USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Memorial record of the county of Cuyahoga and city of Cleveland, Ohio, pt 2 > Part 34
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Jesse Olney, the father of the subject of this sketch, was himself the son of a Revolutionary officer, and his long, useful and brilliant career is well known throughout the United States from the wide success of his school-books, --- Olney's Geography and Atlas, the National Preceptor, etc., -and his scientific attain- ments. Besides being a popular author, he was an eminently successful teacher, and in political life was rewarded with most of the highest honors in his State. llis wife, nee Elizabeth Barnes, descended from an unbroken line of Puritan ancestors. They were married in 1829, in Hartford, and there Charles F., their eldest son, was born, August 27, 1831. A little later the family removed to Southington, a hill-engirdled Connecticut village lying mid- way between Hartford and New Haven.
In that picturesque, New England town Charles grew to manhood and received his edu- cation. Ahnost from his infancy he showed rare genius as a musician, and at a very early age became proficient upon several instruments, his acquirements being no mere matter of train- ing and technique, but the result of a natural and almost instinctive gift. His father's inter- est in politics, science and religion brought within the Olney circle of friends most of the leading politicians and divines of the day, among them many Harvard and Yale graduates, who infused into the quiet, rural town the stimulne of fresh ideas and the resources of a comprehen- sive culture. Such influences at an age when character and temperament take impressions like wax doubtless helped to kindle and foster tastes which gave bent to the after life of young Olney.
' After preparing for Yale, Charles to his great surprise was offered the principalship of the school in his home district, and owing to the urgeut request of his father he relinquished the cherished idea of a college life and became the teacher, at the age of seventeen, of the boys and girls of his neighborhood. This enabled him to live at home and enjoy the companionship of his honored father, a privilege for which he has
ever been truly grateful. No doubt hereditary instinct had much to do with his eminent ene- cess as a teacher. llis zeal, tact, and above all his gift for controlling, rendered this a most fortunate choice of a profession. In his career in Stratford, Connectiont, where he established a high school, and subsequently in New York city, where for nearly thirty years he was con. nocted with the cause of popular education, he invariably exhibited those sterling traits which marked him for leadership. He was one of the founders of the New York Teachers' Associa- tion, the largest association of teachers in the world, and for fifteen years he was the head of its executive committee and foremost in every. good work.
In April, 1861, Professor Olney married Louisa, only danghter of Jameson D. Brown, Esquire, of New York. IIer death, in 1878, left him childless and alone. This loss, and the loneliness it entailed, helped to fix and intensify the artistic tastes which had always characterized him, but which now became a refuge as well as a passion. He became interested in forming a collection of works of art and objects de vertu. The thousands of interesting and beautiful things he has collected from far and near,-curios, rare pictures, sculptures, bronzes, ivory carvings, etc., etc., many the results of happy pilgrimages- form one of the most notable collections in the country.
In 1887, he married Mrs. Abbie Bradley Lamson, of Cleveland, a friend of his boyhood, and has since resided in this city, their elegant home being located on Jennings avenne. To better accommodate his art collection he has recently erected a beautiful Grecian art temple as an annex to his liome, which was dedicated as the Olney Art Gallery in December, 1893. The Professor and his wife are characterized alike by warm, humanitarian sympathies, earn- est zeal for the public welfare, and ardent phil- anthropie spirit. Not a few of the colleges, schools, religious societies and other organiza- tions of Cleveland and other cities have been and are glad recipients of their bounty. Indeed,
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too much cannot be said of their generosity toward all worthy causes, and their hospitality is unbounded.
Professor Olney wields a fluent pen and is a contributor to various publications. Although not a professional lecturer, he is a most inter- esting speaker, and, anxious to stimulate thought aud willing to tell of his many journeys, he fre- quently addresses schools and societies upon scientifie themes and his travels. Ile is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, the National Geographical Society, the Sociological Council, the Sons of the Revolution, etc .; and is deeply interested in floriculture and forestry.
In short, it would be difficult to find a more useful, genial and entertaining gentleman than Prof. Charles F. Olney.
