His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him, that nature might stand up
And say to all the world, _This was a man_!
George Worthington.
Prominent among the business firms of Cleveland, is that of George
Worthington & Co., a house which stands in the front rank both on account
of the business done, and of its integrity and honorable dealing.
Mr. Worthington, the founder and head of the firm, was born in
Cooperstown, N. Y., September 21st, 1813. He received a good common school
education, and then entered on a business career by becoming clerk in a
hardware store in Utica, in 1830, remaining in that position until 1834,
when he came to Cleveland and commenced business as a hardware dealer on
his own account. His first store was on the corner of Superior and Union
lane, on the site of the clothing store of Isaac A. Isaacs, and the first
goods received by him were drawn by oxen owned by a man who did all the
carting at that time. Cleveland was then but a small town, and most of the
trading was done with the teamsters that came from Wooster and other
points south, bringing pork, grain, and other products, and taking back
merchandise. Trade was brisk, but cash scarce, nearly all the operations
being more in the nature of barter than of purchase and sale.
After remaining three years in his first store, he removed to the corner
of Water and Superior streets, on the site of the present National Bank
building, and in that location he remained thirty years, during which time
he witnessed the growth of Cleveland from a small town to a large and
prosperous city.
When he had been established about fifteen years, Mr. Worthington began
rapidly to enlarge his business, and he associated with him Mr. James
Barnett and Mr. Edward Bingham, at present members of the firm. About that
time they commenced wholesaling, and gradually built up a business from
five thousand dollars the first year, to a million dollars. This, however,
involved a vast amount of labor, and an indomitable determination to
succeed by driving business. Mr. Worthington, in the absence of railroads
or other public conveyance, traveled through the adjacent townships and
counties on horseback, introducing his wares, and obtaining orders which
would be filled by the carriers' wagons.
[Illustration: Yours Truly, G. Worthington]
Railroads revolutionized trade and gave an impetus to everything, and
establishments that were on a firm footing before were prepared to take
advantage of circumstances. This was the case with Mr. Worthington. His
wholesale business has grown enormously, especially since 1860.
About 1862, Mr. Worthington projected the Cleveland Iron and Nail Works,
and, in connection with Mr. W. Bingham, matured the plans and got the
works into successful operation in about one year from broaching the
project, the work turned out being of the best quality. The owners of the
works can sell readily all they make, and furnish active and steady
employment for about two hundred men.
Mr. Worthington has also been extensively interested in blast furnaces and
coal mining, in the vicinity of Cleveland, and has been very successful in
them also.
At the present time the Cleveland Iron and Nail Company is erecting the
first blast furnace within the city limits, calculated for a capacity of
about three hundred tons per week. The firm have also built works on their
grounds for the manufacture of gas pipe, which have been in successful
operation for about a year, with the exception of a delay caused by a
fire. This is an important work in a city so rapidly growing as Cleveland,
and will retain many thousand of dollars formerly sent to Philadelphia and
other points.
On the passage of the National Bank Law, Mr. Worthington and a number of
other capitalists of the city, organized the First National Bank of
Cleveland, with a capital of four hundred thousand dollars, which has
been very successful. Mr. Worthington was elected president on its
organization, and still retains the office. He is a director of the Ohio
Savings and Loan Bank, of this city. He is also largely interested in
the local Insurance interests; vice-president of the Sun, and also
interested in the Cleveland and Commercial, and is a director of the
Hahnemann Life Insurance Company. He is also president of the Cleveland
Iron Mining Company, one of the most successful organizations of the
kind in the country.
No one man, probably, has done more towards building up the business
portion of the city than has Mr. Worthington. His first building was
erected on the corner of Ontario and St. Clair streets, now occupied by H.
Johnson. Since that time he has erected fifty dwelling-houses, and
fourteen stores.
In 1840, he was married to Miss Maria C. Blackmar, of Cleveland, by the
Rev. Dr. Aiken. Of the marriage six children have been born, two sons
and four daughters, all living. The oldest son, Ralph, is now a member
of the firm.
In 1862, Mr. Worthington became interested in the wholesale dry goods
business in New York City, and has been quite successful in the
enterprise.
Mr. Worthington is a good specimen of a self-made man, who was not
spoiled in the making. Hard work did not harden his character, nor has
prosperity turned his head. Coming to Cleveland without a dollar, he has
built up a large fortune by sheer hard work, close application to
business and strict business habits. He at the same time built up a fine
reputation by his integrity of character and scrupulous honesty in his
dealings. At fifty-six years of age, his health is now, as it has always
been, remarkably good; he has never been detained from business on
account of sickness.
N. E. Crittenden.
One of the best known names in this city, to new as well as old citizens,
is that of N. E. Crittenden. For very many years his jewelry establishment
has been a landmark in the business district "on the hill," and the
greater part of the population, for about forty years, have taken their
time from his clock.
Mr. Crittenden is a Massachusetts Yankee in birth and pedigree, having
been born at Conway, July 25th, 1804. In his earlier years he received a
good common school education, and at the age of eighteen was bound
apprentice to the jewelry and watch-making business, serving four years at
Geneva, N. Y., and then removing to Batavia, where he was employed two
years at the trade, and in Albany one year. In the latter city he married
Miss Mary A. Ogden, soon after the ceremony moving to Batavia, where,
however, he made but a short stay. He had determined on setting up on his
own account, and Batavia presented no opening for him. That land of hope
and promise, the West, tempted him as it had tempted others, and with five
hundred dollars in jewelry, purchased on credit, he started westward in
search of a place in which to turn his jewelry into cash.
Taking vessel at Buffalo he came to Cleveland, but there was no harbor,
and the vessel stopped outside to land any passengers for that place, and
then resumed her trip. Mr. Crittenden concluded not to end his voyage
until he had gone farther, and stuck by the ship until he reached Detroit,
where he landed and investigated with a view to settling. The prospect was
not inviting. In order to do business there it was necessary to understand
and speak Canadian French, and Mr. Crittenden's acquirements in that
direction were not extensive. Detroit was clearly no place for him.
Whilst roaming around the place he fell in with Mr. Walbridge, who was
seeking a location to open a dry goods business. He too was dissatisfied
with the inducements Detroit offered, and had almost resolved to abandon
the attempt and go home. Mr. Crittenden had reached the same conclusion,
and the two took the boat on the return trip, thoroughly disenchanted with
the business prospects of the West. When the boat reached Cleveland they
concluded to land and take a look at the place before they utterly turned
their backs on the western country.
It was in September, 1826. The village was pleasantly situated, and the
location impressed the strangers favorably. The houses had an appearance
of thrift and comfort, and there was an air of New England enterprise
about the settlement that confirmed the good impression formed at the
approach. Mr. Crittenden turned to his companion and announced his
determination to go no farther; he had found the object of his search.
That he might satisfy himself of the probable future of the settlement he
got a conveyance and rode into the country to see what were the
surroundings of the embryo city. As he passed up through the street his
ears were saluted with drum and fife, the people were all out in their
holiday clothes, and teams, loaded with old folks and young folks, were
coming into town, for it was "general training." The farther he rode and
the more he saw, the more firmly he became convinced that here was to be
his future home, and before long his five hundred dollars' worth of
jewelry found purchasers among the lads and lasses, and some of the older
folks, of Cleveland.
His first store occupied the site of his present store on Superior street,
and here, in a little building, he opened his original stock. The land he
subsequently purchased of Levi Johnson, through the medium of Leonard
Case, the purchase money being one thousand dollars for twenty-eight
feet, with three years' time in which to make the payments. The exorbitant
price horrified some of the old settlers, and one of them gravely shook
his head, announcing his firm belief that such a sum of money for such a
bit of land would turn Levi Johnson's head with unlooked for prosperity.
The price would scarcely be called high in the present day, when land then
considered far away in the distant country sells readily at higher rates.
In the spring of 1827, having secured his store and sold out most of his
original stock, he started East to make his first purchases and to bring
his wife to Cleveland. His friends were surprised and gratified at his
early return on such an errand. With his wife he brought some housekeeping
articles, among other things the third carpet ever brought to the
settlement.
