USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Memorial record of the county of Cuyahoga and city of Cleveland, Ohio, pt 2 > Part 42
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 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
On the 27th day of September, 1864, Mr. Hanna was married to Miss C. Angusta Rhodes, daughter of the late D. P. Rhodes, and three years later when the great pioneer iron and coal firm of Rhodes & Card retired from business, he became a member of its successor, the firm
721
CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
of Rhodes & Company, the other members of which were Robert Rhodes and G. HI. Warm- ington. They were heavy dealers in coal and iron and for a number of years did an extensive business, their mines being located in the Tus- carawas valley, while their trade extended all over the country. This firm was dissolved in 1885, being succeeded by that of M. A. Hanna & Company, of which Mr. Hanna became the senior member. This firm is still in business, and is one of the largest dealers in coal, iron ore and pig iron in Ohio, and as large as any in the West.
While Mr. Hanna's labors were for a number of years given to this great enterprise, he was and is interested in many ways in other lines of commercial and business activity. In 1872 he organized, in connection with other leading cap- italists, the Cleveland Transportation Company, which built a line of steamers and their consorts for the Lake Superior iron-ore trade, and of this he has been a director from the first and was for several years its general manager, resigning the same when the other business interests grew to such an extent as to demand the most of his time. In 1881 he organized the West Republic Min- ing Company of Marquette county, Michigan, and was elected its president, which position, with that of director, he still holds. In 1882 he organized the Pacific Coal and Iron Company, with headquarters at St. Paul, Minnesota, was elected its president, and continues in the same position. Ile was a director in and vice-presi- dent of the Hubbell Stove Company of Buffalo. In 1882 he purchased a controlling interest in the West Side Street Railway Company, and with his usual enterprise and courage put mon- ey and management enough into it to make it a success. Ile was elected president of the com- pany, and has remained at the head of that en- terprise during its changes and consolidations. Mr. Hanna is a director of the Globe Iron Works, one of the largest shipbuilding concerns in the country, and to him as much as to any one man is due the credit of making Cleveland the largest shipbuilding point in the United
States. Ile was one of the founders of the Union National Bank in 1884, and was elected one of its directors and president. This bank is one of the largest in the State, with a capital of $1,000,000, and its stock-holders comprise solid business men and capitalists of Cleveland. The people of Cleveland are indebted to Mr. Hannn for one of the handsomest houses of amusement in the West, as he is the builder and present owner of the Euelid Avenne Opera House, the leading theater of the city. In 1880, Mr. Hanna purchased an interest in the Cleve- land Herald, a Republican newspaper which had been experiencing hard times for a number of years, and was chosen president of the Her- ald IInblishing Company. His connection with this enterprise elosed with its sale in 1885.
Ile is also interested in various enterprises and institutions in Cleveland and elsewhere, needless to mention here, as sufficient have been ennumerated to show the extent and ramifica- tions of his important business connections.
Mr. Hanna has always been a Republican and a believer in a tariff for the protection of American industry. He is one of those who believe that every business man should exercise the right influence in the condnet of affairs, be- living in personal effort as a matter of right and duty, and he has been active in the politics of Ohio for a number of years, not a seeker after office bnt a seeker after good government administered by the best men. He is recognized to-day as one of the political leaders of the State, his advice and counsel being sought on all im- portant occasions by those having in charge the various campaigns; and in this connection it may be said in the language of one of his friends, " M. A. Hanna is a power in Ohio pol- ities, and he has always stood for clean and hon- est methods." In 1884 he was one of the dele- gates at large from the Republican State Con- vention to the National Convention in Chicago, and during that and the following years served in the Republican State Excentivo Committee of Ohio. In August of 1885 he was appointed by President Cleveland as one of the Govern-
723
CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
ment Directors of the Union Pacific Railroad, a position unsought but accepted because it was an honorary one to which no salary was attached, and in which he could serve the public withont the charge of personal motive. In the fall that year he was summoned to the West by reason of the labor troubles along the line, and gave several weeks to a careful and proper settlement of the question at issue, in connection with oth- er directors of the road. In 1888 he was dele- gate to the Republican National Convention, and supported Senator John Sherman's candida- ey before that convention. He labored zealously for the success of Senator Sherman, who is his warm personal friend, and to whom that gentle- man owes, probably more than to any other man, his last election to the United States Senate. Ile is also one of Governor Mckinley's warinest friends and advisers.
