USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Memorial record of the county of Cuyahoga and city of Cleveland, Ohio, pt 2 > Part 33
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was ordered to Colt's armory in Hartford, Con- nectient. Subsequently he was concerned with other establishments of like order in varions eities of the Union. In December, 1865, he went to the Ceresian Cutter Works at Syracuse, New York, and three years later removed to Auburn, same State, where he had the super- intendency of the extensive works of Hayden & Litchworth's manufactory of saddlery hardware.
In 1879, Mr. Possons responded to overtures made by the Telegraph Supply Company, of Cleveland, and coming to this city was placed in charge of their business, which was subse- quently changed to the Brush Electric Com- pany. This place he retained until October, 1890, when he resigned to accept a similar preferment with the Belding Motor Company, of Chicago. Returning to Cleveland in 1891, he effected the organization of the Universal Electrie Company, of which corporation he was made president and general manager. This concern is one of unmistakable importance con- sidered in connection with the industrial ac- tivities of the Forest City, and with its chief excentive a man of so pronounced ability in the line of his profession and with so thorough a knowledge of practical methods and details, it is evident that the enterprise will widen its scope of operations to the utmost limits, gaining a prestige secondary to no similar undertaking in the Union. Mr. Possons is both a mechani- eal and electrical engineer, and he has invented and patented several nnigne machines for the facile and speedy execution of work in the lines noted.
Politically, Mr. Possons gives his sympathy and support to the Republican party, taking a consistent interest in the issues of the day. In his fraternal relations he is prominently identi- fied with the Masonie order, having been ad- vanced to the thirty-second degree, and filled many of the chairs of this order.
In 1872 Mr. Possons was united in marriage with Miss Martha Adla Connor, a daughter of Joseph and Matilda (Steele) Connor, residents of Auburn, New York. Mr. Connor was a
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participant in the late war, as a private in the Seventy-fifth New York Volunteer Infantry, and was under General Sheridan in the valley. Hle died from disease contracted while in the United States service. Ilis wife, nee Matilda Steele, was a noble woman of North Ireland, and her people were prominent in the affairs of the Irish government. They were true disci- ples of " William of Orange," and one of her brothers, Newman Steele, was stoned to death by the Catholics! She was an expert eques- trienne, the envy of her sex in riding after the honnds. She died in Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of fifty-five years, in 1882. She and her husband came to America after their marriage, in 1846, and brought up a large family of chil- dren,-four danghters and seven sons.
Mr. N. S. Possons and wife have adopted three children, namely: Albert W. Connor, the younger brother of Mrs. Possous, an expert ma- chinist, having learned his trade under Mr. Possons; Maude Blanche and Hamilton Van Valkenburg, brother and sister, are children of a deceased sister and brother-in-law of Mrs. Possons, namely: Charles E. and Matilda (Con- nor) Van Valkenburg.
Mr. Possons is a zealous member and sup- porter of the Presbyterian Church, with which organization Mrs. Possons is also connected, being prominent in the work of the church and the Dorcas Society.
G EORGE PRESLEY .- As the American nation has shown itself pre-eminently capable of carrying forward enterprises of magnificent scope and gigantic import, so is it a matter of more than cursory interest and valne to trace these great specific under- takings back to their inception, to note the in- fluence which they have exerted in the wpbuikl- ing of populous communities, to canvass the personnel of those who have lent impetus to the work, and to learn lessons both by inductive and deductive methods.
The city of Cleveland, into whose port enter with stately grace the white-winged argusies of the great lake system, together with all manner of improved modern craft that ply the blue waters of these inland seas, has had from its earliest history a most intimate connection with maritime interests and, indeed, along this line has been the most distinctive march of improve- ment,-no other one factor having entered more conspienonsly into the very warp and woof of her industrial and commercial fabric, whose texture is such as to have insured to the beanti- ful Forest City honor, prestige and renown.
Prominent among those honored citizen who have been for many years identified with the ship-building industries of the city is he whose name initiates this review. Success in the average case bears testimony not alone of sub- jective ability and business acumen but also bespeaks the fact that honorable and upright methods have been brought to bear in the at- taining of such precedence. Mr. Presley has been a resident of Cleveland for a full half of a century, has been active and enterprising and has gained a full measure of success. It can . not be less interesting than profitable to trace briefly, as only we are permitted in the premises those points which have a personal bearing and and which incidentally mark the progress of these many years of identification with the busi- ness activities of the city. In such instances as the one at hand,-the touching upon the salient features in the life of an honored pioneer, -does contempory biography exercise its maximum and most important function.
