YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

1936

The

City of Detroit
Michigan

1701-1922

VOLUME IV

DETROIT— CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1922

HENRY B. LEDYARD

BIOGRAPHICAL

HENRY BROCKHOLST LEDYARD, railroad ex
ecutive and philanthropist, was born in the American
Embassy, Paris, France, February 20, 1844, son of
Henry and Matilda (Cass) Ledyard; brother of Lewis
Cass Ledyard, lawyer and capitalist of New- York;
grandson of General Lewis Cass, the most prominent
figure in the history of Michigan; great-grandson of
William Livingston, member of the continental con
gress and governor of New Jersey, and great-great-
grandson of Philip Livingston, second lord of the
Manor of Livingston. At the time of the birth of the
subject, General Cass was United States minister to
France, while Henry Ledyard, father of the subject,
was secretary of legation in Paris. Henry Ledyard
was an alderman in Detroit during 1849-50; was a
member for six years of the first board of water com
missioners, and was mayor of Detroit in 1855.
Henry Broekholst Ledyard received his preliminary
education at Washington A. Bacon's Select School
for Boys in Detroit. He was appointed a cadet at
large to the United States Military Academy at West
Point by President Buchanan, while General Cass was
secretary of state in the Buchanan cabinet. He was
graduated at West Point in 1865 and on the day of
his graduation was presented with two commissions,
first and second lieutenant. He was assigned to the
Nineteenth Infantry and he served successively as
quartermaster of his regiment, brigade quartermaster
and chief of the commissary officers of the depart
ment of Arkansas. Later he was transferred to the ,
Thirty-seventh Infantry as quartermaster and then to
the Fourth Artillery, with which he was detailed -
chief of subsistence on the staff of General Hancock,
department of Missouri. He was in the field against
the Indians in 1867 and for a year he was assistant
professor of French at West Point. When the army
was reorganized in 1870 and materially reduced, he
acted on the advice of General Sherman and obtained
a leave of six months to try his hand at railroading.
He entered the engineering department of the North
ern Pacific Railroad, then under construction, but in
the same year he transferred his affiliation to the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company a»
a clerk in the operating department. A month later
he resigned his army commission. His advance was
rapid. Two years later he was assistant superintendent
of the road and the next year was advanced to super
intendent of the eastern division. In 1874 he was
made assistant to William B. Strong, who had been
shifted by James F. Joy from the Burlington to the

Michigan Central Railroad Company as general super
intendent. The following year Mr. Ledyard took over
the duties of chief engineer in addition to those of
assistant- general superintendent. Two years there
after he was made general superintendent of the road,
succeeding Strong, who was returned to the Burling
ton. The following year he was promoted to general
manager. The Michigan Central at this time was
credited with being little better than a third-class road.
A floating debt of a million and a half dollars stood
on its books. Its roadbed, train equipment and build
ings were in poor shape. A few years later the Van-
derbilt interests acquired control of the road and
Joy retired as president in favor of William H. Van-
derbilt. It was Ledyard 's idea to keep away from the
issuance of bonds and stock-jobbing. This pleased
the new owners and he was given full rein. In 1883
Vanderbilt turned over the presidency ta him. He was
one of the first of the younger railroad executives
to fall in with the Newman theory of doubling the
capacity of cars and having longer trains pulled by
more powerful locomotives, thus reducing the cost
of freight transportation. With this idea in mind,
he proceeded to tear out and junk practically every
steel railroad bridge in the eastern division; rebuilt
scores of miles of trackage and roadbed, and elim
inated as nearly as passible the curves and steep grades.
When reconstruction work was completed the road
was operating freight trains of eighty cars as against
the former maximum of thirty, and the capacity of
these cars had been doubled. The entire cost of this
work was paid from the earnings. Then he started
a campaign to create new business for the road. At
this time he said to a friend: "I came to the con
clusion that to get new business we must provide
facilities for men to make new business profitable.
To encourage manufacturers to build on our 'lines by
giving them shipping facilities as good as they could
get in any other center." He had six miles of ter
minals built at River Rouge before a single industrial
plant was located in that district. His whole idea
of the proper manner to conduct a great railroad was
' ' service to all. " As a railroad chief his ^est Point
training stood him in good stead. Obedience was a
cardinal principle upon which he insisted. Careless
ness was not countenanced an<l incompetency meant
summary dismissal. He never was familiar with sub
ordinates but always treated them candidly and with
respect. He continued to build and to acquire ter
minals in Detroit until his road was able to show more

CITY OF DETROIT

manufacturing plants on its terminals than all other
Detroit roads combined. In 1916 he acquired for the
Michigan Central the Detroit Belt Line Railroad, on
which are scores of large factories, among them the
works of the Ford Motor Company. Problems which
would have caused much worry among many railroad
men were brushed aside by him with little ado. Within
two hours after the destruction by fire of the old
passenger station in Detroit, he ' was running trains
out of the new station then in the hands of contractors
but within two months of being finished. In only
one instance did he go out of his own organization
to fill a vacancy, and during his regime many
Michigan Central office boys became executives. He
continued as president of the road until 1905 and
thereafter was chairman of the board. He was an
active and loyal supporter of Christ Protestant Epis
copal church throughout his life, was a member of
its vestry and at the time of his death had been for
many years its senior warden. He was formerly
president and afterward chairman of the board of the
Union Trust Company and he was a director in the
People's State Bank of Detroit. He was a member of
the Society of the Cincinnati, by right of his great
grandfather, Major Benjamin Ledyard, Sons of the
American Revolution and Knickerbocker Club at New
York and of the Detroit, Yondotega and Country
Clubs at Detroit. His home was at Grosse Pointe
Farms, Detroit. He found his chief recreation in golf,
also in gathering together an extraordinary collection
of rare volumes.
General Rufus Ingalls, quartermaster of the Army
of the Potomac, said he considered Mr. Ledyard one
of the ablest masters of transportation of his time.
"In an emergency," he said, "he could run a dozen
railroads and provision five armies at a time 
He inherited this ability from his grandfather. Lewis
Cass was the best army supplier we had in the War of
1812, and when appointed territorial governor of
Michigan he was de facto quartermaster of the whole
northwestern country." Politically he was a democrat
up to the time of the free silver heresy, since when
he voted for the republican party. But politics did
not concern much this genius of the rail. To office
holding he preferred to stand as the synonym for rail
road operation of the highest class. He made his road
one of the two best in the middle west. He might
be said to have built the Michigan Central. Many
regard it as a great and enduring and honorable mon
ument to his work. Few men leave behind them such
concrete proofs of their service to mankind. What
he did toward making Detroit so progressive that it
hurdled in population several sister cities; what he did
toward making Michigan rich and solidly prosperous,
is beyond calculation, but unquestionably he was one
of the great constructive pioneers of the common
wealth. The greatest engineering enterprise in con
nection with railroad transportation which has been
accomplished in Michigan since the beginning of that

industry, was initiated and carried out by him — the
submarine crossing of the Detroit river. The seduc
tiveness of the high-financing, manipulative side of
railroad chieftancy never possessed his spirit. His
conception of transportation was to fetch and carry
people and things with expedition and the fullest
degree of security, to make his system scientifically
abreast of the age. Capable of great concentration and
self-discipline, he was a silent and detached man whose
soul was in his work. He survived many changes in
personnel and lived to see many of his dreams come
true. He was one of the most reticent yet one of
the most over-towering figures in the life of Detroit,
and in his own circle one of the most beloved. For
two minutes during his funeral obsequies, for the
first time in the history of the Michigan Central, all
the rolling stock stopped simultaneously by order, in
his honor. The crudity which tradition attaches to
our strong business men was no part of Henry B.
Ledyard 's character. He was a gentleman, in a sense
of the word rarely employed today in the United
States. He belonged to that valid aristocracy which
has almost been swept away by industrialism and all
but supplanted by a ruling class whose sole qualifica
tion is capital. His will left bequests to the Chil
dren's Free Hospital Association, to Christ Protestant
Episcopal church and to the Railroad Young Men's
Christian Association of Detroit.
Mr. Ledyard was married October 15, 1867, to Mary,
daughter of Stephen L'Hommedieu of Cincinnati, pro
jector and for twenty-five years president of the Cin
cinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad. Mrs. Ledyard
died March 30, 1895, four children surviving her:
Matilda Cass Ledyard, who was married in 1897 to
Baron von Ketteler of Berlin, Germany, at that time
the German minister to Mexico and afterwards min
ister to China, where he was murdered in the Boxer
uprising in Pekin in 1900; Henry, an attorney of
Detroit, member of the firm of Campbell, Bulkley &
Ledyard; Augustus Canfield, who was killed in action
in the Philippines as first lieutenant of the Sixth
United States Infantry on the 6th of December, 1899;
and Hugh, secretary and treasurer of the Art Stove
Company of Detroit. Henry B. Ledyard died at
Grosse Pointe Farms on May 25, 1921.
hon. don Mcdonald Dickinson, who was
long a distinguished member of the bar and was a
national figure during the administrations of Presidents
Cleveland, McKinley and Roosevelt, passed away in
1916. He had left the impress of his individuality
in large measure upon the history of the country
through an extended period and had exerted a marked
influence over public thought and action in relation
to many questions of national importance. He was
born in Port Ontario, Oswego county, New York,
January 17, 1846, his parents being Colonel Asa C.
and Minerva (Holmes) Dickinson. He was but two
years of age when the family home was established

HON. DON M. DICKINSON

CITY OF DETROIT

in Michigan and in the public schools and under
private tutors he acquired his preliminary education,
which served as the broad foundation upon which to
build the superstructure of his professional knowledge.
He won his LL. B. degree upon graduation from the
University of Michigan with the elass of 1867 and
devoted many years to practice not only in Michigan
but also in New York and Washington, his ability
winning him distinction as one of the eminent lawyers
of the country.
Mr. Dickinson came naturally into prominence in
connection with the great political movements and
problems of the country and in 1876 was chosen chair
man of the democratic state central committee of
Michigan. In 1880 he became a member of the dem
ocratic national committee, so continuing until 1885,
and his recognized prominence as a democratic leader.
was manifest in his appointment by President Cleve
land to the position of postmaster general in 1887.
He remained a member of the cabinet for two years.
He was also chairman of the democratic national cam
paign committee of 1892 and in 1893 he was tendered
but declined a cabinet position. In 1896 he was made
senior counsel of the United States before the in
ternational high commission on Behring sea claims,
under the fur seal arbitration, his duties in that
connection claiming his attention for two years. He
was also made a member of the court of arbitration
to adjust the controversy between the United States
and the republic of San Salvador in 1902, for through
the administrations of Presidents Cleveland, McKinley
and Roosevelt he was the senior counsel of the United
States, and he was democratic national chairman in
promoting the interests of President Cleveland for a
third term.
On the 15th of June, 1869, General Dickinson was
married to Miss Frances L. Piatt, daughter of Dr.
Alonzo Piatt of Michigan, and they became the
parents of a daughter and a son: Frances C, now
the wife of George H. Barbour, Jr., and Don Mc
Donald, Jr., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work.
General Dickinson remained throughout his life
an active factor in law "practice and in shaping public
thought and action. His labors were long a contribut
ing factor in guiding the destinies of the nation and
he was regarded as the peer of the ablest representa
tives of international law in the United States. His
cooperation was also sought in connection with many
interests of local importance. The welfare and pro
gress of Detroit was always a matter of deep interest
and concern to him and he served as one of the
trustees and president of the Detroit Museum of
Art, was also vice president of the Jefferson Memorial
Association and president of the Senator McMillan
Memorial Association. He held membership in the
Detroit Board of Commerce and was a director of the
First National Bank. At one time he was the presi
dent of the Detroit Bar Association, held membership
in the Michigan State Bar Association and the Ameri

can Bar Association and he belonged as well to the
American Historical Association and to the Chi Psi,
a college fraternity. In club circles, too, he was
widely known, having membership with the Pilgrims
of London, the Manhattan, National Democratic and
the Pilgrims of New York, the Huron Mountain
Club of Chicago, the Detroit Club, of which he was
at one time president, and also with the Bankers,
Detroit Boat, University and Country Clubs, all of
Detroit. He constantly labored for the right as he
saw it and from his earliest youth devoted a large por
tion of his time to the service of others, and in the
course of years, as a consequence of his developing
powers, that service was demanded for the benefit
of the nation. He was not an idle sentimentalist
but a worker who possessed' a statesman's grasp of
affairs and whose knowledge of international law en
abled him to find acceptable solution for many intricate
and involved public problems. His family and friends
can rejoice in his memory as that *of a man who used
wisely and well the talents with which nature endowed
him and who laid down his tasks in the twilight of
the day when all that he had to do had been nobly
and fully completed.
BLAND A. PUGH. Fortified by excellent prelim
inary discipline and by a distinct predilection for his
chosen profession, Bland A. Pugh is one of the repre
sentative younger members of the Detroit bar and in
his practice, which is of general order, he is . grad
ually directing his activities into the special field of
corporation law and the legal phases of the stock and
bond business. He is a member of the progressive
Detroit law firm of Prentiss, Mulford, Pugh & Fitch,
with offices on the eighth floor of the Dime Bank
building. Mr. Pugh was born at Webb City, Missouri, January,
27, 1893, and is a son of William C. and Alice B. .
Pugh. He was about twenty-three years of age when
the family home was established at Ann Arbor, Mich
igan, his educational advantages after leaving the
public schools having 'included those of Albion Col
lege, at Albion, Michigan, in which he was graduated
as a member of the class of 1915, with the degree of
Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the law depart
ment of the University of Michigan, in which he
completed the prescribed curriculum and was grad
uated in 1917, his reception of the degree of Bachelor
of Laws having been virtually coincident with his
admission to the Michigan bar.
Patriotism outranked professional ambition at the
time when Mr. Pugh would normally have initiated
his career as a lawyer, for on the 15th of May, 1917,
about one month after the nation became involved in
the World war, he enlisted for service in the Detroit
hospital unit of Base Hospital, No.. 36. On the 10th
of the following November he arrived with his unit
in France and shortly after he was made sergeant and
assigned to duty at Chaumont, in charge of the per-

10

CITY OF DETROIT

sonnel of a receiving hospital as Base No. 15. There
after he passed some time in hospital service near
the front lines, and he then returned to Base Hospital,
No. 36, which continued the stage of his earnest serv
ice until July, 1918, when he was assigned to general
headquarters at Tours, where he took an examination
for commission and was assigned to general head
quarters at Bordeaux, in September, 1918. While here
stationed he accomplished an unusual and most credit
able service, in connection with extinguishing a fire
that threatened the destruction of a vessel laden with
high explosives. After the crew and detail of soldiers
working to subdue the fire had fled from the ship,.
Mr. Pugh, with rare fortitude and presence of mind,
called volunteers to his aid and directed the work of
putting out the fire, the progress of which meant dis
aster, not only in the destruction of thousands of tons
of valuable cargo but also endangering the lives qf
many persons. For his work in this connection he was
cited for bravery and was awarded the distinguished
French decoration, the Croix de Guerre. Finally be
ing given the alternative of accepting a commission or
returning home, Mr. Pugh chose the latter, some time
after the signing of the armistice, and upon his return
to America he received his honorable discharge, on
the 11th of March, 1919. In the following September
he became a member of the representative Detroit law
firm in which he continues a principal, and with char
acteristic energy and fidelity he is devoting himself
to the practice of his profession, with a fine sense of
personal stewardship and with the ability that insures
success and growth. Mr. Pugh is a member of the
Detroit Bar Association and the Lawyers Club, holds
membership in the Fellowcraft Club and is affiliated
with the Sigma Chi fraternity and the Masonic order.
His political allegiance is given to the democratic
party. THOMAS A. E. WEADOCK, attorney at law, was
born in Ballygarret, Ireland, January 1, 1850, a son
of Lewis and Mary (Cullen) Weadoek. The family
is of Flemish origin, although domiciled in County
Wexford for many years. His grandfather took part in
the Irish rebellion in 1798, at which time the great
grandfather, who was a non-combatant, aged eighty-five
years, was murdered by members of the infamous
Hunter Gowan Cavalry. In the maternal line the
family is also one of long connection with Ireland.
Thomas A. E. Weadoek came with his parents to
America in 1850, the family home being established
on a farm near St. Marys, Ohio, where he spent the
early years of his life. He attended the district
schools and also the union school of St. Marys, but
following his father's death, which occurred in De
cember, 1863, he was obliged to leave school and take
up the management of the home farm. While thus
engaged he devoted every leisure hour to reading and
study, being especially interested in biography and
history, his reading along these lines opening up the

world to this country bred boy. He managed the farm
until his brother returned from the army, having
served in defense of the Union during the Civil war.
Leaving home in 1865, Thomas A. E. Weadoek went
in search of employment to Cincinnati, Ohio, and
there entered a printing office but soon tired of the
work and for some months thereafter was employed in
clerking. He then decided to return to St. Marys,
Ohio, and soon afterward took up the profession of
teaching, which he followed in the counties of Aug
laize, Shelby and Miami, Ohio, for a period of five
years, at the same time pursuing his own studies
while teaching others. With the money thus earned
he paid his tuition as a student in the law department
of the University of Michigan, which he entered in
1871. During vacation periods he read law in Detroit
and on the 26th of March, 1873, was graduated with
the LL. B. degree. On the 8th of April, 1873, he
was admitted to practice at the bar of the supreme
court in Detroit and in June of the same year was
admitted to practice by the bar of the supreme court
of Ohio. Hon. George Hoadley was at that time
chairman of the examining committee and when Mr.
Weadoek again met him Governor Hoadley was acting
as special counsel for the United States before the
house committee on the Pacific railroad, of which
Mr. Weadoek was a member. He was admitted to the
bar of the United States supreme court in 1882.
Mr. Weadoek intended to practice in Ohio but cir
cumstances caused him to return to Michigan and he
finally located at Bay City on the 12th of September,
1873. There he took up the active work of the courts
and not only made progress along the line of his pro
fession but also became a recognized factor in public .
affairs of the community. In 1883 he was elected
mayor of Bay City and so served until 1885, becoming
also ex-officio chairman of the police commission,
likewise a trustee of the library and several other
boards. On the expiration of his term as mayor he
declined a renomination. He then continued the
practice of law, in which his younger brother, John
C. Weadoek, became associated with him, the part
nership being maintained for many years. The brother
is now one of the eminent lawyers of New York city.
They conducted many important cases both in Michi
gan and other states, among which may be mentioned
the cases of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of
New York vs. Menner in Pennsylvania; the Mundy
will case in Wisconsin; and Jenkins vs. the Pennsyl
vania Railroad Company in Ohio. Mr. Weadoek of
this review was assistant prosecuting attorney for
Bay county for nearly two years, at which time his
partner, G. M. Wilson, was the prosecuting attorney.
Mr. Weadoek was appointed to succeed Mr. Wilson,
who died in office in July, 1877, and in that position
Mr. Weadoek served until December 31, 1878. Dur
ing his incumbency Bay county was freed from many
lawless characters that infested it. Moreover, the
liquor law which was enacted in 1875 had never been

THOMAS A. E. WEADOCK

CITY OF DETROIT

13

enforced, but by him was taken up vigorously, more
liquor taxes being collected in Bay county during
this period than in any other county of the state
except Wayne, which had many times the population
of Bay. Waitresses in saloons and kindred resorts
were no longer tolerated and their keepers were sent
to prison. The conditions are described in "The
Blazed Trail." Subsequent to his retirement from
office Mr. Weadoek was connected with many im
portant criminal cases in Bay county, and elsewhere,
sometimes representing the defense and as often act
ing as counsel for the prosecution. The eases which
he tried before the supreme court were first reported
in the Michigan Reports, No. 36, and may be found
in almost every volume issued since. Among these may
be mentioned Cathart vs. Merritt township, the hold
ing being that diteh orders can only be paid out of
the fund on which they are drawn. Another case was
that of Bay county vs. Bradley, and still another,
Smith vs. Barrie, in which conditions in deeds in
restraint of the sale of liquor were sustained. He
was likewise connected with the case of Altman vs.
Ritteshofer, in which it was held that attorneys'
fees on a promissory note destroyed their negotia
bility. Hess vs. Culver vs. Spore vs. Green in which
the "Bohemian Oats" swindle was exposed; Circuit
Judge McCoy vs. Brennan and Murphy vs. McGraw.
Other notable eases in which he figured were those
of the Merchants Bank vs. Ortmann; Otsego Lake vs.
Kersten, concerning the power of township boards;
Maltby vs. Plummer, involving timber interests and
considered a leading case; Taylor vs. the Bay City
Street Railway, a case arising under the charter of
Bay City, but decided against Mr. Weadoek in the
circuit court, the decision, however, being reversed
when the case was carried to the supreme court of
Michigan, which judgment was also sustained in the
supreme court of the United States. His handling of a
case is always full and comprehensive, yet he never
indulges in the drapery of rhetoric to enshroud his
cause in any illusion. The strength of his argument
lies in his clear presentation and correct application
of legal principles to the points at issue.
Mr. Weadoek was reared in the democratic faith
and his study of political conditions has but strength
ened his convictions. Having to make his own way
in the world without the aid of money, prestige or
influential friends, he has ever appreciated the op
portunities which American institutions offer and has
always been opposed to class legislation and to all
policies to give wealth undue advantage under the
law. In every campaign since 1874 he has been on
the stump in support of democracy. In that year
he made his first political speech at Clare, Michigan,
in support of Hon. George Fred Lewis, candidate for
congress. He served as chairman of the democratic
county and city committees. He was chairman of the
democratic congressional convention of 1884 and the
joint congressional convention when the greenback

party united with the democrats. The convention
was a notable one, lasting from two in the afternoon
until half past three the following morning. The
ability and fairness of the chairman were uniformly
praised and constituted a potent factor in the suc
cessful results of the work of the convention. In
1885 Mr. Weadoek was the permanent chairman of
the democratic state convention at Bay City, which
nominated Judge Allen B. Morse, who was elected by
a large majority. In 1894 he was president of the
democratic state convention at Grand Rapids, which
nominated Judge Morse for governor. In 1890 Mr.
Weadoek was unanimously nominated at Alpena for
representative in congress and was called away from
a trial in court to accept the nomination. The canvass
that followed was a notable one in the political his
tory of Michigan. No sort of personal or partisan
abuse was resorted to by either republican or demo
cratic opponents and the discussion was confined to
legitimate issues. Mr. Weadoek was elected by a
plurality of sixteen hundred and sixty-six over his
republican opponent, Hon. Watts S. Humphrey, then
of Cheboygan, later a prominent attorney of Sag
inaw, Michigan.
In congress Mr. Weadoek supported Hon. Charles
F. Crisp for speaker. He served on the committee
on rivers and harbors and secured large appropriations
for Michigan in this connection. He was the author
of a bill increasing the pay of the keepers and surf-
men of the life saving service — a bill which became a
law. He also carried through the fifty-second congress
a joint resolution authorizing the state of Wisconsin
to place the statue of Pere Marquette in statuary hall
of the capitol. In 1892 he was unanimously renomi
nated and although he met bitter opposition he was
reelected by a larger vote, though a smaller plurality,
than was given him at the first election. In 1893 he
made an extensive tour of Europe, sailing from New
York to Genoa by way of Gibraltar and the Riviera.
He visited Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Florence and Venice,
thence to Vienna via Treviso and the Cornice Alps.
Having always been an admirer of Napoleon as a
warrior, ruler and lawmaker, he visited various places
connected with the history of the French emperor.
From Vienna he went to Carlsbad, thence to Mayence
and down the Rhine to Cologne. From there he went
to Brussels, Paris and London, and at Paris by a
special pass was permitted to enter the tomb of
Napoleon. He also visited Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin,
Wexford, and various other points in Ireland, England
and North Wales. He sailed by way of Queenstown
to New York, arriving in time for the special
session of congress held in that year. In 1907 he made
a second trip to Europe, sailing from Montreal and
landing at Philadelphia on his return. He traveled
in Scotland, Ireland, England, France, Belgium, Hol
land and the Isle of Man.
In the fifty-third congress Mr. Weadoek was chair
man of the committee on mines and mining and was

14

CITY OF DETROIT

the only Michigan member on Pacific railroads. He
supported the Wilson tariff bill, although favoring
higher duties than it imposed. He voted for the
income tax, the repeal of the Sherman law, the repeal
of the election law and for the inerease of the navy.
His most notable speech was delivered June 8, 1894,
in support of the Indian appropriation bill. This
speech was circulated by millions of copies, being
widely read and favorably commented upon by the
press throughout the country. The bill was carried
in the house by a vote of one hundred and fifty-four
to twenty-three and became a law. In the same session
Mr. Weadoek secured the passage of a law dividing
the eastern district of Michigan into northern and
southern divisions and establishing the seat of the
northern division at Bay City. In 1894 he declined
a renomination for congress. He was never popular
in the ordinary sense of the word. He was always
unfaltering in the support of his opinions and while
he made strong friends, he made enemies, whom he
opposed with the same tenacity and determination
that he manifested in support of his friends. His
deep convictions, dauntless courage and unyielding
persistence were among the sources of his power.
He always attributed his great degree of success to
his brother, John C. Weadoek, who managed both of
his political campaigns. In 1896 Mr. Weadoek was
chosen one of the delegates from the state at large
to the democratic national convention at Chicago. In
1904 he was the democratic nominee for judge of
the supreme court. In 1895 he opened a law office
in Detroit, where he has since enjoyed a large and
lucrative practice. For several years he was pro
fessor of law in the Detroit College of Law, and the
University of Detroit. Among his Detroit eases are:
Hammond vs. Casgrain; Hammond vs. Edison Com
pany; Detroit Salt Company vs. National Salt Com
pany; Chesbrough vs Woodworth; Weir vs. Union
Trust Company; Mt. Clemens Sugar Company vs.
Grand Trunk Railway Company and the Mclntyre
will case.
Mr. Weadoek has been twice married. He first
wedded Mary E. Tarsney, a sister of Hon. Timothy E.
Tarsney and John C. Tarsney, both members of con
gress. She died March 11, 1899, leaving six children:
Thomas J., who died in 1912; Lewis J., a practicing
attorney of Bay City; Paul, who practices law in
Detroit; Mrs. J. H. Porter and Isabel, of Detroit;
and Mrs. R. L. Morrison, of Birmingham, Alabama.
For his second wife Mr. Weadoek chose Miss Nannie
E. Curtiss, and of this marriage has been born a son,
George P., who was a student in the University of
Michigan at Ann Arbor but left to enter the army
as a member of the Sixth United States Marines, the
famous command that won undying fame at the battles
of Belleau Wood, Soissons, St. Mihiel, the Champagne,
and in the terrible drive through the Argonne forest.
The religious faith of the family is that of the
Roman Catholic church. He began and led the move

ment in the A. O. H. by which fifty thousand dollars
was raised to establish a chair of Gaelic literature
in the Catholic University at Washington, and made
the presentation in October, 1895. Mr. Weadoek is
a member of the Detroit, Michigan and American Bar
Associations and he belongs to the Detroit Club. If
he can be said to have a hobby it is his private-
library, which, though not large, is very select. It
contains collections on Napoleon, General Jaekson
and Pere Marquette. His ideal lawyer is Daniel
O'Connell, his hero Napoleon and his favorite author
Shakespeare. JOHN EMORY GRIFFITHS, who was one of the
most prominent officials of the Michigan Central Rail
road System, which he served as treasurer and cashier,
passed away in Detroit on the 26th of December, 1912,
when sixty-eight years of age. His birth, occurred
in Battle Creek, Michigan, April 8, 1844, his parents
being John J. and Charlotte (Kewney) Griffiths, both
of whom were natives of England, the latter born
on the Isle of Man. The grandfather of John Emory
Griffiths was Sir James Jenkins Griffiths of Hartford,
England. John Emory Griffiths obtained his education iii
the public and high schools of his native city and
when a youth of sixteen years secured a position as
messenger in the telegraph office of the Michigan
Central Railroad Company at Battle Creek. Subse
quently he was placed in charge of telegraph offices
in Battle Creek and in Detroit, later was transferred
to the freight department and by further promotion
became private secretary to the general superintendent
of the corporation and then private secretary to James
F. Joy, president. He was made local treasurer in
1895, receiving this appointment direct from Cornelius
Vanderbilt, continuing in that dual position of re
sponsibility to the time of his demise and discharg
ing his important duties in a highly satisfactory man
ner that won him the admiration of his associate
officers and contributed largely to the successful con
trol and management of the railroad. His foremost
position as a railroad official was widely acknowl
edged. At different times he served as local treasurer
of the Canada Southern Railway, the Toronto, Ham
ilton & Buffalo Railway and the Detroit River Tunnel
Company; as treasurer of the Detroit & Charlevoix
Railway and the Railroad Young Men's Christian
Association; and as cashier of the Jackson, Lansing &
Saginaw Railway and the Buchanan & St. Joseph Rail
road Company.
On the 31st of July, 1868, in Detroit, Mr. Griffiths
was united in marriage to Miss Ella Granger, a
daughter of Hiram Granger, representing a prominent
and well known family of the Buckeye state.
Mr. Griffiths gave his political allegiance to the
republican party, while his religious faith was indi
cated by his membership in St. John's Episcopal
church, in the faith of which he passed away De-

JOHN EMORY GRIFFITHS

CITY OF DETROIT

17

cember 26, 1912. His remains were interred in the
Elmwood cemetery. He was a worthy exemplar of
the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Corinthian Lodge,
No. 241, F. & A. M., of which he was twice master.
His death was felt as a distinct loss in railroad
circles, for he had been identified with the Michigan
Central for more than a half century and had gained
wide recognition as a capable and valued official.
His home life was ideal and in social circles he won
a host of warm friends, who since his demise have
cherished his memory, which remains as a blessed
benediction to all who knew him. Honorable in busi
ness, loyal in citizenship, charitable in thought, kindly
in action, true to every trust confided to his care,
his life was the highest type of Christian manhood.
His widow, who resides at No. 80 Stimson place in
Detroit, has also become widely and favorably known
during the long years of her residence in the city,
so that the circle of her' friends is an extensive one.
CAPTAIN HARRY W. FORD is numbered among
those who' made the supreme sacrifice for the country
in the World war. He did not die on the field of
battle, but lived to reach New York, where he became
ill of pneumonia and there passed away on the 18th
of December, 1918. Before going into the army he
had reached a most prominent and enviable position
in the business circles of Detroit, where he established
his home in 1908.
Captain Ford was born at Knobnoster, Missouri,
May 4, 1880, and was the eldest in a family of ten
children, whose parents were Robert L. and Cornelia
(VanAusdall) Ford. The father was born in St.
Charles, Missouri, and in young manhood learned the
machinist trade, which he followed for many years.
His son, Captain Ford, pursued his early education in
the public and high schools of his native city and at
the age of sixteen years went to Chicago, and here
continued his studies until graduated from the Chicago
University in 1904.
Starting out in the business world Captain Ford
first engaged in newspaper work in Chicago, devoting
two years to that activity. He then located in Dayton,
Ohio, where he became identified with the National
Cash Register Company, in the advertising department.
He filled the position with marked capability for a
period of three years and then came to Detroit in
1908, initiating his business career here as a represent
ative of the Chalmers Motor Company. He was made
general manager of its advertising department and
later secretary and general manager of that company
for several years. He was tendered the presidency
and the position of general manager of the Saxon
Motor Company and acted in that connection up to the
time of his enlistment for service in the World war.
He was also president of the Federal Bond & Mort
gage Company. Each change in his business connec
tion marked a forward step and placed him in a posi-
Vol. IV— 2

lion of prominence among the young business men of
the city.
When the country needed the aid of her loyal sons
Captain Ford enlisted on the 11th of August, 1917.
He was sent to Camp Joseph E. Johnston at Jackson
ville, Florida, for training. He was given the com
mission of captaincy. Following the signing of the
armistice his sailing orders for December 1 were can
celled and he was mustered out December 6, 1918,
with the rank of captain. By the time he reached
New York he was ill with influenza, which developed
into pneumonia and his death occurred in that city
a few days later.
Captain Ford was married in 1908 to Miss Lola B.
Woolfington, a daughter of John N. Woolfington, of
Muncie, Indiana. The children of this marriage are:
Jane, born March 21, 1910, and Mary, born July 6,
1912. Captain Ford gave his political allegiance to the
democratic party and was prominently known in club
circles, having belonged to the Detroit Club, the De
troit Athletic Club, and the Detroit Golf Club. His
ability had brought him prominently to the front in
business connections, while his social qualities had
made him most popular in the organizations with
which he was identified, but when the country became
involved in war with Germany, patriotism dominated
every other quality of his life and he cheerfully
responded to the call of duty.
HENRY L. WILLING, president and treasurer of
the H. L. Willing Company, manufacturers of pants
and overalls, was born in Detroit, August 8, 1877, a
son of Samuel G. and Sarah (Harris) Willing, both
of whom were natives of Michigan, their marriage
being celebrated in Detroit. The father afterward
became a well known pattern maker and in later
years was associated with his son Henry in business.
The mother passed away in Detroit in 1908. In their
family were four children: Fred S., Frank G., Mrs.
Bertha Gaylord and Henry L., all residents of Detroit.
A public school training fitted Henry L. Willing for
life's practical and responsible duties and he made
his initial step in the business world by securing a
small store room in the Sun building, where he began
the manufacture of pants and overalls. His trade
steadily increasing, he was later obliged to seek larger
quarters and removed his factory to No. 53 Porter
street. He had had nine years' experience as an
employe of the Hamilton Carhartt Company, manu
facturers of overalls, when he opened his own factory
and the knowledge of the business thus gained proved
of immense benefit to him when he started out inde
pendently. He has ever based the upbuilding of his
trade upon the value of the goods which he turns out
and gradually his business has increased to satisfactory
proportions. He removed from 53 Porter street to 34
Bates street in order to secure still larger quarters
and at the latter place he now has a modern factory

18

CITY OF DETROIT

equipped with all the latest improved machinery to
facilitate the work. The company is engaged in the
manufacture of the "Fast Mail" overalls and the
Willing brand of men "s pants both for dress and work
wear. They employ from sixty to seventy-five people
and follow the most improved methods in the manu
facture of their garments. Mr. Willing remains as
president and manager of the business and his careful
direction of its interests has led to its very substantial
growth. He belongs to the Garment Makers Associa
tion and. is constantly studying everything that will
benefit the trade.
On the 25th of December, 1910, Mr. Willing was
married to Miss Vera B. Campbell of Akron, Ohio,
daughter of Josiah Campbell of that city. They have
three children: Corwin J., born in 1913; Chester S.,
born in 1915; and Jane Elizabeth, born in 1918. Mr.
Willing and his wife are well known in Detroit,
where he has spent his life, so directing his affairs
that the outcome has been most satisfactory. He is
preeminently a business man, having concentrated
practically his entire time and attention upon the
development of his factory, and music has been to
him the source of pleasure and relief from business
whieh is necessary for the maintenance of a well
balanced character in every individual.
HOMER McGRAW figured for many years as one
of the prominent and honored business men of Detroit.
He possessed initiative, energy and a dynamic power
which was strongly felt as a, potent force in the com
mercial circles of the city and his death therefore
was the occasion of deep and widespread regret when
he passed away on the 26th of January, 1915, after
an illness of only a few days. He was born at New
Baltimore, Michigan, January 22, 1856, his parents
being Richard and Jane (Chapman) McGraw. His
paternal grandfather, Redmond McGraw, came to
America in 1825 from County Limerick, Ireland, and
settled first in the northern part of New York state,
where he cleared land and established his home.
Later he removed to the vicinity of St. Thomas,
Ontario, and in 1835 located in Canon township, Wayne
county, Michigan, where he spent the remainder of his
life, dying in 1852, at the age of seventy-five years.
He was a man of liberal education and personal cul
ture and a steadfast upholder of the Protestant relig
ion. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza
beth Faught, died soon after her arrival in America.
Richard McGraw, father of Homer McGraw, conducted
a general store at New Baltimore for some time and
afterward turned his attention to farming but died
when his son Homer was only fifteen years of age.
The other son of Richard McGraw is William T. Mc
Graw of Detroit.
Homer McGraw was educated in the country and
public schools, attending the Union school at New
Plymouth, Michigan, and also the Detroit Business
University. He had been reared to farmv life to the

age of fifteen years and upon his father's death he
started out in the business world to provide for his
own support, obtaining a clerkship in a general store
at Plymouth, where he continued until 1878. Through
the influence of his uncle, Thomas McGraw, Homer
McGraw came to Detroit and was first employed as
a bank messenger and then entered the wool house
of Thomas McGraw, with whom he continued for five
years. He next went on the road as a traveling
salesman in Canada for the Globe Tobacco Company,
which he thus represented for three years, when he
joined his brother in the wholesale tobacco business
under the name of the Detroit Tobacco Company.
This partnership was maintained for four years, at
the end of which time Homer McGraw returned to
Thomas McGraw and took charge of his private busi
ness affairs, at the same time conducting a fire insur
ance business. He thus remained active for an ex
tended period. He was made executor of the estate
of Thomas McGraw, manager of the McGraw build
ing, became the president of the Globe Tobacco Com
pany and otherwise figured prominently in the busi
ness circles of Detroit.
On the 1st of October, 1884, in this city, Homer
McGraw was married to Miss Anna Anthony, a
daughter of Benjamin M. Anthony of Detroit, who was
one of the . notable citizens of the last generation,
being for many years connected with the Michigan
Stove Company. To Mr. and Mrs. McGraw were
born four children: Howard A., who completed his
schooling at the Detroit University School and is
now in New York city, married Miss Mary Heath of
Battle Creek, Michigan. He served overseas with
the automotive department of the Red Cross, complet
ing his service at Coblenz, Germany; William Harold,
now of Detroit, Michigan, received his preparatory
education at the Detroit University School and the
Asheville School for Boys at Asheville, North Caro
lina. He then entered the University of North Caro
lina. During the World war he served in the ordnance
department and took a very active part in the Am
erican Protective League, in which he held the rank
of lieutenant. Elizabeth J. and Marguerite A. are
at home with their mother. Mrs. McGraw is giving
her daughters the advantage of superior education,
they being now in attendance at the Miss Liggett
School of Detroit, preparing for finishing courses in
the east. Recognizing the encroachments of the man
ufacturing district in what had been a most exclusive
residential neighborhood of Detroit, Mrs. McGraw
disposed of her beautiful property on Cass avenue in
1919 and established her residence at her former sum
mer home, Pinecroft, on Pine Lake, near Pontiac,
Michigan. She has been a very active factor in the
social circles of Detroit and her home has always been
a center of entertainment for her many friends and
acquaintances. In his political views Mr. McGraw was a republican
and for four years he served as one of the aldermen

HOMER McGRAW

CITY OF DETROIT

21

of Detroit and also as a member of the board of
estimates. In 1914 Mr. McGraw was elected repre
sentative from the first district of Wayne county
to the state legislature and had only taken .his seat
a short time before his death. An editorial at the
time of the demise of Mr. McGraw said: "We can
never know how many or how great hopes of public
service died with Homer McGraw, who took cold in
Lansing one week ago and died in his Detroit home,
Tuesday. Mr. McGraw is remembered in public life
for his service as alderman, but he had spent most
of his years as a quiet, unpretentious citizen, loving
the garden and fishing stream. When he came out of
private life to be a candidate for the legislature, it
was a tribute to him and to other McGraw families
that he led the ticket. He was elected without a
public campaign and he took his seat quietly; he
was in the best possible position to work independ
ently, fearlessly and consistently under the endorse
ment of his fellow citizens, and his fellow citizens
needed such representatives. His city and the legisla
ture will lose the promise of his serious judgment and
thoughtful counsel, an influence withdrawn by death
before it was felt in life." He was likewise con
nected with the Board of Commerce and cooperated
heartily in all well defined plans and measures put
forth by that organization for the upbuilding and
benefit of the city. His religious faith was that of
the Episcopal church and he was prominent in Masonic
circles, attaining the Knights Templar degree of the
York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scot
tish Rite. He likewise held membership with the
Mystic Shrine and he belonged to the Detroit, Country
and Detroit Automobile Clubs, while in periods of
leisure he turned to fishing and motoring for recrea
tion. He was a man of many splendid qualities,
highly esteemd for his initiative and enterprise in
business, for his loyalty and progressiveness in citi
zenship and for his devotion to the ties of home and
friendship. WILLIAM R. GROVER, who for many years has
been engaged in the practice of law, both on his own
account and also in conjunction with Mr. James H.
McDonald, a prominent member of the legal pro
fession, is a native of Kansas, born in that state on
November 22, 1879, a son of Eugene and Ellen R.
(Gleason) Grover, who came to Michigan in 1880,
bringing their infant son with them.
Mr. Grover was educated at Kalamazoo College
and at the George Washington University, from which
he was graduated with the class of 1911, but had been
admitted to the bar, in the preceding year, 1910.
Following his admission to the bar, Mr. Grover began
practice with James H. McDonald, at 5981 Woodward
avenue, where he still carries on legal business. Mr.
McDonald has large and varied interests and Mr.
Grover assists him in his affairs, besides carrying on
a general law practice of his own, and in the latter

connection he has succeeded in securing a large and
influential legal practice, which has been advancing
from the very first.
In 1914 Mr. Grover was united in marriage to Miss
Anna O'Shea, and they have become the parents of
two children: Anna R., and Lynn W. Mr. Grover is
a member of the Masonic order, affiliated with Climax
Blue Lodge, No. 59, Ionic Chapter, No. 161, and Mon
roe Council, No. 1, R. & S. M. He takes an active
part in all civic movements designed to advance the
welfare of the community, and he and his wife are
prominent in the social and cultural activities of
Detroit. FREDERICK R. AUSTIN, president of the Ameri
can Legal News Corporation, and a member of the
Detroit bar, is numbered among the native sons of
Detroit, his birth having occurred on the 29th of
January, 1877. His parents were John and Esther A.
(Cook) Austin, to whom were born six children, the
other members of the family being: John L. Austin,
Elizabeth E. Vanderslice, E. Jane Lange, William C.
Austin and Joseph H. Austin, all of whom were born
in Michigan and still reside within the borders of the
state. In the public schools of Detroit, Frederick R. Austin
pursued his education, later entering the law depart
ment of the University of Michigan, which he at
tended from 1897 until 1900, when he received the
degree of LL. B. He at once entered upon the practice
of his profession, becoming associated in the general
practice of law with A'. J. Groesbeek of Detroit, gov
ernor of Michigan for the term extending from 1920
until 1922, and this relationship was maintained until
1904, when Mr. Austin went to Washington, D. C, to
accept a legal position in the government service,
where he was connected with the Department of the
Interior for six years. He continued to follow his
profession for the next six years, gaining broad and
valuable practical experience, and in 1910 he went
to New York city, where he entered the publishing
business, being associated with John Robert Gregg,
a prominent educational publisher. In January, 1911,
he returned to Detroit and purchased the American
Legal News, a monthly law publication of national
circulation. The American Legal News has been the
recognized organ of the collection and commercial law
world, for over thirty years, and numbers among its
subscribers leading members of the bar throughout the
United States and Canada. Mr. Austin is conducting
the publication along the most progressive and modern
lines, and he is a trenchant and forceful writer with
a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the sub
jects which he handles.
On the 1st of March, 1905, Mr. Austin was mar
ried to Miss Mabel C. Dunbar and they have three
children: Robert Dunbar, born October 23, 1905; Fred
erick, Jr., born April 9,. 1913; and Elizabeth Rosemary,
born Aubust 29, 1914.

22

CITY OF DETROIT

In his political views Mr. Austin is a stanch repub
lican and he takes an active and helpful interest in
civic affairs. He has been a close student of the
questions and issues of the day as affecting the wel
fare of the community, state and nation, and his aid
and influence are at all times on the side of advance
ment and improvement. He is an active and earnest
member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and is now
serving on its Americanization committee. He is also
actively identified with the Commercial Law League
of America, the Vortex Club of Detroit, and is a
member of the University of Michigan Club and the
Detroit Automobile Club. During the period of the
World war he rendered effective service to the govern
ment as the secretary of the Four-Minute men of
Detroit and made many addresses as a worker in that
organization. ROBERT M. BROWNSON, a well known and suc
cessful attorney of Detroit, was born in Washington,
Pennsylvania, November 21, 1865, and comes from one
of the most honored and highly respected families in
western Pennsylvania. His father, the late Rev. Dr.
James Irwin Brownson, D. D., LL. D., was pastor of
the First Presbyterian church of Washington, Penn
sylvania, for fifty years and took a foremost part in
the religious and educational work in that section of
the Keystone state, exerting a wide influence as an
ecclesiastic and in connection with educational insti
tutions. He died July 4, 1899, in Washington, Penn
sylvania. The mother of Robert M. Brownson was
Eleanor Aeheson, now deceased, who belonged to one
of the pioneer families of Washington, Pennsylvania,
and one that has been prominent in the business and
professional life of that city ever since its early his
tory. Her brother, Hon. Marcus W. Aeheson, was
circuit judge of the third circuit, United States cir
cuit court of appeals.
Robert M. Brownson was the youngest son in a
family of nine children. His older brothers living are:
Judge James I. Brownson of the twenty-fourth judi
cial district of Pennsylvania; and Rev. Marcus A.
Brownson, D. D., pastor of the Tenth Presbyterian
church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In his early
life Robert M. Brownson attended the schools of his
native city and afterward continued his education in
Washington and Jefferson College, from which he was
graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1886.
He studied law in the office of his brother, James I.
Brownson, Jr., in Washington, Pennsylvania, previous
to coming to Detroit, where for several years he was
identified with mercantile lines. His interest in the
legal profession, however, led him, as a preliminary
to active practice in Detroit, to enter the Detroit Col
lege of Law, from which he was graduated in 1902.
That same year he was admitted to the Michigan
bar and entered upon the practice of his profession
in this city. Through the intervening period, cover
ing nearly twenty years, he has built up a large and

desirable practice and has been very successful in its
conduct. He has been connected with many important
litigated interests and it is well known that he pre
pares his cases with great thoroughness and care and
displays marked resourcefulness in their presentation.
While his devotion to his clients' interests is prover
bial, he never forgets that he owes a still higher
allegiance to the majesty of the law.
On the 12th of October, 1896, Mr. Brownson was
married to Miss Lillian Strokes, daughter of J. S.
Strokes of Cleveland, Ohio. They have gained many
friends during the period of their residence in Detroit
occupying now an enviable position in social circles.
Mr. Brownson is fond of all phases of outdoor life, to
which he turns for rest and recreation. The practice
of law, however, claims the greater part of his time
and attention and he enjoys the respect and confidence
of his colleagues and contemporaries in the Detroit Bar
Association and the American Bar Association.
DAVID BERLIN. When the public to a man calls
an individual by his first name without adding any
modifying adjectives it is sure proof of certain
things: first, that he is approachable; second, that he
is genial; and third, that he is square. His conver
sation may lack "the embellishments of culture" and
"the draperies of literature" but men have learned
to know what he says he will do, that his word is
dependable and that his course will at all times bear
close scrutiny. Such is the record of David Berlin,
who has had a notable career, having within four
years built up a business that amounts to six hundred
thousand dollars annually.
Mr. Berlin was born in Chicago, February 16, 1886,
a son of Jacob and Emma (Jacobstahl) Berlin, who
were natives of Germany. The father engaged in va
rious occupations throughout his life and died in De
troit when still a comparatively young man. The
mother survives and lives in Detroit. Their family
numbered seven children: William, a resident of Win
nipeg, Canada; and Gustave, Louis, Herman, David,
Hattie and Morris, all of Detroit.
At the usual age David Berlin of this review entered
the public schools of Detroit and passed through con
secutive grades to the sixth grade. He then started
out to earn his living and was employed at various
kinds of work but none brought him any notable
remuneration. He was filling a clerkship at a salary
of twenty-one dollars per week when he conceived
the idea that a popular priced automobile accessory
business would be a paying one. His start along this
line was characteristic of the man and his methods.
He purchased four tires on a ninety-day credit and
these he persuaded a friend to buy. With the money
thus secured he obtained a little stock of auto acces
sories and opened a place known as "Dave's Hole in
the Wall." This was in 1910. There was something
unique about his methods, something attractive about
his prices, and soon his establishment won the atten-

ROBERT M. BROWNSON

CITY OF DETROIT

25

tion of a number of automobile owners, who, once
patronizing him, returned to give him further trade.
Soon the business outgrew its quarters and he re
moved to his present location, where he is now carry
ing an enormous stock of all kinds of automobile
accessories. His first three months' profits enabled
him to pay for the four tires which he had pur
chased on credit and he made immediate investment
of all of his earnings, carrying today a stock of auto
mobile accessories and blankets that is valued at
fifty thousand dollars, while his annual sales reach
six hundred thousand dollars.
On the 19th of May, 1912, Mr. Berlin was married
to Miss Rose Abraham of Detroit, a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Jacob Abraham. He belongs to the Detroit
Automobile Club and he is a Master Mason. He has
little time, however, for outside interests, owing to the
rapid growth of his business, which claims his entire
attention. He attributes his notable success in the
past four years to advertising, saying that he had
noticed that the methods of advertising then in vogue
won little attention, and he resolved to put before
the public new ideas that would attract. It may
have been advertising that won him success, but back
of the advertising was the initiative and the sagacity
that enabled him to know what to say and that
brought about a recognition of the fact that adver
tising methods then in vogue meant little in business
development. What he has already accomplished is
indicative of the fact that his future career will be
well worth watching.
CHARLES ALFRED FAGG. As Michigan state
manager for the Fidelity & Deposit Company of Mary
land, one of the country's largest and most important
bonding and burglary insurance corporations, Charles
Alfred Fagg maintains his office headquarters on the
thirteenth floor of the Dime Savings Bank building
and is a prominent and popular figure in insurance cir
cles and business in the Michigan metropolis, the while
his executive position vouches for his special ability
in his chosen sphere of activity.
Charles Alfred Fagg was born at Madison, the fair
capital city of Wisconsin, on the 9th of April, 1881,
and is a son of Peter and Mary (Tillema) Fagg. In
the public schools of his native city Mr. Fagg con
tinued his studies until he had completed a course in
the high school and he gained his initial business ex
perience through his service as a bookkeeper in the
State Bank of Madison, with which institution he
was connected for three years. He then accepted
the position of credit man for the Stoughton Wagon
Works, at Stoughton, Wisconsin, and served in this
capacity for three years. During the ensuing six years
he was credit man for the firm of Bradley & Clark
of Minneapolis, Minnesota, engaged in the handling of
agricultural implements and machinery on a large
scale. He next became assistant manager of the
American Surety Company of Minneapolis, the bond

ing functions of which extended through Minnesota
and North and South Dakota. In the interest of this
corporation Mr. Fagg came to Detroit in 1914, and
assumed assistant management of the office opened
by the company in the Majestic building. In Feb
ruary of the following year, however, he greatly ex
panded the scope and field of his service, as he then
became Michigan state manager for the Fidelity &
Deposit Company, the headquarters of which are in
the city of Baltimore, Maryland. In this connection
Mr. Fagg has made a splendid record, for under his
forceful and progressive direction the increase of the
business of the company in Michigan from the thirty-
two thousand dollars of the first year of his associa
tion with the concern, was represented in the amount
of two hundred fifty thousand dollars for the year
1920. Under his supervision in a general way are
working fully four hundred agents of the company in
Michigan and he has shown fine executive ability in
the marshaling and directing of the constructive
forces at his command. His activities are mainly
concerned with banks and their clients and he has
done an excellent missionary work in bringing to
his clients a due appreciation of the value and pro
tection afforded through the bonding of employes. He
is a progressive business man and loyal citizen who
has found an appreciative welcome to the business and
social circles of Detroit. He is affiliated with the
Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias, is a
stanch republican in polities, and he and his wife
are earnest communicants of St. James Protestant
Episcopal church, of which he is serving as treasurer.
On the 31st of August, 1905, was solemnized the
marriage of Mr. Fagg to Miss Helen Ballantyne of
Charleston, South Carolina, and they have three daugh
ters: Helen A., born February 5, 1907; Elizabeth M.,
born April 24, 1911; and Shirley, born June 12, 1913.
HENRY JOSEPH CLEMENS, who has made for
himself an enviable place in engineering circles in
Detroit and also has become widely known as an edu
cator through his teaching connection with the Detroit
technical evening schools, was born April 9, 1880, in
the city which is still his home, his parents being
Joseph and Catherine (Stellberger) Clemens. Liberal
educational advantages were accorded him, resulting
in his graduation from the University of Michigan in
1904. He was afterward with the engineering depart
ment of the Reliance Automobile Company and
throughout his business career his activity has been
directed in the field of engineering. He was thus
associated with the Western Electric Company of Chi
cago for a time, and returning to Detroit spent two
years as engineer with the McCleary Electric Com
pany. He was afterward with F. F. Van Tuyl of
Detroit, for four years and also was engineer with
the Edward A. Field Company. On the 1st of August,
1909, he began selling and taking contracts for power
plants as representative of the Skinner Engine Com-

26

CITY OF DETROIT

pany of Erie, Pennsylvania, and yet retains that
connection, at the same time conducting business as a
contracting engineer for power plants on his own ac
count. He devoted five years to work as special
teacher of drawing and mathematics in the Detroit
technical evening schools and he is well known as a
member of the University of Michigan Engineering
Society and the National Association of Stationary
Engineers. On the 27th of June, 1906, Mr. Clemens was married
to Miss Ada B. Campbell of Detroit, and they became
the parents of two daughters and a son: A. Isabel,
Lois E. and Neil C. One the 29th of April, 1919, the
wife and mother passed away, her death being the
occasion of deep regret to many friends as well as to
her immediate family, for she occupied an enviable
position in the social circles of- the community in
which she lived.
Mr. Clemens is a member of the Board of Commerce
of Detroit and for two years occupied the position of
trustee of the village of St. Clair Heights. His polit
ical allegiance is given to the republican party and
his religious faith is manifest in his membership in
the Presbyterian church. He is identified with Hotah
Atehay, a fraternity of Detroit, and also with the
United Commercial Travelers and he has membership
in the Exchange and Fellowcraft Clubs. Motoring,
golfing, boating and bowling constitute his diversions
and he is a man whose life has been characterized by
high principles and actuated by the most honorable
purposes. CHARLES T. BUSH, vice president of The Charles
A. Strelinger Company of Detroit and Windsor, On
tario, and viee president of the Federal Machinery
Sales Company of Chicago, dealers in tools and ma
chinery, was born in Detroit, June 2, 1875, a son of
William R. T. and Anna H. (Witherspoon) Bush, the
former a native of the state of New York, while the
latter was born in Canada and came to Detroit about
1850. Mr. Bush won prominence in connection with
the hardware business in the city, conducting busi
ness on his own account for many years, and contin
uing a factor in commercial circles here until his death
in 1919. He had long survived his wife, who died in
Detroit in 1908. In their family were three children:
Robert W., William T. and Charles T. of this review.
The last named is the eldest of the family. He
obtained his education in the public schools and in
the Paul Ziegler Church School of Detroit, and ini
tiated his business career as a salesman for the T. B.
Rayl Company, with which he remained fox some time,
and then became identified with The Charles A. Strel
inger Company, dealers in machinery and tools. He
started with this house in a minor capacity in 1896,
and by unfaltering industry, close application and
ready adaptability to the demands made upon him
he worked his way upward through various positions
and eventually was called to official position, being

now vice president of this company, which is the
largest operating in its line in the middle west. The
Charles A. Strelinger Company is engaged in the sale
of machinery, tools and factory supplies exclusively.
It utilizes one hundred thousand square feet of floor
space, occupying a building at No. 43 East Lamed
street, where it employs two hundred and forty people.
The firm carries the largest stock of the kind in the
middle west, and Mr. Bush is today regarded as one
of the representative business men of Detroit of
notably high standing. Not by leaps and bounds but
by steady progression throughout his business career
he advanced to the executive head. He is also presi
dent and one of the directors of the Allinger-Bush
Realty Company, is the president of the Detroit Real
Estate and Investment Company, a director of the
Detroit Motorbus Company and chairman of the
Bureau of Public Safety of Detroit. Thus his activ
ities cover a wide field and indicate his capability and
resourcefulness in connection with business affairs.
On the 12th of July, 1899, Mr. Bush was married
to Miss Harriett V. Stansell of Detroit, a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Stansell and they have three
children: Helen Harriett, who is attending the Lig
gett school; Charlotte Virginia, a student in the same
school; and Arthur Stansell. Mr. and Mrs. Bush are
connected with many of the leading organizations of
the city. Mr. Bush belongs to a number of the im
portant clubs of Detroit, including the Detroit, De
troit Athletic, Bloomfield Hills Country, Detroit Riding
and Hunt, Bloomfield Hills Open Hunt, Detroit Auto
and the Automobile Country Clubs, in the two latter
of which he is a director, and he also holds membership
in the Detroit Golf, Boat and Aviation Country Clubs.
He is likewise a member of the Board of Commerce
and the Society of Automotive Engineers. He is a
member of Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M., Detroit Com-
mandery, No. 1, Knights Templar and Moslem Temple
of the Mystic Shrine. He stands as a splendid example
of what can be accomplished through individual effort.
He is truly a self-made man in the highest and best
sense of the term and his example should well serve
to encourage others, showing that one may mark out
the path to success and by perseverance continue
therein until the objective is reached.
J. ADOLPH KRUG. As an expert maker of violins
J. Adolph Krug is known to musicians throughout
this country and he has also gained prominence as
a collector of rare instruments, having in his posses
sion one of the most notable collections of violins to
be found anywhere in the United States. He has
resided in this city since 1887, or for a period of
thirty-four years, and is now conducting a business
of extensive proportions. He was born in Altenberg,
Germany, March 13, 1863, a son of Gottlieb and Maria
(Haertel) Krug, who were also natives of that city.
The father was a carriage maker by trade and an
expert workman, and he continued active along that

CHARLES T. BUSH

CITY OF DETROIT

29

line until his demise, which occurred in 1870, and the
mother afterward emigrated to the United States,
passing away in 1908. She had reared a family of two
children: Mrs. Charles Bower, now a resident of Yonk-
ers, New York; and J. Adolph, of this review.
From his sixth to his fourteenth year Mr. Krug
attended the schools of Germany and was then ap
prenticed to one of the leading violin makers of that
country, under whom he received most thorough in
struction, acquiring a comprehensive knowledge of the
art. Thinking to find better business opportunities
in the United States, he crossed the Atlantic with
his mother and sister in December, 1881, when a
young man of eighteen, and on reaching New York
city he there secured a situation. At the end of a
few years he left that city and went to Chicago,
Illinois, where he was employed at his trade until
1887, when he came to Detroit, arriving here on the
3d of March. Opening a small shop, he engaged in
making and repairing violins and also bought and
sold rare and valuable violinceilos, bass viols and other
stringed instruments, being an expert judge of their
value. His first place of business was at No. 16
East Lafayette street, where for many years he re
mained almost hidden away from the world, but known
to artists on the violin and stringed instruments gen
erally, as an expert in his line. In 1920 he was pre
vailed upon to move to a more central location and
is now conducting his interests at No. 1459 Woodward
avenue and the wisdom of this decision is indicated
in the fact that within the past year the volume of
his business has been more than trebled. He is recog
nized as one of the best violin makers in the country
and as an expert judge of the value of stringed instru
ments. He is the possessor of one of the finest and
most valuable collections of rare violins in the United
States, made by the old masters, painstakingly col
lected in the musical centers and remote and hidden
places of Europe. He is an expert judge of tone and
technique and his services are constantly employed in
the selection of artists for concert work and other
professional connections, his opinion being regarded
as authoritative. His supremacy in his art is further
indicated in the fact that at the Detroit International
Exposition of 1889 he was awarded first prize for a
quintet of stringed instruments of his own make and in
1890 he again won the first premium for violins rep
resented by a beautiful bronze medal, which he treas
ures very highly.
On the 17th of June, 1888, Mr. Krug was united
in marriage to Miss Hulda Wailand, a daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wailand, who formerly resided in
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, but are now well known
in business and social circles of Detroit. Three chil
dren have been born to this union: Edward, the eldest,
was born in 1891 and is a graduate of one of the high
schools of the city. He is a veteran of the World
war; Arthur K., bom February 28, 1893, attended the
public and high schools of Detroit and is associated

with his father in business. While serving as a mem
ber of the American Expeditionary Forces in France
he was able to secure a collection of rare old violins,
all of which were badly in need of repair. In gath
ering the instruments he experienced many difficulties
and often came in for his share of criticism and repri
mand when his zeal for an old instrument kept him
away from camp longer than his pass allowed. Most
of the purchases were made in the smaller towns of
France and in the more inaccessible portions of the
country. Many of the instruments are reposing in a
strong safe in the Krug shop, awaiting the time when
the experienced hand of the repair man will restore
to them their long silent voices and put them into the
hands of a player, where they can produce again
the tones that made their makers famous. Arthur K.
is a member of Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M., Michigan
Consistory and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine;
Harold Krug, the youngest of the sons, was born in
1897 and is a graduate of one of the high schools of
the city.
In his political views Mr. Krug, Sr., is a republi
can, interested in the welfare and success of the party.
He is a popular member of the Harmonie Club of
Detroit and fraternally is identified with the Masons,
belonging to Schiller Lodge, No. 32, F. & A. M.,
Michigan Consistory, and to Moslem Temple of the
Mystic Shrine. From an early age Mr. Krug has
been dependent upon his own resources and life has
brought to him many varied experiences. Possessing
marked force of character and strong determination,
he has persevered in the pursuit of a fixed purpose
and success in substantial measure has rewarded his
efforts. He has attained that preeminence which
follows superior ability and concentrated effort and
his supremacy in his art is widely acknowledged.
DAVID W. SIMONS, whose extended activities in
real estate and in banking in Detroit have won him
classification with the leading citizens of Michigan's
metropolis, was born in Kalwaryea, Russia, September
7, 1856, his parents being Simon and Celia (Epstein)
Simons. In his youthful days he was a pupil in
public and private schools of his native city and in
1870, when fourteen years of age, he became a resi
dent of Detroit. Through the early period of his con
nection with this city he was a junk dealer, operating
as a member of the firm of S. Simons & Son. From
that initial point in his business career he extended
his efforts to paper manufacturing, in which he was
engaged until 1890. In the latter year he concentrated
his efforts and attention upon real estate dealing,
buying and selling realty and also engaging in specula
tive building, constructing many houses and also fac
tories in Detroit, his operations being carried on
under the name of the Simons Realty Company. He
is, however, sole owner of the business, which has
constituted an important element in Detroit's de
velopment, for he has negotiated many important

30

CITY OF DETROIT

realty transfers which have led to the business pro
gress of the city. Entering financial circles, he became
the president of the Hamtramck State Bank and
served in that capacity for a number of years.
On the 7th of March, 1882, in Peoria, Illinois, Mr.
Simons was united in marriage to Miss Laura S.
Broudy and they have reared a family of eight chil
dren: Charles C; Sarah, who is the wife of W. Kap
lan; Nathan; George; Sol M.; Mildred; Sylvia; and
Seymour. The last named served with the rank of
lieutenant in the Aviation Corps of the United States
army. Fraternally Mr. Simons is connected with the
Masons, the Elks and the Knights of the Loyal Guard.
He holds to the religious faith of his forefathers and
is president of the Shaaryzedeck Synagogue. He
belongs to the Detroit Real Estate Board and the
Detroit Board of Commerce and in both connections
has done much to further the welfare and advance the
progress of the city. Moreover, he has served his
city in several public capacities. He was appointed
commissioner of publie lighting in Detroit in 1898,
filling that position until 1902 and serving for two
terms as president of the commission. He was then
reappointed for a six years term but resigned. He
is now a member of the Detroit city council to serve
for a term expiring in January, 1922. He served on
all the Liberty Loan drives during the period of the
war, doing splendid work in this connection. He is
the treasurer of the United Jewish Charities, of
which he was the first president, and he is a man of
broad humanitarian spirit, prompting him to extend
constantly a helping hand where aid is needed. His
charity and his patriotism, like his business ability,
are outstanding features in his career. His business
record is truly a notable one, for he started out in
life empty-handed, working his way steadily upward
through the wise utilization of each opportunity that
came to him, each forward step bringing him a broader
outlook and greater chances for successful business
achievement. Since entering the real estate field he
has made notable advancement and is today numbered
among Detroit's men of affluence.
FRED E. HOLMES. Detroit's early development
was like that of most cities — a gradual growth of busi
ness interests and the establishment of stable indus
tries which laid broad and deep the foundation of
future greatness. At length, however, it became the
center of a trade that has made it one of the foremost
industrial cities on the face of the globe and a leader
in the line of automobile manufacturing. The busi
ness opportunities thereby created have been utilized
by men alert, energetic and determined, who have not
only seen but have anticipated the needs and possi
bilities of business in connection with the automobile
trade. Among this number is Fred E. Holmes, now
president of the Fred E. Holmes Company, manufac

turers' agents and dealers in automobile materials.
Along substantial lines he has developed his business
to gratifying proportions, nor has he confined his
efforts alone to this single industry, for he is at the
same time identified with several other important cor
porate interests which have made him one of the real
factors in the development and upbuilding of the city.
Bom at Port Huron, Michigan, November 5, 1872, he
is a son of Almon J. and Sarah Louise (Adams)
Holmes, the former a native of New York, while the
latter is a native of Canada. Both came to Michigan
in early life. The father was a well known marine
engineer and followed that business largely on the
Great Lakes, passing away at Port Huron in 1900.
His widow is now a resident of Royal Oak, Michigan.
They were the parents of five children, of whom Fred
E. is the eldest, the others being: John H., of De
troit; Nellie M., the wife of George Deckebach of
Royal Oak, Michigan; Almon C, treasurer of the Fred
E. Holmes Company and rated as one of the prominent
young business men of this city; and Gladys, the wife
of Clinton J. Allen of Detroit.
Fred E. Holmes acquired his education in the pub
lic schools of Port Huron. When his textbooks were
put aside he started out in the business world as an
employe in the Lowell State Bank of Lowell, Michi
gan, of which he subsequently became cashier, there
remaining until 1898, when he removed to Detroit and
entered the employ of H. Scherer & Company, with
whom he continued for several years. He then re
signed to enter business on his own account in 1907.
He had become interested in the automobile industry
and his activities along that line quickly developed
into the handling of automobile materials. He or
ganized the Fred E. Holmes Company, manufacturers'
agents for automobile materials and parts, and of
this company has sinee been the president. Under
his careful guidance, resulting from sound judgment
and keen discrimination in business affairs, the com
pany has become one of the largest concerns of the
kind in the state, its annual sales being represented
by many figures. As he has prospered, reaching a
place among Detroit's capitalists, he has also extended
, his efforts into other fields and has become particularly
active in connection with the commercialized amuse
ment interests of Detroit. He is now the secretary
and treasurer of the Washington Theatre Company,
having one of the finest motion picture houses in
America. He is likewise the treasurer of the Orpheum
Theatre Company of Detroit, conducting first-class
vaudeville theatres in a number of the leading cities
of the country. Mr. Holmes has likewise become a
director of the Detroit Motor Appliance Company, a
director of the Federal Discount Corporation of De
troit and is financially or officially connected with sev
eral other important business concerns. His judgment
is at all times sound and reliable and that his plans
have been most carefully formulated and executed is
indicated in the high position which he has reached as

FRED E. HOLMES

CITY OF DETROIT

33

a representative of commercial enterprises in Detroit,
a city in which big business is rated by the millions.
On the 2d of October, 1915, Mr. Holmes was married
to Miss Mabelle A. Carroll, of Logansport, Indiana, and
they are well known in the leading social circles of
the city. They have one child, Jean Carroll, whose
birth occurred in Detroit, October 14, 1919. Mr.
Holmes is a Knights Templar Mason, has also taken
the degrees of the Scottish Rite and is a Noble of
Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs
likewise to the Red Run Golf Club, the Wolverine
Automobile Club, Detroit Automobile Club, the Auto
mobile Country Club and the Detroit Yacht Club. All
those forces which make for material, intellectual,
social and moral progress receive his endorsement,
and as a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce
he cooperates in various projects which are put forth
for the benefit and upbuilding of the city and the
endorsement and promotion of high civic standards.
The subjective and objective forces in his life are well
balanced and the purpose of his life is to meet the
obligations which the conditions of society impose at
the present time. Thus while he has developed and
controlled mammoth business enterprises, he has al
ways recognized his duties and obligations in other
connections and Detroit has benefited much by his
activities. He is the president of the Fellowcraft
Athletic Club of Detroit, on the membership roll of
which are found the names of the city's most promi
nent business and professional men.
WILLIAM EDWIN MOSS, whose business career
has followed cumulative processes and whose adapta
tion of constructive methods has led to the develop
ment of some of the important corporate interests of
Detroit, has since 1898 been engaged in the bond
and investment business under the firm name of W. E.
Moss & Company and at the same time has become
financially and officially interested in many corpora
tions that have had to do not only with Detroit's up
building but with business advancement in various
other sections of the country. A native son of In
diana, he was born at Rensselaer, June 24, 1859, his
parents being Gordon A. and Lydia (Greenfield) Moss.
After acquiring a public school education in his native
town he removed to Detroit in 1880, then a young
man of twenty-one years. He made his initial step
in the business circles of this city as an employe of
the hardware establishment of T. B. Rayl & Company
and later he became associated with the Detroit Stove
Works, with which he remained until 1898. In that
year he organized the bond and investment business
that has since been conducted under the style of
W. E. Moss & Company and for many years he has
figured prominently in financial circles and in con
nection with public utilities at various points in the
state. He has likewise become financially interested
in and is treasurer and director of the Coldwater Gas
Light & Fuel Company, Monroe Gas Light & Fuel
Vol. IV— 3

Company, Hillsdale Gas Company, Columbus (Ind.)
Gas Company, the Grand Haven (Mich.) Gas Com
pany, the Citizens' Gas Company of Hannibal, Mis
souri, the Winston-Salem (N. C.) Gas Company, the
Fulton (N. Y.) Fuel & Light Company and in the
Drake Cattle Company, of which he is the president.
Among the numerous other directorates of which he
is a member are the Interstate Fire Insurance Com
pany and the Security Mortgage Company. In pro
moting these public utilities he has contributed to
the development and upbuilding of various sections,
his labors being far-reaching and resultant. He also
has numerous smaller interests and his cooperation
is eagerly sought in behalf of business projects be
cause of his recognized ' enterprise and executive
ability, which enables him to discriminate readily
between the essential and the non-essential in business
affairs. In 1884 Mr. Moss was married to Miss Lelia Drake
of Detroit, and their children were: Edith L., now the
wife of MajoT Russell A. Osmun of Detroit; and Helen
L., who became the wife of Howard S. McGregor and
died in September, 1918. Mr. Moss was again married
in February, 1919, when Eudora Elliott Gallant of
Los Angeles, California, became his wife.
With various organizations and clubs Mr. Moss is
connected. He belongs to the Detroit Stock Exchange,
to the Detroit Club, Detroit Boat Club, Detroit Coun
try Club, Bankers Club, the American Bankers Asso
ciation, the Investment Club Association and the In
diana Society of Chicago. He has long been recog
nized as a strong and resourceful business man who
lias ever employed constructive methods, so that his
path has never been strewn with the wreck of other
men's failures. Responding readily to the call of
opportunity, his activities have not only been force
ful factors in the upbuilding of his own fortunes but
in the development and advancement of public pros
perity as well.
C. LESTER FRENCH, secretary and treasurer of
the Model Body Corporation, is a native of Detroit
and a son of George S. and Mary (Redwood) French,
both of whom were natives of England. The father
came to the United States in 1871 and, establishing
his home in Detroit, made for himself a most credit
able position in the business circles of the city, be
coming vice president of the Houghton & French Ice
& Coal Company.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof,
C. Lester French continued his education in the
Eastern high school of the city and afterward attended
the Detroit Business Institute. He early occupied a
position as bookkeeper in the Dime Savings Bank
and through capability, fidelity and diligence won
promotion to the position of teller in the bank. In
1919, however, he resigned in order to engage in
business on his own account and joined the Model
Body Corporation on the 1st of November, becoming

34

CITY OF DETROIT

its secretary and treasurer. This company does its
own designing and makes open and enclosed bodies,
sample bodies and also hoods. The bodies contain
trays and other automobile equipment, and the firm
has already established a high reputation for its
"model bodies." Mr. French is today the moving
spirit in the company. Quiet in demeanor, he is
nevertheless a forceful and resourceful business man,
ready to meet any emergency and constantly studying
the questions and problems that in any way relate
to the trade in the point of manufacture and of sales.
His thoroughness and energy have been potent forces
in the attainment of the success of the company, which
is constantly growing.
Mr. French is of the Episcopal faith, being a com
municant of the Church of the Messiah, and his po
litical endorsement is given to the republican party.
ADAM RICHARD DEMORY, president of the Tim-
ken-Detroit Axle Company, is numbered among the
prominent industrial heads of Detroit. He is a south
erner, and was born on a farm near Berkeley Springs,
Virginia, a son of Adam Link and Sarah (Daily)
Demory. On his father's side Mr. Demory is of French
and German extraction, while his maternal ancestry in
cludes both English and Irish lineage. The Demory
family goes back a number of generations in the Old
Dominion, among its connections being the Link fam
ily, which is also an old and highly respected one in
that state.
Adam R. Demory spent the early years of his life on
a farm in Virginia and received his preliminary edu-
ucation in the public schools of that state. He was
but five years old when his father died and subsequent
changes in the family led to his making his home
with relatives, the Links, after his tenth birthday.
The limited opportunities of that part of the country
for a young man thrown on his own resources caused
Mr. Demory to leave Virginia when about eighteen
years of age. Locating in Cleveland, Ohio, he remained
there for several years. In the meantime he con
tinued his education, taking a course in commercial
law and bookkeeping. He also studied as a drafts
man and acquired a practical knowledge of the manu
facturing business. His connection with the Timken
interests has been continuous and dates back to 1903,
when he became identified with the Timken Roller
Bearing Company at Canton, Ohio. In 1909 he and
several of his associates came to Detroit and founded
the Timken-Detroit Axle Company, now the foremost
industrial enterprise of its character in America, oper
ating a number of plants in Michigan and one in Ohio.
Step by step Mr. Demory advanced through interme
diate positions until he became the vice president and
general manager of this company. He thus served
for a number of years and in January, 1920, was
elected to the presidency, this being the sequent result
of his thorough understanding of every phase of the
business combined with administrative powers and ex

ecutive ability. Among his other business connections
he is president of the Auto Crank Shaft Corporation
and a member of the board of directors of the National
Bank of Commerce of Detroit.
Mr. Demory has been twice married, his first wife
being Miss Grace Artz, of Cleveland, whose death
occurred in Detroit. The present Mrs. Demory was
previous to her marriage Miss Florence Selden of
New York and is a descendant of one of the old
colonial families of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Demory
have a daughter, Florence Virginia, born in Detroit;
and a son, Richard Selden, born September 18, 1920.
In his religious affiliations Mr. Demory belongs to
the Presbyterian faith and is chairman of the board'
of trustees of the Jefferson Avenue church of that
denomination. He has been a constant student not
only of every phase of business with which he has
been brought into contact either directly or indirectly
but also a student of men and measures and of those
forces which have to do with public progress and im
provement. His appreciation of the social amenities
of life is indicated in his connection with the Detroit
Club, the Country Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the
Lochmoor Club, the Huron Mountain Club and also
the Greenwich (Conn.) Country Club. The Detroit
home of Mr. Demory is in the Grosse Pointe section,
while his summer home is in the Belle Haven dis
trict, overlooking Long Island Sound at Greenwich,
Connecticut. JOHN H. McPHERSON, for years identified with the
business life of Detroit, founder and proprietor of
the Commerce Electric Motor Company, was bom
across the border in Goderich, Canada, March 17,
1872, a son of John and Agnes (Newton) McPherson,
who came to the United States in 1886 and located
in Detroit.
John McPherson, father of the subject of this sketch,
had the distinction of being the first foreman in the
old car barns at Buffalo, New York, when street cars
were hauled by horses.
Mr. McPherson was educated in the public schools
and started his business life with the old Detroit
Motor Company, of which W. C. Mayberry was then
the head, and here Mr. McPherson remained until
1893, when the company went out of business. While
in this employ he lost no opportunity to increase his
knowledge of the motor industry, his application in
this direction serving him well in later times.
The next step taken by Mr. McPherson was to
become associated with the Commercial Supply Com
pany, with whom he remained for seven years. He
then moved to California, but at the end of a year,
in 1901, he returned to the Commercial Supply Com
pany, spending the next eight years with that com
pany. It was in 1909 that Mr. McPherson went into
business on his own account, establishing the Com
merce Electric Company, of which he is the proprietor,
and under his control and supervision all kinds of

ADAM R. DEMORY

CITY OF DETROIT

37

electrical repairing work is done, the company's rep
utation along this line being widely known.
On Thanksgiving Day, 1909, Mr. McPherson was
united in marriage to Helen H. Hassett, and they
have become the parents of one daughter, Marie. Mr.
and Mrs. McPherson take an interested part in the
social and cultural activities of Detroit, and their
support is always unstintingly given to all projects
intended to promote the welfare of the community.
JOHN EDMUND MOLONEY, a prominent member
of the Detroit bar, was born October 3, 1868, in the
city which he still makes his home. His father, Will
iam E. Moloney, born in 1847, was a native of County
Tipperary, Ireland. He came to the United States
with his parents about 1855 and the family home
was established in Detroit about 1862. Four years
later William E. Moloney wedded Gertrude Fey and
they continued residents of this city until called to
their final rest. Mr. Moloney .was very prominent
in the public life of the community, served for two
terms as alderman, and in 1885 was president of the
city council, in which connection he exercised his
official prerogatives in support of many progressive
measures that constituted a valuable contribution to
the upbuilding and welfare of Detroit. He was also
very active in promoting the National Guard move
ment here and was one of the organizers of the Mont
gomery Rifles. He passed away in J.912, .having sur
vived his wife one year.
John E. Moloney pursued his education in the
schools of Detroit, after which he spent five years as
a student in Canisius College in Buffalo, New York,
completing his course there in 1887, after which he
returned to Detroit and became associated with his
father in business. This connection was maintained
until 1892.
He entered upon the study of law in February, 1892,
and on the 14th of December of that year was ad
mitted to the bar. He at once took up the work of
the profession and as the years passed became more
and more intrenched in the ranks of Detroit's leading
and capable lawyers. For a considerable period he
was associated with the Hon. Charles Flowers, under
the name of Flowers & Moloney, and subsequently
was associated with Morrey N. Mendelsohn. The firm
of Moloney & Mendelsohn continued until the latter 's
death in 1920, and soon afterward Mr. Moloney formed
his present partnership with Ernest P. La Joie under
the firm name of Moloney & La Joie.
In Detroit, in 1910, occurred the marriage of John
E. Moloney and Miss Martha Wilson. Fraternally he
is connected with the Elks and Knights of Pythias
and his political support is given to the republican
party. In 1912 Mr. Moloney was exalted ruler of the
local lodge of Elks, during which time plans were
begun for the erection of the present Elks building,
considered the finest structure of its kind in the coun
try. Mr. Moloney was the prime mover in this project

from its beginning until its completion. He is a mem
ber of the Lawyers Club, Detroit Bar Association,
Board of Commerce and the Automobile Club.
Among those who studied law in the office of Mr.
Moloney who have reached prominence in the pro
fession are: Judge Harry J. Dingeman of the circuit
court and ex-Prosecuting Attorney Matthew H. Bishop.
LLOYD H. STRADLEY. As president of the com
pany which bears his name Lloyd H. Stradley is well
known in commercial circles of Detroit, being at the
head of a business of extensive proportions. Ho
handles the candies made by the Bunte Company —
one of the high class and most popular grades on the
market — and his interests are conducted most wisely
and capably, resulting in the attainment of a gratify
ing measure of prosperity. He was born in' Dresden,
Ohio, August 13, 1873, a son of Harvey and Sarah
(Lewis) Stradley, who became the parents of six
children, one of the brothers of the subject of this
review, Carl R. Stradley, being now associated with
him in business.
In the attainment of his education Lloyd H. Strad
ley attended the public schools of Coshocton, Ohio,
and the high school of Martinsburg, after which he
became a student in Dennison University at Granville,
Ohio. On completing his studies he took up educa
tional work and for two years taught in the rural
schools of the state, while for four years he was
principal of schools at Mount Vernon, Ohio, doing ex
cellent work as an educator. He then took up busi
ness pursuits, becoming traveling salesman for the
Swisher Brothers Cigar Company of Newark, Ohio,
and also representing the Deshler Cigar Company and
the A. Kiefer Drug Company. In 1911 he went to
Indianapolis, Indiana, and there engaged in business
for himself as a cigar broker, thus continuing until
1912, when he became associated with the Harry
W. Watson Company of Flint and Detroit, Michigan.
He was identified with that firm until the 1st of
January, 1913, when he again established an inde
pendent enterprise, opening an office on Bates street
in Detroit and conducting his interests under the
name of the Lloyd H. Stradley Company. He is at
present located at No. 61 Jefferson avenue, having
been obliged to seek larger quarters in June, 1918.
He handles the well known Bunte confections, a pop
ular and high grade candy, and employs one of the
most efficient sales forces in Detroit, having ever made
it a point to secure experts in this line, for he has
found that the return in service more than offsets the
increase in salary. As he' ever treats his employes
with the utmost consideration and fairness he has
secured their hearty cooperation and goodwill and
this has resulted in increased efficiency in the operation
of the business. He caters to the retail trade in Wayne
county and his well known reliability and integrity,
combined with his enterprising and progressive

38.

CITY OF DETROIT

methods, have secured for him the confidence and trust
of the public, so that his patronage has now reached
extensive proportions. He carefully supervises every
detail of the business and that he possesses executive
ability of a superior order is indicated in the fact
that within the past three years the volume of his
sales has grown from thirty-seven thousand to five
hundred thousand dollars annually, this being one of
the largest enterprises of the kind in the city. He
has always handled a first-class product in a first-
class manner and has commissioned his sales force
to educate the retail dealers to demand a superior
article and then supply them with it and this is
undoubtedly one of the chief factors in his success.
On the 4th of June, 1902, Mr. Stradley was united
in marriage to Miss Ida Hopkins and they have be
come the parents of two daughters: Mary Elizabeth,
who was born March 2, 1907; and Marjorie Ellen,
bom December 3, 1915. In his political views he is
independent, easting his ballot in favor of the can
didate whom he regards as best fitted for office with
out considering party ties. Fraternally he is. identified
with the Masons, belonging to Highland Park Lodge,
F. & A. M.; to Highland Park Commandery, K. T., No.
53, and to the Consistory and Shrine, and he is also
a member of the Birch Hill Country Club and the
Detroit Board of Commerce. He is a man of kindly,
sympathetic nature and a generous contributor to
many charitable projects. His aid and cooperation
have been found, on the side of progress and advance
ment at all times and he has ever stood for those
forces which work for the uplift of the individual
and the betterment of the community at large. What
he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of
his innate powers and talents. He is alert, ready for
any chance for advancement and equally ready to
meet any emergency, and a substantial enterprise
stands as a monument to his energy, industry and
superior business ability.
JAMES HENRY BOULTER, M. D. Prominence is
not something which fate bestows upon a favorite few
but it is a quality and an attribute to be won through
earnest endeavor, intelligently directed. It is a trite
saying that there is always room at the top, but com
paratively few seem to comprehend this, or lack the
ambition to put forth the effort necessary to reach an
exalted place in any given line of business. Capa
bility is won,' not bestowed, and with a recognition
of this fact in the early part of his professional career,
Dr. James Henry Boulter has steadily advanced until
he occupies a most enviable position among the sur
geons of Detroit. He is of Canadian birth, born in
Ontario, Canada, on the 12th of January, 1877, his
parents being Wellington and Nancy Helen (Sprague)
Boulter. The father was born in Ontario, February
14, 1838, while his father came from England. Wel
lington Boulter i devoted his life largely to the canning
business, and was the pioneer canner of fruits and

vegetables in Ontario, where he established business
in 1882, continuing in the canning and preserving of
vegetables and fruits until 1910, at which time he dis
posed of his business and has since lived retired in
Detroit, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his
former toil. His wife was born April 1, 1843, and
passed away in Detroit, May 1, 1918. In their family
were six children: Frank E. N., the eldest, was the
inspector of canning factories in Ontario for some
time, but passed away April 1, 1909. The others are:
Mrs. E. M. Young and George Edward, both of Picton,
Ontario; Helen Louise, Dr. James Henry and Lillian
Leone, all of Detroit.
Dr. Boulter, who was the fifth in order of birth in
the family, spent his boyhood in attendance at the
public and high schools at Picton, Ontario, after
which he entered the McGill University at Montreal,
Canada, and was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts
degree in the class of 1901, and that of M. D. C. M. in
1903. He received appointment as interne in the Mon
treal General Hospital, in which he continued for a
year, gaining that broad and valuable experience
which comes through hospital practice, and on the
expiration of this period he sought the professional
opportunities offered in the rapidly growing city of
Detroit. During the first ten years of his residence
here he continued in general practice. For the past
nine years he has specialized in general surgery and
today occupies an enviable place as one of the emi
nent surgeons of Detroit. In 1910 he took a trip'
abroad, visiting various prominent medical and sur
gical centers of the old world, in order to improve his
knowledge of major surgery. He visited various clin
ics and hospitals in the different capitals of Europe
and in the British Isles, and decided, upon his return,
to concentrate his efforts and attention upon surgical
work. In 1915 he was admitted to the American
College of Surgeons and was made a fellow and char
ter member of this organization. He belongs as well
to the Wayne County, the Michigan State and the
American Medical Associations, and he is a member
of the teaching staff of the Detroit College of Medi
cine and Surgery, and a member of the surgical staff
of Grace Hospital of Detroit, while his connection
with the Detroit United Railway Company is that of
consulting surgeon.
On the 12th of October, 1910, Dr. Boulter was
married to Miss Evelyn C. Crawford of Denver, Colo
rado, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Crawford
of that city, and they have become the parents of
two children: Frank Crawford, born in Detroit, De
cember 11, 1912; and Edward Malcolm, born August
27, 1917.
Dr. Boulter is a member of the Delta Kappa Ep-
silon, a college fraternity, and is a charter member
of the Tau Alpha Chapter at McGill University, and of
The Academy of Surgery, of Detroit, founded January,
1921. He has membership in the Masonic fraternity,
belongs to Corinthian Lodge, No. 241, F. & A. M.;

DR. JAMES H. BOULTER

CITY OF DETROIT

41

King Cyrus Chapter, No. 133; Detroit Commandery,
No. 1; Michigan Sovereign Consistory; and Moslem
Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Dr. Boulter's club
connections include the Detroit Athletic Club, the
Masonic Country Club, and the Noontide Club. He
resides at 7412 Wilson avenue. His religious faith is
that of the Presbyterian church, and in his practice
there have been many expressions of his belief in the
principle of the brotherhood of mankind.
GEORGE W. HEIGHO is the president of the Cal
vert Lithographing Company of. Detroit, the most
important company of its kind in the middle west.
A native of England, he was born in Essex county
on the 8th of May, 1862, and is a son of George and
Amelia (Stevens) Heigho, who were also natives of
that country and came to America in 1874, first set
tling in Trenton, Wayne county, Michigan, and after
ward removing to Detroit. The father was the first
man appointed Sealer of Weights and Measures at
Detroit, after the creation of the office in connection
with the police department, and served with the rank
of captain to the time of his death, which occurred
October 28, 1901. He had for several years survived
his wife, who passed away in Detroit, May 13, 1897.
They had a family of five children, four of whom
are yet living: George W.; Mrs. A. S. Hook, of De
troit; Colonel Edgar M. Heigho, of Boise, Idaho, who
was the promoter and president of the railroad from
Weiser to New Meadows, Idaho, and was the founder
of the town of New Meadows; and Mrs. Florence M.
Hook, living at Los Angeles, California.
George W. Heigho received his education at the
Palmer Endowed school at Grays Thurrock, England.
His first employment in Detroit was at the Detroit
Stove Works and later he was with Prince & Welling
ton, groeers, Samuel J. Kelso, attorney, and R. G.
Dun & Company. On the 7th of February, 1881, he
became a clerk witti the Calvert Lithographing Com
pany, with which concern he has since been associated.
He worked his way up and in 1900 was elected to
office as secretary and treasurer of the company, in
which he continued for ten years. In March, 1910,
he was called to the presidency, which office he still
holds, and he is also the largest stockholder. Mr.
Heigho is a member and one of the directors of the
National Association of Employing Lithographers; a
member and vice president of the Label Manufactur
ers National Association; also a member of all import
ant national and local organizations dealing with in
dustrial and civic matters.
On the 1st of March, 1904, Mr. Heigho was married
to Miss Edna Fillmore Webster, daughter of Edward
F. Webster of this city. They have one child, Will
iam Stevens, who was born October 7, 1905, and is
attending a preparatory school. They reside at No.
310 Chicago boulevard and Mr. Heigho turns to golf
and motoring for recreation. He belongs to the De
troit Golf Club, Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit Boat

Club, the Detroit Automobile Club, the Detroit Mont
gomery Rifles and is also a member of the Masonic
fraternity, the Knights of The Maccabees and the
Young Men's Christian Association. His political be
lief is that of the republican party and in all po
litical matters he manifests progressive tendencies.
His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church.
His progress has resulted from close application, un-
abating industry and energy.
W. A. DAVID, for years established as a manufac
turer in Detroit, at present manager of the Grand
Rapids Blow Pipe Company, which he helped to start
in 1912, is a native of Michigan, born in Muskegon
county, February 28, 1867. His father and grand
father also lived in Detroit.
Mr. David was educated in the public schools, and
later learned the trade of sheet metal worker in this
state, in the town of Coopersville. On the completion
of his apprenticeship he moved to Grand Rapids,
where he worked for several years, the latter part of
the time with C. B. Neweomb of the Grand Rapids
Blow Pipe Company.
It was in 1912 that Mr. David came to Detroit and
in conjunction with Mr. Neweomb established the
Grand Rapids Blow Pipe Company. The Detroit con
cern, however, is a seperate undertaking, and is
managed and controlled by Mr. David. The company
handles orders for nearly every big factory in Detroit
and vicinity. Recently the Detroit company installed
a blower system for the Fisher Body Corporation, which
'is the largest of its kind in Michigan. Mr. David,
since coming to Detroit and embarking as a manu
facturer, has never had reason to look back, this
satisfactory condition of affairs being due in great
measure to his knowledge of the business and to his
sound judgment.
In November, 1890, Mr. David was united in mar
riage to Effie May Guileman, and they are the parents
of one son, Hugh W. David, who is associated in
the business with his father. Mr. David is a member
of the Masonic order, affiliated with Detroit Blue
Lodge, No. 2, with the King Cyrus Chapter and
Damascus Commandery. He is a member of the Fel-
lowcraft Club, the Detroit Masonic Country Club,
and the Board of Commerce, in the affairs of all of
which he takes a warm interest, as he also does in
all civic matters calculated to advance the social and
commercial prosperity of the city of his adoption,
where he is known as an excellent citizen and thorough
business man.
HENRY WAGNER, JR. The vast wholesale bakery
plant conducted under the name of the Wagner Baking
Company at Detroit has been largely developed and
improved by Henry Wagner, Jr., who is now the
directing head of a vast enterprise that is surpassed
in the middle west only by Chicago establishments
of this character. The name of Wagner has been

42

CITY OF DETROIT

associated with the baking business in Detroit since
1869, when Henry Wagner, Sr., opened a small busi
ness that constituted the nucleus of the present mam
moth concern. Henry Wagner, Sr., was born in Prus
sia, Germany, and came to America in 1867, arriving
in Detroit on the 1st of May of that year. On the
1st of April, 1869, he established the Wagner Bakery
in a small building on Grand River avenue and re
mained a factor in the trade until his death, which
occurred in this city in 1900, when he had reached
the age of eighty-seven years, although his sons had
long since relieved him of the active care and respon
sibilities of the business. He married Helena Girst,
also a native of Germany.
Their family included Henry Wagner, Jr., who was
born in Prussia, June 10, 1852, and who was therefore
about fifteen years of age when the family emigrated
to the new world. He had attended the schools of
his native land and learned the baking business under
the direction of his father, working in various depart
ments of the Detroit plant until he had gained an
intimate and comprehensive knowledge of the business,
and is therefore most thoroughly qualified to direct
the labors of those who are in his employ. The busi
ness, as indicated, was established and developed by
the father and has been carried on by the sons, who
have made this one of the most extensive productive
industries of the kind in the middle west. The busi
ness was incorporated under the name of the Wagner
Baking Company, with Edward Wagner as president,
John Wagner as vice president and Henry Wagner,
Jr., as secretary, treasurer and manager. The build
ing covers a ground space of three hundred and sev
enty-eight by two hundred and seventy-four feet. Its
equipment is thoroughly modern in every particular
and it is one of the most sanitary plants of the
kind in the world. The bread is never handled by
human hands from the time the bulk of flour is meas
ured out until it is ready for delivery. The plant
was planned and erected after an extended tour of
the country had been made by Mr. Wagner to all
the most important bakery plants. He carefully noted
what was best in each one and incorporated the
idea into his own modern bakery. The building was
erected with the strongest concrete supports to main
tain the tremendous capacity of weight on the upper
floors, where can be stored a million pounds of flour.
This is apparently a new departure in large wholesale
bakeries and the idea originated with Mr. Wagner,
who placed the flour on the upper floors to avoid
handling after it is stored in the building. From
the upper floors it is run through chutes to the mixers
and is never again touched by human hands until
ready for the delivery wagons. So clean and sanitary
is everything about the establishment that a visit
thereto is of the utmost delight as one views the
scientific and mechanical processes that are employed
in the manufacture of bread. In connection with
the bread baking a large shipping department is

maintained and the company also owns an extensive
stable and garage, the former eighty by one hundred
and twenty feet and the latter eighty by eighty feet.
The employes number three hundred and the company
is a close corporation. Henry Wagner, Jr., is also
a director of the Wagner Building Company of De
troit. On the 18th of May, 1878, Mr. Wagner was married
to Miss Wilhelmina Neubronner of Detroit, and they
have four children: Henry E., born in Detroit and
educated in the high school and in the Detroit Busi
ness University, married Theresa Caderette of Mar
quette, Michigan, and is now connected with the
Wagner Baking Company; Otto A., born and educated
in Detroit, attending the high school and a business
college, is also with the Wagner Baking Company.
He married Miss Amie Brickman of Detroit, and they
have one child, William; Helen is the wife of Frank
S. Gmeiner and they have one child, Wilfred; Adele,
a graduate of the Detroit high school, is at home.
Mr. Wagner is a republican in his political views.
Fraternally he is a Mason who has attained the Knights
Templar degree of the York Rite and has also taken
the consistory degree in the Scottish Rite and is a
Mystic Shriner. He belongs to the Concordia Singing
Society and has ever been a lover of music. He is
connected with the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and
is interested in all those forces which make for the
city's benefit and upbuilding. He has here made his
home through fifty-three years and throughout almost
the entire period he has been connected with the
baking business, entering his father's employ when
the latter established a small bakery in 1869. The
business has been developed with the growth of the
city until it is today one of the most important com
mercial interests of Detroit, in which the most careful
systematization is maintained, while the most pro
gressive methods of scientific bread making have been
employed in the production of a product, the popular
ity of which has enabled the company to develop one
of the largest plants of the kind in the Mississippi
valley outside of Chicago.
THOMAS W. McINERNEY. As president of the
Faltis Poultry Market and the Royal Shoe Company,
Thomas W. Mclnerney occupies a prominent position
in commercial circles of Detroit and in business mat
ters his judgment has ever been found sound and
reliable and his enterprise unfaltering. He is a
man of resolute purpose and marked strength of char
acter and he has ever directed his business by rules
which govern strict integrity and unfaltering industry.
He has spent his life in Detroit and has therefore wit
nessed the rapid development of the city and in the
work of general improvement and upbuilding he has
borne his full share.
Mr; Mclnerney was born September 15, 1865, at
Fifth and Abbott streets, in the section of the city
then known as Corktown, a son of Patrick and Mar
garet (White) Mclnerney, who reared a family of six

THOMAS W. McINERNEY

CITY OF DETROIT

45

children, the others being John, Margaret, Mary, Ed
ward and Patrick. He pursued his education in the
parochial schools of Detroit, after which he entered
the Jesuit College of this city, where he remained a
student for three years. On starting out in the busi
ness world he became an employe of the Detroit Elec
tric Company, manufacturers of electrical equipment,
working in their shop for fifteen years, and during
the last five years of that period he acted as foreman.
He then entered business on his own account, estab
lishing the Royal Shoe Company, of which he became
president, the first location of the business being at
the corner of State street and Woodward avenue,
whence a removal was subsequently made to the
Stevens building. The company handles the E. F.
Wright shoe, which is one of the highest grades of
shoes manufactured, and has built up a large patron
age, theirs being one of the leading stores of the
kind in the city. They employ a large force of ex
perienced salesmen and their courteous treatment of
customers, combined with their reasonable prices and
well known reliability and integrity, has recommended
them to the general public. Being a man of resource
ful business ability, Mr. Mclnerney extended his ef
forts in other directions and in October, 1911, he
purchased the Faltis Poultry Market from his brother-
in-law, John Faltis, whose father, John Faltis, had
been the founder of the business, of which the sub
ject of this review is now the sole owner. This mar
ket is capable of handling twenty-one thousand head
of poultry and is the largest exclusive poultry market
under one roof in the entire country. It is equipped
with a refrigerating plant, also generates its own elec
tricity and is one of the most modernly appointed and
sanitary plants in the world. This is the only plant
in Detroit which handles poultry exclusively, killing,
packing and catering to the wholesale trade. They
handle none but the highest grades of poultry and the
volume of their business is limited only by the supply
which they are able to obtain from the farmers with
whom they deal. Their business is conducted on a
strictly cash basis, all bills being promptly met, and
they have thus established an excellent standing in
commercial circles of the 'city, the farmers preferring
to deal with them, owing to this fact. They employ
the most modern methods of handling the poultry,
everything being kept in the most sanitary condition,
resulting in the elimination of all objectionable odors,
so that the market has become recognized as a model
of its kind. Mr. Mclnerney 's four sons are associated
with him in the business, which ranks with the largest
commercial enterprises of the eity, their patronage
having reached extensive proportions. He also has
invested heavily in real estate, believing that this
city is destined to become one of the greatest indus
trial centers of the country, and he is preeminently a
business man whose record is written in terms of
success. He possesses a genius for organization and an
aptitude for successful management. Two large com

mercial enterprises stand today as monuments to his
enterprise, executive ability and administrative direc
tion. Mr. Mclnerney and other Detroit capitalists
effected the organization of St. John's Miami Beach
Casino Company at Miami Beach, Florida, owning one
of the finest beach properties in the country.
On the 22d of January, 1888, Mr. Mclnerney was
united in marriage to Miss Mary Faltis and they have
become the parents of six children: Thomas P., who
was born in 1890, wedded Mary Stelzer of Detroit,
and has one daughter, Dorothy May; Harold W.,
whose birth occurred January 15, 1893, married Miss
Mary Maloney of Detroit, and they now have four
children, Rose Mary, Geraldine, Mary Grace and Pa
tricia; Leo Frank, who was born in July, 1898, married
Edna Fitzpatrick of Detroit, and they have a daugh
ter, Helen Louise; Gerald J., the next of the family,
was bom on the 21st of December, 1901; Florence
Josephine was born January 20, 1903'; William, whose
birth occurred April 17, 1906, passed away on the
23d of February, 1915.
In his political views Mr. Mclnerney is a democrat
and in religious faith he is a Catholic. He belongs to
the Knights of Columbus and is an active and earnest
member of the Board of Commerce, heartily cooper
ating in the plans and projects of that organization
for the development and upbuilding of the city, while
the nature of his recreation is indicated by his mem
bership in the Aviation Country Club and the Fellow-
craft Club. What he has accomplished represents the
fit utilization of his innate powers and talents. He
possesses the foresight, the self-reliance and the busi
ness sagacity necessary to carry on large enterprises
successfully and he stands today one of the foremost
figures in business circles of Detroit, while his activi
ties have constituted factors in the city's splendid
development and upbuilding. Mr. Mclnerney resides
at 449 West Willis avenue.
JOHN GOSCHENHOFER, treasurer and superintend
ent of the Enterprise Foundry Company and thus
identified with the industrial activity of Detroit, was
born in 1860, in the city which is still his home, and
is indebted to the publie school system for the educa
tional opportunities which he enjoyed in his youth
ful years. When he felt it incumbent upon him to
provide for his own support he secured employment
in a picture frame factory, in which he continued
for three years, after which he learned the moulder's
trade, starting out in that connection as an employe
of the Detroit Stove Works. He worked in nearly
all of the stove factories in Detroit, gaining more
and more knowledge of the business as he passed
from one position to another, until he became recog
nized as an expert moulder and foundryman. Later
he was one of six moulders who banded together to
establish the Enterprise Foundry Company in April,
1895. He became one of the incorporators of the
company and for a number of years has been the

46

CITY OF DETROIT

superintendent and treasurer. In the former position
he has largely directed the activities of the plant
and his long personal experience well qualified him
for the responsible and onerous duties that devolve
upon him in this connection. The business has been-
a very prosperous one, its patronage steadily growing
as the years have passed. In 1920 the firm increased
the capacity of the plant by one-third, through the
erection of a new brick addition. The company em
ploys from one hundred and fifty to one hundred
and sixty men and manufactures all the castings for
the Burroughs Adding Machine Company, it being the
only factory in Detroit that does this fine class of
work. The firm makes a specialty of light castings
and its business is steadily increasing as its efficiency
becomes more and more widely known. Mr.Goschen-
hofer is recognized as an expert in his line. He is
a man of caution, who tempers progressiveness with a
safe conservatism and makes no false moves in busi
ness. Mr. Gosehenhofer was united in marriage to Miss
Vyrena Neville and they have become parents of
four children: Vyrena, who is now Mrs. Sidney Bock-
stanz; Vera, who is the wife of Robert Batchelor;
Phyllis; and Evelyn. The religious faith of the par
ents is that of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Gos
ehenhofer is also a member of the Mendelssohn Club.
MAJOR THOMAS P. CAMELON, M. D. When
on the 7th of April, 1921, it was announced that Dr.
Thomas P. Camelon had passed from this life, the
deepest regret was felt throughout the eity, where
for a quarter of a century he had practiced success
fully as a specialist in the treatment of diseases of
the eye, ear, nose and throat. His professional posi
tion was one of prominence, while his personal qual
ities endeared him to all who knew him. His life,
moreover, was clharacterized by a lofty patriotism
that found expression in immediate offer of his serv
ices to the government when America entered the
World war. Dr. Camelon was bom in London, Onta
rio, on the 11th of December, 1870, and was one of a
family of four children, whose parents were the Rev.
David and Margaret (MacNaughton) Camelon. The
father was a Scotch Presbyterian minister, who de
voted his life to the work of preaching the gospel and
to the rearing of his family, among whom two daughters
now survive: Mrs. William DeLany of Coburg, On
tario; and Mrs. Frederick Weir, living in Peterboro,
Ontario; and a son, John M., who is engaged in the
practice of law in Chicago.
The father was ambitious that the children should
have excellent educational opportunities, and after at
tending the public schools of his native city Dr. Came
lon continued his studies in Queens University and
in McGill University at Montreal, being a graduate
of both institutions. Thorough preliminary training
well equipped him for the practice of medicine and
surgery, and for a quarter of a century prior to his

death he was a well known physician of Detroit, who
gained high standing as an aurist and laryngologist.
He studied broadly along the line of his specialty
and gained a high degree of efficiency as a practi
tioner in his chosen field. The only interruption to his
professional service after his removal to Detroit, came
with his entrance into the World war. He enlisted
as a member of the Medical Corps and was commis
sioned a first lieutenant at Fort Benjamin Harrison
on the 4th of August, 1917. Soon afterward he
went overseas for service in the field hospitals of
France. He was a member of Company Three Hun
dred and Ten, Field Signal Battalion, of the Eighty-
fifth Division, and during his overseas service was
advanced to the rank of major. He undermined his
health by hard work in the hospitals, however, and
never regained his vitality. He was discharged from
the service on the 1st of June, 1919, and immediately
resumed his practice in Detroit, but contracted pneu
monia from a patient and because of his weakened
condition succumbed to the disease.
On the 15th of September, 1908, Dr. Camelon was
married to Miss Edith L. Hartwell, a daughter of
George E. Hartwell. Mrs. Camelon is well known in
the social circles of Detroit. In his political views
Dr. Camelon was a stanch republican, giving stalwart
support to the party at all times, after becoming an
American citizen. He was also prominent in Masonic
circles, belonging to Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M.;
King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M.; Monroe Council, R.
& S. M.; Michigan Sovereign Consistory, A. A. R. S.;
Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; and Moslem Temple
of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belonged to the
Masonic Country Club, had membership in the De
troit Athletic Club and in Lamed Post of the
American Legion and also with the Officers of the
Great War. Along strictly professional lines he was
connected with the Wayne County, Michigan State and
American Medical Associations, and at all times im
proved every opportunity to broaden his knowledge
and promote his efficiency in his chosen field of labor.
His professional duties were most conscientiously dis
charged and in every relation and every connection
of life loyalty was one of his marked character
istics. Well may it be said of him "a hero has fallen
but because of such as he the republic lives."
FRANK MacMILLAN, who since 1910 has been
manager of the paint department of the Frohlich
Glass Company, one of the largest enterprises of this
character in Detroit, has become well known in trade
circles of the city and his initiative spirit, progress
iveness and excellent business ability have been im
portant contributing factors in the growth of the
enterprise. He was born in Germantown, Ohio, a
son of John and Ann (Schafer) MacMillan, who be
came the parents of four children, but he is the only
member of the family who survives. He attended the
public schools of Germantown and Dayton, Ohio, and

MAJOR THOMAS P. CAMELON

CITY OF DETROIT

49

on laying aside his textbooks became a clerk in the
employ of the Thresher Varnish Company, a close
corporation, with which he was identified for a period
of twenty years. His close application, faithfulness
and ready adaptability won him merited promotion
and he was made a traveling salesman for the firm,
his territory covering the entire country, so that he
acquired an extensive acquaintance among retail paint
and varnish dealers and became thoroughly familiar
with the business. In 1910 Mr. MacMillan came to
Detroit as manager of the paint department of the
Frohlich Glass Company, whom he had previously
represented as a traveling salesman for about three
years, and the value of his services to the corporation
is shown in the fact that since he assumed charge
of this department its volume of sales has steadily
increased until is is now over fifteen times in excess
of the amount of business transacted in this line
previous to his connection therewith, the trade ex
tending throughout the states of Michigan, Indiana
and Ohio. He combines a thorough understanding of
the principles of merchandising with executive ability
of a high order and has therefore succeeded in main
taining a high degree of efficiency in the operation of
his department, so that his cooperation has proven
a strong element in the continued growth and de
velopment of the company which he represents. The
Frohlich Glass Company is one of the old and sub
stantial mercantile enterprises of the city, occupying
a foremost position in the lines in which it specializes,
and the firm name has long been a synonym for in
tegrity, progressiveness and reliability in business
circles of Detroit.
In 1916 Mr. MacMillan was united in marriage to
Miss Anna Fritz of Kendallville, Indiana, and they
reside in an attractive home at No. 838 Putnam
avenue. He is a republican in his political views and
fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order,
in which he has attained the thirty-second degree.
He is a life member of the York Rite at Dayton,
Ohio, and also belongs to Michigan Sovereign Con
sistory and to the Shrine. He has attained success by
strict integrity, the conscientious discharge of all
obligations and an unremitting attention to an indus
try in which he takes great interest and which he
thoroughly understands. As a business man his stand
ing is of the highest and in all matters of citizenship
his influence is on the side of advancement and im
provement. FRED WILBUR SMITH, for many years well
known as a representative member of the Detroit bar,
has since July, 1913, been connected with civil service
work and is now chief examiner and secretary of the
civil service commission of this city. He was born in
Cass county, Michigan, September 1, 1871, a son of
William H. and Melissa (Jones) Smith, who are also
natives of this state and are now residing in Detroit.
Fred W. Smith, who is one of a family of five
Vol. IV— 4

children and the only son born to his parents, sup
plemented his public school education by a law course
in the University of Michigan, being graduated in
1894 with the LL. B. degree. He first opened an
office in Decatur, Michigan, and after about a year
there spent sought the opportunities of the broader
field offered in Detroit and has been a resident of
this eity since 1895. He practiced as a member of
the firm of Smith & Curtis until 1909 and then con
tinued independently, remaining an active member of
the bar until July, 1913, when he took up civil service
work, in which connection he has rendered to the
city most important service. He is now chief examiner
and secretary of the civil service commission and
while thus serving has practically organized a new
department, systematizing the work in a most efficient
manner. His appointment to the office came to him
through the board of examiners.
At Buchanan, Michigan, on the 1st of May, 1895,
Mr. Smith was married to Miss Rose M. Simmons
and they are parents of two children: Hallett F. and
Helen D. Mr. Smith is a member of the Detroit
Athletic Club. He is a Knights Templar Mason and
Mystic Shriner and his political affiliation is with the
republican party. He has long been keenly interested
in public problems and served as a member of the
common council of Detroit from 1899 until 1905, act
ing as president in 1902. In 1905 he was secretary
to Mayor George P. Codd and from 1906 until 1909
was police commissioner. He is among the more prom
inent of the younger business men of Detroit,
thoroughly alive to the issues and demands of the
hour and with the keenest recognition of the duties
and obligations as well as of the privileges and op
portunities of citizenship. Identified with the best
clubs of the city, his associations are of the highest.
FRED PARKER CHILD, manager of the distribut
ing branch of the General Cigar Company at Detroit,
was born in Malone, New York, September 5, 1866.
His youthful days were spent in the home of his
parents, Gardner A. and Adelaide (Parker) Child,
and he supplemented his early education by study in
the Franklin Academy of his native city. He then
took up the occupation of farming, which he followed
in the Empire state until 1889, at which time he turned
his attention to commercial pursuits, being engaged
in the furniture business at Malone, New York, from
1889 until 1895. In the latter year he removed to
Chicago, where he entered the employ of Sprague,
Warner & Company as cigar salesman. In August,
1904, he became associated with the well known cigar
manufacturing and importing firm, the Best & Russell
Company, and has since been associated with that
house, which in March, 1916, was taken over by the
General Cigar Company. On the 1st of May, 1908,
he came to Detroit as a salesman and later on, when a
distributing branch at this point was opened, was

50

CITY OF DETROIT

put in control of the business here, which under his
guidance has developed to extensive proportions.
On the 2d of March, 1886, Mr. Child was united
in marriage to Miss Frances G. Ashworth of Plymouth,
England, and they have become the parents of two
daughters: Katherine and Isabel. The religious faith
of the family is that of the Baptist church and Mr.
Child is interested in all those forces and agencies
which make for upright manhood and honorable citi
zenship. He gives his political allegiance to the re
publican party and is identified with the Board of
Commerce, thus manifesting his interest in everything
that has to do with the city's welfare, the extension
of its trade relations and the maintenance of high
civic standards. Fraternally he is a Mason, having
taken the degrees of the lodge and chapter, and the
craft finds in him an exemplary follower of its
teachings. GEORGE WILLIAM CARTER! One of the best
known men in insurance circles in the state of Michi
gan is George William Carter, vice president of the
Detroit Insurance Exchange. He is an alert, ener
getic business man and in the conduct of the interests
under his charge displays marked ability and sound
judgment. He was born at Hamilton, North Dakota,
September 4, 1886, a son of John M. and Sarah
(Winter) Carter. After completing his public school
education he pursued a night course in a business
college at Chicago, Illinois, and in 1900 entered the
field of insurance, in which he has continued active.
On the 15th of January, 1913, he came to the Detroit
Insurance Agency as manager and his successful work
in that connection led to his selection for the office
of vice president in 1915, which office he still retains.
He is thoroughly familiar with the business and ranks
with the most successful insurance men of the eity.
On the 28th of October, 1914, Mr, Carter was united
in marriage to Miss Anna M. McNulty of Chicago,
and they have become the parents of a daughter, Con
stance Virginia, born April 3, 1916, in Detroit. He is
a popular member of the Ingleside, Detroit Golf, Oak
land Hills Country and Detroit Athletic Clubs and his
concern in the welfare and progress of his city is
indicated by his membership in the Detroit Board of
Commerce, in whose proceedings he is actively inter
ested, being chairman of the fire prevention committee.
He is also identified with the Insurance Federation of
Michigan, of which he is one of the directors, and for
merly was president of that body. In 1920 he was
president of the Insurance Exchange of Detroit. Al
though but thirty-five years of age, Mr. Carter has
already won a notable measure of success, owing to
his close application and persistent effort and also to
the fact that he has continued in the line of activity
in which he embarked as a young man, thereby ac
quiring a specialized knowledge of the subject. As
the architect of his own fortunes he has builded
wisely and well and in winning business advancement

he has at the same time gained the respect and good
will of those with whom he has been associated. Mr.
Carter resides at No. 35 Burlingame avenue.
JOHN WARD WESTCOTT, of The J. W. Westeott
Company, vessel agents of Detroit, was born in this
city December 22, 1883, a son of John Ward and
Henrietta (Crane) Westeott. The father was born
on Lime Island in the Sioux river of Michigan, while
the mother is a native of New Jersey and came to this
state in early life. The grandparents in the paternal
line were David H. and Mary Jane (Ward) Westeott,
early pioneer settlers of Michigan. While spending
his youthful days under the parental roof John Ward
Westeott obtained a public school education. His
father, Captain J. W. Westeott, established business
in Detroit in 1874, under the name of J. W. Westeott,
and continued this style until July 1, 1910, when he
incorporated it under the name of The J. W. Westeott
Company. Today this is the oldest vessel agency in
the state, the business being now conducted by his
sons. The father remained active in connection there-
¦ with until his death, which occurred August 17, 1913.
He was also • interested in many other enterprises for
the welfare of Detroit and served as alderman in
1883, thus bearing his part in the public activity of
the city. His religious faith was that of the Epis
copal church. His widow survives and is living in
Ann Arbor. In their family were four children:
Charles H., who is connected with the J..W. Westeott
Company; Mary Louise, of Ann Arbor; Mrs. C. L.
Loos of Ann Arbor; and John Ward.
The last named attended the public and high schools
of Detroit and later secured a position in the Home
Savings Bank of this city, remaining with that in
stitution for three years, during which time he rose
from the position of messenger to that of receiving
teller. At length he resigned and entered his father's
office, while later he and his brother, Charles H. West
eott, succeeded the father in the ownership of the
business, which is very successfully conducted. It is
still known as The J. W. Westeott Company and a
business of substantial proportions has been developed.
The main office is in Detroit, and it has two branch
offices: one at Livingstone Channel, established Octo
ber 1, 1910; and the other at Limekiln Crossing,
established April 1, 1914.
On the 30th of December, 1907, Mr. Westeott was
married to Miss Hazel Squier of Detroit, who passed
away November 23, 1916, leaving one child, John
Ward, who was born February 5, 1910, and is now
attending the Onarga Military Academy of Onarga,
Illinois. For his second wife Mr. Westeott chose Miss
Mildred Simpson, daughter of Joseph Burt Simpson.
Their marriage was celebrated July 26, 1917, and
they have become the parents of a daughter, Mildred
June, born July 10, 1919.
Mr. Westeott and his wife are members of the
Congregational church and they have many warm

GEORGE W. CARTER

CITY OF DETROIT

53

friends in Detroit, the number being constantly aug
mented as the circle of their acquaintance broadens.
Mr. Westeott belongs to the Detroit Yacht Club and
to the Masonic Country Club. He is well known
as a faithful' follower of Masonie teachings, belong
ing to Kilwinning Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; King Cyrus
Chapter, R. A. M.; and Detroit Commandery, K. T.
SAMUEL SELINSKY, well known in Michigan and
neighboring states through his connection with the
men's furnishing trade, with which he has been iden
tified for several years, especially as a partner in the
Mohawk Overall Company, is a native of Detroit,
bom on December 25, 1870, a son of Louis and Bertha
(Joseph) Selinsky, the former of whom came to De
troit from Poland about 1850. He spent the remainder
of his life in Detroit, passing away here in 1914.
Samuel Selinsky was educated in the public schools
and commenced his working career as a newsboy in
Detroit for four years, between the ages of ten and
fourteen. Some time later he went to work for the
Peerless Manufacturing Company, where he was em
ployed for sixteen years, during this time having had
an excellent opportunity, of which he fully availed
himself, to learn the garment manufacturing trade in
all its branches, including everything from cutting
to marketing. In 1905 Mr. Selinsky decided to go
into business on his own account and in that year
he joined with Joseph Decker in organizing the
Mohawk Overall Company. The company manufac
tures on an extensive scale, being jobbers of men's
shirts, pants and overalls, in the handling of which it
has an extensive trade, covering Michigan, Ohio, In
diana, and Wisconsin. From the very commencement
the business has been successfully conducted, due in
large measure to the untiring energy and business
acumen displayed by Mr. Selinsky and his partner,
Mr. Decker.
On June 16, 1897, Mr. Selinsky was united in mar
riage to Fannie Abram, and they have become the par
ents of two daughters : Helen and Mrs. Laura Bernstein.
Mr. Selinsky is a member of the Detroit Credit Mens
Association, of the National .Association of Garment
Manufacturers, and of the Detroit Board of Commerce,
in the affairs of all of which he takes a helpful in
terest. He is also a member of the B'nai B'rith. Mr.
Selinsky is generally regarded as a live business man,
broad-minded and full of American ideas.
Mr. Selinsky 's partner, Joseph Decker, who is as
sociated with the general management of the Mohawk
Overall Company, is a native of Germany, where he
was born in 1867. At the age of seventeen years
Mr. Decker immigrated to the United States and
coming out to Michigan, started as a clerk in a
store at Calumet, this state. After five years he went
into business for himself and so continued until he
and Mr. Selinsky established the Mohawk Overall
Company in 1905. As already stated the company
has made rapid commercial strides since being organ

ized and to this healthy condition Mr. Decker has
contributed in no small degree.
On June 14, 1895, Mr. Decker was married to Alice
Schott, and they have become the parents of two
children: Frederick S. and Mrs. Elsa Baasiehes of
Cleveland, Ohio. Frederick S. Decker enlisted in the
navy soon after this country had entered the World
war; he joined the radio service and was operating
in and around Charleston until a month after the
signing of the armistice.
Mr. Decker is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
of the Commercial Travelers Association, and of
B'nai B'rith, in the affairs of all of which he takes
a warm interest.
RAYMOND E. VENDERBUSH, who since 1916 has
been secretary and treasurer of the Venderbush Com
pany of Detroit, sheet metal manufacturers, was born
in this city and is a son of E. and Ida M. (Imm)
Venderbush. The father is a native of New York
and is now president of the Venderbush Company,
having for a long period figured in manufacturing
circles of the city.
Raymond E. Venderbush pursued his education in
the Detroit schools and is an alumnus of the Eastern
high school. When his textbooks were put aside he
became connected with the business in which his
father was interested. It was in 1900 that the firm
of Venderbush and Looman was formed, whieh be
came the Venderbush Company in 1916, and it was
at that date that R. E. Venderbush was elected sec
retary and treasurer of the corporation. In the mean
time he had familiarized himself largely with every
phase of the business. He started in at the bottom
and worked his way steadily upward, being today
practically manager of the enterprise, as well as the
secretary and treasurer. The company engages in
sheet metal manufacturing, and enjoys a very exten
sive trade among Detroit factories, theirs being the
only house in Detroit making a specialty of sheet
metal for blow pipes, stacks, breechings and tanks
of all kinds, including lead tanks. During the war
the firm turned its factory over for government work
and the output during that period was sheet metal
for Ford eagles, as well as for other government
work. Mr. Venderbush has voted with the republican party
since age conferred upon him the right of franchise.
He belongs to the Bethel Lutheran church, and is
also an exemplary representative of Ashlar Lodge,
No. 91, A. F. & A. M.; Palestine Chapter. R. A. M.:
Michigan Sovereign Consistory, S. P. R. S.; and
Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also
belongs to the Delta Theta Nu, and has membership
connection with the Board of Commerce. He is in
terested in all that pertains to the welfare and pro
gress of the city, and cooperates in many measures
for the public good. At the same time he is a
young business man, who gives the major part of

54

CITY OF DETROIT

his attention to important interests under his control.
He displays fine managerial ability and progressive-
ness in every way.
JAMES DUDLEY HAWKS was for a half century
a prominent railway official, but though he gained
prominence in railway circles, it was not this alone
that entitled him to the high respect and uniform
regard that was tendered him. He came of ancestry
honorable and distinguished and his lines of life were
cast in harmony therewith. He stood for the highest
ideals of American citizenship and there were in him
certain admirable qualities which found their expres
sion in his love for flowers, in his devotion to his
family and in his fidelity to his friends.
Mr. Hawks was born in Buffalo, New York, Octo
ber 13, 1847, his parents being Thomas Sidney and
Hester Ann (Layton) Hawks. The father was a mer
chant at Buffalo. In both the paternal and maternal
lines James D. Hawks was descended from ancestors
who came to America on the first voyage of the May
flower. The family name has figured prominently in
connection with the story of New England and with
the development of New York and other states of
the Union, but no representative of the family has
done more towards leaving behind him the monument
of a great work accomplished than James Dudley
Hawks. He attended the high school of Buffalo, New
York, and after completing an engineering course in
the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor he entered
the railway service on the 1st of February, 1870, and
continued in active identification with railway oper
ation and management until 1920, or for a period
of a half century. For the first five years he was
assistant engineer of the Buffalo division of the Lake
Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Company and
from 1875 until 1878 he was assistant engineer of
the Erie division and thereafter for three years was
assistant engineer of the Lake Shore division of the
same road. From 1881 until 1883 he was superintend
ent of construction of the New York, West Shore &
Buffalo Railroad, now known as the West Shore Rail
road, and from 1883 until 1884 he was engineer of
maintenance of the same road. The building of this
railroad has long been considered one of the most
difficult feats of railway construction work east of the
Rockies. He then became chief engineer of the Mich
igan Central Railroad, filling the position until 1892.
It was while he was acting in this capacity that he
personally inaugurated the custom of giving flowers
to ladies on the trains of the Michigan Central system.
All of the first year he donated the flowers himself
and since then, because of the popularity of this
beautiful custom, the Michigan Central has perpet
uated it.1 Mr. Hawks was always passionately fond
of flowers and it is to his credit that the grounds of
the various depots along the line of the Michigan
Central" nafe" bo many beautiful flower beds and were
placed 'amidisuch attractive surroundings. Mr. Hawks

personally designed and superintended the construc
tion of most of the depots from Detroit to Chicago.
An article in the Michigan Manufacturer and Finan
cial Record said in part: "From the day Mr. Hawks
was associated with the Michigan Central he began
to make it a trunk line. He built heavier bridges,
laid heavier tracks and built roads capable of carrying
heavier motive power and hauling heavier trains.
He had as much influence as anyone in having erected
the Michigan Central station at Detroit, designed in
1882 by Mr. Erdlitz and then looked upon as the last
word in station construction. He put taste and archi
tectural design into the construction of stations along
the line. Collaborating with Mr. Spier and Mr. Rohns,
he had erected the really imposing stations at Ann
Arbor and Niles, in which beauty and utility still
survive over three decades of change. He had the
earliest prophetic vision of the growth of Detroit with
which we are familiar, literally covering the marshes
of the Delray and Ecorse districts with terminal
tracks and right of way before it was thought that
those swampy areas could be reclaimed and made the
seats of industry. He did great things for the devel
opment of transporation in Michigan and the devel
opment of business in the state."
Resigning from his connection with the Michigan
Central Railroad in October, 1892, Mr. Hawks then
spent one year as manager of the Detroit Citizens
Street Railway. He did away with the old horse-car
system and electrified the line. One of the things for
which the Detroit people can thank him is that he
built the tracks with one foot more space between
them — a fact which resulted in having the Detroit cars
a foot wider than in other cities, thus making them
much more roomy and comfortable. With S. F. Angus,
Mr. Hawks built the electric railway from Detroit to
Ann Arbor and afterwards to Jackson, this road be
coming known as the Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor
& Jackson Railway. He was president of the company
until the sale of the road to the Detroit United Rail
way in 1907. He was also president of the Lansing
City Railway and the Grand Rapids, Grand Haven
& Muskegon Electric Railway.
It was in 1895 that Mr. Hawks became viee presi
dent and general manager of the Detroit & Mackinac
Railway, and in 1896 was appointed president and
general manager, which position he held until Federal
control in 1918. The road had just been reorganized
after being in the hands of the receiver, and the
success of Mr. Hawks in rehabilitating this property
and its subsequent development is one of the romantic
chapters in American railroad history. It had been
described as "two streaks of rust, beginning nowhere
and ending nowhere." The road was built by Alger,
Smith & Company, one of the largest lumber firms of
Michigan, and after they had completed their lumber
ing operations the property went into the hands of re
ceivers. At this time the lumber industry along the
line had practically disappeared and Mr. Hawks faced

JAMES D. HAWKS

CITY OF DETROIT

57

the task of making eighty-six miles of dilapidated rail
road running through a barren, deserted land, a paying
proposition. The successful accomplishment of tnis
task required a big man in railroad circles and Mr.
Hawks more than made good. A recent publication
said in part: "Though thirty years ago, the timber re
sources of the northeast coast of the lower peninsula
of Michigan were supposed to have been exhausted,
this railroad has been continually carrying out of
its territory a quantity of forest products which was
scarcely suspected of being in existence when the
pioneer lumber operators cut sticks and quit. Recog
nizing that the timber supply could not last forever,
Mr. Hawks devoted his attention and energies to
the agricultural possibilities of the region feeding
his railroad. He had soil studies made, undertook
to promote farming and stock raising, discovered the
values of the limestone deposits of northeastern Mich
igan and built up a commerce in the territory under
his control of which the state is pardonably proud.
He proved the possibilities of a good railroad in the
upbuilding of new territories."
By his untiring efforts and under his supervision
the Lake Huron section of Michigan has been de
veloped into one of the most prosperous farming,
manufacturing and resort districts of the state. The
largest cement plant, paper mills, leather tanneries,
the leading live stock dealers and many of the largest
industries in this part of the country, including the
manufacture of automobiles, steering wheels and rims,
were induced through Mr. Hawks to locate at various
points on the line of the railroad and today are giving
employment to thousands of people residing in this
territory. The largest grounds of any private hunting
and fishing club in Michigan are located at Hillman,
Michigan, the property of the Turtle Lake Club,
whereby every opportunity is provided for the mem
bers of the club who are devotees of the rod and line,
or who have keen delight in the hunter's joys. In
fact the greatest possible variety of sports is here
afforded the club, which has approximately thirty
thousand acres and is situated along the line of rail
road of which Mr. Hawks had control. Mr. Hawks
was always an ardent sportsman and for thirty-five
years, up to the time of his death, he had yearly
participated in the deer hunts which were held every
November by the members of the Turtle Lake Club,
and he was always among the enthusiastic fishermen
who congregated at this club during the trout fishing
season in the month of May each year.
When Mr. Hawks took over the Detroit & Mackinac
road it had only fifty miles of track. Today it
traverses five hundred miles, with a good roadbed
and equipment equal to any road in the state. It
was also the only railroad in the state that was
paying a dividend. During his connection with the
various railway lines with which he was at different
times associated, he was instrumental in advancing
their standard to equal the most complete transpor

tation systems in the country. When the Detroit &
Mackinac Railroad passed into government operation
during the World war, Mr. Hawks served as general
manager of the road during the first year and a half
under government operation and on the 1st of June,
1918, was appointed federal manager by Walker D.
Hines, director general of the United States Railroad
Administration. During his entire career Mr. Hawks'
life was one of intense activity and he promised him
self that when he had completed fifty years of active
service he would retire, so that in 1920 he gave up all
personal connection with his various former activities
and turned his attention to the enjoyment of rest and
freedom from business cares and to the pleasures to
be derived from his books and his flowers. Always a
student and wide reader, he gave little or no atten
tion to modern fiction but reveled in history, science
and art. He was considered an authority on railroad
engineering and contributed many articles on that
subject to the Engineering News and Railroad Ga
zette. He loved flowers and was extremely fond of
all forms of flora and the study of them and in fact
found the keenest joy in all the phases of nature:
His idleness, however, was at times irksome to him
and he found- relief from restlessness while spending
the summer at his bungalow home — Wingaersheek —
located in a primitive but beautiful spot near Glouces
ter, Massachusetts, in constantly improving the several
hundred acres that were included in his estate there.
This place had been his summer home for thirty years
and here he suddenly passed away on the 21st of Sep
tember, 1921.
In October, 1876, Mr. Hawks was united in marriage
to Miss Caroline Amelia Cook of Buffalo, New York,
a daughter of Charles Lewis Cook, who was born in
Cooperstown, New YorK, and of Charlotte (Blaehford)
Cook, who was born in London, England, and was
brought to Buffalo when a child of six years. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. Hawks are: Alice, the
¦widow of Harry S. Waterman, chief engineer of the
Detroit & Mackinac Railroad, by whom she had two
children, Daniel Allerton and James Hawks Water
man; Marion, who is the wife of Ernest Brier of Lon
don, England, foreign representative for Parke, Davis
& Company of Detroit, and they have one daughter,
Mary Elizabeth; Edward Allerton, who married Mar-
jorie Moody and has two children, Barbara and James
Dudley Hawks (II); and James Russell, who married
Marie Katherine Dench of New York city, and has
one child, Marie Ann Hawks.
Mr. Hawks also had many real estate interests in
Detroit and elsewhere. He organized the River Rouge
Improvement Company, whose recent sales to the
Dodge Brothers have attracted considerable attention
to the great value of the land along the Detroit and
Rouge rivers. He was a member and at one time
president of the Detroit Club. He was also one of
the founders of the Michigan Chapter of the May
flower Society and served as its first governor. He

58

CITY OF DETROIT

belonged to the Society of Colonial Wars, was a
member of the Society of Colonial Governors and of
the Society of Sons of the American Revolution. He
belonged to the American Society of Civil Engineers,
the Institution of Civil Engineers of Great Britain
and the French Society of Civil Engineers. He was
a Mason, loyal to the high teachings and purposes
of the craft, and he had membership in the Country
Club, the Turtle Lake Club and the Delta Kappa Ep-
silon fraternity of the University of Michigan. His
life constituted a valuable contribution to the world's
work and his was a nature that shed around him much
of life's sunshine and happiness.
JOSEPH HENRY HUNTER has attained a com
manding position in the business circles of Detroit as
president and general manager of the Detroit Insu
lated Wire Company, controlling one of the leading
industries of its kind in the United States. He is
also president of the Pittsburgh Company. He is a
dynamic force in anything he undertakes, for his
intense activity and contagious enthusiasm are ruled
by a sound judgment and are characterized by keen
sagacity that accomplishes results.
Mr. Hunter comes to Detroit from Pennsylvania,
his birth having occurred in Pittsburgh, October 23,
1867, his parents being John F. and Mary (Fedder)
Hunter. The elder Hunter was born in Brownsville,
Pennsylvania, while the mother's birthplace was Pitts
burgh. The former removed to Pittsburgh in early
life, and he enlisted for the duration of the War of
the Rebellion, but was honorably discharged by reason
of wounds sustained at the Battle of Fredericksburg,
on December 13, 1862. He was for many years com
missioner of streets in Pittsburgh— in fact the greater
part of his active career was spent in the public
service. He took an interested and active part in
the affairs of the veterans of the Civil war, having
been commander of General Alexander Hays Post,
No. 3, G. A. R., and served for many years as its
quartermaster, which position he held at the time of
his death in 1916. As commissioner of streets he
rendered signal benefit to Pittsburgh in connection
with its civic interests. He retired from active busi
ness in 1900, devoting his time and energies to other
business interests. His wife died at Redlands, Cali
fornia, in 1893. Their family numbered four children,
one of whom died in childhood, while those living are:
Mrs. William T. Speer of Crafton, Pennsylvania; and
Mrs. R. Haslett Munn, living in Pittsburgh.
The son, Joseph H. Hunter, attended the public
schools of his native city and also the Polytechnic
Institute of Pittsburgh, after which he entered the
Western University of Pennsylvania. He later spent
several years in investigation along the lines of elec
trical research, and became connected with the Alle
gheny County Light Company in Pittsburgh, where
he was given charge of the electrical laboratory. There

he continued for several years, after which he became
manager of the Pittsburgh Light Company and occu
pied that position for a number of years. During
this time he was also engaged in research work on his
own account, and as a result of his efforts he is
now in possession of many patents on electrical ap
pliances which were awarded to him in recognition of
his inventions. He took up the business of manufactur
ing various inventions, and became manager and part
owner of the Ferrous Chemical Company of Pittsburgh,
his associate being Professor Julius A. Koch. For a
time he was connected with the Pittsburgh & Allegheny
Telephone Company as engineer of right of way, as
well as personal representative of the late George R.
Webb of Baltimore, and he remained in that position
two years. He then became vice president and gen
eral manager of the National Cable & Wire Company,
with offices in the Westinghouse building, Pittsburgh,
the plant being located at Wireton, Pennsylvania.
His identification with that company covered a period
of three years, at the expiration of which time he
was appointed receiver for the company and operated
the plant for one year, finally resulting in its sale to
the Standard Underground Cable Company.
Immediately afterward Mr. Hunter removed to De
troit and organized the Detroit Insulated Wire Com
pany, which is today one of the leading manufacturers
of insulated wire in the United States, employing more
than three hundred and fifty persons. Mr. Hunter has
been the moving spirit in the development of this
industry, and to his efforts are due the steady growth
of the business. He is a man of wide experience in
this particular line, and there are few in the country
better informed on insulation.
During the World war he made valuable contribu
tions to the country's needs by a plan he perfected.
He was called to New York in conference with other
prominent insulated wire manufacturers and army en
gineers to discuss means to get quick results — for
there was great need of insulated wire — and also to
discover a method for distinguishing different branches
of the Signal Service on the French front. After
many hours of fruitless discussion by the different
participants, the conference was about to disband with,
no definite conclusion having been reached, when Mr.
Hunter recalled his earliest research work along that
line. He expressed himself as to what he had suc
cessfully accomplished, which, if applied would meet
the present need. The plan was adopted and became
effective immediately, after being outlined to the army
engineers at Washington and its feasibility being rec
ognized. As a result of Mr. Hunter's processes and
plans, the government was saved at least two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars per month, while the amount
of time saved was of even greater value. A few days
later insulated wire was on its way to France from
Detroit and other similar plants. Other methods would
have required three months — possibly longer, to meet
the contingency. He never received monetary com-

JOSEPH H. HUNTER

CITY OF DETROIT

Gl

pensation for his services, but willingly made this
contribution to the work of winning the war.
On October 19, 1893, Mr. Hunter was married to
Miss Sarah Parker Ford of Pittsburgh, a daughter
of Hon. Henry P. Ford, one time mayor of Pittsburgh
and numbered among its most prominent citizens.
They became the parents of two children, the son,
Henry Ford Hunter, having died at Chautauqua Lake,
New York. The daughter, Dorothy Rebecca, is now
the wife of George W. Cottrell. She was bom in
Pittsburgh in 1898, and was educated at the Liggett
School in Detroit, and Ely Court, Greenwich, Con
necticut, where she graduated. They reside in Pitts
burgh and have one child, Sarah Hunter Cottrell, who
was born in that eity.
Mr. Hunter is a member of the Detroit Club, the
Detroit Country Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the
Bloomfield Hills Country Club, the Pine Lake Country
Club, the Detroit Boat Club, the Detroit Board of
Commerce, the Michigan Manufacturers' Association,
and the Duquesne Club of Pittsburgh. Fraternally he
is a member of Crescent Lodge, No. 576, F. & A. M. of
Pittsburgh. For many years Mr. Hunter was well known as
secretary of the Pittsburgh Amateur Photographers
Society, with headquarters in the Carnegie Institute
of Pittsburgh, the Hon. George Shiras (III) being its
president. Mr. Hunter was also director of the In
ternational Photographic Salons held in the Carnegie
Art Galleries at Pittsburgh. His interests and his
activities have ever been broad and varied, and his
labors have contributed much to scientific research
and to invention. He has constantly broadened his
knowledge by study and experiment, and the value
of his services was fully demonstrated when he was
able to meet one of the country's dire needs in the
prosecution of the World war.
CHARLES A. WENDELL, treasurer of the Colonial
Laundry company of Detroit, was born in Brooklyn,
New York, February 3, 1864, and is a son of Rufus
and Charity (Mosher) Wendell, who were natives of
the Empire state. The father was a Methodist Epis
copal minister who for many years engaged in preach
ing the Gospel, being located at Salem, Massachusetts,
and at various points in New York. He afterward
joined the Second Adventist church. Both he and
his wife have passed away. Their family numbered
three children, one of whom has passed away, the
surviving daughter being Mrs. George W. Kirchway
of New York city.
The son, Charles A. Wendell, the youngest of the
family, attended the schools of Albany, New York,
and after leaving the high school there went to Wil
mington, Delaware, where he was employed as a
bookkeeper in various establishments in that city
until 1908, when he came to Detroit. Here he entered
into active connection with the Colonial Laundry,
established by the late John Henry Wendell, and later

was elected secretary, treasurer and manager. Since
becoming connected with the undertaking he has de
voted much time and effort to the upbuilding of the
business, which has been characterized by steady pro
gress, not only in the volume of trade, but also in
the improvement of the plant, which is today one of
the best of the kind in Detroit, catering to a distinc
tive and discriminating class of trade. Employment is
given to one hundred and twenty-five people and the
equipment is modern in every department, so that ex
cellent work is turned out.
In October, 1885, Mr. Wendell was married to Miss
Olivia Bower of Wilmington, Delaware, who passed
away in Detroit in 1916. The two children born of
that marriage are deceased. In March, 1918, Mr.
Wendell was united in marriage to Miss Laura Wen
dell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Wendell of
New York city.
Mr. Wendell belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club
and he gives his political allegiance to the republican
party. Thoroughness and enterprise characterize all
of his activities, and while he is a successful business
man, he has at the same time social qualities which
have gained for him a large circle of friends during
the period of his residence in Michigan.
JOE DURAND, JR., is manager of Durand Cleaners
& Dyers, one of the leading enterprises of this char
acter in Detroit, which has built up a well-merited
reputation for work that is first class in every par
ticular and prompt and efficient service. He is a
native of Michigan, his birth having occurred at Au
Gres, March 1, 1888, and his parents were Joseph
and Minnie May (Babcock) Durand. He attended the
grammar schools and the high school at Bay City,
Michigan, and subsequently devoted his attention to
the study of pharmacy, becoming a registered phar
macist and continuing active along that line from
1905 until 1910. In the latter year he established
his present business, his first location being at No.
240 Griswold street, where he remained until 1912,
when the rapid growth of the business compelled him
to seek larger quarters and he is now situated at
No. 2900 Bellevue avenue, where he has a modern
and up-to-date plant, conducting his interests under
the firm style of Durand Cleaners & Dyers. He
uses high test energine as a cleaning agent, owing to
the fact that it possesses none of the objectionable
oil contained in nearly all other cleaning fluids and he
employs none but experts in this work. In- the clean
ing process the greatest care is exercised, so that the
work turned out is most satisfactory, not even the
most delicate fabrics ever being injured in the slight
est degree. The firm deals directly with the individ
ual on a piece work basis and operates a collection
and delivery service that insures prompt attention to
all articles placed in its hands. In the conduct of
his business Mr. Durand has ever employed the most
progressive and reliable methods and the superiority

62

CITY OF DETROIT

of the work turned out by the house has recommended
it to public patronage, so that the business has reached
extensive proportions, being classed with the leading
enterprises of the character in the city.
Mr. Durand was married on the 25th of June,
1917, to Miss Lillie Sturm of Bay City, Michigan,
and they have a large circle of friends in Detroit,
He is independent in his political views, casting his
ballot in favor of the candidate whom he considers
best qualified for office without regard to party ties.
He keeps in close touch with the latest developments
in the line of work in which he specializes through
his membership in the Detroit, Michigan and National
Associations of Dyers and Cleaners and his social
nature finds expression in his membership in the
Rotary Club. He is an enlisted veteran of the World
war, serving from November, 1917, until March, 1919,
as ordnance sergeant in the ordnance department of
the army, being stationed at Mehun, France. Upon re
ceiving his , discharge from the service he at once re
turned to Detroit and took up the management of his
business, which he has since most capably conducted.
He is an alert, energetic and progressive young busi
ness man, who attacks everything with a contagious
enthusiasm and who carries through to successful com
pletion whatever he undertakes. He has already at
tained an enviable position in business circles of his
eity and his many friends predict for him continuous
advancement in the years to come.
REX HUMPHREY. One of the most progressive
of the younger business men of Detroit who is making
good in the real estate circles of the city, is Rex
Humphrey, who attacks everything with a contagious
enthusiasm and who is now secretary and treasurer
of the Leinbaeh-Humphrey Company, one of the fore
most real .estate firms in the eity.
Mr. Humphrey belongs to one of the old pioneer
families of Michigan, whose identification with the
states' history dates back to territorial days. It was
in 1839 that his great-grandfather migrated from New
York state to Michigan and settled at Walled Lake,
becoming one of the real pioneers of what is now
Commerce county. The father of Rex Humphrey was
born at Walled Lake. George S. Humphrey married
Miss Rebecca Laird, a native of Winona, Minnesota,
and now resides in Flint, Michigan, where he is sec
retary and treasurer of the Leinbaeh, Humphrey &
Hyer Real Estate Company. George S. Humphrey was
for several years chief claim agent for the Grand
Trunk Railway. His family consists of five children:
Rex; Winifred, the wife of Dr. John W. Warren of
Detroit; Grace, a student at the University of Michi
gan; Ada, attending Northwestern high school of
Detroit; and Ray, also a high school student.
Rex Humphrey was born June 4, 1888. He prepared
for college and entered the University of Michigan
as a law student. In 1910 he became a student in

the Detroit College of Law, from which he was grad
uated in 1911, with the LL. B. degree. He was
admitted to the bar but from choice entered on a
business rather than a professional career and became
connected with the Stormfeltz-Lovely Company in
the real estate business as a salesman., He made such
rapid progress that he soon became manager of their
general real estate department and so continued until
January, 1916, when he resigned and entered into
business on his own account in partnership with Harry
B. Leinbaeh, under the firm style of Leinbaeh-Hum
phrey Company. They have won substantial success
as the years have passed and are now among the
biggest concerns in Detroit real estate circles. The
growth of their business is indicated in the fact that
they have now established branches in five different
cities. Mr. Humphrey is the secretary and treasurer
of the firm of Leinbaeh-Humphrey Company and of
its subsidiary companies, including the firm of Lein
baeh, Humphrey & Prevatt of South Bend, Indiana;
Leinbaeh, Humphrey & Shipman of Hamilton, Ohio;
Leinbaeh, Humphrey & Towey of Lansing, Michigan;
Leinbaeh, Humphrey & O'Harra of Port Huron, Mich
igan, and Leinbaeh, Humphrey & Kise Company of
Pontiae, Michigan. All of these companies are de
voted to the development of big subdivisions in the
various cities where they operate. The Detroit firm
has been no small factor in the city's development
and expansion. It has placed upon the market a large
number of valuable properties, including the Grand
River Suburban subdivision, Grand River Park, the
Zoological Park subdivision, the Pioneer subdivision,
the Marshall-Kohn subdivision, Hawthorn Park, Ever
green subdivision and Leinbaeh-Humphrey Company's
Woodward Avenue subdivision, consisting of fourteen
hundred building sites. While yet a man of less
than middle age Mr. Humphrey has evolved some
very strong maxims and rules of conduct, a few
of which follow:
"Don't waste your time with people who have
less vision than you. '
"Know people who will stimulate mental action.
"Shooting pool with the gang on the corner is
good fun, but it doesn't pay dividends.
"When you see something you admire in a man
remember he has no copyright on it.
"Columbus discovered America but others are gath
ering its fruits.
"When you get an idea don't wait — put it into
action. "The world is made up of thinkers and doers, each
one dependent on the other for a living. The man
who has both qualities invariably becomes an inde
pendent business leader.
1 ' During the years I spent in the real estate business
as a salesman I devoted three hours of my spare
time daily to increasing my efficiency by contact
with men who knew more than I. Now I realize that
those three hours did me more good than the eight

REX HUMPHREY

CITY OF DETROIT

65

hours for which I was paid. Many things make up
efficiency. "Nothing is more important than one's acquaint
anceship — a man is known by his friends.
"Enthusiasm is contagious. It adds powerfully to
the momentum necessary to put over any business
proposition. "If the shoe fits — it's your own fault.
"You have worked for yourself longer than for
anyone else.
"Are you an efficient president, general manager,
secretary and treasurer of your own affairs?
"If you haven't made good in this, can you expect
to manage other people's business?
"One does not appreciate money values until one
ean successfully hang on to some.
"Recreation hours are necessary but don't be an
'all the time' athlete.
"The difference in appearance between men is
slight. A good bet is that it is the tailor.
"Are you a worker?
"Some authorities have said, 'Overtime is worth
time and one-half, holidays double time.' There is
more truth than poetry in this.
"At five p. m. some might be ahead of you but you
can catch them before 5 a. m.
"Clear thinking and hard, conscientious work mixed
with real thrift and a dash of ambition is a com
bination hard to beat."
A big element of success in the business career of
Rex Humphrey is his wisdom in investment. The
large force of salesmen employed by the company
is composed largely of men who give to them their
spare time, Mr. Humphrey having in his own career
demonstrated the possibilities thus afforded. That
his rules of conduct were wisely made is indicated
in the success which has attended his efforts and which
places him among the leading real estate men of the
city. Mr. Humphrey entered the United States army on
the 6th of July, 1917, enlisting as a private. He
was commissioned a first lieutenant in January, 1918,
was promoted to the rank of captain September 6,
1918, and honorably discharged January 10, 1919.
Mr. Humphrey belongs to the Congregational church
and is connected with various fraternal and club or
ganizations. He belongs to Palestine Lodge, F. &
A. M., has attained high rank in Masonic circles and
is a Mystic Shriner of Moslem Temple. He belongs
also to the Detroit Board of Commerce, the American
Legion, and to the Detroit Real Estate Board and
his name is on the rolls of membership of the Society
of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Univer
sity of Michigan Club, the Detroit Boat Club, the
Oakland Hills Country Club and the Detroit Athletic
Club. His social qualities make for personal pop
ularity and the circle of his friends is constantly
increasing. Again in this connection he has made good
use of his spare time. He strongly endorses the phil-
Vol. TV— 5

osophy of Herbert Kaufman, editorial writer for the
Chicago Tribune, who said: "Success does not depend
upon a map but upon a time-table," and by a schedule
of his own planning Mr. Humphrey has guided his
course, making each hour count, while each day has
marked off a full-faithed attempt to know more and to
grow more.
HARRY JOSEPH FOX, president of the Central
Savings Bank of Detroit and the Peoples National
Bank of Hamtramck, throughout his active business
career, dating from 1888, has been identified with the
banking business, and his long experience and thorough
study have well qualified him for the onerous and re
sponsible duties that devolve upon him in his present
connection. He is a prominent figure in the financial
circles of Detroit, where he was born September 21,
1871, the son of Martin and Matilda (Van de Zandt)
Fox. His education was received in the public schools
of Detroit.
In the year 1888, when at the age of seventeen years,
he made his initial step in the business world by be
coming bookkeeper in the Peninsular Savings Bank.
Two years later, or, in 1890, he was made assistant
cashier of the Home Savings Bank and on the 1st
of January, 1900, was called to the cashiership of the
Central Savings Bank. He held this position, together
with the vice presidency, until January, 1920, when
he became president. In April, 1920, he was elected
president of the Peoples National Bank of Hamtramck.
Mr. Fox has always made a close study of banking and
financial problems and his activities have been an ele
ment in the continued growth of the institutions with
which he is now associated.
On the 29th of January, 1896, Mr. Fox was married
to Miss Agnes Barium and they have one daughter:
Thelma. The family adheres to the Roman Catholic
faith. Mr. Fox's interest in his city and its welfare
is manifested through his support of the Detroit Board
of Commerce and the efforts put forth by that organi
zation to advance the municipal welfare and uphold
civic standards. He turns to athletics for recreation
and is a member of the Detroit Club, the Detroit Ath
letic Club and the Bankers' Club.
SEYMOUR S. RUTHERFORD is the head of the
Rutherford & Gillespie Lumber Company, one of the
more recently cn-ganized business enterprises of De
troit, but its comparative youth seems to be no bar
to its success, for the business has steadily grown,
and the patronage is now most gratifying. Mr. Ruth
erford came to Michigan from the east. He was
born in Waddington, New York, November 17, 1885,
a son of John S. and Margaret N. (Corrigan) Ruth
erford, and pursued his early education there, passing
through consecutive grades to the high school, while
still later he attended Dartmouth College of New
Hampshire, from which he was graduated with the
class of 1908, the degree of Bachelor of Science being

66

CITY OF DETROIT

at that time conferred upon him. He then sought the
business opportunities of the far west, making his way
to Spokane, Washington, where for three and a half
years he was engaged in the lumber trade. Returning
to the east he continued in the same line in Pitts
burgh, Pennsylvania, until 1912.
It was in the latter year that Mr. Rutherford came
to Detroit as representative of the Empire Lumber
Company of Pittsburgh, and remained with that com
pany in this city until 1915, when he became one of
the organizers of the firm of J. D. Elliott & Company.
He was associated with the latter concern until Jan
uary, 1919, when he resigned, and aided in forming
the Rutherford & Gillespie Lumber Company, of which
he has since been the head. Throughout his life he
has been connected with the lumber industry, and his
broad experience, his thoroughness and progressive-
ness have promised well for the future success of the
undertaking which is now directed by him.
On August 10, 1915, in Beckley, West Virginia, Mr.
Rutherford was united in marriage to Miss Edith
Wallace Keatley of Charlestown, West Virginia, daugh
ter of Edwin and Alethia P. McCreery, and they have
become parents of two children: Seymour S., Jr., born
December 19, 1917, and William Wallace, bom De
cember 18, 1918. Politically Mr. Rutherford is a re
publican, having stanehly supported the principles of
the party since reaching adult age. He belongs to the
Fellowcraft Club and the Aviation Country Club, and
finds diversion and recreation in fishing, but never
allows pleasures to interfere with business affairs,
and his close application and indefatigable energy
have been potent elements in winning for him his
present-day success. He is thoroughly familiar with
the lumber trade in every particular, and his opinions
are authority upon many points relative to the in
dustry. DAVID A. MOLITOR, a native son of Detroit and
a construction engineer of national repute, has been
connected with some of the most important, engineer
ing projects in this country and abroad, and he has
also become well known as an author, contributing
valuable works on scientific subjects. He is a son
of Edward and Catherine (Young) Molitor, the former
a native of Wurttemberg, Germany. When sixteen
years of age the father emigrated to the United States
and gallantly defended the cause of the Union during
the Civil war, enlisting in Grant's division. After
the close of hostilities he came to Detroit and with
the exception of a few years, this city has been his
home. For fifty-seven years he was in the employ
of the United States government in connection with
the United States lake survey, resigning from the
service in August, 1920. He is now living retired.
Mr. Molitor attended the Detroit public schools
until 1881, at which time his father, who was a
government employe, was transferred to St. Louis,

Missouri, and in that city the son completed his
high school course. He then entered the Washington
University of St. Louis, from which he was graduated
with the class of 1887, winning the degree of C. E.
The family returned to Detroit but David Molitor
was desirous of seeing the world and went to Germany,
where he secured a government position, and aided in
the work of building a railroad through the Black"
Forest — an enormous project. He remained in Germany
until 1890 and with the money which he had saved
from his earnings he again started out on his travels,
returning to Detroit when he had completely exhausted
his funds but was richer in knowledge or conditions
in various parts of the world. Not long afterward
he was placed in charge of the erection of the super
structure of the bridge spanning the Mississippi river
at Memphis and after completing this work returned
to Detroit, becoming United States assistant engineer
under General O. M. Poe and also acting as general
utility man in his office until 1898, when the latter
passed away. Colonel Lydecker then took over the
office and Mr. Molitor remained with him until 1900,
being engaged in diversified work during that period.
He drew up the specifications and superintended the
construction of the lock gates at the "Soo" and also
did some important work for the United States deep
water-ways commission, being thus occupied until
1900. He next went to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where
he became associated with his brother-in-law, Fred
Rueping, in the conduct of a tannery, a relationship
which existed until 1906, when he again took up the
work of his profession, becoming designing engineer
on the Panama canal. He was connected with the
Panama canal commission from the time Mr. Stevens
became chief engineer and also served for a year under
General Goethals. He made most of the preliminary
designs for the locks and spent the last year in de
veloping designs for the emergency dams, this being
the most difficult work on the whole project, involving
some hitherto unsolved problems in hydraulics as
well as very complicated structural designing. In
September, 1908, he became professor of civil en
gineering at Cornell University at Ithaca, New York,
continuing to occupy that chair until February, 1911,
when he went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he
joined the firm of Warnell & Harrington, consulting
bridge engineers, with whom he was associated for
a year. For several months thereafter he was oc
cupied with special work on the New York barge
canal and was then made chief designing engineer
for the Toronto Harbor Commission, with which he
was connected until May 1, 1916, when he became
construction, efficiency and chemical engineer for Carl
E. Schmidt & Company, conducting an extensive
leather business in Detroit, and is now acting in that
capacity. He has also gained prominence as a writer
on subjects pertaining to his profession and is the
author of the following works: Hydraulics of Rivers,
Weirs and Sluices; Kinetic Theory of Engineering

DAVID A. MOLITOR

CITY OF DETROIT

69

Structures; and fourteen monographs on engineering
subjects. Mr. Molitor has been married twice, his first union
being with Miss Clara Rueping. To this union were
born three children: Margaret, Clara and Anita, all
of whom are married. For his second wife he chose
Miss Mabel White of Toronto, Canada. He is a
member of the American Society of Civil Engineers
and was president of the Detroit section of that society
during 1921; the Engineering Institute of Canada;
the Detroit Engineering Society; and the Washington
Academy of Science. Fraternally he is identified with
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights
of Pythias, and the Masons, belonging to Palestine
Lodge, F. & A. M. He is a man of high scientific
attainments whose professional career has been marked
by continuous advancement, and his contribution to
the world's work has been a most valuable one.
GUSTAV W. ZANGER, whose extensive operations
in real estate have made his name almost a synonym
for activity on the west side of the eity, has reached
his position of leadership as the result of his close
study of property conditions and his sagacious under
standing of the trend of the times. In all of his
operations he has looked beyond the exigencies of the
moment to the possibilities of the future and while
neglecting no chance of the present he has been pre
pared to meet oncoming demands.
Mr. Zanger is a native son of Detroit. He was
born March 26, 1876, his parents being Ferdinand
and Magdalena (Stickel) Zanger, who were of German
birth but in early life came to the new world. The
father engaged in various lines of business and is now
living retired, making his home at Marshall, Michi
gan. The mother passed away in Detroit in 1893. In
their family were twelve children, of whom Gustav
W. was the fifth in order of birth. In early life he
attended the public schools of Marshall, Michigan,
and was there graduated from the high school. He
afterward returned to Detroit, where he learned the
fur business, to which he devoted twenty-five years
of his life, being one of the successful fur men of
the city, maintaining a manufacturing and sales estab
lishment. In 1916 he sold out to F. F. Beckman, who
is still carrying on the business, Mr. Zanger having
decided to turn his attention to real estate operations
on an extensive scale. He began by first purchasing
large tracts of land, which he improved with all
modern conveniences and improvements, including
sewerage systems, sidewalks, shade trees and street
lighting. The lots were then sold to home seekers and
he has placed on the market and sold such well
known divisions as Lincoln Park, No. 1, and Lincoln
Park, No. 2, containing eleven hundred and ninety-two
lots; Maple Ridge, containing three hundred lots; the
G. W. Zanger Oakwood Division of four hundred and
fifty lots; and various other properties. He erected the
Bixby building on Bagley avenue and he is now con

centrating his efforts and attention upon the develop
ment of West Detroit property, knowing just what it
will mean with the building of the Pennsylvania Rail
road and the building of factories out in that section.
The G. W. Zanger Realty Company has been incorpo
rated with a capital stock of five hundred thousand
dollars, with Mr. Zanger as president, Neil McMillan,
Jr., vice president, and Ward H. Barnett, secretary and
treasurer. The company not only handles undeveloped
property but will also build for purchasers and at all
times arranges easy terms so as to accommodate the
prospective buyer.
On the 18th of December, 1909, Mr. Zanger was
married to Miss Julia Woodridge of Detroit, daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. Dudley B. Woodridge. He belongs
to the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Country
Club and the Loehmoor Country Club and is most
favorably known in these organizations. He is a
very alert and energetic man and there is much that
is stimulating and encouraging in the story of his
career, inasmuch as he came to Detroit in 1893 with
a cash capital of but one dollar and is today one of
the foremost real estate men of the city. He early
recognized the value of diligence, determination and
industry and upon these qualities he has builded his
success. CHARLES HENRY BECK. A capable and progress
ive young business man of Detroit is Charles Henry
Beck, who is at the head of the Beck Investment
Company and the C. H. Beck Realty Company. He
is keenly alive to the possibilities of every new ave
nue opened in the natural ramifications of trade and
in his commercial career has been a persistent, resolute
and energetic worker, keeping his hand steadily upon
the helm of his business and manifesting at all times
strong executive power.
Mr. Beck was born in Charlotte, Michigan, Novem
ber 23, 1884, a son of John F. and Ella (Foster) Beck
and one of five children, the others of the family
being: Mary, Pearl and Ruby of Detroit; and Ira A.,
an attorney of Battle Creek. Both parents are living
and the father was formerly engaged in business as a
cement construction contractor. The son attended the
public schools, after which he pursued a commercial
course in the Miles Business College and on starting
out in life for himself he first entered the employ of
the Burroughs Adding Machine Company of Detroit,
working in the advertising department, where he re
mained for two years, gaining valuable experience
regarding business methods, under E. St. Elmo Lewis.
In 1907 he entered commercial circles on his own ac
count, opening an office in the Majestic building. He
handles business and investment properties and is
now at the head of two successful enterprises, The
Beck Investment Company, which is a real estate hold
ing company, and the C. H. Beck Realty Company,
which handles business properties on a commission
basis, in connection with which he employs a number

70

CITY OF DETROIT

of experienced salesmen, conducting his operations on
a large scale. He deals in none but high class prop
erties and has negotiated many important realty trans
fers, his business now having reached extensive pro
portions. He is very enterprising and progressive
and does not hesitate to extend his interests as oppor
tunity offers, while he also possesses the sound judg
ment and executive ability which enable him to carry
his affairs to successful completion.
In his political views Mr. Beck is a republican, in
terested in the welfare and success of the party, and
he is an earnest and active member of the Board of
Commerce and the Detroit Real Estate Board. He
belongs to Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M., and is also
identified with the Old Colony Club and the Oakland
Hills Country Club and finds recreation in a game of
golf, being a member of the Detroit Automobile Club.
He takes a deep interest in civic matters and sup
ports those plans and projects which he deems of
greatest value in the improving and upbuilding of the
city along lines leading to its material progress.
JOHN FRANCIS ANTISDEL. In a history of De
troit's business development it is imperative that men
tion be made of John Francis Antisdel, for many
years a leading hotel man and substantial citizen whose
activities extended to those forces which have to do
with the moral as well as the material development
of the community. He was born in Paris, Oneida
county, New York, June 13, 1829, and was descended
'from one of the old American families of English
origin that was established on this side of the Atlantic
while (he country was still numbered among the colo
nial possessions of Great Britain. In England the name
was originally spelled Antisdale. The father of John
F. Antisdel was a farmer who came to Michigan
with his family while this state was still under terri
torial rule. He settled near Brooklyn in 1835 and
John F. Antisdel, who was then about six years of
age, began his education in the public schools of
Michigan. He had not yet attained his majority when
his father passed away, and being the eldest son of
the family, upon him devolved the main support of
his mother and several brothers and sisters.
In 1850 John F. Antisdel arrived in Detroit and
secured employment as clerk in a hotel, thus making
his initial step in the line of business to which he
devoted so many years of a successful career. His
pleasing personality, his unfailing courtesy and his
good business ability soon gained him many friends,
and finding the hotel business a congenial pursuit, he
began laying plans whereby he might eventually en
gage in the business on his own account. In 1857
he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, James
Parshall, and they became proprietors of the Finney
hotel, which occupied a site at the southeast corner
of Gratiot and Woodward avenues. The hotel proved
a prosperous institution from the beginning and about
a year later Mr. Antisdel became proprietor of the

Railroad hotel, which stood where the Detroit Opera
House is now seen. This venture also proved profit
able and within a few years Mr. Antisdel was able to
purchase the property. He successfully conducted the
hotel for many years and as his financial resources
increased added other property to his holdings, ex
tending from his hotel to Gratiot avenue. At length
he accepted the offer of fifty thousand dollars for the
property, then considered a phenomenal price. Fol
lowing the sale he purchased the Blindberry hotel
at the corner of Michigan and Washington avenues,
where the Cadillac now stands, and after remodeling
the building gave to it the name of the Antisdel hotel.
For many years it was a leading and popular hostelry
of the city and one of the most popular hotels in the
west, as well as one of the best conducted. Then he
became proprietor of the Biddle house, then in its
prime and one of the largest hotels in the state.
This hotel was patronized by Detroit's leading men
and many of them with their families lived there.
Having at length attained wealth through the con
duct of his hotel management and judicious invest
ment in property, Mr. Antisdel retired from active
business life and took up his abode in the family home
at No. 319 Jefferson avenue. Indolence and idleness
were utterly foreign to his nature and he could not
be content without some occupation or business in
terest. Accordingly he removed to Milwaukee, Wis
consin, and became the proprietor of the Newhall
house, the finest hotel in that state at the time. There
he lost a part of his fortune in the years which fol
lowed the widespread financial panic of 1873 and
1874. In 1884 he again became a resident of Michi-
igan and leased the Fraser house in Bay City, of which
he continued in charge until 1894. In that year he
again came to Detroit and made arrangements whereby
he leased the celebrated summer resort hotel, the
Mettewas, at Kingsville, Ontario, Canada. He con
tinued profitably to conduct that hotel to the time of
his death, which occurred on the 15th of May, 1900.
Mr. Antisdel left a widow and four children. He
was married in Detroit, June 6, 1855, to Miss Sarah J.
Parshall, a daughter of Joseph Parshall, a prosperous
farmer of Drayton Plains, Oakland county, Michigan.
They became the parents of seven children, four of
whom lived to maturity: James F., who was engaged
in the newspaper advertising business in New York
city and died in May, 1916; John P., who is men
tioned elsewhere in this work; Ella M.; and Minnie
Blanche, both of Detroit. The wife and mother passed
away April 3, 1912. Mrs. Antisdell was a most lovable
character and her gracious manner endeared her to
a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Of at
tractive personal appearance, she retained her personal
beauty to the last and in her eighty-first year was
remarkably well preserved mentally and physically.
Mr. Antisdel was devoted to the welfare of his wife
and family and found his greatest happiness at his
own fireside. He was a prominent and consistent

JOHN P. ANTISDEL

CITY OF DETROIT

73

member of the First Baptist church of Detroit for
nearly a half century and took a most active part in
the church and Sunday school work, serving as a
trustee of the church and as superintendent of the
Sunday school. He was also a trustee of and mosT;
generous giver to the Kalamazoo College, conducted
under the auspices of the Baptist church, and his mem
ory is honored as one of Detroit's sterling Christian
gentlemen. MAURICE W. FOX is a most alert and successful
business man who in 1916 established an agency for
the Ford Motor Company. He is a native son of
Detroit, bom March 2, 1883, and is a son of Charles
E. and Emma A. (Stowell) Fox. His ancestors have
lived in the United States since pre-Revolutionary
war days. His mother is one of the best known and
most highly esteemed women of Detroit, holds mem
bership with the Daughters of the American Revolu
tion and has served as -a member of the Detroit board
of education. She is recognized as one of the best
parliamentarians in the country and her services in
this connection have been sought in many public
gatherings. The father was a well known merchant
tailor of Detroit and for years was manager of the
tailoring department for Mabley & Company. He
passed away at the age of seventy-two years.
Maurice W. Fox was educated in the Central high
school of Detroit and in the University of Michigan
as a member of the class of 1906. He pursued a
course in mechanical engineering and was graduated
with the B. S. degree. After his college days were
over he became a mechanical draftsman on the Pan
ama canal and was thus engaged for nine years,
residing in the Canal Zone throughout the entire
time. His was a civil service position, held under
the United States government.
With his return to Detroit, Mr. Fox entered the
shops of the Ford Motor Company in September, 1915,
and afterward became a salesman for the Ford Com
pany, representing the corporation for a time, but
ambitious to engage in business on his own account,
he established an agency under his own name on the
1st of August, 1916, at No. 156 East Milwaukee avenue.
His interests developed into a corporation on the
22d of May, 1917, under the name of Maurice W.
Fox & Company. They maintain an agency for the
Ford cars under the Ford Motor Company and Mr.
Fox is president of the corporation and has the
complete management of the business. He is a re
markably bright and successful young business man
who has already attained a marked degree of success
and has built up a strong commercial organization.
The company occupies a fine building, having large
salesrooms, offices and stockrooms on Grand boule
vard. In 1918 Mr. Fox became interested in the pur
chase of notes given in payment for automobiles with
Mr. Charles R. Talbot and Mr. Claud M. Beers of the
National Bank of Commerce. He organized the Auto

Investment Company for the purpose of handling
automobile notes. At the present time Mr. Talbot
is president of the company, Mr. Beers is vice presi
dent, and Mr. Fox is secretary-treasurer. The com
pany's business has been highly successful.
Mr. Fox is a member of the Ingleside Club and also
of the Board of Commerce of Detroit and is well
known in these connections. He is also most pleas
antly situated as to his home life. On the 25th of
March, 1913, he wedded Esther Gehrke of Laporte,
Indiana, and they have become parents of three chil
dren: Phyllis Rae, Irma Jeannette and Charles Fred
erick. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are well known socially,
having an extensive circle of friends in the city of
Mr. Fox's nativity, in which he has so directed his
efforts in a business way as to win a most creditable
place and position among its representatives of com
mercial interests.
FRANK G. BRUESCH, secretary and treasurer of
the Crawford Laundry Company, was born in Zil-
waukee, Michigan, January 26, 1892. His father,
John H. Bruesch, was born in Germany and was
brought to America by his parents when but two
years of age, the family settling in Michigan, where
he was reared to manhood and acquired his education.
He married Anna Luebs, a native of Saginaw, Michi
gan, and later he entered the employ of the Morton
Salt Company of Port Huron, Michigan, with which
business he has been connected for many years, he
and his wife making their home in that city.
Frank G. Bruesch, their only child, obtained his
education in the public schools of Saginaw, Michigan,
and also in the schools of River Rouge, just outside
of Detroit. He completed a high school course in
Port Huron and then, leaving school, became an em
ploye of the American Blower Company of this city,
with which he continued for a brief period. He
afterward obtained a position with the Woodward
Taxicab Company of Detroit and was subsequently
with the Lozier Motor Company in a clerical capacity
for two years. Finally he became a representative of
the Crawford Laundry Company in the spring of 1913,
accepting a position in the office. In 1916 he was
made an official of the company, being elected secre
tary and treasurer. He has filled this position most
capably through the intervening period and has con
tributed to the development of the business until it
is one of the foremost of the kind in Detroit. The
concern has a modern establishment at No. 387 Jef
ferson avenue, East, where the business was started
in a small way in 1908, but in 1913 a new building
was added to the old laundry and equipped with the
latest laundry machines and everything required in
the conduct of a successful business of this character.
From time to time the latest models in laundry
machinery have been introduced and the plant is today
one of the most thoroughly modern in Detroit, while

74

CITY OF DETROIT

the large business is cared for through the labors of
from one hundred to one hundred and ten employes.
On the 10th of September, 1913, Mr. Bruesch was
married to Miss Merriel Wolf, daughter of Thomas
H. and Dorothy Wolf. They have one child, J. Flem
ing, born in Detroit in 1917. The parents are mem
bers of the First Presbyterian church and are inter
ested in all those forces which make for higher moral
standards and better methods of living.
JOHN CLEMENT ALEXANDER, a member of the
Detroit bar since 1911, was born in Duluth, Minne
sota, November 27, 1886, his parents being Horace
Elic and Eliza (Crawford) Alexander. The father
was born in England in 1857 and in 1873 crossed the
Atlantic with his widowed mother, settling first in
Toronto, Canada, where he wedded Miss Crawford.
He passed away in Washington, D. O, in 1913, hav
ing for many years been a compositor on the Wash
ington Post, a position which he filled to the time of
his demise. His widow survives and now resides in
Detroit. She was a daughter of John Crawford, a
native of Scotland, who died in Canada, while the
grandfather of John C. Alexander in the paternal line
was Horace Elic Alexander, who was an artist and
spent his life in England.
John C. Alexander was reared in the national
capital, where he attended the public schools and
then entered upon the study of law, being graduated
in 1910 from the law department of Georgetown Uni
versity, at which time the LL. B. degree was con
ferred upon him, while in 1911 his Alma Mater be
stowed upon him the degrees of LL. M. and L. D. M.
He continued a resident of Washington until 1911,
when he removed to Detroit and here entered upon
the general practice of law.
Mr. Alexander was an associate member of the
legal advisory board of Wayne county, Michigan,
during the period of the war. HiB political allegiance
is given to the republican party and his religious
faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal
church. He is also identified with various fraternal
and social organizations, having membership with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with the various
York Rite bodies of Masonry, including the Knights
Templar commandery, and also with the Mystic Shrine.
He belongs, too, to the Delta Theta Pi, is a member
of the Detroit Bar Association, of the Lawyers' Club
and of the Fellowcraft Club.
SEWARD E. CLARK, secretary and general man
ager of Grinnell Brothers, is one of Detroit's best
known business men in the musical trade, with which
he has been connected for nearly thirty years. Mr.
Clark was born at Springfield, Oakland county, Mich
igan, January 10, 1863, a son of Reuben N. and Eliza
beth (Polhemus) Clark, and received his education in
the public schools, later attending high school at
Clarkston, Michigan. He began his business career

when about nineteen years of age as a clerk for
the American B. H. O. and Sewing Machine Company.
The thoroughness with which he mastered the tasks
entrusted to him and his increasing capability led
to various promotions and from 1888 until 1892 he
was manager for the company at Cincinnati, Ohio,
thus entering upon a position of marked executive
control. He became identified with the piano trade of
Detroit in the latter year as president of the S. E. Clark
Company and contributed to the successful conduct of
the business until May, 1903, when he sold out to Grin
nell Brothers. At that time, however, he entered the
firm as general manager of branch stores and later
became one of the directors, the secretary and general
manager of Grinnell Brothers, Incorporated. He has
figured prominently in music trade circles of Detroit
and since his connection with the firm has been a con
tributing factor in its wonderful growth. Mr. Clark
is also one of the directors and secretary of the
Grinnell Realty Company.
On the 18th of September, 1889, Mr. Clark was
married to Miss Myrta D. West of Clarkston, Michi
gan, and they have one daughter, Mary W., now Mrs.
Grant B. Canfield of Detroit. The parents are mem
bers of the Congregational church, in the work of
which they have taken an active and helpful part,
Mr. Clark being at one time the president of the
Michigan Congregational Brotherhood. He is also a
Knights Templar Mason, loyal to the teachings and
purposes of the craft, while in politics he is a repub
lican. He belongs to the Detroit Golf Club, the Ingle-
side Club, the Detroit Music Trades Association, which
he has served as president, and the National Asso
ciation of Piano Merchants. He finds much of his
recreation in reading, whereby he has become a man
of wide general information, with whom association
means expansion and elevation. The family residence
at 216 Chicago boulevard, is one of the attractive
homes in that section of the city.
THE VINTON FAMILY IN DETROIT. The name
of Vinton has had a long and honorable association
with Detroit's business interests and it may fairly be
said that no single name is more intimately con
nected with the material growth of the city or more
worthy of an honored place in the history of the
municipality. Primarily, the prestige of the Vinton name was
established by G. Jay Vinton, who was popularly
known as Jay Vinton and who was for more than
a quarter of a century one of the prominent figures
in Detroit. Politicians come and go and are soon
forgotten, but this man helped to enlarge the old
Detroit and build the modern metropolis, and he left
his impress not only upon the physical city but upon
the people who were so fortunate as to know him.
He was a business man of wide vision and large activ
ities, and although best known as a building contrac
tor, he was a rare executive and financier. Under

GEORGE JAY VINTON

WARREN GEORGE VINTON

CITY OF DETROIT

79

his able management the Vinton Company grew to
be one of the strongest concerns in Detroit. However,
it. was not alone his business ability and success which
commanded the respect of his fellows; he was a man
of high character, and the cornerstone of his success
was honesty. As one who knew him intimately has
said: "He wouldn't stand for the least dishonesty —
not for a minute."
The Vinton Company is the oldest contracting com
pany in Detroit and in carpentry work its operations
have been greater than those of any other company
in the city. The business was founded in 1858 by
Warren G. Vinton, grandfather of Robert King Vin
ton, the active representative of the company. G.
Jay Vinton, son of the founder, was born in Detroit,
August 10, 1859. He received his early schooling in
this city and while attending school learned the trade
of carpenter, so that at an early age he joined his
father in the carpentry business. From the inception
of their enterprise until nearly the end of the nine
teenth century, Detroit was essentially a city of
wooden buildings, consequently they confined their
operations to carpentry work, but persistently and
wisely expanded their business. After about thirty
years of great activity, during which they erected
many of Detroit's principal buildings of that time,
Warren G. Vinton turned over the active management
of the firm to his son, G. Jay Vinton, and on July 1,
1895, the new manager incorporated The Vinton Com
pany, of which he was president and general manager
until his death. He extended the operations to gen
eral contracting and doing the entire work on any
contract, no matter how large. For this purpose he
built up a new organization and equipped the com
pany to handle the steel, brick, stone and cement
work that has become essential in modern buildings.
His organization comprised eleven complete depart
ments and placed him in a position to undertake the
entire work of any contract, from the turning of
the first sod to the decorating and furnishing of the
completed structure. The company's factory on the
comer of Woodbridge and Beaubien streets covered
the entire block and they continually employed from
twelve hundred to fifteen, hundred men.
The building done in Detroit by this company has
been enormous and it would not be an easy task
to give a list of the structures they have erected or
upon which they have been among the principal con
tractors, but some examples of their work are herein
given to suggest the wonderful part they have played
in the upbuilding of Detroit. They were the eon-
tractors for the Stevens building, the present Masonic
Temple on Fort street, the Y. M. C. A., the Detroit
Athletic Club, Washington Arcade, the plant of the
Burroughs Adding Machine Company, the Michigan
Stove Works, Detroit Opera House, Whitney Theater
and building, First Congregational church, St. Paul's
(Episcopal) cathedral, St. Andrew's church, St. Fran
cis Home for Boys, the Detroit Boat Club, the Amo

apartments, the residences of J. B. and E. L. Ford,
Truman H. Newberry, Russel A. Alger, Jr., Mrs. Henry
Stevens, and several of Detroit's finest school build
ings. They were among the principal contractors on
such buildings as the Fine Arts, Michigan Central
depot, Free Press building, Detroit Trust Company
building, the Grinnell block, the Cadillac hotel, the
Wayne hotel, the Horticultural building and Aquarium
at Belle Isle, the Lenox, Charlevoix and Pasadena
apartments, the Detroit city hall, the Wayne County
building, the Majestic building, the Detroit Stove
Works, Detroit Club, Woodward Avenue Methodist
church, the Hudson, Packard, Hupp, Chalmers and
other motor ear plants. Also, the operations of the
company have not been confined strictly to Detroit;
they have erected many fine structures in other Mich
igan cities, and in Ohio and in New York.
While keeping in close touch with every depart
ment of his extensive business Mr. Vinton interested
himself in humanitarian and social work. He was a
builder not only of material edifices, but also of the
civic and ethical things that make for good citizen
ship and the welfare of the community. He was presi
dent of the board of trustees of the Michigan asylum
at Pontiae, trustee of the Florence Crittenden Home,
vice president of the Y. M. C. A., member of the
board of trustees of the Woodward Avenue Baptist
church and also of the executive committee of the
Baptist Union of America. He was a prominent
Mason, having passed to the thirty-second degree in
that fraternity. In a secular way also he was iden
tified with progressive organizations of the city. He
was a member of the Builders Association of Detroit,
the Board of Commerce and the Detroit Boat Club.
In his younger days he was a member of the Detroit
Light Guard, Michigan State Militia, for six years.
For many years he was treasurer of the McClure Lum
ber Company.
On October 12, 1887, G. Jay Vinton married Rosa
B. King of Brooklyn, New York, who is still living
in Detroit. Their family consists of three sons and a
daughter: Warren Jay received his Bachelor of Arts
degree at the University of Michigan with the class
of '11, and was also chosen a member of the honorary
literary fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa. During the World
war he was a lieutenant in the American Red Cross,
having been attached to the relief expedition to the
Balkans. He married Miss Marga Tozzi of Italy and
now resides in Paris, France, where he is engaged in
the study of physics, astronomy and psychology; Rob
ert King Vinton, of whom mention is made later, was
the second son; Donald P. Vinton is now engaged in
the bond business in Detroit. At the outbreak of
America's hostilities against Germany in 1917 he
was commissioned a first lieutenant of infantry at the
Officers Training Camp at Fort Sheridan, was later
transferred to the cavalry and finally, when the troop
to which he was attached was transferred to the field
artillery his commission was changed to that branch

80

CITY OF DETROIT

of the service. His tenure of service was constantly
in this country; Elizabeth Vinton is the only daughter.
Robert King Vinton was born in Detroit, April 9,
1892, and after preparing for college in the local
schools entered the University of Michigan. He was
not destined to complete his course, however, as the
death of his father, which occurred December 23,
1910, rendered it more advisable that he return to
Detroit to assist in looking after the large and varied
interests of the Vinton Company, of which his father
had been president and general manager. Since that
time Robert K. Vinton has been the active represent
ative of the Vinton Company and for some years he
has been secretary and treasurer of the corporation.
The company was engaged, as described before, in
has confined its operations to real estate and building
investments. The company is a close corporation, the
entire stock being vested in the Vinton family. They
own „a large amount of realty and improved property
in Detroit, including two hotels, several apartment
houses and the Vinton building, the latter one of the
largest office buildings in the city and erected in
1916. In 1914 Robert K. Vinton married Miss Marion G.
Fikes, daughter of Rev. Maurice P. Fikes, a minister
of the Baptist church. They have two children: Mary
Elizabeth, born July 27, 1915; and Robert Jay, born
on September 13, 1917, at Detroit.
Mr. Vinton takes a keen interest in athletic sports
and has a splendid record as a basket-ball player. He
has been a member of the Y. M. C. A. team, the
Detroit Athletic Club five, and the celebrated Rayls
quintet, with which he has played against the best
teams in the country. In 1919 the Rayls were the
champions of the middle west.
Mr. Vinton's club affiliations are with the Detroit
Athletic Club, the Automobile Country Club at Pine
Lake, and the Oakland Hills Country Club. He is
also a member of the Detroit Real Estate Board and
the Board of Commerce. His religious connection is
with the Woodward Avenue Baptist church and he is
one of the trustees of the Detroit Baptist Union, a
position formerly held by his father.
During the World war Mr. Vinton held a captain's
commission in the construction division and, among
other things, had supervision of the construction of
the Morrow Aviation Field at Detroit.
CHARLES FARRINGTON DOW, belonging to that
class of real estate men who are steadily upbuilding
the city, is now at the head of a large company
doing an extensive business in real estate circles.
He was born in Syracuse, New York, May 15, 1880,
and is a son of Hezekiah Farrington and Mary S.
(Northrop) Dow. Entering school at the usual age,
he passed through consecutive grades to his grad
uation from the high school of Syracuse, New York,
with the class of 1897, after which he entered the
Syracuse University, in the class of 1902. Starting

out in the business world he secured a position with
the Massachusetts Life Insurance Company at Syra
cuse and remained with that corporation for seven
years. In January, 1907, he became connected with
real estate interests as a representative of Homer
Warren & Company of Detroit, with whom he con
tinued for two years, and then, ambitious to engage
in business on his own account, he organized the real
estate firm of Dow & Gilbert in 1909. Through the
intervening years his business has steadily developed,
owing to the thoroughness of his methods and his close
application, and he is now the president of the Dow-
Gilbert Realty Company, Incorporated. Their busi
ness has developed to large proportions in the han
dling of eity realty and Mr. Dow has ever been a
follower of conservative methods, resulting in the
steady upbuilding not only of his business but of the
interests of the city as well. Mr. Dow is operating
quite extensively in the border cities, his holdings,
combined with his associates, being the largest of any
real estate operators in that field. He is a valued
member of the Detroit Real Estate Board and is a
recognized authority upon all questions of vital in
terest to real estate circles in Detroit.
On the 17th of June, 1902, Mr. Dow was married
to Miss Florence M. Hickok of Syracuse, New York,
and they became parents of two sons and a daughter:
Farrington L., Charles W. (deceased), and Helen Mary.
In social and fraternal cireles Mr. Dow is widely
known. He is a member of the Delta Upsilon, a col
lege fraternity, and in Masonry has attained the
Knights Templar degree. He belongs to the Oakland
Hills Country Club, gives his political support to the
republican party and in religious belief is a Presby
terian. Detroit is fortunate in having as a repre
sentative of its real estate interests a young man
of such substantial qualities and high business ideals
as Charles F. Dow.

FRANK ENGEL is one of the firm of Engel Broth
ers, dealers in high grade furniture and household
equipments in Detroit. He was born in this city
December 9, 1872, and is a brother of George Engel,
commissioner of public works of Detroit, one of the
best known and most popular officials of the city and
also interested in the furniture business. The parents
are Conrad and Susan (Wagner) Engel, both of Euro
pean birth, who came to America at the ages of six
teen and two years, respectively. The father settled
in Detroit on crossing the Atlantic and afterward re
moved to the northern part of the state, where he
engaged in the business of boot and shoe making, his
output being sold to the miners operating in the
copper and iron mines of northern Michigan. He
afterward returned to Detroit, where he continued in
the boot and shoe business until his retirement sev
eral years ago. He still resides in this city and has
reached the age of eighty-two years, while his wife

ROBERT KING VINTON

Vol. IV— 6

CITY OF DETROIT

83

is seventy-six years of age. They became the parents
of six children, one of whom has passed away, the
others being: John H., Mrs. Anna Heide, Mrs. Amelia
Graul, Frank and George, all of Detroit.
In his boyhood days Frank Engel was a pupil in
the public schools and after passing through consecu
tive grades to the high school became a student in
the Detroit Business University, his thorough training
securing for him a position with the Michigan Elevator
Company, which he represented in a clerical capacity.
He "was afterward with George Heide, dealer in
groceries and meats, remaining in his employ for
almost two years. He became an employe of the
Grand Upholstering Company in May, 1892, remain
ing in that connection until September, 1898. At the
latter date he resigned his position to establish busi
ness on "his own account as a member of the Engel
Furniture Company, consummating his plans on the
1st of October, 1898. The business had a moderate
beginning but has gradually been developed to its
present large proportions. At an early day the com
pany occupied a four-story building, but today the
Engel Brothers Furniture Company is housed in a
sixteen-story building devoted entirely to the display
and sale of household furniture. They carry every
thing of use and adornment in a home from the
basement to the finest parlor equipment. Their stock
is very extensive and attractive and the business is
now one of mammoth proportions, while the methods
pursued in its conduct are such as will bear the
closest investigation and scrutiny.
In November, 1897, Mr. Engel was married to Miss
Millie Gettschlag, who was suddenly stricken when
about to enter her automobile preparatory to a shop
ping trip on the 29th of October, 1919. Before medical
aid could be summoned she passed away, her death
mourned by a most extensive circle of friends as
well as the members of her own household. She was
a daughter of Louis A. and Minnie Gettschlag, of a
well known family of Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Engel
had one child, Marguerite, born in Detroit in 1898
and educated in the public schools of this city. She
is now residing with her father.
Mr. Engel belongs to the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and has membership relations with the Har-
monie Club and the Mendelssohn Club, which indi
cates much concerning the nature of his interests
outside of business. He also belongs to the Detroit
Board of Commerce and to the Furniture Dealers Asso
ciation. He is widely known and prominent in com
mercial circles and stands high in matters of pro
gressive citizenship. His worth is widely acknowl
edged and everywhere he is spoken of in terms of
high regard. .
C. W. GRACEY, the secretary and treasurer of the
Schoof Gracey Body Company of Detroit, and well
known as one of the leading young business men of
Detroit, was born at Comber, Essex county, Ontario,

Canada. He began his education in the schools of
his native country and continued his studies in De
troit, after his removal to the United States. He
pursued a business course in Fort Wayne, Indiana,
and thus qualified for practical and responsible duties
in the commercial world. Later he went to the
Canadian northwest, and was in the seryice of the
Canadian government at Edmonton, Alberta, for a
period of three years. Later he came to Detroit, and
joined the organization of Maurice W. Fox, with whom
he remained for three years.
, Mr. Gracey then took a special course in wireless
telegraphy in the University of Detroit and following
America's entrance into the World war he enlisted
for service as a wireless operator, joining the Two
Hundred and Eighteenth Field Battalion. He was
assigned to Camp Travis, Texas, as instructor, and
remained for some time in the south, receiving his
discharge at Camp Custer, in February, 1919.
On the 21st of June of the same year Mr. Gracey
was united in marriage to Miss Vera Schoof, a daugh-*
ter of August F. Schoof of Detroit. In February,
1919, the corporation of the Sehoof-Gracey Body Com
pany was formed, with Mr. Gracey as secretary and
treasurer, and he has since in this connection bent
his energies to administrative direction and executive
control of a business that is steadily developing under
the guidance of able officers who are actuated in all
they undertake by a most progressive spirit.
OTTO STOLL of Detroit, county register of deeds
in Wayne county, and reelected November 2, 1920,
was born September 14, 1862, in the city which is
still his place of residence, his father being Julius
Stoll, who was one of the first police judges of De
troit. The family home was on Macomb street, which
at that time was a high-class residential neighbor
hood. He pursued his education in the old seminary
on Lafayette boulevard, East, in which many men
afterward eminent along various lines were educated,
including Rear Admiral Winterhalter, Gari Melchers
and Jules Rolshoven, distinguished artists, and a
number of other men who have become prominent
either locally or nationally.
When his textbooks were put aside Mr. Stoll became
connected with a florist business and afterward spent
fifteen years in the jewelry trade. His keen interest
in affairs of public concern and his support of meas
ures which he deemed of value to the community and
to the commonwealth led to his election in 1895 to
the house of representatives and in the general as
sembly he headed a movement to repeal the mortgage
tax act, which was then in existence. The measure
was lost by a few votes, however. Mr. Stoll was one
of the loyal supporters of Mayor Pingree, assisting
him in some of the legislation which he sought to
promote for the benefit of Detroit. He served as
deputy county clerk under Henry M. Reynolds, and as
deputy county clerk under William H. McGregor. In

84

CITY OF DETROIT

1898 he received appointment from Governor Pingree
to the Wayne county jury commission and on the
expiration of his six years' term of service he was
reappointed by Governor Fred M. Warner and so
continued until 1908, when he resigned. He was then
elected register of deeds and is now serving for the
sixth term in that position. No higher testimonial
of his capability and fidelity could be given than
the fact that he has been so many times reelected to
that office. By the introduction of economical and
efficient methods in handling the work of the office
he has succeeded not only in making it self-sustaining
but also in producing a large profit for the county over
and above the expenses of the office. The volume of
business handled by him during his incumbency can
be judged from the fact that half of the volumes
in the office of the register of deeds have been filled
during his administration. The recent grand jury in
vestigation of all the offices found that of the register
of deeds without a blemish. His management of the
office has won most complimentary attention and com
mendation from practically all the banks, also from
prominent members of the Detroit real estate board
and many of the large business houses of the eity.
Public endorsement came to him in his reelection in
1920. Aside from discharging the duties of his posi
tion Mr. Stoll is engaged in the insurance business.
In February, 1885, Mr. Stoll was joined in wed
lock to Miss Mary Lechner of Detroit, by whom he
had three children: Otto Edward, Carrie J. and Charles
James. The daughter, who became the wife of Ed
ward Theiner, passed away on the 9th of February,
1919, leaving two children, Edward Otto and Marion.
In fraternal circles Otto Stoll is a well known
figure. He belongs to Friendship Lodge, No. 417,
A. F. & A. M., and is at present treasurer of the
lodge, which position he has held since 1912. He is
also a member of the Michigan Consistory, of Moslem
Temple of the Mystic Shrine and of the Grotto. He
likewise has membership with the Order of the
Amaranth, with which he has been identified since its
organization. He belongs also to the Improved Order
of Red Men, the Social Order of Moose and the Ar-
beiter Society. A lifelong resident of Detroit he has
ever stood for those activities and interests which
are of vital force in the development of the city and
the establishment of high civic standards, and in
every relation of life he has commanded the respect
and confidence of his fellowmen.
HON. ARTHUR J. LACY, lawyer, jurist, success
ful business man and ex-president of the Lawyers
Club of Detroit, was born at Nirvana, Lake county,
Michigan, September 30, 1876, a son of Francis D.
and Eunice A. (Stephens) Lacy. After mastering the
branches of learning taught in the public schools he
continued his education in the Northern Indiana Nor
mal School at Valparaiso and in the Northern Indiana
College of Law of the same city. He further qualified

for the bar by study in the University of Michigan and
located for the practice of his profession in Clare,
Michigan, on the 1st of January, 1899. For ten years
he continued a member of the bar of that place and
on the 1st of July, 1909, became a resident of Detroit,
where he entered into active association with the
law firm of Lucking, Emmons & Helfman. On the
1st of May, 1912, he became one of the organizers
of the law firm of Millis, Griffin & Lacy and so con
tinued until July 1, 1913, when he was appointed judge
of the Domestic Relations Court, ex-officio circuit
judge of Wayne county, entering upon the duties of
that position on the 1st of September following. He
continued upon the bench until April 17, 1914, when
this court was abolished by decision of the supreme
court. The record of Judge Lacy and his work in
connection with this court was both able and unique
and received the highest comments from legal writers
over the country. A contemporary writer said of him
in part:
"Although connected with some of the largest liti
gation Detroit had to offer and enjoying an enviable
clientele, he had a hobby and wanted to ride it,
and that hobby was the infusion of the social and
personal service principle into court procedure. The
new court probably possessed the broadest nisi prius
scope of any American tribunal, it having combined
jurisdiction over all causes, civil, criminal and quasi
criminal, involving non-support, abandonment, bas
tardy, child cruelty, assaults, compulsory education,
contributing to child delinquency, divorce, separate
support and other family litigation for one-fifth of the
people of Michigan — it stood in a class by itself.
Judge Lacy started with a full load of work. On the
opening day over four thousand pending family cases
were assigned to him from the other courts from
which he drew his jurisdiction; yet in the brief span
of eight months he, without ample pattern or prece
dent, organized his court as one of record, devised
and made workable its new and unique administrative
machinery and made a truly amazing development of
judicial power usually latent or else dissipated by
distribution among several distinct tribunals. He
created an organization of expert and reliable inves
tigators, making the state as an active party to all
family litigation. He adopted a policy ot preventive
measures and conciliation. Social justice, amelioration
and the conservation of family ties were made para
mount. In court procedure he made no new rules or
innovations; but the administrative side of the court
was saturated with the spirit of social service. Dur
ing his leisure he elicited the cooperation of fraternal,
religious and social organizations, the employers of
labor and the press; and beneath a manner kindly and
patient he showed his firmness and fighting qualities
in his dealing with nagging politicians who engaged
in hostile criticism, and when the court was abolished
the press commended its work in unstinted terms.
"Judge Lacy was of eonciliatorv rather than arbi-

HON. ARTHUR J. LACY

CITY OF DETROIT

87

trary type. He possessed the saving sense of humor.
He believed in adjustments, and in simple, practical
business methods in reaching them. His trite aphor
isms disclose his processes: 'Thrift lies close to the
base of domestic felicity'; 'Most of the conversation
of quarreling spouses relates to what happened day-
before-yesterday, not what will happen day-after-to
morrow'; 'A troubled family is a matter of public
concern'; 'Most unfortunates need ladders, not
crutches'; 'Most family trouble is due to intemper
ance — the intemperate use of the human tongue';
'Fault-finding and flaw-picking require less moral and
mental energy than any other avocation on earth.' "
The tributes paid to Judge Laey's work on the
bench are numerous. The Chicago Legal News said:
"The methods and ideals of this young judge may
well serve as a model for American jurisprudence."
The American Legal News editorially echoes this sen
timent, adding: "This expresses our views to a dot."
The American Society for Thrift announced, "Judge
Laey's family accounting department was a compul
sory school of thrift."
Mr. Herbert Hawley, secretary of the American
Judicature Society, said: "The court made a won
derful record in a short time, not so much because
of the provisions of the statute as because Governor
Ferris appointed a judge, both aggressive and sensi
tive, having both daring and finesse. If left to the
voters in a county of seven hundred and fifty thou
sand population to elect the rarely endowed lawyer
who could fulfill so difficult a role, there could not,
save by infinitesimal chance, be so happy a choice."
After leaving the bench Judge Lacy returned to
business practice as a member of the well known law
firm of Anderson, Wilcox, Lacy & Lawson and has
since specialized in. banking, corporation and real
estate law. As a lawyer he has a wide acquaintance
and enjoys the high regard of his contemporaries in
practice. He is a member of the faculty of the De
troit College of Law, being professor of sales, and
is an authority on that subject. He has been a fre
quent contributor to legal publications. He was chair
man of the Committee on Statutory Consolidation of
the Miehigan State Bar Association, and initiated the
movement to consolidate and revise the law of pro
cedure and practice of Michigan, which has been
editorially characterized in the New York press as
the "beginning of the most comprehensive, conserv
ative, practical and far-reaching legislative reform
toward the simplification of the practice, condensation
of the law and the elimination of expense and delay in
judicial administration ever inaugurated in this coun
try." He belongs to the American Bar Association,
the Detroit Bar Association and the Commercial Law
League of America. He is likewise a prominent mem
ber of the Lawyers Club, in which he has been
chairman of the legislative and law reform committee
and of which he was elected president in June, 1919.
Aside from his professional activity he is a director

of the Bank of Detroit and interested in various other
business activities and is the owner of large real
estate holdings in this state. He is a trustee and on
the executive board of the Michigan Hospital School.
He is a democrat and was first called to office when
in Clare, Miehigan, he was made city attorney, serving
from 1899 until 1909. In 1902 he was elected mayor
of that eity and continued in the office for four
terms, or until 1906. In the latter year he was the
democratic candidate for congress from the eleventh
district and in 1908 was candidate for the office of
regent of the University of Miehigan. In 1908 he
was a' delegate to the democratic national conven
tion which convened in Denver, and was financial sec
retary of the democratic state central committee of
Michigan in 1912 and 1913. He is a member of the
Civil Service Commission of the city of Detroit, being
appointed in June, 1919. by Mayor James Couzens.
On November 1, 1898, Judge Lacy was married to
Miss Beth Garwick of Morrison, Illinois. He and his
wife are members of the North Woodward Congre
gational church and he is well known in fraternal
and club circles, being a member of Detroit Lodge, No.
2, F. & A. M.; King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M.; Detroit
Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; Miehigan Sovereign Consis
tory; and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. In
club circles he holds membership in the Detroit Ath
letic, the Detroit Golf and the Red Run Golf Clubs.
He is an enthusiastic golfer and finds great pleasure
in this exhilarating sport.
MOSES B. DELANEY, an enterprising and public-
spirited citizen of Detroit, secretary and treasurer
of the Michigan Metal Spinning Manufacturing Com
pany, and otherwise for years connected with commer
cial life, is a native of Detroit, where he was born
in 1872, a son of William and Margaret (Hourley) De-
Ianey, who in their time were worthy and well known
citizens. Mr. Delaney was educated in the public schools of
the city, and for several years afterwards he was
engaged in the mercantile business. In 1910 he joined
his brother, John J. Delaney, and incorporated the
Michigan Metal Spinning Manufacturing Company,
with John J. Delaney as president and Moses B.
Delaney as secretary-treasurer.
John J. Delaney is a practical man, having spent
all his life in manufacturing plants, and was thus
well fitted for his present line of industry. The prin
cipal business of the company is stamping, although
it continues to operate spinning also, and the scope
of its trade covers the United States, its products
being found in every market. The company make it
a business principle to sell direct to customers. It
is well and favorably known for the excellence of
its products and has been steadily advancing since
1910, the volume of trade each year showing appre
ciable growth.
In 1898 Moses B. Delaney was united in marriage

CITY OF DETROIT

to Ellen Lyons and they are the parents of four
children: William, Ethel, John and James. Mr. De
laney takes a deep interest in the affairs of the
Knights of Columbus, of which he has been a member
for several years. He is a member of the Board of
Commerce, and gives practical support to all matters
calculated to promote the commercial development of
his native city, where he is regarded as a prominent
factor in industry.
RICHARD HENRY CONNOR reached the advanced
age of ninety-one years and the long period of his life
was spent in Detroit, which he saw developed from
a tiny hamlet to one of the great metropolitan centers
of the middle west. It seems hardly possible, as one
travels over the broad boulevards of Detroit, amid
its mammoth business blocks and its beautiful resi
dences, that one man could have lived to see the re
markable transformation that converted a wild and
undeveloped region into a great and populous city,
with its ramifying trade interests reaching out into
every section of the world. The memory of Richard
Henry Connor, however, compassed the period when
the Indians far outnumbered the white settlers in
this region. He was born at Grosse Pointe, Michi
gan, November 5, 1812, and passed away on the
10th of August, 1903. He was a son of Henry and
Theresa (Trombley) Connor, the former a native of
Mount Clemens, Michigan, and the latter of Grosse
Pointe. From the Catholic records (the proper names
being spelled in several ways), has been gleaned the
history of the Connor family, compiled by C. M.
Burton and reading as follows: During the War of
the American Revolution the Christian Indians, among
whom were the Moravian missionaries, located in the
northern part of Ohio, were nearly all massacred
by the Americans, or Virginians. There is no need
to review one of the blackest pages of American his
tory. The details were horrible in the extreme and
the event much more horrible and unpardonable when
we understand that it was committed by our own
people. The remaining Indians, with their Moravian
teachers, Zeisburger, Jungman, Edwards and Jung,
were summoned to Detroit by the commandant here,
Schuyler De Peyster, and arrangements were made
to settle the colony on what was then called the Huron
river of Lake St. Clair, now called the Clinton river,
near the present site of Mount Clemens. The late
Judge James V. Campbell says that there were some
white families with the Indians, including that of
Richard Connor. This was in 1782, and is the first
mention I have found of the Connor family. The
Moravians remained at their new settlement several
years and built up quite a village, but the land they
occupied belonged to the Chippewa Indians and they
were forced to surrender the lands to the proper
owners and the Moravians removed, part back to
Ohio and the remainder to Ohatham, in 1786. The
Connor family remained behind and included, at that

time, Richard Connor and his three sons: Henry
(father of R. H. Connor), William and James, and
perhaps another son, John.
"Henry Connor was a noted interpreter, according
to Judge Campbell, and was known as Wabishkindibe
or White Hair. He was a very upright man. After
the Americans took possession of the county the
Connors set up claim to the lands they had occupied
and obtained grants from the United States, eon-
firming their possessory titles. The Moravians' were
Protestants, but the Connors were apparently Catholics
for frequent mention of their names is found in the
records of the Catholic church, and from these and
other records I have gleaned the following dates:
" 'Jacques (James) Connor, aged twenty years and
five months, son of Richard Connor and Marguerite
of the Irish nation (Irlandois de nation), was baptized
February 12, 1792.
' ' ' Henry Connor, major son of the deceased Richard
Connor and of Marguerite Boiver, born near Mari
etta, "state of Penn.", and residing in this (Detroit)
parish for many years, married Therese Tremble
major daughter of Louis Tremble and Cecile Yax,
February 23, 1808. The witnesses to the ceremony
were Michael Tremble, Joseph Tremble, Francois
Tremble, James Connor, Elisha Harrington and James
Abbott, all well known citizens.
"'William Connor, of "Clinton River," married
Susannah Connor, June 29, 1830; in the presence of
Henry Connor and John Connor.
" 'Mary Connor witnessed a marriage April 26
1831. ' ' ' Charles Cavana, major son of James Cavana and
Margaret Money, native of Belaged, diocese of Kil-
kany, married Mary Donahar, major daughter of the
deceased Michael Donahar and of the deceased Mary
Connor, native of the parish of Callcaper, diocese
of Limeric; February 5, 1834.
" 'John H. Connor married Josephine J. Bondi,
October 6, 1835.
" 'Richard Connor and Elizabeth Etiebin were mar
ried August 30, 1841.
" 'Cecile Connor, born April 12, 1809, daughter
of Henry Connor and Therese Tremble.
" 'Richard Connor, son of Henri Connor and of
Therese Tremble, died August 6, 1813, aged about
six months.
^ " 'Marie Aimee Harington, daughter of Elisha Har
rington and Susanne Connor, born April 17, 1812, died
January 29, 1814. The parents were married by a
civil judge.
" 'Benoit Conor, son of Henri Conor and of Therese
Tremble, died August 4, 1822, aged eight months.
"•'Henry Connor, aged sixty years, was buried
September 15, 1840. At the burial there were present
Richard and Jean Connor. He was a marguillier of
Ste. Anne's church, elected December 27, 1829.
" 'Michael Connor, aged thirty-five years, was
buried August 1, 1834. This was the cholera season.

m

RICHARD HENRY CONNOR

CITY OF DETROIT

91

" 'Richard Connor, born November 5, 1812, son of
Henry Connor and Therese Tremble.
" 'Richard Connor, born July 15, 1814, son of
Henry Connor and Therese Tremble. He was a trustee
of Ste. Anne's church in 1852.
" 'Marie Connor, born July 15, 1816, daughter of
Henry Connor and Therese Tremble.
" 'Marguerite Ann Connor, bom July 17, 1817,
daughter of Henry Connor and Therese Tremble.
" 'James Connor, born December 21, 1819, son of
James Connor and Marie Welch (married by a civil
judge). " 'Benjamin C. Conor, born December 21, 1821, son
of Henry Conor and Therese Trambley.
" 'James William Henry Connor, born January 2,
1821, son of Henry Conard and Therese Trambley.
" 'Cecil? Connor was godmother of Cecile Tremble,
May 18, 1824.
" 'Therese Conor, born October 13, 1825, daughter
of Henry Conor and Therese Tremble.
" 'Mary Connor, godmother of Patrick Canneau,
April 26, 1829.
" 'Andre J. H. Conor, born February 26, 1829, son
of Henry Conor and Therese Tremblay. The god
father was Jean (John) H. Conor and the godmother
Suzanne (Susann) Conor.
" 'Henry Ottis Connor, born May 1, 1831, son of
William and Susanne Connor.
" 'Sara Connor, born August 30, 1832, daughter of
Henry Connor and Therese Tremble.
" 'Richard James Trowbridge, born October 15,
1831; son of James Trowbridge and Mary Connor
(married by Methodist minister), the said Mary hav
ing obtained a divorce from Henry Yansy.
" 'Catherine Carey, born September 6, 1834; daugh
ter of Robert Carey and Mary Connor.
" 'Francois de Sales Connor, born December 18,
1841, son of John Connor and Josephine Bondi.
" 'Elizabeth Tremble, wife of Henry Connor, was
godmother to Marie Suzanne Palmer, daughter of
Thomas Jefferson Palmer, November 3, 1836.
" 'Jean (John) Connor, born November 14, 1835,
son of Guillaume (William) Connor and Cecile Suz
anne Connor; the godparents were Jean Connor and
Josephine Connor.
" 'Marie Elizabeth, born October 2, 1843, daughter
of Richard Connor and Elizabeth St. Aubin.
"'Anne Connor, born February 6, 1834; daughter
of Guillaume Connor and Cecile Suzanne Connor.
" 'Adelaide Connor, born March 30, 1847; daughter
of William Connor and Maria Henrietta Dumais.
" 'David Zeisberger, the Moravian, left a diary in
which are several references to the Connor family.
It appears that the wife of Richard Connor was a
woman who had been captive many years among the
Shawanese. Richard was from Maryland, and at the
close of Dunmore's war they settled at Pittsburgh,
but later came to Schonbrunn in search of his son, who
was among the Indians. He and his wife were per

mitted to remain with the Christian Indians and be
came members of the church. Zeisberger refers to
him as "Brother. Connor." He ransomed his little
son from the Shawanese in the winter of 1775-76 re
turned to the Moravian settlement and lived with the
Indians from that time forward. He accompanied
them to Detroit and to their new settlement on Clin
ton river, and remained there until it was broken up
in April, 1786. When the time neared foT departure
the Moravians were in great trouble, for they did
not know what fate was before them. For days pre
ceding the departure, religious services were con
stantly held and the days were spent in preparation
for the exit and in praying. The diary records that
on Thursday, April 20, "after we have early, for the
last time, assembled in our chapel and thanked the
Savior upon our knees for all the goodness we had en
joyed from him, and further committed ourselves to his
mercy upon the journey, we loaded our canoes, and all
went away together in the afternoon. None of us all
remained behind save Conner's family, who himself
knew not whether to go nor what to do." The Mo
ravians heard no more from Connor for six years,
when a member of the Chippewa tribe visited Zeis
berger and told him that Connor still lived on the
Huron (Clinton) river by permission of the Chippewas,
but that no other white men lived there. So here
Richard Connor continued to reside and bring up his
family. He died before the year 1807 and left his
wife, Margaret, and four sons, James, Henry, William
and John. Each of the sons obtained a tract of land
from our government. Henry purchased the land at
Connor's Creek and at his death in 1840 left children
whose names appear above, to wit: John H., whose
wife was named Josephine J. Bondi; Richard H.,
whose first wife was Theresa St. Aubin, and whose
second wife was Catherine, widow of Charles Rivard;
Susan, who probably married a cousin, William Con
nor, June 29, 1830; Therese Hanley; Margaret, who
became the wife of Nicholas Thelan, an old-time sur
veyor; Benjamin H., Andrew H., whose wife was
named Elizabeth; and Sally.
" 'From personal knowledge I could fill in a little
of the later generations, but not much. Richard H.
Connor's first wife was a daughter of Bosalique St.
Aubin, and there were three children: Richard; Frank;
and Mrs. Marie Elizabeth Moran, wife of the late
Charles G. Moran. But I cannot give dates or further
names.' "
It was following the marriage of Henry Connor
and Theresa Trombley that the former took up his
abode at Detroit, her father turning over to him all
of his land upon the agreement that Mr. Connor was
to maintain a home for Mr. and Mrs. Trombley
throughout their remaining days. The place was sit
uated along the creek that has since been called
Connor's Creek. The reminiscences of Richard Henry
Connor concerning those early times were most inter
esting. He would often tell of how the Indians out-

92

CITY OF DETROIT

numbered the white men ten to one, his father acting
as Indian agent. Each fall the red men would come
to the Connor place to get ready for the winter, the
father purchasing cattle for them, which they ate;
and when they were ready to go back into the woods
he would get ponies for them and they would pack
their stuff upon the animals and make their way into
the interior. When Henry Connor went to war in
1812 his wife was staying at Mount Clemens. Follow
ing the battle of the River Raisin, in which many
whites were slain, the Indians threatened to kill her,
and she took her two children in a canoe, paddling
down the Clinton river to Lake St. Clair and so down
to Connor's Creek. On one occasion, before her hus
band's return from the war, the Indians pointed out
a scalp among several which they had hanging to
their belts, telling her that it was that of her hus
band. One of the duties of Henry Connor was to pay
the Indians their annuity from the government, and
before the time came his son, Richard H., whose name
introduces this review, would go around and tell the
red men to gather at a certain place to get their
money, it requiring a six weeks journey on horseback
through the woods to complete this task. The woods
were dense and wild in those days and game was
abundant. A man could go half a mile back from
his home and kill three or four deer every day. Bears
also were plentiful and there was any number of
ducks and other wild fowl. When Richard H. Connor
was seven or eight years of age his father sailed
away with General Cass on an expedition to make a
treaty with the Indians. They started in a sailboat
and it was necessary to go to the farther end of
Lake Superior, so that their people never expected
to see them again. At Mackinaw they obtained from
the Indians big birch bark canoes that were sev
enty-five feet long and twelve feet wide, it requiring
fourteen men to paddle each one. The trip was a
very hard one and for five days and nights the party
were without food but finally killed and ate an eagle.
Near Mackinaw they were sleeping in an Indian vil
lage when in the middle of the night a squaw came to
the father of Richard H. Connor and told him that he
would have to get out at once, as the Indians had
planned to kill all of the party. Mr. Connor then
wakened his companions and they quietly stole away,
going to Fort Mackinaw, where soldiers were sta
tioned. The treaty was made at La Pointe, near
Duluth. Gradually time and man made many changes
and as the years passed the Connor family bore their
full share in the work of development and improve
ment at Grosse Pointe and this section of the state.
Richard Henry Connor attended the public schools
of Grosse Pointe but put aside his textbooks when
quite young, the conditions of frontier life necessitat
ing his work on the farm. He began farming at the
Connor place on Connor's Creek and there he continued
until within ten years of his death. As the country
became more and more thickly settled the land nat

urally rose in value and prosperity attended th«
efforts of Mr. Connor, who in the later years of hia
life made his home in Detroit, his financial interests
being represented by valuable real estate.
On the 30th of August, 1841, Richard H. Connoi
was married to Theresa St. Aubin, a daughter of Bo-
salique St. Aubin, and they became parents of three
children: Richard; Frank; and Marie Elizabeth, the
wife of Charles G. Moran.
Following the death of his first wife Richard H.
Connor wedded Catherine Rivard, who was born in
Strassburg, Alsace-Lorraine, January 27, 1818, and
came to this country when seven years of age with
her parents. She was about sixteen or seventeen when
she became the wife of Charles Rivard, by whom
she had five children, three of whom were living at
the time of her death: M. J. and Abel Rivard of
Detroit; and Theodore of Muskegon. Soon after Cath
erine Rivard became #the wife of Richard H. Connor
they located on the old homestead at Connor's Creek
and there Mrs. Connor continued to reside until her
death in 1894. By her second marriage she became
the mother of eight children, the first two being twins:
Celia, wife of James Fisher; and Cornelia, wife of
Richard Long; Josephine, wife of L. H. Lancashire;
William J.; Rose, wife of Franklin C. St. Aubin;
Augustus P., who is mentioned below; Delia, wife of
Gilbert Moran; and Ida, wife of Phillip Beaubien. At
the time of her death one of the Detroit papers spoke
of her as a ' ' truly excellent Christian woman whose
death occasioned the most poignant sorrow among her
numerous relatives and friends in this city." An
other paper said: "Mrs. Connor was an ideal wife
and mother, and although the children she raised
constituted three families, yex her fond, motherly
heart knew no favoritism, and all shared alike the
bounty of a mother's love. * * * She was mueh given
to charity and great hospitality. She possessed the
happy faculty of making her guests completely at
home, and no one ever applied to her for assistance
in vain. She was a free giver to many of the notable
charities of the city, especially the Little Sisters of the
Poor and St. Vincent 's orphan asylum. ' '
The religious faith of the Connor family has always
been that of the Catholic church. Richard H. Con
nor was a member of the old St. Anne's parish at
Bates and Lamed streets and drew the stone and
aided in building the first church. He afterward
joined the parish of Our Lady of Help and was
buried from St. Joachim's church, when on the 10th
of August, 1903, he was called to the Home beyond,
His political allegiance was given to the democratic
party and he was once a justice of the peace at
Grosse Pointe. He also represented his district in
the state legislature for one term. In all that af
fected the welfare, progress and development of the
city and state in which he lived he was keenly inter
ested and cooperated in many plans and measures
for the general good. His activities were of great

CITY OF DETROIT

93

breadth, contributing to the material, social and
moral progress of the community in which he lived.
Notable were the changes which occurred during
his lifetime and his memory formed a connecting
link between the primitive past and the progressive
present. So closely is the family name associated
with the early settlement of this section of the
state and so active have been the members of the
family in promoting the work of upbuilding that no
history of Detroit would be complete without ex
tended reference to the honored subject of this
memoir. WILLIAM J. CONNER, a well known representa
tive of a prominent pioneer family of Wayne county,
was born in Detroit, November 18, 1853, his parents
being Richard H. and Catherine (Bour-Rivard) Con
nor, mention of whom is made above. He acquired
his early education in the public schools near his
father's home and afterward attended the Sandwich
College of Ontario, Canada, and also the Bryant &
Stratton Business College in Detroit. He started
upon his business career as a general merchant at
Muskegon, being associated with his brother, Augus
tus P., under the name of A. P. Conner & Company,
and afterward was engaged in the same line of busi
ness at Ashland, Michigan. For many years he con
ducted his stor'e, carefully and wisely directing his
business affairs until about fifteen years ago, when
he retired from' active business, save for the manage
ment of his real estate interests, which are exten
sive and important, the rise in property values bring
ing him a most gratifying annual income.
In 1891 Mr. Conner was united in marriage to Mrs.
Ida M. (Hill) Harding, a native of Maine, and they
have two children: Mrs. Winogene Kirsten of De
troit; and Arthur of Seattle, Washington. While De
troit had passed beyond the earliest point of primitive
pioneer development when W. J. Conner entered upon
the scene of earthly activities, he has nevertheless
been a witness of the growth and progress of the
city through sixty-seven years and the stories of the
early days, as related by his father, and his experi
ences through more than six decades, have made him
thoroughly familiar with the history of Detroit and
its steady development into a great metropolitan
center. Augustus P. Conner, youngest son of Richard Henry
Connor, was born in Detroit on September 30, 1858,
and received his education in the public schools of
his native city. He entered on a business career in
mercantile lines in Detroit and in 1882 went to Mus
kegon, Michigan, where he established the mercantile
firm of A. P. Conner & Company. He continued his
business operations very successfully in Muskegon
until 1907, when he went to British Columbia, where
he was engaged principally in the lumber business
until 1917, when he retired and now resides at Har
per, Washington. He married Louise Spitzley, daugh

ter of Henry and Margaret Spitzley of Detroit, and
their children are: Mrs. L. H. Walker of Muskegon,
Michigan; Mrs. F. M. Gray of Detroit; Mrs. L. B.
Denton of Oakland, California; Ruth J. and Richard
H. at home.
Richard H. Conner of the above family voluntarily
enlisted in the United States army in 1916, before his
country entered the World war, and received a com
mission as first lieutenant at the Presidio, San Fran
cisco. He was in the field artillery branch of the
service and saw two years service in France, partici
pating in a number of the great battles fought by
the American troops. He was en route to Europe on
the ill-fated transport "Tuscania," which was tor
pedoed by the Germans, and he left a sick bed to
take to the boats.
COLONEL JULIUS F. HENKEL, M. D., deceased,
who was known as one of the foremost physicians
and surgeons of Michigan, spent his life in Detroit,
where his birth occurred January 26, 1876. His par
ents were Peter and Julis (Nordhorst) Henkel, na
tives of Germany. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Peter
Henkel were six children, of whom three sons and
two daughters are living.
The early educational opportunities enjoyed by Dr.
Henkel were a select school at Saratoga Springs, New
York, and a private school at Marburg, Germany,
while later he continued his studies in the University
of Miehigan and completed his course in the medical
department. He afterward became a student in the
University of Heidelberg, and took postgraduate work
in Berlin and Vienna, and throughout his professional
career he read broadly, keeping in touch with the
advanced research and scientific investigation of
the members of the medical profession. His con
stantly developing ability brought him to prominence
as a physician and surgeon and he was a valued
member of the Wayne County, Michigan State and
American Medical Associations.
For many years Dr. Henkel took a most active and
helpful interest in the Michigan National Guard, which
he joined as a private in 1891. He won successive
promotions and rose steadily until he became first
commanding officer of what later was known as the
One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Ambulance Company
attached to the Forty-second division. With this com
mand he held the rank of lieutenant colonel and at
one time he was president of the Detroit Light In
fantry. On the 20th of April, 1900, Dr. Henkel was united
in marriage to Miss Emeline Liehtenberg, a daughter
of Christian Liehtenberg, also a native of Germany.
She is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which
Dr. Henkel also belonged. His political allegiance
was given to the republican party and while never
an aspirant for office he gave loyal support to its
principles. About 1907 Dr. Henkel had a fall from
a horse and the injuries thus sustained rendered him

94

CITY OF DETROIT

an invalid throughout his remaining days. His death
occurred July 23, 1919. A lifelong resident of Detroit,
he had a wide acquaintance in this city, where his
friends were legion and by reason of his ability in
his profession he ranked with the leading physicians
and surgeons not only of the city but of the state.
Mrs. Henkel now resides at 118 South Gramercy place,
Los Angeles, California.
HARRY J. HEIDEN. In the younger generation of
Detroit business men Harry J. Heiden, a real estate
dealer, has won a creditable place. He *as born in
Monroe, Miehigan, July 31, 1886, a son of John C.
and Sarah C. (Brost) Heiden. The father was of
European birth but came to America in his twelfth
year, settling at Monroe, Michigan, where he attended
school, and after reaching adult age, was married and
engaged in farming, being still numbered among the
successful agriculturists of that section of the state.
His wife was born at Oak Harbor, Ohio, but their
marriage was celebrated in Miehigan, where they are
now well known, having won many warm friends in
the county in which they reside. They became the
parents of four children, the others beside Harry J.
being: Alvin G., a resident of Monroe, Michigan;
John F. and Kathryn, also of Monroe.
In early life HaTry J. Heiden attended the district
schools and afterward the Monroe high school, while
still later he was a student in the Monroe Business
College, from which he was graduated in 1904. He
then came to Detroit, and for seven months was with
the S. S. Kresge Company. He afterward accepted
clerical work with the Parke-Davis Company, but a
little later entered the office of the J. &. T. Hurley
Coal Company, with whom he continued for several
years, after which he was for a period connected with
the Pittsburgh Shafting Company, but subsequently
renewed his association with the J. & T. Hurley Coal
Company. Later he was connected with the Kirby-
Sorge-Felske Company, in a clerical capacity. He
rose to the position of secretary and director of the
company and continued with them for five years. In
March, 1919, feeling that his broad experience and
knowledge fully justified the step, he organized the
real estate' firm of Heiden-Mann Realty Company and
began handling property on his own account. A little
later he purchased the interest of his partner, and
has since successfully conducted the real estate busi
ness, having now a large number of satisfied patrons,
for whom he has carried on various realty negotia
tions and transfers. He is also a director and the
treasurer and manager of the Wolverine Home Build
ing Company, and is thus identified with the building
operations of the city, whereby many vacancies have
been transformed into beautiful residential districts.
He closely studies the real estate market and is thor
oughly acquainted with valuations and everything
that has to do with real estate activity in Detroit.
On the 26th of March, 1908, Mr. Heiden was mar

ried to Miss Julia McDonald of Detroit, and they
have become parents of three children: Delbert J.,
who was born on March 6, 1910, in Detroit; Harriet
K., born in 1917; and Lois N., born in 1919. Mr.
Heiden is a member of the Detroit Board of Com
merce, is identified with the Masonic fraternity in
which he has taken the thirty-second degree of the
Scottish Rite, the Knights Templar degrees, and has
also become a member of the Mystic Shrine. He like
wise belongs to the Young Men's Christian Associa
tion, and in these various membership connections are
indicated the interests and activities of his life. Along
business lines he has connection with the Detroit Real
Estate Board.
WILLIAM E. SCHAEFER, vice president of Owen
& Company, dealers in furniture, carpets and stoves,
is a prominent figure in commercial circles of the city
and the substantial growth and development of the
undertaking are largely attributable to his executive
ability and keen business insight. He is widely and
favorably known in Detroit, as he has here spent
his life, covering a period of fifty-seven years, for
he was born in this city on the 4th of October, 1864,
a son of Henry and Helen Schaefer and one of a
family of four children. His education was acquired
in the public and high schools of Detroit and upon
laying aside his textbooks he engaged in the merchant
tailoring business, opening an establishment on Broad
way. He was most successful in that undertaking,
employing a staff of tailors, while he attended to the
sales end of the business, and he continued active
along that line for a period of fifteen years. He
then became identified with the Owen Stove Exchange,
under which title the enterprise was at that time
conducted, and he progressed with the growth of the
business, being made vice president in 1906. He is a
large stockholder in the undertaking, which is now
operated under the style of Owen & Company, and has
charge of the carpet department, to which he gives
the greater part of his attention, although he also
keeps well informed as to what is being done in all
other branches of the establishment. He combines a
thorough knowledge of the principles of merchan
dising with executive ability of a high order and has
succeeded in maintaining a high degree of efficiency
in the operation of the business. Owen & Company
carry a complete stock of the best the market affords
in their lines and their well known reliability and
progressive business methods have secured for them
an extensive patronage which entitles them to classi
fication with the leading furniture firms in the city.
Mr. Schaefer is devoting every energy to the legitimate
expansion of the business, with which he has long been
identified and which is largely the outcome of his well
formulated plans and progressive policy.
On the 5th of July, 1903, Mr. Schaefer was united
in marriage to Miss Laura Wuerth, a resident of De
troit, and they have become the parents of three

HARRY J. HEIDEN

CITY OF DETROIT

97

children: Pauline, Laura and Owen. He is inde
pendent in his political views, voting for the man
whom he considers best qualified for office without
regard to party ties at local elections, but where
national issues are at stake he casts his ballot in
favor of the candidates of the republican party. His
interest in the welfare and progress of his city is
indicated by his membership in the Board of Com
merce, whose plans and projects for the development
and upbuilding of a greater municipality he heartily
indorses. He stands high in Masonry, belonging to
Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M., to the Michigan Sov
ereign Consistory and to Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine. He is also a member of the New York Car
pet Club. He is a man of pleasing personality, with
the faculty of making friends wherever he goes. A
spirit of enterprise and progress has actuated him
throughout the period of his connection with business
affairs, bringing him to a point where he ranks with
the leading merchants of the city.
CARL BERGLUND, who is the president of the
Acme Manufacturing Company and is also engaged in
the general insurance business, was bom in Stockholm,
Sweden, June 17, 1880, and is a son of Robert and
Bertha (Frendberg) Berglund, who are also natives
of Stockholm, where they still reside, the father being
there engaged in the retail shoe business. To Mr. and
Mrs. Berglund were born six children: Mrs. Eleonora
Vestrom, living at Sundsvall, Sweden; Mrs. Marie
Nelson of Stockholm; and Greta, Rosa and Gustave,
all with their parents in Stockholm.
The other member of the family is Carl Berglund of
this review, who after attending the high school in
his native city continued his education in a technical
school, in which he pursued a mechanical course and
was graduated with the degree of M. E. in 1899.
He later became connected with the Stockholm Gun
Works, with which he remained for four and one-half
years. He afterward worked for two years in the
Dental Technical Laboratory of Stockholm and sub
sequently became connected with the Svea Cream
Separator Works at that city, staying with that busi
ness from 1902 until 1903, when he resigned in order
to come to the new world. He arrived in New York,
June 27, 1903, and on the 4th of July of that year
reached Detroit. A few days later he secured a posi
tion, which he continued to occupy until 1905, when
he determined to obtain a location where he might
engage in business for himself. He went to northern
Canada and then to St. Paul, Minnesota, and from
there to St. Louis, Missouri. Later he was in Chicago,
Illinois, but decided that the best opportunity for
advancement was to be found in Detroit and in 1906
returned to this city. He was employed by the Na
tional Can Company for a year and a half, and was
later with the Packard Motor Company, but resigned
to enter business on his own account, opening a stamp
ing establishment, which he conducted successfully
Vol. IV— 7

until 1910, when he organized the Acme Manufac
turing Company, manufacturers of tools, dies, fixtures,
etc. Of this he has since been the president and direct
ing head. The business is located at No. 355 Howard
street and the firm employs from twenty to twenty-
five people. The company owns the property on which
the plant is located and the business is being conducted
along developing and profitable lines. In 1914 Mr.
Berglund also entered the insurance business as gen
eral .agent for the Union Trust Life Insurance Com
pany and the National Union Fire Insurance Company
and in this field of labor he has likewise been suc
cessful. He is also a director and the treasurer of
the New Era Building Company, home builders. He
possesses the determination, forcefulness and resource
fulness which enable him to carry forward to success
ful completion whatever he undertakes. In a review
of his life it will be noticed that he has worked his
way upward entirely on his own account, starting
out with extremely limited means. He devoted his
days to work and in the evenings attended night
school in Detroit in 1910 and 1911 and throughout his
career he has made the best possible use of his time
and opportunities, thus gaining a commendable place
in the business circles of his adopted city.
Prior to coming to America Mr. Berglund had
served for one year with the coast artillery forces
in his native land. He is a member of the Sons of
Sweden and the Svea and Du Nord Societies. He
has never had occasion to regret his determination to
leave Sweden and become an American citizen, for
in this country he has found the opportunities which
he sought and has also found pleasant relations among
a constantly increasing circles of friends.
JAMES LOUIS LEE. Prominent among the large
industrial enterprises of Detroit is the firm of W. M.
Finck & Company, extensively engaged in the manu
facture of overalls. James Louis Lee, its secretary
and treasurer, has been identified with the business
since its inception and his enterprise, initiative and
close application have been important factors in the
attainment of its present-day success. He is a native
of Michigan, his birth having occurred at Brighton,
July 25, 1858, and his parents were James B. and
Samantha B. (Chadwick) Lee. In the public schools
of Brighton he acquired his education and in 1876,
when eighteen years of age, came to Detroit. He
secured a situation with James Nail & Company and
subsequently entered the employ of Charles Root &
Company, wholesale dry goods merchants. He devoted
every energy to learning the business, faithfully per
forming each task assigned him, and was advanced
from one position to another of greater importance
and responsibility until he beeame the junior member
of the firm in 1888. Upon the deafe of Mr. Root four
months later the firm of Strong, Lee & Company was
organized and for fifteen years they conducted one
of the largest dry goods houses of the city. In 1902

CITY OF DETROIT

Mr. Lee became associated with W. M. Finck in estab
lishing the firm of W. M. Finck & Company, of which
he became treasurer and general manager, which offices
he has continued to fill, and he is also serving as
secretary. He acts as purchasing agent, has charge of
the financing of all advertising for the firm and is
also sales manager, in which connection he has built
up a very efficient corps which comprises twenty-five
aggressive, energetic and successful young salesmen,
who are securing more orders than the factory can
conveniently fill. The firm is engaged in the manu
facture of overalls on an extensive scale and the
excellence of the output has secured for it a world
wide sale. Employment is given to over a thousand
persons and the business is thoroughly systematized,
so that a most efficient organization has been built up.
In the control of this large enterprise Mr. Lee dis
plays notable executive ability, foresight and self-
reliance and he is also a director of the Bower Roller
Bearing Company.
At Brighton, Michigan, on the 27th of November,
1879, occurred the marriage of James Louis Lee and
Miss Mary Lawson, a sister of George E. Lawson, a
prominent resident of Detroit. Three children have
been born of this union: Edna M., who married A. K.
Root; Fanny L., the wife of C. Y. Judson; and How
ard B., who is a representative of the Guaranty Trust
Company of New York. He married Miss Helen Joy,
a daughter of Henry B. Joy, one of Detroit's fore
most citizens.
In his political views Mr. Lee is independent, voting
for the candidate whom he regards as best qualified
for offiee, without regard to party ties, and in religious
faith he is a Presbyterian. He is a member of the
Detroit, Detroit Boat and Detroit Country Clubs and
fraternally he is identified with the Masons. He is
a man of marked strength of character and his con
stantly expanding powers have brought him from
humble surroundings to the field of large enterprises
and continually broadening opportunities. As the
architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely
and well and he is today a dominant figure in business
circles of Detroit.
WILLIAM J. NAGEL. A notable fact in connec
tion with the history of Detroit is that many of the
men who are recognized leaders in her business, polit
ical and social circles are native sons of the city —
men who have grown up here, who recognized the
advantages and opportunities that Detroit offers and
who have most eagerly availed themselves of the
chances to further her greatness and establish her
position among the ten great cities of the nation.
Such an one is William J. Nagel, who is filling the
offiee of postmaster and who was here born on the
11th of September, 1873. His parents, William and
Theresa (Schulte) Nagel, were both natives of West
phalia, Germany, but in early life came to America
and settled in Detroit, where they were married. Wil

liam Nagel afterward engaged in the grocery business
and became a leading factor in political circles, rep
resenting the third ward in the city council for a
number of terms. His brother, Joseph Nagel, was
likewise a member of the city council and was also
water commissioner, being appointed to the latter
office by Mayor Chamberlain. He was, moreover,
state senator and was elected to the office of county
auditor but passed away before he was installed in
that position. The father of William J. Nagel passed
away in Detroit in 1914 and the mother's death oc
curred in 1899. They were the parents of eleven
children, two of whom are deceased. Harry, who was
with the American Expeditionary Forces, died in
France. The others are: Joseph F., Theodore R., Otto,
Frank, Theresa, Caroline, Anna, Dorothy, and William
J., of this review, all residents of Detroit. A brother
of Mrs. Nagel, Dr. Joseph Schulte, is living retired in
Detroit. He was city physician of Detroit and later
served as a member of the board of health. At the
time of the smallpox epidemic which assumed such
menacing proportions Dr. Schulte was appointed health
officer to combat the spread of the disease and was
highly successful in stamping it out.
William J. Nagel supplemented his private school
education, acquired in Detroit, by study in the Uni
versity of Detroit and in the Detroit Business Uni
versity but put aside his textbooks in order to enter
his father's store, thus obtaining his initial business
experience. He was afterward connected with the
Dime Savings Bank and later filled a position in the
office of deputy collector of internal revenue (income
tax department). Subsequently he accepted the posi
tion of chief bookkeeper in the city treasurer's office
under William B. Thompson, city treasurer, and later
became deputy controller of Detroit under Hon. Frank
E. Doremus, controller. He was also employed along
various other lines and was secretary of the Michigan
Bonding & Surety Company. On the 30th of August,
1913, he was appointed postmaster of Detroit and has
since occupied that position, his administration being
most businesslike, all of the duties of the office being
promptly and efficiently performed.
On the 23d of February, 1903, Mr. Nagel was mar
ried to Miss Emma Martz of Detroit, a representa
tive of one of the old families of this eity. Mr. and
Mrs. Nagel have become the parents of three children:
Dorothea, who was born in 1905; Gretchen, born in
1907; and William A., in 1910.
Mr. Nagel is a member of the Roman Catholic
church and is well known in club circles, belonging
to the Detroit Racquet and Curling Club, the Har-
monie Society and the Detroit Yacht Club. A stanch
supporter of universal military training, Mr. Nagel
entered the first class at Fort Sheridan, where he
received the training in the infantry branch of serv
ice. Later he was at Plattsburg, New York, where
he had cavalry training. He received a commission
as captain and was located at Fort Niagara, New

WILLIAM J. NAGEL

CITY OF DETROIT

101

York, where he had charge of finances under General
S. W. Miller, at that time colonel. Mr. Nagel was
on the executive committee of the old military train
ing organization, the object of which was to give
military training to its members. When the Mexican
trouble started and the National Guard was called to
the Mexican border, Mr. Nagel was the prime mover
in the organization of the Detroit Patriotic Fund and
became its executive head. This splendid organization
had for its object the care of the families of the men
in the service, raising funds for that purpose. When
the American Red Cross formed its civilian relief
department for the home service section, its function
to care for and assist the dependents of men in the
United States service, Mr. Nagel became chairman of
the civilian relief committee and is still serving in
that capacity. His political allegiance has been given
to the democratic party since age conferred upon him
the right of franchise and he has ever been active
in support of its principles, doing everything in his
power to secure their adoption. It was recognition
of his services for the party that led to his appoint
ment to the office of Detroit's postmaster and through
the intervening period he has shown constant watch
fulness to improve the postal service. He has made
the Detroit post office one of the best conducted public
institutions in the country, introducing modern meth
ods for this purpose. He has instituted a school for
the employes, where they are taught efficiency in the
handling of a large volume of mail. All of his. time
and attention is devoted to the responsibilities of his
office and for diversion Mr. Nagel turns to outdoor
sports and pursuits, enjoying athletics, such as base
ball, handball, swimming, racquet and boxing. Mr.
Nagel was one of the prime movers in the effort,
made perhaps a score of years ago, to popularize
bowling and to place it on the firm foundation that
branch of recreation now occupies in Detroit. He
delights in baseball and when the Detroit Tigers are
in town he can be seen wearing the uniform in prac
tice on the field with the players. The team counts
him indeed a friend and he is a familiar figure in
practice to tens of thousands of baseball fans. As
postmaster he is one of the most popular that Detroit
has ever known, always approachable, kindly and
courteous, yet he is stern in his support of what he
believes to be right and unswerving in his loyalty to
his honest convictions.
JOSEPH N. ESPER, conducting business under the
name of the Joseph N. Esper Coal Company, was
born in Wayne county, Michigan, February 3, 1875.
His parents, Anthony and Elizabeth (Reuter) Esper,
were also natives of this state, their respective parents
having emigrated to America at an early date. They
settled in Wayne county, Michigan, where Peter Esper,
the grandfather in the paternal line, took up his abode
in pioneer times and in the midst of the virgin forest
built a home and hewed out a farm, devoting his

attention to the further development and cultivation
of his fields until his death. The old house is still
standing where he built it when he came to Mich
igan and is one of the old landmarks of that section
of the state. The maternal grandfather, Frank Reuter,
also arrived in a very early day and is still living
in Miehigan at the venerable age of ninety-six years.
Anthony Esper was born in Wayne county and
after attending school and remaining upon the home
farm until he had attained his majority he took up
farming on his own account and devoted his life
thereto, passing away in 1918, at the age of seventy-
one years. The mother is still living near the old
home place. She, too, was born in Wayne county and
her life has been passed in Michigan. Their children
are: Frank, Barney, Tony, Leonard, Albert, Joseph
N., Veronica, Dorothy, Genevieve and Loretta. Of
this number all are living with the exception of
Leonard. The daughter Veronica is the wife of Wil
liam Horger.
In his boyhood days Joseph N. Esper attended the
public schools at McDonald, Miehigan, and later walked
three miles to Detroit in order to pursue his education
in a parochial school. When his education was com
pleted he went to work on his father's farm and was
thus employed until he reached his twenty-fourth year.
He then began farming on his own account in Wayne .
county but eventually tired of agricultural life and
returned to Detroit, where he entered into partnership
with B. Horger in the coal business, under the firm
style of Horger & Esper. This arrangement did not
bring results desired and Mr. Esper decided to with
draw from the business, but his partner also con
cluded to retire and their assets were placed on the
market. Mr. Esper succeeded in securing the busi
ness at about forty cents on the dollar and with a
debt of eighteen thousand dollars he started out in
business on his own account. Within a few years
he succeeded in wiping out the entire indebtedness
and in accumulating a considerable surplus, and
through the years which have since elapsed he has
been decidedly prosperous. He has developed the busi
ness to large proportions and is now sole proprietor of
interests which are carried on under the name of the
Joseph N. Esper Coal Company. Through industry,
thrift and perseverance he has forged to the front and
is now prominent as a representative of the coal
trade of Detroit.
On the 18th of October, 1898, Mr. Esper was mar
ried to Miss Emma Horger of Detroit, daughter of
Anthony Horger, and they have become parents of
seven children: Leonard, born in Detroit in September,
1901; Florence, born in 1902; Julia, bom in 1904;
Joseph, born in 1906; Richard, born in 1908; Gene
vieve, bom in 1910; and Ralph, born in 1914. All
have been educated in the schools of Detroit.
The religious faith of the family is that of the
Roman Catholic church. Mr. Esper belongs to the Be
nevolent Protective Order of Elks and also to the

102

CITY OF DETROIT

Detroit Board of Commerce, while politically he sup
ports the independent party. Outside interests, how
ever, have had a comparatively small share of his
time and attention, as he 'has concentrated his energies
upon his business, with the result that close application
and unremitting diligence have brought to him sub
stantial success.
JOHN GILLESPIE, manufacturer and broker, was
born in Chicopee, Massachusetts, November 3, 1877,
his parents being George and Agnes (Adams) Gilles
pie. After attending the public schools of his native
city he secured his first position as office boy with
the Ames Sword Company, in 1890, and continued
with that corporation until 1899. For his fidelity,
diligence and enterprise he was recommended by his
employers to fill a position with the Armstrong Regalia
Company of Detroit and thus initiated his business
career in this city. In 1904 he established his own
business, under the name of the Detroit Regalia Com
pany and shortly afterward consolidated his interests
with the Morgan, Puhl & Morris Company, also of
Detroit. In 1908 the business was sold to the Hen
derson-Ames Company of Kalamazoo, Miehigan, at
which time he retired from the uniform and regalia
business and immediately entered the retail automobile
business. In 1910 Mr. Gillespie was appointed water com
missioner by Mayor Philip Breitmeyer. During his
term of service the Detroit News said of him: "As
water commissioner Mr. Gillespie has shown a desire
to give courteous attention to complaints of the public.
It has happened sometimes in the past that water
consumers felt that they did not receive satisfaction
when they voiced protests. Since John Gillespie be
came water commissioner this policy has been discon
tinued. Mr. Gillespie has suggested frequently 'the
people of Detroit own this water system, they have
a right to complain and tell us how to improve the
service. We are their servants and should not forget
it for an instant.' " He remained as water commis
sioner of Detroit until May 17, 1913, when he was
appointed police commissioner by Mayor Oscar B.
Marx and was in active control of the police depart
ment until September 30, 1916, on which date he ten
dered his resignation to the mayor, which was ac
cepted with the following message: "It is with much
regret that I have this day received your resignation
as commissioner of police and inasmuch as you insist
upon my acceptance of it, I hereby accede to your
wishes. In leaving my cabinet at this time I want you
to know that I fully appreciate the many construc
tive acts of your administration and I wish you to
feel that I shall always carry with me the firmest
belief in your integrity and loyalty."
Immediately upon retiring from the police com
missioner's office, Mr. Gillespie entered the real estate
and insurance business and has continued active, be
ing at the present time secretary and treasurer of the

Gillespie-Krimmel Company. Mr. Gillespie is also
president of the New Egyptian Portland Cement
Company of Fenton, Michigan, president of the Peer
less Portland Cement Company of Union City, Michi
gan, and a director of the Fort Shelby Hotel Company
of Detroit.
Mr. Gillespie was married in Detroit on April 21,
1910, to Miss Hazel K. Horton and they now have
two sons: John Philip and Robert Horton. Mr. Gil
lespie belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce, is
a thirty-second degree Mason and a Knights Templar.
He is a member of the Detroit Athletie Club and
Red Run Golf Club. His eity residence is at the Fort
Shelby hotel, and his country residence is at Royal
Oak, Michigan.
JAMES D. MAY. The name of May has been
associated with public life in Detroit for many years.
James D., Thomas, William and David, the four sons
of Thomas and Eliza (Shannon) May, all are known
as public-spirited men in their respective vocations.
Both parents were natives of Ireland and came to
the United States in 1848, remained in New York for
one year and thence came to Detroit. Thomas May
secured employment at E. B. Ward's warehouse at the
foot of Wayne street, in which position he remained
for a period of twenty-eight years. At one time the
family lived on the corner of Woodward avenue and
Congress street.
James D. May has occupied an enviable position at
the Detroit bar for over thirty-three years, practicing
as one of its most able and eminent representatives.
Thoroughness and care in the preparation of his cases
have won the respect of his contemporaries as well
as his clients.
James D. May was born in Detroit October 23,
1863. He attended the public schools for five years,
then old Trinity school, which was established on
Porter street between Fifth and Sixth, where he
studied for three years. He then attended Detroit
College for two years, after which he entered the
law department of the University of Michigan and
secured his professional degree from that institution
in 1887. His splendid work as a law student attracted
the attention of George Jerome, then general counsel
for the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad
and an effort was made to secure for him a position
with that railroad company, in the legal department.
Mr. May was given many letters of recommendation
by noted men, among them Henry Wade Rogers,
William P. Wells and Levi T. Griffin, but just when
success seemed to have crowned his efforts the general
offices of the railroad were moved from Detroit to
Montreal, Canada, and his chances were gone.
It has been customary for the graduated classes
from the University of Michigan law school to go to
the court in Washtenaw county and pass a perfunc
tory examination. Mr. May desired a more thorough
examination, accordingly came to Detroit, went before

JOHN GILLESPIE

CITY OF DETROIT

105

Judge Chambers, then sitting in the circuit court of
Wayne county, and requested that a committee be ap
pointed to give him the examination. The committee
named consisted of John G. Hawley, George S. Hos-
mer and C. J. Reilly, who tested the legal knowledge
Mr. May had brought out of the classroom and
found it highly satisfactory.
On August 15, 1887, Mr. May opened a law office in
Detroit and for nine years continued the practice
alone, gradually winning a clientage of wide extent.
He afterward became a partner in the firm of Flowers,
May & Maloney, with which he was associated for five
years, and in' 1901 he entered into partnership with
Harry J. Dingeman, under the firm style of May &
Dingeman. This connection was maintained until the
latter was elected to the Wayne County Circuit Court
bench in 1919, since which time Mr. May has again
practiced alone.
To trace back a few years it may be said that
during the first campaign for Grover Cleveland, Mr.
May was one of the most active in the organization
of the First Voters' Club, under the title Young
Men's Democratic Club. Mr. May was a candidate for
circuit judge in 1905 and after a spirited contest came
in seeond to P. J. M. Hally. At various times in his
career Mr. May has given his attention and interest
to other business connections, but never to the detri
ment of his chosen profession. He is now president of
the Civil Service Commission. He is a member of the
Association Bar of Detroit, Michigan Bar Association
and American Bar Association, also is a member of
the Lawyers Club. Politically Mr. May has always
been affiliated with the democratic party and relig
iously is a Catholic. In the early '90s he gave much
attention to athletics and was a member of the Detroit
Boat Club and the Michigan Athletic Club.
On the 30th of April, 1895, in Detroit, was cele
brated the marriage of James D. May and Miss An-
gelique Monnier, daughter of F. X. Monnier, an old
established French family of Detroit.
RICHARD GEORGE BEEGEN, engaged in the gen
eral hardware business in Detroit, took up his abode
in this city on the 4th of July, 1883, in the midst of
a joyous Fourth of July celebration. He had just
crossed the Atlantic from Meissen, Germany, where
his birth occurred June 1, 1852, his parents being
Carl Gottleib and Wilhelmina (Grellmann) Beegen,
who spent their lives in Germany, where the father
engaged in merchandizing.
Richard George Beegen attended school in his native
country and afterward learned the tinsmith's trade,
serving a regular apprenticeship and then working
as a journeyman, until he became qualified to engage
in business on his own account. He was a young
man of but twenty-one years when he came to the
new world, reaching Detroit on Independence Day of
1883. His financial condition rendered it imperative
that he immediately . seek employment and this he

found in the Pullman car shops, where he worked for
a time and later secured a position in the hardware
store of L. Gottfield on Michigan avenue. His capa
bility and faithfulness are indicated in the fact that
he remained with Mr. Gottfield for sixteen years, and
at the end of that time purchased the business of
his employer. Since then he has greatly enlarged and
improved the establishment and is now conducting his
interests under the name of R. Beegan. He handles
all kinds of shelf and heavy hardware and stoves and
is also the manufacturer of the polished stove pipe.
In fact he is a pioneer in manufacturing stove pipes
of that character. He thoroughly learned the business
in his native land and such has been his success in
this particular branch of the business that today
thirty carloads of polished stove pipes are shipped
annually and it requires some thirty-five people to take
care of the manufacture and sale of this output.
On the 22d of June, 1875, Mr. Beegen was married
to Miss Bertha Ketscher and they have become par
ents of five children: Rose, who is the wife of Ulrich
Cody of Montreal, Canada, and has one child, Nor
man; Elsa, who is the wife of Max Schloemp and has
one child, Margaret, born in Detroit; Rudolph G., who
married Miss Emma Livermore and has three children,
Richard, Jane and Beverly, who are with their parents
in Detroit; Clara, the wife of Otto Frederick, and the
mother of four children, Richard, Edward, Helen and
Lilian; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Carl Munch,
who was a corporal in the World war and was killed
in action in France.
Mr. Beegen gives his political allegiance to the
republican party, and his religious faith is that of
the Lutheran church. He is a member of the Retail
Hardware Dealers Association of Detroit and he be
longs to the Order of Harugari of this city. When
he arrived here his cash capital consisted of but
twenty-nine dollars and thus he started out in the
business world in Detroit, since which time he has
worked his way steadily upward and his persistency
of purpose has brought him the success that is his
today. He has never had occasion to regret his
determination to come to the new world, for here he
found the business opportunities which he sought and
in their utilization has gained a most comfortable
financial competence.
ALBERT E. CHARLESWORTH, who as president
of the Wolverine Optical Company is conducting an
extensive business as a manufacturing optician in
Detroit, was born in Leicester, England, March 19,
1869, and in his early childhood was brought to the
new world by his parents, James and Ellen (Woofen-
den) Charlesworth, who established their home in
Toronto, Canada, where he pursued a public school
education. He resided in Toronto from 1873 until
1882 and then at the age of thirteen years came to
Detroit. He started out in the business world as an
employe of the Johnston Optical Company in 1884,

106

CITY OF DETROIT

when a youth of fifteen, and throughout the inter
vening years has continued in the same line of busi
ness, which he has found not only a congenial but a
profitable field of labor. He remained with the John
ston Optical Company for fourteen years and in 1898
organized the Charlesworth Optical Company, which
in 1912 was consolidated with the Wolverine Optical
Company and the Kennedy Optical Company under the
name of the Wolverine Optical Company, of which he is
now the president. A large and substantial business
has been developed, the output of the company main
taining the highest standards of scientific achieve
ment in their line. Mr. Charlesworth is also the presi
dent of the Detroit Motor Lock Company and one of
the directors of the Jenney Engineering Company.
On the 29th of June, 1898, Mr. Charlesworth was
married to Miss Laura Bell of Detroit, and they have
become the parents of two sons and a daughter: Albert
E., Jr., born September 26, 1899; Marjorie Bell and
Donald E., the last named born May 20, 1914.
The religious faith of the parents is that of the
Congregational church. In the line of his profession
Mr. Charlesworth is connected with the American As
sociation of Wholesale Opticians. He belongs to the
Detroit Board of Commerce, is interested in the plans
and projects of that organization for the upbuilding
and benefit of the city, and is a member of the Fire
Prevention committee from that body. His political
support is given to the republican party. In fra
ternal relations he is known as a thirty-second degree
Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine and he be
longs to the Rotary Club. In a word, his interests and
activities are those of the high-minded American
citizen and representative business man whose career
is actuated by a spirit of progress, not only along the
line of individual achievement, but also for the benefit
of community, commonwealth and country. Mr.
Charlesworth resides at 1200 Longfellow avenue.
HON. PHILIP TAYLOR VAN ZILE. For more
than two decades the Hon. Philip T. Van Zile was a
representative of the Detroit bar and also served as
circuit judge. Before removing to this city he had
engaged in the practice of law for many years in
Charlotte, Michigan, and he was widely known in
that and other sections of the state. He came to
Miehigan from Pennsylvania, in which latter state
his birth occurred at Osceola, Tioga county, on the
20th of July, 1843, his parents being David M. and
Elvira (Taylor) Van Zile, and he was descended from
Holland Dutch stock. Their family numbered two
children, the sister being Catherine, who married
Charles H. Colgrove and died in Minneapolis. The
father followed the occupation of shoe manufacturer.
He, too, was a native of Pennsylvania, but for a
number of years resided in Michigan and passed away
in Potterville, Michigan.
Judge Van Zile obtained his early education in the
public schools of Osceola and Union Academy at Wells-

boro, Pennsylvania, later continuing his studies in
Alfred University, which in 1903 conferred upon him
the honorary degree of LL. D. After his graduation
from Alfred University he enlisted for service in the
Civil war in September, 1864, from Rochester, Ohio,
in Battery E, First Ohio Light Artillery, he having
declined a commission as captain from the governor
of Ohio, which was offered him because of his skill
as a drillmaster in the home guards. His regiment
was assigned to the army of the Cumberland, taking
part in the battles of Nashville and Franklin, where
General Hood was defeated. Mr. Van Zile served ten
months, until after the close of the war. He had
early determined upon the practice of law as a life
work and his preparation therefor was very thorough,
well equipping him to take up the onerous duties of
the profession. He then entered the law department
of the University, from which he was graduated in
1867. He was admitted to practice in 1867 and opened
an offiee in Charlotte, Michigan, where he soon came
into prominence, for no dreary novitiate awaited him.
He early gave proof of his ability to handle success
fully intricate and involved legal problems and his
clientage steadily increased. He was soon chosen to
serve for two terms as prosecuting attorney of Eaton
county and was likewise probate judge of Eaton
county for a period of four years. His ability won
him further judicial appointment, and at the age of
thirty-two he was elected judge of the fifth judicial
circuit court and while on the bench was appointed
by President Hayes, United States district attorney
to Utah, where he made a most creditable record from
1878 until 1884. After seven years of stormy experi
ences, endeavoring to compel respect for the law on
the part of the Mormons of Utah and vicinity, Judge
Van Zile resigned his position in trie west in order
to resume law practice in Charlotte, and seeking a
wider field for his profession, he afterward came to
Detroit in 1890. He filled the office of prosecuting
attorney two terms and was later elected circuit judge
of the Third Judicial district, serving until failing
health caused him to decline reelection. His course
upon the bench was characterized by a masterful
grasp of every problem presented for solution and
the utmost fidelity in discharging the duties of his
position. He possessed an analytical mind and his
application of legal principles was seldom at fault.
In 1890 he was appointed special lecturer in Detroit
College of Law and in 1892 became dean of the college
and continued to fill this chair until failing health
compelled him to resign in 1914. He was the author
of authoritative works on the law, having published
Bailments and Carriers and Equity, Pleading and Prac
tice. He also served on the board of state bar ex
aminers for several years.
On the 28th of December, 1865, Judge Van Zile
was united in marriage at Rochester, Ohio, to Miss
Eliza A. Jones, a daughter of Alexander Jones, a na
tive of the state of New York and of Julia (Starr)

HON. PHILIP TAYLOR VAN ZILE

CITY OF DETROIT

109

Jones, whose people were originally from Connecticut,
although Mrs. Van Zile was born in Erie county, Ohio.
To Judge and Mrs. Van Zile were born the following
named: Hortense E.; Ralph W., who graduated from
the Orchard Lake Military School and died at the
age of nineteen years; Mabel, who passed away in in
fancy, January 17, 1880; and Donald, a graduate from
the literary department of the University of Michigan
and the Detroit College of Law, a well known repre
sentative of the legal profession in Detroit. He mar
ried Harriet Goodyear and they have two children,
Philip Taylor and John Goodyear. The family circle
was broken by the hand of death on the 26th of Oc
tober, 1917, when Judge Van Zile was called to his
, final rest. Mrs. Van Zile completed her education at
Oberlin College. She has been quite active in club
circles, has served as president of the Ladies Literary
Club of Charlotte, Miehigan, and is a member of the
Twentieth Century Club of Detroit. She resides at
650 West Forest avenue.
Judge Van Zile was widely known in Masonic cir
cles, belonging to Charlotte Lodge, No. 120, F. & A. M.,
of which he was a past master, a charter member of
Charlotte Chapter, No. 82, R. A. M., a charter member
of Charlotte Commandery, Knights Templar, of whieh
he was commander, later a member of Damascus Com
mandery of Detroit, of which he was commander, and
he was grand commander of the Knights Templar of
Michigan in 1900. He likewise belonged to the Knights
of Pythias of Detroit and his religious faith was that
of the Congregational church, holding membership in
the First Congregational chureh, and he was a deacon
of the church at the time of his death. In politics he
was a stanch republican and was at one time chair
man of the republican state central committee, mem
ber of the Detroit, Felloweraft and Yacht Clubs. He
exercised marked influence over political interests
and over public thought and action in various other
connections, his ability plaeing him in a point of lead
ership in connection with many matters of general
concern as well as in the profession of law.
Of the many expressions of appreciation of Judge
Van Zile which have appeared in the press of the
city in which he lived and the state, the following
is worthy of notice because it was written by one of
the most discriminating of editors and one who has
been on the other side of the political fence from
the Judge, and is therefore appreciative of him as
a man:
"A giant in stature, the late Judge Philip T. Van
Zile, who is buried at his old home in Charlotte, Mieh
igan, today, looked the judicial part. But with all
his dignity of bearing there was an admixture of
merriment, a love of the quizzical. Twenty-two years
ago he was a candidate for a high state offiee — either
the governorship or a place on the supreme bench —
and in beginning a toast before the Miehigan Press
Association on 'Michigan, My Michigan,' he observed
wistfully, 'I wish it were.' The tributes attending

his last home-going journey today, extolling fittingly
his long public and professional diligence, disclose the
fact that is often withheld until a man is through with
the world, that it was Judge Van Zile 's Miehigan after
all. And now he has gone to slumber in its bosom."
ARTHUR A. FRANK, who is identified with the
textile manufacturing interests of Detroit, being in
connection with a business that has been in existence
for a half century, was born in Oakland county, Michi
gan, and pursued his education in the public schools
of the state and in the University of Michigan at
Ann Arbor, where he pursued a special course in com
mercial law. After leaving college he joined his
father, Isadore Frank, in the Detroit-Alaska Knitting
Mills, and ¦ eventually became secretary-treasurer of
the company. Upon the death of Isadore Frank, which
occurred during the past year, Arthur A. Frank was
elected president. This company has been in existence
for fifty years, and the business was acquired from
the previous owners by the Franks. They manufacture
woolen and worsted hosiery, mittens and heavy socks
for lumbermen, and their trade extends from coast
to coast through the northern part of the country.
They maintain a high standard in the excellence of
their product and by reason thereof their business
has constantly increased and developed until it has
become an important productive concern of this city.
In 1908 Mr. Frank was united in marriage to Miss
Lucille Hirsehfeld of St. Louis, and their three chil
dren are: Jean, aged eleven years; Ruth, aged six;
and Arthur A., Jr., who is a lad of five.
Mr. Frank is a Mason of high degree, having be
come identified with Ashlar Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M.;
Michigan Sovereign Consistory, S. C. R. S.; and
Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He belongs to
the Detroit Yacht Club, to the Redford Country Club,
to the Phoenix Club and the Kiwanis Club, and he is
also identified with the Board of Commerce of Detroit.
His religious faith is indicated in his connection with
Temple Beth El. He resides in Highland Park, and
is greatly interested in all that pertains to civic bet
terment and civic progress.
WILLIAM FREDERICK MOELLER, filling a four
years' term as one of the three county auditors of
Wayne county, was born in Pomerania, Germany, Jan
uary 14, 1868. His father, John Moeller, was also a
native, of the same place, born June 1, 1839. There
he married Sophia Freiheit and in 1881 they came
to the United States with their son, William F., mak
ing their way across the country to Detroit, where
the latter continued his education that had been
begun in the schools of his native country. He
completed a high school course in Detroit in 1885
and after putting aside his textbooks learned the
painter's trade. Later he began taking contracts
for painting work and was active in the business until
1903, when the public duties to which he was called

110

CITY OF DETROIT

demanded his entire time and attention and he has
sinee been an active factor in connection with the
official life of Detroit.
Mr. Moeller has been a stalwart republican since
age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He
was elected alderman of Detroit in 1897 from the
fourteenth ward and that he made a most creditable
and excellent record in that position is indicated in
the fact that he was four times reelected, serving
for five terms of two years each. During this period
he also served for six years, from 1899 until 1905, as
jury commissioner of Wayne county. In 1908 he was
elected to the - office of treasurer of Wayne county
and on the expiration of his first term was reelected,
filling that position for two terms. In 1913 he was
made a candidate of his party fox the office of county
auditor for a four years' term and in 1917 was re
elected to the position for the term expiring in 1921.
His publie service has ever been characterized by
promptness and fidelity in the discharge of his duties
and a thorough understanding of the obligations de
volving upon him.
On the 1st of January, 1896, in Detroit, Mr. Moeller
was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Nickel, who
passed away May 4, 1901, leaving two children: Louis
E. and Ella. On the 17th of July, 1903, Mr. Moeller
was again married, his second union being with Minnie
Provey, by whom he has two children: William F., Jr.,
and George. The religious faith of the family is that
of the Lutheran church. A resident of Detroit for
thirty-nine years, Mr. Moeller is thoroughly identified
with the interests of the city and over the record of
his official career there falls no shadow of wrong nor
suspicion of evil.
OTTO W. KLETT, one of the owners of the large
furniture establishment of Klett & Cain, at No. 552
Michigan avenue in Detroit, is a native son of this
state, his birth having occurred in Southfield town
ship, Oakland county, July 20, 1881, his parents being
John and Frederica (Waack) Klett, both of whom
were bom in Germany, but came to America in early
life, settling first in Detroit, and afterward removing
to Oakland county, where the father later engaged
in various lines of business. Finally he concentrated
his efforts and attention upon the cultivation of the
soil and became a most successful farmer. He died in
Oakland county, in 1905. Mrs. Klett survived him
until June 15, 1920. In that county they reared their
family of twelve children, nine of whom survive,
namely: Anna, the wife of John Hart of Detroit;
August of Detroit; William G., who is engaged in the
furniture trade in Detroit; Albert, a business man of
Detroit; Bertha, the wife of Simon W. Cain, member
of the firm of Klett & Cain; Fred C. of Detroit;
Charles of Oakland county; Otto W., of this review;
and Dorothy, the wife of Arthur W. Wood of Detroit.
Otto W. Klett attended the public schools of his
native county, and afterward worked with his father

on the home farm until his nineteenth year. He then
left the parental roof and came to Detroit, where he
secured a position with the People's Outfitting Com
pany, as a salesman in the store. He continued to
occupy that position for seven and a half years, at
the end of which time he resigned to enter business
on his own account, forming a partnership with Simon
W. Cain, his brother-in-law, in 1906. This business
developed and prospered under their careful guidance,
and they now have one of the fine furniture houses
and home outfitting establishments in the city, cater
ing to the best class of trade. They have twenty-eight
employes and they utilize four floors of the building
at 552 Miehigan avenue. The business is steadily in
creasing and the enterprise and integrity of their busi
ness methods constitute the secret of their success.
On the 5th of January, 1911, Mr. Klett was mar
ried to Miss Bethel Louise Flory, and they have one
child, Louise Bethel, born in Detroit May 14, 1916.
Mr. Klett belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce,
and is interested in all the plans and efforts of that
organization for the city's progress and upbuilding.
He also has membership with the Detroit Automobile
Club, which indicates something of the nature of his
recreation and diversion. He is, however, preemi
nently a business man and one whose success is due
to his thoroughness and progressiveness.
EDMUND M. SLOMAN. The name of Sloman has
long been a prominent one in legal circles of Detroit
and Edmund M. Sloman is ably sustaining the tradi
tions of the family in this respect, ranking with the
leading attorneys of the city. He is a native of
Detroit and was born August 12, 1882, a son of Adolph
and Lottie (Teichner) Sloman, who reared a family
of six children. He attended the graded and high
schools of the city, after which he entered the Uni
versity of Miehigan, from the law department of which
he was graduated in 1904. He at once took up the
work of his profession, being associated with his
father in the general practice of law from the fall
of that year until December, 1915, when Mr. Sloman,
Sr., retired. Edmund M. Sloman specializes in real
estate, corporation and income tax law, in which he is
regarded as an authority. He is noted among lawyers
for the care and pains, with which he handles his mat
ters. While well grounded in the principles of com
mon law when admitted to the bar, he has continued
throughout the whole of his professional life a diligent
student of those elementary principles that constitute
the basis of all legal science.
In June, 1912, Mr. Sloman was united in marriage
to Miss Sadie Cecile Spring of New York, and they
have become the parents of four children: Robert A.,
who was born in October, 1913; William C, born in
December, 1914; Elaine Spring, born in January,
1916; and Janet Ruth, born in February, 1920.
At local elections Mr. Sloman casts his ballot in
favor of the man whom he deems best qualified for

OTTO W. KLETT

CITY OF DETROIT

113

office, regardless of party ties, but where national
issues are at stake he supports the candidates of the
republican party. He is an active member of the
Board of Commerce and the Detroit Credit Men's
Association and is an honorary life member of the
Detroit Association of Stationary Engineers. He was
the founder of the Lawyers Club, of which he has
served for several terms as president and secretary;
and he is also connected with the Bedford Golf Club,
the Masonic Country Club, the Detroit Automobile
Club and the Grille Club. His time and attention are
chiefly given to his law practice and his marked
ability is not only attested by his professional col
leagues but by the character of his practice.
EDWARD ARTHUR SCHILLING of the firm of
Van Leyen, Schilling, Keough & Reynolds, architects
and engineers, was born at Auburn, New York, No
vember 7, 1872, and is a son of Joseph and Louise
(Bush) Schilling, the latter a native of Utica, New
York, while the former was born at Watertown, New
York. His grandparents were natives of Alsace-Lor
raine. Mr. Schilling, following the removal of his parents
to this state, received his education in the public
sehool of Auburn, New York, and the high school of
Ishpeming, Michigan. He resided at Ishpeming until
1892, when he came to Detroit, and secured a position
as a student draftsman. Following this Mr. Schilling
took special courses in higher mathematics and de
sign, continuing his position in Detroit offices, which
led up to his being placed in charge of the office
of Edward C. Van Leyen. Five years later he en
gaged in practice in his own name.
In 1900 he became actively associated in a partner
ship relation with Mr. Van Leyen, a connection which
has since been maintained. The admission of two other
partners to the firm has led to the adoption of the
present title of Van Leyen, Schilling, Keough & Rey
nolds. Some of the buildings which Mr. Schilling is jointly
credited with are the Belle Isle Casino; Elks' Club
building; City Hall, Flint; Recreation building; Belle
Isle Park; the majority of the bridges on Belle Isle;
St. Matthews church, Flint, Michigan; the Peters
Cartridge plant, Cincinnati; miscellaneous park build
ings and public comfort stations; many of Detroit's
finest residences and apartments, and upwards of two
hundred and twenty sehool buildings throughout Michi
gan, Ontario and Ohio.
In addition to his business as an architect, Mr.
Schilling is a director of the H. J. Hunt Show Case
Company, the Michigan Society of Architects, and of
the Michigan Architect & Engineer. He is also a vice
president of the City Plan Commission, on which body
he serves as chairman of the zoning committee. He
was president of the Michigan Society of Architects
during the years 1918 and 1919, also former local sec
retary of the Architectural League of America.
Vol. IV— 8

Mr. Schilling is married and has two sons, Bernard
and Donald, age fourteen and eleven, respectively.
His wife is Annette Bunbury Schilling of Detroit and
formerly of Jackson, Michigan.
Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of
Columbus and National Union, and is a member of
various prominent elubs of Detroit and the state, and
the 'Detroit Board of Commerce. His recreation is
found mostly in fishing, hunting and motoring.
In addition to his Detroit Cass avenue office, his
firm has opened permanent offices in the Genesee
County Bank building at Flint, Michigan.
THOMAS E. TOWER, vice president of the Sullivan
Packing -Company, one of the large meat packing
interests of Miehigan, was born in Milford, this state,
December 9, 1869, and is a representative of the third
generation of the family in this state. His father,
Frederick E. Tower, was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
and for many years engaged in the iron foundry
business at Milford, there remaining to the time of
his death in 1907. Following the outbreak of the
Civil war he enlisted in defense of the Union with a
Michigan company and served throughout the period
of hostilities, becoming a corporal. He married Isabell
Shepard, who was born in the state of New York
and who survives him, making her home in Detroit.
Thomas E. Tower, having attended the graded and
high schools of Milford, came to Detroit in 1888 and
secured a situation on the Detroit Tribune under
James H. Stone in the advertising department. His
identification with the packing business began with
R. S. Webb on Locust and Grand River avenue in 1893.
He was a trusted employe of Mr. Webb for fifteen
years, on the expiration of which period he resigned
to become sales manager with the Sullivan Packing
Company in 1909. From this position he has gradually
advanced through various promotions and having ac
quired an interest in the business he is now one of the
stockholders of the Sullivan Packing Company and
was elected vice president and manager of the pork
department. This is one of the important commercial
concerns of the city, handling a tremendous amount of
live stock, the weekly slaughter averaging about five
thousand hogs, four hundred head of cattle, one thou
sand sheep and lambs and six hundred calves, the
business requiring the employment of more than three
hundred people. In addition to the domestic sales the
firm does a large amount of exporting.
On the 1st of May, 1899, Mr. Tower was married
to Miss Elizabeth Watterworth and they have two
children: Ruth, who was born in Detroit in 1902 and
was graduated from the Northwestern high school in
1920; and Bessie, born in 1907, now attending school.
Mr. Tower is a member of Zion Lodge, F. & A. M.,
and is also connected with the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks. Starting out with no special advan
tages, he has steadily worked his way upward and the
Sullivan Packing Company is today one of the fore-

114

CITY OF DETROIT

most concerns of the kind in Michigan, with a business
that covers a wide territory and is a source of grati
fying profit to its stockholders.
EDWARD LEWIS ACKERMAN. The life story of
Edward Lewis Ackerman is a simple one in its pro
cesses but far-reaehing in its result. There have been
no esoteric phases in his career, but along the lines
of persistently and intelligently directed efforts he
has achieved his notable success. From a moderate
start he has worked his way upward to the presidency
of a big corporation, for he is now the chief execu
tive of the Joseph N. Smith Company, dealers in
automobile hardware.
Miehigan claims Mr. Ackerman as a native son,
his birth having occurred in Davis, Macomb county,
October 2, 1869, his parents being Joseph Warren and
Sarah A. (Hoover) Ackerman. He was descended
from the early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam of
a seventeenth or eighteenth century but at an early
period in the settlement of Miehigan the family home
was established in this state, and Edward L. Ackerman
began his education in the district schools of his
native county, while later he enjoyed the benefit of
a business college training at Chatham, Ontario. In
1889 he secured the position of bookkeeper for Joseph
N. Smith of Detroit and occupied that office for three
years. In 1892 he was advanced to the position of
chief clerk with the Detroit Copper & Brass Rolling
Mills, spending the succeeding years in that con
nection and in 1899 and 1900 engaged in the grocery
business on his own account. In 1901 he accepted a
position as bookkeeper with the firm of Swift & Com
pany of Chicago and St. Louis, after which he came
to Detroit and for about two years was assistant
to the superintendent with the Detroit Copper & Brass
Rolling Mills. In 1902 he again became connected
with the firm of Joseph N. Smith & Company as
vice president, treasurer and manager. His developing
powers and broadening experience through the inter
vening years had splendidly qualified him for the
executive duties , which he now assumed and after
serving as vice president from 1902 to 1913 he was
elected to the presidency and for eight years has
served in this position and has acted as general man
ager. He is a man of marked business ability, his
every act being characterized by thoroughness and
the mastery of every detail as well as every principle
connected with the concern of which he is the head.
In Detroit on the 31st of August, 1892, Mr. Acker
man was united in marriage to Miss Marie E. Brown,
and they have become the parents of two sons and
two daughters: Edna Grace, Edward Clarence, Mar
garet Florence and Robert Joseph. Mr. Ackerman is
a progressive republican in his political views, and his
religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church.
He is a member of the Board of Commerce of Detroit
and of the United States Chamber of Commerce, and
he finds his recreation and diversion in motoring and

fishing. He is a man in all that the term implies,
big and broad-minded on all questions of public con
cern, as well as of business quality, alert and enter
prising in his civic connections, and just as ready to
improve an opportunity for the general good as to
advance his individual fortunes. He resides at No.
1167 Longfellow avenue.
E. T. DANIELS, who for the past ten years has
been a resident of Detroit, where he is manager for
the Master Primer Company, of which firm he is also
secretary-treasurer, is a native of New Jersey, born at
Repaupo,- February 21, 1886.
Mr. Daniels was educated in the high school at
Chester, Pennsylvania, and some time later began
his active business career in a bank, in which line
he continued for eight years, having in this period
acquired a thorough knowledge of banking and com
mercial affairs. In 1910 Mr. Daniels moved to Detroit
with the Holeroft Company, a firm of contracting
engineers, with whom he remained for three years.
His next move was to join the Master Carburetor
Corporation as secretary. The Master Primer Com
pany is a subsidiary company of the Master Car
buretor Company and Mr. Daniels has complete charge,
his duties covering the work of offiee and factory,
and to his efforts and managerial skill much of the
success of the Detroit end of the business is due.
The Master Primer is a mechanical device used in
connection with automobiles, the company making a
specialty of its manufacture. It is described as an
electrically heated vaporizer, operating as an aux
iliary carburetors, and it is claimed that it will start
a motor in the coldest weather in less than seven
seconds, being operated by a button on the dash. Mr.
Daniels' skill in giving demonstrations of the device
has helped in large degree to popularize it.
JUDGE WILLIAM F. CONNOLLY, former judge of
the recorder's court of Detroit and now engaged in
the private practice of law as senior partner in the
firm of Connolly & Henderson, was born February
25, 1876, in the City of the Straits, his parents being
Peter and Ellen (McGonnell) Connolly, who were of
Irish birth but came to the United States in child
hood. The father was born in Queens county, Ireland,
in 1852, while the mother was a native of County
Monaghan. Both were brought by their respective
parents to Detroit in 1860, where Mr. Connolly passed
away February 23, 1899, and Mrs. Connolly on August
31, 1915. For many years Mr. Connolly had been
employed by the Michigan Central Railroad Company
at Detroit.
Judge Connolly, following his early studies in St.
Vincent 's parochial school, attended the University of
Detroit, then known as Detroit College, and won his
Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the class of
1893. Two years later his Alma Mater conferred upon
him the Master of Arts degree. He qualified for the

JUDGE WILLIAM F. CONNOLLY

CITY OF DETROIT

117

practice of law as a student in the Detroit College of
Law and is numbered among its alumni of 1896.
Though possessing a diploma granting him the Bach
elor of Laws degree, he had to wait until attaining
his majority in 1897 before being admitted to the bar
to conform to the laws of the state. Immediately
afterward he entered upon general practice and be
came a partner in the firm of Devine & Connolly. The
partnership was maintained until the Judge was
elected to preside over the recorder's court of Detroit,
in which position he proved a most capable and consci
entious official, remaining upon the bench until 1915.
In the latter year he became recorder, occupying the
position for three years, and since 1918 he has engaged
in the private practice of law, being now senior
partner in the firm of Connolly & Henderson, regarded
as one of the strong combinations of the Detroit bar.
On November 4, 1905, in Detroit, was celebrated the
marriage of Judge Connolly and Miss Mary A. Cam
eron, whose parents were Lewis and Jane Cameron.
Judge and Mrs. Connolly now have three children:
William Francis, Jack, and Walter. The Judge's
appreciation for the social amenities of life is indi
cated in his connection with the Harmonie Society,
the Detroit Athletic Club and also with several fra
ternal organizations, including the Benevolent Pro
tective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of America.
He likewise belongs to the Detroit ' Board of Com
merce and he has membership in the Alumni Associa
tion of Detroit College and belongs to the Detroit Bar
Association, the Michigan State Bar Association, the
American Bar Association, and the American Judi
ciary Society. He is also the representative in Mich
igan of the United States alien property custodian.
In politics he has ever manifested a deep interest,
his opinions carrying weight in the councils of the
democratic party of the state and nation, and since
1916 he has been national committeeman from Mich
igan. CLAYTON A. GRINNELL, one of Detroit's suc
cessful business men whose activities are inseparably
interwoven with the history of the Grinnell Brothers
Music House, was born near Albion, New York, De
cember 2, 1859, a son of Ira and Betsy (Balcom)
Grinnell. He spent his life until fourteen years of
age in the state of New York, on a farm, his parents
both dying in 1865, only four weeks intervening be
tween their deaths.
Clayton A. Grinnell acquired his early education in
the district schools of Orleans county, New York, and
later entered school at Ann Arbor, where he finished
h,is education. When fourteen years old he went from
New York to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where his older
brother,. Ira L., was then representative for the Singer
Sewing Machine Company. In that city the firm of
Grinnell Brothers was organized, the original mem
bers thereof being Ira L., Clayton A. and Herbert B.
Grinnell. Confident that Detroit afforded greater op

portunities, they removed to this city in 1882, taking
the agency for the White sewing machine. The energy
and business enterprise which they had displayed from
the outset continued to make itself felt in their busi
ness, which grew rapidly. Their first location was at
218 Woodward avenue. The development of the
musical instrument business resulted from a modest be
ginning, when a few organs and pianos were added
to their stock merely as a side line to their trade in
sewing machines. About 1886, however, the sewing
machine business was discontinued and Herbert B.
Grinnell retired from the firm, his brothers purchas
ing his interest. The growth of the musical instru
ment trade soon necessitated larger quarters and
the business was removed to a small store then on
the site of the present Healey building. In 1896 the
business was transferred across the' street to the
west side of Woodward, where it remained until they
erected the magnificent Grinnell building at 243-245-
247 Woodward avenue, which was completed in 1908.
From a most humble beginning there has been devel
oped the largest business of its kind in the country,
with twenty branch stores in Michigan alone, besides
branches in other states as well as in Canada. The
business has grown to proportions requiring one thou
sand employes to care for it. In 1901 the firm began
manufacturing pianos and since that time several
factories have been added to the plant for the various
branches of the business. The firm's large plant at
Holly, Michigan, is one of the most thoroughly
equipped piano factories in the country and it has
also a piano factory in Canada. The establishment of
an enterprise of this magnitude has not been without
a self-denying effort at times, and most earnest ef
fort throughout the entire period. From the beginning
it has always been the policy of Grinnell Brothers to
avoid false standards, with the result that not only
has an immense business in musical merchandise been
built up but also an unassailable reputation for com
mercial integrity and close conformity to the highest
standards of commercial ethicB. Clayton A. Grinnell,
as first vice president of the company, has been no
small factor in its growth and development and is
today one of the best known men in the country in
the musical instrument trade, having been president
of the Retail Music Merchants Association of the
United States and Canada, and two years ago was
given the highest possible honor in the music industry
by being made president of the Chamber of Commerce
of the Allied Music Industries of America. He is
first vice president of Grinnell Brothers and is also
vice president of the Grinnell Realty Company. He
holds membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce,.
the Young Men's Christian Association, the Detroit.
Athletic Club, the Detroit Motor Boat Club, the De
troit Automobile Club, Wolverine Automobile Club and'
the Detroit Club, and in five other golf clubs. He-
is a director of the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children and in his church affiliation is a

118

CITY OF DETROIT

Methodist. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and
in politics maintains connection with the republican
party. Nearly forty years of identification with the
city's business interests have given him a wide ac
quaintance and he has come to be regarded as the
peer of any business man in the city in knowing
every detail of his business, while at the same time he
has thoroughly mastered the great principles upon
which business development and success depend.
ROY HERALD, attorney at law, was born in Liv
ingston county, Miehigan, March 7, 1883. His father,
Willard L. Herald, also a native of this state, has
throughout his life engaged in farming and is num
bered among- the prominent and representative resi
dents of Livingston county. He married Miss Martha
Beach, who was reared in Michigan and passed away
in 1883.
Their only child, Roy Herald, attended the district
schools, also the South Lyon publie schools and later
entered the Michigan State Normal school, from which
he was graduated in 1905. Desiring to become a
member of the bar, he then removed to Detroit to
enter the Detroit College of Law, from which he
was graduated with the LL. B. degree in the class
of 1908. He at once began practice in this eity, as
sociated with Fred R. Schmalzriedt and John C.
Spaulding, with whom he was thus connected for
six years. He has since been alone, ' conducting a
general law practice, although specializing to a con
siderable extent in corporation law. The thorough
ness and earnestness with which he prepares his cases
enables him to find ready solution for intricate legal
problems and his presentation of a case always com
mands the close attention of the court, his fellow
members of the bar and others.
On the 21st of October, 1908, Mr. Herald -was mar
ried to Miss Mabel G. Miller of Howard City, Michi
gan, daughter of Henry and Eunice Miller. They
are the parents of two children: Eunice Elizabeth,
who was born in Detroit in 1912 and is attending
school; and Louise Ellen, born in Detroit in 1916.
Mr. Herald is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
also of the Lawyers Club and the Fellowcraft Club.
His political allegiance is given to the republican
party and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal
church. Throughout his professional career he has
been connected with the Detroit bar and in a calling
where advancement is proverbially slow he has made
steady progress, bringing him to a creditable position
as a representative of the Detroit bar.
GERALD AUSTIN DOYLE. The record of Gerald
Austin Doyle stands in contradistinction to the old
adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his
own country, for in the eity of his nativity, where he
has spent much of his life, he is accorded a liberal
clientage as a member of the bar and is making
steady progress in a profession where advancement

depends entirely upon individual ability and merit.
Bom in Detroit, February 25, 1886, Gerald A. Doyle
is a son of Michael Joseph and Maria B. (Fitzpatriek)
Doyle. The father was born in Memphis, Tennessee,
in 1852, and was married in Hamilton, Ontario, to Miss
Fitzpatriek. Their home is now in Menominee, Michi
gan. The father is a practicing attorney there and
at the present writing is filling the position of mayor.
He has long been prominent in the publie life of
city and state. He served in 1890 and 1891 as a
member of the Michigan general assembly, and for
two terms he was prosecuting attorney of Menominee
county. He has likewise been president of the school
board for two terms, was custodian of alien property
in northern Miehigan, was city attorney for Menomi
nee and Iron Mountain and is now supervisor of the
United States census for the twelfth district of Mich
igan. Gerald A. Doyle acquired a public school education
at Menominee, passing through consecutive grades to
his graduation from the high school with the class of
1903. He afterward spent two years as a student in
St. Norbert's College at De Pere, Wisconsin, and
returning to his native city, entered the Detroit Col
lege of Law, from which he was graduated with the
class of 1910. He then located for practice at Me
nominee, where he remained for two years, after which
he removed to Los Angeles, California, where he prac
ticed for a period of three years. In 1915 he returned
to Detroit, where for five years he has been an active
member of the bar and his ability in the presentation
of his eases before the courts, following the most
careful preparation, has brought to him an enviable
clientage. On the 23d of February, 1915, in Los Angeles,,
California, Mr. Doyle was married to Miss Adele
Seims. Mr. Doyle is a member of the faculty of
the University of Detroit, law department (Jesuit Col
lege). He is identified with several social organiza
tions, including the Fellowcraft Athletic Club and
the Delta Theta Phi fraternity. He is a Catholic in
religious faith and belongs to the Knights of Colum
bus. In politics he is a democrat and his interest in
the success of his party has beeen tangibly manifest
on many occasions. He is connected with the Board
of Commerce, served on the legal advisory board of
his district during the World war and was also active
in connection with the Red Cross and Liberty Loan
drive committees. There is no call for public service
to which he does riot make ready response, and his
efforts are always far-reaching and beneficial.
FRANK L. SCHWARZ, JR., one of the youngei
business men of Detroit, is well known as secretary-
treasurer of the Schwarz Foundry Company, which
is one of the leading industrial enterprises of the
city, engaged in the manufacture of iron castings
and patterns and all kinds of special machinery.
He is a native of this city and has here spent- his

ROY HERALD

CITY OF DETROIT

121

life, his birth having occurred on the 12th of March,
1882. His parents were Frank L. and Emma (Sotier)
Schwarz, who reared a family of two sons, Frank
L., Jr., and Elmer.
In the public schools of Detroit, Frank L. Schwarz,
Jr., acquired his education and at an early age be
came identified with manufacturing interests, enter
ing the shops of the Russell Wheel & Foundry Company
of Detroit as a pattern-maker. He became an expert
mechanic and continued with that corporation for a
period of six years, or until he had attained the age
of twenty-two, when he accepted a position with the
Lloyd Construction Company, located on Greenwood
street, being given entire charge of the plant, thus
indicating his unusual business ability and capacity
for successful management. The company engaged in
the manufacture of complete gas plants and for four
years Mr. Schwarz continued as manager of the plant,
most capably discharging his duties in that connec
tion. In 1908 the Schwarz Foundry Company was
organized with Frank L. Schwarz, Sr., as the presi
dent and the subject of this review as secretary-
treasurer, while his brother, Elmer Schwarz, is also
connected with the business. The company was organ
ized with a capital of but five hundred dollars and its
assets today total more than one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars, thus indicating its remarkable
growth during the thirteen years of its existence.
The firm manufactures steel castings and patterns
and all kinds of special machinery and has been given
many large contracts, numbering among its patrons
the largest industrial enterprises of the city. That
its work is first-class in every particular is indicated
in the fact that the company was employed to man
ufacture the steel work on the Miehigan Central
tunnel and the Livingston tunnel, two notable en
gineering projects. The concern's first location was
No. 611 East Fort street, where it continued for five
years, when the present plant at No. 2001 West Fort
street was erected. It furnishes employment to over
sixty people, fifty of whom are skilled mechanics, and
it is one of the leading foundries in the eity. Frank
L. Schwarz, Jr., owns a one-third interest in the busi
ness and in addition to serving as secretary-treasurer
of the company he also aets as its chief engineer,
doing excellent work in this connection. He is an
expert mechanic and his previous experience with
large manufacturing enterprises has well qualified him
for his present position of responsibility, the success
of the undertaking being due in large measure to
his intelligently directed efforts, close application and
initiative spirit.
In 1904 Mr. Schwarz was united in marriage to
Miss Alice Gowan of Detroit, and they have become
the parents of four children: Eleanor, Dorothy, Frank
and Mary Alice. The family reside in an attractive
home at No. 105 Monterey avenue, in the Highland
Park suburb of Detroit, and they have many friends
in the city.

In his political views Mr. Schwarz is a republican
and his interest in the welfare and progress of Detroit
is indicated by his membership in the Board of Com
merce, in whose plans and projects for the develop
ment and upbuilding of the city he heartily cooperates.
His business connections also include his membership
in the Detroit Credit Men's Association, the Mich
igan Manufacturers Association and the American
Foundrymen's Association. Fraternally he is identi
fied with the Masons, belonging to Friendship Lodge,
No. 417, F. & A. M., and in his life exemplifies the
beneficent teachings of the order. He has thoroughly
identified his interests with those of his native city
and his enterprise and business judgment have enabled
him to accomplish much, although he is still a young
man. His life in every relation has measured up to
the highest standards of manhood and citizenship and
Detroit may well feel proud to claim him as one of her
native sons.
ARTHUR H. WILLIAMSON, sales manager at De
troit for the American Radiator Company, was born
in Dayton, Ohio, April 30, 1877, a son of Charles
Wesley and Henrietta (Miller) Williamson, both of
whom were natives of Dayton, where they were reared,
educated and spent their lives. The father was en
gaged in the wholesale grocery business for many
years but is now living retired. Three children were
born to them: Charles Calvin, who follows farming
near Dayton; Mrs. W. S. North, living at Vandalia,
Ohio; and Arthur H.
The last named attended school in Dayton, passing
through consecutive grades to the high sehool and
afterward attending a commercial school. Following
the completion of his studies he took up salesman
ship. He made one trip to South America, visiting
all the different countries on the southern hemisphere.
Following his return to Ohio he was made manager of
the Minneapolis Branch of the National Cash Register
Company and was connected with the sales depart
ment of that company altogether for seven years,
making a splendid record for large sales. On the
expiration of that period he resigned his position
to accept a similar one with the American Radiator
Company, with which he has been identified since
1906. He was first in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and
later was an assistant to the general manager of sales
at Chicago, Illinois, where he continued for a year.
He was then transferred to Omaha, Nebraska, as
manager and resided in that city until 1913, when he
eame to Detroit as sales manager of the Miehigan
branch and in this connection has won a well deserved
reputation, his efforts resulting in a large growth
in the sales. He also has charge of the Detroit office
and under his direction there are thirty sales people,
with twenty-eight in the office force. His territory
covers all of Michigan except from Battle Creek to
the state line and under his guidance a business of
most gratifying proportions has been built up.

122

CITY OF DETROIT

On the 5th of October, 1904, in Dayton, Ohio, Mr.
Williamson was married to Miss May Scott, a daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Scott, former treas
urer of the Stoddard Manufacturing Company of
Dayton. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have one child,
Nan B., who was born in Minneapolis on September
12, 1905, and is now attending the North Detroit
high school.
In politics Mr. Williamson maintains an independent
course, considering the capability of the candidate
rather than his party ties. He belongs to the Detroit
Athletic Club and also to the Wilderness Club and
has made many friends during the seven-year period
of his residence in Detroit, where he has gained a well
merited reputation as a representative business man
and substantial citizen. His course illustrates what
can be accomplished through individual effort, for he
started out in the business world emptyhanded and
today occupies a remunerative position and one of
large responsibility.
CLARENCE SHERMAN VAUGHN, one of the well
known and prosperous business men of Detroit, where
for years he has been engaged in the real estate busi
ness and where he is owner of the Vaughn Roofing
Company and otherwise connected with commercial
pursuits in the city, is a native of Michigan, born on
Brooklyn avenue between Temple and Perry streets,
in Detroit on December 9, 1871. He is a son of Frank
B. and Mary (Dawson) Vaughn, the former one of
the prominent contractors of Detroit in the latter half
of the last century.
Mr. Vaughn was educated in the publie schools of
the city and in the Detroit Business College. He be
gan active business life as a messenger in the Home
Savings Bank, at which he remained for a brief period.
When he was twenty-six years old Mr. Vaughn went
into the real estate business, with which he has been
identified ever since; he conducted the real estate
operations alone until 1907, when he formed a part
nership with Walter A. Drolet, and they now carry on
a general contracting and real estate business, with
spacious and well-appointed offices in the Buhl building.
In 1909 Mr. Vaughn started the Vaughn Roofing
Company, of which he is the sole owner. Another
undertaking, the Vaughn Plumbing and Heating Com
pany, is owned by him and Mr. Drolet, and the com
bined businesses are carried on with considerable
success, due in no small degree to Mr. Vaughn's energy
and ability. Both Mr. Vaughn and his partner are
well known in the commercial life of Detroit, where
they stand in the forefront among the business classes.
On March 16, 1897, Mr. Vaughn was married to
Miss Kate Seaman Dupont, who is a descendant of
an old French family, having their residence for many
years in Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn are the par
ents of one child, a daughter, Catherine Southard
Vaughn. Mr. Vaughn is an active member of the
Masonic order; a member of the Blue lodge, Chapter,

Commandery and Shrine. He also holds membership
in the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Golf Club,
Grosse lie Golf and Country Club, and the Ingleside
Club, in the affairs of which he takes a warm and
practical interest. He and his wife share in all
social and cultural movements calculated to advance
the best interests of the community in which they live.
Mr. Vaughn resides at No. 635 Putnam avenue, which
home he built in 1909.
GEORGE GREENFIELD HALL. Extensive and
important operations in real estate have brought
George Greenfield Hall to a prominent position among
the leading business men of Detroit and as vice presi
dent of the Hall-Doyle Real Estate Company he is
identified with one of the largest enterprises of this
character in the city. He was born at Dundee, Mich
igan, June 15, 1889, a son of Melvin and Eliza (Miller)
Hall, the former also a native of the Wolverine state,
while the latter was born in Ohio. The father was
for many years prominently connected with construc
tion work in this state as superintendent of bridge
construction for the Ann Arbor Railroad Company.
Mr. and Mrs. Hall are now residents of Detroit and
are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. To
their union three children were born: Cortez R., presi
dent of the Hall-Doyle Real Estate Company and also
a prominent dentist of Detroit; George G., of this
review; and Judson W., likewise a resident of this
city. In the acquirement of an education George G. Hall
attended the grammar and high schools of Ann Arbor,
Michigan, after which he became a student at the
University of Michigan. He then went to Cleveland,
Ohio, and for six years was connected with the retail
shoe business, following which he entered the Law
School of the Baldwin-Wallace College at Berea, Ohio,
from which he was graduated with the LL. B. de
gree in 1915. He at once engaged in the work of
his profession, opening an office in Cleveland, where
he successfully continued in practice for two years.
He then came to Detroit and on the 25th of March,
1918, in association with his brother, Dr. Cortez E.
Hall, organized the Hall-Doyle Real Estate Company.
They are numbered among the enterprising and pro
gressive real estate operators of Detroit and their
business has reached extensive proportions. They
have negotiated many important realty transfers and
have developed a number of attractive subdivisions,
including that of Wyoming Heights, while they are
also operating in Ojibway, on the Canadian side of
the river. The present members of the company are:
Dr. Cortez R. Hall, president; Geo. G. Hall, vice presi
dent; L. E. Doyle, former member of the faculty of
Northeastern high school in Detroit, treasurer; Rev.
W. F. Kinsey, secretary; and Judson W. Hall.
In Detroit, on the 28th of June, 1916, Mr. Hall was
united in marriage to Miss Jessiebell Ertell, a daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. James J. Ertell of this city.

CLARENCE S. VAUGHN.

CITY OF DETROIT

125

Mr. and Mrs. Hall have a son, Theodore T., born Jan
uary 8, 1921. Mr. Hall is a republican in his political
views and his religious faith is indicated by his mem
bership in the Congregational church. Fraternally he
is identified with the Masons, in which he has attained
the master's degree, and he is also connected with
the Masonic Country Club. He is a member of Delta
Theta Phi fraternity and the Lawyers Club of De
troit. In the management of his business affairs
he has been progressive, energetic and capable and
while winning individual prosperity he has also con
tributed in marked measure to the development and
upbuilding of the city. Mr. Hall resides on Ilene
boulevard. JOHN OWEN, manager of the John Owen estate,
was born in Detroit, August 18, 1861, his parents
being John and Jane (Cook) Owen. The father was
born near Toronto, Canada, March 20, 1809, and was
very young at the time of his father's death. In
1818 he accompanied his mother to Detroit but when
only twelve years of age began providing for his
own support as an errand boy in the drug store of
Dr. Chapin. When he was only twenty years of age
he was admitted to a partnership and later the firm
became J. Owen & Company, with which Mr. Owen
remained until 1853. He afterward became extensively
interested in banking and lake marine navigation,
being one of the earliest and heaviest stockholders of
the Detroit & Cleveland Steam Navigation Company,
of which he was president for many years. He was
also one of the principal stockholders of the Detroit
Dry Dock Company and became its first president.
He held the presidency of the Miehigan Insurance
Bank during the financial panic of 1857, in which
connection it was said: "The fact that the bank
weathered the storms of that period was very largely
due to the unbounded confidence which the business
publie had in his ability and integrity." Apropos of
the same subject another appreciative article contains
the following equally pertinent words: "His integrity
and good name constituted the wall that prevented
the financial breakers from overwhelming not only
the bank but scores of individuals as well." Such
statements as these indicate the character and repu
tation of this honored pioneer of Detroit. He became
the first president of the old National Insurance Bank,
which in 1869 was consolidated with the First Na
tional Bank largely through his efforts, and he re
mained a director of the latter until 1880. Upon his
resignation the board of directors passed the following
resolutions :
"Whereas, The Hon. John Owen, after an official
connection with this bank and its immediate pre
decessor of over forty-four years, has decided to retire
from the directorship of this bank, to which he was
first elected on March 3, 1869, be it
"Resolved, That it is with deep regret that we,
the officers and directors of this bank, learn of this

determination on the part of Mr. Owen, and that we
desire to place on record our high appreciation of his
character, and to acknowledge the great benefits we
have derived from his counsels, and the larger ad
vantage to the bank for his faithful attendance upon
the meetings of this board, and his ever watchful
and careful attention to the interests of the bank.
' ' Resolved, That we attribute no small share of the
present prosperous condition of the bank and its free
dom from losses to Mr. Owen's wise and disinterested
advice in all matters pertaining to the administration
of the bank's affairs during the eleven years he has
been connected with it.
"Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings and
resolutions, under seal of the bank, be transmitted
to Mr. Owen by the cashier, with the best wishes of
the board for his continued happiness and prosperity. ' '
That popular confidence and esteem were not re
stricted to local limitations as touching Mr. Owen is
further evidenced in the fact that in 1860, at the
climacteric period just prior to the outbreak of the
Civil war and when financial disquietude was in
evidence throughout the nation, he was elected to
the office of state treasurer, of which he remained the
incumbent from 1861 to 1865, covering the period of
the war, and with utmost fidelity and discrimination
did he administer the fiscal affairs of the state, pro
tecting its interests and loyally upholding the hands
of the general state administration in providing for
the needs of the Michigan troops at home and in the
field. In the first years of the war his personal credit
and reputation, together with those of the late Hon.
Henry P. Baldwin, who was chairman of the senate
finance committee during a portion of the same period,
were the prime agencies which enabled the state to
successfully negotiate the loans which it was compelled
to make. Never a seekerof public office, Mr. Owen ac
cepted the same only when he felt that civic duty and
responsibility obligated him to subordinate his own
wishes for the public good, and in no position of trust
to which he was called did he fail to accomplish much
in the direction designated. In 1836, the year prior
to the admission of Michigan to the Union, he held
the office of alderman at large in Detroit, and in the
same body he represented the first ward in 1844-5.
In 1839-40 he was a member of the board of education;
from 1859 to 1870 he was commissioner of grades; and
from 1865 to 1879 he was a valued member of the
board of water commissioners. His interest in ed
ucational matters was of insistent type, and he was
a member of the board of regents of the University
of Michigan from 1841 to 1848 — a period during
which the affairs of the institution especially needed
wise management and guidance. In his earlier years
he served as a member of the volunteer fire department
of Detroit, having been foreman of Company No. 1
in 1837, and from 1841 to 1843 he was president of
the department society. In 1864, while state treas
urer, he was also president of the Michigan Soldiers'

126

CITY OF DETROIT

Relief Society, and he was one of the first directors
of the Detroit College of Medicine, to whose upbuild
ing he largely contributed. Mr. Owen was a trustee
and treasurer of the Central Methodist Episcopal
church for half a century and one of its most generous
supporters. He was also a trustee of Albion College
and in addition to his contributions thereto in his
lifetime he made liberal provisions for the school in
his will. As early as 1837 he served as president of
a state temperance society and for more than forty
years he was trustee and treasurer of Elmwood Ceme
tery Association. Of him it has been said: "His bene
factions have not been confined within denominational
lines, but whenever time and influence and means
could help solve social problems he has been ready
to aid. His long residence in the city, his upright
life and careful judgment, and the many services he
has rendered the public, have made his name a syn
onym for character and worth." He married Jane
Cook and their children were: Edmund J. and La
fayette, ¦both deceased; John, Jr.; and Fannie, the
widow of George H. Lothrop of Detroit. Mrs. Owen
died March 22, 1908.
After attending the public schools of his native
city John Owen, Jr., whose name introduces this re
view, entered the employ of the Detroit Dry Dock
Company in 1885 and there remained for three years,
thus obtaining his initial business experience. Since
1888 he has been engaged in the real estate business
as manager of properties and in 1895 took over the
management of the John Owen estate, which has
claimed the major part of his time and attention
throughout the intervening period of a quarter of a
century. He has important interests under his direc
tion, for the estate embraces valuable realty holdings.
He is also the secretary and treasurer of the Cook
Farm Company, Limited. He has thoroughly ac
quainted himself with real estate values, has care
fully systematized the business interests under his
control and has steadily increased the value of the
estate through judicious investment and wise care.
On the 4th of June, 1890, in Detroit, was celebrated '
the marriage of John Owen and Miss Blanche Fletcher.
Two interesting children are now members of the
household, John (III), born March 12, 1895; and Helen.
Mr. Owen and his wife are communicants of the
Episcopal church. His political allegiance is given to
the republican party and while he does not seek nor
desire publie office, he is an earnest supporter of the
progressive plans put forth by the Detroit Board
of Commerce for the benefit and upbuilding of the
city. He is a member of that organization and is
also connected with the Detroit Real Estate Board.
In club circles, too, he is widely known, having mem
bership in the Grosse Pointe Hunt Club, the Bloom
field Club, the Detroit Club, the Detroit Athletic Club,
the Detroit Boat Club and the Country Club. His
social qualities make for personal popularity and his
unfeigned cordiality has gained for him the friend

ship of the great majority of those with whom he has
come into contact. His life has been spent in Detroit
and his fellow townsmen speak of him as a valuable
and representative eitizen.
GEORGE E. BRAND. An eminent American finan
cier has said that if you would win success you must
be willing to pay the price — the price of earnest,
self-denying effort. Whether or not George E. Brand
had ever heard this expression when he started out
to make his own way in the world, the spirit back of
it came to him with force, and throughout his career
he has striven diligently and earnestly to make the
best possible use of his opportunities and step by step
has advanced from a most humble and obscure posi
tion in the business world until he stands today as
one of the representative and rising young lawyers
of Detroit. There has been no secret in his success.
Industry and close application constituted the key
which unlocked to him the portals of advancement
and prosperity. He was born in Houghton, Michigan,
June 11, 1888, a son of George and Isabella (Monville)
Brand, the latter a native of Port Huron, Michigan,
while the former was born in Houghton. His father,
formerly a blacksmith, became the owner of a dray
line and a teaming business and also conducted a
woodyard at Houghton. There he passed away in
1907, having for many years survived his wife, who
died in 1893. In their family were four children:
George E.; Mrs. Joseph Le Blanc, who resides in
Michigan; and Joseph L. and Carlos E., both of De
troit, the latter being connected with the Liberty
Starter Company of this city.
George E. Brand pursued his early education in the
public and high schools of Houghton but his course
was not a continuous one. Like many boys in their
early teens, he thought he preferred earning his liv
ing to applying himself to his textbooks and he
started out to accomplish the former task. When his
father died the necessity of providing for his own
support faced him and he became an apprentice to a
gas fitter at a dollar per day, which entire sum was
used to pay for his board and room. After twenty-
two days he went on the railroad as a newsboy at a
salary of a dollar and a quarter per day and next
was employed as night collector on a railroad ferry,
but he became ill with pneumonia and upon his re
covery found himself two hundred dollars in debt.
To meet this situation he began working with the
pick and shovel at a wage of two dollars per day and
at the same time he tended furnaces for the resi
dents of Houghton, doing anything that would en
able him to earn an honest living and gain a start.
During all this time he was coming to a realization
of the value of education and he began learning
shorthand, typewriting and bookkeeping and worked
in the law offices of Ball & Stone while thus per
fecting himself in those studies. He spent three
years with that firm at Houghton, Michigan, as ste-

GEORGE E. BRAND

CITY OF DETROIT

129

nographer. Every night and holiday was devoted to
study of high sehool subjects, with and without the
aid of tutors. He afterward entered the State Uni
versity as a special student, his lack of actual high
school attendance preventing his regular matriculation.
However, after entering the university he made such
strides in his law studies that by vote of the faculty
he was granted the right to receive the regular LL. B.
degree in 1912. He worked his way through the Uni
versity, during spare hours acting, as secretary to
many of the law professors. Coming to Detroit, he
accepted a position in the office of Bernard B. Selling
at a salary which after one month was doubled and at
the end of the second month was tripled, while after
four months he was admitted to a partnership and
the relation was maintained under the firm style of
Selling & Brand until the death of the senior partner
in 1918. Since that time Mr. Brand has practiced
alone and has a very large and distinctively repre
sentative clientage. He is attorney for the American
Radiator Company, for the Prudential Insurance Com
pany, Burnham, Stoepel & Company, the Straus Broth
ers Company and other important corporations and it
is a recognized fact that his law business is among
the largest in the city.
On the 24th of June, 1914, Mr. Brand was married
to Miss Elsie B. Jones, a daughter of Elias H. and
Sarj,h A. Jones, the former prominent in mining
circles at Negaunee, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Brand
have one child: George Edward, born in Detroit, Oc
tober 25, 1918. Mr. Brand is a member of the Roman
Catholic church.
Mr. Brand maintains an independent course in
politics. He belongs to the Automobile Club, to the
Detroit Board of Commerce, to the Lawyers Club and
to the American Bar Association. His is a notable
career of a self-made' man, illustrating the fact that
it is under the stimulus of opposition and the pressure
of adversity that the strongest and best in men is
brought out and developed. Providing for his own
education beyond the slight advantage of the elemen
tary grades, he has through determination and per
sistent effort become one of Detroit's most intelligent,
alert and progressive lawyers, who since his admission
to the bar has made steady advancement until he
now stands in the front rank of the profession.
C. J. McLENNAN, an expert chemist who was for
many years prominently identified with the manufac
ture of paint, being regarded as an authority on this
subject, now occupies a prominent position in indus
trial circles of Detroit as president of the Miracle
Manufacturing Company, one of the important pro
ductive industries of the city. They are manufac
turers pf Miracle washing cream, a dirt dissolvent
whose valuable properties have already become widely
recognized. Mr. McLennan is a native of Canada. He
was born in Nova Scotia, February 26, 1868, a son of
Vol. IV— »

John and Catherine McLennan, who reared a family
of four children.
In the acquirement of an education C. J. MeLen-
nan attended the graded and high schools and later
completed a course in chemistry, specializing in color.
He then became identified with the paint business,
being at first connected with the Massey Manufactur
ing Company of Toronto, Canada, with whom he re
mained for a considerable period. He next asso
ciated himself with the firm of French & Company,
manufacturers of special paint for agricultural im
plements, and for three years was with that com
pany, after which he founded the McLennan Paint
Company of Buffalo, New York, becoming its president.
This became one of the largest enterprises of its kind
in the country, furnishing employment to three hun
dred people, and for twenty-one years Mr. McLennan
continued as its chief executive officer, most capably
directing its affairs, but he at length sold the business
to the Detroit White Lead Works. He is the inventor
. and owner of the patent rights of the McLennan
dipping process, which was the first method of ap
plying paint by immersion. For twenty-eight years
he was identified with the paint industry and few men
in the country are better informed on this subject.
He next became president of the Walker Company of
Boston, extensively engaged in the building of smoke
less furnaces, and for three years continued to fill
that office, which he resigned in 1912. He afterward
became interested in the United States Home Building
Company of New York, which was incorporated for
three hundred thousand dollars and was awarded con
tracts for building many homes on Long Island. He
was made vice president of the company and for three
years was the incumbent of that position. In 1916
he came to Detroit and here organized the Miracle
Manufacturing Company of New York, which was in
corporated for twenty thousand dollars, the capital
stock being increased to fifty thousand dollars on the
24th of March, 1921. Mr. McLennan is the president
and secretary of the company and is also the inventor
of its manufactured product, Miracle washing cream.
This is not a soap substitute but a dirt solvent which
completely dissolves the fat elements of the soap and
scientifically frees both the dirt and this soap fat
from the meshes of the fabric. By simply boiling
for a few minutes all of the dirt, grease and sediment
are dissolved and washed out and the clothes are left
entirely clean. The cream contains no acids or al
kalis and can be applied to the most delicate fabric
without injury, being absolutely harmless. It is an
article of great merit and an indispensable adjunct
in the laundry, being now used in over fifty thousand
Detroit homes. It is on sale! in over twenty-five hun
dred drug stores, groceries and department stores of
the city and is rapidly becoming known throughout
the country, owing to its superior cleansing qualities.
From its inception the business has enjoyed a eontin-

130

CITY OF DETROIT

uous growth and twenty-five people are now employed
in manufacturing the cream.
Mr. McLennan was married in Ogdensburg, New
York, March 4, 1888, and has three children: Helen,
the wife of H. M. Myler; Ella; and W. S., who is
general sales manager of the Brandram Henderson
Company of Montreal, Canada. His political alleg
iance is given to the democratic party. He is regarded
as an authority on chemical subjects and his researches
along this line have constituted valuable factors in
modern industry. He possesses those qualities which
make for leadership in any branch of activity to
which he may turn his attention and his progressive
spirit and superior business ability make him a decided
acquisition to Detroit's citizenship.
CLIFFORD JOHN HINKLEY, who passed away on
the 17th of January, 1922, was born in Vanderbilt,
Michigan, May 1, 1891, a son of A. V. and Mary
Hinkley, the former also a native of Michigan, while
the latter was born in England and came to the new
world in her girlhood days with her parents, who
settled in this state, where she grew to womanhood
and was married. The founder of the Hinkley family
in Michigan was John Hinkley, grandfather of C. J.
Hinkley. The former was born in the state of New
York and in his boyhood days came to Michigan,
settling in Jackson county, where he was reared and
educated. A. V. Hinkley attended school in Michigan
and after reaching man's estate was married and en
gaged in merchandising at Vanderbilt. Still later he
entered the banking business on Cheboygan and for
the past twenty-two years has given his attention to
the conduct of a bank. During the last fifteen years
he has also engaged extensively in operating in real
estate. He is now the president of the Onaway State
Savings Bank of Onaway, Michigan, where he and
his wife are prominent citizens.
Clifford J. Hinkley, their only child, attended the
schools of Onaway and afterward became a student in
the State Normal School at Mount Pleasant, Michigan,
where he remained for a year and a half. He next
entered the Detroit College of Law, from which he
was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1914. He
entered upon his professional career in connection with
Ralph B. Wilkinson, working in the office from the
time he left school until 1916, when he was ad
mitted to a partnership under the firm style of Wil
kinson & Hinkley. This was one of the strong law
firms of the state and their clientage was extensive
and important.
On the 1st of September, 1918, Mr. Hinkley was
married in Jackson, Michigan, to Miss Leonore Cun
ningham, a daughter of James and Julia Cunningham
of Alpena, Michigan. During the World war Mr.
Hinkley enlisted July 27, 1917, in the ordnance de
partment and was discharged November 27, 1917, at,
the Rock Island arsenal on account of physical dis
ability. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity

and gave his political allegiance to the republican
party. He also belonged to the Delta Theta Phi, to
the Detroit Boat Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the
Lions Club, and the Board of Commerce, and along
strictly professional lines was connected with the
State and American Bar Associations.
RALPH J. HANDY. "Service" is the keynote
which Ralph J. Handy has struck in relation to the
management and conduct of his business. He now has
the agency for the International trucks in Detroit
and is also the president of the Handy Motor Man
ufacturing Company, engaged in the building of
Handy automobiles. His business plans are most care
fully formulated and carefully executed and the value
of his opinions and his methods in the motor car
trade is manifest in the success which is now attend
ing him. Numbered among Michigan's native sons,
he was born in Leslie, June 18, 1887, a son of James
A. and Eugenia (Dieterle) Handy, who are natives
of New York and of Germany, respectively. The
mother came to America with her parents when but a
year old and her father was afterward a prominent
commission merchant and produce dealer of Detroit,
in which city Mrs. Handy was reared, educated and
married. James A. Handy engaged in the furniture
business, in which he is still active and prominent in
Detroit, where he and his wife yet make their home.
Here they have reared their family of four children:
Ralph J.; Arden W.; Lee; and Mrs. May Walker, the
wife of R. W. Walker. All are Detroit residents.
Ralph J. Handy attended the public schools of De
troit and after completing a course in the Central
high school studied in the University of Chicago,
from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree
in 1908. He never entered upon the practice of the
profession, however, but became identified with the
furniture business of his father and was thus asso
ciated from 1908 until 1915. In the latter year he
became an employe of the Towar-Ayers Auto Com
pany, with which he was connected until 1917, when
he established business on his own account under the
name of the Ralph J. Handy Company and later
began the manufacture of the Handy speed wagon,
which was developed according to his own ideas. The
company are also distributors of the International
trucks for Wayne county and southeastern Michigan.
Mr. Handy is sole proprietor of the International
agency and also of the business of manufacturing the
Handy speed wagon. He also maintains and owns a
branch house in New York city, in the Columbia
Circle building. In Detroit he employs sixty-three
people and has one of the most complete of the smaller
automobile manufacturing plants of the state. He
bent his energies toward effecting an organization
that would meet with International ideals when he
took hold of the International truck, which is built
in its entirety by the International Harvester Com
pany. This is not an assembled truck, everything in

CLIFFORD J. HINKLEY

CITY OF DETROIT

133

it from front bumper to the end gate being guaranteed
by the International people, so that the International
owner, when he wants service, does not find it nec
essary to seek experts of various kinds but can get
all the service necessary at the International agencies.
Mr. Handy has specialized on the idea of department-
ized service and is thus solving one of the problems
in connection with the automobile industry.
On the 3d of July, 1911, Mr. Handy was married
to Miss Lillian C. Foley of Detroit, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Joseph Foley. They have one child: Marie
Jane, born in Chicago, July 1, 1916.
Mr. Handy is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to Oriental Lodge, to Michigan Sovereign
Consistory and to Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias
and the nature of his interests and activities is fur
ther, shown in the fact that he has membership in
the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Adcraft Club,
the Detroit Athletic Club, Gull Lake Country Club,
and the Detroit Auto Club, while his religious faith
is that of the Baptist church. He is a man of credit
able and high ideals as regards business and personal
relations and the sterling traits of his character have
won him confidence, trust and high regard.
GEORGE DINGWALL. The rapid industrial growth
and development of Detroit has affected no other line
of business in greater degree than it has real estate
activities. The hundreds of thousands who have been
brought to the city have of necessity sought homes
and the real estate interests have constantly been
stimulated with the result that subdivision after sub
division has been opened in order to meet the housing
problem. Among those who has utilized the oppor
tunities for successful achievement through this real
estate activity is George Dingwall, who although he
has passed the Psalmist's allotted span of threescore
years and ten remains an active factor in the world's
work. He was bom at Fayetteville, New York, July
22, 1844, a son of Alexander and Jeannette (Jack)
Dingwall. The father is descended from Highland
Scotch ancestry, the lineage being traced back to 783
A. D., when representatives of the family arrived in
Scotland from Norway, settling in Rosshire. The
result of this settlement was the establishment of
the city of Dingwall, named in honor of the family,
and Dingwall was made a royal burgh by Alexander
II through government enactment and its charter was
renewed by James IV, both Scottish monarchs.
It was about 1839 that the parents of George Ding
wall crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling
at Fayetteville, New York, where George Dingwall
was born. In February, 1849, the parents brought
their family to Detroit and thus George Dingwall
was largely reared in this city. On the 13th of
August, 1862, he and his eldest brother, John Ding
wall, enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining
Company A of- the Twenty-fourth Michigan Volunteer

Infantry. The brother was killed in the battle of
Gettysburg on the first day of July, 1863. George
Dingwall continued in the service with the Iron Brig
ade of the Army of the Potomac and was promoted
successively to the ranks of corporal, sergeant and
lieutenant. At the battle of the Wilderness on the
5th of May, 1864, he was wounded and was taken
prisoner, after which he spent seven and a half months
in the famous Andersonville prison of Georgia and
in the prison camps at Florence, South Carolina. Later
he was exchanged at Annapolis, Maryland, December
20, 1864, after which he returned to Detroit, where he
spent some time convalescing. He then went back
to his regiment at Springfield, Illinois, and was mus
tered out at Detroit in June, 1865.
Soon after his return from the army Mr. Dingwall
became a member of the Detroit police force and sub
sequently engaged in the government service as letter
carrier. For a brief period he conducted a grocery
business on his own account and was next made United
States gauger at Detroit under General L. S. Trow
bridge, collector of revenues. About 1884 his activities
attracted the attention of Collins B. Hubbard, a cap
italist, and the two became associated in real estate
dealing in that year. They promoted subdivision work
and founded the town of Hubbard on the old Flint &
Pere Marquette Railroad. The partnership continued
without interruption until 1901, since which time Mr.
Dingwall has engaged in the real estate business alone.
He has made a remarkable success in this field and
has won a most enviable and well deserved reputation
as a straightforward business man. He is one of the
best liked of Detroit citizens and his sterling worth
is acknowledged by all with whom he has come into
contact. At Detroit, in 1865, Mr. Dingwall was united in
marriage to Miss Phebe Renz, who died on the 12th
of November, 1900. Of their three children, John
George passed away May 23, 1892, at the age of
twenty-six years; Edward A. died August 4, 1910,
when forty-one years of age, leaving a wife, who was
Miss Effie M. Miner, and one daughter, Dorothy;
Harrie R., the surviving son, is superintendent of the
Walkerville (Canada) distillery and resides in Detroit.
He married Miss May B. Swift and they have one son,
John Franklin.
In his political views George Dingwall is a repub
lican. He twiee served as alderman of Detroit, first
in 1889, from the first ward, and during that service
he was made chairman of the committee on ways and
means and also of the committee on street openings.
During his second term, which began in 1898, when he
represented the second ward, he was made chairman
of the committee on charter and city legislation and
also of the committee on rules.
Mr. Dingwall belongs to the Detroit Real Estate
Board and the Chamber of Commerce. He is a member
of Detroit Post, No. 384, Grand Army of the Republic,
and a companion in the Military Order of the Loyal

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CITY OF DETROIT

Legion of the United States. Through half a century
he has been a valued and popular resident of the city.
He is a man of tall stature, with a military bearing,
and one who in business life has maintained ceaseless
activity, reaching the autumn of his days without
the retardation of any of his faculties.
GEORGE J. REINDEL is the senior partner in
the firm of George F. Reindel & Brother, dealers in
offiee furniture in Detroit, and his entire life has
been devoted to commercial pursuits. He was born in
this city July 18, 1864, and is a son of Frederick and
Margaret (Zapf) Reindel. At the usual age he be
came a pupil in the public schools of Detroit, thereby
acquiring his education, and he started out in the
business world as a clerk in the retail store of Aertz,
Meyers & Company. His capability and faithfulness
won him promotion from time to time until he be
came manager of the store and superintendent of the
office and factory. Thus his business experience was
constantly broadening and at length he felt justified
in establishing business on his own account. He then
began dealing in office furniture and has since conducted
the business most successfully, being joined in 1892 by
his brother, Herman C. Reindel, under the firm style
of George J. Reindel & Brother. They handle all kinds
of office furniture and have built up a trade of large
and gratifying proportions, theirs being one of the
leading houses of the kind in the city.
In Chicago, in 1892, Mr. Rgindel was married to
Miss Amelia Zopf and they have become the parents
of five sons and two daughters: Roy E., Ira H., Howard,
Mildred, George J., Jr., Dorothy and John D. The
religious belief of the family is that of the Lutheran
church, in whieh the parents hold membership. Mr.
Reindel is a republican in his political views and keeps
well informed on the questions and issues of the day
but does not seek nor desire office as a reward for
party fealty. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic
Club and the Harmonie Society and he indulges in
hunting and fishing as a means of recreation. His
entire career has been characterized by an enterprise
and progressiveness that have brought splendid
results and he is today regarded as one of the repre
sentative business men of Detroit.
HUGO H. ZANDER. To all familiar with the mer
cantile interests of Detroit the name of the Zander
Brothers Tailoring Company is a familiar one, and
active in the management of the business carried on
under this firm style is Hugo H. Zander, who was
born in Detroit, April 18, 1885, his parents being
Albert F. and Henrietta (Liphart) Zander. The
father was born on the other side of the Atlantic,
coming to America in early life, where he became
prominently identified with Detroit as a contractor,
continuing in the business up to his demise. His wife
was born, reared and educated in Detroit, and she has
spent her life here. By her marriage she became the

mother of nine children, all of whom she reared to
adult age, namely: L. W., A. E., George E., Ernest,
Mrs. Anna Otto, Lorraine, Edna, Henrietta and
Hugo H.
The last named, in his boyhood days, attended De
troit's publie schools and after putting aside his
textbooks decided to learn the tailor's trade. He
therefore entered upon an apprenticeship with one of
the leading tailors of the eity and subsequently estab
lished business in connection with his brother in
1908, forming the Zander Brothers Tailoring Company.
They started business in a modest way, but their
establishment soon became known on account of the
fine materials and excellent .work turned out. The
trade, therefore, has gradually developed until at
this period they have one of the finest and best
stocked tailoring establishments in Detroit, and rank
with the leaders in this line of business. They carry
fine woolens and imported cloth of various grades and
patterns, and they employ a score of experienced op
eratives in their shops at No. 2222 Michigan avenue.
The latest and most attractive models are to be seen
in their establishment. They make the most fash
ionable clothes for the young and meet as well every
demand for the more conservative middle aged busi
ness man.
On the 4th of November, 1908, Mr. Zander was mar
ried to Miss Freda Miesler of Detroit and they have
become parents of four children: Alice, who was
born in Detroit in 1909; Milton, born in 1912; Alvin,
born in 1914; and Carol, born in 1918. The three
eldest are in school.
Mr. Zander is well known in Masonic circles, be
longing to the Michigan Sovereign Consistory, in
which he has attained the thirty-second degree of
the Scottish Rite, and he is also a member of Moslem
Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise has mem
bership in the Masonic Country Club and his interest
in community affairs is shown in his connection with
the Detroit Board of Commerce. His aid and support
are generously given to all measures for the public
good, for citizenship has never been to him a mere
idle term. His business record, too, is commendable,
for he has worked his way upward entirely through in
dividual effort, thus indicating the strength of his
character, his forcefulness and resourcefulness.
ALFRED A. TREADWAY, a successful young bnsi-
. ness man, is well known in commercial circles of De
troit as the president of the A. A. Treadway, Incor
porated, sales engineers, with offices in the Penobscot
building. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan,
January 10, 1884, and is a son of Elmore A. and Caro
line (Piatt) Treadway. The father was a native of
Vermont and in early life came to Michigan, sub
sequently becoming division freight agent at Grand
Rapids for the Michigan Central Railroad. During
his later years he lived retired and his demise oc
curred on the 23d of July, 1920. The mother was born

HUGO H. ZANDER

CITY OF DETROIT

137

in Grand Rapids and there spent her entire life,
passing away in 1912. In the family were three chil
dren, two of whom survive: Howard Piatt, a resident
of Kansas City, Missouri; and Alfred A., of this
review. In the public and high schools of his native city
Mr. Treadway acquired his early education and then
entered the University of Michigan, from which he
was graduated with the degrees of B. S. in C. E. in
1908. Coming to Detroit, he entered the service of
the Detroit City Gas Company, becoming assistant
engineer, and remained with that corporation until
1919, when he organized the A. A. Treadway Com
pany, Incorporated, industrial heat treating furnaces
and japanning oven sales engineers, becoming president
of the enterprise, with Homer T. Hood as the vice
president and Charles E. Buysse as secretary and
treasurer. Although 'one of the newer commercial
organizations of the city, they have already succeeded
in building up a good patronage, being recognized
as experts in their line of work.
On the 2d of September, 1911, Mr, Treadway was
united in marriage to Miss Harriet Elizabeth Hyde,
a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Hyde, Jr., who
formerly resided in Saginaw, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs.
Treadway have become the parents of four children:
Robert Hyde, who was born in 1912 and is now at
tending the graded schools of Detroit; John Piatt,
whose birth occurred in 1915; Alfred Alanson, Jr.,
born in 1917; and Howard W., born in 1921.
The family attend the North Woodward Congre
gational church, and in his political views Mr. Tread
way is a republican. He is a member of the Ingleside
Club, Riverview Golf Club, the Steel Treating Re
search Club, the Detroit Engineering Society and the
Phi Delta Theta college fraternity. He is thoroughly
reliable in all business affairs and his close application
and laudable ambition have carried him into import
ant commercial relations. He is accounted one of the
progressive men of his community and is highly es
teemed by all who know him.
GEORGE WILLIAM RENCHARD, whose merchant
tailoring establishment is one of the important busi
ness enterprises of Detroit, where he has figured
prominently in commercial circles since January, 1899,
was bom December 16, 1875, in the city which is
still his home, his parents being William J. and Eliza
beth (Dormer) Renchard. At the usual age he be
came a public school pupil, passing through consec
utive grades to the high school, and when his educa
tion was completed he took up the tailoring trade and
thorough training and wide experience developed his
skill in this connection until he felt justified in en
gaging in business on his own account. In January,
1899, he opened the merchant tailoring establishment
of Detroit, which he has since conducted, carrying
on his business interests as a member of the firm of
Marshall & Renchard.

