USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Chronography of notable events in the history of the Northwest territory and Wayne County > Part 45
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HARVEY S. REED.
Harvey S. Reed, a native of the Empire State, was born in the town of Hillsdale, Columbia county, New York, March 8th, 1821.
In April, 1854, Mr. Reed moved to Detroit as the master of trans- portation for the American Express Company. He has had general oversight of receiving and shipment of freights at Detroit since, and
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still continues to look after the interests of that company. That his services have been acceptable and faithfully performed, is evident from his long retention in this responsible position.
Personally, Mr. Reed is kind and courteous to all, but firm in the maintainance of his views and opinions exacting no more from others than he is willing to give in return.
February 3d, 1851, he married Miss Sarah Ann Fargo, of Manilus, N. Y. Mrs. Reed was a sister of William G. and Charles Fargo. They have one son, Charles F., agent of the American and Canadian Express Companies at Detroit.
HON. DAVID PRESTON.
Hon. David Preston was born in Harmony, Chautauqua county, N. Y., September 20th, 1826, and came to Detroit in 1848, and entered the banking office of Gleason F. Lewis, with whom he remained up to 1852, when he decided to open an office on his own account, and was successful. He also established a branch in Chicago. He continued in the banking business up to the day of his death, which occurred sud- denly at Detroit, Sunday morning, April 24th, 1887.
It may be said of David Preston, that he made his business subor- dinate to his religion. He demonstrated this during the panic of 1873. This was a trying period; confidence was weakened in all financial institutions, many suspending never to resume. Mr. Preston, who had invested in pine lands, found that he could not make them available to meet the claims of his depositors unless time was given him, and issued a circular letter, frankly stating his financial condition, and his confidence in being able to pay all liabilities, providing his friends would give him time, closing his letter as follows: "I have such faith in God, that I am certain you will grant me the time asked."
His friends did grant his request, and every dollar of his indebted- ness was cancelled within the time specified.
While this incident exposed him to the scoffing of thoughtless men, the mass of financiers appreciated his integrity and the Christian simplicity with which he maintained it in life and until death.
May 5th, 1852, Mr. Preston married Miss Jane B. Hauk, of Conneaut, Ohio. They have had fourteen children, seven of whom are living, Mrs. Helen E. Hayes, Minnie E., William D., Francis B. Ellery D., Mabel and Bessie.
Mr. Preston never sought political preferment. He was elected Alderman of the city one term. He became a candidate for Governor on the Prohibition ticket in 1884, purely from his desire to promote the temperance cause.
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Mr. Preston was personally identified with many enterprises tending to promote the growth, beauty and wealth of Detroit. Among them was the purchase of a large tract of vacant land, which he sub- divided and sold at such a low price as enabled the poor man to own a home; the erection of the Central M. E. church building on Woodward avenue and the Simpson church on Grand River avenue; the establish- ment of the Preston National Bank and the Fidelity Safe Vaults.
His contributions to churches and other benevolent enterprises aggregated $200,000 and over. He leaves to posterity the evidence of a successful business life, based upon the application of Christian prin- ciples in its conduct.
W. K. MUIR.
W. K. Muir, born at Kilmarnock, Scotland, after acquiring a rail- way education in Scotland, accepted a railway position in England, March 20, 1829, and at the age of 23, was appointed to the Superin- tendency of the Great Western Railway of Canada, (then under con- struction), and after its completion to Windsor, was sent by the Great Western Railway Company to take the management of the Detroit & Milwaukee Railway in 1857, and to complete it to Grand Haven, since then has become identified with the following enterprises, which have had so great an influence upon the growth of our city and State, in morals, education, material wealth, and population.
First, The completion of the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railway across the State, and establishing connection with the Wiscon- sin railways by means of steam ferryage across Lake Michigan.
Second, In 1865, as Assistant-General Superintendent of the Michigan Central Railway, was instrumental in devising the system by which passengers, baggage, and freight, are transported from Chicago to New York and Boston intact, without change of cars or transfer.
Third, In 1867, as Manager of the Great Western Railway of Canada, changing the guage of its road from broad to American stan- dard, and thoroughly equipping it with engines and cars, conforming to those used on American railways.