In 1833, he had so far succeeded in business as to warrant his tearing
down the old store and building in its stead a store and dwelling
combined. Great was the admiration of the people at this building and it
was considered a just source of pride by the people of Cleveland, for to
the store was an open front, the first seen in the place, and to the
private entrance to the dwelling was attached the first door-bell in
Cleveland. The glass front and the tingling bell were unfailing sources of
attraction until others adopted the novelty and public curiosity became
sated. The building was well known to all who lived in the city previous
to 1865, for it remained until, at that date, it had to give way to the
larger, more elegant, and far more costly structure.
In 1843, Mr. Crittenden purchased the Giddings place, on the north side of
the Public Square, with the stone residence on it, then considered an
elegant mansion. The price paid for the lot, house and furniture was ten
thousand dollars--a high price as rates then were, but marvellously cheap
now. To that house he removed his family from over his store, and lived
there twenty-five years, when it was turned over to business purposes.
About the year 1853, he erected the fine business block on Water street,
now occupied by Stillson, Leek & Doering, at a cost of fifteen thousand
dollars. In 1868, he put up the handsome block on the same street that is
occupied by Childs & Co. The cost of this was not less than forty thousand
dollars, and it is a decided ornament to the street. The purchase of the
land and the erection of those elegant blocks, in addition to the one
occupied by his own business, furnish sufficient evidence of the
prosperity of his jewelry business, the regular stock of which has grown
from an investment of five hundred dollars to one of more than a hundred
and twenty-five thousand dollars.
[Illustration: Yours Truly, N. E. Crittenden]
But it must not be supposed that this prosperity was uninterrupted
throughout Mr. Crittenden's business life. There were dark storms which
threatened disastrous wreck, and nothing but stead-fastness of purpose and
force of character brought him through. In 1836 the financial tornado
swept over the land and stripped nearly every business man bare. When the
storm was at its height Mr. Crittenden found himself with fifty thousand
dollars of New York debts past due, and without the money to pay them.
Collections were cut off, and whilst he was thus unable to raise the means
from his debtors, his creditors were likewise stopped from pouncing upon
him. Other men in like condition were compounding with their creditors,
and thus getting out of their difficulties by partial repudiation. Mr.
Crittenden declined to avail himself of the opportunity, and, in course of
time, his creditors were paid in full, though that result was brought
about by years of toil, of steady, persistent application to business, of
shrewd financiering, and of rigid economy.
In his early days in Cleveland he was chosen one of the village
trustees. In 1828, when he held that office, and Richard Hilliard was
president of the Board of Trustees, the members gathered one afternoon
in an office and voted an appropriation of two hundred dollars to put
the village in proper order. Great was the outcry at this wastefulness,
on the part of some of the tax payers. One of the old citizens, who yet
lives, met Mr. Crittenden and wanted to know what on earth the trustees
could find in the village to spend two hundred dollars about. At a later
date, when Cleveland was a city and Mr. Crittenden a member of the
Council, it was voted to appropriate ten thousand dollars to protect the
lake front from encroachments by the lake. Again was Mr. Crittenden met
and upbraided for his extravagance in municipal affairs, such conduct
tending to bankrupt the city.
It is Mr. Crittenden's pride that he has had no serious litigation, his
care in making contracts having saved him the unpleasant necessity of
resorting to legal means to compel his debtors to fulfil their
obligations. But whilst looking thus sharply after his own interests,
avarice or parsimony has formed no part of his character, and he has been
liberal according to his means.
William A. Otis.
William A. Otis was one of those pioneer business men, who settled in Ohio
during the dark times which followed the war of 1812. He was one of those
to whom we owe much, but of whom the present generation know little; who
without capital or education gave an impetus to the Western settlement, by
integrity, personal energy, economy, and good sense. By force of character
alone, which was their only capital, they wrought such wonders that the
wilderness was literally transposed into fruitful fields.
Mr. Otis left his paternal home in Massachusetts, about the year 1818, on
foot, to seek a home in the West. Having reached Johnstown, in the
Allegheny Mountains, he hired for a few months as man of all work, in an
iron establishment, and thence set forward, travelling as before, by way
of Pittsburgh, to the township of Bloomfield, in Trumbull county, Ohio.
His physical constitution was equal to the labors of a new country, which
had nothing to recommend it but a rich soil, and which required above all
things perseverance and hard work. He cleared land, furnished the settlers
with goods, for which they paid in ashes, or wheat, and kept a comfortable
tavern for the accommodation of travelers. The ashes were manufactured by
himself into "black salts" or impure potash, more often styled "Pots,"
which was the only strictly cash article in the country. It was necessary
to haul the casks of potash to the mouth of Beaver river, or to
Pittsburgh, from whence they drifted on flat boats down the Ohio and
Mississippi to New Orleans, and from thence were shipped to New York. Much
of the teaming he did himself.
The "Pots" were exchanged at Pittsburgh for goods, or if shipped furnished
a credit for the purchases, with which his wagon was loaded, on the return
to Bloomfield. Currency did not in those days enter into the course of
trade, because there was barely enough of it in the country to pay taxes.
Mr. Otis was frequently obliged to furnish his customers with cash for
this purpose. When the Erie Canal was finished to Buffalo, the wheat of
the settlers on the Reserve, for the first time, became a cash article.
They had an abundance of grain, which they were glad to dispose of at
twenty-five cents a bushel, payable principally in goods. The canal
furnished a better outlet for potash than the river. Mr. Otis determined
to try a venture in flour at New York, which he considered the first lot
sent there from the Reserve.
There were no flour barrels, and no coopers, at Bloomfield, but a few
miles north towards the lake there was a good custom grist mill. He went
into the woods, cut an oak tree, set his men to saw it into blocks of the
right length, from which the rough staves were split. The wheat which his
customers brought in, was stored at the mill and ground. When the cooper
stuff was seasoned, the barrels were made, rough enough, but strong, and
his stock of flour and potash hauled through the mud thirty-five miles to
the mouth of Ashtabula creek. A schooner was at anchor outside, and as
soon as his venture was on board, he took passage with it to Buffalo, and
by canal to New York. The New York dealers were surprised and gratified,
for they perceived at once the capacity of a new country on the shores of
Lake Erie, of which they had hitherto only known in theory, not in
practical results. In quality the flour was not behind that of the Genesee
country, which seemed a wonder in their eyes. They purchased it readily
and offered every encouragement to the trade and the trader. In process of
time, wool and pork were added to the staples for the New York market. It
was by this course of incessant activity during near twenty years of
country business, coupled with a sure judgment, that Mr. Otis gradually
acquired a moderate money capital. In 1835 or 1836, he came to this city,
with his hard earned experience in traffic, and with more ready cash than
most of our produce dealers then possessed, and entered upon a wider field
of enterprise. He continued to purchase and sell the old class of
articles, pork, flour and potash, to which iron soon became an important
addition. His capital and experience brought him at once into connection
with many public enterprises, which became necessary to an expanding
country, especially such as relate to transportation. One of the earliest
tumpikes in northeastern Ohio was made through Bloomfield, from Warren to
Ashtabula. Steamers made their appearance on Lake Erie, and the Ohio canal
extended navigation into the interior. In all these auxiliaries to trade
in the heavy products of the country, Mr. Otis had a friendly interest,
and when railways began to be discussed he saw their value at once.
Finally, after his usual deliberation, he decided that the manufacture of
iron was a safe and profitable business at Cleveland; he became the
pioneer iron master of the place, with the usual result of his
operations--a large profit on his investment.
This example and success laid the foundation of iron manufactures here.
It required something more than the talents of a shrewd country merchant,
or of a mere money lender, to foresee the coming wants of trade in a
growing State, to invest in its banks, railroads and manufactures, and to
render all these investments profitable. With his increase in wealth there
was in Mr. Otis no increase of display, and no relaxation of the economy
of early life, but an increasing liberality in public charities,
particularly those connected with religion. When compared with the
briskness of modern traffic he was slow and cautious; but having finally
reached a conclusion he never flagged in the pursuit of his plans. He
belonged to a past generation, but to a class of dealers whose judgment
and perseverance built up the business of the country on a sure basis. In
the midst of a speculative community in flush times, he appeared to be
cold, dilatory, and over cautions, but he saw more clearly and further
into the future of a business than younger and more impulsive minds, who
had less experience in its revulsions.
