Category: Business and Industry

The WEST SIDE MARKET, Cleveland's oldest publicly owned market, began in 1840 when JOSIAH BARBER and RICHARD LORD gave OHIO CITY a tract of land at the corner of Pearl (W. 25th) and Lorain streets with the stipulation that it always be kept as a public market site.

WESTERN ELECTRIC CO., the manufacturing and supply subsidiary of AT&T, was founded in Cleveland in 1869. The company evolved from a telegraph supply shop bought by Geo. W. Shawk in 1856. Shawk sold out to Enos M. Barton and Elisha Gray in 1869, who then formed Gray & Barton to manufacture fire and burglar alarms and telegraph equipment at 93 St. Clair (498 W. St. Clair). The partnership, which soon included Gen.

The WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP., established by Geo. Westinghouse in 1886, was an early manufacturer of electrical equipment that evolved into a multipurpose engineering firm. Westinghouse became a manufacturer in Cleveland partly as the result of an 1894 patent-infringement lawsuit against the Cleveland-based Walker Mfg. Co.

The WESTLAKE HOTEL, built in 1925 and dubbed the "pink palace" by locals, was one of the first luxury suburban hotels in the nation. Located at Detroit Ave.

WESTLAKE REED LESKOSKY, an architectural firm, was founded in 1905 by ABRAM GARFIELD, son of President JAMES GARFIELD. In 1897, Garfield moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to work with fellow architect FRANK MEADE after completing his studies at M.I.T.

The WHEELING & LAKE ERIE RAILROAD, planned to run from the Ohio River through the coal fields of southeastern Ohio to ports on Lake Erie, was founded in 1871. By 1877 only 13.5 mi. of track had been laid.

WHITE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC., a diversified conglomerate, was originally founded by THOS. H. WHITE as the White Mfg. Co. in 1866. Ten years later it was known as White Sewing Machine Co., with 600 employees producing the White Rotary Bobbin sewing machine in a 5-story factory on Canal St. Sales at the company reached $2.5 million by 1878.

WHITE, CHARLES MCELROY (13 June 1891-10 Jan. 1977) was chairman and chief executive officer of REPUBLIC STEEL CORPORATION with a reputation as a tough labor negotiator opposing any intervention in collective bargaining.

WHITE, WILLIAM J. (7 Oct. 1850-16 Feb. 1923), chewing-gum manufacturer, was born in Rice Lake, Ontario, moved to Cleveland with his parents, John and Laura (Brooks) White, at age 6. He entered business operating a candy store and in 1884 mistakenly bought a barrel of Yucatan chicle.

WHOLESALE GROCERS. Cleveland's wholesale grocery industry has played an important role in feeding the city—and the region—for more than a century and a half. The industry developed as the pioneer forwarding and commission merchants, who dealt in all types of goods, began to specialize in groceries alone.

AMANDA (HUNT) WICKER (1900-September 19, 1987) was born in Sandersville, Georgia, and was raised by her mother, who was widowed when Wicker was very young. Wicker was one of seven children. She graduated from Tuskegee Normal School for Teachers in 1923. The following year, Wicker was an apprentice at the Clarke Training School in Washington, DC, where she learned the dressmaking trade under Mrs. Addie Clarke.

The WILLARD STORAGE BATTERY CO., an early leader in the development and manufacture of automobile batteries, was founded by Theodore A. Willard as the Willard Electric & Battery Co. at 33 Sheriff (E. 4th) St. in 1896, relocating to 49 Wood (E. 3rd) St. the following year. Willard reorganized the company as the Willard Storage Battery Co. in 1902.

The WILLIAM EDWARDS CO., a pioneer manufacturer and wholesaler of food products in Cleveland, was considered one of the foremost food distributors and food processors in the country. It was founded in a 2-story building on Old River Rd. (then River St.) in 1853 as Treat and Edwards, wholesale groceries and liquors, by William Edwards (1831-98) and Marcus A. Treat.

The WILLIAM FEATHER CO., a commercial printing house, was opened in 1916 by WILLIAM FEATHER.

WILLIAM TAYLOR SON & CO. was one of Cleveland's leading department stores. Wm. Taylor and Thos. Kilpatrick opened a 1-room dry goods store on EUCLID AVE. at PUBLIC SQUARE, 21 Apr. 1870. Taylor, Kilpatrick & Co.

WILLIAMS, EUGENE (25 Sept. 1901-19 Oct.

WILLIS, (WILBUR) KIRK (31 Mar. 1906 – 17 Nov. 1966) was born in Adams County, Ohio. He was an actor and director of theatre and film for over 40 years.  

WILLS, J. WALTER SR.

The Wilson Feed Mill was originally built and operated as a grist mill by Andrew and Robert Alexander in 1855. Following the construction of the OHIO & ERIE CANAL in 1827, the grain and feed industry in the WESTERN RESERVE grew exponentially.

The WILSON TRANSIT CO., a pioneer in the use of safety equipment on the Great Lakes, was founded as a freight-transportation business by Capt. Thomas Wilson in 1872. Beginning with a single wooden ship, Wilson prospered, building several more steamers, including the Spokane in 1886, the lakes' first steel steamer. The firm also pioneered in the use of electric lights on the Yakima in 1887.

The WINTON MOTOR CAR CO. was an early pioneer in the American automobile industry. The Winton Motor Carriage Co. was founded in March 1897 by Cleveland bicycle manufacturer ALEXANDER WINTON who, along with Thos. W. Henderson and Geo. H. Brown, established a factory at the corner of Belden and Mason streets.

WISE, SAMUEL D. (28 Nov. 1875-25 Mar. 1953), Jewish industrialist and philanthropist, was born to Daniel and Leah (Flesheim) Wise. He was educated in Cleveland and began work in 1889 as an office boy and bookkeeper for Atlantic Refining Co., which produced roof coating, lubricating oils, axle grease, and industrial paints. Wise and some associates acquired all the company's stock when owner Geo. C.

WOHL, MAX (20 Sept. 1908 - 27 Oct. 1999) was a life long socialist, a former chair of the American Civil Liberties Union of Cleveland and an executive for Tremco Manufacturing Co. He was born in Cleveland to Sarah (Chenkin) and Solomon Wohl. After graduating from East Technical High School in 1928, he went to work as an office boy for Tremco. He was vice president of finance when he took early retirement in 1969.

WOLF'S FINE ART GALLERY AND AUCTIONEERS was the Cleveland region's first permanent auction gallery. It was established in 1979 by Michael Wolf, a native of CLEVELAND HTS., who has continued to serve as the company's president. The firm was located at 13015 Larchmere Blvd., near SHAKER SQUARE, until Sept.