The best estimate of a man's powers and qual- ities can be found in the work he has done and in the repute in which he is held by those who know him well; and judged by these standards Mr. Hanna must be set down as a business man who has commanded the highest success while in the prime of life. He has done much for himself and his posterity, but more for Cleve- land and her future. Ile aided in making Cleve- land the largest ship-building city save one on the globe; he was instrumental in establishing one of her largest lines of lake vessels; he gave the city one of her best systems of street railways in the whole country; he gave her prominence in the coal and iron markets; he founded one of her largest and most substantial banking houses, and in a thousand ways has contributed to the growth and development of the eity and her en- terprises. Ile is one of the city's most public- spirited citizens, and is always to be found on the side of progress and in the front rank of all movements of a public and beneficial nature. llis reputation as a financier is equal to that of the best in the State. He is bold and courage- ons in his moves upon the commercial chess- board, yet at the same time is sound and con- servative. His honesty and honorable methods
of business have never been questioned, and the association of his name with any enterprise gen erally seenres the success of the same.
Mr. Hanna is an ideal citizen. Ile takes an interest in all that pertains to the city and her people; keeps himself in touch with all public and social questions. He is very charitable by nature and gives liberally to organized charity and to the poor and needy individually. Ile takes a great interest in hospital work, and is president of the Huron street hospital, to which he gives his personal attention. Personally he is pleasant and sociable in disposition, open to the approach of any one, and is a warm and steadfast friend. He is fond of company and is a magnificent entertainer, being in the height of his pleasure when surrounded by his guests.
A IL. BRAINARD, secretary of the Na- tional Union Photo-Engraving Company of Cleveland, was born in St. Paul, Min- nesota, September 21, 1867, a son of Henry and Sarah (Ilinkley) Brainard. Ilis father died in 1883, and his mother is still liv- ing, a resident of Hazlehurst, Mississippi.
During his boyhood the subject of this sketch was a resident of several places, but, educated mainly in the public schools of Brooklyn vil- lage, Cuyahoga county. At the age of fifteen years he went to Mississippi, where his father was living, the owner of a large plantation. The following year the latter came North, and died in Minnesota. Mr. A. Il. Brainard man- aged the plantation four years, when he also began to entertain a desire to come North, namely, to Cleveland, at which place he arrived in 1887. In August of the next year he accepted a posi- tion as collector for the National Bank of Com- meree of this city, and remained in connection with the bank for three years. He then pur- chased an interest in the National Photo-En- graving Company of this city, whose business was then owned by himself and W. A. Me- Laughlin until January 11, 1893, when they
728
CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
formed a stock company, capitalized at 850,- 000, with W. A. MeLanghlin president and treasurer, William Backus, Jr., vice president, and A. II. Brainard sceretary.' Their office is located on the corner of St. Clair and Ontario streets, where they employ a large foree of men and turn out the finest class of photo-en- graving, relief-line and half-tone work.
Although still a young man, Mr. Brainard has already become a well known figure in the business circles of Cleveland, is resolute, exeeu- tive and in all his dealings honorable. In his fraternal relations he is a Royal Arch Mason, and in respect to religion he and wife are members of the Congregational Church. They reside in Brooklyn.
Mr. Brainard was married December 28, 1892, to Miss Pearl B. Prescott, daughter of William Prescott of this city.
J OEL M. MONROE, manufacturer of elec- trieal goods, Cleveland, was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, September 4, 1851.
His father, Colonel Jonas Monroe, was a nephew of President Monroe, was in the frontier military service for eighteen years, including the period of the Seminole war, and was com- missioned by General Winfield Scott as Colonel for the Mexican war, as commander of the Twenty-second Regiment of the National Guards of New York. Being an able attorney, he was for a time a member of the prominent law firm of Monroe, Wilkins & Korse of New York. Ile was the author of some of the best books pub- lished on the game of chess,-one, " The Sne cess and Art of Chess," was published by the Scribners; and he also wrote a number of other works, one of the most important being unfin- ished when he died: its publication would prob- ably have made him distinguished. He was educated at William and Mary's College, a classical scholar and n great linguist: was an able contributor to many of the leading jour-
4 nals of his time. He died in August, 1862, at the age of forty-two years. At the armory of the Twenty-second Regiment of New York is to be seen a life-sized portrait of him, taken when he was Captain of Company K, Sixth In- fantry, and the late Lientenant-General W. S. Hancock was his lieutenant. This is pointed out as indicative of the high esteem in which he was held by members of that regiment. He was of English and Scotch lineage, his ancestors coming to Virginia in the early part of the seventeenth century. Ile married Virginia Martin, a native of Massachusetts and a dangh- ter of Dr. Martin, distinguished as a United States Army surgeon. She was educated at Mt. Holyoke, Massachusetts, her instructress in the classics being Miss Lyon, and she was a lady of sterling qualities of mind. She and her hus- band were members of the Episcopalian Church.
