WARE, WILLIAM J. (31 Aug 1901 - 23 April 1997), master plumber, was one of Cleveland's first black union plumbers and a mentor to other minority plumbers wishing to join the profession. He was born in Demopolis, Alabama, to Mary Jane (Fenderson), a housewife, and Willie Ware, a farmer.
The WAREHOUSE DISTRICT is an area north and west of Superior Ave. and W. 3rd St. which is the remnant of the late 19th century Victorian wholesale commercial area. Before 1850 the 8-block district was part of the original residential area of the city, but by the mid-1850s rows of commercial blocks began to dominate it.
WARING ST. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. See SUPERIOR ST. TABERNACLE.
The WARNER & SWASEY CO. was once a leading manufacturer of machine tools, with a world-wide reputation for its telescopes and precision instruments. New England machinists WORCESTER P. WARNER and AMBROSE SWASEY formed a partnership in Chicago in 1880 but moved to Cleveland, opening a machine tool shop on Carnegie Ave.
WARNER, WORCESTER REED (6 May 1846-25 June 1929), a founder of WARNER & SWASEY CO. and inventor of telescopes, was born in Cummington, Mass. to Vesta Wales (Reed) and farmer Franklin John Warner.
WARREN, DANIEL (1786-13 Oct. 1862), the first settler in WARRENSVILLE TWP., was born in New Hampshire, the son of Moses and Priscilla (Nourse) Warren. In 1808, he left Acworth, N.H., for Painesville, and eventually settled in Jefferson.
WARRENSVILLE CENTER SYNAGOGUE, the second-largest Orthodox Jewish congregation in Cleveland, was established in May 1959 from the merger of TETIEVER AHAVATH ACHIM ANSHE SFARD CONGREGATION, the KINSMAN JEWISH CENTER, and Congregation Nvoh Tzedick (a congregation established by Jewish Lithuanians in 1918).
WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, originally part of Warrensville Twp. (see HIGHLAND HILLS VILLAGE), incorporated as a separate village in 1927 and as a city in 1960. Southeast of Cleveland, it occupies 4.5 sq. mi.
WARRENSVILLE TWP. See HIGHLAND HILLS VILLAGE.
WARSHAWSKY, ABEL "BUCK" (28 Dec. 1883-30 May 1962) and ALEXANDER "XANDER" (29 Mar. 1887-28 May 1945), artists, were 2 of 9 children of Ezekiel and Ida Warshawsky, Jewish immigrants from Poland who came to Cleveland from Sharon, Pa. Both brothers attended Cleveland School of Art and the Natl. Academy of Design in New York, then went to Europe.
WASHINGTON RESERVATION (originally Washington Park), at East 49th Street and Washington Park Boulevard, straddles the boundary of NEWBURGH HEIGHTS and the City of Cleveland. It was bought by the city in 1899 after a local amusement park was closed down.
The WATER ST. THEATER, reputedly the city's first theater intended exclusively for dramatic productions, was built by John S. Potter in 1848. Located on Water St. (W. 9th St. after 1905), it seated more than 1,000 and included 2 tiers of boxes and 4 private boxes. The theater was destroyed by fire in 1850, and the site at 1273 W. 9th St. was redeveloped as the Seaman's Hotel and, later, the Showboat Theater.
WATER SYSTEM. The production, purification, and distribution of potable water constitutes a "hidden system" in the infrastructure of the modern city. Until faucets run dry, or reservoirs are exhausted, citizens tend to remain unaware of the nature and condition of the complex technological, social, and political attributes of the water system.
WATERFIELD, ROBERT "BOB" (26 July 1920-25 Mar. 1983), FOOTBALL player with the Cleveland and Los Angeles Rams (see CLEVELAND RAMS), in his rookie season led the Cleveland Rams to the 1945 Natl. Football League championship and was unanimously elected the league's Most Valuable Player.
WATERWORKS AMERICA, INC. was established ca. 1984 by Bruce Wirtanen. Wirtanen, a chemist, formed Waterworks after developing a technique to manufacture acyclic copolymer crystals that helped to reduce water usage. Initially marketed for use with home gardeners,the product was soon utilized internationally by farms and nurseries.
WATERWORKS TUNNEL DISASTERS occurred 6 times during the construction of water intake tunnels for Cleveland's water system, killing a total of 58 men between 1898-1916. Tunnels into Lake Erie were needed because by 1876 the increased sewage flow from the rapidly growing city had transformed its water supply into a health hazard.
