Page images
PDF
EPUB

no resident of Fort Myers, Florida, has been more closely identified with water transportation enterprises in this part of the state in the past forty years than John Frederick Menge, one of the representative citizens of this place.

Mr. Menge was born at a point on the lower coast of Louisiana, forty miles south of New Orleans, in 1858. His parents were Anton and Catherine (Conrad) Menge, the former of whom was born in Russia and the latter in Germany. She was fourteen years old when she accompanied her parents to the United States, and before they settled in Louisiana, where her father bought land and set out an orange grove, they traveled through the country in a prairie schooner and through Ohio when the present City of Cleveland was little more than a village.

The father of Mr. Menge was accompanied by a cousin when he entered the harbor of New York from Russia. He was a genius in some directions, an inventor and a coppersmith by trade. He established no permanent home until he drifted to Louisiana, where he married and where his death occurred in 1866. This domestic calamity was doubly impressed on his son John, then a boy of eight years, the fifth in a family of nine children, by his father calling him to his death bed and charging him with the care of his mother, the father evidently having discerned in the youth those steadfast qualities that have made him dependable in every relation of life.

John Menge accepted the responsibility placed on him by his dying father, and remained with his mother and cared for her until he was sixteen years old, when she no longer needed his care. He then learned the rice milling trade. In December, 1881, he came to Fort Myers to engage with his brother Conrad in operating a dredging machine that their father had invented, and Joseph Menge had improved. A capitalist, Hamilton Distin, had bought 1,000,000 acres of land and engaged the dredgers to open a drainage canal from the Caloosahatchee River to Lake Okechobee, in which Mr. Menge was engaged for the next eight years. After this contract was satisfactorily completed, in partnership with his brother Conrad, he bought and rebuilt a boat and operated it between Fort Thompson and Fort Myers for many years. Subsequently he enlarged his business, and for about thirty years conducted a line of steamers. In 1920 he sold his valuable interest in the above business, but continued to be general and commercial agent at Fort Myers for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, a position he has filled ever since this railway line reached Fort Mvers.

Mr. Menge married in 1885 Miss Virginia Lee Hendry, who was born at Fort Mead, Florida, a daughter of Francis A. and (Lanear) Hendry. and they have children and grandchildren as follows: Laura Belle. who is the wife of John Clark, of Bartow, Florida, and they have three children, John. W. W. and Richard; Kathaleen. who is the wife of Chester C. Pursely, of Fort Myers, and they have four children, Harry, Thomas, Walter and Chester; Nettie Pearl, who is the wife of Robert Battye, of Fort Myers, and they have two children, Martha and Frances Catherine; Frederick, who is in business at Fort Mvers, married Juliette Odam; Marie, who resides at Fort Myers: Charles Dean, who is in business at Chicago, Illinois: and Virginia, who is the wife of Howard Dunham, and assists her father in the agency office.

Mr. Menge is a member of the Episcopal Church. In his political views he has been a life

long democrat, and for many years he has been a member of Fort Myers Lodge No. 1283, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. During his long participation in business Mr. Menge has met and become acquainted with many distinguished people from all parts of the world on their frequent visits to Florida, and one of these whom Mr. Menge is proud to claim as a personal friend is Thomas A. Edison, who entertains the same regard for Mr. Menge, who has often been his host.

ROBERT L. ELY. Napoleon is credited with the statement that an army travels on its stomach and that the most successful general is he who feeds well his fighting men. The great French ruler might have amplified his statement to include the whole world, every kind and condition of man, woman and child, for without proper food no one can attain to efficiency or succeed in the battle of life. This fact has become generally recognized, and the problem of procuring good food properly cooked and served has developed into one of the most important, particularly in recent years, when the changing conditions of society and home life, with the entrance of so many women into the business world and the consequent shifting from their shoulders of the responsibility of household tasks, the scarcity of servants, and the increasing use of the automobile which leads people too far from their own lares and penates, have effected a revolution in housekeeping and homemaking. Saint Petersburg has as one of its public-spirited citizens a man who has partially solved this problem, and he is Robert L. Elv, popularly known as "Bob," manager of the Hotel Alexander, which is known far and wide as "Bob's."

