MEANS, RUSSELL (Nov 10, 1938 - Oct 22, 2012) was an Oglala Sioux activist, writer, and actor, who founded the CLEVELAND AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER and was a central figure in the American Indian Movement.
The MECHANICS EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA (MESA) represented workers in the machine-tool, automotive, and steel industries as an independent union until it affiliated with the CIO in 1954. Founded in Detroit in 1933 for tool-and-die makers, MESA organized in Flint and Pontiac and then moved to Toledo and Cleveland, sites of automotive factories and job shops.
MEDICAL DISTRICT OF OHIO. See NINETEENTH MEDICAL DISTRICT OF OHIO.
MEDICAL MUTUAL OF CLEVELAND, INC., offered Clevelanders prepaid physician care that complemented the prepaid hospitalization offered by its sister corporation, the CLEVELAND HOSPITAL SERVICE ASSN. (precursor of BLUE CROSS OF NORTHEAST OHIO) from 1945-83.
MEDICINE. The development of medical care, science, and education in the Cleveland area, as a frontier community evolved into a major industrial center, is a microcosm of national developments in the U.S. The growth of the population and the financial resources available were determining factors.
MEDUSA CORP., a nationally known cement company, was founded by 3 brothers, Arthur, Spencer, and Wm. Newberry, as the Sandusky Portland Cement Co. in 1892, with offices in Cleveland and a plant at Bay Bridge near Sandusky. The company was shortly renamed Medusa Portland Cement Co. for the Greek goddess Medusa, who turned all who looked at her to stone.
MELAMED RILEY , see MELDRUM AND FEWSMITH.
MELDRUM AND FEWSMITH, creator of influential and memorable advertising, was founded in 1930 by Andrew B. Meldrum, a copywriter, and Joseph Fewsmith, an account executive, who were partners for nearly 40 years in Philadelphia, then in Toledo, and then as Sweeney & James in Cleveland before forming their own firm.
The MELLEN FOUNDATION was established in 1963 by investment banker EDWARD J. MELLEN. The Mellen Foundation contributes to pre-selected Cleveland institutions of HIGHER EDUCATION, churches and medical organizations. Applications are not accepted. Prior to 1989, the foundation supported nursing education fellowships.
MELLEN, EDWARD J., JR. (31 Dec. 1909-6 Sept. 1982) was an investment banker who helped organize nearly 20 Cleveland companies and a philanthropist who co-founded the Mellen Foundation with his wife, Louise Shepler Mellen (d. 1977) and who provided a bequest which helped establish the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research.
MELLEN, LOWELL O. (18 Dec. 1897-16 Jan. 1993) pioneer in the successful application of Training Within Industry (TWI) programs, was born in Streetsboro, Ohio, the son of Ottis and Gertrude (Cannon) Mellen. After attending Ravenna High School for 2 years, the family moved to Cleveland in 1910 where he specialized in shop courses at West Technical High School, graduating in 1912.
MEMORIAL SHOREWAY (officially called Cleveland Memorial Shoreway), was the first east-west freeway in Greater Cleveland. Originally a strip of road along the lakefront from E. 9th to E. 55th, the 4-mile stretch of road was envisioned as part of a larger system of roads. Using work relief funds and labor from the WORK PROJECTS ADMIN.
MENOMPSY (NOBSY) (d. 1802 or 1803), a Chippewa or Ottawa medicine man, was the victim of the first murder in Cleveland. Menompsy was treating the wife of Big Son, who was the brother of the Seneca chief STIGWANISH, or "Chief Seneca." Despite all his efforts, Big Son's wife died. Big Son, believing that Menompsy was responsible for his wife's death, sought retribution.
MENORAH PARK CENTER FOR THE AGING, a residential home and care center for the elderly, was established in 1906 as the Hebrew Orthodox Old Age Home, Bet Moshav Zekenim, because MONTEFIORE HOME did not satisfy the religious needs of Orthodox
The MERCANTILE NATIONAL BANK, one of the early banks in Cleveland, opened as the Merchants Bank on 24 June 1845 on Water (W. 9th St. and Superior) with capital of $112,500. It was one of the 2 state branch banks allotted to Cleveland under a new state banking law enacted that year.
