Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Clifton H. Crittenden
Clifton Harold Crittenden was born on December 31, 1883, in New London, Ohio. Crittenden’s full name and birth date were on his World War I and II draft cards. The birthplace was recorded on his marriage certificate which was transcribed in the Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Marriage Records and Indexes at Ancestry.com.
The Cleveland Leader, July 10, 1897m reported the results of the Cleveland Young Men’s Christian Association’s Juniors’ Field Day. The baseball throw in the elementary class was won by Crittenden.
In the 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Crittenden was an art student and the oldest of two children born to Henry, a machinist, and Zoe. The family resided in Cleveland, Ohio at 266 Huntington Street.
At the Cleveland School of Art, Crittenden was the recipient of the Ella M. Burke Scholarship in 1900. According to Artists in Ohio, 1787–1900: A Biographical Dictionary (2000), Crittenden was “a second-year student at the Cleveland (Cuyahoga) School of Art, who exhibited with the Bohemian Art Club in December 1900.”
Cleveland city directories, for the years 1903 to 1905 and 1907, listed Crittenden as vice-president of the A.C. Rogers Company. In 1903 and 1904, Crittenden resided at 374 Huron; in 1905 at 790 (old) Prospect; and 3126 Prospect Avenue SE in 1907.
The 1910 directory said Crittenden was secretary-treasurer of Reese and Crittenden Company, 612 Caxton Building. The 1910 census recorded his occupation as manager of a printing shop. His home address was 662 East 118th NE. Crittenden was the vice-president in the 1915 directory.
On September 12, 1918, Crittenden signed his World War I draft card. His address was 1861 East 24th in Cleveland. He was a self-employed direct mail advertiser with an office in the Caxton Building. His description was medium height and build with brown eyes and hair.
Crittenden has not yet been found in the 1920 census. He was an artist in the business listings of Cleveland directories from 1920 to 1925.
The Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Marriage Records and Indexes, at Ancestry.com, recorded Crittenden’s marriage to Kathryn L Leyser on April 3, 1922.
Crittenden has not yet been found in the 1930 census.
American Newspaper Comics (2012) said Crittenden drew five series for the Central Press Association: Life of King Edward VIII, The Life of Pope Pius XII, The Saga of Mrs. Simpson, The Story of James J. Braddock, and The Story of Stalin.
Freelance artist Crittenden and his wife were Cleveland residents at 831 East 88 Street. His highest level of education was the eighth grade.
Crittenden passed away November 13, 1946 in Cleveland.
—Alex Jay
Labels: Ink-Slinger Profiles