"Bob" Ely has had a varied career, but at no time has he failed to accomplish results and to do things just a little better and different from the other man. He was born at Chattanooga, Tennessee, and his boyhood was one of strenuous effort and hard struggle against discouraging circumstances, but through it all his work was animated by his love for his mother, whose gentle influence guided the lad through the dangerous shoals into the safe harbor of a useful manhood. She was spared to him long enough for her to realize the success of her boy, although the_last year of her life was spent in a hospital. Back of every good man is the influence of some woman, and in Mr. Ely's case that woman is his mother.

First as a blacksmith, later as a manufacturer of express trucks and trunks and similar enterprises. Mr. Ely was occupied until his arrival at Saint Petersburg, but although he earned a living for himself and his mother, he realized that he had not found the work for which he was really fitted. On October 4, 1915, he arrived at Saint Petersburg with a depleted nurse, but full of enthusiasm and new ideas. He determined after a survey of the place to provide what he saw was lacking, a place where the hungry traveler, or permanent resident, could get a good meal, with attractive service, at a fair price. His capital was $420. By the time he had paid the rent, purchased tables, chairs and other equipment he had $20 left. His resourcefulness, sincerity and practical plans, however, so impressed the local banker that he was able to secure a loan and onened the pioneer cafeteria of Saint Petersburg. From the first day this was a paving enterprise, and from then on "Bob's" has not lacked for patronage. One of his first regular customers was J. F. Alexander, the

financier, who was so impressed with the ability of the man and his faculty of giving the public what it wants that he suggested, and backed his suggestions in a practical manner, that the initial "eating place" be enlarged. The materialization of his suggestions is the hotel of Saint Petersburg that bears his name but which is known, as before stated, to tourist and resident alike as "Bob's." Mr. Ely is an excellent judge of human nature and knows that people want good things to eat, especially those who have sharpened their appetites over one of the matchless Florida highways in an automobile, and he sees to it personally that they get the best the markets of the world afford, and serves his meals in the inimitable "Bob" way. His crowded tables and the long lines waiting at times for an opportunity to sample the good things in store prove that Mr. Alexander and other backers of Mr. Ely knew what they were about when they recommended that he enlarge his field of operation. While this backing, however, was powerful and characteristic of the people of the Sunshine City, the success of the enterprise is the result of one man's efforts, skill and good business management, and that man is "Bob" Ely, good hotelman, good citizen and good-all-around fellow.

EISELSTEIN BROTHERS, funeral directors and embalmers, comprise a firm of progressive business men in the little City of St. Cloud, Osceola County. The members of the firm are Dana P. and William D. Eiselstein.

These brothers were born in Meigs County, Ohio, sons of George W. and Margaret Elizabeth Eiselstein. The father has for many years been a prominent and successful farmer and stock raiser in Ohio. His home is at Urbana.

at

Dana P. Eiselstein was born December 18, 1893. grew up on an Ohio farm, attended local schools, and at the age of fifteen entered the service of a furniture and undertaking establishment Mechanicsburg, Ohio. He learned the business and profession, and in 1917 came to Florida and followed the same line of work at Orlando until May 26, 1918, when he enlisted and joined the colors at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky. He was in training there until getting his honorable discharge on January 7, 1919.

Mr. Eiselstein then returned to Orlando, and on August 1, 1919, bought the undertaking business at St. Cloud. His brother, William D. Eiselstein, who was born January 20, 1885, joined him, and as Eiselstein Brothers they have developed a complete and adequate service having motor equipment and all facilities for their work.

Both brothers take an active part in local affairs. Dana P. Eiselstein is a member of the School Board and one of the governors of the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce. He is affiliated with the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. William D. Eise!stein is a member of the Odd Fellows. Before entering the undertaking business with his brother, he was engaged in farming with his father in Ohio.

