been successful as an operator in real estate in Cleveland and as a manager and owner of mines in Lake Superior, the bulk of his fortune was made out of the sil- ver mines in Utah. In 1882 he was sent as a delegate to Washington by the Utah Mine Protective Association to represent their interests before Congress. By his efforts more than by those of any other man the great mining interests of the West were saved from ruin, which would inevitably have come by the then proposed reduction of the tariff. In 1885 he was sent as a delegate to Wash- ington to the National Bi-Metallic Association, and was made chairman of its Executive Committee. Mr. Holden has spent a large proportion of his time since 1874 in Utah overlooking his business there. He never forgets that out of the schools and the training which the country had given to him were the sources of his happiness and prosperity, and therefore has always been willing to give of his time and money for the support of institutions of learning. He is now president of Salt Lake Academy, an institution which was started at his house and established by himself and his friends, and which to-day is doing a great and good work in the reformation of that country.
455
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
He is also a trustee of Adelbert College and Western Reserve University, and a member of many literary and charitable associations. Above all things he takes a deep interest in technical and manual training schools, believing that boys and girls should be trained to the love of labor, and to be producers instead of consumers in the world's economy. Mr. Holden has great faith in the future of Cleveland, and has shown himself willing to stake his for- tune and his work with its interests. He is president of the Plain Dealer Publishing Company and the controlling owner of its stock. It is well known that since his pur- chase of the Plain Dealer it has become the leading Demo- cratic paper of the State, and one of the best newspapers in the country. It has been understood that Mr. Holden intends to devote himself and his future life to the interests of. the Plain Dealer, at least as soon as he has completed certain undertakings in the more material line of business in which he is engaged. One of his enterprises, and one of great importance to the city of Cleveland, is the building of the Hollenden Hotel, which in design and construction will be unsurpassed by any hotel building in the country. Certainly it will be a credit to the city of Cleveland and to the builder. It is proper to remark here that the name of this house was selected by Mr. Holden, is the old name of his father's family as it stood in the Saxon times, and is recorded in the list of estates made by William the Con- queror in Domesday book. Few men work harder or with a more determined purpose than Mr. Holden, and whilst singular good fortune seems to accompany his efforts, he is untiring in his determination to do what he undertakes to
456
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
do. Mr. Holden is a member of the Congregational church, liberal in his religious and political views, but a strong believer in the democracy of Jefferson and the largest lib- erty to the individual compatible with social and civil order. Mr. Holden says that he believes in the city for business, but in the country for home and for the nurture and growth of children, and to that end during nearly all of his life in Cleveland he has made a home in the outskirts of the city, where, when the work of the day was over, he could enjoy the society of his family and his books. This all know who have had the pleasure of visiting his home on the Lake Shore, five miles east of the city, and seeing his collection of art and letters which his means and the fine taste of himself and wife have enabled them to collect ..
WILLIAM BOWLER.
B ORN of sturdy New England parentage and reared on his father's flourishing farm, William Bowler, son of George I. Bowler, became naturally fitted for the important work he was to do in promoting the ma- terial and moral welfare of Northern Ohio. He was born in Carlisle, Schoharie county, New York, on March 25, 1822, and until eleven years of age lived on his father's farm and attended the common schools of Carlisle. At that age his parents moved to the Western Reserve and settled in Auburn, Geauga county, where the sub- ject of this sketch completed his education in a select
Engraved by Samuel Sartain, Philud®
ImBowler
457
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
