Category: Technology

SCHOENFELD, FRANK K. (7 Dec. 1904-29 Dec. 1984), chemical engineer and director of the research center of the B. F. Goodrich Co. in the 1960s (see B. F. GOODRICH CO. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT), was born in Pittsburgh to George and Rose Koch Schoenfeld.

The SCOTT AND FETZER CO., a major diversified conglomerate, began in 1914 when George H. Scott and Carl S. Fetzer organized the George H. Scott Machine Co. located at 118 Noble Ct. The firm incorporated on 30 Nov. 1917 as the Scott & Fetzer Machine Co. and then moved to the corner of Locust Ave. and W. 114th St. Two years later, it shortened the name to Scott & Fetzer Co.

SCOTT, FRANK A. (22 Mar. 1873-15 Apr. 1949), businessman and civic leader, was born in Cleveland to Robert Crozier and Sarah Ann Warr Scott. At 18 he began working for a railroad company, moving into increasingly responsible positions. From 1899-1905 he was secretary of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, and from 1905-09, secretary and treasurer of Superior Savings & Trust Co.

SCOVILL, PHILO (30 Nov. 1791-5 June 1875), pioneer, contractor, and merchant, was born in Salisbury, Conn., to Timothy and Chloe (Kelsey) Scovill. The family moved several times during his youth, and in 1816 came to Cleveland. Scovill established himself as a merchant in the drug and grocery business. Disenchanted with this line of work, he moved into a lumber venture with Thos. O. Young.

SEARS, LESTER MERRIAM (13 May 1888-20 Feb. 1967) was an engineer who invented the gasoline-powered industrial tractor, the forklift industrial truck and founded the Towmotor Corporation of Cleveland.

SEAVER, JOHN WRIGHT (8 Jan. 1855-14 Jan. 1911) designer and builder of large industrial and transportation structures, was born in Madison, Wisconsin, the son of Daniel M. and Charlotte Ann (Cook) Seaver. Educated in the public schools of Buffalo, New York, he also studied practical mathematics and mechanics with inventor Robert Stevenson.

SEAWAY FOODS, INC., is a major wholesaler of food and grocery products in northern Ohio. A consolidation of 4 Cleveland wholesale grocery companies, it was formed on 6 Jan. 1956 as the Seaway Wholesale Co. by the Eagle Wholesale Grocery Co., the J. F. Sansons & Son Co., the Economy Cash & Carry Co., and the David Lombardy Co. (1928). They continued to operate individually until 17 Aug.

SELDEN, GEORGE G. (13 Oct. 1915-18 Dec.

SEVERANCE TOWN CENTER, hailed as Ohio's first indoor shopping center, was erected at the corner of Mayfield and S. Taylor roads in CLEVELAND HTS. on the former site of the 161-acre estate of JOHN L. SEVERANCE (1863-1936) and later the residence of his nephew, Severance Millikin, who lived on the property until 1960.

The SHAUTER DRUG CO. was a small black-owned chain of drugstores established on 16 Apr. 1936 by ROBERT H. SHAUTER.

SHAUTER, ROBERT HARRIS (8 Oct. 1903-27 Dec. 1944), a successful black druggist and professional man, was born in Saybrook, Ohio, the son of Thomas J. and Florence L. Richardson Shauter.

The SHERIFF ST. MARKET was the largest food market in Cleveland until completion of the WEST SIDE MARKET in 1912. Located on Sheriff (E. 4th) St. between Huron and Bolivar roads, it opened on Christmas Eve 1891. The market was built and operated by the privately owned Sheriff St. Market & Storage Co. with Jas. M. Jones as the first president.

The SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO., a pioneer in the development of the paint industry, was established in Cleveland in 1866 by Henry A. Sherwin. By 2005 the company's operations included over 2,600 paint stores, 139 automotive paint branches, and strong multi-brand paint franchises in architectural, industrial, and special purpose coatings. Business outside of the U.S.

SHERWIN, FRANCIS McINTOSH (7 March 1906-16 Dec. 1969) was a prominent banker, corporate director, and philanthropist as well as mayor of the Village of Waite Hill.

SIFCO INDUSTRIES, INC., a major international metalworking firm supplying the airline industry, began in 1913 when five Cleveland men formed the Steel Improvement Co. Initially a small, heat-treating operation designed to improve the physical properties of metal, Steel Improvement was located on Chester Ave. In 1916, the company became the Steel Improvement & Forge Co.

SLAUGHTER, HOWARD SILAS, SR. (19 Oct. 1890-15 June 1936) was a funeral director, embalmer, founder and president of Slaughter Funeral Home, Inc., one of the earliest African-American funeral businesses established in Cleveland.

The SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS (SAE), CLEVELAND SECTION was founded as a branch of the SAE. The parent organization was established in 1905 to inform and contribute to the research, design, production, and use of all forms of transportation. Six years later the society began creating regional sections to encourage the local automotive interests of their members.

SOHIO. See BP AMERICA.


SOLAR UNIVERSAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC., organized as the Solar Distribution Co. by Milton Kates in 1977, provided alternative heat sources to alleviate the energy crisis brought on by the high price of imported oil and offered conservation services as well.

The SOUTHGATE SHOPPING CENTER, one of the nation's first large shopping centers, was built by A. Siegler & Sons, Inc., of Cleveland as part of a $17 million community development in MAPLE HTS., which also included homes and apartment units. Situated on Libby Rd. between Warrensville Ct. and Northfield Rd., Southgate Shopping Center was dedicated in 1955 with 44 stores.

SPANG BAKING CO. See J. SPANG BAKING CO.


SPONSORED FILM production was a significant industry in Cleveland and an essential part of its FILM HISTORY.