USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Memorial record of the county of Cuyahoga and city of Cleveland, Ohio, pt 2 > Part 55
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After receiving his diploma, in 1866, Dr. Drechsler married Julia Zollshein, a native of IInngary, and a danghter of Leopold and Fannie Zollshein. She is descended from a family who were finished scholars for many generations, and her father was also a great scholar. He died in 1846, at the age of twenty three years. Mrs. Zollshein is still living in Hungary, aged seventy years. Our subject and wife have six children, viz .: Jo-ephine, wife of David Sand. rowitz, a merchant of Cleveland; Istae, engaged in clerking for his brother-in-law; Jennie, who will soon become the wife of Phillip, a brother of David Sandrowitz, and a partner in the busi- ness; William and Helen, attending the high school; and Jnlins, a pupil of the public school.
At the age of twenty-four years Dr. Drechs- ler took charge of the congregation at Kova goears, three years later went to Nagy Vazsony, and four years afterward was called to the con- gregation at Peczel, as district rabbi, remaining there fourteen years. The Minister of the Hungarian Cabinet on Education, Mr. Trefort, had charge of the congregation as well as of edneational affairs. Ile reorganized the entire state in into new districts, which lessened the distriet filled by our subject. He at once re- solved to come to America, and accordingly ar- rived in New York in 1887, where he remained six weeks, during which time he pre ichel every Saturday in the First Hungarian Congregation,
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Oheb Zebeck. Ile then took charge of his present work in Cleveland. At that time the church consisted of only lifty members, but un- der Dr. Drechsler's able management has in- ereased to a membership of over 200. He is' an able expounder of the Bible, and his efforts in work and organization have been eminently successful. Under his charge, the congregation purchased the synagogue on Eagle street, which contains a seating capacity of 1,500. The Sun- day-school is held in the basement, and has a membership of 250: also the same number of day pupils. Religious intructions are given ever day by three efficient teachers. The church has a large burying ground in Glenville, Ohio. Dr. Drechsler is still in the prime of life, and carries the respect of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. In his line of literature he is one of the most scholarly men in this great city.
R EV. WILLIAM SAMPSON, Superin- tendent of the Children's Aid Society, Cleveland, Ohio (Detroit street, No. 1745), was born in Summerford, Wilt- shire, England, February 20, 1814.
Ilis parents were Jacob and Ann (Wieks) Sampson. These parents came to Erie, Penn- sylvania, in 1883, settling on a farm where they remained a few years, when they returned to England, where they passed the remaining years of their life.
The father died in the same room in which he was born, his age being 81 years. He was a Church Warden all his life. He was a very forward man in church work, and all moral re- forms. His wife was his equal-perhaps his superior-in all acts of love, and in exercise of the Christian graces. She was a woman most highly esteemed, and a valued citizen, doing much for the children, bringing them to her own home and caring for the needy and com- forting the distressed. This was n very un- popular move in her day, and in her social circle, but it satisfied her conscience, was well pleas- ing to her, and later made hor very popular.
She too was a member of the established Church. Two histories in England bring out these points in full, and speak of her in unmistakable terms of praise. No tongue can speak her praise too warmly.
The lives, influence and example of these good people are an endearing heritage to their family and the church of their choice.
The mother died four years later than her husband, her age having been about the same. She was deeply interested in the matter of reform, and this engrossed her attention, not, however, to the neglect of her family.
Our subject was one of four brothers and two sisters. The brothers are all living, viz .: John resides in North Carolina; Thomas re- sides in Birmingham, England; onr subject; James resides in California, doing a large busi- ness; An, the oldest sister, died in Glouces- tershire, England; she was the wife of James Bryant, and died at the age of forty years; Bessie, the youngest sister, died at the age of thirty-five years.
Our subject at the age of eleven years, ow- ing to reverses in his father's business, was apprenticed in a flouring mill as a miller. This apprenticing had to be paid for, and cost 200 pounds , which sum was paid by the minister and his daughter.
Our subject came to America with his parents in 1833.
Hlis early education was gotten chiefly in attending Sunday-school. He learned to write on the flouring boards in the mill. Later he graduated in "brush college," riding on horse- back from one appointment to another as a Methodist itinerant minister.