0 M. BURKE, one of the prominent, wor- thy and respected business men of Cleve- land, Ohio, is president of the Lake Shore Foundry, located on Alabama street; is a stock- holder in a number of the banks of the city, and is vice-president of the Dime Savings & Banking Company. Without further introduction-in- deed, Mr. Burke needs no introduction whatever, so well known is he in Cleveland-we proceed to give a biography of him; for without more than a passing notice of him and the industry with which he is connected, a history of this city would be incomplete.
O. M. Burke was born in Newburg township, on his father's old farm which now forms a part of the twenty-seventh ward of Cleveland, March 14, 1823. Ilis parents were Gaius and Sophia (Taylor) Burke. Ilis father was a native of Massachusetts, was a farmer by occupation, and was for many years Treasurer of Cuyahoga county, where he was well known and highly esteemed. lle died in 1865, aged seventy-four years. ITis good wife died June 27, 1859, aged sixty-five. She was a true Christian woman and was beloved by all who knew her. Our subject was the second born in their family of
six children, three sons and three daughters. Only two of that number are now living, O. M. and Helen, the latter being the wife of I. C. Webster, of Kansas.
Mr. Burke received a common school educa- tion only. The first money he made was by school-teaching, receiving $12 a month and " boarding around." In 1847 he went to Illi- nois, and engaged in farming and teaching there until 1855. Since 1855 he has been a resident of Cleveland. In 1874 he became connected with the foundry, and has been interested in it ever since, he and his brother, Augustus M. and Judge Burke and others being its founders. Its name has not been changed during all these twenty years, and its business has been largely increased. At this writing the Lake Shore Foundry employs between 400 and 500 men, and is regarded as one of the most useful indus- tries in the city. It is officered as follows: (). M. Burke, president and treasurer; C. E. Burke, vice-president and superintendent; George B. Thomas, secretary; and A. J. Goodhue, sales agent.
The subject of our sketch was married in 1847 to Miss Martha C. Meech, a native of Con- necticut, and they have a family, a record of which is as follows:
Clarence E., vice-president and superintendent of the Lake Shore Foundry, has, like his father, been connected with this enterprise since it was founded. He married Maria, daughter of Col. W. II. Hayward, of Cleveland, and their only child is Jessie.
Lizzie, wife of W. G. Alcott, has one child, -- Clarence Frank Alcott. Mr. Alcott is connected with the Diamond-Portland Cement Company, near Canton, Ohio.
Frank G., a resident of New York city, is engaged in the manufacture of " Manhattan Soap." He married Joanna Arington aud has four children,-Martha A., Oscar, Lucie and Frank.
Mrs. O. M. Burke's parents were Gordon Meech und Lucy nce Swan, natives of Connec- tient. Her birth ocenrred in Bozrah, Connec-
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tieut, September 11, 1824, and in 1832 the family removed to Ohio and settled in Newburg, where her father was engaged in farming up to the time of his death. Both her parents reached an advanced age, her father being eighty-seven and her mother eighty five at the time of death. Mrs. Meceh was small of stature, but was one of the noblest of women and possessed that breadth of character which enabled her to befriend the distressed and needy, on the principle that " it is more blessed to give than to receive." She reared to mature years nine children of her own, besides bringing up nine others. One winter she sent eighteen children to the district school. Of her nine children, Mrs. Juliett Morgan, widow of Irham Morgan, of Newburg, and Mrs. O. M. Burke, are the only ones now living.
Mr. Burke moved into the beautiful and com- modious residence he now occupies, October 23, 1866, and may be considered one of the pioneers in this part of the city as at that time there was only one house on the east side of his. This is now one of the most beautiful and densely pop- ulated portions of Cleveland.
Politieally, Mr. Burke is an ardent Republi- can; fraternally, a member of Iris Lodge, F. & A. M. Mrs. Burke is a member of the Third Presbyterian Church.
- OIIN MUSTOE, a prosperous farmer of Strongsville township, was born in Wilt- shire, England, February 11, 1832, and emigrated to America in 1856. For the first seven years here he was employed by J. II. IInssey in the copperas works in Cleveland. Next, for a year and a half, he was employed in oil works in Pennsylvania, and then settled on a farm in Newburg township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, but four years afterward removed to Strongsville, locating upon the farm where he now resides. He owns 196 acres, on which are good buildings and all other improvements highly ereditable to the judgment and painstak- ing of a careful man. In public relations he has been a School Director.
lle was first married in England, to Miss Caroline Townsend, a native of Wiltshire, and they had five children, all of whom died young! and Mrs. Caroline Mustoe died in this county, January 1, 1860. July 3, 1862, in Cleveland, Mr. Mustoe married Mary C. Kinch, who was born in Leicestershire, England, January 24, 1835.
