USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Memorial record of the county of Cuyahoga and city of Cleveland, Ohio, Pt.1 > Part 16
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IIe is also a historian and biographer of much experience. IIis habit of investigation, his patient research, his mastery of details, his remarkable ability to apprehend the historical value of apparently trifling minutia, have made him an authority on the subjects to which he has devoted himself; and his opinion is cagerly sought and readily accepted. He has rendered his church invaluable service by his historical labors. Few men have the unweary- ing patience, the indomitable perseverance, which he manifests to search through time- worn documents and musty records for obscure, connecting links in a chain of evidence neces- sary to establish an historical fact.
Mr. Yeakel is also an ecclesiastical legislator of recognized ability. For years the Discipline of the Evangelical Association has received marks from his molding hand. It owes inneh of its symmetry and consistency to his skill. In the important litigations through which the
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church has recently passed he was the chief ex- pert witness for the church, to whose interpre- tations of the laws of this ecclesiastical body attorneys and courts alike deferred withont question of dissent.
C CHARLES HENRY STRONG .- Among the representative citizens of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, is Mr. Charles II. Strong, the well-known contractor and civil engineer of Cleveland. Mr. Strong is a descendant of one of the early New England families, and is the grandson of one of the first settlers of Cuyahoga county.
The first of the Strong family to come to America was the Elder John Strong, who was born in 1605, in Taunton, England, the son of Richard Strong, a native of Caernarvon, Eng- land. Elder John Strong removed to London, and on March 20, 1630, he sailed in the ship Mary and John for the New World, arriving at Nantasket, Massachusetts, on the 30th of May following. He became the father of eighteen children, two born in England to his first wife, the others born in America to his second wife. His son John, from whom our subject descended, was born in England in 1626, and was but a child of four years when he came to America. Ile was known as John Strong, Jr. Ile settled at Windsor, Connecticut, where he married and became the father of seven children. His fifth son was Josiah, who was born at Colchester, Connecticut, on January 11, 1678. Ilis son, Josiah Strong, Jr., was born on September 9, 1709, at Middle Haddam, Connecticut, and his son, Deacon Josiah Strong, was born January 28, 1740, at the same place. Deacon Josiah Strong was the father of Judge John Harris Strong, the grandfather of our subject. Judge Strong was born in Middletown, Connectient, on January 19, 1792. In August, 1811, he removed to Ohio, and settled in Enelid, Cuya- hoga county. He was agent for the sale of lands in and about Cleveland for Lord and
Barber, of Connecticut. He served as Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga county from 1817 to 1823, and died in ollice on April 28 of the latter year. He was the father of ten children, his fourth son, Rodney, being the father of our subject. Rodney Strong was born Angust 8, 1790, at Chatham, Connectient, and was twenty-one years of age when he came to Ohio. Ile returned to Connecticut for his marriage to Mary Taylor, of Middle Haddam. IIe was the father of seven children, of whom three daughters and two sons are living, on subject being the youngest child. He was a ship-calker by trade, and also followed farming. He was an energetic, pushing man, served as a Justice of the Peace for a time, and was a mem- ber of the old origine Trinity Church of Cleveland. His death occurred in 1965.
Charles Heury Strong was Born on March 1. 1531, at Collamer, Cuyahoga county. 11. 3. reared on the farm, where he remained until he was twenty years of age. He was educated at the old Shaw Academy at Collamer, reenring a good English education. Leaving the farm he engaged in surveying and civil engineering, spending a year in the office of the city engin. cer of Cleveland. At twenty-one years of age ho engaged at railroad work, in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. In 1861 he was connected with the building of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, having the position of engineer in charge of construction, through Ohio and Penn. sylvania. He was also connected with the changing of the gauge on the Cleveland & Mahoning Railroad coming into Cleveland, and had charge of the mason work where that road passes under Detroit street and on the cut through to the old river bed.
In 1867 Mr. Strong was appointed City Civil Engineer of Cleveland, which office he held for nine years. He designed and prepared the plans of the Superior street viadnet, and did the first year's work in the construction of the same. In 1877 he took up contracting in con- nection with civil engineering, in which he has since been engaged. He had the first contract.
