H. W. Beattie
H. W. Beattie, diamond merchant in the Arcade on Euclid Avenue, has been in that business in this city for about thirty years, and has been identified with the jewelry business in general lines since early youth and for the past eleven years has been an exclusive diamond merchant.
The Beattie store is not a large one, since obviously precious stones do not require the space for display that other mechantable commodities do. But, notwithstanding, the Beattie establishment probably attracts more attention daily from the citizens of Cleveland than any other place of business. The unique window displays have no doubt been a large factor in the popularity of the establishment. Every day thousands of dollars worth of unmounted jewels are used in making up popular emblems and designs in the center of the window. This window is heavily barred with steel inside, affording protection to displays which frequently are valued at many thousands of dollars. The American flag is one of the most popular designs with Mr. Beattie. In the latter part of May the largest display ever attempted showed a design of the flag made by using oriental rubies, sapphires and diamonds. The flag was about 3 by 2 inches and the pole about 6 inches high. The gems represented in the ensemble were valued at $10,000. Under the design Mr. Beattie laid out amethysts to spell "The Stars and Stripes Forever." These designs vary from day to day, and even some of our national men have been portrayed. Both Washington and Lincoln have been used as subjects in these designs, and artists abroad have complimented Mr. Beattie on the artistic manner in which he has made is displays.
Recently another patriotic sign made of unset stones composed the colors red, white and blue. The gems were laid in the effect of a badge from which hung the words "Enlist." Never a day passes but what something attractive is to be found in the Beattie display window.
Concerning this small and exclusive store a local journal recently published a column article, from which it is appropriate to quote some of the paragraphs:
To a Cleveland diamond merchant is given the credit of displaying a small fortune in precious stones every business day in the year, and this merchant is attracting more attention than ever these days because of the patriotic fervor that is sweeping the City of Cleveland. According to traveling men his displays have never been equalled (sic) by anyone in the country. Mr. Beattie's son, Reveley G. Beattie, is himself an artist and is associated with his father. They deal in nothing but genuine precious stones of all kinds, and their motto is: "We Sell Perfect Diamonds Only." For years past the Beattie window, which marks the entrance to one of the smallest retail stores in Cleveland, has been the mecca for all who appreciate the novel and the fine. The reason is the designs shown in this window. Upon backgrounds of various colors as a foundation the picture is created in diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, pearls and other stones. Nothing else is shown in the window and hence the attention of the onlookers is riveted upon the designs, and this in turn creates a desire to possess precious stones. These designs differ according to seasons and new events. One in February, 1917, attracted unusual attention on account of the break with Germany and the United States. The display was based upon this national event, and was kept on view two days instead of one, as is the usual rule. One of the pictures presented was Uncle Sam, probably one of the most expensive ever shown, worth $10,000. There has also appeared this year in the window display a portrait of George Washington, made up of diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires, which represented a value of $15,000. In honor of the Grand Circuit races held at North Randall track, near Cleveland, Mr. Beattie had a very timely display of unset cut stones designed to form the head and neck of a horse outlined with cut amethysts. The eye of the horse was a diamond and the trappings and bridle were diamonds.
Hugh Wilson Beattie, founder and proprietor of this business, was born at St. Marys, in Perth County, Ontario, Canada. His parents were Samuel and Sarah Jane (Wilson) Beattie. His father was born in the north of Ireland and his mother at Stratford, Ontario. Samuel Beattie was for many years a shoe manufacturer at St. Marys, Stratford, and also at Cleveland. He and his wife came to Cleveland about 1880 and both parents died in this city.
H. W. Beattie was educated at Stratford, Ontario. He was one of a household of eleven children, all of whom but one grew up and nine are still living. Mr. Beattie continued to make his home at Stratford, Ontario, until about twenty-four years of age. He learned the diamond business there, serving an apprenticeship for six years with John Welsh, a jeweler and diamond merchant. In 1884 Mr. Beattie came to Cleveland, several years after his parents, and engaged in business for himself on the corner of Ontario and Prospect streets. For three years he continued in the general jewelry business and he then went to Cambridge, Ohio, and managed the establishment of J. F. Salmon, who during Cleveland's administration was postoffice inspector. Two years later Mr. Beattie returned to Cleveland, and has since been continuously in business, gradually eliminating his jewelry stock until since 1906 he has dealt exclusively in jewels. He handles nothing but perfect diamonds and no second rate stock is ever permitted to come into his store. It is the only store of its kind in Cleveland, and for loose diamonds, designs of precious stones, and mounting of all kinds of gems this store is the first resort for all people of particular tastes.
Like many successful business men, Mr. Beattie has a hobby, and that is farming. In fact his home is on a farm in Chagrin Township, in Cuyahoga county, where he owns eight-five acres of highly developed land. Mr. Beattie is a republican, a member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Club, and though reared as a Presbyterian is now a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Chagrin Falls.
February 1, 1893, at Cleveland, he married Miss Lucy Northup, daughter of Curtis N. G. and Margaret (Morton) Northup. Both parents are now deceased. Her father was a business man of Cleveland, coming here many years ago, and conducted a general merchandise store on Superior Street. Mr. And Mrs. Beattie have three sons, Hugh N., Reveley G. and Milton M. Hugh has from time to time taken special courses in the Ohio State University Agricultural Department and is a practical farmer on his father's place in Chagrin Township. The son Reveley G. attended Ohio Wesleyan University three terms and then became associated with his father as special designer. He is now in the United States Navy, being on the United States steamship Astoria. Milton, a student in the Chagrin Falls High School, is also with his father as a designer. All the sons were born in Cleveland on old Madison Avenue, now Seventy-ninth Street, and were educated in the local schools.
From Cleveland - Special Limited Edition, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York, 1918 v.1