On the 30th of July, 1904, Mr. Renchard was united
in marriage to Miss Elsie M. Guenther of Detroit,
and they have become the parents of two sons: George
W. and Jack V. Mr. and Mrs. Renchard are mem-.
bers of the Roman Catholic church and he is identi
fied with the Knights of Columbus. His political sup
port is given to the republican party, of which he
has been a follower since age conferred upon him
the right of franchise, but the honors and emoluments
of office have had no attraction for him. He finds
recreation in motoring, golf and our national game of
baseball and he belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club,
the Detroit Automobile Club and the Detroit Golf
Club. WILLIAM T. GAGE, general agent for the North
western Mutual Life Insurance Company is probably
the dean of insurance men in Detroit. For thirty-
seven years he has been in insurance and for thirty-
one years has occupied the same office in the Hammond
building, facing the clock on the City Hall. He was
born at LeRoy, Genesee county, New York, March
16, 1844, and has therefore passed the seventy-seventh
milestone on life's journey but gives one the impres
sion that somewhere along the road he has skipped
about twenty years. Clear of brain and eye, with
a kindly outlook upon the world at large, he bears
none of the marks and scars of the battle and he
handles the large amount of business that comes be
fore him daily as easily and as promptly as a man
of forty would do.
When eleven years of age Mr. Gage removed with
his family to Concord, New Harmpshire, and after
graduating from the high school at the early age
of sixteen years he attended Dartmouth College and
graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1864,
when he was but twenty years of age. He then en
gaged in teaching and in 1867 the degree of Master
of Arts was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater.
Mr. Gage was president of the Highland University
in Doniphan county, Kansas, for several years during
his career as a teacher. He was then elected pro
fessor of English and History at the University of
Kansas, receiving the magnificent (?) salary of eigh
teen hundred dollars per year and in the fall of 1873
removed to Lawrence, Kansas. The following year
Kansas was devastated by grasshoppers and as a
result the state legislature decided it must retrench
on expenses, and therefore refused to make the usual
appropriation for the State University. The regents
called the faculty together and proposed that the
teachers continue on a greatly reduced salary. Mr.
Gage was offered one thousand dollars instead of
eighteen hundred, but at that juncture he received a
call to take charge of the Hartford Female Seminary
at Hartford, Connecticut. Accordingly he resigned
and returned to New England, remaining at the head
of the Hartford institution until 1883, when he gave
up teaching to engage in the business of life insurance,

138'

CITY OF DETROIT

in which he has continued up to the present time.
He came to Detroit as general agent for the Aetna
Life, but after six years with that company was made
general agent for the Northwestern Mutual Life,
which position he has occupied since 1889 or for a
period of more than thirty-two years. He has long
been recognized as an insurance expert. He has fully
met every responsibility that has devolved upon him,
has ever displayed the utmost loyalty to the com
pany's interest and close and keen attention to busi
ness has characterized his daily course throughout all
these years.
There are other interesting features in the life of
Mr. Gage, who is numbered among the veterans of
the Civil war, for at the age of seventeen years he
enlisted with a company of students, being recruited
at Dartmouth College for cavalry service. The gov
ernors of New Hampshire and Massachusetts declined
to accept the students in that branch of the army,
but Governor Sprague of Rhode Island was organizing
a squadron of cavalry and the men enlisted from that
state. There were two companies in the command, one
wholly of college men, the other made up of the usual
class of enlisted men and they were mustered into
service in Washington, D. C, and were on duty in
the army of the Potomac. At Harpers Ferry Mr. Gage
and five of his comrades were taken prisoners but
were afterward paroled and sent to the Annapolis
Parole Camp. These six privates, who had no officers
to draw supplies for them and whose term of enlist
ment had expired, were entirely without means of
subsistence, except for some small private resources,
and in this situation they deputed one of their num
ber to go to Washington and attempt to secure their
discharge and transportation to Providence, Rhode
Island. Mr. Gage was selected as the one for this
mission and went to Washington, where he saw General
Halleck, and arrangements were made for the honor
able discharge of himself and associates in the capital
city and their transportation was furnished to Provi
dence, Rhode Island.
Mr. Gage is now a member and a past commander
of Detroit Post, No. 384, G. A. R. He is also a Mason
of high rank, belonging to Corinthian Lodge, F. & A.
M.; Michigan Sovereign Consistory; and to Moslem
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise a member
of Detroit Club and the Country Club at Grosse He.
His residence is Grosse He, Michigan, from which
place he goes daily to business in Detroit.
Mr. Gage was married first to Elizabeth Goodwin,
a member of the Parke Goodwin family, to which
William Cullen Bryant was likewise related. Their
children are: William Henry Gage, Alexander Kim
ball Gage and Major Philip Stearns Gage. The last
named is a graduate of the West Point Military Acad
emy and was overseas for about two years in the
World war. He is at present an instructor in tho
United States Military Academy at West Point, New
York. Three years after the death of his first wife

. Mr. Gage was married to Miss Julia Eugenia Bury
of Grosse He, whom he had known throughout nearly
her entire life. Mr. Gage was one of the incorpora
tors of the Central Savings Bank and for many years
director and vice president of that bank. This is
the only commercial interest with whieh he has been
identified. In politics Mr. Gage is a republican. His
religious connection is with the Episcopal church.
His business affairs, his home life and his farm absorb
his entire attention. He has never cared for nor
sought publie office, yet he knows the history of De
troit for the last thirty-eight years most intimately,
and has seen the city grow from a small and beautiful
town to its present metropolitan dimensions. His
memory of men and events that have shaped its history
is remarkable, and in all the bustle and stir of this
seething city, there is no more active, nor more
busy man than Mr. Gage. Notwithstanding his years
he retains the virility of the prime of life, and in
his outlook upon the world his mental horizon is
wide and cloudless.
McKEE ROBISON, an able representative of the
Detroit bar and member of the well known law Aim
of Oxtoby, Robison & Hull, has successfully prac
ticed his profession in this city since 1911. Mr. Rob
ison was born at Ypsilanti, Michigan, July 25, 1886,
a son of Walter A. and Cornelia E. (Jacob) Robison.
In the publie schools of his native city he acquired
his early education and after the completion of his
course in the Ypsilanti high sehool in 1905 he en
tered the literary department of the University of
Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1909 with
the A. B. degree, while in 1911 that institution con
ferred upon him the degree of J. D. He was admitted
to the bar on the 27th of June of that year and
coming to Detroit he entered upon the active prac
tice of law. The zeal with which he follows his
profession and the careful regard evinced for the in
terests of his clients have brought him a large and rep
resentative clientage. For several years he continued
alone in practice, or until he formed his present asso
ciation, during which time he has been connected
with much important litigation heard in the courts of
the state.
On the 16th of May, 1914, Mr. Robison was united
in marriage to Miss Vivian Gilpin of Ann Arbor,
Michigan, and they have become the parents of three
children: Helen Elizabeth, who was born April 24,
1915; Douglas McKee, born November 26, 1916; and
Ralph G., whose birth occurred on the 14th of July,
1918. Mr. Robison 's interest in the development and
advancement of his city is indicated by his member
ship in the Detroit Board of Commerce. He is a
member of the Meadowbrook Country Club, the Wash
tenaw Country Club and the University of Miehigan
Club and his professional connections are with the
Detroit and Michigan State Bar Associations. He

McKEE ROBISON

CITY OF DETROIT

141

holds to high standards in professional service, has
great respect for the dignity of his calling and zeal
ously devotes his energies to his chosen life work.
CHARLES NEIL MoNAUGHTON, well known in
the legal, financial and insurance circles of Detroit,
was born at St. Clair, Michigan, June 7, 1877, his
parents being Neil and Margaret (Bannatyne) Mc-
Naughton. The father was bprn in Campbelltown,
Scotland, and in that country wedded Miss Banna
tyne. Coming to America, their home was established
at St. Clair, Michigan, where he resided until 1884
when they removed to Detroit where for some years
he was connected with the firm of G- and R. McMillan.
Here the father passed away in 1908. The mother is
still living and makes her home with her son,
Charles N.
In the schools of Detroit, Charles N. McNaughton
obtained his early education, passing through consecu
tive grades to the high school. His choice of a life
work fell upon the law and he began preparation for
practice at the bar by entering the Detroit College
of Law, in which he won his LL. B. degree in 1900.
The same year he was admitted to the bar and through
out his professional career he has engaged in special
practice as attorney for the American Bonding Company
and the Fidelity & Deposit Company of Maryland. He
also entered the field of general insurance as a mem
ber of the firm of McNaughton & Livingston, of which
he is the president. This company was incorporated and
has engaged in handling general insurance and surety
bonds. He is also the president of the firm of Mc
Naughton, Livingston & Reinke, Incorporated, like
wise conducting a general insurance business.
On the 8th of August, 1903, Mr. McNaughton was
married in Detroit to Miss Pearl Mclnerney, who
passed away October 30, 1907, leaving a daughter,
Ardath Margaret.
Mr. McNaughton gives his political allegiance to
the republican party. He belongs to the Detroit Ath
letic Club, the Bloomfield Hills Country Club, the
Detroit Bar Association, the Lawyers' Club, the Board
of Commerce and the Rotary Club — associations which
indicate the nature of his interests and of his ac
tivities. He is also connected with the Episcopal
church. During the war period he served on the legal
advisory board, also as -a member of the American
Protective League and was actively identified with the
Wayne county Liberty Loan drives.
ARTON E. YOKOM, a civil engineer, at present
conducting an office devoted chiefly to consultation
in professional affairs, was born across the border at
Petrolia, Ontario, Canada, August 15, 1880. His par
ents were Canadians, his grandparents were Americans,
and his ancestry for generations lived in the United
States. The original member of the Yokom family
to settle in this country came from Holland.
Arton E. Yokom was educated in the University

of Michigan, from the engineering department of
which he was graduated with the class of 1904, with
the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineer
ing. Some short time later he went to Panama and was
engaged in engineering work on the Canal for a time,
after which he was appointed on the United States
Lake survey, being thus engaged for two years. Mr.
Yokom received an important appointment from Cor
nell University, where he was instructor in civil en
gineering for one year, following which he was en
gaged on structural steel work in Pittsburgh and
New York, remaining in that line for some time prior
to coming to Detroit.
It was in 1914 that Mr. Yokom opened an office in
Detroit on his own account, where his work mainly
consists of acting in a consulting capacity, and where
he has broadened his sphere of operations in the in
tervening years. Mr. Yokom has undertaken and
executed some ambitious work since coming here.
He designed the structural features of the Majestic
theatre, of the Adams theatre, the Madison theatre,
and many other fine buildings recently erected in De
troit. Mr. Yokom was married in 1917 to Miss Verona
Simpson and they have become the parents of one
son: Robert Yokom. Mr. Yokom is a member of the
Detroit Engineering Society, of the Detroit Athletic
Club, and of the Detroit Tennis Club.
EDWIJT E. MEIER. For many years the name of
Meier has figured prominently in connection with con
struction work in Detroit and as junior member of
the firm of Talbot & Meier, building contractors and
interior decorators, Edwin E. Meier is also contrib
uting to the development and improvement of the city
in which his life has been spent. He was born in De
troit, March 18, 1890, a son of Henry J. and Matilda
(Aertz) Meier, the former of whom was a prominent
architect of this city, successfully following his pro
fession for over thirty-seven years, and many of the
finest buildings in the city stand as monuments to
his skill and ability. In the family were eight chil
dren, the brothers and sisters of Edwin E Meier being:
Walter; Harry; Adeline, the wife of Edward Posse-
lius; Florence, who married Karl L. Heinkelman;
Francis; Marie; and Frederick.
In the pursuit of an education Mr. Meier attended
the parochial and high schools of Detroit and the
University of Michigan. He then became timekeeper
for the Schmied & Sisman Company, later winning
promotion to the position of chief estimator, while
subsequently he was made construction superinten
dent. He remained w^th that company for a period
of six years and in May, 1919, became a member of
the firm of Talbot & Meier, organized for the purpose
of conducting a general building construction and
interior decorating business, Mr. Talbot having charge
of construction work, while Mr. Meier attends to the
office end of the business. They confine their efforts

142

CITY OF DETROIT

to the construction of factories, stores, schools, office
buildings and churches and have completed many
large projects, including the remodeling of Baumgart-
ner's clothing store, and the Union Trust building,
the building of the Federal Tool Company's plant,
the Cathedral, Holy Name, Visitation and St. Alphonsus
schools. From its inception the business has enjoyed
a steady growth and the office force now numbers six
persons, while the firm furnishes employment to about
one hundred skilled artisans, including masons, car
penters, painters, plasterers and interior decorators.
In the execution of contracts the company is prompt
and reliable, adhering to the spirit as well as the
letter of an agreement, and although but recently
organized its business has already assumed extensive
proportions. On the 9th of October, 1918, Mr. Meier was united
in marriage to Miss Venus Eriekson of Big Rapids,
Michigan, and they have become the parents of a
daughter, Marjorie, who was born November 24, 1919.
In religious faith Mr. Meier is a Catholic and he is
a member of the Detroit Automobile Club and is also
identified with the Board of Commerce, being deeply
interested in everything that pertains to the welfare
and development of his native city. He is yet a
young man but he has already accomplished much,
and all who know him esteem him for his energy, his
progressiveness and his sterling integrity.
MICHAEL W. DILLON. Wherever tobacco is used
in this country — as it is throughout all the states of
the Union— it is probable that the name and products
of the Scotten-Dillon Company, tobacco manufactur
ers, of Detroit, are known to all devotees of the fra
grant weed. For upwards of fifty years Michael W.
Dillon of Detroit has been identified with the manu
facture of tobacco, and he has gradually risen from
the very humblest of beginnings to his present re
sponsible and representative position as president of
the Scotten-Dillon Company, with which business he
has been associated since 1879.
Mr. Dillon was born March 25, 1856, in what is now
Wheeling, West Virginia, and was a small boy when his
parents removed to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was
reared. He spent a brief period in acquiring the rudi
ments of an education, and at the early age of twelve
years he started to learn the tobacco trade and has fol
lowed this business all through the intervening years,
gradually advancing in status as time went by until
he reached his present position. In 1879 Mr. Dillon
joined the Daniel Scotten Company in Detroit, con
tinuing with that firm until 1901, when the Scotten-
Dillon Company was formed, Vith a capital of one
million five hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Scotten,
the senior member of the company, died in 1910, and
it then devolved upon Mr. Dillon to assume the active
management of the Company's affairs and he has
been at the head of the company ever since. The
factory finds employment for upwards of seven hun

dred people and keeps sixty salesmen on the road.
Since Mr. Dillon became president of the company
there has been a steady expansion of trade, due no
less to his wise management than to the reputation
of the company's products. Considering the early
educational disadvantages under which Mr. Dillon la
bored, his progress and prosperity have been remark
able, beginning at the bottom of the ladder as he
did. He is a pleasant Cultured man to meet, and
takes great pride in his family, as he also does in
the civic advancement of Detroit during the years
he, has been a resident of the eity.
Mr. Dillon is the father of seven children, namely:
Margaret; William, assistant manager of the Scotten-
Dillon Company; Ray; Helen; Edward, engaged in the
brokerage business in Detroit; Len, connected with the
Scotten-Dillon Company; and Frances, all of whom
have had college educations. Ray and William grad
uated from St. Mary's College, Kansas; Len graduated
from Georgetown University, and Edward graduated
from the University of Detroit, and the girl mem
bers of the family graduated from the Grosse Pointe
Academy. Ray and Len entered the service of the United
States and participated in the World war, and of
these boys the father is very proud. Len served
two years with the Harper hospital unit, in the
Medical Corps. Ray entered the Officers Training
Camp at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and stood so high in
his examination that he was given a captain's com
mission. Later, he was sent to Camp Taylor, Ken
tucky, and in order that he might be sent overseas
to France, he offered to go with colored troops. He
was thereupon made a major and went across with
the Eight Hundred and First Colored Regiment.
Shortly after reaching France Major Dillon took a test
examination and made so remarkable a pass that he
was transferred to the Ninety-second (Buffalo) Divi
sion and got into the actual fighting during the latter
part of the Argonne offensive. He remained in France
until after the armistice was signed, shortly follow
ing that event returning to this country and was de
mobilized in due time. He now represents the Scotten-
Dillon Company in the state of Wisconsin.
RICHARD HENRY LAURENCE, who for eleven
years has been manager of the Garrick Theater of
Detroit, was born in Clayton township, Genesee county,
Michigan, on the 11th of May, 1887. His youthful
days were spent on the farm of his parents, Richard
Conklyn and Hannah (McGlinehey) Laurence, with the
usual experiences of the farm bred boy who divides
his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the
pleasures of the playground and the work of the
fields. He attended the rural schools of Clayton town
ship to the age of nine years. He afterward had
the benefit of a business course of nine months in the
Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, Michigan, but other
wise has learned the lessons of life in the school of

MICHAEL W. DILLON

CITY OF DETROIT

145

experience. That he has been an apt pupil is in
dicated in the success he has attained.
Mr. Laurence started out to provide for his own
support as an employe of Thomas A. Carten, a dry
goods merchant of Ionia, Miehigan, in 1900, when a lad
of but thirteen years. Later he returned to farm
life and was employed for two years at one hundred
and' fifty-six dollars per annum, thus spending his
time until January, 1903, Believing that he might
more quickly secure advancement if he were better
qualified by educational training, he then left home
to enter the Ferris Institute, in which, as previously
stated, he spent nine months as a student. In 1903
he became connected with the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railroad at Chicago in a clerical capacity and
in March, 1904, he entered the employ of E. D. Stair,
a well known theatrical manager of Detroit, as a ste
nographer. Through the succeeding five years he made
steady progress in his business career, his powers
rapidly developing, and since 1909 he has been the
manager of the Garrick Theater, in which connection
he has placed upon the boards some of the best at
tractions, making the Garrick a most popular resort
for the theatre-going people of the city.
On the 12th of June, 1915, Mr. Laurence was united
in marriage to Miss Myra Amanda Martin and they
have become the parents of a son, Richard Martin.
Mr. Laurence is a Mason of high standing. He has
attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite
in the consistory and is also a member of the Mystic
Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent Pro
tective Order of Elks and has membership in the
Rotary and Oakland Hills Country Clubs. He has
a wide acquaintance in Detroit, where his friends are
many, and they find him a most congenial companion
when he has opportunity to join them in fishing,
hunting and other outdoor sports.
ELMER WILLIAM MULFORD. Since his admis
sion to the bar at Lansing in 1900, Elmer William
Mulford has engaged in the practice of law in De
troit, his native eity, and through the intervening
years has made steady professional progress. He was
born November 13, 1876, a son of George Mahon and
Julia (Ruehle) Mulford, the former born in Detroit
in 1852, representing one of the old and well known
/families of the city, where he still makes his home,
being connected with the Free Press. He was married
here in 1875 to Julia Ruehle, who passed away in
1902. In the attainment of his education Elmer W. Mul
ford attended the public schools and was graduated
from the Detroit high school with the class of 1895.
He then entered the literary department of the Uni
versity of Michigan, where he spent one year. De
termining upon the practice of law as a life work
he began preparation for the bar as a student in the
law department of the University of Michigan and
was there graduated in 1900. The same year he was
Vol. IV— 10

admitted to practice in the Michigan courts at Lan
sing and opened an office in Detroit, where he has
since remained, a well known representative of the
legal profession in his native city. He also extended
his efforts into business fields and is now the secre
tary and treasurer of the Cornelius Manufacturing
Company of Detroit.
On the 5th of October, 1911, Mr. Mulford was mar
ried to Miss Louise A. Tighe, a daughter of Edward
H. Tighe, and they became parents of twin sons: Rob
ert Edward and Richard George, born September 20,
1912. The religious faith of the family is that of the
Universalist church.
Mr. Mulford is a member of Palestine Lodge, F. &
A. M., attaining the thirty-second degree of the Scot
tish Rite in Michigan Sovereign Consistory. He also
belongs to the University of Michigan Alumni Asso
ciation and to the Lawyers Club. He is a member of
the Detroit Bar Association and during the World
war served on the legal advisory board. His political
endorsement is given to the republican party but the
honors and emoluments of offiee have had no attrac
tion for him, as he has preferred to concentrate his
attention and energies upon his steadily growing law
practice. W. F. SHEETZ, who since 1916 has been secretary
of the R. C. Mahon Company, sheet metal workers of
Detroit, is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a son of
Frank and Wealthy A. (Neff) Sheetz. He comes of
old historic families in both the paternal and maternal
lines. His paternal grandfather was a soldier of the
Union army in the Civil war and laid down his life
on the altar of freedom, being killed in battle. The
maternal grandfather was also a Union soldier and
was wounded and taken prisoner, after which he was
incarcerated in Libby prison for several months. His
last days were spent in the Soldiers' Home at Dayton,
Ohio. W. F. Sheetz spent his youthful days in his native
city and pursued his education in the public schools
there. In 1906 he became an employe at his father's
plant in Columbus and continued in active connection
with the business until 1910. In that year he re
moved to Detroit and joined the forces of the De
troit Copper & Brass Company, continuing an employe
of that firm until 1912. In the following year he
became superintendent of the R. C. Mahon Company,
sheet metal workers, and by reason of his developing
capability and progressiveness he was chosen to the
position of secretary of the corporation in 1916. In
this capacity he has continued, concentrating his ef
forts and attention upon executive and administrative
direction, and by reason of his keen insight into
business affairs finding ready solution for many in
tricate trade problems.
On the 15th of November, 1916, Mr. Sheetz was
married to Miss Stella G. Faneher, who passed away
December 15, 1918. Fraternally he is a Mason, con-

146

CITY OF DETROIT

nected with Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., while
in the Michigan Sovereign Consistory he attained the
thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He also
belongs to Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine and
is a member of the Masonic Country Club. , He like
wise has membership with the Detroit Wheelmen and
with the Board of Commerce, while his political en
dorsement is given to the republican party. He is
known as a very careful and critical business man,
thoroughly reliable and conscientious, fully meeting
every responsibility and neglecting no duty.
ALBERT JOHN HETCHLER, attorney at law, was
born in Linden, Genesee county, Michigan, December
19, 1875, and is a son of Robert F. and Jane E.
(Stevens) Hetehler, the former a native of the state
of New York and the latter of Ohio. In early life
the father same to Michigan and as the years passed
he gained prominence as a mason contractor, remain
ing a resident of Linden to the time of his death,
which occurred in 1917. From boyhood he was a lover
of a good horse and age showed no diminution of this
feeling. During the later years of his life this en
thusiasm was manifested in his work with horses and
as a developer and driver he was well known and
successful and owned at different times some fine speci
mens of horse flesh. His widow survives and yet
makes her home in Linden. Albert J. Hetehler feels
that no small part of his progress and success in life
is directly attributable to elements of character in
herited from his mother, together with the sacrifices
which she made for him and the influence of her beau
tiful life on his own. His brother, Clarence O., who
was born in Linden, April 17, 1872, and is now a
resident of Flint, Michigan, was at one time county
treasurer of Genesee county, Michigan, and is also a
former member of the republican state central com
mittee. The other member of the family is a sister,
Mrs. Ada Howe, who was born in Linden, April 19,
1878, and is likewise a resident of Flint.
In his boyhood days Albert J. Hetehler attended
the public schools of Linden and the' nigh school of
Fenton, Miehigan. He then took up the profession of
teaching, which he followed in the district schools,
continuing in educational work for two years. On
the expiration of that period he joined his brother
in the conduct of a general merchandise store at
Linden, where they conducted a successful business
for a decade. Albert J. Hetehler then decided to
withdraw from commercial pursuits and prepare for
the legal profession, to which end he entered the Uni
versity of Michigan and was there graduated with the
LL. B. degree in June, 1911. Selecting Detroit as
the scene of his professional labors, he has since
here engaged in the practice of law and his clientage
is now extensive. The general public bears testimony
to his capability in his chosen profession and his large
business attests his power in the conduct of the liti
gated interests entrusted to him. He belongs to the

Detroit, Michigan State and American Bar Associa
tions and in a profession where advancement depends
entirely upon individual merit he has worked his
way steadily upward.
On the 14th of May, 1896, Mr. Hetehler was mar
ried to Miss Jennie Judson, a daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. David Judson. She passed away December 14,
1897, and on the 14th of August, 1907, Mr. Hetehler
was married to Miss Jennie Fielden of Milford, Mich
igan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Judson Fielden.
Mr. Hetehler was a charter member and is a past
master of University Lodge, No. 482, F. & A. M.; a
member of Genesee Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M.; and of
Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He also belongs to
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he was one
of the early members of the Wanamaker Club of De
troit, of which he was elected president in 1920. His
political allegiance is given to the republican party
and his religious faith is that of the Congregational
church, of which he is an active supporter, serving
at the present time as a member of the board of
trustees of the North Woodward Congregational
church, being an ex-chairman of that board. That he
is a man of strong character and laudable ambition
is shown by the fact that he worked his way through
college and without the aid of influential friends has
become well established as an able representative of
the Detroit bar.
FREDERICK NICHOLAS HENRY, M. D. For al
most three decades Dr. Frederick Nicholas Henry has
been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery
in Detroit, having located in this city in 1892, fol
lowing his graduation from the Trinity University of
Toronto. Throughout the intervening years his prac
tice has steadily grown in volume and importance and
he is today one of the representative physicians of
the City of the Straits. His birth occurred in Thorn
ton, Ontario, September 22, 1867, his parents being
James and Mary (Dunn) Henry, both of whom were
born in the north of Ireland and came to the new
world with their respective parents when seven and
five years of age. The grandfather in the paternal
line was James Henry, who settled at what is now
Thornton, Simcoe county, Ontario, in 1831, becoming
one of the pioneer residents of that district. He
secured a large tract of government land there and
the property is still in possession of his descendants.
He was a native of County Derry, Ireland, and when
he left the Emerald isle for the new world he was
accompanied by his wife and five children: James,
Thomas, William, Mary and Margaret. The family
resolutely set themselves to the task of clearing the
land and developing a farm and in the course of
years the property has become one of the most valu
able agricultural tracts in Simcoe county, the town
of Thornton standing upon a part of the old home
stead. James Henry built the first schoolhouse in
Simcoe county and taught school there. He also

ALBERT J. HETCHLER

CITY OF DETROIT

149

filled the position of postmaster, notary public and
magistrate and before leaving his native land he had
occupied the position of sheriff in County Derry. The
sterling traits of his character were many and he
enjoyed the respect and high regard of all who knew
him. James Henry, the father of Dr. Henry, was reared
in Simcoe county and, having arrived at years of
maturity, wedded Mary Dunn, who had come to
America with her sister Rebecca, settling in Phila
delphia but afterward removing to Thornton, where
Mary Dunn became the wife of James Henry, while
her sister married another son of the. Henry family.
Mrs. Mary Henry passed away in January, 1911, at
the advanced age of eighty years. Mr. Henry for an
extended period followed farming in Canada and won
substantial success as the years passed by. He, too,
passed away in that country. Their family numbered
ten children, six of whom reached adult age, namely:
William C, of Canada; James W., also of Canada;
Frederick Nicholas of this review; Dr. Daniel B. Henry,
who is practicing medicine at Northville, Michigan;
Dr. Thomas B. Henry, also a physician of Northville;
and Mrs. Mary Craw, living in Ontario.
Frederick Nicholas Henry attended the graded
schools of Canada and afterward continued his educa
tion in the Toronto high school before entering the
University of Toronto as a medical student. He was
there graduated in 1892 and came direct to Detroit,
where he established himself in the practice of his
chosen profession, which he has continuously followed
in this city. He has built up a large and profitable
practice of such volume that it is necessary to have
three assistants, all of whom work under his super
vision. At all times he has been a close and discrim
inating student of the science of medicine and surgery
and has kept in touch with the trend of modern prog
ress and advancement through wide reading and in
vestigation. He is about to take a trip abroad with
a patient, not as a physician but as a friend. They
will tour the British islands, continental Europe and
the Orient. Dr. Henry belongs to the Wayne County
Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Asso
ciation and the American Medical Association.
In October, 1896, Dr. Henry was married to Miss
Sophie M. Schaeffler of Detroit and they have become
parents of two children: The elder, Frederick Kraft,
born in Detroit and educated in the graded and high
schools of the city, is now manager with the Detroit
Motor Sales Company. He married Miss Agnes Wis-
susik of Detroit, and they have three children: Fred
erick A., Robert H. and Donald C; Mildred L., born
in Detroit, is a graduate of the high school and spent
two years as a student in the University of Michigan,
while at the present time she is a senior in the Uni
versity of California at Berkeley, California, there
pursuing a course in journalism.
Dr. Henry is a faithful follower of Masonic teach
ings, belonging to Kilwinning Lodge, No. 297, A. F.

& A. M., while in the Michigan Sovereign Consistory
he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scot
tish Rite. He likewise belongs to Moslem Temple
of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and has member
ship in Riverside Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is not a
club man in the usually accepted sense of the term but
belongs to the Caravan Club of Detroit. His keen
intellectuality, his professional ability, his genial
nature and his unfeigned cordiality have made him a
popular physician and an esteemed friend, Detroit
giving him high place in professional and public
regard. JOEL LOUIS STOCKARD, engaged in the bond
brokerage business, is a splendid type of the highly
successful group of younger business men in Detroit.
He is now operating under the style of Joel Stockard
& Company, of which he is the president and general
manager. He is a native of Texas, his birth having
occurred in Corsicana on the 11th of August, 1883,
his parents being James Harvey and Louisa A.
(Staaden) Stockard.
After attending the high school at Dawson, Texas,
and the Sam Houston Normal Institute at Huntsville,
Texas, he devoted two years to teaching in the schools
of the Indian Territory and later studied for a year
in the University of Texas. He then entered Purdue
University of Lafayette, Indiana, in which he con
tinued his studies for two years, putting aside his
college textbooks in 1908. In that year Mr. Stockard
went to Hartford, Connecticut, to attend the Travel
ers Insurance Company's School for Managers and
for two years he acted as special agent for the Trav
elers Company. In March, 1910, he became connected
with the bond department of the Security Trust Com
pany and in March, 1911, he entered into association
with Allerton, Greene & King, bankers of Chicago,
to take charge of their Detroit and Miehigan interests,
thus entering the financial circles of this city. In
October, 1914, he withdrew to organize the investment
and banking house of Joel Stockard & Company, with
a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. He
is now president and general manager of this com
pany, which is housed in elaborate offices of the Penob
scot building. A branch office has also been estab
lished at Pontiac, Michigan.
On the 30th of December, 1911, Mr. Stockard was
married to Miss Marjorie Katherine Davies, daughter
of William L. Davies of Detroit, and they have three
children: William Davies, Louise Elizabeth and Su
zanne Marjorie, who are with their parents in an
attractive home at No. 393 Washington road, Grosse
Pointe. Mr. Stockard gives his political allegiance to the
republican party and his religious faith is evidenced
in his membership in St. Paul's Episcopal church. He
belongs to the Town Club, the Detroit Athletic Club,
the Loehmoor Club, the Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
Boat Club and Essex County Country Club, and his

150

CITY OF DETROIT

name is also on the membership rolls of the Board of
Commerce. Actuated by a most progressive spirit he
has made steady advancement in his business career
and has won notable success in the past decade and
particularly in the past six years, in which he has
been at the head of his own company, being now an
honored factor in the financial circles of his adopted
city. CLYDE W. TRUXELL, secretary of the W. H. Hill
Company, proprietary medicine manufacturers of De
troit, was born in Williamston, Miehigan, November
9, 1875, and is a son of Lee and Jane (Waldo) Truxell,
the former born in Quiney, Ohio, while the latter is
a native of Williamston, Michigan. The father came
to Michigan when about twenty years of age and
engaged in business as a millwright, taking part in
the construction of mills all over the country. He is
now a resident of St. Louis, Missouri, where he and
his wife are well known. They have reared a family
of four children: James L.; Guy M.; Hazel, the wife
of Stanley Esselstyne of Detroit; and Clyde W.
The last named mastered the branches of learning
taught in the schools of Williamston and of Lansing,
Michigan, and then entered the literary department of
the University of Michigan, while following the com
pletion of his college course he became an employe
of the government in the treasury department at
Washington, D. C, where he continued in the service
until the Spanish-American war broke out, when he
enlisted in Company E, Thirjy-first Michigan Volun
teer Infantry, and later was transferred to brigade
headquarters as secretary to different commanders. He
served in the army for four years, in the United States
and Cuba, and rose from the rank of private to a
second lieutenancy.
After his discharge Mr. Truxell was appointed chief
of customs at Matanzas, Cuba, where he discharged
the duties of his office for three years. While in the
service he had one very interesting experience, that
of inspecting the various ports of the island, under
Captain William H. Hay, U. S. A., now Major Gen
eral Hay. While on this inspection trip which re
quired many months, traveling from one port to an
other, a number of interesting and exciting incidents
occurred. Some ports were on rivers in the interior
and while only forty or fifty miles inland the trans
portation was so poor that it would sometimes require
an entire week to reach the destination, or proceed
from one point to another customs house. Mr. Truxell
has some interesting trophies of this trip, which he
prizes very highly, one of these being a monster
snake skin, said to be the largest skin in existence
today. This snake was killed by the natives and
skinned and tanned. It measures twenty-two feet in
length, and is almost as large around as a man's
body. It is said that the snake was entirely harmless
and when encountered offered no resistance whatso

ever, the natives easily dispatching snakes of this kind
with a club.
Following his service in connection with the inspec
tion department Mr. Truxell returned to his native
state and became associated with the W. H. Hill
Company in 1902 as an employe. Since that time he
has been advanced steadily through various positions
until he is now secretary and manager. The company
is widely known all over America and Europe as the
manufacturers of Hill's Cascara, Bromide Quinine and
other well known remedies for various ailments. Their
output is shipped all over this continent and into
various foreign lands, and the success of the business
is most gratifying. Mr. Truxell is also a director and
the vice president of the Rubber Distributing Com
pany, vice president of the India Rubber Corporation
of South Bend, Indiana, and connected with other
interests. Mr. Truxell was married to Miss Katharine Koon of
Auburn, New York, on the 12th of November, 1904.
She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lamed Koon of
Auburn. Four children have been born of this mar
riage: Waldo, born in 1906; Margarette, born in 1907;
Betty, born in 1909, and Katharine, born in 1913. All
were born in Detroit. Mr. Truxell is a member of
the Ingleside, Detroit Automobile, Wolverine and Oak
land Hills Country Clubs, Brooklands Golf Club, and
the Detroit Board of Commerce, and is a most pro
gressive citizen, prominent both in his business con
nections and socially.
GEORGE C. BECKER, prominently identified with
the furniture trade of Detroit for many years, and
popular in business circles throughout the state, is
vice president of The J. Brushaber Sons. He was
born in Detroit, October 30, 1872, a son of Joachim
and Sophie (Albrecht) Becker, who were born on
the border line between France and Germany, and
came to America in 1869, settling in Detroit, where
the father established a groeery business. He after
wards sold his store and engaged in the sale of
milk, cream, butter and cheese, thus conducting a
dairy business to the time of his retirement. He is
now enjoying well earned rest in Detroit, and both
he and his wife are nearing the eightieth milestone
on life's journey, both being hale and hearty. They
have two children, one son being Henry Becker, a
prominent grocer of Detroit.
The other son, George C. Becker, who is the elder,
attended the high school of Detroit, and was afterward
apprenticed to the upholsters' trade, acquiring a thor
ough knowledge of the business, after which he estab
lished the George C. Becker Company on Michigan
avenue, between Brooklyn and Eighth avenues, which
in 1905 was consolidated with the business of J
Brushaber Sons, under the name of the Brushaber
Company, and later it was changed to the present
style of The J. Brushaber Sons. The firm has three
large establishments in Detroit, and an extensive

CLYDE W. TRUXELL

CITY OF DETROIT

153

warehouse for storage purposes. In fact it owns and
controls the largest furniture and household supply
business in the state, carrying a very extensive line
of goods, and employing eighty people. The con
tinuous growth and development of the business is
attributable in no small measure to the efforts of
Mr. Becker, who is thoroughly familiar with the fur
niture trade of every department and who has so
directed his efforts that most satisfactory results
have been achieved.
On the 8th of November, 1893, at Rockwood, Michi
gan, Mr. Becker was married to Miss May Gretzler,
daughter of a prominent family of that locality, and
they have become parents of two children: Hazel,
who married Carl Buhrer, and they have one child,
Gordon Carl Buhrer; and Helma Becker, who resides
with her parents.
Mr. Becker belongs to the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, and he is a member of the Vortex Club,
of which he is a vice president, the Detroit Board of
Commerce, the Detroit Automobile Club, and the Mes
siah Lutheran church. These associations indicate
clearly the nature of his interests and the rules that
govern his conduct. He stands as a man among men,
self-made in the best sense of the term, and ac
counted one of Detroit's representative citizens.
CAMPBELL HAMILTON LEITH, for twenty-two
years a resident of Detroit and now senior partner
of the firm of Leith & Young, engaged in the men's
tailoring business, was born at Point Edward, On
tario, Canada, November 26, 1881, his parents being
Thomas B. and Louisa Anne (Saunders) Leith. He
was, however, but an infant when the family crossed
the border, becoming residents of Michigan, and in
the public schools of Saline he pursued his education
until he had completed a high school course. He
there resided until 1898, which year witnessed his
arrival in Detroit, and through the intervening period
he has been identified with commercial interests of
this city. From 1905 until 1909 he was engaged in
the men's furnishing goods business and in August
of the latter year he organized the firm of Leith &
Young, of which he has since been senior partner.
They conduct a men's tailoring establishment, having
a well appointed store and turning out work of the
. highest grade and most attractive, styles. Their pat
ronage is now extensive, making the business one of
substantial profit.
On the 25th of June, 1907, was celebrated the
marriage of Mr. Leith and Miss Cynthia E. Dean of
Detroit, and they have become the parents of three
children: Marion Elizabeth, Dean Hamilton and Dpn-
ald Campbell. Mr. Leith and his family are members
of the Presbyterian church. He belongs also to Pal
estine Lodge, No. 357, A F. & A. M., of which he
was at one time master. His interest in community
affairs is shown in his connection with the Detroit

Board of Commerce and Oakland Hills Country Club.
Politically he is a republican and he recognizes the
duties and obligations as well as the privileges and
opportunities of citizenship and his worth in every
relation of life is attested by all with whom he is
associated. EDWARD A. WATERFALL, engaged in the insur
ance business, is a native of Detroit, born here May
28, 1862. He is a son of John and Christine (Currie)
Waterfall, natives of England and Scotland, respec
tively. In early life they came to the new world,
the father crossing the Atlantic with his parents
on one of the old-time sailing ships, the voyage cov
ering several months. They located in Detroit, where
John Waterfall attended school. Later he met and
married Christine Currie and about that time he
turned his attention to building operations and con
tract carpenter work. He was a pioneer home builder
of the city and the first to establish the monthly
payment plan for acquiring a home — a plan that has
been of the greatest value, assisting many wage earn
ers thus to acquire property. A lover of the beau
tiful, Mr. Waterfall planted very many of the shade
trees in the then newer parts of the eity, and thus
added much to the beauty and to the value of the
property. Both he and his wife passed away in De
troit, after many years of residence in the eity. They
had a family of ten children, two of whom survive:
Edward A.; and Emma Christine, the wife of Dr.
Grant McDonald of Detroit.
Edward A. Waterfall attended the public schools
and the high school of Detroit for three years and
then, with a view of making journalism his life's
work, obtained a position in the news room of the
Detroit Free Press, remaining with the paper for
three years, after which he left his position to
become associated with his father in the building
line — a business relation that was maintained until
the death of the father. The present insurance busi
ness in which Mr. Waterfall is engaged is the out
growth of his association with building activities. He
is the Detroit representative of many of the old line
companies and conducts a large general insurance
business, of which he is sole proprietor. He has
thoroughly familiarized himself with every phase of
the insurance business and ranks in the best class of
Detroit's representatives in this line. He is likewise
known through his historical collection of early scenes
in Detroit.
On the 31st of October, 1894, Mr. Waterfall was
married to Miss Lillian Linn of Detroit, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Linn of this city. Miss
Linn's father was one of the pioneer shipbuilders on
the Great Lakes. Mr. and Mrs. Waterfall have one
child: Jessie Christine, who was educated in the
Detroit schools and at the University of Michigan.
and who is the wife of Mr. R. L. Carpenter, con-

154

CITY OF DETROIT

neeted with the law firm of Stevenson, Carpenter &
Butzel. In his political views Mr. Waterfall is a stanch
republican, but has never been an aspirant for office.
His religious faith is indicated by his membership in
St. Paul's cathedral of the Episcopal church. He is
a member of the Insurance Federation of Miehigan,
the Insurance Exchange of Detroit, the Detroit Real
Estate Board, and the Exchange Club. He represents
one of the old families of the eity in the third gen
eration, and from its earliest connection with Detroit
the Waterfall family has been an element in the
growth and progress of the city and its development
along the lines of high ideals in municipal life.
FREDERICK C. CRONIN, whose residence in De
troit dates from 1881, has through the steps of an
orderly progression made steady advancement in the
business world and has for six years been the gen
eral manager of the Cronin Coal Company. He was
born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, May 14, 1879, and
is a son of Richard B. and Susan (Peer) Cronin. After
enjoying the advantages offered in De La Salle Acad
emy at Hamilton, Ontario, he started upon his busi
ness career. He had been brought by his parents to
Detroit in 1881, when but two years of age, and after
his education was completed he secured employment
in a retail grocery store of this city and still later
was employed at the Detroit Stove Works. He then
went on the road as a traveling salesman, represent
ing a wholesale coal business, and through all the
intervening years has been connected with the coal
trade. Upon the organization of the Cronin Coal
Company six years ago he was made general man
ager and has so continued to the present. The busi
ness has been developed along substantial lines and
the increase in trade is due in large measure to the
enterprising methods, the close application and the
thorough business reliability of Frederick C. Cronin.
On the 12th of June, 1907, Mr. Cronin was mar
ried to Miss Julia Miner and they have become the
parents of two daughters: Irene Caroline and Mary
Berenice. Mr. and Mrs. Cronin are of the Catholic
faith and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus.
He also has membership with the Benevolent Pro
tective Order of Elks and with the Detroit Wheelmen.
He has always turned to the great out-of-doors for
recreation and enjoys various phases of outdoor life.
ALEXANDER IMLAY, a progressive, energetic and
successful business man, is proprietor of the Imlay
Dry Cleaning Company, one of the oldest and largest
establishments of this character in Detroit, and in
the conduct of his interests he is proving farsighted
and efficient. He was born in the province of On
tario, Canada, June 25, 1863, a son of Peter and
Johana (Gordon) Imlay, who reared a family of six
children, the brothers and sisters of Mr. Imlay being:
John, Isabel, Peter, Johana and George, but all have

passed away, with the exception of John and Peter.
The former is still residing in Canada, while the
latter is a resident of Detroit. The father was a miller
by trade, operating a combination grain and sawmill,
as was the custom in those early days. It was an old-
fashioned water-power and steam mill and was limited
to about two hundred and fifty barrels per day.
In the public schools of Ontario, Alexander Imlay
acquired his education, subsequently pursuing a course
in a business college at Belleville, Ontario, where he
was a student for a year. He then became identified
with the Pack Woods Company and was employed in
the lumber woods in the upper part of the lower
peninsula, living an outdoor life for a few years.
Having always been desirous of following the occupa
tion of a sailor, he entered the employ of the Boutell
Transportation Company, which was at that time oper
ating the largest fleet of tugs on the Great Lakes,
hauling logs between Canada, Bay City and Saginaw,
but owing to the newly imposed tariff the business
was discontinued, the Canadian interests deeming it
better policy to build their own sawmills than to
pay the tax. Mr. Imlay next became connected with
the Mills fleet of vessels as steward and for three
years sailed the lakes, touching at nearly every port.
At that time there was but one small lock on the
Canadian side and this usually necessitated a delay
of twenty-four hours before the vessel could proceed
on her way. During the winter months, when navi
gation was closed, he was employed as a boiling pan
helper in a sugar factory in West Bay City, and for
about five years he continued to sail on the Great
Lakes. In 1901 he abandoned a seafaring life and
became manager of the American Garment Cleaning
Company of Bay City, which in 1904 opened a branch
store in Detroit. Shortly afterward Mr. Imlay en
tered upon an independent business venture, establish
ing his enterprise in the Harvey block on Woodward
avenue. From its inception the business enjoyed a
steady growth and in 1911 he was obliged to seek
larger quarters, moving to No. 2955-57 Grand River
avenue, where he is now located. The Imlay Dry
Cleaning Company cleans and presses all kinds of
garments, household goods and tapestry and is one
of the best equipped enterprises of this character in
the city. The firm handles large quantities of ladies
and gentlemen's garments and household articles each
year and the work is all done directly under Mr.
Imlay 's supervision, thus insuring the highest pos
sible degree of perfection, for his employes are most
thorough and painstaking and nothing is ever care
lessly done. The company operates eighteen clean
ing and pressing machines and generally has on
its payrolls thirty employes. It maintains an ex
cellent delivery system and prompt service has always
been its aim. The work turned out is first-class
in every particular and the reliable and pro
gressive methods of the company have secured for
them a large patronage, so that this has become one

ALEXANDER IMLAY

CITY OF DETROIT

157

of the leading establishments of the kind in the city.
Mr. Imlay is thoroughly familiar with every phase of
the business and is thus able to direct intelligently
the labors of those in his employ, while his initiative
spirit and executive ability have enabled him to build
up an enterprise of extensive proportions. He is a
member of the National Association of Cleaners and
Dyers and is now one of eight representatives of that
organization in connection with its insurance feature.
He is also a member of the Miehigan State Cleaners
& Dyers Association, of which he is president.
On the 17th of July, 1911, Mr. Imlay was united in
marriage to Mrs. Anna B. Dork, formerly a resident
of Bay City, Michigan. She was the widow of Joseph
Dork of Bay City. In his political views Mr. Imlay
is a stanch republican, giving earnest support to the
principles and candidates of the party. His publie
spirit is indicated in his membership in the Detroit
Board of Commerce, whose plans for the development
of the eity meet with his hearty cooperation. He is
prominent in Masonry, belonging to Ashlar Lodge, F.
& A. M., to the Consistory, Shrine and Grotto and
also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He
is likewise identified with the Young Men's Christian
Association, the Fellowcraft Club, the Caravan Club,
the Detroit Yacht Club, and the Automobile Club and
he is a great lover of light harness horse racing,
being an enthusiastic follower of the track. He has
always had great faith in the future of Detroit and
through the successful conduct of an extensive business
enterprise has been a large contributing factor in
the wonderful industrial development of the city.
The experiences of his life have been broad and
varied and his career has been an active and useful
one, characterized by close application, enterprise and
strict integrity. He is a man of pleasing personality,
whose sterling qualities have gained for him the high
regard of a host of friends.
GEORGE M. WELCH, general manager of the Mich
igan State Telephone Company of Detroit, was born
at St. Charles, Illinois, January 29, 1891, a son of
George and Ann (Lawler) Welch, the latter also a
native of Illinois, while the father was born in Ire
land. He came to America, however, in early life
and after entering business circles won a prominent
place as a contractor and builder. He and his wife
are still residents of St. Charles, Illinois. Their fam
ily numbered seven children.
The fourth in order of birth was George M. Welch,
who attended the public schools of his native eity
and after pursuing a high sehool course entered upon
his business career. His early experiences were those
of most boys of that locality and, like others, he tried
several business lines until he entered the employ of
the Northwestern Telephone Company, connected with
the Bell System, at Minneapolis, Minnesota. There
he held a clerical position in the superintendent's
office until 1908, when he resigned and removed to

Detroit. Here he became connected with the Bell
Telephone System as contract agent, so continuing
from 1908 until 1911, He was then promoted to the
position of commercial superintendent and acted in
that capacity from 1911 until 1916. In the latter year
he was made general manager and has most satis
factorily filled the position to the present time. He
is now a director of several telephone companies, in-
eluding one at Adrian, Miehigan, also one at Muskegon,
Miehigan, and one in Ionia, Miehigan.
On the 3d of August, 1912, Mr. Welch was married
to Miss Sarah Frances McElligott of Minneapolis,
Minnesota, daughter of James McElligott of that city.
Four children have been born of this marriage: Mar
garet, George Martin, James and Julia. All were
born in Detroit and the eldest is now in school.
Mr. Welch is a member of the Detroit Board of
Commerce and also of the Detroit Athletic and Detroit
Auto Clubs. He has gained popularity during the
period of his residence in this city and now has a
circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of
his acquaintance.
PETER A. KIRSTEN, whose untimely death oc
curred on September 12, 1920, was a pioneer in the
practice of costhetic dentistry in Detroit and devel
oped expert ability in this branch of the profession,
becoming one of the best known dental mechanics
in the middle west. He was born in Germany, No
vember 15, 1887, a son of Peter and Anna (Schaaf)
Kirsten, who came with their family to the United
States when the subject of this review was but five
years of age, establishing their home in Wyandotte,
Michigan. In the parochial schools and St. Joseph's Commer
cial sehool of Detroit, Mr. Kirsten acquired his edu
cation and on starting out in life for himself entered
the employ of the H. J. Caulkins Company, a large
dental supply house of Detroit, as a dental mechanic.
He developed great skill and proficiency along this
line and became the most expert workman employed
by the company. After completing his apprentice
ship Dr. Kirsten went to Chicago, where for three
years he engaged in the practice of eosthetic dentistry,
and then returned to Detroit in 1910, opening an office
at No. 106 Broadway, where he continued for five
years, and in 1915 removed to the David Whitney
building. He was one of the pioneers in this branch
of the profession in Detroit and many of the later
practitioners in costhetic dentistry in this city served
their apprenticeship in his office. He built up a pat
ronage of extensive proportions, numbering among his
clientele the leading members of the dental profession
in Detroit. He excelled in bridge work and was re
garded as a genius in his line, his highly developed
skill and technique enabling him to execute the most
difficult and delicate work. The practice is continued
by skilled workmen under the name of the P. A,

158

CITY OF DETROIT

Kirsten Dental Laboratory, of which Mrs. Kirsten
is the proprietor.
In 1912 Mr. Kirsten was united in marriage to Miss
Lillian A. Wittbrodt and they became the parents
of two children: Peter Nicholas and Jeanette Virginia.
He was a republican in his political views, a devout
member of the Catholic church and also affiliated
with the Knights of Columbus, of which he was an
active and earnest member. His life was one of
diligence and determination and success in substantial
measure came to reward his efforts. His business ac
tivity ever balanced up with the principles of truth
and honor and in all of his work he never sacrificed
the high standards which he set up for himself. He
was energetic and persistent and his close applica
tion and laudable ambition brought him to a position
of prominence in his line of work.
WESLEY L. NUTTEN, one of the successful at
torneys at the Detroit bar, was born in Moscow,
Miehigan, July 6, 1869, and is a son of John B. and
Marie (Crane) Nutten, the former a native of New
York and the latter of Massachusetts. They became
early settlers of Hillsdale county, Michigan, where
the father engaged in farming, and both he and his
wife are still living in that locality. They had a
family of seven children: Albert M., Fred, Mrs. Maude
Hughes, Mrs. May Ransom, Mrs. Gertrude Rose, John
and Wesley L.
In his boyhood days the last named attended the
schools of North Adams, Michigan, and later spent
three years in study at Hillsdale College. He next
entered the University of Michigan, where he remained
for a year, after which he began reading law in the
offiee of Judge McGrath and Henry M. Cheever. In
1895 he was admitted to the bar and began practice
in Detroit. For five years he was associated with his
former preceptor, Judge McGrath, although not in a
partnership relation. Since then he has practiced in
dependently and as a general practitioner he has ac
quired a very high class clientele, being classed as one
of the ablest members of the profession in Detroit.
On the 25th of December, 1895, Mr. Nutten was
married to Miss May Van Vleck of Detroit, daughter
of Dr. and Mrs. Van Vleck. Mrs. Nutten is a grad
uate of Hillsdale College and has been aecorded the
Master of Arts degree. Three children have been
born of this marriage: Clyde V., born in Detroit,
March 17, 1897, and now attending the University of
Michigan, was with the Naval Reserve Corps during
the World war; Wesley L., born in Detroit July 21,
1899, is attending Dartmouth College and is a member
of the class of '22. He was also for seven months in
active service with the navy; Ada. V., born in De
troit March 6, 1902, is likewise a student in the
University of Michigan.
The interests which claim the attention of Mr.
Nutten outside of his profession are broad and varied.
For three years he has been the president of the North

Woodward Civic Association, is serving on the board
of trustees of the First Universalist church, and he be
longs to the Detroit and to the Miehigan Bar Asso
ciations. Aside from his professional activities Mr.
Nutten is interested in a number of business enter
prises that have been faetors in the city's industrial
growth. CHARLES HUGH STEVENSON, a Detroit writer
and lawyer whose name is well known in scientific
circles throughout the country, was born at Snow Hill,
Maryland, December 6, 1869, his parents being Hugh
Saunders and Jane Catharine (Bailey) Stevenson, the
former a planter of Maryland. In the acquirement
of his education the son attended Lehigh University
of Pennsylvania for two years and later entered Co
lumbian University, now the George Washington Uni
versity, for the study of law. In 1897 the degree of
Master of Laws was conferred upon him and that of
Doctor of Civil Law in 1899. His study and investi
gation along scientific lines has always been of the
broadest scope. From 1891 until 1909 he was assist
ant to the United States Fish Commission and in
the latter year he was special agent of the Bureau of
Census, in charge of fishery work. Something of the
scope of his interests and researches is indicated in
the fact that he is a member of the Washington Eco
nomic Society, the Detroit Zoological Society, the
Michigan Authors Association, the American Statis
tical Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amer
ica, the American Historical Society and the American
Fisheries Society. At the fourth international fishery
congress, held in 1908, he was awarded the Smith
sonian prize. In 1909 his International Regulation
of Fisheries on the High Seas was published by the
Smithsonian Institution and republished in several
languages. In 1908 he was r co-author with Dr. Fred
erick Kunz in The Pearl Book, published by the Cen
tury Company, New York. His writings also include:
Preservation of Fishery Products; Foreign Fishery
Trade; The Shad Fisheries; Fishery Legislation; Oys
ter Industries; Fishery Products in Arts and Indus
tries, and numerous other reports and articles relating
to fisheries. His work in fishery legislation has brought
him into contact with many of the best thinkers
on the face of the globe and he has won well mer
ited recognition in such circles.
On the 21st of April, 1909, Mr. Stevenson married
Miss Elizabeth Helson, daughter of Richard Helson of
Detroit, and they have two sons: Charles Hugh, Jr.,
and Richard Helson. In 1915 Mr. Stevenson erected
in Detroit the Hotel Stevenson, one of the finest and
most exclusive residential hotels of the city, a build
ing of nine floors with accommodations for two hun
dred and thirty guests. The appointments and the
cuisine are of the highest order. It is through this
interest that Mr. Stevenson is now vice president of
the Detroit Hotel Association. Mr. Stevenson is a
well known figure in the leading clubs of the city,

WESLEY L. NUTTEN

CITY OF DETROIT

161

having membership in the Detroit, Detroit Golf and
Fine Arts Clubs. He has ever been keenly interested
in those things which are of educational and cultural
value, has found his closest friends among the men of
learning of the country, and association with him
means expansion and elevation.
GEORGE W. HOFFMAN, an energetic and pro
gressive business man of Detroit, is the vice president
of the Central Oil & Gulf Company, maintaining large
and well appointed offices in the Farwell building.
Although the business has been in existence for but a
year it has enjoyed a very rapid growth and is already
in a most flourishing condition, due in large measure
to the well directed efforts and close application of
Mr. Hoffman. He was born in London, Canada, April
23, 1874, a son of Andrew E. and Jessie (Duffus) Hoff
man, the former a native of Canada, while the latter
was born in Scotland and in early life emigrated to
Canada. Soon after their marriage they crossed the
border into the United States, becoming residents of
Pontiac, Michigan, where the father engaged in the
building and real, estate business, in which he con
tinues active, occupying a prominent place in commer
cial circles of that eity. The mother also survives.
Their family numbered two children: Mrs. Harry Go
ing, a resident of Pontiac; and George W.
In the schools of Thamesville, Ontario, Mr. Hoffman
pursued his education, after which he attended a
college at Woodstock, Canada. On completing his
studies he returned to Pontiac, where for a time he
followed various occupations, subsequently becoming a
traveling salesman for the International Correspond
ence Schools of Seranton, Pennsylvania. He was
very successful in that line of work, representing the
schools in Kansas City, Missouri, Chicago, Illinois,
Lexington, Kentucky, and northern Michigan. For
ten years he was identified with the organization,
during which period he acted as manager of the stock
department at Chicago and later at Lexington, ren
dering faithful and efficient service. He then re
signed and established a fruit farm in Alabama, which
he brought to a high state of productiveness, and for
four years continued its operation. ¦ His success in
that enterprise led to the establishment of the Central
Oil & Gulf Company, which has extensive investments
in gulf lands in Alabama and oil property in Ken
tucky and Indiana. The business was organized in
1920 with Mr. Hoffman as the vice president and
from its inception has proven a most successful ven
ture, owing to the executive ability and untiring
efforts of its founder.
In October, 1910, Mr. Hoffman was united in mar
riage to Miss Bessie Greenwood of East Jordan,
Michigan. He is independent in his political views,
voting for the candidate whom he regards as best
qualified for office, irrespective of party ties. In
religious faith he is a Baptist and lie is a member of
the Detroit Automobile Club, while fraternally he is
Vol. IV— 11

identified with the Masons, belonging to the lodge at
Flint, Michigan. He is a veteran of the Spanish-
American war, in which he enlisted as a volunteer,
becoming a member of Company E of the Thirty-third
Michigan Infantry. He was sent with his command
to Cuba and participated in the battle of Santiago.
His time and attention are concentrated upon the eon-
duct of his business interests and his persistency of
purpose, his intelligently directed efforts' and his initia
tive have been strong elements in his growing success.
He is alert, ready for any chance for advancement,
and equally ready to meet any emergency and his
determined spirit enables him to carry forward to a
successful termination whatever he undertakes.
FREDERICK F. INGRAM, JR., general manager
of the Frederick F. Ingram Company, manufacturing
chemists, was born in Detroit and after graduating
from the public schools in his native city, attended
the Michigan University, where he pursued a phar
maceutical course, being graduated with the degrees of
Pharmaceutical Chemist and Bachelor of Science as
a member of the class of 1911. He afterward went to
Europe, where he took up the study of perfume manu
facture in Grasse, France, there remaining for a
year and gaining valuable practical experience.
Upon his return to Detroit Mr. Ingram became asso
ciated with the Frederick F. Ingram Company, of
which his father is the president. He worked in the
factory for two years, so that he learned the business
thoroughly in principle and detail and was made gen
eral manager in 1921. The firrii is doing an extensive
business as manufacturing chemists and perfumers.
Its output is extensive, its goods being sold throughout
the United States and Canada, with many active
agencies abroad.
In 1915 Mr. Ingram was united in marriage to Miss
Agnes Meyer of Detroit, and they have become par
ents of two daughters: Marjorie and Barbara.
Mr. Ingram is independent in politics, supporting
men and measures rather than party. In matters vital
in citizenship, however, he stands at all times for
progress and improvements and his aid and support
can be counted upon to further all measures for the
general good. He belongs to the Phi Delta Chi, a
college fraternity, and is a member of the Detroit
Automobile Club, Alliance Francaise, and University of
Michigan Club.
DAVID HENRY CROWLEY, attorney at law of
Detroit, was born at Leslie, Michigan, September 5,
1882, his parents being Daniel and Margaret (Smith)
Crowley. The father was born in Ann Arbor, Michi
gan, in 1850, and they were married in Jackson, this
state, while at the present writing they make their
home in Leslie.
It was in the schools of the latter place that
David Henry Crowley pursued his early education.
His interest in the courts led to his determination to

162

CITY OF DETROIT

become a member of the bar and in 1905 he was grad
uated from the University of Miehigan on the com
pletion of a law course, at which time the LL. B.
degree was conferred upon him. The same year he
was admitted to the bar at Lansing and on the 15th
of January, 1917, he became a member of the firm of
Monaghan, Monaghan, O'Brien & Crowley in Detroit.
This connection, continued until after the death of
George F. Monaghan, the senior partner. In 1920 the
name was changed to Monaghan, Crowley, Reilley &
Kellogg. The firm today enjoys an extensive clientage
that connects them with much of the most important
litigation heard in the courts of the district.
On the 17th of August, 1909, in Cheboygan, Michi
gan, Mr. Crowley was married to Miss Nina C. Bar
rett. His religious faith is that of the Catholic
church and he is identified with the Knights of Co
lumbus and also with the Benevolent Protective Order
of Elks. He likewise belongs to the Detroit Athletic
Club and to the Detroit Bar Association. His political
endorsement is given to the republican party and
during the war period he was government appeal
agent, to whom all appeals from the Detroit local
board were taken. He had previously served as prose
cuting attorney of Cheboygan county, Michigan, from
the 1st of January, 1909, until the 31st of December,
1912. He was made assistant attorney general of the
state on the 1st of January, 1913, and continued to
fill that office until November 1, 1916, when he re
signed and was appointed by Governor Ferris to the
state railroad commission, serving out an unexpired
term to the 15th of January, 1917. At the latter
date he came to Detroit, entered upon his present
professional connection and through the intervening
period has continued in active practice in this city.
His previous experience had been broad and compre
hensive and, added to his thorough knowledge of the
principles of jurisprudence, he soon became well estab
lished in the foremost ranks of the legal profession
in Detroit.
LEOPOLD A. KOSCINSKI was the organizer and
is the president of the Polonia Publishing Company,
engaged in the publication of the Polish Daily Record,
a newspaper which has a wide circulation in Detroit
and throughout the surrounding community. He was
also the organizer and is the president of the Detroit
Steamship and Traveling Exchange Agency, conduct
ing the Foreign Exchange Bank of Detroit, and is a
prominent attorney. In fact his position is that of
one of the leading and representative residents of
his adopted eity. He was born in the province of
West Prussia, Poland, April 1, 1878, a son of Anthony
and Mary (Lulla) Koscinski, both of whom were na
tives of Poland and in 1888 came to America with
their family, taking up their abode in Detroit, where
the father established his home and later became iden
tified with educational interests, being a teacher in St.
Mary's Catholic school. He was also an organist of

marked talent and played the organ in various De
troit churches. He passed away in this city in 1912
and his widow died November 18, 1920. Their family
numbered ten children, of whom Leopold A. is the
eldest, the others being: Max, Angela, Alphonse,
Stephanie, Arthur, Casimer, Helen, Joseph and Roman,
all of Detroit.
In early life Leopold A. Koscinski attended the
public sehool, St. Joseph's Commercial College and the
Polish Seminary, while later he became a student in
the Detroit College of Law. He was graduated with
the LL. B. degree in 1902, after which he took up
active practice and for two and one-half years was
with the law firm of Brennan, Donnelly & Van De-
marck. In 1904 he took a trip through Europe and
on his return to Detroit he was associated from 1905
to 1908 with C. Leidich in the practice of law, while
from 1908 to 1912, he was assistant in the prosecuting
attorney's office, serving under Philip T. Van Zile
and Hugh Shepherd, and conducted a campaign against
quacks, with gratifying results. Since that time he
has successfully engaged in law practice on his own
account. In 1913, recognizing the need of a Polish
newspaper as the best method of educating the people
of his own nationality in the way of becoming good
American citizens, in April of that year he organized
the Polonia Publishing Company and began the pub
lication of a daily Polish paper. He met with much
opposition from radical elements of his and other races,
who at first even resorted to violence, being deter
mined upon the absolute destruction of his property
and the thwarting of his efforts in that direction.
Nevertheless, he persevered and today has the gratifi
cation of knowing that he is publishing the largest
and most popular foreign language paper in the city,
with a circulation of about twenty-five thousand. He
has been president of the company since the begin
ning. He is also interested in many other worthy
enterprises and is the owner of valuable real estate,
including a fine home in Detroit. He served for
some time as a director of the Detroit Building & Loan
Association. He is likewise the representative of the
Polish consul in Michigan on legal matters.
On the 17th of February, 1909, Mr. Koscinski was
married to Miss Frances Mikitynski of Chicago, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ignatius Mikitynski of that
city. They have become the parents of two children:
Marion, born in Detroit in March, 1910; and Leopold
J., born on the 13th of August, 1913. The parents
are members of the Roman Catholic church and Mr.
Koscinski is also identified with the Loyal Order of
Moose. He belongs to the Lawyers Club, to the
Michigan State Bar Association, to the Detroit Bar
Association and the Detroit Board of Commerce. Dur
ing the World war he was chairman for three years
of the Citizens Committee, besides taking a most
active and helpful part in the various work and drives
in connection with that struggle. He has worked his
way upward entirely unassisted and has done much to

LEOPOLD A. KOSCINSKI

CITY OF DETROIT

165

elevate the standards of the people of his own na
tionality, who have come to America to make this
country their home. His labors have been a potent
force for good and his influence has been far-reaching
and resultant in behalf of the dissemination of Ameri
can ideals and the adoption of American customs
among the Polish people of the city. His work has
indeed been an important element for growth and
progress here.
MARK W. ALLEN, a successful manufacturing
chemist, is well known in business circles of Detroit
as the secretary and treasurer of the firm of Mark
W. Allen & Company. He was born in this city on the
9th of March, 1873, his parents being Jtichard Webber
and Sarah Jane (Sears) Allen, while his ancestry in
both the paternal and maternal lines dates back in
America to 1635. In the acquirement of his educa
tion he attended the graded and high schools of De
troit, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in
Boston and the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale
University. After leaving college he spent four years
in the service of the New York, New Haven & Hart
ford Railway and then became identified with business
interests of Detroit as a manufacturer of toilet articles
and cosmetics. In this line of activity he has since
been engaged as the secretary and treasurer of the
firm of Mark W. Allen & Company, of which concern
his father was the founder. Energetic, progressive and
enterprising, he has developed his interests to sub
stantial proportions and as a manufacturing chemist
has won a prominent position in the business circles
of his native eity. He is also the president of the
firm of R. A. Carmichael & Company and a director of
the Woodmere Cemetery Association.
On the 5th of June, 1905, Mr. Allen was united in
marriage to Miss Alice L. Maslen of Bath, England,
and they have become parents of two children, Sarah
Irene and Richard Webber. The religious faith of
the family is that of the Episcopal church. Mr.
Allen belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and
is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolu
tion and the Theta Xi, a Greek letter fraternity, while
in club circles he is popular, having membership
relations with the Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit Boat
Club and the Detroit Yacht Club. He is likewise
identified with the Young Men's Christian Associa
tion. His life has ever been actuated by high and
honorable principles and in every relation he has
commanded the esteem and confidence of those with
whom he has been associated.
PETER PATTERSON, who since 1906 has been
identified with business interests of Detroit, is well
known in commercial circles of the city as manager
of the Investment Mortgage Corporation and the In
vestment Building Company and in the control of his
business interests displays marked ability and enter
prise. He was born in Trenton, New Jersey, Decem

ber 27, 1867, a son of John and Winifred (Robin)
Patterson, whose family numbered twelve children.
His education was acquired under private tutors, from
whom he received instruction in the higher branches
of learning, and on starting out in the business world
he became an employe of the firm of Stryker, Manley
& Buck, handling mortgages and real estate loans in
Duluth, Minnesota. For four years he was connected
with the mortgage department of that company, during
which period he availed himself of every opportunity
to acquire a thorough knowledge of the business. He
then formed a partnership with a Mr. Hartman and
for eight years they successfully conducted a mort
gage loan business, operating under the firm style of
Hartman & Patterson. In 1906 he came to Detroit
and in association with V. P. Cliff organized the Fed
eral Casualty Insurance Company, which enjoyed a
continuous growth, its assets having reached the sum
of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars in 1915,
in which year Mr. Patterson disposed of his interests
in the enterprise to Mr. Cliff. The next year Mr.
Patterson devoted to a tour of the world and follow
ing his return to Detroit organized the Investment
Mortgage Corporation, of which he lias since been
manager, his offices being located in the McGraw
building. He deals in land contracts and mortgage
loans and has built up a good business in both con
nections, owing to the fact that he thoroughly under
stands the line of activity in which he is engaged and
also because of his progressive methods and straight
forward, reliable dealing, which have won for him
the confidence and support of the public.
Mr. Patterson is a republican in his political views
and in religious faith he is a Catholic, his membership
being with St. Aloysjus' church. He is also connected
with the Knights of Columbus, the Detroit Athletic
Club and the Detroit Boat Club. Industry has been
the key which has unlocked for Mr. Patterson the
portals of success. Thoroughness and diligence have
characterized all of his work and in business circles
he has become recognized as a man to be trusted,
while as a citizen he is loyal and public-spirited.
WILLIAM H. BLACKFORD. One of the highly re
spected citizens and substantial business men of
Detroit is William H. Blackford, the president of the
Detroit Casket Company. He was born at Paw Paw,
Michigan, February 1, 1859, his parents being John
and Ann (Hutchins) Blackford. His educational op
portunities were those accorded by the public school
system of the state. He lived on a farm during
the first twenty years of his life and his experiences
and environments were those of the farm bred boy.
During this period he worked in the fields and through
the winter seasons attended the district schools. With
his removal to Detroit in 1881 he immediately became
connected with the Detroit Casket Company and in
this connection has worked his way steadily upward.
He has been employed in almost every department of

166

CITY OF DETROIT

the business, advancing from the position of salesman
to that of superintendent and later to the vice presi
dency and to the presidency, being now one of the
chief executive heads of the business. His energy
and enterprise have contributed in no small degree to
the success of the establishment. The Detroit Casket
Company was organized about the. time that Mr.
Blackford removed to this eity, opening its place of
business on Park place. In 1882 a removal was made
to Lamed street and in 1883 to West Congress, where
its location has since been maintained. However,
within a brief period the business will be estab
lished in ' a new building, at Grand River and Ash
street,- for the one which it now occupies has been
purchased by the railroad company for warehouse
and' trackage purposes. The company manufactures
the' finest quality of textile covered burial cases and
is a jobber of everything demanded in its line of
business, including hardware, robes, linings and also
the cheaper kind of caskets. Their business is con
stantly increasing and has now reached large propor
tions. This company was among the first to introduce
colors in caskets. The company is represented on the
road by a force of traveling salesmen, who are con
stantly employed. The success of the business is due
in no small measure to the excellent management of
the president, who was the second to fill this office,
becoming the successor of John H. Kapel, at his death.
Mr. Blackford is also now the president of the Toledo
Casket Company, extensively engaged in the manu
facture and jobbing of burial caskets.
On the 30th of June, 1903, Mr. Blackford was mar
ried to Miss Leonette Plumer of Detroit, daughter of
Samuel A. Plumer, who was a prominent citizen here
but has now passed away. He became an extensive
and prosperous operator in real estate and he won for
himself a most creditable position in the business cir
cles of the city. A contemporary writer said of him
while he was still an active factor in the world's
work: "He is cautious, somewhat reticent, careful
to make no promises unless confident of being able to
fulfill them." His daughter, Mrs. Blackford, a most
estimable lady, has been liberally educated and is a
woman of natural culture and refinement. Recently
Mr. Blackford has erected a new residence on Chicago
boulevard, a structure of beautiful design and hand
somely and tastefully furnished. In his political views
Mr. Blackford is a republican but has never been an
office seeker. His religious faith is that of the Presby
terian church and to its teachings he is always loyal.
CHARLES W. LEECH. The name of Charles W.
Leech is well known to the lumber trade of Detroit.
He is a dealer in general hardwood lumber, selling
largely to the factory trade and other lumbermen,
and the development of his business has placed him
in a position of leadership among the lumber dealers
of the eity. He has always handled a high grade
product and has maintained the highest standards in

the service rendered to patrons, so that he enjoys a
most enviable reputation in business circles.
Mr. Leech was born in Newboro, Canada, March 11,
1856, and is a son of Robert and Ann (Barber) Leech.
His father was engaged in the general flour mill and
sawmill business, it being the custom in those days to
operate along the two lines in conjunction. When
Charles W. Leech was but three years of age the
family removed to Gorrie, Canada, where he attended
the publie schools, and subsequently became a high
sehool pupil at Brantford, Ontario. He was one of
a family of five children, the others in order of birth
being: Robert J.; Edward W.; Mrs. T. G. Holmes
of Trenton, Miehigan; and Mrs. Thomas Evans of
Alberta, Canada.' The children were all given good
educational opportunities and after completing his
schooling Charles W. Leech became associated with
his father, with whom he worked until he was twenty-
two years of age, when he entered into a partnership
with his brother-in-law, Mr. Holmes, in Detroit, in
the conduct of a men's furnishing goods business.
He continued in that line for three years and then
sold his interest to his partner, turning his attention
to the lumber trade. He began this business in con
nection with his brother, Edward W. Leech, at Twelfth
and Michigan streets in Detroit, taking charge of the
general sales and remaining with the firm until 1890,
when he entered into partnership with William Roche
and operated under the firm style of Leech, Roche
& Company, dealers in hardwood lumber. This firm
maintained its existence until 1907, when owing to
the advanced age of Mr. Roche, who wished to retire
from business, the partnership was dissolved by mutual
consent. Mr. Leech then became associated with
Messrs. Bert Hanna and W. H. Grigg, under the firm
style of the Charles W. Leech Lumber Company, with
offices and plant at Michigan and Bangor streets.
Since the inception of this business the growth has
been continuous and gratifying, increasing from annual
sales of thirty-five thousand dollars to more than a
million dollars. Mr. Leech has always given every
detail of the business his personal attention and is
thoroughly familiar with every phase of the lumber
trade, so that he is most capable of directing the
important and growing interests under his control.
On the 15th of November, 1894, Mr. Leech was
united in marriage to Miss Anna Jackson of Canada,
and to them have been born six children: Grant, whose
birth occurred in May, 1896; Gertrude, who was born
in August, 1898; Virgil, born in July, 1900; Frederick,
born in October, 1905; Dorothy, born in April, 1907;
and Anna Jean, born January 1, 1912. The family
reside at No. 6719 Taft avenue in Detroit. Mr. Leech
is a member of the Board of Commerce and is much
interested in the work of that organization for the
benefit and improvement of the city. He belongs to
the Hardwood Club and for the past five years has
been an associate worker in the Order of Gideon. He
has never been active in club circles, preferring home

CHARLES W. LEECH

CITY OF DETROIT

169

life and church work to the activities of the clubs.
He is a member of the Grand River Avenue Methodist
Episcopal church, of which he is a liberal supporter,
is chairman of the board of trustees and has been
for a number of years, and he does everything within
his power to advance the growth and promote the
interests of the church. In polities he has usually
voted with the republican party, especially on national
issues, but does not hesitate to cast an independent
ballot if his judgment so dictates. He has always
been vitally interested in all movements tending to
the betterment of the community and of mankind
in general, is a self-made man in a business way
and one who in every relation of life has won a host
of friends.
WILLIAM CORNEHL, JR. The name of Cornehl
has long been prominently associated with the printing
business in Detroit and as head of the firm of William
Cornehl & Son, William Cornehl, Jr., is ably carrying
forward the interests established by his father in 1886.
He is conducting one of the most modern printing
plants in the city and his close application and pro
gressive methods have been resultant factors in the
continued growth and development of the enterprise.
He is widely and favorably known in the eity as he
has here spent his entire life, covering a period of
forty-seven years, for he was born April 22, 1874.
He is a son of William and Anna (Muehlman) Cor
nehl, who became the parents of four childen, the
other members of the family being: Albert, now de
ceased; Frederick G.; and Julia.
In the public and high schools of his native city
William Cornehl, Jr., pursued his education, later at
tending the Detroit Business University, and after
completing his studies he entered the employ of his
father, who had established the present business in
1886. Starting at the bottom of the ladder, he thor
oughly learned every phase of the business, devoting
every energy to the mastery of the tasks assigned
to him, and he at length became very proficient in
the art of printing. He gradually took over greater
responsibilities and in 1913 assumed entire charge of
the business, proving fully equal to the duties which
devolved upon him. From time to time he has added
modern equipment and appliances for facilitating and
improving the work and now has one of the most
complete and up-to-date printing plants in the eity.
The business was first established at the corner of
Griswold street and Jefferson avenue, whence a re
moval was made to the corner of Bates and Lamed
streets, later to No. 68 Congress street, then to No. 77
West Congress street, while its present location is at
No. 64 West Congress street, each removal being neces
sitated by the expansion of the trade, which forced the
firm to seek larger quarters. The firm conducts a
general printing and book-binding business and has
built up a large trade, numbering among its patrons
the American Car & Foundry Company as well as

extensive steel and automobile interests. In busi
ness circles of the city the firm name has long been
a synonym for enterprise, reliability and integrity
and the character of the work turned out has always
been first-class in every particular, so that this is
recognized as one of the leading printing establish
ments of the city.
In his political views Mr. Cornehl is independent,
voting for the candidate whom he deems best fitted
for office- without considering party ties. He is a
-member of several printers ' societies and also is
identified with the Order of the Amaranth and the
Turnverein and is an enthusiastic devotee of athletic
sports, finding therein the needed balance to his busi
ness activities. He is a worthy successor of his
honored father. By inheritance he bears a name that
stands for the highest ideals in business and social
life and his influence is always to be counted upon in
the furtherance of any measure looking to the pro
motion of the city in which his life has been spent
and with whose growth and development he has been
closely identified.
CLARENCE E. WILCOX, corporation counsel for
the city of Detroit, was borri in Adrian, Michigan,
December 14, 1880, and is a son of Lamar and Mary
(Rogers) Wilcox, who were natives of Lenawee county,
Michigan. The father was engaged in merchandising
in Michigan to the time of his death, which occurred
in 1906, and the mother is , still living. Their family
of four children included Lavergne H., who was a
member of Company B, Thirty-first Michigan Infan
try, during the Spanish-American war and died at
Camp Chickamauga while in the service; Florence,
wife of Lemoyne K. Wells, of Farmington, New Mex
ico; Vera, wife of Edmund W. Pierce, of Medina, Ohio;
and Clarence E.
The last named, following the completion of his
high school studies at Adrian, Miehigan, spent two
years in Adrian college and subsequently took up
newspaper work in his native city, devoting about a
year to that occupation. He afterward entered the
law school of the University of Michigan, in which
he remained for three years, receiving the LL. B. de
gree upon graduation with the class of 1905. Imme
diately afterward he came to Detroit and entered upon
the active work of the profession, having since gained
the reputation of being one of the most successful
attorneys in practice in this city. On the 15th of
January, 1919, he was appointed corporation counsel
for Detroit by Mayor Couzens and is most acceptably
filling that position, the duties of which involve him
in much responsibility, as Detroit's rapid growth has
brought about notable changes. He is also a director
of the Highland Park State Bank of Highland Park,
Michigan, and vice president and director of The
Bankers' Land and Investment Company.
On the 30th of December, 1909, Mr. Wilcox was
married to Miss Marguerite Arnett of Fairmont, West

;L70

CITY OF DETROIT

Virginia, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin W. Ar
nett. The three children of their marriage are: Ed
ward Arnett, who was born in Detroit in 1910; James
Henry, born in 1912; and Josephine Marie, born in
1915. Their residence is at 454 Chicago boulevard.
Mr. Wilcox belongs to the Detroit Athletic, Detroit
Automobile, the Ingleside and the Lochmoor Golf
Clubs, associations which indicate much of the nature
of iis recreation. He is also a member of the Board
of Commerce and is a hearty supporter of. that or
ganization in its efforts to promote the growth of the
eity and extend its business connections. Mr. Wilcox
belongs as well to the Lawyers Club, to the Detroit
Bar Association and the Michigan State Bar Asso
ciation and he is now a leading representative of his
profession in Detroit, studying closely the science of
jurisprudence and preparing his cases with thorough
ness and care before he enters upon the work of the
courts, so that his enviable reputation is well de
served. He is a member of the Woodward Avenue
Baptist church and of the Masonic order.
WILLIAM E. WANDERSEE, dealer in sporting
goods and automobile accessories, in which connection
he is conducting two stores in Detroit, was born at
Johnson Creek, Wisconsin, July 21, 1868, a son of
John and Caroline Wandersee, both of whom were of
European birth but came to America in 1860, settling
on a farm in Wisconsin, where the father profitably
conducted agricultural pursuits for a number of years.
He is now living retired near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
To him and his wife were born nine children: John,
who is connected with the Ford Motor Company in
Detroit; Herman, residing at Johnson Creek, .Wis
consin; Mrs. Lena Irving of Sioux Falls, Iowa; Mrs.
Emma Bauman of Janesville, Wisconsin; Mrs. Minna
Brunner, of Chicago; Mary; Mrs. Martha Klaush of
Johnson Creek, Wisconsin; Mrs. Anna Yauek, also of
Johnson Creek; and William E.
The last named obtained a district school educa
tion at the place of his birth and afterward was sent
to high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When his
studies were completed he came to Detroit in 1889
and entered the employ of the Bresler Estate, owners
of Lafayette, Shelby and Michigan avenue properties.
He continued active in the management of the business
for fifteen years, or until 1905, when he established
business on his own account, handling bicycles and
wheelmen's supplies on Shelby street, opening a small
store room. He prospered and the enterprise grew
until he sought more commodious quarters at 129
Gratiot street. He was a second time compelled to
obtain more space and removed to 333-335 Gratiot,
his present location. He has developed his business
until he now carries a most extensive stock of sporting
goods of all kinds and he also has a branch store at
7341 Woodward avenue, where he has a complete line
of automobile accessories, tires and motor car supplies
as well as bicycles and sporting goods. Both estab

lishments are conducting a large and profitable busi
ness and handle the Famous, Miami and Pope bicycles.
For several years Mr. Wandersee operated a store in
Highland Park, making three stores operated at that
period. The business has been incorporated with Mr.
Wandersee as president, and Percy W. Grose as vice
president, while Mrs. Jean Wandersee is secretary and
treasurer. Mr. Wandersee is also a director of the
Bar Point Land Company, with offices in Detroit.
In 1909 occurred the marriage of William E. Wan
dersee and Miss Jean McKinnon, and they reside at
1643 Atkinson avenue. Fraternally Mr. Wandersee
is connected with the Elks and he belongs also to the
Detroit Yacht Club, the Detroit Board of Commerce,
the Pastime Club, Ingleside Club and to the Michigan
Sportsmen's Association. In these connections is in
dicated much concerning the way in which he spends
his leisure hours and the methods to which he looks
for recreation. He and his wife are the owners of
some valuable eity and country property and he is
also the owner of a valuable piece of land on the lake
shore which has greatly advanced in price in recent
years. His realty holdings likewise include a fine
Duplex flat in Detroit which has proven a valuable
investment. The foresight which he displays in his
business affairs, both in the management of his stores
and in property investments, has brought him a most
gratifying measure of success and his life record
should be of inspirational value to others, as it
indicates what can be accomplished through single-
handed effort, determination and sound judgment.
HENRY C, F. GRASSER, an enterprising and pro
gressive business man and highly respected citizen of
Detroit, is president of the John Kraft Coal Company
and his influence is one of broadening activity and
strength in the field in which he operates. He is
widely and favorably known in this city, where he
has spent his life, covering a period of thirty-nine
years, for he was born July 22, 1882. His parents
were Frederick Charles and Julia (Leppold) Grasser,
in whose family were three children: Lillian, Julia
and Henry C. F. The father passed away in 1883
and in 1890 the mother wedded John Kraft.
In the public schools and the Detroit Business Uni
versity Mr. Grasser acquired his education and follow
ing his graduation entered the employ of his step
father, who in 1880 had established the John Kraft
Coal Company. Starting in a humble capacity Mr.
Grasser devoted every energy to learning the business
and gradually worked his way upward, passing through
each department. In 1904 he was made secretary-
treasurer of the company and in 1918, following the
demise of Mr. Kraft, he became president, in which
capacity he has since served, bending his energies
to administrative direction and executive control. The
present yard at No. 4749 Bellevue avenue was opened
in 1917 and here the firm keeps a sufficient supply of
coal on hand to fill all immediate orders. They

WILLIAM E. WANDERSEI.

CITY OF DETROIT

173

utilize Packard trucks and their equipment is modern
in every particular. Their promptness in making de
liveries and their straightforward and reliable dealing
have won for them a large patronage and they rank
with the leading retail coal dealers of the city. Their
sales amount to over thirty thousand tons of coal a
year and in operating the business they furnish em
ployment to thirty persons. Mr. Grasser is very capa
bly directing the extensive interests under his con
trol, displaying sound judgment, initiative" and marked
executive ability.
On the 27th of July, 1907, occurred the marriage of
Mr. Grasser and Miss Catherine Rupley, a native of
South Sandwich, Ontario, Canada, and they have
become the parents of two children:, Catherine, who
was born August 27, 1908; and Erwin, born April 21,
1912. Mr. Grasser adheres to the Catholic faith, being a
member of the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord,
and he is also affiliated with the Knights of Colum
bus and St. Vincent de Paul's Charitable Society.
He is a valued member of the Board of Commerce
and. the Retail Coal Dealers Association and is also
connected with the Detroit Automobile Club. He
possesses a kind and sympathetic nature and is ever
ready to extend a helping hand to those in need of
assistance, while in all civic matters his influence is
on the side of advancement and improvement. He is
a very energetic and progressive young business man
who has successfully demonstrated his ability to direct
large interests and the future undoubtedly holds for
him still greater achievements.
WILLIAM VAN SICKLE. Well earned honors have
come to William Van Sickle in business and fraternal
circles. He is one of the leading representatives of
the insurance business in the middle west and is
also an eminent representative of Masonry in Miehi
gan. The story of his life is the record of earnest
endeavor and laudable ambition, intelligently directed.
With no false sense of values he has placed his de
pendence upon the sure qualities of industry, adapt-
nliility and close application — qualities which any can
cultivate and which lead to certainty of results.
Mr. Van Sickle was born in Onondaga, Ontario,
June 1, 1873, his parents being Harvey H. and Han
nah (Wood) Van Sickle. After attending the public
schools he continued his education in the Detroit
Business University and secured a position in the
Detroit office of the Home Insurance Company on the
11th of March, 1887, being first employed as office
boy at a weekly wage of a dollar and a half. He
npplied himself earnestly to the faithful performance
of the duties that devolved upon him and it was not
long before merited recognition of his fidelity came
in a promotion. Since then he has been advanced from
one position to a higher one until he was made gen
eral manager for the company in Michigan on the
16th of August, 1898. He has since filled that office,

to which he was called from the position of cashier.
In the first full year of his managership (1899) in
surance to the amount of six hundred and eighteen
thousand dollars was issued from his office. Twenty
years later, or in 1918, the total amount of business
paid for was one million, six hundred and sixty thou
sand, three hundred and twenty-five dollars, and in
1919 the Detroit agency exceeded the sum of two
million dollars in its business. Mr. Van Sickle has
long been an outstanding figure in insurance circles
in the middle west and he has the distinction of being
the first member from the agency force of the Home
Life to be chosen in January, 1919, as one of the
directors of the company. He is also a past president
of the Detroit Underwriters, was twice elected to
the vice presidency of the National Association of
Life Underwriters and is one of the most popular
representatives of life insurance in the middle west.
On the 17th of February, 1897, at Detroit, Mr.
Van Sickle was married to Miss Margaret Robertson
and they became the parents of a daughter, Mar
garet, who is now the wife of Francis H. Phelps of
Detroit. Among the city's leading clubmen Mr. Van
Sickle is a well known figure, having membership in
the Detroit, Detroit Athletic, Detroit Golf, and Wol
verine Automobile Clubs. Outside of insurance circles
he is perhaps best known through his Masonic con
nections, for he is a Knights Templar and Consistory
Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine, and upon
him- has been conferred the honorary thirty-third de
gree. For six years he served as commander in chief
of the Michigan Sovereign Consistory, His political
support is given to the republican party and his re
ligious faith is that of the Baptist church. He is
at all times loyal to his honest convictions, a man
whose position upon any vital question is never an
equivocal one.
CLARK CHESTER SEELY. Claimed by death ere
he had scarcely reached his prime, Clark Chester
Seely will be remembered for years to come by his
many friends, owing to the high place which he had
won in the regard of all with whom he had come into
contact. Already he had made for himself a credit
able position in professional circles as a member of
the law firm of Millis, Griffin, Seely & Streeter of
Detroit. He was born September 16, 1886, in the eity
which always remained his home, being a son of John
A. Seely, who came to Detroit as a boy with his
parents, his father, William Seely, being a native of
Germany. John A. Seely was deputy county clerk of
Wayne county from 1893 until January 1, 1917,
and thus was a well known and prominent figure in
the public life of this section of the state. In 1885,
in Monroe, Michigan, he married Carrie G. Fassnacht,
with whom he traveled life's journey for a third of
a century, being then separated by the death of the
husband on the 28th of March, 1918. Mrs. Seely sur
vives and is living in Detroit.

174

CITY OF DETROIT

Clark Chester Seely pursued his education in the
public schools of this city and later entered the
Detroit College of Law, in which he won the LL. B.
degree upon graduation with the class of 1909. On
the 1st of July, 1913, he became a member of the
law firm of Millis, Seely & Streeter and practiced in
that connection until his demise. For ten years he
was lecturer in the Detroit Institute of Technology,
lecturing upon law, and for a time he was also one
of the lecturers in the Detroit College of Law. During
his last three years he was attorney for the Detroit
United Railway and also taught law at the Young
Men's Christian Association.
On the 31st of December, 1910, in Detroit, Mr.
Seely was married to Miss Jeannette Hirsemann, a
daughter of August F. Hirsemann, and they became
parents of two children: Clark Chester, Jr., and Iris
Jeannette. The religious faith of Mr. Seely was in
dicated in his membership in St. Matthew's Evan
gelical church. He was a supporter of the republican
party, with which he had been identified since age
conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he
served on the legal advisory board during America's
connection with the World war and was also one of
the Four-Minute men, doing active work in educat
ing the public concerning war conditions. Fraternally
he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and along professional lines he had con
nection with the Lawyers Club and with the Detroit
Bar Association. Mr. Seely died of pneumonia on
the 5th of February, 1920. His entire life was passed
in Detroit and no further commentary is needed con
cerning his career than to state that some of his
stanehest friends were those who had known him
from his boyhood. He had many attractive social
qualities. To the keen intellect with which nature
had endowed him he added an appreciation for the
good qualities in others that was expressed in an
unfeigned cordiality, and his sterling worth was rec
ognized by all with whom he came into contact.
ALMON C. HOLMES. Actuated by a determined
purpose and laudable ambition, Almon C. Holmes has
reached an enviable position in business circles as the
treasurer of the Fred E. Holmes Company, wholesale
dealers in automobile parts. He was born in Port
Huron, Michigan, October 28, 1885, and is a son of
Almon J. and Sarah Louise (Adams) Holmes, the
former a native of the state of New York, while the
latter was born in Canada. They came to Michigan
in early life, and the father, who was a marine en
gineer, largely devoted his attention to maritime pur
suits, sailing principally on the Great Lakes. He
passed away in Port Huron in 1900, and is survived
by his wife, who resides at Royal Oak, Michigan.
Their family numbered five children, of whom the
eldest is Fred E., president of the Fred E. Holmes
Company and one of the prominent enterprising busi
ness men of Detroit, the others being: John H., also

of Detroit; Nellie M., the wife of George Deckebach
of Royal Oak, Miehigan; Almon C; and Gladys, who
is the wife of Clinton J. Allen of Detroit.
In early boyhood Almon C. Holmes pursued his
studies in the graded schools of Port Huron, after
ward attended the high school in Detroit and still
later became a student in the Detroit Business Col
lege. When his textbooks were put aside he entered
the employ of the McClure Lumber Company of this
city in a clerical capacity, and his capability and
faithfulness are indicated in the fact that he was
continued in the employ of that company for eight
years, at the end of which time he resigned and
entered into business with his brother, who had estab
lished the Fred E. Holmes Company, manufacturers'
agents and dealers in all kinds of automobile materials.
This is today one of the largest concerns of its kind
in the state, due to the excellent management and
business enterprise of those who are at the head of
the undertaking. The brothers have been associated
in the business from the beginning, Almon C. Holmes
continuously acting as treasurer, with his brother,
Fred E., as president. Their trade has been developed
along safe and progressive lines. They have studied
the public needs, have made judicious purchases and
they early recognized the fact that success is due
to the accomplishment of major result at a minimum
expenditure of time, labor and material. They there
fore carefully systematized their business and as the
result of their thoroughness and energy they are
today controlling one of the profitable concerns of
Detroit. On the 29th of July, 1912, Mr. Holmes was united
in marriage to Miss Anna Colwell, a daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. John Colwell of Port Huron, and they
have become parents of one child, Almon C, born in
Detroit, October 17, 1917. Mr. Holmes belongs to the
Detroit Automobile Association, also to the Wolverine
Club and to the Fellowcraft Athletic Club, his brother,
Fred E., being president of the last named. Almon
C. Holmes is likewise a Mason, having attained the
thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is a
member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the De
troit Board of Commerce and manifests an alert and
helpful interest in all that pertains to the city's
upbuilding and development. His life has been char
acterized by a spirit of progress that never stops
short of the successful accomplishment of his pur
pose, for he has ever recognized the fact that when
one avenue of opportunity seems closed, he can carve
out other paths whereby to reach the desired goal,
and, moreover, his record represents the simultaneous
attainment of prosperity and an honored name.
JOHN BORNMAN has passed the eighty-fifth mile
stone on life's journey and practically the entire pe
riod has been spent in Detroit, where for many years
he figured prominently in business circles as a printer
and bookbinder, developing interests of extensive pro-

ALMON C. HOLMES

CITY OF DETROIT

177

portions in that connection. Honored and respected
by all who knew him or knew aught of him, he is
one of the few residents of Detroit who can date his
connection with the city from the time when it was
a small town, for he was brought here by his parents
in 1837. As he advanced in years he played on vacant
lots that are now in the down-town district of Detroit,
sold papers on the street and his boyhood days
passed in the usual manner of the lads of that pe
riod. He developed, however, with the growth 'and
progress of the city and for many years has ranked
with Dstroit's most successful and active business
men and honored and respected citizens. He was
born in Specswinkel, Hesse-Cassel, Germany, August
7, 1835, and is a son of Deitrieh-and Elizabeth (Immel)
Bornman, who were likewise natives of Germany but
left that country in 1837 and came with their family
to the new world, settling in Detroit, where the
father engaged jn the draying and express business.
Both the father and mother continued residents of
this city until called to their final rest. Four daugh
ters and three sons were born of this marriage, only
two of whom are living, these being John and Fred
Bornman, both residents of Detroit.
In early life John Bornman was a pupil in the
Beacon school, an institution equivalent to the present-
day high school. He was early trained to habits of
industry and economy and in order to eke out the
somewhat limited financial resources of the family
when ten years of age his initial effort was as a
newspaper carrier, like so many others who have
attained success, prominence and repute in Detroit.
Detroit then had but one daily newspaper, the Detroit
Advertiser, and the town deliveries were fully cov
ered by the brothers Bornman, John making distribu
tion on the east side and his brother Henry on the
west side. He afterward, in 1856, became an appren
tice at the printer's trade, with the firm of O. S,
Gulley & Company. His first independent business
venture was made in 1875 in partnership with O. S.
Gulley, under the firm name of O. S. Gulley & Born
man Company, a connection that was continued for
many years. Following the death of his partner,
N. H. Hubbell and Mr. Bornman acquired the Gulley
interest in the business, which they conducted for
ten years, when Mr. Bornman acquired the interest
of his partner and became the sole owner. The busi
ness steadily grew and prospered. In 1895 it was
reorganized under the name of John Bornman & Son
and since that time the father has been continu
ously at the head of one of the leading enterprises
of the character in Detroit. It has been developed
until the company now owns an immense printing and
binding establishment, which is the visible evidence
of the enterprise and business acumen of the men
who are at the head. From this plant comes some
of the finest specimens of the printer's art and much
of the work is brought out in colors. The company
Vol. IV— it

also prints half-tones and photogravures. The plant
is a large four-story structure.
Many times throughout his long business career Mr.
Bornman has been tendered public offiee as a mark
of esteem but has declined all political positions.
However, he has rendered valuable service in con
nection with civic interests and from 1909 until
1916 was a member of the city plan and improve
ment commission. Mr. Bornman has also long been a
member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and for
many years a member of Miehigan Council of Na
tional Union. For forty-five years he has been a
trustee of St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran
ehurch and assisted most generously in building the
church. For almost a quarter of a century he has
been treasurer of the German Protestant Home for
Orphans and Old People and he is a charter member
of St. John's Church Benevolent Society. He is like
wise a charter member of the National Union and he
is a member of the Young Men 's Christian Association.
On December 12, 1861, Mr, Bornman was united in
marriage to Miss Anna Martha Hollstein of Detroit,
and they have become the parents of two children,
the daughter Elizabeth being now the widow of Carl
Toelle. The son, Charles F. Bornman, born in Detroit,
August 11, 1866, was educated first in the public
schools, passing through consecutive grades to the
high school and afterward attending a business col
lege. Upon the completion of his college course he
became associated with his father's printing business,
which he thoroughly learned in every particular, be
ing admitted in 1895 to a partnership in the business
under the firm style of John Bornman & Son. The
business is now conducted under his management
and supervision, for in later years he has largely
released his father from responsibilities and activities
in this connection. He is married and resides in De
troit. He has two children: Dorothy E., who was
born in Detroit and completed her education in Ogontz
Sehool of Pennsylvania; and Frederick D., who was
born in Detroit and is a graduate of the high sehool
and is now attending Dartmouth College. Such in
brief is the history of the Bornman family. Eighty-
two years have been added to the cycle of the cen
turies since the first representatives of the name came
to Detroit and throughout all the intervening period
the family has contributed to the development and
progress of the city, and the work instituted by John
Bornman is now being further promoted and carried
on by his son, the name continuing to figure promi
nently in connection with the annals of Detroit through
the activities of the younger generation.
JAMES FRANCIS LANE, member of the Detroit
bar largely specializing in his practice in real estate
law, is a native of the city in which he resides, his
birth having here occurred November 5, 1885, his
parents being Michael and Bridget (Haley) Lane, the
former an engineer.

178

CITY OF DETROIT

In pursuing his education James F. Lane passed
through consecutive grades to the Midland high school.
He prepared for the practice of law as a student in
the Detroit College of Law and was graduated there
from with the class of 1913, He at once entered upon
active professional work and the result of his thor
oughness, close application and his natural ability
are manifest in the extent and importance of the
practice now accorded him. While he continues in
the general practice of law, he largely specializes in
real estate law and his work in that department is
of a most valuable character.
Mr. Lane is a member of the Board of Commerce
of Detroit and cooperates heartily in the plans and
purposes of that organization to upbuild the city, to
extend its trade relations and to advance its civic
standards. His political allegiance is given to the
republican party and at one time he was a candidate
for congress. He keeps well informed on all the vital
questions and issues of the day and his support of
any measure indicates his firm belief in its efficacy
as a factor in good government or in public progress.
IVIN E. KERR, a well known member of the legal
profession in Detroit, is senior member of the law
firm of Kerr & Lacey. He was born in St. Anthony,
Idaho, June 21, 1885, and comes from a prominent
and well-to-do family . of that state. His parents.
are Marion J. and Ella (Merrill) Kerr, who are
natives of Iowa but went to Idaho in the early settle
ment of that section of the northwest. The father
became well known there as a prominent contractor
of the county and state in which he lived. He after
ward bought a large ranch and is now a prosperous
agriculturist of Idaho, residing near St. Anthony.
The mother also survives.
Ivin E. Kerr, the eldest of a family of three chil
dren, was reared in the northwest and attended the
Rexburg (Idaho) Academy, while later he became a
student in the Oregon State College at Corvallis,
pursuing there a general course. He afterward came
to Michigan to enter the State University, in which
he took up the study of law and won his Bachelor
of Science degree and his LL. B. degree upon grad
uation with the class of 1912. He soon afterward
located in Detroit to enter upon the active practice
of his profession and has since won marked success
as a lawyer, both in general practice and as a special
ist on compensation law and liability cases. He rep
resents the Dodge Brothers and several others of the
important corporations of the city and his clientage
is now extensive and gratifying. For more than five
years he has been legal representative in Michigan
of the Zurich General Accident & Liability Insurance
Company of Zurich, Switzerland. In 1916 he entered
into partnership with Ralph B. Lacey under the firm
style of Kerr & Lacey. They have taken a foremost
position among the law firms of the state on com
pensation law and liability cases, with a clientage

of over thirty companies, including a number of the
largest writing that class of insurance in Michigan.
On the 26th oi June, 1913, Mr. Kerr was married
to Miss Mary Byrnes, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
William Byrnes, and they have one child, Winona,
who was born in Detroit in April, 1915. Mr. Kerr
belongs to the Detroit and the Miehigan State Bar
Associations and he also has membership in the Law
yers Club and in the Fellowcraft Club. He brought
with him upon his removal to this state the spirit of
western enterprise and progress, in which environ
ment he was born and reared. He is a man of strong
purpose and has ever displayed the utmost thorough
ness in his law practice, especially in the prepara
tion of his cases, while his arguments before the
eourts are always able and logical.
HENRY ALLYN HAIGH, whose successful career
has been characterized by brilliancy and versatility of
achievement, has been known as a lawyer of rare
ability, as a builder and operator of electric railways,
as a respected political worker, and as a business
man of initiative and judgment. Henry Allyn Haigh
was born at the old homestead at Dearborn, Michigan,
March 13, 1854, a son of the late RichaTd (Sr.) and
Lucy Billings (Allyn) Haigh.
The Haigh family is of English origin. Richard
Haigh, Sr., was born at Wakefield, Yorkshire, Eng
land, May 4, 1811. His father died in the year 1822
and about 1825 he came to America. For a year after
his arrival he was employed in a small establishment
in New York city for the refinishing of cloth. In
1827 he entered the employ of John Barrows & Sons,
woolen cloth manufacturers, also of New York city.
His next position, along the same line, was with Peter
Schenk of Glenham, New York. In 1828 he went to
Poughkeepsie and became an apprentice at the trade
of wool stapling with the firm of Thomas Williams
& Son and here he remained six years, long enough
to become an acknowledged expert at the business.
He next returned to Glenham, but in 1835 he went to
Rochester, New York, and became a wool sorter for
E. & H. Lyon. This mill, burned in 1837 and Mr.
Haigh then assumed charge of the buying and sorting
of wool for the Waterloo (New York) Woolen Mills.
In 1842 he was engaged in the manufacture of linseed
oil at Waterloo, at which he was very successful until
the repeal of the tariff protecting that industry in
1846. For the next five years his attention was
chiefly given to the buying and selling of wool and
sheep pelts, during which time he located at Seneca
Falls, New York, where he established a small tannery.
In 1855, in response to the urging of his brother, Henry,
who was engaged in the drug business at Detroit,
Richard Haigh, Sr., came to this city and within a
year after his arrival had purchased the property
at Dearborn known ever since as the Haigh home
stead, where he resided until his death on the 5th of
December, 1904. During his residence at Dearborn

IVIN E. KERR

CITY OF DETROIT

181

he became well known as a farmer and stock raiser.
His original purchase of land here was about three
hundred acres, but in 1873 nearly two hundred acres
were sold to the Sisters of Charity, who established
the St. Joseph's Retreat thereon. Mr. Haigh was one
of the organizers of the Christ church at Dearborn
and was senior warden from 1866 until his death. In
1836 Richard Haigh, Sr., was married to Bessie Wil
liams, daughter of Thomas Williams of Poughkeepsie,
New York. She died in 1842 and in 1844 he was
married to Miss Lucy Billings Allyn of Waterloo,
New York. She was of the Connecticut family of
Allyns, dating back to early colonial days.
Henry A. Haigh received his early education in
the local public schools and at Waterloo, New York.
He attended the Michigan Agricultural College, from
which he received his B. S. degree with the class of
1874. He then entered the law department of the
University of Michigan and graduated with the degree
of LL. B. in 1878.
During the winter months of 1874 and 1875 Mr.
Haigh taught sehool in Wayne county and in March,
1875, he was appointed to a clerkship in the office
of the state board of health at Lansing, where he
served until September, 1876.
After his graduation from the University of Mich
igan, Mr. Haigh continued his law studies in the
office of William A. Moore and later began the prac
tice of law in Detroit, becoming an office associate
of his former classmate, Hon. William L. Carpenter,
afterwards justice of the supreme court of the state.
In 1889 they associated themselves with the late
Colonel John Atkinson and the late Hon. Flavius L.
Brooke, under the firm name of Atkinson, Carpenter,
Brooke & Haigh. In the autumn of 1893 he became
the junior partner of the firm of Atkinson & Haigh,
retaining this business relationship until 1896. From
that date until 1899 Mr. Haigh practiced alone.
In 1899 other interests of importance, such as
electric railway construction, banking and real estate
matters, began to claim his attention to such an ex-
l.ent that legal matters were subordinated. In 1898
he had assisted Samuel F. Angus and James D.
Hawks in securing portions of the right of way neces
sary for the completion of the Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann
Arbor & Jackson Railway, which was an electric line.
Hisx success in this undertaking led to his further
association with Mr. Angus in the promotion of the
Toledo, Fremont & Norwalk Railway in Ohio. He
was chosen treasurer and general counsel for the com
pany formed to carry on the project. He was very
active in the construction of the line, which was com
pleted in 1901. This road, sixty-five miles in length,
was afterward sold to t'-e Everett-Moore Syndicate of
Cleveland and is now a part of the Lake Shore elec
tric line between that city and Toledo.
In 1902 the Comstock-Haigh-Walker Company was
organized and began the construction of the Rochester
& Eastern Railway, an electric line connecting Roches

ter, Canandaigua and Geneva, JNew York. This line
was finished in 1905 and sold to the New York Central
Electric Railway Company. The next enterprise of
the company was the construction of the Milwaukee,
Northern Railway, a system which connects and serves
five important counties in Wisconsin, the first- division
running between Milwaukee and Sheboygan. Upon
the death of William B. Comstock in 1905, Mr. Haigh
succeeded him as president of the Comstock-Haigh-
Walker Company and also became secretary and treas
urer of the Milwaukee Northern Railway Company.
In 1906 he became vice president and a director in the
Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor & Jackson Railway Com
pany, retaining that connection until the property
was sold to the Detroit United Railway Lines. Upon
the death of Andrew W. Comstock in April, 1908, Mr.
Haigh became president and director of the Cincinnati,
Georgetown & Portsmouth Railway, a steam and elec
tric line running easterly from Cincinnati and com
prising about seventy miles of trackage; also of the
Felicity & Bethel Railway, an electric line in south
ern Ohio. He was also a director in the Alpena
Power Company and for a number of years was
president of the Detroit Sanitarium. Mr. Haigh was
one of the original subscribers to the stock of the
Peninsular Savings Bank of Detroit and has been
for many years one of its directors and a member of
the executive committee. He is also president of
the Peninsular State Bank of Highland Park. He
was one of the organizers of the Continental Casualty
Company, now of Chicago, and one of the largest
insurance companies of its kind in the country; he
was for a number of years one of its directors and
is now its general counsel for Michigan.
In his political life Mr. Haigh has well merited
the reputation of being a hard worker for the re
publican party. As early as 1884 he was active in
the organization of the Michigan Club, then the most
prominent republican organization in the state, was
the first secretary and subsequently its president. In
1887 Mr. Haigh was active in the organization of
the National Republican League and in 1892-93 he
was the Michigan member of the executive committee.
In 1896 he was president of the McKinley Club of
Detroit and was active in the campaign of that year.
In 1892 he was presidential elector from Michigan and
was selected by his colleagues as the electoral mes
senger to carry the votes of Miehigan to Washington,
D. C. In 1896 he was the alternate delegate-at-large
from Michigan to the national republican convention
at St. Louis. Mr. Haigh was also secretary of the
Michigan State Republican League, organized in 1888.
While having passed the activity stage in politics,
Mr. Haigh is still intensely interested in the for
tunes of his party.
As a writer upon subjects with a legal bearing,
Mr. Haigh has done considerable work which is worthy
of note. Tn 1884 he published " Haigh 's Manual of
Law," a compilation of the laws applicable to farm

182

CITY OF DETROIT

life :and rural districts. In 1888 he compiled and
published ''Labor Laws of America," a comprehen
sive and authoritative treatise upon the subject. Mr.
Haigh has also contributed occasionally to newspapers
and magazines, in the main covering such subjects
as were objects of his study and experience.
On the 16th of January, 1895, Henry A. Haigh was
married to Miss Caroline Comstock, daughter of the
late Andrew W. Comstock, lumberman, banker and
vessel owner of Alpena, Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs.
Haigh were born two children: Andrew Comstock
Haigh and Richard Allyn Haigh. Both of these sons
enlisted as privates in the World war, Andrew serving
for nearly two years overseas and being commissioned
lieutenant. Both graduated from the University of
Michigan in 1919. Andrew Haigh is now (1921) an
instructor in the Princeton Preparatory School at
Princeton, New Jersey, and Allyn Haigh is connected
with the firm of Stone & Webster of Boston, Massa
chusetts. The Haigh town residence in Detroit is at
762 Seminole avenue. The summer home is at the
old Haigh homestead in Dearborn, where Mr. Haigh
was born and which has been in his family for up
wards of seventy years. The old colonial mansion is
perhaps the oldest of the early colonial places in
Michigan. It was built by the late Colonel Joshua
Howard in 1833-34 while he was engaged in super
intending, for the United States government, the con
struction of the Detroit arsenal at Dearborn, which
was an important military post for some time but
Was abandoned by the government about 1870.
In. those matters pertaining to public service Mr.
Haigh has ever been interested. He was a member of
the Miehigan state board of health from 1901 until
1906 and a member of the American Publie Health
Association. In Detroit he has been a member of
the Board of Commerce since its inception. Mr.
Haigh 's other social and fraternal affiliations are
with the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society, the
Detroit Club, the Alpena Country Club, the Univer
sity Club of Detroit, the Grosse Pointe Country Club
and Oriental Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons.
Mr. Haigh is an Episcopalian and member of the
Vestry of Christ church, Dearborn.
LANDER S. HARRIS, who passed from the scene
of earthly activities October 27, 1920, was a well
known business man of Detroit, for many years prom
inently connected with the cigar trade, while more
recently he gave his attention largely to real estate
operations. He became a resident of this city when
a lad of but ten years, his birth having occurred in
the '' state of New York, September 6, 1868. His
parents were Edward M. and Jane (Valette) Harris.
The father was a telegraph operator and at one time
was employed in the same office and had the desk
adjoining that of Thomas A. Edison, the noted in-
ventdr. : After working' along' that line for a time
he conducted a cigar 'stand in the old Russell house

of Detroit, this being the initial step towards estab
lishing the large cigar business afterward carried on
by his son. There were but Wo children in the family,
the daughter being Mrs. Louis E. White, still a resi
dent of Detroit.
Lander S. Harris, spending his boyhood under the
parental roof, began his education in the public schools
of New York and continued his studies after the
removal of the family to Detroit, when he was ten
years of age. When his school days were over he
became assistant to his father in the cigar business
and following the death of his father took over the
business, remaining in the old Russell house until it
closed its doors and he removed to 119 Woodward
avenue. There he enjoyed an extensive trade for a
long period, but afterward concentrated his efforts and
attention largely upon real estate operations and
promoted many important realty, transfers. Among
other large transactions which he negotiated was the
ninety-nine year lease of Grindley Field. His busi
ness judgment was sound and his enterprise and
energy brought to him a substantial measure of
success as the years pas.sed.
Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Blanche
Burton, a daughter of James C. Burton who was born
in 1830 and who passed away July 19, 1915, at the
venerable age of eighty-five years. He had for a
long period been prominent in marine insurance circles
in Detroit. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris was born but
one child, Burton S., whose birth occurred August 1,
1902, and who with his mother is living in Detroit.
Mr. Harris' political endorsement was given to the re
publican party as a result of his thorough study of the
vital questions and issues of the day. He was a
life member of the Detroit Boat Club. His long
residence in the eity and his activity in business
brought him a wide acquaintance and the sterling
worth of his character gained for him strong friend
ships and warm regards.
J. HOWARD MUZZY is a well known factor in
the industrial life of Detroit as president of Muzzy-
Lyon Company, manufacturers of bearings and bear
ing alloys, a concern which he organized in 1903. His
birth occurred at Romeo, Michigan, on the 23d of
February, 1865, his parents being Joel P. and Mary
T. (R'eade) Muzzy. After completing a high school
course in his native town he came to Detroit as a
youth of seventeen and secured a position as clerk
with the firm of Armstrong & Graham, with which
he continued for three years, while subsequently he
spent two years in the employ of J. P. Donaldson &
Company. He next became manager for the firm of
J. T. Wing & Company, which he thus ably repre
sented for fifteen years. On the expiration of that
period, feeling that his capital and experience justified
him in embarking in business on his own account, he
organized The Muzzy-Lyon Company, Limited, in 1903,
for the manufacture of Babbitt metal, becoming its

LANDER S. HARRIS

CITY OF DETROIT

185

secretary and treasurer. This was later succeeded by
Muzzy.-Lyon Company, of which he became president,
his son, Howard Gray Muzzy, having assumed the
duties of secretary and treasurer. In the conduct of
his interests he has manifested a most progressive
spirit and his sound judgment and indefatigable en
ergy have resulted in the development of the business
until it is now one of extensive and gratifying pro
portions. On the 4th of March, 1892, Mr. Muzzy was united
in marriage to Miss Grace E. Gray of Romeo, this
state, and to them have been born four children:
Edith Dwight, Howard Gray, Morris J. and Robert
William. The eldest son, Howard G, Muzzy, was bora
in Detroit and obtained his more advanced education
in the University of Michigan, from which institution
he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of
Arts as a member of the class of 1917. In April of
that year, when the United States entered the war
against Germany, he enlisted in the Ann Arbor unit of
the Miehigan Naval Militia, serving at the Great
Lakes and on the United States Ship New Orleans,
which did a great deal of convoy work. He attained
the rank of ensign and was mustered out December
7, 1918. On the 20th of September, 1919, he married
Katherine W. Gervais of Chicago. He is a member
of the Delta Kappa Epsilon, a college fraternity, and
also belongs to the Oakland Hills Country Club. In
1919 he became secretary and treasurer of Muzzy-
Lyon Company and is thus associated with his father
in the conduct of an important industrial enterprise
of Detroit.
In his political views Mr. Muzzy is a republican,
while his religious faith is that of the Congregational
church. He belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce
and to the Oakland Hills Country, Detroit Athletic and
Ingleside Clubs. For his recreation he turns chiefly
to outdoor sports. His career has been characterized
by high ideals and worthy motives and he has won
a host of warm friends in both business and social
circles of Detroit.
JULIUS KNACK, president and founder of the
Julius Knack Coal Company of Detroit, has in this
connection become one of the big individual coal dis
tributors of the eity, having developed a business to
extensive proportions. Mr, Knack was born in Ger
many, May 24, 1860, and is a son of Frank and Eliza
beth Knack, who were also natives of that country,
where they resided until 1872 and then sailed for the
new world, becoming residents of Detroit, the father
afterward lived retired here until his death, which
occurred in 1881. His widow long survived him, pass
ing away in 1909. In their family were four chil
dren, three of whom are living: Julius, of this re
view; Mrs. Lena Voss; and August. All are residents
of Detroit.
Julius Knack attended the public schools of De
troit between the ages of twelve and fifteen years

and then started out to provide for his own support.
His first ambition was to become a cigar-maker, but
after learning the trade he decided to follow other
pursuits. In 1883 he established a small coal yard
and, persisting in this business, his energy and de
termination, combined with capable management and
unfaltering industry, enabled him in time to secure
a high-class trade. He was obliged to seek larger
quarters as his business increased and in 1911 he in
corporated the Julius Knack Coal Company, of which
he has since been the president. His yards are located
at Adelaide street and the Grand Trunk Railroad and
at Holbrook and the Grand Trunk Railroad, while the
main office is at Mack and Gratiot avenue, in the
Knack building. His quarters are now adequate to
all the needs and purposes of the business, for excel
lent rail facilities are at hand for the bulk delivery
from the mines to the yards. Mr. Knack maintains
a personal interest in every phase and detail of the
business and his sound judgment and enterprise have
been the forceful factors in winning success. While
he is today one of the large individual coal distribu
tors of the city, he is also active in various other
fields, especially in connection with organizations that
have to do with public benefit.
In November, 1885, Mr. Knack was married to
Miss Mathilda Botzon and they have become parents
of four children: Werner, born in Detroit in 1893
and now in business with his father; Sabina, who was
born in 1897; Herbert, born in 1899; and Harold, born
in 1902. All have been accorded the liberal educa
tional opportunities offered in the public and high
schools of this city.
Politically Mr. Knack is a republican and keeps
well informed on the vital questions and issues of
the day but has never been an office seeker. He has
done good work as one of the organizers and direc
tors of the Detroit Old Folks Home and in many
ways he is constantly extending a helping hand where
assistance is needed. He belongs to the Detroit Board
of Commerce and also to the Michigan Coal Dealers
Association and is interested in all that has to do
with benefiting trade conditions and business connec
tions for Detroit.
J. ROY RIDLEY, president of the Detroit Steam
Carpet Cleaning Works, was born in Ridgetown, in
the province of Ontario, Canada, December 27, 1883,
and is a son of Thomas A. and Ella (Wilson) Ridley,
whose family numbered three " children, the others
being Arthur Pierre and Mrs. Walter Gallagher.
During his student days J. Roy Ridley attended the
public and high schools and also a business college and
thus qualified for the practical and responsible duties
of life. He came to Detroit in 1901, when eighteen
years of age, his father purchasing the present busi
ness, which at that time furnished employment to
only about ten people, while the greater part of the
work was done by him. Today the business gives em-

186

CITY OF DETROIT

ployment to nearly sixty people and machinery has
been installed whereby most of the work is accom
plished. Removing to Detroit J. Roy Ridley became
associated with his father in the enterprise and for
the last few years has been its active head, occupy
ing the position of president of the company, which
has enjoyed marked prosperity, the volume of the
trade increasing more than fourteenfold. The com
pany engages in the cleaning and repairing of oriental
and domestic rugs, draperies and hangings and also
makes and lays all types of new carpets. Mr. Ridley
employs the latest and most improved methods of
cleaning carpets and has a special treatment for
oriental rugs that he considers vastly superior to that
utilized by others. All work is done under his per
sonal supervision and the high grade of the work
turned out has earned for the company a most envia
ble reputation.
In October, 1907, Mr. Ridley was married to Miss
Elizabeth May Chilver, a native of Walkerville, On
tario, Canada, and they have become parents of three
children: John C, who was born March 30, 1913;
Elizabeth May, born in April, 1916; and Florence Ella,
born April 11, 1918. Mr. Ridley votes with the re
publican party and is a stalwart believer in its prin
ciples as factors in good government. He manifests
his interest in Detroit's welfare through his mem
bership in the Board of Commerce and his active
support of many interests which have their basis in
the publie welfare and progress. He has membership
in the Detroit Rotary Club, also in the Fellowcraft
Athletic Club and in the Essex Golf and Country
Club. He is likewise a Mason, belonging to Ashlar
Lodge, F. & A. M., and in these associations are in
dicated much concerning the nature of his diversion
and recreation. Mr. Ridley resides at No. 679 Bur-
lingame avenue.
JAMES A. MURTHA is a prominent and popular
lawyer, now practicing in Detroit, where he has been
living for more than sixteen years, a former member
of the Michigan state senate and otherwise identified
with public affairs both in this state and outside of
it. He is a native of New York, born in Long Island,
September 3, 1869, a son of James A. and Elizabeth
(Martin) Murtha, the former of Irish and the latter
of Dutch stock.
Mr. Murtha was educated in the public schools of
Long Island and at the Larchmere Academy, later
entering the Columbia University, where he took a
law course and was admitted to the bar in 1891. He
started the practice of his profession in Brooklyn, at
the same time giving attention to contemporary poli
tics. A democrat in political faith, Mr. Murtha was
nominated for congress, at the age of twenty-four,
for the third congressional district, New York. In
1896 he was presidential elector to the Palmer-Buckner
gold democratic national convention, and was delegate
to the national democratic convention in St. Louis

in 1916. It was at this latter convention that Presi
dent Wilson was nominated for his second presidential
term. With the foregoing advantageous experiences
to his credit Mr. Murtha has ever since stood high in
the councils of his party, his advice and guidance
being frequently sought in matters of importance to
the party welfare.
It was in 1904 that Mr. Murtha came to Detroit,
where he has since been engaged in the practice .of his
profession. He was elected to the senate of the
state of Michigan in 1910; he was reelected for three
further terms, serving eight years in all, during that
period giving general satisfaction to those whose
interests were entrusted to his care, and in the several
committees of which he was chairman bringing sound
judgment to bear on the work. At the end of his
fourth term he voluntarily retired.
Mr. Murtha is a member of the Detroit Board of
Commerce; he is also a member of the Elks, of which
organization he is the exalted ruler; the Loyal Order
of Moose, the Idle Hour Club, the Harmonie Society
and the Concordia Society. During America's partic
ipation in the World war, he took part in all patriotic
drives and was one of the Four-Minute men, bringing
energy and ability to bear upon the work.
GEORGE AUGUSTUS YOUNG, a member of the
firm of Young Brothers Company, manufacturers at
Detroit, occupies a most prominent position in the
business world and has been active in the development
of an enterprise which has, within six years, increased
twentyfold. The story of his life is the record of
earnest endeavor intelligently directed and fraught
with notable success.
George Augustus Young was born in Windsor, Can
ada, May 10, 1866, his parents being Charles Q. and
Martha (Noll) Young. He obtained his early educa
tion in the public schools of his native city, passing
through consecutive grades to the high school, and
when his textbooks were put aside he learned the'
trade of sheet metal and brass worker, under the
direction of his father in Windsor. Steadily he
advanced as his powers developed until he was made
foreman of the Detroit Sheet Metal & Brass Works,
occupying that position for eight years, from 1888
until 1896. In the latter year he joined with his
brother in organizing the firm of Young Brothers,
manufacturers of special copper and sheet iron work
and has since been secretary, treasurer and manager
of the company. Theirs is one of the big manufactur
ing concerns of Detroit, having had a remarkable
growth. They established business in the Franklin
street plant, and in 1920 acquired another large plant
at No. 6500 Mack avenue, where their general offices
are now located. They still retain their Franklin
street plant and are building a steel warehouse on
Bellevue avenue near the general offices, and they
are also constructing a large building near by for a
garage and laboratories for research work. They man-

u
tl
ri

JAMES A. MURTHA

CITY OF DETROIT

189

ufacture Japanning and Core ovens of superior qual
ity and their trade covers the globe. Their insulated
steel oven is one of their specialties and they are the
only makers of this kind of oven in Detroit. They
are now opening up trade in Europe and Japan and
their vastly increased facilities are necessary to their
expanding, business. The company was incorporated
in 1914 as Young Brothers Company, and their busi
ness is today three hundred times what it was in
1896, the first year. George A Young remains the
active directing head of the business and its phe
nomenal success is due in large measure to his execu
tive powers, his keen discrimination as to business
interests and his thorough organization.
On the 10th of June, 1899, Mr. Young was united
in marriage to Miss Isabel Campbell. Their religious
faith is that of the Methodist church and Mr. Young
gives .his political allegiance to the republican party.
He belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and to
the Employers Association, and fraternally he is a
member of Detroit Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M., while in
the club circles of the city he is well known through
his connection with the Detroit Athletic, Detroit Golf,
Aviation Country, and Detroit Automobile Clubs,
and the Doe Lake Fishing and Hunting Club. His
entire life has been characterized by a determination
that never stops short of the successful accomplish
ment of his purpose and throughout his life he has
followed constructive methods, building upon the ex
perience of the past to meet the needs of the future
and winning in the present a most admirable and
enviable position in the manufacturing circles of his
adopted city.
CHARLES C. SIMONS, lawyer and lawmaker, was
born in Detroit, May 21, 1876, and since his admis
sion to the bar has been engaged in the practice of
his profession in this city. He is a son of David W.
Simons, who is mentioned at length on another page
of this work. In the acquirement of his education he
attended the Detroit high sehool and afterward en
tered the University of Michigan, from which he re
ceived the Bachelor of Letters degree in 1898 and
that of Bachelor of Laws in 1900. He at once opened
a law office in Detroit, where he has since followed
his profession, and his recognized ability and his
devotion to the interests of his clients have won for
him an extensive and important practice.
On the 29th of November, 1906, Mr. Simons was.
married in Chicago to Miss Lillian Bernstein, a native
of that city. Mr. Simons is a member of the Phoenix
Club and Bedford Country Club, and turns to golf for
recreation. Aside from his profession, however, his
attention has largely been given to publie service
and he is one of the recognized leaders of the re
publican party in Michigan. In 1903-04 he represented
the second district in the state senate and in 1905-06
filled the office of circuit court commissioner of Wayne
county. In 1908 he was chosen to represent the county

in the Michigan constitutional convention and in 1916
lie was made republican presidential elector-at-large.
His interest in the welfare and progress of the city
is shown in his membership on the board of directors
of the Chamber of Commerce. He likewise belongs
to the Lawyers Club and is on the board of officers
of the Redford Country Club, while along strictly pro
fessional lines he has connection with the Detroit and
Michigan State Bar Associations. He has long been
recognized as an able representative of that profession
to which life, liberty and property must look for pro
tection and he has been most ethical in all of his
professional relations, maintaining the highest stand
ards of the bar.
JOHN TIREMAN. For many years representatives
of the Tireman family have resided in Detroit, taking
an active and helpful part in the work of general
improvement and progress in this section of the state.
While conditions are radically different from those
which confronted the earlier members of the family,
John Tireman manifests an equally helpful interest
in the projects which are established and promoted
in order that the city's progress may be further aug
mented. He is numbered among the progressive real
estate operators of Detroit, his activity in this field
contributing to the material upbuilding of the city
as well as to individual success. He was born in
Greenfield, Michigan, which is now incorporated within
the boundaries of Detroit, April 19, 1870, a son of
Allen and Mary E. (Uridge) Tireman. His grand
father, Joseph Tireman, was a native of England and
left that country to take up his residence in Green
field, Michigan, at a very early period in the settle
ment of the state. He secured a large traet of wild
land which was covered with a dense growth of
timber and at once set about the arduous task of
clearing and developing his property, which after
many years of hard and unremitting labor he at
length converted into a highly productive farm. He
was numbered among the honored pioneers of the state,
who by their labors made possible that superior civ
ilization which is now one of the characteristics of
the commonwealth. His life was a long and useful
one and he passed away in Detroit on the 25th of
November, 1882, at the very advanced age of ninety-
nine years and six months. His son, Allen Tireman,
the father of the subject of this review, was born in
England, March 14, 1823, and was a small boy when
the family came to Michigan. On reaching mature
years he took up the occupation of farming, culti
vating the original homestead. The property extended
along what is now Grand River avenue, Grand boule
vard and Tireman avenue, the latter being named for
the family. He continued successfully to follow agri
cultural pursuits until his demise, which occurred Au
gust 18, 1879, and the mother, born August 21, 1838,
died September 21, 1873. They were highly esteemed
residents of this section of the state, where their

190

CITY OF DETROIT

lives had been spent. Their family numbered five
children: Joseph, who was born September 27, 1860,
and died January 16, 1916; Sarah J., who is the wife
of Charles Seebaldt of Detroit; Rebecca, who has
passed away; Mary, who is the wife of Frederick C.
Martindale of Detroit; and John, of this review.
Mr. Tireman attended school in Greenfield and
Detroit and after laying aside his textbooks continued
to assist in the cultivation and improvement of the
home farm. Meanwhile the city had been steadily
growing, gradually encroaching upon the Tireman es
tate, and this led to Mr. Tireman 's identification with
the real estate business, in which he has continued
active. The productive and well tilled fields have
given place to large business houses, modern apart
ment buildings and attractive homes and Mr. Tire-
man's entire energies have been devoted toward the
beautifying and development of the property intrusted
to his care under the terms of his father 's will. The
family has donated a large portion of the land to the
eity for street, alley and boulevard purposes and
they have developed a greater area in the residential
section Of Detroit than any other family. Mr. Tire-
man's entire attention is given to the supervision of
his real estate interests, which have reached large
proportions, and he occupies a foremost position among
the realtors of the eity.
On the 6th of April, 1896, Mr. Tireman was mar
ried to Miss Florence Jones of Detroit and they re
side in a beautiful home on West Grand boulevard,
which he erected, their hospitality being often enjoyed
by their extensive circle of friends. They are mem
bers of the Seovel Memorial church and guide their
lives by its teachings. Mr. Tireman is a worthy
representative of an honored pioneer family and a
progressive, energetic business man, possessing clear
vision and marked executive ability. He has never
selfishly centered his activities upon his own interests,
for while laudable ambition has prompted him to
labor diligently for the attainment of success, he has
at the same time done that for Detroit which entitles
him to classification with the real upbuilders and
promoters of the city.
CLARENCE ELMORE GITTINS, engaged in the
general practice of law in Detroit, was born at Ply
mouth, Michigan, September 21, 1884, and is a son
of George I. and Josephine (Knight) Gittins. The
father was born in England in 1853 and in his youth
came to the United States with his parents, the family
home being established in Detroit at an early day.
George I. Gittins devoted his life to the occupation
of farming and passed away in 1916.
After attending the district schools Clarence E.
Gittins pursued his studies in the Michigan State
Normal College at Ypsilanti and afterward entered
the Detroit College of Law, from which he was grad
uated with the LL. B. degree as a member of the class
of 1909. In the interval, however, between the years

1902 and 1909, he taught sehool in Wayne county and
thus provided for the expense of his college course,
entering upon law practice in October, 1909. His
devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial, yet
he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance
to the majesty of the law. He has specialized in
corporation law and his practice in this line with its
diversified interests is a proof that the city of De-.
troit is a fertile field for those who are willing to
apply themselves and take advantage of the pros
pects offered by this growing city. He is also con
nected with business interests of importance as a
director of the Commonwealth Federal Savings Bank,
as a director of the Highland Park Building & Loan
Association and as president of the Highland Park
Times Publishing Company.
On the 10th of July, 1911, at Vicksburg, Miehigan,
Mr. Gittins was united in marriage to Miss Lois
Frances Goldsmith and to them has been born a
daughter, Marilyn Elizabeth. The religious faith of
the parents is that of the Presbyterian church and
Mr. Gittins is keenly interested in all those forces
which work for righteousness and the uplift of man
kind. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second
degree of the Scottish Rite and has also crossed the
sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine. Something of the nature of his recreation is
indicated in the fact that he is a member of the
Brookline Golf Club and the Wilderness Club. He is
also connected with the Delta Phi Delta and with
the Lawyers Club and Detroit Bar Association of
Detroit. His political allegiance is given to the
republican party and he was elected from the first
district of Michigan to the state senate, where his
term expired in January, 1914. He gave thoughtful
and earnest consideration to the vital problems which
came up for settlement during his connection with
the senate and thus left the impress of his individual
ity and ability upon the legislative as well as upon
the legal history of the state. During the period of
the war his position was at no time an equivocal one.
He acted as chairman of the legal advisory board at
Highland Park and was also one of the Four-Minute
men. FRANCIS ALVIN RASCH. For thirty-two years
Francis Alvin Rasch has practiced law in Detroit
and the entire period of his life has been passed in
this city, where his birth occurred June 20, 1864.
He is a son of August and Catherine (Smith) Rasch
and while spending his youthful days under the pa
rental roof he pursued his education in the German-
American Seminary, from which he was graduated
with the class of 1881. Further preparation for life's
practical and responsible duties was made by him in
Goldsmith 's Bryant & Stratton Business University of
Detroit, in which he completed his course in 1882.
From 1882 to 1884 Mr. Rasch was employed at the
Union National Bank as general bookkeeper. He next

CLARENCE E. GITTINS

CITY OF DETROIT

193

entered the University of Michigan as a law student
and won the LL. B. degree in 1887. The following
year he entered upon the active work of his pro
fession and for almost a third of a century has been
a member of the Detroit bar. Several times he has
been elected to public office. On the 1st of July, 1891,
he became a 'member of the board of education and
thus served until the 1st of April, 1892, when he
resigned. It was in the latter year that lie was elected
city attorney, which position he filled for four con
secutive years, making a most excellent record in
that office. He was also a member of the board of
estimates of Detroit from 1902 until 1908 inclusive
and acted as chairman of the board in 1906.
On the 18th of June, 1890, Mr. Rasch was married
to Miss Jennie F. Seitz of Detroit, daughter of Fred
erick L. Seitz, and their children are: Katherine S.,
Elaine H., Francis Alvin, Jr., and Frederick L. The
family has an attractive home called Maple Leaf, on
Harsen's Island, Miehigan, where Mr. Rasch finds
recreation in outdoor life. While in the University of
Michigan he became a member of the Delta Tau Lelta
fraternity. His interest in the welfare and upbuilding
of his city is shown by his connection with the Civic
Club of St. Paul parish and his membership in the
Board of Commerce. As a member of the Detroit Coun
cil Boy Scouts of America Mr. Rasch has devoted his
spare moments to the welfare of the Scout boys. In
religious faith he is a Protestant and his political
belief is that of the republican party. He keeps well
informed on the vital questions and issues of the
day and thoroughly acquaints himself with the prob
lems which have to do with civic betterment and with
the welfare of the state and nation.
FRANK E. LOGAN, D. D. S. Dr. Frank E. Logan,
member of the dental profession in Detroit, has been
engaged in practice in this city since 1898. He was
born in Pickering, Ontario, Canada, March 27, 1875, a
son of William and Jane (Whitney) Logan. After
completing his publie and high school education he
entered the University of Michigan in 1893 and there
pursued a course in dentistry, graduating in the class
of 1896 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery.
From 1897 until 1898 he was demonstrator of operative
and clinical dentistry in the university and during the
year 1906 he took a postgraduate course in bridge work
at the Peeso 's Postgraduate sehool, Philadelphia, Penn
sylvania. In the latter part of 1898 he came to De
troit and opened an office at the corner of Cass and
Grand River avenues, later removing to the Gas build
ing, while in March, 1915, he established his present
office in the David Whitney building. He is well
known in financial circles of the city as a director
of the American State Bank, which office he has held
for the past ten years. He has also served on the
directorates of other large business enterprises.
On the lath of December, 1909, Dr. Logan was
united in marriage to Miss Maude A. Lennox and
Vol. IV— 13

they are well known in social circles of Detroit. In
his political views Dr. Logan is a republican and fra
ternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to
Golden Rule Lodge, Ann Arbor, to Palestine Lodge,
F. & A. M., to the Consistory and also to the Shrine.
He is a member of the First District, Miehigan State
and National Dental Societies.
AUGUST HESS. In the path of an orderly pro
gression, each step being made at the cost of earnest
labor and close application, August Hess has reached
an enviable place in the business circles of Detroit,
being closely associated with its commercial interests
as secretary of the Harry J. Dean Company, the largest
house decorating firm in the state of Michigan. He
is a native son of Detroit and a representative of
one of the old and prominent families of the city.
His parents, Andrew and Margaret (Schlitt) Hess,
were of foreign birth and at an early period in their
lives emigrated to the United States, establishing their
residence in Detroit. The father subsequently entered
the employ of Godfrey Dean and later was a member
of the firm of Hess, Reynolds and Eeklin, but after
ward disposed of his interest therein and again entered
Mr. Dean's employ, with whom he was associated until
his retirement from active commercial pursuits. He
passed away in this city in 1909, while the mother's
demise occurred in 1907. They became the parents
of six children: Henry, a resident of Detroit; Chris,
who is a member of the police force of this city,
holding the rank of sergeant; Mrs. August Albrecht,
whose husband is serving as city assessor of Detroit:
August, of this review; and two, who have passed
away. Mr. Hess was born December 1, 1859, and his educa
tion was acquired in the grammar and high schools of
Detroit, after which he completed a course in Gold
smith's Business College. He then entered upon his
business career as a parcel boy in the employ of
Deans, Brow & Godfrey, with whom he continued until
he thoroughly identified himself with the business.
He faithfully and efficiently performed each task
assigned him and his close application and ready
adaptability won for him merited promotion from one
position to another of greater importance and respon
sibility. The style of the firm changed in the mean
time, first to Dean, Godfrey & Company, then to the
Harry J. Dean Company. A short time prior to the death
of the founder of the business he was called into Mr.
Dean's private office and notified that he was hence
forth to fill the office of secretary and to serve as a
member of the board of directors. Too overcome to ex
press his gratitude, he was told by his employer that no
apologies were necessary as the firm was merely pay
ing him a debt that was justly due for his many
years of faithful and tireless service. For forty-five
years he has been identified with the house, sharing
in its varying fortunes, and much of its present
prestige is due to his cooperation and excellent busi-

194

CITY OF DETROIT

ness ability. The Harry J. Dean Company is the
leading house decorating coneern in the state and
for many years the firm name has stood as a synonym
for superior workmanship, business integrity, enter
prise and reliability.
On the 15th of January, 1885, Mr. Hess was united
in marriage to Miss Emma Belyea, a representative of
an old and prominent family of this eity. Two chil
dren were born to this union but both died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Hess is a democrat and he
keeps well informed on the questions and issues of
the day. He is an active and helpful member of the
Detroit Board of Commerce, and fraternally he is
connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks, being a member of its board of trustees, and
also a member of its building committee. When leisure
permits he spends much time in the open, being par
ticularly fond of fishing. In thoroughness and the
mastery of every detail of the duties that have de-
. volved upon him lies the secret of the success which
has brought Mr. Hess from a humble position to his
present place of prominence among the leading busi
ness men of the fourth city of the United States. His
example is one well worthy of emulation, showing what
may be accomplished when one has the will to dare
and to do, and Detroit is proud to claim him as a
native son.
WILLIAM D. ELLSWORTH has completed the
second decade of a successful law practice, his posi
tion being such as many an older member of the bar
might well envy. He was born in Detroit, December
28, 1878, and is a son of William Wallace and Alice
(Day) Ellsworth, the. former born in Wentworth, New
Hampshire, and the latter in Ogdensburg, New York.
In early life they came to Miehigan and afterward
settled in Detroit, where the father was agent for
the Northern Transportation Company, controlling one
of the largest navigation interests on the Great Lakes,
this being owned by his brother-in-law. Mr. Ellsworth
continued in that connection until he retired from
active business. He is still living in Detroit, but his
wife passed away in 1894.
William D. Ellsworth, their only child, largely de
voted his youth to the acquirement of his education
in the public and high schools of Detroit and in the
University of Michigan, in which he prepared for the
bar, winning his LL. B. degree in 1899. He has since
been engaged in successful practice, for though ad
vancement at the bar is proverbially slow, no dreary
novitiate awaited him. He had thoroughly prepared
for the practice of law and it was not long before
he gained a good clientage which has constantly in
creased in volume and importance. He continues in
the general practice of law and prepares his cases
with great thoroughness and care, so that he is
always able to meet the attacks of the opposing
counsel. He belongs to the Detroit and Michigan
Bar Associations and is also a member of the Law

yers Club of Detroit, being treasurer of the latter
organization. On the 5th of April, 1904, Mr. Ellsworth was mar
ried to Miss Flora D. Malone of Bay City, Michigan,
a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Malone. The
father was a prominent lumberman of Bay City. Mr.
and Mrs. Ellsworth have one child, Alice Elizabeth
who was born in Detroit in 1907 and is now attending
the Liggett school.
Mr. Ellsworth is a prominent and exemplary rep
resentative of the Masonic fraternity. He is past
master of Friendship Lodge, No. 417, F. & A. M.,
is a member of Damascus Commandery, Knights Tem
plar, a member of the Grotto, of which he was mon
arch for three terms, and is also a member of Moslem
Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the
Detroit Whist Club and the Michigan Whist Asso
ciation, and has been president of both of these or
ganizations. He is now firmly established as a rep
resentative member of the Detroit bar, having gained
an enviable position among those who find ready so
lution for intricate and involved legal problems.
FELIX ALOYSIUS DOETSCH is numbered among
the native sons of Detroit who have won distinction
and success as members of the bar of the city, having
practiced here continuously for twenty-eight years.
His father was Matthias Doetseh, a native of Germany,
who was born in 1838 and who in 1855 came to the
United States with his widowed mother. They settled
in Detroit, where the mother passed away in 1880.
After residing for five years in Detroit Matthias
Doetseh became a merchant of the city and con
tinued actively in the business from 1860 until his
death on the 22d of January, 1893,
Felix A. Doetseh pursued his education in the Detroit
schools and in 1889 was graduated from Detroit Col
lege, now the University of Detroit. He took up
the study of law in his native city and after thorough
preliminary reading was admitted to the bar in 1892,
in which year he entered upon active practice. Ad
vancement at the bar is proverbially slow but step
by step he advanced, proving his capability to handle
intricate and involved legal problems. For many years
he has enjoyed a large clientage of a distinctively rep
resentative character.
On the 9th of May, 1894, in Detroit, Mr. Doetseh
was married to Miss Charlotte Trombley, who passed
away in 1897, leaving two children: Marie Celeste,
who died July 4, 1906; and Corinne C. On the 20th
of June, 1898, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Mr. Doetseh
was married to Miss Helen Max and they have become
the parents of eight children, seven of whom are
living: Pauline H.; Eleanor A.; Francis B.; Charles
E.; Hubert J.; Katherine B.; and Frederick R.
Mr. Doetseh is identified with the Knights of Co
lumbus, the American Insurance Union and the Royal
Arcanum. In politics he maintains an independent

WILLIAM D. ELLSWORTH

CITY OF DETROIT

197

course. He belongs to the Lawyers Club, to the De
troit Bar Association, to the Michigan State Bar Asso
ciation and to the American Bar Association.
WILLIAM SAVAGE MOORE. With the excep
tion of a period of five years William Savage Moore
was from 1882 to the time of his death in 1906 a
resident of Detroit, where he was widely known and
honored, having a circle of friends almost coextensive
with the circle of his acquaintance. Mr. Moore was
a southern man, his birth having occurred in the
beautiful old city of Richmond, Virginia, May 17,
1846, his parents being James and Louisa Moore, who
were of English descent, although the respective fam
ilies were established in Virginia at an early period.
His ancestry in one line can be traced back to Wil
liam Talman, who according to Sir Horace Walpole in
his "Anecdotes of Painting," "was born at West
Larington in Wiltshire, where he had an estate; was
comptroller of the works in the reign of King William.
* * * He was an architect employed in considerable
works. In 1671 he built Thoresby House in Not
tinghamshire, Dryham House in Gloucestershire in
1698, Swallowfield in Berks and Chatsworth; the ele
gance and lightness of the latter front do great honor
to the artist — the other sides are equally beautiful."
The Parish Register of West Larington, Wiltshire,
shows that "William Talman, ye son of Christopher
Talmaii and Joanna, his wife, was baptized April 5,
1663. ' ' He was probably at that tiine about thirteen
years of age. About 1700 he bought Felmingham
Manor and eleven years later he petitioned the Lord
High Treasurer for permission to surrender his patent
as Queen's waiter in her Majesty's customs to his
brother-in-law, James Tate. His will mentions his
wife, Hannah, and children: John, to whom he be
queathed his collection of prints, drawings and books;
Hannah; James; and Henry. It is through the last
named that the line is traced down to the Moore
family of Richmond, Virginia. This Henry Talman
was in" possession of the original will of his father,
William Talman. He resided in St. Peter's parish,
New Kent county, Virginia, but spent much of his
time on the sea as captain and owner of the ship
Vigo, running between Bristol and Virginia. The
coat-of-arms of the family represents a Norman shield,
the crest an arm in armor embowed, wielding a
battle-axe. The vertical lines on the shield are crim
son; on the chevron are three round silver coins
(Byzantian), indicating that the bearer was a Cru
sader; above the chevron, on each side, are two
daggers or swords, hilts up, points downward; at
the base of the shield is also a sword, hilt down,
point upward; the Norman shield indicates its an
tiquity and early origin; the motto is "In Fide et in
Bello Fortis," and translated reads, "Faithful in
friendship, strong in war."
William S. Moore obtained his education in the
schools of his native city, which he attended until a

lad in his teens, when he and two of his brothers
joined the Confederate army. They were southern
born and bred and loved their southland with an
intensity of spirit that manifested itself in what
they conscientiously believed to be patriotic service
to the Confederacy. William S. Moore was first at
tached to Parker's Battery, which he joined March
18, 1862, when a youth of .but sixteen. After serv
ing a year with that branch of the Light Artillery he
was transferred to the First Company of the Richmond
Howitzers during the winter of 1863 and was on
duty -with that command until the 3d of May, 1864,
when he sustained a wound at Pale Green Church.
Subsequently he was transferred to Wise's Brigade
and again he was wounded and captured at Sailor's
Creek, April 3, 1865, after which he was imprisoned in
Washington, D. C.
When the war was over Mr. Moore, still lacking
two years of attaining his majority, went to New
York city, where he entered the employ of A. T.
Stewart, then owner of the largest mercantile enter
prise in the eastern metropolis. At a subsequent pe
riod Mr. Moore turned his attention to the life in
surance business and was thus engaged during his
remaining days. After devoting some time to the
business in New York he removed to Detroit in 1882,
here representing the Equitable Life Insurance Com
pany of New York. About a year later he was sent
toEuTope«>by-the New York Life Insurance Company
and remained abroad for a year. Upon his return
to the United States he was sent south by the com
pany which he represented and remained there for
about five years, building up an extensive business for
the corporation, which greatly desired that he con
tinue in charge in that portion of the country; but
his year's residence in Detroit determined him to re
turn to this city, and refusing flattering offers to
remain below the Mason and Dixon line, he again
came to Miehigan and was prominently known in
insurance circles in Detroit to the time of his death.
In fact, through his business connections he became
widely known throughout the country and was re
garded as one of the representative insurance men
of the United States. He was always known by
the title of Colonel — a name at once indicative of the
affection, the respect and the confidence entertained
for him by those with whom he was associated.
On the 17th of May, 1882, at Springfield, Ohio, Mr.
Moore was united in marriage to Mrs. Miranda Hefle-
bower, the widow of Abraham Heflebower, a soldier
of the Union army, who died from the results of
hardships and exposure while on military duty in
the field. Her ancestors settled in Maryland and later
removed to Urbana, Ohio, where Mrs. Moore was
born. Their marriage was blessed with three children:
Rhea M., at home; Dr. John W. Moore, who is a
graduate of the Detroit College of Medicine and is
now practicing in Houghton, Michigan; and Mrs.
Sara Moore. Mrs. Moore and the family are faithful

198

CITY OF DETROIT

members of the First Presbyterian church. Mr. Moore
belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution
and also to the Country Club. Politically he main
tained an independent course, voting for men and
measures rather than party. However, he stood at all
times for progress and improvement in publie affairs
and gave his aid and cooperation to many plans and
measures for the general good. Those who knew him,
and he had a wide acquaintance, respected him for
his unswerving loyalty to friendship, for his devotion
to duty and .for his high standards of life at all
times, and deep regret was felt at his passing on the
22d of June, 1906, his remains being interred in Wood-
lawn cemetery. His friends still cherish the memory
of his kindly spirit and his attractive social qualities
and felt that something much worth while was taken
from their lives when death deprived them of his
companionship. ROBERT WATSON STANDART, chairman of the
Standart Brothers Hardware Corporation of Detroit
and thus occupying a central place on the stage of
commercial activity in Michigan's metropolis, was
born in Auburn, New York, on the 12th of June, 1846,
and is a son of Henry Winslow and Ann (Gardner)
Standart. The father was born near Utica, New York,
while the mother was a native of Nantucket, Massa
chusetts. Henry W. Standart engaged in the hard
ware business in connection with his son, George
Standart, in Detroit in June, 1863, and in the follow
ing January they were joined by Joseph G. Standart,
thus promoting the business which is today one of
the largest wholesale hardware interests of the west.
Henry W. Standart had previously been engaged in
various lines of business, but concentrated his ef
forts and attention upon the hardware trade from
1863 until his demise in 1872. For a number of years
he had survived his wife, who passed away in 1868.
Robert W. Standart pursued his education in the
publie schools of Auburn, New York, and was a
youth of seventeen years when in 1863 he came with
his parents to Detroit. Here his father and brothers
founded a hardware business and Robert W. was
employed as a clerk in the establishment. In 1873 he
was admitted to a partnership and throughout the
intervening years has been active in the management
of the enterprise, concentrating his attention upon
constructive effort and administrative direction. When
the business was incorporated in 1900 he was elected
to the office of treasurer and continued in that posi
tion until the death of his brother Joseph in 1912,
when he became chairman of the Standart Brothers
Hardware Corporation, under which name the busi
ness is now conducted. It had been incorporated in
1900 as Standart Brothers, Ltd., and the present
name was adopted in 1919. From the age of seven
teen years he has been continuously in the business
circles of this city and step by step has worked his
way upward, each forward step bringing him a broader

outlook and wider opportunities. James Russell
Lowell said: "An institution is but the lengthened
shadow of a man," and the great hardware estab
lishment owned by the Standart Brothers Corporation
indicates, therefore, that back of it are men of marked
business ability and notable enterprise whose busi
ness balances up with the principles of truth and
honor. Throughout his career Mr. Standart has ever
displayed keen discernment and the faculty of sepa
ration of the important features of any subject from
its incidental or accidental circumstances.
In 1876, at Brookline, Massachusetts, Robert W.
Standart was married to Miss Harriet C. Hyde and
they are the parents of two sons: William Esty and
Robert Watson, Jr., the former born October 25,
1879, and the latter on the 21st of June, 1884. The
family home is one of the attractive social centers of
Detroit, justly celebrated for its warm-hearted hos
pitality. With interests of vital force in the life of
Detroit, Mr. Standart has been closely associated. He
has held membership in the Detroit Board of Com
merce and has cooperated in all of the progressive
movements of that organization to maintain the high
est civic standards and advance civic betterment. For
twenty-six years he was the treasurer of the News
boys Association and did much to stimulate higher
ideals and laudable ambition among the newsboys of
the city. His political allegiance is given to the re
publican party and his religious faith is indicated by
his membership in the Fort Street Presbyterian church.
For fifty-eight years Detroit has numbered him in its
citizenship. Here he has grown to young manhood
and passed the years of his mature life, advancing
along the lines of activity and usefulness to an hon
ored age. He has passed the seventy-fifth milestone
on life's journey and yet remains a forceful factor in
the world's work, ever conscious of his obligations
and his opportunities and utilizing his chances for the
promotion of Detroit's welfare just as surely and just
as effectively as he has his opportunities for the
promotion of his business interests.
CHARLES WHITAKER, well known in insurance
circles as senior partner in the Whitaker-Kennedy
Insurance Company, was born in Detroit, November
6, 1854, and is a son of Byron and Fidelia (More)
Whitaker, the former a native of New York and
the latter of Detroit. The father came to Detroit
in 1848 and for a time was connected with the ice
trade. Later he became associated, with navigation
interests and passed away in the year 1907, having
for a quarter of a century survived his wife, whose
death occurred in Detroit in 1882. In their family
were four children, one of whom, William H., has
passed away. The surviving children are: Mrs. George
D. Mason, Mrs. Albert W. Allen and Charles Whitaker
of this review, all residents of Detroit.
Charles Whitaker attended the public and high
schools of Detroit and when eighteen years of age

CITY OF DETROIT

201

made his initial step in business by entering the
office of his father, who was a vessel owner, at
one time owning twelve vessels, and was also engaged
in the marine and fire insurance business. Charles
Whitaker closely applied himself to the mastery of
the tasks assigned him and after three years, in 1875,
was admitted to a partnership under the firm style
of B. Whitaker & Son. That association was main
tained until 1890, when Charles Whitaker and his
brother, William II., purchased the father's interest
in the business, which they continued under the firm
name of Whitaker Brothers. In 1911 they incorpo
rated under the name of Whitaker Brothers & Liv
ingston and in 1912 this corporation was changed to
Whitaker, McNaughton & Livingston through the ad
dition of Mr. McNaughton to the partnership, Charles
Whitaker becoming the president of the corporation.
In 1916 Mr. Whitaker disposed of his interest in the
corporation of Whitaker, McNaughton & Livingston
and soon after formed a new corporation under the
name of the Whitaker-Kennedy Insurance Agency,
which continues to the present time. They handle gen
eral insurance lines and surety bonds, have gained an
extensive clientage and are among the foremost in
surance men of the city.
On the 15th of May, 1889, Mr. Whitaker was mar
ried to Miss Edith A. Farquhar of Detroit, a daughter
of S. M. and Frances Farquhar. Mrs. Whitaker passed
away February 2, 1919, in Detroit, her death being
the occasion of deep and widespread regret to many
friends, as well as to her immediate family.
Mr. Whitaker belongs to the Detroit Underwriters
Association. He is a lover of the national game of
baseball and largely turns to this for recreation. His
business success is the result of close application,
indefatigable energy and perseverance. From the out
set of his business career he has been more or less
closely associated with insurance interests.
BENJAMIN ARTHUR WELLS. There is no record
the American public holds, in higher regard than that
of the man who has worked his way upward through
individual effort and merit to a commanding posi
tion in his chosen field of labor. It is well that this
is so, for such a record is always a source of stimulus
and encouragement to others, showing what may be
accomplished. Among Detroit's self-made men is
Benjamin A. Wells, a leading figure in insurance cir
cles. He is a native son of the city in which he has
so successfully directed his labors, his birth having
here occurred January 2, 1867, his parents being Job
and Mary (Lees) Wells, who were natives of England
and in early life came to America. The father was
for forty years a trusted employe of the Miehigan
Central Railroad and was foreman of the coach-build
ing shop. He died in Detroit in 1907, while his wife
passed away the following year.
Benjamin A. Wells is the only survivor in his
father's family, which numbered five children. He

attended the publie schools and afterward pursued a
stenographic course in. the Spencerian College, from
which he was graduated. Later he entered the law
office of Corliss & Andrus, with whom he continued
for two years, while subsequently he became a stenog
rapher with the Detroit Electrical Works, there spend
ing, however, but nine months. From 1901 until 1911
he had conducted insurance interests in partnership
with L. F. Margah, under the firm style of Margah
& Wells and when the ten years' partnership was
dissolved he continued the business alone and has
since been sole owner. He has thoroughly acquainted
himself with every phase of insurance and is able to
discuss most intelligently and instructively every point
that has to do with the business and with the ad
vantage of insurance. The progressiveness and re
liability of his business methods have been potent
factors in the attainment of the large clientage that is
now accorded him.
On the 14th of September, 1893, Mr. Wells was mar
ried to Miss Nettie J. Turver, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Edwin C. Turver of Saginaw, Miehigan. They
have become the parents of- four children: Russel P.,
who was born in Detroit in 1894 and is now with
the Detroit National Fire Insurance Company; Irma
F. C, born in 1896; Ila M., in 1898; and Annetta, in
1911. All were educated in Detroit and the daugh
ter Ila is now acting as her father's assistant in
the office.
The religious faith of the family is that of the
Episcopal church and in his political belief Mr. Wells
is a republican. Fraternally he is connected with
Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Detroit, with
Monroe Council, R. & S. M., and Detroit Com
mandery, No. 1, K. T. Throughout his career he has
been actuated by a laudable ambition that has caused
him to put forth the best possible effort in the busi
ness world. In his vocabulary there is no such word
as fail. He is determined and energetic, and early
recognizing the eternal principle that industry wins,
he has made industry the beacon light of his life.
JAMES J. ALLEN, a well known and progressive
young business man, who came to reside in Detroit,
in 1916, and is now the purchasing agent for the
Puritan Machine Company, is a native of Oklahoma,
born in Guthrie, that state, July 1, 1895, a son of
George D. and Rhoda (Fawbush) Allen, prominent
citizens of that part of Oklahoma.
James J. Allen was educated in Culver Military
Academy and in the Missouri School of Mines, where
he became a student of metallurgy and civil engi
neering in the class of 1916, earning much distinc
tion in his studies, and while not following up either
of these two branches as a means of living, they
have proved of benefit to him in other directions.
It was in 1916 that Mr. Allen came to Detroit, and
shortly after his arrival he joined the firm of Bryant
& Detweiler, contractors, with whom he remained for

202

CITY OF DETROIT

about six.- months. He then became associated with
the Puritan Machine Company, beginning at the bot-
.tom and acquiring a sound general knowledge of the
goods handled by the Puritan Company, gradually
improving his position as he went along, and was
ultimately appointed to the responsible post of pur
chasing agent, which he has been holding since May
16, 1917. In this representative capacity Mr. Allen
has been giving evidence of his ability successfully to
handle the business intrusted to him, and he enjoys
the confidence of the company to a very marked
degree. FRANCIS LUDWICK SWARD. The name of
Francis Ludwick Sward figures in a new chapter that
has recently been added to the military history of
America, for with the country 's entrance into the
great World war he joined the army and was engaged
in active overseas service. He is now devoting his
attention to the practice of law, for which he quali
fied before entering the army. Mr. Sward was born
at Axtell, Nebraska, November 16, 1882. His father,
John Sward, a native of Sweden, was born in 1845
and in that country was married in 1863 to Eva' Marie
Streed. In the same year they left their native land
for the new world and became residents of Knox
county, Illinois, where they resided until 1880. At
that date they removed to a farm in Kearney county,
Nebraska, purchased by the father, and there Mrs.
Sward passed away in 1907.
Liberal educational opportunities were accorded
Francis L. Sward, who was for four years a student
in the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, winning
his LL. B. degree upon graduation with the class of
1904. Immediately afterward, however, he went to
West Point and entered the United States Military
Academy, in which he completed his course in 1908.
He remained in the service until November 11, 1913,
when he resigned and opened a law office in Detroit,
being admitted to the bar of Michigan- in that year.
Here he continued in aetive practice until May 10,
1917, when, following the declaration of a state of
war with Germany, at that time holding the rank
of major in the Reserve Corps, he entered upon
aetive duty with the army and on the 22d of July,
1918, went to France. In March, 1919, he was pro
moted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and on the
6th of June, 1919, was discharged. On leaving the
army he returned to Detroit to resume his law prac
tice, becoming associated with the firm of McGregor
& Bloomer, and is winning recognition as one of the
able young representatives of the bar in this city. In
July, 1920, Mr. Sward was appointed by Mayor Couz-
ens a member of the board of water commissioners.
On the 28th of April, 1908, in the state of New York,
Mr. Sward was married to Miss Bertha F. Oldfield,
a daughter of John Oldfield, a manufacturer of the
Empire state. They now have one child, Francis L.,
Jr. Mrs. Sward was graduated from Vassar College.

Her brother, John C. Oldfield, a first lieutenant of
the One Hundred and Third Infantry Regiment of
the Twenty-sixth Division, was mortally wounded at
Chateau Thierry, July 20, 1918, and died on the 5th
of August following, when but twenty-six years
of age.
In his political views Mr. Sward is a republican,
keenly interested in the vital questions of the country
yet never an aspirant for office. He has membership
in the University Club of Detroit and along the line
of his profession he is a member of the Detroit Bar
Association, the Michigan Bar Association and the
American Bar Association, being well known in the
social as well as the professional circles of the eity.
J. CARL DANZIGER, secretary and treasurer of the
Detroit Motor Castings Company and thus well known
in the manufacturing circles of the city, is a native of
Indiana, born at La Fayette, February 4, 1868, a son
of Abram and Marian Danziger. He was educated
partly in the schools of that state while spending his
youthful days under the parental roof. He comes
of German ancestry, for his grandfather was a native
of Germany and in 1833 crossed the Atlantic, settling
in Baltimore, Maryland, where the birth of his father
occurred. Later, however, the family home was es
tablished in Indiana and when J. C. Danziger was a
lad of ten years his parents removed with their
family to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he continued his
education. Subsequently he pursued a course in the
Stevens Institute at Hoboken, New Jersey, and won
the degree of Mechanical Engineer as a member of
the class of 1889. He then entered the employ of the
Bethlehem Iron Company, now the Bethlehem Steel
Company, and remained with that corporation for six
years, his position being in the physical laboratory,
in connection with which he did research work.
In 1896 Mr. Danziger came to Detroit and opened a
consulting office in connection with the Bethlehem
Steel Company but soon afterward severed his con
nection with that corporation and continued to carry
on the offiee independently. He was thus occupied for
three years, after which he turned his attention to the
manufacture of steel drums and was the pioneer in
making such drums. In this undertaking he was
associated with A. A. Cowles. In 1902 the Sterling
& Skinner Company was formed, with Mr. Danziger
as one of the members. They began the manufacture
of brass goods and with the business Mr. Danziger
has since been associated, contributing much to the
oontinued success of the undertaking. In 1906 the
automobile business began to develop and he initiated
the idea of a new company, in which Sterling & Skin
ner joined him with the result that the Detroit Motor
Castings Company was incorporated, and Mr. Danziger
has since been the secretary, treasurer and general
manager. The company is an independent one, hut
the stockholders are the same as those of the Sterling
& Skinner Company. The firm makes finished auto-

FRANCIS L. SWARD

CITY OF DETROIT

205

mobile bushings and its trade extends to every place
where engines are built. Recently it has broadened
Lhe scope of its activity to include the manufacture
of agricultural machinery bushings and in 1920 the
company erected a new building, doubling the capac
ity of its plant.
Mr. Danziger was united in marriage to Miss Elsa
Kiefer, a granddaughter of Herman Kiefer. Her an
cestors on her mother's side came to America as early
as 1654. To Mr. and Mrs. Danziger have been born
two children: Frederick, born January 9, 1910; and
Katherine. Mr. Danziger is a book lover and has
spent many of his most pleasant hours in the com
panionship of the men of master minds of all ages,
whose works feature in his library. He is also pro
prietor of a fine farm in Southfield township, Oakland
county, and he finds recreation and enjoyment in the
development of this property. In a word his inter
ests are broad and varied and he is widely recognized
as a brainy man of unusually fine executive ability,
who by reason of his thoroughness, his capacity and
his splendid powers of organization has won a well
merited success. He gives his political allegiance to
the republican party and is a member of the Automo
bile Country Club, the Real Estate Exchange and the
Board of Commerce.
WILLIAM H. GEHRING, president of the Brass
Products Company, is one of the most experienced
iinrl practical manufacturers of Detroit. He has always
been a resident of this city and was educated in its
public schools, while spending his youthful days in
the home of his parents, Henry and Mary (Fritz)
Gehring, the former a native of America, while the
latter was born in Germany. After leaving school
William H. Gehring entered the shops of the Machine
Screw Company and has been continuously connected
with manufacturing interests of the city since that
time. He was with the Machine Screw Company for
eleven years, working his way steadily upward and
acquiring an intimate and valuable knowledge of the
business. On the expiration of that period he became
superintendent in the Peninsular Brass Works and on
leaving that position he joined W. C. Ouellette in
forming the Brass Products Company for the manu
facture of automobile accessories and plumbers' sup
plies. Their trade now extends to all parts of the
United States, although two-thirds of their output is
sold in Detroit, thus obviating the necessity of ship
ments. The Brass Products Company was organized
in 1910 and on the 1st of May of that year they
began business as a partnership, with Mr. Gehring
and Mr. Ouellette as principals, but in October of the
same year they incorporated the company and from
Hie start the enterprise has been a pronounced success.
In 1920 they built an addition to their plant and
thus doubled its capacity. A shop man all his life and
an expert in his chosen line, Mr. Gehring gives his
personal attention to the manufacturing end of the

business, which insures the high quality of all their
products. Mr. Gehring was united in marriage to Miss Evan
geline St. Louis and they have one daughter, Annette.
They occupy a fine home on the St. Clair river during
the summer months and maintain their residence in the
winter seasons in the city. Mr. Gehring is a member
of the Detroit Board of Commerce and is affiliated
with Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also with
the Grotto. He exemplifies in his life the beneficent
spirit of the craft and at all times is loyal to any
cause or interest which he espouses.
THOMAS W. PAYNE is one of Detroit's lawyers
who has come to this city from the east, his birth
having occurred in Lee, Massachusetts, September
10, 1876. His father, Michael Payne, was born in
Queens county, Ireland in 1843 and is a son of Thomas
Payne, also a native of Ireland, who for fifteen years
was a member of the British East India Company,
serving in Africa, Arabia and India. Michael Payne,
born and reared in Massachusetts, became a paper
manufacturer who operated a plant at Lee, Massachu
setts, for many years. He wedded Elizabeth Kennedy,
also a native of the old Bay state, and they now
reside in Detroit, having established their home in
this city in 1911.
Thomas W. Payne attended the schools of Lee,
Massachusetts, and in 1895 was graduated from the
Lee Academy. Coming to Detroit, he became a law
student in this city and while preparing for the bar
put aside his textbooks and all personal ©considerations
to join the United States army in the war against
Spain, enlisting on the 25th of April, 1898, as a pri
vate of Company D, Thirty-first Michigan Volunteer
Infantry, with whieh he served until April, 1899,
being honorably discharged at Havana, Cuba. He had
sailed for that island on the 25th of January and
was on active duty there until discharged. Return
ing to Detroit, he resumed his preparation for the
bar, was admitted to practice and has since been a
well known figure in the courts of his district. Recog
nition of his powers as an attorney has brought to
him a liberal clientage and his name has been asso
ciated as counsel or defense with many of the im
portant cases tried in the courts of Michigan. He is
also interested in business affairs as the president of
the Commercial Trailer & Tractor Company of Chi
cago. He is a member of the advisory board of the
Atlas Commerce Company of New York. When he
was graduated from the Detroit College of Law in
1905, the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him and
he was made class orator. Throughout his professional
career he has displayed marked oratorical power that
has been one of the strong elements in the attainment
of his success, supplementing a comprehensive under
standing of the principles of jurisprudence.
On the 7th of May, 1898, in Jackson, Michigan,
Mr. Payne was married to Miss Grace M. Smith, a

206

CITY OF DETROIT

daughter of Thomas Smith of Hillsdale, Michigan.
The religious faith of Mr. Payne is that of the Catholic
chureh and he is identified with the Knights of Co
lumbus. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protec
tive Order of Elks and is a member of the advisory
board of the Old Colony Club. He is president of the
Brooklands Golf & Country Club of Detroit, with the
Lawyers Club and the Detroit, Michigan, and American
Bar Associations. His political endorsement is given
to the republican party, and he has been often urged
to accept office but always declined. During the war
period he served as secretary of the seventh district
draft board. He is a past department commander of
the Spanish War Veterans of Michigan and also a
member of Johnson Post of the Foreign Wars. His
ability as a speaker, his study of interesting and vital
public questions and his social, genial manner have
made him a popular figure in public gatherings. He
is fond of outdoor life, and is especially interested in
golfing, fishing and hunting and his frequent trips to
the Rocky mountains have given him intimate knowl
edge of that country.
EARL BURCH BEAVER, vice president and treas
urer of Capper & Capper, was the founder of the
branch of the business in Detroit, establishing here
a fine men's clothing and furnishing goods house in
the David Whitney building. The record of Mr.
Beaver is an interesting one, for he started out in
the employ of Capper & Capper at a salary of but
fifteen dollars per week. Steadily he has been ad
vanced to his present position of trust and responsi
bility and is today classed with the leading merchants
of the eity. He was born in Macomb, Illinois, Jan
uary 11, 1886, and is a son of A. L. and Apha (Burch)
Beaver, natives of Illinois and Iowa, respectively.
The mother went to Illinois' in early girlhood and
there became the wife of A. L. Beaver, who was en
gaged in mercantile pursuits in Macomb for a time
and afterward removed to Stronghurst, Illinois, where
he is still engaged in business. His wife passed away
in that place in 1912. In their family were three
sons: Ray B., president of the Hemlock State Bank
at Hemloek, Michigan; Earl B.; and Elzie S., who is
assistant cashier of the Hemlock State Bank.
In his boyhood days Earl B. Beaver attended the
publie schools at Stronghurst, Illinois, and after leav
ing high sehool decided to see something of the world.
Accordingly he traveled all over the United States
and Mexico, gaining much valuable experience, work
ing his way wherever he went and going from place
to place as his fancy dictated. At length, however,
he decided to give up this mode of life and made his
way to Chicago, securing a position in electrical work
with the Chicago Tunnel Company, with which he
remained for a year and a half. He next became con
nected with the men's furnishing goods store of Cap
per & Capper at a salary of fifteen dollars per week.
He began work as a clerk, but at the end of a year

had so far demonstrated his ability and won the con
fidence of the house in such measure that he was sent
to Detroit to find a suitable location and establish a
branch of the business in this city. In March, 1915
accordingly, he opened up the Detroit house, of which
he was made manager, and in the same year he was
elected vice president and treasurer of the Detroit
business. So fully has he met every expectation of
the Chicago house that he enjoys in the fullest degree
the confidence and goodwill of the company which he
represents. He is now in charge of a large men's
furnishing goods store in the David Whitney build
ing and the house has won a most liberal patronage
by reason of his close application and progressive
methods. It occupies one of the best business situa
tions in the down-town district and Mr. Beaver is
recognized as one of the most alert, energetic and
farsighted , young business men of the eity. Under
his control the trade of the house has increased ten
fold during the period of its existence, and while
business was begun with a force of three salesmen,
today the Detroit company employs twenty-two sales
people. On the 22d of January, 1913, Mr. Beaver was mar
ried to Miss Margaret G. Capper of Chicago, daughter
of John S. Capper, president of the Capper & Capper
Company. They have become parents of two children:
Marjorie Jeane, born in Chicago, April 22, 1914; and
John Capper, born in Detroit, October 19, 1915.
In his political views Mr. Beaver adheres to the
republican party. He is interested in Detroit's wel
fare as a public-spirited citizen and cooperates in
various plans for the benefit and upbuilding of the
city as a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce.
He also belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, the De
troit Golf Club and the Oakland Hills Country Club.
Upon his experience and ambition as a foundation
for success he has built a satisfactory superstructure,
for he is now numbered among the capable and pro
gressive merchants of Detroit and one whose care
fully formulated plans have brought him a substantial
measure of prosperity.
F. L. WYCKOFF. Active in the field of com
mercial photography is F. L. Wyckoff, the president
and manager of the firm of Spencer & Wyckoff of
Detroit. He came to this state from New York, his
birth having occurred in Lodi, January 9, 1886, his
parents having been Vernon and Emma (Dripps)
Wyckoff, also natives of New York, where they spent
their lives. The father was widely known in educa
tional circles and for many years served as principal
of the schools of Lodi, but both he and his wife have
passed away. Their family numbered five children.
F. L. Wyckoff, the third in order of birth, had
the advantage of thorough public school training W
his native city and after leaving the high sehool
continued his education in the Rochester (N. x.)
Business University. He next attended the Illinois

EARL B. BEAVER

CITY OF DETROIT

209

College of Photography, in which he pursued an
eighteen months' course, and when he had completed
his studies there he came to Detroit in 1913 and
here organized the Spencer-Wyekoff Photo Company
fOT the conduct of a commercial photography business.
They are without doubt one of the best known firms in
their chosen field in the country and are constantly
active in various sections not only of the United
States but of Canada. Their work speaks for itself.
It is of the highest character, bringing out all of
the beauties of nature and of design in their pictures
of plants, buildings and scenery. Mr. Wyckoff is
constantly studying for the best effects and his pho
tography deserves rank with the works of art in
this field.
On the 10th of October, 1914, Mr. Wyckoff mar
ried Miss Bessie Jennings of Detroit, daughter of
Ira J. Jennings. They are members of the Dutch
Reformed church and Mr. Wyckoff is a Consistory
Mason. He likewise belongs to the Fellowcraft Ath
letic Club, to the Vortex Club and has membership
with the Detroit Board of Commerce. There have
been no spectacular phases in his life history. He
came to a realization of the value of industry, thor
oughness and close application when still a young man
and cultivating these . qualities, he has advanced
steadily in his business career until success has
crowned his efforts, while his work has won him a
notable reputation in his chosen art.
BENJAMIN RUSH HOYT, M. D. Many sterling
qualities endeared Dr. Benjamin Rush Hoyt to his
fellowmen. He was a physician of notable ability and
this was due not only to his comprehensive under
standing of the principles of the science of medicine
but also to a keenly sympathetic nature that prompted
him to put forth the greatest possible effort in behalf
of his patients. In every relation of life he held to
high standards and was a man whom to know was
to respect and honor. He passed the allotted Psalm
ist's span of three score years and ten, for he had
reached the age of seventy-two when called to his
final rest on the 19th of May, 1921. Michigan num
bered him among her native sons, his birth having
occurred on the 3d of March, 1849, at Walled Lake.
The ancestry of the family can be traced back in
America to 1639 when the first of the name came to
the new world from England and established his home
in the Massachusetts colony. Later generations re
moved to Erie county, New York, and the grandfather,
Dr. Jonathan Hoyt, long engaged in the practice of
medicine in the city of Aurora and there, his son,
Dr. James M. Hoyt, father of Benjamin R. Hoyt,
was born in 1820. He, too, took up the practice of'
medicine as a life work and was graduated from the
Geneva (N. Y.) Medical College. In 1846 he re
moved to Michigan, settling at Walled Lake, where
he continued in active practice to the time of his
death, which occurred in 1897. In this state he wedded
Vol. IV— 14

Miss Margaret Barrett, who was bom in Wheeling,
Steuben county. New York, in 1829, and died in 1859.
She was a daughter of the Hon. Hiram Barrett, a
native of New England, who came to Michigan at
an early day and here devoted his life to farming.
He became quite prominent in publie affairs and
served as a member of the first legislature of the
state, which at that time met in Detroit.
Dr. Benjamin Rush Hoyt, spending his youthful days
under the parental roof, attended the public schools
of Walled Lake and the Northville high school.
Whether inherited tendency or natural predilection had
most to do with his choice of a profession it is
perhaps impossible to determine, but at any rate he
resolved to follow in the professional footsteps of his
father and grandfather and matriculated in the med
ical department of the University of Michigan, in
which he completed his course with the class of 1872,
the M. D. degree being at that time conferred upon
him. He also pursued postgraduate work in the Detroit
Medieal College. He then located for practice in this
city, opening an office on the west side and in 1880
he removed to 935 Vinewood avenue. His ability was
soon recognized and his practice steadily grew in
volume and importance as he demonstrated his skill
and efficiency in the line of his profession. He al
ways kept in touch with the latest scientific researches
and discoveries and was the loved family physician in
many households of Detroit. He belonged to the
Wayne County Medical Society, Michigan State and
American Medical Associations and his professional
colleagues and contemporaries entertained for him
the warmest regards.
In early manhood Dr. Hoyt was united in marriage
to Miss Lorena Anita Kimball, who passed away soon
afterward. He later wedded Miss Jennie Stark and
they became the parents of three children: Susie, the
wife of Herbert Seymour of Detroit; Jeanie; and Mar
garet. Dr. Hoyt was again married, this time to Miss
Ada E. Noble, daughter of Dr. Alonzo E. Noble, a
well known medical practitioner of Port Huron, Mich
igan. In his political views Dr. Hoyt was always an
earnest democrat, giving stalwart support to the party
and he took quite active interest in political and
civic affairs. For many years he served as a member
of the Detroit sehool board and for some time after
this as president, the cause of education ever finding
in him a stalwart champion. During the adminis
tration of Mayor William C. Maybury he was ap
pointed on the 22d of June, 1897, a member of the
park and boulevard commission and in that connec
tion did valuable publie service to the close of his
term on the 28th of June, 1898. Fraternally he was
a Mason, belonging to Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M„
and he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scot
tish Rite in Michigan Sovereign Consistory, being
president of the class of 1910. The high regard in
whieh he was held by all was evinced in the great

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CITY OF DETROIT

concourse of people that gathered at his funeral, when
death called him on the 19th of May, 1921. His life
had been one of valuable service to his fellowmen.
He was constantly reaching out a helping hand and
in his profession he made ready response to every
call whether from the rich or the poor. He did not
hesitate even though he knew there would be no pe
cuniary reward for his service. He exemplified in
his life the Masonic teaching that recognizes the
brotherhood of man and he went about doing good,
giving his service wherever needed and in every pos
sible way.
ALFRED JOHN MAYER. An eminent writer has
said: "An institution is but the lengthened shadow
of a man." It is the visible expression of definite
plans, promptly and capably executed, combined with
keen sagacity and a thorough understanding of points
bearing upon a particular line of activity. In the great
blank book manufacturing plant of Gregory, Mayer
& Thorn there are many evidences of the enterprise,
energy and sound judgment of Alfred John Mayer, who
is the vice president of this company and whose con
nection with book binding and blank book manu
facturing dates from the outset of his business career.
Mr. Mayer was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Feb
ruary 2, 1870, his parents being John and Christine
(Sittenhelm) Mayer. The father came to the United
States when eighteen years of age, leaving his native
land of Germany because he was opposed to the mil
itaristic policy in vogue in that country. After fifty
days spent on the sea he landed on the American coast
in 1862 and made his way to Ann Arbor, where he
passed away in 1905. His wife, who came from Ger
many to the new world in 1860, is still living in Ann
Arbor and is in her seventy-ninth year.
Alfred J. Mayer, after pursuing his education in the
schools of his native eity, there served a five years'
apprenticeship at the bookbinding trade and then
sought the broader field of labor offered in Detroit,
where he took up his abode in October, 1890, so that
he has now been a resident of this eity for three dec
ades. For eight years he was in the employ of The
Richmond & Backus Company, after which he be
came associated in 1898 with Messrs. Gregory and Thorn
in the manufacture of blank books and in the conduct
of a stationery and printing business. While they
began in a small way, their trade steadily increased
and in 1909 the business was incorporated under the
style of the Gregory, Mayer & Thorn Company. Their
patronage has continually grown until today their
plant is one of the largest of the kind in the state
and for some years Mr. Mayer has been the vice
president, -giving his attention to constructive effort,
to administrative direction and to executive control
of this constantly developing business.
On the 20th of June, 1905, Mr. Mayer was married
to Miss Emma M. Friedrich of Detroit, and they have
become the parents of two daughters and a son:

Louise C, Alfred John, Jr., born September 7, 1908, in
Detroit; and Eveline F. Mr. Mayer is a. member of the
Jefferson avenue Presbyterian church and also of the
Young Men's Christian Association. He is identified
with the Board of Commerce and enters into all of the
well defined plans and projects of that organization
for the upbuilding of the eity, the promotion of its
trade interests and the various practical methods put
forth toward meeting civic problems and upholding
civic standards. He belongs to the Detroit Athletic
Club, to the Detroit Auto Club, and to the Lochmoor
Club. He is one of those citizens of German extrac
tion who so emphatically proved their Americanism
during the World war. He was thoroughly and above
all sincerely behind the country of his birth in sup
port of the high ideals which occasioned America's
entrance into the struggle and was bitterly opposed to
kaiserism and its associations. Detroit has numbered
him among her valued residents for three decades,
during which he has ever measured up to the highest
standards of American manhood and citizenship. He
has resided at 576 East Grand boulevard since 1909.
JOSEPH REISS, president of the Reiss Body Com
pany and one of the leading designers and builders
of automobile bodies in Detroit, has for a number
of years been closely associated with this line of
business and has made distinct advance in his chosen
field of labor. Initiative, originality, perseverance and
reliability have ever been recognized as salient fea
tures in his career. He has been employed by many
of the leading auto body manufacturers as a builder
and designer and has made a thorough study of body
structure, thus becoming a master craftsman. His
training was of that thorough character received in
European shops, owing to the unusual attention which
he paid to detail in structural building there, and
thus it was that he was well equipped to carry on a
successful enterprise when he established business on
his own account in Detroit.
Mr. Reiss was born in Austria, February 6, 1882,
a son of Joseph Reiss. He attended the schools of
his native country and from his school days until
the time of his emigration to New York in 1907 he
worked for over forty different concerns, engaged
in auto body building, thoroughly studying their
methods and gaining valuable knowledge and experi
ence. Mr. Reiss built the first body that was placed
on the famous Renault chassis. He has been con
nected with the manufacturers, making bodies for
the world famous Fiat, Mercedes and Oppel cars. His
experience in auto body structure has not been con
fined to European cars, for he has been associated
with such companies as the Packard Motor Company,
Rothschild's body plant, the Fisher Body Corporation
and others of equal prominence. Upon coming to the
new world he entered into a nine months' contract
with the Rothschild interests. In 1908 he came to
Detroit, where he entered the employ of the Packard

ALFRED J. MAYER

CITY OF DETROIT

213

Motor Car Company and later he went to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, where he was associated with a large con
cern for a year. On the expiration of that period
he retuurned to Detroit and was associated with the
Fisher Body Corporation for a year. Subsequently he
was with Severs & Erdmann Company as a draftsman
and he also represented the Detroit Body Company in
the same capacity. In 1914 he established his pres
ent business, which he organized in a partnership
relation with F. Ball. The business was incorporated
in the fall of 1914, with a capital stock of three thou
sand dollars, Mr. Reiss becoming president and gen
eral manager. In 1920 their interests were reincorpo
rated and the capital stock increased to fifty thousand
dollars, an increase which is indicative somewhat of
the rapid and substantial growth of their enterprise.
They made their bodies on the contract basis for
such concerns as the Packard, the Stearns, the Roamer,
the Hudson and other important automobile companies.
Mr. Reiss, however, specializes on individual jobs, de
signing and building any character of a body that
suits his client's fancy. Most of his work is of the
closed body type. The -factory has sixteen thousand
square feet of floor space and employment is fur
nished to forty men, all ' of whom are experts. Ev
erything is hand work and is done under the personal
supervision of Mr. Reiss, whose thorough training and
capability make him splendidly qualified for super
vision of this character. He is recognized by the
heads of the automobile industry as one of the master
workmen. Mr. Reiss belongs to the Board of Commerce, and
is identified with several manufacturing societies. He
has never had occasion to regret his determination to
come to the new world, for here he has found the oppor
tunities which he sought and in their utilization he
has made steady progress, advancing step by step to
the goal of success.
LEO J. REILLY, a representative of Detroit's man
ifold industrial interests, has been the president and
manager of the Regal Rubber Stamp Company since
its organization in 1918 and has become widely rec
ognized as an expert in his line. His birth occurred
at Fort Wayne, Indiana his parents being Daniel J.
and Mary A. (Ward) Reilly, the former a native of
Ireland and the latter of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
His education was acquired in the parochial schools
of his native city and of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
and after his textbooks were put aside he embarked in
the printing business at Fort Wayne. The year 1918
witnessed his arrival in Detroit and in the month
of April he organized the Regal Rubber Stamp Com
pany, which was incorporated in the following June
and of which he has since been the president and
manager. He is a bright, ambitious, progressive yoHng
business man, whose continued success is assured, for
the manufacturing concern of which he is at the head

has already won a well deserved reputation for pro
ducing the best output of its kind in Detroit.
In 1914 Mr. Reilly was united in marriage to Miss
Lizette Ryan of Lansing, Michigan. Fraternally he
is identified with the Knights of Columbus, in which
he has attained the fourth degree, and he also belongs
to the Kiwanis Club. He has become widely and
favorably known in the city of his adoption, having
won the warm regard and friendship of those with
whom he has been brought into contact through busi
ness and social relations.
JAMES P. MORAN has become a well known figure
in the commercial circles of Detroit as a dealer in
coal and coke, having built up an extensive trade in
this connection. He was born January 11, 1879, in
Detroit, his parents being Patrick and Eliza (Heffer-
man) Moran. Spending his youthful days under the
parental roof, he attended St. Vincent's parochial
school and also continued his education in the De
troit Business University. Since 1895 he has been
connected with the coal and coke trade in this eity.
He was in the employ of . several firms thus engaged
until June, 1904, when he carried out his determination
of engaging in business on his own account and or
ganized the firm of J. P. Moran & Company. Through
the intervening period of sixteen years he has en
joyed a constantly increasing patronage until his busi
ness as a dealer in coal and coke has become very
extensive and profitable.
On the 9th of June, 1907, Mr. Moran was married
in Detroit to Miss Jacqueline De Clark and their
children are: Jacqueline, Josephine, Jane Agnes and
June. Mr. Moran has always lived in the eity which
is his home and his enterprise and activity in busi
ness and his social qualities have made for him promi
nence and popularity among those who know him.
JOSEPH N. BOURG, vice president of the Park
Chemical Company, was born in Detroit, April 22,
1885, a son of Jacob and Mary (Hinzmann) Bourg.
The parents were natives of Luxemburg and Germany,
•respectively, and about 1849 came to the new world,
settling in Detroit. The father engaged in farming
in Wayne county for many years and died August
25, 1921, in his ninety-third year. His wife passed
away in Detroit, in May, 1917, at the age of Seventy-
six years. Their family numbered four children:
Joseph N., Jacob A., Lucy and Mrs. Robert Navarre,
all of Detroit.
Joseph N. Bourg mastered the branches of learn
ing taught in the graded and high schools of this city
and continued his education in the TTT!3Versity 0f
Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1909,
with the Bachelor of Science degree. His sehool days
over, he became an employe of the Union Pacific
Railroad Company at Omaha, entering the chemical
department, from which he afterward resigned to
become connected with the Buick Motor Company of

214

CITY OF DETROIT

Flint, Michigan. His next position was with the
Brown, Lipe, Chapin Company at Syracuse, New York,
and subsequent to that time he returned to Detroit in
February, 1915, and became connected with the Park
Chemical Company at 3467 Lovett avenue, manufac
turers of ease hardening materials, heat treating sup
plies and chemicals. He has had charge of the chem
ical department of the business since that time and
has become financially interested in the company, of
which he is now the vice president. For a number
of years he has thus been connected with chemical
interests and the development of his powers, his
knowledge and his skill have led to his steady progress
in the field in which he has undertaken his life work.
On the 10th of June, 1911, occurred the marriage
of Joseph N. Bourg and Louise Franklin of Detroit,
a daughter of Edward and Emily (Williams) Frank
lin. Their two children are: Donald J., born No
vember 12, 1912; and Jean L., born February 6, 1917.
Mr. Bourg is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member
of the Masonic Country Club. The nature of his in
terests, outside of business, is further indicated in
the fact that he belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club
and to the Rotary Club, while his endorsement of
political measures for publie benefit is made as a
supporter of the republican party. Mr. Bourg resides
at No. 1144 Lawrence avenue.
JOHN KAMINSKI, attorney at law of Detroit, was
born in West Prussia, August 14, 1870, a son of Con-
stantine and Pauline (Lewandowski) Kaminski, who
are also natives of West Prussia and eame to America
in 1884, settling in Detroit. During the six months
following his arrival • the father worked on the farm
of Henry Ford's father and can relate many inter
esting tales about the now renowned automobile man
ufacturer and his inclination toward and activity along
mechanical lines. After leaving the Ford farm Mr.
Kaminski followed the trade of carpentering for a
time and then established a grocery store, which he
conducted successfully until he retired from business
a few years ago. He and his wife lived together
over fifty-one years, the wife passing away February
11, 1921, in her seventy-fourth year. They were very
active for people of their years, and the father was a
well preserved man.
John Kaminski, the only child, began his educa
tion in the schools of his native country and after
ward attended a private school in Detroit. On laying
aside his textbooks he became an operator in a
wood-working machine factory in Detroit but did
not find that occupation congenial and began assist
ing his father in the grocery store. In 1898 he suc
cessfully passed the examination for the postal service
and took up the work of a mail carrier, continuing
faithfully in the government employ until 1912. While
thus engaged he attended the Detroit College of Law
and also the Young Men's Christian Association, pur
suing a private law course and being graduated from

the Detroit College of Law with the class of 1912.
Through the intervening period he has built up a large
practice and now has a clientele of notable character
and proportions.
On the 30th of January, 1894, Mr. Kaminski was
married to Miss Josephine Ciganek of Detroit, daugh
ter of Albert Ciganek. They were the fourth family
of people from West Prussia to locate in Detroit.
Mr. and Mrs. Kaminski have become parents of four
children: Eleanor, born in 1897; Anna, born in 1898-
Rose, born in 1900; and Edmond, born July 2, 1902
in Detroit. All have been public school students and
the three eldest have completed the high school course,
while Edmond is a student at Detroit University a
member of the class of 1922. The family are of the
Roman Catholic faith and Mr. Kaminski belongs to
the Knights of Columbus. He also has membership
with the Loyal Order of Moose and with the Woodmen
of the World. He belongs to the Detroit Board of
Commerce and thus manifests his deep interest in
the welfare and progress of the city, and he is also
a member of the Detroit Lawyers Club and of the
Michigan Bar Association, enjoying the high regard of
his professional colleagues and contemporaries.
Mr. Kaminski in February, 1921, was one of the
organizers of the Citizens Bank of Hamtramck, of
which he is a director. He was one of the organizers
of the Polish Daily Record, which has become the
leading Polish daily paper of Detroit. He resides
at 884 East Grand boulevard.
CHARLES YALE SMITH, one of the well known
men in insurance circles in Detroit, was born at
Algonac, Miehigan, March 21, 1862, a son of Thomas
Samuel and Rowena (Hopkins) Smith. In the ma
ternal line he is a descendant of the family of Elihu
Yale, the founder of the Yale University, and the
genealogical records have been traced back to 1636.
Charles Y. Smith attended the district schools and
the public schools of Alpena, Miehigan. He began
work when but twelve years of age and continued on
the .farm until he had attained his majority. He then
secured employment in a general store at Ypsilanti,
Michigan, where he engaged in clerking until 1887.
He was afterward statistics clerk in the accounting
department of the Michigan Central Railroad at De
troit from 1887 until 1901, when he turned his atten
tion to the insurance business, being thus engaged in
Detroit until 1905, after which he spent a year in
Cleveland and Baltimore. In 1906 he returned to
Detroit and on the 1st of October, 1909, resumed
business in connection with insurance. He has since
given his attention to the conduct of a general in
surance agency and has gained a large clientage that
has made his activities fruitfully resultant.
On the 2d of December, 1901, Mr. Smith was mar
ried to Miss Eugenia Wilson of Detroit. He and his
wife are communicants of the. Episcopal church and
he is a prominent Mason, belonging to Damascus

JOHN KAMINSKI

CITY OF DETROIT

217

Commandery of the Knights Templar, to Michigan
Sovereign Consistory of the Scottish Rite and to
Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise has
membership with the Northwestern Business Men's
Association, the Detroit Board of Commerce and the
Detroit Builders' & Traders' Exchange — organizations
which have much to do with shaping the business de
velopment and the progress and prosperity of the eity.
He finds recreation in fishing and in music. He is
also a leading member of the Canopus Club, of which
he is now serving as secretary. These things, how
ever, are made subservient to his business interests
and it has been by reason of comprehensive study of
every phase of insurance, close application and in
defatigable energy that he has reached the point on
the highroad to success where he is now found.
F. J. FARTHING, D. D. S. Dr. F. J. Farthing
is a representative of the dental profession in De
troit and while prominently known as a general prac
titioner he has also been devoting considerable time
to bridge work and is recognized as an authority
upon this branch of the profession, his work being
of the very highest order. In the years which have
passed he has developed a practice of extensive pro
portions and he enjoys the high esteem and confidence
of his colleagues and contemporaries and at the same
time has the warm regard and goodwill of the general
public. Dr. Farthing was born in Flushing, Michigan, Oc
tober 27, 1881, and is a son of John and Katherine
(Budd) Farthing, in whose family there was also a
daughter, Mayulia. The father was engaged in the
shoe business for many years and is still living, but
the mother passed away in 1895. The son was a pupil
in the public schools of his native eity and afterward
attended the State Normal sehool for a year. He
next entered the University of Michigan, from which
he was graduated in 1908 on the completion of a
course in dentistry, winning the D. D. S. degree. After
completing his course Dr. Farthing entered upon the
general practice of dentistry in Boyne City, Michigan,
where he remained for eight years and during that
period built up a very substantial and gratifying prac
tice, but thinking to find a still wider field of labor
in a larger city he came to Detroit on the 30th of
May, 1917, and has since been a representative of the
profession in this city. Here he has made steady
advancement and his work in operative surgery is
of superior order. While he engages in general prac
tice he is now devoting much of his time to bridge
work and is a man of recognized ability and promi
nence in this field.
Er. Farthing is well known in Masonic circles,
having taken the degrees of the lodge and also of
Boyne City Chapter, R. A. M. His political endorse
ment is given to the republican party and at all times
he keeps well informed on the questions and issues
of the day. Along strictly professional lines his

membership is with ' the First District Dental Society
of Michigan, with the State Dental Society and the
National Dental Association. As the years have passed
he has acquired considerable real estate and there are
many substantial evidences of his growing success,
which has come in recognition of his personal ability
and merit.
STANTON CLARKE has long been identified with
the Detroit bar and his ability is indicated by the
large and distinctively representative clientage ac
corded him. He was born in Mayville, Michigan, Sep
tember 5, 1868, a son of William A. and Elizabeth
(Hughes) Clarke, natives of the province of Ontario,
Canada. The father was born at Cobourg and the
mother's birth occurred at Newmarket, in which city
their marriage occurred. Subsequently the^- crossed
the border into the .United States, becoming residents
of Mayville, Michigan, where they still make their
home. The father was formerly engaged in merchan
dising but is now living retired.
Stanton Clarke attended the public schools of May
ville and the high school at Ann Arbor, Miehigan,
after which he entered the literary department of the
State University, from which he was graduated in
1890 with the Ph. B. degree. He attended the De
troit College of Law and on the 13th of December,
1892, was admitted to the Michigan bar. He has since
practiced his profession in this city and has been
accorded a good clientele, for he has displayed marked
ability in the conduct of intricate eases. He is careful
in analysis, clear in his reasoning, logical in his de
ductions, and has ever conformed his practice to the
highest ethics of the profession.
Mr. Clarke has been married twice. In December,
1894, he wedded Miss Cora MeDuff of this city, who
has passed away. For his second wife he chose Eliza
beth Blair Taliaferro, whom he married on the 16th
of March, 1921. She is a daughter of Thomas W.
and Margaret (McKaye) Taliaferro of Bloomfield Hills,
Michigan. Mr. Clarke is a valued member of the Detroit Bar
Association and he also belongs to the University of
Miehigan Club, while fraternally he is identified with
the Masons, his membership being with Union Lodge,
No. 3, F. & A. M. For recreation he turns to out
door sports and is an enthusiastic devotee to golf,
being a familiar figure on the links of the Detroit
Golf and Bloomfield Hills Country Clubs, of which he
is a member. His professional career has been one of
continuous progress as a result of his close application
and persistent effort and he has won the confidence
and respect of his fellow practitioners and the general
public as well.
RICHARD TANNER CUDMORE, one of the vice
presidents of The Peoples State Bank, was born in
Walkerville, Ontario, Canada, May 9, 1874, a son of
Richard and Emma C. (Higgins) Cudmore. The father

218

CITY OF DETROIT

engaged in merchandising at Walkerville for some
time and afterward continued the business at Chat
ham, Ontario. He was born in Ireland and has passed
away, as has also the mother, who was born in Can
ada, of Irish descent.
Richard T. Cudmore was quite young when the
family home was established in Chatham and later
his parents removed to Essex, where he acquired his
education in the public schools. He began his busi
ness career as a clerk in the grocery store of Charles
Mahler, with whom he continued for a year and a
half, and in 1890 he entered banking circles in
Detroit as messenger boy with the old State Savings
Bank and has since then acquainted himself with
every phase and feature of the business. He has
steadily worked his way upward and in 1908 was
made assistant cashier, while in 1916 he was ap
pointed cashier. He continued to fill the latter posi
tion until January, 1920, when he was chosen one of
the vice presidents of The Peoples State Bank and
is now occupying that position of executive control.
He is also the assistant treasurer of the Detroit United
Railway. On the 30th of September, 1908, Mr. Cudmore was
married to Miss Ernestine L. Sterling of Detroit. He
belongs to the Ingleside Club, the Rambouillet Coun
try Club, and the Detroit Boat Club and is connected
with various interests and activities which have for
their object the benefit and welfare of the city and
the uplift of man. He belongs to the Board of Com
merce, to The Redeemer Presbyterian church, to the
Young Men's Christian Association, of the state execu
tive committee of which he is the treasurer, and he
is also treasurer of the Arnold Home and president
of the Laymen's Evangelistic Union of Detroit. Hu-
manitarianism constitutes a strong feature of his
make-up and wherever possible he extends a helping
hand and labors for the amelioration of hard condi
tions Of life for the unfortunate.
WM. HENRY GALLAGHER, member of the Detroit
bar and an active practitioner since 1906, has found
in the careful preparation of his cases and in his
conscientious conformity to the highest standards of
the profession the key to success in the practice
of law. He was born at Alabaster, Iosco county,
Michigan, on the 28th of October, 1884, and is a
son of William H. and Clementine (De Brabander)
Gallagher. The father was born in County Donegal,
Ireland, and in childhood came to the United States
with a relative, being reared in Newark, New Jersey.
In early manhood he removed westward to Detroit,
Michigan, and there married Clementine De Brabander,
who was born in Detroit. He died in the year 1887,
while his wife survived until 1913.
Wm. Henry Gallagher was educated in St. Aloy-
sius parochial school and in Detroit College, from
which he was graduated with the highest honors of
his class in 1903, and winning the Bachelor of Arts

degree, receiving the degree of Master of Arts in
1905, from the same institution. In preparation for
a professional career he entered the Detroit College
of Law, in which he completed his course by gradua
tion with the class of 1906, at which time the LL. B.
degree was conferred upon him. He immediately en
tered upon the aetive work of his profession in De
troit and has here practiced since.
Mr. Gallagher is a member of the Catholic church
and also has membership with the Knights of Colum
bus, Knights of Equity and the Young Men's Order.
He is the founder of the latter organization and was the
president of the Wayne County Federation of Catholic
Societies in 1907 and 1908, and vice president of the
Detroit Diocesan Union of the Holy Name Society in
1920. He belongs to the Delta Theta Phi, a college
fraternity, also to the, Detroit Yacht Club and the
Board of Commerce.
ROWLAND M. CONNOR, practicing law in Detroit,
was born in Boston, Massachusetts, December 19,
1871, his parents being Rowland and Mary Emma
(Hilton) Connor. In the maternal line he comes of
Puritan ancestry early established on New England
soil, the first of the name arriving in America in 1628.
The paternal line shows strains of both Irish and
German. In attendance at the public schools of Boston and
of Florence, Massachusetts, Rowland M. Connor ac
quainted himself with the elementary branches of
learning and after the removal of the family to Mich
igan he attended the public and high schools of Sag
inaw. For a year he was a student in the University
of Michigan as a member of the class of 1893. Hia
desire to devote his time and energies to a professional
career led him to take up the study of law in the
office of Wisner & Draper, attorneys of Saginaw, and
after thorough preliminary reading he was admitted
to the bar on the 21st of December, 1892. He then
began practice in Saginaw, where he remained until
April, 1893, when he removed to Detroit and through
the intervening period of twenty-seven years he has
continued a representative of the bar of this city.
He was first in the office of Otto Kirchner and in
August, 1893, entered the office of John D. Conely.
In January, 1908, he became associated with Flavius
L. Brooke and later began practice alone. His progress
has been consistent and consecutive. His powers have
steadily developed through his close study and appli
cation and it is well known that he prepares his cases
with great precision and care. For seven years he
served as attorney for the village of Highland Park
and he has long been accorded a large practice that has
connected him with much important litigation heard
in the courts of the district.
On the 8th of October, 1902, Mr. Connor was mar
ried to Miss Grace Gibson of Detroit, and their chil
dren are Addison D. and Winthrop H. Mr Connor is
a member of the Unitarian church and his life is also

WM. HENRY GALLAGHER

CITY OF DETROIT

221

actuated by the beneficent teachings of Masonry, for
he has attained the Knights Templar degree of the
York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scot
tish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine
he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is like
wise a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks and he belongs to the Detroit Golf Club and to
the Detroit Athletic Association. He is also a member
of the Bar Association of Detroit. His catholicity of
spirit and his considerate judgment of others have-
established him high in public regard. When leisure
permits he indulges in hunting, fishing and golf but
his profession is his first interest and his devotion
to his clients has become proverbial.
DWIGHT CARVER REXFORD, who passed away
March 29, 1920, was one of Detroit's oldest attor
neys, having been a representative of the legal pro
fession in this city since his admission to the bar
on the 4th of April, 1874. He was born at Ypsilanti,
Michigan, April 3, 1850, his parents being Francis K.
and Harriet N. (Long) Rexford. After completing
his public sehool education as a high school pupil in
Ypsilanti he entered the University of Michigan and
therein pursued his collegiate work, winning the Bach
elor of Arts degree upon graduation with the class of
1872. He then entered the law department of the
same university and won his LL. B. degree in 1874.
He secured admission to the bar on the 4th of April
of that year and opened an office in Detroit, where
he practiced continuously to the time of his demise,
his clientage being extensive and of an important
character. For many years he was a law partner of
Levi L. Barbour. He likewise became identified with
the Wolverine Portland Cement Company of Cold-
water, Miehigan, as a director.
In Detroit, on the 3d of November, 1885, Mr. Rex
ford was married to Miss Caroline M. Montgomery.
They held membership in the Presbyterian church and
Mr. Rexford belonged also to the Alpha Delta Phi,
a college fraternity, and to the Detroit Athletic and
Detroit Boat Clubs. His leisure was largely devoted
to his reading, which covered a wide field. His po
litical endorsement was given the republican party
and his interest in the welfare and upbuilding of his
city was manifest in his membership in the Detroit
Board of Commerce. He belonged to the Detroit Bar
Association and to the Michigan State Bar Associa
tion. He remained throughout the period of his con
nection with the courts of Michigan a close and dis
criminating student of the principles of jurisprudence,
his work in the courts being characterized by a careful
preparation of his cases and a clear and concise presen
tation of his cause.
CARL SCHEFFLER BARRY, treasurer of the Otto
Misch Company, contractors of Detroit, was born in
Medina, New York, December 23, 1889, and is a
son of Watson F. and Martha (Cogswell) Barry, both

of whom were natives of Orleans county, New York,
where they spent their lives. The father is a promi
nent banker of Medina and is still president of the
Central Savings Bank there. The mother passed away
in 1914. In their family were three children, one of
whom is deceased. Those living are: Mrs. A. H.
Cosden of Southold, Long Island; and Carl S., of
this review.
The last named in his boyhood days was a pupil
in the schools of his native eity and subsequently at
tended the Syracuse (N. Y.) University for three
years. He later pursued a year's course in the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania, where he did special work
in architecture. Later he came to Detroit and was
with the McLean Building Company, in the archi
tectural department, for a year. He next became con
nected with the Otto Misch Company in 1912 as
estimator, and rose gradually, being advanced from
one position to another until he became the treas
urer and manager of the business, in which connec
tion he is still found, turning his attention to con
structive effort and executive control of a constantly
growing business.
On the 19th of October, 1912, Mr. Barry was
married to Miss Marguerite B. Sprague, a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Sprague, representatives of a
prominent family of Greenville, Miehigan. They have
one child, Martha Cogswell Barry, who was bora in
Detroit, August 2, 1913, and is now in sehool.
Mr. Barry is identified with the Board of Com
merce and manifests a helpful interest in various proj
ects that have to do with Detroit's upbuilding and
improvement. He belongs to the Phi Kappa Psi,
Fellowcraft Club, the Detroit Auto Club, the Vor
tex Club and also to the Syracuse Alumni Associa
tion. He is a representative of that class of men
whose individual efforts have gained for them the
proud American title of self-made man.
DOUGLAS GRIER ALDEN, widely known in De
troit, is now connected with The Embroidery Hoop
Company of Canton, Ohio. He was born in Hartford,
Connecticut, August 12, 1896, and is a son of H. W.
Alden, who is mentioned at length on another page
of this work and who is the vice president of the
Timken-Detroit Axle Company. Douglas G. Alden at
tended the public schools of Detroit and following
America's entrance into the World war he joined
Base Hospital, No. 17, and was stationed for a time
at Allentown, Pennsylvania. He afterward went to
France with his unit and for nine months was at
Dijon, becoming an ambulance driver. After a time
he was commissioned a first lieutenant in a tank corps
on duty at Paris and Tours, being identified with a
new type of tank. He saw a great deal of service and
made a most commendable record. He returned to the
United States December 24, 1918, and was discharged
on the 12th of January, 1919.
Mr. Alden, upon his return to Detroit, became iden-

222

CITY OF DETROIT

tified with the production department of the Wilson
Body Company on metal schedule work. In May, 1920,
he became associated with the Best Stove Company as
a part owner and manager of the shop. This busi
ness was founded in 1911 and does a large metal
stamping business, employing over fifty people. In
January, 1921, Mr. Alden severed his connections
with the Best Stove Company and moved to Canton,
Ohio, to become general manager of The Embroidery
Hoop Company. This concern is the largest maker
of all metal embroidery hoops in the world, manu
facturing the famous two point contact, simplex and
ideal hoops. His developing powers are winning him
constant advancement and bringing him to positions
of greater responsibility, and his friends feel no hesi
tancy in predicting for him a most successful future.
On the 28th of January, 1919, Mr. Alden was united
in marriage to Miss Catherine Moore and they have
become the parents of a son, Herbert Watson, who was
born January 25, 1920. Mr. Alden is a member of
the Detroit Golf Club. He is widely known in the
city, where almost his entire life has been passed
and where he has a large circle of warm friends.
FRANK A. SCHULTE is one of the oldest bankers
of Detroit and throughout his long connection with
financial interests has ever maintained a most envia
ble position in banking and business circles. Since
January, 1907, he has been the vice president of the
Peoples State Bank, prior to whieh time he was for
more than twenty years the vice president of the
Peoples Savings Bank. Mr. Schulte was born in
Westphalia, Germany, December 13, 1836, and has
therefore passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's
journey. His parents were Frank A. and Elizabeth
(Nueckel) Schulte, in whose home his boyhood days
were passed, while his education was acquired in a
business college. Attracted by the opportunities of
the new world, he crossed the Atlantic in September,
1865, and spent one year in the copper country of
the northern peninsula of Miehigan. In October, 1866,
he took up his abode in Detroit. Shortly after coming
to this city he became connected with the Miehigan
Volks Blatt, remaining therewith for several years. In
1872 he entered the employ of the Peoples Savings,
Bank in a clerical capacity. In the fall of that
year he took charge of the savings department of the
institution and continued in that position until 1887,
when he was elected vice president. In the latter
capacity he retained a general supervision of the sav
ings department, also taking charge of the mortgage
loan department and looking after such real estate
matters as fell to his branch of the bank. He con
tinued in that official connection until the institution
was merged with the State Savings Bank under the
style of the Peoples State Bank in January, 1907, since
which time he has been the vice president of the new
institution. Long experience has made him thoroughly
familiar with the problems of banking. He has also

been identified with various other business interests
of the city, being at one time president of the Detroit
Edge Tool Works, and for a number of years was
vice president of the Detroit Cabinet Company, of
which he was one of the founders. He is likewise
the president of the Hamtramck State Bank and was
president of the First Commercial & Savings Bank of
Wyandotte, Michigan, until January 1, 1920, when he
resigned. His name is known and honored in banking
circles throughout the state. In addition to the busi
ness connections already mentioned, he is the presi
dent of the Miehigan Grocer Company and has been
identified with that concern for over twenty-five years.
He has been treasurer of the Miehigan Fire & Marine
Insurance Company for more than ten years, while
for more than thirty years he has been connected
with its management. Mr. Schulte is also vice presi
dent of the Grosse He Bridge Company.
On the 30th of November, 1889, Mr. Schulte was
married in Detroit to Miss Bertha V. Hennes and they
have one daughter, Laura E. The religious faith of
the family is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Schulte
has never been a club man nor has he been prominent
. in political connections and in fact has declined polit
ical appointments. Previous to 1896 Mr. Schulte might
be said to have been a democrat, but since that year
his support has been given to the republican party.
He has concentrated his efforts and attention upon
his chosen line of business and he is revered by his
associates and friends of long years' standing. Mr.
Schulte is a remarkably well preserved man both
mentally and physically, and after a close identifica
tion with banking affairs in Detroit, extending through
nearly a half century, his career has been such as to
secure for him the highest respect and regard of the
vast number of patrons with whom he has come into
contact, as well as a most creditable position among
the city's bankers.
WILLIAM NELSON WINFIELD, president of the
Federal Lithograph Company of Detroit, his native
city, was born September 23, 1868, a son of Henry and
Sarah (Wilson) Winfield, the former a native of
the state of New York, while the latter was born in
Canada and came to Michigan in early life. The
father was a carriage and wagon manufacturer and
he and his wife are still residents of Detroit, where
they reared their two children.
W. Nelson Winfield, the only surviving child, at
tended the publie schools of Detroit and when a youth
of fourteen started out to provide for his own sup
port by entering the employ of the Richmond 6
Backus Company, with which he remained for twenty-
one years, working his way upward through the va
rious departments and eventually becoming a stock
holder in the concern. He retired in 1903 and later
organized the Federal Lithograph Company, which
began business on a small scale as lithographers and
photo offset printers, and which has now developed

FRANK A. SCHULTE

CITY OF DETROIT

225

one of the largest and best equipped plants of the
kind in the state. As the executive head Mr. Winfield
directs the business and his marked enterprise and
sound judgment are manifest in the continuous suc
cess of the undertaking.
On the 11th of February, 1893, at Midland, Miehi
gan, Mr. Winfield was married to Miss Nellie Larkin,
a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Larkin, and they
have three children: Donald Larkin, who was born
in Detroit in 1894 and who through the period of the
World war was with a Michigan company, detailed on
inspection work in the motor department; Eleanor M.,
who was born in Detroit in 1899; and Frederick Scott,
born in 1908.
Mr. Winfield is a republican in his political views.
Fraternally he is connected with Palestine Lodge,
A. F. & A. M., and he also has membership in the
Board of Commerce and is keenly interested in all the
projects of that organization for the upbuilding and
benefit of the eity. His religious faith is that of the
Congregational church and his life has been charac
terized by high and honorable principles, while his
sterling worth has made him a man whom to know is
to respect and honor.
JOHN ALEXANDER CAMPBELL. A spirit of en
terprise and progress has actuated John Alexander
Campbell throughout the period of his connection with
business affairs, bringing him to a point where he
ranks with the leading real estate operators of De
troit. He is now serving as secretary-treasurer of
the Maloney-Campbell Realty Company, dealing ex
tensively in improved properties, the firm's offices be
ing maintained in the Free Press building. Mr. Camp
bell was born near Belleville, in Hastings county, in
the province of Ontario, Canada, June 15, 1872, a
son of John A. and Sarah (McKinnon) Campbell, who
reared a family of five children. When he was two
years of age his parents moved to Chatham, Ontario,
and in the public schools of that eity he pursued his
education, completing a commercial course in the
Chatham Business College in 1892. He then ac
cepted a position as an accountant at the Michigan
Military Academy at Orchard Lake, where he served
for eleven years, during which period he won promo
tion to the office of quartermaster. He next became
identified with the Marine Sugar Company, with which
he remained for two years, after which he was with
a beet sugar company for four years, acting as an
accountant in connection with construction work.
The year 1906 marked the arrival of Mr. Campbell
in Detroit, at which time he entered the employ of
the City & Suburban Homes Company as a salesman.
continuing with that firm for a period of five years.
In 1911 the Maloney-Campbell Realty Company was
organized and incorporated with a capital stock of
five thousand dollars, Mr. Campbell being made its
secretary-treasurer. The firm specializes in the hand
ling of improved properties, such as apartment build-
Vol. IV— 15

ings and homes, and has negotiated many important
realty transfers, this being one of the leading real
estate firms in the city. Mr. Campbell is thoroughly
conversant with every phase of the business, owing
to his broad experience along this line, and is re
garded as an expert valuator. He is a shrewd, far-
sighted business man, whose unerring judgment and
keen discrimination have been potent factors in pro
moting the success of the company which he rep
resents, while his activities have at all times balanced
up with the principles of truth and honor.
In 1905 Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to
Miss Florence Strong of Orchard Lake, Michigan, and
they have become the parents of two children: John
A., Jr., who was born March 3, 1910, in Detroit; and
Charlotte Marion, born June 3, 1917. In his political
views Mr. Campbell is a stalwart republican, giving
his earnest support to the principles and candidates
of the party, and his interest in the welfare and
progress of his city is indicated by his membership
in the Board of Commerce, whose plans and projects
for the upbuilding and development of a greater
municipality receive his hearty cooperation. He is
an active and earnest member of the Detroit Real
Estate Board and he is likewise identified with the
Detroit Automobile Club. Industry has been the
key which has unlocked for Mr. Campbell the portals
of success. Thoroughness and diligence have char
acterized all of his work and through his operations
in the real estate field he has contributed in substan
tial measure to the improvement and upbuilding of
his city.
W. C. OUELLETTE. With the metal manufacturing
interests of Detroit W. C. Ouellette has long been
identified and is now the secretary and treasurer of
the Brass Products Company, one of the growing
business concerns of Detroit. Mr. Ouellette was born
in the old town of Sandwich, Ontario, Canada, and
is a descendant of the old Ouellette family of Paris.
His direct ancestors came from the French capital
and settled in Canada at an early day. His parents
were Joseph and Eleanor (Forest) Ouellette, the
former crown attorney for Essex county, Ontario, for
a number of years, and one of the best known lawyers
in that section of the Dominion.
In the public schools of his native place W. C.
Ouellette obtained his education, after which he pur
sued a commercial course in Assumption College.
While a student there he was a member of the base
ball team and also took part in the general athletics.
He continued to reside in Sandwich until the death
of his father, when it was necessary for him to go
out into the world and make his own way. He was
employed in various capacities and along different
lines for a time, but finally came to Detroit in 1900.
For some time he had worked in the Dodge Brothers

226

CITY OF DETROIT

plant in Canada and on coming to Detroit he entered
into association with the brass industry of the city
as a metal worker. He became foreman in the
Standard Brass Works and later joined the Penin
sular Brass Works, where he won rapid advancement
and eventually acquired some of the stock. Later he
was called to official position and for some time was
vice president of that corporation.
Mr. Ouellette also served as superintendent of the
Peninsular Brass Works, and in 1910 he joined forces
with William H. Gehring, also connected with the
Peninsular works, forming the Brass Products Com
pany. This was originally a partnership concern but
in October of the same year they incorporated their
interests under the same name, with Mr. Gehring as
the president and Mr. Ouellette as secretary and
treasurer. The business has been very prosperous
from the beginning, and they have recently erected an
addition to their plant that has doubled its capacity.
Mr. Ouellette was united in marriage to Miss
Jessie Newman and they have two children: Wilfred
J. and Marian E. The family are members of the
Catholic church, and Mr. Ouellette is identified with
the Knights of Columbus as a third degree member.
He is fond of outdoor sports and recreation, especially
fishing and swimming, but never allows outside in
terests to interfere with the faithful performance
of his duties as a business man and is today one of
the live progressive business men of Detroit, with
well formulated plans which he is carrying forward
to successful conclusion.
GUY WALTON MOORE, who since 1905 has en
gaged in the practice of law in Detroit, was born at
Batavia, Michigan, on July 1, 1881, and is a son of
George W. and Ella (Gallap) Moore. The ' father 's
birth occurred at Wabash, Indiana, in 1851 and in
early manhood he came to Michigan, settling at Cold-
water. He was a son of Nelson Moore, who was also
a native of the Hoosier state, becoming a business
man of Wabash, Indiana, in the '50s. Not long after
his marriage George W. Moore removed to Batavia,
Miehigan, where he followed the occupation of farm
ing, there continuing his residence until his death
in 1904. His wife survived him for about four years,
passing away in 1908.
Guy W. Moore pursued his education in the public
schools and later prepared himself for the teaching
profession, which vocation he followed for five years,
when he decided to make the practice of law his
life work and became a student in the Detroit Col
lege of Law, from which he was graduated in 1905,
with the degree of LL. B. He at once opened offices
in Detroit, where he has remained, and the fact that
he has for fifteen years been a representative of the
bar of this city is indication of the success which he
has achieved in his chosen profession. He is ad
mitted to practice in all the state and federal courts,
including the supreme court of the United States.

On. the 4th of May, 1912, in Detroit, Mr. Moore
was married to Miss Elizabeth L. Blondin, daughter
of Moses and Euphemia Blondin. Their children are:
Walter Guy, Elizabeth Euphemia, and George Warren.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore attend the Presbyterian church
and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the former
he is a past master of Corinthian Lodge, No. 241, and
has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish
Rite in Michigan Sovereign Consistory. He is also a
member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the
Board of Commerce, to the Detroit Automobile Club
and to the Fellowcraft Athletic Club. His political
endorsement is given to the republican party and
his interest in matters of public concern is keen and
helpful. During the war period he served on the legal
advisory board of Detroit and at all times he stands
loyally in support of those interests and activities
which are matters of moment in the upbuilding of the
city and the advancement of its standards.
DALE W. BAUER is the secretary of the Park
Chemical Company. He came to Detroit from Pitts
burgh, Pennsylvania, in which city his birth occurred
December 17, 1889, he being one of the four children
of Harry H. and Edith (Irwin) Bauer, both of whom
were natives of Pennsylvania, where they always
resided. The father was engaged in the lumber
business and also followed the profession of architec
ture, his last days being spent in Pittsburgh. His
widow has since become a resident of Detroit, where
reside her four children: Walter D., John Irwin, Mrs.
Grace Hannert and Dale W.
The last named is indebted to the public school
system of Pittsburgh for the educational training
that qualified him for life's practical and responsible
duties. He came to Detroit, where he started out
in the business world as an employe of the Detroit
Steel Treating Company, later becoming a stock
holder, where he remained for three years. In 1911,
however, he became associated with W. P. Woodside
in organizing the Park Chemical Company for the
purpose of manufacturing ease hardening materials and
supplies for the heat treating of steel. The present
plant is located at 3467 Lovett avenue in Detroit,
and since the erection of the building the plant has
been in constant operation. The business was incor
porated in 1911 with W. P. Woodside as president,
Wm. E. Bee as vice president and Dale W. Bauer as
secretary and treasurer.
It was in June, 1914, that Mr. Bauer was married
to Miss Mary A. Breen of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
who passed away in November, 1918. She was a
daughter of Henry and Ella Breen of Pittsburgh,
and at her death left one child, Dale W., bom in
Detroit, May 26, 1916. Mr. Bauer votes with the
republican party, and indicates his support of many
progressive public measures by his membership in
the Detroit Board of Commerce. He is also a member

GUY W. MOORE

CITY OF DETROIT

229

of the Masonic Lodge, the Detroit Commandery,
Knights Templar, the Consistory and Shrine, and he
is identified with the Detroit Athletic Club. Along
business lines he became active in the Detroit Steel
Treating Research Society and was elected its first
secretary. This organization has since steadily ex
panded until it has become an international society.
He resides at 4110 Pingree avenue, Detroit, Michigan.
THOMAS H. BROWN, member of the real estate
firm of Brown, Fay & McAlpine, has won substantial
success in the conduct of his business affairs, display
ing sound judgment, energy and enterprise. He is a
man of resolute spirit, whose plans are well defined
and carefully thought out and in their execution he is
prompt and decisive, carrying through to successful
completion whatever he undertakes. He was born in
Highland Park, Michigan, January 30, i860, a son of
Thomas S. and Amy (Castleton) Brown, who became
the parents of six children, two sons and four daugh
ters, and four of the family are living, namely: Thomas
H.; Margaret, the wife of J. H. Maxwell; Julia, who
married William Hatch; and Emma, the wife of
Elmer Knowles.
During the infancy of Thomas H. Brown the family
removed to Greenfield, Michigan, and in the public
schools of that locality he acquired his education.
After completing his studies he assisted his father
in the operation of the home farm, continuing to
reside thereon until 1905, when he came to Highland
Park and entered the employ of Robert Oakman, a
prominent real estate operator of this city, being
placed in charge of the work of improving all of
Mr. Oakman 's subdivisions. In 1906 Mr. Brown
was elected to the office of supervisor of Greenfield,
in which capacity he served for ten years, and in
1916 the present firm of Brown, Fay & McAlpine was
organized. Until the latter part of 1917 they engaged
in the sale of farm properties on a commission basis
but have since bought and sold their own property.
They have negotiated many important realty transfers
and their progressive business methods and well
known reliability and integrity have won for them
an enviable standing in commercial circles of De
troit. They specialize in farm lands and their opera
tions are conducted on an extensive scale.
On the 29th of November, 1887, Mr. Brown was
united in marriage to Miss Louisa Granzow of Royal
Oak, Michigan, and they have become the parents
of a daughter, Edna, who is now the wife of Harry
E- Legg, identified with the Black Motor Car Com
pany. In his political views Mr. Brown is a stanch
republican, loyally supporting the principles and can
didates of the party. Fraternally he is identified with
the Masons and the Knights of The Maccabees and he
also belongs to the Automobile Club and to several
civic bodies, being deeply and helpfully interested
in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of
bis city. He is recognized as an enterprising and

alert business man and as a loyal and public-spirited
citizen and his personal qualities are such that he has
gained the warm friendship of many.
JAMES M. BERRY. One of the oldest and best
known business firms in the mercantile circles of
Detroit is that of the Thomas H. Berry Company,
dealers in fine rugs and carpets. The firm has been
continuously engaged in business here since 1869,
and enjoys an unmistakable reputation for reliability
and progressive methods. James M. Berry, the present
head of the company is of the second generation
of the family connected with the business, and it is
probable that his son will succeed him, so that for
three generations at least this business will be carried
on by the Berry family.
James M. Berry was born in Detroit, February 13,
1868, his parents being Thomas. H. and Jennie (Par
sons) Berry. The father was bom in Ontario, Can
ada, and the mother in Detroit, representing . a prom
inent early family of this city. Thomas H. Berry
was young when he came to. Detroit and for many
years he was closely associated with the business life
of the city, organizing the Thomas H. Berry Company
in 1869 for the sale of rugs and carpets. This has
developed into one of the most exclusive business
enterprises of this character in the city, and the
founder is still interested in the business although,
not very active on account of his advanced age,
largely leaving the weight of business cares and re
sponsibilities to his son and grandson. During earlier
years he was also aetive in connection with various
publie enterprises for the benefit and upbuilding of
the city, and one time served as a volunteer fireman.
His wife passed away in Detroit in 1905. They were
the parents of two sons, of whom George P. is de
ceased. James M. Berry spent his youthful days as a publie
school pupil, and after his textbooks were put aside
he became the active assistant of his father in the
rug and carpet business. He thoroughly learned the
trade, so that he was soon able to distinguish readily
every kind of carpet or rug carried and every grade
of the firm's stock. Thus thoroughly acquainting
himself with the business, he more and more relieved
his father of the weight of responsibility in this enter
prise and is today the directing head of the business,
in connection with which he carries some of the finest
rugs, carpets and household decorations that can be
found in any commercial establishment of the country,
and his opinions concerning the value of any floor
coverings are considered those of an expert.
In 1890 Mr. Berry was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Kelly of Detroit and they have become parents
of five children: the eldest, Sister Mary James, is a
member of the I. H. M. order. She was educated
in the Catholic schools and Convent of Detroit, is
now connected with the Catholic sisterhood and is a
teacher; Thomas H., born in Detroit in 1893, was

230

CITY OF DETROIT^

educated in the Trinity Catholic school -and is how
in business with his father. He married Miss Kath
leen Holliday of Detroit; Mrs. Adelaide Yarr, born
in Detroit in 1897, and educated in the Trinity Cath
olic school, resides in her native city and has become
the mother of -One son, James Berry Yarr, who died
January-29,'^ 1920; Johannia, born in Detroit in 1902,
is attending the1 'Trinity Catholic School; William G.,
born in Detroit in 1-906, is a pupil in the same school.
As ; indicated, 'tile4"' religious faith of the family is
thatf'-O-fl the Roman -©atholic church, the parents being
communicants of',RTi»iib1ity church. Mr. Berry is a
fourtlrdegr'ee Knight of Columbus. He is well known
in:' business' cireles, his position being an enviable
one because : of the progressiveness and reliability of
the methods which he has ever followed and which
have brought him to the front in connection with the
rug and11 carpet trade of the eity. He is also a public-
spirited man and his interest in the publie welfare
has- been manifest in many tangible ways.
CHARLES TILDEN HOLCROFT, president of Hol-
eroft & Company, contracting engineers, was born in
Chester, Pennsylvania,- January 10, 18-83,' the son of
William H. and Sarah Elizabeth" Ford Holcroft, the
former also :a- native of 'the Keystone state, while
his mother, was born in Maryland. The parCn-ts have
spent practically their entire lives in Chester, where
the ¦ father- is a prominent contracting engineer at
the head Of the firm of W. H. Holcroft 86 Company. In
the family were seven sons and two daughters, all
of whom 'aire living except the 'youngest son.
Charles^ Tilden Holcroft attended the Chester high
school- 'and afterward entered the employment of his
father, 'serving four years' apprenticeship as a brick
layer and then several years in the engineering and
construction departments until he had thoroughly mas
tered every detail of the business. In 1910 he came
toi -Detroit -and organized the firm of Holcroft &
Company, of which concern he is still president. His
company does a large volume of business for the most
important foundries in the country and their services
are widely sought as experts in heavy oven and fur
nace designing and construction. He is also the sec
retary and a director of The Barrett-Cadwell Company
and a director of the Hare Stoker & Furnace Company.
On the 10th of December, 1904, Mr. Holcroft was
married to Miss Mary Cook Ayars of his native city,
daughter of Benjamin D. Ayars. In his fraternal re
lations Mr. Holcroft is a Mason and has attained the
thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the Con
sistory and is a member of the Shrine. He is a
member of the Exchange, Canopus and Shoepeck Out
ing Club and a charter member of the Michago Golf
Club of Ludington, Michigan. He is also a member
of the Board of Commerce and of other live organiza
tions. In religious connections he is a member of
Central -Methodist church, where he is chairman of
the board of stewards and secretary of the board of

trustees. Whatever he does, whether along the'-lines
of social, 'jchurch or business < activity, he , attacks with
contagious enthusiasm that always makes his presence
felt. In his business career, thoroughness has figured
as one of the important elements of Ms- success, iJhere
being no phase of- the:' business- with which he is'hdt
familiar, : and thus he' has been able '"to< direct 'the
affairs of his concern with a masterly •~hand.v" • .'*i
Mr. Holcroft resides at 668 Edison avenue, but much
of his summers are spent at Ludington, where-lfe;gives
tfull vent to his recreational proclivities/' especially'-in
the role of golf enthusiast and- patient' fishernSan-.""
• ' I ¦ . ¦" ". :i' .¦.-¦-¦ ¦&
JOHN H. ENGEL, attorney at law, ioi'4*P/enobscot
building, came to Detroit from Dallas,"Texas, in 1910.
He graduated from Wentwbrth Military Academy,
Lexington, Missouri, and from Detroit College of
Law in 1914, and has practiced successfully since that
time. Mr. Engel was married in 1917, to Miss Marjorie
Bell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Bell of Kansas
City, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Engel have one son,
Robert Clayton, born November 6, 1918, at Detroit.
Mr. Engel is a member of Delta Theta Phi, law
fraternity, the Detroit Athletic Club, Meadowbrook
Country Club, the Detroit Bar Association and the
Lawyers Club.

E. C. HOFF, M. D., who ^ began the practice of
general surgery in Detroit seventeen years ago, has
won and maintained an enviable reputation as one
of the foremost representatives of the profession in
this city. He was born at Carey, Ohio, the eldest
in a family of six children whose parents were Charles
D. and Anna (Beebe) Hoff. The father, who won
prosperity and prominence in business circles as a
contractor, passed away in 1906, but the mother sur
vives and makes her home in Detroit. The brothers
and sisters of Dr. Hoff of this review are Weldon
B., Winifred S., Robert H., Mabel A. and Laura.
E. C. Hoff attended the publie and high schools of
his native town and then in preparation for his
chosen profession entered the Cleveland Medical Col
lege, now connected with the Ohio State University,
from which institution he was graduated with the
degree of M. D. in 1901. Following the completion
of his course he served as an interne in the Maternity
hospital of Cleveland, Ohio, while from 1902 until
1904 he was an interne in Grace hospital. In the
latter year he took up the practice of general surgery
in Detroit and in this connection has gained a most
creditable name and place for himself in professional
ranks. He is a member of the attending staff at Grace
hospital and keeps in close touch with the progress
of the medical fraternity through his membership in
the Wayne County Medical Society, the Michigan
State Medical Association, the American Medical
Association, the American College of Surgeons, the

CHARLES T. HOLCROFT

CITY OF DETROIT

233

American Institute of Homeopathy and the Michigan
State Homeopathic Society.
In 1918 Dr. Hoff was united in marriage to Miss
Helen Parlette of Detroit, and they have two daugh
ters: Laura Alice, who was bom August 9, 1919,
and Helen Lueile, born October 31, 1920. Fraternally
Dr. Hoff is identified with the Masons, belonging to
King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M., and Detroit Command
ery, K. T. His professional ability is recognized in
an extensive practice and his popularity in social
circles is attested by a large circle of warm friends.
J. LEE BAKER, well known as a real estate op
erator and also in connection with the handling of
various subdivisions of Detroit, was born in Lansing,
Michigan, February 19, 1886, his parents being Julius
M. and Julia A. Baker, natives of Ohio and Michigan,
respectively. The father came to this state in early
life and afterwards served as a public official in the
state house, where he was appointed state armorer.
He continued to hold that office for many years, and
passed away at Lansing in 1918. His widow now
makes her home in Detroit. Their family numbered
twelve children, but only six are living: Frank A.,
a resident of Lansing; Edward H., living in Flint,
Michigan; Herbert W., also of Flint; Philip C, of
Detroit; Mrs. C. F. Klingensmith, of Detroit; and
J. Lee.
The last named, after enjoying the educational op
portunities accorded by the public and high schools
of Lansing, attended the Miehigan Agricultural Col
lege at Lansing, Miehigan, and was there graduated
in 1907. He then came to Detroit and entered the
real estate business in connection with the Storm-
felz-Loveley Company, with whom he continued for
eight years as a representative of the sales force and
later as department manager. In 1912 he became
a student in the Detroit College of Law, from which
he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1915.
During this entire period he was with the Stormfelz-
Loveley Company, utilizing all of the hours outside
of school in the sale of real estate. He thus gained
a broad and valuable experience and in 1915 organ
ized the Marantette-Baker Company to handle real
estate, and the business was soon placed upon a sub
stantial basis. The enterprise was successfully con
ducted until 1918, whe*h the firm sold out, Mr. Baker
anticipating a call for war service. He was then in
the internal revenue office for a time and on the 1st
of February, 1919, he organized the J. Lee Baker Real
Estate Company, of which he is sole owner. He
handles general real estate and subdivision property
and now has the Monroe Boulevard subdivision, the
Monroe Boulevard annex subdivision, the Dearborn
Estates and Long's River Rouge Park, the Mayfair
Park and Grand River in Detroit and Nagel's Golf
Club subdivision and still other properties. Mayfair
Park is a community for homes in the greater Detroit
metropolitan district. It is in every respect up to

the highest standards of a distinctive home community.
Mr. Baker holds to the highest standards in his real
estate operations, recognizing his excellent opportunity
to aid in making Detroit a beautiful city. To this
end he is constantly working and his labors are bring
ing excellent results.
Mr. Baker is a member of the Detroit Board of
Commerce, of. the Detroit Athletic Club and of the
Lochmoor Club, while along the line of his chosen
business he also has membership, being a member of
the Detroit Real Estate Board, at one time as treas
urer and now first vice president. He has worked
his way upward entirely through self effort, prompted
by a laudable ambition that has called forth his
industry and determination, his dominant qualities,
and today he is one of those who are contributing
much to Detroit's advancement and improvement.
FRANCIS T. McGANN, who for a decade has been
a member of the Detroit bar, was born in this city
March 4, 1888, his parents being Thomas F. and Cath
erine (Dolan) McGann, who still make their home in
Detroit. The father was born in Milford, Massachu
setts, July 14, 1857, and is a son of Cornelius McGann,
a native of Ireland, who came to the United States
in the early '40s and established his home in Massa
chusetts. The mother of Francis T. McGann was
born in Marshall, ' Michigan. When fifteen years of
age Thomas F. McGann became a resident of Mich
igan and for many years was engaged in the retail
meat business, but several years ago retired and has
since enjoyed a well earned rest.
After attending the parochial schools Francis T.
McGann continued his education in Detroit College,
now the University of Detroit, from which he was
graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1907.
With broad literary training to serve as the foundation
upon which to build the superstructure of professional
knowledge, he began preparing for his profession in
the Detroit College of Law and completed his course
there in 1910, at which time the LL. B. degree was
conferred upon him. He at once entered upon the
practice of his profession in Detroit and received
ready recognition of his ability. On the 1st of De
cember, 1910, he was appointed assistant attorney
general for Michigan and proved a most efficient
officer in that connection until July 1, 1911, when
he resigned to become a member of the law firm of
McHugh, Gallagher & McGann, which continued until
the dissolution of the firm. In a profession where ad
vancement depends entirely upon individual merit,
learning and capability Mr. McGann has made steady
progress and is now enjoying a large clientage.
On October 1, 1919, in Detroit, was celebrated the
marriage of Francis T. McGann and Miss Florence
C. Steinmetz, daughter of the late Ferdinand Stein-
metz of Detroit.
Mr. McGann belongs to the Theta Lambda Phi, to
the Young Men's Order, to the Knights of Columbus

234

CITY OF DETROIT

and to the Detroit Yacht Club. He is a supporter of
the democratic party and during the war period he
served on the legal advisory board. In the .strict line
of his profession he is connected with the Detroit Bar
Association, and concentrating his efforts and at
tention upon his profession, he is making steady
progress in the line of his chosen life work.
CAPTAIN DOUGLAS CAMPBELL, a veteran of
the World war and well known in the business, pro
fessional and social life of Detroit, was born in this
city and is a son of Henry Monroe and Caroline (Bur-
tenshaw) Campbell, the former being one of Detroit's
leading attorneys and mentioned at length elsewhere
in this work. . The son pursued his education -in the
public "schools of Detroit and in the Detroit University
School. He then entered the University of Michigan,
completing his more specifically literary course in
1910, in which year he was graduated with the Bach
elor of Arts degree. He then went east to become
a law student at Harvard, which conferred upon him
the LL. B. degree,; in 1913. He entered the aetive
practice of his profession in this city as a member
of the firm of Campbell, Bulkley & Ledyard and so
continued until 1917, when, soon after the United
States declared war against Germany, he entered the
officers ' training camp at Fort Sheridan and on the
27th of August, 1917, was commissioned first lieuten
ant. He was then sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, as
a member of the Three Hundred and' Thirteenth Field
Artillery. Later he was transferred to the Sixth
Regiment Field Artillery at Camp Jackson, South
Carolina, and was promoted to the rank of captain.
He was transferred to the Fourth Corps, Artillery
Park, at Camp Wadsworth, Spartansburg, South Caro
lina, and was sent overseas on the 30th of August,
1918. He was with the army of occupation until
injuries caused him to be returned to the United
States as a patient, reaching Newport News, Virginia,
March 13, 1919. Later he was in the Ford Hospital
at Detroit until discharged on the 10th of July, 1919.
Captain Campbell resumed his law practice with the
firm of Campbell, Bulkley & Ledyard, giving his entire
attention to professional work, acquiring an enviable
position among the younger members of the Detroit
bar. On the 1st of December, 1920, he became sec
retary and treasurer of the Superior Sand & Gravel
Company of Detroit, with the gradual relinquishment
of his professional activities giving his attention to
industrial lines as mentioned. He belongs to the De
troit Bar Association and also to the Lawyers Club.
On the 26th of May, 1917, Captain Campbell was
married to Miss Marion Howe Douglas of Grosse
Pointe, and they have one son: Douglas, Jr., born
May 6, 1920. Mr. Campbell is a member of the
Delta Kappa Epsilon, a Greek letter fraternity, and he
also has membership with the University Club, De
troit Club, Country Club, Detroit Racquet and Curling
Club and Grosse Pointe Riding and Hunt Club. He

has a wide acquaintance in the city in which his
entire life has been spent and all who known him
speak of him as one who measures up to the highest
standards of manhood and citizenship.
PERCY WYLIE GROSE, one of the younger rep
resentatives of the Detroit bar, was born at Battle
Creek, Miehigan, October 6, 1881, and comes of
English, ancestry. His paternal grandfather,. John
W. Grose, was born in Cornwall, England, and crossing
the Atlantic, became a wholesale grocer in Montreal,
Canada, where he continued to make his home until
his death in 1893. His son, Thomas H. Grose, was
born in Cornwall, England, in 1852 and came to the
new world with his parents in 1858, the family home
being established in Montreal, Canada. He afterward
removed to Port Huron, Miehigan, and subsequently
to Battle Creek. For many years he was active as
a railroad man. He passed away in 1908 and is still
survived by his wife, who is now living in Detroit.
Percy W. Grose studied in Detroit schools and
graduated from the Detroit College of Law in 1903.
He has practiced in Detroit since that time.
Mr. Grose was married on the 19th of May, 1908,
in Detroit, to Miss Mary Stewart McGregor, a daugh
ter of Thomas B. McGregor, and they are the parents
of a daughter: Mary Elizabeth. In religious belief
Mr. and Mrs. Grose are Episcopalians. Mr. Grose
also has membership with the Elks, with the Detroit
Athletic Club, the Bloomfield Hills Club, the Auto
mobile Country Club, the Lawyers Club, Detroit
Bar Association and the Michigan Bar Association.
He also belongs to the Masonic order. In politics
he is an earnest democrat and from 1907 until 1909
he served as assistant prosecuting attorney of Wayne
county. In 1913 he was made eity commissioner of
the health board of Detroit and occupied that position
until 1917, serving as president of the board during
the last year. While America was at war with
Germany he was a member of the intelligence de
partment in Detroit, which department was under the
direction of the army to investigate war contracts,
being officially known as the War Department Intelli
gence Division, General Staff.
ARTHUR E. SCHREITER, member of the Detroit
bar, was born in Leipzig, Germany, May 20, 1869,
but was only two years of age when brought to
America by his parents, Edward and Emma Schreiter.
The mother is living but the father has passed away.
The family home was established in Detroit and he
pursued his education in the German-American Sem
inary and also in the Caton College of Commerce at
Detroit, being graduated from the latter institution
with the class of 1895. Two years before this time
he had accepted employment as clerk in the probate
court and filled that position until 1903. It was this
which awakened his interest in the profession of law,
and entering the Detroit College of Law, he com-

CAPTAIN DOUGLAS CAMPBELL

CITY OF DETROIT

237

pleted the course by graduation with the class of
1902, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred
upon him. On the 1st of March of the following year
he entered upon the aetive work of his profession and
has since practiced at the bar of Detroit, where his
recognized ability has won for him a large clientage.
He is also a director of the Continental Real Estate
Trust Company.
On the 25th of June, 1895, Mr. Schreiter was united
in marriage to Miss Louise Breitmeyer of Detroit, and
they are now parents of two daughters: Evangeline,
who is the wife of Horace Caulkins, Jr., of Detroit,
and the mother of one daughter; and Genevieve.
Mr. Schreiter belongs to the Yacht Club, the Lawyers
Club, the Detroit Athletic Club and the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks. .In Masonry he has attained
the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while
with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed
the sands of the desert. He belongs to the local and
state bar associations and in his practice he has
largely specialized in probate matters, his preliminary
training being along that line, thereby awakening his
interest in that field of law work.
ARTHUR F. BASSETT, of the firm of Bassett &
Smith, real estate dealers of Detroit, in which city
he was born June 9, 1893, is a son of Arthur and
Elizabeth C. (Fancher) Bassett. The father was born
in Lenawee county, Michigan, January 17, 1851, and
was a son of Nehemiah and Mary (Foster) Bassett.
In the district schools he pursued his early education
and later attended the high school of East Saginaw,
Michigan. He started out in the business world as
a clerk in a drug store when fifteen years of age
and was afterward connected with a wholesale drug
house, while later he spent three years in banking.
He subsequently engaged in the drug business on his
own account for nineteen years, being for an extended
period a representative merchant of Detroit. In 1895
he became special loan agent for the Northwestern
Mutual Life Insurance Company at Detroit and he
continued an active factor in real estate circles up
to the time of his death, which occurred in 1916.
His political belief was that of the republican party
and his religious faith led him into membership
relations with the Baptist church. In November,
1883, in Detroit, he married Elizabeth C. Fancher,
who still makes her home in this eity. They became
the parents of two children, Gilbert L. and Arthur F.
In his youthful days Arthur F. Bassett attended
the Irying school of Detroit for eight years and
for four years was a pupil in the Central high school.
He next entered the University of Michigan and was
graduated upon the completion of a course in the
engineering department in 1914. For a time he fol
lowed his profession in connection with the Detroit
Steel Products Company, spending four years with that
corporation, during a part of which time h,e was as
sists at engineer. He later resigned his position to

take up the real estate business, in which his father
had been enga'ged, and he became a partner in the
firm of Bassett & Smith, with offices in the Vinton
building, his attention being then given to general
real estate activity, to subdividing property and also
to handling acreage property. The firm has become
prominently known as real estate operators in Detroit
and has handled such well known divisions as Vinsetta
Park, Westwood Park, Woodward Park, a one-hundred
acre tract on West Woodward avenue and still others
of equally large acreage. Mr. Bassett is the president
of the Vinsetta Land Company and a director of the
Van Alstine Land Company. , Mr. Bassett served for
two years during the World war, from July 1917, to
April, 1919, as lieutenant (J. G.) in the United States
navy. On the 19th of June, 1917, Mr. Bassett was married
to Miss Jessie I. Lyon of Detroit, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Fred J. Lyon, representatives of a well known
family of this city. They have two children: Eliza
beth Mary, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, May 7,
1918; and Margaret Jean, born in Detroit, August
13, 1919.
Mr. Bassett is a republican in his political views
and keeps well informed on the vital questions and
issues of the day but never seeks nor desires offiee.
Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic Lodge.
He is also a member of the Detroit Athletic Club
and of the Pine Lake Golf Club. He has a wide ac
quaintance in this city, where his life has been passed
and where he has won a creditable position as a
representative young business man. The name of
Bassett has long been associated with real estate
interests here and along progressive lines Arthur F.
Bassett has kept abreast with the trend of real estate
activity in connection with Detroit's rapid growth and
development. MAJOR WILLIAM PITT PUTNAM, . whose title
came to him through his connection with the ordnance
department of the United States army during the
World war, is well known in business circles as the
president of the Detroit Testing Laboratory. A
native son of Ohio, he was born at Belpre, November
12, 1870, and is a son of Israel W. and Harriet
(Ripley) Putnam. He continued his public school
education until he had completed his course in the
Belpre high school, after which he was a student in
Buchtel College, which conferred upon him the Bache
lor of Science degree in 1893. He also studied for
two years in the Case School of Applied Science at
Cleveland, Ohio, and he entered upon the active work
of his profession in the office of W. J. Rattle of
Cleveland. In 1894-5 he was engaged in mining
engineering and in 1896 was connected with the
Pittsburgh Steel & Iron Company of Pittsburgh, Penn
sylvania. Since 1897 he has made his home in Detroit
and for two years was connected with the Superior
Charcoal & Iron Company, while later he entered the

238

CITY OF DETROIT

employ of the Michigan Malleable Iron Company. In
1903 he organized the Detroit Testing Laboratory, of
which he is the president, and through the intervening
period he has conducted a constantly increasing busi
ness. He holds a high rank as a chemist and the
efficiency of his work has brought him a very liberal
patronage. At Detroit, on the 11th of June, 1900, Mr. Putnam
was married to Miss Alice A. Fuller and they have one
daughter: Marcia L. The parents are members of the
Universalist church and Mr. Putnam belongs to the
Detroit, Detroit Boat and Ingleside Clubs. He is
also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution,
Phi Delta Theta fraternity and the Detroit Board of
Commerce, while along strictly professional lines he
is identified with the American Chemical Society, the
Detroit Engineering Society, the Society of Detroit
Chemists, Mining & Metallurgical Engineers, and the
American Society for Testing Materials. His patriotic
devotion to his country was manifested by his active
service in the World war. He was commissioned a
major in the ordnance department of the United
States army on the 22d of January, 1918, being sta
tioned in Washington, D. C, and later in Detroit,
acting as inspector of ordnance material. He was
discharged January 15, 1919, and resumed the active
management of his business interests, which are con
stantly developing in extent and importance.
THOMAS C. STARRET of Detroit, whose extensive
operations in connection with the lumber industry
have not only compassed Michigan but have also been
carried into the south and the west, was born in
Brampton, Ontario, February 9, 1855, his parents being
Andrew and Fanny (Merigold) Starret, the latter a
representative of the well known Merigold family of
Toronto. The father was a sawmill owner and rail
road contractor.
Thomas C. Starret completed his education in Can
adian schools and received his early business training
in connection with the lumber industry under the di
rection of his father. When interest was awakened
in the vast forests of Michigan he became active as
a representative of the lumber industry e,t Detroit
and afterward removed to Muskegon. In 1875 he was
employed by the Blodgett & Byrne Lumber Company
and subsequently was made manager of their sawmill
at Holton. When that company discontinued its op
erations he purchased its commissary and another
sawmill and remained a factor in the lumber trade
of the state. His brother, Edgar Starret, at that
time owned and operated the grading and lumber in
spection company at Muskegon, known as Starret
Inspection, and later removed to Detroit, establishing
the Edgar Starret Lumber Company on the Detroit
river. As operations in connection with the lumber
business declined in Michigan, Thomas C. Starret
sought the rich forests of the south, where he pur
chased large tracts of timber land and then again

followed the industry in the west, where with others
he controlled a large body of timber with log booms
and logging companies. Through the handling of the
timber lands his sons received their early training
in real estate values and they were the first of the
Starrets to leave the lumber industry in four genera
tions, preferring to remain in Detroit, operating the
Starret Land Company.
At Muskegon, Michigan, on the 2d of June, 1880,
Thomas C. Starret was married to Delphine Anderson
and they became the parents of two sons and two
daughters: Alza, who is a graduate of the University
of Michigan and -is now the wife of Dr. Charles L.
Chambers of Terre Haute, Indiana; Muriel, a grad
uate of Wellesley College; and Howard Andrew and
John W., graduates of Cornell and Yale Universities,
respectively. Something of the activities of the sons
is indicated in the fact that Howard A. Starret is
a member of the University Club, the Delta Kappa
Epsilon, the Sons of the American Revolution, is a
lieutenant of the Reserve Corps of the United States
army and belongs to the Detroit Boat Club, the Am
erican Legion, the Cornell Alumni Association, the
Detroit Real Estate Board and is a partner in the
Starret Land Company. The younger son, John W.
Starret, has membership in the University Club, the
Detroit Boat Club, the Zeta Psi, the Yale Alumni
Association, the Sons of the American Revolution, the
Detroit Board of Commerce and the American Legion.
He is also connected with the Detroit Real Estate
Board and is a partner of his brother in the Starret
Land Company. The mother, Mrs. Starret, is a
Daughter of the American Revolution and belongs
to the Twentieth Century Club, the Mount Vernon
Society, and the Community Garden Club.
Mr. Starret 's social connections are with the De
troit Club and the Bankers Club of Detroit. He is
also identified with the Board of Commerce and is
keenly interested in the efforts of that organization
for the benefit of the city. His political allegiance
is given to the republican party and the nature of
his business activities is further indicated in the fact
that he is the president of the Suislaw Boom Company
and a director of the Detroit Trust Company.
GEORGE FRANCIS MONAGHAN. It has been
said that death loves a shining mark and this cer
tainly was exemplified when the grim reaper called
George Francis Monaghan, whose brilliant career was
cut short when he was but forty-three years of age,
the date of his passing away being the 11th of July,
1920. While yet a comparatively young man, he had
attained eminence both as a lawyer and lawmaker and
as one who in every relation of life measured up to
the highest standards of manhood and citizenship.
He possessed the characteristic mental alertness of
the Irish people and was ever ready with answer-
witty, logical, serious or defensive, as the case might
demand. He had become a member of the bar ere

CITY OF DETROIT

241

he was old enough to practice and a force in politics
before age had brought to him the right of franchise.
Detroit numbered Mr. Monaghan among her native
honored sons. He was bora October 27, 1876, a son of
Patrick and Margaret (Kiley) Monaghan. At an early
age he was left an orphan and through his own labors
provided the means for his education. His early
training was received in the Holy Trinity parochial
school and in 1894 he was graduated from Detroit
College with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and
Master of Arts. Two years later he completed a
course in the Detroit College of Law, winning his
LL. B. degree in 1896. As his youth at, that time
precluded his admission to the bar, according to the
state law, he continued in the office of James H.
Pound and after three years was admitted to a
partnership — the only case on record where Mr. Pound
entered into a partnership relation, although he was
active in training many young men for the profession.
In 1902 the partnership was dissolved and for four
years Mr. Monaghan practiced alone, while in 1906
he was joined by his cousin, Peter J. Monaghan,
under the firm style of George F. & Peter J. Mon
aghan. Almost immediately he won recognition of
his ability and gave demonstration of his compre
hensive familiarity with the principles of jurispru
dence. In young manhood he made a statewide reputa
tion for himself as a student of criminal law, but
though he figured in some of the most famous murder
trials of Michigan, he deserted this branch of the
legal work early in his career and concentrated his
efforts and attention upon civil law, largely special
izing in corporation practice. In recent years the
partners were joined by Ernest A. O 'Brien and David
H. Crowley, the firm being Monaghan, Monaghan,
O'Brien & Crowley since 1917. Mr. Monaghan was
attorney for the Detroit Employers' Association, gen
eral counsel for the National Founders' Association
and the legal representative of the Winton Automo
bile Company, the Hugh Chalmers interests, the Royal
Indemnity Company, the Massachusetts Bonding &
Indemnity Company, the Hartford Insurance Company,
the Automobile Insurance Corporation and others. He
was also the secretary and treasurer of the American
Discount Corporation, a director of the Peninsular
State Bank of Highland Park, president of the Taxi-
cab Service Company and president of the Yellow
Taxicab Company.
It was while associated with James H. Pound that
the suggestion was made that Mr. Monaghan become
a candidate on the democratic ticket for the state
senate. At that time Hazen Pingree was engaged
in one of his railroad battles — this time against the
Michigan Central. There were twelve candidates seek
ing the nomination for senator, and although Mr.
Monaghan was a democrat, his cause was openly
espoused by the fighting governor, a republican. Mr.
Monaghan was elected, becoming a member of the
upper house of the Michigan general assembly when
• Vol. IV— 16

only twenty-two years of age, at which time the leg
islative body was dominated by the now historic
"Immortal 19." He at once became a close student
of political problems and conditions and, believing
that injustice was being wrought, he denounced the
' ' Immortal 19 " in a terrific arraignment which brought
about a resolution demanding his expulsion from the
senate and a request that he explain or retract his
charges. Mr. Monaghan himself voted for the resolu
tion, which was carried, and boy that he was, he arose
among the old and well known political leaders of the
state and gave tangible proof of the statements which
he had made. In his address he began by telling of
a bribe of one thousand dollars which was offered him
for his vote for the closed season fish bill, and when
he had concluded, all talk of expulsion had been for
gotten and he had his enemies on the defensive.
Mr. Monaghan was never ambitious to hold office
and did not remain long in the senate, preferring to
enter upon private practice. That he chose a life
work for which nature evidently intended him was
manifest in the positions to which he soon attained.
His brilliant mind, naturally analytical, logical and
inductive, brought him prominently to the front and
for many years he was a most distinguished figure
at the Michigan bar.
On the 25th of February, 1908, Mr. Monaghan was
united in marriage to Miss Alice May Kotcher, a
daughter of Charles W. Kotcher of Detroit. To them
were born three children: George Francis, Jr., born
May 6. 1911; Alice Elizabeth' and Margaret.
Mr. Monaghan was a leader in club and fraternal
circles of Detroit and was one of the early organizers
of the Knights of Columbus, being called the "father"
of Detroit Council. He was installed a special state
supreme deputy and in that capacity aided in the
organization of the Detroit body. For some time
prior to his death he was a member of the supreme
board of directors and was very aetive in the work
and councils of that organization, many of the national
leaders thereof coming from long distances to attend
his funeral services. Aside from his connection with
the Knights of Columbus he was a member of the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Harmonie
Society, the Fellowcraft Club, the Detroit Club, the
Detroit Athletic Club, the Rushmere Club, Bloomfield
Hills Country Club, Cross Country Riding Club, and
the_ Country Club. He was also a member of the
board of directors of the Detroit Patriotic Fund, a
member of the American Protective League and dur
ing the World war period was a Four Minute speaker.
He was a great lover of outdoor life and was an
ardent horseman. His membership relations along
the line of his profession were with the Detroit Bar
Association, the Miehigan State Bar Association
and the American Bar Association. Seldom has there
been a funeral in Detroit so largely attended by
people from all walks of life* as was that of George
F. Monaghan, the church being packed to the doors,

242

CITY OF DETROIT

while hundreds could not gain admission thereto.
Among those in attendance were many of the most
prominent men in the political, business and civic life
of the city, distinguished lawyers, eminent judges,
supreme court officials, manufacturers and merchants.
The services in the church were deeply impressive and
the eulogy pronounced by Rev. Michael Bourke, life
long friend of Mr. Monaghan, brought tears to the
eyes of all who heard him. It was a beautiful and
well deserved tribute to the worth of the man as a
lawyer, as a citizen, as a factor in public life and as
a Christian, and the thousands of beautiful floral
offerings which were sent bore silent but eloquent
testimony to the high regard in which he was held
by those who knew him in every station of life. All
felt that there had passed on one whom the world
could ill afford to lose.
RICHARD J. HAMLEN, M. D. When a youth of
sixteen years Dr. Richard J. Hamlen became a resi
dent of Detroit and twelve years later was graduated
from the Michigan Medical College, after which he
devoted his life to the practice of his profession in
this eity, his ability winning his prominence and
renown. Dr. Hamlen was born in Ontario, September
3, 1864, in the little village of West Nanosh and was
one of a family of ten children, whose parents were
John and Elizabeth (White) Hamlen. Several sons
of the family became representatives of the medical
profession. Determining to engage in the practice
of medicine as a life work Richard J. Hamlen entered
the Michigan College of Medieine and was graduated
therefrom in 1892 at the same time as his brother Dr.
R. P. Hamlen. Still another brother, Dr. William I.
Hamlen, was professor of chemistry in the college at
that time and was one of the instructors to the two
brother graduates. A fourth brother, Fred Hamlen
of Rochester, Michigan, is also a physician.
Dr. Hamlen engaged in the drug business previous
to his graduation from medical school. His first store
was on the corner of Joseph Campau and Gratiot
avenues and later he was located on the corner of
Twenty-fourth street and Memick avenue, for twenty-
three years, when he disposed of it.
Following his graduation Dr. Richard J. Hamlen
opened an office in Detroit, where he remained until
his death and throughout the intervening period of
twenty-eight years was accounted a most capable
physician. Among his salient characteristics was his
devotion to the interest and welfare of his patients.
He did everything in his power to restore health and
was constantly adding to his capability through wide
reading and scientific research. He belonged to the
Wayne County Medical Society, the Michigan State
and American Medical Associations and through the
proceedings of these bodies kept well informed con
cerning the latest discoveries of the profession and
the advancement made by its representative members.
He was also on the staff of the Marine Hospital.

On the 23d of May, 1888,- Dr. Hamlen was united
in marriage to Miss Harriet Herrington of Blyth
Ontario, a daughter of William Herrington, a pros
perous farmer and representative of a prominent Can
adian family. Dr. Hamlen belonged to a number
of the leading clubs of Detroit and his social nature
and kindly spirit gained him the warm friendship of
all with whom he came into contact. He belonged to
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also to the
Foresters of America and for thirty years was grand
chief ranger of the Grand Court of Michigan Foresters,
being widely known in the order and enjoying the
fullest confidence and goodwill of his brethern in the
fraternity. The motive principles of his life were
further found in his membership in the Grand River
Avenue Methodist Episcopal ehurch. He always di
rected his interests and activities into those channels
through which flow the greatest good to the greatest
number and his ideals of life were at all times high,
so that many friends felt deep regret at his passing
when on the 8th of September, 1920, he was called
to the Home beyond.
MARCUS R. BURROWES, architect of Detroit, was
born in Tonawanda, New York, April 8, 1874, his
parents being Deeimus and Elizabeth (Faithorne)
Burrowes, the former a native of Wales, while the
latter was of Canadian birth. In his boyhood days
the father left the little rock-ribbed country in which
he was born and crossed the Atlantic to the United
States, settling with his parents in New York. Later
he was married at Woodstock, Ontario, and subse
quently he removed from his New York home to
Denver, Colorado, where he engaged in the lumber
business. He afterward returned to Canada and
passed away in Sarnia, while the death of his wife
also occurred at that place. They- had a family of
ten children, six of whom are living, namely: Richard;
William; Kathleen B., who is the widow of M. E.
Macauley; Mildred, the widow of C. V. Plummer;
Nancy; and Marcus R.
The last named pursued his education in the public
schools of Denver, Colorado, passing through con
secutive grades to the high school, and later he he-
came a student in an art school of Denver where he
took up the study of architecture. When his parents
removed to Sarnia, Canada, he accompanied them
and entered upon his professional career there, spend
ing five years at that place. He next became asso
ciated with the firm of Stratton & Baldwin of De
troit, in 1907, and at that time remained a resident of
the city for two years. Since then he has been
engaged in business in Detroit and in the practice or
his profession has erected some of the prominent
buildings of this city and elsewhere. He was the
builder of the Duffield, (Mich.) public library, also
of the Grosse Pointe school and the clubhouse of the
Grosse Pointe Hunt Club, also of the Grosse Pointe
Golf Club, together with many beautiful homes. Ex-

DR. RICHARD J. HAMLEN

CITY OF DETROIT

245

perience and study have greatly augmented his skill
and efficiency in his chosen profession and he has
reached a creditable position among the leading arch
itects of Detroit. He is a member of the Michigan
Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and
was at one time its president. He is also a director of
the Michigan Society of Architects and belongs to the
Arts and Crafts Society and to the Detroit Athletic
Club. On the 29th of September, 1905, at Sarnia, Canada,
Mr. Burrowes was united in marriage to Miss Kath
leen E. Pardee, daughter of Hon. and Mrs. T. B.
Pardee, the former commissioner of crown lands of
Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Burrowes have become parents
of four children: Louise, born in Sarnia, Canada, in
1906 and now attending the Liggett school of Detroit;
Richard, who was born in Sarnia in 1907 and is a
high school pupil; Mary, born in Detroit in 1913; and
Helen, born in Sarnia in 1916. The religious faith
of the family is that of the Episcopal church and
they are communicants of St. Joseph's church of
Detroit. R. G. MALONEY, president of the Maloney-Camp
bell Realty Company, with offices in the Free Press
building, has been identified with commercial interests
of Detroit since 1910 and has become recognized as
one of the progressive and substantial business men
of the city. He is a native of Miehigan, his birth
having occurred at Hillsdale on the 15th of July,
1873, and is a son of David and Josephine Maloney,
who reared a family of five children. His education
was acquired in the publie schools of Junction City,
Kansas, his parents having removed to that locality
when he was quite young, and on laying aside his
textbooks he took up the occupation of farming,
which he followed for a time. He then returned to
Michigan and for ten years conducted a retail mer
cantile establishment as Ithaca. In 1910 he came to
Detroit as vice president of the Michigan Leather
Packing Company, which has become one of the
largest enterprises of the kind in the country, his
efforts having been a potent factor in the development
of the corporation. Subsequently he became one of
the organizers of the Maloney & Campbell Company,
of which he was made president, in which capacity he
has continued to serve. The company handles all
types of property and owing to their reliable and
progressive business methods they have won the con
fidence of the general public and have built up an
enterprise of substantial proportions, being recognized
as one of the leading real estate firms of the city.
Mr. Maloney has had broad experience in a business
way and in the conduct of his affairs he displays
sound judgment, energy and enterprise.
In 1900 Mr. Maloney was united in marriage to
Miss Carrie A. Rockwell of Ann Arbor, Michigan,
and they have become the parents of a daughter,
Mabel, who was born December 12, 1902. In his

political views Mr. Maloney is a democrat, interested
in the welfare and success of the party. He is a
member of the Detroit Automobile Club and fraternally
he is a Mason, guiding his life by the beneficent
teachings of that order. He has attained high stand
ing in real estate circles of the eity and has also
become interested in financial affairs, serving on the
directorate of the Ithaca National Bank. He is a
man of marked strength of character, determined and
energetic, who carries through to successful completion
whatever he undertakes, for in his vocabulary there
is no such word as fail. In all civic matters he is
deeply and helpfully interested and his progressiveness
has been an important element in promoting the
development and upbuilding of Detroit.
JOHN LLOYD DEXTER. The notable success
which John Lloyd Dexter has achieved as a whole
sale flour and hay merchant, conducting business under
the name of John L. Dexter & Company of Detroit,
has enabled him to put forth activity along two other
lines whereby he has become nationally known as a
sportsman and as a benefactor of newsboys. Born
in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, April 4, 1859, he is
a son of Moores R. and Mary A. (Purington) Dexter
and has back of him an ancestry- honorable and dis
tinguished, being able to traee his lineage through
three direct lines to Mayflower descendants.
He acquired his early education in the public schools
of his native state and was yet in his 'teens when
he started out in the business world unaided. The
indication of his character and ability is epitomized
in the fact that he has "worked for but two firms in
his life and was never fired." In 1875 he became asso
ciated with the noted old whaling merchant, Jonathan
Bourne, Jr., of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and under
this grim but sympathetic old gentleman he learned
not only principles of business but of life, that have
molded his later career. Mr. Bourne manifested a
strong interest in the young man and this was recip
rocated with devotion by Dexter and the comradeship
thus began was terminated only by the death of the
old merchant.
Becoming interested in the west, Mr. Dexter decided
in 1882 that he had no further desire to be a whaler,
and seeking his old preceptor in that line of labor, he
explained that he was ready to strike out for "the
great unknown," thus following the advice of Horace
Greeley in seeking his fortune beyond the Atlantic
seaboard. With some warnings and with much sad
ness Bourne bade him Godspeed and he came to De
troit, where he had been offered the position of book
keeper and salesman with the Union Flour Mills
Company, continuing to act in that capacity until
1886. In the meantime he had gained a comprehensive
knowledge of the business and forming a partnership
with W. H. Sawtelle he established business on his
own account under the name of John L. Dexter &
Company, wholesale dealers in flour and hay. For

246

CITY OF DETROIT

more than thirty years this business has been main
tained in the same location on Atwater street, in
Detroit, and not long after the establishment of the
business Mr. Dexter became president and owner.
Most substantial success has followed his labors. His
close application, keen discrimination and business
sagacity have enabled him to develop his commercial
interests until long since he has won a place with
the men of affluence in Detroit and in fact is now
known as one of the leading business men of the city.
His prosperity, moreover, has faciliated his activities
in other directions, resulting in a popularity enjoyed
by few men. The two interests which have made
him nationally known are his work with the Newsboys
Association and his interest in yachting and water
sports. The Detroit Newsboys Association was founded
in 1892 and Mr. Dexter became connected with it in
the capacity of director. He was afterward elected
vice president and in 1900 was chosen president, in
which position he has rendered such signal service
to the organization as to be retained as its head
throughout the intervening period. To the boys he
has been father, protector and confidant. Of the
thousands of newsboys who have come under his
care and tutelage, hundreds have been inspired to
better things by his precept and his example and
many have risen to great heights in business and
professional circles. He has treated them not as
waifs but as human beings and his course has enabled
him to refine the gold and destroy the dross. His
office often becomes a confessional where tragedies
are told to sympathetic ears, confidences exchanged,
encouragement given — all because he understands boy
character and they understand him. Not alone in
Detroit has his influence been felt, for his methods
and his personal assistance have been extended to
other fields, always with the same result. Twain and
Tarkington have written of boy character, but their
insight into this complex subject, expressed ever so
brilliantly, cannot measure with the assured knowledge
and natural sympathy possessed by Mr. Dexter. He
is a man ' ' with real friends, both big and little. ' '
It may be said relative to his activities in yachting
and kindred sports that Mr. Dexter is one of the
best known sailors on fresh water. As the owner of
several yachts, as commodore of the Detroit Boat
Club Yachtsmen from 1904 until 1906 and as admiral
of the Inter-Lake Yachting Association, he became
known at every lake port. His work in yachting
circles has been characterized by his usual energy
and efficiency and everyone acknowledges his personal
popularity. Much of the success of the Detroit Boat
Club Yachtsmen is due to him. Instinctively he be
came an able sailor and has managed his boats, even
in times of extreme peril and danger, with the reserve
and care of a hardened sea dog. The Detroit news
papers have occupied much space with a discussion
of the good fellowship personified by John L. Dexter
and it is to be regretted that he has dropped out

of active participation in water sports, although he
still manifests a keen interest in what others are
doing in that connection.
On the 20th of July, 1887, Mr. Dexter was married
at Boston, to Miss Emma Scroggs, who has shared
with him the success and the happiness attending
three decades of married life. Mr. and Mrs. Dexter
are members of the Episcopal church and his political
allegiance has ever been given to the republican
party. He is a member of the Miehigan Society of
Mayflower Descendants, of which he was governor
1914-1915, of the Detroit Board of Commerce, of the
Detroit Flour Men's Association, of which he was
formerly president, of the National Hay Association,
of which he was president in 1903-4, of the Detroit
Boat Club and of the Masonic fraternity. In these
connections are indicated the extreme breadth of his
interests. His character has been aptly summed up
by an European business man who spent a few days
in his company and who wrote concerning Mr. Dex
ter: "He combines the solidity of the business man, the
sportsmanship of a commodore, the humanity of a
sane benefactor of our young boys, and the courtesy
of an European."
FRANK DAVIS ANDRUS, rated with the eminent
members of the Detroit bar, where he has practiced
continuously since 1880, was born in Washington,
Michigan, August 21, 1850, his parents being Loren
and Lucina (Davis) Andrus, who were farmers of
Macomb county, Michigan. This Andrus family has
been connected with the history of Michigan for
more than one hundred years. Elon Andrus, paternal
grandfather of Frank D., located in what is now
Washington township, Macomb county, Michigan, in
1820. He came from Wyoming county, New York, and
in 1821 his family joined him, coming across the lake
from Buffalo, in the " Walk-In-The-Water, " the first
steam boat on the great lakes. Loren Andrus, father
of Frank D. Andrus, was then a child of five years,
from which age he was reared in Michigan and here
married Lucina Davis, who also belonged to a pioneer
family of Macomb county, Michigan. Frank Davis
Andrus attended common schools and to finish his prep
aration for college became a pupil in the old Capital
high school in Detroit completing the course by grad
uation in 1868. His more specifically literary course
was pursued in the University of Michigan and he
won the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1872, while the
Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him in
1875. After finishing his literary course at the Uni
versity of Michigan he taught Latin, Greek and
English grammar in Patterson's Classical and Mathe
matical School for Boys in Detroit. This was a noted
school in those days, and Mr. Andrus taught there
from the fall of 1872 to the fall of 1876. He also
pursued his law studies in the State University and
gained the B. L. degree in 1879. The following year
Mr. Andrus opened an office in Detroit and in 1882

FRANK D. ANDRUS

CITY OF DETROIT

249

joined John B. Corliss in a partnership under the
firm style of Corliss & Andrus. In 1886 a third part
ner joined them, leading to the adoption of the firm
name of Corliss, Andrus & Leete, which became Cor
liss, Andrus, Leete & Joslyn in 1901. Mr. Andrus
withdrew from the firm in 1905 and has since prac
ticed alone, but while he continues in the general
practice of law he has largely confined his attention
to probate law and has reached a position of dis
tinction in this field. He is' now general counsel for
the Commercial Finance Corporation of Detroit and
the Consumers Ice & Creamery .Company. His rating
has long been that of one of the leading lawyers
of the city. He is a man of great energy, quick in
action, decisive in his methods and accomplishes much
more than the ordinary man. He belongs to the De
troit Bar Association and to the Michigan Bar Asso
ciation and enjoys the highest measure- of respect
among his colleagues and contemporaries because of
his close conformity to the highest professional ethics
and standards.
At Saginaw, Michigan, on the 23d of November,
1880, Mr. Andrus was married to Miss Julia J. Good-
son and they have one daughter, Helen G., now the
wife of Francis E. Merrell, of Las Cruees, New Mex
ico. Mr. and Mrs. Merrell have two daughters and
a son: Marjorie, Elizabeth and Allen W.
Mr. Andrus is a stalwart republican in his political
views and for twenty-three years was a member of
the board of estimates of Detroit. He is a member
of the Board of Commerce and his cooperation has
constituted an important factor in many projects
for Detroit's upbuilding and improvement. His re
ligious faith is that of the Episcopal church and he
is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, having
attained the Knights Templar and Consistory degrees,
while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has
crossed the sands of the desert. He also belongs to
the Delta Kappa Epsilon and to the Old Club and on
the pages of Detroit's history through the past three
decades his' name is written large, not only by reason
of his personal achievements but by his interest in
all that makes for the social, cultural and moral
welfare of the community.
JOHN BOYDELL. One of Detroit's most aetive
and progressive business men passed away when death
called John Boydell on the 17th of October, 1907. He
was then in the sixty-fifth year of his age, his birth
having occurred in Liverpool, England, December 11,
1842. He was a representative of one of the old and
prominent families of the world's metropolis, his
ancestry being traced back in direct line to John
Boydell, who was lord mayor of London in 1752 and
who not only figured prominently as an official but
made an even more valuable contribution to the
world's work through his invention of steel engrav
ing. He left a series of some five hundred engravings
illustrating the immortal plays of Shakespeare and

copies of these same engravings, through inheritance,
are now in possession of J. Frank Boydell, son of
John Boydell' of this review. The latter was a son of
Edward Leopold and Mary (Williams) Boydell, who
in the year 1850 prossed the Atlantic to the new
world with their family, establishing their home in
Canada. John Boydell, at the time the family came to
America, was a lad of but eight years and pursued his
education in public schools, completing a high school
course. In young manhood he started out in the
business world, first devoting his attention to book
keeping and clerical work. His initial step toward
the business which later claimed so many years of his
life was made when he became bookkeeper for the
James H. Worcester Paint Company of Detroit. This
was afterward converted into the Detroit White Lead
Works in 1865 and Mr. Boydell gained an intimate
and accurate knowledge of the business. After a
brief period, however, he determined to sever his
connection with the Detroit White Lead Works and
engage in business on his own account. Accordingly
he purchased a stock of painter's supplies and opened
a modest paint house. A little later he was joined
by his brother William and, ' venturing into the man
ufacturing field in 1877, they thus founded the busi
ness ultimately conducted under the name of Boydell
Brothers' White Lead & Color Company. Their busi
ness steadily grew and developed, forcing them to
secure larger quarters, and they erected a three-story
building at Nos. 39 to 43 Fort street, East. Later
their plant was enlarged from time to time to meet
the growing demands of the trade and became one of
the foremost enterprises of the kind in the country.
A published account of the business and of the two
brothers contains the following: "In personal char
acteristics they were not alike, but one was a good
foil for the other, and, combined, they made a potential
working team. John was probably the better self-
controlled — more dignified, more forceful, an excellent
financier, and the dominant factor in their dual lives.
He had hosts of friends, although he did not yield
his friendship easily; but when once given it stood
like a rock — stood the test of time. William was a
better 'mixer,' generous almost to a fault, and with
a personal magnetism that drew men to him. There
was no blindness of pride or impatience of ambition
in his make-up. He was a loveable man and men
loved him. John's initial work was with the Wor
cester Paint Company, which in 1865 became the
Detroit White Lead Works, when he withdrew and
started in business for himself: William became asso
ciated later. And they prospered! The fine block of
six and eight-story buildings, which today covers the
area of almost an entire square of downtown prop
erty, illustrates their growth — and the business is
still growing. Both John and William had ideas about
success — sane ideas, ideas that commanded results —
and results came quickly. They were not merely

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CITY OF DETROIT

splendid dreamers, but they were also splendid work
ers, and it is work which counts every time. The
management was vested in John. He was not a
voluble man, and his reticence was sometimes mis
taken for exclusiveness, but that was a great mis
take. When he was the least talkative he was the
most thoughtful, and his thoughts bore fruit, luscious
and ripe. He knew when silence was golden, but,
nevertheless, he had the gift of effective speech and
could, when he deemed it essential, forcibly impress
his views upon others. He knew the value of con
centration — understood that rays are powerless when
scattered, but burn in a point.
"As their interests were mainly centered in paints,
both John and William naturally thought paint, talked
paint and dreamed of paint; but they could also talk,
think and dream of other things, as they were cultured,
well read and thoroughly en rapport with the social
amenities of life. They were both idealists in one
sense, believing in those ideals that give zest and
charm to realism; but first of all they were practical
men, and had no use for the visionary who seeks a
pathway among the stars as a short cut to mundane
good. In their business they believed in a community
of interests — a trinity of manufacturer, dealer and
painter. They had no sympathy with the policy which
excluded the latter, or with the evolution which
more largely admitted the distant distributor or large
jobber within the paint circle, as they considered that
the dealer was a sufficient medium and that it was
unreasonable that the painter or the consumer should
pay the jobber 's profit. John and William Boydell
were constantly in touch with the dealer, and that
there was a mutual goodwill and esteem is evidenced
by the books of the firm, which in hundreds of ac
counts show a continuous and uninterrupted record of
over a quarter of a century, and this, it must be re
membered, in the face of ever increasing competition.
Both the late John and William Boydell were plain
men, plain, every day American citizens, and were
profoundly conscious of their privileges as such; but
they were also proud that in the past their name had
been linked to the mother country with credit and
honor, that their ancestors were men of national
repute, whose lives had been useful and whose work
survives. ' '
Following the death of John Boydell, in October,
1907, the business was reorganized under the same
name and J. Frank Boydell, the only son of John
Boydell, became president of the company.
John Boydell was united in marriage to Miss Cassie
J. Witherspoon, a daughter of John H. Witherspoon,
a native of Scotland, who afterward became a resi
dent of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Boydell had two chil
dren: J. Frank, now the capable successor of his
father in business. He married Florence Dixon and
they have two sons, John F. and Clarence W.; and
Bessie N., who is the wife of John G. Wood, secretary
and treasurer of Boydell Brothers White Lead &

Color Company, and they have two sons, John B.
and Hugh G.
Mr. Boydell was reared in the Episcopal faith and
during his early life attended the old Mariners church
while his family are now members of the First Presby
terian church. Fraternally he was a Mason, belonging
to Detroit Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M.; Monroe Chapter,
R. A. M.; Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; Michigan
Sovereign Consistory, A. A. S. R., and Moslem Temple
of the Mystic Shrine. His high standing in Masonic
circles is indicated in the fact that the Consistory
class of 1908 was called the John Boydell class in his
honor, and when he passed to the home beyond his
funeral services were conducted under the auspices
of Detroit Commandery, while his body lay in state
at the Masonic Temple on the 19th of October, 1907.
His life had been one of great activity and usefulness
and his enterprise and laudable ambition had carried
him from humble surroundings into the field of large
service in connection with the business world. He
had many traits admirable and worthy of all praise
and one of the most pronounced of these was 'his
capacity for friendship. Nothing was foreign to him
that concerned his fellowmen and his aid and influence
were always on the side of progress and improvement.
ROBERT MICHAEL DALTON, for twenty-one
years a member of the Detroit bar, was born on a
farm in Wayne county, Michigan, in 18^67, a son of
Lawrence and Hanorah (Hogan) Daltoh, the latter
a native of the state of New York, while the former
was born in Wayne county, Michigan, in 1829. Their
marriage was celebrated in this county, where they
resided for many years. The father held various
local offices in his native county and in 1871 was
elected to represent his district in the Michigan State
legislature, in which he served for two terms. Death
ended his labors in 1900 and his wife passed away
in 1910.
Robert Michael Dalton, after pursuing his education
in the county schools of Wayne county, spent six years
in the University of Detroit and in 1899 was grad
uated from the Detroit College of Law with the LL. B.
degree. His literary and legal training well qualified
him for the onerous duties of the profession. Before
the completion of his legal course he had taught in
the country schools of Wayne county for six years
and in April, 1899, he was admitted to the bar and
opened an office in Detroit. Advancement in the
practice of law is proverbially slow, but gradually he
was accorded a clientage that reached profitable pro
portions and as the years have passed he has been
connected with many important cases tried in the
circuit courts for the different counties and in the
supreme court of the state of Michigan.
On the 28th of September, 1907, in Detroit, Mr.
Dalton was married to Miss Helen M. Siebert, a
daughter of August Siebert, and they now have one
son: Robert M., Jr., born July 21, 1908. The relig-

ROBERT M. DALTON

CITY OF DETROIT

253

ious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church
and Mr. Dalton is a member of the Knights of Colum
bus. His interest in Detroit's welfare and progress
is indicated in his membership in the Board of Com
merce. Politically he is a democrat and during the
war period he served on the legal advisory board.
JOHN GARDINER CROSS, a Harvard man engaged
in law practice in Detroit since 1916, was born at
Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island, December 15, 1882,
a son of James F. and Sallie G. (Tucker) Cross. The
father is retired. The son was educated in public
schools and in the Rhode Island State College, after
which he entered the Dennison (Ohio) University and
there completed his more specifically literary course,
being graduated in 1905 with the Bachelor of Arts
degree. He next entered Harvard Law School as a
law student and completed his course there in 1908.
Mr. Cross dates his identification with Detroit from
1916, in which year he opened an offiee and has since
engaged in general practice. His ability is bringing
him rapidly to the front. He prepares his cases with
precision and care, is very thorough in collecting
evidence, is logical and clear in his reasoning and
analytical in his deductions. Mr. Cross is a member
of the Detroit B^r Association and also of the Lawyers
Club of Detroit. He is likewise identified with various
club and social organizations. He belongs to the
Sigma Chi, to the Board of Commerce, to the Harvard
Club and to the Densonian Club and his strongly
marked characteristics make for personal popularity
wherever he is known.
COLONEL FRED GLOVER, who since his release
from the army following the termination of the World
war, has been a representative of business activities
in Detroit, was elected to the position of vice presi
dent and general manager of the Timken-Detroit Axle
Company in January, 1920, and remains in that con
nection. Colonel Glover was born in Delaware, Ohio,
March 18, 1879, and completed his education at the
University of Minnesota as an alumnus of the class
of 1901. His father, Samuel Glover, had removed to
Minnesota when the son was a young lad and he was
there reared on the large farm which his father owned
and operated. He assisted in the further development
and improvement of that property until 1909, when
he took up his abode in Minneapolis and assisted
in organizing the Gas Traction Company, which built
the first four-cylinder farm tractor in America. He
was made the vice president and general manager
of the new company and so continued until 1912,
when the business was sold to the Emerson-Brant-
ingham Company of Roekford, Illinois, where Colonel
Glover remained until 1917, acting as vice president
of the latter company during that period.
Desirous of aiding his country in the prosecution
of the war, Mr. Glover enlisted in 1917 in the United
States army and was appointed to the position of

major in the ordnance department. In May of 1918
he was advanced to the rank of colonel and was made
chief of the Motor Transport Service and later chief
of the Motors and Vehicles Division in the purchase,
storage and traffic department. After the signing
of the armistice he was made assistant director of
sales in the war department and so remained until
he received his honorable discharge in July, 1919.
Throughout the entire period of his connection with
the army his headquarters were in Washington, D. C.
On receiving his release from military service Col
onel Glover came to Detroit as assistant general man
ager of the Timken-Detroit Axle Company, and in
January, 1920, became vice president and general man
ager of that corporation.
In 1902 Colonel Glover was married to Miss Eva
Haldeman and they have two children, Frederick and
John. Colonel Glover is a member of the Interlaken
Country Club, the University Club of Minneapolis, the
Elks of Roekford, Illinois, the Roekford Country
Club, the Grosse He Country Club of Detroit, the Chi
Psi fraternity, and also the Detroit Board of Com
merce. He maintains his home on Grosse lie.
MANLY DANIEL DAVIS. While an active member
of the bar, Manly Daniel Davis is also prominently
connected with various business interests of a divers
ified nature and his cooperation is a valuable con
tributing factor to their development and success.
Michigan numbers him among her native sons. While
his business interests center in Detroit, he makes his
home in Oakland county. He was born at Pontiac,
Michigan, March 29, 1879, his parents being Daniel
L. and Isabel (Wilson) Davis. The father served as
county clerk of Oakland county, Michigan, for two
terms. He located there in pioneer times' and through
the interevening period has contributed in substantial
measure to the growth and progress of the district.
He is engaged in the real estate business at Pontiac
and is known as one of the prominent democrats of his
locality. At the usual age Manly D. Davis became a pupil
in the public schools of Pontiac, passing through
consecutive grades to the high school, and eventually
he entered the University of Michigan, from which
he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1901.
The same year he became identified with timber and
mining interests in the state of Durango, Mexico,
where he continued until 1906. He then returned
to Detroit and organized the Evergreen Cemetery
Association, of which he is the secretary. He is like
wise the vice president and attorney for the Interna
tional Timber Company of Durango, Mexico, and is
the vice president of the Huahuapan Mining Company
of the same place. He also owns a stock farm at
Bloomfield Hills and thus his interests and activities
are broad and varied. He is now the secretary of the
International Live Stock & Timber Company of De
troit, is the secretary and treasurer of the Davis In-

254

CITY OF DETROIT

vestment Company of Detroit, secretary of the Ever
green Cemetery Association of Wayne county, a trustee
for Sherwood Forest, adjoining Palmer Woods, at the
seven-mile round, and in these various connections is
directing his interests to successful completion. The
business interests of Mr. Davis which have been a
valuable and important factor in Detroit's growth
and development include his promotion of a number
of high class subdivisions and building projects,
among them being Palmer Park Gardens on the seven-
mile round, comprising one-fourth acre tracts selling
for three thousand dollars each, and all sold; Garden
Homes subdivision, where he built about fifty houses,
all finding ready sale; Vinyard subdivision in the
Grosse Pointe district; Harroun Farms project at
Wayne, Michigan, comprising two-acre plots; Kensing^
ton Gardens, seventeen miles out Grand River avenue,
made up of one to three aere tracts; Oak Knob Estates
at Bloomfield Hills, consisting of the finest suburban
acreage and one of the most attractive residence
localities ever offered in the Detroit real estate
market, where tracts of from three to eight acres are
rapidly being bought at from six to fifteen thousand
dollars each.
On the 20th of February, 1907, in Detroit, Mr.
Davis was married to Miss Ella Poppleton, a daughter
of Edgar C. Poppleton, and they now have two chil
dren: Mary Isabel and Sally. The parents attend
the Presbyterian church and Mr. Davis is connected
with many social and fraternal organizations. In
Masonry he has attained the Knights Templar degree
in the York Rite and is a member of Moslem Temple
of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with
the Elks, the Delta Chi, the Detroit Athletic Club,
the Bloomfield Hills Country Club and the Detroit
Automobile Country Club, of which he is the presi
dent. His political endorsement is given to the dem
ocratic party and throughout the period when the
United States was actively at war with Germany he
took a most helpful part in promoting the interests
of the country in every way. He served on the
Young Men's Christian Association and all Liberty
Loan drives and was a member of the Patriotic Fund
Committee of Oakland county, where he and his family
make their home. He belongs to the Detroit Board
of Commerce and along strictly professional lines is
connected with the Detroit Bar Association and the
Michigan State Bar Association.
GEORGE HENRY SHERMAN, M. D. Dr. George
Henry Sherman is the founder and owner of the Sher
man Laboratory of Detroit, and his establishment is
today the only one in the United States engaged in
the exclusive manufacture of bacterial vaccines. The
scientific work carried on is a most valuable contribu
tion to the medical profession. He was born at Na
poleon, Ohio, on the 23d of May, 1858, and is a son
of Andrew and Eva (Walter) Sherman. He supple
mented his public school training by study in the

University of Valparaiso, Indiana, and then entered
upon preparation for the practice of medicine as a
student at Northwestern University of Chicago, com
pleting his course in its medical department with the
class of 1883, the school being then known as the
Chicago Medical College. He has ever remained a
thorough student of the profession, constantly broad
ening his knowledge by. research, reading and inves
tigation, and in 1892 he pursued a postgraduate course
in the Chicago Polyclinic. In 1883 he opened an office
at Napoleon, Ohio, where he remained until 1884 and
then sought the broader field offered in Detroit. For
twenty-nine years he remained in the general practice
of medicine and surgery in this city but since 1913 has
concentrated his efforts and attention upon the manu
facture of bacterial vaccines and has a splendidly
equipped laboratory for this particular line of work.
In fact his establishment is the only one of the kind
in the United States and the value of his service in
this connection is attested throughout the country. Dr.
Sherman began the manufacture of vaccines in 1907
and established his first laboratory at No. 419 St.
Aubin avenue. In 1914 he constructed his present
building, which is three stories in height and is ex
clusively devoted to the manufacturing of bacterial
vaccines, meeting a demand which is rapidly becoming
world-wide, for this product. Dr. Sherman was the
pioneer in the development of vaceine therapy in this
country, and since his first interest in the work he
has been the leader in promoting the use and making
vaccines available to practitioners, elucidating meth
ods and theoretic conceptions in the use of vaccines
by physicians. He is directly responsible for the suc
cessful use of vaccines in the late influenza epidemics
and he has specialized in the treatment of colds, pneu
monia, tuberculosis and kindred diseases. Further to
promote and popularize the work of vaccine therapy
Dr. Sherman has published monthly since March, 1912,
The Bacterial Therapist, which is distributed broadcast
without subscription fees. In 1916 Dr. Sherman pub
lished a very comprehensive volume of five hundred
pages entitled Vaccine Therapy in General Practice,
third edition, which is designed as a textbook for
the practicing physician. The theory of Dr. Sherman's
work is introduced in his volume by a small paragraph,
which we quote in order to give an indication of the
scope of the subject: "That many diseases are com
municable, and that in certain diseases one attack
renders the individual subsequently immune, has been
known since the dawn of medicine; but it was left to
our generation, through the development of the science
of bacteriology, to ascertain the causes of transmitted
disease and the nature of the immunizing mechanism.
Bacteriology has demonstrated that a surprisingly large
proportion of our diseases are caused by the ever-
present germs and that health is maintained only by
the workings of the defense organs against the at
tacks of pathogenic bacteria. The basic principle of
vaceine therapy is this production of immunity, and its

DR. GEORGE H. -SHERMAN

CITY OF DETROIT

257

aim is to take advantage of nature's immunizing
methods and to utilize them for prophylactic and
curative purposes." The Sherman Laboratory is owned
and managed by Dr. Sherman, with the assistance of
his son, Arthur, and other members of his family. He
belongs to the Wayne County and Miehigan State Med
ical Societies and also to the American Medical Asso
ciation and numerous others..
On the 16th of February, 1886, Dr. Sherman was
married to Miss Mathilde Huegli of Detroit, and their
children are: Estella, now the wife of Edgar Marty
and the mother of a son and daughter, Carl and
Eleanor. Edgar Marty is a graduate of the mechan
ical department, University of Miehigan, and is asso
ciated with the Sherman Laboratory; Gertrude, the
wife of A. M. Rovin of Detroit, by whom she has one
son, George. A. M. Rovin is a highly educated man,
has taken the bacteriological course in the University
of Michigan and is associated with the Sherman
Laboratory; Adelaide is private secretary to her
father; and Arthur finished the course in the bacterio
logical department of the University of Michigan at
Ann Arbor and is now associated with his father in
laboratory work. He wedded Mary Coumans of Bay
City, and they have two sons, Arthur and George H.
While Dr. Sherman's scientific researches and his
manufacturing interests are making constant demand
upon his time and energies, he finds opportunity to
inform himself concerning vital general questions and
problems. His economic belief is that of the socialist
philosophy and in 1892 he was a candidate for governor
of Michigan on the people's party ticket. He is an
advocate of direct legislation, was formerly a member
of the executive committee of the National and State
Direct Legislation League and is a member of the
executive committee of the Public Ownership League
of America. He belongs to the Fellowcraft Club and is
appreciative of the social amenities of life. After all,
however, his interest is chiefly concentrated upon the
work in which he is now engaged and he stands today
as the most eminent representative of vaccine therapy
in the United States. The family home is on Ashland
avenue, in which neighborhood the different members
of the family occupy homes erected by Dr. Sherman.
J. HARRINGTON WALKER was born at the
"Cottage" in Walkerville, Ontario, in 1859, removing
to Detroit with his parents in 1864, but later returning
to Walkerville, living there until 1883. He was the
youngest son of Hiram and Mary Abigail (Williams)
Walker, his father being the founder of the town of
Walkerville and one of the most distinguished citizens
of Detroit.
In 1883 he married Florence A. Holcomb of Bridge
port, Connecticut, who died in 1887, leaving two sons,
Harrington E. and Hiram H. In 1889 he married
Margaret Caldwell, daughter of the late William S.
Talman of Detroit, and by this marriage had another
Vol. IV— ir

son, F. Caldwell, and two daughters, Mary Margaret
(Mrs. Sidney R. Small) and Elizabeth Talman.
In 1895 he built a home at 873 Jefferson avenue,
where he resided until the erection by him of the
splendid Garden Court apartments, after which he
lived there and at his beautiful summer place — Rock-
ledge — at Magnolia, Massachusetts, to the time of his
death. Mr. Walker became associated with his
brothers in the distillery business in 1880, taking an
active interest in it until a short time before his
death, which occurred in New York city on December
16, 1919.
The duties which devolved upon him and his brothers
were quite complex, including not only the management
of Hiram Walker & Sons, Limited, the great distillery
in Walkerville, established by their father, but many
other kinds of business activities which had been
promoted by him in Detroit and Walkerville. These
different interests consisted of large holdings of farm
lands in Canada and improved and unimproved eity
and town property. In all these he showed himself
a resourceful business man of strong purpose and clear
vision in the management of important commercial and
financial interests. He was prominently known in the
social as well as the business circles of Detroit, being
a valued member of the Detroit, the Detroit Country,
Detroit Athletic, Yondotega and the Essex County
(Massachusetts) Clubs. He was a communicant of
Christ church, of which he was for years a warden
and vestryman, and was always a generous supporter
of many projects looking to the welfare and benefit of
the community at large.
As his life was passed practically in Detroit and
Walkerville, he had an extremely wide acquaintance
in both places and the sterling worth of his character
won for him a most extensive circle of friends, who
were always assured of his keen interest and co
operation in any plans and measures for the public
good. LEONARD L. SZYMANSKI, an attorney with of
fices in the Hammond building, is regarded as one of
the leading Polish lawyers of Detroit. While en
gaged in the general practice of law he has developed
marked capability and resourcefulness in criminal law
and has been most successful in the conduct of his
cases. Mr. Szymanski is of Polish birth, the place
of his nativity being Lopienna, Poland, and the date
being October 21, 1883. He is a son of Louis F. and
Louisa (Skarbinski) Szymanski and the family came
to America in 1886, making their way to Detroit.
Leonard L. Szymanski was at that time but three
years of age. He pursued his early education in St.
Casimir's parochial school and afterward attended
St. Joseph's Commercial College and also the Polish
Seminary, thus gaining comprehensive knowledge of
the language spoken in his native land. He deter
mined upon the practice of law as a life work and
with this end in view entered the Detroit College

258

CITY OF DETROIT

of Law, from which he was graduated in June, 1912.
In the meantime he had provided for his own support
through five years' service as a clerk in the office
of the city treasurer under Max Koch. With his
admission to the bar in 1912, he gave up the position
and entered upon the active practice of law, with
office in the Home Bank building. He was elected
on the city charter commission in which connection
he rendered very valuable service. The major part
of his time and attention, however, through the
past nine years has been given to his law work
and he has won distinction as a criminal lawyer
through the ability with which he has defended his
clients. His success has come by reason of his thor
ough knowledge of the law and the power with which
he marshals the evidence in the case.
On the 29th of September, 1915, Mr. Szymanski
was married to Miss Jennie F. Bruski and they have
become parents of two daughters, Jean and Dorothy.
Politically Mr. Szymanski is a republican and was an
alternate delegate to the republican national con
vention in 1920. He belongs to the Detroit Bar As
sociation, also to the Michigan State Bar Association
and to the Detroit Lawyers Club and he is a member
of a number of Polish societies. He has always held
to high professional standards, is ethical in his prac
tice and has won his success through merit and ability.
EMIL JOHN BOLLIN. Detroit owes much to the
business enterprise and well directed efforts of the
members of the Bollin family, who have contributed
in large measure to her present development and great
ness through their activities as building contractors.
As president and general manager of the John Bollin
Company, Emil John Bollin is successfully carrying
forward the interests established by his father and he
is regarded as one of the most progressive and en
ergetic young business men of the city. He is one of
Detroit's native sons, his birth having occurred on
the 12th of November, 1892. His parents were John
and Anna (Schmick) Bollin, both of whom were of
foreign birth and in early life emigrated to the United
States, becoming residents of Detroit. In young man
hood the father served an apprenticeship to the build
er's trade, which he continued to follow throughout
the remainder of his life, developing expert ability in
that line of work. He became the organizer of the
John Bollin Company and for about thirty years was
identified with business interests of Detroit as a
building contractor, during which period he erected
many of the city's most substantial public buildings,
while his business integrity was ever unquestioned.
He also constructed many large buildings in the states
of New York, West Virginia and Massachusetts and
his operations were conducted on a very extensive
scale. He occupied a leading position in business cir
cles of Detroit and was also well known and popular
as a clubman. The mother still resides in this city
and is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.