For a number of years previous to his death Mr. Otis was largely
interested in the banking business of the city. He took a prominent part
in the organization of the State Bank of Ohio, was the originator of the
Society for Savings in Cleveland, and was for thirteen years its
president, and at the time of his death was president of the Commercial
National Bank. He was also connected with the banking firm of Wicks, Otis
& Brownell.
In connection with a notice of the originator of the Savings Bank in
Cleveland it is appropriate to briefly sketch the history of that
organization, which has worked so much good and which ranks to-day among
the most important and most valued institutions in the city. The
suggestion was first made by Mr. Otis in the Winter of 1848-9, and its
organization was advocated on the ground of public benevolence. At the
request of several prominent persons, Mr. S. H. Mather, the present
secretary and treasurer, examined the character and practices of several
eastern institutions of a similar character. A charter was drafted,
principally from those of two well known institutions of the kind then in
operation at Boston and Hartford. In the New England States every city and
many villages and country towns have organizations of this character.
In March, 1849, the Legislature granted corporate powers to W. A. Otis, H.
W. Clark, L. Handerson, J. Lyman, M. L. Hewitt, N. Brainard, Ralph Cowles,
J. H. Gorham, A. Seymour, D. A. Shepard, James Gardner, J. A. Harris, J.
H. Bingham, J. A. Briggs, S. H. Mather, J. A. Foot, and C. J. Woolson, and
their successors, to be appointed by themselves, the corporate powers to
continue thirty years. The corporators appointed John W. Allen president,
S. H. Mather secretary, and J. F. Taintor treasurer, and commenced business
in August, 1849, at the rear of the Merchants Bank, on Bank street. Mr.
Taintor was at the time teller in the Merchants Bank, and it was supposed
that he could attend to all the business of the Savings Society outside of
banking hours. This was soon found to be impracticable, and at the end of
about two years Mr. Taintor withdrew, leaving to Mr. Mather the joint
office of secretary and treasurer.
At the end of three years the deposits were only $100,000. In the latter
part of the year 1856, the society became able to have a better office,
and moved into 118 Bank street, corner of Frankfort, under the Weddell
house. The deposits in 1859, after ten years of business, were only about
$300,000, but the concern had been so closely managed that a surplus was
accumulating from the profits on investments over the six per cent.
interest paid to depositors. From that time the business of the
institution steadily increased until on the 1st day of January, 1869, its
deposits considerably exceeded two and a half millions of dollars, and out
of a large surplus had been built one of the finest and most substantial
buildings in the city, on the north side of the Park. Such have been the
fruits of the suggestion of Mr. Otis; such the success of the organization
in which he took so deep an interest during his life.
On the announcement of the death of Mr. Otis, a meeting of bankers was
immediately called for the purpose of taking some action in testimony of
their respect for the deceased. All the banks were fully represented, as
were the private banking firms. T. M. Kelly, of the Merchants National
Bank, was called to the chair, and J. O. Buell, of the Second National
Bank, appointed secretary. Appropriate remarks were made by the chairman
and others, after which a committee, composed of T. P. Handy, H. B. Payne,
Joseph Perkins, Henry Wick, and E. B. Hale, reported the following
resolutions, testifying to the respect and esteem felt for Mr. Otis as a
man of business, as a good citizen, and as a Christian:
It having pleased God to remove from our midst, on the morning of the
11th inst., Wm. A. Otis, who, for more than 22 years, has been
associated with many of us in the business of banking, and has occupied
a prominent position both in the early organization of the State Bank of
Ohio, and of the Society for Savings of Cleveland, of which latter
Society he was for thirteen years president, and at the time of his
death was the president of the Commercial Bank of this city, and who by
his wise counsels, his high regard for integrity and mercantile honors as
well as by an exemplary Christian life, had secured the esteem and
confidence of his associates and fellow citizens, and who, after a good
old age, has been quietly gathered to his rest, therefore,
_Resolved_, That while we deeply mourn the loss of our departed brother,
we commend his virtues, and especially his high standard of Christian
integrity, for the imitation of the young men of our city as the most
certain means to a successful business life, and a fitting preparation
for its final close.
_Resolved_, That we deeply sympathize with the family of our deceased
friend in the loss that both they and we are called to sustain, feeling
assured that after so long a life of Christian fidelity this loss, to
him is an infinite gain.
_Resolved_, That a copy of these resolutions, signed by the Chairman and
Secretary, be furnished the family of the deceased and be duly published
in our city papers.
J. C. Buell, Secretary. T. M. Kelly, Chairman.
Cleveland, May 12, 1868.
E. P. Morgan.
"He who works most achieves most," is a good motto in business, and in
pursuits of all kinds. This has been the principle on which E. P. Morgan
has acted throughout life, and a faithful persistence in carrying it out
has resulted in building up a mammoth business and the consequent
possession of a handsome fortune.
Mr. Morgan was born in New London, Connecticut, in 1807. His early years
were spent at home and in attending school, where a good common education
was gained. In his fifteenth year he was taken from school and placed in a
store, where he acquired those business habits which have made him a
successful and wealthy merchant. At the age of twenty-one, he set up in
business for himself, at Middlefield, Massachusetts, carrying on a store,
and at the same time engaging in the manufacture of woolen goods. In this
store he continued twelve years, doing the whole time a thriving and
profitable business.
In 1841, he bade adieu to Massachusetts and came west to Ohio, taking up
his future home in Cleveland. He plunged into business immediately on
arriving, opening a store on the north side of Superior street, in the
place now occupied by the store of Mould & Numsen. In 1857, he saw what he
believed to be a more eligible site for business in the corner of Superior
and Seneca streets, and to that point he removed in 1858. At the same
time the firm of Morgan & Root was formed by admitting to partnership Mr.
R. R. Root. To the retail dry goods business was now added a wholesale
department, as also a millinery department, and subsequently a grocery.
The business was vigorously pushed and every department grew with
remarkable rapidity, until store after store was added to the
establishment. The "corner store" became known far and wide, and a very
large country trade was built up in the jobbing department. During the
last three years of the war, the business of the firm reached an amount
greater than had ever been anticipated by its members, and the old
quarters, capable no longer of extension, became too strait for the
expanding operations. A number of lots on the east side of Bank street,
between the Herald building and Frankfort street, being purchased by
Morgan & Root, were speedily disencumbered of the drinking saloons and
petty shops that covered them, and on their site soon arose one of the
finest business blocks in the city, estimated to cost sixty thousand
dollars in addition to the cost of the land. When the block was finished
the wholesale department of the business was removed to the new building,
leaving the retail department to be carried on in the old store. In
February, 1869, the retail business was sold out to new parties, and
thereafter the firm of Morgan & Root confined itself exclusively to the
wholesale trade.
That Mr. Morgan is one of the best business men of the city is proved by
the fact that he has failed in no one of his undertakings; not that he
has always sailed on a smooth current of success, but that when
difficulties arose his indomitable perseverance enabled him to overcome
them. He engaged in no enterprise without its having been based on good
evidence and sound judgment; he never wavered in his adherence to it, nor
slackened for a moment his endeavors to prove his faith sound; nor has he
once been disappointed as to the result. Few men have shown a like
perseverance. His habits of keen investigation and strict attention to
his affairs, enabled him to do a very safe, though a very enterprising
business, and consequently he had little occasion for professional
acquaintance with lawyers.
In addition to his mercantile business, Mr. Morgan has interested himself
in insurance matters, being president of the State Fire Insurance Company,
of Cleveland, which position he has held since the organization of the
company in 1863. Under his presidency the company has done a safe and
successful business, and has extended its operations so that it has
offices in Connecticut and other parts of New England. He is also
connected with the banking affairs of the city. In the earlier years of
his business in Cleveland, he became interested in the construction of the
canal around the rapids of Saut St. Marie, and during the progress of the
work had a store open at the Saut.