WATKlNS, SAMUEL "SAMMY" (ca. 1904-26 July 1969) was a well-known dance orchestra leader and songwriter in Cleveland whose style, quality, and good taste brought pleasure to Greater Clevelanders for over 40 years.
WATSON, WILBUR J. (5 Apr. 1871-22 May 1939), a civil engineer, especially eminent in bridge design, was born in BEREA to David R. and Maria (Parker) Watson. Receiving his B.S.
WCLV, Cleveland's classical music radio station was launched on 1 Nov. 1962, following the purchase of WDGO-FM from Douglas G. Oviatt. New owners C. K. Patrick and Robt. Conrad of Radio Seaway, Inc., immediately changed the call letters to WCLV, broadcasting at 95.5 megacycles.
WCPN traces its beginnings from WBOE, the radio station of the CLEVELAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Broadcasting from Lafayette School on Abell Ave., it went on the air as an AM station on 21 Nov. 1938. Two months later it moved to the sixth floor of the Board of Education Bldg. on E. 6th St.
WEARN, JOSEPH T. (15 Feb. 1893-26 Sept. 1984), dean of Western Reserve University School of Medicine, was born in Charlotte, N.C., the son of Joseph H. and Ann (Treloar) Wearn. He received his B.A.
The WEATHERHEAD DIVISION OF THE DANA CORP., an important parts supplier for the automobile industry, was established in 1919 by Albert J. Weatherhead, Jr., who set up a shop at 706 Frankfort St. to make radiator drain cocks and priming cups for automobiles. By 1926 the plant supplied these products to much of the auto industry and had established a research department to keep pace with industry changes. Weatherhead Co.
The WEBB C. BALL CO. was one of Cleveland's major jewelry retailers. It was established by WEBB C. BALL, who bought an interest in Whitcomb and Metten Jewelers upon his arrival in Cleveland in 1879. By 1881 he had become the sole owner of the Webb C. Ball Co., which consisted originally of 2 showcases and a workbench at Superior Ave. and Seneca (W. 3rd) St.
WEBB, ELLA STURTEVANT (15 Dec.1856-6 Sept. 1931), writer, helped compile the 3-volume Memorial to the Pioneer Women of the Western Reserve (1896-1924) and served as recording secretary of the Women's Department of the Cleveland Centennial Commission (1896). She wrote for publications such as Leisure Hours (Philadelphia).
WEBER'S RESTAURANT, a popular Cleveland eatery, served downtown diners under several names for 75 years. Owned by Leonard Schlathler, the restaurant opened in 1899 as the Casino Restaurant and Cafe.
WEBER, GUSTAV C. E. (26 May 1828-21 Mar. 1912), surgeon, professor, and a founder of ST. VINCENT CHARITY HOSPITAL, was born in Bonn, Germany to anatomy professor Moritz Ignaz Weber and Josephine Philippina (Von Podowilz) Weber. He immigrated to St. Louis in 1848, received his degree from St.
WEBSTER, FREDDIE (8 June 1916-1 April 1947) was an influential jazz trumpeter from Cleveland, Ohio. Although his legacy has been largely forgotten by the general public, jazz historians and fans acknowledge his influence on the American jazz scene. During his lifetime, Webster was an influential jazz artist who worked with other well-known artists of the time period, such as Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis.
WEDDELL HOUSE, Superior Ave. and Bank (W. 6th) St., was the best known of the early hotels built in Cleveland in the first half of the 19th century. Early settler and businessman PETER M. WEDDELL employed Geo. P. Smith to build the hotel on Superior St., replacing his successful mercantile store.
WEDDELL, PETER MARTIN (1788-1847) was the prominent merchant and owner of WEDDELL HOUSE, Cleveland's most fashionable hotel, during the mid-1800s. Son of Peter M. and Sarah Weddell, he was born in Westmoreland County, Pa. Weddell moved to Paris, Ky. when he was 14, working in a general store and becoming a partner within 5 years.
WEEDEN, JOHN T. (2 Aug. 1901-17 Sept. 1988) a Baptist minister for 65 years, served 41 years at St. Timothy Baptist Church in Cleveland. He demonstrated for civil rights for AFRICAN AMERICANS locally and in Atlanta, GA, and Selma, AL, was community liaison for Rep. Louis Stokes (D-21), and managed the 1967 mayoral campaign for Carl Stokes (see MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION OF CARL B. STOKES).