In the family were five children: Walter, who was
killed while testing airplanes for the United States
government on the Packard grounds; and Mrs. Mar
garet Dixon, Mrs. Clara Oldenburg, Mrs. Elsie Desel-
eries and Emil John, all residents of Detroit.
Mr. Bollin acquired his early education in the graded
and high schools of his native city, after which he
entered the University of Miehigan, where he pursued
a special course, but left that institution before his
graduation in order to enter into business with his
father. Starting in a minor position, he gradually
worked his way upward, thoroughly mastering each
department of the business, and was thus well quali
fied to assume the office of president and general
manager, this being a close corporation. He gives
careful oversight to every detail of the business, and
in its control displays marked executive ability, initia
tive and mature judgment, proving a worthy successor
to his honored father. He is at the head of one of the
largest building and contracting firms in the city and
for over thirty years the name of Bollin has stood as
a synonym for business integrity and enterprise in
commercial circles of Detroit. Among the most notable
structures in Detroit that stand in silent testimony
of the high-class work of the John Bollin Company,
is the Scott fountain at the foot of Belle Isle. Mr.
Bollin is also a director and the largest stockholder
in a private real estate company of Detroit and his
carefully formulated and promptly executed plans have
resulted in the attainment of a gratifying measure of
prosperity. Mr. Bollin is a veteran of the World war, enlisting
as a member of the ordnance department, while later
he was transferred to the Engineers Corps and sub
sequently to the construction division. He was com
missioned a second lieutenant, after which he won pro
motion to the rank of first lieutenant, and later of cap
tain and finally obtained the rank of major. He saw
twenty-six months of active service, a large portion
of the time being spent overseas in connection with
the engineers and ordnance departments. On account
of his expert knowledge of construction he was ordered
to return to the United States and placed in charge
of the construction of buildings and shops at the
various cantonments and camps, being highly com
plimented by the government for the valuable services
which he rendered in this connection. He was most
kind and considerate to the men under his
and was one of the most popular and highly resj
officers in the service.
In his political views Mr. Bollin is a stanch repub
lican, interested in the welfare and success of the
party and at all times keeping well informed on the
leading questions and issues of the day. He is a
valued member of the General Builders Association,
the Master Masons Association, the Builders and Trad
ers Exchange and the Detroit Board of Commerce and
in club circles of the city is well known as a member
of the Fellowcraft, Dynamic, Detroit Athletic, Bed

EMIL J. BOLLIN

CITY OF DETROIT

261

Run Golf and Detroit Yacht Clubs. Mr. Bollin is
a well known figure in business circles of Detroit,
conducting one of the chief enterprises that have
figured in connection with the material upbuilding
of the city which now occupies fourth place among
the great metropolitan centers of this country. While
it is true that he came to a business already estab
lished, he has demonstrated in its control that he has
the same executive power and keen discrimination be
tween the essential and the non-essential which char
acterized his father and placed him at the head of
interests of magnitude. His life has been an exem
plary one in all respects and he stands as a high type
of American manhood and chivalry.
ARTHUR H. BUHL. Many forces and agencies
enter into the making of a great city. Business
enterprise, political interests and civic activity all
feature in bringing about the progress and upbuild
ing of a community but perhaps the most potent
force is found in the industrial and commercial enter
prises which not only serve as the basis of local trade
but also connect the community with outside interests.
Prominent among the merchants of Detroit is Arthur
H. Buhl, the president and manager of the Buhl Sons
Company. He was born in this eity, February 11,
1878, his parents being Theodore De Long and Julia
Elizabeth (Walker) Buhl. The father was for many
years engaged in the hardware trade in Detroit, being
president for an extended period of the wholesale
hardware house conducted under the style of the
Buhl Sons Company, which was founded by his father,
Christian H. Buhl. The latter was also interested in
many other prominent business concerns of Detroit,
including manufacturing and banking. Theodore De
Long Buhl was born in Detroit, August 20, 1844, and
attended the public and high schools, while later he
acquired an excellent academic education in the east.
He started upon his business career as a clerk in the
employ of his father about the time he attained his
majority and after thoroughly mastering various
phases of the business was admitted to a partnership.
He continued as a member of the Buhl Sons Company
and later became the head of the corporation, acting
as president for many years. He was also associated
with his father in the purchase and development of
the Sharon Iron Works at Sharon, Pennsylvania, and
he was one of the organizers of the Detroit Copper &
Brass Rolling Mills, while at the time of his death
he was the president of the Buhl Malleable Company,
also president of the Buhl Stamping Company, of the
Diamond Stamp Ware Company and the National Can
Company. His name was likewise a familiar one in
financial circles, for he was the vice president of the
Detroit National Bank and vice president of the De
troit Trust Company. Along still further lines he
extended his activities, becoming one of the organ
izers of the Parke Davis & Company, pharmaceutical
manufacturers, of which he was elected the first presi

dent, so continuing to the time of his death. He was
a man of remarkably keen insight and sagacity in
relation to business affairs. He quickly differentiated
between the essential and non-essential in all busi
ness matters and had the faculty of readily separating
the important features of a situation from its inci
dental and accidental elements. Successful achieve
ment seemed to crown his every endeavor. This was
not because he failed to meet obstacles and difficulties
but because he realized that from such he could learn
valuable lessons of business and make them serve as
an impetus for renewed effort and for successful
achievement on his part. In club circles Mr. Buhl was
widely and favorably known, holding membership with
the Detroit Club and with the Detroit Country Club.
His political endorsement was given to the republican
party. He died in New York city, April 7, 1907, his
death resulting from a stroke of apoplexy. In early
manhood he wedded Miss Elizabeth J. Walker, a daugh
ter of Hiram Walker of Walkerville, Ontario, Canada,
and they became the parents of eight children, of
whom two sons are living, Arthur H. and Lawrence D.
Arthur H. Buhl, after attending the publie and high
schools of Detroit, went to Sharon, Pennsylvania,
where he became connected with the Sharon Iron Com
pany, thus remaining from 1892 until 1895. He started
in the business world in a humble capacity and grad
ually worked his way upward through his determina
tion and industry until he became secretary of the
Sharon Iron Company and Buhl Steel Company. Later
he returned to his native city and entered the whole
sale hardware house of which his father was the head.
He was afterward made secretary and general mana
ger and eventually became vice president and general
manager, continuing to discharge the important du
ties of this dual position after his father's death until
1915, when he was elected president and general man
ager. The company employs three hundred and fifty
people and the task that Mr. Buhl faces is by no
means a holiday affair. His excellent executive abil
ity has been demonstrated in the immense volume of
business conducted and in the improvement of the
methods followed. He is thoroughly acquainted with
every phase of the trade, understands the business in
principle and detail and has so directed his efforts as
to produce most substantial results, In addition to
his connection with the business he is president of
the Buhl Land Company, president of the Sattley
Company, vice president of the Buhl Stamping Com
pany, vice president of the Detroit Copper & Brass
Rolling Mills Company, president of the Griswold Land
Company, a director of Parke Davis & Company, a
director of the Detroit Trust Company, the Metalwood
Manufacturing Company, the Detroit Union Railroad,
Depot & Station Company and still other important
corporate interests which constitute vital features in
the business development and upbuilding of Detroit.
In November, 1902, Mr. Buhl was married to Miss
Clara E. May of St. Clair, a daughter of Mr. and

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CITY OF DETROIT

Mrs. Charles May of St. Clair, Michigan. They have
three children: C. Henry, who is attending the Hill
school, Pottstown, Pennsylvania; Julia E.; and Arthur
H., Jr.
Mr. Buhl is fond of outdoor life, particularly en
joying yachting, hunting and motoring. He is well
known in club circles as a member of the Detroit,
Detroit Athletic, Detroit Boat, Bloomfield Hills Coun
try and Lochmoor Country Clubs and the Old Club.
Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Pro
tective Order of Elks, while his religious belief is that
of the. Presbyterian church. His sterling character
istics and qualities are many and there are few men
who have so fully realized and met the obligations
and responsibilities of life, while his signal duties
and responsibilities have received due attention, with
results that are most gratifying, bringing him promi
nently before the publie as one of the foremost busi
ness men and citizens of Detroit.
CLIFFORD HEATH BEEGLE. Among the younger
business men of this city who are demonstrating their
ability successfully to manage important interests, is
numbered Clifford Heath Beegle of the Detroit branch
of the Union Drawn Steel Company, one of the largest
corporations of this character in the United States.
He was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, January
11, 1896, and is a son of Frederick N. and Nellie
(Heath) Beegle, both of whom are natives of Ohio,
the former born at Millersburg and the latter at
Amherst. As a young man the father went to Penn
sylvania and became connected with the steel industry,
to which he has since devoted his attention, becoming
a dominant figure in that field of activity. He organ
ized the Union Drawn Steel Company, of which he is
the president, and his constructive genius and progres
sive spirit have enabled him to develop a business of
very extensive proportions. They manufacture all kinds
of cold drawn steel and their main plant, which is of
substantial construction and supplied with the most
modern equipment, is situated at Beaver Falls, Pennsyl
vania, while they also maintain factories at Gary,
Indiana, and Hamilton, Ontario, as well as branch
establishments in many of the manufacturing centers
of the country, including New York eity, Boston,
Massachusetts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chicago,
Illinois, Cleveland, Ohio, and Detroit. Mr. Beegle, Sr.,
is also interested in several other enterprises of im
portance in Western Pennsylvania, and is a man of
notable business ability who deserves classification
with America's captains of industry.
Clifford H. Beegle attended the grammar schools
of Beaver Falls and afterward became a student at the
Hill Preparatory Sehool of Pottstown, Pennsylvania,
completing his course in that institution in 1915. He
then entered Cornell University at Ithaca, New York,
class of 1919. Going to the Grass Creek district of
Wyoming, he there engaged in the oil business, with
which he was connected until the United States entered

the World war, when he enlisted for service, being
sent to a training camp in Wyoming, .from which he
was sent to the Louisville, Kentucky, Field Artillery
sehool, was commissioned a second lieutenant and at
tached to the Field Artillery. The armistice was
signed before he had an opportunity to meet the enemy
in the front line trenches of France and in 1919 he
returned to Beaver Falls, entering his father's .steel
mills, where he received a thorough course of instruc
tion in the business, beginning at the bottom of the
ladder and working his way steadily upward through
the faithful performance of each task assigned him.
In May, 1921, he was promoted to the offiee of the
Detroit branch of the business and is well qualified
to fill his responsible position. He attaeks his duties
with a contagious zeal and enthusiasm and is devoting
every energy toward broadening the scope of the com
pany in this territory, being watchful of every new
avenue opened in the natural ramifications of trade.
At Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, on the 2d of July,
1921, Mr. Beegle was united in marriage to Miss
Frances Ague, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John B.
Ague, the former a prominent physician and surgeon
of that eity, in which Mrs. Beegle received her educa
tion, being a graduate of the high school. Mr. Beegle
belongs to the Detroit Yacht Club and his political
allegiance is given to the republican party. He is a
member of Beaver Valley Lodge, No. 478, F. & A. M.,
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania"; Cornell University Asso
ciation of Miehigan; and the Society of Automotive
Engineers. He worthily bears a name that stands
for the highest ideals in business and social life and
in the development of his talents he has already estab
lished himself in a creditable position in commercial
circles of Detroit.
J. WILL WILSON, of the firm of Wilson & Catto,
architects and builders of Detroit, was born in Chat
ham, Ontario, April 2, 1881, and is a son of James
L. and Patience (Mueller) Wilson, who were also of
Canadian birth and spent much of their lives there.
The father was a well known architect but is now
living retired, making his home in Detroit. The
mother passed away in January, 1916.
J. Will Wilson, an only child, attended the schools
of Chatham, Ontario, and also studied in Toronto,
where he pursued an architectural course in the Prac
tical School of Science. He was graduated in 1902
with the A. O. A. A. degree and entered upon the
practice of his profession, which he followed in Chat
ham and Toronto and was also associated with the firm
of Hagle & Davis at Montreal. There he remained
until February, 1912, when he came to Detroit, where
he opened an office, and through the intervening pe
riod he has erected some of the fine buildings of the
city. He built the Mineral Bath House at Wayne,
which was erected at a cost of one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars. In this undertaking he was asso
ciated with Frank M. Newell of Chicago. He is also

CLIFFORD H. BEEGLE

CITY OF DETROIT

265

the architect of the Fourteenth Avenue Baptist church
at Fourteenth avenue and Marquette street, erected a
fine building for the old Michigan Savings Bank at a
cost of one hundred thousand dollars and has done
work for the Security Trust Company. He has in
recent years largely concentrated upon the building
of apartments and was the architect for David Saffir
in the erection of a large apartment building at
Hague and Oakland streets, was the' builder of a
two hundred and fifty thousand dollar apartment build
ing for Mrs. Katherine West at 174 Charlotte street
and is now engaged on the construction of a forty
apartment building for Captain John and Ada Bell
at Alfred and John R streets, which is being erected
at a cost of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Mr. Wilson has attained high rank in his profession.
His training was thorough, his study has been broad
and his experience has been of such a character as
further to develop his powers and he ranks today as
one of the leading architects of Detroit. He belongs
to the Michigan Society of Architects, holds a degree
from the Ontario Association of Architects and is
identified with several prominent societies of the
profession. He has attained to this position entirely
through individual effort, and without- the aid of
wealth or influence he has gained a place in the front
rank of the architects and builders of Detroit.
JASPER C. GATES. A life of intense professional
activity as a member of the bar, a life of high
ideals and of Christian service was ended when Jasper
C. Gates responded to the call of the silent messen
ger and passed on January 8, 1916, in Detroit. He
was born in Pleasantville, Pennsylvania, on tie 23d
of March, 1850, and was a son of Aaron and Amanda
(Cross) Gates, whose family numbered three children,
the brothers being Aaron B., still a resident of De
troit; and Edmund, who resided in Mill Village, Penn
sylvania. He was descended from distinguished New
England ancestry, whose record jg written large on
the pages of American history. In his youthful days
Jasper C. Gates attended the Pleasantville Academy
and later was graduated from Union College at Sche
nectady, New York, thus completing a classical and
civil engineering course, which served as a broad
foundation upon which to build the superstructure of
professional learning. Having decided to become a
member of the bar he entered the Albany Law school
at Albany, New York, and when he had completed
his course located for practice in Kalamazoo, Michigan,
in 1875. A year later he removed to Detroit, where
his remaining days were passed. Although advance
ment at the bar is proverbially slow no dreary novi
tiate awaited him. In a very short time he had given
proof of his ability as a lawyer and he tried many
important cases in the courts, but was perhaps best
known as a constructive and interpretative attorney.
He was instrumental in framing many laws which have
found their way to the statute books of the state

and he made valuable contribution to the literature
of the profession, being the author of a number of
legal textbooks and treatises which indicates the
breadth of his research and investigation. Among his
best known legal works are Cases on Evidence, Illus
trative Cases on Real Property and a textbook en
titled Gates on Real Property. Throughout his life
he was a keen student and was greatly interested in
the work of young lawyers. In 1893 he was made a
member of the faculty of the Detroit College of Law
and his lectures on real property, landlord and tenant,
trusts, evidence and partnerships and domestic rela
tions were among the most popular courses at that
institution. His last public work was assisting in
drafting the judicature act which has recently gone
into effect. Moreover, he was the author of the juve
nile court law, the caucus law for Detroit, the act
limiting appeals from justice courts in Wayne county
and various other measures. He was recognized as
legal expert on city government and headed the com
mittee of one hundred, formed during the term of
Mayor Breitmeyer, to solve street-car problems and
bring about enforcement of the liquor laws. He was
likewise instrumental in drafting the law establish
ing the court of domestic relations. The publie and
the profession long acknowledged him as one of the
most distinguished representatives of the Detroit bar,
his entire record reflecting credit and honor upon
the judicial history of the state.
Mr. Gates was married in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to
Miss Lulu Foster, daughter of John Foster, a suc
cessful attorney, and granddaughter of Lemuel Foster,
Jr., who came from the state of New York and be
came an early settler at Ann Arbor, Michigan, owning
considerable land in that vicinity, some of which he
donated as a part of the site of what is now the
University of Michigan. His father, Judge Lemuel
Foster, of Batavia, New York, was a civil engineer
in early life and laid out the towns of Rochester and
Buffalo. Later he practiced law and was the first
judge of the western judicial district of New York.
The Foster family came of Mayflower ancestry, later
generations serving in the Colonial and Revolutionary
wars. Mr. and Mrs. Gates became parents of two
children: Lulu, who died in early womanhood, and
Marjorie, who is now the wife of Frank P. Graham
of Grove City, Pennsylvania, and they have one son,
Jasper Gates Graham. Mrs. Gates resides at No. 286
King avenue, in Detroit, and is a member of the
Twentieth Century Club, Woman's Historical Club and
the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. Gates
held membership with the Sons of the Revolution and
he also belonged to the New England Society and the
Detroit Board of Commerce. He was a very promi
nent and active worker in the Woodward Avenue
Baptist church and for several years was teacher of
the Men's Bible class. He took a deep interest in
church work and did everything in his power to
advance the moral progress of the community. He

266

CITY OF DETROIT

was fond of travel and sought his recreation in that
and in literature. In politics he was always a repub
lican, although never a candidate for office. He took
great interest, however, in the science of government
and was an adviser of Mayor Pingree and of others
who have held public offiee. Throughout his life he
worked along constructive lines. He never tore down
established beliefs nor opinions, but built up citizen
ship and ideals according to his powers and belief.
He was seated at his desk with an open law book
before him studying a ease when death summoned
him and in his passing Detroit lost a citizen who ever
stood as a man among men. The high ideals which
he cherished found embodiment in practical effort for
their adoption and because of the innate refinement
of his nature he rejected everything opposed to good
faith. The greatness of his position as a representa
tive of the bar was balanced by the simplicity and
beauty of his daily life and when he passed away the
funeral services were conducted in accordance with
that simplicity which ever characterized him in his
home relations. In this connection one of the local
papers said, "The friends who assembled neverthe
less represented all the fine activities of his life. The
members of his Bible class, students from the law
college, young lawyers who owed much to his com
panionship and counsel, older lawyers who had worked
with him in courts, judges and old friends from his
church and his benevolent associations, crowded the
roomy house and listened with deep feeling to the
words of the minister." In the funeral service the
Rev. Hoag said, "Jasper C. Gates was an Alpine
man. In the geology of his soul there were divine
forces that lifted to high levels lit by the sunshine
of heaven. We long to look at Alpine men, to look
up to them. His endowment was great, his use of
talents represented faithfulness supernal. He could
look back to generations of scholars, statesmen, au
thors, theologians, lawyers, patriots, pioneers — and
Jasper C. Gates added yet more brilliancy to those
shining lights. Never could anyone at the last day
say to him, 'You lowered the level, you betrayed your
heritage.' He took his abilities as responsibilties, he
took his heritage as a trust. The fruits of his life
are many. We have laws on our books to protect
the helpless, to protect the community, to provide
better citizenship and truer democracy — a real gov
ernment of the people." "It is not difficult to speak
of J. C. Gates, for his life and his character were
as clear as the sunlight. No man came in contact
with him but speedily appreciated him at his true
worth and knew he was a man who cherished not only
a high ideal of duty but who lived up to it. He
constantly labored for the right, and from his earliest
youth he devoted a large portion of his time to the
service of others. He was not an idle sentimentalist
but a worker. He was at the head of large business
interests which he managed successfully, yet it was
his rule to set apart some time each day for the

— labors of love to which he was so devoted. His
I friends will miss him, but the memory of his sweet
and beautiful life, of his sincerity and simplicity will
not be forgotten. They will not mourn for him as
they would for a young man cut off in the flower and
promise of his youth, but will rejoice in his memory
as that of a man who laid down his task in the twi
light of the day, when all that he had to do had
been nobly, beautifully and fully completed."
WILLIAM J. ROSS. A notably successful career
is that of William J. Ross, president of the Conductors
Protective Assurance Company of Detroit, which has
the distinction of being the only enterprise of this
character in the United States. His tireless energy,
determined purpose and initiative spirit have enabled
him to build up a business of extensive proportions
and at the same time he has contributed in substan
tial measure to the commercial development of the city.
He was born in Chatham, in the province of Ontario,
Canada, November 22, 1866, a son of William S. and
Caroline (Appleford) Ross. In 1867 the family crossed
the border into the United States, taking up their resi
dence in Ann Arbor, Miehigan, where Mr. Ross
acquired his education, attending the public schools of
that city. His initial business experience was obtained
in the employ of his father, who was engaged in con
tracting and building. He next became connected with
railroad work, starting as a section hand and winning
promotion to the position of freight brakeman, after
which he was made freight conductor and subsequently
passenger conductor.
While thus engaged Mr. Ross conceived the idea of
forming an insurance company for railroad conduc
tors, engineers and officials, insuring them against the
loss of their positions on account of discharge, disa
bility or old age, and in June, 1907, organized the
Conductors Protective Assurance Company, starting
with a very small capital but a large fund of energy
and enthusiasm. From a modest beginning the enter
prise has grown from year to year until it has now
assumed extensive proportions, owing to the persistent
effort, close application and administrative ability of
its. founder, and the company now has over five million
dollars of insurance in force, with a reserve fund of
over a million dollars. Mr. Ross possesses the fore
sight, self-reliance and business acumen necessary to
conduct large enterprises, and he ranks with the most
successful insurance men of the city.
On the 12th of November, 1887, occurred the mar
riage of William J. Ross and Miss Mary Jane Duffy,
of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and they have become the
parents of two children: Mrs. Eva Mary Murray; and
Edward William Ross, who married Miss Carmen
Huvey of Detroit.
Mr. Ross is a Catholic in religious faith, attend
ing SS. Peter and Paul's church of Detroit. He is
also connected with the Chamber of Commerce, the
Detroit Athletic Club and Oakland Hills Country Club.

WILLIAM J. ROSS

CITY OF DETROIT

269

His business record has been marked by steady ad
vancement, and his success is entirely attributable to
his own efforts. Starting out in life empty-handed,
he has steadily progressed and has worthily won the
proud American title of a self-made man. His initia
tive spirit has prompted him to continue beyond the
paths which others have marked out into new fields
where his intelligently directed efforts have resulted
in successful achievements. They insure conductors,
engineers and officials throughout the United States,
Canada and Mexico, for loss of positions on account
of discharge, old age or physical disability, and the
state of Michigan has the proud distinction of being
the only state in the Union with laws governing this
class of insurance, which was made possible through
Mr. Ross' efforts.
OTTO F. BARTHEL, patent attorney of Detroit,
was born March 15, 1876, his parents being Edward
A. and Elise (Haerter) Barthel, both of whom were
natives of Bavaria, Germany. They came to America
following their marriage and settling in Detroit the
father engaged in business as a civil and mechanical
engineer. He was also well known by reason of his
inventive genius, his skill and ingenuity resulting in
the invention of various forms of guns, pistols, re
volvers and rifles. Other important inventions which
he brought out were improvements in the Pullman
berth. He likewise patented a device to be used in
the manufacture of peat for fuel, and his contribu
tions to the world's need were real and valuable. It
was also Mr. Barthel who occupied the first offiee in
the then new McGraw building. He went abroad to
promote American inventions in Europe, and while in
England, became ill of influenza and passed away there
in 1890, at the age of forty-nine years. His wife sur
vived him for a considerable period and died in De
troit, December 18, 1904. In their family were three
sons: Theodore E., Otto F. and Oliver E., all living
in Detroit.
Otto F. Barthel attended the Trowbridge school of
Detroit, situated at Lafayette and Seventeenth streets,
also the Webster school on Twenty-first street, and
afterwards attended the Detroit College of Law, from
which he graduated in 1902, with the LL. B. degree.
He then entered upon law practice in connection with
his uncle, and prior to taking up his law studies he
had applied himself to patent law, in which connection
he became associated with his uncle on the 11th of
April, 1892. After working in this way for a long
period he was admitted to a partnership under the
firm style of Barthel & Barthel on the 1st of Novem
ber, 1898, and has since devoted his attention to
patent law. The firm is today the oldest in the state
engaged in this branch of practice, succeeding Colonel
Thomas S. Sprague, who established the patent law
business in 1865. The father of Otto F. Barthel, and
his uncle, A. Barthel, were associated with Colonel
Sprague, beginning in the early seventies, and in

1885, A. Barthel became a member of the firm of
Thomas S. Sprague & Son and so remained until
November, 1898, changes in the partnership bringing
Otto F. Barthel into his present relation. His uncle,
A. Barthel, has practically retired, having largely put
aside the work of the profession on the 1st of
January, 1913, but he is still living in Detroit, at
the age of eighty years. The soliciting of patents
before the United States Patent Office is the main
work of the firm, and Otto F. Barthel is familiar in
every particular with patent law. His familiarity
with the patent records is comprehensive and exact,
and his opinions are largely accepted as an authority
on patent law. His father's inventive geuius nat
urally drew his attention to inventions and the work
of securing patents thereon, for the senior Mr. Bar
thel ranks as one of the prominent inventors of the
state and nation. He was the first to introduce the
American cast-iron cook stove into Europe, establish
ing a plant for one of the local stove companies at
Nuremberg, Germany, and was the superintendent
there for a short time. The activity of his father
drew the attention of Mr. Barthel to the mechanical
field and to the task of protecting inventions by pat
ent, and as the years have passed he has won an ex
tensive clientage of this character. The offices of
Mr. Barthel and his predecessors have been in the
Seitz block, now the Buhl Block Annex, since 1865.
On the 23d of September, 1905, Mr. Barthel was mar
ried to Miss Theresa M. Raviler of Detroit, a daughter
of Ferdinand G. Raviler of East Liverpool, Ohio, later
moving to Lansing, Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Bar
thel have been born two children: Helen Marie, whose
birth occurred in Detroit, October 30, 1908; and Eliza
beth Anna, born September 24, 1915.
In his political views Mr. Barthel is an earnest
republican, having supported the party since age
conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is well
known in Masonic circles, belonging to Palestine Lodge,
A. F. & A. M., while in the Michigan Sovereign Con
sistory he has attained the thirty-second degree of the
Scottish Rite and he is also a Noble of Moslem Tem
ple of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Detroit
Yacht Club, of which he was secretary in 1905 and
commodore in 1906, vice commodore in 1900 of the
Inter-Lake Yachting Association, and for a number
of years prior was a commodore of the West End
Yacht Club. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic
Club, Detroit Automobile Club, Detroit Engineering
Society and the Detroit Board of Commerce. His re
ligious faith is that of the Episcopal church. His
interests are thus broad and varied, touching the
welfare of society in many respects and at all times
upholding public progress and advancement. '
GEORGE PERRY PALMER, who in the practice
of law is specializing in real estate and probate law,
was born in Detroit, July 13, 1868, his parents being
Ervin and Emma (Humphrey) Palmer. The father,

270

CITY OF DETROIT

a native of the state of New York, was of English
descent, while the mother was bom in England. The
paternal grandfather came to Michigan when Ervin
Palmer was very young and the latter attended the
University of Michigan, from which he was graduated
and received the doctor's degree in law.
George Perry Palmer was graduated from the Cass
school with the class of 1880 and from the Detroit
high school in 1885. He afterward studied in the
University of Minnesota in 1888 and 1889, and having
prepared for the bar entered upon the active practice
of the profession in 1893, becoming a member of the
law firm of Palmer & Palmer, of which his father
was the senior partner. This association was main
tained until the father's death, since which time
George P. Palmer has practiced alone, specializing
in real estate and probate law, upon which branches
of jurisprudence he is largely recognized as an au
thority. At different periods he has been called upon
to serve in positions of publie honor and .trust. He
was assistant city attorney of Detroit for two years
and assistant corporation counsel for four years. In
1912 he became a member of the Miehigan house of
representatives and for two terms served in that
body, giving the most thoughtful and earnest con
sideration to the vital questions which came up for
settlement affecting the welfare and interests of the
commonwealth. On the 2d of December, 1897, at Detroit, Mr. Palmer
was married to Miss Adelaide Blodgett and they are
the parents of one son, Gardner E., who is now a
student in the University of Michigan. Mr. Palmer
has always given his political allegiance to the repub
lican party and has kept thoroughly informed con
cerning the vital questions of the day. His religious
faith is that of the Congregational church and fra
ternally he is connected with the Masons. He belongs
to the Detroit Curling Club and to the Detroit Boat
Club and finds his chief recreation in boating ana
gardening. His entire life has been passed in the
city of his nativity and his record is in contradis
tinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without
honor save in his own country, for Mr. Palmer through
marked ability in the profession of law has gained
prominence at the bar and recognition of his public-
spirited citizenship on the part of his fellow townsmen
has come to him in his election to the general assembly.
SHIFFLET, CUMBER & COMPANY. A strong and
vital Detroit corporation that is exercising important
functions in the field of investment banking and in
organization specializing, is that of Shifflet, Cumber
& Company, the offices of which are established in
the Penobscot building. This corporation was organ
ized in May, 1918, has a capital stock of two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, and the following officers:
J. B. Shifflet, president, B. L. Cumber, vice president
and general manager, J. D. MacKay, vice president

and R. M. Bruce, secretary and treasurer. Inceptive
operations were based upon the broad experience of
J. B. Shifflet in the organizing, financing and develop
ment of business organizations, his reputation in this
field of enterprise being such as to insure to the new
concern an auspicious future and to gain to it forth
with a representative clientage. B. L. Cumber, vice
president and general manager of the company has
proven a valuable coadjutor .in the upbuilding of the
substantial business now controlled, having had wide
and successful experience in the field and as sales
manager, so that he is specially well fortified for the
training of the selling department. Mr. Cumber has
given his personal direction to the work of the com
pany's splendid corps of representatives in various
parts of the country, the number of salesmen repre
senting the concern at the present time being approxi
mately two hundred and fifty. J. D. MacKay, vice
president of the company, is also a member of the
firm of Stellwagen, MacKay and Wade, attorneys, his
attention to the legal affairs of the company being an
invaluable asset. The entire business career of B. M.
Bruce, secretary and treasurer of the company, has
been in this particular line of business, thus being
well fitted to fill the position through practical experi
ence in all angles of the business.
This company has, within the past few years, or
ganized a greater number of successful business enter
prises than has any other concern of like character, not
only in Michigan but also in a much wider field.
Among the many sound business institutions that stand
as monuments to the initiative, executive and pro
motive genius of this company and its individual mem
bers, may be noted: the Jewett, Bigelow & Brooks
Coal Company, a two million five hundred thousand
dollar company of Detroit; the Federal Discount Cor
poration, a three million dollar company of Detroit;
the Saginaw Financing Corporation, a million dollar
company of Saginaw, Miehigan; the Syracuse Mort
gage Corporation, a million dollar company of Syra
cuse, New York; the Michigan Mortgage-Investment
Corporation, a million dollar company of Lansing,
Michigan; the Detroit Housing Corporation, a five hun
dred thousand dollar concern of Detroit; the Lowry
Oil Corporation, a million dollar company of Muskogee,
Oklahoma. The officers of Shifflet, Cumber & Company are in
the most significant sense the makers of thetf own
opportunities and success, and their broad-minded
policy is to aid others in achieving independence and
prosperity, as a definite agency in furthering the civic
and material advancement of our great republic. They
are not only lending their energies toward the up
building of Detroit, where they have four branch
offices, but are continually broadening their scope of
endeavor. At this writing they have branch offices in
the following cities, and will open other branch offices
from time to time as their business grows: Syracuse,
Binghamton and Buffalo, New York, and Grand r

J. B. SHIFFLET

B. L. CUMBER

CITY OF DETROIT

275

Kalamazoo, Flint, Lansing, Saginaw and Ann Arbor,
Michigan. The firm of Shifflet, Cumber & Company now has
more than eight thousand satisfied clients, and all are
stanch advocates and supporters of the progressive
policies of which this Detroit corporation stands rep
resentative. G. EDWARD BLEIL, sales manager for „the Michi
gan Lubricator Company, is a native Detroiter and his
residence has been continuous in this city. He comes
from a family which has long been identified with
Detroit: his parents, John C. and Ella L. (Hess) Bleil,
were both born here. The grandfather on the paternal
side was Michael Bleil, who came from Germany to
America in 1848. Among the earliest American an
cestors of G. Edward Bleil were those who came from
England in the early part of the seventeenth cen
tury and settled at Wilmington, Delaware. Later some
of their descendants returned to England and from
this branch of the family came F. Michael Bleil, who
located at Detroit in an early day, as did the maternal
grandparents of the subject of this review. John C.
Bleil and Ella L. Hess were both reared and edu
cated at Detroit, the former having attended Bishop's
union school. As he approached manhood he began to
learn the trade of carriage-making, and later was
engaged in this business on his own account in De
troit. He became one of the successful carriage build
ers of his day. He conducted a large business from
1884 until 1901, at which time he sold his carriage
manufacturing plant and turned his attention to real
estate. He has since figured in real estate circles. The
mother of G. Edward Bleil passed away at Detroit
in 1885, when only twenty-six years of age. There
were just two children in the family, the younger
being a daughter, Mrs. L. Merrill, also living at De
troit. G. Edward Bleil was born February 18, 1879, and
received his education in the public schools, after
which he attended the Detroit Business College. Among
the first positions he held, after starting out for
himself, was with the Chase Construction Company,
builders of electric railways. While thus employed he
acquainted himself thoroughly with the construction
and equipment of electric railroads. He remained with
the Chase Company for three years, at the end of
which time he entered the employ of the Buhl Hard
ware Company. A little later, however, he became
manager of the Breitmeyer building on Broadway and
Gratiot avenue and remained in this connection until
1911. In the latter year he entered the automobile
business as representative of the Warren Motor Car
Company, of which Homer Warren was the executive
head. In that line he directed his activities until
1913, when he secured the management of the Grasser
, Motor Sales Company, distributors of the Hupmobile.
In 1917 he became the Detroit agent for the Republic
truck and remained in this connection until October,

1920, when he became identified with the Michigan
Lubricator Company Mr. Bleil is one of the well
known men associated with the motor trade in Detroit
and was one of the organizers of the Detroit Automo
bile Club, remaining a director of that organization
from its inception in 1916 until his resignation in
1921. Always active in those movements that have
had to do with the advancement of motor interests,
his activities for more than a decade have been of
distinct value to that industry.
On the 12th of June, 1906, Mr. Bleil was married
to Miss Alma L. Lempke of Detroit, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Carl Lempke. They have become parents
of three children, two of whom died in infancy, the
surviving son being G. Edward, Jr., who was born
January 8, 1912, at Detroit.
Mr. Bleil has an interesting military chapter in his
life history, for he was a member of the Miehigan
Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American war,
having served as a non-commissioned officer in Cuba
with the Thirty-third Regiment. He is now a member
of the Spanish-American War Veterans, and he is also
well known in Masonry, belonging to Detroit Com
mandery, No. 1, and has attained the thirty-second
degree of the Scottish Rite in the Michigan Sovereign
Consistory. He also belongs to Moslem Temple, A. A.
O. N. M. S. His club connections include the Detroit
Athletic Club.
ANTHONY MAIULLO, member of the Detroit bar,
specializing in the practice of criminal law, in which
he has been very successful, was born in Italy, May
1, 1886. His father, Joseph Maiullo, is likewise a
native of that sunny land and there married Florence
Vitello. He first came to Detroit in 1883 but re
turned to Italy in 1885. Later he came again to
the new world and in 1887 was joined by his wife
and son Anthony in Detroit. He was one of the first
Italians of this city and was successfully engaged in
the fruit and candy business until 1912.
Anthony Maiullo attended the public schools of
Detroit and was graduated from the Eastern high
sehool with the class of January, 1907. In June, 1908,
he completed a course in the Detroit College of Law,
winning the LL. B. degree. He was admitted to the
bar in 1908 and has through the intervening period
of twelve years been engaged in practice in this eity.
As the years have passed he has become recognized
as a most capable and successful criminal lawyer.
On the 19th of June, 1907, in Detroit, Mr. Maiullo
was married to Miss Minnie Evaline Tarquinio, a
daughter of John Tarquinio. Their children are:
Florence Madeline; Joseph Anthony, who was born
August 13, 1912; Madeline Ermina; and Isabella Eva-
line. When Mr. Maiullo was married he was employed as
an office boy at a salary of four dollars per week.
He was actuated by laudable ambition, however, and
has ever used his time and talents to the best advan-

276

CITY OF DETROIT

tage, working his way steadily upward. Eventually
he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the
study of law, was admitted to the bar and has since
made a specialty of the practice of criminal law.
He is sound in argument, clear in his reasoning and
logical in his deductions, possesses oratorical gifts
of high order and at the same time has comprehensive
knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence.
Mr. Maiullo and his family attend the Catholic
church and he is a member, of the Knights of Co
lumbus. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks, the Royal Arcanum, the National Union,
the Lawyers' Club and the Detroit Bar Association.
In politics he is a republican and in all publie crises
he stands loyally for the best interests of the city and
state. He served on all the bond drives except the
Victory Loan drive, was a member of Local Draft
Board, No. 6, and a director of the legal advisory
board. He was also one of the Four-Minute men and
thus took active part in informing the public con
cerning the issues of the day and in setting forth
real conditions concerning those things which were
made a matter of German propaganda. He certainly
deserves much credit for what he has accomplished
and his life record should serve as an inspiring force
in the lives of others.
HARRY ST. CLAIR SPILLMAN, president of the
National Construction Company, whose skill as a
mechanical and electrical engineer has brought him
into professional prominence, was born in Medina,
Ohio, June 8, 1881, and is a son of Mark and Carrie
(Letterly) Spillman, who are now residents of Los
Angeles, California. On the paternal side he is de
scended from' Puritan ancestry and came of the same
family as John Brown of abolitionist fame.
Harry S. Spillman was graduated from the high
school at Painesville, Ohio, with the class of 1901
and continued his education in the Case School of Ap
plied Science at Cleveland, where he won the Bachelor
of. Science degree in 1905. He initiated his business
experience as superintendent of construction with the
Mentor Knitting Mills in 1905-06 and in the latter
year he became superintendent of construction with
George S. Rider & Company, of Cleveland, so serving
until 1907, when he entered the employ of the power
department of the Detroit United Railway Company
as constructing engineer. He filled that position for
three years and in 1910-11 was construction engineer
for the Hudson Motor Car Company. In 1911 he en
tered into business relations with the Continental
Motor Manufacturing Company as construction and
plant engineer, so remaining until 1915. In the pre
vious year he had been elected to the presidency of
the National Construction Company and has continued
in that capacity. The character and nature of the
work of this company is well exemplified by the Mus
kegon plant of the Continental Motors, consisting of
twenty-three buildings to date, and eight other indus

trial plants. Mr. Spillman is a state registered engineer,
is also an advisory engineer of the Continental Company
and is the president of the Michigan Materials Com
pany of Muskegon, which was organized in 1919. The
Piston Ring plant at Muskegon and the plant of
the Lakey Foundry & Machine Company at that place
are examples of his work as construction engineer.
Mr. Spillman has done considerable research work and
furnished special technical writings to the Iron Age,
Electrical World, Machinery, American Machinist and
other technical papers.
On the 5th of August, 1908, Mr. Spillman was mar
ried to Miss Laura Benson of Painesville, Ohio. They
are members of the Episcopal church and Mr. Spill
man belongs to Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M. His
political allegiance is given to the republican party
and he finds needed recreation in fishing and general
outdoor sports. He is a member of the American
Society of Mechanical . Engineers, the Detroit Board
of Commerce, the Detroit Builders Exchange, also of
the Old Colony Club, the Century Club and Country
Club of Muskegon and the Muskegon Board of Com
merce. His professional position is one of notable
prominence and his example may well serve as a stim
ulus to others. Mr. Spillman 's home is at 3470 Iro
quois avenue.
ALFRED KIRK HEBNER. Originality, initiative,
unabating energy and industry that never flags are the
salient features in the business career of Alfred K.
Hebner, the president and general manager of the
Bearings Service Company of Detroit. His life story
is a most interesting one. He was born in Hulburton,
New York, March 21, 1887, a son of Henry G. and
Gertrude (Smith) Hebner, who are also natives of the
Empire state and at a recent date became residents
of Detroit. The father was connected with the oper
ation of a sandstone quarry when in New York but has
retired from business.
Alfred K. Hebner, their only child, attended the
publie schools of Holley, New York, completing a
high school course, and later he entered the Univer
sity of Michigan, from which he was graduated with
with the degree of Mechanical Engineering in 1912.
Thorough as was his course in the State University, he
has been a close student of the profession in all of its
practical phases since that time, and is constantly
promoting his knowledge and efficiency by broad
reading and investigation.
He became assistant engineer for the Hyatt Holler
Bearing Company after his college days were over,
remaining with that corporation for a period of four
years, during which time he began the systematic
development of the bearing service, which since has
become a large factor in the automotive industry of
the country.
The salient characteristics of Mr. Hebner in his
position as general manager are given in a sketch
of him that appeared in a trade journal which stated:

ALFRED K. HEBNER

CITY OF DETROIT

279

"He worked the service problem out along broad lines
and yet with the nicety of detail he had revealed in
his coHege note-books, and established for the Hyatt
Roller Bearing Company nine service branches which,
with the main service offiee in Detroit, formed an or
ganization so planned as to be capable of rapid ex
pansion. His plan was so good that when the Bear
ings Service Company was organized in July, 1916, to
act as the service department not only of the Hyatt
Roller Bearing Company but of the Timken Roller
Bearing Company and the New Departure Manufac
turing Company as well, these three being the leading
manufacturers of anti-friction units, he was made gen
eral manager, a director and a member of the execu
tive committee with the duty of establishing bearings
service so widespread over the United States of Amer
ica that any motorist could replace a worn or disabled
bearing inside of twenty-four hours.
"For his successful work in this accomplishment
he was elected secretary of the company on August
3, 1917; and on July 21, 1920, he became the concern's
president and general manager. The Bearings Service
Company has thirty-three branches loeated throughout
the United. States and Canada, and in addition more
than one thousand distributors situated at various
points throughout the North American Continent.
"Service is not a very tangible, concrete thing. It
is dependent upon personality — on willingness — on the
cheerful intent to serve. It is expressed in many ways,
and the Bearings Service Company, as directed by
Mr. Hebner, has tried to express its service uniformly
in every branch and distributor station by their ap
pearance and through the operation of each. This
attempt has met with much success. Every branch and
distributor station of the company presents the same
neat outward appearance. Each branch, especially,
is always 'dressed up' — always presenting the idea of
aliveness, like a good salesman who keeps his personal
appearance always the same, of good taste and neat
ness. But there is always a danger that the institution of
uniformity may tend to kill the 'business' personality
of executives and employes. Many things necessarily
go so machine-like and so much according to set rules
in the Bearings Service Company that the branch man
agers and their various forces are liable to become
mere automatons. It has happened in other large
organizations — it is an ever-present danger in any big
business, the successful operation of which is depend
ent on the following of certain set rules. And that
was just what Hebner has been trying to avoid ever
since he became general manager of the Bearings
Service Company.
"The set rules must remain and must be observed,
yes; but they must not be allowed to smother the
individuality of the branch and distributor station
managers and their employes. If the general manager
of the Bearings Service Company could prevent him
self from falling into the habit of regarding his branch
managers as only cogs in the machine, but instead

keep their various differing personalities before him
when dealing with them at long distance, he would
be able? he thought, to develop a real service per
sonality which would be maintained to the farthest
limits of the organization. How to do it? That
was the problem. One day Mr. Hebner was looking
over an advertising folder prepared for the Bearings
Service Company. In it were the pictures of the va
rious branch managers. That was the idea Hebner
was looking for. He had all the branch managers
send in to him photograpns which he had mounted,
framed and placed in his offiee. In writing to the
branch managers Mr. Hebner constantly refers to
these pictures. He reads in each face the person
ality of the manager to whom he is writing or talking
at long distance. He shapes the letter accordingly.
Few of his letters to the branch managers on any
topic are the same. He approaches them differently —
praises some, jars others and through it all is the
individual note — the personal approach, that not only
appeals to his reader, but inspires the cooperation he
desires. It has helped the Bearings Service Company,
mightily — this constant effort of Hebner 's to keep
the branch managers and their organizations sold on
the Bearings Service Company and its policies. It
has helped them give better service — the only kind of
worth-while service — service with a large dash of in
dividuality in it. A. K. Hebner is a young man,
younger than many of the executives in his organiza
tion. Sheer ability and painstaking effort have placed
him in his position."
One of the attractive features in the business of
which Mr. Hebner is the president is a most entertain
ing magazine which is called "Bearing On Us," and
which gives interesting notes concerning all of the
branch service stations and agencies and interesting
features of the business, stimulating and encouraging
those who are in any way connected with the trade.
Mr. Hebner at all times keeps in close connection
with the various branches, studying their problems and
giving sound advice as to management and control.
On the 17th of January, 1920, Mr. Hebner was mar
ried to Miss Irene M. Harper, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. George Harper.
Mr. Hebner is a member of the Detroit Athletic
Club, of the Detroit Board of Commerce, of the Detroit
Rotary Club, of the Society of Automotive Engineers,
of Ashlar Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M., Detroit, Michigan
Sovereign Consistory and Moslem Temple of the Mys
tic Shrine, and he is a life member of the University
of Miehigan Union.
Thoroughly progressive in all that he undertakes, he
is recognized as a dynamic force in connection with
the business interests of the eity which has gained the
name of "Dynamic Detroit."
JOHN B. WHITLEY is a leading figure in real
estate circles in Detroit and is one of the extensive
operators in subdivision property, not only in Miehi-

280

CITY OF DETROIT

gan but in the Canadian border cities. In the past
four years he has sold some of the largest tracts of
suburban property that have been placed on the
market and many big deals in real estate have been
engineered and promoted through his enterprise. Mr.
Whitley is a native of Halifax, England, born on the
9th of June, 1880. His parents, George and Fannie
(Brearley) Whitley, are also natives of England and
still reside at Halifax, where for many years the
father engaged in the confectioner 's trade. Their fam
ily numbered five sons: John B., of this review; James
C. and Frank S., who are residents of Halifax, Eng
land; George H., of Detroit; and Harry, who has
passed away.
In early life John B. Whitley attended private
schools and boarding schools of his native eity and
after completing his education he became connected
with the shoe trade in Bradford, and afterward en
gaged in the business in Bradford on his own account.
Later he became the representative of and had the
agency for the Hamilton-Brown Shoe Company of St.
Louis, Missouri, handling all of the shoes for that
firm in Great Britain. He continued in the business
for twelve years and was also engaged in the rubber
manufacturing business on his own account for a
period of four years. Through the careful conduct
of his business affairs he accumulated a substantial
fortune and later operated a large roller skating rink
in Paris, France, but eventually lost his earnings and
in order to retrieve his fortunes left Europe on the
2d of July, 1914, and came to Niagara Falls, Canada,
where he became a specialty salesman. After a year
thus passed he came to Detroit in July, 1915, and
secured a position as salesman with The H. A. Jones
Company, real estate dealers. Five days after he
entered their employ he was called into the office and
made district superintendent of sales. Later he be
came sales manager for Dow-Gilbert Company, a well
known real estate firm, with which he remained for
only a few months, when he decided to engage in the
real estate business on his own account. Since that
time he has purchased, platted and subdivided twenty
or more properties. One of these was called the Harry
Lauder subdivision in honor of the famous Scotch
comedian and singer. Mr. Lauder became an American
landowner through the purchase of a number of the
lots of that subdivision and the matter was given
much attention by the press. The subdivisions which
Mr. Whitley has handled are adjacent to Detroit,
Dearborn and Windsor and since June, 1919, Mr.
Whitley has disposed of over two million dollars worth
of property. He is now developing other large subdi
visions in Dearborn, Marysville and Windsor, which
are rapidly being sold out. He employs a large force
of experienced realty salesmen and within a mar-
velously short time he has reached a position among
the most prominent real estate dealers of Michigan
and the border cities of Canada.
On the 25th of August, 1903, Mr. Whitley was mar

ried to Miss Florence Seed of Halifax, England, daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Seed. They have become
parents of two children: Alec, who was born in Brad
ford, England, in 1906 and is now attending the
Northwestern high sehool of Detroit; and Bernard
who was born in Bradford, England, in 1910 and is
also a pupil in the Detroit schools.
Fraternally Mr. Whitley is connected with the Ma
sons and is a loyal exemplar of the craft. He is an
active member of West Grand Boulevard Methodist
Episcopal church, serving on the finance committee
when the present edifice was erected. He is also a mem
ber of the choir. His is a notable career of progress.
While not all days have been equally bright and at
one time serious disaster came to him, he has never
theless triumphed over defeat and by persistent effort
intelligently directed has reached a commanding place
in real estate circles. His study of conditions, his
ready adaptability, his initiative and determination
have combined to make him an outstanding figure in
real estate circles and his activities have ever been
of a character that have contributed to the welfare
and improvement of the eity in which he has. operated.
ALLEN L. McCORMICK. To identify a man ac
tively with any of the great automobile interests of
Detroit is to establish at once his prominence in the
business circles of the eity, and in this connection
Allen L. McCormiek is well known, being the sec
retary, treasurer and general manager of the Paige
Sales and Service Company. Philadelphia claims him
as a native son, born June 30, 1883, his parents being
Thomas Allen and Katherine (Murray) McCormiek,
both of whom were born on this side of the Atlantic.
The removal of the family to New England made it
possible for A. L. McCormiek to continue his educa
tion in the Boston Latin school and he also attended
private schools in that city.
Throughout his business career Mr. McCormiek has
been connected with the automobile industry in one
phase or another. After two years spent in Detroit
he went to Baltimore, Maryland, and was the first
automobile salesman of that city. He afterward
became branch manager for a Baltimore company,
which he thus represented for two years, and later he
was sales agent for the National Cash Register Com
pany for two years. He then established business
on his own account in Louisville, Kentucky, handling
the Hudson car. Eventually, however, he sold out
there and became connected with the Hudson Company
as district manager. After two years he organized
the Southern Motors Company at Louisville, Ken
tucky, and was its vice president and general man
ager for three years. He then sold out and joined the
Paige Company in 1914 and through the intervening
period has been identfied therewith, being now sec
retary, treasurer and general manager of the Paige
Sales and Service Company."
Mr. McCormiek was married to Miss Elsa Scholtz

ALLEN L. MeCORMICK

CITY OF DETROIT

283

and they have become parents of two children: Her-
mine; and Allen L., Jr., born in Detroit September 10,
1917. Mr. McCormiek belongs to the Board of Com
merce of Detroit and is well known in the club cir
cles of the city, having membership in the Detroit
Athletic Club, the Detroit Auto Club, the Oakland
Hills Country Club, the Detroit Symphony Society,
the Kiwanis Club and "also in Corinthian Lodge, A.
F. & A. M. He is a worthy follower of the teachings
and purposes of the craft and is recognized as an
unusually able business man, progressive, alert to
every opportunity that- arises in connection with the
trade and ready to meet any situation or emergency
with the consciousness that comes from a right con
ception of things and an habitual regard for what
is best in the exercise of human activities.
HENRY L. DRESSER. Prominent among the sub
stantial stock brokers of Detroit is the firm of Gard
ner & Dresser, of which Henry L. Dresser is a member.
He is seldom in error in matters of judgment when
passing upon the value of any business opportunity
and his keen insight into business situations has
been an important factor in the attainment of his
present success. He is a native of this eity, born No
vember 26, 1883, his parents being Julius A. and
Florence E. (Lane) Dresser. In their family were
two children: Margaret E., now the wife of R. B.
Leete, Jr.; and Henry L., of this review.
Mr. Dresser pursued his education in the public
and high schools of Detroit and in 1903 entered the
University of Michigan, from which he was graduated
in 1907 with the degree of B. S. in C. E. His first
work was in connection with the construction of the
Detroit river tunnel for the Miehigan Central Railroad,
the project being under the supervision of the Detroit
River Tunnel Company. For three and a half years
he was thus engaged and then entered the employ of
the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad as an
engineer, assisting in the construction of doeks at
Toledo, Ohio. He remained with that corporation foT
a year and in 1911 returned to Detroit, becoming iden
tified with the H. W. Noble Company, one of the
oldest firms of stock brokers in the city. He at first
worked in the capacity of salesman and later was
promoted to the position of office manager, continuing
with the firm until 1917, during which period he ac
quired a comprehensive knowledge of the business. He
then became district manager for the Michigan Em
ployers Casualty Company, with whom he was asso
ciated until the latter part of 1917, when he enlisted
for service in the World war, being assigned to the
Officers' Training Camp at Fort Sheridan, Illinois.
He was commissioned second lieutenant and was at
tached to the forces at Camp Taylor, where he re
mained for eight months. He was then assigned to
the Ninety-fifth Division, and from there assigned to
a casual detachment for overseas duty, but on arriv
ing in New York eity was assigned to the regular

army, being stationed at Governors Island. He was
honorably discharged as a first lieutenant on the 28tli
of February, 1919, and at once returned to Detroit,
where he resumed his business activities. In April,
1919, the firm of Gardner & Dresser was formed and
this association has been successfully continued. They
handle all listed stocks and are members of the De
troit Stock Exchange. Although one of the more re
cently established enterprises of this character in the
city, the firm has already established a good clientele,
owing to its progressive methods and its strict in
tegrity in all business transactions. Mr. Dresser is a
keen and intelligent business man with a rapid grasp
of details and a thorough knowledge of the line of
activity in which he is engaged and in the conduct
of his affairs he is meeting with well deserved success.
On the 29th of April, 1920, Mr. Dresser was united
in marriage to Miss Corinne Willard and they are
popular in social circles of the eity. He is an earnest
and aetive member of the Board of Commerce and an
associate member of the Detroit Real Estate Board,
being deeply interested in all that pertains to the
welfare and development of his city. He is also
identified with the Veterans of the World War and
Lamed Post of the American Legion and is likewise
a member of the Ingleside Club. Fraternally he is
connected with the Masons, belonging to Palestine
Lodge, F. & A. M., and in his life he exemplifies the
beneficent teachings of the order. With industry and
determination as dominant qualities he has made
steady progress in the business world and his many
sterling traits of character have won for him an en
viable position in the regard of his fellow townsmen.
CARL N. BERGNER is the vice president of the
John W. Ladd Company, dealers in machinery and
supplies for creameries, cheese factories, ice cream
plants, milk plants and dairies. The story of his
life is one of continuous progress, characterized by
consecutive steps toward the goal of his ambition —
the goal of success. Mr. Bergner is of European
birth, his natal day being October 4, 1855. His parents,
C. N. and Anna Bergner were also born across the
water and spent their lives in their native land. The
father was a cooper by trade and was following that
pursuit when barrels and casks were made by hand,
and when a knowledge of the trade was acquired by
several years of most thorough training, constituting
a hard and tedious apprenticeship. Both he and his
wife have passed away, and of their three children
two survive: Carl N. of this review, and a younger
brother, M. Bergner, who is living in Saginaw, Mich
igan. Carl N. Bergner received his early training and
education in his native country and when his studies
were completed he was apprenticed to the metal trade,
serving a four years term of indenture. He then be
came a journeyman and was required to travel about
from place to place, working at his trade and always

284

CITY OF DETROIT

had to show his papers of apprenticeship, stating that
he had completed the full time of training, and also
papers from his last employer. When this period as
a journeyman was completed lie determined to evade
military duty in his native country and come to
America. Twice he made the attempt but on both
occasions was intercepted, and for three years he was
forced to serve in the German army. As soon as he
was discharged, however, he crossed the Atlantic to
the new world, and in 1880 he took up his abode in
Saginaw, Michigan, and from 1880 to 1887 he was
employed by two firms, Bruno Martin and John Elbert,
both in tin and sheet iron work. In 1887 he secured
a position with the Allington Curtis Manufacturing
Company. He . remained with that organization for
twenty years. He became an employe in the John W.
Ladd Company in 1907, entering the service of that
corporation at Saginaw, where the company then had
its plant. He was connected with the firm there until
the new plant was built in Detroit and was ready for
occupancy in 1915. The factory, salesrooms, shipping
rooms and offices were then removed to the eity and
since that time Mr. Bergner has had charge of the
manufacture of the various lines of the company's
output, including machinery and supplies for cream
eries, cheese factories, ice cream plants, milk plants
and dairies. He is the vice president of the company,
having in 1912 acquired an interest in the business,
and was elected a member of the board of directors,
serving to the present time. His previous experience
in the business world had developed his powers to
an extent that' well qualified him to take up official
duty. He knows every phase of the business and
is bending his energies and mechanical skill in the
building up of a trade that is large and satisfactory.
Indeed the business has grown steadily and the John
W. Ladd Company now controls one of the important
productive industries of Detroit, having at Lafayette
boulevard and Vermont avenue a large four-story of
fiee building.
On' the 10th of September, 1887, in Saginaw, Michi
gan, Mr. Bergner was married to Miss Frederica
Kaupp, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kaupp, and
she, too, was born in Germany and came alone to
the new world, her parents remaining residents of
that land. Mr. and Mrs. Bergner linve two children:
C. F., who, was born in Saginaw in 1889, and was
educated in the public and high schools of East Sag
inaw, . is now a Ford agent with headquarters at
Connorsville, Indiana. He is married and makes his
home in that city; the daughter, Irma, is Mrs. Wil
liam McCallum. She was born in Saginaw in 1892,
also attended high school there, and is now a resi
dent of Lansing, Michigan. By her marriage she has
become the mother of one son, Jack McCallum.
Religiously Mr. Bergner is of the Protestant faith.
Politically he maintains an independent course, voting
for men and measures rather than party but stands
for all those interests and activities which tend to

promote the progress and upbuilding of city and state.
He felt that he made a most wise step when he
left Europe and came to the new world, with its
broader opportunities and advancement more quickly
secured. Here, through effective labor, intelligently
directed, he has worked his way steadily upward, and
advancing step by step has gained a broad vision of
the business world and has made his efforts an effec
tive force in the attainment of well deserved suecess.
THOMAS GLYNN. If it be true that "opportunity
knocks but once, ' ' Thomas Glynn made ready response
to the call, for through an active business career he
has made steady progress, advancing step by step until
at the present time he is conducting a large and
profitable business as a dealer, in the Broadway Market.
He was born in Ireland, May 6, 1863, and was brought
to America in 1873, when a lad of but ten years. Since
October of that year he has been a resident of De
troit and completed his education in the schools of
this city. He has been identified with the meat
trade since 1876, in which year he entered the employ
of Ham & Standish, with whom he remained until
1880. In the latter year he became associated with
his brother in the meat business and in 1894 they
organized the firm of Glynn Brothers, which main
tained an existence until 1900, when Thomas Glynn
withdrew to establish business on his own account.
He was then alone until 1913, when he organized
the Glynn Company, admitting his sons to a part
nership. He remained president of the company until
it was dissolved on January 1, 1921, to be succeeded
by Thomas Glynn & Sons, a copartnership that con
tinues the business. Thomas Glynn & Sons, in addition
to their extensive interests in the Broadway Market,
are among the original shop owners in the new Cad
illac Square Market, where they operate shops Nos.
6 and 7. Mr. Glynn is the vice president of the
Broadway Market Company and is also vice presi
dent of the Royal Park Land Company and a director
of the General Discount Company. He was one of
the organizers of the Continental Bank, which was
opened for business in January, 1921, and has been
one of its directors since its organization. His busi
ness interests are thus extensive and important and
by reason of his close application, thoroughness and
enterprise he has attained a measure of success that
is most gratifying.
In 1890 Mr. Glynn was married to Miss Nellie G,
Kent of Detroit, and their children are: Thomas K.,
John A., Robert F., Helen F. and Albert F., all bom
in Detroit. All of the sons are now connected with
the firm of Thomas Glynn & Sons. Three of the
number, Thomas K., John A. and Robert F., enlisted
for service in the World war. The first named en
tered the officers' training camp at Camp Custer in
October, 1917, and was transferred to Camp Lee and
commissioned lieutenant. He was afterwards sent
to Camp Dix and thence left for Europe and active

THOMAS GLYNN

CITY OF DETROIT

287

service in France. He served until July, 1919, when
he was returned to the United States and was hon
orably discharged at Camp Custer after a service of
nearly two years. John A. Glynn went to Washington
and was made a sergeant in the commissary depart
ment. He was in Camps Johnson and Mills and sailed
from Newport News for France in July, 1918. There
he remained in aetive service until September, 1919,
when he returned and received his discharge. The
younger brother, Robert F., was a member of the navy.
Mr. Glynn is a republican in his political views
and takes a keen interest in affairs both local and'
national. He is a member of the Aviation Country
Club, while he and his family are communicants of
the Holy Rosary Catholic church. Mr. Glynn is
regarded as a big, broad-minded man, successful in
his business affairs and actuated in his public relations
by a marked devotion to all that pertains to the
welfare and progress of his adopted city. He is fond
of travel and thoroughly believes in seeing America
first, has visited almost every state in the Union and
in the course of his travels also made a trip to the
Hawaiian Islands. Since 1917 he has resided at No.
1247 Longfellow avenue.
LIEUTENANT ARLO ALDEN EMERY, member of
the Detroit bar since 1913, save for the period of his
service overseas in the World war, was bom at Grel-
ton, Ohio, August 6, 1889, and is a son of Eltheon
and Belle (Clark) Emery. The father was "a farmer
and contractor, who in following those occupations
provided for his family.
At the usual age Arlo A. Emery became a public
school pupil and afterward attended the Chattanooga
(Tenn.) College. A review of the broad field of busi
ness with its varied industrial, agricultural, commercial
and professional branches determined him to take up
the study of law in preparation for his life work and
accordingly he entered the Detroit College of Law,
from which he was graduated in 1913. He then opened
an office in this city, where he has remained in suc
cessful practice. His ability is evidenced in the man
ner in which he handles his cases. He is always ready
to meet the attack of opposing counsel, while the
points in his own case are presented with strength
and forcefulness, so that he seldom fails to win the
verdict desired. He belongs to the Detroit Bar Asso
ciation and also to the Lawyers Club.
Mr- Emery likewise has membership with the United
States Veterans of Foreign Wars. On the 5th of
September, 1917, he entered the United States army
as a private for service in the war with Germany and
was discharged on the 18th of June, 1919, after almost
two years' connection with the military forces of the
country. Within that time he had risen to the rank
of first lieutenant and he saw eight months' service
in France. He was commanding officer of Evacuation
Hospital, No. 8. He had previously served in the
Michigan State Troops, which he joined as a private
and in which he had advanced to a captaincy.

Lieutenant Emery was married to Miss Clara Elsa
Minckler of Detroit, on the 24th of December, 1914,
and they occupy an enviable position in the social
circles in which they move. Mr. Emery gives his
political allegiance to the republican party and in
1917 served as village attorney of Dearborn, Michi
gan. He was also deputy county clerk of Wayne
county from October, 1914, until August, 1916. His
attention is now concentrated upon his professional
duties, which are of growing importance, and already
he has made a creditable place as a representative of
the Detroit bar.
JAMES CYRUS SANDERS, president of the Sand-
ers-Burridge Company, stationers and office outfitters,
was born in Listowel, in the province of Ontario,
Canada, March 27, 1882, his parents being James C.
and Matilda (Barber) Sanders. The father was a
farmer by occupation and became a pioneer of On
tario, Canada, where he passed away when his son,
James C, was but three years of age. The mother is
also deceased. Another child is Hazel, now Mrs.
Jules Lindemann of Detroit.
Mr. Sanders of this review acquired a primary edu
cation in the country schools of his native province,
but his training abruptly ceased when he was eleven
years of age, owing to the necessity of providing
for his own support. He entered upon an apprentice
ship in the office of the Listowel Banner, working as
"printer's devil" and there learning the elemental
things concerning the printing trade. After three
years spent in that office he removed to Yarmouth,
Nova Scotia, where he learned to operate a typeset
ting machine and in that line of work was employed
for eight years. His next removal took him to Ed
monton, Alberta, before the railroads had reached that
place, and there he installed the first typesetting ma
chine in Canada west of Winnipeg. After fourteen
months there passed ill health forced him to return
to the east and such was his physical condition that
he was obliged to seek outdoor employment.
The year 1901 accordingly witnessed the arrival of
Mr. Sanders in Detroit. He became connected with
the Rex B. Clark Company, stationers, in charge of
their printing department, and subsequently he went
to Chicago, but in 1907, during the panic, he returned
to Detroit and entered the employ of Gregory, Mayer
& Thorn, with whom he continued for three years.
He next beeame superintendent of the Ockford Print
ing Company, with which he remained for three and
a half years and then embarked in business on his
own account, organizing the printing house of Top
ping & Sanders Company, which succeeded the liqui
dated business conducted by Joseph Topping. Mr.
Sanders is now the president and general manager of
this large printing concern, which specializes in big
contracts, a notable feature of their work being that
done for some of the largest corporations in Detroit.
The Sanders-Burridge Company, stationers and office

288

CITY OF DETROIT

outfitters, was organized in Detroit on the 1st of
August, 1917, and in 1919 a Flint (Mich.) concern of
similar nature was consolidated with the Detroit store.
Mr. Sanders is also president of this company and like
wise holds the copyright on the Sauers maps of De
troit city, which are printed and distributed through
his services. Thus along two lines he has built up
important business enterprises which stand as monu
ments to his industry, close application and sound
judgment. On the 6th of July, 1906, Mr. Sanders was married
to Miss Lottie Elliott of Inwood, Ontario, who passed
away in 1915. On the 31st of December, 1918, ho
wedded Amalie J. Hausherr and they have one daugh
ter, Amy Loretta. His religious faith is that of the
Episcopal church and in his political views Mr. Sand
ers is a republican. He belongs to the Masonic fra
ternity, in which he has attained high rank, being
now a member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs also
to the Detroit Athletic Club. His time and efforts,
however have largely been concentrated upon his
business and from the outset of his career each step
that he has made has been a forward one, bringing
him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. He
early recognized the fact that diligence and loyalty
would win him advancement and these attributes have
characterized his entire career, not only in his rela
tions with his employers but also in his connection
with his patrons since he has established business on
his own account.
LOUIS HENRY KEAN, who was a well known and
prominent figure in real estate circles in this city,
passed away on the 27th of April, 1921, at the age
of sixty years. He was born at Marine City, Michi
gan, October 13, 1860, and waS one of three children
whose parents were Michael B. and Nancy (Cottrell)
Kean. Two of the family are still living, Annie and
Edward Kean, who are residents of Walkerville, On
tario. Michael B. Kean was at one time the owner
of many lake vessels and removed from Marine City
to Detroit.
Louis H. Kean was a small boy when the family
located in this city. He passed through consecutive
grades of the public sehools to his graduation from
high school and he afterward took a course in a busi
ness college. In early manhood he turned his atten
tion to the grain trade, becoming a member of the
firm of Champion & Kean of Detroit, in which busi
ness he continued with success for a period of several
years. He afterward entered the real estate business,
operating in property at the east end of Detroit, where
he developed important interests and negotiated many
large real estate transfers. He continued to operate
very successfully as a real estate dealer until the
time of his death and was regarded as one of the
representative business men of the city.
On the 3d of October, 1893, Mr. Kean was married
to Miss Minnie Parent of Grosse He, a daughter of

Charles F. Parent. They had a family of nine chil
dren, namely: Phyllis Marie, who is the wife of
Harold Sanford Baker; Nancy Ann, who is the wife
of Robert Erwin Chesbrough, and they have one son
Robert Erwin, Jr.; Florence Louise, who is the wife of
Richman Phipps, and they have a daughter, Nancy
Kean; Russell Edward; Marion Blanche, who died in
infancy; Louis Henry, Jr.; Henry Cottrell; Marvin
Bennett; and Betty Marion.
Mr. Kean was a communicant of the Church of the
Annunciation, having always been a faithful Catholic.
His family, also, profess the Catholic faith. His
political allegiance was given to the republican
party and he belonged to the Detroit Athletic Club,
which he joined in its formation, being ever an inter
ested and helpful representative thereof. He had many
friends — those who knew him from boyhood — and his
stanchest friends were those whose acquaintance with
him was of longest duration, a fact indicative of a
well spent life. Mr. Kean was a quiet home-loving
man, and found his greatest enjoyment in the company
of his family. He left to his family not only a sub
stantial estate, but also the priceless heritage of a
name unsullied. Mr. Kean's family reside at 8925
Jefferson avenue, East, which place has been the fam
ily home for twenty-seven years.
ROY L. WIMBLE, president of the Central & Gulf
Company, and active in real estate circles in Detroit,
was born in Howell, Michigan, December 13, 1881.
His parents, Charles W. and Louise Jane (Lee) Wim
ble, were born, reared, educated and married in Mich
igan, their respective parents having become pioneers
of this state. The father was a building contractor
in early life, but afterwards engaged in merchandising
at Highland Park, Michigan, where he passed away in
December, 1918. His wife died at Howell in April,
1899. In their family were three children: Mrs. Addie
May Little, residing at Howell, Michigan; Clifford,
who makes his home at Highland Park, this state; and
Roy L., of Detroit.
The last named attended the public schools of
Howell, passing through consecutive grades to his
graduation from high school, and later he became in
terested in contracting and building and in real
estate dealing at Flint, Michigan. He carried on
business on his own account and operated successfully
along those lines until 1910, when he came to .De
troit. Here he likewise established himself in the
real estate business, handling subdivision property and
afterwards conducted his interests under the style
of the Scott, Wimble Real Estate Company. For three
years he was active in that connection and in April,
1919, became president and treasurer of the Central
& Gulf Company, which was organized on the 1st of
August, 1918. Through the intervening period he
has engaged in the sale of Mobile county and other
southern lands and oil properties along the Gulf oi
Mexico, handling central and gulf lands which are de-

LOUIS H. KEAN

CITY OF DETROIT

291

veloped for oil and also agricultural lands. Mr. Wimble
is now one of the directors of the Mobile Oil Devel
opment Company.
On the 10th of September, 1902, Mr. Wimble was
united in marriage to Miss DoUie B. Tuttle of Howell,
Michigan, a daughter of William H. and Sarah E.
Tuttle, and they now have one child: William May-
nard, who was born in Flint, Michigan, in August,
1904, and is attending the Highland Park high sehool.
Mr. Wimble belongs to the Rotary Club of Highland
Park, to the Fellowcraft Athletic Club of Detroit and
in Masonry is well known, being a member of Uni
versity Lodge, F. & A. M., Highland Park Com
mandery, K. T., of Miehigan Sovereign Consistory,
A. A. S. R. and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
He is interested in all those forces which make for
uplift and benefit among his fellows and for ad
vancement and progress in municipal affairs.
HORACE H. DICKINSON, JR., was born in the
city of Detroit, and acquired his early education in
the Central high sehool, while later he attended the
Detroit' Commercial Law School. He is a representa
tive of one of the oldest families of the city. The
first of the name to locate in. Detroit was Moses Field
Dickinson, who arrived here in the '30s. The parents
of Horace H. Dickinson were Horace H. and Luey
S. L. (Dickinson) Dickinson. The father passeed away
May 22, 1920, and the history of his life is given
on another page of this work. It is a matter of in
terest that many of the births of the Dickinsons oc
curred on national anniversary days. Horace H. Dick
inson, Jr., was born on Washington's birthday, the
22d of February, 1887. His eldest brother was born
on St. Valentine's day, his mother on St. Patrick's
day, and a sister on Lincoln's birthday, February
12th. After he had completed his education Horace H.
Diekinson, Jr., became a salesman for Edson, Moore
& Company, and was with them for five years. He
then joined the Royal Garment Company as a sales
man, and continued with that house for three years,
after which he became associated with his father and
brothers in the organization and conduct of the H.
H. Dickinson Company. He has been treasurer of
this corporation since 1913. The business has steadily
grown and developed, the firm handling all kinds of
building material, and their patronage is today one of
very extensive proportions.
Horace H. Dickinson was united in marriage to
Miss Alice Lucile Harrigan of Fulton, New York,
and they are well known in the city where the Diek
inson family has figured prominently for almost a
century. Mr. Dickinson is a thirty-second degree
Mason, belonging to Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M.;
Michigan Sovereign Consistory; Moslem Temple of
the Mystic Shrine; also Detroit Lodge, No. 34, B. P.
0. E., and the Detroit Yaeht Club. He is also a
member of the Masonic Country Club, and is an Epis

copalian in religious faith, with membership in Trin
ity church. He gives his political allegiance to the
republican party, and he retains a very warm interest
in the Central high sehool, having been the treasurer
of its alumni association for seven years. Those things
which make for the pleasure and the progress of life
are of interest to him, and progress with him means
not only the advancement of his individual business
affairs but also the development and upbuilding of
all those forces which make for the betterment of
the city and the advancement of its civic standards.
ARTHUR SCHUELER, member of the Detroit bar,
who entered upon practice in this city in 1911, was
here born October 17, 1889, his parents being Solomon
and Matilda (Phillips) Schueler. The father was born
in Germany in 1855 and following his marriage brought
his bride to the United States. He established his
home in Detroit, where he engaged in business for a
number of years but is now living retired. His wife
died in this eity in 1905.
At the usual age Arthur Schueler became a pupil in
the publie schools and passed through consecutive
grades to his graduation from the high sehool with
the class of 1908. Determining upon the practice
of law as a life work, he entered the University of
Michigan as a law student and completed his course
there in 1911, at which time the LL. B. degree was
conferred upon him. The same year he was ad
mitted to practice before the Miehigan bar and has
since become a well known attorney of Detroit, where"
he has given his attention to general law practice,
most carefully and assiduously preparing his cases
and presenting his cause before the court with a
clearness and force that seldom fail to win the ver
dict desired. He is also the secretary of the Cadillac
Development Company of Detroit, is the vice president
of the Arbor Realty Company of Detroit and secre
tary and treasurer of the Hercal Heater Company, all
three being important corporate interests of this eity.
On the 12th of October, 1915, in Detroit, Mr. Schue
ler was married to Miss Helen F. Smith, a daughter of
Captain William H. Smith, who was a lake captain.
They have one child: Arthur Milton Schueler, born
in Detroit August 27, 1916.
During the period of the war Mr. Schueler was
an alternate director of the legal advisory board. His
political allegianee is given to the republican party
and he is well known in club and other social organi
zations, having membership with the Detroit Bar As
sociation, the Lawyers Club, the University of Mich
igan Club, the Redford Country Club, and the Mich
igan Union, of which he is a life member.
ROLAND H. MANN is closely associated with one
of the great productive industries of Detroit, that of
the American Radiator Company, which furnishes em
ployment to several hundred workmen. The story of
his business career is the story of earnest endeavor

292

CITY OF DETROIT

crowned with success, for he started out in life with
no special advantages and has depended solely upon
his efforts and industry in winning advancement. He
is a native son of Detroit, born February 22, 1880, his
parents being Ernest E. and Amelia (Backus) Mann.
At the usual age he entered the public schools and
has had no other educational opportunities save that
in the school of experience he has learned many val
uable lessons. When his school days were over he
entered the American Radiator Company's factory
and learned the trade from the ground up, acquainting
himself with every phase of the business in the manu
facture of radiators and also in the work of the boiler
and heater factory as well. His increasing powers
brought him to the position of manager of the firm's
Michigan plant in 1909 and he has so continued
throughout the intervening period of eleven years.
The American Radiator Company, with which concern
he learned the business, has two plants covering about
seventeen acres and employs about eleven hundred
workmen. His position as manager, therefore, is one
of large responsibility, but he is thoroughly qualified
to perform the duties devolving upon him, as broad
experience in every phase of the business enables him
to speak with authority and carefully to direct the
efforts of those working under his supervision.
In 1902 Mr. Mann was married to Miss Katherine
F. Macdonald of Detroit, daughter of Peter Macdonald,
and they have become parents of three children:
Donald C, Ernest E. and Katherine. Mr. Mann be
longs to Palestine Lodge, No. 357, A. F. & A. M., and
also to the Oakland Hills Country Club, the Detroit
Athletic Club and the Board of Commerce. He is one
of the supporters of the republican party and is also
one of the live business men of the city, his activities
making him a dynamic force in the industrial develop
ment of Detroit.
LOUIS G. PALMER. Real estate interests of De
troit find a prominent and enterprising representative
in Louis G. Palmer, who, as owner of the Louis G.
Palmer Company is conducting a business of exten
sive and profitable proportions, specializing in the de
velopment of subdivisions. He does not fear to ven
ture where favoring opportunity points the way and
his energy and determination have carried him for
ward to a substantial point on the highroad to success.
A native of Michigan, he was born in Canton town
ship, Wayne county, October 13, 1885, his parents
being J. G. and Katherine (Morey) Palmer, both of
whom were born near Wayne, Miehigan, each of the
families coming from the New England states. Mr.
Palmer's grandfather, Aaron B. Palmer, was a native
of England, whence he emigrated to the United States,
taking up his residence in the state of Vermont.
Reared on a farm, Louis G. Palmer attended the
public schools, also pursuing his studies in night
schools, and when thirteen years of age left home,
taking up the trade of a barber, which he followed

during the day, while in the evenings he attended
school, for he was determined to obtain a good edu
cation. He also took a preparatory course in medicine
and subsequently went to Hibbing, St. Louis county,
Minnesota, where he engaged in mining. He also
became interested in other lines of activity, conduct
ing a hotel at Hibbing, and while following mining
pursuits was associated with the Oliver Mining Com
pany, owners of the largest open iron ore pit in the
world. Subsequently he became connected with real
estate activities in association with the firm of Reed
& Bower, which was engaged in moving the townsite
of Eveleth, Minnesota, and rebuilding the same. He
also participated in the rebuilding of Virginia, Min
nesota, a city of twelve thousand, situated between
Eveleth and Hibbing, which was destroyed by forest
fires. Virginia is considered one of the most modern
constructed cities in the state of Minnesota. He thus
also obtained valuable experience in the real estate
business and later became joint proprietor of the
Neeley House at Chisholm, Minnesota, which he con
ducted for six months, at the end of which period the
entire town was destroyed by fire, resulting in giving
renewed impetus to real estate activities in this sec
tion. Mr. Palmer's hotel at Hibbing was also burned
down the same year, thus causing his financial ruin,
and returning to Detroit he resumed work at the bar
ber's trade in order once more to gain a start.
In 1908 he reentered the real estate field, becoming
associated with Will St. John & Company, in the sale
and management of Indian Village property, a rela
tionship that was continued for three years. He then
embarked in the general real estate business inde
pendently, organizing the Louis G. Palmer Company,
of which he has since been the head, subdividing the
several classes of property and establishing depart
ments for the handling of each class, under the super
vision of a competent department manager. He has
secured a large patronage in all of his business and
has a thorough knowledge of realty and other invest
ments. He is a keen, inteUigent business man with a
rapid grasp of details and a shrewd discrimination in
investment, and has negotiated many important realty
transfers. In March, 1916, Mr. Palmer was united in marriage
to Miss Marian Brooks, a daughter of Joseph and
Mabel Brooks of Detroit, and her demise occurred on
the 28th of July, 1919.
Mr. Palmer is a member of the Detroit, Michigan
and National Associations of Real Estate Boards and
fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belong
ing to City of the Straits Lodge, F. & A. M. He
is an active and earnest member of the Chamber of
Commerce and his social nature finds expression in his
membership in the Grosse lie Country Club, of which
he is a director and was one of the founders, the
Birmingham Club and the Detroit Athletic Club. He
is alert and energetic in the conduct of his business
interests and his thorough reliability, as well as his

LOUIS G. PALMER

CITY OF DETROIT

295

industry, constitutes an important factor in his grow
ing success. He is regarded as an expert valuator and
through his operations in the real estate field, has sub
stantially contributed to the improvement and. devel
opment of his city. He has ever been keenly interested
in all that pertains to public progress and prosperity
and he is accounted one of Detroit's most valued
citizens. JOHN A. MILOTTE, a prominent representative of
the Detroit bar, who is a member of the firm of
Butzel & Butzel, leading attorneys of this city, was
born in Dresden, in the province of Ontario, Canada,
January 22, 1882, a son of Joseph and Alice (Whitson)
Milotte, who became the parents of five children, three
sons and two daughters. When Mr. Milotte was three
years of age the family crossed the border into the
United States, taking up their residence in Oakland
county, Michigan, and he attended the public and high
schools of Highland and South Lyon. In 1902 he en
tered the law department of the University of Miehi
gan, from which he was graduated in 1905 with the
LL. B. degree. He immediately entered upon the work
of the profession and in 1906 formed his present asso
ciation with the well known law firm of Butzel &
Butzel, whose offices are in the Union Trust building.
He is a capable attorney, well informed in all branches
of the law, and is specializing in the examination of
- abstracts and real estate law, being regarded as an
expert in that branch of the profession.
In 1912 Mr. Milotte was united in marriage to Miss
Marvel Wylie and they have become the parents of a
daughter, Ellen, whose birth occurred in 1915, and a
son, John A., Jr., who was bom in 1918. In his po
litical views Mr. Milotte is a republican, stanehly
supporting the principles and candidates of the party.
Through his membership in the Detroit Bar Association
he derives much pleasure and benefit from his associa
tion with his fellow practitioners, while fraternally
he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Corin
thian Lodge, No. 241, F. & A. M., and he is also a
member of the Masonic and St. Clair River Country
Clubs. He holds to high standards in professional
service, has great respect for the dignity of his calling
and zealously devotes his energies to his legal work.
His mind is analytical and logical in its trend and in
a profession demanding keen intellectuality and in
dividual merit he is making continuous progress, be
ing numbered with the leading attorneys of Detroit.
GEORGE VALENTINE POTTLE, Detroit architect,
was born in Dayton, Ohio, March 23, 1875, his par
ents being David E. and Sarah Louise (McLaughlin)
Pottle, both of whom have passed away. While spend
ing his youthful days in his native city, George Val
entine Pottle pursued his public school education there
and later went to Boston, where he entered the Mas
sachusetts Institute of Technology. Attracted toward
the architect's profession, he entered upon his active
career in this connection in a Dayton office in 1893.

Subsequently he was employed as draftsman in offices
in Massachusetts and Virginia and in 1901 he came
to Detroit, where he occupied a position as draftsman
until 1905. Since that time he has practiced his pro
fession on his own account and has gained a most
creditable position among the leading architects of
the city. He has been a close and thorough student
throughout his professional career and his ability has
brought him prominently to the front. He is now a
member of the American Institute of Architects and
his contemporaries and colleagues in the profession
acknowledge his skill and ability.
On the 1st of April, 1902, Mr. Pottle was mar
ried to Miss Grace M. Lockyer, of Dayton, Ohio, and
they have become the parents of two children: John
L. and Georgiene. Mr. Pottle is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the
Knights Templar degree of the York Bite and the
thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with
the Mystic Shrine he is likewise identified. He be
longs to the Detroit Athletic Club and to the Ingleside
Club. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal
church and in politics he is a republican. He has
never been an aspirant for office, however, preferring
always to concentrate his efforts and energies upon his
professional duties, which have been of growing extent
and importance.
WILLIAM PHELPS McFARLANE. It must be a
matter of gratification to many of the leading busi
ness men of Detroit that they have been important
factors in bringing about the present industrial great
ness and consequent prosperity of the eity. William
P. McFarlane is numbered among the native sons or
Detroit who have contributed largely to her advance
ment and upbuilding. Originally connected with car
riage manufacturing, he kept abreast with the trend
of the times as the motor-driven car was introduced
and perfected and has long been connected with the
industry. He was born March 8, 1865, and is a son
of James K. and Emeline (Edwards) McFarlane. His
father was a native of the city of Glasgow, Scotland,
but came to America when a young boy.
William P. McFarlane was a little lad of but six
summer when his parents removed to Romeo, Miehigan,
- where he acquired his early education in the public
schools. He afterward learned the trade of carriage
trimming and at the age of twenty-five years took
charge of a factory in Port Huron for the Anderson
Carriage Company. He acted as foreman of the car
riage trimming department from 1886 until 1892 and
was then made superintendent of the factory. In 1895
the plant was removed to Detroit. In 1900 he was
elected to official position, being made secretary as
well as superintendent of the company, thus serving
from 1900 until 1911. In the latter year the firm
name was changed to the Anderson Electric Car Com
pany, of which Mr. McFarlane has since been the sec
retary and factory manager. This company has one

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CITY OF DETROIT

of the large industrial plants of the city as builders
of high grade automobile bodies. During the World
war this company built a large number of ambulance
bodies for the government. In 1918 Mr. Anderson
withdrew from the company. Something of the im
mense volume of its business is indicated in the
fact that it employs fifteen hundred men and in 1919-20
the firm doubled the size of its plant. The success of
the business has been largely due to Mr. McFarlane 's
ability as factory manager. He early learned that
the secret of success is the accomplishment of maxi
mum results with minimum expenditure of time, labor
and material. The business has therefore been most
carefully systematized in every particular and the
results achieved have been most gratifying.
In 1890 Mr. McFarlane was united in marriage to
Miss Emaline Smith. He belongs to the Detroit Ath
letic Club, the Detroit Golf Club, the Fellowcraft
Club, the Detroit Auto Club, and also to the Board
of Commerce. Fraternally he is connected with the
Knights of The Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen
of America. The things he has accomplished through
an active career place him with the ablest business
men of Detroit, his splendid powers being the direct
outcome of his early training and the thoroughness
which he has manifested in everything he has under
taken. BERTRAND CURTIS SPITZLEY, president of the
Houseman-Spitzley Corporation of Detroit, is one of
Detroit's best known and successful real estate men.
He was born March 13, 1880, in New York eity, a son
of Jacob Henry and Eliza Ann (Barney) Spitzley and
one of a family of seven boys. The father was a
well known contractor and builder in Detroit and
here met an accidental death on the 9th of June,
1920. The mother survives and is still a resident
of this city.
Bertrand C. Spitzley received his earlier education
in the publie schools, after which he entered the
employ of the Detroit Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Com
pany. Here he received his first practical lesson in
mechanical engineering and coincident with his prac
tical work in that line he studied under private in
structors for several years, perfecting himself in this
profession. While yet in his teens he went to Port
land, Oregon, where he was employed at mechanical
engineering. Subsequently he became acting chief
draughtsman of the bureau of steam engineering at
the Puget Sound navy yard at Bremerton, Washing
ton, and afterward spent four years in engineering
work and installation of the mechanical work on the
United States battleship Nebraska at Seattle, Wash
ington. Returning to Detroit, Mr. Spitzley accepted a posi
tion with the Abbott Motor Company in 1906 and
there rose from assistant purchasing agent to assistant
general manager, leaving the company in 1910 to
enter the real estate field, where he has made one

of the most notable successes in connection with the
real estate business in Detroit.
In 1912 Mr. Spitzley, in connection with Mr. and
Mrs. Houseman, planned for the establishment of the
business which was first known as the Houseman-
Spitzley Company, incorporated in April, 1913, and
was subsequently reorganized, becoming the House
man-Spitzley Corporation, incorporated July 18, 1916.
The original capital stock of the Houseman-Spitzley
Company was sixteen thousand dollars, which was
increased to one million four hundred thousand dollars
at the time of the reorganization into the Houseman-
Spitzley Corporation. The original company first con
ducted a general real estate and building business,
erecting twenty-five homes during the first five months,
and also had a small brokerage department in addition.
The first subdivision opened was out Mack avenue,
seven miles from the Detroit eity hall. Subsequent
operations of the company and its successor have
been no small factor in Detroit's growth and devel
opment. The Houseman-Spitzley Corporation is not
only one of the foremost firms in real estate circles
in Detroit but represents one of the strongest and
most efficient organizations in that line of business,
Mr. Houseman withdrew from the corporation in
1918. The officials now are: B. C. Spitzley, president;
D. L. Robinson and Luman W. Goodenough, vice presi
dents; W. J. Carlyle, treasurer; and William A. Neer,
secretary; while other members of the directorate
are H. W. Noble and George Kirchner. The firm's
offices, probably the best appointed and most com
modious of any realty firm in the city, occupy the
entire second floor of the Madison Theatre building on
Madison avenue, at Broadway.
On the 14th of June, 1902, Mr. Spitzley was married
to Miss Ida May Bullene, a daughter of George W.
and Hannah Ann Bullene. Mrs. Spitzley is a native
of the state of Washington, Seattle being her birth
place, in which city Mr. Spitzley met and married
her. Mr. and Mrs. Spitzley have two children: Richard
Karl, born March 10, 1913; and Hannah Ann, born
July 20, 1917.
Mr. Spitzley is a member of the Real Estate Board
of Detroit, also of the Board of Commerce, and is
well known in club circles, belonging to the Detroit
Athletic, Bloomfield Hills Country, Doe Lake and De
troit Automobile Clubs. He is likewise a blue lodge
Mason. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal
church and in politics he is a republican. His sport
activities are confined to hunting, fishing and golf
and in these he finds recreation from the strenuous
duties of business, for his activities have constantly
increased, making most heavy demand upon his time
and energies. Mr. Spitzley resides at Grosse Pointe
Park. JULIAN H. HARRIS, attorney at law and member
of the firm of Beaumont, Smith & Harris, lawyers,
and of the firm of Harris, Small & Lawson, investment
bankers of Detroit, was born in Chicago, HunoH

B. C. SPITZLEY

CITY OF DETROIT

299

June 22, 1876, and is a son of the Rt. Rev. Samuel
S. and Mary (Pickett) Harris, who were natives
of Alabama and became residents of Chicago in 1875.
The father afterward became the second Episcopal
bishop of Michigan, being assigned to this diocese
in 1879. He was an eminent representative of the
Episcopal clergy and in 1888 died in London, England.
His wife survived him for a number of years, her
death occurring in Detroit in 1900. In their family
were three children: Sallie Harris Gayley, the wife
of Professor Charles M. Gayley, of the University
of California at Berkeley; William P., of Detroit;
and Julian H., of this review.
The last named was but a young lad at the time
of the removal of the family to this city, so that
he was educated in the public schools, passing through
consecutive grades to the high school, from which he
was in due time graduated. He later attended the
University of Miehigan as a student in the literary
and law departments, winning the Baehelor of Arts
degree in 1898. He then took up the profession of
teaching, which he followed in the Detroit high school
for a year and a half. In the meantime he read law
and in 1900 was admitted to the bar, after which he
entered the law offiee of Brennan, Donnelly & Van
De Mark and subsequently was admitted to the firm.
He continued successfully in practice in that con
nection until 1908, when he became a member of
the firm of Beaumont, Smith & Harris, which is today
one of the strong law firms of the eity. His practice
is extensive and of an important character. His mind
is analytical, logical and inductive, and with a
thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the fun
damental principles of law he combines a familiarity
with statutory law and a sober, clear judgment which
make him a formidable adversary in legal combat.
At different periods he has been identified with im
portant business interests of Detroit, becoming a
director of the Detroit Trust Company, president of
the Gear Grinding Machinery Company and vice presi
dent of the Stephens Lumber Company. His present
connection along business lines was entered upon in
July, 1919, when he formed a partnership with Sidney
R. Small for the conduct of an investment and bond
business, and on January 1, 1920, Carroll H. Lawson
was admitted under name of Harris, Small & Lawson.
The firm of Harris, Small & Lawson now handles
municipal and corporation bonds and investments and
is rapidly becoming a reeognized factor in investment
banking in the city.
On the 11th of December, 1915, Mr. Harris was
united in marriage to Miss Jacqueline Stephens of
Detroit, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stephens.
They have one child, Sallie Gail, born in 1917. Their
religious faith is that of the protestant Episcopal
church and Mr. Harris is identified with various social
organizations, having membership with the Detroit
Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Country
Club, the Grosse Pointe Riding & Hunting Club, the

Bloomfield Hills Country Club, the Old Club and the
University Club. He is also a member of the Alpha
Delta Phi, while along strictly professional lines he
is connected with the Detroit Bar Association, the
Michigan Bar Association and the American Bar
Association. During the period of the World war he
was on duty at Washington with the air service of the
United States army and held a commission as colonel.
He belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and his
political allegiance is given to the republican party,
but he is not an active party worker, his time and at
tention being fully claimed by his important busi
ness and professional interests. Endowed by nature
with keen mentality, he has so directed his efforts
as to win prominence among the lawyers and bankers
of his adopted city.
CHARLES J. BURGESS, member of the law firm
of Burgess & McDowell, was born in Oxford county,
Ontario, February 18, 1871. His father, Joseph L.
Burgess, was likewise a native of Oxford county and
his parents were also natives of Canada. After
reaching adult age he became a merchant of his
native county and continued in the business to the
time of his death. He married Harriett Rounds,
who was likewise born in Canada, as were her parents,
and she, too, passed away in Oxford county. They
had a family of nine children, of whom the following
are living: Dr. James E. Burgess of Detroit; Dr. J.
M. Burgess, also practicing in this city; Mrs. H. L.
D. Smith of Detroit; Mrs. S. J. Crosby, residing in
Toronto, Canada; and Charles J.
In early boyhood Charles J. Burgess attended the
schools near his home and after completing the work
of the higher grades in the Collegiate Institute at
Woodstock he became a student in the Chicago Col
lege of Law at Lake Forest University. There he
was graduated with the class of 1896 and in the same
year was admitted to practice at the Illinois bar.
He entered upon his professional career in Chicago,
where he soon gained a good practice, to which he
devoted his attention for about eighteen years or
until 1914, when he decided to remove to Detroit,
believing that this eity offered a still better pro
fessional field. Here he entered into partnership
with Joseph S. McDowell, under the present firm
style of Burgess & McDowell, and the firm today
occupies an enviable position as representatives of
the Detroit bar. In a profession where advancement is
proverbially slow Mr. Burgess has made steady pro
gress, at all times giving proof of his capability to
handle intricate and involved legal problems.
On the 11th of October, 1911, in El Paso, Texas,
Mr. Burgess was united in marriage to Miss Irene
Essinger, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Essinger,
representatives of a prominent family of Santa Fe,
New Mexico. They have one child, David Burgess,
born in Chicago in 1914.
Mr. Burgess is a Master Mason and he gives his

300

CITY OF DETROIT

political allegiance to the republican party. He be
longs also to the Lawyers Club, the Board of Commerce
and to the Vortex Club and along strictly professional
lines is connected with the Detroit Bar Association
and the Hlinois and the Michigan State Bar Associa
tions. During the World war he was one of the
Four-Minute speakers selected to instruct the publie
concerning the vital questions and issues of the day
and the nature of existing conditions. He is known
far and wide as an eloquent and able speaker and is
at all times forceful in his arguments, while his labors
are resultant whether in connection with public affairs
or the practice of his chosen profession.
MARK McFADDEN. A notably successful career
is that of Mark McFadden, a well known business
man of Detroit, who from a small beginning has built
up an enterprise of large proportions, being recognized
as one of the leading coal dealers of the eity. He was
born in County Armagh, Ireland, March 7, 1866, and
acquired his education in the schools of that country.
When a young man of twenty-four years he left his
native land and sought the broader opportunities pre
sented in the United States. Coming to Detroit, he
opened a small coal yard at No. 8642 West Fort street
and with the passing years his business has steadily
grown until his trade has now assumed large pro
portions, his yards now covering an area of nearly
three acres. He has always conducted his business
in the locality which he first selected and is recog
nized as a dominant force in the field in which he
operates, which includes coal, ice, moving and storage.
Mr. McFadden was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah Parker and they have become the parents of a
son, John, born March 20, 1902, in Detroit, who is
associated with his father in business. Mr. McFadden
is a prominent Mason, belonging to Michigan Sover
eign Consistory, in which he has taken the thirty-
second degree, and to Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine, while his public spirit finds expression in
his membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce,
whose well, formulated plans for the extension of the
industrial interests of the eity receive his earnest
support. His career has been marked by steady
advancement, due to his close application, his study
of the business in which he is engaged and his un
questioned integrity and reliability in all commercial
transactions. He enjoys the esteem of many friends
and fully deserves the honor that is accorded the
fortunate individual who has fought and won in the
great battle of life. His residence is at 1422 West
Grand boulevard.
CARL K. RIX, a practicing attorney of Detroit,
was born in Le Roy, Michigan, December 7, 1877, his
parents being Hiram and Bettie Ann (Neal) Rix,
the former a farmer by occupation. The son obtained
his early education in the common schools, the Uni
versity of Michigan and the Detroit College of Law.

He was admitted to the bar in 1912 and has since
engaged in the active work of his profession, in which
connection he has made continuous advancement. He
tries all kinds of cases and tries them well, his success
being the outcome of the thoroughness with which
he prepares his cases and the clearness and force with
which he presents his arguments and the points in
litigation. On the 15th of August, 1914, Mr. Rix was married
to Miss Mabel E. Griffiths of Essex, Canada, and they
have one son, Carl William. Mrs. Rix is also an
attorney, having graduated from the Detroit College
of Law in the class of 1912, at which time she won
valedictorian honors over the eighty members of the
class. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rix are members of the
Detroit Bar Association and fraternally he is con
nected with, the Masons and with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. Endowed by nature with keen
mentality, he keeps in touch with the general interests,
questions and problems of the age and at the same
time is thoroughly informed concerning the principles
of jurisprudence, being a close student of his pro
fession and constantly broadening his knowledge by
reading, investigation and research.
JAMES E. McCANN, one of Detroit's native sons
and a leading representative of the bar of this city,
has also become well known as a progressive and saga
cious young business man, being prominently identified
with a number of important commercial enterprises
of this locality. He is alert, energetic and optimistic
and in the conduct of his various interests has dis
played sound judgment and marked executive ability.
He was born December 19, 1895, a son of James J.
and Lulu (Knowles) MeCann, who reared a family of
two children, James E. and Mark. Both parents are
deceased, the mother 's demise having occurred in 1899,
while the father passed away in 1912. He was also
engaged in the practice of law and won high standing
in his profession.
In the publie and high schools of his native city
James E. MeCann pursued his education and in 1914
he entered the Detroit College of Law, from which he
was graduated in 1917 with the LL. B. degree. He
at once took up the work of his profession, opening
his present office in the Penobscot building, and has
since engaged in the general practice of law. He
was not long in demonstrating his ability and in the
trial of cases committed to his care he has won notable
verdicts. He has much natural ability but is withal
a hard student and is never content until he has
mastered every detail of his cases. The list of his
clients has already become an extensive one and he
is making continuous progress in his profession. Mr.
MeCann is a man of versatile talents who is bound
to make a success of anything he undertakes. I"
business circles of the city he occupies a foremost
position, being secretary-treasurer of the Wayne
Lumber Mills, Incorporated, in which he owns a half

MARK McFADDEN

CITY OF DETROIT

303

interest, and he is also half owner of the Gratiot
Theatre Company and the Detroit-Toledo Express Com
pany. His activities are varied and important and he
does not hesitate to extend his interests as opportunity
offers, for his initiative spirit and keen insight enable
him to carry forward his projects to a successful
termination. On the 29th of September, 1917, Mr. MeCann was
united in marriage to Miss Margaret Adelsberger and
they have become the parents of a daughter, Eliza
beth, who was born November 18, 1920.
In his political views Mr. MeCann is a republican,
interested in the welfare and success of the party,
and in religious faith he is a Methodist. He is also
a member of Palestine Lodge, No. 357; Detroit Lodge
of Elks and the Detroit Yacht Club. His interest in
the welfare and progress of his city is indicated by
his membership in the Board of Commerce, whose
plans and projects for the upbuilding and development
of Detroit receive his hearty cooperation, and he is
also identified with the Automobile Club of this city.
Mr. MeCann is a most progressive and public-spirited
young man of unusually high professional and busi
ness attainments who has won a notable measure of
success for one of his years and Detroit is proud to
claim him as one of her native sons.
JAMES DANIEL KENNEDY is president of the
J. D. Kennedy Company, handling builders' supplies
and conducting a wholesale coal business in Detroit.
He was born June 30, 1875, at Bay City, Michigan,
and is a son of Daniel J. and Marian (McDonald)
Kennedy, the former a native of Prince Edward
island, while the latter was born in Canada. Both
came to America in early life and settled in Detroit.
The father afterward removed to Bay City, Miehigan,
where he became a widely known contractor and
dealer in lumber, but eventually he disposed of his
interests there and returned to Detroit, where he
has made his home since 1907. He is now living re
tired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his
former industry and carefully directed business affairs..
His wife passed away in Detroit in 1915. Their family
numbered eight children: Mrs. Arthur Brookman,
living in Detroit; Mrs. George C. Keech of Chicago,
Illinois; James D., McDonald, Floyd E. and Russell
8., all of Detroit; Mrs. Frank Whitehall of South Bend,
Indiana; and Grace, the widow of Dr. N. P. Linger-
hausen of Mount Clemens, Michigan.
James D. Kennedy acquired his early education
in the grammar and high schools of Bay City, Mich
igan, and afterward entered the Bay City Business
College, while still later he became a student in the
University of Ann Arbor. He there pursued a course
in law and won his LL. B. degree upon graduation
with the class of 1896. He then entered upon the
active practice of his profession in Chicago, Illinois,
for a short period, but later came to Detroit, where
he opened a law office and successfully practiced for

six and a half years. At the end of that time he
decided to abandon professional interests and enter
industrial circles. He became a contractor and builder
and has since operated profitably as president of the
J. D. Kennedy Company, handling all kinds of building
supplies and conducting an extensive business as a
wholesale dealer in coal, as a member of Kennedy,
Floyd & Company. In 1911 he also organized the
Superior Sand & Gravel Company and conducted the
business in connection with his other activities. He
likewise had charge of the stone products sales of the
Solvay Process Company and still later organized the
J. D. Kennedy Company, which is today one of the
foremost concerns of Detroit, handling builders' sup
plies and also engaged in a wholesale trade in coal.
Of the last named company he was the organizer and
is the secretary and treasurer, and the success of the
enterprise rests upon his well formulated plans, close
application and capable management.
At Piqua, Ohio, December 14, 1899, Mr. Kennedy
was married to Miss Mary Frame, daughter of Dr.
A. B. Frame of that place. They now have two
children: Morris Frame, who was born in Detroit,
February 16, 1904, and is now attending St. John's
School of New York; and Andrew Benjamin, who was
born in Detroit, March 1, 1906, and is also in school.
Mr. Kennedy is well known in various fraternal
and social connections. In Masonry he has taken the
degrees of lodge, chapter and commandery and has also
become a Noble of Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine. He is likewise a member of the Detroit, De
troit Athletic, University, Detroit Boat and Detroit
Curling Clubs, the Lochmoor Country Club, Old Club,
the Detroit Automobile Club and of the Detroit Board
of Commerce, the latter association indicating his
interest in civic welfare and civic development. He
also belongs to Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and
Detroit Alumni.
CHARLES AUGUSTUS LORENZO, engaged in gen
eral law practice in Detroit, was born in New York
city, January 28, 1887, and is a son of Joseph and
Maria (Farry) Lorenzo. After acquiring a public
school education, the son attended the Pennsylvania
State College through the years 1905 to 1907 inclusive.
He took up the study of law in the office of William
M. Gillespie, who directed his reading for three years.
He next entered the law department of the University
of Michigan in 1911 and remained a student there
until graduated with the class of 1914. He at once
opened his offiee in Detroit and through the interven
ing years has been a representative of the bar in
this city, continuing in general practice, trying all
kinds of cases and trying them well. He is a member
of the Detroit Bar Association and also of the Law
yers Club.
On the 19th of June, 1913, Mr. Lorenzo was united
in marriage to Miss Helen E. Manning, a native of
Pennsylvania, and they have become the parents of

304

CITY OF DETROIT

three children: Heloise Isabel, Marjorie Jean and
Frances. For rest and recreation Mr. Lorenzo turns
to fishing and hunting, greatly enjoying his trips into
the open. He is a Catholic in religious faith and has
membership with the Knights of Columbus.
WILLIAM HENRY KLUG. Extensive and impor
tant operations in real estate have brought William H.
Klug to a prominent position among the successful
business men of Detroit. For over a quarter of a
century he has been connected with this line of activ
ity and he has so directed his efforts as to develop
and improve the city as well as to promote his in
dividual prosperity. He is of European extraction
and was born August 24, 1870, a son of Henry and
Dorothy (Niebauer) Klug, who brought their three
sons to the United States in 1870 in order that
they might escape the military oppression of their
native land and enjoy the blessings and privileges of
a free country. The family at onee came to Michigan
and located near Detroit. The father had been ac
tively engaged in business in the country of his birth,
but he was not long permitted to enjoy his new
home, as he passed away two weeks after the arrival
of the family in Miehigan. The mother courageously
took up the task of rearing her little family in a
strange land and accepted any honest employment
which was offered, in order that she might provide
them with the necessities of life. For many years
she labored unceasingly and uncomplainingly in order
that her children might have the benefit of an educa
tion and her self-sacrificing efforts were well repaid,
for her sons have become successful business men and
highly respected citizens of the state. John, the eldest
of the family, is an engineer for the Detroit United
Railway; Fred is a resident of Pontiac; and William
H. is a substantial business man of Detroit.
The last named acquired his early education in the
public schools of Detroit, after which he was appren
ticed to the trade of carpenter and builder. He then
took up electrical work, steamfitting, plumbing, and
plastering, so that he might thoroughly fit himself
for his chosen life work — that of general contracting
and building. In 1895, having acquired a compre
hensive knowledge of the requirements necessary for
success in the builder's line, and his previous experi
ence having been in positions of overseeing and of
other responsibilities for contractors and builders in
the general building line, he was convinced that his
mastery of that work fitted him to enter that field
himself. He started in business on his own account
and purchased vacant property, which he improved
with attractive modern homes. He was among the
first to launch an enterprise of this character in the
city and the homeseeker found his proposition a most
attractive one, so that Mr. Klug had no difficulty in
disposing o£ his property. His business has grown
steadily from year to year with the development of
the city, until it has now assumed extensive and

profitable proportions. He is recognized as a thor
oughly reliable and progressive business man, who has
never resorted to questionable or unfair methods in
his transactions with the public. He has built and
sold over six hundred homes and also owns several
fine properties in the city, being recognized as one
of the leading building and real estate operators of
Detroit. Mr. Klug has other interests of various
kinds, being a large owner of stock in the Lincoln
Bond & Mortgage Corporation, The National Mortgage
Corporation, and the Commercial State Savings Bank.
On the 16th of November, 1899, Mr. Klug was united
in marriage to Miss Rosette Wegener, a daughter of
Ernest and Louise (Kohn) Wegener, prominent resi
dents of this city. Four children have been born to
this union: Gertrude Dorothy Louise, whose birth oc
curred May 11, 1902, and who graduated from the
Eastern high sehool in 1919; Mildred Wilhelmina Ro
sette, born July 17, 1911; Eleanor Bertha Augusta,
born August 27, 1913; and Wilford John Adolph, born
November 26, 1914, who is the only male representa
tive of the family in his generation.
Mr. Klug is independent in his political views, and
his religious faith, as well as that of his family, is
indicated by his membership in the Emanuel Methodist
Episcopal church, in the work of which he is actively
and helpfully interested, being a member of the build
ing committee and also of the board of trustees. He
is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-
second degree in the Scottish Rite Consistory and
being a member of the Mystie Shrine. He is also
identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
while socially he is connected with the Caravan Clnb
and the Masonic Country Club. As the architect of
his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well, and
the force of his personality, the keenness of his in
sight and the soundness of his judgment have brought
him to a position of prominence in the real estate
circles of Detroit. His operations have been con
ducted on an extensive scale and he has gained finan
cial independence, while at the same time the city
has greatly profited by his enterprise and progressive-
ness. Mr. Klug resides at 3987 Seyburn avenue, where
he built his home in 1906.
JOHN H. HOLMES, president of the National Sales
Corporation of Detroit, was born in Yale, Michigan,
May 12, 1874, and is a son of Henry and Clarissa
(Tool) Holmes, who were natives of the state of New
York and of Ontario, Canada, respectively. They came
to Michigan in early life. The father afterward
engaged in business at Yale, this state, and was
also actively connected with farming in that locality-
He died in 1914 at the venerable age of eighty-four
years. The mother is living and is past the age
of eighty-four years, her birth having occurred July
9, 1836. She makes her home with her son John
and is still aetive and retains her faculties unimpaired.
In their family were ten children, as follows: Mrs.

WILLIAM H. KLUG

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307

Sarah HoUenbeek, living at Valley Center, Michigan;
Jacob of Kingston, Michigan; Mrs. Emeline Worden,
whose home is at Port Huron, Michigan; Mrs. Mary
Muir of Valley Center, Michigan; Mrs. Ardelia
Dechene of Detroit; John H., of this review; and
four who have passed away.
John H. Holmes, who was the seventh in order of
birth in the family, attended school at Yale, Michi
gan, mastering the branches of learning taught in
the district schools and later in the high school.
Determining to devote his life to the work of the
ministry, he joined the Methodist Protestant con
ference and for four years gave his attention to the
work of the church as a pastor. His throat failed
him, and in 1903 he came to Detroit and here entered
another field of labor, becoming connected with the
real estate business, and in this field as well as in
other activities he has been very successful. He is
also engaged in the automobile accessories business
as a distributor and is the Michigan district man
ager for the National Salesmen's Training Association
of Chicago. His natural adaptation for this latter
line of work is well exemplified in the fact that
thirty-two years have passed since he became an
active salesman. He first began selling books and
has throughout the intervening period been engaged
more or less extensively in promoting sales of some
commodity or another. He is now the Michigan
distributor for Magic Rubber Mend, a rubber com
pound to mend automobile tubes, tires and other rubber
articles, Mr. Holmes selling only to the wholesale
trade. He is also a director of the Palmer Manu
facturing Company of Detroit.
On the 17th of July, 1913, Mr. Holmes was married
to Miss Clara Kemter of Detroit, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Max Kemter. They now have one child, John
W. Holmes, born February 6, 1918, in Detroit. Mr.
Holmes became an Odd Fellow in 1901 and is a
worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, having
taken all of the Scottish Rite degrees. He is a
member of Michigan Sovereign Consistory, likewise a
member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine and
the Caravan Club. His religious faith is that of the
Methodist church, in which he takes an active part.
He lives in a pleasant home in Richmond, a suburb
of Detroit.
LEWIS KELLY WALKER, vice president of the
Security Trust Company of Detroit, was born at
Adrian, Michigan, December 6, 1886, and is a son of
Milton C. and Susan (Lewis) Walker. His father
was born in Springfield, Ohio, and his mother in
Watertown, New York. In early life they became
residents of Michigan and the father was a successful
farmer of this state for many years but is now re
tired, living at Adrian. His wife passed away at
Adrian in 1909. They were the parents of three
children: Mrs. Edna W. Geiger, now residing at Los

Angeles, California; Nellie L., living at Greensboro,
North Carolina; and Lewis K.
The last named attended the graded and high schools
of Adrian, graduating in 1904. He then entered the
Adrian State Savings Bank as a elerk in September,
1904, and in March, 1911, came to Detroit to accept
the position of teller with the Security Trust Com
pany. From that position he has steadily risen to the
vice presidency, which office he now holds. Through
out his business career he has been identified with
banking interests.
On the 18th of October, 1911, Mr. Walker was mar
ried to Miss Arlie B. Morey of Adrian, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Welcome J. Morey. He is a member of
the Bloomfield Hills Country Club, the Detroit Boat
Club, the Ingleside Club and the Detroit Bankers Club.
Fraternally he is a Mason.
CHARLES E. BRYANT, who 'in the conduct of a
real estate, building and insurance business has con
tributed in substantial measure to the upbuilding of
Detroit, to the development of several leading sub
divisions and the erection of many attractive homes,
apartments and store buildings, was born August 16,
1872, in the city where he still resides, his parents
being Hugh and Cordelia (King) Bryant, the former
a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in
New York and came to Michigan in early life. The
father engaged in the wholesale flour and feed busi
ness and after long connection with the commercial
interests of Detroit passed away in 1900, being sur
vived by his widow, who is yet a resident of this
city. Their family numbered two daughters: Emma,
who is living in Detroit; and Mrs. Offner, also of this
city. The only son, Charles E. Bryant, attended the high
school of Detroit and afterward entered the Detroit
Business College, from which he was graduated in
1891. He then became an employe of the Citizens
Bank of Detroit, with which he remained until it
was absorbed by the Dime Savings Bank. He was a
representative of the "latter organization for some
time. He served successively as messenger, auditor,
assistant cashier and branch manager in the twenty
years in which he was identified with banking, becom
ing one of the most efficient and reliable representa
tives of the company. He resigned to engage in the
real estate, building and insurance business on his
own account and since that time he has put upon
the market and sold several fine subdivisions, has
also erected many homes, apartments and store build
ings and thus has contributed in substantial measure
to the progress and upbuilding of the city.
On the 26th of April, 1893, Mr. Bryant was married
to Miss Grace B. MeMahon, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Eugene MeMahon. They have two children:
Mrs. Ruth H. Wetmore, who was born in Detroit in
1895 and who now has one child, Doris Ruth; and
Charles Earl, who was born in Detroit in 1900 and

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CITY OF DETROIT

is attending Albion College at Albion, Michigan. He
was a member of the Students Army Training Corps
there during the war period.
Mr. Bryant is a member of the Mendelssohn Club.
He also belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and
is in hearty sympathy with all of its plans and pro
jects for the improvement and upbuilding of the city
and the development of its civic standards. He is
likewise a member of the Woodward Avenue Presby
terian church. His life has been guided by high and
honorable principles, characterized by devotion to duty
and marked by a recognition and utilization of op
portunity. HORACE E. DODGE. So close, so beautiful, so
ideal was the relationship that existed between two
brothers, John F. and Horace E. Dodge, that when
the death of the elder occurred in January, 1920, it
seemed that the younger could not long survive, and
when December came he passed on to that reunion
which has been promised in a life eternal. Every
interest, every ambition, every hope and purpose the
brothers shared together. As their childhood sports
gave way before manhood's activities, their interests
continued inseparable and the tie, between them
strengthened rather than diminished as their activities
grew in volume and importance, taking them from the
little machine shop of their father in Niles, Michigan,
through the stages of steady development to a point
where they were a dynamic force in the business de
velopment of Detroit, employing twenty-three thousand
people. Horace E. Dodge was born May 17, 1868, in Niles,
Michigan, one of the three children of Daniel and
Marie (Casto) Dodge. The brother, John, was four
years his senior, and there is a sister, Mrs. Delphine
Dodge Ashbaugh, who is now the only survivor of the
family. The brothers attended' the public schools of Niles
and their business activity began when Horace -E.
Dodge was only eight years of age, for at that time
they were taking jobs of repairing fences and em
ploying a few negro lads of the town to do the work,
which they superintended. They early developed me
chanical ingenuity and skill and throughout their lives
they felt the keenest interest in mechanical pursuits.
Horace E. Dodge passed upon all the intricate and
complex mechanism that had to do with the develop
ment of the Dodge cars and the various phases of the
automative industry with which they were connected.
In fact, he specialized upon that branch of the work,
while his brother gave more attention to the business
and executive management.
The brothers thoroughly learned the machinist's
trade under the direction of their father, but felt that
there was little opportunity to broaden the scope of
their activities in Niles, and consequently left that
city when Horace E. Dodge was eighteen years of
age. Their father's shop specialized in marine motor

work and it was there that the brothers gained their
initial knowledge of the intricacies of the internal
combustion engine and thus laid the foundation of
their later marvelous success. Ambition to make a
name for themselves in the mechanical field led to
their departure from Niles in 1886 for Battle Creek
Michigan, whence, after a brief period, they went to
Port Huron and from that city to Detroit.
In Detroit they entered the employ of "Tom"
Murphy, at the old Murphy Boiler Works, where
their wages were eighteen and twenty dollars per
week. "Work in that line and in those days was
in both social and physical aspects a strength test.
Only the fittest survived and the unfit fell quickly.
To their last days the Dodge brothers retained the
rugged impress of those rough and ready days, as
they did the fondness for practical mechanics which
was bred in them there."
Constantly seeking broader opportunities, they went
to Windsor in 1894 and became machinists for the
Canadian Typograph Company, where their experience
in the building of bicycles (as youngsters they had
already planned and constructed one of their own, the
first to be seen in Niles, Michigan) led to their first
invention and first important business venture. This
invention, a ball-bearing mechanism, was invented by
Horace E. Dodge and built in his own home. It was
used by the bicycle maker under a royalty arrange
ment. A short time later the Dodge brothers joined
Fred S. Evans of Windsor, Ontario, in organizing the
Evans & Dodge Bicycle Company, and leased the
plant of the Canadian Typograph Company in Windsor.
After a few years the Dodge brothers disposed of
their interests in that business and in 1901 returned
to Detroit. Here they established a machine shop
in the Boydell building on Beaubien street, which was
their first undertaking under their own name, with
twelve men on the pay-roll.
This original project of the Dodge brothers pros
pered from the beginning and it was not long before
their quarters became inadequate and they had more
business than they could handle. A much larger and
more modern plant was erected at Monroe and Hast
ings streets and much-needed equipment was procured
at an opportune time. When the affairs of the old
Canadian concern were wound up, the Dodge brothers,
as creditors, took in settlement of their claim some
of the very machinery which, as employes, they had
formerly operated.
' ' It seldom happens that men continue their primal
interest in the details of their business after attain
ment comes to them, even in a moderate degree. It
was above all things else the distinguishing character
istic of the Dodge brothers that they remained through
out their lives expert machinists, and never lost the
craftsman's passion for mechanism and for working
in metal. While this was true of both, it was in »
sense a more noticeable element in the make-up
Horace E. Dodge than of John F. Dodge. Neither

HORACE E. DODGE

CITY OF DETROIT

311

reached at any time the point where he was content
to leave the details of factory operation or the pro
ducts in which they were interested to other minds
and other hands. Where many another manufacturer
graduates from mechanical work the moment his fac
tory begins to pay and becomes an executive, a finan
cier or a man of affairs, the Dodge brothers never
relinquished their grasp of detail- in any department.
With the comparative leisure of later years and the
affluence that was theirs, each went his way and they
were different ways, but only as an incident. Their
main business life was to devise and build the best
machinery possible along the chosen lines and then to
contrive ways of building better machinery. The
rare trait in both of them of making their business
their hobby, carried them past the critical point where
so many men cease to be successful and become mere
executives. ' '
As long ago as 1902, Dodge Brothers was a highly
successful machinery manufacturing business, with such
standing and reputation that the Olds Motor Works
(pioneer producers of low-priced automobiles in quan
tities) entrusted them with the building of three
thousand transmissions. This was about the largest
order within the giving of the automobile industry of
those days.
When in 1902 Henry Ford began the manufacture
of his motor car, he besought the Dodge brothers to
undertake the manufacture of motors, transmissions
and- steering gears in quantity production. This
they did and so rapidly did their business grow in
connection with the development of the Ford car,
that from 1910 to 1914 they made hundreds of thous
ands of parts for automobiles before beginning to
make their own car. When they abandoned the
Hastings street plant in 1910, it was the largest and
best equipped machine plant in Detroit. It was during
this same year that the Hamtramck plant was begun.
In the organization of the Ford company, the
Dodge brothers agreed to buy five thousand dollars
worth of stock, to be paid for out of their profits on
the manufacture of six hundred and fifty chassis.
The manufacture of the Ford cars was begun under
the direction of Ford and the Dodge brothers and
after a brief period the latter purchased the stock
of A. Y. Malcomson of Detroit, who had invested
twenty-five thousand dollars in the enterprise and who
sold his stock for one hundred and seventy-five thous
and dollars. Thus the Dodge brothers became owners
of twenty per cent of the entire capital stock, and
when a final settlement was made in 1919 the minority
stockholders of the Ford company secured a division
of the immense surplus of that company, the portion
of the Dodge brothers having been twenty-seven
million dollars for their two thousand shares.
In 1913 it became apparent that Dodge Brothers
must make a decision for the future. At that time they
had but one customer, the Ford Motor Company, and
were doing a monthly business of approximately one

and a half million dollars. Should anything happen
to that one customer, Dodge Brothers would have
found themselves with a plant on their hands, for
which they had no work. At that time there was in
existence a contract between Dodge Brothers and the
Ford company, which had eight years to run, but
could be terminated by either party on one year's
notice. Now comes an example of the daring and utter
fearlessness of these men, when their business was
involved. Here was a business of eighteen million
dollars yearly and for eight years meant one hundred
and forty-four million dollars on which was a good
profit. But Dodge Brothers, looking to the future,
decided that it would be better for them to make a
product that they themselves absolutely controlled
and which was not subject to the whims of anyone
else. Consequently, after giving due and proper notice,
they gave up a business which subsequent events
showed would probably have amounted to between
two hundred and three hundred million dollars, and
started to manufacture their own product.
Considering the immense volume of business that
Dodge Brothers gave up to embark on something
which, if not successful, meant entire failure for them,
one can get an idea of the great faith these men
had in the principles upon which they had already
built a very successful business. How good was their
judgment and well founded their faith, is freely shown
in the events that have since transpired.
It was in 1914 that the Dodge Brothers began to
manufacture their own car in the Hamtramck plant
and since that time the firm 's name has become known
throughout the world. In 1915 they had reached the
eighth place in volume of automobile production of
American cars and in 1917 were in fourth place. The
development of their business is one of the com
mercial marvels of the age. Just six years after
the business was really begun, their Hamtramck plant
represented an investment of twenty million dollars,
the buildings covering seventy-five acres, while the
product ran from seven hundred and fifty to twelve
hundred cars daily.
During the war period the Dodge brothers showed
their real mettle in meeting a government situation. In
a. period of four months they built and equipped a
munition plant said to have been unsurpassed in the
world. It covered eleven acres, cost ten million dol
lars and was furnishing employment to eight thousand
men just prior to the signing of the armistice. More
over, the mechanical and inventive genius of the
brothers was brought into play when the government
desired to obtain the intricate recoil mechanism used
on the famous French "155" gun. The French fac
tories could turn out only five of these guns daily
and the United States pledged fifty guns daily. After
two great American manufacturing concerns admitted
their inability to make the recoils, the Dodges were
asked to attempt the work and were furnished with a

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CITY OF DETROIT

model of the mechanism. For several days they de
voted their time to the study of this model and then
announced that they could build the mechanism, that
they would build their own plant and finance the
undertaking, also supply the recoils to the government
at cost. Twenty-four hours after the acceptance of
the offer, they had eighteen hundred men breaking
ground for the new plant and within five days steel
had arrived from the Bethlehem Steel Company and
the Russel Car & Foundry Company was ready to
make the structural steel for the plant. The two
brothers gave their time night and day to pushing
the work.
At length they erected a temporary shelter on the
ground, that they might sleep there, and with a staff
of engineers they worked far into the night, design
ing the new machinery which made possible the quan
tity production of the complicated recoil mechanisms.
When the plant was put into operation, it contained
one hundred and twenty-nine pieces of machinery new
to American industry. "This great enterprise was
entriely a side issue; however, for many it would
have represented a life's work. Yet, neither at that
time, nor until now, was it known that the invention
of the special machinery used in building the recoils,
as well as the improvements in the mechanism itself,
was the work of Horace E. Dodge, at all times the
gifted but painstaking and patient inventor."
At each end of the plant was an office of one of
the brothers, Horace E. Dodge giving his attention
to the mechanical problems of the concern and John
F. Dodge to executive management. The former was
most happy in seeing the perfect workings resulting
from plans and designs brought out by the company.
"His offiee was literally a museum of parts, past,
present and prospective, for Dodge Brothers cars.
He was constantly scheming improved details, new
processes, new methods and always building new
machinery. He never lost the touch of the craftsman,
could never let machinery alone. The atmosphere of
the shop, as he entered it, would cause a noticeable
change in his bearing. Outside, in the offices, in the
places where men gather, even at home, he was quiet,
reticent, and could be termed shy. But within the
four walls of the shop he was the taciturn yet un
questionable master of the business."
There were many other phases in the life of Horace
E. Dodge that endeared him most strongly to his family
and friends, of which few men knew, and which
proved him a gentle soul and a most lovable character.
A great lover of music, he would sit for hours at the
great pipe organ in his palatial home at Grosse Pointe,
playing either for his own entertainment or that of
his friends. He was an enthusiastic curler and hunter;
in fact, he was' an all-round man's man. He was one
of the original patrons of the Detroit Symphony
Orchestra, backed it through its struggling days, and
was one of those who insisted upon the acquisition

of the able ^conductor who has made this one of the
foremost musical organizations in America.
Soon after removing from Port Huron to Detroit he
had become acquainted with Miss Anna Christine
Thompson, a native of Scotland, who had been brought
to Detroit by her parents in her early girlhood and
whom he wedded in 1896. They became the parents
of two children: Delphine, now the wife of James
H. R. Cromwell of Philadelphia; and Horace E., Jr.
who married Lois Virginia Knowlson of Detroit.
Mr. Dodge was always a lover of the water and
found great pleasure in yachting. Two of his yachts
— Nokomis and Nokomis (II) — were taken over by
the government during the World war. The second
Nokomis, built in Boston, was the largest of her kind
ever to pass through the Welland Canal. The other
yacht was the Delphine, named for his daughter.
At the time of his death, Mr. Dodge was building a
two hundred and fifty-seven foot steel yacht, the
finest and largest in American waters, which has
since been completed and launched as the Delphine
(II). It was the intention of Mr. Dodge to make a
cruise around the world in this yacht, a plan which
will soon be carried out by Mrs. Dodge and her family.
In club circles Horace E. Dodge was well known
and prominent, having belonged to the following clubs
and societies: Detroit Club, Bankers Club, Country
Club, Bloomfield Hills Country Club, Lochmoor Club,
Oakland Hills Country Club, Detroit Yacht Club,
Automobile Country Club, Old Club, Detroit Golf
Club, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, Elks Club, Pastime
Gun Club, Harmonie Society, Detroit Engineering
Society, Detroit Curling Club, Union League Club of
Chicago, Racquet Club of Philadelphia, Windsor Club
of Windsor, Canada, Pine VaHey Golf Club of Phil
adelphia, New York Athletic Club, Larchmont Yacht
Club of Larchmont, New York, Washtenaw Country
Club of Ypsilanti, Miehigan, Munoskongj Hunting
& Fishing Club, and the American Society of Mechan
ical Engineers. He was also connected with the
Chamber Music Society, the Detroit Museum of Art,
the Detroit Symphony Society, and was a member
of the Detroit Board of Commerce.
Horace E. Dodge was a most generous patron of
art and music, and he gave most freely in support of
the Detroit Museum of Art and to the development of
musical interests in the city. Victor Herbert wrote
and dedicated to Mr. Dodge "The Dodge Brothers
March, in respectful appreciation of his efforts toward
advancement of American music." Dodge Brothers
contracted for one hundred thousand phonograph
records of this march to be distributed, and on the
reverse side of the record was an editorial which
appeared in the Detroit News of December 13, 1920,
and which treated of the great love between the two
brothers. This editorial began:
"And it was not the mere physical fact of brother
hood that welded these two, John and Horace Dodge,
together. It was a bond that had in it something of

CITY OF DETROIT

313

strange depth and purity and fineness — something that
transcended the usual brother-bond of goodfellowship
and superficial understanding by splendor hardly to
be guessed by men who have known no such love, and
became a thing richly spiritual and very beautiful.
For the brothers loved each other as friends. They
were friends."
It was a splendid tribute to an affection deeper
than life itself, for the one could not long survive
the separation from the other, and within less than
a year from the elder brother's passing, Horace E.
Dodge departed this life at. his winter home at Palm
Beach, Florida, on December 10, 1920.
It was characteristic of Horace E. Dodge that as
he rose in wealth he never lost the spirit of real
democracy. Those who came into his employ in that
early period when he was struggling for a financial
and commercial foothold remained his friends through
out the years and many of them rose with him to
success and prominence with the development of the
great automobile plant. "Horace E. Dodge disliked
society in the conventional sense. The making of new
friends in a class other than that in which he was
born and reared did not interest him. It was one of
his very few boasts that the major portion of his
friends were the people he had known for thirty
years and the chief uses of his wealth were to share
the pleasures it brought with those who were near
and dear to him. He had a deep and abiding con
tempt for the inefficient and a horror of a liar."
Dodge Brothers made friends of their employes, until
the number became too great, and to those with whom
they were long associated their home was always open
and they greatly enjoyed the hospitality of their busi
ness associates in turn. It is said that those who
were admitted within the real inner circle in the
home of Horace E. Dodge came to know of his musical
skill largely unknown to the outside world. One paper
said: "It was a rare evidence of personal regard
and confidence when Horace E. Dodge played his organ
for guests, but even a greater token when he con
sented to play the violin. ' '
Mr. Dodge held membership in the Presbyterian
church, to which his family still belongs. His po
litical allegiance was given to the republican party
and fraternally he was connected with the Elks and
Knights of Pythias. For a number of years prior to
his death Mr. Dodge's residence was at Rose Terrace,
the family home at Grosse Pointe. A home of equal
elegance which Mr. Dodge was preparing for his family
was the floating palace with which he hoped to cruise
around the world in the companionship of his wife
and children, and the friends that they might wish to
add to the party. Nor was Horace E. Dodge ever
forgetful of his duties and obligations to his fellow
men. He gave freely and generously, but most un
ostentatiously. He was the builder of a church and
one of his last acts was the gift of fifty thousand
dollars to the thirty thousand dollars he had already

given for the erection of a new building for the
Protestant Orphan Asylum. His part in the building
of one of the greatest industrial enterprises of the
age placed him among America's captains of industry,
while the beauty and simplicity of his character en
shrined him in the hearts of all those who came within
the circle of his friendship.
GEORGE HERBERT GATES, president of the firm
of Williams & Cartwright, Inc., investment bankers
of Detroit, is a native son of Michigan, his birth
having occurred in the town of Somerset, April 26,
1857. During his youthful days his parents, William
Richard and Elizabeth (Mosher) Gates, removed to
Hudson, Michigan, and there he continued his educa
tion as a high school pupil. In 1873, when a youth
of sixteen, he became connected with general mer
chandising at Morenci, Michigan, and was there en
gaged in business until 1885. In the latter year he
removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where he conducted a
wholesale mercantile enterprise until 1902 and then
returned to Morenci, where he became the president
of the Bank of Morenci, remaining at the head of
the institution until 1896. In the latter year he re
moved to Detroit and became the head of the firm
of G. H. Gates & Company, wholesale dealers in hats
and caps. He embarked in that undertaking in 1899
and remained at the head of the house until 1914,
when he sold his interest to the firm of Wright,
Fendler & Pike. In the following year he became the
president of the firm of Williams & Cartwright, in
vestment bankers of Detroit, and through the inter
vening period of five years has been the directing head
of the business, giving his attention to constructive
effort and administrative control in this connection.
He is also the president of the Gates Clothing Com
pany of Hudson, Michigan.
In 1879, at Geneseo, Illinois, Mr. Gates was united
in marriage to Miss D. A. Farwell and they have
one daughter, Eva Mosher, who is now the wife of
Frank Myers of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. and
Mrs. Myers have a daughter and son: Virginia Gates
Myers and George Gates Myers. Mr. Gates is a
Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic
Shrine. He belongs to the Detroit Board of Com
merce and he finds his recreation in outdoor activities.
Practically his entire life has been passed in his native
state and his enterprise and determination have en
abled him to advance step by step, each forward step
bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportuni
ties. His energy, thoroughness and close application
have made him a masterful factor in business circles
and the years have been marked by successful ac
complishment in the conduct of whatever he has
undertaken. HOWARD HUGH CAMPBELL, who since 1912 has
been associated in law practice with Judge James
O. Murfin and who since the beginning of his profes
sional career has made steady progress in his chosen

314

CITY OF DETROIT'

calling, his advancement depending upon thoroughness,
industry and comprehensive understanding of the
principles of jurisprudence, was born in Alpena, Mich
igan, April 20, 1887, and is a son of William Hugh
and Kate (Oliver) Campbell. The father is a well
known lumber manufacturer.
Howard Hugh Campbell was educated in the schools
of Alpena, Michigan, until graduated from the high
school, after which he entered the State University
at Ann Arbor and there won his Bachelor of Arts
degree in 1909. The succeeding two years were de
voted to the study of law, which gained for him the
LL. B. degree in 1911. Through the intervening
period he has resided in Detroit, devoting his at
tention to general law practice, and in 1912 he became
the associate of Judge James O. Murfin, a relation
that has since been maintained. He has made con
sistent and consecutive advancement since entering
upon the practice of law and is well versed in all de
partments of jurisprudence, his activities being char
acterized by a thoroughness and resourcefulness which
make for substantial success.
Following America's entrance into the World war
Mr. Campbell joined the Marine Corps in May, 1918,
and was made a second lieutenant. He was trained
at Paris island, entering the service as a private, but
winning promotion to the rank of commissioned officer.
He received his discharge in January, 1919. Mr.
Campbell belongs to the Masonic fraternity and he
finds interest and recreation in athletic sports, par
ticularly in baseball. His entire life has been passed
in Miehigan and the spirit of western enterprise and
progress are manifest in his career. Those who know
him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him as
a man whose devotion to duty, whose progressiveness
in citizenship and whose qualities of loyal friendship,
well entitle him to the regard in which he is uni
formly held.
CAPTAIN J. ROLAND BOLASNY, M. D. In con
nection with the ancestral history and personal record
of this well known Detroit physician and surgeon is
to be found a wealth of incident of exceptional and
interesting order, and special interest attaches to his
professional career in that phase which touches his
loyal and effective service as a member of the Medical
Corps of the United States military department, with
which he was at the front with the American Ex
peditionary Forces in France and endured the full
tension of conflict in the great World war. Not the
least significant of his many intellectual accomplish
ments is his distinctive linguistic talent, which proved
of inestimable personal and official value in his
service in the late war, as he has command of five
different languages.
Dr. Bolasny was born in the picturesque and historic
district of Crimea, a peninsula of southern Russia
and the stage of one of the great wars of the .world's
history, the date of his birth being October 28, 1887.

He is a son of Isaac M. and Yetta Bolasny, both
natives of Crimea and representatives of influential
families in that part of Russia. In 1905 Isaac M.
Bolasny came with his family to the United States
and established his residence in the city of Cleveland
Ohio, where he engaged in the real estate business
and where he continues as a substantial business man
and highly esteemed citizen. Both he and his wife
manifest most appreciative loyalty to the land of
their adoption.
Dr. Bolasny was about seventeen years of age at
the time he emigrated to America, his rudimentary
education having been obtained in his native land
and having been supplemented by his attendance upon
the schools of Cleveland, Ohio. At the time of Dr.
Bolasny 's graduation from Central high sehool, Cleve
land, Ohio, in 1907, the principal of that institution,
Professor Charles L. Harris, gave the young man a
letter of recommendation, as follows: "I can recom
mend Mr. Bolasny without reservation, a thing one
can seldom do. He is one of the most remarkable
young men who ever came under my supervision. He
has made good in every post in which I have placed
him. I not only respect and admire him but have
the utmost confidence in his integrity and honor."
He was graduated in medicine from the Western
Reserve College of Medicine in that city as a member
of the class of 1911. He served for a time as interne
in the St. Clair hospital of Cleveland and for several
months thereafter he held the post of house physician
in the United States Marine hospital at Detroit. He
next assumed a similar position in the Michigan
State Soldiers Home at Grand Rapids, where he con
tinued his services until 1913, when he came to Detroit
and became associated in practice with Dr. Alexander
W. Blain. This association continued until 1915,
when Dr. Bolasny established himself in independent
practice in this city, where his technical ability and
gracious personality gained to him a substantial and
representative professional clientage. He continued
to give his close attention to the work of his exact
ing profession until the nation became involved in the
World war, when he promptly subordinated all personal
interests to the call of patriotism by entering Camp
Beauregard, Alexandria, Louisiana, as first lieutenant.
Three months later he was promoted to the rank of
captain and subsequently transferred to Camp Jack
son, South Carolina, joining Evacuation Hospital, No.
14. In July, 1918, Captain Bolasny accompanied his
command to France, where his activities at the front
were in connection with the historic campaigns of
St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and the defensive sector.
The signing of the armistice found Captain Bolasny
on the battle fields of France and after the cessation
of hostilities he moved with his command in horse
box-cars to Coblenz, Germany, where was established
one of the very first hospitals for the Army of Oc
cupation. Captain Bolasny was assigned many duties,
one of which was convoying a trainload of wounded

DR. J. ROLAND BOLASNY

CITY OF DETROIT

317

officers and soldiers to the coast of France. En route
back to his command at Coblenz he visited various
points of interest and the important cities of France
and northern Italy. While in Germany he also visited
the principal sections of the Rhine country as far
up as Strasburg and down to Cologne. Later he was
detached from Evacuation Hospital, No. 14, and as
signed to Base Section, No. 9, at Antwerp, Belgium,
as a specialist in urological work. Two months later
he was relieved from duty and sent to Rotterdam,
Holland, from which port he was ordered to the United
States, receiving his honorable discharge at Hoboken,
New Jersey, on July 6, 1919.
Upon his return to Detroit, Captain Bolasny re
sumed the practice of his profession at 2125 East
Jefferson avenue and shortly afterward was appointed
to the staff of St. Mary's hospital. The government
presented him with the Distinguished Service Medal
of the United States. The doctor is actively identified
with the American Medical Association, the Miehigan
State Medical Society, the Wayne County Medical
Society and the East Side Physicians' Society. He
perpetuates the more gracious associations of his war
service by his affiliation with the American Legion.
As a member of the Masonic fraternity he has received
the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted
Scottish Rite and is a Shriner, his ancient-craft affilia
tion being with Union Lodge, No. 3. He is also
a member of Elks Lodge, No. 34, of Detroit. Captain
Bolasny is greatly interested in all kinds of outdoor
sports, especially hunting and fishing. He belongs
to the Detroit Yacht Club and to the Men's Temple
Club. During his service in Europe he collected many
interesting war relics and souvenirs. He has long been
a student of ornithology and is a great lover of
birds. Captain Bolasny still permits his name to
appear on the roster of eligible young bachelors in
Detroit. EDWARD JOSEPH DUBOIS. Starting out in the
business world in the humble capacity of messenger
with the Michigan Central Railroad, Edward Joseph
DuBois, by reason of his developing powers, his
laudable ambition and his spirit of undaunted en
terprise has reached a prominent place as the vice
president of the American Coal & Coke Company and
also the vice president of the A. C. Thorpe Coal Com
pany of Detroit. He was born in Buffalo, New York,
January 27, 1885, his parents being Caesar Joseph
and Helen (Smith) DuBois. The father was born
in Paris, France, and in his youth came to the United
States, settling first in New York city, while later
he made his way to Buffalo, New York. There he
married Miss Helen Smith, daughter of James Smith,
a native of Scotland. He died in the year 1909, while
his wife passed away in New York city on the 30th
of December, 1887.
Edward Joseph DuBois pursued his education in
schools of St. Thomas, Ontario, and in parochial schools

of Detroit, Michigan. He was a youth of twelve
years when in 1897 he entered the employ of the
Michigan Central Railroad Company as a messenger and
remained with that corporation for three years. His
rise was very rapid, owing to his unfaltering industry,
his ready adaptability and his spirit of undaunted
enterprise. Within three years he had risen to the
position of assistant chief clerk in the Michigan car
demurrage bureau. On resigning that position he
entered the sales department of the American Coal
& Coke Company of Detroit and after two years was
admitted to a partnership in the business, was made
vice president ;and placed in charge of the sales in
Miehigan, Ohio, Illinois and Canada. He has also
become the vice-president of the A. C. Thorpe Coal
Company of Detroit. He is regarded today as one of
the most prominent representatives of the coal trade
of this city, a position to which he has attained in an
incredibly short space of time. Thoroughness char
acterizes everything he undertakes, resulting in the
mastery of every problem presented for solution.
On the 29th of August, 1907, in Detroit, Mr. Du
Bois was married to Miss Estelle M. Tapert, a daugh
ter of August Tapert, a native of this city. The re
ligious faith of Mr. and Mrs. DuBois is that of the
Catholic church and his political allegiance is given
to the republican party. During the period of the war
he assisted in organizing the American Wholesale
Coal Trade Association to cooperate with the govern
ment in the distibution of coal and he is still on the
board of directors and a member of its executive com
mittee. From August, 1918, until January, 1919 he
was special coal commissioner for the Detroit Board
of Commerce, cooperating with the local fuel admin
istration. He is a most forceful and resourceful young
business man, possessing marked initiative, leaving
nothing undone that can legitimately promote his
success, and all who know him speak of him in terms
of admiration and praise for what he has accomplished.
With limited educational privileges he has learned
many lessons in the school of experience and has
made each opportunity count for the utmost in the
attainment of his present enviable position in busi
ness circles.
HARRY JEROME DARLING. Many forces enter
into the making of a great city but none has more
vital effect upon its improvement, development, and
beauty than the profession which has to do with
designing and directing the architectural adornment
thereof. Acceptable standards and high ideals, held
by members of the profession, can make a place so
attractive as to cause many to become residents of
the city. Among those whose labors have been a
forceful element in this direction at Detroit is Harry
Jerome Darling, a descendant of one of the oldest
families of both the state and nation, who was born
at Mason, Michigan, July 25, 1878, son of Frank Ira
and Clara Virginia (Haight) Darling.

318

CITY OF DETROIT

Harry Jerome Darling is ninth in line of descent
from George Darling of Lynn, Salem and Marblehead,
Massachusetts, about 1640, and his wife Katherine, the
daughter of Captain Richard and Grace Gridley of
Boston, Massachusetts. The first of the family to
settle in Michigan was Joseph Darling, the great-
great-grandfather of H. J. Darling, who located at
Jackson in May, 1832. Joseph Darling was a soldier
in the Revolutionary war at the age of sixteen years,
and Joseph's father, Lieutenant Benjamin Darling,
was a "Minute Man" who responded to the alarm
of Paul Revere, April 19, 1775. Lieutenant Benjamin
Darling's mother, Rebecca (Weston) Darling, was a
great-granddaughter of George Soule, the youthful
Mayflower emigrant, who came to America with the
family of Governor Edward Winslow.
During the early years of his life Harry Jerome
Darling lived with his parents at Mason, Miehigan,
Cleveland, Ohio, Chicago, Illinois, Washington, D. C,
Grand Rapids, Miehigan, and Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In 1904 he came to Detroit and was engaged in arch
itectural work until May, 1909, at which time he
opened an offiee in the Majestic building for the
practice of his profession, which profession he has
continuously followed, but with offices now located
in the Empire building, at the southeast corner of
Washington and Clifford streets.
Mr. Darling was married at Detroit on the 6th of
October, 1906, to Miss Orra Jeanette Howe, daughter
of Hon. Almeron R. Howe, deceased, of Honesdale,
Pennsylvania, and his wife Orra Jeanette (Hamlin)
Howe, and they have become parents of two children:
Orra Jeanette; and Virginia Hamlin.
References: Chas. Moore's Hist, of Mich., Vol. Ill,
p. 1276; Mich. State Pioneer Society Records; May
flower Descendants, Vol. I, p. 246; New England Hist.
and Gynealogical Register, Vol. XLI, p. 285, Hamlin
and Noble genealogies.
JAMES BURGESS BOOK, M. D. For a long period
Dr. James Burgess Book was regarded as one of
Michigan's most eminent medical and surgical prac
titioners and his contributions to the literature of the
profession were of most valuable character. He re
sided for many years in Detroit and was not only
an eminent practitioner but also a member of the
faculty of the Detroit College of Medicine. Born near
Toronto, Canada, on the 7th of November, 1843, he
was a son of Jonathan and Hannah (Smith) Book.
The Book family was of Holland descent.
Dr. Book acquired his preliminary education in the
Milton county grammar school, from which he was
graduated with the class of 1858. The same year he
entered the literary department of the Victoria Uni
versity at Toronto and at the close of his sophomore
year began a course of study in the medical college
connected with the university. But before completing
the course, having decided that it would be to his
advantage to graduate elsewhere, he left that insti
tution and matriculated in the Jefferson Medical Col

lege at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There he was
graduated in March, 1865, and then returned to To
ronto and completed his medical course at the univer
sity. In the fall of the same year he entered upon
the private practice of medicine at Windsor, Ontario,
but after a few months crossed the Detroit river to
the larger city of Detroit, which offered him a broader
field of labor for his professional services. For a
year he continued actively and successfully in practice
in Detroit, but being anxious further to increase his
knowledge of medicine, he went to Europe in 1867
and pursued a full course of lectures in the noted
Guy's Hospital Medical school, one of the oldest medi
cal institutions in London. For a year he was also
a student in the Ecole de Medecin of Paris and sup
plemented his training there by three months' prac
tical experience in the general hospital at Vienna,
Austria. In 1869 he returned to Detroit, where he
resumed the private practice of his profession and as
a result of his thorough preparation, coupled with
sound and discriminating judgment, he was almost
immediately accorded a large patronage.
Dr. Book became recognized as a prominent edu
cator, serving as professor of surgery and clinical
surgery in the Michigan Medical College until that
institution was consolidated with the Detroit Medical
College, forming the Detroit College of Medicine.
Subsequent to the consolidation he served as professor
of surgery and he was also one of the largest stock
holders in the institution. From 1872 until 1876 he
was surgeon of St. Luke's Hospital and was also
attending surgeon at the Harper Hospital. In 1882
he was made surgeon-in-chief of the D., L. & N. Rail
road. Although his practice was general in character,
it was more especially in the difficult and delicate
branches of surgery that Dr. Book excelled, gaining
deserved distinction in that department. A notable
instance of his skill was furnished in 1882, when he
successfully performed an operation before the stu
dents and faculty of the Michigan College of Medicine,
requiring the removal of the Meckels ganglion. It
was the only case of its kind ever treated with
success in the west and but few similar cases had
been reported in medical history. Dr. Book was a
frequent contributor to the medical journals, writing
fluently and authoritatively on a variety of medical
subjects. While pursuing his studies abroad the dread
cholera epidemic swept Europe, and despite the fact
that all of his associates were stricken literally at
his feet with the disease, he remained on duty, hardly
resting a moment during the entire time of the fearful
plague, yet escaping the malady, although he was
continually in the midst of it.
Talcing an active interest in home military organi
zations, Dr. Book was elected surgeon of the Inde
pendent Battalion of Detroit in 1881, and when that
organization became a part of the state militia he
was made regimental surgeon. Despite the fact that
he had a sincere liking for his profession and pos-

DR. JAMES B. BOOK

CITY OF DETROIT

321

sessed a prestige unsurpassed in Detroit, he largely
abandoned the practice of medicine and surgery in
1892 and turned his attention to real estate, in which
his success equaled that which he had attained along
professional lines. The Book properties in Detroit
are too well known to need further comment. The
Book building, a structure of elaborate detail and
finish, ranking in appointments and quality of con
struction with the best in the world, was planned
before his death and completed in 1917, by his sons,
as a monument to him. It is an especially notable
example of the zeal with which Dr. Book carried on
his work in the real estate field. He also had other
interests, including banking.
In Detroit, in 1889, Dr. Book was married to Miss
Clothilde Palms, a daughter of Francis Palms. She
survives her husband and resides at the Palms apart
ments in Detroit. To Dr. and Mrs. Book were born
three children, J. B.; Francis P. and Herbert V., men
tion of whom is made elsewhere in this work. The
death of Dr. Book occurred in Detroit, January 30,
1916. He had been a republican in his political views
and in 1881 was elected an alderman of the third
ward at the first election held under the new division
of city wards. He resigned that position in 1882 to
become police surgeon. The breadth and nature of
his interests is indicated in the fact that he was a
member of the Wayne County Medical Association,
the Michigan State Medical Association, the American
Medical Association, the Board of Commerce, the
Detroit Club, the Country Club and the Detroit Boat
Club. A man of marked intellectual attainments, he
possessed, moreover, a genial nature that made him
appreciative of the social amenities of life, and there
was no citizen of Detroit who was not glad to call
Dr. Book his friend.
FORREST R. DICKINSON, son of Horace H. and
Lucy S. L. (Dickinson) Dickinson, is a member of one
of Detroit's old and highly respected families. A
more extended mention of Horace H. Dickinson ap
pears elsewhere in this work. F. R. Dickinson was
born in this city and educated at Central high school
and the School of Mines, Rolla, Missouri. At the
latter institution ho made an exhaustive study of
geology which has been of great benefit to him in
his extensive dealings in building supplies. At the
age of fifteen he developed a wanderlust, which he
still manifests, and he crossed the continent to San
Francisco, signed with the captain of a trading vessel
and made the long and strenuous trip around The
Horn. After completing his schooling he went to
the mines in New Mexico, where he operated for two
years. Also he worked for the Wells-Fargo Express
Company in old Mexico for about one year. When
the United States went to war with Spain, in 1898,
he returned to Detroit and enlisted in the Thirty-
second Michigan Light Infantry and served through
out the war. After the war he joined his father in

the hardware business and continued in that line for
eight years, when he branched out into builders' sup
plies. In 1913 he organized the Builders and Pavers
Supply Company, of which he has been president since
its incorporation, although he practically fills every
office in the company.
Mr. Dickinson is a member of the Masonic fratern
ity, being affiliated with Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M.,
and has passed for both the chapter and the com
mandery. He is also a member of the Board of Com
merce and the Spanish War Veterans.
Forrest R. Dickinson married Florence Leidy and
they have a family of five sons and three daughters,
namely: Emily Dorothy, Forrest Raymond, John
Courtney, Florence May, Wesson Field, Wellington
Cutler, Lucy Loraine, and Charles Burton.
The pioneer of the Dickinson family in Detroit was
Moses Field Dickinson, son of Captain David Dickin
son, who came to Michigan in the thirties of last
century. He came from Massachusetts, where the
family lived for several generations.
Mr. Dickinson is a courteous, genial man of unusual
business and executive ability, and the Builders and
Pavers Supply Company is very prosperous under his
management. His high reputation for honorable deal
ing adds greatly to the prestige and success of the
eompany. BYRON G. RADCLIFFE was bom in the town of
Batavia, New York, January 11, 1866, and was edu
cated in the public schools. He lived on the farm with
his parents until he was sixteen years of age, when
he started in the hardware business as a clerk in
Le Roy, New York. He remained in Le Roy for
seven years and then came to Detroit in 1890.
In 1888 the hardware firm of Watkins & Zens was
established, and when Mr. Radeliffe came to Detroit
he became an employe of that concern. However
six months later he bought out the interest of Zens
and the firm became Watkins & Radeliffe. In 1917
the business was incorporated with Mr. Radeliffe as
president. The company is wholesale jobbers of
auto supplies and hardware and tools, and is the
strongest establishment in its line in Detroit. Its
trade covers the entire United States.
Byron G. Radeliffe married Miss Carrie Quibell
and they have two children: Lester Byron and Ethel
Frances. Lester Byron Radeliffe enlisted in the truck
department of the Transportation division for service
in the World war and was stationed first at Ann Arbor
and then at Purdue. He received his honorable dis
charge, December 20, 1918, at Purdue.
Mr. Radeliffe is of English descent, his grandfather,
John Radeliffe being the pioneer of the family in
America. His parents were Benjamin S. and Lucy
(Gardner) Radeliffe. The Gardners also were of
English ancestry but they have been in America for
several generations.
Mr. Radeliffe is a Royal Arch Mason and is also

322

CITY OF DETROIT

affiliated with the Zion City Lodge, F. & A. M. Mr.
Radeliffe is one of the successful business men of
Detroit. He has seen the city grow from a small
town, to a great metropolitan center and he has
helped in that growth. In fact his career is quite
typical of the city's history, for he started as an
employe in the business of which he is now the head,
and through his ability and energy, the growth of
his establishment has kept pace with that of the city.
DANIEL FRED LE FEVRE DYER. The force of
his personality, the keenness of his insight and the
soundness of his judgment have brought Dan L.
Dyer to a position of leadership in real estate circles
of Detroit and while he has gained financial inde
pendence, he has also been a factor in promoting the
growth of the city with which he has allied his
interests. A native of Ohio, he was born at Wilming
ton September 23, 1890, his parents being Major
General Franklin P. and Katherine (Le Fevre) Dyer,
the former of whom won distinction in military
affairs and was the prime mover in forming the Ohio
State Militia.
In the acquirement of an education Mr. Dyer at
tended the public schools of Columbus, Ohio, and after
ward completed a course in engineering at the Ohio
State University. In 1913, when twenty-three years
of age, he came to Detroit, where he secured the
position of a salesman with the well known real estate
firm of Stormfeltz & Loveley. He was not long in
demonstrating his adaptability for work of this char
acter and at once began to put over big deals, to
specialize in leases and the handling of acreage. Mak
ing a thorough study of the business, he has acquired
an intimate knowledge of the worth of all real estate
in the city and is regarded as an expert valuator.
On the 1st of January, 1921, he embarked in business
on his own account and organized the Dan L. Dyer
Company, of which he is president and manager. He
displays marked enterprise in the conduct of his affairs,
keen sagacity in placing investments, and his ability
and prestige are such that he is regularly retained
by several large Detroit corporations as adviser and
manager of their properties and receives a very grat
ifying return for his expert services. He is a past
master of the art of salesmanship and conducts his
operations on a more extensive scale than any other
realtor in the city. In 1920 he negotiated three leases
Which totaled eighteen and a half million dollars.
He maintains a fine suite of offices in the Book build
ing and resides at No. 2663 West Grand boulevard,
while he also has a beautiful summer home on Lake
St. Clair.
Mr. Dyer was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth
H. Quinn and two sons have been born to them: Dan,
who died October 13, 1921, in San Francisco, Cali
fornia, while on a. visit to his grandmother; and Fred,
who was born August 5, 1914.
Mr. Dyer finds recreation in football, baseball and

fishing and is a member of the Walled Lake Hunt
Club and the Fellowcraft Club, while his political
allegiance is given to the republican party. To the
energetic nature and strong mentality of such men
as Mr. Dyer are due the development and ever in
creasing prosperity of Detroit. His honor and in- '
tegrity have never been questioned and his many
sterling qualities have gained him a high place in the
respect and regard of all who have been brought into
contact with him.
WILLIAM A. C. MILLER was born in Detroit,
July 25, 1881, his parents being William A. C. and
Annette I. (McGowan) Miller. After attending the
Detroit high school he continued his education in the
Detroit University School and then entered the Uni
versity of Miehigan, class of 1904. He initiated his
business experience as assistant of his father, joining
the W. A. C. Miller Lumber Company in 1902, and
after the death of his father in 1904 he liquidated the
business. In the fall of the same year he became con
nected with the Thomas Forman Company, lumber
manufacturers, and through the intervening period he
has remained a prominent representative of the lumber
trade of the country. On the 1st of January, 1906, he
was chosen secretary, treasurer and general manager
of the Holden, Miller & Murray Company and so
continued until July 1909. In the latter year he
organized the W. A. C. Miller Company, of which he
has since been the head, and this is today one of the
largest concerns doing a retail lumber business in
Detroit. He is likewise a director of the Miller-Judd
Company and of the Thomas Forman Company.
On the 8th of January, 1908, Mr. Miller was united
in marriage to Miss Ruby C. Boyer, a daughter of
Joseph Boyer. They have become the parents of three
sons: William A. C. (Ill), born in Detroit in Novem
ber, 1909; Joseph Boyer; and Colvin. Mr. Miller
is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, also
of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and of various
clubs, belonging to the Detroit Athletic, the Detroit,
University, Country, Lochmoor Country, "Players"
and Detroit Automobile Clubs, while of the Detroit
Athletic Club he is now one of the directors.
JAMES EVANS BREAKEY, assistant treasurer of
the King Motor Company of Detroit, was born in
Meaford, Ontario, Canada, May 6, 1888, a son of
John A. and Letitia (Evans) Breakey. His parents
came to Detroit when he was two years of age and he
here pursued his education, passing through consec
utive grades to the high school. Following his grad
uation he turned his attention to the automobile busi
ness, becoming connected with the purchasing de
partment of the Oldsmobile Company. He soon went
to Saskatchewan, Canada, however, and there en
gaged in the real estate business for two and a half
years. On the expiration of that period he returned
to Detroit and became connected with the Burroughs

DANIEL F. L. DYER

CITY OF DETROIT

325

Adding Machine Company, with which he remained
for two years. He was later with the Chalmers
Motor Company for an equal period and then entered
the employ of the Welsh-Detroit Motor Company,
with which he continued for a year and a half. Later
he spent three years in connection with the Cadillac
Motor Company and for an equal period was with
the Briscoe Manufacturing Company. In 1915 he
joined the King Motor Company as first assistant
purchasing agent, eventually became cashier and office
manager and was then advanced to the position of
assistant treasurer, in which capacity he is now
serving. He was never satisfied to take things for
granted but has always looked into every detail of
the business himself and has thus become a thoroughly
posted and all-round automobile man. He is very
familiar with the trade in every particular and his
broad experience, wide knowledge, indefatigable in
dustry, close application and laudable ambition have
been the vital and salient elements in bringing to
him success.
In 1911 Mr. Breakey was married to Miss Blanche
Margaret Valliere, a descendant of one of the oldest
French families in Detroit. They have become parents
of two children: Jack Valliere and Margaret Adele.
Mrs. Breakey 's grandfather hauled the first pipe for
the Detroit water system and the family has been
connected with the city through many years.
Mr. Breakey is a Mason, belonging to Acacia Lodge,
No. 477, A. F. & A. M., and he has also attained the
thirty-second degree of Scottish Rite Masonry in the
Michigan Sovereign Consistory, while with the Nobles
of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed
the sands of the desert. He belongs also to the Fel
lowcraft Club, to the Detroit Credit Men's Associa
tion, to the Masonic Country Club and to the Board
of Commerce of Detroit. In politics he is an earnest
republican and was chairman of the republican board
of wards six to thirteen in Detroit. He is interested
in all that pertains to the advancement and success
of republican principles and he stands loyally for
every cause or interest that promises to work for the
general good.
ALEXANDER W. COPLAND. Many and varied
industrial interests have won for Michigan's metropo
lis the name of Dynamic Detroit. The city has be
come the great center of the automobile trade of
the world and Alexander W. Copland, as president
and general manager of the Detroit Gear & Machine
Company, is one of the leading figures in automobile
circles not only of the city but of the country as
well. His wide and comprehensive knowledge of
transmissions and gears enabled him to render very
valuable service to the government during the World
war as chairman of the engineering committee that
designed transmissions for war trucks. He cooperated
with Christian Girl in getting out sample trucks and
was made chairman of the automotive industry com

mittee, which was formed to convert the great auto
mobile industry into war production. Thus through
the avenue of his business ability Mr. Copland ren
dered very signal service to the country of a patriotic
nature, while he has long been a contributing factor
to the material development and upbuilding of Detroit.
He was born in Detroit, November 27, 1867, and
comes from one of the old and highly respected fam
ilies of the city, his parents being Alexander William
and Elizabeth R. (Lee) Copland. The family num
bered six children, the others being: Frances, now
the wife of F. F. Wormer; Rosella, the wife of G. W.
Thompkins; Sarah, the wife of J. Wareham Strong;
Henry B.; and Dr. Stanley M. Copland.
In his youthful days Alexander W. Copland was a
pupil in the public schools of Detroit and afterward
attended the Shattuck School at Faribault, Minne
sota. He then pursued a special extension course in
the University of Cincinnati and thus by liberal edu
cational training became well qualified for life's prac
tical and responsible duties. His first business ex
perience was gained as an errand boy with the Part
ridge & MeClellan Company. He afterward occupied
the position of stock clerk in the Kadi Japanese store
on Woodward avenue and during his father's incum
bency as postmaster of Detroit, Alexander Copland
became assistant cashier of the money order depart
ment at the post office. He subsequently purchased
a half interest in the Detroit Cracker Company and
later went to Cincinnati, where he acted as local
manager for the National Biscuit Company. In 1898
he became associated with his brother in the bakery
business in Boston and from 1900 and 1910 he spent
his time in inventing and building biscuit machines.
During three years of that period he was abroad and
with his return to Detroit he organized the Detroit
Gear & Machine Company, of which lie is president and
general manager, the business being located at 670
East Woodbridge street. The extent and importance
of his interests have made him a prominent factor
in automotive circles. The business was incorporated
and capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars and
something of its marvelous growth and development
is indicated in the fact that the present capitaliza
tion is two million dollars. This company is the only
one engaged in the commercial manufacture of trans
missions, clutches and hardened steel gears in Detroit.
The company has a plant containing over one hundred
thousand square feet of floor space and the building
is thoroughly modern and fireproof. Its equipment is
of the finest and employment is given to eight hundred
men, who are experts in their respective lines. The
business, in its broad scope and success, is the visible
outcome of the initiative, the enterprise and the pro
gressive spirit of the man who stands at the head and
who has been the directing force in the undertaking
since its inception. Mr. Copland is a director of the
Motor Accessory Manufacturers ' Association.
Mr. Copland was united in marriage to Miss Ann

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CITY OF DETROIT

Biddle, youngest daughter of W. S. Biddle, and their
two daughters are: Marie Rosella and Susan Dayton,
the latter having been graduated from Vassar College
in 1919. The wife and mother passed away and Mr.
Copland chose for his second wife Charlotte C. Campau,
a member of one of the very oldest and most dis
tinguished families of Detroit. Mr. Copland is as
well known in club circles as in business circles in
his native city, having membership in the Detroit
Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Racquet
Club, the Country Club, the Bloomfield Hills Country
Club, the Bloomfield Open Hunt Club and the Grosse
Pointe Riding & Hunt Club. He is also a member of
the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the
Society of Automotive Engineers. He is likewise iden
tified with the Board of Commerce and his cooperation
is ever a forceful factor in support of well defined
plans and projects for the advancement of Detroit's
civic interests. In politics he maintains an independent
course. Mr. Copland ' s residence, Strawberry Hill
Farms, in the Bloomfield Hills, is one of the attractive
country homes around Detroit. The improvement and
development of his estate may be said to be his hobby
and chief recreation. The close study he has given
agricultural and breeding problems is reflected in the
modern and scientific methods of farming employed
on his estate and also in the superb herd of sixty-
five head of pure bred Holstein cattle that he owns.
HENRY LAIDLAW, who since 1899, has been the
Detroit sales' manager for the International Steam
Pump Company and its successor, the Worthington
Pump and Machinery Corporation, is one of the best
known men in connection with his line of business in
the middle west.
Mr. Laidlaw is a native of Scotland, his birth
having occurred in the land of hills and heather on
the 6th of June, 1860, his parents being Robert and
Jennie (Euman) Laidlaw. He is indebted to the
publie sehool system of Scotland for the educational
opportunities which he enjoyed and which qualified
him for the practical and responsible duties of life.
He came to America in 1880, when a young man of
twenty years, after having previously served an ap
prenticeship to the machinist's trade in Scotland. Be
coming a resident of Cincinnati he was there con
nected with the McGowan Pump Company for five
years and for four years was employed on the con
struction of the soap plant for the Proctor & Gamble
Company at Ivorydale, Ohio. He later spent a year
in the engineering department of the Laidlaw-Dunn-
Gordon Company and then went on the road as
traveling salesman, representing the firm in the middle
states until 1897, when he located in Detroit as man
ager for the company, of which he was also secretary
until 1908. In this connection Mr. Laidlaw represents
Henry R. Worthington, the Laidlaw-Dunn-Gordon
Company, the Blake-Knowles Steam Pump Works, the
Deane Steam Pump Company, the Holly Manufactur

ing Company, the Snow Steam Pump Works, the
Clayton Air Compressor Works, the Janesville Iron
Works Company and the Fred M. Preseott Steam
Pump Company. His thorough understanding of en
gineering principles makes him splendidly qualified to
emphasize the salient features in the output of these
different companies and to stress to these salesmen
the points which make for effective salesmanship. He
maintains high business standards and is responsible
for the building up of an excellent organization in
connection with the Detroit office.
In Cynthiana, Kentucky, in 1895, Mr. Laidlaw was
united in marriage to Miss Leah M. Greenlees and
they are the parents of three sons: Robert J., born
February 24, 1897, in Detroit, was a lieutenant in the
Thirty-second Red Arrow Division, Machine Gun Bat
talion and was eighteen months overseas. He was
wounded at Chateau Thierry, took part in the Ar-
gonne and later served with the Army of Occupation
in Germany. He had previously served on the border
as a member of the Michigan National Guards, with
the rank of sergeant, and is now connected with the
Cleveland office of the Worthington Pump and Ma
chinery Corporation; H. Gordon, born January 28,
1903, in Detroit, is a student at the Missouri Military
Academy, Mexico, Missouri; Walter C, born Feb
ruary 14, 1907, in Detroit, is a student at Detroit
Northern high sehool. In his political views Mr.
Laidlaw has always been a republican since becoming
a naturalized American citizen. Fraternally he is a
Mason and has attained the Knights Templar degree
in Detroit Commandery, No. 1, and is also a member
of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the
Detroit Board of Commerce, the Exchange Club, the
Merchants Marine League of the United States and
the Detroit Engineering Society. He has never had
occasion to regret his determination to come to the
new world, for here he has found the business oppor
tunities which he sought and in their wise utilization
has advanced to a position of prominence in business
circles of Detroit.
WILLIAM A. C. MILLER, SR., deceased, who was
instrumental in building up one of the large retail
lumber enterprises of Detroit, was born in the city
of Edinburgh, Scotland, July 5, 1848. The period of
his boyhood and early youth was passed in his native
country and about the time of the close of the Civil
war he accompanied his parents, who at that time left
the land of hills and heather to become residents of
the new world. They first made their way to Canada
but William A. C. Miller did not accompany his family
to the Dominion. They had landed in New York and he
remained in the eastern metropolis, where he secured
a position in a jewelry store in Maiden Lane, then
the great jewelry district of the city. While there
employed he formed the acquaintance of M. S. Smith
who was for many years one of the leading jewelers of
Detroit and who recognized in the young man certain

HENRY LAIDLAW

CITY OF DETROIT

329

business qualities that caused him to offer him a posi
tion, which offer was accepted by Mr. Miller in 1868.
' Thus he became a resident of Detroit and continued
thereafter in close connection with the commercial in
terests of the city. He remained in the employ of Mr.
Smith until 1874, when, desirous of living more in the
open air, he became identified with the lumber industry
as junior member of the firm of Gage & Miller, their
place of business being at the corner of Tenth and
Fort streets. Their association was maintained for two
years, when in 1876 the partnership was dissolved and
Mr. Miller organized the W. A. C. Miller Lumber
Company, opening yards at the foot of Adair street,
on the river. There he built up a business of ex
tensive and gratifying proportions and it was his
plan to dispose of his interests in 1904 and retire,
but death intervened ere his project had been carried
forward to completion. Aside from the large lumber
business which he developed Mr. Miller became inter
ested in various other business enterprises of Detroit.
For years he was a member of the Masonic Lodge
and also of the Fellowcraft and Old Clubs. Every
thing that concerned his fellowmen and their wel
fare was a matter of vital interest to him and he
cooperated with many plans and projects for the
public good.
Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Annette
I. McGowan of Buffalo, New York, a daughter of
James McGowan of that city, and they became the
parents of two sons and two daughters: William A.
C; Mae, now the wife of Raymond P. Lipe of Toledo,
Ohio; Jessie A.; and Albert C.
The family circle was broken by the hand of death
when on the 12th of June, 1904, Mr. Miller passed
away in Detroit. Those who knew him felt that the
city sustained the loss of a most substantial business
man and representative resident. For more than a
third of a century he had lived in Detroit and had
made for himself a creditable place in its commercial
circles, while the sterling qualities which he dis
played in every relation caused him to be numbered
among Detroit's most representative and honored
residents. JAMES SHAND. From across the Canadian border
have come many of the substantial citizens of De-
triot and their contribution to the upbuilding and
the progress of the city has been of notable scope.
Connected with the manufacturing interests of the
City of the Straits is James Shand, of Canadian birth,
who is now the vice president of the Joseph N. Smith
Company. He was born at St. Marys, Ontario, Can
ada, July 28, 1860, and was educated in the public
schools of his native town, after which he learned the
trade of carriage blacksmithing at St. Marys.
The year 1883 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Shand
in Detroit and for some time thereafter he was in
the employ of the Detroit Carriage Company, oc
cupying the position of superintendent of the plant

for three years before he resigned his position to
become connected with other interests. In April, 1906,
he joined the Joseph N. Smith Company and repre
sented that house as a traveling salesman on the road
for three years, at the end of which time they began
the manufacture of locks and Mr. Shand was given
charge of the manufacturing department. Later the
business was extended to include the making of wind
shields and he also took charge of that department,
his capability, efficiency and mechanical skill making
him well qualified for the duties that devolved upon
him. In 1911 he was elected to the vice presidency
of the Joseph N. Smith Company and is one of the
most active and practical men of that concern. He
is thoroughgoing in every way and his marked capa
bility is widely recognized by all.
Mr. Shand has been married twice. He first wedded
Jane Cunningham of St. Marys, Ontario, who passed
away leaving four children: Artea, Mary, Donald C.
and James A. In 1914 Mr. Shand was again married,
his second union being with Mrs. McCallum, the
widow of Neil McCallum. She was born in Scotland
and by her previous marriage had become the mother
of three sons and a daughter: James, Jessie, Neil
and Duncan.
Mr. Shand has always voted with the republican
party, since becoming a naturalized American citizen.
His religious belief is indicated in his membership
in the church of the Disciples of Christ and he is a
loyal follower of its teachings, seeking ever to uphold
those interests which make for higher ideals among
men and a more thorough adoption of those principles
and purposes for which the church stands.
JAMES D. BURNS, proprietor of the Ste. Claire
hotel, one of the leading hostelries in the downtown
district of Detroit, was born at Springwells, now a
part of the city, Judy 28, 1865, his parents being
Peter and Hanora (O 'Callaghan) Burns, the former
a native of Ogdensburg, New York, while the latter
was born in Cork, Ireland, and came to America with
her parents, who settled in the Empire state. After
the marriage of the parents they came to Michigan
and took up their abode at Springwells, which is now
included within the corporation limits of Detroit.
The father engaged in the manufacture of brick and
developed a business of extensive proportions, many
of the present substantial buildings of Detroit having
been erected from material furnished from his brick
yard. Both he and his wife passed away in Detroit
and were laid to rest in Holy Cross cemetery. They
had a family of six children, four of whom are living:
Peter, Eugene, Mathew and James D., all yet resi
dents of Detroit.
The last named was a pupil in the Springwells dis
trict school in early boyhood and afterward attended
the city schools. Later he worked with his father,
continuing with him in brick manufacturing until his
death, subsequent to which time Mr. Burns and his

330

CITY OF DETROIT

three brothers conducted the brick manufacturing
plant for ten years. On the expiration of that period
James D. Burns disposed of his interests and became
proprietor of the Detroit Baseball Club in 1901. He
conducted the Detroit Tigers as owner for two years
and then sold his interests, after which he was nom
inated for sheriff of Wayne county, being elected by
a large majority. He continued to fill that office
for four years and upon the expiration of his term
erected the Burns hotel, which he afterwards sold.
He later became associated with Mr. Guthart in the
purchase of the Ste. Claire hotel, which has been
made one of the popular hostelries of the city. It
contains one hundred and forty guest rooms and was
the first fireproof hotel ever erected in Detroit. It is
situated in the downtown district, conveniently lo
cated near theatres, business houses and the civic
center of the city.
In June, 1894, Mr. Burns was married to Miss
Katherine Walsh, daughter of Patrick Walsh of
Jackson, Miehigan. Mrs. Burns died August 23, 1920.
For many years she was active in Catholic charity
work, notably with the Providence auxiliary. Mr.
and Mrs. Burns beeame the parents of two sons:
James Anthony, born in Detroit in 1899, was educated
in Assumption College, where he pursued the arts
course, and in the University of Detroit, in which
he studied law. During the World war he enlisted
in the United States Navy and won a commission.
He served on the U. S. S. Mississippi, with the naval
aviation department and was discharged at Hampton
Roads, Virginia. He is assistant manager and sec
retary of the Ste. Claire hotel; Francis, born in
1905 at Detroit, is attending Assumption College.
Mr. Burns gives his political support to the demo
cratic party and was a delegate to the national con
ventions of 1908, 1912 and 1916. For the past thirty
years he has been identified with the Benevolent Pro
tective Order of Elks and is also a member of the
Loyal Order of Moose.
HOWARD STREETER, member of the firm of
Millis, Griffin, Seely & Streeter, attorneys, of Detroit,
and one of Michigan's native sons, was born at Cal
umet on the 8th of September, 1878, his parents being
Albert T. and Nina (Worrall) Streeter. At the usual
age he became a public school pupil in his native
city and afterward had the benefit of instruction in
St. John's Military Academy at Delafield, Wisconsin,
where he pursued a preparatory course that enabled
him to enter the University of Michigan. There he
won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1901. He after
ward devoted two years to the study of law and was
admitted to practice at the Michigan bar in 1903,
since which time he has followed his profession in
Detroit. His practice has steadily grown with the
passing years until his clientage is now one of sub
stantial proportions. He has also figured in the busi
ness circles of the city as the secretary of the De

troit Steering Wheel Corporation and a director of
Hercules Machinery Company.
Mr. Streeter was married June 23, 1917, to Signe *
A. Granholm of New York city. Mr. Streeter is a
republican in his political views, giving stalwart sup
port to the party since age conferred upon him the
right of franchise. During the period of the war he
served on the legal advisory board. He belongs to the
Detroit, Miehigan and American Bar Associations, and
to the Lawyers Club, and that he is appreciative of
the social amenities of life is further indicated in
the fact that he has membership in the Detroit
Athletic Club and the University Club.
JOSEPH S. McDOWELL, a Detroit attorney who
throughout his life has been connected with the city
of his residence, was born April 5, 1882 his parents
being Leo S. and Ellen (Kelly) McDowell. The father,
who was a railroad man, has passed away, but the
mother remains a resident of Detroit.
Joseph S. McDowell is indebted to public and
parochial schools of this city for his educational op
portunities supplemented by private study until he
entered upon preparation for a professional career,
when he became a student in the Detroit College of
Law, which conferred upon him the LL. B. degree at
his graduation with the class of 1903. During his
school days he was in the office of the law firm headed
by Elliott G. Stevenson, one of Detroit's most eminent
representatives of the bar and after his graduation he
remained in the same offiee until 1915. At that time
he entered upon active practice with Charles J. Bur
gess and the firm of Burgess & McDoweU has since
maintained its existence. They engage in general
practice, paying particular attention to corporation,
probate and real estate law, and the volume of busi
ness accorded the firm marks the partners as suc
cessful members of the bar.
On the 25th of August, 1908, Mr. McDowell was
married to Miss Mabel A. Carolin of Detroit, and they
have three children: Kathryn, Winifred and Charles
J. Mr. McDowell is a member of the Bar Association
of Detroit and the Lawyers Club. He also belongs
to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the
Independent Order of Foresters. A Catholic in re
ligious faith, he is a communicant of St. Ambrose's
church. Politically he maintains an independent at
titude, voting according to the dictates of his judg
ment concerning the capability of a candidate and
the issues before the people.
ROSCOE CONKLING WIXSON, manager of the
Detroit & Northern Michigan Building & Loan Asso
ciation, was born in Lexington, Miehigan, July 19,
1880, his parents being Philip L. and Helen (Smith)
Wixson, the latter also a native of this state. The
father was born in Pickering, Ontario, Canada, and
came to Michigan at the age of fourteen years with his
father, the Rev. Mr. Wixson, who was a Baptist minis-

HOWARD STREETER

CITY OF DETROIT

333

ter. They drove a team of horses from Port Huron to
Lexington, where the Rev. Mr. Wixson took up a
claim of three hundred and twenty acres, and while
performing his duties as a clergyman he also cleared
the land and began the development of his property.
His son, Philip L. Wixson, was reared in Miehigan
amid the wild scenes and environment of frontier life.
He early learned the best methods of tilling the soil
and earing for the crops and later engaged in farming
on his own account, clearing a quarter section of land
through his own efforts. He was also a prominent
man in community affairs, serving as registrar of
deeds and as county treasurer in Sanilac county, filling
the latter position for six consecutive terms of two
years each. He passed away in Lexington in 1901,
at the age of seventy-seven years and his widow is
now living at Caro, Michigan. They had a family of
four children: Elmer A., now a resident of Denver,
Colorado; Mrs. Elizabeth W. Selden, living at Wee-
hawken, New Jersey; Walter S. of Caro, Michigan;
and R. C, of this review.
Having mastered the branches of learning taught
in the publie and high schools of his native city, R.
C. Wixson secured a clerical position, which he filled
for two years, working at Caro and at Vassar, Mieh
igan, during that period. He afterward engaged in
banking at Vassar, at Columbiaville and at Harbor
Beach, Michigan, during which time he advanced
from a minor position to that of bank cashier, serving
as cashier of the Huron County Savings Bank. He
devoted ten years to financial interests of this char
acter and then resigned to accept a position under
E. H. Doyle, state bank commissioner, with whom he
remained for two years, while for a similar period he
served under F. W. Merrick. He resigned his initial
position to become manager of the Detroit & North
ern Michigan Building & Loan Association and under
his able direction the business of the company has
grown to large proportions. Each stage in his business
connections has marked a forward step, bringing him
a broader outlook and wider opportunities, which he
has eagerly embraced, for he has at all times been
actuated by a laudable ambition. His determination
and energy have enabled him to overcome difficulties
and obstacles in his path and press steadily forward to
the goal of success.
In Croswell, Michigan, on the 11th of July, 1916,
Mr. Wixson was married to Miss Louise Nims, a daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Nims. They have two
children: Elizabeth, born in Detroit May 20, 1918;
and Philip Leslie, bom April 23, 1920, in Detroit.
Mr. Wixson is a republican in his political views and
he belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks,
to the Fellowcraft Athletic Club of Detroit and to
the Board of Commerce. He is interested in all that
pertains to the welfare of the city and its people
and is a loyal supporter of all those interests which
are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. His own
career illustrates what can be achieved through indi

vidual effort, intelligently directed, for he started out
in the business world empty-handed and through the
force of his character and his unabating energy he
has reached a creditable place among the business men
of his adopted city.
JAMES WILKIE. While more than four years
have passed since James Wilkie was called to his
final rest, his memory is yet enshrined in the hearts
of his many friends by reason of a pleasing personality,
a kindly spirit, marked capability in business circles
and unfaltering loyalty to the public welfare. De
troit numbered him among her native sons, for he
first saw the light of day here on the 23d of No
vember, 1853, his parents being David and Elizabeth
(Buick) Wilkie, whose family numbered six children.
Both parents were natives of Scotland but in early
life came to the new world and for many years the
father was a prosperous merchant of Detroit.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof,
James Wilkie attended the public schools. He early
displayed laudarble ambition and unfaltering industry,
however, and when but twelve years of age began
learning the tinner's trade. Gradually he worked
his way upward in business connections and in the
year 1901 established business on his own account.
Later, however, he became identified with Parke,
Davis & Company and continued as general super
intendent of the mechanical division to the time of
his death on April 22, 1917. His position was one
of large responsibility and his capability and effective
labor constituted potent elements in the attainment
of the company's success. He introducted many im
provements and was also the inventor of a process
in the manufacture of capsules now so widely used.
On the 18th of October, 1876, Mr. Wilkie was
married to Miss Adah Z. Warren, a daughter of John
L. Warren, a native of England, and one of the pioneer
manufacturers of oval picture frames in America.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilkie:
Warren, whose birth occurred February 7, 1879; Edith
L., born May 13, 1882, and now the wife of Joseph
Marks; Hazel B., born September 21, 1883; J. Chester,
born April 1, 1885; and Adah M., who is the wife of
James S. Southwick. The family are members of the
Swedenborgian ehurch.
Mr. Wilkie was quite prominent in public affairs.
He gave his political allegianee to the republican
party, served on the water board of Detroit in 1919,
filled the offiee of street commissioner under Mayor
Marx and was also one of the street railroad com
missioners. He was a member of the Engineers Society
and was prominently known in club circles, having
membership in the Detroit Athletic Club, the Curling
Club, and numerous organizations of a similar nature.
Anyone who met Mr. Wilkie face to face would have
known at once that he was an individual embodying
all the elements of what in this country we term
a "square" man — one in whom to have confidence,

334

CITY OF DETROIT

a dependable man in any relation and any emergency.
His easy dignity, his frankness and cordiality of
address, with the total absence of anything sinister
or anything to conceal, marked him as a man who
was ready to meet any obligation of life with the
confidence and courage that come of conscious per
sonal ability, right conception of things and an habit
ual regard for what is best in the exercise of human
activities. He was a member of Oriental Lodge, F.
&. A. M., the Michigan Sovereign Consistory, and
Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Mrs. Wilkie
resides at No. 5165 Second boulevard, in Detroit.
PHILIP A. McHUGH. The extent and importance
of his law practice at once establishes the high
standing of Philip A. McHugh as a member of the
Detroit bar, where he has engaged in practice since
June, 1904, following his graduation from the Detroit
College of Law. He was born in Essex county, On
tario, Canada, July 12, 1880. His parents were Philip
and Jane (McGuigan) McHugh, who were natives of
Ireland and have now passed away.
Philip A. McHugh, one of a family of thirteen chil
dren, came with his parents to Detroit in 1885, when
a little lad of but five years, and pursued his educa
tion in the publie schools and in St. Peter and St.
Paul's parochial schools, after which he entered the
Detroit Business University. He subsequently pre
pared for a professional career in the Detroit College
of Law, from which he was graduated with the LL. B.
degree on the 11th of June, 1904. In the same month
he became associated with George F. Monaghan, with
whom he remained until January, 1907, when he
formed a partnership with Charles P. O'Neil, which
continued for a year. From April, 1908, until July 1,
1911, he practiced as senior partner in the firm of
McHugh & Gallagher, his associate being William H.
Gallagher. In July, 1911, they were joined by Fran
cis T. McGann under the style of McHugh, Gallagher
& McGann and on the 1st of May, 1913, a fourth
partner was admitted under the firm style of McHugh,
Gallagher, O'Neil & McGann. That relationship was
maintained until January, 1916, when the firm be
came McHugh & O'Neil and in May of the same year
they were joined by Benedict H. Lee under the style
of McHugh, O'Neil & Lee, so continuing until April
3, 1917, when Mr. O'Neil withdrew and the firm of
McHugh & Lee then practiced until January, 1919,
when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. McHugh
his since followed his profession independently. He
belongs to the Detroit, Michigan State and American
Bar Associations and also to the Lawyers Club. He
has been president and treasurer of the McHugh
Realty Company since its organization in 1915.
On the 30th of June, 1919, Mr. MeHugh was married
to Miss Verna M. Sullivan of Monroe, Michigan. Their
religious faith is that of the Catholic church and Mr.
McHugh is identified with the Knights of Columbus,
the Knights of Equity, Young Men's Order, Catholic

Mutual Benefit Association, Ancient Order of Hiber
nians, Catholic Knights and Ladies of America and
the Catholic Order of Foresters. He also belongs to the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a member
of the Detroit College of Law Alumni Association,
Cooley Chapter of Theta Lambda Phi, the Detroit
Yacht Club, the Fellowcraft Club, the Cathedral Club
and the Detroit Board of Commerce. He turns to
motoring, horseback riding, boating and outdoor sports
for rest and recreation, for his growing professional
interests make strenuous demands upon his time and
energies. Almost from the beginning of his connection
with the Detroit bar he has been accorded a liberal
clientage and his devotion thereto has become pro
verbial. WILLIAM F. KEGEL. Among the native sons of
Detroit who have come to the front in connection
with the business development that has resulted in
making this one of the great industrial and com
mercial centers of the country is William F. Kegel,
now the secretary of the Standart Brothers Hardware
Corporation, wholesale hardware dealers. He entered
the employ of this conmpany as a boy in a very minor
position and through energy, industry and loyalty to
the house he has steadily advanced until he has
reached official connection with the business, which is
one of very extensive proportions.
Mr. Kegel was born in Detroit, November 13, 1869,
his parents being Julius and Christine (Pfeifle) Kegel,
who were of European birth but came to America at
the ages of thirteen and seven years, respectively.
Reared in Detroit, they were married in this city and
the father afterward engaged in business as a furni
ture manufacturer and also conducted a large retail
furniture business. He became successful in this con
nection and with substantial prosperity retired hi
1889, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment
of the fruits of his former toil. He passed away in
1909 and is survived by , his widow, who yet makes
her home in this city. They had a family of six
childen, three of whom are deceased. Those still
living are: William F., of this review; Otto F., a
resident of Seattle, Washington; and Katherine, liv
ing in Detroit.
William F. Kegel mastered the branches of learn
ing taught in the public and high schools of Detroit
and started out in the business world on the 22d of
March, 1886, in the employ of the Standart Hardware
Company as office boy. He rose through various de
partments, promoted from one position to another,
until eventually he acquired an interest in the busi
ness and is now the secretary of the company and a
representative of its directorate.
On the 25th of June, 1900, in Detroit, Mr. Kegel
was married to Miss Amelia M. Shepard, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Shepard, who are still residents
of this eity. Mr. and Mrs. Kegel have one son, Wil-

PHILIP A. McHUGH

CITY OF DETROIT

337

liam E., who was born in Detroit in 1907, and is now
a grammar school pupil.
Politically Mr. Kegel is a republican. He belongs
to the Detroit Board of Commerce, and the Detroit
Golf Club, also to the Credit Men's Association and
to the United States Chamber of Commerce and is
keenly interested in all questions and conditions that
affect business or have to do with the material devel
opment and progress of the community. He is'promi-
nently known in Masonic circles, belonging to Zion
Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M.; Monroe Chapter, No. 1,
R. A. M.; and Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T.,
Noontide Club of Detroit Commandery, and Moslem
Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of
St. Joseph's Episcopal church and belongs to the
Church Club of Detroit. The principles which have
governed his life are those which will always bear
the closest investigation and scrutiny. His course has
been guided by high motives and the integrity of his
character and of his life is attested by all with whom
he has been brought into contact.
CLARENCE A. SMITH, of the Smith-Glines Sales
Company of Detroit, was born in Findlay, Ohio, Octo
ber 21, 1875. He acquired a public sehool education
and in early life learned the trade of a machinist,
which was the first step toward the automobile busi
ness, to which he has long devoted his energies. His
first work in this line was in the plant of the old
Hupmobile "Twenties" and in 1916 he joined Ben
jamin F. Glines in organizing the Smith-Glines Sales
Company, which was at that time incorporated. For
many years they handled the Hupmobile car but this
make has been discontinued and the firm now engages
in the sale of the McFarlan & Stephens cars, made at
Connorsville, Indiana. The lower peninsula of Mich
igan constitutes the firm's territory, over which it
has developed an extensive business, now having a very
wide sale. Mr. Glines is also' interested in the Detroit
Steering Wheel Company.
In his political views Mr. Smith is a republican
and fraternally he is connected with the Masons and
with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He
is likewise a, member of the Detroit Automobile Deal
ers Association and the Detroit Automobile Club. He
is married and has a family of three children. His
long residence in Detroit has made him widely known,
especially in automobile circles, and the enterprise
and industry which he has ever displayed in his busi
ness, have constituted the secret of his growing pros
perity. ALBERT H. CRAMER, secretary and treasurer of
the National Soap Company of Detroit, was born
March 25, 1865, in the city which is still his home.
He was educated in the public schools and in Gold
smith's Bryant & Stratton Business College. He
"tarted out in the business world to earn his living as
an errand boy in the employ of Frederick Buhl in
Vol. IV— 24

1879 and subsequently became associated with S. A.
Plumer in the real estate business, while still later
he entered the employ of the Star Line and was
purser on this company's boats for twenty-three years.
In 1902 he became interested in the R. L. Hall Soap
Company, which he reorganized in 1905 as the Na
tional Soap Company, of which he became secretary
and treasurer, still occupying the dual position. His
thorough understanding of the business, his capable
management and his enterprise have been dominant
factors in the attainment of the success which has
attended the company through the intervening period.
In 1903 Mr. Cramer was married to Miss Theresa
C. Monemee. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer have resided con
tinuously in Detroit. In fact he is a representative
of one of the old families in the city, his parents
being John and Elizabeth (Dash) Cramer. The father
was born in Germany but came to America in 1848.
The mother, too, was a native of that country but
was brought to the new world by her parents in 1836,
when but six months old. Through many decades the
Cramer family has been represented in Detroit and
Albert H. Cramer of this review takes great interest
in the welfare of the city, in its fame and its good
name. As a member of the Board of Commerce he
cooperates heartily in all plans and projects put
forth by that organization for the benefit and upbuild
ing of Detroit and his labors have been far-reaching
and effective in upbuilding the general good.
JOHN H. JENKS, who has devoted almost his
entire life to the lumber trade and is a forceful
factor in lumber circles in Detroit, was born in
St. Clair, Michigan, December 4, 1866, his parents
being Robert and Mary S. (Clark) Jenks, whose
family numbered nine children. In his student days
John H. Jenks attended the public schools of his
native city and afterward Bryant and Stratton Busi
ness College, thus receiving thorough training for
active business life. He was -first employed by the
firm of Woods & Perry, a lumber concern of Cleve
land, Ohio, acting as dockman in unloading lumber
vessels. His capability, thoroughness and trustworthi
ness led to his promotion to the position of superin
tendent of the gang after six months and from 1887
until 1893 he occupied the responsible position of man
ager with the firm of Woods & Perry. He was am
bitious, however, to engage in business on his own
account and utilized every opportunity toward that
end. At length his industry and economy had brought
him sufficient capital to justify the step and in 1893.
associated with his brothers Robert H. and Ben L.
Jenks, he organized the Robert H. Jenks Lumber Com
pany, with R. H. Jenks as the president; John H.
Jenks, as vice president; and Ben L. Jenks, as treas
urer. The company continued actively in business in
that connection until 1910, when John H. Jenks with
drew from the firm and established a lumber business
independently. In the meantime the Robert H. Jenks

338

CITY OF DETROIT

Lumber Company had become one of the leading
concerns Of Cleveland, doing an enormous business.
John H. Jenks remained in Cleveland as a lumber
merchant until 1913, when he came to Detroit, fore
seeing something of what the future had in store
for the city in connection with its rapid growth and
development through the automobile industry. Mr.
Jenks opened offices in the Campau building under his
own name as a wholesale lumber dealer. His patron
age has steadily increased year by year and his ad
vancement has been the direct outcome of his per
sistency of jurpose, his thorough knowledge of the
lumber trade, his initiative and his reliability in all
trade transactions. He largely handles southern pine
and west coast products, selling exclusively to lumber-.
yards. The growth of his business has been tremen
dous and Mr. Jenks, owing to his knowledge of human
nature, has been enabled to surround himself with a
corps of expert salesmen and among his patrons are
many of the leading corporations of the city engaged
in construction and building.
In 1913 Mr. Jenks was married to Miss Carrie
Mather of Detroit, and they reside at No. Ill Glad
stone. In his political views Mr. Jenks has been a
stalwart republican since age conferred upon him
the right of franchise, but while he keeps well in
formed on the questions and issues of the day he
has never sought nor desired office, preferring to
concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business
affairs in which he has won notable success. He is now
a member of the Detroit Lumber Dealers Association
and of the Miehigan and National Lumber Dealers
Associations and is prominently known in trade circles
throughout the country.
WIRT IRA SAVERY, a member of the Detroit bar
since 1904 and now senior partner in the firm of
Savery & Drake, was born in Madison, Virginia,
Oetober 24, 1873, his parents being Isaac Sanford
and Tryphena Cornelia (Rogers) Savery. The father
is a native of Lee, New York, born in 1843, and is a
son of George C. Savery, who was born in Massa
chusetts, and was a son of Isaac Savery, also a native
of that state. Both the grandfather and the great
grandfather of Wirt I. Savery were sea captains.
The immigrant ancestor was William Savery, a native
of England, who crossed the Atlantic on the William
and Mary in 1630. Since then representatives of the
name have been identified with the development of
New England and of the middle west. Isaac S. Savery
in his childhood days accompanied his parents to a
farm in Washtenaw county, Michigan, where he was
married to the daughter of Mathew P. Rogers. He
resided in Dexter, Michigan, until his death, February
28, 1920, and his wife passed away September 25, 1917.
She was a representative of one of the old families of
Vermont. At the time of the Civil war Isaac S.
Savery responded to the country's call for troops,
enlisting at Jackson, Michigan, as a private of Com

pany D, Twentieth Michigan Infantry, with which
he served until the close of the war, being then
mustered out in the city in which he had joined the
army. He was twice wounded. Throughout his life
he has followed the occupation of farming.
Wirt I. Savery, . after pursuing his preliminary edu
cation in the country schools of Washtenaw county,
Miehigan, continued his studies in the high school at
Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated with the
elass of 1896. He then entered the University of
Michigan for a literary course and won the Bachelor
of Arts degree in 1901. Remaining a law student there
he gained his LL. B. degree in 1904. In the meantime
some interesting and valuable experiences had come to
him. In 1901 he was one of the teachers sent by the
United States to the Philippines, where he remained
for a year, gaining an intimate knowledge of the
islands and conditions there existing. With his ad
mission to the bar in 1904 Mr. Savery entered upon
the practice of law in Detroit and in 1918 the present
firm of Savery & Drake was formed. He has also
been identified with business interests of the city as
the vice president of the L. Londy Company, also as
secretary and treasurer of the Detroit Surgical In
strument Manufacturing Company.
On the 10th of July, 1902, in Dixboro, Michigan,
Mr. Savery was married to Miss Edith Adele Quack-
enbush, a daughter of John H. Quaekenbush, and
they have one daughter: Carol Elizabeth. The par
ents hold membership in the Preston Methodist Epis
copal church, of which he is one of the trustees. He
served on the legal advisory board during the war
and assisted the registration and draft board. His
political allegiance is given to the republican party
and fraternally he is identified with Detroit Lodge,
No. 2, F. & A. M., of which he is past master; Monroe
Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; and Damascus Commandery,
No. 42, K. T., of which he is Junior Warden. He is
also a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine, and a member of the Masonic Temple Asso
ciation Board as well as of the publication committee
of the Detroit Masonic News. He likewise belongs to
the Lawyers Club and to the Detroit Bar Association
and when leisure permits he turns to hunting and
fishing for recreation.
PERCY MORGAN LOVETT, engaged in the general
practice of law in Detroit since October, 1915, was
bom in Miles City, Montana, September 28, 1890,
and is a son of Stephen Henry and Caroline (Ken
nedy) Lovett. The father is a live stock dealer, and
at the time of his retirement he was conducting an
extensive business in the west.
The son was educated in the public schools and «
the University of Michigan, in which he pursued his
academic course and then entered upon the study o*
law, which he completed by graduation with the class
of 1915. He was admitted to the bar in October of
the same year, but his professional activity did not

WIRT I. SAVERY

CITY OF DETROIT

341

constitute his initial step in the business world. For
six summers he had acted as special agent for the
New York Central Railroad in the shipping and han
dling of wool, his territory covering the western states
and also western Canada. After preparing for the bar,
however, he concentrated his efforts and energies upon
his professional duties and is now accorded a large
clientage of a distinctively representative character.
He is a member of the Detroit Bar Association and
enjoys the high regard of his professional brethren.
He also has business interests, being secretary and
treasurer of the United Petroleum Company.
On the 6th of September, 1916, Mr. Lovett was
married to Miss Katherine Burritt of Mauston, Wis
consin, and they have two children: Charles Morgan
and Frederick James. Mr. Lovett belongs to the
Gamma Eta Gamma. He is a young man possessed of
western enterprise and progress, combined with laud
able ambition, and his course has been marked by a
steady advancement, resulting from the development
of his powers and his native ability.
ELMER H. SCHWARZ, engaged in the foundry
and machine business in Detroit, his native city, rep
resents a family that has long been associated with
the commercial development and substantial progress
of Michigan's metropolis. His grandfather was Frank
Schwarz, who came to the new world from Holstein,
Denmark, and was a citizen of the United States as
early as 1856. His son, Frank Schwarz, was born in
Detroit and here married Emma Soeter. They became
the parents of two sons, Elmer H. and Frank Sehwarz,
Jr., who have made their mark among the leading
and progressive business men of the city. For almost
two-thirds of a century now the family in its differ
ent generations has been connected with the devel
opment and progress that has been carried on until
Detroit ranks as the fourth city of the Union.
In the public schools Elmer H. Schwarz pursued
his education until he completed a high school course
and then turned his attention to the foundry busi
ness. The father, Frank Schwarz, Sr., with his two
sons, Frank, Jr., and Elmer H., established their pres
ent foundry on the 1st of January, 1906, under a
partnership relation and on the 23d of August, 1917,
the business was incorporated with the father as
president, Frank Schwarz, Jr., as treasurer and Elmer
H. Schwarz as vice president and general manager.
All three continue in those positions to the present
time. They do contract work,, making all kinds of
tools, fixtures and machinery. They are not only
expert foundrymen "but also skilled engineers, de
signers and pattern-makers and they have a reputa
tion second to none for expert work in all of the lines
and departments of their business. They have an
extensive machine shop and foundry and have built
some of the finest machinery to be found in the United
States today.
On the 19th of November, 1913, Elmer H. Schwarz

was united in marriage to Miss Alicia Conlon and
they have become parents of a daughter, Mary Jane.
The political belief of Mr. Schwarz is that of the
republican party. He is interested in many questions
that have to do with business progress and the im
provement of trade conditions. He belongs to the
Employers Association, also to the Credit Men's As
sociation, the American Foundrymen 's Association and
to the Detroit Board of Commerce. He is also appre
ciative of the social amenities- of life and has thus
become a member of the Detroit Auto Club. He. is
likewise a member of Friendship Lodge, A. F. & A. M.,
and is always loyal to the teachings and purposes of
the craft. Above all he is a most progressive and
patriotic citizen and the position of the family during
the great World war is indicated in the fact that
they operated their foundry ninety-eight per cent for
war work. The name of Schwarz has long been an
honored one in Detroit, standing for progressiveness
in business, for loyalty in citizenship and for integrity
in every relation of life. The grandfather won the
respect and confidence of his fellowmen in an early
day by his splendid qualities and the same sterling
traits of character have been manifest in the suc
ceeding generations, so that Elmer H. and his brother,
Frank Schwarz, are classed with the leading and
valued citizens of Detroit.
JOHN P. O'HARA. Among the leading law firms
of Detroit is that of Cook & O'Hara, of which John
P. O'Hara is the junior member. He has been a resi
dent of this city for a period of seven years and has
a well established reputation for ability in his ehosen
field. He was born in Geneva, New York, June 29,
1890, a son of Martin and Elizabeth (Dean) O'Hara.
His professional training was acquired in the Univer
sity of Michigan, from which he was graduated in
1914 with the degree of LL. B., and in June of that
year he was admitted to the bar of the state. He has
since practiced his profession in Detroit and is now
associated with Frank C. Cook under the firm style
of Frank C. Cook & John P. O'Hara, their offices
being located in the Majestic building. The list of
their clients is an extensive one and they have been
very successful in the conduct of cases intrusted to
their care. Mr. O'Hara is an earnest and discrim
inating student, thoroughly familiar with the prin
ciples of jurisprudence, and in their application is
seldom at fault.
On the 15th of May, 1917, Mr. O'Hara was united
in marriage to Miss Otilia R. Leuchtweis and they
have become the parents of two sons: John Paul, Jr.,
who was born May 4, 1918; and Richard Francis, born
January 31, 1920. He is a member of the Catholic
church and is also connected with the Knights of
Columbus, in which he has taken an aetive and promi
nent part, serving as chancellor and also as chair
man of all initiation committees. In 1914 he filled the
office of secretary of the University of Michigan

342

CITY OF DETROIT

Alumni Association and his professional connections
are with the Detroit and Miehigan State Bar Associa
tions. Mr. O'Hara is a young man of much natural
ability and talent, modest and unassuming in manner,
and his close application, energy and enterprise have
already brought him to a prominent position in legal
circles of his adopted city.
GEORGE VERTNER LUX, for seven years a mem
ber of the Detroit bar, devoting his attention to the
general practice of law, was born at Topeka, Kansas,
September 4, 1891, being a son of George F. and Jennie
(Vertner) Lux. The father of George V. Lux was
for some years master ear builder for the Chicago and
Alton Railroad. Later he was engaged in the flour
milling business, under the firm style of Starrs and Lux
at Delavan, Illinois. Subsequently he engaged in mer
cantile pursuits. He died at Highland Park, Mich
igan, in August, 1916.
The removal of the family from Kansas to Ohio
enabled George Vertner Lux to pursue his early edu
cation in the schools of Urbana until he has com
pleted the high school course there. He next entered
the university at Lebanon, Ohio, from which he was
graduated with the class of 1910. His review of
the broad field of business led him to the determina
tion to make the practice of law his life work and
to this end he matriculated in the Detroit College of
Law, from which he was graduated in 1913, receiving
the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He at onee opened
an office in this eity and throughout the intervening
years has given his attention to. general law practice.
His professional brethren acknowledge his ability and
his resourcefulness. He belongs to the Detroit Bar
Association and also to the Lawyers' Club.
On the 6th of September, 1916, Mr. Lux was mar
ried to Miss Celia Shepheard of St. Louis, Mis
souri, and they have one son: George, Jr., born August
14, 1919. Mr. Lux is keenly interested in Detroit's
welfare and progress, to which end he cooperates with
the Board of Commerce in all the plans and projects
put forth by that organization for the benefit of the ,
city. He belongs to the Fellowcraft Club and to the
Detroit Yacht Club, is a member of Highland Park
Lodge, No. 468, F. & A. M., has attained the thirty-
second degree of the Scottish Rite in the Michigan
Sovereign Consistory at Detroit and is also a member
of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
RAYMOND K. DYKEMA is recognized as a promi
nent younger member of the Detroit bar. He was
born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, February 17, 1889,
and is of Holland descent.
Raymond K. Dykema attended the public schools
and the University of Michigan, receiving the degree
of LL. B. as a graduate of the class of 1911. Fol
lowing admission to the bar he began practice in the
office of Bundy, Travis & Merrick at Grand Rapids,
being thus associated from August, 1911, until Feb

ruary, 1912. In the latter year he came to Detroit and
was associated with Angell, Boynton, McMillan, Bod-
man & Turner, now the firm of Angell & Turner, until
January 1, 1917. At that date he became attorney for
the Michigan Central Railroad and continued in this
capacity until May 1 of the same year, when the United
States having entered the World war, he was appointed
to the First Reserve Officers Training Corps at Fort
Sheridan and won his commission as first lieutenant.
During his service he was promoted to the rank of
Captain. He began his military experience in the
adjutant general's department and ended in the air
service, being in military service for twenty-one
months, receiving his discharge January 25, 1919.
His father had served in a Michigan cavalry regiment
for four years of the Civil war. Returning to Detroit,
Mr. Dykema again entered upon the practice of law
on the 1st of March, 1919, and has continued to the
present time. He has been identified with a number
of important eases.
On the 17th of August, 1917, Mr. Dykema married
Margery D. Russel, daughter of John R. Russel, and
they have two children: John Russel and Mary. Mr.
Dykema is a republican in his political views. He is
a member of the University Club, Detroit Club, Coun
try Club, Indian Village Club, Fine Arts Society, and
the Detroit Bar Association.
WILLIAM C. RESTRICK, vice president of the
Restrick Lumber Company, was born in Detroit Octo
ber 8, 1890, a son of Charles W. and Jane (Cowie)
Restrick, a sketch of the father appearing elsewhere
in this publication. William C. Restrick prepared for
college at the Detroit University Sehool of this city
and then entered the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor, from which he was graduated with the Bach
elor of Arts degree in the class of 1912. After leav
ing college he joined the Restrick Lumber Company, of
which his father was president, and through the in
tervening period has continued with the business. He
has gained advancement and recognition of his knowl
edge and ability, and early in 1920 became secretary
of the company, while on the 1st of September, 1920,
he was elected vice president and is now serving in
the new capacity.
In 1915 Mr. Restrick was united in marriage to
Miss Minnie Homiller of Washington, D. C, and they
have become parents of one son: William C, Jr. Fra
ternally Mr. Restrick is a Mason, belonging to Pales
tine Lodge, and he is a member of the Detroit Ath
letic Club and the University Club, also of the Theta
Delta Chi, a college fraternity. His political endorse
ment is given to the republican party and his re
ligious faith is that of the Westminster Presbyterian
church. No record of Mr. Restrick would be complete with
out mention of one of the vital experiences of his
life, which followed' his enlistment in the navy on
the 22d of June, 1917. He served on the submarine

GEORGE V. LUX

CITY OF DETROIT

345

chaser, No. 178, operating in both American and French
waters and finally off the Irish coast at the time of
the armistice.
BENJAMIN STANLEY PAGEL, admitted to the
bar in 1906, since which time he has engaged in prac
tice in Detroit, was born in this city in 1883, a son of
John W. and Maria (Stanley) Pagel. The father was
born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1859 and passed away in
1894. The mother survives and is now living at
Highland Park, Detroit.
Spending his youthful days in his native city, Ben
jamin S. Pagel mastered the branches of learning
taught in the publie schools, passing through con
secutive grades to the high sehool, and in 1906 he
was graduated on the completion of a law course in
the University of Miehigan, with the degree of LL. B.
The same year he was admitted to the bar and opened
an office in Detroit for the practice of law. Here he
lias continued, engaging in general practice, and as
the years have gone by his clientage has steadily in
creased, becoming of a distinctively representative
character. On the 29th of March, 1913, in Detroit, Mr. Pagel
was married to Miss Unabelle Locke, a daughter of
William Locke, and they have become parents of
two children: Benjamin, who was born in 1915; and
Jane. Mr. Pagel is a republican in his political
views. During the war period he served on the legal
advisory board, also on the loan drives and as a Four-
Minute man. He belongs to the Detroit Bar Associa
tion and the American Bar Association and along more
strictly social lines has connection with the Detroit
Athletic Club, the Detroit Tennis Club and the De
troit Boat Club. He belongs also to the Cass Avenue
Methodist Episcopal church and is serving on its of
ficial board. His activities are broad and varied,
touching the general interests of society, his aid and
cooperation being counted upon to further all those
projects which work for the uplift of the individual
and the betterment of the community at large.
HOWARD C. CHILSON, of Detroit, received thor
ough training in the law department of the University
of Michigan, which has made this institution one of
the leading educational centers of the country. He
was born in Southlyon, Livingston county, Michigan,
February 5, 1890, and is a son of Elbert Victor and
Louise E. (Hammond) Chilson. The father devoted
his life .to newspaper publication and was ever a
stalwart advocate of republican principles.
Howard C. Chilson pursued his education in the
public and high schools of Lansing, Michigan, and
afterward entered the State University for the study
of law, completing his course in the law department
as a member of the class of 1912. He then removed
to Detroit, where he has continued in general prac
tice, and the passing years have marked his consistent
advancement, resulting from the development of his

powers, his success being attested by the court re
ports, which bear testimony to the many verdicts
which he has won favorable to the interests of his
clients. He is a member of the Detroit Bar Associa
tion, also of the Lawyers Club and of Delta Theta
Phi, fraternity.
Mr. Chilson 's public service in a civil capacity was
rendered as assistant secretary of the Michigan state
senate from 1913 until 1915. During America's con
nection- with the World- war he became identified with
the air service as representative of air craft pro
duction, being a member of Class 5-G in the draft.
On the 24th of November, 1917, Mr. Chilson was
married to Miss Margaret Grace McAnon of Calumet,
Michigan, and they have one daughter: Mary Frances.
Mr. Chilson turns to hunting and fishing for recrea
tion and diversion from the duties of a growing pro
fession, having already won a well established repu
tation that many an older member of the bar might
well envy.
ROY CARPENTER MANSON, dealer in manufac
turers' supplies in Detroit, is a native son of Ken
tucky, born December 25, 1882, who, however, was
reared in Chicago, where he attended the public and
high schools, his parents having removed to that city
when he was a youth of fourteen.
When Roy Carpenter Manson had completed his edu
cation as a high sehool pupil in Chicago he took up
business in connection with the Novelty Tufting
Machine Company, which was organized in 1894 by
Alfred Freschl, who was an inventor and the patentee
of the original tufting machine. This was the only
tufting machine business in the world at the time
and an extensive enterprise was carried on while
tufting was in vogue. Mr. Manson became associated
with Mr. Freschl and they organized the Tufting Ma
chine Supply Company, which was incorporated in
1903. and supplied machines to manufacturers of au
tomobiles, carriages and furniture. In 1913 Mr. Freschl
retired, Mr. Manson purchasing his interest in the
business. In 1915 he surrendered the charter of the
old Novelty Tufting Machine Company and is now
mainly engaged in handling accessories, top trimmings
and labor-saving devices. He has been identified with
the automobile industry since its inception and has
been a most interested witness of its continued growth
and development until it has reached a place among
the first of the industries of America in extent and
importance. In 1903 Mr. Manson was married to Miss Paula
Freschl and they are now parents of two children:
Grant Carpenter, who graduated from Eastern high
school in 1920 and is now a student at Phillips Acad
emy, Andover, Massachusetts; and Marjorie Carpenter.
Mr. Manson belongs to various leading social organi
zations of the city, having membership with the Loch
moor, Players and Wolverine Clubs, the Detroit Ath
letic Club, the Detroit Automobile Club, Detroit Boat

346

CITY OF DETROIT

Club and the Board of Commerce. Nature endowed
him with keen intellectual force and discernment and
he has used his talents wisely and well in his business
career and in meeting all of life's problems.
ROBERT ALEXANDER PATRICK. Among the
younger business men of Detroit to whose inspiration
and forcefulness the city owes the greater share of
her dynamic success, Robert A. Patrick was in the
foremost rank. Detroit suffered a distinct loss when
he passed away. Yet only thirty-nine years of age
Mr. Patrick had risen to a position of responsibility
and honor attained by few of greater years who are
also successful men.
Robert A. Patrick who born in Detroit February
5, 1881, and spent his boyhood days in the home of
his parents, Alexander Lawson and Agnes (Black)
Patrick, during which period he pursued a publie
school education that carried him to the high school.
He also attended the Detroit School for Boys and the
Upper Canada College of Toronto.
Throughout his connection with business interests
Mr. Patrick was identified with the paper trade. First,
he entered the employ of F. S. Dresskell & Company
and so continued until December, 1908, when Mr.
Dresskell retired from business and the firm name of
the Dresskell Paper Company was assumed, Mr. Pat
rick becoming manager of the new undertaking. When,
in June, 1911, the Bermingham & Seaman Company of
Chicago, the largest paper jobbers in the country,
wished to enter the Detroit market, they sought the co
operation of Mr. Patrick and organized a new corpora
tion under the style of the Bermingham-Seaman-Patriek
Company, of which Mr. Patrick became president and
manager. In 1917 the firm style of the Seaman-Patrick
Paper Company was adopted for the Detroit house,
the Chicago house being known as the Seaman Paper
Company. The Detroit organization, under the able
management of Mr. Patrick, quickly reached the point
of being the largest wholesale paper business con
ducted in the state of Michigan, dealing in fine print
ing papers exclusively. One of the Detroit daily news
papers at the time of Mr. Patrick's death wrote:
"As president and general manager of the Seaman-
Patrick Paper Company he had taken his place among
the younger leaders of business and had long demon
strated a capacity to give kindness and consideration
their proper place in affairs of the dollar."
On the 10th of February, 1912, Mr. Patrick was
married to Miss Mary G. Everson of Detroit, daughter
of George and Julia (Hoist) Everson, and they be
came the parents of two children: Robert Alexander,
Jr., born April 15, 1913; and Mary Louise, born De
cember 31, 1915.
Mr. Patrick held membership in the Presbyterian
church and his religious belief guided him in every
relation of life. Politically he was a republican and
fraternally he was connected with the Masons, be
longing to Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M.; King Cyrus

chapter, R. A. M.; and Detroit Commandery, Knights
Templar. He also had membership in the Detroit
Athletic Club, Detroit Boat Club, Wolverine and De
troit Automobile Clubs, Adcraft Club, Detroit Golf
Club, Oakland Hills Country Club and the Wilderness
Club of Mackinaw.
The death of Robert A. Patrick from pneumonia
occurred February 6, 1920, at which time one of the
Detroit papers said: "It was amid the promises of
larger and larger business success, the blessedness of
happy family life, the enjoyment of a wealth of
friends, and it might be said still in youth, that Robert
Alexander Patrick passed away." The news of his
demise carried with it a sense of personal bereave
ment to all with whom he had been associated through
business or social relations. Kindness and forbear
ance were ever among his salient characteristics. He
was continually extending a helping hand and his
belief in his fellowmen brought out the good in
others. MATHEW A. YOUNG, one of the largest dealers in
motor cars in Michigan, early had the prescience to
discern something of what the future held in store for
the automobile industry and became one of the pion
eers in the auto sales business in Detroit. Mr. Young
is born in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, December 16,
1872, son of Mathew A. and Elizabeth (Gibb) Young,
and in his native town pursued his education in the
public schools. He afterward attended the Ontario
College of Pharmacy at Toronto in 1891 and 1892 and
won the degrees of Ph. M. B. and A. C. In 1892 and
1893 he was engaged in the drug business in Toronto,
Canada, and in the latter year crossed the border
into Michigan, locating at Lansing, where for two
years he conducted a drug store.
Since 1895 Mr. Young has been identified with
Detroit. He here established and conducted a drug
store for five years and was recognized as a skilled
pharmacist, with several high degrees to his credit,
but with wonderful foresight he perceived the future
possibilities of the automobile trade and gave up his
profession to become connected with the sale of motor
cars. He was numbered with W. H. Neumann and
William E. Metzger as one of the pioneer retail auto
mobile dealers in Detroit. In 1900 he became a mem
ber of the firm of Young & Miller, which association
was maintained until 1905, when he established an
independent business and has since remained alone.
He now handles the Peerless and Mitchell motor cars
and as state distributor of these cars he has built up
a business of immense proportions. In 1920 Mr. Young
completed a beautiful three-story building at Wood
ward avenue and Brady street, which is said to be the
last word in display room and service construction,
with immense plate-glass windows, mosaic flooring and
mahogany trimming throughout. It is one of the
most complete structures of its kind in the middle
west.

ROBERT ALEXANDER PATRICK

CITY OF DETROIT

349

On the 11th of November, 1897, Mr. Young was
married to Miss Mary E. Wilderspin of Amherstburg,
Ontario, and they have one daughter: Kathleen Eliza
beth. Mr. Young is a thirty-second degree Mason and
the craft numbers him among its loyal followers. He
also belongs to Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and
his political belief that of the republican party. He
belongs to the National Automobile Dealers Associa
tion, the Detroit Automobile Dealers Association, the
Detroit Motor Boat Club and the Detroit Automobile
Club and is a member of the Board of Commerce.
Along the lines of an orderly progression has his
business life been ordered and his large business ca
pacity, enterprise and determination have constituted
the basic elements upon which he has builded the
superstructure of his success.
FREDERICK SANDERS. No history of the com
mercial development of Detroit would be complete and
satisfactory were there failure to make prominent
reference to the confectionery house which hag long
been conducted under the name of Sanders. In fact
it has been controlled by three successive generations
and represents a wonderful business development, keep
ing pace with the progress of Detroit and winning
even national reputation. For decade after decade
the name of Sanders has been a household word in this
city and has ever been synonymous with honorable
dealing, progressive methods and initiative.
Frederick Sanders, whose name introduces this re
view, was long widely known as a manufacturing con
fectioner and representative business man of Detroit.
He was born in Biehl, Baden, Germany, July 1, 1848,
his parents being Alvin and Caroline (Conrad) San
ders, who in the year 1849 came with their family to
the United States, settling in Peru, Illinois, where the
father followed the occupation of a baker and estab
lished business on his own account. Frederick Sanders
was the second in order of birth in a family of six
children and after acquiring his education in the
public sehools of Peru he there began learning the
baking business. When a youth of but seventeen
years he returned to his native country, working his
passage as a ship's baker. In Karlsruhe, in the prov
ince of Baden, he learned the confectioners' business,
spending three years in his native land, and before
his return to the new world he was united in mar
riage to Miss Rose Conrad. On again coming to the
United States Frederick Sanders took up his abode in
Chicago in 1871, entering the employ of Charles Gun-
ther, the famous confectioner of that eity. He after
ward aided in establishing the equally successful con
fectionery business of John Kranz of Chicago, which
is still in existence.
, Mr. Sanders' connection with Detroit dates from
1875, in which year he removed to this city, deciding
to embark in the business on his own account. Ac
cordingly he opened a small place at the corner of

Woodward avenue and State street and in the be
ginning had but little assistance in the conduct of the
business or in the manufacture of candy. His dili
gence and determination at length overcame all the
obstacles which seemed to bar the path to success and
after a time he found it necessary to obtain assist
ance and to remove to larger quarters, which he
secured in the old Fisher building, located on the
site of the Majestic building. With the removal he
broadened the scope of his operations and in the
early '80s he erected a handsome pavilion of pic
turesque architecture at the corner of Woodward and
Michigan avenues and there laid the foundation of
the great success which has since been attached to
the name of Sanders. He was always most careful
in the quality of his products and the name of Sanders
soon became a synonym for confections of the highest
grades. Another thing notable in his career is that
he was the pioneer in manufacturing and bringing out
the now popular drink of ice cream soda, which is
today sold not only throughout America but through
out the world. His production of this new drink was
almost accidental. In those days the cream or sweet
milk soda was the standard drink; but there hap
pened a rainy afternoon, when the Sanders store was
crowded with patrons, and the milk and cream had
soured. Unwilling to disappoint his customers Mr.
Sanders was forced to substitute some other concoc
tion and happily thought of placing ice cream with the
soda and flavor instead of milk. The new drink im
mediately became popular, and the result was the
establishment of ice cream soda as the most prized
and widely known drink upon the face of the globe
today. The patronage of the house constantly in
creased and the success attending the efforts of Mr.
Sanders was thereby augmented. After a time he
removed to 180 Woodward avenue and subsequently
secured a lease at Nob. 143 and 145 Woodward. The
main building of the Sanders business is located now
at 381 Woodward avenue, where the firm occupies six
floors and full basement of a most substantial and
attractive business block. In addition to this im
mense confectionery plant there are three other retail
stores operated by the firm in Detroit. Mr. Sanders
always attributed much of his success to close ob
servance of catering methods, both in this country and
abroad. Almost twenty times did he sail for foreign
lands, visiting nearly every large metropolis of Eu
rope as well as of America and at all times studying
questions relative to his business. In Detroit he ad
mitted his son, Edward, his son-in-law, John Miller,
and grandson, Frederick W. Sanders, to a partner
ship and the association was maintained through the
lifetime of Frederick Sanders.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sanders were born three children:
Charles, who died July 12, 1900; Edward, who be
came his partner in business; and Ella, the deceased
wife of John Miller. Mr. Sanders passed away in
Detroit, January 5, 1913, and is survived by his widow.

350

CITY OF DETROIT

His grandson, Fred W. Sanders, has succeeded to his
business, so that the name of Sanders is still closely
associated with the confectionery trade of Detroit
and therewith has since maintained an unassailable
reputation through all the years which have passed
since Frederick Sanders came to this city in 1875.
He never had occasion to regret his determination
to eome to the new world, for here he found the oppor
tunities which he sought and in their utilization made
steady progress until he long occupied a creditable po
sition on the plane of affluence in this city.
ALBERT HENRY FINN. In the home of the min
ister of the Baptist chureh in St. Clair, Michigan,
June 15, 1862, was born the subject of this sketch.
Rev. Silas Finn was a native of Pennsylvania and
Cynthia Eaton, his wife, while born in New York
state, was a descendant of the Dedham, (Mass.),
Eatons. Thus two pre-Revolutionary lines merged.
Educated in the publie schools and spending a short
time in Kalamazoo College, Albert Henry Finn entered
the "College of Hard Knocks" with enthusiasm and
studious regard for its valuable lessons. His boyhood
days were largely spent on a farm. At twelve years
of age he joined his older brother in a country general
store in Royal Oak. Printing had a peculiar fascina
tion for him, and at fifteen years he was a job printer
on his own account and at seventeen years of age was
the editor of the Royal Oak Midget, a weekly news
paper. The field at that time was very circumscribed
and a new and larger opportunity was found at Capac,
where he and Joseph Soults established the Capac
Argus. While here he felt the need for more scholastic
education and securing a man to take his place, he
went to Kalamazoo College. He was soon recalled to
establish a weekly newspaper, The Sun, at Fort Gratiot,
now a part of Port Huron, and the place where the
firm of Finn & Soults later consolidated its interests.
Subsequently Mr. Finn sold out to his partner and ac
cepted a position on the Port Huron Times, daily. This
was a valuable experience in more ways than one.
Then Detroit called and he went to the Miehigan
Christian Herald, giving an all-around business, edi
torial and mechanical service. Aspiring again to
launch out for himself he purchased the Port Huron
Tribune and returned to that eity. For eight years
he put in a strenuous existence in newspaper, printing
and editorial work and the management of the Port
Huron Fair and Exposition.
In 1886 Mr. Finn married Katherice Scott of De
troit and established a home in Port Huron. After
an extended trip through the northwest in the sum
mer of 1890, he received propositions to go to the
Cincinnati Post and the Detroit Journal almost in
the same mail, and chose the advertising management
of the latter, assuming the new position September
1, 1890. For ten years he gave his best efforts to this
newspaper, succeeding to the business management,
manager of foreign advertising, when he covered the

entire country, and then as assistant general manager.
He severed his relations with the Journal with a
change of ownership in 1900.
Next we find him doing special advertising work
on the Chicago Tribune, but with his home and family
in Detroit, it was not difficult for him to seize the
opportunity to purchase the Michigan Christian Herald,
which he had served nearly twenty years before, be
coming its editor and manager. This continued for
four years. • During this period, in 1903, he organized
The Franklin Press, which developed so rapidly he
surrendered the editorial and business management of
the newspaper and devoted his energies to the printing
company, which has developed into one of the out
standing institutions of the country. He continued
general manager until 1912. He remained with the
company until 1916, when he decided to give all
his time to real estate, although still the largest
stockholder of The Franklin Press. He has since
parted with his holdings.
These years with The Franklin Press saw the won
derful development of magazines and advertising. Mr.
Finn, in 1906, purchased The Pilgrim magazine, of
which he was editor and publisher until its sale to
St. Louis parties. He was chairman of the publicity
committee of the Detroit Board of Commerce, and
prepared and conducted before the Adcraft Club the
first constructive advertising course ever given by an
advertising club in this country. He also edited
several house and trade magazines.
For many years extensively interested in real estate,
in 1916 he centered his mind on real estate invest
ments. This was a wonderful development period for
Detroit and Mr. Finn entered heartily into the great
problems involved. The first month of his new career
he sold eight hundred thousand dollars ' worth of Wood
ward avenue property to one captain of industry.
He has been the middleman influence that has brought
about the erection of several outstanding structures.
He himself, has been a large operator, being president
of the Bungalohill Land Company, secretary of the
Van Alstine Land Company, secretary of the New
Century Realty Company and having large holdings
in Detroit, Toledo, Chicago and in the state of Mich
igan. Mr. and Mrs. Finn have had six children, two dying
in infancy, Eaton Scott, their oldest son, dying at
Manistee ,at the age of twenty-four, where he was
associated with the Buckley & Douglass Lumber Com
pany. The living are, the daughter, Miss Irene, who
attended Wellesley and the University of Michigan,
graduating in '11; James Crampton, University of
Miehigan '21; and Silas Munger, University of Mich
igan '23, who is preparing to enter foreign trade and
is now in attendance at French universities. Both or
the living sons were in the service in France nearly
two years during the late war.
Mr and Mrs. Finn and the children are all members
of the First Baptist chureh. He was one of the organ-

ALBERT H. FINN

CITY OF DETROIT

353

izers of the Baptist Young Peoples Union of America
in 1891, and served for several years on the board of
managers and the executive committee. He was the
first president of the Detroit City Baptist Young
Peoples Union, is now secretary of the Detroit Baptist
Union; member of the general promotion board of the
Northern Baptist Convention, and secretary of the
finance committee of the Board. Mrs. Finn is active
in Women's club work.
In polities Mr. Finn is an independent republican.
He is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, De
troit Athletic Club, Aderaft Club, Ingleside Club,
Detroit Real Estate Board, Chicago Real Estate Board
(Associate) American Academy of Political and Social
Science, Sons of American Revolution, Masonic fra
ternity, aetive in the Y. M. C. A. and an extensive
contributor to the press.
JOSEPH FRESARD, a farm bred boy who has made
for himself a creditable and enviable position in com
mercial circles as a lumber dealer of Detroit, was
born in Macomb county, Michigan. His parents are
Sylvester and Odelia (La Beouf) Fresard, both of
whom are living. The father has devoted his life to
the occupation of farming, thus providing for his
family. Joseph Fresard spent his youthful days as a pupil
in the schools of Mount Clemens, Michigan, and thus
qualified for life's practical and responsible duties.
His home training was that of the farm and he early
became familiar with the best methods of tilling the
soil and caring for the crops as he aided his father
in the work of the fields until he reached the age of
twenty years. Thinking to find other pursuits more
congenial, he left home and spent the two succeed
ing years in following the masonry and cement busi
ness, which he thoroughly learned. He afterward be
came secretary and treasurer of the Standard Lumber
Company and so continued until the business was sold
six years later. On the expiration of that period he
joined the American Lumber & Coal Company and
when it was incorporated in June, 1917, he became
secretary and treasurer thereof. They have an area
of two and a quarter acres of land at the corner of
St. Jean and Shoemaker streets and upon this property
stand fine offices and other buildings. They handle all
kinds of lumber and have their own planing mill,
so that they can supply interior finish and all kinds of
woods for builders. Mr. Fresard has done much build
ing himself, erecting many houses in Detroit and thus
aiding in meeting the great housing problem which the
city has faced in the last few years through the era
of its marvelous development. Moreover, the com
pany through its lumber-yards and planing mill has
furnished building materials to many prominent con
tractors of the city and the business has reached most
substantial proportions.
In 1916 Mr. Fresard was united in marriage to Miss
Julia Couchez and they have one son, Joseph B. The
Vol. IV— 23

religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic
chureh and Mr. Fresard is a third degree member of
the Knights of Columbus. He maintains an independ
ent course in politics and has never sought nor desired
political office, preferring to concentrate his efforts
and energies upon business affairs. In the field of
labor which he entered many years ago his progress
has been continuous and a consistent purpose has
brought him steadily to the front, while his solution of
business problems has at all times been accurate, at
tended with success.
SHERWOOD DICKERSON ANDRUS, vice presi
dent of the Interstate Fire Insurance Company of
Detroit, is a native of Watertown, New York, born
April 5, 1855, and is a representative of an old Ameri
can family established in New England prior to the
Revolutionary war. Since that time the name has
been synonymous with all that is strictly American
in the highest and best sense of the term. The educa
tional opportunities of Sherman D. Andrus were those
afforded by the publie school system of the Empire
state and after his textbooks were put aside he
turned his attention to the insurance business in
Watertown, becoming connected with the Black River
Insurance Company, which in course of time was re
organized under the name of the Northern Insurance
Company. In 1878 Mr. Andrus went to Chicago, where
he joined the Sun Fire Insurance Company of Eng
land, and afterward he was with the Norwich Union
Insurance, Company, also of England, going out on
the road for both of these companies. In the year
1890 he was made examiner in the office of the Na
tional Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, Connect
icut, with headquarters in Chicago. In 1903 he en
tered into association with the Providence-Washington
Insurance Company, which he represented on the road
until 1906. In that year he was made assistant man
ager of the western department of the company and
so remained until April, 1908, when he joined the
Commonwealth Insurance Company of New York,
traveling for that corporation in the middle west for
a year. He next became general agent for the western
department of the Georgia Home Insurance Company
of Columbus, Georgia, with headquarters in Chicago,
and when the company closed its western department
he joined the New Jersey Fire Insurance Company
as superintendent of agencies, accepting that position
in 1912. Two years later, or in 1914, he left the
position to become manager and vice president of
the Interstate Fire Insurance Company of Detroit and
in this capacity is still serving. He is also an in
surance underwriter and is one of the well informed
men of the insurance business, thoroughly familiar
with all phases of insurance, both as a salesman and
as an executive.
Mr. Andrus has been married twice. In 1888 he
wedded Laura A. Stebbins of Chicago, who has passed

354

CITY OF DETROIT

away. In 1916 he was joined in wedlock to Mary A.
Robertson of Marine City, Michigan.
Mr. Andrus is a worthy exemplar of Masonry, be
longing to Auburn Park Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and
Auburn Park Chapter, R. A. M. He is likewise a mem
ber of the Fellowcraft Club and of the Canopus Club.
His political endorsement is given to the republican
party, of which he has long been a stalwart champion,
and his religious faith is indicated in the fact that he
is a communicant of the Episcopal church. He has
never been active as a club man or as a political
leader but has concentrated his efforts and attention
upon his business affairs, holding to high standards
and winning his advancement by methods that neither
seek nor require disguise.
IRVINE BOWMAN UNGER. In banking circles
in Detroit no man was more honored or more greatly
deserved the success and prominence that came to
him than Irvine Bowman Unger. He entered the bank
ing circles of this eity as cashier of the Preston Na
tional Bank and for many years he filled the position
of vice president of the Old Detroit National Bank,
continuing to act in that capacity to the time of his
demise. He was a most close and thorough student of
banking in every phase and department and his opin
ions were constantly sought by fellow members of
the banking fraternity, who have said of him, "he
was a power in the financial world."
Mr. Unger came to this city from Canada, where
his birth occurred on the 12th of July, 1862, his
parents being Mr. and Mrs. John Unger, whose family
numbered eight children. The father was a farmer
and extensively carried on agricultural pursuits to
the time of his death.
Irvine Bowman Unger pursued his education in the
public schools near his father's home until he had
completed the high school course, after which he
became a student in a college in Canada. He carefully
considered the broad fields of business with its limitless
opportunities along industrial, commercial, agricultural
and professional lines and at length determined
upon the banking business as offering a field
which he believed would prove congenial and hoped
would prove profitable. Accordingly he secured a
position in a Canadian bank and rose rapidly in that
connection, occupying important positions in Montreal
and Windsor before coming to the United States.
At length Mr. Unger decided to cross the border
and try his fortune in Detroit. Coming to this city,
he received appointment to the position of casEier
of the Preston National Bank and was afterward made
cashier of the Old Detroit National Bank. Some time
later he was elected to the vice presidency of that
institution and remained as its second executive of
ficer to the time of his death. He was a man of pro
nounced ability in banking circles. Men profited by
his knowledge, for he had gained an intimate under
standing of banks and banking laws of both the United

States and Canada. His study was comprehensive
and exact and the value of his opinions was widely
recognized by all.
On the 23d of June, 1902, Mr. Unger was united in
marriage to Mrs. Edith Perrin Shaw, a daughter of
Samuel Perrin, representative of a prominent and well
known Canadian family. Her father was a real estate
man for many years, conducting an extensive busi
ness of that character, but eventually retired from
aetive life. Mr. and Mrs. Unger occupied a very
prominent social position and were consistent members
of the Episcopal church, in the faith of which he
passed away on the 7th of March, 1912, his remains
being interred in Woodlawn cemetery. Throughout
the period of his residence in Detroit Mr. Unger took
a deep and helpful interest in all that pertained to
the welfare and progress of the city. For several terms
he served as treasurer of the Board of Commerce,
in which he long held membership. He was a member
of the American Bankers Association and he had a
very wide and prominent acquaintance in the banking
fraternity of the country. He belonged to the Rotary
Club, the Detroit Club and to the Detroit Athletic
Club and was a charter member of the Detroit Boat
Club, with which he was identified for more than a
quarter of a century. He also held membership in
the Detroit Auto Club and his social qualities and
sterling traits of character brought to him high
regard and well deserved popularity. Mrs. Unger makes
her home in Detroit and is very prominent in club
circles and in connection with benevolent projects of
the city. She has membership in the Twentieth Cen
tury Club and the Woman's City Club and is now
vice president of the Detroit Industrial School. She
is also vice president of the Animal Welfare Associa
tion of Detroit and is a trustee of the Thompson Home
for Old Ladies, in which she takes most active and
helpful interest. She likewise belongs to the Com
munity Garden Club and is interested in all those
forces which make for the betterment of publie con
ditions and which tend to uplift the individual. Her
kindly spirit is constantly manifest in helpful interest
toward many projects which are seeking to ameliorate
the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate.
BEVERLY DRAKE HARISON, M. A., M. D., F.
A. C. P. Dr. Beverly Drake Harison, an eminent rep
resentative of the medical profession of Michigan,
now practicing in Detroit, and the secretary of the
Michigan State Board .of Registration in Medicine,
was born in Canton, St. Lawrence county, New York,
May 8, 1855, his parents being Minturn and Susan
(Drake) Harison, the former a native of the city of
New York, while the latter was born at Ithaca, New
York, and was a daughter of Judge Beverly Drake,
who served with distinction on the bench at Ithaca
for more than four decades. In England the "Han
sons were a family of great antiquity, originally from
Cumberland, afterwards of East Court and Hurst,

IRVINE B. UNGER

CITY OF DETROIT

357

Berkshire. They became of considerable importance
in the reign of Charles I, and were most loyal sup
porters of that sovereign during the Rebellion." James
Harison of Cumberland, born in 1447, who married
Margaret, daughter of Sir John Bourclair, was great
grandfather of Thomas Harison, born 1530, of East
Court, Berkshire, who married Alse, daughter of Sir
Richard Warde of Hurst House, Hurst, Berkshire.
Cofferer (treasurer) to Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary
and Elizabeth, and who died aged ninenty-seven years,
father of eight sons and nine daughters. Hurst House
and Whistley Manor in Hurst were granted to the
Wardes by Henry VIII, in 1539 and had formed part
of the endowment granted by King Edgar to the
convent at Abingdon. Thomas Harison 's grandson,
Sir Richard Harison, Kt. of East Court and Hurst,
born 1584, B. A. St. Mary's Hall, Oxford, Member of
Parliament Wootton-Bassett, Berkshire and Windsor,
1621-1640 (intimate friend of Archbishop Laud, and
whose sister, Frances, married Thomas Howard, third
Earl of Berkshire), married Frances, in direct descent
from the Barons Darces of the North, daughter of
Sir Henry Saville, Reader to Queen Elizabeth, Warden
of Merton College, Oxford, Provost of Eton; his son,
Sir Richard Harison, Bart, of Hurst House, Hurst,
born 1611. B. A. St. Alban's College, Oxford (1629)
Lincoln Inn, London (1631), Barrister, was father of
Rev. William Harison, M. A. (Oxon), Rector of
Cheriton, Hants, whose son, Francis Harison, B. A.
(Oxon), Lincoln Inn, Barrister, settled in New York
eity in 1708. He figured prominently in connection
with its history for many years and for over two
decades was a member of the Colonial Council and
Examiner in Chancery. His grandson, Richard Hari
son, born 1747, died 1829, A. B., Columbia University
1764 (John Jay only other member of graduating class
of 1764), D. C. L. (Oxford), lawyer and federalist,
acted with Hamilton, Jay and Livingston against
Clinton and Burr; member of New York legislature,
1788-1789; member of constitutional convention, was
first United States federal attorney under Washington
at New York (1790), and recorder of the city of New
York, 1798-1801. He served as vestryman, warden
and comptroller of Trinity church, New York, from
1783 to 1827, and had sons, grandsons and great
grandsons who graduated from Columbia University.
He married Dr. Harison 's great grandmother, Frances,
daughter of George Duncan Ludlow, chief justice of
New Brunswick, in direct descent from Edward I of
England, 1272 (the greatest of constitutional monarchs,
and who established the English parliament, and also
the English courts practically as they exist today),
and his wife, Margaret, daughter of Philip III of
France, through their son, Thomas, Earl of Norfolk,
and his daughter, Margaret Plantagenet, who married
John, third Lord Segrave (Burke, Haldan's Ms.). Dr.
Harison 's grandfather, Richard Nichols Harison, A. B.,
Columbia University, 1804, counsellor-at-law, resided
in New York city and Canton, New York. The above

genealogical record is found in the History of the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Sawyer), Chronicles of
Finshampstead (Lyon), History of the City of New
York (Lamb), History of the Parish of Trinity Church,
N. Y. (Dix), History of Berkshire (Ashmole). New
York Genealogical and Biographical Record, vol. XXV.,
1894. When Dr. Harison was a lad of twelve years he
accompanied his parents to Toronto, Canada, and there
continued his education, becoming a student in Bish
op's College Sehool at Lennoxville, Quebec, while later
he attended Trinity College at Port Hope, Ontario,
the former known as the "Rugby" and the latter as
the "Eton" of Canada. His preliminary training
was, therefore, thorough and comprehensive and when
a youth of eighteen years he matriculated in the
University of Trinity College at Toronto, where he
completed his more specifically literary professional
knowledge. He prepared for the practice of medicine
as a student at Toronto University and won the de
gree of Bachelor of Medicine in 1882 on the comple
tion of a fours years' course, while subsequently the
M. D. degree was conferred upon him. Soon after his
graduation he became assistant to Dr. James Thor-
burn (Edin.), one of the leading physicians and sur
geons of Toronto. In 1885 he was appointed surgeon
to a large American producing corporation in Canada,
and so continued until 1888. In the latter year he
removed to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and en
tered upon active practice in Sault Ste. Marie, where
he continued to reside until January, 1906, and then
became a resident of Detroit. Throughout all the
intervening years from the date of his graduation
he has successfully followed the practice of medicine
and surgery and his wide experience, his broad study
and thorough investigation have gained him rank
with the most eminent representatives of the profes
sion in the state. He has also rendered most im
portant services as secretary of the Michigan State
Board of Registration in Medicine. A contemporary
biographer has said of him: "A most noteworthy and
commendable work and one that will ever redound
to his honor is that accomplished by Dr. Harison in
connection with raising the standards and methods
for admission to the practice of medicine in Michigan
to a standard higher than can be claimed in an official
sense by any other state in the Union. His efforts
have met with the hearty approval of the worthy
representatives of the various schools of practice and
all commend the regulations prescribed by legislative
enactment. Prior to 1889 various efforts had been made
at successive sessions of the legislature to procure
proper legislation in regulation of medical practice in
the state, but nothing definite had been accomplished.
In 1889, however, the Michigan State Medical Society
decided upon vigorous measures for improvement,
with the result that a committee on medical legisla
tion was appointed, with Dr. Harison as chairman.
He prepared the bill that was finally brought to en-

358

CITY OF DETROIT

actment, after consultation with loading representatives
of the regular, the homeopathic and the eclectic schools
of practice.. The bill was introduced in the house
by Hon. William Chandler, representative from Chip
pewa county, and thus was designated as the Chandler
bill, but Dr. Harison in a personal and official capacity
ably championed the measure, giving it careful at
tention at every stage, and as representative of the
Michigan State Medical Society paid all incidental
expenses in connection with forwarding the bill to
enactment. This admirable law provides for the state
board of registration in medicine, before which body
every person must pass an examination before being
permitted to practice in the state. The primary
object of the law is to eliminate charlatans and so-
called 'quacks' as well as those imperfectly educated
along both professional and academic lines. As already
stated, Dr. Harison has served as a member and sec
retary of this board from the time of its organization
and in this offiee he has had much to do with defining
administrative policies and making the work efficient
in every particular. ' '
"Dr. Harison still retains membership in the Upper
Peninsula Medical Society, of which he was one of
the organizers and of which he served as the second
secretary and the third president. He is one of the
influential and valued members of the Miehigan State
Medical Society, of which he was president in 1904-5,
and he is also actively identified with the American
Medical Association. While a resident of Sault Ste.
Marie he served six years as a member of the board
of trustees of the Upper Peninsula State Hospital
at Newberry, of which board he was president. His
professional and civic loyalty brought to him local pref
erment also, as he was called upon to serve as health
officer of Sault Ste. Marie, coroner of Chippewa county,
chief of staff of the Sault Ste. Marie General Hospital
and chief surgeon to the Michigan Lake Superior
Power Company, besides which he was division surgeon
for several railroads and has been consulting surgeon
for many of the larger charitable and benevolent in
stitutions of the state. Dr. Harison was the founder
of the American Confederation of Reciprocating, Ex
amining, Licensing Medical Boards of the United
States, an organization instituting Medical reciprocity
in some forty states and promoting uniformity of pre
liminary and medical requirements of the several
states. Of this valuable body he was the first sec
retary and still holds this office (1910)." In 1912
the union of the American and National Confederation
of State Medical Boards was brought about largely
through the efforts of Dr. Harison, resulting in the
formation of the present Federation of State Medical
Boards of the United States. This body has in its
membership practically all of the state medical boards
in this country and it sets the standards of literary
and medical education necessary in order to obtain
the right to practice medicine in the several states in
membership. In this connection it creates annually

for state recognition an accredited list of secondary
schools, literary colleges and institutions, as well as
medical colleges and hospitals. The committee hav
ing charge of this most important feature of medical
education is designated the Committee on Classifica
tion and Standardization of Medical Colleges. It is
without question the most influential and effective
committee having to do with medical education in
the country and is distinctly national in its scope.
Since its creation several years ago Dr. Harison has
been its chairman and the annual reports to the fed
eration largely reflect the Michigan standards and
methods of administration.
On the 9th of October, 1889, Dr. Harison was united
in marriage to Miss Josephine Lister, a native of
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, and a daughter of Hon.
James F. Lister, K. C, a distinguished justice of the
court of appeals of the Province of Ontario and a
relative of the famous English surgeon, Lord Lister.
Dr. and Mrs. Harison have one daughter, Frances
Lister. Both the Doctor and his wife are members
of the Episcopal church. He is a member of the
American Geographical Society, a fellow of the Ameri
can College of Physicians and of the American Medi
cal Association. During the World war he became a
captain of the Medical Corps of the United States
army. He is also connected with many social and
fraternal organizations of representative character,
while his political support is given to the republican
party. That he is a man of broad scholarly attainments
is shadowed forth between the lines of this review.
The University of Michigan, in recognition of the
distinguished service he has rendered to the profes
sion of medicine, conferred upon him the Master of
Arts degree in June, 1910. He is a man with whom
association at all times means expansion and elevation.
He has ever been actuated by a spirit of helpfulness
toward his fellowmen and his ideals of life are most
high. BURR OTIS. Industrial activity in Detroit finds
a prominent representative in Burr Otis, who since
1908 has been at the head of the Otis Cement Con
struction Company and in this connection controls a
constantly expanding business, which is now one of the
important interests of this character in the city. Mr.
Otis is a native of Michigan, his birth having occurred
at Ionia on the 4th of October, 1882, his parents being
Anion and Cynthia (Harwood) Otis. In the acquire
ment of his education he attended the high school at
Saranac, Michigan, and also had the benefit of five
months' study in the Ferris School at Big Rapids.
Throughout his business career he has eagerly em
braced every opportunity that has made for advance
ment, for at all times he has been characterized by a
laudable ambition that has prompted him to take a
forward step whenever the way was open. Desirous
of engaging in business on his own account, in 1908
he organized the Otis Cement Construction Company,

^j^^j^^^^^^jmgmms^mm.

BURR OTIS

CITY OF DETROIT

361

of which he has since been president and general man
ager. This company engages in the execution of eon-
tracts for general concrete work and has thus been
closely associated with building operations in Detroit.
Mr. Otis was married to Miss Edith C. McDonald,
daughter of Charles and Mary Catherine (McFarland)
McDonald. Mr. Otis has always given his political allegiance
to the republican party but has never sought nor
desired office as a reward for party fealty. Fra
ternally he is connected with Union Lodge, No. 3, F.
& A. M., of which he is a past master, and has also
taken the Royal Arch degrees in Peninsular Chapter
and the Commandery degress in Detroit Commandery,
No. 1, K. T., the craft finding in him an exemplary
representative. He is a member of Michigan Sover
eign Consistory and a Noble of Moslem Temple of
the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the
Fellowcraft. and Ingleside Clubs and for a number
of years a member of the Rotary Club. His life il
lustrates the possibilities for successful accomplishment
through individual effort, and the story of his ac
tivities indicates what may be accomplished when
there is a will to dare and to do. The residence of
Mr. Otis is at 1646 Virginia Park.
JOHN DONALD MacKAY, for a quarter of a cen
tury a member of the Detroit bar, was born in Atlantic,
Iowa, in 1871. He was a son of Thomas Compton
MacKay and Johan MacKay, and is of pure High
land Scotch descent. In 1880 the MacKay family
removed to Spink county, South Dakota, John D.
being at that time nine years old.
The latter 's education was obtained in the district
schools of South Dakota, the high school of Atlantic,
Iowa, and the Preparatory school of Olivet College.
In 1894 he was graduated from Olivet College, with
the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He entered the De
troit College of Law, and was graduated in 1895, with
the degree of LL. B. The next year he was admitted
to the bar, and has since practiced in Detroit, being
a member of the firm of Stellwagen, MacKay and
Wade, formerly Cutcheon, Stellwagen and MacKay.
It is an age of specialization, and the most capable
men concentrate upon a single line. Mr. MacKay has
given his attention almost exclusively to corporation
law, and is regarded as one of the leaders of that
branch of the profession.
On the 17th of January, 1900, Mr. MacKay was
married at Wayne, Michigan, to Miss Isabella Hosie,
a daughter of James R. Hosie of Wayne, Michigan.
The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. MacKay is that
of the Presbyterian church. In club circles of De
troit he is a prominent figure, being well known as a
member of the Detroit Club, the University Club, the
Detroit Country Club, the Indian Village Club, and
the Lawyers' Club,. He also belongs to the Detroit
Ear Association, the Michigan State Bar Association
and the American Bar Association. His political en

dorsement is given to the republican party, and he
has figured more or less prominently in connection with
the political history of the state. He was agent for
the provost marshal general for the Twenty-Second
district of Detroit, was a director of the legal ad
visory board, and for three terms, from 1905 to 1911,
represented his district in the state senate.
CHRISTIAN HENRY HABERKORN, JR. Four
members of the Haberkorn family have been rep
resented in Detroit and it was in this eity that Chris
tian Henry Haberkorn, Jr., was born on the 24th of
May, 1889. The family was founded in America by
his paternal grandfather who was the youngest son
of John Henry Haberkorn, mayor of Altenburg, Hesse-
Darmstadt, Germany, and who came to the United
States in 1851, settling in Detroit. The following
year he wedded Martha Kolby, who had come from
Germany to Miehigan a few years before. Their son,
Christian Henry Haberkorn," Sr., was born in Detroit,
July 27, 1856, and was the founder of the firm of
C. H. Haberkorn & Company. He is mentioned at
length on another page of this work. He married
Miss Frances Harriet Ruehle, whose great grand
father was one of the first settlers of Detroit and
whose father, Frederick Ruehle, was a prominent
figure in connection with municipal affairs at an early
day, having been a member of the Board of Publie
Works and one of the four founders of the old Mich
igan Democrat.
C. H. Haberkorn, Jr., whose name introduces this
review acquired his early education in the Detroit Uni-
veristy School, which he attended from 1889 until
1908. He spent the summer of 1906, and also the
summer of 1908, in Europe, where he studied French
and German and also traveled extensively through
England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and
Holland. He became a Harvard student in 1908 and
during his college days had membership in the Phi
Beta Kappa, Sigma Alpha Phi, the Harvard Mission,
the Star Chamber, the Student Council, the Harvard
Cosmopolitan Club, the Deutcher Verien, the Cercle
Francais and the Harvard History Clubs. Upon the
completion of his course he was awarded the Bachelor
of Arts degree with the class of 1912. During his
sophomore, junior and senior years he held an hon
orary John Harvard scholarship and in his senior year
was the first marshal of the Phi Beta Kappa. In
June, 1913, in recognition of graduate work done dur
ing his fourth year at Cambridge, Harvard bestowed
upon him the Master of Arts degree.
With the completion of his university course Mr.
Haberkorn returned to Detroit and entered at once
into active connection with the furniture manufactur
ing business that had been established by his father
more than a third of a century before. He took up hi3
task with a thoroughness and an energy that promised
success and steadily mastered every phase of the busi
ness. He became the secretary and treasurer of the

362

CITY OF DETROIT

company and took over the management of all the
detail work of the enterprise. Since his father's
death he has succeeded to the presidency of the busi
ness and is therefore at the head of one of the import
ant productive industries of Detroit. The firm is
extensively engaged in furniture manufacturing and
its large output is always salable because of the ex
cellent character of the work done in the plant, the
reasonable prices and the straightforward business
dealing of the firm. In 1913 Mr. Haberkorn became sec
retary of the Grosse Pointe Park Corporation which
was formed to develop, improve and prepare for
sale, a large tract of land in the suburbs of Detroit,
in which he and his father were heavy investors. In
the following year he became secretary and treasurer
of the Haberkorn Investment Company, a corpora
tion formed to manage the various real estate invest
ments held by Mr. Haberkorn and his father. C. H.
Haberkorn, Jr., was likewise made secretary and treas
urer of the Beck Cereal Company, which under license
of the United States Food Administration took an
important part in meeting the war-time demand for
food products. Moreover, during the war period the
furniture company placed the facilities of the factory
at the disposal of the government and was engaged
first in the small scale production of complete aero
planes and later in the large scale manufacture of
aeroplane parts. In addition to his other interests
Mr. Haberkorn is a director of the Security Trust
Company of Detroit and also of the Bank of Detroit
and is one of the youngest bank directors of the city.
In Detroit in 1913 was celebrated the marriage of
C. H. Haberkorn, Jr., to Miss Charlotte Madeline
Beck, a daughter of George Beck, the president of
the Beek Cereal Company, who controls one of the
oldest manufacturing industries of this character in
the city. He is also a past president of the Detroit
Board of Trade. To Mr. and Mrs. Haberkorn have
been born four children: Frances Madeline, whose
birth occurred December 25, 1914; Christian Henry,
(III), born in June, 1916; Charlotte Elizabeth, born
March 10, 1918; and Mary Margaret, born June
30, 1920. Mr. Haberkorn largely devotes his leisure
hours to golf and to companionship with the men of
master minds of all ages, through the contents of a
carefully selected library. His home — Lawn Leighton
— in Grosse Pointe Park, is one of the beautiful resi
dences in that section of the city. He and his family
spend most of the summer season at their place —
Nordhome— at Charlevoix, in northern Michigan. In
club circles Mr. Haberkorn is prominently known,
having membership in the Detroit, Detroit Athletic,
Detroit Country, Lochmoor, Detroit Boat and the Old
Club of Detroit, also the Board of Commerce. He
likewise belongs to the Harvard Club of Michigan,
the Harvard Club of New York city and the Harvard
Club of Boston. He is a man of most progressive
spirit who has accomplished much in the business
world and at the same time has found opportunity

for those interests of recreation and cultural value
which maintain an even balance to business activity
and lead to the development of a well rounded char
acter. L. EUGENE SHARP. Upon the pages of American
history there stand out prominently those men who
have defended the interests of the country during
various phases of military activity and recently a
new chapter has been written and another glory page
added to American annals. Among those men of whom
Michigan has every reason to be proud, who aided
in waging the war for world democracy, was Captain
L. Eugene Sharp, who was born at North Baltimore,
Ohio, in 1884, a son of John W. Sharp, whose birth
occurred at Rising Sun, Ohio, and who in early man
hood was married at Bairdstown, that state, to Miss
Louise Baird. He died in the year 1910, having for
almost two decades survived his wife, who passed
away in 1891. '
L. Eugene Sharp was reared at North Baltimore,
where he attended the public schools, later entered
the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, and was
there graduated in 1908, with the degree of Bachelor
of Science. Determining upon the practice of law
as a life work, he then entered the Detroit College of
Law and won his LL. B. degree by graduation with the
elass of 1911. He located for practice in this city
and has since been a representative of the Detroit
bar. In 1921 Mr. Sharp was appointed justice of
the peace, which in this connection is similar to the
office of police judge, so that he devotes all of his
time to the duties of this office. Mr. Sharp was one
of the organizers and is secretary, treasurer and a
director of the Kent Folding Dresser Table and Furni
ture Company. He is also one of the organizers and
a director of the Michigan Motor Express Company.
On the 14th of November, 1908, in Detroit, Captain
Sharp was married to Miss Ruth Harper, a daughter
of the late Charles Harper, and they have one child:
Marjorie Jane. The parents attend the Methodist
Episcopal church and in Masonry Captain Sharp has
become a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason
and member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His politi
cal allegiance is given to the republican party and
his position upon any vital question is never an equivo
cal one.
Captain Sharp is now a director of the Armory Cor
poration, owning the Detroit Armory. His interest
in military affairs has covered a long period. In 1906
he enlisted as a private in Company G of the Second
Regiment of the Ohio National Guard. In 1912 he
joined the Michigan National Guard, becoming a
private of Company G of the First Michigan Regiment.
In January, 1914, he was promoted to the rank of
second lieutenant and in March, 1914, became first
lieutenant of Company F, Thirty-first Michigan In
fantry. On the 19th of June, 1916, he was sent with
the Thirty-first Regiment to the Mexican border and

L. EUGENE SHARP

CITY OF DETROIT

365

was mustered out of the federal service on the 20th
of January, 1917, retaining his rank as first lieutenant
in the Miehigan National Guard. In June, 1917, he
was promoted to the rank of captain of Company F,
Thirty-first Regiment of Miehigan Infantry, and
entered the World war with that rank. In February,
1918, he went overseas, his company being assigned
to the One Hundred and Twentieth Machine Gun Bat
talion of the Thirty-second Division. Captain Sharp
served for eighteen months, returning to the United
States on the 5th of July, 1919. He participated in
many of the battles and offensives of the Alsace-
Lorraine district. He took part in the battle of
Chateau Thierry, in the Mame-Aisne offensive, in the
Oise-Aisne offensive and was with the reserves at
St. Mihiel, while during the latter phases of the
Argonne offensive he commanded the machine gun
battalion. He then went on the march to the Rhine
and for four months was with the Army of Occupation
in Germany — from the 13th of December, 1918, to the
20th of April, 1919. Although in some of the most
hotly contested battles of the war, he was only once
slightly wounded — in the Oise-Aisne offensive. He was
recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross, re
ceiving four letters of commendation, one from the
commanding general of the Third Army Corps, two
from the commanding general of the Thirty-second
Division and one from the commanding general of the
Sixty-third Brigade. He was also recommended for
promotion to the rank of major by the commanding
general of the Sixty-third brigade.
THE CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION. The
Annunciation parish of the Roman Catholie church in
Detroit was founded on the 1st of May, 1906. This
was done after James Howard had made a house to
house canvass and secured a list of all the Catholic
families east of Burns avenue to Connors creek and
north as far as the present Charlevoix avenue. The
list became a petition of four hundred names, which
was carried to Bishop Foley, who readily consented
to form a new parish, and a lot was purchased on
Bowen avenue, now Parkview avenue. Father James
Stapleton was appointed to take charge of and assume
the organization of the new parish and the first mass
was celebrated in the residence of Arthur L. Holmes
in May, 1906. A short time afterward the old public
school on Hibbard avenue was offered for sale and a
part of this was purchased and moved to the lot
which had been acquired by the parish, the building
serving as a church through the succeeding six years.
In August, 1908, plans were made resulting in the
breaking of ground for Annunciation school and in
September, 1909, the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart
opened the school with four hundred children. The
attendance increased so rapidly that in 1915 ten rooms
were added to the original building and there are now,
(1920) nine hundred children enrolled in the school.
The first church building of the parish was a long, low

frame structure, but the 1st of June, 1911, saw the
beginning of the new church and on the 9th of
August the corner stone was 'blessed by the venerable
Bisnop Foley and the first mass was said in the new
chureh on the 9th of June, 1912. The building, of the
Romanesque style, was erected and furnished at a
cost of eighty-four thousand dollars. In 1914 a resi
dence for the priests was completed and an addition
to the school was begun in June, 1915, thus providing
eighteen rooms, including the department for music
and an assembly room for the various church societies.
The work of the church has been thoroughly organized
under the efforts of Father Stapleton, who with the
growth of the parish has been accorded several as
sistant priests. Various societies have been organized
in connection with the church, which stands as a
visible evidence of the zeal and devotion of the people
of the parish.
GUERT ELMORE WILDER, M. D., although a
graduate physician, is now devoting his attention to
manufacturing interests as the vice president of the
Gemmer Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of
automobile steering gears. This is one of the largest
industries of the kind in the country, a mammoth
business being developed.
Dr. Wilder was born in Sine! air ville, New York,
March 13, 1869, his parents being Amasa Daniel and
Marian M. (Marsh) Wilder, ' the former a native of
the state of New York, while the latter was born in
Brownhelm, Ohio, and was descended from John
Marsh, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1635.
In her early girlhood Mrs. Wilder went to the state
of New York and was there married, after which
she and her husband continued residents of New York,
where he conducted an extensive business as a stock
raiser to the time of his death. His wife has also
passed away.
Dr. Wilder, their only child, obtained his preliminary
and high school education in Sinclairville, New York,
and afterwards came to Michigan, entering upon the
study of medicine in the State University at Ann
Arbor. He was graduated with the class of 1891
and in the following year pursued a postgraduate
course in the New York Post Graduate Hospital, de
voting his attention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose
and throat. Following the completion of his State
University course he was appointed first assistant
to the chair of ophthalmology and otology. Opening
an office in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1892, he there engaged
in practice for a decade with excellent success but
on the expiration of that period gave up his profes
sion to turn his attention to manufacturing interests
at Canton, Ohio. For five years he was engaged in
that business in Canton and in 1909 he came to Detroit
to accept the position of sales manager with the Gem
mer Manufacturing Company, of which he later was
elected vice president and director. This company
is engaged in the manufacture of steering gears for

366

CITY OF DETROIT

automobiles and the business has been steadily de
veloped, growing year by year, until six hundred people
are employed in the various departments. Dr. Wilder
is also a director of the Plywood Manufacturing Com
pany of Detroit, an industry recently established.
On the 5th of October, 1893, Dr. Wilder was mar
ried to Miss Adele M. Findlay of Franklin, Pennsyl
vania, daughter of A. Y. Findlay. They have one
child, Dorothy, who was born in Sandusky, Ohio, and
is a graduate of the Detroit Central high sehool. The
parents hold membership in St. Paul's Episcopal
church and Dr. Wilder is also a member of the De
troit Athletic Club and of the Auto Country Club,
of which he is the president. He is a Knights Templar
Mason, is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce
and gives his political allegiance to the republican
party. His life has been one of intense and well
directed activity, in which when leisure permits he has
turned to golf and fishing for recreation and diversion.
Progress has prompted his efforts at all points in his
career and notable prosperity has accompanied his
efforts until his name is now well known in the man
ufacturing circles of Detroit.
RICE ALVA HOWELL, one of the rising young real
estate men of Detroit, who is specializing in han
dling of business and industrial property, was born
in Ingham county, Miehigan, December 30, 1884, and
is a son of Floyd P. and Lucy Ann (Mapes) Howell,'
who are also natives of Miehigan, having spent their
lives in this state. The father is a successful farmer
of Livingston county. They became the parents of
four children: Rice A.; Emmett, who resides in Liv
ingston county, Michigan; Leo P., also of Livingston
county; and Effie, who is the widow of Charles Lyons
and resides in the same county.
After attending the public schools of Fowlerville,
Livingston county, Rice A. Howell pursued a special
business course in the Fowlerville high school and
when his textbooks were put aside he entered the
department store of W. P. Schenk & Company of
Chelsea, Michigan, there remaining through the suc
ceeding three years. On the expiration of that period
he resigned his position and removed to Seattle, Wash
ington, where he was employed by the dry goods firm
of McDougall, Southwick & Company, with whom he
continued for two years. Returning to Miehigan, he
located at Detroit and obtained a position in the dry
goods house of the Newcomb-Endicott Company, and
after a year in their employ he spent two years in
the dry goods house of Carson Pirie Seott & Company
of Chicago. He then came once more to Detroit and
was for a year an employe of the J. L. Hudson Com
pany. Up to this period of his business career Mr.
Howell had been identified entirely with mercantile
lines, and while he had ably filled various positions
in that connection, he was convinced that the real
estate business offered a greater future. He entered
that field of activity in the employ of the Forsyth

& .Merry Company. Two years' connection with that
firm brought him broad experience along real estate
lines and he then entered business on his own account
in 1917, since which time he has specialized in the
handling of industrial and business properties. He
has sold various factory sites and is regarded as one
of the most successful real estate operators in his
city. His thoroughly reliable business methods and his
progressiveness have won for him not only a high-class
clientele but as well the commendation of his asso
ciates and all with whom he has been brought into
contact through' his business relations, which are con
stantly growing in volume and importance.
On the 16th of June, 1909, in Seattle, Washington,
Mr. Howell was married to Miss Vera G. Glazier,
who passed away in that eity on the 30th of June,
1910. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank P.
Glazier of Chelsea, Miehigan, and at her death left
one child, Geraldine Elizabeth, who was born March
9, 1910, in Seattle, and is attending school in Detroit.
Mr. Howell was married on the 4th of October, 1916,
to Miss Lucille Leggett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
William H. Leggett of Highland Park, Michigan, and
they have one child, Joann Virginia, who was born in
Highland Park, Michigan, October 3, 1919.
Mr. Howell belongs to Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A.
M., also to the Eastern Star and to the Detroit Board
of Commerce. In his political connection he is a
republican, taking a business man's interest in polit
ical affairs. His chief recreation is found in motoring
and gardening. He is interested in all those forces
which make for development and betterment in the
city and gives hearty support to all interests which
are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride.
Since February, 1920, Mr. Howell has resided on
Southfield Road, Birmingham, where his residence,
Hillside View, is one of the very pleasant homes of
that highly desirable suburban section. Hillside View
was formerly known as the Warren D. Clizbe home
and the original semi-colonial type of architecture
has not only been intensified but complete moderniza
tion of the structure, including the addition of a three-
ear garage, has been carried out by Mr. Howell. The
natural elevation of the property, overlooking Bir
mingham Park, the Oakland Hills Golf Club and the
spring-fed water courses leading to the River Rouge,
all contribute to an attractiveness that only nature
could supply.
HON. GEORGE P. CODD, a member of the Detroit
bar since 1892, who has won well earned fame in his
native city, was born December 7, 1869, his parents
being George C. and Eunice (Lawrence) Codd, the
former having established his home in Detroit in
1850. As the years passed he exercised considerable
influence over publie affairs, filling various positions
of honor and trust and laboring untiringly and effect
ively to advance the welfare and upbuilding of the
community at large. He was a recognized leader

RICE A. HOWELL

CITY OF DETROIT

369

in republican circles and upon the party ticket was
elected to the office of sheriff of Wayne county, which
position he filled for four years. From President Hayes
he received appointment to the position of postmaster
of Detroit and was reappointed by President Arthur.
He died in the year 1904, having for only a brief
period survived his wife, who passed away in 1903.
At the usual age George P. Codd entered the public
schools of Detroit, passing through consecutive grades
to his graduation from the Detroit high school. In
1887 he became a student in the University of Mich
igan, where he pursued a classical course and was
graduated in 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of
Arts. With broad literary learning to serve as the
foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of
professional knowledge, he at once took up the study
of law under the guidance of Alfred Russell, then
a leading member of the Detroit bar, and after
thorough preliminary reading he was admitted to
practice in the courts of Michigan in 1892, while later
upon examination he secured admission to practice in
the federal courts, including the United States su
preme court. Early in his professional career Mr.
Codd became associated with the firm of Griffin,
Warner & Hunt and in 1893 he was called by ap
pointment to the office of assistant city attorney, in
which capacity he served for two and a half years.
Following his retirement from that position he joined
Carlos E. and Willard E. Warner in the organization
of the law firm of Warner, Codd & Warner, an asso
ciation that was successfully maintained until the
death of the senior partner in 1901. The firm was
¦then dissolved and Mr. Codd practiced independently
until 1906, when he was joined by A. B. Hall in the
organization of the firm of Codd & Hall, so practicing
until 1911, when he was elected circuit judge of Wayne
county and remained on the bench, where he made
an enviable record, until January, 1921, when he
resigned to take his seat as a member of the Sixty-
seventh congress as representative from the First
Michigan District. At the same time he became
senior member of newly organized law firm of Codd,
Bishop and Kilpatrick.
His political support has always been given to the
republican party and as such he has been called to
various city offices, serving as assistant city attorney
of Detroit from 1893 until 1896, as alderman from
1902 until 1904 inclusive and as mayor of Detroit
through the succeeding two years, and his name will
pass into the annals of the city as that of one of its
excellent and popular chief executives. He was also
regent of the University of Michigan in 1909 and 1910.
The nature of the offices that he has filled indicates
his character, his ability and his fidelity.
On October 24, 1894, Judge Codd was married to
Miss Kathleen Warner, a daughter of Carlos E.
Warner of Detroit, and their three children are: John
W., George C. and Kathleen. Judge Codd turns to
outdoor sports for rest and recreation. He is well
Vol. IV— 24

known in fraternal circles as a Mason, having at
tained the Knight Templar degree in Detroit Com
mandery, No. 1, and he has crossed the sands of
the desert with the Nobles of the Mystie Shrine of
Moslem Temple. He is also connected with the Knights
of Pythias and with the Delta Kappa Epsilon, a
college fraternity, of which he became a member while
an undergraduate in the University of Michigan. The
religious faith of Judge Codd and his family is that
of the Presbyterian church and he is a valued rep
resentative of the University, Detroit Automobile,
Bloomfield Hills Country, and Detroit Athletic Clubs.
Along strictly professional lines he has connection
with the Detroit and Michigan State Bar Associations
and enjoys in substantial measure the respect and
confidence of his contemporaries and colleagues in the
profession. CHARLES JAMES ANDREWS, numbered with the
well known representatives of th,e wholesale coal
trade in Detroit and classed with the leading busi
ness men of the city, to the commercial and industrial
growth of which he has made substantial contribution,
was born in Washington, D. C, December 20, 1868,
his parents being John R. and Elizabeth (Milliken)
Andrews. The father was a successful railroad con
tractor for a number of years and engaged in railroad
building in various sections of the country.
Charles J. Andrews was still quite young when his
parents removed from the national capital to New
England, establishing their home in Saco, Maine. There
he acquired his education, first attending the public
schools, while later he became a student in Thornton
Academy of Saco. He started out in the business
world on putting aside his textbooks and confined
his labors largely to New England until about 1888,
when he removed to Zanesville, Ohio, where he was
associated with his father in railroad construction,
having received a contract for the extension of the
line from Zanesville to the Ohio river. Mr. Andrews
has been connected with the coal trade for more than
two decades and this followed a previous connection
with the Columbus, Sandusky & Hocking Railroad
as superintendent of car service. As a dealer in coal
he has had wide experience in connection with the
different branches of the business, including produc
tion, sales and distribution. From 1902 until 1909 he
was sales manager in the Detroit district for the Sun
day Creek Coal Company and later was advanced to
an official position, becoming vice president and gen
eral sales manager with that corporation. Since 1914
he has been a representative of the wholesale coal
trade in Detroit, where the volume and character of
his business places him among the representative men
in his line. He maintains offices in the Majestic build
ing and his patronage is now one of extensive propor
tions. In addition to his other interests he is the
president of the, Adams X-Ray Company of Detroit,
a pioneer concern in its line in the city.

370

CITY OF DETROIT

Mr. Andrews was united in marriage in 1891 to
Miss Laura Tibbetts, of Saco, Maine, and they have
one son, Lawrence C, who is connected with the
Cadillac Motor Company of Detroit. Politically Mr.
Andrews is a republican where national issues and
questions are involved, while at local elections he
casts an independent ballot. He has membership with
the Congregational church and his aid and support can
always be counted upon to further those interests
which feature for the betterment of the community
and the development of its standards. He is an en
thusiastic motorist, driving his own car, and is fond
of various phases of outdoor life; nor is his publie
spirit lacking, and in all those qualities which make
for high standards in citizenship he is royally endowed.
GEORGE ALFRED EASON, a prominent pioneer
citizen of Detroit, who spent forty-five years of his
life in this city, was long and successfully identified
with the real estate business here. His demise oc
curred on the 20th of April, 1920, when he had
reached the age of eighty years. He was born in
Milton, England, August 5, 1840, and was the eldest
of the seven children whose parents were George and
Jane (Barton) Eason. The father, who was also a
native of England, emigated to the United States in
1850, settling first in Albany, New York, and later in
Kingston, Ontario, where he spent his remaining days.
He was successfully engaged in the brewing business
throughout his active career.
George A. Eason, who was ten years of age when
brought to the new world, obtained a publie and high
sehool education and after putting aside his textbooks
learned the brewing business, thus following in the
footsteps of his father. It was in 1875 that he came
to Detroit and here became identified with brewing
interests as an employe of the firm of Williams
Brothers. On severing his connection with that con
cern he embarked in the real estate business, in which
he continued throughout the remainder of his life,
amassing a fortune through his keen discernment and
capable management. His extensive interests were
most carefully and wisely directed and he long en
joyed an enviable reputation as one of the leading
realtors and substantial business men of the eity.
On the 3d of August, 1880, Mr. Eason was united
in marriage to Miss Esther A. Medbury, a daughter
of Samuel P. and Lucetta R. Medbury, the former
of Rhode Island. The family came to Detroit in 1867
and Mr. Medbury was connected with the banking
business until his death in 1874, being at one time
cashier of the Peninsular Bank. Medbury avenue was
named for the family and the late Mrs. Medbury
donated the land at the corner of Woodward and
Medbury for the construction of St. Joseph's chureh.
To Mr. and Mrs. Eason was born a daughter, Florence
Louise Medbury Eason, who occupies the old homestead
at No. 2638 Woodward avenue, which was formerly
No. 444 Woodward avenue.

In politics Mr. Eason maintained an independent
course, supporting men and measures rather than party.
He was a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to the Adrian Lodge, F. &. A. M., at Adrian,
Michigan, Damascus Commandery and the Mystic
Shrine at Detroit, while his religious faith was indi
cated by his membership in the Episcopal church,
to which his wife and daughter also belonged and in
the work of which he took an active and helpful
interest. He was formerly affiliated with the old
Grace church, in which he served as a vestryman for
seventeen years. His gifts to his church were fre
quent and generous, for he was a most liberal and
kind-hearted man, who never hesitated to assist a
fellow traveler on life's journey or refused to lend
his aid to any plan or project instituted to promote the
general welfare. His death occurred April 20, 1920,
and his remains were laid to rest in the Woodmere
cemetery. His passing brought a sense of deep be
reavement to many, for he had endeared himself to
a large eirele of friends throughout Detroit, where he
long occupied a foremost position in business and
social circles.
HENRY RUSSEL. An outstanding figure on the
stage of events which have made the history of De
troit was Henry Russel, who as an eminent corpora
tion lawyer, a railroad official, a real estate developer
and all-round business man, left the impress of his
individuality and ability upon the development and
progress of the city and state for many years. His
life was at all times a forceful element in Detroit's
advancement and his name should be placed high on
the roll of those men whom the city delights to
honor because of the prominent part which they have
taken in the city's growth.
Mr. Russel was bora in Detroit, May 16, 1852, his
parents being Dr. George B. and Anna E. Russel, the
father a well known and enterprising citizen of De
troit and one of the most distinguished physicians of
his day. Henry Russel, after pursuing a public school
education, continued his studies in the Philo M. Pat
terson Classical and Mathematical Academy and next
became a student in the University of Michigan, from
which he was graduated in 1873 with the Bachelor of
Arts degree, after which he took up the study of law.
In 1875 the State University conferred upon him the
LL. B. degree and in 1876 the honorary degree of
Master of Arts. It has been said that "his college
career, foreshadowing his later success in life, was
brilliant and won honorable recognition from the fac
ulty and his fellow students. ' ' He continued his law
studies with Alfred Russell, then a prominent repre
sentative of the Detroit bar, and was admitted to
practice in 1875. Throughout the greater part of his
professional career he devoted his attention to cor
poration law and particularly to railroad law, for i
1877 he was appointed assistant attorney of the Mich-

GEORGE A. EASON

CITY OF DETROIT

373

igan Central Railroad Company, under George V. N.
Lothrop, who was then general counsel, and James F.
Joy, who at that time was president of the company.
In 1912 he withdrew from his partnership relation as
a member of the firm of Russel, Campbell, Bulkley &
Ledyard, for in that year he was chosen vice president
of the Michigan Central Railroad Company and deter
mined to give more time to the railroad interests and
less time to the practice of the firm. He was ever
recognized as one of the most prominent corporation
lawyers of the city, having comprehensive knowledge
of the principles of jurisprudence, with marked ability
accurately to apply these principles to the points in
litigation, while his professional counsel was of the
most valuable character. His business interests, too,
covered a very extensive field. He was president of
the Olds Motor Company and thus aetive in control of
one of the most extensive corporations of the city.
He was likewise president of the Cass Farm Company,
was a member of the executive committee of the Union
Trust Company, a director of the Michigan State Tele
phone Company, also of the River Rouge Improvement
Company and many other enterprises. His real estate
holdings were very large and his keen sagacity was
manifest in his early investments in property here.
Long before others were engaged in the development
of the territory adjacent to Rouge river, he and his
associates were aetive in the establishment of tracks
into its marshes and the cutting of channels for the
movement of bulky freight by water. They foresaw
the opportunity for the industrial development in
that section of the city, and among the foremost of
those to whom that great territory in the neighborhood
of Detroit now occupied by chemical factories and
shipyards shall give honor for its development, will
be Mr. Russel. At the time of his death the Michigan
Manufacturer and Financial Record said of him:
"Apart from the mere dispensing of legal counsel
Mr. Russel had much to do with the making of the
railroad map of Michigan, particularly in the neigh
borhood of Detroit. He was among the earliest to
appreciate the terminal necessities of Detroit, to feel
that if his native city and the field of his professional
efforts were to become a center of industry, trackage
must be provided on which to conduct its transporta
tion operations. His personal' interest in the con
struction of the Detroit Railroad belt line, then far
out, now the 'inner belt' of the city, led to its com
pletion. The result of its construction was to open up
great new areas for the organization and conduct of
manufacturing business. Perhaps as much as anyone
else he had to do with the development of the great
southwesterly manufacturing district which is one of
Detroit's choicest industrial possessions."
Mr. Russel was the prime mover in the establishment
of many business enterprises which have had direct
bearing upon the history and development of the city.
His name was associated with its banking and manu
facturing interests as well as with its railroad devel

opment, its real estate activity and with the practice
of law.
On the 3d of June, 1880, Mr. Russel was united in
marriage to Miss Helen H. Muir of Detroit, who
passed away on the 23d of November, 1908. They
were the parents of five children, three daughters,
who are living, and two sons, deceased. These were:
John Farrand, who died several years ago; and Wil
liam, who was killed in aerial service in the World
war in August, 1918. The daughters are Mrs. Allen
F. Edwards, Mrs. James Thayer McMillan and Mrs.
Harold F. Wardwell, all of Detroit. On the 15th of
February, 1912, Mr. Russel married the second time,
Mrs. Eleanor (Towle) Whittaker, a daughter of How
ard Towle, becoming his wife.
The death of Mr. Russel occurred in the Ritz-Carl-
ton hotel in New York city on the 25th of February,
1920, the day he was to sail to France to visit the
grave of his son, William, who had made the supreme
sacrifice in the World war. Mr. Russel was a mem
ber of the Presbyterian church, to which his family
still belong and of which he was a most generous
supporter. His political allegiance was given to the
democratic party and he waB well known in club cir
cles, belonging to the Detroit, Country, Detroit Golf,
University and Fontinalis Clubs. He also had mem
bership with the Detroit, Michigan State and Ameri
can Bar Associations and enjoyed the highest respect
and goodwill of his contemporaries in the practice of
law. He was a lover and patron of art and literature,
a man of wide culture and fine literary taste, the
innate refinement of his nature causing him to avoid
anything gross or common. He was a man thoroughly
devoted to his home and family and was particularly
proud of his soldier son, and though he bore with for
titude his loss occasioned by the untimely death of
the son, the sacrifice was to him a sacred memory.
While in the service and in France, William Russel
had written long and interesting letters to his father,
which the latter compiled in book form and had pub
lished. One who knew Mr. Russel intimately for
many years said of him: "He was ever kindly, broad-
gauged and charitable. He was a man of many friends
and few enemies. He was always at the front in
movements for civic betterment, and gave liberally
of his time and money for the development of publie
institutions." His life was of value to the city
along so many lines that it is almost impossible to
determine which was the paramount feature of use
fulness in his career. He brought about the city's
development and growth in no uncertain measure, at
the same time was a factor in its civic improvement
and in its advancement along moral and art lines.
In fact all those forces which make for higher ideals
of life received his endorsement, and his cooperation
was a resultant factor in placing Detroit in the proud
position which it occupies not only as a great com
mercial and industrial center but also in art and lit
erature. While destiny oft seems to frustrate one's

374

CITY OF DETROIT

plans, in the instance of Mr. Russel 's death one cannot
but feel that while his purpose of visiting the grave
of his son was not accomplished, he entered into that
closer communion of spirit which is the universal hope
of those who have been close students of the great
laws and principles which are manifest throughout the
processes of the world.
WILLIAM J. MEISENHEIMER, for many years
intimately connected with the business life of De
troit, was bora in Ludington, Michigan, December
2, 1865. He was educated in the public and high
schools, and taught sehool during the winter for a
period of fifteen years, and during many of the sum
mers of that period he acted as a lumber inspector,
making a record of inspecting and grading an average
of eighty-three thousand feet every day for one
summer. Mr. Meisenheimer then became associated with the
express business, remaining as agent in that line for
eight years. He served as justice of the peace in
Mason county and Ludington, for four years. For
some time he had been making a study of accounting
and entered upon that work actively in 1908. Besides
conducting a leading office in general accounting and
cost accounting, he is very intimately identified with
the commercial activities of Detroit. He is president
of the Meisenheimer-Burke Corporation; vice presi
dent and a director of the Wayne County Bond &
Mortgage Company, and a director and treasurer of
the North American Mortgage Corporation; secretary
of the Commercial Syndicate of Detroit and presi
dent of the Rubbo-Lastic Roofing Company, in the
affairs of all of which he takes an active interest.
In 1886 Mr. Meisenheimer was married to Miss
Matie Stellow, and they became the parents of two
children: Isabelle, who became Mrs. Willard H. Holt;
and Floyd B. Meisenheimer. Mr. Meisenheimer is a
member and secretary of Acacia Lodge, No. 477, F.
& A. M., and also is a member of the Michigan Sov
ereign Consistory, and Moslem Temple of the Mystie
Shrine. Floyd B. Meisenheimer was born December 2, 1893.
He was educated at Albion high sehool, Eastern high
school, Detroit, and at Detroit College of Law, from
which he was graduated with the class of 1917, and
was admitted to the bar in the same year. He dis
tinguished himself in oratory all through his college
days, and at Miehigan Agricultural College, in com
pany with sixteen hundred other students, he was
one of the four who made up the debating team. At
Detroit College of Law, with thirty-two in the trials,
he, a freshman, tied for first place with a senior, and
the next year he was given first place by an unanimous
vote of the judges. He was valedictorian of his
class at the Detroit College of Law, and altogether he
was a brilliant and distinguished young man during
his college years.
When the United States entered the World war

Floyd B. Meisenheimer enlisted and was immediately
commissioned first lieutenant on his record at the
Michigan Agricultural College. He entered the First
Officers Training Camp at Fort Sheridan, where he
remained for some time. Desiring to enter the Avia
tion Corps, Lieutenant Meisenheimer took a second
lieutenancy in that branch and went to Austin, Texas
for ground work, going thence to San Antonio and
Ellington. In July, 1919, Lieutenant Meisenheimer was trans
ferred to Scott Field, Belleville, Illinois. He gave
flying exhibitions in different places, displaying much
skill and daring. He was widely popular with the pub
lie and was often called to speak at publie gatherings
in company with publie and professional men. He met
his death as a result of an accident, falling with his
plane, August 26, 1919. When not more than two
hundred feet from the ground, something went wrong
with the mechanism of the plane, and the student
he was instructing who was operating the plane, was
unable to control it in time to avert a fatal accident.
Lieutenant Meisenheimer was a member of Acacia
Lodge, F. & A. M. and attained the thirty-second
degree in Masonry, being a member of the Michigan
Sovereign War Consistory class of 1917. He was also
a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, being a member of
Arabia Temple, at Houston, Texas.
C. E. PARRISH, a prominent and progressive citi
zen of Detroit, where he has been living since he
was quite young, has for some years engaged in the
general insurance' business under the name of Parrish
& Savage Agency, with offices in the Vinton building.
He is a native of Michigan, born in Nashville, Sep
tember 5, 1883.
Mr. Parrish is a son of Elliot and Tryphena
(Staley) Parrish, who had been living in Michigan
for several years, their home being in Nashville, and
who moved to Detroit some few years after the birth
of their son, C. E., who consequently regards himself
as a regular Detroiter. He was educated at the De
troit Central high sehool, and at the age of twenty he
branched out for himself, taking a position as sales
man for the Wolverine Manufacturing Company, whom
he represented on the road for seven years. From the
very beginning Mr. Parrish met with more than aver
age success and thus laid the foundations of his future
prosperity. On closing his connection with the Wolverine Com
pany Mr. Parrish took up insurance and has been in
that business ever since, meeting as the years go by,
an ever-increasing measure of success. He went to
the front rapidly and ultimately became manager in
1914 of the American Auto Insurance Company, and
later engaged in the insurance business on his own
account, his headquarters being located in a large
suite of offices in the Vinton building, Detroit. He is
recognized in the insurance world as being one of the

WILLIAM J. MEISENHEIMER

FLOYD B. MEISENHEIMER

CITY OF DETROIT

379

most energetic and successful men handling auto in
surance in this part of Michigan.
Mr. Parrish was married to Frances. Salle and they
have two daughters: Margaret Staley Parrish and
Elizabeth Moran Parrish. Mr. and Mrs. Parrish take
a prominent part in the social life of Detroit, where
they are weU known. Mr. Parrish is a thirty-second
degree Mason. He also holds membership in the
Detroit Golf Club, the Detroit Athletic Club and the
Old Club and is always available to assist in projects
calculated to advance the commercial prestige of De
troit. REV. ANTHONY PETER TERNES, pastor of St.
Elizabeth's Roman Catholic church at Detroit, was
born at Springwells, Michigan, on the 1st of March,
1863, almost within the shadow of his present home,
for his birthplace was but a short distance from the
corporation limits of Detroit, and in 1869 the family
home was established in St. Boniface parish in this
city. There Father Temes pursued his early education
in the parish school and after receiving his first com
munion he began the study of the classics in the
Jesuit College. A year, later, or in September, 1878,
he entered St. Francis' Seminary, near Milwaukee,
and devoted five years to the mastery of a preparatory
course there. In 1883 he entered Assumption College
at Sandwich, Ontario, and studied philosophy under
Father O'Connor, afterward archbishop of Toronto.
The following year he was sent by the bishop, to
gether with twenty -two others, to St. Mary's Seminary
at Baltimore, where he completed his study of theology,
and on the 24th of July, 1887, was ordained to the
priesthood in St. Boniface church by Bishop Borgess.
Through his first assignment Father Ternes became
pastor of St. Michael's chureh at Port Austin and its
three missions. Two and a half years were devoted
to earnest labor there, during which time he was in
strumental in the building of new churches at Bad
Axe and Ubley. In March, 1890. he was assigned to
the pastorate at Gagetown, but continued there for
only six months. It was at that time that the Fran
ciscans left the Detroit diocese, where they had worked
for a long time in St. Mary's and Sacred Heart
parishes. At their departure Rev. B. J. Wermers was
appointed to Sacred Heart parish, but existing con
ditions made his appointment most difficult. The peo
ple had become accustomed to the Franciscans and
wanted none but them. The need in the parish led
Father Ternes to offer himself as assistant to his old
pastor, although he had previously acted as pastor
himself for three years. He remained in Sacred Heart
parish until January 15, 1892, when he was appointed
pastor of St. Joseph's church at Adrian, there con
tinuing for four years, and in 1896 he was appointed
successor to Father Svensson in St. Elizabeth 's church
at Detroit. Through the intervening period, covering
almost a quarter of a century — twenty-four years —
Father Ternes has continued in charge and the church

has developed notably not only in numerical strength
but in the acquirement of its property and in spiritual
strength. The work of advancement along every line
of the ehureh activities has been carried steadily for
ward and many improvements and innovations were
made. The basement of the priest's house was en
larged and a heating plant installed at a cost of
fourteen hundred dollars and in 1899 three thousand
dollars was secured for a new organ. In 1900 an
addition was made to the Sisters' home and in 1907
the convent was removed from Canfield avenue to a
newly acquired strip of land near the school and an
addition was built to the sehool, adding eight more
rooms. The sehool on Canfield avenue was then con
verted into a rectory. On the 21st of June, 1910, the
twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization of St.
Elizabeth's parish was celebrated and within that
time it had become one of the largest and best par
ishes of the diocese. In 1914 a convent, the finest in
the diocese for parish sehool teachers was erected,
and within three years an addition to the sehool will
be erected, making the total of sehool rooms twenty
to accommodate upwards of one thousand children.
Peter J. Ternes, brother of Rev. Anthony P. Ternes,
is pastor of Holy Cross church at Marine City, Mich
igan. William P. Schulte, a nephew of Rev. Anthony
P. Ternes, is pastor of Holy Name ehureh in Detroit.
The present chureh edifice was dedicated February 14,
1892, and four years later Father Ternes was called
to the pastorate. Here he has remained in charge
and his work has been attended with notable and
beneficial results, for every branch of the church work
has been developed, its societies thoroughly organized,
its property greatly extended and improved. Father
Ternes has been untiring in his efforts and has the
confidence and love of his people in an unusual degree.
In 1910 he took a trip around the world and has
made other excursions to European countries, finding
great pleasure in his extended travels and at the same
time gaining much valuable information that he has
used for the benefit of the chureh and the community
at large. He is keenly interested in current events,
is a brilliant speaker and is frequently heard in the
discussion of the vital questions and problems that
affect Detroit and the country at large.
LUCIAN S. MOORE, JR., established for years in
Detroit in the real estate business and otherwise iden
tified with the general affairs of Detroit, is a native
of this city, born March 18, 1885, a son of Lueian S.
and Rebecca (Pierson) Moore, also well known citizens
of Detroit.
Lueian S. Moore, Jr., began his educational course
in the public schools, after which he entered the De
troit University School and the University of Mich
igan, from which latter institution he was graduated
with the class of 1907, as a mechanical engineer. He
then took a course in Harvard Law School, where he
remained for one year.

380

CITY OF DETROIT

Although qualified in engineering and in law, Mr.
Moore has not followed either as a profession. At
the present time he is engaged in handling real estate,
with which he has been identified in Detroit since
1909, and during the intervening period he had met
with marked success, the sphere of his operations
broadening as time passed by. On January 1, 1919,
Mr. Moore entered into a partnership and the firm of
Wormer & Moore was organized, and since that date
they have been dealing in real estate on a large scale,
the reputation of the firm along that line having wide
scope. On October 8, 1910, Mr. Moore was united in mar
riage to Miss Frederica Sibley, and they have be
come the parents of three children: Lueian S., Ill, born
in Detroit in November, 1911; Jean, and Frederick
Sibley, born in January, 1919. Mrs. Moore's mother's
father was A. M. Campau, a son of Joseph Campau.
Mr. Moore is a member of the Country Club, the De
troit Club, the University Club, the Grosse Pointe
Hunt Club; the Bloomfield Open Hunt Club, and the
Detroit Curling and Racquet Club, in the affairs of
which he takes a practical and warm interest, as he
also does in civic matters pertaining to the welfare
of the community, with the social and cultural move
ments of which he and his wife are prominently iden
tified. JAMES H. MeDONALD, well know both as lawyer
and business man of Detroit, was born in Macomb
county, Michigan, February 14, 1853, his parents be
ing Theodore F. and Elizabeth A. (Jones) McDonald,
both of whom have passed away. The district schools
near his. father's home afforded him his early educa
tional privileges, his time being divided between his
studies, the pleasures of the playground and the work
of the fields as he assisted in carrying on the labors
of the farm. He also attended the high school at
Mount Clemens, Michigan, the Ann Arbor high sehool
and the University of Michigan. In the latter insti
tution he was graduated from the literary department
in 1876 and won his LL. B. degree upon graduation
from the law department in 1878. The same year he
was admitted to practice before the bar of the state
and has since been a representative of the legal
profession in Detroit, where he has successfully con
ducted many important litigated interests, enjoying
a large and distinctively representative clientage. He
is a member of the Detroit and Michigan State Bar
Associations and enjoys the confidence and high re
gard of his professional colleagues and contemporaries.
Mr. McDonald has also given considerable time to
other business interests. He finds recreation and pleas
ure as well as profit in horticultural and agricultural
pursuits and in 1913 he erected the McDonald build
ing at No. 1323 Woodward avenue, in Detroit, which
is used for office purposes. In 1917 he completed a
business block at the corner of Woodward avenue and
Beresford avenue, in Highland Park.

Mr. McDonald has been thrice married. He first
wedded Martha Ireton and to them was born a daugh
ter, Martha I.,, who is now the wife of H. L. Lanca
shire of Toledo, Ohio. For his second wife, Mr. Mc
Donald chose Martha McLellan, daughter of Andrew
McLellan, by whom he had three daughters: Mary
McLellan, now the wife of Professor Wilmer C. Harris
of Butler College, Indianapolis, Indiana; Elizabeth
Anne, a graduate of the University of Michigan in
the class of 1920; and Margaret A. On the 18th of
May, 1904, Mr. McDonald married Christine Jewell.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise
Mr. McDonald has been a supporter of democratic
principles. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal
church and he is connected with various societies and
organizations, some purely social while others have
more serious purposes. He belongs to the Detroit
Municipal League, the Detroit Civic League and the
Detroit Board of Commerce, also to the University of
Michigan Society, the Church Club, the Lawyers Club
and the Ingleside Country Club. His interests are
of broad scope and his activities have ofttimes been
resultant factors in promoting public progress or up
holding civic standards.
FREDERICK R. STILL, who has attained a posi
tion of prominence in connection with mechanical engi
neering and manufacturing lines in Detroit, was born
in Saginaw, Michigan, and pursued a public school
education in that city. Interested in architecture from
early life, he took up the study under the direction
of W. W. Johnson and after a year and a half in
his employ entered the office of W. G. Malcomson, one
of the noted architects of Detroit. Later he was with
E. R. Prall and assisted him in the building of the
waterworks at Pontiae, Michigan. Subsequently he
returned to the employ of Mr. Malcomson and when
he again severed this connection he went to Buffalo,
New York, with W. W. Johnson, his first employer.
In 1887 he joined the Huyett Smith Manufacturing
Company as a draftsman and was soon afterward, in
recognition of his ability, promoted to chief engineer.
In 1895, when the company was reorganized under the
name of the American Blower Company he was elected
to the vice presidency. He has been with this impor
tant industrial concern from the time when the busi
ness was of but slight proportions, the company then
employing only about twenty-five men. Throughout
the intervening period he has not only witnessed but
has contributed to its growth and progress until it
is one of the mammoth commercial and industrial con
cerns of the city, having an average of one thousand
employes. He has been not only a prime factor in the
growth and development of the American Blower Com
pany but is also a pioneer in connection with the
blower industry in America.
On the 19th of October, 1897, Mr. Still was mar
ried to Miss Harriet Humphrey of Greenwich, Con
necticut, and they have one son, Roscoe W. Still, born

james h. Mcdonald

CITY OF DETROIT

383

July 14, 1904, in Detroit. His membership connection
is a very broad one. He belongs to the Detroit Ath
letic Club, Detroit Yacht and Detroit Automobile
Clubs, the Board of Commerce, the Automobile Coun
try Club and the Masonic Country Club. He is widely
known in Masonic circles, being a member of Detroit
Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M.; King Cyrus Chapter, No.
133, R. A. M.; Damascus Commandery, No. 42, K. T.;
and Moslem Temple of the Mystie Shrine, while he
also has membership connections with the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks. He is likewise actively
identified with important business and technical or
ganizations, belonging to the Detroit Engineering So
ciety, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers,
the American Society of Naval Architects and Ma
rine Engineers and the Milwaukee Junction Manufac
turers Association, of which he is the president, while
of the Society for Savings of Detroit he was elected
president in January, 1921, and is also a director.
In 1917 he was made president of the American So
ciety of Heating & Ventilating Engineers and chair
man of the research bureau of that organization. He
stands as a splendid type of American manhood and
chivalry, whose high character marks him as one of
sterling worth and his business career is such as should
awaken in him a feeling of justifiable pride. Starting
out for himself empty-handed with no training be
yond that which the public schools offered, he has
steadily progressed and in the years which have gone
by has not only outstripped many who have started
out on the journey of life ahead of him or under more
fortunate circumstances, but has become recognized as
a dynamic force in industrial circles, his interests be
ing of a character that has ever contributed to publie
progress and prosperity as well as to individual success.
RALPH HARMAN BOOTH. Newspaper publishers
originally were not business men; they were jour
nalists and they had the stamp of the genius upon
them, with its onesidedness and usual lack of busi
ness capacity. Editors still have something of the
old temperament, but progress and changing condi
tions have developed things until today we speak of
"newspaper writers," "newspaper men" and the
"newspaper business." To the newspapers of today
system and efficiency methods are being applied as
successfully as in other lines. Although the amalgama
tion of journalistic genius and business acumen has
not yet been completely accomplished, we are getting
nearer to it. The modern independent newspaper pub
lisher believes that the people should be allowed to
decide important questions for themselves, and the
organ of the propagandists and politicians is rapidly
becoming a thing of the past. With this recognition
of broader policies the newspaper has at once assumed
the character of a social institution and a publie
utility, with what is sometimes called a "tacit fran
chise from the people." The editor-publisher of to
day is finding the solution in the truly fair and judi

cially edited newspaper. He has conceived that the
greater and more unselfish his service to the people
the greater the financial benefits which accrue as the
result. It is becoming recognized also that one news
paper serving the people in a given community is a
real advantage.
Twenty-five years ago there was published in the
fourteen leading cities of the lower peninsula of Mieh
igan forty-one daily newspapers; today there are but
twenty-one, although populations have more than
doubled within that period. In ten of these cities
there is but one daily newspaper. This has enabled
the smaller cities to have metropolitan newspapers in
every respect. Under the old conditions this would
have been impossible because the support of news
papers is in ratio of their number to the population.
The most distinctive newspaper successes of the pres
ent day are being achieved by those men who have
recognized the great opportunity and are aligning
themselves with these broad, up-to-date policies and
ideals. A leader in the movement to advance the
standard of Michigan newspapers is Ralph H. Booth,
president of the Booth Publishing Company, which
controls and prints a chain of dailies famous through
out the country for their almost unparalleled effec
tiveness and prosperity.
Mr. Booth was born in Toronto, Canada, Septem
ber 29, 1873, a son of Henry Wood Booth and Clara
L. (Gagnier) Booth. When he was eight years old
his parents moved to Detroit, where the rest of his
schooling was obtained. Circumstances did not en
courage a college education, so in 1888 Mr. Booth
began his business career with The Detroit National
Bank. Three years later he embarked in the business
which has since engrossed his entire attention. From
the cashier's desk of The Detroit Tribune he ad
vanced to the office of business manager. On June 25,
1895, he became secretary and business manager of
the Chicago Journal, the oldest daily paper in Illinois,
of which later he was editor and publisher at the
age of twenty-eight years. He sold the Journal in
1904 and returned to Detroit, resuming connection
with The Detroit Tribune as editor and publisher, in
which capacity he continued until that paper was
merged with The Detroit News.
Mr. Booth saw beyond the possibilities of the big
cities and discerning great possibilities in the state,
lie began buying, consolidating and developing prop
erties to the number of more than a dozen. Today he
is president of the Booth Publishing Company, and
as such is the active head of seven strong papers:
The Grand Rapids Press, The Flint Journal, The Sag
inaw News-Courier, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, Tho
Bay City Times-Tribune, The Ann Arbor Times News
and The Muskegon Chronicle. Two of these are first
in their fields in everything that constitutes the lead
ing paper and each of the others is the only daily
paper now published in its city.
Mr. Booth resides at 870 Jefferson avenue, Detroit.