MERCHANT, AHAZ (21 Mar. 1794-28 Mar. 1862), surveyor, builder, and civil engineer, was born in western Connecticut, son of Silas and Huldah (Platt) Merchant. He was raised near Morristown, N.J., and taught himself surveying. After moving to Cleveland in 1818, Merchant acquired military experience in the state militia, attaining the rank of general.
The MERCURY was an experimental streamlined train, the pride of the New York Central Railroad System, which was put into service between Cleveland and Detroit on 15 July 1936. It was a new kind of train for its day. Designed as a day train, it had completely air-conditioned cars, with curving leather divans and armchairs instead of traditional 2-by-2 seating.
MERIDIA HEALTH SYSTEM began as a coalition of four Cleveland-area hospitals, and was known as Strategic Health Systems (formed 1984) until 1987. The name was changed to reflect the organization's expansion.
MERRICK HOUSE SOCIAL SETTLEMENT, founded in 1919 by the Natl. Catholic War Council, was named for Mary Virginia Merrick of Washington, DC, founder of the Natl. CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY.
MERRICK, MYRA KING (15 Aug. 1825 - 10 Nov. 1899), was a pioneering woman physician. She was born in Hinkley, Leicestershire, England, the daughter of Richard (1795-1887) and Elizabeth (Ball) (1803-1885).
The MERRILL LYNCH HUNTER JUMPER CLASSIC is the most important equestrian sporting event in Greater Cleveland. First held in 1965, the competition was the first major equestrian grand prix in the Western Hemisphere. In 1981 the Cleveland Grand Prix became part of a series of 33 North American competitions overseen by the American Grand Prix Assn.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL DEACONNESS HOME. See WEST SIDE COMMUNITY HOUSE.
METHODISTS. Although Methodists formed the third religious body in Cleveland, establishing their first church in 1827, they achieved neither the numbers nor the prominence that they have enjoyed elsewhere in the U.S.
The METROHEALTH SYSTEM STRIKE OF 1989 began on March 27, 1989 after negotiations between The MetroHealth System (See: CUYAHOGA COUNTY HOSPITAL SYSTEM) and Local 3350 of the American Federation of Sta
The METROPOLITAN HEALTH PLANNING CORP., a regulatory agency, was responsible for health-care planning in Greater Cleveland from 1968-82. In 1975 it was designated a regional health-systems agency. The corporation was set up in 1968 to review hospital-expansion proposals in order to prevent duplication of services and help hold down consumer costs, and to assess health needs in Cuyahoga and adjoining counties.
The METROPOLITAN THEATER, on Euclid Ave. at E. 49th St., opened 31 Mar. 1913 with a performance of Aida, the first production in an 8-week season of opera in English.
METZENBAUM, HOWARD MORTON (4 June 1917 - 12 March 2008), a staunchly liberal U.S. Senator during an era of conservative political ascendency associated with the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Born in Cleveland to Anna and Charles Metzenbaum, Howard balanced school work with business by fetching his neighbors' groceries for tips.
METZENBAUM, MYRON, M.D. (1 April 1876-25 Jan. 1944), ear, nose and throat specialist at Mt. Sinai Hospital (see MT. SINAI MEDICAL CENTER), designed the surgical scissors which bear his name. He was a national authority in reconstructive surgery. Metzenbaum was born in Cleveland, to Joseph and Fanny Firth Metzenbaum, and educated in the public schools.
MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR. Many of the 10,000 people living in Cleveland in 1846, and citizens of northern Ohio generally, were not inclined to support the objectives of the U.S. in the War with Mexico or to volunteer for military service. Viewing the conflict as a pure and simple plot to extend slavery, they opposed both the war and its perceived objectives.