In 1864, he built his residence on Euclid street, near the corner of
Huntington street, where he has resided since that time. Though sixty-two
years of age, he is still as active and vigorous as ever, and bids fair to
long be an active member, in fact as well as in title, of the firm of
Morgan & Root.
In religious principles Mr. Morgan is a Presbyterian. For a long time he
was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, but of late has been
connected with the Euclid street Presbyterian Church.
In 1832, he was married to Miss Laura Nash, of Middleford, Mass., by whom
he has had seven children, all but one of whom still live. The oldest son,
William Morgan, now thirty-one years old, is engaged in the manufacture
and sale of lubricating oils. The second son, Edmund N. Morgan, is an
assistant in his father's store. A daughter, Helen, is the wife of Mr.
J. B. Merriam, of Cleveland.
Robert Hanna.
The commercial interests of Cleveland and of the Lake Superior mineral
region have for many years been intimately connected, several of the now
prominent citizens of Cleveland having been attracted to Lake Superior by
the reports of its mineral riches at the time those riches were first made
generally known, and Cleveland being found a convenient base of supplies
for the mining enterprises on the shores of the "father of lakes."
One of the earliest to take an interest in this trade was Robert Hanna.
Whilst living in Columbiana county, Ohio, where he had been brought up, he
was attracted by the representations of the mineral riches of the far off
northern lakes, and in 1845 he started off to see for himself what was
truth in these reports, and what exaggeration. Traveling and exploration
in the wilds of the Lake Superior country were very difficult in that day,
and those who were anxious to make a fortune out of the bowels of the
earth had to rough it, pretty much as the seekers of gold have to now in
the tangled wilderness to the west of Lake Superior. Mr. Hanna spent four
months in careful exploration, and at length becoming satisfied that there
was something in the rumors of mineral riches, obtained from the
department, in whose charge the territory then was, a permit to locate
three square miles of copper lands. This being accomplished, he returned
to set about the organization of a company to work the prospective mines.
Whilst at Marquette, on his return from exploring the copper region, Mr.
Hanna fell in with a man who had been exploring the country back of that
place, and who brought in a specimen of iron ore which he had come
across in his search. The ore was so heavy, and apparently rich in iron,
that it was taken to a blacksmith, who, without any preparatory
reduction of the ore, forged from it a rude horseshoe. The astonishment
of those hitherto unacquainted with the existence of raw iron so nearly
pure metal, can be imagined.
But Mr. Hanna's attention, like those of most of the searchers after
minerals in that region, was absorbed in copper, and as we have seen, he
located his copper tract and returned home to provide means for working
it. A company was formed, materials purchased and miners engaged, and the
work pressed forward vigorously. The question of forwarding supplies being
now an important one, Mr. Hanna removed to Cleveland, that being the most
favorable point for the purchase and shipment of the articles needed, and
opened a wholesale grocery establishment in 1852, combining with it a
forwarding and commission business. At that time the wholesale grocery
business was in its infancy, there being but two or three establishments
of the kind in Cleveland.
For some time after the establishment of Mr. Hanna in the wholesale
grocery business, the carrying trade between Cleveland and Lake Superior
was mostly in the hands of the Turner Brothers, whose one steamer, the
Northerner, was able to do all the business that offered, both in freight
and passengers. Mr. Hanna's firm, then composed of himself, his brother,
Leonard Hanna, and H. Garretson, under the firm name of Hanna, Garretson &
Co., decided on the bold step of competing for the trade by building a
steamer of their own. The City of Superior, a screw steamer, was built in
Cleveland, under the especial supervision of Dr. Leonard Hanna, and the
most scrupulous care was exercised to make her in all respects a model
boat for the trade. Great strength of hull and power of machinery were
insisted on, in order to withstand the dangers of the formidable coast
when the fierce storms of the Fall season rendered navigation hazardous.
Accommodation for passengers on the voyage, which took several days for
its full extent, had to be provided, and great care was taken in this
respect to make the voyage as attractive as possible, attention having
been somewhat turned to the Lake Superior country as a Summer resort,
where the sultry beats of the "lower country" could be exchanged for pure
air and cooling breezes. When launched, the City of Superior proved a
complete success, and her first voyage up was a perfect ovation, a new era
having been opened in the history of travel between the upper and middle
lakes. But, unhappily, this fine steamer was lost in a storm after a few
voyages, although the great strength of her hull kept her intact, though
lying across a rock, until she could be completely stripped of her cargo,
furniture and machinery.
No time was spent in fruitless lamentations over the destruction of the
work of which they were so proud, and about which so many anticipations
for the future had been indulged in. No sooner had the news been
confirmed, than a contract was made for the construction of another
steamer, larger and better in all respects than her unfortunate
predecessor, and the result was the Northern Light, which proved a great
favorite, and is still running. Other steamers were chartered to run in
connection with her, and their success caused rival lines to be run, thus
building up the Lake Superior trade to dimensions exceeding the most
sanguine expectations of the pioneers in it. To this house belongs a very
large share of the credit due for bringing such an important proportion
of this trade to Cleveland. When Mr. Hanna first endeavored to interest
the people of Cleveland in Lake Superior matters, he was frequently met
with inquiries as to the whereabouts, not only of the copper region of
Lake Superior, but of Lake Superior itself, about which very confused
notions existed.
The copper company organized by Mr. Hanna expended over half a million
dollars in developing the deposit, and produced several hundred tons of
ore, but it was not a financial success, the fine copper not being in
paying proportion in the ore. After a few years Mr. Hanna sold out his
interest in this company, but has retained interests in other enterprises
in that region, some of which have been very remunerative.
By the death of Dr. Leonard Hanna, and the withdrawal of Mr. Garretson,
the firm of Hanna, Garretson & Co. became dissolved, and was changed to
Robert Hanna & Co., the younger members of the Hanna families taking
interest in the firm. Recently Robert Hanna has retired from active
participation in its affairs, having turned his attention in other
directions. During the past four years he has been engaged in the oil
refining business, having a refinery with a capacity of a hundred and
sixty barrels a day, which has proved very successful. He is also
president of the Cleveland Malleable Iron Works, the first of the kind in
this part of the country, and which at present promises well. The
gentlemen associated with Mr. Hanna in this enterprise have united with
him in the determination to make it a successful enterprise, and have such
management for it that it can scarcely fail to meet their expectations.
In 1868, Mr. Hanna projected what resulted in the organization and
establishment of the Ohio National Bank, of Cleveland, on January 1st,
1869, with an authorized capital of one million dollars, and with a paid
up capital of six hundred thousand dollars. It was organized with more
especial reference to the interests of merchants, mechanics and
manufacturers, and men representing these respective interests are the
principal owners of its stock. The institution thus far gives promise of
complete success. Mr. Hanna is the president; A. Cobb, vice-president;
John McClymonds, cashier.
Still in the prime of life, Mr. Hanna has the satisfaction of knowing that
he has been very successful, has built up a large fortune for himself and
done a very important work in building up the material interests of the
city, both commercial and manufacturing. Although well able to retire from
active life, and live in ease at his fine residence on Prospect street, he
prefers to do what yet lies in his power to build up the prosperity of
Cleveland still higher.
S. F. Lester.
Samuel F. Lester was born in Albany county, New York, in 1818. His youth
was spent under advantageous circumstances, and he obtained a good
education. At the age of fifteen he left the Academy where he had been
studying and entered on his commercial education by becoming clerk in a
country store, where he remained five years. Having reached his twentieth
year, he bade adieu to home, and came west to seek his fortune. His
first stay was at Clinton, Michigan, where he carried on business
successfully for three years, and married Miss Cornelia Eliza Brown, of
Tecumseh, daughter to General Joseph W. Brown, and niece of Major General
Jacob Brown, of Brownville, N. Y., the hero of Chippewa, Fort Erie and
Sackett's Harbor.