S OLOMON PEASE, a prosperous and sub- stantial farmer of Rocky River Hamlet, Cuyahoga county, is a native of the same place where he now resides, the date of his birth being November 18, 1846. At that time Rocky River Hamlet bore the name of Rockport town- ship.
The parents of our subject, Solomon and Mary E. (Rodgers) Pease, were pioneer settlers in Rockport township, having located there in 1826 or 1827. Both were natives of beautiful old Chautauqua county, New York, where the father was born in the year 1803. They emi- grated to Ohio at the time just noted and set- tled in that portion of Cuyahoga county where their son now lives, residing there until the time of their death. The father died November 14, 1846, and the mother surviving him many years, her death occurring August 24, 1888, at which time she had attained the age of seventy- nine years. Of their five children we make brief record as follows: Dorothy, who became the wife of Frederick Wright, died in Rocky River Hamlet, in October, 1891; Calvin is a retired merchant of Dover Center, Cuyahoga connty; Gideon is a resident of Rocky River Hamlet, where he is engaged in farming; James is an undertaker of Dover Center; and Solomon the youngest, is the immediate subject of this review.
In the place of his nativity our subject was reared and here he has ever since continued to reside, being engaged in general agricultural pursuits and being honored and esteemed in the community that has known him from his youth np.
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Attaining to years of maturity and having placed himself in a position of independence, Mr. Pease found yet one essential element of happiness lacking. This was supplied, on the 22d of Jannary, 1871, when he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Dunlap, who was born in Wisconsin in July, 1851, a daughter of Alexander Dunlap. Iler marriage to Mr. Pease was consummated in Rocky River Ham- let. In the happy family circle there are now five children, namely: Arthur, Howard, Edward, Elva and Zella.
Mr. Pease has found that his farming oper- ations demanded his entire attention and he has had neither time nor inclination for anything in the line of public office, though he maintains a consistent interest in the political issues of the day and in the public affairs of a local order. Ile has a fine farm of ninety-one aeres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. The family homestead is a spacious domicile of modern style of architect- ture and is one of the handsomest residences in this section of the State.
R EV. PETER BECKER. - While to all thinking minds there must ever come a recognition and appreciation of the lead- ing part religion has taken in advancing civilization and conserving the higher interests of the human race, yet not to all comes an equal understanding of the burdens borne, the trials endured, tho anxious responsibility maintained and the self-abnegation practiced by those who give their lives to the Master's cause, merging their very identity into the holy work which none should approach save with clean hands and pure heart. Sacrifices there must be; am- bition in a worldly sense must be forsworn and in all the work of preparation and execution there must be a devotion in all singleness of spirit to the uplifting of fellow-men into the brighter refulgence of the higher light, the light perpetual, zealous in all good works and
fit to be known as a follower of the one great Shepherd of all, it is most consonant that Fa- ther Becker, Rector of Holy Trinity parish, should be accorded an honored position in a work whose aim is to leave a permanent memo- rial of those individuals who have lived and labored in this particular section of the Union.
Peter Becker was born in Alsace, France, (now Germany), November 25, 1834, his par- ents, John and Catherine (Krans) Beeker hav- ing also been natives of France. The father was variously engaged at farming and carpentry during his lifetime. Ile served as a soldier under Napoleon First and participated in the memorable battle of Waterloo, having been a private in the cavalry service. He was never wounded, but did not escape his quota of the hardships of war. He had his feet frozen and was sent to the hospital, undergoing much pain and suffering.
John Becker eame to Dover township, Cuya- hoga county, in 1843, arriving there on the fourth day of August and at once settling on a farm. After leaving his native land he arrived in due time at the port of New York. From the national metropolis he proceeded on a tow- boat to Albany, thenee to Buffalo on a canal boat, completing the journey to Cleveland on the steamer Chicago. In 1855 he removed from Dover township to Sandusky county and took up his residence on a farm of 240 aeres. In his farming operations he was very successful, bringing to bear much executive ability and looking carefully to all details of operation, thus not only insuring success but also deserving it. He died about the year 1876 at the age of eighty- four years, his wife having entered into eternal rest in 1855 at the age of fifty-nine years. Both parents were lifelong members of the Roman Catholic Church, and were honored and esteent- ed in the community which had been their abiding place. Mrs. John Bocker was a good mother and a most earnest and devout Christian woman. Her influence for good among those who knew her was most marked and will long abide.
