Otto K. Stapf
Otto K. Stapf, who within the past four years has built up an extensive and successful business as an architect of Cleveland, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1878, his parents being George C. and Hulda (Cobelli) Stapf, who were natives of Ohio and New York respectively. The father, whose birth occurred in 1851 and who was employed as a traveling salesman throughout his active career, passed away when his son Otto was but a boy. He is still survived by his widow, who is now fifty-seven years of age.
Otto K. Stapf, who was brought to this city by his parents when but five years of age, obtained his early education in the public schools and afterward spent a year in the study of law at a night school. He likewise pursued a course in mechanical drawing at the Young Men's Christian Association and subsequently studied architecture through the medium of a correspondence school. He early found it necessary to assist in the support of the family and began carrying papers, while later he lighted lamps throughout the city in order to help defray the expenses of his schooling. After he had become familiar with the profession of architecture he spent ten years in the employ of various architectural firms of this city and in July, 1905, embarked in business on his own account, locating at 821-23 Rose building. His operations have been confined principally to Cleveland and vicinity and his patronage has grown rapidly along substantial lines. He has largely devoted his energies to the erection of residences, stores, business blocks and apartment houses, and among the many fine structures which stand as monuments to his architectural skill and ability may be mentioned the residences of J. McKelvey, J. N. Hahn, Charles Haas, H. L. Rockey, J. J. Lynch, Neff Laing, A. C. Orth, F. X. Russert , P. W. McDonald, L. Rauscher, F. Mueller, S. Kushman, E. A. Martin and N. Weidenkopf. He made the drawing for the first fireproof building in the city - that of the Broadway Warehouse Company, which is strictly fireproof throughout, no wood being used in its construction. Mr. Stapf is also connected with the Kirtland Street pumping station in the capacity of an architect and engineer and is widely recognized as a prominent representative of industrial interests in Cleveland.
On the 1st of September, 1908, Mr. Stapf was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Walther, a native of this city. She is well known and popular in musical circles here and her talents as a vocalist have been in great demand, especially in choir and concert work. She has sung the leading part in the Mikado and the Chimes of Normandy.
In his political views Mr. Stapf is non-partisan, not being bound by party ties when exercising his right of franchise. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, the Young Men's Christian Association, the West Side German Society and the Cleveland Chamber of Industry. He is one of the representative young businessmen of the city, well meriting the regard in which he is held and the financial success to which he has attained.
From A History of Cleveland Ohio, Vol III by Samuel Orth, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, 1910