Fourth, As General Superintendent of the then demoralized Canada Southern Railway, systemizing its operating management, and promoting alliances, making it a part and connecting link between the Michigan Central and the New York Central & Hudson River, and Boston & Albany Railways.
Since his voluntary retirement as Superintendent of the last named railway he accepted the Presidency and Management of the Eureka Iron and Rolling Mills at Wyandotte, the Presidency of the Star Line
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Steamers, Vice-President of the Belle Isle Ice Company, President of the Detroit Dix Electric R. R., and of the Detroit Omnibus Company, President of several car loaning companies, and is also a stockholder in various other banking and manufacturing enterprises, which have had so much to do in building up the city and adding to its business facili- ties. He is at present President of the Board of Commissioners of the City Poor, and of two other benevolent institutions in Detroit. It is difficult to estimate the benefits which the city and State have derived as the product of the energy, genius, and money expended by such men as Mr. Muir, in the promotion of enterprises and industries such as he has been engaged in, since his advent to Michigan, but they have been of sufficient magnitude to entitle him to recognition as being of the number contributing to make Detroit, and the State prosperous financially, and progressive in industrial, benevolent and educational enterprises.
Personally, Mr. Muir is courteous and kind, with no ostentation in manner or address, and easily approached by poor or rich.
Mr. Muir has been twice married. First in Jersey City, to a Miss Steele, of Ayr, Scotland. His second wife was Miss Hendrie, sister of Mr. George Hendrie. They have two children, one daughter and one son.
ALLAN SHELDEN.
" As for any merchandise you have brought, ye shall have your return in mer- chandise or in gold."-Bacon.
" A man who cannot mind his own, is not to be trusted with the king's busi- ness."-Savelle.
Although not an early pioneer, the subject of this sketch is recog- nized as one who has contributed to the substantial growth of our city and State, and therefore this record of early pioneers would be incom- plete without his name.
Allan Shelden is a native of the State of New York. He was born at Kinderkook, July 16th, 1832.
The parents of Mr. Shelden, being desirous of making him a busi- ness man, his early education was such as to give a practical knowledge of the laws of business. Like all men of enterprise he came west, enter- ing the wholesale house of Z. Chandler & Co.
The late Senator remarked soon after Mr. Shelden's arrival, point- ing towards him, " That young man is destined to become the most suc- cessful merchant 'in the west, and we old heads," turning to Reuben Town, " will be on the back seat." Mr. Chandler and Reuben Town were both men of excellent judgment as regards men or business (a
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short sketch of the life of each will be found elsewhere in this volume), and time would seem to have confirmed their judgment of Mr. Shelden, for we find him at the end of two years a partner in the house, and since 1863 down to this date, the head.
During this time he has maintained a high reputation, adding largely to its business importance as a Detroit wholesale house, and in the same proportion increased its income.
Mr. Shelden was the confidential business manager of Mr. Chandler and all his personal affairs were referred to him.
Mr. Sheldon has been interested in railway matters somewhat, hav- ing been one of the builders of the Hillsdale and Indiana and Butler Railway, which, while not resulting in profit to himself, has been of value to Detroit and to the farming and business communities traversed by them. He is one of the directors in the Detroit Union Railroad and Depot Company, and also a director in the Detroit National Bank. Mr. Shelden is a man who attends closely to his business, but in doing so is not unmindful of his obligations to society and public interests, always heartily and generously responding to the demands which may be made to encourage movements of a benevolent character.
He is an intelligent politician, in the sense that he keeps thor- oughly advised as to party officials and party measures, carefully digest- ing the conduct and acts of each, that he may judge where to throw his influence to promote the interests of business and protection to the people engaged therein.
In 1859 Mr. Shelden married Miss Catherine Dusenbury, of New York. They have one son, who in 1888, married the eldest daughter of Gen. Russell A. Alger.
Mr. Shelden is a life member of this Society.
MARTIN S. SMITH.
Martin S. Smith is a native of New York State and was born at Lima, Livingston county, in 1834. His father, Ira D., and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Snyder, were both natives of Columbia county, New York. They spent some years in Livingston county and in 1844 came to Michigan, bringing Martin with them. Mr. Smith was then ten years of age. Not liking the farm he, at the age of four- teen, decided upon a business life, and commenced as clerk in a clothing store at Pontiac.
