Compendium of history and biography of the city of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan, Part 85

Author: Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago H. Taylor & Co.
Number of Pages: 858

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also successful as a ship broker and lumber dealer, and from 1872 until 1890 he found further demands upon his time and attention through his having built up a large fire and marine insurance business, in which connection he had a large clientage of a representative character. In this enterprise, as well as that connected with his navigation interests, his son Charles was his able coadjutor, eventually be- coming his successor. Within about nine hours after the death of Captain Whitaker, as he was commonly known in Detroit, the steamer which had for seventeen years borne his name over all the lake system and which was the only one of which he retained posses- sion, sank in the Detroit river, between Am- herstburg and Bois Blanc island. Though this was the result of a collision, the coincidence of the loss was one that caused much comment in Detroit and general marine circles in which Captain Whitaker had been known. It is worthy of note that in the sinking of the ves- sel no lives were lost.

In the year 1851 Captain Whitaker was united in marriage to Miss Felia Moore, a daughter of William S. Moore, who was a millwright by trade and who also did a suc- cessful market-gardening business in Detroit for a number of years. Mrs. Whitaker was summoned to the life eternal in 1892, and is survived by four children: Charles W., who · is a member of the firm of Whitaker Brothers & Penny, leading insurance agents of Detroit, where he also still has large marine interests; Carrie, who is the wife of Albert W. Allen, of Detroit; Ida, who is the wife of George D. Mason, of this city; and William H., who is now manager of the magnificent Hotel Nether- lands, in New York city. In 1898 Captain Whitaker contracted a second marriage, being then united to Mrs. Anna S. Page, who sur- vives him and still resides in Detroit.

The subject of this brief memoir was a man of impregnable integrity, sound judgment and liberal views, and his name merits an endur- ing place on the roll of those who have con- tributed to the upbuilding of the fair "City

of the Straits." He was a Republican in poli- tics and was identified with a number of social and business organizations in the city which so long represented his home.

HENRY M. STARKEY.

No small place was that filled by the late Henry M. Starkey in the civic and business life of Detroit, where he was known and hon- ored as a man of distinctive ability and of im- pregnable integrity. He held various offices of public trust and ever maintained a high ap- preciation of his stewardship. It was his to render valiant service as a soldier in the Mexi- can war, and he also bore arms in defense of the Union in the civil war. It is most con- sonant that in this publication be entered a brief tribute to his memory.

A son of Dr. Lewis F. Starkey, of whom individual mention is made in this work, Henry M. Starkey was born at Binghamton, New York, May II, 1828. In 1836, when he was eight years of age, his parents removed to Michigan and located in Detroit, where his father was engaged in the practice of medicine until 1842, when he removed to Kalamazoo, where he passed the remainder of his life. The subject of this sketch secured his rudimentary education in the common schools of his native state, and after coming to Michigan attended school in Detroit and Kalamazoo and also took a partial preparatory course in the University of Michigan. He withdrew from this institu- tion to enter the office of the Kalamazoo Ga- zette, in which he mastered the printer's trade, with which he was identified, more or less di- rectly, for a number of years, having the typical loyalty of the true craftsman for the "art pre- servative of all arts."

At the outbreak of the war with Mexico Mr. Starkey enlisted in a company of mounted riflemen, in the regular army of the United States, and he participated in the numerous bat- tles and minor engagements in which his com- mand was involved, continuing in the service until peace was declared.

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At the close of the war Mr. Starkey came to Detroit and secured employment in the office of the Free Press, which was then conducted by that eccentric genius, the late Wilbur F. Story, who later founded the Chicago Times. While an employe of the Free Press Mr. Starkey organized the Detroit Typographical Union, No. 18, the first in the state, and in 1854 he represented this local body at the na- tional convention of the union in the city of Buffalo. He continued with the Free Press until the establishment of the first recorder's court in Detroit, when he was honored with appointment to the position of clerk of the same, being thus the first incumbent of this office. To the duties of this position he was giving his attention at the time when the dark cloud of civil war spread its grewsome pall over the national horizon, and his instinctive and insistent loyalty forthwith prompted him to once more go forth in the military service of his country.