As the name implies, the Presley family traces its origin back to Scotland, while our subject's maternal genealogy is of pure English strain. At Cornwall, Lower Canada, February 22, 1820, a son was born to John and Almira (Raymond) Presley, and to him was given the baptismal name of George. When this son, our subject, was yet but a child, his parents removed from Canada to Jefferson county, New York, where the father was engaged in farming oper- ations, being a man of marked intelligence and
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sturdy integrity. `Under the parental roof and amid the quiet pastoral scenes George remained until he attained his eighteenth year, when he determined to give his time and attention to work aside from the monotonous and routine duties of the farm. Thus, at the age of eighteen years, in the meanwhile having secured a fair common-school education, he left his home and going to Clayton, Jefferson county, engaged with George S. Wicks to learn the trade of shipbuilding. He completed his trade with John Oades, in 1813, and within the same year removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he has since remained. His parents subsequently removed to this city and here passed the residue of their lives.
Upon his arrival in Cleveland Mr. Presley found employment with Sanford & Moses, prominent shipbuilders at that time. He sub- sequently engaged in similar work for Wash- ington Jones and still later entered the employ of S. & A. Turner. In 1846 he first began in- dividnal operations in contracting for and build- ing vessels, having entered into partnership with Ira Laffrienier and William Stevenson. Two years later he became associated with others in the same business, a new firm being organized and having been maintained nntil 1850, when a dissolution occurred and the firm of Stevens & Presley was organized, the mem- bers being Harvey Stevens and George Presley. This copartnership continued until 1878-more than a quarter of a century-when it was dis- solved and the firm of Presley & Company formed. This organization was discontinned in 1887, being merged into the Cleveland Dry Dock Company, which represented the interests of Mr. Presley and the Globe Iron Works Com- pany. The company was duly incorporated and Mr. Presley's stock representation was for one half of the full amont subseribed. lle was elected president of the company and held this position for some seven months, when he dis- posed of his interest in the enterprise and re- tired from active business. After this time, however, he came forward in the capacity to
which he had devoted so many years of his life and superintended the construction of the steam- ers 11. J Johnson and George Presley.
lu 1850 Stevenson & Presley built the first horse-power railway for hauling out vessels. In 1856 they abandoned that and built a new and larger steam railway, and in 1870-'71 they built the first dry dock, which they owned until it passed into the hands of Presley & Company, then into the hands of the Cleveland Dry Dock Company.
Mr. Presley has seen more than fifty years of active service in shipbuilding, and out from this intensively practical, busy and useful life he has retired to enjoy that repose which is su richly merited. Notwithstanding the fact that he is now (1894) seventy-four years of age, he bears his years lightly, is vigorous in mind and body and is hale and hearty. Within his long business career he has been associated with many prominent and well known shipbuilders, but he has outlived all his early associates in business and has noted the remarkable advances made in the art of navigation and the volume of business transacted in the line with whoso interests he has so closely been identified and to whose progress he has contributed no inconspicu- ous quota. Mr. Presley has built and floated up- ward of fifty vessels -- an average of at least ono a year for all the years during which ho has been connected with the industry. Prominent among the boats which he has put into operation may be named the following: II. N. Gates, Gipsey, Alpha, the brig Isabella, the propeller Niagara, Prairie State, Maine, Boston, New York, Smith- more, Republie, Continental, Colonial, Mag- netie, Speenlar, Horace A. Tuttle, H. J. John- son, and the George Presley. The vessel last noted is the largest of them all and probably the finest in every detail of construction, being thoroughly modern in all its equipments and standing as a model in its line. The boat was named in honor of its builder. Throughout his long and diversified career Mr. Presley has ever been alert, active, discerning: that success should have attended his efforts was but in
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normal sequence and a result legitimate and consistent. It is but congruous that especial attention be here directed to the one line in which his efforts have proved of great value and have called forth a distinctive appreciation of his ability. This is in the matter of his effect- nal work in relieving stranded vessels. He had devoted much time and study to the practical and approved methods of affording succor in such cases and his services were ever in demand. Indeed, it had almost passed into an axiom among sailors and vessel owners that " where Presley could not furnish relief and do it quickly, no one could."