William M. Thompson then published the Pontiac Gazette and persuaded Mr. Smith to leave the clothing business and become a printer. He remained with Mr. Thompson two years when Mr. J. C.
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Goodsell, a merchant at Pontiac, offered him a situation in his store, which he accepted. In 1851 he came to Detroit and entering the store of Messrs. Holmes & Company, sold goods for them one year, and then became connected with L. P. Durkee & Company, in the jewelry business. He subsequently purchased the stock of Durkee & Co., and continued the business alone until August, 1864, when he took his brothers, Frank G. and Edward J. Smith, as partners, and carried on the business under the name of M. S. Smith & Company until about a year ago, when the firm name was changed to Frank G. Smith, Sons & Company.
Mr. Smith enjoys the confidence of his fellow; citizens to almost an unlimited extent. He has never sought public honors or office, although he has been a member of the Board of Police Commissioners since 1872. It was unsought but accepted because of the importunity of the late Governor Bagley. That he has filled the position well is evidenced from the fact of his successive reappointments by Governor Bagley's successors.
Mr. Smith is vice-president of the American National Bank, vice- president of the State Savings Bank, also of the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company, treasurer of the Woodmere Cemetery Associa- tion, treasurer of the Alger, Smith & Company and Manistique Lumber Company, and vice-president of the Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad Company. He is also prominently identified with other manufacturing industries of the city and State.
He is a liberal giver of time and money to the literary and bene- volent institutions of both city and State, readily responding to all reasonable demands made upon him.
Personally, his manner is unassuming; he is inclined to reticence, preferring to act rather than talk.
In 1862 Mr. Smith married Miss Mary E. Judson, of Detroit.
His success in business is the result of close attention to details, strict regard for the rights of others, as well as of his own, economical but not parsimonious and untiring in the prosecution of whatever he undertakes. He has thus accumulated a large fortune, which all who know him concede he is justly entitled to.
JOSIAH DIXON HAYES.
Josiah Dixon Hayes, was born January 16, 1825, in Jefferson county, N. Y. .
On the father's side he was of Scotch descent. His ancestors emi- grated from Scotland to Salem, Massachusetts, in the days of the Puritans. At an early age he removed with his father from Jefferson
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to Monroe county, N. Y. At the age of thirteen he engaged in the mercantile business with Messrs. Hopkins & Hewitt, at Pittsford, and continued with them three years. In settling the estate of Mr. Hopkins, the business took him to Canada, where he engaged in other business with John M. Grover, of Colborne.
In 1847, he formed a partnership with Messrs. Shaw & Comstock, of New York City, to which place he then went. In 1849 he pur- chased the interests of his partners, which he subsequently sold, and returning to Colborne, engaged in the mercantile business until 1852, when he became the agent of the Grand Trunk Railway at Cobourg. In 1859 he came to Detroit, as the General Agent of the Company, and Treasurer of the Detroit, Canada and Grand Trunk Junction Rail- way Company. In 1861, he engaged with the Michigan Central Rail- way Company, and became the General Eastern Freight Agent of that road, with headquarters at Buffalo.
In 1865, he succeeded the late C. H. Hurd, as Assistant-Superin- tendent of the Michigan Central Railway. To Mr. Hayes belongs the credit of founding the European Express Freight Line, as up to that time all freight from or to the West, from or to Europe, was subjected to detentions and excessive charges at New York and Boston. After repeated efforts, he induced the railway and steamship companies to make one bill of lading cover both land and water transportation. This was the first step toward the enactment by Congress of the law authorizing "dutiable merchandise to be transported to the interior port of destination without first going through the appraiser's store and the bonded warehouse."
Mr. Hayes was also the originator of shipping fresh beef from the West and to Europe, by means of refrigerator cars on land, and refri- gerator apartments on the steamer. In 1866 he became General Manager of the Blue Line. He continued in this capacity eight years, and meantime, with others, built the largest flouring mill in Michigan.
Mr. Hayes having made the subject of transportation a study, he was recognized as authority upon all questions relating to it. The compiler of this book very well remembers his testimony before a committee of the U. S. Senate, on Transportation Routes, and the favor- able impression it made upon that committee; so much so, that his entire testimony was ordered printed with the report of the committee.
