USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > Compendium of history and biography of the city of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan > Part 41
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At the time of his death, in addition to the positions already noted, Mr. McMillan was a director of the Michigan Steamship Company, the American Shipbuilding Company, the Pen- insular Sugar Company, the Detroit Union Railroad Depot & Station Company, the First National Bank, the People's State Bank, the Cass Farm Company, Ltd., and held other of- ficial positions as follows: Vice-president Du- luth & Atlantic Transportation Company ; pres- ident of each the Michigan Malleable Iron Company, Detroit Shipbuilding Company, Detroit Seamless Steel Tube Company, Mon- arch Steel Castings Company, Detroit Walker- Gordon Laboratory Company, Detroit Hotel Company, Cleveland & Toledo Line, Frank Whitney Painting Company, and Pontchartrain Hotel Company ; treasurer of the Detroit Rail- road Elevator Company, secretary Detroit Iron Furnace Company, chairman executive commit- tee of the Union Trust Company; treasurer of the Detroit Manufacturers' Railroad, treasurer of Grace hospital, and a trustee of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York.
At the time of his death the Detroit papers
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spoke at length and with marked appreciation of his life and labors, both in the news and the editorial columns, and from one of these edi- torial utterances the following extracts are made: "William C. McMillan's busy life has reached its close, and he rests from unceasing activities which would have worn down the vitality of the most iron constitution. His span of life fell a few days short of forty-six years, yet in that time he lived a century, measuring his cares, responsibilities and achievements by the average standard. When still a young man, at the age when the average son of wealth is preparing to settle down to some definite pursuit, he was assuming posi- tions of responsibility that might tax the ca- pacity and test the executive ability of a vet- eran in the industrial turmoil. That he acted well his part there can be no question. He was a man of cultivated mind. He had a comprehensive grasp of business affairs that grew within an ever-broadening study. He would have made his mark anywhere. He loved science in the abstract and in the con- crete; for itself and for the application it might have in his future endeavors. * * * Mr. McMillan's death leaves a perceptible void in the business world of Detroit. The interests he advanced, created, combined and expanded, will remain monuments to his memory. In social life Mr. McMillian was genial and sym- pathetic in his manner. He kept up a broad culture, as if fearful of becoming one of those automatic machines that come of steady ap- plication to a narrow range of duties and investigations."
For nearly a quarter of a century the name of McMillan has represented a power in Repub- lican politics in Michigan, which state the father of our subject so long and ably repre- sented in the United States senate. Hon. James McMillan had elements of popular strength which were unmistakably lacking in the son, whose temperament and business train- ing scarcely fitted him to attain to definite suc- cess in the domain of practical politics. He was a zealous and effective exponent of the cause of the Republican party in his native state, and in many respects he was to be con- sidered the logical political successor of his
father when the latter was called from the field of life's endeavors, in 1902. When Senator McMillan died a great many of the party lead- ers insisted that William C. McMillan should be sent to the senate in his father's place, but after careful consideration the latter declined to become a candidate, believing such action expedient for the party welfare. He virtually, however, became the leader of his party in the state, and finally, in 1906, he became a candi- date for the United States senate. In the cam- paign which ensued, a great many of his father's old friends rallied to his support, while the machine politicians and those inter- ested in a campaign where money is freely used, fought him bitterly, on account of his clearly defined stand against them at the time of announcing his candidacy. The presence of three other candidates in the field left the vote in the legislature fairly evenly divided. Forty-eight hours before he expected to leave for the state capital Mr. McMillan was taken ill and was unable to participate personally in the campaign. The vote was so evenly divided between the four leading candidates that Mr. McMillan's supporters were confident that his presence would have turned the tide in his favor, but as this was impossible, at his request, they finally threw their support to William Alden Smith, who was elected. It can not be doubted that the strain of his political stand had a direct influence in bringing about the death of Mr. McMillan, whose health had been on precarious footing for a long time. He was a man of reservation, but the best voucher of his sterling worth and noble attributes is offered in the fact that those who knew him best most admired and respected him. He was reared under patrician surroundings and had the advantages of wealth, and still he was thor- oughly democratic at heart and understood the springs of human thought and action, though not in that appreciative way which makes for indiscriminate popularity, to seek which his tastes and strength were too in- sistent to allow him. Truth and probity and intrinsic nobility represented the man as he was, and it is well that his life should be estimated at the high value for which it stood.