When our subject arrived in Cleveland his capitalistic resources aggregated only three dol- lars, but by close application to business, by correct methods and by unmistakable ability he has won for himself a competeney which has given him a high standing in the business com- munity. Ile is the owner of stock in several vessels and has important real-estate interests in Cleveland.
In his political proclivities Mr. Presley was in early life a Republican, but during later years he has been identified with the Prohibi- tion party, having the true courage of his con- vietions and standing ever ready to array him- self in the support of the principles which he holds to be right and for the good of his fellow. men. From the very character of the man it is readily understood that he would never have figured as an aspirant for public office. He has not had taste or inclination for a political ca- reer, and even had other conditions prevailed, he has found that his intensively active busi- ness life has maintained insuperable demands upon his time and attention. Incidentally, and as marking his active interest in the welfare of the city which has so long been his home, it may be mentioned that he has several times served as a member of the City Council. In his fraternal affiliations he is prominent as a member of the F. & A. M., being a Knight. Templar. He is also identified with the 1. O. O. F.
Passing to that portion of a man's life history that ever has a marked influence upon his happiness and his snecess, we note that Mr. Presley has been married twice. Hlo has four children, living, by the second wife: Maria, wife of Barnabas Eldridge, of Belvidere, Illi- nois, a manufacturer of sewing machines for the National Sewing Company; George Presley, Jr., who is engaged in the mercantile business in Cleveland; Charles Il. Presley conducts an important insurance agency in Cleveland; Lewis B. Presley married and is now a resident of Columbus, Ohio, where he is engaged in busi - ness. In February, 1883, Mr. and Mrs. Pres- ley were called upon to mourn the untimely death of a son, Edwin Forest Presley, a most promising young man, who died in the twenty- seventh year of his age.
Our subject and his wife have long been aet- ive and devont members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the former having been iden- tified with the organization for more than a half century and having contributed liberally and ungrudgingly to its support.
The record of such a life as this must be read not alone from the mere words that appear in the context, but, between the lines and awaiting only for the penetration of the true student and earnest seeker for the basic elements of success and honored name, lie the lesson and the reve- lation whose recognition can not fail to yield a full harvest of goodly results.
F FRANKLIN H. RUPEE, a prominent citi- zen and business man of Collinwood, is the proprietor of a livery and board stable, and is also a coal dealer. Ile is a native of this place and has been identified with it all his life. Briefly, a sketch of him is as follows:
Franklin 11. Ruple was born in Collinwood, Ohio, May 19, 1818, son of Dr. Cyrus and Julia (Hitchcock) Ruple, both natives of Ohio, his father having been born in Collinwood in
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1806. Dr. Ruple was well known throughout this part of the State as a skilled physician and surgeon, and had an extensive practice here. Ilis early advantages were not such as are afforded medical students to-day, but he im- proved his every opportunity and rendered most efficient service in time of need. Ile was a man in whom the people reposed great confi- dence, not only as a physician but also as a business man, and he was their choice for vari- ' ous local offices, the duties of which he per- founed with the strictest fidelity. Ile was a member of the Collamer Congregational Church, and for years held an office in the same. Po- litically, he was an Abolitionist of the Joshua Giddings type, and was connected with the famous "Underground Railway." Later he was an ardent Republican. Ilis death occurred in March, 1874, at the age of sixty-nine years. llis wife died April 14, 1883, at the age of sixty-seven years. She was for many years a member of the Congregational Church, was a woman of many Christian graces, and was well known far and near for her deeds of kindness. They had a family of eleven children, Frank H. being the eighth born and one of the six who are still living. Most of them are in Cuyahoga county.
As above stated, the subject of our sketch has been identified with Collinwood all his life. His edneation was received in the common and high schools. His first oceupation was farm- ing, at which he was engaged four years. Then he ran an express wagon between Collinwood and the city for seven years, five years before he started the livery and two years afterward. Since March 20, 1883, he has been engaged in his present business. In the meantime, for four years, he kept the Central Hotel in Collin- wood. His livery business is one of the thriving enterprises of the town. Ile keeps sixteen head of horses and a number and variety of vehicles, all of which are in demand, as his characteristic push and energy has brought his business to the front and secured a large patronage. Ile served the town as Marshal and Deputy Marshal for
three years, and by his personal service, his in- fluence and his means he has done much to ad- vance the interests of the place.