Ile was in the mill until he came to America. At fifteen years of age he took the $1 prize for dressing a mill-stone. He took charge of the mill when seventeen years of age, and a very proud moment of his life was this. By this time he had learned to read well and was teach- ing a class in Sunday-school.
On coming to America they made the voyage on a sailing vessel, " Earl Gray," and were nine
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long weary weeks on the ocean. After the fourth week they had to strain the drinking water they used, in order to remove the little polliwigs, which had grown to some considera- ble size by this time.
Arriving in New York they remained there for a few days and then proceeded up the Hud- son river to Albany, and thence by canal to Buffalo. The canal trip was made in a little less than five days, and as this was the quickest trip ever made between the two cities up to that time, the arrival of the boat was an event of considerable interest and importance, bands of music meeting the same at Buffalo, where thore was much celebrating in honor of the occasion.
From Buffalo they came to Erie, Pennsylvania, stopped at the tavern and our subject started ont to find something to do. IIe soon fonnd em- ployment with a contractor-John Justice -who was building a pier, the first ever built in that city. John gave him a two-inch auger and the first day's work in America was a good and faithful one. The facts were, he had done no work for many, many weeks, had never han- dled an auger for an entire hour before: such work was not in his line. He turned the anger faithfully all day, and the next morning on awaking he found it difficult to turn himself in bed, after many efforts he succeeded in getting on his feet. The board bill was accumulating at the hotel, matters began to look serions, and something must be done. He met Seth Read, to whom he told his condition and the situation, and that gentleman with other influential per- sons seeured him a position in a mill, where he felt much at home, although milling in America was very different from what it was in England. Ile ever remembered Mr. Read with much pleasure and thankfulness for the service ren- dered a helpless boy in a strange land. He was in the mill nearly two years, when, by the help of Friends, he secured a position in the mercan- tile business. During all these years he was an active church worker, and was superintend- out of the Sunday-school.
At the age of twenty-two years he married a Yankee schoolteacher -Miss Lois C. Sullivan - with whom he studied for fifty-five years. He was over a student, and has been all his life. The date of his marriage was in 1837. They celebrate'l their golden wedding in 1887, at which time every adult that was at the mar- riage, except the bride and groom, had passed to the world beyond.
Our subject entered the Erie Conference in 1848; when the Conference was divided, he fell on the Ohio side, and has been a member of the East Ohio Conference since its organization. IIe travelled on circuit for sixteen years; for ten on stations at Meadville, Pennsylvania, HIart- ford, Ridgeway, Windsor and Kingsville, each two years, as long as the church would allow.
Bishops Simpson, Ames and Janes all rec- ommended his coming to the Children's Aid Society. This appointment came after he had served one year in Waring Street Church in Cleveland, Ohio. The society was in debt when he came; now it is worth $200,000 and is en- tirely free from indebtedness.
Our subject and wife have had nine children: J. P., who served through the entire war, was with Sherman on his noted march from Atlanta to the sea; he enlisted as private in the Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and came home as Major in the Signal Service. After passing through all these services, he came home, and was injured in a runaway with a span of favorite horses, and died soon after, leaving a wife (nce Sarah Davis), and three children: Nellie, William and Agnes. Ile wasin twenty-three real battles, besides many hazardous skirmishes. He had the honor of sending the first signal into Savannah, Georgia, after its capture. Mary, Mary Jane and Mary Elizabeth, all died young, at the ages respectively of one, three, and five years; Thomas Bond, died at the age of eleven years. One child, who was unnamed, died in early life; Lois was the wife of Mr. Jones, and died at the age of ninteen years; George died in infancy, and Edwin James, the youngest, is still living, one of the principal salesmen of
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the Estey & Camp piano house in Chicago. Ile married Anna Allen; they have one child, Walter Alden Sampson.
The wife of our subject died March 28, 1890, aged seventy-two years. She was a fine scholar and began teaching at the early age of fourteen years, and was a true woman, deeply pious and most earnestly devoted to the interests and best welfare of the Home.
In June, 1891, Mr. Sampson married for his second wife Mrs. Kate Bishop, who was for four years Assistant Matron of the Home. During these years her ability in her position was well tested and never found wanting. Since the date of her last marriage she has been the efficient Ma- tron of the Home, and the selection has ever proved a good one. She has shown herself the right person in the right place.