Mr. McMillan was a member of various
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societies and clubs of prominent character, both in Detroit and elsewhere, and was recognized as a man of high intellectual attainments as well as great business sagacity. He was always loyal to his native city, and not yet can the full estimate of his services to Detroit be made. The perspective of years is neces- sary to determine adequately, though all may see the direct and multifarious benefices of purely material order.
In 1884, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McMillan to Miss Thayer, of Boston, Massa- chusetts, who survives him, as do also their two children,-James Thayer and Doris.
JOHN OWEN.
A strong and noble character was that of the late John Owen, who exerted an emphatic influence in connection with business and civic affairs in Detroit during the entire course of a long and significantly successful career. The greater part of his life was passed in this city and he gained success through his individ- ual ability and application, ever standing exemplar of that integrity of purpose which figures as the plumb of character and makes for objective valuation in connection with the varied relations of life. He was a financier of marked astuteness, served as treasurer of the state at a critical and climacteric period, was one of the leading bankers of Detroit, and had other capitalistic interests of distinctive importance. His strength was as the number of his days and he was summoned from the mortal life in the fulness of years and honors, his death occurring at his home in Detroit on the 20th of March, 1892.
Mr. Owen was born near the city of Toronto, Canada, on the 20th of March, 1809, and he was a child at the time of his father's death. In 1818, when he was nine years of age, his mother removed to Detroit, where he soon afterward began to attend school in the old University building, on Bates street. The finan- cial resources of his mother were very limited and while thus attending school he defrayed the expenses of his tuition by services rendered to his preceptor. When but twelve years of age he secured a position as errand boy in the
drug store of Dr. Chapin, one of the pioneer physicians of Detroit, and he remained with the doctor for several years, making himself so indispensible that when he was only twenty years old he was admitted to partnership in the business, without the investment of capi- tal other than his services and his proven integrity of character. Later the firm became J. Owen & Company, the concern being a lead- ing one of the order in the city and holding a representative patronage. In 1853 Mr. Owen retired from the drug business, and the well known firm of T. H. Hinchman & Son became the eventual successor of this pioneer house,
Through his well directed endeavors Mr. Owen had accumulated a competency, and his business acumen and mature judgment were shown in the extent and character of his cap- italistic investments. He became largely in- terested in banking and lake marine navigation. He was one of the earliest and largest stock- holders in the Detroit & Cleveland Steam Nav- igation Company, of which he was president for many years and with which he continued to be identified until the time of his death. He was also one of the principal stockholders of the Detroit Dry Dock Company, both of these great concerns owing much of their suc- cess to his administrative direction. He was the first president of the latter corporation, which was the direct successor of the ship- building firm of Campbell, Owen & Company.
During the financial stringency that followed the panic of 1857 Mr. Owen held the presi- dency of the Michigan Insurance Bank, and as has well been said, "The fact that the bank weathered the storms of that period was very largely due to the unbounded confidence which the business public had in his ability and integrity." Apropos of the same subject another appreciative article contains the fol- lowing equally pertinent words: "His integ- rity and good name constituted the wall that prevented the financial breakers from over- whelming not only the bank but scores of in- dividuals as well." Such statements as these indicate the character and reputation of this honored pioneer of Detroit.
That popular confidence and esteem were not restricted to local limitations as touching
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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 through- out the entire nation, he was elected to the office of state treasurer, of which he remained incumbent from 1861 to 1865, covering the entire period of the war, and with utmost fidelity and discrimination did he administer the fiscal affairs of the state, protecting 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. Bald- win, 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 seeker of public office, Mr. Owen accepted the same only when he felt that civic duty and responsibility obligated him to sub- ordinate 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 in- terest in educational 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 so- ciety. In 1864, while state treasurer, he was also president of the Michigan Soldiers' Relief
Society, and he was one of the first directors of the Detroit College of Medicine, to whose upbuilding he largely contributed.
Reverting to the banking associations of Mr. Owen, it should be stated that he became the first president of the old National Insurance Bank, the immediate successor of the Michigan Insurance Bank, in which he had held the pres- idency up to the time of reorganization under the new title. In 1869 the National Insurance Bank and the First National Bank were consol-
idated, largely through the wish of Mr. Owen to retire from the office of chief executive, and he then became a director of the First National, with which he continued to be iden- tified in this capacity until 1880, when he re- signed, having disposed of his stock in the institution. At a meeting of the board of directors held on the 22d of March of that year, the president and cashier of the First National Bank presented to the board the fol- lowing preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted and which are con- sistently perpetuated in this sketch :
Whereas, The Hon. John Owen, after an official connection with this bank and its im- mediate predecessor 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 ac- knowledge the great benefits we have derived from his counsels, and the larger advantage 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 freedom from losses to Mr. Owen's wise and disinterested advice in all matters pertain- ing to the administration of the bank's affairs during the eleven years he has been connected with it.