At the expiration of the three years Mr. Lester's health gave way, through
his assiduous devotion to business, and he returned to his father's house
in Albany county, New York, remaining there a year, unable to engage in
business of any kind. For the two succeeding years he worked on his
father's farm, and in this way succeeded in regaining his health.
In March, 1845, he again turned his face westward, and landed at
Cleveland, where he became a member of the firm of Hubby, Hughes & Co.,
remaining in it until its dissolution. The house of Hubby, Hughes & Co.
carried on a very extensive business on the lakes and canal. The firm, in
connection with J. C. Evans, of Buffalo, projected the first line of
propellers between Buffalo, Cleveland and Toledo, and the line was a
decided financial success. It continued to do a steadily increasing
business until the consolidation of most of the independent lines into the
American Transportation Co.'s line. A number of lake vessels also belonged
the house, and a line of canal boats belonging to the firm ran between
Cleveland and Portsmouth, and between Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
In connection with the firm of William A. Otis & Co., the firm built the
first elevator for railroad business in the city, the elevator, at the
foot of River street, being now occupied by W. F. Otis & Son. Subsequent to
this the firm erected the National Mills, at the heavy cost of seventy
thousand dollars, it being then, and now, one of the finest and most
costly mills in the State of Ohio.
In 1858, the firm of Hubby, Hughes & Co. was dissolved, and the business
was carried on under the firm name of Hughes & Lester, which was continued
successfully until 1862. In January of that year, Mr. Lester went to New
York on the business of the firm. Whilst there he was suddenly stricken
with paralysis, and lay unknown and helpless for sometime. He was at
length identified and cared for, but for a long time was in great danger,
and for a still longer time utterly unable to do business of any kind. His
serious and continued illness necessitated the breaking up of the firm,
and accordingly on the first of January, 1863, the firm of Hughes & Lester
was dissolved. On the following March, his health having been partially
restored, Mr. Lester once more entered into business, opening a produce
commission warehouse, and meeting with success.
It is the just pride of Mr. Lester that he has always escaped litigation
It is also a fact worthy of notice and imitation, that Mr. Lester has
always given strict personal attention to all the details of his business
knowing them all from the cellar to the counting-room, in the latter of
which places he is most thoroughly at home.
Mr. Lester was one of the original stockholders of the Commercial
Insurance Company, and a director and member of the executive committee
for several years. He has twice been elected Commissioner of Water Works.
Mr. Lester has, all through his commercial life enjoyed to an unusual
degree, the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
[Illustration: "Yours Truly, A. Bradley"]
Alva Bradley.
To the very many who see for the first time the name of Alva Bradley, the
question will naturally arise, "Who is he?" and some wonder may be
expressed at finding a name so little known to the general public on the
list of those who have contributed largely to the commercial prosperity of
Cleveland. And yet Alva Bradley is one of the largest ship-owners of the
city, and his name is well enough known among those interested in the
shipping of the western lakes. That he is no better known outside of his
peculiar circle of business men is owing solely to his modest and
unostentatious character, he preferring to pursue the even tenor of his
way and confine himself strictly to his own affairs.
Captain Bradley was born in Connecticut in the year 1814, and lived in
that State until his ninth year. Then his father emigrated to Ohio, taking
his family with him, and settled in Lorain county. Young Bradley had few
advantages in early life. He earned his first pair of boots by chopping
wood, and when the first suspenders, knitted by his mother, were worn out,
the next pair were paid for by chopping hoop-poles.
Until his twenty-first year he worked with his father on a farm, and
then left to seek his fortune in the world, with all his effects carried
under his arm, wrapped in a cotton handkerchief. His first entry on
independent life was as a deck-hand, before the mast of the schooner
Liberty. In that capacity he remained two years, and then, having acquired
a good knowledge of seamanship, was made mate, holding that rank two
years. In 1839, he rose a step higher, and for two seasons was master of
the Commodore Lawrence.
Captain Bradley now commenced his career as an owner as well as master of
vessels. In 1841, he had built for him, in company with Mr. A. Cobb, then
a merchant at Birmingham, Ohio, the schooner South America, of 104 tons.
When she was completed he took command of her and sailed her for three
seasons. In 1844, in company with Mr. Cobb, he had built the schooner
Birmingham, of 135 tons burden, and taking command of her himself, sailed
her three years. In 1848, the same parties built the Ellington, of 185
tons, which Capt. Bradley sailed for one year. The following year he
shifted his command to the propeller Indiana, 350 tons burden, which he
and his associate, Mr. Cobb, had built for the Buffalo and Chicago trade.
Capt. Bradley ran her himself three years and then returned to a sailing
vessel, having late in the season of 1852, turned off the stocks a smart
new schooner, the Oregon, of 190 tons burden, which he ran to the end of
her first season, and then bade adieu to sea-faring life. During his many
years' life on the lakes, in various craft and under all kinds of
circumstances, it is remarkable that he never met with a serious casualty;
he was enterprising, active, vigorous in mind and body; a prudent business
man and at the same time a thorough sailor.
In the spring of 1853, he resumed his work of increasing his lake navy by
building the Challenge, of 238 tons, followed by one or more vessels
yearly. In 1854 was built the Bay City, 190 tons; in 1855 the C. G.
Griswold, 359 tons; in 1856 the schooners Queen City, 368 tons, and
Wellington, 300 tons; in 1858 the schooner Exchange, 390 tons. At this
point he rested three years and then resumed work.
In 1861 was built, in company with other parties, the S. H. Kimball, 418
tons; in 1863 the Wagstaff, 412 tons; in 1864 the J. F. Gard, 370 tons; in
1865 the schooner Escanaba, 568 tons; in 1866-7, the schooner Negaunee,
850 tons, a splendid vessel, costing over $52,000, which has been running
in the Lake Superior iron ore trade, and which has proved a very
profitable investment; in 1868 he built the schooner Fayette Brown, 713
tons, and the tug W. Cushing, for harbor towing; in 1869 the S. F. Tilden,
1,000 tons, was launched from the yard of Quayle & Martin, completing the
list of vessels built by or for Captain Bradley, making a list of nineteen
vessels, and a tug, besides a number of vessels purchased. The present
fleet is composed of nine vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of nearly
five thousand tons, besides two tugs, one plying in Cleveland harbor and
the other, in which he has half interest, at the Sault.
The record of the vessels built for Captain Bradley, and their respective
tonnage, given above, shows at a glance the gradual development of the
lake shipping commerce. The first of his fleet, the South America, 104
tons, built in 1841, was a very respectable craft in her day. From that
time there was a steady increase in the tonnage of the vessels built,
until it culminates in the S. F. Tilden, with carrying capacity of a
thousand tons burden, but just launched from the stocks.
Though owning at one time or another such a large fleet of vessels, the
casualties to them were very few, and the enterprise has proved steadily
remunerative. The schr. Dayton, Maria Cobb, Oregon, South America, and
Queen City, is the complete list of vessels lost.
Though shipping absorbed the greater portion of Captain Bradley's
attention, his interest was not wholly confined to this branch of
business. His time, means, and energy were largely employed in the
manufacture of iron, and in other commercial interests. It is his pride
that though so largely interested in business of different kinds, he has
had but one case of litigation, and that with an insurance company. His
record needs no eulogy; it speaks for itself as the record of a man of
energy, enterprise and prudence.
Captain Bradley's health had for some years not been good, but is now
improving, and there is a reasonable prospect that one who has done so
much to develop the shipping interest of the port will live for some time
yet to enjoy the fruits of his energy and industry.
Mr. Bradley was married in August, 1849, to Ellen Burgess, of Milan, Ohio,
who is still living. Of the marriage, four children have been born, three
girls and one boy.
Wellington P. Cooke.
The history of W. P. Cooke is an instance of what can be
accomplished under the most adverse circumstances, when to
persistent energy and laudable ambition are added the patience and
faith born of religions training.
The parents of Mr. Cooke were pioneer settlers in Otsego county, New
York, where his father died whilst Wellington was quite a small boy. His
mother removed to a still newer country, Macomb county, Michigan, and
there died, leaving the lad to fight his own way through the world
without the advantages of either money or education. In the year 1838,
being then but thirteen years old, he became a printer's apprentice.