384

CITY OF DETROIT

On May 23, 1906, he was married to Mary M. Bat-
terman, daughter of John H. Batterman of Chicago.
They have two children: John Lord and Virginia King-
wood. Mr. Booth is a Reformed Episcopalian, but ho
is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal cathedral congre
gation. For the past two years he has been first vice
president of The Associated Press and is now chair
man of the central advisory board of that organization.
Mr. Booth may be said to be the leader in the art
affairs of Detroit. For several years he has been
trustee and president of the Detroit Museum of Art
and in 1919 was appointed by Mayor Couzens to the
arts commission of the city and elected its first
president. Among the social organizations of which Mr. Booth
is a member may be mentioned the Detroit Club, tho
Country Club of Grosse Pointe, the Bloomfield Hills
Country Club, the Detroit Boat Club, the Old Club of
St. Clair Flats, the Detroit Athletic Club, The Players
Club, the Young Men's Christian Association and the
Detroit Board of Commerce. He is a trustee of Grace
hospital, member of the board of directors of the
Detroit Symphony Society and vice chairman of tho
Detroit Chapter of the National Red Cross.
FREDERIC H. ZEIGEN, president and manager
of the Bankers' Land and Investment Corporation
but perhaps even better known through his author
ship, was born in Saginaw, Miehigan, April 18, 1874,
his parents being Cass and Mary (Weber) Zeigen.
The father was born in Basel, Switzerland, and was
the youngest son of the mayor of that city. The
mother was bom in Stuttgart, Germany. The mother
is descended from the famous musical family of
which Frederick Wilhelm Weber, the composer, was
the head. They eame to America in 1848 and settled
in Detroit. The Weber family took up their abode
on Adams avenue in Detroit, where they owned prop
erty which they later traded for a farm that is now
in the heart of the business district of Saginaw,
Michigan. The father, Cass J. Zeigen, subsequently
entered into the manufacturing business in Saginaw
and was one of the successful men of that place,
passing away there in 1909. The mother is still living,
spending most of her time with her son at Twin
Towers, but still occasionally returning to her old
home in Saginaw, which she refuses to sell and which
is the oldest landmark on the East Side. In their
family were seven children: Edward, who is residing
in Phoenix, Arizona; Mrs. Clara Richer of Chicago;
Frederic H., of this review; George, living in Monroe,
Louisiana; Cass, who is the treasurer of the Bankers'
Land and Investment Corporation; Mrs. Rose Hadley
of Detroit, whose husband is the auditor of the Lib
erty Motor Company of this city; and Arthur, who
is head of the lumber trust, with headquarters at
Portland, Oregon.
Frederic H. Zeigen attended the public schools of
Saginaw, completing a high school course there in

1890. Afterward he studied law in the office of Hon.
John E. Bird in Adrian, Mr. Bird afterward becom
ing chief justice of the state of Michigan. Later he
attended the Ypsilanti high school, from which he
was graduated in 1899. He then became a student
in the State Normal College at Ypsilanti and was
graduated with honor in 1900, being class poet and
president of his class. Subsequently he turned his
attention to the profession of teaching in normal
schools and later was appointed superintendent of
schools in Michigan, filling that position for three
years. While thus engaged he took up short story
writing and also penned many poems which were
widely read. His novel, Therold Archer Knowlton,
received much favorable comment. He likewise wrote
several other novels and twenty or more popular
songs, not only composing the music but also writing
the words. These won great popularity and were in
wide demand. Later Mr. Zeigen beeame the asso
ciate editor of the Gateway Magazine under Hon.
Joseph E. Greusel, the editor, so continuing until the
latter 's death, when he became special writer to Mr.
Burroughs of the Detroit News, his work being largely
in connection with the Sunday edition. He was after
ward closely associated with James Oliver. Curwood,
one of Michigan's most popular writers, who is the
author of twenty novels, among which are The
Hunted Woman, The Valley of Silent Men, River's
End, etc.
While engaged in editorial work Mr. Zeigen became
interested in real estate and by reason of his prop
erty holdings entered the real estate business, which
he took up in connection with Mr. Hannan, with whom
he was associated for a year and three months. In
the meantime he beeame Mr. Hannan 's subdivision
manager but at length decided to engage in business
independently, and in 1906 the Zeigen Real Estate Ex
change, which was the forerunner of the Bankers'
Land and Investment Corporation, was founded, first
as a private concern, while later it was incorporated.
The business of which he is the president has grown
to large proportions, being one of the important real
estate and realty banking concerns of the city. Later
Mr. Zeigen founded an auxiliary organization known
as the Zeigen Construction Company, of which he is
also the general manager. He likewise organized the
Warwick Park Land Company, the Kenilworth Park
Land Company, the Ecorse Land Company and the
Wayne Park Land Company, but all of these have
since been absorbed by the Bankers Land and In
vestment Corporation, which was incorporated in 1919
and which is nationally known as The Million Dollar
Housing Corporation. Since Mr. Zeigen has been en
gaged in the land investment and construction busi
ness he has built and helped to finance more than
five thousand houses and has assisted other home-
seekers by supplying capital for a like number of
homes in loans. He has at different periods been
identified with various other corporations, but many

FREDERIC H. ZEIGEN

CITY OF DETROIT

387

of his interests have been consolidated under one
organization. On the 20th of November, 1899, at Ypsilanti, Mich
igan, Mr. Zeigen was married to Miss Myrtle Comer,
a daughter of former Senator and Mrs. George Comer.
Mr. and Mrs. Zeigen have two children: Eola Val
encia, who was born at Reed City, Michigan, in Feb
ruary, 1902, and is now attending National Park
Seminary at Washington, D. C; and Phyllis Myrtle,
who was born in Detroit in 1910 and is a pupil in
the graded schools of Ypsilanti.
Mr. Zeigen gives his political allegiance to the
republican party but has never been an office seeker.
He is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to
Michigan Sovereign Consistory, thirty-second degree,
S. P. R. S., and to Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.,
while in the York Rite he has taken the Knights
Templar degree in Michigan Commandery He also
belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is
a member of the Scarab Club, of the Authors League
of America and together with Edgar Guest, Will
Levington Comfort, Frederic Isham and James Oliver
Curwood was one of the organizers of the Miehigan
Authors Association, many of the members becoming
famous as authors. He belongs to the International
Historical and the National Geographic Societies, has
been a member of the Miehigan State Teachers' As
sociation and the National Education Association and
was a charter member of the Detroit Real Estate
Board and the new Detroit Board of Commerce. His
military history covers connection as captain of the
Light Infantry of Saginaw. He was also a first
lieutenant of the Adrian Volunteers in the Spanish-
American war, but was not mustered into service.
In the World war he endeavored to get into service
but was refused on account of age and was appointed
by Governor Sleeper on the state war board, on
which he served until the close of the war. It is
seldom that a man with the artistic and creative
temperament which results in authorship of high merit
and composition of songs of great popularity has, too,
the qualities which make the successful business man;
but Mr. Zeigen possesses all these powers and his
name is most widely known throughout the state by
reason of his prominence in business circles and by
his contribution to the music and literature of the
state. Mr. Zeigen has resided in Detroit for nearly fifteen
years, but he and his family spend most of their
time at Twin Towers, their country home near Ypsi
lanti, Michigan, where Mr. Zeigen in spare time in
dulges his hobby of attending to his large gladiolus
gardens, several new varieties being credited to his
work. AUGUSTUS I. GALORNEAU, who has lived all his
life in Detroit, where for years he has been identified
with different branches of the iron and metals trades,
at present occupying the position of secretary, treas

urer and manager of the American Screw Products
Company, is a native of Detroit, born November 5,
1869, a son of Isaac and Adaline (Prue) Galorneau.
The Galorneaus are of French origin. Mr. Galomeau's
father was a native of Montreal, Canada, and he came
to Detroit in the '50s, when the city was in its for
mative stage. The mother was a native of Quebec and
is yet a resident of Detroit, while the father passed
away many years ago.
Augustus I. Galorneau was educated in the public
schools, but in consequence of the death of his father
when Augustus was ten years old, the latter began to
work to help the family when he was but eleven, being
Company. He then entered the employ of the De
troit Screw Works, where he remained for twenty-
three years. Later he became a manufacturer's agent
for a time and then became connected with the Penin
sular Milled Screw Company, with which concern he
remained for thirteen years, during which time he
acquired a thorough knowledge of the iron and steel
trades. With the experience secured in the various fields
where he had hitherto been employed, Mr. Galorneau
decided to branch out into business for himself and on
October 1, 1915, he organized the American Screw
Products Company, of which he is secretary, treasurer
and manager. The output of the company covers
every kind of special work, everything that may be
produced in the form of bar steel, iron, brass, or bronze,
being in their line. From the commencement the un
dertaking has been an unqualified success, due to the
managerial and executive capacity displayed by Mr.
Galorneau. In 1895 Mr. Galorneau was married to Emma Gerou,
and they have become the parents of four children:
Beatrice, Ethel, Ada and Russell. Mr. Galorneau is a
member of the Detroit Automobile Club, of the Mich
igan Manufacturers Association, and of the Board of
Commerce, in the affairs of which he takes a warm
interest. He is also affiliated with the Knights of
Columbus. All the success that has come to Mr.
Galorneau is attributable to his stability of character
and energy; commencing in a very small way, he now
occupies a prominent position in the business life of
Detroit. J. MARTIN BROWN, president of Brown, Preston
& Derrick, Incorporated, leading architects and engi
neers of Detroit, specializing in the designing of high
class commercial and industrial edifices, is well qual
ified for the work in which he is engaged, owing to
thorough scientific training and broad practical expe
rience, and has attained high standing in professional
and business circles of the city. He was born in New
York, November 29, 1882, a son of Walter N. and
Sophia (Von Armbruster) Brown and one of a family
of four children, the others being: Nelson; Frances,

388

CITY OF DETROIT

the wife of Morris Lacy of New York; and Orrin, now
residing in Rochester, New York.
In the public schools of the Empire state J. Martin
Brown pursued his education, graduating from the high
school of Wyoming, New York, in 1900, after which
he entered the University of Syracuse, New York,
where he completed a course in architecture and was
graduated from that institution in 1905. While at
tending the university he took an active part in ath
letic sports and became very proficient in the hurdles.
During this period he sought employment with the
leading architects of Syracuse in order to defray his
college expenses, working in the office of Brockway
& Taylor, and during his junior year he was em
ployed by the firm of Crandall & Strobel, thus gaining
valuable practical experience which greatly assisted
him in his studies. From 1906 until the spring of
1908 Mr. Brown was connected with New York archi
tectural firms, after which he went abroad, spending
six months in England and France studying the finest
examples of architecture in the old world and storing
his mind with much valuable information which has
since been of great assistance to him in his professional
work. From the fall of 1908 until the latter part of
1911 he was associated with the noted architect,
Charles A. Piatt, who has drawn the plans for many
of the finest estates in America. For a time he was
identified with the firm of Kirby, Pettit & Green and
was a student in the famous Atelier Prevost, in New
York, many of whose students have been successful
in winning the prize offered by the city of Paris for
superior work in art. From 1911 until 1913 Mr. Brown
was in the employ of the firm of Jackson & Rosencrans
and in 1913 he came to Detroit, where he engaged in
business independently. He is now president of Brown,
Preston & Derrick, Incorporated. They maintain their
offices in the Empire building and are specializing in
the construction of commercial and industrial struc
tures, in which connection they have built up a large
business, being recognized as experts in their line.
In the execution of contracts they are prompt and re
liable, conforming not only to the letter but also to
the spirit of an agreement, and their business activi
ties have ever balanced up with the principles of in
tegrity and honor.
On the 1st of January, 1910, Mr. Brown was united
in marriage to Miss Mattie Owen of New York, and
they have become the parents of a son, Stanley Owen,
whose birth occurred on the 17th of April, 1912. Mr.
Brown keeps in touch with all that is being done in
the line of his profession through his membership in
the American Institute of Architecture and fraternally
he is identified with the Masonic order, whose benefi
cent teachings guide him in the relations of daily life.
He is interested in all athletic sports and is fond of
boxing and fencing, being very proficient with the
foils. He has won high standing in his profession
and is regarded as one of the leading architects and
engineers of Detroit. He has led a busy, active and

useful life, employing every opportunity to advance,
and his present success -is attributable to close appli
cation and a spirit of determination that prompts his
continued effort until he has reached the desired goal.
His labors have ever been of a constructive character,
contributing to the development and upbuilding of his
community as well as to individual prosperity, and
Detroit is fortunate in claiming him as a citizen.
JOHN DALZELL. Among the men of substantial
worth and sterling character who contributed to the
development and progress of Detroit and always stood
for the best in citizenship, while advancing their
individual interests through carefully directed busi
ness affairs, was John Dalzell, who was extensively
engaged in business as a wholesale lumber dealer.
A native of Ireland, he was born on a farm near
Belfast on the 10th of January, 1836, and was a son
of Alexander and Elizabeth (Dick) Dalzell. He came
of sterling Scotch-Irish ancestry and was one of a
large family of children. He. acquired his education
in the schools of his native country and years later
one who knew him well and was qualified to write
of his life history said of him, "His boyhood memo
ries were not happy ones. When he thought of a cer
tain little cottage in faraway Ireland, and certain
brothers and sisters who seemed ever more remote
than the shadowy land of his birth, it was only to
recall the hardships and trials of a naturally sensitive,
ambitious boy. Yet these very hardships fostered in .
him a determination to leave a home where he was
so misunderstood and become his own master in the
great, unknown America. It must have taken all the
courage that ever a brave lad possessed to part from
his familiar surroundings, and, alone, face the dan
gers of a sea voyage, and later the hard struggle for
a place of his own in the crowded business and soeial
life of his adopted country. Even then he was just
at the beginning, and it proved his inherent force of
character, his ability, his capacity for diligence and
labor, that he finally won through, not only to an
established financial position, but to gain for himself
a real respect and warm regard from aU who knew
him." It was when a youth of eighteen years that John
Dalzell left the Emerald Isle and crossed the Atlantic
to the new world. The voyage of six weeks being
terminated, he landed in New York in the year 1854.
He first became identified with the Shillings, Whitney
Brothers & Barnes Lumber Company and for fifty con
secutive years was associated with the business, be
coming in this period one of the most prominent
and representative lumbermen of the state. As pre
viously indicated there were hardships and difficulties
to be overcome and many obstacles to be surmounted,
but with persistent purpose he continued his work and
remained in the lumber trade until he had accumulated
a fortune, retiring in 1913.
Mr. Dalzell was united in marriage to Miss Emma

JOHN DALZELL

CITY OF DETROIT

391

Nash, a daughter of William B. and Lura (Barstow)
Nash, the former a representative of a well known
pioneer family of Vermont and it was in the Green
Mountain state that the birth of Mrs. Dalzell occurred.
Their marriage was celebrated on the 15th of De
cember, 1868, and they became the parents of a
daughter: Bessie L., who is the wife of William F.
McCorkle, a well known representative of the Detroit
bar, and to them has been born a daughter, Helen
Dalzell McCorkle.
Mr. Dalzell was long a devoted member of the First
Presbyterian church and he served as one of its
trustees for thirty consecutive years. He passed away
in that faith August 14, 1917, and his remains were
interred in the Woodlawn cemetery at Detroit. He
had been a member of the Masonic fraternity for a
long period and had served as president of the Old
Wayne Club. No better characterization of Mr.
Dalzell can be given than the words of one who knew
him long and well and who spoke of his as "A fine,
righteous man." "Absolutely upright and honest,
abhorring all that was mean or low, he stood, stanch
and unbending as one of his own beloved pines,
against adversity or temptation, yet he was gentle,
loving and very generous toward his family, always
delighted at their pleasure or by their expressions of
affection for him. He rarely spoke of his quiet, sane
philosophy of life, or of his religion. There was no
need, for they constantly showed in his unflagging
interest and constructive work for his church and
charities, for whatever he did was done to the very
best of his power, unselfishly and unassumingly. There
was about him a certain air of freshness and vitality,
gained from long hours in the silence of the pine
woods, of dependable strength which came from the
overcoming of obstacles, of lovableness which eman
ated from a sympathetic heart, and expressed itself
in his sweet, heart-warming smile."
ALLAN CAMPBELL. Whether in a partnership re
lation or practicing alone Allan Campbell has contin
ually given demonstration of his powers as an able
lawyer, one who analyzes his cases carefully and is
seldom at fault in the application of a legal principle.
He was born in Detroit, October 12, 1876, and is a
son of Walter Scott and Annie (Fenton) Campbell.
He pursued a course in the Detroit high school by
graduation in January, 1894, and afterward pursued
his more specifically literary course in the University
of Michigan, where he won the Bachelor of Arts de
gree in 1898. His law studies were pursued in his
native city and the Detroit College of Law conferred
upon him the LL. B. degree in 1901. In the mean
time, however, he had taken up the profession of
teaching, which he followed for four and a half years
in connection with the public schools of Detroit after
graduating from the State University, class of 1898.
He regarded this merely as an initial step to other
professional labor, however, and he eagerly embraced

every opportunity that qualified him for admission to
the bar. He began the practice of law with the firm
of Maybury, Lucking, Emmons & Helfman in Jan
uary, 1904, but that connection was maintained only
until October, 1905. He thereafter practiced alone
until the 1st of January, 1908, when he entered into
partnership with Fred G. Dewey under the firm style
of Campbell & Dewey, and in 1918 the firm became
Campbell, Dewey & Stanton. Mr. Campbell was com
missioned first lieutenant, Signal Reserve Corps, of the
air service, in December, 1917, and served at Camp
Sevier, Camp Jackson, Washington, and Garden City,
Long Island, being discharged December 8, 1918. There
have been no spectacular phases in his career, his
course being marked by a steady devotion to duty and
conscientiousness in his work on behalf of his clients.
He brought to the starting point of his career a keen,
rapid, logical mind plus the business sense and these
qualities, added to a broad knowledge of the law,
have made for continuous advancement throughout his
professional career.
On the 20th of November, 1908, Mr. Campbell was
married to Miss Elizabeth Barton Pitman and theirs
is one of the hospitable homes of the eity. Mr. Camp
bell is identified with the Sons of the American Revo
lution, also with St. Andrew's Society and with the
Phi Beta Kappa as well as with the University and
the Lawyers elubs. He belongs also to the Detroit,
the Detroit Tennis, the Detroit Boat, the Detroit Ath
letic, the Prismatic and the Country Clubs; also to the
Board of Commerce and the American Legion. These
various associations indicate the nature and breadth of
his interests, showing him to be a man of well bal
anced capacities and powers who has never confined
his attention solely to one line to the exclusion of other
interests which make for a well balanced individuality
and carefully developed powers.
JAMES E. HANNA. The public press is frequently
called upon to record the death of some man who
has made substantial contribution to the material de
velopment of the eity and thus aided in its upbuilding.
There are comparatively few, however, who advance
the cultural interests, who devote their lives to the
sale of those things which take one out of the more
sordid lines of trade and commerce, developing a
love of beauty and calling forth that which is high
est and best in the individual. James E. Hanna,
who passed from this life May 6, 1920, was widely
known as an art dealer and connoisseur of Detroit.
In 1909 he incorporated a business under the name
of James E. Hanna & Brothers and did much to im
prove art taste in this eity by reason of the fine
collection of paintings always to be found in the
galleries of the corporation which he organized. As
the years passed he became well known in the art
centers of Europe and in his travels abroad made a
notable collection of paintings, bronzes and other
works of art.

392

CITY OF DETROIT

Mr. Hanna was born in Meaford, Canada, May 23,
1858, a son of Constantine and Jane (Johnson) Hanna,
who crossed the Atlantic from Ireland to Canada in
early life. In 1867 they removed from the Dominion
to Detroit with their family and the father engaged
in stone quarrying at the Kelly Island quarries. Both
he and his' wife passed away in this city.
James E. Hanna was the second in order of birth
in a family of seven children. His early life was
spent in the schools of Detroit and after school hours,
like many another ambitious young lad, he sold the
evening papers and thus earned a little ready money,
from which time he provided for his own support.
He was still quite young when he took up the business
of picture framing in the employ of A. J. Brow, an
art dealer, and from that point he naturally drifted
into art, becoming a close student and lover of fine
paintings and other art work. At the time of his
demise one of the loeal papers wrote: "Nearly fifty
years ago a thin, somewhat shy boy edged into a
picture frame shop in Detroit and blushingly asked
for a job as gilder or frame finisher. Thursday that
boy died, and in his death Detroit lost its leading art
dealer, a man whose work had placed him in almost
an autocratic position in the city in all questions
relating to pictures, a man whose knowledge of the
genuine in art objects made him an authority in
Europe as well as America, for the boy was James
E. Hanna, head of the firm bearing his name in the
David Whitney building." For a period from 1880
Mr. Hanna was associated with Dr. Gus Ives under
the firm name of Hanna & Ives. The business was
later reorganized as Hanna & Noyes, Mr. Noyes suc
ceeding Dr. Ives in the partnership. As the years
passed Mr. Hanna developed a knowledge and skill
that made him an able critic and this power was of
great value to him in the selection of the masterpieces
which have adorned the galleries in the David Whitney
building. Many fine paintings from both the old and
new worlds have through the Hanna galleries been
placed in the finest homes of Detroit and other cities.
The studios are constantly visited by discerning art
critics and are known from coast to coast and even in
foreign lands. Mr. Hanna became the president of
the close corporation which was organized in 1909
under the name of James E. Hanna & Brothers. The
years had marked his steady advance since he sat
on a three-legged stool in a varnish-reeking room
with a little brush, daubing gilt on sticks to be used as
frames for such pictures as were sold at that day.
His experience in the Detroit store brought to him
a knowledge of the fact that there was great difference
in pictures and he began to read and study, and as
his knowledge and efficiency developed lie was pro
moted to the position of salesman, eventually became
a partner of his employer under the firm style of
Brow & Hanna and at length reached the position
as head of the company with which he was associated
to the time of his death. A contemporary writer

said: "All the great artists who ever knew Detroit
knew the slender, rather short man that ran the 'art
store' and more than once, when genius burned more
bright than recompense, an artist had to thank Mr.
Hanna for timely assistance." In his later years
Mr. Hanna traveled extensively in Europe. He visited
the famous galleries of Italy, Holland, France and
England and made his way into the second-hand
stores and to the auction sales of London, also to
the castles and manor houses and entered the homes
of the faded court families in queer, twisted streets
of Paris. Here and there he pieked up genuine works
of art, sometimes dust-covered and almost black with
age, and in other cases such treasures were found in
cheap frames in parlors whose owners knew nought
of their worth. Mr. Hanna became an expert in
detecting careful imitations of the masters both old
and new.
In 1881 Mr. Hanna was married to Miss Jean Kerr,
who passed away in Detroit on the 25th of December,
1909. They were the parents of five children: Eliza
beth, who is the wife of Allan H. Botsford, secretary-
treasurer of the firm of James E. Hanna & Brothers;
Jennie; Frances; Jay Eaton, who was graduated from
the University of Michigan in 1916 and succeeded
his father as president of James E. Hanna & Brothers;
and Margaret. Mr. Hanna was twice married. On
February 7, 1916, Miss Gertrude Tolsma of Detroit
became his wife and three children were born to
them: Rita E., who died young; Mary E.; and Rita
June. He was a well known Mason, a member of Ashlar
Lodge, F. & A. M., and he attained the thirty-second
degree of the Scottish Rite. He belonged also to the
Detroit Athletic Club and to the Lotus Club of New
York city. His political allegiance was given to the
republican party. Mr. Hanna certainly deserved great
credit for what he accomplished after making his
initial step in the business world, finally establishing
the galleries of which he had every reason to be proud,
constituting one of the chief aTt centers not only
of Michigan but of the entire middle west. His life
work made the world brighter and better, for it
introduced an appreciation for and love of beauty into
many homes, having that uplifting influence which
always comes from the things of cultural worth.
WILLIAM FOSTER McCORKLE, for thirty-eight
years a member of the Detroit bar, was born at
Thomtown, Indiana, January 7, 1855, his parents being
the Rev. William A. and Cordelia Maria (Foster) Mc
Corkle. The father was bom in Troy, Ohio, in 1822
and the mother's birth occurred in the Empire state.
They were married, however, at Adrian, Michigan,
and both have passed away, the death of Rev. Mr.
McCorkle occurring in 1896, while his wife survived
until 1901.
William Foster McCorkle is numbered among the
alumni of Princeton University of the class of 1877.

WILLIAM F. McCORKLE

CITY OF DETROIT

395

He became a resident of Detroit in 1882, having in
the meantime studied law in Brooklyn, New York,
where he was admitted to the bar in 1880. Since his
removal to the middle west he has continued in the
active practice of his profession in Detroit, covering
a period of thirty-eight years, confining his attention
largely to real estate, probate and corporation law, in
which branches of jurisprudence he has gained a place
of eminence.
On the 20th of April, 1897, Mr. McCorkle was mar
ried in Detroit to Miss Bessie JJ. Dalzell and they have
one child: Helen Dalzell McCorkle.
Mr. McCorkle has always been a supporter of the
republican party and his religious faith is that of the
Presbyterian ehureh, in the work of which he takes
an active interest, serving now as elder of the First
Presbyterian church of Detroit. He belongs to the
University Club, to the Detroit Boat Club, to the
Board of Commerce, and to the Detroit Real Estate
Board, while along strictly professional lines he has
connection with the Lawyers' Club, the Detroit Bar
Association and the Michigan State Bar Association.
His long residence in Detroit has brought him a wide
acquaintance and the respect and honor of his fellow
men because of his allegiance to all those causes
which make for the uplift of the individual and the
betterment of society at large.
FRANK H. DAVIS, a prominent and progressive
builder and contractor, engaged in these lines in De
troit for several years, is a native of Illinois, born
in Evanston, that state, a son of Frank H. and Annie
(Marcy) Davis.
Mr. Davis was educated at the Massachusetts In
stitute of Technology, from which he was graduated
with the class of 1904. For about twelve years, from
1902 to 1913, he was engaged at railroad construction
work and surveying, in these branches having met
with considerable success, as well as laying the foun
dation of his future career.
It was in 1913 that Mr. Davis came to Detroit and
immediately established himself as a general contrac
tor and builder. Since starting in this business
he has done much building and construction work in
Detroit, where he has earned for himself a permanent
reputation for excellent work. Mr. Davis was one
of the builders of the Stattler Hotel Annex.
In 1910 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss
Anne Hadden, and they have become the parents
of one son, Frank H., Jr. Mr. Davis is a member of
the University Club, the Indian Village Club, the
Engineers Society, and the Board of Commerce, in
the affairs of all of which he takes a warm and prac
tical interest.
Following the entry of the United States into the
World war, Mr. Davis beeame a very zealous worker
in all the patriotic movements on foot during that
time. Mrs. Davis was equally aetive in carrying on
patriotic work, giving freely of her time and ability

to the furtherance of all projects designed to help
America's success in the gigantic struggle. Mr. Davis
and his wife take a proper part in the social and
cultural activities of the community, and, as in war
work, they lend their support to movements intended
for the common good of the people.
WILLIAM A. GUTHARD, who for four years has
been the vice president of the insurance firm of Jacob
Guthard & Son, was born in Detroit, August 9, 1880,
his parents being Jacob and Louise (Aberle) Guthard,
of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof,
he began his education at the usual age in the public
schools and afterward attended the Detroit Business
University. He immediately engaged in business with
his father in the conduct of an insurance agency and,
acquainting himself with every phase of the business,
has during the last four years been the vice president
of the firm of Jacob Guthard & Son, representing
twenty-eight different insurance corporations and
handling all kinds of insurance save life.
On the 24th of July, 1906, Mr. Guthard was married
to Miss Minnie A. Letzring and they have a daughter,
Marie, now twelve years of age. During his younger
years Mr. Guthard was a football player of note,
making a splendid record upon the gridiron both as
an amateur and professional player, his position being
that of full back. He still feels an interest in the
game and greatly enjoys watching a contest of this
character. In religion he is a Protestant, in politics
a republican and fraternally is connected with the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He also be
longs to the Detroit Wheelmen's Club and at all
times recognizes and meets the duties and obligations
as well as the privileges and opportunities of citizen
ship. He has never sought to figure in any public
light, however, preferring at all times to concentrate
his attention and energies upon his business affairs.
ERNEST A. O'BRIEN. During the fifteen years
of his practice as a member of the Miehigan bar,
with office in Detroit, Ernest A. O'Brien has made
steady progress, developing his powers through the
exercise of effort and through continuous study and
research along the lines of his profession. Detroit
numbers him among her native sons. He was born
July 1, 1879, his parents being James and Mary A.
(Brennan) O'Brien. His literary training was received
at the University of Detroit, from which he was
graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1898.
He afterward attended the Detroit College of Law
and won his LL. B. degree in 1905. Before preparing
for the bar, however, he had spent four years in
business life, being throughout that period a drafts
man in the civil engineer's department of the Detroit
water board. In 1905 he was admitted to the Michigan
bar and has since followed his profession in Detroit.
He was for ten years associated with the late George

396

CITY OF DETROIT

F. Monaghan, and is now a member of the firm of
Van Dyke, O'Brien & Wheat, a firm recently estab
lished, with offices in the Bank Chambers, Griswold
and Lamed streets.
On the 16th of September, 1909, Mr. O'Brien was
married to Miss Elizabeth Dee of Detroit, and they
have become the parents of two sons, Ernest D. and
John J. The religious faith of the family is that
of the Catholic church and Mr. O 'Brien is state deputy
of the Knights of Columbus, which limits its mem
bership to those of Catholie faith. He is also identified
with the Knights of Equity. His political allegiance
is given to the independent party and he belongs to
the Lawyers Club, the Fellowcraft Club of Detroit,
and to the Detroit Athletic Club, the Alumni Asso
ciation of the University of Detroit. He is likewise
a member of the Detroit Bar Association and he
enjoys the confidence and goodwill of his professional
brethren. His life has been passed in this city, where
he has a wide acquaintance, and wherever known
warm regard is entertained for him.
ROLAND JOHN ELLIS, manager of the brokerage
firm of E. W. Wagner & Company, was born in Wor
cestershire, England, November 22, 1882, and is a son
of Edwin and Susan (Garbett) Ellis, who were also
natives of that country. The father was a prominent
railroad contractor and builder to the time of his
death, which occurred in 1884. The mother afterward
crossed the Atlantic to the new world and settled in
Toronto, Canada, where she still resides. Their fam
ily numbered four children, three of whom are living:
George, a resident of Worcestershire, England; Mrs.
Eleanor Merrifield, who makes her home in Montreal,
Canada; and Roland John, of this review.
The last named, the youngest of the family, is
indebted to the publie school system of Montreal,
Canada, for the educational opportunities which he en
joyed and after leaving high school he beeame a clerk
in a broker's office in that eity. He rose to a position
of responsibility and trust but in 1902 left Montreal
for Chicago, believing that he might have better op
portunities across the border, where competition is
keener but where advancement is more quickly se
cured. He continued in the brokerage business, later
following that line in New York city and in various
places in Iowa. He was likewise a broker at Lima,
Ohio, for a time and subsequently came to Detroit.
In most of these places he was a representative of E.
W. Wagner & Company and at length was offered the
position of manager of the Detroit branch of the firm.
Accordingly he came to this city on the 1st of Feb
ruary, 1919, to take charge and his course has fully
justified the confidence reposed in him. He has made
the Detroit office a paying proposition and here handles
all kinds of stocks, bonds and dependable securities,
having already won a large clientele.
On the 30th of March, 1913, Mr. Ellis was married
to Miss Eleanor Morton of New York eity, a daughter

of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Morton. Fraternally he is a
Mason and has attained the thirty-second degree of
the Scottish Rite in the Miehigan Sovereign Con
sistory, while with the Nobles of Moslem Temple of
the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the
desert. He is at all times an exemplary representa
tive of the craft, loyal to its teachings and its high
purposes. He is also a member of the Detroit Board
of Commerce. His record is that of a man who has
worked his way upward entirely through his own ef
forts, winning a most creditable position and an
equally creditable name.
SANFORD WEBB LADD, practicing at the De
troit bar as a member of the firm of Warren, Cady,
Ladd & Hill to the time of his death, which occurred
on September 1, 1920, was numbered among Michi
gan's lawyers since 1902. He was born in Milford,
Michigan, December 2, 1877, his parents being Frank
M. and Mary Elizabeth (Webb) Ladd, while his an
cestral line shows long connection with one of the
old families of New England. In the acquirement
of his education he attended the public schools of
his native town and afterward entered the high school
at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated with
the class of 1897. His college course was pursued
in the University of Miehigan, from which he received
his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1901. He afterward
became a student in the law department of the State
University, where he devoted two years to the mastery
of the principles of jurisprudence and thus qualified
for examination for the bar.
Mr. Ladd entered upon active practice at Port
Huron, Michigan, in 1902, and some time later became
a member of the firm of Moore, Brown, Miller &
Ladd. Following his removal to Detroit in the fall
of 1908, he practiced alone for a time and then joined
the firm of Merriam, Yerkes, Simons & Ladd, which
association was maintained until March, 1911, when
the firm of Warren, Cady & Ladd was organized
which subsequently became Warren, Cady, Ladd &
Hill. With the passing years this office has held
a place in the front rank of the leading attorneys of
Detroit, and Mr. Ladd enjoyed a weU earned reputa
tion, having specialized in corporation law.
On the 29th of June, 1904, Mr. Ladd was married
to Miss Nina Axtell Truesdell of Port Huron, Michi
gan, and they became the parents of five children:
Helen Elizabeth; Virginia Mary; Elizabeth Mary;
Sanford Montgomery; and David McCleary.
Mr. Ladd found diversion from professional duties
in outdoor life and exercise. He belonged to the
Detroit Club, the Detroit Country Club, the Detroit
Athletic Club, the Detroit University Club and also
to the University Club of Chicago. He belonged like
wise to the Beta Theta Pi and the Phi Delta Phi and
to the Detroit Bar Association and the American Bar
Association. His political allegiance was given to
the republican party and his religious faith was that

ROLAND J. ELLIS

CITY OF DETROIT

399

of the Congregational church. Mr. Ladd's death was
a distinct loss to the community, where his circle of
friends was almost coextensive with the circle of his
acquaintances. BERNARD YOUNGBLOOD, who figured in publie
office in Detroit for a number of years and was long
identified with mercantile interests of the eity, was
born in Trierscheidt, Kreis Adenaus, Coblenz, in the
Rhine province of Germany, June 21, 1840, his parents
being Stephen and Gertrude (Krischer) Youngblood,
both of whom were natives of Germany. The father
became a farmer and a dealer in wine. In the family
were ten children: Nicholas, Catherine, Gertrude, Mary,
Bernard, Peter, Jacob and three who died in infancy in
Germany. In the year 1852 Nicholas Youngblood of
this family came to America to look over the country
and that he reported favorably' to the family is indi
cated in the fact that in 1854 the father, mother and
six children emigrated to America, crossing the Atlantic
on the sailing vessel Loehinvar, which, was forty-nine
days in making the voyage. They brought with them
seven thousand dollars in gold and during a very
stormy voyage were much afraid that their lives and
their money would be lost, greatly regretting that
Nicholas did not have the money in his possession.
However, the voyage was at length safely ended, their
capital was safe and they journeyed across the coun
try to Detroit. The father purchased property on
Orleans street near Gratiot, where he built a home.
He died in 1868, his wife surviving until 1873.
In his early life Bernard Youngblood attended the
district schools of Germany and assisted his father on
the home farm. He was a youth of fourteen years
when the family crossed the Atlantic to the new world
and after reaching Detroit he worked at odd jobs
with his brother Nicholas, who was a grading con
tractor on the Michigan Southern, between Ecorse
and Trenton. In 1857 he became a wood-working ap
prentice, building carriages for Reichle, Drayer &
Schafer until I860, when he went to New York, where
he worked at the building of carriage bodies.
Owing to paralyzed business conditions in New
York, resulting from the outbreak of the Civil war,
Mr. Youngblood returned to Detroit in 1861 and again
entered the employ of Reiehle, Drayer & Schafer.
In the following year his brother Nicholas desired to
engage in the grocery business and asked his brother
Bernard to join him. The latter had no capital but
said he could build a wagon and that was his in
vestment in the grocery business of the firm of Young
blood Brothers in the spring of 1862. The original
two partners were joined by their brothers Peter and
Jacob, but in the fall of the same year they all sold
out, realizing a good profit on their investment. In
the winter of 1862 Bernard Youngblood purchased a
small place at 518 Gratiot avenue, where with his
brothers he engaged in the grocery and feed business
and gradually acquired other property on each side of

his store. In 1864 he and his brother Peter purchased
the interest of Jacob Youngblood in the business and
in 1865 they acquired the interest of their brother
Nicholas, the two thus becoming proprietors of the
establishment. Prices were then very high, Mocha
coffee selling at seventy-two cents per pound, sugar
at forty-eight cents, brown sugar at thirty-five cents,
choice tea for two dollars and a half per pound and
flour as high as seventeen and a half dollars per
barrel. Mr. Youngblood was a large buyer of mer
chandise and made frequent trips to New York and
other points to purchase advantageously. In 1869 Mr.
Youngblood erected a three-story brick building at 520
Gratiot avenue and there conducted a profitable busi
ness enterprise in the wholesale and retail grocery
and feed trades. He thus engaged until Sunday, July
13, 1872, when a disastrous fire occurred and the
Youngblood Brothers, who were conducting the busi
ness, suffered a heavy lass. Bernard Youngblood was
under the impression that some of his children were
lost in the fire and did not learn until the following
morning that all were safe. This was such a nervous
shock that it necessitated his taking a trip abroad.
Accordingly, he sold the branch store at Maple and
St. Aubin to Martin Baier, one of the clerks, and his
brother Peter conducted the main store. In the fall
of 1873 Mr. Youngblood returned from Europe much
improved in health and purchased five acres of land
at Gratiot and Moran, where he established his family
home after improving the property thereon.
From time to time Mr. Youngblood acquired val
uable land holdings in Detroit. One farm on the east
side of Woodward avenue at the corner of the six-
mile road, directly across from Palmer Park, com
prising one hundred acres, he sold for only one hun
dred and seventy dollars an acre.
In 1885 he sold his interest in the grocery business
to his brother Peter and engaged in the hardware
business with Seth Hunt. In 1889 he sold his hard
ware interest and reentered the grocery and feed
trades. In 1899 he erected a new building on St.
Aubin at the corner of Hendricks and to that location
removed his grocery business, which he conducted
until 1900, when failing health caused him to sell
out, after which he lived retired until his death.
It was in May, 1865, that Mr. Youngblood married
Frances Meyers, who passed away in 1883, leaving
ten children. On the 9th of February, 1885, he married
Minnie Walters. The children of the first marriage
who survive are: Edward B.; Minnie, the wife of
Anthony J. Schulte; Harriet, the wife of Harry C.
Miller of Akron, Ohio; William H.; and Mabel, the
wife of John F. Rosier. Four children of the first
marriage who reached mature years have passed away:
Matilda, the wife of Thomas H. Lynch; Anna, the
first wife of John R. Bodde; Frances, the first wife
of Frank Cody; and Jacob F. By the second mar
riage there are four children: Raymond J., Bernadette
R., Margaret E. and Eleanore M. The family circle

400

CITY OF DETROIT

was once more broken by the hand of death when on
the 26th of April, 1919, Mr. Youngblood was called
to his final rest.
While he had been an active business man through
the many years of his residence in Detroit, he was
also well known by reason of his earnest support and
leadership in the democratic party. In 1874 he became
a candidate for alderman in the thirteenth ward and
was elected, while in 1878 he was nominated for the
office of county treasurer and again in 1880. While
defeated on both occasions, he was once more his
party's nominee in 1882 and this time was elected.
So creditable a record did he make in office that he
was reelected in 1884, so that he served for two terms
in that position. In 1895 he was made the demo
cratic nominee for alderman in the ninth ward and
filled the position, through reelection, for two terms.
He gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to the
municipal questions which came up for settlement and
at all times was most loyal to the interests of the
city and its upbuilding.
For almost two-thirds of a century Bernard Young
blood was a resident of Detroit. Progressive in busi
ness and public-spirited in citizenship, he left his
impress for good upon the history of the city.
JUDGE WILLIAM LOOK, who formerly occupied
the circuit court bench of Wayne county and is now
actively engaged in the practice of law in Detroit,
his native city, has been closely associated with public
interests of a political as well as of a professional
character and has exerted a widely felt influence over
public thought and opinion. He was born on the
16th of March, 1857, of the marriage of Arnold
Nicholas and Catherine (Canto) Look. The father
was a native of Cleve, Rhenish Prussia, in the district
of Dusseldorf, Germany, which previous to the Con
gress of Vienna in 1815 belonged to Holland. He
was a grandson of Jean Look, a veteran of the Na
poleonic wars who followed the great Corsican leader
in his peninsular campaign, participating in many of
the memorable battles that convulsed continental
Europe in the early part of the last century. He
also served under Marshal Davoust, Prince of Eek-
miehl, Massena and Soult, taking part in all the
engagements of the campaign that terminated with
the first abdication of Napoleon in 1814, and was
discharged for physical disability on July 27, 1814,
during the campaign of France. He came to
America in 1850 and settled on a farm near Detroit,
and upon the anniversary of the birth of Napoleon
in 1869, Jean Look, the oldest living veteran of the
Napoleonic -wars, was chosen president of the day.
He died in October, 1876, at the age of ninety years,
respected and honored by all. The maternal grand
father of Judge Look was Blasius Canto, a native of
Belfort, in the province of Lorraine, France, who
came to the United States in 1823 and died on his

farm on the border of Wayne county, Michigan, when
eighty-nine years of age.
William Look was the eldest of a family of eight
children and when but twelve years of age largely
had to assume the responsibility of providing for
the household. His education has largely been self-
acquired, showing the native elemental strength of his
character, for with limited opportunities in youth
he has made steady progress, wisely utilizing his time
and his advantages. He first entered the large bank
ing and real estate offices of his uncle, Judge Joseph
Kuhn of Detroit, serving as office boy for two years,
and later, having manifested marked capability in
mastering the various phases of the business in prin
ciple and detail, he was left in sole charge when his
uncle made a tour of Europe. He carried on the busi
ness during his uncle's absence with such capability
and faithfulness as to win the warmest praises on
the return of the proprietor. At length Judge Look
determined upon the practice of law as a life work and
in 1880, after thorough preliminary reading, was ad
mitted to the bar. While he studied alone, he fre
quently sought the advice of sueh men as Hon. Don M,
Dickinson; Edwin F. Conley, Hon. Otto Kirehner, Wil
liam C. Maybury and James A. Randall, who, admiring
the ambition and energy of the young man, gladly as
sisted him in solving many intricate legal problems.
Following his admission to the bar he entered at once
upon active practice in 1880 and has since followed
the profession, save for the period of his service upon
the bench. He made steady advancement, gaining
a good clientage, and in 1887 he was elected judge
of the Wayne county circuit court, which position
he filled for two years. In 1885 he had been chosen
a member of the board of councilmen, the upper
house of the municipal legislature, to fill out an un
expired term. He at once beeame an earnest oppo
nent of the loose relations between the corporation
contractors and the city government. In 1885 he was
elected to, the board for a full term of four years by
an overwhelming majority. It was due to the stand
he took while a member of the board regarding the
act of 1885, governing the appointment of the boards
of registration and election, that that act was declared
unconstitutional by the supreme court of the state.
He was also very active during his entire term in pro
moting the best interests of the eity of Detroit in every
possible way. In 1887 the state legislature passed a
bill abolishing the board of councilmen and he was
then nominated and elected one of the judges of the
Wayne county circuit court. He took his place on the
bench as one of the youngest men who had ever
filled so important a position and disposed of his cases
with such rapidity and thoroughness that his course
excited the surprise, the admiration and the gratitude
of the public and of the Detroit bar as well With
his retirement from the bench he resumed the private
practice of law and from 1894 until 1900 was a mem
ber of the law firm of Look & Humphrey but through

JUDGE WILLIAM LOOK

Vol. IV— 26

CITY OF DETROIT

403

the past two decades has practiced alone, being ac
corded a large clientage of a distinctively representa
tive character.
On the 22d of July, 1879, Judge Look was married
to Miss Christine Audretsch of Detroit, who passed
away on August 7th, 1905, at the age of forty-eight
years, leaving five children: Cordelia; Florence, who
is the wife of Charles R. Dickinson; Viola, the wife
of Norman J. Chapoton; Eugene Edwin; and Virginia.
The son, Eugene Edwin, was reading law in the office
of his father when the United States declared war
against Germany and soon afterward enlisted as a
private in the Michigan National Guard, serving first
with a division of cavalry in the National Guard, while
later he was transferred to Battery F of the One Hun
dred and Nineteenth Field Artillery, Thirty-second
Division (Red Arrow), with the commission of lieu
tenant. He was sent to Camp MeArthur at Waco,
Texas. Subsequently he was transferred to the Four
teenth Field Artillery, school of fire, at Fort Sill,
Oklahoma, where he was located until after the sign
ing of the armistice.
Judge Look has been a lifelong resident of Detroit
and throughout the entire period has stood for those
things which are elements in progress and improve
ment in connection with municipal and civic affairs.
His life history is another proof of the fact that it
is under the pressure of adversity and the stimulus
of opposition that the best and strongest in men is
brought out and developed. With limited opportunities
in his youth, he made the most of every chance that
came to him and has promoted his progress with a
consistency of purpose that could not fail to accom
plish results.
The religious faith of the family is that of the
Boman Catholic church. Mr. Look is interested in
fishing, sailing and rowing, to which he turns for
recreation in his leisure hours. His political endorse
ment is given to the democratic party and in 1885
he was elected to the upper house of the eity council
and served for, two years, or until the abolishment of
the board. He has always kept thoroughly informed
concerning the vital questions and issues of the day,
but his ambition is not in the line of offiee holding,
as he considers the pursuits of private life in them
selves abundantly worthy of his best efforts and in the
path of his profession has gained for himself a credit
able name and place.
ARTHUR COOPER, proprietor of the Lillibridge
Lumber Company of Detroit, was born in the city of
Guelph, Ontario, Canada, but came to Michigan in
1885, when a lad of but eight years. That was twenty
years prior to the great automobile industry in Detroit,
and the consequent expansion and growth of the city
to a world famous metropolis. In this phenomenal
growth the lumber business has been one of the great
factors and through his connection in this industry
Mr. Cooper has played an important part in the up

building of greater Detroit. His youthful days were
spent in the home of his parents, Walter and Eliza
(Frazer) Cooper. The father was a civil engineer
who for years acted as an engineer with the Grand
Trunk Railway Company, and also did a great deal
of surveying for the Canadian government. He was
accidentally killed by a railway train and soon there
after the family came to Detroit.
Arthur Cooper was educated in the high school
here and after leaving school was in the employ of
the late William H. Elliott for a time. Subsequently
he secured a position in a box factory, and at the age
of nineteen years he entered the employ of the Dwight
Lumber Company, with which he remained for fifteen
years. It was in 1905 that he joined Mr. Francis
M. Lillibridge and organized the Lillibridge Lumber
Company. This association was maintained until 1916
when Mr. Lillibridge passed away, and Mr. Cooper
purchased his interest in the business in which he
has since been sole proprietor, although conducting
his interests under the old name. He handles all
kinds of lumber, interior finish and cabinet work, con
fining his business to Detroit and neighboring places,
the Lillibridge Company ranking as one of the most
reliable lumber concerns of the city. The offices are
from 3810 to 3818 Grand River avenue, where he
occupies premises one hundred and fifty by eighty feet
and his yards cover three acres on Warren avenue
and the Pere Marquette Railway.
Mr. Cooper is well known in Masonic circles, for he
holds membership in Union Lodge, A. F. & A. M.;
Peninsular Chapter, R. A. M.; Miehigan Sovereign
Consistory; and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.
He is also a member of the Diamond Lodge of Odd Fel
lows, and the nature of his interests and activities are
further indicated in the faet that he belongs to the
Presbyterian church and gives his political allegiance
to the republican party. Entirely through his own
efforts and ability he has raised himself from a position
of a struggling boy to that of a prosperous proprietor
of a large and important business and he is regarded
as one of the able and responsible representatives of
the lumber trade in Detroit. This record he has
achieved through constructive efforts, winning a good
name as well as success, and his life should serve
as a source of inspiration and encouragement to
others. LOUIS SCHNEIDER, for years a well-known ac
countant in Detroit, where he has been living since
1910, is a native of the great Empire state, born in
New York city, August 16, 1888, a son of John and
Henrietta (Snyder) Schneider.
Mr. Schneider was educated in the public schools
of his native city, and later entered the wholesale
piano business, at which he remained for a time. He
studied auditing and accountancy during his private
hours and acquired a considerable degree of proficiency
in both branches.

404

CITY OF DETROIT

It was in 1910 that Mr. Schnedier came to Detroit
and in that year took a position with the Fisher Body
Corporation, and for five years was assistant auditor
in the offices of that corporation. He then entered
the Detroit Trust Company as senior accountant,
which position he still occupies, rendering excellent
service in the discharge of his onerous duties and
enjoying alike the confidence of the company and of
his immediate colleagues.
In 1910, the year of his coming to Detroit, Mr.
Schneider was united in marriage to Bertha Emily
Franz, and they have become the parents of three
children: Marion, Henrietta and Emily. Mr. Schneider
takes an active part in the affairs of fraternal organ
izations. He is a member of the Harmonie Club, of
Friendship Lodge, No. 417, Free and Accepted Masons;
Blue Lodge, No. 54, Independent Order of Odd Fel
lows, and also a member of the Encampment, Ger-
mania, No. 45. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider have made
many sincere friends in Detroit and their efforts are
always directed toward the advancement of the wel
fare of the community in which they reside.
CLAIRE L. STRAITH, M. D., D. D. S. The name
of Straith is a, prominent one in professional circles
of Detroit and Dr. Claire L. Straith has become well
known as a, specialist in the treatment of hare lip
and cleft palate and also in oral and plastic surgery.
He has been very successful along both lines of work
and is enjoying a large and most remunerative pat
ronage. He was born at Harrow, in the province
of Ontario, Canada, August 30, 1891, a son of Samuel
and Sarah Adelle (Green) Straith, the former a native
of Buxton, Canada, while the latter was born in Stock-
bridge, Miehigan. The father is one of the leading
dentists of Detroit, having practiced his profession
in this city since 1903. A record of his life appears
elsewhere in this work.
When Claire L. Straith was twelve years of age
his parents removed to Detroit and he attended the
public schools of this city, being a pupil in the old
Central high school. Subsequently he entered the
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, which con
ferred upon him the B. S. degree, and he obtained
his M. D. degree in Rush Medical College, while the
degree of D. D. S. was bestowed upon him following
his graduation from the Chicago Dental College, his
studies in the last named institution being guided
by Dr. T. W. Brophy, the distinguished oral surgeon.
For a time he was connected with the staff of St.
Joseph's Hospital as a general surgeon, devoting his
attention largely to oral surgery, and he now has
charge of oral surgery at Harper Hospital, along which
line he has been very successful. He is also special
izing in the treatment of hare lip and cleft palate
and is devoting the greater part of his attention to
his large private practice. He is a very capable and
progressive young man and his notable work in con
nection with oral surgery has gained him wide recog

nition. He has ever remained a close and discriminat
ing student and is a member of a number of dental
and medical societies, including the First District
Dental Association, the Miehigan State Dental Asso
ciation, and the National Dental Association, the
Wayne County Medical Society and the American
Medical Association, thus keeping in touch with the
onward march of the profession.
On the 25th of June, 1919, Dr. Straith was united
in marriage to Miss Virginia M. Mott and they have
become the parents of a daughter and a son: Virginia
Adelle, who was bom April 11, 1920; and Richard
Edgar, born November 28, 1921.
Like his father, Dr. Straith is a republican in his
political views, while fraternally he is identified with
the Masons, belonging to Ashlar Lodge, A. F. & A.
M. He is also a member of the Delta Sigma Delta
a dental fraternity, and of the Nu Sigma Nu, a medi
cal fraternity, while along more strictly social lines
he is connected with the Ingleside Club, the Fellow
craft Club and the Masonic Country Club. In his
profession' he has already won an enviable position
for one of his years, and judging from his past ac
complishments, his future career will be well worth
watching. In every relation of life he measures up
to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship
and his sterling worth has gained for him the respect
and goodwill of a large circle of friends.
FRED M. RANDALL, president and treasurer of
The Fred M. Randall Company, advertising agency of
Detroit and Chicago, is one of the best known men
in his line of business in the country, and that he
has other qualities as pronounced and as admirable
as those which he displays in business is indicated by
his popularity in the club circles- in which he is a
well known figure. Mr. Randall is a native of the
Empire state, born in Ripley, Chautauqua county,
New York, June 26, 1877, his parents being Fred
erick Nelson and Harriet E. (Mason) Randall, the
former a native of Vermont and the latter born in
New York. The son attended school in Ripley and
in Westfield, New York, and, after completing his
preliminary education, entered Cornell University,
which he attended from 1896 until 1900, there win
ning the B. S. degree upon graduation with the class
of 1900, as well as completing a full course in the
Cornell Law School. After leaving college he became
affiliated with the firm of Randall, Hurley & Porter,
corporation attorneys, Buffalo, where he remained for
a year and then became associated with the depart
ment of admissions of the Pan-American Exposition.
At the expiration of that period he became the secre
tary of the Randall Grape Juice Company of Eipley,
New York, and continued in that business for five
years. He still holds his official position, although he
is not directly active in the conduct of the business
at the present time.
Mr. Randall next entered the advertising field '"
Chicago, being associated with a number of pronu-

FRED M. RANDALL

CITY OF DETROIT

407

nent concerns there, including the Chicago Tribune
and Lord & Thomas, advertising agency, with whom
he was connected for two years. He afterward came
to Detroit as Detroit manager for the advertising
agency of the Charles H. Fuller Company, and occu
pied that position for two and a half years. He
next became vice president of the H. K. MeCann
Company of New York, in charge of their Detroit
office, and for two years he was associated with the
Taylor & Critchfield Company. In 1915 he organized
his own advertising agency corporation, of which he
is the president and treasurer. This is a general ad
vertising agency, national in its scope. Through his
Detroit and Chicago offices Mr. Randall handles the
advertising for a number of the country's most rep
resentative business enterprises, and has created for
his clients many well known advertising trade marks,
symbols, characters and slogans, the value of which is
today estimated in the millions. His own trade mark
in the publishing and advertising field is a blue
right angle triangle, which expresses the thought
"The right angle in advertising" and is the mark
of recognition known to the advertising and pub
lishing fraternity where his literature goes. Mr. Ran
dall has associated with him a large staff of adver
tising experts and account executives — in fact, it is
an agency of principles. He holds to the highest
possible standards and by reason of the excellence of
his work and the progressiveness of his business
methods he has become one of the mot prominent
advertising men of the country. He is a charter
member of the American Association of Advertising
Agencies and is recognized as an authority along
these lines.
On the 22d of July, 1904, Mr. Randall was married
to Miss Maybelle Lenore Long of Lima, Ohio, and
they have one daughter, Betty Jane, who was born
May 17, 1916. Mr. Randall is a Mason, belonging to
Palestine Lodge and Chapter, and he has also at
tained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite
in the Michigan Sovereign Consistory, belongs to
Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine and Detroit
Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar. He is a
prominent figure in club circles, belonging to the
Detroit Athletic Club, the Wilderness Club, the Detroit
Golf Club, the Red Run Golf Club and Detroit Auto
mobile Club. He also has membership in the Seminole
Country Club of Georgia, and the Country Club, Boat
Club and City Club of Bay City, Michigan. He has
his summer home at Ripley, New York, while his
winter residence is maintained at St. Petersburg,
Florida. He is likewise connected with the Detroit
Adcraft Club, Board of Commerce, and was the or
ganizer and first chief of the American Protective
League of Michigan, wnich was a volunteer secret
service organization of over four thousand members,
existing under the direction of the United States De
partment of Justice, created by war needs, and con
tinuing during the period of the World war. His

political endorsement is given to the republican party,
and he is keenly interested in all that pertains to
publie progress and improvement, while at all times he
stands for those things which make for higher ideals
in American manhood- and citizenship.
MARTIN L. PULCHER, vice president and general
manager of the Federal Motor Truck Company, is
not only a scion of one of the oldest families in De
troit, but is also one of the representative manufac
turers of the city. He was born in Mount Clemens,
Miehigan, March 21, 1877, and received his early ed
ucation in the schools of Detroit. After leaving the
high sehool he went to work in Pontiac, with the Pon
tiac Buggy Company, and was engaged in the man
ufacture of vehicles for eight years. He then be
came secretary and treasurer of the Oakland Motor
Car Company, also of Pontiac, and was actively con
nected with that corporation for five years. In 1910
he became interested in the organization of the Fed
eral Motor Truck Company, and when the company
was incorporated in that year he became vice presi
dent and general manager, and has filled both positions
during the life of the corporation, with the most
gratifying results. In the first year of its existence
the company did a business of four hundred and fifty
thousand dollars; in 1920, the turnover reached the
magnificent total of fifteen million dollars. They make
motor trucks complete and sell them all over the
civilized world.
Mr. Pulcher is a member of the Engineers Club of
New York eity and the Detroit Board of Commerce.
He is also affiliated with the Detroit Athletic Club,
the Automobile Country Club, the B. P. O. E., and
the Knights of Columbus. In politics he is a re
publican. His parents were Martin and Catherine (Murphy)
Puleher. The Pulcher family is of French origin, but
the father of Martin L. Pulcher was born in the state
of New York. The Pulcher family is numbered among
the old settlers of Detroit, the original forebear having
settled on Gratiot road in 1837.
FRANK WILLIAM SCHALDENBRAND, one of
Detroit's best known photographers, is a native of
this city and was born January 29, 1873. While yet
a student in the parochial school he took up photog
raphy in a Detroit studio and for seven years re
mained in that connection, acquiring an excellent
knowledge of the business. He accepted a position in
Chicago, where for a number of years he managed
the studio in connection with Siegel, Cooper & Com
pany. When he decided to embark in the business
for himself, he located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
in 1902, opened a studio and rapidly built up a fine
business. In 1913 he disposed of his interests in the
latter city and came to Detroit. In this city Mr.
Schaldenbrand has won a position of the highest stand
ing in his art. Specializing in home portraiture, in

408

CITY OF DETROIT

which he was a pioneer in Detroit, he has acquired
a clientele that includes the city's foremost fam
ilies and most discriminating patrons. The artistic
character and mechanical excellence of his work is
widely known in various sections of the country. The
Schaldenbrand Studio is at 402 David Whitney
building. Mr. Schaldenbrand has been twice married. His
first wife was Miss Mary Andre, who died leaving
three children: Gertrude, Corrine and Clara. He later
married Miss Anna Andre, sister of his first wife,
and they have one daughter, Virginia. Mr. Schalden
brand is a member of the Board of Commerce and of
the Detroit Yacht Club. He is the owner of a fine
yacht and yachting may be said to be his chief
recreation. Mr. Schaldenbrand resides at No. 257
East Grand boulevard.
FRANK WILLIAM BAUMGARTNER. There are
in every eity certain men who are the outstanding
figures in their particular line of business, whose
activities and interests constitute the model along
which similar establishments are conducted. Such is
the Baumgartner Fashion Shop of Detroit, the leading
men's clothing establishment of the eity. There is
no feature of the trade with which F. W. Baumgartner
is not thoroughly familiar as affecting both purchases
and sales and one has but to buy from the Fashion
Shop to know that what he secures is right in style
and material.
Mr. Baumgartner was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania,
June 14, 1865, his parents being Caspar and Barbara
(Tremmel) Baumgartner. The father was born in
Lucerne, Switzerland, and at the age of twelve years
crossed the Atlantic to the new world. After reach
ing manhood he turned his attention to building in
Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he resided for sixty
years, both he and his wife passing away in that city.
Their family numbered four children, three sons and
one daughter: C. B.; John, a resident of Chicago;
Frank William; and Mrs. Mary Baumgartner Kimmel,
wife of Joseph Kimmel of Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Frank William Baumgartner attended the public
schools of Altoona, Pennsylvania, also St. Vincent's
College at Latrobe, Pennsylvania. When he had
there completed his course he went to St. Paul, Min
nesota, where he was connected with the J. L. Hudson
Company, then conducting the leading clothing estab
lishment in that city. He remained with the house
until 1892, when he came to Detroit for the same com
pany, which had opened a new store in Detroit and
which now has the leading dry goods house in the
Michigan metropolis. Mr. Baumgartner remained with
the Hudson Company until 1895, when he decided to
engage in business on his own account and leased space
in the Chamber of Commerce building. His aim from
the beginning was to make the clothing establish
ment which he opened the foremost in its line and
how well he has succeeded is attested by the character

of his patronage, the quality of wearing material which
he handles and the fact that the public accepts any
thing from the Fashion Shop as standard. Anything
sold in the Baumgartner store is a guarantee that it is
the latest in style and the best in quality for the money
expended. Steadily the business has developed until
this is the leading clothing establishment for men in
the state. Against the advice of many substantial
business men Mr. Baumgartner established a branch
on Washington boulevard and Griswold street in De
troit and in so doing has proven the soundness of his
judgment, for he has there developed a most successful
business enterprise and not long ago secured a lease
of the entire Stevens building, in which their store
is located, and the first four floors have since been
remodeled and are "so equipped that this is one of the
best men's clothing stores and fashion shops in
America. At the present time sixty-five competent
sales people are employed by Mr. Baumgartner, who in
February, 1907, incorporated the business, of which
he has since been president and manager.
On the 11th of June, 1890, Mr. Baumgartner was
married to Miss Anna Belle Connolly of St. Paul,
Minnesota, and they have three children: Frank Boy-
den, born in St. Paul, April 19, 1891, is a graduate of
the Detroit high school and is now vice president of
the Baumgartner Fashion Shop. He married Irene
Sullivan of Detroit, and they have one son, John
Francis; Marjorie K., born in Detroit in 1894, is a
graduate of St. Marys of the Woods, near Terre Haute,
Indiana, and she pursued a law course in the Univer
sity of Michigan, was graduated with the class of
1920, and has been admitted to the bar; Shirley.
Marie, born in Detroit in 1896, was also graduated
from St. Marys, and having taken orders of the
church, is now known as Sister Clement.
Mr. Baumgartner and his family are communicants
of the Roman Catholic church and he belongs to
the Knights of Columbus. He is also connected with
the Detroit Golf Club and Oakland Hills Golf Club, the
Automobile Country Club at Pine Lake, and the Fel
lowcraft Club. He Hkewise has membership with the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he gives his
political allegiance to the republican party. He is not
only most attractively located in his home surround
ings in Detroit but also has a fine summer home at
Pine Lake, Miehigan. He has earned for himself an
enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in
his dealings he is known for his honorable methods,
which have won for him the deserved and unbounded
confidence of his fellowmen.
GUSTAVUS DEBRILL POPE. Many corporate in
terests have felt the stimulus of the cooperation and
business ability of Gustavus Debrill Pope, now vice
president of the Digestive Ferments Company of Chi
cago and Detroit and identified with many other im
portant business interests of this city. He was born
June 4, 1873, at an army post near Humboldt, Ten-

FRANK W. BAUMGARTNER

CITY OF DETROIT

411

nessee, being a son of Benjamin F. and Sarah Lee
(Poston) Pope. The father was a colonel in the Medi
cal Corps of the United States army and at his death
in 1902 assistant surgeon-general. He was the young
est son of Dr. Gustavus William Pope of Rome, New
York, who was born August 4, 1789, at Clarendon,
Vermont, and died in Rome, New York, December 10,
1869. His father, Stephen Pope, was a farmer and
a son of William Pope (III), a soldier of the Revolu
tionary war, who served as a member of Arnold's
expedition to Quebec. He in turn was a son of
William Pope (II), a farmer; and a founder of the
family in the new world was William Pope (I), who
came as a boy from England, settling in Massachusetts
in the early part of the seventeenth century. Colonel
Benjamin F. Pope, father of G. D. Pope of this review,
was born in Rome, Oneida county, New York, was a
graduate of Hamilton College of New York and also
of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Phila
delphia, Pennsylvania, and joined the Army of the
Potomac in 1863 as an assistant surgeon. He married
June 12, 1872, Sarah Lee Poston, a native of Eliza-
bethtown, Kentuey, and a daughter of the Hon. Charles
D. and Margaret (Haycraft) Poston of that place.
Gustavus D. Pope pursued his education in the publie
schools of Washington, D. C, and Detroit, Miehigan,
and the schools at the various army posts where his
father was stationed. He attended the old Central
high school at Detroit and entered upon his business
career in connection with the wholesale hardware trade
in Chicago, while later he was with the Pintsch
Compressing Company at Kansas City and at Atlanta,
Georgia. He was also employed at one time in the operating
department of the Macon, Dublin & Savannah Rail
way at Macon, Georgia, and engaged in engineering
and railroad construction work in the south and west.
He likewise had a short experience with the Cana
dian Bridge Company at Walkerville, Ontario, and
next became interested in the Ray Chemical Company
of Detroit, of which he became the secretary. Later
the Ray Chemical Company was merged with the
Digestive Ferments Company of Chicago and Detroit
and Mr. Pope became president of this corporation,
continuing as its head up to the time of the entry of
the United States into the World war, when he re
signed that office in order to devote his whole time to
the work of the American Red Cross and the Detroit
Patriotic Fund. He is financially and actively in
terested in many other business concerns, being a
stockholder and director in the First State Bank of
Detroit; the Society for Savings, of which he is
president; the Detroit Motorbus Company; the Motors
Metal Manufacturing Company of Detroit; and the
Safety Car Heating & Lighting Company of New
York. He was also one of the organizers of the
Eastern Liggett School Corporation.
On the 12th of October, 1904, at Old Forge, New
York, Mr. Pope was married to Miss Mary Theresa

Soper, a daughter of Arthur W. and Hetty (Wardwell)
Soper of New York city. Her father, a native of
Rome, New York, was a railroad man and organizer
of the Safety Car Heating & Lighting Company, of
which he remained the president until his death in
November, 1901. His wife was the daughter of
Samuel Wardwell, a banker of Rome, New York, and
a granddaughter of Judge Daniel Wardwell. Mr. and
Mrs. Pope have become parents of three children:
John Alexander, born August 4, 1906; Elizabeth Lee,
born March 15, 1909; and Gustavus Anthony Debrill,
born July 28, 1911.
Mr. Pope is a member of the Detroit Club, Detroit
Athletic Club, Grosse Pointe Country Club Witenage-
mote Club, Detroit Automobile Club, Bloomfield Hills
Country Club, Bloomfield Open Hunt Club, Turtle Lake
Club, Adirondaeks League Club, the Camp Fire Club
of America, the New York Zoological Society, the
Military Order of the Loyal Legion and the Society
of the Colonial Wars. He served as a director of the
Detroit Athletic Club from 1914 until 1920. He is now
a director of the Society of Arts & Crafts and was
its president from 1914 until 1919. He was likewise
a director of the Detroit Museum of Art and vice
president thereof from 1915 until 1917. In politics
he is a progressive republican and was state treasurer
and afterward national committeeman of the national
progressive party from 1912 until 1914. He was vice
president and acting president of the Detroit Board of
Commerce in 1910; was a member of the board of
supervisors of Wayne county in 1920 and 1921; presi
dent of the Miehigan Sportsmen's Association 1920-
1921, and a director of the National Conservation
Association. He has served three years as a com
missioner of the Detroit Department of Health and was
largely instrumental in the selection and purchase for
the city of the fine site for the Sanatorium at North
ville, some six hundred acres, and the erection there
of Detroit's Tuberculosis Sanatorium, the finest of its
kind owned by any American municipality, and in
1921 served as president of the board. He has been
chairman of the Detroit Chapter of the American
Red Cross since 1914 and is a member of the executive
committee of the Detroit community fund and presi
dent thereof in 1920 and 1921. He is president of the
National Information Bureau of New York city, in
vestigating and accrediting war relief and National
Social Service Organization agencies. Along many
lines his life has been one of intense activity, pro
ductive of far-reaching and beneficial results. He has
constantly sought to promote those interests which
ameliorate hard conditions of life for the unfortunate
and to advance those organizations which are looking
to the cultural social education of his fellowmen, and
at the same time he has been a contributing factor
to the material development and progress of his
adopted city. Detroit recognizes the effectiveness
of his work, the sound judgment that lies back of all
that he undertakes and the high principles which

412

CITY OF DETROIT

actuate him in everything that he does. His position
as one of the representative men of Detroit is un
challenged. GODFREY FREIWALD is one of the pioneers in
the insurance and real estate business in Detroit,
having successfully operated along those lines in this
city for over three decades, and during this period
has won a well merited reputation for reliability, en
terprise and business integrity. Practically his entire
life has been spent in the "City of the Straits," for
he was but a few months old when brought to Detroit
by his parents, and has therefore been a witness of
its remarkable growth and development, to which
he has largely contributed through his business activi
ties. He was born near Berlin, Germany, February
8, 1873, a son of William and Louise (Stramm) Frei-
wald, who emigrated to the United States when he
was but an infant, taking up their residence in the
city of Detroit at an early period in its development.
-They established their home in Springwells township,
where they continued to reside until the mother was
called by death. The father is still living. The sur
viving children of the family are: Godfrey of this
review; Eleanore, the wife of F. W. Wendt; Minnie,
and Emma, who married Louis Bauman.
In the publie and parochial schools of Detroit,
Godfrey Freiwald acquired his education and on lay
ing aside his textbooks he secured a clerical position
in the offiee of the county clerk. While thus em
ployed he started in the insurance and real estate busi
ness, conducting his interests from his home at No.
1405 West Grand boulevard for a period of twenty
years. In 1904 he opened an office in the Moffat build
ing, where for a number of years he transacted all
of his business, and he is now located at 2119 Dime
Savings Bank building. In his real estate operations
he has been most successful, handling listed properties,
and he is thoroughly familiar with the worth of all
realty in the city, being regarded as an expert valua
tor. He has negotiated many important property
transfers and has built up a business of substantial
proportions. He has been equally successful in the
conduct of his insurance interests, acting as agent for
the Equitable Life Insurance Company, the Massa
chusetts Bonding and Liability Insurance Company
and other reliable firms, and also deals in fire and
automobile insurance. He is thoroughly familiar with
all branches of the business and has built up a large
clientele, writing a considerable amount of insurance
annually. In the conduct of his interests he displays
sound judgment, energy and enterprise and his business
activities have ever balanced with the principles of
truth and honor.
On the 5th of May, 1898, Mr. Freiwald was united in
marriage to Miss Minnie A. Lau of Detroit, and of the
children born to this union five are living, namely:
Edna, Gertrude, Marion, Eleanore and Lois, all of
whom are residing at home. In his political views Mr.

Freiwald is a stanch republican, active in support of
the principles and candidates of the party, and for
five terms he represented the fourteenth ward of De
troit, as alderman, supporting many measures which
have since proven of great benefit to the city. He is
an earnest and helpful member of the Detroit Board
of Commerce, cooperating heartily in all of its plans
for the development and upbuilding of the eity, and
fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging
to Schiller Lodge, No. 263, F. & A. M., and represent
ing said lodge on the board of trustees of the Masonic
Temple Association; to the Consistory, in which he has
attained the thirty-second degree; and to the Shrine.
He is also connected with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, belonging to Riverside Lodge, No. 303
and Michigan Encampment, No. 1; and with the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, being a member
of Detroit Lodge, No. 34, of the latter organization.
He is likewise a member of the Masonic Country
Club, of which he is a trustee, the Cosmopolitan Club,
and the Harmonie Society and has many attractive
personal qualities which make for social popularity.
His has been an active life, filled with honorable
purposes and accomplishment. For forty-eight years
he has resided in Detroit and he has well used these
years, not only to promote his own prosperity, but also
to further the development and progress of his city,
which has greatly profited by his activities. He was
elected treasurer of Wayne county, November 20, 1920.
WARREN D. CLIZBE, who after a brief experience
in the educational field turned his attention to the in
surance business, in which he has now been engaged
for thirty years, is at the present time general agent
for the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company. He
entered upon this position of responsibility in 1907,
and that he has given entire satisfaction to the cor
poration which he represents is manifest in the fact
that he has held the general agency at Detroit' for
fourteen years.
Michigan numbers Mr. CHzbe among her native
sons. He was born at Quincy, January 18, 1838, his
parents being James and Abigail P. (Rounds) Clizbe.
He completed his education by graduation from the
Normal College at Ypsilanti, Michigan, with the class
of 1880, and in the same year he accepted the super-
intendeney of the schools of Birmingham, Michigan,
where he remained for two years. In 1882 he be
came superintendent of schools at Lapeer, Michigan,
occupying that position until 1887, when he became
the head of the public school system of Ionia, there
remaining until 1891. This terminated eleven years'
connection with educational work, and he turned his
attention to the insurance field, becoming connected
with the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company in
1891. He acted as solicitor until 1907 and then en
tered the employ of the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance
Company of California, of which he has been general
agent since 1907, with offices in Detroit.

GODFREY FREIWALD

CITY OF DETROIT

415

On the 2d of August, 1882, Mr. Clizbe was married
to Miss Nellie Richardson of Birmingham, Michigan,
and they are the parents of a daughter, Marion R.,
who is the wife of Harry Allen, an attorney of De
troit, and they have two children, Eleanor L., and
James Clizbe Allen. Mr. Clizbe is a member of
Birmingham Lodge, Knights of Pythias and has at
tained high rank. He is a past grand chancellor and
was supreme representative to the supreme lodge for
eight years. He is also a member of Birmingham
Lodge, F. & A. M. He is now serving his third term
as president of the government of Birmingham. He
also belongs to the Life Underwriters Association and
his religious faith is manifest in his membership in
the First Presbyterian church, of which he has long
been a member of the choir, and he has served in
various church choirs for the past fifty years. He
finds diversion and interest in the cultivation of shrubs
and flowers and has developed the grounds around his
home, at Birmingham, which present great beauty.
He also finds keen joy in trips into the forest and to
him nature speaks a varied language, revealing to
him many of her secrets and her beauties that are
unknown to the casual observer.
CHARLES WELLMAN HITCHCOCK, M. D., special
izing on the treatment of nervous and mental diseases
in Detroit, where his practice is extensive and of an
important character, was born in Kalamazoo, Michi
gan, July 26, 1858, a son of Dr. Homer Owen and
Fidelia (Wellman) Hitchcock. He is a lineal descend
ant from both Governor William Bradford and Elder
William Brewster of the Plymouth colony. Dr. Hitch
cock's father was born in Westminster, Vermont, and
the mother's birth occurred in Cornish, New Hamp
shire, and following their marriage in 1856 they came
to Michigan, establishing the family home in Kalama
zoo, where the father continued in the active practice
of medicine to the time of his death on the 7th of
December, 1888. For more than a decade he had sur
vived his wife, who died in Kalamazoo, December 8,
1874. They were the parents of three children, the
eldest of whom is Dr. Charles W. Hitchcock of this
review. The second son was the Rev. Albert W.
Hitchcock, who was pastor of the Central Congrega
tional church of Worcester, Massachusetts, and died
in 1907. The daughter, Mrs. S. O. Hartwell, is the wife
of the former superintendent of public schools in
Kalamazoo, who is now superintendent of the schools
of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Dr. Hitchcock was graduated from the Kalamazoo
nigh school with the class of 1876 and then entered
Jlivet College, after which he continued his studies
u the University of Michigan, pursuing a literary
ourse that brought him to graduation on the 1st
f July, 1880, at which time the Master of Arts de-
ree was conferred upon him. After his graduation
8 taught school for three months in a district school
Bw Kalamazoo and then completed the school year

at Flint, Michigan, as principal of the high school
there. Later he was for one year superintendent of
schools at Paw Paw, Michigan. He was also super
intendent of schools at McGregor, Iowa, and subse
quently entered the Detroit Medical College. While
engaged in the study of medicine he taught at the
Liggett sehool of Detroit. He won his professional
degree on the 4th of March, 1885, and afterward be
came assistant physician in the Eastern Michigan
Asylum at Pontiac, there remaining for a year and
a half. In September, 1886, he went to New York
city, where he pursued postgraduate work and then,
returning to Detroit, acted as assistant to Dr. H. W.
Longyear for six months. He engaged in general
practice for a few months in Kalamazoo and returned
to Detroit in February, 1889, after which he engaged
in general practice for a time. Later, however, he
concentrated his efforts and attention upon mental
and nervous diseases. He was chief surgeon for the
Standard Accident Insurance Company of Detroit for
thirty-one years. He has been on the staff of neurol
ogy in connection with Harper Hospital for the past
twenty years and has been adjunct professor of nervous
and mental diseases of the Detroit College of Medi
cine. He belongs to the American Medical Associa
tion, the American Psychiatric Association, the Mich
igan State Medical Society, the Wayne County Med
ical Society, the Detroit Academy of Medicine and the
Detroit Society of Neurology and Psychiatry.
On the 24th of December, 1891, Dr. Hitchcock was
married to Miss Eunice Ingersoll, daughter of Nathan
iel B. and Deborah Ingersoll of Salem, Massachusetts.
They have become parents of three children: David
I., born in Detroit in 1893, was graduated from the
Central high school and from Dartmouth College with
the class of 1915. He has lately won his Ph. D.
degree from Columbia University and has been ap
pointed a fellow in general physiology at the Rocke
feller Institute for Medieal Research. During the
war he enlisted as a member of the One Hundred
and First Michigan Machine Gun Battalion of the
Twenty-sixth Division and was later transferred to
the chemical warfare division. He saw service with
the latter organization overseas, being stationed at
Hanlon Field, France, which was near general head
quarters. He returned to America in December, 1918,
going to Camp Dix, and was discharged at Camp
Custer with the rank of corporal in January, 1919;
Charles Carleton, born in Detroit in 1894, was grad
uated from the Central high school and completed a
literary course at Dartmouth College in 1916. In
April, 1917, he joined the United States navy as an
able seaman, was promoted to be ensign and received
a commission, being placed in command of Submarine
Chaser No. 89, engaged in coast patrol duty. He
received his discharge in 1919 and was again employed
for a time by Parke Davis & Company, but was obliged
to leave that work for physical reasons, and is now
on the executive staff of the J. L. Hudson Company.

416

CITY OF DETROIT

He married Miss Madeline Hoar of New York city and
they have a son, Charles C, born March 12, 1920;
Hugh Wellman, the third son of the family, was born
in June, 1899, and was attending the West Point
Military Academy but on account of an injury to his
leg resigned and is now nearly through the Univer
sity of Michigan and is acting as editor of the Mich
igan Daily, the university paper.
Dr. Hitchcock is a member of the Psi Upsilon. He
is well known in club circles as a member of the
University and the Detroit Golf Clubs and his re
ligious faith is manifest in his connection with the
First Congregational church. The major part of his
time and attention, however, is concentrated upon
his professional interests and duties. He was form
erly a trustee of the Pontiac State Hospital, appointed
to fill a vacancy and is now consulting neurologist
to the Children's Free Hospital and to the Eloise
Hospital and also to Harper Hospital. His pronounced
professional ability has brought him to the front and
something of his high standing is indicated in the
fact that he has been the secretary of the section
on nervous and mental diseases of the Scientific As
sembly of the American Medical Association, having
served for three years, which is the limit of service
in that body.
LLOYD PENISTON JONES, whose name is enrolled
on the list of well known manufacturers in Detroit,
being connected with one of the important industrial
interests now operating under the name of the Federal
Bearing & Bushing Corporation, was bom September
12, 1884, in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and is a son of Norman Marriott and Mary Bancroft
(Lloyd) Jones. In the paternal line the ancestry came
from Wales nine generations ago, settling in Bermuda,
where stands Innwood, the old Jones mansion in Paget
Parish, that was built of native stone nearly three
centuries ago. Francis Jones, the ancestor of Lloyd P.
Jones in the seventh generation removed, was governor
of Bermuda for four terms, from 1742 to 1760. Francis
Jones' eldest son, Thomas Jones, was also gover
nor for one term.
Lloyd P. Jones pursued his education in the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated
as a mechanical engineer with the class of 1907.
He then took up the insurance business, in which he
continued for two years, and later he was with the
American Bronze Company at Berwyn, Pennsylvania.
In 1913 he came to Detroit as representative of that
company, but ambitious to engage in business on his
own account, he saw opportunity for a step in that
direction in 1915. The Federal Brass Works had es
tablished a business in a small way and Mr. Jones
secured an option upon this and in association with
others, beeame the purchaser. He then reorganized
the business and through the intervening period has
made it a distinct success. The name of the company
was changed to the Federal Bearing & Bushing Cor

poration in 1918, with Mr. Jones as president, S. C.
Reynolds as vice president and treasurer and F. 0.
Heath as secretary. They manufacture Babbitt lined
bronze back bearings, bronze bushings and bronze cast
ings, and something of the volume of their business is
indicated in the fact that their employes number three
hundred. They have a splendidly equipped factory
and the highest standards of workmanship are main
tained. In 1915 Mr. Jones was married to Miss Dorothy
Ballantyne and they are the parents of three chil
dren: Dorothy Peniston; Francis and Hester Lloyd.
Mr. Jones belongs to the Country Club, the University
Club, the St. Anthony Club of Philadelphia, and also
to the Delta Psi, a college fraternity. While at the
university Mr. Jones was the intercollegiate cross
country champion of America, and record holder in
1906. He was the intercollegiate half mile champion
of America in 1908, and also a member of the Ameri
can Olympic team which competed in and won the
Olypmic games of 1908, held at London, England. He
is a most enterprising and public-spirited young man,
who has keen interest in the welfare and progress of
the city as well as in the conduct of his individual
business affairs. He bears the reputation of being a
superior executive, and laudable ambition and unfal
tering enterprise have carried him to a point of
prominence in the business circles of Detroit. His
residence is at Grosse Pointe.
ABRAM W. SEMPLINER. Immediatelv following
his graduation from the University of Michigan, in
which he received his LL. B. degree, Abram W. Semp-
liner entered upon the practice of law in Detroit,
where he has reached a creditable position in the
ranks of Detroit's attorneys. He is a native son of
Michigan, his birth having occurred in Bay City,
October 15, 1881. His father, William Sempliner,
was a resident of Bay City, Michigan, where for thirty-
five years he conducted a general merchandise store.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof,
Abram W. Sempliner attended the graded and high
schools of Bay City and then entered the University
of Miehigan at Ann Arbor, in which he pursued his
law course, receiving the LL. B. degree upon grad
uation with the class of 1902. The same year he
entered the law office of Alexander J. Groesbeck in
Detroit. He is engaged in the general practice of
law and has enjoyed a large and growing clientage
that has connected him with many important litigated
interests. Nor has his attention been confined solely
to his professional activities, for he has become a fac
tor in the management of a number of important
business concerns, being the secretary and treasurer
of the Stuart Foundry Company, secretary and treas
urer of the Montgomery Chemical Company, and sec
retary of the Detroit Accessories Corporation. His
sound judgment, keen business discernment and fac
ulty for separating the important features of a busi-

LLOYD P. JONES

CITY OF DETROIT

419

ness from its unessential elements, have been strong
factors in promoting the growth of these concerns.
On the 26th of June, 1907, in Detroit, Mr. Semp
liner was married to Miss Ida May Tipling, a daughter
of Thomas and Ann Tipling of Detroit, and they have
become the parents of two sons: William Myron, born
June 23, 1908; and Abram W., Jr., born May 7, 1913.
In his political views Mr. Sempliner is a republican,
giving stalwart support to the party and keeping
well informed on the questions and issues of the day.
He belongs to the Detroit Bar Association and was an
associate director of the legal advisory board during
the World war. He is a thirty-second degree Mason
and belongs to Union Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M. He
resides at No. 1625 Chicago boulevard.
OTHMAR E. SCHULTE, a practical optician, for
years engaged in carrying on an optical business of
his own, which he had incorporated in 1914, is a native
of Detroit, born on November 16, 1880, a son of Peter
and Josephine (Kuhn) Schulte, also natives of De
troit. Othmar E. Schulte, the subject of this sketch, was
educated' in the parochial schools of Detroit, and at
the age of thirteen he started out to work on his own
account. Some two years later he became connected
with the optical business, the' various details of which
he thoroughly mastered. He finally acquired a busi
ness of his own in 1902, and from the very commence
ment met with a good measure of success, his personal
supervision being largely responsible for the satisfac
tory results which accrued. In 1914, owing to the
healthy development of his trade, Mr. Schulte had the
business incorporated under the title of the Schulte
Optical Company with E. J. Schulte as president;
M. R. Schulte as vice president, and Othmar E. Schulte
as secretary and treasurer. The company has a
steadily growing reputation for the excellence of the
optical goods which it handles and for sight- testing,
etc., and it is generally regarded as one of the fore
most houses in the optical line in Detroit.
On October 21, 1903, Mr. Schulte was united in
marriage to Miss Margaret R. Merron, and they have
become the parents of eight children: Mario'n, Evelyn,
Donald, Grace, Riehard, Edmund, Russell and Margaret.
Mr. Schulte is an active member of the Board of Com
merce, in the affairs of which he takes a warm in
terest. He is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus,
and in other directions gives of his time and ability
to the furtherance of movements designed to advance
the social and cultural progress of his native eity.
CHESTER MACFARLANE MARTIN, an active, up-
to-date business man, for years identified with the
brokerage market and with the commercial life of
Detroit, where he occupies a responsible position with
the Burdick-Thomas Company, a firm of well known
brokers, was "born across the border in London, Ontario,

March 26, 1879, but for considerably more than twenty
years has been a resident of the United States.
Chester Maefarlane Martin was educated in the
high school and at the Toronto University. He came
to Detroit with the Canadian Pacific Railroad Com
pany and opened up their export and import business
in this part of Miehigan, remaining in the employ of
the company for nine years, after which he was as
sociated with the grain business for three years.
In January, 1914, he joined H. C. Carson & Com
pany, grain merchants, holding for a considerable time'
the office of secretary, and then vice president and
secretary, which offices he still holds. Mr. Martin
has an extensive acquaintance among the commercial
classes of Detroit, where he is well and favorably
known, no less for his commercial status than for
his worth as a citizen. He is a member of the Chicago
Board of Trade and of the Detroit Board of Trade,
in the affairs of which he takes a keen interest.
In September, 1910, Mr. Martin was united in mar
riage to Mary MacAlpine, and they are the parents
of two sons and one daughter living: Archibald Mac-
Alpine Martin, Jamie Maefarlane Martin, and Mary
Katherine Martin. Mr. Martin is a thirty-second de
gree Mason, a member of the Palestine blue lodge,
of the Palestine chapter, and of Detroit Commandery,
No. 1.
Mr. Martin gives a good citizen's attention to
public affairs, but has never been a seeker after po->
litical office, and he and his wife are aetive in all
social and cultural movements designed to advance
the welfare of the community.
LON WEST HAYNES, M. D., who has been actively
and, successfully engaged in the practice of medicine.
and surgery in Detroit for the past fourteen years,
has won a prominent position in professional ranks
of the state as a specialist in diseases of women and.
children. He was born at Hillsboro, Ohio, on the .
10th August, 1883, his parents being Charles and
Mary (West) Haynes, who were also natives of the
Buckeye state. The father, who won prosperity both
as a farmer and merchant, passed away at Hillsboro
in 1917, when he had attained the age of sixty years.
The mother, however, still survives and yet makes
her home at Hillsboro. They were the parents of'
two sons: Roy A., federal prohibition commissioner of
Washington, D. C; and Lon West, of this review.
The latter obtained his early education in the graded
and high schools of his native town and then spent
two years as a student in Miami University of Oxford,
Ohio, while subsequently he entered the University
of Michigan, from which institution he was graduated
with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1906. On the
completion of his more specifically literary course he
entered the medical department of the university,
which conferred upon him the degree of M. D. in'
1908. Throughout the intervening period of twelve
years he has remained in Detroit, where he has built :

420

CITY OF DETROIT

up an extensive and important practice and has won
statewide renown as a specialist in the treatment of
diseases of women and children. He is serving on
the staff of Harper Hospital and the fact that at
all times he keeps thoroughly conversant with the
most advanced work of the profession is indicated in
his membership in the Wayne County Medical Society,
the Michigan State Medical Association and the
American Medical Association.
On the 28th of October, 1908, in Detroit, Dr. Haynes
was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Daines, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hawley E. Daines of this
city. They have become parents of two children:
Virginia, who was born in Detroit in 1910 and is
now attending school in this eity; and Charles Hawley,
whose birth occurred in Detroit in 1915.
Dr. Haynes maintains an independent political at
titude, casting his ballot as his judgment dictates
without regard to party ties. He is a Master Mason
and a worthy exemplar of the teachings of the order.
He belongs also to the Fellowcraft Athletic Club and
the Ingleside Club. His interests are varied, but
nothing is allowed to interfere with the efficient
performance of professional duties, in which he man
ifests both zeal and skill. His prominence is indeed
well merited, for it has come through the development
of native powers and ability and the acquirement of
skill that is obtained only from genuine, self-denying
effort. His sterling manhood as well as his profes
sional attainments command for him the respect and
honor of those with whom he has been associated.
He resides at 919 Lawrence avenue.
JAMES EMERSON MORRISON, president of the
James E. Morrison Company, general industrial engi
neers, is one of the progressive business men of De
troit and through his efforts many substantial business
concerns of the city as well as other sections of the
country, have been placed upon an improved operating
basis. The company supervises both the production
and the handling of products, insuring a greater output
and sale. of whatever is handled by its clients. It takes
charge of all departments, studies every phase of the
business and institutes plans and management that re
sult in a higher degree of efficiency. Such is the work
of James E. Morrison, a Canadian by birth, who has
found in the business conditions of the United States
the opportunities which he has sought for development
and advancement.
Mr. Morrison was born at Sarnia, in the province of
Ontario, Canada, January 4, 1879, his parents being
Robert and Isora (Britney) Morrison, who were also
natives of Ontario and were greatly esteemed and re
spected by a host of warm friends there. They were
also the parents of three daughters: Stella, who is the
wife of Joseph Shaw, a resident of Canada; Jennet,
the wife of Johnston Taylor, also of Canada; and
Ethel, the wife of John Jolly, who is living in Sas
katchewan.

James E. Morrison, the only son, was a pupil in the
public and high schools of Sarnia and completed a
course in a business college, thus qualifying for his
later activity in the business world. He made his
initial step by securing employment in the Capac
Savings Bank of Capae, Miehigan, and during the
four years of his connection with that institution rose
from a humble clerkship to the position of assistant
cashier. He next entered the employ of "the Southern
Coal & Transportation Company of Berryburg, West
Virginia, with which' company he remained for two
years in a clerical capacity. He was also with the
American Bridge Company for a period of six months,
occupying an office position. In 1906 Mr. Morrison
went to Lansing, Michigan, where he entered the em
ploy of the Michigan United Railways Company and
became head bookkeeper, later becoming purchasing
agent and auditor of the Northern Construction Com
pany, whieh was Controlled by the Michigan United
Railways Company. In 1909 he went to New York
in the employ of the Emerson Company, efficiency
engineers, there serving for two years. It was while
in that employ that he gained his early experience in
his present line of business and he opened an office on
his own account in New York, but operated there for
only a short time. In 1911, believing that there
were excellent business opportunities in Detroit, he
came to this city and established an office at No.,810
Union Trust building. He has since opened his present
office in 1160-1162 Penobscot building and has made
the firm of which he is now the head one of the well
known concerns in the city. The success of the
business has been due largely to his personal efforts,
his enterprise and his untiring activity. He gives su
pervision to all matters intrusted to the company for
development and his judgment is sound and reliable,
his sagacity keen and his insight clear. He readily
recognizes the possibilities of a situation, does away
with the unessential elements and fosters those ele
ments which are necessary to the growth and expan
sion of the trade, with results that have been most
gratifying to those who have had the benefit of his
services. Mr. Morrison was married in 1906 to Miss "Vida
Ice of Philippi, West Virginia, and their marriage has
been blessed with four children: Kathleen, born in
Lansing, Michigan, April 15, 1907; James E., Jr., born
in Lansing, Michigan, the 5th of February, 1909;
Robert Brooks, born March 23, 1910, in New York city;
and William T. I., bom April 27, 1912, in Detroit.
Mr. Morrison is a stalwart republican, giving unfal
tering allegiance to the party and its principles. He
is a Mason and is also a member of the Society or
Industrial Engineers and he belongs to the Old Colony
Club, the Masonic Country Club and to the Board
of Commerce of Detroit. The constant development of
his powers, his forcefulness and resourcefulness have
brought him prominently to the front and he is today
occupying a unique and most enviable position in

JAMES E. MORRISON

CITY OF DETROIT

423

business circles of his adopted city, having made direct
and valuable eontrrtmtion to its development along
many lines. Mr. Morrison resides on Washington road
in the Grosse Pointe section of Detroit.
H. S. MATZINGER, manager of the brokerage
house of Merrill, Lynch & Company of Detroit, is a
native of the great Empire state, born in New York
city, August 30, 1888. He was educated at Mount
Vernon high school and in a commercial college of
his native city. At the early age of seventeen he
took up banking and remained nine years in a bank
ing house where he became thoroughly conversant
with the business in all of its features. Mr. Mat-
zinger then entered the banking house of Merrill,
Lynch & Company, nationally known bankers of New
York, and soon mastered all the intricacies of the
business, becoming a valuable assistant. In 1915 he
was made manager of the firm's Detroit offiee and
was admitted to partnership in the firm in 1917.
In 1912 Mr. Matzinger was united in marriage to
Miss Edith Merrill, and they have become the parents
of one son, Charles Merrill Matzinger. Mr. Matzinger
is an active member of the Board of Commerce, in
the affairs of which he takes a warm interest and he
is also a member of the Detroit Athletic Club. He
was captain of a team on the first three Liberty Loan
sales and took an active and successful part in that
patriotic work.
Mr. Matzinger gives a good citizen's attention to
civic affairs but has never been an aspirant for polit
ical honors. He and his wife are prominent in social
and cultural movements in Detroit, where they have
a large number of friends, by whom they are held
in the highest esteem.
JAMES INGLIS is numbered among those men
whose wisely directed activities have made Detroit one
of the great industrial centers of the country. He
is prominently known as a manufacturer, being presi
dent of the American Blower Company and identified'
with various other corporate interests which have
featured in the upbuilding of Detroit and the extension
of its trade relations into every section of the world.
Mr. Inglis, moreover, is a representative of one of
the oldest and most prominent Detroit families and
was born in this city August 15, 1864, his parents
being Dr. Richard and Agnes (Lambie) Inglis, both
now deceased.
At the usual age he became a publie school pupil
and mastered the work of the various grades until
he entered the high sehool. When his education was
completed he beeame identified with manufacturing
interests in Detroit in 1887. Since that time his course
has been marked by a steady progress that is the
result of the development of his powers and the
utilization of his opportunities. He has thoroughly
mastered everything that he has undertaken and from
the faithful performance of each day's duties has

found inspiration and energy for the labors of the
ensuing day. He has come to be recognized as a
most able executive and a business man of- the keen
est sagacity. He is president of the American Blower
Company, manufacturers of heating, ventilatingi, dry
ing and mechanical draft apparatus, and of the Can
adian Sirocco Company of Windsor, Ontario. He is
also chairman of the board of directors of the Detroit
Insulated Wire Company, is vice president of the
Underfeed Stoker Company of America and a director
of the National Bank of Commerce of Detroit.
On the 20th of October, 1903, Mr. Inglis was married
to Miss Elizabeth Hughes of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and
they have become the parents of two children: Eliza
beth, who was born in 1906; and James H., bom in
1910. Mr. Inglis and his family are connected with
the Presbyterian chureh and in politics he is a re
publican. He belongs to the Board of Commerce of
Detroit, of which he served as president in 1906.
He is identified with many of the leading elubs and
social organizations of his native city, including the
Detroit Club, Detroit Athletic Club, Country Club and
the Detroit Boat Club, and is also a member of the
Barton Hills Country Club of Ann Arbor, Miehigan,
and the Metropolitan Club of Washington, D. C.
During the period of the World war he served on the
War Industries Board. Throughout the period of hos
tilities with Germany he was stationed at the national
capital where he rendered most important service in
connection with the organization of the industrial
forces of the country as a factor in the prosecution
of the war. Although Mr. Inglis' business interests
are in Detroit, his residence since 1920 has been at
Ann Arbor, Miehigan.
HON. GEORGE MELVIN CONDON, serving for
the second term as a member of the state senate of
Miehigan and since June, 1902, actively engaged in
the practice of law in Detroit, was born at Fort Cov
ington, Franklin county, New York, December 27,
1859. He was the eldest in a family of seven children
whose parents were John and .Marguerite (Kavanaugh)
Condon, his ancestors having long been residents of
America. His youthful days were spent on the home
farm. The summer months were devoted to the work
of the fields and he attended the district schools in
the winter seasons, also becoming a pupil in the Fort
Covington high school and academy from which in
due course of time he was graduated. At the age of
eighteen he took up the profession of teaching, which
he followed for about five years and then turned his
attention to merchandising in association with Hon.
T. A. Sears of Bombay, New York, with whom he
conducted a dry goods establishment for two years.
He then entered the clothing business of L. G. Whit
ney, at Atlanta, Georgia, and subsequently was book
keeper for Moran, Fitzsimons & Company* at Detroit,
Michigan. He also acted as confidential secretary for
the Standard , Oil Company for fifteen years at De-

424

CITY OF DETROIT

troit and at South Bend, Indiana. He prepared for
the bar as a student in the Detroit College of Law
from 1899 until 1902 and in the latter year won his
LL; B. degree. Since the month of June of that year
he has engaged in active practice and in 1910 be
came senior partner of the law firm of Condon, Nellis
& Condon. He has built his professional success upon
broad business experience, upon thorough understand
ing of the law and ability to apply accurately its
principles. He manifests marked devotion to the in
terests of his clients and has gained notable success
in practice, yet he is not learned in the law alone.
He has been a close and discriminating student of
many of the vital questions that are before the coun
try today, including the more important political,
sociological and economic problems.
Mr. Condon is especially interested in the welfare
of youth and was the organizer of the famous Condon
Literary Club, Incorporated, in which over four hun
dred boys and young men have received and are re
ceiving training as debaters and public speakers.
From the inception he has been one of the directors
of this organization. For eight years he served as a
member of the school board of Detroit from the four
teenth ward, and the George M. Condon intermediate
sehool at West boulevard and Buchanan street was
named in his honor. He resigned his position on the
school board in order to go to the senate, to which
he was elected in 1917. He has since been reelected,
so that he is now serving for the second term, and is
chairman of the judiciary committee and a member of
other important committees of the upper house of the
Michigan general assembly. He was a candidate for
congress in the 13th Michigan district in 1920.
At Fort Covington, New York, Mr. Condon was
married on the 3d of September, 1884, to Miss Nellie
L. W. Mears and they have one son, Dallas Mears, who
has become the associate of his father in law practice.
Mrs. Condon died November 18, 1919, at Detroit. The
religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian
church and Mr. Condon is an exemplary member of the
Masonic fraternity. He belongs to the Lawyers' Club
and to the Detroit Bar Association. His high stand
ards of citizenship have ever been manifest in a
patriotic devotion to those interests which produce
tangible results in Americanization and his labors have
indeed been far-reaching and beneficial.
FREDERIC A. TILTON is a resident partner of
Haskins & Sells, well .known certified public account
ants of New York, and many of the leading business
concerns of the city bear testimony to his ability, re
garding his opinions as an authority on matters of busi
ness accountancy. He is descended from one of the old
New England families, his grandfather, David Tilton,
serving in Jne War of 1812 and coming from New
Hampshire, where his forbears had lived for many
years, to the Western Reserve. He afterward went to
Canada and for a time was stationed at Fort Hamilton,

Ontario. Alfred Tilton, the father of Frederic A. Til-
ton, was born in Canada and came to the United
States in 1840, at which time he rook up his abode in
Cleveland, Ohio. He wedded Mary Ann Rieley and to
them were born the following named: Frederic A., of
this review; Lulie P., who is living in Detroit; Mrs.
Fred A. Dibble of West Nyack, New York; and
George A., a resident of Miami, Florida.
Frederic A. Tilton was born in Cleveland, Ohio,
July 10, 1876, and pursued his education in the Walton
grammar school and in the West high school of his
native city. He also attended the Western Reserve
University for three years, leaving that institution in
1899. He took his first step in the business world as
an employe of the Produce Exchange Bank, situated
in the market district of Cleveland, oeeupying a cleri
cal position with that institution for a year. He
was afterward a member of the city park survey force
of Cleveland and later he served in a clerical capacity
with the Buckeye Fish Company on old Lime street in
Cleveland, continuing with that house for three years.
In 1902 he occupied a position in the office of Vincent
& Korner, one of the old-time book firms of the city,
and in 1903 he went to New York to beeome assistant
auditor of the Erie Railroad.
In 1905 Mr. Tilton returned to Cleveland, where
he entered the offices of the Audit Company, then
located in the Chamber of Commerce building on the
public square. He gained his first experience in pub
lic accountancy while thus connected. The year 1909
witnessed his arrival in Detroit, at which time he
entered the public accountancy department of the
Security Trust Company, with which he continued
until May 1, 1915, when the firm, of Hollis, Tilton &
Porte was organized, succeeding to the business of
R. J. Hollis & Company, chartered accountants. The
firm employed a staff of thirty people in connection
with the conduct of its business and gave to all con
tracts its personal supervision. On August 1, 1921,
the professional accounting practices of Hollis, Tilton
& Porte were consolidated with Haskins & Sells of
New York, and Mr. Tilton, like the other members of
the firm, continues as a resident partner of Haskins &
Sells, with offices in the First National Bank building.
Mr. Tilton passed the certified public accountants'
examination in 1910 and he is now a member of the
American Institute of Accountants and at present a
member of the council of that body, also of the Mich
igan Association of Certified Public Accountants, and
he has filled all of the offices in the last named
organization. He has for six years served as chairman
of the State Board of Accountancy under appointment
by Governors Ferris and Sleeper.
Mr. Tilton has been twice married. His first wife
was Miss Josephine G. Brady, whom he wedded in
1902. They had one daughter, Constance Elizabeth,
who was born August 25, 1912. The wife and mother
passed away in 1917 and on the 26th of November,
1919, Mr. Tilton was married to Miss Rena W. Wright
of Detroit, and resides at No. 905 Longfellow avenue.

FREDERIC A. TILTON

CITY OF DETROIT

427

Mr. Tilton is independent in his political views. He
belongs to the Red Run Golf Club and the Wedgewood
Hunting Club, also to the Board of Commerce. He is
a Mason and belongs to Corinthian Lodge, No. 24;
Michigan Sovereign Consistory, Detroit Commandery,
No. 1, K. T., and to Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine. He is one of the advisory board of the Young
Men's Christian Association, in its school of account
ancy, operated in conjunction with the Detroit Tech
nical Institute. His interests are broad and varied and
his aid and support can always be counted upon to
further projects and movements for the public benefit
or the uplift of the individual. His worth along pro
fessional lines is widely acknowledged, while the ex
tensive circle of his friends is indicative of the high
regard in which he is held in social connections.
TIMOTHY HURLEY. The history of Detroit pre
sents no record which indicates more clearly the force
of character, the value of industry and the effective
ness of enterprise and sound judgment in business
affairs than does that of Timothy Hurley, who, start
ing out in the world empty-handed, died the possessor
of a handsome fortune acquired through his own
efforts and by methods that needed no disguise.
He passed away September 18, 1918, his birth hav
ing occurred in County Cork, Ireland, about 1839.
He was one of the family of three children born to
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Hurley and was left mother
less when a lad of six years. The father, who was
born in Ireland and was a drover, came to the United
States in 1846 with his three young sons, crossing the
Atlantic in a sailing vessel that was six weeks in
reaching American port. They settled near Guelph,
Ontario, and there the father engaged in business as
a drover. Later he removed to Detroit, where he be
came a railroad builder and also an extensive owner
of property, making his home in this eity to the
time of his death.
Timothy Hurley was educated in the publie schools
of Detroit and when quite young started out in busi
ness for himself. The story of his endeavor and his
rise in the business world has been most interestingly
told by John Fitzgibbon in one of the Detroit papers
as follows: "His first job was helper to a cook on
a vessel sailing the lakes. From the cook's galley
he went on deck to be a sailor, and for ten years or
such a matter he was before the mast. In the mean
while he located in Detroit, where he first worked as
a longshoreman, then as boss of a longshoremen's
gang. Next he started trucking with a two-wheel
truck that he drove himself. From trucking he
branched into the fuel business; after that into the
vessel transportation business with a distinct connec
tion between all three lines. This is how one line
led him into another. Fifty years ago, and even
later, most of the fuel burned in Detroit was wood.
Anthracite was the only coal known here, and that
Was used in heating stoves only. Gas was used only

for illuminating purposes. All cooking was with wood
brought to Detroit, chiefly on barges. In the fall
there would be piles of cordwood in the alleys back
of dwellings throughout the city. Men made a busi
ness of going through the alleys with small power
saws to cut the winter's wood into stove lengths at
so much a cord. Mr. Hurley hauled a good deal of
wood with his first truck, and more as he was able to
buy more trucks, from the docks and the woodyards
to the alleys Taking the business view that he might
as well have profits at two ends instead of one he
went into the wood business. To get his wood to the
city he first chartered barges, then had barges of his
own, using his trucks to haul his own wood. In 1870
he opened yards, added coal to his fuel stocks and
formed a partnership with his younger brother, John,
' under the firm name of J. & T. Hurley. Twenty-six
years ago John Hurley was aboard one of the firm's
tugs of a dark, stormy night on the Detroit river.
The steamer City of Mackinaw ran down the tug and
sunk it, and John Hurley was drowned. But the
firm name remained unchanged. It is today the only
coal firm in the city doing business under the same
name as forty-eight years ago.
"The firm branched out into coaling docks for coal
ing vessels and into a general trucking business. A
coaling dock was secured in Windsor for Canadian
vessels. All coal was for some years after the firm
was formed brought to Detroit on sailing vessels. The
Hurleys decided to save transportation profits by
bringing their own coal, so they acquired a fleet of
six sailing vessels and several tugs. Not only was all
coal brought to Detroit on vessels, but Detroit was
a very important port from which grain was shipped
east by water. They would bring coal here on their
own vessels, then charter their vessels to return to
Buffalo with grain. In time sailing vessels gave way
to steam vessels and coal shipments to Detroit were
turned from water routes to railroads. Mr. Hurley
then sold his sailing vessels and tugs. From selling
more wood than coal from his yards and docks came
the time when all the fuel used was coal and gas.
He had, while in the business, seen the fuel of De
troit wholly changed. Too, he saw the lake transpor
tation business, while engaged in it, change largely
from sail to nearly all steam.
"Though he sold his sailing vessels and tugs he
continued to own a few wooden freighters. One, the
Majestic, recalls how, about fifteen years ago, he
did a thing that few vessel owners have the courage
to do. The season for navigation was closed and the
Majestic was at Buffalo. The intention was to lay
her up there. A coal strike was on and a shortage
of anthracite was threatened at Detroit. Mr. Hurley
figured that there would be a fine profit if the Majes
tic brought a cargo back to Detroit. But there were
obstacles. The American underwriters refused to re
new the one hundred thousand dollar insurance for
the trip, or to insure a cargo of coal. Then, too, all

428

CITY OF DETROIT

aid to navigation had been removed. Despite these
conditions, he had her loaded with anthracite coal
that the English Lloyds insured for thirty thousand
dollars. Mr. Hurley got her master. Captain Murray
Mcintosh, on the long distance telephone and asked
him if he was willing to try to bring her to Detroit.
Though there was ice in the rivers and lake, he said
he was. 'Go to it,' says Mr. Hurley. The Majestic
reached Detroit without mishap, though forty-eight
hours making the trip."
In the foregoing are indicated the qualities which
characterized Mr. Hurley. Thoroughly industrious and
energetic, he possessed also that sound judgment which
enabled him to recognize and utilize opportunities
and as the years passed by he reached a very grati
fying position among the prosperous men of the city.
From time to time he made investments in property
until his realty holdings were extensive and the
growth of Detroit led ' to their constant increase in
value. It was in Detroit that Mr. Hurley married Miss
Anna O'Halloran, a daughter of Patrick O'Halloran
of Ballyhigue, Ireland. They became the parents of
nine children, five of whom are living. John T. is
president and treasurer of J. & T. Hurley, Inc.; Daniel
M. is secretary of J. & T. Hurley, Inc.; Francis D. is
vice president and secretary of the Hurley Land Com
pany; Katherine P,; and Ignatius B. The daughter
is the wife of John P. Seallen, member of the De
troit bar. The son, Ignatius B., is a recent graduate
of the law department of the University of Detroit
and a member of the Miehigan bar.
The death of Mr. Hurley occurred on the 18th of
September, 1918, his remains having been laid to
rest in Mt. Elliott cemetery. He was long a devout
member of the Catholic church, of which his family
are also communicants. He likewise belonged to the
Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Catholic Mutual
Benefit Association and was a fourth degree member
of the Knights of Columbus. He was ever a stanch
democrat in politics and gave unfaltering support to
the party and its principles. In the later years of
his life he lived retired and before failing health
overtook him he traveled extensively in Europe and
in the United States, from Alaska to Panama. He
never sought to figure prominently in any publie con
nection, but greatly enjoyed association with the old
timers of lake marine experience and recalling inci
dents of those early days. He was always a lover of
horses and it was some time before he could be
reconciled to supplanting his horses with a motor car.
One of the pronounced traits of his character was
manifest in his kindly and helpful relation to his
employes. He was ever willing to assist any man
who was struggling against odds to make his own
way in the world and for this reason he would always
give a job to a negro, feeling that the latter had
come into the world handicapped in the advantages
that lay before him. Among those who acted as

pallbearers at his funeral was Peter Sefner, who had
been in Mr. Hurley's employ since 1876, and the
other pallbearers were those who had been in his
service from eighteen to thirty years. Throughout his
life Mr. Hurley was willing to extend a helping hand
where aid was needed and his services were ever of
benefit along many lines of public progress and im
provement. GEORGE FULWELL, widely known in hotel circles
in the middle west, having been connected with a
number of the leading hostelries of this section of
the country, is now the proprietor of the Hotel Nor-
mandie of Detroit and the Colonial hotel in Cleve
land, Ohio. Of English birth, he was born on the
12th of May, 1861, his parents being George and
Sarah (Fox) Fulwell. While spending his youthful
days under the parental roof he pursued his educa
tion in the publie schools of England until 1879,
when at the age of eighteen years he crossed the
Atlantic to America. His hotel experience began as
an employe in the Rossin House of Toronto, Canada,
in that year. In 1880 he became connected with the
Weddell House of Cleveland and from 1881 until
1882 was at the Southern hotel in St. Louis. The
succeeding three years were passed at the Gault
House in Louisville, Kentucky, and from 1885 until
1888 he was with the Peabody hotel at Memphis,
Tennessee. Returning northward to Lrdianapolis, he
was associated with the Bates House of that city from
1888 until 1890, when he returned to Louisville and
became manager of the Hotel Rassinier, occupying
that position for two years. He was then again con
nected with the Bates House of Indianapolis, this
time for a period of eight years, and in 1900 he
became proprietor of the Denison hotel of that city.
He has been identified with the hotel interests of
Detroit since 1905, in which year he purchased Hotel
Normandie, of which he has since been the proprietor.
From the beginning he has made this a popular and
well patronized hostelry and in December, 1918, he
extended his business connections by becoming pro
prietor of the Colonial hotel of Cleveland. He is also
the vice president of the Detroit Weatherproof Body
Company at Pontiac, Michigan, and is thus associated
with the manufacturing interests of the state. Mr.
Fulwell has made a very close and discriminating
study, of the hotel business, keeping in touch with the
most advanced and progressive methods and constantly
seeking out new plans and ideas that will further the
comfort of his guests and lead to the substantial
growth of his business. He is a member of the Detroit
Hotel Association, the Michigan Hotel Men's Associa
tion, the Cleveland Hotel Men's Association, the Ohio
Hotel Men's Association, the New York State Hotel
Men's Association, the National Hotelkeepers' Pro
tective Association, the International Stewards
Association and the Hotel Men's Mutual Benefit Asso
ciation. He also belongs to the Universal Cookery *

GEORGE W. FULWELL

CITY OF DETROIT

431

Food Association of London, England. He likewise
belongs to the American Hotel Association and to the
Greeters of America, No. 29, at Detroit.
On the 11th of June, 1883, in St. Louis, Missouri,
Mr. Fulwell was married to Miss Matilda M. Jones
and they have two daughters: Lento R. and Mrs. R.
C. Pinkerton, the latter being the mother of one son,
George Fulwell Pinkerton, born December 13, 1916,
in Detroit.
The interests and activities of Mr. Fulwell aside
from business have been of a broad, varied and largely
helpful character. He belongs to the National Geo
graphic Society, is a member of the Detroit Board
of Commerce, the Detroit Convention and Tourists
Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce of both Indianap
olis and of Cleveland and along more strictly social
lines is connected with the Detroit Automobile Club,
the Grosse He Country Club, the Cleveland Athletic
Club and the Cleveland Automobile Club. He is
prominent in Masonry, having membership in Pales
tine Lodge, No. 357, A. F. & A. M.; Palestine Chapter,
No. 159, R. A. M.; Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T.;
Detroit Carson Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S.
R.; Carson Council, Princes of Jerusalem, A. A. S. R.;
Mount Olive Chapter of Rose Croix, Miehigan Sov
ereign Consistory, thirty-second degree; and Moslem
Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S. His religious faith is indi
cated in his membership in St Paul's church and he
is also a member of the Detroit Church Club. His
political endorsement is given to the republican party,
but he never seeks nor desires offiee. That he is not
remiss in the duties of citizenship, however, is indi
cated by his active cooperation with the Chamber
of Commerce and with other organized movements for
the benefit and upbuilding of the city and state.
JOHN J. GORMAN, president of the John J. Gor
man Company engaged in the men's furnishings busi
ness in Detroit is a native son of this city, his birth
having here occurred August 24, 1893, his parents
being John J. and Margaret (Doherty) Gorman. While
spending his youthful days under the parental roof
he pursued a public school education, which was con
cluded by his course in the Central high school. He
next entered the University of Detroit, where he pur
sued his more specifically literary work for a period
of three years. In 1910, at the age of seventeen, he
joined his father in the men's furnishing goods busi
ness and became thoroughly acquainted with the trade
under his father's direction. The latter 's health,
however, was failing and Mr. Gorman of this review
practically had charge of the business from that time.
In 1910 the John J. Gorman Company was incorpo
rated with John J. Gorman, Sr., as its president and
M. A. Gorman as secretary and treasurer. It was
upon the death of the father in 1912 that his son and
namesake succeeded to the presidency and is now
directing the affairs of the company. This is the oldest
house in its line now doing business in Detroit and

has had a long and successful career, the development
of its trade being due to honorable business dealings
and thoroughly progressive methods. They handle
everything for men except shoes and carry an exten
sive and attractive stock, supplying to their customers
all that the latest markets afford and all that is in
dicative of valuable material and good style in dress.
In 1914 Mr. Gorman was united in marriage to
Miss Grace Minahan of Detroit, and they have one
son, John J., Jr., bom June 30, 1917, in Detroit. The
religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic
chureh and Mr. Gorman is a member of the Knights
of Columbus. He is also a well known elub man,
holding membership in the Oakland Hills Golf Club,
the Island Country Club, and the Detroit Athletie
Club. For many years the name of Gorman has been
a well known one in Detroit's business circles. Four
generations of the family have been here represented,
for John J. Gorman, father of our subject, was born in
Detroit and lived all of his life here. He made an
enviable record for successful achievement and for
uprightness in all of his business methods and his son
has fully sustained the honorable family record, being
today accounted one of the most progressive and
courteous young business men of the city. It is true
that he entered upon a business already established,
but in enlarging and developing this in accordance
with the demands of the times and the city's growth,
many a man of less resolute spirit would have failed.
However, he has at all times been ready to meet any
emergency and ready for any condition that has arisen,
and the intelligent direction of his efforts has brought
about most gratifying financial returns.
HERMAN C. REINDEL. Thirty-eight years' expe
rience in commercial circles has brought Herman C.
Reindel to a most creditable position as a furniture
dealer in Detroit, where he is conducting business
under the firm style of George J. Reindel & Company,
the senior partner being his brother. They have es
tablished a gratifying trade as dealers in general lines
of furniture and have always made a specialty of
handling office furniture. Herman C. Reindel has
also become connected with other business interests
and his entire career has been marked by steady ad
vancement, the steps in his orderly progression being
easily discernible. He was born in Roseville, Michi-
igan, April 30, 1867, his parents being Frederick and
Margaret (Zapf) Reindel. He is indebted to the
public school system of Wayne county for the educa
tional privileges which he enjoyed and which qualified
him for life's practical and responsible duties. In
1882 he made his initial step in the business world,
being at that time a youth of fifteen years. He se
cured employment in a grocery store and later became
connected with the grocery trade, to which he has
devoted the major part of his time and attention
throughout the intervening years. He joined his
brother, George J. Reindel, in organizing the present

432

CITY OF DETROIT

firm of George J. Reindel & Company for the sale of
office furniture in 1892. While handling everything
in that line they have since extended the scope of
their activities to include furniture of all kinds and
the business has now reached gratifying and profitable
proportions. Into other fields Herman C. Reindel has
also made his way and is now identified with profitable
concerns as the secretary and treasurer of the Gen
eral Realty Company and also as the secretary of the
John R Heights Land Company. The rapid growth of
Detroit in recent years, owing to its great industrial
development, has offered a splendid field to the real
estate dealer and in that connection Mr. Reindel is
also meeting with substantial success.
On the 12th of May, 1892, in Detroit, Mr. Reindel
was united jn marriage to Miss Augusta Roseneau and
they have become the parents of a son and three
daughters: Arthur F., Edna M., Lillian G. and Flor
ence. Mr. Reindel is a republican in his political views
but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to
the Board of Commerce and through such agencies
and as a private citizen performs his public service,
supporting all those interests and measures which he
deems of value to the community at large. He gives
his religious support to the Lutheran church and fra
ternally he is connected with the Masons. He is also
a member of the Fellowcraft Club and he finds recrea
tion in hunting and fishing.
C. RICHARD BRAND, president of the Richard
Brand Company, conducting an investment business
in Detroit, is actuated by a most progressive spirit
that has resulted in the accomplishment of his purpose
and has won for him a creditable position in the busi
ness circles of the city. He was here born at 208
Park street, December 5, 1873, his parents being
Charles R. and Elizabeth (Jack) Brand. The father
was born in Germany and came to America when a
youth of fifteen in order to escape becoming a part
of the German military machine. He made his way
direct to Detroit and it was in this city that he met
and married Miss Elizabeth Jack, who was born at
the corner of Randolph and Gratiot streets, represent
ing one of the old families of Detroit. The father
took up the business of house painting and decorating
and in this connection was known by thousands of
people as the best house painter and decorator of
Detroit. He was found to be at all times a man of his
word and one who gave the best possible service to
those who employed him. The honesty and integrity
of his methods were never called into question, and
while he did not leave a fortune to his family, he
left them something better — the priceless heritage of
an untarnished name. He passed away in Detroit in
1909, while his wife survived until March, 1919. They
were the parents of six children: Fred W.; Mrs. Mary
T. MacLeod; Mrs. Maude B. Kutsche; Mrs. Edith
A, Chamberlin; Stanley J., who is connected with the

United States army; and C. Richard, of this review.
The first four are residents of Detroit.
C. Richard Brand was a pupil in the public schools
of Detroit from the age of six years until he had
taken the high sehool course and later he spent some
time as a student in the Cooper Union school of
New York city. Returning to Miehigan, he then
began learning the decorating business under the
direction of his father but did not find the trade
congenial and turned his attention to the advertising
business in connection with the Michigan Street Rail
way Advertising Company. He was associated with
the firm of W. H. Rose & Company for six years and
in March, 1919, he organized the Richard Brand Com
pany, of which he is the president. This company
handles investment securities, stocks and bonds. While
it has been in existence for but a brief period, it
has already made a remarkable record for successful
achievement and its clientage is steadily growing.
November 21, 1916, he organized Brand Realty
Company, of which he has since been president. They
engage in business along the lines indicated, also
now handle subdivision property and in this way are
contributing to the growth and substantial improve
ment of the city. Mr. Brand is a director and one of
the original stockholders of the Men's Service Station
Company of Detroit.
On the 13th of September, 1906, Mr. Brand was
married to Miss Helen M. Burr, a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. C. C. Burr of New York city. Mr. Brand
is fond of outdoor life and maintains a country home
on Maeeday lake. His political endorsement is given
to the republican party and he is identified with a
number of the leading clubs and social organizations
of Detroit, including the Oakland Hills Country
Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the Rotary Club,
the Players Club .and the Fine Arts Society and Arts
and Crafts. He is likewise a member of the Board of
Commerce and a member of the Loyal Legion and
he has gained for himself as favorable a position in
social circles as he has won through merit and close
application in business circles.
ALBERT J. GILLIGHAM. The death of Albert J.
Gilligham at Atlantic City, New Jersey, on the 3d
of September, 1920, deprived Detroit of one of its
foremost citizens, and theatrical and real estate in
terests of the city of a worthy and successful repre
sentative. The character of the work which he did
during his life and the importance of the place to
which he attained are evidenced by the deep and
widespread regret which followed his death. Of a
retiring disposition, he attached greater value to the
friendship and popularity which he gained and quiet
domestic happiness than to business prominence and
he was fortunate in the attainment of both.
Mr. Gilligham was born in New York, September
17, 1867, a son of James and Johanna (Dugan) Gillig
ham. He attended the public schools of New York,

C. RICHARD BRAND

Vol. rv— 28

CITY OF DETROIT

435

after which he pursued a course in the Cooper Union
Business College, beginning his active career as a
clerk in the employ of Shoemaker, Dillon & Company,
prominent bankers and brokers of New York city, with
whom he remained for two years. He then became
connected with the theatrical business, traveling all
over the country in that connection. In 1905 he came
to Michigan, taking up his residence in Grand Rapids,
where he entered the motion picture field, becoming
one of the pioneers in that line of activity. He grad
ually extended his operations until he beeame the
owner of every theatre in the city. In 1910 he be
came connected with the General Film Company, being
made branch manager for the Detroit office, while sub
sequently he served as president of that corporation,
which was one of the largest enterprises of the kind
in the country but has now passed out of existence.
His initiative spirit and powers of organization led
him into important connections and he beeame presi
dent of the National Vaudeville Film Company of De
troit, the Valley City Theatre Company and senior
member of the firm of Gilligham & Smith, controlling
six theatres, located in Grand Rapids and Muskegon,
Michigan, and Indianapolis, Indiana, but later he dis
posed of these interests. He operated extensively in
connection with the motion picture business, entering
the field when this industry was in its infancy, there
being at that time but twenty theatres of this char
acter in the entire country, while at the present time
it has become the fifth industry in volume of business
in the United States. At the time of his demise he
was serving as president of the Empire Theatre Com
pany and the Albert J. Gilligham Realty Company and
of late years had been devoting the greater part of
his attention to his realty interests, which were ex
tensive and important, gaining him rank with the
leading operators along that line in the city. He
possessed the foresight, the self-reliance and the busi
ness sagacity necessary to carry out large enterprises
successfully and was a man who would have been an
acquisition to any community, his irreproachable char
acter, no less than his achievements, giving him a
commanding position and compelling his recognition
as one destined to lead in anything he undertook. His
success was rated not only by material gain but also
in the high regard which he won, his commercial in
tegrity ever remaining unsullied.
Mr. Gilligham was twice married and by the first
union had a son, Albert J., Jr., who is now fourteen
years of age. His second wife was Miss Beatrice M.
Dignon of Detroit, whom he wedded on the 6th of
February, 1919.
In his political views Mr. Gilligham was a repub
lican and an active and earnest member of the De
troit Board of Commerce. He always took an active
interest in civic matters, supporting those plans and
projects which he deemed of greatest value in the
improvement and upbuilding of the city along lines
leading to its material, intellectual, social, political

and moral progress. He was greatly interested in
child welfare work and his was a nobility of char
acter. Kind-hearted, sympathetic and generous, he
was ever ready to extend a helping hand to a fellow
traveler on life's journey and his many benefactions
were always made quietly and unostentatiously. He
was a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-
second degree in the Consistory, and he was also a
member of the Detroit Automobile and Detroit Ath
letic Clubs and of the Friars Club of New York eity.
His labors were ever of a character that contributed
not only to individual success but also to the general
welfare and prosperity. Long acquaintance with him
made friendship stronger, for his life in its various
phases stood the test of intimate knowledge and
close association. His was an admirable character,
worthy of all praise, and he enjoyed to the fullest ex
tent the confidence and high regard of his fellow
townsmen. THOMAS MEARS, engaged in the roofing business
in Detroit, was born at Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada,
September 20, 1854, his parents being William and
Eleanor (English) Mears. At the usual age he en
tered the public schools and after acquainting him
self with the branches of learning that constituted
the curriculum there, he began to learn the trade of
sheet metal working and roofing in Canada. He dates
his residence in Detroit, however, from 1873, so that
he has lived in the city for about forty-eight years,
during which period he has witnessed notable changes
here- as the work of growth and progress has been
carried steadily forward. In an early day he would
cross from Windsor, Canada, and walk to his work,
returning in the same way every evening after work
ing for ten hours per day. His salary while thus
engaged was but fifteen cents per hour. Indolence and
idleness, however, have had no part in his make-up
throughout his life. On the contrary diligence and
determination have guided his path, and prompted by
a laudable ambition, he saved his earnings until his
capital was sufficient to enable him to engage in busi
ness on his own account. He started in business in
1887 with Mr. Leadley under the firm style of Lead-
ley & Hutton, which afterward became Robert Hutton
& Company. It was in April, 1913, that Mr. Mears
became sole proprietor,. having purchased the interests
of his partners in the undertaking. He does all kinds
of roofing, including slate, tin, iron, asphalt and gravel,
and all kinds of sheet metal work. He likewise takes
contracts for the installation of ventilating systems.
He is a practical tradesman and is sole proprietor
of the business but retains the former firm name of
Robert Hutton & Company. He has done work on
many of the notable buildings of Detroit, including
the Neweomb-Endicott building, the J. L. Hudson
building, the Baptist church at Woodward and Winder
streets, the Masonic Temple on La Fayette boulevard,
the Ford Hospital, the Federal Motor Truck Company's

436

CITY OF DETROIT

plant, the Lincoln Motor Company's plant, the Tim
ken-Detroit Axle Company's plant, the Packard plant,
and still others. Thus his work has been of a most
important character and the contracts awarded him
have given him place among the business men of af
fluence in Detroit.
In 1878 Mr. Mears was married to Miss Elizabeth
Lassaline and they have become the parents of three
children: Etta, now the wife of William J. Hutton;
Grace, the wife of Walter Fick; and Eleanor. Mr.
Mears and his family are members of the Episcopal
church and politically he is a republican. He has
connection with the Vortex Club and the Detroit
Curling Club and through his social relations has
gained popularity and wide regard. It is as a thor
oughgoing business man, however, that he is best
known. He is now in the sixty-seventh year of his
age and for almost a half century has lived in Detroit,
during which time he has worked his way upward from
a humble position in the business world to a place of
prominence and success. Early realizing the fact that
industry wins, industry became the beacon light of
his life, leading him to a point where a comfortable
competence precludes the possibilities of want or dis
tress and on the contrary provides him with many
of the luxuries of life.
RALPH COLE GARRETT was one of the organizers
of the business which is now conducted under the name
of the Hilton, Hart & Garrett Company, stationers,
printers and offiee outfitters. The business had its
inception in February, 1910, and has steadily grown
until it is one of the important interests of the kind
in Detroit, Mr. Garrett being continuously identified
therewith from the beginning and throughout the
entire period a moving factor in its development and
advancement. A native of Indiana, he was born at
Greencastle, September 29, 1870, his parents being
James Henry and Emma (Mathers) Garrett. He pur
sued a public school education in Terre Haute, Indiana,
and also in the states of Missouri, Illinois and Iowa,
where the family lived at different periods. He turned
his attention to his present line of work in 1886 at
Terre Haute and has since traveled all over the United
States in connection with the line of business in which
he is still active. In 1904 he removed from Dayton,
Ohio, to Detroit, and here entered the employ of a
firm of stationers, with whom he remained until 1910.
In February of the latter year the firm of which he
is now the president was organized, which was first
conducted under the firm style of Hilton, Hart &
Koehn, his associates in the undertaking being Thomas
L. Hilton and Henry G. Hart. The first officers were:
Thomas Hilton, president; Mr. Garrett, vice presi
dent; Mr. Hart, treasurer; and Mr. Koehn, secretary.
The last named withdrew from the company on the
10th of May, 1913, and on the 29th of August,
1914, the firm style was changed to the Hilton, Hart
& Garrett Company and Mr. Garrett was elected to

the presidency on the 10th of May, 1915, since which
time he has been the chief executive officer, giving
his attention to constructive effort and administrative
direction. His associate officers are: Lynn B. Emory
vice president; A. F„ Merrill, secretary; and T. L.
Hilton, treasurer. The business has been developed
to extensive proportions. The firm handles stationery
and office furniture and also does printing, occupying
five floors and the basement of one of the large busi
ness blocks of the city, and its trade is now one of
the largest of the kind in Detroit. The firm employs
one hundred and fifty people on an average and their
work largely covers Michigan.
On the 28th of February, 1888, Mr. Garrett was
married to Miss Carrie J. Smith of Terre Haute, and
they have a daughter: Myrtle S., who is the wife
of Rev. King D. Beach of Grand Rapids, Michigan,
and they have three children: Virginia Jane Beach,
John Garrett Beach, and Ralph King Beach. In his
political views Mr. Garrett is a republican, giving
stanch support to the party. He belongs to the Ty-
pothetae-Franklin Association and to the Board of
Commerce of Detroit, manifesting keen interest in
the work of the latter organization as a factor in
the upbuilding and development of the city. Mr.
Garrett was one of the organizers of the Island
Country Club, Grosse He, and became its first presi
dent, in which capacity he is yet serving. He also
belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Masonic
Country Club and his life is actuated by his belief
as a member of the Methodist church.
EVERETT W. PINGREE. A notable example of
forcefulness of character, of resourcefulness in busi
ness, of ability to overcome obstacles and difficulties
and to push steadily forward to his objective is found
in the record of Everett W. Pingree, who in 1914 be
came one of the organizers of the F. C. Pingree Sons
Company, of which he has since been the president.
This company is engaged in the manufacture of men's
fine shoes and from the beginning Everett W. Pingree
has been one of its directing spirits, formulating his
plans carefully and carrying them forward to suc
cessful completion.
Mr. Pingree is a representative of one of the dis
tinguished families of Detroit and Michigan, being a
nephew of Governor Hazen Pingree and a son of
Frank C. Pingree, who made for himself a notable
place in manufacturing circles in Detroit and who is
mentioned on another page of this work. Everett W.
Pingree was born in this city on the 24th of April,
1881, and after leaving the Detroit Irving school be
came a student in the School for Boys, from which he
was graduated in 1900. He has been continuously
identified with shoe manufacturing interests since
1901. The old Pingree -Company of shoe manufacturers
was dissolved in 1918, but Everett W. Pingree and
his brother, Roy E., had left the company in 19w

RALPH C. GARRETT

CITY OF DETROIT

439

and in May of that year had organized the F. C.
Pingree Sons Company, of which the former became
president and the latter secretary-treasurer. These
two retain the offices which they have held since
the organization and Leonard Schadden is now the
vice president of the company, which was organized
for the manufacture of men's fine shoes. Their first
location was at 32 West Fort street and they removed
to their present location on Woodward avenue in 1916.
The business has grown steadily from the beginning
until the trade now reaches out to all parts of the
United States. While belonging to one of the dis
tinguished and prominent families of Detroit and the
state, Mr. Pingree has depended upon his own offorts
for advancement, progress and success. Vicissitudes
have arisen in business controlled by the family and
he has been forced to meet situations which one of
lesser courage or inferior stock would have quailed'
before or probably would have acknowledged defeat,
but with the loving guidance and strengthening force
of a wonderful mother behind him and with the family
honor and prestige to maintain — for the name of
Pingree has been a synonym for integrity and high
purpose through many decades in Miehigan — Everett
W. Pingree has come out successfully in everything
that he has undertaken, being today a prominent
figure in the manufacturing circles of the city.
Mr. Pingree belongs to the National Manufacturers
Association and in the soeial organizations of Detroit
has ever maintained a prominent place. He belongs
to the Detroit Club, the Detroit Athletic Club and the
Detroit Boat Club and of the last named was for
nine years a director, for two years vice president
and for two years president. His friends are legion
and the number is constantly increasing as the circle
of his acquaintance broadens.
WILLIAM E. DRAYER, prominent in the com
mercial life of Detroit, where for years he has been
identified with engineering and toolmaking, and at
present secretary-treasurer of Drayer & Garman, tool-
makers, is a native of the Buckeye state, born in
Columbus, Ohio, December 5, 1877.
Mr. Drayer was educated in the publie and high
schools of Columbus, Ohio. He started his working
career by learning the sheet metal trade, in which
he remained for eight years. His next step was to
become engaged in the manufacture of automobile
lamps, at which he spent fourteen years in Columbus
and seven years in Detroit. '
At the close of the latter period Mr. Drayer branched
into engineering and toolmaking, working for the
Blodgett Company in these lines for a time. He then
embarked in the toolmaking business for himself, and
from the beginning his success was assured. In May,
1918, the Drayer & Garman Company was formed to
carry on the toolmaking on a more extensive scale,
and the company's trade now covers not only Detroit
but the entire state of Michigan and the state of

Ohio. The products of the company find a ready
market, due no less to, their quality than to Mr. Dray
er 's engineering and toolmaking skill. He is a capa
ble engineer as well as toolmaker, and is an intensely
practical man.
On August 15, 1911, Mr. Drayer was married to
Miss Frances Suttmiller of Cincinnati, Ohio. He gives
a good citizen's attention to civic matters, but has
never been an aspirant for political honors. He threw
himself warmly into the Liberty Loan drives during
the World war and his factory had the distinction
of having made a very creditable record. Mr. Drayer
and his wife take a proper part in the social and
cultural activities of Detroit and their support is al
ways extended to movements having for their object
the advancement of community interests along all
legitimate lines.
JOSEPH EDWARD GEORGE WADDINGTON, M. D.
Most thorough preparation for the medical profession,
supplemented by postgraduate courses in various insti
tutions of learning in the country, have made Dr.
Joseph E. G. Waddington one of the most successful
of the physicians and, surgeons of Detroit. Constant
study and investigation keeps him in touch with ad
vanced thoughts and improved methods of the pro
fession, and his work has been attended by results
most satisfactory to his patrons and to the scientific
world in general. A native of Manchester, England,
he was born April 28, 1865, his parents being John
H. and Eliza (Jones) Waddington, who were also na
tives of England, while one of the uncles of the father
was John Waddington, D. D., a writer of note, and
the author of a history of Congregationalism. John
H. Waddington was engaged in the insurance business
in England throughout his active- life, and there both
he and his wife remained until called to the Home
beyond. Dr. Waddington, the eldest of their three children,
attended the Stanford Academy at Manchester, Eng
land, and afterwards beeame a student in the Owens
Medical College of the Victoria University at Man
chester, having in the meantime pursued a course in
the British Pharmaceutical Society. He was graduated
in Medicine from the Indiana College of Medicine
and Midwifery in 1886, and during that year returned
to England but in 1887 went to Australia, where for
two years he was surgeon with the Cross surveying
party, laying out government land in New South Wales
and Victoria. Again he returned to England, and
thence went to Winnipeg, Canada, while later he
crossed the border into the United States, making
Cincinnati, Ohio, his destination at that time. For a
decade he continued in aetive practice in that city,
and in 1899 came to Detroit, traveling the first year
as detail man through Michigan, and also to Chicago
and Pittsburgh, as representative of the wholesale
drug house of Lambert & Lowman. He resumed the
active practice of his profession in 1900, and through

440

CITY OF DETROIT

the intervening period of twenty-one years has ad
ministered professionally to hundreds of Detroit citi
zens. His ability is widely recognized, for he has
been a close student of his profession, and has taken
much postgraduate work, thus keeping in touch with
the latest scientific research and discoveries. He did
postgraduate work in the New York Post Graduate
Sehool, also under Dr. Albright of Philadelphia and in
the Illinois School of Electro Therapeutics, in the Chi
cago Post Graduate School, and in other centers of
learning. For the past five years he has been special
izing in psycho-therapy, and only recently took a course
with Dr. Charles Ireland, the head of that department
in Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D. C. He is a
member of the Michigan Eclectic Society, the Wayne
County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical
Society, and has been president of the Miehigan State
Eclectic Society. There has also been conferred upon
him honorary membership in the Illinois State Eclectic
Medical Society, the Ohio, the Vermont, the Maine
and the Chicago Eclectic Medical Societies. In 1908
the Chicago National University conferred upon him
the LL. D. degree, while in the same year he received
from the National Medical University of Chicago the
Ph. B. degree. In 1909 Potomac University conferred
upon him the Master of Arts degree, and from the
Bennett Medical College, medical department of Loyola
University of Chicago, he received the degrees of M. D.
and C. M.
In February, 1915, Dr. Waddington was married to
Miss Antoinette Margraf of Detroit, who was one of
the stellar attractions of the vaudeville stage, known
from coast to coast. She is a violinist of exceptional
ability, her highly developed skill in this connection
ranking her with the leading artists. Mrs. Wadding
ton is now a member of the Highland Park Woman's
Club, also a member of the Parliamentary Law Club,
and has been a matron of the Eastern Star. Dr. Wad
dington is- well 'known in Masonic circles. He is a
member of the lodge, chapter, council, Knights Templar
Detroit Commandery, No. 1, the Shrine and the Grotto.
He has served as past patron of the Order of the
Eastern Star, is a past chancellor of the Court of
Honor, and is a member of the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks. He is highly esteemed in the social and
fraternal relations with which he is connected, and
his high professional standing and expert ability are
indicated in the many times to which he has been
elected to honorary membership in various medical
associations. His residence is at 63 Florence avenue,
Highland Park.
ROBERT D. BAKER. It is becoming more and
more largely an accepted fact that the growth and
development of any eity depends in great measure
upon the nature and condition of its highways and
thoroughfares. Well kept roads leading into any
city will encourage travel and thus directly result
in the development of trade and therefore the highway

builder becomes an important factor in city progress.
In this connection mention should be made of Robert
D. Baker, one of the pioneers in concrete road con
struction in the United States. In fact, he was the
builder of the first concrete highway in this country
and since that time he has built hundreds of miles
of the finest and best roads of America. He is re
garded as the promoter of the concrete roadway and
his opinions are recognized as an authority on road
building. Mr. Baker is one of Michigan's native sons, his
birth having occurred at Port Huron on the 20th of
November, 1871, his parents being James H. and
Helen (McLaren) Baker, the former a native of Eng
land, while the latter was born in Scotland. They
crossed the Atlantic during childhood and became
residents of Michigan. In this state the father took
Up the work of contracting and became one of the
successful business men of Port Huron, where both
he and his wife passed away. Their family numbered
six children: James M., Archie G., Robert D., William
J., Charles and Mrs. Joseph Wellman.
During the period of his youth Robert D. Baker
was a pupil in the public schools of Port Huron and
afterward attended the Port Huron Business College.
He started out in the business world on the lakes as
an employe of Captain Rollo, on the steamship Mc-
Vittie, of the Ogdensburg Transportation Company,
and was thus aetive for four summers. Later he took
up railroad contracting, which he followed for four
years, and during two years of that time worked as
a contractor on the Tampico Railway in Mexico and
also in Contract work in the City of Mexico. Sub
sequently he was employed in connection with the con
struction of the drainage canal from Chicago to the
Mississippi river. In 1899 he returned home and took
up general contracting, also bridge, sewer and road-
building. He removed to Detroit in 1904 and has
since built the road between Detroit and Pontiac and
a portion of the Detroit and Ypsilanti line. He has
• done much other important work of this character in
Michigan and in other states and enjoys a very wide
reputation as one of the most prominent road builders
of the country. In the year 1919 he completed twenty-
four miles of country roads. His operations are
conducted under the name of the R. D. Baker Com-
•pany and he has figured most prominently in con
nection with the improvement of the public high
ways of Detroit and the surrounding district. He
built the first concrete road on Woodward avenue and
had the contract for all the concrete roads, in Camp
Custer. In May, 1911, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Harriet
Vaughn of Detroit, a daughter of George and Hannah
Vaughn and a representative of one of the old-time
families of the city. In his political views Mr. Baker
is a republican but has neither time nor inclination
to seek public office. Fraternally he is connected
with Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., the Benevolent

ROBERT D. BAKER

CITY OF DETROIT

443

Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias.
His has been an extremely busy and useful life and
the force of unremitting industry as a factor in the
attainment of success is well demonstrated in his
career. In 1920 he built his home on Southfield road,
Birmingham, where he has since resided.
HENRY D. MORAN, a progressive and prosperous
business man, founder of the Moran Tire Company,
retailer and jobber of all the standard makes of tires,
is a native of Detroit, born March 11, 1879, a son of
William B. and Frances (Desnoyers) Moran, the for
mer of whom died in 1896. They were both well
known citizens of Detroit.
Mr. Moran was educated at Georgetown Academy
and at the University of Detroit. His first business
engagement was as retail salesman for Ford cars, re
maining in this line for three years. He then took
on the selling of automobiles for the Chalmers Com
pany, continuing in that capacity for a further period
of three years. With the experience thus obtained
Mr. Moran felt a desire to enter the business field on
his own account and in 1912 he started out in the
tire trade for himself and established the Moran Tire
Company. The company now commands an extensive
trade throughout the state of Michigan, each year
shewing an increase in sales and a broadening repu
tation for the company's future. The company has
been a success from the beginning, due in great meas
ure no less to the character of the goods handled
than to the sagacity and sound business judgment of
Mr. Moran.
In 1905 Mr. Moran was united in marriage to Miss
Cora Vaughn, and they have become the parents of
three daughters: Frances, Virginia and Alice. Mr.
Moran is a member of the Kiwanis Club and served
on the club committee during all the patriotic war
drives, promoting the sale of Liberty Bonds.
It is worthy of note that Mr. Moran 's ancestors on
the male and female sides of the house had settled in
America before Revolutionary days.
ALBERT H. SCHMIDT, for years connected with
the commercial life of Detroit, where he has been
engaged in the manufacture of leather, at present
occupying the position of treasurer and general man
ager of Traugott Schmidt & Sons, the well known
tanners, is a native son of Detroit, born February 24,
!873, a son of Traugott Schmidt, who ' for forty-four
years was one of the leading tanners in this part of
the United States.
Mr. Schmidt was educated in the publie schools and
in the high school in Detroit. He commenced his busi
ness career in his father's tannery, which the latter
established in 1853 and which he had incorporated in
1889 under the firm name of Traugott Schmidt & Sons.
The founder of this business died in 1897 and since
that year the tannery has been conducted by Edward

H. Schmidt, president, and Albert H. Schmidt, treas
urer and general manager.
In 1919 Albert H. Schmidt, the subject of this
sketch, patented a device for increasing the meas
urement of hides, thereby increasing the measurement
from six per cent to eight per cent, which has proven of
great value to the tanning industry. His idea is being
put into operation by a Boston company.
The house of Traugott Schmidt & Sons has grown
from a small beginning to be one of the largest in
this line of industry under one roof in this country.
While the Detroit house is the headquarters of the
business, there are also branches in brisk operation
at Boston, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and New York
city. The products of the Schmidt tannery are sent
all over the world, the foreign trade steadily growing
in recent years.
Mr. Schmidt is a member of the Detroit Club, the
Grosse Pointe Country Club, and the Detroit Athletic
Club, in the affairs of all of which he takes a warm
interest, as he does in all movements pertaining to
the civic welfare of his fellow citizens.
LOUIS JOSEPH FASQUELLE, who for nine years
has been a most aetive figure in real estate circles of
Detroit, keeping at all times abreast with the rapidly
changing conditions in this city of marvelous growth
the past decade, has by reason of his business enter
prise contributed in no small measure to the improve
ment of Detroit. There have been no spectacular
phases in his career but his course has been marked by
a steady progress that indicates constantly developing
powers — powers that have grown through the exercise
of effort and have been accompanied by a sound judg
ment that recognizes and utilizes opportunity.
Mr. Fasquelle was born in St. Johns, Michigan.
August 7, 1863, a son of Louis Whidden and Ann
(Bachelor) Fasquelle. He enjoyed the educational op
portunities offered by the high school of Ann Arbor,
from which he was graduated in 1880. He next en
tered the University of Michigan and gained his Ph. C.
degree in 1882. For a number of years his activities
were directed along the line of his university training.
In 1883 and 1884 he was identified with the bureau
of chemistry in the department of agriculture at Wash
ington, D. C. In the latter year he became associated
with a wholesale drug company, with which he re
mained until 1890. He then established a retail drug
store on his own account, conducting the business until
1892, when he became a salesman for the Sherwin-
Williams Company, manufacturers and wholesalers of
paint and varnish. He continued in that connection
for about eleven years, when he was advanced to the
position of district manager and so served for a term
of five years. In 1907 he went to the Acme White
Lead & Color Works as director of agencies and thus
represented that corporation for four years. In 1911-12
he was general sales manager for the General Motors
Truck Company and on resigning that position became

444

CITY OF DETROIT

active in the real estate field, in which he has since
conducted business. He has thoroughly acquainted
himself with property conditions and valuations in
Detroit and has done much to further activity in this
field, having a large clientage that has enabled him to
conduct many important business transactions in the
exchange and sale of real estate. He is well known
as an authority on real estate values and his services
are frequently called for in this connection, partic
ularly in cases of law involving real estate litigation.
Mr. Fasquelle was united in marriage to Miss
Martha Sheehan of Detroit, and they are well known
in the eity. Mr. Fasquelle belongs to the Detroit
Board of Commerce and is keenly interested in all
that has to do with publie welfare and municipal
progress. Mr. Fasquelle is a Knights Templar Mason,
a member of St. John's Commandery at St. Johns,
Michigan, and a Noble of Moslem Temple of the
Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Detroit
Real Estate Board and has served as its secretary. In
politics he is a republican. He belongs to the Detroit
Athletic Club, Detroit Riding and Hunt Club, and to
the University of Michigan Alumni Association — con
nections which indicate much concerning the nature of
his interests. He finds his chief source of recreation,
however, in literature and reads broadly and thinks
deeply. FRANK E. WEBB, president of the Webb-Lee Com
pany, a well known brokerage firm of Detroit and
Jackson, Michigan, was born in New York city,
April 17, 1890, his parents being Harry Washington
and Amelia (McDermott) Webb, who were also
natives of New York, where the father still resides.
For many years he was a prominent figure in the
financial world and was connected with the Twelfth
Ward Bank of New York. He was successful in his
business and banking ventures through many year3
and now lives retired. His wife passed away in New
York city in 1902. They were parents of five chil
dren, four of whom have passed away.
The only surviving child of the family is Frank
E. Webb, who was a pupil in the public schools of
New York and was graduated from an evening school
there. He started out in the business world November
30, 1902, when a lad of but twelve years, in the employ
of Wilcox & Company, members of the New York
Stock Exchange, and in that connection received the
training that well qualified him for the more serious
work and responsibility of his later years. He im
proved his time through study of the stock market
and questions relating thereto and became a recognized
authority on stocks. He continued in the employ of
Wilcox & Company for three years and afterward was
with the firm of Bunnell & Company of New York city
for a year. He next entered the employ of Kissel,
Kinnicutt & Company, New York bankers, with whom
he continued for two years and on the expiration of
that period became a curb broker on Wall street, con

tinuing successfully in the business for seven years.
In 1916 he removed to Detroit and entered the busi
ness circles of this city as manager for William A.
Neer & Company, brokers, with whom he remained
until April, 1917, when he resigned and organized
the brokerage firm of Webb, Lee & Company, Incor
porated. This is a close corporation and he is the
principal owner. The firm has rapidly come to the
front through its honorable dealing and progressive '
methods and ranks with the leading representatives
of the stock and bond brokerage business in Detroit.
On the 10th of June, 1912, -Mr. Webb was married
to Miss Leonilda A. Gaeta of Greenwich, Connecticut
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Gaeta. They have one
son, Frank E., Jr., born in New York city, June 21,
1914. Mr. Webb is a member of the Detroit Stock
Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade. He also
is a member of the Meadow Heights Country Club
and of the Jackson City Club. During the greater part
of the year Mr. Webb resides at Leonilda Farms in
Springfield, Oakland county, Michigan, where he has
an attractive country home and a well developed
farm property. He is truly a self-made man in that
he started to provide for his own support when a lad
of but twelve years and has worked his way upward
entirely through his own efforts. One of the salient
features in his success is the wise use that he makes
of his spare time. He attacks everything with a
contagious enthusiasm and his determination and
energy have carried him into important business re
lations. G. EDWARD HUFF, president of the Tanner-Gates
Realty Company and also of various other companies
operating in the real estate circles of Detroit, was
born in Canada, August 16, 1871, a son of R. M. and
Nancy (Wells) Huff, who were likewise of Canadian
birth but of Pennsylvania Dutch parentage. The
grandfather, Eli Huff, gave to the Methodist Episcopal
church the land on which the house of worship was
erected at Adolphustown, Canada. Both Eli Huff and
his wife, Jane, passed away in Canada, where he had
conducted an extensive cooperage and carpenter con
tracting business. His son, R. M. Huff, has been a
bailiff of Canada for twenty-eight years and is still
living in that country at the age of seventy-seven,
but his wife passed away in 1911. They had four
children: Mrs. Thomas Jones, residing in Alameda,
California; Mrs. A. A. Bartlett of Rochester, New
York; G. Edward, of this review; and Edith, who
passed away in early life.
G. Edward Huff attended the publie and high schools
of Rochester, New York, and at the age of seventeen
put aside his textbooks to become a clerk in a gro
cery store, remaining active in that business for seven
years. He then resigned his position and spent several
years in travel in the west. In 1914 he came to De
troit and has since been identified with real estate
circles of the city. He entered the sales department

FRANK E. WEBB

CITY OF DETROIT

447

of the real estate firm of Tanner & Gates and rose
rapidly to an official position. He in time became
president of the company, having so served since its
incorporation. The company largely handles subdivi
sion property. Mr. Huff is also the president of the
Huff Realty Company of Dearborn, Michigan, the presi
dent of the Detroit-Grand Rapids Realty Company,
president of the Melrose Park Realty Company, presi
dent of the Whitmore Park Realty Company, president
of the Warren Heights Realty Company and of many
others which are operating extensively in real estate
circles in Michigan, including the Childs-Woodward
Realty Company, the Woodward Boulevard Land Com
pany, the Monarch Realty Company and the Camp
Wayne Realty Company. Mr. Huff has wide knowl
edge of property values in the state, has thoroughly
informed himself concerning every phase of the busi
ness and has negotiated many of the most important
property transfers of the state.
On the 30th of June, 1900, Mr. Huff was married to
Miss Minnie Grieve of Belleville, Canada, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. George Grieve. They have five chil
dren: Harold, born in Campbellford, Canada, in 1901;
Reginald, who was born in Campbellford in 1903 and
is attending the Royal Dental College of Toronto;
Marian, born in Campbellford, Canada, in 1905 and
now a high school pupil; Helena, born in Campbellford
in 1908 and now attending school; and Teddy, who
was born in Campbellford in 1915. The religious faith
of the family is that of the Presbyterian chureh. Fra
ternally Mr. Huff is connected with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and is also a Royal Arch Mason.
He certainly deserves much credit for what he has
accomplished, having worked his way upward entirely
through individual effort and ability. Self-made, he
is nevertheless one of the most prominent of the
real estate dealers of Detroit and is also widely known
in this connection throughout the state.
ELMER ELLSWORTH GALLOGLY is a manufac
turer, born near Zanesville, Ohio, August 15, 1862; a
son of James (M. D.) and Elizabeth (West) Gallogly.
He was educated in the public schools of Zanesville;
married at Omaha, Nebraska, May 7, 1896, Elizabeth
Heslet, who died in Detroit, March 27, 1904. They
were the parents of two children: West Heslet and
Elizabeth Andrews. He was married again at Ashe
ville, North Carolina, January 11, 1906, to Mrs. May
Lorimer. Studied pharmacy and chemistry at Zanes
ville; employed as drug and prescription clerk,
Austin, Texas, 1883, and at Miles City and Helena,
Montana, 1886-90; entered retail drug business at
Butte, Montana, as E. E. Gallogly & Company, in Feb
ruary, 1891, selling out in August, 1900. He was presi
dent of the Montana State Pharmaceutical Association,
1899-1900. He moved to Detroit in April, 1902. He
is vice president of The Herpicide Company and is a
member of the Detroit Board of Commerce.
Mr. Gallogly is deeply interested in the Boy Scout

movement and served as president of the Detroit
Council, Boy Scouts of America, for three terms, 1918-
1921. He originated the Scout Reserve idea, the first
American unit of which was established in Detroit
under the sanction of the chief scout executive Feb
ruary 10, 1921. The Reserve idea was primarily in
tended to hold a greater number of boys in scouting
until they had reached the first-class rank, but in
"practice it also provided a much needed opportunity
for the older boys to become inactive with honor;
in fact, it attacks the older boy problem by giving
special honors to the graduate scout and by recog
nizing him as an " older brother ' ' to the Scout Move
ment. Each Scout Reservist receives a certified record
of his achievement, which is recorded at national
headquarters. During the war Mr. Gallogly 's son, West, then sev
enteen, and his stepson, Robert E. Lorinrer, then
twenty-two, both enlisted. The former was commis
sioned second lieutenant, Camp Scott Barracks, Ameri
can Red Cross; and the latter enlisting at Newport,
Rhode Island, May 3, 1917, was commissioned ensign
U. S. N. A. September 13, 1918, and assigned to the
Eighteenth Aero Squadron, Miami, Florida, as instruc
tor in H. S. 2 L flying boats.
Mr. Gallogly is an Episcopalian, and a Mason. He
belongs to the Automobile Country, Detroit Athletic
and Detroit Boat Clubs. His office is at 63-71 Mil
waukee avenue, West. His city residence is at 141
West Boston boulevard, Detroit, and his country resi
dence is at Lake Angelus, Oakland county, Michigan.
SAMUEL FERGUSON of Detroit, lived for four
teen years beyond the Psalmist's allotted span of three
score years and ten. It was on the eighty-fourth
anniversary of his natal day that he passed away in
Detroit. He was born in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, on
the 13th of May, 1836, a son of Samuel and Euphemia
Johnston (Kilpatrick) Ferguson. His youthful days
to the age of fifteen years were spent under the
parental roof and he then started out to provide for
his own support. After working in his native land
for two years he came to America in 1853, when a
youth of seventeen, attracted by the opportunities
which he believed he might secure on this side of
the Atlantic, for many favorable reports had reached
him concerning the business advantages to be ob
tained in the United States. Landing at New York
he there remained for three years and during that
period learned the plumbers' trade.
When a young man of twenty Samuel Ferguson came
to Detroit, where his remaining days were passed, and
soon after his arrival he established business on his
own account on Congress street near Woodward avenue,
occupying this place for about nine years. In 1865
he removed to 91 Jefferson avenue and enjoyed a large
plumbing business until 1875, when he retired from
that field in order to establish the business now
conducted under the name of the Detroit Lead Pipe

448

CITY OF DETROIT

Works. Some years prior to his death he retired from
business with a substantial fortune, sufficient to sup
ply him with all of the comforts and many of the
luxuries of life and it enabled him to leave his
widow in comfortable financial circumstances. The
day he arrived in Detroit he began work at a dollar
per day and the fact that he was not afraid of honest
toil nor afraid of giving his employer too great return
for value received, enabled him to climb steadily up
ward until he was at the head of one of the leading
industries of the eity, . owning and conducting a lead
pipe factory. His career justifies his faith in America,
which caused him to emigrate to the new world. The
Detroit Masonic News wrote of him following his
demise: "He worked hard and won success not for
selfish purposes, but that he might share it with
others, which he did in splendid fashion and the great
est joy of his later years was the fact that his gifts
would be serving his fellowmen after he was gone. ' '
On the 3d of December, 1859, Mr. Ferguson was
married to Miss Mary McKay, a daughter of Archibald
McKay, and they had one child, Archibald, who passed
away in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson traveled
life's journey most happily together for more than
sixty years, sharing with each other the joys and
sorrows, the adversity and ' prosperity, which enter
the careers of all, their mutual love and confidence
increasing as time passed. Then death separated them,
Mr. Ferguson passing away May 13, 1920, his remains
being interred in Elmwood cemetery. Mrs. Fergu
son, who was born and educated in Scotland, is still
enjoying excellent health at the age of eighty-three
years and spending her declining days in' comfort and
ease in a pleasant home at 103 East Willis avenue,
Detroit. In his political views Mr. Ferguson was a republican
from the time when he east his first presidential ballot
for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He was a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also of Pal
estine Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Central Pres
byterian church and was loyal to the teachings and
purposes of all these different organizations. He took
a most aetive interest in church and charitable work
and was constantly extending a helping hand where
aid was needed. He was a member of St. Andrew's
Society and his life at all times was actuated by the
highest principles manifest in the integrity of his
business career and his reliability in every relation.
Mr. Ferguson attributed his financial prosperity to
God's guidance in all matters, and so, when he bought
property for a home at Grosse Pointe, he decided to
leave it, by his will, for the furtherance of Christ's
kingdom, as a loving memorial of God's goodness to
him. Owing to changing circumstances and the greatly
increased value of the property, Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson
sold their beautiful suburban home and fulfilled a long
cherished desire, by giving the proceeds for home mis
sion work. Seventy thousand dollars was given to the
Board of Ministerial Relief and Sustenation and

twenty-five thousand dollars to the Board of Publica
tion and Sabbath School Work — both boards of the
Presbyterian church of the United States of America.
A wonderful gift, expressing the love of this devoted
Christian couple for little children and the aged vet
erans of the Cross. The history of no man in Detroit
may better serve as an example and inspiration to the
young than that of Samuel Ferguson.
ROBERT C. RESTRICK, president of the Restrick
Lumber Company, was born September 12, 1885, at De
troit, a son of Charles W. and Jane (Cowie) Restrick.
A sketch of Charles W. Restrick appears elsewhere
in this publication.
Robert C. Restrick received his early education in
the public schools and afterward entered the Detroit
University school, from which he was graduated upon
the completion of a literary course as a member of
the class of 1904.
He then turned his attention to the lumber busi
ness which was then conducted by his father. He took
a minor position in the lumber-yard and learned every
phase of the business in order to become thoroughly
qualified for aetive management and control. In 1909
he was elected secretary and treasurer of the com
pany and after the death of his father in March,
1920, he succeeded to the presidency, although he had
been practically the head of the business for the
previous • three years.
The Restrick Lumber Company is a large concern,
having several branches in Detroit, and the extent
of the trade has .reached very large proportions.
Robert C. Restrick has acquired a knowledge of every
feature of the lumber business, consequently is cap
able of most wisely controlling the trade and pro
moting the steady ¦ development of the enterprise.
It is true that he entered upon an established busi
ness, but in enlarging and directing it a man of less
resolute spirit would have failed. He has, however,
been actuated by a most progressive spirit and by
his unassailable commercial integrity has upheld the
name of Restrick as an honored and forceful one in
the commercial circles of the city.
In 1910 Mr. Restrick was united in mamage to Miss
Marian Dunlap and they have two children: Robert
C, Jr., and Jean. Fraternally Mr. Restrick is a Mason,
belonging to Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M., and to
Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T. In club life he
is well known, having membership in the Detroit
Athletic, Fellowcraft, Detroit Golf, Automobile Coun
try and Masonic Country Clubs. He likewise belongs
to the Detroit Board of Commerce, also the United
States Chamber of Commerce, the headquarters of
which are in Washington, D. C, and the purpose <rf
which is the constant study of the problems of busi
ness and the possibilities of commercial development.
A Presbyterian in religious faith, Mr. Restrick be
longs to the Westminster Presbyterian church of De
troit, and is serving as one of the trustees of that

ROBERT C. RESTRICK

CITY OF DETROIT

451

body. He is everywhere spoken of in terms of the
highest regard as a representative young business
man who measures up to the highest standards of
American manhood and citizenship and who is a
worthy scion of an honored family of Detroit.
HERBERT J. PUTNAM, a prominent and success
ful business man of Detroit, where he is well known
in commercial circles, was born across the border, in
the province of Ontario, Canada, near the city of
London, in 1862, a son of Thomas R. and Elizabeth
(VanVliet) Putnam, but was brought to Detroit by
his parents when three years old, in 1865.
Thomas R. Putnam, father of the subject of this
sketch, for fifty years a well known resident of
Detroit, died on July 10, 1916. Some four years earlier
he had suffered a stroke of paralysis, and from that
time on he had not been much in the public eye.
Thomas R. Putnam was born in Ontario, Canada, in
February, 1841, and came to Detroit in 1866, at the
age of twenty-five. He found immediate employment
in one of the eity departments, and from that time
until his retirement because of illness, he was a faith
ful and honored servant of the public. During a con
tinuous period of thirty-six years he was in the service
of the water department, with the workings of which
he was perhaps more familiar than any other one
man in that branch of the municipal government. His
integrity was proverbial and his agreeable person
ality made him a favorite with all those whom he
met in business.
Mr. Putnam's ancestry is traced unbrokenly back
to John Putnam, who emigrated from England in 1641,
of whom General Israel Putnam of Revolutionary re
nown, was also a descendant. His high sense of honor
made him a marked figure among those who comprised
his large acquaintance. Exemplary in his private life,
a model of probity in relation to his public respon
sibilities, he passed away, leaving behind him a clean
record and a host of sorrowing friends.
Herbert J. Putnam, the subject of this sketch, was
educated in the schools of Detroit, after which he
began his active career as clerk in the city waterworks
ofdce, where he remained for three years. He then
became associated with Captain S. B. Grummond,
for three years, when that gentleman was mayor of
Detroit. At the end of this period Mr. Putnam en
gaged in the musie business with C. J. Whitney for
three years, and at the same time was treasurer of
the Grand Opera House, which stood where the post
office was subsequently erected.
Mr. Putnam spent the next six years in the office
of the city assessor, and on retiring from this office
m 1890 he went into the manufacture of confectionery,
which kept him occupied until 1895, when he beeame
connected with the Thomson Meter Company, a New
York concern, later becoming western sales manager,
and still holds this position, each year showing in

creased business, the result of his experience and
energy. In 1906 the Gies Gear Company, manufacturers of
reversible gears, was formed, with Howard E. Putnam,
brother of Herbert J. Putnam, as president. The Put
nam family gradually acquired all the stock, and when
Howard E. Putnam enlisted to enter the World war
in 1917, Herbert J. Putnam took charge of the business,
filling the offices of secretary-treasurer and general
manager. He is also vice president of the Esco Manu
facturing Company, and has other business interests
in the city.
In 1884 Herbert J. Putnam married Blanche L.
Brooks, a native of Albany, New York. Mr. Putnam
was one of the original organizers of the old Detroit
Athletic Club, in the affairs of which he took a warm
. interest. He is a member of the Fellowcraft Club and
of the Corinthian Lodge of Masons.
JAMES B. HODGE. M. D., an able member of
the medical profession of Detroit, practicing ac
cording to the principles of the sehool of homeopathy,
was born in Niagara county, New York, on a
farm, April 15, 1869, his parents being James and
Katherine (Crozier) Hodge. They spent their entire
lives in New York state. The father always de
voted his attention to the occupation of farming,
residing for many years in Niagara county, New York.
Both he and his wife have now passed away. They
were the parents of eight children, two of whom are
deceased, while those living are: J. W., a practicing
physician of Niagara Falls; William H., who is also a
member of the medical profession at Niagara Falls;
Mrs. M. T. Lurch of Detroit; James B., of this review;
Carrie A., living in Detroit; and Mrs. Cora Kimball,
also of this city.
Dr. James B. Hodge was reared on the farm where
he was born. He supplemented his district school
education by study in the high school at Lockport,
New York, and determining upon the practice of medi
cine, he at length began to qualify for that calling.
In the meantime, however, he had taught sehool for
several years, and for a period was engaged in the
wholesale and retail drug and grocery business in
Niagara Falls. In 1902 he came to Michigan, where
he entered the Detroit Homeopathic Medical College,
and was graduated as a member of the class of 1906,
at which time his professional degree was conferred
upon him. During his last year and a half in college,
he served as interne in Grace Hospital, and thus
gained valuable clinical experience. He later spent
two years as house surgeon and resident physician in
Grace Hospital, and then entered upon the general
practice of medicine in which he has continued with
excellent success. He is still serving on the obstetrical
staff of Grace Hospital. He is a member of the Detroit
'Medical Society, the Wayne County and the Michigan
State Medical Societies, and the American Institute
of Homeopathy. He holds to the highest professional

452

CITY OF DETROIT

standards, and by continuous study and research is
constantly promoting his efficiency and broadening his
skill. Dr. Hodge's religious belief is that of the
Episcopal church. Politically he is a republican and
at all times is thoroughly informed concerning the vital
questions and issues of the day, but he does not seek
nor desire offiee as a reward for party fealty. He
never allows anything to interfere, however, with the
trend of professional duties and interests, being most
conscientious in the performance of every task that
devolves upon him as a physician and surgeon. Dr.
Hodge's residence is at No. 438 Warren avenue, West,
where he maintains offices in addition to his down
town office at No. 607 Fine Arts building.
WILLIAM SHALLENBERGER POWER is the pres
ident of The Power, Alexander & Jenkins Company,
advertising specialists of Detroit, under which style
a business of extensive proportions and of a most
important character has been developed, their patron
age being now national in its scope. Mr. Power was
born in Rochester, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1864, his
parents being Edward Miller and Susan (Shallen-
berger) Power. He is a descendant of Sir Roger
LePoer, who was sent to Ireland by William the Con
queror to subdue rebellion, and since that time the
family . has been represented on the Emerald isle.
The family was founded' in America about 1640 by
Dr. Henry Power, who settled in Virginia. In the
maternal line William S. Power comes of Swiss ances
try, his mother's people having lived in the canton
of Uri, Switzerland, whence representatives of the
name crossed the Atlantic and settled in Pennsylvania
in 1637.
William S. Power, reared in the Keystone state,
pursued his education in the Mount Pleasant Institute
of Pennsylvania and at Geneva College at Beaver
Falls, Pennsylvania. His early business activity was
in the newspaper field, and advancing step by step
in that connection, he afterward held important editor
ial positions on the Pittsburgh Dispatch and the Pitts
burgh Press. He early turned his attention to the
advertising business and has contributed much to its
development. He built up a large business of this
kind under the name of the William S. Power Com
pany of Pittsburgh and in 1910 merged his interests
with those of the MacManus Company and removed
to Detroit. He became vice president and chief of
the service department of the MacManus Company.
The present large advertising firm of The Power,
Alexander & Jenkins Company is an outgrowth of
the old firm of advertising specialists known as the
MacManus Company which was taken over in 1912.
The business was carried on under the old name until
1915, when it was reincorporated under the present
style. The firm handles general advertising and con-
duets a business that is now national in scope, having
its main offices in Detroit, with a branch office main
tained at Dayton, Ohio.

On the 1st of May, 1890, Mr. Power was united
in marriage to Miss Julia Blake Myler of Pittsburgh.
They occupy an enviable social position ,in Detroit
and Mr. Power is well known in the club circles of
the city, having membership in the Detroit Athletic,
Detroit Golf and Meadowbrook Clubs. He is also a
member of the Dayton Country Club and the Dayton
City Club of Dayton, Ohio, and also of the Detroit
Automobile Club. He is Hkewise connected with the
Detroit Board of Commerce and was formerly a di
rector of the Detroit Technical Institute and of the
Young Men's Christian Association. His religious
faith is that of the Baptist ehureh and his political
endorsement is given to the republican party. All
the activities and interests of his life are evenly
balanced, for he has learned to place a correct valua
tion upon all those things which feature as faetors
in his life work. At all times he has been actuated
by a spirit of enterprise that has brought him to
a position of leadership in his chosen field of labor.
He has displayed much originality in the development
of the business and initiative in aiding his patrons in
promoting their advertising projects. His clientage
is now one of extensive and gratifying proportions
and the business of which he is the head is the
tangible evidence - of his well directed energy and
capability. G. CORRELL DAMON, for years connected with
the wholesale tobacco business in Detroit, successful
in the various enterprises with which he has been
identified and popular with all who know him, is a
native of Miehigan, born on a farm near Saginaw, a
son of LeRoy and Sarah (Culver) Damon, the former
of whom was brought to Michigan when a year old,
by his father, Ephraim Damon, who was one of the
early settlers of the state.
G. C. Damon was educated in the public schools and
in business colleges at Kalamazoo and Ypsilanti, at
the close of his business course going into the general
merchandise line at St. Charles, Miehigan, where he
remained for four years, and for the next succeeding
twelve months he was with his father in the same
kind of enterprise. He then joined the Harry W.
Watson Company of Flint, Michigan, starting as a
clerk in their retail store. By 1910 he had so de
veloped and expanded their trade that the company
was induced to start in the wholesale business in that
year in Detroit. In 1910 Mr. Damon came to
Detroit and launched the branch of the company's en
terprise, which has now assumed very large propor
tions, due in considerable degree to his untiring energy
and commercial Bagacity. Since 1916 Mr. Damon has
been vice president and general manager of the com
pany, positions earned by his zeal and perseverance.
In 1912 Mr. Damon was united in marriage to Miss
Loretta Rivett. He is a member of the' Board of
Commerce and of the Detroit Credit Men's Association,
in the affairs of which he takes a keen interest. He

WILLIAM S. POWER

CITY OF DETROIT

455

also holds membership in the Elks, the Fellowcraft
Club, the Detroit Automobile Club and the Wolverine
Club. Mr. and Mrs. Damon take a proper part in the
social and cultural activities of the city and their
efforts are always directed to the support of all move
ments designed to advance the public welfare.
W. J. McMICHAEL, president of the B. & M.
Detective Agency of Detroit, was born in Beaver
county, Pennsylvania, and comes of Scotch-Irish an
cestry in both the paternal and maternal lines. He
pursued his education in his native state completing a
high school course at Beaver Falls. ' Removing to
Ohio, he there became chief of police in the town of
Kent and has been connected with secret service work
throughout his life. He was connected with the Erie
Railroad in secret service work for four years and
for an equal period he filled the office of sheriff of
Portage county.
Removing to Detroit, Mr. McMichael established the
B. & M. Detective Agency, which he has since con
ducted. He has had large experience in this line of
work and is considered a very able man. The agency
maintains the highest standard of efficiency and is
devoted entirely to efficiency and inside work in fac
tories and plants.
In 1887 Mr. McMichael was united in marriage to
Miss Belle Carlisle, who passed away leaving three
children. In June, 1916, he married Pearl Williams of
Detroit, and they are highly esteemed socially, having
many friends in the city. In politics Mr. McMichael
is a stalwart republican and was quite active in poli
tics when in Ohio. Fraternally he belongs to Unity
Lodge, No. 12, A. F. & A. M., of Portage,. Ohio; and
also has membership in Tyrian Chapter, No. 91, R. A.
M., of Ravenna, Ohio; while his Knights Templar mem
bership is in Damascus Commandery in Detroit; he also
belongs to Moslem Temple of the Mystie Shrine. He
holds to the highest standards of the fraternity, ex
emplifying in his life its beneficent spirit. He is a
big man, of strong personality, determined, resource
ful and efficient, and in his chosen profession has at
tained high position.
FRANK COLE PINGREE. The history of Detroit's
manufacturing and commercial development would be
incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to
make reference to Frank Cole Pingree, long identified
with shoe manufacturing in this city. Moreover, his
social position and his high character left their im
press upon Detroit's annals, his position as a most
public-spirited citizen being recognized by all who
knew aught of his career. He came to Detroit in
1868 from one of the hillside farms of New England,
his birth having occurred near Denmark, Oxford
county, Maine, on the 8th of September, 1848. His
opportunity of acquiring an education was limited to
the advantages offered by the district schools of that
period and while he was yet a young lad he went to

Hopkinton, Massachusetts, where he began earning
his living by serving an apprenticeship to the shoe
maker's trade, of which he gained thorough practical
knowledge. While he was thus employed his brother,
Hazen S. Pingree, afterward governor of the state,
had come to Detroit and had established a shoe manu
facturing business as senior partner of the firm of
Pingree & Smith, which in the course of years became
the Pingree Shoe Company. When Frank C. Pingree
had completed his apprenticeship his brother sent for
him to come to Detroit, where he arrived in 1868 and
at once was given employment by the firm of Pingree
& Smith, taking charge of the sole leather department
in the factory. His capability was soon manifest and
added responsibilities were given to him from time to
time until he was made manager of other depart
ments and eventually had practical supervision over
the entire manufacturing interests of the firm. In
1883 C. H. Smith, the original junior partner, with
drew, although the business was continued under the
firm style of Pingree & Smith until the death of the
founder, Governor Pingree, on the 18th of June, 1901.
With the retirement of Mr. Smith, Frank C. Pingree
and John B. Howarth were admitted to the partner
ship, so that Mr. Pingree of this review was asso
ciated in the ownership and executive control of the
business from 1883 until his death more than a quarter
of a century later. With the death of Governor Pin
gree Frank C. Pingree assumed the heaviest of the
responsibilities in connection with the practical de
tails of the business and in time he was joined by
his eldest son, Everett W. Pingree, mentioned else
where in this work, and by Sherman L. Depew, who
had married the only daughter of Governor Pingree.
Frank C. Pingree entered into no other business re
lations save with the City Savings Bank, of which he
became one of the organizers and of which he re
mained president until the bank failed in January,
1902. In this connection one of the local papers, at
the time of his demise, said: "The complications fol
lowing the bank failure first affected Mr. Pingree. At
the time he suffered a nervous collapse, accompanied
by a slight stroke of apoplexy, from which he never
really recovered. His devotion to his work after this
trouble caused his physical decline. His physicians
advised him to give less time to his business and
friends and to seek needed rest, but it worried him
to be idle." He paid little heed to their request until
finally realizing that he must drop his heavy cares for
a time, he planned a trip to California for the benefit
of his health. However, his illness became so severe
that it was impossible to carry out the plan and he
passed away on the 2d of April, 1910.
It was in 1875 that Frank C. Pingree was united in
marriage to Miss Katherine Louise McKeon, who sur
vives him, as do their two sons, Everett W. and Roy
E., who are engaged in business under the name of the
F. C. Pingree Sons Company. Mr. Pingree was a most
consistent and faithful member of the First Congrega-

456

CITY OF DETROIT

tional church and for many years was chairman of its
board of trustees. He al'so belonged to the Detroit
Club and the Detroit Country Club and he likewise
had membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce. He
served for some time as chairman of the executive
committee of the National Boot &' Shoe Manufactur
ers' Association and he was most highly esteemed by
his contemporaries and colleagues in trade circles as
well as by those whom he met in the social relations
of life. When death called him, Dr. Nehemiah Boyn-
ton of Brooklyn, New York, formerly of this city and
an old-time friend, conducted the funeral services and
the foremen of the Pingree Company were the active
pallbearers. Mr. Pingree was a man who ever enjoyed
the highest esteem, trust and goodwill of those in his
employ. They felt at his passing that they had indeed
lost a friend and champion and one to whom they could
always go with any grievance, knowing that full jus
tice would be meted out to them. Mr. Pingree was a
loyal supporter of the republican party and in every
way a most public-spirited citizen, cooperating ear
nestly and heartily with every project for the public
good. He commanded in unusual degree the confidence
arid esteem of all who knew him, for he was a man of
inflexible integrity of purpose and tolerant and kindly
in every relation of life.
DETROIT SHOW CASE COMPANY. Prominent
among the industrial concerns of the city is that
conducted under the name of the Detroit Show Case
Company, which was established in 1903 and whose
plant is located at Nos. 1652 to 1694 West Fort
street. The company is engaged in the manufacture
of show cases, store fixtures and copper store-front
construction, their trade in this connection extending
throughout the United States and into many foreign
countries as well. The business is steadily growing
and expanding under the capable direction of the
following officers: John Petz, president; Edward Bland,
vice president; and Herbert Malott, secretary and
treasurer. CARL B. PARSONS, president of the Parsons Man
ufacturing Company, is not only a splendid example
of the successful business man, but also a model
for all foreign-born citizens to meditate upon and
strive to emulate. He came to this country at the age
of seventeen and at once took upon himself the duty
of becoming a thorough American, as well as the
task of making himself a successful man, and both
of these things he accomplished, and for both he is
recognized and honored. None can start any poorer
than he started, but all can cherish the same high
purposes and principles, the foundations of honest
success. He was born April 20, 1884, in Vinberg, Halland,
Sweden, but while still- a youth, elected to live his
life in America. The first night in this country he

slept in the open, for he had only eight dollars in his
pocket and he had his way to ihake. He learned the
trade of carriage body builder and the intensity with
which he pursued his occupation is indicated by the
fact that he built the first aluminum body for an
automobile in this country in 1903. He also gave his
attention to his education, as well as gaining practical
experience, so he took a course in the Mechanical
Institute, New York city, and was graduated in the
class of 1908. He studied designing assiduously and
became an expert in body building. His designing
work led him into invention and he invented and
took out patents on hinges, and then went into the
manufacturing of automobile hinges and locks.
Having settled in Detroit he organized and incor
porated the Parsons Manufacturing Company in 1914,
and has been chief executive of the corporation since
its inception. Outside of his business Mr. Parsons
takes a wide interest in publie affairs, and every
worthy project or movement has his approval and
support. His integrity and ability are recognized
in his appointment to the office of vice counsel for
the state of Michigan for Sweden, which office he
still retains.
In 1911 Mr. Parsons married Miss Edith Charlotte
Thoren of Chicago and they have a family of three
children: John Thoren, Henry Carl and Ruth Sigrid.
He and his family are associated with the Swedish
Lutheran chureh. In politics he is a republican.
Mr. Parsons was made a Mason in King Oscar
Lodge,- No. 855, at Chicago, and became a Knights
Templar at the age of twenty -three, affiliating with
Damascus Commandery, No. 42, at Detroit. He has
also attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish
Rite, Oriental Consistory, Chicago, and is a member
of Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Chicago.
During the World war Mr. Parsons made fine parts
for Liberty motors and shipped them to all plants,
making these motors for the United States government.
WILLIAM H. McBRYAN. Insurance interests of
Detroit find a prominent representative in William H.
McBryan. He was born in the township of Bosan-
quet, Lambton county, Ontario, Canada, January 4,
1871, and is a son of Henry and Christena McBryan.
He pursued his education in the common and high
schools and following the completion of a law course
was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1897. He en
gaged in the practice of his profession for four years,
or until 1891, when he turned his attention to the
insurance business, representing the United States
Fidelity and Guaranty Company and the Maryland
Motor Car Insurance Company, both of Baltimore,
Maryland, as general agent at Detroit for the past
twenty years. He has made a careful and thorough
study of surety bonds and casualty insurance, gaining
a comprehensive knowledge of the business, and is
ever seeking to develop the interests of the companies
which he represents. In his dealings he is known to

CARL B. PARSONS

CITY OF DETROIT

459

be progressive and reliable and well regarded by his
fellow citizens.
In June, 1893, Mr. McBryan was united in marriage
to Miss Letitia C. Swann. He is a democrat and an
Episcopalian. His clubs are: Detroit Athletic Club,
Bloomfield Hills Country Club and Detroit Curling
Club. He is also a member of the Detroit Board of
Commerce and the Detroit Association of Credit Men.
He has always stood- for progress and improvement
in affairs relating to the upbuilding of town, county
and commonwealth, and he ranks with the public-spir
ited citizens and progressive business men of Detroit.
FREDERICK CHRISTOPHER STOEPEL, in whose
business career the qualities of enterprise and pro-
gressiveness balanced up with the principles of in
tegrity and reliability, figured for an extended period
as one of the representative business men of the city,
especially prominent in wholesale circles. He was
born at Sehloss-Heldrungen, near Erfurt, Saxony, Ger
many, on the 3d of June, 1846, being a son of William
and Catherine (Koehler) Stoepel, also residents of
Schloss-HeldrungenJ where the family seat had been
maintained for four hundred years or more. They
came to the United States about 1852 and located in
Detroit the following year. Here he and his wife re
sided until called to their final rest, his death occur
ring in 1894, while his widow survived until 1898.
Frederick C. Stoepel was a young lad of about six
years when he was brought by his parents to the
United States. He pursued his education in the public
schools of Detroit to the age of thirteen and then put
aside his textbooks in order that he might provide
for his own support as a factor in the business world.
His initial experience came to him in connection with
the dry goods trade of Campbell & Linn and later he
accepted a clerkship with the firm of Allen, Sheldon
& Company, proprietors of a wholesale dry goods
house, for whom he also traveled for a time. He was
ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own
account and eagerly availed himself of every oppor
tunity leading to that end. In 1875 he became one
of the organizers of the firm of J. K. Burnham & Com
pany, a wholesale dry goods concern, the name of
which was afterwards changed to Burnham, Stoepel
& Company. In 1902 Mr. Stoepel was elected to the
position of vice president and treasurer of the firm
and upon the death of its president, James K. Burn
ham, in March, 1907, he was elected to the presidency
and so remained until called to his final rest. The
business, as the result of his cooperation, his discrim
ination and sagacity and his unfaltering enterprise,
grew steadily, becoming one of the foremost commer
cial concerns of Detroit. It all business affairs Mr.
Stoepel readily discriminated between the essential
and the non-essential. He employed constructive
methods and attacked everything with a contagious
enthusiasm that produced immediate and valuable re
sults. One who knows- well the history of Detroit

has said: "Detroit has produced few business men the
equal of Frederick C. Stoepel." In connection .with
his commercial interests he was a director of the old
Detroit National Bank.
At Tecumseh, Michigan, on the 13th of July, 1881,
Mr. Stoepel was united in marriage to Miss Anna R.
Sutton, a daughter of Nehemiah M. and Mary E. (Sat-
terthwaite) Sutton. Two sons were bora of this
marriage. The elder, Frederick Sutton, is a prominent
real estate man of Detroit, and is mentioned elsewhere
in this work. He married lorantha Mary Semmes, a
niece of Admiral Semmes, and their children are Mary
Anne, lorantha Jordan, Ellen Semmes and Frederika
Josephine. The younger son, Ralph Stoepel, is now a
prominent figure in commercial circles in Detroit.
The family circle was broken by the hand of death
when on the 5th of January, 1917, Frederick C. Stoepel
passed away at his home in Detroit. He was a promi
nent figure in connection with many interests vital to
the city. His political allegiance was given the re
publican party and in 1905 he was appointed by Gov
ernor Warner one of the jury commissioners for Wayne
county, serving in that position for four years. He
belonged to the National Dry Goods Association of
New York and occupied a prominent position in com
mercial circles of the country. He had membership
with the Detroit Club and the Country Club. He
was a loyal follower of the teachings of the Congre
gational church, in which he served as trustee of the
First church for twenty-five years, while for two de
cades he was in charge of the church music. He
possessed a judicial mind and attractive social quali
ties, was very approachable and always generous. His
entire career was actuated by a spirit of progress that
recognized in each successful accomplishment a start
ing point from which to reach a more advanced goal.
There was something stimulating in his method of at
tacking any business or public proposition which he
regarded as worth while. In his vocabulary there was
no such word as fail and when one avenue of oppor
tunity seemed closed he carved out other paths
whereby he might reach his objective. Moreover, his
course measured up at all times to the highest stand
ards and no citizen of Detroit has been uniformly
spoken of in terms of higher regard and respect than
Frederick Christopher Stoepel.
DUPONT MORSE NEWBRO, a pharmaceutical man
ufacturer of Detroit, was bora in Lansing, Miehigan,
and is a son of Solomon D. and Orissa (Maxwell)
Newbro, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter
was born in the state of New York. The father was
a prominent member of the medical profession in
Lansing, Michigan, where he practiced for many years,
or until the time of his death. His wife also passed
away in Michigan in 1914. In their family were three
children: Mrs. Walter Bleick, now living in Butte,
Montana; Mrs. Florence Green, a resident of Long
Beach, California; and Dupont M. of this review.

460

CITY OF DETROIT

The son obtained his early education in the schools
of his native city and started out in the business
world as an apprentice to the drug trade and at the
same time took up the study of pharmacy in Lansing,
being thus engaged until 1885. He then went to
Helena, Montana, and a few months later removed to
Butte, Montana, where he established a drug business
on his own account, first opening a retail store and
later engaging in both the wholesale and retail trade.
It was while carrying on his retail drug business that
he originated and put on the market Newbro's Herpi-
eide, the first prophylactic for the scalp and the first
preparation of its kind made in America. It is manu
factured iri Detroit by the Herpicide Company, of
which he is president and general manager. He was
for twelve years president and general manager of
the Newbro Drug Company and on the 1st of January,
1902, he disposed of his interest in the business,
which has since been successfully conducted under
the original name. While in the west Mr. Newbro
also became principal owner and a director of the
Fosselman Drug Company, the Walkerville Drug Com
pany, and the Montana Drug Company, all of Butte,
but disposed of his various retail interests there in
November, 1902. He was likewise for ten years
president of the Washoe Copper Company, whose prop
erties were sold to the Amalgamated Copper Company
for twenty million dollars. While residing in the
west he was instrumental in organizing the Montana
Pharmaceutical Association, of which he beeame the
first president and he was also the first president of
the Montana State Pharmaceutical Examining Board.
His efforts and attention, however, are now concen
trated upon his manufacturing interests and with his
return to Detroit his firm erected a suitable building
at Nos. 35 to 37 Milwaukee avenue, West, 'for a
manufacturing plant. Mr. Newbro devotes his entire
time to his manufacturing interests and has won
notable success in this field.
On the 20th of November, 1888, was celebrated the
marriage of Mr. Newbro and Miss Sarah M. Hall of
Butte, Montana, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William
E. Hall of that city. They have become parents of
three children: William Hall, born in Butte in 1894,
was educated in the public schools of Detroit and the
Culver Military Academy of Indiana, and during the
World war he enlisted in the service, was made ser
geant and sent overseas; Martha J., born in Butte,
in 1899, was graduated from Wellesley College in 1920;
Dupont M., Jr., was born in Detroit in 1905 and is
now atending the Northern high sehool. Mr. Newbro
is a Knights Templar Mason and is a member of
Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise
belongs to the Detroit Athletic, Detroit Golf and the
Detroit Auto Clubs, and his interest in community
affairs is shown in his connection with the Board of
Commerce. Mr. Newbro is recognized as a man of
keen business enterprise and of splendid powers of
organization and his success is the direct outcome of

his labors and intelligently directed energy. He is
quick to cooperate in all movements for the public
good and has given tangible support to many efforts
for Detroit's benefit and upbuilding. His residence
is at No. 100 Pallister avenue, and his summer home,
"Glenlodge, " is on the shores of Lake Angelus, Oak
land county, Miehigan.
HOWARD JAMES CUNNINGHAM, of the Fulton-
Green-Cunningham Company, conducting an advertis
ing business in Detroit, is a native of Washington,
Iowa, born April 3, 1891, and a son of C. C. and
Helen L. (Canfield) Cunningham, who are yet resi
dents of Washington. Spending his youthful days
under the parental roof, the son attended the public
and high schools and then continued his education
in the Lake Forest Preparatory school at Lake Forest,
Illinois. He afterward entered the University of
Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class
of 1911, and thus was well qualified by liberal educa
tion for life 's practical and responsible duties. For
two years thereafter he was engaged in the advertis
ing business in Chicago in connection with the Will
iam D. McJunkin Company. He was afterward asso
ciated with the old Record-Herald for a year in the
advertising department as manager of the advertising
bureau. On coming to Detroit Mr. Cunningham en
tered into his present business relations, becoming a
partner of the Fulton-Green-Cunningham Company in
1916. He was first made the secretary of the company
and is now the treasurer. This company conducts an
extensive advertising business through the middle west
and the number of its clients is constantly increasing.
On the 3d of April, 1916, Mr. Cunningham was
united in marriage to Miss Inez Travers of Chicago,
and they are well known socially, enjoying the hos
pitality of many of the attractive homes of Detroit.
Mr. Cunningham belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club
and to the Alpha Delta Phi, a college fraternity. His
political endorsement is given to the republican party
and he is a stalwart advocate of its principles, yet
he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to con
centrate his energies and his efforts upon his busi
ness affairs, which are of constantly growing scope
and importance.
GEORGE E. SCHAEFER, a progressive young busi
ness man of Detroit, manager in this city for the
Schaefer Rubber Company, was born in Cincinnati,
Ohio, March 7, 1877-, and was educated in the schools
of his native city. He afterward entered the general
offices of the Standard Oil Company in Cincinnati, and
there remained for eight years. Later he turned his
attention to the rubber business in connection with
the Schaefer Rubber Company, which his father
founded in 1888. In 1910 they opened a store in De
troit at 15 East Grand River avenue, of which George
E. Schaefer has since been manager. They deal in
rubber goods exclusively, handling the wholesale and

HOWARD J. CUNNINGHAM

CITY OF DETROIT

463

retail trade and the business has become one of exten
sive and gratifying proportions.
Mr. Schaefer was married in 1899 to Miss Ida M.
Yost, and they have one son, Robert E. Schaefer. Mr.
Schaefer is a member of Palestine Lodge, No. 357,
A. F. & A. M.; King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M.; and
Detroit Commandery, K. T. He is also connected
with the Exchange Club, with the Automobile Club,
the Masonic Country Club and the Board of Commerce,
and through his connection with the last named mani
fests keen interest in civic problems and all those
projects which have to do with the upbuilding and
progress of the city. His political allegiance is given
to the republican party, and while he has never sought
nor desired office he keeps well informed on the ques
tions and issues of the day and lends his aid to any
measure for the public good. He is regarded as one
of the progressive young business men of Detroit,
who already has established a trade of extensive pro
portions here, and by reason of what he has thus far
accomplished one feels that his future career will be
well worth watching.
JULIUS J. HUEBNER is president and manager
of the Huebner Manufacturing Company, handling
lumber and building material, and manufacturing sash,
doors, mill work, etc He was born in Detroit, No
vember 10, 1868, a son of Edward and Caroline Hueb
ner. The father was long a prominent figure in busi
ness circles of this city in connection with the lumber
trade and here passed away in 1902 at the advanced
age of eighty-four years. His wife died in Detroit
the previous year.
Julius J. Huebner attended the Everitt school of
Detroit and later Smith College. of this city. He then
became identified with the lumber business which was
established by his father, and which now is conducted
under the name of the Huebner Manufacturing Com
pany, of which Julius J. Huebner is the president and
manager. Not only does the company enjoy an ex
tensive sale of lumber, but also does a large business
in the manufacture of sash and doors and in handling
all kinds of building material. The company is owner
of the property at Mt. Elliott and Milwaukee avenue
and was the pioneer manufacturer to carry on business
in this territory, which is now teeming with large man
ufacturing interests, automobile plants and other busi
ness concerns. The business which was established by
the father has been consistently promoted and de
veloped by the son, who has operated along modern
lines and whose carefully directed interests, constantly
growing and developing, have brought to him sub
stantial success. He is familiar with every phase of
the lumber trade and with manufacturing in wood
working material and has ever displayed keen dis
cernment in directing his affairs. He has the ability
to coordinate seemingly diverse interests into a unified
a&d harmonious whole, and whatever he undertakes
ho carries forward to successful completion. He is

a member of the Detroit Lumber Dealers Association
and is prominently known to the trade and enjoys
respect and confidence by reason of the fact that his
path has never been strewn with the wrecks of other
men's failures, for at all times he has followed con
structive business methods.
In 1893 Mr. Huebner was married to Miss Amelia
Mullenhagen of Detroit, a daughter of Charles Mullen-
hagen, and they have become parents of four children:
Charlotte, who was bom in Detroit, and after graduat
ing from the city high school, became a student in
the University of Michigan, completing her course
there in 1919; Margaret, who was graduated from the
Central high school and from the Liggett school at
Detroit and also attended Madam Raffel's French
school at New York city, while now she is a student
in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Mich
igan; Julius F., who was graduated from the Central
high sehool and is now a junior in the University of
Michigan; and Mildred, who is attending the Liggett
school for girls in Detroit. Mr. Huebner and his
family are occupying an enviable social position here,
having many friends in this city. Fraternally he is
connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel
lows, but has never been active in lodge connections,
in club life or in polities, preferring at all times to
concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business
affairs, which wisely directed have made him one of
the prosperous residents of this city and state.
ARMIN A. DARMSTAETTER, treasurer of the
Mundus Products Company, Limited, of Detroit, has
been a lifelong resident of this city. He was born
here and is a son of Herman and Minnie (Wolff)
Darmstaetter. He pursued his early education in the
public schools and afterward attended Amherst Col
lege. In 1911 he became connected with the Chicago
Brewery of Detroit, which was established in 1883
by Herman, Gustave and Otto Darmstaetter. The
business was carried on by them in this way until
1903, when it was incorporated as the West Side
Brewery, and in 1919 it became the Mundus Products
Company, Limited, of which Armin A. Darmstaetter
is now the treasurer. His business training was re
ceived under his father's direction
In 1914 Mr. Darmstaetter was married to Miss
Priseilla Scotten and they have become the parents
of two children: Armin A., Jr.; and Priseilla. Mr.
Darmstaetter enlisted as a private in December, 1917,
and was sent to Paterson, New Jersey, where he
was made a sergeant in the ordnance department.
Subsequently he was sent to Washington, D. C,
where he was connected with the Quartermaster's
Department, P. S. & T., and in 1918 was commissioned
first lieutenant, thus serving until he received his
honorable discharge in December of that year.
Mr. Darmstaetter is a representative of one of
Detroit's oldest and best known families, his grand
father, Jacob Darmstaetter, having come to this city

464

CITY OF DETROIT

in 1853. Since that time the family has been well
known here. Armin A. Darmstaetter is a member of
the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Boat Club, the
Oakland Hills Country Club, the Automobile Club, the
Automobile Country Club and also the Delta Kappa
Epsilon, a college fraternity. He is likewise con
nected with the society known as American Officers
of the Great War. He is an alert, enterprising and
wide-awake young business man, well known through
both commercial and social relations, and his friends
in Detroit are many.
JOHN H. BUSBY. Detroit has many progressive
young captains of industry who have been active in
winning Detroit her place in the industrial world,
whereby she has become the fourth city in the United
States. Energetic and prominent in the business cir
cles is John H. Busby, now president of the John H.
Busby Company, electrical contractors. In this con
nection he has been active in installing the electric
lighting in many of the most prominent public and
private buildings of the city. He was born at Niagara
Falls, New York, October 31, 1880, and is a son of
William and Lillian (Bailey) Busby, the latter a
native of Penn Yan, New York, while the former was
born in England and came to America in his boyhood
days. Here he took up locomotive engineering as an
employe of the Grand Trunk Railway and was re
garded as one of the most efficient engineers on the
road, continuing in the employ of the company for
thirty-five years, after which he retired from busi
ness and removed to Hamilton, Ontario, where he re
sided until his death in 1917. He was then seventy
years of age. For a long period he had survived his
wife, who died in 1894, at' the age of thirty-five years.
In their family were seven children: Fred, of Detroit;
Rolla, of Canada; Edward, living in Walkerville, On
tario, who was with the Canadian forces in France
throughout the World war; Lottie, who is married;
William, living in Canada; Frank, deceased; and
John H.
The last named attended the publie schools of Ham
ilton and Toronto, Canada, and continued his educa
tion in the Detroit high school, after which he attended
the Detroit College of Medicine for a year but gave
up the idea of becoming a physician and entered the
Detroit Business University. Later he took a course
in electrical engineering through the International
Correspondence schools and after completing his stud
ies became associated with the Michigan Alkali Com
pany. A year later he entered the employ of the
Michigan Electric Company as a helper, working for
a dollar per day. In the meantime he studied every
book he could get on electrical engineering, many
times reading until the hours of night had almost
waned. He improved his knowledge to such an extent
through his comprehensive study and practical experi
ence that he rose from the position of helper to jour
neyman with the Michigan Electric Company and then

secured a position with the H. Scherer Company. The
first important task he did was to wire the entire new
building of the Scherer Company and then took up a
similar task for the MeCleary & Colquitt Company and
others. He afterward became business agent for the
Electrical Workers Union, so continuing for a year
and also represented the International Brotherhood
Electrical Union. He held every office from agent
to financial secretary and president, serving for one
year in each capacity. He next beeame estimator for
the firm of John D. Templeton & Company, with
whom he remained for six years and then organized
the John H. Busby Company, his associate in the
undertaking being Thomas M. Templeton, Jr. They
started business in 1913 at 73 Shelby street with
borrowed capital and have developed their interests
until their business is one of the most successful of
the kind in the state of Miehigan. They have done
the electrical work in most of the big public buildings
and the large industrial and manufacturing plants and
hundreds of smaller institutions, besides homes, hos
pitals, churches, theatres and amusement places. They
are prominent among the electrical contractors of
Detroit, their work being seen in the Tuberculosis
hospital, the Detroit refrigerator building, the plant
of the National Candy Company, the tractor plant of
the General Motors Company at Pontiac, the Oakland
motor plant at Pontiac, the Book building, Real Es
tate Exchange, Stroh building, J. L. Hudson building,
Peoples State Bank, Telegraph building, Wagner
Bakery, Garden Court apartments, and many others,
including a number of the finest homes in Detroit
and the Grosse Pointe district, also the state capitol
at Lansing and all the electrical work for Camp
Custer and the aviation field. Their annual business
now amounts to about one-half million dollars. From
the beginning Mr. Busby has been president of the
company and its executive head. His personal expe
rience and practical knowledge of the business has
thoroughly enabled him to direct the labors of those
in his employ and the company today has upon its pay
roll from one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred
and fifty people. They have a modern office building
and a large storage plant. The office building and
warehouse at 826 Cherry street were erected ex
pressly for this company in 1917 and in fact they
are the owners of tne building. Their warehouse,
which is very large, contains many thousands of dol
lars worth of electrical material and they are ready
at all times to meet the demands of the trade.
On the 24th of May, 1904, Mr. Busby was married
to Miss Sarah Ann Moore, daughter of George Moore,
vice president of the John H. Busby Company. They
have four children: Evelyn, born in Detroit, March
21, 1905, now a student in the Northwestern high
school;. Ruth, born May 8, 1909, also attending North
western high school; George, born April 26, 1913; and
Jane, born April 28, 1918. The family occupies a fine
home in the city at 7634 Dexter boulevard, and also

JOHN H. BUSBY

Vol. 17—30

CITY OF DETROIT

467

has a most attractive summer residence at Pine Lake,
Miehigan. Mr. Busby and his wife are members of
the Congregational church. Fraternally he is a Mason,
belonging to the Knights Templar, Damascus Com
mandery, No. 42, and to Moslem Temple of the Mystie
Shrine. He has membership in the Fellowcraft Ath
letic Club, the Detroit Auto Club, the Canopus Club,
of which he was a charter member, and in the Detroit
Board of Commerce. He is also identified with va
rious trade organizations. He belongs to the Michigan
Builders & Traders Exchange, of which he was for
merly a director, is a member of the Miehigan Con
tractors Association, the American Institute of Elec
trical Engineers and the Electrical Contractors and
Dealers Association. In his business connections he is
president of the Freer Sand, Gravel & Brick Com
pany, of which he was one of the organizers. His
progress has been continuous since he started out in
business and his advancement has resulted from his
close study, his thoroughness and his fidelity to the
interests of those from whom he receives business
patronage. The simultaneous achievement of success
and an honored name constitutes his life record and
he is today one of the prominent young business men
of Detroit.
ROBERT L. CHOPE. To plan, promote and project
a large business enterprise requires a man with marked
powers of organization and executive control, and to
this class belongs Robert L. Chope, whose position
as president of the Chope-Stevens Paper Company
places him with the most prominent business men of
Detroit. There is no greater stimulus to' individual
activity and enterprise than that which is found
in the life history of such men as Mr. Chope, who
has worked his way upward from a humble position
in the business world. He is widely and favorably
known in Detroit, for he has here passed his life,
his birth having occurred in this city on the 28th
¦of June, 1860, the youngest son of Edward and Eliza
beth (Anscomb) Chope, in whose family were eight
children, namely: Edward B., Mary, Charles H., Clara
B., George W., Frank F., Ella and Robert L.
In the district school of Greenfield and the Cass
high school of his native city Mr. Chope acquired
his education and his first business experience was
obtained as messenger boy with the American Na
tional Bank and its successor, the American Exchange
National Bank, with which he remained for a period
of seven years, gaining much valuable information
regarding financial operations, being assigned to the
collection desk and also performing other tasks. Sub
sequently he entered commercial circles on his own
account, engaging in the real estate business, in which
he was active for six months. Mr. Chope is possessed
of considerable mechanical ingenuity and has in
vented a paper coin wrapper. He devoted several
years to the manufacture of this article, but sub
sequently disposed of his interest in the business.

He has since given his attention to the paper manu
facturing business and in 1894 beeame associated with
Mr. Paige, formerly identified with the firm of Paige
& Strachn. Subsequently Mr. Paige sold his interest
in the business to Arthur E. Stevens and the Chope-
Stevens Paper Company was then organized, with
Mr. Chope as the president, Mr. Stevens as the vice
president and treasurer and Mr. Miller as secretary,
the officers of the company all being recognized as
substantial and reliable business men. Mr. Chope has
had charge of all departments of the business; which is
largely the expression of his initiative spirit and pro
gressive policy. He has constantly sought to increase
the efficiency of the plant, to improve in every way pos
sible the quality of the product and to extend the
trade of the company to new territory. His efforts
have been productive of excellent results, for the
business has now assumed extensive proportions, the
Chope-Stevens Paper Company conducting the largest
enterprise of this character in the state of Michigan,
while the business methods employed by the house
have ever been such as would bear the closest in
vestigation and scrutiny. Mr. Chope is gradually turn
ing over the management of the undertaking to Mr.
Stevens, hoping to be entirely relieved of his ex
ecutive responsibilities in the near future.
On the 5th of December, 1883, Mr. Chope was united
in marriage to Miss Lizzie A. Reilly and they have
become the parents of three children: Clara C; How
ard B.; and Elsie F., who is now the wife of F. E.
Good. Howard B. Chope is a salesman with the
Chope-Stevens Paper Company.
Mr. Chope is a republican in his political views
and his interest in the welfare of his city is indicated
by his membership in the Board of Commerce, whose
plans and projects for the development and upbuild
ing of Detroit meet with his hearty cooperation. He
is also identified with the Detroit Athletic and De
troit Curling Clubs and with several other societies.
For sixty-one years he has resided in this city, wit
nessing its- remarkable growth, and in the work of
progress and advancement he has borne his full share.
His is a most creditable record. Starting out in life
with no capital except the determination to succeed
he has attained the preeminence which follows su
perior business ability and concentrated effort and
stands today as a splendid example of that peculiarly
American product — a self-made man.
CLAYTON A. YATES. The ancestry of Clayton
A. Yates is distinctively American in both the lineal
and collateral lines. He comes of one of the oldest
and best known families of this country on the pa
ternal side and his mother is a descendant of one of
the pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower. His
great-grandfather Yates was governor of the state
of New York, and descendants of the family still live
in Schenectady and Monroe counties, that state. The
father of Clayton A. Yates was born in the Empire

468

CITY OF DETROIT

state, and removing westward, settled in Michigan.
He was superintendent of the old Detroit & Saline
Plank Road for many years, and his wife's father was
one of the original members of the old volunteer fire
department in the eity of Detroit.
Clayton A. Yates was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan,
and while spending his youthful days under the par
ental roof pursued his public school education, which
was supplemented by study in the State Normal
school at Ypsilanti and in Goldsmith's Business Col
lege of Detroit. After starting out to provide for
his own support, he entered the employ of Daniel
Scotten & Company, tobacco manufacturers, with
whom he remained for fifteen years. He was later
with Nelson, Baker & Company, manufacturing chem
ists, for twelve years as credit manager, arid in August,
1911, became treasurer of the Detroit Leather Specialty
Company, conducting business under that name until
1918, when the style was changed to the Horace G.
Preston Company, Mr. Yates remaining in the position
of treasurer. This company manufactured leather
packings for mechanical purposes, for air hoists, pumps,
or wherever there ' is any compression of water, oil,
air, etc. The business is now one of substantial pro
portions, a liberal patronage being accorded them.
Mr. Yates was married to Miss Anna J. McLogan
of Detroit. He has followed in his father's footsteps
by giving his political support to the republican party,
and by becoming a member of the Methodist church.
To both he is loyal, and he takes a lively interest
in the city's upbuilding and prosperity. Whatever
tends to advance the welfare of Detroit receives his
endorsement and support and he is highly esteemed
as a man of genuine personal worth, as well as of
excellent business ability.
FREDERICK C. MATHEWS. There is perhaps no
record in this volume that indicates more clearly the
fact that success and an honored name may be won
simultaneously than does the history of Frederick C.
Mathews, the president of the Frederick C. Mathews
Company, who throughout his career has based his
business activities upon humanitarian principles and
whose success is the result of a legitimate and intel
ligently directed use of time, talents and opportunities.
He has been a resident of Detroit since 1906 and
through this period has been variously and prominently
connected with the business interests of the city. He
was born in Toledo, Ohio, October 6, 1878, and is a
son of Robert W. and Kate (Chapman) Mathews of
St. Paul, Minnesota. His youthful days were passed
in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he attended the public
schools, and while still a youth in his teens he took
up newspaper work, in which he engaged until 1903.
The three years following were largely passed in
connection with advertising business in Chicago and
he traveled throughout the United States as a rep
resentative of that line. In 1906 he came to Detroit
and was again engaged in the advertising business

as a representative of the Curtis Advertising Com
pany. Subsequently he was with the Toledo Comput
ing Scale Company as sales and advertising manager
and eventually organized the firm of Mathews, Kaye,
Mann & Company, printers and advertisers. Each step
in his career has been a forward one, bringing him a
broader outlook and wider chances for advancement.
There are few men who so thoroughly understand the
advertising business in all of its phases and branches
and the thoroughness of his work, his indefatigable
energy and undaunted enterprise have been strong
elements in the attainment of the prominent position
which he occupies among the advertising men of the
country. Mr. Mathews' big work, however, has been the
organization and development of the Frederick C.
Mathews Company, known as the "Servants to the
Dairy Industry," which was organized and incorpo
rated in 1915 with a capital of less than five thou
sand dollars and has grown to a capital of over two
hundred thousand dollars. This institution was started
alone for humanitarian purposes and now is the
largest manufacturer of books, posters, window trims,
booklets, magazines and educational literature ex
clusively for the milk, ice cream, butter and cheese
plants. The work done by the company is national in
scope and authoritative articles by notable writers
upon the subjects connected with the above industries
are published regularly and widely distributed. Food
campaigns are conducted to educate the people on
proper nutrition. This is the largest company in the
United States serving the industries mentioned and
the one that serves the dairy industry by furnishing
advertising material at prices lower than competition.
Prices have not been raised in three and a half
years. This has been made possible by large pro
duction. The workers in the plant are non-union, and
probably are better paid than in ninety-five per cent
of other similar industries. They are all given a
week's vacation each year with full pay, paid when
sick, no matter how long, and many other advantages.
There are no dues for this. The Mathews Company
operates its own union on the big family idea.
On the 18th of June, 1901, Mr. Mathews was mar
ried to Miss Louise T. Jerrems of St. Paul, Minnesota,
and they have one daughter: Louise J., eighteen years
of age, who is attending the Miss Liggett School
for Girls in Detroit. The religious faith of the fam
ily is that of the Episcopal chureh and Mr. Mathews
is now a vestryman of Grace church. He gives his
political endorsement to the republican party and he
is a valued member of the Ingleside, Adcraft and De
troit Automobile Clubs and Detroit Board of Commerce.
When leisure permits he turns to hunting and fishing
as a means of enjoyment and relaxation, but the major
part of his time and attention is given to the devel
opment of the business of the Frederick C. Mathews
Company. His experience in connection with the ad
vertising business brought to him a most eompre-

FREDERICK C. MATHEWS

CITY OF DETROIT

471

hensive knowledge of business conditions and of the
methods of business men. From this knowledge he
has gleaned many valuable lessons and has developed
therefrom the highest standards, early realizing that
if energy and industry are directed into right channels
the results are certain. Business is to him but one
phase of life nor has it ever overshadowed his recog
nition of his obligations and duties to his fellowmen.
CHARLES L. MANN, a prominent member of the
Detroit bar and a representative of one of the pioneer
families of the state, was born at Onsted, Michigan,
March 28, 1885, a son of Ira P. and Alice (Bowlby)
Mann. The family is of Manx extraction, the original
American ancestor settling in the state of New Hamp
shire1. The grandfather, Daniel Mann, came to Mich
igan in pioneer times, hewing a farm out of the
wilderness, and the homestead is now operated by his
son, Ira P. The mother is deceased.
In the district and high schools of his native state
Charles L. Mann pursued his early education and sub
sequently entered the law department of the Univer
sity of Miehigan, from which he was graduated with
the class of 1908. In the sarrie year he was admitted
to the bar, after which he became interested in edu
cational work, going to the Philippine Islands as
supervisor of schools, having under his charge the
schools of five towns, thirty-seven in number, the
pupils and teachers all being natives of the islands.
He was very successful as an educator and remained
in the Philippines for a period of four years, or until
1913, when he returned to Michigan and at once took
up the practice of his profession at Detroit, spending
four years with various law firms of the city. In 1917
he opened an office of his own and has since engaged in
practice independently, building up a good clientele.
He is a man of logical mind, studious, well versed in
the law and therefore well qualified to take charge of
important litigation. He is most careful in analysis,
clear in his reasoning and logical in his deductions
ahd has won many verdicts favorable to his clients.
He engages in general practice and is recognized as
an able and successful attorney.
Mr. Mann is a member of the Detroit, Michigan and
American Bar Associations and also belongs to the
Lawyers Club and the University of Michigan Club.
He holds to high standards in professional service,
-*has great respect for the dignity of his calling and
zealously devotes his energies to his profession, in
which he is making continuous advancement. He is
a public-spirited citizen, interested in all that pertains
to the welfare and advancement of his city, and his
personal qualities are such that he has gained the
warm friendship of many.
ALBERT MoCLATCHEY, a member of an old and
prominent family of the state, has attained distinc
tion at the bar of Detroit, where since 1895 he has
successfully followed his profession. A native of

Michigan, he was born in Royal Oak, his parents being
Robert and Nancy (Noyes) McClatehey, the latter
of whom was born on the present site of the D. M.
Ferry seed store. The paternal grandfather was a
native of Scotland and when a young man emigrated
to the United States. His son, Robert McClatehey,
was for many years a prominent hotel man of Detroit,
being connected with the Biddle House, one of the
old and well known hostelries of the eity, and sub
sequently with the Russell House, which stood on
the site of the First & Old Detroit National Bank,
and also the Michigan Exchange. The Noyes family
came to this city from New England and they were
also prominent in the business life of Detroit for
many years.
In the schools of Royal Oak, Harrisville and Bay
City, Miehigan, Albert McClatehey acquired his pre
liminary education and in Bay City he pursued his
law studies, being admitted to the bar in 1895, and
he has continued in active practice. He has been
connected with a number of important law cases and
the list of his clients is an extensive one, his ability
and integrity being indicated in the fact that the
majority of his clients have for many years retained
him as their attorney. He is regarded as an able
attorney whose knowledge of the law is comprehensive
and exact.
In 1902 Mr. McClatehey was united in marriage to
Miss Evelyn La Valley and they have become the
parents of two children: Chester Albert and Helen
Marie. He holds to the highest standards of profes
sional ethics and has ever remained a close and dis
criminating student of those elementary principles
that constitute the basis of all legal science. His time
and attention are chiefly given to his law practice,
in which he has made continuous advancement, being
now numbered with the leading representatives of the
Detroit bar. He manifests in his life the sterling
traits of the Scotch people — persistency of purpose,
thrift and business integrity — and he enjoys the
respect and esteem of a large circle of friends.
GEORGE BREWSTER LOUD. The name of Loud
has long been a prominent one in connection with the
lumber industry in Michigan and George Brewster
Loud is operating extensively along this line as a
member of the Brewster Loud Lumber Company. He
is characterized by his ability to think in large terms
and is preeminently a business man whose record has
been written in terms of success. He is a native of
Michigan, his birth having occurred at Au Sable,
June 28, 1882, and his parents were Henry N. and
Agnes E. (Hathaway) Loud. In the acquirement
of an education he attended the graded and high
schools of Au SaMe and. the high sehool at Ann Arbor,
later becoming a student in the University of Michi
gan. On starting out in life independently he became
a clerk in the employ of the H. M. Loud Sons Lumber
Company of Au Sable, of which his father was the

472

CITY OF DETROIT

head. He devoted every energy to mastering the
business and through close application and faithful,
efficient work won rapid advancement, rising to the
.position of general superintendent of the company,
with which he was identified from 1902 until 1911. In
August of that year he went to Rogers City, Mieh
igan, to look after the Loud interests in that section
of the state. In December, 1912, he engaged in the
lumber manufacturing business on his own account,
and has since conducted his interests successfully.
He is the owner of logging camps in Roscommon,
Crawford and Montmorency counties and also operates
a lumber mill at West Branch, Michigan, running
about thirty thousand feet a day. He is sole owner
of the Brewster Loud Lumber Company, vice president
of the Talbot Lumber & Coal Company, as well as
being interested in other lumber yards in different
sections of the state, and from December, 1916, until
the spring of 1919 he was secretary and treasurer of
the Fort Shelby Hotel Company. His business
interests are extensive and important and in their
control he displays initiative, enterprise and execu
tive ability of a high order.
On the 25th of April, 1906, Mr. Loud was united in
marriage to Miss Estelle Montgomery of Chicago,
Illinois, and they have become the parents of four
children: George Brewster, Jr., born April 30, 1907,
in Au Sable, Michigan; Stewart Nelson, born Septem
ber 8, 1912, in Chicago; Nelson Montgomery, bora
April 29, 1914, in Chicago; and Hugh Hathaway, born
September 15, 1920, in Detroit. Mr. Loud is . a pop
ular member of the Detroit Boat, Detroit Athletic,
Lochmoor Country and University Clubs and is treas
urer of the Michigan Chapter of the Phi Kappa Psi
fraternity. Fraternally he is identified with the
Masons, affiliating with the consistory at Bay City,
Michigan, in which he has attained the thirty-second
degree, and he also has membership with Moslem
Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Detroit. He is
thoroughly familiar with every phase of the lumber
industry in Miehigan, upon which he is able to speak
with authority, and his present notable measure of
success is due to his persistent effort, close applica
tion and the fact that he has never dissipated his
energies over a broad field but has continued in the
line of activity which he first adopted as a young
man. He is a man of high personal standing and of
marked business integrity and ability, and the sterling
worth of his character is recognized by all with whom
he has been associated. He resides at 2184 Iroquois.
GEORGE W. SANDERS has the creditable record
of having for forty-fiye years been a representative
of the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company, of
which he is now actuary. He was born in Jefferson
county, Indiana, December 7, 1845, and is a son of
John T. and Anne (White) Sanders. His father was
born in Philadelphia, while his mother was a native of
the city of Baltimore. The Sanders family has been

represented on the American continent through many
generations. His gradfather, James White, was a
soldier at Fort McHenry when "The Star-Spangled
Banner" was written during the War of 1812.
George W. Sanders was reared in his native state
and was graduated from the University of Indiana
as a member of the class of 1869 with the degree of
Bachelor of Arts, , He subsequently received his Master
of Arts degree in recognition of his contribution to
the world's work. He took up the profession of civil
engineering in the south and west and was thus
engaged until 1873, when the memorable panic of that
year brought the business of the country to a stand
still, depression being felt in every line and in every
section of the country. In 1875 Mr. Sanders became
connected with the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance
Company in a clerical capacity and has since repre
sented this corporation. After a time he was advanced
to the position of assistant actuary and in 1891 was
made actuary for- the company, which position he
has since filled, and is- regarded as one of the most
efficient and trustworthy representatives of the busi
ness. He is a charter member of the Actuarial Society
of America* and a fellow of the American Institute of
Actuaries. He likewise belongs to the Phi Kappa Psi,
a university fraternity.
Mr. Sanders was united in marriage to Miss Annie
M. Cronk and they have become parents of two chil
dren: Olive S., who married J. Howard Millan, who
died in 1917; and George T., chemical engmeer for the
Ford Company of Canada. Mr. Sanders has passed
the seventy:fifth milestone on life's journey but is
still leading a busy and active life and is a won
derfully well preserved man. Old age does not neces
sarily suggest idleness or want of occupation. On the
contrary there is an old age which gives out of its
rich stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit
of others and grows stronger mentally and morally as
the years pass. Such is the record of George W.
Sanders. JOSIAH CLARK FLEMING, president of the Be-
troit Hoist & Machine Company, was born in the
city which is still his home, and through the utiliza
tion of the opportunities here offered he has reached
the commanding position in business circles. The
public schools of Detroit afforded him the educational
opportunities which he utilized as a preparation for
life 's responsible duties, and when his textbooks were
put aside he accepted a position with the Griffin
Wheel Company, with which he remained for two
years. He then obtained a position with the Detroit
Steel & Spring Company, where he was employed for
three years, and on the expiration of that period he
removed to Chicago, where he devoted his attention
to the real estate and building business for eighteen
years, conducting an extensive, growing and profitable
business throughout that period.
During his residence in Chicago, Mr. Fleming was

GEORGE W. SANDERS

CITY OF DETROIT

475

drawn into political activity but unobtrusively, and
became well acquainted with the recognized leaders
of political life in Chicago. His qualifications for
handling public affairs were recognized and appreciated
to such an extent that he was urged to allow his
name to be presented for nomination for congress on
the republican ticket, but the honors and emoluments
of office have never had attraction for him.
It was in 1905 that Mr. Fleming returned to De
troit to look after some investments which he had
made here and the result of his visit was that he
accepted the management of the Detroit Hoist &
Machine Company. He was elected president of
the corporation and has presided over the destinies of
the company since that date, with the result that the
business has steadily grown and he has won for him
self the well deserved reputation of being one of the
most alert and progressive business men of the city.
He has been characterized as a live wire, carrying
with him that electrical force that produces most
tangible results in shaping business interests and
winning prosperity.
In 1887 Mr. Fleming was united in marriage to
Miss Mary E. Martin of Detroit, who passed away
in August, 1919, leaving two sons: Russell W. and
Frank B. Mr. Fleming is a Mason, having member
ship in Ashlar Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Oriental Chap
ter, R. A. M.; and also Englewood Commandery of
Chicago; and in Moslem Temple A. A. O. N. M. S.
He is likewise identified with the Board of Commerce
and strongly endorses the progressive projects for
that organization for the benefit of the city, the ex
tension of its trade and the promotion of its high
civic standards. He enjoys membership in the Detroit
Golf Club and the Detroit Athletic Club. He takes a
great interest in all public affairs, is broad-minded,
and clear-sighted and his mental horizon is wide.
CHARLES F. SPADEMAN, M. D. The life record
of Dr. Charles F. Spademan covered but a half century
arid yet in that period he accomplished great good
for his fellowmen and left an example well worthy
of emulation. A member of the medical profession,
his activities had their root in high professional ideals
and broad humanitarianism. He sought to do the
greatest possible good to his fellow travelers on life's
journey and he brought sunshine, cheer and hope into
many a sick room as he went about ministering to
those who needed his services.
Dr. Spademan was born in East China, St. Clair
county, Michigan, March 1, 1864, and was one of a
family of six children, whose parents were Charles
Frederick and Catherine (Schreiner) Spademan, both
of whom were natives of Germany, although the family
was established in Michigan about six decades ago.
The father crossed the Atlantic in 1853, when a young
man of thirty years and first established his home
in Montreal, Canada, whence he removed to Miehi
gan. For a time he resided in Marine City, St. Clair

county, and afterward purchased a tract of land in
East China township, on the banks of the beautiful
St. Clair river. He developed and improved the prop
erty, converting it into one of the excellent farms of
that section. There he continued to make his home
until called to his final rest in 1906, when he had
reached the notable age of eighty-one years. He had
contributed in marked measure to the development
and progress of St. Clair county and at all times had
stood for the upbuilding of that section of the state.
He belonged to the Masonic fraternity of East China
and in politics was a stalwart republican, while both
he and his wife were consistent members of the Epis
copal church. During the Civil war he was a stalwart
advocate of the Union cause and during the latter part
of the period of hostilities between the north and
the south he was a member of a Michigan regiment,
being at the front when his wife passed away in
1865. Upon the home farm Dr. Spademan was reared. He
was only about a year old at the time of his mother's
death and his opportunities were somewhat curtailed
through lack of maternal care and guidance. He
attended the public schools, supplementing his dis
trict school training by study in the union schools at
Marine City. At length he determined upon the prac
tice of medicine as a life work and in 1889 matricu
lated in the Detroit College of Medicine, from which
he was graduated in 1892 with the M. D. degree. Dur
ing his senior year he served as house physician in St.
Luke's hospital and in the following year held a sim
ilar position in St. Mary's hospital, thus gaining val
uable knowledge in his hospital experience.
Dr. Spademan entered upon the practice of his pro
fession independently in Detroit in 1893 and here re
mained to the time of his demise. He built up a large
practice as the years passed and he demonstrated his
ability to cope successfully with the intricate prob
lems that continually confront the physician. He
held membership in the Wayne County Medical Society,
the Michigan State Medical and the American Medieal
Associations and also the Society of Resident Physi
cians of St. Mary's hospital and he found constant
delight in the discovery of any truth that threw light
upon that complex mystery which we call life.
On the 18th of December, 1895, in Detroit, Dr.
Spademan was married to Miss Alice A. Fancher, a
daughter of Loren and Rachel (McGraw) Fancher.
To them were born three children: Loren C, who was
born December 15, 1899, and is now a medical student
in the Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery;
Margaret F., who was born May 21, 1902; and Charles
Frederick, III, who was born January 15, 1904, and
is now in high school.
Dr. Spademan gave his political support to the
republican party and his religious faith was that of
the Baptist church, the family still being members of
the Woodward Avenue Baptist church. He belonged
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his life

476

CITY OF DETROIT

was ever characterized by high and honorable prin
ciples. Death called him January 4, 1914, and his
remains were laid to rest in the Woodlawn cemetery.
There are many who cherish his memory, but it is
in his own household where his loss is most deeply
felt, for he was a devoted husband and father, finding
his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare of
those at his own fireside.
HARRY FREDERIC MENARD, secretary and treas
urer of the Clemons, Knight, Menard Company, real
estate dealers, was born in Detroit, May 6, 1882, a
son of L. O. and Catherine (Conroy) Menard. The
father, who for many years was engaged in the shoe
business, is now deceased. The son entered the publie
schools at the usual age, mastering the work of the
various grades until he became a high school pupil.
When his textbooks were put aside he became secretary
to the trustees of the David Ward estate and occupied
that position for ten years. Later he was with the
firm of Berry Brothers, varnish manufacturers, for a
a time, and he later turned his attention to real estate
interests in connection with the Stormfeltz-Loveley
Company, with which he was associated for two years.
Ambitious to engage in business on his own account,
he then availed himself of an opportunity in that
direction. The firm of which he is now a member was
organized as Clemons, Knight, Menard & Paul in
1915 and was incorporated the same year. In 1918
the present firm style was adopted. They enjoy an
extensive clientage and conduct a high-class real estate
business, specializing in development work in the
northwest section of the city. Their efforts are
proving of the utmost benefit in the upbuilding of that
section, where as the result of their labors unsightly
vacancies have been transformed into fine residential
districts. On the 2d of September, 1908, Mr. Menard was
united in marriage to Miss Leone Kessell of Pontiac,
Michigan, and they have two children: Mary Ellen
and Jane. Mr. Menard is a member of the Detroit
Real Estate Board, of which he has been elected presi
dent for the year 1922. He also belongs to the Detroit
Athletic Club and the Detroit Board of Commerce and
is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fra
ternity and equally loyal as a follower of the Congre
gational faith. In politics he maintains an independent
course, voting for men and measures rather than for
party. His sterling worth is recognized by all and
the regard in which he is held as a progressive and
enterprising business man is equaled by the esteem
which is felt for him by those whom he meets socially.
HARRY A. SCHILLER, a Detroit merchant, who
as the head of the Schiller Butter & Egg Company
since 1915 is one of the executives in the most im
portant business of the kind in the city, was born
in the province of Courland, Russia, that province
having been settled by the Teutonic Knights and is of

Jewish descent. He came to America in 1893, when a
lad of sixteen years. He was then a penniless boy, but
he possessed courage, determination and energy and
steadily he has worked his way upward, advancing
step by step until today he is identified with the
largest wholesale butter and egg establishment in
Detroit. On reaching the United States he made his
way direct to Bay City, Michigan, and took a position
as clerk in the general store of A. Reed at Judds
Corners, Michigan. Such was the ability which he
displayed that within a short time Mr. Reed admitted
him to a partnership in a small store at Parshallburg,
Michigan, under the name of Reed & Schiller. This
connection was continued for two years, but the
business was too small for his ambition, so he sold
his interest and joined his brother in the conduct of
a general merchandise store at Reese, Michigan, which
was carried on under the style of Schiller Brothers.
This firm continued in existence until 1905, when
Harry A. Schiller came to Detroit and organized the
firm of Schiller & Koofman, wholesale dealers in
butter and eggs. Business was carried on under
that style for ten years, at the end of which time the
partnership was dissolved and Mr. Schiller incorporated
his interests under the name of the Sehiller Butter &
Egg Company in 1915. In September, 1919, this com
pany absorbed the Fred Pressel & Sons Company and
became the largest house of the kind in Detroit. Mr.
Schiller is secretary-treasurer of the corporation and
is- also the general manager and authoritative head
of the company. He has long been connected with
this line of business and his enterprise and persever
ance are salient features in the success which has
attended the corporation.
In 1916 Mr. Schiller was united in marriage to Miss
Ethel B. Blumrosen and they have one daughter,
Wilma Surly. Mr. Schiller belongs to Zion Lodge,
No. 1, A. F. &. A. M. He belongs also to the Masonic
Country Club, to the Board of Commerce and to the
Jewish Temple. He has always found his recreation
in fishing and when opportunity permits he enjoys a
trip in the open with rod and reel. He never allows
outside interests to interfere with his commercial
affairs, however, and is a remarkably astute business
man whose intelligently directed labors have been
crowned with a very substantial measure of success.
WRAY ROBERT BAILEY, Detroit manager for
the Pillsbury Flour Company, was born in Wayne
county, Michigan, April 23, 1870, and is a son of
Wray R. and Mary E. (Hanley) Bailey, the former
a native of Buffalo, New York, while the latter was
born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The parents came
to Michigan in early life, settling in Wayne county,
where they took up their abode on a farm in 1845.
The father afterwards joined the California gold
seekers in 1849. He prospected in the mountains
and streams of California for some time, remaining on

HARRY F. MENARD

CITY OF DETROIT

479

the coast until 1853, and winning a moderate degree
of success in his efforts. He then returned to Michigan
and again took up his abode in Wayne county, where
he engaged in farming for many years. There he
continued to reside until his death, which occurred
when he had reached the age of eighty-three, his
birth having taken place in 1823. His wife died on the
old homestead in 1908. They were well known rep
resentatives of the agricultural interests of Wayne
county, and were most highly esteemed in that section
of the state. Their family numbered five children
of whom only two are living, the daughter being Mrs.
George Meriman of Denver, Colorado.
Wray Robert Bailey, the youngest child of the
family attended the district school, also the graded
and high schools of Plymouth, Miehigan, and the State
Normal sehool at Ypsilanti. When he had completed
his course there he started out in the business world
and was employed at sundry occupations until he be
came connected with the Pillsbury Flour Mills Com
pany in 1898 as a salesman, with Miehigan as his
territory. He continued to dispose of the products
of the Pillsbury Mills from that time until April 1,
1911, when he was promoted to the position of manager
of the Detroit office and has since acted in this ca
pacity, covering a decade. He is regarded by the
company as one of its most valuable and trustworthy
representatives and at all times has at heart the in
terests of the corporation which he represents, doing
everything in his power to promote the business and
extend the trade relations of the Detroit house.
On the 16th of March, 1897, Mr. Bailey was married
to Miss Flora Beaton of Detroit, a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Angus Beaton, well known and highly re
spected residents of Lueknow, Ontario. Mr. Bailey
and his wife have become parents of one son, Wray
B., who was born in Detroit, July 10, 1906, and is
attending the Northwestern high school. Mr. Bailey
belongs to the Masonic lodge, also to the Detroit
Yacht Club and to the Emanuel Presbyterian chureh.
His life is ever actuated by high and honorable prin
ciples and the sterling worth of his character is rec
ognized by all with whom he has had business or social
relations. His career has been characterized by a
progressive spirit and he manifests the same pro-
gressiveness in all of his relations to the publie wel
fare. Mr. Bailey resides at No. 8519 Dexter boulevard.
WILLIAM LUTZ is well known in Detroit as one
of the leading lumber merchants of the city. He
was born November 18, 1866, at Pleasant Lake, Wash
tenaw county, Michigan, and received his early edu
cation in the district schools, for he lived on the
farm until he was twenty-two years of age. He then
came to Detroit and attended night school, being em
ployed during the day. He also took a course in the
old Goldsmith College, from which he received his
diploma. He had to make his own way in the world
and took up insurance for three months, after which

he became bookkeeper for Larkin & Company, lumber
dealers, and remained with them until they were
bought out by the Kotcher Lumber Company. He re
mained with the Kotcher Lumber Company for twenty
years, after which he went into real estate and was
very successful, so successful in fact, that in 1910 he
purchased three acres of land at the corner of Mount
Elliott avenue and Farnsworth street and started the
lumber business which is today a very important fac
tor in this rapidly expanding city. In 1920 he built
a fine brick office and storehouse across the street
from his lumber-yards. This edifice is one hundred
and twenty by sixty feet and twenty-two feet high.
Mr. Lutz has been in the lumber business for thirty-
two years and has established a high reputation for
square dealing and superior business ability, but be
sides being a very successful business man he is a
humanitarian who desires to see others prosperous.
The welfare of the people of his city and of mankind
at large makes a personal appeal to him. For this
reason he is actively associated with the laudable
enterprise of enlarging the Deaconess hospital and ex
panding the work and benefits of that institution.
He is a member of the Hospital Board which has
purchased the property in the rear of the present
edifice so that they now own the land from East
Jefferson back to Larned street and have ample space
for a large hospital. The institution is an Evangelical
Lutheran hospital and they are educating and training
all their own nurses. When their plans are completed
they will have one hundred and fifty beds. This in
stitution is a boon to Detroit, not only because of
its excellent management as a hospital, but especially
because they have instituted a plan which is scarcely
known in this country except on the Atlantic coast.
This plan is that there are no charity wards; yet the
poorest patient receives the same treatment as the
richest. The doctors and nurses know no distinction
among patients, but if a patient is unable to pay he
is handed a receipted bill when he is able to leave.
Mr. Lutz is unique among prominent business men in
that he has built up and manages his business entirely
alone and has never formed a corporation. This fact
indicates his unusual and comprehensive abilities
which enable him, without effort, to carry on the work
of several executives within himself.
Mr. Lutz married Marie Haase, a native of Detroit,
and they have two daughters: Marie and Annetta.
He is a member of Schiller Lodge, F. & A. M., the
Salesman's Club and the Evangelical church. He is
fond of outdoor life and recreations, especially fishing.
HENRY F. OHLSCHLAGER, secretary-treasurer
of the Schober Printing Company of Detroit, not only
has a unique record but one that is closely interwoven
with the history of two states and constitutes an
important element in the progress of the city of De
troit. Mr. Ohlschlager was born in Dresden, Saxony,
Germany, and acquired his early education in the

480

CITY OF DETROIT

schools of his native place. At the age of seventeen
years he decided to leave that country for America,
and although the authorities refused him permission
he, nevertheless, was resolved to carry out his plans,
and left on his own responsibility, arriving in the new
world in 1882. He first went to Texas and was
engaged on railway construction for a year and a
half. He then enlisted as a private in the United
States army in 1883, and was on military duty in
Texas for ten years, during the last five years of
the period acting as sergeant-major. He also did a
great deal of railroad building in Texas, and in 1893
was appointed to the topographical department of the
United States and spent three years in topographical
and hydrographical work at "the Soo" in Michigan.
When in the army he distinguished himself as a
marksman and has several beautiful medals conferred
by the United States of America for championships,
won in competition in the state of Texas. He was
the champion shot in the Nineteenth Infantry, an
honor won at San Antonio, Texas, in 1888. He re
ceived his sharpshooter medals from the United
States in 1887, 1888 and 1889. For six years he was
a sharpshooter and represented the state of Texas in
United States army rifle competition. During the
Geronimo war he was busy on transport duty support
ing the Third Cavalry, which was called from Fort
Clark, Texas. He helped to build the first telephone
line between Marfa Junction and Fort Davis, and he
also helped to erect the first ice machine in Fort Ring
gold, Texas.
It was in 1896 that Mr. Ohlsehlager joined the
Schober Printing Company as a salesman and was so
employed for four years. In 1901 the company was
incorporated and since that date he has been secretary
and treasurer. Through the intervening period of
twenty years he has been closely associated with the
upbuilding and development of the business which
is now one of the important concerns of the kind in
Detroit, enjoying an extensive patronage and a well
earned reputation for the high character of the work
turned out.
Mr. Ohlsehlager was united in marriage to Miss
Emma Splan. He and his wife are members of Grace
Episcopal chureh, which in association with three
others he was instrumental in organizing in 1917 and
which now has a membership of over six hundred.
Fraternally Mr. Ohlsehlager is a Mason. He has at
tained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite,
belonging to Oriental Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Mich
igan Sovereign Consistory; and also to Moslem Temple
A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise a member of the
Aviation Country Club, and served for seven
years on the executive committee of the United Com
mercial Travelers of America. He is likewise a mem
ber of the Board of Commerce of Detroit, and there
is no plan or project for the benefit and upbuilding
of the city with which he is not closely and help
fully associated. Mr. Ohlsehlager is a remarkably

versatile man, oiie whose experiences have been wide
and varied. He has visited every country in the
world except China and Japan and had seen every
country in Europe before he left the continent. Travel
has been to him a most thorough teacher, bringing
him wide and intimate knowledge of different countries
and their people, and of the problems and the op
portunities of life. He has been associated with many
movements which have benefited Detroit, and since
renouncing his connection with Germany, America has
had no more loyal or devoted citizen.
CHARLES E. BEYMER is one of Detroit's oldest
and best known real estate men and one who has
done much toward the betterment of conditions in the
city during his more than thirty years' connection
with that business, always having been active in sup
port of movements which have had to do with the
welfare and further development of Detroit. His in
terests in the general good is manifest in many tangible
ways and at the same time he is carefully and suc
cessfully directing private business affairs, so that sub
stantial results accrue. Mr. Beymer comes from Penn
sylvania Dutch and New England Yankee stock and
was born in New Salem, Ohio, October 25, 1858, a
son of John Mclntyre and Susan (Worth) Beymer.
The grandfather in the paternal line was George
Washington Beymer, who built the section of the old
National Pike between Wheeling, West Virginia, and
Zanesville, Ohio. This was before the days" of rail
roads and this old highway was the overland route to
• what was then the far west. The superior character
of its construction is best shown by its wonderful
state of preservation. After one hundred years of
usage, it now forms the foundation for one of the
leading improved highways in Ohio. George Wash
ington Beymer conducted a tavern along the old Na
tional Pike after it was completed and it was there
that John Mclntyre Beymer was born. The latter was
for forty years, from 1822 until 1862, a fur buyer for
S. H. Benedict of Cleveland, Ohio. He traveled on
horseback throughout the middle west and many times,
by reason of the nature of his business, he was com
pelled to sojourn in the Indian camps while buying
furs from the Indians. He lived to the ripe old age
of eighty-four years and passed away at Columbus,
Ohio. His wife, Susan Worth, was born in Vermont
and passed away at Columbus, Ohio, at the age of
eighty-six years.
Charles E. Beymer of this review was the fifth in
order of birth in a family of nine children. He at
tended public and private schools of Columbus, Ohio,
and afterward engaged in the manufacture of brooms
in that city, there conducting business until March 31,
1889, when he removed to Detroit. Here he estab
lished a real estate business and has since been suc
cessful and active in this field. Since his arrival
here he has developed very extensive subdivisions, in
cluding the Mack Avenue subdivision, Wyandotte sub-

CHARLES E. BEYMER

CITY OF DETROIT

483

division, Van Dyke, Nos. 1 and 2, Ecorse Heights
subdivision, Cloverdale subdivision, River View sub
division, River Rouge subdivision, Great Lakes subdi
vision, also Aurora Park and Euclid Park of Buffalo,
New York. In addition he has negotiated large loans
and has conducted an insurance business. His inter
ests were incorporated in 1910 under the name of The
William Tait Realty Company, and of this firm he is
the president.
On the 30th of November, 1884, Mr. Beymer was
married to Miss Caroline Gregory of Columbus, Ohio,
and they have become the parents of seven children:
Hazel, now Mrs. Harry C. Smith of St. Clair, Mich
igan; Charles Edward, receiving teller of the Boise
City National Bank of Boise, Idaho, who married
Elma White of Nebraska, and has three children, one
boy and two girls; Elizabeth, who is the wife of
Henry J. Holman and resides in Detroit; Edith and
Ethel, twins, the former the wife of Hugh McKay
of Detroit, and the latter the wife of P. G. Bertlesen
of Detroit; and Grace and Helen, who reside at home.
Since 1901 the family home in Detroit has been at
385 Hurlbut avenue, while for some years Mr. Beymer
has maintained his summer home at The Nook, near
Algonac. His fruit and vegetable garden near by,
on Harsen's Island, the cultivation of which affords
his favorite recreation, gives evidence of his skill and
enthusiasm in this line. He is fond of fishing and
hunting and has made several trips to the Rocky
Mountain country in search of big game.
Mr. Beymer is a member of the Detroit Realty
Exchange, also of the Detroit Board of Commerce
and the United States Chamber of Commerce, asso
ciations that indicate his deep interest in business
affairs, especially those relative to the welfare and
progress of city and state. Mr. Beymer belongs also
to the Fellowcraft Athletic Club of Detroit, to the
Ohio Society of Detroit, to the Detroit Citizen's
League, to the Detroit Automobile Club and to the
Methodist Episcopal church. He has worked his way
steadily upward and determination and energy have
featured in his career from the beginning. He is fond
of travel and his present-day success enables him to
spend two or three months each year in this manner in
seeing America. He has visited all sections of the
country, thus thoroughly acquainting himself with
his native land, its opportunities and advantages, and
is a member of the National Travel Club.
EDWARD JAMES WOODISON, a prominent and
successful representative of business interests in De
troit, has throughout the past decade been the presi
dent of the E. J. Woodison Company, dealers in
foundry supplies at No. 7415 St. Aubin street. He is
likewise the vice president of the Acme Foundry
Company and is identified with many other industrial
enterprises of the city. A Canadian by birth, he
was born at Ridgetown, Ontario, April 23, 1874, his
Parents being Edward and Mary (Carr) Woodison;

His education was obtained in the public schools of
Windsor, Ontario, and as a youth of sixteen he secured
a position as stenographer in a foundry supply and
fire brick business, going on the road as a salesman
in the same line when seventeen years of age. Six
years later, when a young man of twenty-three, he
became manager of the fire brick department of a
Cincinnati concern. This he represented on the road
to some extent and also acted as editor of the house
publication. In 1903 he came to Detroit and through
the succeeding seven years was identified with business
interests here as the head of the Detroit Foundry
Supply Company, while since 1910 he has been the
president of the E. J. Woodison Company, in which
connection he has built up an extensive trade in fire
brick and foundry supplies. He is likewise the treas- ¦
urer of the Atlas Foundry Company, and treasurer of
the Acme Foundry Company. His success is attribut
able in large measure to the fact that he has always
remained in the line of business in which he em
barked as a youth, familiarizing himself, therewith
in every department and conducting his interests in
a manner that has brought most substantial and
gratifying results.
On the 24th of June, 1896, at Windsor, Ontario,
Mr. Woodison was united in marriage to Miss Emma
Potter and they have one daughter, Marjorie Wini
fred, who is now Mrs. Walter Scott Stanley, and has
a son, Edward James Stanley. Mr. Woodison is a
member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, Detroit
Athletic Club, Red Run Golf Club, and a director and
charter member of the Aviation Country Club, finding
his recreation largely in the great outdoors. He is
likewise a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity,
in which he has attained the Knights Templar degree,
belonging to Damascus Commandery, and is also a
member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. A
man of genuine personal worth, he is no less highly
esteemed for the honorable principles which through
out his life have governed his conduct than for the
success which he has achieved, making him one of the
leading representatives of industrial interests in
the city.
FRED E. CASTLE, founder and executive head of
The Fred E. Castle Company, comes of ancestry which
is distinctively American in both the lineal and col
lateral lines through many generations. His father,
William T. Castle, was a first lieutenant of infantry
during the Civil war. His mother was Esther
(Esterly) Castle and both, by reason of being well
descended and well bred, occupied an enviable social
position arid enjoyed the high regard of all who
knew them in the various communities in which they
lived. Fred E. Castle was born in Newburgh, New York,
but was reared in Philadelphia, where he received a
public school education. For several years in his
early business career he was connected with the

484

CITY OF DETROIT

umbrella trade as a manager and later became asso
ciated with a bicycle business in New York city. In
this capacity he covered the United States and Europe
for the Twentieth Century Manufacturing Company
and was a member of that corporation for eleven
years. When the automobile began to attract public
attention and win publie favor, supplanting the bi
cycle trade, he turned to the manufacture of lamps
for motor cars and established the Castle Lamp Com
pany at Amesbury, Massachusetts, and also opened
a plant at Battle Creek, Michigan. He conducted
the business successfully for eight years and then
organized the Fred E. Castle Company in Detroit
in 1910. Years before he had become a resident of
this city and for the past decade or more has occupied
a prominent position in manufacturing circles.
In 1898 Mr. Castle was married to Miss Madeline
Sinclair. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, his
membership being in Adelphic Lodge, No. 348, A. F.
& A. M., of New York; Orient Chapter, No. 138, R.
A. M., of New York; Clinton Commandery, No. 14,
K. T.j also in the Empire state; and Michigan Sover
eign Consistory, A. A. S. R. He likewise belongs to
the Moslem Temple of the Mystie Shrine and the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while in club
circles he is well known, being a member of the De
troit, the Detroit Athletic, and the Oakland Hills
Country Clubs also the Question Club, which is a
very select organization, having only seventy-five
members in the United States and Canada.
MICHAEL EDWARD O'BRIEN, president of the
Detroit Life Insurance Company, is recognized as
one of the resourceful, enterprising and progressive
business men of the city. He is alert, ready for any
chance for advancement and equally ready to meet
any emergency, and he has ever directed his busi
ness by rules which govern strict integrity and un
faltering industry. He was born in Osceola, Michigan,
September 21, 1877, a son of Patrick J. and Mary
(Harrington) O'Brien, natives of Ireland, who emi
grated to the United States in 1856.
In 1893 Mr. O'Brien was graduated from the Sacred
Heart high sehool at Calumet, Miehigan, and in 1898
he entered the field of insurance, becoming a member
of the firm of Webb & O'Brien, writing general in
surance and handling life insurance as agents for the
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. In
1900 he was made district agent for that company and
three years later became their general agent for one
half of northern Michigan. In 1907 he established
his headquarters at Laurium, Michigan, and while
there residing organized and became president of the
First National Bank of Laurium and director of the
First National Bank of Hubbell. He severed his con
nection with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insur
ance Company in 1910 and came to Detroit as vice
president, of the Detroit Life Insurance Company, in
which capacity he served until June, 1911, when he

was made president and general manager and is now
filling those offices, most capably directing the affairs
of the company. He is thoroughly familiar with
every phase of life insurance, owing to his broad ex
perience along this line of activity, and in the control
of his business interests he displays marked ability
and energy, regarding no detail as too unimportant to
receive his attention and at the same time controlling
the larger factors in his interests with notable as
surance and power. Under his capable management
the business of the company has enjoyed a steady
growth and it has become recognized as one of the
substantial insurance firms of the state, while its
business methods have ever been such as would bear
the closest investigation and scrutiny.
On the 4th of February, 1903, Mr. O'Brien was
united in marriage to Miss Nellie V. Harrington of
Lake Linden, Michigan, and they have become the
parents of seven children. He is a democrat in his
political views and in religious faith he is a Catholic.
He is a member of the Knights of Equity, Knights of
Columbus, the Fellowcraft Club and several smaller
organizations and fraternally he is identified with
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His per
sistency of purpose, his intelligently directed efforts
and his initiative have been strong elements in the
attainment of his present success and he stands among
the foremost business men of Detroit. He has never
sacrificed high standards to commercialism and in
all matters of citizenship his influence is on the
side of advancement and improvement.
The development arid progress of the Detroit Life
Insurance Company has been synonymous with the
business advancement of Mr. M. E.. O'Brien. When
he took hold of the aetive management of this com
pany ten years ago, it had less than fifty thousand
dollars of insurance in force. On June 30, 1921, the
company had over twenty-four million dollars of in
surance in force. Indicative of the continuity of its
development and advancement, it may be stated that
a comparison of the figures of the insurance in force,
the reserve of the company, and the gross assets all
show steady growth.
December 31, 1911, the insurance in force was one
million, seven hundred and twenty-nine thousand, nine
hundred and seventy dollars; two years later this
had increased to four million, forty one thousand,
one hundred and fifty dollars; in 1915 to seven million,
one hundred and ninety-nine thousand, five hundred
dollars; in 1917 to eleven million, seven hundred and
fifty thousand, eight hundred and eleven dollars; two
years later it had increased to sixteen million, eight
hundred and seventy-seven thousand, five hundred and
seventy-one dollars. Since that date its growth has
been so sensational as to attract favorable comment
from life insurance authorities all over the country,
the insurance in force at the present time being ovei
twenty-five million.
The growth in the legal reserve has been consistent

MICHAEL E. O'BRIEN

CITY OF DETROIT

487

with the increase in insurance in force. December
31, 1911, the reserve amounted to eleven thousand,
four hundred and eighty-three dollars; in 1917 this
had increased to six hundred and forty-nine thousand,
six hundred and sixty dollars; in 1919 to one million,
one hundred and fifty-five thousand, three hundred and
thirty -nine dollars; and at this writing totals one
million, seven hundred and twenty-five thousand dol
lars. Commendable as has been the constant and regular
increase in all departments of this successful life in
surance company, the increase in its business during
the past year has been most conspicuous because so
many life insurance companies report a decrease in
their business, due to the business depression which
commenced in October, 1920. The business of the De-
trqit Life, however, every month since that time and
in spite of the business reaction, has shown a sub
stantial increase, the average increase for the first
six months of 1921 being over twenty per cent. As
further evidence of the standing of the Detroit Life
Insurance Company in its home state, the fact might
be mentioned that for the past seven years, with
one exception, the Detroit Life Insurance Company
has lead all other Michigan companies in the amount
of new insurance paid for in Michigan, the amount
of insurance paid for in 1920 being over seven million,
five hundred thousand dollars.
The agency force of the Detroit Life is under the
direct supervision of Mr. M. E. O'Brien and the above
record is one which indicates something of the success
he has attained along that line.
EARL WILFRED McGOOKIN of Detroit has at
tained not only state wide but nation wide prominence
as a salesman. He stands in the very front ranks
of those who have been most successful in this field,
and the story of his activity is an inspirational one,
which may well serve as a source of encouragement
to others. Mr. McGookin was born in Manistee, Mieh
igan, on the 9th of May, 1879, a son of Arthur
Eichard and Rosalind (Tabor) McGookin, the former
of Scotch descent. The mother was a daughter of
H. H. Tabor, one of the pioneer lumbermen of Mich
igan. The family removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
during the early boyhood of Earl W. McGookin, who
there pursued his education in the publie schools,
passing through consecutive grades to the high school,
after which he took a business course, and thus quali
fied for life's practical and responsible duties. He
began his business career with the Filer & Stowell
Manufacturing Company at Milwaukee and remained
with that house for three years. He was afterward
with the W. J. Winterburn Company of Chicago for
two years, and he spent five years with the Marshall
& McGookin Company, handling steel, iron and wire
products in Chicago. At length he entered the employ
of Stewart & Clarke Manufacturing Company of Chi
cago as sales manager, occupying that position for two

years. He came to Detroit in 1909 as general manager
for the Stewart-Warner Company, manufacturers of
speedometers, and had charge of the sales in the
factory for eight years. He then became connected
with the Springfield Body Company and was vice
president and sales manager with that corporation
until he withdrew and became connected with the
McBeth Evans Glass Company of Pittsburgh, Penn
sylvania, and the Duratex Company of Newark, New
Jersey. He has had large experience in selling auto
mobile accessories, and has been the highest paid
salesman, with one exception, in the entire United
States. In 1920 he established his sales office at 720
Book building and sells all kinds of automobile ac
cessories, conducting an extensive business as manu
facturers agent. He is one of the best known sales
men connected with' the motor car trade, not only by
reason of his long experience but also owing to the
extent to which he has developed the business under
his direction.
On the 1st of June, 1905, Mr. McGookin was married
to Miss Alice Dixon Cromwell, a native of Henderson,
Kentucky, and a representative of one of the notable
southern families. Mr. McGookin is a thirty-second
degree Mason, his membership being in Zion Lodge,
F. & A. M.; King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M.; Miehigan
Sovereign Consistory, A. A. S. R.; and Moslem Temple
of the Mystic Shrine. He became one of the charter
members of the Detroit Athletic Club, and is also a
member of the Automobile Country Club. That he
is approachable and genial are facts gathered forth
between the lines of this review, which also indicate
with clearness that he readily understands human
nature. These qualities are always factors in good
salesmanship, and in addition there is no talking point
of the automobile trade with which he is not thoroughly
familiar. He has mastered his line of business from
start to finish, and in its conduct exemplifies a most
progressive spirit, initiative and ability to handle
men, while an unquestioned point in his career is his
commercial integrity, without which no business
venture can long succeed.
FRANK HOLMES GODDARD, president of F. H.
Goddard, Inc., one of the largest contracting firms of
the city of Detroit, has been erigaged in this line
of business for thirty-eight years and today there
stand as monuments to his skill and industry some
of the finest and largest buildings of the eity. His
life illustrates clearly what can be accomplished
through individual effort, intelligently directed, and
he is prominent as a man whose constantly expanding
powers have taken him from humble surroundings
to the field of large enterprises and continually broad
ening opportunities.
Mr. Goddard was born in New London, Connecticut,
December 23, 1866, and is a representative of one
of the old New England - families, his parents being
James and Elizabeth (Holmes) Goddard. The publie

488

CITY OF DETROIT

schools of his native city afforded him his preliminary
educational opportunities and later he attended the
Seabury Institute at Saybrook, Connecticut. On leav
ing the boarding sehool he came at once to Detroit,
where he entered into active connection with build
ing operations as the associate of Allen F. Holmes.
While thus engaged he acquainted himself with every
phase of the building business and opportunities of
this character in Detroit. After eight years Mr.
Holmes retired and the Frank H. Goddard, Inc., com
pany was then formed. For almost four decades Mr.
Goddard has figured prominently in connection with
building operations in Detroit and his marked ability
in this field is manifest in such notable structures as
the Ford building, the Peter Smith building, the Hotel
Norton, the Puritan building, the Goldsmith building,
the Cadillac hotel, the Whitney opera house, the
Patton school, the Baleh school and many other equally
well known structures. F. H. Goddard, Inc., was
founded in 1891 and incorporated in February, 1909,
with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars,
Mr. Goddard becoming president and William F. Dow
secretary and treasurer. While Mr. Goddard has
engaged in the general contracting business he
specializes to a degree in superstructure, in exeavation
work, fireproof structures, masonry and concrete work
and cut stone. The company also erects a large number
of residences. The office staff numbers from twelve
to fifteen men and on the big jobs awarded the com
pany from three hundred to four hundred workmen
are often employed. F. H. Goddard, Inc. has the most
complete equipment of any contracting concern in
Detroit. They have over an acre of ground under
roof, in which they store equipment and they have
their own railroad siding, so that supplies are easily
brought into their plant.
On the 27th of January, 1900, Frank H. Goddard
was married to Miss Elizabeth Burke, a native of
Canada, and they have become the parents of an
interesting family of six daughters: Ruth Helen,
Norma Elizabeth, Dorothy Burke, Kathleen, Esther
Halsey, and Sally Valentine. One of the most eminent
American statesmen has said that the strongest citi
zens of the new world are those who have had their
nativity and ancestry in New England and have sought
the opportunity for the development of their powers
in the mid-west. Mr. Goddard is descended from
Elder Brewster, who came on the Mayflower, being
a representative of his progeny in the twelfth gen
eration. He grafted New England's training upon
western enterprise and opportunity and as the archi
tect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well.
From the outset of his career his advancement has
been continuous and while in no sense a man in public
life he has nevertheless exerted an iriimeasurable
influence on the city of his residence through his
business activity. He possesses untiring energy, is
quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is
determined in their execution, while his close appli

cation to business and his excellent management have
brought to him the high degree of prosperity which
is today his. Mr. Goddard is a member of the De
troit Builders Association. He is also well known in
Masonic circles, having taken both the York and
Scottish Rites degrees, becoming a Knights Templar
in the Commandery and a thirty-second degree Mason
in the Consistory and is likewise a member of the
Mystie Shrine.
GEORGE BOWMAN BRIGHT, president and founder
of the George B. Bright Company, refrigerating en
gineers and architects of Detroit, is one of the fore
most men in his line of business in the country. A
Virginian by birth, George B. Bright was born on
a farm near Staunton, that state, April 6, 1883, the
only son of his parents, Captain Peter R. and Cath
arine (Buchanan) Bright, both of whom were natives
of the Shenandoah valley, where their lives were
spent. The father was a well known manufacturer of
harness throughout the period of his active business
career. He was a captain in the Confederate army
during the Civil war and a man well known in the
section of Virginia where he lived. He was an early
advocate of prohibition and was one of the first two
voters to support that ticket in Augusta county, Vir
ginia. His reply to the criticism and ridicule for his
temperance views was that "nation-wide prohibition
would prevail within the lifetime of people then
living." He died in 1894, while his widow survived
until 1904. They had two children, a daughter and a
son, the former being Mrs. Mary Sheffer, now living
near Staunton, Virginia.
George B. Bright attended the country schools in
that section of the Shenandoah valley where his boy
hood days were spent. Afterward, while working
during the day, he devoted his evening hours to study,
attending night school. He was but a boy of ten
years when his father died and circumstances arose
that early gave him a practical knowledge of self-
support. As a boy he was energetic and what would be
called a hustler. Between the ages of thirteen and
twenty-three years he worked in an ice plant and thus
his attention was early directed to refrigeration en
gineering. In the meantime he pursued a course in
mechanical and refrigeration engineering through the
Scranton Correspondence school, completing his studies
in 1906, in which line he has specialized, gaining a
notable place in his profession. In 1906 he went to
Chicago and secured a position as erecting engineer
with the Fred W. Wolf Company, refrigerating en
gineers, with whom he remained until September 1,
1912. In the latter year Mr. Bright came to Detroit
and entered upon active association with the Heutte-
man Cramer Company, with whom he remained until
July, 1916. He then resigned and organized the De
troit Ice Machine Company, of which he was presi
dent until 1918. On account of other activities he
then resigned and was made vice president of that

GEORGE B. BRIGHT

CITY OF DETROIT

491

company, which office he yet holds. Mr. Bright in
1917 founded the George B. Bright Company, refrig
erating engineers and architects, which has been de
veloped into the most successful business enterprise
of this character in the country. Its remarkable
growth includes a volume of business larger than that
of any other company in this line in the United States.
As the president of the George B. Bright Company,
Mr. Bright has become recognized not only as an
able executive but one'of the most capable refrigerat
ing engineers and architects in the country. He was
designer and engineer of the first electric driven
raw water ice-making plants in both Chicago and De
troit. The Chicago plant was erected in 1911 and the
Detroit plant in 1912. Among his other interests Mr.
Bright is a director of the Pittmans & Dean Company,
extensive coal and ice dealers of Detroit, and is vice
president of the Midwest Engineering & Equipment
Company of Chicago, which was established by him in
1918. His is a nature that could never be content
with mediocrity and he has steadily pushed his way
forward to success and, too, from a start in life that
represented nothing but his natural ability, energy
and ambition.
On the 13th of November, 1907, Mr. Bright was .
married in Washington, D. C, to Miss Elizabeth
Frame, daughter of Samuel Frame of Charlottesville,
Virginia. Their three children are: Catherine Eliza
beth, who was born at Staunton, Virginia, January
15, 1909; Mary Margaret, who was born in Detroit,
June 17, 1913; and George Junior, born in Detroit,
February 5, 1916. The family home since 1916 has
been at No. 602 Fisher avenue.
Politically Mr. Bright maintains an independent
course. He belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, to
the Rotary Club and the Detroit Automobile Club.
He became a member of the Masonic blue lodge in
Virginia and he is connected with Palestine Chapter,
R. A. M., also Detroit Commandery, K. T., Miehigan
Sovereign Consistory and Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine. Along strictly professional lines his connec
tion is with the Detroit Engineering Society and the
American Society of Refrigerating Engineers.
WILLIAM EVANSTON CANTON. From the age
of ten years William Evanston Canton has been de
pendent upon his own resources for a livelihood. Start
ing out in the business world as a cash boy, his coura
geous spirit and determined purpose have enabled him
to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path
and to pursue the course which he had marked out,
winning promotion because people have believed in
him and because he has proven to them his worth. He
now ranks with the leading merchants of Detroit, con
ducting one of the finest men's outfitting establish
ments in the city,, and the most envious cannot grudge
him his success, so worthily has it been won, so wisely
used. Mr. Canton is one of Detroit's native sons. He was
born July 14, 1883, and pursued his education in the

public schools of the city to the age of ten years,
when he was obliged to discontinue his studies in
order to provide for his own support. He obtained a
position as cash boy in the old Mabley store at Nos.
122-24 Woodward avenue, receiving a salary of two
dollars per week. Following the removal of the firm
to the Majestic building he became wrapper boy, being
employed on the third floor of the store. In 1896
C. A. Schafer of Syracuse, New York, bought out
Mr. Mabley and Mr. Canton continued with the new
management for some years, or until he became iden
tified with E. J. Hickey, the proprietor of an out
fitting establishment catering to men and boys. In
1903 he was made buyer for the boys' clothing de
partment and subsequently went to Chicago, Illinois,
working for a time in the Marshall Field establish
ment, while later he was connected with the firm of
Browning, King & Company of Chicago and Kansas
City. In 1909 he returned to Detroit and again en
tered the service of his former employer, Mr. Hickey,
as buyer for the boys and girls departments. He
was thus active until 1917 and on the 14th of March
of that year started in business for himself. He has
a finely appointed store at No. 1535 Washington boule
vard, utilizing two stories of the building, and carries
a complete and well assorted stock of men's and boys'
clothing, headwear and shoes. He handles the best
the market affords in the lines in which he specializes
and his reliable dealing, reasonable prices and cour
teous treatment of customers have gained for him a
large patronage, the volume of business having been
.doubled since the establishment of the enterprise. He
employs the most progressive methods in the conduct
of his business and his is recognized as one of the
leading outfitting establishments in the city.
In April, 1909, Mr. Canton was united in marriage
to Jane McCrae Nierman of Kansas City, Missouri,
and they have become the parents of a son, William
E., Jr., born June 19, 1913, in Detroit. In his political
views Mr. Canton is a republican and he is an at
tendant of the Christian Science church. Fraternally
he is identified with the Masons, belonging to City
of the Straits Lodge, F. & A. M., and the nature of
his recreation is indicated by his membership in the
Oakland Hills Country Club and the Detroit Athletic
Club. In his business career Mr. Canton has been a
persistent, resolute and energetic worker, keeping his
hand steadily upon the helm of his affairs and mani
festing at all times strong executive power. He ranks
with the foremost merchants of Detroit and his pro-
gressiveness has been a potent factor in promoting the
industrial development of the city, his influence being
ever on the side of advancement and improvement.
A. A. CARSON, manager of the Curtis Detroit
Company and thus identified with one of the prominent
lumber companies of the country, was born near
Ottawa, Ontario, in 1868. His family is a branch of
the same family as Carson, the leader of the Ulster

492

CITY OF DETROIT

population in Ireland. His parents were John and
Nancy Margaret (Wood) Carson. The father was
born on the Emerald isle but came to America at the
age of twenty-one years and continued his residence
on this side of the Atlantic, making his home in
Ottawa, Michigan, for a number of years.
A. A. Carson completed his education in the high
school of his native town and later secured a position
in connection with railroading, serving as baggage
man for six months. On the expiration of that period
he turned his attention to the lumber business and
was in the employ of wholesale and retail lumber
concerns for a period of six years. Then on account
of his health he spent a year in Denver, Colorado.
Later he returned to the lumber business, which he
followed in upper Michigan and in Minnesota, and in
February, 1898, he went to work for G. M. Curtis
as a sash and door salesman and opened up the state
of Michigan to the Curtis trade. In June, 1910, he
established the house in Detroit and is the secretary,
manager and one of the directors of the Curtis De
troit Company. They conduct some manufacturing in
Detroit, but this is mainly a distributing office for
the lower peninsula of Michigan. The other officers
of the Detroit concern are: G. M. Curtis, president;
G. L. Curtis, vice president; and E. J. Curtis, treas
urer. The Curtis Company had its inception in 1866
and has since engaged in woodwork and furniture ,
manufacturing. Today the company is represented
by branches in Clinton, Iowa; Wausau, Wisconsin;
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Minneapolis, Minnesota;
Sioux City, Iowa; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Lincoln,
Nebraska; Topeka, Kansas; Chicago, Illinois; and Day
ton, Ohio, in addition to the Detroit plant. In pro
moting the success of the Detroit establishment Mr.
Carson has shown excellent powers of organization,
combined with executive ability, and his intelligently
directed energy has brought most gratifying results.
In April, 1899, Mr. Carson was united in marriage
to Miss Mabel Dudley of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and
they have become parents of two sons and a daughter:
Russell A., Charles Dudley and Elizabeth. The elder
son is a lieutenant-colonel in the R. O. T. Cadets.
He took special training in radio operating and then
took the short course in military training and was
made a captain. He is now a lieutenant-colonel in the
First Regiment. He also took the intensive training
course at Camp Custer and is now a member of B
Cavalry of Detroit.
Mr. Carson belongs to the Masonic order, being
connected with Doric Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Grand
Rapids; Columbian Chapter, R. A. M., of Grand Rapids;
Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T. ; and Moslem Temple
of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the
council at Grand Rapids and in club circles he is
well known, having connection with the Detroit Ath
letic Club, the Canopus Club, the Detroit Curling Club
and the Board of Commerce. His political views
prompt his active and continued support of the repub

lican party, while his religious faith has made him a
communicant of the Episcopal church. Practically
his entire life has been spent in Miehigan and since
1898 he has been a representative of the Curtis Com
pany and active in the commercial circles of Detroit
since June, 1910. He is thoroughly conversant with
every branch of the trade handled by this house and
the success of the Detroit establishment is attribut
able in no small measure to his efforts.
JOHN A. KRONK, member of the common council
of Detroit, and active in business affairs as head of
Kronk's Four Percent Savings Bank, and Real Estate
Insurance & Overseas Steamship Ticket Agency, was
born April 19, 1882, in the city which is yet his home,
his parents being Martin and Hedwig (Czajka) Kronk,
both of whom were of European birth. They came
to America about 1880, settling in Detroit, where the
father engaged in the real estate and other lines of
business, here continuing to reside until called to his
final rest on the 1st of October, 1896. His widow
survived for almost fourteen years, her death oc
curring May 12, 1910. The family numbered six
children: Andrew; Jacob A.; Mrs. Mary Swantek; Mrs.
Agnes Sokolowski; Mrs. Ann Oleszkowiez; and John
A., all living in Detroit.
The last named, the youngest of the family, at
tended the St. Kasmir and St. Francis parochial
schools of the Catholic church, and afterwards became
a student in the Polish seminary in which he pur
sued a classical course, being graduated in 1898. He
then entered the University of Detroit, which he left
to engage in business, turning his attention to real
estate. In the handling of property he has shown won
derful foresight and keen sagacity. He acquired
property out on Michigan avenue near the junction,
which in the past few years has rapidly increased
in value and which has made him a nice profit. As
the years passed he extended the scope of his business
to include banking, foreign exchange and the sale
of steamship tickets and likewise established an in
surance department. All of these branches of his
business are well organized and are proving profit
able. In connection with his brother, Andrew Kronk,
he is also extensively engaged in the wholesale and
retail coal trade, under the firm style of Andrew
Kronk & Company. His other brother, Jacob A.
Kronk, is a graduate of Detroit College of Law, was
admitted to the bar in 1902, and is at present man
ager of the Wayne County & Home Savings Bank,
Junction avenue branch.
On the 1st of May, 1907, Mr. Kronk was united
in marriage to Miss Katherine Rosalik of Detroit, a
daughter of James and Sophia Rosalik. They have
become parents of six children: Anthony, born in
Detroit in 1908; Alphonse, bora in 1909; Adam, born
in 1911; Mary, born in 1913; Leonard, born in 1915;
and Celia, born in 1917.
In recent years Mr. Kronk has become quite prom-

JOHN A. KRONK

CITY OF DETROIT

495

inent in local political circles. At the urgent request
of his neighbors and friends he accepted the nomina
tion for alderman from the sixteenth ward, and was
elected by a large majority. So excellent was the
service which he rendered in this connection that he
has been reelected for a second term and also for the
third time to the small council, under the new charter
of the city of Detroit, and he has also been chosen
chairman of the board of supervisors, acting in that
capacity in 1920 and in 1921. Many important
measures and city laws have been promoted and passed
through the efforts of Mr. Kronk, who is a recognized
leader among those who are in control of publie affairs.
Moreover, his patriotic devotion to his country was
manifested during the World war when he served as
a member of the draft board, and did active work in
promoting the sale of Liberty and Victory Bonds and
thrift stamps. In fact he worked along many lines
to uphold American interests and promote the wel
fare of the American Expeditionary Forces. Mr.
Kronk and his family are communicants of St. Hed
wig 's Roman Catholic church. He is a third degree
member of the Knights of Columbus and belongs to
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the
Loyal Order of Moose. He is likewise a member of
the Detroit Board of Commerce, and is much inter
ested in all that pertains to the city 's advancement and
welfare, while his office enables him to do effective
work for publie benefit. He resides at 3531 Junction
avenue. ALEXANDER WILLIAM BEAL, president of the
Beal Realty Company, was born in Detroit, February
3, 1864, and is a son of William and Elizabeth Mary
(Stockdale) Beal. The father, who was born in Eng
land, came to Detroit in 1832, when this city was but
a hamlet. He was later the owner of vessels plying
on the Great Lakes and he also engaged in the ice
business. As the years passed and his business pros
pered he acquired much valuable property in Detroit
and vicinity and his activities were also an element
in the commercial upbuilding of this section of the
state. For more than three-fourths of a century he
retained his residence in Detroit, here passing away
in 1909, while his wife survived until 1911. In their
family were four children: Frank E., who resides in
Atlanta, Georgia; Mrs. John A. Stevenson of Duluth,
Minnesota; Mrs. H. B. Earhart of Ann Arbor, Mich
igan; and Alexander W.
The last named completed his public school educa
tion by a high school course in Detroit and then en
tered the Detroit Business University, while later he
attended the Detroit College of Law. When his text
books were put aside he became connected with the
wholesale coal business in Detroit, handling coal for
vessels on the lakes. For a quarter of a century he
was a big factor in supplying coal to the shipping
trade on the lakes. He was for a time in the employ
of the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company and

afterward became connected as bookkeeper with the
firm of Smith & Campbell, wholesale coal dealers, in
1882. Five years later, when the firm became Stanley
B. Smith & Company, he was admitted to a partner
ship and remained an active factor in the conduct and
control of the business until the partnership was dis
solved on the 4th of February, 1913, Mr. Beal selling
his interest. He then entered the real estate field
and is president of the Beal Realty Company, handling
his own property exclusively. He has made extensive
and judicious investments and has won a most grati
fying measure of success in handling the realty of
which he has been the owner.
On October 22, 1913, Mr. Beal was united in mar
riage to Miss Estella McCrum and they are prominent
in the social circles of the city. Mr. Beal is a Mason,
belonging to Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Palestine
Chapter and Detroit Commandery, K. T. He is like
wise a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, the De
troit Golf Club, the Ingleside Country Club and the
Detroit Boat Club — associations which indicate much
of the nature .of his recreation and interests outside
of business. In politics he is a republican and he
belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce, which is
indicative of his interest in community welfare. Dur
ing the World war Mrs. Beal was very active in the
Woman's National League, while Mr. Beal was a
member of the committee on the sales of Liberty Bonds
and also a member of the Detroit British Committee on
Allied Recruiting. He devoted his time to government
service without pay and was treasurer and captain of
different teams, having in charge the promotion of the
bond drives and other war work. In this age, when
there is a sharply defined line between loyalty and
disloyalty, there has never been a question as to where
Alexander W. Beal stands nor as to the real and ap
preciable value of his service.
ELIAS FRANK is secretary and treasurer of the
Chicago Hosiery Company of Detroit, in which con
nection he is conducting the largest business of the
kind in America. Since starting out on his own
account Mr. Frank has made steady progress and he
may truly be called a self-made man, his success being
attributable entirely to his own labors, capability and
the wise use of the opportunities that have come to
him. He was born in Germany, December 29, 1857,
and acquired his early education in his native country.
When a young man of twenty-two years he arrived in
the new world, and on the 15th of January, 1880, he
reached Detroit, where he has since resided. Through
the intervening period of forty-one years he has seen
the small city grow into a great metropolis, and has
ever rejoiced in the progress that has been made.
After coming to the new world Mr. Frank, with
two cousins, owned two country stores, and to his
connection with the business was largely attributable
the organization of two other stores within a few
years, so that the company owned and controlled four

496

CITY OF DETROIT

different stores, Mr. Frank having an interest in all
of them. He is still financially connected with one
of these, which is situated in Holly, Michigan. At the
present, however, he gives his entire time and atten
tion to the interests of the Chicago Hosiery Company,
which was established in Chicago. He became one of
the large stockholders in the business in 1897, and
the plant was removed from Chieago to Detroit. In
1912 he bought the interest of his cousin and has
conducted the business with four other partners since
that time. Through his able guidance, his careful
management and undaunted enterprise he has devel
oped the biggest concern of the kind in America,
the mills manufacturing socks to take the place of
felt boots for lumbermen, farmers, teamsters, etc. The
trade has now reached mammoth proportions, and the
concern — surpassing all others of the kind in America
— is the measure of Mr. Frank's business ability and
progressiveness. On January 22, 1884, Mr. Frank was married in
Detroit, but his wife died in 1910, leaving, a son,
Emanuel George, born December 23, 1884, who is now
associated with the Campbell Ewald Company. He is
a graduate of the Miehigan University of the class
of 1908, at which time the degree of Bachelor of Arts
was conferred upon him.
Mr. Frank is a member of Temple Beth El but
spends most of his time outside of business at his
home, for he is a man of very domestic tastes. All
who know him speak of him in terms of high regard
and recognize in him a progressive eitizen who is
keenly interested in the welfare and upbuilding of
Detroit to the point of giving active cooperation to
all measures and movements for the general good.
GEORGE STROH, JR., is recognized as a dynamic
force among the younger generation of the business
men of Detroit. He is the secretary-treasurer of the
American Tap Bush Company and is identified with a
number of other important business interests of the
city. He was born June 3, 1892, and his parents
were George and Lillie Adele (Benoit) Stroh, and
the father, who was a very prominent manufacturer
and widely known business man of Detroit, passed
away May 12, 1916.
The son obtained a public school education and
from 1914 until 1916 was connected with the Ecorse
Salt Company, with which he is now identified in an
official capacity. In 1916 he succeeded to his father's
interests upon the death of the latter and has shown
ready adaptability and unfaltering enterprise in car
rying forward the work which he thus took up. In
addition to his connection with the American Tap
Bush Company he is the vice president of the Willing
Overall Company, secretary-treasurer of the Ecorse
Salt Company and a director of the Schaefer Roller
Bearing Company of Chicago. He displays great thor
oughness in everything that he undertakes and ac
quaints himself with every phase of the business, so

that he is able to pass sound judgment upon any
question that may arise in connection with the man
agement of the enterprises in which he is a controlling,
factor. Mr. Stroh belongs to the Board of Commerce and
also has membership with the Michigan Manufacturers
Association, while his appreciation of the social ameni
ties of life is indicated in his connection with the
Detroit Athletic Club and with the Detroit Auto
mobile Club.
GEORGE B. WALBRIDGE is the vice president and
general manager of Walbridge, Aldinger Company, con
tractors and engineers, and in this connection he has
built some of the largest and most prominent struc
tures of the city, which stand today as monuments to
his skill and ability. He dates his residence in Detroit
from 1914 and had both thorough training and broad
practical experience when he came to this city to enter
upon the line of work whieh has claimed his attention
throughout the intervening period. He is a native of
Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Wellsboro,
July 6, 1874, his parents being Robert and Mary (Cop-
steek) Walbridge, who were natives of New York and
Pennsylvania, respectively. Following their marriage
they always resided in the Keystone state, the father
there engaging in the lumber business. During the
Civil war he served as a private in a Pennsylvania
regiment, and thus aided in the defense of the Union.
Both he and his wife have passed away, as has one of
their three children. The surviving sons are: George
B., and Alfred O, the latter a resident of Stevensville,
Montana. In his boyhood days George B. Walbridge attended
the public schools of Pennsylvania and the Lafayette
College at Easton, Pennsylvania, subsequent to which
time he entered Cornell University, from which he
was graduated in 1900, upon the completion of a
course in civil engineering. He then became asso
ciated with the firm of D. Burnham & Company, archi
tects of Chicago, and no better training could have
come to hirii than he received through his association
with that firm, for Mr. Burnham was the acknowledged
leader in the profession in the entire United States.
For six years he had the benefit of work with Mr.
Burnham, and then became general superintendent of
the Hedden Construction Company of New York city.
Later he resigned that position to become vice presi
dent of the George F. Fuller Company of New York
city, one of the largest contracting companies in the
country, with whieh he was associated until 1914,
when he came to Detroit and organized the Walbridge,
Aldinger Company, which has since been a big factor
In the building operations and improvement of Detroit.
The company can point with just pride to many mag
nificent structures of the city which have risen through
their ability as engineers and building contractors.
They were the builders of the Penobscot building, then
Hie tallest in Detroit, being twenty-three stories in

GEORGE STROH, JR.

Vol. IV— 32

CITY OF DETROIT

499

height, also of the Wayne County and Home Savings
Bank buildings, the Book building on Washington
boulevard, which is one of the finest office buildings
in the United States, the Peoples State Bank building,
the National Bank of- Commerce, the Michigan Central
Station, Lincoln Motor plant, and many others which
are features of architectural adornment in Detroit.
After broad college training Mr. Walbridge has worked
his way upward from the position of draughtsman to
a commanding place in building circles and the middle
west and his activities have gained him a reputation
whieh has made him known over a wide territory.
On the 3d of January, 1903, Mr. Walbridge was
united in marriage to Miss Helen M. MeCaulay of
Chicago, a daughter of Charles MeCaulay, now of
Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. They are parents of four
children: Clare, who was born in Chicago in 1906;
George, bom in Houston, Texas, in 1911; Joseph H.,
born in Detroit in 1916; and Jane, born in Detroit in
1920. Mr. Walbridge gives his political endorsement to
the republican party, and fraternally he is a Mason
who has taken the degrees of both York and Scot
tish Rites. He belongs to the Detroit Club, University
Club and Red Run Golf Club and manifests his inter
est in the welfare and progress of the city as a mem
ber of the Detroit Board of Commerce. He was private
in the Light Artillery in the Spanish-American war,
serving in Porto Rico, and in the World war received
the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Engineers Corps.
His capability and resourcefulness make him a valued
factor in any organization with which he becomes con
nected, while in his chosen profession he has risen
to eminence through the development of his native
and acquired powers. "
EDWARD A, STRICKER, general manager of the
Roger J. Sullivan Furniture Company, was born in
Wayne county, Michigan, in 1870, his parents being
Christian F. and Dorothy (Gartner) Strieker. His
father was a retired farmer. His mother was » sister
of Judge Gartner and was born in Detroit, near where
the county building now stands.
Edward A. Strieker passed through the high school
and then entered the Michigan Agricultural College,
from whieh he was graduated as a member of the class
of 1890. He afterward pursued a law course in the
University of Miehigan and won the LL. B. degree
upon graduation in 1892 and the same year was ad
mitted to the bar. He then located in Detroit for
the practice of his profession and for a time was in
the office of Frederick A. Baker, while later he be
came a junior partner of George Gartner. After three
years, however, he withdrew and practiced alone. He
later relinquished his law business to devote his time
entirely to the management of the Roger J. Sullivan
Company, furniture dealers.
Mr. Strieker wedded Fannie Sullivan, a sister of
Roger J. Sullivan. The business placed in his hands

occupies his'time and attention to such a degree that
he is neither a fraternity nor a club man, but he has
long taken a very personal interest in military affairs
and in the political situation of the country. He
started his military training when a young man in the
Agricultural College and when the Spanish-American
war broke out he enlisted in the Thirty-second Mieh
igan Regiment and served with that command during
the summer of 1898 as sergeant of his company. Sub
sequently he joined the National Guard and was com
missioned captain and later succeeded to the command
of his battalion. He is greatly interested in military
organizations and keeps in close touch with all mili
tary affairs and with legislation relative thereto. In
politics he is a democrat, but his legal training and
business experience have raised him above partisan
politics. He reveres the democratic principles of a
democratic America but will not blindly follow po
litical devices to attain office. At one time he was a
candidate for the state legislature on the democratic
ticket and that year the vote was so close as to
bring a recount, which, however, he did not ask for.
On the recount the democratic candidate was defeated
by the small majority of about four hundred. Mr.
Strieker is not an office seeker — in fact has no time
to devote actively to political affairs, but he always
desires to see able, public-spirited men in all offices
throughout the country that the best interests of
America may be conserved and promoted.
HERBERT L. BAKER, numbered among the able
and successful attorneys of Detroit for more than a
half century, died on the 9th of June, 1921, at the
ripe old age of seventy-five years. His birth occurred
-in Pennsylvania on the 14th of March, 1846, his par
ents being Mr. and Mrs. John Baker, who reared a
family of six children. By occupation the father was
a farmer, devoting his life to general agricultural pur
suits in the Keystone state and winning prosperity in
his undertakings.
In the acquirement of his education Herbert L.
Baker attended the publie and high schools and later
prepared for a professional career as a law student in
Lafayette College of Easton, Pennsylvania, from whieh
institution he was graduated with the class of 1868.
He was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1871 and
opened an offiee in Detroit the same year, continuing
an active and prominent representative of the legal
profession in this city to the time of his demise, or
for a period covering more than a half century. For a
number of years he practiced as a member of the firm
of Baker, Montrose & Flowers, while subsequently he
became the senior partner in the firm of Baker &
Campau, his associate being Daniel Campau. As a
lawyer he was sound, clear-minded and well trained.
An excellent presence, an earnest manner, marked
strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law
and the ability accurately to apply its principles, made
him an effective and successful advocate. He held

500

CITY OF DETROIT

membership in the Detroit Bar Association, the Wayne
County Bar Association, the Michigan State Bar Asso
ciation and the American Bar Association.
Mr. Baker was twice married, his first wife being
Mrs. Jennie Simrell. On the 21st of April, 1917, he
wedded Mrs. Louise Turner, a daughter of Robert E.
Greenanger of Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a popular
member of the Detroit Boat Club and also belonged to
the Old Detroit Club and the Prismatic Club. His
professional and social connections had brought him an
extensive and favorable acquaintance during the long
years of his residence in this city, so that his demise
was the occasion of deep and widespread regret and
his memory will long be cherished. Mrs. Baker resides
at No. 62 West Forest avenue.
FRED BRADLEY THOMPSON is secretary and
treasurer of the Thompson Auto Company, whieh has
the distinction of being the oldest distributors of mo
tor trucks and passenger cars in Detroit in years of
continuous connection with the business. The com
pany has been handling the Federal truck since it
was placed on the market and in this connection has
built up a business of extensive and gratifying pro
portions. He was born in Detroit, August 9, 1872,
and is a son of George F. and Rose (Reaume) Thomp
son, the former a native of Detroit, while the latter
was born in Grosse He, Miehigan.
Fred Bradley Thompson attended private school and
afterward became a student in the Detroit College,
from which he was graduated in 1890. He next started
to learn the electrical business with the Fisher Electrical
Company, through the instrumentality of Dr. E. L.
Shirley, who had been the Thompson family physician
for years and manifested an interest in young Thomp
son's advancement. After a brief period in this busi
ness, however, the young man decided that owing to
a lack of inventive genius and not being of a me
chanical turn of mind, his capabilities ought to find
a broader field in other lines. Being naturally in
dustrious and with plenty of energy and ambition,
he was not long out of employment and accepted a
position with the old American Eagle Tobacco Com
pany under his uncle, Henry Thompson. In this work
Fred B. Thompson soon became regarded as a valua
ble employe and was advanced in responsibility from
time to time, remaining with the Eagle Tobacco Com
pany until he resigned to accept a road position with
the Globe Tobacco Company, with which his father
had been connected for years. Young Thompson trav
eled the state of Ohio for that company for about
three years, when he severed his connection to accept
a similar position with the Snider Preserve Company
of Cincinnati, Ohio, wherein another uncle, John D.
Thompson, was largely interested. For four years
Fred B. Thompson remained with this company. From
Detroit he removed to Boston, Massachusetts, and aft
erward to New York city, where he entered the
brokerage business, which he conducted as senior part

ner in the Thompson-Nattrass Company, which still
controls one of the successful brokerage houses of
Boston and New York, and of this he is the vice
president. In the meantime he was one of the found
ers of the Royal Cheese Company, of which he sub
sequently acquired the controlling interest, and for
several years he was the managing head of that
business, whieh was really the predecessor of the
Fred B. Thompson Company of Detroit, manufacturers
of jar cheese, peanut butter, sugar wafers and other
table delicacies. After conducting a successful manu
facturing business of this character Mr. Thompson
disposed of it in 1910 and turned his attention to the
automobile trade.
Fred B. Thompson became one of the founders of
the Thompson Auto Company, whieh is one of the
leading automobile distributing companies of Detroit.
The business was established by his brother, John
H. Thompson, mentioned elsewhere in this work, whose
partnership relations were purchased by Fred B.
Thompson. The brothers organized the Thompson
Auto Company, of whieh Fred B. Thompson of this
review has always been the secretary and treasurer.
The business has been developed to extensive pro
portions. For a decade the firm handled only the
Federal motor trucks and at the end of that time added
the sale of passenger ears represented by the Max
well Chalmers line. The Thompsons are the oldest
truck dealers in Detroit, having handled the Federal
trucks since their first distribution in the city, arid
today there are more than fifteen hundred in use in
and about Detroit whieh have been purchased through
them. Interviewed as to his business poliey, Fred
B. Thompson said: "During that time one thought
has been uppermost in my mind. That thought is to
give such service that every truck sold would return
one hundred cents on the dollar. Accidents that neces
sitate the quick replacement of parts are unavoidable
in the varied work required of a truck. Yet every
owner of a truck has a right to expect that his truck
shall not remain idle for a day or a week while
such parts are being ordered from the factory. I
have attempted to keep such a stock on hand that
quick replacement will result in any case of ordinary
emergency. For the individual owner of a truck whose
means of livelihood depends on the earnings of that
truck, the earnings lost in a few days or a week
during which the truck is laid up for repairs and
replacement of parts may knock the profit of two
weeks out of his work. I think this policy is well'
founded because sixty-eight per cent of our orders
are repeat orders." By reason of his close following
of reliable and progressive business methods Fred
B. Thompson has become an active factor in the
development of an extensive motor business and suc
cess in large measure is now his.
On the 22d of December, 1898, Mr. Thompson was
married to Miss Irma Carr of Cleveland, Ohio, daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. William T. Carr of that city.

FRED B. THOMPSON

_ITY OF DETROIT

503

In religious faith Mr. Thompson is a Catholic and
he is a third degree member of the Knights of Co
lumbus. He belongs to the alumni association of the
University of Detroit, of which he is a member of
the board, and he also has membership with the De
troit Ahtletic Club, the Board of Commerce and
Grosse He Country Club. He is keenly interested in
civic affairs to the extent of giving hearty endorse
ment and cooperation to all movements for the gen
eral good, yet preeminently is a business man, and
thus his undivided attention to business has been a
salient force in the attainment of his present gratify
ing success.
J. LAWSON MILLER, architect, whose handiwork
is evident in about three hundred of the substantial
structures of Detroit, was born at Lake Orion, Mich
igan, in 1878, his parents being Seymon B. and Han
nah L. (Woodley) Miller. His father, who was a
miller by trade, was born at Lake Orion, and died in
the house in whieh his birth occurred. The grand
father, Nicholas B. Miller, went to Lake Orion when
that country was a virgin forest; in fact, he was one
of the earliest pioneers of his section of the state, and
there he carried on blacksmithing and did cabinet
work. The family has ever since been represented in
Miehigan. J. Lawson Miller attended the public schools and on
leaving the high sehool he obtained a position in the
office of Baxter & Hill, with whom he remained for
a year and a half. He was afterward with S. C.
Falkinburg for a year, and then spent six months in
the employ of Joseph E. Mills. He was next with the
firm of Roger & McFarlane for three months and thus
his connection with all of these firms of architects
brought him wide experience and intimate knowledge
of the business. Later he returned to his home town,
where he continued for six months, and then again
came to Detroit, after which he was made head drafts
man in the office of S. C. Falkinburg, remaining in
that capacity for eight years. On the expiration of
that period he became a partner of Mr. Falkinburg on
the 24th of October, 1904, and this relation was main-
1 tained until the death of Mr. Falkinburg on the 3d
of July, 1905. Their offices were at that time located
in the Hammond building, but Mr: Miller has since
moved to the present address in the Goebel building,
where he has carried on his business alone. He occu
pies an enviable professional position and has been
the, architect of about three hundred buildings in De
troit, in addition to whieh he has done some notable
outside work. He has erected apartment houses, ter
races and flats which have figured prominently in his
' work, and which combine utility and beauty with
every modern convenience. He has erected a seven
store and twenty-one apartment building on Michigan,
a thirty-three apartment building on Charlotte and
a fine terrace on Woodward avenue. He was the archi
tect of a large apartment house in Salt Lake City,

built on the site of the sehoolhouse of Brigham Young,
and also a notable residence in Bay City, Michigan.
He enjoys a high reputation for fairness and honorable
dealings with his patrons, and is widely known as a
remarkably original and artistic architect, his work
being unique in many respects, and at all times pleas
ing to the eye. Since the age of sixteen years he
has been a practical student of architecture and he
is acquainted with the best that the ages have con
tributed in the line of building.
In 1904 Mr. Miller was married to Miss Nellie
Gooney of Detroit. He is well known in Masonic
circles, belonging to Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M.;
Miehigan Sovereign Consistory, in whieh he has at
tained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite;
and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a
charter member of the Michigan Society of Architects.
Aside from this he has few activities outside of busi
ness, for his profession makes constant demand upon
his time and energies, and he utilizes every possible
opportunity to advance his efficiency and promote his
skill in his chosen field of labor.
WISTAB W. GATES. Real estate and insurance
interests of Detroit find a prominent and successsful
representative in Wistar W. Gates, who since 1910
has been identified with commercial interests of this
city and is now conducting a business of extensive
proportions. He deserves much credit for what he
has accomplished, for he was left an orphan during
his boyhood and from an early age has been dependent
upon his own exertions for a livelihood, his present
prosperity being the direct outcome of his persistency
of purpose and undaunted energy. Mr. Gates is a
native of the south. He was born near Richmond,
Virginia, April 12, 1882, a son of Charles James and
Minnie Lane (Robertson) Gates. In the paternal line
the original progenitor of the family in America emi
grated to this country from Buckinghamshire, England,
in 1779 and on the distaff side the family is also of
English origin, having been established in the United
States since the Revolutionary war.
Mr. Gates' parents died when he was quite young
and he was reared in the family of his maternal uncle,
the Rev. Walter Robertson, a Presbyterian minister
and a brother of General Robertson of Civil war
fame. He attended the public schools near Warren-
ton, Virginia, and a high school in that city and
while he received a fair amount of education he has
never had any boyhood, being obliged to start out
for himself in the world at an unusually early age.
He was a newsboy at Newport News when its popu
lation numbered sixteen thousand people arid at the
age of seventeen became stockman in a furniture store,
while subsequently he was advanced to the position of
salesman, continuing with that firm until twenty years
of age. He then went to Washington, D. C, and there
entered the employ of a furniture house. His close
application and efficient service soon won him pro-

504

CITY OF DETROIT

motion and he was made buyer of rugs and draperies
for the company, with whom he remained until He
reached the age of twenty-two, when he entered busi
ness circles on his own account, forming the firm of
Gates & Rich, dealers in furniture and carpets. He
was active in that connection for six years, at ¦ the
end of which period he closed up the business and in
1910 came to Detroit, where he beeame identified with
the firm of Owen & Company, in whose employ he re
mained for a year. He then established a real estate,
loan, building and insurance business, which he has
since conducted, handling everything in the real estate
line except subdivisions. He has maintained his offices
in the Detroit Savings Bank building since 1912 and
has been very successful in the conduct of his inter-
' ests, building up a business of extensive proportions.
He has negotiated many important realty transfers
-in this city and also has large real estate interests
r in Florida, in whieh state he also spends his winters.
He is a most capable business man of firm purpose
and marked strength of character who carries forward
to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
Mr. Gates was united in marriage to Miss Eva
• Stuart of West Virginia, and they have become the
parents of a son, Stuart Wistar. He is an- active and
earnest member of the Detroit Real Estate Board and
the Detroit Board of Commerce and he is also iden
tified with the Old Colony Club, Oakland Hills Coun
try Club, and the Detroit Automobile Club. He has
led a busy, active and useful life, employing every
opportunity to advance, and the years have chronicled
his growing success, while at all times his activities
have balanced up with the principles of truth and
¦ honor. A progressive spirit and firm determination
have enabled him to overcome all difficulties and ob
stacles in his path and his record is a most com
mendable one, showing what may be accomplished
when one has the will to dare and to do.
WILLIAM A. SELLS. Many of the sons of Can
ada have crossed the border into Detroit to find
here the superior business conditions brought about
through livelier competition and advancement more
quickly secured. The business record of William A.
Sells is one that spells progress and from a humble
position he has worked his way steadily upward until
he is now the president of the A. J. Dupuis Company
of Detroit. He was born in Norfolk county, Ontario,
Canada, September 4, 1877, and obtained his early
education in the public schools there. He was a young
man of seventeen years when he took up his abode
in Detroit, after which he was employed for some
time by the Detroit Construction Company and during
that period worked on the construction of the railroad
between Detroit and Flint, Michigan. In 1901 he
joined the A. J. Dupuis Company, dock builders, in
the capacity of bookkeeper. In 1917 he was elected to
the presidency of the corporation. This company has
been accorded many important contracts. It has put

in the foundations of the Pontchartrain hotel, the new
Buhl buildings, the Solvay plant, the Morgan & Wright
plant, the Union Trust building and the Chamber of
Commerce, together with various other edifices of the
city. In addition it has built many docks on the
Detroit side_ of the river from Grosse Pointe to Tren
ton. Its contracts have been of a most important
character, including work of large extent and im
portance. Mr. Sells was united in marriage in 1912 to Miss
Margaret Fraser and they have become the parents
of three children, all born in Detroit: Bruce, born
May 12, 1914; William A., Jr., bom October 30, 1915;
and Jean. In his fraternal connections Mr. Sells is
a Mason, his name being on the membership rolls of
Ashlar Lodge, A. F. & A: M.,' and Damascus Com
mandery, No. 42, K. T. He is also a representative
of the Detroit Athletic Club, the Oakland Hills
Country Club and. the Board of Commerce. Sinee age
conferred upon him the right of franchise he has
supported the republican party and is a firm believer
in its principles, but has - never sought nor desired
political preferment. On the contrary he has con
centrated his efforts and attention upon his business
affairs. F. CALDWELL WALKER. Occupying, a central
. position among the younger generation of business
men in Detroit is F. Caldwell Walker, the president
of the Fibre Package Company, manufacturers of large
paper and corrugated shipping cases and boxes. He
is of the third generation of the family to make notable
contribution to the upbuilding of the business of this
city. His grandfather, Hiram Walker, coming to De
troit when it was but a small town, was for many
years an important factor in the growth and develop
ment of this city and was the founder and promoter
of the town of Walkerville across the river. F. Cald
well Walker's father, J. Harrington Walker, con
tinued the business interests established by the father
and became in his turn a leading factor in Detroit's
commercial development. Both are mentioned at length
on another page of this work.
In the acquirement of his education F. Caldwell
Walker attended the schools of Detroit and after
ward became a pupil in prominent educational insti
tutions elsewhere, including St. Paul's school at Con
cord, New Hampshire. When his textbooks were put
aside he became identified with the automobile busi
ness as a retail agent for the Baker electric and the
Mercier automobiles in Detroit. In connection with
others he purchased the business of the Detroit Cor
rugated Board & Box Company, and organized the
Fibre Packing Company, manufacturers of corrugated
paper shipping cases and boxes. This business has
been developed to large proportions and is now one
of the important productive industries of the city.
One hundred people are employed in a modem manu
facturing plant located at No. 1601 Clay avenue in

WILLIAM A. SELLS

vJITY OF DETROIT

507

Detroit. Mr. Walker is the president and one of the
directors of this company and in its management and
control is displaying the same sterling business qual
ities which have made the name of Walker a forceful
one in commercial, industrial and financial circles in
Detroit through three generations.
On the 21st of May, 1913, Mr. Walker was married
to Miss Marjorie Ball, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
William H. Ball, and they have become parents of a
son, William Harrington, who was born in Detroit,
May 7, 1914, and is now attending the Liggett sehool
for boys.
Mr. Walker was in the air service during the World
war, in the ground and production division, with the
commission of second lieutenant. He is a member of
the Detroit Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the De
troit Country Club and the Old Club and is well known
in the social life of the city, attractive personal qual
ities establishing his position as a foremost figure in
club life as well as in business circles. Mr. Walker
resides at 2163 Seminole.
MICHAEL A. MOYNIHAN, secretary, treasurer and
one of the directors of the Gemmer Manufacturing
Company of Detroit, is a native of Ireland but was
brought to America by his parents when three years
of age, the family home being established in Detroit
in 1881. They made their way direct to this city and
here Mr. Moynihan has since resided. He was educated
in parochial schools and in Detroit College, now the
University of Detroit, pursuing a classical course,
which he completed with the class of 1900.
Mr. Moynihan then started out upon his business
careejr and from 1900 until 1901 was with the Great
Northern Railway Company, after which he spent six
years in connection with E. A. Skae in the coal busi
ness. In 1907 he became one of the organizers of the
Gemmer Manufacturing Company, of which he was
first made assistant secretary and treasurer, while
since 1913 he has occupied his present position
as secretary and treasurer and member of the
board of directors. This company was one hundred
per cent American and patriotic in the World war.
Their design of steering gears was adopted by the
government and they also assisted in designing and
producing the Class B Truck unit for the war depart
ment. Moreover, all of the men who left their shops
to. enter the service were taken back into their old
positions when they returned. The business of the
company is steadily growing and as one of the officials
Mr. Moynihan is contributing in no small measure to
the desirable results that are being attained. Aside
from his connection with the Gemmer Manufacturing
Company he is a director of the Society for Savings.
On the 29th of June, 1910, Mr. Moynihan was mar
ried to Miss Helen C. Bresnahan and they have become
parents of four children: Thomas Phillip, William
Edward, Richard Michael and Vincent Francis. The
' religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic

church and Mr. Moynihan is active in the St. Vincent
de Paul Society. He is also connected with the
Knights of Columbus as a fourth degree member and
he belongs to the Automobile Country Club, the De
troit Auto Club, the Detroit Association of Credit Men
and the Board of Commerce. His progressive spirit,
his determination and his energy are manifest in va
rious connections, with the result that he reaches his
objective, and his forcefulness and resourcefulness in
business are constantly manifest in the success of the
company which he represents.
VICTOR RAPHAEL HEFTLER. Many and varied
are the industries which have come into existence or
have been developed through the establishment and
promotion of the automobile industry, which has
largely made Detroit the fourth eity of the Union.
Prominent among the great productive concerns is
that conducted under the name of the Zenith Car
buretor Company, of which Victor Raphael Heftier
is the president, treasurer and manager. Carefully
formulated plans, promptly executed and guided at
all times by sound judgment, have constituted the
foundation upon whieh the success of this undertaking
has been built and the outstanding figure in connection
with the continued growth of the business is Mr.
Heftier. A native of Paris, France, he was born No
vember 4, 1877, and is a son of Maurice and Clotilda
(Lafuge) Heftier. The father was a manufacturer
of leather products and engaged in the tanning busi
ness. He is still living in Paris, but his wife passed
away in that city. In their family were two chil
dren, one son being Emile, who was with the French
forces at the outbreak of the war and was among the
first to make the supreme sacrifice.
The early education of Victor R. Heftier was ob
tained in the public schools of Paris and later in the
Ecole Polytechnic Institute of his native city. He
thus received scientific training and with a liberal
education to serve as the basis upon which to build
success he came to America in 1902 and here inaugu
rated what has since become a most successful business
career. He first entered the employ of the Winton
Motor Car Company of Cleveland, Ohio, and remained
there from July to December, 1902, in the mechanical
department. He then resigned and became connected
with the General Electric Company of Canada, with
which he remained from January, 1903, to August of
that same year. He entered the employ of the Cana
dian Pacific Railway and was connected with the
arrangement of the new "Angus" shops in Montreal
and later with the bridge inspection department. He
continued in the employ of that company from August,
1903, to November, 1907, when he returned to France,
and on again taking up his abode in Paris he estab
lished himself in the automobile business and suc
cessfully continued therein until 1911. Again, how
ever, he heard and heeded the call of the west and
once more came to the new world, settling this time

508

CITY OF DETROIT

in Detroit, where he became identified with the busi
ness that is now carried on under the name of the
Zenith Carburetor Company. As president and gen
eral manager of this corporation he is extensively
engaged in the manufacture of carburetors, putting out
one of the best and. most popular carburetors on the
market. The plant is one of the largest in the coun
try devoted to manufacturing of this character and
something of the scope of the business is indicated in
the fact that five hundred arid fifty people are now
employed. The business has been carefully system
atized, so that there is a minimum expenditure of time,
labor and. material, and most progressive methods have
been instituted in the development and care of the
trade. On the 17th of May, 1905, Mr. Heftier was married
to Miss Almanda De Laplante of Peterboro, Ontario,
daughter of Noah and Arthemise De Laplante. The
three children of this marriage are: Benoitt, who was
born in Toronto, Ontario, in October, 1906, and is
now a pupil in the Central high school of Detroit;
Paul-Emile, born in Paris in March, 1908, and now
attending the Central high school of .Detroit; and
Pierre, who was born in Paris in June, 1910, and is a
pupil at Barbour Hall, Kalamazoo.
Mr. Heftier has membership in the Detroit Athletic
Club and the Red Run Golf Club, which indicates much
of the nature of his diversion and recreation. Along
scientific liries he is connected with the Canadian In
stitute of Civil Engineers and with the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of
Automotive Engineers. Back of his steady advance
in the business world there is found laudable ambi
tion, a progressive spirit and broad scientific knowl
edge, as well as practical experience. His residence is
at No. 476 West Palmer.
WILLIAM E. RONEY, engaged in the real estate
business, largely handling Grosse Pointe property, is
a native of Detroit, his birth having occurred August
30, 1868. His parents were John and Agnes (Roche)
Roney, the former a native of Detroit, while the latter
was born in Dublin, Ireland. In his youthful days
William- E. Roney pursued his education in the schools
of Detroit, and starting out in the business world,
beeame connected with fire insurance circles. Later,
however, his attention was attracted to the real
estate field, in which he has since operated, and
through the passing years he has made steady progress
as one of the prominent representatives of the real
estate business in this city. He deals mostly in
Grosse Pointe property and is the owner of exten
sive real estate holdings there. Through this avenue
he has contributed much to the development and im
provement of the place, aiding in the work of making
it one of the most beautiful and attractive of De
troit's suburbs. He lives in Grosse Pointe Shores and
is one of the trustees of this village, a position which
he has occupied since the village was incorporated in

1911. He is carrying on business as president of the
Roney Land Company and in this connection he devel
oped Hawthorne Park, a fine subdivision of Grosse
Pointe. Mr. Roney was married April 28, 1897, to Miss
Marie Chapoton, and to them have been born eight
children: William, Edward, Richard, John, Isabelle,
Josephine, Virginia and Rita. The eldest son en
listed in the navy for service in the World war before
he was twenty years of age and was for six months
in the training school at Detroit.
Mr. Roney belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club,
also to the Lochmoor Golf Club, and is a member of
the Knights of Columbus, associations whieh indicate
something of the nature of his interests and recreation.
He is a quiet, gentlemanly business man, who dis
criminates readily between the essential and the non
essential in all business affairs, who manifests a clear
understanding of human nature and who has displayed
the highest qualifications of salesmanship in the con
duct of his real estate interests.
WILLIAM CHARLES ROWLAND, certified publie
accountant and manager of the Little Taxation Bu
reau and the Little Audit Company, has gained a wide
reputation in connection with his chosen profession,
his ability bringing him prominently to the front.
Mr. Rowland was bora in St. Thomas, in the province
of Ontario, Canada, January 16, 1891, his parents
being Zaek and Sarah Jane (Bredin) Rowland, whose
family numbered three children: William C, Harry
and Ella.
At the usual age William Charles Rowland became
a pupil in the publie schools of his native city and
eventually mastered the branches taught in the high
school at St. Thomas. He came to Detroit in 1909
when a youth of eighteen years and here attended the
Detroit Technical Institute and also the Detroit Col
lege of Law, in which he was a student for two years,
his training of this character being of great value to
him in his later professional career. Mr. Rowland
passed the examination for certified public accountant
in 1914 and for three years thereafter he was iden
tified with the accounting department of the Detroit
Trust Company. He later spent two years in business,
which he conducted under the firm name of William C.
Rowland & Company, certified public accountants, with
office in the Vinton building. During that period he
conducted a general publie accountancy business and
gained a liberal clientage. Mr. Rowland entered the
army, however, in 1918 and following his return to
civil life he became an associate accountant with the
Little Audit Company, on the 1st of January, 1919.
In January, 1920, he was advanced to the position of
manager of the company and also made manager of
the Little Taxation Bureau. These are the largest en
terprises of the kind in the state of Michigan, em
ploying twenty-five people all of the time and as
many as sixty during the rush that comes with the

WILLIAM E. RONEY

CITY OF DETROIT

511

income tax work. Mr. Rowland is thoroughly reliable,
accurate and systematic in all that he does and has
won for himself a creditable professional position.
On the 5th of June, 1917, Mr. Rowland was mar
ried to Miss Kathleen White of Detroit, and they
reside at No. 2215 Hazelwood. Mr. Rowland belongs
to Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is a loyal
follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft.
His political allegiance is given to the republican party
and his interest in community affairs is shown in his
membership in the Board of Commerce. He likewise
belongs to the American Association of Public Ac
countants, to the American Institute of Public Ac
countants and is president of the Michigan Association
of Certified Publie Accountants, of whieh he has been
a director for the past three years. Those who know
him and his work bear high testimony to his pro
fessional standing and to the many admirable traits
of his character as manifest in social and private rela
tions aside from business.
CHARLES E. CHAMBERLIN has seen Detroit
grow from a small place, whose only boast was that
it was a "pretty eity." to its present metropolitan
dimensions and its world-wide fame as an industrial
center. Its beauty has not been sacrificed in its
residential district, while at the same time its busi
ness has been developed to marvelous proportions, and
Mr. Chamberlin has been connected throughout all
of this growth, with the manufacturing interests,
which have been the prime cause of the phenomenal
development of Detroit, and whieh is today the source
of the city's great prosperity. Charles E. Chamber
lin was born March 4, 1852, in the province of Que
bec, Canada, at Dunham Flat, about fifty miles east
of Montreal, but was only six months old when his
parents removed to New York state, where they re
mained until liis third year. They then removed to
Canada and settled about thirty-five miles east of Tor
onto, and during the succeeding eight years continued
their residence in that place. They next went to
Brooklyn, Ontario, where they resided for ten years.
Accordingly Charles E. Chamberlin acquired his early
education in Canadian schools, but his opportunities
for study were quite limited. His father was a carriage
and wagon maker, and he early entered the shops to
assist him in carrying on the business. Woodworking
was very natural to him, and he soon mastered that
phase of the business and also learned thoroughly
the trade of handling the iron works in connection
with the building of carriages and wagons.
It was in 1885 that Mr. Chamberlin came to De
troit, where he joined Joseph N. Smith, who was then
located on Jefferson avenue, and was engaged in the
nickel plating business and the manufacture of buggy
trimmings. Mr. Chamberlin entered the Smith estab
lishment as a workman in the shops, but after a time,
joined E. L. Ackerman in the purchase of the busi
ness and began, the manufacture of automobile trim

mings, although they retained the old company name.
Mr. Chamberlin has been practically manager of
the plant since the new company took over the busi
ness, and for some years previous had occupied the
position. He has been with this house altogether for
thirty-five years, and was president of the company for
a few years, but is now out of the offiee, as he could
be of more service to the corporation as factory man
ager, owing to his practical knowledge of every phase
of the business and his ability to handle men, his
treatment of them winning their loyal support and
earnest cooperation. Mr. Chamberlin trimmed the
first automobile ever made in Detroit. These were
the Olds cars which he trimmed for William Raud,
and the Cadillacs for William Metzzer, Mr. Metzzer
giving him the contract on the condition that he
could turn back the trimmings if he couldn't sell the
cars. History says that the trimmings did not come
back. Mr. Chamberlin was married near Whitby, Ontario,
to Miss Jennie Lawrence, and they have a family of
five children: George Edwin, who married Maud Mc
Pherson; Effie May, who is the wife of Hans Park;
Lottie, who married Anson McCorquodale; Clarence
Paul, who married Esther Lewis; and Luella, the wife
of Dr. Charles Wilson of Detroit. Mr. Chamberlin
and his wife occupy one of the finest homes in Bir
mingham, the most beautiful of Detroit's suburban
cities. He has been a very successful man and is
highly esteemed by all who know him. His course
has at all times been free to bear the closest inves
tigation and scrutiny and measures up to the highest
standards of commercial life.
HERBERT E. BERDAN. As executive and finan
cial agent for a number of leading Detroit corpo
rations Herbert L. Berdan has been closely and effec
tively associated with real estate enterprises of broad
scope and importance and is one of the successful
representatives in this field of constructive business
in the Michigan metropolis, where his offiee head
quarters are maintained in the Union Trust building.
Mr. Berdan was born at Plymouth, Wayne county,
Michigan, on the 23d of February, 1875, and is a son
of Byron J. and Mary J. (Stewart) Berdan, both na
tives of the state of New York and both small children
at the time of the removal of the respective families
to Miehigan. Byron J. Berdan eventually became one
of the successful and influential exponents of farm
industry in the vicinity of Plymouth and both he and
his wife continued their residence in Wayne county
until their death.
After leaving school in 1893, Herbert L. Berdan
obtained a clerical position in the Third National
Bank of Detroit, which he resigned soon afterward to
become identified with the City Savings Bank of
Detroit. In 1895 he severed his connection with the
latter institution, and entered the offices of TEe Detroit
National Bank, in which he remained until 1912,

512

CITY OF DETROIT

when he accepted a position with Charles B. Warren,
now American ambassador to Japan. Af.er becoming
associated with Mr. Warren he turned Iii3 attention
vigorously to the real estate business, in which he has
conducted large and important operations, as repre
sentative of Mr. Warren and various corporations for
which Mr. Berdan is financial and administrative agent
in this special field of enterprise, his clientage being
one of notable character.
Mr. Berdan is one of the loyal and appreciative
citizens of his native county, is a republican in politics
and is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, the
Meadowbrook Country Club and the Detroit Real
Estate Board.
Mr. Berdan chose as his wife Miss Blanche E. John
son, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Johnson of De
troit. They have two children: Barclay G. and Marian
W. Mr. Berdan has through his own ability and well
directed activities achieved worthy success and pres
tige as a business man, takes loyal interest in all
that touches the welfare and advancement of his
home city, and in both business and social circles his
friends are in number as his acquaintances.
HARRY AARON WEBSTER, president and gen
eral manager of the Webster Lumber Company, is
one of the well known men in connection with the
lumber trade in Detroit. A native of Eaton Rapids,
Michigan, Mr. Webster was born February 17, 1880,
a son of Hiram P. and Sarah (Pickard) Webster, both
of whom were natives of the state of New York and
came to Michigan in the early '60s. Hiram P. Web
ster engaged in business at Coldwater, Michigan, and
subsequently removed to Eaton Rapids, engaging in
the lumber business, and there he and his wife re
sided to the time of his death, which occurred April
25, 1921, at the home of his son, Harry A., in Detroit.
He and his wife had spent the winter in Florida, and
on their way home had stopped to visit their sons in
Detroit, when the summons came to the home beyond.
He was practically retired but maintained a general
supervision over his business affairs, leaving the active
work to others and spending his time between his
home, visits to his sons in Detroit and winter so
journing in Florida. In the family were two children:
Hon. Clyde I. Webster, circuit judge, mentioned else
where in this work; and Harry A.
Harry A. Webster attended the schools of Eaton
Rapids, after whieh he became associated with his
father in the lumber business and thoroughly, ac
quainted himself with every branch and phase of the
trade, working in the various departments of the in
dustry. He continued actively in business at Eaton
Rapids until 1912, when he came to Detroit, and on the
13th of September he organized and incorporated the
Webster and McCausey Lumber Company, becoming
its president and general manager. In November, 1920,
the Webster Lumber Company, a Michigan corporation,
succeeded the Webster and McCausey Lumber Com

pany, but Mr. Webster continued as president and
general manager.
The steady growth and development of this business
is largely attributable to the efforts of Mr. Webster,
who brought to the undertaking broad experience
and thorough knowledge of the lumber trade and who
has' most wisely and carefully directed the interests
of the business, so that success in substantial meas
ure has come to them. The Company manufactures
its own sashes, doors, casings, etc., and employs more
than fifty people. It has a large yard and mill at
1159 Holden avenue, with a railroad spur into the
yard, thus facilitating shipment, as well as the han
dling of coal, which is a part of the business.
On the 20th of February, 1900, Mr. Webster was
married to Miss Myrtie L. Ranney of Eaton Rapids,
a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carey W. Ranney, of a
prominent family of that city. Three children have
been born of this marriage: Aaron H., born in Eaton
Rapids, December 1, 1901, is now a student in the
University of Michigan, class of '22; Murl R., born
in Eaton Rapids in 1904, is attending the northern
high sehool of Detroit; -Dorothy, born in Eaton Rap
ids in 1907, is a student in the Liggett sehool of
Detroit. In his political affiliation Mr. Webster is a stanch
republican, while in fraternal circles he is a Mason,
being a member of Detroit Commandery, No. 1, while
with the Nobles of the Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is
a member of the Michigan Lumber Dealers' Associa
tion and thus takes aetive part in that organized
effort which is looking to the development of the
trade. His interest in community affairs is shown in
his membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce.
Appreciative of the social amenities of life, Mr. Web
ster holds membership in the Detroit Athletic, Detroit
Golf, Detroit Yacht, the Canopus, Red Run Golf, St.
Clair Country, and Detroit Automobile Clubs. His
chief recreation is golf and his enthusiasm for this
wonderful game has developed a skill ranking him
among the city's well known gentlemen golfers.
E. MACK MORRIS, a thoroughgoing business man,
who since 1914 has engaged in business in Detroit as
a dealer in tires and automobile supplies, was born
in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada, in 1881, but was
brought to Detroit when seven years of age by his
parents, Henry M. and Mary (Cuyler) Morris. His
early education was obtained in the schools of this
city, which he entered at the usual age, completing
the work of consecutive grades until he became a
high sehool student. He next entered the offices of
the Griffin Wheel Company, with which concern he
remained for five years. He afterward became assist
ant secretary of the Northern Motor Car Company
and so continued for five years. Later he was gen
eral manager of the Great Western Auto Company at
Peru, Indiana, where he continued for a time, but in

HARRY A. WEBSTER

Vol. IV— 38

CITY OF DETROIT

515

1914 he returned to Detroit and here established busi
ness on his own account as a dealer in tires and
automobile supplies. He handles all standard makes
of tires and carries a large stock of automobile sup
plies and accessories, enjoying an extensive trade by
reason of the excellent stock which he carries and his
straightforward and thoroughly reliable business
methods. On the 12th of January, 1909, Mr. Morris was mar
ried to Miss Mabel Alice Langley of Detroit, a daugh
ter of George H. Langley. His wife's mother was
the adopted daughter of James Mott Williams, a son
of John R. Williams, the first mayor of Detroit.
Mr. Morris votes with the republican party, which
he has supported since age conferred upon him the
right of franchise. His religious faith is that of the
Episcopal church and fraternally he is connected with
Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and with the Benev
olent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member
of the Canopus Club, but above and beyond all else
he is a thoroughgoing business man, energetic, deter
mined, upright and courteous and at all times popular
with the publie.
FRED GILMER McGRAW, a worthy representative
of one of the prominent old families of Detroit, had
been for a number of years successfully identified with
manufacturing interests of this city when he passed
away on the 4th of November, 1897, at the compara
tively early age of forty-two years. He was born in
Detroit on the 1st of September, 1855, being the young
est son of Virgil W. and Ann (Cullen) McGraw, whose
family numbered nine children, of whom there is only
one survivor, Alexander H. McGraw of Cleveland,
Ohio. The father was also extensively identified with
manufacturing interests to the time of his demise.
Fred G. McGraw obtained his education in the
publie schools of this city and in early manhood
initiated his business career in the employ of the
wholesale dry goods firm of Charles Root & Company.
Later he organized the Detroit Umbrella Company,
of whieh he became president and so continued for
several years, or until he disposed of his interests in
1896, when the business was removed to New York.
He was a man of keen discrimination and sound judg
ment, and his executive ability and excellent manage
ment brought to the business with which he was con
nected a large degree of success.
On the 26th of October, 1886, Mr. McGraw was
united in marriage to Miss Caroline I. Hunter, a
daughter of Mulford Thomas and Caroline S. (Schuy
ler) Hunter, the father a well known citizen of Detroit,
who was a native of the state of New York and who
came to this city in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. McGraw be
came the parents of a daughter, Carolyn Schuyler,
who resides with her mother at No. 77 West Hancock
avenue in Detroit. Mr. McGraw passed away in the
faith of the Presbyterian church, while Mrs. McGraw
and her daughter are devoted and consistent members

of the Congregational church. In his demise the eity
lost one of its representative and substantial resi
dents — one well known and prominent in business cir
cles and a man who in his private life and social rela
tions manifested qualities whieh commended him to
the regard and friendship of all.
GEORGE W. DUNCAN, who since September, 1879,
has been identified with newspaper interests and the
printing business in Detroit and who in 1908 organized
the firm of Duncan & Ferschneider, conducting a high-
class job printing establishment, was born in Lockport,
New. York, June 28, 1857. He was educated in the
schools of his native city and there learned the print
ers' trade, whieh he followed in Lockport until he
attained his majority. He came to Detroit in 1879
and through the intervening years has made this city
his home, working at his trade in various employs until
January, 1884, when he joined the Detroit Journal,
which had' been established in September of the pre
vious year. He acted as compositor on that paper,
first on the ease and later as linotype operator, until
1908, in which year he established the printing busi
ness of Duncan & Ferschneider at 94 West Fort
street. The business has been carried on successfully
through the intervening years and the patronage is
now extensive and profitable.
While with the Journal Mr. Duncan was elected a
member of the state legislature, and public endorse
ment of his service came to him in two reelections, so
that he served for three terms as a member of the
general assembly. He was one of the eleven elected
out of fifty-seven candidates in 1902 and reelection
came to him in 1904 and 1906, after whieh he volun
tarily withdrew from public life. He was chairman
of the committee on labor under three different speak
ers, all of whom insisted upon him taking the chair
manship of that committee because of his prominence
in the Typographical Union! He has been president
of the Detroit Federation of Labor and also secre
tary of the State Federation. He is now a member
of the National Union Assurance Society, the Ty-
pothetae-Franklin Association and the Typographical
Union. Mr. Duncan has lost his wife but has two sons, Roy
Thomas and J. Howard. He is a genial, courteous
gentleman and an A No. 1 business man, thoroughly
familiar with every phase of the work with whieh
he is connected and thus able to direct the labors of
those in his employ. For more than four decades he
has made his home in Detroit and has witnessed the
growth of the .city from a place of two hundred and
fifty thousand to a million population.
LOUIS W. SCHIMMEL. Various business inter
ests claim the time and attention of Louis W. Schim-
mel, a prominent figure in commercial and financial
circles of Detroit, and his record is written in terms of
success. A native of this city, he was born March

516

CITY OF DETROIT

9, 1860, his parents being Louis and Katherine (Boen-
witz) Schimmel, and his education was acqui:«3d in
the German Seminary and Goldsmith's Business Col
lege. His initial commercial experience was obtained
as parcel boy for A. Williams & Company, whose es
tablishment was located on the present site of the
Majestic building. At the end of two years he won
promotion to the position of bookkeeper and then went
to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where for a year he filled the
position of assistant bookkeeper and all-around man,
after whieh he engaged in business independently in
that city as a jeweler and also conducted a crockery
store, continuing active along those lines for four
years. He then returned to Detroit and for about a
year was employed in the silk department of the W. H.
Elliott establishment, after which he beeame bookkeep
er for the Eckert & Becker Brewing Company, retain
ing his connection with that firm for a period of ten
years, and during that time he gained a comprehensive
knowledge of the industry. He next became the or
ganizer of the Tivoli Brewing Company, of whieh he
served as president until the 1st of January, 1921,
when he resigned that office. He is likewise connected
with financial interests as vice president of the Amer
ican State Bank, is a director of the Gray Iron Foun
dry Company and the Multi-Products Gompany, and
is on the executive committee of the Detroit Fidelity
& Casualty Company. His interests are thus ex
tensive and important, showing him to be a man of
superior business ability, whose plans are carefully
formulated and promptly executed.
On the 4th of June, 1890, Mr. Schimmel was united
in marriage to Miss Julia Kling and they have be
come the parents of a daughter, Clara, who is now
the wife of Hugh C. Martin of Detroit. In his polit
ical views Mr. Schimmel is a republican, stanchly
supporting the principles and candidates of the party.
He is a member of the Harmonie Club and the Grosse
He Golf Club and fraternally is identified with the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masons,
belonging to Schiller Lodge in the last named organi
zation. His business career has been marked by steady
progress, resulting from close application and the com
plete mastery of each position whieh he has held. His
prominently marked characteristics are those which
make for personal popularity, while in business affairs
he manifests the forcefulness, keen discrimination and
ready understanding of involved interests which make
him one* of the foremost figures in commercial and
financial circles of Detroit.
WILLIAM S. SHERWOOD, president of the Sher
wood Brass Workg of Detroit, was born in Lincoln
shire, England, October 20, 1851, his parents being
William and Phoebe Sherwood. He acquired his edu
cation in the schools of his native land and in early
manhood, seeking the best business opportunities and
advantages, he came to the United States at the
age of twenty years, equipped with the knowledge of

the brass-moulder's trade, which he had learned in
London. Mr. Sherwood at once made his way to Detroit,
where he entered the employ of James Flower &
Brothers, remaining with that firm for eight years.
He next took up work of importance in his present
connection and has advanced steadily until he is now
president of the Sherwood Brass Works. The company
was organized in March, 1903, by Mr. Sherwood and
his son, William C, and son-in-law, A. L. Walten-
sperger. It was a new business venture for the manu
facture of brass auto parts and sanitary fixtures and
was incorporated in March, 1907. The splendid devel
opment of the undertaking is indicated in the fact
that there is an average of five hundred employes at
the splendidly equipped plant at No. 1167 East Jef
ferson street. The company belongs to the Michigan
Manufacturers Association and during the war period
devoted its energies largely to the making of war
munitions. On the 2d of August, 1873, Mr. Sherwood was
married to Miss Mary Porties, a native of Scotland,
and they have become the parents of five children:
William C, Mrs. A. L. Waltensperger, Carrie, Hazel
and David. Mr. Sherwood gives his political endorse
ment to the republican party and keeps well informed
on the vital questions and issues before the country
but does not seek nor desire offiee. His efforts and
energies have been concentrated upon his business
affairs and from each experience in life he has learned
the lessons therein contained and from the faithful
performance of each day's duties has found courage
and inspiration for the labors of the succeeding day.
Step by step he has advanced as the result of his
constantly expanding powers and his utilization of
opportunity and he is today well known in the manu
facturing circles of Detroit as a leading and highly
respected representative.
GEORGE O. BEGG, one of the well known business
men of Detroit, was born September 2, 1859, and is a
son of George and Christine (Ogston) Begg, both of
whom were natives of Scotland. In early life they
left Scotland and crossed the Atlantic to the new
world, becoming residents of Detroit, where Mr. Begg
afterward filled the position of auditor with the De
troit, Milwaukee & Grand Haven Railway Company,
occupying that position for many years, or until he
finally retired from active business pursuits. Both he
and his wife continued to reside in this city until
called to the Home beyond. In their family were two
children, but one son, Charles Alex, died at the age
of sixteen years.
The early education of George O. Begg was ob
tained in the public schools of Detroit and in Upper
Canada College at Toronto. He later became inter
ested in the Michigan Car Company, of which United
States Senator James McMillan was president, being
thus engaged from 1876 until the Senator's plants were

WILLIAM S. SHERWOOD

¦:.v..