MEYER, EDWARD S. (10 Aug. 1843-26 Sept. 1920), volunteer Army officer in the CIVIL WAR and U.S. attorney, was born in Canton, Ohio, son of Seraphim and Ellenora (Schuchard) Meyer. He graduated from St. Vincent's College, and enlisted as a private when the Civil War started. He became a sergeant, 20 Apr. 1861; 1st lieutenant, 1 Nov. 1861; captain, 11 Nov.
MEYETTE, GRACE E. (ca. 1890-9 Apr. 1967) was born in Vermont to Joseph and Katherine Daly and came to Cleveland in 1927 as industrial secretary of the YWCA. She was educated at the London School of Economics, Columbia University, and the New York School of Social Work.
MICHELSON, ALBERT ABRAHAM (19 Dec. 1852-9 May 1931), the first American to win a Nobel prize in the sciences (physics, 1907), was born in Strelno, Prussia (Strzelno, Poland), the son of Rosalie (Przylubska) and Samuel Michelson. He came to America with his parents in 1855. Michelson was educated in San Francisco and Virginia City, NV and attended the U.S.
The MICHELSON-MORLEY EXPERIMENT was performed in the basement of a WESTERN RESERVE UNIV. dormitory in July 1887 by ALBERT A. MICHELSON of the Case School of Applied Science and EDWARD W. MORLEY of Western Reserve Univ.
The MID-DAY CLUB opened on the 21st floor of the Union Trust (Huntington Bank) Bldg. in 1924 as Cleveland's largest private luncheon facility. Incorporated by 1928, the club reserved membership for businessmen and professional men who were members of other private clubs.
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, incorporated as a village in 1927 and as a city in 1961, occupies 8 sq. mi. It is located 13 miles southwest of Cleveland, bounded by BROOK PARK on the north, PARMA on the east, STRONGSVILLE on the south, and BEREA on the west. Middleburg Hts.
MIDDLEBURG TOWNSHIP was incorporated in 1920 and, after losing significant portions to other SUBURBS, became the village of MIDDLEBURG HTS. in 1927. Occupying 5 square miles, it was situated 13 miles southwest of Cleveland and bordered on the south by the east branch of the Rocky River.
The MIDLAND-ROSS CO. was a diversified manufacturer of consumer and industrial products, aerospace and electronic components, and capital goods. It began as the Parish & Bingham Co., founded in Cleveland in 1894 to produce bicycle, wagon, and trolley parts. On 21 March 1923, ELROY J. KULAS merged Parish & Bingham, the Detroit Pressed Steel Co., and the Parish Mfg. Co.
MIDTOWN CORRIDOR, INC., was established in 1982 at 4614 Prospect Ave. in Cleveland. The purpose of the nonprofit organization was to promote and revitalize 1 sq. mi. east of downtown Cleveland, and to retain and create jobs for residents of the city. The original boundaries were Carnegie Ave. north to Chester and Perkins avenues, and E. 79th St. west to the I-90 Innerbelt.
MIHALIK, EMIL J. (6 Feb. 1920-27 Jan. 1984) was the founding bishop of the Byzantine-Ruthenian Rite Catholic Eparchy of PARMA.
The MILDRED ANDREWS FUND, established in Cleveland in 1972 by PETER PUTNAM, was ranked the 4th largest independent foundation in northeast Ohio in 1990. The private operating foundation has funded HIGHER EDUCATION and ART, with an emphasis on sculpture.
MILES AVE. CHURCH OF CHRIST, at 7166 Dunham Rd., WALTON HILLS, originated in 1835 at a DISCIPLES OF CHRIST meeting at Col. John Wightman's farm on Harvard Ave. near Broadway in NEWBURGH. Preachers Alexander Campbell, William Hayden, A. B. Green, and M. S.
MILES PARK was originally the public square of the village of NEWBURGH. Created when county surveyor AHAZ MERCHANT plotted the village in 1850, the park and commons at Gaylord (E. 93rd) and Walnut (Sawyer) streets were the site of a town hall in 1860.