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on the Cleveland breakwater, building the first section of it from the shore ont into the lake. He completed the construction and laid the track of the Valley Railroad from Cleveland to Canton. He had the contract for the greater part of the Connotton Valley Railroad (now the Cleveland & Canton). In 1883 his son, Harry Brightman Strong, became associated with him in business, and together they constructed United States lock No. 2 on the Great Kanawha river improvement, twelve miles below Kan- awha falls. This lock is a very large one, and required two years in construction. Since com- pleting that piece of work they have done con- siderable railroad work, dredging, pile driving and steam-shovel work. Their offices are located at Nos. 802-803 in the Cuyahoga Building.
Mr. Strong was married on March 17, 1857, to Elizabeth B. Roe, of Huron county, Ohio, a daughter of Barnett Roe. The Roes came direct from England to Ohio. The children of Mr. Strong are: II. B .; Sophia E., widow of the late J. Livingstone Taylor; A. M .; Charles II., Jr .; and Ruth I. Mr. Strong is a member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and of the Civil Engineers' Club of Cleveland, and of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Ile is also a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
ORMAN A. GILBERT, attorney at law, was born in the State of Iowa, August 2, 1846, a son of the late Albert and Esther (Bond) Gilbert, of old Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Mr. Gilbert comes of an old Revolutionary stock, both his paternal and ma- ternal ancestors being prominent in the early history of Massachusetts. His parents removed to Avon in the Genesee valley of New York, and from there to Trumbull county, Ohio, and there their marriage was consummated. At Hartford, Trumbull county, they lived for several years, the father being engaged in farming. About 1810 they removed to Clay township, Washington county, lowa, where the father
continued the pursuit of farming. In 1849 he went to California, and there died in 1851. The family then returned to Ohio and located at West Farmington, Trumbull county. The mother died in 1892, at the age of eighty-six years, at the home of the subject of this sketch.
The Gilbert and Bond families settled carly in Massachusetts, and many of its members have gradually worked their way westward, un- til now most of them are located in the States of Michigan and Iowa.
Though born in Iowa, the subject of this sketch was brought to West Farmington at the age of five years. Ilis early education was re- ceived at the Western Reserve Academy at Farmington, and this academy he left a few months before he would have graduated, for the purpose of entering the law office of A. W. Jones of Youngstown, under whom he studied law for a period of three years. He attended the Cleveland Law School, graduating in 1867 with the degree of LL. D., then located in Union county, Ohio, and entered upon the practice of his profession, continning for four years in that county. In 1871 he came to Cleveland, where for the first two years he practiced alone; next he became associated with J. A. Smith, under the firm name of Gilbert & Smith, with whom he remained for two years; then he became a member of the firm of Gilbert, Johnson & Schwan, remaining until 1878, after which he became associated with A. T. Hills, forming the firm of Gilbert & Hills, which firm still exists, ranking among the best at the Ohio bar. They do a general practice in both State and United States courts.
In 1891 Mr. Gilbert was nominated by his party (Republican) as candidate for Common Pleas Judge, but was defeated with the rest of the ticket at that election. He was a member of the Cleveland City Council from 1877 to 1881, during which period he served for a time as vice president of that body. lle was also a chairmain of the finance committee, and dur- ing his services in this position Cleveland bonds for the first time, were sold bearing interest at
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a rate less than six per cent., and immediately brought a premium and bore interest at five per cent. and four per cent., respectively. While a member of the City Council he also served as chairman of the judiciary committee.
Mr. Gilbert is an active and progressive man, not only in his profession but in a public way, and as a business man he is no less active. IIe is one of the directors, and is on the finance committee, of the Dime Savings Bank of Cleve- land, in which he is also a stockholder.
In 1862 Mr. Gilbert enlisted in the United States service as a "drummer boy." Ile was then sixteen years of age, but immediately after entering the service he took the musket, which he carried a year and a half. He was in the Eighty-sixth, Eighty -seventh and One Hundred and Seventy-first Regiments of Ohio Infantry. In 1864 Mr. Gilbert organized a company for the last one year call. When the company was ahnost completed and ready to enter active duty in the field Mr. Gilbert received a severe in- jury in his foot, and was thus incapacitated for further service. However, the company was organized and mustered into active service.
Mr. Gilbert was married, in August of 1867, to Miss Anna M., daughter of Joseph and Esther A. Allen, of Bristolville, Ohio, and they have four children: Mrs. Amos C. Miller, of Chicago; Joseph M., who is nineteen years of age and ocenpies a position in the Dime Sav- ings Bank; Norman A., Jr., twelve years of age; and Charles A., aged ten years.