Mr. Hayes was a member of the convention which provided for the formation of the National Board of Trade, and became a member of its Executive Council. He was for a number of years President of the Millers' Association of Michigan. In 1871 he largely contributed to the establishment of the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Bank of Detroit, and for a number of years was its Vice-President.
He made a very strong argument before the Ways and Means
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Committee of Congress against the double taxation of banking capital, February, 1877, as the representative of the National Bankers' Asso- ciation.
He married Miss Elura Mary Wood, May 10, 1849, only daughter of Col. Peleg Wood, of Colborne, Ont., who survives him, as does one son and one daughter, Frederick W. Hayes, Vice-President of the Preston National Bank of Detroit, and Mrs. Frederick A. Robinson.
Mr. Hayes was a member of the Wayne County Historical Society, and by virtue of its having been merged into the Wayne County Pioneer Society, April 21, 1871, he has been recognized as a member of the latter.
He died September 24, 1888, and leaves as a legacy to the financial and railway world, the evidences of what can be accomplished by the intelligent application of the principles of pure business, morality and integrity.
RUSSELL A. ALGER.
Russell A. Alger, although not among the earliest settlers of the State, was born in that portion of the Territory west of the Alleghanies of which Michigan was once a part, viz: In the township of Lafayette, Medina county, Ohio, February 27th, 1836, and besides has been, since 1859, so intimately connected with it, and the events and enterprises which have contributed to make it the third among its sister States in point of productions and manufactures, that the future will recog- nize him as entitled to be classed with those pioneers who have made Michigan what it is to-day.
At the early age of twelve, by the death of his parents, he was left to depend upon himself and for the seven subsequent years was able to accumulate, by working on a farm, sufficient means to defray his expenses at the Richfield Academy during the winter, and thus obtained a good English education, enabling him to teach and prepare for the profession of law. He commenced his law studies in the office of Messrs. Wolcott & Upson, of Akron, Ohio, in March, 1857, and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of that State in 1859. Soon after, he entered the office of Messrs. Otis & Coffinbury, at Cleveland, Ohio, with whom he remained until the fall of 1859, when he removed to Grand Rapids, but was compelled, on account of ill health, to aban- don the practice of law, and at once engaged in the lumber business.
The General married Annette H. Henry, daughter of W. G. Henry, of Grand Rapids, April 2d, 1861, and in August following enlisted in the Second Michigan Cavalry and was mustered into the United States service as captain.
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July 2d, 1862, he was wounded at the battle of Boonville, Miss. For his conduct in this engagement he was promoted to the rank of major, at the same time his colonel (the late General Sheridan) was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. October 16th, he was pro- moted to the lieutenant colonelcy of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry and and was ordered with his regiment to the Army of the Potomac. On the 2d of June, 1862, was made colonel of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, which was a part of Custer's Michigan Cavalry Brigade, justly named " the fighting brigade of the Army of the Potomac." At the battle of Boonesborough, Maryland, July Sth, 1863, he was severely wounded. He resigned from the army in September, 1864. His record shows that he was an active participant in sixty-six battles and was breveted brigadier and major general "for gallant and meritorious services in the field."
He has resided in Detroit since 1865, during which time he has been actively engaged in dealing in lumbering, in building railroads, develop- ing iron industries and mines, aiding in the establishment of numerous manufacturing industries, necessitating the employment of a large labor force and the disbursement of many millions of dollars in order to utilize the native products of our State, thus adding to its material wealth and prosperity.
In his public life, as Governor of the State, he administered its laws, and the responsibilities imposed thereby, with so much wisdom and discretion as to gain the confidence of the people, irrespective of party, and had he obtained the Presidential nomination at Chicago, would undoubtedly have received the largest vote ever given by Michigan for a candidate for the Presidency of the United States.
It would partake too much of fulsomeness to refer to his personal generosity to, and practical sympathy for the unfortunate. It is enough to state that the numerous recipients of his kind acts will do him justice, and the future history of the man will record them.
Since writing the foregoing the General has been elected Com- mander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a life mem- ber of this Society.