Mrs. (Bishop) Sampson's children by a former marriage are Gertrude, Dom Pedro and Eva. The children are youthful, lively and doing well.
The officers of the Children's Aid Society are: T. P. Handy, president; G. II. Ely, vice-presi- dent; Samnel Mather, secretary and treasurer; S. A. Raymond, recording secretary and anditor; Rev. William Sampson, superintendent and chaplain; Miss Nellie L. Johnston, assistant superintendent; Mrs. William Sampson, ma- tron. Teachers: Miss Ilelen M. Hulburt and Miss Minnie M. Terry.
For five years Mrs. Sarah Gault, formerly Mrs. Major J. P. Sampson, was assistant ma- tron in the Home, and was a most efficient offi- cial,-one who will ever be remembered in the work.
Edwin's wife (Anna Sampson) served faith- fully in the Home three years, teaching and rendering other valuable services. She is a native of Coldwater, Michigan, where she now resides. She is a fine scholar and writer, and a leader in church work ..
Rev. William Sampson has been superin- tendent and chaplain of the Home for nineteen years, and by his present wife, as by the former Mrs. Sampson, deceased, as matrons and
helpers has been greatly aided in the work' Peculiar talents are required, and they have shown great aptness in the work.
In this brief notice we can give only a few points in regard to the noble work now being done in the Home. It would take much space to do it justiec.
The Children's Aid Society is the outgrowth of benevolent effort made at an early day in Cleveland, to resene its poverty-stricken and neglected children from a life of moral degra- dation.
The first school was located in the front room of an old unoccupied building near the western termination on Canal street, and had about a dozen pupils gathered in from the city.
In 1854, the school was merged into its pres- ent form. The enterprise was purely benevo- lent in its aim, and depended then, as now, on charitable donations for its support. It was located on Champlain street, and Robert Waterson was its superintendent. The manage- ment became a corporate body in 1865.
On the 7th of July 1876, Mr. Waterson re- signed the superintendeney. At this crisis the Children's Aid Society re-organized the Farm School upon a new basis, under the name of the Children's Industrial School and llome, with Rev. William Sampson as superintendent, and his wife, now deceased, as matron.
The Children's Aid Society has been truly fortunate in its selection of Mr. and Mrs. Samp- son as superintendent and matron. They seem to have all the qualities of head and heart that are necessary to a proper discharge of the duties. During their connection with the school they have achieved a great and good work.
From July 7, 1876, to December 31, 1893, they have received into the institution and have cared for 2,109 destitute and neglected children, and of this number, have placed 1,181 in good homes, mostly in the country: the remainder were returned for various reasons to their par- ents, or friends, except a few who were re-ad- mitted and the Sixty-two now on hand. In doing this they have travelled thousands of
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miles, not only in placing of children, but in visiting them to see if they were properly cared for.
They have the respect and confidence of the public, and will ever be remembered with heart- folt gratitude by the hundreds of waifs whom they have reclaimed from degradation, and ele- vated to the dignity of a true Christian man- hood. It is hoped that the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Sampson may long be spared to continue their service in this most important field of labor. The above facts are gleaned from re- ports of the Home, as given by President T. P. Ilandy, Hon. Harvey Rice and others.
Of the Home it may safely be said that it has received its prestige from the high char- acter of its benefactors and otheials. It has been managed by those of progressive, Chris- tian spirit and noble impulses, and the great good it has accomplished, and will yet aecom- plish, will never be fully known until the day of final reckoning.
May we not hope that each coming year shall add a brighter luster to its efficiency?
A 1. ROTNER, proprietor of the livery, feed and sale stable, 553 and 555, Wood- land avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, opened this establishment in April, 1893, having erected a large frame structure especially adapted to this purpose. He keeps a full line of car- riages and buggies, good horses, and a complete equipment throughout. Mr. Rotner is a native of Russia, born October 22, 1848, at Keyve, a son of Isadore and Ida Rotuer. The father, who is now deceased, was a miller and farmer, and also owned large lumber interests in the empire; the mother still survives. Our subject was reared in his native land and remained a member of his father's household until twenty- five years of age; he assisted in the various lines of business of which his father was pro- prietor until he came to America. Upon reaching this country he went to Rochester, and
near that eity secured employment with a farmer with whom he remained three years, receiving wages during the summer and devoting the winter months to study. During this time he mastered the English language and familiarized himself with the customs of this country.