Mr. Starkey enlisted in Company H, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, in which he was made first lieutenant upon the formal organization of his company. He proceeded to the front with his command, whose history is one of exceptional gallantry, and continued with the regiment, taking part in all its engagements, until the battle of Gettysburg, where he was so severely injured by a fall from his horse as to incapaci- tate him for farther field service. He accord- ingly resigned his commission, and received his honorable discharge.

After the close of his service in defense of the Union Mr. Starkey returned to Detroit, and soon afterward, as candidate on the Demo- cratic ticket, he was elected to the office of city clerk. Later he was appointed secretary of the board of water commissioners, and he remained in tenure of this office during the residue of his life, his death occurring on the 28th of October, 1888. Mr. Starkey continued his allegiance to the Democratic party through- out his life and was an able advocate of its principles. His religious faith was that of the Protestant Episcopal church and he was a

valued and honored comrade in both the Grand Army of the Republic and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

At the time of the death of Mr. Starkey, General Henry M. Duffield, of Detroit, gave a most appreciative estimate of his life and character and closed with the following beauti- ful sentiments : "Henry Starkey was honest in every relation of life. He was honest in every conviction of principle or of duty. His soul was true and noble,-small thoughts or selfish meanness found no shelter in it." The brave soldier, the sterling citizen, the honor- able, upright man, Mr. Starkey made his life count for good in all its relations, and his memory is properly honored in a work of the province assigned to the one at hand.

ALEXANDER H. SIBLEY.

Bearing the full patronymic of his honored father, who was a son of Solomon Sibley, one of the early pioneers and influential citizens of Michigan and Detroit, the subject of this ber of the bar of the state with whose history sketch to-day stands as a representative mem- the family name has so long been identified, being prominent alike in professional, business and social affairs in the metropolis of the Wol- verine state. Adequate data relative to the family history may be found in the sketch of the life of his uncle, the late Frederick B. Sibley, appearing in this compilation.

Alexander Hamilton Sibley, whose name initiates this article, was born in the city of New York, on the 4th of October, 1871, and is a son of Alexander Hamilton Sibley, Sr., and Marie Louise (Miller) Sibley, the former of whom was born and reared in Detroit, and the latter of whom was born in Monroe, Michi- gan. The respective families were here founded in the territorial days of the state. The father was one of the first to begin the practical development of copper and iron mines in the Lake Superior region, and was also one of the argonauts of the gold fields of California in the memorable years 1849 and 1850. Through inheritance and personal effort he

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became seized of a large estate, and he was long known as a representative citizen of De- troit. His capitalistic interests were wide and varied and he occupied a large place in the civic and industrial circles of Detroit, where he con- tinued to make his home until his death, which occurred on the 10th of July, 1877, in New York city. His wife is still living in Detroit.

When the subject of this review was about six years of age his parents returned to De- troit. His preliminary educational discipline was secured under the direction of private tutors, with whom he continued his studies until he was ten years of age. From 1881 until 1884 he was a student in foreign schools -principally in Germany; and in the latter year he returned to Detroit, where he com- pleted his college preparatory course under the tutorship of Thomas H. Pitkin, a well known and exceptionally talented educator. In 1888 Mr. Sibley was matriculated in historic old Trinity College, at Hartford, Connecticut, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1892, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then passed a year abroad, where he did effective post-graduate work of an aca- demic nature, and in 1894 he entered the law school of Harvard University, in which he was graduated in the spring of 1897, with the de- gree of Bachelor of Laws. At the same time he was granted the degree of Master of Arts.