DEXTER M. FERRY.
Dexter Mason Ferry, of Detroit, is a native of New York, and was born in the village of Loweville, Lewis county, August 8th, 1833. The name Ferry indicates French origin on the paternal side, but the family emigrated to America and settled in Springfield, Province of Massachusetts, at which place the first Charles Ferry took the oath of allegiance in the year 1678. His son Charles married a descendant
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of Richard Montague, whose ancestors accompanied the Norman invasion of England, and hence this name would seem to be Norman French in origin.
Dexter Mason, the maternal grand parent of the subject of this sketch, represented the ultra-Conservative district of Berkshire in the Massachusetts Legislature, and was own cousin to the late Governor George N. Briggs.
The paternal grand parents of Dexter M. Ferry removed from Massachusetts to Loweville, Lewis county, N. Y., where Joseph N. Ferry was born and reared. He married Lucy D. Mason, of Berk- shire county, Mass.
Joseph M. Ferry died at Lowville in 1836. Shortly after the death of his father the family removed to the township of Penfield, near Rochester, N. Y. There Mr. Ferry spent his early boyhood, and at the age of sixteen began life for himself. For two years he worked for a neigh- boring farmer during the summer at ten dollars a month, attending the district school during the winter; then, having advanced in his studies beyond the capacity of his teachers, he entered the service of the Hon. Ezra M. Parsons, who resided near Rochester, in order to avail himself of the advantages which the higher schools of that city afforded, using the opportunities thus furnished to good advantage. Through the influence of his employer he obtained a situation, first as errand boy and then as salesman, and last as bookkeeper with S. D. Elwood & Co., in Detroit.
In 1856, deeming himself competent, both by experience and the accumulation of sufficient capital to warrant it, he organzied, with Mr. M. T. Gardner, the firm of M. T. Gardner & Co., seedsmen, he being the junior partner.
The firm continued to do business under this name until 1865, when Mr. Ferry purchased Mr. Gardner's interest, and Mr. Ferry from that day until the present has remained the head. In 1867 some changes were made in the conduct of the business, by which the style of the firm became D. M. Ferry & Co., and was composed of D. M. Ferry, H. K. White, C. C. Bowen and A. E. White. From the year 1867 to the present time these gentlemen have been associated with Mr. Ferry in the conduct of the immense transactions of the house.
In 1879 the business of the firm had become of such magnitude that it was deemed wise to become incorporated under the State laws. Accordingly a charter was obtained under the laws of Michigan, with the official style of D. M. Ferry & Company, limited (as to time) to thirty years, and with a paid up capital of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. . The Detroit Seed Company was then absorbed, and its principal owners appear as members of the existing corporation, Senator James McMillan being Vice-President. Mr. Ferry retains a principal interest and is the President and manager.
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It would be impossible in a brief sketch to give in detail an idea of the huge proportions to which the business of D. M. Ferry & Co. has been brought, under the managment of Mr. Ferry and his original and present associates. It is only by comparison that we can approximate. In 1856 the firm of M. T. Gardner & Co. began on Monroe avenue; the entire sales of the firm were about six thousand dollars, and its market was confined to the western States. The struggle was hard, but persistent care, industry and the exercise of firmness and skill triumphed. Their sales now in a single year reach nearly two million dollars. Their importations are the heaviest in Michigan, including transactions reaching tens of thousands of dollars annually, with English, French, Dutch, German and other European concerns; over one hundred thous- and merchants are supplied; more than two hundred and fifty thousand boxes of seeds are shipped, the boxes alone involving a cost of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars; four carloads of seeds pass through the doors of their warehouse daily.
The company have their own printing presses, and consume more paper than the first-class public journals, their issues being over eight hundred thousand copies. The number of employees exceeds one thous- and five hundred, besides three hundred traveling men.
In January, 1886, fire destroyed their immense four story, brick storehouse, specially designed by them; the building occupied the easterly half of the block bounded by Brush, Croghan, Lafayette and Randolph streets, and had five acres of floor space.
This was the first serious loss sustained by the house, but out of the temporary chaos it was able to bring order, and at once secured other accommodations, reorganized their force of employees and so systemized their work that the delay in filling their orders was slight.
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