Their son, whose name heads this sketch, was educated in the public schools of New York, and then was engaged in the insurance business in New York city until 1871, after which he was traveling salesman until 1891, when he be- came interested in manufacturing in Cleveland, as general manager of the Steel Bolt Company, but afterward became the partner of Herbert S. Gray in the electrical manufacturing business.
In his political principles Mr. Monroe is a Republican, and in his fraternal relations he belongs to the orders of Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and American Legion of Honor. He is also president of the Rialto Club of New York city, a member of Company 1 of the Twenty-second Regiment of New York, S. N. G., and of the Cleveland Grays.
D R. FRANK DOWD, dentist, No. 50 Enclid avenue, was born in Chautauqua county, New York, September 23, 1847, a son of Benjamin Il. and Rhoda (Norton) Dowd, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of New York. The father, a carpen- ter contractor and builder, came from Vermont.
16
721
CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
to New York in 1824, thence to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and from there to Chautauqua county New York, in 1837. lle was a pioneer in his business in that part of the State. He was a member of the Baptist Church for many years, dying May 3, 1879, at the age of seventy- one years. He was a useful man, extensively known and highly respected as a most worthy citizen. As a skilled workman in his line, no less than as an honored representative citizen, his death was mourned as a loss to the family, the community, and the church of his choice.
Ilis father, B. Dowd, took part as a faithful soldier in the Revolutionary war. Hle was one of three brothers who came from England and settled in Vermont in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Our subjeet's mother, still living, was born in 1812. She is an hon- ored resident of Cleveland and has been a life- long member of the Baptist Church. She bore her husband eight children, of whom four are now living, namely: Thirzah, widow of Chester Tanner, a farmer of Chantanqua county, New York: she has three children, -Arthur A., Rhoda and Rosabel; William E., a resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, connected with the mail ser- vice in that city : he married Julia Wheeler, and they have three children, -- Edwin, Jolm and Ada; Frank, our subject; and Dr. J. C. Dowd, of Cleveland.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, was educated in Chautauqua, New York, Ile studied dentistry for several years before entering the dental college at Indian- apolis, Indiana, at which he graduated in the class of 1885. He has practiced since 1872, for the most part in Jamestown, New York. He was demonstrator in the Indianapolis Dental College for some time.
Dr. Dowd came to Cleveland in 1885, and has been a successful practitioner here ever since. Ile is a skillful workman of much natural genins and is classed among the best dentists of the country; is thoroughly posted in his pro- fession, is progressive in his views and in every way a good and enterprising citizen.
Socially Dr. Dowd is a member of the Uni- form Rank of the Knights of Pythias. Ile is Colonel of the staff of General Carnahan, who is Major-General commanding the Uniform Rank of the K. of P. of the world. Dr. Dowd is a member of the Second Regiment of the Ohio Brigade, U. R. K. P.
Dr. Dowd was married January 6, 1877, to Miss Mary Campbell, danghter of Alexander and Agnes Campbell. The father died about 1873, at about fifty-five years of age. Ilis wife died at about forty years of age. They were born, reared and married in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to the United States in 1858, settling in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Mary Campbell Dowd is a native of Scotland.
There were seven children in the Campbell family, two of whom died in early childhood. The living are; Alexander, a fruit-grower of North Carolina; Mrs. Dowd; Lizzie, wife of E. T. Newkirk, residing in Buffalo, New York; Don, residing in Baltimore, Maryland, con- nected with the Standard Oil Company; and Agnes, wife of E. F. Spalsbury, a resident of Bath, New York.
DR. J. C. Down, dentist, of Cleveland, Ohio (brother of Dr. Frank Dowd), was born in Chautauqua county, New York, December 21, 1852, attended the select school in Panama, that State, completing a course in Mayville, same State. Ile attended a medical college two years, and practiced under a license of the State. In Cleveland he has practiced for seven years with very good success.