After his graduation Mr. Sibley returned to Detroit, where he became associated in prac- tice with the well known law firm of Russel & Campbell, with which he remained until Sep- tember, 1900, since which time he has con- ducted an individual professional business, hav- ing won indubitable prestige in his chosen pro- fession. He is a valued member of the Michi- gan State Bar Association and also that of Detroit, and that of his alma mater, Harvard University. He is a director of the Wyandotte Savings Bank, a stockholder in the Detroit Savings Bank, president of the Sibley Machine Company, and is largely interested in mining enterprises in Michigan, Montana and British Columbia, developing gold, silver and copper

properties, as well as cobalt, of which last he figures as a pioneer developer. Mr. Sibley is identified with the Masonic fraternity, and also holds membership in the Detroit Country Club, the Detroit Boat Club, the St. Clair Shooting Club, and the Harmonie Society.

MICHAEL W. O'BRIEN.

In offering a resume of the careers of those who have exerted a potent and beneficent in- fluence in the directing of financial affairs in the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan, there is imperative consistency in according special recognition to Mr. O'Brien, who is vice-president and chairman of the board of directors of the People's State Bank, repre- senting the consolidation of the People's Sav- ings Bank and the State Savings Bank, of which former institution he was president at the time of the amalgamation of interests, in January, 1907.

Mr. O'Brien comes of staunch Irish ancestry and is himself a native of the fair Emerald Isle, having been born at Flynfield, county Kerry, in September, 1834, and being a son of William O'Brien, who was a man of influence in his community, where he followed the voca- tion of farmer. The subject of this review secured his preliminary educational training under the direction of a private tutor employed in his own home, and supplemented this disci- pline by a course of study in an excellent academy at Killarney. In 1852, at the age of eighteen years, the young man severed the home ties and set forth to seek his fortunes in America. He proceeded to the state of Illi- nois, where his first employment was in con- nection with civil-engineering work on the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad. He later identified himself with the lumbering business in the city of Chicago, which then gave slight evidence of becoming a great metropolitan center, and there he became a member of the firm of Cone & O'Brien, which later was suc- ceeded by Cone, O'Brien & Company, with the amplification of its business and the expan-

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sion of its interests. Shortly after the close of the civil war Mr. O'Brien disposed of his busi- ness interests in Chicago and removed to Bay City, Michigan, where he continued in lum- bering operations, with distinctive success. He finally took up his residence in Detroit, and here, in January, 1870, he became one of the prime factors in the organization of the Peo- ple's Savings Bank, which was incorporated with a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars and of which he was elected cashier : the late Francis Palms was the first president of the institution, which was the second savings bank to be established in Detroit. Before the close of the first year, so marked had been the suc- cess of the venture, it was found expedient to increase the capital stock to sixty thousand dollars. The expansion of the business of the bank was substantial and rapid, and at the time of its consolidation with the State Sav- ings Bank its capital stock was five hundred thousand dollars and its surplus fund five hun- dred thousand dollars. Upon the death of Mr. Palms, in 1886, Mr. O'Brien was elected to succeed him in the presidency of the insti- tution, and his administrative policy, fortified by mature judgment and ample experience, caused the bank to forge to the front as one of the largest and most solid financial institu- tions in the state. His genial personality and authoritative knowledge of banking details have made him a dominating figure in local financial circles, and his impregnable integrity of purpose has gained and retained to him the confidence and esteem not only of Detroit's most influential bankers but also of the general public. He was one of the principal promoters of the Detroit Clearing House Association, in whose organization he took a prominent part. He was one of the promoters and the second president of the Michigan State Bankers' As- sociation and has long been influential in its work and deliberations. He is one of the trus- tees of the Palms estate, one of the largest in Michigan; is president of the Michigan Fire & Marine Insurance Company, and treasurer since its organization of the Standard Life &

Accident Company. Mr. O'Brien was one of those instrumental in securing the introduction of natural gas in Detroit, and was treasurer and a director of the Detroit Natural Gas Com- pany during the period of its existence, which terminated with the failure of the gas supply. He is treasurer of its successor, The Detroit City Gas Company. He has broad views in matters of public polity and is essentially loyal and public-spirited in his attitude. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, and seems now to be a Mugwump, and he and his family are communicants of the Catholic church. For many years he has served as treasurer of the Detroit Association of Chari- ties, and he takes a deep and active interest in the work and support of this noble institution. At the time of the national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic in Detroit, in 1892, Mr. O'Brien was chosen custodian of the funds raised by the citizens to provide proper entertainment, and he was treasurer and a member of the executive committee of the Catholic congress held in Baltimore in 1889, and the Catholic Columbian congress, held at the world's fair in Chicago in 1893. On other pages of this work appears a review of the history of the People's Savings Bank, in con- nection with the sketch devoted to the People's State Bank, of which Mr. O'Brien is the vice- president and in whose administrative affairs he is one of the most potential and valued factors.