CITY OF DETROIT

519

sold to the American Car & Foundry Company in 1899.
At that date Mr. Begg entered upon lumber manu
facturing and became president and treasurer and
principal owner of the Champion Lumber Company
at Orvisburg, Mississippi. He successfully conducted
this enterprise from 1899 until 1907, when he disposed
of his interests in the business and removed to De
troit, where he has since devoted his time to his
personal interests.
On the 20th of June, 1894, Mr. Begg was married
to Miss Louise B. Breck, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Hunt Breck, a well known and prominent
family of Cleveland, Ohio. Three children have been
bom to them: Margaret Louise, who attended the
Liggett School for Girls, after whieh she became a
student in Smith College at Northampton, Massachu
setts; George O., Jr., who was born in Detroit, and
after attending the Liggett school beeame a student
in the Detroit University school, then entered the
Taft Sehool for Boys at Watertown, Connecticut, and
still later pursued his university course in Williams
College of Williamstown, Massachusetts; and C.
Brooks, who was bom in Detroit and is now attend
ing the Taft Sehool for Boys at Watertown, Con
necticut. In his political views Mr. Begg has always been
independent and in the exercise of his right of
franchise he has supported men and measures rather
than party. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity,
having taken the degrees of the York and Scottish
Rites. He has membership in the Detroit Club, De
troit Country Club, Detroit Athletic Club, the Old
Club at St. Clair Flats, and the Detroit Curling Club.
He and his wife are consistent members of the First
Presbyterian chureh and he is now serving as chair
man of its board of trustees. He stands very high
in the community, owing to the fact that he is not
only a successful, but also a self-made, man. He started
out in the business world empty-handed and has stead
ily progressed by reason of his capability, his adapt
ability, his resourcefulness and his energy. He has
always made wise use of his time, talents and oppor
tunities and today he occupies an enviable position
in business circles and his labors find their tangible
expression in the attainment of gratifying success.
Mr. Begg resides at 1015 Seminole avenue, and his
summer home is at Pointe Aux Barques, Miehigan.
He has always taken a keen interest in athletics,
shooting and fishing.
GEORGE A. FERRIS, president and general mana
ger of the Ferris-Fowler-Fosdiek Company of Detroit,
has had a large experience in both printing and pub
lishing, and the company of which he is the head is
classed among the most reliable and responsible houses
in its line in Detroit. At an early age Mr. Ferris
manifested a pronounced bent for saying things on
paper and after running the gauntlet as a printer,
spent some years in a journalistic capacity as reporter

and newspaper and magazine editor. In September,
1916, he established the printing business of which
he is now the head. The firm was originally the
Ferris-Crane Printing Company, but in 1920 the busi
ness was incorporated under the name of the Ferris-
Fowler-Fosdick Company, with Mr. Ferris as president
and general manager. The business was started
in a modest way and as the years have passed has
become a very successful venture. The company en
joys a high and well merited reputation for work of
the most superior kind and also for the reliability and
integrity of its management. Knowledge of every
feature of the business well qualifies Mr. Ferris for
the direction of the interests now under his control
and the results which follow his able management are
highly gratifying.
JOSEPH H. SCHULTE. Among the multifarious
enterprises contributing to the industrial and commer
cial precedence of the Michigan metropolis a place
of no insignificant order must be accorded to the De
troit Leather Works, in the ownership and manage
ment of which Joseph H. Schulte is associated with
Henry Kay, the headquarters of the business being at
683 Lafayette avenue, East.
Mr. Schulte is not only one of the progressive busi
ness men of Detroit but also claims this city as the
place of his nativity, his birth having here occurred
on the 15th of March, 1876, his parents being Peter
and Catherine (Ternes) Schulte, who have long been
honored citizens of Detroit. The subject of this re
view is indebted to the Catholic parochial schools of
Detroit for his early education, which was effectively
supplemented by a course in the Detroit Business Uni
versity. After leaving sehool he became associated
with his father in the fire insurance business, the
agency being conducted under the firm name of Peter
Schulte & Son, an older brother of Joseph H. being
junior member of the firm. With this business Joseph
H. Schulte continued his alliance nine years, and he
then formed a partnership with his cousin, Albert
Ternes, and engaged in the retail coal business, under
the firm name of Ternes & Schulte, with yards near
the Michigan Central depot. This enterprise engaged
the attention of Mr. Schulte for eleven years, and
for the ensuing six years he conducted an individual
business of the same order. In 1909 he entered into
partnership with his brother-in-law, John Kay, and
initiated the enterprise now conducted under the title
of the Detroit Leather Works. They instituted oper
ations in a building at 844 Woodward avenue, later
obtained larger quarters, at 33 Mullet street, and in
1916 they erected their present modern and well
equipped plant on Lafayette avenue, East, where they
utilized more than twelve thousand square feet of floor
space and where the corps of employes averages
eighty persons, including a number of skilled opera
tives. In this plant are manufactured diversified
lines of leather goods that are in large measure used

520

CITY OF DETROIT

by the great automobile factories of Detroit; Among
the' products thus issued from the Detroit Leather
Works are fan belts, knuckle boots and other leather
specialties, fully one hundred in number of types. The
factory produces work in conformity with specifica
tions issued from the- engineering departments of the
various manufacturing institutions that are repre
sented on the list of the firm's clients and that in-
eluded many of the leading industrial institutions of
Detroit. Mr. Schulte is called into consultation by
clients whenever changes or innovations are to be
made in the standard types of leather equipment, and
by the leading automotive engineers he is a recog
nized authority in this special phase of industrial
production. He is well known in both business and
social circles in his native city and has a host of
friends. Mr. Schulte has been vice president of the
Michigan Grocer Company since 1916. He is a repub
lican, he and his wife are communicants, of the parish
of the Holy Rosary Catholic church, he is a loyal and
helpful member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, is
a member of the house committee of the Island Coun
try Club, and is past deputy grand knight of the
Knights of Columbus.
On the 14th of June, 1905, Mr. Schulte was united
in marriage to Miss Frances McCarthy of Detroit, and
their only child,. Gerard Joseph, was born in February,
1910. The attractive home of the family is at 2625
West Grand boulevard.
ALBERT ALEXANDER KOZLOWSKI, attorney at
law of Detroit, was born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania,
December 22, 1885. His parents, John and Magde-
lena Kozlowski, were born in the Kingdom of Poland
and in early life came to the new world, being mar
ried in Shamokin, Pennsylvania. The father followed
various occupations in Pennsylvania, where he is still
living, but his wife passed away in Shamokin. They
were the parents of eight children, four of whom
survive: Albert A.; Mrs. Helen Jaroch; Frank; and
Leo. In his boyhood days Albert A. Kozlowski was a
pupil in the Polish . schools and later in the public
schools at Shamokin, Pennsylvania, and when his edu
cation was finished at the age of nineteen years, he
became connected with the clothing trade in his
native city. In 1910 he removed to Detroit, where
he entered business circles as a salesman in a retail
clothing store, being thus employed until 1912 by the
John D. Mabley Company. In the -meantime he at
tended the Detroit College of Law for two years
and completed his law studies in the Chicago Law
school from which he was graduated in 1913. . While
studying in Chicago he provided for his own support
by working as a clothing salesman in the Hub, one of
the leading clothing establishments of that city, owned
by Henry C. Lytton & Sons. There he continued until
1914, when he secured a similar position with Gimble
Brothers- of New York city. In 1916 he resigned and

removed to Boston, Massachusetts. In the latter city
he entered the offiee of a well known law firm, with
which he remained for a year, and then went to
Philadelphia, in 1918, .where he engaged in law prac
tice with a prominent firm. At length he returned to
Detroit to follow his profession and in the spring
of 1919 he undertook and successfully passed the re
quired bar examinations that admitted him to the
Michigan bar. In the meantime he purchased prop
erty and erected the splendid residence and law office
at -4821 Chene street, where he is now located, his
place being considered one of the finest in this
section. He has a comprehensive law library and is
accorded a gratifying practice, which is constantly
increasing in volume and importance. He is very faith
ful to the interests of his clients, leaving nothing
undone that will promote their welfare in the eourts,
and in other commercial transactions, and has been
very successful in his profession. He belongs to the
Michigan State Bar Association. Mr. Kozlowski de
serves much credit for what he has accomplished in
the profession, for he has depended upon his own
resources for a living and to provide the means neces
sary for his college work. Moreover, the calling whieh
he has chosen is one in. whieh advancement can only
be obtained by individual merit and ability and his
progress is therefore direct testimony of the powers
which he has developed as a representative of the bar.
THOMAS W. CONNOR, president of the Ditzler
Color Company, the only exclusive color house in
America manufacturing its product chiefly for the
automotive industry, is a well known figure in the
business circles of Detroit. A native of Michigan,
he was born in Fenton, October 16, 1864, and is a son
of Henry and Marion (Fletcher) Connor, whose family
numbered nine children, six sons and three daughters.
In his youthful days Thomas W. Connor attended
the public schools and afterward worked for a grocery
concern as a driver for several years. He next be
came a shipping clerk for the firm of Flinn & Durfee,
grocers, with whom he continued for about four years.
In 1885 he accepted the position of salesman with
the Acme White Lead Company and traveled for that
house for about twenty-two years, becoming widely
known and popular in the territory through which he
traveled and winning many stanch friends. He was
with the company altogether for twenty-seven years,
for during the last five years of that period— after
leaving the road — he was in charge of the industrial
trade sales. In 1912 Mr. Connor purchased the busi
ness of the Ditzler Color Company from Peter Ditzler
and has developed this business until the house enjoys
eight times the yolume of trade that it did when Mr.
Connor took it over. He employs nearly one hundred
people in various capacities and his product has be
come a synonym of quality wherever paint is used in
connection with automobile finishing. The company

ALBERT A. KOZLOWSKI

CITY OF DETROIT

523

ships its products all over the world and the business
is steadily growing.
On the 26th of June, 1889, Mr. Connor was married
to Miss Georgia Scovill and they have three children:
Grace, who married W. T. Utley, treasurer of the
Ditzler Color Company. They have a son and a daugh
ter: Robert C. and Betty Jane; Kirk W., secretary of
the Ditzler Color Company, married Miss Maud Harris
of Detroit and has a daughter, Barbara Grace; and
Donald S. Mr. Connor belongs to the Detroit Athletic
Club and also to the Detroit Golf Club. Fraternally
he is a Mason and politically a republican.
HUGH MARTIN. No city in America has shown
such marvelous and rapid industrial development as
Detroit. While this is attributable in large measure
to the growth of the automobile industry, it has given
chance for the establishment and conduct of many
allied activities, especially in the field of metal work.
It is in this connection that Hugh Martin is known,
being president of the Detroit Gray Iron Foundry
Company. A native of Canada, he was born in Hamil
ton, Ontario, January 16, 1890, and was but three
years of age when brought to Detroit by his parents,
C. Harry Martin and Estelle M. (Hannan) Martin. A
grammar school education laid the foundation for his
intellectual progress, which was further directed by
his studies in the Central high sehool, after which
he pursued a course in business college. He was then
with the American Car & Foundry Company for a
period of eight years, working through all departments,
and during five years of that time he was traffic man
ager. He afterward became traffic manager for the
Lozier Company, a position which he occupied for
two years, and later he was with the Tivoli Company
for a short time. He then organized the Detroit
Gray Iron Foundry Company, whieh was incorporated
on the 15th of May, 1916, the officers of the company
being: Hugh Martin, president; L. W. Schimmel, vice
president; and H. H. Wyatt, secretary and treasurer.
They employ an average of two hundred and fifty
men and manufacture gray iron castings, jigs, fixtures
and dies. They are the largest jobbing manufacturers
of gray iron in Detroit. They have recently com
pleted two extensive additions to the foundry and
now have a capacity of eighty tons of eastings per
day. Thus the business is steadily developing and
growing, and back of their success is the thoroughness,
capacity, determination and energy of the president
and his official associates.
On the 10th of February, 1915, Mr. Martin was
married to Miss Clara Schimmel and they have one
daughter, Lois Wilhelmina. Mr. Martin belongs to
the Detroit Yacht Club, which indicates something of
the nature of his recreation. He belongs also to the
Fellowcraft Athletic Club and is at all times appre
ciative of the social amenities of life. His Masonic
relations are with Detroit Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M.
He has connection with the Episcopal church as a

communicant of St. Paul's cathedral and in politics
he is a stalwart republican. He belongs to the Detroit
Board of Commerce, thus manifesting his keen interest
in the city's welfare, and in trade organizations he is
prominently known, having membership in the Trans
portation Club, the American Foundrymen 's Associa
tion and the Detroit Foundrymen 's Association.
CHARLES C. WALKER, M. D. Dr. Charles C.
Walker of Detroit, has attained a position of eminence
in the medical profession, having established an in
ternational reputation as an oculist, and his life has
been one of intense usefulness to his fellowmen. He
was born in Cleveland, Ohio, September 24, 1875, a
son of Charles and Carrie Sophia (Saussler) Walker,
who were also natives of the Buckeye state. The
father was a prominent building contractor of Cleve
land and while engaged in that work was killed as
the result of an accident, his demise occurring on the
8th of October, 1919. The mother survives and is
yet a resident of Cleveland. In their family were
two children: H. A., who is living in Cleveland; and
Charles C, of this review.
In the acquirement of an education Dr. Walker at
tended the grammar and high schools of his native
eity and Oberlin Academy, later becoming a student
at Oberlin College, Ohio. He then entered the Uni
versity of Michigan where he took a literary course in
1899, and four years later that institution conferred
upon him the M. D. degree. Going to Bangkok, Siam,
in 1904 he remained in that city for twelve years,
specializing in the treatment of diseases pertaining to
the eye. In Bangkok he established a private hospital
containing thirty beds and he also beeame lecturer on
the eye at the Royal Bangkok Medical College. He
became widely known in that part of the world as a
man of superior professional attainments, and in 1918
he visited India, where he attended the clinics of
Colonel Henry Smith, M. D., the world famous eye
surgeon. In 1919 Dr. Walker left Siam, his departure being
regarded as a great loss to the medical profession
of that country, and came to the United States, prin
cipally for the purpose of educating his children.
While in Siam he acquired a knowledge of several
languages and is a fluent linguist. He brought with
him many valuable souvenirs, curios of the country,
including a fine collection of photographs of _th*e
beautiful temples of India and Siam. After reaching
the United States Dr. Walker spent six months at the
University of Pennsylvania and then came to Detroit,
opening an offiee at the corner of Woodward and War
ren avenues. His pronounced ability has secured for
him an extensive practice and he is also connected
with the staff of Harper hospital and the Children's
Free hospital, specializing in the treatment of diseases
of the eye. His professional labors have been attended
with a gratifying degree of success and he ranks with
the eminent oculists of Detroit. He has never re-

524

CITY OF DETROIT

garded his professional education as completed with
the termination of his college course and has continued
his studies in the Post Graduate hospitals of New
York and Philadelphia, at Canton, China, and at
Amritsar, Punjab, India.
At Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on the 1st of June,
1911, Dr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss
Winette Johnson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John
Johnson, prominent residents of that city. Three
children have been born to this union: Charles Hum-
miston, whose birth occurred in Bangkok, December
5, 1913, and who is now attending school in Detroit;
Nancy, who was born in Bangkok, March 4, 1916;
and J. Heyward, who is also a native of Bangkok,
his birth having occurred February 5, 1919.
Dr. Walker is an active and earnest member of the
Methodist Episcopal church at Beverly and Green River
avenue and is serving on its official board, while his
professional connections are with the Wayne County
and Michigan State Medical Societies. A man of high
purposes and ideals, he has gained a position of pre
eminence in his profession and his contribution to
the world's work has been one of great value. His
residence is at No. 9069 N. Martindale avenue, Detroit.
HENRY H.: BINGHAM is vice president and gen
eral manager of the Charcoal Iron Company of Amer
ica and in this connection ha3 been instrumental in
the industrial development of the state. His capa
bility and resourcefulness have taken a creditable place
in the growth of an immense plant which has five
large branches situated at various points in the United
States. Mr. Bingham is a native of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. He was born November 22, 1880, a
son of C. D. and Annie M. (Harper) Bingham, both
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where they
have remained throughout their lives. The father is
still actively connected with manufacturing interests
in that city. To him and his wife were born six
children: John H., Charles D., Hood W., Mrs. R. W.
Hitt and Mrs. George F. Ort, all residents of Chi
cago; and Henry H. of this review.
The last named was the third in order of birth.
In early life he attended the public schools of Phila
delphia, passing through consecutive grades to the
high sehool, and later he became .a student of the
University of West Virginia, from which he was
graduated on the completion of a course in electrical
engineering in 1901. He afterward spent a short
time in the employ of the Westinghouse Electric Com
pany and later became identified with the steel in
dustry in the steel mills of The Carnegie Steel Com
pany, Limited, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He next
became head of one of the departments of The Car
negie Steel Company, and continued with that corpo
ration until 1910, when he resigned and came to De
troit. Here he entered into connection with the
Charcoal Iron Company of America, being made its

secretaiy, -while later he was elected to the vice
presidency and was made general manager of all the
plants. While the rate of production is low at the
present time the concern is, nevertheless, employing
five thousand people at the various plants. Of Amer
ica's charcoal iron sixty per cent is produced in Mich
igan. This particular grade of iron is largely used
in the manufacture of eastings for automotive vehicles
and as Michigan leads the country in automobile
manufacturing it is likewise evident that it is the
greatest consumer of the charcoal iron product. Ap
proximately forty million dollars have been invested
by the company in mines, timber holdings, blast fur
naces, sawmills and Chemical plants and the Charcoal
Iron Company of America leads all other companies of
this kind. The corporation operates the Yale iron
mine at Bessemer, and sawmills at Marenisco and at
Newberry, while at Newberry, Manistique and Boyne
City, Michigan, and Ashland, Wisconsin, its large iron
furnaces and chemical plants are found. The output
of this corporation is more than one hundred and ten
thousand tons of charcoal iron annually. The Miehi
gan Manufacturer and Financial Record, writing of
the corporation, said, "The book value of the com
pany's holdings is placed at ten million dollars. Its
actual physical value today, however, if the existing
high cost of property and equipment is taken into
consideration, is considerably greater. In taxes alone
this concern pays into the state treasury approxi
mately two hundred thousand dollars annually. It
owns two hundred thousand acres of merchantable tim
ber in Michigan. Its Yale mine at Bessemer has a
capacity of five hundred thousand tons of ore a year.
While its timber is mostly hardwood, it owns one of
the largest individual stands of pulpw'ood in the state
— having approximately forty thousand acres. The
town of Emerson just west of Sault Ste. Marie is
owned by the company outright. The village is
located on the Taguamenom river, the water power
rights on this stream being also controlled by the
company. Six large lumber camps supply its mills
with logs for lumber and charcoal wood. It has four
large iron furnaces and chemical works. Ore from the
mines is carried to the furnaces in the company's
own steamship. Its two sawmills cut fifteen million
feet of hardwood lumber annually. When a tree is
felled, first and second grade logs are cut and con
verted into lumber. The rest of the three is sawed
into cordwood for charcoal carbonization. Besides the
lumber, the mills cut one hundred and ninety-two
thousand cords of wood a year, each cord being four
feet high, four feet wide and eight feet long. The
chemical plants produce two million gallons of wood
alcohol and eleven thousand five hundred tons of
acetate of lime a year. The wood alcohol is what is
known to the trade as crude alcohol and must be re
fined before marketable. The company does not go
into the refining business but sells the product in its
crude state to refining companies at Buffalo and else-

HENRY H. BINGHAM

CITY OF DETROIT

527

where. The acetate of lime is purchased by rubber
concerns who use it in the treatment of raw rubber.
When the company lumbers a section it takes every
tree. The merchantable timber is cut first. The cord
wood is piled on the ground and weather dried for
six months. It is then sent to the charcoal retorts.
The carbonization of the wood requires treatment in
several retorts, no one retort completing the process.
As the wood is carbonized and gases arise, the gases
are gathered and carried through pipes into large
condensers which reduce them to liquid form. This
liquid is pumped to the chemical plant, where the
separation of tar, acetic acid and wood alcohol takes
place. The final residue is pitch-like tar, for whieh
there is also a market, but this has not been de
veloped by the company. The tar is burned under
the boilers of the various plants. Lime is not a
by-product but must be used to give the acetic acid
a body, for the acid itself is so powerful that it will
eat through the strongest container. The Charcoal
Iron Company of America employs between five and
six thousand men. Because so many trades are in
volved the employment of labor is fraught with many
problems. It has been simplified, however, by the
location of the industry in the smaller cities, where
living costs are comparatively low. There is, how
ever, a scarcity of common labor and the turnover
runs high, but not as high as the turnover in some
of Detroit's industrial plants employing a like num
ber of men. The least difficulty the company experi
ences is in obtaining woods labor. There is something
about the woods that attracts red-blooded men. There
a sort of free-masonry exists that cannot be found in
any other place. Perhaps it is the invigorating fresh
air, the aroma of the pines and balsams or the silence
of the forest places, that brings men closer together.
They are a care-free lot and for them the cities hold
no attraction. Some time ago, when labor at New
berry became scarce, many men were transferred from
the camps to the plant in the town. But they would
not stay, gradually quitting and drifting back to the
lumber woods. The Charcoal Iron Company of Amer
ica is largely controlled by Detroit capital. Frank
W. Blair is president; H. H. Bingham, vice presi
dent and general manager, and F. W. Hutehins, treas
urer. The company is contemplating an expansion
program of considerable magnitude."
Mr. Bingham was married on the 25th of December,
1916, in Cheboygan, Michigan, to Miss Minnie Blendell,
who was born at West Branch, this state. They have
become parents of one child, Harriett Susan, born in
Detroit in October, 1919. Mr. Bingham has mem
bership in the Bloomfield Hills Country Club, the
Detroit Athletic Club and the American Iron & Steel
Institute. He is prominently known through his trade
relations throughout the entire country, and he stands
as a splendid example of the American Self-made
man, for he has worked his way upward entirely
through hi* ->wn efforts and ability. Starting out in

the business world as a clerk, he has gained a high
and enviable position, is ever ready to meet any emer
gency or any demand of his business and he faces the
world in the consciousness of his own strength, that
arises from a right conception of things and that
habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of
human activities.
Mr. Bingham is a member of the Board of Commerce
and the Detroit Association of Credit Men, and he
also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Those
who know him — and he has a wide acquaintance —
speak of him in terms of the highest regard as a
most progressive and resourceful business man as a
citizen of high standing and worth and as a friend
whose loyalty is an unquestioned fact in his career.
J. H. DAVIS. No better example of success ac
quired through enterprise and honesty can be found
anywhere than in the career of J. H. Davis, who is
now widely known in the business circles of Detroit.
He was born in Toledo, Ohio, January 15, 1887, and
is a son of I. Davis and Mary Davis, the father a
grocery merchant of Toledo for many years. He is
a brother of Edward Nathaniel Davis, who was one
of the brave young Americans who lost their lives
in France in the World war. He enlisted in Chicago
in a Machine Gun Battalion, but when he reached
France he was transferred to the Intelligence depart
ment, because of his education and ability. He took
another man's place in the dangerous advance in
whieh all of the company, with one exception, were
killed, but he did not hesitate in the performance
of duty, and made the supreme sacrifice, turning the
star of blue into one of gold.
J. H. Davis acquired his early education in the
public schools of his native eity and remained at
home until twenty-one years of age. He was then
married, at whieh time he was earning a salary of
fifteen dollars per 'week. He decided that he must
obtain a better position and came to Detroit, where
he secured employment as a bookkeeper at twenty-
five dollars per week, and thus made permanent lo
cation in the city. He was first connected with the
Eagle Brass Works, the president of which was also
the president of the Riverview Park Association, and
Mr. Davis was given charge of handling the cash at
the park for ten dollars per week extra, bringing his
income up to thirty-five dollars weekly. He worked
until six o'clock daily at his books, and then at the
park until midnight. In addition to this he began
taking orders for coal on a commission basis, and
it was in this manner that he became connected with
the coal trade, in which he is today one of the leaders
in Detroit.
It was on the 28th of October, 1909, that he started
in the coal business on his own account, with capital
in the bank amounting to seven hundred and sixty-
three dollars and twenty-six cents. His first place
of business was at No. 55 Mullet street, and he ex-

528

CITY OF DETROIT

pended all of his little capital in fixing up and equip
ping his office and yard. Having no delivery wagons
of his own he contracted with a cartage company to
furnish a rig to make deliveries. His business on
Mullet street was a basket business at first. He
solicited trade himself and made a specialty of selling
coal by the basket at twenty cents per basket, or six
baskets for a dollar. In this way he built up the
biggest basket coal business in Detroit. After a
year he purchased a horse and delivery wagon, and
soon began increasing his business and his equipment
as well. In two years he had outgrown his quarters
in Mullet street, so that he removed to the corner
of Third street and York avenue. This move required
added equipment and was a big venture. It was
about this time that a serious illness overtook his
wife, so that for sometime a heavy demand for money
was made upon him, but he met the situation by hard
work and superior business ability, and ultimately
converted his business into one of pronounced success.
He remained for five years at his second location, then
sold his lease to 'the property and bought the site
to his present fine coal yard on Riopelle street and the
Michigan Central Railway. His premises here cover
three acres of ground and include his yards and a well
appointed office building. He has made improvements
in the method of handling coal in his yards, and has
erected an elevator, and constructed a large under
ground pit which will hold ten thousand tons of
coal. He also has three railway sidings extending into
his yards and manages always to take care of his
customers, although his business is very large. This
is owing to his initiative and carefully planned
methods. For example, during the severe coal tie-up
in the summer of 1920, he spent two weeks at the
mines, sizing up the situation and arranging to keep
up the shipment of coal to his yard, so that he could
supply his customers without stint. When he has per
fected all of his present plans he will have the best
equipped coal yards in the state of Miehigan. Today
a quarter of a million dollars would not buy his equip
ment alone, yet it represents but twelve years of
efficient effort on the part of this thoroughly pro
gressive and energetic business man. He is a member
of the Detroit Coal Exchange and also of the American
Wholesale Coal Association.
In 1908 Mr. Davis was married to Hattye Ofshie
of Detroit, and they have three sons: Joseph Bernard,
born July 25, 1913; Russell Sterling, born November
3, 1915; and Leonard Frederick, born November 5,
1917. Mr. Davis is a thirty-second degree Mason,
affiliated with Ashlar Lodge, F. & A. M.; King Cyrus
Chapter, R. A. M.; Michigan Sovereign Consistory,
A. A. S. R.; and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
He is also a member of Shadukiam Grotto. His re
ligious faith is that of Temple Beth El, and his club
associations are with the Caravan, the Phoenix, the
Bedford Country Golf, and the Detroit Automobile
Clubs. He is also connected with the Knights of

Pythias and with the Board of Commerce. Mr. Davis
is notable for two things, his sterling honesty and
his broad charity. His marvelous success is attribut
able, in no small degree to the first, for those who
know him have the fullest confidence in his integrity
and uprightness. A benevolent disposition is one of
the salient features of his character, but he is very
modest concerning his philanthropy, and the vast
majority of his benefactions are unheralded; He is
known as a model employer. Every man who works
for him feels that he has his share in making the
business a success. Each employe recognizes his re
sponsibility and all feel a wholehearted interest in the
progress of the trade. Mr. Davis's interest in the
welfare of his men accounts for this. In 1920 Mr.
Davis completed his home at 2224 Chicago boulevard,
which is one of the attractive residences in that section
of the city.
ALBERT EDWARD GRIMSHAW. One of the most
popular and attractive mercantile establishments of
Detroit is the men's furnishing goods store owned
and conducted by Albert Edward Grimshaw. In
fact he is proprietor of two establishments of this
character and his business methods are of a character
that makes patronage of his stores a pleasant expe
rience to those who give him their trade. Mr. Grim
shaw is of Canadian birth, the place of his nativity
being Orangeville and the date August 21, 1876. His
parents were William A. and Dora Tinley (Douglas)
Grimshaw and his grandparents came to the new world
from Leeds, England.
When but six years of age A. E. Grimshaw was
brought to the United States, the family home being
established in Detroit, where he pursued his educa
tion. He earned his first money as a newsboy, be
ginning to sell papers in 1888, when a lad of but
twelve years. He spent four years at that task, thus
making a start as do so many successful business men,
for there are comparatively few city boys who do
not at one time or another sell papers. His next
step in the business world was to enter the employ of
Van Gallow Brothers, hatters and furriers, with whom
he continued in 1892 and 1893. Through the suc
ceeding two years he was with the J. L. Hudson
Company. Constantly he was learning more and more
about business methods and the trade that was to
claim his attention later. He was from 1895 until
1909 in the employ of F. W. Baumgartner, hatter,
furnisher and clothier, and during this period, pos
sessed of a laudable ambition, he accumulated the
capital that enabled him to engage in business on his
own account in 1909 as senior partner of the firm of
Grimshaw & Stevens, of which he is president. The
house deals in all kinds of men's furnishings except
shoes and the business is one of extensive and gratify
ing proportions. With the development of the trade
a second store was opened, the two establishments
being located, one at 34 West Grand River avenue

ALBERT E. GRIMSHAW

Vol. rv— 34

¦•-**

CITY OF DETROIT

531

and the other at the corner of Woodward and Char
lotte. Mr. Grimshaw keeps in close touch with the
market as well as the trend of business in other par
ticulars and has thus been able to buy advantageously
and sell profitably. He also belongs to the Detroit
Credit Men's Association.
On the 11th of August, 1903, Mr. Grimshaw was
married to Miss Emma Nollett and they have become
parents of a son and a daughter, Frederick J., born
August 6, 1904, in Detroit; and Carmen Marie. Mr.
and Mrs. Grimshaw are members of the Presbyterian
church and he also is a follower of the high stand
ards of Masonry, belonging to Palestine Lodge, A. F.
& A. M.; King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M.; Monroe
Council, R. & S. M.; Michigan Sovereign Consistory,
A. A. S. R.; and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.;
also Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He belongs
to the Detroit Board of Commerce and he is a member
and one of the directors and charter members of the
Canopus Club; a member of the Associated Retail
Credit Men of Detroit; a member of the Detroit Yacht
Club; and a director of the General Discount Com
pany. His elegance of manner, his cordiality of ad
dress and his thorough reliability make for popularity
both in social and business circles. Well defined pur
pose has characterized him since he sold newspapers
as a lad of twelve, and commendable ambition has
guided his course until he is now occupying a place
of leadership in mercantile ranks in Detroit. Mr.
Grimshaw 's residence is at 2963 West Grand boulevard.
ALBERT POCHELON, proprietor of the L. Bemb
Floral Company of Detroit, was born in Wuerttemberg,
Germany, March 7, 1874, the only child of Anton and
Louise (Kenngott) Pochelon. He attended the Real
sehool of his native country, there pursuing a course
in modern languages and the sciences and when his
education was completed he went into the mountains
of Saxony, where he entered the employ of a dress
trimming establishment, where laces and other such
goods were made, the firm selling to patrons all over
the world. Through American buyers Mr. Pochelon
heard of the wonders and opportunities of the new
world and in 1893, the year of the World's Columbian
Exposition in Chicago, he came to the United States
with his mother, Mrs. Louise Bemb, who in the mean
time had married again. Mrs. Bemb and the children
of her second marriage located in Detroit, but Mr.
Pochelon made his way to Chicago and worked in
various capacities in connection with the exposition
for a year. On the 4th of July, 1894, he made his
way to New York and for a time was employed in an
architect's office, remaining in the eastern metropolis
for a year and a half.
In November, 1895, Mr. Pochelon returned to De
troit and assisted his mother in the conduct of the
L. Bemb Floral Company, for in the meantime she
had founded the business, opening a florist estab
lishment in the old central market. She conducted

her flower stall there for a few months, but her
business grew rapidly, necessitating larger quarters.
She then selected a residence at 815 Bates street, which
is the site of the present beautiful establishment.
The business seemed to advance almost by leaps and
bounds and ere Mrs. Bemb's death it had become one
of the largest floral establishments in the state. In
1896 her son, Mr. Pochelon, took charge of the busi
ness, following his mother's demise and he has made
for the establishment a reputation that is unexcelled
anywhere. In 1913 he erected a four-story building
of fireproof construction. The front section includes
the main offiee and sales room with a wonderful
conservatory above. The rear section is built to the
height of four stories. In the rear of the main floor
display room is the garage and the delivery room;
on the second floor, overlooking a grand staircase,
is Mr. Pochelon 's studio. The two floors above are
utilized as workrooms and for storage. There are
automatically operated elevators running from the
basement to the top floor and the building has been
constructed in such a way that two more floors can
be added at any time. This is one of the most artistic
florist establishments in the country today and is the
expression of the highly developed and refined taste
of Mr. Pochelon, who specializes not only in handling
all kinds of cut flowers, but in arranging the floral
pieces for every occasion. In this his love of beauty
and his artistic nature find expression and whatever
he does seems eminently fitting, his work having won
the admiration of florists as well as the general public.
The methods employed by the L. Bemb Floral Com
pany and many of the designs which they use have
been copied by the foremost floral institutions of the
country. There is nothing in the way of floral deco
ration that cannot be secured through this establish
ment and by reason of most progressive methods Mr.
Pochelon has made the enterprise one of the most
important commercial interests of Detroit.
On the 21st of November, 1904, Albert Pochelon
was married to Miss Julia Weitzmann, a native of
Detroit, and they have become parents of five chil
dren: Albert, Jr., born November 16, 1905; Julius,
who was born October 28, 1907; Emma Louise, born
August 23, 1908; William, born June 12, 1910; and
Norma, born September 16, 1912.
Mr. Pochelon is a member of the Detroit Athletic
Club and is also identified with the Board of Commerce
and with the real estate board of the city. He belongs
to the Knights of the Maccabees, to the Turners
and to the Detroit Florists Club and is likewise a mem
ber of the Society of American Florists and of the
Florists Telegraph Delivery Association, of which he
has been the secretary for ten years. This organiza
tion has a membership of more than two thousand
throughout the world and insures the prompt delivery
of flowers anywhere. Mr. Pochelon has been very
active in the development of this association, organiz
ing the Florists of the World from fifty-seven members

532

CITY OF DETROIT

to the strength of two thousand, five hundred members
in 1921, with the object: "For better and more efficient
floral service to the public as well as from florist
to florist. ' ' Mr. Pochelon has been secretary of this
organization for the past ten years. He is one of
the most progressive florists of the country and stands
for all that means progress in the trade, improvement'
in the nature of the service they render patrons and
in fact in everything that has to do with the upbuild
ing of the business. A laudable ambition brought him.
to the new world and continued courage, undaunted
purposes and earnestness in his business affairs have
carried him steadily forward to a point of leadership
in his chosen vocation. Mr. Pochelon resides at 533
East Grand boulevard.
PERRY FIELDS KIMBALL, president and general
manager of the Kimball-Eisenberg Company of De
troit is one of the best known men in connection with
the wholesale plumbers supply trade in this section
of the country. Mr. Kimball's identification with
this line of business began as a young man just after
leaving school and extends through more than twenty-
seven years, and previous to his going into business
for himself he was for fifteen years connected with
the biggest manufacturing concern in this line in the
United States. Mr. Kimball is a man yet in the prime
of life, possessing broad vision in business matters,
and actuated at all times by laudable ambition and a
progressive spirit. He was born in Crawford county,
Pennsylvania, January 1, 1872, and is a son of Henry
Clay and Mary (Morden) Kimball. The father was
born in the state of New York, while the mother's
birth occurred in Canada, whence she removed to
Pennsylvania in early girlhood. For a long period
the father was engaged in merchandising in Craw
ford county, Pennsylvania, and was successful in his
business undertaking. Both he and his wife continued
residents of Crawford county until called to their
final rest. Their family numbered five children, two
of whom are living, the brother being Clyde Kimball,
who makes his home in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Kimball obtained his early education in the
schools of his native county, and in entering on his
business career became an employe of the Standard
Manufacturing Company in Buffalo, New York. He
was advanced from one position to another and dur
ing the seven years he was connected with the Buffalo
office he was for some time a traveling representa
tive covering the territory in western New York and
northwestern Pennsylvania. In 1900 the company be
eame a part of the consolidation of the porcelain enam
eled ware interests of the United States, known as the
Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company and in the
fall of 1901 Mr. Kimball was called to the general
office in Pittsburgh and was made manager of the
company's quotation department. This important po
sition he continued to fill until 1908, when he resigned
and came to Detroit. In that year he was one of the

organizers of the Kimball-Eisenberg Company, his
associate in the business being Edward N. Eisenberg.
They established a wholesale business in plumbers,
steam, gas, water and mill supplies that has taken a
foremost place among Detroit's business houses in
that trade. Mr. Kimball is the president and manager
of the business and is also a director of the Naco
Building Company of Detroit, and is a director and
sales manager of the Allen Air-Turbine Ventilator
Company. Mr. Kimball was married to Miss Bertha B. Birch
in Erie, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Phillip Birch. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity,
having taken the various degress of both the York
and Scottish Rites, is a member of Moslem Temple
of the Mystie Shrine, and Detroit Commandery, No. 1.
His interest in community affairs is shown in his con
nection with the Detroit Board of Commerce. That
he has appreciation for the social amenities of life is
indicated in his membership in the Oakland Hills
Country Club, the Noontide Club, the Detroit Auto
mobile Club and the Colonial Club. He has ad
vanced continually in the regard of his fellowmen and
in his business career, working his way upward
through his own capability and business resources,
and his record is that of a self-made man.
CYRIL A. B. MIDWORTH was born in Newark,
Notts, England. His father was Rev. Harry Mid-
worth and his mother, Elizabeth (Brooks) Midworth.
Occupation: Business Executive. Fraternities: De
troit Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M.; Monroe Chapter, No.
1, R. A. M.; Monroe Council, R. & S. M.; Detroit
Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar; Moslem Temple
A. A. O. N. M. S. Clubs: Detroit Yacht Club, Masonic
Country Club, Detroit Board of Commerce.
HARLEY GREEN HIGBIE, member of the firm
of Keane, Higbie & Company, investment bankers of
Detroit and New York, was born in Chicago, niinois,
August 20, 1892, a son of Nathan B. and Corda E.
(Terwilliger) Higbie. The father was a native of
the state of New York, while the mother was born
in Chicago. Nathan B. Higbie has for many years
been connected with Swift & Company, becoming
one of the officials of that firm. Later he extended his
efforts into numerous other fields, becoming prom
inent in business and financial circles of Chicago.
His family consists of five children: Geraldine W., the
wife of P. B. Palmer, Jr., a clothing manufacturer of
Chicago; Carlton M., of the firm of Keane, Higbie
& Company of Detroit; Harley G.; Nathan B., Jr.,
and Willis T.
Harley G. Higbie attended Harvard school and
University high school in Chicago and later continued
his education at the University of Wisconsin as a
member of the class of 1917. He entered the banking
business in Chicago, where he remained until he came

PERRY F. KIMBALL

CITY OF DETROIT

535

to Detroit and here has since been connected with
Keane, Higbie & Company.
Mr. Higbie entered the army for service in the
World war in May, 1917, and was discharged in
January, 1919. He held the rank of second lieutenant
in the Air Service, U. S. A., serving as a pilot at
Gerstner Field, Lake Charles, Louisiana, and at Kelly
Field, San Antonio, Texas. He belongs to the Chi
Psi fraternity and is a well known member of the
Country Club and the University Club of Detroit.
SIGMUND ROTHSCHILD. Every legitimate and
successful business enterprise has contributed to the
growth and development of Detroit. Well known as
an extensive dealer in leaf tobacco, Sigmund Roths
child ranked with the representative business men
of the city. His ability, his innate powers, his en
terprise and laudable ambition were qualities whieh
advanced him from a humble to a prominent position
in business circles.
Mr. Rothschild was a native of Germany, his birth
having occurred near Frankfort-on-the-Main, July 1,
1837, and he was a lad of but sixteen years when he
came to the new world. He was one of a family
of five children, whose parents were Mr. and Mrs.
Samuel Rothschild. The father and mother were also
natives of Germany and in that country in his young
days the father became an expert judge of horse
flesh. His opinion in this connection was so frequently
sought that he finally embarked in the business.
It was in 1853 that Sigmund Rothschild bade adieu
to his native land and crossed the Atlantic to the new
world. He embarked in business in Detroit in 1854,
having previously had considerable business exper
ience as an apprentice to the dry goods trade and as
a traveling salesman for a year. He had also spent
a year in learning the trade of cigar-making in New
York and with his arrival in Detroit he took charge
of the cigar stand in the old National hotel, whieh later
became the Russell House. His business enterprise
and laudable ambition, however, prompted him to enter
larger fields and he established a wholesale tobacco
house with his brother, Feist, as a partner. In 1865
they were joined by a third brother, Kaufman S.,
who passed away in 1905, while the death of Feist
Rothschild occurred in 1890. While carrying on the
business Sigmund Rothschild attended to the foreign
end of the trade, establishing a house in Amsterdam
and another in Havana, Cuba. He was a man of sound
business judgment and studied closely the conditions
of the trade and anything relating to the growth of
their business. In fact, he became one of the largest
and most daring buyers of leaf tobacco in the world
and conceived the idea of buying tobacco directly from
the farmers in Cuba. Several times he stayed in the
field when other dealers were driven out by yellow
fever and he rendered signal service to the Cubans by
purchasing their crops whieh were piled up and spoil
ing. Business demands took him to all parts of this

country and to various other countries on the face
of the globe and it is said that he was almost as
much at home on the train or on the steamboat as in
his own dwelling. A contemporary writer has said
of him: "Mr. Rothschild's connection with affairs
immediately attendant upon the historic explosion of
the battleship 'Maine' should not be permitted to
pass unnoticed in this all too brief tribute to his
memory, for at the time he showed in a most sig
nificant way how strong was his humanitarian spirit,
charity and sympathy. Early in 1898 he when to Cuba
to protect as far as possible his plantation interests
against the event of any possible war. Weyler, the
notorious Spanish officer, had issued orders to the effect
that no cameras were to be taken onto the island,
but with characteristic daring Mr. Rothschild had
carried one along. He arrived in the port of Havana
on the night of the 15th of February and was
sitting on the deck of his steamer looking at the
battleship 'Maine' and viewing with gratification the
stars and stripes of his home land, when there occurred
the great explosion whose result was the ultimate
wiping off of Spanish power on the western hemi
sphere. Mr. Rothschild was one of the first citizens
of the United States to render aid to the injured men
of the lost ship, working arduously all night in at
tending those who were brought to the vessel on
which he was a passenger, supplying funds to seeure
necessary facilities and comforts for the unfortunate
men and even donating his own extra clothing to
meet the requirements of the case. In the morning
he secured the first photographs taken of the wreck,
and later he received letters of thanks from many of
the naval officers and other officials who wished to
manifest their appreciation of his benefactions and
tender and sympathetic ministrations. In his photo
graphs he was able to bring home priceless mementos
of the wreck.
"Mr. Rothschild was essentially a business man,
and his strong character was moulded in the school of
experience and broad association with business affairs.
The concern of whieh he was the founder was one
of the largest in the country and therefore one of
Detroit's valued industries. He was a man of alert
and powerful mentality, and his personality was one
which gained and retained to him inviolable con
fidence arid esteem. His local interests were not
hedged in by his purely personal affairs, business or
social, and he was ever ready to lend his aid and
influence in the promotion of enterprises or undertak
ings projected for the general good of the community.
He was conspicuously identified with the organization
and upbuilding of the Detroit Board of Commerce, in
whieh he was one of the original officers, and he
gave no little time and energy to this body, which
has done much in advancing the greater industrial
Detroit. His political support was given to the re
publican party and he ever showed a deep interest
in all that touched the well-being of the city in which

536

CITY OF DETROIT

is was his to gain so noteworthy a success through his
own efforts. He had various capitalistic interests of
importance in addition to those represented in his
tobacco business. He was a stockholder in various
corporations, including financial institutions and in the
'70s he was concerned with the development of Mich
igan pine lands, having been prominently identified
with the lumbering industry for a number of years.
He was a strong man, a worthy citizen, and he filled
a large and secure place in the business world."
On the 1st of April, 1860, Mr. Rothschild was united
in marriage to Miss Bertha Leeser, and they became
the parents of three children: Frederick, of San Fran
cisco, California; Louis, a well known citizen of De
troit who is engaged in the insurance business; and
Harry S., living in New York. Mrs. Rothschild sur
vives her husband and resides at No. 414 East Warren
avenue. The family cirele was broken by the death
of the husband and father July 15, 1907, and his re
mains were interred in the family vault in Woodmere
cemetery. The family are members of Beth El con
gregation. Politically Mr. Rothschild gave his sup
port to the republican party and in matters of citizen
ship he stood at all times for progress, reform and
improvement. His worth as a man and citizen was
widely acknowledged and through his business ac
tivities he contributed largely to Detroit's develop
ment and progress.
JESSE DRAKE has been an able and successful
representative of the Detroit bar during the past
decade and since November, 1918, has practiced in a
partnership relation as junior member of the firm
of Savery & Drake. He was born in Blissfield town
ship, Lenawee county, Michigan, March 12, 1881, his
parents being Benjamin F. and Clara (Hebbert) Drake,
the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Ohio.
After completing a high ¦ school course at Chesaning,
Michigan, he entered the Detroit College of Law and
following his graduation from that institution was
admitted to the bar in 1910. He at once began prac
tice in the McGraw building and followed his pro
fession independently until November, 1918, when he
became a member of the firm of Savery & Drake, with
officers in the Dime Bank building. Their practice
is general, including all kinds of law work, with
the exception of criminal cases. Mr. Drake is very
popular with his clients and the public. The zeal
with which he has devoted his energies to his pro
fession, the careful regard evinced for the interests
of his clients and an assiduous and unrelaxing atten
tion to all the details of his cases, have brought him
a large business and made him very successful in its
conduct. In 1903 Mr. Drake qualified as a teacher
for the Philippine service and in that year left
Miehigan to take up his work in that connection. He
was three years in that work and on his return to
the United States he visited India, Egypt and va

rious points of interest along the route, including
those in Europe, thus completing a circuit of the globe.
On the 1st of July, 1911, Mr. Drake was united in
marriage to Miss Retta Dales and they have become
parents of four children: Francis, Paul, Jean and
Christine. In his political views Mr. Drake is a republican,
while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian
church. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons,
belonging to Detroit Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M. of
which he is senior warden; Ionic Chapter, R. A. M.
Monroe Council, R. & S. M.; Michigan Sovereign
Consistory; and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
He is also a life member of the Detroit Masonic Coun
try Club and likewise belongs to the Detroit Lawyers
Club and the Detroit Bar Association. He resides at
No. 6533 Scotland avenue.
JOHN ALLAN GRIER was born in Davenport,
Iowa, but his parents moved to Chicago when he was
but six months old, and he received his early educa
tion in the public schools, completing his course at
the Hyde Park high school. After his school days
were over he took a position with Franklin MacVeagh
& Company, wholesale grocers, where he remained
eight years. He then moved to South Bend, Indiana,
where he joined the South Bend Healy Box Company,
which was the first firm to make wire bound boxes,
and here he continued until 1908. Seeing a great
future for the business he investigated several other
localities and after a thorough examination, decided
that Detroit had the best prospects, so in April, 1908,
he organized the Detroit Wire Bound Box Company, of
which he is secretary, treasurer and general manager.
The company makes wire bound boxes for all kinds
of products weighing up to six hundred pounds. The
box is made from thin rotary cut lumber, bound with
steel binding wires, making them light but strong,
and while easy to open, they cannot be reclosed with
out leaving evidence. They protect the shipper and
his customer from loss, and to make them doubly
secure seals can be used on one or more of the wires
that encircle the box. The trade of the Detroit Wire
Bound Box Company covers the entire eastern part of
the United States, but it gives particular attention
to Michigan and northern Ohio. The business has
grown from one machine, with a daily output of five
hundred boxes, until the plant covers about thirty
thousand square feet, with a capacity of seventy-five
hundred complete boxes per day.
Mr. Grier is a thirty-second degree Mason; a member
of Palestine Lodge, No. 357, F. & A. M.; Michigan
Sovereign Consistory; and Moslem Temple A. A. O.
N. M. S. He also belongs to the Board of Commerce
and the Meadowbrook Country Club.
In 1908 Mr. Grier married Plowdon Stevens, daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Dresden of Niles, Mich
igan, who formerly lived in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs.
Grier have one daughter: Miss Dresden Grier. Mr.

JESSE DRAKE

CITY OF DETROIT

539

Grier 's parents were John Allan and Mary Louise
(Hager) Grier. Mr. Grier 's father, John Allan Grier,
was for many years general freight agent of the 'Mich
igan Central Railroad, with headquarters in Chicago
and later was general manager of the West Shore Fast
Freight Line until his death in 1891. Both of his
grandfathers were Episcopal clergymen, as were many
others of the family. The Rev. John Grier was rector
of St. Thomas chureh, Bellville, Ontario, for forty
years. Rev. E. W. Hager officiated in Westfield and
Skaneateles, New York, and later was chaplain in the
United States navy for a number of years. One of
his aunts founded the Sisters of St. John the Divine
at Toronto, an Episcopal convent, hospital, school and
home for aged people and was its head until her death
early in 1921, while another was at the head of the
Bishop Strachen school, a school for girls, located at
Toronto. Mr. Grier and his family are members of
Grace Episcopal ehureh, where he has been vestryman
for a number of years and he has done much to help
build that church from nothing to the fastest growing
chureh in the diocese of Michigan.
Mr. Grier is essentially a business man and the
Detroit Wire Bound Box Company is very successful
under his able direction.
GUY LEARTUS CONNOR, M. D., neurologist; born
Detroit, Michigan, October 10, 1874; son of Leartus
(M. D.) and Anna Amelia (Dame) Connor. He re
ceived his A. B. from Williams College in 1897, and
his M. D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1901.
He has practiced in Detroit since 1901; he was form
erly assistant clinical professor of neurology, psychi
atry and preventive medicine in the Detroit College
of Medicine and was also neurologist at St. Mary's
hospital and the Children's Free hospital. He has
been medical director of the board of education of
Detroit since 1914, and is a member of the Michigan
State Board of Registration in Medicine. He is a
fellow of the American College of Physicians; a mem
ber of the American Medical Association, the Ameri
can Academy of Medicine, the Michigan State Medical
Society, the Wayne County Medical Society, the De
troit Academy of Medicine, the Detroit Society of
Neurology and Psychiatry and of Zeta Psi. He is a
republican and a Presbyterian. He belongs to the
Detroit Athletic, Detroit Golf, Detroit Boat, and
Meadowbrook Country Clubs. His home is at 2989
East Grand boulevard. Office: 503 Washington Arcade,
Detroit, Michigan.
On the 14th of November, 1901, Dr. Connor was
united in marriage to Miss Daisy Wicks of Baltimore,
Maryland. GEORGE C. WETHERBEE. The name of George
C. Wetherbee has become a synonym for enterprise
and advancement in commercial circles in Detroit.
Actuated by a most progressive spirit and dominated
at all times by an inflexible integrity his record proves

that success and an honored name may be won simul
taneously. His business records have always been
such as would bear the closest investigation and
scrutiny and at no time in his career has his course
been strewn with the wreck of other men's failures.
Mr. Wetherbee comes to Michigan from New Eng
land, his birth having occurred in Worcester county,
Massachusetts, July 27, 1840, his parents being Zopher
and Sarah (Coolidge) Wetherbee, the former a native
of Harvard and the latter of Charlestown, Massachu
setts. Later the father engaged in the hotel business
at Harvard, conducting one of the high class tem
perance hostelries of that day. He and his wife spent
their lives in the Old Bay state and when death called
them they were there laid to rest.
George C. Wetherbee was one of a family of eight
children. He attended the schools of his native town
and after he had completed his studies he journeyed
to Boston, where he secured a position and resided for
a time, but later returned to Harvard where he worked
on a farm until after the inauguration of the Civil
war. Putting aside all business and personal con
sideration he joined the army in September, 1861,
enlisting in a Massachusetts company. After serving
as a private for nineteen months he was promoted to '
a first lieutenancy and in a short time became captain.
At the close of the war, having served with valor
and distinction, he was brevetted a major. He par
ticipated in many of the most stirring engagements
of the conflict between the North and the South. He
was with the historic Burnside expedition, which em
braced the capture of Roanoke Island, Newberne, and
Plymouth, as well as other fortified and strongly
entrenched positions — engagements which had much to
do with the final surrender of the Confederate forces.
After the close of the war, Mayor Wetherbee re
moved to the middle west, settling in Detroit, where
he established a grocery store on Woodward avenue
at about the present location of the Bird Furnishing
Goods establishment, today one of the most valuable
sections of the city. There he continued his busi
ness for a year and a half and later he purchased
an interest in the Garison & Newberry & Saxby Com
pany, becoming identified therewith on the 1st of
January, 1867. With the business he has since been
connected. Upon its incorporation the name of Saxby
& Wetherbee was assumed but later Mr. Saxby with
drew and the business was reincorporated as George
C. Wetherbee & Company, of which firm Mr. Wether
bee has been the president. This company does a
wholesale business in woodenware and has one of
the most extensive and important enterprises of this
character in Detroit. Mr. Wetherbee is probably
the oldest active wholesale merchant in this city.
Mr. Wetherbee is also president of the Standard
Saving & Loan Company of Detroit and the presi
dent of the Evergreen Cemetery Association.
In January, 1867, Mr. Wetherbee was united in
marriage to Miss Mary E. Phelps of Harvard, Mich-

540

CITY OF DETROIT

igan, who passed away April 7, 1912, in Detroit. Her
parents were Mr. and Mrs. Horace Phelps, and her
father was prominent in the early days as a civil
engineer. One of his successful achievements was the
building of the first bridge across the Connecticut
river at Springfield, Massachusetts. To Mr. and Mrs.
Wetherbee were born two children: Charles Phelps and
Bertha. Charles Phelps, whose birth occurred in De
troit, after attending school in this city continued
his education in the Massachusetts Institute of Tech
nology and also at a famous technical school in France.
He has the reputation of being the best naval con
structor in the United States today and is connected
with the Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, He mar
ried Miss Katherine Browne, and they have one son:
George Browne Wetherbee, who is now a student in
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Boston
and who for two years was a member of the United
States navy; the daughter, Bertha, was born in De
troit and pursued her education in this city and at
Wellesley College near Boston. She is now the wife of
Charles Earnshaw. They have two children: Charles
W. and Samuel Willard.
George C. Wetherbee has at all times been deeply
interested in everything pertaining to the welfare
and progress of Detroit and his cooperation can always
be counted upon to further any plan or measure
for the general good. For several years he served as
commissioner of parks and boulevards and did much
to develop the fine park and boulevard system of
the city. He was a member of the board of managers
of the Michigan Soldier's Home for twelve years and
is a member of Detroit Post, No. 384, G. A. R., also
of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Loyal
Legion. He is an honorary member of the Detroit
Boat Club, belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and
was one of the founders and is still a member of the
New England Society of Michigan. He has at all
times been actuated by a most progressive spirit and
his upright life has won for him an honored name
wherever he is known. He was president of the
Boys Home for a number of years.
JAMES H. GARLICK is proprietor of a large and
profitable jewelry business conducted on the install
ment plan, and an indication of his ability is found
in the fact that he purchased this business after eight
years' service which was begun in the humble posi
tion of offiee boy. Mr. Garliek was bora in St. Wil
liams, Ontario, Canada, February 8, 1878, a son of
John and Catherine (Carr) Garliek. The father is de
ceased but the mother is living and spends the winter
months in Detroit with her son, James.
In the publie and high schools of Port Rowan,
Ontario, James H. Garliek pursued his education and
also a'ttended the St. Thomas Business College, thus
qualifying for a commercial career. In 1894 he be
came connected with the jewelry trade by accepting
employment with J. C. Hough, which business he

eventually purchased. Mr. Hough, in 1884, became
the first jeweler in Detroit to sell watches and dia
monds on the installment plan, his business being then
located at 101 Griswold street, where the Ford build
ing now stands. In 1900 he removed to Fort and
Griswold streets, where the Dime Bank building is
located, Mr. Garliek being at that time in Mr. Hough's
employ. On the 4th of February, 1901, the business
was purchased by Mr. Garliek after eight years'
association therewith and a removal was made to No.
131 Griswold street, where he remained until 1910
and then removed to his present location. This busi
ness is one of the most successful of the installment
plan jewelry houses of Detroit and Mr. Garliek stands
extremely high in commercial circles. He belongs
to all the jewelers' associations, both state and na
tional, and has held offices in the local and state
organizations. On the 24th of September, 1902, Mr. Garliek was
united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Birdseye of
Detroit, and they have become parents of four chil
dren: Kathleen, Marion, James H. and Richard E.
The parents are communicants of St. Joseph's Epis
copal church and in his political views Mr. Garliek is
a republican. He is a director of the Standard
Savings and Loan Association. He stands very high
in Masonic circles, being a member of Union Lodge,
No. 3, F. & A. M., and a past commander of Damascus
Commandery, Knights Templar, Michigan Sovereign
Consistory and also Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine, of which he is chief rabban. . He is likewise
a member of the Masonic Country Club, Ingleside Club
and of the Detroit Automobile Club. He is extremely
loyal to the teachings and purposes of Masonry and
also has social qualities which have gained him high
standing and warm friendships among the member
ship of that and other organizations with which he
is identified.
ERNEST JOSEPH JANISSE is at the head of the
firm of E. J. Janisse & Company, conducting a real
estate, insurance and property management business,
also handling leases, mortgages and loans, with offices
in the Book building. Obstacles and difficulties are
continually confronted in the business world, but all
such Mr. Janisse has overcome by determination and
effort and steadily he has progressed to a point where
his success is now of a most substantial character.
Mr. Janisse was born in Belle River, Ontario, August
20, 1886, a son of Daniel G. and Jane J. (Goyeau)
Janisse, whose family numbered six children. His
student days were spent in the publie schools of
Windsor and he initiated his business career by secur
ing employment in a retail drug store in that place,
spending five years as a salesman in the drug house
of J. C. Davignon. He was afterward with Parke
Davis & Company of Detroit as a representative of
the manufacturing department, his identification with
that house covering three years. The succeeding two

JAMES H. GARLICK

CITY OF DETROIT

543

years were spent in charge of the retail drug depart
ment of the Nelson Baker Company. Thus step by
step he was working his way upward and steady
progression brought him at length to a point where
he could engage in business fox himself. In 1913
he entered the real estate field with the Hannan Real
Estate Exchange and for three years he sold every
kind of property for that firm. He then saw the ful
fillment of his hopes, for at that date he went into
business for himself, opening an offiee in the Dime
Bank building as a dealer in listed property. Later
he began handling leases and conducting a real estate
brokerage and insurance business. He has constantly
developed his interests along these various lines and
his clientage is now large, while his business has
become one of important character. He has been very
successful and has a corps of salesmen who operate
under his direct supervision. In addition to his other
property he handles business sites and he has nego
tiated many important realty transfers. He is a mem
ber of the Detroit Real Estate Board and his close
study of the real estate market has enabled him to
speak with authority upon matters relative to prop
erty interests of the city.
On the 15th of September, 1915, Mr. Janisse was
married to Miss Grace Hartgen of Detroit, and they
reside at No. 4296 Seebaldt street, the hospitality of
their home being greatly enjoyed by their many
friends. Mr. Janisse belongs to the Detroit Automobile
Club, also to the Auto Country Club. His political alle
giance is given to the republican party, where national
questions and issues are involved, but at local elections
he casts an independent ballot. He has never sought
nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies
and attention upon his private business affairs and
along the line of steady progression he has reached
the point where his success and the extent of his
operations class him with the substantial real estate
dealers of the city.

Mining Company in Calumet, Michigan, and partially
learned the machinist trade, completing more than one-
half of the usual term of apprenticeship. It was subse
quent to the time he engaged in the laundry business
in Mt. Clemens that he turned his attention to candy
manufacturing in Marine City, Miehigan, but sold out
in 1904. Coming to Detroit he purchased an interest in
the business of E. B. Gallagher & Company, wholesale
bakers and confectioners and dealers in hotel and res
taurant supplies. He was the vice president of the com
pany following the time when he entered the business,
but in late years has been treasurer. This business has
grown to very substantial proportions, and now has
branch houses in Toledo, Ohio, and Grand Rapids,
Michigan. The firm employs seventy-five people in
the establishments and its business is one of the
largest of its kind in this section of the country.
On the 16th of September, 1904, Mr. Burkhardt was
married to Miss Addie Tubbs of Mt. Clemens, Mieh
igan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Tubbs, well
known in Mead, Michigan. Mr. Burkhardt has one
child, Donald F., born of a former marriage, in Mt.
Clemens, August 16, 1894. He was educated in the
Detroit Eastern high school and during the World
war was a member of the United States navy, and
was overseas as gas engineer on one of the United
States submarine chasers, patroling the coasts of
England and Ireland. He received a commission as
second engineer and at ' the present time is engaged
in the brokerage business in Detroit, being a member
of the firm of Somers & Burkhardt, on Shelby street.
The religious faith of Henry W. Burkhardt is that
of the Lutheran church. He belongs to the Young
Men's Christian Association of Detroit, also to the
United Commercial Travelers. He is interested in
all those things which make for the uplift of the in
dividual and the betterment of the community and
his cooperation can at all times be counted upon to
further any plan or measure for the general good.

HENRY W. BURKHARDT, treasurer of E. B.
Gallagher & Company, wholesale bakers and confec
tioners and dealers in hotel and restaurant supplies,
was born in Hancock, Michigan, June 25, 1866, and
is a son of Christian and Louise (Hintz) Burkhardt,
both of whom were natives of Germany. On coming
to the new world in early life they settled in Wis
consin, and afterward removed to Michigan. The
father engaged in mining in the northern part of
this state for some years but both he and his wife
are deceased. Their family numbered four children,
two of whom are living: William, residing at Mt.
Clemens, Michigan; and Henry W.
In the schools of his native town Henry W. Burk
hardt pursued his education and in early life gave his
attention to various lines of business. For a time
he engaged in barbering at Red Jacket, Michigari,
and , afterward in the laundry business at Mt. Clem
ens. He was a machine helper with the Calumet

GEORGE R. ROACH, one of the active and enter
prising young business men of Detroit, was born
in this city and educated in the public schools. Im
mediately after leaving school he took up the paint
ing and decorating business with his father, James
Roach, who had organized the James Roach Company
in 1875. The business has since enjoyed continuous
existence, covering more than forty-five years. After
learning the trade thoroughly and becoming familiar
with all departments of the business, George R. Roach
was made general manager of the corporation, whieh
position he filled until January 1, 1920, when he was
elected to the presidency of the company. This old
established house has long enjoyed the prestige of
being the leader in its line in Detroit. They employ
men of the most artistic skill in both painting and
decorating and take all kinds of contracts, constantly
keeping a force of most competent and skilled work
men, so that all contracts are carried through with-

544

CITY OF DETROIT

out delay and completed in the most artistic and
pleasing style. They also take contracts for the fur
nishing of homes, in which their reputation is as high
as it is in decorating. The father retired from the
company at the beginning of the year 1920, but the
business is still conducted under the old and popular
name of the ' ' James Roach Company, the Decorators. ' '
Mr. Roach of this review is a member of the De
troit Athletic Club, also the Rotary Club and the
Board of Commerce. He belongs to the Catholic
church and to the Knights of Columbus, in which he
has taken the third degree. In politics he is a re
publican but not an office seeker, being strictly a
business man, giving his personal attention to every
contract of the firm.
CECIL R. EVANS. In the important field of ad
vertising and specialized sales promotion a place of
distinctive priority and influence has been gained
by Cecil R. Evans, who has a reputation as one of the
leading exponents of this line of business enterprise
in the Michigan metropolis, where he is president
of the Evans-Ayers Company, the offices of which
are established in the Kerr building and the business
of which is of broad and representative order.
Mr. Evans was born in Mecosta county, Michigan,
on the 30th of March, 1887, and is a son of Royal
G. and Clara Jane (Van Vleck) Evans, the former a
native of the state of New York and the latter of
Michigan. Royal G. Evans was reared and educated
in the old Empire state and was twenty years of age
when he came to Michigan and identified himself
with lumbering operations in the great timber district
of the state. He was prominently concerned with this
industry when the same was at its zenith as one
of the most important lines of productive enterprise
in Miehigan, and he is still successfully engaged in
the lumber trade, both he and his wife being honored
residents of Cheboygan, this state. Of their four
children, Cecil R., of this sketch was the second in
order of birth; Albert De Valous Evans is a resident
of Seattle, Washington; Ronald K. maintains his
home at Anderson, Indiana; and Margaret A. is the
wife of Archibald E. Blakeslee, of Grand Rapids.
Cecil R. Evans was a child when the family home
was established in the city of Cheboygan, and after
having completed the curriculum of the public schools
of that place he entered the University of Michigan,
from which he was graduated as a member of the
class of 1911, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
Almost immediately after his graduation Mr..- Evans
came to Detroit and became associated with the ad
vertising business of the Carl M. Green Company,
with which he held a responsible position during the
ensuing three years. Thereafter he held a similar
position with the Fuller & Smith Advertising Agency
of Cleveland, Ohio, in connection with the Detroit
branch of this concern. Upon resigning his position
with this agency, Mr. Evans associated himself with

The Service Corporation, a representative direct-by-
mail advertising concern of Troy, New York. He re
mained thus engaged for two years, working in the
Detroit office of that concern. He then joined the
organization of the William N. Albee Company, in
the advertising and sales promotion service, with head
quarters in Detroit. He became secretary and treas
urer of this company, a position which he held two
and one-half years. On the 1st of January, 1920,
he sold his interest in the William N. Albee Com
pany and organized the Evans-Ayers Company, which
has gained a representative clientage and already
controls a large and important business in the domain
of specialized sales promotion. Mr. Evans is a mem
ber of the Detroit Board of Commerce, and holds
membership in the Adcraft Club, the Detroit Athletic
Club and the Oakland Hills Country Club.
February 7, 1912, recorded the marriage of Mr.
Evans to Miss Edna H. Restrick, daughter of the
late Charles W. Restrick, a leading lumber dealer of
Detroit. Mrs. Evans was afforded the advantages of
the Detroit public schools and also the Liggett Sehool
for Girls, one of the representative educational in
stitutions of this city, and she has been and is a pop
ular factor in the social activities of her home city.
Mr. and Mrs. Evans have four children: Jane Chris
tine, born September 24, 1913; Charles Restrick, born
January 15, 1915; Richard Cecil, born April 6, 1916;
and James Philip, born February 14, 1920. Mr. Evans '
residence,- "Hawthorne Lodge," is located on Wing
lake in the Bloomfield Hills section of Oakland county.
HENRY BURKHARDT, attorney at law, was born
in Detroit, November 30, 1890. The family has been
represented here for many years. His father, Julius
Burkhardt, although a native of Germany, came to
the United States in early life and took up his abode
in Detroit, where he met and wedded Miss Mary Martz.
Later he established a retail shoe business, whieh he
conducted to the time of his death in 1905, when he
was fifty-six years of age. His wife was born in
Detroit and spent her life in this eity, passing away
in 1893, at the age of thirty-six years. By her mar
riage she became the mother of four children: Mrs.
Clara Crockett and Mrs. Helen Day, both of Detroit;
Mrs. Bertha Klein of Cleveland, Ohio; and Henry.
The last named, the youngest of the family, after at
tending the public schools continued his education in
the Detroit University school and later entered the
Detroit College of Law, in preparation for the pro
fession which he had determined to make his life
work. He was graduated therefrom with the LL. B.
degree in 1914 and entered upon the practice of law
immediately after his admission to the bar in that
year. He has since made for himself a creditable
name and place among the younger lawyers of De
troit and his practice is now steadily growing in vol
ume and importance, his advancement being due to

CECIL R. EVANS

Vol. IV— 35

CITY OF DETROIT

547

individual capability and merit, for he chose as a
life work a calling in which wealth and influence are
never determining factors in the attainment of success.
On the 28th of June, 1916, Mr. Burkhardt was
married to Miss Eleanor Krug, a daughter of Henry
and Elizabeth Krug, and they have become parents
of one son, Henry, Jr., born in Detroit, April 13,
1918. The parents are members of the English Luth
eran church, and they are well known socially, having
many warm friends in the city. Mr. Burkhardt is
prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Corinth
ian Lodge, A. F. & A. M., while in Miehigan Sovereign
Consistory he has attained the thirty-second degree
of the Scottish Rite, and in Moslem Temple he has
crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Detroit Yacht
Club and to the Delta Theta Phi, a law fraternity.
He is likewise a member of the Lawyers' Club of De
troit and of the Detroit Bar Association. His political
allegiance is given to the republican party, whieh he
has supported since age conferred upon him the right
of franchise, but he does not seek nor desire political
preferment, his attention being fully given to his
professional interests and duties.
C. C. MILLER, vice president of the Vulcan Motor
Axle Corporation, was born in Canton, Ohio, March
13, 1886, and is of the third generation of that family
in America. His grandfather, John Miller, was a
native of Germany, and came to this country in his
youth. He served with the cavalry in the Union army
in the Civil war and died of wounds received in battle.
The grandparents of C. C. Miller on the maternal
side came from the north of Ireland. The parents
of C. C. Miller are Charles W. and Ellen Gertrude (Mc
Kay) Miller. His father was a harness maker, and
when only thirteen years of age the son made two
sets of harness and saddles by hand, cutting the
pattern and doing all of the work without assistance.
He attended the public schools until fourteen years
of age, when he went to work for Ludwig Wolfe,
jeweler, but after a year joined the Berger Manu
facturing Company, the largest sheet metal workers
in the United States. He began with that company
as blue print boy, and advanced to the architectural
drafting department, where he profited by a large
and lengthy technical experience. He was with the
Berger corporation from 1901 until 1906, and on the
10th of June of the latter year he joined the Timken
Roller Bearing Axle Company as detail draftsman.
He worked through nearly every department with
that concern, and when they came to Detroit, he, too,
removed to this city, where he arrived on the 8th
of August, 1909. He remained with the Timken people
until February 14, 1920, when he resigned to join
the Vulcan Motor Axle Corporation, of which he is
now vice president and sales engineer. He has been
engaged in the manufacturing business for twenty

years, a record which is scarcely equalled by any
other man of his age in Detroit.
In Detroit, in 1911, Mr. Miller was married to Miss
Rose McCabe of this city, and they have one son:
John W., born June 12, 1919. Mr. Miller is strictly
a business and home man, his one fraternal connection
being with the Knights of Columbus, with which he
has been affiliated since he was eighteen years of
age, and of which he is a third degree member. He
formerly took quite an active part in outdoor sports,
and was well known as both a baseball and football
player. He finds particular pleasure in fishing and
motoring and is an advocate of all healthful outdoor
sports and recreation. His business affairs, however,
make steady demand upon his time and in this con
nection he is leading a strenuous life, his long ex
perience and highly developed skill making him a
valuable factor in the successful conduct of this busi
ness in which he is now engaged.
FRANK P. TOMS was born in Pontiac, Miehigan,
December 21, 1862, while his parents, Joel Phelps
and Harriet N. (Sprague) Toms, were natives of the
state of New York, whence they came to Miehigan in
1833,' settling at Troy. The father was for several
years register of deeds in Oakland county, and in
1863-64 was deputy collector of internal revenue. He
retained his residence in Pontiac until 1866, when he
removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he engaged
in the wholesale crockery and glassware business,
remaining one of the prominent merchants of that
city from 1866 until 1903, the year of his death.
His wife also passed away in that eity. They were
parents of a son and two daughters who have de
parted this life. Edward H., who during the Civil
war was a member of Company H, Twenty-first Mich
igan Volunteer Infantry, afterward engaged in busi
ness at La Crosse, Wisconsin, but his death resulted
from injuries sustained during his military service
with the Union army. Mrs. H. Amelia Powell, also
deceased, was the wife of Captain Frank Powell, who
commanded Company I, of the Fourteenth Michigan
Infantry during the Civil war and in whose honor
Powell Post, G. A. R., of Oxford, Miehigan, was
named. Another daughter, Ella, died in Pontiac,
Michigan, in 1863.
Frank P. Toms, the only survivor of the family,
attended the public and high schools of La Crosse,
after which he engaged in business with his father,
thus continuing to the time of the father's death.
The son disposed of his interests in La Crosse and
removed to Chicago. There he became purchasing
agent for the United States war department and so
served until 1906, when he resigned and came to
Detroit. After a short time he here established him
self in the real estate business.
On the 6th of March, 1884, Mr. Toms was married
to Miss Lark Looney, a daughter of Captain A. H.
Looney, who was one of the early Mississippi river

548

CITY OF DETROIT

steamboat captains, sailing his vessels to various
points in the south. Mr. and Mrs. Toms have one
son, Robert M,, born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, No
vember 14, 1886, and educated in the high school,
the University of Chicago and the University of
Michigan, from which he was graduated with the
LL. B. degree in 1910. He is now chief assistant
prosecuting attorney of Wayne county. He married
Gladys Wetmore, a daughter of Andrew Wetmore,
and they have one child, Elinor, who was born in
Detroit in 1918.
Mr. and Mrs. Toms are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. His political endorsement is given
to the republican party, and he keeps well informed
on the questions and issues of the day.
H. THOMAS THURBER is the president of the
H. T. Thurber Company, one of the newly organized
concerns connected with the automobile trade of De
troit. This company was formed expressly to market
the new Barney Oldfield tires and although Mr.
Thurber is one of the young business men of the city
he is also recognized as one of the most alert and
progressive. He saw service in the United States
navy during the World war and since that time the
present company was organized and established busi
ness. Mr. Thurber is well known in the city, being
one of the native sons of Detroit, his birth having
occurred January 13, 1890. His parents are H. T. and
Elizabeth (Croul) Thurber, also natives of Detroit.
The father was a prominent and highly respected
member of the legal profession here for many years
and under the administration of President Grover
Cleveland, he served as secretary of state. He died
in Detroit in 1908, having for a decade survived his
wife, who passed away in 1898. In their family were
five children: D. D.; Mrs. Edwin Denby; Mrs. James
A. Cameron; H. T,; and Cleveland. All still make
Detroit their home.
H. Thomas Thurber of this review, attended the
publie schools of Detroit, passing through various
grades to the high school, while later he became a
student in the Detroit University school and sub
sequently matriculated in Cornell University at Ithaca,
New York, from which he was graduated in 1914 with
the Bachelor of Arts degree. When his college days
were over he returned to Detroit, and here engaged
in the real estate business, which he conducted suc
cessfully until after America joined the allied army
in the World war. He then closed out all of his busi
ness interests and enlisted in the service as a member
of the navy. He was a member of the armed guard
on the ships plying between this country and France,
and continued in the service until compelled to receive
his discharge in December, 1918. Following his return
home Mr. Thurber organized the H. T. Thurber Com
pany in September, 1919, to engage in the distribution
of the Oldfield tires. Of this company he beeame
the president, with Edwin Denby as vice president and

Joseph J. Kennedy as secretary and treasurer. Mr.
Thurber is the aetive head of the business. There
were no less than one hundred and fifty-five applica
tions for the franchise for distributing the Oldfield
tires in Detroit, and since the organization of the
company their business has steadily increased, for
theirs is a most marketable product, with offices at
No. 4624 Woodward avenue. Mr. Thurber is also a
director of the Detroit Leasing Company and was
vice president of The Dickinson-Bondot Real Estate
Company, thus retaining connection with his own line
of business.
In his religious faith Mr. Thurber is a Presbyterian
connected with the Jefferson Avenue church of that
denomination. He belongs to the Alpha Delta Phi,
a college fraternity, is also a member of the Uni
versity Club, and of the Detroit Racquet Club, the
last named indicating something of the nature of his
interests and recreation. He likewise holds member
ship with the Alpha Delta Phi of New York city.
Wide awake, alert to every situation or any emergency
that may arise in connection with business, his entire
course has been marked by steady advancement, and
at every point in his career he seems to have accom
plished the possibility for success at that point.
CHARLES H. BREDIN, president and general man
ager of the Chamberlain Metal Weather Strip Com
pany, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Butler,
Butler county, November 3, 1866. He is a son of
James and Matilda Elizabeth (Spear) Bredin.
His grandfather was Hon. John Bredin, one of the
first law judges of a circuit consisting of Butler,
Beaver, Lawrence, Mercer, and Venango counties, in
Pennsylvania. His father, James Bredin, was a lawyer of dis
tinction and was chosen judge of the circuit that
comprises Butler and Lawrence counties, which were
part of the original circuit over which John Bredin
presided. His father practiced law in Allegheny
county, of which Pittsburgh is the county seat. His
death occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania, where his
widow still resides.
Charles H. Bredin was educated at St. Paul's school,
Concord, New Hampshire, and afterwards studied law
in his father's office and was admitted to the bar
in Pittsburgh in 1889. He practiced law for two
years and then removed to Piqua, Ohio, where he
spent a year or two in the linseed oil business.
In 1897 Judge Bredin purchased outright the original
patent for metal weather strips and formed a com
pany to manufacture and introduce the same. Charles
H. Bredin was made treasurer and general manager
of the company, whieh has developed, and prospered
and become one of Detroit's widely known industries.
The factories for the manufacturing of these strips
are in Detroit, Michigan, and Peru, Illinois. The
general offices of the company are in Detroit and
branches are maintained in different cities of the

H. THOMAS THURBER

CITY OF DETROIT

551

\:uuntry. During the busy season the firm employs over
two thousand men. Charles H. Bredin is also presi
dent of the Bredin Realty Company.
In 1893 Mr. Bradin was married to Margaret Grace
Leonard of Piqua, Ohio, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Lewis Lbonard. Mr. Leonard was a banker, linseed
oil, and steel man.
Mr. and Mrs. Bredin have two children: Elizabeth
Spear Bredin, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and
educated in the Liggett school of Detroit, and Oaks-
mere sehool, near New York city; and Lewis Leonard
Bredin, born in Piqua, Ohio, educated at the Detroit
University school, Detroit high school and graduated
from Yale with the class of 1916. The latter spent
a year in the Yale Battery when war threatened with
Mexico, and during the World war he joined the
Flying Corps, went to France, where he spent a year
and a half, being actively engaged on the front lines
and as an aerial gunnery instructor and returned to
this country with a commission as captain in the
flying service. He is now associated with his father
in business.
Charles H. Bredin belongs to the Masonic fratern
ity, having a membership in Detroit Commandery, No.
1, K. T. and Moslem Temple of the Mystie Shrine.
He is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, Coun
try Club, Bloomfield Hills Country Club, and De
troit Tennis Club, also of the Board of Commerce.
JAMES K. LAIRD, treasurer of the David Stott
Flour Mills, Inc., was born in Detroit and was educated
in the publie schools and the old Goldsmith Bryant
and Stratton Business University. After leaving the
business college he was bookkeeper for George A.
Burch for three years and then for Jacob Beck &
Sons for an additional three years. At that time his
health failed and he spent two summers farming, but
during the winters worked with David Stott in the
milling business. In 1889 he settled permanently
in Detroit and entered the employ of Mr. Stott as
bookkeeper. Their business was quite small at first
and was carried on in a little frame mill, but it grew
steadily, and in 1914 the Stott Flour Mills, Inc., was
incorporated with Mr. Laird as secretary and treas
urer. He continued to hold both positions until the
summer of 1919, when he gave up the secretaryship.
Mr. Laird has been connected with this business for
thirty-one years, and was associated with David Stott
for two years before that. He has seen the enterprise
grow from the most modest of beginnings up to the
position of one of the largest and strongest milling
companies in Miehigan, and has played a large and
honorable part in helping along this great develop
ment. On March 13, 1889, James K. Laird married Mar
garet Hendry of Redf ord, Miehigan, and they have one
son living, Raymond Hendry Laird. In 1918 he joined
the tank corps for service in the World war and was
located in southern camps. The armistice was signed

before his corps could receive orders to go to Europe,
and he was honorably discharged in January, 1919.
Mr. Laird's parents were James and Elizabeth
(Sangster) Laird, both natives of Scotland. James
Laird enlisted in the Union army and served two years
in the Civil war. He was wounded at the battle of
Gettysburg, and after leaving the field hospital was
on his way home to convalesce when he was taken pris
oner and confined in Libby prison for six months.
After the war he became a metal worker.
James K. Laird is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, The Maccabees, and the Central
Presbyterian church. In polities he is a republican.
He is a thorough business man, courteous and broad-
minded, and his long and honorable business career
in Detroit has made him one of the substantial and
much respected citizens of this metropolitan city.
AUGUSTUS FITZGERALD, president of the More-
head Manufacturing Company, is a native of Mieh
igan and was born in Port Huron, June 14, 1868. He
received his early education in the high school. In
1906 he became connected with the Morehead Man
ufacturing Company. This company had been in
corporated in 1905 with David Stott as president,
David E. Stott, vice president, and S. M. Thomas,
secretary and treasurer. Mr. Fitzgerald joined the
company as general manager. In 1908 he was made
secretary and general manager, in 1915 was elected
president, and has since been the head and directing
force of the corporation.
This company specializes in the manufacture of
appliances for steam drainage, and is a leader in its
line. In fact, it is widely known as a specialist on
steam drainage and its products are in demand all
over the world.
Mr. Fitzgerald is associated with the business life
of Detroit. In addition to being president of the
Morehead Manufacturing Company, he is president of
the Metropolitan Realty Company, director in the
American Loan & Trust Company, arid interested in
several manufacturing concerns.
Mr. Fitzgerald was united in marriage on June 15,
1902, to Miss Henrietta Dempsey, and they have a
family of three children: Neal E., Mary D., and
Thomas J.
Mr. Fitzgerald is a member of the Fellowcraft
Club, the Lochmoor Golf Club, the Knights of Equity
and the Knights of Columbus.
DON MoDONALD DICKINSON, JR., founder and
head of the Dickinson Real Estate Exchange, was
born in Detroit, May 12, 1890, his parents being Hon.
Don M. and Frances L. (Piatt) Dickinson, mentioned
elsewhere in this work. He attended the Barstow
school of Detroit from 1897 until 1899 and in the
latter year matriculated in the Detroit University
school, in which he continued his studies until 1907.
In the latter year he entered the Hotchkiss school

552

CITY OF DETROIT

at Lakeville, Connecticut, where he was a student
for two years and at the same time studied under
private instruction. He entered, upon his business
career in the purchasing department of the Michigan
Copper & Brass Company of Detroit on the 1st of
January, 1910, where he was soon promoted to the
position of assistant purchasing agent. He made his
initial step in the real estate field on the 1st of Sep
tember, 1911, when he entered the employ of the
Hannan Real Estate Exchange. Here he advanced to
the managership of the lot department. Recognizing
the broad and fruitful field offered in that line of busi
ness he organized the Dickinson Real Estate Exchange
in 1912, several of the former employes of the Hannan
Exchange and the Stormfeltz-Loveley Company be
coming associated with him in this new enterprise.
In 1918 the business was incorporated, Mr. Dickinson
retaining the controlling interest.
On the 3d of January, 1914, Mr. Dickinson was
married to Rowena Hunt' Croul, daughter of William
Rochester and Eloise P. (Hunt) Croul. They have a
daughter, Eloise Hunt, born March 14, 1916, and a
son, Don M., (Ill), who was born February 8, 1920.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Epis
copal church and in political belief Mr. Dickinson is a
democrat. He belongs to the Real Estate Board and
is a prominent representative of real estate activity
in Detroit. He also has membership in the Detroit
Athletic Club and his position is one of social prom
inence. JOHN HOWARD THOMPSON. There is much that
is stimulating and interesting in the life history of
John Howard Thompson, who is the president of the
Thompson Auto Company and the pioneer distributor
for this section of the Curtiss airplane. In view of
what he has accomplished within a comparatively few
years it seems that he has achieved his present
position almost by leaps and bounds, yet his course
has been marked by a steady progression that indicates
a ready mastery of every problem that has been pre
sented in his business life, with an equally ready
recognition and utilization of opportunities that have
come to him.
Mr. Thompson was born in Detroit, January 19,
1883, and is a son of George F. and Rose (Reaume)
Thompson, the former a native of Detroit and a rep
resentative of one of the prominent pioneer families
of the city. He became a leading figure in banking
and financial circles and was also prominently con
nected with the Globe Tobacco Company of Detroit
for thirty-five years. He passed away in this city
in 1918. His wife, who was born in Grosse He, Mich
igan, is still living in Detroit. In their family were
ten children, namely: Fred B., who is secretary and
treasurer of the Thompson Company; John H.; George
S., of Detroit; Ernest S., vice president of the Thomp
son Company; Mrs. A. J. Kinnacuan of Detroit; Mrs.
E. L. Smith, Mrs. W. R. Post, Jr., and Mrs. E. W.

Winnas, all residents of Detroit. The other two
children have passed away.
John H. Thompson attended the public schools until
graduated from the high school, after which he went
on the road as a traveling salesman for the Walter
Buhl Company, dealers in hats and caps, with whom
he remained for two years. This was not his initial
experience at earning money, however, for long prior
to this he had contributed to his own support by
selling newspapers and magazines, having a news
stand in the old Russell hotel, which afterward be
came the Pontchartrain. He thus early gave evidence
of his industry, his determination and laudable am
bition — qualities which have characterized his entire
life. After his connection with the Walter Buhl
Company he removed to New York city, where he
engaged in the brokerage business, handling groeery
accounts for a year and a half. He then became a
resident of Chicago, where he opened a similar office,
which he conducted from 1901 until 1904. On the
expiration of that period he sold out and returned to
Detroit, where he obtained a position with the Cadillac
Motor Car Company and later with the Olds Com
pany, working as a mechanic in the factories for
three years. He then resigned and again entered the
brokerage business, handling auto parts for the fac
tories for a period of three years. In 1909 he or
ganized the Thompson Auto Company, conducting the
business first on his own account, and later he se
cured the agency for the Federal trucks. In this
organization with him were H. Kirk White, Jr., O. J.
Mulford and E. J. Corbett, as partners. The com
bination proved a successful one and the business
grew along substantial and gratifying lines. After
some years Mr. Thompson purchased the interests of
his partners and continued alone in business until
1912, at that time taking into the company his two
brothers, Mr. Thompson becoming the president of the
corporation, with Fred B. Thompson, secretary and
treasurer and Ernest S. Thompson, vice president.
In 1918 he also organized the Thompson Airplane
Company and in 1916 he established the Detroit
Athletic Club Garage, which he still owns. He has
based his success upon no false theories of business.
He has realized from the outset the eternal principle
that industry wins and it has been by reason of
his unremitting diligence and close application that he
has been able to build up the splendid organization
of which he is now the head, controlling a business of
mammoth proportions,, giving one hundred per cent
value for every dollar received and appraising the
goodwill of a customer far higher than the contents
of his pocketbook. Mr. Thompson has from the be
ginning sold to satisfied customers, who have come
back to him again and again, and as the years have
passed his enterprise has kept pace with the phenom
enal development of Detroit. Unlike the great ma
jority of automobile dealers, he first gave his attention
to trucks and it was not until 1918 that he began

JOHN H. THOMPSON

CITY OF DETROIT

555

handling pleasure cars, but since that time he has
placed hundreds of Maxwell and Chalmers automo
biles in Detroit and Michigan, the business having in
creased more than sixty per cent since the company
became distributors for these cars. Mr. Thompson
also became the pioneer in handling the Curtiss air- *
planes and he is himself greatly interested in aero
nautics. One of the local papers said of him: "He is
known for his aggressive methods and his untiring
zeal. His initiative and imagination are tremendous
but he always keeps 'both feet on the ground.' "
In a word he is not visionary but possesses an un
usual fund of common sense, the lack of which has
constituted the rocks upon which many a business
ship has sailed to disaster. Mr. Thompson is yet a
young man and his future career will be well worth
watching. For more than a decade he has been num
bered among the dynamic forces in the business circles
of Detroit and yet he has but passed the thirty-
seventh milestone on life's journey.
That John H. Thompson is a most public-spirited
citizen is indicated in an act which he has recently
consummated, the leasing of the Grindley field, upon
which to build a big auditorium. For a long time
Detroit has felt the need of a large convention hall
and this need is to be met through the efforts of
John H. Thompson, who has signed a fifty-year lease
for the Grindley field, involving an expenditure of ten
million, five hundred thousand dollars, making this
the largest ground rent transaction in Detroit's his
tory. Upon this property Mr. Thompson will im
mediately begin the construction of a building to
cover the entire lot, which is four hundred by seven
hundred feet and will cost upwards of two million,
five hundred thousand dollars. Plans have already
been prepared for a two-story building which will
include stores, offices, automobile salesrooms and an
auditorium four hundred by four hundred feet, giving
one hundred and sixty thousand square feet of floor
space. The auditorium will seat approximately twenty-
five thousand people, making it the largest in the
United States, and the mammoth hall will be available
for conventions, for automobile shows and for all
other purposes necessitating a big floor space. It is
expected that the building will be completed by
September 1, 1920. Not only is this a business prop
osition to Mr. Thompson, but it is the expression of
¦ his civic spirit and pride in his native city. Mr.
Thompson is also president of the Thompson Realty
Company and director in the Detroit Motor Appliance
Company, also the Household Utilities Company.
On the 24th of August, 1909, Mr. Thompson was
married to Miss Katherine Elliott Sullivan, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. James Sullivan, the former the presi
dent of the Sullivan Packing Company. They have
become the parents of three children: John Howard,
Jr., born in Detroit November 23, 1912; Katherine
Navare, born September 23, 1914; and Donald Walter,
born June 15, 1920. Mr. Thompson is a member of the

Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Golf Club, the Bloom
field Hills Country Club, the Grosse He Country Club,
the Lambs Club of New York city, the American
Flying Club and the Detroit Board of Commerce. His
religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic chureh
and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus.
He is recognized as a man of generous spirit and
throughout his business career has manifested the
keenest interest in the welfare of his employes. In
1919 he had a Christmas party for all of the two
hundred or more representatives of the sales service,
used car, clerical and airplane departments of his
establishment, on which occasion he presented to each
a fifteen pound turkey. Nor does his popularity extend
only to his employes. He is widely known through
out the city and all who know him are glad to call
John H. Thompson friend.
RUFUS WHEELWRIGHT CLARK is the president
of the Eaton-Clark Company of Detroit and as such
is extensively engaged in the importation and manu
facture of dye stuffs and chemicals. Since making
his initial step in the business world he has been
active along this line and his developing powers have
brought him to a point of prominence. Mr. Clark
was born in Columbus, Ohio, December 20, 1876, and is
a son of the Rev. Rufus Wheelwright and Lucy G.
(Dennison) Clark. The father, who was born May
29, 1844, was for many years a minister of the
Protestant Episcopal church and departed this life
January 9, 1909.
The establishment of the family home in Detroit
during the boyhood days of Rufus W. Clark of this
review enabled him to pursue his preliminary educa
tion in the public schools of the city, while later he
entered the University of Michigan, completing his
course as a member of the class of 1900. In the same
year he initiated his business career as an employe of
the firm of Theodore H. Eaton & Son and consecutive
progress through various positions brought him at
length to a partnership in the business in 1906. Upon
the death of Mr. Eaton in 1911 the firm incorporated
as the Eaton-Clark Company and Mr. Clark was
elected to the presidency, since which time he has
been the directing head of what is today one of
the important manufacturing and commercial interests
of Detroit. They control an extensive trade as im
porters and manufacturers of dye stuffs and chemicals,
their ramifying business connections now covering
a wide territory.
On the 20th of April, 1908, Mr. Clark was united
in marriage to Miss Bertha H. Holt of Burlington,
North Carolina, and to them have been born two
sons: Rufus W., Jr.; and Lawrence Holt, whose birth
occurred February 12, 1916. In the social circles of
the city Mr. and Mrs. Clark occupy an enviable posi
tion, enjoying the hospitality of many of Detroit's
best homes. Their religious faith is that of the Epis
copal church and with some of the leading clubs of

556

CITY OF DETROIT

the eity Mr. Clark is identified, having membership
with the Detroit Boat, the Country and the University
Clubs. He is also a member of the Detroit Chamber
of Commerce and cooperates heartily with that or
ganization in its various projects for the upbuilding
of the city, for the extension of its commercial con-*
nections and the advancement of the civic ideals of
the city. He has ever recognized the duties and obli
gations as well as the privileges and opportunities of
citizenship and in every relation of life he stands
as a man among men, counting his warmest friends
among those who have known him from his boyhood
days to the present.
THOMAS P. DANAHEY is one of the well known
and aetive business men whose constructive energies
have won for the City of the Straits the name of
Dynamic Detroit. In his various lines of activity
he has become connected with several of the most
flourishing enterprises of Detroit and his investments
and interests have made him intimately associated
with the business life here. Moreover, he is proud
of the fact that Detroit is the city of his birth and
that he has always remained here, an interested wit
ness of the growth and development of the city, ever
cooperating in as far as possible in the work of ad
vancement and improvement.
Mr. Danahey was born January 15, 1881, in De
troit, and was educated in the public schools. When
his textbooks were put aside he became connected
with the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company,
and there served for a period of seven years. He
then joined the C. W. Kotcher Lumber Company, with
whieh he remained for eight years. On the expiration
of that time he became associated with the Stott
Realty Company and has been connected with the or
ganization to the present. Since the death of Mr.
Stott he has had complete charge of the affairs of the
company, retaining the old offices at 409 Hodges
building. During these- years he has also become
officially connected with several other important en
terprises, being now treasurer of the Connolly-Guin-
man Land Company, treasurer of the Dearborn High
lands Land Company and vice president of the Metro
politan Realty Company. Success seems to attend him
in everything that he attempts and an analyzation of
his career indicates that the reason for this is most
plain. He is a man of unfaltering industry and un
abating energy and possesses as well keen business
insight and sound judgment.
In 1911 Mr. Danahey was united in marriage to
Miss Katherine Irwin, who died leaving a son, Thomas
A., born June 8, 1912, in Detroit. Later Mr. Danahey
wedded Lugena Duffy of Norwich, Ontario, and they
have three children: John D., born February 6, 1917,
in Detroit; Elizabeth Lucile and Edward H., born
August 29, 1920 in Detroit. Mr. Danahey is a Cath
olic in religious faith and has been financial secretary
of the Knights of Columbus for fourteen years and

is an officer of the fourth assembly degree of this
organization. He belongs to the Fellowcraft Club,
the Lochmoor Golf Club, the Detroit Real Estate Board,
Detroit Automobile Club and the National Association
of Building Owners and Managers. He is a man of
pleasing personality, energetic, enterprising and gifted
with the ability to handle large and varied business
affairs, as his many official positions indicate. Mr.
Danahey 's residence is in the Indian Village section
of Detroit, where since 1918 he has resided at No.
2569 Seminole avenue.
WILLISTON A; KEEN, president and general man
ager of the Metalwood Manufacturing Company, manu
facturers of hydraulic machinery, was born in Detroit,
July 28, 1869, a son of Joseph S. and Sarah W. (Dean)
Keen. The father was born in England and came to
Detroit from his native land in 1856. He afterward
beeame identified with manufacturing interests and
was secretary and treasurer of the Detroit Oak Belting
Company, manufacturers of belting, continuing ac
tively in the business until a few years ago, when he
retired but still makes his home in Detroit at the
age of seventy-eight years. The parents of Mrs. Keen
came from England in 1848 and located at Janes
ville, Wisconsin, their farm being now a part of the
site of the city. There Mrs. Keen was born. The fol
lowing spring the family returned to England, re
maining there until 1856, when they again came to
America and located at Detroit. This was but shortly
previous to the terrible cholera epidemic which took
most of the members of this large family, including
both parents. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Keen
were two children, Albert S. being still a resident of
Detroit, as is Williston A., of this review.
The latter attended the public and high schools of
Detroit, later locating in Chicago, where he continued
for nine years, or until 1909. He then became one
of the founders and organizers of the Metalwood
Manufacturing Company and the business has been
continuously conducted along successful lines until
today the plant is one of the best equipped of the kind
in Detroit and employs from seventy-five to one hun
dred people. Since 1917 Mr. Keen has been president
and general manager of the business.
On the 6th of June, 1895, Mr. Keen was married to
Miss Ethelyn Richardson of Cleveland, Ohio, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. James M. Richardson of that city.
They have become parents of three sons: Howard A.
was born in Detroit in September, 1897, graduated
from the Central high school with the class of 1917,
and enlisted in the regular army with the Seventeenth
Field Artillery, which was one of the units of the
Second Division that fought so gallantly in France.
He was with his regiment for two years in France,
participating in all the big actions against the enemy
in which the American army was engaged. He rose
from the ranks to sergeant in the headquarters com
pany and since his return has been associated with

• THOMAS P. DANAHEY

CITY OF DETROIT

559

the Metalwood Manufacturing Company; Williston
A., Jr., born in- Oak Park, Illinois, in August, 1906,
and James Richardson, born in Oak Park in October,
1909, are still in sehool.
Mr. Keen is a member of the Ingleside Club and
his religious faith is manifest in his connection with
the Woodward Avenue Presbyterian church.
SAMUEL STRAITH, D. D. S. Dr. Samuel Straith,
a leading dentist of Detroit, specializing in extract
ing and minor oral surgery, has engaged in practice
in this city since 1903 and in the period that has
since elapsed has built up a large clientele, as he
has demonstrated his superior skill and ability in his
chosen profession. He is a native of Canada, his
birth having occurred at Buxton, Ontario, May 25,
1860, his parents being James and Sarah Jane (Cairns)
Straith. In the public schools of Dexter ancl Chelsea,
Miehigan, he acquired his early education, subse
quently entering Alma College at Alma, Miehigan,
while his professional course was pursued in the dental
school of Northwestern University of Chicago, Illinois.
His early life to the age of twenty-three years was
spent on a farm and for about ten years he followed
the profession of teaching, while from 1890 until 1893
he engaged in merchandising. During 1893 he devoted
his attention to agricultural pursuits and in 1894 he
took up the study of dentistry, being obliged to work
his way through college, and was chosen valedictorian
of his class. Following his graduation he engaged in
general practice at Lakeview, Michigan, where he con
tinued for four years and then went to Bay City, there
following his profession for two years. In 1903 he
came to Detroit, opening an office in the Washington
Arcade and subsequently removing to his present loca
tion in the David Whitney building. In 1917 he took
as his associate Dr. E. H. Wicks, a well known den
tist of this city, of whom more extended mention will
be found elsewhere in this work. Dr. Samuel Straith
was one of the pioneers in the middle west in the
use of nitrous oxide anaesthesia in connection with
dental operations, which method has since been largely
followed by the profession, and he was also one of
the first to adopt the use of local anaesthesia in minor
and accessible major operations in dentistry. He pos
sesses unusual mechanical skill and is very efficient
and thorough in all of his work. That he is progressive
and enterprising is manifest by the modern methods
which he utilizes and his office is equipped with the
most recent appliances used in dental surgery.
On the 9th of March, 1887, Dr. Straith was united
in marriage to Miss Sarah Adelle Green of Stock-
bridge, Miehigan, and they have become the parents
of three sons, one of whom died in infancy, the others
being: Dr. Claire L., a prominent oral surgeon of
Detroit who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; and
Floyd, who prepared at Junior College of Detroit and
is now a student in the dental department of the

University of Michigan as a member of the class of
1923. In his political views Dr. Straith is a republican,
interested in the welfare and success of the party,
and in religious faith he is a Methodist. He has ever
remained a close student of his profession and keeps
abreast with the advancement which is being made
along this line through his membership in the First
District Dental Society, the Wayne County Medical
Society, of which he is an associate member, the Mich
igan State Dental Society and the National Dental
Society. He is connected with several civic organi
zations, being deeply interested in everything that re
lates to the progress and upbuilding of his city, and
he also belongs to the Masonic Country Club and the
Ingleside Club, while fraternally he is identified with
the Masons and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Progress has ever been his watchword. He has bent
every effort to attain the highest possible degree of
perfection in his professional work and that he has
succeeded in his ambition is evident from the large
clientele accorded him and the high regard entertained
for him by his professional contemporaries. Dr. Straith
resides at 160 Pingree avenue.
COLONEL E. G. HECKEL. The development of
civic interests in Detroit has resulted in making a
beautiful eity, far famed for its architecture and its
splendid park and boulevard system. High ideals have
found expression in this work and the results achieved
have been splendidly satisfactory. In this connec
tion therefore it is imperative that mention be made
of Colonel E. G. Heekel, who is the efficient commis
sioner of the parks and boulevards of Detroit. Born
in Menasha, Wisconsin, on the 24th of November, 1877,
he is a son of Edward and Minna -(Berkelmann)
Heekel, both of whom were of European birth. The
father came to America in 1849 and settled first in
Marquette, Michigan, while subsequently he became
a resident of Menasha, Wisconsin. He was a miller
by trade and followed that pursuit for many years,
while later he engaged in the lumber business in the
upper peninsula of Michigan. Both he and his wife
have passed away. Their family numbered five chil
dren: Jennie, who is still living in Menasha, Wiscon
sin; Mrs. George Fulton, a resident of Sioux City,
Iowa; Mrs. Fred C. Schad, living at Western Springs,
Illinois; Mrs. R. N. Hine of Menasha, Wisconsin; and
E. G., of this review.
Through attendance at the publie and high schools
of his native city Colonel Heekel pursued his educa
tion in Menasha until 1894, when he started out in
the business world, securing a position as bank elerk.
He was thus employed for several years and subse
quently filled positions in connection with various
manufacturing interests of Menasha, where he con
tinued to make his home until 1901. He then removed
to Houghton, Michigan, where he was identified with
a produce and grocery house for several years. He

560

CITY OF DETROIT

also spent two and a half years as cashier of the
Keweenaw Savings Bank of Mohawk, Michigan, and
in 1911 came to Detroit, where he entered the real
estate field. For some time he was identified -with
the Restrick Lumber Company as credit man and
assistant treasurer, filling the dual position until June,
1916, when he went with the National Guard to the
Mexican border. He was then in military service
until June, 1919, and was advanced to the rank of
lieutenant-colonel and afterward to colonel of his
regiment. He saw sixteen months overseas service
in the World war, participating in the battle of Cha
teau Thierry, where the American forces were thrown
into the broken French line and turned the advance
of the German troops into a retreat. He also partici
pated in the battle of Juvigny and the hard fought
engagement in the Argonne Forest. Later he went
with the Army of Occupation into the heart of Ger
many, where he remained from the 1st of December,
1918, until April, 1919. In September, 1918, he was
advanced to the rank of colonel of the One Hundred
and Twenty-fifth Regiment of United States Infantry.
He was in action all of the time and well has Mieh
igan reason to be proud of the splendid record he
made when on the Mexican border and again upon the
Western front in the great World war.
Following his return home Colonel Heekel was ap
pointed commissioner of parks and boulevards in De
troit on the 1st of July, 1919, and has since served in
that capacity. The same thoroughness, promptness
and ready dispatch whieh marked the performance of
his military duties has characterized his service in
civic connections.
On the 16th of September, 1908, Colonel Heekel
was married to Miss Winifred Nattle of Calumet,
Michigan, a daughter of Michael and Eliza (Labby)
Nattle. They have become parents of one child, Eliza
beth, born in Detroit, May 18, 1912.
Colonel Heekel is a Knights Templar and Scottish
Rite Mason and a member of Moslem Temple of the
Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Detroit Ath
letic Club and is a member of the Detroit Board of
Commerce. His connection with the last named or
ganization is an indication of his deep interest in
all that pertains to the welfare, advancement and
progress of his adopted city. He readily gives hearty
support to all plans for the general good and is
indeed a public-spirited citizen and one who is achiev
ing substantial and valuable results in the discharge
of his official duties.
ABRAHAM J. BLOOMGARDEN, founder of the
wholesale produce firm of A. J. Bloomgarden & Sons,
was born in Detroit, August 22, 1862. His parents, Ja
cob M. and Leah (Konheim) Bloomgarden, were natives
of Poland and came to America in the late '50s. The
father engaged in the retail meat business until about
two years prior to his death, which occurred in Detroit,
November 28, 1906. The mother survived until De

cember, 1908. They had a family of seven children:
Charles, Mrs. William L. Sillman, and Mrs. Jacob
Berman, all of Detroit; Mrs. Bay Oppenheim, who died
at Rochester, Minnesota, July 5, 1919; Mrs. M. H.
Goldman of Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. George Harris, also
of Toledo; and Abraham J., of this review, who is
the eldest of the family.
When Abraham J. Bloomgarden was but a child of
three and a half years, his parents removed to Peoria,
Illinois, and after a few months took up their home
in Beardstown, that state, where the father was em
ployed by a contractor in the building of the Rock-
ford & Rock Island Railroad, now a part of the Bur
lington system. In Beardstown, Illinois, Abraham J.
Bloomgarden attended the publie schools. Later the
family moved to Detroit and when still quite young
Mr. Bloomgarden began working for his father in
the meat business and acquired a thorough knowledge
of the trade, which he followed in connection with
his father for six years, while later he spent two
years in the retail fruit and vegetable business. At
length he gave this up to engage in the produce com
mission business on his own account and was the first
commission merchant of Detroit to handle carload lots
of certain kinds of fruit and produce. He was the
first Commission dealer to bring a solid car of straw
berries to the Detroit market. His business is a co
partnership under the name of A. J. Bloomgarden
& Sons. The company occupies a large three-story
building at Nos. 2436 and 2438 Market street, also
a large warehouse at No. 4, 12th street, in all em
ploying thirty-two to forty people. Mr. Bloomgarden
was also one of the original stockholders of the Gratiot
Central Public Market, which in late years has be
come a most popular trading point in the city. Other
markets in Detroit have followed the lead taken by
the Gratiot market, in whieh the farmer and the con
sumer are brought together without the aid of the
middleman. Mr. Bloomgarden is also the vice presi
dent of the H. J. Hunt Show Case Company, an im
portant manufacturing concern, engaged in the manu
facture of commercial show-cases. Mr. Bloomgarden
was one of the organizers of this company.
On the 6th of April, ,1886, Mr. Bloomgarden was
married to Miss Mary Zohn, a daughter of Aaron
Zohn of Detroit. They have' become the parents of
five children: Philip, who' was bom in Detroit
August 1, 1888, is now a member of the firm of
A. J. Bloomgarden & Sons. He married Miss Florence
Laboske of Chicago; Ora, born in Detroit in- October,
1891, is the wife of Dr. Leon Cowan of Detroit; David,
born in this city in February, 1893, and now a member
of the firm of A. J. Bloomgarden & Sons, wedded
Hazel Brill of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and they have
one child, Raleigh Brill; Sadie, born in Detroit in
March, 1895, is now the wife of C. S. Silver; Mabel,
born in March, 1897, completes the family.
Mr. Bloomgarden is prominently known in the Elks
lodge and was one of the organizers and members of

ABRAHAM J. BLOOMGARDEN

vol. iv— se

CITY OF DETROIT

563

the building committee of the Detroit Elks Temple,
one of the finest in' the country. He likewise has
membership with the Knights of Pythias and is a
Master Mason, loyal to the teachings and purposes of
these various organizations, which recognize the broth
erhood of man and the obligations thereby imposed.
Mr. Bloomgarden is a most progressive citizen, alert,
energetic, and enterprising, and never stops short of
the successful accomplishment of his purpose and ful
fillment of his plans. Since 1917 Mr. Bloomgarden has
resided at 1630 Virginia Park, where his residence is
one of the pleasant homes of the North Woodward
section. JOHN R. BODDE, vice president of the People's
State Bank of Detroit, his native city, was born
February 12, 1872, a son of Frank and Adelaide (Cra
mer) Bodde. Both parents were of European birth.
Coming to America, they settled in Detroit, where
they were married, and the father engaged for many
years in the shoe business in this city, continuing
active in the trade from the early '60s until 1907, or
for a period of more than forty years. He died in
Detroit in 1917. His widow survived for but a brief
period, passing away in 1918. In their family were
four sons and two daughters: Anthony, Felix B., Albert
F., Mathilda, Adelaide, and John R., all residents of
Detroit. John R. Bodde pursued his education in parochial
schools and afterward the Detroit College. Later he
was employed in a clerical capacity in a retail estab
lishment for four years, and in 1899 became con
nected with the People's State Bank, in the capacity
of assistant teller. Through the succeeding years he
advanced from one position to another, serving as
teller, as assistant cashier, and ultimately becoming
vice president and one of the directors. He is also
a director of the Bankers Trust Company and of the
Michigan Investment Company, and is well known in
the financial circles of the city. Mr. Bodde belongs
to the Roman Catholic church and gives his political
allegiance to the republican party. He is well known
in club circles of the city, having membership with
the Detroit Club, the Detroit Country Club, the Loch
moor Country Club, the Detroit Boat Club, the Detroit
Athletic Club, and the Bloomfield Hills Country Club.
He is likewise a member of the Bankers' Club, and he
finds his chief source of recreation in golf. His
life has been passed in this eity, where his record is
as an open book that all may read, and his sturdy
and commendable qualities are perhaps indicated in
the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those
who have known him from his boyhood to the pres
ent time.
MICHAEL JOSEPH MURPHY, a capitalist, now
devoting his attention and energies to the development
of his real estate investments, was born in Sarnia,
Canada, February 22, 1851, his parents being James

and Katherine (Casey) Murphy. He obtained a public
school education and in 1868, when a youth of seven
teen years, came to Detroit, where he initiated his
business career as bookkeeper for C. H. Dunks, a
manufacturer of bed springs. He afterward accepted
the position of bookkeeper in the Second National
Bank, now the First & Old Detroit National Bank,
occupying that position in 1871 and 1872. In the
latter year he purchased the business of his former
employer, Mr. Dunks, and remained active in that
line until 1878, when he began the manufacture of
chairs, which within a short time were made the sole
product of the factory. Steadily the business grew and
developed and in 1884 was incorporated under the
name of the Murphy Chair Company, of which Mr.
Murphy became the president. The enterprise was
profitably conducted in Detroit until 1919, when the
plant was sold and the business suspended in February,
1920. The Murphy Chair Company, however, is con
tinuing its large establishment at Owensboro, Ken
tucky, while the Detroit plant was taken over by
B. F. Everitt for the manufacture of automobile bodies.
Aside from his connection therewith Mr. Murphy is
a director of the Security Trust Company, the People 's
State Bank and other important corporations which
have been contributing elements to his success. As
the years have passed he has made judicious and ex
tensive investments in real estate. He is a member of
the real estate board and is now planning to con
centrate his efforts upon real estate and other invest
ments. In 1877 Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss
Elisa Gleeson and they have become parents of seven
children: Blanche; Marguerite, who is now the wife
of Charles B. Davis; Gleeson; J. Harold; Charles R.;
Francis; and Constance, the wife of Charles B. Hull,
Jr., of Detroit.
Mr. Murphy has the distinction of having been the
first president of the Detroit Board of Commerce and
he was also the first president of the Security Trust
Company of Detroit. He belongs to the Detroit,
Detroit Athletic, Country, Detroit Boat, Bloomfield
Hills Country and Automobile Clubs. His enterprise
has carried him to a place in the front rank of the
business men of Detroit. His initiative has enabled
him to establish and develop important interests and
he has become recognized as one of the forceful and
resourceful men of the city.
KURT KLING, a well known business man of De
troit, was born February 4, 1879, in the city which
is still his home, his parents being Philip and Josephine
(Hower) Kling, the former a native of Alsace-Lor
raine, while the latter was born in Germany. The
father's birth occurred in 1818 and his life record
covered the intervening years until 1910, when he
passed away in Detroit. Coming to the new world
he was for many years the head of the Kling Brewery.
Kurt Kling was a pupil in the public and high

564

CITY OF DETROIT

schools of Detroit and afterward entered the Uni
versity of Michigan, where he pursued a special
course with regard to the business life before him.
After leaving the State University he attended the
United States Brewers Academy in New York city
and was graduated as a brewmaster in 1900. Fol
lowing his return to Detroit he entered into the brew
ing business in connection with his father and worked
his way upward through the various departments,
thoroughly learning the business in every particular.
Since his father's death he has had charge of the
plant, continuing its operation until May 1, 1918,
when prohibition became operative. The property has
been transformed into one of the finest outdoor amuse
ment enterprises in the country.
In October, 1902, Mr. Kling was united in marriage
to Miss Olga Widner, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Paul Widner of Detroit, and they have become par
ents of two children: Philip, who was born in 1904
and is now a student in the Detroit University
school; and Paula, who was born in Detroit in 1908
and is attending the Liggett school.
Mr. Kling is well known in club circles, belonging
to the Detroit Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the
Detroit Golf Club and the Harmonie Society. The
nature of his recreation is further indicated in the
fact that he also has membership in the Detroit Yacht
Club, while his interest in community affairs is shown
through his connection with the Detroit Board of
Commerce. HOWARD BARKER LEE, correspondent in Detroit
for the Guaranty Trust Company of New York, was
born in this city, August 13, 1891, a son of James L.
and Mary (Lawson) Lee. He pursued his education
in the Central high school of Detroit, then in the
Lawrenceville Preparatory school and in Yale Uni
versity, enrolling as a student in the Sheffield Scien
tific sehool. He was graduated with the Baehelor of
Arts degree in the class of 1913, and initiated his
business career as an employe of W. M. Finck &
Company of Detroit, with whom he continued until
July 1, 1917.
It was on the date just mentioned that Mr. Lee
enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve Corps,
and was sent to New London, Connecticut, whence
he was afterwards transferred to the Pelham Bay
Training Station, where he was commissioned an
ensign. He afterward attended the Naval Academy
at Annapolis, and was later transferred to the United
States transport, Madawaska. After the signing of
the armistice he was transferred to the receiving ship
at New York, where he was honorably discharged on
the 20th of May, 1919.
After leaving active duty in the navy Mr. Lee
joined the Guaranty Trust Company of New York and
the recognition of his ability by that corporation led
to his appointment on the 1st of December, 1919, to

the position of correspondent of the company at De
troit. On the 16th of June, 1917, Mr. Lee was united in
marriage with Miss Helen Bourne Joy, a daughter of
Henry B. Joy of Detroit, and a representative of
one of the city's most prominent families. Mr. and
Mrs. Lee have two daughters: Helen Joy Lee and
Marian Lawson Lee. Mr. Lee is a devotee of golf
and has become quite well known, due to success in
city, state and national events. He has been Michi
gan state champion three times, having won the
championship in 1910, 1911 and again in 1920. He
belongs to the Lochmoor Club, the Country Club, the
University Club and the Detroit Athletic Club, and
he is also a member of the American Legion. He
resides at Grosse Pointe Park.
A. B. WILLEMIN, the secretary and treasurer of
the L. H. & W. Manufacturing Company, is engaged
in the manufacture of tools, jigs, dies and also in
experimental work. The business is a valuable ad
junct to the large machine and automobile manufac
turing industry of the city and in all that he does
Mr. Willemin is actuated by a most progressive spirit,
never stopping short of the successful accomplishment
of his purpose. He was born in Detroit, December 9,
1873, and is a son of Desire B. and Mary (Lyster)
Willemin. The father was born in Paris, Franee, and
came to America in 1869, settling in Detroit, where
he met and married Miss Lyster, a native of Mich
igan. He became a factor in the public life of this
city and for many years was a prominent member of
the Detroit bar. Later he was elected police judge and
served that office with distinction for some time. He
passed away in Detroit in 1902, and his widow is still
living in this city. They were the parents of two
children, Mary and A. B., both of Detroit.
The latter attended the public schools and the
Detroit College, after which he started out in the
business world as a clerk for the Western Union
Telegraph Company, being connected with that corpo
ration until 1903, at which time he became identified
with, the automobile industry, then in its infancy. He
was supervisor of purchasers and assistant general
manager for the Hupp Motor Company, and continued
in that position of responsibility until 1916. He then
became assistant supervisor of purchase and general
manager with the Briscoe Motor Car Company and in
1917 he organized the L. H. W. Cales Company for
experimental work and the manufacture of tools, jigs
and dies. He has since been the vice president and
general manager of the new corporation, with S. H.
Humphrey as the president and John Ryan as secre
tary and treasurer. They employ about one hundred
people and the business is a steadily growing one. The
enterprise has proved successful from the beginning,
and has increasingly gratifying patronage.
In October, 1902, Mr. Willemin was married to Miss
Julia Clifford of Detroit, and they have become par-

HOWARD B. LEE

CITY OF DETROIT

567

ents of eight children: A. B., Jr., who was born in
Detroit in 1903 and is now attending the University
of Detroit; Margaret, who was born in 1905, and is
attending the Sacred Heart Academy; Louis Clifford,
deceased; Katherine, who was born in 1908; Julian
Vincent, born in 1910; Patrica, bom in 1912; Eugene
Robert, born in 1914; and Richard, born in 1917. With
the exception of the last named the children, save
those specifically mentioned, are in sehool. The reli
gious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic
church and Mr. Willemin is a fourth degree member of
the Knights of Columbus. He belongs to the Benev
olent Protective Order of Elks and also to the Detroit
Board of Commerce. His interest in community af
fairs is of a substantial nature, being manifest in his
hearty support of varied plans and measures for the
publie good. Those who know him — and he has a wide
acquaintance — esteem him as a representative manu
facturer and business man of Detroit and his sterling
worth is attested by his many friends who have known
him from his boyhood to the present time.
CARLTON MILO HIGBIE, well known in invest
ment and financial circles of Detroit and one of the
founders of Keane, Higbie & Company, investment
bankers of this city, was born February 1, 1890, in
Chicago, Illinois. His father, Nathan B. Higbie, a
native of the state of New York, went to Chicago
when a young man and there married Miss Corda E.
Terwilliger, who was born in that city. Nathan B.
Higbie was for a number of years connected with
Swift & Company, becoming one of the officials of
that corporation. Later he extended his efforts into
many other fields, becoming prominent in business and
financial lines, and he remained a dominant factor in
connection with the successful management and pro
gressive policy of various business interests. To him
and his wife were born five children: Geraldine W.,
the wife of P. B. Palmer, Jr., a clothing manufac
turer of Chicago; Carlton M.; Harley G., who is vice
president of Keane, Higbie & Company; Nathan B.,
Jr.; and Willis T.
Carlton M. Higbie attended private schools in Chi
cago and later the University high school in that eity.
A business rather than a professional career appealing
to him, he entered the Chicago banking house of
George H. Burr & Company of New York and Chicago,
with whom he continued until coming to Detroit in
1912 as manager of the branch house of that firm in
this city. Mr. Higbie remained in that connection
until 1916, when he became associated with J. E. J.
Keane in establishing the house of Keane, Higbie &
Company for the conduct of an investment banking
business. This has become one of the representative
interests of its' character in Detroit. Among his other
business interests Carlton M. Higbie is president of
the Detroit Nut Company and a director of the Pem-
berthy Injector Company. He is well known in club
circles, belonging to the Detroit, the Country, the

Lochmoor and the Meadowbrook Country Clubs. Dur
ing the World war Mr. Higbie was a first lieutenant
in the air service of the United States army.
In 1915 he was married to Miss Laura O. Butler,
a daughter of the late Frederick E. Butler and a
member of one of the old and prominent families of
Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Higbie are well known in De
troit society. The Higbie home is on Yorkshire road,
Grosse Pointe Park.
R. G. BEECHLER, chief engineer of the Vulean
Motor Axle Corporation of Detroit, is a native of
Ithaca, Miehigan. He was born in 1880, and comes
of a family of Holland Dutch origin, the American
ancestors having settled in Pennsylvania at an early
day. His parents were Sidney and Dora (Rasor)
Beeehler, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They
became residents of Michigan, however, and made
their home for many years in Ithaca, so that R. G.
Beeehler of this review was there reared and pursued
his education until he had completed his high school
studies. He afterward entered the University of
Michigan, and was graduated with the Bachelor of
Science degree in engineering, as a member of the
class of 1907.
Starting out in the business world R. G. Beeehler
spent two years in the employ of the Detroit Stoker
& Foundry Company, and after leaving that position,
he joined the Timken-Detroit Axle Company as drafts
man. After a short time he went to the Metal Prod
ucts Company, becoming chief engineer, and spending
three years in that position. While with that corpo
ration he had charge of the axle designing, tool de
signing and similar branches of the work. During
the World war he tested the Class B trucks made for
the government. Mr. Beeehler is an inventor, as well
as a designer and has now several patents pending in
the patent office in Washington, D. C. Later the Tim
ken Company purchased the Metal Products Company
and he continued with them at the Metal Products
plant, as manager of their works, but later was trans
ferred from that plant to their main plant as assist
ant chief engineer. In January, 1920, he resigned and
in April of that year he joined Mr. Gilbert in organiz
ing the Vulcan Motor Axle Corporation, of whieh. he
became chief engineer, and his long and comprehensive
experience in mechanical lines, his ingenuity, and his
inventive skill, are constituting important elements
in the growth and success of the new undertaking.
On the 20th of August, 1909, Mr. Beeehler was mar
ried to Miss Margaret Willits of Detroit, and they
have become parents of two children: Jack Sidney
and Richard Willits. He has made his home in De
troit since 1907, or two years prior to his marriage.
His political support is given to the republican party
and his understanding of the vital principles before
the country is comprehensive and exact, but he has
never been ambitious to hold political office, as his
time has been fully occupied in business affairs. He is

568

CITY OF DETROIT

now financially and actively interested in one of the
growing manufacturing concerns of Detroit and has
long occupied a creditable and enviable position as a
representative of engineering circles of the eity.
ERNEST O. KNIGHT is the president of the real
estate and insurance firm of Clemons, Knight, Menard
Company and dates his residence in Detroit from
1889, arriving here when a youth of sixteen years.
He was born in Essex county, Canada, July 23, 1873,
his parents being Joseph and Mary (Dawson) Knight,
the former a native of England and the latter of
Canada. The father crossed the Atlantic to Canada
in early life and there engaged in general merchandis
ing until about 1889, when he removed with his family
to Detroit. Both he and his wife are still living and
Mr. Knight has put aside business cares, enjoying in
well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
Ernest O. Knight was the fourth in order of birth
in a family of six children, one of whom has passed
away. He is indebted to the publie sehool system
for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed
and after finishing the work of the grades he spent
one term in high school. Feeling that he should then
enter business life and provide for his own support,
he became connected with his father in the conduct
of a grocery and general merchandise establishment
in Detroit and the business association was maintained
between them until 1909. Ernest O. Knight then
withdrew from the commercial field to enter the real
estate business on his own account and was thus
engaged until April, 1915, when he became one of
the organizers of the Clemons, Knight, Menard
Company, now engaged in the general real estate
business, largely handling subdivisions. During the
intervening period six hundred acres have been platted
and sold on Grand River avenue, in Greenfield Park,
Glendale Gardens, Glendale Courts and Rosedale Park.
The company, now operating under the name of
Clemens, Knight, Menard Company, has also handled
many other well known properties and the business
is a large and stable one. Since entering the real
estate field Mr. Knight has thoroughly acquainted
himself with every phase of the business and has
demonstrated his understanding of the realty market
and of publie needs by the successful conduct of his
interests. In September, ( 1895, Mr. Knight was married to
Miss Kathleen McFarland of Detroit, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. William McFarland. They are the
parents of two children: Thelma Grace; and Joseph,
who was born September, 1902, in Detroit, in which
place his sister also was born. The former is a
graduate of the Central high school and the latter
is still a high school pupil.
Mr. Knight is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
in which he has taken the York and Scottish Rite
degrees, and he is a past master of his lodge.
He also belongs to the Detroit Golf Club, which in

dicates much concerning his recreation, and his re
ligious faith is evidenced in his membership in the
Baptist chureh. His position is never an equivocal
one where matters of vital importance to the public
are concerned, his aid being always given on the
side of progress and improvement.
JOHN C. GOSS, president of the J. C. Goss Com
pany of Detroit, manufacturers of tents and awnings,
and enjoying the reputation of being the most expert
man in his line in the United States, came to the new
world from England. He was born in Barnstable,
May 15, 1848, his parents being John C. and Susanna
(Ridd) Goss. After attending the public schools of
his native country he served a seven years' appren
ticeship ¦ to the trade of sailmaking in Bristol, Eng
land. The year 1871 witnessed his arrival in Detroit
and he followed his trade in the employ of others
until 1877, when he organized the J. C. Goss Company,
of which he is now the president and manager. This
company has become extensively engaged in the manu
facture of tents and awnings and makes shipments
to all parts of the United States, while in Detroit an
extensive line of goods is carried. The present officers
of the company are: J. C. Goss, president; C. L. Beck,
first vice president; and Captain Joseph C. Goss, sec
ond vice president. The trade has been developed
according to modern methods and demands and the
annual sales now reach a large figure.
At Bristol, England, in 1871, Mr. Goss was united
in marriage to Miss Mary J. Allen and they have
become the parents of four children: Nina Louise,
now the wife of William Rickel; Claudia, who is de
ceased; Joseph Charles, who is mentioned elsewhere
in this work; and Leslie A., who resides in Oakland,
California. Mr. Goss is a member of the Detroit Board of Com
merce and is keenly interested in all those projects
which have to do with the welfare and prosperity of
the city. At one time he served as sehool inspector of
Detroit and he has always given his political alle
giance to the republican party. His religious faith is
that of the Methodist chureh. He is well known in
Masonic circles, having attained the thirty-second de
gree of Scottish Rite Masonry, and he is also a member
of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to the Elks, and
to the United Commercial Travelers. He comes of good
English stock, is a thoroughgoing business man and
manufacturer and a gentleman of fine character.
CAPTAIN JOSEPH C. GOSS, who won his title by
active overseas service in the World war and who is
the second vice president of the J. C. Goss Company,
awning and tent manufacturers of Detroit, was born
April 17, 1881, in the city which is still his home, his
parents being John C. and Mary J. (Allen) Goss,
who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. In the
acquirement of bis education he attended the public

ERNEST O. KNIGHT

CITY OF DETROIT

571

and high schools of Detroit and also Gutehess College
and later he pursued a course in mechanical engi
neering at the Y. M. C. A. His first military experi
ence came to him through training with the state
militia of Miehigan, but upon the outbreak of the
Spanish-American war the company of which he was
a member was practically disorganized through the
enlistment of nearly all of its members for active serv
ice. Mr. Goss joined the Naval Reserves and served
for three years on the old Yantic, from 1901 until
1903 inclusive. He then returned to Detroit and was
associated with his father in business until the United
States entered the World war, when he was asked
to apply for a commission. He obtained his discharge
from the Naval Reserves in November, 1916, and in
February, 1917, was commissioned a captain in the
Quartermaster Corps. In June, 1917, he entered
aetive service at Philadelphia. He was transferred to
Baltimore and was made government inspector there
of canvas goods and uniforms. In September, 1918,
he was ordered overseas and went to France, being
located in an advanced section at Camp Du Valdahon,
Doubs. There he was commissary for the One Hun
dred and Fortieth Heavy and the One Hundred and
Forty-sixth Light Field Artillery as well as for the
Fifty-sixth Pioneer Infantry. His duty was not only
to assemble and ship army supplies but to convoy
them to the army. He evacuated that camp with the
headquarters troops April 29, 1919, and was sent to
Brest as adjutant of the One Hundred and Seventy-
seventh Provisional Battalion. On June 30, 1919, the
One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Battalion was or
dered to the United States to take passage on the S. S.
Pretoria, and they landed at Hoboken, New Jersey,
July 12, 1919. Since returning home Captain Goss has
been engaged in the business whieh formerly claimed
his attention.
In 1903 Captain Goss was married to Miss Marcia
Grace Sherman and they have two children: Claudia
May and Joseph Charles. Captain Goss is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Zion Lodge,
No. 1, A. F. & A. M., and also to the Michigan Sov
ereign Consistory. He is likewise a member of the
lodge, canton and encampment of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He is greatly interested in
the subject of good roads for Miehigan and actively
supports all measures of that character. He is a big,
affable man of superior business capacity and of large
life experience, which has developed in him a broad
humanitarianism. JOHN H. KENNEDY. For thirty-one years John
H. Kennedy has been identified with the plumbing and
heating business in Detroit and owing to the superior
quality of his work in this connection his reputation
has spread beyond the boundaries of the state and he
has been awarded important contracts in many large
cities in various parts of the country. He is a native

son of Detroit and a member of one of the old fam
ilies of the eity. He was born September 29, 1856.
The house in which Mr. Kennedy was bora stood on
the south side of Lafayette, East, (old No. 62), just
east of Beaubien street. This was the old homestead
of his mother's brother, James Eagan, who was for
more than forty years an employe of the Old Detroit
Gas Company. He lived to the age of ninety-two. His
brother, Patrick, was also connected with the Gas
Company for more than forty years. He lived to the
age of ninety years. Mr. Kennedy's parents were
Patrick and Nora (Eagan) Kennedy, who were na
tives of Limerick, Ireland, and shortly after their
marriage emigrated to the United States, arriving in
this country in 1854. The father obtained employment
at clerical work and later became connected with the
Detroit Gas Company, with whieh he remained for
many years. In 1858 he was sent by the company to
take charge of their gas plant at Ypsilanti, Miehigan,
which he managed until 1870, when he resigned and
took up other work in that eity, residing there until
1880. He then returned with his family to Detroit
and again entered the employ of the Gas ' Company,
with which he continued until his demise in 1895. The
mother survived him for many years, passing away in
this city in 1918, at the age of eighty-six years. She
was a daughter of James Eagan, who died in Detroit,
at the age of one hundred and six years. He lived
for many years at No. 476 (old No.) St. Antoine street.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Kennedy were
nine children, of whom five are living, namely: John
H., Mrs. Mary Walsh, Martin, Mrs. Josie Sheehan, and
Edward, all of whom are residents of Detroit.
In the grammar and high schools of Ypsilanti, Mich
igan, John H. Kennedy acquired his education and
on entering the business world he started to learn the
trade of a plumber and steamfitter in Detroit. On
completing his apprenticeship he worked for a time
as a journeyman, visiting several large cities in the
state, after which he returned to Detroit, becoming
foreman for Alexander McKay, a well known plumber
and steam-heating engineer of this city. He remained
with Mr. McKay until 1890, when he embarked in
business on his own account, and has continued in this
field, in which he has been very successful. Long
experience has made hirri thoroughly familiar with
the trade and he has developed a large business, in
stalling the plumbing and heating systems in many
of the large buildings not only of Detroit but also of
other cities, among which may be mentioned Chi
cago, Illinois, and St. Louis and De Soto, Missouri.
He has done much municipal work, securing the plumb
ing and heating contracts for city halls, county build
ings and other large institutions of a publie char
acter. His work is always done promptly and in a
thoroughly satisfactory manner, thus winning for him
a large share of publie patronage, and in the control
of his extensive interests he displays marked execu
tive ability, enterprise and determination. Mr. Ken-

572

CITY OF DETROIT

riedy is also interested in a number of other business
concerns of Detroit.
Mr. Kennedy gives his political allegiance to the
republican party and in religious faith is a Roman
Catholic. He is a prominent member of the Knights
of Columbus, in which he has taken the fourth de
gree, and his public spirit finds expression in his mem
bership in the Detroit Board of Commerce. He has
never married, but has done all in his power to
promote the welfare and happiness of his parents and
also of his brothers and sisters. He gives freely of
his time and means to charitable causes and is actuated
by high and honorable purposes in all relations of
life. In his business affairs he has displayed keen
discernment and unfaltering enterprise and none can
grudge him his present success, so worthily has it
been won, so well used.
CHARLES EDWIN FREESE. Many important
commercial enterprises have felt the stimulus of the
progressive spirit, business discernment and well de
fined plans of Charlss Edwin Freese, who wields a
wide influence in business circles of Detroit. He
possesses initiative, combined with marked executive
ability, and to him opportunity has spelled success.
Moreover, he is numbered among the self-made men
who owe their advancement and prosperity entirely to
their own efforts, for he started out in life as a
newsboy and by perseverance and diligence has gained
the place which he now occupies as a leading repre
sentative of insurance interests in Detroit.
A native son of Michigan, Mr. Freese was born
October 28, 1881, and comes of honorable and distin
guished ancestry, members of the Freese, Antisdel and
Hobart families, of which he is a representative, hav
ing served as soldiers in the Revolutionary war, and
he has the distinction of belonging to one of the
oldest families in America. His paternal grandfather,
E. W. Freese, went to California in 1849, crossing
the Isthmus in a boat whieh he had dug out of a
log, and making his way to San Francisco. When the
Panama canal was being projected under the Roose
velt administration Mr. Freese figured out the amount
of excavation necessary for the canal, sending in his
estimate to Washington, whieh proved so close and
accurate that the engineers connected with the project
wrote him, expressing their surprise at his ability to
form so close an estimate from memory.
Charles Edwin Freese has spent practically his
entire life in Detroit, for he has here resided from
the age of one and a half years, having been brought
to the eity by his mother, Mrs. Mary (Hobart)
Freese. His father died two months before his birth.
He attended the grammar schools of Detroit and from
an early age has been obliged to depend upon his
own efforts for a livelihood, his first work being as
a newsboy, and for nine years he followed that occu
pation. When seventeen years of age he became
identified with the insurance business as a broker, con

tinuing to act in that capacity until the 1st of Jan
uary, 1903, when he became special agent in Michigan
for the Travelers Insurance Company of Hartford,
Connecticut. At the end of six months, however, he
severed that connection and engaged in an independ
ent business venture, establishing his offices in the
Chamber of Commerce building in Detroit, and on the
completion of the Dime Bank building he there leased
a fine suite of offices and has since been at that loca
tion. He conducts his interests under the name of
the Freese Insurance Agency but is the sole owner
of the business, and he deals in all kinds of insurance,
having become a recognized expert" in this field,
owing to his long connection therewith and his close
study of everything pertaining thereto. His reputation
as an authority on all lines of insurance has gained
him widespread recognition and he draws his patron
age not only from Detroit but from large corporations
in all parts of the United States, ' being regarded as
a most astute business man, whose reliability and in
tegrity are unassailable. He is now writing a million
dollars worth of insurance annually and is one of the
successful men in this field of activity in the United
States. His genius for organization and successful
management has also led him into other connections
and he is serving as a director of various corporations.
He possesses the foresight, self-reliance and business
sagacity necessary to carry on large enterprises and
his connection with any undertaking insures a pros
perous outcome of the same.
Mr. Freese was united in marriage to Miss Nathalie
Irma Tuthill and they have become the parents of
three children: Charles Edwin, Jr., born August T2,
1911; Marjorie Elaine, born March 13, 1914; and
Lawrence A., born June 16, 1920. He is a promi
nent Mason, belonging to City of the Straits Lodge,
No. 452, F. & A. M., and to Michigan Sovereign Con
sistory, and he is also identified with the Sons of the
American Revolution, the Fellowcraft Club, the Red
Run Golf Club, the Detroit Athletic Club and the
Vortex Club and was vice president for two years.
He is chairman of the Insurance Committee of the
Detroit Credit Men's Association. He is a man of
pleasing personality, with broad mental vision, and
in his business career he has been a persistent, reso
lute, energetic worker, keeping his hand steadily
upon the helm of his business and manifesting at all
times strong executive power. As the architect of his
own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and he
has made his life count as a forceful factor in ad
vancing the interests of his city along many lines. He
resides at No. 64 Woodward avenue.
ELIAS H. SELLERS. Aside from his status as
one of the venerable and honored members of the
Detroit bar, Elias H. Sellers has the further distinction
of being a native son of Michigan and a representa
tive of one of the sterling pioneer families of this
state. He was born in Livingston county, Michigan,

CHARLES E. FREESE

CITY OF DETROIT

575

on the 5th of May, 1848, and is a son of John and
Almira (Filkins) Sellers. In his ancestral lines are
represented two families that were founded in Amer
ica in the early colonial period of our national history,
and one of his ancestors in direct line was a patriot
soldier in the War of the Revolution. He is in the
sixth generation of descent from the founder of the
Sellers family in America, the original progenitor
having come from Germany and the orthography of
the family name having originally been Soeller. From
this ancestor the line of descent to the subject of
this review is traced through Philip, Philip (II),
William, and John, the last named having been the
father of him whose name initiates this review. The
maternal ancestors of Mr. Sellers came to America
in 1687, and Colonel Dusenberry, a great-uncle of the
mother of Mr. Sellers, served with distinction as an
officer of the Continental Line in the War of the
Revolution, in whieh he was colonel of a regiment
that was a part of the command of General Wash
ington. The Dusenberry family is of Holland Dutch
origin. The father of Mr. Sellers was born in the
state of Pennsylvania and as a Miehigan pioneer he
gave his attention to the vocation of mechanics and
farming, during the major part of his aetive career,
both he and his wife having been residents of Liv
ingston county from 1840 until 1868, when the family
removed to Fenton, Genesee county, where Mr. and
Mrs. Sellers resided to the time of their death.
After completing the curriculum of the common
schools, Elias H. Sellers entered the literary or aca
demic department of the University of Miehigan, and
after completing his freshman year he entered Cornell
University and was graduated as a member of the
class of 1878, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
Thereafter he completed a course in the law depart
ment of the university, and in 1880 he was admitted
to the bar of his native state. Mr. Sellers has had a
long and honorable career as one of the representative
members of the Detroit bar, and in his personality and
his admirable achievement has lent dignity to the
profession of his choice. He has long controlled a large
and important general practice, has proved a resource
ful trial lawyer and is especially well known as a
conservative and safe counsellor of broad and exact
knowledge of the science of jurisprudence. By tem
perament and appreciative application Mr. Sellers has
been a close student, along both academic and profes
sional lines, and his fine intellectuality involves his
familiarity with Latin and Greek, as well as thorough
command of French, German and Spanish. A stalwart
in the ranks of the republican party, he has sought no
public office for himself but has been a vigorous cam
paign speaker and has otherwise been influential in
forwarding the cause of his party. As a young man
he served as supervisor of his native township, and
in 1918 he was a republican candidate for the office
of judge of the circuit court at Detroit.

On the 28th of April, 1898, Mr. Sellers wedded
Miss Susan M. Zanitz, of Detroit. They have no
children. In the Masonic fraternity the ancient-craft
affiliation of Mr. Sellers is with Ashlar Lodge, Free
& Accepted Masons, Detroit, and at Fenton, Genesee
county, where he was formerly engaged in practice,
he joined the chapter of Royal Arch Masons and the
'commandery of Knights Templars. He is affiliated
also with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the
latter of whieh he has been especially active and in
fluential, as is evident when it is stated that he
served as grand master of the grand lodge of the order
in Miehigan in 1898-99. Mr. Sellers is still actively
engaged in the work of his profession and maintains
his offiee at 702 Old Whitney building.
JOHN C. WITHERSPOON. Well known as one of
Detroit's popular citizens and representative business
men is John C. Witherspoon, the secretary of the firm
of Berry Brothers and also connected with many other
substantial business enterprises in the eity whieh have
contributed in large measure to Detroit's growth and
upbuilding, giving the municipality fourth place
among the leading metropolitan centers of the country.
Mr. Witherspoon was born in Detroit, December 25,
1872, and is a son of John and Emma (Lodge) Wither
spoon, both representatives of prominent old families
of this section of the country. The father was born
in Canada and the mother in Cincinnati, Ohio, but
both came to Detroit in early life and were here
reared and married. The father was for some time in
the government service as deputy collector of cus
toms, holding the office for twenty-five years — a fact
indicative of the signal capability and faithfulness
which he displayed in the discharge of his duties. At
the outbreak of the Civil war he was commissioned
captain of a Miehigan company of infantry and fought
valiantly throughout the entire period of hostilities
between the north and the south. He passed away
in Nebraska. His widow still makes her home in
Detroit. John C. Witherspoon began his education in the
city schools, passing through consecutive grades to
the high school, after which he beeame an employe of
the Globe Tobacco Company and here remained for a
number of years. Later he was connected with the
estate of Joseph H. Berry and for an extended period
has been identified with the Berry Brothers Company,
of which he is now the secretary. His course has
been characterized by continuous progress as the re
sult of developing skill and power in the business
world. Aside from his official connection with the
Berry Brothers Company he is identified with other
important business concerns of the city, being the
secretary and treasurer of the Dwight Lumber Com
pany, which is owner of a large lumber-yard and
planing mill. He is the treasurer of the Welded Steel

576

CITY OF DETROIT

Barrel Corporation and is financially interested in
other business concerns of importance.
On the 16th of August, 1897, Mr. Witherspoon was
married to Miss Arminthia Chesley of Detroit, and
they have three children: John Homer, who was born
in Detroit in 1903 and is now a law student in the
University of Michigan; Edwin L., who was born in
1906; and Bruce, born in 1909. The younger sons are
pupils in the public schools of Detroit.
Mr. Witherspoon gives his political allegiance to
the republican party but has never been a politician
in the sense of offiee seeking. Fraternally he is a
Mason, having membership in the lodge and chapter,
and is recognized as a most faithful follower of the
teachings and high purposes of the craft. A lifelong
resident of this city, he has a wide acquaintance here
and that his course has ever been a commendable one
is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest
friends are those who have known him from his boy
hood to the present time. His residence is at No.
6759 Vinewood.
DAVID COWAN BAYNE. Among the alert, ener
getic and progressive young business men of Detroit
who have already attained a gratifying measure of
prosperity is numbered David C. Bayne, secretary of
the Saxon Motor Car Company. He is quick to
recognize and utilize an opportunity and equally
ready to meet any emergency and his business career
has been one of continuous advancement. He was
born in Kincardine, in the province of Ontario, Can
ada, February 8, 1891, a son of Peter and Margaret
(Cowan) Bayne, who are also natives of that country,
where they continued to reside until 1892. In that
year they came to Detroit, where they have since
made their home. The father successfully followed the
blacksmith's trade and also engaged in the livery
business. He is now living retired in this eity and
the mother also survives. In their family were eight
children: E. M., William M., Mrs. Elmer S. Moon
and Mrs. A. H. Kling, all of whom are residents of
Detroit; J. M., whose home is in Montclair, New Jer
sey; David O, of this review; and E. P. and J. E.,
who are also residents of Detroit.
In the acquirement of an education David C. Bayne
attended the grammar schools and the Central high
school of Detroit, from which he was graduated in
1909, and his initial business experience was obtained
as a clerk in the employ of the Packard Motor Car
Company. He served that corporation for a short
time and then resigned to accept a similar position
with Wright, Kay & Company, leading jewelers of
this city, with whom he continued until the 1st of
September, 1910, when he entered the service of the
Chalmers Motor Car Company. He remained with
that firm until 1917, working in various departments
of their plant, and then secured employment with the
Saxon Motor Car Company, with which he has since
been identified, first acting as assistant to Mr.

Pfeffer, who later became comptroller for the
creditors of the company after it went into the hands
of a receiver. In 1919 the company was reorganized
with Mr. Pfeffer as the president, while Harry L.
Bill was made vice president and general manager
and Mr. Bayne beeame secretary, which office he is
now capably filling, his thorough knowledge of the
business, enterprise and close application being im
portant elements in the upbuilding of the enterprise,
which is rapidly taking its place with the leading
manufacturing interests of this character in the city.
Mr. Bayne is also connected with other lines of activ
ity, being a director of the Consumers Ice & Creamery
Company of this city.
On the 15th of January, 1916, Mr. Bayne was united
in marriage to Miss Myrtle Murray, a daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Morris Murray, the former of whom was
prominently identified with business interests of De
troit but is now living retired. To this union has
been born a son, David C, Jr., whose birth occurred
January 15, 1918. Mr. Bayne is a member of the
Oakland Hills Country Club and the Detroit Automo
bile Club and fraternally he is identified with the
Masons, belonging to Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M. He
is thoroughly reliable in all business affairs and his
close application and untiring efforts have carried him
into important commercial relations. He is accounted
one of the enterprising and progressive men of his
city and is highly esteemed by all who know him.
Mr. Bayne resides at No. 908 Webb avenue.
THOMAS HENRY WALKER was one of the promi
nent figures in early automobile circles and today is
equally well known in connection with the sales
department of the automobile industry. His connec
tion antedates that of most dealers in Detroit. Mr.
Walker is the vice president and general manager of
the Knight Motors, Incorporated, and has recently ac
quired the selling rights for the new Handley-Knight
four-cylinder car. In a word he is developing a busi
ness of extensive proportions and his progressive
spirit never stops short of the successful accomplish
ment of anything which he undertakes. There is
much that is interesting in his life history, whieh had
its beginning in Birmingham, England, September 18,
1880, his parents being William Theodore and Har
riett Blount (Wayne) Walker, who were also natives
of that country, whence they came to Detroit in 1888.
The father was for a time superintendent of the
Springwells Brick Company and afterward took over
the business and organized the Walker-Frank Brick
Company, manufacturers of bricks. He became the
president of this concern and so continued to the
year of his death — 1917. His widow is still a resi
dent of Detroit. In their family were four children:
William Wayne, who is now president of the Walker-
Frank Brick Company; Mrs. R. H. Macauley, who
is interested in the Macauley book and stationery
store of Detroit; Mrs. Arnold Robinson, whose hus-

DAVID C. BAYNE

Vol. IV— 3 7

CITY OF DETROIT

579

band is manager of the music department of the J. L.
Hudson Company; and Thomas H., of this review.
The last named attended the public schools of De
troit and made his initial step in the business world
during vacation, in the employ of William H. Thomp
son, the grocer, at Fifth and Grand River. After
leaving sehool he entered the employ of Edward J.
Burrows, who conducted a repair business, and here
young Walker secured his first mechanical experience,
doing repair work on bicycles and pneumatic door
bells. Both were comparative novelties at that time.
Later he was employed by Huber & Metzger at. No. 13
Grand River avenue as bicyele instructor at their -bi
cycle riding academy over the salesroom. He was sub
sequently in the employ of William E. Metzger at 252
Woodward and later when the business was located
in the old Biddle House. Following the introduction
of motorcycles he was the first in Detroit to use the
new invention and he afterward assisted in the selling
of the first Oldsmobile, thus becoming a real pioneer
in connection with the .automobile industry of the city.
He was one of the first men known in automobile
racing circles, driving the Oldsmobile in one of the
first races at the old Grosse Pointe track. For a
time he withdrew from connection with the automobile
industry and secured a position as salesman with the
Eegina Company of Rahway, New Jersey, in which
connection he covered seventeen states. He returned
to the automobile business in 1915, being in the service
of the King-Dort Sales Company. He next became
vice president and manager with the George Franklin
Company at 700 Woodward avenue, dealers in auto
mobiles, and continued in that connection until 1917,
when he disposed of his interest in the business and
became identified with Guy O. Simons as retail man
ager of his business. Mr. Walker remained there until
March, 1920, when he took over the Knight agency
and is now handling the Knight sleeve valve motor
cars. The business was incorporated in February,
1920, under the name of the Knight Motors, with Mr.
Walker as the vice president and general manager.
This is a close corporation. The business was suc
cessfully established and recently the company has
entered on a new stage of expansion with the signing
of contracts acquiring the selling rights for the new
Handley-Knight four-eylinder car, produced by the
Handley-Knight Motor Company at Kalamazoo. Mr.
Walker has the agency for this car in thirty-five
counties in Michigan, also the Detroit dealership of
the famous Willys-Knight line of automobiles, adding
the business to that of the sale of R. & V. Knight
six and four. Mr. Walker has already organized the
district for handling the new car and the business is
entering upon an era of substantial growth. Mr.
Walker was one of the original stockholders of the
Michigan Acceptance Corporation and he is promi
nently known in trade circles, belonging to the Na
tional Automobile Dealers Association and the Detroit
Automobile Dealers Association.

On the 22d of May, 1902, Mr. Walker was mar
ried to Miss Blanche R. Mann, daughter of Austin F.
Mann, a prominent artist of Mount Clemens, Michigan.
They have one child, Phyllis R., born in Detroit in
1903. She is a graduate of the Northern high sehool
of this city and is now attending the Liggett School
for Girls. She is an ardent- motor enthusiast and an
expert driver, having driven a motor car for six
years. She is also fond of outdoor sports and ath
letics and is a skilled swimmer.
Fraternally Mr. Walker is a Mason, belonging to
Corinthian Lodge, No. 241, A. F. & A. M. He has
membership in • the Vortex Club, of which he was
formerly president, serving in that office for the first
full term of any incumbent of that office. He like
wise belongs to the Detroit Auto Club. In addition
to his Detroit residence he has a fine summer home on
the lake and he and his family are popular in the
social circles in whieh they move. Mr. Walker also
has a very wide business acquaintance and there are
few men more thoroughly familiar with the develop
ment of the automobile trade than he, as he beeame
a factor therein with his selling experience of the
first Oldsmobile and throughout almost the entire in
tervening period has been connected with the industry.
BARNARD COFFIN LUCE, manager of the firm of
Paine, Webber & Company, is one of the well known
men in brokerage and financial circles of Detroit.
Mr. Luce is a New Englander by birth and educa
tion, and a Detroiter by adoption. He was born in
Holliston, Massachusetts, February 27, 1879, his par
ents being Barnard and Sarah Osborn (Coffin) Luce.
The ancestral line of Mr. Luce may be traced back
to 1640, and throughout the intervening period the
family has been represented in New England.
Barnard C. Luce is a graduate of the Phillips And-
over Academy of Massachusetts and for two yea'rs
was at Dartmouth before entering Harvard University,
where he received his S. B. degree in 1902. In the
year of his graduation he became chemist with the
Lake Superior Smelting Company of Houghton, Mich
igan, with whieh he remained for three years, then
returned to his native state, entering into active busi
ness association with Paine, Webber & Company, stock
and bond dealers of Boston, with whom he continued
until 1913. In that year he came to Detroit as man
ager for Paine, Webber & Company and since that
time has been no small factor in the development of
the business of this firm, which is one of the foremost
of its kind in the city. Mr. Luce is a member of the
Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Golf Club, the Play
ers Club, the Harvard Club of Michigan, and the
Dartmouth Club of Boston. He is deeply interested
in all those forces which make for the upbuilding of
the city and advancement of the interests which in
spire civic development.
On the 22d of March, 1913, Mr. Luce was married
to Miss Bernice F. Heyworth of Providence, Rhode

580

CITY OF DETROIT

Island. They have one son, Barnard Coffin, Jr., born
September 23, 1914, in Detroit. Mr. Luee delights in
hunting and fishing, which claim much of his atten
tion during his leisure hours. His fraternal connec
tion is with the Masons and he is known as a worthy
and loyal follower of the craft.
EDWARD BURGHARDT. As secretary of the Mieh
igan Insurance Company of Detroit, Edward Burg
hardt occupies a leading position in commercial circles
of the city and his influence is one of broadening
activity and strength in the field in which he operates.
He is a young man, alert, energetic and enterprising,
and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to a
successful termination. He was born in this eity on
the 5th of October, 1889, a son of Charles and Minnie
(Leonhardt) Burghardt, the former a native of Joliet,
Illinois, and the latter of Germany. They came to
Detroit in early life and their marriage occurred in
this city. Here the father entered mercantile circles
as a grocer, . building up a business of substantial
proportions, but later disposed of his interests. The
mother also survives. In their family were three
children: Elsie, Lillian and Edward.
In the publie schools of his native city Edward
Burghardt acquired his education, later pursuing a
course in the Detroit Business College. His initial
business experience was gained as a solicitor for the
Michigan Insurance Company, with whieh he became
identified in 1909 and he has continued with the cor
poration. He has advanced with the growth of the
business, which was organized eleven years ago and
during the first year of its existence its total business
amounted to twenty-seven thousand dollars, which at
that time was considered a large sum. An indication
of the rapid growth of the enterprise is shown in the
fact that in 1920 they sold over a million dollars
worth of insurance and the business now ranks with
the leading firms of this character in the city. They
carry all forms of insurance and their reliable dealing
and progressive business methods have won for them
the confidence and support of the general public, so
that their patronage has steadily increased. Mr.
Burghardt 's close application and faithful, efficient
work soon won the attention of his employers and
he was steadily advanced from one position to an
other of greater importance, until he was made • sec
retary of the company, which office he has filled for
the past eight years. He has proven fully equal to
the duties of this responsible position and his inde
fatigable labor, initiative spirit and marked executive
ability have been important factors in promoting the
development and expansion of the corporation which
he represents.
On the 19th of May, 1915, Mr. Burghardt was united
in marriage to Miss Adele C. Tenney, a daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. George Tenney of Detroit, and they
have become the parents of a son, Gordon Edward,
who was born September 29, 1916. In his political

views Mr. Burghardt is independent, voting for the
man whom he deems best qualified for office without
regard to party ties at local elections, but when na
tional issues are at stake he casts his ballot in favor
of the candidates of the republican party. He is a
Master Mason and his life is guided by the beneficent
teachings of the order. He also belongs to the Fellow
craft Athletic Club. His life history is the chronicle
of unceasing endeavor of one who without assistance
of any kind has risen to a position of trust and re
sponsibility, wisely utilizing his time, his talents and
his opportunities. His record measures- up to the full
standard of honorable manhood and those who know
him recognize in him a citizen whose loyalty to the
public welfare has never been questioned, while his
integrity and honor in the private affairs of life are
matters familiar to all with whom he has been asso
ciated. His home is at 1641 Hazelwood avenue.
JOHN C. WIDMAN, president of J. C. Widman &
Company, is engaged in the manufacture of automo
bile bodies, glass for same and sectional bookcases, in
Detroit, and by reason of the importance of his busi
ness affairs he ranks with the prominent and substan
tial residents of the fourth city. He was born in
Rochester, New York, November 30, 1848, his parents
being Christian and Roselia (Sigfried) Widman, both
of whom were natives of Germany and came to Amer
ica in 1847, settling in Rochester, New York. The
father was a builder by trade and there engaged in
contract work, erecting dwellings and business blocks.
He and his wife remained residents of Rochester to
the time of their death.
John C. Widman attended the public schools of
Rochester, and after laying aside his textbooks en
tered upon an apprenticeship in order to learn the
wood-working trade. In 1866 he came to Detroit, and
here followed his trade for a time and also engaged
in the manufacture of picture molding. After four
years spent in this city he returned to Rochester in
1870, and there continued to reside until 1874, when
onee more he took up his abode in Detroit, and here
entered the employ of his brother, C. D. Widman,
picture molding manufacturer. He was thus asso
ciated until 1900, when the firm of J. C. Widman &
Company was formed to engage in the manufacture
of automobile bodies and kindred parts. During the
World war the factory was devoted to the manufac
ture of aeroplane fusilage and parts for the United
States government. So splendidly, promptly and ef
ficiently was the work done that honorable mention
was accorded by the war board to J. C. Widman &
Company for the efficiency and value of its work.
Since the end of the war the plant has been con
verted to its usual lines of business, the manufacture
of automobile bodies for some of the prominent motor
car manufacturers. The business has been developed
to such an extent that it is today one of the most
important productive industries of the city, employ-

EDWARD BURGHARDT

CITY OF DETROIT

583

ing about eight hundred people. For many years John
C. Widman has been a most active factor in the de
velopment and management of the business, and his
enterprise, clear vision and keen sagacity have fea
tured largely in the success of the undertaking.
In May, 1871, Mr. Widman was married to Miss
Lena Kiefhaber of Rochester, New York, a daughter
of John H. Kiefhaber. They have become parents
of six children: Flora, the wife of William S. Gibbs,
resides in Detroit; Frank E., is manager of J. C.
Widman & Company; Charles H., is vice president
of J. C. Widman & Company; C. David, is secretary
of the corporation; George H., is assistant super
intendent of the corporation; and Arthur W., is
also connected with J. C. Widman & Company.
The children have been accorded liberal educational
advantages and the sons have made for themselves
creditable positions in the manufacturing circles of
Detroit. The son Charles is married and has one child,
Phylis. George H. Widman is also married and has
two children: J. C, and George. Arthur W. Widman
is married and has two children: Arthur and Betty.
John C. Widman is a member of Palestine Lodge,
F. & A. M., Detroit Commandery, Knights Templar,
and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also
a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, the Aviation
Country Club and the Board of Commerce. He is a
republican in political faith, as are all his sons. Al
most sixty years have passed since John C. Widman
first became identified with the business affairs of
this city, and with the exception of the period of
four years he has remained here. His progress has
been continuous and his success has had its. root in
industry, economy, sound judgment and enterprise.
His labors have been most wisely directed and he
has done his full part in making Detroit the fourth
city of the Union.
REAM C. LOOKER, supervisor of agencies for
Michigan, for the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance
Company, is an alert, enterprising young man who is
rapidly forging to the front in business circles of
the city. A native of Detroit, he was born October
3, 1897, and is a son of Oscar R. and Elizabeth (Sul
livan) Looker. He attended the public schools of his
native city and for four years was at St. Johns
Military Academy, Manlius, New York, where he be
came first lieutenant of a company, qualifying as an
expert marksman. In 1916 he became interested in
the gum paper business in association with George
R. Fugate, conducting a jobbing business, with offices
in the Free Press building. He was engaged in that
enterprise until the fall of 1917, when he sold his
interests to a mill engaged in the same line of activity
and enlisted for service in the World war, being com
missioned a second lieutenant in an infantry com
pany. He was stationed at Camp Gordon, Georgia, and
was discharged November 30, 1918, being one of the
first men released from the service after the signing

of the armistice. Returning to Detroit, he became
identified with the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance
Company, of whieh his father was president for many
years and Ream C. Looker is now serving as supervisor
of agencies. He has closely applied himself to the
performance of his duties in this connection and his
conscientious, accurate and efficient work will no doubt
secure for him merited promotion in the very near
future. In March, 1919, Mr. Looker was united in marriage
to Miss Jean Weighell and they are popular in social
circles of the city. He is a member of the Detroit
Athletic Club and the Lochmoor Golf Club. In his
political views Mr. Looker is a republican, stanchly
supporting the principles and candidates of the party,
and he is deeply interested in all that pertains to
public progress and development. He is a most progres
sive and capable young business man of mature judg
ment and keen discrimination who has already accom
plished much and his many friends predict his con
tinued success.
J. WARD HINKLE. One of the popular and well
known citizens of Detroit is J. Ward Hinkle, secretary,
treasurer and general manager of the Oakview Cem
etery Association and vice president of the Kiwanis
Club. He was born in Cass City, Michigan, November
16, 1885, a son of Charles E. and Henrietta (Albee)
Hinkle, the former a native of Massillon, Ohio, and
the latter of Pinerun, Michigan. They were married
at Oxford, Michigan, and more than forty years
ago the father filled the position of sales manager
with the Globe Tobacco Company, also dealing in
leaseholds. Subsequently he gave up both lines of
activity and entered the retail shoe business, first
opening a store at Oxford and later conducting in
terests of this character at Bay City and at Flint,
Michigan. On disposing of his enterprise in the last
named city he engaged in the manufacture of woven
wire bed springs, of which he was the inventor, his
plant being located at Flint, but later he sold out his
rights in that undertaking and came to Detroit. Here
he entered the leasehold real estate business and in
connection with Mr. Hammond and others was instru
mental in securing the development of Lafayette boule
vard. Through his leaseholding interests "he acquired
title to much valuable property, including a large and
beautifully situated tract of land comprising several
hundred acres at Royal Oak, Michigan. His son, J.
Ward Hinkle of this review, urged him to lay this out
as a cemetery for Detroit, of whieh the eity wan
greatly in need, and the result was the opening of
beautiful Oakview cemetery. The father passed away
in April, 1915, at the age of sixty-five years. The
mother is living and resides at No. 70 Westminster
avenue, in Detroit. In their family were two children:
Pearl, now Mrs. William B. Warren of Flint, Mich
igan; and J. Ward Hinkle.
The last named acquired his education in the graded

584

CITY OF DETROIT

and high schools of Flint, Michigan, and following
his graduation came to Detroit in 1903, entering busi
ness circles of this city as a elerk in the employ of
the Detroit White Lead Works, with which he was
connected for one and a half years. He then formed
a partnership with John M. Larkins for the conduct
of an ice cream and confectionery business, opening
a store on Woodward avenue, with which he was asso
ciated for three years. On the expiration of his lease
he abandoned the enterprise and invested his earnings
in the Automobile Laundry, engaged in the washing,
cleaning and parking of cars, the work being per
formed quickly and thoroughly. He was the pioneer
in this line of activity in Detroit so far as is known
and the enterprise at once found favor With automo
bile owners, a large patronage being accorded him.
He was the originator of the idea: "Wash your
car while you wait," a system that has been adopted
in all large cities since. At the end of three years
he sold his interests in the business, after which he
induced his father to open up Oakview cemetery at
Royal Oak, a suburb of Detroit. This is one of the
finest burial places in the entire country, its grounds
being beautifully laid out with choiee flowers, shrubs
and trees and always kept in perfect condition. As
secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Oak
view Cemetery Association Mr. Hinkle is in large
measure responsible for this beautiful resting place
for the dead, which owes its inception and mainte
nance directly to him. He possesses marked execu
tive ability, energy and enterprise and is most capably
controlling the affairs of the association.
At Flint, Michigan, on the 18th of February, 1914,
Mr. Hinkle was united in marriage to Miss Ruth
Hathaway, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert M.
Hathaway, the former a prominent clothing merchant
of that city. The four children of this union are:
Mary Henrietta, who was born March 4, 1915; Robert
William, whose birth occurred August 27, 1917; Bar
bara Ruth, born February 27, 1919; and Paul Stanton,
born January 25, 1921.
Mr. Hinkle is independent in his political views
and his religious faith is indicated by his membership
in the Episcopal church, while fraternally he is iden
tified with the Masons, belonging to Palestine Lodge
and to the chapter. He is well known in club circles
as the vice president of the Kiwanis Club, which was
named by the Hon. C. M. Burton and was organized
in this city about six years ago with about a dozen
members, while it now numbers its members by the
thousands throughout the country. On the return from
overseas duty of the Michigan troops attached to the
Thirty-second Division Mr. Hinkle was appointed by
the club to take charge of out-of-town guests and
he was also honored by being placed in charge of
the returned bodies of Detroit soldiers who had died
on foreign soil, likewise looking after the bereaved
families — commissions which were most capably exe
cuted. In addition he served as chairman of the

committee that received General Pershing on his visit
to Detroit and was also a member of the reception
committee which welcomed Mr. Hoover. He has served
in a similar capacity on various other occasions, prov
ing very efficient in the discharge of his duties. He
obtains needed rest and recreation through his mem
bership in the Riverside Golf, Aviation and Detroit
Automobile Clubs. His is a most creditable record,
characterized by devotion to duty, by integrity and
enterprise in business and by loyalty in citizenship,
and Detroit has greatly benefited through his labors.
COMFORT A. TYLER. Born in a log house on a
barren, obscure little farm, Comfort A. Tyler has, by
his own industry and force of character, attained a
position among the foremost men in Michigan and is
leaving the impress of his individuality upon the
agricultural, commercial and financial history of the
state. His activities have touched the general interests
of society to their betterment and he has made his
work a dynamic force in accomplishing results which
have been factors in an advancing civilization. He is
a tireless worker, a profound student, energetic, en
thusiastic, resourceful, with a genius for accomplish
ment. Mr. Tyler was born on a farm in St. Joseph eounty,
Michigan, February 24, 1865, a son of Samuel and
Sarah (Foote) Tyler, who were natives of New York
state and of old New England stock. The were brought
to Michigan by their respective parents in 1826, when
about eight years of age, and here grew to manhood
and womanhood. The father took up agricultural pur
suits and following his marriage continued to cultivate
his farm in Michigan until 1890, when he sold the
property and went to California, locating in Fresno
county, where he engaged in fruit raising, in which
he was very successful, being aetive along that line
until his demise in 1910, while the mother there passed
away in 1914. In their family were four children:
Mrs. Helen Bennett, a resident of Fresno, California;
Edward, who is also living in that city; Hattie, who
has passed away; and Comfort A.
Mr. Tyler acquired his early education in the coun
try schools and the high school at Burr Oak, Michigan,
while later he became a student in the State Agri
cultural College. After completing his course he
engaged in farming in St. Joseph county, Miehigan,
and for twenty-two years successfully conducted his
agricultural operations. In the meantime he had re
turned to his Alma Mater, which he represented in
extension work among the farmers, his efforts in that
connection proving far-reaching, effective and result
ant. Possessing unusual ability as a public speaker
and an intimate knowledge of the soil and its possi
bilities, his lectures were both instructive and inter
esting and his services were in constant demand. He
is secretary of the American Hampshire Sheep Asso
ciation and his name is a familiar one in live stock
circles of the country. He has a thorough knowledge

COMFORT A. TYLER

CITY OF DETROIT

587

of animal industry and on his farm has raised many
sheep and rams which have been prize winners at
the leading live stock expositions of the country. He
was awarded the premium at the International Stock
Show held at Chicago in 1912 and is much interested
in sheep raising, in which he is regarded as an au
thority. This, however, represents but one phase of Mr.
Tyler's activities. He possesses marked executive
force and the powers of organization and concen
tration and has been successful in coordinating and
combining seemingly diverse elements into a unified
and harmonious whole. He is president and manager
of the National Mortgage Corporation of Detroit, of
which he was the organizer, and he was also one of
the organizers of the Commonwealth Federal Savings
Bank of this city, of which he has served as vice
president since its establishment. He is an able
financier and has succeeded in building up one of
the strong moneyed institutions of Detroit. . In 1919
he assisted in organizing the Peninsular Fire Insur
ance Company, of which he is vice president and loan
manager, and is a director of the Peninsular Casualty
Company of Grand Rapids, Miehigan, and is also a
director of the National Society of Records. His
interests are thus extensive and varied, showing him
to be a man of superior business ability who has
attempted important things and accomplished what
he has attempted.
At Burr Oak, Michigan, on the 1st of November,
. 1885, Mr. Tyler was united in marriage to Miss
Eva E. Watson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William
Watson, and two daughters have been born of this
union: Helen, wife of Frank Belote, was born in St.
Joseph county, Michigan, and following her gradua
tion from high school completed a course in the
Ferris Business College. She now resides .in Detroit
and by her marriage has become the mother of two
children, Richard Tyler and Elita Tyler; the younger
daughter, Pearl, is the wife of Blaine Coleman, and
is also a resident of this eity and has two children,
Gardner Tyler and Robert Tyler. She was born in
St. Joseph county and after completing her high school
course attended a normal school at Kalamazoo, Mich
igan. Mr. Tyler attends the Methodist Episcopal church
of Detroit and is deeply interested in everything that
pertains to the welfare and progress of his city, state
and country. For twelve years he was secretary of
the state sanitary commission and since 1900 has served
as a director of the Michigan State Fair Association.
He is also president and a director of the North Wood
ward Residents Club of Detroit and is a member of
the Bankers Club, the Kiwanis Club, the Dynamic
Club and the Fellowcraft Athletic Club. He possesses
those qualities whieh make for leadership and the
nature and magnitude of his work in public and pri
vate connections have made him a strong factor in
Detroit's promotion, power and prominence, while the

state has also benefited through his activities. He is
a big man — big in that power which understands con
ditions, grasps situations and molds opportunity into
tangible assets — and his contribution to the world's
work has been most valuable.
JOHN MATTHEW WELCH is closely identified
with that real estate activity which contributes so
largely to the development and promotion of the
city and has been an active factor in subdivision work
which has constantly featured in the steady growth
of Detroit. He is a charter member of the Real Estate
Exchange and there is no one operating in this field
more familiar with realty values and the property
which is on the market in Detroit that is John M.
Welch. A native of Michigan, he was born at Algonac, Oc
tober 23, 1867, his parents being John Lucien and
Ellen B. (Bagley) Welch, natives of Ireland, although
the father was of English parentage. In 1840 John
Lucien Welch beeame a resident of Schenectady, New
York, and from that city enlisted in the United States
army for service in the Mexican war. He remained
with the army for five years and rose to the rank of
lieutenant. At the end of that period he returned to
his native land, where he married and then with his
bride came again to America, located in New York
city and established himself in the grocery business.
After five years he removed to Marine City, Mich
igan, where he engaged in steamboat building in asso
ciation with Abraham Smith. They built the first
steam-propelled boat, called the Morning Star, that
was sent out from that place. Mr. Welch afterward
removed with his family to Minnesota and located at
Hamilton, about twenty-five miles from St. Paul, and
there he owned and conducted a large farm. Later
he sold this property and again took up his residence
in Michigan, where he devoted his attention to grist-
milling and farming. He passed away at Marine City,
July 3, 1890. His wife's death occurred there on the
10th of September, 1911. There were seven children
in their family, four of whom are living, namely:
Thomas H., a real estate man of Detroit; Mrs. James
A. Monn of Marine City; Julia, the wife of F. J.
Crowley, of Marine City; and John Matthew.
The last named, the youngest of the four surviving
members of the family, attended sehool in Minne
sota and in Detroit, passed through consecutive grades
to the high sehool and afterward became a student
in the Detroit Business University, from whieh he was
graduated in 1886. Starting out in the business world,
he became identified with mercantile interests at the
old Nos. 174 and 176 Woodward avenue, where he
was a partner for five years in a store conducted
under the firm name of P. A. Billings & Company,
dealers in mantels, grates, gas and electric fixtures,
also electrical supplies, and whieh, for many years, was
the most important business in this line between
New York and Chicago.

588

CITY OF DETROIT

Mr. Welch turned his attention to the real estate
business in 1892 and through the subsequent period of
twenty-eight years has been one of the most con
sistent and persistent developers of Detroit real estate
and surrounding property. He conducts his interests
under the name of the John M. Welch Realty Com
pany, but is sole proprietor. In the last few years
he has subdivided Seminole Heights, containing one
thousand lots, size fifty by one hundred and twenty-
five feet each, on both sides of Grand River avenue
near the town of Redford, and has promoted all the
improvements there. He also subdivided Liberty
Heights, located on the Seven-Mile drive and con
taining five hundred lots each, fifty by one hundred
and twenty-five feet, of which he is sole owner. He
subdivided the Murray Hill allotment on Greenview
avenue, and was sole owner there of one hundred and
fifty lots which are each one hundred and twenty by
one hundred and sixty feet in size. His Empire
Heights property, located at Ecorse, on State street,
contains three hundred lots, each thirty by one hun
dred and ten feet, and he is part owner of the Em
mons Orchard subdivision of twenty-five hundred lots,
each forty by one hundred and thirty feet.
In developing these subdivisions all modern im
provements have been added, including electric lights,
gas, sewerage and all things which add to the value of
property in the residential districts. These subdivi
sions have sold rapidly and, in addition to those al
ready mentioned, Mr. Welch has fifty lots, averaging
two hundred and forty by one hundred and sixty feet,
at Nursery Park, West Fort and Eureka avenue. Many
other properties are listed among Mr. Welch's pos
sessions. On the 16th of September, 1890, in Detroit, Mr.
Welch was married to Miss Elizabeth B. Kean, daugh
ter of Thomas G. and Ellen E. Kean of this city. They
have four children: John M., bom in Detroit in 1894
and a graduate of the high schools of the city, is
now in business with his father. He married Miss
Marion Boynton, of Detroit, and they have two chil
dren, Mary Jane and John M. (Ill) ; Harold A., born
in Detroit in 1896 and a high school graduate, en
listed in the navy radio service during the World
war. and is now in business with his father; Raymond
A., born in Detroit in 1899, also attended high school,
and like his brothers, is associated with his father
in the real estate business; Helen Elizabeth was born
at Detroit in 1900, and on September 24, 1921, married
Morgan J. Sullivan of Detroit.
The religious faith of the family is that of the
Roman Catholic ehureh and Mr. Welch is a member
of the Knights of Columbus. He belongs to the De
troit Automobile Association, the Grosse He Country
Club and the Island Golf Association, connections
which indicate the nature of his interests and recrea
tion. His political allegiance is given to the repub
lican party and while he has never been an office
seeker, he is a member of the Board of Commerce, is

intensely interested in the welfare of the city and co
operates heartily in all organized movements for the
benefit of Detroit and the upholding of its civic
standards. Mr. Welch's residencs is at No. 109 Vir
ginia Park.
ARTHUR F. FEHN, president of the Detroit Blue
Print & Supply Company, has proved himself capable,
progressive and farsighted. Dealing in drafting-room
supplies, he has kept his business abreast of the fast
growing automobile and manufacturing industry of
Detroit. He was born in Chicago in 1881, a son of John and
Margaret (Sauerman) Fehn, natives of Germany, but
pioneers of the western metropolis since 1858.
He received his education in the public schools of
that city, together with a practical course in the Chi
cago Manual Training school. Very soon after finish
ing his schooling he entered his present line of work
and has stayed with it. His practical experience,
before engaging in business for himself in Detroit,
was gained from eleven years connection with the
two largest drawing material concerns in the country,
Keuffel & Esser Company of New York, and Eugene
Dietzgen Company of Chicago.
In 1905 he married Miss Emma Feltes of Chicago.
A son, John, was born to them in Seattle, where Mr.
Fehn represented the interests of Keuffel & Esser
Company for four years.
While on a visit to Detroit, Mr. Fehn noticed that
drawing materials were handled as a side line by
stationery stores and realized that an establishment
specializing in this line exclusively, must surely pros
per. In 1910 he located in the then fast growing city
and started such a business. His firm leads in this
line, with a business of many thousands of dollars
annually. • Mr. Fehn's experience and foresight have
been backed by a broad-minded spirit of fair dealing.
Mr. Fehn is not a member of any religious or fra
ternal organizations, but belongs to the Detroit Board
of Commerce and the Detroit Automobile Club and
enters into all public-spirited movements wholeheart
edly. STUART ALEXANDER FRASER, who since June,
1911, has figured actively in insurance circles of De
troit, was born in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada, Febru
ary 24, 1872. He spent his youthful days in the
home of his parents, Alexander and Mary Mead (Tor
rance) Fraser. His father having died, the family re
moved to Detroit in May, 1883. Here he completed
his education, pursuing his studies in the public schools
of both Cobourg and Detroit. Starting out in his
business career he became connected with the firm
of Stanley B. Smith & Company, coal dealers of
Detroit, with whom he remained for sixteen years. He
next became manager for A. Y. Malcolmson, a coal
dealer, and the successive steps in his business career

STUART A. FRASER

CITY OF DETROIT

591

brought him to the position of assistant cashier of
the Citizens Savings Bank, from which he resigned in
April, 1907. In June, 1907, he established a wholesale
coal business, which he continued until 1911, when he
embarked in the general insurance business. He has
made steady progress in this field and during the ten
years of his connection therewith has developed a
large clientele and is now at the head of a prosperous
business. On the 25th of October, 1898, Mr. Fraser was mar
ried to Miss Sarah Agnes Noble of Detroit. Mrs.
Fraser died April 17, 1916, leaving four children:
Stuart A., Jr., born October 9, 1899; Charles Noble,
born May 31, 1901; Mary Frances; and Donald Tor
rance, born April 6, 1916. All were bora in Detroit.
Mr. Fraser gives his political allegiance to the re
publican party _but does not consider himself bound
by party ties, neither ' does he hesitate to cast an
independent ballot if his judgment so dictates. He
belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and is
interested in all that has to do with the welfare and
progress of the city. His religious faith is that of
the Presbyterian church, and he is also an exemplary
representative of Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M., while
in club circles he is well known as a member of the
Detroit, Detroit Athletic, Indian Village, Country and
Detroit Boat Clubs. He enjoys boating, golf and field
sports, but allows no , outside affairs to interfere with
his business interests and his obligations of that
character. His entire course has been marked by a
steady progress that indicates the wise utilization of
his time, talents and opportunities.
MAJOR GEORGE H. PENNIMAN, deceased, who
for many years ranked with Detroit's brilliant attor
neys, was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, April 11,
1833. His father was a tanner by trade but he expe
rienced, financial reverses during the early youth of
his son George and the latter, with an elder brother,
was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade. He did
not find the pursuit congenial, however, and ran away,
making his way to New Jersey, where he taught sehool
and also studied music. Later he traveled south but
after reaching New Orleans retraced his steps north
ward as far as St. Louis and there worked at the
shoemaking trade, with which he had become familiar
in early life.
Major Penniman arrived in Michigan in 1853, when
he paid a visit to a distant relative at Plymouth.
Pleased with the state and the business conditions and
opportunities here, he continued to work at his trade
at Plymouth and took up the study of law at the
same time, devoting his leisure hours to the mastery
of the principles of jurisprudence. After a year he
removed to Detroit, having a cash capital of but one
hundred dollars when he arrived in this city. Here he
entered the law offiee of Robert P. Toms with whom
he studied until 1856, when he was admitted to the
bar and at once entered upon the active practice of

his profession. Advancement in the law is proverb
ially slow, but he soon demonstrated his ability to
handle involved and intricate legal problems and
gradually his clientage grew. In 1860 he was married
and went to St. Louis with the purpose of opening
an office there, but the growth of the war feeling
caused him to return to Michigan and he settled at
Marshall. There with the outbreak of hostilities be
tween the north and the south he enlisted in the
Twenty-eighth Michigan Infantry and won distinction
in his service for the Union, especially at Nashville
and at Kingston. Within eight months he had been
promoted through successive positions to the rank of
major. At length he suffered a severe wound in the
spine through a shell fragment and this was a con
tributory source to the illness which came upon him
later in life and eventually caused his death.
After the war Major Penniman was appointed judge
advocate of the Freedmen's Bureau at Raleigh, North
Carolina, with the rank of lieutenant colonel, and he
was granted a life pension in recognition of the in
juries he had sustained in the service of his country.
In 1866 he returned to Detroit, where he resumed the
practice of his profession, in which he continued until
ill health came upon him in 1885 and he entered upon
a constant fight for life. He succumbed to the grim
reaper September 21, 1896. In his profession he had
been recognized as one of the brilliant attorneys of
Detroit. He possessed marked oratorical and dramatie
ability, which he used with splendid effect in pre
senting his cause before the court. He possessed a
commanding presence, a splendid voice and was a
strenuous fighter, although uniformly courteous to his
opponents and at all times ethical in his profession.
In criminal cases he won a notable reputation and he
never lost but one case of this nature — the celebrated
Stevens case. He was the successful attorney in many
cases, known to the publie as Hugh Peoples, Dr.
Hollywood, Dr. Cox, "Mother" Curtis, Ferguson and
James Cumerford cases. He seemed ready at all times
to meet every statement of the opposing counsel and
his deductions were always clear, logical and con
vincing. It was in 1860 that Major Penniman wedded Miss
Julia Johnson of Royal Oak, Michigan, a woman of
much ability and literary talent. She contributed to
the press frequently under the nom de plume of
Irene Ironmonger. She passed away in 1887, leaving
four children: Mrs. Pauline Paulus, Mrs. Georgia New
man, Mrs. Herman F. Schneider and Thomas P., the
last named a worthy successor to his father in the
practice of law and now assistant corporation counsel
of Detroit.
JOHN W. WATLING, of Watling, Lerchen & Com
pany, investment bankers of Detroit, was born in
Ypsilanti, Michigan, June 17, 1883, a son of John A.
and Eunice (Wright) Watling, the former a native of
Hlinois, while the latter was born in the state of New

592

CITY OF DETROIT

York. Both became residents of Michigan in early
life and the father was a well known dentist who be
came the founder of the dental college of the Uni
versity of Michigan and was a member of the faculty
for many years. He passed away in Washington,
D. C, in January, 1919. The mother still resides in
the national capital.
John W. Watling, their only son, was a pupil in the
public and high schools of Ypsilanti and afterward
entered the literary department of the University of
Michigan, being there graduated with the Bachelor
of Arts degree in 1904. He then went to Boston,
Massachusetts, where he entered the investment bank
ing business in the employ of others, and later he
was in the same line of business in Chicago. Event
ually he came to Detroit and established the present
business, which in 1915 was incorporated under the
name of Watling, Lerehen & Company. They are
conducting a very successful business in investment
securities and municipal bonds and are prominently
known as investment bankers of Detroit.
On the 3d of October, 1906, Mr. Watling was married
to 'Miss Sallie Rice of Detroit, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Zachary Rice, and they have become the parents
of three sons: John W., who was born in Detroit and
is now attending school at Birmingham; and Palmer
and William B., who were also born in Detroit and
are in school.
Mr. Watling gives his political allegiance to the
republican party. He belongs to the Detroit Club, to
the University Club of Detroit, the Detroit Athletic
Club, Detroit Boat Club and the Bloomfield Hills
Country Club.
WALTER HUGH WITT is one of the well known
attorneys of Detroit and in addition to earing for a
large and representative practice occupies a prominent
place in business circles of the city as president of
the Inter-State Finance Corporation, of which he was
the organizer. He has also taken an active part in
publie affairs, discharging his duties with faith
fulness and efficiency. Mr. Witt was born in Almont,
Michigan, February 19, 1876, a son of Arthur and
Belle (Donaldson) Witt, the former a native of Eng
land and the latter of Canada. As a young man the
father emigrated to Canada, where his marriage oc
curred, and in the early '50s he crossed the border
into the United States, taking up his residence at Al
mont, Michigan, where he subsequently engaged in
the manufacture of shoes, harness and leather goods
of various kinds. He passed away at Almont, but
the mother survives and still makes her home at that
place. They reared a family of twelve children.
Mr. Witt acquired his education in the graded
and high schools of Almont and following his grad
uation in 1893 started out in life for himself. For four
years he engaged in teaching school in order to
secure the means to pursue his law course and thus
displayed the elemental strength of his character,

working at various occupations until he had accumu
lated sufficient funds to cover the expense of a col
lege course. He then entered the law department of
the University of Michigan, from which he was grad
uated in 1900, and at once entered upon the active
work of the profession, opening an office at Marlette,
Michigan, where he remained for one and a half-years.
He then removed to Brown City, Miehigan, where he
continued in practice for fifteen and a half years,
winning a substantial measure of success, and during
that period he filled many position of publie trust,
serving for four years as postmaster, later as circuit
court commissioner, and for two terms was president of
the school board. He made a most creditable record
as a public official, distinguished by strict integrity
and the utmost devotion to duty. He remained a resi
dent of Brown City until 1918, when he came to
Detroit and has continued to practice his profession
in this city. He has also become well known as a
capable business man, organizing the Inter-State
Finance Corporation for the financing of corporate en
terprises and the placing of investments, and has sinee
been president of this company, in which connection
he has built up a most successful business. He is
also secretary and treasurer of the Inyo Chemical Com
pany of Bigpine, California, manufacturers of chem
icals and potash, and in the conduct of his business
affairs he displays marked executive ability, energy
and enterprise. He is regarded as an able advocate
and safe counselor and has built up a large clientele,
having been intrusted with much important litiga
tion. He is well informed in all branches of the
law and his ability is manifest in the logic of his
deductions and the clearness of his reasoning.
On the 25th of November, 1903, Mr. Witt was united
in marriage to Miss Delia Mathews, a daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. William L. Mathews of Marlette, Mich
igan. Five children have been born to this union:
Kathro Louise; Isabel Mae; Walter Harlan, who was
born November 20, 1913, and passed away February
19, 1918, in Brown City; and Barbara and Dorothy,
twins. All were born in Brown City.
In his political views Mr. Witt is a republican,
stanchly supporting the principles and candidates of
the party, and he keeps well informed on the questions
arid issues of the day. He is an active and earnest
member of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce, whose
plans and projects for the expansion of the trade in
terests of the city receive his hearty support. Fra
ternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protec
tive Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and the Masons, holding membership in the
Royal Arch Chapter of the last named organization.
Mr. Witt is a man of determined purpose, carrying
forward to successful completion whatever he under
takes, for he possesses the resolute spirit and energy
which enables him to overcome all difficulties and ob
stacles in his path. His present success is attributa
ble entirely to his own efforts and his record should

WALTER H. WITT

Vol. IV— 3 8

CITY OF DETROIT

595

serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what
may be accomplished when one has the will to dare
and to do. Mr. Witt resides at 110 Josephine avenue.
EDWARD N. BARNARD, who has the distinction
of being one of the youngest students ever graduated
from the high school of Grand Rapids and also one
of the youngest graduates of the law department of
the University of Miehigan, is now a successful member
of the Detroit bar. He was born in Grand Rapids,
July 13, 1885, and is a son of Bertram W. and Mary
Jane (Higginbotham) Barnard, who are natives of
Boston, Massachusetts, and in early life came to
Michigan. The father entered the building business
and became one of the most extensive builders of
Grand Rapids, where he is still very active along that
line. The mother is also living. In their family were
five children: Jennie M., the wife of Robert T. Blake,
who is master mechanic with the Northern Pacific
Railroad at Farwell, North Dakota; Ethel, the wife
of Willard Conger, living at San Bernardino, Cali
fornia; Bertram J., who is with the Central Michigan
Paper Company at Grand Rapids; Edward N., of this
review; and Mrs. Floyd G. White of Los Angeles,
California. Edward N. Barnard was reared in Grand Rapids
and beeame a pupil in the public schools of that city,
completing his course as previously mentioned, after
whieh he entered the University of Miehigan at Ann
Arbor and was graduated with honors as a member
of the class of 1905, at which time the LL. B. degree
was conferred upon him. He did not receive his
diploma for some time thereafter on account of being
under age. He entered upon the practice of his pro
fession in his native city and remained there until
1917, when he sought the broader field offered in
Detroit, since which time he has gained a large client
age here that has connected him with much important
litigation. He was elected prosecuting attorney of
Kent county, Michigan, for the term of 1915 and
1916, during which period some of the most note
worthy and important cases ever tried in the district
were vigorously prosecuted by him. It is said that he
tried more murder cases during his term than any other
prosecuting attorney in Michigan during the same
length of time and enjoys the unusual record of never
having lost a murder case during that time.
Since his removal to Detroit, Mr. Barnard's pro
fessional services have been constantly in demand and
he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice
as well as making a notable name and place for him
self in legal circles. He was a candidate for pros
ecuting attorney of Wayne county in 1920 and more
recently was the attorney for the defense in the now
famous trial of Michael and Morris Greeson. A pro
found, astute and versatile lawyer, Mr. Barnard's
career, before attaining middle age, has been one of
conspicuous brilliancy and ranks him among the highly
successful members of the Detroit bar.

An ardent republican, since becoming a voter he has
taken a most active part in political affairs. His
first important political speech was delivered before
the Grand Rapids Republican Club in the Roosevelt
campaign and since that time he has been heard on
many occasions in all subsequent campaigns. A force
ful and entertaining talker, with a pleasing personality
and ability to hold the attention of his audience, his
work on the stump has been of distinct value to the
party. A. MACOMB CAMPAU. The name of Campau is
inseparably interwoven with the history of Detroit
and one of the prominent representatives of the family
in the city was Alex M. Campau, who founded the
A. M. Campau Realty Company, of which his grand
son, A. Macomb Campau, is now secretary and treas
urer. Mr. Campau comes of honorable and dis
tinguished ancestry in both the paternal and maternal
lines, the name of Macomb having been perpetuated
in the family for more than a century. He was born
in this city, a son of George T. and Mary Livingston
(Woolsey) Campau, the former of whom died at the
early age of thirty-one. The mother survives. She
is a direct descendant of Chancellor Livingston and
one of her ancestors was a signer of the Declaration
of Independence. Her father, Commodore Melanethon
Brooks Woolsey, was a son of Commodore Melanethon
Taylor Woolsey of the United States navy.
In the acquirement of an education Mr. Campau
attended Howe school at Howe, Indiana, and after
ward pursued a literary course in the University of
Michigan, with the class of 1897. His initial business
experience was obtained in connection with the lumber
industry, with which he was identified for four years,
and he then turned his attention to life insurance,
in whieh he continued active for a similar period.
He was afterward interested in various lines of ac
tivity, among them the manufacture of marine motors,
being secretary and treasurer of a company organized
for that purpose. Finally he concentrated his attention
upon the real estate business and is now secretary and
treasurer of the A. M. Campau Realty Company. They
handle the large holdings of Mr. Campau 's grand
father, Alex M. Campau, and are engaged in selling
off the vacant property and investing the proceeds in
improved realty, conducting their operations on an
extensive scale. Mr. Alex M. Campau incorporated
his estate and in addition to the subject of this re
view the other officers of the corporation are: Char
lotte Campau Copland, president; and M. Woolsey
Campau, vice president. The company also deals in
fire insurance and both branches of the business are
proving profitable.
Mr. Campau was united in marriage, in 1913, to
Miss Nettie Humrichouse, who was formerly a resident
of the state of Maryland, and April 25, 1921, they
became the parents of a daughter, Elizabeth Annette.
Mr. Campau is a veteran of the Spanish-American

596

CITY OF DETROIT

war, having enlisted in the navy for' the duration
of the war, and was a fellow seaman of the present
secretary of the navy, Edwin Denby, on board the
U. S. S. Yosemite. Mr. Campau also served for twenty-
one months during the World war as a lieutenant,
junior grade, in the pay corps of the navy, being sta
tioned at Detroit as pay and supply officer for naval
activities at this point. He is an active member of
the Board of Commerce and is also a member of the
Detroit Real Estate Board, and the University Club,
the Indian Village Club and the Detroit Boat Club.
His grandfather, Alex M. Campau, was one of the
founders of the Detroit Boat Club. He is a gentleman
who has read broadly and thinks deeply and is classed
with the substantial business men and highly re
spected residents of the city. By inheritance he bears
a name that has for two centuries been- an honored
one in connection with the pioneer development and
later progress of Detroit and he is actuated by the
spirit of advancement and enterprise which dominated
his forebears and which has been a most effective
force in the upbuilding of the city. His residence is
at 1038 Seyburn avenue.
HERBERT ALFRED WHEELER, a man of notable
artistic taste and ability, has become the reeognized
authority on decorating and home beautifying in the
city of Detroit and his services in connection with
the William Wright Company are proving of great
value to the firm, which is known throughout the
country as high class decorators, drawing its patronage
from all sections of the United States. Mr. Wheeler
is a native of England and his early education was
acquired in that country, after whieh he took up the
study of decorating and home beautifying at South
Kensington Schools, in connection with the South
Kensington Museum, England. When a young man
of seventeen years he came to the United States and
has since made many trips back to England and
also over Europe for the purpose of collecting ¦ an
tiques and perfecting himself in his artistic work.
Endowed by nature with notable artistic skill and
ability and appreciative of all that is most beautiful
in art, he has devoted his entire life to the work of
decorating and home beautifying, in which he has
attained the highest possible degree of perfection,
being the recognized authority on home decorating,
furniture and furnishings in Detroit. For five years
he has been identified with the William Wright Com
pany of decorators, whose business is conducted in
the old residence of Harrington Walker, which has
since been enlarged and remodeled. Their studio is
one of the most artistically beautiful and interesting
places in the city of Detroit, constituting a mag
nificent illustration of the art of decorating. They
do all of their own furniture carving, maintaining the
most expert force of carvers in the world, and are
recognized as the leaders in Ibis lino on this side of
the Atlantic. They are conducting an extensive busi

ness, being consulted by people of wealth in all parts
of the country in connection with the art of home
decoration, and Mr. Wheeler's reputation as an art
connoisseur has greatly added to the prestige of the
house. He was united in marriage to Margaret Emerson
George of Providence, Rhode Island, and they are
well known in social circles of the city. He is iden
tified with the Detroit Athletic Club, the Lochmoor
Club, the Old Colony Club, the Oakland Hills Golf
Club and the Lotus Club of New York, finding recrea
tion and enjoyment in a game of golf. As a decora
tor he has attained a position of distinction, ranking
with the best in the country, and his success is due to
inherent talent as well as to the fact that he has con
tinued to follow the line in which as a young man he
first engaged, thus acquiring a specialized knowledge
of the art of home decorating and beautifying. He is
a cultured, refined gentleman of pleasing personality
and his many admirable traits of character have gained
for him the high regard and esteem of a large circle
of friends.
WALLACE GILBERT KAY is the secretary and
treasurer of the firm of Kay & Company, Inc., con
ducting an investment banking and corporation se
curities business. He is one of the more successful
of the younger set of financiers in Detroit and, more
over, is well known as a representative of a prom
inent family of this city. He was born in Detroit,
July 8, 1883, and is a son of John and Carrie (Gar-
lick) Kay and a grandson of John and Margaret
(Cavari) Kay, who were natives of Scotland and in
1851 crossed the Atlantic to Canada, taking with them
their son, John Kay, who was born in Scotland in
1850. After residing for a time at Paris, Canada,
they removed to Gait, where the grandfather of
Wallace G. Kay engaged in the jewelry and watch
making business to the time of his death. His widow
afterward removed to Detroit, where she passed away.
Extended mention of John Kay, father of Wallace
G. Kay, is found on another page of this work, as he
is one of Detroit's prominent jewelers, known through
out the country as an expert on diamonds and other
precious stones.
In the public schools of Detroit, Wallace Gilbert
Kay pursued his education, passing through consecu
tive grades to the high sehool and afterward spending
a year and a half in educational institutions of Europe.
On his return to this country he entered his father's
store and learned the jeweler's trade. Five years
later he became a member of the firm of John Kay
& Company and at length withdrew from that con
nection to enter into partnership with his brother in
the investment bonds and securities business. As the
years passed the business assumed such proportions
that the brothers decided to incorporate under the
style of Kay & Company, Inc., investment bankers, in
1917. They conduct an extensive business in financing

HERBERT A. WHEELER

CITY OF DETROIT

599

and bonding large enterprises and the firm is known
in financial circles throughout the country. Theirs
is a close corporation, with J. Wilbur Kay as the
president and Wallace G. Kay as the secretary and
treasurer. They have manifested the soundest judg
ment in all financial interests and are justly numbered
with the foremost financiers of Detroit. Wallace G.
Kay is also secretary-treasurer of the Western Knit
ting Mills, Inc., and is interested in a number of
concerns. On the 30th of December, 1912, in Mount Clemens,
Michigan, Mr. Kay was married to Miss Ethel Wood-
worth McArthur, daughter of Mrs. J. C. McArthur
of that place, and granddaughter of General Mc
Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Kay have two daughters, both
born in Mt. Clemens: Margaretta Woodworth, born in
1915; and Jean McArthur, born in 1921.
Mr. Kay is the owner of a fine country estate at
Grosse Pointe, devoting much time to the place and
finding his greatest pleasure in his association with
his family. He is a member of the Detroit Automobile
Club and the Detroit Stock Exchange.
HARVEY GLEN WILSON. One of the representa
tive automobile dealers of Detroit is Harvey Glen
Wilson, distributor of the Auburn line for Michigan,
and in the conduct of his business he displays a most
progressive spirit in giving to the publie adequate
service as well as in the sales department. He was
born in Flint, Michigan, June 11, 1878, and is a son of
Arthur and Eliza (Douehlow) Wilson, who were
natives of Ireland and of Canada, respectively. The
father was born December 25, 1820, and came to the
new world in early youth, becoming an early settler
in Genesee county, Michigan, where later he took up
the occupation of farming, becoming one of the pros
perous and well known agriculturists of that county,
where he is still living. Although now in his one
hundred and first year, he retains all of his faculties.
His wife passed away in January, 1917. She had
reared a family of nine children, five of whom are
living, namely: Harvey Glen; and James, Mrs. Lizzie
Hubbard, Mrs. Bertha Butcher and Mrs. Mary Good
win, all residents of Flint.
In his boyhood days Harvey G. Wilson attended the
country schools of Genesee county, Michigan, and his
training and experiences were those of the farm bred
boy, who divides his time between the duties of the
schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the
work of the farm. He assisted his father until his
twenty-third year and then began dealing in horses
and cattle. He became a very successful stock buyer
and continued in that business until 1913, when he
came to Detroit and turned his attention to general
building lines. He prospered in his new undertaking,
but at the time of America's entrance into the World
war was compelled to give up his building operations,
as building materials could not be secured. As soon
as he could make arrangements he entered the auto

mobile business, first handling the Saxon Six, when in
February, 1920, he became Miehigan distributor for
the Auburn Beauty Six, as well as the other cars in
the Auburn line. The Harvey G. Wilson salesroom and
offiee at 5931 Woodward avenue is one of the at
tractive and commodious headquarters of its kind in
Detroit, where in addition to having a showroom
of sufficient floor space to display the complete Auburn
line there is also an exchanged ear display room forty
by two hundred feet. A general garage and repair
department is maintained at No. 57 Harper avenue,
where is supplied a twenty-four hour service, skilled
mechanics being constantly in attendance, and the
business has steadily grown.
On the 15th of September, 1901, Mr. Wilson was
married to Miss May Belle Parsons of Flint, Michigan,
daughter of Charles H. Parsons of Caro, Miehigan.
They have two children: Howard F., born in Flint
February 18, 1903; and Leona R., who was born in
Flint in September, 1909. Starting out in life with
out unusual advantages, but possessing industry and
determination, Harvey G. Wilson has made steady prog
ress in business, displaying ready adaptability to
conditions, and he is now occupying a creditable plaee
in the automobile circles of Detroit. Mr. Wilson's
residence at 54 Farrand Park is one of the pleasant
homes in the North Woodward section.
BYRON G. MONKMAN, M. D., a prominent member
of the medical fraternity of Detroit, is specializing
in orthopedic surgery, in whieh he is a recognized
expert, and since 1891 he has followed his profession
in this city, having built up an extensive practice
along this line. He was born in the city of Toronto,
Canada, but when only five years of age was brought
to Detroit by his parents, so that practically his entire
life has been passed in the United States. He is a
son of Elias and Sarah (Gill) Monkman, the former a
native of Toronto, Canada, and the latter of Ireland,
and in the publie schools of Detroit he acquired his
early education. He then took up the study of medi
cine, entering the Detroit College of Medicine, and
was graduated with the class of 1891. He began the
practice of his profession in Detroit and for the past
five years has maintained his offices at No. 1633 David
Whitney building. He makes a specialty of ortho
pedic surgery and is the only doctor in Detroit whose
practice is limited exclusively to treatment of the
feet. In this important department of medical prac
tice he covers the field of foot surgery and corrects
all deformities of the feet. He also advises as to
the proper footwear for ailing feet and performs all
necessary surgical operations. He has made a thorough
study of the feet and has gained expert ability in
this branch of the profession. From 1912 until 1916
Dr. Monkman practiced in Portland and eastern Ore
gon and for some time he was in Umatilla on the
United States government's irrigation project for the
reclamation of arid lands.

600

CITY OF DETROIT

In 1904 Dr. Monkman was united in marriage to
Miss Nelle M. Sauer, who is 's, graduate of the Farrand
Training school, maintained in connection with Harper
Hospital. For two terms he has been health officer
of the village of Delray and he is identified with the
Wayne County Medical Society, the East Side Medical
Society of Detroit and Nu Sigma Nu, a college fra
ternity, while the nature of his recreation is indicated
in his membership in the Island Golf Club. He has
ever been a close and discriminating student of his
profession, in which he has attained high standing,
and the worth of his work is widely acknowledged.
CHARLES EDWARD PARTRIDGE. The career of
Charles Edward Partridge, vice president of the Dime
Savings Bank of Detroit, presents a notable example
of a self-made man. Starting as a messenger boy in
this institution, he has advanced with the growth of
of the bank, his faithfulness and ability winning him
promotion from one position to another of greater im
portance and responsibility until he now ranks with
the leading financiers of the city. His record is a
most creditable one and should serve to inspire and
encourage others, showing what may be accomplished
when one has the will to dare and to do. In thor
oughness and the mastery of every task assigned him
lies the secret of his success, for throughout his career
he has closely applied himself to the work in hand.
Mr. Partridge was born in Washington, D. C, and
when three years of age was brought to Battle Creek,
Michigan, by his parents. His father, G. W. Part
ridge, became private secretary to Zaeh Chandler and
for several years was actively identified with him in
political affairs. The Partridge family is of Scotch
extraction, the original American ancestor having come
to this country from Berwick, Scotland, as early as
1645. In the schools of Battle Creek and Detroit, C. E.
Partridge acquired his education, becoming a resident
of this city in 1878. He was graduated from the
Central high school in 1886 and in the same year en
tered financial circles as messenger boy in the Dime
Savings Bank, which was then a small institution,
being no larger than one of the present branches of
the bank. His ready adaptability and faithful, effi
cient service soon won him merited recognition and
he was advanced from one position to another of
greater responsibility until he was made assistant
cashier, while in 1919 he was elected to the vice
presidency. He has advanced with the growth of the
institution and has been with the bank longer than
any other employe or official, so that the prosperous
financial enterprise of today is largely the outgrowth
of his indefatigable labor, initiative spirit and enter
prising methods. The complex problems of banking
are thoroughly familiar to him, for comprehensive
study and broad practical experience have acquainted
him. with every phase of the business and his powers
of organization and executive force have enabled him

to formulate plans which have resulted in the sub
stantial growth and development of the institution,
which now ranks with the leading banks of the city.
His labors have ever been of a constructive character
and his business activities have at all times bal
anced up with the principles of truth and honor.
In 1902 Mr. Partridge was united in marriage to
Miss Sarah Harding of Ypsilanti, Miehigan, and they
are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. In
his political views Mr. Partridge is a republican and
in religious faith he is a Presbyterian. He enlisted in
the United States navy in the Spanish-American war,
as a former member of the Miehigan State Naval
Brigade. He served on the U. S. S. Yosemite in
West Indies waters. He is adjutant of Gilbert Wilkes
Company of the Spanish-American war veterans. He
is serving as treasurer of Evergreen cemetery and is
a member of the Bankers Club, the Detroit Boat
Club and the Automobile Club. Industry has been
the key which has unlocked for him the portals of
success and his career proves that prosperity and an
honored name may be won simultaneously. His efforts
has also contributed to the development and prosperity
of the city and he is recognized as one of the leading
financiers and foremost citizens of Detroit. He re
sides at 4080 Vicksburg avenue.
IRVIN HUSTON, the president of the Recreation
Company, has shown a spirit of marked initiative,
originality and enterprise in the development of what
may be well termed the public club. The company of
whieh he is the head owns the Recreation building,
which is the only one of its kind in the world. Here
are furnished all the forms of amusement and all of
the comforts of the best organized elubs, and the
enterprise is meeting a long-felt need in the field of
recreation. Mr. Huston is a native of Blandinsville, Illinois.
He was born September 20, 1882, a son of Theodore
and Anna (Burhans) Huston. The father was also
a native of Illinois, while the mother was born in
the state of New York but pursued her education in
Wisconsin, her parents having removed to that state
during her girlhood. The father was educated in New
York and later in life was appointed American consul
to Juarez, Mexico, where he passed away. The
mother's death occurred in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in
February, 1910, after a number of years' residence
in this state. In their family were three children:
Roscoe B., who is the secretary of the Recreation
Company; Irvin and Corwin, the last named also a
resident of Detroit.
With the removal of the family from McDonough
county, Illinois, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, Irvin Huston
pursued his education in the public and high schools
of Ann Arbor and in the University of Michigan.
Following his graduation he opened a billiard and
bowling parlor at Ann Arbor and made this a most
successful undertaking. He conducted the business

1

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4

CHARLES E, PARTRIDGE

CITY OF DETROIT

603

as a gentlemen's club and maintained it as such,
catering to the best class of students. Farsighted
and sagacious in business affairs, he at length con
ceived the idea of a Recreation building where the
tired business man could find time for rest and en
joyment of clean pleasures. He came to Detroit in
1914 and in connection with his brother Roseoe or
ganized the Recreation Company. They secured a
ninety-nine year lease on the ground and began the
erection of what has since been known to the public
as the Recreation building, a seven-story fireproof
structure devoted to billiards and bowling. There is
no establishment equal to it in all the world. No
where under one roof are there assembled so many
billiard tables, the company having at present one
hundred and forty-two billiard tables, and nowhere
else are there so many bowling alleys under a single
roof, for those in the Recreation building number
eighty-eight, while the plans of the company are to
add still more. Moreover, it is planning to erect
other stories which will include showers, swimming
pools, baths and guest rooms. The Recreation building
is a vast publie club and is the last word in physical
elegance and atmospheric gentility. It was erected
at a cost of a million and a quarter dollars and pro
vides a place in which over one thousand people can
have exercise and entertainment at a single time.
The Detroit Times, in commenting on the opening of
the Recreation building, said: "This institution, so
plainly the result of the promoter's keen discernment
looking toward a dry Michigan and a dry Detroit, will
cater not only to the entertainment of Detroit men,
but will afford a kind of entertainment that will be
health-building rather than health-dissipating, and will
stand in the community for the building up of our man
hood rather than its tearing down. Games sueh as
billiards and bowling supply healthful and body-build
ing exercise, amusement and diversion, with nothing
whatever to be said against them except for their
long association with the saloon." Therefore in the
Recreation building the Recreation Company has de
veloped an institution in response to the growing
demand for a recreation center of the strictest moral
tone and environment, whore ladies and gentlemen
may participate in their favorite pastimes. Today
five thousand League bowlers, ladies and gentlemen,
are entertained every week in the Recreation building,
and one hundred thousand people, approximately ten
thousand women and ninety thousand men, visit the
various departments of the building weekly, a large
percentage of these being actual patrons. The tem
perature of the building is automatically controlled
by thermostats and the atmospheric conditions regu
lated by an elaborate washed air system. It seems
that nothing has been forgotten that can add to the
comfort, convenience and delight of the patrons, from
the well equipped barber shop to the attractive lunch
rooms. As president of the company Mr. Huston is
wisely directing the management of this splendid rec

reational institution and in so doing has builded up
an enterprise of which the city has every reason to
be proud.
In Macomb, Illinois, on the 3d of July, 1905, Mr.
Huston was married to Miss Ruth Lipe, daughter of
W. M. Lipe, of that eity. He is a Mason and a member
of the Christian chureh. He belongs also to the Uni
versity of Michigan Club, to the Detroit Rotary Club,
the Detroit Golf Club and the Detroit Athletic Club.
He enjoys nothing better than a game of golf and
is frequently seen on the links of the Detroit Golf
Club. Mr. Huston started out in business with a
working capital of one thousand dollars and with
this start he has built up a business of mammoth
proportions and also maintains his original business
at Ann Arbor, which he also conducts along successful
lines. He is today one of Detroit's well known and
progressive business men who, recognizing the truth
of the homely old adage that "all work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy," has endeavored to introduce
into the life of the eity clean and wholesome recrea
tion, giving the publie a place where sueh may be
obtained without sacrifice of social or moral stand
ards. His residence is at 18914 Parkside avenue.
WESLEY TAYLOR, M. D., engaged in medical prac
tice in Detroit, was born in Wheelersburg, Scioto
county, Ohio, December 18, 1876, his parents being
Dr. James L. and Melissa (Folsom) Taylor, who are
also natives of Scioto county, where they resided
until their removal to Detroit. The father practiced
his profession in Ohio for many years and was recog
nized as a prominent member of the medical profes
sion. He died in Detroit in 1920. He and his wife
were the parents of three children: Kate, who died
in Ohio in 1899; Dr. John B. Taylor, who died in De
troit in 1906; and Wesley Taylor of this review.
Following his graduation from the high school of
Ann Arbor, Wesley Taylor beeame a student in the
medical department of the University of Michigan
and gained his M. D. degree in 1899. He afterward
served as an interne in the Lakeside Hospital at
Cleveland, Ohio, and subsequently went to Europe,
where he did postgraduate work in the Vienna Hos
pital from 1901 until 1902 and later studied under
Professor Dejerine in Paris from 1902 until 1904. Re
turning to his native land, he engaged in practice
for six years at Atlanta, Georgia, and in 1913 opened
an office in Detroit, where he has since built up an
extensive practice, specializing in neurology and mental
diseases. He beeame attending neurologist to Harper
Hospital and served as professor of neurology and
therapeutics in the Atlanta School of Medicine in
Atlanta, Georgia. He is chief of the neurological
staff of the Highland Park Hospital. He belongs to
the American Medical Association, the Michigan State
Medical Society, the Wayne County Medical Society,
the Detroit Medical Society, the Detroit Neurological
Society and is a member of the staff of the Miehigan

604

CITY OF DETROIT

State Hospital school. He likewise belongs to the
Phi Rho Sigma, a college fraternity.
On the 22d of December, 1917, Dr. Taylor was mar
ried to Miss Catherine Bosson of Indianapolis, In
diana, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Bosson, the
former a prominent representative of the Indianapolis
bar. Dr. Taylor belongs to the Ingleside Club and
also to the Detroit Athletic Club and he has other
social relations of an attractive character. He is a
member of the Methodist church and his life has
ever been guided by high and honorable purposes
and principles. His course has been characterized by
a consecutive progress that has made him well known
in Detroit and his work is at once a credit and a stim
ulus to the profession, his opinions being largely ac
cepted as authority by representatives of the medical
fraternity. THERON CANFIELD RICE-WRAY, a man of ex
ceptional business ability who has become recognized
as one of the most successful salesmen in the United
States, occupies a prominent place in commercial cir
cles of Detroit as agency manager for the Mutual
Benefit Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, and
his influence is one of widening activity in the field in
which he is operating. He was born on a farm in
Moniteau county, Missouri, and completed his high
sehool course at St. Louis, that state. In that eity he
started in the publishing business, with which he was
connected for three years, afterward being sent to
Baltimore, Maryland, as manager for Ferd P. Kaiser,
publisher, being at that time but eighteen years of age.
He next went to Washington, D. C, as a member of
the sales force of the Chamberlain Metal Weather
Strip Company and was very successful in this line
of work, purchasing after a time the patent rights for
the metal weather strip in five counties of New Jersey
and establishing an office in Newark, that state. He
conducted his interests under the style of the T. C.
Rice-Wray Company and in addition to the weather
strip handled other building specialties, developing
a good trade in that connection. At the end of seven
years he disposed of his interests in Newark and ac
cepted the position of sales manager for the Hern-
sheim Company, Ltd., of New Orleans, Louisiana,
which is controlled by the American Cigar interests.
For two years he continued to act in that capacity,
resigning his position while in Los Angeles, Califor
nia, on a western trip for the firm. He next became
assistant manager at the home office in Los Angeles
of the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company, with
which he was connected for two years. He then came
to Detroit as manager of the accident and health de
partment of that company, of which he had charge for
four years, when he sold his business with that firm
and became agency manager at Detroit for the Mutual
Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New
Jersey, which position he is now filling. He is a
man of marked enterprise, energy and determination,

who possesses executive ability of a high order and
has made a noteworthy record for his agency, which in
1920 sold twenty-two and a half million dollars worth
of insurance, his personal contribution to this amount
being one and a half million dollars. He has estab
lished a national reputation as a salesman, having
thoroughly mastered this difficult art. He does a great
deal of work as a sales consultant and also has a
national reputation as a lecturer on salesmanship. He
never solicits this work, but there is a large demand
for his services and he addresses two or three audi
ences a week, being a fluent and impressive speaker.
He taught the salesmanship class in the Detroit Young
Men 's Christian Association for seven years and is
now director of the salesmanship courses in that insti
tution. He served as a speaker throughout the various
Liberty Bond campaigns during the World war and
was also a Four-Minute man. His work of a similar
character, whether for civic, philanthropic or patriotic
purposes, has been frequent and valuable. He is a
member of the permanent organization of the Com
munity Union and is a director of the Fresh Air and
Sunshine Bureau, as well as of the Ford Republic
Home for Boys. In 1917 he was one of the organizers
of the E. C. Little Taxation Bureau, 2302 Dime Bank
building, and has been secretary of that organization
since its inception. This enterprise, a pioneer in its
line in Detroit, has had a remarkable growth.
Mr. Rice-Wray has been twice married. His first
wife, Miss Mabel L. Simon, was the mother of a
daughter and a son: Edris R., who was graduated
from the Northern high sehool as a member of the
class of 1921, is now a student at The Castle, Miss
Mason's school at Tarrytown-on-Hudson, completing
preparation for Vassar; R. Colston, who was born in
Newark, New Jersey, October 17, 1906, is a member
of the class of 1923 at the Northern high sehool and
contemplates completing preparation for Yale at the
Phillips Exeter Academy. The present Mrs. Rice-
Wray, previous to her marriage in July, 1920, was
Miss Edith Linwood Warner of Detroit.
Mr. Rice-Wray is a popular member of the Detroit
Athletic Club, the Detroit Boat Club, the Detroit
Riding & Hunt Club, the Detroit Tennis Club, the
Kiwanis Club and the Detroit Automobile Club,
through which he obtains needed recreation from
business cares, and he is also fond of boxing and
swimming. Other organizations in which he holds
membership are the Detroit Life Underwriters Asso
ciation, the Detroit Real Estate Board, the Detroit
Board of Commerce and the Detroit Young Men's
Christian Association. Fraternally he is identified
with the Masons, bolonging to Palestine Lodge, A,
F. & A. M.; King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M.; Detroit
Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; and Moslem Temple of the
Mystic Shrine. The qualities of business leadership
are in a substantial degree the possession of Mr. Rice-
Wray. The force of his personality, the keenness of
his insight and the soundness of his judgment have

THERON C. RICE-WRAY

CITY OF DETROIT

607

brought him to a prominent position in business circles
of Detroit and he is preeminently a man whose record
is written in terms of success.
CHARLES E. WALKER, vice president and man
ager of the Detroit Safe Company, has been numbered
among the business men of this city since 1916 and
throughout the entire period has been active in the
line in which he is still engaged. He was born in
Camden, New York, June 6, 1866, and is a son of
Charles and Elizabeth (Stroup) Walker, both of whom
were natives of Steuben county, New York, and re
mained residents of the Empire state throughout their
lives. The father there engaged in farming. Both he
and his wife are deceased.
Charles E. Walker was one of two children but is
the only surviving member of the family. In early
boyhood he attended the public schools of his native
city and afterward became a student in the Cazenovia
Seminary. For two years after completing his edu
cation he engaged in farming, assisting his father in
the further development and improvement of the old
home place. He then went to St. Paul, Minnesota,
where he secured a position with the Diebold Safe
& Lock Company, working under George C. Garrow,
who was at the head of the St. Paul branch of the
business. Mr. Walker was sent on the road as a
traveling salesman for this company and continuously
occupied that position from 1896 until 1914, some
times covering as high as. fifty thousand miles during
a year. He seeured a large amount of business for
the company and added to his laurels as a safe and
lock man. Eventually, however, he was compelled to
give up the road on account of ill health and was then
placed in charge of the St. Louis branch of the busi
ness, with which he was connected until February,
1916. He then came to Detroit and purchased an in
terest in the Detroit Safe Company at this place,
becoming vice president and manager, and was active
in the successful conduct of the business until May
24, 1919, when it was sold to the Diebold Safe & Lock
Company and Mr. Walker has remained in charge
as general manager for that company for Detroit and
southern Michigan. He is also one of the directors
and the vice president of the business, whieh is here
conducted under the name of the Detroit Safe Com
pany. The firm handles the complete line of Diebold
safes and locks.
Mr. Walker is a consistent follower of the teach
ings of Masonry, being a member of Philanthropic
Lodge, No. 164, of Camden, New York, and Darius
Chapter, No. 144, of the same place. He has taken
the degrees of the York Rite, becoming a Knights
Templar, and a member of Auvern Commandery, Fargo,
North Dakota. He also belongs to Elzagal Temple of
the Mystic Shrine, Fargo, North Dakota, and to the
Elks lodge at Billings, Montana, and he is a member
of the Fellowcraft Athletic Club of Detroit and the
Detroit Automobile Club. He stands very high in

public regard, occupying an enviable position in busi
ness circles, and that he deserves much credit is due
to the fact that he has worked his way upward entirely
on his own account, his ability, energy and ambition
constituting the salient and forceful elements of his
progress and success. Mr. Walker is the oldest branch
manager and the oldest salesman, having been longer
in the Diebold Safe & Lock Company's employ than
.any other man on the selling force. Outdoor recrea
tion appeals to him when pressure of business permits
and he has no little enthusiasm for motoring.
VENE G. PERRY, who since 1916 nas been secre
tary of the Detroit Candy Company, one of the suc
cessful business enterprises of the city, is numbered
among the younger business men of Detroit and has
already gained a gratifying measure of success for
one of his years, while his sound judgment and execu
tive ability have been important factors in promoting
the growth of the corporation with which he is iden
tified. He is a native of Miehigan, his birth having
occurred in Oakland county in 1890, and his parents
were William and Fannie (Sutton) Perry, who reared
a family of five children, namely: Eddie J., Howard,
Mabel, Delia and Vene G.
The last named attended the publie and high schools
at Orion, Michigan, and after laying aside his text
books entered the business world as a clerk in the
Orion State Bank, with which he was connected for
two years. He then came to Detroit and entered the
employ of the Detroit Candy Company, his close appli
cation and ready adaptability winning him promo
tions' from one position to another of greater impor
tance and responsibility until he was made secretary
in 1916, in which capacity he is now serving. The
company manufactures bulk, pail and penny lines of
candy and theirs is the largest enterprise of the kind
in the state. In Detroit they cater exclusively to job
bers of candy but sell to the retail trade throughout
the state, being represented on the road by experienced
salesmen, and they employ twenty-five people in the
manufacture and distribution of their product, which
is unsurpassed for wholesomeness and purity, being
made under the most sanitary conditions, so that
theirs has become one of the most popular brands of
confectionery on the market. The concern was in
corporated in 1895 with a capital stock of fifty thou
sand dollars and it is now capitalized at one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. The business methods of
the house have ever been characterized by enterprise,
integrity and reliability and its trade has reached
extensive proportions. Mr. Perry is devoting every
energy to the legitimate expansion of the business and
his close application, progressive methods and initia
tive spirit have proven potent factors in its con
tinued success.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Perry is a Mason,
belonging to City of the Straits Lodge, F. & A. M.,
Michigan Sovereign Consistory and to Moslem Temple

608

CITY OF DETROIT

of the Mystie Shrine. He is also a member of the
Fellowcraft Club and the Detroit Athletic Club. That
he is a loyal and public-spirited citizen is indicated
by his membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce,
whose projects for the development and upbuilding
of the city he heartily indorses. He has the energy
and faith in the future characteristic of a young man
and much of that mature judgment which is ordinarily
associated with a man many years his senior. The
success which he has already attained is indicative of
what he may be expected to accomplish in the future,
and personally he has many warm friends.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER HACKETT, M. D. With
the advantages of thorough study in the leading med
ical centers of America and of Europe, Dr. William A.
Haekett is now specializing in surgery, and has
reached a point of success that places him among the
eminent representatives of this field of practice in the
City of the Straits. Dr. Haekett was born in Huron
county, Ontario, Canada, February 11, 1868, his parents
being James and Esther (Reid) Haekett, who were
pioneers of Huron county, Ontario, where they located
in 1840. The father was a farmer by occupation,
and passed away in Canada in 1916 at the age of
seventy-seven years. The mother still resides upon
the old homestead with one of her sons. Her family
numbered six children, five sons and a daughter:
David, whose death occurred in August, 1921, in Huron
county, Ontario; Joseph M., a druggist of Detroit;
James, also a resident of Canada; Walter L., a phy
sician and surgeon of Detroit; Mrs. Mary Lane of
Canada; and William A., of this review.
The last named attended the public schools of
Belfast, Canada, and afterward entered the high school
of Goderich, where he likewise attended the Goderich
Collegiate Institute, from which, in due course of
time, he was graduated. He was also a pupil in the
Toronto Normal school at Toronto, Canada, and then
took up educational work in the .schools of Huron
county, where he taught for three years. He regarded
this merely as an initial step to other professional
labor, however, for it was his desire to become a
member of the medical profession, and with that end
in view he matriculated in Toronto University, from
which he was graduated in 1894, with the M. B.
degree. He then came to Detroit, where he opened
an office, and through the intervening years has
climbed to the highest pinnacle of professional prom
inence in the field of surgery. He has specialized
in surgical work for several years. He pursued post
graduate studies in London, Switzerland and Berlin,
specializing in major surgery, and he was also a
postgraduate in the Chicago Polyclinic in 1904. He
is now serving on the staff of the leading hospitals of
Detroit and was the founder of the Samaritan hos
pital, one of the leading institutions of this character
in the city. He is a fellow of the College of Surgeons,
whieh is an honorary position, and he belongs to the

Wayne county, the Michigan State and the American
Medical Associations. He is constantly promoting
his knowledge by study, research and investigation,
and his opinions always carry weight with his pro
fessional brethren. Aside from his professional activi
ties he is a member of the Board of the Artesian Water
Company of Detroit.
In May, 1897, Dr. Haekett was married to Miss
Amelia Cronin of this city, who passed away in 1903,
and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Cronin,
are also deceased. By this marriage there were two
children: J. Frank Haekett, who was born in 1899 in
Detroit, and was a member of the naval reserve during
the war, while at the present time he is attending
the University of Miehigan at Ann Arbor, as a medical
student; and Basil, who was born in 1900, and is also
a student in the State University. On the 4th of
June, 1912, Dr. Haekett was married to Miss Clara
Farber, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Farber,
prominent in Minden City, Michigan. They have be
come parents of a son, Edward Haekett, who was
born in March, 1913, in Detroit, and is now a pupil
in the publie schools.
Dr. Haekett is a member of the Masonie fraternity,
of which he has taken the degrees of the Consistory
and Shrine. He has been a member of Detroit Wheel
men for a number of years and also belongs to the
Detroit Automobile Club. He has membership in
the Central Methodist Episcopal church, and his po
litical endorsement is given, to the republican party.
His interests are those of a progressive and patriotic
American citizen, his activities are those of a capable
and distinguished surgeon, and his position is one of
both social and professional prominence. He resides
at No. 750 Glynn court.
WILLIAM F. BLAKE, head of the firm of P. Blake's
Son, undertakers, is thus active in control of one of
the oldest establishments of this character in Detroit.
Mr. Blake is a native son of Detroit, his birth having
here occurred February 28, 1862, on the Michigan
avenue side of the present site of the City Hall. His
parents were Patrick and Eliza (O'Rafferty) Blake,
who in early life came to this city from Ireland. In
1865 the father opened an undertaking establishment
and during his active life carried on business of that
kind, having an extensive patronage among the best
people of the city, until he, too, succumbed to the grim
reaper. His wife has also passed away. In their
family were nine children, three daughters and six
sons, and of this family seven are living: Henry,
James B., William F., Mrs. Charles C. Schumm, Frank
J., Lucy, and Mrs. Thomas McVey. All are residents
of Detroit with the exception of the last named, who
makes her home in New York city.
William F Blake attended the Capital school and
the Wilkins sehool at Detroit, and after his text
books were put aside he entered the undertaking estab
lishment of his father and there learned the business

DR. WILLIAM A. HACKETT

CITY OF DETROIT

611

in principle and detail. Later he was admitted to a
partnership and after his father's death he became
sole proprietor. He continues to draw his patronage
from among the best families of Detroit and his
business is one of extensive proportions. He has
been employed as undertaker in connection with the
last sad rites over many of Detroit's most prominent
and influential citizens.
In 1898 Mr. Blake was married to Miss Alice M.
Charlesworth, a daughter of George and Annie Charles
worth, who came to this state from southern Illinois.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Blake:
Harold F., born in Detroit, in 1900, and now a student
in Detroit College, class of '22; Alice Elizabeth, who
was born in 1903, attended the Sacred Heart Academy
at Eden Hall, Pennsylvania, and took a postgraduate
course at Georgetown Visitation Convent; and William
F., Jr., who was bom in 1909, and is a student in
Nazareth College, at Nazareth, Michigan.
Mr. Blake belongs to the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks, and is a fourth degree member of the
Knights of Columbus. He is connected with the
Detroit Board of Commerce and is interested in all
measures looking to the benefit and upbuilding of
the city, but his time and attention are mostly con
centrated upon his business affairs. He is today at
the head of one of the oldest undertaking establish
ments of the city and has ever maintained the high
standards of service instituted by his father, and at
all times has been quick to adopt the improved scien
tific methods practiced by those of the profession. Mr.
Blake resides at No. 430 Chandler avenue.
HENRY C. WIEDEMAN, president of the Ameri
can Commercial Car Company, having its manufactur
ing plant as well as its sales office in Detroit, was
born at Fair Haven, St. Clair county, Michigan, Au
gust 26, 1873, his parents being Henry C. and Carrie
Wiedeman, the latter a native of this state, while
the father was born in' Germany and came to America
in early life. They were married in Michigan and for
many years the father engaged in farming. Both he
and his wife are deceased.
Henry C. Wiedeman pursued his education in the
publie schools of Fair Haven to the age of thirteen
years and afterward attended the Detroit Business
University, from which he was graduated in 1890.
Subsequently he entered a machine shop and became
an apprentice to the machinist's trade, thoroughly
learning the business and thus qualifying for life's
practical and responsible duties. He became book
keeper for the Huettman & Kramer Company of De
troit in 1890 and was elected vice president of the
company in 1894, while two years later he was chosen
secretary and treasurer and in 1899 became general
manager. It was on the 1st of August, 1902, that he
severed his connection with that corporation and or
ganized the Detroit Steel Cooperage Company, which
proved to be a highly successful enterprise, and he

continued as head of the business for a decade. He
then sold his interest in the business and organized
the American Commercial Car Company, builders of
the Wolverine trucks. This was incorporated in 1917
and something of the volume of its business is indicated
in the fact that it employs one hundred and twenty-
five people. Mr. Wiedeman is the president and one
of the directors of the company, manufacturing a full
line of Wolverine trucks, ranging from one to four
tons capacity, all heavy duty type. The company
manufactures motor trucks for every kind of business
and has a manufacturing plant whieh includes five
acres of ground at Gratiot avenue and the Detroit
Terminal Railroad. The business is capitalized for
one million dollars and the company is planning large
expansion in the near future.
Mr. Wiedeman has also figured in financial circles,
for he beeame one of the founders of the Federal
State Bank and is now a director of the Common
wealth Federal Savings Bank. He was active in the
management of the Federal State Bank until it was
merged with the Commonwealth Federal Savings Bank
and acted as its first president. Various other busi
ness enterprises have benefited by his cooperation and
sound judgment and his attitude is always that of a
progressive business man who is constantly looking
for wider opportunities, which he fully utilizes.
On the 8th of September, 1895, Mr. Wiedeman was
married to Miss Ida A. Pauli of Detroit, daughter of
Charles Pauli. They have one daughter, Mabel Lillian,
who was born in 1897 and is a graduate of the East
Detroit high school. She is now Mrs. B. J. Becker of
Detroit, and has one son, Bernard J., Jr., born in
Detroit in 1920. Mr. Wiedeman has figured quite
prominently in publie affairs in Detroit. He has served
as a member of the board of education for four
years and has done active work in behalf of publie
progress and improvement as a member of the Detroit
Board of Commerce. He belongs to the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks and to social organizations
which number him among their popular and highly
esteemed members. His life has been passed in Mich
igan and his worth as a man and as a citizen has been
demonstrated in many ways. He has a wide acquaint
ance and many friends and the sterling worth of his
character is recognized by all who know him.
LEO BREISACHER, M. D., an eminent medical
practitioner, educator and author, ranking with the
leading physicians of Detroit, his native city, has
spent his life here, save for the period in which
he was pursuing his studies in American and Euro
pean universities. While spending his youthful days
in the home of his parents, Leo and Sophie (Benoit)
Breisacher, he attended the public and preparatory
schools and afterward became a student in the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania. He then went abroad and
became a student in the medical and philosophical
department of the University of Berlin and completed

612

CITY OF DETROIT

his studies in Germany by graduation from that insti
tution as a member of the class of 1892. In the same
year he returned to the United States and received a
full professorship at the University of Pennsylvania.
Two years later he returned to Detroit, where he has
remained. His developing powers have brought him
into prominence not only as a practitioner but also as
an educator and author, for his contributions to the
literature of the profession have been numerous and
valuable. He is now professor of nutrition and me
tabolism in the Detroit College of Medicine, is con
sulting physician at Harper Hospital and is a member
of the staff of the Farrard and St. Mary's Training
schools. Dr. Breisacher enjoys a well merited repu
tation as an able educator, imparting clearly and
readily to others the knowledge he has acquired. He
has done much original scientific research work and
the results thereof have been given to the profession
in some valuable treatises, including "Physiology of
the Thyroid Gland," "Physiology of Sleep," "Phys
iology of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve," "The Thy
roid Gland," "Metabolism," "Artificially Prepared
Foods," "Gall Stones" and "Diet in Health. and Dis
ease. ' '
Dr. Breisacher is well known in club circles, hold
ing membership in the Detroit Club, the Detroit Ath
letic Club and the University Club, while the nature
of his interests is further indicated by his connection
with the American Society of Naturalists, the Ameri
can Men of Science and the American Association for
the Advancement of Science. Along strictly profes
sional lines he is connected with the Wayne County
Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society,
the American Medical Association, the American So
ciety of Physiologists and in 1920 he was elected F.
A. C. P. He manifests a public-spirited interest in
the general welfare of Detroit, belonging to the De
troit Board of Commerce, his devotion to the city
being of a tangible character, and at the same time
he ever regards his professional activity as his first
interest and in his practice holds to the highest ethical
standards, at no time neglecting any opportunity which
will broaden his knowledge and promote his efficiency.
Dr. Breisacher 's city residence is at 1073 Seminole
avenue, while his country home, Oakwold, in the
Bloomfield Hills, comprises an estate of eighty-three
acres, devoted to the breeding of thoroughbred horses,
cattle and sheep.
JOHN H. HOLMES. Where the Holmes block
now stands in the heart of the downtown district
was once the residence and garden of John and Betsy
(Westaway) Holmes and it was here that their son,
John H. Holmes, was born on the 14th of December,
1849. Seventy-two years have since been added to
the cycle of the centuries and throughout the entire
period John H. Holmes has remained a resident of
Detroit, witnessing its marvelous development from
a little city with seemingly no special advantages

into the fourth city of the Union and well termed,
by reason of its rapid development and its mammoth
business interests, Dynamic Detroit. It was in this
same neighborhood that John H. Holmes played as
a boy, enjoying the sports in which most lads of the
period participated and being also the proud possessor
of a rifle, which he bought with money earned and
saved. With this weapon he often went hunting only
a few blocks from his home and it was not difficult
in those days to return with a well filled bag of
game, including rabbits, quail and snipe. The passing
years brought different interests and duties and ul
timately he became the owner of the property that
his parents had formerly possessed. Noting the change
in the neighborhood from a residential district into
one of business blocks, he converted his property
into one that would return a very substantial income,
erecting thereon a splendid block of apartments and
store buildings, among the first structures of the
kind to be erected in this locality. Mr. Holmes has
since managed the property himself and has made
his place one of the valuable corners of the city.
In both the paternal and maternal lines John H.
Holmes eomes of English ancestry. His father was
born in Yorkshire, England, in 1804, and his mother's
birth occurred in Cornwall, in 1808. In early life they
came to America, settling in Detroit in the '30s, and
they were married at Sandwich, Ontario, on the 5th
of November, 1836. They purchased the property,
sixty by one hundred feet, from the father of Sena
tor Palmer — a tract that was later situated on Broad
way but was at that time at the very outskirts of
the city. Mr. Holmes erected a residence thereon- and
continued to engage in the carpenter's trade to the
time of his death, which occurred January 1, 1854,
in Detroit, when he was in the fiftieth year of his
age. His wife long survived him, departing this life
in Detroit, June 24, 1880, when seventy-two years of
age. Their family numbered three children, one of
whom died in infancy, while Sarah E. married Evan
B. Phillips and passed away in Detroit, January 2,
1921. John H. Holmes is therefore the only survivor of
the family. He attended the Capitol school and
afterward became a pupil in Mrs. Riggs private sehool
and also attended Mrs. Snow's school, Bishop's school
and Professor Patterson's Select School for Boys.
After he had completed his education he secured a
position with D. R. Wagner, with whom he remained
as a clerk for a year in a store at Columbia and
Woodward. He then entered the hardware store of
Samuel Browning and his duties kept him from early
morning until late at night and brought him a wage
of but six dollars per week. After four years he was
raised to nine dollars per week. Feeling that this
sum was inadequate, he left his position and went
to work for Jacob Wellz Brothers at a salary of
twelve dollars. He continued with that house for ten
years and was afterward associated with the hard-

JOHN H. HOLMES

CITY OF DETROIT

615

ware establishment of T. B. Rayl, there continuing
for five years. He next entered into business asso
ciation with the George Sexauer Sheet Metal Com
pany and continued in that establishment for five
years. On the expiration of this period he decided
to look after his own interests and began the de
velopment of his property, erecting the present splendid
building known as the Holmes apartments, from which
he derives a most substantial annual income. The
first floor of the building is devoted to business pur
poses, being occupied by stores, while the floors above
are apartments. The building was begun on the 10th
of March, 1902, and all rented before completion, which
was in October, 1902, and Mr. Holmes has since con
centrated his efforts and attention upon the manage
ment and control of the property, from which he
derives a substantial annual income.
On the 25th of December, 1902, Mr. Holmes was
married to Miss Alice Thomas, daughter of James G.
Thomas, representing a very prominent family of this
city. They have one child, Albert John, who was
born in Detroit, January 29, 1904, and is now a student
in Howe's Military school.
Mr. Holmes has long given his political allegiance
to the republican party and is a loyal advocate of its
principles. Since 1879 he has been a Master Mason
and since 1885 has been identified with Olive Branch
Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all of the
chairs. He belongs to the Masonic Country Club and
in his life he has always exemplified the teachings
and purposes of the craft, ever recognizing the brother
hood of man and the obligations thereby imposed.
He is well known for his charity, contributing to
every good cause, and his aid and influence have
always been on the side of progress and improvement
in relation to municipal interests and affairs.
WALTER LETT HACKETT, M. D. Dr. Walter
Lett Haekett, physician and surgeon of Detroit, was
born in Huron county, Ontario, March 20, 1881, a
son of James and Esther (Reid) Haekett, both of
whom were born in North Ireland but eame to Can
ada in the early '50s. The father was one of the
pioneer farmers of Huron county, Ontario, and passed
away on the old homestead there in 1916, at the
advanced age of eighty-nine years. The mother is
still living at the age of seventy-five years. To them
were born six children: William, who is a physician
and surgeon of Detroit; David, residing in Huron
county, Ontario; Joseph, of Detroit; James, of Huron
county, Ontario; Mary, the wife of William Lane, of
Huron county; and Walter L.
The last named obtained a public school education
in his native county and on completing a high school
course took up teaching in that county, continuing in
educational work for three years. Later he entered
McGill University at Montreal, where he spent two
years and afterward became a student in the medical
department of Toronto University, winning his M. D.

degree upon graduation with the class of 1910. He
pursued a year's study in the Detroit College of
Medicine, graduating in 1911, and entered upon active
practice in Detroit. He has since successfully followed
his chosen calling and has further qualified for im
portant duties of this character by postgraduate work
in London, England, in 1914, specializing in the study
of obstetrics and gynecology. He is visiting physician
to the Woman's Hospital of Detroit in addition to
caring for a large private practice, the duties of
which he discharges most promptly and conscientiously.
He belongs to the Wayne County Medical Society, the
Michigan State Medical Association and the Ameri
can Medical Association. He received the F. A. C. S.
degree in October, 1921.
On the 28th of September, 1910, Dr. Haekett was
married to Miss Agnes Welch of Bruce county, On
tario, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Welch. They
have become parents of two children: Esther, born
in Detroit in 1912; and Ruth, bora in 1916. Dr. and
Mrs. Haekett are well known in this city, occupying
an enviable social position, while his professional
acquirements have gained him prominence as a physi
cian and surgeon of Detroit. Dr. Haekett 's residence
is at No. 633 Virginia Park.
HOWELL LLEWELLYN BEGLE, M. D. Dr. How
ell Llewellyn Begle, member of the medical profession
of Detroit, now specializing in the treatment of dis
eases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, was born in
Saginaw, Michigan, February 12, 1877, his parents
being Charles A. and Sarah Griffith Begle. His father
was born in Otisville, Michigan, while the mother's
birth occurred in the state of New York. She came
to Michigan in early girlhood, and here was reared,
and gave her hand in marriage to Charles A. Begle,
who was a well known lumberman. He passed away
in Detroit in 1915, at the age of seventy years, while
his widow survived until February 8, 1920, and was
seventy-six years of age at the time of her demise.
In their family were three children: Ned G., who is
living in New York eity; Grace G., of Detroit; and
.Howell L., of this review, who was the second in
order of birth.
In early life Dr. Begle attended the publie schools
of Detroit and later became a student in the United
States Military Academy at West Point, New York,
whieh he attended in 1895 and 1896. He then re
turned to Miehigan, and matriculated in the State
University at Ann Arbor, where he won the Bachelor
of Arts degree in 1900. At that date he took up
eudcational work, teaching for a year in the high
school at Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, after which he re
sumed his studies, and was graduated with the M. D.
degree from the State University in 1905. He en
tered upon the practice of his profession in Calumet,
Michigan, and was connected with the Tamarack
Mining Hospital. He promoted his medical knowledge
by going abroad, and spending some time in study

616

CITY OF DETROIT

in the various medical centers of Europe, in 1907,
and again in 1911 and 1912. He then located in De
troit, devoting his attention to diseases of the eye,
ear, nose and throat. He belongs to the Wayne County,
Michigan State and American Medical Associations,
and also belongs to the Detroit Ophthalmology and
Otology Societies.
On the 27th of June, 1907, Dr. Begle was married
to Miss Isabel Parnall of Jackson, Michigan, a daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Parnall of Calumet,
Michigan. Her father is deceased, while her mother
is living in Jackson. Dr. and Mrs. Begle have be
come parents of five children: David P., born in De
troit in 1909; Howell E., born in 1911; Sarah G., born
in January, 1915; Mary P., born in August, 1917; and
Robert G., born in September, 1921. Dr. and Mrs.
Begle are members of the Ingleside Club, and Mrs.
Begle was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority at
Ann Arbor, having been graduated from the State
University in 1905. Both are members of North
Woodward Congregational church, while Dr. Begle is
president of the Detroit Congregational Union. In
politics he is a- republican and is deeply interested in
all that pertains to the material, intellectual, political
and social welfare of the community, and at all times
his aid is given to those forces which make for moral
uplift and progress. Dr. Begle is attending physician
to the Children's Free Hospital, to the Woman's
Hospital and Infants' Home, and to the Michigan
Mutual Liability Company Hospital. He is a member
of the Phi Delta Theta and the Nu Sigma Nu fra
ternities of the University of Michigan, and many of
his strongest friendships date back to his college days,
although during the period of his residence in Detroit
he has won an extensive circle of friends who esteem
him highly, not only by reason of his professional
ability, but also owing to his sterling personal worth.
Dr. Begle 's residence is at No. 1513 Longfellow avenue.
GOMER MANSFIELD THOMAS, treasurer of the
Thomas Mortgage Company, a Kansas corporation,
and also manager of their Detroit office, was born in
Emporia, Kansas, March 19, 1873, and is of the same
family as Luther D. Thomas, in connection with whose
sketch on another page of this work extended mention
is made of the parents. Gomer M. Thomas attended
the public and high schools of his native city, and
afterwards continued his education in the Kansas
State University, from which he was graduated in
1897, with the Bachelor of Arts degree. After leav
ing the university he became connected with the
Kansas City Journal in the advertising department,
and throughout the succeeding twenty years he de
voted his attention to newspaper work, spending about
nine-tenths of that time with the Journal, while for
two years he was connected with the Kansas City
World as assistant business manager. Following his
return to the Journal he assumed the position of man
ager of the city circulation department of that paper.

He resigned his position in the latter part of 1916
to take charge of the Detroit office of the Thomas
Mortgage Company, having been a stockholder in the
company since its organization. This company is
today composed of four brothers, Luther D., Howard
B., Gomer M. and Richard W. Their business has
become one of extensive proportions and covers a
ramifying territory, for they are now operating suc
cessfully in Emporia, Kansas, in Dallas, Texas, and in
Detroit, Miehigan. The business which was started
in a modest way has grown to vast proportions,
through the able management and wise business
methods of the brothers. The establishment of the
business here was left to G. M. Thomas, and removing
to Detroit he secured a room on the 2nd floor of the
Penobscot building. This was in 1916" — a critical
period in our national life, for no one could quite
foretell the outcome of conditions that existed in
Europe, nor whether America would be drawn into
the World war. Mr. Thomas, however, persevered in
his attempt, although at various times friends ap
proached him and urged him to give up the struggle.
He is made of different mold, however, and continued
against all advice. His perseverance, determination
and energy have triumphed over obstacles, difficulties
and unfavorable conditions, and the little office of one
room has been enlarged to take in the entire front part
of the fifth floor of the Penobscot building. The busi
ness has assumed immense proportions and today the
Thomas Mortgage Company is without doubt one of
the largest and most reliable concerns of its kind
in the city. The Thomas Mortgage Company, through
its three offices, acts as financial correspondent of
companies whose combined assets are more than two
billion dollars. The success of the Detroit branch
of the business is attributable in notable measure to
the efforts of G. M. Thomas, who has always been in
charge here, and his labors have brought splendid
returns. He was also elected vice president of the
Detroit Life Insurance Company, which is likewise
a growing concern.
On the 9th of October, 1899, Mr. Thomas was mar
ried to Miss Emma Barber of Lawrence, Kansas, a
daughter of O. P. Barber, a retail druggist of that
place and one of the representative citizens of Law
rence. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have become parents of
three children: Dorothy, who was born in Lawrence,
December 10, 1903, and is now a freshman at the
University of Michigan; Gomer Mansfield, born in
Kansas City, Missouri, October 31, 1905, and now
attending the high school; and Oliver B., who was
born in Kansas City, January 14, 1915, and is a pupil
in the graded schools of Detroit.
Mr. Thomas is well known in college circles as presi
dent of the Beta Theta Pi Alumni Association. In
club circles his name is well known, for he belongs
to the Fellowcraft Athletic, the Detroit Auto and the
Tetroit Golf Clubs. He is a Mason and he belongs
to the national council of the National Economic

GOMER M. THOMAS

LUTHER D. THOMAS

CITY OF DETROIT

619

League of Boston, of whieh William Howard Taft and
other prominent men are members. His interest in
community affairs is shown in his connection with the
Detroit Board of Commerce. Mr. Thomas early man
ifested the elemental strength of his character by pro
viding for a college course and since starting out
in life he has been dependent entirely upon his own
resources. Ability and energy have carried him
steadily to the front. His persistent purpose and
initiative have enabled him to carve out paths when
the avenue of opportunity has sometimes seemed
blocked. On the whole his course has been one of
steady progression and he occupies an enviable position
in the business circles of Detroit as treasurer of the
Thomas Mortgage Company.
LUTHER D. THOMAS, president of the Thomas
Mortgage Company and one of the well known repre
sentatives of the mortgage investment business in De
troit, was born in Emporia, Kansas, November 5, 1884,
a son of Richard D. and Ann (Jones) Thomas. The
parents were both born in Wales. The father came to
the United States with his parents, who settled in
New York state. In 1857 Richard D. Thomas went to
the then far west, locating in Kansas, and at Emporia
he established himself in business, becoming one of
the most highly respected and substantial residents of
that city. He was well known in connection with the
insurance, banking and investment business in that
section of Kansas. His death occurred at Emporia
in January, 1920. His widow resides in Emporia.
Luther D. Thomas was reared in Emporia, attended
the publie schools and later was for two years a
student at Emporia College, after which he entered
the University of Kansas at Lawrence as a member
of the class of 1909, continuing until in his senior
year, when he left to engage in business. In 1908 he
organized the Thomas Mortgage Company of Emporia,
Kansas, a Kansas corporation of which his father,
Richard D. Thomas, was president, with Luther D.
Thomas as vice president. The business of the com
pany began to grow from its inception and rapidly
became one of the strongest and most ably managed
financial concerns in that section of the west. It
originally specialized in loans on Kansas and Texas
farm lands, but subsequently with the growth of the
business, loans were made in other sections of the coun
try, as was the case when a branch of the business
was established in Detroit in 1916 and loans made on
property in this eity. Impaired health obliged Rich
ard D. Thomas to retire from the presidency and he
was succeeded by his son, Luther D., while the other
officials of the company are also sons, Howard B.
Thomas of Emporia, Kansas, acting as vice president,
Gomer M. Thomas as treasurer and Richard W. Thomas
of Emporia, Kansas, as secretary. Ever since he or
ganized the Thomas Mortgage Company, Luther D.
Thomas has been foremost in shaping its policy and
has most carefully directed the interests of the concern.

He has acquainted himself with every detail of the
business and occupies an enviable place in financial
circles. The Thomas Mortgage Company, through its
three offices, is financial correspondent of companies
whose combined assets are more than two billions of
dollars. He is likewise' the president of the Home
Realty & Investment Company of Emporia, Kansas,
which has offices in various large cities of the country.
On the 20th of September, 1911, Mr. Thomas was
married in Emporia, Kansas, to Miss Gladys Riggs of
that city, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Riggs,
representing one of the prominent families of the
"Sunflower state. S. B. Riggs, the paternal grand
father of Mrs. Thomas, was one of the pioneer bankers
of Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have two children:
Clora Elaine, born September 13, 1912, in Emporia,
Kansas; and Luther D., Jr., born March 20, 1915, in
the same city.
Mr. Thomas belongs to the Masonic fraternity, hav
ing attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish
Rite and the Knights Templar degree of the York Rite.
He is likewise a member of the Mystic Shrine and
belongs to the Detroit Rotary Club, the Detroit Golf
Club and the Emporia Country Club. While a student
at the University of Kansas he became a member of
the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He is fond of all out
door sports, including hunting and fishing, as well as
golf. HARRY E. ANDREWS, for years connected with
the publie and commercial life of Detroit, and a
veteran of the Spanish-American war, is a native of
Detroit, born in August, 1874. He was educated in
the public schools of the city.
Mr. Andrews started his career as a clerk in the
city police department, and while engaged in this line
the Spanish-American war afforded him an opportunity
for military service, of which he availed himself and
enlisted in the Thirty-first Infantry. At the close of
the war Mr. Andrews returned to Detroit and re
sumed his clerical duties in the police department.
Some time later he resigned and entered the United
States customs office at Detroit.
In 1907 Mr. Andrews became connected with com
mercial life, being associated with the Boyer-Camp-
bell Company, and he is now treasurer of that com
pany. In 1915 he became treasurer of the Brown-
McLaren Company, at the same time holding the
treasureship of the former company, in these respon
sible:, positions rendering excellent service to each
company. Following the entry of America into the World war
Mr. Andrews was appointed second lieutenant in the
Miehigan state troops. He was later promoted to
captain, and still later to major, with which rank he
retired. In 1899 Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to
Maud Pickford, and they are the parents of three
children: June, Virginia, and Bruce P. Andrews. Mr.

620

CITY OF DETROIT

Andrews is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club
and of the Board of Commerce, in the affairs of which
he takes a warm interest, as he does in all matters
intended to advance the welfare of the community in
a social or commercial way.
WILBERT WILGUS REECE. Throughout practic
ally his entire life Wilbert Wilgus Reece has been
engaged in the real estate business, has been active
in the development of numerous tracts and has always
handled high-class property. He is now president and
sales manager of the firm of Will St. John & Company,
with offices at 200 Griswold avenue. His birth oc
curred near Delphos, Ohio, November 18, 1879, his
parents being Frank and Sarah (Freeman) Reece,
whose family numbered eight children, namely: Clark,
Harry, Clayton, Ellis, Cora, Lola, Karry and Wilbert.
The father was the owner ' of a farm near Delphos,
which he had taken up as a homestead after the
Civil war. He resided thereon and gave his attention
to the further development and improvement of the
property until his death, which occurred in 1917.
Wilbert Wilgus Reece was reared on his father's
farm and worked in the fields until he was twenty-
one years of age, when he entered the employ of a
man by the name of Snyder, who conducted an im
plement store at Montpelier, Indiana. There he ob
tained his first experience as a salesman. Mr. Reece
greatly surprised his employer one day by making a
sale — his first — of a buggy. He had taken a cus
tomer upstairs to show him the stock, and his em
ployer missing him thought he was negleeting his
work and was about to censure him for idleness, when
Mr. Reece handed him the money covering the sale.
He was employed at Montpelier and at Dunkirk, In
diana, for about a year and a half. He next engaged
in the livery business in Decatur, Indiana, being pro
prietor of the establishment for six months. After
disposing of his interests in the livery barn he sold
magazines throughout Ohio, Illinois and the southern
part of Michigan.
It was on the 2d of November, 1904, that Mr. Reece
arrived in Detroit, where he became a salesman for
the Gerard Stofmfeltz-Loveley Company, and after
eight months, having clearly demonstrated his ability
along the lines of salesmanship, he was promoted to
the position of superintendent of salesmen and acted
in that capacity for three years. In 1907 he left De
troit and went to Oklahoma City, where he entered
into partnership with M. P. A. Compton in the real
estate business. After a year and a half, however,
the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Reece entered
into connection with the S. J. Carpenter Company,
in which he had a third interest as a partner of
Messrs. Ray and Carpenter. In 1910 he was called
back to Detroit by reason of the death of his youngest
sister and at that time he became associated with
Will St. John in the real estate business, organizing
the firm of Will St. John & Company. In 1911 they

began selling Indian village property and in 1912 they
incorporated their business with a capital stock of
twenty-five thousand dollars. They employed a force
of eighty salesmen, whieh was one of the largest
real estate sales forces in the eity at that time.
They have since handled various important subdivi
sions, including Habbercom's Grosse Pointe Park sub
division, Harvard Homes subdivision, Harvard Road
subdivision, Grix Home Park out Woodward, Frank
Grix, McQuade Heights, Dexter Boulevard and Green
field Gardens. At the present time they are selling
Green Acres on Woodward, having opened up this sub
division in October, 1919. Their home sites have a
frontage of from thirty-five to fifty feet and the prices
range from one thousand to thirty-five hundred dol
lars, with all modern city improvements. They develop
all their properties and the company has proven a
big factor in Detroit's notable real estate activity
in the past few years. At the time of the incorpora
tion of the business Mr. Reece was made president
and sales manager and as sueh has directed the ac
tivities of the enterprise, which has constituted an
important element in real estate activities of the eity.
In 1917 Mr. Reece was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth Mcintosh, a native of Miehigan. He was
reared in the faith of the United Brethren church,
of which his parents were devoted members. Mrs.
Reece is an Episcopalian, which chureh Mr. Reece
attends. His political allegiance is given the repub
lican party, but he has never sought nor desired office,
preferring to concentrate his efforts and his energies
upon his business affairs, whieh have been most wisely
and carefully directed and are bringing to him sub
stantial prosperity.
JAMES THOMAS WHITEHEAD, iron manufacturer
and founder, has been in business since 1889, and is
today at the head of the Whitehead & Kales Com
pany, Incorporated, employing more than one thou
sand people in the fabricating of steel for buildings
and bridges with an annual output of thirty thou
sand tons.
He was born September 28, 1864, in Wyandotte,
Miehigan, his parents being James and Mary Anna
(MeEvoy) Whitehead. The father was born in Edin
burgh, Scotland, while the mother's birthplace was
Halifax, Nova Scotia, and in the late '50s they came
to Michigan, locating first in Detroit, and in 1860
the family moved to Wyandotte, whieh had as prom
ising a future as Detroit at that time. After the
death of the senior Whitehead, in 1873, the family
moved to Detroit. They were the parents of seven
children, five of whom are living.
James T. Whitehead of this review, attended the
public schools of Wyandotte and Detroit, and started
out in the business world in 1879, when a youth of
fifteen years, with the Detroit Branch of Rathbone
Sard & Com-pany of Albany, New York, stove manu
facturers. He remained with this firm ten years, fill-

WILBERT W. REECE

CITY OF DETROIT

623

ing various positions, gaining experience and knowl
edge of the business, whieh fitted him for starting in
business on his own account. In 1889 he acquired the
sheet metal works established by John B. Dyar, who
at the time was organizing the Miehigan Radiator
Company, now a part of the American Radiator Com
pany. The business of this small shop, employing about
thirty men, developed with Detroit, until now it
ranks well up to the top with larger shops of the
country, in amount of structural tonnage turned out.
In 1899 a partnership was formed with William R.
Kales, a graduate engineer of the Massachusetts In
stitute of Technology, the style of firm being White
head & Kales. The company then branched out into
the bridge and structural steel work, moving its plant
from the corner of Randolph and Franklin streets to
its present location, Beecher avenue and the Michigan
Central Railroad. The company was incorporated in
1905 under the name of Whitehead & Kales Iron
Works. In 1916 the company acquired the bridge
shops of the Detroit Bridge & Steel Works, with fif
teen acres of ground located on South Dearborn ave
nue and the Miehigan Central Railroad, River Rouge,
Michigan, to take care of its growing business. The
officers of the company, aside from Mr. Whitehead as
president, are: William R. Kales, vice president and
engineer; Thomas C. Whitehead, vice president; James
T. Warner, treasurer; Seth E. Roberts, secretary. Mr.
Whitehead is also vice president of the Kales Stamp
ing Company, vice president of the Michigan Copper
& Brass Rolling Mills . Company, vice president of the
Bank of Detroit, president of the Highland Park State
Bank and a director of the Security Trust Company
of Detroit. In 1909, with Henry Ford, James Couzens
and John H. Johnson he organized the Highland Park
State Bank of Highland Park, Michigan, with a paid
in capital of forty thousand dollars. This bank now
has a capital of one million dollars and a surplus of
over nine hundred thousand dollars, and holds) a
prominent place among Detroit's financial institutions.
He served as a director of the Board of Commerce,
and was one of the organizers of the present organi
zation. His business interests are thus of the most
extensive and important character, placing him among
the leading men of the industrial and financial circles
of the city.
On the 8th of April, 1885, Mr. Whitehead was united
in marriage to Miss Ida Marie Frazer of Detroit,
daughter of Abram C. and Mary (Moross) Frazer. To
this marriage have been born the following named:
James Frazer, who was bora in 1890 and attended the
publie schools of the city and graduated from Cornell
University with the class of 1913, is the secretary and
treasurer of the Kales Stamping Company of Detroit.
He is married and has one child, Frances Elizabeth,
born in 1914; the second son, Thomas Cram White
head, born in 1893 and also a graduate of Cornell
University in the class of 1916, is one of the vice
presidents of the Whitehead & Kales Company; Eliza

beth, born in 1897, graduated from Miss Liggett 's
school of Detroit, and Miss Porter's school of Farm-
ington, Connecticut, and is now the wife of Harry
Lynn Pearson, Jr.; Walter Kellogg, born in 1902, is
attending the University of Michigan. Mr. White
head's family residence is one of the finest homes in
Detroit. It stands on spacious grounds at No. 1782
Seminole avenue, is of the most beautiful architecture
and attractive furnishings, and is one of the visible
evidences of the life of notable thrift and industry
whieh Mr. Whitehead has led.
Politically Mr. Whitehead is an earnest republican.
Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and his
religious faith is manifest in the fact that for many
years he has been a vestryman of St. Paul's cathedral
and is now its senior warden. He belongs to the
Detroit Club, Bloomfield Hills Country Club, the De
troit Golf Club, the Detroit Country Club and the
Detroit Athletic Club. He served two years on the
city plan commission of Detroit, is now a member
of the publie lighting commission, and has manifested
interest in all that has to do with the city 's welfare,
progress and upbuilding, stanchly supporting all those
activities which are a matter of civic virtue and pride.
JOSEPH ELMER TORRENCE, vice president of
the White Star Refining Company, was born in Wave-
land, Indiana, April 25, 1876, a son of the Rev. Joseph
William and Eliza Jane (Bartholomew) Torrence, both
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania but in early
life removed to Indiana. The father was a Presby
terian preacher who labored untiringly in various fields
in different parts of the country. Both he and his
wife have been called to their final rest. Their fam
ily numbered seven children, two of whom have passed
away — William E. and Ella. Those living, in addition
to J. E. Torrence of this review, are: Mrs. C. L. Work
of Portsmouth, Ohio; Mrs. Mary E. Tompkins of Ber-
key, Ohio; Mrs. E. E. Galbraith of Cincinnati, Ohio;
and C. M., living in Buffalo, New York.
J. E. Torrence, having attended school in the va
rious places to whieh his father's pastoral duties
called him, studying for a year at Ripley, Ohio, also
for a year at Wooster and at Oxford, Ohio, later
entered Miami University at Oxford and when he
had completed his studies turned his attention to farm
ing, which he followed for several years. Later he
engaged in the hardware business at Sylvania, Ohio,
for a period of four years and then took up the task
of selling supplies for the oil wells in the oil districts
of Indiana, Oklahoma and Texas. He continued in
active connection with this branch of the oil business
until 1911, when he became identified with H. B.
Earhart in the White Star Refining Company, later
becoming its vice president. The oil is transported
from the various oil fields to Woodriver, Illinois, where
it is refined. Mr. Torrence was identified with the
sales end of the business at the start but now is
devoting his attention to official duties as vice presi-

624

CITY OF DETROIT

dent, with offices in Detroit and with gas stations
throughout the city. The company is a distributor in
various places and the business is being steadily de
veloped. On the 3d of September, 1910, Mr. Torrence was
married in Port Huron, to Miss Katherine Avery of
that city, a daughter of Alexander Avery. Mr. and
Mrs. Torrence have one child, Joseph William, who
was born in Detroit, September 9, 1912. Mr. Torrence
gives his political endorsement to the republican party.
He belongs to the Ingleside Club and the Oakland
Hills Country Club, to the Masonic fraternity and to
the Detroit Board of Commerce, his connection with
the last named being a manifestation of his interest
in all that pertains to the city's welfare and progress
and to the advancement of its civic standards. His
residence is at 205 Tuxedo avenue, Detroit.
JOSEPH ALFES, president and general manager
of the Conrad Keller Company, contractors and builders
of Detroit, was born in Germany, December 10, 1868,
but was brought to the United States when a lad of
twelve years. He began his education in the schools
of his native country and continued his studies in
the night schools of Detroit. When a youth he began
learning the carpenter's trade and in 1895 became
associated with Conrad Keller and has since been
identified with the company. Mr. Keller was one of
the early contractors and builders of the city, coming
to America from Switzerland and remaining a factor
in the building operations of Detroit for more
than four decades. Mr. Alfes became an officer of
the company upon its incorporation in 1912, when
Mr. Keller was elected the president and Mr. Alfes
the vice president and general manager. Steadily
their business grew in volume and importance and the
firm erected some of the finest structures of the city.
In 1916 Mr. Keller passed away, but the business has
since been carried on under the old name, with Mr.
Alfes as the president and general manager and Miss
C. T. Keller as the secretary and treasurer, a position
which she has occupied since 1912. Mr. Alfes has
been identified with the carpentering and building
business in Detroit for thirty-seven years and is widely
known in this connection. The company handles all
of its own lumber and building supplies and enjoys
an extensive patronage. They did the carpenter work
on the county jail and the sheriff's residence, also the
Ford service station, the first units of the Ford hos
pital, the residences of C. A. DuCharme, H. A. Selden,
Richard P. Joy, Standish Backus, and many other
fine structures, including twenty residences in Indian
village. Mr. Alfes was united in marriage to Miss Amelia
Wittman, and they have become the parents of four
children: Ralph F., born January 25, 1895, who is
now assistant manager of the Conrad Keller Company.
He was top sergeant of Company D, 310th Engineers
during the World war; Vincent F., born November

20, 1896, who is a student at St. Mary's Seminary,
Cincinnati, Ohio; Leona, born August 10, 1899; and
Ervin, born May 23, 1904. The religious faith of the
family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Alfes
is identified with the Knights of Columbus, having
taken the third degree. He is also a member of the
Knights of St. John but allows himself little leisure
for recreation, concentrating his attention upon his
business affairs, which, wisely and carefully directed,
have brought to him notable success, placing him
among the leading contractors of the eity. Mr. Alfes
resides at No. 3368 Leland street.
JAMES MILTON OAKMAN. The high estimate
placed upon James Milton Oakman in his native city
and county has been significantly shown in the official
positions to which he has been called and in the ad
ministration- of which he fully justified his selection
for such positions. He has been a leader in the ranks
of the republican party in Wayne county, and aside
from his personal activities, in all of which he has
manifested a fine stewardship, he has the distinction
of being a representative of one of the old and hon
ored families of Detroit. Here he is associated with
his brother, Robert, in the conduct of a large and
important real estate business, under the title of the
Robert Oakman Company.
James Milton Oakman was born in Detroit on the
17th of March, 1870, and is a son of John and Eliza
beth Oakman. He was one of ten children and the
youngest of six sons. The public schools afforded him
his early education, whieh was supplemented by a
course in the Spencerian Business College in his native
city. In 1897 he assumed a clerical position in the
office of the city clerk and the efficiency of his work
in this connection had definite influence in his sub
sequent election to the office of county auditor of
Wayne county, of whieh office he continued the in
cumbent seven years — 1904-1911. While serving as
auditor he initiated the budget system in connection
with appropriations for the various departments of the
municipal government, and this provision did much to
coordinate, simplify and conserve economy in the work
of the various departments. He retired from the offiee
of auditor of the county to enter upon his administra
tion as sheriff of Wayne county, in 1911, his election
having been compassed by a gratifying majority and
his tenure of the office having continued until 1915.
As sheriff Mr. Oakman gave a most effective and
satisfactory administration, and in this connection he
adopted certain policies that showed his true humani
tarian spirit and his appreciation of the springs of
human thought and action. He tried to find the ele
ment of good in malefactors assigned to his jurisdiction,
and showed sympathy and consideration to pa
roled prisoners, for many of whom he obtained em
ployment and to whom he extended the kindly counsel
and aid that made for their moral rehabilitation. To
aid in uplifting a fellowman, by practical means rather

JOSEPH ALFES

Vol. IV— 40

CITY OF DETROIT

627

than mere sentiment, is a service worthy of the highest
commendation, and there are many former prisoners
who owe much to the former sheriff of Wayne county
— many whose worthy actions and useful service in
later years have justified his faith and the aid he
rendered them. While sheriff, Mr. Oakman initiated
the system of giving to prisoners at the county jail
who were still of minor age the privilege of open-air
recreation. He encouraged them to appreciate the
spirit of fair play and by his plan of permitting
them to develop themselves through athletics and asso
ciation with each other in a proper and normal at
mosphere, he did much to forefend the moral degen
eration which so often attends those kept in close
confinement. In short he endeavored to make his
work corrective and helpful rather than punitive and
vengeful. Upon his retirement from the office of sheriff Mr.
Oakman was not permitted to leave the public service,
for in 1917 he was elected county clerk, in which
office he served until 1919 and likewise gave a most
efficient administration. Since his retirement from
this office he has maintained partnership interest in
the representative real estate business conducted under
the title of the Robert Oakman Company,
Mr. Oakman has exercised much of leadership in
the councils and campaign activities of the republican
party in Michigan. In political, business and social
circles in his native city and county his popularity is
unqualified, and few native sons of Detroit can claim
a wider circle of friends. Mr. Oakman is a member of
the Detroit Athletic Club, the Harmonie Club and the
Detroit Yacht Club. In the Masonic fraternity his
affiliations are with Palestine Lodge, No. 357, Free &
Accepted Masons; King Cyrus Chapter, Royal Arch
Masons; Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine; and
Shadukiam Grotto. He holds membership also in the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and various other
social and fraternal organizations in his home city.
Mr. Oakman has two daughters, Dorothy H., and
Helen. ALLISON BURDETTE TOAZ, M. D. Dr. Allison
Burdette Toaz, engaged in medical and surgical prac
tice in Detroit, was born in Wessington Springs, South
Dakota, June 30, 1887, a son of William H. and Me-
linda (Hilliker) Toaz, who were natives of New York
and of Canada, respectively. Each came to Michigan
in early life and here they met and were married.
Subsequently they removed to South Dakota, where
Mr. Toaz engaged in grain raising and stock ranch
ing. He remained thus for five years and then re
turned with his family to Michigan, settling at Grand
Ledge, where he secured farm land, and concentrated
his energies and attention upon the further develop
ment and improvement of his fields. He still resides
at Grand Ledge. His wife passed away there in 1908.
Their family numbered four children: Clarence H.,

living at Grand Ledge; Glenn, whose home is in Cleve
land, Ohio; Adela, who died in 1909; and Allison B.
Dr. Toaz, who is the youngest of the family, attended
school at Grand Ledge, Michigan, mastering the work
of "the grades and of the high sehool, and in 1908 he
entered the University of Michigan as a medical stud
ent, where he spent two and a half years. In 1912 he
entered the Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery,
from which he graduated in 1914, and entered upon
practice in Detroit, where he has since won a credit
able name and place as a representative of the medical
profession. He has taken postgraduate work in the
Lying-in Hospital at New York city, where he spent
a portion of the year 1917, and he now specializes in
obstetrics and gynecology. He is a member of the
staff of the Woman's Hospital and Infants' Home,
also the William Booth Hospital, and in addition he
enjoys an extensive private practice.
On the 16th of June, 1914, Dr. Toaz was married
to Miss Anna E. Doty of Grand Ledge, Michigan,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Doty. They have
become parents of three children: Phyllis Doty, born
in Detroit in 1915; Robert Burdette, born in 1916;
and Barbara Jean, born in 1919. Dr. Toaz is a mem
ber of Sojourners Lodge, F. & A. M., Grand Ledge
Chapter, No. 85; and Damascus Commandery of
Knights Templars, No. 42, and has ever been a loyal
follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft,
which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood
of man and the fatherhood of God. He also belongs to
the Detroit Masonic Country Club. He is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal ehureh, and along professional
lines his connection is with the Wayne County Medi
cal Society, the Miehigan State Medical Society, and
the American Medical Association. He is progressive
in all that he undertakes and in his profession has
made steady advancement, by reason of his wide study
and his efficiency in practice. His residence is at No.
2545 Longfellow avenue.
GEORGE JEROME, who has been and still is an
important factor in the expansion and development
of Detroit, has for many years practiced his pro
fession in this eity, where he is well known as the
leading surveyor and an expert civil engineer. He
was born in Detroit, December 24, 1870, and is a son
of Franklin H. and Nora F. (Daly) Jerome. The
family has been associated with the development of
this city for almost a century, the grandfather, Edwin
Jerome, having removed from the state of New York
to Detroit in 1829. He, too, was a civil engineer who
followed his profession in the early days, and to the
same line of work Franklin H. Jerome gave his at
tention, so that George Jerome is of the third gen
eration of civil engineers in Wayne county. He ac
quired a public school education in Detroit and then
studied engineering under private tutorship. He en
tered upon the practical work of his profession about
1890, in connection with his brother, and in 1891 he

628

CITY OF DETROIT

was made assistant city engineer of Detroit, occupy
ing the position continuously for sixteen years. On
his retirement from the offiee in 1907 he resumed the
private practice of his profession, which he has since
followed with notable success. He has a large suite
of rooms on the thirteenth floor of the Majestic build
ing and employs a large force of competent engineers
and surveyors. His clientage has constantly grown in
volume and importance and he is today accounted by
many the leading surveyor of the city.
On the 6th of February, 1894, Mr. Jerome was
married to Miss Eleanor G. Wiltsie of Detroit, and
they became parents of a daughter and two sons:
Eleanor, George Leonard and Gilbert T. Mr. Je
rome's first wife died December 17, 1916. For his
second wife he married Mrs. Addie M. Beach of De
troit. The religious faith of the family is that of the
Presbyterian church, while in political belief Mr. Je
rome is a republican, although he has never sought
nor desired political office. He belongs to the Detroit
Board of Commerce and has membership in the Detroit
Yacht Club and the New Detroit Athletic Club. He
recently purchased a motor boat from the United
States government — one that was used in the World
war — and makes frequent trips on the lakes. He took
part in the races at Put In Bay in July, 1921. He
thus finds that needed recreation which maintains an
even balance to intense business activity, for he is a
man of tremendous energy and superior executive
ability and his labors have long been regarded as a
vital force in the expansion and development of De
troit. WALTER J. WILSON, M. D., a well known phy
sician and surgeon, has reflected credit upon the his
tory of the medical profession in Detroit by the wise
development and utilization of his innate powers and
his opportunities and by closely following in the foot
steps of an honored father, himself an eminent phy
sician of Detroit, for he is a son of Dr. W. J. Wilson,
Sr., and Rebecca Jane (Hutton) Wilson, the former a
native of the state of New York, whence he came to
Detroit in early life and here entered the drug busi
ness. He afterward became a student in the Detroit
College of Medicine and subsequent to his graduation
opened an office in Detroit, continuing in active practice
here until his death, which occurred in June, 1916. For
many years he was accounted one of the able and
eminent representatives of the profession in this city.
Here he married Rebecca Jane Hutton, who was born
in Wayne county, and they became the parents of
four children: Florence B., William H., David L. and
Walter J., all residents of Detroit.
The natal day of Dr. Walter J. Wilson was February
6, 1876. After mastering the branches of learning
taught in the public schools he attended the Bishop
school, from which he was graduated in 1890, and then
became a student in the Central high school, com
pleting his course as one of the alumni of 1894. At

tracted to the profession in which his father had
won so eminent a name and place, he became a student
in the Detroit College of Medicine and was graduated
with the M. D. degree in 1897. He then entered
Harper hospital as an interne and through the suc
ceeding year gained valuable hospital experience in a
varied practice. He began practicing independently
in 1898, specializing on diseases of the heart, and is
considered an authority thereon. He took postgrad
uate work in the Harvard School of Medicine in 1907,
under Dr. Richard C. Cabot, and under Sir James
Mackenzie of London, England, in 1913. His profes
sional connections are varied and important. He is a
trustee of the Wayne County Medical Society and also
belongs to the Michigan State Medical Society and the
American Medical Association. He has been an alter
nate delegate to the last named organization and was
chosen the first president of the Detroit Medical
Club, which he organized. He served at one time as
president of the Alumni Association of the Detroit
College of Medicine; is a Fellow of the American
College of Physicians and in 1910 was a member of
the United States pharmaceutical convention. Dr.
Wilson also acts as professor of materia medica in the
Detroit College of Pharmacy, while since 1902 he has
served in the departments of therapeutics and medi
cine in the Detroit College of Medicine, being at
present associate professor of medicine. Dr. Wilson
is also on the staff of St. Mary's hospital of Detroit,
being associate attending physician, and for nine years
Was the secretary of that institution. In 1913 he
was a delegate to the International Congress of Medi
cine in London, England. He is a charter member
of the Detroit Society of Internal Medicine.
On the 23d of September, 1900, Dr. Wilson was
married to Miss Amelia H. Strieker, a daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Strieker. They have become
parents of three children: Dorothy F., born in Detroit
in 1902, is a graduate of the Central high school;
Walter J., born in 1904, attended the Central high
school and is now preparing for medical college; and
Marjorie, born in 1906, is a high school student.
Dr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the First
United Presbyterian church, in the work of which
they have taken a most active and helpful part. For
a number of years Dr. Wilson was superintendent of
the Bible sehool, has served for more than a decade
as a member of the session of the church and since
1899 has been a member of the executive committee
of the Wayne County Sunday School Association,
serving as president of that organization in 1909. He
has also been a member of the state central committee
of the Michigan Sunday School Association. In pol
itics he has always been a stalwart republican and
is keenly interested in everything that pertains to
the general welfare. He was one of the organizers
and incorporators of the Detroit Society for the Study
of Sex Hygiene and is earnest in furthering its work
as a matter of conserving both public morality and

DR. WALTER J. WILSON

CITY OF DETROIT

631

health. He holds to the highest ideals in every re
lation of life and is constantly seeking to inculcate
improved standards. He has actively cooperated with
the Young Men's Christian Association, being a mem
ber of the physical board of that organization, is a
member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Sat
urday Night Club and the Fellowcraft Athletic Club.
Whatever he does is for the benefit and uplift of
the individual and for the progress and upbuilding
of the community, and his labors have at all times been
far-reaching and resultant.
THOMAS P. PENNIMAN, assistant corporation
counsel of the eity of Detroit, was here born Jan
uary 26, 1873, and is a son of Major George H. Pen
niman, deceased, who is mentioned elsewhere in this
work. After attending the publie schools he took
up the study of law in the offiee and under the direc
tion of his father and won admission to the state bar
upon required examination on the 21st of June, 1894.
At one time he served as deputy elerk of the recorders '
court and has also been acting secretary of the water
board of Detroit. In 1905 he was called to the posi
tion of assistant corporation counsel of the city and
has since occupied that position. During the course
of his work as assistant corporation counsel he has
tried more lawsuits, condemnation and ordinance
cases in the courts of Detroit than any other attorney.
He is a brilliant orator, gifted with a remarkable mem
ory, and is a particularly valuable man for' this posi
tion. He inherited no little of his legal ability from
his father and yet in the profession success must, after
all, depend upon individual merit and effort. He has
always prepared his cases with great thoroughness
and care, is quick to note the salient features of any
litigation and is seldom at fault in the application of
a legal principle.
In 1902 Mr. Penniman was married to Miss Emma
Wreford and they have become parents of four chil
dren: Dorothy W.; Thomas Palmer, Jr.; George W.;
and Shirley.
Mr. Penniman belongs to the Detroit Board of Com
merce and is much interested in the city's welfare and
progress. He also has membership in the Harmonie
Society and his religious faith is indicated in his
connection with the Episcopal church. Along strictly
professional lines he has membership in the Lawyers
Club and in the Detroit Bar Association.
GEORGE A. GLOOR, a prominent and prosperous
manufacturer of Detroit, beginning his working career
in a very small way and rising gradually and by steady
effort, is a native of the Buckeye state, born at Marys-
ville, Ohio, July 2, 1878. He is now the owner of
the George A. Gloor Company, well known tool manu
facturers, whose products are distributed over a large
area. Mr. Gloor was educated in the schools of Springfield,
Ohio, following which he commenced to earn money

to help the family, at the humble but necessary occu
pation of an errand boy. He later learned the trade
of machinist while working in various factories in
Springfield, Ohio, and became an expert toolmaker.
He rose by steady stages to the position of superin
tendent, then went a step further and was appointed
factory manager, finally becoming the owner of a fac
tory. Mr. Gloor came to Detroit to take charge of
the Michigan Cash Register business, and for three
years continued his connection with that business.
In 1914 Mr. Gloor started business with E. L. Gar
man, forming the Gloor-Garman Company, established
for the manufacture of tools. In 1917 he bought out
Mr. Garman 's interest and has since conducted the
factory alone. The Gloor factory has the reputation
of turning out only the best quality of tool work, and
the present volume of business is so large that orders
cannot be filled with the promptitude whieh marked
pre-war days. A profit-sharing system marks another
feature of Mr. Gloor 's method of handling the help
with a view to keeping the employes interested and
contented. Mr. Gloor is also interested in the Crescent
Tool Company and in several other growing industries
in Detroit.
On September 1, 1900, Mr. Gloor was united in
marriage to Elizabeth O. Wilkinson, and they are the
parents of one daughter, Martha Gloor. Mrs. Gloor
is a member of the well known Wilkinson family of
Sheffield, England, the famous manufacturers of sheep
shears. She was born in Richmond, Indiana. Mr.
Gloor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a
thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner. He is
also a member of the Board of Commerce and the
Detroit Automobile Club. In the affairs of all of
these organizations he takes a practical interest.
From time to time Mr. Gloor has given evidence
of the exercise of a practical philanthropy, which has
brought satisfactory results to those concerned. He
has been instrumental in bringing more than one
hundred families to Detroit, and found good employ
ment for the men. He also influenced four brothers
and a brother-in-law to come, but instead of taking
them into his own factory he had them start out in
business enterprises for themselves. One of the tenets
of his creed is to help others to help themselves, and
in giving effect to this principle he has been suc
cessful. ARTHUR C. BORN is well known in manufacturing
circles as the secretary and treasurer of the Oldberg
Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of automobile
exhaust mufflers. He was one of the founders of this
business and has been active in developing it into
one of the productive industries of this character in
the country. A native of Detroit, he was born July
11, 1880, and is a son of Peter and Caroline (Steller)
Born, who were also natives of Detroit, where -the
father engaged in merchandising until his death in
1883. The mother is living in this city.

632

CITY OF DETROIT

Arthur C. Born, their only child, acquired a publie
sehool education, and after attending the Central high
school, entered the Detroit Business University, from
which he was graduated in 1899. He was later em
ployed by various firms and along various lines, and
then decided to establish business on his own account,
whieh he did in 1903, opening a small manufacturing
plant, whieh in 1909 was developed into the business
of the Oldberg Manufacturing Company, manufactur
ing automobile exhaust mufflers. This has grown apace
with the development of the automobile industry of
Detroit, and the company now has a new plant at No.
2661 East Grand boulevard, which was built in 1918,
expressly for its purpose. Here the firm employs about
seventy-five people in the manufacture of exhaust muf
flers for motor cars. The plant is modern in every
particular, the equipment being of the latest and best.
Mr. Born has been secretary and treasurer of the
company since its organization, and his executive
ability, keen sagacity and carefully formulated com
mercial policy, have been the salient features in the
development of the trade and the success of the house.
On the 19th of November, 1919, Mr. Born was united
in marriage to Nina Wiswell of Detroit, a daughter
of James Wiswell. Fraternally Mr. Born is a York
Rite Mason, and in club circles is well known, having
membership in the Detroit Yacht, Detroit Tennis and
Detroit Automobile Clubs. He is likewise a member
of the Board of Commerce, which indicates his inter
est in community progress and development. He is
also a member of the Michigan Manufacturers Associa
tion and of the National Manufacturers Association.
He started out in the business world by selling papers
and has risen to a place of prominence in the indus
trial circles in his native city.
ROBERT RALPH STUART, engaged in the real
estate business in Detroit, was born in Genesee county,
Michigan, October 31, 1879, and comes of Scotch
ancestry, his parents being Thomas and Margaret
(McNamara) Stuart. The father was a woodsman,
farmer and lumberman of Michigan.
Spending his youthful) days on the home farm
Robert R. Stuart had the opportunity of attending
school for about four months in the year, through
four years. His youthful experiences were those of
the farm bred boy who has to begin work in the fields
with the early spring planting and assist in the cul
tivation of the crops until the harvesting is done in
the late autumn. He left the farm, however, at the
age of sixteen years, thinking to find other pursuits
more congenial, and began clerking in hotels, also in
clothing stores and serving in similar capacities. He
was thus employed until twenty-eight years of age,
when he came to Detroit, arriving in this city in 1908.
Here he turned his attention to the real estate busi
ness, in which he has since been engaged, covering a
period of thirteen years. He has handled acreage
property and Woodward homes and has developed a

business of substantial and gratifying proportions.
He is now a member of the Real Estate Board and
is interested in all of the organized efforts of that
board to promote real estate activity and systematize
and develop the business according to modern methods.
Mr. Stuart is also a stockholder in several holding
corporations and his affairs have been wisely man
aged and directed, so that he is now numbered among
the successful men of the city.
In 1908 Mr. Stuart was married to Miss Mary
C. Roark and they have one son, Robert K., born Sep
tember 18, 1911, in Detroit. The political belief of Mr.
Stuart is that of the republican party. He is known in
fraternal circles as an Elk and he has membership
with the Detroit Automobile Club and with the Board
of Commerce. While several business activities
claimed his attention in early life, he at length found
a congenial field and through the past thirteen years
or more Detroit has offered him an excellent field of
labor for his real estate activity and by his close ap
plication, thoroughness, progressiveness and reliability
he has gained a substantial competence. He Tesides
at No. 1530 Longfellow avenue.
ELISHA J. TAMBLYN, M. D. Dr. Elisha J. Tam-
blyn, a physician and surgeon of Detroit, was born in
Hancock, Michigan, February 23, 1887, a son of Joseph
James and Mary Ellen (Simmons) Tamblyn, both of
whom were natives of England and in early life came
to America. The father afterward engaged in mer
chandising at Hancock, Michigan, where he always
resided after coming to the new world. He passed
away there in 1907 and his widow still makes her home
in Hancock.
Dr. Tamblyn was the fifth in order of birth in a
family of ten children. In his early boyhood he at
tended the public schools and later the high school at
Hancock, Michigan, while subsequently he became a
student in the University of Miehigan at Ann Arbor.
It was there that he pursued his medical course and
was graduated in 1910. After winning his degree he
went to Tacoma, Washington, and acted as interne
in the Northern Pacific Hospital there. Subsequently
he came to Detroit and entered Grace Hospital as
house physician, while later he was house physician
at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. After
leaving that institution he became connected with Dr.
Frank A. Kelly of Detroit and they practiced together
for three years. In 1916 Dr. Tamblyn began practic
ing independently and has met with notable success
through the intervening period. He specializes in sur
gery and has performed some very difficult major oper
ations, his skill in this direction being widely recog
nized by the public and by the profession. He is a
member of the auxiliary staff of Grace Hospital of
Detroit and belongs to the Wayne County Medical
Society, the Michigan State Medical Association and
the American Medical Association.
On the 15th of February, 1916, Dr. Tamblyn was

ROBERT R. STUART

CITY OF DETROIT

635

married to Miss Marie Dora Gere, the wedding being
celebrated in Chicago, Illinois. She is a daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gere of Urbana, Illinois. Dr. and
Mrs. Tamblyn have two children: E. J., Jr., born in De
troit, April 13, 1917; and James Gere, born August 2,
1921. Dr. Tamblyn is a member of the Fellowcraft
Athletic Club. While he has been a resident of De
troit for a comparatively brief period, he has already
made a most creditable place in professional circles
and the sterling worth of his character has gained
for him many friends.
GEORGE RAYMOND WOOLFENDEN. One of the
coming real estate and insurance organizations of
Detroit has recently been formed by two of the city's
best known young business men and has made won
derful success as the result of the energy, business
foresight and sound judgment of its officers, which
number includes George Raymond Woolfenden, who is
the secretary and treasurer. Moreover, he is widely
known as a representative of one of the old and promi
nent families of the eity. He was born in Detroit,
June 7, 1876, his parents being Frederick and Ella
(Raymond) Woolfenden, the latter also a native of
Detroit. The father was born in England but in young
manhood came to this eity and here entered business
life. He has left the impress of his individuality and
ability upon one of the strong financial institutions
of the city — the Dime Savings Bank — of which he
was one of the founders and later became the cashier,
continuing to act in that capacity until his death in
1891. He was also connected with other worthy en
terprises and various projects of great benefit to De
troit. He was aetive in the work of the Young Men's
Christian Association and took a leading part in its
development. In early life he had been ordained a
minister of the Episcopal church and he assisted ma
terially in founding and promoting Trinity Episcopal
church of Detroit. While he did not enter upon the
active work of the ministry, he nevertheless was ready
at all times to respond to any call to aid in the up
building of the chureh or sustain it financially. His
time, however, was largely given to the development
of the Dime Savings Bank and in this way he con
tributed to the city's advancement. His widow is
living in Detroit. Their family numbered four chil
dren: George Raymond; Edward P., who is now in
Los Angeles, California; Frederick and Francis Ray
mond, both of Detroit.
George R. Woolfenden, having attended the graded
and high schools of Detroit, initiated his business ca
reer by entering the newspaper field and becoming an
employe of the Detroit News! He was connected with
the business office and remained for a year and a half.
He then accepted a position on the Detroit Journal,
serving in the same capacity for two years, at the
end of whieh time he entered the Detroit office of the
Fidelity & Casualty Insurance Company of New York,
being connected therewith for seven years. When that

period had elapsed he resigned his position and en
tered the employ of the Michigan Fire & Marine In
surance Company, with which he remained for nine
teen years, rising from a clerical position to that of
assistant manager of its local department, a place of
considerable responsibility and importance. At length,
however, he resigned to become associated with others
in organizing the Lawrence-Woolfenden Company,
which was formed on the 1st of March, 1920, and
which has since been conducting a real estate and
insurance business, with Mr. Woolfenden as the sec
retary and treasurer and in charge of the insurance
department. His long experience with the home office
of the Miehigan Fire & Marine Insurance Company
well qualified him to take up the work whieh now
engages his attention. He has the work of the de
partment thoroughly organized and it is proving a
most successful phase of the business.
Mr. Woolfenden is a member of Duffield Camp of
the United States Spanish-American War Veterans.
For fourteen years he was a member of the Michigan
National Guard and was commissioned a first lieu
tenant of infantry after the Spanish-American war,
having served throughout the Cuban campaign. He ia
also a member of the Detroit Chapter of the Sons of
the American Revolution and during the World war
served as lieutenant colonel of the Five Hundred and
Fifty-first Infantry, Michigan State Troops. His polit
ical belief is that of the republican party and he keeps
well informed on the questions and issues of the day.
He is a Presbyterian, holding membership in the
Church of the Redeemer, and at all times is interested
in those forces whieh make for the uplift of the
individual and the welfare of the community, while in
matters of citizenship he has ever recognized his duties
and obligations, as well as his opportunities and priv
ileges. J. F. G. MILLER, a Detroit manufacturer who is
at the head of the American Blower Company, was
born near Indianapolis, Indiana, his parents being
John C. and Elizabeth (Garr) Miller, both of whom
were of American birth. His early educational op
portunities were supplemented by study in Purdue
University at La Fayette, Indiana, from which he
was graduated with the class of 1903, winning the
degree of Mechanical Engineer. He put his theoret
ical training to the practical test in the shops of the
St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad at St. Louis,
where he remained for three years. In 1906 he be
came connected with the American Blower Company
as a salesman and within a period of twelve years
rose through successive promotions to the vice presi
dency and general managership of the business, having
been elected the second executive officer of the com
pany in 1918. It was in 1881 that the Huyett &
Smith Manufacturing Company was established, con
stituting the nucleus of the American Blower Com
pany, the name having been changed in 1895. This

636

CITY OF DETROIT

company manufactures blowers, heaters and ventilat
ing equipment and the trade covers all the cities of
the country, while agencies are maintained throughout
the world. When America was engaged in war with
Germany the American Blower Company was very
active in the manufacture of munitions, making equip
ments for ships, tanks and army camps. Two hun
dred and fifty of the men from their shops entered
the war, and not only the company, but its employes,
made a most praiseworthy showing in all of the Lib
erty Loan drives and Red Cross drives. Patriotism
dominated the entire plant from the president of the
company down to the humblest employe.
Mr. Miller is a member of the Detroit Athletic
Club and also belongs to the Oakland Hills Country
Club , and the Board of Commerce. His political en
dorsement is given to the republican party and he
keeps well informed concerning the vital questions
of the day but has never sought nor desired political
preferment. His attention on the contrary is given to
his constantly growing business affairs and he is rec
ognized as a strong executive and thoroughgoing busi
ness man who differentiates quickly between the es
sential and the non-essential in all business affairs and
seems to recognize the full utility and opportunity of
every business situation that is presented.
HENRY J. STEPHENS, M. D. Although Dr. H. J.
Stephens has practiced his profession in Detroit, for
but three years, he has already become recognized as
a physician of superior ability and the list of his
patients is an extensive one. He is a man of high
professional attainments, of liberal education and broad
experience and in the treatment of diseases affecting
the chest, in which he specializes, he has been remark
ably successful. He is a native of Canada, his birth
having occurred on a farm in Stephens township,
Huron county, Ontario, August 27, 1882. In 1885 his
parents crossed the border into the United States,
taking up their residence in Cleveland, Ohio, and in
the schools of that city he acquired his early educa
tion. When fourteen years of age he went to sea,
sailing on the Great Lakes and the ocean in the sum
mer seasons, while during the winter months he pur
sued his studies. For sixteen years he followed the
water, and for nine years of this time he was a
captain. Among the vessels he commanded were the
"Saskatoon" which he brought from Glasgow, Scot
land, where she was built for the Great Lakes; "The
Canadian"; "General O. M. Poe"; "The Mariposa";
and a number of others. Subsequently he entered the
Western Medical College, from which he was grad
uated with the class of 1910, following which he
devoted four years to postgraduate work, studying
in London, England; Edinburg, Scotland; in Germany
and in Vienna, Austria, having the benefit of in
struction in the leading medical centers of the world.
Thus thoroughly equipped for practice, he took up the
work of his profession and following the outbreak

of the World war he went overseas as physician and
surgeon to an infantry regiment. He remained with
his regiment for one and a half years and for four
years continued in the service, attaining high position
in English military hospitals, serving as officer com
manding at Pinewood Sanitarium and the Canadian
Convalescent hospital, both located at Hastings,
England, and also of the chest section of Canada Gen
eral hospital, No. 11.
Following tlie signing of the armistice Dr. Stephens
came to Detroit, establishing an office in the Kresge
building, and has already built up a large practice.
He is specializing in the treatment of diseases affect
ing the chest, along which line he has been very suc
cessful. Close study has formed the basis of his ad
vancement, and combined with an appreciation of the
scientific phases of his profession is a deep and abid
ing sympathy that prompts him to put forth earnest
and unfaltering effort where the welfare of his fellow
men is involved. Thoroughly progressive in his pro
fession, he keeps in touch with the great truths which
science is constantly revealing through his member
ship in the Wayne County and Miehigan State Medi
cal Societies, the American and British Medical Asso
ciations and the General Medical Council of Great
Britain and the colonies.
Dr. Stephens was married to Miss Isabel Dudley,
of London, Ontario, Canada, and they have become the
parents of a son, Dudley, born in July, 1913. Dr.
Stephens is a prominent Mason, belonging to the blue
lodge and chapter of London, Canada; to Miehigan
Sovereign Consistory and to Moslem Temple of the
Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Detroit Athletic
Club and the Essex Country Club. From youth Dr.
Stephens has taken a keen interest in athletics. Dur
ing his college days he was captain of the varsity
football team, usually playing in the line, while for
three years he was captain and manager of the basket
ball team. He was manager of the hockey team that
won the N. H. L. championship of Canada in 1913,
and also met and defeated the Cleveland, Ohio, hockey
team, who were likewise champions that year. He
also held the college championship in wrestling. His
ability is attested by his colleagues and contemporaries
and by the general public as well and his splendid
qualities of manhood and citizenship, combined with
his high professional acquirements, rank him with the
leading members of the medical profession in Detroit.
ARTHUR FESTUS MARSH, a Detroit manufacturer,
who, in 1909 organized the Griswold Body Company
of Detroit, was born in Chicago, Illinois, July 24, 1865,
and is a son of H. F. and Marie (Regan) Marsh, who
were natives of Belfast, Ireland, and were of Scotch-
Irish descent. Arthur F. • Marsh obtained his early
education in the schools of Chicago, and afterward
attended Oberlin University at Oberlin, Ohio, where
he completed his course by graduation with the class
of 1890. He was afterward in business with his

J——
..„.'.¦.._.... ..:....  -  .. ..,:.. ...i. ..,. "..

DR. HENRY J. STEPHENS

CITY OF DETROIT

639

father in Allegan, Michigan, as a real estate dealer
and banker for a number of years and later he joined
others in building the Avenue Theatre in Detroit and
the Colonial Theatre in Cleveland, the two being con
ducted under the same management as a circuit affair.
In 1909 Mr. Marsh and his father, H. F. Marsh, to
gether with Lewis S. Smith, organized the Griswold
Body Company of Detroit, and began the manufacture
of automobile bodies. The business was successfully
conducted by the three partners until 1918, when H.
F. Marsh passed away, and his, son succeeded to the
presidency of the company, with Mr. Smith as secre
tary and treasurer. Their attention is concentrated
exclusively upon the manufacture of automobile bodies
and their trade is mostly in Detroit, the center of the
automobile business of the world. They find a ready
sale for their output and the business is today one of
very gratifying proportions.
Mr. Marsh served during the Spanish-American war
as inspector general under Governor Pingree. He is
a member of the Congregational church and his sup
port can be counted upon to further all plans and
measures for the publie good. He belongs to the Board
of Commerce and cooperates in its activities for the
benefit and upbuilding of the city. Politically he is
a republican and takes a most keen and helpful in
terest in advancing the successes of the party, serving
for one term as chairman of the State Central Repub
lican Committee. He is a member of the Detroit
Athletic and the Fellowcraft Clubs.
H. CHARLES EDWARDS. While still a young man
and an adopted son of Detroit, the name of H. Charles
Edwards is one of the best known among the younger
business men of the city, due to the aetive interest
he has displayed in various lines of manufacture and
in building operations and loans. There are few, if
any, who have assisted more families to acquire
property and own their own homes, at least three
hundred and fifty families having been benefited by
his activity in this direction. He has assisted these
in carrying forward their plans to become property
owners, with the result that they have become con
tented and prosperous residents of Detroit and are
classed with her substantial citizenship. Mr. Edwards
conducts his business affairs under the name of H. C.
Edwards & Company, home builders, real estate and
loans, nor are his efforts confined only to the activities
of this corporation, for he is also the president of the
Detroit National Stamping Company, engaged in metal
stamping at No. 204 Twelfth street in Detroit; is the
president of the Edwards Motor Sales Company; and
the secretary of the Central States Finance Corpo
ration. Industry thus benefits by his diligence, en
terprise and business sagacity, and he has made for
himself a most creditable name and place in commer
cial and financial circles of his adopted city.
Mr. Edwards came to Detroit from Lancaster, Penn
sylvania, where he was born February 7, 1889, his

parents being Harry W. and Mary C. (Herr) Edwards,
who were also natives of the Keystone state and always
resided in Lancaster county. The father became very
prominent in the manufacture of furniture, in which
business he engaged on his own account up to the
time of his death, whieh occurred in 1907, when he
was fifty-eight years of age. His widow survives and
makes her home in Lancaster county. In their family
were eleven children, seven of whom are living,
namely: Mrs. Catherine Collin, Frank E., John E.,
Mrs. Emma Edwards Reese, and Mrs. Minnie E. May,
all of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania; and Mrs. Ber
tha E. Hess and H. Charles, both of Detroit.
At the usual age H. Charles Edwards became a pupil
in the schools of his native city and after mastering
the studies that constitute the publie school curriculum
there he entered the Franklin-Marshall College, in
which he pursued a course covering a year and a half.
He then went to New York eity and became an em
ploye of the Barrett Loan Brokers in the St. James
building, but remained in that position for only six
months. He next entered the Eccles College of Hy
giene, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and pursued a
course in anatomy and hygiene, being graduated with
the class of 1910. On the 11th of May, 1912, he came
to Detroit' and secured a responsible position with the
Cadillac Company and later was with ' the Packard
Motor Company, being associated with the efficiency
department in each instance. He remained with the
Packard Company for nine months and then accepted
a position with the Parker, Schunk & Fry Real Estate
Company. Four months' experience with that firm
convinced him that he was operating in a profitable
field and he decided to engage in the business on his
own account, so that he might more directly benefit
by his own labors. On the 2d of November, 1913, he
accordingly organized the H. C. Edwards Building
Company and the H. C. Edwards Real Estate & Loan
Company. He is sole proprietor of these business en
terprises and his operations along the lines indicated
have been extensive and important. He has erected
and financed some three hundred buildings for resi
dential purposes in the better sections of the city,
along Longfellow avenue, also Edison, Virginia Park,
Glen Court and other subdivisions, and many in High
land Park. He is considered one of the best informed
men concerning real estate possibilities for residential
purposes, in the city. He has acquainted himself with
every phase of the business, from the acquirement of
the lot until the last nail is driven into a substantial
dwelling. He is also the president of the Detroit
National Stamping Company, the president of the
Edwards Motor Sales Company and secretary of the
Central States Financial Corporation. His business af
fairs are of an important character, contributing to
publie improvement as well as to individual success,
and those who know him say that there is much more
in his business activity than the desire to promote
his own fortunes.

