Cudell, Frank

Biography

Franz (Frank) Cudell was born in Aix la Chapelle, Germany. He studied architecture there and left Germany in 1866, initially settling in New York, working in the office of architect Leopold Eidlitz. He came to Cleveland in 1867 where he worked in the offices of local architects. In 1871 he opened his own office, soon forming a partnership with J. N. Richardson under the name of Cudell & Richardson. He was naturalized as an American citizen on June 22, 1871. In 1878 he invented a sewer gas trap. In 1890, because of his health, he turned his interest in the business over to Richardson. He remained active in civic affairs, presenting an alternative to the Group Plan. In 1902 he proposed building a city hall on Public Square. He filed a lawsuit against the City regarding the selection of J. Milton Dyer as the architect for Cleveland City Hall. He bequeathed his entire estate to the City, after the death of his widow in 1937, including his home that has become Cudell Recreation Center, two apartment buildings on West Boulevard, and shares of Cleveland Railway stock. The Cudell clock tower was erected as a memorial to him in 1917.