In the year 1874 was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. O'Brien to Miss Martha F. Wat- son, daughter of the late James Watson, of Bay City, and they became the parents of three sons and one daughter. The eldest son, Will- iam J., enlisted for service at the time of the Spanish-American war and became a sergeant in the Torry Rough Riders. He died in the re- serve camp at Jacksonville, Florida, from an attack of typhoid fever. Mrs. O'Brien was summoned to the life eternal on the 15th of June, 1894, and on the 20th of July, 1898, Mr. O'Brien was united in marriage to Miss Mary I. Flattery, who was born and reared in De-

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troit and who is prominent in the social activi- ties of her native city.

In concluding this sketch it is believed to be but a matter of considerate tribute and appre- ciation and one of historic interest, to enter the following extracts from an article published in the Cyclopedia of Michigan issued in 1900:

During the memorable currency famine and financial troubles of 1893, when so many banks throughout the country went to the wall, while the wave of intense excitement swept eastward from Chicago, and the most extravagant and unfounded rumors were freely circulated, the gravest apprehensions felt on every side, and runs started upon even the best institutions, the People's Savings Bank was the first one at- tacked in Detroit. Several banks of the same name having previously suspended in other cities, the rumors resulting from this similarity of name precipitated a run upon it from some of its more ignorant and thoughtless depositors, and this immediately extended to all of the other savings banks in the city. It was deemed fortunate that one of the strongest of their number, under able and experienced manage- ment, had to bear the brunt of the shock. The People's Savings Bank met it in such a manner that its example was followed by all the other savings banks until the excitement subsided and the business of all the banks, with the aid of the committees of the clearing house, became gradually restored to its normal condition, without a single bank failure. This was a time that tested to the utmost the skill and good judgment of bank officers, and it is a matter of pride to the city of Detroit to know that the head and the subordinate officers of this great bank were equal to the occasion; for their ac- tion, governed by the wisest and best judgment, averted what might easily have become a calamity of great magnitude, not only to De- troit but also to the entire state. The banks of Detroit, by great wisdom, united to uphold each other, and Mr. O'Brien was called upon, as chairman of the clearing house committee and as a member of the credit committee of the clearing house, to participate in the discussions and also in the decisions. Through the com- bined wisdom of these two committees of the Detroit clearing house every bank in Detroit was saved; not one went down,-and this at a time when a single mistake would have been fatal and have brought ruin to thousands.

FRED T. MORAN.

On other pages of this publication may be found a memoir dedicated to the late William B. Moran, elder brother of the subject of this sketch, and in the article mentioned is given an incidental review of the family history, on which score it is unnecessary to repeat the data in the present connection. It is sufficient to say that the Moran family is one of the old and prominent ones of Detroit, with whose so- cial and business annals the name has been long and prominently identified. The subject of this sketch is one to whom may be ascribed a large measure of credit in connection with the development of the "Greater Detroit," for his energy, ability and capitalistic support have been potent factors in the upbuilding of important industrial and financial enterprises, not the least of which is that represented by the Peninsular Stove Company, which is one of the largest concerns of the sort in the world and of which he is president.