640

CITY OF DETROIT

On the 18th of December, 1913, Mr. Edwards was
married to Miss Ruth R. Smith, a daughter of J. R.
Smith of Marion, Ohio, and they have one child, Vir
ginia Louise, born in Detroit, June 14, 1920.
Mr. Edwards gives his political support to the re
publican party and fraternally is a Mason, belonging
to Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Palestine Chapter,
R. A. M.; Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T., and
Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a
well known figure in the club circles of the city. He
belongs to the National League of Masonic Clubs, the
Masonic Country Club, the Detroit Yacht Club, the
Canopus Club, the Caravan Club, the Noontide Club,
the Detroit Republican Club and also to the Detroit
Board of Commerce. His interests are thus broad and
varied and whatever he undertakes carries with it a
desire for progress and improvement — a desire that
usually reaches its fulfillment.
EUGENE STEPHEN CLARKSON, a lawyer of De
troit, was born in Macon, Michigan, February 5,
1860. He pursued a district school education there
to the age of fifteen years while spending his boyhood
days under the roof of his parents, John J. and Mary
Ann (Miller) Clarkson. His later educational op
portunities, however, were of a more liberal character
and further qualified him for life 's practical and re
sponsible duties. He was graduated from the high
sehool at Manchester, Michigan, in June, 1879, and
in October of the following year matriculated in the
University of Michigan, in which he completed a full
four years' literary course, winning the Bachelor of
Arts degree in 1884. He acted as managing editor
of the Chronicle, a paper published by the university,
in 1883, and since qualifying for the bar he has prac
ticed law continuously in Detroit, opening his office
here on the 18th of January, 1886. He has always
made a specialty of corporation and real estate law and
is thoroughly informed concerning these branches of
the profession. He studies broadly, thinks deeply and
is a safe counselor and able advocate. He belongs
to the Bar Association of Detroit and his fellow
members of the profession attest his ability.
On the 24th of June, 1896, in the city where he
still resides, was celebrated the marriage of Eugene
S. Clarkson and Miss Mary Wright Stoup, who has
passed- away. They had two sons: William S. and
Eugene S., Jr. On the 17th of November, 1911, Mr.
Clarkson was united in marriage to Miss Nellie W.
Stoup. Mr. Clarkson is keenly interested in many important
public questions and to this end is identified with
the Detroit Citizens League and the Coinmission Gov
ernment Club. He is also a member of the University
of Michigan Alumni Association. He is one of nine
members of the charter commission of Detroit, and he
belongs to the Board of Commerce, the Ingleside Club,
the Burton Hills Country Club, and is on the committee
of the Ingleside courts to frame amendments to the

marriage laws. In politics he is a democrat and
fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the
Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Westminster
Presbyterian church, in which he has served as trustee,
and he was also a member of the Westminster Men's
Club. His ideals of life are high and he has never
been content to choose the second best. His aid and
influence are always given to the side of advancement
and improvement and his activities have been of a
far-reaching and beneficial character.
ANDREW R. HACKETT, M. D. Among the promi
nent surgeons and noted yachtsmen of Detroit is Dr.
Andrew R. Haekett, who enjoys an extensive private
practice. At all times he keeps in touch with the
advanced purposes and researches of the profession
and his entire career as a physician and surgeon
reflects credit and honor upon the profession which he
has chosen as a life work. At the same time he is
well known as a sportsman and recently came into
prominence as the winner of the Scripps trophy, gain
ing the cup at the helm of the cruiser Pirate.
Dr. Haekett was born in Amherstburg, Ontario,
March 17, 1878, a son of Andrew and Agnes (Mc
Gregor) Haekett, who were also of Canadian birth.
The paternal grandfather, James Haekett, was the firsl
lighthouse keeper on Bob Lo Island, thirty miles south
of Detroit, and was known to all the sailing masters
and marines on the Great Lakes. He was of Scotch-
Irish descent and originally went to Canada from the
north of Ireland. He died on Bob Lo Island, where
for many years he was in the, government service. His
son, Andrew Haekett, also devoted his life to Marine
interests, and after his father was no longer able to at
tend the light on Bob Lo, he took up the task and re
mained lighthouse keeper at that famous point to
the time of his demise, which occurred in 1901. His
widow survives and is liv'ng at Amherstburg, Ontario.
In their family were six children: Harry, Margaret,
David M., Andrew R., Grace and Charles.
In his youthful days T r. Haekett attended school
in Amherstburg, mastering the various branches of the
publie school curriculum fiere, and in the meantime
he acquired a taste for water sports — or was it a
natural predilection that turned him in that direction,
as both his father and grandfather were marines! He
became very proficient in the use of water craft and
an expert oarsman, while all kinds of aquatic sports
made strong appeal to him. He early became familiar
with the task of handling motor boats and this in
later years enabled him to become one of the most
noted cruiser pilots on the Great Lakes, bringing him
at last to a championship position as the winner of
the Scripps trophy, an ambition shared by almost every
motor boat owner in these parts. Dr. Haekett alone
among the thousands who have cherished this desire
won the prize in the race from Cleveland to Put In Bay
and return, and today the trophy is in the custody of
the Detroit Yacht Club.

EUGENE S. CLARKSON

CITY OF DETROIT

643

In the meantime Dr. Haekett, after leaving the
public schools, continued his education in Drake Uni
versity, at Des Moines, Iowa, and- there completed.
a course in medicine, with the class of 1912. He was
connected with Ames College of Iowa as a lecturer
for two years, at the end of which time he resigned
his professorship and came to Detroit. Here he be-
•came superintendent and chief surgeon of the Delray
Industrial Hospital on West Fort street. After Dr.
Haekett assumed charge changes and improvements
were made in the institution, which became one of
the best managed and most profitable private hos
pitals in the city, and the most scientific methods were
employed, Dr. Haekett bending every effort to the
improvement of the institution. In 1921 Dr. Haekett
severed his connection with the Delray Industrial
Hospital and is now devoting his entire attention to
his private practice. At various times he has taken
postgraduate work in clinics, specializing on industrial
surgery and his ability is pronounced. He belongs to
the Wayne County Medical Society, the Miehigan
State and the American Medieal Associations, and is
a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, to which
he was admitted in 1920.
On the 8th of September, 1905, Dr. Haekett was
married in Detroit to Miss L. Maude Keller, a daugh
ter of George H. Keller, and in the social circles of
the city they are well known. They have one daugh
ter, Cora Janet. Dr. Haekett gives his political alle
giance to the republican party, and is a member of
Kilwinning Lodge, F. & A. M., and Palestine Chapter,
R. A. M., while the nature of his recreation and di
version is indicated in his connection with the Detroit
Auto Club, the Grosse He Golf Club, the Detroit Yacht
Club and the Inter-Lake Yachting Association. He
recognizes the value of clean sport and outdoor life
and exercise for every individual, and that to play
well is just as necessary as to work well, if one would
maintain an evenly balanced nature.
JOHN LACEY AUSTIN, a prominent representative
of the Detroit bar, whose professional ability is indi
cated by the large and distinctively representative
clientage accorded him, was born in this eity May
17, 1865, and here acquired his early education, attend
ing the public schools and also receiving instruction
under private tutors, while later he became a student
at Albion College of Albion, Michigan. In 1890 he
went to the west, locating at Seattle, Washington,
where he entered a law office. In 1895 he was ad
mitted to practice before the supreme court of Oregon
and followed his profession at Pendleton and at Union,
Oregon, until 1904, when he returned to Detroit. Here
he entered the building business, in whieh he con
tinued active from 1904 until 1912. In the latter
year he resumed the practice of law, opening an office
in the Penobscot building, where he has since been
located, and in the intervening period he has built
up an important practice. He is specializing in cor

poration and municipal law, in whieh branches of
jurisprudence he has become recognized as an au
thority. He has a thorough knowledge of statute and
precedent, is careful in the preparation of his cases
and convincing in argument. His ability has devel
oped with the passing years and his talents, native
and acquired, have won for him recognition as an able
lawyer and safe counselor.
On the 25th of June, 1895, Mr. Austin was united
in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Houghtaling and they
have become the parents of a daughter, Margaret,
who is now the wife of J. Richard Newman, a well
known attorney of Detroit. Mr. Austin is a repub
lican in his political views and has always supported
the principles and candidates of the party. He is an
active worker in its ranks and for many years has
been a member of the Wayne county central committee,
has also served on the state central committee and
as a delegate to many state conventions. He has at
tended several national conventions but never in an
official capacity and he has been called upon to fill
many public offices of trust and responsibility, now
serving as attorney for the village of Springwells. In
1912 he was elected president of Highland Park and
in 1916 he was appointed to that office by the common
council to succeed the late Donald Thomson, serving
out the remainder of the term, which expired in March,
1917. In 1913 he was elected justice of the peace for
Highland Park but resigned that office at the end of
twenty months. From November, 1915, until April,
1916, he was supervisor of Greenfield township, and in
April, 1918, he was elected the first judge of the munic
ipal court of Highland Park, whieh became a city at
that time. He has devoted much of his life to public
service and at all times has been actuated by a public-
spirited devotion to the general good. His religious
faith is indicated by his membership in the Trinity
Methodist Episcopal church at Highland Park and fra
ternally he is identified with the Masons, in which he
has attained the thirty-second degree in Miehigan Sov
ereign Consistory, and is also a member of Highland
Park Lodge, F. & A. M., and Moslem Temple of the
Mystic Shrine, having been first inducted into the
order at Union, Oregon. That he is a man of high
professional attainments is indicated in the fact that
he is retained as attorney by several private corpora
tions of the eity and many municipalities in this and
adjoining counties, and his ability is also attested by
his fellow practitioners. He devotes much time and
thought to the study of problems affecting the courts
and the administration of. justice and his worth as a
man and citizen is widely acknowledged.
HARRY G. SAUNDERS. An analyzation of the life
of Harry G. Saunders brings out clearly the points
of his continued loyalty to any cause or interest with
which he becomes affiliated, and this has been one of
the strong elements in bringing him to the point of
business success, which he now oeeupies as the man-

644

CITY OF DETROIT

ager of the Vinewood yards of the Restrick Lumber
Company. A native son of Detroit, his parents were
Harry G. and Fannie A. (Cree) Saunders. The father
was born in India, where his father, Henry G. Saun
ders, was serving as an officer in the English army.
In the maternal line Harry G. Saunders of this review
comes of one of the old and well known Detroit
families. His parents removed to Atlanta, Georgia,
and he began his education in the schools of that city,
but later they returned to Detroit and he continued
his education in the Central high school here.
Starting out upon his business career Mr. Saunders
was first employed by Frederick Steams & Company
for a year and a half, and later with the Lowrie &
Robinson Lumber Company for a year. He was next
with the W. A. C. Miller Lumber Company for a
year and a half, and in 1907 beeame associated with
the Restrick Lumber Company, with which he has
since been connected. His original position with this
corporation was that of shipping clerk. Later he was
promoted to assistant sales manager and eventually
was made manager of Vinewood yards and placed in
charge of the plant. In his fourteen years connection
with the company he has thoroughly familiarized him
self with every phase of the business and is today an
expert on lumber and is a most alert and enterprising
salesman. His uniform courtesy, combined with his
progressiveness, has been a strong element in the
success which has attended his efforts.
During his high school days Mr. Saunders was man
ager and captain of the baseball team and has always
been interested in our national game, even yet greatly
enjoying a well matched contest between two nines.
His political endorsement is given to the republican
party and his religious faith is indicated by his mem
bership in the Trumbull Avenue Presbyterian church.
Mr. Saunders was united in marriage to Miss Ethel
Gray and they have become parents of two children:
Harry G., Jr., and Ethel Ruth. Fraternally Mr. Saun
ders is identified with the Masons, belonging to Ashlar
Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A. M., and King Cyrus Chapter,
R. A. M.
JAMES P. FEELY, JR., president of the Taylor
Supply Company, was bora in Toledo, Ohio, Septem
ber 9, 1872. He received his early education in the
schools of Toledo and then began his active business
career with the National Supply Company in his na
tive city. He remained with that company for seven
years, on the expiration of which period he came to
Detroit and joined the Ideal Manufacturing Company,
of which he became secretary. After twelve years
with the Ideal Manufacturing Company he joined
with Mr. Taylor and formed the Taylor Supply Com
pany, of which he has been president since its in
corporation in 1910.
The history of the Taylor Supply Company is a
record of continual- and successful growth. They
started with one small store, but it was not long

until the demands of their business caused them to
move to their present location at, 540 Lamed street,
West. Here they, had only one store space at first,
but today they occupy the entire building of one
hundred feet frontage and one hundred and twenty-
five feet depth, part of which is three stories high
and part two stories high. Besides this they have a
large warehouse at the foot of Lamed street, where
they carry a stock of from one hundred and fifty to
two hundred carloads of pipe. They have a railway
track running right beside the warehouse and are
thoroughly equipped in every way for handling their
orders promptly and efficiently. Their business is
selling pipe, valves and fittings, and they are the
biggest specialty people in this line in Detroit.
Mr. Feely has been in this particular business all
his life and understands it down to the smallest de
tail. Moreover, he knows the trade and has not only
the benefit of a large experience in it but also pos
sesses business ability of the highest order and the
affairs of the company receive his constant and best
attention. It is also worthy of note that he takes
a warm interest in the welfare of the company's
employes. On the 15th of January, 1896, in Toledo, Ohio, Mr.
Feely married Miss Lillian Keenan of that city, and
they have two children: Mildred Loretta; and Fred,
who was born in Detroit, February 4, 1904. He is
affiliated with the Oakland Hills Golf Club, the Ingle
side Club and the Toledo Club of Toledo, Ohio, is
a member of the Board of Commerce and of the
Roman Catholic church. Mr. Feely is strictly a busi
ness man, but he takes a very keen interest in public
affairs and the welfare of the city and country. He
resides at 619 Pingree avenue.
A. E. RYAN, a representative of one of the old and
well known families of Michigan, is successfully op
erating in the field of real estate in Detroit, where
he has won a well deserved reputation for reliability,
integrity and enterprise. He has made steady advance
ment in his business career, being watchful of every
indication pointing to success, and is now conducting
a business of extensive proportions. He was born in
Alpena, Michigan, a son of Thomas and Mary (Fitz
patriek) Ryan, the former of whom came to this state
as a youth of fifteen. He engaged in construction work,
in which he long continued active, becoming widely
and favorably known in the city of Alpena and vi
cinity. He remained a resident of this state until his
death in 1919. His widow survives.
Their son, A. E. Ryan, pursued his studies in the
public schools of his native city and on laying aside
his textbooks engaged in construction work with his
father, with whom he was associated in business for
five years. He then came to Detroit and here entered
the real estate field, in which he has since continued
active, winning thereby a gratifying measure of pros
perity. He has an intimate knowledge of the worth

JAMES P. FEELY, JR.

CITY OF DETROIT

647

of all real estate in his locality and is considered an
expert in placing valuations upon property. He handles
both vacant and improved realty but gives special
attention to inside properties. He has negotiated many
important real estate transfers and his built up a busi
ness of large proportions, maintaining his offices in
the Dime Savings Bank building, of which he has
been a tenant for a longer period than any of the
other occupants of the building, and he has become
recognized as one of the thoroughly reliable and sub
stantial business men of the city.
In religious faith Mr. Ryan is a Catholic and he is
also a member of the Knights of Columbus, in whieh
he has attained the third degree. His publie spirit
finds expression in his membership in the Detroit
Board of Commerce, which is one of the most im
portant factors in the development of the city, and
all of its projects for the general welfare meet with
his hearty cooperation. The years have chronicled his
growing success and at all times his methods have been
such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
He is a forceful and resourceful business man who has
never feared to venture where favoring opportunity
has pointed the way, and is a public-spirited citizen
whose progressiveness has been a potent factor in pro
moting the upbuilding and development of his com
munity. SAMUEL LATTA SMITH. Those forces which have
contributed most to the development, improvement
and benefit of Michigan received impetus from the
constructive labors of Samuel Latta Smith, an honored
pioneer of the state, who passed away at Detroit,
May 7, 1917. He was essentially a member of the
class of doers and his initiative spirit led him to con
tinue beyond the paths which others had marked out,
into new fields where his intelligently directed efforts
resulted in successful achievement.
Mr. Smith was a native of Michigan, his birth hav
ing occurred at Algonac, June 28, 1830. His parents
were John Keyser and Cathaerine (MaeDonald) Smith.
The latter was born near Glasgow, Scotland, and be
came one of the early settlers on the banks of the St.
Clair river. The father, a veteran of the War of 1812,
became a pioneer in the development of what now
constitutes Macomb and St. Clair counties and the son
also devoted his life to the exploitation of the
wonderful mineral resources of the state and to the
development of the automobile industry. His early
education was acquired in the grammar and high
schools of Algonac and in 1846 he entered Albion Col
lege of Michigan, in which he completed a two years'
course. Thereafter the responsibility of earing for
his mother and seven sisters fell largely upon his
shoulders and his higher education was rounded out
in the world of men.
The upper peninsula of Miehigan represented his
first large field of pioneer work and long before the
now famous Calumet and Heela mines were dreamed

of he assisted in organizing and developing the School
craft (Centennial), the Huron, the Atlantic, the Wol
verine, the Mohawk and the Baltic copper mines. The
opening of the copper country by the Marquette,
Houghton & Ontonagon Railroad was due in large
part to his efforts, the completion of the road itself
being under his personal supervision. The Lake Su
perior ship canal, the cut-off around dangerous Ke
weenaw Point, was completed by him and in part
owned by him until taken over by the federal govern
ment, and on the side of constructive work for the
upper peninsula no man could claim so much, and did
claim so little.
With the full development of the copper country his
active participation in its affairs lessened and his
alert mind reached out, in his seventieth year, to the
possibilities of the automobile. He became one of the
pioneers in this industry, whieh has since played such
an important part in the development of Detroit and
of the state, and in the faee of discouragement and
ridicule he organized the Olds Motor Works, backing
it personally and unhesitatingly. Through its infancy
he took an active part in its direction and had the
satisfaction of seeing it grow to be the greatest com
mercial producer of cars in the world at that time.
Mr. Smith's life was one of intense activity and
usefulness, intelligently directed into those channels
through which flows the grea-test good to the greatest
number, and his efforts brought him a measure of suc
cess that was most desirable. He was a courtly gentle
man of the old school, a wide reader and a deep
thinker, possessing that tenacity of purpose which
carried him forward to the goal of achievement, en
abling him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties
in his path. He was ever a devoted husband and father
and a true and loyal friend, a man of high ideals and
exalted standards of citizenship, and his name is
written high on the roll of the honored dead who were
among the real builders and promoters of the great
commonwealth of Miehigan.
FRED L. HONHART, M. D. The profession, as well
as the public, accords Dr. Fred L. Honhart a promi
nent position among the medical practitioners of De
troit. He was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, May 31,
1885, a son of Charles and Mary (Miller) Honhart,
both of whom are natives of that city, where they
have always made their home. The father was for
many years prominently identified with mercantile pur
suits but is now living retired in the enjoyment of a
comfortable competence, gained through industry and
business ability. The mother also survives and they
enjoy the respect and esteem of a large circle of
friends. Dr. Honhart, an only child, acquired his early educa
tion in the grammar and high schools of his native
city, after which he pursued an academic course in
the Pennsylvania State University. He then took up
the profession of teaching and for four years was

648

CITY OF DETROIT

director of physical education in that institution, be
ing very successful as an educator. In 1904 he entered
the Springfield College at Springfield, Massachusetts,
from which he was graduated in 1908. For a few
years he was engaged in educational work in the west.
He then furthered his education at the University of
Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, receiving the degree
of M. D. from that institution in 1916. Coming to
Detroit, in 1916 he opened an office and has since suc
cessfully followed his profession in this city, his ability
being attested in the large practice accorded him. He
is a member of the staff of the William Booth, St.
Mary's and Provident Hospitals, and of the last named
institution is also connected with the outdoor clinic.
He does everything to perfect himself in his chosen
vocation and has always made his professional duties
his first consideration, being most thorough and con
scientious in the performance of the work that de
volves upon him in this connectiori.
In Emporia, Kansas, on the 6th of June, 1911, Dr.
Honhart was united in marriage to Miss Hannah M.
Edwards, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rowland J.
Edwards, well known residents of that, city. Two
children have been born of this union: Fred L., Jr.,
whose birth occurred at Emporia in 1912 and who is
now attending- school in Detroit; and Mary Elizabeth,
who was born in this city in 1918.
During the World war- Dr. Honhart was connected
with the medical department of the United States
army, being commissioned a first lieutenant of the
medical corps. Believing that progress should be the
watchword of the profession at all times, he keeps in
touch with the great truths which science is constantly
revealing through his membership in the Wayne
County, Michigan State and American Medical As-
sociatioris. He is a member of the Detroit board of
health. He was made a Mason at Louisville, Ken
tucky, and is a member of Ionic Chapter, R. A. M.
at Detroit; Detroit Commandery, No. 1, Knights
Templar; Michigan Sovereign Consistory; and Moslem
Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected
with the Masonic Country Club. His inherent strength
of character is indicated in the fact that he worked
his way through college and has ever been actuated
by a spirit of enterprise and determination that has
enabled him to surmount all difficulties and obstacles
in his path. Prompted in all that he does by laudable
ambition and broad humanitarian principles, as a
member of the medical fraternity he has attained high
rank among those whose skill is uniformly acknowl
edged. Dr. Honhart resides at No. 4443 Iroquois
avenue. ROBERT E. VINCENT comes of an ancestry which
in both its lineal and collateral lines has been dis
tinctively American through many generations. The
progenitor of the family in the new world crossed the
Atlantic in 1636, and sinee that time representatives
of the name have taken part in almost every war in

which America has been engaged. The great' grand
father of Robert E. Vincent in the maternal line was
John Davis, who served with Commodore Perry at
Sackett's Harbor. The Vincent, family had been pre
viously represented in the Revolutionary war, while
Earl Vincent, an ancestor of Robert E. Vincent, served
as a soldier of the War of 1812. His father, James
M. Vincent, was a soldier of the Civil war, and Robert
E. Vincent would undoubtedly have represented the
family in the Spanish-American war had he not been
in Alaska at the time, the war having closed ere
his return. His son, Chester M. Vincent, however, is
a veteran of the World war, having served in the
American navy. James Milton Vincent was united
in marriage to Ann Amelia Shadiek, and in the town
of Scriba, near Oswego, New York, a son was born
to them on the 11th of March, 1868, to whom they
gave the name of Robert E. Following his school
days, the boy took up a seafaring life, but after his
marriage settled down to other business pursuits. He
early learned the work of heat treating, and in 1898
he went to Alaska, where he was engaged in a search
for gold through four years, during which period he
traveled on foot from the southern portion to the
northern end of Alaska, and also well into the east.
During the winter of 1899-1900 he was at the mouth of
the MacKenzie river, and at one time he penetrated
northward to within forty miles of as far north as
Point Barrow.
With his return to the states Robert E. Vincent
went first to Chicago and afterward to Detroit. Here
he entered the employ of the Detroit Screw Works,
with whieh he was connected until 1909, when he
organized the Vincent Steel Process Company, of
which he has since been vice president and general
manager. This company does heat treating for sev
enty-five per cent of the factories in Detroit, includ
ing some of the largest, among them being the
Timken-Detroit Axle Company, the Paige Motor Com
pany, the Packard Company and others. The business
has long since assumed extensive proportions and has
become one of the important industrial features of
Detroit. The carefully formulated and promptly exe
cuted plans of Mr. Vincent have been the basic element
of the success of this undertaking, and in every de
partment the business is thoroughly systematized, so
that maximum results are attained with a minimum
expenditure of time, labor and material — which is
the basis of all success.
In 1892 Mr. Vincent was united in marriage to Miss
Susan Miller, and they have a son, Chester Milton
Vincent, who during the World war was in the aviation
department of the Naval Reserve and spent eight
months in the Great Lakes Training Station, and
was a quartermaster at the close of the war. He is
still attached to the Naval Reserve.
Mr. Vincent is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 240,
A. F. & A. M.; King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M.; Monroe
Council, R. & F. M.; Damascus Commandery, K. T; and

.. . ., ¦' ..-

ROBERT E. VINCENT

CITY OF DETROIT

651

Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also con
nected with the society of Automotive Engineers, both
in its local and national organizations, and with the
Detroit Heat Treating Society, the American Heat
Treating Society of Chicago, and the Detroit Board
of Commerce. He belongs to a family whose ancestral
record is one of which he has every reason to be
proud, as capability in business and patriotism and
devotion in citizenship have ever characterized those
of the name. Moreover, his own line of life has
been passed in harmony therewith, and in the years
of his residence in Detroit he has made steady progress,
not only in the attainment of success but also in win
ning the good name that is rather to be chosen than
great riches.
HENRY J. GUTHARD. Various important inter
ests have felt the stimulus and profited by the co
operation of Henry J. Guthard, who at the present
time, however, is largely concentrating his efforts and
attention upon the Continental Bank and is a well
known figure in the financial circles of the eity. Mr.
Guthard was born in Detroit, January 19, 1871, and
is a son of Jacob and Louise (Aberle) Guthard. He
pursued his education in the public schools and the
Central high school of this city and in young man
hood turned his attention to the insurance and real
estate business, entering the employ of Elias Aberle,
with whom he remained until 1891. He was then but
twenty years of age, yet he took over the fire insur
ance interests of Mr. Aberle and conducted the busi
ness alone under his own name. Several years later
he was joined by his father, Jacob Guthard, and still
later by his brother William, thus forming the well
known insurance firm of the Jacob Guthard & Sons
Company. The value of his cooperation in business
affairs has long been recognized and his enterprising
spirit was manifest strongly when he became one of
the organizers of the Continental Bank, of which he
is now the first vice president. He is regarded as a
most capable financier and as an expert appraiser and
he handles all the real estate loans of the bank,
whether these are made to corporations or to indi
viduals. He was also at one time vice president and
chairman of the executive committee of the Detroit
Life Insurance Company, occupying the position for
ten years, and was the strong man on that committee,
advising in all financial affairs, loans and investments.
He likewise became the vice president of the Federal
State Bank. He was at one time secretary of the
Detroit National Fire Insurance Company and at dif
ferent periods has been connected with many im
portant business enterprises of the city, but he has
largely retired from active management in these con
nections and now concentrates his efforts and attention
upon the upbuilding of the Continental Bank, while
retaining a financial interest in many projects and
important business interests of the city.
Mr. Guthard has figured prominently in various

public connections. He was the pioneer of the civil
service commission in Detroit, having been appointed
by Mayor Breitmeyer as the first representative of
the commission, on whieh he has served continuously
since. He is vice president of the Continental Real
Estate Trust Company.
On the 5th of June, 1894, Mr. Guthard was married
to Miss Hattie E. Shambergh of Schenectady, New
York. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason,
having membership in Ashlar Lodge, F. & A. M., Mieh
igan Sovereign Consistory and Moslem Temple of the
Mystic Shrine. He is likewise connected with the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and socially he
is associated with the Detroit Athletic Club, the De
troit Golf Club, the Lochmoor Golf Club, the Masonic
Country Club, of which he is a life member, and the
Harmonie Society. His characteristics are a strong
and pleasing personality combined with executive
ability. He is a man in the prime of life, full of
energy, and regarded as one of the most successful,
capable and resourceful financiers of the eity, an
authority on all questions of finance. His residence is
at 2929 Field avenue. His country home — The Twins
— is on Riverside drive on the St. Clair river.
WILLIAM JOSEPH NESBITT, M. D., has been
a member of the medical fraternity of Detroit since
January, 1920, and his pronounced ability has already
won recognition in a large and constantly increasing
practice. He is a native of Canada, his birth having
occurred in London on the 9th of August, 1888. His
parents, James and Anna (McDonald) Nesbitt, are
also natives of that country and the father was for
many years a prominent and successful cattle broker
of London, Ontario. He is still actively identified with
business pursuits and is yet a resident of that city.
The mother also survives and they have won the
esteem and goodwill of a large circle of friends. Six
children were born to their union: Arthur; Mary;
Theresa, who follows the profession of nursing; Mrs.
P. Mahon; Mrs. T. F. Morkin; and William Joseph,
of this review.
Dr. Nesbitt acquired his early education in the
public schools of his native city, after whieh he en
tered the medical department of the Western Uni
versity of London, Canada, from which he was grad
uated with the class of 1912. The following year he
took the arts course in the same university. Going to
Essex, in the province of Ontario, Canada, he there
opened an office, successfully practicing his profession
in that city from 1912 until 1918. He then beeame
a captain in the medical corps of the Canadian army,
remaining in the service until January, 1920. After
receiving his discharge he became a resident of De
troit and his practice is steadily growing in volume
and importance as he demonstrates his ability to cope
with the intricate problems which are continually con
fronting the physician in his efforts to restore health
and prolong life. In 1917 he attended the Chicago Post

652

CITY OF DETROIT

Graduate school and has ever remained a close and
earnest student of his profession, thereby greatly pro
moting his efficiency. He is a member of the staff
of the Provident Hospital and also of St. Mary's Hos
pital and thoroughly understands the scientific as well
as the practical phases of his profession.
In London, Canada, on the 15th of July, 1919, Dr.
Nesbitt was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Coles,
a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Coles, and they
have become the parents of two children: Sheila, who
was born in Detroit April 20, 1920; and William
James, born May 2, 1921. Dr. Nesbitt is a Catholic
in religious faith and holds membership with the
Knights of Columbus, in which he has attained the
third degree. That he is a loyal and public-spirited
citizen is indicated by his identificatiori with the De
troit Board of Commerce and his fraternal connec
tions are with the Wayne County, Miehigan State and
American Medical Associations. In order to secure his
medical education he was obliged to work his way
through college and is well deserving of the success
which has attended his labors. He is a young man
of enterprise and determination who is putting forth
earnest effort to promote his knowledge and augment
his skill and he is rapidly forging to the front in his
profession. WILLIAM S. CONANT, consulting engineer of De
troit, who has reached a place of high professional
standing, was born on January 17, 1868, in the city
which is still his home, and has come to be recog
nized as an authority in several fields of engineering
science. He received his education at St. Paul's
sehool, Concord, New Hampshire, at the Lawrence-
ville school, in New Jersey, and at Princeton Uni
versity, from which he was graduated with the Bach
elor of Arts degree in 1890. He afterwards took
the two years postgraduate course in electrical engi
neering. He began his business career in 1892, en
tering the employ of the Westinghouse Company in
Pittsburgh, with whom he continued until 1895. The
summer of the World's Fair was spent in Chicago as
one of the engineers in charge of lighting and power
at the exhibition.
Mr. Conant severed his connection with the West
inghouse Company to return to Detroit and form a
partnership with Jesse M. Smith, as consulting engi
neers in the Moffat block. In their office were designed
many of the mechanical plants of the factories which
have built up industrial Detroit. Mr. Smith after
wards went to New York city, where he became
prominent as a patent expert. Mr. Conant, however,
continued in the old office for some time and In con
nection with his profession turned his attention to
manufacturing interests, becoming one of the incorpo
rators of the Northern Engineering Works in 1899.
From that date until 1906 he was a director of this
company and from 1902 to 1911 was vice president

and one of the directors of the Briscoe Manufacturing
Company, the first makers in a large way of sheet
metal automobile components. He also became a di
rector and was secretary and manager of the McCreery
Engineering Company, of Toledo, from 1907 to 1913.
This was a highly specialized business involving the
conditioning and cooling of ventilation air for publie
buildings and passenger vessels, as well as the manu
facture of ventilating fittings specified for United
States battle ships and cruisers. A factory was built
in Detroit and the plant moved here, under Mr. Co
nant 's supervision. He is the coinventor of a method
of humidity control used by the McCreery system.
He has also been interested in the Boehme & Rauch
Company of Monroe, since its organization, being on
the board of directors. It has recently absorbed
other interests and. been reorganized into the Con
solidated Paper Company, of whieh he is a director.
In 1901 he acted as chief appraiser of telegrams and
railway telephones on the first board of Michigan
Railway Appraisal under Prof. M. E. Cooley. This
was the earliest undertaking of the kind in this
country and has formed the basis for subsequent work.
In his engineering practice he has also made factory
and machinery appraisals; superintended the instal
lation of railway and power plants; and designed in
dustrial plant extensions. He is recognized as an au
thority on factory cost systems and has specialized in
the making of tests and reports upon the practicality
of mechanical inventions and processes. There are
several United States patents in his name. More
over, Mr. Conant is widely known in scientific circles
by reason of his contributions to the literature of
the profession. He has written technical articles for
the Electrical World and the Electrical Review, also
for the Street Railway Journal and for American In
dustries, the official magazine of the Manufacturers
Association. Oil the 25th of June, 1917, Mr. Conant was com
missioned a captain of ordnance in the army and
was called to active service on the 1st of August,
being detailed to the United States armory at Spring
field, Massachusetts; a government plant which later
employed some five thousand men for the exclusive
manufacture of service rifles. On the 15th of January,
1918, he was promoted to the rank of major. He re
mained at Springfield all through the war and received
the additional appointment to duty with the North
Eastern Department as constructing officer in the
Construction Division, U. S. A. In this capacity there
were built, under his supervision and from plans pre
pared in his office, several permanent buildings for
the armory, chief of which is the experimental lab
oratory and underground sound-proof range for test
ing small arms and machine guns. The old power
and light equipment of the factories was also re
placed by steam-turbine driven electric machinery.
Major Conant was second in command at the army
post at the end of his service and was honorably

WILLIAM S. CONANT

CITY OF DETROIT

655

discharged March 1, 1919. He was recommissioned
in the Officers Reserve Corps on the 1st of April, 1919.
Mr. Conant comes of a family closely identified since
1810 with the development of the territory and the
state of Miehigan. He was married in 1901 to Miss
Frances Elizabeth Wendling of Washington, D. C. He
is a member of the Detroit Club, the Detroit Boat
Club, the Country Club, Sons of the American Revolu
tion, Loyal Legion, Military Order of the World's
War, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and
other technical societies.
GEORGE LOUIS WEBER. Among the well known
and highly respected residents of Detroit is numbered,
George L. Weber, who for sixty-four years has made
his home in this eity, with whose upbuilding and
development he has been closely associated. He is
president of the George L. Weber Realty Company,
displaying sound judgment in the conduct of his af
fairs and keen sagacity in placing investments, and
by reason of his enterprise and diligence he has won
a substantial measure of success. A native of Ger
many, he was born at Neustadt, Hesse, on the 16th
of June, 1850, his parents being Franz and Elizabeth
(Reichenbach) Weber, who were also natives of that
country and emigrated to 'the United States in 1853.
They first settled on a farm near Dearborn, Mich
igan, where they continued to make their home for
four years, and then came to Detroit, here passing
their remaining years, the father successfully engag
ing in the meat business for a considerable period.
Their family numbered four children: Henry C, who
passed away in 1915; Mrs. John B. Shefferly;
Mrs. Josephine Gaulker, who died November 3, 1921;
and George L.
In the pursuit of an education George L. Weber
attended the schools of Dearborn and the Christian
Brothers school of Detroit, but when twelve years of
age he laid aside his textbooks to enter business life,
learning the meat business under his father whom he
succeeded in that business when the father retired.
This market was at the corner of Gratiot avenue and
St. Antoine street and he continued to conduct it until
1886, establishing a large business. He was then
obliged to sell out on account of ill health and sub
sequently turned his attention to the crockery busi
ness, also building up a good trade in that line. In
1910 he disposed of his establishment and has since
given his time and attention to the management of
his extensive real estate investments, having an inti
mate knowledge of the worth of property in the city.
He is president of the George L. Weber Realty Com
pany and has negotiated many important property
transfers, being regarded as one of the successful real
estate men in Detroit.
On the 31st of July, 1877, Mr. Weber was united
in marriage to Miss Mary Thummel, a native of
Martinsburg, West Virginia, and a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Thummel. Mrs. Weber died October

2, 1921. Seven children were born to this union:
Frank A., a graduate of St. Joseph's College, is en
gaged in the real estate business with his father. He
is married and has one child, Ralph; Charles H. is a
graduate of St. Mary's sehool of this city, and is now
treasurer and manager of the George L. Weber Realty
Company; Alois G., also a graduate of that school,
married Miss Clara Huber and they have one child,
Francis. Mrs. Alois G. Weber died October 24, 1921;
Clara, also a graduate of St. Mary's school, is now
a Sister of Charity, connected with St. Vincent's con
vent; Raymond V., who attended the Detroit schools,
was married to Miss Florence McMillan of this city;
Elizabeth Josephine and Marie were educated in the
schools of the city and are at home with their parents.
Mr. Weber is the owner of a beautiful home on the
northwest comer of Cadillac avenue and St. Paul
street, in one of the most desirable residential sections
of the city. He is a democrat in his political views
and in religious faith is a Roman Catholic, being
identified with the Holy Name Society and the Knights
of Columbus. The force of his personality, the keen
ness of his insight and the soundness of his judgment
have brought him to a position of prominence in real
estate circles of Detroit and his efforts have con
stituted an important element in the development and
progress of the city, in which he has spent practically
his entire life.
ROBERT FINN is prominent among the younger
architects of Detroit and has erected a number of the
city's high class apartments and commercial build
ings, his activities thus constituting an important
factor in the work of general progress and develop
ment in this part of the state. He is a native of
Russia, his birth having occurred in Kiev on the
25th of December, 1883. His-^parents were Aaron and
Fanny (Rivlin) Finn, both of whom were born in
that city. He attended the governmental schools of
Russia, after which he entered the government uni
versity, winning one of the twenty scholarships open
to all members of the Semitic race in Russia, thus in
dicating his superior mental endowments, only the
twenty who so qualify receiving the benefit of a col
lege education. While a student at the university
Mr. Finn devoted his attention to the study of paint
ing and architecture, under the instruction of the most
noted teachers in Russia, his course covering a period
of eight years, so that he acquired an unusually thor
ough knowledge of both professions.
In 1904, when a young man of twenty-one years,
Mr. Finn sought the broader opportunities offered in
the United States to an ambitious, energetic young
man and made his way to Detroit, where he took up
the work of his profession. Entering' the office of
Albert Kahn, one of the most noted architects of the
country, he there remained for five years, gaining valu
able practical experience. In 1910 he won one of three
scholarships in a competitive examination open to all

656

CITY OF DETROIT

students of architecture in the country, given by the
American Society of Architecture to Harvard Uni
versity, thus entitling him to a two years' course in
architecture. Upon completing his studies he entered
the office of MeGinnis & Walsh, leading architects of
Boston, with whom he remained for two years and
then returned to Detroit in the latter part of 1914,
establishing an office in the Free Press building, where
he remained for one year and then removed to the
David Whitney building. He continued at that loca
tion for a period of three years and then opened an
offiee in the McKerchy building, where he has now
conducted his interests for the past two years. He
does not specialize in any particular branch of archi
tecture but the greater part of his work has been along
the line of apartment houses and dwellings and many
notable examples of his handiwork are to be seen in
various sections of the city. He combines beauty of
design with utility, comfort and convenience and his
thorough scientific training and natural ability have
enabled him to produce exceptionally high grade work.
He employs a small staff of assistants and is rapidly
forging to the front in his profession, having already
built up a good clientele.
In 1917 Mr. Finn was united in marriage to Miss
Sadie Kanterman, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and they
reside in an attractive home at No. 2002 Hazelwood
street. He is independent in his political, views, voting .
for the man whom he considers best qualified for office
without regard to party affiliations. He keeps in touch
with the advancement that is being made along archi
tectural lines through his membership in the American
and Michigan Societies of Architecture and fraternally
he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, with
Pisgah Lodge of the Order of B'nai B'rith, and with
the Perfection Lodge of the Masonic order. Mr. Finn
is a young man of energy, ability and enterprise who
has attained success through close application and
tireless effort. He has never regretted his determina
tion to leave his native land and seek his fortune in
a strange country, for here he has found the opportu
nities which he sought and in their utilization has
attained an enviable position among the leading
architects of Detroit.
WALTER F. TANT is the secretary and treasurer
of the Michigan Stamping Company, one of the largest
institutions of its kind in the entire country. His
thoroughness, his persistency of purpose and his ef
ficiency, have been the salient elements in gaining
him a prominence which he today occupies in manu
facturing circles of Detroit. He was born in this
eity, July 4, 1879, and is a son of Mark E. and Clara
(Miles) Tant, both of whom were natives of England,
but when quite young came to the new world, set
tling in Detroit.
At the usual time Walter F. Tant entered the publie
schools, mastering the work of the various grades, and
eventually becoming a high sehool pupil, while later

he attended the Detroit Business University. He
started out in the business world as an employe of
Wright, Kay & Company, jewelers, with whom he con
tinued until 1910, when he resigned to accept, a posi
tion with the Michigan Stamping Company, which at
that time was a modest but growing concern. In 1911
the business was incorporated under the present name
and Mr. Tant was elected secretary and treasurer. He
has continued in this connection and his efficiency,
thoroughness and progressiveness, have been potent
elements in attaining the success whieh has made this
institution one of the foremost of the kind in the
country. The plant now. employs seven hundred and
.fifty people. A new building was erected in 1917.
which covers six and a half acres of ground and is
equipped in a thoroughly modern way.
On the 15th of July, 1911, Mr. Tant was married
to Miss Alice Andrews of Detroit, and they have one
child, Alice Elizabeth, who was born in this city in
1913. Mr. Tant is a member of the Detroit Athletic
Club, the Rotary Club, the Lochmoor Country Club,
the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Michigan Manu
facturers Association, and the Episcopal church. His
connection with these varied organizations indicates
the nature and breadth of his interests and activities.
He is neglectful of no duty or obligation that de
volves upon the loyal American citizen, holds to those
high moral standings which church teachings inculcate,
and holds to the highest ethical standards of commer
cial life, his entire record being an illustration of the
fact that success and an honored name may be won
simultaneously. Mr. Tant's residence is at 970 Lake
Shore road, Grosse Pointe Shores.
HENRY F. KLOCK was one of the old-time cafe
men of Detroit. For many years he carried on busi
ness here and was well known to a large number of
the leading citizens and politicians of Michigan. A
native of the Empire state he was born in Syracuse,
May 7, 1837, his parents being Cohen and Marie
(Farrington) Klock, whose family numbered eleven
children. The father .devoted his life to the occupa
tion of farming.
The son attended the public schools of his native
state, but when a lad of only twelve years he began
to earn his living by working as mule driver on the
canal. He was ambitious, however, to improve his
education and he used his earnings to pay his way
through night school. He continued his work on the
Erie canal until the fall of 1868, when he came to
Michigan and secured a position as a lumberjack in
the pine forests near Saginaw. Thus he was employed
until 1873, when he established a cafe business at Sagi
naw, Michigan, there remaining for three years. In
1877 he removed to Detroit, where he opened a cafe
and continued in the business until 1911, when he re
tired. It is said that he ever conducted one of the
most orderly establishments of the city. He never
swore himself nor would he permit any one to do so

WALTER F. TANT

Vol. :v— 42

CITY OF DETROIT

659

in his place of business. His place became the head
quarters of many political leaders, especially the fol
lowers of Hazen S. Pingree, the latter being long num
bered among the warm friends of Mr. Klock, as well
as many other men in public life.
Mr. Klock was united in marriage August 11, 1876,
to Miss Sarah G. Gwynn, a daughter of Joseph Gwynn,
a native of Ireland, who crossed the Atlantic and
took up his abode in Canada, in which country the
birth of Mrs. Kloek occurred. By her marriage she
became the mother of a son, Benjamin F., born Au
gust 27, 1878, who is engaged in the brokerage busi
ness in Detroit.
Mr. Kloek always gave his political allegiance to the
republican party and did everything in his power to
further its growth and insure its success. He was
well known for many years as a lover of fine horses
and at one time was the owner of Tootsie D., a fast
pacer, and George H. Ray, a fine trotter. These horses
he sold to Terry McGovern, who afterward, with
George H. Ray, won the championship on the New
York eity speedway. Mr. Kloek was a member of
St. John?s Episcopal church, of which his wife and
son are also communicants. When he passed away on
the 4th of April, 1921, his remains were laid to rest
in Evergreen cemetery. For almost a half century
he had made his home in Detroit, where he was widely
known, his friends being many and embracing repre
sentatives of the young and the old, the rieh and the
poor. GEORGE R. KELLER, secretary of the Ockford
Printing Company, was born September 18, 1886, in
the city which is still his home, and is a son of Robert
and Sarah Grace (MeConville) Keller. After attend
ing the public schools of Detroit and the Detroit
Central high school George R. Keller entered busi
ness life as a salesman in the employ of the Robert
Keller Ink Company, of which his father was the
founder and is still the president. The son continued
in the business until 1909, when he become connected
with the Ockford Printing Company, engaged in rail
road and commercial printing. He was elected secre
tary of the company and still occupies this position.
They employ ninety experienced people and occupy
a fireproof building that was erected expressly for the
business. In adidtion to his- official connection with
this business George R. Keller is the secretary of the
Robert Keller Ink Company and secretary of the Ock
ford Land Company.
On the 23d of September, 1909, Mr. Keller was mar
ried to Miss Lillian Ockford, daughter of William T.
Ockford, the founder of the Ockford Printing Com
pany. He is now deceased. In the family of Mr. and
Mrs. Keller are two children: Dorothy Grace, who
was born December 25, 1911, in this city and is at
tending sehool; and Mary Virginia, born October 5,
1919. The religious faith of the family is that of the
Episcopal church. Mr. Keller is a member of Detroit

Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M., Miehigan Sovereign Con
sistory and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He
also belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce, De
troit Automobile Club, Detroit Athletic Club, Oakland
Hills Country Club, Detroit Masonic Country Club, De
troit Riding and Hunt Club, the Detroit Real Estate
Board, and the Typothetae Franklin Association of
Detroit, associations which indicate the nature of his
interests and also the line of his activity outside of
business. His offiee is at No. 608 Howard street, while
his residence is at No. 2080 Chicago boulevard.
JOHN H. SWIFT. The makers of Detroit history
are not alone the pioneers who laid the foundation
for her greatness nor the men who have shaped her
political development but also the men who have been
the promoters of her wonderful industrial growth and
progress. In this connection mention should be made
of John H. Swift, who is now the secretary of the
Morgan & Wright corporation. He was bom in Derby,
Connecticut, and was educated in the high sehool of
his native town while spending his youthful days in
the home of his parents, Robert Z. and Amarilla
(Chamberlin) Swift. When his school days were over
he took a position with the A. H. Andrews Company
of Chicago, manufacturers of bank and office fittings,
and was with that concern for six years. He then be
came connected with Morgan & Wright, accepting
an offiee position in 1896. Through the intervening
period he has been with this house and has been pro
moted through intermediate positions until in 1912
he was made assistant secretary and treasurer and in
1914 was elected to the secretaryship, in which office
he has continued. He is thus active in the manage
ment of one of the largest and most important pro
ductive industries of Detroit, his previous business
training and experience well qualifying him for the
responsibilities that now devolve upon him.
In 1911 Mr. Swift was married to Miss Elizabeth
Van Rensselaer Devendorf, daughter of Dr. Devendorf.
He belongs to the Board of Commerce of Detroit and is
also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution
through descent from Revolutionary soldiers on both
the paternal and maternal sides.
WILLIAM GEIST. In the passing of William Geist,
who died on the 27th of February, 1912, Detroit lost a
substantial citizen who had long been well known here
as one of the leading undertakers of the city. He was
bom in this city July 31, 1861, his parents being Mr.
and Mrs. Valentine Geist. The father, who was of
German birth, became one of the pioneers in the under
taking business in Detroit and successfully conducted
his establishment for many years. To him and his
wife were born seven children, which number included
William Geist, who in the public and high schools of
Detroit pursued his education and after his textbooks
were put aside learned the machinist's trade. He did
not believe this offered any great future, however, and

660

CITY OF DETROIT

when a young man twenty-four years of age he turned
his attention to the undertaking business, which had
long claimed the efforts of his father. William Geist
became the senior partner of the firm of Geist Brothers
and. remained at the head of the business until his
death, which occurred February 27, 1912. He kept
pace with the advancement continually being made
in the undertaking business and utilized the most im
proved and scientific methods in carrying on his work.
On the 10th of March, 1887, Mr. Geist was united
in marriage to Miss Catherine Breitmeyer, a daughter
of John Breitmeyer, a well known citizen, who was
extensively engaged in business as a florist of Detroit.
His establishment is still conducted under the firm
style of John Breitmeyer & Sons. Mr. and Mrs. Geist
beeame the parents of three children: Viola A., who
is the wife of David A. Scully; Arthur W., who is
engaged in the undertaking business in Detroit; and
Edgar J., who is conducting a brokerage business in
this city.
Mr. Geist was well known as an exemplary fol
lower of. Masonic teachings. He attained high rank
in the order, becoming a member of the Mystie Shrine.
He also belonged to the Benevolent Protective Order
of Elks and to the Turners and was a member of the
Concordia Society and the Harmonie Club. In pol
itics he was a stanch democrat, always giving his sup
port to the party and its principles, yet never seeking
nor desiring office as a reward for party fealty. His
life was spent in Detroit and that his career demanded
the respect and confidence of all who knew him was
indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends
were those who knew him from his boyhood until his
life's labors were ended.
HARRY A. SMITH. Starting out to learn the
moulder's trade after completing his high school edu
cation, Harry A. Smith has steadily worked his way
upward by reason of the thorough knowledge and
efficiency which he has gained in connection with his
chosen life work and is today president of the Smith
Matthews Foundry Company, engaged in the manu
facture of contractors' specialties. The business is
one of substantial proportions and back of its success
is the well trained efficiency, thorough knowledge and
progressive spirit of the man who is at the head. Mr.
Smith is a native son of Detroit. He was born June
12, 1879, his parents being Robert and Agnes (Aber-
nathy) Smith. The father was also born and reared
in this city, obtained his education in the Detroit
schools and was here united in marriage to Miss Agnes
Abemathy, a native of Dundee, Canada, who, how
ever, came to Detroit in early girlhood and pursued
her education here. The Smith family was founded
in Detroit at a very early period in its development
by Robert Smith, grandfather of Harry A. Smith,
who was one of the pioneer blacksmiths of the city
and spent his remaining days here. His son, Robert
Smith, Jr., after completing his education learned

the moulder's trade and became a trusted employe of
the Miehigan Stove Works, with which he remained
for a long period. He then entered the employ of
the Detroit Dry Dock Engine Works, whieh later be
came a part of the American Shipbuilding Company,
and acted in the capacity of moulder and foreman for
some time, while later he served as superintendent
with that corporation for thirty years or until he
became interested in business with his son, under the
name of the Smith Matthews Foundry Company. The
father was the president of the concern until his
death, whieh occurred in 1911. His widow survived
him for but a few years, passing away in 1916. Their
family numbered four children: Arthur T.; Edgar
Frank; Stella, the wife of Robert Campau; and Harry
A. All are residents of Detroit.
The last named pursued his education in successive
grades of the publie schools until he left the Central
high school to make his initial step in the business
world. He learned the moulder's trade under his
father 's supervision, and having gained thorough and
comprehensive knowledge of the work, he remained
an employe of the Detroit Shipbuilding Company for
twelve years, or until 1910, when he joined his father
ancl Edward H. Matthews in organizing the Smith
Matthews Foundry Company, to engage in the manu
facture of grey iron eastings and contractors' spe
cialties. His father remained president of the busi
ness until his death, when he was succeeded by Harry
A. Smith, who has since continued as president and
general manager. The company employs from forty to
fifty people throughout the year, in hard times as
well as in good, and the business has enjoyed a sub
stantial growth, being one of the reliable enterprises
of Detroit.
On the 24th of August, 1903, Mr. Smith was mar
ried to Miss Alma Huebner, a daughter of Gottleib
and Pauline Huebner, and they have become parents
of two children: Arthur Harry, who is now a pupil in
the Eastern high school; and Robert Alexander. The
religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal
ehureh and in political belief Mr. Smith is a republican.
He is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Ma
sons, belonging to Acacia Lodge, No. 447, F. & A. M.;
Palestine Chapter, No. 159, R. A. M.; Michigan Sov
ereign Consistory, thirty-second degree, and is a worthy
follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft.
His life has been that of a thoroughgoing business
man, free from spectacular phases, his persistency of
purpose and well defined plans constituting the basis
of his progress, and throughout his life he has steadily
moved forward toward his objective.
EDWARD H. MATTHEWS is the secretary-treasurer
and general manager of the Smith Matthews Foundry
Company. He was born in Detroit and the attrac
tiveness of the city as a place of residence and as
a favorable business location is indicated in the fact
that Mr. Matthews and many other of its enterprising

HARRY A. SMITH

EDWARD H. MATTHEWS

CITY OF DETROIT

663

citizens have remained within its borders, nor have
they felt that better advantages could be secured
elsewhere. In his boyhood he was a pupil in the
Irving school and Central high school and afterward
attended the Detroit College of Law, from which he
was graduated with the class of 1906. The same year
he was admitted to the bar but has never practiced.
His knowledge of law has been of great value to him
in other connections. He was credit man for A.
Harvey's Sons Manufacturing Company for some time
and thus received excellent business training, whieh
constituted an initial experience for his present line
of work. Eventually he organized the business in
which he is now engaged, under the name of the Smith
Matthews Foundry Company, of which he has been
secretary-treasurer and general manager since its in
corporation in June, 1910. The present company does
a great amount of work for builders, and eaters espe
cially to the Detroit trade, making it a point to
take care of the city trade in every possible way.
It manufactures grey iron castings and contractors'
specialties and they are the only people in Detroit
who make this line. The business has been thor
oughly organized and systematically conducted under
the direction of Mr. Matthews, whose thoroughness
and efficiency are manifest in every department of
the plant.
In 1906 Mr. Matthews was married to Miss Mary
Edith Walker of Walkerville, Ontario, and their chil
dren are: Esther Mary and Edward Walker Mat
thews. The religious faith of the family is that of
the Episcopal church. Mr. Matthews is a member of
the Board of Commerce, of the Builders & Traders
Exchange, and of the Detroit Credit Men's Associa
tion. He is enterprising, progressive and determined
and is classed with the aetive business men whose
records will bear close investigation and scrutiny,
and whose success is the legitimate outcome of well
directed energy and progressivness, at all times guided
by sound judgment.
ALPHONSUS JOSEPH BOUSHY is the vice pres
ident of the Ockford Printing Company, with which
he has been identified for more than a quarter of a
century. A native son of Detroit, he was born
on the 7th of March, 1875, his parents being Alphonsus
and Malvina (Morrand) Boushy, both of whom were
natives of Quebec. He obtained his education in the
publie schools of Detroit and also attended St. Ann's
parochial school. Leaving school he started out as
an employe of the Calvert Lithographing Company of
Detroit and in October, 1893, became connected with
the Ockford Printing Company in a minor capacity.
He worked his way up through the various depart
ments of the printing business and on the 9th of
June, 1909, was made vice president of the company,
which official connection he has since maintained. The
Ockford Printing Company occupies a fireproof build
ing which was erected especially for its extensive busi

ness. The firm does railroad printing and commercial
work of the highest character, while the plant is one
of the most modern to be found anywhere. Mr. Boushy
is also the vice president of the Ockford Land Com
pany. On the 18th of December, 1907, in Detroit, Mr.
Boushy was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Oekford,
daughter of Enos and ,Margaret Ann Ockford of this
city. Mr. and Mrs. Boushy reside at No. 1406 Chicago
boulevard. In his political views Mr. Boushy is a republican.
He belongs to the Oakland Hills Country Club, the
Detroit Automobile Club, the Detroit Board of Com
merce and the Typothetae Franklin Association.
JOHN C. FROST. Few men attain to positions of
leadership, the great majority being followers. In hu
man achievement, however, it is the leader who makes
for progress, who organizes and marshals forces to
success. To this class belongs John C. Frost, who
wields a wide influence in business circles of Detroit,
being now president of the Michigan Elevated Rail
way Company. He possesses initiative, combined with
marked executive ability, and to him opportunity has
spelled success. He was born at Owen Sound, Ontario,
Canada, where he acquired his education, and follow
ing his graduation from high school he entered the
business world as an employe of T. Woodbridge &
Company. Later he took up the paint business, of
which he gained a thorough knowledge, becoming one
of the best known men in that line of activity in the
United States. He was reputed to be the best paint
salesman in the country and became the inventor of
Frost's flexible mixed paint and fadeless green paint.
He established himself in the paint business and subse
quently the Detroit White Lead Works offered him a
royalty on his inventions, which he accepted, and the
business was taken over by that corporation. He was
getting the greater part of the mixed paint business
in the United States when The Sherwin-Williams Com
pany bought out the Detroit White Lead Works and
terminated his contract. He then became a salesman
and was identified with that line of work for five
years, or until 1911. Mr. Frost is the author of a
book called Modern Paint Science. He devoted much
thought and study to this subject, whieh he thor
oughly mastered, and became recognized as an author
ity on paint throughout the United States. In 1915
he was induced to take up' the monorail business, to
which he has since devoted his entire time and atten
tion. This system is highly recommended by leading
engineers of America as the best solution of the
transportation problem for the metropolitan centers of
the country. Mr. Frost organized the Michigan Ele
vated Railway Company, of which he is president and
general manager, and is now actively engaged in
negotiations to place the monorail system in Detroit
and other large cities. The monorail is now known as
the Detroit Elevated System and the Michigan Ele-

664

CITY OF DETROIT

vated Railway Company owns the exclusive rights
under letters patent for the entire United States. It
is predicted that this system will prove the logical
solution of the traffic congestion not only of the large
cities but will eventually revolutionize long distance
travel. He possesses the foresight, the self-reliance
and the business sagacity necessary to carry on large
enterprises and is characterized by his ability to think
in large terms and to carry forward his plans to suc
cessful completion. He has ever based his activity in
business affairs upon strict integrity and close appli
cation and his name has become a synonym for enter
prise and progressiveness in commercial circles of
Detroit. Mr. Frost was united in marriage to Miss Grace
Josephine Furlong and they have become the parents
of two children, John Crawford, Jr., and Edna Olive.
He is an aetive and earnest member of the Board of
Commerce, whose plans and projects for the develop
ment of the trade interests of the eity receive his
hearty support, and in religious faith he is an Epis
copalian. He is connected with the Detroit Athletic,
Ingleside and Oakland Hills Country Clubs and. fra
ternally is identified with the Masons, belonging to
Michigan Sovereign Consistory. A constructive policy
has been followed by Mr. Frost throughout his busi
ness career. In every sphere of life in which he has
acted he has left an indelible impress through his
strong mentality, his ability and his tireless energy,
whieh never falls short of the attainment of its pur
pose. He has pushed forward the wheels of progress
in Detroit and his contribution to the world's work
has been most valuable.
J. LEE GILLESPIE, secretary and treasurer of the
American Seed Company of Detroit, is a native Vir
ginian, born September 8, 1861, at Lick Run, Bote
tourt county, and was reared and educated in the
south. He is a representative of one of the old
families of that state and his parents, William and
Mary Magdalene (Nicely) Gillespie, were also natives
of Virginia. It was in the year 1881 that J. Lee
Gillespie arrived in Detroit, where he entered the
employ of the D. M. Ferry Company, with which he
remained for twenty years, thoroughly acquainting
himself with every phase and detail of the seed busi
ness. In fact he is today prominently known as a
seedsman and is one who has done much to develop
the trade in this section of the country. On severing
his connection with the Ferry Company in 1901 he
established a seed business on his own account in a
modest way and was later joined by others, so that
in 1903 he organized and incorporated the American
Seed Company, of whieh he is the secretary and
treasurer. Their present modern business block, corner
of Fort and Twenty-first street, was completed in
in 1915. Their trade covers all of the United States
east of the Mississippi river and they have sixteen
thousand customers on their books, besides handling

their own retail stores in this territory. The busi
ness has grown steadily until it is now one of exten
sive proportions and the success of the undertaking
is attributable in large measure to the efforts, ability
and experience of the founder and promoter, Mr.
Gillespie. In 1886 Mr. Gillespie was united in marriage to
Miss Elizabeth McKay of Hamilton, Ontario, and they
have two children: Orrin W.; and Eileen E., who is
now the wife of Waldo Emerson Fellows of Detroit.
Orrin W. Gillespie married Vera Van Wagener and
they have one daughter, Yvonne. Mr. Gillespie has a
summer home at Lake Orion as well as a most attrac
tive residence in Detroit. He is a member of Zion
Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., and also of Monroe
Chapter, R. A. M., having been identified with the
Masonic fraternity for thirty years as one of its
exemplary representatives. He is also a member of
the Exchange Club and of the Board of Commeerce
and throughout the period of his residence in Detroit
he has been an active supporter of those measures
which have looked to the upbuilding of the city, the
extension of its trade relations, the development of
its cultural interests and the progress of all those
things which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic
pride. He has never sought to figure prominently in
publie affairs, however, but has concentrated his ef
forts and given his attention to his business interests
and his home.
FLOYD EUGENE BOWEN, president and treasurer
of the Bowen-Hassett Company, merchandise brokers
of Detroit, was born in Liverpool, New York, Jan
uary 10, 1854, his parents being George W. and Ma
rietta (Vroman) Bowen, who were also natives of
Liverpool, and on leaving New York in 1865, became
residents of Michigan, settling at Grass Lake, where
the father engaged in manufacturing. He has de
parted this life, as has also the mother, who passed
away in January, 1921.
Floyd E. Bowen pursued his education in the public
schools of Fayetteville, New York, and of Grass Lake,
Michigan, to the year 1871, and afterwards spent a
year as a student in the State University of Michigan,
and also attended the Bryant & Stratton Commercial
College of Detroit. When a young man of twenty-
four years he went to Omaha, Nebraska, where from
1878 to 1882 he was employed as bookkeeper by the
firm of Max Meyer & Brother. He next became book
keeper for the Pacific Express Company in the audi
tor's office and served in that capacity from 1882
until 1884. In the latter year he went on the road
as a traveling salesman, representing wholesale houses
of Omaha and St. Joseph, Missouri, until 1887. His
identification with the merchandise brokerage business
dates from the latter year, in which he started out
in that line in Omaha. In 1890 he removed to Detroit
and has since conducted a merchandise brokerage busi
ness in this city. From 1890 until 1895 he was sales

J. LEE GILLESPIE

CITY OF DETROIT

667

manager of the merchandise brokerage house, and in
1895 he established the firm of Floyd E. Bowen &
Company, merchandise brokers, continuing the busi
ness successfully under that name until 1916, when
the Bowen-Hassett Company was incorporated, of
which he has since been the president. This is today
one of the most successful grocery brokerage houses
in the state. The business has reached substantial
proportions, the prosperity of the house resting upon
the close application, sound judgment and progressive
methods of Mr. Bowen, whose business experience has
always been along mercantile lines.
On the 25th of December, 1886, Mr. Bowen was mar
ried to Miss Julia M. Browning of Lincoln, Nebraska,
a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Woodville W. Browning
of that city. They have become parents of two sons:
Francis Browning, born in Detroit March 26, 1906, and
now attending the North high school; and Edward
Woodville, born in Detroit, October 1, 1911.
Mr. Bowen is a Master Mason and a worthy fol
lower of the teachings of the craft. He also belongs
to the Detroit Automobile Club and to the Detroit
Board of Commerce, and is interested in all that has
to do with the progress and upbuilding of the city.
His cooperation can be counted upon to further any
measure for the general good, and at all times he is
regarded as a public-spirited citizen. His residence is
at No. 1534 Edison avenue.
J. ALFRED GROW. One of the most alert, ener
getic and successful insurance men in the state of
Miehigan is J. Alfred Grow, who since December, 1914,
has been manager of insurance for the firm of Homer
Warren & Company of Detroit. He is a native of this
city and a representative of a family that has long
been established in America. His parents were Julius
A. and Mary (Hobart) Grow, the former a son of
Philip Grow, who was a native of Michigan. The
father was also born in this state and for many years
engaged in the insurance business in Detroit, occupying
a prominent position in commercial circles of the city.
J. Alfred Grow, who represents the third generation
of the family in the state, attended the graded schools
and the Central high sehool of Detroit and following
his graduation in 1908 entered the Detroit College of
Law. Before finishing his high sehool education he
had engaged in the insurance business and has con
tinued in this work, the Michigan Fire & Marine In
surance Company being his first representation. He
was established in business in the Dime Savings Bank
building for several years and successfully conducted
his interests until December, 1914, when he became
manager of insurance for the firm of Homer Warren
& Company, which position he has since held. His
long connection with insurance interests has made him
thoroughly familiar with every detail of the business
and his capable management of this department has
secured for the company a substantial increase in the
volume of business transacted.

On the 18th of August, 1909, Mr. Grow was united
in marriage to Miss Bessie M. Noyes and they have
become the parents of three sons: Robert, Richard,
and J. Alfred, Jr. Mr. Grow is a member of the
Delta Theta Phi, a college fraternity, and he also is
connected with the Detroit Athletic Club and the
Bloomfield Hills Country Club. He ranks with the
leading insurance men in the state and his present
success is largely attributable to the fact that he has
never dissipated his energies over a broad field but
has concentrated his attention upon the line of activity
which he first took up as a young man, thereby ac
quiring a comprehensive knowledge of the subject.
Opportunity has ever been to him a call to action
and he ranks with the progressive and successful busi
ness men of the city where his life has been passed.
HARRY CLEVELAND RYAN, general manager and
secretary of the Detroit Furnace & Stove Repair Com
pany at the time of his death on the 19th of Feb
ruary, 1921, had made, for himself an enviable posi
tion in the business circles of Detroit. He started out
to provide for his own support when a youth in his
teens and from that time steadily worked his way
upward, reaching a most creditable position in the
commercial circles of the city. He was a native son
of Detroit, his birth having occurred on the 9th
of August, 1885, his parents being John F. and Mar
garet (Fitzgibbons) Ryan, in whose family there were
three children, a sister, Mrs. James Dwyer living in
Detroit, while the brother, John F. Ryan, resides in
New York. The father has passed away, but the
mother survives and still makes her home in this city.
The father was a well known railroad man.
Harry C. Ryan spent his life in Detroit. He pur
sued his education in the schools of this city, com
pleting his studies by a course in the University of
Detroit, and thus well qualifying for life's practical
and responsible duties. At the age of sixteen years
he initiated his business career by entering the em
ploy of the Peninsular Stove Company and his faith
fulness and capability are indicated in the fact that
he remained with that concern for about thirteen
years. He had worked his way steadily upward
until he had become advertising manager for the con
cern and seven years prior to his demise he engaged
in business on his own account, by becoming general
manager and secretary of the Detroit Furnace & Stove
Repair Company. Under his guidance the business
steadily developed until it became one of extensive
and gratifying proportions and today stands as a
monument to his enterprise, keen sagacity and sound
business judgment.
On the 19th of October, 1909, Mr. Ryan was united
in marriage to Miss Mary V. Thompson, a daughter of
the Hon. William B. Thompson, a very prominent and
influential citizen of Detroit, who at one time served
as mayor. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan became the parents of
three interesting daughters: Rosemary Virginia; Helen

668

CITY OF DETROIT

Margaret; and Nancy, all of whom, with the mother,
survive the husband and father. Death came to Mr.
Ryan suddenly after an illness of but two days and
his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread
regret, for he had won many friends in the city in
which his life had been passed. He was a devout
member of the Catholic church and also belonged to
the Knights of Columbus. His funeral services were
conducted in the Jesuit chureh of St. Peter and
St. Paul, of which he was a member. In his political
views Mr. Ryan was a stanch democrat and never
withheld his support from any project or measure that
he believed would benefit the eity, promote its growth
and advance its civic standards.
HERBERT STANLEY KARR, M. D., one of De
troit's best known physicians and surgeons, was born
at Cass City, Michigan, on the 4th of August, 1882,
his parents being Luther and Sarah (Treadgold) Karr,
natives of Canada, who came to Michigan in early
life. The father was reared on a homestead in the
timber district of this state and later turned his
attention to general agricultural pursuits, to which
he devoted his active business life. At the present
time he is living retired at Highland Park, Michi
gan, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his
former toil. Mr. and Mrs. Luther Karr are the parents
of three children: Mrs. Ethel Baetz, who is a resi
dent of Newberry, Michigan; Mrs. Nina Reynolds
living at El Paso, Texas; and Herbert S., of this review.
The last named attended the publie and high schools
of his native city until 1901 and then went west
to Saco, Montana, where he worked on a ranch during
college vacation periods for two years. On the ex
piration of that period he returned to Michigan and
entered the Detroit College of Medieine, from whieh
he was graduated with the degree of M. D. as a
member of the class of 1908. Following the comple
tion of his course he went to Houghton, Michigan, in
the copper country, where he was appointed assistant
surgeon for the Winona Mining Company, continuing
as the company doctor for a period of two years. He
then resigned his position and through the succeeding
four years was successfully engaged in practice at
Akron, Michigan. In 1914 he came to Detroit, spent
two years in the surgical department of Harper hos
pital and in 1916 began the private practice of medi
cine and surgery in this city, in which connection he
has since gained a well earned reputation and merited
distinction. He was appointed a member of the city
board of health but resigned on account of the heavy
demands of his practice. However, he acts as exam
ining physician for the Western Electric Company
of Chicago, is associate surgeon of the Children's Free
hospital here and is serving as assistant gynecol
ogist and obstetrician on the staff of Harper hospital
of Detroit. As a member of the Wayne County Medi
cal Society, the Michigan State Medical Society and

the American Medical Association he keeps in close
touch with the advanced thought of the profession.
On the 11th of June, 1908, in Detroit, Dr. Karr was
joined in wedlock to Miss Mary L. John, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. John. They have become parents
of two children: Raymond Eugene, who was born at
Winona, Michigan, June 7, 1909, and is now attending
school in Detroit; and Lucille, whose birth occurred
November 14, 1917, in Detroit.
In his political views Dr. Karr is a stanch repub
lican, while fraternally he is identified with the
Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
His life in every relation has been actuated by lofty
principles and he has become widely recognized as
one of Detroit's leading medical practitioners as well
as most highly esteemed citizens. His office is at No.
312 McKerchey building.
DONALD THOMSON, whose untimely death oc
curred on December 23, 1916, had attained an enviable
position in business circles of Detroit, where for sev
eral years he was successfully engaged as a realtor.
Previous to this he had achieved prominence as a
railway official and at the time of his death was
president of the village of Highland Park. Mr. Thom
son was a native of Argyleshire, in the highlands of
Scotland, born on the 27th of March, 1869. His par
ents were Stewart and Margaret (McQuilkan) Thom
son, who had a family of five sons and three daughters.
Stewart Thomson was a farmer and stock raiser and
died in Scotland when Donald was a small child. In
1882 the widowed mother and her family of children
emigrated to Canada and purchased a farm at Ridge-
town, Kent county, Ontario.
Donald Thomson was reared to the hard work of the
farm and received his early education in the publie
schools. He was graduated from the Ridgetown Col
legiate Institute and the Chatham Normal school and
for several years taught school in Chatham, Ontario.
In 1892 he came to Detroit to attend the Detroit
Business University, graduating in stenography in the
fall of that year. He at once entered the employ of
the Wagner Palace Car Company at Detroit and rose
through the ranks until he beeame cashier, in which
capacity he was serving when that company was
absorbed by the Pullman Company in 1899. He was
then appointed assistant district superintendent of the
Pullman Company at Detroit and served as such
until 1907, when he was transferred to Chicago in
the same capacity. Previously, and during his service
with the Pullman Company, Mr. Thomson had de
voted his spare time to engineering studies and re
ceived a diploma as mining engineer in 1907. In June
of that year he left the service of the Pullman Com
pany to accept the position of superintendent of the
Joliet quarry of the Michigan Central Railroad Com
pany, which position he held until June, 1909, when
he was transferred to Detroit as chief clerk to the
chief engineer of the Michigan Central Railroad Com-

DR. HERBERT S. KARR

CITY OF DETROIT

671

pany and a few months later he was appointed gen
eral superintendent of quarries for that company, serv
ing until 1914, when he resigned to enter the real
estate business on his own account, in which he con
tinued until his death. He organized the Greater De
troit Realty Company, of whieh he became president,
and was also interested in other land companies and
business enterprises.
Mr. Thomson was married on the 8th of February,
1892, to Miss Katherine Ferguson, a daughter of Dun
can Ferguson of Aldborough Plains, Ontario. They
became parents of one daughter, Lillian M., who was
graduated from the University of Michigan in 1914
and became associated with her father in his real
estate business. For a period she was vice president
of the Greater Detroit Realty Company but resigned
that office to engage in real estate business independ
ently and now maintains a real estate offiee in High
land Park, although she is still a director in the
Greater Detroit Realty Company. She resides with
her mother at 78 Elmhurst avenue, Highland Park,
which has been the family home since 1909. Mr.
Thomson was a member of the Highland Park Lodge,
F. & A. M., and his religious faith was that of the
Presbyterian church, being a member of the Highland
Park Presbyterian chureh, to whieh his family belongs.
His political endorsement was given to the democratic
party. In March, 1913, he was elected president of the
village of Highland Park for a one-year term. He was
reelected in 1914 and again in 1916 for two-year terms.
During his term of offiee Highland Park advanced ma
terially in a commercial way. The water works sys
tem was built and put into operation, the sewer sys
tem was planned and constructed and the construction
department was organized for the purpose of the mu
nicipality performing a large part of public construc
tion work, whieh resulted in an immense saving to
the taxpayers of Highland Park. Mr. Thomson's ad
ministration of his office gave general satisfaction to
his constituents and his death brought to the lips of
more than one local resident the words: "Highland
Park has lost a good official and a good man." High
and honorable principles guided his life in every re
lation and made his death the occasion of deep regret
to a large circle of friends, who knew him as a man
of many sterling qualities and one worthy the high
respect and confidence always tendered him.
FRED A. SCHNEIDER. At 616 Woodward avenue
is established the finely equipped haberdashery of
Boosey & Schneider, and the firm, of which Fred A.
Schneider is the junior member, controls a substantial
and representative trade, the success of the business
being based upon effective service and the correct
methods that invariably engender popular confidence
and support.
Fred A. Schneider is a native of Wayne county,
Michigan, as he was born in Springwells, on the 15th
of March, 1889, and it is a matter of satisfaction to

ham that in his native county and its fine state metrop
olis he has found opportunity for successful business
enterprise. His early education was obtained mainly
in the parochial schools of Detroit and the Western
high school of this city, besides which he was grad
uated in a local business college. For two years there
after he was associated with his father in the brick
business, and during the ensuing eight years he was
a popular salesman in the store of Charles P. Noble,
engaged in the men's furnishing goods business in
Detroit. Upon severing this connection Mr. Schneider
became junior member of the firm of Boosey & Schnei
der, and their personal popularity has added materially
to the unequivocal success of their business. The
haberdashery of this progressive firm is one of the
most attractive establishments of its kind in Detroit,
with the most select lines of men's furnishing goods,
including hats and caps, and with a general service
that makes appeal to the best trade. The partner
ship was formed March 15, 1914, and there has been a
consecutive expansion in the scope of the enterprise.
Mr. Schneider is independent in politics, is a com
municant of the Catholic church, and is a member of
the Dix Avenue Improvement Association and the
Birch Hill Country Club. His wife, whose maiden
name was Muriel V. Lindsay, was born and reared in
Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Mr. Schneider is a son of Joseph N. and Susan
(Roulo) Schneider. The father maintains his home in
Detroit. The mother has passed away. The father
was in earlier years a successful farmer in Greenfield
township, Wayne county, and after leaving the farm
he was for some time engaged in the feed and grain
business. He then turned his attention to the brick
business, with whieh he continued his aetive associa
tion until 1916, when he sold out. Since that time he
has lived virtually retired, and he is one of the well
known and highly esteemed citizens of Wayne county,
even as he is a representative of a sterling pioneer
family of Michigan.
CLARENCE W. TREADWELL, engaged in the real
estate business, is numbered among those who have
crossed the Canadian border to enjoy the business
opportunities offered in this rapidly growing eity.
He was born in Aylmer, Ontario, April 20, 18,92, and
is a son of Arthur and Elberta (Barr) Treadwell, who
have always lived in Ontario, making their home in
Aylmer, where the father is engaged in the live
stock industry.
Clarence W. Treadwell, their only child, spent his
youth as a publie sehool pupil in his native town and
as a student in the Aylmer Collegiate Institute, after
which he entered upon a clerkship in the old Traders
Bank at Aylmer, there continuing for two years and
eight months. He afterward held a clerical position
in the Imperial Bank at Edmonton, Alberta, and there
remained until 1913, when he came to Detroit and se
cured a position in the real estate office of Perry Mor-

672

CITY OF DETROIT

tenson Company in the Dime Bank building. Subse
quently he was with the R. H. Taylor Real Estate
Company for three years and in 1916 opened an office
on his own account to handle property. He has done
much to develop suburban property and has put upon
the market a number of subdivisions, including such
well known sections of the city as West End Manor,
Ford Manor, Ford Manor, No. 1, Ford City Heights,
Misner West Park, West Park, No. 1, Eureka Manor
and Eureka Highlands, of all of which he has been sell
ing agent, and St. John's Boulevard subdivision and
St. John's Boulevard, No. 1, which he owns individu
ally. Through the development of these properties
he has done much to further the growth and improve
ment of the eity.
On the 1st of January, 1914, Mr. Treadwell was mar
ried to Miss Evelyn Clarke of Aylmer, Ontario, and
they have three children: Clarke W., who was born in
Detroit in December, 1914; Marjorie, born in 1916; and
Donald H., born in March, 1918. Mr. Treadwell is a
thirty-second degree Mason and member of the Mystic
Shrine and he also belongs to the Masonic Country
Club. He has never regretted his determination to
become a factor in the business circles of Detroit, for
along the line of steady progression he has advanced
and is now conducting a representative real estate busi
ness. Mr. Treadwell resides at 5411 Lawton avenue.
ALFRED RICE, who has become widely known, in
business circles in Michigan through his identification
with the development of the market for investment
securities, is now acting as sales manager for the
First National Company of Detroit, in which connec
tion he is doing most effective work, his services
proving very valuable to the corporation which he
represents. He was born in Woodstock, April 5,
1869, in the province of Ontario, Canada, a son of
John and Mary (Lund) Rice, both of whom were of
English descent. His literary education was acquired
in the schools of Toronto, after whieh he entered the
University of Michigan, where he pursued a law
course, being graduated with the class of 1896, at
which time the degree of LL. B. was conferred upon
him. In the same year he was admitted to practice
in all of the courts of Michigan and for a short time
followed his profession. In 1908 he entered the in
vestment business in connection with the First &
Old National Bank of Detroit, becoming salesman
for the First National Company, whieh is the invest
ment corporation of the bank, and subsequently he
became the Michigan representative for large banking
institutions of Chicago, acting as state manager for
Halsey-Stuart & Company, investment bankers, from
1915 until 1920. On the 15th of December of the latter
year he was made sales manager for the First Na
tional Company, which engages in municipal and cor
porate financing. He has devoted the greater part of
his active business life to financial interests and few
men are better informed concerning the value of in
vestments in various lines. He is thoroughly fa

miliar with every branch of the business and is pro
moting the success of the company by systematic and
progressive work, whieh has resulted in a large in
crease in the volume of sales. He displays marked
efficiency in management, together with initiative, and
his enterprise is fruitful of gratifying results.
Mr. Rice was united in marriage to Miss Bertha C.
Marker of Wayne, Michigan, and they have become
the parents of four children: Margaret, John Fred
erick, Robert Alfred and Jean. In his political views
Mr. Rice is a republican and for three years he has
served as president of the board of education of
Wayne, Miehigan, being a strong advocate of the
cause of education. His religious faith is indicated
by his membership in the Congregational chureh, and
fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belong
ing to Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M., while through his
connection with the Birch Hill and Washtenaw Coun
try Clubs he obtains needed rest and recreation from
the arduous cares of business. His business career
has been marked by steady progress, resulting from
close application and the complete mastery of the
duties of each position which he has held. His prom
inently marked characteristics are those whieh make
for personal popularity, while in business circles he
manifests the forcefulness, keen discrimination and
ready understanding of involved interests which make
him one of the chief factors in the promotion of the
financial interests of Detroit.
WILLIAM WARD DUCKETT is the secretary and
treasurer and active head of the firm of John V.
Sheehan & Company, booksellers and stationers, also
handling toys and art goods. They have the most com
plete establishment and transact the largest business
of this kind in the state of Michigan and in fact
theirs is one of the best known stores of this char
acter in the entire country. Back of the success of the
enterprise is the diligent determination and definite
purpose of Mr. Duckett and his associate officers, Mr.
Duckett being recognized as one of the most progres
sive merchants of the city. A native of Michigan,
he was born in Republic, April 8, 1888, and is a son
of Dr. Alfred and Eddie (Miller) Duckett. He has
two brothers, Alfred Clayton and John Hardin Duckett.
The family removed to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1895.
The father, however, passed away in the year 1892.
Mrs. Duckett afterward became the wife of John V.
Sheehan. William Ward Duckett, whose name introduces this
review, attended the parochial schools of Ann Arbor
and afterward became a student in Notre Dame Uni
versity of Indiana. When his education was completed
he went to northern Idaho, where he remained for
five years with the Federal Mining & Smelting Com
pany, which he represented in a clerical capacity. He
was constantly brought into contact with dominant
figures in the business world and acquired broad and
valuable experience through this association. He after-

ALFRED RICE

Vol. IV— 43

CITY OF DETROIT

675

ward returned to the middle west and beeame iden
tified with the business of which he is. now the head.
The parent establishment of John V. Sheehan & Com
pany was started in Ann Arbor forty-six years ago
and Mr. Sheehan there carried on business until 1895,
when he removed his store to Detroit. He later in
duced Mr. Duckett, his stepson, to leave the Federal
Mining & Smelting Company and join him in Detroit,
where he placed him in charge of the toy department.
At Mr. Sheehan 's death on the 20th of April, 1916,
Mr. Duckett took entire charge of the business, which
has since enjoyed marked growth and prosperity, the
trade nearly doubling under his management. Mr.
Duckett has always maintained the highest standards
in his treatment of employes and of patrons. He en
joys the confidence of both. He has a most attractive
store, carrying a very extensive line of books and
stationery, including all of the leading fiction, edu
cational treatises and scientific work. Every depart
ment of the business receives his personal attention
and supervision and profits by his sound judgment and
enterprising methods. The store has a floor space of
over fifteen thousand square feet, which is an enor
mous area for business of this kind, utilizing four
floors and the basement of the building occupied.
Thirty-five people are employed in various capacities
and adequate service, and courtesy are featured by the
company and have constituted factors in their grow
ing success. The business enjoys the patronage of the
people who are constantly seeking the best in litera
ture and there is also a large trade in toys and art
goods, so that the store ranks first among the estab
lishments of this character in the state.
Mr. Duckett was united in marriage to Miss Jose
phine La Barre Vhay, on the 20th of May, 1920, and
they have become parents of a little daughter, Del
phine DuBois. In religious faith Mr. Duckett is a
Roman Catholic. Politically he is a republican, but
has never been an aspirant for office. He belongs to
the Detroit Boat Club and also to the Detroit Board
of Commerce and is interested in all of the definite
plans and purposes of that organization for the city's
upbuilding and improvement. While conducting his
business in Detroit he makes his home in Birmingham,
greatly enjoying the suburban life.
COLONEL LOU BURT. The name of Colonel Lou
Burt is closely associated with the history of Detroit
as that of one of the representative business men of
the eity and as a publie official who for many years
most loyally served in the office of county auditor.
His constantly developing powers made for capability
of a high order and his faithfulness to every trust
committed to his care was one of his marked charac
teristics. Colonel Burt was born in the state of Ohio
on the 18th of April, 1852, and his life record cov
ered the intervening years to the 28th of December,
1911, when he passed away at the age of fifty-nine
years. He was one of a family of four children

whose parents were Merritt and Cynthia (Broekway)
Burt. The father was a well known and prominent
railroad official who was born in Pennsylvania and in
young manhood learned the trade of watchmaking. He
developed high efficiency along that line and was the
inventor of the escapement movement of the . Elgin
watch. Throughout his life he displayed marked, .in
ventive skill and ingenuity and became the inventor
of the auto marine engine, which was later 'known as
the Ferro engine, and the patent thereto was sold by
Colonel Burt to a Cleveland syndicate. Merritt Burt
turned his attention to railway interests and rose to
prominence in that connection.
Colonel Burt, spending his youthful days under the
parental roof, pursued his early education in the public
schools of Ohio, passed through consecutive grades
to the high sehool and later became a student
in Oberlin College, under James A. Garfield, afterward
president of the United States. In young manhood
Colonel Burt turned his attention to the jewelry busi
ness in Cleveland, Ohio, and developed a trade of sub
stantial proportions, continuing to conduct his store in
that city until 1883, when he removed to Detroit. Here
he established a wholesale jewelry house and as the
years passed his business became one of the largest
of the kind in the eity. He made a thorough study of
every phase of the jewelry trade and his reliability
and earnest desire to please brought to him a patron
age that was most substantial and gratifying. At
length, however, he put aside business cares, for he
was prevailed upon by the republican party to accept
the nomination for the offiee of county auditor of
Wayne county. He was elected to the position and
reelection continued him in the offiee for fourteen
consecutive years, his record at all times being a
most creditable one. On the expiration of that period,
because of impaired health, he retired from the office
and was unable to rally his vital forces to meet the
onslaughts of disease.
It was on the 21st of May, 1873, that Colonel Bm-t
was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ingersoll, the
accomplished daughter of Edwin P. Ingersoll. They
became the parents of two children: Elizabeth C, who
was born in 1880, and died September 26, 1918; and
Lou, Jr., who was born in 1889 and was united in
marriage to Miss Josephine Sparling, daughter of
Joseph Sparling. They have one child.
A most interesting chapter in the life history of
Colonel Burt covered his experience as a soldier of
the Civil war. He enlisted when but thirteen years
of age. At a time when most boys are interested in
marbles or a ball game he ran away from home, made
his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, and joined the Union army
as a drummer boy. However, his hope of serving at
the front was frustrated by parental authority, for,
owing to his youth, his father obliged him to return
home. The same spirit of loyalty to country char
acterized Colonel Burt throughout his life. His aid
and support could ever be counted upon to further

676

CITY OF DETROIT

any measure for the general good and he stanehly ad
vocated all those forces and projects which were a
matter of civic virtue and civic pride. Fraternally
Colonel Burt was a Mason who belonged to Union
Lodge and attained the thirty-second degree of the
Scottish Rite in the Consistory. He likewise crossed
the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine and he became a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks. He belonged to numerous clubs and
social organizations and at one time served as presi
dent of the Rushmere Club, which he assisted in or
ganizing. Political questions and issues were at all
times familiar to him, for he believed it was the duty
of every individual thoroughly to inform himself con
cerning the vital political problems before the country
and he gave stanch support to the republican party.
-He took the keenest interest in marine sports and
pleasures, spent much time on and in the water and
was a valued member of the Yaeht Club. His marked
personal characteristics were sueh as won for him
the warmest friendship and regard and all who were
in any way associated with him greatly prized his
companionship. He passed away on the 28th of De
cember, 1911, when fifty-nine years of age, his remains
being interred in Woodlawn cemetery. Mrs. Burt still
occupies an attractive apartment at 749 Gladstone
avenue and is well known in Detroit as a member of
the Twentieth Century Club and the Woman's City
Club. HIRAM WALKER was born in Douglas, Massachu
setts, July 4, 1816, being the third child of Willis and
Ruth (Buffum) Walker. His youthful days passed
uneventfully, the public schools of his native town
affording him his educational opportunities, while his
initial step in the business world was made as an em
ploye in a dry goods store in Boston. But the chances
and opportunities of the growing west proved to him
an irresistible call and in 1838, when twenty-two years
of age, he became a resident of Detroit. He secured
employment in a store on Atwater street and after
ward established business on his own account as a
grocer on Atwater, near Bates street. Success did not
attend this venture, however, and he later formed a
partnership with Jeremiah Ingersoll in the conduct of
a tannery on Dequindre street, where they also en
gaged in dealing in leather. When the tannery was
destroyed by fire some time later, this partnershrip was
dissolved and Mr. Walker again became engaged in
the grocery trade, but the financial panic of 1857
wrecked the enterprise. That he seems to have been
a man of undaunted courage and determination is
indicated in the fact that, undiscouraged, he established
business in Canada and from that time forward fortune
seemed to smile upon him. In 1857 he purchased land
just across the river from Detroit, constituting the
present town site of Walkerville, and thereon built a
steam flour mill and distillery. The plant was put in

active operation in 1858 and his capable management
brought about a rapid and substantial growth of the
business. The products of his distillery were known in
every part of the world. He also continued in the man
ufacture of flour for more than twenty years and then
disposed of that branch of the business to give his
entire attention to the distillery. Moreover, his busi
ness affairs and his enterprise constituted a most
potent force in the development and upbuilding of the
town of Walkerville. In March, 1859, Mr. Walker
removed his family from Hamtramck, the eastern sub
urb of Detroit, to Walkerville, his home being an
attractive frame house on the river bank known as
The Cottage. It was built about 1840 and at the time
it came into his possession through purchase was sur
rounded by a large garden, which subsequently became
the site of the distillery offices. There Mr. Walker
remained until 1864, when he and his family resumed
their residence in Detroit.
The activity of Hiram Walker in connection with
important business interests of Detroit was of broad
scope and in contributing to the city's development
and progress he but followed the example set by his
ancestors, who through many generations had been
important factors in America's progress. In fact his
ancestry is distinctively American in its lineal and
collateral lines through many generations and is
entirely of English lineage save for the solitary ex
ception of Pierre Chamois, a French Huguenot who,
as Peter Shumway, settled in Oxford, Massachusetts,
about 1650. In the Walker line Hiram Walker was
descended from Thomas Walker, who according to
the records given in "Early New England Families"
lived in Boston in 1661 and in 1664 removed to Sud
bury, Massachusetts, where "he received encourage
ment to keep a free school." There he departed this
life in 1699. Among the ancestors of Hiram Walker
in direct line was one who served as a soldier and was
wounded in the great Narragansett fight in 1675. Rep
resentatives of the name intermarried with some of
the most distinguished families of New England, and
ancestral connection carries with it the right of ad
mission to the Society of Colonial Wars, the Sons of
the American Revolution and other patriotic organ
izations. It is not definitely known when the name of Walker
ville was first used, for at one time the place was
known as Walkerstown and in the early days the
name of Walkerton was much favored by some of
the settlers. However, the name of Walkerville was
adopted prior to 1864, probably at the time the Great
Western Railway built a switch into Mr. Walker's
yards — about 1862. The government acceptance of
the name came with the establishment of the post office
on the 1st of March, 1869, prior to which time the
nearest post office was at Windsor. For many years
Mr. Walker carried on business under the name of
the Windsor Distillery & Flouring Mills and in 1863
Mr. Walker was joined in a partnership by Mr. Me-

HIRAM WALKER

CITY OF DETROIT

679;

Bride, who had been in his employ as a traveling
representative. Four years later, however, the part
nership was dissolved, but in the intervening period
business had been conducted under the style of Hiram
Walker & Company. From 1867 until 1871 operations
were again carried on solely under the name of Hiram
Walker and when the father was joined in a partner
ship by his son, Edward Chandler Walker, the title
of Hiram Walker & Son was adopted. Later other
sons joined the father and the final word in the firm
name was pluralized. In 1890 the distillery business
was organized as a joint stock company, under the
name of Hiram Walker &. Sons, Limited, and thus
the business has been continued, while other business
interests carried on by father and sons led to the
adoption of the firm style of Walker, Sons & Com
pany. In 1895 the father retired from business and
the style of Walker Sons was adopted.
It was in 1890 that the town of Walkerville was
incorporated with a special charter and, according to
another biographer, "Mr. Walker was a somewhat
unique municipal figure, being practically mayor, coun
cil, board of works, controller of fire, water and light
department and board of education — all in one."
Moreover, he constantly expanded his business affairs
and entered many manufacturing fields and at the same
time furthered public progress by the building of a
church; and when a new public school section was
organized beeame one of the original trustees. He
made extensive investments in farm lands until his
holdings were among the largest held in individual
ownership in Canada. He engaged in hop growing,
in the cultivation of a tobacco plantation of more
than one hundred acres, in the raising of cattle and
horses and also built a railway and developed the
summer resort hotel known as the Mettawas, at Kings-
ville, on Lake Erie. He was likewise the organizer
and promoter of the Ontario Oil & Gas Company,
which for years furnished natural gas to Walkerville,
Windsor and , Detroit, and many other business con
cerns profited by his cooperation and splendid powers
of management. The distillery business, however, con
tinued to claim the major part of his time and atten
tion and made his name known throughout the world.
Detroit benefited largely by his initiative and his
progressive spirit, for among the enterprises with
which he was associated were the Detroit Car Works,
Detroit Transit Railway, Detroit & Bay City Railway,
Detroit National Bank, Detroit Chamber of Commerce,
Hamtramck Iron Works, Minong. Mining Company,
Cove Land & Mining Company, Michagamme Com
pany, Detroit & Ontonagon Mineral Lands Company,
Miehigan Land & Immigration Company, St. Clair
Mining Company and Valverde Mining Company. He
was also connected with the Detroit Medical College
as one of its supporters and the Wayne County Agri
cultural & Industrial Society. His real estate holdings
in Detroit were also extensive, including much valu
able business property in the, center of the eity He

had membership in the Detroit, Grosse Pointe, North
Channel and Detroit Driving Clubs and to each busi
ness, social and public organization with which he
was connected he lent valuable aid and contributed
to each important ideas and plans of management and
control. On the 5th of October, 1846, Hiram Walker wedded
Mary Abigail Williams, daughter of Ephraim Smith
and Hannah Melissa (Gotee) Williams of Silver Lake,
Michigan. Mrs. Walker was the first white child born
in the Saginaw valley, ' where her father was serving
as paymaster for the Indians. Her birth occurred in
1826 and her death in 1872. She was a descendant
of Robert Williams of Welsh lineage, who sailed from
Norwich, England, in 1638, and settled at Roxbury,
Massachusetts. On the maternal side she was directly
descended from James Harrington Gotee, who for seven
years was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr.
and Mrs. Walker had a family of four sons and two
daughters, of whom Willis Ephraim, lawyer and notary
of Detroit, died in 1886, and Jennie Melissa passed
away in 1870. The surviving daughter, Elizabeth J.,.
became the wife of Theodore D. Buhl of Detroit, and
the sons who became associated with their father in
business were: E. Chandler, Franklin H. and J. Har
rington. The two latter are mentioned elsewhere in
this work. The mother, Mrs. Mary Abigail Walker,
of most charitable and kindly disposition, was one of
the founders and liberal supporters of St. Luke's
Hospital. Both Mr. and Mrs. Walker were members of the
Episcopal church and for many years he belonged to
the vestry. He was most generous in support of the
church and of all benevolent projects. At one time he
planned the endowment of a school for manual train
ing in Detroit, but his daughter suggested to him the
need of a hospital for helpless little ones and he
founded the Children's Free Hospital of Detroit, this
being built by him in 1896, in memory of his daughter,
Jennie Melissa, who had died in 1870. He not only
gave the land and building but left to it a splendid be
quest at his death. He endowed both a room and a bed
in Harper Hospital and was most liberal in his support
of the training school for nurses and other branches
of hospital work. Wherever aid was needed for the
alleviation of suffering or trouble Mr. Walker gave it
freely and generously. He was constantly going
around doing good and it was his beneficence- and
his kindliness, as well as his splendid business ability,
that made his name known and honored throughout
this section of America. He passed away January
12, 1899, in Detroit, at the age of eighty-three years.
Four years before, deciding to retire from active busi
ness, he executed deeds of sale to his three sons of
the greater part of his real estate, including all prop
erty in Detroit and much of his land in Canada. He
likewise transferred to them his holdings in the various
incorporated companies in which he was interested.
With these gifts went the request that within three

680

CITY OF DETROIT

years of his death his sons should pay twenty thousand
dollars to Harper Hospital, which payment was made
in 1902. By his will he bequeathed to the Children's
Free Hospital seven-eights and to Harper Hospital
one-eighth of all property of which he might be pos
sessed at the time of his death, "to be used by said
hospitals for the care and maintenance of the worthy
sick poor." The early church which was erected in
Walkerville was named St. Mary's, in honor of his
wife, and in 1904 their sons erected a handsome new
church edifice as a memorial to the parents, this being
one of the beautiful churches of Canada. It was
presented as a free gift, with an ample endowment, to
the Anglican diocese of Huron. The fruits of the
good work of Hiram Walker will thus endure for many
years to come, not only in the church but in many
other projects and organizations for progress, reform
and improvement. It is impossible to measure such
a character at its full value, and time, which gives the
true perspective, only serves to heighten his fame and
place him in true position as one of the foremost
figures of his generation. Varied and mammoth enter
prises came into being as the result of his initiative
and ability, a splendid, thriving town exists as the
outcome of his foresight and sagacity and many be
nevolences benefited by his generous spirit. "Not the
good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the
world through us, is the measure of our success," and
judged by this standard Hiram Walker was a most
successful man.
LUMAN WEBSTER GOODENOUGH, senior mem
ber of the well known law firm of Goodenough,
Voorhies & Long, is not only one of the foremost mem
bers of the Detroit bar but is extensively interested
in industrial, financial and other institutions that are
important factors in the business life of this section
of the state. Mr. Goodenough is a native son of
Michigan and was born at Ludington, January 1,
1873, a son of Daniel W. and Lodema (Olney) Good-
enough. Mr. Goodenough was reared in his native
city and prepared for college in its public schools,
after which he entered the University of Michigan
and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of
Literature in the class of 1896. He continued at Ann
Arbor as a law student in the university until the
LL.B. degree was conferred upon him in 1898. Re
turning to Ludington, he entered upon the activce
practice of his profession but soon afterward sought
the broader field of labor offered in Detroit and in
1899 located in this city, where for a time he was
connected with the law firm of Shaw & Cady. Sub
sequent changes and association in his professional
practice brought Mr. Goodenough into connection with
Irvin Long and later with Paul W. Voorhies, and since
September, 1918, the firm name has been Goodenough,
Voorhies & Long, representing one of the strongest
law firms in Detroit. During the more than twenty
years that Mr. Goodenough has been a member of the

Detroit bar he has risen to a high place among his
associates. He early acquired a high-class clientele
and when comparatively a young man was entrusted
with important legal assignments to which many older
men aspired. Clean, capable and conscientious, he
has long since been regarded as one of the successful
lawyers of Detroit. Mr. Goodenough 's interests, aside
from those of a professional character, are varied and
extensive. He is a director and treasurer of the Gray
Estate Company, a director of the Merchants National
Bank of Detroit, director of the Plymouth United
Savings Bank of Plymouth, Michigan, as well as a
member of about forty other directorates of manufac
turing, land and investment companies and banks.
In March, 1904, Mr. Goodenough was married in
Detroit to Miss Elizabeth Noble, a daughter of the
late Charles Wing Noble, and they have two daughters
and a son: Elizabeth Lodema; Eleanor; and Daniel
W., who was born in Detroit, July 7, 1911. The family
attend the Methodist Episcopal church in Farmington,
of which Mr. Goodenough is a trustee. He is well
known in the club life of Detroit, being a member of
the Detroit, University, Detroit Athletic, Bankers,
Indian Village, Oakland Hills and Meadowbrook
Country Clubs. He is a charter member of the Board
of Commerce and was formerly a director and vice
president of that organization. In the work and
influence of the Detroit Young Men's Christian Asso
ciation Mr. Goodenough takes a keen interest, being
a director of that association and chairman of the
drive for its war fund. An aggressive power for good
in the community Mr. Goodenough has always been
actively interested in the problems of his city and
state. While he maintains an independent attitude in
politics, he feels the keenest interest in everything
pertaining to the welfare and progress of his country
and was particularly aetive during the war period,
being one of the Four-Minute men and a general
speaker in the Red Cross and Liberty Loan drives.
He acted as chairman of the War Savings Committee
for Michigan in 1919 and as a member of the township
war board of Farmington. He was also legal advisor
of the American Protective League. Since 1918 Mr.
Goodenough has resided in Farmington, where his
residence "Long Acres," is one of the attractive
country places around Detroit.
THOMAS FRANCIS COMERFORD is the president
of the Standard Computing Scale Company and is iden
tified with a number of other important business
interests of Detroit. Michigan is his native state,
his birth having occurred in Ontonagon on the 21st
of July, 1860, his parents being Michael and Elizabeth
(Feigh) Comerford. In the acquirement of his edu
cation he attended the public schools of Virginia City,
Nevada, for his parents removed to the west during
his early boyhood. He afterward attended business
college and for two years was a student in St. Mi
chael's College of Toronto, Ontario. He started out

LUMAN W. GOODENOUGH

CITY OF DETROIT

683

upon his business career as a bookkeeper. He dates
his residence in Detroit from 1879 and has advanced
steadily in business connections, passing from the
position of bookkeeper to that of salesman, while
later he became manager and afterward secretary and
treasurer of the Michigan Optical Company. His iden
tification with the Standard Computing Scale Com
pany covers a period of twenty-two years and he has
been president from the date of the organization of
this corporation. He is also the secretary and treas
urer of the Miehigan Optical Company and is a direc
tor of the Sunny Line Appliances, Incorporated, and
also a director of the Sievers & Erdman Company.
On the 19th of May, 1900, in Detroit, Mr. Comer-
ford was married to Josephine Warren, a daughter
of Charles B. and Julia Warren. Mr. Comerford 's
stepson, Charles Byron, was born July 20, 1898, and is
purchasing agent of the Standard Computing Scale
Company. He married Naomi Raiss of Detroit. Mr.
Comerford is a republican in his political views. He
has held some local offices, serving as a member of
the Detroit board of education from 1889 until 1891,
while in 1913 he became a member of the board of
water commissioners, occupying that position for two
years. During the World war he was chairman of
Draft Board, Local No. 18, in Detroit. Fraternally he
was an Elk for ten years but is not identified with
the order at the present time. Something of the
nature of his interests and recreation is indicated in
the fact that he belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club
and the Riverview Golf Club. His purposes have ever
been well defined, his enterprise is unfaltering and
each year has chronicled his advance from the position
which he occupied the previous year.
CLYDE H. BURROUGHS, secretary and curator of
the Detroit Institute of Arts, was born in Vassar,
Michigan, January 17, 1882. His parents are Leander
H. and Katherine (Reeves) Burroughs, the former
a native of the state of New York, while the latter
was born in Pennsylvania. The father has engaged
in farming as a life work and is now living in Detroit.
To him and his wife have been bora six children,
one of whom, Verna Burroughs Fitzpatriek, has passed
away. The others are: Adelaide, the wife of John H.
Schweitzer of Belleville, Michigan; James Burton;
Lydia, now the wife of Otis Baker of Detroit; Ernest
V., of Detroit; and Clyde H.
The last named was a pupil in the purflie schools
of Detroit and also attended the Carleton high school,
from whieh in due course of time he was graduated.
He afterward pursued a teachers' course and then eri-
tered upon the profession of teaching in Monroe
county, where he spent two years in that work. On
the expiration of that period he came to the Detroit
Museum of Art (now the Detroit Institute of Arts)
as an instructor in the educational department. He
afterward spent two summers in the art centers of
Europe, where he studied in 1903 and in 1906. In the

latter year he beeame assistant director of the Detroit
Institute of Arts and occupied the position until 1913,
when upon the resignation of his superior officer, A.
H. Griffith, he was advanced to the position and is
now secretary and curator of the Institute. He is
also the vice president of the Association of Art
Museum Directors, a Counselor of the Association of
American Museums, and secretary of the Scarab Club.
He labored most earnestly to promote art ideals in
this eity and his efforts have been far-reaching and
effective. His natural love of the beautiful has been
cultivated to a high degree by reason of his study of
art and his visits to the art centers of the old world
as well as of America. He has greatly advanced the
interests of the Detroit Institute and at all times holds
to the highest standards in this connection.
On the 17th of September, 1907, in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, Mr. Burroughs was married to Miss Edith
Gibson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Gibson of
Detroit. They have three children: Huntley Gibson,
born August 30, 1908; Carroll, born April 17, 1910;
and John, born January 30, 1915. His interest centers
in the home and the activities which constitute his
business life. His discriminating taste and his sound
judgment have been most potent elements in the im
provement of the Detroit Institute of Arts, the gen
eral public recognizing the value of his service, while
art connoisseurs place him in the high position to
whieh his ability entitles him.
GEORGE W. CLUNIS. One of the leading under
takers of Detroit is George W. Clunis, who has con
ducted his present well equipped establishment since
1910. He is a most progressive and enterprising busf-
ness man and in the management of his extensive
interests has displayed sound judgment and marked
executive ability. He was born near Saginaw, in
Gratiot county, Michigan, a son of Thomas and Mary
Jane (Johnson) Clunis, and in the maternal line is
of Irish descent, while his paternal grandfather was
a native of Scotland. In infancy he was taken to
Canada by his parents, his father engaging in business
at Aylmer, Elgin county, in the province of Ontario.
The son continued to reside in that county until he
attained the age of sixteen years and acquired his
education at Springfield, Ontario. He then returned
to the United States and for twenty-three years has
resided in Detroit. Taking up the work of under
taking and embalming, he was identified with the
Blake establishment for eleven years, during whieh pe
riod he acquired a thorough and comprehensive knowl
edge of the business. In 1910 he entered upon an
independent enterprise of this character and is now eon-
ducting his interests in a building of which he is the
owner, his establishment being located at Nos. 4468-70
Third avenue. His parlors are first-class in every
particular, being supplied with a morgue and all the
equipment and accessories to be found in the finest
undertaking establishments in the city. He has built

684

CITY OF DETROIT

up a large business and gives to his patrons excellent
service, being tactful, quiet and efficient in arranging
the last rites for the dead.
Mr. Clunis was united in marriage to Miss Mary
Frances Taylor of Elkton, Miehigan, and their chil
dren are: William, Sadie, Wilbert J. and Francis D.
In his political views Mr. Clunis is a republican and his
religious faith is indicated by his membership in St.
John's Episcopal church. Fraternally he is identified
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having
been a member of that body for many years, and he is
also a Mason of high standing, belonging to Zion
Lodge, F. & A. M.; Monroe Chapter, R. A. M.; Da
mascus Commandery, K. T.; Michigan Sovereign Con
sistory, A. & A. S. R., in which he has attained the
thirty-second degree; Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine; and the Grotto. He is likewise connected
with the White Shrine of the Eastern Star. He is a
man of high principles and substantial qualities, pro
gressive and reliable in business, loyal in citizenship
and at all times displays devotion to the duties that
devolve upon him.
JOHN FRED GEORGE SCHMALZRIEDT. One of
the best known men in the undertaking business in the
state of Michigan is John Fred George Schmalzriedt,
whose high professional standing is indicated in the
fact that he is now the chief executive officer of the
Detroit Funeral Directors Association. He is a rep
resentative of one of the old families of the city
and was born in Laporte, Indiana, January 9, 1872,
his parents being Christian and Elizabeth (Folsen)
Schmalzriedt, of whose family two sons are living,
John F. G. and Theodore. In 1875 the parents re
moved to Detroit, where the father ' took up educa
tional work, becoming an instructor in the German-
Lutheran school. He passed away in 1909, having
long survived the mother, whose demise occurred in
1873. Mr. Schmalzriedt pursued his studies under the
instruction of his father, and his initial business ex
perience was acquired as an employe of the Schroeder
Candy Company, with whom he remained for a year
and a half. He then worked for George Englehardt
for a short time, after which he became identified
with the grocery firm of Sebastian Weiss, whose store
was located at the comer of Joseph Campau avenue
and Champlain street. At the end of two years he
was obliged to discontinue that work, owing to ill
health, and subsequently he became associated with
William Duclos, an undertaker of. the city. On the
15th of March, 1895, Mr. Schmalzriedt established an
independent enterprise, opening undertaking parlors
at No. 1423 Michigan avenue. He afterward removed
to three other locations in the same block and in
1910 erected his present modern building, which is
said to contain the finest chapel and largest display
room in the city. He handles a large assortment of
funeral equipment and accessories of the best grade

and at all times has on hand a selection of over forty
varieties of caskets, while his rolling stock also rep
resents the best and finest products of the manufac
turers. He is thoroughly familiar with the scientific
principles which underlie his profession and is re
garded as one of the most expert embalmers in the
city, employing a staff of capable assistants. In deal
ing with the public he is reliable, efficient and tactful
and he ranks with the leading morticians of Detroit.
On the 27th of April, 1897, Mr. Schmalzriedt was
united in marriage to Miss Minnie Krause of this
city and they have become the parents of two chil
dren: Edward W., who was born August 15, 1898;
and Clarence G., born October 1, 1899. Both sons are
assisting their father in the conduct of his extensive
business. In his political views Mr. Schmalzriedt is a repub
lican and fraternally he is identified with the Order of
Foresters, the Knights of The Maccabees and the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has attained
superior ability in his chosen profession and is now
serving as president of the Detroit Funeral Directors
Association, of which he was secretary for eight and
a half years, resigning on account of illness. He was
also president of the State Association 1908-1909, and
is now serving his fifth term of three years each, on
the executive committee of this Association. He is
also a member of the advisory committee of embalm
ing, connected with the state board of health. With
industry and determination as dominant qualities, he
has made steady progress in the business world, his
insight enabling him to recognize opportunities and
his energy prompting him to utilize them. He is a
man of high personal standing, of marked business
integrity and ability, and his sterling worth has
gained for him the respect and esteem of a large
circle of friends.
ROBERT CAMPBELL has been a resident of the
United States since the time that the Manufacturers
Life Insurance Company decided to enter the field on
this side of the border, in June, 1903. He was made
the pioneer in this undertaking and Detroit thereby
gained a valued citizen. Mr. Campbell was born on
a farm in the county of Victoria, near Lindsay, On
tario, September 28, 1865, his parents being John and
Mary (McNabb) Campbell. The father was a native
of Islay, Scotland, the mother being a native of Can
ada, born in Victoria county, Ontario. Both could
speak Gaelic as well as English. Mr. Campbell of
this review is also a Gaelic .scholar, speaking the
tongue fluently. He has taught it to his children
because of its beauty and strength of expression. The
publie schools of his native city afforded him his early
educational opportunities and he pursued his studies
until he had completed the high school course there.
He afterward spent some time in the publishing busi
ness, in which he was associated with the late General
Sir Samuel Hughes, and later he took up insurance

JOHN F. G. SCHMALZRIEDT

CITY OF DETROIT

687

as his life work and has been vastly successful in that
field. After seven years ' connection with the North Amer
ican Life of Toronto, Ontario, he joined the Manu
facturers Life Insurance Company as supervisor of
eastern Ontario. At length the company decided to
enter the United States and Mr. Campbell was chosen
to take charge of this work, being sent to Detroit to
launch the business and direct the campaign. He
entered upon his duties with great zeal and earnest
ness, combined with recognized ability as an insurance
man, and built up the finest organization that the
Manufacturers Life Insurance Company has anywhere
in the world. He is still in charge in Detroit and has
become a recognized leader in insurance circles, not
only in this state but in this part of the American
continent. It was in 1898 that Mr. Campbell was married to
Miss Isabel Stevenson of Lindsay, Ontario, and they
have become parents of two children: Ross Stevenson,
born in the eity of Toronto, May 15, 1902; and Mary
Isabel, born in Detroit. Mr. Campbell was very active
in several lines of war work, zealously supporting
every patriotic movement, including the Liberty Loan
drives, in which he led a number of men in every
drive. He belongs to the St. Clair Country Club,
also to the Board of Commerce and is a member of
the Woodward Avenue Presbyterian chureh. He served
as chairman of its building committee when the church
was being erected and was chairman of the board of
trustees for four years, while for a term of three
years he served as one of the elders of the church.
He takes a keen and intelligent interest in the eity
and its welfare and was a very active member of
the committee on publie works appointed by the board
of directors of the Board of Commerce. He has been
closely associated with much good work in that regard
and in fact he withholds his support from no project
which is looking to the substantial development and
improvement of Detroit. A thorough gentleman, force
ful, strong and resourceful, he accomplishes what he
undertakes, nor does he undertake anything that sound
judgment does not sanction. Mr. Campbell's residence
at 604 Atkinson avenue is one of the attractive homes
of the north Woodward section. His summer home, on
the Canadian shore, is opposite Grosse Pointe on Riv
erside drive.
B. S. BARNARD is the secretary and treasurer of
the Tullar Envelope Company and has contributed in
large measure to the success of the business. Watch
ful of all opportunities, thoroughness, earnestness and
energy characterize his undertaking and carry him
steadily forward to the goal for which he is striving.
Mr. Barnard is of Canadian birth. He was born at
Richmond Hill, sixteen miles north of Toronto, and is
a son of George A. and Mary Elizabeth (Spry) Bar
nard, whose family numbered eight children. He at
tended the public schools, passing through consecutive

grades to the high sehool and after his textbooks were
put aside he became the active assistant of his father
in a country store, where he continued until twenty-
five years of age. He then went to Toronto, where
he acted as private secretary to his uncle, Daniel Spry,
who was post office inspector for Canada and who was
also a very prominent representative of the Masonic
fraternity, being grand master of the Free Masons in
that country. When Mr. Spry became identified with
the post offiee at Ottawa Mr. Barnard entered the
employ of Robert Bond, who was extensively engaged
in the livery business. He handled the financial end
of the business for Mr. Bond for twenty years. In
1913 he came to Detroit and entered into aetive asso
ciation with C. W and H. K. Tullar of the Tullar En
velope Company, becoming secretary and treasurer
thereof. The business has steadily developed along
substantial lines and today is one of the important
interests of this character in the state. The trade is
now very extensive and the business is bringing most
gratifying financial returns to the owners. Mr. Bar
nard has charge of the records and financial depart
ment of the business and has proven a most capable
executive. Mr. Barnard was married and has one daughter,
Florence, now the wife of John MeLauran. In club
circles he is well known, belonging to the Old Colony
Club of New York, the Detroit Men's Club and the
Michigan Men's Club, also the club of St. Joseph's
church. He is interested in civic affairs and manifests
great activity in support of all those projects whieh
are looking to the betterment and upbuilding of the
city. The worth of his work has been constantly dem
onstrated in publie life and in his private business
affairs, and his energy and enterprise constitute a
most potent force in the development and success of
the Tullar Envelope Company.
GEORGE BAWDEN. Extensive business interests
claim the time and attention of George Bawden, a
partner of A. Jacob & Company, in directing the affairs
of one of the largest commission houses in the state
of Michigan. Throughout his career he seems to have
realized at every point the possibilities for successful
accomplishment at that point, and has been a per
sistent, resolute and energetic worker, keeping his
hand steadily upon the helm of his affairs and mani
festing at all times strong executive power.
He was born in Cornwall, England, a son of Wil
liam and Rowena (Faull) Bawden, who were also
natives of that section of the country, whence they
emigrated to Canada in 1878, locating at London,
Ontario, where for many years the father engaged
in the furniture business, and in that city both passed
away. They became the parents of ten children, of
whom four survive, namely: George; Clavering, who
resides at Bronson, Michigan; Mrs. Mary Sorter, who
is a widow and makes her home with another sister,
Mrs. Evelyn Geddie, at New Haven, Connecticut.

688

CITY OF DETROIT

George Bawden, the eldest in the family, pursued
his education in the schools of Cornwall, England,
attending a private and Collegiate Institute. After
the death of his father and mother he took a position
with the firm of D. S. Perrin & Company, wholesale
confectioners, and continued with this firm for seven
years, entering the business world later on his own
account, opening a furniture store in London. Sub
sequently he became associated with Robert Bryanton,
his father-in-law, later disposing of their interests in
that undertaking, after which he established himself
in the grocery business in that city, which he continued
successfully for five years.
On the expiration of that period, or in 1888, he
sold out and crossed the border into the United States,
making his way to Detroit, where for six months he
worked in the employ of others. He then established
a wholesale produce and commission house under the
name of George Bawden & Company, under which
style he continued for two years, afterward becoming
a partner with A. Jacob & Company, which firm has
now been established over twenty-five years. They
handle choice fruits and vegetables and conduct their
operations on a large scale, purchasing only in carload
lots. During the winter months they obtain their
supplies largely from Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Mex
ico, Arizona and California, handling large quantities
of fine tropical fruits. Since its inception the business
has enjoyed a steady growth and has assumed exten
sive proportions, being one of the largest enterprises
of the kind in the entire state. Mr. Bawden is a
man of great perseverance and industry, who possesses
a genius for organization and an aptitude for success
ful management and has attained that preeminence
which follows superior ability and concentrated effort,
a large commercial undertaking standing as a monu
ment to his powers of initiative and administrative
direction. His labors have at all times conformed to
the strictest business ethics and his work has been
entirely of a constructive character, never infringing .
upon the rights or privileges of another.
In London, Canada, Mr. Bawden was united in mar
riage to Miss Emma Bryanton, a daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Robert Bryanton, and they have become the
parents of two children: The elder, Mrs. Evelyn
Lemkie, was born in London, Canada, and acquired
her education in the graded and high schools of De
troit. She has one daughter, Alice, and is a resi
dent of this city; the younger daughter, Mrs. Alice
Cunningham, was born in London, in 1882, and also
attended the graded schools of Detroit and the Central
high sehool. By her marriage she has become the
mother of three children: Evelyn, Elaine and Edna.
Mr. Bawden is deeply interested in all that pertains
to the welfare and progress of his city and is an active
and earnest member of the Board of Commerce. He
is identified with the National Union, the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, the Foresters, and the Masons,

belonging to Friendship Lodge of the last named or
ganization. Mr. Bawden 's personal qualities are those which
make for popularity and he numbers his friends by
the hundreds, being widely and favorably known from
Detroit to Texas, Louisiana and the southern extremity
of Florida. He is a man of forceful personality and
the keenness of his insight and the soundness of his
judgment have brought him to a foremost position in
the business circles of Detroit. Moreover, he is
entitled to classification with the self-made men of
the city, for he started out in life empty-handed
and along the path of opportunity open to all he
has reached the goal of notable success, his progress
being due to the fact that he has recognized and
utilized advantages whieh others have passed heed
lessly by. His record should serve as a source of
inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what
may be accomplished when .one has the will to dare
and to do.
FRANK CODY, superintendent of public schools in
Detroit, was born December 31, 1870, at Belleville,
Wayne county, Michigan, a son of Timothy M. and
Clarissa (Kipp) Cody. The father was a native of
Kilkenny, Ireland, and a miller by trade. He came
to the United States in 1837, when but nine years
of age, and therefore learned his trade on this side
of the Atlantic. He resided first near Dearborn,
Michigan, and afterward removed to Belleville, where
he purchased a general store and grist mill, there
remaining until his death, which occurred about a
quarter of a century ago. His wife was born in
Wayne county, Michigan, and still resides at the
old homestead at Belleville. >
Frank Cody was one of a family of five sons and
one daughter. He acquired his elementary education
in the public schools of Wayne county and passed
through consecutive grades to his graduation from the
high school, after which he engaged in teaching in
the schools of Belleville for three years. He then
matriculated in the Michigan State Normal College
at Ypsilanti and received therefrom a pedagogic de
gree. In 1891 he was appointed superintendent of
schools at Delray, Michigan, where he remained until
Delray was annexed to the city of Detroit in 1907.
At that time he was made principal of the McMillan
high school of Detroit and retained that post until
1914, when he was appointed assistant superintendent
of the Detroit schools. In 1919, when the difficulties
confronted the city officials relative to the appoint
ment of a superintendent of schools, owing to the
resignation of Dr. Chadsey, many leading educators
of the country were considered for the position. Senti
ment of both officials and the public at large, however,
was in favor of appointing a Detroit man rather
than someone from the outside, no matter what reputa
tion the latter might enjoy. In other words, the
question arose — "Was there a man in Detroit of suf-

FRANK CODY

Vol. IV— 44

CITY OF DETROIT

691

fieient educational training, executive ability and per
sonal popularity to fill the position of sehool superin
tendent of his own eity?" The answer was easy.
There was, emphatically, such .a man. In fact there
was one man who fully measured up to the required
standards. Mr. Cody was appointed by the board over
a small minority opposition on June 26, 1919, to fill
the unexpired term of superintendent of the Detroit
schools. Upon assuming the duties of this position
Mr. Cody found himself confronted by many complex
problems relative to the management of the sehools.
The housing problem was acute, for owing to Detroit's
rapid growth many thousands of children had been
added to the school enrollment within a few months.
The housing of the teachers, too, presented another
question difficult to solve. In fact the actual securing
of capable teachers was also a difficulty of large pro
portions. How well Mr. Cody has succeeded in the
gigantic task confronting him is indicated by the
auspicious launching of the school year and the uni
versal commendation accorded him in this connection.
At the republican state convention at Lansing on
the 11th of February, 1913, Mr. Cody was nominated
as a member of the state board of education and was
elected on the 7th of April. On the first Monday of
April, 1919, he was reelected a member of the state
board for a term of six years and is now president
of the board. How he stands in popular estimation
is shown by the vote whieh was given him when he
was a candidate for the state board, on which oc
casion he polled the largest number of votes ever
given a publie candidate in Michigan. For a number
of years Mr. Cody was treasurer of the Detroit Teach
ers ' Association and also president of the Detroit
Schoolmen's Club. He is a member of the state board
of control for vocational education, is a member of
the state board of geological survey and a member
of the State Teachers' Association and the National
Education Association.
In 1893 Mr. Cody organized the night sehool for
Detroit newsboys and was its principal for five years.
Later he was elected president of the Detroit News
boys' Association. His night sehool work with the
newsboys was the first special educational work under
taken in the city. In 1895 he was elected a member
of the Wayne county board of school examiners and
served until 1907. It is a notable fact that all of
his work along educational lines has been accomplished
within Wayne county and Detroit.
On the 18th of July, 1901, Mr. Cody was married
to Miss Frances Youngblood of Detroit, daughter of
Barnard Youngblood. She passed away in 1902 and on
the 27th of June, 1905, Mr. Cody was married to
Louise Burns of Detroit, daughter of Joseph Burns.
They have become parents of three children: Mary
Louise, Joseph Burns and Frederick Kipp, who are
with their parents at No. 153 Burlingame avenue.
In his political views Mr. Cody is a republican and
his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church.

Fraternally he is connected with several orders. He^
has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish
Rite in Masonry and is a member of the Mystic
Shrine. He is also connected with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias,
is a member of the Ingleside Club, the Detroit Rotary
Club and the Detroit Boat Club. He is an extremely
popular citizen, typically democratic and at all times
easily approachable. His success in educational work
has been due to his close application and efficient
methods of management, together with a pleasing per
sonality. His advancement has followed as the natural
sequence of well developed powers and from the
faithful performance of each day's duties he has
found courage and inspiration for the labors of the
succeeding day.
JOHN W. MERCKEL, a leading furrier of Detroit,
is regarded as an expert in his trade, having devoted
practically his entire life to this line of occupation,
and in the conduct of his interests he has been very
successful, his business having reached large and
profitable proportions. He has traveled extensively
and is a man of liberal views and pleasing manner,
with whom it is a pleasure to converse.
Mr. Merekel was born in Saginaw, Miehigan, Jan
uary 9, 1874. His father was a man of broad culture,
acquiring his education in the University of Munich,
Bavaria, Germany, and when a young man he emi
grated to the United States, being induced to come
to this country by the Singer Manufacturing Company
of New York, one of the manufacturing concerns in
the United States, with whom he remained for many
years, being regarded as one of their most trusted
employes. His son, John W. Merekel, attended the sehools of
his native city until thirteen years of age, when he
came to Detroit and here pursued a course in the
old Detroit Business College. Hoping to benefit his
health which had become somewhat impaired, he went
abroad and during his seventeenth and eighteenth
years toured Europe on a bicycle, visiting France,
Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and a portion of Aus
tria. He attempted to enter Russia but was turned
back at the border, and in Germany he was arrested
for speaking in favor of American democracy. He
had many interesting experiences during his travels
abroad and also gained much valuable knowledge and
information which has proven of great benefit to
him in later life. When a youth he began learn
ing the trade of a furrier, engaging in trapping
during the daytime, while his evenings were devoted
to study. He thus gained a thorough and comprehen
sive knowledge of the business, which he has continued
to follow, becoming recognized as an expert furrier.
He became traveling salesman for a Detroit fur house
and also represented a New York firm on the road,
covering the entire United States while thus engaged.
At length he acquired sufficient capital to enable him

692

CITY OF DETROIT

to engage in business independently and his venture
has been a most successful one. He handles skins of
all kinds, in connection with whieh he does a great
variety of work, and he has built up an extensive
trade, for he is thoroughly reliable and his patrons
know that in purchasing of him they obtain the
finest skins the market affords and at the most rea
sonable prices. The work which he turns out is of
the highest class and he is devoting every energy to
the legitimate expansion of his interests.
Mr. Merekel was united in marriage to Miss Emily
Holthan and they have become the parents of four
children: William, Edgar, Edna and John, the sons
all being members of the Boy Scout organization.
Mr. Merekel 's political views are in accord with
those of his father, who was an adherent to the
republican party, and his religious faith is indicated
by his membership in the Lutheran church. Like his
father, he has also become prominent in the Masonic
order, belonging to Ashlar Lodge, F. & A. M.; to
Peninsular Chapter, R. A. M.; Michigan Sovereign Con
sistory, S. P. R. S., in which he has attained the thirty-
second degree; and to Moslem Temple of the Mystie
Shrine. He is also identified with the Uniformed
Rank of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
is likewise a Forester. When leisure affords he ob
tains needed relaxation from business in athletic sports
of all kinds and is particularly fond of fishing and
hunting. The secret of his success lies in the fact
that he has never been afraid of earnest labor and
that his diligence and close application have ever
been supplemented by unquestioned integrity and re
liability. He is recognized as a successful business
man, a public-spirited citizen and a loyal friend and
enjoys the respect and goodwill of all with whom he
has been associated.
CHARLES ELMER ROGERS, a member of the old
est family in Wayne county and one long established
on American soil, is a forceful figure in business cir
cles of Detroit, being at the head of one of the large
manufacturing enterprises whieh have contributed to
ward placing this city among the great industrial
centers of the United States. Moreover, he has other
claims to distinction, being the pioneer in the manu
facture of condensed milk in the state of Miehigan,
and his name is inseparably associated with the devel
opment of this industry in the United States. The
Rogers family has been established in America for
many generations. The maternal grandfather was a
soldier in the Revolutionary war, participating in the
battle of Sodus Point, situated on Lake Ontario, near
the city of Rochester, New York, and from that state
he made his way to Miehigan, where he established
his home. The paternal grandfather, John Rogers,
came to this state in 1823 and was numbered among
its pioneer settlers. He took up a tract of land in
Wayne county, whieh he cleared and developed, con
verting it into a valuable and well improved farm,

and this property has since remained in possession of
the family. Here was reared Charles E. Rogers, who
is its present owner. This farm lies very near the
city of Detroit, being situated but a mile north of the
junction of Grand River avenue with Seven-Mile road,
and is a place of historic interest, for upon it stands
the first brick house erected in Wayne county. In this
house occurred the birth of Charles T. Rogers, the
father of the subject of this review, and he passed
away in April, 1921, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Charles E. Rogers was born September 14, 1867,
and after laying aside his textbooks he entered the
dairy business in association with his father. So
successful were they in this enterprise that they de
cided to expand the scope of their activities by engag
ing in the manufacture of milk-condensing machinery.
With the passing years the business has rapidly de
veloped until Charles E. Rogers is now the largest
manufacturer of milk-condensing machinery in the
United States, being assisted by his three sons, who
are partners in the enterprise. He is a man of notable
creative genius and recently invented and patented
a machine for the manufacture of ice-cream bricks,
this being the first successful device of this kind
placed upon the market. This machine they also manu
facture and sell to the trade. In 1883 Mr. Rogers and
his father became the pioneers in the manufacture of
condensed milk in the state of Michigan, exhibiting
the product at the exposition held at New Orleans,
Louisiana, in 1884, and being awarded the first prize.
During the World war he not only turned over his
plant to the government but also rented five other
plants, rendering valuable service to his country by
his activity in the manufacture of brass and copper
pipe for the Eagle submarine chasers constructed by
Henry Ford. Mr. Rogers is a man of superior busi
ness ability and executive power and a splendid in
dustrial enterprise stands as a significant monument
to what he has accomplished.
On the 21st of September, 1887, Charles E. Rogers
was married to Miss Harriet I. Thornton, a daughter
of Charles Monroe and Barridill (Tobey) Thornton
of Oakland county, Michigan. Mrs. Rogers also comes
from one of the real pioneer families of Michigan
and was born on the farm, one mile north of North
ville, where her paternal grandfather, Charles Monroe
Thornton, settled in 1827. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have
four sons: Charles A., who wedded Florence Mac-
Diarmid and has three children, Charles A., Jr., Hester
Florence and Roy; Elmer Donald, who wedded Miss
Marjorie Howlett and has three sons, Elmer Donald,
Jr., Arthur Albert and Robert; Roger Monroe, who
married Miss Margaret Henning, by whom he has
two children, Florence and Albert Monroe; and Rus
sell Howard. Roger M. Rogers, who was attending
the University of Illinois at the time the United States
entered the World war, was assigned by the secretary
of war to the government desiccating plant, engaged
in the manufacture of powdered soup for the army,

CHARLES E. ROGERS

CITY OF DETROIT

695

and acted as assistant to Professor Cross of Cornell
University, while he also was attached to the Fifty-
fifth Infantry of the Seventh Division. The three
eldest sons of Mr. Rogers are all associated with their
father in business.
- Mr. Rogers, Sr., and his sons, Charles A., Elmer D.
and Roger M., are thirty-second degree Masons, ex
emplifying in their daily lives the beneficent teachings
of the craft. He possesses those qualities which make
for leadership and his initiative spirit has led him
into new and untried fields in which his efforts have
been rewarded with a notable measure of success.
He has made valuable contribution to the world's work
and Detroit is proud to claim as one of her citizens a
man of such distinguished ability. Mr. Rogers re
sides at 4818 Ivanhoe avenue.
ARTHUR JOHN SCULLY. A prominent figure in
real estate circles of Detroit is Arthur John Scully,
who is specializing in the handling of subdivisions
and whose influence is one 'of broadening activity
and strength in the field in which he operates. He
established his present business in 1918 and has
already won a liberal patronage, for he has made a
thorough study of the work in whieh he is engaged,
his close application, enterprise and spirit of deter
mination constituting potent factors in the attainment
of his present success.
Mr. Scully was born April 6, 1884, in Dubois, Penn
sylvania, his parents being John and Mary (Coakley)
Scully, both of whom are deceased. He acquired his
early education in the schools of Dunkirk, New York,
after which he entered the University of Michigan,
devoting a year to literary work. He then took up
the study of law and won his LL. B. degree from
that institution upon his graduation with the class of
1909. In June of that year he was admitted to the
Michigan bar and in March, 1911, was admitted to
practice at the bar of New York. For a time he
resided in Dunkirk, New York, and then sought the
opportunities of the west, going to San Diego, Cali
fornia, where from 1913 until 1917 he engaged in the
real estate business. He then returned to the east
and in 1917 came to Detroit, becoming assistant gen
eral manager for the Houseman-Spitzley Company,
with whom he was identified for a year, after which he
reentered the real estate field, in which he has con
tinued. He specializes in the development of sub
divisions and has been very successful in his operations
along this line, transforming unsightly vacancies into
fine residential districts. He handles Nottingham sub
division, of whieh he is one of the owners, and the
Tannenholz Burke Avenue subdivision. Mr. Scully
has recently purchased the Detroit Michigan National
Guard Target Range from the United States govern
ment for a syndicate. This property is located north
of Mack avenue, inside of the city limits and when
subdivided will be one of the most desirable residen
tial subdivisions on the east side, as the property is

located adjoining and just north of Grosse Pointe. He
also handles improved properties. During the past two
years more than one hundred homes have been built
in the Tannenholz Burke Avenue subdivision. There
are also several new homes in process of construction
in Nottingham subdivision and through his activities
he is doing much toward solving the housing problem
in Detroit.
Mr. Scully was united in marriage to Miss Luella
Granger and they have one son, Frederick G. Scully.
In his political views he is a republican and while
residing in Dunkirk, New York, and in California, par
ticipated actively in political affairs but is now de
voting his entire attention to his extensive business
interests. In religious faith he is a Catholic and he
belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He is also iden
tified with the Oakland Hills Country Club, the Uni
versity Club and Sigma Phi, a college fraternity of
the University of Michigan, and is a member of the
Detroit Board of Commerce. He attacks everything
with a contagious enthusiasm and the secret of his
success lies in the fact that he has never been afraid
of hard work. The methods which he has used have
ever been of a constructive character and he is con
tributing in substantial measure to the improvement
and development of Detroit through his activities in
the real estate field. He is a man of firm purpose and
marked strength of character and wherever known he
commands the highest respect of his business associates
and those whom he meets in personal relations. Mr.
Scully resides at 202 McLean avenue, Highland Park.
WILLIAM I. WHITNEY, secretary and treasurer
of the Dr. Reed Cushion Shoe Company, has attained
a foremost position in retail shoe circles in Detroit.
Mr. Whitney was born in Hudson, Miehigan, November
24, 1883, a son of Charles C. and Mehitable (Swaney)
Whitney, both of whom are natives of this state. The
father became a banker at Hudson, Miehigan, and at
the present time is an official in the Thompson Savings
Bank at that place.
William I. Whitney received his early education in
the publie and high schools of his native town and
on leaving Hudson he came to Detroit, where he com
pleted his education in the Detroit Business University.
He then entered the employ of the Dr. Reed Cushion
Shoe Company as bookkeeper and salesman. Eventu
ally he became a stockholder in the business, was later
elected secretary and treasurer and since that time
has been one of the capable officials. His business
career has been marked by a sincere courtesy which
is ever an important business asset and which has
gained for him a wide and favorable acquaintance.
The company employs fourteen salespeople in its estab
lishment and carries a full line of the famous Dr.
Reed cushion shoe, which is noted for its comfort and
durability. The trade is steadily growing and the
success of the house is due in no small measure to
the efforts of Mr. Whitney, who is well known in

696

CITY OF DETROIT

trade circles as a member of the Detroit Shoe Dealers
Association. Mr. Whitney is secretary and treasurer
of the Dr. Reed Cushion Shoe Company of Denver,
Colorado, and president of the Dr. Reed Cushion Shoe
Company of Toledo, Ohio.
On the 7th of July, 1917, Mr. Whitney was married
to Miss Rhoda Buell of Detroit, a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. William E. Buell. Mr. Whitney is a thirty-
second degree Mason, a Noble in Moslem Temple of
the Mystic Shrine and is also a member of Detroit
Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He likewise belongs to the
Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Yacht Club and the
Board of Commerce.
HARRY B. EARHART, president of the White Star
Refining Company, is a prominent representative of
Detroit's industrial and commercial interests. His
administrative powers and well formulated plans have
enabled him to develop one of the largest oil refining
and distributing companies in this section of the
country and an important factor in the city's splendid
industrial growth. Mr. Earhart is a native of Penn
sylvania, his birth having occurred at Worthington,
on the 21st of December, 1870. His parents, Joseph
and Margaret (Boyd) Earhart, were also natives of
the Keystone state and for many years the father has
been recognized as one of the leading business men
and valued citizens of Worthington. Eleven children
were born to their union and eight of the number are
living, namely: Mrs. C. A. Cummings, a resident of
Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. R. M. Hunter of Duluth, Min
nesota; Dr. Lyda B. Earhart, a member of the faculty
of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Nebraska;
Mrs. F. H. White, whose home is at Duluth, Minne
sota; Mrs. A. M. McCollough, of Butler, Pennsylvania;
Gertrude Earhart, a resident of Bellingham, Wash
ington; Frances Earhart of Duluth, Minnesota; and
Harry B., the subject of this review.
The last named attended the schools of his native
town to the age of seventeen years, when he started
out in life for himself, going to Duluth, Minnesota,
where he became connected with the vessel business.
Later he went to Chicago, Illinois, where he continued
his vessel interests and on disposing of his business
in that city he came to Detroit, arriving here in 1904.
He was connected with various lines of activity until
1911, when he beeame president of the White Star
Refining Company. At that time the enterprise was
a small one, having made but little progress since its
organization, but under the able direction of Mr. Ear
hart it has enjoyed a remarkably rapid growth, oil
stations now being maintained throughout the city and
state, while a large refinery has been established at
Woodriver, Illinois, on the Mississippi river, opposite
St. Louis, Missouri. Their private tank ear line of one
million gallons capacity is operated between the re
finery and stations, to transport petroleum products.
Mr. Earhart also owns valuable oil leases in Kentucky
and Louisiana- He keeps in close touch with what

is being done in all departments and has succeeded in
maintaining a high degree of efficiency in the operation
of the business, which has become extensive and im
portant. In Detroit, on the 2d of April, 1901, was solemnized
the marriage of Harry B. Earhart and Miss Carrie
Beal, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Beal of
this city. They have become the parents of four chil
dren: Margaret, who is a student at Vassar; Louise,
who is also at Vassar; Richard, who was born in
Evanston in 1904 and is pursuing his studies in a
school at Wallingford, Connecticut; and Elizabeth,
who is a student in the schools of Ann Arbor,
Michigan. Mr. Earhart is the owner of a beautiful home at
Ann Arbor, coming into the city eaeh day to transact
business. He is devoted to the welfare of his wife
and children, finding his greatest happiness in the
midst of his family. His political allegiance is given
to the republican party, and that he is. not unmindful
of his moral obligations is indicated by his member
ship in the Central Methodist Episcopal chureh, of
which he is a trustee. He is deeply interested in all
that has to do with public progress or the uplift of
the individual and for the past seven years has been
vice president of the Young Men's Christian Asso
ciation of Detroit, doing valuable and important work
in that connection. He is a prominent member of the
Detroit Board of Commerce and the Michigan Manu
facturers Association and through his connection with
the Barton Hills Golf Club, the Detroit Athletic Club
and the Detroit Boat Club he obtains relaxation from
the cares of business. Fraternally he is identified with
the Masons, belonging to Palestine Lodge, No. 357,
F. & A. M., at Detroit and also to the Scottish Rite
Consistory. A self-made man, he is essentially a mem
ber of the class of doers, gifted with initiative and
quick resolve, and his influence is one of broadening
activity and strength in the field in which he operates.
His labors have ever been of a constructive character,
contributing to public progress and prosperity as well
as to individual success, and he ranks with Detroit's
strong and able business men.
WILLIAM F. G. ROSS, local manager for the firm
of Marwick, Mitchell & Company, accountants and
auditors, which is classed with the leading accountants
of the state of Michigan and is of international repute,
was born in Leith, Scotland, September 24, 1890, and
is a son of Alexander Aiken and Agnes (Mochrie)
Ross. He attended the public schools and also the
University of Glasgow, in whieh he took up the
study of law. He became an associate accountant
with Kerr, Andersons & McLeod, chartered account
ants of Glasgow, and remained with them for about
six and a half years. In 1914 he eame to America
and settled in Chicago, becoming an accountant with
Marwick, Mitchell & Company in that city. In 1916
Mr. Ross opened the Detroit office for the firm. The

HARRY B. EARHART

CITY OF DETROIT

699

Detroit office acts as accountants for the city of
Detroit and for many of the largest corporations op
erating here. The firm of Marwick, Mitchell & Com
pany supplied the statistics in the arbitration affairs
between the Grand Trunk Railway and the Canadian
government. In 1914 Mr. Ross was united in marriage in Glas
gow, Scotland, to Miss Martha Clark Robertson and
they have one son, George Henry Robertson, bora in
Detroit, April 4, 1918.
Aside from being a chartered accountant of Scot
land, registered in the state of Michigan, Mr. Ross is
a member. of the American Institute of Accountants,
the Michigan Society of Certified Public Accountants,
the Institute of Accountants and Actuaries in Glasgow
and other societies of similar character. He also be
longs to the Detroit Athletic Club, to the Birmingham
Golf Club, to the Board of Commerce, to the Credit
Men's Association and to the Birmingham Presby
terian church.
COLONEL GEORGE H. WEBB, to whose engineer
ing skill and ability the fine Michigan Central sta
tion largely stands as a monument, was born in
Dubuque, Iowa, March 5, 1860, and was a son of
George and Emma (Alder) Webb, who were natives
of Pennsylvania and pioneer settlers of Iowa. The
father was a government engineer, who, after spend
ing some time in the middle west, returned to Waynes-
port, Pennsylvania, and later lived in Pittsburgh, where
he was the manager of the Pennsylvania Railway lines
in charge of the western division and also chief engi
neer of the lines. He died in Pennsylvania in 1883
and his wife passed away in Bethlehem, that state, in
1899. In their family were six children, of whom
George H. was the second in order of birth.
Colonel George H. Webb attended the public sehools
of Pittsburgh and also the Pennsylvania Military
College, from whieh he was graduated on the 10th
of June, 1880, with the degree of Civil Engineer. After
leaving college he became connected with various
railroads from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from
Canada to Mexico. In 1889 he went to Chile, South
America, where he built a railroad for the govern
ment, spending two years in its construction. In 1891
he went to Peru and was there chief engineer on a
construction of the Summit Division through the main
range of the Andes, building the highest railroad in
the world, reaching an altitude of fifteen thousand,
six hundred and fifty-seven feet. The obstacles en
countered in the construction of this road were among
the most trying that any engineer has had to face
in railroad building, and the accomplishment of the
project will remain for all time a remarkable achieve
ment in railroad construction. This road was known
as the F. C. Central Railway of Peru and is now
called the Royal Railroad, being owned by British
interests. Colonel Webb later returned to the United
States and entered upon the private practice of his

profession, which he followed for several years and
then from 1897 until 1903 was a representative of
different roads throughout the country. In January,
1903, he became division engineer for the Michigan
Central Railway and in November of the same year
was made assistant chief engineer, while on the 1st
of January, 1905, he was advanced to the position of
chief engineer, with entire charge in this department.
In the meantime he was given the construction and
location for the new Miehigan Central station in De
troit. He planned and finished the depot and yards
and this task has also become known throughout the
engineering world as a notable feat. In June, 1917,
Colonel Webb asked for his release, so as to be able
to assist the government in work necessary in the
winning of the war. He was made lieutenant-colonel
of the Sixteenth Engineers and in 1918 was promoted
to the rank of colonel of his regiment. This depart
ment of service was invaluable in connection with the
prosecution of the war and the record of the Six
teenth Engineers will go down in history as one of
the greatest in point of valor and achievement of any
of the units which aided in winning victory for the
forces whieh were fighting for democracy. Colonel
Webb was in constant service for twenty-one months
and had charge of an entire section, constructing one
hundred and seventy-five miles of railroad from central
France to the border of Switzerland. After his task
was accomplished he returned to America and was
honorably discharged on the 16th of May, 1919. He
was accorded high honors by the government and by
the United States congress, in recognition of the
' valuable service which he had rendered. He has a
wide and well merited reputation today, in engi
neering circles throughout the world. He was a mem
ber of the Detroit Engineering Society, the American
Railway Engineers Association and the American So
ciety of Civil Engineers. He was awarded the dis
tinguished service medal of the United States and
was decorated by the President of France with the
order of the Black Star and the Legion of .Honor.
On the 18th of January, 1905, Colonel Webb was
married to Miss Jessie I. Lawrence of Chicago, daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lawrence. On the 21st
of May, 1907, in Detroit, his wife passed away. Colonel
Webb was a member of the Detroit Board of Com
merce and was keenly interested in all that pertained
to the city's growth and welfare. He was also an
active, member of the Episcopal church and his life,
by reason of his personal characteristics, as well as
his professional ability, was one that gained him
esteem and honor all the way. He passed away No
vember 3, 1921, at Newton Lower Falls, near Boston,
Massachusetts. JOHN H. MEYERING, who has developed exten
sive interests as a real estate dealer of Detroit, was
born September 26, 1880, at Jamestown, Ottawa county,
Michigan, his parents being Henry and Anna (Pickart)

700

CITY OF DETROIT

Meyering, both of whom are residents of Grand Rapids.
The son obtained a publie school education and started
out in the business world when a youth of nineteen
years as clerk in a bank, his fidelity and capability
winning him promotion to the position of assistant
cashier in that institution, which was the Zeeland
State Bank of Zeeland, Michigan. There he continued
for four years, after which he went to Kalamazoo and
entered the office of Charles B. Hays, a real estate
dealer, with whom he continued until 1905, receiving in
that connection his initial experience in the business in
which he is now active. In association with his
brother, he came to Detroit in 1905 and established a
brokerage business under the firm style of J. H. &
J. R. Meyering. On the 22d of April, 1911, the Meyer
ing Land Company was organized as a general real
estate company and incorporated under that name.
The company deals in Grosse Pointe land exclusively
and the Arcadia Land Company, the Meyercon Realty
Company and the Lake Shore Gardens Company are
affiliated companies of the Meyering interests. John
H. Meyering also conducts his business operations in
real estate in Grand Rapids under the name of the
Suburban Realty Company and in Minneapolis, Min
nesota, under the name of the Park Manor Realty
Company. Thus he has extended his activities in three
cities, being recognized as a prominent figure in the
real estate circles of each.
On the 1st of February, 1905, Mr. Meyering was
married to Miss J. Ellen Maxwell of Grand Rapids,
and they have become the parents of a daughter,
Gladys Ellen, who is now fourteen years of age. Mr.
Meyering is of the Presbyterian faith and his political
support is given to the republican party. He is a
member of the real estate boards of Detroit and of
Minneapolis, and he belongs also to the Detroit Board
of Commerce, to the Detroit Golf Club, the Oakland
Hills Country Club, the Essex Golf Club and the
Detroit Automobile Club, while his name is likewise on
the membership roll of the Benevolent Protective Order
of Elks. His has been a well rounded development,
his constantly expanding powers bringing him into en
viable social as well as into prominent business con
nections. JOSHUA GEORGE SPLANE. The qualities of busi
ness leadership are in a substantial degree the posses
sion of Joshua George Splane, whose progressive spirit
and executive ability have led to his identification
with many important industrial enterprises, and he is
preeminently a business man whose record is written
in terms of success. He figures conspicuously in com
mercial circles of this city as president of the Insula
ting Materials Company and vice president of the
Detroit Insulated Wire Company and he also has exten
sive business interests in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
in which city his birth occurred. The family is an
old and honored one of Pittsburgh, where its members
have gained prominence as successful furniture manu
facturers and also in other branches of industry.

Mr. Splane began his business career in 1888, secur
ing the position of office boy with the Standard Oil
Company, with which he was connected for a period
of eighteen years. In 1903 he beeame president of the
Pittsburgh & Allegheny Telephone Company, whieh
was developed into one of the largest concerns of the
kind in the country. Under his able management it
enjoyed a remarkable era of prosperity, increasing the
scope of its activities threefold, and it was capitalized
at five million four hundred thousand dollars. Subse
quently it was sold to a group of financiers, who later
became involved in business difficulties, and Mr.
Splane was appointed receiver for the company, in
which capacity he continued to serve for three
and a half years. Many lines of endeavor have
profited by his cooperation and clear insight into
business situations and he is now serving as treasurer
of the Pittsburgh Company, is a large stockholder in
the Monongahela Tube Company, of whieh he is a
director, while he is also a member of the directorates
of the Davis-Cottrell Company, the Pittsburgh Silver
Peak Gold Mining Company and the Pittsburgh and
Allegheny Telephone Company. In 1903 he was one
of the organizers of the Home Trust Company and
served as its treasurer for one year. In 1914 he be
eame president of the Insulating Materials Company
and vice president of the Detroit Insulated Wire Com
pany. In cooperation with Mr. Hunter, its president,
Mr. Splane has developed the business of the Detroit
Insulated Wire Company to one of large extent and
importance and it now ranks as one of the largest
concerns of- this character in the United States. The
Insulating Materials Company manufactures every
thing along insulating lines.
On the 12th of February, 1901, Mr. Splane was united
in marriage to Miss Henrietta Hurd and they now
have a son, Lambert Hurd, the family residence being
at No. 218 East Kirby street. Mr. Splane is a stanch
republican in his political views and he has ever taken
a deep and helpful interest in public affairs, serving
as a member of the city council of Pittsburgh, to
which office he was elected in 1900. He is a member
of the Western Pennsylvania Historical Association
and is a thirty-second degree Mason, his affiliations
with that order being at Pittsburgh. He is a prominent
clubman, belonging to the Detroit, Detroit Athletic,
Bloomfield Hills Country, The Country, and Detroit
Automobile Country Clubs, and to the Duquesne Club,
the leading social organization of Pittsburgh, while he
is likewise a member, of the Revel's Island Club of
Virginia, also the Americus and Tariff Clubs of Pitts
burgh. His operations have covered a broad scope and
in every sphere of life in which he has acted he has
left an indelible impress through the force of his per
sonality, his notable ability and his tireless energy,
which never falls short of the attainment of its pur
pose. He is a big man — big in that power which
understands conditions, grasps situations and molds

JOSHUA G. SPLANE

CITY OF DETROIT

703

opportunities into tangible assets, and Detroit
accounts him a valued addition to its citizenship.
J. P. MoLAREN. One might analyze the career
of J. P. McLaren by saying that his business is of
absorbing interest to him and that as secretary of
the Brown-McLaren Manufacturing Company he has
contributed in notable measure to its success. He
comes to Detroit from New England, his birth having
occurred in Providence, Rhode Island, his parents
being John and Mary (Petrie) McLaren, both of
whom were natives of Scotland. In the acquirement
of his education, after completing a high school course,
he attended the School of Design in Providence, and
then became connected with the firm of Brown &
Sharpe of that city, with whom he remained for
twelve years. This is one of the largest firms of
the country, making all kinds of machinery of the
highest quality. He passed through the various de
partments of their plant, winning promotion and
transferral from one department to another as he
mastered the various phases of the business. He
spent much time in the drawing-room and his twelve
years' experience with that company made him an
expert. Mr. McLaren then came to Detroit and had charge
of the drawing of cams and tools of the Burroughs
Adding Machine Company for six years. He was
ambitious to engage in business on his own account,
however, and eagerly embraced every opportunity
that led him in that direction. In 1915 he started
in business with Frank Boyer of the Boyer-Campbell
Corporation, and they organized the Brown-McLaren
Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. McLaren has
since been the secretary. They manufacture all kinds
of fusilage parts for automobiles and supply many
large corporations with their products, including the
Cadillac Motor Company of Detroit and the Dayton
Recording Company of Dayton, Ohio. Something of
the substantial and continuous growth of their business
is indicated in the fact that they began with five ma
chines and are now operating more than one hundred.
Mr. McLaren attacks everything with a contagious
enthusiasm and finds the keenest pleasure and joy
in successfully solving intricate and involved business
problems. He is familiar with every part of operation
of the plant and is able to direct the efforts of every
employe. In 1882 Mr. McLaren was united in marriage to
Miss Vera Workman and they have one daughter,
Dorothy. He finds his chief recreation and diversion
in fishing, yet there is comparatively little leisure
in his life to indulge in the sport because of the de
mands made upon him by his constantly growing busi
ness. He is a Mason of high rank, belonging to Pales
tine Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; King Cyrus Chapter, R.
A. M.; Detroit Commandery, K. T.; and Moslem Tem
ple A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also well known as a
member of the Wilderness, Detroit Anglers and Miami

Anglers Clubs and his interest in community affairs
is shown in his connection with the Detroit Board
of Commerce. There is much of inspirational value in
his life record, for it indicates the value of thorough
ness in education and that indefatigable industry and
unfaltering perseverance are indispensable elements in
the attainment of success. Moreover, in all business
affairs he readily discriminates between the essential
and the non-essential and his powers of organization
have led to the development of a plant and of a
working force that spells success in his every endeavor.
THOMAS E. NEWTON, identified with the meat
packing business in Detroit as president of the New
ton Packing Company, was born in Livonia township,
Wayne county, Michigan, March 15, 1866. His father,
Melvin Newton, is a native of the state of New York
but was brought by his parents to Michigan when a
little lad of but six years and later in life took up
the live stock business, which he followed for many
years. He removed from Miehigan to Kansas, set
tling near Coffeyville, that state, and is still living
there at the advanced age of eighty-three years. In
early manhood he wedded Mary Newingtori, who was
born in Michigan and who passed away in Wayne
county in 1875. They were the parents of five chil
dren, of whom three are living: Burt; Alva, now the
wife of William Vaughn, of Port Townsend, Wash
ington; and Thomas E.
In his boyhood days Thomas E. Newton attended
the public sehools of Detroit, pursuing his studies to
the age of fourteen years, when he left school and
started out to provide for his own support by accept
ing a business position. He first worked on the Joy
farm and in 1886 he turned his attention to the live
stock business on his own account. He soon developed
this into a meat business and from a modest start
has built up a business of extensive and gratifying
proportions. Today he has a large packing plant
which covers more than a city block and has gained
a place among the prominent wholesale meat packers
of the city. His interests were incorporated in 1901
under the name of the Newton Beef Company, of
which he became president and treasurer, and today
the business is carried on under the name of the
Newton Packing Company, with Mr. Newton as pres
ident and general manager. He has also at different
times been connected with other business interests of
the city. He is a member of the board of managers
of the Michigan State Fair Association by appoint
ment of Governor Groesbeck. He likewise was a
director of the N. Rassel Sons Company of Toledo,
Ohio. Mr. Newton has been married twice. He first
wedded Ellen Ida Weeks of Philadelphia, Pennsyl
vania, who has passed away. Mr. Newton was mar
ried a second time on the 28th of December, 1910,
when Miss Charlotte Bernstin of New York city became
his wife. One son, Thomas A., was born to the first

704

CITY OF DETROIT

marriage in 1893. He was educated in the Detroit
public schools and in the Taft school at Watertown,
Connecticut. He is now purchasing agent and assist
ant to the president of the Newton Packing Company.
He is identified with the Miehigan National Guard
as a captain of the infantry division and is also
captain of irifantry, United States Reserve Corps.
He entered the service of his country on April 11,
1917, and was in the engagement of the Argonne
Forest and the Meuse offensive, where he was wounded.
He was discharged from service in April, 1919. On
May 15, 1920, he was married to Esther Verle Mart-
solf. Thomas A. Newton is a member of Ionic Lodge,
F. & A. M., the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit
Tennis Club and the Detroit Boat Club.
Mr. Newton has always given his political allegiance
to the republican party since age conferred upon
him the right of franchise, has taken an active in
terest in party work and has served as chairman of
the Wayne county republican central committee. He
also belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, was form
erly a director of the Detroit Driving Club and is a
member of the Detroit Audubon Society. He is like
wise a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce
and there is no phase of the city's welfare in which
he is not deeply interested, lending his aid and sup
port at all times to those measures which make for
material progress and for the maintenance of high
civic standards.
WILLIAM WASHINGTON HANNAN. It is fre
quently the case that the life story which has reached
its completion leaves a greater impress than that
which is being enacted day by day. In a story that
is fully told and which is viewed in its entirety one
may thread those elements whieh stand out as domi
nant characteristics and have led to the building of
success and the attainment of prominence. The re
view of sueh a life as that of William Washington
Hannan cannot fail to leave its impress upon the
readers, for he posessed many sterling qualities and
marked capability and his record demonstrates what
may be accomplished when the individual makes
proper and adequate use of his time, talents and op
portunities. Mr. Hannan was born in Rochester, New
York, July 4, 1854. When he was about two years
of age his parents took up their residence in Dowagiac,
Michigan, and there during his childhood days he at
tended the public schools, being graduated from the
high school with the class of 1873. In 1876 he pur
sued a preparatory course in Oberlin College and
later entered the literary department of the Uni
versity of Miehigan, in whieh he was graduated as
one of the alumni of 1880, receiving the degree of
Bachelor of Arts. Following the completion of his
academic course he entered the law department of the
university and in 1883 was graduated with the B. L.
degree. While attending college he organized excur
sions to various summer resorts in the state and by

this means he realized a considerable profit, using his
funds to continue his education. He was very promi
nent in collegiate athletics and made an especially
good record as a sprinter.
From 1881 until 1883 Mr. Hannan served as engross
ing clerk of the house of representatives of the state
legislature. In the latter year, prior to his graduation
from the law department of the State University, he
was admitted to the bar upon examination before the
Washtenaw circuit court. After the close of the legis
lative session of that year he came to Detroit and
established himself in the practice of law, becoming
the associate of Judge William L. Carpenter under
the firm name of Carpenter & Hannan. This partner
ship continued for a year, at the expiration of which
time Mr. Hannan virtually withdrew from the work
of his profession to enter the real estate field, in
whieh he later attained notable success and precedence.
In 1883 he founded the Hannan Real Estate Exchange,
to which he gave his attention for a number of years,
principally to the handling of subdivision properties.
This concern grew to be the most important of its
kind in the state and its operations have been ampli
fied to include a general fire, insurance and loan busi
ness. Mr. Hannan continued as the head of the
Hannan Real Estate Exchange, ordered its affairs
with consummate discrimination and ability and was
recognized as an authority on real estate values in
Detroit and its environs. He was instrumental in
organizing the National Real Estate Board and when
he passed away the National Real Estate Journal pub
lished the following tribute in its issue of February,
1918: "William Washington Hannan, preferably known
as W. W., died recently in Detroit. In the death of
this man the National Association of Real Estate
Boards especially loses a valuable member and friend.
In the story of Mr. Hannan 's life there is much of
benefit and inspiration to those who follow the same
line of endeavor that was his through thirty years.
The story deals with the practical — Mr. Hannan would
have it so.
"W. W. Hannan was one of the organizers of the
National Association of Real Estate Boards and its
president the first year of its organization. The prin
cipal characteristics manifested through his adminis
tration of board affairs in the year 1909-10 were the
true reflection of fundamentals underlying his whole
business career. Upon assuming the presidency, Mr.
Hannan sounded the keynote of his policies in the first
issue of the National Real Estate Journal, March 15,
1910, when he said: 'Permit me to say further that
organized forces no longer seek to assimilate all the
beneficial results from such organization but it has
in this day become the aim and the purpose of organ
ized bodies to extend their influence for good to others.'
And the National Association has been builded on this
platform. Mr. Hannan in the same article minutely
described the necessity for organization among real

WILLIAM W. HANNAN

Vol. rv— 45

CITY OF DETROIT

707

estate men throughout the country. His statements
were a defense of the purposes of the organization.
His work was that of . a pioneer because there were
many who bucked the original organization idea. He
was a prime mover in creating the present National
Real Estate Journal.
"Having achieved the sucecss of his preliminary
aims in the organization, it can readily be understood
by analyzing the above quotation, that he intended to
establish a foundation for the association's work
whieh would be perpetuated, which would be founded
upon unselfishness, upon service. This alone testifies
to the foresightedness of this organizer, of his true
ability as a leader, as one who could foretell the
requirements that must be mustered to insure the
rife of that association whieh he had been designated
to lead. And these are the fundamentals for which
realtors today must be appreciative when they think
of the National Association. Probably . that phase of
Mr. Hannan 's life containing most interest to realtors
is that relating to his activities in the real estate
business. In this connection the most dominant char
acteristic attributable to him was that of being a hard
worker. He started with almost nothing in a financial
way and when he died an estate estimated at over
four million was left. To do this he had to be a
tireless worker. He might have made more, or he
might have made less from his work, but the fact
most interesting is that he did things which seem
almost incredible from a business standpoint. He pro
moted some of the biggest real estate projects in the
history of middle western states and did it with
practically no capital of his own. He borrowed hun
dreds of thousands of dollars from exacting eastern
bankers and posted as security his own reputation and
character. He did this with absolute strangers, many
times, perhaps not on such large amounts, but in an
important way nevertheless. His personality was
magnetic. His reputation that of a shrewd business
man, a man capable of conceiving broad and practical
promotion ideas and possessing the undaunted spirit
and physical strength to put them through to a suc
cessful conclusion. Perhaps the nature of his nation
ality provided the essentials. He was Scotch and
Irish and his life was true to the business and political
traditions of this racial combination. He possessed
the essential points of a successful politician and a
successful business man. His record shows that he
was both.
"Speaking of some of his promotions: He success
fully erected the Madison, Lenox and Pasadena apart
ment hotels in Detroit, his home city. He determined
to finance the last two similar structures, only on a
larger and finer scale. He had little capital to start
with. He succeeded. How he did it no one of his
closest associates seem thoroughly to understand, but
all agree that it was due principally to very high loan
ing values of his reputation and personality, as well
as his tireless will to do. One of these hotels had

barely been completed to the third floor, when Mr.
Hannan had all of the completed apartments rented
and a cafe going full blast on the first floor. He then
went to New York and borrowed about two hundred
thousand dollars to complete both projects, having pre1
viously mortgaged everything in his possession to the
limit and far beyond. Personality did it. As each
floor was completed it was occupied. That is one
reason why Mr. Hannan has been known as Detroit's
champion renter. His heart was set on these two ven
tures. In fact he put his heart into every action and
didn't know what the word 'quit' meant. His motto
was 'work' and he did. Where other meri would halt
to devise a method of borrowing money he would
grind right along and get it. He never stopped. He
determined to set these two projects as monuments
to his name in Detroit and he did it. He had a host
of friends and he believed in making new ones right
along. He didn't believe in enslaving himself to
anyone, or a few money lending agencies. He liked
to tackle strangers. If he made a friend he generally
made a lender of the same man. He believed that if
a man thought enough of him to be his friend he
should have enough confidence to invest his money
with him. Several of the richest men in Detroit have
been known to send Mr. Hannan a cheek following
solicitation to a new proposition over the telephone,
never asking questions or demanding the usual col
lateral. What did it? Personality, generally, as that
is the true reflection of character and all good busi
ness is based on character in one sense or another.
"Mr. Hannan thought so much of his eity and its
future that hardly would one project be completed, a
large revenue derived, before another venture would
be under way. He went to the fringe of the eity and
prepared subdivisions that would accommodate the
city of the future. In this respect he was a very
extensive operator. He also sold the sites for some
of the biggest office buildings in the city and helped
promote them. He believed people should protpct
what they own, so he developed an extensive insurance
business. Through it all his own personality domi
nated. He was the leader in his own organization,
its vitalizing director. Perhaps the most that could
be said against him from a business -standpoint is that
he worked too hard and didn't put enough on the
shoulders of others. So engrossed was he in his busi
ness and so greatly did he obligate himself by assum
ing added responsibilities that he had but little time
for anything aside from his business, at least through
the early years of his life. His only publie office in
Detroit was that of member of the board of estimators
for two terms of four years each. Here he rendered
the city invaluable service.
"Politically his work was done mostly as citizen
Hannan and not as an offiee holder. His personality
and constructive organizing ability were manifested
in a quiet way, albeit in an important way. He pos
sessed marked legal ability, having graduated in law

708

CITY OF DETROIT

from Michigan University in 1883, during wlhieh
period he was also enrolling clerk in the state legis
lature. He also completed a course in literature. Com
ing to Detroit he first tried practicing law but gradu
ally drifted into business lines and in 1885 founded
the Hannan Real Estate Exchange. He has occu
pied the one office for twenty-four years, using an
entire floor. He believed in advertising and extended
his advertising into national mediums of circulation.
Mr. Hannan was one of the organizers of the Detroit
Real Estate Board and gave great service to that or
ganization through most of the important offices that
could be tendered an honored member. Here he also
was content to perform most of his services in a
quiet manner, behind the scenes, as it were. All the
years of his life Mr. Hannan was a mighty busy man.
Two-thirds of his estate goes to Detroit charities, the
largest bequest recorded in recent years. In 1881 Mr.
Hannan was married to Luella Greene Beaman and she
received a large residue from the estate. A brother,
Frank E. Hannan, and a nephew of Mrs. Hannan, Guy
W. Greene, both received large bequests. Mr. Greene
remains in control of the business. The remarkable
part of the will is that part whieh states that all the
residue of the estate after the legacies are paid, is to
go to Detroit charities to be named by the widow.
His wish being that Mrs. Hannan would specify how
the estate shall be distributed so that it could be
accomplished while she is living. If she fails to do so,
the residue is to be credited to the Children's Aid
Society of Detroit at her death and the trust estate
ends at that time. Mr. Hannan 's name will remain as
a cherished memory to those who knew him. His life
stands as a monument to the characteristics of ambi
tion, perseverance and honesty."
Aside from the fact given through the copious bio
graphical record of Mr. Hannan it should be stated
that he was identified with the Masonic fraternity and
held membership in the Detroit Club, the Country
Club, and other social and business organizations.
He was one of the founders of the new Detroit Ath
letic Club, and was a member of St. Paul's cathedral,
while his political allegiance was always given to
the republican party. He passed away December 24,
1917, and thus ended a life of notable activity, of
successful achievement, of high purpose and of plans
accomplished. Mrs. Hannan, who survives her husband, was, in
her maidenhood, Luella Greene, of Ann Arbor, Mich
igan. She is a daughter of Byron and Escalala (Ar
nold) Greene, the latter an only daughter, whose
father was one of the first settlers of Ann Arbor,
coming overland to Michigan from New Hampshire.
Having arrived at Ann Arbor at the age of twenty-two
years, Mr. Arnold took up an immense tract of land
and upon this land lived a long and eventful life.
His place was called Honey Creek farm. He acted as
judge and was familiarly known as Squire Arnold. He
was a capitalist and an energetic, farsighted business

man, who accumulated considerable wealth as wealth
was rated in those days. His only son, Captain Henry
Clay Arnold, was killed in the second battle of Bull
Run. Mrs. Hannan 's father, Byron Greene, was one of
thirteen children, all of whom arrived -at adult age.
He was born in Rushville, New York, and there ac
quired his education. He married Miss Escalala Ar
nold of Ann Arbor and they settled in Canandaigua,
New York, and there Luella Greene was born. While
still an infant her parents came to Detroit and Mr.
Greene engaged in business here, but later Mrs.
Greene's father, Mr. Arnold, sent for them to come to
Ann Arbor, where they lived for many years. Here a
son, Clay A. Greene, was born. Their daughter, Luella
Greene, was an only daughter, and at Ann Arbor she
became acquainted with Mr. Hannan, who sought her
hand in marriage, after which they removed to Detroit
to live. Upon the death of Mrs. Hannan 's grand
father, Mr. Arnold, at Honey Creek farm, Mr. and
Mrs. Greene came to Detroit, where subsequently both
passed away.
Since the death of her husband Mrs. Hannan has
endeavored to carry out many of the projects which
they had so often discussed before he passed on.
She has recently sent her check for two memorial win
dows to be placed in St. Paul's Episcopal cathedral,
one to be inscribed with Mr. Hannan 's name and the
other with her own. In considering the different
plans whieh she had discussed with Mr. Hannan the
one whieh pleased them most is the plan of donating
a publie park, which should be a place of pleasure
and recreation for all the people, to be known as the
Hannan Memorial Park. It is her purpose to place a
statue of Mr. Hannan in this Park, also a fountain,
possibly combining the two, and she is now working
upon plans for such a memorial, whieh will certainly
be a most fitting one to the man whose deep interest
in the welfare and progress of his city was manifest
in so many tangible ways.
EDWARD A. ATLAS was born in Russia, October
7, 1885, but was brought to America by his parents
before he was six months old, so that the United
States is the only country he has ever really lived
in, and he is typically American in ideas, energy and
success. His parents settled in Bay City, Michigan,
and he received his early education in the schools of
that city.
After his school days Edward A. Atlas was engaged
in the fruit business for four years, and then took
the position of collector for the Gately Company,
and was so employed for a year, after which he
joined his father in the hide business at Cadillac,
Michigan. After a time he became thoroughly fa
miliar with the hide business and became buyer for
the Crohon-Roden Company of Grand Rapids. He oc
cupied that position for two years and then started
in the hide business in Mount Pleasant, Miehigan. He
remained in Mount Pleasant for a short time and then

EDWARD A. ATLAS

CITY OF DETROIT

711

rejoined his- father. His energy and ambition con
tinually carried him along in the endeavor to reach
pronounced success, and in 1914 he moved into Detroit
and opened an office as a broker in hides. His business
succeeded and he broadened his operations rapidly,
finally becoming president of the National Hide &
Leather Company in 1916. In 1917 he bought out
all the other interests in that corporation and has
since conducted the business in his own name. In
the spring of 1920 he bought out the tannery of the
Roden Leather Company in Grand Rapids, of which
he had once been an employe, and reincorporated the
business as the Roden Leather Company, Inc., of
which he is president. This company is incorporated
for five hundred thousand dollars. His offices are
located at 360 Twentieth street, Detroit, and there
he personally directs all the operations of the two
important companies of which he is the sole head and
directing force. He is still a young man and in a
few years has raised himself by his own unaided
ability from the position of an employe to that of
a leader in his line of business in Michigan. He radi
ates energy and mentality, which are the prime forces
behind his remarkable success. Among his other inter
ests he is president of the Michigan Hide Company, of
Grand Rapids, of whieh he was an organizer.
Mr. Atlas married Miss Ethel Burak. Mr. Atlas
is a thirty-second degree Mason and his affilia
tions with this order are with Perfection Lodge
F. & A. M., Miehigan Sovereign Consistory and Moslem
Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member
of the B. P. O. E. His clubs are the Masonic Country
Club, the Detroit Automobile Club and he also belongs
to the Board of Commerce. He finds his recreations in
fishing and golf, is fond of outdoor sports and an
enthusiastic baseball fan and also plays the game for
recreation. He is a member of the Young Men's
Christian Association. In politics he is a republican
and his religious affiliation is with the Shaarey Zedek
church. He is recognized, not .only in Detroit, but
throughout the state, as one of the enterprising, suc
cessful business men of the dynamic eity.
ROLAND C. GIES, a prominent and successful archi
tect of Detroit whose ability is demonstrated in the
liberal patronage accorded him, is well and favorably
known in this city, where he has passed his life.
He is a representative of old and prominent families of
Detroit, his parents, John M. and Elizabeth (Ludwig)
Gies, both being natives of this city, while his grand
parents emigrated to the United States from Germany.
In the parish schools and University of Detroit, form
erly Detroit College, he acquired his early education
and he pursued his professional studies in the Detroit
Art schools. His further experience along architec
tural lines was obtained in the office of R. E. Roseman,
and for a long time afterward he was identified with
the firms of Albert Kahn and Donaldson & Meier,
and in 1905 he engaged in business independently,

building up a good patronage in the intervening period.
He engages in a general architectural business but
makes a specialty of domestic work and many fine
homes in Detroit stand as examples of his skill and
ability. He has also been the designer of several
attractive commercial buildings in Detroit and his
thorough technical training and broad practical ex
perience- have brought him expert ability in all
branches in his chosen profession.
In 1903 Mr. Gies was united in marriage to Miss
Edwina Baumann and they have become the parents
of four children: Roland C, Jr., Virginia, Gilbert and
Edwina. In the management of his business affairs
he has been progressive, energetic and capable and in
the discharge of his duties as a citizen he has at all
times been actuated by a regard for the public wel
fare. His labors have ever been of a constructive
character, contributing to the upbuilding and adorn
ment of his city as well as to individual success, and
his sterling qualities of manhood and citizenship have
gained for him the respect and esteem of a large circle
of friends.
VICTOR FRANCIS DEWEY. Many lines of ac
tivity have felt the stimulus of the enterprise, keen
discernment and well defined plans of Victor Francis
Dewey, who wields a wide influence in business circles
of Detroit, his forcefulness and determination enabling
him to carry to successful completion whatever he
undertakes. He is vice president and general manager
of the Detroit Steel Products Company, vice president
of the Fenestra Construction Company and is also
interested in other important enterprises, being a man
of large affairs. He is a native of Miehigan, his
birth having occurred at Cambridge on the 24th of
February, 1876, and his parents were Albert F. and
Ellen (Steves) Dewey, in whose family were five
children. Mr. Dewey was accorded liberal educational ad
vantages, attending the grammar and high schools of
Brooklyn, Michigan, after which he became a student
at Adrian College of this state, in which he completed
a four years' course, being graduated from that in
stitution in 1897, at which time the degree of Bachelor
of Science was conferred upon him. His initial busi
ness experience was obtained as an employe of the
Detroit City Gas Company, with whieh he remained
for twenty years, starting as assistant chemist and
winning successive promotions to the positions of chief
chemist, superintendent of distribution, general super
intendent of divisions and of the engineering depart
ment. Still higher honors awaited him and he was at
length made vice president and general manager of
the company whose present high state of efficiency
is in large measure due to his intelligently directed
efforts and thorough understanding of the business.
In July, 1918, Mr. Dewey became vice president and
general manager of the Detroit Steel Products Com
pany, in which connection he is a directing head of

712

CITY OF DETROIT

one of the great productive industries of the city.
He is likewise vice president of the Fenestra Con
struction Company and a director of the Coldwater
and Grand Haven Gas Companies and also of the
Highland Park State Bank. He possesses the fore
sight, self-reliance and administrative powers neces
sary to carry on large enterprises successfully and he
has been a persistent, resolute and energetic worker,
keeping his hand steadily upon the helm of his affairs
and manifesting at all times strong executive ability.
On the 21st of December, 1898, Mr. Dewey was
united in marriage to Miss Julia Myers of Beaver
Falls, Pennsylvania, and they have a son, Francis
M., whose birth occurred on the 2d of March, 1901.
In politics Mr. Dewey maintains an independent at
titude and that he is a public-spirited and progressive
citizen is indicated by his membership in the Detroit
Board of Commerce, whose projects for the upbuilding
of the city receive his earnest support. His social
nature finds expression in his connection with the
Detroit, Ingleside, Detroit Boat, Detroit Country and
Detroit Golf Clubs, and of the last named organiza
tion he is a director. His business career has been
one of continuous progress and what he has accom
plished represents the fit utilization of his innate
powers and talents. His labors have ever been of
a constructive character, contributing to public pro
gress and prosperity as well as to individual aggrand
izement, and Detroit numbers him among her fore
most citizens. Mr. Dewey resides at 18801 Hamilton
boulevard. WALTER SCOTT ALLEN, for several years con
nected with the steel business in its various branches,
is now secretary of the Detroit Steel Castings Com
pany, which position he has been occupying for the
past twelve years. He is a native of the Buckeye
state, born in Alliance, Ohio, May 28, 1867, a son of
Pliny and Hettie M. (McElwain) Allen, well known
citizens of that part of Ohio.
Mr. Allen is another example of what may be ac
complished even when the start is made from small
beginnings. He was educated in the public sehools
of Alliance, Ohio, later commencing to work on his
own account, first as a newsboy and then as an office
boy. He learned the foundry business in one of the
first steel foundries built in America, at Alliance,
Ohio. This is now one of the plants of the American
Steel Foundries.
Becoming thoroughly grounded in every phase of
the steel foundry business, Mr. Allen gradually ad
vanced to the position of assistant superintendent.
His next place was with the Ohio Steel Company at
Youngstown, Ohio, where he remained for seven years.
After moving elsewhere about the country, still con
nected with the steel trade, Mr. Allen came to Detroit
in 1909, as salesman, at which he remained for about
twelve months. In the following year, 1910, he was
made secretary of the corporation, holding this re

sponsible position ever since, bringing to the duties
a ripe experience and sound judgment, enjoying the
confidence of the company and of its customers.
In 1889 Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss
Catherine Woods, and they have become the parents
of four children: Robert W., Catherine, Elizabeth and
Gladys. Mr. Allen is a member of the Ohio Society
of Detroit and of the Board of -Commerce, in the
affairs of whieh he takes a practical interest. In
matters pertaining to the civic advancement of De
troit, Mr. Allen gives his hearty support. He has
not, however, been an aspirant at any time for polit
ical honors.
FRANK DWIGHT TAYLOR. No biographical
record in this volume illustrates more clearly the
fact that success and an honored name may be won
simultaneously than does that of Frank Dwight Taylor.
The attainment of prosperity was but one end and
aim of his life. Various other interests have bene
fited equally by his energy, his sound judgment and
his contagious enthusiasm. There is no citizen in
all Detroit to whom the Young Men's Christian Asso
ciation is more largely indebted than to him, and
those who knew him from his boyhood to his death
recognized the fact that humanitarianism was ever
one of the strongest traits of his character. Michi
gan is proud to claim him as a native son. He was
born at Dryden, this state, June 11, 1842, his parents
being Nathaniel T. and Laura N. (Winchell) Taylor.
He was descended from English ancestry, the pro
genitor of the family in America- being the Rev.
Edward Taylor, who in 1662 braved the danger of a
long ocean voyage at that period and became a resi
dent of Boston, Massachusetts, afterward removing to
Westfield in the same state, where he spent 'his re
maining days. He was a dissenting clergyman in his
native land and was one of the first representatives
of his denominational faith in the New England col
onies, where it is said "he attained to marked prom
inence and influence and where his name is held in
lasting honor." The grandfather of Frank D. Taylor
was the Rev. John Taylor, who removed from Massa
chusetts to Michigan, establishing his home in Macomb
county in 1832, several years before the state was
admitted to the Union. He was one of the pioneer
representatives of the Congregational clergy in Mich
igan and was the founder of the Congregational Acad
emy at Romeo. His son, Nathaniel T. Taylor, re
moved in 1848 from Dryden, Lapeer county, to De
troit, and in 1850, attracted by conditions brought
about in California through the discovery of gold,
he made his way to the Pacific coast and in that state
established a general store, which he conducted until
1852, when he beeame a victim of the widespread
cholera epidemic. His wife survived him for a
number of years. They had a family of three sons
and two daughters, all of whom have passed away.
Frank Dwight Taylor was a resident of Detroit from

-..-. .... : '.-.-.- -. ¦ -..¦,.... , ¦¦

WALTER S. ALLEN

CITY OF DETROIT

715

the sixth year of his age to the time of his death
on March 12, 1920. His educational opportunities
were limited to six years' attendance at the publie
schools of this city and then at the age of twelve
he began providing for his own support by becoming
an employe in the tea and coffee house of L. F. Harter.
His identification with the dry goods trade began
in 1860, when he secured a position with the firm
of Farrell & Brother, with whom he remained until
1867. He was next with Neweomb, Endicott & Com
pany until 1880 and associated with J. B. Woolfenden,
he then organized the dry goods firm of Taylor, Wool
fenden & Company, which in 1894 was incorporated
under the name of The Taylor-Woolfenden Company
and so conducted until 1909. In the latter year it was
consolidated with the house of William H. Elliott &
Company and the firm name of Elliott, Taylor &
Woolfenden Company was assumed. Mr. Taylor was
chosen the president of the new concern and so con
tinued until 1913, when he retired from that office
but remained with the house as a director. The firm
with which he was connected maintained the highest
standards in the personnel of the house, in the treat
ment accorded patrons and in the line of goods carried.
On the 21st of February, 1866, in Detroit, Mr.
Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe E.
Shourds, daughter of James Shourds, of Rochester,
New York. She passed away at the summer home of
the family at Orchard Lake in 1885 and is survived
by three children: Florence G., of Detroit; Harriet,
the wife of Bertrand S. Summers, of Port Huron;
and Mabel, the wife of Clarence S. Fleming, of Pasa
dena, California. On the 27th of May, 1890, Mr.
Taylor married Mrs. Eleanora H. Snover of Detroit.
Mr. Taylor belonged to the Detroit Boat Club.
In his political views he was independent and the
nature and extent of his interests were further in
dicated in the fact that he was a member of the
Pioneer Society, a .member of the Archaeological
Society, of which he was president at the time of his
demise, the Sons of the American Revolution, of which
he was an ex-president, and of the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children, of which he was
honorary president. He was also a member of the
New England Society of Detroit, and the Detroit
Chamber of Commerce. His religious faith was that
of the Congregational church and he was always
untiring in his activity to promote the principles
of Christianity. His chief work, perhaps, was in
connection with the Detroit Young Men's Christian
Association, of which he was a member for fifty-five
years and of whieh for many years he was president.
He has written a comprehensive history of the Asso
ciation in Detroit and there is no one in the city
who was more closely associated with the work of
the organization or for a longer period. A most inter
esting article was published in October, 1919, con
cerning the thirteenth international convention of
the Young Men's Christian Association, whieh was

held in Detroit in 1868, and over which Frank D.
Taylor presided at the opening session as the president
of the Detroit organization. He assisted in founding
the Association in the city in 1864 and four years
later war work was a large feature of the interna
tional convention here. Again this subject was the
prominent one at the convention in 1919. Starting out
in life for himself with but limited educational op
portunities and no financial advantages, yet with an
ancestry back of him that gave to him strong intel
lectual powers and a natural refinement, Frank Dwight
Taylor steadily progressed along the lines that build
character. Without thought of fame or position he
used his opportunities to assist his fellowmen and
aid in the upbuilding of the city. His position in
public regard was indicated when on the evening
of April 12, 1910, the most prominent business men
of Detroit gathered at the Hotel Ponchartrain and
extended to Mr. Taylor a complimentary dinner ' ' mark
ing his successful completion of a half century in
business." When he passed away on March 12, 1920,
his loss was mourned by a host of friends and a large
circle of acquaintances.
MAYNARD D. SMITH, president of the A. J.
Smith Construction Company of Detroit sinee it was
established and incorporated in 1910, was born in
Port Huron, Miehigan, December 22, 1876. He is a
son of Andrew J. and Mary M. (Quinn) Smith, the
father a native of Scotland, while the mother was
bora in Michigan. Andrew J. Smith still resides at
Port Huron, where he is president of the A. J. Smith
& Son company.
After completing a publie school education Maynard
D. Smith beeame the associate of his father in busi
ness at Port Huron and there remained until June,
1910, when he came to Detroit and here organized the
A. J. Smith Construction Company, whieh was in
corporated in the same year and of whieh he has sinee
been the president. As the head of this company Mr.
Smith has had an extensive and important connection
with building operations during the decade when De
troit made the greatest progress in her history, and
a number of the most important business and industrial
structures erected during that period were handled
by the A. J. Smith Construction Company. This,
however, indicates but one line of his activity, which
has covered a broad field. He is the president of the
Fort Shelby Hotel Company of Detroit, president of
the Cameron Steamship Company of Detroit, a director
of the Sampson Trailer Company of Grand Rapids,
one of the organizers and now a director and treasurer
of The Electrical Warehouse, Incorporated, of De
troit, a director of the Turner Engineering Company of
Detroit, a director of the Consumers Gravel Company
and a director of the United States Savings Bank of
Port Huron, Michigan.
On the 14th of January, 1904, Mr. Smith was mar
ried to Miss Laura Seville Reynolds, a native of

716

CITY OF DETROIT

Lewiston, Maine, then residing in Atkins, Miehigan,
and a daughter of Frank O. Reynolds. Mr. and Mrs.
Smith have two sons: Andrew Reynolds, born in April,
1905, at Port Huron, Michigan, and now a student
at St. John's Military Academy of Delafield, Wisconsin;
and Maynard Seville, who was born at Port Huron,
Michigan, in October, 1906, and is now attending the
Detroit Country Day school.
Mr. Smith has an interesting military chapter in
his life record, having served as a member of Company
F. Thirty-third Miehigan Volunteers, during the Span
ish-American war, participating in the Santiago cam
paign. He was honorably discharged and mustered out
in November, 1898, and then went south for a year,
after which he entered business connections, as pre
viously indicated. He is now a member of the Spanish
War Veterans Association and a Veteran of Foreign
Wars. He belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce,
the Employers Association, the Associated General
Contractors of America, in which he was chairman of
the financial committee for the year 1920, while in 1919
he was chairman of the labor committee. He has at
tained the thirty-second degree in Masonry, belonging
to both the Consistory and the Shrine, and also to
the Elks, of which he is a life member. He also has
membership in the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit
Bankers Club, the Cross Country Riding Club, and
the Detroit Automobile Club, and the Port Huron,
Michigan, Golf & Country Club.
PAUL H. KING, who since 1904 has been a member
of the Michigan bar, now one of the two referees in
bankruptcy for the Eastern District of Michigan and
located in Detroit, has also been aetive along other
business lines and is prominently known as one of
the leaders of the republican party in Michigan.
Moreover, his labors in war activities were notably
successful, particularly in Red Cross and Liberty Loan
campaigns. Mr. King is a native of Arapahoe, Nebraska. He
was born August 22, 1879, of the marriage of Dr.
John S. and Agnes A. King, the former a distinguished
physician and surgeon, who was born at Rochester,
New York, and actively engaged in the practice of
his profession, principally in Chicago, Illinois. In
later years he practiced in Nebraska and Iowa, but
finally removed to Minnesota for his health, and there
passed away in 1891. His wife, who bore the maiden
name of Agnes A. Smead, was a school teacher.
She died in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1911.
Paul H. King acquired his early education through
home instruction and also as a pupil in the public
schools of South Omaha, Nebraska, Wadena, Minnesota,
and Dowagiac, Michigan, as the family removed to
the various points indicated. He was the main sup
port of his mother and sister, and at the age of
twelve was the bread winner of the family, so that
it was with the greatest difficulty that he was able
to graduate from the Dowagiac high school with the

class of 1898. Even previous to this time he had
entered upon a career of public service which has
been continuous down to the present. He was a
page in the Minnesota house of representatives in
1893 and 1895 and on the 25th of April of the latter
year became a resident of Michigan. In 1897 he was
appointed a page in the Miehigan state senate. In
1901 he was made assistant secretary of the senate
and in 1903, 1905 and 1907 served as journal elerk
in the house of representatives, while from 1901 until
1905 he was private secretary to the secretary of
state between the legislative sessions. About this
time he was pursuing his law studies and on the 15th
of April, 1904, was admitted to the bar by the State
Board of Law Examiners, with the highest standing
in a class of twenty-three members. Since this time
he has practiced in Lansing and in Detroit. In 1906,
he was one of the compilers of the index to the Com
piled Laws of 1897, and in 1907-08 he was secretary
of the Michigan constitutional convention. Mr. King
was secretary of the Townsend senatorial campaign
committee in 1910, and in the same year was made
secretary of the republican state central committee,
which position he filled for two years.
In 1911 he became secretary to Benjamin S. Han-
chett, president and general manager of the Grand
Rapids Railway Company, continuing to act in that
capacity until 1914. He was assistant secretary-treas
urer of the Grand Rapids, Holland & Chicago Railway
in 1914 and in the same year became operating re
ceiver of the Pere Marquette Railroad, so continuing
until 1917. In this work he was signally successful,
in three years bringing this system from seemingly
hopeless bankruptcy to a position where reorganiza
tion was made possible.
Mr. King's professional and public duties of a
political character have been interspersed with other
valuable public service. In June, 1917, he was the
Michigan director for the first Red Cross war fund
campaign, with a quota of three million dollars, and
managed a campaign which raised over four million
dollars. From October, 1917, until March, 1918, he
was director of publicity for the Michigan state board
of the American Red Cross. He was also a member
of the state publicity committee in the second Liberty
Loan campaign, and had charge of a division in the
first patriotic fund drive in the city of Detroit. On
the 20th of November, 1917, he was made a member
of the Detroit Charter Commission, so serving until
March 25, 1918. He was chairman of the committee
on arrangement and phraseology and made the original
draft of the present city charter. He was also a
member of the publie utilities committee in that body.
From the 4th of March, 1918, until the 27th of August
of the same year he was chairman of the executive
committee of the Newberry senatorial committee and
from the 25th of September to the 5th of November,
1918, was director of campaign for the republican
state central committee. On the 10th of April, 1919,

PAUL H. KING

CITY OF DETROIT

719

he was appointed referee in bankruptcy for the eastern
district of Michigan, in whieh offiee he is now serving.
On the 27th of August, 1919, he was made state chair
man of the Roosevelt Memorial Association, and
conducted a campaign for funds which raised more
than one hundred thousand dollars in small contribu
tions, placing Miehigan second only to New York
in this enterprise. Mr. King is a director of the
Commonwealth Federal Savings Bank, which he helped
to organize, and also a director of the Fidelity &
Surety Company.
Mr. King was married January 29, 1910, to Miss
Sarah A. Bidwell of Lapeer, Michigan, and they have
four children: Martha, who was born in Lansing in
1911; Sarah, born in Grand Rapids in 1913; and Eliza
beth and Pauline, born in Detroit in 1917 and 1921,
respectively. Mr. King is a member of the Detroit,
Detroit Athletic, Ingleside and Red Run Golf Clubs,
is a director of the Rotary Club and a member of the
Board of Commerce. Fraternally he is a. thirty-
second degree Mason, holding membership in Lansing
Lodge, No. 33, F. & A. M.; Lansing Chapter, No. 9,
R. A. M.; Monroe Council, No. 1, R. & S. M.; De
troit Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar; De Witt
Clinton Consistory at Grand Rapids and Moslem Tem
ple, Mystie Shrine. He is a member of the North
Woodward Avenue Congregational church, of whieh
he has served as a trustee. In the line of his profess
sion he has membership in the Detroit Bar Associa
tion and the Michigan Bar Association.
By reason of his extended publie service there are
few men in Miehigan better known than is Paul H.
King and his marked fidelity to duty and the high
degree of efficiency which he has ever displayed
have made him one of the most valued residents of
the state. Formulating his plans most carefully, he
has ever carried them forward to successful com
pletion, making his own interests at all times sub
servient to the public welfare.
LOUTS MENDELSSOHN. The formative period of
the automobile industry found Louis Mendelssohn a
man mature in years and business experience. A
Detroiter at the age of two, when, in 1855, his parents
removed to this city from New York, and educated
in Detroit schools, he had chosen architecture as his
profession, and had begun its practice as a very
young man in the office of Messrs. Sheldon and Mort
imer L. Smith, and later as manufacturing draftsman
in the car and locomotive department of the Michigan
Central Railroad.
Several years later he had formed a partnership
with Mortimer L. Smith under the firm name of
Mortimer L. Smith & L. Mendelssohn, and had de
signed many of the important buildings in Detroit
and Michigan.
In 1882 he had gone west and had established one
of the largest architectural and engineering offices
in that region. In addition to private buildings of

all kinds he had designed buildings for the govern
ment and western railroads. He had made a special
study of manufacturing and manufacturing plant arch
itecture and supplemented his American observa
tions with a five-year tour of the industrial and arch
itectural centers of Europe. From his profession he
had accumulated an independent fortune when, in
1896, he returned to reside in Detroit.
Always a student of industrial progress, Mr. Men
delssohn followed closely the early stages of auto
mobile industry development. Basing his action on
a firm belief in the future of this industry, he asso
ciated himself, in 1909, with the Fisher Body Cor
poration shortly after its organization. He became its
treasurer and chairman of its board of directors.
His integrity and high financial standing were a war
rant of the company's sincerity and ability to ful
fill obligations.
To the rapid and steady expansion of the company,
Mr. Mendelssohn furnished far more than prestige and
financial direction. His experience as an architect
and builder also enabled him to take executive super
vision of new plant construction, thus eliminating
construction delays which might have greatly inter
fered with the company's forward progress.
Outside of his business, Mr. Mendelssohn admits
three hobbies — reading, travel and architecture. His
home at 8415 Jefferson avenue, East, contains an ex
tensive and finely selected library. He has visited
every part of the United States and has made frequent
trips to Europe and other foreign lands.
By his first wife, Miss Lydia Benda, he has two
sons, Gordon L. and Paxton C. After the death of
Mrs. Mendelssohn he married Miss Evelyn Dumas,
by whom he has a daughter, Miss Lydia Evelyn
Mendelssohn. "" RUSSELL A. McNAIR, one of the younger repre
sentatives of the Detroit bar, has practiced his pro
fession in this city since 1916 and in the intervening
period has built up a good clientele, being regarded
as an able advocate and safe counselor. He was born
in Carsonville, Michigan, a son of Hugh and Nancy
(McCaren) MeNair, who were also natives of this
state and whose family numbered two children, Rus
sell A. and Lawrence N. In 1890 the family removed
to Brown City, Miehigan, and there Mr. MeNair
attended the public schools, later becoming a student
in the high school at Ann Arbor, after whieh he pur
sued a year's course in Olivet College. From 1906
until 1909 he was instructor of mathematics at the
Brown City high school, also acting as principal, and
subsequently entered the University of Michigan,
from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree
in 1913, while two years later the LL. B. degree was
conferred upon him by that institution. In the spring
of 1916 he came to Detroit, becoming associated with
the well known legal firm of Warren, Cady, Ladd &
Hill, in the general practice of law, retaining that

720

CITY OF DETROIT

connection until June 1, 1918. He then enlisted for
service in the World war, becoming a member of the
navy, in which he rose to the grade of lieutenant
junior, having charge of the legal work in connection
with Admiral Sims' staff. He was honorably dis
charged in November, 1919, and returned to Detroit,
where he again took up the work of his profession,
becoming associated with Henry E. Bodman in the
general practice of law. Since January, 1921, he has
been associated with the law firm of Goodenough,
Voorhies, Long & Ryan. He has made steady ad
vancement in his profession as he has proven his
ability to cope with the intricate problems of the
law and to arrive at clear deductions from the facts
at hand. His mind is analytical and logical in its
trend and in his presentation of a case he is always
fortified by a comprehensive understanding of the
legal principles applicable thereto. To his chosen
life work he devotes his undivided attention and his
business in the courts is constantly increasing in
volume and importance. He is a member of the De
troit Bar Association and is also connected with several
civic bodies, being deeply interested in all that per
tains to the welfare and development of his' city. He
is one of the rising young attorneys of Detroit and
his ability is not only attested by his fellow prac
titioners but by the general public as well.
ALFRED E. D. ALLAN, well known as a represent
ative of the coal and lumber trade in Detroit, came
to this city from Wales, where his birth occurred in
1869. He was but two and a half years of age when
his parents crossed the . Atlantic, settling first in
Canada, but removing to Detroit in 1882, when he was
a youth of thirteen years. He began his education
in Canadian sehools and continued his studies in De
troit, where he attended the public schools and also
night school. No special advantages were his at the
outset of his business career. Early he recognized
the fact that industry and diligence must constitute
the foundation of his success and with these sterling
qualities he has developed his fortunes, gradually
working his way upward as the years have passed.
He first took up contracting and building, which he
followed for fifteen years, and in 1910 he organized
the wholesale and retail business of the Allan Coal &
Lumber Company, his associate in the undertaking
being his brother, Albert T. Allan. Their yard is
located at 5934 West Warren avenue. Another yard
is at St. Jean and Shoemaker streets and is conducted
under the firm name of Allan Brothers. They supply
everything in the lumber line, and the scope of their
business, as someone has expressed it, "includes
everything from a toothpick to a telegraph pole."
Their specialty, however, is interior finish work and
they have won a well deserved reputation in this con
nection. Mr. Allan has always closely applied him
self to the business and the efforts of the one brother
ably round out and supplement the labors of the

other, so that the firm is a strong one. Gradually their
trade has developed until now they are in control of
a large business. Mr. Allan is a member of the board
of directors of the Commercial State Savings Bank
which he helped to organize.
Alfred E. D. Allan is one of the best known mem
bers of the Masonic fraternity in the city. He is a
thirty-second degree Mason, having membership in
Oriental Lodge, No. 240, F. & A. M.; King Cyrus
Chapter, R. A. M.; Michigan Sovereign Consistory;
and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine, of which
he served as illustrious potentate in 1921. He be
longs to the Masonic Country Club, also to the Caravan
Club and to the Royal Order of Jesters, whieh draws
its membership only from among those identified with
Masonry. He is likewise a member of the committee
having in charge the erection of the magnificent new
Masonic Temple. He belongs to the Board of Com
merce and thus manifests his interest in Detroit's
progressive development. He has membership in the
Detroit Yacht Club, the Detroit Automobile Club and
the Ingleside Club, and his social, .genial nature makes
for popularity in all these organizations..
Mr. Allan was united in marriage to Miss Isa
Johnson and they have one daughter, Ruth. They are
well known in the best social circles of the city.
Mr. Allan has spent the greater part of his life in
Detroit and is thoroughly American in spirit and
interest, actuated by the progressiveness which has
always been a dominant ' factor in the development
of this country. He is truly a self-made man, owing
his progress to his earnest efforts and persistency of
purpose and his record proves that the acquirement
of success is not incompatible with the attainment of
an honorable name. Mr. Allan resides at 8942 Dexter
boulevard. CHARLES W. M. -WEBB, who for many years
figured as a prominent and prosperous business man
of Detroit, his enterprise and ability carrying him
into important commercial relations, was born in Lon
don, England, in 1859, his parents being Charles W.
and Fannie (Cook) Webb. Their family numbered
three sons and Charles W. M. Webb also had a step
brother and two step-sisters.
When a lad in his fourth year Charles W. M. Webb
was brought to the new. world, the family home being
established in Detroit. At the usual age he be
came a public school pupil here, passing through con
secutive grades to the high school. In young man
hood he turned his attention to the furniture business
and for a quarter of a century was vice president of
the Gray Furniture Company of Detroit. In this
connection he controlled one of the extensive and
important commercial interests of the city. He was
a man of sound business judgment, enterprising, pro
gressive, reliable and at all times fully meeting his
obligations. Those who knew him recognized the fact
that his word could be depended upon and that he

r^ r^

ALFRED E. D. ALLAN

Vol. IV— 4 6

CITY OF DETROIT

723

was to be trusted under any and all circumstances.
After entering business circles he closely studied the
furniture trade and the wishes of the publie and so
directed his efforts as constantly to develop and en
large the business with which he was associated.
In 1880 Mr. Webb was united in marriage to Miss
Alvena Knickbein, a daughter of Gottlieb Knickbein,
and they became the parents of six children. One
son, Charles W. Webb, saw service in the World
war, having enlisted in Company F, of the Fifteenth
Field Artillery of the Second Division in September,
1917. He served until mustered out in March, 1919.
He was gassed while on active duty at the front and
has never fully recovered. He is now engaged in
the lumber business in Detroit and resides with his
mother and the family at No. 670 Prentice avenue.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Chris
tian Science ehureh. Fraternally Mr. Webb was con
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
and loyally followed the high principles of that organ
ization. His political endorsement was given to the
republican party and he kept well informed on the
questions and issues of the day, but never sought
nor desired political preferment. He passed away
April 29, 1919, just about a week after his son's re
turn from service in the World war. He left his
family in very comfortable financial circumstances,
owing to the success whieh had attended him as a
merchant. He always found his greatest happiness
in providing for the members of his own household
and while he was a loyal citizen and faithful friend
he was above all a devoted husband and father.
EDWIN S. BARBOUR is the treasurer of the Mich
igan Stove Company, conducting the largest business
in the world in the manufacture of stoves and ranges.
It is true that he entered upon the business already
established, but in enlarging and directing the enter
prise he has shown splendid business qualifications
and the thoroughness and energy which constitute
the qualities out of which success is made. He comes
to the middle west from New England, his birth
having occurred in Collinsville, Connecticut, May 11,
1870, his parents being George H. and Katherine
Barbour, who were married at Collinsville on the
26th of June, 1869. Both were representatives of
old New England families, the former being a son of
Samuel Thompson and Phoebe (Beckwith) Barbour,
while the latter was a daughter of William H. and
Susan R. Hawley of Connecticut. Extended reference
is made to George Harrison Barbour on another page
of this work, for his position is that of one of the
most prominent manufacturers of Detroit, as he is now
the president of the Miehigan Stove Company.
In the acquirement of his education Edwin S. Bar
bour attended the publie sehools of Detroit and also
Hales Preparatory school of Boston, Massachusetts.
He thus qualified by liberal educational advantages,
for the responsibilities of an aetive business life.

Returning to Detroit he became identified with his
father in the Miehigan Stove Company, accepting a
minor position in the sales and purchasing department.
Gradually, however, he familiarized himself with the
business and as his efficiency increased won promotion.
He became assistant treasurer and director of the
company, and so continued until 1910, when he was
elected treasurer and has sinee occupied this position.
He is also a director of the Ireland & Matthews Man
ufacturing Company of Detroit, and has ever dis
played sound judgment and keen discrimination in
business affairs. His plans are carefully formulated
and promptly executed, and his efficiency has de
veloped with the passing years, so that he is today an
important factor in the successful conduct of a busi
ness that is equalled in extent and importance by no
other enterprise of the kind in all the world.
On the 15th of October, 1901, Edwin S. Barbour
was married to Miss Edith Henry of Detroit, daughter
of Mr. A. M. Henry. Her father is a resident of
Grosse Pointe Farms. Mrs. Barbour is a member of
the Detroit Ladies Civic Club and is interested in all
that has to do with the progress and welfare of the
city. Mr. Barbour gives his political allegiance to
the republican party, while his religious faith is
manifest in his membership in the Grosse Pointe Pres
byterian chureh. He is also connected with various
social organizations, including the Detroit Club, the
Detroit Country Club, the Grosse Pointe Hunt Club,
the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Boat Club,
and the Yondotega Club, and he finds his recreation
in country sports, in golf and riding. He was but two
years of age- when his parents established the family
home in Detroit, and through the intervening period
he has resided in this city, covering almost a half
century. An eminent statesman has said that the
strongest test in American manhood and citizenship
is brought out when eastern birth and training are
grafted onto western enterprise and opportunity.
Such has been the record of Edwin S. Barbour, who
is today recognized as a strong and forceful factor
in the commercial, financial and manufacturing circles
of Detroit, and whose personal qualities make for
popularity wherever he is known.
ALBERT J. WILLSON. Death called Albert J.
Willson when he was sojourning in St. Petersburg,
Florida, for the benefit of his health. He had long
been well known in connection with the hardware
trade of Detroit and had made for himself a most
creditable position in business circles. He was born
in Seaforth, Ontario, on the 24th of July, 1866, and
was one of a family of six children, whose parents
were Oliver C. and Sarah (Sloan) Willson. The
father engaged in the hardware business in Canada,
where he won prosperity through his wisely directed
efforts and unfaltering enterprise. Later he removed
to Detroit, where he continued in the hardware busi
ness until his death.

724

CITY OF DETROIT

Albert J. Willson, spending his youthful , days in
Canada, attended the public and high schools of Sea-
forth to the time of his graduation. He was a young
man of nineteen years when in 1885 he came to De
troit and entered the employ of the Standard Hardware
Company, with whom he remained until 1895. When
that decade had passed he accepted a position with
the T. B. Rayl Company as a clerk and won sub
sequent promotion until he was made manager of the
household furnishing department. He always made
his services of value and benefit to his employers
and his name was synonymous with the term of
fidelity and loyalty.
Mr. Willson was united in marriage to Miss Mary
Williams, a daughter of E. S. Williams, and a member
of one of the well known families of Detroit. Three
children were born to them: Kenneth A., whose birth
occurred November 3, 1896; Sidney W., born Febru
ary 2, 1902; and Dorothy M., born January 17, 1903.
All are living at home with the mother. Mr. Willson
belonged to the Central Methodist Episcopal church,
of which his family are members and his life was
ever guided by its teachings and its principles. His
political support was given to the democratic party
and he was a faithful follower of the Masonic order.
He had many sterling qualities which won him the
confidence and goodwill of all who knew him, so that
his death was the occasion of deep and widespread
regret to his many friends. Passing away in Florida
his remains were .brought back to Detroit for inter
ment in Roseland cemetery. His family i3 well known
in this city and Mrs. Willson occupies an enviable
social position.
GEORGE DAVID BROWN, founder of the Highland
Park Creamery and active in that business until a
short time ago, when he sold his interests, is now
engaged in the development of a forty-three acre
tract of land just on the edge of the new town of
Marysville, and the sale of this property promises to
add materially to his fortunes. In the enterprise he
has back of him some of the most substantial manu
facturers and business men of the city, who are erect
ing there million dollar plants for the manufacture
of automobiles and for other industrial purposes.
George David Brown was born at Greenfield, Mich
igan, April 1, 1874, and is a son of Alexander and
Agnes (Wilson) Brown, both of whom were natives
of Ireland and emigrated to America in 1872. They
settled on a farm near Greenfield, Michigan, where
they continued to make their home until called to
their final rest. They had a family of eight children,
four of whom have passed away, while those living
are: William, residing in Washington, Michigan;
James, who makes his home in Hamtramck; Joseph,
who is located in Chicago, Illinois; and George D.
The last named on leaving the high school of De
troit started out to learn the lessons in the school
of experience by becoming an apprentice to the ma

chinist's trade. Before completing his term of in
denture, however, he gave up that line of business
and turned his attention to the conduct of a creamery
on the 1st of September, 1900. This constituted the
beginning of the Highland Park Creamery, whieh con
tinued to grow and prosper under his careful man
agement and direction. He was sole owner thereof
until 1912, when he incorporated the business under
the name of the Highland Park Creamery, of which
he was president until he sold his interests on the 1st
of April, 1920. In the meantime he had acquired a
large tract of land near the center of the new town
of Marysville, and this he is developing and putting
into shape for subdivision. He is making thereon all
modern improvements, laying out streets, building side
walks, putting in sewers and installing electric lights,
and this district will be put upon the market for
home builders. A spirit of progressiveness and enter
prise actuates Mr. Brown in the undertaking and his
labors seem destined to win substantial success. He
is likewise a director of the Highland Park State
Bank and is regarded in the community as a most
progressive business man.
Mr. Brown was married June 12, 1901, to Miss Ella
May Sloate of Albion, Miehigan, a daughter of David
Sloate. Aside from his business Mr. Brown has entered
upon various pleasant fraternal and social relations,
for he is a Mason, belonging to Highland Park Lodge,
A. F. & A. M., and he also belongs to the Masonic
Country Club, and the Pine Lake Automobile Country
Club, and for twenty-two years he was a member of
the Highland Park board of education, the public
school system finding in him a stalwart champion and
one who did effective work in behalf of the schools,
his labors being at all times far-reaching and result
ant. Energy has carried him steadily forward and
sound judgment has guided his activities, winning him
a place among the men of affluence in this section of
the state. Mr. Brown's home at No. 30 Grand
avenue, West, was erected by him and completed in
1903, being one of the first residences built on that
street. AARON MENDELSON is a native son of this city,
born March 29, 1862, in the homestead whieh stood
near the site of the present county building, for De
troit was then a small town giving little indication
of its present greatness and marvelous development.
At the usual age he became a public school pupil,
passing through the consecutive grammar grades to
the high school and at length attending the Detroit
Business University.
Mr. Mendelson has contributed in a notable measure
to Detroit's development through his association with
industrial interests. His specific work in the business
world has been in connection with the Fisher Body
Corporation, which he joined in 1909, shortly after
its organization. In the capacity of secretary, he
has assisted in directing the affairs of this corpora-

GEORGE D. BROWN

CITY OF DETROIT

727

lion and has 'been no small factor in its remarkable
development. He is a director and a member of
its executive committee and is also connected as a
stockholder and director in other affiliated industries.
He is a constructive man, warm-hearted, liberal in
his views and charitable in his opinions, rejoicing in
the success of others just as he delights in his own
advancement. In 1888 Mr. Mendelson was married to Miss Jennie
Grogan and they beeame parents of a daughter and
a son: Gladys M., who is now Mrs. B. E. Kuhn; and
Herbert A. Mendelson.
GEORGE A. MOORE, secretary and treasurer of
the Detroit Range, Boiler & Steel Barrel Company,
was born in this city, where he has always made his
home. He is a son of George H. and Emma (Smith)
Moore, the former a native of the state of New York
while the latter was born in Detroit, a daughter of
Ralph C. Smith.
In the attainment of his education George A. Moore
supplemented his early training by a course in the
Northwestern University at Chicago, and was grad
uated with the class of 1902, winning the degree of
Bachelor of Philosophy. He then returned to De
troit and became associated with the Chicago Pneu
matic Tool Company. He has always directed his
business affairs in this city and has made steady
progress as the result of his close application, his
thoroughness and his capability. On leaving the Chi
cago Pneumatic Company he joined the United States
Heater Company and was sent by them to act as
assistant manager of the Chieago branch of the busi
ness. At length that company consolidated with the
United States Radiator Company and he became
their advertising manager in Detroit. In 1919
the old Detroit Range Boiler Company was reorgan
ized as the Detroit Range Boiler & Steel Barrel Com
pany and Mr. Moore was made secretary and treas
urer. He had joined the old company in 1912 as as
sistant manager, had been promoted to the position
of secretary and was finally made secretary and
treasurer. During several months of the World war
the Detroit plant and the other plant of the company
at Toledo were devoted entirely to the making of steel
drums for the United States government for the ex
port of gasoline, oil and similar commodities. Mr.
Moore is recognized as a brainy, successful, energetic
business man, and his position in business circles is
indicated in the fact that he is now serving for the
second term as president of the Steel Barrel Manu
facturers Association.
Mr. Moore has been twice married. In 1909 he
married Mabel Ethelind Scripps of Evanston, Illinois,
who died in January, 1912. In May, 1919, he was
united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Griffith of Ohio.
He belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, to the Board
of Commerce of Detroit, the Oakland Hills Golf Club,
the Automobile Country Club, the Detroit Automobile

Club, the Ingleside Club, and the Phi Kappa Psi, a
college fraternity, of whieh he is the national treas
urer. His political endorsement is given to the re
publican party and his religious faith is that of the
Episcopal church. His life in every relation measures
up to high standards, and Detroit has reason to be
proud of him as a native son and also has reason to
congratulate him upon what he has accomplished in
the business world, for his advancement is attributable
entirely to his own labors and capability.
M. WESSON DICKINSON, eldest son of Horace
H. and Lucy S. L. (Dickinson) Dickinson, who are
mentioned elsewhere in this work, was bora in Detroit
on St. Valentine's day, 1878, and received his early
education iri the public schools, finishing in the old
Biddle House high school. His early career was ad
venturous and romantic and if fully elaborated would
make a thrilling tale for a boy's story-book. He was
early imbued with a full-grown wanderlust and had
the spirit and courage to gratify his desire to see what
was in the world outside of Detroit. At the age of
thirteen he took a trip to Butte, Montana, to visit
his aunt and before coming back bought up a stock
of buffalo horns furnished by the Indians and sold
them on the trains between St. Paul and Chicago,
making his first business deal a very profitable one.
Then he and another boy set out to see the south
west. They hired a boat and started for Mexico.
The first leg of the journey was made in the hired
boat towed by a steamer to Colchester, Ontario, where
they took a steamer to Sandusky, Ohio. From San
dusky they walked to Chieago Junction, Ohio, where
his companion gave out and he beat his way on trains
to St. Louis and thence on to New Mexico. He re
mained in New Mexico for two years, working as
salesman in a livery stable and in various other lines,
and then traveled all through the west from Cali
fornia to Minnesota. He beeame a cowboy and was
engaged in sheep shearing through Montana, Wyoming,
and the Dakotas, finally going into the cow ranches
and becoming a range rider, and putting in seven
months on a ranch eighty-five miles from the nearest
railroad. His experience was unique in that he saw
the old west change to the new. He was present at
one of the latest orgies of the old order of things,
seeing the cowboys shoot up Shelby Junction, Montana.
Another of his western experiences was working for
four months on the old wooden pipe line constructed
to bring water into Ogden, Utah. Altogether his
experiences in those years were a liberal education in
themselves, for as the philosopher Locke has said,
"Travel broadens a man."
Returning to Detroit he joined his father in the
hardware business, but in 1907 started in the same line
for himself in what was then known as the "boy
cotted" stores. This venture proved a success, but in
1910, he went back with his father into the H. H. Dick
inson Company. In 1913 he became vice president

728

CITY OF DETROIT

of the corporation and after the death of his father,
in May, 1920, he became president.
Mr. Dickinson is a thirty-second degree Mason; a
member of Oriental Lodge, No. 240, F. & A. M.; King
Cyrus Chapter; Monroe Council; Michigan Sovereign
Consistory; and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
He takes part in the rituals of the consistory and he is
also affiliated with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of
Pythias and the Masonic Country Club. In politics
he is independent and takes a warm interest in public
affairs. Some years ago he was considered a candidate
for school inspector, and at present is a deputy sheriff,
an offiee which he took during the World war, be
cause of his patriotic zeal. During the war he was
a sergeant in Company A, Five Hundred and Fiftieth
Michigan State Troops, and was very aetive and
zealous in all the operations and work of his regiment,
which rendered great service in many ways besides
training thousands of young men so that when they
went to the military camps they were already well
versed in duty and drill. He was also a member of
Company M, Light Guards in the Spanish-American
war, but was taken down with typhoid fever and pre
vented from accompanying his regiment to Cuba. As
soon as he was well enough he joined the naval bri
gade, of which he was a member for three years.
On April 5, 1899, Mr. Dickinson married Lucy E.
Gray and they have two sons: George Wesson Jerome,
born July 12, 1901; and Edward Parker Dickinson,
born February 4, 1907. George W. J. Dickinson joined
the Boy Scouts and did excellent service during the
World war, speaking throughout the state of Michigan
with Captain B. N. Pullinger. He is now preparing
for the ministry of the Episcopal church.
The family are members of Grace Episcopal church
and Mr. Dickinson is a, vestryman in that church;
also a member of the finance committee and chairman
of the building committee for the new edifice that body
is now erecting on the northwest comer of Twelfth
and Virginia.
From the foregoing it is manifest that Mr. Dickinson
is a broad-minded man of large capabilities; a man
with a broad outlook on life, liberal, energetic and
progressive; and his business ability is well expressed
in the large and flourishing enterprise of which he is
the head. Mr. Dickinson is a member of the Benevo
lent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a director
in the Chureh Club of the diocese of Miehigan, also
the U and I Club, of which he was an early member.
AXEL E. MICHELSON, treasurer of the Michelson
Land & Home Company, has operated in the real
estate field in Detroit sinee 1916 and was previously
connected with the lumber trade and mining industry.
He was born January 21, 1878, in Manistee, Michigan,
his parents being Nels and Margrethe (Jenson) Michel-
son, who moved to Grayling, Michigan, in 1881. Lib
eral educational advantages were accorded him. He
was graduated from the Michigan College of Mines

in 1900, with the degrees of Bachelor of Science and
Mining Engineer, after which he followed mining busi
ness in Michigan and in Utah for some time. In 1906
he went to Monroe, Louisiana, where he became sec
retary, treasurer and general manager of the Grayling
Lumber Company, beginning its operations in that
field. In 1908 he was made secretary, treasurer and
general manager of the N. Michelson Lumber Company
and built the mills at Michelson, Michigan, which he
then operated for a number of years with excellent
success. He is now interested in sawmills and large
timber holdings in northern Michigan and Louisiana,
also several retail lumber-yards in Detroit and through
out the state of Michigan.
It was in 1916 that Mr. Michelson took up his abode
in Detroit and here beeame actively and successfully
interested in the real estate business with the Mi
chelson Land & Home Company, of which he is the
treasurer. He is also president of the Michelson
Building Company and through his real estate and
building operations is contributing in substantial meas
ure to the development and progress of the city.
On December 2, 1916, Mr. Michelson was married to
Miss Elizabeth Marie Finn of Bay City, Michigan,
and their children are: Jean Margrethe, born March
25, 1918; and John Axel, born May 4, 1919. Mr. and
Mrs. Michelson have gained many friends during the
period of their residence in this city and Mr. Michel
son has become a member of various important social
organizations, including the Detroit Athletic Club, the
Detroit Automobile Club, Board of Commerce, Detroit
Real Estate Board and the Brooklands Golf and Coun
try Club, of which organization he was a charter mem
ber and its first secretary-treasurer. Fraternally he is a
Mason of high rank, having attained the thirty-second
degree of the Scottish Rite, being a member of the
Michigan Sovereign Consistory of Detroit, Class of
the Ruined Temple, 1903, while with the Nobles of
the Mystie Shrine he has crossed the sands of the
desert and has become a member of Moslem Temple.
He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is a
worthy follower of the teachings and purposes of these
fraternal organizations. His political allegiance is
given to the republican party, but he does not seek
nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his efforts
and attention upon the business affairs which are rap
idly winning for him a place among Detroit's strong
and able business men.
THE MICHELSON LAND & HOME COMPANY
was organized under the laws of the state of Michigan
and incorporated in April, 1912, with a capital stock
of three hundred thousand dollars. The officers at
date of incorporation were: President, Nels Michel
son, then of Grayling, Michigan, but now living in
Detroit, and a sketch of him precedes this article;
Lawrence W. Snell of Highland Park, Michigan, vice
president; and Frederick E. Michelson, a son of the
president of the company, secretary, treasurer and

AXEL E. MTCHELSON

CITY OF DETROIT

731

general manager. Frederick E. Michelson, who had
moved from Grayling, Miehigan, to Detroit, about the
time the company was organized, was injured in May,
1915, in an automobile accident near Saginaw, Mieh
igan, and died one week from the date of the ac
cident. Edward E. Hartwiek, a sketch of whom is
to be found elsewhere in this work, was in the lumber
business in Detroit and a son-in-law of the president
of the company. He was elected to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Mr. Frederick E. Michelson,
and continued to act in such capacity until the United
States entered the World war, when he resigned to
take active part in the struggle. His death occurred
in France shortly after he entered that country, at
whieh time he was serving as Major of the Twentieth
Engineers in the American Expeditionary Forces.
When Mr. Hartwiek resigned Axel E. Michelson,
(a sketch of whom also appears elsewhere in this work)
of Detroit, Michigan, another son of the president of
the company, was elected as Mr. Hartwiek 's successor.
He served in that capacity until June, 1918, when he
gave up a part of his duties to enter other activities,
at which time Lewis R. Nicholson of Highland Park,
Michigan, who has been associated with the company
since its incorporation and was then -acting as assist
ant secretary, was advanced to the position of sec
retary and general manager, while Axel E. Michelson
continued as treasurer of the company. The present
officers are: President, Nels Michelson; vice president,
Lawrence W. Snell; treasurer, A. E. Michelson; sec
retary and general manager, Lewis R. Nicholson.
The Michelson Land & Home Company makes a
specialty of the subdivision of farm property into well
restricted residential subdivisions and to date has
confined its activities almost exclusively to North
Woodward avenue, having developed and sold fifteen
properties to date. The sixteenth subdivision of one
hundred and twenty lots is now being placed on the
market and is known as Michelson Woods, situated in
the heart of the thriving village of Femdale, nine
miles from Detroit's city hall. Femdale is one of
Detroit's progressive suburbs and enjoys a most
wonderful residential and business development for
the short period since its incorporation. Being on
Woodward avenue, Detroit's principal thoroughfare
to the- north, this extraordinary growth is expected.
Femdale village now has water, sewers, fire depart
ment, churches, banks, theatres, and all kinds of busi
ness houses. In 1912 it was but a wilderness. The
Michelson Land and Home Company has become one
of Detroit's foremost subdivision houses, having been
one of the first to foresee the wonderful development
that was about to take place in the eity, and it has
been a big factor in assisting that development by
preparing space for the necessary expansion.
The Michelson subdivisions being in the suburbs
where water, sewers and other modern improvements
were not available when the subdivisions were opened
for sale (although many of the properties now have

these conveniences), they were permitted to install
in their several subdivisions only such improvements
as the grading of streets, laying of cement walks and
the planting of shade trees, clearing of land and drain
age of surface water. Some idea of the extent of
these improvements can be realized when we state
that the Michelson Land and Home Company has con
structed in its subdivisions a total of forty miles of
cement walks; twenty-four miles of roadway, miles
upon miles of tiling, and has planted in the neighbor
hood of four thousand shade trees.
In addition to the above the Michelson interests
organized and developed one of the finest and most
modern golf courses in the country, which is at present
in successful operation and known as the Brooklands
Golf and Country Club. The golf course is just south
of Rochester, Michigan, and is surrounded by valuable
acreage owned by the Michelson Land and Home Com
pany, which is being held for future development
and sale.
The Michelson family, as the Michelson Land and
Home Company is practically an incorporation of
family interests, have not overlooked the summer
resort features in connection with their business ac
tivities as they possess some of the choicest land for
this purpose in this section of the country and are
owners of several thousand acres on Houghton and
Higgins Lakes, Roscommon county, Michigan. During
the past summer a small part of these lands has been
subdivided into summer resort lots known as Houghton
Lake Park subdivision and Houghton Lake Park annex,
whieh property has found ready sale.
All of these properties are being marketed from
their main office, No. 717 Ford building, Detroit, Mich
igan, while branch offices are located in Femdale and
Pleasant Ridge villages, both suburbs of Detroit.
ALVAH FRANKLIN MOORE, secretary of the
Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company, is one
of the best known men in life insurance circles in
the state. His identification with this corporation
dates back more than thirty years, during which
period he has worked his way upward from the humble
position of clerk to his present office of importance
and responsibility through close application, faithful
service and business ability. He was born in Perry
county, Ohio, June 10, 1860, a son of George W. and
Harriet (Richards) Moore. In the public schools of
Perry county he pursued his education, subsequently
attending Madison Academy at Mount Perry, Ohio,
after which he engaged in teaching in the publie
schools of Perry county. After following that pro
fession for a time he went to Chicago, where for ten
years he was identified with business interests, and in
1892 he came to Detroit, enterng the employ of the
Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company as clerk
in the investment department. His faithful and
efficient work in that connection led to his promotion
to the position of manager of the department and in

732

CITY OF DETROIT

1901 he won still higher advancement, being made
secretary and a director of the company, having
since served in those capacities. He is bending every
energy to the legitimate advancement of the com
pany's interests, which have now assumed large pro
portions, and his keen insight and initiative spirit
have contributed much to the assistance of the man
agement. Mr. Moore married Jean Marshall Hawthorne of
New York. Since April, 1920, he has resided on his
farm of one hundred and four acres, on the Thirteen-
Mile road in Oakland county.
In his political views Mr. Moore is a republican,
interested in the welfare and success of the party.
He is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, is identi
fied with the Masons, belonging to Detroit Command
ery, No. 1, K. T., to Miehigan Sovereign Consistory,
to the Shrine, and to the Detroit Masonic Club. His
has been a life of diligence and determination. Wisely
utilizing his time, his talents and his opportunities,
he has made continuous progress in the business world,
in which he has attained a position of confidence and
high respect among his business acquaintances. He
has charge of the investments for the company which
he represents and his judgment in that line has re
ceived most commendatory words from his business
associates. LEWIS MAIRE, proprietor of one of the finest
florist establishments in Detroit, having conducted the
business since 1917, is a native son of this city, his
parents being Dr. Lewis E. and Florence M. T. (Davis)
Maire. The father is one of the leading physicians of
this city, prominently known in professional connec
tions. Lewis Maire attended the Detroit public schools,
also the Cass Technical school and the Detroit Church
Academy, while for two years he was a student in
the Michigan Medical College. It was his father's
desire that he become a member of the medical pro
fession and he devoted two years to study with that
end in view, but at the close of his second year in
college he was convinced that he would find other
pursuits more congenial. He then began learning the
florist business and, working his way steadily upward,
was made superintendent of Water Works Park, which
position he filled for seven consecutive years. He
then established a florist business on his own account
in 1917 and has one of the finest in the city at 9648
Jefferson avenue, East, located near Water Works
Park. He has become an expert florist, thoroughly
familiar with the best methods of propagating flowers
and ornamental plants and shrubs, and his establish
ment furnishes some of the most beautiful specimens
of floriculture to be seen in Detroit.
In this city, in 1912, Mr. Maire was married to
Miss Nellie Cora Schuetz and they have become par
ents of two children, Herminia and Lewis (III). The
religious faith of the family is that of the Epiphany

Episcopal church. It has been said that success in
large measure can never be attained except by the
man who finds real joy in his work. Mr. Maire,
recognizing this faet, wisely concluded not to enter
upon a professional career which was not congenial
to him but turned to the delightful task of propagating
and handling flowers and is today one of the expert
florists of Detroit, while through the careful and
capable management of his business he has won a
notable measure of success.
EDGAR ALBERT GUEST. New England has her
Whittier and Longfellow, Indiana her Riley, Illinois
her Field and the west Bret Harte, but no state is
prouder of her poet son than Michigan of Edgar
Albert Guest. Long since, however, America has
ceased to recognize Michigan's exclusive title to
ownership in this regard, for public opinion has
placed him with those men who have sung the songs
of America and her people, who have glimpsed in
poetic form the life of the nation, the joys and sor
rows, the hopes, the patriotism and the aspirations
of her citizens. If greatness be measured by the
hold which a man has upon the hearts of his fellows,
then Edgar A. -Guest is great; and yet there is no
man of more democratic manner, in whose life there
is seen so little of ostentation and display as in that
of the journalist-poet ' of Michigan.
While bom in Birmingham, England, August 20,
1881, Edgar A. Guest was not yet ten years of age
when in May, 1891, he eame to America with his
parents, Edwin and Julia (Wayne) Guest. The family
home was established in Detroit, where he attended
the public and high schools, and throughout the inter
vening period he has made his home in this city. He
was a lad of but thirteen when in 1894 he answered
a want ad and secured a situation at the soda water
fountain in Doty Brothers' drug store, working every
evening after school hours were over. His capability
attracted the attention of David Robbins, another
Detroit druggist, who offered him a position at an
increased salary, and while employed in the Robbins
establishment he formed the acquaintance of a book
keeper in the employ of the Detroit Free Press, to
whom one day the future poet confided his ambition
to be a reporter. It was through the influence of this
bookkeeper, in the summer of 1895, that Edgar A.
Guest secured a position in the office of the Detroit
Free Press. In winter he attended the publie schools
and in the summer seasons, for two or three years,
worked as an office boy in the bookkeeping depart
ment of the paper, his duties including the marking
of baseball scores on a bulletin board which hung
on the front of the building. The summer of 1897
brought him promotion to the position of offiee boy
on the editorial floor and he soon attracted the at
tention of William E. Quinby, who had recently re
turned from abroad, having served as minister to
Holland. It was through Mr. Quinby 's friendship

LEWIS MAIRE

' CITY OF DETROIT

735

that Mr. Guest won his appointment as reporter and
in course of time he was transferred to the exchange
desk. Every experience brought him a widening
knowledge of life and at the exchange desk he had
to peruse hundreds of papers, clipping everything that
might prove of interest to the readers of the Free
Press. Again he was called to reportorial service as
police reporter and this brought him still wider ex
periences and gained him a knowledge of those to
whom the word crime means everyday life.
In the meantime, while at the exchange desk, Mr.
Guest first became known to the public as a writer
of verse and later he began writing the epigram-
matical paragraphs whieh, appearing under the head
ing "Homely and Home Made," were eagerly read.
The recognition of the popularity of his contribu
tions to the paper led the management to call for a
column of verse as a weekly feature, these appearing
every Monday under the title of ' ' Blue Monday Chat. ' '
The next step in his career of progress was made when
he was taken off of reportorial work and given the
task of furnishing a column every day for the paper.
He was to produce the "funny stuff" and also write
most of the feature articles for the Sunday edition.
Sinee that time he has written daily for the Free
Press a column of verse, anecdotes and epigrams under
the heading of "Breakfast Table Chat:" The in
creasing popularity and recognition of the worth of
his writings led him eventually to bring out an edition
of his poems under the title "Home Rhymes" in
1910. This was undertaken under great difficulty.
He and his brother Harry purchased a case of type,
which was set up in the attic of their home, and in the
evening hours Harry Guest set his brother's verse
into type. In this connection one of his biographers
said: "There was not a sufficient supply of type to
set up all the pages of the book at once and so they
set eight pages at a time. That is, they set eight
pages if the poems didn 't have too many ' e 's ' in
them. When they'd get along to page six or seven,
poems with too many 'e's' were put to one side for
a later form. When a form of eight pages was set,
Harry would lug it down to the print shop where
he was employed and put the form on the press and
run off a few sheets. Then he'd take the type back
to the attic of his home, tear the verses to pieces
and re-assemble the types to form more verses until
another- set of eight pages was ready to be printed.
Thus the edition of eight hundred copies was printed.
In much the same way 'Just Glad Things' was pub
lished in 1912 — about fifteen hundred copies. They
had more type, that year, but the book was larger and
the work tedious. In the fall of 1914, Eddie gathered
the verses that were to fill his third book 'Breakfast
Table Chat' and the Rotarians of Detroit urged him to
make it thirty-five hundred copies. Superintended by
the brother, Harry, Rotarian Tom Henry set the type in
his composing room, Rotarian Al Mann handled the
presswork in his printing plant and Rotarian John

Burkhart put the edition through his bindery. So
large an edition looked like gross extravagance to
Eddie Guest in those days, and he was much surprised
. to find in January that the book had sold so well since
its publication in October that he could pay all the
bills! And then in 1916 a publisher became enthu
siastic (yes, it's possible) and the Reilly & Lee people,
over in Chicago, brought out 'A Heap o' Livin'. '
Now, every layman knows that books of verse are
not the most salable product in the world. And pub
lishers think well of a ' slender volume ' that finds
a couple of thousand purchasers. So, when in less
than twenty months 'A Heap o' Livin' ' had gone
through eight editions totaling almost fifty thousand
copies; had attracted favorable reviews from the whole
gamut of literary editors, from the sea-level country-
weekly up to the eternal snow region of The Dial —
when people all over the country wanted to know when
Guest's next book would appear — well, Eddie and
the publishers were not exactly downhearted! Sep
tember, 1917, saw the publication of 'Just Folks'
with a first printing of fifteen thousand and the best
thing about it was that there was a real and not a
forced demand. Then, when letters began to arrive
asking for a soldier's 'A Heap o' Livin',' there was
nothing to do but to publish a khaki-bound edition
that went merrily on its way into the training camps
and trenches. And when the war became the big
gest factor in our lives Eddie Guest sent his pub
lishers the manuscript for a wartime volume entitled
'Over Here.' It recorded the heart-throbs of the
home folks, that beat for the boys who were leaving
daily for the battle fields of France. It sang the
songs of the flag, and reflected the devotion of the
mothers and the fathers who gave their sons to fight
the world's fight against autocracy. Thousands of
volumes of ' Over Here ' went to the boys ' Over There '
- — the books, like the boys, dressed in khaki. Came
peace — and 'The Path to Home.' That was followed
by 'When Day is Done.' This latest volume of Edgar
A. Guest's verse was published in May, 1921. The
first edition of twenty-five thousand copies was sold
before the presses had finished turning them out.
From publication day to Christmas the publishers
never were able to cateh up with the orders that came
flooding in."
On the 28th of June, 1906, Mr. Guest was united
in marriage to Miss Nellie Crossman and it was at
that date that he published his writings over the
signature of A. N. Benedict. They have had three
children, all born in Detroit: Florence Dorothy, born
August 20, 1908, died September 20, 1909; Marjorie
died May 27, 1921; Edgar A., Jr., was born July 7, 1912.
Mr. Guest is a thirty-third degree Mason, a member
of the Detroit Golf Club and in 1913 was president of
the American Press Humorists. He is a most popular
after-dinner speaker and lectures on many occasions
before all kinds of men's and women's clubs and
public organizations. His philosophy of life and in

736

CITY OF DETROIT

fact his rule of conduct is summed up in four lines
of his own verse:
"I'd like to sow the barren spots with all the flowers
of earth,
To leave a path where those who come should find
but gentle mirth;
And when at last I'm called upon to join the
heavenly throng,
I'd like to feel along my way I'd left no sign of
wrong. ' '
Rev. William L. Stidger wrote of him: "He who
sings the 'Hymn of Home' sings to myriad hearts
who, answering, sing his songs back to him again in
love and sympathy and understanding; and before the
poet knows it he has sung his way into a vast
audience and his friends are uncountable. So has
sung Edgar A. Guest. Yes, poet and friend; Big
Brother Edgar A. Guest, we welcome you, because you
love home and God, because you sing of faith and
prayer and right living, to the comradeship of 'The
Poet Preachers.' It is a worthy comradeship; kindred
to the stars and to the heavens and to the eternities,
because it deals with the stuff out of which the stars
and the heavens and the eternities are made — soul-
stuff! "
Another biographer has said: "James Whiteomb
Riley, Eugene Field, Will Carleton, Edwin Markham —
these singers have won for themselves an established
place in the hearts of Americans, because they sought
inspiration and found it on life's everyday levels.
To them was given a glimpse of the beauty that lies
beneath the surface of the commonplace. They are the
true interpreters of American life, because they have
seen the deepest into the American heart. Edgar
A. Guest belongs to the same democratic brotherhood.
Li his work there is no striving for the bizarre, the
fantastic or the unreal. His songs are simple — both
in theme and construction. They are songs of home,
of children, of everyday joys and sorrows, and of
numberless things about which the affection and senti
ment of life cling. Such poetry as that of Edgar A.
Guest has the ring of genuineness, for it is based on
a deep, abiding faith in human nature — in its essential
goodness and lovableness. It is this human quality
in his verse that has made Guest one of the favorite
poets of America." In a reeent editorial the San
Francisco Bulletin said: "There is more of Edgar A.
Guest in the American scrapbook and in the American
head than any national poet since Longfellow." But
it will content itself with quoting somewhat from an
understandingly written editorial that appeared a few
days ago in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat: "He speaks
to everyday people on everyday themes, in everyday
language. He talks to them in a tongue they know.
He sings to them in melodies they can appreciate and
enjoy. His is the genius of Burns and Bunyan and
Riley and Field, who knew the magic of simple

thoughts, clothed in simple words. Simple thoughts
indeed, but far greater in their importance and their
power than the complicated profundities of erudition.
Love and friendship and duty and honors are simple
things but they are the pillars of life. It is of these,
and the social and domestic virtues whieh are akin
to them and grow out of them that Edgar Guest .sings.
He expresses the inner feelings, the affections, the
hopes, the sympathies, the aspirations of the common
alty of men as we, all of us, would like to express
them if we knew how. He gives to our muteness a
voice, and we recognize the voice as our own. He
tells us nothing that we do not already know, but
he reminds us, day after day, in words that are both
understandable and musical, that those things within
us are the things that really count in life."
His intense Americanism is shown in the little poem
entitled "The Best Land," which it would be well
for every citizen of the United States to commit to
memory. If I knew a better land on this glorious world of ours,
Where a man gets bigger money and is working shorter
hours;
If the Briton or the Frenchman had an easier life
than mine,
I'd pack my goods this minute and I'd sail across
the brine.
But I notice when an alien wants a land of hope and
eheer.
And a future for his children, he comes out and settles
here.
Here's the glorious land of Freedom! Here's the
milk and honey -goal
For the peasant out of Russia, for the long subjected
Pole.
It is here the sons of Italy and men of Austria turn
For the comfort of their bodies and the wages they
can earn.
And with all that men complain of, and with all that
goes amiss,
There's no happier, better nation on the world's
broad face than this.
So I'm thinking when I listen to the wails of dis
content,
And some foreign disbeliever spreads his evil sentiment,
That the breed of hate and envy that is sowing sin
and shame
In this glorious land of freedom should go back from
whence it came.
And I hold it is the duty, rich or poor, of every man
Who enjoys this country's bounty to be all American.
T. L. WHITFORD PORTE, resident partner of the
firm of Haskins & Sells, well known certified public
accountants of New York, is an alert, progressive and
enterprising business man, whose influence is one of

o

T. L. WHITFORD PORTE

Vol. TV— 47

CITY OF DETROIT

. 739

broadening activity and strength in the field in which
he operates. He is a native of Canada, his birth
having occurred in Parkhill, in the province of On
tario, July 4, 1869, and his parents were Robert and
Margaret (Llynham) Porte, who reared a family of
six children. His father was one of the prominent
and substantial citizens of Parkhill, where for a
period of more than twenty years he successfully
engaged in merchandising.
In the public and high schools of his native village
T. L. Whitford Porte pursued his education an& after
graduating from the latter, took up the study of law
until he reached the age of twenty-one. On the 8th
of August, 1890, he came to Detroit and entered the
employ of Parke, Davis & Company as a elerk in their
botanical loboratory. Subsequently he was connected
with the American Banking & Savings Association,
after which he was a clerk in the Detroit National
Bank. In 1894 he beeame cashier and head bookkeeper
for the Griffin Wheel Company and his faithful and
efficient service won him promotion to the position
of assistant manager of their Taeoma, Washington,
plant, while he also served as offiee manager. He
was identified with that corporation for a period
of seven years but was forced to leave the west, as
the climate proved injurious to his health. In 1901
he returned to Detroit, becoming connected with the
firm of Brownell & Humphrey, advertising agency, in
the capacity of office manager. He remained with that
firm for six years, during whieh time he gained a
comprehensive knowledge of the advertising business,
and in 1908 he entered commercial circles on his own
account, engaging in the same line of business. He-
was thus aetive. until the 1st of January, 1909, when
he became a member of the staff of the firm of Mae-
Pherson, Bonthron & Company, the leading "firm of
public accountants in the city at that time, gaining
valuable experience which well qualified him for the
work of his profession. On the 1st of May, 1915, he
was one of the organizers of Hollis, Tilton & Porte,
certified publie accountants, whieh became one of the
largest and best known firms of this character in the
state, giving employment to a large staff of account
ants. On August 1, 1921, the professional accounting
practices of Hollis, Tilton & Porte were consolidated
with Haskins & Sells of New York and Mr. Porte, like
the other members of the firm, continues as a resident
partner of Haskins & Sells, with offices -in the First
National Bank building.
Mr. Porte possesses keen insight into business affairs
and situations and has been very successful in de
vising systems for extensive commercial enterprises,
thus greatly facilitating the conduct of the business.
The firm has built up an enviable reputation for busi-f
ness integrity and reliability and its clientele is
a large one, including some of the leading business
houses of the city.
On the 14th of October, 1896, Mr. Porte was united
in marriage to Miss Cora Maud Orr, a resident of

Detroit, and they have many friends in the city. In
his political views he is independent, voting for the
candidate whom he considers best qualified for office,
without regard to party ties. He is a Mason of high
standing, having attained the thirty-second degree in
the order, and he is also identified with the Masonic
Country Club, the Old Colony Club, and the Detroit
Automobile Club, while his professional connections
are with the American Institute of Accountants and
the Michigan Association of Certified Publie Account
ants. In business affairs he manifests resourcefulness,
keen discrimination and a ready understanding of in
volved interests. Throughout his career he has closely
applied himself to the work in hand and has steadily
advanced because he has wisely utilized his time, his
talents and his opportunities. He is a man of high
personal standing, progressive and reliable in business
and loyal in citizenship.
DAVID SMITH is a member of the firm of Smith,
McKay & Company, leading certified public account
ants of Detroit, and his high professional standing is
indicated in the fact that he has served as president of
the Michigan Association of Certified Public Ac
countants. He has wisely utilized his time, talents
and opportunities, and success in substantial measure
has rewarded his labors. He was born in Huron
county, Canada, September 15, 1877, a son of Charles
C, and Barbara Smith, and has one brother, Louis
S., who is also a resident of this city. In the public
and high schools of Clinton, Ontario, he acquired his
education, also becoming a student at the Collegiate
Institute, and he likewise attended the Ferris In
stitute of Big Rapids, Michigan.
In November, 1906, Mr. Smith came to Detroit, be
coming identified with the Murphy Iron Works, with
which he was connected for a period of two years,
serving in a clerical capacity. He next became sec
retary of the Master Plumbers Association, whose
offices are located in the Jones building, and for a year
filled that offiee. In 1909 he started his work as an
accountant in the office of a local concern and for
a time was connected with the firm of Hawkins &
Gies, certified public accountants, with offices in the
Majestic building. For several years he had been
devoting his leisure moments to the study of account
ancy and on the 1st of October, 1912,, he entered
upon independent business relations as a certified
publie accountant, conducting his interests alone until
1917, when he was joined by Mr. McKay, at which
time the present firm style of Smith, McKay & Com
pany was adopted. They are expert accountants and
have built up a large clientele, their services being in
constant demand by the leading business houses of
the city. Mr. Smith is a keen and intelligent business
man with a rapid grasp of details and the power of
coordinating seemingly unrelated and diverse elements
into a unified and harmonious whole. He is most
conscientious in the performance of his work and his

740.

CITY OF DETROIT

business activities have ever balanced up with the
principles of truth and honor.
On the 24th of June, 1910, Mr. Smith was united
in marriage to Miss Anna Elizabeth Monk, a native
of Miehigan, and they have a large circle of friends
in the city. He is a republican in his political views,
giving stalwart support to the principles and candi
dates of the party, and his religious faith is indicated
by his membership in the Jefferson Avenue Methodist
Episcopal church. He is an active and earnest mem
ber of the Detroit Board of Commerce, cooperating
heartily in all of its plans and projects for the de
velopment and upbuilding of the city, and he is
also identified with the Fellowcraft Club. He keeps
in close touch with what is being done along the
line in which he specializes through his membership
in the American Institute of Certified Public Ac
countants and for one term served as president of the
Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants.
His fraternal associations are indicated in his mem
bership in Temple Lodge, F. & A. M. His time arid
attention are chiefly devoted to his business interests
and he is a member of a committee whose object is
the furtherance of the education of certified publie
accountants in order that the standards of the pro
fession may be raised to the highest possible plane.
Mr. Smith has ever based his activity in business
affairs upon strict integrity, close application and de
termined purpose and as the architect of his own
fortunes he has builded wisely and well, having
reached a substantial point on the highroad to sue
cess. His ideals of life are high and he utilizes every
opportunity that enables him to climb to their level.
RICHARD E. KRAETKE is a prominent factor in
industrial circles of Detroit as the president of the
Kraetke Brothers Company, whieh was established by
him in 1911 and whieh has won an enviable reputation
for tool work of the finest character. He was born in
Germany but was brought to the United States when
a little lad of but four summers by his parents, Louis
and Minnie (Nageborn) Kraetke, who established their
home in Detroit. The publie schools of this city af
forded him his early educational privileges and he
also attended the Lafayette Street Seminary, devoting
special attention to the study of engineering and tool-
making. After putting aside his textbooks he entered
the employ of the Detroit Lubricator Company, with
whieh he continued for four years, being made general
foreman of the plant on attaining his majority. Sev
ering his connection with that concern, he organized
the Scherer Company, bicycle manufacturers, while
subsequently he spent two years with the Rapid Motor
Vehicle Company, now the General Motors Corporation.
He next beeame superintendent for Caille Brothers
and acted in that capacity for ten years. In 1911 he
organized the Kraetke Brothers Company, tool-makers,
and has continued its president throughout the inter
vening decade. They are celebrated for their tool

work, made all the tools for the Lincoln Motor Com
pany during the World war, as well as jigs, fixtures,
etc. and have the finest factory of its kind iri De
troit. The plant, which is a square building one
hundred by one hundred feet, was erected on Grand
boulevard in 1917. Scrupulous cleanliness charac
terizes the factory throughout. Mr. Kraetke is fa
miliar with every phase of the work, so that under
his able direction the business has grown and de
veloped until it is now one of large and profitable
proportions and constitutes one of the leading indus
trial enterprises of the city.
On the 15th of October, 1902, Mr. Kraetke was
united in marriage to Miss Theresa Foeltz, who dis
penses gracious hospitality in their attractive home at
1470 Baldwin. In politics he is a republican and in
religious faith a Lutheran, while his fraternal asso
ciation is with the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks. He is also a member of the Board of Commerce
and of the Detroit Automobile Club and is widely rec
ognized as a progressive, up-to-date business man and
public-spirited citizen, whose cooperation can ever be
counted upon to further municipal progress or promote
the general welfare along many lines. As has been
truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man
in the way of giving him early opportunities for ob
taining the requirements which are sought in the
schools and in books, he must essentially formulate,
determine and give shape to his own character, and
this is what Mr. Kraetke has done. He has perse
vered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained
a most satisfactory reward. His life is exemplary in
all respects and he has ever supported those interests
which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity,
while his own high moral worth is deserving of the
highest commendation.
ANDREW PORTER BIDDLE, M. D., has long been
recognized as a distinguished physician of Detroit
and at the same time has been prominent in many
publie connections, rendering valuable service to city,
state and nation in divers ways. He is at all times
actuated by a public-spirited devotion to the general
good and the worth of his activity is widely acknowl
edged. Dr. Biddle is a native son of Detroit, born
February 25, 1862. He represents one of the old
families of Pennsylvania, his grandfather, Major John
Biddle, having been born in Philadelphia in March,
1792, while the latter 's father was Charles Biddle,
vice president of Pennsylvania during the Revolution
ary war period and a brother of Commodore Nicholas
Biddle, a member of the navy during the war for in
dependence. Major John Biddle, following his grad
uation from Princeton College, entered the United
States army and during the second war with England
served under General Winfield Scott on the Niagara
frontier, being for a time attached to the general's
staff, while his loyalty and capability won him pro
motion from captain of artillery to major. His

RICHARD E. KRAETKE

CITY OF DETROIT

743

.brother, Thomas Biddle, served in the United States
army with the rank of major in the campaign of 1812;
while an elder brother, Commodore James Biddle, was
a distinguished naval officer of the same period. At
the close of the War of 1812 Major John Biddle was
stationed at Detroit, but after a few years resigned
his commission and returned to the east. However,
the lure of the west had taken firm hold upon him
and following his marriage to Miss Eliza F. Bradish
of New York, he returned to Detroit, where he made
permanent settlement and purchased large tracts of
land. In 1823 he was appointed register of the United
States land office for the district of Detroit, occupying
that position until 1837, when he resigned. In the
meantime he had served for two years, from 1827 until
1829, as mayor of Detroit and in the latter year was
made a delegate from the territory of Miehigan to
congress for a two years' term. He afterward be
came a candidate before the Michigan legislature for
the United States senate, in which he received a
. majority of four votes in the senate while John Nor-
ville received a majority of seven votes in the house,
thus defeating him. . He continued a prominent factor
in the public life of the newly created state and was
president of the Michigan constitutional convention
in 1835 and in 1841 was elected to represent his dis
trict in the upper house of the Michigan assembly.
With the material as well as the political progress
of the state he was closely associated. He became
president of the company which instituted the building
of the Miehigan Railroad and in 1835 became the
first president of the St. Joseph (Mich.) branch of
the Farmers & Merchants Bank and in 1838 was elected
to the presidency of the parent bank in Detroit. Fol
lowing his return from a trip abroad, he passed away
at White Sulphur Springs, Virginia, August 25, 1859.
His son, William S. Biddle, born in Detroit in 1830,
was graduated from the Harvard Law school and for
a year thereafter engaged in the aetive practice of
his profession in New York city in partnership with
his brother-in-law, Aaron Ogden, subsequent to which
time he returned to Detroit. He was aetive in the
Civil war period in raising and drilling troops and
in 1867 removed to Grosse He, where his remaining
days were spent. He married Susan Dayton Ogden,
who was born in 1831 and passed away in Detroit in
1878, while the death of William S. Biddle occurred
in 1901. Their family included Susan Dayton, Eliza
Bradish, Major General John, Stratford Bradish, Mar-
garetta Porter, Andrew Porter, Major William S. and
Ann Eliza Biddle. The daughter, Susan Dayton, became
a talented musician and prominent member of the
Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington,
D. C, where she resided in' the home of her brother,
then Colonel John Biddle. She died in 1915. Eliza
is the wife of Rev. G. Mott Williams, D. D., who was
the first bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Marquette.
Major General John Biddle was bom in Detroit in
1859, acquired his early education in Europe and,

after spending a year as a student in the University
of Michigan, entered the West Point Military Acad
emy, from which he was graduated with the class of
1881. During the Spanish.-Ameriean war he served
as Chief of Engineers of the Eighth Army Corps -under
General Nelson A. Miles in Porto Rico and later
beeame colonel of engineers of the United States army,
stationed principally at Washington, D. C. He was
superintendent of the United States Military Acad
emy, from July, 1916, to May 15, 1917. During the
World war he was in command of all the American
Expeditionary ForCes in England. At his own request
he was retired December 1, 1920, after over forty years
of service. He received service medals: Indian, Span
ish, Philippine wars; Porto Rico; Army of Cuban Oc
cupation; Victory. Honorary member, Military Divi
sion, Knight Commander, Order of the Bath. Awarded
Distinguished Service Medal "for exceptionally meri
torious and distinguished services. In command of
American troops in England, by his tact and diplomacy
in handling intricate problems, he made possible the
successful trans-shipment of many thousands of men
to France. To his executive ability the efficient han
dling, control, and dispatch of casual troops through
England is largely due." Stratford Bradish is a mine
drilling engineer, who spent about ten years near
Johannesburg, in South Africa, and afterward took
up the work of his profession in Oregon and Texas.
He wedded Marguerite Heyerman, daughter of Com
mander O. F. Heyerman of the United States navy.
Margaretta Porter became the wife of Benjamin
Douglas, son of Judge Samuel T. Douglas of Detroit,
who was a prominent bridge engineer in the employ
of the Michigan Central Railway for twenty years,
being the builder of the tunnel for that company under
the Detroit river. Major William S. Biddle, born in
Detroit in 1863, was graduated from the West Point
Military Academy in 1885, served with distinction in
the Spanish-American war during the campaign in the
Philippines and subsequently was United States mili
tary attaehe at Berlin, Germany, for four years, after
which, in 1907, he resigned from the army. After
America's entrance into the World war he accepted ap
pointment as major and adjutant general, February 4,
1918, joined the Fourteenth Infantry Brigade, Seventh
District at Camp Fort Bliss, Texas, February 13, 1918.
He went overseas in September, 1918, and in June,
1919, returned to Washington and was in the offiee
of adjutant general from June 24, 1919, to December
31, 1920. He was honorably discharged December 31,
1920. He was awarded the Cross of Knight of Legion
of Honor (French). Ann Eliza became the wife of
Alexander W. Copland, son of A. M. Copland, who was
at one time postmaster of Detroit. She died in 1911.
Andrew Porter Biddle was a pupil in the public
schools of Grosse He until 1872, after which he studied
in Geneva, Switzerland, and from 1874 until 1877 was
a pupil in the public sehools of Heidelberg, Germany.
Following his return to his native land he entered the

744

CITY OF DETROIT

Detroit high school, in which he pursued his studies
until 1880, when he entered the United States Naval
Academy at Annapolis as a member of the class of
1884. But trouble with his eyes forced him to re
sign from the naval academy in 1883, at which time
he returned to Detroit. Later, entering the Detroit
College of Medicine, he was graduated in 1886 with
the M. D. degree. During his senior college year
and in the year following he was an interne at Har
per Hospital and in 1887 entered, upon general practice
in Detroit with Dr. James Burgess Book. Three years
later he pursued postgraduate 'work in dermatology
in Leipzig, Germany, and in 1892 was appointed assist
ant to the chair of dermatology in the Detroit College
of Medicine and gradually rose to the head of the
department. He has done much important hospital
work along the line of his specialty and is recognized
as an eminent representative of the medical pro
fession in Michigan. He belongs to the American
Medical Association, was general secretary of the
Michigan State Medical Society from 1900 until 1906
and during that period served as editor of the journal
published by the state organization. In fact he has
ever remained a very prominent inember of the Mich
igan State Medical Society, having been a councilor
for six years and its president from 1916 until 1918.
He is likewise a member of the American Dermato-
logical Association, the Chicago Dermatological So
ciety, a fellow of the American College of Physicians
and the first president of the Detroit Dermatological
Society. At all times he keeps in touch with the
trend of modern professional thought and progress as
exemplified in the work of many of the most dis
tinguished physicians and surgeons of the country.
He is a fellow arid ex-president of the Detroit Academy
of Medicine, a member of the Wayne County Medical
Society and a member of the staff of St. Mary's Hos
pital, the Woman's Hospital, the Children's Free Hos
pital and consulting physician on dermatology to the
Detroit Board of Health. He served as member of the
United States pension examining board under Presi
dent Cleveland from 1893 until 1897 and for many
years was a member of the medical department of
the Michigan National Guard. At the outbreak of the
Spanish-American war he was appointed by Governor
Hazen S. Pingree as major and surgeon of the Thirty-
first Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with
whieh he served during the war with Spain.
Not only has Dr. Biddle been active in his pro
fession but also in connection with many publie af
fairs. He has done much toward the betterment of
public health conditions and has contributed largely
to the advancement of educational interests. From
1917 until 1919 he served as a member of the Detroit
board of education and during the last year was presi
dent of the board. He was reelected in 1919 on the
non-partisan ticket for six years. In 1913 he was
appointed by Governor Ferris a member of the State
Board of Health and served until 1919. During the

World war he aided in various capacities in the organs
zation of the medical profession of the state for active
service. On the 20th of October, 1892, Dr. Biddle was mar-,
ried to Miss Grace Wilkins of Boston, Massachusetts..
They have one child, Beatrice Bradish, who was born
in Detroit, September 6, 1897, and" attended the Lig
gett school of Detroit and the Gardner School for
Girls of New York eity and has recently made her
debut in Detroit society, where Dr. and Mrs. Biddle
have long been prominently known. He is a member
of the Country Club of Grosse Pointe Farms. Dr.
Biddle has resided for the last twenty years at 791
Seminole avenue, in the vicinity known as Indian
Village. BROCK CARROLL EBY, president and treasurer
of the Detroit Auto Dash Company, manufacturers of
auto dashes and wood parts for automobiles, has, in
the conduct of this business, developed an establish
ment which has grown apace, keeping abreast with
the city's development and with the growth of the
automobile industry that has made Detroit the World's
center of the trade. Mr. Eby was born in Essex
county, Canada, August 27, 1874, a son of William
and Sarah (Stafford) Eby. The father was born in
Canada and the mother in England. In 1884 they re
moved to Detroit, where the father engaged in the
manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, continuing
active in the business circles of the eity until his
death in 1896. His widow is living in Detroit. Their
family numbered five sons and a daughter: W. H.; F.
B.; E. F.; Broek C; C. S.; and Mrs. Etta Gault. All
are residents of Detroit.
In his youthful days Brock C. Eby was a pupil in
the publie schools of Canada, until his tenth year,
wheri his parents came to Detroit and here he entered
the publie school, continuing his studies through the
high sehool. He then became identified with the auto
mobile business as an einploye. He beeame interested
in the manufacture of auto dashes and in 1905 estab
lished the pioneer manufacturing enterprise ' of this
kind in the eity. It was started in a small way, but
has developed and kept pace with the growing auto
mobile industry of Detroit and the country at large.
Today the plant manufactures auto dashes which are
shipped to all parts of the country. In 1911 the busi
ness was incorporated under the name of the Detroit
Auto Dash Company, which today has two plants, one
located in Detroit, and the other in Milford, Michigan,
while their employes now number one hundred and
sixty. Mr. Eby is the president and treasurer of the
company, with S. Deutsch, vice president, and H. E.
Githens, secretary. In addition to his prominent con
nection with this business Mr. Eby is president of the
Commercial Engraving Company.
On the 18th of December, 1894, Mr. Eby was mar
ried to Miss Jennie M. Hamilton of Detroit, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. James Hamilton, and to this marriage

BROCK C. EBY

CITY OF DETROIT

747

nine children have been born: Allen B., born in De
troit in 1895 and educated in the high school here,
was married to Miss Helen Ward of this city, and they
have one child, Walter Allan, born December 19, 1919,
in Milford, Michigan. Allen B. Eby is now manager
of the Milford plant of the Detroit Auto Dash Com
pany; Marjorie, the second of the family, was edu
cated in the sehools of Detroit, and is the wife of
Joseph F. Ferry of Detroit; William Hamilton died
in infancy; Edwin, born in Detroit in 1902 and edu
cated in its public schools, is attending Ferris Insti
tute; Alton, born in Detroit in 1905, is attending
Peddie Institute at Hightstown, New Jersey; Grace
Evelyn, born in 1908, Brock C, born in 1912, and Jack,
born in 1914, are all attending sehool; and Mary Ellen,
born April 8, 1921.
Mr. Eby is a member of the Detroit Board of
Commerce, and all matters that effect the general
progress and welfare of his city are of deep interest
and concern to him. He belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal church and cooperates in many plans and
measures for the moral development of the community.
He is well known and prominent, standing high in
publie regard, and he deserves much credit for what
he has accomplished. In addition to his business he
owns a fine home at No. 2202 La Salle Gardens, North,
and an attractive summer home at Orion, on Lake
Michigan. FRED W. CHALMERS, well known in motor circles
of Detroit, is a native of London, Ontario, Canada,
where his youthful days were passed, during whieh
time he obtained a limited education, but was obliged
to start out in the business world when a youth of
fourteen. He was first employed as call-boy on a rail
road and so continued for five years. He remained
in the railroad service for some time afterward, acting
as brakeman on a freight train for three years and
then spent five years as brakeman on passenger trains,
running between Detroit and Buffalo. At length he
withdrew from railroading and established a restaurant
in St. Thomas, Ontario. This undertaking proved a
success, and was profitably conducted until he sold
out. He then established the first auto delivery busi
ness at St. Thomas and was winning prosperity in
this connection, but sold out on account of ill health.
Subsequently he came to Detroit and entered the
Chalmers plant, taking a course in the various de
partments in order to learn the automobile business.
He next entered the employ, of the Ford Motor Com
pany and had wide experience in that connection in
order to equip himself for selling. Later he obtained a
Ford agency on the east side of Detroit and within a
short time had established the business as a paying
Business. At length he sold out, and three days later,
or on the 1st of April, 1919, he became general man
ager for the Detroit Motor Sales Company at No.
1083 Michigan avenue. The affairs of this company

were in an unsatisfactory condition when he took hold,
and later it was closed out.
In June, 1903, Mr. Chalmers was united in mar
riage to Miss Alice Stuart, and they have become
parents of two sons: Thomas Frederick and Delmar.
Mr. Chalmers is a thirty-second degree Mason. He
belongs to Wolverine Lodge, F. & A. M.; to Michigan
Sovereign Consistory; and to Moslem Temple of the
Mystic Shrine. He has also been an Odd Fellow for
many years and is a loyal follower of the teachings and
purposes of these organizations. Starting out in the
business world when a youth of fourteen years he has
since been dependent upon his own resources, and
steadily has worked his way upward, advancing step
by step, each forward step bringing him a broader
outlook and wider opportunities. His position is to
day a creditable one and his success indicates what
can be accomplished when there is a will to dare and
to do.
JOHN KAY, jeweler of Detroit, is recognized as
one of the few experts on diamonds and precious
stones in this country. He is recognized by all the
large jewelry houses of America as one thoroughly
competent to judge of the value of diamonds and
other precious stones, whether in the rough or the
finished product, and many times he is called upon
to make estimates for the leading jewelry houses of
the country. This ability has been acquired through
long experience and wide study and there are few so
thoroughly informed concerning the diamond market
of the world. The story of the life record of Mr.
Kay and his steady advancement in business circles
contains much that is inspiring. He was born in
Stranraier, Scotland, February 17, 1850, a son of John
and Margaret (Cavan) Kay, who in 1851 came to the
new world, settling at Paris, Canada. In 1857 they
removed to Gait, Canada, where Mr. Kay opened a
jeweler shop. He continued at Gait until 1887 when
he returned and took up his residence in Detroit, where
he died in 1901. Mr. Kay's mother died in 1908. In
their family were ten children, five of whom are living,
those besides John Kay of this review being: David,
Robert, William and Grace, the last named being now
the wife of Walter McMillen of Brooklyn, New York.
In his youth John Kay was a pupil in the public
schools of Gait, Canada, becoming a high sehool stu
dent there. When thirteen years of age he began
learning the jeweler's trade, at which he served an
apprenticeship until his twentieth year. He then went
to New York city, where he worked at his trade for
the firm of Giles, Wales, 13 Maiden Lane, from 1870
until 1874. He then removed to Indianapolis, Indiana,
and beeame manager for Fred M. Herron from 1874
until 1881, specializing in handling diamonds and
precious stones. On the expiration of that period
he removed to Detroit to become manager for Roehm
& Wright and subsequently bought out the interest
of Mr. Roehm and organized the firm of Wright, Kay

748

CITY OF DETROIT

and Company, whieh developed into one of the leading
jewelry houses of the United States. He has con
tinued uninterruptedly in the jewelry business since
that time. From 1881 to 1907 he was a member of
the firm of Wright, Kay and Company, and in the
latter year withdrew and organized the firm of John
Kay and Company, a close corporation, of which he is
president. He handles only fine jewelry, diamonds
and precious stones. In 1914 he wrote. a book entitled
The Diamond, which contained much valuable informa
tion and posesssed also much literary merit. This had
a large sale throughout the world and he is now receiv
ing orders for a second edition of this work, orders
coming to him from as far as India. Mr. Kay like
wise possesses inventive genius and some years ago
invented a watch-making tool known as Kay's roller
remover, which today is on practically every jeweler's
work bench in the world. Mr. Kay is consulted many
times by so-called experts upon the value of certain
precious stones and he is often called to adjust the
fine points on a diamond bortz and carbon at automo
bile and other plants in Detroit where these diamonds
are in use.
On the 5th of August, 1887, at Jackson, Michigan,
Mr. Kay was married to Miss Carrie Garliek, a daugh
ter of Thaddeus Garliek, of Cleveland, Ohio. They
have three children: Mildred M., Wallace G., and
John Wilbur. All were educated in Detroit, attend
ing the publie and high schools. The elder son married
Miss Ethel Woodworth McArthur of Mt. Clemens,
and they have one child, Margaretta Woodworth Kay,
born at Mt. Clemens, Michigan, in 1915. Mr. and Mrs.
Wallace G. Kay reside in Detroit. Wilbur Kay mar
ried Miss Gertrude Binley of Brookline, Massachusetts.
Mr. John Kay was one of the founders of the
Detroit Athletic Club. He belongs to the Detroit Phi
latelists Association and he is noted for his large col
lection of precious stamps. He is connected with the
Detroit Board of Commerce and he belongs to the
Detroit Curling Club and the Detroit Boat Club. In
Masonry he has advanced along both routes and is a
Knights Templar and thirty-second degree Mason,
while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian
church. With a nature that never could be content
with mediocrity, he has made steady progress along
the line of his chosen life work, long sinee reaching
a point where his opinions carry great authority and
weight on all matters connected with the value of
diamonds and other precious stones and artistic devel
opment of pieces of jewelry.
PETER M. DITZLER, who passed away on the 6th
of January, 1921, was one of the founders of the
Detroit Storage Company and served as its president
from 1917 until the time of his retirement from busi
ness in 1920. He was born in Milton, Pennsylvania,
October 25, 1853, his parents being John Frederick
and Mary Ann (Smith) Ditzler. The district sehool
system of his native state provided him with his edu

cational opportunities and when his textbooks were
put aside he learned the trade of coach painting, which
he continued to follow for eighteen years. From 1887
until 1891 he was connected with the firm of Cary,
Ogden & Company, color grinders of Chieago, and in
the latter year he came to Detroit, where he entered
into aetive connection with the Detroit White Lead
Company, with which he remained for five years, being
superintendent of the color plant of that company,
which is engaged in the manufacture of coach, car
and automobile colors. He was also with the Murphy
Varnish Company of Newark, New Jersey, from 1895
until 1899 and as its representative established the
color plant of which he was superintendent until the
close of that period. Returning to Detroit, he was
again with the Detroit White Lead Works until 1902,
when he organized the Ditzler Color Company, of
which he became president and general manager, so
continuing until the 1st of March, 1913. He was then
elected to the presidency of the Advance Machine
Company, contracting machinists. In 1913 he assisted
in the founding of the Detroit Storage Company and
became its manager, and in 1917 was elected to the
presidency, serving in that capacity until he retired
from active business on May 1, 1920. During his career
his various business interests marked a constant for
ward step as he became identified with important
enterprises. On the 24th of September, 1882, at Milton, Penn
sylvania, Mr* Ditzler was married to Miss Malinda
Belle Dildine of that place. He was a Presbyterian
in his religious faith and in his fraternal relations was
a Mason, belonging to Detroit Lodge, No. 2, A. F.
& A. M. He was likewise a member of the Board
of Commerce of Detroit. Mr. Ditzler was a man of
high ideals and most kindly and generous spirit and
left behind him not only a goodly competence but
the priceless heritage of a name unsullied.
THOMAS W. PALMER. One of Michigan's grand
old men who reaped abundantly of honors and riches,
was one of the bulwarks of progress and development
in the city of Detroit and the state. Endowed with
great force of character and business ability, Hon.
Thomas W. Palmer early became a leader in the busi
ness world and won an enviable name in connection
with commercial affairs and the public life of Mich
igan. In the state's political affairs of thirty years
ago he was one of the most striking figures, a man of
power and distinction, and in choosing him to a seat
in the United States senate Miehigan honored itself
and contributed to the national government a man
whose services were always marked by a high degree
of devotedness to the welfare of the people.
Few citizens of the state had a more interesting
career, or one more important in its results to his
home city and state. Thomas Witherell Palmer was
born in the eity of Detroit on the 25th of January,
1830. His people were among the fine old pioneer

.1.
a

PETER M. DITZLER

CITY OF DETROIT

751

families of this eity and state, his parents being
Thomas and Mary Amy (Witherell) Palmer. His
father was born at Ashford, in Windham county, Con
necticut, February 4, 1789. In 1808, at the age of
nineteen, Thomas Palmer, in company with a brother
two years his senior, assumed the active responsibility
of gaining a livelihood by becoming an itinerant mer
chant, a common vocation in the New England of
that time. Setting out with a span of horses and a
small stock of general merchandise, the two brothers
began the journey toward western Canada. On ar
riving at Maiden, Canada, they made that place their
headquarters, and there achieved most gratifying suc
cess as merchants until the commencement of the War
of 1812. Then every American resident of Maiden,
some fifteen in all, including the Palmer brothers, was
arrested and imprisoned. A number took the oath of
allegiance to Great Britain and were then released,
but the Palmers and five others, refusing this means
of escape, were held ¦ in confinement five weeks, and
then transported over the Detroit river to Monguagon.
From there they proceeded on foot to Detroit, which
beeame a strategic point in the war, as history records.
After Hull's surrender of Detroit the Palmer broth
ers returned to Maiden, on parole, and were there
permitted to exchange their stock of merchandise for
furs. After their return to Connecticut they estab
lished themselves at Canandaigua, New York, where
they conducted a prosperous business until the close
of the war, 1814, at which time they had on hand a
large stock of goods which had depreciated in value.
Thomas Palmer took this stock to Canada, where he
disposed of it with a fair profit. From there he came
to Detroit. The date of his arrival in this eity as a
permanent resident was June 16, 1815. Here he and
his brother conducted a general merchandise store
under the old firm name of F. & T. Palmer. In 1824,
panicky conditions forced their liquidation, though in
time they paid one hundred cents on every dollar of
their indebtedness. In subsequent years Thomas
Palmer became interested in a number of financial
projects of broad scope and importance. Acquiring
considerable valuable land in St. Clair county, he
operated a sawmill, and also conducted a store. In
1845 he became interested in mining enterprise in the
Lake Superior region, but not realizing a great deal
of profit from this venture he subsequently returned
to Detroit. Here he lived retired until his death, on
the 3d of August, 1868.
In 1821 Thomas Palmer laid the foundation of a
happy home life by his marriage to Miss Mary Amy
Witherell. She was born in 1795, at Fairhaven, Ver
mont, where her father, Judge James Witherell, was
a man of prominence and influence in public affairs.
Judge Witherell was circuit judge at Fairhaven for a
time, served his district in the state legislature and
represented Vermont in congress. When a youth of
sixteen he showed his patriotism by enlisting as a
soldier in the Continental army, serving with valor

and faithfulness during" the entire period of the War
of the Revolution. In 1808 he followed the westward
tide of migration to Michigan, settling at Detroit,
where he was appointed a judge of the territorial su
preme court by President Jefferson. After a long life
filled to overflowing with good acts and admirable
public service, Judge Witherell was summonded by
death in January, 1838.
Thomas W. Palmer began his education in private
schools at Detroit. At the age of twelve he was sent
to the village of Palmer (now the city of St. Clair),
named in honor of his father, where he entered the
excellent private school conducted by the Rev. O. C.
Thompson. When ready for college he chose the Uni
versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, but after a year's
attendance failing health compelled him temporarily to
relinquish his studies. During this enforced vacation
he spent some time in connection with his father's
mining interests in the Lake Superior region. He re
turned to the university, but failing eyesight com
pelled him finally to abandon the idea of a university
training. In the. fall of 1848, in company with five
others, he set out on a voyage to Spain, where he
traveled for a number of months, and then went to
South America, passing some three months on that
continent. In 1850, a short time after his return,
he went to Wisconsin to become agent, for a lake
transportation company. In the following year he
opened a store at Appleton, Wisconsin, where he was
one of the successful merchants until the destruction
of his place of business by fire.
In 1853 Mr. Palmer returned to Detroit, where he
became interested in real estate operations. Two years
later he engaged in the lumbering business, and en
tered into a partnership with Charles Merril, who
had already become noted as one of the most enter
prising lumbermen of the middle west. Under the firm
name of C. Merril, Messrs. Merril, Palmer and J. A.
Whittier conducted an extensive lumber business at
East Saginaw. After Mr. Merril 's death, in 1872,
the same firm name was retained, his interests in the
coneern having been inherited by his only daughter,
Mrs. Thomas W. Palmer.
Mr. Palmer's notable success as a business man re
sulted from his native talents, combined with the sys
tematic improvement of every legitimate opportunity.
Among his associates he was always known as a man
of great resourcefulness, and very direct in the
execution of his plans. His career was identified with
large business affairs, and through his well directed
efforts he accumulated one of the largest estates in
Michigan and amassed a large fortune in connection
with lumbering and financial enterprises.
In the estimation of the general publie his promi
nence in political and philanthropic activities over
shadowed his conspicuous place in business affairs.
His political affiliations were with the republican party
since the time of its organization, about 1856, and in
all matters of public import in this part of the state

752

CITY OF DETROIT

he figured most prominently. In 1873 he was appointed
to membership on the first board of estimators of
Detroit, and his influence had important results in
the work of that board. Five years later, in 1878,
he was urged by numerous friends and stanch ad
mirers to become a candidate for congress. This honor
he positively declined, but later, after earnest solici
tation, he was persuaded to make the race for state
senator. In the ensuing campaign he was elected,
and while in the state senate he introduced and was
largely instrumental in the passage of the bill creating
the State Industrial School for Girls at Adrian. He
also took a prominent part in the passage of a bill
providing for an elaborate boulevard system in Detroit. -
As state senator he was chairman of the legislative
caucus that nominated Zachariah Chandler for the
United States senate.
In 1883 the state of Michigan conferred upon him
its highest political honor when he was chosen to
the United States senate, to succeed Thomas W. Ferry.
His work in the senate had important bearing on state
and national questions then pending. He championed
the cause of the homesteaders of the northern penin
sula in their fight against the various land and mining
companies. It was Senator Palmer who delivered the
first set speech in the senate in favor of woman's suf
frage. He also introduced and spoke in favor of a
bill to restrict immigration, and he prepared the first
complete record for reference with statistics of im
migration. In his speech on the encroachment of the
railroads, delivered in the United States senate, he
was author of the epigram which has furnished a war-
cry for every latter-day reformer, when he said:
"Equal rights for all, special privileges to none."
In March, 1889, Mr. Palmer was tendered the post
of minister to the court of Spain, a post of great
interest and importance. He accepted and remained
at Madrid thirteen months, when he resigned and re
turned to his home in Detroit. In June, 1890, Presi
dent Harrison appointed him one of the commissioners
at large to the World's Columbian Exposition, and he
was later unanimously elected president of the com
mission. Citizens of Miehigan may well be proud of this finan
cier and statesman, who continually subordinated his
personal ambition to the publie good and who always
sought rather the benefit of others than the aggran
dizement of self. Endowed by nature with high intel
lectual qualities, to whieh were added the embellish
ments of culture, his was a most attractive and inter
esting personality. As a man of affairs all his dealings
were characterized by fair and straightforward meth
ods. As a publie speaker his convincing eloquence was
tested on many occasions of his long career.
On the 16th of October, 1855, Senator Palmer mar
ried Miss Elizabeth P. Merril. She was born in Port
land, Maine, and was reared in Michigan, being a
daughter of the late Charles Merril, the well known
lumberman previously mentioned. A woman of rare

charm and accomplishments, Mrs. Palmer has been an
esteemed leader in many social circles. Mr. and Mrs.
Palmer had no children.
As a citizen of Detroit, Senator Palmer was instru
mental in the erection of a soldiers' monument in
the city, and it was largely through his influence
that the fine memorial on Campus Martius was erected.
He was one of the founders and the first president
of the Detroit Museum of Art, an institution that has
since had an important influence on the esthetic cul
ture of the city. To this institution he contributed
sixteen thousand dollars. As a token of his venera
tion for his mother, he built the Mary W. Palmer
Memorial church, Methodist Episcopal, in Detroit. Mr.
Palmer passed away June 1, 1913.
Two and one half miles from the city of Detroit,
on its chief thoroughfare, is the famous Palmer Park,
with its world-renowned log cabin. The park was
originally a part of the Palmer farm of six hundred
acres, and was a gift from Mr. Palmer to the citizens
of Detroit. Experts have pronounced the Witherell
Woods, a part of the park, to be the finest in the
world. This park is but one of the many gifts which
endeared Senator Palmer not only to the people of
his own eity, but to those of this state and country.
GUSTAV A. LINDKE, president and manager of
the Lindke Shoe Company, has the unusual record of
having been connected throughout almost the entire
period of his business career with the enterprise of
whieh he is now the head. He was born in Caseo,
St. Clair county, Miehigan, July 4, 1876, and is a son
of Christian and Wilhelmina (Mackelburg) Lindke.
The public sehools of his native town afforded him his
educational opportunities and when a youth of thir
teen years he sought employment in order to provide
for his own support. He entered the employ of the
firm of Valpey & Company and thus received his early
commercial training along the line in whieh he is
now engaged. In 1892 he established business on his
own account under the name of the Triangle Shoe
Company on Grand River avenue and ten years later,
or in June, 1902, he bought out Valpey & Company
and conducted his business for a further decade under
the name of the Valpey Shoe Company, Ltd. In
1912 he incorporated his interests under the style of
the Lindke Shoe Company, of which he has since been
the president and manager. Through the intervening
period the business has steadily grown and developed
until he has now a large and profitable trade that
is most gratifying. As the years have passed he has
made heavy investments in Detroit real estate. Mr.
Lindke owns a very valuable property at Woodward
avenue and Peterboro which contains nine stores
and a hotel building. He is also extensively inter
ested in subdivision property at Grand River and the
Seven Mile Road.
On the 20th of February, 1901, Mr. Lindke was
married to Miss Anna Staynor of Chicago. Mr. Lindke

GUSTAV A. LINDKE

Vol. rv— 48

CITY OF DETROIT

755

is also identified with the Young Men's Christian
Association. He belongs to the Detroit Board of Com
merce, which indicates his interest in the public
welfare, and he has membership in the Exchange, De
troit Athletic and Red Run Golf Clubs. His career
illustrates what can be accomplished through individ
ual effort, for without assistance at the beginning of
his career Mr. Lindke has worked his way steadily
upward, his industry, determination and capable man
agement constituting the foundation upon which he
has built his success.
GEORGE JOSEPH HAAS, prominently identified
with public affairs in the village of Hamtramck, where
he served as president for several terms, and also
well known as an architect of wide experience and
pronounced ability, was born in Detroit, August 25,
1889, his parents being Ernest and Mary (Louzon)
Haas, the former born in the state of New York, while
the latter was born in Canada. They came to Mich
igan in early life and the father was for many years
engaged in cigar manufacturing but has retired from
business. He and his wife make their home in Ham
tramck, whieh is now practically a part of Detroit.
They have reared a family of eight children: Isabella,
Florence, Evelyn and Fred, all in Hamtramck; Ernest,
who is a member of the United States navy; Oscar
and William, also in Hamtramck; and George J., of
this review.
The last named attended the Berry public school of
Detroit and also the Eastern high school, and when
he had completed his course he entered the office of
the J. L. Hudson Company as office boy. Later he
became connected with the Pittsburgh Plate Glass
Company in a clerical capacity, and mentally review
ing the broad field of business, at length deter
mined to take up the profession of architecture. Ac
cordingly he became an apprentice in the office of
Harry C. Stevens, a prominent architect of Detroit,
starting in the draughting department. He paid the
strictest attention to every phase of the business,
which he mastered in principle and detail. Gradually,
by working nights and developing his powers through
practical experience and broad study, _ he won promo
tion to a commanding position in prominent architec
tural firms of the city. He was employed for a time
by Joseph E. Mills, also by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls,
Harry J. Rile and others. By the time he reached
the age of twenty-three years he felt justified in estab- '
lishing business on his own account and beeame one
of Detroit's youngest architects. Since that time the
recognition of his ability has won him a liberal pat
ronage, leading to the erection of many prominent
structures in the city that stand as a monument to
his ability for creative design. He was the architect
of the beautiful city hall at Hamtramck and also the
city hall of River Rouge and Grosse Pointe. He has
made the plans and supervised the erection of many of
the fine apartment buildings, schools, publie works,

beautiful homes, also churches and other structures
for public use. Aside from his business of this char
acter he is vice president of the Peoples National Bank
of Hamtramck.
On the 25th of August, 1910, Mr. Haas was united
in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Taylor, a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Taylor, and they have two
children: Grace Elizabeth born in Detroit in 1912;
and George Kenneth, born in Hamtramck in Novem
ber, 1914.
In public affairs of the village Mr. Haas has been
a most prominent factor. He was elected mayor in
March, 1919, and discharged the duties of the office
with sueh capability and fidelity that he was re
elected in March, 1920, for a second term. He is
also senior justice of the peace of the village of
Hamtramck. He is well known in Masonie circles,
belonging to Friendship Lodge, No. 417, A. F. & A. M.,
while in the Miehigan Sovereign Consistory he has
attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite.
He is also a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine and is a life member of the Masonic Country
Club. He likewise has membership with the Loyal
Order of Moose and the Benevolent Protective Order
of Elks. He belongs to the Fellowcraft Athletic
Club, to the Caravan Club, to the Detroit Automobile
Club, to the Men's Athletic Club of Hamtramck and
to the Hamtramck Board of Commerce. He is like
wise identified with the N. A. A. C. P., a national
organization, the American Institute of Architects and
the Michigan Society of Architects. His political en
dorsement has always been given to the republican
party and his religious faith is that of the Grace
Reformed church. His life has ever been actuated by
high and horiorable principles and permeated by worthy
motives which have found their expression in many
activities for the public good as well as for the ad
vancement of his individual fortunes.
HENRY B. JEWELL has for more than four dec
ades been a resident of Michigan, where he is well
known as the sales manager for the Scripps-Booth Cor
poration. He was born in Akron, New York, March
12, 1876, his parents being George A. and Alice (Ains-
worth) Jewell, both of whom were natives of the
Empire state. They left New York, however, in
1876 and removed to Miehigan, settling on a farm in
Macomb county, where the father concentrated his
efforts and attention upon the development and im
provement of his land. The old homestead property
is now in his possession.
Henry B. Jewell was an infant when the family
came to Michigan, and took up their abode on a farm
in Macomb county. He was reared in the usual man
ner of the farm bred boy and when not busy with the
work of the fields he attended the country school, thus
pursuing his education. At length, however, he left
the farm and turned his attention to the automobile
business in Detroit. He was with the Oakland inter-

756

CITY OF DETROIT

ests for six months and later spent five years in
connection with the Overland people as a salesman.
He then joined the Scripps-Booth Corporation in 1917
as a salesman and such was his business ability that
he was promoted to the position of manager of their
sales department at 8231 Woodward avenue, on the 1st
of January, 1920. He is not only a superior salesman
but also a strong executive.
Mr. Jewell was united in marriage to Miss Jessie
Lewis and to them has been born a daughter, Elma.
Mr. Jewell belongs to Ashlar Lodge, No. 91, F. & A.
M. and also to the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks and to the Board of Commerce. His success may
be attributed to hard work, earnestness of purpose
and intelligence manifest in all that he has undertaken.
The sales of the Scripps-Booth Corporation have taken
on a new impetus under his direction and he has con
tributed to the success of every concern with whieh
he has at any time been associated during his active
business career. He is well known in this section of
the state where practically his entire life has been
passed and his own progress should serve as an im
petus and encouragement to others.
HENRY J. PARKER, one of Detroit's well known
business men in real estate and insurance circles,
is the senior partner of Parker, Schunk & Fry, a firm
doing an • extensive general real estate and general
insurance business in this eity. Henry J. Parker
was born on a farm in Redford township, Wayne
county, Michigan, September 24, 1867, a son of Calvin
Parker, whose birth occurred in Farmington, Mich
igan, while the father of Calvin Parker, John Parker,
was born in the state of New York, as was his father
before him. Throughout his life Calvin Parker fol
lowed the occupation of farming and was a man thor
oughly upright and reliable, who at all times did his
full duty in every position whieh he filled. He was
married in Redford, Michigan, to Miss Sarah Fidelia
Smith, who came of direct Mayflower descent. Both
have passed away.
Henry J. Parker obtained his education in the
country sehools of Wayne county, Michigan, and in
attendance at night schools in Detroit. In the interval
between his early educational training and his study
in the Detroit night sehools he was on the Great
Lakes for five years, beginning at the age of fifteen
years. Soon afterward he was married and located
in Detroit, where he beeame an employe of the Fort
Wayne & Belle Isle Street Railway Company, first
as a driver and later as a conductor. He continued
in the latter position until 1892, when he received
an appointment on the police force of Detroit and so
served until 1906, during which time he won promotion
to the rank of sergeant, which he was holding when
he retired from the force. He was one of the first
of the mounted police of the city and did splendid
work in that connection. When Mr. Parker left publie
office he turned his attention to the real estate busi

ness and a short time later, or in 1908, in company
with John M. Schunk and Fred A. Fry, he organized
the firm of Parker, Schunk & Fry to conduct a gen
eral real estate business. The business of the firm was
soon afterward enlarged so as to include general
insurance, which branch of the business has been
added to in the meantime until it now includes prac
tically every form of underwriting except life in
surance. In the management of its rapidly growing
business, the firm has won a large and desirable
clientage and maintains a position of high standing
in realty and insurance circles. Its personnel was
unchanged until 1917, when Mr. Fry withdrew. The
firm style, however, remains the same as when organ
ized. Aside from his firm interests Mr. Parker is
the president of the Oak Grove Land Company and
is extensively interested in a number of other land
and real estate projects. He has acquired from time
to time a most desirable tract of land on the west
side of Lake Maceday, Oakland county, embracing
more than a mile of lake frontage, where he plans
to develop a country estate in keeping with places
of this character owned by many of Detroit's prom
inent citizens. This property, in addition to its
admirable location, includes three wooded islands,
numerous small streams and perpetual springs, in all
comprising an ideal tract, the development of which
may be called Mr. Parker's hobby. His business
affairs have been ably and carefully conducted, thor
oughness being manifest in everything that he does,
so that his success seems but a just reward.
On the 30th of June, 1889, in Detroit, Mr. Parker
was married to Miss Clara Perry, a daughter of the
late Thomas A. Perry, a farmer of Redford township,
Wayne county. The only child of Mr. and Mrs.
Parker, Austin Winthrop Parker was born in Detroit,
August 20, 1894, and is associated in business with
his father. He was married in this city to Miss
Florine, a daughter of Florimond DeMan, and they
have a daughter, Virginia Florine Parker, bom June
15, 1919.
Mr. Parker is a republican in his political views.
At the time of the war, when all partisanship was
made subservient to the country's needs, he took an
aetive part in selling Liberty Bonds. He is well
known in Masonic circles as a Consistory and Knights
Templar Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine.
He also belongs to the Caravan Club and is a life
member of the Masonic Country Club. He is likewise
associated with the Board of Commerce of Detroit
and with the Real Estate Board and through these
associations seeks to further his own efficiency in his
chosen line of work and promote the business con
nections and development of the city.
RICHARD G. NEIGHBORS was the president and
directing head of Thorp, Hawley & Company, candy
manufacturers of Detroit. Mr. Neighbors was a native
of Roanoke, Virginia. He was born February 18,

HENRY J. PARKER

CITY OF DETROIT

759

1880, of the marriage of James W. and Virginia
(Whorley) Neighbors, both of whom were born in the
Old Dominion and have there spent their lives, the
father being a well known planter. Their family num
bered three sons and a daughter: Richard G., Henry
F. and Charles C, living in Cleveland, Ohio; and Annie
R., who became the wife of Raymond Paul Baker of
New York city.
Richard G. Neighbors was a pupil in the public
schools of Roanoke, passing through consecutive
grades to the high school and later becoming a stu
dent in Roanoke College. At the outbreak of the
Spanish-American war he joined the army as a staff
officer under General Fitzhugh Lee, chief of the expe
ditionary force, in Cuba, where he remained for two
years. He was commissioned a first lieutenant and
after the close of the war he entered the government
service, acting as special commissioner of United
States emigration. He served on this commmission in
Europe for two years, on the expiration of whieh
period he resigned and returned to his native land.
He beeame a resident of Detroit in 1910, at whieh
time he entered the general sales department of the
Hupp Motor Company in the capacity of sales manager.
He remained with that corporation until 1916, when
he resigned and purchased an' interest in the firm of
Thorp, Hawley & Company, wholesale dealers in and
manufacturers of candy. He became the president and
manager of the company, in whieh capacity he re
mained until his death, which occurred on November
5, 1920.
On the 10th of October, 1910, in Detroit, Mr. Neigh
bors was married to Miss Mary Bethune Duffield,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bethune Duffield, prominent
and honored residents of Detroit. The three children
of this marriage are: Richard Graham, born Septem
ber 13, 1913; Eise Muir, born May 20, 1915; and Ann
Fletcher, born December 26, 1917. Mr. Neighbors was
a member of the Detroit Boat Club.
THEODORE GOULD FLETCHER was one of the
organizers and for several years secretary-treasurer
of the Superior Sand & Gravel Company, and bore
the reptuation of being one of the substantial
and reliable business men of Detroit, and one whose
personal characteristics won for him the highest re
spect and honor of all with whom he came into con
tact. So enviable is his record in every connection
that Detroit is proud to number him among her
native sons. In the acquirement of his education he
attended the high school and then prepared for
Yale, but changing his plans, did not enter the uni
versity. Instead he went west to Denver, Colorado,
where he accepted a position in the Denver National
Bank, there remaining for a period of four years and
gaining valuable experience through his western so
journ. Returning to Detroit, Mr. Fletcher became connected
with the Fletcher Hardware Company, of which his

father, Charles G. Fletcher, was the head. He was
then active in the conduct and management of the
business until 1913, when they closed out their inter
ests, and in 1914 Theodore G. Fletcher beeame the
secretary-treasurer of the Superior Sand & Gravel Com
pany, whieh had been in existence for some time. Mr.
Fletcher, because of poor health, severed his connec
tion with that concern some time prior to his death,
which occurred on September 13, 1921.
Mr. Fletcher was married to Miss Louise M. Hecker,
a daughter of Colonel Frank J. Hecker, of Detroit,
and they became parents of two children: Anna and
Charles Henry. Mr. Fletcher belonged to the Detroit
Club, the Detroit Athletic Club and the Grosse Pointe
Country Club, thus indicating his appreciation of the
social amenities of life, while his religious faith was
that of the Episcopal chureh and served as vestryman
and treasurer of St. Paul's cathedral.
RUSSELL T. WALLACE. A record of advancement
through personal ability and effort marks the career
of Russell T. Wallace, the efficient and popular cashier
of the American State Bank of Highland Park, and
he is one of the representative young business men of
the vigorous, industrial and residential city of High
land Park, which has become an important part of
the vital commercial district of the Michigan metrop
olis. Mr. Wallace is well justified in the pride whieh
he takes in the institution of which he is the cashier,
this bank owning and occupying a modern building of
the best architectural design and with specially at
tractive and consistent interior equipment, and its
business being one of substantial importance in con
nection with financial activities in the metropolitan
district of Detroit.
Russell T. Wallace was born in the city of Saginaw,
Michigan, on the 3d of April, 1883, and is a son of
Morrison and Margaret (Coleman) Wallace, both
natives of the Dominion of Canada. The father be
eame a skilled machinist and in this connection was
prominently identified with the manufacturing indus
try at Saginaw, Michigan, until his removal to Pitts
burgh, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred in
1911, his wife having died in 1892, at Saginaw.
In the publie schools of his native city Russell T.
Wallace continued his studies, with diligence and
profit, even after he had initiated a boyhood associa
tion with business affairs by taking a minor position
in the old Bancroft House, a leading hotel of Saginaw.
In January, 1900, shortly prior to his seventeenth birth
day anniversary, he became a messenger in the employ
of the Bank of Saginaw, an institution with resources
of eighteen million dollars, and his fidelity and ef
fective service eventually won for him promotion to
the position of assistant cashier of this institution, with
which he continued his alliance until February, 1919,
when he came to Highland Park, and assumed the posi
tion of whieh he is the incumbent, that of cashier of
the American State Bank of Highland Park, later also

760

CITY OF DETROIT

becoming a director. He has here proved an ideal
executive and to his unfailing courtesy and punctilious
care in meeting the requirements and wishes of pa
trons has been due in large measure the splendid de
velopment of the bank with which he is connected and
the fine building which was completed in 1920.
In 1904 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Wal
lace to Miss Elsa S. Schwemer, daughter of Ludwig
Sehwemer, a prominent business man in the city of
Saginaw. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have two daughters,
Jean and Margaret; and a son, Ned.
Mr. Wallace is one of the most loyal and pro
gressive citizens and business men of Highland Park,
is independent in politics, is affiliated with the
Masonic fraternity, is a member of the Rotary Club
of Highland Park and is president of the, Recreation
Commission of Highland Park. Both he and his wife
are zealous members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal
church of Highland Park.
CHARLEMAGNE CLARK, whose activity in busi
ness brought him success, whose upright conduct and
high ideals gained for him the respect, confidence
and goodwill of his fellowmen, was for many years
well known in manufacturing circles of Detroit as the
founder of the Phoenix Wire Works, whieh was estab
lished in 1885 and with whieh he was continuously
connected to the time of his demise. Michigan num
bered him among her native sons. His birth occurred
at Clarkston, Oakland county, December 1, 1850, his
parents being Milton H. and Hannah (Lapham) Clark,
whose family numbered three children. The father
was a native of the state of New York, and after his
marriage he removed to Michigan, settling at what is
now Clarkston, a town that was named in honor of
his father, Judge Jeremiah Clark, of the supreme court
of New York state, who owned much land in that
section of Miehigan. Milton H. Clark there carried
on mercantile pursuits.
Charlemagne Clark pursued his education in the
public schools until he had completed a high school
course at Clarkston, and then entered the University
of Michigan, where he received his Master of Arts
degree. He likewise studied law in the office of a
Mr. Edwards, in Detroit, and was admitted to prac
tice at the bar. On account of poor eyesight he gave
up the practice of law. He then turned his attention
to manufacturing business in Detroit, where he began
with a capital of three hundred dollars. Later he
established and beeame the owner of the Phoenix
Wire Works and in this connection developed one of
the extensive plants of Detroit, devoted to the manu
facture of wire cloth and also doing wire work and
ornamental iron work. The business grew steadily,
reaching most gratifying proportions, and is still
being conducted by his widow. One of the elements
of his success which displayed as well one of Mr.
Clark's strong characteristics, was his treatment of
his employes. He was always kind and considerate

and it was his pleasure to view and inspect his fac
tory pay roll and plan to conduct his business so that
his working force should share prosperously in the
liberal prices which he put upon the factory products.
The regard entertained for him by those in his service
was indicated at the time of his funeral, when his
employes attended in a body and showed their respect
and regard for him through their generous contribu
tion of flowers.
On the 22d of April, 1876, Mr. Clark was married
at Holland, Michigan, to Miss Donnie B. Smith, the
daughter of William H. Smith. To Mr. and Mrs.
Clark was born a daughter: Lillian M., who is now
the wife of Ernest J. Klintworth of Detroit, and they
have one son, Robert Ernest.
Mr. Clark was a member of the Board of Commerce
as well as of the Chamber of Commerce of this city
and also held membership in the Automobile Club and
Trade Union of Detroit. Politically he maintained an
independent course, voting for men and measures
rather than party. When he passed away high tributes
were paid to him by many who had been his asso
ciates from early life, some of these being his class
mates in college. One writing of him said: "Clark
and I were always on terms of confidence and real
companionship. He was the quiet kind, sincere to the
core, honest and straightforward." Another said of
him: "He was a man of much reserve, and especially
little inclined to be interested in the affairs of others.
But he was most courteous and considerate of the
rights of others. And my impression of him was that
he exhibited the soul of honor, fairness and justice to
other people. He seemed to accept the duties which
fell to him in this workaday world and to carry
them out with fidelity and without complaint. He
was not what the college world called a 'jolly good
fellow.' But — when anything had to be done that
required patience, industry and fidelity, he could be
depended upon to do it. He could laugh with the
rest of us over our jokes and over our follies. But
he had learned, early, to take both pleasure and work
in moderation. He was the kind of a man that makes
what we call a good citizen." One of his most
intimate friends wrote a fitting memorial to him in
the following words: ' ' Many might be glad to present
as white a soul and unsullied a record — as husband,
father and citizen, to their Creator." Such is the
record of Charlemagne Clark, who left behind him a
memory that is enshrined in the hearts of all who
knew him and which is a blessed benediction to those
who were closely associated with him. It was on the
13th of April, 1920, that he was called to his final rest.
THEOPHILUS FRANCIS HENRY. Prominent
among the younger representatives of the Detroit
bar is Theophilus Francis Henry, who since 1912 has
engaged in the practice of his profession in this city.
He was born in Jackson, Michigan, September 12,
1888, a son of Michael A. and Rose (Steger) Henry,

CHARLEMAGNE CLARK

CITY OF DETROIT

763

the former a native of Detroit, while the latter was
born in southern Michigan. For thirty-five years the
father was prominently identified with the Michigan
Central Railroad Company as an official and is now
living at Jackson, Michigan. The mother, however,
is deceased, her demise occurring in that city in 1915.
Their family numbered two children: Pauline, who
is still residing in Jackson; and Theophilus F., of
this review.
After completing the work of the grades Mr. Henry
attended the St. Francis College at Trenton, New
Jersey, after which he became a student at Pio Nono
College of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from which he was
graduated in 1906. He then entered the University
of Miehigan at Ann Arbor, which conferred upon him
the LL. B. degree upon his graduation with the class
of 1910, and shortly afterward he came to Detroit,
where he became connected with the law offiee of
Messrs. Brennan, Downey & Van De Mark. After
two years' identification with that firm he opened an
office of his own and has since engaged in independent
practice, specializing in insurance law. He has been
counsel for a number of large corporations, including
the Manufacturers' Insurance Agency, the Michigan
Reciprocal Association, the Republic Casualty Com
pany and several fire insurance companies. During
the World war he was engaged in closing up the af
fairs of the Frankfort Insurance Company, has since
been attorney for the Michigan Reciprocal Associa
tion, and is likewise serving as vice president of the
Manufacturers Underwriters' Association.
On the 23d of January, 1915, Mr. Henry was united
in marriage to Miss Edna B. Tygh, a daughter of
Robert Tygh, of Jaekson, Michigan. To this union
has been born a son, Michael Richard.
In his political views Mr. Henry is a republican,
interested in the welfare and success of the party,
and in religious faith he is a Catholic, being a mem
ber of St. Charles church. He is an active mem
ber of the Knights of Columbus, in which he has
attained the fourth degree, and is also identified with
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a
valued member of the Detroit Bar Association, the
Lawyers' Club and the Detroit Yacht Club. He is an
ardent devotee of yachting and is well known in
* aquatic circles. Mr. Henry holds to high standards
in professional service, has great respect for the dig
nity of his calling and zealously devotes his energies
to his profession.
FRANK H. JOYCE, secretary and treasurer and
general manager of the American Auto Trimming
Company, was born in the city of Windsor, Ontario.
He received his early literary education in the Wind
sor high school, and then took up the wholesale sad
dlery business with Armstrong & Graham. He was in
the harness trade for twenty-two years, but toward
the close of that period the growing use of the auto
mobile was making itself felt in the reduction of

horses and consequently restricting the demand for
harness. Mr. Joyce early saw the possibilities of the
automobile trade, and the opportunity presenting
itself to buy a defunct manufacturing plant, he asso
ciated himself with others and formed the Ameri
can Auto Trimming Company, which was incorporated
in November, 1909, with Benjamin Gotfredson as
president, Frank H. Joyce as vice president and M.
H. Coleman as secretary. The company was rein
corporated in 1910 with the same officers, Mr. Joyce
assuming the offices of secretary and treasurer in
place of the vice presidency.
The American Auto Trimming Company is a strong
corporation and has plants in Cleveland, Ohio, and
Walkerville, Ontario, besides the extensive plant in
Detroit. The company is very successful and has
grown greatly since its inception. In the last few
years it has increased the dimensions of its plants
by eight hundred thousand square feet of space; five
hundred thousand of this increase has been added to
the Detroit plant, one hundred and seventy-five thou
sand in Walkerville and one hundred and fifty thou
sand in Cleveland. The firm makes auto trimmings
and tops and supplies all the big companies in the
middle west with its products.
Frank H. Joyce married Miss Calla Noble and
they have three sons living: William N., Philip A.
and Herbert. Their eldest son, Frank H., Jr., is de
ceased. He was a member of the Royal Air Force
in the British army during the World war. William
N. was also a member of the Royal Air Force, which
he joined at the age of eighteen.
Mr. Joyce is a member of Corinthian Lodge, F. &
A. M., Windsor Preceptory, Knights Templar, and
Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. His clubs include
the Detroit Athletic Club, the Bloomfield Hills Golf
Club, the Essex County (Ontario) Golf Club, the
Windsor Club, the Ontario Club of Toronto and the
Lambs Club of New York city.
LUTHER V. BARKER, a funeral director
of Detroit, was born in North Adams, Michi
gan, July 29, 1888, a son of Lauren J. and Min
nie (Carr) Barker. The father was also a native of
North Adams, his parents having located there at a
very early period in the settlement of the state. The
mother was born in Scotland and came to America
with her parents when a maiden of eight years, the
family home being established in Michigan, where she
was reared, educated and married. Lauren J. Barker
devoted his life to the occupation of farming and
stock raising and carried on business along that line
very successfully in the neighborhood of Hillsdale
until 1915, when he retired from active life and re
moved to Detroit, here spending his remaining days.
He passed away in February, 1920, at the age of about
sixty years, his birth having occurred in 1861. His
widow is still a resident of Highland Park. They
were the parents of three children: James L., who is

764

CITY OF DETROIT

manager of the Moss-Hamilton branch of the Ameri
can State Bank of Highland Park; Luther V.; and
Julia, the wife of Dr. R. W. Moore of Highland Park.
Luther V. Barker obtained his early education in the
graded schools of his native city and afterward at
tended Hillsdale College. He then entered upon pri
vate banking business with the firm of Barker &
Barker at Stanwood, Michigan, the bank being or
ganized by himself and his brother, James L. Barker.
This they conducted successfully for some time but
eventually sold the bank to ex-Governor Woodbridge
N. Ferris, who has since been owner and manager of
the institution. When disposing of the business in
1917, Luther V. Barker enlisted in the service of
his country for aetive duty in the World war. He
entered the officers' training school at Camp Custer
and was afterward transferred to Camp Grant, where
he received his discharge following the signing of the
armistice in 1918. Immediately afterward Mr. Barker
came to Detroit, where he engaged in the undertaking
business and has since become well known here as a
funeral director, being today one of the leading under
takers of Highland Park. His previous experience in
this line of work was obtained while he was engaged
in the banking business at Stanwood, Michigan. This
work he conducted in connection with his other activi
ties at Stanwood from 1915 until 1917, and develop
ing considerable efficiency in this line of endeavor,
he is now successfully carrying on business as a
funeral director at Highland Park, his patronage being
quite extensive.
On the 16th of July, 1919, Mr. Barker was mar
ried to Miss Erma Kollar of Elkhart, ' Indiana, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Kollar, representing
a prominent family of Elkhart. The religious faith
of Mr. and Mrs. Barker is that of the Methodist Epis
copal chureh. His political endorsement is given to
the republican party and while residing at Stanwood
he served as city elerk but has never been a politician
in the sense of offiee seeking. He belongs to the B. X.
C. Club of Detroit and is a consistent follower of
Masonic teachings, having membership in Honor
Lodge No. 444, F. & A. M., and Michigan Sovereign
Consistory, in which he has attained the thirty-second
degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and of the
David M. Vincent Post, No. 120, American Legion,
Highland Park, thus maintaining pleasant relations
with those who, like himself, volunteered for service
in the World war.
EDWARD STANGE, who was well known in the
business circles of Detroit as one of the organizers and
incorporators of the American Brewing Company, con
tinued at the head of the business as president of
the corporation to the time of his death, which oc
curred August 28, 1913. He was a native of Germany,
his birth having occurred in Nordhausen, in the king
dom of Saxony, October 26, 1842, his parents being

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Frederick Stange, who had a family
of five children. The parents were also natives of
Saxony and the father became a mason contractor,
following that business with good success. He worked
at his trade in Germany until 1844, when he came with
the family to the United States and took up his resi
dence in Detroit, where he continued to follow his
trade and eventually became a contractor. He was a
resident of the city for nearly forty years ere death
called him in 1882. He had long survived his wife,
who passed away in 1858, only fourteen years after
their arrival in the new world. They were consistent
members of the German Reformed church.
Edward Stange was but two years old when brought
by his parents to Detroit and in the public schools
of this city he pursued his education. In 1856 he
started out in the business world by entering upon an
apprenticeship at the bookbinding trade in the estab
lishment of Richmond & Backus. He continued to
work along that line until 1864, when he accepted a
clerkship in a grocery store, and later he established
business on his own account as a grocer at the corner
of Elizabeth and Beaubien streets. Gradually he de
veloped his trade through his enterprising methods and
thorough reliability and for many years continued
as one of the prosperous grocers of the city. In
1890 he removed from his first location to the corner
of Gratiot and Brush streets and there he gave his
attention largely to the manufacture of vinegar until
1893, when he disposed of his business of that char
acter, having in 1890 become one of the organizers
of the Exposition Brewing Company, of which he was
secretary and treasurer until 1892. He then largely
lived retired from aetive business until 1900, when
he aided in organizing and incorporating the Ameri
can Brewing Company, of which he became a director.
With the reorganization of the business in 1902 he
was elected to the presidency of the company and
continued at its head throughout his remaining days,
the success of the enterprise being largely attributable
to his efforts. This business is now the American
Products Company, manufacturers of soft drinks and
ice. On the 10th of November, 1874, Mr. Stange was
united in marriage to Miss Minna Brumme, a daughter
of Dr. Carl Brumme, a leading physician of Detroit. «
Their marriage was blessed with several children, some
of whom died in infancy, but those reaching mature
ages are: Emelia, born September 23, 1876, is the wife
of Edward M. Thurber, formerly a resident of Detroit
but now of Cottage Grove, Oregon; Dorothy, whose
birth occurred September 14, 1878, is the wife of
Otto H. Anger of Detroit; Meta, who was born March
23, 1883, is the wife of Walter T. Biske, chief clerk
of the Wayne County & Home Savings Bank; Fred C,
who was born in 1890, married Blanche C. Hock. He
is treasurer of the American Products Company; Hugo
A., born September 15, 1892, is superintendent of the
American Products Company.