Subsequently he removed to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where he secured some
educational privileges at a seminary, obtaining the money for his
necessary expenses by working early in the morning, at night, and on
Saturday. He found employment in the village and among the neighboring
farmers. But with all his efforts his lot was a hard one. He often needed
the necessaries, to say nothing of the comforts of life, frequently
making his morning and evening meal out of potatoes and salt, the former
being of his own cooking, as he boarded himself. These articles were
purchased in many instances by money received for sawing wood on the
school holiday of Saturday.
In 1843, he came to Cleveland, tramping in from Chagrin Falls on foot, and
having half a dollar as his sole capital with which to commence life in
the city. His first attempt to gain work was in a printing office, where
he succeeded in getting a case, receiving his pay, according to the custom
of the times, in orders on grocery and clothing stores. After this he was
foreman and compositor in the office of a monthly publication, called the
Farmers' Journal, where he continued to devote his spare time to reading
and study. Subsequently he became a clerk in a grocery store at a salary
of ninety-six dollars a year. With this small sum he not only supported
himself, but gave pecuniary aid to a sister, and something to the church.
In 1848, he obtained an interest in the business, and the partnership thus
continued for three years. His reputation as a moral and religious man,
together with a great spirit of enterprise, rapidly enlarged his business,
and pointed out new channels for money-making.
[Illustration: W. P. Cooke]
In 1850, he disposed of the grocery business, and directed his whole
efforts to the hide and leather trade. In this he showed much judgment,
for the business he selected has proved to be one of the most extensive
and profitable of the West. A nephew, since deceased, about this time
became a partner. The premises occupied became too small, and a lot on
Water street was purchased, where a fine store was erected, which is the
present place of business.
The firm, which for some time existed as W. P. Cooke & Co., has been
changed to Cooke & Denison, the junior partner being a former clerk, and
under that name it is well known throughout the country, and especially in
the West, as one of the largest establishments in the West dealing in
leather, hides, wool, pelts and oil.
Mr. Cooke joined the Methodist Church at a very early age, and to the
religious influences with which he was thus surrounded, he attributes much
of his success in life. As a Church-member he was led to avoid all places
of doubtful morality, and thus escaped the temptations and vices which
destroy so many young men. He has always been strictly temperate, and does
not use tobacco in any form. He is now prominently connected with the
First Methodist Episcopal Church of Cleveland, and is noted as a zealous
laborer in the Sunday School cause.
Mr. Cooke's religion is not of that kind that is left in the church pew
on Sunday night, to remain undisturbed until the next Sunday morning, but
is carried into all his relations of life and influences all his
movements. The principles of justice and charity taught by the Christian
faith are by him carried into his business dealings and social relations.
Strictly just in business transactions, liberal in his charities to
worthy objects, and generous to the church, he exemplifies in his life
the fact that true Christian principles are not incompatible with strict
business habits, and conduce to commercial success. Remembering his early
difficulties, he takes particular interest in young men, sympathizing
with them in their struggles, and aiding them with counsel and timely
assistance where needed.
Hiram Garretson.
The firm of Hanna, Garretson & Co. has already been mentioned. The second
member of the firm, while it existed under that name, Hiram Garretson,
came like the others from Columbiana county, where he had been brought up,
although not a native of the county. Mr. Garretson was born in York
county, Pennsylvania, his parents being respectable members of the Society
of Friends. When he was very young the family removed to Columbiana
county, Ohio, where the senior Garretson opened a country store in New
Lisbon. Hiram was sent to school, receiving a good district school
education, and was then taken into his father's store as clerk, in which
occupation he remained until he was nineteen years old. At that age he
left home and engaged in trade on the rivers, taking charge of a trading
boat running from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. This class of boats has not
yet entirely passed away from the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The
villages along the river banks were small and badly supplied with stores,
depending mainly for their supplies on the coasting boats. These are
rudely constructed craft, well stocked with merchandise of all kinds, that
drop leisurely down the river, tying up at every village or place where
there is probability of a trade, and remaining there as long as the stay
can be made profitable, then passing on to the next. When New Orleans has
at last been reached, the boat is sold to be broken up for its materials,
and the trader returns by steamer to get ready for another voyage down. It
was in business of this description that Mr. Garretson engaged for a time,
and in his voyages down the river and dealings with all sorts of people in
different States, he acquired a valuable knowledge of business and men
that has stood him since in good stead.
At length he tired of this kind of trading and returned to New Lisbon, and
carried on a moderately successful business until the Winter of 1851. At
that time a marked change came over the fortunes of New Lisbon. Up to that
period it had been a flourishing business place, its advantages of
location on the canal in a fertile district, making it one of the best
places of trade in that portion of the State. But the construction of Fort
Wayne and Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroads effected a great and
disadvantageous change in the business of New Lisbon. The Fort Wayne road
passed it a few miles north, and the Cleveland and Pittsburgh road ran
about an equal distance west. Thus New Lisbon was cut off from all the
commercial cities, and found its sources of supply tapped at every point
by the railroads. Realizing the fate that had overtaken the town, Mr.
Garretson, at the opening of the year 1852, closed up his affairs in
Columbiana county and removed to Cleveland. There he became associated in
business with Messrs. Leonard and Robert Hanna, and the firm of Hanna,
Garretson & Co. was established.
The successful operations of that firm have already been chronicled in
these pages, and it only remains in this place to note the fact, that to
the success achieved, the energy and uprightness of Mr. Garretson
contributed in full proportion. The partnership lasted nine years.
On its dissolution Mr. Garretson established the house of H. Garretson &
Co., on Water street, with a shipping house on the river. The business of
the new firm was exactly similar to that of the old one, including a
wholesale grocery trade, with a Lake Superior commission and shipping
business. A line of fine steamers was run to Lake Superior, and the high
reputation Mr. Garretson enjoyed among the people of that section of
country, enabled him to build up a very large business in supplying their
wants. In addition, the new firm found customers rapidly increasing in
northern and western Ohio, in Michigan, and in other adjoining States. The
operations of the firm extended rapidly until it stood, at the close of
the year 1867, among the very foremost in the amount of its annual sales,
whilst the business was eminently a safe and solidly successful one.
On the first of November, 1867, Mr. Garretson sold out his wholesale
grocery business, and thus closed a mercantile career extending in this
city over sixteen years. His attention was then turned to banking. No
sooner had he retired from mercantile life than he projected and
organized the Cleveland Banking Company, which went into operation under
his presidency February 1st, 1868, with a capital of three hundred and
twenty-five thousand dollars. It immediately found all the business it
was able to do, and under the skillful management of Mr. Garretson it
has become one of the most reliable and important financial institutions
of the city.
It can truthfully be said of Mr. Garretson, that his success in business
has been owing not more to his shrewdness and foresight than to his
mercantile honor and social qualities. He made personal friends of his
business customers, and by courteous attention, as well as by scrupulous
regard for their interests, retained their good will and secured their
custom. In all the relations of business and social life, Mr. Garretson
has uniformly borne himself in such manner as to win the respect and
confidence of those brought into contact with him.
John Barr.
John Barr was born in Liberty township, Trumbull county, (now Mahoning,)
Ohio, June 26th, 1804. His ancestors, on both sides, were from
Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, though on his father's side they
originally came from the north of England, in the days of William Penn;
and his mother's, from Germany.
His grandfather, Alexander Barr, was killed by the Indians, in 1785, on
the Miami, a short distance below, where Hamilton, in Butler county, now
stands. His parents removed from Westmoreland county, Pa., to Youngstown,
in 1800; and his father settled as the Presbyterian pastor of a church in
that place, and resided there till 1820, when he removed to Wooster, Wayne
county, in this State. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm,
literally in the woods, and experienced the usual privations and
vicissitudes attendant on pioneer life. The new country and poverty of his
parents prevented his receiving a common English education, and it was not
until after he was of age that he mastered Murray's syntax and Daboll's
arithmetic.
On leaving home in 1825, he repaired to the Ohio canal, (then in process
of construction,) where he labored for two years, at various points
between Boston and Tinker's creek; where, with hundreds of others, he was
prostrated by the malaria of that unhealthy valley.
