People
Residents
Ernest Dempsey - Partner of Squire Sanders & Dempsey
12819 Lake Shore Boulevard
Ernest Dempsey returned from the Army in 1919, to continue the practice law at Squire Sanders & Dempsey and eventually becoming a partner in the firm. He was a specialist in corporate law.
Dempsey served as Bratenahl Village treasurer for 20 years from 1946 through 1962.
Ernest Cook Dempsey was born on March 15, 1890, to James and Emma Dempsey. He attended University School, graduating in 1907. He then went to Yale University graduating with a B. A. degree in 1911 and afterward obtaining an M. A. degree in English in 1915, His legal education was obtained at Harvard Law School, graduating in 1915.
He entered his father's law office in the fall of 1915 but was called out with the Ohio National Guard in the spring of 1916. He was with Troop A. 1st Ohio Cavalry and served on the Mexican border. He served as a lieutenant in the 323rd Field Artillery during World War I saw action in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. He then served with the Army of Occupation and the American Peace Commission.
Ernest married Gertrude Davis of Montreal in 1924. She was born on February 11, 1901. They had a son, John Bourne II, born on November 24, 1925, and a daughter Diane (Treco) born on April 27, 1928. Both went to the Bratenahl School.
John and his sister had a pony and a cart and participated in races on Lake Shore Boulevard on Saturday afternoons. Thomas Vail, who also had a pony and a cart, would go with John to the drugstore on East 140th Street for sodas on their carts.
In the early days of World War II, Gertrude worked with the British War Relief Society. After Pearl Harbor, she aided the Blood Donor Clinic of the Red Cross. She became active in many charitable organizations, particularly the Cleveland Society for the blind. She died on October 6, 1959, in her home after a long illness.
Ernest was a director of several companies during his career, including the Cleveland Railway Company, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company, Society National Bank and the Penton Publishing Company.
Ernest had been a trustee of Hathaway Brown School and a trustee emeritus of University School and Kenyon College where he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Gertrude died on October 6, 1959. Earnest died at his home at 12819 Lake Shore Boulevard on December 30, 1971. Both he and Gertrude are buried in Lake View Cemetery.