EDWARD STANGE

CITY OF DETROIT

767

Mr. Stange and his family attended St. John's Evan
gelical church and he was a well known member of
the Masonic fraternity from 1867 and was master
and treasurer of Schiller Lodge, No. 263, F. & A. M.,
of which he beeame a charter member on its organi
zation and was made a life member of that lodge
in 1909. He was also identified with Scottish Rite
Masonry and was a member of Moslem Temple of the
Mystic Shrine. He likewise was a member of the
Harmonie Club and an honorary member of the Ger
man Salesmen's Association. He gave his political
allegiance to the republican party, believing its plat
form contained the best elements of good government,
and at all times he contributed to the support of
projects and plans for the city's upbuilding and im
provement. He had many friends among Detroit's
substantial citizens, having practically spent his life
in this city.
CHARLES R. SCHEWE, who as president of the
Charles R. Schewe Company was prominently identi
fied with building operations in Detroit for a number
of years, his untimely death terminating his labors on
December 1, 1920, was born in Germany May 23, 1871,
but was only seven or eight years of age when
brought to the United States by his parents. Soon
afterward the family home was established in Detroit
and he acquired his early education in the German Luth
eran schools of this eity. Here he lived almost continu
ously from 1879 until his demise, although absent from
the city for brief periods on several occasions. When his
school days were over he learned the cabinet-maker's
trade, at which he worked for six years, constantly
broadening his knowledge and experience along these
lines. Later he became superintendent in charge of
mill work and supplies for various lumber companies
and in that capacity gained much valuable experience
in handling production for contractors and architects.
When a young man he had been employed by the
Pullman Car Company, in Pullman, Illinois. He re
turned to Detroit in order to wed his affianced bride
and with her went again to Pullman, where he lived
for two years. He then once more came to Detroit
but later removed to Chatham, Ontario, where he
acted as superintendent of the Hadley Lumber Com
pany for about two years and then again took up
his abode in Detroit, becoming a permanent resident
this time. He was for two years in the drafting de
partment of the architectural offices of Louis Hamper,
the well known Detroit architect. He then became
connected with the Otto Misch Company for about
three years, leaving there to establish business
on his own account and from that time until
his demise he was president of the Charles R.
Schewe Company. He was connected with the
construction of several of the notable buildings
of the city, including the Regent theatre, the Ferry-
field theatre, St. Mathias chureh, the Crawford spice
mills factory and the Ford City high school. Mr.

Schewe was united in marriage to Miss Clara G.
Schulz, whom he had known from early childhood
and who is a native of Detroit. They became the
parents of three children: Lillian, Ralph and Clara.
Mr. Schewe held membership in the Evangelical Luth
eran church and belonged to the Evangelical Luth
eran Aid Society. He was a member of the Master
Mason's Association, a trade organization. In politics
he maintained a liberal attitude, voting for men and
measures rather than party. His demise was the oc
casion of deep regret to many friends. For the
greater part of four decades he had lived in Detroit
and had not only been a witness of the progress of
the city but had contributed to its development and,
moreover, had gained many friends throughout this
and other cities in which he had labored. He held
to high standards of public service and it seemed
that he should have been spared for .many more years
of activity and usefulness, but fate intervened and
he passed on, leaving behind a good name and an
enviable record.
MRS. MADGE A. FRASER is a native of Elba,
township, Clinton county, Miehigan, and a daughter of
John C. and Ellen P. (Rohrenbacher) Kahler. Her
father came to Michigan from the state of New
York, while her mother was born in Pennsylvania.
Their family numbered three children, the elder
brother being Charles F. Kahler of Elsie, Miehigan,
occupying the position of district manager for the
Bell Telephone Company, while the younger brother
was Lawrence J. Kahler, deceased.
The only daughter, Madge A. Kahler, received her
graded schooling at Bannister, Michigan, and later
attended high sehool at Owosso, this state. In her
early childhood she manifested the natural talent
for interpretive dancing, which she did in her child
ish way for the entertainment of her playmates, act
ing parts conjured out of her imagination and always
seeking some method of artistic expression. Conse
quently when her high school course was completed,
her inclination and desire was to develop and perfect
her natural talent through specific instruction. To this
end she attended the Kretlow School of Dancing at
Chicago and while a pupil in that institution she also
taught in the school. In 1906-07 she studied dramatic
art at the School of Elocution and Oratory at Val
paraiso, Indiana.
It was during her student days in Chicago that
Madge A. Kahler beeame the wife of Alfred L.
Fraser. After residing for two years in that city
they removed to Oklahoma City, where Mrs. Fraser
gave private lessons in dancing to a select coterie
of pupils. In 1914 she became a resident of Detroit
and here again she gave private instructions in danc
ing until the United States entered the World war.
When the call came for women to take the place of
men in the business world, Mrs. Fraser responded by
driving a taxi, besides doing much Red Cross work

768

CITY OF DETROIT

in connection with the Woman 's Navy Corps, of which
she is a member, and also assisting for a time at the
post office. After the armistice was signed and the
country settled down to the ways of peace she again
resumed charge of her dancing classes and opened
a studio on Kirby avenue. There she taught ballroom
dancing, aesthetic dancing, ballet, toe, eccentric, folk
dancing and buck and wing dancing. Mrs. Fraser
makes yearly trips to New York, where she studies
the latest fancy dancing, having been a ballet student
under Chaliff and studied ballroom . dancing under
Alexis Kossloff. She was responsible for introducing
the new dance, the eat step, to Detroit and is the
originator of the popular dance known as the Detroit
walk. These she presented before the Detroit Federa
tion of Women's Clubs and later before many indi
vidual clubs.
The demand for Mrs. Fraser 's instruction among
many of the exclusive elubs of the city is growing
rapidly and already she has as many pupils as she
can personally instruct. She specializes in technique
and self-expression, correcting the .faults of uncon
scious wrong foot action and wrong posture. She
occupies the entire building at No. Ill Watson street,
where she conducts most of her classes and her vocal
evenings open only to her pupils are much enjoyed.
Mrs. Fraser is at present assisted by competent
professional help, in the professional arts, both vocal
and dramatic, and is gradually extending the field of
her activities, until she shall have accomplished what
she has in mind. She expects to develop an institute
composed of all lines of artistic endeavors — dancing,
vocal, musical and dramatic arts, opening studios for
the various lines in the building which she now occu
pies. She is planning on a recital in February, 1922,
at the Detroit Federation building, at which she will
introduce two new and original dances. One which
will be danced to popular fox-trot time is called the
"Panther Walk," and a new combination of steps to
waltz time which is called the "Conversational
Waltz." Her juvenile students will give groups of
classical dances and solo dances of a classical nature,
featuring the result of the season's training.
RALPH EDWIN DUNHAM, president of the Dun
ham-Folks Real Estate Company of Detroit, was
born in Jaekson county, Michigan, January 18, 1894,
a son of L. S. and Margaret (Hart) Dunham, who
are still living. Their family numbered four children
and, like the others of the household, R. E. Dunham
pursued his early education in the publie schools near
his father's home. After attending high sehool he
became a student in the Michigan Agricultural Col
lege and likewise studied in both the literary and
law departments of the University of Michigan, so
that liberal educational training well qualified him
for life's practical and responsible duties. He en
tered upon active connection with the real estate busi
ness in 1914 in association with R. H. Taylor of Detroit

and remained in that position for three years, gain
ing valuable experience and knowledge concerning the
real estate market and methods of real estate sales
manship. In 1917 he organized the Dunham-Folks
Real Estate Company, of which he has since been the
president, Mr. Folks, his partner, being secretary and
treasurer. The business was incorporated June 12,
1917, and at first they conducted a general real estate
business and following the institution of the work
of the steel corporation at Ojibway, Canada, they be
gan handling subdivisions in that locality. They have
placed a large amount of property on the market and
their sales have reached a most gratifying figure.
The general offices of the company are at 327 Farwell
building. On the 5th of October, 1917, Mr. Dunham was united
in marriage to Miss Eva Bennett of Windsor, and
they have become the parents of a daughter, Mar
garet Louise. Mr. Dunham is a republican in his polit
ical views and his religious faith is that of the Episco
pal church. He has many sterling qualities, his life
being characterized by high principles and laudable
purposes, and his success in business is the direct out
come of his close application and his energy.
GLENN ANDERSON, vice president and superin
tendent of the Accurate Tool Company, was born
in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Christmas day, 1892. He
is therefore a representative of one of the younger
generation of the business men of Detroit, but already
has made for himself a creditable position in industrial
and commercial circles. His parents were Lewis and
Anna Wierick Anderson, and the family comes of
Swedish ancestry. While spending his youthful days
under the parental roof in his native city, Glenn
Anderson attended the public schools to the age of
fourteen years, when he began railroading, spending
a short time in the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail
road Company, by whieh his father was also em
ployed. When a youth of fifteen he entered the shops
of the Atlas Engine Works at Indianapolis, and there
continued for five years. He later went to Columbus,
Ohio, and worked in the Columbus Bolt Works, for
a year and a half, on the expiration of which period
he came to Detroit and after six months with the
Studebaker Corporation he spent a year and a half
with the Zenith Carburetor Company.
It was in April, 1918, that Mr. Anderson joined the
Accurate Tool Company, of which he is now the vice
president and superintendent. This company was in
corporated on the 6th of April of that year and be
gan the operation of its plant in May. From that
time until the signing of the armistice the firm did a
great deal of tool and die making for manufacturers
engaged on munition work for the United States gov
ernment, and right at the start achieved a high repu
tation for its tools and dies. The business was begun
in a moderate way, but has steadily developed until
the company now has seven thousand, five hundred

RALPH E. DUNHAM

Vol. IV— 49

CITY OF DETROIT

771

square feet of floor space at 2270 Franklin street,
where it makes tools, dies and special machinery.
It also does designing and Mr. Anderson is not only
an expert tool and die maker but is a designer of
superior ability, in fact has already designed a ma
chine for making dies that is a marvel of efficiency
and accuracy, which will stamp out dies to the one-
ten-thousandth of an inch. He is likewise an able
and energetic business man, who takes great pride
in his work and in the successful accomplishments
of the company. The firm stands behind everything
it makes and guarantees perfect satisfaction.
On the 12th of May, 1916, Mr. Anderson was mar
ried to Miss Marie Evelsizer, and they reside at 1088
Drexel avenue. They have gained many friends in
Detroit and are highly esteemed by those who know
them, while the position which Mr. Anderson has
reached in manufacturing circles is a most creditable
and enviable one.
WALTER JAMES BOTHWELL. Numbered among
the energetic, farsighted and successful young business
men of Detroit is Walter James Bothwell, who has
occupied during the past eight years the important
position of district sales manager of the Union Drawn
Steel Company. His birth occurred at Carrollton,
Ohio, on the 13th of December, 1888, his parents being
George J. and Elizabeth (George) Bothwell, who
were likewise natives of that part of the Buckeye
state, where they beeame well known and highly
esteemed. In the year 1902 they removed to Beaver
Falls, Pennsylvania, where the father held a re
sponsible position with the Union Drawn Steel Com
pany at the time of his death in 1921. The mother
survives. Their family numbered six children, as fol
lows: Charles G., who is a resident of Detroit; Mrs.
Charles W. Wagner, living at Beaver Falls, Pennsyl
vania; Mrs. Paul W. Golden, who makes her home in
New Brighton, Pennsylvania; Mrs. J. R. Hughes of
Beaver Falls; Grace, also a resident of Beaver Falls;
and Walter James, of this review.
Walter James Bothwell obtained his early educa
tion in the graded and high schools of Beaver Falls,
Pennsylvania, and subsequently pursued a thorough
course of study in the metallurgical institute at Pitts
burgh. He then entered the Beaver Falls plant of
the Union Drawn Steel Company, with which he has
been identified continuously until the present time and
which he has represented as district sales manager for
Michigan since 1914, having come to Detroit in that
year. Here he established a branch of this mammoth
industrial concern, which has extensive mills at Beaver
Falls, Pennsylvania, and Gary, Indiana, as well as
branches in many of the leading manufacturing cen
ters of the country. Mr. Bothwell has devoted his en
tire time and attention to the development and up
building of the business in this district and soon
secured a most desirable list of customers for the com

pany, which recognizes him as one of its most cap
able and efficient representatives. He has been no
small factor in the growth and success of the Detroit
branch of the Union Drawn Steel Company and has
become one of the well known men in connection with
the steel trade in this section of the country. Among
other business connections, Mr. Bothwell is a director
of the Lake Huron & Northern Ontario Railway Com
pany of Bruce Mines, Ontario. He has won and main
tained an enviable reputation in the business circles
of his adopted city.
On the 20th of September, 1911, in Beaver Falls,
Pennsylvania, Mr. Bothwell was united in marriage to
Miss Bertha Barger and their many sterling traits of
character have made them popular in Detroit's social
gatherings. Their religious faith is indicated by their
membership in the United Presbyterian church, while
fraternally Mr. Bothwell is identified with the Masonic
order, in whieh he has attained the thirty-second de
gree of the Scottish Rite and has also crossed the sands
of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystie Shrine.
He gives his political allegiance to the republican
party and the nature of his interests and activities
is further indicated by his membership in the Society
of Automotive Engineers, the- Detroit Athletic Club
and the Red Run Golf Club. He has gained a host of
warm friends during the period of his residence in
Detroit, being beloved for his many splendid personal
characteristics, for his generous disposition and his
benevolence. His prosperity is all the more creditable
by reason of the fact that it has been acquired en
tirely through his own efforts and his future career
will be well worth watching.
JAMES. S. GOODRICH, during the course of an
aetive business life, was identified with banking and
later with real estate, loans and insurance. He had
been a lifelong resident of Michigan, his birth having
occurred in Blissfield, Miehigan, April 26, 1843. He
was one of a family of three children, born to Nelson
Lu and Ruth (Pease) Goodrich. The father was also
a native of Blissfield and became a well known farmer
of that part of the state. He was twice married, his
second union being with Miss Cornelia P. Hobert and
to them was born one son, Joseph P.
The youthful days of James Sylvester Goodrich
were spent in the usual manner of the farm boy. He
received his education in the district school, Adrian
College Preparatory School, and the Bryant & Stratton
Commercial College. He came to Detroit as a young
man and secured employment in the banking house
of David Preston, with whom he continued until Jan
uary 1, 1884, or for a period of twenty years. On the
expiration of that period he organized the real estate
firm of Goodrich Brothers, not only handling realty
but also loans and insurance. They built up a business
of extensive proportions, gaining a large clientele as
the years passed. The association between the broth-

772

CITY OF DETROIT

ers was maintained until 1907, when John C. Goodrich
passed away. James S. Goodrich thereafter conducted
the business alone to the time of his demise, which oc
curred September 25, 1917. No man was better in
formed concerning the real estate market or was more
correct in his valuation of property and he also de
veloped a large and gratifying business in the loan
and insurance departments. He was regarded in
authoritative business circles as a man of unimpeach
able integrity.
On the 22d of February, 1876, Mr. Goodrich was
married to Clara Isabella Jenness, a daughter of John
S. Jenness. Mr. Jenness was an extensive lumberman
for many years and afterward embarked in merchan
dising, in which he continued until his retirement
from business. He died in 1906. To Mr. and Mrs.
Goodrich was born one son, Walter Jenness, whose
birth occurred July 7, 1877, and who passed away on
July 19, 1878. Mr. Goodrich had reached the age
of seventy-four years when he was called to his final
rest, his remains being interred in Woodmere ceme
tery. He always gave his political allegiance to the
republican party, was keenly interested in its success
and in all matters pertaining to the public welfare.
He was a member of the Young Men's' Christian Asso
ciation and in earlier years was very active in its
affairs. He was a charter member of the Detroit
Boat Club, which indicated the nature of his recrea
tion and he was also an exemplary member of the
Masonic fraternity and a faithful follower of the
teachings of the Congregational church.
PAUL A. SORGE, a well known figure in real estate
circles in Detroit, being the president of the Kirby-
Sorge-Felske Company, one of the leading firms of
the city in its line of business, was born in Germany
on the 21st of December, 1873, a son of Gustav M.
and Catharine (Noetzel) Sorge. The father served
in the Franeo-Prussian war- and in 1877 he brought
his family to the United States, settling in Detroit.
He was for many years engaged in business as a con
tractor and builder but is now living retired, he and
his wife making their home in Wayne county, Michi
gan. Paul A. Sorge was a lad of four years when brought
to the new world. He attended the publie schools of
Detroit and also the Detroit Business University and
likewise was for a time a pupil in night schools. When
sixteen years of age he started upon his business
career as a clerk in a grocery store and while thus
employed during the day he continued his education
in night schools for four years. He afterward turned
his attention to the meat business, conducting a mar
ket for twelve years, or until 1905, when he entered
the real estate field and has since operated in this
connection, handling real estate and general insurance
and also doing speculative building. In addition to
his interests in the Kirby-Sorge-Felske Company, Mr.
Sorge is secretary of the Ecorse Land Company and
of the Bagley Realty Company, treasurer of the Fern-

dale Building Company and treasurer of the Patten-
Corns Building Company.
In January, 1902, Mr. Sorge was united in mar
riage to Miss Marie Hedke of Rochester, New York,
and they have one child, Ruth Anna.
Mr. Sorge is a supporter of republican principles and
fraternally is connected with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order
of Elks. He belongs also to the Evangelical church, to
the Harmonie Club, the Detroit Automobile Club, the
Wolverine Automobile Club and the Huron Shooting
Club. He is likewise a member of the Board of Com
merce and is keenly interested in everything that has
to do with the development of the eity and the main
tenance of higher civic standards. He was a member
of the city plan commission for three years under
Mayor Oscar Marx, is now serving on the boulevard
commission and was for two years on the building
code commission. During the period of the war he
served on all of the bond drives. His activities have
developed to important proportions in the field of
labor in which he is now directing his efforts and his
operations as a builder and as a real estate man are
contributing in substantial measure to Detroit's im
provement. HARRINGTON E. WALKER, president of Hiram
Walker & Sons, Limited, is one of Detroit's, prom
inent business men, whose various interests and activi
ties are contributing factors of material benefit not
only to this city, but the border cities, as well.
Harrington E. Walker was born September 10, 1884,
a son of J. Harrington and Florence A. (Holcomb)
Walker, and a grandson of Hiram Walker. An ex
tended mention of both the grandfather and father
may be found elsewhere in this work.
Harrington E. Walker prepared for Yale at St.
Paul's Sehool, Concord, New Hampshire, completed
his university course and received his Ph.B. degree
with the class of 1905. A business, rather than a pro
fessional career appealing to him, he at once after
graduation became connected with the extensive
Walker interests in Detroit, Walkerville and else
where. In this connection Mr. Walker had, for a num
ber of years before his father's death in December,
1919, taken an aetive part in the general manage
ment of the business, so that in becoming an executor
of his father's will it was but little more than a
continuation of responsibilities he had previously
borne. Mr. Walker is now president of Hiram 'Walker &
Sons, Limited; president and managing director of the
Walkerville Land and Building Company, Limited;
president of the Walkerville & Detroit Ferry Com
pany; president of the Garden Court Realty Company
of Detroit; vice president of Walker & Sons, Lim
ited; vice president of the Walkerville Construction
Company; vice president of the Walkerville Water
Company, Limited; president of the Walker Twist
Drill and Tool Company; vice president of Hiram

PAUL A. SORGE

CITY OF DETROIT

775

Walker & Sons Metal Products, Limited; a director of
the Commonwealth Chemical Company, as well as
other business and industrial enterprises.
Mr. Walker is well known in club circles, holding
membership in the Detroit Club, Detroit Athletic Club,
University Club, Detroit Country. Club, 'Lochmoor
Country Club, Walkerville Boat Club, Detroit Yaeht
Club, the Old Club, St. Clair Flats Shooting Club,
Player's Club, Beach Grove Country Club, of whieh
he is president, and the Yale Club of New York eity.
On June 5, 1907, Mr. Walker was married to Miss
Helen Maefie, a daughter of R. C. Macfie of London,
Ontario, and they have three children, Florence Har
rington Walker, Franklin Harrington Walker, and
Virginia Harrington Walker. Mr. Walker resides at
2570 Iroquois.
DR. JAY F. POOL, a dentist of Detroit, has fol
lowed his profession in this city since 1902 and in the
intervening period has built up a larger clientele, as
he has demonstrated his skill and ability in the prac
tice of dental surgery. He was born in Augusta,
Michigan, March 2, 1869, a son of N. F. and Sarah
(Kendall) Pool and a representative -of a family that
has long been established in America. His grand
father, Abijah Pool, came to Michigan from Ohio in
1852, taking up his residence in Kent county.
In the publie schools of his native city Dr. Pool
pursued his early education, after which he became
a student in Albion College of Albion, Miehigan, and
subsequently entered the dental department of the
Detroit College of Medicine, from which he was grad
uated in 1902, with the degree of D. D. S. He at once
•entered upon the practice of his profession, opening
an office in the Gladwin building in Detroit, where
he has since been located. He possesses a high de
gree of mechanical skill and is very efficient and
thorough in all of his work. His office is equipped
with the most recent appliances and devices used in
the successful practice of dental surgery and the list
of his patients is an extensive one.
On the 20th of June, 1905, Dr. Pool was united in
marriage to Miss Mabel Edson of Detroit, and they
have become the parents of a son, Edson K. In his
political views Dr. Pool is a republican and in re
ligious faith he is an Episcopalian. His is a prom
inent Mason, belonging to Zion Lodge, No. 1, F. &
A. M., and to Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He
is a member of the board of trustees of the new-
Masonic Temple, which is now being erected, and
served as president of that body in 1920, at whieh
time the plans for the project were brought to a suc
cessful termination. He is a past master of his lodge
and an exemplary follower of the craft, and he is also
identified with the Detroit Automobile and Fellow
craft Clubs and Delta Sigma Delta, a college fra
ternity. That he is progressive and enterprising is
shown by the modern methods which he utilizes and
through broad reading and study he keeps abreast

with the advancement that is being made along the
line of his chosen vocation. He holds to the highest
ethical standards of the profession and his ability
is not only attested by his fellow practitioners but
by the general publie as well.
CHRISTIAN M. LARSEN, the president of John
son, Larsen & Company of Detroit, conducting a
business that has to do with heating and power equip
ment, was born at Thisted, Denmark, July 7, 1869, his
parents being Paul and Elsa (Jensen) Larsen. The
publie sehools of his native country afforded him his
educational opportunities and in 1888, when a youth
of nineteen years, he crossed the Atlantic to the new
world. He afterward learned the trade of steam-
fitting in New York and was employed as a journey
man along that line for fifteen years, thus gaining
broad and valuable experience to serve as the founda
tion upon whieh to build his later success.
Mr. Larsen has been a resident of Detroit sinee 1906.
Here he entered business as a member of the firm of
Dodson & Larsen and in 1910 purchased the interest
of his partner, while later he became aetive in or
ganizing the firm of Johnson, Larsen & Company,
of 693 Monroe avenue, of which he has since been
the president. This company has developed a business
based upon the combined application of scientific re
search and practical experience to the design and
installation of heating and industrial piping systems.
The economy in first cost and continued economy
through efficient operation, with resultant satisfaction
to its clients, has been responsible for the growth to
its present proportions. Mr. Larsen is a member of
the Master Steam and Hot Water Fitters' Association
and is constantly studying along lines to improve and
develop his business.
The marriage of Christian M. Larsen to Annie L.
Johnston of Boston was celebrated January 5, 1902.
They are members of the Lutheran ehureh and Mr.
Larsen is also identified with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. His
political endorsement is given to the republican party
and his interest in community affairs is manifest in
his membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce
and also the Fellowcraft Club. He has never regret
ted his determination to come to the new world, for
on American soil he has found the business opportuni
ties which he sought and step by step has made
steady progress toward the goal of success. Mr. Lar
sen built his home at No. 441 Philip avenue about
1912 and has since then resided there.
NAT C. WRIGHT. The ancestors of Nat C. Wright
were English-Scotch, who came to America before the
Revolutionary war, and he has a large circle of rela
tives, who live along the east coast. His early ances
tors were active during Colonial days, the descendants
of whom fought for the Union.
Nat C. Wright was born at Fredericton, New Bruns-

776

CITY OF DETROIT

wick, on the 30th day of May, 1875. He is the son
of Zebedee and Sarah (Wheeler) Wright. His father
followed agricultural pursuits and engaged in the lum
ber business during his active life. He is now retired,
making his home in Boston, Massachusetts. His wife
still survives. They became the parents of nine chil
dren: Lanehard, William Emerson and Alice Lucinda
have passed away; those living are, Nathaniel Clowes;
Charles Wesley Havelock; and Mrs. Lillian Ethel Hol-
man, Thomas Mitford, Mrs. Matilda Ann Hawkins,
and Mrs. Edith Nichols, all of Boston, Massachusetts.
In his youthful days Nat C. Wright attended the
schools of Fredericton, New Brunswick, and later was
a student in the Provincial Normal School, from whieh
he graduated with a teacher's degree. He- then
turned his attention to educational work for a num
ber of years, abandoning that profession to take up
mercantile pursuits in Boston, Massachusetts. Later
he went to Winnipeg, Canada, and entered the real
estate business, and in 1912 came to Detroit, Miehigan.
On the 3d day of October, 1910, was celebrated the
marriage of Nat C. Wright and Katherine C. Cum-
mings of Montreal, Canada, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
William Cummings of a prominent family of Strath-
roy, Canada.
Mr. Wright is a Presbyterian and is well known in
Masonic circles, belonging to the lodge, chapter, con-
istory and Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the
Board of Commerce and the Real Estate Board, and
manifests a keen interest in everything that has to do
with the welfare and progress of the city. He is
ready to meet any emergency with the consciousness
of strength that comes from a right conception of
things and an habitual regard for what is best in the
exercise of human activity.
LOUIS TARABUSI. Though of foreign birth Louis
Tarabusi has entered most loyally and effectively into
the progressive spirit of the land of his adoption, has
proved himself a vital exponent of Americanism and
has done must to foster the assimilation of others of
foreign nativity into the body politic of the United
States, as well as to promote in them a better under
standing and appreciation of American ideals and in
stitutions. As a business man he has made a splendid
impression through his activities in the handling of
Detroit real estate, and has contributed worthily to
the civic and material advancement of the city. He
controls a substantial and important real estate and
fire insurance business, with offices in the Breitmeyer
building, at the corner of Gratiot avenue and Broad
way, and is one of the vigorous and representative
exponents of these important lines of business enter
prise in the Michigan metropolis.
Mr. Tarabusi was born in the fair old province of
Florence, Italy, on the 16th of November, 1877, and
is a son of Vincent and Maria (Brunelli) Tarabusi,
likewise natives of the province of Florence, in which
province the father became a successful representative

of farm industry, as well as an influential citizen of
his community, both he and his wife having passed
their lives in their native province. Besides the sub
ject of this sketch two other of the sons, Anthony
and Ludovic, are residents of Detroit; Rev. Attilio
Tarabusi is a priest of the Catholic church and resides
in the province of Florence, Italy, as do also Pompeo,
Paolo, and Josephine, who is now Mrs. Leoni.
The sehools of his native land afforded Louis Tara
busi his youthful education, and thereafter he con
tinued his active association with the operation of his
father's farm until 1907, when his ambition led him
to sever the home ties and set forth to seek his for
tunes in the United States. After a brief sojourn in
New York eity he proceeded to Seneca Falls, New York,
where he found employment as a laborer in a pump
factory. There he remained until December, 1911,
and on the 27th of that month he arrived in Detroit,
his financial resources having by this time been re
duced to sixty dollars. In the meanwhile he had
lost no opportunity to familiarize himself with Ameri
can customs and institutions, and his ambition and
self-reliance have proved potent in his advancement
to a position of prominence and influence in the civic
and business life of Detroit. He is distinctively one of
the world's workers, and has deep appreciation of the
dignity and value of honest toil and endeavor, no
matter what a man's station in life may be. Looking
ever for the opportunity to establish himself in an
independent position in whieh he might be assured of
material success and also be helpful as a citizen, his
good judgment finally led him to become a representa
tive of the real estate business, with special attention
given to the requirements of the large element of Ital
ian citizenship in Detroit. His capital was limited,
but his energy and determination unlimited, besides
which his ultmate success has fully attested his
marked initiative and executive ability. He. has
worked hard, has enjoyed his work, has been circum
spect and progressive in his buying, improving and
selling . of real estate, and as a hbme builder he has
done splendid service in the metropolitan district of
Detroit. He has piatted and developed a number of
excellent subdivisions, and at the time of this writing
is giving special attention to the exploitation of the
Electric Gardens subdivision, in the village of Oak-
wood, Wayne county. This subdivision is within a
short distance of the great Ford manufacturing plant
in River Rouge and in the heart of the most important
arid rapidly growing industrial district of Detroit,
with frontage on the new Detroit boulevard system
known as the Outer Drive. Mr. Tarabusi is meeting
with much success in placing this valuable tract on
the market, and in addition to his large and important
real estate interests, through which he is placed in a
position of financial stability and influence, he controls
a substantial fire insurance business, as a representa
tive of a number of solid companies of high reputa
tion. He is a valued member of the Detroit Board of

LOUIS TARABUSI

CITY OF DETROIT

779

Commerce and the American-Italian Citizens League,
holds membership in the Detroit Automobile Club, and
he and his wife are earnest communicants of the
Catholic church.
On the 12th of November, 1917, was solemnized
the marriage of Mr. Tarabusi to Miss Mary Sciaeero,
daughter of August Sciaeero of Detroit, and to this
union has been bora a winsome daughter, Dora, the
date of whose nativity was November 11, 1918.
The American career of Mr. Tarabusi offers lesson
and incentive, not only to those of foreign birth but
also to young Americans who, like himself, must de
pend upon their own resources in making their way to
the goal of worthy success. In 1917 Mr. Tarabusi
erected at No. 60 Trowbridge avenue, his home, whieh
is one of the attractive residences of the north Wood
ward section.
W. HOWIE MUIR, a conspicuous figure in the com
mercial, civic and social circles of Detroit, was born
May 28, 1867, in the eity whieh is still his home, his
parents being William Ker and Christina (Hendrie)
Muir. The father was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, .
Scotland, March 20, 1829, and in early life he turned
his attention to railroad tmeehanical engineering,
spending the latter part of each sehool day in some
engineering establishment. After his textbooks were
put aside he was employed in the ticket offiee of an
Ayrshire railroad, and filling various positions, gained
a detailed knowledge of railroad work. When con
nected with an English railway he met 0. J. Brydges,
managing director of the Great Western Railway of
Canada, who offered him a position, which he accepted,
and in October, 1852, he undertook his work before
the first section of the railway between Niagara Falls
and Hamilton was opened. For five years he remained
with that railway company and then removed to
Detroit to' become general manager of the Detroit,
Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad, in the com
pletion of which to Lake Miehigan the Great Western
had become financially interested. Mr. Muir took
charge of the completion of the road, its equipment
with rolling stock and also the work of securing two
steamships to connect with Milwaukee. He remained
as general manager until December, 1865, when he
resigned and accepted an appointment as assistant
general superintendent of the Michigan Central Rail
road under R. N. Rice. A few years later he ac
cepted the proffered position of general superintendent
of the Great Western Line and while in charge greatly
improved the property until the road was one of the
best in the country. He changed it from the Canadian
broad-gauge of five feet, six and one-half inches to the
American gauge of four feet, eight and one-half
inches and thoroughly organized and equipped it as an
eastern and western link. On the completion of that
work he again became superintendent of the Detroit,
Grand Haven & Milwaukee, but soon afterward retired
to manage a new railroad through Canada, with

branches on the American side of the border, known
as the Canada Southern Railway lines. He filled
that position for several years and then retired from
active railroad work, but retained an interest in the
Canada Southern. When death called him he was
president and general manager of the Eureka Iron
and Steel Works and also president of the Star line
of steamers.
The life of William K. Muir was ever actuated by a
true Christian spirit and for years he was a devoted
and faithful member of the Jefferson Avenue Pres
byterian church of Detroit. He displayed a broad
humanitarian spirit at all times and was constantly
performing some good service for his fellowmen. For
years he was president of St. Andrews Society and
for a number of years prior to his demise he served
on the poor commission of Detroit and promoted a
plan to furnish lodgings to wandering members of
society. It was at the Woodbridge Street Station that
the tramps were fed, compelled to take a bath and
their clothing steamed and dried. The other mem
bers of the board finally opposed Mr. Muir's charitable
and sanitary scheme on the ground that it tended to
increase the number of paupers who came to the city
and upon the abandonment of the plan Mr. Muir re
signed his position. He manifested the keenest in
terest in the welfare and progress of Detroit at all
times and cooperated heartily in every measure or
movement that was of publie benefit. It was one of
his civic ambitions to see the river bridged at Detroit
and he submitted a plan for a low winter bridge
across the river at this point. He held to the high
est ideals of public service and private conduct. The
salient traits of his Scotch ancestry, developed on
the virile soil of the new world, made him a most
forceful figure in railroad circles and gained for him
the honor and respect of all who knew aught of his
career, for business to him represented but one phase
of existence. He ever fully recognized his duties and
obligations to his fellowmen and his love for and
belief in humanity was constantly manifest in untir
ing effort to uplift the individual and advance the
betterment of the eity in which he made his home.
His health becoming impaired, he made a trip to
Japan but was not improved thereby and on the 23d
of June, 1892, he passed away, survived by his widow,
Mrs. Christina Muir, five daughters and an only son,
W. Howie Muir.
The son, educated in the Miehigan Military
Academy and the University of Michigan, was grad
uated from the latter with the degrees of Bachelor
of Science and Mechanical Engineer in 1888. The
same year he started out upon an active business
career as an employe of the Eureka Iron and Steel
Works and in 1892 he beeame one of the organizers
of the Jenks & Muir Manufacturing Company, for the
manufacture of iron and brass bedsteads. He has
since been^ the vice president and treasurer of this
concern, which has steadily developed in extent and

780

CITY OF DETROIT

importance until it is today one of the largest manu
facturing interests of Detroit outside of the auto
mobile industry. It has been neeessary to enlarge
the plant from time to time and the foundry is
equipped with the latest improved machinery for work
of this character. As an executive officer Mr. Muir
displays marked initiative and enterprise, finding
ready solution for intricate and involved business
problems and readily discriminating at all times be
tween the essential and the non-essential in business
affairs. Mr. Muir was united in marriage in Detroit to Miss
Marion Lewis and they have three children: Elizabeth,
who is the wife of J. H. Potter of Detroit; Marjorie,
the wife of G. Worden Hunter of Detroit; and William,
who is attending the Hotehkiss School.
Mr. and Mrs. Muir attend the Presbyterian church
and both are prominent in the social circles of the
city, while their home is the scene of many most at
tractive social functions. Mr. Muir is a Mason and
also belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon and to the
Detroit Board of Commerce. He likewise has member
ship in the Detroit, Yondotega, Country, Racquet, Curl
ing, Detroit Athletic, Detroit Boat and Players' Clubs.
He is keenly interested in all that pertains to the wel
fare and progress of his native city, and while he
deserves recognition as one of Detroit's captains of
industry, he is equally well known in relation to its
civic advancement and equally popular in club and
social circles.
GUY STEVENS GREENE, president and general
manager of the Hannan Real Estate Exchange, in
which connection he controls the largest enterprise of
its kind in the state, is one of Detroit's most prom
inent realtors.
Mr. Greene is a native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and
was born May 7, 1885. His parents, Clay and Jennie
(Stevens) Greene, were also born in this state and now
reside at Ypsilanti, in which city the father for many
years was successfully engaged in business.
Guy S. Greene was reared in Ypsilanti until the
age of ten, when his parents removed to Ann Arbor,
and after attending the sehools of that city he en
tered the University of Michigan, from which he
was graduated in 1908, with the degree of Bachelor
of Science in mechanical engineering. He then came
to Detroit and for a time was connected with the
mechanical department of the Ford Motor Company.
Later he went to Bahia, Brazil, where for six months
he engaged in hydro-electrical construction work. On
returning to the United States, he devoted his atten
tion to construction on power plants at Toledo, Ohio,
where he remained until 1911, when he again came to
Detroit, entering the employ of the Hannan Real
Estate Company in a minor capacity. He devoted his
energies to acquiring a thorough knowledge of the
business and was gradually advanced to positions of
greater importance and responsibility until he was

made president and general manager in 1918 and has
since served in these capacities.
The Hannan Real Estate Exchange is the outgrowth
of a business established by William W. Hannan in
1883 and for nearly forty years has occupied a fore
most position among Detroit real estate firms. Some
of the most important real estate transfers in the
history of the city have been conducted by this firm,
which has built up probably the largest and most
exclusive clientele of any company in Detroit, opera
ting in general real estate, insurance and loans. As
the executive of this company, Mr. Greene has taken a
prominent place among Detroit's men of big busi
ness. Among his other business relations, he is a
director of the First Mortgage Bond Company, also
Detroit Land Contract Company, and is interested in
many other real estate enterprises.
At Toledo, Ohio, on the 11th of January, 1915, Mr.
Greene was united in marriage to Miss Helen Arnsman,
a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Arnsman, prom
inent residents of that city. To this union has been
born a daughter, Sally, whose birth occurred in De
troit in 1918. Mr. Greene is a valued member of the
Detroit Board of Commerce and the Detroit Real
Estate Board and also belongs to the Detroit, Detroit
Athletic, Players and Oakland Hills Country Clubs
and the Chi Psi fraternity. He belongs to that class
of representative Americans who, while promoting
individual interests, also contribute in large measure
to publie progress, and through his Dusiness activities
he is contributing to the growth and development of
the city with which he has allied his interests. Mr.
Greene's city residence is at 1497 West Boston boule
vard. ROBERT C. DUGUID is well known in business
circles of Detroit as the treasurer and manager of
the Standard Composition Company and in the con
duct of his interests displays marked executive ability,
sound judgment and enterprise. His ancestors were
Covenanters in Scotland and when he was less than
a year old his parents, James and Elizabeth (Watson)
Duguid, left the land of hills and heather and emi
grated to the United States, taking up their residence
in the vicinity of Sylvania, Ohio. He pursued his
education in the public schools of that section of the
state and when he was eleven years of age his father
passed away, since which time he has depended upon
his own exertions for a livelihood. In the old sewing
machine works at Toledo, Ohio, he learned the trade
of a tool-maker, which he continued to follow in that
city until 1889, when he went to Oil City, Pennsyl
vania, where he became identified with newspaper
interests. While thus engaged he learned to operate
a typesetting machine and at the end of a year re
turned to Toledo, where he secured a position with
the Toledo Commercial, on which paper he was em
ployed at the time the printers struck against type
machines and threw them out. He then went to

GUY S. GREENE

CITY OF DETROIT

783

Evansville, Indiana, and secured work on the News-
Journal, remaining in that city until 1893, when he
came to Detroit. Here he became a machinist on
the old News-Tribune, working on that paper for two
years. He then secured employment with the Free
Press and was connected with the publication of that
paper for a period of fourteen years. His next posi
tion was with the United States Daily, whieh failed
at the end of four months, after which he had charge
of the work of overhauling the plant and machines
of the Standard Composition Company. He subse
quently purchased the business, in association with
others, and has since been treasurer and manager of
the company, which does composition work for all of
the printers in Detroit, in which connection an ex
tensive enterprise has been developed. Mr. Duguid
has an expert knowledge of the printer's trade and
the work turned out by the company is first class in
every particular. His time and attention are concen
trated upon the development of the interests of which
he has charge and success in substantial measure has
rewarded his efforts.
In 1888 Mr. Duguid was united in marriage to Miss
Lottie Belle Dane of Adrian, Michigan, and they
have become the parents of a daughter, Grace Eliza
beth. He is a stanch republican in his political views
and in religious faith is a Presbyterian. He is a
member of the Detroit Yacht Club and fraternally
is identified with the Masons, belonging to Palestine
Lodge, F. & A. M. He is a self-made man, deserv
ing all the praise which the term implies, for from the
age of eleven years he has been dependent upon his
own resources for a livelihood. He has steadily worked
his way upward, placing his dependence upon the sub
stantial qualities of industry, perseverance and in
tegrity, and he now ranks with the successful busi
ness men and progressive citizens of Detroit, where
for twenty-eight years he has made his home.
HON. WILLIAM COTTER MAYBURY was known
as the best loved mayor of Detroit and a most prom
inent attorney. He was here born November 20, 1848.
He attended the publie schools of Detroit and was
graduated from the old Capitol high school with the
class of 1866. Later he attended the University of
Michigan and completed a four years' literary and
law course, being graduated in 1870. The following
year he began the practice of law in Detroit and in
1876 was elected city attorney, which position he held
for four years. In 1880 he received the degree of
Master of Arts from the University of Miehigan and
was elected professor of jurisprudence in the Michi
gan College of Medicine, 1881-82. In 1883 he was
elected to congress from the first district of Michi
gan and served until 1888. While a member of the
national legislative body he was able to do many
things for his home eity. He drew up a bill which
secured the right to build the Belle Isle bridge, while
a member of the ways and means committee and

worked untiringly for the measure. He was gratified
ultimately in seeing this become a law, while the
bridge was eventually thrown open to the eity. Dur
ing his stay in Washington the site of the present
Federal building was purchased and work was begun
upon the structure.
In 1888 Mr. Maybury returned to Detroit and again
associated himself with the old firm, of which he
had been a member sinee 1882, that of Conely, May-
bury & Lucking. In 1897 he became a member of the
firm of Maybury, Lucking, Emmons & Helfman, and
while occupying a prominent position in business cir
cles he continued to exert a widely felt influence over
publie thought and action. In 1897 he was chosen to
succeed Hazen S. Pingree as mayor of Detroit, filling
out the unexpired term of Mr. Pingree, who had been
elected governor of the state. Mr. Maybury served
the city as mayor until 1905 and his administration
was of a thoroughly practical and progressive charac
ter. About the same time he was made a chevalier
of the Legion of Honor of France in recognition of
his distinguished services in promoting a spirit of good
fellowship between the two countries.
On his sixtieth birthday Mr. Maybury was the re
cipient of a beautiful solid silver loving cup, pre
sented to him at a party given in his honor by the
leading business and professional men of the eity.
It was a delightful occasion and one of the most
splendid social functions which has been witnessed
in the city for years. The cup bears the inscription:
"The Citizens of Detroit present this cup to William
Cotter Maybury on his sixtieth anniversary in grateful
recognition of distinguished service to his fellowmen
and because we love him."
His death on the 21st of November, 1908, cast a
pall over the entire community, many bodies drafting
resolutions in his honor, among them the common
council of the city of Detroit, the Detroit sinking
fund commission, of which Mr. Maybury had long been
a member, the judges of the Wayne county circuit
court, the directors of the Detroit Board of Com
merce, the Detroit Bar Association, the Amalgamated
Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers, who were
holding their convention in Detroit at the time, and
others. But feebly expressive of the great love which
was held for him by all classes of people, are the reso
lutions drawn up by the common council of the city
of Detroit, which say in part: "In no capacity in
which he ever served the people was there a flaw upon
his publie record. But beyond and more than all else
he was 'the noblest work of God,' and that his work
was well done is attested by everyone. A large part
of his life was spent in public service and he per
formed the duties of every position he occupied credit
ably to himself, serviceably to his city and county
and most acceptably to his constituents, as was evident
by his steady advancement. He was a most effective
and accomplished speaker. His eloquence was the
eloquence of truth. No man who ever heard him, re-

784

CITY OF DETROIT

gardless of what subject was under discussion, ever
doubted the absolute sincerity of his every utterance,
compelling attention and controlling thought when he
lived and moved among us — study him from whatever
angle we may, the deeper reading only brings out in
fuller relief greater beauties and better traits. He
possessed all the strong and rugged qualifies of a
manly man. He had all the grace and gentleness of a
tender woman, was chivalrous, polished, and courtly.
His charity was unostentatious, but as boundless as
the universe and went out to all classes and condi
tions of mankind. For such as him there is no ever
lasting farewell, but a hopeful Good Night."
Mr. Maybury was a prominent figure in the Masonic
fraternity, in whieh he passed every grade in both
the York and Scottish Rite bodies, including the
thirty-third degree. In 1898 he served as commander
in chief of Miehigan Sovereign Consistory. He was
also senior warden of St. Peter's Episcopal church.
Mr. Maybury never married.
WILLIAM HENRY KITTLE is well known in
business circles of Detroit as the general manager and
vice president of the Hartwiek Lumber Company, with
which he has been continuously identified through the
past nine years. His birth occurred at Maneelona,
Michigan, on the 13th of September, 1887, his parents
being William H. and Sarah (Baker) Kittle, the former
a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania.
They came to Michigan, however, in early life and
have remained residents of this state. Throughout
the past thirty years the father has filled the office
of sheriff of Antrim county, in which connection he
has made a most creditable and commendable record
as a custodian of the peace.
William Henry Kittle, an only child, attended the
public and high schools of his native town and sub
sequently pursued a business course at Anderson, In
diana. After completing his studies he obtained a
position with the Stiles Brothers Company of Grand
Rapids, Miehigan, continuing in that employ until
1912, when he resigned. In that year he came to
Detroit and here beeame connected with the Hartwiek
Lumber Company as manager of the Jefferson Avenue
yards. So ably did he discharge his duties in that
capacity that he was made assistant secretary and
treasurer of the company in 1916, while a few years
later he became vice president, and at present is also
general manager, in which official positions he con
tinues, his efforts contributing in no inconsiderable
degree to the growth and success of the business.
He is also a director and the vice president of the
Benetol Construction Company of Detroit and is a
member and director of the Michigan Lumber Dealers
Association. On the 12th of August, 1909, at Grand Rapids, Mich
igan, Mr. Kittle was united in marriage to Miss Edna
Rowe, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Rowe,
prominent residents of Ludington, Michigan. To Mr.

and Mrs. Kittle has been born one child, Karen,
whose birth occurred in Detroit, March 4, 1918.
In the exercise of his right of franchise Mr. Kittle
casts an independent ballot, regarding the capability
of a candidate as of greater importance than his
political affiliation. Fraternally he is identified with
the Masons, belonging to Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M.
Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; Michigan Sovereign
Consistory; and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.
That he has due appreciation for the social amenities
of life is further indicated in the fact that he is a
member of the Fellowcraft Athletic, Brooklands Golf,
Exchange, Detroit Boat and Detroit Auto Clubs. His
life has ever been characterized by high and honorable
principles and his record is worthy of more than pass
ing note, by reason of the fact that his success has
been attained entirely through his own efforts.
SIDNEY TROWBRIDGE MILLER is an eminent
representative of the legal profession. He has prac
ticed continuously in Detroit since 1887. Notwith
standing the fact that he is widely known as a suc
cessful practitioner, he has become perhaps even more
widely known as the director of the Red Cross for
Michigan and chairman of the state Red Cross com
mittee; all through the period of the great war he
devoted almost his entire time and attention to this
work. Detroit claims him as a native son. He was born
here on the 4th of January, 1864, his parents being
Sidney D. and Katherine (Trowbridge) Miller. After
mastering the branches of learning taught in the pub
lie schools of Detroit, he became a student in Brown
Academy, where he pursued his preparatory course,
and in 1881 he matriculated in Trinity College at
Hartford, Connecticut, where he was graduated with
the Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the class
of 1885. Three years later his Alma Mater conferred
upon him the Master of Arts degree and in 1919 he
was made one of the board of trustees. After leaving
Trinity, Mr. Miller entered upon the study of law
under the direction of his father, a distinguished mem
ber of the bar who is mentioned elsewhere in this
work, and later became a law student at Harvard Uni
versity, where he remained for one year. In 1887 he
was admitted to practice in the courts of his native
state, upon examination before the supreme court, and
later was admitted to practice in the federal courts.
Through the intervening period his advancement has
been continuous until his eminent position is conceded
by all. It is said that no man is more careful to
conform his practice to the highest ethical standards
of the profession, and he enjoys the warmest regard
of his professional brethren who share with him in
membership in the Detroit and Michigan State Bar
Associations, the American Bar Association and the
International Law Association. He was president of
the Detroit Bar Association for three terms and vice
president, for Michigan, of the American Bar Asso-

WILLIAM H. KITTLE

Vol. IV— 50

CITY OF DETROIT

787

ciation. During his incumbency of the office of presi
dent of the local association Mr. Miller set in motion
and carried to a successful conclusion the establish
ment of a large law library for the- association, which
it now owns. When possession of the library was
turned over to the association, it consisted of ap
proximately twenty-one thousand volumes of up-to-date
textbooks and law reports. The association began to
grow at a very rapid rate from that time on. The
membership was then about three hundred and it is
now approaching one thousand. The growth in mem
bership has been due to a variety of causes but the
impetus in the right direction was furnished through
the installation of the library. The members were so
grateful to Mr. Miller that they tendered him a ban
quet on the 3d of February, 1917, in appreciation of
his efforts and in commemoration of the event. It
was very largely attended and is a memorable event
in the annals of the association. Mr. Miller is identi
fied with some of the prominent business interests
of Detroit, being a director and general counsel of
the Detroit Savings Bank, the Wyandotte Savings
Bank, the Detroit Trust Company, the United States
Radiator Corporation and other corporations, as well
as being counsel in this state for many insurance
companies whose headquarters are elsewhere. He is
also the president of the Detroit College of Medicine.
On the 20th of November, 1889, in Hartford, Con
necticut, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Lucy T.
Robinson, a daughter of Hon. Henry C. Robinson, and
they have a son and a daughter; Sidney Trowbridge
and Elizabeth Trumbull. Both were overseas during
the World war, the son in the artillery service, and
the daughter in Y. W. C. A. work. The parents are
communicants of Christ Protestant Episcopal church,
in which Mr. Miller has served as a vestryman, while
in various departments of the ehureh work he has
taken most active and helpful interest.
Mr. Miller is a member of the Detroit Club, the
Country Club, the Yondotega Club, the University
Club, the Racquet Club and the Detroit Boat Club
and also has membership in the Delta Psi fraternity.
He has manifested keen interest in activities and
projects having to do with the welfare and upbuilding
of Detroit, has served on the board of commissioners
of the Detroit publie library, has been a member of
the city gas commission and a member of the Detroit
Board of Commerce. His military record covers
service as ensign with the Miehigan Naval Reserves.
He is identified with the Society of Colonial Wars
and the Sons of the American Revolution, indicating
the long connection of his ancestry with this country.
Mr. Miller has long been active in the Detroit Chap
ter of the Red Cross, of which he has been the presi
dent, and this is indicative of his latest public service
—a service that has brought him into wide prominence
not only in Miehigan but throughout the country.
When the great World war was inaugurated in August,
1914, he was serving as chairman of the Detroit

Chapter, whieh position he had previously filled for
a number of years. The chapter at that time had
only a few hundred- members and was in existence
primarily to meet emergencies or disasters. Under
Mr. Miller's direction the chapter immediately beeame
active in collecting and forwarding money and mate
rial for the relief of suffering in Europe. At the
time the United States entered the war in April, 1917,
Mr. Miller rendered very valuable assistance in the
formation of the state committee authorized and ap
pointed by Hon. Albert E. Sleeper, governor of Michi
gan, who by virtue of his office was ex-officio head
of the Red Cross in this state. Mr. Miller served
on this committee, also on the executive committee
and was able, by his knowledge of Red Cross affairs
and by his wide acquaintance throughout the state,
to accomplish some very valuable results in the way of
preliminary organization of the state for the great
work which was to follow along these lines. In May,
1917, Mr. Miller served as chairman of the speakers'
bureau for Michigan for the first Red Cross war fund
campaign for one hundred million dollars. Michi
gan's quota, of' three million dollars was largely over
subscribed and a great measure of credit is due Mr.
Miller for the splendid personnel whieh he recruited
and for the thorough manner in which the state was
covered by able speakers. In August, 1917, Mr. Miller
succeeded Frederick W. Stevens as chairman of the
state Red Cross committee and also became Red Cross
director for Michigan, this appointment coming direct
from the Red Cross war council. Every county in
the state was organized as a Red Cross chapter and
Mr. Miller had full charge over all chapter activities.
This necessitated the establishment of numerous de
partments to coincide with the national plan of or
ganization. To secure the personnel to head this
department and set all the machinery in motion in
carrying out the numerous details involved in Red
Cross work was a very great task and was performed
in a manner which enabled Miehigan to make as fine
a showing in comparison to its wealth and population
as any state in the Union. The magnitude and gen
eral ramifications of Red Cross work necessarily threw
a great burden upon the shoulders of the director, who
was obliged to give practically his entire time to the
task. Mr. Miller's wide acquaintance throughout the
state, his unfailing taet and courtesy, and his thor
ough mastery of Red Cross details were largely re
sponsible for the large sums of money raised in this
state and the large volume of work accomplished.
Numerous conferences were held throughout the state,
many trips were made to visit chapters, and frequent
conferences were also necessary with the central divi
sion offices at Chicago, and occasionally headquarters
at Washington. Miehigan had the distinction of be
ing set up as one of the few units operating largely
within itself. Most other states were operated from
division headquarters. The form of organization in
Michigan paralleled that of the division office and the

788

CITY OF DETROIT

national office. Mr. Miller was given a great deal of
authority which thereby expedited the progress of the
work enormously. Michigan's record in Red Cross
work may well be regarded with pride by all of the
citizens, and by far the largest share of credit for this
splendid result is due Mr. Miller's untiring efforts and
willingness to sacrifice all other interests in order to
devote himself to this great cause.
In polities Mr. Miller is ranked as a democrat but
has refrained from any prominent part, except in the
first Wilson campaign, in whieh he was very aetive.
After President Wilson took office Mr. Miller was
asked to accept a diplomatic appointment but declined.
JOHN MICHAEL SCHUNK is engaged in the real
estate and insurance business as a member of the firm
of Parker, Schunk & Fry. The development of their
interests has brought them to a prominent position
in real estate circles of the city, with a clientage
that enables them to command and negotiate many im
portant realty transfers. Mr. Schunk is one of the
native sons of this state, his birth having occurred
in the town of China, St. Clair county, Michigan,
August 23, 1871, his parents being Louis and Eliza
beth (Emig) Schunk. The father was born in Ger
many in 1847, but was only twelve years of age when
he left that land and came with his parents to the
United States, the family home being established in
1859 in China township, St. Clair county, Michigan.
He was reared on the home farm and after reaching
adult age he married Elizabeth Emig, who was born
in St. Clair county. He carried on agricultural pur
suits until the last seven or eight years of his life,
when he retired from active business. He passed away
October 26, 1918, having for four years survived his
wife, who died July 6, 1914.
John M. Schunk pursued his education in the
schools of his native county and for several years in
his youth and early manhood sailed on the Great
Lakes. He afterward secured a clerkship at Marine
City, Michigan, being employed in a general store
there. Desiring to equip himself further for life's
practical and responsible duties, he pursued special
courses in the Cleary Business College at Ypsilanti,
Michigan, and in 1889 removed to Detroit, where he
obtained a position in a retail shoe store at five dollars
per week. He spent seventeen years in filling posi
tions as salesman and in 1908 he embarked in the real
estate and insurance business, in which he has since
been engaged. He formed a partnership with Henry
J. Parker and Fred A. Fry, organizing the firm of
Parker, Schunk & Fry. Before the organization of
the present firm Mr. Schunk was connected for a time
with the real estate business thus gaining his initial
experience in the line of work that has since claimed
his efforts. The firm of Parker, Schunk & Fry was
originally organized to conduct a general real estate
business, which later was enlarged so as to include
a general insurance business. The latter branch of

the business has been added to in the meantime until
it now includes practically every form of insurance
underwriting excepting life insurance. In the manage
ment of its rapidly growing business the firm has won
a large and desirable clientage and maintains a posi
tion of high standing in realty and insurance circles.
Its personnel was unchanged until 1917, when Mr. Fry
withdrew. The firm style, however, remains the same
as when organized. Mr. Schunk is also connected
with other real estate projects, among them being the
Oak Grove Land Company, of which he is a director,
and the Hillsboro Land Company.
In Detroit, on the 26th of August, 1908, Mr. Schunk
was married to Miss Ellen Ford, daughter of William
C. and Alice (Underwood) Ford, both of whom were
natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Schunk attend the
Presbyterian church and he belongs to the Masonic
fraternity, being a member of Corinthian Lodge, No.
241, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In
the former he has attained the thirty-second degree
of the Scottish Rite in Michigan Sovereign Consis
tory, and has become a member of the Mystic Shrine.
He is also a life member of the Detroit Masonic
Country Club and the nature of his recreation in indi
cated in the fact that he belongs to the Mendelssohn
Bowling Club. He is fond of outdoor life, delights
in hunting and fishing trips, and is an enthusiastic
motorist. He is also identified with the real estate
board of Detroit. His political allegiance is given to
the republican party and during the period of the war
he assisted in the sale of Liberty Bonds. He has
never been a politician in the sense of office seeking,
his efforts and attention being concentrated upon his
business affairs, and his thoroughness, diligence and
energy have been salient qualities in the attainment
of his present-day success.
HENRY WARRINGTON HOYT, who is now retired
from active business, was for thirteen years vice presi
dent of the Great Lakes Engineering Works of Detroit.
He was one of the organizers of the business and a
contributing factor toward the result accomplished
— that of developing it into one of the important in
dustries of this section of the country. Something
of the magnitude of the undertaking is shown in the
fact that the company built under contract for the
federal government seventy steel vessels.
Henry W. Hoyt was born July 29, 1852, in Wal
worth county, Wisconsin, his parents being Avery A.
and Caroline M. (Hoyt) Hoyt, both of whom were
natives of Vermont, becoming pioneer settlers of the
western state. In the midst of the wilderness the
father cleared a farm, where he spent his life.
Henry W. Hoyt attended the district school and
local academies and afterward continued his education
in the University of Wisconsin, from which he was
graduated in 1872. Following the completion of his
college course he turned his attention to newspaper
work in Crete, Nebraska, becoming editor and proprie-

JOHN M. SCHUNK

CITY OF DETROIT

791

tor of the Saline County Post, there remaining from
1872 until 1877, and during the last two years of that
period he served as postmaster of Crete. Returning
to Wisconsin, Mr. Hoyt became chief editor and part
owner of the Daily Democrat at Madison and filled
that position for six years, or until 1883, when he
became proprietor of the Gault House, one of the old
and well established hostelries of Chieago. He con
tinued in that business until 1887 and then turned his
attention to the industrial field by becoming secretary
and general manager of the Gates Iron Works of
Chieago, occupying the position from 1887 until 1901.
In the latter years he was elected second vice presi
dent and appointed sales manager of the Allis-Chal-
mers Company of Chieago, and when four years had
been devoted to that business he retired in order to
give his attention to private interests, which claimed
his time and energies from 1905 until 1907.
In May of the latter year Mr. Hoyt located in
Detroit. Here he beeame vice president of the Great
Lakes Engineering Works, shipbuilders and ship re
pairers, with three large plants located at various
points along the water front of Detroit and at Ashta
bula, Ohio. This became one of the great industrial
concerns of the eity.
In Chieago, in December, 1875, Mr. Hoyt wedded
Florence Hastings, daughter of Samuel D. Hastings,
who was a prominent member of the Wisconsin state
legislature and for eight years state treasurer. Mr.
and Mrs. Hoyt have become parents of four daugh
ters: Mrs. Madge H. Williams, who resides in Cali
fornia; Hazel H., the wife- of Fred P. French of New
Plymouth, Idaho; Sue H.; and Florence H., who is
the wife of Barton Stevenson, a resident of Pitts
burgh, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Hoyt belongs to the Detroit Club, the Detroit
Athletic Club and the Detroit Boat Club and his re
ligious faith is that of the Christian Science chureh.
For a long period he figured prominently in connec
tion with the manufacturing interests of the middle
west and became a dominant factor in connection
with the productive interests of Detroit.
THOMAS MAYBURY. So sweet in its sim
plicity, so strong and courageous in its pur
poses, so successful in its achievements and
so far-reaching and influential in its effect was the
life of Thomas Maybury that it must ever constitute
an interesting chapter in the history of Detroit.
Thomas Maybury was born in Cork, Ireland, Decem
ber 26 1807, and there lived until after he was mar
ried to Margaret Cotter of Cork. With his bride and
his brothers, William and Henry, he came to America,
making his way at once to Detroit. Arriving in this
city, whieh at that time (1830) was little more than
a village, he began life as a farmer in the township
of Springwells, but soon abandoned agricultural pur
suits for the work of contracting and building and

from the first he began buying real estate, recogniz
ing the opportunity for judicious investments.
In 1835 Mr. Maybury built a home at the corner
of Lafayette and Eighth streets and this old home
stead is still standing in good condition in the year
1922. He purchased land from the Woodbridge and
Thompson additions and from time to time erected
houses which he sold. During the early period of his
residence in Detroit -Mr. Maybury was also a customs
house officer and continued in the position for many
years. Continuing his investments in property his va
rious land acquirements ultimately made him the larg
est tax payer in Detroit. He owned and operated a
large farm in , * Greenfield township, whieh is now
being divided into city lots, and a farm of forty
acres in Redford whieh is soon to be platted into lots.
While a contractor he built the first Woodward avenue '
sewer, which was to open into the river. Many pub
lic and private works were constructed by him during
the fifteen years he remained in the business. Later
he devoted his entire time to developing and acquiring
real estate.
Mr. Maybury was a most lovable man and counted
his friends by the number of his acquaintances. He
was affectionately known as ' ' Uncle Tommy May
bury," and not only did he win the love of those
with whom he came into contact but also their high
est respect and regard, for he was a man of unim
peachable integrity. He was likewise an enthusiastic
and ardent republican. He ranked with the most
influential members of the Masonic lodge and was
one of the oldest Knights Templars in the city. In
his honor the Zion Masonic Lodge placed in St. Peter's
church, of which he was an attendant in his later
years, a very large and exceedingly beautiful window,
on which is inscribed "In Memoriam, Thomas May
bury." There are also other evidences of his high
standing in the city, for Maybury avenue was named
for him whom the citizens of Detroit delighted to
honor. On the 24th of February, 1868, he was pre
sented with a gold-headed cane by the brethren of
Zion Lodge. There was no man who stood more faith
fully and loyally as an exponent of the high standards
of Masonry than did he. In the work of the church
Mr. Maybury was also equally well known, for his
labors were untiring in connection with the moral
progress and development of Detroit. He was first a
member of St. Paul's Episcopal chureh and later be
came one of the founders of St. Peter's Episcopal
church, giving freely of his time and money to its
upbuilding and for many years he was its senior
warden, continuing in the office to the time of his
death, which occurred at his home on Lafayette ave
nue, November 13, 1882, when he was seventy-five
years of age. He had long survived his wife, Mrs.
Margaret Cotter Maybury, who died June 9, 1851.
They were the parents of eight children: Eliza, who
married James Denton of Flint, Michigan, is now de
ceased; Henry of Tampa, Florida, has also passed

792

CITY OF DETROIT

away; Thomas, a veteran of the Civil war, served
with the rank of first lieutenant in a New York regi
ment and afterward became captain of Company C,
Eighth New York Heavy Artillery. He was wounded
in the Battle of the Wilderness and died" a number of
years later in California, his remains being brought
back to Detroit for burial in the family lot at Elm-
wood; William C. Maybury, the fourth member of
the family, was an attorney and at one time mayor
of Detroit; Katherine married John Guiness and died
in Detroit; Mary, who beeame Mrs. Joseph F. Weber,
also of this city, has likewise passed away; Jane
resides at what was the home of her brother, William,
on West Grand boulevard; Mrs. Margaret Morris, the
youngest of the family, is buried in the family lot
. in Elmwood cemetery.
JOHN LESINSKI, president of the Hamtramck
Lumber & Supply Company, is widely and favor
ably known in Detroit, where practically his entire life
has been spent. He has been an influential factor in
promoting the development and improvement of this
section of the city and is now at the head of a pros
perous lumber business, displaying keen sagacity,
energy and determination in the conduct of his in
terests. He was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, January
3, 1885, of the marriage of Michael and Katherine
(Nowakowski) Lesinski, who reared a family of seven
children. When John Lesinski was but a few months old his
parents took up their residence in Detroit and until
he was about eleven years of age the family home
was maintained on Canfield, East, after which the
parents removed to Forest avenue, East. His educa
tion was acquired in parochial schools of this eity.
His initial business experience was obtained in the
employ of his father, who was identified with' hard
ware, grain and milling interests. He remained in
that connection until he was eighteen years of age,
when he formed a partnership with Stanley Rozycki
under the firm name of Rozycki & Company. This
firm was engaged in the contracting business and Mr.
Lesinski retained his interest therein for about one
year and a half. On the dissolution of the partner
ship Mr. Lesinski entered into the real estate ' and
building business as an individual, operating in both
lines in connection with Homer Warren, the well known
real estate dealer. In 1911 Mr. Lesinski formed a
partnership with Edward Leszcynski, continuing in
the same lines and association. They operated a
branch office maintained by Mr. Warren, who
awarded them all of his building contracts, and they
also negotiated many important realty transfers. Mr.
Lesinski erected over two thousand cottages for Mr.
Warren, subsequently selling them at a profitable
figure, and he had the handling of the sale of the
allotment made from the Whitney estate, in which
connection he opened up the Hamtramck district for
settlement. In 1913 the Hamtramck Lumber & Sup

ply Company was formed and two years later it was
incorporated as a close corporation. Mr. Lesinski has
since acquired control of the business, owning prac
tically all of the stock, and as president he is ably
guiding its destinies. He has had broad experience
along business lines and through unremitting industry
and judicious management he has succeeded in de
veloping one of the leading enterprises of this char
acter in the city. In 1915 the company erected a
large office building, which also contains a store
house, and they employ forty people, while they
utilize seven trucks for delivery purposes, their
equipment being of the most modern type. They deal
in building supplies and have ample accommodations
for lumber storage, catering exclusively to the retail
trade. Julius Lesinski, a brother of the subject of
this review, is secretary and treasurer of the com
pany and his cooperation is a valuable asset in the
development of the business.
Mr. Lesinski has been married^ twice. His first wife
was Stella B. Leszcynski, whom he wedded on the 11th
day of January, 1911. She passed away in May, 1916,
leaving two children; Joan, and John Alexander, the
later born on the 28th of December, 1914. For his
second wife Mr. Lesinski chose Barbara Jankowski.
In his political views Mr. Lesinski is a republican
and he is a valued member of the Detroit Board of
Commerce and is vice chairman of the Polish board
Americanization committee of that organization. He
is also chairman of the Polish citizens' committee of
the Detroit branch of the Polish National Department
of Chicago and is vice chairman of the Miehigan
Association. Mr. Lesinski is one of the prominent and
best, known Polish-Americans in Detroit. Among his
other connections he is a member of the Springwells
Board of Commerce and the Milwaukee Junction
Manufacturers' Association, being a member of the
grade department committee of that organization. He
is also connected with the Polish National Alliance
and is a member of the Fellowcraft Club, the U & I
Club and is identified with the Falcons, of which he
has been instructor. Impelled by a laudable ambition,
he has eagerly availed himself of every legitimate
opportunity for advancement and exemplifies in his
life the progressive spirit that has been a dominant
factor in the upbuilding of this great industrial cen
ter. During the war Mr. Lesinski 's services were
refused for overseas duty on account of the fact that
both of his parents were born in Europe. He has
been connected with and has aided in recruiting sol
diers for the Polish army through the Polish national
department, which work had the approval of the
United States and foreign governments. Confidence
in his own judgment may be said to be one of Mr.
Lesinski 's prominent traits. He had implicit confi
dence in the growth of Hamtramck, despite adverse
predictions of others and subsequent developments in
that village have more than borne out his contentions.
He has contributed in many ways toward the develop-

JOHN LESINSKI

CITY OF DETROIT

795

ment and improvement of the city and the substantial
worth of his character is indicated in the fact that
he is held in the highest esteem by those among whom
his life has been passed.
HIRAM H. WALKER, vice president and treasurer
of Hirarri Walker & Sons, Limited, and prominently
identified with various enterprises having an im
portant bearing on the business and industrial life of
Detroit and the border cities, was born August 4, 1886,
in Walkerville, Ontario. His parents were J. Har
rington and Florence A. (Holcomb) Walker, while his
paternal grandfather was Hiram Walker, one of the
foremost figures of his generation. A more extended
mention of both the father and grandfather may be
found elsewhere in this work.
Hiram H. Walker attended St. Paul's School, Con
cord, New Hampshire, following which he entered
Sheffield Scientific School at Yale University, grad
uating with the class of 1906. He then entered Cor
nell University, where he continued his engineering
studies. Sinee the death of his father in December,
1919, Mr. Walker, with his brothers, Harrington E.
and F. Caldwell, has been managing the large estate
left by their parent.
Hiram H. Walker, besides being vice president and
treasurer of Hiram Walker & Sons, Limited, is closely
identified with a number of other concerns in Wal
kerville and is also a director in the Garden Court
Realty Company of Detroit; president of the Hoskins
Manufacturing Company of Detroit; a director of the
Fibre Package Company of Detroit; vice president of
the American Transit Company; a director of the
Concrete Steel Company of Canada, Limited; and
president of the Border Cities Hotel Company, Lim
ited. On May 9, 1911, Mr. Walker was married to
Miss Elsa Stroh of Detroit, a daughter of the late
Bernard Stroh and a member of one of the prom
inent families of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have
a daughter, Phoebe, born in June, 1915. They reside
at 1441 Burns avenue.
Mr. Walker is well known in club circles, holding
membership in the Detroit Club, Detroit Athletic
Club, the University Club, the Detroit Country Club,
the Old Club, the Essex County Golf and Country Club,
the Grosse Pointe Riding and Hunt Club, the Beach
Grove Golf Club, the Windsor Club, the Walkerville
Boat Club, the St. Clair Country Club, the Walker
ville Tennis Club, the Yale Club of New York, and
the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.
At various times in recent years Mr. Walker has
held executive position with different civie and trade
organizations. In 1911 he was president of the
Walkerville Board of Trade; in 1917 he was a director
of the Border Chamber of Comnleree; in 1918 and
1919 he was chairman of the manufacturers' section
of the Border Chamber of Commerce; and from 1912
until 1918 he was chairman of the Walkerville Board
of Fire Commissioners.

An excellent type of the present-day wide
awake and progressive business man, Mr. Walker
is included among Detroit's strong and capable
men of affairs. His marked executive ability is
evidenced by his successful official incumbencies, the
number of which is rare among men of his age. Per
sonally, his estimable traits of character have won for
him many friends. In brief, Mr. Walker well up
holds the best traditions of the honored name.
H. H. SERVIS, a leading business man of Detroit,
who since 1912 has had charge of the real estate
interests of the S. S. Kresge Company in this city,
is proving most capable in the discharge of the duties
whieh devolve upon him in this connection, his
services being of great value to the corporation which
he represents. He was born in Hunterdon county,
New Jersey, a son of David O. and Evelyn (Hixson)
Servis, representatives of two of the oldest families in
America, John Hart, the great-great-grandfather of
the subject of this review, having been one of the
signers of the Declaration of Independence.
In the grammar sehools of Trenton, New Jersey,
and at Lewis Institute, Chicago, Illinois, H. H. Servis
acquired his early education, after which he entered
the law department of the University of Michigan at
Ann Arbor, from whieh he won his LL. B. degree
upon graduation with the class of 1908. Going to the
west, he was for a time engaged in the practice of his
profession at Seattle, Washington, and then returned
to the east, entering business circles of Ann Arbor,
Miehigan, as a real estate operator. He was very
successful in the conduct of his interests and continued
a resident of that eity until 1912, when he came to
Detroit to assume charge of the real estate department
of the S. S. Kresge Company and is now a vice presi
dent of that company in charge of real estate and also
on the board of directors of this corporation, whose
business not only in this city but throughout the coun
try has assumed very extensive proportions. He is
well qualified for the duties of his present position,
being a resourceful, farsighted and astute business
man who is very familiar with realty values through
out the country and is most capably looking after
the interests under his charge.
Mr. Servis was united in marriage to Miss Carlotta
M. Stretch of Ann Arbor and they have become the
parents of three children: Jane Evelyn, Elizabeth
Ann and John Richard. He is a consistent member of
the Presbyterian chureh and fraternally is identified
with the Masons, belonging to Detroit Commandery,
No. 1, and to Palestine Lodge and Chapter. He is a
member of Phi Alpha Delta, a national law fraternity,
and for recreation he turns to golf, being a member of
the Detroit and Red Run Golf Clubs and is also a mem
ber of the Detroit Athletic Club and of the Ingleside
Club. In business matters his judgment has been found
sound and reliable and his enterprise unfaltering and
his success is the merited reward of his close applica
tion and spirit of determination. He is a man of high

796

CITY' OF DETROIT

personal standing, of marked business integrity and
ability, and the sterling worth of his character is
recognized by all with whom he is brought into
contact. ALBERT GRIFFING BEDFORD, a prominent real
estate dealer of Detroit, whose operations have been
conducted on an extensive scale, is recognized as a
most progressive, energetic -and capable business man.
His plans are carefully formulated and promptly ex
ecuted, and success in substantial measure has re
warded his efforts. He was born in Ionia, Michigan,
January 21, 1871, and comes of honorable and dis
tinguished ancestry, tracing his descent in the paternal
line to John de Bedford and Gunning Bedford, whose
portrait hangs in Independence Hall at Philadelphia.
On the distaff side he is a direct descendant of Jasper
Griffing and Benjamin Griffing, who defended Ameri
can interests in the Revolutionary war. His paternal
grandparents were Ashbel F. and Maria H. (Pratt)
Bedford, the former of whom was born August 14,
1809, and died June 30, 1876, while the latter was
born January 20, 1812, and passed away April 3, 1902.
His maternal grandfather, George J. Griffing, was born
October 31, 1815, and removed from Elmira, New
York, to Michigan in 1836. He married Elizabeth Rosa
mond Murray, who was born February 18, 1819, and
passed away February 18, 1898, while his demise oc
curred on the 3d of June, 1894. Their daughter, Georg-
ianna M. Griffing, was born at Hartland, Michigan,
December 24, 1847, and died at Ionia, this state, April
22, 1893. She married Robert H. Bedford, who was
born at Northville, Miehigan, July 19, 1847, and they
became the parents of Albert Griffing Bedford, the
subject of this review.
In the public schools of Ionia, Albert Griffing Bed
ford acquired his education and on starting out in life
independently he beeame identified with the mercantile
and mortgage loan business, while subsequently he
turned his attention to the field of real estate, in
which he has continued active. He specializes in
apartment houses, business and income properties and
has negotiated many important realty transfers, carry
ing on his operations on a most extensive scale. He
is an expert valuator and is regarded as one of the
most successful real estate dealers in the city.
On the 1st of January, 1895, Mr. Bedford was united
in marriage to Miss Grace Sarah Long, a daughter of
Dr. Oscar R. and Annie M. (Freeman) Long, the for
mer of whom was for thirty years medical superintend
ent of the Ionia State Hospital for the Insane. Mrs.
Bedford is a member of Louisa St. Clair Chapter of
the Daughters of the American Revolution and also
of the Twentieth Century Club and occupies an envi
able position in social circles of the city. By her mar
riage she has become the mother of two daughters,
Ruth Helena and Annie Long, both of whom are grad
uates of the Liggett School for Girls. Ruth Helena
Bedford was married July 12, 1921, to Mr. Paul Swan

Robertson, who served as captain in the aviation sec
tion during the World war. The younger daughter is
the widow of Lieutenant Clarence A. Hartman, who
died October 7, 1918, while serving his country in the
World war.
While residing at Ionia, Michigan, Mr. Bedford
was a vestryman in St. John's church for many years
and is now a member of St. Paul's cathedral. He is
a republican in his political views and his interest in
the welfare and progress of his city is indicated by his
membership in the Board of Commerce, whose pro
jects for the development of the industrial interests
of the municipality receive his hearty cooperation.
He is also a valued member of the Real Estate Board,
the Ingleside Club and the Detroit Boat Club, and
fraternally is identified with the Masons. The force of
his personality, the keenness of his insight and the
soundness of his judgment have brought Mr. Bedford
to a position of prominence in real estate circles of
Detroit and his influence is one of broadening activity
in the field in which he operates.
COLONEL JOHN ATKINSON. A representative
member of the Detroit bar passed away when Colonel
John Atkinson was called to the home beyond. He
possessed few of those meteoric qualities which daz
zle for the moment and then vanish, but he was rich
in those substantial qualities whieh endure and make
for strength and capability in the practice of law.
He always held to the highest ethical standards of
the profession whieh he represented and enjoyed in
the fullest degree the confidence and respect of his
colleagues and contemporaries. Moreover, ' he was
one of the eminent legislators of the state, one
who ever placed the public good before personal
aggrandizement and the general welfare before parti
sanship. His standards of life in every respect were
the highest and the world is better for his having
lived. Colonel Atkinson was born at Warwick, Lamberton
county, Ontario, Canada, on the 24th of May, 1841,
his parents being James and Elizabeth (Shinners)
Atkinson. The father was born in 1800 in County
Mayo, Ireland, where his wife's birth also occurred
and where they were married. They emigrated to the
new world in 1832, settling first. in Canada and re
moving thence to Port Huron, Michigan, in 1854.
There Mr. Atkinson passed away in 1856, being for
many years survived by his widow, who died in 1884.
He was engaged in the lumber business on an exten
sive scale and won a gratifying measure of success
in that connection.
John Atkinson, who was one of a family of ten
children, obtained his early education in the public
and high schools and began the study of law at
Port Huron in 1857. In 1862, when twenty-one years
of age, he was graduated from the law department of
the University of Michigan and was admitted to the
bar by the supreme court the same year. Starting in

ALBERT G. BEDFORD

CITY OF DETROIT

799

the practice of his profession, he became a partner of
the late Hon. T. W. Mitchell, under the firm name
of Mitchell & Atkinson, but two months later, on the
25th of July, 1862, he enlisted under President Lin
coln's call for three hundred thousand men and served
with great distinction from the date of his enlist
ment until February 26, 1866. He first became lieu
tenant, later captain and then major of the Twenty-
second Michigan Infantry, while subsequently he
served with the rank of lieutenant colonel of the
Third Michigan Infantry. The scene of his active
service was mostly with the Army of the Cumberland,
including all the important campaigns of that army
corps. After the war he was appointed collector of inter
nal revenue at Port Huron by President Johnson, but
for political reasons his appointment failed of con
firmation at the hands of the senate. He practiced
law in Port Huron from the spring of 1866 until the
fall of 1870 and then located in Detroit, where he
was associated as a member with many of the im
portant law firms, including those of Trowbridge &
Atkinson & Hawley; Atkinson & Atkinson; Atkinson,
Carpenter, Brooks & Haigh; and Atkinson & Haigh.
Colonel Atkinson was recognized as an authority on
the practice of libel and slander cases, contracts and
wills in Miehigan. The Bay City Tribune at the time
of his death wrote: "As a lawyer John Atkinson had
no superior, and few, if any, equals in Miehigan at
the time of his demise. In addressing a jury he
brought all the powers of his well-stored, virile mind
into action. As an orator he was magnetic, eloquent,
witty, sarcastic, pathetic and humorous. He could
inspire terror and beget mirth or tears at will."
When Colonel Atkinson passed away, James Mc-
Namara, who had long been associated with him as a
member of the bar, the two at times being opponents
in forensic battles, though the warmest friends, said:
"Colonel Atkinson was my beau ideal of a great
lawyer. He was one of the best equipped, all-around
lawyers in the state. The foundation for his legal
education was laid broad and deep. He was neither
a surface skimmer nor case lawyer. He grasped and
comprehended the philosophy of justice — the great
principles upon which our jurisprudence rests. If he
found a ease whieh said that twice two is five, he
wouldn't attempt to overthrow the mathematical prin
ciples of the multiplication table by solemnly an
nouncing this fact in court. He knew intuitively that
sueh reasoning was false. His analysis of a legal
proposition was as keen as a rapier and as clear and
comprehensive as a June sky. His argument in the
somewhat famous Miehigan Central mileage case be
fore Judge Donovan this year, when he had opposed
to him sueh eminent attorneys as Alfred Russell,
Ashley Pond, Henry Russel and Benton Hanehett, will
easily stand as one of the finest and most eloquent
arguments ever made before a court in this state. He
was a wonderful advocate. Before a jury he had no

peers, and but few equals, in the United States. A
close student of men as well as of books; earnest,
persuasive and powerfully eloquent; a mind stored
with the riches of ancient and modern literature; a
great, sensitive heart which would respond to every
beautiful sentiment of the soul, he could run the
gamut of human feelings with a master's mind and
a voice of wonderful volume and sweetness. He
loved the law. He was too great for petty profes
sional jealousies. He knew that only the great would
succeed, and always had a kind word and a genial
smile for a struggling brother. His noble life en
riched the profession of the law. It was and is a
compass and a guide to the struggling and the
ambitious. "Politically, Colonel Atkinson had attained to emi
nence and when at last he stood where ambition
had lured him, death summoned him away. He was
a consistent and honest admirer of Governor Pingree.
He detested bluster, but when he was once convinced
that Governor Pingree was honest in his great efforts
to make the corporations of this state pay their just
proportion of the taxes, and assume some of the
burdens they had helped to create, his wonderful
talents were at once enlisted in the crusade for equal
rights; and the war he waged and the blows he
struck made him not merely the fidus Achates of the
governor, but the persistent, relentless and brainy
enemy of tax-sulking corporations. He lifted the cam
paign against corporate greed from the slough of con
tempt, to the high plane of intellectual and legal
respectability. His fight in the legislature for the
principle of equal taxation, almost single-handed and
alone; and the great legal battle against the rail
roads now pending in the supreme court of this state
to which he lent the luster of his legal genius, are
among his later works which will not soon be for
gotten by those against whom he fought and will
long be cherished in sacred remembrance by the com
mon people of this state, in whose behalf he arrayed
himself by the side of his friend — Governor Pingree."
While Colonel Atkinson was regarded as one of the
most eminent representatives of the Michigan bar, he
also left the impress of his individuality upon the
history of city and state in many other ways. He
was a member of the Detroit board of estimates for
one term and was largely instrumental in bringing
about the purchase of Belle Isle, Detroit's far-famed
and beautiful park. In this he met with strong oppo
sition, many claiming that he wished to bankrupt the
city through this purchase, but those who opposed him
most bitterly recognize today how valuable an asset
it is to Detroit. He also served as a member of the
lighting board of the city and he was elected in 1896
to represent his district in the state legislature and
in the same year was chosen one of the presidential
electors on the republican ticket. In this connection
a biographer of that period wrote of him: "The strong
figure in the legislature of 1897, was he, who was

800

CITY OF DETROIT

always a lover of liberty and a champion of the lowly
from the time he entered the army of the United
States in 1862, until the last forensic battle was ended
in the session of the Michigan legislature just closed,
and who stood the leader in a long contested struggle
for local self-government, a uniform system of taxa
tion on all kinds of property, uniform passenger
and freight rates on the railroads in the state, and
in opposition to unreasonable concessions to cor
porate interests. Never in the history of Michigan
has any one man, through his position as a legis
lator, commanded the attention and plaudits of the
legislators and the people as did the man here re
ferred to, Colonel John Atkinson of Detroit, repre
sentative in the legislature of 1897. Coming from a
family every member of which is noted for breadth
of intellect, scholastic attainments and oratorical
gifts, he couples these with a keen wit, a princely
courtesy, and a penchant for repartee that make
of him a powerful adversary in debate. It is seldom
that the people of any state are so fortunate as to
be represented in the legislature by one so thoroughly
qualified in natural gifts, training and experience in
the affairs of life to assume the role of an ideal legisla
tor, and although he gave to the state time and talent
that in his profession is said to be worth one hundred
dollars a day, there was no member in the last ses
sion who put in more time at work upon bills, at his
office in Detroit, in committee rooms of the capitol,
on the floor of the house, and in chasing them through
the mazes of parliamentary procedure, than did Rep
resentative Atkinson."
On the 1st of February, 1866, while still in the
army, Colonel Atkinson was united in marriage to
Miss Lida Lyons of San Antonio, Texas, who was a
daughter of Dr. James Lyons, a surgeon of the Con
federate army. Mrs. Atkinson died October 6, 1921.
Their marriage was celebrated while Colonel Atkinson
was stationed in Texas, following the close of active
hostilities during the Civil war. They beeame the.
parents of ten children, seven of whom are living, as
follows: O'Brien, a resident of New York; John,
of Detroit; James, of Detroit; Reilly, of Boise, Idaho;
Lucy, who married Frederick S. Hodge; David Far
rand, of Detroit; and Gerald, of Detroit.'*
Colonel Atkinson was a member' of the Loyal
Legion, the Miehigan Club and the Irish Society
and his family are members of the Catholic church.
Colonel Atkinson passed away August 14, 1898, and
his remains were interred in Mount Elliott cemetery.
He was a man of splendid personal characteristics and
of high professional attainments and his worth was
attested by all with whom he came into contact.
At his passing one of the Michigan papers said
of him: "John Atkinson was a loyal friend and a
manly foe. He never abused a confidence or struck
a fallen antagonist. Personally he was a lovable man.
He was conscious of his own weaknesses and tolerant
of the weaknesses of others. He hated Pharisaism

and hypocrisy and punctured both with merciless sar
casm. While John Atkinson did not underrate ¦ his
own powers he was not an egotist and never yielded
to the seductive influences of flattery; nor could he be
moved from a fixed resolve by threats or promise of
reward. A brave soldier, a great lawyer, a towering
orator, an honest reformer, a good citizen, was John
Atkinson. His demise has left a vacancy which will
not be filled for many years. ' ' One of his old friends
said of him: "John Atkinson was, in many respects,
one of the truly great men of today. He fought
his way from boyhood to manhood, unaided and
alone. He began life in fortunate poverty. Not being
born to affluence, he was not surfeited into idleness
or suffocated with irresolution. His aspirations and
ambitions were great. He always measured his own
resources — which, to me, were always measureless —
knew his own capabilities, and strove, strengthened
with this consciousness, to make the most of them.
He never had a sordid or selfish thought. His highest
place was among those by whom he was best known.
There was no sham or tinsel about him. He was in
tensely real and detested the cant of the legal or
political hyprocite. Colonel Atkinson was as modest
as he was chivalrous. He joined the army shortly
after the outbreak of the war, being at that time
less than twenty years of age, possibly about the age
of his son, Reilly Atkinson, a second Heutenant in
Company L, Thirty-third Michigan, and who just re
turned on a sick furlough from the battle field of
Santiago, in time to see his father die. Colonel Atkin
son 's record as a soldier is one of the brightest and
bravest in the war annals of the state. And yet,
it was from his title, won on the field of battle, and
not from his conversation, that his acquaintances
became possessed of the fact that he had served his
country faithfully and well on many of the bloodiest
battle fields of the rebellion."
HUGH E. KENNY. Detroit lost one of her rep
resentative manufacturers as well as prominent and
respected citizens when on the 14th of October, 1914,
Hugh E. Kenny was called to his final rest. He be
came well known in business circles as president of the
Chamberlin Metal Weather Strip Company. His birth
occurred in New York city and he was one of a family
of three children born to Patrick and Margaret Kenny.
Hugh E. Kenny was educated in the public and high
schools of the eastern metropolis and on coming to
Michigan first located in Pontiae, but subsequently
took up his abode in Detroit. As a young man he
here entered the service of the wholesale dry goods
firm of Burnham, Stoepel & Company and after a
few years engaged in the retail dry goods business
as a member of the firm of Kenny & Adams, their
store being located on the northwest corner of Wood
ward and Grand River avenues. Mr. Kenny later
disposed of his interest in the store and for a period
was successfully engaged in real estate operations. He

HUGH E. KENNY

Vol. IV— 51

CITY OF DETROIT

803

then became connected with the organization of the
Chamberlin Metal Weather Strip Company, of which
he was made president and in which connection he
conducted a successful and growing enterprise to the
time of his retirement. He was watchful of all the
details of his business and of all indications pointing
toward prosperity, so that his efforts were attended
with substantial and gratifying results.
On the 21st of June, 1893, Mr. Kenny was united in
marriage to Miss Caroline S. Hutton, a daughter of
Charles and Amanda (Swinscoe) Hutton. Mr. Hutton
was one of the leading citizens and foremost manu
facturers of Detroit. Mrs. Hutton was a daughter
of Judge Henry H. Swinscoe. Mr. and Mrs. Kenny
beeame the parents of a son, Andrew T. H., whose
birth occurred June 21, 1894. He was graduated from
Princeton University in 1916 and was a student in
the Harvard Law school when the United States
entered the World war. He went to 'France in July,
1917, as a member of Base Hospital Unit No. 17,
serving until after the close of the war. For six
months after his discharge from the service he at
tended the Sorbonne in Paris, and returning to the
United States, beeame connected with the Guaranty
Trust Company of New York in their foreign depart
ment and during the greater part of 1921 represented
them at Bombay, India.
Mr. Kenny gave his political allegiance to the re
publican party, while fraternally he was identified
with the Masons, belonging to Palestine Lodge, F.
& A. M. He was likewise a member of the Detroit
Athletic Club and the Detroit Golf Club, while his
religious faith was that of the Congregational church,
with which his family is also identified. Mrs. Kenny
resides at No. 251 Eliot avenue in Detroit.
HAROLD MONTGOMERY STARK, consulting and
commercial engineer of Detroit, was born at Wadding
ton, St. Lawrence county, New York, January 5, 1881.
He was the eldest son of Charles Russel and Florence
B. (Montgomery) Stark. Of Scottish ancestry, the
line of descent is traced down from Archibald Stark,
1686-1758, the builder of Stark's Fort, and founder
of what is now Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1720.
He was the father of Colonel William Stark of the
New Hampshire Rangers, into whose arms General
Wolfe fell wounded at Quebec; and of General John
Stark who commanded American troops at Bunker
Hill and Bennington.
Harold M. Stark was educated in public schools at
Appleton, Wisconsin, Lawrence University Military
Academy, and at the University of Wisconsin. He
began his professional career in 1901, with the firm
of O'Keefe & Orbison, hydraulic engineers and mill
constructors; entered the engineering department of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1902; beeame
assistant superintendent of construction of the Fort
Wayne works of the General Electric Company in
1906; was appointed assistant manager of the Boston

office of this company in 1907; and then manager of
the Detroit office of the same company in 1909, acting
in that capacity until 1913, when he resigned and took
up the practice of engineering at Detroit, in which
work and its commercial phases he is continuing.
Mr. Stark's military record is an interesting one.
In the Spanish war he served as a division orderly
in the Second Army Corps, while a private of Company
H, Two Hundred and Third Regiment, New York Vol
unteer Infantry. During this period he held an alter
nate appointment to the United States Military Acad
emy at West Point. He also participated in the
World war, being stationed at the naval district base,
New London, Connecticut, where he became head of
the Anti-Submarine Device Section, and was com
mended by personal letter from the secretary of the
navy for services rendered.
Mr. Stark married, on November 23, 1907, Miss Jes
sie M. Taylor, daughter of Isaac N. and Annie L.
Taylor, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The following chil
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stark: John
Carleton, born January 9, 1910, who met with an acci
dental death September 18, 1916; Ruth Margaret,
born May 14, 1916; and Newton Taylor, born June
24, 1918.
Mr. Stark is non-partisan in politics, Episcopalian
in faith, is a Mason, fond of athletics, motoring, golf
and chess. He is a member of Elizabeth Lake Country
Club, Grosse He Golf Club, the Exchange Club, General
Duffield Camp, U. S. W. V.; C. A. Lamed Post, No. 1,
American Legion; Naval Officers Reserve and the En
gineering Society. His offices are in the Kresge build
ing and his residence is at No. 230 California avenue.
CHARLES A. HUGHES, who has been the efficient
and honored secretary of the Detroit Athletic Club
since taking part in its organization in the year 1912,
was born at Grand Ledge, .Michigan, May 18, 1881, and
is a son of Quincy A. and Oiie E. (Dow) Hughes. He
supplemented his public sehool education by a three
years' course in the University of Michigan, being
a member of the class of 1902. He then entered upon
newspaper work in Detroit as an employe on the old
Tribune and later was baseball editor of the Chieago
Record-Herald. In 1910, however, he returned to
Detroit and was connected with the advertising de
partment of the Hudson Motor Car Company for a
time, while later he was connected with the Detroit
branch of The J. Walter Thompson Company, advertis
ing agents.
In the year 1912 Mr. Hughes became one of the
prime movers in the plan to establish a down-town ath
letic club in Detroit. This plan had been advocated a
number of years before, but nothing had been done
to make it a tangible asset in the club circles of the
city. In fact many believed that such a thing was
an impossibility, but as the years passed the demand
grew for such a club and in the fall of 1912 Mr. Hughes
called a party of sixteen men to meet at the Pont-

804

' CITY OF DETROIT

chartrain Hotel to talk over the prospects of building
up a real athletic club. This meeting resulted in the
appointment of a committee on organization, of which
Hugh Chalmers was made chairman, with Mr. Hughes
as secretary. The record of the club's development
will be found in the historical section of this work.
The success of the venture is attributable in very large
measure to Mr. Hughes, who has also had the support
of the other officers and directors of the club in
notable measure. He was made the secretary at the
beginning and has so continued to the present time,
and the Detroit Athletic Club is today one of the
most important organizations of this character in the
country. On the 31st of July, 1909, Mr. Hughes was mar
ried to Miss Anna Lueinda Corbin of Eaton Rapids,
and they have two children, Harriet Jane and Mary
Carolyn. As an attache of a newspaper expedition
in 1909, Mr. Hughes went to the African jungles for
big game hunting. During the World war his activi
ties were largely concentrated upon his work as a
member of the draft board. Aside from his connec
tion with the Detroit Athletic Club he belongs to
the University Club, the Bloomfield Hills Country
Club, the Country Club, the Detroit Automobile Club
and the Aderaft Club, of whieh he was president for
a year. His political allegiance is given to the re
publican party. He has never been an office seeker
but has always been an earnest exponent of every cause
or project put forth for the benefit of the city, the
development and extension of its trade relations and
the maintenance of its civic standards. He has served
for several years as a director of the Detroit Symphony
Society. As publisher of the Detroit Athletic Club
News, Mr. Hughes has been given credit for creating
and building up one of the most distinctive club
magazines in the country.
JOSEPH WILLIAM DAILEY. Large corporate
interests have felt the stimulus of the enterprise,
initiative spirit and marked business ability of
Joseph William Dailey, who was a well known cap
italist of Detroit, and for some years prior to his death
lived largely retired, save for the supervision which
he gave to his invested interests. He was a representa
tive of one of the old and prominent families of the
city and was born in Canton, Connecticut, July 10,
1848, a son of Joseph and Sarah Evelyn (Bronson)
Dailey, who were also natives of the Nutmeg state, the
former born at Canton and the latter at Suffield. They
continued residents of that state until 1855, when they
removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, where they made their
home until 1870 and then came to Detroit. Joseph
Dailey, in partnership with his brother, Charles M., pur
chased what was then known as the Grand River Street
Railway, of which Joseph Dailey became treasurer,
continuing active in its operation until his demise.
The mother also passed away in Detroit and they
were well known and highly respected residents of

the city. In their family were three children: Charles
W., who died in Detroit in 1918; Georgianna, who
became the wife of Dr. Rollin C. Olin and also passed
away in this city; and Joseph William of this review.
The last named attended the common schools of
St. Paul, Minnesota, and after coming to Detroit he
entered the railroad offices conducted by his father
and an uncle, Charles M. Dailey. He was later
made secretary and treasurer of the company and
continued to fill those offices until the road was sold
to its present owners, the Detroit United Railways,
since which time he had lived practically retired,
devoting his attention to the supervision of his ex
tensive investments. In 1890 he erected the Dailey
building at the corner of Miehigan avenue and Park
place, a large office building with the ground floor
occupied by stores, and in addition to this, property he
had other valuable holdings in the city and state. His
initiative spirit led him to become one of the organizers
of the Marine Savings Bank of Detroit, of whieh he
was made president, continuing to fill that office until
the institution became the property of the Dime Sav
ings Bank. He had been most successful in all of his
ventures, for he was a man of marked executive ability
and keen insight,' who was seldom in error in passing
upon the value of any business opportunity, while his
transactions were at all times characterized by strict
honesty and integrity.
Mr. Dailey was the owner of a beautiful estate on
the shore of Lockwood Lake, near Alpena, Michigan,
upon which stands a most modern and attractive
bungalow supplied with all neeessary conveniences.
Here he resided, while he had also built a comfortable
cottage as a home for his caretaker and family.
On his property is situated one of the finest lakes
in Miehigan, which is surrounded by high hills, so
that the spot is a most beautiful one and an ideal
place of residence. He was much interested in antiques
and had devoted considerable attention to the sub
ject, becoming well known in this connection. He
was the possessor of a very valuable collection, which
included old newspapers, rare pieces of furniture,
clocks and Revolutionary documents, some of which
are over two hundred years old and are still in an
excellent state of preservation. Mr. Dailey was a
republican in his political views and kept well in
formed concerning the questions and issues of the
day but had never been an aspirant for publie office.
He was a popular member of the Wayne Club and
fraternally was identified with the Masons, being a
worthy exemplar of the craft. He was a man of broad
views and generous nature, who was ever ready to
extend a helping hand to those in need of assistance
and he had made many liberal contributions to worthy
charitable enterprises, performing his benefactions
quietly and unostentatiously. It is to sueh men as
Mr. Dailey was that any city must look for its growth
— men who combine executive ability, keen sagacity
and breadth of vision with publie spirit and a willing-

JOSEPH W. DAILEY

CITY OF DETROIT

807

ness to place the general welfare above individual
aggrandizement. Mr. Dailey passed away at his estate
on the shore of Lockwood Lake, November 22, 1921.
His remains were interred in, the family lot in Wood-
mere cemetery.
JAMES E. ATKINSON. Construction interests of
Detroit receive impetus from the activities of the
Atkinson-Deaeon-Elliott Company, of which James E.
Atkinson is the president, in which connection he is
bending his efforts to administrative direction and
executive control. The fact that he has been chosen
the head of this important company is in itself proof
of his executive ability, business acumen and enter
prise, and through his wise management of its affairs
he is contributing to the industrial expansion of the
city. He was born at Albion, Michigan, July 1, 1880,
a son of Edward S. and Catherine A. Atkinson, the
former of Scotch-Irish lineage and the latter of Penn
sylvania Dutch descent. In the early days the father
resided in the province of Ontario, Canada, driving
a stagecoach between Windsor and Leamington.
James E. Atkinson acquired his education in De
troit, attending the Webster primary school and
the Western high sehool, becoming president of the
first graduating class of the high sehool and also
president of its alumni association. Subsequently
he pursued a course in the Detroit College of Law
and his knowledge of legal principles has since been
of great value to him in his businses career. On start
ing out in life independently he became identified
with the Peninsular Stove Company of Detroit, serv
ing as paymaster of that corporation for a period of
thirteen years. His next connection was with the
firm of Glass, Cook & Atkinson, of whieh he served
for nine years as vice president, and he is now acting
as president of the Atkinson-Deacon-Elliott Company,
extensively engaged in the building and sale of homes
in this city, Mr. Atkinson being a large stockholder in
the enterprise. They employ none but skilled labor
and the thoroughness and reliability of their work
have commended them to the confidence of the general
public. Mr. Atkinson is proving energetic, farsighted
and capable in the management of the extensive busi
ness of whieh he is the head and is constantly seek
ing to enlarge the company's field of work. He keeps
in close touch with what is being done in all depart
ments and has succeeded in maintaining a high de
gree of efficiency in the operation of the business.
On the 17th of July, 1906, Mr. Atkinson was united
in marriage to Miss Myrtle B. Ely of this eity, a
daughter of Mrs. Lovina Ely. He is prominent in
the work of the Young Men's Christian Association,
serving as a member of the state board and also as
chairman of the physical board. During the progress
of the World war he spent one year at Camp Custer
in connection with the work of the association and at
the close of hostilities was camp general secretary at
Camp Funston, Kansas. He is an active and helpful

member of the North Woodward Methodist Episcopal
church and is a trustee of the Atkinson Avenue church
of that denomination. He is also serving, as a trustee
of Albion College and his interest in the welfare and
upbuilding of his city is indicated by his membership
in the Detroit Board of Commerce and the Detroit
Real Estate Board. He is likewise connected with the
Ingleside, Detroit Athletic, Detroit Golf and Wana-
maker Clubs and fraternally he is identified with the
Masons, belonging to Highland Park Lodge, F. &
A. M.; is president of John A. Gerow class of the
Michigan Sovereign Consistory, and is also a member
of Moslem Temple of the Mystie Shrine. His care
fully formulated plans have resulted in the enlarge
ment and growth of one of Detroit's substantial com
mercial enterprises — a business that has been of
direct value and benefit to the city as well as a source
of individual income, and he is preeminently a busi
ness man whose record is written in terms of success.
THERESA DOLAND, who has reached an enviable
position at the Detroit bar, was born in St. Louis,
Michigan, on the 22d of February, 1882, her parents
being Stephen and Margaret (Murray) Doland, who
were natives of the province of Ontario, Canada.
They became pioneer residents of Michigan and still
make their home in St. Louis:
Miss Doland acquired her early education in the
public schools of her native town, passing through
consecutive grades to the high school, while later she
became a student in the Michigan State Normal and
was graduated with the class of 1901. She then took
up the profession of teaching, which she followed in
her home county, and afterward went to Montana,
where she was a teacher for six years. She also
taught in Oklahoma and in New Mexico and for two
years was a teacher among the Indians of Texas. She
supplemented her Normal Sehool training with a
business course in the St. Louis Commercial College
and with this thorough experience and educational
equipment she began the study of law in the Detroit
College of Law, whieh conferred upon her the LL. B.
degree in 1915, while in 1917 she received the honorary
LL. M. degree from the University of Detroit.
While pursuing her law studies Miss Doland was
employed in the office of Anderson, Wilcox & Lacy,
• well known attorneys of this city, thus supplementing
her theoretical training by practical experience in the
work of the profession. Following her graduation she
entered upon active practice in Detroit on the 8th
of June, 1915, and has since remained a member of
the bar of this eity, winning a place of distinction
as a most capable representative of the profession.
She is today one of the widely known women lawyers
of the country and conducts the largest probate
practice in the state of Michigan. The thoroughness
of her work, her high regard for and strict observance
of the ethics of the profession and her wide study have
been the salient qualities whieh have won for her

808

CITY OF DETROIT

the enviable position which she now occupies as a rep
resentative of the Detroit bar.
Miss Doland is a member of the Detroit Bar Asso
ciation and the American Bar Association, also of the
Woman's City Club of Detroit and the Detroit Busi
ness Woman's Club. She is likewise a member of the
Woman's Suffrage League, but is an opponent of radi
cal methods in obtaining suffrage. Her political en
dorsement is given to the republican party. She be
longs to the National Women Lawyers Association,
of whieh she is vice president from Michigan. She
was the organizer of the Women Conductors Associa
tion, which case she argued before Judge Taft of the
war labor board at Washington in January, 1919, her
efforts being crowned with success. She also or
ganized the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
in August, 1919, an organization which has grown
rapidly in membership. She is forceful and resource
ful in all that she undertakes and her colleagues
and contemporaries in the profession acknowledge her
ability. RALPH THOMAS HOLLIS, resident partner of
the firm of Haskins & Sells, well known certified
public accountants of New York, was born in Lon
don, England, July 7, 1874, his parents being Henry
and Elizabeth Ann (Park) Hollis, who were also
natives of that country, where they spent their
lives, the father carrying on business as a manu
facturing jeweler. He died in London in 1893 and
his wife passed away in that city in 1890. They had
a family of eight children: Mrs. Louisa Madgin,
deceased; Henry Park; Charles Frederick; Mrs. Amy
Elizabeth Shanks; Mrs. Lizzie Emily Thelwall, de
ceased; Mrs. Anne Edith Gibson; Frank Spencer Bate-
man; and Ralph Thomas.
In early life Ralph T. Hollis attended the schools
of North London and his natural talent for mathe
matics soon asserted itself. When seventeen years of
age he was articled to Barnes, Dunn & Boughton,
chartered accountants, one of the oldest firms of its
kind in the city of London, and subsequently took up
work as a chartered accountant in London in 1896,
following his profession in that city until 1905. He
then came to the new world, settling in Detroit,
where he was employed by others until 1908, when he
began business on his own account and later organ
ized the firm of R. T. Hollis & Company. This con
nection was maintained until 1915, when the firm
of Hollis, Tilton & Porte was formed. They were
at the head of the publie accounting profession in
the city, having the largest clientele of any firm
of the kind in this section of the country, a fact in
dicative of the high measure of efficiency not only
of the various members of the firm but of all in their
employ. On August 1, 1921, the professional account
ing practices of Hollis, Tilton & Porte were con
solidated with Haskins & Sells of New York and Mr.
Hollis, like the other members of the firm, continues

as a resident partner of Haskins & Sells, with offices
in the First National Bank building. Mr. Hollis is
a member of the English Institute of Chartered Ac
countants of England and Wales and the Michigan
Association of Certified Public Accountants.
On the 6th of September, 1900, in London, Eng
land, Mr. Hollis was married to Miss Daisy Alice
Benson and they became the parents of four children:
Eric Ralph Benson, who passed away in 1912; Kings-
ley Gordon James, born in Windsor, Canada, Sep
tember 18, 1911; Henry Vincent Benson, born in
Detroit, November 25, 1913; and Daisy Marjorie Ben
son, born in Detroit, July 3, 1916. Mr. Hollis is a
member of the Masonic fraternity and has taken the
degrees in Corinthian Chapter, F. & A. M. Mr. Hollis
is also a member of the Board of Commerce and De
troit Credit Men's Association. His attention and
energy have largely been concentrated upon his pro
fession, leaving him comparatively little leisure time
for social or other activities. Nevertheless he has
traveled extensively. Following a line for which
nature evidently intended him, he has developed his
skill and efficiency to a high point, enabling him to
occupy a position of leadership in this field of labor.
ROSCOE B. HUSTON. As secretary-treasurer of
the Recreation Company of Detroit, Roseoe B. Huston
is connected with one of the most unique business en
terprises in the country, which has not only brought
prosperity to its owners but has also been most
beneficial to the people of the city, providing them
with the means of obtaining wholesome recreation.
He has long been connected with interests of this
character, organizing various leagues which have been
a source of much benefit to those who otherwise would
not have obtained needed rest and relaxation from
business cares, and he is one of the most active men
in the city in recreation work.
Mr. Huston is a native of Illinois. He was born
in Blandinsville, January 3, 1881, a son of Theodore
and Anna (Burhans) Huston, the former of whom
there successfully engaged in the raising of high
grade stock, specializing in shorthorn cattle. The
father was prominent in public affairs and in 1893
was appointed American consul at Juarez, Mexico,
where his death occurred on the 19th of December,
1894, after which the mother returned to her home
in Macomb, Illinois.
Roseoe B. Huston attended the graded and high
sehools of his native town and in 1898 he entered
the State University at Ann Arbor, Miehigan, devot
ing his attention to the study of law and the clas
sics. He was graduated in 1902 and then devoted two
years to additional study, completing his education in
1904, being thus exceptionally well equipped for life's
practical duties and responsibilities. Coming to De
troit, he opened an office in the Buhl building and for
five years devoted his attention to the general practice
of law. In 1906 he organized the firm of Huston

RALPH T. HOLLIS

CITY OF DETROIT

811

Brothers, consisting of the three brothers, Irvin,
Corwin and Roseoe, which firm operated a billiard
room on six tables at Ann Arbor in a rented build
ing. Roseoe B. Huston continued to live in Detroit.
In 1909 he returned to Ann Arbor, where he was
instrumental in securing the erection of a building at
No. 307 South State street, in which he and his
brother established business, their parlor containing
twenty-one billiard tables and eight bowling alleys,
and this they are still conducting. In 1915 the Recrea
tion Company was formed for the purpose of provid
ing clean, wholesome recreation for the people of
Detroit. Mr. Huston was made secretary-treasurer of
the company and the Recreation building was erected
for the purpose of housing the business, this being the
only structure in the world ever constructed for recrea
tion purposes exclusively. Previous to this time no
one had ever entertained the idea of operating a
business of this character on so extensive a scale and
the company is now conducting the largest enterprise
of this nature in the world. It has one hundred and
forty-two billiard tables and eighty-eight bowling
alleys and in connection there are soda fountains,
lunch counters, cigar stores, barber shops and shower
baths. That the enterprise has found favor with the
general publie is indicated in the fact that seven thou
sand people enter the building on a week day and
twelve thousand on Saturdays, the average weekly at-
tndance being one hundred and sixty thousand. The
company conducts numerous tournaments and has
one hundred different bowling leagues for men and
thirty for ladies. Its organization stands in a class
by itself and its interests have at all times been eon-
ducted in accordance with the highest business ethics,
so that its standing is a most enviable one. Mr. Hus
ton 's energetic spirit and executive ability have
been an important factor in the development of the
enterprise and his efforts have met with a gratifying
measure of success.
On the 21st of November, 1905, Mr. Huston was
united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Lloyd of Ken
tucky, and they have become the parents of a daugh
ter, Lloyd, who is now a senior at the Detroit Cen
tral high school. She is an extremely bright girl and
her proficiency in her studies is indicated in the fact
that she is a year younger than any other girl in her
class. In his political views Mr. Huston is a strong
democrat and he keeps well informed regarding the
leading questions and issues of the day, having
devoted considerable time to the study of political
history. He is well known and popular in social
circles of the city and is a member of the Fellow
craft, Bloomfield Open Hunt, University of Michigan,
Detroit Riding & Hunt, Detroit Athletic, Washtenaw
Country and Rotary Clubs, also the Board of Com
merce while his chief hobbies are motoring and card
playing. He is a man of abounding energy and
vitality, who attacks everything with a spirit of con

tagious enthusiasm and whatever he undertakes he
carries forward to successful completion. He pos
sesses initiative, combined with marked executive
power, and to him opportunity has spelled success.
His life has ever been an upright and honorable one,
commanding for him the high regard of all with
whom he has been brought into contact.
F. G. SKINNER, secretary and treasurer of the
Sterling & Skinner Manufacturing Company, beeame
one of the organizers of this business in 1902. Through
the intervening period of two decades the enterprise
has steadily developed until it has long since been
recognized as one of the successful manufacturing
concerns of the city. Mr. Skinner is classed with
the list of representative business men Canada has
furnished to the American city aeross the border.
His birth occurred in Hamilton, Ontario, September
2, 1861, and while spending his youthful days in the
home of his parents, Dr. Ormond and Margaret (Mac-
Intyre) Skinner, he acquired a high school education.
In 1877 he beeame an employe of the Great Western
Railway Company and afterward was connected with
the firm of Charles Cameron & Company in his native
city. He dates his residence in Detroit from 1885,
at whieh time he secured a situation with the firm
of Pingree & Smith. At a subsequent date he was
with the firm of D. Armstrong & Company of Roch
ester, New York, but renewed his connection with
the manufacture of brass goods by purchasing an inter
est in the business of the McRae & Roberts Company
of Detroit in 1893. In 1902 he joined R. R. Sterling
in organizing the Sterling & Skinner Manufacturing
Company, of which he has since been the secretary
and treasurer. This company began the manufacture
of brass goods for steam, water and gas plants and
engines and for automobiles. The business was estab
lished on East Grand boulevard, where the plant has
always been maintained, and there are now on the
payroll the names of one hundred and twenty-five em
ployes, while the product is shipped to all parts of
the country. During the war period the company
made parts for trucks and submarines, under priority
orders. Aside from his connection with this business
Mr. Skinner is the president of the Detroit Motor
Casting Company and in that connection is develop
ing another productive industry of growing propor
tions. He was also at one time identified with the
Cowles & Danziger Company.
It was at St. Thomas, Ontario, that the marriage
of Mr. Skinner and Miss Jennie Nelson was cele
brated. Mrs. Skinner is a prominent member of the
Women's City Club of Detroit and also of the Daugh
ters of the British Empire, being most widely and
favorably known in women's club circles in the city.
Mr. Skinner is a Knights Templar Mason and
member of the Mystic Shrine. The religious faith
of Mr. and Mrs. Skinner is that of the Episcopal
church and socially they are most highly regarded,

812

CITY OF DETROIT

having many warm friends throughout the city. Mr.
Skinner belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce
and is interested in all of the plans of the organization
for the city's upbuilding, the extension of its busi
ness connections and the stimulus that it is putting
forth for the benefit of civic conditions. He, too,
has attractive club connections, being identified with
the Detroit, Detroit Golf and Bloomfield Hills Country
Clubs. LEWIS ALGER KOEPFGEN. Clean, upright busi
ness methods, good fellowship and all that goes toward
the requirements of high-grade citizenship have found
their expression in the life of Lewis Alger Koepfgen,
a well known and successful real estate dealer of
Detroit, whom Michigan claims as a native son. He
was born at Cass City, July 15, 1887, and is a son
of Fred and Samantha (Mudge) Koepfgen, the for
mer a native of the state of New York and the latter
of Michigan. The father came with his parents to the
middle west and was reared and educated in Port Hu
ron, becoming a prosperous farmer, while still later
he was in charge of the St. Clair county poor farm
for eighteen years, making this a model institution
of its kind in the state. He afterward retired and
spent his last years in Goodells, Miehigan, where he
died in February, 1921. The mother survives and re
sides in Goodells.
Lewis A. Koepfgen is the orily child of his parents,
and received his early education in the public schools
of Goodells, following whieh he attended the Port
Huron high sehool and was graduated in the class of
1906. At this time, a young man of nineteen, he
started on a western trip and at Box Elder, Montana,
taught school for a period, also riding the range as a
cowboy. Returning to Michigan in the fall of 1907,
he continued his education by entering the Miehigan
Agricultural College, while later he attended the Mich
igan State Normal College at Ypsilanti and Adrian
College. In the latter city he was a teacher in the
Adrian high school, and took his college work at the
same time. He also followed the profession of teach
ing at Ypsilanti and Charlotte, Michigan. Continuing
his work as an instructor, he spent one year as the
head of the commercial department of the Northeast
ern high school in Detroit and then turned his atten
tion to the real estate business in a partnership con
nection with the firm of S. E. Bruce & Company. This
was maintained until 1919, when Mr. Bruce retired
and removed to Los Angeles, California, at which time
Mr. Koepfgen took over the business on his own ac
count. He has been instrumental in placing on the
market some valuable subdivisions on the Canadian
side, including Gary, Victoria, Sunnyside and others,
and he is today a well known figure in the real estate
circles of Detroit. In addition to his activities of this
character he has developed Justamero Holstein Farm
of two hundred acres near Romeo, Michigan, convert
ing it into one of the finest dairy farms in the state

and owning there twenty-one head of the best blooded
Holstein cattle in Michigan. He has a splendid dairy
barn on the farm with' milking machines, large silos
and every modern convenience. There is also a fine
residence upon the place and in every respect his
property is a model dairy farm. Mr. Koepfgen has
always taken an aetive part in its management and
solely under his direction have the improvements been
made which have created one of the finest farm prop
erties in the state. The development of this farm
has been somewhat of a hobby as well as affording con
siderable recreation to Mr. Koepfgen.
There is another phase to Mr. Koepfgen 's activities
which has made him well known, for he is one of the
best all around athletes in the country, being an expert
boxer, wrestler and swimmer. He is known by pro
fessionals all over the country and only recently he
had a course of training with Professor Stanislaus
Zbyszko, professional champion wrestler of the world,
and his corps of trainers at his camp in the Maine
woods. On the 27th of December, 1911, Mr. Koepfgen was
married to Miss Maybell Beyers of Gould City, Mieh
igan, and they have two sons, both born in Detroit:
Beyers Bruce, whose birth occurred April 2, 1917;
and Jack Lewis, whose natal day was June 27, 1921.
Mr. Koepfgen votes with the republican party but
has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the
Masonic fraternity, in whieh he has attained the
thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is
also a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
His interest in community affairs is manifest in his
connection with the Detroit Board of Commerce, and
in the Border Cities Chamber of Commerce, while in
club circles he belongs to the Masonic Country and
Detroit Yacht Clubs. His religious faith is that of
the Methodist Episcopal church and his life has ever
been guided by high and honorable principles. While
not yet a man of middle age, he has achieved a
success that usually represents a lifetime of business
activity and has accomplished this in a manner to
retain the respect, esteem and highest standing among
his patrons and contemporaries. Mr. Koepfgen 's city
residence is at No. 12217 Cloverlawn boulevard.
ANDREW BAIRD. The vital industrial spirit that
pervades the Michigan metropolis is definitely per
sonified in the vice president of the W. J. Baird
Machinery Company and the Baird Machine & Manu
facturing Company, the headquarters of which are
maintained at the corner of Jefferson avenue and
Brush street. As vice president of these substantial in
dustrial corporations Andrew Baird is consistently
to be classified among the representative business
men of the younger generation in Detroit. He was
born at Gait, Province of Ontario, Canada, Decem
ber 9, 1882, and his parents, Crawford and Agnes
(Jardine) Baird were born and reared in Scotland,
whence they immigrated to Canada about the year

LEWIS A. KOEPFGEN

CITY OF DETROIT

815

1879, their home being now in the city of Detroit,
further record concerning them being given on another
page of this work, in the personal sketch of their
son, William J., president of the W. J. Baird Machin
ery Company.
Andrew Baird profited by the advantages not only
of the public schools of his native city but also those
of the night school conducted under the auspices of
the Young Men's Christian Association at Gait. In
the meanwhile he had initiated an apprenticeship
to the machinist's trade, and after completing his
apprenticeship he followed his trade in the operation
of woodworking machinery and served as stationary
engineer in his native province until 1909, when he
came to Detroit and became associated with his
elder brother, William J. Baird, in the organization
of the W. J. Baird Machinery Company and the
Baird Machine & Manufacturing Company, of both
of which corporations he is now vice president and to
the upbuilding of the substantial business of which
he has contributed most effectively.
•At Gait, Ontario, on the 20th of December, 1905,
Mr. Baird was united in marriage to Miss Mabel C.
Cole, whose parents William and Christine Cole, now
reside in Detroit. Mrs. Baird was summoned to the
life eternal on the 15th of May, 1920, and is sur
vived by two children: Dalziel J., born in 1910; and
Doris C, born in 1916.
Mr. Baird has won many friends in the representa
tive business and social circles of Detroit, is an
aetive member of the Detroit Board of Commerce
and the Miehigan Manufacturers Association, is in
dependent in politics, is affiliated with the Masonic
fraternity, in the Scottish Rite, and holds member
ship in the Fellowcraft Club.
FREDERICK E. McCAIN of Detroit, attorney and
certified publie accountant, was born October 21,
1875, in the eity which is still bis home, his parents
being Edmund S. and Ann J. (Ferguson) McCain.
His parents, both of whom have passed away, were
natives of the state of New York.
Frederick E. McCain obtained a public sehool edu
cation and received his pharmaceutical degree from
the Detroit College of Medicine in 1898. Changing
his plans concerning a professional career, however, he
took up the study of law in the Detroit College of
Law and won the LL. B. degree upon graduation with
the class of 1908. The same year he was admitted to
the bar and has sinee engaged in general practice,
while since 1909 he has been well known in the busi
ness circles of the eity as a certified public accountant.
For ten years he followed the pharmaceutical trade
and he was also at one time cashier for the Standard
Accident Insurance Company, which he represented
for five years. He has specialized in commercial law,
developing marked skill in that direction, and his
knowledge of that department of jurisprudence has

been of much assistance to him as he has met various
firms in the relation of public accountant.
On the 12th of November, 1916, Mr. McCain was
married to Miss Alice G. Love of Detroit, daughter of
William Love, deceased, and they have two children:
Margaret Ann, who was born July 14, 1918; and
Winifred Alice, born December 15, 1919. The religious
faith of the family is that of the Christian Science
church. He is now a special lecturer at the Y. M.
C. A. in connection with the pharmaceutical course
and he belongs to the State Pharmaceutical Asso
ciation. He is likewise a member of the Miehigan
Academy of Science and of the Detroit Institute of
Science, the Detroit Athletic Club and the Detroit
Automobile Club, and thus his interests are broad and
varied, keeping him in touch with many lines of
activity and a factor in many fields of usefulness.
HARRY E. FEARL, one of the organizers of the
Motor Finance Corporation and for some time pre
vious a member of the firm of Horton & Fearl,
dealers in used automobiles in Detroit, came to this
city in 1916. He was born in Burlington, Kansas,
and spent his youthful days in the Sunflower state,
pursuing his education in the schools of Hutchinson.
He afterward learned the jeweler's trade and was
engaged in the jewelry business in Hutchinson, Kan
sas, for a period of four years. He later went to
New Mexico and afterward to California and in both
states continued his connection with the jewelry
business. He traveled on the road as manufacturers'
agent for a merchandise brokerage house of San Fran
cisco for a period of two years and then returned to
Kansas, where he again engaged in the jewelry trade
for a year.
It was in 1916 that Mr. Fearl took up his abode- in
Detroit and at once beeame associated with Maurice
W. Fox as a salesman, thus entering into active con
nection with the automobile business. He afterward
became manager of the service department of the
same house and in October, 1919, he formed a part
nership with Donald D. Horton and established the
present business under the name of Horton & Fearl at
No. 156 East Milwaukee street. This firm is engaged
in dealing in used cars, making a specialty of the
Ford car but also handling all makes. Recently they
organized the Motor Finance Corporation whieh han
dles automobile notes. The officers of the company
are: Alonzo P. Ewing, president; Peter M. Ditzler, vice
president; and Harry E. Fearl, secretary and treasurer.
In 1917 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fearl
and Miss Grace Scoresby. Mr. Fearl belongs to the
Board of Commerce of Detroit and is interested in
the plans and purposes of that organization for the
benefit and upbuilding of the city. He finds his rec
reation in fishing. He indicates something of his
Irish ancestry in his versatility, but for several gen
erations in both the paternal and maternal lines his
ancestors have lived in America and he prides himself

816

CITY OF DETROIT

upon this fact. He is a typical young American busi
ness man, full of enterprise and determination and dis
playing in all that he undertakes pronounced busi
ness ability.
HENRY VINCENT UPINGTON, who acts as state
manager for the Fidelity & Casualty Company of New
York, his headquarters being in Detroit, has devoted
many years to insurance interests and is one of the
best known men in this line of activity in Michigan.
He was born in Cork, Ireland, November 14, 1874, a
son of Samuel Fleming and Mary (Lambkin) Uping-
ton and a nephew of the late Sir Thomas Upington,
who served as prime minister of Cape Colony, Africa.
His education was acquired in private schools of Lon
don, England, and in St. George's College at Wey-
bridge, England, and in 1888, when fourteen years of
age, he came to the United States, becoming con
nected with an insurance agency at New Rochelle,
New York. In 1898 he associated himself with the
Fidelity & Casualty Company of New York and is
now manager for that corporation in the state of
Michigan, with offices in Detroit. He devotes his
entire time and attention to his duties in this con
nection and has succeeded in building up a large
business for the company in this district. He lias
had broad experience along insurance lines and in
the conduct of the interests intrusted to his care is
proving energetic and capable, his services being very
valuable to the corporation which he represents.
In religious faith Mr. Upington is a Catholic and
bis interest in the welfare and development of De
troit is indicated by his membership in the Board of
Commerce. He is a member of the Michigan Casualty
Underwriters Association, of which he is serving as
president; is chairman of the board of the Plate Glass
Underwriters Association; and a member of the exec
utive committee of the Insurance Exchange of De
troit. He is well known in social circles of the city
as a member of the Players and the Detroit Athletic
Clubs. During the World war he was a member of
the British Recruiting Commission in Detroit and also
served as a lieutenant in connection with the promo
tion of the various Liberty Loan drives. His close
application to his business, his tireless energy and
his thorough study of insurance matters have brought
him to the front in his chosen line of work. His life
has ever been actuated by high and honorable prin
ciples and he is loyal to all those interests which make
for honorable manhood and progressive citizenship.
JAMES K. NICHOLS, attorney at law and member
of the firm of Routier & Nichols, was born at Ionia,
Michigan, September 15, 1890, his parents being
George E. and Harriet M. (Kennedy) Nichols, the for
mer a native of Grand Ledge, Michigan, while the
latter was born in Ionia, this state. The father be
came a prominent member of the Michigan bar,

practicing at Ionia under the firm style of Nichols &
Locke. His wife is also living.
James K. Nichols, their only child, attended Olivet
College, from which he was graduated with the Bach
elor of Arts degree in 1912, and then entered the
University of Chicago, winning his Ph. B. degree in
1913. He next entered the University of Miehigan
for the study of law and gained his LL. B. degree
in 1916. He began practice in association with his
father at Ionia, Miehigan, under the firm style of
Nichols & Nichols, and thus continued until April,
1917, when he enlisted in the United States service
at Camp Custer. He was later transferred to the
Forty-ninth Field Artillery and was commissioned
a second lieutenant in October, 1918, at Camp Taylor.
On his discharge from the army he was appointed
assistant prosecuting attorney at Detroit, where he
continued from January 1, 1919, until April, 1920,
and during that time he had charge of the recorder's
court. It was on the 1st of January, 1920, that the
present firm of Routier & Nichols was formed and
already they have become splendidly established as
a leading and dependable law firm with large prac- * ""
tiee of an important character. Mr. Nichols is also
one of the directors of the Michigan Auto Insurance
Company of Grand Rapids.
On the 6th of May, 1917, occurred the marriage of
James K. Nichols and Miss Kathleen B. Everitt, .of
Detroit, sister of Byron F. Everitt. They have one
child, George E. Nichols (II), born March 6, 1920.
Mr. Nichols turns for recreation to various outdoor
sports and this has led to his membership in the
Grosse He Golf Club, the Detroit Athletic Club and
the Aviation Country Club. He is likewise well
known in fraternal circles, having membership with
the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the
Odd Fellows, while along strictly professional lines
his connection is with the Detroit and Michigan Bar
Associations. HAROLD O. MILLER, secretary of the HaTry
Brothers Manufacturing Company of Detroit, has been
a resident of this city for more than two decades but
is a native of Toledo, Ohio, where his birth occurred.
In his boyhood days the family home was established
in Wisconsin, where he attended the publie schools,
and in 1900 he removed to Detroit, initiating his
business career in this city as a clerk in the offices of
W. H. Hill & Company, with whom he remained for
two years. He was afterward with the Standard
Pearl Button Company for a time and then became
connected with the Detroit Heating & Lighting Com
pany. In 1905 he joined the Harry Brothers Manu
facturing Company and in various positions acquainted
himself with the trade in every particular. He won
steady advancement by reason of his capability, fidel
ity and increasing efficiency and since 1913 he has
been the secretary of the company.
Mr. Miller is a son of Wesley and Clara (Griffith)

HENRY V. UPINGTON

Vol. rv— 52

CITY OF DETROIT

819

Miller and is descended from English ancestry in
both the paternal and maternal lines. He wedded
Mary Kenny and they have become parents of two
children, Thomas Ormond and Ethel Louise. Politi
cally Mr. Miller is a republican and fraternally he
is a Mason, belonging to Kilwinning Lodge, F. &
A. M.; King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M.; and Detroit
Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He is also connected with
several other fraternities and with the Detroit Boat
Club, and his personality has won him popularity in
the social circles in which he moves. His progres-
siveness and capability in business are manifest in
the constant promotions which have come to him and
whieh have brought him to a place of executive
leadership in the business circles of Detroit.
WALTER S. CONELY, president of the Graham
Printing Company of Detroit, was born in this city
March 26, 1873, a son of William B. and Anna (McCol-
lum) Conely, whose family numbered two children,
the daughter being Catherine C. The ancestral line
is traced back to the old Halsey family of England,
but the ancestors have been represented in this coun
try for several generations. William B. Conely, father
of Walter S. Conely, came to Michigan in 1837 and
to Detroit in 1870. He was an artist of considerable
prominence and died in 1911. His widow survives and
has recently celebrated her eighty -first birthday.
Walter S. Conely was a pupil in the public and high
schools of Detroit and his first business experience
came to him in connection with real estate interests.
He remained in that field, however, for only about a
year and a half and next entered the employ of the
William Graham Printing Company, with which he has
been identified for the past twenty-seven years. His
original position was that of bookkeeper, carrying
with it a salary of eight dollars per week. He was not
afraid to work, however, nor was he afraid of giving
his employer a greater service than he was paid for and
thus he won promotion through his faithfulness, cap
ability and diligence. In 1900 he was made secretary
of the company and in 1915 was advanced to the posi
tion of manager, while in 1918 he became vice presi
dent and general manager. In January, 1921, he was
elected president, treasurer and general manager and
is now the chief executive of the business, whieh is
today one of the important interests of this kind in
Detroit, with offices at 460 West Lamed street, where
more than thirty-five people are employed in various
capacities. The new office building at the corner of
Larned and Second streets has more than twelve thou
sand square feet of floor space. The, Graham Print
ing Company conducts a general printing business
and has built up a most enviable reputation for the
quality of work and the character of service rendered
the public, a reputation surpassed by no concern of
this kind in the city. Mr. Conely has confined his
business chiefly to Detroit, where he enjoys an ex
tensive patronage that includes a large number of

the leading commercial firms and individuals of the
city. All work is done under Mr. Conely 's supervision
and he maintains the highest standards in everything
turned out.
On the 5th of June, 1905, Mr. Conely was married
to Miss Helen Merriam and they have become parents
of two children: Kenneth R., born in 1906; and Jean
Elizabeth, bora in 1909. The parents are members of
the Christian Science' church andi politically Mr.
Conely is a republican. He is identified with Masonry
as a member of Zion Lodge, F. & A. iM., and has at
tained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite
in the Miehigan Sovereign Consistory. He likewise
belongs to the Credit Men's Association, to the Board
of Commerce, to the Detroit Auto Club, to the Caravan
Club, to the Ingleside Club, the Detroit Yacht Club
and the Exchange Club. His acceptance into the mem
bership of these different organizations indicates his
pleasing social qualities, his geniality and his un
feigned cordiality. He has been a lifelong resident of
Detroit and his entire record is a credit to the city
which numbers him among her native sons.
JOSEPH T. SCHLACKS is the vice president and
general manager of the McCord Manufacturing Com
pany of Detroit, with which business he has been iden
tified since 1912. He was born in Chicago, Illinois,
July 19, 1869, his parents being Henry and Christina
Sehlaeks. He pursued his education in the grammar
sehools of his native eity and afterward spent six
months as a student in the University of Illinois.
He entered upon his business career as a machinist
apprentice with the Illinois Central Railroad Com
pany at Chicago and afterward was advanced to the
position of draftsman, remaining continuously with
that corporation until 1890, save for the six months'
period in which he was a student in the Illinois Uni
versity. On attaining his majority he was appointed
assistant foreman of the roundhouse and shops at
Champaign, Hlinois, for the Hlinois Central Railroad,
there continuing until 1891. In the latter year he
went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as a machinist with
the Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing Company
and spent five months in that city. Later he crossed
the Atlantic and was in Germany and Austria as
representative for the Siemens & Halske Electric Com
pany, studying railway signal apparatus. After his
return to the United States in July, 1893, he repre
sented the same concern at the World's Columbian
Exposition in Chicago.
Early in 1894 Mr. Sehlaeks resigned his position
with the Siemens & Halske Electric Company and
entered into association with the Knowles & Blake
Pump Company as a salesman. In December of the
same year, however, he gave up that position on ac
count of illness and in July, 1895, he beeame general
manager of the Freeport General Electric Company at
Freeport, Illinois, where he remained until March 1,
1898, when he was appointed assistant general mana-

820

CITY OF DETROIT

ger of the Miller & Sibley Mining & Smelting Company
at Topia, Durango, Mexico. He retained this position
until July, 1900, when he was appointed master
mechanic for the Rio Grande Western Railway at
Helper, Utah, where he continued until January 31,
1902. He next joined the Fitz-Hugh, Luther Company
of Chicago as inspector and two years thereafter was
elected second vice president, with office in New York.
He so served until July 1, 1912, when he resigned and
was elected vice president and manager of the McCord
Manufacturing Company of Detroit. This company
was established as a branch of the Chicago company
of the same name. In 1908 it was incorporated as a
separate concern and business was begun in Detroit
on the 1st of January, 1909. Mr. Sehlaeks entered into
active connection therewith in 1912. Up to this time
there was no head of the plant at Detroit, the business
being directed from the Chicago office. Mr. Sehlaeks,
through the intervening period of eight years, has
remained as vice president and general manager, the
company being engaged in making automobile radia
tors and copper clad gaskets for autos and for all
purposes. The firm also manufactures railway car
window fixtures, force-feed lubricators and other spe
cialties and the business has become one of gratifying
proportions. At Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, January 25, 1899, Mr.
Sehlaeks was married to Miss Bertha Ann Redfearn.
They have four children, namely: Charles Henry,
Josephine Redfearn, Joseph Theodore, Jr., and Albert
Redfearn. Mr. Sehlaeks belongs to the Detroit Club,
Detroit Athletic Club, Freeport Club, the Catholic Club
of New York and the Oakland Hills Country Club,
His experiences along lines of mechanical industrv
have been wide and varied and in the school of ex
perience he has learned valuable lessons which, put
to the practical test, have gained him advancement to
a point where his business ability is widely recognized.
CHARLES J. MERBACH. While the spirit of de
mocracy tolerates no titles and no pretensions to super
iority in America, there is one class of men who always
command the respect of their fellows and who are
deserving of the highest commendation. This is the
self-made man who owes his advancement to individual
effort intelligently directed — the man who promotes
his fortunes through constructive methods and never
wins his successes at the price of other men's fail
ures. Such a man was Charles J. Merbach, who,
prompted by a laudable ambition in early manhood,
started out to win victory and who became one of
the most prominent shoe merchants of Detroit, while
many accorded him the place of leadership in his
chosen line. Moreover, his course was ever such as
to win the respect and confidence of his fellowmen
and Detroit numbered him among her representative
citizens. Mr. Merbach was a native of Wisconsin,
his birth having occurred in Portage City, March 15,
1859. He was one of a family of three children born

to Charles J. and Elenore (Wackershausen) Merbach.
The father conducted a prosperous business as a gen
eral merchant at Portage City, Wisconsin, to the time
of his death, which occurred in the year 1859. His
widow long survived him, passing away in Detroit
in 1893.
Charles J. Merbach was a small boy when he came
to Detroit. He completed his education at the Barstow
school and in young manhood he made his initial
step in business as an employe of the well known
firm of Boothroyd & Gibbs. From the beginning
he was actuated by a laudable ambition to progress.
He felt that he was responsible for his own fortunes
and he recognized the fact that energy and determina
tion are an excellent foundation upon which to build
prosperity. Accordingly he used every legitimate ad
vantage for the attainment of his ends, and as the
architect of his own fortunes he builded wisely and
well. He became connected with the shoe trade when
he entered the store of C. R. Mabley at the age of
nineteen years and in time became assistant mana
ger in the store, in which he continued for a period
of several years. He then became connected with the
firm of Bracy, Diehl & Company, photographers, with
whom he was associated for a year and in January,
1891, embarked in business independently at No. 122
Gratiot avenue, where he remained for eighteen years
or until he retired in December, 1909. He steadily
advanced by reason of his close study of market con
ditions and his thorough understanding of the demands
of the trade, coupled with earnest desire to please
his patrons. His business grew year by year and in
time assumed extensive proportions, making his one
of the leading shoe houses of the city. He carried
a large and fine stock of shoes and received his pat
ronage from many of Detroit's best families. After
retiring from the shoe business Mr. Merbach devoted
his attention to real estate interests. In 1905 he
and Mrs. Merbach completed the erection of the Mer
bach apartments at John R and Erskine streets, which
they later disposed of. In 1913 the Carola Apartment
hotel was erected by them and for nearly two years
they conducted this hotel after it was opened. This
property is still owned by the family.
On the 16th of September, 1884, Mr. Merbach was
united in marriage to Miss Rosa Schmidt, a daughter
of John G. Schmidt of Detroit. Mrs. Merbaeh is a
woman of unusual business ability and her aid and
counsel were no small factors in the business success
of her husband. They became parents of one daughter,
Mrs. Lola Merbaeh Hamilton. The family circle was
broken when on the 5th of May, 1920, Mr. Merbach
passed away. Mrs. Merbach is a member of the Uni-
versalist church, in which Mr. Merbach also held
membership, and she and her daughter are members
of the Twentieth Century Club of Detroit and Tuesday
Musicale Club, while Mrs. Hamilton belongs to the
Woman's Historical Club and Mrs. Merbach is a past
matron of Detroit Chapter of the Eastern Star. Mrs.

CHARLES J. MERBACH

CITY OF DETROIT

823

Merbach is a member of the Past Matrons Club of
Detroit Chapter of the Eastern Star and also belongs
to the Wimodausis Association.
In politics Mr. Merbaeh was a stanch republican,
giving earnest support to the party, and he was one
of the prominent Masons of the city, holding mem
bership in Kilwinning Lodge, F. & A. M.; King' Cyrus
Chapter, R. A. M.; Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T.;
and the Michigan Sovereign Consistory. He also be
longed to Moslem Temple and to the Masonic Country
Club and he had the warmest friendship of his Masonic
brethren. His life measured up to the highest stand
ards and can well serve as a source of inspiration and
encouragement to others, showing what can be accom
plished in the way of upbuilding business and of de
veloping character.
GEORGE G. EPSTEAN, operating in real estate
circles in Detroit, was born September 21, 1874, in
the eity which is still his home, his parents, Isaac
and Bloome Epstean, locating in Detroit in the late
'50s. The father, who devoted many years to mer
cantile pursuits in Detroit,- died in 1879. His widow
survives and is yet living in Detroit.
George G. Epstean, their only child, attended the
public sehools of Detroit during the period of his
boyhood and youth and afterward beeame a student
in the Detroit University, from whieh he was grad
uated on the completion of a Business administration
course in 1891. He then became cashier for the real
estate firm of McLaughlin Brothers of Detroit, with
whom he continued for several years, his experience
there awakening his deep interest in the business and
a recognition of its possibilities. He soon acquired
a good working knowledge of real estate and after.
resigning his position he decided to engage in business
on his own account. It was not long before he had
become a successful operator in this field, specializing
in central business property and he is now an acknowl
edged authority on real estate values. He conducts
a general real estate business, handling all kinds of
property, principally on his own account. He belongs
to the Detroit Real Estate Board, helping to reor
ganize it in 1906 and being its first secretary. He
is also a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce.
On the 5th of February, 1902, Mr. Epstean was
married to Miss Anna Frankensteen, a daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. LaBelle Frankensteen of Detroit, and
they have three children: Agnes Florence, born in
1905; Kenneth Ralph, bom in 1908; and Marjorie
Irma, born in 1910. All were born in Detroit and are
attending sehool here. Mr. Epstean is a member of
the Phoenix City Club and also of the Redford Country
Club. He deserves much credit for what he has ac
complished in a business way, as his enterprise and
energy have enabled him to overcome all obstacles
and difficulties in his path. He has ever made it
his purpose to study thoroughly every question re
lating to his chosen line of labor and there is perhaps

no one who can speak more intelligently concerning
the real estate situation and the property that is on
the market in Detroit than can Mr. Epstean.
ROBERT B. SWART, general manager of the Detroit
Heater Corporation, was born in Margaretville, New
York, and pursued his early education in the dis
trict school, while later he attended the Eastman
Business College at Poughkeepsie and eventually be
came an assistant professor in that commercial school.
Later, however, he went west and for twelve years
was engaged in general merchandising and banking in
the state of Washington. It was in November, 1898,
that he arrived in Detroit and after a year spent as
shoe salesman in the employ of G. A. Lindke he entered
the shoe department of the Partridge & Blackwell
Company as manager. He was afterward manager
with the Emerson Shoe Store for five. years and then
became special agent for the Sun Life Insurance Com
pany, a position which he occupied for four years.
On the expiration of that period he embarked in the
manufacture of metal window screens and later be
came state manager in Michigan for the Burrowes
Screen Company of Portland, Maine, occupying the
position for three years. In the summer of 1918
he became the general manager of the Detroit Heater
Corporation and has sinee acted in this capacity. The
business is a growing concern, with trade covering the
entire United States. They make gas and kerosene
heaters, which have already become most popular on
the market. The sale of their heaters is now very
extensive and the enterprise has become one of the
important industries in Detroit. He is a man of
great energy, remarkable for his initiative and for
his executive ability. He forms his plans readily, is
determined in their execution and never stops short
of the successful accomplishment of his purpose be
cause he recognizes the fact that when one avenue of
opportunity seems closed he can carve out other paths
whereby to reach the desired goal.
In 1889 Mr. Swart was united in marriage to Miss
Ora Pearsall and they have two sons: Carl B. and
Robert Emerson. The elder son enlisted in July,
1918, after being rejected upon several previous at
tempts to enlist. He was at length accepted, however,
and was assigned to the Quartermaster's Department
at Camp Johnston and served there until given his
honorable discharge in January, 1919; the younger son
is a student in the University of Miehigan, class of '22.
Mr. Swart is a member of the Central Methodist
church of Detroit and for several years served as as
sistant .superintendent of its Sunday school and a
member of its board of stewards. He is keenly in
terested in all that pertains to the moral progress of
the community or that has to do with the uplift of
the individual and the advancement of public welfare.
He has so arranged his time and divided his interests
that he can successfully carry on business affairs and
also find leisure for activity along other directions,

824

CITY OF DETROIT

and his cooperation can be counted upon for any
project that tends to further the material, intellectual,
social and moral progress of the community.
GLENARD FRANK SAXE is a well known repre
sentative of the automobile industry in Detroit, being
secretary and treasurer of the Walker-Saxe Company,
dealers in Ford cars. He was born at Whitehall,
Illinois, January 16, 1882, a son of Elias James and
Julia (Musson) Saxe, both of whom were natives of
Ohio. He obtained his education in the public sehools
of his native city and in 1898, when a youth of six
teen years, he came to Detroit, here accepting a posi
tion in the stationery department of the firm of
Wright, Kay & Company, with which he was identified.
for three years. Subsequently he spent four and a
half years in railroad work and on the expiration of
that period became connected with the automobile
business in the service of the Regal- people. Event
ually, however, he associated himself with Henry
Ford, continuing with the mammoth Ford enterprise
until August 25, 1916, when the Walker-Saxe Com
pany was formed and Mr. Saxe became the secretary
and treasurer of the incorporated concern. They are
Ford authorized dealers in Ford cars and in this
connection have built up an extensive and most grat
ifying patronage. Mr. Saxe is a member of the Fel
lowcraft Athletic Club, and is widely recognized as
a self-made man whose enterprise and reliability have
been salient factors in his successful business career.
In 1902 Mr. Saxe was united in marriage to Miss
Grace C. Fisher, a daughter of James Fisher. They
have won many warm friends during the period of
their residence here, their genuine personal worth
having commended them to the confidence and esteem
of all with whom they have been associated. Mr. Saxe
resides at 8524 Lasalle boulevard.
FRED WARDELL is the president of the Eureka
Vacuum Cleaner Company and in this connection is
demonstrating Detroit's right to rank with the most
rapidly growing industrial centers of the world. That
he is placing upon the market a product equal if not
superior to all others is indicated in the fact that
at the recent Hygenie Exhibition in Brussels, Belgium,
the Eureka vacuum cleaner was awarded the grand
prize — a record of which the company has every
reason to be proud. Moreover, the company is build
ing up a splendid organization not only in the manu
facturing department but in the salesmanship depart
ment as well, and today its product is known through
out the world. Classed with the representative busi
ness men of Detroit, Fred Wardell was born in Toron
to, Canada, March 30, 1866, and is a son of Orrin
and Mary (Pennock) Wardell, both of whom were of
Canadian birth. They removed with their family
to Detroit in 1873 and the father established what
was known as the firm of Wardell & Sons, auctioneers.

The business gradually developed and the firm was
well known throughout Detroit and the surrounding
country, the father enjoying an enviable reputation
as an auctioneer for forty years. Both he and his
wife passed away in Detroit in 1915. Their family
numbered seven children, three of whom are living:
Charles R., Mrs. W. G. Evans and Fred, all of Detroit.
The last named was a lad of but seven years when
he accompanied his parents to this city and here in
the public schools he pursued his education. After
his textbooks were put aside he became associated
with his father and soon gained a wide reputation
as an autioneer, studying closely every point of sales
manship having to do with that line of business.
He was thus aetive with his father for twenty-one
years and then in 1902 engaged in the electrical busi
ness, eventually developing the Eureka vacuum cleaner.
The company of which he is now the head was estab
lished in 1909 and the vacuum cleaner is recognized
as one of the most useful and valuable household
necessities. The business was started on a small
scale but through judicious methods has grown to
be one of the largest in .the country. The building
now occupied by the Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Com
pany on Broadway in Detroit constitutes the home
office and is devoted exclusively to this business, which
is now growing with notable rapidity. Salesrooms
are also maintained in practically all the different
countries of the world, over two thousand agencies
having been established throughout this country and
abroad. The Eureka is one of the best advertised
vacuum cleaners on the face of the globe and is one
of the best sellers, which fact is due not only to the
splendid organization that has been built up for
placing the product upon the market but also because
of the superiority of the cleaner over all others. The
officers of the company are: Fred Wardell, president;
A. L. McCarthy, vice president and general manager;
P. A. Barnard, secretary and treasurer; V. W. Young,
sales manager; and C. E. Smock, advertising mana
ger. The company issues a monthly magazine called
"Volume and Velocity," in which is discussed every
problem that relates to the trade in point of manu
facture and sales. Many of its articles are contrib
uted by the concern's own representatives from all
sections of the country and various articles are also
written by prominent representatives of commercial
and industrial activity in other lines. The magazine
constitutes a stimulating influence in the development
of the business, which is now one of the large and
growing concerns of Detroit, contributing to the well
earned reputation of the city as one of the great
industrial centers of America. One of the local papers
said recently: "Demand for Detroit-made products
in the industrially-paralyzed countries of Europe and
the high regard in which these locally manufactured
goods are held is reflected, in the award of the Grand
Prix just made to the Eureka vacuum cleaner at the
Hygenic Exhibition, Brussels, Belgium. Word of the

FRED WARDELL

CITY OF DETROIT

827

award has just been received in Detroit by the com
pany from its European representative. With the
necessity for employing available labor, much reduced
by war casualties, to a degree of highest efficiency,
the vacuum cleaner has been seized upon by large
hotels and thousands of private home owners as the
best means of solving the cleaning problem. Only
the difficulty of supplying the home demand has pre
vented the Detroit concern from meeting the request
of its agents for machines in full. With the enlarge
ment of the plant last fall and the. erection of a
modern daylight factory at » Dewey and Greenwood
avenues to take the place of its outgrown quarters
on Bates street, the company expects an increased
output that will enable it to fill adequately the export
demand. This is the second award to be made the
Detroit company, its machines having taken the grand
prize at the San Franeisco-Panama Exposition." Per
haps no better indication of the growth of the busi
ness can be given than the fact that the sales force
of the company now numbers two hundred and eighty-
five, while its employes number one thousand people,
all told.
On the 25th of January, 1893, Mr. Wardell was
married to Miss Helen F. Williams of Detroit, daugh
ter of Captain and Mrs. W. H. Williams. Mr. Wardell
is a communicant of St. Andrew's Episcopal church
and his political belief is that of the republican
party. He belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, the
Detroit Golf Club, the Oakland Hills Country Club,
the Pine Lake Country Club, the Detroit Automobile
Club and the Columbia Country Club of Washington,
D. C. Fraternally he is a Mason and has taken the
degrees of the York Rite and of the Mystic Shrine. He
belongs also to the Detroit Board of Commerce. In
a review of his career it will be noted that opportunity
has ever been to him the call to action. The chance
for progress and advancement finds him alert and he
has eagerly embraced every advantage that has been
offered for the legitimate development of his busi
ness affairs. A broader vision has constantly opened
up before him as he has advanced and he has learned
to value correctly every chance and business opening
and to judge correctly every condition. Through the
war period, when manufacture and trade were largely
paralyzed, he safely guided the industry and then
with the close of hostilities he was ready to build
upon a sure and stable foundation. His sound judg
ment is evidenced in the success of his undertaking,
which has become an important one even in this city
of great industrial activity.
HARRY W. WYATT, who is rapidly coming to the
front in manufacturing circles in Detroit, being now
secretary and treasurer of the Detroit Gray Iron
Foundry Company, was bora in Omaha, Nebraska, June
10, 1885, and is a son of Henry and Alice Jane (Hop
kins) Wyatt, both of whom are natives of England.
They came to America in the early '80s, settling in

Omaha, where the father was employed as an account
ant and auditor, devoting his life to that profession.
He beeame assistant auditor for the Chicago, Burling
ton & Quincy Railroad Company at Omaha and later
resigned that position in order to remove to Detroit.
Here he occupied the position of assistant auditor with
the firm of Parke, Davis & Company and is still a
representative of that corporation. His wife is also
living, as are their two children, Sidney Thomas and
Harry W., who is the elder.
In his boyhood days Harry W. Wyatt attended the
public sehools of Omaha and continued his education
in Creighton University of that city, from which he
was graduated in 1902. He then entered the employ
of the Chieago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at
Omaha and in June, 1906, came to Detroit with his
parents. Here he was in the treasurer's office of
Parke, Davis & Company until 1912, 'when he resigned
and opened a public accountant's offiee in the Security
Trust building, after which time he conducted a very
successful business, his clientage steadily growing
until January, 1917, when he sold out and became in
terested in the Detroit Gray Iron Foundry Company,
of which he has since been the secretary and treasurer
and also one of the board of directors. His broad
experience and business capacity are contributing to
the further success of this enterprise.
On the 23d of June, 1917, Mr. Wyatt was married
to Miss Irene Isabelle Holmes of Detroit, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. J. Wallace Holmes. He is a member of
the Masonic fraternity and also of the Fellowcraft
Athletic Club and is highly esteemed, having a large
circle of warm friends in Detroit as well as many
pleasant business associates.
DR. ALPHEUS F. JENNINGS is one of the
younger representatives of the medical profession in
Detroit. Since 1912 he has practiced in association
with his father, Dr. Charles Godwin Jennings, who was
born in Leroy, New York, February 4, 1857, his parents
being Thomas A. and Matilda (Godwin) Jennings.
Thomas A. Jennings is a graduate of Mynderse
Academy of Seneca Falls, New York, being numbered
among its alumni of 1875. His professional course was
pursued in the Detroit Medical College, which con
ferred upon him his M.D. degree in 1879. The follow
ing year he entered upon active practice in this city
and has remained in the work of the profession, long
since reaching a place of leadership as a most able
physician. Sinee 1897 he has been professor of the
practice of medicine in the Detroit College of Medi
cine and he is now consulting physician of Harper
Hospital. Since 1901 he has been president of the
Detroit Clinical Laboratory and he is chiefly interested
in everything that tends to bring to man the key to
the complex mystery which we call life. He holds the
rank of captain in the U. S. A. Medical Reserve Corps
and he belongs to the Wayne County and Michigan
State Medical Societies, the Detroit Academy of Medi-

828

CITY OF DETROIT

cine and the American Medical Association, also to the
American Climatological Association, the American
Pediatric Society, of which he was president in 1904,
and various social and civic organizations. He mar
ried Helen Louise Felch, a daughter of Governor
Alpheus Felch.
Their only child is Dr. Alpheus Felch Jennings of
this review, who was born in Detroit, June 22, 1884,
and reared in this city. He attended the Detroit
University School and afterward entered the Univer
sity of Miehigan for a classical course, winning the
Bachelor of Arts degree in 1907. He then went east
for professional training and matriculated in the medi
cal department of Harvard University, which con
ferred upon him his M.D. degree in 1910. After two
years spent as interne and house physician in the
Massachusetts General Hospital he returned to Detroit
in 1912 and became associated with his father in
the practice of medicine. He is now junior attending
physician to Harper Hospital and is engaged in gen
eral practice. He is a member of the Wayne County
and Michigan State Medical Societies, the American
Medical Association and the Detroit Academy of
Medicine. On the 17th of April, 1912, Dr. Jennings was united
in marriage to Miss Catharine Longworth Anderson,
a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. P. Anderson, repre
sentatives of a very prominent family of Grosse He,
Miehigan. Dr. and Mrs. Jennings have become
parents of three children: Charles Godwin, (II), born
in Detroit, in March, 1914; Fred Anderson, born in
Detroit, in December, 1915; and Richard Hall, born
in May, 1917. The two elder sons are in sehool. Dr.
Jennings belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon frater
nity and has membership in the University and Coun
try Clubs. He is also a member of Christ church.
FREDERICK S. STOEPEL is the president of the
Stoepel Land Company of Detroit and by reason of
indefatigable energy, close application and discrimin
ating enterprise he has made for himself a most
creditable place in real estate circles. He was born
in this city in 1882. His father was Frederick C.
-Stoepel, whose birth occurred in Germany in 1846 and
who was a son of William Stoepel, a native of Ger
many, who came to Detroit about 1851, casting in his
lot with the early residents of the city. He was a
building contractor and here passed away. His son,
Frederick C. Stoepel, established a wholesale dry goods
business in Detroit in 1875 as a member of the firm
of Burnham, Stoepel & Company, which is still in
existence. A branch house was opened in Kansas
City, Missouri, in 1890, under the firm style of Burnham,
Hanna, Munger & Company, which today is carried
on under the name of the Burriham-Munger-Root Dry
Goods Company. For an extended period Frederick
C. Stoepel was thus prominently associated with the
commercial interests of Detroit, occupying a com
manding position in wholesale dry goods circles. In

1881 he married Anna R. Sutton, who is still living
in Detroit, but the death of Frederick C. Stoepel
occurred in 1917.
To some extent in public but largely in private
schools of Detroit, Frederick S. Stoepel was edu
cated and after mastering the preliminary branches
of learning he went east to Exeter, New Hampshire,
where he entered the Phillips Exeter Academy, from
which he was graduated with the class of 1901. He
then returned to Detroit, where he became connected
with the wholesale dry goods business of whieh his
father had been one of the promoters and in which
he is still interested. His active association with that
undertaking covered a period of twelve years, after
which he turned his attention to the real estate busi
ness, primarily to look after his father's real estate
and also property holdings belonging to his mother.
He has so continued and is now the president of the
Stoepel Land Company, also the president of the
Stoepel Realty Company and conducts his own real
estate business under his individual name. He like
wise maintains a general insurance agency and dis
plays splendid business ability in the management of
the interests under his direction.
On the 27th of December, 1906, in Memphis, Ten
nessee, Mr. Stoepel was married to Miss lorantha
Mary Semmes, a daughter of James Malcolm Semmes,
the latter a nephew of Admiral Semmes. Mr. and
Mrs. Stoepel have become the parents of four children:
Mary Anne; lorantha Jordan; Ellen Semmes; and
Fredericka Josephine.
Mr. Stoepel served in the quartermaster's depart
ment in St. Louis during the period of the World
war. He was commissioned a first lieutenant on the
29th of October, 1918, and was honorably discharged
in January, 1919, spending that period in St. Louis.
His political endorsement is given to the republican
party and he is a well known figure in social circles,
his personal qualities making for popularity in the
different clubs to whieh he belongs, including the
Detroit Club, Detroit Athletic, Detroit Country,
Bloomfield Open Hunt and Indian Village Clubs and to
the Board of Commerce. He belongs also to the First
Congregational church and the motive forces of his
life have ever been such as would bear the closest
investigation and scrutiny, measuring up to the high
est standards of manhood and citizenship.
DR. HARLOW B. DRAKE, who for many years
was numbered among the most prominent physicians
of Detroit, passed away July 5, 1921. He was born at
Fremont, Indiana, on the 27th of November, 1848, and
was the son of Dr. Elijah H. and Cornelia R. (Blakes-
lee) Drake. The father brought his family to Detroit
in 1852 and here entered into partnership with Dr.
John R. Ellis. He became a well known and noted
representative of the medical fraternity, practicing for
a time in association with his son, under the style of
Dr. E. H. Drake & Son.

FREDERICK S. STOEPEL

CITY OF DETROIT

831

Harlow B. Drake obtained his early education in the
public schools of Detroit and later entered the Massa
chusetts Institute of Technology at Boston, from
which he was graduated with the class of 1869. Hav
ing determined to follow in his father's professional
footsteps, he matriculated in the Hahnemann Medical
College of Philadelphia, which institution conferred
upon him the degree of M. D. at his graduation in
1873. In April of that year he began practice in
Detroit in association with his father, with whom
he remained until November, 1874, while from 1875
until 1877 he was in partnership with Dr. Miller.
After eight years of success as a homeopathic prac
titioner of Detroit he was obliged to give up his work
because of impaired health and went west to live on
a stock ranch. When the outdoor life had fully re
stored his health he settled in Portland, Oregon, where
he practiced his profession from 1885 until 1900.
The following year he returned to Detroit, here re
maining an aetive and leading representative of the,
medical fraternity to the time of his demise. "Devo
tion to his profession and untiring care of his patients
are outstanding characteristics in the long and suc
cessful career of Dr. Drake," said one of the local
papers in reviewing his life. He was a member of the
medical staff of Grace Hospital and belonged to the
American Institute of Homeopathy, the Homeopathic
Medical Society of Miehigan, the Detroit Practitioners
Club, the American Medical Association, the Wayne
County Medical Society and the Homeopathic Medical
Society of Oregon.
On the 22d of April, 1874, in Detroit, Dr. Drake
was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor C. Swain, who
passed away in January, 1910. To them were born
two daughters, Mrs. C. D. Johnston of Los Angeles,
California; and Eleanor J., who resides in the Pasadena
apartments, where Dr. Drake spent the last years of
his life. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to Union Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M., and he
was likewise a member of the Sons of the American
Revolution. Driving afforded him needed recreation
but his leisure hours were few, as he was an extremely
busy and successful practitioner, constantly over
burdened by demands for his services, both profes
sionally and socially. His death brought a sense of
deep bereavement to many, for he was held in high
esteem wherever known and had gained many friends
in this city during the long years of his professional
service here.
DANIEL A. SULLIVAN, engaged in the brokerage
business as a member of the firm of Sullivan & Driggs,
was born in Ireland but was only three years of age when
brought to the United States by his parents. For two
years the family home was maintained in New York and
at the end of that time was established in Detroit. Daniel
A. Sullivan attended the parochial schools of this city and
also the Detroit University, then known as Detroit
College. After a four years' college course, in which he

specialized in the literary course, he took a position with
the Western Union Telegraph Company, doing clerical
work. He was afterward engaged in the retail grocery
business and still later with the wholesale grocery house
known as the National Grocery Company. In 1916 he
became one of the partners in the firm of Sullivan & Driggs,
brokers, which is doing most efficient work in this field
and constitutes one of the popular firms of commercial
brokers in the city. They handle food products as a
specialty and have built up an extensive business.
Mr. Sullivan was married to Miss Rose M. Jolivette and
they have become parents of three sons: Daniel A., Jr.,
John J. and Robert W. The religious faith of the family
is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Sullivan belongs
to the Knights of Columbus. He is an unusually bright
and successful young business man, alert, energetic and
ready for any opportunity that is presented. His enter
prise leads him into new and untried paths, while his
sound judgment precludes the possibility of serious
mistakes. He is rapidly building up an extensive clientele
and his brokerage business has already assumed large and
gratifying proportions.
FRANK E. HOSKINS, formerly president of the
Crescent Laundry Company and long one of the active
business men of Detroit, was born in Toledo, Ohio,
August 24, 1869, his parents being William Henry and
Mary Louise (Johnson) Hoskins, the former a native of
Bangor, Maine, while the latter was born in Utica, New
York. In early life they removed to Ohio and the father
engaged in farming near Toledo, becoming one of the
successful agriculturists of that section. He is now
deceased but is still survived by his widow, who makes
her home in Toledo, Ohio. To them were born four
sons: Charles Herbert, residing at Grosse Pointe, Michi
gan; William Henry, living at Rochester, Michigan; John
Clifford, of Pontiac; and Frank E., of this review.
In early life Frank E. Hoskins attended the Erie Street
school of Toledo and subsequently pursued a business
course. He afterward devoted his attention to various
lines until he entered the railroad ticket brokerage busi
ness, buying and selling railroad tickets to various points.
He was thus engaged for a number of years and made a
success of the business. Eventually he sold out and
turned his attention to the laundry business at Findlay,
Ohio, where he remained for several years. He then
sold his interests there and came to Detroit, where he
again established a railroad ticket brokerage business
on his own account at Fourth and Griswold streets,
where he remained for several years. He then gave up
the business to become a traveling salesman and after
several years spent in that connection, at the earnest
solicitation of his brother Charles, who in the meantime
had established a laundry but was about to engage in
other lines, Mr. Hoskins left the road and returned to
Detroit, where he took over the laundry business, which
he developed to very substantial proportions, conducting
his interests under the name of the Crescent Laundry
Company, of which he was the president. He made

832

CITY OF DETROIT

this one of the profitable concerns of the kind in the city
and incorporated the business in 1915. He had one of
the finest equipped plants in the city, employing from
seventy to eighty people. He was also a director of the
Roseland Park cemetery but has disposed of all holdings
in Detroit and is now located at 815 West Sixth street
in Los Angeles, California.
On the 4th 6i October, 1904, Mr. Hoskins was married
to Miss Georgiana Wilson, of Detroit, daughter of Dr.
and Mrs. S. J. Wilson. They have two children: Jessie
U., who attended school in Toledo; and Robert Lee, now
a high school pupil. Both were born in Detroit.
Mr. Hoskins was a member of the Fellowcraft Club and
also of the Detroit Board of Commerce. He was interested
in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of
the city and along the line of his chosen vocation he be
came a member of the Michigan State and National
Laundrymen's Associations.
WILLIAM H. DUCHARME, treasurer of the Kelsey
Wheel Company of Detroit since its organization in
1909, was born December 18, 1866, in the city which
is still his home, his parents being Charles and Elsie
Elizabeth (Bartholomew) Ducharme, a sketch of the
father appearing elsewhere in this publication. The
publie schools accorded him his educational opportuni
ties and he started out in the business world on his
own account as order clerk in the employ of Freeman,
Delamater & Company, wholesale dealers in heavy
hardware, in 1892. Capability and fidelity to the in
terests of the house brought him advancement from
time to time and in 1902 he was elected to the vice
presidency of this concern, with which he was con
nected for seventeen years. In 1909 he beeame one
of the three organizers of the Kelsey Wheel Company,
of which he was elected treasurer, a position he has
continuously filled. This company manufactures com
plete automobile wheels and also parts for wheels.
In 1916 the Kelsey Wheel Company was reorganized
with a capital of ten million dollars and is today one
of the leading productive industries of Detroit.
• On the 23d of December, 1907, Mr. Ducharme was
united in marriage to Miss Frances Kelley and they
have become the parents of two children: Ruth E.
and William C. Mr. Ducharme has long been con
nected with the Masonic fraternity. He belongs to
Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M.; King Cyrus Chapter, No.
133, R. A. M.; and Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T.,
while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has
crossed the sands of the desert. He is also a mem
ber of the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Boat
Club, the Country Club, the Grosse He Country Club,
the Lochmoor Country Club and also of the Detroit
Board of Commerce. Mr. Ducharme was a member of
the famous D. A. C. baseball team of the early nineties,
twice winning the national amateur championship. He
finds his recreation in athletics and outdoor diversions
but is strictly a business man and one whose pro-

gressiveness is manifest in the constant development
of the important interests under his control. His keen
sagacity has enabled him readily to recognize the
value of every business situation and to differentiate
between the essential and nonessential in all business
connections. FRANK A. REED. There stands as a splendid mon
ument to the ability, the humanitarian spirit and
the noble character of Frank A. Reed the institution
whieh is known as the Reed Sehool. This institution
has been of the greatest assistance to children suf
fering from irregularities in speech, and back of the
school have stood two strong personalities — Mr. and
Mrs. Frank A. Reed, the former now having passed
on, while the latter continues her work as head of
the institution founded by herself and her husband.
Frank A. Reed was born in Maine, June 6, 1863. He
was accorded liberal educational opportunities and
his own thorough training well qualified him to take
up the work to which he later devoted his life.
Conceiving the plan of establishing a sehool, his
ideas found their culmination in the organization
of the Reed Sehool for the Correction of Stam
mering in 1900, while the scope of the school was
further extended in 1901 by the addition of a de
partment for the scientific training of children of
extremely nervous temperament or who are backward
or slow in mental development. The spirit of the
institution is shown in the words of Emerson, which
appear on the pages of the attractive pamphlet which
they issue: "Most welcome they who need us most,
for greater need draws better deed." Mr. and Mrs.
Reed were actively associated in founding and de
veloping the school, and virtually two sehools are now
conducted by Mrs. Reed, who is executive head of
both, the two schools being indicated in the two lines
mentioned above. Th'e work thus organized and pro
moted is of such character as to win Mr. and Mrs.
Reed enduring fame as benefactors of their race. Mr.
Reed devoted the greater part of his life to the work
and made consecutive progress as the years passed.
Each forward step brought him a wider vision and
broader outlook and in all that he undertook Mrs.
Reed was associated with him as his aetive helper and
coadjutor. Both made a comprehensive and pains
taking study of the theory and practice of normal
and abnormal speech and their research, of a most
exhaustive character, covered all leading methods,
ancient and modern, that they might become fa
miliar with the best thoughts of the world's greatest
scientists, philosophers, physiologists, psychologists,
educators and specific exponents of natural speech pro
duction and control. Many thousands of cases of
stammering and stuttering have incidentally come
under their personal supervision and instruction, and
in relation thereto most careful scientific observa
tions were made, a proper record being kept for
later reference. Through such a method of scientific

WILLIAM H. DUCHARME

Vol. TV— 5 3

CITY OF DETROIT

835

research and practical experience the Reed plan of
instruction was evolved and the work carried steadily
forward under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Reed
until his untimely demise. In one of the school
catalogues appeared the following: "Sinee the death
of Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed has continued the work and
study and has further elaborated, systematized,
adapted and perfected the method until it is unques
tionably the most logical, comprehensive and uniformly
successful method ever devised for the correction of
the distressing habit of stammering. It is complete
in every detail and covers every possible phase, con
dition or peculiarity that may arise in any ease, from
the mildest to the most severe. The experimental
stage has long since been passed, and every principle
taught has been proven correct in many hundreds of
eases. "There is nothing secret about the Reed method.
Its exponent does not claim to have made some
mysterious discovery whieh gives her and her alone
the power of freeing stammering tongues with little
or no exertion on the part of the persons under
instruction. . . . While the Reed method dif
fers radically from every other in many important
particulars, it is identical with every other legitimate
method in one fundamental respect, inasmuch as it is
purely educational in its character. All authorities
on the subject, throughout the civilized world, now
agree that relief from stammering is to be afforded
only along educational lines, the only difference of
opinion being as to the details of the instruction.
The only sure way of ascertaining the best possible
means of educational correction is by intelligent, prac
tical trial, on pupils of all ages and temperaments, of
very carefully chosen and faithfully utilized methods
advocated by competent authorities, followed by a
strictly impartial comparison of the results attained
by them when put to the test of actual use under
ordinary, every-day conditions. Mrs. Reed has had
exceptional opportunities for the making of such a
trial during, the past thirty years, and the result is
embodied in a course of instruction for the correction
of stammering which is complete in every detail."
Provisions are made in the sehool for the proper
instruction of those afflicted with any manner of
imperfect speech and the successful results achieved
by the instruction here given are manifest in the
hundreds of letters of heartfelt thanks of which Mr.
and Mrs. Reed have been the recipients. The Reed
method of curing imperfect speech has been officially
adopted by the public schools of Detroit and since
1910 teachers of the public schools have taken the
special teachers' course of instruction offered by Mrs.
Reed in her school for stammering. It is her most
laudable and commendable ambition that the system
shall be adopted for use in the publie schools through
out the Union, in order that help may be thus given
to thousands of little ones whose struggles in over
coming speech irregularities are most formidable with

out more specific means of instruction than are af
forded in the regular public school curriculum.
Concerning the department for children who are
extremely nervous or who are retarded somewhat
in mental development, it may be said that its func
tions are most benignant and most admirably exer
cised. The institution is another monument to the
humane spirit of Mr. and Mrs. Reed, and its facilities
are of the best in every detail of service and in
struction. The school issues pamphlets which give
full details concerning the sehool, its methods and
the results achieved, the institution issuing the fol
lowing statement in its literature: "The purpose of
this school is to furnish a practical and scientific
course of mental and physical training that will
bring about the best possible development of chil
dren who need more individual attention than can pos
sibly be given them in the public sehools, or in the
parochial and the secular private sehools. In the at
tainment of this purpose the aim of the management
is to provide a home, with healthful and pleasantly
stimulating surroundings and Christian influences. A
special study is made of the individual deficiencies of
each child, and every possible effort is made to
develop those faculties the backwardness of whieh
is preventing the child from advancing equally with
other children'.
"In eases where the child cannot be brought to a
normal condition, attention is directed to the teach
ing of muscular control, with the thought of educating
the child eventually to some form of handiwork,
whieh will enable it to become useful and self-
reliant. The Reed School is not intended for children
who are hopelessly deficient — for those who can be
taught very little or nothing. It is for nervous chil
dren; for children who are backward or slow; for
children who can be taught under proper conditions
but yet cannot obtain even a good start unless they
be given patient, skilled individual instruction.
"The principal Reed School buildings are on Hub
bard avenue, two squares from the Grand boulevard—
the broad and beautiful thoroughfare for pleasure pur
poses which forms three sides of a square enclosing
the city, the fourth side being the Detroit river. The
facilities for heating, lighting and ventilating are of
the best, the plumbing is strictly first-class in all its
details and no provision that would tend to further
the work has been neglected.
"The main buildings are in the midst of spacious,
well arranged and well kept grounds and are but one
block from lovely Clark Park, with its flower beds,
lawns, tracts of virgin forest and pretty little bodies
of water, the park land extending fully half a mile.
We speak of these as the 'main' buildings so as to
distinguish them from other spacious edifices which
are used in connection with the Reed School, they
being devoted to the lodging and boarding of the
many pupils who come to Detroit — some of them from
points thousands of miles distant — simply and wholly

836

CITY OF DETROIT

for the purpose of availing themselves of the un-
equaled advantages of the Reed School. No trouble
or expense is spared in the effort to assure the best
possible accommodations for pupils, and to approach
as closely to true home life as is possible under such
conditions. "The simple fact that the Reed School for Stam
merers has a practically perfect location in one of the
most beautiful, healthful and easily accessible cities
in the entire country, is an item of no small impor
tance in the sum of the special advantages for the
correcting of stammering which it offers; for environ
ment has very much to do with the control of speech.
It is a well known fact that even in the severest type
of stammering there is comparatively little trouble
amid the most favorable possible surroundings, while,
on the other hand, unfavorable environment will so
affect even a mild case as to render fluent speech
impossible. "Therefore, the only logical course to pursue in
the designing and arranging of a course of study and
practice such as the Reed method — designed to afford
a complete training in natural speech — is to provide
the most favorable surroundings possible, as they will
do much to inspire and justify that well founded con
fidence which is the very foundation of natural speech.
When the confidence has been established, then, and
not till then, will come the time when it will be not
only advisable but essential to essay speech outside
the school atmosphere amid less favorable surround
ings; and under the detailed and easily understood
and followed instructions which are given, this is
made a safe and progressive undertaking, the out
come of which' is the firm and permanent establish
ment of confidence in one 's ability to speak anywhere.
"Gladstone said: 'Ninety-nine men in every hun
dred never rise above mediocrity because the training
of the voice is entirely neglected.' If this be true
with reference to people who have no impediment in
their speech, then of how much greater importance
is it to the stammerer with imperfect speech."
The school is indeed a monument to the efforts of
Professor Frank A. Reed and of Mrs. Reed, the lat
ter of whom is still carrying out the high ideals which
actuated them at the establishment of the institution.
In his political views Mr. Reed was a republican
and fraternally was connected with the Masons, while
his religious faith was that of the Presbyterian
church, which found him a consistent, loyal and
helpful member.
As Mrs. Reed has continued the work of the sehool
and has become an important factor in the educational
development of Detroit, it is consistent that her record
should here appear. She was born in Canajoharie,
New York, where the factories of the famous "Beech
nut Products" are located. She bore the maiden
name of Etta E. Selliek, her parents being Lorenzo
D. and Emily (Dunn) Selliek. Her father was a
Grand River Avenue merchant, having his place of

business on Grand River, near Wabash. The daughter
Etta attended the public sehools and was graduated
from the Detroit high school when it was situated
on State street, where the old Capitol building for
merly stood. After completing her high sehool course
she received training for a time in a private school
for speech correction. Finally she went to the Clark
school in Chieago, taking voice culture. On her re
turn she attended the Noble school in Detroit. In
1891 she was married, and with Mr. Reed started the
Reed School on Fourteenth avenue, near Warren,
where she had as many as seventy pupils. This was
a day sehool which was successful from the begin
ning. Outgrowing its quarters, a removal was made
in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Reed became parents of a
son, Frank Selliek Reed, who was born February 19,
1893, and died March 6, 1899. Mrs. Reed has become
a valued member of the Twentieth Century Club and
of the Wednesday History Club, two of the leading
women's organizations in Detroit, and she is also a
prominent figure in social circles, being a valued
guest in many of those homes where true worth and
intelligence are received as passports into good
society. GUY WORTHINGTON ELLIS. One of the progres
sive and energetic business men of Detroit is Guy
Worthington Ellis, a man of broad experience in
the field of real estate. Since January, 1921, he has
been president of the Guy W. Ellis Real Estate Com
pany and in the conduct of this enterprise he dis
plays sound judgment and marked executive ability.
He was born in Albany, New York, May 3, 1880, and
is a son of Edwin and Mary W. (Packard) Ellis,
who were also natives of that state, the former born
in Owego and the latter in Batavia. In the Empire
state they were reared, educated and married and
the father, a man of liberal culture, successfully
engaged in the book and stationery business. He
passed away at Albany, New York, in 1907, but the
mother survives and yet makes her home in that city.
To their union were born three children: De Lancey
M., who resides at Albany; Edward P., of New York
city; and Guy Worthington, the subject of this review.
In the graded and high schools of his native city
Mr. Ellis pursued his education, later attending Albany
Academy, after which he engaged in the real estate
business in Albany, there remaining until 1900, when
he removed to Rochester, New York, where he entered
the newspaper business as part owner of the Rochester
Evening Times, serving that paper as vice president
and general manager. In 1909 he sold his interest
in the Times and returned to the real estate busi
ness, becoming associated with the Garfield Real
Estate Company, with whom he continued for a
period of five years, or until 1915. He then came
to Detroit and accepted a position with the H. A.
Jones Real Estate Company, becoming vice president
and general manager of sales. He remained withi

GUY W. ELLIS

CITY OF DETROIT

839

that firm until 1917, when he resigned to enter the
service of the government as secretary of the Wayne
county war board, acting in that capacity until Jan
uary, 1919, when he was honorably discharged. He
then joined the Frischkorn Real Estate Company of
Detroit, of whieh he was made general manager, in
which connection he again demonstrated his ability
to put over big deals, and was identified with that
firm until January, 1921. Actuated by a laudable
ambition he decided to embark in business on his
own account and organized the Guy W. Ellis Real
Estate Company, of which he was made president,
with L. S. Trowbridge as vice president and F. B.
Ellis as secretary and treasurer. Their offices are
located in the Equity building, at No. 430 Griswold
street and they have taken over the sale of several
desirable subdivisions. Mr. Ellis' long connection
with real estate interests has given him a thorough
and comprehensive knowledge of the business and
energetic and progressive methods and administrative
powers make the success of the enterprise a fore
gone conclusion.
At Rochester, New York, on the 3d of March, 1908,
Mr. Ellis was united in marriage to Miss Florence
Bluett Fish, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter
C. Fish, are prominent residents of that city. Three
children have been born to this union: Marjorie
Bluett, whose birth occurred at Rochester in 1909;
Virginia Worthington, bom at Rochester in 1913;
and Elisabeth Packard, bom at Detroit in 1916. The
two older children are attending the graded schools
of the city.
In his political views Mr. Ellis is a republican,
stanehly supporting the principles and candidates of
the party, and in religious faith he is an Episcopalian.
Along the line of his business he is a member of the
Detroit Real Estate Board and a member of the
National Association of Real Estate Boards. His
interest in the welfare and advancement of his city
is indicated by his membership in the Board of Com
merce, whose plans and projects for the extension
of the trade relations of Detroit receive his hearty
support. He is a member of the board of directors
of the Detroit Players Club and is also connected
with the Adcraft Club and the Grosse Pointe Country
Club, and fraternally he is identified with the Masons,
being an officer in his lodge. While residing in
Albany, New York, he joined the state militia, becom
ing a non-commissioned officer of the New York
State National Guard, with which he was connected
for four years. Following his removal to Rochester
he was made first lieutenant of Troop H of the New
York Cavalry and later served as captain of the
Machine Gun Company of the Five Hundred and
Fiftieth Miehigan Infantry. He is now acting as
president of the Officers Association of the Five
Hundred and Fiftieth Infantry of the Michigan State
Troops. His life record indicates what can be ac
complished through individual effort and determined
purpose, when guided by intelligent and sound judg

ment, for he has fought life's battles unaided and
eome off a victor in the strife. In the management
of his business affairs he has been progressive,
energetic and capable and in the discharge of his
duties as a citizen he has been actuated at all times
by a regard for the publie welfare. His life has
been an exemplary one in all respects and his sterling
worth is attested by all who know him.
HENRY SHEARER. As general manager of the
Miehigan Central Railroad Company, Henry Shearer
is a notable figure in business circles of Detroit. He
thoroughly understands all phases of the business
in which he is engaged, being regarded as one of
the most capable railroad men in the country, and
this practical knowledge, together with his sound
judgment, keen insight and administrative powers,
has enabled him so to manage the affairs of the
corporation that gratifying results have been attained.
He was born in Berrien county, Miehigan, March 1,
1868, a son of Andrew and Sarah (Bressler) Shearer,
the former a native of the state of New York and the
latter of Pennsylvania. About 1865 they made their
way to Miehigan, settling in Berrien county, where
the father took up agricultural pursuits, in whieh he
was very successful, ranking with the substantial
and highly respected residents of his community. In
the family were five children, of whom three survive,
namely: Henry, of this review; Frank, a resident of
Detroit; and Edward, who makes his home in Ber
rien county.
In the graded and high sehools of his native county
Henry Shearer acquired his education and on start
ing out in life on his own account he entered the
office of the county clerk of Berrien county, after
which he became connected with mercantile pursuits,
being thus associated until 1892. He then entered
railroad circles, securing a minor position with the
Michigan Central Railroad Company, and by close
application and the thorough mastery of every task
assigned him he won advancement from one position
to another of larger responsibility until he at length
was made general manager of one of the largest rail
road systems in the country. He is thoroughly qualified
to discharge the duties of this important position,
for he possesses the foresight, the self-reliance and
the business sagacity necessary to carry on great en
terprises successfully. He is distinctively a man of
large affairs who combines marked executive ability
with the power to coordinate and unify seemingly
diverse elements. As an executive he is highly
esteemed by the employes of the road, to whom he
has ever shown a spirit of fairness and consideration,
thus winning their hearty cooperation and goodwill,
which has resulted in increased efficiency in the op
eration of the business.
Mr. Shearer has been married three times. His first
union was with Miss Matilda Gallow, of Bay City,
Miehigan, whom he wedded in 1894. She was a daugh-

840

CITY OF DETROIT

ter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Gallow, prominent resi
dents of that city, arid her demise occurred in Detroit
in 1908. Four children were born of that union:
Franklin, the eldest of the family, was born in Porter,
Indiana, in 1896, and is a graduate of Assumption
College. He is a veteran of the World war, in which
he served as a member of the Second Michigan In
fantry, attached to the Eighty-sixth Division and
spent eighteen months overseas with the American
Expeditionary Forces; Carl H., born at Chicago
Heights, Illinois, in 1897, is also a graduate of As
sumption College, and during the war with Germany
he was sent to the Great Lakes naval training station
at Lake Bluff, Illinois, being there at the time of
the signing of the armistice; the two younger children
are William and Louise, born respectively in 1901
and 1903 in the city of Chicago, and both are at
tending school in Detroit. Mr. Shearer's second mar
riage took place at Marshall, Michigan, in 1910, at
whieh time he wedded Miss Mary Elizabeth McDer-
mott, a representative of a well known family of that
eity. She passed away in 1914, leaving a son, Henry,
whose birth occurred at St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada,
in 1911, and who is now attending a Catholic sehool.
At Marshall, Miehigan, in 1916 Mr. Shearer was
united in marriage to Miss Winifred McDermott, a
sister of his second wife, and they have one son,
John H., who was born in 1917.
In his political views Mr. Shearer is a republican,
interested in the welfare and success of the party,
but without aspirations for public offiee. He is a mem
ber of the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Trans
portation Club and the Oakland Hills Country Club
and in religious faith he is a Catholic. He has not
become identified with any fraternal organizations,
preferring to spend his leisure hours with his family,
to whom he is most devoted. He is preeminently a
business man whose record is written in terms of suc
cess. The story of his life is the story of earnest
endeavor, marked by an orderly progression that
has brought him out of humble surroundings to a
foremost position in railroad circles of the country.
He is a big man — big in that power which under
stands conditions, grasps situations and molds op
portunity into tangible assets — and Detroit is for
tunate in numbering him among her citizens. He re
sides at No. 938 Lawrence avenue, Detroit, Michigan.
WILLIAM F. V. NEUMANN, president of William
F. V. Neumann & Sons and in point of years in business
the oldest automobile dealer in Detroit, is also one of
the city's pioneers in that enterprise. Mr. Neumann's
connection with the automobile trade dates back to
1899, in the days when power driven vehicles were
objects of curiosity, and the intervening years show
an unbroken period of identification with it, com
prising a record that is without an equal among
Detroit dealers. He was born in Minonk, Illinois,
February 26, 1872, a son of John and Mathilda (Metz

ger) Neumann, both of whom were natives of Ger
many, whence they came to America in early life. The
father was a minister of the gospel and became a
resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was promi
nent in the pulpit for twenty-six years prior to com
ing to Detroit. After taking up his abode in this
city he contributed much to its moral development,
social uplift and benevolent work. He built the new
orphans' home in Detroit that stands as a monument
to his memory and an expression of his love for the
unfortunate of the world. He died at Bradentown,
Florida, in 1917, in his seventy-sixth year, and his
memory remains as a blessed benediction to all who
knew him. "Not the good that comes to us, but the
good that comes to the world through us, is the meas
ure of our success," wrote a modern philosopher, and
judged by this standard Rev. Mr. Neumann was a most
successful man. His wife, who shared with him and
aided him in all of his good work, passed away in
Ottawa, Illinois, in 1905. In their family were five
children: Mathilda, now the wife of Rev. Robert
Schreiber of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Mrs. Johanna
Greiner, residing in Sparta, Michigan; Mrs. Adele
Widenmann of Detroit; Amanda, now Mrs. William
Kemnitz of Detroit; and William F. V.
The last named, the only son of the family and
the second in order of birth, obtained his education
in the publie and high schools of Ann Arbor and then
entered the University of Michigan, from which he
was graduated in 1897, with the degree of Bachelor
of Science in electrical engineering. He entered upon
the practice of his profession as an engineer with the
harbor department of the United States government and
with the Chase Construction Company on electric rail
way and lighting work. He was sent by the govern
ment to Paris, France, to supervise the wiring of
buildings for the United States government at the
Paris Exposition. He continued in this work until it
was nearly completed and was then called back to
work on harbor construction again. After a time he
resigned his government position and in 1899 entered
into business in Detroit with William E. Metzger,
automobile dealer, remaining in that connection until
the retail business was discontinued. He then entered
into business on his own account with George E.
Lane, under the firm style of the Neumann & Lane
Company, automobile dealers. In 1916 he purchased
the interest of Mr. Lane and has continued the busi
ness, which has been incorporated under the name
of William F. V. Neumann & Sons. This firm handles
quality cars, selling the Pierce Arrow line of passen
ger cars and trucks, and has built up probably the
highest class business enjoyed by any Detroit dealer.
Mr. Neumann was the first dealer to establish busi
ness on Woodward avenue and has made but two re
movals sinee he first went into business. The present
location at 6022 Woodward avenue provides all the
equipment of an up-to-date salesroom and service sta
tion. From his earliest connection in the automobile

WILLIAM F. V. NEUMANN

CITY OF DETROIT

843

business, William F. V. Neumann has aimed at the
highest standards in both his merchandise and busi
ness methods, with the result that no merchant in
Detroit, in any line of trade, enjoys a higher reputa
tion for commercial integrity or has made a greater
effort to place his business in the highest class.
Oh the 6th of March, 1894, Mr. Neumann was mar
ried to Miss Lydia Dittman of Romeo, Miehigan,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Dittman. They have
become the parents of two sons: John W., bora in
1895, in Romeo, Michigan, was educated in the Uni
versity of Michigan as a mechanical engineer, grad
uating in 1917, and is now a member of the firm of
William F. V. Neuman & Sons. During the war he was
at the League Island Navy Yards under Commander
Rowen, attached to the mechanical division. He
married Miss Martha Wilcox of Detroit, and they
have two children, Martha, born in 1919, and John
William, born January 13, 1921; Carl W. Neumann,
born in Romeo in 1896, was also educated at the State
University, completing a commercial course by grad
uation in 1918, and is now a member of the firm of
William F. V. Neuman & Sons. During the war he
was in training in the naval aviation department.
Mr. Neumann is a Mason and has attained the
thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also
a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the
Detroit Athletic Club and the Detroit Autoinobile
Club. Mr. Neuman 's greatest hobby, aside from pleas
ing his customers and standing back of his merchan
dise, is probably that of fishing and hunting. His
enthusiasm for these sports has for years taken him
regularly, in season, to various sections of the coun
try frequented by hunters and fishermen. He has a
cottage in the Georgian Bay district, where he goes
for recreation of that kind. He belonged to the Under
bill Club when that property was conducted as such
and was one of the original contributors to the Gray
ling fish hatchery. For a number of years he has
been a member of the Michigan Sportsmen's Associa
tion and has taken a keen interest in the work of that
organization. Mr. Neuman is also a member of the
Bimini Club and his interest in community affairs is
indicated in his connection with the Board of Com
merce, which in its varied activities for the upbuilding
of the city, for the spread of its business connections
and for the support of its civie honor and standards,
receives his most earnest support and cooperation.
JOHN P. WICKER. In art circles of America John
P. Wicker has long occupied a prominent place and as
head of the Detroit School of Fine Arts he has done
notably effective work, building up one of the leading
institutions of the kind in this country. He was born
at Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he attended the public
schools, and later took up the study of art. He spent
seven years in Paris, where his work was directed by
artists of world-wide fame, his instructors being Wil
liam Bougereau, Robert Fleury and Fernand Cormon,

the last named gentleman being now dean of the cele
brated EeoLS des Beaux Arts.
In 1903 Mr. Wicker beeame connected with the
Detroit School of Fine Arts and for the past twelve
years he has been its head, directing its affairs most
successfully. His studios are located in the Chalmers
building, on Parsons street, a few doors west of Wood
ward avenue. He teaches straight fine arts, namely:
Black and white and color; illustrations; easel pic
tures; and in fact everything requiring work in flat.
He is not only a finished artist but also excels as a
teacher and under his directorship the school has
steadily increased in fame and patronage. From
three hundred to three hundred and fifty students are
regularly enrolled, each of whom receives Mr. Wick
er's personal attention and instruction, and three ses
sions are held daily, there being morning, afternoon
and evening classes. He has attained a national repu
tation as an artist and an instructor of superior ability
and one of the leading art sehools of the country stands
as a monument to his enterprising spirit, his notable
talent and his untiring labors. He is a man of high
aspirations and ideals, who is devoting his life to a
work that is of great worth to the world, and Detroit
has greatly benefited through his activities.
VERNOR CHARLES FRY, a most progressive and
enterprising real estate operator of Detroit, who has
been instrumental in securing for the city many
needed improvements, has been remarkably successful
in his investments and is now conducting a business
of extensive proportions, handling his own property.
He is a farsighted, alert and progressive business
man who has^ never feared to venture where favor
ing opportunity has pointed out the way, and his
success is the direct result of his industry, energy and
close application, guided by sound judgment.
Mr. Fry is a native of Canada. He was born at
Selkirk, in western Ontario, and in the public schools
of that country he acquired his education. On starting
out in the business world he became elerk in a whole
sale dry goods house of Toronto, with which he was
identified for seven years, gaining a comprehensive
knowledge of general merchandising. In 1890 he came
to Detroit and for thirteen years had charge of the
notions department of a large establishment of this
eity. At the end of that period he entered the real
estate field, in which he has continued, conducting
his interests independently and handling his own prop
erty. He has gained a comprehensive and accurate
knowledge concerning property values and has pro
moted many important realty transfers. He put
Sherwood Forest on the market, also Palmer Highlands
and the Somerset Road subdivision at Grosse Pointe.
He also platted one hundred and twenty acres at
Seven-Mile Road and Livernois street, which he named
Ridgefield, and owing to his efforts Livernois street
is being paved with two sixteen-foot pavements with
a space of eighteen feet between, instead of one twen-

844

CITY OF DETROIT

ty-four-foot pavement. A chairman of a committee
of property owners he succeeded in raising the sum
of forty thousand dollars from the taxpayers to pay
the street commission for the extra pavement, which
has greatly improved the street, and his efforts were
no small factor in determining the admirable route
of the outer boulevard. He is the owner of two val
uable farms one with a large water frontage on
Lake St. Clair, located about one mile above Lakeside
Corners, and his investments have been most judici
ously placed. His plans are carefully made and
promptly executed and his capable conduct of his ex
tensive business interests has resulted in the attain
ment of a large measure of success.
Mr. Fry has been married twice. His first union
was with Anna Louise Frances Colby, who died,
leaving two sons, Stanley E. and Colby Fry. Subse
quently he married Helen Gourlay, a daughter of
Alfred Gourlay, and they have three children: Grace
Ethelwyn, Margaret Jean and John Alfred.
In his political views Mr. Fry is a republican and
his religious faith is indicated by his membership in
the Church of Christ, situated at the corner of Tuxedo
street and Hamilton boulevard. With industry and
determination as dominant qualities he has made
steady progress in the business world and his record
is one that any man might be proud to possess. De
troit owes much to his progressive methods and
initiative spirit, which have enabled him to formulate
plans which have resulted in the substantial develop
ment and upbuilding of the city, and the worth of his
work is widely acknowledged. His is a most success
ful career, characterized at all times by a progressive
spirit in business and by a public-spirited devotion
to the general good, and Detroit is fortunate in claim
ing him as a citizen, for he is a man who would be
a decided acquisition to any community. He has re
sided at No. 604 Hazelwood, for a number of years.
ERNEST M. KRAETKE, secretary and treasurer of
Kraetke Brothers, tool manufacturers, was' born in
Detroit, March 26, 1877. His parents, Louis and
Minnie (Nageborn) Kraetke, were of German birth
and came to America in early life, settling in Detroit,
where the father was well known for many years as
an iron moulder, associated with the Russell Wheel
Foundry of this city. Here he passed away in Octo
ber, 1905, having for three years survived his wife,
who died in Detroit in March, 1902. They were the
parents of six children: Richard E., who is the presi
dent of the firm of Kraetke Brothers of Detroit; Wil
liam, vice president of Kraetke Brothers; Mrs. Helen
Fiedler of Detroit; Mrs. Elizabeth Gerschler, also of
this city; Mrs. Alfred Chambers of Chicago; and Er
nest M.
At the usual age Ernest M. Kraetke became a pupil
in the public schools of Detroit and subsequently at
tended the Seminary school of this city. He was also
a pupil in night schools for a time and after his

education was completed he secured .a position with
the J. V. Campbell Brokerage Company, with which
he continued after it became Cameron Currie & Com
pany. He was connected therewith until 1908, when
he entered the employ of the Hayden Stone Company,
with which he remained for six years, or until 1914.
He then joined his brothers in business as a member
of the firm of Kraetke Brothers, tool manufacturers.
This company had been organized by Richard and
William Kraetke in 1911 and through the intervening
period its development has continued until the business
is one of the foremost in the manufacture of tools,
gigs and fixtures in Detroit. The brothers have one of
the best equipped plants of the eity and furnish em
ployment to fifty people. Ernest M. Kraetke has for
several years bent his energies and efforts to the steady
growth and development of the business and is occu
pying the position of secretary and treasurer.
On August 17, 1903, Mr. Kraetke was married to
Miss Margaret Farrell of Detroit, a native of Troy,
New York, and a daughter of Michael and Sarah
(Martin) Farrell. Mr. and Mrs. Kraetke have becomn
the parents of seven children: Marjorie Farrell and
Dorothy Alice, twins, born August 4, 1904; Ernest F.,
born March 1, 1908; Sarah D., born May 29, 1912;
Pauline H., born June 11, 1914; Richard W., born
March 11, 1916; and Louis E., born April 25, 1918.
Fraternally Mr. Kraetke is connected with the Be
nevolent Protective Order of Elks and something of
the nature of his recreation and interests outside of
business is shown in his identification with the Detroit
Yacht Club. He is a progressive man, who has worked
his way steadily upward through earnest and persist
ent effort and step by step he has reached the point of
success whieh is today his. Mr. Kraetke resides at
No. 5338 Burns avenue.
JOHN G. AND THOMAS G. BARBAS, owners and
founders of the Home Candy Works, 33 Cadillac
square, are among Detroit's energetic and progres
sive young business men who have achieved a wonder
ful success, and in the operation of their business
'they conduct one of the leading confectionery and
refreshment stores in the city and eater to an ex
clusive and high-class trade.
These gentlemen are brothers and were born in 1884
and 1886 respectively, near Tripoli, Greece, sons of
Constantine and Arite Barbas. The parents, both
deceased, were highly respected. Of their family
of nine children, five came to America.
John G. and Thomas G. Barbas were youths in
their teens when, in 1901, they came to the United
States and began their business careers in Toledo,
Ohio, operating a concession at Walbridge Park in
that city. Their start was in a modest way, as their
capital was largely their energy and ambition. In
the fall of 1907 they began business in Detroit by
establishing at their location on Cadillac square a

ERNEST M. KRAETKE

CITY OF DETROIT

847

candy and ice-cream parlor, which was the nucleus
of their present extensive business.
Their enterprise was a success from the start, big
factors in which have been high-class merchandise
and particular attention to the smallest detail of op
eration. The growth of the trade necessitated the
complete remodeling of the store, which is one of
the most attractive and tasteful in its appointments
of any of its kind in Detroit. They manufacture prac
tically every article that they dispense and it has
always been their aim to have their product just a
little better than that of their competitors. More
than fifty people are employed in the conduct of their
business. Always with implicit faith in Detroit's future,
these brothers have made extensive investments in
real estate and are now large holders of city realty.
Both are aetive and earnest members of the Detroit
Board of Commerce and public-spirited citizens, while
John G. Barbas was one of the organizers and sinee
then a director of the Continental Bank. Their his
tory is the chronicle of men who, without assistance
of any kind, have risen to a position among Detroit's
strong and able business men. Their success is but
the merited reward of well directed and straightfor
ward business efforts. They reside at the Hotel
Statler. LOUIS GOLDMAN, vice president and general man
ager of the Riverside Machinery Company, was bora
in Detroit, October 17, 1882, and after obtaining a
public and high school education he attended a busi
ness college, thus being qualified for life's practical
and responsible duties. He started out in the business
world in connection with the Riverside Scrap Iron &
- Metal Company, with whieh he has been associated
continuously since, covering a period of about a
quarter of a century, being now the vice president and
general manager of the corporation. It was in 1908
that the Riverside Machinery Company was founded
by his father, H. L. Goldman, and Louis Goldman
had been associated therewith through the interven
ing period. In 1916 the business was incorporated with
H. L. Goldman, as the president; Louis Goldman, vice
president and general manager; and I. Payne, secre
tary. The stockholders, officers and directors of the
Riverside Machinery Company and the Riverside
Scrap Iron & Metal Company are all the same. The
Riverside Machinery Company buys and sells both
new and used machinery of all kinds and acts as
agent for manufacturers.
In 1902 Louis Goldman was married to Miss May
Cohen, and they have become parents of two children:
Harvey, seventeen years of age; and Irene Betty, a
maiden of eleven summers. Mr. Goldman is a Mason,
belonging to Perfection Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Monroe
Chapter, B. A. M.; and he also has membership with
the Detroit Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 129, and the
Knights of Pythias. He is likewise a member of

B'nai B'rith, identified with both the lodge and
club organizations. In polities he is a republican,
thoroughly in sympathy with the purposes and prin
ciples of the party. His religious faith is Hebrew.
He is thus allied with many activities whieh are of
vital worth as factors in the materal, intellectual,
social and moral progress of this eity. Moreover,
he is recognized as a superior executive and an all-
around business man.
HARRY M. BAXTER. As secretary and treasurer
of the firm of Baxter & Baxter, Harry M. Baxter is
well known in insurance circles of Detroit and is
also operating extensively in real estate. He is a
man of marked executive ability, business acumen
and enterprise and through the capable management
of his affairs has won a substantial degree of suc
cess. A native of this city, Mr. Baxter was born
December 20, 1878, his parents being John A. and
Lily E. (Gibbs) Baxter. The father was born in
Dayton, Ohio, in 1846, and the mother was a native of
Bath, England, and at the age of sixteen years crossed
the Atlantic to the United States, becoming a resi
dent of Detroit. The father came to this city in 1860
and here their marriage occurred, following which
he beeame connected with the firm of George R.
Angell & Company, dealers in artists' materials. He
continued aetive along this line until he retired from
active business pursuits and is still a resident of
Detroit. The mother, however, is deceased, her demise
occurring on the 29th of March, 1917, when she was
sixty-nine years of age. In their family were ten
children, of whom but three survive, namely: A. Wil
liam, president of the firm of Baxter & Baxter; Mrs.
Ethel B. Rouse, a resident of Highland Park, Miehi
gan; and Harry M.
After completing his education, which was acquired
in the graded and high schools of this eity, Harry
M. Baxter entered commercial circles in connection
with the insurance business and later became his
brother's associate in the firm of Baxter & Baxter,
which was incorporated in 1918, with A. William
Baxter as the president, while the subject of this re
view was made secretary and treasurer and is now
filling those offices. They conduct a general insurance
business and have built up an undertaking of exten
sive proportions, writing a large amount of insur
ance annually. Harry M. Baxter has also become in
terested in other lines of activity, being a director
of the Miehigan Home and Realty Company and of the
Baxter Realty Company, both prosperous business
enterprises of this city. He is also a director of the
Commercial State Savings Bank. He is very enter
prising and does not hesitate to extend his interests
as opportunity offers and he possesses the sound
judgment and executive ability whieh enable him to
carry his plans to successful completion.
On the 4th of March, 1898, Mr. Baxter was united
in marriage to Miss Adelaide Lane, a daughter of

848

CITY OF DETROIT

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Lane, residents of this city.
Three children have been born of this union: Ray
mond L., the eldest of the family, was born in
December, 1898, and following his graduation from
the Highland Park high school he entered the Michi
gan Agricultural College and subsequently became a
student in the University of Illinois, from which
he was graduated in 1919. He is a member of the
faculty in the chemistry department of the Michigan
Agricultural College; the other two children are
John Donald, who was born in 1906, and William
Maurice, born in 1910. Both are attending the
Highland Park high school.
In his political views Mr. Baxter is a republican,
stanehly supporting the principles and candidates of
the party. He is an aetive and earnest member of
the Detroit Board of Commerce, heartily cooperat
ing in its plans and projects for the expansion of the
trade interests of the city, and he is also connected
with the Michigan Insurance Exchange and the Na
tional Insurance Association. He is a thirty-seeond
degree Mason, belonging to both the York and Scottish
Rites and to the Knights Templars, Detroit Com
mandery. He is also a member of the Masonic Coun
try Club and the Detroit Automobile Club. He is rec
ognized as a most progressive and energetic business
man and through the capable management of his
affairs has not only gained individual prosperity but
has also contributed in substantial measure to the
development and improvement of his city.
DAVID STOTT. There is something thoroughly
consistent in presenting the life history of David
Stott in connection with the records of Detroit, in
asmuch as he contributed in large measure to the
business development and progress of the city and
to many interests which were vital forces in Detroit's
upbuilding and development. He was a man of marked
force of character and of splendid ability and he
so exercised his powers as to produce substantial and
beneficial results for the community in whieh he lived,
while at the same time advancing his individual for
tunes. The story of his life should be of stimulating
and inspirational interest to all who read it.
Mr. Stott was a native of England, born on the
9th of July, 1853, and was one of a family of three
children. On attaining the usual age he entered the
public schools, passing through consecutive grades as
he mastered the various branches of learning until he
became a high school pupil. He dated his residence
in Detroit from the age of thirteen years, at which
time the family home was established in this city.
In early manhood he turned his attention to the dairy
business, in which he continued active until he em
barked in the milling business and from that time was
associated with the manufacture of flour until his death,
on June 4, 1916. Gradually his activities in that
field broadened in scope and importance and event
ually he became president of the David Stott Flour

Mills, Incorporated, president of the Morehead Manu
facturing Company, president of the Stott Realty
Company, and secretary and treasurer of the Detroit
Barrel Company. He also served for a number of
years until his death as a director of the Peninsular
State Bank.
Mr. Stott was married twice. He was first married
to Miss Julia Albro, who passed away in 1911. On Feb
ruary 24, 1914, he was married to Miss Helene Austin,
a daughter of Thomas H. and Anne (Neville) Austin.
The family of Mr. Stott numbered seven children, all
born to the first marriage. He belonged to the Cath
olic chureh, of which his family are still communicants
and at all times he was a generous supporter of the
church and its work. He also belonged to the Knights
of Columbus and along strictly social lines was
connected with the Detroit Athletic Club, the De
troit Boat Club and the Country Club, of whieh Mrs.
Stott is also a member. His political endorsement
was given to the republican party and at all times he
kept well informed concerning the vital questions and
issues of the day, but political preferment had no
attraction for him. He found his satisfaction and in
terest in the upbuilding of his business and his close
application and thoroughness constituted the important
element which proved the foundation of his prosperity.
RAYMOND W. SUMMERS, secretary and treas
urer of the Detroit Universal Solvent Company, manu
facturers of Universal Solvent, a rust preventative
liquid and paint oil, born at Sulphur Springs, Texas,
August 18, 1887, and is a son of G. W. and Esther
W. (Gough) Summers. The father was born in Ala
bama in 1849 and his marriage was celebrated in
1872. In 1879 he and his wife took up their abode
in Sulphur Springs, Texas, where Mr. Summers estab
lished a drug store, while later he extended the
scope of his business to include the sale of groceries
and dry goods. He afterward removed to St. Louis
and became prominent in the business life of the
city. He was a noted inventor and analyst, not only
producing the product now manufactured by the
Detroit Universal Solvent Compay but was also the
inventor of the automatic coupler and air brake, which
he sold to the Westinghouse Company and which they
still use. He died in Dallas, Texas, in 1914.
Raymond W. Summers pursued his education in the
public schools of St. Louis following the removal of
the family from Texas to that city. He continued a
resident of St. Louis, the Indian Territory and Texas
until 1915 and was associated with his father in busi
ness to the time of the latter 's death in 1914. In
the succeeding year he became an organizer of the
Lacquer-All Corporation, holding the office of sec
retary until 1921, when he resigned. In that year he
organized the Detroit Universal Solvent Company,
the factory location being at No. 4221 Michigan ave
nue. Although a young company, it already has a
trade that extends to all parts of the country and

* 4

DAVID STOTT

Vol. rv— 54

:i&'-'' V

CITY OF DETROIT

851

many of the notable industrial and manufacturing
concerns of the country are numbered among its
regular customers. Mr. Summers is a progressive
young business man, alert and enterprising, keeping
in touch at all times with the market, and his energy
and determination in business affairs bring about most
gratifying results.
CHARLES H. AYERS, vice president of the Peoples
State Bank of Detroit, is well known as an able
financier and banker of more than ordinary ability
who has promoted the success of the institution with
which he is connected by systematic and progressive
work. He is well versed in the details of modern
banking and his knowledge is guided and directed by
his general business ability. He is a native of this
city and was born February 9, 1866, a son of Lewis
H. and Mary J. (Riker) Ayers, who reared a family
of two children, the sister of Mr. Ayers being now
the wife of Robert S. Holmes.
In the public sehools of Detroit, Charles H. Ayres
acquired his education and when twelve years of age
started to work in a book store located on the old
site of the Fyfe shoe store, receiving for his services
a wage of three dollars per week. The next two years
were spent as a student in a commercial college, after
which he entered the employ of Mumford, Foster &
Company, engaged in the leather business, their es
tablishment being located at No. 16 Gratiot avenue.
For four years he remained with that company in the
capacity of entry clerk, but was obliged to abandon
his work, owing to ill health, and going to Texas
he there spent one year on a ranch, being greatly
benefited by the outdoor life. He then returned to
Detroit and in 1887 entered financial circles of the
city as assistant bookkeeper for the Preston National
Bank. His faithfulness and efficiency soon won him
merited advancement and he became bookkeeper, later
was placed in charge of collections and finally was
made paying teller. He remained with the bank until
1896, when he became identified with the firm of
Ayers & Reynolds, of whieh his father was a member,
and was placed in charge of office finances. Subse
quently he was employed in the state bank examiner's
department and in 1906 was appointed to that re
sponsible position, serving under Commissioners George
W. Moore and H. M. Zimmerman. He proved most
efficient in the discharge of his duties in that con
nection and was instrumental in securing the arrest
and conviction of a number of defaulting bank officers,
his services being of great value to the state. In 1909
he became associated with the Peoples State Bank as
assistant cashier and his excellent work in that ca
pacity led to his election to the office of vice president
in 1920, in which position he is now serving, being
well fitted by training and experience for the re
sponsible duties which devolve upon him in this con
nection. He manifests excellent judgment in extend
ing the credit of the bank and in all things tempers

progressiveness by a safe conservatism. With keen
insight into business affairs and situations and with a
thorough understanding of every phase of banking,
he has been largely instrumental in promoting the
growth and success of the institution, whieh ranks with
the leading financial enterprises of the eity.
In his political views Mr. Ayers is a republican
and fraternally he is identified with the Masons,
belonging to King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M., of which
he served as high priest in 1907. That he comes of
honorable and distinguished ancestry is indicated by
his membership in the Sons of the American Revolu
tion and the Society of Mayflower Descendants and
he is also connected with the Detroit Athletie Club
and the Detroit Boat Club. He is secretary of the
Detroit Bankers Club and he occupies a high position
in financial circles of the city, while he is recognized
as a public-spirited and loyal citizen whose influence
is ever on the side of advancement and improvement.
The story of his life is the story of earnest endeavor,
marked by an orderly progression that has brought
him out of humble surroundings into a foremost place
among the business men of his native eity. His
record is a most creditable one and should serve as
a source of inspiration and encouragement to others,
showing what may be accomplished when one has
the will to dare and to do.
C. E. STEPHENS is the secretary of the Arctic
Ice Cream Company of Detroit, with which business
he has been connected through a period of twenty-
eight years, being elected to his present position in
1908. He was born in Southville, Michigan, Novem
ber 5, 1876, and is a son of Chalin and Margaret M.
(Fiero) Stephens. A publie school education qualified
him for life's practical and responsible duties and he
was a youth of sixteen years when he came to Detroit
and entered the employ of his elder brother, Alfred
F. Stephens, then engaged in ice-cream manufacturing
in this city. He acquainted himself with every phase
of the business and the thoroughness and efficiency
of his work led to his steady advancement. From
1906 to 1908 he was connected with the Seamless
Steel Bath Tub Company, having charge of the
mill room and powder. In 1908 his brother, Alfred
F. Stephens, founded the Arctic Ice Cream Company,
and C. E. Stephens was elected to the position of
secretary of that company. He is thus active in con
trol of one of the chief productive industries of the
city, for the Arctic Ice Cream Company is the second
enterprise of the kind in size in Detroit and its
business connections cover a very extensive territory.
While the main plant is located in this city, the com
pany has condensing plants at Grand Ledge, Fenton
and Hastings, while milk receiving stations have been
established at Richmond, Birch Run, Shear's Station
and Shotke Station, Miehigan. Something of the vol
ume of the business transacted by the company is
indicated in the fact that it now utilizes forty-five

852

CITY OF DETROIT

trucks and thirty-five wagons for the collection of
products and the distribution of their output and
employs an average of one hundred and fifty men.
The company receives thirty thousand gallons of milk
per day and between the 1st of May and the 1st of
October its daily output of ice-cream is eight thousand
gallons. From its condensing plant it makes ship
ments to all parts of the United States and the name
of the Arctic Ice Cream Company is everywhere rec
ognized as a synonym for excellence of products and
for high standards of business conduct. From the first
the firm has recognized that satisfied patrons are the
best advertisement and has put forth every possible
effort to please those who have given them their
support. On the 25th of July, 1900, C. E. Stephens was united
in marriage to Anna P. Hill and they have a daugh
ter, Margaret Elizabeth, who is four years of age.
Mr. Stephens belongs to the Fellowcraft Athletic
Club, also to the Detroit Automobile Club and frater
nally is associated with Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M.
He votes with the republican party, to which he has
given his support since age conferred upon him the
right of franchise. His religious belief is that of the
Presbyterian church and its teachings have been a
guiding force in all of his life's relations.
CHARLES E. DRUM. The record of Charles E.
Drum furnishes one of the best examples of the suc
cessful .American, who, starting out in the world
without prestige or prospects, has achieved success and
won an honorable name and reputation. He was born
on a farm in Fulton county, Ohio, but was left without
a father when in his second year. He afterward lived
with his grandmother until six years of age, when he
went to live with his mother and stepfather. At the
age of nine he began to learn the alphabet in a lumber
camp, and thereafter while working on the farm in
the summer he attended school in the winter season
until he reached the eighth grade, at the age of
fourteen. But no matter where or how he was em
ployed he continued to read and study assiduously
as opportunity offered, utilizing every spare moment
to promote his knowledge, for he had come to a
realization of the value of education as a factor in
life. When sixteen years of age he went to Toledo,
Ohio, a penniless boy, to look for a job, thus beginning
his business career. In Toledo he secured work in the
barns of the old Street Railway Company, and con
tinued his studies at night, actuated by a most com
mendable desire for education. In his spare time
he worked in the company's feed mill and at the
end of two years had won promotion until he was in
charge of the feed mill. Soon afterward his ambition
outgrew his employment and he joined the Jewel
Sewing Machine Company, in the employ of which
he learned to be a machinist. After he had become
acquainted with the trade he was made foreman and
continued with the company for nineteen years. At

length the company turned its attention to bicycle
manufacturing and Mr. Drum acquainted himself with
every detail of the building of a bicycle. Next he
worked for the Pope Toledo Steam Car people, and
afterward had a position in the Willys plant for a
year and a half.
It was in 1908 that Mr. Drum arrived in Detroit
and for a year was in the employ of the Chalmers
Motor Car Company, after which he was connected
with the Packard Company for two years as superin
tendent of the finishing division and inspection de
partment. He then became factory manager for the
Keeton Motor Car Company, but at the end of a year
joined the Hayes Manufacturing Company as factory
manager. Three years later he accepted a position
with the Springfield Body Company and was manager
of its factory for a year and a half. He next went to
Flint, Michigan, with the Buick people and managed
plant No. 4 for two and a half years, on the expira
tion of which period he returned to the Hayes Man
ufacturing Company, on the 1st of January, 1920, as
works manager. In March, 1921, he was elected vice
president and general manager of this company. It
was Mr. Drum who put in the first system of progres
sive assembling of automobiles in Detroit for the
Chalmers Company and also installed his system in
the Jeffrey's plant. He nas been actuated by a most
progressive spirit in all that he has undertaken, and
his services have been an acknowledged value to the
corporations which he has represented.
Mr. Drum was united in marriage to Miss Ricka
Wackle, and they have a family of six children: Wel
come, Verner, Ruth, Helen, Dorothy and Charles E.,
Jr. Mr. Drum is a member of Union Lodge, No. 3,
A. F. & A. M. and also belongs to King Cyrus Chapter,
R. A. M. He is also a member of Michigan Sovereign
Consistory and Moslem Temple, A. A. O N. M. S.
While loyal to the teachings of his fraternity he is
strictly a business and home man. He has a fine farm
near Toledo, Ohio, where he and his family enjoy
country air and life. His has been an active and
varied career, one in which he has systematically de
veloped his powers and talent and wisely utilized
his opportunities until today he is recognized a most
forceful and resourceful business man in connection
with the industrial interests of Detroit.
RICHARD PICKERING JOY. Strong in his pur
pose and purposeful in his strength, Richard Pickering
Joy, president of the National Bank of Commerce of
Detroit, belongs to that class of American business
men to whom the possession of wealth has not an
nulled energy, enterprise or ambition. From the out
set of his career he has recognized the responsiblity
of the individual as a factor in the world's work
and has met and discharged the obligations as well
as utilized the opportunities of, citizenship.
Mr. Joy is a full-fledged Detroiter. His birth,
his rearing and his most important business activities

CHARLES E. DRUM

CITY OF DETROIT

855

have all been in Detroit. He was born January 25,
1870, a son of James F. and Mary (Bourne) Joy,
and descends from an old New England family, the
ancestry of which is traced in direct line back to
Thomas Joy, who came from England and settled in
Boston about 1632. The father, James F. Joy, was one
of the most illustrious citizens Detroit has known
and is mentioned at length elsewhere in this work.
Richard P. Joy received his early education in the
publie schools of Detroit, later attending the Phil
lips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, from which
he graduated in the class of 1890. With an inclina
tion more towards business than the professions,
his active business career began soon after attain
ing his majority, when he became connected with the
engineering department of the Fort Street Union
Depot Company. Subsequent activities in publie and
private life were followed by his connection with the
city's banking interests. At a time when Detroit's
rapid growth had rendered its banking facilities inade
quate Mr. Joy became interested in organizing the
National Bank of Commerce, becoming its first presi
dent, in which capacity he has ever sinee remained.
The growth of this financial institution has been re
markable and began from the very first day it opened
for business — June 1, 1907, steadily working its way
into the estimation of the people, while its conser
vative, energetic course during the panic of 1907
placed it still more firmly in the confidence of the
publie. From the beginning Mr. Joy has maintained
the policy that the bank is most worthy of trust that
most carefully safeguards the interests of its deposi
tors and he has therefore always tempered progres
siveness by a safe conservatism. The success of this
policy, together with other features of up-to-date bank
ing prevailing in the National Bank of Commerce, is
probably best reflected in the nearly thirty-five mil
lions of dollars of resources shown by that institution
and its position as one of Detroit 's strongest and most
ably managed banks. Mr. Joy's interests are varied
and extensive. He is the president of the Detroit
Union Railroad Depot & Station Company, the vice
president of the Detroit Copper & Brass Rolling
Mills, a director of the Packard Motor Car Company,
and interested in various other commercial and in
dustrial enterprises.
In 1908 Mr. Joy was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Moore. His appreciation of the social ameni
ties of life is indicated in his membership in the
Yondotega, Detroit, Country and Old Clubs of
Detroit. Early in his connection with the business life of
Detroit, Mr. Joy was also called upon for public
service and in 1898 was elected alderman, filling the
office until 1901. In 1906 and 1907 he served as
comptroller of the city of Detroit and he has been an
active member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, co
operating heartily in all of its well defined plans and
projects for the upbuilding of the city. His political

allegiance has always been given to the republican
party and his religious faith is that of the Presby
terian church. Opportunity has ever been to him a
call to action and no little of his sustained power
is due to the moral and social characteristics of this
many-sided man. In social intercourse he is genial,
kindly and humanly sympathetic; in business he is
the personification of its highest ethics and the most
rigid integrity.
EARL I. HEENAN has resided in Detroit sinee
1904. He was born in Dryden, Miehigan, in 1881,
and is the son of John and Rachel A. Heenan, the
former a native of the state of New York, the lat
ter of Michigan. His father came to this state and
engaged in the banking business, and is now residing
in Detroit. His wife is also living. They have two
children: John R. Heenan, who is engaged in the
real estate business in Detroit; and Earl I. Heenan.
Earl I. Heenan attended the public sehools of
Dryden, and the high school of Romeo, Michigan,
and later entered the University of Michigan, being
graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in
1902, and that of Bachelor of Laws in 1904, at which
time he opened a law office in Detroit. Since then
he has been in general practice in Detroit. He is
a director of the Peoples State Bank of Imlay City,
Michigan, and president of the Detroit Securities
Company. On the 24th day of May, 1911, Mr. Heenan mar
ried, in South Pasadena, California, Miss Bernice
E. Palmer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Palmer
of Imlay City, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Heenan
have three children: Bernice Rosemary, bom March 8,
1915; Earl I. Heenan, Jr., born February 2, 1919; and
Palmer T. Heenan, born December 13, 1921.
Mr. Heenan is a member of the Detroit Athletic
Club, the Ingleside Club, the Lawyer's Club, and the
Detroit and Michigan State Bar Associations.
W. B. VAN DRESSER, of the firm of Van Dresser
Brothers, makers of tools and special machinery in
Detroit, is numbered among Michigan's native sons,
his birth having occurred at Battle Creek, October
25, 1879. His parents were William and Cornelia
(Leinar) Van Dresser and the father is descended
from the prominent Van Dresser family of Herkimer
county, New York, who were of Holland ancestry.
His mother was born in Holland but came to America
in her girlhood days.
W. B. Van Dresser was educated in the public
schools of Battle Creek and by reason of a natural
inclination turned to mechanical pursuits when he
started out in the business world. He learned the
trade of tool-making in his native city and the de
velopment of his skill in that direction at length won
for him the position of assistant superintendent in a
printing house in Grand Haven, Miehigan. He came

856

CITY OF DETROIT

to Detroit in 1914 and had charge of the machinery
department in the Packard plant before starting in
his present business. His brother, W. C. Van Dres
ser, had charge of the tool department of the Gemmer
Manufacturing Company and the two brothers eventu
ally joined their interests to organize the firm of
Van Dresser Brothers, makers of tools and special
machinery. They are rated as experts in their line.
They established the business on the 15th of August,
1915, and in 1919 they built their present extensive
and well equipped factory, in which they are turning
out work of the highest grade.
W. B. Van Dresser was married to Miss Olive A.
Thayer and they are well known socially in Detroit,
where the hospitality of many of 'the best homes is
cordially extended to them. Fraternally Mr. Van
Dresser is a Mason, belonging to A. T. Mitchell Lodge,
No. 419, A. F. & A. M., and his interest in community
affairs is indicated in his connection with the Board
of Commerce and his cooperation in all those projects
and plans of the board to advance the city's interests,
to extend its trade relations, to upbuild its fortunes
and to promote its civic standards.
DUDLEY WOODBRIDGE ABBOTT. One of the
prominent figures in real estate circles of Detroit
is Dudley- Woodbridge Abbott, secretary-treasurer of
the William Tait Realty Company and copartner of the
firm of Abbott & Beymer, the latter firm also main
taining offices in Buffalo, New York. He is a native
son of Detroit and has witnessed much of its wonderful
growth and development, to which he has contributed
substantially through his business activities. He was
born April 26, 1878, and was the eldest son of William
Woodbridge and Hattie E. (Abbott) Abbott, repre
sentatives of old American families. His grandfather,
John S. Abbott, married Luey Marie Woodbridge, a
daughter of Governor William Woodbridge of Mieh
igan, and the Abbotts were prominent among the older
settlers of Detroit. The old homestead at the foot
of Trumbull avenue, on the river front, was later
moved to the corner of Chureh and Tenth streets.
In the publie sehools of his native city Dudley
Woodbridge Abbott obtained his education and on
starting out in life independently he engaged in busi
ness as a contractor and builder, along whieh line
he continued aetive until he entered the real estate
field in 1903. He has since devoted his energies to
this business and in 1909 organized the firm of Ab
bott & Beymer, while in 1910 he formed the William
Tait Realty Company, a Miehigan corporation of
whieh he became secretary-treasurer, and in this ca
pacity he is now serving. This is recognized as one
of the leading enterprises of the kind in the city and
the business has reached extensive proportions, a
branch office being maintained in Buffalo, New York.
The firm handles improved as well as vacant prop
erties in both cities and has operated extensively in
the development of subdivisions, opening up more than

fifteen subdivisions in the city of Detroit during the
last six years and thus doing notably effective work
in the development of a greater municipality. In the
management of his extensive interests Mr. Abbott is
proving capable, farsighted, progressive and energetic.
He attacks everything with a contagious enthusiasm
and throughout his career he seems to have realized at
every point the possibilities for successful accomplish
ment at that point.
Mr. Abbott was united in marriage to Miss Amanda
K. McEvoy and they have become the parents of three
children, all born in Detroit, namely: Mary Leona
born October 11, 1909; William Woodbridge, born
July 22, 1912; and Edwin Anthony, born November 1
1915. In his political views Mr. Abbott is a republican
and his religious faith is indicated by his membership
in the Catholic chureh. He is an active and earnest
member of the Detroit Real Estate Board and the
Board of Commerce and his social nature finds ex
pression in his membership in the Fellowcraft Club.
Mr. Abbott is also a member of the National Associa
tion of Real Estate Boards. He is keenly alive to
every new avenue opened in 'the natural ramifications
of trade and in his business career has been a per
sistent, energetic worker, keeping his hand steadily
upon the helm of his business and manifesting at all
times strong executive power. His life is an exemplary
one in all respects and he is generally regarded by
the people of Detroit as among the foremost of those
who have wrought effectively for the development and
growth of the city.
GEORGE H. CRAIG. New business enterprises
are constantly coming into being through the progres
siveness and activity of wide-awake and alert young
men who recognize the opportunities here presented
and utilize them to the full extent, promoting busi
ness interests which contribute to the growth and
industrial development of the city as well as to in
dividual success. Of this class George H. Craig is
a representative. A native of the Empire state, he
was born in Buffalo, and pursued his education
through attendance at several different boarding
sehools, supplemented by a two years' course in
Princeton University. After his college days were
over he engaged in the production of crude oils, his
tirne being thus passed from 1892 until 1918, within
which period he developed a business of substantial
proportions. In the latter year he became connected
with the Accurate Tool Company of Detroit, which
was incorporated on the 16th of April, 1918. He
joined the company as its secretary and treasurer but
became president in January, 1920, since which time
the corporation has largely increased its factory space,
its facilities and its business. It now has seventy-five
hundred square feet of floor space at No. 2270 Frank
lin street, where it is engaged in the manufacture of
tools, dies and special machinery. In all its products*

DUDLEY W. ABBOTT

>

CITY OF DETROIT

859

it lives up to the idea expressed in the name which it
has adopted — the Accurate Tool Company. The firm
warrants and stands behind everything which it turns
out of its shops, maintaining the highest standards
of excellence in its products. It has already achieved
a reputation in Detroit for work second to none in
the country and in fact some manufacturers claim
that it stands at the head of the list in its different
productive lines. This is the reputation which the
officials of the company wish to win and to maintain
and its progress has been most satisfactory.
Mr. Craig was united in marriage in 1916 to Mrs.
Mary Jackson and they have one daughter, Frances.
Mr. Craig is a member of City of the Straits Lodge,
A. F. & A. M., and has taken the degrees of King
Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M., and Detroit Commandery,
No. 1, K. T., while with the Nobles of Moslem Temple
of the Mystie Shrine he has crossed the sands of the
desert. The Board of Commerce also has his name
on its membership rolls and he is interested in all that
pertains to the city's progress and improvement.
He is a thoroughgoing business man of large experi
ence and of splendid executive ability, and the success
of the Accurate Tool Company has been very pro
nounced sinee he became president of the corporation.
BRUNO B. BRUNKE, M. D. One of the able and
representative physicians of the younger generation
in Detroit is Dr. Bruno B. Brunke, who has gained
special prestige as a gynecologist and as such has
developed a large and important practice, with resi
dence and office headquarters on Mack avenue.
Dr. Bruno Berthold Brunke was born at Mayville,
Wisconsin, June 19, 1886, and is a son of Frank and
Helena (Tillman) Brunke, the former a native of
Germany and the latter of Wisconsin, in which state
their marriage was solemnized, the father having been
thirteen years of age at the time when his parents
came to America and established their home in the
Badger state. Frank Brunke eventually became a suc
cessful wholesale dealer in cigars, as a manufacturer,
and with this line of enterprise he is still actively
identified at Mayville, that state, He and his wife
have five children, of whom Dr. Brunke of this sketch
was the third in order of birth, the other sons being:
Edwin, Walter and Herbert, and the only daughter,
Leona, being now the wife of Herman Nitschke.
In the public sehools of his native place Dr. Brunke
continued his studies until his graduation from the
high school, at the age of seventeen years, and there
after he became a clerk in a drug store at Milwaukee,
where he acquired thorough knowledge of the business
and eventually became a registered pharmacist. He
finally engaged in the drug business in an independent
way and in the meanwhile his experience created in
him a definite ambition to expand his field of service
by preparing him'self for the medical profession. Ac
cordingly, in 1908, he entered the medical department
of Marquette University, in the city of Milwaukee,

and after receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine,
as a graduate of the class of 1913, he came to Detroit
and gave one year of service as interne in St. Mary's
Hospital, where he gained valuable clinical experience
that further fortified him for his exacting profession.
As a gynecologist his private practice, especially in
his special field of gynecology, is of large and rep
resentative order. The Doctor is actively affiliated
with the American Medical Association, the Miehi
gan State Medical Society and the Wayne County
Medical Society, and in politics is independent of
strict partisan lines. In Detroit he is a director of
the Caspar Hoffman Real Estate Company, and in the
Masonic fraternity he holds membership in Palestine
Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons.
On the 14th of March, 1917, Dr. Brunke married
Miss Nanna I. Granger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Mortimer B. Granger, prominent citizens of Capac,
Michigan. Dr. and Mrs. Brunke have one child,
Shirley Evelyn, born November 16, 1920. The Doctor
has recently completed the erection of a fine modern
office building at No. 7765 Mack avenue, where he is
associated in the practice of medicine and surgery
with Dr. Arthur L. Gignac.
WILLIAM E. POMNIETZKY is treasurer of
the Southwick-Pomnietzky-MeFate Company, leading
building contractors of Detroit, specializing in interior
finishing, and examples of their excellent workman
ship are to be found in many of the finest public
bulidings of the city. Mr. Pomnietzky is widely and
favorably known in Detroit, for he has here spent
his life. His parents were Edwin W. and Sarah A.
(Addison) Pomnietzky, the former a native of Mary
land. In the public schools of his native eity William
E. acquired his education and on starting out in life
independently secured a position in a lumber mill,
where he remained for a short time and then ob
tained employment with the Michigan Stove Works,
with which he was identified for four years. He
next became connected with the Miehigan Drug Com
pany and for four years was employed in the eity
order department of that corporation, after which
he joined the Vinton Company, well known contractors
of this city. Starting as office boy, he devoted every
energy to acquiring a knowledge of the business and
his close application and ready adaptability soon
won for him advancement until he was made pur
chasing agent. He remained with that firm until they
discontinued business in 1916, having spent thir
teen years in their service, and in March of that.
year joined Mr. Southwick in forming the Southwick-
Pomnietzky Company. In 1918 they admitted Robert
McFate as a partner and the style of the Southwiek-
Pomnietzky-McFate Company was then assumed, Mr.
Pomnietzy being made treasurer. They specialize in
detail work and interior finishing and are equipped to
handle contracts of any size. Their superior work
manship, progressive business methods and straight-

860

CITY OF DETROIT

forward dealing have won for them a large patronage
and they are classed with the leading building con
tractors of Detroit. They have been awarded many
important contracts, and notable examples of their
skill are to be seen in several of Detroit's finest
public buildings, among whieh may be mentioned the
interior woodwork of the Orpheum Theatre and Cadil
lac Service buildings, both of which are finished in
walnut; and the interior finishing in the Detroit Sav
ings Bank and United Savings Bank buildings and
the Nurses' Home in connection with Harper Hospital.
Mr. Pomnietzky was united in marriage to Miss
Linnie Francombe and they have many friends in the
city. In his political views he is a republican and
his religious faith is indicated by his membership in
the Episcopal church. He is a Mason of high standing,
belonging to Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M.; to Michigan
Sovereign Consistory, A. & A. S. R., in which he has
attained the thirty-second degree; and to Moslem Tem
ple of the Mystic Shrine. The nature of his recrea
tion is indicated in his membership in the Detroit
Yacht Club, the Detroit Riding & Hunt Club and the
Detroit Athletic Club. Mr. Pomnietzky is numbered
among the self-made men who owe their advance
ment and prosperity directly to their own efforts,
for he started out in life empty-handed and by his
perseverance and diligence has overcome all obstacles
and difficulties in his path, pressing steadily forward
until he now ranks with the leading contractors and
progressive citizens of Detroit.
ARTHUR P. DOWELL, well known in manufactur
ing circles in Detroit and for a number of years
identified with certain branches of the automobile
industry, is a native of this city. He was born
September 22, 1883, and is a son of Charles W. and
Adelaide (Houle) Dowell, both of whom are yet
residents of Detroit. Arthur P. Dowell obtained his
education in the schools of Detroit and his first
business position was that of clerk in a railway freight
office, where he was employed for ten years.
At the time of the organization of the Briggs
Manufacturing Company in 1909, Mr. Dowell, who
had been one of the organizers, was made accountant
and office manager. In 1913 he was elected to the
vice presidency and in 1917 was made general man
ager, in which capacity he continued until the fall
of 1921, when he became associated with the Fisher
Body Corporation and is now connected with the
management of Plant No. 21 of that corporation.
In 1905 Mr. Dowell was united in marriage to Miss
Lillian Lescohier and they have a family of five chil
dren: Arthur P., LeRoy, Frank, Grace, and Robert.
Fraternally Mr. Dowell is affiliated with the Masons,
having membership in Zion Lodge. He also belongs
to the Detroit Athletic Club and to the Red Run
Golf Club, associations which indicate something of
the nature of his recreation and diversion. His po
litical allegiance is given to the republican party

and his religious faith is shown by his membership
in the Woodward Avenue Presbyterian church. Mr.
Dowell resides at No. 4810 Ivanhoe street.
EDGAR FRANKLIN ROBERTS is a well known
figure in Detroit real estate circles, where he has dis
played much of the spirit of the pioneer in conduct
ing his affairs, initiating various methods which have
been resultant forces in the attainment of success.
The story of Mr. Roberts' life is nothing less than the
record of a man who from boyhood has made good in
whatever capacity his connections have found him.
He was born on a farm in Dade county, Missouri, June
12, 1880, the youngest of ten children whose parents
were Samuel S. and Martha Anne (Bedford) Roberts.
When Edgar F. Roberts was but a child of three
years his parents removed to Douglas county, Missouri
where the father carried on farming and stoek raising
and the family home was maintained until the latter 's
death at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother
later removed to Springfield, Missouri, where her
death occurred when she had reaehed the age of eighty-
four years.
Reared on a farm in Douglas county, Missouri, Edgar
F. Roberts early in life acquired a practical knowledge
of work and responsibilities. His early education was
received in the district schools. He learned rapidly
and when but eighteen years old had fitted himself for
teaching school. For two years he successfully fol
lowed that profession. He was ambitious and, with
an abundance of natural energy, his constant aim
was to fit himself for bigger things. Having spent the
first twenty years of his life in the Ozark hills, Mr.
Roberts had a craving for travel, to see the country
and acquaint himself at first hand with places and
people. Having no funds with which to travel he
gratified this desire by joining a traveling dramatic
company, playing repertoire in which he enacted roles
in many different plays. This work he pursued until
the age of twenty-three, and it took him all over the
central states and contributed materially to his educa
tion. Subsequently he studied a number of corre
spondence courses in the attainment of his education.
One of the first positions he filled after leaving his
home locality was in the employ of a wholesale grocery
house in Omaha, Nebraska. Receiving but nine dollars
per week, he managed to save enough from his wages
to pay for a course in advertising. This instruction
naturally took him into a new field of activity and
for about a year and a half he was connected with
advertising interests in Omaha, devoting his attention
principally to street-car advertising. He then became
manager of the Seattle branch of the Street Car Ad
vertising Company of New York and for about one
year successfully filled that position. On the expira
tion of that period he went to New York city and be
came a member of the advertising staff of the Jewel
ers' Circular Weekly and was thus engaged until he
turned his attention to the real estate business in

EDGAR F. ROBERTS

CITY OF DETROIT

863

New York, remaining active in that field for two
years. It was in 1911 that Mr. Roberts came to Detroit,
where he has continued, and throughout the interven
ing period has been closely identified with real estate
activity. He was first associated with the Stormfeltz-
Loveley Company as a salesman and made a notable
record in that connection by reason of the extent
and importance of the sales whieh he negotiated.
After a year and a half he was made superintendent
and in that position added to the good name which
he had already obtained in real estate circles, his
sales reaching a million dollars annually. In 1916
he became general manager for that firm and remained
in that capacity until the United States entered the
World war. Mr. Roberts did not see active service in
that struggle, owing to delay in his draft classification,
which he was awaiting at the time the armistice was
signed. He did, however, take a most active part in
the work of the American Protective League and was
a Four-Minute man, as well as a speaker on the issues
of the war and he did everything possible to uphold
the interests of the government.
After the armistice was signed Mr. Roberts opened
a general real estate office in the Penobseot building,
later entering the firm of Leinbaeh, Humphrey &
Roberts. In December, 1919, he withdrew from that
connection and has sinee operated alone under the
name of the Edgar F. Roberts Company, with offices
in the Congress building. He handles the Huntington
Woods subdivision, a property of two hundred and
fifty acres between Ten and Eleven Mile roads, which
surrounds the new Zoological Park. He is also ex
clusive agent for Grayhaven, a unique river front
subdivision built up out of the water, between the
Five and Six Mile Circles, East, on the proposed River
side boulevard. His methods show marked initiative
and enterprise and his progressiveness is recognized
by all who know of his business career. He is a
member of the Detroit Real Estate Board, is chairman
of the publicity committee and was chairman of the
membership committee in 1920, in which year the
membership was increased two hundred per cent. He
is now carrying on publicity advertising of Detroit
real estate through the Detroit Realtor, the board's
official publication. Mr. Roberts stands as a high type
of the American citizen, resourceful, progressive, pub
lic-spirited, clean in business practices and with a
steadfastness of purpose which has not only con
tributed to individual success but to the support of
interests of vital worth to the community.
Mr. Roberts maintains an independent political
course, voting for men and measures rather than party.
He is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to
Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M., Michigan Sovereign Con
sistory and also to Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine. He likewise has membership in the Detroit
Athletic Club, Oakland Hills Country Club and in
the Board of Commerce. One who has known Mr.

Roberts long and has watched with interest the de
velopment of his business career speaks of him as
"a live wire in every way." He is recognized as
one of the most successful real estate salesmen of De
troit and is noted for his able handling of salesmen and
his talks on standardized salesmanship, together with
his interesting views concerning the conveyance of
property. In a word he has made a study of his business
until he has become a recognized authority on matters
relating to the real estate development of Detroit.
The knowledge and experience acquired in the real
estate business has been incorporated in a course of
study prepared by Mr. Roberts under the title of Real
Estate Salesmanship. This course consists of seven
lessons, each printed in the form of a separate booklet.
Mr. Roberts' favorite hobby has been the study of
personal character and of self development. His ob
servations and notes on this subject made during a
period of twenty years are being written into a book
to be called The Building of Self. This book will
have some unique and notable features in connection
with the classification and training of the various
quailities of character.
Mr. Roberts married Miss Mildred Keef and they
have a son and a daughter, both born in Detroit:
Wilbur Edison, whose birth occurred April 17, 1915;
and Patrieia Rosalie, born May 30, 1919. Their city
residence is at No. 1157 Edison, while their country
home — Shadow Brook — situated on a branch of the
River Rouge in the south edge of the Bloomfield
Hills, comprises an eighty-acre tract of land, with a
most charming natural environment and is one of the
attractive suburban homes around Detroit.
DUBOIS YOUNG, vice president and manufacturing
manager of the Hupp Motor Car Company of Detroit,
was born in Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, July 7,
1879, and is a son of William A. and Hannah (DuBois)
Young. The father, who has passed away, was a native
of Kentucky. He devoted his life to the contracting
business. The mother, who was born in Ohio, resides
with her son DuBois in Detroit.
The removal of the family to Indianapolis, Indiana,
during the boyhood days of DuBois Young enabled
him to pursue his education in the public schools of
that city, whieh he attended to the age of fourteen,
when he started out to provide for his own support,
securing employment in the Atlas Engine Works of
Indianapolis as an apprentice. He there remained
until eighteen years of age and was afterward with
the Dean Brothers Steam Pump Works. In 1899 he
went to Chicago, where he beeame a machinist in the
employ of the G. A. Crosby Company, manufacturers of
punches and dies. In that city he continued until 1902,
when he returned to Indianapolis and made his initial
step in connection with the automobile business as an
employe at the Premier plant. In 1909, when he left
the Premier, he had been advanced to the position of
general foreman.

864

CITY OF DETROIT

In that year Mr. Young removed to Jackson, Mich
igan, where he became a partner in the American
Gear & Manufacturing Company, and in 1915 he be
came a factor in the ownership and management of
the Hupp Motor Car Corporation, which had pur
chased the stock of the American Gear & Manufactur
ing Company. Mr. Young has been vice president and
manufacturing manager of the Hupp Motor Car Com
pany since his arrival here and the results of his
labors are manifest in the rapid growth of the busi
ness — so rapid as to seem almost phenomenal. He has
advanced in the business world solely through individ
ual merit, his various promotions coming to him as
the result of his energy, close application and fidelity.
From the apprenticeship to his place of large respon
sibility he has steadily progressed without a reverse
and is now one of the main factors in the development
and control of the big organization which turns out
the popular Hupp car.
On the 23d of August, 1903, Mr. Young was mar
ried to Miss Evalyn R. Buckingham of Chicago, and
they have one son, Richard DuBois Young, who was
born July 24, 1904, and is a student at the Northern
high school. Mr. Young votes with the republican
party and is a firm believer in its principles. In Ma
sonry he has attained the Knights Templar degree of
the York Rite and is also a member of the Mystic
Shrine. He is likewise well known in the club circles
of the city, belonging to the Detroit Athletic, Detroit
Automobile, Bloomfield Hills Country, Oakland Hills
Country and the Jackson City Clubs. He has mem
bership with the Board of Commerce and he has made
for himself an enviable position in the manufacturing
circles of the greatest automobile center of the world.
He has ever displayed a ready mastery of detail,
which, combined with his broad mechanical skill and
ingenuity and his mastery of the vital principles and
forces of business, has gained for him a notable posi
tion as a car builder, winning for him well merited
success. His residence is at 1197 Longfellow avenue.
GEORGE DUFFIELD, M. D., who in his profes
sional and other capacities made ' valuable contribu
tion to the world's work and whose well spent life
won him the respect and honor of all who knew him,
was born in Detroit, April 28, 1859, his parents being
Divie Bethune and Mary Strong (Buell) Duffield.
The family comes of English ancestry, the ancient
family seat being at Ripon and Coverdale, County
York. The family is of great antiquity, deriving its
name from the township of Duffield, ten miles from
York. The first representative of the name in Amer
ica was the Rev. George Duffield, who was born in
Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland, and who came
from England to the new world in 1720, establishing
his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rev. George
Duffield and his wife Susanna, were the parents of a
son, George, who married Elizabeth Blair, and they
in turn had a son, George, who wedded Faithful Rich

ardson Slaymaker. The line of descent comes on down
through George Duffield (IV) and his wife, Isabella
Graham (Bethune) Duffield, who were the grand
parents of Dr. Duffield of this review. The progenitor
of the family in the new world and his son and name
sake were both ministers of the Presbyterian church,
while George Duffield (III) beeame a chaplain in the
American army, serving under Washington with the
rank of colonel during the Revolutionary war. Later
he was a chaplain of the First Continental Congress
with Bishop White. His pronounced support of the
cause of freedom at the time of the Revolutionary
war led the British to place a price of fifty pounds
sterling upon his head. In 1784 he was an honorary
member of the American Philosophical Society, of
which Benjamin Franklin was the head. The aetive
interest of the Duffield family in the work of the
ministry was continued by George Duffield (IV), who
became widely known as a prominent representative
of the Presbyterian church in Michigan. His eldest
son, George Duffield (V), followed in the footsteps
of his father and served many years as a minister in
the Presbyterian church, and was also a hymn writer
of note, his best known composition being the familiar
one entitled: Stand up, stand up for Jesus. Another
son, Divie Bethune Duffield, father of George Duffield
(VI) of this review, was a lawyer and poet who won
fame equal to that of his predecessors, though in other
fields. He was a graduate of Yale College, was the
founder of the first high school in Detroit and became
a dominant factor in the civic and social life of the
community as well as in its professional circles. When
Mayor Buhl called a public meeting in Detroit early
in 1861, he was one of the speakers to denounce the
prospective action to repeal the personal liberty laws;
to return to the Missouri Compromise line (in order
to settle forever the question of slavery) ; to put a
stop to kidnapping and to any further intereference
with slavery in the south or in the District of Columbia.
He stood in defense of his honest convictions with the
same courage and zeal whieh characterized his an
cestors when the nation was founded.
In presenting the life of Dr. George Duffield, it is
perhaps well to quote the record prepared by his loved
personal friend, Dr. W. P. Manton — a record that was
embodied in the memorial of the Detroit Academy
of Medicine and which reads as follows: "Dr. George
Duffield, a former president of the Academy, was
born at the family residence on Congress street, West,
on April 28, 1859. He came of excellent stock on
both sides, his mother's relatives, the Buells, being
well known and prominent people in New York state,
while his father's ancestors, coming from Pensylvania,
were particularly distinguished in scientific lore,
theology, law and literature. Educated in the public
schools of this city, the Philo M. Patterson Private
Classical and Mathematical school, he finished his pre
liminary course at the Orchard Lake Military Academy,
where a thorough training, both literary and physical,

DR. GEORGE DUFFIELD

Vol. IV— 55

CITY OF DETROIT

867

fitted him for the battle of life. Having shown from
his early boyhood a peculiar interest in all that per
tained to sickness and suffering, it was natural that
he should turn his attention later to medicine, and he
was graduated from the Detroit Medical College in
1882. Following this he spent two years in post
graduate study in Berlin, Vienna and Heidelberg,
where he took up a general review of medicine, paying
particular attention to pathology and obstetrics. Re
turning to this eity in 1883, he began practice, opening
an office in his father's house, 480 Woodward avenue.
Some years later he became associated with Dr. Henry
A. Cleland, one of the oldest and best known prac
titioners in the city, and occupied offices with the
latter in the old Cleland block, State and Griswold
streets. He remained here for many years, succeeding
to the practice of Dr. Cleland following the latter 's
death, and, when the Peter Smith building was
erected on the same site, he continued in the old lo
cality. In 1918 he removed to 80 Griswold street,
a downtown location being more convenient to his
professional work.
' ' Dr. Duffield was elected to the Detroit Academy of
Medicine in 1883, became vice president in 1896 and
president in 1899. He was greatly interested in the
work of the society and, during the earlier years, did
much to advance its interests. Although a fairly
active and voluminous correspondent, he did not con
tribute extensively to medical literature, but what he
did write was always practical and timely. In looking
over the list of papers read before the Academy during
the past thirty years, Dr. Duffield 's name occuts
several times, and the titles include such subjects as
Carcinoma; Urinary Casts; The Treatment of Typhoid
Fever; The Use of Antitoxin in Diphtheria; Plea for
the Earlier Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary
Tuberculosis; Treatment of Diseases of the Heart
Associated with Tachycardia. These papers were pre
pared at an early date when interest in these special
subjects was just awakening, and evidence a keen and
alert interest in progressive medicine. During the
early years of Dr. Duffield 's experience, he devoted
much time to pathology; indeed he and the late Dr.
Frank W. Brown were the only men in Detroit who
had had special training in that subject. As a result
they both did quite a laboratory business. Dr. Duf
field specialized in internal medicine. For many years
he was a visiting physician to Harper hospital, and
professor of medicine in the Detroit College of Medi
cine, in both of which he later became emeritus. For
four years he was secretary of the State Medical
Society, and, together with a committee, edited its
transactions. He was one of the editors of The Micro
scope, a scientific journal devoted to microscopy in
all its branches. For years he edited the Harper
Hospital Bulletin, a staff publication, in the interests
of the hospital. Eariy in his career Dr. Duffield be
came examiner for several insurance companies, and
so greatly did his work along these lines prosper, and

so popular did he become with the soliciting force
that, during the past decade or so, this occupation
crowded out most, of his private practice, and he
gave practically his entire time and attention to this
department; At the time of his death he was the
Michigan medical director for the Mutual Benefit Life
Insurance Company of New Jersey, and had the envi
able distinction of making more examinations each
year than any physician in the United States.
"Every man places, however unconsciously, a valu
ation on himself; but it is impossible to determine just
how Dr. Duffield appraised his personal assets. He
seldom spoke in serious mood of his own qualifications,
and one can judge of him solely by his acts. One
mentions the dead only from memory, and at this
time memory troops in sueh overwhelming masses
that selection becomes difficult, and what might be
put down soon appears trivial compared with that
unmentioned. Four characteristics, however, stand
out in Dr. Duffield 's life — steadfastness, kindliness,
self-sacrifice and service. The deaf, the halt and the
blind were his friends and brothers in so far as he
could reach out a helping hand in their extremity;
he enjoyed in service, and let no personal gain or com
fort stand in the way of doing what he eould. The
'cup of cold water' in his hands became the kindly,
cheering word, the fragrant flower, the box of candy,
placed where it would do most good. In his moral
code he was firmly founded; no exigency of occasion
could tempt him to depart from that which he thought
to be right. He was a stanch and steadfast friend
and, come weal, come woe, with his broad shoulder
to the wheel would push with all his energy, or, if
those he loved lacked vigor, he was quick to assume
the total burden to himself. Helpfulness and service
were his foremost thoughts and, harking back over
the past years, one fails to find him ever wanting.
By nature sympathetic, he sometimes seemed to pass
too lightly over serious things, but always at the
bottom of his heart he searched for that which would
best bring comfort, cheer and quick relief. So, truly
we may say of him, as Anthony said of the great
Roman: ' His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, This was a man! ' "
In the foregoing the home life of Dr. Duffield was
not touched upon, but it is well known that his interest
centered at his own fireside and he found his greatest
happiness in promoting the welfare and comfort of
his wife and children. On the 2d of October, 1888,
Dr. Duffield was married in Detroit to Miss Clara
Wood Cowie, daughter of Dr. Henry Cowie, a prom
inent dentist of Detroit. They became parents of
three children: George Bethune, Henry Cowie and
Frederick Hodges. The family circle was broken by
the hand of death when Dr. Duffield passed away in
Detroit, Michigan, November 12, 1919. He was long
a consistent member and officer of the First Presby-

868

CITY OF DETROIT

terian church and his political belief was that of
the republican party. He had membership in the
Detroit Golf Club, the Country Club, the Detroit Boat
Club, the Detroit, Academy of Medicine, of which
he was at one time president, the Mississippi Valley
Medical Association, the Michigan State Medical
Society, the Wayne County Medical Society and the
American Medical Association. He likewise belonged
to the Sons of the American Revolution. He added
new laurels to an honored family name and by reason
of his contribution to professional activity and also
by reason of his upright life the world is better for
his having lived.
HORACE KENDRICK is the president of the Ken-
drick Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of brass,
bronze and manganese castings. The city has no bet
ter known nor more popular business man and he is
specially worthy of mention in that his success is the
direct result and outcome of his own labors. While he
has made for himself a notable place in business
circles, philanthropy, courtesy and kindliness also fea
ture in his career, winning him the esteem and high
regard of his fellows.
Mr. Kendrick was born in Stratford-on-Avon, Eng
land, December 7, 1871, his parents being Charles and
Mary A. (Walters) Kendrick, who were also natives
of Stratford, where they were reared, educated and
married. They came to Detroit in 1874, remaining for
a period of seven years and then removing to Windsor,
Ontario, just across the border. The father was aetive
along mechanical lines, possessing expert ability as a
machinist, and he followed the business throughout
his active life. In later years, however, he lived
retired and passed away in Windsor in August, 1921,
at the age of eighty-two years. The mother survives
and yet occupies the old homestead at Windsor. In
their family were six children, all of whom have
passed away, with the exception of Horace Kendrick.
In his youthful days Horace Kendrick was a pupil
in the schools of Goderich and of Windsor, Ontario,
but when only twelve years of age began to provide
for his own support by making his initial step in the
business world. He possessed natural mechanical skill
and ingenuity and decided to direct his labors along
that line. Accordingly he became an apprentice at
the machinist's trade, serving the term of his ap
prenticeship with A. Harvey & Sons, wholesale dealers
in plumbers' supplies in Detroit. When he had com
pleted his term of indenture he worked as a journey
man in various shops of Chicago and Detroit, spending
two years with the American Injector Company, while
he was also in the employ of the General Electric
Company at Peterboro, Canada, and of the Detroit
Sheet Metal and Brass Works, now the Detroit Ship
building Company. Later he became superintendent
of the Globe Brass Works in Detroit and ultimately
was with the Pullman Company of Chicago for a period
of four years in the mechanical department. He then

returned to Detroit and has been a permanent resident
of the city since 1903. He occupied the position of
mechanical superintendent with the Capitol Brass
Works until 1907, when he embarked in business on
his own account by becoming one of the organizers of
the Thiery & Kendrick Manufacturing Company in
June of that year. He was secretary and treasurer
from the organization of the business until October 1
1913, when he became the president. He later pur
chased Mr. Thiery 's interest in the business and now
owns seventy-five per cent of the stock. The major
portion of the remaining stock Mr. Kendrick bought
in the open market at an advantageous time and re
sold to the department heads of the company on terms
that were exceedingly attractive, thus making them
partners in the business. He thus gave practical rec
ognition of their faithful and devoted service, mani
festing his appreciation of their worth in a tangible
way. This plan permitted him to shift some of the
burden of responsibility to other shoulders, leaving
him more leisure. The name of the company was
changed in 1922 to the Kendrick Manufacturing Com
pany, and the business has grown to extensive propor
tions, necessitating the employment of two hundred
people. Mr. Kendrick has been married twice. On the 21st
of November, 1894, he wedded Miss Dorothy Lamp-
man, who was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward'
Lampman, well known and highly respected residents
of Detroit. She passed away in March, 1909, leaving
one child, who is now Mrs. Hazel White, a native of
Detroit, educated in the graded and high sehools of
this eity. She resides in Danbury, Connecticut, and
has three children. On the 3d of May, 1911, Mr. Ken
drick was again married, his second union being with
Miss Adeline Vinee, a daughter of Robert Vince, of
Brantford, Canada.
In politics Mr. Kendrick maintains an independ
ent attitude, supporting men and measures rather than
party. His religious faith is that of the Methodist
church, while fraternally he is identified with the
Masons, belonging to Ashlar Lodge and having at
tained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite.
He is also a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine. He has membership in the Detroit Board of
Commerce, the Michigan Manufacturers Association
and the American Manufacturers Association, and
also belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club and is a
director and treasurer of the Red Run Golf Club.
Motoring, baseball and golf are his chief sources of
recreation. He is very fond of travel and he spends
almost every winter in southern California, residing
at the best hotels in that part of the country, from
which he and his wife take long motor trips into va
rious interesting sections of the Pacific coast country.
Starting out to provide for his own support when a
lad of twelve years, Mr. Kendrick has long been a
leading figure in manufacturing circles in Detroit and
as the years have passed he has gained notable success
that enables him at the present time to put aside

HORACE KENDRICK

r

CITY OF DETROIT

871

many of the cares and responsibilities of business life
and enjoy those pleasures and opportunities which
leisure affords. The course which he has always pur
sued should well serve to inspire and encourage others,
showing what may be accomplished through individual
effort when laudable ambition is intelligently directed
and rests upon the broad foundation of commercial
integrity and enterprise.
Mr. Kendrick 's residence is at No. 1772 Seyburn.
J. HOWARD TEAGAN, one of the alert, energetic
and progressive young business men of Detroit, is
well known to the automobile trade of the city as
export manager for the Hupp Motor Car Company.
He is thoroughly familiar with the automobile busi
ness, owing to his long connection therewith, and his
services are very valuable to the corporation which
he represents. He was born in Detroit, May 7, 1889,
and represents the third generation of the family in
this city. His paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs.
George S. Teagan, were numbered among the early
residents of Detroit. The grandfather was a cabinet
maker by trade and one of the first to follow that
occupation in the city. Both he and his wife passed
away at an advanced age, the demise of the latter
occurring when she was ninety years of age. The
maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Horace H.
Connor, who were also pioneer settlers of Detroit,
the former being connected with business interests
of the city as superintendent for the firm of Dean
& Godfrey, artists, which position he filled for many
years. He was an honored veteran of the Civil war,
serving with the Michigan Cavalry. Their daughter,
Harriet Emma Connor, a native of Adrian, Michigan,
married Jonathan E. Teagan, who was born in Detroit
and has here spent his life. As a young man he
secured a situation with the American Car & Foundry
Company, with which he has been identified for a
period of forty-two years — a remarkable record of
continuous and faithful service — and he has the dis
tinction of being the oldest employe of the company.
His services are highly valued by the corporation and
he has a wide circle of friends in this city. To Mr.
and Mrs. Teagan were born four children: William
S., a traveling salesman, representing the United
States Radiator Company; George H., manager for the
firm of Buchanan & Huff, large coal dealers of Detroit;
Avery E., adjuster for the Goodyear Tire Company of
this city; and J. Howard, of this review.
The last named acquired! his education in the
graded schools and the Central high school of Detroit
and his initial business experience was gained in the
specifications and body department of the Packard
Motor Car Company of Detroit, where he remained
for two years. He was then transferred to the
factory at Buffalo, New York, where he continued to
work in the same department for a period of two
years, after which he returned tp Detroit and became
connected with the Hupp Motor Car Company, being

employed in its specifications department for five
and a half years. Having thoroughly mastered the
details of that branch of the business, he was pro
moted to the position of assistant export manager
and is now at the head of this department, having
full charge of all exports and shipping. He is well
qualified to discharge the important duties which de
volve upon him in this connection, owing to his long
identification with automobile interests, and has made
many trips abroad as representative for the firm,
who place a high valuation upon his services.
In Detroit, on the 4th of January, 1914, Mr. Teagan
was united in marriage to Miss Margaret C. Mbhr, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Mohr, natives of
Buffalo, New York. In his political views Mr. Teagan
is a stanch republican and in religious faith he is an
Episcopalian. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic
and Detroit Automobile Clubs and fraternally is iden
tified with the Masons, belonging to Michigan Sov
ereign Consistory and to the Grotto. In business
affairs he has made steady progress, his advancement
being due to the fact that he has never been afraid
of hard work, while his diligence and close applica
tion have ever been supplemented by unquestioned
integrity and reliability. He has never dissipated his
energies over a broad field, but has concentrated his
attention upon the line of activity which he first
entered upon, starting out in life independently, and
his specialized knowledge has gained for him a fore-
mqst position in connection with the automobile in
dustry of Detroit.
THOMAS THEODORE HOLLINGER, a well known
figufe in real estate and business circles of Detroit,
is vice president of the Whitney-Hollinger Company,
one of the city's leading real estate firms.
Mr. Hollinger was born in Wayne county, Ohio,
March 6, 1855, a son of Joseph and Amanda (Metz-
ler) Hollinger, who were natives of Pennsylvania and
Ohio, respectively. The father went to Ohio with his
parents when eight years of age and was reared to
manhood in Wayne county. He learned the painter's
and decorator's trade and followed those pursuits for
many years. He specialized in what is known to the
trade as graining, a particular branch of the painting
business. Eventually, however, he gave up the trade
and turned his attention to commercial lines in Detroit,
having removed with his family to this city in 1885.
Here he continued in mercantile pursuits up to the
time of his death; his wife also passed away in this
city. Their family numbered five children, three of
whom are living: Thomas T.; Mrs. Ida M. Vorce,
residing in Cleveland, Ohio; and Mrs. Flora J.
Lockard, who makes her home in Detroit.
In early life Thomas T. Hollinger attended the
sehools of Mansfield, Ohio, and after his textbooks
were put aside he devoted his attention to research
work and invention, finally resulting in the develop
ment of a product known as a wood-graining material.

872

CITY OF DETROIT

This he manufactured for commercial purposes and
his product became widely known and extensively used.
He manufactured this wood-graining material in De
troit from the time he secured a patent until 1909, at
whieh date he sold out his interests in the business.
He afterward erected several large apartment buildings
as a speculative measure and these he subsequently
managed and controlled, continuing successfully his
operations along that line.
The Whitney-Hollinger Company was organized
to subdivide and develop land adjacent to the city of
Detroit. This is a Michigan corporation, capitalized
at one million dollars, and Mr. Hollinger has been
vice president since its organization. This company's
operations have been confined chiefly to development
in the Grand River avenue and Bloomfield Hills sec
tions, which activities are of large extent and im
portance. The other officials are: F. J. Whitney,
president, who has been for years a partner of Mr.
Hollinger; Calvin T. Graves, secretary; and John A.
Grogan, United States collector of internal revenue,
treasurer. The Whitney-Hollinger offices, on the fourth
floor of the Detroit Savings Bank building, are ex
tremely commodious and well appointed. Mr. Hollinger
has shown excellent judgment in the valuation of
property and marked enterprise in the conduct of his
affairs. His success is the legitimate outcome and
direct result of the use of these talents.
On the 21st of June, 1881, Mr. Hollinger was mar
ried to Miss Helen L. Hawley of Cleveland, Ohio,
daughter of Edwin Hawley of that city. Three chil
dren have been born to them: Ralph H., born in
Cleveland in 1887 and educated in the high school of
Detroit, is now connected with the Whitney-Hollinger
Company. He married Edna Provan of Detroit, and
they have one child, Dorothy; Theodora, the second
of the family, was born in Evanston, Illinois, was
educated in the high sehool of Detroit and in the
Michigan Agricultural College. She is now engaged
as teacher of domestic science in the Hamtramck high
school; Harold Albert, born in Evanston, Illinois,
also attended the Detroit high school and the Mich
igan Agricultural College and is now associated in
business with his father. During the World war he
was in the service of the government, connected with
the entomology department. He married Miss Jessie
Hill of Columbia, Missouri, and they reside in Detroit.
CONRAD KELLER. On March 16, 1916, Conrad
Keller passed away after more than a half century's
connection with building operations in Detroit. As
the architect of his own fortunes, too, he builded
wisely and well and a genial nature and sterling
worth enabled him to surround himself with a large
circle of warm friends. He was born in Switzerland,
January 14, 1842, his parents being Michael and The
resa (Winga) Keller, both of whom passed away in
the land of the Alps, where the father had followed

cabinet-making and farming and was also a vine-
yardist. -While spending his youthful days in his native coun
try Conrad Keller pursued a public school education
and afterward entered upon an apprenticeship to the
carpenter's trade, so that he became a skilled work
man ere he emigrated to America in 1864, attracted by
the opportunities of the new world. For a year and a
half he was employed as a journeyman carpenter in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and then came to Detroit.
For a decade or two he was employed in the line of
his trade and then established business on his own
account, eventually organizing his interests under the
name of the Conrad Keller Company, Incorporated, for
the conduct of a general contracting and building busi
ness. It was in 1882 that he made his initial step as
an independent contractor and for many years he fig
ured as a leader in his line. He erected many fine
residences and substantial business structures, and not
withstanding Detroit's marvelous development during
the last three or four. years, some of the finest build
ings of Detroit still stand as monuments to the labors,
ability and enterprise of Conrad Keller. It was on
the 1st of January, 1912, that the business was organ
ized and incorporated with Mr. Keller as the presi
dent, Joseph Alfes as vice president and manager, and
Clara Keller as secretary and treasurer. The officials
of the firm remained unchanged until after the death
of Mr. Keller, when Joseph Alfes became president,
E. B. Keller, vice president, and C. T. Keller, secretary
and treasurer.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Keller in
young manhood married Barbara Orth, a native of De
troit, and they became parents of three daughters:
Clara; Emma, the wife of John Henk; and Elmira.
Mr. Keller and his family were communicants of the
Catholic church and Mr. Keller belonged to the Detroit
Builders and Traders Exchange and also to the Master
Carpenters Association. He was widely known for
his fairness to his employes as well as his enterprise
in business and all who knew him entertained for him
high respect. The family home, at 5409 Seminole, is
one of the most attractive in that section of the city.
JAMES M. KEENAN is the treasurer of one of the
old established business houses of Detroit, that of
Keenan & John, devoted to the manufacture of fur
niture, and he is today a recognized authority on
high grade furniture in this city. He was born in
Detroit, October 18, 1873, and is a brother of Joseph
W. Keenan, in connection with whose sketch on an
other page of this work, mention is made of the parents
and the family history. He attended the public
schools, passing through consecutive grades to the
high school, and when his text books were put aside,
joined his father in the furniture business, his father
having been the founder of the well known firm of
Keenan & John, now one of the largest manufacturers
of and dealers in high grade furniture, and also agents

CONRAD KELLER

CITY OF DETROIT

875

for the Artcraft phonograph in Detroit. James M.
Keenan started in a minor position with the house,
and worked his way up gradually, thoroughly learning
every phase of the business through the various de
partments, until today his opinions carry weight with
all who are interested in or are judges of fine furni
ture. He now holds the position of treasurer with
the firm, while his brother, Joseph W., is secretary,
and both are very active, wide-awake and progressive
young business men, popular with the trade. James
M. Keenan is also a director of the Detroit Cabinet
Company, and in all that he undertakes in commer
cial lines he displays a marked spirit of progressiveness
that never stops short of the successful accomplish
ment of his purpose.
On the 24th of November, 1899, Mr. Keenan was
married to Miss Amelis T. Ruhl, a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. John F. Ruhl of Detroit, and they have
become parents of two children: James, who was
born in Detroit in 1901 and is now attending the
Germantown University; and Homer, who was born
in 1904, and is also a student in that school. The
religious faith of the family is that of the Roman
Catholic church, and Mr. Keenan is connected with
the Knights of Columbus. His entire life has been
passed in this city, where he has a wide acquaintance,
and the sterling qualities that he has displayed in sup
port of all that makes for higher ideals in citizenship
and for the support of all that makes for progress in
business, have won him a place among the representa
tive residents of the City of the Straits.
DR. MOSES BENMOSCHE, concentrating his prac
tice upon surgery, in whieh he excels, having developed
expert skill in that difficult branch of the medical
science, was born in London, England, December 5,
1882, a son of the Rev. Herman and Jane (Hyman)
Benmosche. The father was born in Cairo, Egypt,
and the mother in London, England, and they came
to America in 1894. The father has devoted his life
to the church and to music, being recognized as a
prominent musical composer and an authority upon
ecclesiastical music. Making his home in Boston, he
is one of the best known representatives of the art
of music in that city.
Dr. Benmosche is the eldest of a family of six chil
dren and in the public schools of Norfolk, Virginia,
he pursued his early education, while later he at
tended St. Mary's Male Academy of that state. He
was graduated with the class of 1898 and, having de
termined to make the practice of medicine his life
work, he then matriculated in the Medical College
of Virginia, in which he completed his course in 1904,
winning his professional degree at that time. Soon
afterward he was made professor of microscopy in
the University of Virginia and occupied that chair
for two years. Later he returned to London, England,
where he won his English degree in 1910, after which
he again came to the new world and settled in Nashua,

New Hampshire, where he entered upon the practice
of medicine. In 1914 he removed to Detroit and has
since won a notable name and place for himself as a
surgeon of exceptional ability and as an authority
upon major operations. He took a post-graduate
course under Dr. Joseph Bloodgood of Baltimore in
1905 and also under Dr. Charles E. Symons in the
same year. He is now a member of the staff of the
Deaconess Hospital and in addition has an extensive
private practice. He is serving as surgeon for the
Detroit Twist Drill Company and he has performed
some of the notable operations in Detroit, having
thorough understanding of anatomy and the compo
nent parts of the human body, the onslaughts made
upon it by disease and the defects inherited from
ancestry. His study has been broad and his scientific
research and investigation have brought him promi
nently to the front as one of the skilled surgeons of
the eity. He has membership in the Medical Society
of Virginia, the Medical Society of New Hampshire,.
the Miehigan State Medical Association and the Amer
ican Medical Association.
On the 16th of November, 1907, Dr. Benmosche was
married to Miss Simma Guttwoch, of London, Eng
land, a daughter of Charles Guttwoch. They have
two children: Elkanah, born in London, England,
in 1908; and Jack, born in Cape Town, South Africa,
in 1912.
Dr. Benmosche is a Royal Arch Mason, but his
activities have been largely confined to his profession
and his close application, thoroughness and progressive
ness have gained him well merited distinction in the
field of surgery.
BERNARD T. HABERKORN, president of the J.
H. A. Haberkorn Company, building contractors of
Detroit, is a representative of one of the old families
of the city, his birth having here occurred October
31, 1882. His parents were John H. A. and Dorothea
Haberkorn. The father was also born in Detroit, while
the mother's birth occurred in Europe, but she was
brought to America by her parents when two years
of age. John H. A. Haberkorn beeame a contractor
and builder and organized the present company for
the operation of a planing mill and the conduct of a
building contracting business. He became one of the
most successful men in his line in the city and con
tinued active in connection with building operations
to the time of his death, which occurred in 1911, when
he had reached the age of fifty-eight years. His widow
survives and yet resides in Detroit. They were the
parents of six children, of whom three are still living.
Their sons and daughters in order of birth were: For
rest W., who is also connected with the J. H. A. Haber
korn Company of Detroit; Gladys, who is the wife of
George T. King of Detroit; Lawrence W. and Roy,
both of whom have passed away; one who died in in
fancy; and Bernard T., of this review.
The last named attended the public schools of his

876

CITY OF DETROIT

native eity, passing through consecutive grades until
he became a student in the Detroit Central high school.
He later attended the Detroit Business University
and thus further qualified for life's practical and re
sponsible duties. After his textbooks were put aside
he beeame associated with his father in business in
1898. He made it his purpose thoroughly to acquaint
himself with every phase of the business and by rea
son of developing capability, and not by reason of
parental influence, he won advancement from time to
time. Upon his father's death, therefore, he was well
qualified to assume charge of the business, whieh has
become one of the most extensive and important of
this character in the city. The company has done
some of the really big things in the building line in
Detroit, such as the construction of a considerable part
of the plant of the Ford Motor Company, also the
building of the Ford Hospital at Detroit, the Cousins
building at Montcalm and Woodward avenues, the
Telegraph building at Shelby and Congress streets,
the Buhl warehouse and many other large and impor
tant buildings of this eity and elsewhere. About sixty
• people are employed by the company, of which Mr.
Haberkorn remains the president and manager.
On the 20th of October, 1909, Mr. Haberkorn was
married to Miss Amanda M. Taepke of Detroit, a
daughter of Gustave H. Taepke, a representative of one
of the well known families of the city, long connected
with the florist business. Three children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Haberkorn: Dorothy, who was
born December 20, 1910, now attending sehool; Ber
nard T., born October 31, 1916; and Norma M., born
November 9, 1918. They also lost one child in infancy.
Mr. Haberkorn is a member of the Masonic fra
ternity and has taken the degrees of the Knights
Templar commandery.' He likewise belongs to the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he is a mem
ber of the Masonic Country Club, the Detroit Board
of Commerce, the Detroit Association and the Em
ployers Association. His political belief is that of
the republican party and his religious faith is that of
the Lutheran church, his membership being in the
First Evangelical Lutheran church. His entire life
has been passed in Detroit and he has made for himself
a most creditable position in its industrial circles, fully
sustaining the reputation that has ever been borne
by the Haberkorn family as factors in the upbuilding
and welfare of Detroit.
WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE, president and one of the
founders of the Dime Savings Bank and a director of that
institution since its organization in 1884, is the dean of
Detroit bankers. Though he has passed the seventy-
eighth milestone on life's journey, he is well preserved,
both physically and mentally, and aside from business is
particularly active in civic affairs, readily recognizing
and utilizing every opportunity to promote the city's
progress. His labors for many years have aided largely
in advancing public welfare.

Mr. Livingstone is a native of Dundas, Ontario. He
was born January 21, 1844, of the marriage of William
and Helen (Stevenson) Livingstone, natives respectively
of Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, Scotland. He acquired
an academical education and later learned the trade of a
machinist. When he made his initial step into the busi
ness world in 1864, he became connected with the ship
ping interests on the Great Lakes, in which activity he
increased his interests from year to year, becoming
president and general manager of the Michigan Naviga
tion Company and the Percheron Steam Navigation
Company. He has been a leading spirit in the building
up of the Lake Carriers Association, which has been the
means of cooperative effort for the improvement and the
success of lake transportation and a leading factor in
promoting the expansion of the business. His connection
with the Lake Carriers Association covers more than
fifty-six years and not only has he been president of the
association for the past eighteen years, but also for two
terms prior to this period he was the chief executive
officer. He has done much to further and develop ship
ping interests and constantly studies improvement along
this line. For a number of years Mr. Livingstone advo
cated the construction of an independent waterway for
down-bound vessels in the lower Detroit river and spent
much time interesting the government engineers in the
work and prevailing upon congress to supply the neces
sary funds for the development of the channel. In 1906
congress made an appropriation for surveys and in 1907
appropriated funds for the work and authorized it to be
known as the "Livingstone Channel" in recognition of
the many services rendered by Mr. Livingstone. Work
was begun in the spring of 1908 and completed in the
fall of 1912. The channel was opened to commerce
October 19, 1912, with imposing ceremonies. This
channel ranks with the important engineering feats of
the age.
All of this is but one phase of Mr. Livingstone's mani
fold activities. For more than a third of a century he
has been a well known figure in banking circles of Detroit,
having been elected to the presidency of the Dime Sav
ings Bank in 1900. Throughout the intervening period
he has contributed in marked measure to the upbuilding
of the institution and to the maintenance of its unswerv
ing stability. He is likewise a director of the Security
Trust Company and for several years was president and
general manager of the Detroit Journal Company.
In June, 1866, Mr. Livingstone was married at Detroit
to Miss Susan Downie, and their family numbers four
sons and four daughters: William Allan is president and
general manager of the Detroit Publishing Company;
Margaret is the wife of J. C. Scott, representative of the
American Car & Foundry Company at Pittsburgh, and
is the mother of two children, William Livingstone and
Susan Helen; Helen Edith and Susan Alice are the next
of the family; Robert Bruce, connected with the Detroit
Publishing Company, married Grace H. Jacobs of Detroit
and is the father of a daughter, Mary Hubbard; Florence
Mildred married John Ripley Odell and has four children,
John Ripley, Jr., Florence Livingstone, Susan Delite and

WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE

CITY OF DETROIT

879

Helen Lucenia; Seabourn Rome, former junior lieutenant
in the United States navy during the World war and
now connected with the firm of Watling, Lerchen &
Company, married Marion Scherer; and T. W. Palmer is
vice president and cashier of the Dime Savings Bank.
The last named, following a course in the officers' train
ing camp at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, enrolled as a second
lieutenant in the Sixteenth Regiment of Engineers,
which regiment was recruited in and around Detroit for
service in the World war by Colonel Harry Burgess and
Major John H. Poole. After assisting in training the
regiment in camp at the state fair grounds, Mr. Living
stone accompanied it to France, subsequently being pro
moted to the rank of captain. He was there detached for
a time and served as assistant to the chief engineer for
the Fifth Army Corps. Later he rejoined his regiment
and returned with it after it was mustered out of service
following the armistice. Soon after resuming his duties
with the Dime Savings Bank, T. W. Palmer Livingstone
was made an assistant cashier, from which position he
was advanced to cashier in December, 1919, and in
January, 1921, he was elected vice president and cashier.
The religious faith of the Livingstone family is that of
the Presbyterian church and Mr. Livingtone is a member
of St. Andrew's Society, of which he has served as presi
dent. He is a prominent figure in Masonic circles, has
been eminent commander of Detroit Commandery No. 1,
K. T., and upon him has been conferred the honorary
thirty-third degree. A well known club man, he has
membership in the Detroit, Detroit Athletic, the Old,
Fellowcraft (of which he has been president), Country,
Detroit Bankers, Detroit Golf, and Detroit Automobile
Clubs, also the Press Club of New York, the Union Club
of Cleveland, the Auto Club of Pine Lake. He has been
president of the Detroit Bankers Association. Mr.
Livingstone was honored with the presidency of the
Michigan Bankers Association and his high standing in
national finance is indicated by the fact that he was
called to the presidency of the American Bankers Asso
ciation for the terms of 1911 and 1912, and in 1910 he
was chairman of the executive committee. He is now
chairman of the Detroit Clearing House Association.
Mr. Livingstone's political allegiance has always been
given to the republican party and in 1875 he became a
member of the Michigan legislature, at which election he
was the only republican elected in Wayne county. He
was a delegate to the national convention of 1896 and
acted as chairman of the Michigan delegation. He has
also been a member of the state central committee and
for several years was chairman of its executive committee.
He has done everything within his power to advance
the success of the party and insure the adoption of its
principles. He is the author of "The History of the
Republican Party," in two volumes, published in 1900.
He served as collector of the port at Detroit, having
been appointed by President Chester A. Arthur.
With many lines of Detroit's development, its municipal
progress and the maintenance of its civic standards Mr.
Livingstone has been closely associated. He was called
to the presidency of the Detroit Park and Boulevard

Commission and labored earnestly to promote the city's
development along those lines. He is also a member of
the Detroit Board of Commerce and was at one time
president of the Detroit Board of Trade. Any well
devised plan or project for the upbuilding of the city is
sure to receive his hearty endorsement and support.
Earnestly patriotic throughout the recent war period,
Mr. Livingstone rendered valuable service in furthering
the bond sales and promoting many other war activities.
He served as the general chairman of the Liberty Loan
committee for Detroit and Wayne county throughout
the five campaigns.
Mr. Livingstone possesses oratorial ability and always
commands the attention of his hearers, being a fluent
speaker and one whose utterances are always logical,
clear and convincing. He has a wide acquaintanceship
among Detroit's financial and business men covering
many years. He enjoys the confidence of the publie
and those who differ from him in matters of judgment
nevertheless entertain the greatest feeling of respect for
his sincerity and honesty of purpose. In manner he is
extremely democratic and at all times approachable.
Honored and respected by all, no man occupies a more
enviable position in financial and business circles in
Detroit than William Livingstone, not alone by reason
of the success which he has achieved but also owing to
the honorable, straightforward business principles which
he has ever followed and the progressive spirit which he
has manifested in the utilization of opportunities.
NORMAN BEASLEY. In the business world Norman
Beasley is known as the secretary and treasurer of the
Miller & Beasley Advertising Company, but there is
another side to his nature that has found expression in
literature and he is well known as the author of many
interesting and fascinating stories that have appeared in
leading magazines and papers of the day. Mr. Beasley is
a native son of Michigan, his birth having occurred at
Grosse lie, April 6, 1887, his parents being Joseph and
Letitia (Monahan) Beasley, both of whom were of Canadian
birth but came to Michigan in 1886. The father engaged
in farming for a number of years but is now living retired in
Detroit, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former
labor. His wife also survives. Their family numbered
two sons, the elder being P. R. Beasley of Detroit.
Norman Beasley attended the schools of Picton, On
tario, until his fourteenth year and then became a student
in the high school of Lansing, Michigan. Subsequently
he came to Detroit and entered the Detroit College of Law,
in which he pursued a two years' course. Upon its com
pletion he became a reporter for the Detroit Journal and
followed reportorial work as baseball editor for the
Journal from 1911 until 1919. During this period his
articles on baseball were eagerly read, not only by the
Detroit enthusiasts but by fans all over the country, and
many of his articles were copied by other papers through
out the United States and Canada. Early in his journal
istic career he realized that there was not much future for
him in that connection — that he was putting forth efforts

880

CITY OF DETROIT

to which the natural result was inadequate. Accordingly
in 1919 he resigned, much to the regret of the balance of
the staff of the paper, and organized the Miller & Beasley
Advertising Company, of which he has since been the
secretary and treasurer. He is the moving spirit in this
business and as the result of his intelligently directed
effort an extensive clientage has been secured.
Mr Beasley has one child, Norman Baird, born in
Detroit in 1911 and now attending school. Mr. Beasley
is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club and of the
Presbyterian church. The nature of his interests and
activities is further indicated in the fact that his name is
well known to the readers of various popular magazines
and papers and he is the author of many interesting
stories which appear in Colliers, the American, the
Popular Magazine and various other current publications.
One of the most widely read of his stories was entitled
"Andrew Green," a story that awakened great interest
throughout the country.
WILLIAM LOUIS JANUARY, lawyer and lawmaker,
whose high professional standing is indicated by his con
nection with the leading lawyers' organizations of America,
and of European countries as well, and whose efforts
have constituted a notable factor in the legal develop
ments of the state of Michigan, was born near Xenia,
Greene county, Ohio, July 9, 1853, a son of George Wad-
man and Mary Sandifore (Garnett) January. Mr.
January comes from a distinguished and interesting
ancestry; the family itself is of French origin and the
name was originally Janvier but was changed to the
Anglicized form in 1720 by the Virginia and Kentucky
branches, the New England and New Orleans branches
retaining to. this day the French pronunciation.
The paternal line of William L. January is traced with
some detail back to Pierre Janvier, his great-great-great-
great-great-grandfather, a Frenchman who lived from
about 1620 until 1662. Pierre Janvier belonged to the
French nobility, was probably the Viscount de Bois-
Herpin, was possessed of great wealth, a life member of
the National Assembly, and married a Scotch countess,
becoming the father of three sons. Early in life a Catholic,
he afterward embraced the Huguenot faith and at the
revocation of the Edict of Nantes suffered with the other
Protestants, also lost his estates and political position.
This terminated this particular branch of the Janviers as
large landowners, a branch which could be traced back
to Eon Janvier, the founder of the family in France,
who was a Crusader to the Holy Land in 1249 A. D.
under Louis IX.
Thomas Janvier, the eldest son of Pierre, fled to England
shortly after his father's death, probably about 1683.
Thence, in the ship "Dlaire" he sailed for the new world,
landing at Philadelphia, June 23, 1686, where he re
mained for some time, later settling at New Castle.
Thomas was a large landowner, having brought much
wealth with him from the old country, and he engaged
extensively in merchandising, milling and shipping. He
married Sarah Jourdain, known as Sarah Crosse (originally

Croyai), Crosse being her stepfather's name. Thomas
Janvier died in Delaware in 1725, having been the father
of eight children, the second of whom was also named
Thomas, who was the great-great-great-grandfather of
William L. January.
Thomas Janvier was born during the latter part of the
seventeenth century, probably at New Castle, and died
at Philadelphia between 1760 and 1776. He married
Mary Crosse in 1720, was a provincial armorer according
to colonial records, and was, like his father, survived by
eight children, one of whom was Peter January, the next
in the paternal line.
Peter January, the name now having been changed
was born shortly after 1720 and died about 1810 near
Lexington, Kentucky. When a young man he returned
to France, making a futile effort to recover the family
estates, lost during the persecution of the Protestants.
Before and after this journey he visited Ireland and
there, or in Scotland, married Deborah MeMahon.
Returning to America with his family, he settled in Phil
adelphia as a manufacturing jeweler. His wife, Deborah,
died about 1760, leaving eight children, and upon April 2,
1761, Peter January was married in western Pennsylvania
to Mary Walton, by whom he had twins. Peter January
was a soldier in the Colonial army during the Revolution
and in 1780, with his wife and children, moved into
Kentucky. James Martin January, the son of Peter, was bom in
1756 in Pennsylvania and died August 21, 1824, near
Jamestown, Ohio, and was buried at the "log meeting
house" on "Anderson's Fork" of "Casson's Creek,"
called "Grog Run," near Paintersville, Greene county,
Ohio. In the spring of 1780 James Martin January,
with his three brothers, Andrew, Ephraim and Samuel,
also his. father and stepmother, together with forty other
families, moved to Kentucky, floating down the Ohio
river on flatboats. On Monday, August 19, 1782, he
took part in the ill-advised battle of Blue Licks— the
last battle of note of the Revolution — in which the Ken-
tuckians were overwhelmingly defeated by the Indians.
He barely escaped with his life. At the beginning of the
battle he had tied his horse to what he supposed to be
the decayed limb of a tree and when retreat was sounded
he could neither untie the horse nor break the limb, and
only escaped by jumping upon a horse behind Captain
Pattersan, thus crossing the Licking river. James
Martin January married Susan Huston in Fayette county,
Kentucky, in 1784 and they became the parents of thir
teen children. Susan Huston January died in May,
1856, at the home of her daughter in Cincinnati, at the
age of one hundred and four years. For a time after his
marriage James M. January lived in Kentucky, then
moved to Adams county, Ohio, near West Union, which
was a new country in which the forests had to be cleared.
He built a double log house and operated a tannery and
distillery and also kept what was known in those days as
a tavern. Later he moved to a place near Jamestown
and purchased what was then considered an improved
farm, though the district was in the wilds as compar8d
to later developments made by the settlers.

WILLIAM L. JANUARY

Vol. rv— 56

CITY OF DETROIT

883

Robert January, eldest son of James Martin and Susan
(Huston) January, was born December 12, 1786, in
Lexington, Kentucky, and died December 12, 1842, on
his farm south of Jamestown, Greene county, Ohio.
When young, Robert moved with his parents across the
Ohio river into Adams county, Ohio, and later to the
farm near Jamestown, where he lived many years, assist
ing in the upbuilding and improvement of the com
munity. He was a lifelong Mason, a soldier in the War
of 1812, and upon September 9, 1809, was married to
Mary Wadman, an English girl, at West Union, Ohio.
Mary Wadman January was born August 15, 1791, at
West Oakes, Somersetshire, England, and died Septem
ber 5, 1865, at Jamestown, Ohio. She was a woman of
refinement and culture and deeply religious in character.
She came to this country in 1805 with her parents, in
the sailing vessel "Woodlip Sills," commanded by Cap
tain Haynes, encountered terrible storms during the voy
age, but at last came to anchor at Norfolk, Virginia, on
the first day of May, when, as she said, "the peach
trees were in full bloom." Thence she and her parents
made their way to Kentucky and from the latter state
to West Union, Adams county, Ohio. Ten children were
born to Robert and Mary (Wadman) January, the eld
est of whom was George Wadman, father of William
L. January.
George Wadman January was born June 13, 1810, at
West Union, Ohio, and died October 16, 1897, at the
old homestead. When he was about twenty-one years
of age his father moved from a place in Highland county,
Ohio, to Greene county, about forty miles northwest of
Hillsboro, where he bought eighty acres of heavy timber
land which divided the waters of the Scioto and Miami
rivers,. George assisted his father in the arduous work
of improving this land, until the father, a small man
by stature and not of rugged physique, broke under the
strain and died. The further task of completing the
work fell upon George, also the care of the mother and
smaller children. The mother died in 1865, at the age of
seventy-three. On March 28, 1843, George W. January
was married to Mary Sandifore Garnett, the daughter of
Colonel Armstead Garnett of "Oak Row" plantation,
Buckingham county, Virginia. Colonel Garnett, her
father, was a wealthy planter and slave owner of Vir
ginia. As a pioneer of southern Ohio, George Wadman
January, the father of William L., was known as a "black
abolitionist," being opposed to slavery. The homestead
owned by him once formed a part of the underground
railway between Kentucky and Canada. William L.
January's mother, one of that rare school of innate re
finement belonging to the early planters and families of
old Virginia, was given her early education by private
tutors upon her father's plantation. She was an expert
on horseback riding and in those days only side saddles
were permissible for ladies. She was, with her father
and brother, able "in the chase." Twice in her early
married life she made two trips on horseback over the
Blue Ridge mountains and to Ohio — once on a thorough
bred race horse. On one occasion she was thrown from
her horse, which became frightened by a deer bounding

around a curve on the top of Blue Ridge. Her views
were strictly against slavery and she maintained this
attitude from the time she surreptitiously taught the
little pickaninnies to read and write until the close of
the Civil war. She died October 13, 1888, near James
town, Ohio, and was survived by her devoted husband
and three sons: Robert Perry, James Mathias and Wil
liam Louis. She was a cousin of General Garnett, who,
while a member of General Robert E. Lee's staff, was
killed at the battle of Gettysburg, also was a cousin of
General Robert S. Garnett, killed at the battle of Cheat
Mountain, and General Garnett, killed at the engage
ment of Roanoke. Upon the father's side of the family,
William L. January's relatives were ministers and lawyers.
His uncle, the Rev. Benjamin F. January, served
in an Ohio regiment. Another uncle, Joseph Houston
January, was an attorney at Atlanta, Illinois, during
the early settlement of that state. A cousin, John W.
January, was a member of an Illinois regiment. The
last named was taken prisoner and confined at Ander-
sonville prison, suffering from his wounds. Gangrene
set in upon his feet and to save his life, he (with the aid
of his comrades), amputated both of his feet with a pocket-
knife and survived the ordeal. He and the Rev. J. J.
Geer obtained release from prison and were to return
home, Geer taking charge of his brother on their return.
William L. January, the immediate subject of this
sketch, received his early education in the district and
high schools of his native county and in 1879 matriculated
in the University of Michigan, pursuing an elective course
in the literary department. He was later transferred to
the law department in 1883, receiving the degree of LL. B.
upon his graduation. During his years in the law depart
ment Mr. January formed an association which did
much toward giving him the right start in the pursuit
of his profession. This was in consequence of his posi
tion during that period as private secretary to ex-Governor
Alpheus Felch, then the "Tappan professor" of law in
the university. Governor Felch took a kindly interest
in the young man and upon the latter's graduation pre
sented him with a letter of recommendation which, in
part, stated: "Mr. William L. January, the bearer of
this note, is a graduate of the law department of the
University of Michigan, where he proved himself a good
student, a gentleman of exceptional moral conduct and
a zealous devotee to the study of law. My acquaintance
ship with him as a member of the faculty during his
entire course in the law department enables me to give
this testimony in his favor. As Mr. January is about to
establish himself in the practice of his profession, prob
ably among strangers, I take pleasure in recommending
him as a gentleman entitled to confidence and regard
for his intelligence and moral worth; and I feel confident
that his acquirements in the study of the law, his ability,
his persevering industry and his love for legal science
will secure for bim more than ordinary success in his
profession." Mr. January was, in truth, "about to establish himself
in the practice of his profession," but where, was another
matter. The state of bis mother's parentage, Virginia,

884

CITY OF DETROIT

first came to his mind and with this in view he corres
ponded with Alexander Hamilton and J. Randolph
Tucker of Virginia. Both of these men advised him to
seek a field in the large cities — where his talent might
find greater opportunities. Accordingly he chose Detroit,
having become acquainted with the city during his
university career, and after passing his examination at
Ann Arbor for admission to the state bar he came here.
Six months after his arrival he entered the practice alone,
a status which he has maintained until thepresent.
Mr. January had not been long in Detroit before public
attention was turned in his direction; he acquired very
quickly a reputation as a writer upon topics of vital
interest to the citizens and their property. Later it was
his pen which, attacking the proposed location of the
high school building on an undesirable site on the east
side of the city, caused the building to be erected at a
different and better place. This is cited not as an his
torical fact but as an example of Mr. January's avidity,
even as a newcomer, in taking up the live issues of that
day. From this time his clientele grew, corporations
and individuals sought his counsel and his practice fre
quently brought him not only into the courts of his
own state but into the courts of nearby states.
Recognition of his conspicuous ability came in 1896,
when he was elected as a representative to the state
legislature upon the republican ticket. In the regular
session of 1897 Mr. January was the first to bring for
ward a bill providing for the abolishment of the caucus
and convention system in elections to public office and
the replacement of these with a primary election, which
should determine the candidates as the officers them
selves are determined. Mr. January was the only member
from Wayne upon the committee on city corporations;
he was chairman of the committee on state public schools
and a member of the committee on appropriations. All
the bills affecting the city of Detroit, with few exceptions,
were introduced by him, the majority of which became
laws. He introduced and passed the bill protecting the
Belle Isle Bridge approach, making it a part of the city's
parks. He also introduced a bill to allow the board of
public works to contract directly for paving and repair
ing streets, in order to give employment to thousands of
laborers, then out of work. This bill passed the house
but failed in the senate. He also introduced and passed
what is known as the "January Law" for the commence
ment of suits by and against voluntary unincorporated
clubs and societies and for the service of process in such
cases. This law excited the labor element, created dis
cussion and was declared to be a means to "end boycots,"
but after the labor unions understood its legal effect
they endorsed the law as beneficial to the workingman.
Again, as a committeeman upon city corporations, he
was able to introduce a very commendable innovation
in the proceedings of the Michigan legislature by induc
ing it, with the committee on cities and villages as a
joint committee, to go to Detroit and there in the presence
of its common council hear the views the citizens desired
to express for or against the proposed legislation intended
to affect their city. This was a notable accomplishment

of Mr. January while a member of the legislature. He
likewise took an active interest in promoting the reduc
tion of taxes and the repeal of the Michigan Central
Railroad charter.
The influence of Mr. January as a legislator can be
well illustrated by stating that more than fifty per cent
of the bills introduced by him became laws upon the
statute books of the state. While gifted with oratorical
ability, Mr. January wasted no time in useless debate
or ornate eloquence; he spoke directly and fearlessly
upon whatever question brought him to his feet and in
his argument depended chiefly upon logical facts, clearly
stated. Mr. January also rendered notable service to his
country in support of the sound money campaign of
1896, his clear comprehension of the issues before the
people making him a valuable adviser upon the ques
tion. He became an active worker in the campaign,
delivering many enlightening public addresses and also
writing largely for the press in response to the public
demand for authoritative information upon the subjects
under discussion. His article on "University of the
Street" during the sound money campaign attracted
the attention of many politicians and particularly Pro
fessor C. A. Kent, his old instructor, and was largely
the means of establishing the "noonday meeting" in
the then unfinished ground floor of the Majestic build
ing, which took the hundreds of idle men off the campus
and educated them against Bryan's fallacious scheme
of 16 to 1. He is a member of the Detroit Board of
Commerce and cooperates heartily in all the plans and
projects of that organization.
While a notable figure in the public life of Detroit,
those who know Mr. January through his social relations
perceive a still different side to his nature. His home
life is most attractive. He was married on the 25th of
May, 1886, in Shelby, Ohio, to Miss Carrie B. Brucker,
daughter of Ferdinand Brucker, well known Michigan
lumberman. Mr. and Mrs. January are the parents of
one daughter, Marie Margueretta, who graduated under
Victor Benham in the Detroit Conservatory of Music,
also graduated from the Michigan Conservatory of Music
and attended the Oberlin Conservatory. Later she was
chosen director of music in the public schools of Dela
ware at Milford that state. Having given up the pur
suit of music on account of ill health, Miss January is
trying to build up her health by extensive travel, prin
cipally in the west, and last year was spent mostly in
southern California, where she did a little literary work.
Mr. January turns for recreation to outdoor sports
and he is a member of the Detroit Yacht Club. He is
also identified with many organizations of social merit
and others formed to stimulate scientific interest and
research. He belongs to the Ohio Society of Detroit,
is a member of the University ,of Michigan Club of
Detroit, of the Association Bar of Detroit, Michigan
State Bar Association, the American Bar Association,
of which he served ,for seven years as a member
of the general council and as ¦ vice president, and
for a number of years a member of the special com-

CITY OF DETROIT

885

mittee to suggest remedies and propose laws to prevent
delay and unnecessary costs in litigation in federal
courts, of which committee he was chosen secretary.
Mr. January is likewise connected with the International
Law Association, L'Institut de Droit Compare of Brus
sels, and with the Loyal Legion of France, receiving
membership in the latter while serving in the legislature.
In 1904 Mr. January was appointed by the president of
the American Bar Association as a delegate from Michigan
to the World's Congress of Lawyers and Jurists at St.
Louis. Mr. January was also selected by the Detroit
and Michigan Bar Associations to write and compile
the memorial of John Marshall for the John Marshall day
celebration. His biographical treatise upon the late
chief justice, to whom he is distantly related, forms an
authoritative work. The fact of bis relationship as well
as close family acquaintance was kept a secret from the
committee who chose him to prepare the work, the chair
man of which committee was the late Alfred Russell,
nestor of the Detroit bar. When the work was completed
it disclosed some theretofore unpublished stories of
Justice Marshall which came to Mr. January through his
mother and the close family connection, but he modestly
omitted to set forth any other connection or relationship.
Mr. January, though in his sixty-ninth year, is vigorous
and active as a man of forty-five and, with well equipped
law offices at 12, 13 and 14 Buhl building, is actually
engaged in the practice of his profession.
WELLINGTON F. EVANS, of the Standard Screw
Products Company of Detroit, was born in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, March 2, 1872, and is a son of Joseph
Benjamin and Susan Edith (Denny) Evans, both of
whom were natives of Baltimore, Maryland. The father
was engaged in the printing and publishing business in
Pittsburgh for many years and there passed away. The
mother is still a resident of that city.
Wellington F. Evans attended the public schools of
Pittsburgh, becoming a high school student and afterward
engaging in the manufacturing business as an employe
until 1910, when he came to Detroit as representative of
the Westinghouse interests of Pittsburgh. Here he was
called to the responsible position of general superintendent
of the Westinghouse Machine Company and so continued
to serve until he resigned with the purpose of becoming one
of the organizers of the Metal Products Company. After
the latter organization was effected, however, he withdrew
and in 1913 founded the Standard Screw Products Com
pany, which at that time was a small concern but has
gradually grown until today it is one of Detroit's repre
sentative manufacturing interests, now employing five
hundred people. They own their grounds, buildings and
equipment and a new structure is now in course of erection,
so that further opportunity will be given for the expansion
of the business that already has become one of the im
portant productive industries of the city. The officers of
the company are : E. E. Keller of Rochester, New York,
president; Wellington F. Evans, vice president and
general manager; and F. P. Reinhardt, secretary and

treasurer. Mr. Evans is also the vice president of the
Hardened Steel Products Company of Detroit and was
one of the organizers of the Detroit Auto Bus Company,
which has recently inaugurated a system of passenger
busses along Woodward and Jefferson avenues, with the
purpose of installing five hundred busses in the service
along the principal thoroughfares of Detroit. These
busses are similar to those in use along Fifth Avenue in
New York.
On the 3d of November, 1903, Mr. Evans was married
to Miss Edith Leslie Williams of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl
vania, a daughter of the Hon. Nathan S. Williams, United
States district attorney of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and
a granddaughter of Judge Gerdis Williams, a judge of the
United States supreme court. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have
become parents of two children: John Alden, born in
Pittsburgh in 1904; and Barbara, born in 1911. Both are
now attending school in Detroit.
Mr Evans is a Master Mason and is recognized as a
loyal follower of the craft. He belongs to the Detroit
Club, the Bloomfield Hills Golf Club and the Oakland
Hills Country Club and in outdoor life and sports finds
his recreation and enjoyment. His position as a business
man is most enviable and commendable. He started out
in life empty-handed and through ambition, progressive
methods and energy that never flags has worked bis way
upward until he occupies a place in the foremost ranks of
the manufacturers of Detroit.
GEORGE M. HEINRICH. It was not necessity but
ambition that caused George M. Heinrich to start out
early in the business world to earn his living by selling
newspapers. Later he became interested in printing,
served an apprenticeship to the trade and through the
intervening years has steadily worked his way upward
until he is now active in the control and ownership of the
business carried on under the name of the Wayne Printing
Company in Detroit, his native city. Of this company
he is the secretary and treasurer and is taking a helpful
part in the successful management of the enterprise.
He was born August 31, 1867, a son of Carl F. T. and
Amelia (Weber) Heinrich, who were natives of Berlin,
Germany, and came to America in 1848. Most loyal to
his adopted land, the father enlisted for service in the
Civil war, doing Home Guard duty. He afterward be
came established in the floral and horticultural business
in Detroit and was one of the most successful florists of
the city. Here he passed away in the '90s, while his wife
died in 1891. There were eight children in their family,
of whom only three are living.
George M. Heinrichs attended the public and' high
schools of Detroit and it was his desire to become a money
maker that led him to engage in selling newspapers.
After a short time, however, he decided to learn a trade
and entered upon an apprenticeship to the printing
business with the Charles M. Rosseau Printing Company,
with which he continued until 1901, when he became
superintendent and director of the Curtis Advertising
Company, having in the meantime gained a thorough

886

CITY OF DETROIT

and comprehensive knowledge of the printing busmess.
He remained with the Curtis people until July 26, 1913,
when he became financially interested in the Wayne
Printing Company, one of the oldest printing concerns in
Detroit. He has been chosen secretary, treasurer and
manager of this business, which is a general printing and
binding business, in which twelve people are employed,
while the plant is thoroughly modern in its equipment
and the output is entirely satisfactory to a large patronage.
On the 6th of August, 1890, Mr. Heinrich was married
to Miss Anna L. Teed, of Detroit, a daughter of James
Jefferson and Katherine (Leary) Teed, the former a
native of Erie, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Waterford,
Ireland, whence she came to the United States in early
life and in Detroit was married. The father was a well
known shoe dealer and manufacturer of Detroit for many
years. Mrs. Heinrich was educated in the public schools
of this city, being a graduate of the Capital high school,
and she is connected with many of the leading women's
clubs and organizations of the city, being a member of the
Northwestern Woman's Club, of the King's Daughters,
of Wayne Chapter, No. 136, O. E. S., and of various
other organizations formed for uplift work and for the
support of high civic interests and standards. She also
occupies an enviable social position. To Mr. and Mrs.
Heinrich have been born two children: Kenneth Warren,
born September 2, 1893, was graduated from the Detroit
high school and the University of Michigan, where he
studied architectural engineering. During his college
days he was a leader in athletics and excelled in handball
and football. He also organized the Seventh and Eighth
Michigan Students Naval Militia and turned over two
well drilled companies to the state. In January, 1917,
he was detailed as an ensign to deliver these two com
panies over to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station
near Chicago, which he did, and was then made executive
officer of these two organizations. His next assignment
was as assistant quartermaster at Camp Paul Jones and
later he was promoted to commissary officer. He after
ward had charge of aviation and installation of hangars
at the Great Lakes Training Station and this was followed
by promotion to the rank of quartermaster for Camp Ross.
He was also one of the three officers of the day at Camp
Ross. Subsequently he was transferred to the Phila
delphia navy yard as assistant superintendent of machine
division and was next made a first lieutenant on board the
United States battleship Iowa. He served all during the
submarine raids and after the armistice was declared he
was transferred to the Philadelphia navy yard as senior
naval lieutenant of corps naval construction. After
receiving his discharge he secured a position with the
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation as head of the
cancellation department and is now assistant to the
technical manager at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Howard
C. Heinrich, the younger son, born June 7, 1901, in Detroit,
pursued his education in the public schools and in the
University of Michigan, entering the latter in September,
1920, after completing his course in the Northwest high

school of Detroit. He has been prominent in athletic
circles and particularly a leader in basket ball and football.
Mr. and Mrs. George M. Heinrich are members of the
Protestant Episcopal church and he is well known in
connection with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Ashlar
Lodge, No. 91, A. F. & A. M.; King Cyrus Chapter, No.
133, R. A. M.; and Detroit Commandery No. 1, K. T.
He likewise belongs to Detroit Lodge, No. 34, B. P. O. E.,
and is a member of the Vortex Club. His entire life has
been passed in this city and his business course has been
marked by steady progress, leading to substantial success.
The sterling worth of his character, moreover, is indicated
in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those
who have known him from his boyhood to the present
time and have witnessed his entire career.
ELMER H. DEARTH. Initiative and enterprise have
been salient features in the business career of Elmer
H. Dearth from the outset, and resulted in his organiz
ing, in 1915, the General Casualty & Surety Company
of Detroit, a corporation writing general casualty
insurance, fidelity and surety bonds, and the first
Michigan insurance company to conduct a general
bonding business. The story of Elmer H. Dearth is
an interesting one of steady progression. Mr. Dearth
was born at Sangerville, Maine, June 6,* 1859, his
parents being Henry Leonard and Mary B. (Drake)
Dearth. He is the only one of his name in Detroit.
The patronymic indicates his French ancestry and the
name was originally D'Arth. Representatives of the
family came to America in 1740, first settling in
Maryland. In the acquirement of his education Elmer H. Dearth
completed a high school course and then attended
Foxcroft Academy of Maine, from which he was
graduated in 1879. He turned his attention to the
profession of teaching, which he followed in 1879-80
and in the latter year became engaged in newspaper
work on the Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, spend
ing two years in that connection. He has been identi
fied with the middle west since 1883, in which year he
removed to St. Paul, Minnesota. From 1884 until
1886 he was manager and editor of the Henderson
(Minn.) Independent and from 1886 until 1891 pub
lished and edited the LeSeuer News. He first became
interested in insurance in 1889, when he was appointed
deputy insurance commissioner of Minnesota by Gover
nor Merriam, occupying that position for three years,
at the end of which time he resigned his office to be
come a representative of the Equitable Life Assurance
Society of New York. In 1897 he entered upon a two
years' term as insurance commissioner of Minnesota
through appointment of Governor Clough and in 1899
he became president of the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners. In January, 1901, he was
again appointed insurance commissioner of Minnesota,
Governor Van Sant making the appointment, and was
reappointed in 1903. With his retirement from the
office in 1905 he established a general insurance

ELMER H. DEARTH

CITY OF DETROIT

889

agency at St. Paul and conducted business in that
connection until 1912, when he came to Detroit and
organized the Michigan Workmen's Compensation
Mutual Insurance Company, of which he beeame secre
tary and general manager. Three years passed in that
connection, at the end of whieh time he organized
the General Casualty & Surety Company, of which he
has been president since its organization. There is no
phase of the insurance business with which Mr.
Dearth is not thoroughly familiar, so that he is able
to speak with authority upon all vital questions relat
ing thereto.
On the 26th of June, 1889, was celebrated the mar
riage of Elmer H. Dearth and Miss Nellie G. Doran
of St. Paul, Minnesota, and to them have been born
four children: Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. Fred E. B.
Foley of St. Paul, Minnesota; Josephine, the wife
of Major Samuel G. Rae of New York city; Maurice
E., who died in infancy; and Michael D., who was
graduated from the United States Naval Academy at
Annapolis, Maryland, with the 1920 class and is now
an ensign in the navy.
The religious faith of Mr. Dearth is that of the
Congregational chureh and in political belief he is
a republican. He is a Knights Templar and Scottish
Rite Mason and also a member of the Mystic Shrine
and he likewise belongs to the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He has
membership in the Detroit Athletic Club and turns
to fishing for one phase of his recreation but largely
spends his leisure hours amid the master minds of all
ages, for he is the possessor of one of the finest private
libraries in Miehigan, containing five thousand vol
umes. He has been described as "a big-hearted, big-
brained man, who though sixty-one years of age looks
forty-one and gets all the joy out of life possible."
He early recognized the fact that the keenest pleasure
comes from intellectual stimulus, and reading has been
not merely a source of information to him but one of
his greatest enjoyments. Nothing that affects the wel
fare of his fellowmen is foreign to him and one of
the most marked and admirable traits of his charac
ter is shown in the universality of his friendships.
H. F. WARDWELL, secretary of the Detroit Steel
Products Corporation, is regarded as one of the progressive
young business men of the city, his capability being in
dicated in his present official connection with one of the
largest industries of Detroit. His quick recognition of
opportunity is followed by immediate action in the
utilization of that opportunity and thus steadily he has
advanced until now extensive and important interests are
under his control. Mr. Wardwell comes to Michigan
from the Empire state, his birth having occurred in
Rome, New York, October 23, 1883, his parents being
John S. and Mary Ella (Cornish) Wardwell, both of whom
were natives of New York and always resided there. The
father was engaged in the hardware business in Rome up
to the time of his death. The mother survives and is still

living in that city. Their family numbered four sons:
H. F.; Daniel, living in Rome, New York; John S., of
Detroit; and Samuel, also of Rome.
H. F. Wardwell, after completing a high school course
in his native city, attended the Rome Academy and was
there graduated with the class of 1902. This constituted
his preparatory step for his entrance into Cornell Univer
sity, in which he pursued a course in architecture, winning
his diploma in 1907. He then went to New York city,
where he secured a clerical position with the United
States Gypsum Company and there remained until 1910,
when he came to Detroit. Here he has been identified
with the Detroit Steel Products Corporation through the
intervening period of more than a decade. He began in
a minor position but has continued to advance, winning
consecutive promotions until he became secretary in 1913.
In addition to discharging the duties of the office he has
also had complete charge of sales for the past eight years
and his work in this connection has constituted an im
portant element in the growth and development of the
business, which is now one of the most important of the
industrial and commercial interests of Detroit. He is also
a director of the Standard Coupler Company of New York
city. On the 1st of June, 1912, Mr. Wardwell was married to
Miss Helen Russel of Detroit, daughter of Henry Russel,
formerly vice president of the Michigan Central Railroad
and one of the prominent residents of the city, who here
passed away a short time ago. Mr. and Mrs. Wardwell
have become parents of three children: Henry R., born
in Detroit in 1913 and now attending school at Grosse
Pointe; Mary, born in 1915; and John H, born in 1917.
Mr. Wardwell belongs to the Detroit Country Club, the
University Club, the Detroit Athletic Club and the
Detroit Golf Club, finding his recreation largely in outdoor
life and sports. Throughout his business fife he has been
connected with Detroit interests and his progressiveness
has made him one of the leading young business men of
the city, while his social qualities are such as have gained
him warm friendship and kindly regard. Hia future will
undoubtedly be one of still greater usefulness and activity
if one judges from past accomplishments, for all that he is
and all that he has won are the direct outcome of his
individual labors and the improvement of the opportunities
which fate has held out to him.
NORMAN A. HENWOOD, vice president and general
manager of the Commonwealth Brass Corporation, is one
of the best known men in connection with that line of
manufacturing in Detroit. He was born in this city on
the 2d of August, 1879, and is a son of Milton and Anna
(Pfiefle) Henwood, the former a native of Carlisle, Penn
sylvania, while the latter was born in Michigan. The
father came to Detroit in 1866 and won prominence as a
mason contractor. He continued in this business for
many years, retiring to private life in 1918 and now
residing in Florida. His wife is also living. Their family
numbered four children: Norman A., of this review;
Emily, living in Detroit; and Milton C. and Bessie, who
are deceased.