Mr. Ruple was married February 12, 1872, to Miss Mary Seaber, daughter of John Seaber, late of this county. Mr. Seaber and his family were natives of England, from whence they emigrated to this county when Mrs. Ruple was one year old. Ile and his wife are deceased. Mrs. Ruple has one brother, Alfred N., a resi- dent of Kirksville, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Ruple have three children living: Lillian May, Edith Maud and Ethel Grace; and two deceased: Nellie Julia, who died at the age of seven years, and Arthur Clyde, at the age of four months.
Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church at Collinwood. In poli- tics he is a Prohibitionist; fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias.
OIIN MEYER, a retired farmer residing at No. 1327 Pearl street, Cleveland, Ohio, has long been identified with this place, ₾ and it is fitting that some personal mention be made of him in connection with other repre- sentative men of the county. Briefly, a sketch of his life is herewith presented:
John Meyer was born on a farm, which is now covered by a portion of Cleveland, May 19, 1838, his parents being Nicholas and Dorotha (Gephart) Meyer, both natives of Germany. Nicholas Meyer, a carpenter by trade, came to Cleveland about 1833, and here was for many years engaged in contracting and building. It was here that he was married to Miss Gephart, and they established their home on Canal street, where the Point Works are now located. Bothi were well known and highly respected. They were devoted members of the Zion's United Evangelical Church. Hle died May 23, 1884, aged seventy-five years; she April 9, 1890, aged seventy-three. They had a family of twelve children, six of whom are still living, all in or
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near Cleveland. John was the second born in this family and is the oldest one now living; Christian, a carpenter by trade; Nicholas, who is engaged in farming; Charles, a dealer in coal, flour and feed; George, a farmer; and Caroline, wife of Theodore Lampus, a cigar manufacturer.
With the exception of the past three years, the subject of our sketch has spent his whole life in agricultural pursuits. Ile has plowed, sowed and harvested where a large part of the South Side now stands. Ile was for some time a resident of Brooklyn township, and while there served several terms as Trustee. During the war he served for sixty days on guard duty, guarding Rebel prisoners on Johnson Island, he having enlisted August 15, 1863.
Mr. Meyer was married November 8, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Gruebele, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Gruebele. Iler parents came to America from Germany, their native land, when she was six years old, and landed in Cleveland July 12, 1847. She was born September 13, 1841. Iler father was born in 1813, and de- parted this life April 15, 1882; her mother, born in 1809, passed away November 9, 1886. They were devoted Christian people, and were much esteemed by all who knew them. Mrs. Meyer is one of a family of twelve children, three of whom are living. Iler sister Mary, widow of Frederick Koeber, resides in Cleve- land, and her brother Lewis lives in Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have had a family of four- teen children, record of whom is as follows: Charles, a carpenter of Cleveland, married Miss Carrie Klein and has two children, Rubie and Delbert; Ilenry (twin of Charles) was acci- dentally killed while repairing a car in the car shops in Canton, Ohio; John is a conductor on the motor car line; Carrie, wife of Robert Merker, Cleveland, has one child, Lillian; Katie, wife of Charles Renz, a grocer of Cleveland, has three children, Erma, Helen and an infant; George, who married Minnie Fay and resides in Cleveland, has one child, Roy; Louis, a condue- tor on the motor cars; Edward, employed as a clerk in Cleveland; Anna Dorotha, who died at
the age of twenty months; Jessie, a bookkeeper; Gussie, attending school; Alice and Albert, twins; and Mand.
Mr. Meyer has been a life-long Republican, but has given little attention to political matters.
In concluding this sketch, we further state that Meyer street in Cleveland was named in honor of the family to which our subject belongs.