In 1828, he settled in Cleveland, and acted as deputy for the late Edward
Baldwin, sheriff. He took the census of the county in 1830, and was
elected sheriff that year, which office he held till 1834. Cleveland city
at that time, contained one thousand and seventy-one inhabitants; its
northern boundary was the lake, Erie street on the east, and the Cuyahoga
river on the west.
In 1835, when the idea of connecting Cleveland with other places by means
of railroads, was conceived by John W. Willey, James S. Clarke, T. P.
Handy, Edmund Clark, R. Hilliard, O. M. Gidings, H. B. Payne, Anson Haydn,
H. Canfield and others, Mr. Barr joined in and spent a good deal of time
in furthering the project. Late in the Fall of that year, he visited
Cincinnati, distributing petitions along the line of a proposed route to
Cincinnati from Cleveland, and spent most of the Winter at Columbus,
during the session of the Legislature. A charter for that road, and one
for a road to Pittsburgh, being granted, Mr. Barr brought the first copies
of them, duly certified under the seal of the State, to this city.
During 1836 and 7, Mr. Barr devoted a good deal of time in collecting
statistics of this port, the business of the city, its population, &c.,
&c., and also of the west generally, and laying them before the public in
the papers of Philadelphia and other eastern cities. In company with Mr.
Willey and the late Governor Tod, he visited Baltimore, Philadelphia, New
York and Boston, endeavoring to enlist the attention of capitalists to
aid in those enterprises. But the crash of 1837, and the general
prostration of business, that followed all over the country, rendered it
unavailing. In the Winter of 1838, Mr. Gidings, S. Starkweather,
Frederick Whittlesey, Wm. B. Lloyd and Mr. Barr were appointed a
committee to attend a railroad convention at Harrisburgh, Pa., to promote
the project of the railroad from Cleveland to Philadelphia, by way of
Pittsburgh. In 1838 and 9, at the request of John W. Willey, he still
spent much of his time in sending a series of articles on the importance
of the project, that were published monthly in the North American, a
paper in Philadelphia devoted to such projects.
Through the disastrous state of the times, these various measures had to
yield, and become, for the time being, failures; but time has shown that
those who were engaged in them were only in advance of the spirit and
means of the age.
In 1844, when this subject again arrested the attention of the Cleveland
public, Mr. Barr, although crushed by the storm of 1837, again resumed
the subject with his pen, and gave to the public in the National
Magazine, published in New York, quite a history of the city, its early
settlement, &c., together with a full description of the shipping on
their lakes, tonnage, trade, &c., that cost weeks of hard labor and
patience, more particularly to place our city in a favorable view before
the eastern public.
In 1846, a friend of Mr. B. sent him a petition to circulate and send to
the Hon. Thomas Corwin, one of Ohio's Senators, asking Congress for aid to
survey and establish a railroad to the Pacific.
In circulating this petition, Mr. Barr was gravely inquired of by one of
our citizens, "if he expected to live to see such a road built?" Mr. Barr
replied, "if he should live to the usual age of men, he did expect to see
it commenced, and perhaps built." The reply was, "If you do, you will be
an older man than Methusalah!" Both have lived to know that great work has
been achieved.
Mr. Barr procured over six hundred names to his petition, which was duly
presented by Mr. Corwin. Cleveland has now reason to be proud of the
interests she manifested in that great work, at so early a day.
In 1857, Mr. Barr brought the first petroleum to this city, made from
cannel coal, to be used as a source of light. This was new and regarded as
utopian. The article was very odorous, and failed to be acceptable to the
public, but as time rolled on, improvements in refining were made, and now
the largest manufacturing business in our city is that of petroleum.
Few, if any, of citizens have spent more time and pains in collecting and
giving to the public reminiscences of early days and early settlers--those
who located in this region, and who under such privations, trials,
hardships and sufferings commenced levelling these mighty forests,
erecting log cabins, and in due time made this formidable wilderness "bud
and blossom as the rose." In that respect Mr. Barr has done much to
preserve and lay before the public from time to time, brief histories of
many of those brave men and women who left their homes and friends in the
east, and comparative comforts, to settle in the western wilderness, to
build up homes for their children and future generations. Howe's history
of Ohio, and Col. Chas. Whittlesey's history of the city of Cleveland,
bear witness that his generous heart and gifted pen have furnished
tributes of respect to the memory of the noble pioneers, after the battle
of life with them was over, and thus supplying links to our historic chain
that makes it comparatively perfect.
Among the many reminiscences of early times related to us by Mr. Barr,
there is one we cannot deny ourselves the pleasure of relating, and
preserving: William Coleman, Esq., came to Euclid in 1803, selected a lot
of land and with his family settled upon it in 1804. For several years the
few settlers experienced a good deal of inconvenience in having only the
wild game of the country for meat, and which, at certain seasons of the
year, was unfit for the table. In the Spring the streams that put into the
lake abounded with excellent fish, and the season lasted about four weeks.
The question arose, "could these fish be preserved in salt for future
use?" The universal answer was No! The idea of preserving _fresh water_
fish in salt seemed incredible; the red man was appealed to, but he shook
his head in contempt at the idea, and in broken English said, "put him on
pole, dry him over smoke." One Spring Mr. Coleman repaired to Rocky River,
famous for its fine pike and pickerel, and laid in his stock, carefully
laid them down in salt, which cost him over thirty dollars a barrel, (at a
great risk, as his neighbors thought,) and watched them carefully from
time to time till harvest. Much to his own and his neighbors'
satisfaction, he found it a success, and proved not only a happy change of
diet for health, but also a luxury, unknown before. From this
circumstance, small at that time, originated a new source of comfort,
which proved, in time, a mine of wealth to the West, and a luxury to the
persons who located in the interior of the State. Well was it said by the
school boy of Massachusetts about those days, "Tall oaks from little
acorns grow, large streams from little fountains flow."
Mr. Barr says he made this circumstance a matter of much research and
inquiry, and fully believes that to William Coleman belongs the credit for
so useful and important a discovery.
J. B. Cobb.
The oldest bookselling house in Cleveland is that of the Cobbs, now
existing under the firm name of Cobb, Andrews & Co. It has grown with
the growth of the city, from a small concern where a few books and a
limited stock of stationery were kept as adjuncts to a job printing
office, to a large establishment doing an extensive business throughout
the northern half of Ohio and north-western Pennsylvania, and in parts of
Michigan and Indiana, and which has planted in Chicago a branch that has
grown to be equal in importance with the parent establishment. Through
financial storm and sunshine this house has steadily grown, without a
mishap, and now ranks as one of the most important and staunchest
business houses in the city.
The head of the firm, Junius Brutus Cobb, was born in 1822, received a
good common school education, and was then sent to learn the trade of a
cabinet-maker. When his apprenticeship expired he worked for a short time
as a journeyman, but was dissatisfied with the trade, and for a year or
two taught school. In 1842, he decided to try his fortune in the West, and
reached Cleveland, where he found employment as clerk in the store of M.
C. Younglove. Mr. Younglove was then doing a job printing business, and
kept in addition a stock of books and stationery. Opportunity sometime
after offering, two younger brothers of Mr. Cobb followed him, and were
employed by Mr. Younglove. In 1848, the three brothers united in the
purchase of an interest in the establishment, and the firm of M. C.
Younglove & Co. was formed, the store being located in the American House
building. Here the firm remained some years, the book trade steadily
increasing, until the old quarters were too strait for its accommodation.
In April 1852, Mr. Younglove parted with his entire interest in the
concern to his partners, and the firm name of J. B. Cobb & Co. was
adopted. Before this the printing department had been abandoned, and the
concern was run as a book and stationery store, with a bindery attached.
The old store being too small, new and more commodious quarters were found
further up Superior street on the opposite side, and with the change the
business increased with greater rapidity than previously.