Resolved, That a copy of these proceed- ings and resolutions, under seal of the bank, be transmitted to Mr. Owen by the cashier,
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with the best wishes of the board for his con- ored husband, as do also one son and one tinued happiness and prosperity.
Dominated by the highest principles was the course of Mr. Owen's life in all its rela- tions, and his benevolences and charities were unostentatious and ever admirably placed. He had been reared in the stern school of neces- sity and knew well the springs of human mo- tive, so that he was kindly and tolerant in his judgment and ever ready to lend a helping hand to his less fortunate brother. He was trustee and treasurer of the Central Methodist Episcopal church for half a century and was one of the most prominent and influential lay- men of that denomination in Michigan, while his financial support kept the affairs of his own church society on the safe credit side. He did much for the upbuilding and maintenance of the church at large and was long a trustee of Albion College, to which noble church institu- tion he made liberal financial contributions both in his lifetime and by the provisions of his will. As early as 1837 he served as presi- dent of a state temperance society, and he ever labored for the obliteration of the liquor traffic in whatever guise presented. He was trustee and treasurer of Elmwood Cemetery Association for more than forty years.
Concerning him another writer has said: "His benefactions have not been confined with- in 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 care- ful judgment, and the many services he has rendered the public, have made his name a synonym for character and worth."
It is scarcely necessary to say, in view of what has preceded, that in the sacred precincts of his home the true nobility of the man found its most perfect apotheosis. Thus at this time there is no desire to lift the curtain which veils with privacy every true home, the only refer- ence to the domestic life of Mr. Owen being in the bare statements concerning his marriage and his children.
Mr. Owen married Miss Jane Cook, who was born in Detroit, a daughter of Hiram and Jane (Thorn) Cook. She survived her hon-
daughter,-Edmund J. and Lafayette are de- ceased; John, Jr., resides in Detroit; and Fan- nie is now the widow of George H. Lothrop, of Detroit. Mrs. Owen died on Sunday, March 22, 1908, of pneumonia, at the family home, 1750 Jefferson avenue.
RUSSELL A. ALGER.
A life conspicuous from the magnitude and variety of its achievment was that of the late General Russell A. Alger, one of the most dis- tinguished and honored figures in the history of the state of Michigan and one whose influ- ence transcended local environs to permeate the national life. So great an accomplishment as was his must, per se, imply exalted char- acter, and thus beyond and above all General Alger merits perpetual honor by virtue of the very strength and nobility of his manhood. He rendered service to the state and nation to the fullest extent of his powers; his labors were unsparing, and his honesty of purpose was beyond cavil. The reflex of the high honors conferred upon him was the honors he in turn conferred. It is not easy to describe adequately a man who was as distinct in char- acter and one who accomplished so much in the world as did General Alger, and the limitations of this article are such as to give only a cursory glance at the individuality and achievements of the man,-not permitting extended genea- logical research or critical analysis of character.
Russell Alexander Alger was born in a pioneer log cabin in the township of Lafay- ette, Medina county, Ohio, on the 27th of February, 1836, and was a son of Russell and Caroline (Moulton) Alger. The genealogy in the agnatic line is traced back to English origin, and the original American progenitor of the Alger family came hither from England in 1759. Through distinguished English chan- nels the Alger line is traced back definitely to William the Conqueror. John Alger, the great-grandfather of him who is the subject of this memoir, participated in many battles of the Revolutionary war, and the name was one
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honored in New England, where was cradled so much of our national history. The mother of General Alger was a direct descendant of Robert Moulton, who arrived in Massachu- setts in 1627, in charge of a vessel laden with valuable ship-building material and bringing with him a number of skilled ship-carpenters. The first sea-going vessel built in Massachu- setts was constructed under his supervision. The Moulton family in America has been one of much distinction and prominence.