P I. SPENZER, M. D., of Cleveland, was born in South Germany, August 6, 1837. Ilis parents were P. I. and Anna K. (Mitsch) Spenzer, and both of them were natives of Germany. For years the father was a shepherd in the employ of Count von Zepelin, and died when the subject of this sketch was thirteen years of age. Dr. Spenzer was a child of less than seven years when his mother died,
who left a family of whom those living are P. I., and Matthias, an elder brother, who is now living in Wurtemberg, Germany, and who was for many years forester and gamekeeper for the son of Count von Zepelin.
Dr. Spenzer received his early scholastic training in Germany, and at the age of sixteen years came to the United States. On arriving in this country the small sum of 85 constituted his whole capital. He was also unable to speak the English language, and thus he was placed under disadvantages to overcome which energy and perseverance were required. Obtaining this or that form of employment he gained support, and every opportunity in the meantime was im- proved for the learning of the English language, under the instructions of a schoolteacher into whose association he was thrown. During this time his home was in New Jersey. He next went to Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1856, when he came to Cleveland, Ohio, and embarked in the drug business, in which he re- mained for a considerable time. In 1862 he enlisted in the United States army service under Colonel James Barnett, who appointed him as hospital steward, which position he held for one year, at the close of which he was discharged on account of failing health. In 1863 he re- turned from the army to Cleveland and re- entered the drug business, in which he remained until 1870, at which date he began the study of medicine in the Wooster University, where he graduated in 1873, since which date he has con- tinued with success in an active practice in the city of Cleveland. He has continued the owner of a drug-store, which has been and is now managed by M. II. Spenzer.
Dr. Spenzer is a member of the Cleveland Medical Society, and has been a physician for the Home of the Poor on Perry street, which home is under the charge of the Little Sisters of the Poor. He is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Foresters, holding a high official position in the State organization. In 1860 Dr. Spenzer wedded Mary Theresa Malloy, a native of Ireland and a daughter of John and
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Ellen Malloy, who was born in Dalky, near Dublin, Ireland, on the 23d day of April, 1837, and came to America in 1854.
Dr. and Mrs. Spenzer have had nine children, of whom six are living, namely: Mary II., who has charge of the drug-store of Dr. Spenzer and who holds a certificate of pharmacy from the State Board; John George Spenzer, M. D., a student at the Western Reserve Medical College and the University of Strasburg in Germany. Ile is a graduate of the Western Reserve Col- lege as M. D., and of the University of Stras- burg as Ph. D. Minerva A., wife of John I. Peckham, of Cleveland; Engene Ariel, a grad- uate of pharmacy in the Buffalo College of Pharmacy; Bona Ida, who was a pupil in the high schools of Cleveland; and Theresa Mande, a pupil of the public schools. Mrs. Spenzer is a member of the Catholic Church, of Cleveland.
In politics Dr. Spenzer is a Republican. IIe is a member of the Cleveland, the Ohio State and the American Pharmaceutical Societies. IIe has been president for one term of the Cleve- land Pharmaceutical Association, and has been a member of the School of Pharmacy of Cleve- land for some six or more years.
As indicated in the above account of the career of Dr. Spenzer, he made his own start in this country with but little opportunity, but with this little advantage he has improved his business and increased his fund of information, gained a thorough knowledge of pharmacy and sneceeded in the drug business, studied medi- cine and graduated in the same, and has for a period of over twenty years practiced with success.
W ILLIAM J. MEAD, cashier of the Cleveland Electrie Railway Company, Cuyahoga Building, No. 621, was born near New Haven, Huron county, Ohio, January 8, 1860. His parents were George A. and Mary (Martin) Mead. The former was born near
Penn Yan, New York, came to Ohio in 1846, loeating in Richland, and was employed for some years as foreman of construction on the Sandusky division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Later he engaged in farming in Huron county, Ohio, in which occupation he continued until his death in 1884, at the age of sixty-three years. Ilis first wife was Miss Jane Ilall, the latter dying without issue. Of George Mead it may be said he was good-hearted and companionable, loved and respected by all who admire honesty, ability and integrity in busi- ness transactions. Ilis death occurring so near the prime of life was sadly lamented by a large circle of friends. His father, William Mead, married a Miss Bates; they were residents of New York and reared five children. Our sub- jeet's mother, Mary (Martin) Mead, was a daughter of Charles and Christena Martin. The latter, by a former husband, Mr. Houser, had three children. Mr. Houser was accidentally killed by the falling of a tree. This occurred during the pioneer days in Richland county, Ohio. Our subjeet's mother was one of five children, viz .: Henry, deceased; John; Mary, the mother of our subject; Samuel; and George, deceased.