In February, 1864, it was decided to open a similar house in Chicago. A
store was engaged, and Mr. J. B. Cobb went up to open it, taking with him a
relative of the firm who had formerly been their clerk, Mr. Daniel
Pritchard. The business of the new establishment instantly became large
and remunerative, the jobbing trade commencing auspiciously, and rapidly
increasing to extensive dimensions. At the same time the parent house in
Cleveland added a wholesale department to its former retail trade, and
this grew rapidly, the need of such an establishment being keenly felt by
the numerous small stores throughout the country that had hitherto been
dependent on Cincinnati or the dealers at the East. The rapid growth of
business in the two establishments necessitated a new arrangement of the
firm, and Cobb, Pritchard & Co. took charge of the Chicago house, whilst
Cobb, Andrews & Co. manage the Cleveland establishment. The latter firm
was made by the accession of Mr. Theodore A. Andrews, who had been brought
up as a clerk in the house, taking his place as a partner in April, 1865.
Mr. J. B. Cobb took up his residence in Chicago, leaving his brothers, C.
C. and B. J., in Cleveland.
The Cobbs have maintained for themselves a high reputation for honesty,
fair dealing, and courtesy in business, and in this way have secured
prosperity. The trade that, when they first took it, amounted to about
$25,000 a year, had grown, in 1868, to over $200,000. The qualities that
gained for the head of the firm so many valuable business friends, was
shared in by his brothers, and these again impressed them on the young men
brought up under their control. The result is seen in the large number of
customers frequenting the store daily, and in the extensive wholesale
trade done.
A. G. Colwell.
Mr. Colwell is a native of Madison county, New York, and came to Cleveland
in 1852, soon after the opening of the different railroads had given the
city an important start in the road to prosperity. Mr. Colwell immediately
engaged in the hardware trade, on Ontario street, where he has continued
to the present day. As the city grew in size, and its area of commerce
extended, the business of Mr. Colwell steadily increased. The retail trade
gradually developed into wholesale, and this grew into important
proportions, pushing its ramifications through northern Ohio, Michigan,
and north-western Pennsylvania.
Mr. Colwell has attended closely to his business, taking no other interest
in public affairs than is the duty of every good citizen. But whilst
carefully conducting his business he has found time for the gratification
of a cultivated taste in literature, and has taken pleasure in
participating in every movement designed to foster a similar taste in
others. In a recent tour in Europe, undertaken for the benefit of his
health, he visited the principal points of literary and artistic interest,
and brought back with him many rare and curious souvenirs of travel.
William Bingham.
Whilst few men, if there are any, in the city of Cleveland are more highly
respected than William Bingham, there are none less desirous of notoriety
in any form. To do his duty to himself, his family, and his fellow men,
and to do it quietly and unobtrusively, is the extent of Mr. Bingham's
ambition, so far as can be judged by the whole tenor of his life. Did the
matter rest with him, no notice of him would have appeared in this work,
but to omit him would be a manifest injustice, and would at the same time
render the volume imperfect.
Mr. Bingham is a native of Andover, Connecticut, and on his arrival here
from the East, became a clerk in George Worthington's hardware store.
After a few years' service in this capacity, he set up in the same line
for himself, and for about a quarter of a century has carried on
business with marked success. The operations of the firm of William
Bingham & Co., though at first small, have grown to large proportions,
and Mr. Bingham has grown rich, not through lucky operations, but by
steady, persistent application to business, aided by sound judgment and
powerful will. In addition to his hardware business, he is interested
with Mr. Worthington in the Iron and Nail works, and has furnace
interests in the Mahoning Valley.
In all his dealings, commercial or otherwise, he has been strictly
conscientious, and this has secured for him the esteem of all with whom he
has come in contact, and the respect and confidence of the general public.
His word is inviolable, and no one has ever uttered a whisper against his
unsullied integrity. In all works of genuine charity, his aid is
efficaciously, though unobtrusively given, whenever required. To the young
men in his employ, he is as much a father in his care of their interests
and conduct, as he is an employer.
In politics, Mr. Bingham has steadily acted with the Republican party, but
he is in no degree a politician. He has been chosen by the people to
places of municipal trust, but always without any desire on his part, and
solely because those selecting him considered his services would be
valuable to the city; and whenever selected as a candidate, he has been
elected, the opposing party having full confidence in his ability and
integrity. In his case, the place invariably sought the man, and not the
man the place; and it has always been with great reluctance, and because
it seemed the good of the people required it, that he consented to hold
public office. It would be better for the people were there more men like
William Bingham, and sufficient wisdom among political managers to invoke
their services on behalf of the public.
William J. Gordon.
A history of the leading commercial men of Cleveland, with no mention of
W. J. Gordon, would be not much unlike the play of Hamlet with the part of
the Danish prince omitted. Few men in the city have occupied so prominent
a position in its mercantile history as has Mr. Gordon; but, from a
natural distaste of public notice of any kind, on the part of Mr. Gordon,
we are comparatively without data, and obliged to depend upon what we know
of his history in general.
Mr. Gordon was brought up on a New Jersey farm, on which the battle of
Monmouth was fought, and that had remained for generations, and still
is, in the possession of his family. His earliest recollections were of
rural life, its boyish enjoyments and boyish tasks. He obtained a good
common school education, such as could be obtained in that neighborhood.
Whilst yet a lad he manifested a strong taste for business pursuits; and
to gratify and develop that taste he was sent to New York, where he
became a clerk.
But, young as he was, he reasoned that there was a better chance for a
successful struggle in the new West than in the already crowded marts of
the East, and that for the young man of energy and enterprise, there was
every prospect of achieving distinction and fortune in assisting to build
up the business of the new western cities. With this impression he bade
adieu to New York in 1838, and started westward on a tour of observation,
he being then in his twentieth year. He reached Erie without stopping, and
remained there for some time, carefully observing its commercial
facilities and its prospects for the future. Not altogether satisfied
with these, he moved farther west, and made his next stay in Cleveland.
Here he speedily became convinced that a great future was before that
city, and he determined to remain and share in its benefits. A wholesale
grocery establishment was opened, small at first, as suited his means and
the limited requirements of the place, but which more than kept pace with
the progress of the city.
Mr. Gordon believed that to shrewdness and persistence all things are
possible. His constant endeavor was to discover new avenues of trade, or
new modes of doing business, and then to utilize his discoveries to the
full extent, by persistent energy and unwearied industry. He was always on
the alert to find a new customer for his wares, and to discover a cheaper
place to purchase his stock, or a better way of bringing them home. Whilst
thus securing unusual advantages in supplying himself with goods, Mr.
Gordon was losing no opportunity of pushing his business among the buyers.
His agents were diligently scouring the country, looking up new customers,
and carefully observing the operations of old customers, to ascertain how
their trade could best be stimulated and developed, to the mutual profit
of the retailer and the wholesale dealer from whom he obtained his
supplies. Men of pushing character and large business acquaintance were
sought out and engaged, that they might aid in developing the business of
the establishment. As these withdrew, to set up in business for
themselves, others took their place. It is a noticable fact that no house
has sent out more young men who have achieved success for themselves; and
that success was undoubtedly in large measure due to the training received
under Mr. Gordon.
He tolerated no sluggards around his establishment. A hard worker himself,
those around him were stimulated to hard work. He was at the warehouse
with the earliest clerk and left it with the latest. He demanded
unflagging industry from his employees, but asked no more than he
manifested himself. It was through this persistent energy that he achieved
success where others might have failed.
When Mr. Gordon's capital had increased to such an extent as to warrant
his employment of some of the surplus in investment outside of his regular
business, he made some highly profitable operations of this kind. Among
them was his uniting with some others of like foresight in the purchase of
a tract of mineral land on Lake Superior, and the formation of iron mining
companies which, though not immediately profitable, eventually yielded an
enormous percentage on the original outlay, and bids fair to be equally
profitable for many years to come, besides being a source of immense
wealth to the city.
In 1857, Mr. Gordon's health failed, and since that time he has paid but
little personal attention to business, but by an extended tour to Europe,
it has been in a great measure restored, and being still in the meridian
of life, he has the prospect, unless some mishap occurs, of long enjoying
the fruits of his far-sighted intelligence and unwearied industry.