Dr. J. C. Dowd was married in 1873, to Miss Ella Rockwood, daughter of Deacon Rockwood of Union City, Pennsylvania. Dr. Dowd and his wife have five children, viz .: Fred E., a student in the city sehools, Bennie, Frank C., Roy and Mabel.
Mrs. Dowd is a member of the Baptist Church, and Doctor of the Disciple. He is a member of tho Knights of Pythias (the main lodge), also of the Maccabees; and he has been a member of several other societies. In polities he is a thorough Republican.
725
CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
Dr. Dowd lived in Kansas from 1879 to 1886. He was engaged in contracting and building in that State, and while there was burned out, losing all. His location was Atehi- son. He was a member of the Atchison Flam- bean Club that took part in the parade at St. Louis at the time of the " Unveiling of the Prophets." He carries a scar resulting from injuries received at that time, and the report came home that he was killed. The injury was caused by the accidental explosion of a bomb, by which five others also were injured. Dr. Dowd was carried to the hospital, as it was thought, in a dying condition.
D R. JI. II. LITTLE, real estate dealer, re- siding at 1492 Euclid avenue, Cleve- land, was born in Lamoille county, Ver- mont, in 1816. Ilis parents, David and Lucy Little, were both natives of Litchfield, Con- nectient. Ilis father, a farmer by ocenpation, took part in the war of 1812, and died in Ver- mont, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a member of the Universalist Church, a body of people as noted for their strict morality and high sense of the golden rule as the Quakers. After his death the Doctor's mother came to Cleveland, where she spent the remainder of her days, dying at the age of eighty-eight years, in 1875, a sincere and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Little, the subject of this sketch. is the sixth of the eleven children in their family, and is the only one now living. An older brother, Dr. Lyman Little, was a physician practicing in Zanesville, Ohio, for many years, and later came to Cleve- land, where he passed the remainder of his life.
Dr. Little, whose name introduces this sketch, was edneated at Johnson (Vermont) Academy, graduated in medicine at the Ohio Medical Col- lege in 1844, and began practice at MeConnells ville, this State. After following his pro- l'ession there for twelve years, with marked suc- cess, he came, in 1856, to Cleveland; but here
he engaged in real estate, finding that the eity was bound to prosper for many years to come, and that dealing in realty was an easier method of earning a fortune than medical practice; and this business he has followed to the present time.
Dr. Little was first married at Sheldon, Ver- mont, to Miss II. M. Keyes, a daughter of Judge Ell N. Keyes, of that State. She died in 1875, aged sixty years, a member of the Episcopalian Church. Harriet L., the only daughter by this marriage, died at the age of ten years. The Doctor's second marriage took place in 1876, when he wedded Miss Laura Bascom, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a daughter of W. T. Bascom, also of Column- bus, and by this marriage there were two children: Iliram M. and T. Bascom, aged (1894) respectively sixteen and fourteen years. Dr. and Mrs. Little are members of the Uni- tarian Church, of which body he is a Trustee. It is well known to the public that there are no more intelligent and refined people in the world than the members of this church, and in this body the subjects of this sketch are ex- emplary workers. Dr. Little is a Republican in his political principles, but takes but little in- terest in " polities," as this term is generally understood. During the days of African slavery in the United States he was a con- ductor and station agent on the " Underground Railway." The Doctor is a pleasant-mannered, relined and popular gentleman, enjoying a home that any one might envy on account of its pleasant surroundings.
EORGE FEUCHITER, of Feuchter Broth- ers, millers, Rockport Hamlet, is a son of the late Michel Feuchter. The par- ents were born in Germany, where they were married and at once emigrated to America, settling in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, Rockport township, where he died, November 17, 1886. The wife and mother still lives. They hel
CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
twelve children, seven of whom lived to grow up: George; Rosa (deceased); Gustoph, who was lost at sea while on a whole-fishing expedi- tion; William; Anna; Frederick and Sarah.
George Feuchter was born in Roekport town- ship, Cuyahoga county, March 21, 1849, where he was reared to manhood. He learned the car- penter's trado in Cleveland. For some fifteen years he followed his trade, also operating a threshing machine, and a portion of the time was engaged in farming. In April, 1887, in company with his brother, Frederick Feuchter, he bought the Rockport roller mills, and sinee then they have operated the mills under the firin name of Feuchter Brothers.