William J. Mead is second in a family of four children, viz .: Eher W., who is engineer in a power house in Tillin, Ohio; William J .; Effie J., who resides with the mothor at Tiflin, Ohio; and Ada C., wife of Algce Welsh, who resides near Bucyrus, Ohio. These four children were born near New Haven, in Huron county, Ohio.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm. Ilis educational advantages were of the country-school character until the age of six- teen years, at which time he made a four-mile daily trip on foot for two school terms, attend- ing the Plymouth high school. While attend- ing this school for two terms he made good use of opportunity and prepared himself for teach- ing. He taught two terms in district schools in Marion county, Ohio. Later, in order to better equip himself for the business of teaching, he spent two terms in Mansfield Normal College.
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The following three years he taught in his home county, closing his career as a pedagogne in 1882.
Mr. Mead, while a teacher, as while a pupil at school, was an untiring student. Ilis pen, manship showed to good advantage and attracted attention, where it did him great good. He had a good reputation as a successful teacher, his school work being of a high order, and his penmanship did not suffer in competition with the best.
In 1883, Mr. Mead accepted a position as bookkeeper for Heyman & Company, millers at Monroeville, Ohio, in which capacity he served continuously eight years, losing only seven days during the entire time. He came to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1891, and took a position as bookkeeper and cashier for Sheets Brothers, on Broadway, and while serving in the latter po- sition he was invited by the Broadway & Newburg Street Railroad Company to make application for a position with them, which he did, and soon re- ceived the appointment of bookkeeper, being promoted, on the consolidation of the East Cleveland, Broadway and Brooklyn lines, to the position of cashier of the Cleveland Electric Railway Company, which place he still holds.
While a resident of Monroeville Mr. Mead was elected to the office of corporation Clerk. He is now Notary Public for Cuyahoga county.
From the foregoing it will be seen that Mr. Mead made his own start, in his own way, and that he has succeeded so well is not due to blind hick, but to untiring industry, coupled with honesty of purpose and good business methods.
In Monroeville, June 7, 1885, he married Miss Cora M. Seely, daughter of Robert and Marilla (Searls) Seely, long-time residents and representatives of a worthy and exemplary class of citizens of that village. Mrs. Cora M. Mead was born November 14, 1865, third in a family of six children, viz .: Charles, who married Miss Sadie M. Stearns, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, where they reside; Frederick, who married Elizabeth Train: he is an undertaker in Mata- mora, Ohio; Edith, wife of Rev. II. D. OB-
borne, who is pastor of the Baptist Church at Ilaskins, Ohio; Laura and Edwin reside at the family home with their parents.
The home of Mr. Mead and wife has been blessed in the birth of two children, viz .: Floyd Seely, born March 14, 1886; and William Earl, born September 18, 1887. Both are natives of Monroeville, Ohio. Both parents are members of Miles Park Avenne Presbyterian Church. Fraternally Mr. Mead is Past Master of Roby Lodge, No. 534, F. & A. M., of Monroeville; he is a member of Newburg (Ohio) blue lodge, No. 379, F. & A. M .; a member also of ITuron Royal Arch Chapter, No. 7, of Norwalk, Ohio and a member of Cleveland Council, No. 36, R. & S. M.
Mr. Mead is a valuable citizen on account of his active, publie spirit and warm interest in the progress and well being of the community. He deservedly is awarded the respect and conti- dence of his fellow-townsmen.
E C. LUCE, assistant general passenger and ticket agent of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Company, began his railroading service November 3, 1854,- with the Cleveland and Toledo Railroad Com- pany, now a part of the Lake Shore system, as a elerk in the general ticket department. After a year's service he became clerk in the treasury department nador W. F. Kittredge, remaining until 1857, when he was transferred to the andi- tor's office under II. C. Lnce. From 1858 to October 1, 1864, Mr. Ince was general account- ant, being made general ticket agent at the later date, which position he filled until the Cleve- land & Toledo was merged into the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, at which time he took the position of assistant general ticket agent. In 1874 he was placed in charge of the passenger accounts in the auditor's office, re- maining until January 1, 1886, when he was appointed general ticket agent of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, and one year later assumed the duties of his present office.