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The subject of this sketch was the sixth in a family of ten children, seven of whom are still living. Ilis early years were passed on a farm, his childhood being spent in Alsace and his youth in Cuyahoga county, Cleveland having been his home for many years past. Ilis early educational advantages were very meagre. Un- til he had attained the age of twenty-four years his scholastic training had been confined to two months' instruction during each winter season, when he was under the tutorship of old sailors. In 1858 he became a pupil in St. Mary's Semi- nary, in Cleveland, where he remained for a period of nine years. Ile has ever since been an enthusiastic and indefatigable student, though not to the extent of rendering him in the least visionary or impractical, for he is recognized as a man of marked business sagacity.
Father Becker was ordained a priest Novem- ber 16, 1867. Ilis first charge was from Toledo to Edgerton, on the Indiana line,-a work of seven missions, among French, Irish, Poles, Swedes and other nationalities. Ile was engaged in this mission work for a period of sixteen months and was then sent to Youngstown to start a new congregation. He began with twenty-five families, and when he left the charge one year and a half later the representation was sixty-four families. From this melens grew St. Joseph's Church, which is the finest one in the city of Youngstown, the priest in charge being Father John Klute, a veteran in the work and a most worthy man. September 18, 1870, after leaving Youngstown, Father Becker re- moved to Maumee City, in Lucas county, where he served for nearly nine years, coming to his present charge May 15, 1879. Ile began his present work in 1880, with a representation of 100 families. Through his earnest and zealous efforts the list has now reached 400 families. At the beginning of his work in the parish the church had nothing in the way of buildings. He canvassed the situation thoroughly and set himself a task which many a less indomitable man would have pronounced impossible of performance. He commenced without the first
penny, effected the purchase of the lots on Wood- land avenue for a consideration of $16,000, and at onec instituted the work of erecting a suit- able building for the parochial school. The church edifice was also brought to completion in due time. The school opened with two teachers and at the present time the services of five are demanded, the same being Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary. Father Becker still retains his first teacher, Margaret Bonagh, while others have remained long in the service. Ile has been particularly favored in the retention of the old and thoroughly proved instructors. Aside from the school already mentioned Father Becker maintains another school in temporary quarters, and in this also good work is being done.
The church edifice is a commodions frame structure, which in time will be replaced by a more permanent and imposing building. The baptisms have reached an average of eighty-six per year; in 1893 the marriages were twenty- four in number and the deaths forty-one. The church has a chime of eight bells, a fine organ, and is otherwise well equipped in the matter of accessories.
Father Becker is an indefatigable worker, a man of broad intellectuality and grateful human sympathy, and one of the most earnest soldiers of the church militant. He has done well his part in whatever field of usefulness he has been called, and both as a priest and a man has ever been held in the highest esteem by his parish- ioners. The fruits of his labors and the influ- ence of his personal example will long abide as a valued heritage to those to whom he has ministered.
- OSEPII II. SOMERS, a coal operator and wholesale dealer in coal, in Cleveland, was born in Nelsonville, Ohio, in 1843, a son of J. F. Somers, who also was a coal operator and shipper and one of the largest dealers in the country. His paternal ancestors wore among
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the early settlers of Maine, and his maternal ancestors were people of prominence in the set- tlement of New Jersey. He died in 1892, aged eighty-seven years. The paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
Mr. Somers received a high-school educa- tion, and on leaving school became identified with his father in the coal business until 1868, in which year he went to Columbus, where he resided until 1883, when he came to Cleveland. Later his enterprise founded and built up the village of Somerdale, Ohio, on the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway. He also opened coal mines at Sherrodsville, this State, and from that time on he has been very largely interested in coal, both as an operator and dealer in Ohio and Pennsylvania, owning now three coal mines. lle is a wholesale dealer only, and the great snecess that has followed his efforts evinees re- markable business ability and integrity, and has placed Mr. Somers among the foremost of enterprising business men.
