| Repository: | Western Reserve Historical Society |
| Creator: | Vail, Herman Lansing Family |
| Title: | Herman Lansing Vail Family Papers |
| Dates: | 1882-1928 |
| Extent: | 0.40 linear feet (1 container) |
| Abstract: | Herman Lansing Vail was a prominent lawyer, newspaper publisher and Cleveland, Ohio, civic leader who served two terms as a state representative and in various local positions. His father, Harry Lorenzo Vail, was a prominent Cleveland journalist, lawyer and politician who served as Cuyahoga County Commissioner and Clerk of Courts. The collection consists of diaries of Herman Vail, 1909-1922, correspondence of Herman and his father, Harry Vail, announcements for gatherings, certificates of membership, and telegrams. The collection pertains largely to Herman Vail's early life and touches upon his experiences at University School in Cleveland, Princeton University and Harvard Law School, his World War I experiences and his European travels. Harry Vail's correspondence is useful for the study of Cuyahoga County politics and dealings within the local Republican Party, with correspondence of Warren G. Harding, Theodore E. Burton, Mayor Harry L. Davis and Marcus Hanna. |
| MS Number | MS 4515 |
| Location: | closed stacks |
| Language: | The records are in English |
Herman Lansing Vail (1895-1981) was a prominent lawyer as well as a leader in a wide variety of civic and cultural activities in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, during the twentieth century. Vail was born to Sarah Wickhan Vail and Cleveland lawyer Harry Lorenzo Vail. Herman's father, an ardent Republican, served a term as a Commissioner of Cuyahoga County. Vail was a graduate of the University School of Cleveland (1913), Princeton University (1917), and the Harvard School of Law (1922). During the First World War, Vail served in the United States army as a First Lieutenant and was stationed in Italy. In 1922, he married his first wife of forty years, Delia B. White (d. 1952). Vail re-married in 1965 to the widow of Mr. Charles Gleason, Mary Louise Frackelton Gleason. A lifelong Republican, Mr. Vail served two terms in the Ohio state House of Representatives, as well as in many local appointments. Throughout his years, he was a partner in the law firm of Sayre, Vail, Steele, & Renkert. At the time of his death, Mr. Vail was the senior partner in the law firm of Vail, Steele, Howland & Olsen. He travelled extensively throughout his lifetime, often pursuing his interests in rare and antique books. Known as "Dutch" to his friends, Herman Vail is remembered for his sense of wit, his distinguished appearance and height, as well as his abilities as a public speaker. He died on January 7, 1981.
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Herman Lansing Vail
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Harry Lorenzo Vail
The Herman Lansing Vail Family Papers, 1882-1928, consist of diaries dating from 1909 to 1922, correspondence for both Herman and Harry Vail, announcements for gatherings, certificates of membership, and telegrams.
This collection pertains largely to the first twenty-five years of the life of Herman Vail. The correspondence relating to Harry Vail will be of interest to those researching matters in the political interests of the City of Cleveland during the early twentieth century. The diaries of Herman Vail will be of interest to those concerned with the experiences of a young man in country-day school and college and while traveling.
None.
Separated MaterialAll photographs have been removed to the photograph and print collection.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4515 Herman Lansing Vail Family Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
H. Lansing Vail, Jr., 1985
Processed by Eric A. Seed in 1990.