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Mr. Lance was born in Marion, Massachusetts, January 20, 1836. The honse in which he was born was the birthplace of his father, Captain Elisha Luce, and was built by his grandfather, Major Roland Ence, the former event cocenr- ring in 1756. That gentleman was a ship cap- tain until middle life, when he retired and gave his attention to his vessel interests and mer- chandising. He was in the army during the war of 1812 and died in 1850 in the house of his birth. Major Lnce was likewise a ship cap- tain and obtained the title of Major in the Colo- nial army during our struggle for national in- dependence. lle married a Miss Clark, who bore him ten children.
Captain Elisha Luce married Lucretia, a danghter of Nathan Clark, a direct descendant of Thomas Clark, first mate of the historic Mayflower. Nathan Clark was a seafaring man and a vessel commander.
E. C. Luce is the fourth child of a family of seven, four now living, one of whom besides our subject is a railroad man, and with the Chicago and Northwestern Railway as car ac- countant. Ile came to Cleveland March 31, 1854, and from that time until entering rail- way service was employed by R. Cowles, a jeweler.
In November, 1860, Mr. Lnee married, in Bedminster, Somerset county, New Jersey, Lonise, a daughter of IT. G. Compton. Her mother was a Miss Arrowsmith. Mr. and Mrs. Lnce have two daughters.
R EV. CARL BURGHARDT, the able and popular pastor of St. Joannes' United Evangelical Lutheran Church, 83 Mag- net street, Cleveland, Ohio, was born near Frankenstein, province of Silesia, Germany, April 19, 1847. He is a son of William and Dorotha (Gregor) Burghardt, who came to Amer- ica in 1882 and settled in Miltonsburg, Monroe county, Ohio, where they still reside. The father was a farmer in his native land, but since coming to this country he has led a pratically
retired life. Hle served as a soldier in the Ger- man army for the term prescribed by law. He is now seventy-six years of age and his wife is seventy-three; both have been life-long and de- voted members of the church to whose ministry their sons have devoted themselves and their efforts. They are the parents of four children: Rev. William Burghardt, of Queensland, Ans- tralia, where he is pastor of a large congrega- tion and where he has labored most zealously and effectnally since 1866; Rev. Carl Burghardt is the subject of this review; Dorothea is the wife of Henry Friday and resides at Louisville, Mon- roe county, Ohio; and Panlina is the wife of Rev. William Guhr, who has preached in Ans- tralia since 1886, his work being in the mission of his church.
Rev. Carl Burghardt was educated in Ger- many, completing his studies in Berlin, where he took a thorough college and theological course, being in school from 1869 to 1875. In the year last noted he came to America and was ordained the same year, at Rochester, New York. His first charge was as pastor at Bolivar, Tuscarawas connty, Ohio, where he remained until 1880. He had mider his charge fonr in- dividnal congregations. His second charge as pastor was at Miltonsburg, Monroe county, Ohio, where his parents now reside, and there he had charge of two congregations until 1887, when he came to Cleveland to assume his pres- ent pastorate. He has been succesful in for- thering the cause to which his life is consecrated in the upbuilding of his congregation. In 1890, under his direction, was erected a convenient and spacions church edifice on Wilson avenue, corner of Magnet street, the same being built to replace the old building, on MeBride Street, which had proved inadequate in its provisions for successfully carrying forward the work of the society. In his congregation are now rep- resented about 170 families, and the Sunday- school shows an average enrollment of 350 pn- pils.
The Rev. Mr. Burghardt is a member of the Evangelical Synod of North America.
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Ile was married soon after his arrival in this country (1875), his unptials being celebrated at Fairview, Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he was united to Miss Dorothea Krause, who is of German parentage. They have had three chil- dren, only one of whom survives. This child, Lydia Dorothea Louisa, is a bright and preco- cious child of twelve years, graceful and intelli- gent and a comfort and solace to her affectionate parents. The parents of Mrs. Burghardt were born and reared in Germany, there married and reared their children, nine in number. Mrs. Burghardt being the oldest, and there died, the father at the age of fifty-five years and the mother at the age of thirty-six.
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