Entering the employ of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Rochester, New York, he was soon promoted to the position of assis- tant superintendent of the Western Division, and was sent to Chicago. He continued with this corporation three years, and then embarked in the livery business in Chicago. In 1886 he came to Cleveland in the interests of the Metro- politan Life Insurance Company, but after six or seven months he engaged in business for himself. Ile first carried a line of groceries, and was afterward in the dairy business, which he operated three years; at the end of this time he again opened a grocery store, closing out the business at the end of twelve months in order to enter his present enterprise. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. Ile is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Sons of Benjamin. A man of the most gener- ons impulses, the needy never pass him un- assisted.
lle was united in marriage in Cleveland, Ohio, October 16, 1886, to Rosa Ettinger, a na- tive of Russia. They are the parents of two children, Isadore and Belle. They are members of the Hebrew congregation of this eity.
W ILLIAM S. PINCOMBE was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 6, 1855. Ilis parents were William and Sarah ( Wool- dridge) Pincombe, and were both natives of Devonshire, England, where they were married. In the spring of 1853 they emigrated to the United States, settling in Cleveland, where the father was engaged in brick-making. " In 1861 he purchased a farm in Middleburg township, where he has since resided. Mrs. Sarah Pin- combe is a sister of Thomas Wooldridge, of
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whom personal mention is made elsewhere in this volmne. She was born April 5, 1817. William Pincombe was born February 26, 1830.
William S. Pincombe is the only child of his parents. Ile was reared in Cuyahoga county, where he has always resided. He was married in Berea, Ohio, January 31, 1876, to Miss Mary Ann Gordon, a daughter of the late John Gor- don, who died in Berea, Ohio, March 27, 1880. Her mother was Elizabeth (Bailey) Gordon, who survives her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Pincombe are the parents of four children: William J., Silas 11., Arthur HI. and Ella May. Mr. P'incombe has been engaged chiefly in farming. He enl- tivates his father's farm of over 100 acres. Ile has held some of the offices of the township and for many years has been one of the school di- rectors. IIe is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity.
C HARLES P. WEST was born in Rock- port township, November 29, 1854. Ilis father was the late John M. West, who was born in county Leitrim, Ireland, in May, 1811. In May, 1826, he came to America with his father, John West, and settled in Euclid township, where the son lived until abont 1842, dealing in stock and farming. At this time he removed to Rockport township, settling in that part of it which is now known as Rockport Ham- let, where he continued to live till his death, which occurred February 15, 1890. Ile was married in Buffalo, New York, early in the '40s, to Frances N. O'Brien, who was born in Roscommon county, Ireland, abont 1821. She survives and resides in Rockport Hamlet. They had eight children, two of whom died in youth, Nicholson, who died when fifteen years old, and Arthur, who died at two. The names of the six who grew up are as follows: Alice II., de- ceased wife of J. W. Kinney, who died in the late '80s; John W .; William L .; Fannie C., who is the wife of C. C. Southern; George W. and Charles P.
Charles P. West was reared in Rockport township, where he received a good common- school education, afterward attending the Ilumis- ton Cleveland Institute for three years and Oberlin College one year. Farming was his chief business until June, 1893, when he formed a partnership with II. G. Dryer, with whom he is now associated.
John M. West was a public-spirited man and was instrumental in having the Ohio City and Olmsted plank road built.
H ENRY L. PHILLIPS, dealer in real estate, corner of Doan and Superior streets, Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the well-known, responsible and worthy citi- zens of his locality.
