William Grothe
The personnel of the White Sewing Machine Company is made up of many forceful, persistent and far-sighted businessmen well qualified to manage the important interests in their care. Among the number is William Grothe, who is now occupying the responsible position of superintendent. He was born in Karishaven, Germany on the 30th of May, 1847, and was six years of age when he crossed the broad Atlantic to the New World, it requiring seven weeks to make the voyage to New York. The year 1853 witnessed his arrival in Cleveland as well, and he was sent as a pupil to the public schools, where he remained until he put aside his textbooks and became a factor in the world's work.
Mr. Grothe was employed in connection with various positions in electrical lines and was also engaged in making sewing machine repairs. He afterward spent two years in the employ of Edwin Cowles, of the Cleveland Leader, and in 1870 he came to the White Manufacturing Company and has continued with the company up to the present time with the exception of a year and a half spent in the service of W. G. Wilson. He filled the position of experimenter until 1889, after which he was made assistant superintendent and so continued until 1893. Further promotion then came to him in his appointment as superintendent and for sixteen years he has now had complete charge of the factory. Prior to this time he had so closely applied himself that he had become familiar with all of the practical working thereof and was well qualified for the duties that devolved upon him as he assumed the management. He thoroughly understands mechanics and the scientific principles relative thereto, while his specific knowledge of machine building is most comprehensive and exact. He is now one of the stockholders and is also a director of the company.
In 1870 Mr. Grothe was united in marriage to Miss Anna Cobelli, a daughter of Karl J. and Fredericka Cobelli. Their children are: Mrs. William F. Maurer; Walter; Oscar, who is married; and Frank A. Mr. Grothe gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which he has served since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He early learned the lesson that success must be purchased at the price of earnest, self-denying labor, and as the years have gone by his record has been one of indefatigable effort, close application and intelligent direction. His promotions have come to him by reason of his faithfulness, trustworthiness and capability, and he is now one of the foremost representatives of industrial interests in Cleveland.
From A History of Cleveland Ohio, Vol III by Samuel Orth, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, 1910