Category: Politics and Government

ARMSTRONG, WILLIAM W. (18 Mar. 1833-21 Apr. 1905), was a local newspaper publisher and Democratic party political leader. He was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, and lived there until moving to Tiffin, Ohio, in 1854, where he bought and published a local newspaper. In 1857 he married Sarah Virginia Hedges; they had one daughter, Isabella.

ARTL, JOSEPH A. (31 Jan. 1893-23 June 1970) was one of Cuyahoga County's most respected public officials in a career spanning 4 decades. A product of Cleveland's Fleet Ave. neighborhood, he was the son of Bohemian immigrants, Mr. and Mrs. John Artl.

BABCOCK, BRENTON D. (2 Oct. 1830-9 Jan. 1906), was an entrepreneur, mayor of Cleveland (1887-88), and founder of Cleveland's Scottish Rite Masonry. Born in Adams, N.Y., to William and Elvira (Gaylord) Babcock, he attended Adams Seminary and graduated from Watertown College, N.Y. In 1855, he became a clerk with the Erie Railroad Co.

BABKA, JOHN JOSEPH (16 Mar. 1884-22 Mar. 1937) was a leader in Cleveland's Czech community who served a single term in Congress. Born in old NEWBURGH, he was the son of Bohemian immigrants Frank and Mary Babka.

BAEHR, HERMANN C. (16 Mar. 1866-4 Feb. 1942), a businessman and politician, served as county recorder (1904-09) and mayor of Cleveland (1910-12). He was an officer of the CLEVELAND-SANDUSKY BREWING CO., vice-president of the Forest City Savings & Loan, and a director of Cleveland Trust bank.

BAKER, NEWTON DIEHL (3 Dec. 1871-25 Dec. 1937), was mayor of Cleveland (1912-16) and Secretary of War under Pres. Woodrow Wilson. Born in Martinsburg, W. Va., to Newton Diehl and Mary Ann Dukehart Baker, he graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1892, and received his law degree from Washington & Lee University in 1894.

BARBER, JOSIAH (1771-10 Dec. 1842), the first mayor of OHIO CITY and son of Capt. Stephen and Alice (Cass) Barber, was a prime mover in west side residential, commercial, and industrial development.

BEACH, CLIFTON BAILEY (16 Sept. 1845-15 Nov. 1902) Congressman and businessman, was born in Sharon, Medina County, the son of Israel Bailey and Emily C. (Wiggin) Beach. He moved with his parents to Cleveland in 1857, attending public schools and Western Reserve College in Hudson where he graduated in 1871.

BEIDLER, JACOB A. (2 Nov. 1852-13 Sept. 1912), a prominent coal merchant and politician, was a pioneer in the "back-to-the-farm" movement. Born near Valley Forge, Pa., son of Israel and Mary (Latshaw) Beidler, he graduated from Lock's Seminary at Norristown, Pa. at 21. He then came to Cleveland and began a coal dealership.

BERNSTEIN, HARRY (1856-1920), known as "Czar" Bernstein, was an entrepreneur and Republican political ward boss who could, according to contemporary accounts, deliver the votes he promised from his ward to a man. Born in Poland to Berman and Rosa Bernstein, he was brought to Cleveland in 1868, and educated in the public schools.

BINGHAM, FLAVEL W. (15 May 1803-1867) was a lawyer and politician who served 1 year as mayor of Cleveland. He was born in New York to Flavel and Fanny White Bingham and came to Cleveland in 1837, where he set up the law practice of Collins & Bingham. He was elected councilman and chosen city council president in 1845.

BLEE, ROBERT E. (31 Jan. 1839-26 Feb. 1898), a railroad superintendent, was mayor of Cleveland from 1893-95. Born in Glenville, Ohio, to Bridget and Hugh Blee who were early settlers of Cuyahoga County, Blee attended district schools and Shaw Academy at COLLAMER, and was inspired by a graduation speaker to pursue a career in railroading.

BLYTHIN, EDWARD (10 Oct. 1884-14 Feb. 1958), was Cleveland law director, mayor, and judge. Born in Newmarket, Wales, to Peter and Elizabeth Roberts Blythin, he worked 2 years as a bookkeeper for an English coal firm before coming to Cleveland in 1906, where he worked as bookkeeper for the Walton Realty Co. for 10 years while studying law nights at Cleveland Law School. After receiving his LL.D.

BOLTON, THOMAS (29 Nov. 1809-1 Feb. 1871), a prominent lawyer, was born in Scipio, N.Y. to Thomas and Hannah (Henry) Bolton. He attended Harvard University (1829-33), there meeting his future partner Moses Kelley. Bolton studied law in Canandaigua, N.Y.; came to Cleveland in Sept. 1834; and was admitted to the bar in 1835. In 1836 he and Kelley formed the firm of Bolton & Kelley.

BOYD, ALBERT DUNCAN "STARLIGHT" (14 Feb. 1872-8 Dec. 1921), was a colorful Republican businessman whose association with Republican county chairman MAURICE MASCHKE and control of Ward 11 politics ranked him among the most powerful local blacks in the early 20th century.

BREITENSTEIN, JOSEPH C. (30 July 1884-19 Aug. 1974), attorney, served as special assistant U.S District Attorney (15 Nov. 1922-15 Mar. 1923) and was a leader in the the CUYAHOGA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY and the Ohio Democratic party. As assistant district attorney, he handled U.S. v. Eugene Debs, among other cases.

BRIGGS, JAMES A. (6 Feb. 1811-22 Aug.

BRIGGS, JOSEPH W. (5 July 1813-23 Feb. 1872) instituted free home mail delivery in Cleveland and was later appointed to a postal job in Washington to establish this system throughout the U.S. Born in Claremont, N.Y., and raised by his uncle, Geo.

BROUGH, JOHN (17 Sept. 1811-29 Aug. 1865) was a newspaper publisher, state auditor, railroad president, and CIVIL WAR governor of Ohio, Brough was born in Marietta, Ohio. Orphaned at 11, he became an apprentice printer. After paying his way through Ohio University, he edited and published newspapers in West Virginia and Ohio.