Ellsworth Milton Statler


Ellsworth Milton Statler was an American hotel businessman, founder of the Statler Hotels chain, born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Biography

Statler built his first permanent hotel in 1907, in Buffalo, New York. Future Statler Hotels constructed by E. M. Statler were located in Cleveland, Detroit, St. Louis, New York, a new hotel in Buffalo, and his last hotel, built in Boston.
The Hotels Statler Company built several other hotels after Statler's death in 1928.
Upon his death, the Statler Foundation was established in his will, becoming benefactors of what is now the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, New York. The Statler Foundation, located in Buffalo, New York, continues to contribute to many worthwhile hospitality-related causes.
On March 20, 1951, the radio show, Cavalcade of America sponsored by DuPont, featured the life story of Ellsworth Statler in a light 30 minute drama.
In 1984, E. M. Statler was inducted into the Wheeling, West Virginia Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor in 1997 along with Curt Carlson, Charles Forte, Baron Forte, and Ray Kroc.

Personal life

Ellsworth Milton Statler was the third of the children of Rev. William J. Statler and Mary A. McKinney.
E.M. married first Mary Idesta Manderbach and together they raised four adopted children. Milton Howland Statler, Marian Francis Statler, Ellsworth Morgan Statler, and Elva Idesta Statler. E.M. had only one grandchild, Milton's daughter Joan M. Statler.
E.M. married Alice M. Seidler on 30 April 1927.

Death

E.M. Statler died of double pneumonia at 6:05 o'clock in the morning April 16th 1928 at the Hotel Pennsylvania, where he lived. He was 64 years old.