The Life and Legacy of Jeptha Wade
Jeptha Wade was an American industrialist, philanthropist, and portrait painter. Born in Romulus, United States, he was the youngest of nine children born to Jeptha and Sarah Wade. His diverse professional life included roles as an entrepreneur and a daguerreotypist, notably making the first Daguerreotypes west of New York. After moving to Adrian, Michigan, in 1840, he developed a significant interest in the telegraph industry.
A central figure in the development of American communications, Wade was a founding member of Western Union Telegraph. He played a vital role in connecting various cities, including Detroit, Jackson, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. His influence extended into the financial and civic sectors, where he served as the president of the National Bank of Commerce and was an incorporator of the Cleveland Rolling Mill Company. He also served as the first President of the Board of Trustees for Lake View Cemetery.
Philanthropy and Civic Contributions
Wade’s wealth was utilized extensively for the benefit of Cleveland, Ohio. His philanthropic endeavors included:
He was also heavily involved in the establishment of the Hathaway Brown School. His legacy is preserved through the various institutions he helped found or support, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, which houses two paintings by Jeptha Wade I.