Early in the nineteenth century the Alger family was founded in the state of Ohio, and its representatives were identified with the pioneer history of that great commonwealth. The boyhood of Russell A. Alger was passed under the conditions common to the locality and period, though he was early called upon to assume greater responsibilities than did the average boy, as his parents were in ill health and in most modest financial circumstances. He was but twelve years of age at the time of the death of his parents, and was then thrown upon his own resources, while he also assumed most bravely the burden of providing for his younger brother and sister. He had, as a mat- ter of course, received but meager educational advantages, and when he thus faced the prob- lem of life at the age noted, he lost no time in securing such employment as came within the compass of his powers and abilities. He found work on a farm at Richfield, Ohio, where he remained nine years, feeling fully the lash of necessity and yet never losing courage, ambi- tion or self-reliance. Within the period of his work on the farm he attended a neighboring academy during the winter months. His marked facility for the accumulation of knowl- edge caused him to make rapid progress in his studies, and he finally was able to secure a po- sition as teacher in a district school, though he still continued at farm work during the sum- mer seasons.
preme court of Ohio, and then removed to the city of Cleveland, that state, where he secured a position in the law office of Otis, Coffinberry . & Wyman. After but a few months his health became impaired, owing to close confinement and arduous study, and he was compelled to abandon his association with the legal profes- sion.
The year 1859 recorded the removal of Gen- eral Alger to Michigan, but how little could he have imagined all that fate had in store for him, a poor young man, in connection with the history of this state and that of the nation. Soon after his arrival in Michigan he located in Grand Rapids, which was then a mere vil- lage, and there he identified himself with the line of industrial enterprise along which he was destined to achieve his great financial suc- cess. In a business way his affairs were pros- pering during the climacteric period just prior to the outbreak of the civil war, but when the conflict between the states was precipitated he was among the first to voice his loyalty to the Union by tendering his services in its defense. One of the phases of his noteworthy career which will ever redound to his honor is that involved in his gallant and brilliant military career. Subordinating all other interests, in August, 1861, General Alger enlisted as a private in the Second Michigan Cavalry, in which he was commissioned captain at the time when his regiment was mustered into service, and he was forthwith assigned to the com- mand of Company C. The record of his army service as given by Adjutant General Rob- bertson's "Michigan in the War," being the official record of the troops of the state, is as follows: "Captain Second Cavalry, September 2, 1861 ; major, April 2, 1862 ; lieutenant colo- nel Sixth Michigan Cavalry, October 16, 1862; colonel Fifth Michigan Cavalry, February 28, 1863 ; wounded in action at Boonesboro, Mary- land, July 8, 1863; resigned September 20, 1864, and honorably discharged. Brevet brig- adier general United States Volunteers, for gallant and meritorious services, to rank from the battle of Trevilian Station, Virginia, June II, 1864; brevet major general United States
In March, 1857, shortly after attaining to his majority, and with character well moulded in the stern school of necessity, he took up the study of law, under the preceptorship of the firm of Wolcott & Upson, of Akron, Ohio. In 1859 he was admitted to practice, by the su- Volunteers, June 1I, 1865, for gallant and
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meritorious services during the war." From private to brevet major general within so short a time is, indeed, a creditable record. The ad- vancement did not come through favoritism but because each promotion was honestly and gallantly won. The qualities that had dis- tinguished him in civil life, were brought into play in the field and made him one to whom others naturally turned in hours of emergency or danger. The limits of space preclude the giving of a detailed history of General Alger's army career and relating the stirring events of danger and heroism that are woven therein. In the earlier years of the war he was active in the south and west, but the larger portion of his service was with the Army of the Po- tomac. As colonel of the Fifth Michigan Cav- alry he entered Gettysburg on the 28th of June, 1863, his being the first Union regiment to reach the village, and there he and his men received a most noteworthy ovation on the part of the loyal citizens.
One of the most important engagements in which General Alger participated was the bat- tle of Booneville, July 1, 1862, at which time he was serving as captain of Company C, Sec- ond Michigan Cavalry. General Chalmers, with five thousand mounted Confederates- representing nine regiments-made an attack on Booneville, which was held by Colonel Sheridan, who had with him at the time of the attack but two small regiments, the Second Michigan Cavalry and the Second Iowa Cav- alry, numbering in all less than nine hundred men, and the former of which was armed with sabers, Colt's revolvers and revolving carbines. So great was the heroism displayed by these two regiments that General Chalmers was led to believe that he had been deceived in the strength of the enemy, supposing the slaughter effected by the Michigan regiment with their carbines must certainly be the work of an in- fantry brigade. Sheridan, with his little body of men, was in danger of being surrounded and captured, so he decided to send out ninety picked men in command of Captain Alger to make a circuit of the enemy and charge upon the rear "with sabres and cheers." This ruse had the desired effect, for as soon as Captain
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