In June, 1861, he enlisted in the Twenty- second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private in Company B, as one of the 75,000 men who en- listed under the first eall for troops, and was discharged five months later. In 1862 he en- tered the United States Navy as master's mate of a vessel, and served in this capacity until 1864. He is a progressive citizen and manifests much interest in public issues, being a firm Republi- can in his political principles and taking a de- eided interest in public affairs. He is a man of honor and respectability, and in every sense of the term a self-made man.
H ON. JOSEPH II. BRECK, a highly respected citizen of Newburg, Ohio, and at present a member of the State Legis- lature, was born in Brecksville, Cuy- ahoga county, Ohio, June 23, 1831.
The Breck family in America trace their ancestry back to three brothers of that name who emigrated from England to Massachusetts
in 1630. Rev. Joseph IInnt Breck, the father of our subject, was born in Northampton, Mas- sachusetts, July 9, 1798; was reared and edu- cated in his native State, and was a graduate of Yale College. As early as 1823 he came as a missionary to the Western Reserve. Ile trav- eled throughout Summit, Geauga, Ashtabula and Madison counties, preaching at various places and being the means of accomplishing a great amount of good. In 1830, on account of failing health, he returned to Massachusetts, and while there was united in marriage to Miss Alice A. Snow, a native of Northampton, their marriage occurring July 20, 1830. She was the daughter of Ralph Snow, a merchant of Northampton. After their marriage they re- turned to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and located at Brecksville, a town named in honor of his family. After two years more spent in the ministry, his health again failed and he removed to Cleveland and settled on the farm which is now owned and occupied by his son. That was in 1833. Ile continned farming up to the time of his death, June 21, 1880. Some time after the death of his first wife he married Diantha Chamberlin, who is also now deceased. In politics he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican. Early in life he was a Mason.
Joseph HI. Breck is one of a family of two children, his sister having died in her fourth year. Ilis birth occurred in a little log house at Brecksville, and much of his early life was spent in assisting his father on the farm to which, as above stated, they subsequently moved. Ile, however, had the benefit of as good educa- tional advantages as the country afforded, his last schooling being at the Shaw Academy where he received instructions under Joseph B. Mer- riam. After he left the academy he was for a while employed as bookkeeper for E. I. Bald- win. Most of his life, however, has been spent on the farm where he now resides, engaged largely in the dairy business, keeping from forty to fifty cows. Ilis property has grown to be a very valuable one, and a portion of it is now laid out in town lots.
Dell Barry
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Mr. Breek was married Jannary 18, 1859, to Miss Hattie Brooks, a native of Lorain county, Ohio, who was edneated at Oberlin. She is a daughter of Il. Brooks and sister of Dr. M. L. Brooks of Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Breekhave four children: George D., who is now associated with the Cleveland Elect. Eng. Co .; Dr. L. B .; William M., of New Haven; and Mary L., an accomplished young lady.
Politically, Mr. Breek is a Republican, and by that party was elected in 1893 to his present position as a Representative to the State Legis- lature, his vote being next to the largest one polled in the county. Mr. Breck is also a prominent Mason. lle is a member of New- burg Lodge, No. 379, and of Baker Chapter.
D OMINICK M. CAREY, the subject of this sketch, was born at Dundas, On- tario, Canada, March 2, 1844. He was the second son of Michael and Winifred (Hlow- ard) Carey. Michael Carey, the father of D. M. Carey, was born in County Galway, Ireland, about 1824, and left the " old sod " bound for Amer- ica, when only a lad; and soon after his arrival in Canada, being a boy of industrious habits and great energy, he apprenticed himself to a tanner and currier to learn the business of mak- ing leather.
The son, Dominick M. Carey, being dissatis- fied with the narrow field and limited oppor- tunities for acquiring for himself fame and for- tune that were afforded by his father's tannery, left the parental roof at the early age of sixteen and boldly and courageously struck out, unaided and alone, to begin the battle of life. Ile was a born leader of men. This fact was exempli- fied in his childhood by the commanding influ- ence exerted by him over the men in the tan- nery, and over the children on the play-ground of the public school; and in his later career, by the wonderful control had by him over the armies of inen he employed on the public works.
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