Mr. Phillips was born on the premises on which he now resides, December 13, 1844, son of James and Almira (Crawford) Phillips, natives of Connecticut. ITis parents came from the East to Ohio about 1838 and settled on a farm at Warrensville, from whence, about 1840, they removed to the vicinity of Cleveland. Ilere the father purchased 125 acres of land, half of which is now within the corporate limits of the city, the rest being still in the possession of the family. On this farm the senior Mr. Phillips spent the the residue of his life and died. Ile was a man of more than ordinary business qualifications, was well known, and filled several local offices, such as Township Trustee and School Director. His life was a life of noble impulse and progressive spirit, and well did he do his part toward opening up the frontier and preparing the way for a higher civilization which the present generation enjoys. Ile and his worthy companion left to their de- seendants what is far better than richer -- the heritage of a good name. Henry L. is the youngest of their family, the others being Mrs. Hosley, William, Mrs. Jordan and Sarah.
The boyhood days of Henry L. Phillips were spent on his father's farm and in attendance at
Сманову Наше. Асшку С. Висимур
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the public schools of Cleveland. He continued farming until 1891, when he engaged in the real-estate business, which he has since success- fully condneted.
Mr. Phillips was married December 25, 1873, to Miss Frances Morgan, daughter of Calvin Morgan of New York.
When the Civil war came ou, our subject was in his 'teens. February 25, 1864, he enlisted in Battery D, First Ohio Light Artillery, and was in the Army of the Ohio, which was con- bolidated with the Army of the Tennessee. lle participated in the Atlantic campaign, and re- mained with his command until the close of the war, being then in North Carolina. He re- turned to Cleveland and was mustered out July 15, 1865. Ile stood the service well. Although he was under fire much of the time during the Atlanta campaign, he never received a wound. lle is a member of Forest City Post, G. A. R., in which he has served in official capacities.
H ENRY C. RANNEY .- One of the most prominent members of the Cleveland bar is Mr. Henry C. Ranney, who is a member of a family which for many years has held merited distinction in legal cir- eles of Ohio. Mr. Ranney was born on June 1, 1829, in Freedom, Portage county, Ohio. llis father, Elijah W. Ranney, was the eldest brother of Judge R. P. Ranney, the recognized Nestor of the Cleveland bar, and of the late John L. Ranney, a distinguished lawyer of Ravenna, Ohio. The father of Mr. Ranney
dying when our subjeet was but six years of age, he was adopted into the family of the Hon. R. P. Ranney, then a rising young lawyer of Jer- ferson, Ohio. Ile was at once placed in school and given a good education, and then entered the office of his uncle, Rufus P. Ranney, whero he began the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1852, and immediately entered into practice at Warren, Ohio, in the office with Judge Birchard. lle was afterward associated
with his uncle, John L. Ranney, at Ravenna, with whom he remained until the death of the latter. In 1874 he came to Cleveland and en- tered into partnership with his uneles, Rufus P. and John R. Ranney. Afterward a partner- ship was formed by these three gentlemen with Jlon. Henry Mckinney, who retired from the bench for that purpose, under the firm name of Ranney & Mckinney. This partnership was dissolved in 1890, since which time Mr. Henry (. Ranney has been engaged in practice alone.
In 1862 Mr. Ranney was appointed by the Secretary of War, Assistant Adjutant-General of Volunteers, and assigned to duty on the staff of General E. B. Taylor, commanding the first brigade, third division, fifth army corps of the Potomae. This position he held about a year, during which time he participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Ile then resigned and returning to Cleveland, re- sumed his practice, devoting himself assidu- ously thereto ever since. Mr. Ranney has never sought or held a publie salaried office of any kind, though he has on frequent occasions been solieited to stand for election to the bench and to Congress.
No lawyer in northern Ohio has a wider cir- ele of close and lasting friendship among his legal brethren on the bench and at the bar than has Mr. Ranney, and no lawyer in the State has a higher standing at the bar than he. Mr. Ranney has for many years been elosely identi- fied with the leading movements for the ad- vancement of culture in literature and art, in his home city. Ilis known sympathy with such movements, and his unquestioned probity, together with his reputation for safe and con- servative business methods, have made him the natural choice as trustee for the many donations of many generous minded persons who have devoted large sums of money to such purposes. And his own wide culture derived from study and extensive travel in his own country and abroad, render his services quite invaluable as custodian of these important interests. Mr. Ranney is one of those men whose lives are full
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of unsought honers of the truest sort, and the solid, substantial and permanent rewards of unselfish lives. The love and confidence of all who know him are the crown of a long, useful and successful carcer.
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