WILLIAM L. STRAUB. Born at Dowagiac, Michigan, on July 14, 1867, William L. Straub, editor, publisher, and progressive citizen of St. Petersburg, has transplanted his northern vim and vigor to one of the cities of the South which has always absorbed such traits with thanks and continuous profit. Mr. Straub's parents, Henry and Mary (Woolsey) Straub, saw that he had a common school education and was reared as an independ

ent worker and thinker. His ambitions took the practical turn which led to the printing office and the editorial chair, and several years before reaching his majority he ventured into that portion of Dakota Territory which was in the throes of North Dakota statehood. In 1888 Mr. Straub became editor and owner of the Sargent County Rustler, and in November of the following year he had the satisfaction of witnessing the birth of North Dakota as a state. From 1894 to 1895, he was editor and part owner of the Oakes (N. D.) Weekly Republican, and from 1895 to 1899 was managing editor of the Grand Forks (N. D.) Daily Herald. In 1900 the vigorous young North Dakotan cast his lot with St. Petersburg.

Since becoming a citizen of the advancing city of the West Florida Coast, Mr. Straub has been an inspiration to every one of its public movements and its organizations which have stood for vital forces. As editor and owner of the St. Petersburg Weekly Times since April 1, 1901, and vice president and editor of the Daily Times since its establishment in February, 1912, he has wielded an influence which has permeated everywhere and everything. He was appointed postmaster of St. Petersburg July 21, 1916, and was reappointed by President Wilson in December, 1920, but an opposition senate withheld confirmation and his service with Uncle Sam ended May 31, 1922.

A mere mention of Mr. Straub's identification with various movements and organizations of his home city tells the story of his broad activities. As editor of the St. Petersburg Times he has been a leading factor in the creation of Pinellas from old Hillsborough County and in the acquisition by the city of its municipally-owned water front, and the establishment of the park system of St. Petersburg, including Waterfront, Mirror Lake and Round Lake parks. Such splendid public improvements have been chiefly developed through such organizations as the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, of which Mr. Straub was an organizer and one-time president; the Pinellas County Board of Trade, of which he was the organizer and first president; and the city planning board of which he has been president since July 1, 1921. The St. Petersburg Rotary Club, also always on the move, was organized by Mr. Straub, who served as its first president, and he brought into being the St. Petersburg Tarpon Club, and is an organizer and governor of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

Mr. Straub's domestic life is centered in his wife, who was formerly Sarah A., daughter of Joel S. and Flora T. Moore, of Dowagiac, Michigan, and his married daughter, Blanche M., now Mrs. Jay B. Starkey, of St. Petersburg. His fraternal relations have been especially prominent with the Knights of Pythias, of which order he has served as chancellor commander for three terms. He is also a member of the Elks.

J. HARDIN PETERSON. A gifted and brainy lawyer, J. Hardin Peterson has made his personal talents and professional abilities useful in a broad and varied service in Lakeland and Polk County. He has had a busy professional career, was in service during a part of the World war, has performed many official duties, and is now county prosecuting attorney and is also city attorney for Lakeland, Lake Wales, Eagle Lake and Frostproof.

Mr. Peterson was born at Batesburg, South Carolina, February 11, 1894, son of N. F. and Wille E. (Geiger) Peterson. The parents were also born in South Carolina. His mother's father

[graphic][merged small]

was D. G. Geiger, who for several years was a representative in the Legislature, and one of her brothers is now representing the same district in the Florida Legislature.

J. Hardin Peterson is the oldest of three children, and was six months old when his parents moved to Florida. When he was nine years of age they came to Lakeland, where they are still living. Mr. Peterson graduated with honors from the Lakeland High School in 1911, and had the second honors of his class when he graduated from the law department of the University of Florida in 1914. He was admitted to the bar the same year, and at once began practice at Lakeland. For about six months he was away from Florida employed in a general land office at Washington, where he had to do with homestead claims. During the World war he was in the navy, assigned to duty at Charleston and at Washington. He received his honorable discharge after ten months, and then returned to his private practice in Lakeland.

Mr. Peterson was a member of the charter board of Lakeland in 1916. He was elected prosecuting attorney, leading the democratic ticket in the county in 1920, for a term of four years. He has served as city attorney of Lakeland six years, and also looks after the legal matters of the other towns named in a preceding paragraph. He was president of the Florida Baraca Philathea for two years. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Peoples State Bank. Mr. Peterson has made his success largely through his own energies, and he worked and paid his way through college. He is a Knight Templar and thirtysecond degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner, belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Phi Kappa Phi, the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Country Club and is an honorary member of Almas Temple Patrol at Washington. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he has been president of the Epworth League and president of the Young Men's Class.