George Feuchter was married in Brooklyn, this county, December 21, 1875, to Miss Caro- line Baumgartner, daughter of John and Caro- line Baumgartner, and born in Cleveland, Feb- ruary 21, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Fenchter are the parents of six children, five of whom are living,-Cora, William E., Nettie E., Nellie M. and Addison B. George died in infancy.
Mr. Fenchter has held the office of township Trustee for several years, and has also served for a number of years as School Director and as Constable; has taken quite an active part in local affairs, and is a Republican in politics.
AY ODELL, senior member of the firm of Jay Odell & Sons, abstracters of land ti- tles, conveyaneing, etc., was born in Ot- sego county, New York, March 23, 1819. Ilis parents, Eli and Amelia (Betts) Odell, were na- tives of Connectient, and came with their fam- ily to Geanga county, Ohio, in 1828. The father was one of the prominent farmers of his community, was extensively known in his county, and carried the confidence of a large circle of acquaintances. He filled many posi- tions of trust and confidence with great satis- faction to all concerned. Ile died after reach- ing the advanced age of eighty-one years. Ilis wife departed this life several years later, at the
age of eighty years. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom are still living: George, a resident of Minneapolis; Jay, the subject of this sketch; and LeGrand, of Chi- eago.
Jay Odell received but limited educational advantages. Ile assisted his father on the farm until 1852, and for the following six years was employed as clerk in the Anditor and Re- eorder's office of Cuyahoga county. Since that time he has been engaged in his present busi- ness. Mr. Odell made his own start in life, and is now recognized as one of the most reli- able men in the county. Ile is genial, courte- ons, well informed, and a good and competent judge of business ventures. For many years he has held firmly to the principles as set forth in the Prohibition party. In April, 1869, Mr. Odell assisted in the organization of the party in this State, and in the fall of that year the National party was formed at Chicago, since which time he has been one of its staneh and influential supporters. Our subjeet was past the age to take part in the late civil war, but gave his best infinenee for a rigorous and sue- cessful prosecution of the same. He was one of the first to enroll in the company which was afterward ealled the Squirrel Hunters, who went to Cincinnati when that city was threatened by the Confederate forces in 1862. He was absent but one week, a time sufficiently long, however, to convince him he was past the age to take an active part or share his best efforts to save the nation on the tented field.
Mr. Odell was united in marriage with Miss Mary, a daughter of John and Mollie (Allen) Packard, all natives of Massaehmsetts. They located on a farm in Geauga county, Ohio, in 1830. Mr. Packard died from apoplexy at the age of fifty-nine years, and his wife lived to the advanced age of ninety-five years. They were the parents of nine children, three now living: Cordelia, wife of Austin Bisbee, of Greenwich, Connectient; Incien, a resident of Elyria, Ohio; und Mary, wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Packard were devout and worthy members of
527
CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
the Congregational Church in Massachusetts, but after coming to Ohio they united with the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Odell have had four children, namely: Howard, de- ceased at the age of six years; Arthur, a mem- ber of the firm of Jay Odell & Sons, married Jennie Bailey, and Howard is their only living child; Allen A., also a member of the above firm, married Miss Minnie Kreger, and their three children are: Arthur R., Margaret and Ina; Mary Ida, wife of James Robinson: they have two children, -Allen Jay and Clare W. Mr. and Mrs. Odell are members of the Congregational Church of Collinwood, in which the former has held the position of Deacon.
H W. S. WOOD, a well-known business man of Cleveland, now retired, was born in England, August 4, 1845. Ile is a son of Stephen Wood, a native of Lon- don, England. Ile came to IIndson, New York, in 1848, and to Cleveland in 1849. Being by trade a mason, Mr. Wood at once identified himself with the city's growth and improve- ment as a contractor. Ile formed a partner- ship with one Davy, which was of brief dura- tion. He became manager for W. P. South- worth, a sewer and paving contractor. Mr. Wood succeeded to the business of Mr. South- worth by purchase in 1865, at which time he launched out as a sewer contractor and paver. The next year the firm of S. Wood & Sons came into existence, his two older sons assuming a financial interest with him. This firm existed during the life-time of Mr. Wood and at his death in 1888 became Wood Bros. An ener- tous sewer mileage was built by this firm dur- ing its years of operation. For one decade five miles was the annual average besides the pieces of paved streets completed under their con- tracts.
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.