WEEKS, HARRY ELLIS (2 Oct. 1871-21 Dec. 1935), architect who, with FRANK R. WALKER, founded WALKER & WEEKS, Cleveland's foremost architectural firm during the 1920s. The son of Charles F. and Clarissa Allen Weeks, he was born in W.
The WEIDEMAN CO., from the 1890s through the 1940s, was one of Cleveland's largest companies and one of the largest wholesale grocery firms in the U.S. The original Weideman Co., founded by German-born JOHN C. WEIDEMAN, was a wine and liquor firm established in 1861 on Old River Rd. in the FLATS.
WEIDEMAN, JOHN CHRISTIAN (14 Oct. 1829-9 Dec. 1900) was a leading wholesale grocer, prominent businessman, and an early German settler of Cleveland. He was born in Lehrensteinsfeld, Wurttemberg, Germany. His family emigrated to American in 1833, first residing in Philadelphia before moving to Medina County, OH, in 1836.
WEIDENTHAL, LEO (23 Apr. 1878-8 May 1967), editor of the Jewish Independent and founder of CLEVELAND CULTURAL GARDENS FED., was born in Cleveland to Emanuel and Julia (Kretch) Weidenthal.
WEIL, HELEN KAHN (3 Jan. 1902-20 Aug. 1992), pioneer in gerontology, introduced innovations at the MONTEFIORE HOME for the aged with her husband Julius (see WEIL, JULIUS), such as the sheltered workshop, which were later modeled nationwide.
WEIL, JULIUS (6 Oct. 1902-9 April 1989) spent forty-five years of his life in working with senior citizens in Greater Cleveland. His contributions earned him national and international recognition. Born in Steinsfurt, Germany, to Gustav and Matilda Weil, Julius was educated in Germany, eventually earning his Ph.D in clinical psychology from the University of Munich. On 20 Nov.
WEINBERG, JOSEPH LEWIS (12 Nov. 1890-14 Jan. 1977), architect who pioneered urban-renewal and slum-clearance efforts with his design of LAKEVIEW TERRACE (1934), was born in Omaha, Nebr. to Lewis and Mollie Lazar Weinberg and at 10 came to Cleveland to live at the JEWISH ORPHAN HOME after his father's death.
WEINBERGER, ADOLPH (5 Jan. 1891-16 Dec. 1977) founder of a nation-wide chain of drug stores, was born in Hungary, the son of Nathan N. and Tillie Hocheiser Weinberger.
WEINBERGER, WILLIAM SIDNEY (8 Feb. 1913 - 8 Aug. 1996) a casino industry leader and philanthropist, was president of Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and Bally's Park Place in Atlantic City, NJ, and a founder of Bluecoats, Inc.
WEISS NOODLE CO., a family-owned business which manufactured and marketed "Mrs. Weiss' Noodles" for over 70 years, was founded by Hungarian immigrants Gaspar and Bertha Weiss in 1923, who sold Bertha's homemade noodles to Cleveland's better restaurants. As sales increased, the company expanded operations several times before establishing a plant at 2101 Woodland Ave. in 1937.
WELFARE ASSN. FOR JEWISH CHILDREN. See JEWISH CHILDREN'S BUREAU.
WELFARE DEPT. See CUYAHOGA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.
WELFARE FEDERATION. See CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS.
WELFARE/RELIEF. The relief of destitution has been a responsibility of local government since Colonial times. Territorial laws to prevent extreme suffering and death (but not to relieve poverty) existed before Cleveland's founding and settlement. Relief was kept low and unattractive, lest workers be lured into dependency, requiring more taxes from other workers.
The WELSH HOME, founded in 1911 and opened on Thanksgiving Day, 1919, houses elderly natives of Wales, people of Welsh descent, and their spouses. Mary Jane Hasenpflug and other members of the Women's Welsh Club of Cleveland established the home. The club was the founding organization of the national Women's Welsh Clubs of America, which operates the facility. The first Welsh Home, on Mayfield Rd.
WELSH WOMEN'S CLUB OF CLEVELAND. See BRITISH IMMIGRATION.
WELSH WOMEN'S CLUB OF WEST CLEVELAND. See BRITISH IMMIGRATION.