In 1917 Mr. Peterson married Miss Christine Farrar, of Jacksonville, daughter of Asa Farrar, claim adjuster for the Seaboard Airline Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have one daughter, Ann.

HUGH W. WEAR. In variety of interests and participation in the affairs of Polk County the outstanding figure for a number of years has been Hugh W. Wear. Nearly all the most substantial improvements in Bartow and the county, whether good roads or good public buildings, owe their inception and in an important degree their progress to completion to his public spirited efforts and energetic leadership.

Mr. Wear was born at Murray, Kentucky, June 1. 1877, son of Joseph T. and Lucy A. (Wear) Wear. His parents were natives of Kentucky, and Hugh W. is the second among seven children. In 1881, when Hugh W. was three years of age, the family came to Florida and for several years lived at Stockton, twenty-five miles from Ocala. In 1887 they removed to Polk County, locating at Eagle Lake. Joseph Wear became a citrus fruit grower and later was a merchant, and in 1894 removed to Bartow, where he continued in business until his death.

Hugh W. Wear was seventeen years of age when he came to Bartow. He had attended country schools and private schools, and in 1898 he engaged in business for himself as a merchant at Bartow. He conducted a mercantile establishment here for seven years, and since then the lines of his activity have spread over a large

scope, involving multiplicity of business affairs such as only a man of rare business genius can manage and direct. After leaving merchandising he began the buying and developing of phosphate lands and the erection of mining plants. He still has extensive interests in that field. Mr. Wear is principal owner of the Finney Lumber Company, is president of the Security Abstract and Title Company, is president of the Polk County Furniture Company, is president of the Coral Oil and Lease Syndicate, is a stockholder and director in the Polk-Caldwell Oil Company, with twentyone wells in Kentucky, and is one of the principal stockholders in the Bartow Oil Company, owning eleven wells at Duncan, Oklahoma. He is a large stockholder in the Bartow State Bank and Polk County National Bank, also the National City Bank of Tampa and the Bank of Mulberry, the combined capital of these institutions aggregating $600,000. He has orange groves and other property in Polk, De Soto, Hillsboro and Lee counties. In 1920 Mr. Wear became vice president and secretary of the Cooperative Phosphate Company of Polk County, a corporation capitalized at half a million dollars.

The home of Mr. Wear and family is said to be the finest residence in Polk County, and was constructed in 1921, at a cost of more than $100,000. Mr. Wear is one of the prominent Masons of the state, having taken the various degrees in both the York and Scottish rites. He is a Shriner, and was the youngest high priest ever chosen to that office. He filled that office in the Royal Arch Chapter No. 22 for two years, and refused a third term. He has also been master of Bartow Lodge, and he organized the Council of Royal and Select Masters, the first Council in the state, that branch of Masonry having lapsed for a number of years. He also organized the Eastern Star Chapter at Bartow. Other organizations in which he has membership are the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Elks, Kiwanis Club and Bartow Golf Club.

Mr. Wear served sixteen years as president of the City Council at Bartow. His membership marked the biggest constructive era in the history of the city and county. During that time the movement for paving streets was started, and nearly all the permanent pavements and sidewalks constructed. The good roads movement in the county received a similar impulse from Mr. Wear. He was a leader in the campaign to secure the approval of an issue providing $1,500,000 for permanent highways, and out of this came the building of over 300 miles of hard surface roads, giving Polk County an enviable distinction among the counties of the state. Mr. Wear was a member of the committee that initiated and handled the movement for the construction of a $110,000 Court House at Bartow. When this public building was finished it was paid for and not a penny of debt remained against it. Mr. Wear for about seven years handled the important duties of probation officer, and during that time has handled about 800 cases and with remarkable results as to the high percentage, over ninety, of success.

In 1898 Mr. Wear married Ada L. Chapman, of Kingford, Florida, daughter of John Chapman. They have one son, Ledley Hugh, now in his second year at the University of Virginia. The son was awarded all the medals as a Liberty Bond salesman during the World war. Mr. Wear himself took an active part in every drive and campaign, and is credited with having been the largest buyer of Government securities in the city. Mr. Wear is trustee of

of the Summerlin

« PreviousContinue »