Fred T. Moran is a native of Detroit, where he was born on the 4th of March, 1855, a son of Judge Charles Moran and Justine (McCor- mack) Moran, the former of whom was born in Detroit and the latter in Orange county, New York. More definite mention of the ex- alted life and labors of Judge Charles Moran appears in the previously mentioned sketch of the life of William B. Moran. Fred T. was afforded the advantages of the public schools of Detroit, after which he entered St. John's College, Fordham, New York, which finely ordered institution conferred upon him the de- gree of Master of Arts. Mr. Moran initiated his business career by assuming a position as clerk in the office of his brother, William B. Moran, who was then one of the leading mem- bers of the Detroit bar, and who also had im- portant business investments. Fred T. Moran was admitted to the bar of his native state in 1878, upon examination before the circuit court. He has, however, never been engaged in the active practice of his profession, al- though, as a matter of course, his technical

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knowledge of the law has been of inestimable value to him in his business career.

In 1880 he became associated with William B. Moran, James Dwyer and other representa- tive citizens of Detroit in the organization and incorporation of the Peninsular Stove Com- pany, of which an adequate specific description appears in this work, and he became a member of the directorate of the company, which po- sition he has since retained. Upon the death of his brother, William B. Moran, in 1895, he was elected to succeed the latter in the office of president, of which he is still incumbent, hav- ing shown great discrimination and initiative in directing the affairs of the great corpora- tion of which he is the executive head. He was also one of the founders of the American Harrow Company, in which he is still a stock- holder, and he is a member of the board of directors of the People's State Bank. Into other industrial channels has he directed his individual and financial forces, and he is now president of the Michigan Copper & Brass Company, which was organized and incorpo- rated in January, 1906; is vice-president of the Gabriel Reinforcement Concrete Company ; is a director of the Welch Automobile Com- pany and the Security Trust Company; and vice-president of the Home Telephone Com- pany, one of the magnificent public-utility in- stitutions of Detroit. Mr. Moran is not a mere stockholder in these various corporations, but takes an active part in their management, bringing to bear his progressive ideas and ever manifesting a lively concern in all that tends to advance the material and civic prosperity of his native city. While never a seeker of public office Mr. Moran has served since 1890 as a member of the board of fire commissioners of Detroit, and he is independent in political affairs. He is a member of all the representa- tive clubs of Detroit, is identified with the Board of Commerce and enjoys unreserved popularity in both business and social circles.

In the year 1877 was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Moran to Miss Satilla Butterfield, who was born and reared in Pontiac, Michi-

gan, and they are the parents of five children, namely : Viola A. (Mrs. E. T. Hammond), Satilla G., Francis C., Mary M., and Alfred T. The only son is now assistant to the secretary of the Peninsular Stove Company, having pre- viously learned the trade of stove moulder and pattern-maker, so that he has literally grown up in the business of the concern with which he is now identified in an official capacity.

ALMON B. ATWATER.

One of the well known civil engineers of the middle west is Mr. Atwater, who has been identified with railroading interests for nearly half a century, within which he has discharged most important professional functions, and who is now assistant to the president of the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad, with of- ficial headquarters in the city of Detroit.

Mr. Atwater claims the old Buckeye state as the place of his nativity, having been born at Sheffield, Ashtabula county, Ohio, November 19, 1845, and being a son of John and Ma- tilda (Hill) Atwater, the former of whom was born in Connecticut and the latter in Ver- mont, both families having been founded in New England in the colonial epoch of our national history. The father, whose active life was devoted principally to agricultural pursuits, died early in 1861, his wife having passed away in 1859. The subject of this re- view was afforded the advantages of Kings- ville Academy and Austinburg Institute, both in Ohio, and after the preliminary discipline thus gained he began the work of preparing himself for the profession in which he has at- tained to so much of eminence. He studied civil engineering under most favorable aus- pices and early developed marked ability in the line. His connection with railroad affairs dates its inception back to the year 1864, when he became a telegraph operator in the employ of the Cleveland & Erie Railroad. In 1867 he entered the engineering department of the same system, on the Jamestown & Franklin division, and in 1870 he removed to the Dominion of Canada, where he assumed the position of as-

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Compendium of history and biography of the city of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan, Part 85

Author: Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932 Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago H. Taylor & Co. Number of Pages: 858

Author: Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago H. Taylor & Co.
Number of Pages: 858