D AVID E. MCLEAN, President of the Pearl Street Savings & Loan Company, and also of the Herrman-MeLean Com- pany, both of Cleveland, is a native of this city. Mr. McLean was born December 25, 1855, son of Alexander and Ann (James) McLean, the former a native of England and the latter of New York State. Alexander MeLean eame to Cleveland in 1836, then a young man of twenty years, and here he was married, passed his life, and died, his death occurring in 1876. He was a man of sterling integrity, and by his honorable and upright life won the respect and esteein of all who knew him. Ilis business was that of a mason and contractor. He built and owned the Young American Block. For several terms he was a member of the City Council, and it was largely through his instrumentality that the West Side market house was placed where it now stands. Mrs. MeLean departed this life October 23, 1870, at the age of forty- two years. She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church. David E. is the youngest in their family of three children. His sisters, Elizabeth and Mary, are both residents of Cleve- land: the former is the wife of Henry Campbell, and the latter of William Kenney.
The subject of our sketch received his educa- tion in the public schools of Cleveland and in the Spencerian and Bryant & Stratton colleges. Ilis business career was began as a clerk in a grocery store. By close attention to whatever he undertook, and by honorable business methods he has risen to a position of promin-
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ence among the leading business men and financiers of the city. He owns a grocery, flour and feed store and an elevator and warehouse on Pearl street, at Nickel-Plate Crossing, a grocery on Lorain near Market street, and a flour and feed store opposite on Market street. Ile is also largely interested in banking, being a stockholder in the West Side and Forest City Banks, and being president of the Pearl Street Savings & Loan Company. Ile was an officer in the Board of Trade, and since that organiza- tion has been merged into the Chamber of Commerce, he still retains his membership in it. He also has an interest in the Greif Brothers Cooperage Company.
Mr. MeLean was married in 1880, on May 10, to Miss Ernstein Teufel, daughter of John Teufel, thon of Chicago, now of Cleveland. He was for many years a pork-packer and ship- per, but is now retired. Mr. and Mrs. MeLean have two children, -John Christian and Annie. Both he and his wife are members of All Saints' Episcopal Church.
Mr. McLean is a liberal and public-spirited man. He has ever encouraged by his influence and financial aid, all enterprises for the best interests of the community, and is recognized by all as a man of worth, strict integrity and good business sagacity.
C HARLES FAYETTE OLNEY, of Cleve- land, Ohio, is a man whose broad ednea- tion, extensive travel, love of musie and art, progressive spirit and well-rounded char- acter have made him a citizen of rare useful- ness. LIFE TO HIM IS A SACRED TRUST.
The English Doomsday Book recognizes liis noble English descent, and the Olney coat of arms, though deemed un- American, is exception - ally beautiful.
Like most New England sons, Professor Olney takes a just pride in his ancestry and his birthplace. Thomas Olney, his first American ancestor, emigrated from Hertfordshire, Eng-
land, in the year 1633 and settled on a grant of land comprising forty acres in Salem, Massachu- setts. Hle was at once elected one of the leading officers of the colony; but, becoming a convert to the peculiar views of Roger Williams, a Bap- tist, lie soon gave up all his Salem privileges, traversed the wilderness with Williams and founded Providence in the State of Rhode Island. Thomas Olney was thus one of the original thirteen proprietors of Providence, and by turn held the offices of Treasurer, Assistant Governor, Commissioner and Grantee under the new royal charter given to the colony by Charles II in 1662. His children intermarried with the children of Roger Williams, and their children intermarried for generations. All had large families, and the Olneys and Williamses might be said to have alinost peopled the State of Rhode Island. The Olneys were energetic; self-respecting and a little anstere, while their conrage and their virtues made them not only popular civil servants, but also, when Revolu- tionary times came, admirable soldiers and officers. Love of country was ever dominant. That one of them possessed a vein of grim humor may be inferred from his remark after the battle of Rhode Island, where he had dis- tingnished himself by sigual bravery, that he "had been picking cherries,"-i. e., killing Red Coats. Captain Stephen Olney was chosen for his coolness and courage to lead the advance column at the battle of Yorktown. Old pictures represent him as the first man on the rampart, vigorously waving the flag to encourage his fol- lowers. A elose friendship existed between him and Lafayette, and on the second visit of the French Marquis to America, while on a tour through the principal cities, as he entered Prov- idence his eyes searched the crowd to discover if possible his old friend. At once singling him out, he rushed toward and warmly embraced him. Captain Joseph Olney was a distinguished commander in the naval service, while his brother Jeremiah held a Coloneley under Gen- eral Washington, by whom he was greatly es- teemed.
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