Jean Sothern - Village Clerk
11912 Lake Shore Boulevard
Long-time residents Jean and Lewis Sothern moved to Bratenahl from Fairmount, West Virginia in 1945. Lewis designed and built their 11912 Lake Shore Boulevard.
Jean was born in 1909 in West Virginia, one of six children. She became Bratenahl's assistant village clerk from 1958 to 1960, village clerk from 1960 to 1966, and income tax administrator and deputy treasurer from 1966 to 1986. She also worked in the state auditor’s office.
Jean was very fond of children, though she had none of her own. She was a Girl Scout leader for Bratenahl Troop 784, and would frequently have the neighbor kids in for a treat or read to them.
Lewis was born in 1900, also in West Virginia, and became a realtor with his business address also at 11912 Lake Shore Boulevard. He was a member of the Shoreview Kiwanis Club, the Northeast Roundtable of the Cleveland Real Estate Board, and of Masonic groups.
Mr. Southern died in St. Lukes Hospital on May 20, 1959. Jean died on July 19, 1986. Both are buried in Lake View Cemetery.