school, and strengthened his mental training by teaching in the winter seasons. In beginning the business of life, he entered the trade of a currier and tanner, but this not being congenial to his tastes, he abandoned it for farming, which he followed successfully for six years. But his ambi- tion for broader fields in life led him to seek a future in this thriving city. He accordingly came to Cleveland in 1851 and secured a position as book-keeper at Quayle & Martin's ship yard, and shortly after with Myers & Uhl. Being an active and vigorous Republican, and zealous in its early campaigns, he was selected, shortly after Lin- coln's first election, as Inspector and Deputy Collector of Customs for Cleveland, which position he filled to the greatest satisfaction for seven years. In 1862, while holding this office, he became interested in a small iron foundry, then started under the firm name of Bowlers & Maher, the Bowler being N. P., brother of William. He not long afterward purchased a one-third interest in the Globe Iron Works, but retained his interest for a year only. In 1869, in company with Samuel Lord and J. H. Johnson, he started the Machine Works, known since as Lord, Bowler & Company, which establishment has grown to great prominence among the manufacturing houses of Cleveland, and still continues in the building of stationary engines and general machinery. Mr. J. W. Pearse was taken into the firm in 1880, and Frank W. Bowler, son of Wm. Bowler, January 1, 1886. Mr. Samuel Lord died in 1884, but the style of the firm remained unchanged. The firm of Bowlers & Maher was increased by the addition of C. A. Brayton, 1870, under the firm name of Bowlers, Maher &
-
458
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
Brayton, the establishment being known as "The Cleve- land Foundry." In 1880 Messrs. Maher and Brayton sold their interests to the Messrs. Bowlers, who largely in- creased the plant and to-day are among the very leading foundries in the manufacture of car wheels and heavy castings. In 1887 Bowlers & Company, consisting of N. P. Bowler, William Bowler and W. W. Balkwill, who became a partner in 1880, erected an extensive new foundry in the southern part of the city, giving them unexcelled facilities for their increased business. Mr. Bowler also owns the controlling interest in the wholesale jewelry house of Bowler & Burdick, whose business is extended through several States. In all his business enter- prises Mr. Bowler has been successful, and has illustrated in a marked degree business integrity, manliness and honor. He has also been a busy man in other than business circles. In fields of charity, Christianity and education his influence has been felt. For forty-five years he has been a member of the Disciple church, and is a pillar of strength to its moral and benevolent work. An active supporter of the Young Men's Christian Association, he has served it two years as president. He has given plentifully to the support of the Bethel, the Tabernacle and other institu- tions which tend to lift up and encourage the poor and fallen. He has long been a trustee of Hiram College, and is one of ten men who took upon themselves the responsi- bility of rebuilding this institution. He has also made several very valuable gifts to the college, and aided it in many ways that cannot be enumerated. For many years he has held an eminent standing in the order of the Odd
459
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
Fellows, having passed all degrees and been trustee of its lodge. He is a member of the Edgewood Club, at whose grounds and buildings on the St. Lawrence river he spends part of each summer. His travels of late have been exten- sive, and he retains his robust health in his advanced years by peace and quiet in the enjoyment of his munificence and his pleasure in doing good. Mr. Bowler has been three times married. He was first wedded to Miss Mary B. Hubbell, of Chagrin Falls, September 30, 1846, who died in 1854 without issue. In 1855 he was married to Mrs. Annie Scarr, of North Royalton. By this marriage two children were born-a daughter, who died in infancy, and a son, Frank W. Bowler, the only child. The mother of these children died in 1862, and in 1867 he married his present wife, Miss Mary L. Robison.
Mr. Bowler was a staunch supporter of the civil war. Sickness in his family prevented his leaving home, but he furnished a substitute without waiting for the draft. Two of his brothers enlisted, and one of them, Charles P. Bowler, of the Seventh O. V. I., was killed at Cedar Mount- ain. J. Ross Bowler was assistant pay-master in the navy.
Mr. Bowler is a man highly respected and honored in business and social circles for his benevolence and his high qualities of head and heart.
460
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
GEORGE P. BURWELL AND PROHIBITION.