890

CITY OF DETROIT

Norman A. Henwood was a student in the Central high
school and when his education was completed made his
initial step in the business world with the Barnum Wire &
Iron Works. Later he became connected with the Hen-
wood & Brown Company, mason contractors, the senior
partner of this firm being his father, Milton Henwood.
He spent two years in that connection, when he took up
other lines of business that have led up to his present
association. He began as an employe of Freeman & Dela-
mater, a wholesale hardware firm of Detroit, starting at
the bottom and working up to a position of responsibility
during his five years' service. On the expiration of that
period he resigned his position to enter the employ of the
United States Heater Company, which has since been
absorbed by the United States Radiator Corporation.
His service with that company covered a period of six
years and during much of that time he was at the head of
the specialty department but at length resigned to become
secretary and manager of the Commonwealth Brass Cor
poration in 1911. This is one of the substantial industries
of Detroit, its volume of business being such as to neces
sitate the employment of three hundred and fifty people.
A thoroughly equipped plant and a thoroughly system
atized business have led to the attainment of substantial
success and Mr. Henwood has been an important factor
in winning the desired results.
On the 20th of July, 1904, Mr. Henwood was married to
Miss Anna M. Kamman, a daughter of Charles Kamman
of Detroit. They have two children: Anna B., born in
Detroit in 1905 and now a high school pupil; and Ford
K., born in Detroit on the 1st of May, 1910.
Fraternally Mr. Henwood is a Mason, having member
ship in Palestine Lodge. He belongs to the Michigan
Manufacturers Association, thus taking active interest in
solving the problems of trade and in the development and
improvement of commercial conditions, and his interest in
community affairs is shown in his membership in the
Detroit Board of Commerce. He is likewise a member
of the Detroit Automobile Club. He is interested in all
that pertains to the general welfare and his attitude upon
any vital question is that of a public-spirited citizen.
Mr. Henwood's residence is at No. 1915 West Grand
boulevard.] FORD BALLANTYNE, who has been identified with
the Michigan Alkali Corporation of Detroit during the
past decade, has worked his way steadily upward in
that connection until he is now secretary and assistant
treasurer of the company and an aetive factor in its
successful control. His birth occurred in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, on the 14th of August, 1891, his parents
being the Rev. James and Hettie (Ford) Ballantyne,
the former a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while
the latter was born in Kentucky. In early life the
mother removed to Pittsburgh, where she formed the
acquaintance and became the wife of the Rev. James
Ballantyne, who remained a resident of that city
until his demise, which occurred in 1901, and who
was prominent in the pulpit of the Methodist Epis

copal church. Mrs. Ballantyne still survives and
makes her home at Grosse Pointe, Michigan. They be
came the parents of three children: Ford, of this
review; Howard P., who is a resident of Detroit;
and Mrs. Dorothy B. Jones, also living in this city.
In the acquirement of an education Ford Ballantyne
attended the schools of LawrenceviUe, New Jersey,
but because of failing health was obliged to discon
tinue his studies. Making his way to Detroit, he be
came connected with the Michigan Alkali Company in
1911 in a minor capacity and gradually worked his
way upward through merit and ability until he was
made secretary of the corporation. Subsequently the
duties of assistant treasurer were added to those of
secretary, so that he is now serving in the dual
capacity. In addition to his official connection with
the Michigan Alkali Corporation, a chemical manu
facturing concern, he is also the secretary of the
Wyandotte Transportation Company, secretary and
assistant treasurer of the Wyandotte Terminal Rail
road and assistant secretary and treasurer of the Ford
Collieries Company.
On the 22d of November, 1913, in Detroit, Mr. Bal
lantyne was united in marriage to Miss Margaret
Wilson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson and
a representative of a prominent family of this city.
Mr. and Mrs. Ballantyne have become the parents of
two sons: Ford, Jr., who was bora in Detroit, Decem
ber 19, 1915; and James Wilson Ballantyne, born June
17, 1920.
In polities Mr. Ballantyne maintains an independent
attitude, supporting men and measures rather than
party. At the present time he is serving as a member
of the Grosse Pointe village council. His religious
faith is indicated by his membership in the Presby
terian church of Grosse Pointe and he also belongs
to the Detroit Club and the Detroit Country Club.
Though still a young man, he has already won an
enviable place in business circles and his many friends
predict for him a future of continued success.
DON L. WATSON, secretary and treasurer of the
Detroit Haynes Auto Company, is not only one of the
well known men in connection with the automobile trade
in this city, but in point of continuous identification with
that industry, his record of twenty-one years is not equaled
by any other dealer in Detroit.
Mr. Watson was born February 20, 1884, at Crystal
City, Missouri, about thirty miles south of St. Louis, his
parents being Joshua and Elizabeth (Frost) Watson, both
of whom are native of England. They came to America
about 1865, settling in Missouri, and the father, who was
a glass blower by trade, took up bis abode at Crystal City,
then a glass manufacturing center. He later removed
with his family to Kokomo, Indiana, where he now
resides. His wife is also living. They became the parents
of five children, three of whom have passed away, while
those who survive are Don L. and a sister, Mrs. Jessie
Duddy, residing in Owensboro, Kentucky.

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FORD BALLANTYNE

CITY OF DETROIT

893

In early boyhood Don L. Watson attended the schools
of Indiana and of Butler, Pennsylvania, and then became
an apprentice to the machinist's trade. He gave this up,
however, to accept a position in the office of the Haynes
Motor Company in 1900 and worked his way upward
through various positions and departments until he was
assigned the important task of opening a Detroit branch
of the house in 1917. He has successfully accomplished
this work and through the intervening period has been
Detroit manager and was made secretary and treasurer
of the Detroit Haynes Auto Company and one of the
directors of the parent concern. It is a matter of his
torical interest that the first automobile show of the
United States consisted of three Haynes cars exhibited by
a circus man at a state fair in Columbus, Ohio, in the fall
of 1896. John Robinson rented the first Haynes car ever
made for use in a side-show, and the experiment proved
such a financial success that when the second Haynes was
completed, it, too, was rented by Mr. Robinson and a
short time lacer, when the third car had been built, Mr.
Robinson placed the three on exhibition under a more
pretentious canvas and charged a nominal admission
price, paying $150 per month for the use of each car and
driver. In the twenty-five years which have since elapsed
the Haynes has been improved in accordance with modern
progress in automobile manufacture, and as the head of
the Detroit establishment, Mr. Watson has developed a
business of gratifying proportions.
On the 3d of November, 1909, Mr. Watson was married
to Miss Roma Haynes of Butler, Pennsylvania, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Haynes. To them has been born
one child, Martha, whose birth occurred in Kokomo,
Indiana, in July, 1912.
Fraternally Mr. Watson is connected with the Masons,
having taken the degrees of both York and Scottish Rites.
He also belongs to the Kiwanis Club and to the Detroit
Board of Commerce. He is well known, standing high
in social circles, and has the respect and confidence of his
contemporaries in the automobile field.
THOMAS E. BECK, vice president of the Detroit
Mantel & Tile Company, was born at Elk River, Minne
sota, May 12, 1869, a son of William B. and Charlotte
(Davey) Beck, both of whom are natives of Devonshire,
England. The mother came to this country when twelve
years of age, while the father crossed the Atlantic when
a youth of eighteen, both settling in Detroit, where they
met and were married. Starting out to make a home for
themselves, they went to Minnesota, where Mr. Beck
engaged in farming until after the outbreak of the Civil
war, when he tendered his aid to the Union cause, enlist
ing in a Minnesota regiment. He remained in the service
throughout the entire period of the war and became a
corporal. He participated in many hotly contested en
gagements and displayed unfaltering valor in defending
the stars and stripes. After the war he continued farm
ing in Minnesota until 1882, when he came to Detroit,
but later again took up his abode in the village of Elk
River, Minnesota, where he and his wife now reside.

They became the parents of six children: George; Joseph;
Francis; Lottie; Alice, who is now the wife of E. N. Dailey;
and Thomas E.
The last named is the eldest of the family. He was a
pupil in the public schools of Detroit and also attended
night school. After leaving the public schools he went to
work, learning the business of tile manufacturing. He
started in a humble capacity but worked his way steadily
upward and finally became general manager of a tile
company. He afterward aided in organizing the Detroit
Mantel & Tile Company, which was formed in 1898 and
which has become recognized as one of the standard
companies in this line in the middle west. In 1907 the
business was incorporated and many new features were
added, such as electric fixtures, bathroom accessories,
etc. The company has received contracts in its line in
connection with many of the notable modern buildings of
Detroit, including theatres, hotels, banks and fine private
residences, as well as many of the large automobile plants
and showrooms. Steadily the business has grown in vol
ume and importance and Mr. Beck has had much to do
with directing the policy of the company in his present
position as vice president.
On the 4th of November, 1891, Mr. Beck was married
to Miss Amy C. Thomas, of Detroit, a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Cyrus Thomas. Mr. Beck belongs to the Pilgrim
Congregational church and the nature of his interests is
further indicated in the fact that he has membership in
the Fellowcraft Athletic Club, in the Detroit Board of
Commerce and in the Employers Association. He is
interested in all those agencies which make for better
understanding of busmess conditions and more harmoni
ous relations between employer and employe. His own
career shows the possibility for successful accomplish
ment, for he started out in life empty-handed, and when
the Detroit Mantel & Tile Company was organized by
Mr. Beck there was only one employe. Something of the
continued growth of the business is indicated in the fact
that there are now one hundred names on the pay roll of
the company and their business covers a wide territory
becoming the visible expression of the sound judgment
and keen sagacity that underlies their success.
ELI JOSEPH BARKUME, secretary, treasurer and
general manager of the Barkume & Stark Company of
Detroit, was born January 24, 1878, in the city in which
he still makes his home, his parents being Charles and
Mary (Vigneau) Barkume, the former a native of Michi
gan, while the latter was born in Sandwich, Canada.
The father devoted much of his life to the coal trade in
West Detroit, where he carried on business for many
years. He passed away in Detroit in 1910 and his widow
still resides in this city.
Eli J. Barkume was the sixth in order of birth in a
family of eleven children and in his boyhood attended
the parochial schools. He had early experience in the
coal business, for while yet a school boy he was doing
odd jobs in his father's coal yard and as his age permitted
was given more important work therein. After putting

894

CITY OF DETROIT

aside his textbooks he became elevator boy in the old
Whitney music store on Woodward avenue and shortly
afterward accepted a position in the office of the Detroit
Conservatory of Music. For seven years he was asso
ciated with that institution, during which period he was
advanced to the position of assistant secretary. Mr.
Barkume left this position to take the management of a
big coal yard and since that time has maintained a con
tinuous connection with the coal trade in Detroit. In
1908 he became manager for the City Concrete & Coal
Company and remained in that capacity until April 1,
1914, when he organized the Barkume & Stark Concrete
Company. The success of that company dates from its
inception and in the fall of 1914 its operations were ex
panded to include the retail coal business. In 1916 the
firm name was changed to the Barkume & Stark Company,
which maintains three large coal yards and is included
among the city's well known wholesale and retail coal
firms. On the 24th of January, 1911, Mr. Barkume was mar
ried to Miss Gertrude Eades, of Detroit, daughter of
Richard M. Eades, of a prominent family of Detroit and
Port Huron. They have one child, Margaret Mary, born
September 15, 1919, in Detroit. Mr. Barkume belongs
to the Roman Catholic church and is a, third degree
member of the Knights of Columbus. He also has mem
bership in the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association and
he belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce, the
Detroit Automobile Club, the Business Exchange Club
and the Detroit Coal Exchange, of which he is treasurer
and a director. His continuous activity in business has
been the basis of his growing success and has placed
him in a creditable position among Detroit contractors
and coal dealers.
HERMAN A. STRASBURG was one of the lead
ing figures in Detroit's social life and for many years
its most prominent teacher of dancing. His personal
worth, as well as his professional ability, was widely
recognized and he commanded the respect and esteem
of all who knew him. Detroit numbered him among
her native sons. He was born October 29, 1860, his
parents being Professor Herman and Matilde (Thiel)
Strasburg. His father had for a number of years
prior to the birth of his son and namesake been a
teacher of dancing in Detroit and also gave instruc
tions in music and in fencing. He was an accom
plished musician and frequently played with sym
phony orchestras from abroad and with the Theodore
Thomas orchestra, being regarded as one of the finest
cello players of his time. His family numbered four
children: Herman A., whose name introduces this re
view; Matilde; Max; and Adele.
In the public schools of Detroit, Herman A. Stras
burg began his education and later attended the
Michigan Military Academy at Orchard Lake, one of
the most popular private schools of the state. His
higher education, however, was largely acquired under
the instruction of private tutors. He was always a

lover of literature and manifested a decided taste for
the higher classics. He likewise cultivated his musical
talent and possessed a natural ability of unusual char
acter. Herman A. Strasburg beeame the assistant of
his father in young manhood and for many years re
mained the leading dancing instructor in Detroit. A
notable feature of his work and of his success was the
personal attention whieh he gave to his pupils. He
possessed a remarkable memory for names and faces
and could recognize a great majority of his pupils.
He always stood for the highest ideals in connection
with his schools and maintained unexcelled standards.
The Strasburg dancing academies were developed
along the most progressive lines and the name became
a familiar one in dancing circles throughout the
country. Herman A. Strasburg was recognized as one
of the most proficient "method" teachers. He em
ployed a well devised method in instruction which
became the standard of many other successful teachers
"A school — not a dance hall," and his academies were
in various parts of the country. His motto was ever
places of instruction and not merely a public place
of amusement. His patronage not only came to him
from the most prominent families of Detroit but he
devoted one night a week to the Franklin Street
school, where he conducted a dancing clasB for young
people who were recent arrivals in Detroit and who
could there meet and dance in a wholesome atmos
phere, thus contributing in large measure to the attrac
tive features of one of the social settlement centers
of the eity. His son, Paul, is now teaching the fourth
generation of Detroit families. With the Strasburg
family dancing has ever been one of the classic arts
and their ideals have been of the highest, their
methods of instruction the most proficient, and few
teachers have always enjoyed the profound respect of
their pupils that was accorded Herman A. Strasburg
during the many years in which he was at the head
of Detroit's leading dancing academy.
In private as well as in public life Mr. Strasburg
enjoyed and merited the high esteem and friendship
of all with whom he came into contact. He was deeply
concerned in many civic interests of Detroit and his
aid and influence were always on the side of progress
and improvement. He gave liberally in support of
many plans and measures for the city's betterment
and moral uplift.
In 1885 Mr. Strasburg was united in marriage to
Miss Ida Pinet, a native of Detroit. They became
parents of four children: Karl, now deceased; Mar
jorie; Paul, who has become his father's successor in
the conduct of the dancing academy; and Hermine.
As the years passed Mr. Strasburg made extensive
investments in real estate and developed several sub
divisions. Politically he maintained an independent
attitude, nor was he ever dominated by party dicta
tion, always supporting the candidates whom he be
lieved to, have the interests of the people at heart.
He was very progressive in his views concerning ques-

HERMAN A. STRASBURG

CITY OF DETROIT

897

tions of national importance and advocated equal suf
frage long before it came to be an issue. ,He was
also a stanch supporter of the prohibition cause. Fond
of outdoor life, he devoted his leisure hours to boat
ing and golfing, was a lover of clean sports and a
devotee of our national game of baseball. He be
longed to the Detroit Golf Club, the Pointe aux
Barques Club and to the Board of Commerce. He
likewise stood high in Masonry, attaining the Knights
Templar degree, and was a member of the Old Guard
of Detroit Commandery. He also received the thirty-
second degree of the Scottish Rite and was a Noble
of the Mystic Shrine. His religious faith was mani
fest in his connection with the First Presbyterian
chureh and in that faith he passed away January 8,
1917. His death was deeply deplored throughout
Detroit, where his many splendid social and business
qualifications and his support of high ideals of citizen
ship had won for him the respect and honor of all
with whom he was associated. He was one who spread
around him much of life's sunshine and the world is
better for his having lived.
FREDERICK F. BLODGETT, president of the
Blodgett Engineering & Tool Company, was born in
Detroit, January 22, 1881, a son of William James and
Mary Elizabeth (Crowley) Blodgett. The father's birth
occurred at Port Sanilac, Michigan, while the mother
was born in Detroit. The father was for many years
well known in business circles in this city, where he con
ducted a successful shoe trade to the time of bis death,
which occurred on the 9th of February, 1919, at the age
of sixty-eight years, for he was born on the 11th of April,
1851. His widow, who was born in Detroit in 1853, still
makes her home in this city. In their family were four
sons and four daughters: William A., who was born
November 29, 1879, and died August 29, 1918; Flora, who
was born December 30, 1880; Frederick F.; Elizabeth,
who was born in March, 1883, and died at the age of
three years; Elizabeth, who was the second of the name
and also died in early life; Alva, who was born May 23,
1887; Alexander H, born December 23, 1889; and Ella,
who was born January 20, 1891, and died in October,
1906. All were born in Detroit, where the family home has
long been maintained.
Frederick F. Blodgett attended the public schools to
the eighth grade and then put aside his textbooks in
order to go to work. His first position was with the
Safety Furnace Pipe Company and he received the
munificent salary of two dollars per week. He continued
with the company for two years and then secured a posi
tion in the Detroit Opera House as usher and checkroom
manager. He worked there for a considerable time and
became well acquainted during that period with many of
the leading members of the theatrical profession. He
gave up that position to accept a more lucrative one with
the firm of Johnson & Foster, wholesale cigar dealers,
with whom he continued until 1900, when he went to
work as a bookkeeper for the Dime Savings Bank. His
Vol. IV— 5 1

next position was with the firm of Walker & Company,
but after a short period he returned to the Dime Savings
Bank as bookkeeper and remained there until August,
1912, when he left the bank to organize what became
known as the R. C. L. Company. This business he con
ducted successfully until 1915, when he disposed of his
interests and became one of the organizers of the Blod
gett, Sanders & Williamson Company, which was formed
for the purpose of manufacturing tools and taking engi
neering contracts. After a time Mr. Blodgett purchased
the interests of his partners and reorganized the company
in October, 1916. The business has since been carried
on under the name of the Blodgett Engineering & Tool
Company. He also organized the Mather Pattern Com
pany of Muskegon, Michigan, but sold out his business
there in November, 1919. The Blodgett Engineering &
Tool Company was incorporated for one hundred thou
sand dollars. He is the president and the principal
stockholder and is now at the head of a business which
employs one hundred and sixty-three people in the man
ufacture of tools, dies, jigs', fixtures and machinery. The
business is a growing one and has long since reached
profitable proportions. Mr. Blodgett is also the owner of
another important business enterprise, conducted under
the name of the Blodgett Hat Company at No. 210
Sixth street, Detroit. Here he manufactures and designs
ladies' hats and the output amounts to about sixty dozen
per day. They are large distributors to the trade and
employ eighty people in hat manufacturing in a plant of
most modern equipment.
On the 28th of June, 1906, Mr. Blodgett was married
to Miss Mabel Foster, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert
E. Foster. Both parents have now passed away, her
father's death having occurred in Detroit, January 16,
1916. Fraternally Mr. Blodgett is a Mason, belonging to
Palestine Lodge, No. 357, A. F. & A. M.; King Cyrus
Chapter, No. 133, R. A. M.; and Detroit Commandery,
No. 1, K. T. He is also vice chairman of the Metal
Trades Division, is a member of the Detroit Board of
Commerce, belongs to the Century Club of Muskegon,
Michigan, and his religious faith is indicated by his con
nection with the Woodward Avenue Congregational
church. His interests and activities are broad and var
ied, but it is well known that his aid and support can
always be counted upon to further plans and measures
for the general good. Those who know him recognize in
him a man of sterling worth and one whose entire course
has been a credit to Detroit, his native city.
WILLIAM J. WINDISCH is the vice president and
manager of W. C. Windisch & Company, having the
oldest book bindery in Detroit and one of the most suc
cessful enterprises of this kind in Michigan. It is true
that William J. Windisch entered upon a business already
established, but in enlarging and controlling this many a
man of less resolute spirit and of more limited powers of
adaptability would have failed. He has kept abreast
with the conditions and demands of the times along the

898

CITY OF DETROIT

line of bis business and he has one of the most modern
and best equipped plants of the kind in the state.
Mr. Windisch is a native of Detroit. He was born
May 24, 1882, and is a son of William C. and Johanna
(Boepple) Windisch, who were also natives of this cicy,
where they were reared, educated and married. The
father was the founder of the book bindery of W. C.
Windisch & Company, upon which business he entered
after having served for thirty-one years as superintendent
with the firm of Richards & Backus, printers and binders.
He was always considered to be one of the finest work
men in his line and through merit and ability advanced
steadily to that position. In 1902 he resigned to organize
and establish a business of his own, which he began in a
small way arid which has developed into one of the larg
est in the city. The father passed away in Detroit in
1917, after a lingering illness. The mother still makes
her home in this city and is the president of the firm of
W. C. Windisch & Company, which is a close corpora
tion. Their family numbered five children: George W.,
who is a member of the firm; arid Louise, Eleanor, Florine
and William J., all of Detroit.
In eariy life William J. Windisch entered the public
schools of his native city and after leaving the high school
he secured a position with the well known wholesale
jewelry firm known as the Noack & Hornblower Company.
He continued with that house for four years and thor
oughly learned the jeweler's trade, after which he entered
the business established by his father and started in a
minor capacity, gradually working bis way upward as he
acquainted himself with the various phases and details of
the business. He is now the vice president and manager
and in this connection is directing the activities of a well
equipped plant, in which more than fifty people are
employed. They do all kinds of fancy book binding,
turning out most artistic work.
Mr. Windisch was married on the 11th of June, 1906,
to Miss Kathryn Muelsmann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Muelsmann, of Detroit, and they have two
children: Warren, who was born in 1907; and Kathryn,
born in 1911. Both are pupils in the public schools.
Mr. Windisch is a Mason, belonging to Palestine
Lodge. He also belongs to the Exchange Club, to the
Credit Men's Association and to the St. Clair Flats
Improvement Association, of which he is the secretary
and treasurer. These connections indicate his deep
interest in the improvement of business conditions and
in the promotion of projects which advance the civic
standards and lead to the further development and
improvement of the city.
HENRY R. CARSTENS, M. D. The name of Car-
stens has long been a prominent and honored one in
medical circles of Detroit and Dr. Henry R. Carstens,
one of the younger practitioners of the eity, is ably
sustaining the traditions of the family in this respect.
Dr. Carstens is a native of this city, his birth having
occurred on the 19th of December, 1888, and he is the
son of Dr. J. Henry and Hattie E. (Rohnert) Carstens,

the father having been one of the oldest and most
prominent surgeons of Detroit. His preliminary edu
cation was acquired in the publie and high schools of
this city, after which he entered the University of
Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated
in 1909 with the Bachelor of Arts degree, while in 1911
he took the M. D. degree upon graduation from the
Detroit College of Medicine. He then went to Berlin,
Germany, where he took further work in internal medi
cine in the hospitals and in the University of Berlin
during 1911 and 1912. Thus well qualified for his
chosen life work, he returned to Detroit and entered
upon the practice of his profession, opening an office
at the corner of Trumbull and Grand River avenues,
and in 1915 he removed to his present location in the
David Whitney building. He is specializing in internal
medicine. He is junior physician in the Department
of Medicine at Harper Hospital and is assistant pro
fessor of internal medicine in the Detroit College of
Medicine and Surgery. Through his membership in
the Wayne County and Michigan State Medical So
cieties, the American Medical Association, the De
troit Medical Club, the Detroit Society of Internal
Medicine, etc., he keeps abreast with the advancement
that is constantly being made in medical seienee. In
1916-17 he served as secretary of the Wayne County
Medical Society.
Dr. Carstens is a veteran of the World war and his
military record is a most commendable one. On the
15th of November, 1915, he was commissioned first
lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps and in the
summer and fall of 1916 he served for six months on
the active list at various posts. After war was de
clared he again entered upon active service, May 19,
1917, and was one of the first to sail for France, his
overseas service beginning June 16, 1917, and con
tinuing until the 3d of August, 1919. He was com
missioned captain in June, 1917, major in February,
1919, and lieutenant colonel in May, 1919. At first
he was attached to the British Forces, being assigned
to the War Hospital at Edinburgh, Scotland. Subse
quently he was with Field Ambulance, No. 19, and The
Cameronians, First Scottish Rifles (Thirty-third Divi
sion, British Expeditionary Forces) in Belgium. His
service with the American Expeditionary Forces was
in connection with A. R. C. Military Hospital, No. 3,
at Paris, where he filled the offices of chief of medical
service, adjutant, etc. He was honorably discharged
on the 27th of August, 1919, after notable military
service, and returned to Detroit, where he again took
up the practice of his profession.
In his political views Dr. Carstens is a republican,
giving his earnest support to the principles and can
didates of the party, and he holds membership in the
Detroit Athletic Club, the Harmonie Society, the De
troit Boat Club, Le Cercle Interallifi (Paris) and the
Army and Navy Club of Washington. Dr. Carstens
has made continuous progress in his profession, and
although but thirty-three years of age, he has already

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DR. HENRY R. CARSTENS
CITY OF DETROIT

901

attained a position that many an older practitioner
might well envy and he undoubtedly has a brilliant
future before him. Detroit is proud to claim him as
one of her native sons.
JUSTIN R. WHITING, for thirteen years a member
of the Detroit bar, associated with the Jaw firm of Warren,
Cady, Ladd & Hill, but since January, 1921, general
counsel of the Michigan Railway and the Hayes Wheel
Company at Jackson, Michigan, was born in St. Clair,
Michigan, March 29, 1886, a son of Justin and Emily
(Owen) Whiting. The father was born at Bath, New
York, and the mother in Marine City, Michigan. The
former came to this state with his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Whiting, who settled on Mackinac island, at the
old fort. Henry Whiting took an active part in the Civil
war with the rank of colonel, being at the front through
out the entire period of hostilities. His son, Justin Whit
ing, became a prominent merchant in early manhood
and after disposing of his mercantile interests turned his
attention to public affairs and in 1898 was a prominent
candidate for governor against his successful opponent,
Governor Pingree. He was later elected to congress
from the seventh district of Michigan and sat in the
national legislative halls for eight years, becoming an
active supporter of many bills which found their way
to the statute books of the country. He also held other
offices of public honor and trust and passed away in St.
Clair, Michigan, in 1900, his wife dying the same year.
In their family were eight children, seven of whom sur
vive, namely: Mrs. W. E. Burkless, of St. Clair, Michi
gan; Justin R.; John P., living at Medicine Hat, Alberta,
Canada; Mrs. H. A. Hopkins, of St. Clair, Michigan;
Bruce F., also of St. Clair; Mrs. John E. Small, of Chicago,
Hlinois; and Frances, of St. Clair, Michigan.
In early life Justin R. Whiting of this review attended
the public and high schools of his native city and after
ward went to Jackson, Michigan, where he was con
nected with the legal department of the street railway
system for five years, and for an equal period he was
connected with Richard Price, a prominent attorney.
He next entered the law department of the University of
Michigan at Ann Arbor and was there graduated with
the LL. B. degree in 1907, after which he located for
practice in Port Huron, where for a short time he was
associated with Sanford W. Ladd. In 1907 he came to
Detroit and through the succeeding thirteen years con
tinued in the general practice of law, making a specialty
of street railway litigation, having become an expert in
that branch of the profession. In January, 1921, he
became general counsel of the Michigan Railway and the
Hayes Wheel Company. He is a member of the Detroit
Bar Association and has won a place of prominence as a
representative of the legal profession in Detroit. His
early training awakened his interest in railway litigation
and he has always continued active in this branch of the
profession, where his developing powers have brought
him to a position of leadership.
On the 1st of October, 1910, Mr. Whiting was married

to Miss Nellie Howell, of St. Clair, Michigan, a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Howell, of St. Louis, and they
have one child, Elizabeth Jane, who was born in Jackson
in 1913 and is now in school.
The political belief of Mr. Whiting is that of the demo
cratic party. His religious faith is indicated by his
membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he
belongs to the Masonic lodge at St. Clair, being a loyal
and exemplary representative of the craft.
J. C. MUNN, Detroit manager for the American
Bridge Company, was born in the city of Allegheny,
Pennsylvania, and was educated in the public schools of
Pittsburgh. He initiated his business career as an em
ploye of the Westinghouse Machine Company and later
occupied a position in the contracting office of the Globe
Fast Freight Line, where he acquired considerable knowl
edge concerning railroading. He was afterward associated
with the Pittsburgh Bridge Company, starting in a
minor position and working his way steadily upward
through his ability, fidelity and enterprise until at the
age of twenty-four years he was made secretary of the
company and when twenty-eight years of age became
secretary and general manager. He continued in control
of the business in this connection until he reached the
age of thirty, when the company sold out to the American
Bridge Company.
In 1900 Mr. Munn went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as
manager of the Milwaukee Bridge & Iron Company at
that point and there continued until 1907, when he came
to Detroit as manager for the American Bridge Company.
This corporation has fourteen plants in the United
States and not only builds bridges but supplies vast
amounts of steel for building purposes. Under Mr.
Munn's able management an extensive business has
been built up in Detroit and is steadily growing. The
company has supplied the steel for many of the largest
and finest buildings in the city, including the Ford build
ing, the Dime Bank, the Penobscot, the David Stott,
the Peoples Outfitting, the Statler Hotel, the Kresge
building, the plant of the Paige Motor Company, the
Durant building, the Y. M. C. A. building, the Morgan
& Wright plant and the new structure for the First &
Old Detroit National Bank. During the World war the
company supplied the steel for the Eagle shipbuilding
plant and, for the Lincoln motor plant. In the case of
the latter they furnished the steel from the ore to the
finished product quicker than steel was ever furnished for
any building in the state of Michigan. Mr. Munn sent
in the order on a Tuesday and twenty-six cars of steel
were on the way on Friday of the same week. In the
shipbuilding plant they had five locomotive traveling
cranes going all at once and in the year 1920 they had
twelve such cranes in daily operation in Detroit. Mr.
Munn is a thorough executive, capable of handling large
affairs with ease. He readily discriminates between the
essential and the non-essential in all business matters
and has the faculty of combining unrelated and seemingly
diverse interests into a unified and harmonious whole.

902

CITY OF DETROIT

He is also construction manager for bis district as well as
manager of the Detroit plant.
Mr. Munn was united in marriage to Miss Florence
Faulkner Totten and they have become parents of three
sons and a daughter: John C, William Alexander, Florence
T. and Merden Mellier. The two oldest sons enlisted in
the aircraft service before the United States entered the
World war. John C. went to the Plattsburg (N. Y.)
camp and William A. enlisted in February, 1917, and
went to Newport News for training. He was in the air
service in France for fourteen months with the rank of
first fieutenant and was honorably discharged January 24,
1919, at Garden City, Long Island. John C. Munn passed
the examination and was commissioned second lieutenant
and was made instructor at Fort Worth, Texas. He
received bis discharge soon after the signing of the armis
tice. The record of these sons is such as may well awaken
a feeling of pride in the parents.
Mr. Munn is a Mason of high rank. He belongs to
Lafayette Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Peninsular Chapter,
R. A. M.; Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; and has
attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in
Wisconsin Consistory in the Valley of Milwaukee; while
with the Nobles of Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine at
Milwaukee he has crossed the sands of the desert. He
belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club and to various
organizations of business men. He has served as the
president of the Exchange Club and has prepared for it
some excellent papers on industrial subjects, including
bridges, rubber and other questions of great interest in
business circles. He likewise belongs to the Credit Men's
Association, is vice president of the Builders and Traders
Exchange, is a member of the Detroit Engineering Society
and belongs to the Noontide Club of the Knights Templar.
James Russell Lowell has said that an institution is but
the lengthened shadow of a man, and something of the
strength and capability of Mr. Munn is therefore indi
cated in the business enterprise which has developed
under his direction and which is today one of the im
portant manufacturing concerns of Detroit.
T. FRED LEE. The sale of property always goes
hand in hand with the development of any community
and offers a wide field for the man of business ability
and keen discernment. Among those now active in
real estate circles in Detroit is T. Fred Lee, who is one
of Michigan's native sons, his birth having occurred
in Alpena. He was educated in the grade sehool of
his native city and initiated his business career in
connection with a dry goods store of Alpena, being
engaged in the trade for sixteen years. He started
as a delivery boy at a salary of two dollars per week
and won gradual promotion until finally he became
manager of the business, holding that position for
some time before he severed his connection with the
store. Upon his removal to Detroit in 1913 Mr. Lee became
connected with Crowley, Milner & Company, with
whom he continued for a year, when he severed his

connection with that company to take a course of
training in real estate activity at the Y. M. C. A.
and then established a real estate business on his own
account. He has since won substantial and gratify
ing success, dealing in high class improved and vacant
properties, and he also handles mortgages, leases and
fire insurance. There is no phase of the real estate
business in the district in which he operates with
whieh he is not thoroughly familiar and he is regarded
as one of the most reliable valuators of property in
the North Woodward and North West sections of
Detroit. He is likewise a director of the Detroit
National Fire Insurance Company and is appraiser
for the corporation. He is also a member of the
Detroit Real Estate Board, on whieh he served as
treasurer, and he belongs to the National Real Estate
Association. On February 1, 1904, Mr. Lee was united in marriage
to Miss Mary A. Bowen and they have three children:
Harold, Lucille and Virginia. Mr. Lee is a fourth
degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He like
wise belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit
Lodge of Elks, Detroit Auto Club, Detroit Board of
Commerce, Oakland Hills Country Club and Los
Angeles Athletic Club. He is a very active, progres
sive business man, wide-awake, alert and energetic,
and he is today a prominent figure in real estate
circles, with a large and important clientele.
PATRICK H. KANE is one of the rising young at
torneys of Detroit whose record thus far indicates that
his future course will be well worth watching. Born at
Port Huron, Michigan, February 6, 1890, he is a son of
John and Annie (Veale) Kane, the former a native of
Michigan and the latter of Ireland. The mother was
brought to the new world by her parents when only a
year old, the family home being established in this state.
The father was a well known and prominent lawyer of
Port Huron and for three terms filled the office of city
attorney there. For many years he devoted his time to a
large practice and in Port Huron passed away in 1911.
His widow survives and now resides in Detroit. In
their family were three children. Both parents in early
life were successful school teachers and James Kane,
brother of Patrick, and also his sister, taught school — a
profession which Patrick H. Kane has likewise followed.
It will thus be seen that all the family have been keenly
interested in educational matters. Patrick H. Kane was
a teacher for four years in the schools of Anchorville and
Emmett, Michigan, acting as principal in the former
place. His brother, James M. Kane, has become a
prominent attorney of Detroit and of Dayton, Ohio,
being in the government service in the latter city until
January 1, 1920, when he returned to Detroit. The
sister, Miss Mary Kane, is also living in Detroit.
In early life Patrick H. Kane was a pupil in St. Stephen's
Catholic school at Port Huron and later he followed the
profession of teaching, as previously indicated. Coming
to Detroit, he entered the Detroit College of Law and

T. FRED LEE

"*>'» -:M

CITY OF DETROIT

905

afterward became a student in the law department of
the University of Detroit. He and" his brother, James
M., were the first students to graduate from the law
department of that institution, where they completed
their course in 1914. Patrick H. Kane then returned to
Port Huron, where he engaged in the practice of his
chosen profession in his father's office, there remaining
until 1917, when he enlisted in the air service of the
United States army and was sent to the flying field at
Dayton, Ohio, where he remained until the close of the
war, when he was discharged on the 1st of January, 1919.
Coming to Detroit, he entered the office of his brother,
James M. Kane, who was then in the government service
at Dayton, Ohio, and through the intervening period he
has acquired a large practice and is now attorney for a
number of the leading commercial organizations of the
city. He has made a notable and enviable position for
one of his years, his reputation being such as many a
man of twice bis age might well envy.
On the 1st of December, 1917, Mr. Kane was married
to Miss Helen Haynes, of Port Huron, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Fred Haynes, the former a prominent lumber
man of Port Huron. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs.
Kane is that of the Roman Catholic church and he is
identified with the Knights of Columbus. He also belongs
to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks and his political belief is that
of the democratic party. Along strictly professional
lines he has connection with the Detroit and Michigan
State Bar Associations. Other interests of his life are
made subservient to his law practice and his devotion to
his clients' interests has become proverbial.
JAMES D. STANDISH, JR. For many years the
name of Standish has figured prominently in commercial
circles of Detroit in connection with the meat industry
and James D. Standish, Jr., displays the same enterpris
ing spirit and notable business ability which characterized
his father and placed him at the head of extensive interests.
Many lines of activity have profited by bis cooperation
and keen insight into business affairs and situations and
his connection with any enterprise is an indication of its
success, for his efforts are resultant factors in whatever
he undertakes. Mr. Standish is a representative of an
old American family, being the ninth in direct line of
descent from Captain Miles Standish, and his paternal
grandfather was a pioneer settler of Michigan. He is a
native of Detroit and his parents' were James D. and
Jennie C. (Hart) Standish, the former born in Pontiac
and the latter in Adrian, Michigan. The father removed
to Detroit, becoming a member of the packing firm of
Hammond, Standish & Company and was one of the
most successful busmess men of the city, where he passed
away in May, 1917.
His son, James D. Standish, Jr., attended the gram
mar and high schools of his native city, the Detroit
University, and afterward entered Williams College at
Wfiliamstown, Massachusetts, from which he was grad
uated with the class of 1913, while later he devoted a

year to postgraduate work at Harvard. He then joined
the Crown Hat Company of Detroit, with which he was
actively identified for three years, and afterward asso
ciated himself with Nicol, Ford & Company, with which
firm he is still connected. He is a director in the New-
land Hat Company, and is also a member of the direc
torate of Hammond, Standish & Company, treasurer of
the Detroit Beef Company, and president of the Alcona
Land Company and is a man of large affairs, who is con
tinually broadening the scope of his activities. He pos
sesses that quality which has been termed commercial
sense and his powers of administration and initiative
spirit have led him into important connections.
Mr. Standish was united in marriage to Miss Isabell
Stroh, a member of one of the most prominent and highly
respected families of the city. During the World war he
took an active part in the work of the American Pro
tective League, of which Frank Creel was the head, and
acted as his assistant in Detroit. He is a well known
clubman, being connected with the Detroit Athletic,
Country, University, Detroit, Racquet and Lochmoor
Country Clubs, and of the last named organization he is
the president. He is an enthusiastic devotee of golf and
is a member of the executive board of the United States
Golf Association, is also connected with the Detroit
Golf Association and is one of the directors of the Michi
gan Golf League. He worthily bears a name that for
many years has been synonymous with integrity, enter
prise and reliability in business circles of Detroit and is a
native son in whose record the city takes justifiable
pride. JAY W. RUSSELL. In thoroughness and the mastery
of every detail of the duties that have devolved upon
him lies the secret of the success which has brought Jay
W. Russell to the position which he now occupies in
busmess circles of Detroit. He was born September
3, 1884, at Bethany, Connecticut, and is a representative
of one of the old and prominent families of New England.
His education was acquired in the public schools of that
state and he subsequently entered upon an apprenticeship
to the carriage builder's trade, working in a shop in
Union City, Connecticut, where he received practical
training in every branch of the business. He was obliged
to put in long hours of hard work but acquired a thorough
knowledge of the trade, in which he has become recognized
as an expert. He started to work at his trade when a
youth of sixteen and continued to follow it until bis
twenty-first year, having charge of a shop when but
eighteen. For two years he was a foreman in the employ
of the Henry Hooker Carriage Company of New Haven,
Connecticut, which bore the reputation of turning out
the highest class of work. He has made a special study
of mechanical and engine work and fourteen years ago
constructed two automobiles. He also built one of the
first air-cooled cars, which was delivered to a purchaser
in Ohio. He has had broad experience in connection with
the automobile industry, being first identified with the
Electric Vehicle Company (owners of the Selden patent)

906

CITY OF DETROIT

and its successor, the Columbia Motor Company of
Hartford, Connecticut, for a time. He was also foreman
and later superintendent of the Pope-Hartford Company,
with which he remained for four years, and then became
connected with the Fiat Automobile Company at Pough-
keepsie, New York, when they first started their factory
in the United States, he being superintendent of the
carriage division. In 1912 he came to Detroit and became
superintendent of painting for the Wilson Body Corpora
tion, which he represented in that capacity for three
years. He then became a partner in establishing, in 1915,
what is now the Congdon-Russell Company, engaged in
art-custom motor car painting, trimming and body repair
work. The business has assumed very large proportions
owing to the high-class work turned out by the firm and
their enterprising business methods. In April, 1920, the
business was incorporated under the present name, Mr.
Russell being vice president and general manager.
Mr. Russell married Miss Lillian Bailey of Essex,
Connecticut, and they have become the parents of two
daughters, L. Jeannette and Winifred Bailey, both of
whom are promising musicians. Mr. and Mrs. Russell
are members of the Episcopal church and his political
allegiance is given to the republican party. Since the age
of twenty-one he has been identified with Masonry, be
coming a member of Charter Oak Lodge, A. F. & A. M.,
at Hartford, Connecticut. He is also a member of
Palestine Chapter, R. A. M., Michigan Sovereign Con
sistory and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine and is
likewise affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. Throughout his career he has closely applied
himself to the work in hand and has steadily advanced,
each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and
wider opportunities. He has had broad experience in a
business way and his enterprise and energy ,have carried
him forward to a substantial point on the high road to
success. HERMANN DARMSTAETTER, chairman of the
board of directors of the Mundus Products Company,
Limited, of Detroit, died on November 3, 1921. His
active business career covered a period of more than
forty years and he attained a foremost position in in
dustrial and financial circles. Mr. Darmstaetter was
born in Detroit on the 27th of September, 1859, a son
of Jaeob and Louisa (Koch) Darmstaetter, and was
one of a family of five children: Hermann, Gustav
and Otto, all of whom are deceased; Mrs. Louis Wirth-
wein of Columbus, Ohio; and Mrs. William Kinmont
of Detroit. Jacob Darmstaetter was a native of Darm
stadt, Germany, and was about sixteen years of age
when he came to Detroit, the trip consuming more
than a month. He was first engaged in the baking
business, later establishing a brewery business in De
troit in 1866, and conducting it until he was suc
ceeded in its management by his sons, Hermann and
Gustav. Hermann Darmstaetter was educated in the Detroit
public schools and the Detroit Business University.

In 1877 he became identified with his father's busi
ness and in 1899 purchased the latter 's interest and
succeeded him as president and treasurer of the com
pany. In the year 1903 the business was incorporated
under the name of the West Side Brewing Company,
Limited. In recent years this has been transformed
into the Mundus Products Company, Limited, and the
company is today engaged in the manufacture of va
rious kinds of beverages. Mr. Darmstaetter was
elected chairman of the board of directors of the
new corporation, and while he directed the policy of
the business, he left the active management to others
and was in a sense retired, enjoying a rest which he
had truly earned and richly merited. Mr. Darm
staetter was also a director of the Miehigan Bonding
Company, a director of the First State Bank, formerly
the German-American Bank, and had other important
business connections.
Mr. Darmstaetter was married in 1886 to Miss Min
nie Wolff, who was born in Eagle Harbor, Michigan,
her parents removing with their family to Detroit
when she was but a year old. Her father, who was
a trunk manufacturer, passed away at the com
paratively early age of forty-two years. To Mr. and
Mrs. Darmstaetter were born four children: Meta,
who married Thomas J. Thorpe, secretary of the
Mundus Products Company, Limited, of Detroit; Armin
A., who is chairman of the board of directors of the
Mundus Products Company; Elsie, who is Mrs. Hay
Langenheim and resides in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania;
and Carl J., of Detroit.
In his political views Mr. Darmstaetter was a re
publican but was not bound by party ties. While
he supported the candidates of the party in all na
tional elections, at local elections he considered only
the capability of the candidate, as no party issues
were involved in local elections. He was a member of
the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Harmonie Society,
the Detroit Athletic Club and the Detroit Yacht Club.
He was at one time president of the Brewers' Asso
ciation. He was a man highly esteemed, having many
warm friends in Detroit, and those who knew him at
tested his business ability and the many sterling traits
of his character. The family residence is at 115 Arden
Park. L. J. McKINNEY, a prominent and prosperous
business man of Detroit, where for years he has been
identified with the commercial life of the city, is at present
capably filling the position of treasurer of the All Power
Truck Company. He is a native of the Keystone state,
born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, February 25, 1881, a
son of H. R. and Lavinia (McGuire) McKinney.
Mr. McKinney was educated at Olean (New York)
high school, at Lima Seminary, and finished at Cornell
University. On the completion of his college course he
went to work for the Standard Oil Company, in which
business his father was a stockholder, and remained with
that company for about eight years. He then went into

HERMANN DARMSTAETTER

CITY OF DETROIT

909

the oil busmess for himself, at Prairie Depot, Ohio, con
tinuing to operate in this line from 1903 to 1911, during
these years having done very well. In the following
year Mr. McKinney started in the mercantile business in
Detroit, and remained in that line until the early part of
May, 1919, when he became treasurer of the All Power
Truck Company, reference to which is made on another
page of this work. He is also interested in other com
mercial projects, and is generally regarded in business
circles as a sound and farseeing man of affairs.
On August 29, 1904, Mr. McKinney was united in
marriage to Miss Clara Louise Germann, and both he
and his wife are prominent in the social and cultural
activities of Detroit, where they have hosts of friends.
George McKinney, brother of L. J. McKinney, is a
graduate of St. John's Military College, Manlius, New
York, and a well known business man, being president of
the Tupper Lake Chemical Company and of the Mc-
Kinney-Ferguson Company.
JAMES McNAMARA, a prominent member of the
Detroit bar, who passed away on the 30th of October,
1920, was born in Dexter, Michigan, July 4, 1866, being
one of the family of three children whose parents were
Mr. and Mrs. James McNamara. The father was a
native of Ireland and became a well known railroad man,
devoting his life to that business.
James McNamara acquired his early education in the
public schools of Dexter, passing through consecutive
grades to the high school, from which in due course of
time he was graduated. He later continued bis education
in the University of Michigan and completed both literary
and law courses there. He was thus splendidly qualified
for bis chosen profession and entered upon active practice
in Alpena, Michigan, where he soon won for himself a
name as a foremost representative of the bar. Elected to
the office of prosecuting attorney of Alpena, he served
continuously for six consecutive years in that position,
making a most creditable record. He also filled the posi
tion of postmaster of Alpena for four years and in January,
1899, he became a resident of Detroit, seeking the broader
field offered in the larger city.
With his removal to Detroit, Mr. McNamara entered
into partnership relations with Frank C. Cook, under the
style of McNamara & Cook. At a later period, being
joined by a third partner, the style of McNamara, Cook
& Dohany was assumed. After some time the partner
ship was dissolved and Mr. McNamara continued in
practice alone until he was joined by John P. Scallen, the
firm of McNamara & Scallen continuing its existence until
the death of the senior partner, on the 30th of October,
1920. Mr. McNamara was long recognized as a promi-
' nent member of the bar. His careful preparation of cases
was one of the strong elements in his success and his de
ductions were always clear and logical, bis reasoning
cogent and his argument forceful. As a criminal lawyer
he. had not a peer in Michigan.
Mr. McNamara was united in marriage to Miss Lillie
Conmey, a daughter of Thomas Conmey of Bay City,

Michigan. Mrs. McNamara is a member of the Woman's
Club of Detroit, of the League of Catholic Women and of
the Catholic Study Club. Both Mr. and Mrs. McNamara
held membership in the Catholic church. Mr. McNamara
also belonged to the Detroit Athletic Club, the Knights
of Columbus, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks,
the Loyal Order of Moose and the Huron Point Club,
while in his political views he was a democrat but never
an office seeker. Along strictly professional lines he was
identified with the Detroit Bar Association, the Michigan
State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
For many years he acted as chief counsel for the Detroit
& Mackinac Railway and he also served as president of
the Welfare Commission. He concentrated his efforts and
attention upon his professional duties and by reason of
bis wide study, close application and his powers as an
analyst he won prominence in his chosen field, ranking
for many years as a leading member not only of the bar
of Detroit but of the state as well.
JOHN S. VAN ALSTYNE, Jr. One of the foremost
figures in business circles of Detroit is John S. Van Alstyne,
Jr., who has been connected with commercial interests of
this city since 1889. He is president of the John S. Van
Alstyne Company, engravers, with offices in the Detroit
News building, and for nearly thirty years has been identi
fied with this line of activity, being now at the head of one
of the largest enterprises of this character in the state of
Michigan. He was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, Janu
ary 22, 1869, a son of John S. and Helen (Folger) Van
Alstyne, and in the public schools of Wyandotte and
Detroit he acquired his education. In 1889 he became an
employe of the Aldine Printing Company, with whom he
remained for a year, after which he identified himself
with the firm of Winn & Hammond, also engaged in the
printing business, remaining with that house from 1891
until 1895, during which period he was employed as an
engraver. He became one of the organizers and the vice
president of the Peninsular Engraving Company, with
which he continued until the formation of bis present
company in 1915. He is thoroughly familiar with the
engraving business, owing to his long connection there
with, and is therefore able capably to supervise the labors
of those in his employ. He has secured experts in this
line and the superior quality of work turned out by the
John S. Van Alstyne Company has obtained for it a large
clientele, which includes the Detroit News and many of
the leading business houses of the city. As president of
the company he is bending his energies to administrative
direction and executive control and that he possesses keen
^crimination, initiative spirit and marked business
ability is indicated in the fact that he has developed one
of the largest enterprises of this character in the entire
state. His plans are carefully formulated and promptly
executed, for he is a man of determined purpose who
carries forward to successful completion whatever he
undertakes and in his vocabulary there is no such word
as fail.
On the 12th of June, 1897, Mr. Van Alstyne was united
in marriage to Miss Belle Watkins of Wyandotte, Michi-

910

CITY OF DETROIT

gan, and they have become the parents of a son, John S.,
Jr. His political allegiance is given to the republican
party and his religious faith is indicated by his member
ship in the Congregational church. He is interested in
all that has to do with the welfare and progress of his
city and is an active and earnest member of the Detroit
Board of Commerce, while fraternally he is identified with
the Masons, being an exemplary follower of the craft.
Thoroughness and diligence have characterized Mr. Van
Alstyne in all of his work and in business circles he has
become recognized as a man to be trusted. His success
is largely attributable to the fact that he has continued
in the fine of activity which he first entered and his well
developed powers have brought him the preeminence
that follows superior ability and concentrated effort,
while his salient characteristics are those which make for
popularity. LOWELL HARRIS TURNBULL, president of the
firm of Weil, Turnbull & Company, wholesale produce
dealers in Detroit, was born in Saginaw, Michigan,
December 16, 1875, a son of Theophilus Wells and
Emily (Thompson) Turnbull. The father's birth oc
curred in what is now Kitchener, then Berlin, Can
ada, while the mother was born in Saginaw county,
Michigan, and they resided throughout their married
life in Saginaw and Detroit. During his latter days
the father was engaged in the wholesale produce busi
ness, which he followed both in Saginaw and Detroit,
but is now deceased. The mother survives and makes
her home in this city. They were parents of two
children, the brother being Guy P., of Detroit.
The elder, Lowell H. Turnbull, attended the publie
and high schools of Saginaw and afterward went to
Toledo, Ohio, where he secured a position as delivery-
man with Nelson Morris & Company, meat packers,
remaining there for three years. Coming to Detroit,
he became an employe of the firm of Turnbull & Anstey,
produce commission merchants, and when later this
firm was dissolved he became associated with his
father in business and was afterward his successor
in the conduct of the enterprise. This business he
subsequently consolidated with that of Mr. Weil, who
was formerly with George Collins, and since that time
Weil, Turnbull & Company have conducted a success
ful and growing wholesale produce business. For
twenty-two years Mr. Turnbull has been actively asso
ciated with this undertaking, whieh employs from
twelve to fifteen people in handling the farm prod
ucts and fruit sold by the firm. Mr. Turnbull is also
a director of the Gratiot Central Market Company and
the United Fruit Auction Company and is thus con
trolling extensive and important business interests.
On the 1st of August, 1899, Mr. Turnbull was mar
ried to Miss C. Louise Anglim, daughter of Edward
Anglim of Adrian, Michigan. They have one child,
Edwin Bernard, born in Detroit, May 22, 1900. He
was a volunteer in the United States navy during the

World war and is now attending school in Los Angeles,
California. Mr. Turnbull gives his political allegiance to the
republican party. He belongs to the Masons and the
Elks, is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce,
of the Detroit Auto Club, the Detroit Real Estate
Board and of the Methodist Episcopal church — asso
ciations and connections which indicate the nature of
his interests and the rules which govern his conduct.
His has been a well spent life and the sterling qual
ities which he has displayed in his business career
have won him steady advancement until he is now
enjoying substantial success as a wholesale produce
dealer, the firm of Weil, Turnbull & Company being
one of the foremost in the handling of its line of
goods in Detroit. From the humble position of de-
liveryman with Nelson Morris & Company in Toledo
he has advanced steadily to the presidency of the
company in whieh his name figures as that of one of
the chief stockholders. Mr. Turnbull 's residence is
In Wood Place, on Cranbrook road, Bloomfield town
ship, Oakland county.
MAJOR BENJAMIN D. SAFFORD, who won his
title by service in the Civil war and who spent his life in
Michigan, residing in Detroit during the last seventeen
years of his earthly existence, passed away on the 27th
of June, 1920, when he had reached the venerable age of
eighty-three years. He was born in the town of Canton,
Wayne county, Michigan, April 23, 1837, and was one of
a family of seven children whose parents were James and
Eveline (Adams) Safford. The father followed farming
as a life work and in the year 1849 took up government
land in Center township, Wayne county, transforming
a wild tract into rich and productive fields.
It was upon the old homestead farm that Benjamin D.
Safford spent the days of his boyhood and youth, his
experiences being those of the farm bred lad. He obtained
a public school education, which was continued until he
had completed the high school course, and later he became
a student in the State' Normal School at Ypsilanti. Be
fore completing his course there, however, the Civil war
was inaugurated and his patriotic spirit prompted his
enlistment at Ypsilanti on the 15th of August, 1862, as
a member of Company E, Seventeenth Michigan Infantry,
of which he was made sergeant. Promotions followed
from time to time and on the 23d of February, 1863, he
was commissioned second lieutenant, while on the 4th of
September of the same year he became first lieutenant.
On the 1st of May, 1864, he was advanced to the rank of
captain and he was on the staff of General Wilcox, First
Division, Ninth Corps, being made major for gallant
services before Petersburg. While captain of infantry
he was captured at the battle of Spottsylvania Court
house but made his escape from the train while being
taken to Macon, Georgia, and after forty-three days,
traveling as he could and hiding when he must, he re
joined the Union forces at Charleston, West Virginia.
He participated in more than ten important battles and

LOWELL H. TURNBULL

CITY OF DETROIT

913

in several minor engagements and was mustered out on
the 3d of January, 1865.
It was' subsequent to his Civil war experience that
Major Safford resumed his studies at Ypsilanti and in
due time was graduated there. He then took up the
profession of teaching, which he followed at Grand Haven,
Michigan, and later he entered commercial circles by
becoming a merchant in Grand Haven. In 1891 he
removed from Grand Haven to Lansing, Michigan, where
he again was connected with mercantile interests for some
time, and twelve years later he came to Detroit, where
the last seventeen years of bis life were passed.
On the 1st of September, 1878, Major Safford was
united in marriage to Miss Mary Belle Duncan, a daughter
of Arien Duncan, a representative of a prominent family
of Vermont and a well known silversmith who passed
away in 1881. To Major and Mrs. Safford were bom a
daughter and three sons: Lucy D., who is the wife of
Dr. T. Stewart Hamilton, superintendent of Harper
Hospital at Detroit; James H. and Robert D., of Detroit;
and L. A. Safford of St. Louis.
Major Safford was a member of the Baptist church,
with which his family are still identified. He belonged
to the Military Order of the Loyal Legion and at all times
greatly appreciated the friendship and companionship of
his old army comrades. His worth as a man and citizen
was widely acknowledged and he was ever as loyal to the
interests of his country in days of peace as when he
followed the nation's starry banner on the battle fields of
the south, doing his part toward the preservation of the
Union. WALTER S. WHEELER, attorney at law, was born
in Hudson, Massachusetts, December 23, 1875, his
parents being Frank D. and Mary (Roby) Wheeler, who
were natives of Massachusetts, where they spent their
lives. The father was engaged in the shoe business as a
manufacturer and both he and his wife passed away at
Hudson. In their family were six children: Carleton
B., living at Hudson; Granville E., a resident of Bristol,
New Hampshire; Walter S.: and Mrs. O. D. Light, Mrs.
D. D. Rose and Mrs. W. L. Persons, all residents of Hud
son. After attending the public and high schools of his native
city Walter S. Wheeler took up the study of engineering
at Tufts College and later attended the University of
Maine for three and a half years. He then came to the
middle west and entered the University of Michigan at
Ann Arbor for a course in law, being graduated in 1904.
On the completion of his studies he went to San Francisco,
California, where he followed his profession for a year,
being admitted to the bar of that state. In 1905 he
returned to Michigan, and settling in Detroit, became a
partner in the firm of Mclntyre & Wheeler, in which
connection he remained until 1912, enjoying a large
clientage during .that period. He then withdrew from
the partnership to engage in general practice on his own
account and has since been connected with much im
portant litigation heard in the courts of his district, his

ability being widely recognized by his colleagues and
contemporaries at the bar as well as by the general public.
On the 20th of August, 1908, Mr. Wheeler was married
to Miss Jennie E. Patterson of Detroit, and they have
become the parents of four children: Margaret E., who
was born in Detroit in 1909; Mary A., born in 1912;
Virginia S., born in 1916; and Walter S., Jr., born on the
21st of January, 1919. The two eldest children are now
in school.
Mr. Wheeler is a thirty-second degree Mason. He is
widely known as the organizer of Acacia fraternity, which
he formed in the University of Michigan and which is now
connected with thirty-two colleges throughout the
country. He was elected its first president and also
became the first national president. He was likewise
instrumental in acquiring the property of the fraternity
at Ann Arbor and was one of the first trustees there.
Along professional lines he is connected with the Michigan
Bar Association and the Detroit Bar Association and with
the Lawyers Club. Fraternally he belongs to the Wood
men of the World and his religious faith is that of the
Presbyterian church, while in political belief he is a
republican. Mr. Wheeler started out in fife as have
hundreds of others who are now successful business and
professional men, by selling papers. Such a course is
often indicative of the spirit of the American boy, who
early learns that this is a land of opportunity and uses his
chances to gain a start in the business world. Steadily
Mr. Wheeler has advanced as the years have passed,
prompted always by a laudable ambition and never
stopping short of the successful accomplishment of his
purpose. WALTER GEHRKE, engaged in the real estate
business as president of the Walter Gehrke Company, is
a native son of Iowa, although his boyhood and youth
were largely passed in Detroit, where he attended the
public schools until he had completed the work of the
grades and then continued his education in the Central
high school and afterward in the Detroit College of Law.
During this period he was spending his days under the
roof of his parents Rev. August L. and Aurelia (Klein-
smith) Gehrke, his father being now a retired minister of
the German Evangelical church. The parents were
ambitious for the son to enjoy good educational oppor
tunities, and Walter Gehrke continued his studies until
he reached the point of graduation with the class of 1912,
at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him.
He afterwards pursued a special course in real estate law
at the University of Michigan. While thus engaged he
was handling real estate and as soon as he completed his
legal studies he embarked in that busmess and began to
operate as a real estate dealer before the big boom in
realty values in Detroit. During this initial period he
thoroughly acquainted himself with all the property upon
the market and for that reason has been remarkably
successful. He has negotiated many important realty
transfers so that he is classed today as one of the big men
in real estate circles in Detroit. He was first associated

914

CITY OF DETROIT

with F. C. Shipman and afterwards with B. F. Stephenson,
and later he became one of the organizers of the Gherke
& Jensen Company, of which he is now the president.
Still further extending the scope of his efforts he formed
the Walter Gehrke Company, of which he is likewise the
president. He also fills the presidency of the Plymouth
Avenue Subdivision Company and the Cheyenne Avenue
Land Company. He is connected with the Bloomfield
Farms Company as its secretary and is interested in all
classes of real estate, both vacant and improved. His
long experience and close study enable him to speak with
authority upon Detroit's property, its values and the
possibilities of purchase and sale. Although but twenty-
nine years of age he is today one of the prominent figures
in real estate circles in Detroit and has advanced to his
present enviable position through his industry and
ability. In 1917 Mr. Gehrke was united in marriage to Miss
Ruth Ransford of Cairo, Michigan. He gives his political
support to the republican party, which he has endorsed
since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He
is interested in everything that pertains to the city's
welfare and progress, and loyalty to any cause which he
espouses has always been one of his marked characteristics.
He displayed patriotic devotion to his country after
America's entrance into the World war, enlisting as a
private. He was stationed for a time at Camp Custer,
Michigan, and then transferred to Camp Reid, Virginia,
and later to Camp Bowie, Texas, and was promoted to
the rank of second lieutenant four months after he joined
the army. He is now a member of Charles A. Lamed
Post of the American Legion. He belongs also to the
Masonic fraternity as a member of Corinthian Lodge,
A. F. & A. M., and Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T.
He is likewise a member of the Board of Commerce and
belongs to the Real Estate Board, so that he keeps in
touch with the trend of business progress, not only along
the specific line in which he is active but in all that has
to do with the trade relations of Detroit at large. His
social nature finds expression in his membership in the
Oakland Hills Golf Club and the Detroit Yacht Club and
his membership in these organizations also indicates
much concerning the nature of his recreation and diversion.
THAD EMORY LELAND is one of the best known
real estate men in Detroit, where for more than a
decade he has been prominently identified with that
line of business activity. He was born in Northfield
township, Washtenaw county, Michigan, June 11, 1871,
a son of Emory Ezra and Sarah Catharine (Sawyer)
Leland, and comes from one of the most highly re
spected families in that section of the state. The
father is a resident of Ann Arbor and is now serving
his fourth term as probate judge of Washtenaw coun
ty, while the mother is deceased.
Thad E. Leland was born and reared on a farm
and completed his education by a literary course in
the University of Michigan. He had previously de
voted two years to teaching in the district schools

and subsequently for one and one-half years was a
teacher in the Kirkwood Military Academy at Kirk-
wood, Missouri. During his college days he had volun
teered for missionary service in connection with the
Methodist church and in that line of duty spent four
and one-half years in Cuba. This was during the
restoration period, following the Spanish-American
war, under General Leonard Wood. Mr. Leland
reached Cuba at the beginning of the American oc
cupancy and while there he organized and established
Candler College, named in honor of Bishop Warren
A. Candler of Georgia. This educational institution
is now in a flourishing condition. It is fully equipped
with both American and Spanish teachers and in ad
dition to the college course a primary course is also
maintained. Candler College is located at Puentes
Grandes, a suburb of Havana, and the student body
is composed entirely of native Cubans. In later years
the Southern Methodist Episcopal chureh built a me
morial edifice in honor of Mr. Leland 's mother, Sarah
Catharine (Sawyer) Leland. The structure stands on
grounds adjacent to the college buildings.
While in Cuba, Mr. Leland became a victim of yel
low fever and when convalescent he returned to the
United States, locating in Detroit, where he entered
the Hannan real estate offiee. After a year spent in
that connection he began handling property for De-
Witt H. Taylor and later he formed a partnership
with Thomas H. Sherwood, a connection that was
maintained until April, 1912, when Mr. Leland pur
chased his partner's interest in the business and has
since been operating as an individual. He has de
veloped and put upon the market a number of im
portant subdivisions, including Leland Heights, Leland
Highlands, Leland-Dodge, Fair Oaks and Aqua Park,
one of the Royal Oak subdivisions. He is also in
terested in the Stevenson-Leland Land Company and
the Stevenson Land Company, besides having various
other business projects. Mr. Leland 's high standing
among his contemporaries is best shown by the honors
that have come to him from the representative or
ganizations of real estate men in both local and na
tional circles.
In 1915 he was secretary of the Detroit Real Estate
Board, while in 1916 he was vice president and in
1917 was president and in 1918 and 1919 was a mem
ber of the executive committee of that organization.
In 1917 and 1918 he served as a member of the ex
ecutive committee of the National" Association of
Real Estate Dealers. There is no phase of the real
estate business with which Mr. Leland is not thor
oughly familiar and he has at all times been actuated
by a most progressive spirit that has been manifest
in his alertness, his enterprise and his initiative. He
has been successful, at the same time has established
a reputation for clean, straightforward business meth
ods and commercial integrity that is not surpassed
by any firm or individual in Detroit realty circles.
In 1899 Mr. Leland was married to Miss Agnes W.

THAD E. LELAND

CITY OF DETROIT

917

Pfeifle and they have become the parents of four
daughters and a son: Sarah Catharine; Frances Dor
othy; Marion Agnes; Adah Jeanette; and Thad Emory,
Jr., who was born in Birmingham, January 22, 1914.
The family home for more than ten years has been
in Birmingham.
Mr. Leland belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club,
the Detroit Golf Club, the Oakland Hills Golf Club
and the Shoepae Outing Club. He is also a member
of the Detroit Board of Commerce and has served
on various committees of that organization. In his
fraternal relations he is a thirty-second degree Scot
tish Rite Mason. He holds membership in the Bir
mingham Methodist Episcopal church and is a member
of the executive committee of the Methodist Union
of Detroit. For a number of years he has been a mem
ber of the executive committee of the state Young
Men's Christian Association and in 1918 acted as Y.
M. C. A. secretary at Camp Custer, also as state edu
cational secretary for the Y. M. C. A. during the ac
tivities of the S. A. T. C. Mr. Leland was finally
asked to become a member of the executive board
of the Students Christian Association at the Uni
versity of Michigan and is at present a member of
that board. He is a life member of the Michigan
Union by virtue of financial aid in building the home
for the Union at Ann Arbor.
As will be seen, Mr. Leland 's activities have by
no means been confined to business pursuits or with
the object of pecuniary gain. The effect and influence
of his work have not only been far-reaching but offer
unmistakable evidence of his value as a citizen. He
takes a great interest in the community and in the
country and in publie affairs in general. Someone
has said of him: "He is typically American in his
energy, versatility and success and he also has a dis
tinct personality of his own. He is a live wire with
a benign voltage."
LOUIS A. RABAUT. There is scarcely a resident of
Detroit to whom the name of Louis A. Rabaut has not
been familiar for many years. Through four decades he
was an active factor in business circles here and for an
extended period conducted a wholesale business in fire
works, flags, toys, dolls and novelties at 117 East Congress
street. Progressiveness characterized all that he under
took and his persistency of purpose and well directed
energy brought to him substantial success.
Mr. Rabaut was born in Detroit, January 23, 1862, and
was a representative of one of the oldest Belgian families
of this city, his parents being Charles P. and Palmyra
(Prengiers) Rabaut, who were the parents of four children.
The father was a surveyor and followed that vocation
untO he organized the business that was long carried on
by his son and which was first established as a partner
ship affair under the style of Rabaut & Dingman. Ma
dame Rabaut was equally well known in mercantile
circles of Detroit, conducting an exclusive lace shop,
carrying an extensive fine of fine laces. The family was

established in Detroit just prior to the Civil war and has
since been represented here.
After acquiring his education in Detroit schools, Louis
A. Rabaut started out in the busmess world, and turning
his attention to the manufacture of fireworks and flags,
of toys, dolls and novelties, he built up a business of
gratifying and extensive proportions. For some time he
carried on the business in the same building in which his
mother conducted her lace shop. In fact he was associated
with his mother in the conduct of that business until 1895,
when he turned his attention to the line that later claimed
his energies and which under his direction was developed
into a busmess of extensive proportions. For many years
the house had no competition and for a long period
furnished favors, toys and decorations for virtually all
the large banquets, parties and social functions of the
city, while the city's fireworks for the celebration of the
Fourth of July were also largely sold by this house.
Mr. Rabaut was married twice. He first wedded Miss
Clara Leann, and to them were born two children: Louis
C.j born December 5, 1886; and Marie C, who is now a
member of the order of Sisters of Charity and is known as
Sister Marie Celeste. The wife and mother passed away
January 16, 1890, and Mr. Rabaut afterward wedded
Mary M. Humphrey of Buffalo, New York, who was born
October 17, 1875. They became parents of the following
named: Palmyra M., who also joined the order of Sisters
of Charity; Charles P.; Mary Louise; Paul; Dolores;
Joseph; Marguerite Mary; John C; and Bernard.
Mr. Rabaut was a devout member of the Catholic
church, of which his family are also faithful adherents.
He did everything in his power to advance the work of
the church and was a fourth degree member of the Knights
of Columbus, which he joined on its organization. He
was also the treasurer of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
and he and his father were the only two treasurers of this
charitable organization from its inception until the death
of Louis A. Rabaut. The interests and activities of his
life brought him a wide acquaintance and wherever he
was known he was held in high esteem because of his
fidelity to his principles and his close adherence to ad
vanced standards of manhood and citizenship.
F. HENRY WURZER. The firm of Wurzer & Wurzer
is well known in legal circles of Detroit, the partners being
lawyers of pronounced ability, who have successfully
handled much important litigation. F. Henry Wurzer
was born in Detroit, December 17, 1876, his parents being
Carl and Theresa (Kuhn) Wurzer, who were born on the
other side of the Atlantic and came to America in 1870,
settling in Detroit, where later the father engaged in the
dry goods business but is now living retired. The mother
also survives and they have a wide acquaintance in Detroit,
where they have long made their home. In their family
were three sons: F. Henry; L. C, who is associated with
his brother in the firm of Wurzer & Wurzer; and Edward
C, who is division engineer with the Michigan Central
Railway Company at Detroit.
F. Henry Wurzer was a public school pupil in Detroit,

918

CITY OF DETROIT

passing through consecutive grades to the high school,
while later he entered the University of Indiana. He
was graduated therefrom in 1898 with the Bachelor of
Arts degree, having completed the more specifically
classical course, and in 1899 he gained the LL. B. degree
upon the completion of a course in law. For a short time
he engaged in practice in Detroit and then removed to
South Bend, Indiana, where he followed his profession
for fourteen years. He was also a prominent figure in
the political circles of that state and served on the republi
can state central committee, also becoming a nominee for
the office of attorney general in Indiana on the republican
ticket. He was defeated, however, in the general election
of 1913. Later Mr. Wurzer returned to Detroit, where he
has since successfully followed his profession, being asso
ciated with his brother, L. C. Wurzer, under the firm
style of Wurzer & Wurzer. He is a discriminating
student, possessing intimate and comprehensive knowl
edge of the principles of jurisprudence, and he is seldom,
if ever, at fault in the application of these principles.
He belongs to the Detroit, the Michigan State and the
American Bar Associations and aside from his professional
interests he is a director in several worthwhile business
enterprises and real estate companies of the city.
On the 20th of November, 1901, Mr. Wurzer was
married to Miss Katherine Banderhoff of South Bend,
Indiana, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. Banderhoff.
Four children were born of this marriage: F. Henry, Jr.,
who was born in South Bend in 1903, and is now attending
school in Detroit; Beatrice, who was born in South Bend
in 1904; Rosemary, who was born in South Bend in 1908;
and Lincoln, born in Detroit in 1913.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman
Catholic church and Mr. Wurzer is identified with the
Knights of Columbus. He belongs also to the Detroit
Boat Club and to the Detroit Athletic Club and his
personal qualities are such as make for popularity among
his many friends, while in business circles his course has
ever commanded for him the respect and confidence of
those who know him.
PRESCOTT GEORGE BROWN, president of Mason
L. Brown & Son, civil engineers, was born in Detroit,
February 4, 1891, and while one of the younger repre
sentatives of the business circles of Detroit, he has
made for himself a creditable position that indicates
that his future career will be well worth observing.
His parents were Mason L. and Mary (Vanier) Brown,
the father born in Perry, Maine, and the mother in
New York city. In 1888 Mason L. Brown came to
Detroit and here resided until the time of his death,
which occurred in July, 1918, when he was fifty-three
years of age. Throughout the intervening period he
ranked as one of the leading civil engineers of the
city. His widow survives and still resides in Detroit.
Their family numbered four children: Leslie T.,
Marie, Christine and Prescott G., all of Detroit.
Prescott George Brown, the eldest of the family,
was graduated from the high school of Detroit with

the class of 1909 and then entered the University of
Michigan, where he won his Civil Engineer degree
upon graduation with the class of 1914. He entered
business life as an associate of his father, Mason L.
Brown, and this connection was continued until the
father's death. He then succeeded to the presidency
of the company and has done important work through
the intervening period, specializing in municipal eon-
tracts, including sewer paving and water systems, also
suburban development and eity planning. The com
pany is now engineers for the city of Wyandotte, also
the village of Ford, the village of Grosse Pointe and
Grosse Pointe Shores. It makes surveys and does
general engineering work, employing about thirty
people. Mr. Brown and his brother, Leslie, are sole
proprietors of the business, which is still conducted
under the old firm style of Mason L. Brown & Son.
Prescott George Brown resides with his mother at
No. 5442 Second avenue, and theirs is one of the most
attractive homes in that section of the city. During
the World war he served as captain of engineers with
the American Expeditionary Forces, and was two years
in the service, ten months of which were spent over
seas. Mr. Brown is a member of the Delta Tau Delta, a
college fraternity, also of the Detroit Engineering
Society, the Detroit Board of Commerce and the
Detroit Real Estate Board. He is likewise well known
in club circles through his membership in the Loch
moor Country, Meadowbrook Country and Oakland
Hills Country Clubs, and his social qualities have won
for him many warm friends. Moreover, he is regarded
as one of the representative young business men of
Detroit, and while he entered into business with his
father, he has been connected with a profession in
which individual merit, ability and knowledge must
constitute the basis of success.
DR. HENRY K. LATHROP occupied a position
of prominence in connection with the dental profession
in Detroit and had not a little to do with shaping legis
lation relative to the profession in the state of Michigan.
He was born in Oregon, Michigan, December 27, 1847,
and was a son of Henry K. and Elizabeth (Abbott)
Lathrop, whose family numbered four children. Through
out his life Dr. Lathrop remained a resident of Michigan.
He determined upon the practice of dentistry as a life
work and with that end in view he matriculated in the
Cincinnati College of Dental Surgery, from which he
was in due course of time graduated. He then entered
upon active practice and located at Detroit, soon taking
rank among the leading members of the profession in
the city. Dr. Lathrop felt the keenest concern as to
stabilizing the profession and advancing the standards
under which representatives of dentistry work. To this
end he took an active part in formulating and securing
the passage of laws having to do with dental practice
and in this way he did much to promote professional
ideals. In June, 1871, Dr. Lathrop was united in marriage to

PRESCOTT G. BROWN

CITY OF DETROIT

921

Miss Mary W. Gillette, a daughter of Rufus Woodward
Gillette, and to them were born three sons: Rufus G.,
whose birth occurred April 7, 1872, is now a prominent
attorney of Detroit; Kirke, born September 12, 1873,
is engaged in railroad building, conducting an extensive
busmess of that character; and Charles G., whose birth
occurred April 5, 1880, is engaged in manufacturing.
He saw service in the United States army during the
World war, being connected with aircraft production
with the rank of captain.
Dr. Lathrop was a member of the Congregational
church, to which his family belongs. His political en
dorsement was given to the republican party, but never
did he seek or desire political office. He had member
ship, however, with the various dental societies and
through their proceedings kept in touch with the trend
of modem professional thought and progress in the field
of dentistry. He continued in active practice to the
time of his demise, which occurred April 24, 1916. All
who knew him entertained for him warm regard, for his
life measured up to advanced standards. He was the
possessor of many of those qualities which men admire
and which make for honorable manhood and citizenship.
MAJOR FREDERICK DANA STANDISH, a very
successful business man of Detroit, with a notable record
in connection with the army and the navy, is perhaps
best known by reason of his championship as an oars
man, having engaged in more than two hundred rowing
races, long holding the American championship. For
fifty-three years he has rowed on the Detroit river, and
while it has been many years since he has engaged in
racing he yet clings to the sport as a source of health,
recreation and keen enjoyment. Michigan is proud to
number him among her native sons. His birth occurred
in Rome, November 15, 1852, and in the public schools
of Detroit he pursued his early education, while later
he attended the Mount Pleasant Military Academy of
Peekskill, New York. Following his return home he
became associated with his father in business in Detroit,
and spent several years in that connection. He was
later identified with the wholesale hardware trade as
representative of several Detroit houses, and afterwards
assisted in organizing the Detroit Seating Company and
was its treasurer until the company sold out to the trust.
His next step in the business world was in connection
with the organization of the Kurtz Paper Box Company,
of which he remained the treasurer for twenty-four years,
and contributed largely towards making this one of the
successful business enterprises of the city. Since his
retirement therefrom he has given his attention to real
estate and speculative building, has erected a large num
ber of houses for workmen and in this way has done
much for the development and progress of the city.
Mr. Standish was married to Miss Carrie Hubbard,
and they have become parents of two sons, William
Colburn and Sherwood Hubbard.
Mr. Standish is a splendid type of American manhood
and citizenship and he comes from a family that is dis

tinctively American in its lineal and collateral branches
through many generations. He is a direct descendant in
the eighth generation from Miles Standish, and a great
grandson of Samuel Standish, who served as a soldier in
the Revolutionary war. His parents were the Rev.
John D. and Emily (Darron) Standish, and to their
early training he attributes not a little of his success in
later years. Like his ancestors he was ever ready to
render military aid to his country, and became a charter
member of the Michigan Naval Reserve, with which
he was identified for seventeen years. He served in the
Spanish-American war on the Yosemite and was in
command of the Mid-State Naval Militia for eleven
years. He also had command of the United States ship
Yantic for five years and of the Don Juan de Austria
for two years. He has been senior commander of the
National Association of Spanish War Veterans, and for
ten years he was a member of Governor Warner's staff
and for ten years a member of the Michigan State Mili
tary Board. During the World war he was a major of
the Fifty-third Regiment of Infantry (Reserve). He
belongs to the Mayflower Society, to the Sons of the
Revolution, to the Young Men's Christian Association,
of which he is a life member, to the Detroit Club, the
Old Club of the Flats, the Detroit Curling Club and
the Detroit Boat Club.
It is through the honors, successes and victories that
Mr. Standish has won in rowing races that he is perhaps
best known outside of the state. A local paper writing
of him in 1918 said, "Fred D. Standish is the dean of
the American amateur oarsmen, and was rowing and
winning races on the principal regatta courses of the
United States and Canada for more years, and has won
more championships, than any other man in the history
of amateur rowing contests of America. He doesn't
row in races any more but his love for rowing is as keen
as when he pulled an oar in a racing boat the first time,
which was in 1868. He has rowed in upwards of two
hundred races, and several or more times on every racing
course in the United States and Canada, east of the Mis
sissippi and has won a 'large majority of the events in
which he competed. In a single season he has rowed
more than five hundred miles. He won his first cham
pionship in pair-oared contests, and from that time on,
first with John H. Clegg for a rowing partner, and later
Edward Telfer and Frank A. Lyon, the Standish pair, as
they were internationally known, were well-nigh invin
cible. At the close of the racing fete of 1890 the, New
York Spirit of the Times, the highest authority on boat
racing, said editorially of Captain Standish: 'His first
really public appearance as an oarsman was at the North
western association's regatta at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin,
July 12, 1871, although he rowed in a six-oared race
three years earlier. Since then he has rowed in races
every season and now, in 1890, in the twenty-second
consecutive year of his rowing career, he wins the senior
pair, in the Mississippi Valley association's regatta at
Duluth, July 23; the senior pair and the senior fours at
the Northwestern's regatta, Detroit, August 5 and 6;

922

CITY OF DETROIT

the senior pair at the Canadian association's regatta.
Lachine course, August 11; and the senior champion
ship pairs at the National association's regatta, Latf
Quinsigamond, Massachusetts, August, 14. Did any
amateur ever row twoscore and two years, and celebrate
his twenty-second consecutive season by winning fiv»
senior races in open amateur regattas, including one
national championship?' It used to be said of the Stand
ish pair that they had a mortgage on the senior pair-
oared races at all regattas from the national association
down through the lesser ones. So continuous were their
victories that, in 1892, the Northwestern association
refused to accept their entry on the ground that the
event would not fill if it were known that they entered.
At the World's fair regatta in 1893, which was rowed on
the Detroit river, Chicago having no course suitable for
rowing races, they won the national championship for
the last time." To his outdoor life and exercise may be
attributed the fact that Captain Standish has the vigor
and strength of a man of fifty and his appearance in
every way seems to contradict the statement of the
calendar that he has passed the sixty-eighth milestone
on life's journey, for he seems a man yet in his very prime.
GEORGE L. FLEITZ was numbered among Detroit 's
native sons, who made for himself a creditable position
in the business circles and won the high regard of
his fellowmen. He was for a long period numbered
among the lumber merchants of the eity and built up
an extensive and profitable business. His birth here
occurred on the 10th of October, 1874, his parents be
ing John P. and Elizabeth (Marx) Fleitz. The father
was a well known lumber merchant of Detroit, who
was bora in Bingen of Alsatian ancestry. Coming to
the new world, he settled in Michigan, where he re
sided to the time of his death, becoming an active
business man of Detroit.
George L. Fleitz was reared and educated in his
native city, early attending private schools and later
he further qualified for life's practical and responsible
duties by attending the University of Detroit, from
which he was graduated. In young manhood he turned
his attention to his timber interests located in the
west and continued actively therein to the time of
his death. He gradually developed his business, start
ing out along progressive lines and at all times keep
ing in touch with the trend of trade and commercial
progress. He not only won success as a lumber dealer,
but also became interested in other business affairs
and was vice president of the United State Frumen-
tum Company of Detroit.
On the 29th of July, 1908, in Cathedral chapel at St.
Louis, Missouri, Mr. Fleitz was united in marriage to
Miss Lola Hartnett, a daughter of Michael J. and
Catherine (Dodd) Hartnett, representative of a well
know and prominent family of St. Louis, Missouri.
In religious faith Mr. Fleitz was a Catholic and his
wife is also identified with that church. In politics
Mr. Fleitz was a stalwart republican, giving unfalter

ing support to the principles of the party, because of
his belief in their efficacy as factors in good govern
ment. He was a member of the Country Club. He
pursued the even tenor of his way, enjoying the re
spect and confidence of his fellowmen beeause of his
sterling worth and his fidelity to high and honorable
principles. He passed away in his forty-first year, on
the 12th of January, 1915.
JAMES SCHERMERHORN, the founder of the De
troit Times and from the beginning president and
general manager of the controlling company, was
born at Hudson, Michigan, March 13, 1865, the son
of William Ten Broeck and Jane Adelaide (Terry)
Sehermerhorn. William T. B. Sehermerhorn himself
was one of Michigan's prominent newspaper men for
a quarter of a century and a leader in the democratic
party in the state. He died in December, 1884. He
was long survived by his wife, who passed away in
March, 1905.
James Sehermerhorn learned the rudiments of jour
nalism under the direction of his able father in the
office of the Hudson Gazette, entering upon an ap
prenticeship to the business when twelve years of
age, after which his time was divided between the
mastery of printing and attendance at sehool. He was
a pupil in the Hudson sehools from 1870 until 1884
and in 1885-86 was a cadet at West Point Military
Academy, following two terms in Oberlin College. Cir
cumstances compelled his resignation from the Acad
emy in order to take charge of the Hudson Gazette,
an event whieh "robbed the country of a good soldier,
but gave to Detroit and Michigan a great journalist. ' '
Mr. Sehermerhorn published the Gazette from 1886
until 1895, and in the latter year went to Washington,
D. C, where he became a reporter and afterward
Washington correspondent for the Detroit News, con
tinuing the representative of this paper at the Capital
until the spring of 1896. Then he returned to Detroit,
where he accepted a position as editorial writer on
the Free Press, remaining in this capacity until 1900,
when he established the Detroit Today, which was the
predecessor of the Detroit Times and of which latter
publication he has been continuously the publisher.
Mr. Sehermerhorn founded the Times in the interests
of clean news, clean advertising and untrammeled
editing, and not as a political organ. He proclaimed
it as "a compact chronicle for toilful people, with
nothing but news and an opinion or two." It has
always been published as an independent daily, is
of distinctive make-up and is universally regarded as
a high-class, unafraid and dependable journal. Mr.
Sehermerhorn has given to the Times an editorial
tone which is both unique and effective. His fearless
editorials have been described as pithy, brilliant,
trenchant and scholarly; he uses anecdote and para
ble discriminatingly but freely and in the parlance
of the day, his work has carried an unmistakable
punch. The Times was the first metropolitan daily

GEORGE L. FLEITZ

CITY OF DETROIT

925

to reject liquor advertising and it gave to the Asso
ciated Advertising Clubs of the world their watchword
of "Truth."
At Oswego, New York, on the 13th of July, 1901,
Mr. Sehermerhorn was united in marriage to Miss
Adaline M. Jenkins and they became the parents of
four children: Gretchen, now the wife of Harry E.
Kinney of Detroit; James, Jr., Katrina and Helen C,
the last two students in the University of Michigan.
James, Jr., graduated from the University of Miehigan
in 1918 and beeame his father's associate on The
Times. Mrs. Sehermerhorn, a gifted woman who shared
her husband's enthusiasm for his calling, died on
May 16, 1915. The religious faith of the family is
that of the Congregational chureh and in his political
views Mr. Sehermerhorn is a democrat. He has en
gaged actively in journalistic affairs of the nation
and state and has been honored with the presidency
of the Michigan Press Association. Mr. Sehermerhorn
has not only won his reputation by his vigorous writ
ing, but has been in demand for many years as a
public speaker, having covered the entire country with
his presentation of newspaper and advertising ethics.
In his whimsical manner he has imparted -his pleasant,
positive personality to many audiences; also has ex
pounded progressive convictions whieh have carried
weight with his audiences regarding the issues of the
day. JOHN SPENCER WALKER is one of the most
successful of Detroit's many automobile dealers and
as president of the Walker-Saxe Motor Company he
is at the head of the largest Ford distributing agency
in the state. A man of marked strength of character
and determined purpose, he has overcome all difficul
ties and obstacles in his path and pressed steadily
forward to the goal of success. He was born in Both-
well, Ontario, Canada, September 1, 1878, a son of
William J. and Lillian (Allen) Walker, the former
a native of Canada, while the latter was bora in
Dearborn, Miehigan. In early life the father took up
his residence in Detroit, where he opened a photo
graphic studio, and has since continued active in this
line of work, in which he has developed expert skill
and ability. He conducts one of the leading enter
prises of this character in the city and his excellent
work has won for him a large patronage. His studio
is now located at No. 2127 Gratiot avenue and he
has the distinction of being the oldest photographer
in Detroit, having conducted his interests continu
ously in this city for a period of fifty years. The
mother also survives and they are widely and favor
ably known in the city where they have so long re
sided. They reared a family of seven children, namely:
Mrs. Treamer, John Spencer, the subject of this
review; Mrs. Harry Sellers, who has passed away;
Mrs. William Quantrell, Mrs. Chris Kramer, Mrs. War
ren Belknap and Marie, all of whom are residents of
Detroit.

John Spencer Walker acquired his education in the
graded schools of this city, after whieh he followed
various occupations until 1906, when he became iden
tified with the Ford Motors Company, with whom he
remained until 1916, during which period he rose from
a minor position to that of superintendent of all serv
ice stations in the city. In the latter year he resigned
and became the organizers of the Walker-Saxe Com
pany, of which he has since been the president. From
a small beginning the business has grown to one of
extensive proportions under the capable direction of
Mr. Walker and owing to the expansion of their in
terests the company has been obliged to build two
additions to provide accommodations for their trade.
The building in which the business is conducted now
has a frontage of two hundred and forty-six feet on
Gratiot avenue and employment is given to over sev
enty people. That Mr. Walker possesses executive
ability of a high order is shown in the phenomenal
growth of the enterprise and the 1921 contract of the
company calls for the delivery of eleven hundred cars,
this being recognized as the (largest Ford distributing
agency in the entire state. The men at the head of
the business are progressive, energetic and reliable and
their standing in commercial circles of the city is of
the highest. Mr. Walker's connection with any enter
prise insures a prosperous outcome of the same, foT
he' is a man of determined purpose who carries forward
to a successful termination whatever he undertakes.
In September, 1899, Mr. Walker was united in mar
riage to Miss Bertha E. Greene of Port Huron, Michi
gan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Greene,
prominent residents of that city. To this union has
been born a daughter, Edna May, whose birth occurred
in Detroit in 1911 and who is now attending school.
In his political views Mr. Walker is a republican,
stanehly supporting the principles and candidates of
the party, and fraternally he is identified with the
Masons, belonging to Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M. As
the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely
and well. His business career has been one of con
tinuous progress and he attributes his present enviable
degree of prosperity to the inspiration and encourage
ment of his wife, whose hopeful spirit and excellent
advice have enabled him to put forth renewed efforts,
and rising superior to all difficulties and obstacles in
his path, he has at length reached the goal of success.
His record is a most creditable one in all respects
and Detroit numbers him among her most valued citi
zens. Mr. Walker resides at 2447 Virginia Park.
ANDREW ADAM LEHR, who as manufacturers'
agent at Detroit is representing important interests in
various sections of the country, came to this city from
Sandusky, Ohio, where his birth occurred July 27, 1880.
He obtained a public school education while spending his
youthful days in the home of his parents, Adam Henry
and Elizabeth Dorothy (Klen) Lehr, and after complet
ing the work of the grades he was for two years a high

926

CITY OF DETROIT

school pupil. He also received two years' thorough
training for business and subsequently devoted four
years to a mechanical engineering course.
Early in his life Mr. Lehr became identified with the
Pope Motor Car Company, entering the employ of that
corporation in 1898, when they began building steam
carriages. In 1906 he resigned his position to aid in the
organization of the De Luxe Motor Car Company of
Detroit and in 1907 assisted in organizing the E-M-F
Company. Thus through many years he was closely
associated with the automobile trade of the city and
from 1911 until 1913 he was the director of purchases
for the General Motors Company. On the 1st of August
of the latter year he established business on his own
account as manufacturers' agent, becoming the repre
sentative of the Chisholm & Moore Manufacturing
Company of Cleveland, in handling malleable iron cast
ings, of the Saginaw Sheet Metal Works and of the Page-
Storms Drop Forge Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts.
His connection with the automobile industry has been of
a varied and comprehensive character and there are few
men more thoroughly acquainted with the trade in every
particular. Since establishing business on his own ac
count Mr. Lehr has developed a trade of extensive and
gratifying proportions and his position in commercial
circles is an enviable one.
On the 27th of February, 1901, Mr. Lehr was married
to Miss Lillian Cathleen Adams of Toledo, Ohio. He
and his wife are Protestants in religious faith and Mr.
Lehr is a republican in political belief, having given un
qualified support to the party since age conferred upon
him the right of franchise. He belongs to Zion Lodge,
F. & A. M., and has taken the thirty-second degree of
Scottish Rite Masonry in Michigan Sovereign Consistory.
He is also connected with Moslem Temple of the Mystic
Shrine and is a member of the Knights of Pythias and
the Knights of The Maccabees, while the Detroit Motor
Boat Club has his name upon its membership rolls. He
belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and his
interest in the welfare and progress of the city is deep
and sincere. Aside from business he gives his attention
largely to motoring and to scientific research. He has
been a close student of many problems having to do with
industrial progress and thoroughly understands the
scientific basis underlying mechanical construction.
Throughout his life opportunity has ever been to him
the call to action and to this call he has made ready
response. WILLIAM SPRAGUE CARPENTER, who had at
tained prominence as general manager of the Hag
gerty Brick Company, passed away on the 7th of
June, 1919. His life record, covering almost a half
century, had been one of intense and well directed
activity, winning him not only a substantial measure
of success but also the confidence, respect and good
will of all who knew him. He was born December 7,
1870, in Adrian, Miehigan, and was the son of the
late Peter W. Carpenter, who for many years was a

well known banker of Ypsilanti, while subsequently
he was connected with the Edison Company of that
eity, remaining an active factor in its business circles
to the time of his death in 1918.
William S. Carpenter began his education at the
usual age in the publie schools, passing through con
secutive grades until he had completed the high school
work, and then in young manhood initiated his active
career by engaging in the jewelry business at Ypsi
lanti. He continued in that field of labor until 1908,
when he came to Detroit, where he made his home
until called to his final rest. Throughout his business
career here he was associated with the J. S. Haggerty
Brick Company as general manager and remained in
that position until his death. He thoroughly ac
quainted himself with every phase of the business,
was watchful of every detail as well as the principal
features of the operations of the company and so
directed his efforts that splendid results accrued.
In 1894 Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to
Miss Helen Trim, who passed away on the 7th of
January, 1902, leaving a son, Dr. SpTague F. Carpenter
of Ironwood, Michigan. For his second wife Mr. Car
penter married in 1908 Miss C. Edwin Winn, daugh
ter of Peter Winn, and their children were: Doris E.
and William S. By reason of his success Mr. Carpen
ter was able to leave his family in very comfortable
financial circumstances and they occupy an attractive
home at No. 9710 Miehigan avenue. Mr. Carpenter
was very prominent in Masonic circles. He attained
the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Mich
igan Sovereign Consistory, was also a member of Mos
lem Temple of the Mystic Shrine and of Shadukiam
Grotto. He was likewise an honorary member of
Palestine Lodge and he belonged to the Eastern Star
and the Detroit White Shrine. Previous to his re
moval to Detroit he had served as eminent commander
of Ann Arbor Commandery, K. T., and was a past
master of the blue lodge and a past high priest of
Ypsilanti Chapter, R. A. M. He took active interest
in the work and purposes of the order and was one
of its most worthy exemplars. His political allegiance
was given to the republican party, and while he never
sought nor desired office, he manifested his interest
in progressive citizenship in many ways and par
ticularly as an active member of the Board of Com
merce. The deepest regret was felt at his passing, for
he was not only a devoted husband and father but
also a most faithful friend, one who at all times
showed the keenest appreciation for the good qualities
of his fellowmen.
HENRY F. CHIPMAN was one who gained distinc
tion in the practice of law and thus added new honors
and laurels to a family name that has figured most prom
inently in connection with the bench and bar through
several generations. By reason of what he accomplished
and the high standards which he always maintained
Henry F. Chipman ranked with Detroit's honored and

WILLIAM SPRAGUE CARPENTER

CITY OF DETROIT

929

prominent residents. He was born on the 29th of June,
1859, and was one of a family of three children who are
yet living, born to John L. and Elizabeth (Shawannan)
Chipman. His father was a distinguished lawyer and
jurist who for eight years was judge of the superior court
of Detroit, continuing upon the bench until he was called
to represent his district in congress, there serving to the
time of his death and leaving the impress of his indi
viduality and ability upon much important legislation
that was enacted while he was a member of the national
legislative assembly.
Stimulated by the example of his honored father,
Henry F. Chipman early determined to engage in the
practice of law. His preliminary education was acquired
in the public schools of Detroit and he started out in
the business world in 1878 by accepting a position with
the Paris, Cumberland Gap & Southern Railroad Com
pany. A little later, however, he returned to Detroit
and began preparation for the legal profession as a student
in the office and under the direction of his father. He
also studied under the Hon. Don M. Dickinson and his
thorough training qualified him for admission to the bar
in 1880. He at once entered upon the practice of law
and after a few months was elected to the office of circuit
court commissioner, remaining in that position for two
years, during which time he gained valuable experience,
while his record was highly satisfactory to all. Later he
was called to various other positions of public honor and
trust and at all times his course was one which reflected
credit upon himself and upon those who called him to
office. In 1894 Governor Pingree appointed him a member
of the board of police commissioners of Detroit and he
filled the position for two years, when he resigned to
become the democratic candidate for the office of sheriff
in Wayne county. He received a gratifying majority at
the polls and held the position in 1897-8, discharging his
duties without fear or favor. In 1900 he was made the
democratic candidate for the office of circuit judge but
met the defeat that came to all the other candidates on
the democratic ticket that year. He was always regarded
as one of the leaders of his party, his opinions carrying
weight in its councils, while his labors were an effective
force for its success. In the practice of law his course
was one which reflected honor upon an untarnished family
name. As few men have done, he seemed to realize the
importance of the profession to which he devoted his
energies and the fact that he often held in his hand
justice and the higher attributes of mercy.
On the 23d of October, 1891, Mr. Chipman was mar
ried to Miss Rose C. Copeland, a daughter of David M.
Copeland of Detroit and they became the parents of
three children, Dorothy L., Helen F. and Etole E., all
at home. Mr. Chipman held membership in the Episco
pal church, of which his family are also communicants.
His father was one of the founders of the Episcopal
church in Detroit and Henry F. Chipman was always a
faithful follower of its teachings, guiding bis fife at all
times by its principles. He belonged to the Masonic
fraternity, also to the Fellowcraft Club and the Detroit
Vol. IV— 59

Athletic Club. In politics he was ever a supporter of
the democratic party. His military record covered as
sociation for a time with the Light Infantry during his
early manhood. Along strictly professional lines he had
membership in the Wayne County, Michigan State and
American Bar Associations. He ever held to high pro
fessional standards and as a citizen he stood for all those
forces which make for civic virtue and for civic pride.
He cooperated in many plans and measures for the
general good and took great pride in what was being
accomplished in his native city, contributing to that
great growth which has made Dynamic Detroit the
fourth city of the Union. The circle of his acquaintance
was a very wide one and sueh were his personal char
acteristics that his death was mourned by a legion of
friends. JOHN A. MacIVOR. Among the important business
enterprises of Detroit is the J. A. Maclvor Lumber Com
pany, of which J. A. Maclvor is the head. Since 1912 he
has been identified with the commercial interests of this
city and he is recognized as an energetic and progressive
business man. He is thoroughly familiar with the line of
activity in which he is engaged.
Mr. Maclvor was born in Goderich, Ontario, December
16, 1880, a son of Donald and Mary (Smith) Maclvor,
who reared a family of five children. Upon the comple
tion of his work in the public schools, he removed to
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where he completed his high
school work, and soon afterward entered the employ of
the government as assistant to the engineers of the St.
Marys Locks and Harbor Improvements.
In 1905 Mr. Maclvor entered the University of Michi
gan and upon the completion of a course in civil engineer
ing he was graduated in 1909; besides having taken special
work in forestry under Professor Roth of the University
of Michigan. Mr. Maclvor displayed such extraordinary
ability as a student that he was elected to the Scientific
Society of Tau Beta Phi.
While attending college, he worked for the government
during the periods of vacation, and from 1909 to 1911 he
was employed as a civil engineer for the Great Northern
Railroad, with headquarters in Seattle, Washington. He
next became associated with the Sailing-Hanson Com
pany, lumber manufacturers of Grayling, Michigan, and
remained with that firm for one year. In 1912 he came
to Detroit to become identified with the Hartwiek Lumber
Company. In July, 1914, he organized the Maclvor & Croster
Lumber Company, being its secretary, treasurer and
general manager until September, 1916. In January,
1917, he started his present company, the J. A. Maclvor
Lumber Company, of which he has since been the princi
pal. He handles sash, doors and lumber used for build
ing purposes, making it a point to secure the best grades
on the market; and his progressive methods and straight
forward and honorable dealings have secured for him a
large share of the local trade in this commodity. Since
its inception the business has enjoyed a steady growth,

930

CITY OF DETROIT

and in the conduct of his interests, he now gives employ
ment to twenty persons. His plant is located at 10515
Grand River avenue. He was the pioneer of the lumber
industry in this section of the city, supplying his share of
the material used for building purposes in the locality.
On January 6, 1915, Mr. Maclvor was united in mar
riage to Miss Mary Sullivan, of San Diego, California,
and they have become the parents of three children, Mary
Elizabeth, born October 20, 1915; Janet Loring, born
March 1, 1917; and Katherine Ann, born July 18, 1919.
In his political views, Mr. Maclvor is a republican; and
his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the
Calvary Presbyterian church. He is a member of the
local and National Lumber Associations, and is interested
in the progress and welfare of his city, as is apparent by
his membership in the Board of Commerce. He is well
known in social circles of the city as a member of the
Detroit Athletic Club, Lochmoor Country Club and the
Detroit Automobile Club. He is a capable and successful
business man, whose plans are carefully formulated and
promptly executed, and his influence is one of broadening
activity in the field in which he operates. He has never
deviated from the course which the world regards as right
in the relation between man and his fellowmen, and in
all of his business career he has held closely to the rules
which govern strict integrity and unabating industry.
ALFRED E. CROSBY, a native son of Detroit and
one of her most progressive and enterprising citizens,
is a son of Captain William J. Crosby, a widely
known shipmaster, and past grand president of the
International Shipmasters' Association. He has been
identified with the business interests of the city
since 1909 and now ranks with the foremost morticians
of the state, his undertaking establishment being
regarded as one of the ' finest in the country. His
plans are carefully formulated and promptly executed
and he is preeminently a business man whose record
is written in terms of success. Mr. Crosby acquired
his education in the publie schools of Detroit, and on
starting out in life identified himself with the under
taking business, with which he beeame largely familiar
through practical experience. He then completed a
course, in the Cincinnati College of Embalming and
also took postgraduate work in the New England
Institute of Embalming at Boston, Massachusetts. In
1909 he established himself in business in Highland
Park and in 1918 erected his present building, for
which he drew the plans and which is designed ex
pressly for this purpose, being pronounced by the
Bureau of Professional Statistics the finest mortuary
establishment in the state and one of six whieh are
classed as the best in the United States. The chapel
is especially beautiful, being of Gothic architecture,
and in design is similar to a church, being entirely
devoid of that atmosphere of coldness which permeates
the ordinary chapel. It is the first of its kind in
the city and the building also contains a complete
morgue and operating room, with facilities for post

mortems, while there are also two parlors for private
services. The appointments are of the best and the
establishment in its entirety is a decided acquisition
to the city. Mr. Crosby carries a complete line of
funeral equipment and furnishings of the highest
grade and his business has grown to such large pro
portions that he has established a branch office at
Woodward avenue and Nine-Mile Road. In dealing
with the publie he is prompt, efficient and tactful
and his services are much in demand.
On the 15th of June, 1915, Mr. Crosby was united
in marriage to Miss Evelyn N. Hevenor and they have
become the parents of a daughter, Doris. Mr. Crosby
is a member of the Ferndale Board of Commerce and ¦
the Detroit Board of Commerce and also of the De
troit, the Michigan, and the National Associations of
Funeral Directors. He is connected with the Masonic
Country Club, the Detroit Yacht Club and the High
land Park Rotary Club. Fraternally he is identified
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is
also a prominent Mason, belonging to Highland Park
Lodge, F. & A. M.; Highland Park Chapter, R. A. M.;
Monroe Council, R. & S. M.; Highland Park Command
ery, K. T.; Miehigan Sovereign Consistory, A. & A.
S. R., 32°; Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine;
and to the Grotto. He is also a past patron of
Park Corinthian Chapter, O. E. S., and past Watch
man of Shepherds of Highland Park Shrine, White
Shrine of Jerusalem. Da business affairs he has
made steady progress, his capable management and
indefatigable industry constituting the basis upon
which he has built his prosperity, while at the same
time his activities have contributed to the commercial
development of his city, and Detroit is proud to claim
him as one of her native sons. Mr. Crosby's residence
is at 143 Winona avenue, Highland Park, and his
summer residence — Nytis Lodge — is on the shore of
Higgins Lake in Roscommon county, Michigan.
OTTO KIRCHNER, a distinguished Detroit attorney
who was an active representative of the legal fraternity
here for a period of fifty-three years and who for more
than a half century figured prominently in the city's
industrial and political affairs, passed away at the age
of seventy-four years. Though he long ranked among
the foremost lawyers in the country, he was active in
recent years as chariman of the board of directors of
the First State Bank and as president of the Bureau of
Governmental Research. For a period of four years,
beginning in 1877, he served as attorney general of
Michigan. The birthplace of Otto Kirchner was Frankfort-on-
the-Oder, Germany, where he first opened his eyes to
the light of day on the 13th of July, 1846, his parents
being Rudolph and Ottilie Kirchner. At the age of
eight years, in 1854, he was taken to Canada by his
parents, who after a short time crossed the border into
the United States, locating first in Lansing, Michigan,
and subsequently in Detroit. The father, who was a

ALFRED E. CROSBY

CITY OF DETROIT

933

man of attainments, became an officer in the Civil war
and it was mainly from him that the son acquired his
scholastic training. In 1894, after he had become estab
lished in the country of his adoption and in the esteem
of his fellow citizens of Michigan, the honorary degree
of A. M. was conferred upon Otto Kirchner by the Uni
versity of Michigan, with which institution he became
identified as a teacher. After completing his preparation
for a professional career he was admitted to the Michi
gan bar, also to the bars of all the federal courts, and he
entered upon the practice of law in Detroit in 1867. He
received the honorary degree of LL. D. from the Uni
versity of Michigan, but his admission to the bar came
after he had read law in the office of Elijah Wood Med-
daugh, whose daughter, Julia, he later married. For
fifty-three years, or until the time of his demise, he
remained an active representative of the legal fraternity
in Detroit, becoming widely recognized as one of the
legal lights of the city and specializing of late years in
international law and damage suits. A striking indica
tion of Mr. Kirchner's high lank as an attorney, as well
as his thoroughness, was given when about 1913 he
acted as chief counsel for the Calumet & Hecla Copper
Company in the noted suit brought against it by the
minority stockholders of the Tamarack mine. The
Calumet & Hecla interests had acquired control of the
majority interests in the Tamarack mine and wanted
to merge it with their own properties. This the minority
stockholders opposed. As counsel for the Calumet &
Hecla, Mr. Kirchner spent nearly a year in study and
preparation of his briefs in the case. Four months of
this time he devoted to the study of mineralogy in this
country and in German universities, and five more he
spent writing his brief in Washington, D. C, where he
had access to the Congressional Library. Mr. Kirchner
won the case and received the largest fee ever paid in
the history of the state. At different times he acted as
counsel for the Morgan interests in this section through
a period of more than thirty years and handled the Pere
Marquette and Studebaker matters.
When Mr. Kirchner began law practice in Detroit in
the later '60s, his partner was the Rev. Father Walter
Elliott, who for more than forty years has been a mis
sionary priest of the Paulist Society. Father Elliott,
born in Detroit, fought in the Civil war as captain of a
Michigan regiment in Custer's Cavalry Brigade and was
named in official reports for conspicuous bravery at
Gettysburg. At the close of the war he studied law
practiced in Detroit for a few years and then entered
the priesthood.
An active republican politician and a campaigner
virtually all his life, withal a man of considerable inde
pendence of thought and action, Mr. Kirchner stumped
the state for Grant and Wilson in 1872 and in 1876 he
became attorney general of Michigan. It was an ardu
ous and ill paid office in those days, but Mr. Kirchner
in- later years was heard to say .that no period of his
career was more prolific in valuable experience. He
never lost touch with public affairs and public interests.

In 1919 he accepted appointment as president of the
Bureau of Governmental Research and in this position
assisted in solving the involved financial problems affect
ing the city's street railway policies and projects.
Mr. Kirchner became identified with the University of
Michigan in 1885, when he was appointed Kent professor
of law. The institution was then in a whirl of adminis
trative politics and he served only about a year at that
time, failing of reappointment; but in 1893 he was back
again as a law lecturer at Ann Arbor and this time he
remained on the faculty for five years, rounding out this
part of his career with a twelve-month additional service
as a non-resident lecturer. In the years 1909 and 1910
he was special lecturer on legal ethics. Among his other
activities he was a director of the Quincy Copper Mining
Company; a member of the American Historical Associa
tion; the Michigan Political Science Association, of
which he was president in 1896; president of the Detroit
Church Club, which he helped to found in 1896; the
Detroit Symphony Society, of which he was the first
president; the American Society of International Law;
the Detroit Bar Association; the Detroit Fine Arts
Society; the Society of Arts and Crafts; the Harmonie
Society; the Detroit Board of Commerce; and Michigan
Commandery of the Loyal Legion, of which he was a
first-class member by inheritance. He was at one time
a vestryman of St. John's church and was also the first
president of the Detroit General Hospital, now the
Henry Ford Hospital. While his law practice extended
from Detroit to New York and he was always busy, he
felt of late years that his chief interest in public fife was
the research bureau. That he had keen appreciation for
the social amenities of life is indicated in his club con
nections. He belonged to the Country and Detroit
Clubs of this city, the Meganticoat Golf Club of Camden,
Maine, the Mount Battie Club of Camden, Maine, and
the Camden Yacht Club. Walking afforded him pleasur
able recreation and he had a hobby for fine china. Mr.
Kirchner loved his adopted country, its traditions and
institutions. At the outbreak of the great World war in
1914 he maintained a position of strict neutrality, believ
ing that neither side was entirely right and not forming
decisive judgment until he goi, what he believed would
be the crue story or evidence of each side. With the
insults and affronts accorded the United States by Ger
many he assumed a position of bitter antagonism against
his native land, Germany, particularly denouncing
Kaiserism, and with the entrance of America into the
great struggle he lent his whole cooperation to its support.
On the 17th of February, 1869, Mr. Kirchner was
united in marriage to Miss Isabel Graham Beane of
Detroit, who passed away November 30, 1884. On the
4th of January, 1887, Mr. Kirchner was again married,
his second union being with Julia Edmunds, daughter of
the Hon. Elijah Wood and Emily E. (Maynard) Med-
daugh. Her father, who was a native of New York city,
removed from the Empire state to Michigan, locating
first in Lansing and subsequently in Detroit. He became
general counsel of the United States for the Grand Trunk

934

CITY OF DETROIT

Railroad. Surviving Mr. Kirchner are Mrs. Kirchner,
two daughters and a son: Richard Graham of Detroit
and San Diego, California, who is a lawyer by profession;
Isabel Ottilie, who is the widow of Harold Russell Grif
fith of New York city; and Dorothy, who is Mrs. John
H. Earle of New York city.
It was on the 21st of July, 1920, that Detroit was
called upon to mourn the passing of Otto Kirchner,
banker, public official, teacher, economist and attorney,
who died at his home at No. 1717 Jefferson avenue after
several months' illness, and his remains were interred
alongside his father in the family plot at Haverhill, New
Hampshire. SHERMAN DELIVAN CALLENDER entered upon
the practice of law in Detroit in 1899, following his
admission to the bar of Ohio the previous year.
Through the intervening period, covering more than
two decades, he has engaged in active practice and
has also contributed to the business development of
the city along other lines. A native of Ohio, he was
born at Hartsgrove, March 18, 1869, his parents being
Robert F. and Lois (Winslow) Callender. After ac
quiring a public school education in his native town
he continued his studies in the New Lyme Institute
at South New Lyme, Ohio, and then entered Oberlin
College, from which he was graduated with the Bach
elor of Philosophy degree in 1895. He then became
a law student in the Ohio State University and gained
his LL. B. degree in 1898. His youthful experiences
were those of the farm bred boy who divides his time
between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of
the playground and the work of the fields. Ambitious
to acquire an advanced education, he sold books in
order to pay his tuition at college and he afterward
engaged in teaching for three years before entering
upon preparation for the bar.
Mr. Callender located for practice in Toledo, Ohio,
following his graduation in 1898 and in the succeeding
year came, to Detroit, where he has remained. He
belongs to the Detroit, Michigan State and American
Bar Associations and to the Lawyers Club of Detroit.
He enjoys the high regard, confidence and goodwill
of his professional colleagues and contemporaries. His
name figures in connection with much important liti
gation, his work in the courts ofttimes being of a
notable character. He is a director and the attorney
for the Detroit Improved Realty Company, the Term
inal Land Company, Vinsetta Land Company, Oakdale
Land Company, Grosse Pointe Development Com
pany, Detroit Motor Bus Company, the Vinton Com
pany and several other large corporations, in which
connection his influence, it will be seen, is felt in the
business advancement of the city.
On the 23d of April, 1904, at Monroeville, Ohio,
Mr. Callender was married to Miss Sylvia May Cornell
of that city. Mrs. Callender comes from an old and
prominent family in that section of Ohio and was
educated at Oberlin, graduating in the class of 1897.

Mr. and Mrs. Callender have three daughters: Alice
May, Lois Winslow and Sylvia Elizabeth. The family
adhere to the faith of the Congregational chureh. Mr.
Callender is a republican in his political views but
has never been a politician in the sense of seeking
office. He belongs to Corinthian Lodge, No. 241,
F. & A. M., and is an exemplary representative of
the craft. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and
a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystie Shrine.
He is also a member of Beta Theta Pi, a college
fraternity, the Ohio Society of Detroit, of which he
has been president, and the Sons of the American
Revolution, while in club circles his membership in
cludes the Detroit Boat, Detroit Athletic, Ingleside,
Exchange and Brooklands Golf and Country Clubs.
In 1918 he was a member of the charter commission
of Detroit and was active in preparation of the charter
which was adopted by the eity and now in force.
He is at all times thoroughly informed concerning
questions of vital significance in municipal affairs,
his aid and influence being ever on the side of progress
and advancement. Mr. Callender resides at 159 Pin
gree avenue.
GEORGE W. FERRIS. That George W. Ferris made
valuable contribution to Detroit's upbuilding and that
the worth of his work in behalf of the city was widely
recognized is indicated in the fact that one of the public
highways has been called Ferris street and one of the
public schools was named in his honor. There has been
no man in Detroit more loyally devoted to the cause of
public education, his interest being manifest in many
tangible ways. In every relation of fife he measured'
up to high standards and when the call came for bim
to pass on the deepest regret was felt in Highland Park,
where he maintained his residence and, in Detroit, where
he so long conducted his business affairs.
Mr. Ferris was a native of the Empire state, his birth
having occurred in Junius, Seneca county, New York,
February 15, 1846. He was one of a family of three
children born to John and Harriet (Gilbert) Ferris. The
father was a native of England and came to America in
early life, establishing his home in the state of New York,
where he became a prosperous farmer. His wife was a
direct descendant in the paternal line of Judge Jeffery
Gilbert, a distinguished jurist of Kent, England.
In his youthful days George W. Ferris attended the
public schools of New York, completing his studies in
Seneca, that state. He left New York when about
twenty years of age, determined to try bis fortune in
the west. For some time he was in the employ of the
Michigan Central Railroad Company at Detroit and then
continued his journey to Ciipple Creek, Colorado, where
he was a prospector and miner and also for several years
was employed in an assay office. During this period,
however, he frequently returned to Detroit to look after
his property interests at Springwells and Greenfield in
Wayne county. As the years passed he made extensive
investments in real estate until his holdings were very

SHERMAN D. CALLENDER

•

CITY OF DETROIT

937

valuable, and because of his success he was enabled to
spend his later years in honorable retirement from busi
ness, his prosperity being sufficient to provide him with
all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
On the 22d of October, 1881, in Bay City, Michigan,
was celebrated the marriage of George W. Ferris and
Miss Lydia Loyde Little, who was born in Ontario,
Canada, and of Scotch descent, the family name being
Lytle in Scotland. Her grandfather, Peter Little, was
born in the land of hills and heather and emigrating to
the new world, settled in Canada. Her father, Thomas
Little, was reared in Ontario and there engaged in busi
ness as a contractor and builder for many years. He
wedded Eunice Walton, who was born in' Ontario and
was of English lineage. During the childhood of their
daughter, Mrs. Ferris, they removed to New York, and
subsequently became residents of Peace Dale, Rhode
Island, where Mrs. Ferris was reared to womanhood,
making her home much of the time with a widowed aunt.
Shortly before her marriage she came to Detroit, resid
ing in Bay City and Detroit until she became the bride
of George W. Ferris. The children of this marriage are:
Georgia, the wife of R. J. Dotson; Vivian, the wife of
Alexander E. Sorum of Portland, Oregon; and Thomas
Alden, who is a prominent business man of Los Angeles,
California. While retaining her home at No. 27 Ferris
avenue in Detroit, Mrs. Ferris largely spends the winter
months with her son in Los Angeles.
Mr. Ferris was a supporter of republican principles,
but never an office seeker. Fraternally he is connected
with the Masons and was a loyal follower of the teach
ings of the Presbyterian church. His life was character
ized by a most kindly spirit and generous disposition.
He was particularly interested in education and wa»
continually manifesting helpfulness toward the school
children. It was habitual with him in bad winter months
to hitch up his sleigh and gather up the little children,
taking them to school. In his home he was a devoted
husband and father, his family relation largely being an
ideal one. When he passed away the public schools of
the city were closed during the funeral hour as a mark of
respect, while the city council passed a suitable memorial
and resolutions of sympathy. He responded to the call
of the silent messenger on the 16th of February, 1894,
being a comparatively young man, about fifty years of
age. He had long pursued the path of righteousness, so
that his name is honored and his cherished memory re
mains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him.
JAMES R. STONE, a prominent and prosperous
business man of Detroit, president of the J. R. Stone
Tool and Supply Company, and otherwise identified
with the commercial life of the city, is a native of Michi
gan, born at Mt. Clemens, this state, a son of Richard
and Anna (MacArthy) Stone, who moved to Detroit in
1885, when the subject of this sketch was about two
years old.
J. R. Stone was educated in the public schools of
Detroit, and later learned the trade of machinist and

also of tool and die making. He studied at Detroit
University and at the Armour Institute, and took post
graduate courses at Cornell University and Boston
Technical School. In 1904 he took his engineering
degree from the Armour Institute. Thus equipped with
all the practical and technical knowledge necessary for
the conduct of a large business in the tool and supply
line, Mr. Stone established his present plant in 1910,
which he continued to operate successfully until 1917,
and in the latter year he was joined by Mr. Marlotte,
reference to whom is made on another page of this work.
The J. R. Stone Tool and Supply Company has a wide
and growing business standing, the products of the plant
being shipped far and near, and the present prestige of
the business is due to Mr. Stone's untiring energy and
his all-around acquaintance with the details of the trade.
Mr. Stone has been twice married. In 1902 he was
married to Burcy Kronberg, who died in February, 1918,
leaving six children: Hazel, Marjorie, Violet, James R.,
Jr., Ruth and Robert. In July, 1919, he was married
to Helen O'Neill, who was a nurse overseas with the
American Army of Occupation. Mr. Stone is a member
of the Board of Commerce, in the affairs of which he
takes a practical interest, as he does in all matters of a
civic character calculated to serve the welfare of the
community where he is a living example of a real pro
gressive factor in industry.
GEORGE E. SKELTON, for many years engaged as
a salesman on the road, now and for some time past
occupying the position of manager of the Detroit branch
of the Pennsylvania Rubber Company, is a native son
of Detroit, born on August 8, 1880, a son of George and
Elizabeth (Elder) Skelton, who in their day were well
known citizens of Detroit.
Mr. Skelton, who was reared in northern Michigan,
completed his education at high school. At the age of
sixteen, when he had finished his school course, he took
a position with the Fletcher Hardware Company of
Detroit, and remained with them for eighteen years,
during ten of which he was on the road as a salesman.
The Fletcher Company went out of business in 1914,
and in the following year Mr. Skelton joined the Penn
sylvania Rubber Company as special salesman out of
the factory. Also, he had charge of the Minneapolis
branch of the business, covering the territory of North
Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.
Owing to the successful manner in which Mr. Skelton
handled the various branches of the Rubber Company's
business with which he was connected, he was, advanced
to the position of manager of the Detroit branch, from
which twelve salesmen go out, covering the states of
Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky. Mr. Skelton has been
manager since July 1, 1919, and the steady, development
of the company's trade for which he is responsible, is
the best evidence of the wisdom of the selection made
in his appointment. Mr. Skelton is regarded as an active,
wide-awake business man, and as a salesman he stands
in the front rank.

938

CITY OF DETROIT

In 1903 Mr. Skelton was married to Laura Webb, and
he and his wife are interested in the social and cultural
activities of the community in which they live. Mr.
Skelton grew up in the northern wilds and acquired a
love for outdoor sports and all forms of healthy exercise.
CHARLES ERNEST WISNER, a patent attorney
of Detroit, was born in Clayton, Michigan, February
5, 1872, his parents being Daniel B. and Elizabeth E.
(Ditmars) Wisner, the former a native of the state of
New York and the latter of New Jersey. In early
life they became residents of Michigan and the father
engaged in farming until after the outbreak of the
Civil war, when he put aside all business and per
sonal considerations and joined the Twenty-eighth
Michigan Infantry as a private, doing active duty
at the front in defense of the Union. His last days
were spent in Clayton, Michigan, and his widow is
still living. They had a family of four sons: Oscar
B., now living in Toledo, Ohio; Fred L., a resident of
Elkhart, Indiana; Charles E.; and William B., who
has passed away.
Charles E. Wisner attended the publie schools of
Clayton and of Hudson, Michigan, and in 1894 came
to Detroit to take up the work of a mechanical en
gineer. He continued an active representative of that
line for fifteen years on his own account, opening
an office in the Chamber of Commerce building in
1895. While thus engaged he took up the study ol
law, devoting his leisure to his reading and special
izing in law applicable to patents. He was admitted
to practice by the patent office at Washington, D. O,
in 1910 and has since specialized in this field. He
belongs to the Michigan Patent Law Association and
is also a director of the Lake Orion Assembly Resort
Association. On the 3d of August, 1893, Mr. Wisner was mar
ried to Miss Mary J. Emeus of Prattville, Miehigan, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John P. Emens. They have
become the parents of four ehilden: Emens B., who
was born in Detroit, March 14, 1895, was graduated
from the Central high school, is a registered patent
attorney and is now associated with his father in
practice. On the 22d of June, 1918, he married Miss
Ruth W. Wiley of Detroit and they have a son,
Robert Emens Wisner, born February 17, 1920; Ruby
M., the second of the family, was born in Detroit in
1897 and was graduated from Central high sehool of
this city; Helen L., born in Detroit, October 5, 1899,
is a Central high school graduate; and Ardis P., born
in Detroit in 1902, is attending the Central high
school. During the war the son enlisted March 16,
1918, and was assigned to the Two Hundred and Sixty-
sixth Aero Squadron, Selfridge Field, being later trans
ferred to the Three Hundred and Eightieth Aero
Squadron and still later to the Eight Hundred and
Twenty-Ninth Aero Squadron, going overseas as a
member of the latter. From a private he was pro
moted through the various ranks to sergeant, first class,

of the Eight Hundred and Twenty-ninth Squadron,
whieh rank he held at the time the armistice was
signed. Later he held the same rank with the Four
Hundred and Ninety-seventh Headquarters Air Serv
ice Squadron, from which he was honorably discharged
May 2, 1919. Much of his work was of a character
requiring the highest type of mechanical skill. As
supeTvisor of trouble, the very difficult and important
work of repairing aeroplanes of all foreign makes
fell to him, frequently necessitating the designing and
creation of new parts in the absence of the 'original
ones and other intricate repairs that to one less skillful
would have been an impossible task. He received
honorable mention for his services. In 1916 he was
registered as a patent attorney and is now again with
his father in practice.
Mr. Wisner belongs to the Exchange Club and also
to Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M., of Detroit. His
political allegiance is given to the republican party
and his religious faith is that of the Brewster Congre
gational church, of which he was treasurer for a
number of years, while at the present time he is a
member of its board of trustees. His time and atten
tion, closely devoted to his profession, have brought
him prominence in the field of patent law and he is
a recognized authority upon questions relative thereto.
FRANK M. HECOX, president of the Motor Sales
Company, distributors of rebuilt motor trucks, was born
in Midland, Michigan, April 21, 1884, a son of George
M. and Eliza (Bennett) Hecox, both of whom were natives
of the state of New York, but came to Michigan in early
life, settling in Midland, where the father engaged in
the hardware business. He afterward removed with his
family to Cadillac, Michigan, where he continued in the
hardware trade, is still prominently connected with
commercial pursuits there, and at the same time has
figured prominently in public affairs of the town. His
wife passed away in Cadillac in 1916.
Frank M. Hecox, who was the only child born to his
parents, spent his boyhood as a pupil in the public schools
of Midland, and afterward entered the Cadillac high
school, while later he continued his education in the
Michigan Agricultural College at Lansing, there pursuing
a mechanical course. After winning his diploma he took
up mechanical and engineering work in Lansing, where
he remained for a time, and then became a student in a
business college, where he acquired a thorough knowledge
of commercial methods. When he had completed this
course he again became connected with active business
life, this time in connection with the lumber trade at
Cadillac. For eight years he devoted his time and energies
to the lumber business, and on the expiration of that
period came to Detroit, securing a position in the mechan
ical department of the plant of the General Motors
Company. There he served for a year and a half, and
was then transferred to the Pontiac factory of the General
Motors Company, where he remained for three and a
half years, during which time he rose from a position

CHARLES E. WISNER

CITY OF DETROIT

941

in the mechanical department to that of assistant sales
manager and traffic manager. His successive promotions
brought to him a comprehensive knowledge of the busi
ness in every particular and at length he resigned to
come to Detroit, to take charge of the Towar Motor
Company, which he represented as manager for one
year. While thus engaged he bought an interest in the
company, and was elected secretary and treasurer, con
tinuing to act in that official capacity for three years.
Later he severed his connection with the company, sell
ing his interests in order to organize the Motor Sales
Company, of which he has since been the president.
This company buys and rebuilds motor trucks, and has
been very successful. While starting the business on a
modest scale, it has been gradually developed to large
proportions, the watchwords of the concern being "honest
values." This indicates the policy which the firm has
instituted in the conduct of its business, which has been
a basic element in its growing prosperity. Mr. Hecox is
also a director of the Towar-Ayers Company of Detroit.
On the 27th of June, 1907, Mr. Hecox was married to
Miss Irene Davis of Cadillac, Michigan, a daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Davis, the former a well known
druggist of that place. Two children have been born
to Mr and Mrs. Hecox: Stuart, born in Cadillac in 1909,
is now attending schooi in Detroit; and Charles B., who
was born in Pontiac, Michigan, in 1914, and is also a
pupil in the Detroit public schools.
Mr. Hecox is a member of the Fellowcraft Athletic
Club, and fraternally is connected with the Knights of
Pythias, but his attention and interests are concentrated
largely upon his business affairs, and by reason of his
thoroughness, close application and indefatigable energy,
he is making steady progress in the development of the
trade which he is now carrying on under the name of
the Motor Sales Company.
EDWIN C- BOLTON, member of the Detroit bar,
was born June 17, 1869, at Detroit, Michigan, his parents
being Robert and Marie (Forsyth) Bolton. The father
was born in Pickering, Yorkshire, England, while the
mother's birth occurred in Hull, England, and in early
life they came to America. The ancestral line of the
Bolton family has been traced back tO William the
Conqueror. Robert Bolton was a prominent contractor
of Detroit for many years and in the later period of his
life lived retired. He reached the notable age of ninety
and passed away in Detroit in 1917, having for five years
survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1912, when
she was seventy years of age. The family also numbered
two daughters: Ida M., who is now a teacher in the
public schools of Detroit; and Mrs. Frank H. Townsend,
a resident of this city.
Edwin C. Bolton, the only son, was a pupil in the high
school of Detroit and after his school days were over he
entered the office of Moore & Moore, well known attor
neys, under whose direction he read law, and in 1891 he
successfully passed the required examination for admit
tance to the bar. He entered at once upon active prac

tice and although advancement at the bar is proverbially
slow he has steadily progressed and for a long period
has been classed with the most able and successful lawyers
practicing in the courts which convene in this city. For
twenty years he has also been a member of the Detroit
board of estimates and twice during that period has been
its president, having been elected to that position in
1914 and again in 1916. He also served for some time
as judge in the justice courts at Detroit.
On the 26th of November, 1895, Mr. Bolton was mar
ried to Miss Therese M. Rolshoven, a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. F. Rolshoven, her father being a member of
the firm of F. Rolshoven & Company, prominent jewelers
of Detroit. To Mr. and Mrs. Bolton has been born a
son, Frederick R., whose birth occurred in Detroit,
September 27, 1896, and who is a graduate of the Detroit
Central high school. He pursued a two years' course in
engineering in the University of Michigan and then
entered the aviation section of the United States navy,
becoming a pilot. He thus served on the aviation fields
at Key West, Miami and Minneapolis and was discharged
at Key West, Florida, in February, 1919. Upon his
return from the service he enrolled in the Detroit College
of Law and graduated in June, 1921, with the degree of
Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the bar in
October of the same year, having satisfactorily passed
the Michigan state bar examination, and is now associated
with his father in active practice.
Fraternally Mr. Bolton is connected with the Benevo
lent Protective Order of Elks and also with the Loyal
Order of Moose, while along professional lines his con
nection is with the Detroit and Michigan State Bar
Associations. Entirely through his own efforts he has
gained prominence and success and is now widely known
as a leading attorney of the Detroit bar.
JOHN V. HARDING, handling engineers' supplies,
metal specialties, bronze, etc., as manufacturers' agent
in Detroit, was born in Port Jervis, New York, March
15, 1880, a son of Joseph and Eliza (Everson) Harding,
who were also natives of the Empire state, where they spent
their entire lives. The father was employed as a loco
motive engineer on the Erie Railroad for many years.
He was also elected coroner of Orange county, New York,
and filled the office for eighteen consecutive years. He
is recognized as one of the prominent and well known
residents of Port Jervis, where he still makes his home,
but his wife passed away there in 1897, at the age of
fifty-three. They were the parents of thirteen children,
five of whom are still living: John V.; Harry, a resident
of Detroit; Fred, living in Port Jervis, New York; Edward,
also of Port Jervis; and Sadie I., who is a resident of
Detroit. The early education of John V. Harding was obtained
in the public schools of his native city, where he con
tinued his studies until sfter he became a high school
pupil. He later entered the employ of the Hartford
Rubber Manufacturing Company of New York city,
with which he continued until 1900, when he came to

942

CITY OF DETROIT

Detroit as superintendent of repair for the Diamond
Rubber Company, thus taking charge of the Detroit
branch. He continued with this business for five years
and then established business on his own account, be
coming manufacturers' agent for several rubber com
panies. Later he added engineers' supplies, handling
the products of the Consolidated Manufacturing Com
pany of Toledo and of the Metal Specialties Company
of Cincinnati, Ohio, also of the Cleveland Waphite Com
pany, manufacturers of bronze products. The business
is steadily growing and the enterprise and progressive
spirit of Mr. Harding are manifest in the constant develop
ment of the trade.
On the 29th of July, 1902, Mr Harding was united
in marriage to Miss Carrie E. Simons of Port Jervis,
New York, and they have become parents of two sons:
Leonard J., born in Detroit, in 1903 and now attending
the Highland Park school; and Harry R., who was born in
1910 and is also a student in the same school. Mr. Hard
ing is a member of the Fellowcraft Athletic Club. He
has made his home in Detroit for twenty-two years and
has therefore witnessed remarkable changes in the in
dustrial and manufacturing status of the city. More
over, his own business career has been marked by steady
advancement and progress, resulting from close applica
tion, thoroughness and the wise utilization of the oppor
tunities which have come to him.
WILL G. ESHLEMAN. While an attorney at law,
Will G. Eshleman has devoted the greater part of
his attention to life insurance business and has gained'
a prominent position in connection therewith in De
troit. He was born at Martickville, Pennsylvania,
May 13, 1881, and is a son of David and Mary
(Charles) Eshleman. The mother, a native of In
diana, beeame a resident of Pennsylvania when nine
years of age and was there educated and married.
The father was born in the Keystone state and pur
chased the old homestead of the family which had
been in possession of the Eshlemans for one hundred
and fifty years. Both Mr. and Mrs. David Eshleman
remained residents of Pennsylvania, the father there
passing away in 1898, while the mother still lives
in that state. Mr. Eshleman devoted his life to
the occupation of farming and in religious faith he
was a Mennonite. His family numbered six children:
H. Frank, a prominent attorney of Lancaster, Penn
sylvania; Martin, who is an educator by profession
and resides in the Keystone state; Charles, also of
Pennsylvania; Martha, the wife of Peter L. Lehman,
a successful general merchant of Leman Place, Penn
sylvania; Anna, deceased; and Will G.
The last named attended the public schools of his
native state and also the State Normal school of
Pennsylvania. He then took up the profession of
teaching, which he followed for four years in the
county in whieh his birth occurred. He afterward
pursued a commercial course in the Franklin and
Marshall College of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was

there graduated. In the meantime he read law in the
office of his brother Frank but gave up the active
work of the profession to enter the insurance field,
handling life insurance in Philadelphia for a period
of ten' years. On the expiration of that period he
matriculated in the Detroit College of Law and com
pleted a law course by graduation with the class of
1916. He did not enter upon active practice even
then but continued in the life insurance business,
becoming state representative for the Missouri State
Life Insurance Company. He also handles endowment
insurance and annuities and the development of his
business in this connection has made him a prominent
figure in life insurance circles in Detroit.
On the 29th of September, 1906, Mr. Eshleman was
married to Miss Mabel MeCann of Philadelphia, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amandus MeCann, residents
of Philadelphia. One child has been born of this
marriage: Sabina Mary, whose birth occurred in Phil
adelphia in 1907 and who is now attending school.
She has already displayed notable talent in music
and is being educated along that line.
Mr. Eshleman belongs to the Detroit Bar Associa
tion and the Michigan Bar Association. Fraternally
he is connected with the Masons and Knights of
Pythias, and his political support is given to the
republican party, while his religious faith is that of
the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the
Canopus Club, and has become widely and favorably
known in Detroit's social and business circles, enjoy
ing the high esteem of all with whom he has been
brought into contact.
WALDSO TURNER, president of the Turner Engineer
ing Company and the Electrical Warehouse, Incorporated,
is one of Detroit's energetic and representative young
business men and manufacturers. He came to this city
from the Lone Star state, his birth having occurred in
Dallas, Texas, November 4, 1882. His father, E. P.
Turner, was a native of Iowa, but the mother, who bore
the maiden name of Adella Kelsey, was also a native of
Texas. In young manhood E. P. Turner went to Texas,
where he took up his abode about 1860, and there he was
connected with the Texas-Pacific Railroad for many
years as an official and general passenger agent at Dallas.
Both he and his wife are still residents of that city, and
there they reared their family of two children: Waldso
and E. P., both of whom are living in Detroit.
After pursuing a high school course in his native city
Waldso Turner matriculated in the University of Virginia
and next entered the Massachusetts Institute of Tech
nology at Boston, where he was graduated on the com
pletion of a course in electrical engineering in 1905. His
student days over, he went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
and became connected with the Iron City Engineering
Company. After a short time he won a responsible
position with that corporation and in 1912 came to
Detroit to establish a branch of the business in this city.
He was appointed branch manager and developed a sue-

WILL G. ESHLEMAN

CITY OF DETROIT

945

cessful business here, continuing in charge for the com
pany until 1916, when he resigned to establish the Turner
Engineering Company, which is a large and successful
growing concern, with Mr. Turner as the president. He is
also identified with several other prominent and profitable
business ventures. The Turner Engineering Company is
conducting business as construction engineers and whole
sale dealers in electrical supplies. The latter branch of
their business is carried on under the name of the Electrical
Warehouse, Incorporated, which was established in 1917
as a subsidiary of the Turner Engineering Company.
The latter employs about two hundred people and the
Electrical Warehouse has twenty-five employes. Of both
companies Mr. Turner is the president.
On the 1st of June, 1914, Mr. Turner was married to
Miss Helen Paine of Pittsburgh, a daughter of S. E. Paine
of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have two children:
Helen Adel, born in Detroit, in 1915; and Rodman, born
in 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Turner occupy an enviable social
position, having a circle of friends almost coextensive
with the circle of their acquaintance. Mr. Turner belongs
to the Detroit Athletic Club and his interest in municipal
affairs and progress is indicated in his connection with
the Detroit Board of Commerce. He likewise belongs to
the Employers' Association and the Michigan Manu
facturers' Association, while in technical and scientific
lines his membership is with the Detroit Engineering
Society and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers.
NORBERT A. HOFFMAN, president of the Caspar
Hoffman Real Estate Company, recognized as one of
Detroit's most reliable real estate firms, was born in this
city, April 29, 1892, a son of Caspar and Anna (Brinkman)
Hoffman, who were also natives' of Detroit, where they
were reared and educated and later married. In young
manhood the father established the Caspar Hoffman
Real Estate Company, and continued to operate in that
field of business activity to the time of his death, which
occurred in Detroit in 1916, at the age of fifty-two years.
His widow survives and is residing in this city. They had
a family of six children: Mrs. Ida Diebold; J. Arthur;
Norbert A.; and Mrs. Bernard F. Rieley, Cecelia and
Leona, all of Detroit.
Norbert A. Hoffman, who was the third in order of
birth, obtained his education in the public and high schools
of Detroit, and then became identified with the Automo
bile business as an employe of the Packard Motor Com
pany, in the administration department. He there re
mained for three years, on the expiration of which period •
he became associated with his father in the real estate
business In 1915 the Caspar Hoffman Real Estate
Company was incorporated, and the father, who was the
founder of the business, became the president at that time
and so continued until his demise, when Norbert A.
Hoffman succeeded to the presidency. The company
are home builders and also subdivide property, having
handled the Woodward Grove, Onida Boulevard, Bur:
leigh Park, Hilkern Park and Boulevard subdivisions.
All of these have been placed upon the market by the

Hoffman company, and they conduct a general real estate
business as well. Norbert A. Hoffman is thoroughly
familiar with the real estate market and has been most
alert and progressive in conducting his business affairs,
his labors resulting in the transfer of much valuable
property. He is also a director of the Hazelhurst Land
Company, and is a member of the Detroit Real Estate
Board. On the 24th of April, 1917, Mr. Hoffman was married
to Miss Louise Hafeli, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John
Hafeli, who were natives of Detroit and representatives
of one of the prominent families of the city. Mr. and
Mrs. Hoffman have two children: Virginia Ann, born in
January, 1918; and Mary Louise, born in August, 1920.
Mr. Hoffman and his wife are connected with the
Roman Catholic church and he is a third degree Knight
of Columbus. His military record covers service with
the Three Hundred and Twenty-eighth Field Artillery
for nine months during the World war, and he was in
action in France, participating in the defense of World
democracy upon the western battle front. He received
his discharge at Camp Custer, following the signing of
the armistice, and with his return to America again took
his place in the real estate circles of Detroit — a place that
classes him with the representative men in this field of
business. STEPHEN ADELBERT GRIGGS. Various business
enterprises of Detroit have profited by the sound judg
ment, initiative spirit and executive ability of Stephen
Adelbert Griggs, who has wisely utilized his time and
talents and has never feared to venture where favoring
opportunity has pointed out the way. He is serving as
vice president of the Detroit Trailer Company and for
merly treasurer and manager of the Detroit Cold Storage
Company, and his keen business insight and well for
mulated plans have resulted in the substantial growth of
those undertakings, which have become important
factors in the industrial development of the city. Mr.
Griggs is a representative of one of the oldest families in
the United States, the original American progenitor
having emigrated to this country from England as early
as 1632. He was born in. Birmingham, Ohio, November
16, 1849, and was brought to Detroit by his parents,
Stephen and Lucy (Swift) Griggs, the former a native of
Connecticut and the latter of Ohio and is now in her
ninety-second year living in Detroit. They were num
bered among the early pioneers of the City of the Straits,
taking up their residence here in 1856.
In the public schools of his native city Stephen Adelbert
Griggs acquired his education and on entering the business
world he secured employment in a drug store. Subse
quently he became connected with the United States
mail service, after which he returned to the drug business,
and later ventured into business on his own account,
engaging in the manufacture of pharmaceutical special
ties, in which he was very successful. He next became
connected with a brewery in Walkerville, in the province
of Ontario, Canada, of which he is still the owner, having

946

CITY OF DETROIT

conducted this enterprise successfully for a period of
twenty-three years, under the style of the Walkerville
Brewing Company. Being a man of resourceful nusiness
ability, he turned his attention to other lines and in 1914
purchased an interest in the Detroit Trailer Company, of
which he remained the president until in 1921, when he
sold a controlling interest and has since been vice president.
The business was incorporated in 1913 and in the inter
vening period has enjoyed a steady growth, owine to the
well formulated plans and capable management of its
chief executive officer. Mr. Griggs was also treasurer
and manager of the Detroit -Cold Storage Company and
is likewise interested in several other large enterprises of
the city, which have benefited by his initiative spirit and
superior business ability. His activities have always
been of a constructive nature and his connection with
any enterprise insures a prosperous outcome of the same,
for bis plans are well formulated and promptly executed
and he carries forward to a successful termination what
ever he undertakes.
Mr. Griggs was united in marriage to Miss Minnie
Langley and they have become the parents of three
children: Mrs. E. H. Collins; Edna S.; and Elihu C,
who is a prominent business man of Walkerville, Canada.
In his political views Mr. Griggs is a stanch republican
and for four years he was a member of the common
council of Detroit, serving for one term as president of
the board, in which connection he rendered valuable
service to the city, his influence being ever on the side of
advancement and improvement. Fraternally he is iden
tified with the Masons, belonging to Oriental Lodge,
F. & A. M., and the nature of his recreation is indicated
in the fact that he is a member of the Detroit Athletic
Club, Detroit Boat Club, Walkerville Country Club and
the Walkerville Boat Club. An analyzation of his life
record indicates that close application, determination
and industry have been the salient factors in his success.
He has ever been a man of action rather than of theory
and is generally regarded by the people of Detroit as
among the foremost of those who have wrought effec
tively for the development and growth of the city. For
the past decade, Mr. Griggs has resided in Walkerville,
Ontario. FRANCIS X. BRABANT. While death called Fran
cis X. Brabant on the 23d of January, 1914, his name
deserves an honored place on the pages of Detroit 's
history, inasmuch as he was closely associated with
the development of those great industrial interests
whieh have been the chief source of the city's growth
and progress. Mr. Brabant was born in Clayton,
Jefferson county, New York, June 23, 1859, his par
ents being Hyacinth and Bibianna (Duval) Brabant.
He began his education in the public schools of his
native city and was but nine years of age when his
parents removed with their family to Wallaceburg,
Ontario, Canada, where he continued his studies. He
started out in the business world as clerk in a gro
cery store in Wallaceburg and afterward entered into

partnership with William A. Fraser in the conduct of
a grocery house in that city, the business relation with
Mr. Fraser being maintained for four years. He
afterward removed to Toronto, where he continued in
business for a year with Mr. Fraser, and in 1889 he
arrived in Michigan. For three years he was in the
retail grocery business at Newberry and on establish
ing his home in Detroit he again entered the grocery
trade, being thus engaged until he became associated
with Thomas Fraser in the organization of the Stand
ard Brass Works in 1896. He was elected secretary
and treasurer of the new concern and was identified
with the business for a decade. Hg then disposed of
his interests and for a year resided on a farm near
Wallaceburg, Ontario. He afterward organized the
Standard Brass Manufacturing Company of Windsor,
Canada, in company with his brothers, William and
Leo Brabant. Later Mr. Brabant purchased both his
brothers' interests and then sold an interest to How
ard B. Anthony and in September, 1911, returned to
Detroit and they organized the Miehigan Brass &
Foundry Company, of which he remained the president
and manager until his death, since which time the
plant has been sold. The business had become one
of. the important productive industries of the city
and Mr. Brabant had gained wide recognition as a
leading force in the manufacturing circles of Detroit.
In religious faith Mr. Brabant was a Catholic and
held membership with the Knights of Columbus. His
political endorsement was given to the republican
party but the honors and emoluments of office had
no attraction for him. He was married June 3, 1891,
to Margaret M. Johnson of Wallaceburg, but left no
children. His memory, however, is enshrined in the
hearts of many who knew him, those who were his
associates in business and those who were his com
panions in social activities. He had many sterling
traits of character and was keenly appreciative of
the social amenities of life.
JAMES H. DEMPSTER, A B., M. D., F. A. C. P.
That Dr. Dempster is a man of high professional
standing is show not only in his career as physician in
the city of Detroit but also in his having given effective
service as a member of the faculty of bis Alma. Mater,
the Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery, continu
ously since 1910; in his valuable contributions to the
literature of bis profession; and in his reception, in Febru
ary, 1920, of a fellowship in the American College of
Physicians. In his active professional work his practice
is now restricted to radiography.
Dr. James Herbert Dempster was born May 12, 1873-
in Elgin county, Province of Ontario, Canada, and he
was three years of age when his parents, Archibald F.
and Catharine (Campbell) Dempster, removed to a farm
near Ridgetown, Ontario, where he passed the period of
his boyhood and where he profited by the advantages
afforded in the public schools, including the high school
at Ridgetown. In the pursuance of his higher academic

FRANCIS X. BRABANT

CITY OF DETROIT

949

education he matriculated in Queen's University, at
Kingston, Ontario, and in this institution he was gradu
ated in 1899, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Here
his major work was in political economy, in which he
specialized in preparation for journalism. After leaving
the university Dr. Dempster was for six years actively
identified with newspaper work. He first became an
editorial writer on the staff of the London Daily Ad
vertiser, at London, Ontario, and he represented this
paper in the press gallery of the Canadian House of
Commons during one session of the Dominion parliament.
Later he was connected with the Windsor Daily Record,
now known as the Border Cities Star. Finally absolving
himself from the insistent lure of journalism, Dr.
Dempster began the study of medicine in 1905, and in
this connection he crossed over the Detroit river from
Windsor to become a student in the Detroit College of
Medicine and Surgery, in which institution he was
graduated as a member of the class of 1909. After
receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine he engaged in
the general practice of his profession in Detroit, and this
practice continued to involve general work in both
medicine and surgery until 1918, since which time he has
limited his work to radiography.
Shortly after his graduation from the medical college
Dr. Dempster was appointed editor of the Detroit
Medical Journal, and he continued the incumbent of
this position for a period of eleven years. In the educa
tional work of his profession he has further given most
valuable service through being a member of the faculty of
the Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery almost con
tinuously since 1910, and through his contributions to
the standard and periodical literature of his profession.
He is the author of a book entitled "Pathfinders of
Physiology," which was published in 1913.
The year 1903 recorded the marriage of Dr. Demp
ster to Miss Nellie M. Taylor of London, Ontario, and
they have two sons, Wilfrid T. and Clifford H.
Dr. Dempster is actively affiliated with the Wayne
County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical
Society, the American Medical Association, the American
Association for the Advancement of Science, and the
Radiological Society of North America, besides which he
is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. He
has been earnest in service and an influence in connection
with the affairs of his profession in Detroit, and has been
for two years secretary of the Wayne County Medical
Society and one year vice president. In the Masonic
fraternity the Doctor has received the thirty-second
degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, as a member
of Michigan Sovereign Consistory and his Masonic
associations are further amplified by his membership in
Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine, in his home city.
EDWARD A. HOFFMAN, president of the Hoffman-
Fisher Company, the well known real estate firm of De
troit, was born in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, January
1, 1875, and is a son of the Rev. J. J. and Rose (Von
Anshutz) Hoffman, both of whom were natives of Penn

sylvania. On leaving the Keystone state they traveled
overland to Wisconsin, casting in their lot with the
pioneer settlers of that state. The father was a Lutheran
minister and was delegated to preach the gospel to the
new settlers in the section of Wisconsin to which he had
journeyed. In fact, he established the first Lutheran
church in Sheboygan Falls and for a number of years he
rode his circuit, which extended to the upper peninsula
of Michigan. He preached in various sections at given
intervals and did much to develop the moral progress of
the community. Later in life he moved again, this time
to New Orleans, where he presided in the pulpit of the
Lutheran church up to the time of his death, which
occurred in 1918, when he had reached the age of seventy-
two years. His widow survives and is living at Merrill,
Wisconsin, at the age of seventy-nine years. The labors
of Rev. Mr. Hoffman were indeed a potent factor for.
good in Wisconsin from pioneer times to a late period
and he did much to uphold high ideals among the settlers
and for the benefit of the people among whom he lived
and labored. To him and his wife were born eleven
children, three of whom have departed this life, while
those living are: M. G., who resides in New Orleans,
Louisiana; Philip, a resident of Cuba; Mrs. Clara Roth,
the wife of Professor Roth of Ann Arbor, Michigan;
Adolph, who is living in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Otto,
who is manager of the Pittsburgh Coke Company of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Edward A., of this review;
William, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio; and Harry, who
is located at Merrill, Wisconsin.
Edward A. Hoffman was a pupil in the public schools
of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, and later attended the
Marine Engineering School of Milwaukee. He was
graduated therefrom as a marine engineer and at that
time secured a limited license for work in the profession
of marine engineering. He then entered' the employ of
the Eddy-Shaw Company of Bay City, Michigan, and
soon rose to an important position in that connection,
finally becoming chief engineer. He afterward resigned
and was made superintendent of salesmen for the Storm-
feltz-Loveley Company, real estate dealers of Detroit.
He continued to fill that position from 1907 until 1914,
when he resigned and organized the Schaffner-Hoffman
Real Estate Company. From this Mr. Schaffner after
ward withdrew and a new association was formed, under
the style of the Hoffman-Fisher Company. Mr. Hoffman
has since been president of the organization and his firm
has occupied a prominent position in the realty circles of
Detroit. He has thoroughly familiarized himself with
every phase of the business and his word and judgment
as a realtor are accepted as authority. The Hoffman-
Fisher Company now has a large clientele and Mr. Hoff
man is a specialist in appraisals for courts and for other
realty companies. Mr. Hoffman was also appointed ap
praiser for the United States Mortgage Bond Company
and Metropolitan Investment Company, which position
he has occupied since 1916.
On the 20th of January, 1897, Mr. Hoffman was
married to Miss Veronie J. Dimler of Detroit, who passed

950

CITY OF DETROIT

away on the 2d of December, 1920. She was a daughter
of Christopher Dimler, well known in this city. They had
one daughter by adoption, Nellie, who was born in Iowa
and has been educated in the public schools of this city.
Mr. Hoffman has voted with the republican party since
age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is also
well known in Masonic circles, having taken the degrees
of the Scottish Rite and at all times he is a loyal follower
of the teachings and purposes of the craft. He is also
president of the Community Club of Lake St. Clair Shores
and is interested in all that pertains to community welfare.
He has membership in the Masonic Country Club, in the
Detroit Auto Club, is a charter member of the Vortex
Club, and an active member of the Detroit Real Estate
Board, being a past treasurer of the latter. His interest
in the progress and improvement of the fourth city is shown
in his membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce.
Judging by what he has accomplished it would seem that
the word progress must be emblazoned on his banners, for
his entire course has been a forward one, reaching out to
larger and better things in the business way and in connec
tion with the public welfare. His residence — The Ram
blers — is on Lake Shore road, on the shore of Lake St.
Clair, in Macomb county.
FRANK JEFFREY. A life devoted to the ship
building industry brought Frank Jeffrey to the re
sponsible position of superintendent of the Detroit
Shipbuilding Company. In his youth he worked in
the shipyards on the Clyde, for Scotland was his
native country and his youth was there passed. He
was born October 28, 1860, in Aberdeen, being one
of the eight children whose parents were Frank and
Anna (Brown) Jeffrey. He had gained considerable
knowledge of shipbuilding when in 1881 he bade
adieu to friends, family and native country and sailed
for the United States. Landing in New York city,
he remained in the eastern metropolis for about two
years and then made his way westward to Bay City,
Michigan, in 1883. There he engaged in shipbuilding
and afterward removed to Lorain, Ohio. His early
connection was with F. W. Wheeler & Company, ship
builders of Bay City, and for two years he was with
the Union Iron Works of San Francisco, but for a
long period he was with the American Shipbuilding
Company, from which corporation he went to the
Pacific coast, being made general manager under James
H. Scott, who was then president of the Union Iron
Works. With his return to Michigan he settled in
Detroit and became general manager of the Detroit
Shipbuilding Company, a position of importance and
responsibility which he continued to fill until his
death on the 24th of April, 1920. There was no phase
of the shipbuilding trade with whieh he was not
thoroughly familiar and his broad experience and capa
bility won him advancement from time to time until
his position was one of prominence in connection with
the shipbuilding interests of this section of the country.
On the 28th of January, 1888, in Bay City, Michi

gan, Mr. Jeffrey was married to Miss Agnes Corri-
gan, a daughter of Patrick Corrigan of Quebec, Can
ada. To Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey were born two children:
Lilly N., who was born July 15, 1889, and is the wife
of Leonard Collins of New York city; and William, an
electrician, who was born December 2, 1892.
The family are members of the Presbyterian church,
of which Mr. Jeffrey was a loyal follower, guiding
his life by its teachings. His political endorsement
was given to the republican party and fraternally he
was connected with the Masons as a member of Golden
Gate Lodge and of the Knights Templar Commandery
of San Francisco. He was also a member of the
Fellowcraft Athletic Club and the Board of Com
merce. He had reached the age of fifty-nine years
when death called him and in his passing a life of
great activity and usefulness was ended. Not only
had he made for himself a creditable name and place
in business circles but had also become firmly estab
lished in the regard of his fellowmen by reason of
his fidelity to those principles whieh develop high
character and take the individual into the walks of
life that separate him from all that is gross and
common and bring him into connection with those in
terests whieh are of cultural and moral uplift.
JULIUS L. BERNS, a native son of Detroit and a
representative of one of the old and prominent families
of the city, entered upon the practice of law in 1917 and
during the intervening period of four years has made rapid
progress in his profession, being now a member of the
firm of Millis, Streeter, Murphy & Berns, leading attorneys
of Detroit. He was born on the 21st of January, 1895,
and his parents, Julius W. and Louise (Loeser) Berns,
were also natives of this city, in which they were reared,
educated and married. As a young man the father
engaged in the retail dry goods business, while later he
turned his attention to real estate, being very successful
in his operations in that line. He is now living retired
in this city, but the mother passed away in March, 1915.
In their family were three children: Sidney H., Waldo J.
and Julius L., all residents of Detroit.
In the acquirement of an education Julius L. Berns
attended the grammar schools of this city, after which he
became a pupil in a private school, and subsequently
entered the law department of the University of Michigan,
from which he was graduated in 1917, receiving the LL. B.
degree. He then became identified with Anderson,
Wilcox & Lacy, leading attorneys of Detroit, and after
severing his connection with that firm he practiced his
profession independently for a time, but since January
1, 1921, he has been a member of the firm of Millis,
Streeter, Murphy & Berns, his admission thereto being
proof of his professional ability, for their standing in legal
circles of the city is of the highest. Mr. Berns is an
earnest, discriminating student, thoroughly familiar with
the principles of jurisprudence. He is careful in analysis,
clear in his reasoning and logical in his deductions and
whatever he does is for the best interests of his clients

FRANK JEFFREY

CITY OF DETROIT

953

and the honor of his profession. He is also attorney for
the village of Grosse Pointe Park and although one of
the younger representative of the Detroit bar, he has
already demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate
problems of the law.
On the 15th of July, 1916, Mr. Berns was united in
marriage to Miss Laura Meabrod of this city, and they
have a daughter, Marie Louise, who was born November
11, 1917. His political allegiance is given to the repub
lican party and he is prominent in Masonry, being a
member of Zion Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M. He belongs
to Gamma Eta Gamma, a college fraternity, and is a
member of the Detroit, Michigan State and American
Bar Associations. With a nature that cannot be content
with mediocrity, he is constantly striving to increase his
knowledge and promote his efficiency and in a profession
demanding a keen intellect and individual merit he is
rapidly making his way to the front, while his upright
policy has won for him the esteem of his fellow practi
tioners and also of the general public.
DE WITT H. TAYLOR. Since 1874 the home of
De Witt H. Taylor has been on Alfred street in Detroit
and, moreover, he is a native son of the city, his birth
having occurred on the 12th of August, 1848. He repre
sents one of the oldest and most distinguished families of
Detroit and his life record has ever been in harmony with
that of his distinguished ancestry. He won a most
creditable position in the ranks of the legal profession and
in business circles and has always held to those high
standards of citizenship which have been synonymous
with the public activity of members of the Taylor family.
He is the son of Elisha Taylor, who became a resident of
Detroit in 1838 and who is mentioned at length on another
page of this work. Reared in his native city he attended
the public schools until graduated from the old Detroit
high school as a member of the class of 1867, the insti
tution having occupied the building that had formerly
served the state as its capitol. In the autumn of 1867
he was matriculated in the academic or literary depart
ment of the University of Michigan as a member of the
class of 1871, but after a year transferred his enrollment
to the class of 1870 as a law student. Completing the
full law course he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts
degree and soon afterward was admitted to practice in
the state courts and in the United States district court of
Michigan. About the same time he entered the com
mercial field by becoming silent partner in the hardware
firm of Coulson, Fisher & Stoddard of Detroit, with which
firm he was associated until 1874, when he withdrew and
went abroad. He spent fifteen months in travel over
Europe and part of Asia and Africa, visiting Greece,
Turkey, Syria, Palestine and Egypt.
On again reaching Detroit, in the autumn of 1875,
De Witt H. Taylor entered into partnership with his
father in the practice of law, under the firm style of
Taylor & Taylor, an association that was maintained
until the death of the senior partner when nearly ninety
years of age. The firm occupied a prominent position

at the bar and father and son were also closely associated
in the management of the large real estate interests which
the former had accumulated and which have been so
successfully managed and directed by De Witt H. Taylor
since his father's death. While he enjoys a most enviable
reputation by reason of his forcefulness and resourceful
ness as a lawyer, his ability to interpret legal principles
and his power to solve intricate and involved problems
of law, he has also most wisely and successfully directed
his real estate operations. He developed on North
Woodward avenue, a restricted and exclusively residential
subdivision, known as Taylor Avenue, covering a tract
extending from Woodward avenue to Hamilton boule
vard. He also platted and successfully developed a
subdivision in the Hamtramck district of Detroit, known
as Playfair Avenue and in various other ways he has con
tributed to the development and progress of the city
through real estate channels. He likewise became
president of the Grand Haven Gas Company at Grand
Haven, Michigan, and a member of the directorate of
the Detroit Pressed Steel Company. He was elected a
director of the Detroit Lubricator Company and the
Coahuila Mining & Smelting Company, which holds
valuable properties and concessions in Mexico. He is
president of the Roseland Park Cemetery Association and
his cooperation is a most valued element in the successful
management of the various enterprises with which he
has become associated.-
On the 5th of November, 1894, Mr. Taylor was married
to Miss Alice Andrus, a native of Washington, Macomb
county, Michigan, but a resident of Detroit at the time
of her marriage. Her father, Lawren Andrus, was a
prominent and representative citizen of Detroit until his
demise. Mrs. Taylor was long a recognized leader in
social, musical and literary circles of Detroit and became
president of the Detroit Industrial School & Free Kinder
garten Association, vice president of the board of lady
managers of Grace Hospital, chairman of the Woman's
Guild of the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian church and
an active member of the Detroit Assemblies and the local
Young Women's Christian Association. She was like
wise a leading member of the Tuesday Musicale, her
liberal culture in the realm of music identifying her with
the most prominent musical affairs of the city. Mrs.
Taylor passed away March 19, 1916, survived by her
husband and two children: Agnes Aurelia Taylor, who
was educated at the Liggett School in Detroit and at a
select school at Dobbs Ferry, New York, is the wife of
Buell H. Heminway, Jr., of Watertown, Connecticut, and
they are parents of two children, Buell Taylor and Agnes
Andrus; De Witt Elisha Taylor, the only son, prepared
for college at Hotchkiss school in Lakeville, Connecticut,
afterward attended Yale and is now a student in the
University of Michigan.
A lifelong republican, Mr. Taylor's opinions have long
carried influence in the councils of his party and he has
worked efficiently and resultantly in obtaining its suc
cesses. For six years he was treasurer of the republican
city committee and he served for five terms of ten ye«rs

954

CITY OF DETROIT

as a member of the Detroit Board of Estimates, acting as
president of the board for a year. His religious faith is
that of the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian church, of
which his father was one of the founders and of which his
wife was a most helpful member. Mr. Taylor is acting
as elder of the church and as- chairman of its board of
trustees. He still gives his attention to the work of the
legal profession and belongs to the Detroit Bar Associa
tion. His social nature has found expression in his
membership in the leading clubs of the city, including
the Detroit, the Country, the Detroit Assemblies, the
Detroit Boat and the Old Clubs and, moreover, his
influence and aid have extended to many well organized
societies looking to public benefit. He is an active mem
ber of the Detroit Society for the Study and Prevention
of Tuberculosis and of the Michigan Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He has long been a
helpful and generous member of the Young Men's Chris
tian Association and he belongs to the Detroit Board of
Commerce and also to the Michigan Chapter of the Sons
of the American Revolution. His interests are indeed
broad and varied and throughout his life he has been
allied with those forces which make for the uplift of the
individual and the benefit of the community at large.
His endorsement of any measure, plan or project always
wins to it a large following because of the recognized value
of his judgment and his public spirit. He occupies the
fine old Taylor homestead in Detroit at No. 59 Alfred
street, where he has lived since 1874, while his summer
home is on the shore of Long Island Sound at Madison,
Connecticut. LEO K. HENNES. One of the most substantial
insurance agencies of Detroit is that which is con
ducted by Leo K. Hennes, who deals in all kinds of
insurance except life, his various activities bringing
him an enviable position in the business life of De
troit. He was born January 19, 1873, in this city
and is a son of Louis and Catherine (Huber) Hennes.
The mother was born in a residence that stood on
the site of the present city court building — now in the
heart of the city — and resided in the same block for
seventy-one years, her life being spent within a
hundred feet of where she first saw the light of day,
her death there occurring in 1908. Louis Hennes, Sr.,
was bora in Germany and came to America in the
early '50s, settling in Detroit, while later he became
actively interested in general merchandising in the
copper country of Michigan, conducting a very suc
cessful business to the time of his death, which oc
curred in 1901, when he was seventy years of age.
While he was the owner, his sons practically managed
and conducted the business. In the family were eleven
children, four of whom died in infancy, and a sister,
Laura, passed away in 1913. Those living are: Rob
ert, now a resident of Lake Linden, Michigan, where
he is conducting the mercantile business that was
established by his father; Adolph, who is also inter
ested in the business at Lake Linden; Theodore;

Edwin; Bertha, who is now Mrs. F. A. Schulte; and
Leo K. The last four named are residents of Detroit.
The last named, the eighth in order of birth in the
family, was a pupil in St. Mary's parochial school in
Detroit and afterward attended Detroit University,
in which he completed his literary course, winning the
Bachelor of Arts degree in 1892. He then entered
the law department of the University of Michigan, in
whieh he continued until 1893, when overwork at his
studies greatly impaired his health and he was com
pelled to put aside his textbooks. For three years
thereafter he was occupied with the attempt to regain
his normal strength and improve his physical condi
tion. He then turned his attention to the insurance
business although he had had no previous experience
along that line. He believed, however, that it offered
an excellent field and he entered into partnership with
Richard G. Lambreeht. The partners concentrated
their efforts and attention upon the development of
the business, which was successfully conducted for
several years, at the end of which time Mr. Hennes
purchased the interest of his partner and has since
conducted the business alone, gaining a large clientage
and dealing in all kinds of insurance except life. His
ability and enterprise are demonstrated in the success
which has attended his efforts and he is a prominent
figure in insurance circles, being now the treasurer of
the Interstate Fire Insurance Company of Michigan
and also the secretary of the Michigan Association of
Insurance Agents, to which position he has several
times been elected. He was also at one time treasurer
of the Michigan Federation of Insurance Agents.
On the 14th of June, 1899, Mr. Hennes was mar
ried to Miss Rose M. Lieblein, a daughter of John
and Catherine Leiblein, and they have three children:
William R., born in Detroit in 1900, who has entered
a novitiate; Leona M., born in Detroit in 1902; and
Frank E., who was born in 1904, and is attending
high school.
The religious faith of the family is that of the
Roman Catholic chureh and Mr. Hennes is a member
of the Knights of Columbus and of the Canopus Club.
In politics he maintains an independent attitude,
voting according to the dictates of his judgment. He
concentrates his efforts and attention upon his busi
ness affairs and his indefatigable industry, his close
study of the questions at hand and his determined
purpose have led to steady advancement in his chosen
field of endeavor.
FRANK P. GMELIN. While Detroit has become
the recognized center of automobile manufacturing in
all the world, no unimportant chapter of its history is
that which concerns the retailing of cars in the city and
in this connection Frank P. Gmelin has built up an ex
tensive business. He was born in Preston, Ontario,
August 28, 1878, a son of J. H. and Bessie (Toye) Gmelin,
the former a native of Preston, Ontario, while the latter
was born in England. The family removed to Michigan

LEO K. HENNES

CITY OF DETROIT

957

in 1887 and in the public schools of Bay City, Frank P.
Gmelin continued his education. In early life he began
learning the machinist's trade, serving his apprenticeship
in Bay City, and was first connected with the manu
facture of marine gas engines before starting in as auto
repair mechanic in 1902, continuing in Bay City until
1911. For seven years he was associated with M. A.
Young, one of the pioneer retail motor car men of Detroit.
On the 15th of March, 1917, he established business in
dependently and is now distributing the Mitchell and
Briscoe cars, in which connection he has built up an
extensive trade, his business being one of large and
gratifying proportions.
On the 8th of October, 1903, Mr. Gmelin was united
in marriage to Miss Lena Parreant of Bay City, and they
have two children: Arthur, who is seventeen years of age;
and Bessie, aged fifteen. Politically Mr. Gmelin is a
republican but has never been an aspirant for office.
He is a well known member of the Detroit Automobile
Dealers Association and is widely known in Masonic
circles, belonging to Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M.,
while in Michigan Sovereign Consistory he has attained
the thirty-second degree and has also crossed the sands
of the desert with the Nobles of Moslem Temple of the
Mystic Shrine. In an analyzation of his career it is
evident that close application and indefatigable energy
have been the basic elements of his constantly developing
success, which has brought him to a creditable position
among the progressive merchants of the city.
CARL BROEHM, a native son of Detroit whose
record reflects credit and honor upon his city, is now
serving as secretary and treasurer of the Le Roy Broehm
Foundry Company and although recently established, the
business is increasing rapidly under the judicious manage
ment of the men at its head. Mr. Broehm was born
May 8, 1886, and is a son of Carl and Mary Broehm, the
former born in Monroe, Michigan, while the latter is of
European birth. In early life the mother came to the
United States, becoming a resident of Monroe, Michigan,
where her marriage to Mr. Broehm occurred. Subse
quently they came to Detroit and here the father engaged
in the baking business. Through industry, thrift and
good business ability he built up a large trade and is
now living retired in this city, while the mother also
survives. In their family were six children: Clara, who
is assistant principal of one of the public schools of De
troit; Mrs. Martha Rudduck, Albert, Carl, Mrs. Mayme
Collard and Edgar, all of whom are residents of this city.
After completing his grammar school course Carl
Broehm entered the Eastern high school of Detroit, from
which he was graduated when seventeen years of age.
He then started out 'in the business world, securing a
position with one of the large automobile factories of the
city, where he learned the mechanic's trade. He next
found employment in the foundry of Leland-Faulker
Brothers and later became a machinist in the plant of the
Michigan Lubricator Company, remaining with that firm
for several years. On the 1st of August, 1920, the Le Roy

Broehm Foundry Company was organized and since its
inception the enterprise has enjoyed, a rapid growth and
with the passing years it will undoubtedly become one of
the large productive industries of the city. They are
brass manufacturers and cater largely to the automobile
trade, the excellent quality of their work and their prompt
ness and reliability in the execution of orders winning for
them a good share of public patronage. They furnish
employment to from fifteen to thirty persons and the
officers of the company are as follows: W. Le Roy,
president; F. Le Roy, vice president; and Carl Broehm,
secretary and treasurer. Mr. Broehm is an experienced
machinist and his energy, close application and business
acumen have been determining factors in the development
of the undertaking.
In this city, on the 18th of September, 1907, Mr. Broehm
was united in marriage to Miss Olga Harms, and to this
union has been born a daughter, Marian, whose birth
occurred in 1908 and who is now attending the Eastern
high school. Mr. Broehm gives his political allegiance
to the republican party and fraternally he is identified
with the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge.
He is an energetic, capable and thoroughly dependable
young business man whose progressiveness is a valuable
asset to Detroit. The welfare and development of his
city are to him matters of deep interest and the sterling
worth of his character is indicated in the fact that he
enjoys the unqualified respect and esteem of those among
whom his life has been passed.
WILLIAM M. PERRETT, who, throughout bis
active business life in the United States, has been con
nected in a prominent way with the rubber industry, is
at present the manager of the Republic Rubber Company,
with headquarters in Detroit. He is a native of England,
born in London in 1862, and was educated in that city.
At the age of twenty-four, in 1886, Mr. Perrett emi
grated to the United States and a short time later he
became identified with the rubber business in New York
city, where he remained thus engaged for six years. He
then moved to Chicago with the American Dunlop Tire
Company, handling the pneumatic tire, which was the
first tire of that kind on the market, and which at that
time was having a tremendous boom. Two years later
he became associated with the Diamond Rubber Company
of Akron, Ohio, and continued with that firm for eight
years, by this time having fully assimilated a general
knowledge of the rubber industry in all its aspects.
It was in 1907 that Mr. Perrett joined the Republic
Rubber Company, of which he is manager. Although his
headquarters are in Detroit, the territory which he
supervises embraces Michigan, Ohio, and all of Canada,
the scope of the company's trade having been ever on the
up-grade since Mr. Perrett took over the duties of manage
ment. He has been a resident of Detroit since 1898.
In 1897 Mr. Perrett was united in marriage to Miss
Mattie Lee Barker, and they are the parents of two
children: Montague and Beatrice. The Perrett family

958

CITY OF DETROIT

came originally from the littie isle of Jersey — one of the
Channel islands — lying near the French coast.
Mr. Perrett is one of the most prominent Masons in the
United States. He is past grand master of the Michigan
Masons and past potentate of Moslem Temple, having
held each position for two years, and is a thirty-second
degree Mason. He is a member of the Fellowcraft Club,
the Detroit Motor Club, and the U & I Rotary Club, of
which latter he is president. Mr. Perrett is a supporter
of the republican party. An able business man, he is full
of civic pride, taking a prominent part in the civic affairs
of Detroit. When America entered the war he threw
himself energetically into all patriotic work being carried
on in and about Detroit.
GEORGE G. BOGUE. In the year 1876 George G.
Bogue arrived in Detroit, where he was destined to
become a prominent figure in connection with the
hardware trade of the eity. He brought with him
to the starting point of his business career here
certain knowledge and training gained from experience
in a hardware store of Paw Paw, Miehigan, and
prior to this time he had lived at Albion, Miehigan.
He came to this state from New England, his birth
having occurred at Pittsford, Vermont, February 26,
1854, his parents being Samuel B. and Cordelia (Gar
field) Bogue, the former a prosperous farmer. In
the acquirement of his education George G. Bogue
attended the North Bloomfield Institute in New York
and the Clinton Liberal Institute at Clinton, New
York. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing
west with the many business advantages here offered
Mr. Bogue came to Miehigan in early manhood and
secured a clerkship in the store of P. Gardner at
Albion, where he was employed for thirteen years.
He next became identified with the firm of Free &
Martin at Paw Paw, Miehigan, in 1874, and in 1876
he removed to Detroit, where he was connected with
the firm of Buhl Du Charme & Company from 1876
until 1879. In that year he entered the employ of the
firm of Du Charme, Fletcher & Company, remaining
with that firm and its successor, Fletcher, Jenks &
Company, and was a silent partner with the latter
firm until the business was sold in 1898. The follow
ing year he became associated with Standart Brothers,
Limited, wholesale hardware dealers, and was elected
vice chairman of the company in January, 1902, and
continued as the second executive officer until his
death, which occurred November 29, 1910. His long
experience in merchandising, his progressiveness and
his enterprise placed him in a prominent position in
commercial circles in Detroit as one of the officials of
a large wholesale hardware house, the firm occupying
an extensive six-story building on Woodbridge and
Front streets. The business was established in 1863
and it was upon its incorporation in 1902 that Mr.
Bogue was elected the second executive officer.
Mr. Bogue was twice married. At Paw Paw, Mich
igan, on the 14th of October, 1880, he wedded Clara

A. Martin, who departed this life May 18, 1903.
About two and a half years later or on the 15th of Sep
tember, 1905, Mr. Bogue was married to Mrs. Martha
(Harris) Bogue.
Mr. Bogue was a loyal follower of the republican
party and belonged to the Republican Club of Detroit.
He also held membership in the Fellowcraft Club,
the Rushmere Club, the Recreation Club, the Fishing
Club, and various other social organizations. He
attended the Universalist Church of Our Father, of
whieh he was a trustee, and his family are of the
Christian Science faith. Mrs. Bogue is a member of
the Twentieth Century Club and the Daughters of
the American Revolution. She lives in an attractive
home at No. 3961 Cass avenue, surrounded by all
of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, for
the success which Mr. Bogue achieved enabled him to
leave his family in very pleasant financial circum
stances. His life record indicated what can be ac
complished by individual effort intelligently directed,
for he started out in the business world in a humble
clerkship and rose to a position as directing head of
one of the large commercial enterprises of dynamic
Detroit. WILLIAM H. ADAMS is a consulting engineer who, •
forming a partnership with Robert J. Cummins in 1909,
has since maintained an office in Detroit. Mr. Adams
was born on a farm near Canandaigua, Ontario county,
New York, January 11, 1879, bis parents being Henry T.
and M. A. (Pardee) Adams. In 1884 the parents removed
to a farm near Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, and there he
attended the elementary schools and also the high school
of Lock Haven. In 1904 the family went to New Jersey,
settling near Newark, and from 1897 until 1902 he taught
in public schools of Essex county, New Jersey, first
having charge of an ungraded country school; later he
became principal of the village school at Cedar Grove,
near Montclair. He entered the College of Engineering
of Ohio Northern University in July, 1902, and was there
graduated with the degree of Civil Engineer in January,
1905. After four years of experience as an engineering assis
tant, first in Portland Cement manufacture, later in water
filtration and subsequently in reinforced concrete design
in Ohio and Michigan, Mr. Adams formed a partnership
with Robert J. Cummins in 1909 and they opened offices
in Detroit as consulting engineers. Two years later a
branch office was established in Houston, Texas, and
much of the important work of the firm has been done in
the southwest.
Mr Adams entered actively upon war work and in
August, 1918, received a commission as captain of the
Quartermaster Corps of the United States army, being
assigned to the staff of the chief of the construction
division at Washington, D. C. He was afterward de
tailed as section engineer of Section E of the Building
Branch, which had charge of the construction work for
the air service and miscellaneous work in and near Wash-

GEORGE G. BOGUE

CITY OF DETROIT

961

ington, Philadelphia, Norfolk, New York and Boston.
He was also member of an army commission to close up
shipbuilding contracts at Savannah, Georgia. He repre
sented Construction Division at the reconstruction con
gress held in Atlantic City in December, 1918, called by
the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. He was
also engineer member of the army commission detailed to
investigate the damage sustained by public buildings of
Porto Rico.
Being discharged from military service in April, 1919,
Mr. Adams then resumed practice as a consulting engineer
in Detroit. His partnership relation was terminated by
agreement with his former associate, Robert J. Cummins,
who took the southern branch of the firm's business.
While in Washington, Mr. Adams was appointed by
the Detroit Board of Commerce to represent the city of
Detroit at the session of the National Rivers and Harbors
Congress held early in 1919. Upon returning to this city
he was appointed chairman of the newly constituted
inland waterways committee of the Board of Commerce.
The work of this committee in 1919 consisted of studying
the port of Detroit and its possibilities. They made an
extended study of other inland ports and harbors and
Mr. Adams wrote many articles on railroad rates, trans
portation and port development for various technical
magazines. He was appointed by Governor Sleeper to
represent Michigan at the National Rivers and Harbors
Congress in December, 1919, and later was elected a
director of that body for 1920. In August, 1919, he repre
sented Detroit at the Council of States on the opening of
the St. Lawrence, held in Duluth. His marked profes
sional ability has caused his cooperation to be again and
again sought in many inportant public connections. He
had charge of the work of securing data on imports and
exports of Detroit and tributary territory and the prepara
tion of Detroit's case before the International Joint Com
mission, which held a hearing in the fall of 1920 on the
commercial aspects of the proposed improvement of the
St. Lawrence as affecting Detroit. Mr. Adams also had
charge of plans and arrangements for the Great Lakes
and St. Lawrence Tidewater Congress, held in Detroit
at the invitation of the Board of Commerce, from the
22d to the 24th of July, 1920, inclusive. More than
seventeen hundred delegates registered at this convention,
representing thirty-five states. The addresses were by
men of national prominence and the results of the con
vention have been far-reaching. Mr. Adams holds a
commission in the Officers' Reserve Corps, United States
army, with the rank of captain, Q. M. R. C.
From a total of more than eight hundred commissions is
taken the following list of more important works on which
the engineering has been under charge of Mr. Adams.
The list includes the Tuller Hotel of Detroit, the Masonic
Temple of Grand Rapids, the office building of the Grand
Rapids Savings Bank, the Broadway Market building of
Detroit, the Highland Park high schools and grade
schools, warehouses, department stores, apartment
houses, railroad terminals and hydro electric development
work. Special mention should be made of the harbor and
Vol. rv— ei

terminal work of the Magnolia Warehouse Company at
Harrisburg, Texas, on the Houston ship canal, aggregating
nearly five hundred thousand square feet of floor space;
also cotton warehouses of the Anderson-Clayton interests
at Houston, Texas, with a building one hundred and
twenty-five by twenty-five hundred feet, and equipped
with automatic transfer for handling baled cotton in
and out of the warehouse. Port terminal work for the
Southern Pacific Railroad at Galveston, Texas, including
a warehouse and a wharf, one hundred by one thousand
feet, is also worthy of note.
In 1906 Mr. Adams was married to Miss Florence A.
Gossard of Tinney, Ohio, and they have become parents
of six children: Helen Canfield, Robert Pardee, William
Gossard, Richard Wentworth, Alice Dart and Eleanor
Howe. The family residence is in Highland Park,
Detroit. Mr. Adams is a member of the Detroit Board
of Commerce, the Detroit Exchange Club, the American
Society of Civil Engineers and the Detroit Engineering
Society. He is actively interested in the Methodist
Episcopal church. His political opinions are in accord
with the principals of the republican party, but while his
interests and activities are varied, his attention has been
most largely concentrated upon his professional interests
and public duties in which engineering projects and
problems are involved. He is now closely concerned with
many of the movements which are looking to the develop
ment of natural resources of the country in the matter of
harbors and waterways, and his labors along these lines
are proving of immeasurable benefit.
ARTHUR P. HICKS, a practicing attorney of Detroit,
member of the law firm of Walters & Hicks, was born at
Rome, Lenawee county, Michigan, September 3, 1876,
and is a son of Roswell H. and Sarah A. (Smith) Hicks.
His father was a native of New York, while the mother's
birth occurred in England. The former was brought to
Michigan by his parents in 1836, when but two years of
age, and the old homestead where the family located is
still in possession of Arthur P. Hicks of this review. The
father always followed the occupation of farming, living
a quiet and uneventful but most useful life.
Arthur P. Hicks pursued his early education in the
district schools near his father's farm and also attended
sehool at Springport, Michigan, in 1894. He next
entered Adrian College, in which he was a student from
1895 until 1898, and in 1901 he gained the Bachelor of
Arts degree from the University of Michigan. He then
remained as a law student in the State University until
the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him in 1903. The
same year he was admitted to the bar and has since en
gaged in the practice of law. During his college days he
taught for one year in the district schools.
Opening a law office in Hudson, Michigan, Mr. Hicks
there engaged in practice for two years and in 1906 became
assistant attorney general of the state, occupying the
office until 1911. He was also city attorney of Hudson
for one year. With his removal to Detroit in 1911 he
entered into partnership with Henry C. Walters, one of

962

CITY OF DETROIT

the distinguished attorneys of the city, and they have
since speciafized in insurance law, having a very extensive
and important practice of this character. Mr. Hicks
belongs to the Detroit, Michigan State and American
Bar Associations and is now chairman of the executive
committee of the state association.
On the 12th of October, 1896, Mr. Hicks was married
to Miss Octa N. Curtis, of Rome, Michigan. He is a
Baptist in religious faith and his political allegiance is
always given to the republican party. He is prominently
known in fraternal and club circles, belonging to Lansing
Lodge, F. & A. M.; Highland Park Chapter, R. A. M.;
Lansing Council, R. & S. M.; Michigan Sovereign Con
sistory, S. P. R. S.; and the Mystic Shrine. He is a mem
ber of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon and of the Diomedian
Club, which is the alumni association of that fraternity.
He belongs to the Lawyers Club, the Brooklands Golf
and Country Club, the Detroit Automobile Club and the
Wilderness Club and is also identified with the Detroit
Board of Commerce. He is interested in all that has to
do with public progress and improvement and his co
operation has been a resultant factor in the promotion of
various interests for the public good.
PETER HARBINE ZACHARIAS. After many
years devoted to the coal trade in Detroit Peter H.
Zacharias retired from business and his remaining
days were spent in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
Death called him, however, November 4, 1919, at his
home, 170 Virginia Park, when he was in his seventy-
second year. He was a native son of Michigan, his
birth having occurred at Erie, Monroe county, on the
6th of May, 1847, his parents being Mr. and Mrs.
Peter A. Zacharias, who had seven sons, three of whom
were soldiers of the Civil war. Two daughters of this
family are still living: Mrs. W. P. Corbett and Mrs.
Lucy A. Mason, both residents of Detroit.
The youthful days of Peter Harbine Zacharias were
spent under the parental roof in Monroe county and
there he pursued a public sehool education, passing
through consecutive grades to the high school. In
1877 he went to California, where he remained for
several years and then returned to the middle west,
locating in Toledo, Ohio, there conducting a whole
sale and retail coal business. While thus engaged
he became interested in coal mines in southern Ohio
and his business brought him frequently to Detroit,
so that he came to recognize the better field of opera
tions afforded in this city. This determined him to
return to Michigan and he established his residence
in Detroit, where he resided until called to his final
rest. In the early period of his connection with the
city he purchased many unimproved lots and afterward
sold the property at the corner of Twentieth and
Michigan avenues to the Michigan Central Railroad
and the railroad company disposed of it to the firm
of Parker & Webb. He was for tweny years identified
with the coal trade in Detroit, developing the business
to extensive proportions, having the largest coal yards
in the city equipped with modern appliances. He was

at the time also maintaining a downtown office in the
McGraw building. In all business affairs he was
thoroughly reliable and progressive and his carefully
managed affairs brought to him a gratifying measure
of prosperity.
In Toledo, Ohio, on the 26th of June, 1872, Mr.
Zacharias was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth
E. Tillott, a daughter of William H. Tillott, a native
of England, in which country the birth of Mrs. Zach
arias also occurred. To this marriage were born two
sons: Allen H., whose birth occurred February 12,
1875, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and who is now one
of the prominent business men of Lima, Ohio, being
assistant to the president of the Garford Motor Truck
Company. He wedded Gertrude Wiley, a daughter of
Jefferson Wiley, in June, 1898; Frederick T., the
younger, was born December 4, 1878, in California,
and died September 4, 1896.
Mr. Zacharias was of the Presbyterian faith and
at one time served as a trustee of the Trumbull Avenue
Presbyterian church, while later he became a member
of the Woodward Avenue church, his association there
with continuing to the time of his demise. He did
everything in his power to promote the growth of the
church and extend its influence and his life was ever
governed by its high principles. In polities he was
a republican, but never an aspirant for office. He
was well known in Masonic circles as a member of
Kilwinning Lodge, F. & A. M.; King Cyrus Chapter,
R. A. M.; Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; and the
Mystic Shrine. He was also active in organizing
the Detroit Coal Exchange and served as president
of that body for many years. His carefully directed
business affairs enabled him to leave his family in
comfortable financial circumstances and Mrs. Zach
arias is now the owner of a number of fine residential
properties in Detroit, from which she derives a grat
ifying annual income, enabling her to enjoy all of
the comforts of life and many of its luxuries. She,
too, is highly esteemed in Detroit, where her circle
of friends is an extensive one.
ELMORE R. DUNLAP, who has largely specialized
in designs for buildings for industrial and commercial
purposes, enjoying an extensive patronage since starting
in business independently in 1910, was born in Pontiac,
Michigan, April 8, 1873, his parents being Harper and
Julia (Button) Dunlap. He was a student in the Univer
sity of Michigan and also in the University of Hlinois,
his college training thoroughly qualifying him for large
responsibilities in the business world. He early de
termined upon architecture as a profession and gave his
attention thereto at Pontiac, Michigan, from 1895 until
1899. In the latter year he removed to Detroit and was
principally connected with Albert Kahn, one of the leading
architects of the city, prior to entering upon business on
his own account in 1910. Through the intervening
decade he has been accorded a liberal patronage and he
has done important work in connection with the designing

PETER H. ZACHARIAS

CITY OF DETROIT

965

of leading industrial and commercial buildings, notable
examples of his work being the buildings of the Michigan
Farm Colony for Epileptics at Walyainega, Michigan;
Beyers Memorial Hospital at Ypsilanti, Michigan;
buildings of the Hupp Motor Car Company and of the
Hyatt Roller Bearing Company at Detroit.
In 1897 Mr. Dunlap was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Lucile Robbins, of Pontiac, and they have become
parents of two daughters and a son: Winona, Laverna
and Harper. The elder daughter is now the wife of
Mark Ayers, of Detroit, and the mother of one daughter
Barbara. Mr. Dunlap' s mother is also a- member of his
household, his father having passed away.
Mr. Dunlap has membership with the Knights of the
Maccabees, the Michigan Architectural Society, the
Architects Club, the Masonic fraternity, the Masonic
Country Club, the University of Michigan Alumni
Association and the University of Illinois Alumni Asso
ciation. DANIEL T. CROWLEY. The old Greek sage,
Epicharmus, admonished his followers, "Earn thy
reward: the gods give naught to sloth." The truth of
this admonition has been verified through all the ages
which have run their course since that day. Enterprise
and intelligently directed effort are the basic elements
which today constitute the foundation upon which success
is built, just as they were centuries ago, and a recognition
of this fact has led to the close application and inde
fatigable energy which Daniel T. Crowley has always
displayed since starting out upon his business career.
He is a representative of one of the old families of Detroit,
bis parents being Cornelius and Catherine (Brosnan)
Crowley. He was born March 13, 1864, and pursued his
education in the public schools of bis native city. He
started out in the business world as bookkeeper with the
firm of James K. Burnham & Company, wholesale dealers
in dry goods, entering upon a six years' connection with
that house in 1880. In 1886 he entered the employ of
the Peninsular Stove Company and through the inter
vening period, covering more than a third of a century,
he has remained an active factor in the successful conduct
and in later years in the management of the business.
From his initial position he was advanced to that of
cashier, was afterward made auditor and director of the
company, so continuing from 1896 until 1911, when he
became secretary, and in 1920 he was made vice president
and general manager, thus occupying a position
of executive control in connection with one of the im
portant business interests of the city. He is also vice-
president of the firm of Crowley Brothers, wholesale dry
goods merchants, and a director of the Crowley-Milner
Company, conducting an extensive retail department
store. In 1894, in Detroit, Mr. Crowley was united in marriage
to Miss Mary E. Dwyer and they have one daughter,
Marion. The religious faith of the family is that of the
Catholic church and Mr. Crowley is a member of the
Knights of Columbus. His appreciation for the social
amenities of fife and the line of his recreation is indicated

in the fact that he has membership in the Detroit, the
Country, the Curling, the Automobile and the Lochmoor
Clubs. A lifelong resident of this city, he has a very
wide acquaintance here, the sterling worth of his character
gaining him the unqualified regard of his colleagues and
contemporaries in business and of all with whom he has
come in contact in other relations of life.
WILLIAM CORNELIUS CROWLEY. In the whole
sale district of Detroit stands the large dry goods estab
lishment of Crowley Brothers, of which William Cornelius
Crowley is secretary and treasurer — another proof of the
fact that "an institution is but the lengthened shadow
of a man," for this business is the crystallized effort and
enterprise of William C. Crowley and his brothers, who
since 1902 have conducted a growing and profitable
business as wholesale dealers in dry goods, notions and
furnishing goods. Born in Detroit on the 8th of Feb
ruary, 1869, William C. Crowley is a son of Cornelius
and Catherine (Brosnan) Crowley. He supplemented
his early educational advantages by a course of study in
the University of Detroit and in 1887 started out upon
his business career as a clerk in the employ of J. K.
Burnham & Company, proprietors of a wholesale dry
goods house. From that point he has steadily advanced.
He made it his purpose to thoroughly master every task
assigned him and to gain from each well performed duty
and experience the lesson therein contained. Step by
step he has progressed and since 1902 he has been the
secretary of the firm of Crowley Brothers, conducting an
extensive wholesale business as dealers in dry goods,
notions and furnishing goods. From the beginning the
firm has recognized the fact that satisfied customers are
the best advertisement and they have put forth every
effort to please their patrons, while the integrity and
soundness of their business methods is acknowledged by
all who have had dealings with them. Aside from this
interest William C. Crowley is secretary and a director
of the Crowley-Milner Company, proprietors of a de
partment store.
On the 22d of May, 1907, Mr. Crowley entered upon
a happy home life through his marriage to Miss Elizabeth
Sullivan Freeman, of Detroit, and they have three chil
dren: Eleanor, Betty and Catherine. The family are
communicants of the Roman Catholic church and Mr.
Crowley belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the
Knights of Equity. He is likewise a member of the
Detroit Board of Commerce and he belongs to the Detroit
Athletic Club, the Detroit Club, the Lochmoor Club,
the Country Club, the Detroit Curling Club, the Players
Club and the Bloomfield Hunt Club. He finds recre
ation in yachting, golf and baseball and he spends the
winter seasons with his family at Palm Beach, Florida.
While he started out in the business world in a humble
clerkship, he is today at the head of one of the important
commercial enterprises of Detroit. The methods which
he has pursued in the attainment of this position are
such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny,
for there is not a single esoteric phase in his career. By

966

CITY OF DETROIT

close application, persistent effort and indefatigable.
energy he has advanced step by step until he has now
reached a height that gives him a commanding outlook
over the commercial world.
LEWIS N. VALPEY. In the year 1884 Lewis N.
Valpey came to Detroit from New Brunswick, Canada,
and throughout the intervening period to the time of
his death thirty years later, he was a resident of this
city. He advanced steadily to a position of leader
ship in mercantile and real estate circles and con
trolled considerable valuable property here. He was
born in Lynn, Massachusetts, July 6, 1854, a son of
Joseph H. and Abbie Fielding (Lewis) Valpey. The
father was a native of Massachusetts and later moved
to St. John, New Brunswick, where he was exten
sively engaged in the manufacture of shoes. His death
occurred in 1910, in Detroit, to which city he had re
moved in 1882 and where he engaged in the retail
shoe business for a number of years. His wife sur
vived until 1912. Lewis N. Valpey was six years of
age when the family made St. John, New Brunswick,
their home, and it was in the schools of that eity that
he acquired his education. In his youthful days he
became associated with his father in the shoe busi
ness. He afterward established business on his own
account in the same line and continued as a shoe
merchant of Detroit from 1884 — the date of his arrival
in this eity — until 1902. In the latter year he turned
his attention to the real estate business and had charge
of and managed several prominent buildings which he
leased, among them were the Valpey building and
the Woodward Arcade, the latter being one of the
first buildings for small retail shops in Detroit. His
real estate activities were of an important character
and he continued aetive in that field of business, win
ning substantial success, until his demise.
In the year 1877 Mr. Valpey was married in St.
John, New Brunswick, to Miss Ella Gerow of that
city, a daughter of Stephen and Mary (Humbert)
Gerow. To Mr. and Mrs. Valpey was born one child,
Edna Gertrude, who is at home with her mother,
their residence being at No. 50 Edison avenue, whieh
home Mr. Valpey built. Mr. Valpey belonged to the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he was for
many years an active member of the Woodward Ave
nue Baptist church. For a good many years he was
closely connected with the Bible school, in which he
held various offices from time to time. He took a
most aetive and helpful interest in various lines of
Christian work, especially the Young Men's Christian
Association and the Wayne County Sunday Sehool As
sociation. He was a lover and owner of fine horses
and belonged to the Detroit Riding Club, Rushmere
Club, and the Bloomfield Hills Golf Club, obtaining
his recreation largely in this way. In 1903 Mr. Valpey
made an extended trip to Central America, traveling
across Honduras by mule back from the coast to the
capital city — Tegucigalpa — and back, a distance of

one hundred and seventy-seven miles each way, over
the roughest mountain country; and here he lived
under most primitive conditions in order to get in
touch with the people of the country. The interests
and activities of his life were well balanced and his
progressive spirit was manifest in all that he under
took. While for many years he successfully con
ducted commercial interests, he later recognized the
possibilities in the real estate field and so directed
his efforts along that line that success in substantial
measure became his. His high ideals were carried out
in his business life and many times he refused sub
stantial financial gain for the sake of principle. More
over, he won the respect and goodwill of all by
reason of his friendly spirit and the fact that his
business methods would at all times bear the closest
investigation and scrutiny.
ROBERT McFATE is well known in business circles
of Detroit as a member of the Southwick-Pom-McFate
Company, successful building contractors of this city.
He is thoroughly familiar with the business in which he
is engaged, having devoted bis entire life to this fine of
activity. He was born in St. Catherines, in the province
of Ontario, Canada, a son of Robert and Margaret
Catherine (Kilman) McFate. The father was an Amer
ican citizen and a stanch defender of the Union cause
during the Civil war, serving as a lieutenant of the Third
Iowa Battery, and following the war he engaged in the
lumber business.
In the schools of Canada, Robert McFate acquired his
education and when twenty years of age he came to'
Detroit, where he became identified with the contracting
business as an employe of the Vinton Company, which
was established by Warren G. Vinton, one of the largest
construction contractors in the city. He joined that
company on the 3d of August, 1891, working at first in
the lumber-yard, and through determined effort and the
faithful performance of every task assigned him he won
promotion from one position to another of greater im
portance and responsibility until he became general
manager and treasurer, while subsequently he was made
vice president, remaining with the company until the
business was discontinued in 1916. His identification
with that firm covered a period of twenty-seven years
and in 1918 he joined the Soutbwick-Pom Company, at
which time the present style of the Southwick-Pom-
McFate Company was assumed. They specialize in
interior finishing and are equipped to handle large jobs.
In the execution of contracts they adhere to the spirit as
well as the letter of the agreement and the superior
quality of their work, combined with their reliable and
progressive business methods, has secured for them
an extensive patronage. Examples of their handiwork
are to be seen in many of Detroit's finest edifices, among
which may be mentioned the interior woodwork of the
Orpheum Theatre and the Cadillac Service buildings,
both of which are in walnut; and the interior finishing in
the Detroit Savings Bank and United Savings Bank

LEWIS N. VALPEY

CITY OF DETROIT

969

buildings and the Nurses Home maintained in connection
with Harper Hospital. Mr. McFate'sbroad experience in the
contracting business has been a valuable asset in pro
moting the success of the company and the members of
the firm are enterprising, progressive and capable business
men who rank with the leading contractors of the city.
On the 15th of March, 1906, Mr. McFate was united in
marriage to Miss Maude Mary Todd and they enjoy a
wide acquaintance in Detroit. He is a valued member
of the Board of Commerce, actively supporting its plans
and projects for the welfare and development of the city,
and he is also connected with the Young Men's Christian
Association. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic
Club, the Detroit Yacht Club and the Birch Hill Country
Club and fraternally is identified with the Masons,
belonging to Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M.; to Michigan
Sovereign Consistory, A. & A. S. R., in which he has
attained the thirty-second degree; and to Moslem Temple
of the Mystic Shrine. His business record is one of
continuous advancement. Early in his career he realized
that one must be willing to pay the price of success,
which is only gained at the cost of earnest, self-denying
effort. He has ever directed his interests by the rules
which govern strict integrity and unfaltering industry and
he stands today among the foremost business men of
Detroit, honored and respected by all who know him.
FREDERICK NEAL, president of the Central Ice &
Fuel Company, was born in Bay City, Michigan, October
25, 1859, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Owens)
Neal, who were natives of England and of Wales, re
spectively. They went to Canada in early fife and thence
removed to Lexington, Michigan, where they resided for
about seven years and then became residents of Bay
City, Michigan. The father was always a prosperous
and energetic farmer and he died at Bay City in 1893,
having for ten years survived his wife, who passed away
in 1883. In their family were five children; Mrs. Navinia
Coon of Chicago, Illinois; Joseph, living in Michigan;
Godfrey of Bay City; John, who also makes his home
in Bay City; and Frederick.
The last named acquired his education in the graded
schools of Bay City but at an early age went to work in
connection with the lumber trade, and so well did he
perform his tasks that his services were sought by a
lumberman of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He joined
the firm of George W. Kagler & Company, lumbermen
and mill owners, remaining a faithful and trusted employe
of that concern for eighteen years. He then decided to
engage in business on his own account and at the earnest
solicitation of bis eldest son removed from Philadelphia
to Detroit in 1915. Here he entered the ice and fuel
business under the name of the Central- Ice & Fuel
Company, of which he has since been president. In
later years, however, he has disposed of the ice business
owing to failing health, his family physician advising him
to give up that branch. He is still engaged in the coal
and fuel trade, however, and has built up a large business,
his extensive patronage making this a profitable concern.

In May, 1882, in Bay City, Mr. Neal was married to
Miss Esther M. Peck, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester
Peck. They have become parents of five children. Mrs.
Effie Peer, born in Bay City, Michigan, was educated
there and in Philadelphia and now resides in Detroit.
She has one child, Lillian Peer. Ralph B., who was born
in Bay City and is now secretary and treasurer of the
Monarch Coal Company of Detroit, married Miss Anna
McCutcheon of Philadelphia and they have one child,
Robert. Mrs. Libbie Hoffman, the next of the family,
was born in Bay City and there began her education but
continued her studies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
where she now makes her home. Mrs. Jessie H. Tusson,
born in Bay City and educated there and in Philadelphia,
has one child, Helen Tusson. Norman W. Neal, born in
Bay City, is now in business with his father. He married
Miss Viola Viger of Detroit and during the World war he
enlisted with a Michigan company in the transport
division. Mr. Neal belongs to the Ancient Order of Foresters and
he is also a member of the Baptist church. His business
career has been one of steady and orderly progression.
At the outset he recognized the fact that industry, per
severance, determination and faithfulness are the most
potent forces in the attainment of success, and cultivating
these qualities throughout his entire life, he has con
tinuously worked his way upward and is today at the
head of a large and profitable business.
EDWARD J. BOOTH, one of the widely known insur
ance men of the middle west, now vice president of the
Michigan Fire & Marine Insurance Company of Detroit,
was born at Enfield, Connecticut, April 9, 1864, a son of
John R. and Julia (Heath) Booth, both of whom were
natives of Connecticut, where their ancestors had lived
through several generations. In fact representatives of
the Booth family had come to. Connecticut at an early
period in the colonization of the state, acquiring property
there in 1689. The farm thus secured and other property
owned in the ancestral line is still in possession of Edward
J. Booth and other members of the family. The father,
John R. Booth, was a farmer, who was reared and educated
in his native state, was there married and made his home,
his last days being passed in Enfield, where his death
occurred in 1886. His widow long survived him and died
in Enfield in 1912. In their family were six children,
three of whom are yet living: Charles F., who is a prac
ticing physician of New York city; Mrs. G. B. Disbrow,
of White Plains, New York; and Edward J., who was the
fourth in order of birth.
The last named obtained a grammar school education
in his native town and attended high school at Hartford,
Connecticut. At the age of seventeen he came to De
troit, where he entered into the fire and marine insurance
business as a representative of the Michigan Fire &
Marine Company, of which he is now the vice president.
From office boy he has worked his way steadily upward
through the various departments of a business that is
now one of mammoth proportions and he is today unques-

970

CITY OF DETROIT

tionably one of the best informed men on this class of
risks handled in Detroit, He has kept abreast of the
times and has continued to inform himself concerning any
change in methods or any change in laws relative to the
insurance business. His position as one of the executive
officers places him in control of important interests and
he has contributed much to the steady growth of the
corporation. On the 9th of April, 1890, Edward J. Booth was mar
ried to Miss Jessie Crawford, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Ajadrew Crawford, of a prominent Detroit family. They
have one son, E. Bartlett, who was born in Detroit,
December, 1897, and who is a graduate of- the Detroit
high school.. He is now attending the University of
Michigan at Ann Arbor. He enlisted during the World
war with the United States Marines as a private and
following his discharge again became a student in the
university, where he is now pursuing his course.
In his political views Mr. Booth is a republican. He
belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, to the Detroit Boat
Club and to the Board of Commerce, being concerned in
all that is a matter of vital interest to the community.
He belongs to the Episcopal church and wherever known
he is spoken of in terms of highest regard by reason of
what he has accomplished in business and by reason of
character development.
RALPH SPENCER, president of the Dresden Brick
Company of Detroit, was born on a farm in Muskingum
township, Muskingum county, near Dresden, Ohio, on
the 24th of November, 1864, and is a representative
of one of the old families of Pennsylvania, his great-.
grandfather being Wiseman Spencer, who spent his en
tire life in the Keystone state. He was the father of
Wilson Spencer, who was bom in Pennsylvania but
became a pioneer resident of Ohio. He in turn was
the father of John Spencer, whose birth occurred in
1837 on the same farm near Dresden on which his
son, Ralph Spencer, was born. There John Spencer
was reared to manhood and wedded Virginia Frazier,
who passed away in the year 1910. For many years
John Spencer was actively identified with agricultural
interests in Ohio and occupied the old homestead,
where he lived retired during the latter years of his
life and there passed away on April 23, 1920, aged
eighty-two years.
At the usual age Ralph Spencer beeame a pupil in
the country schools of Muskingum county, Ohio, and
afterward attended the public sehools at Frazeysburg
in the same county. Still later he became a student
in a commercial college at Columbus, Ohio, from whieh
he was graduated with the class of 1887. Returning
to Frazeysburg he beeame interested in the manufac
ture of brick and So continued for two years, at the
end of which time he disposed of his business there
and again beeame a resident of Dresden, Ohio, where
he built a brick manufacturing plant, devoting his
attention to its conduct for a period of five years,
when he disposed of the business and began the work

of constructing brick plants, being interested in this
enterprise for four years, or until 1901. He then
went on the road as a traveling salesman out of
Cleveland, handling brick as a jobber for a number
of years, when he established his home in Detroit,
Michigan, and became a salesman of brick machinery.
Actuated by the laudable ambition of engaging in
business on his own account, in 1909 he organized the
Dresden Brick Company, of whieh for a number .of
years he acted as secretary and treasurer. The com
pany was incorporated in 1912 and he is now president.
Thi3 has developed into one of the important busi
ness concerns of the city, having an extensive pat
ronage and the success of the undertaking is attribut
able in large measure to the efforts ef Mr. Spencer,
whose thorough .kuowledge of every phase of the
brick business has' been gleaned from an experience
dating from 1888.
At Frazeysburg, Ohio, on the 23d of May, 1888,
Mr. Spencer was united in marriage to Miss Sallie
F. Mendenhall, who passed away in 1914, leaving a
little daughter, Hazel, who died in infancy. On
May 8th, 1919, Mr. "Spencer was married in Detroit
to Miss Inez Lynd, a daughter of William -Lynd of
Detroit. Mr. Spencer belongs to the Exchange Club and the
Ohio Club. - He is also connected with the Detroit
Board of Commerce and the Builders' and Traders'
Exchange, and has been a member of the Detroit
Automobile Club since its organization. In religion
he is of the Prebyterian faith and is now serving as
an elder of the First Presbyterian church. His po
litical endorsement is given to the republican party,
but he belongs .to that class whose patriotism tran
scends all partisanship in an hour of crisis. He is
a member of the American Protective League and
through the period of the war has been most active
in connection with Red Cross and Young Men's Chris
tian Association work.
FREDERICK G. ELL, a progressive, energetic and
capable young business man of Detroit, is rapidly coming
to the front in real estate circles of the, city, displaying
mature judgment, - foresight and determination in the
management of his interests. He was born in Wilkes-
Barre, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1894, and is a son
of Charles 'and Christina' (Lind) Ell, the latter also a
native of the Keystone state, while the former is of foreign
birth. When but five years of age the father was brought
to the United States by his parents, who settled in Penn
sylvania, where he was reared and educated. Subse
quently he devoted his attention to learning the carpenter's
trade, which he has since followed successfully in Wilkes-
Barre. In that city his marriage occurred and eight chil
dren were born but two of the family have passed away,
those who survive being: Mrs. Helen Buckley, Mary,
Esther, Harry, Carl and Frederick G.
In the acquirement of an education Frederick G. Ell
attended the public and parochial schools of Wilkes-Barre,

RALPH SPENCER

CITY OF DETROIT

973

after which he served an apprenticeship to the trade of a
plumber and steamfitter. Upon receiving his release
papers he came to Detroit, arriving in this city in 1911,
and for some time he continued to follow his trade as
a journeyman Through economy and industry he
accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to engage
in business on his own account and was building up a good
trade when the entrance of the United States into the
World war caused him to abandon all personal considera
tions and on the 14th of June, 1918, he enlisted for service
in the navy. He was one of the first recruits to leave
Detroit and owing to his technical ability he was assigned
to duty as a steamfitter on one of the Eagle submarine
chasers. The vessel on which he left Detroit proceeded
as far as Quebec, Canada, where it was frozen in the ice,
and Mr. Ell was then sent to Boston, Massachusetts,
where he was stationed until his discharge on the 6th of
February, 1919. Upon returning to Detroit he opened
a confectionery store on Kercheval avenue, which he con
ducted successfully until the early part of 1920, when he
entered the real estate field, in which he has since con
tinued and is rapidly building up a good business. He is
well informed concerning property values in Detroit and
has already negotiated many important realty transfers,
his enterprising methods, close application and strict
integrity being the chief factors in the development of his
business, while his labors are also directly benefiting the
city., On the 14th of August, 1916, Mr. Ell was united in
marriage to Miss Edith Hilton, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
William Hilton, well known residents of this city. In his
political views Mr. Ell is a republican and he is a faithful
communicant of the Catholic church, being also a member
of the Knights of Columbus, in which he has taken the
third degree. He is likewise identified with the Detroit
Plumbers Union, the Southeastern Real Estate Associa
tion, the Detroit Real Estate Brokers Association, and the
Kercheval Commercial Club, of which he is serving as
secretary. He is a young man of high principles and sub
stantial qualities, progressive and reliable in business,
loyal and public-spirited in citizenship and at all times
displays a devotion to the duties that devolve upon him.
WARNER R. THOMPSON. Various commercial
enterprises have profited by the business acumen, enter
prise and executive ability of Warner R. Thompson, who
is well known in industrial circles of Detroit as a dealer
in fire clay, moulders' sand, coke and foundry materials.
He established this business in 1911 and in the intervening
period of ten years has succeeded in building up a large
trade as the result of his progressive methods and close
application. He was born in Ecorse, a suburb of Detroit,
July 29, 1864, and is a son of Charles M. and Margaret
A. (Weir) Thompson, the former a native of Detroit,
while the latter was born in Dearborn, Michigan. The
paternal grandfather was well known in political circles
of this section of the state, serving for many years as
sheriff of Wayne county and performing the duties of that
office fearlessly and efficiently. In Wayne county the

parents of Warner R. Thompson were reared, educated
and married, and subsequently they took up their abode
in Detroit, where the father became the first paid fireman
on the pay roll of the city. He joined the department in
1881 and continued to act as fireman until his retirement.
He passed away in Detroit in 1914, while the mother's
demise occurred in 1917.
Warner R. Thompson, the eldest in a family of eight
children, was a pupil in the graded schools of Detroit and
the Central high school, and following his graduation
entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph
Company as a messenger boy. Subsequently he became
identified with the Lake Shore Railroad Company, and,
faithfully performing every task assigned him, he at length
rose to the position of yardmaster in the Detroit division,
being the youngest man ever employed by the company to
fill that position. For eight years he remained with that
road and then became connected with the A. A. Parker
Coal Company, being placed in charge of their first branch
office. He remained with that corporation for a period
of twenty-two years and was regarded as one of their most
valuable and faithful employes, resigning in 1911 to enter
business circles on his own account as a dealer in moulders'
sand, fire clay, coke and foundry materials. His untiring
energy, honorable and straightforward business methods
and sound judgment have enabled him to build up an
enterprise of large proportions and he is also a director
and vice president of the Monarch Foundry Company of
Detroit, president of the Gordon Sand Company of Ohio
and vice president of the Great Lakes Stone & Lime Com
pany of Alpena, Michigan. His interests are thus
extensive and important, showing him to be a most capable
business man whose plans are carefully formulated and
promptly executed.
At Port Huron, Michigan, in 1886, Mr. Thompson was
united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Miller, a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Miller, prominent residents of
that place. Mrs. Thompson passed away on the 20th of
April, 1920, leaving a son, W. Edward Thompson, who
was born at Port Huron on the 24th of September, 1887.
He was educated in the public and high schools of Detroit
and is now in business with his father. He married Miss
Christine Bauman, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob
Bauman, well known residents of Detroit, and they have
become the parents of two daughters: Lillian, who was
born in 1915; and Bettie, whose birth occurred in 1917.
Mr. Thompson is a faithful and consistent member of
Grace Episcopal church, and his interest in the welfare
and progress of his city is indicated by his membership
in the Board of Commerce, whose plans and projects for
the expansion of the trade relations of Detroit receive his
hearty support. He is well known in social circles of the
city as a member of the Noontide, Exchange, Oakland
Hills Country and Detroit Automobile Clubs and fra
ternally is identified with the Masons, belonging to Detroit
Commandery, K. T., in which he has been active, being
sent as a delegate to the national assembly at Denver and
participating in the prize drill of his company. He be
longs to the York and Scottish Rites, in which he has

974

CITY OF DETROIT

attained the thirty-second degree, and he is also a member
of the Masonic Country Club. Mr. Thompson is a self-
made man, deserving all the praise which the term
implies, for he started out in life empty-handed and has
steadily worked his way upward, placing his dependence
upon the substantial qualities of industry, perseverance
and integrity. He now ranks with the leading business
men of Detroit and the most envious cannot grudge him
his success, so worthily has it been won, so well used.
ERNEST N. PAPPAS is one of the most note
worthy men in Detroit, or in America, for that matter,
not only because of his natural talents and the posi
tion to which he has raised himself as a lawyer, but
even more because he is a model after which all
Europeans coming to America might well pattern
themselves. He was born at Velvendos, Greece, near
the famed Pierian spring, whieh the English poet,
Pope, immortalized in his verse:
"A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the waters from the
Pierian spring. ' '
Ernest N. Pappas was born March 4, 1886, and
came to America, December 2, 1903. In Greece- he
received the rudiments of his early education. His
father died when he was only nine months old and
his mother worked in the field for what would be the
equivalent of four cents a day in American money,
to give him an education. At the age of eleven he
started out to make his own way in the world. All
by himself he set out for Athens, where he took a
position as servant, and with the money so earned
completed the Greek high school course.
In America Mr. Pappas continued his studies at
night schools in St. Louis, Missouri, in which city he
worked for some time as a machinist. There also he
became interpreter for the United States immigration
department and filled that responsible position for
four years. He was peculiarly fitted for that service
because he speaks Roumanian, French, Italian and
Turkish, as well as English, and consequently was
very helpful to the department. In three months after
landing in the United States he had become proficient
in English and subsequently he was a teacher in night
schools in Cleveland, Ohio, and also in the Brownell
Sehool of that city.
Always a student, Mr. Pappas kept up his own
studies, working toward a legal education, and when
in St. Louis studied in the law offices of Stein &
Wulff. He was admitted to practice in the courts of
Kentucky, June 15, 1916, then took the examination
in Miehigan on October 23, 1917, and was admitted to
the bar of this state. The following year, in 1918,
he passed the bar examination in Ohio and was ad
mitted to practice in the courts of that state. He
has been actively engaged in 'the practice of his pro
fession in Detroit since 1917 and has built up a sub
stantial clientele and a high reputation, both as an
advocate and counselor.
When he came to the United States, Mr, Pappas at

once began to inhale and assimilate Americanism,
even as he breathed the air, and when this country
entered the World war there was no more patriotic
man than he. He put his whole heart into any work
he could find to do and exerted all his influence to
induce Greeks to enlist. He was a notable Four-Minute
speaker, delivering two hundred and fifteen speeches
during the war, and he was a member of the legal
advisory board, working every night in the municipal
court. He was also a member of the registration board
and to his efforts was due one of the greatest demon
strations in Detroit to promote enlistments. He re
quested the authorities to send all the Greek soldiers
at Camp Custer to Detroit to join in a great mass-
meeting to inspire enlistments. This was done by
order of Governor Sleeper. In this connection a meet
ing was held at the Statler hotel, more than one
thousand people being present, and Mr. Pappas was
made chairman of the meeting, which resulted in the
enlistment of about two hundred Greeks during the
following week. He received speeial recognition, for
his war-time work in a letter from Mr. Campbell,
secretary of the Liberty Loan compaign committee,
and his correspondence with Washington during those
strenuous days was rich in patriotic sentiment. His
letters were not only fired with patriotic zeal, but
gave evidence of a broad and statesman-like vision.
While residing in Cleveland, Mr. Pappas was a rep
resentative of the Greek colony there from 1912 until
1915, and he is vice president of the Greek colony in
Detroit. He is now endeavoring to form a club for
the general welfare of Greeks and to give adequate
protection to Greek soldiers. His work for his brother
Greeks and his sterling Americanism have attracted
the attention of leading men in America, and one
mark of their appreciation was the naming of Mr.
Pappas by Newton D. Baker, secretary of war, as a
member of the committee which welcomed Ambassador
Myron T. Herrick on his return to America. In 1913
he was a member of the Perry Centennial Commission
in Ohio. He is constantly striving to aid the Greeks
in every way, and a most laudable project which he
now has in view is the presentation of a library of
six hundred volumes to his native city of Velvendos.
In 1913 Mr. Pappas married, in New York city,
Iphigenia Maktos, daughter of a Greek professor who
was dean of a college in Greece for thirty-two years.
Mrs. Pappas is a poetess and among her writings are,
"The Greek-Turkish War" and "The Greek-Bulga
rian War, 1912," both written in poetry. Mr. and
Mrs. Pappas have three children, namely: Platcnia,
Plato and Anna.
DR. THOMAS F. KEATING, who in the practice of
his profession has specialized on the treatment of diseases
of the eye, ear, nose and throat, has studied so closely
and comprehensively along this line that he has become
a recognized authority and has done splendid work for
his patients, who are constantly increasing in number,

ERNEST N. PAPPAS

CITY OF DETROIT

977

while the character of his practice has constantly grown
in importance. Dr. Keating comes to the Mississippi
valley from New England, his birth having occurred in
South Manchester, Connecticut, August 11, 1882, his
parents being Timothy and Mary (Toomey) Keating.
The father is a native of Ireland and came to America
with his parents in early boyhood. The mother was born
in Wales and was quite a young maiden when her parents
with their family left that little rock-ribbed country to
seek the opportunities and advantages offered in the new
world. The Toomey family also settled in Connecticut
and both the father and mother of Dr. Keating" were reared
in that state. There their marriage was celebrated and
they have since continued to reside in Connecticut,
where the father is well known as a prosperous and suc
cessful merchant of Manchester, and both he and his wife
enjoy the warm regard of many friends in that town.
Their family numbered eight children, three of whom are
yet living, these being: Mrs. Edgar Martin, of New
York city; Mazie, residing in Manchester, Connecticut;
and Thomas F.
In the graded and high schools of Manchester, Con
necticut, Dr. Keating pursued his studies until he had com
pleted bis course there and in the meantime he was
mentally reviewing the business situation, with the pos
sibilities offered along commercial, industrial and profes
sional lines. His review led him to. the determination
to enter the medical profession and to this end he matricu
lated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Balti
more, Maryland, being there graduated with the M. D.
degree in 1910. He began practice at Grafton, West
Virginia, and after a short time there he became attached
to the United States Health Service — a government
appointment. Through the succeeding five years he
traveled extensively in the discharge of his official duties,
visiting Alaska, Japan, China and the Philippine Islands
besides various parts of the United States. In 1917 he
severed his connection with the government and after
resigning entered the Manhattan Eye, Ear, Nose and
Throat Hospital of New York city as house physician
and surgeon. There he remained until October, 1920,
when he came to Detroit, taking this step against the
advice of many of bis friends.
Dr. Keating was unacquainted in this city when he
sought a location here, but he had studied business con
ditions here and felt that there would be excellent oppor
tunity for a physician. He therefore found suitable
quarters at his present address — 4152 Woodward avenue,
where he has fitted up a fine office, thoroughly equipped
for work along the line of his specialty. He has here
thoroughly demonstrated his ability as an authority upon
the care and treatment of the eye, ear, nose and throat
and has built up a notably successful practice within the
short period that he has lived in the city. All who know
him feel that his further success is now assured. He
belongs to the Wayne County Medical Society, the Michi
gan State Medical Association and the American Medical
Association and through the proceedings of these bodies
Vol. IV— 62

keeps in touch with the advanced thought and purposes
of the profession.
Dr. Keating is of the Roman Catholic faith and he
belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He also has mem
bership in the Business Exchange Club of Detroit and his
political allegiance is given to the republican party. He
deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, having
worked his way upward entirely through merit and ability.
He holds to high professional standards and he embraces
every chance for broadening his knowledge and efficiency,
for he is most conscientious in the performance of his
professional duties.
DR. B. H. GLENN, a leading physician of Detroit,
who has here practiced his profession since 1917, was born
in Livingston county, Michigan, August 2, 1882, and is
a son of Rupert M. and Marian E. (Purchase) Glenn, also
natives of this state, the former having been born in
Washtenaw county and the latter in Wayne county.
The maternal grandfather was one of the early settlers
of Michigan and on coming to this state he purchased a
farm in what is now the principal residential district of
Detroit but later traded this property for a tract of land
in Livingston county which he considered more desirable.
In his later years Rupert M. Glenn engaged in farming in
Livingston county, in which connection he has won a sub
stantial measure of success, and he is still residing in that
locality. In the family were three children, of whom one
has passed away, and those who survive are Orla C,
and B. H.
In the graded and high schools of Pinckney, Michigan,
Dr. Glenn pursued his education, after which he entered
the medical department of the University of Michigan,
from which he was graduated in 1908. Going to Howell,
Michigan, he at once entered upon active practice, remain
ing in that city for a period of eight years. In 1917 he
came to Detroit and in the intervening period has estab
lished a good practice, being recognized as a skilled
physician who holds to high standards in his professional
labors. In addition to caring for bis private practice he
is serving as a member of the medical staff of Grace
Hospital and has always made his professional duties his
first consideration, being most thorough and conscientious
in performing the work which develops upon him in this
connection. He engages in the" general practice of
medicine and surgery and through broad reading and study
keeps abreast with the advancement that is constantly
being made in the methods of medical and surgical
practice. At Howell, Michigan, on the 7th of September, 1910,
Dr. Glenn was united in marriage to Miss Nellie D. Lan
sing, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis E. Lansing,
members of a well known and highly respected family of
that city. In his political views the Doctor is a republican,
stanehly supporting the principles and candidates of the
party, and while a resident of Howell he was called to
public office, serving as county coroner for two terms of
two years each. He also filled the position of health
officer for a term of two years, making a most creditable

978

CITY OF DETROIT

record in both connections. His religious faith is indicated
by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church
and he is a loyal follower of its teachings. He is a valued
member of the Wayne County and Michigan State Medi
cal Societies and the American Medical Association and
is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, while
fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to
the blue lodge, to the Scottish Rite Consistory and
to the Mystic Shrine. He has gained high standing
in his profession, is recognized as a loyal and public-
spirited citizen and personally is popular.
JOHN WAREHAM STRONG (III), is state agent
and manager for the Bankers Life Company at De
troit. In his business career he is, as it were, "to
the manner born," for he is of the third generation
of the family to engage in the insurance business "in
Detroit. Mr. Strong traces his ancestry back to old
New England families, being in the ninth generation
of descent from Elder John Strong of Northampton,
who came to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the
ship "Mary and John," arriving on May 30, 1630,
and was one of the founders of Dorchester, Massa
chusetts, Windsor, Connecticut, and Northhampton,
Massachusetts. John Wareham Strong, grandfather
of the subject of this review, became a resident of
Detroit in 1832. He owned and operated a large farm
fronting on the river in what is now the western
part of the eity. He married, in 1808, Mary Banks
Root, of Hartford, Connecticut, daughter of Hon.
Jesse Root and a direct descendant of John Alden and
Priseilla Mullens of the "Mayflower."
The children of this marriage who continued as
residents of Detroit were Mary Beebe Strong, who
married Henry H. Brown; Emily Tryon Strong, who
married Gershom M. Williams, son of John R. Williams;
Sarah Jane Strong, who married Henry T. Stringham;
Harriet Sophia Strong, who married Charles Bissell;
Heman Norton Strong, who married Helen Mary Chapin,
daughter of Dr. Marshall Chapin; and John Wareham
Strong (II) who was born June- 22, 1816, at Windsor,
Connecticut, and was sixteen years of age when his
father located at Detroit. He began his business
career as a clerk in the hardware store of Chase &
Ballard and later engaged in the same line in partner
ship with A. H. Newbold, under the name of A. H.
Newbold & Company. In 1854 he became general
state agent for the Home Insurance Company of New
York and continued in that connection until Ee re
tired from active business in 1869. He was a member
of the first vestry of St. John's Episcopal church,
and while always interested in and informed in all
issues of the day, his business affairs and his family
fully claimed his attention and time, and he never
sought the honors nor emoluments of public office.
He was married in 1848 to Cornelia Alger Howard,
daughter of Colonel Joshua Howard, a lineal descend
ant of Mary Chilton of. the Mayflower company.
Colonel Howard of the regular army, a native of

Bridgewater, Massachusetts, was a lieutenant in the
War of 1812 and an officer in the Mexican war and
the Civil war, acting as paymaster during the con
flict between the north and the south. As an officer
in the United States army he superintended the con
struction of the Fort Wayne arsenal buildings at
what is now Dearborn, Michigan, in 1834. Later he
took up a large tract of land in that vicinity and
laid out and named the village of Dearbornville, now
Dearborn. He built the house now known as the
Haigh residence on Michigan avenue, Dearborn, and
there some of his children and grandchildren were
born. "It was the building of the Arsenal that brought
Dearborn into prominence and made its early days
seem important. The construction of this considerable
army post was commenced and carried to completion
under the immediate charge of a bright young army
officer, Lieutenant Joshua Howard, of the United
States Engineers. His work must have been appre
ciated by the war department, for he remained in
command of the new post for quite a number of
years. Recognizing the beauty of the location, he
purchased lands adjoining the arsenal grounds on
which he built the house which later became and con
tinued to be the home of the Strong family for seventy
years. In this colonial mansion Captain Howard en
tertained his numerous friends, including many dis
tinguished army officers, and from this old home his
three beautiful daughters were married to three rising
young residents of Detroit, who later became very
prominent citizens, viz: General Henry R, Mizner,
a distinguished soldier of the Civil war; John W.
Strong and Walter Ingersoll, both successful merchants,
but all long sinee dead. Their descendants, or some
of them, still reside in Detroit." (Excerpt from ad
dress by Henry A. Haigh before the Dearborn Board
of Commerce, April 20, 1920.)
It was in this house that Cornelia Alger Howard
became the wife of John Wareham Strong (LI) and
there their first child was born. Mr. Strong died in
1884, his widow surviving until 1889. Four children
survived them, as follows: Julia Adele, who is the
widow of Lyman Hayden Baldwin, resides at Harris-
burg, Pennsylvania, and is the mother of two children,
Lyman Russell Baldwin, who died in 1906 at the age of
thirty years, and Wareham Strong Baldwin of Har-
risburg; Cornelia Louise, the wife of Henry Stimson
Atterbury, now of Omaha, Nebraska, and the mother
of John Howard Atterbury of Baltimore, Maryland;
William Baker Atterbury of Omaha, and Henry
Larned Atterbury of San Francisco; Annie Russell,
who died in Detroit in 1915, and who was the wife
of Edgar Clark Barrows and the mother of Edgar
Llewellyn Barrows, now of Las Cruces, New Mexico;
and John Wareham Strong (III), who is the third
in direct line to bear the name.
The last named was bora in Detroit, October 11,
1862, and attended the public and private schools

JOHN WAREHAM STRONG II
- 1816-1884

CITY OF DETROIT

981

in his native city, while his education was completed
at the Michigan Military Academy at Orchard Lake.
On December 12, 1883, Mr. Strong was married at De
troit to Sarah Josephine Copland, daughter of the
late Alexander W. Copland, who was long prominent
among the business men of Detroit and was postmaster
under President Cleveland. Following his marriage
he went to Muskegon, Michigan, where he es
tablished a real estate business and remained until
1895. During this period three children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Strong, namely: Zara Adele, who
now is the wife of Harry J. Warner of Detroit and the
mother of two children, Barbara Strong Warner and
Harriett Pillsbury Warner; Ethel Frances, who mar
ried Julian M. Case, now of Dayton, Ohio, and has
two children, John Strong Case and Zara Lee Case;
and Irene Elizabeth, who died in 1900, at the age of
nine years.
In 1895 Mr. Strong disposed of his interests in Mus
kegon and entered the life insurance field in the
east, being located in New York city and Boston
for nine years, eventually returning to Michigan where
in 1905 he became connected with the Bankers Life
Company of Des Moines, Iowa, as their manager for
Michigan, in 1915, which position he holds at the
present time.
THOMAS H. EVANS, who is well known in business
circles of Detroit as a chartered public accountant, was
born in Wales, November 13, 1882, a son of Thomas and
Elizabeth (Evans) Evans, also natives of that country,
where they have spent their entire lives, the father follow
ing the occupation of farming. Their family numbered
two children, of whom Thomas H. Evans is the younger.
In the schools of bis native land he acquired his early
education and following his graduation from high school
he took the preliminary examination for entrance to
Oxford University, where he pursued the study of ac
countancy. On becoming a chartered public accountant
he entered the accounting department of a large woolen
manufacturing house in England, with which he remained
until 1906, when he emigrated to Canada, taking up his
residence in Toronto. He became an accountant for a
large carpet manufacturing company of that city, there
continuing until 1910, and later occupied like positions
with other business houses of Toronto. In September,
1914, he left that city and crossed the border into the
United States, making his way to Detroit, where he has
since made his home. Opening an office in this city, he
has succeeded in building up a large business and that
he is an expert in the field in which he specializes is indi
cated in the fact that ninety-five per cent of his clients
are those whose patronage he secured on first establishing
himself as a public accountant in this city. In his work
he is careful, painstaking and dependable, and his business
transactions have always been characterized by strict
honesty and integrity.
- On the 25th of June, 1912, Mr. Evans was united in
marriage to Miss Isabelle M. Craig, a daughter of Mr.

and Mrs. William Craig, who were formerly residents of
Buffalo, New York, but later removed to Toronto,
Canada. In his political views Mr. Evans is an inde
pendent republican, voting for the candidates of that
party where national issues are at stake but at local
elections he casts his ballot in favor of the man whom he
deems best qualified for office without regard to party
affiliations. He is an active member of the Board of
Commerce, whose plans and projects for the development
of the trade interests of the city he heartily supports,
and fraternally he is identified with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He is a valued member of the
American Institute of Accountants and is much interested
in the work of that organization. While residing in his
native land he served as a member of the Welsh Volunteers,
attached to the South Wales Battalion, and during the
World war rendered valuable service to the government
as an internal revenue agent. His business record has
been marked by steady advancement and his success is
attributable entirely to his own efforts. As the architect
of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and now
occupies a prominent position in business circles of De
troit, while as a citizen he is public-spirited, loyal and
progressive, giving full allegiance to the land of his
adoption. FRANK E. BOGART, of Canadian birth and Holland
ancestry, is now a substantial American citizen whose
interest in and loyalty to Detroit, his adopted city, is
manifest in many tangible ways. He is widely known
here in business circles as vice president of Farrand,
Williams & Clark, wholesale druggists. His birth occurred
in Lennox county, Ontario, Canada, August 4, 1865, his
parents being Abram L. and Helen (Hawley) Bogart,
both of whom were natives of the same county, where
they spent their entire lives. The direct ancestors of
Mr. Bogart in the paternal line can be traced back through
the intervening years to 1654, when the progenitor of
the family in America came from Holland and settled at
Bedford Mills, now Brooklyn, New York. His name was
John Boagert, but later the spelling of the surname was
changed to its present form. The great-great-grandfather
of Mr. Bogart in the Hawley line settled in New England
at an early period in the colonization of the new world.
His ancestors were United Empire Loyalists and became
pioneer residents of Lennox county, Ontario, removing
there in 1778. Abram L. and Helen (Hawley) Bogart
spent their entire lives in Lennox county and the father
there engaged in farming and merchandising to the time
of bis death. The mother still makes her home at
Deseronto, Ontario.
Frank E. Bogart attended the district schools of his
native county and started out in the business world as a
factory employe in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1882. After a
short period he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and
secured a position with the wholesale drug house of
Barrick, Roller & Company, there remaining for about
four years. He came to Detroit on the 1st of January,
1887, and accepted a position as traveling salesman with

982

CITY OF DETROIT

Farrand, Williams & Company, wholesale druggists, and
with their successors, Farrand, Williams & Clark, the
firm name being changed to its present form in the spring
of 1890. After working with the firm for a few years he
purchased an interest in the business and was later
elected to the vice presidency, having occupied this posi
tion since the incorporation. His thorough knowledge of
the trade, his enterprise and progressive methods have
been dominant factors in the development of their
patronage. On the 28th of April, 1896, Mr. Bogart was married in
Saginaw, Michigan, to Miss Susie Shaw and they have
two children: Frank E., who was born in Detroit in
1897 and after attending the city high school continued
his education in Amherst College; and Barbara, who was
born in 1905 and is now a pupil in the Liggett School for
Girls in Detroit.
Mr. Bogart finds his recreation largely in golf and
belongs to the Detroit Golf Club. He is also a member
of the Ingleside Club and is identified with the Detroit
Board of Commerce, while both he and his wife have
membership in the First Congregational church, being
numbered among its consistent supporters in all the various
branches of church work.
GEORGE D. NUTT. The late George D. Nutt, con
tractor and builder of Detroit, was born in Somer
setshire, England, March 24, 1856, his parents being
James and Sophia (Dorr) Nutt, who were also natives
of England, where they spent their lives. The father
was a stone mason by trade and followed that pursuit
in support of his family of ten children, six of whom
are living: James, William, Thomas, Charles, Theodore
and Richard.
George D. Nutt pursued his education in the public
schools of his native country and afterward beeame
an apprentice at the stonecutter's trade. Having
mastered that business, he then served an apprentice
ship at the bricklayer's trade and in 1882, with an
excellent knowledge of both lines of business, he came
to America and immediately located at Detroit. From
the initial point of his entrance into the business cir
cles of this city he made steady progress and after
working for others for a time he took up contract
work as a mason contractor and also as a general
contractor. The thoroughness with which he executed
every contract entrusted to him won him a well
deserved reputation and his business became more
and more important as the years passed by. Mr. Nutt
built the first plant owned by the Ford Motor Company
and he also built additions to the original Dodge plant
at Monroe avenue and Hastings street. The first
large apartment houses in the city, the Pasadena, the
Lenox and the Madison, the first advertised at the
time as the largest apartment house west of New York,
were his work. The Boston boulevard home of the
late John F. Dodge was built by Mr. Nutt. The latter
first became acquainted with Mr. Ford years ago,
when Mr. Nutt was erecting a building next to the

old bicycle repair shop on Grand River avenue, near
Park place, where Mr. Ford was working. Later,
when the Ford company had progressed far enough
to be able to have a building of its own, Mr. Nutt's
bid was the lowest and he was awarded the contract
for the plant at Piquette avenue and Beaubien street.
The foundations for Central high sehool, several other
school buildings, the Malcomson building, the, Vernor
building and the addition to St. Joseph's Retreat
were among his other accomplishments. He erected
many of the fine publie and high school buildings in
other parts of the state. He was also the builder
of hundreds of fine residences and all these struc
tures stand as a monument to his skill, enterprise and
reliability. He ranked with the prominent contrac
tors of Michigan. In July, 1921, the business was
incorporated as the George D. Nutt Company.
In June, 1884, Mr. Nutt was married to Miss Min
nie Tuttle of Detroit, and they became parents of
four children: Walter D., who is manager of the
George D. Nutt Company; Minnie, who married Leon
G. Stevens, and died in Detroit in 1916; Lillian L.,
who is the wife of Perry D. Shaffer; and Howard, who
is connected with the George D. Nutt Company.
Mr. Nutt was a member of the Board of Commerce
of Detroit and was one of the founders of the
Builders & Traders Exchange and the Mason Con
tracting Association, serving on the board of directors
of each and thus being identified with several organi
zations which feature as prominent factors in the
development and progress of the city. Throughout
his career he was actuated by a spirit of advance
ment that prompted him to display indefatigable en
ergy along lines leading to substantial results, and
while he started out in the business world in the
humble capacity of an apprentice, he became one of
the foremost figures in contracting and building cir
cles of his adopted city. The death of Mr. Nutt
occurred on the 1st of March, 1921.
ARTHUR W. HUDSON, M. D. Thoroughly equipped
by liberal collegiate training for the profession which he
has made his life work and in which he has ever displayed
the strictest fidelity to high principles, Dr. Arthur W.
Hudson is now successfully practicing in Detroit and as a
member of the medical fraternity he has attained high
rank among those whose skill is uniformly acknowledged.
A native of South Carolina, he was born in Colleton
county on the 5th of February, 1887, his parents being
James David and Mary Ellen (Breland) Hudson, who were
also born in that locality, in which they have spent then-
entire lives. The father is the owner of a large plantation
and is also operating a planing mill and a cotton gin, the
various branches of his business being most capably and
successfully conducted. To Mr. and Mrs. Hudson were
born six children: Mrs. Ida Amelia Strickland, a resident
of South Carloina; Mrs. Mary G. Benton, of Scarboro,
that state; James A., William L. and Edwin Palmer, who
are also living in South Carolina; and Arthur W.

GEORGE D. NUTT

CITY OF DETROIT

985

In the acquirement of an education Dr. Hudson at
tended the public schools and Carlyle high school at Ham
burg, South Carolina, from which he was graduated in
1902. He then became a student in the South Carolina
State Medical College, which conferred upon him the
M. D. degree in 1908, and, going to Ruffin, that state, he
entered upon the practice of his profession, remaining
a resident of that place until 1912, when he came to
Detroit. For a year thereafter he served as house physi
cian at Grace Hospital, after which he engaged in private
practice until 1917. On October 3d of that year he en
tered the medical department of the United States army,
being commissioned a lieutenant of the Medical Corps,
and was first stationed at Fort Oglethorpe, being sent
from there to Camp Gordon, and in 1917 he completed
a special course in the Boston City Hospital. He was sent
overseas, being placed in charge of Evacuation Hospital
No. 13, and during 1918 and a portion of 1919 was with
the Army of Occupation, receiving his discharge on the
8th of July of the latter year. Returning to Detroit, he
resumed his professional work and is now surgeon for the
General Motors Corporation, having charge of the surgical
cases for five of their plants, in addition to which he is
attending to a large private practice. His professional
labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of
success, for he is thoroughly familiar with the scientific
basis upon which his work rests and is correct in the appli
cation of his knowledge to the needs of his patients.
Dr. Hudson has been married twice. On the 5th of
January, 1908, he wedded Miss Daisy Chrystal Donnell,
a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Donnell, prominent
residents of Charleston, South Carolina, and she passed
away in that city on the 1st of July, 1913. His second
union was with Miss Verna Katherine Fraleigh, a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. William Fraleigh, of Detroit. They
were married May 5, 1920, and now have a daughter,
Doris Chrystal, who was born June 5, 1921.
Dr. Hudson is a member of the Grand River Avenue
Methodist Episcopal church and he is a prominent
Mason, belonging to Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M., to the
chapter, council, commandery and consistory, in which
he has taken the thirty-second degree, and also to the
Shrine. He has never lost the attitude of a student
toward his profession and keeps abreast with the trend
of the times through his membership in the Wayne
County and Michigan State Medical Societies, the South
Carolina Medical Society and the American Medical
Association. He utilizes every possible opportunity to
promote his knowledge and increase his efficiency and
enjoys the respect of his colleagues and also of the general
public. FREDERICK L. HALL. In the path of an orderly
progression, each step being made at the cost of earnest
labor and close application, Frederick L. Hall has reached
an enviable place in business circles of Detroit, being now
closely associated with its industrial interests as secretary
of the Gabriel Steel Company. A representative of one
of the old and prominent families of the- city, he was

born at Niagara Falls, New York, January 27, 1879.
His grandfather, Lewis Hall, came to Detroit as a.young
man and became the pioneer jeweler of the city, con
tinuing to reside here during the remainder of his active
life. His son, Charles Lewis Hall, was born in Detroit
and on attaining adult years married Miss Mary Liddle,
a native of the state of New York. Soon after their mar
riage they removed to Niagara Falls, New York, going
from that city to St. Louis, Missouri, thence to Daven
port, Iowa, and finally to Port Huron, Michigan. The
father was long identified with the Western Union Tele
graph Company as branch manager, and his demise
occurred in 1889. The mother is still living and is now
a resident of Detroit.
In various sections of the country Frederick L. Hall
pursued his education, attending school at Niagara Falls,
New York; St. Louis, Missouri; Chicago, Illinois; and
Port Huron, Michigan, and his initial business experience
was obtained in connection with the operation of machin
ery. He was identified with that line of work until 1918,
when he entered the employ of the Gabriel Steel Com
pany in a minor capacity. His ability and trustworthiness
were soon recognized and he was made secretary and a
director of the company, which controls one of the largest
structural steel industries in this part of the country.
The fact that he has been chosen to fill this responsible
position is in itself proof of his executive ability, business
acumen and enterprise, which are valuable assets to the
corporation which he represents.
At Cleveland, Ohio, on the 9th of June, 1904, Mr. Hall
was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Jane Show, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Show, well known resi
dents of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have become the
parents of three children: Lewis, who was born at
Detroit, November 5, 1905, and is now attending high
school; Betty Elizabeth, who was born at Orchard Lake,
Michigan, July 4, 1912, and is also pursuing her studies;
and Pauline, a native of Detroit.
Mr. Hall is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to
Detroit Commandery, No. 1, and he is also connected
with the Masonic Country Club, the Detroit Yacht
Club, the Aviation Club, and the Armitage Club of St.
Johns, Canada. He has a liberal endowment of ambition,
grit and good judgment, and these are qualities that in all
honorable vocations lead to ultimate victory. His course
has been characterized by integrity and honor in every
relation and commands for him the respect and confidence
of all with whom he has been associated.
WILLIAM S. HAZELTON is the president of the
Hazelton & Clark Company, general contractors and one
of the largest firms of the kind operating in Detroit, the
business having enjoyed a remarkable growth since the
organization of the company in 1916. Mr. Hazelton
undertook this work after thorough training and broad
experience along similar lnfes, and his sound judgment
and enterprise are producing excellent results.
A native of Tecumseh, Michigan, Mr. Hazelton was born
March 12, 1877, a son of Alvin and Alzina (Boylan)

986

CITY OF DETROIT

Hazelton, who were natives of the state of New York
and in early life came to Michigan, settling in Tecumseh
in 1840. The father afterward took up land and became
a successful farmer. He passed away in 1911 at the age
of eighty years, while his wife died in 1919 at the age of
eighty-four. They had a family of three children, all of
whom are living: Rose, the wife of A. P. Groth, of Ox
ford, Michigan; Zella, the wife of A. A. Duval, of Detroit;
and William S. of this review.
The last named attended the public schools of Tecum
seh, Michigan, and continued his education in the high
school at Romeo, Michigan, after which he entered the
State University and was graduated with the Bachelor
of Arts degree in 1901 and the Bachelor of Science degree
on the completion of a mechanical engineering course in
1902. For five years he was an instructor in the mechani
cal engineering department of the University of Michigan,
from 1902 until 1907, being made assistant professor, a
fact indicative of the high degree of efficiency to which he
had attained in that line. After resigning his position
he came to Detroit as a concrete engineer for the Truss
Concrete Steel Company, with which he thus continued
for three years. He then became connected with the
Corrugated Bar Company as. district sales manager,
with headquarters in Chicago, having supervision over
seven states. He occupied that position for three years
and then decided to engage in business independently,
becoming the vice president and engineer of the Andrew
J. Smith Construction Company of Detroit. A year
later he was made engineer and manager of the contract
department of the Cullen & Vaughn Construction Com
pany of Hamilton, Ohio, which had large contracts for
construction work all over the south. In 1916 he organ
ized the Hazelton & Clark Company, general contractors,
and has since given his attention to construction work,
the company being now one of the most successful operat
ing in Detroit. This is a close corporation, with Mr.
Hazelton as president. He is splendidly qualified for
the conduct of the business, owing to his thorough pre
liminary study and broad experience, and, understanding
every phase of construction work from both a practical
and scientific standpoint, he is giving the utmost satis
faction in the execution of contracts awarded the com
pany. Feeling that he could do work while serving for
the government, Mr Hazelton enlisted in the World war
and was made a captain in the ordnance department of
the army, in the Production Division, having to do with
artillery, shells and vehicle construction.
On the 23d of December, 1917, Mr. Hazelton was mar
ried to Miss Mary L. Pugsley, of Detroit. They are
members of the Congregational church and Mr. Hazelton
belongs to the Tau Beta Phi, an honorary engineering
society of the University of Michigan, and also to the
Delta Phi Delta and to the Masonic fraternity, in which
he has taken high rank, becoming a member of Medinah
Temple of the Mystic Shrine in Chicago. He belongs as
well to the Detroit Athletic Club, while along professional
lines his connection is with the Detroit Engineering
Society, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers,

and he is also a member of the American Society of Civil
Engineers. Prompted by a laudable ambition, he has
made steady progress along the line of bis chosen life
work, due to continuous study since leaving college, to
indefatigable enterprise and keen business discernment.
His salient qualities are such as everywhere command
confidence and respect and he is today a prominent
representative of industrial interests in Detroit.
CHARLES COLVER DEUEL, president of the
Charles C. Deuel Company, engaged in the manufac
ture of sheet metal and autogenous welding at De
troit, is a native son of the city in which he makes
his home, his birth occurring at the old family resi
dence at the corner of Fourth and Porter streets on
the 30th of November, 1856. His parents were Thorne
and Mary (Lord) Deuel. Thorne Deuel came to
Michigan in 1837 from Schenectady, New York, and
settled at Walled Lake, where he resided until 1853,
when he removed to Detroit, resided there until
1859, and then located on a farm south of Ypsilanti,
where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a
merchant and lumberman. One of his daughters,
Dr. Elizabeth L. Deuel, was the second woman phy
sician to practice in Detroit. The ancestral line is
traced back to William DeVille, a French Huguenot,
who settled in Duxbury, Massachusetts, in 1640, and
through succeeding generations the family name has
undergone a change to its present form.
The early training of Charles C. Deuel was that of
the farm bred boy, who works in the fields, pursues
his studies in the district schools and indulges in
such pleasures as the outdoor life affords. He after
ward had the advantage of training in Olivet College
of Michigan and in Mayhew's Business College of
Detroit, from which he was in due time graduated.
He then taught in that institution for a time and later
secured a position in the general offices of the Michi
gan Central Railway Company, in which he spent
several years. Later he beeame connected with the
jobbing firm of James Walker & Son, dealers in
plumbers' supplies, with which he continued until
1904. He left that firm to establish business on his
own account and opened sheet metal works at the
corner of State street and Park place. In 1907 he
erected his present factory and has always operated
under the name of Charles C. Deuel Company, of which
firm he is the president, while his son Arthur is the
secretary. The company engages in the manufacture
of sheet metal, also does the welding and cutting of
metals by the oxy-aeetylene process, which it adopted
on the 1st of July, 1905. The firm was also Michigan
agent for the Davis-Bournonville apparatus.
On the 6th of October, 1881, Mr. Deuel was married
to Miss Lillias Walker of Detroit, who passed away
January 14, 1892. On the 2d of September, 1896,
Mr. Deuel was married to Miss Jane M. Miller of
Grand Rapids, a native of Scotland. The children of

CHARLES C. DEUEL

CITY OF DETROIT

989

his first marriage are his son, Arthur W., previously
mentioned, and a daughter, Margaret C.
Mr. Deuel is a member of the Exchange Club of
Detroit, also of the Board of Commerce, and the nature
of his interests is further indicated in the fact that
he gives his political allegiance to the republican
party, while his religious faith is evidenced in his
membership in the Baptist church. His career has
been marked by a steady- progress that has brought
him prominently forward in business circles. He is
among the oldest of the native sons of Detroit, having
been continuously identified with this city during all
of his business career and a witness of the changes
which have occurred, making it a great metropolitan
center, fourth in population in the United States and
the leader in several of the important industries of the
country. WILLIAM C. NOACK, successful jewelry merchant
and well known sportsman of Detroit, bis activities in
either direction well entitling him to prominent mention
in the history of this city, was here born on the 31st of
August, 1863, his parents being John Wilfiam and Louise
(Jacob) Noack, both of whom were natives of Indiana
and in early life came to Detroit. The father was widely
known in connection with the oil business, being for many
years associated with the Bently Oil Company of Detroit,
with which he continued to the time of bis death in 1897.
For a number of years he had survived his wife, who died
in 1880. They were parents of six children: Wilfiam C,
Charles, Herman, Frederick, Emma and Louise.
After attending the public schools of Detroit, Wilfiam
C. Noack, the eldest of the family, became office boy in
an attorney's office and later entered the employ of Eugene
Dimmel, a prominent jeweler, with whom he thoroughly
learned the business, remaining with Mr. Dimmel until
the latter's death, when he purchased the business, which
had been established in Detroit in 1873 and was conducted
under the name of the Eugene Dimmel Jewelry Company.
When Mr. Noack acquired the business he admitted a
partner under the firm style of Noack & Gorenflo, whole
sale jewelers and also dealers in automobile accessories,
and theirs is today the oldest and best known jewelry
house in Detroit, while the firm employs from fifteen to
twenty-five experienced salespeople most of the time.
Something of the success that Mr. Noack has achieved is
indicated in the fact that he started to work at a salary
of but a dollar and a half per week, having to put in
many hours and work most industriously for that sum,
while today he is at the head of a large establishment
bringing to him substantial profits. Something of the
change in labor conditions, too, is indicated in the fact
that at the present he pays eighteen dollars per week for
boys less efficient than he was when he was receiving but
a dollar and a half. The company not only handles
jewelry for the wholesale trade but also automobile ac
cessories and the business is now one of the most reliable
in the city.
On the 12th of January, 1898, Mr. Noack was married

to Miss Ethel McKeen, daughter of Seth and Belle
McKeen. They now have three children. William
Theodore, who was born November 22, 1898, entered the
University of Michigan following his graduation from the
Detroit high school but during his student days enlisted
in the United States army and received his discharge
December 18, 1918, with the rank of sergeant. During
his attendance at the Detroit high school he was captain
of the high school military corps. Like his father, he is
an expert in water sports, excelling in boating, and is the
stroke of the eight and four sculls of the Detroit Boat Club.
Harold R., the second son, born August 29, 1901, is also
an athlete of note and possesses, moreover, marked me
chanical genius. He was graduated from the Detroit
high school and is now attending Junior College. During
the war he was assigned to the production department,
U. S. A., in connection with the Liberty motors and was
the youngest mechanic in the country to receive this high
honor. At one period he had entire charge of seventeen
thousand employes of the Ford Motor Company's plant
in the accounting and cost departments, and his work
there was a record for production which will stand as a
historical fact on the books of the Ford Company. After
his services were no longer required as a military neces
sity he was tendered a high position by the Ford Company
but preferred to continue his studies and is now attending
the Junior College of Detroit. Walter Maurice, the third
son, born in 1902, like his two brothers, possesses con
siderable mechanical skill and ingenuity and has also dis
played marked literary ability, having written some splen
did articles for the Free Press of Detroit along athletic
lines. He is now attending the Central high school.
Mr. Noack has always been fond of outdoor life and
athletic sports, greatly enjoying golf and pedestrian
exercises, while since 1902 he has been a member of the
Detroit Boat Club, and he also belongs to the Detroit
Golf Club and the Ingleside Club. His religious faith is
that of the Episcopal church, his membership being in
St. Paul's cathedral. His own interest in water sports has
led him to encourage the activity of his sons in this direc
tion. The Outing Mazagine of June, 1897, had this to
say: "The paddling trophy also was won by a newcomer
with a new method, W. C. Noack of the Detroit Boat
Club and the Western Canoe Association, though some
famous paddlers, including D'Arcy Scott, the champion
of 1893, and R. O. King, then the holder of the trophy,
were in the race. He defeated Mr. King by thirty-eight
seconds. * * * Mr. Noack began canoeing in 1893.
He has never been defeated in an open race. His first
race was won in an open regatta — the tandem canoe race
in 1894 -of the Northwestern Amateur Rowing Associa
tion. He was one of the winners in the same event in
1895, winning in record time for a half mile — three minutes
and forty seconds. He again won in the same event in
1896. Thus he has been the holder of the Northwestern
Amateur Rowing Association championship for three
years in succession. Mr. Noack won his first single
canoe open race in 1895, when he succeeded in securing
the Northwestern Rowing Association championship,

990

CITY OF DETROIT

making a half mile in three minutes and twenty seconds,
but sixteen seconds slower time than the record tandem
event was paddled in. That time also is record time.
Mr. Noack claims to have made the full mile, measured
in seven minutes and forty-three seconds, against a head
wind in practice without being pushed. He also won the
championship in 1896, thus holding the Northwestern
Amateur Rowing Association single canoe championship
for two years. Last summer, at the meet of the Western
Canoe Association, he won three first prizes: the Minne
haha championship paddling cup (being the single canoe
championship of the Western Canoe Association); class
one paddling; and hurry-scurry. This last race was as
follows: run twenty-five yards; swim twenty-five yards;
climb into canoe, paddle twenty-five yards, capsize, climb
into canoe again and paddle twenty-five yards to finish.
The winning of the American Canoe Associations' trophy
was Mr. Noack's tenth successive victory for the season."
His interest in nautical sports has never diminished,
although his activities are now largely manifest in other
directions. JOHN JAMES McLEOD. A decade has passed
since John James McLeod was called to his final rest,
but there are yet many in Detroit who tenderly men
tion his name and revere his memory, for he was a
man who made for himself a large place in the affec
tions of those with whom he was closely associated.
The high esteem in which he was uniformly held was
the direct result of his many sterling qualities as
manifest in his business and social relations and in
his citizenship.
Mr. McLeod was of Canadian birth and of Highland
Scotch descent, representing one of the distinguished
families of the Highlands of Scotland, the names
figuring prominently upon the pages of the history of
that country. His parents were Luther M. and Johanna
(McLeod) McLeod, who had a family of six children,
the father providing for their support by the conduct
of a lumber business and his enterprise and diligence
made him one of the successful lumbermen of his
locality, conducting a business of substantial propor
tions. John James McLeod was born in Baddeck, Nova
Scotia, on the 15th of September, 1852. His youthful
days were spent in the acquirement of a public and
high school education in Baddeck and later he at
tended the Academy of Baddeck, from which in due
course of time he was graduated. He later had the
benefit of instruction in the Mayhew Business College
of Detroit, from which he was graduated in December,
1873, being then a young man of twenty-one years.
The following year, or only a brief period after his
graduation from commercial college,he entered the
employ of Standart Brothers, in the capacity of
bookkeeper. His faithful service and capability won
the attention of his employers and gained for him
promotion from time to time. In 1891 he was taken
into the firm as a partner and upon the incorporation

of the business as Standart Brothers, Limited, he was
elected its secretary and so continued to the time
of his demise.
On the 15th of September, 1881, Mr. McLeod was
united in marriage in- St. Joseph, Miehigan, to Miss
Emma A. Langley, and to them was born a daughter:
Hazel D., who is the wife of Earl C. Whitney, a con
tractor of Detroit, and they have four children: John
McLeod and Earl C, Jr., twins; Dorothy Hoff; and
Jared Murdock. Mr. and Mrs. McLeod were members
of the Methodist church and his life was ever guided
by most high and honorable principles. He was also
a faithful follower of the Masonic fraternity, and he
belonged to various other organizations having to do
with the social life or the civic and material welfare of
the city. He belonged to the National Union Club, to
the Commercial Club, to the Detroit Credit Men's
Association, to the Board of Commerce of Detroit and
to the Wholesalers' Association. He likewise had
membership with the Recreation Club, the Automobile
Club and still others. In his early life he was an
ardent devotee of outdoor sports and won local fame
as an athlete. He was especially fond of the water,
indulging in aquatic sports and at one time he was
a member of some of the old Detroit boat clubs and
at various times the owner of sailing craft and motor
boats. He commanded and enjoyed the respect of
all, by reason of a life that measured up to high
standards. He was never content to choose the second
best in anything that he undertook but sought the
highest possible points of excellence and achievement.
The worth of his work in business life is indicated
by the fact that he reached a prominent position in
commercial circles, standing in the front rank of De
troit's merchants as a wholesale hardware dealer
through his connection with Standart Brothers, Lim
ited. In politics he was a republican and always a
warm friend and ardent admirer of Governor Pingree.
He never was active in politics but never failed to
cast his vote for the principles in which he believed
and in every possible way he sought the adoption
of the highest standards of citizenship for community,
commonwealth and country. His contribution to the
world's work was well worth while. He died Novem
ber 2, 1911, and his remains lie in Woodmere cemetery.
EDWIN B. NALL, active in real estate circles in
Detroit, was born in this city February 27, 1866. He is
a son of James and Isabella F. (Baird) Nail, the former
born in England, while the latter was a native of Con
necticut. The. father came to America in his boyhood
days, settling in Detroit, where he later married and
engaged in merchandising. He passed away in this city
in 1912, having for a number of years survived his wife,
who died in 1899. In their family were' four children:
Edwin B., Frank C, Louis A. and Mrs. George V. Candler,
all of Detroit.
Edwin B. Nail attended the public and high schools of
Detroit, being graduated at the age of eighteen years.

JOHN J. McLEOD

CITY OF DETROIT

993

He then entered upon a clerical position in connection
with his father's business, conducted under the name
of Nail & Company, and continued with the firm until
1898, when he started out in business independently as a
real estate dealer, organizing the firm of Edwin B. Nail
& Company. This was incorporated in 1906 and Mr.
Nail has since been the president. From the beginning
he has prospered in this undertaking and he is spoken of
as a conservative and thoroughly reliable real estate man.
He is widely known throughout Detroit by reason of his
business activities and connections and his success is the
legitimate outcome and logical sequence of his intel
ligently directed efforts.
Mr. Nail is a member of the Spanish-American War
Veterans Association, for during the period of America's
hostility with Spain he enlisted in the Naval Reserves
from Detroit and served through the Cuban and Porto
Rican campaigns as a seaman. He belongs to the Jef
ferson Avenue Presbyterian church and for twenty years
was a deacon of the Fort Street Presbyterian church.
He is also a member of the Detroit Athletic Club and the
Detroit Boat Club, which indicates much of the nature of
his activities and recreation outside of business. He is
thoroughly public-spirited, doing everything in his power
to make known the advantages of Detroit and to promote
the substantial progress and upbuilding of the city.
ROBERT L. HUGHES, secretary and treasurer of the
firm of Dumont, Roberts & Company, grain dealers of
Detroit, was born in Wales, August 20, 1874, and is a
son of John and Ann (Lewis) Hughes, who are also natives
of that little rock-ribbed country. The parents came to
America in 1887 with their family, settling on a farm
near Scranton, Pennsylvania, the father there engaging
in agricultural pursuits to the present time. His wife is
also living.
Robert L. Hughes was the third in order of birth in
their family of eight children. He began his education
in the schools of Liverpool, England, and after coming to
this country continued his studies in the rural schools of
Pennsylvania. Following the time when he put aside his
textbooks he gave his attention to various, occupations
until 1900, when he, became connected with grain buying
in Buffalo, New York, and was thus engaged until 1907.
In the latter year he removed to Detroit and became a
member of the firm of Dumont, Roberts & Company,
grain merchants, of which he has since been secretary and
treasurer. They conduct an extensive grain business,
buying and exporting, and success in large measure has
attended the enterprise. Mr. Hughes, like his associates,
has had long experience in the business and his capability
is a potent force in its continued growth and success.
On the 10th of October, 1900, Mr. Hughes was married
to Miss Premella Bennette of South Gibson, Pennsylvania,
a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Bennette, representing
a prominent family of South Gibson. They have two
children: Ronald Hughes, bom in Scranton, Pennsylvania,
in 1902 and now attending the Northern high school of
Detroit; and Thelma, born in Buffalo, New York, in
Vol. IV— 63

1904, and also a pupil in the Northern high school. Mr.
Hughes belongs to the Detroit Grain Exchange and also
to the Detroit Wheelmen's Club. He has gained many
warm friends during the period of his residence in this city
and has reached a most enviable position in business
circles, being today identified with one of the foremost
grain firms of Detroit.
EDWIN A. WOLF. One of the young men of Detroit
who is making, his mark in connection with the business
activities of the city is Edwin A. Wolf, the secretary and
treasurer of the Victor Knitting Mills Company. He
was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 19, 1883, and is a son
of A. I. and Viola (Wolf) Wolf, who were also natives of
Cleveland, where the father engaged in mercantile pur
suits, while later he became a merchant of Detroit, re
moving to this city in 1892. Here he established and
conducted a highly successful business enterprise, re
maining active therewith to the time of his death. His
wife is still a resident of this city. In their family were
three children: Edwin A., Grover C. and Mrs. S. T. Gold
berg, all of Detroit.
Edwin A. Wolf attended the grammar and high schools
of Detroit and then started out in the business world as
a clerk with the Taylor Wolfenden Company, dealers in
dry goods. He rose from a humble clerkship to the im
portant position of advertising manager, remaining with
the company for five years. He then became identified
with the wholesale dry goods trade as an employe of
A. Krolik & Company and remained with that house for
ten years, advancing to the position of department
manager. Later he became a partner in the Detroit
Alaska Knitting Mills Company, of which he was made
secretary and treasurer, retaining this dual position for
four years, at the end of which time he became secretary
and treasurer of the Victor Vassar|Knitting Mills Company
and is still identified therewith, proving one of the capable
executive officers of the concern. He is thoroughly con
versant with every phase of the business and his sound
judgment and indefatigable enterprise are strong features
in the growth and success of the undertaking. He is also
the president of the Republic Knitting Mills of Detroit,
vice president of the Wolverine Knitting Mills of Bay
City, Michigan, part owner of the retail dry goods and
furnishings business conducted under the style of Wolf
Brothers of Detroit and is a director of the Cohen Brothers
Manufacturing Company of New York city, of the Con-
neaut Woolen Mills Company of Conneaut, Ohio, and of
the Western Association of Sweater Manufacturers. His
business relations likewise extend to other substantial
enterprises and he is today a most prominent and widely
known figure in connection with the knitting industry of
the middle west.
On the 7th of January, 1907, Mr. Wolf was married to
Miss Retta Frank, of Detroit, daughter of Isaac and
Celia (Solman) Frank, of a prominent family of Holly,
Michigan. They have two children: Virginia C, who
was born in 1911 and is now attending the Liggett school
of Detroit; and Edwin A., born in 1917. In his political

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CITY OF DETROIT

views Mr. Wolf has always been a republican, giving
stalwart support to the party. He is a member of the
National Credit Men's Association, also of the Detroit
Board of Commerce and the Bay City Board of Com
merce. He is likewise well known in club circles, having
membership in the Redford Country Club, the Phoenix
Club and the Bay City Country Club. His social quali
ties make for popularity in the circles in which he moves
and in business connections he has made for himself a
notable name and place. Starting out without any un
usual advantages he has worked bis way steadily upward,
early recognizing the eternal principle that industry wins.
Step by step he has advanced until his steady progression
has made him an outstanding figure in connection with
the knitting industry and he is regarded as a valuable
addition to the commercial circles of Detroit.
RANSOM GILLIS. Every American is proud of
the fact that this land offers unlimited opportunities
to her citizens and there is no record which is held
in higher esteem than that of the self-made man.
The one who by sheer force of character, ability, de
termination and laudable ambition works his way
upward. Such was the career of Ransom Gillis, who
became one of the prominent wholesale dry goods
merchants of Detroit. His plans were definitely
formed and he was untiring in their execution. Year
after year he directed his labors along lines that pro
duced results and none ever questioned the integrity
and honor of his methods.
Mr. Gillis was born in Washington county, New
York, December 20,. 1838, and was one of a family
of eight children, whose parents were Alexander and
Jane (Wilson) Gillis, who were also natives of Wash
ington county, where they spent their lives, the
father always following the occupation of farming.
In his youthful days Ransom Gillis attended the
publie schools and afterward had the advantage of
study in Argyle Academy. He started out to pro
vide for his own support when fourteen years of
age by obtaining employment in a merchandise es
tablishment. He was a young man of twenty-six
years when he arrived in Detroit, after having had
two years experience in a dry goods house in Argyle,
New York. He afterward entered the employ of
John Stevenson of North Argyle, with whom he re
mained until December, 1864. With his arrival in
Detroit he became an employe of the Allen-Shelden
Dry Goods Company and was thus engaged until 1872,
when he became one of the organizers of the firm of
Edson, Moore & Company and assumed the general
management of the business. He concentrated his
efforts and energies upon the upbuilding of the trade,
studied the market and the wishes of the people and
so directed his activities that most substantial re
sults accrued. His administrative direction and exec
utive ability were important factors in the successful
conduct of the enterprise throughout his remaining
days and Detroit's business circles suffered a great

loss, when he passed away on the 31st of December,
1901. Aside from his connection with the wholesale
dry goods trade he was a director of the Citizens
Savings Bank and was interested in other loeal enter
prises. He achieved success by reason of persistent
purpose, keen sagacity and thorough reliability — qual
ities that may be cultivated by any — and his course
should well serve as a source of inspiration and en
couragement to others.
On the 20th of July, 1870, Mr. Gillis was united in
marriage to Miss Helen A. Gaylord, a daughter of
Josiah C. Gaylord, a representative of one of the old
and well known families of the state of New York.
Mr. and Mrs. Gillis became the parents of three chil
dren: Ransom F., who died in 1900; Gaylord W.; and
Grace M., who became the wife of David S. Carter
and died in 1901. Gaylord W. Gillis succeeded to
his father's interests in the business of Edson, Moore
& Company, of which he. is secretary and treasurer.
In his political views Mr. Gillis was always a stal
wart republican and kept thoroughly informed con
cerning the questions and issues of the day, but
never sought nor desired political preferment. He
was one of the .organizers of the Old Miehigan Club
and was long a factor in promoting republican inter
ests in Michigan. He held membership in the First
Presbyterian church from 1865 and in 1873 became
one of its elders, continuing in the office' to the time
of his death. He was a member of the board of
trustees of Grace Hospital from its organization until
his death, and for a considerable period served as
secretary of the board. He was a man of broad hu
manitarian spirit, constantly extending a helping hand
where aid was needed. He found recreation through
his membership in the Lake St. Clair Fishing and
Shooting Club. He was but sixty-four years of age
at the time of his death and it seems that he should
have been spared for many more years of usefulness
and activity, for he was accomplishing a most excel
lent work in the world. Not only was he contributing
to Detroit's commercial greatness and development,
but he stood at all times for those interests whieh
are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride. His
life was an expression of high American ideals and
he was a splendid example of American manhood and
citizenship. CYRIL N. BULLOCK. Among the well known and
thoroughly reliable chartered public accountants of Detroit
is Cyril N. Bullock, who was born in Saginaw, Michigan,
July 8, 1891, and is a son of Julian and Mary (Northwood)
Bullock, who are also natives of this state and have spent
their entire lives here. The father has been a successful
farmer of Saginaw county for many years and is still
actively engaged in the cultivation of a large farm. He is
a representative of one of the old New England families,
being a son of Frank Bullock, who was born in Vermont
and became a pioneer resident of Michigan, settling in
Saginaw county. The maternal grandfather of Cyril N.

"• -  " " '¦ ¦ ~

RANSOM GILLIS

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CITY OF DETROIT

997

Bullock, was Frank Northwood, who came to the United
States from London, England, and settled first in Detroit,
but afterward removed to Saginaw county. The family
of Mr. and Mrs. Julian Bullock numbered but two
children: Alice M. and Cyril N.
Cyril N. Bullock, the only son, attended the graded
and high schools of Corunna, Michigan, after which he
became a student in the University of Michigan, pursuing
a literary course there for a year. He afterward took a
course in higher accounting at the Detroit School of
Technology, pursuing a night course, and was graduated
with the degree of public accountant in 1915. During
the time he was studying to perfect himself in his chosen
profession he was also engaged in clerical work for the
Security Trust Company of Detroit. When he had
graduated he resigned his position and formed a partner
ship with Mr. Morton under the firm style of Morton &
Bullock, chartered public accountants. This relation
ship was pleasantly maintained until March 1, 1920, when
the partnership was dissolved and since that time Mr.
Bullock has been associated with George R. Gibbs and
William Leslie under the firm style of Gibbs, Leslie &
Bullock, all being chartered public accountants. The
firm has been very successful and is doing the higher
accounting for a number of large and important corpora
tions and also in connection with the income tax service.
On the 17th of October, 1914, Mr. Bullock was married
to Miss Gertrude Cone, a daughter of Charles and Bertha
Cone, of Detroit. In political belief he is a republican
and fraternally is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge,
to the Detroit Commandery and to the Mystic Shrine.
He also has membership in the Masonic Country Club
and is a member of the Ingleside and the Island Country
Clubs. The Episcopal church numbers him among its
communicants and the sterling worth of his character
shows how loyally he fives up to his profession in every
connection. He has many friends in this city and as a
business man commands the highest respect and con
fidence of all who know him.
RAYMOND J. HOTCHKISS, president of the
National Pattern & Manufacturing Company of Detroit,
engaged in the manufacture of patterns of all kinds, was
born in St. Louis, Missouri, December 17, 1884, and is a
son of Edward and May (Elliott) Hotchkiss, who were
natives of England and of Vincennes, Indiana, respec
tively. The father came to America in early life with his
parents, who first located in Troy, New York, whence
they afterward removed to St. Louis, and it was in that
city that Edward Hotchkiss wedded May Elliott. He
turned his attention to the business of pattern manu
facturing, which he followed throughout his active life in
St. Louis, Missouri, and Detroit, Michigan. He is now
deceased, but the mother survives and is yet living in
Detroit. In their family were two sons, Raymond J. and
Elliott, both residents of this city.
In his boyhood days Raymond J. Hotchkiss attended
the public schools of Detroit, his parents removing with
their family to this city in his early boyhood. After
leaving the grades he attended the Detroit Business

University, from which he was graduated in 1906 on the
completion of a commercial course. He afterward
learned pattern making with his father and when he had
mastered the trade he became an employe of the Gray
Motor Company. He was subsequently connected with
other motor and automobile manufacturing interests
until 1915, when he organized the National Pattern &
Manufacturing Company, starting in a modest way.
The business, however, has grown rapidly until it is now
one of large proportions, employing fifty people. Lowell
has said: "An institution is but the lengthened shadow
of a man," and the plant of the National Pattern & Manu
facturing Company is but the visible evidence of the
ability, enterprise and commendable ambition of Ray
mond L. Hotchkiss, who from the beginning has been
president and general manager. He brings to bear the
lessons learned in the school of experience and supplements
these with a spirit of initiative and determination that
enables him to bring forth new ideas and to reach his
objective at all times in the conduct of his business
affairs. Mr. Hotchkiss resides with his mother in Detroit and
is widely known in this city, where practically his entire
life has been passed. He is a member of Christ church
and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Pro
tective Order of Elks. The nature of his interests and
activities is further indicated in the fact that he has
membership in the Detroit Auto Club and in the Detroit
Board of Commerce.
CLYDE B. WISENBAUGH. Extensive business
interests claim the time and attention of Clyde B. Wisen-
baugh, who is filling the position of sales manager for the
Standard Steel Bearings Company, with offices in the
Kresge building of Detroit. He was born in Coshocton,
Ohio, September 31, 1885, a son of Herman A. and Emma
(Haselton) Wisenbaugh, the former also a native of
Coshocton and, the latter of Circleville, Ohio. They have
spent their entire lives in the Buckeye state and the father
is successfully engaged in merchandising at Coshocton.
Clyde B. Wisenbaugh, the elder in a family of two
children, acquired his education in the public and high
schools of his native city and subsequently pursued a
course in a business college, on the completion of which
he secured a position with the Marlin-Rockwell Cor
poration, manufacturers of automobile parts. He was
at first connected with the sales department and sub
sequently represented the company upon the road, creating
a good demand for the ball bearings, wire wheels and other
products manufactured by the concern. In 1907 he
came to Detroit as sales manager for the Standard Steel
Bearings Company, in which connection he occupies a
position of large responsibility, having supervision over
the branches at Buffalo, New York, and Indianapolis,
Indiana, and also of all sales agencies in the state of
Michigan. He has athorough knowledge of the business
and his forceful personality and aggressive methods have
been potent factors in building up a large trade for the
corporation which he represents.
At Cleveland, Ohio, on the 1st of May, 1917, Mr.

998

CITY OF DETROIT

Wisenbaugh was united in marriage to Miss Alice Benoit,
a representative of a prominent family of that city. He
is a popular member of the Detroit Automobile Club, and
the Detroit Athletic Club, and fraternally he is identi
fied with the Benevolent Protective Order of ETks and
the Masons and in the last named organization is ser
ving as master of his lodge. He is recognized as an
enterprising and alert business man and as a public-
spirited citizen and his personal qualities are such that
he has gained the warm friendship of many.
HOWELL P. TROXELL, manager of the Indian Re
fining Company at Detroit, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio,
September 18, 1873, and is a son of John J. and Amanda
(Fleck) Troxell, who were natives of Pennsylvania, whence
they removed to Ohio at an early day. The father later
engaged in the wholesale millinery business in Cincinnati
and continued to reside there throughout the remainder
of his active business career. Following his retirement
the family removed to Delaware, Ohio, and there both
parents passed away. They had four children: Mrs.
Amos Glover, now a resident of North Dakota; John A.,.
of Cincinnati, Ohio; Theodore S., living in Delaware,
Ohio; and Howell P.
The last named acquired his education in the public
schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, and in the high school of that
city, after which he made his initial step in the business
world by securing a position in the office of a lumber
company. There he remained until he was able to obtain
a more lucrative position with the Standard Oil Company
in 1907. He became identified with the Indiana Oil
Company of Evansville, Indiana, and thence came to
Detroit to establish the business and assume the manage
ment of the Indian Oil Company of this city. The present
plant was built under his supervision and he became
manager, sinee whieh time he has controlled the business
at this point and has developed it to its present state of
efficiency and strength. Today the company has one of
the largest plants in the city and the patronage is one of
most gratifying proportions.
In 1910 Mr. Troxell was married to Miss Jeanetta E.
March, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Butler March, of a
well -known family of Detroit. In his political views Mr.
Troxell is a republican and fraternally he is a Royal
Arch Mason, being a loyal follower of the teachings and
purposes of the craft. He also belongs to the Detroit
Board of Commerce and is thoroughly interested in the
plans and purposes of the organization for the upbuilding
of the city, the advancement of its trade relations and the
maintenance of all those civic standards which make for
high municipal service and the adoption of advanced
municipal ideals. His own record has been one of con
tinuous progress from a minor position to one of promi
nence in the commercial circles of his adopted city.
WILLIAM T. BOHN, vice president of the Charles
Bohn Foundry Company and thus actively connected
with one of the most important interests of the iron
industry in Detroit, was born in Toledo, Ohio, February

11, 1882. His parents, George and Thresa (Burkhart)
Bohn, were natives of Cleveland, Ohio, where they were
reared, educated and married, the father becoming a
representative business man of that city, where he en
gaged in carriage painting throughout his entire life.
Both he and his wife are now deceased. In their family
were six children, four of whom are yet living.
William T. Bohn attended the public schools of Cleve
land, passing through consecutive grades to the high
school and when his textbooks were put aside he became
an employe of the White Motor Car Company, of that
city, with which he remained for a year. He next en
tered the hardware business and was thus engaged until
1908 when he left and came to Detroit. Here he became
cashier for the Aluminum Castings Company and he
worked his way upward to that of manager, which position
he occupied at the time he resigned in 1917, when he
became associated with his brother, Charles Bohn, in
the Charles Bohn Foundry Company, of which he became
manager, then a director and is now vice president.
He is also the president of the Peninsular Smelting
Company of Detroit and president and a director of the
Peninsular Body Company of this city. His business
interests are thus extensive and important and his enter
prise has been a dominant element in the continued growth
and development of the concerns with which he is identi
fied. On the 23d of December, 1904, Mr. Bohn was married
to Miss Isabella Ann Brandt, of Cleveland, Ohio. He
belongs to the City of Straits Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is
a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft.
He is also connected with the Masonic Country Club
and he has membership as well in the Red Run Golf Club
and in the Detroit Athletic Club — associations that
indicate the nature of his interests outside of business.
BENJAMIN H. THOMPSON, manager of the Detroit
Veneer & Panel Company and also acting as sales manager
for this business, has from the outset of his commercial
career displayed a thoroughness and adaptability that
has led to steady progress, so that in the course of years
he has become an important factor in the conduct of
this enterprise, which is the only business of the kind in
Detroit. His father, Charles T. Thompson, is the
president and founder of the company, which has its
manufacturing plant in Cadillac, Michigan, and its sales
office in Detroit.
Benjamin H. Thompson was born at Boyne Falls,
Michigan, August 5, 1892, a son of Charles T. and Lucina
(Tyler) Thompson, who were also natives of this state.
The father learned the woodworking trade in early life
and afterward took up the business of manufacturing the
finer grade of grained woods for veneers and panels, for
commercial purposes, developing the business on a large
scale. He established the enterprise on the 1st of Febru
ary, 1914, and for a number of years conducted business
on his own account at Cadillac, Michigan, but on the
1st of January, 1920, reorganized his interests under the
name of the Detroit Veneer & Panel Company, which at

CITY OF DETROIT

999

that time was incorporated. He established a large
warehouse and office in Detroit and of this Benjamin H.
Thompson is the manager and also the sales manager.
The business had developed far beyond all expectations
of the members of the company and its prospects for the
immediate furure are most ripe, for with the expected
increase in the building of homes and other building
operations it is believed that the business of the Detroit
Veneer & Panel Company will double what it has been in
the past years. The company carries a stock in Detroit
of fine veneer and panels worth seventy-five thousand
dollars and used in fine interior finishing, for window
display finish, for door panels and in other places where
woodwork of' superior quality is desired. This company
is the only one engaged in business of the kind in this
section of the state and the trade is steadily increasing.
The officers are: Charles T. Thompson, of Cadillac,
Michigan, president; Morris Thomas, of Cadillac, vice
president; Perry F. Powers, Jr., of Cadillac, secretary;
George Wilcox, of Cadillac, treasurer; and Benjamin H.
Thompson, manager at Detroit.
No events of unusual importance occurred to vary the
routine of life for Benjamin H. Thompson in his boyhood
and youth. That period was largely devoted to the ac
quirement of an education and to the training which
qualified him for business in later years. He became
associated with his father and with the growth and de
velopment of the business it was decided to establish a
warehouse and sales office in Detroit, where the company
enjoys an extensive patronage. Accordingly Benjamin
H. Thompson assumed charge here and his progressive
methods and thorough reliability have been important
factors in the continuous upbuilding of the trade.
On the 14th of February, 1914, Mr. Thompson was
married to Miss Margaret Boadway, of Manton, Michi
gan, a daughter of Mrs. James M. Sheehan, her mother
having married a second time. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson
have two children: Betty Kathleen, born in Cincinnati,
Ohio, in 1918; and Margaret Lucina, born in Detroit in
1919. The religious faith of the family is that of the
Roman Catholic church. Mr. Thompson has never
sought nor desired political preferment or been active in
public affairs, preferring to "concentrate his efforts and
attention upon his business and his close application and
indefatigable energy have been salient features in the
growing success of the company.
FLOYD C. KING, of King Works, toolmakers, of
Detroit, was born in Adrian, Michigan, December 13,
1879, his parents being Charles and Linda (Ames) King,
who were also natives of this state. The father became
a well known manufacturer of Adrian, Michigan, and
afterward removed to Detroit, where he is now actively
identified with the King Company. His wife is also
living and they have reared two sons: Floyd C. and
R. H, both of Detroit.
In his boyhood days Floyd C. King attended the public
schools of Adrian and following his graduation from the
high school, which concluded his educational opportuni

ties, he became an apprentice in mechanical engineering,
thoroughly acquainting himself with the business while
employed by various concerns. Later he traveled ex
tensively throughout the country, working along this line
and finally came to Detroit in 1915. Pleased with the
city and its opportunities he decided to remain and in a
short time he organized the King Company, which has
steadily grown and developed under his careful guidance
and a. result of the stimulating effect of his industry and
perseverance until it is today one of the important indus
trial interests of the city, employing from fifty to sixty
people. Mr. King has from the beginning been president
and manager and the prosperous condition of the business
is. attributable in large part to his capability, his enter
prise and his wise guidance.
On the 20th of September, 1902, Mr. King was married
to Miss Grace Shoemaker, of Denver, Colorado, a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. John Shoemaker, of Massillon, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. King have one son, Stockton, who was born
in Cleveland, Ohio, October 3, 1905, and is now a high
school pupil in Detroit.
Mr. King belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce
and is interested in the high purposes and plans of that
organization for the city's benefit and upbuilding. His
own record shows much that should be of stimulating
interest to the student who wishes to acquaint himself
with the best methods of attaining success. Thorough
ness, industry and reliability have been strong points in
his career and he has now become well known in con
nection with toolmaking in Detroit.
GEORGE F. TITUS. Among the prominent manu
facturers of Detroit who have come to the forefront in
the past year is George F. Titus, president of the Detroit
Wax Paper Company and one of the organizers of the
industry. He - was born in Erie county, New York,
August 17, 1852, and is a son of George and Sophia
(Briggs) Titus, the former a native of Massachusetts and
the latter of the Empire state. They removed from New
York to Norwalk, Ohio, and the father became an employe
of the Lake Shore Railroad, advancing to the responsible
position of foreman of the shop, in which capacity he
served from 1854 until his death, which occurred at
Norwalk, while his wife also died in that city. They had
a family of three children: Willis A., of Cleveland, Ohio;
Mrs. Millie Burkhart, living in Akron, Ohio; and George F.
The last named attended the public schools of Norwalk,
Ohio, and afterward was a student in a business college,
while later he made his initial step in commercial circles
by securing a position in a grocery store. After a time,
however, he gave up work of that character and began
the manufacture of tobacco, selling to the wholesale
trade. He built up an enormous business and continued
as a wholesale tobacconist of Norwalk for forty years.
The company of which he was the founder operated under
the name of the Titus Tobacco Company and Mr. Titus
was associated therewith until 1919, when he sold his
interest and came to Detroit. Here he entered into
business association with his son-in-law, Arthur J. Trum-

1000

CITY OF DETROIT

bull, in the organization of the Detroit Wax Paper Com
pany, which within an almost incredible short space of
time has become one of the important manufacturing
enterprises of the city. It was started largely as an
experiment but is today filling a long-felt want in the
business circles of Detroit. The plant is one of the most
modern and best equipped in the state and Mr. Titus as
president of the industry is largely directing the develop
ment, conduct and expansion of the business. He is
also a director of the Citizens National Bank of Norwalk,
Ohio, and a trustee of the Water Works Company of
that city.
On the 4th of January, 1876, Mr. Titus was married to
Miss Mary Ann Cook, of Huntington, Indiana, a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Phineas Cook. Their three children are:
Clara M., the wife of Arthur J. Trumbull, who is vice
president of the Detroit Wax Paper Company, and who
have one son, George, born at Norwalk, Ohio, in 1904;
Mrs. W. A. Fisher, who was born in Norwalk, Ohio, and
resides in Detroit, her husband being W. A. Fisher, one
of the founders of the Fisher Body Corporation; and Mrs.
Gertrude Fyle, who was born in Norwalk, Ohio, and is
now a resident of Los Angeles, California. Mr. and Mrs.
Fisher have one child, Louis Fisher, who was born in
Detroit, and Mr. and Mrs. Fyle have two children:
Mary Elizabeth and Gretchen Fyle.
While residing in Norwalk, Mr. Titus took a prominent
part in public affairs and served as a member of the board
of education, while for two terms he was a member of
the city council. Since coming to Detroit he has acted
with the Detroit Board of Commerce, in which he has
membership and he also belongs to the Birmingham Gun
Club. He has a fine summer home on Lake Erie, where
he spends much of bis time during the summer months.
For a long period he concentrated his efforts and attention
almost solely upon his business but his success has enabled
him in later years to enjoy many of those pleasures which
leisure permits.
OTTO A. KOSS. One of the large and reliable
printing and binding establishments of Detroit is that
of which Otto A. Koss is the proprietor and manager
and which is conducted under his own name. It was
during his early childhood that he became a resident of
Detroit, although his birth occurred in New York city,
March 28, 1882, his parents being John A. and Caroline
(Scholtz) Koss. The father died during the infancy of
his son Otto, who was the youngest in a family of three
children, one of whom is now deceased, while a sister is
Mrs. Emma Swenson of Chieago, Illinois. The mother
survives and makes her home in this city.
In his youthful days Otto A. Koss was a pupil in the
graded and high schools of Detroit and subsequently
became an apprentice to the printer's trade, serving with
the Joseph Mack Printing Company of Detroit, and later
gave up a position with that house to enter the printing
business on his own account in 1914. From a small
beginning he has built up a high-class and lucrative

business as the result of his square dealing and honorable
methods as well as by the excellent work turned out
from his establishment. He specializes on high-grade
book and catalogue work and his business has largely
grown through the commendation of satisfied customers.
On the 2d of June, 1918, Mr. Koss was married to
Miss Lillian M. Ubelhoer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Frederick Ubelhoer of Detroit. Mr. Koss belongs to
Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and has become a Con
sistory Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He is
also identified with the Fellowcraft Athletic Club, the
Detroit Auto Club and the Detroit Board of Commerce,
his connection with the last named organization indi
cating his interest in the city, its business development
and the promotion of those projects which are a matter
of civic virtue and of civic pride.
NEWELL B. WALLACE, a capitalist whose large
invested interests are indicated in the fact that he is
serving as director of various important corporations,
was born in Fowlerville, Michigan, May 16, 1884, and
is a son of James H. and Elizabeth (Mawer) Wallace,
who were natives of Canada and of Michigan, respectively.
The father came to this state in early life and afterward
engaged in merchandising at Fowlerville. Some time
later he removed bis family and business to Williamson,
Michigan, and eventually became a resident of Lansing,
where he also conducted a profitable business, continuing
therein to the time of bis death. His wife passed away
in Detroit in 1909.
Newell. B. Wallace, their only child, attended the
graded and high schools of Williamson and afterward
the Michigan State Normal College at Ypsilanti. He
took up the profession of teaching in Commerce, Michi
gan, but gave up educational work to enter commercial
circles, becoming an employe of the D. M. Ferry Seed
Company, with which he filled various important posi
tions, serving in the office and also spending ten years
upon the road as a traveling salesman. On the 1st of
January, 1916, he resigned this position and became a
member of the brokerage firm of McCrone & Company,
remaining actively in the business until the present year.
He is still a director of the company and is also identified
with various other important busmess interests, being a
director of the Northern Surety Corporation of Mason
City, Iowa; a director of the Minnesota Sugar Company,
with plant at Chaska, Minnesota; and a director of the
Michigan Copper & Brass Company of Detroit.
Politically Mr. Wallace maintains an independent
course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment
without regard to party ties. Fraternally he is a Con
sistory Mason and Mystic Shriner and he belongs to the
Detroit Golf Club and also the Detroit Athletic Club,
being a devotee of athletics and manly outdoor sports.
His business career has been marked by a steady pro
gression that has taken him from the realm of small
things into the field of large undertakings and his enviable
position is the direct reward of indefatigable effort and
capability.

INDEX

Abbott, D! W  856
Ackerman, E. L  114
Adams, W. H..  958
Alden, D. G..  221
Alexander, J. C  74
Alfes, Joseph  624
Allan, A. E. D  720
Allen, J. J  201
Allen, M. W  165
Allen, W. S  712
Anderson, Glenn  768
Andrews, C. J  369
Andrews, H. E  619
Andrus, F. D  246
Andrus, S. D  353
Antisdel, J. F  70
Atkinson, J. E  807
Atkinson, John  796
Atlas, E. A  708
Austin, F. R  21
Austin, J. L  643
Ayers, C. H  851
Bailey, W. R  476
Baird, Andrew. .'  812
Baker, H. L  499
Baker, J. L  '  233
Baker, R. D  440
Ballantyne, Ford  890
Barbas, J. G  844
Barbas, T. G  844
Barbour, E. S  ,  723
Barker, L. V  763
Barkume, E. J  893
Barnard, B. S  687
Barnard, E. N  595
Barry, C. S  221
Barthel, O. F  269
Bassett, A. F  237
Bauer, D. W  226
Baumgartner, F. W  408
Bawden, George  687
Baxter, H. M  847
Bayne, D. C  576
Beal, A. W  495
Beasley, Norman  879
Beaver, E. B  -. 206
Beck, C. H  .'  69
Beck, T. E  893

Becker, G. C  150
Bedford, A. G  796
Beeehler, R. G  567
Beegen, R. G  105
Beegle, C. H......  262
Begg, G. 0  516
Begle, H. L  615
Benmosche, Moses  875
Berdan, H. L  511
Berglund, Carl  97
Bergner, C. N  283
Berlin, David  22
Berns, J. L  '. 950
Berry, J. M  229
Beymer, C. E  480
Biddle, A. P.  740
Bingham, H. H  524
Blackford, W. H  165
Blake, W. F  608
Bleil, G. E  275
Blodgett, F. F..  897
Bloomgarden, A. J  560
Bodde, J. R  563
Bogart, F. E  981
Bogue, G. G  958
Bohn, W. T  998
Bolasny, J. R  314
Bollin, E. J  258
Bolton, E. C  941
Book, J. B  318
Booth, E. J  969
Booth, R. H  383
Born, A. C  631
Bornman, John  174
Bothwell, W. J  771
Boulter, J. H  38
Bourg, J. N  213
Boushy, A. J  663
Bowen, F. E  664
Boydell, John  249
Brabant, F. X  946
Brand, C. R  432
Brand, G. E  126
Breakey, J. E  322
Bredin, C. H  548
Breisacher, Leo  611
Bright, G. B  488
Broehm, Carl  957
Brown, G. D  724

1001

1002

INDEX

Brown, J. M  387
Brown, P. G  918
Brown, T. H  229
Brownson, R. M  22
Bruesch, F. G  73
Brunke, B. B  859
Bryant, C. E  307
Buhl, A. H  261
Bullock, C. N  994
Burgess, C. J  299
Burghardt, Edward  580
Burkhardt, H. W  543
Burkhardt, Henry  544
Burns, J. D  329
Burroughs, C. H  683
Burrowes, M. R  242
Burt, Lou  675
Busby, J. H  464
Bush, C. T  '26
Callender, S. D  934
Camelon, T. P  46
Campau, A. M  595
Campbell, Allan  391
Campbell, Douglas  234
Campbell, H. H  313
Campbell, J. A  225
Campbell, Robert  684
Canton, W. E  491
Carpenter, W. S  926
Carson, A. A  491
Carstens, H. R  898
Carter, G. W  50
Castle, F. E  483
Chalmers, F. W  747
Chamberlin, C. E  511
Charlesworth, A. E  105
Child, F. P  49
Chilson, H. C  345
Chipman, H. F  926
Chope, R. L  467
Church of the Annunciation  365
Clark, Charlemagne  760
Clark, R. W  555
Clark, S. E  74
Clarke, Stanton  217
Clarkson, E. S  640
Clemens, H. J  25
Clizbe, W. D  412
Clunis, G. W  683
Codd, G. P  366
Cody, Frank  688
Comerford, T. F  680
Conant, W. S  652
Condon, G. M  423
Conely, W. S  819
Conner, W. J  93
Connolly, W. F  114
Connor, G. L  539

Connor, R. H  88
Connor, R. M  218
Connor, T. W  520
Cooper, Arthur  403
Copland, A. W  325"
Cornehl, William, Jr  169
Craig, G. H  856
Cramer, A. H  337
Cronin, F. C  154
Crosby, A. E  930
Cross, J. G  253
Crowley, D. H  :  161
Crowley, D. T  965
Crowley, W. C  965
Cudmore, R. T  217
Cumber, J. B  270
Cunningham, H. J  460
Dailey, J. W  804
Dalton, R. M  250
Dalzell, John  388
Damon, G. C  452
Danahey, T. P  , . 556
Daniels, E. T  114
Danziger, J. C  202
Darling, H. J  "317
Darmstaetter, A. A  463
Darmstaetter, Hermann  906
David, W. A  41
Davis, F. H  395
Davis, J. H  527
Davis, M. D  253
Dearth, E. H  886
Delaney, M. B  87
Demory, A. R  34
Dempster, J. H  946
Detroit Show Case Co  .'  456
Deuel, C. C  986
Dewey, V. F  711
Dexter, J. L  245
Dickinson, D. M., Jr  551
Dickinson, D. M., Sr  6
Dickinson, F. R  321
Dickinson, H. H., Jr  291
Dickinson, M. W  727
Dillon, M. W  142
Dingwall, George  133
Ditzler, P. M  748
Dodge, H. E  308
Doetseh, F. A  194
Doland, Theresa  807
Dow, C. F  80
Dowell, A. P  860
Doyle, G. A  118
Drake, H. B  828
Drake, Jesse  536
Drayer, W. E  439
Dresser, H. L.  283
Drum, C. E  852

INDEX

1003

DuBois, E. J  317
Ducharme, W. H  832
Duckett, W. W  672
Duffield, George  864
Duguid, R. C  780
Duncan, G. W  515
Dunham, R. E  768
Dunlap, E. R  962
. Durand, Joe, Jr  61
Dyer, D. F. L  322
Dykema, R. K  342
Earhart, H. B  696
Eason, G. A  370
Eby, B. C  744
Edwards, H. C  639
Ell, F. G..  970
Ellis, G. W  836
Ellis, R. J  ,  396
Ellsworth, W. D  194
Emery, A. A  287
Engel, Frank  80
Engel-, J. H  230
Epstean, G. G  823
Eshleman, , W. G  942
Esper, J. N  101
Evans, C. R  544
Evans, T. H  981
Evans, W. F  885
Fagg, C. A  25
Farthing, F. J  217
Fasquelle, L. J  443
Fearl, H. E  '  815
Feely, J. P., Jr  644
Fehn, A. F  588
Ferguson, Samuel  447
Ferris, G. A  519
Ferris, G. W  934
Finn, A. H  350
Finn, Robert  655
Fitzgerald, Augustus  551
Fleitz, G. L  922
Fleming, J. C  472
Fletcher, T. G  759
Ford, H. W  17
Fox, H. J  65
Fox, M. W  73
Frank, A. A  109
Frank, Elias  495
Fraser, Madge A  767
Fraser, S. A  588
Freese, C. E  572
Freiwald, Godfrey  412
French, C. L  33
Fresard, Joseph  353
Frost, J. C  663
Fry, V. C  843
Fulwell, George  428

Gage, W. T  137
Gallagher, W. H  218
Gallogly, E. E  447
Galorneau, A.I  387
Garliek, J. H  540
Garrett, R. C  436
Gates, G. H  313
Gates, J. C  265
Gates, W. W  503
Gehring, W. H  205
Gehrke, Walter  913
Geist, William  659
Gies, R. C  711
Gillespie, J. L  664
Gillespie, John  102
Gilligham, A. J  432
Gillis, Ransom  994
Gittins, C. E  190
Glenn, B. H  977
Gloor, G. A  631
Glover, Fred  253
Glynn, Thomas  284
Gmelin, F. P  954
Goddard, F. H  487
Goldman, Louis  847
Goodenough, L. W  680
Goodrich, J. S  "  771
Gorman, J. J  431
Goschenhof er, John  45
Goss, John C  568
Goss, Joseph C  568
Gracey, C. W  83
Grasser, H. C. F  170
Greene, G. S  780
Grier, J. A  536
Griffiths, J. E  14
Griggs, S. A  945
Grimshaw, A. E  528
Grinnell, C. A  117
Grose, P. W  234
Grover, W. R  21
Grow, J. A  667
Guest, E. A  732
Guthard, H. J  651
Guthard, W. A  395
Haas, G. J  755
Haberkorn, B. T  875
Haberkorn, C. H., Jr  361
Haekett, A. R  640
Haekett, W. A  608
Haigh, H. A  178
Hall, F. L  985
Hall, G. G.  122
Hamlen, R. J  242
Handy, R. J  130
Hanna, J. E  391
Hannan, W. W  .-  704
Harding, J. V  941

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03

c?

INDEX

1005

Lathrop, H. K  918
Laurence, R. H  142
Ledyard, H. B  5
Lee, H. B  564
Lee, J. L  97
Lee, T. F  '  902
Leech, C. W  ,  166
Lehr, A. A  925
Leith, C. H  153
Leland, T. E  914
Lesinski, John  792
Lindke, G. A  '  752
Livingstone, William  ¦  876
Logan, F. E  193
Look, William  400
Looker, R. C  583
Lorenzo, C. A  303
Loud, G. B  47i
Lovett, P. M  338
Luce, B. C  579
Lutz, William  479
Lux, G. V  342
McBryan, W. H  456
McCain, F. E  815
MeCann, J. E  300
McClatehey, Albert  471
McCorkle, W. F  392
McCormiek, A. L  ,  ¦ • • 280
McDonald, J. H  380
McDowell, J. S  330
McFadden, Mark  300
McFarlane, W. P  295
McFate, Robert  966
McGann, F. T.. ,  233
McGookin, E. W  -  487
McGraw, F. G. . . ,  515
McGraw, Homer  18
McHugh, P. A  334
Mclnerney, T. W  - - • 42
McKinney, L. J  906
McLaren, J. P  703
McLennan, C. J  129
McLeod, J. J  •  "°
McMichael, W. J  455
MeNair, R. A  719
McNamara, James  909
McNaughton, C. N  141
McPherson, J. H  34
Maclvor, J. A  929
MacKay, J. D  361
MacMillan, Frank  46
Maire, Lewis  732
Maiullo, Anthony  275
Maloney, R. G  245
Mann, C. L  471
Mann, R. H  291
Manson, R. C  345
Marsh, A. F  636

Martin, CM  419
Martin, Hugh  523
Mathews, F. 0  468
Matthews, E. H  \  660
Matzinger, H. S  423
May, J. D  102
Maybury, Thomas  791
Maybury, W. C  783
Mayer, A. J  210
Mears, Thomas  435
Meier, E. E  141
Meisenheimer, W. J  374
Menard, H. F  476
Mendelson, Aaron  724
Mendelssohn, Louis  v  719
Merbach, C. J  820
Merekel, J. W  691
Meyering, J. H  699
Michelson, A. E  '.  728
Michelson Land & Home Co  .-  728
Midworth, C. A. B  532
Miller, C. C  547
Miller, H. 0  816
Miller, J. F. G  635
Miller, J. L  503
Miller, S. T  784
Miller, W. A. C  322
Miller, W. A. C, Sr  326
Milotte, J. A  295
Moeller, W. F  109
Molitor, D. A  66
Moloney, J. E  37
Monaghan, G. F  238
Monkman, B. G  599
Moore, A. F  731
Moore, G. A  727
Moore, G. W  '  226
Moore, L. S., Jr  379
Moore, W. S  197
Moran, H. D  .-  443
Moran, J. P  213
Morris, E. M  512
Morrison, J. E  420
Moss, W. E  33
Moynihan, M. A  507
Muir, W. H  779
Mulford, E. W  145
Munn, J. C  901
Murphy, M. J  ,  563
Murtha, J. A  186
Muzzy, J. H  182
Nagel, W. J  98
Nail, E. B  990
Neal, Frederick  969
Neighbors, R. G  756
Nesbitt, W. J  651
Neumann, W. F. V  840
Newbro, D. M  459

1006

INDEX

Newton, T. E  703
Nichols, J. K  ,  816
Noack, W. C  989
Nutt, G. D  982
Nutten, W. L  158
Oakman, J. M  624
O'Brien, E. A  395
0 'Brien, M. E  ;  484
O'Hara, J. P  341
Ohlsehlager, H. F  479
Otis, Burr  358
Ouellette, W. C  225
Owen, John  125
Pagel, B. S  345
Palmer, G. P  269
Palmer, L. G  292
Palmer, T. W  748
Pappas, E. N  974
Parker, H. J  756
Parrish, C. E  374
Parsons, C. B  456
Partridge, C. E  600
Patrick, R. A  346
Patterson, Peter  165
Payne, T. W  205
Penniman, G. H  591
Penniman, T. P  631
Perrett, W. M.  957
Perry, V. G  607
Pingree, E. W  436
Pingree, F. C  455
Pochelon, Albert  531
Pomnietzky, W. E  859
Pool, J. F  N  775
Pope, G. D  408
Porte, T. L. W  736
Pottle, G. V  295
Power, W. S  452
Pugh, B. A  9
Pulcher, M. L  407
Putnam, H. J  451
Putnam, W. P  237
Rabaut, L. A  917
Radeliffe, B. G  321
Randall, F. M  404
Rasch, F. A  190
Reece, W. W  620
Reed, F. A  -.  832
Reilly, L. J  213
Reindel, G. J  134
Reindel, H. C  431
Reiss, Joseph  210
Renchard, G. W  137
Restrick, R. C  448
Restrick, W. C  342
Rexford, D. C  221

Rice, Alfred   672
Rice-Wray, T. C  604
Ridley, J. R  185
Rix, C. K  300
Roach, G. R  543
Roberts, Edgar F  860
Robison, McKee  138
Rogers, C. E  692
Roney, W. E  508
Ross, W. F. G  696
Ross, W. J  266
Rothschild, Sigmund  535
Rowland, W. C  508
Russel, Henry  370
Russell, J. W  905
Rutherford, S. S  65
Ryan, A. E  644
Ryan, H. C  667
Safford, B. D  910
Sanders, Frederick  349
Sanders, G. W  472
Sanders, J. C  287
Saunders, H. G  643
Savery, W. 1  338
Saxe, G. F  824
Schaefer, G. E  460
Schaefer, W. E  94
Schaldenbrand, F. W  407
Sehermerhorn, James  922
Schewe, OR  Z67
Schiller, H. A  476
Schilling, E. A  113
Schimmel, L. W  515
Sehlaeks, J. T  819
Schmalzriedt, J. F. G  684
Schmidt, A. H  ; .".  443
Schneider, F. A  r  671
Schneider, Louis  403
vSchreiter, A. E  234
Schueler, Arthur  291
Schulte, F. A  222
Schulte, J. H  519
Schulte, O. E  419
Schunk, J. M  788
Schwarz, E. H  341
Schwarz, F. L., Jr  118
Scully, A. J  695
Seely, C. C  173
Selinsky, Samuel  53
Sellers, E. H  572
Sells, W. A  504
Sempliner, A. W  416
Servis, H. H  795
Shand, James  329
Sharp, L. E  362
Shearer, Henry  339
Sheetz, W. F  ' ' \ 145
Sherman, G. H  254

INDEX

1007

Sherwood, W. S  516
Shifflet, Cumber & Co  270
Shifflet, J. B  270
Simons, C. C  189
Simons, D. W  29
Skelton, G. E  937
Skinner, F. G  811
Sloman, E. M  110
Smith, C. A  337
Smith, C. T  214
Smith, David  739
Smith, F. W  49
Smith, H. A  660
Smith, M. D  715
Smith, S. L  647
Sorge, P. A  772
Spademan, C. F  '  475
Spillman, H. S  276
Spencer, Ralph  970
Spitzley, B. C._  296
Splane, J. G. . ."  700
Standart, R. W  198
Standish, F. D  921
Stange, Edward  764
Stark, H. M  803
Starret, T. C  238
Stephens, C. E  851
Stephens, H. J  -  636
Stevenson, C. H  158
Still, F. R  '.  380
Stockard, J. L  149
Stoepel, F. C  459
Stoepel, F. S  828
Stoll, Otto  83
Stone, J. R  937
Stott, David  848
Stradley, L. H  '.  37
Straith, C. L  404
Straith, Samuel   559
Strasburg, H. A  894
Streeter, Howard  330
Strieker, E. A  ,  499
Stroh, George, Jr  496
Strong, J. W. (Ill)  978
Stuart, R. R  632
Sullivan, D. A  831
Summers, R. W  848
Sward, F. L  202
Swart, R. B. ..... . . . ;  823
Swift, J. H  659
Szymanski, L. L  257
Tamblyn, E. J  632
Tant, W. F  656
Tarabusi, Louis  776
Taylor, D. H  953
Taylor, F. D  712
Taylor, Wesley  603
Teagan, J. H  871

Ternes, A. P  379
Thomas, G. M  616
Thomas, L. D  619
Thompson, B. H  998
Thompson, F. B  500
Thompson, J. H  '. .'  552
Thompson, W. R  973
Thomson, Donald  668
Thurber, H. T  548
Tilton, F. A  424
Tireman, John  189
Titus, G. F  999
Toaz, A. B  627
Toms, F. P  547
Torrence, J. E  623
Tower, T. E  113
Treadway, A. A  134
Treadwell, C. W  671
Troxell, H. P  998
Truxell, C. W  150
Turnbull, L. H  910
Turner, Waldso  942
Tyler, C. A  584
Unger, I. B  354
Upington, H. V  816
Valpey, L. N  966
Van Alstyne, J. S., Jr  909
Van Dresser, W. B  855
Van Sickle, William  173
Van Zile, P. T  106
Vaughn, C. S  122
Venderbush, R. E  53
Vincent, R. E  648
Vinton Family  74
Waddington, J. E. G  439
Wagner, Henry, Jr  41
Walbridge, G. B  496
Walker, C. C  523
Walker, C. E  607
Walker, F. C  504
'Walker, H. E  772
Walker, H. H  795
Walker, Hiram  676
Walker, J. H  257
Walker, J. S  925
Walker, L. K  307
Walker, T. H  .'  576
Wallace, N. B  1000
Wallace, R. T  759
Wandersee, W. E  170
Wardell, Fred  824
Wardwell, H. F  889
Waterfall, E. A  153
Watling, J. W  \\ 591
Watson, D. L  890 '
Weadoek, T. A. E  10

1008

INDEX

Webb, C. W. M  720
Webb, F. E  444
Webb, G. H  699
Weber, G. L  655
Webster, H. A  512
Welch, G. M  157
Welch, J. M  587
Wells, B. A  201
Wendell, C. A  61
Westeott, J. W  50
Wetherbee, G. C  539
Wheeler, H. A  596
Wheeler, W. S  913
Whitaker, Charles  198
Whitehead, J. T  620
Whiting, J. R  901
Whitley, J. B  279
Whitney, W. 1  695
Wicker, J. P  843
Widman, J. C  580
Wiedeman, H. C  611
Wilcox, C. E  169
Wilder, G. E  365
Wilkie, James  333
Willemin, A. B  564
Williamson, A. H  121
Willing, H. L  17
Willson, A. J  723
Wilson, H. G  '. 599

Wilson, J. W  262
Wilson, W.' J  628
Wimble, B. L  288
Windisch, W. J  897
Winfield, W. N  •  222
Wisenbaugh, C. B  997
Wisner, C. E  938
Witherspoon, J. C  575
Witt, W. H  592
Wixson, B. C  330
Wolf, E. A  993
Woodison, E. J  483
Woolfenden, G. R  ,  635
Wright, N, C.  775
Wurzer, F. H  917
Wyatt, H. W  827
Wyckoff, F. L  ;  206
Yates, C. A  467
Yokom, A. E  141
Young, DuBois  863
Young, G. A  186
Young, M. A  346
Youngblood, Bernard  399
Zacharias, P. H  962
Zander, H. H.  134
Zanger, G. W  69
Zeigen, F. H  384