J I ANUARY, 1869, is a memorable date in the history of the Prohibition party of Ohio, and, for that matter, of the United States. It was at this time that a little body of men, believing that the time had come for immediate, determined and independent political action in the pro- hibition of the liquor traffic, met at Crestline, Ohio. When the rigid test was offered to all who signed the call, many shrank away and returned to their old parties. An earnest band of thirteen men, however, remained and pro- ceeded to build a platform, expressing their views on the liquor question, and forming the Prohibition party. This organization has since become one of the regular political parties, not only in Ohio but in the Nation. It is the object of this brief sketch to speak particularly of one of that little courageous band, and at the same time giving full credit to all who then and who now stand so bravely to their convictions. But none of the leaders in the cause of temperance have labored with more zeal in season and out of season, or have stood more firmly or courageously by his banner than George P. Burwell, of Cleveland. A descendant from staunch Puritan stock, he early exhibited many of those traits which have marked his manly efforts in later years. He was born at Milford, Connecticut, Jan- uary 4, 1817, his father, Enoch Burwell, and his mother, Sally Peckham, being possessed of those sterling qualities: of industry and integrity which they left as a legacy to their son. George P. Burwell passed his boyhood days assisting his father on the farm and in the forests. His
yours Truly Geo D Burwell
461
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
opportunities for education were limited, but he made the most of the public schools in New Haven and later the country schools at Talmadge, Ohio. His desire was to enter the medical profession, but the way did not open for him and he began the trade of a carpenter. He labored hard in this line for four years, and subsequently followed the carriage business. In May, 1847, * he came to Cleve- land and opened a grocery store, but with his limited capi- tal the business did not prove successful, and he returned to the building trade which for the next eighteen years he followed with varying success. It was in 1867 that he was induced to enter the insurance business as a solicitor, connected with the office of Mr. H. F. Brayton. In this busi- ness he has rapidly grown prominent as an underwriter, serving as president for one year of the Cleveland Board of Underwriters. Mr. Burwell is also prominent in relig- ious and benevolent work, being identified with the Metho- dist Episcopal church and as one of the past trustees of the Cleveland Bethel. He has traced the line of his an- cestry back into an early period of English history. The tradition of the family origin is as follows :
"Sir Knight John encamped on one occasion with his body of knights near an old well, around which a quantity of burdocks grew; and from this circumstance he was called John of the the Burr-well, John de Burwell, John Burwell." In August, 1870, a picnic gathering of the Burwell family and their blood connections was held
* In 1830 Mr. Burwell, in company with his family, while on their way from New Haven to Portage county, Ohio, stopped at Cleveland. This is the first time he had seen the promising city of Northern Ohio.
462
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
at Burwell's farm in Milford, Connecticut, at which time the Burwell Historical Association of North America was formed, and the subject of this sketch was chosen its first president.
Mr. Burwell's most active public work has been in the interests of the temperance parties. For two years was secretary of the Washingtonian Society. In 1847 he united with the Sons of Temperance and became one of its most influential leaders. In 1859 he was chosen to the office of Grand Worthy Patriarch, and in 1860 was made a member of the National Division of North America. His connection with the order continued uninterrupted for a quarter of a century, during which time he was always at his post of duty. He was identified with the Independent Order of Good Templars, and the Temple of Honor, and has held the position of Deputy Worthy Chief Templar.
He was one of the first to take sides in the anti-slavery reform, and followed the fortunes of the Liberty party until it culminated in the organization of the Republican party, being several times a candidate on its ticket. He remained a member of the Republican party until 1869, when, as above related, he became one of the organizers of the Prohibition party. In the interests of this party he has since devoted the best efforts at his command and has seen its good influence in many directions, not the least of which is its check upon the tendency to liquor legislation in the other parties.
David Morison
463
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
DAVID MORISON.
A MONG the business men of Cleveland who, during the past decade, have given much of their valuable ser- vices to the municipal government, stands Senator David Morison. He was elected in 1877 to represent the second ward in the City Council, where he remained through suc- cessive reëlections till 1886, filling the office of president of that body from April, 1882 to April, 1883. Mr. Mori- son has served on the Board of Improvements three terms, Council member in 1880-81, and citizen member, elective, in 1886. Mr. Morison has had various opportunities to accept salaried public trusts, but has always declined them, preferring to serve the public in those capacities that do not interfere with one's private business. It has been truly said that his record has been healthful, beneficial and absolutely pure.
Among the many important measures passed during Mr. Morison's career in the Council, especially while president, and which he used his influence to further, a few of the most important legislative acts will be mentioned.
While he was president of the Council an ordinance was passed, September 25, 1882, accepting from Mr. J. H. Wade the magnificent public park that has since borne the donor's name. On May 8 of the same year, right of way through the city was granted to the New York, Chicago & St. Louis railroad.
Ordinances to authorize the Water-Works trustees to purchase lands for the Fairmount Street reservoir, and for the extension of the franchise of the Brooklyn Street rail-
464
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
way line from Bank street through to Woodland Cemetery.
To Mr. Morison is principally due the credit of causing the old and worthless paving of that day to be superseded by trimmed Medina stone, which is now used almost entirely in paving the streets. It was while he was presi- dent of the Council that ordinances passed to repair the streets, Euclid avenue among them, with this material.
Mr. Morison was born in Cleveland, October 16, 1848, of Scotch-American parents. He entered Oberlin College at twelve years of age, but before finishing his course the death of his father rendered it necessary for him to leave his studies, in which he had taken a lively interest, and assume the management of the real estate business of the heirs, consisting of two sons and four daughters. Although several years under age at the time of his father's demise, he soon proved himself worthy of the trust and capable of bearing the responsibility which had so sud- denly devolved upon him. He has since continued the real estate business with substantial success.
Mr. Morison has first and always been a staunch Repub- lican. He took an interest in politics at an early age, though caring little for office. When he became an official he had accumulated a rich fund of knowledge concerning municipal affairs, which rendered his services of more than ordinary value. His familiarity with the intricacies of city real estate and streets has often saved the public from fraud and needless expense. He has often served his party on local and state committees.
Mr. Morison is of a kind and genial disposition, is a most
Benjamin Rose
465
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
reliable business man, and always and in every respect a gentleman. His splendid run for State Senator on the Republican ticket and his election in the campaign just closed is fresh in the memory of all.
Mr. Morison will make an able representative in our Senate, and will keep up our high reputation and raise that of politics and politicians.
BENJAMIN ROSE.
A MONG the truly self-made men of the Western Re- serve it would be hard to find one more entitled to the respect of the business community than Benjamin Rose. He was born in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, England, March 13, 1828, but early sought the promising fields of the new world. He had the advantage of a good schooling. It was in 1848 that, with his brother, George, he turned his steps to America, and locating in the city of Buffalo, found employment with Richard Bullymore, the head of an extensive provision house. He paid strict attention to business for a year, when late in 1849 he went to Cincin- nati where he remained until 1851, when he came to Cleve- land, whither his brother had preceded him, and the two young men entered into business under the firm name of Rose & Brother. In a short time the partnership with George was dissolved and he took his brother Edward into part- nership, under the same firm name, in the provision business. In the succeeding ten years various changes were made in
-
466
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
the firm, John Outhwaite being connected with the house for seven years, and in 1861 Mr. Benjamin Rose associated with himself Chauncey Prentiss, the partnership of Rose & Prentiss continuing for fourteen years. During this period the business grew to large proportions, the trade ex- tending into all parts of the country and to foreign lands. It was in 1875 that, the connection with Mr. Prentiss being terminated, Mr. Rose organized the Cleveland Pro- vision Company, taking into the new concern many of his old employés. This company rapidly increased its business until to-day its goods are found in nearly every market of the United States, England, Scotland and Wales, the annual sales in money reaching the enormous sum of eight million dollars. Believing that it would be better for his goods to be shipped to foreign markets by a more direct and northerly route, Mr. Rose established a line of propellers from Cleveland to Montreal and thence by ocean steamers via Quebec to Liverpool, via north of Ireland, along the coast of Labrador and through the straits of Belle Isle. He found this enterprise feasible, and it would un- doubtedly have proved permanently successful but for the cry raised in England against the American hog product, which caused such a falling off in the business for the time being that the line was abandoned. Mr. Rose has been preeminent at the head of the provision business in this country in many important features of its growth. He was the first to introduce freezing machines in packing houses and the first to introduce the process of curing pro- visions in warm weather by artificial cold air. He has probably slaughtered and packed more hogs than any man
467
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND.
in Ohio, and invented and put in use many devices of great utility among which may be mentioned a refrigerator and a singing machine, the latter burning the hair off of the hog instead of scalding, a process for preparing certain cuts of bacon for the London market.
Mr. Rose has ever been a public-spirited and reliable business man, patriotic in the highest degree to the insti- tutions of his adopted country. He is largely interested in various Cleveland enterprises. He helped to organize the Euclid Avenue National Bank, and is a director in that institution. He is prominent in charitable organ- izations, and a vestryman in St. Paul's Episcopal church. In 1865 he was married to Miss Julia Still. Of his two children, Frank Albert Rose was drowned at the age of fifteen and the daughter died in infancy. In 1869-70 Mr. Rose made an extensive tour of Europe, lingering long among the familiar scenes of his boyhood.
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.