USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. II > Part 23
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states. As a business man the Colonel was accounted shrewd and of good judgment, an admirable executive, and a man of the strictest and most unbending integrity. Everywhere his name was honored and respected in trade and commercial circles, and his connection with a number of other enterprises redounded to the benefit of those concerns. His interest in military affairs did not terminate with the close of the Civil war, for in 1872 he organized Company B of the local militia and remained as its captain for four years. Still later he was appointed lieutenant-colonel and inspector of brigade on the staff of Gen. I. C. Smith. In the development of fraternal organiza- tions at Grand Rapids, and especially of the Masonic order, he was an active and helpful factor. In the higher rites of Masonry he at- tained to eminent honors. His efforts in behalf of the order qualified him for admittance into the inner sanctuary of the most exalted ex- emplars of Masonic principles, he being one of the thirty-third degree Masons in Grand Rapids. He was a past commander of DeMolai Commandery No. 5, K. T., and a member of Grand River Lodge No. 34, F. & A. M .; Grand Rapids Chapter No. 7, R. A. M .; Tyre Council No. 10, York Rite; DeWitt Clinton Consistory, A. A. O. S. R .; and Saladin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He belonged also to Lodge No. 48, B. P. O. E., and from the date of its organization held membership in the Grand Rapids Association of Commerce, having also belonged to its predecessor, the Board of Trade. Colonel Herkner never lost his interest in Grand Rapids, which for many years benefitted by his public-spirited, liberal and stanch support. He was always an active worker and his unselfish devotion to its interests was of lasting benefit to its material welfare. Contemplation of his character emphasizes the fact that a man is largely what he aims to make himself and that true dignity of bearing and nobility of soul are recognized and ap- preciated. He was a man who never allowed personal desire for gain to interfere with his usefulness to others, and this was commented on at the time of his death. Colonel Herkner was married in 1867, at Grand Rapids, to Miss Clara Calkins, who died in 1910, leaving a daughter, Miss Elizabeth Herkner, of Grand Rapids. Mrs. Herkner was a daughter of Charles Philo Calkins, who was born at Hines- burg, Vt., Jan. 24, 1803, a son of Charles Calkins, who brought the family to Grand Rapids in 1836. Charles P. Calkins became a lead- ing lawyer and real estate operator at Grand Rapids, and after a long, honorable and successful career died, Sept. 3, 1890. He was a Democrat in politics and a consistent member of St. Mark's Episcopal cathedral. He married Dec. 31, 1839, Mary Anne Hinsdill, daugh- ter of Hiram Hinsdill, of Grand Rapids, and they became the par- ents of seven children: Charles Walbridge, of Grand Rapids ; Clara L., who died as Mrs. Herkner; William H. and Henry W., twins, the former a resident of Detroit and the latter deceased; Anna R., of Grand Rapids; Cora, wife of James W. Thompson, of Detroit, and George J., deceased. Colonel Herkner passed to his final rest, March 17, 1914, after an illness that had confined him to his home, at 264 State street, S. E., for three weeks. Funeral services were held two days later at the residence, with Dean Francis S. White, of St. Mark's officiating, and the Masonic funeral rites were conducted by DeMolai Commandery of the Knights Templar. The pall-bearers were se- lected from the members of the Commandery and interment was made
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at the Fulton Street cemetery. The military services were conducted by the Grand Rapids battalion, Maj. Earl R. Stewart commanding, and the entire membership taking part. Clad in dress uniforms, the four companies marched in the funeral procession from the residence on State street to the cemetery, where three salutes were fired over the grave. A guard of honor named from the enlisted men detailed to that duty was stationed at the house all day preceding the funeral and up until the hour of that event on the day of the last sad rites. The Herkner Jewelry Company, of Grand Rapids, of which Colonel Herkner was the capable chief executive up to the time of his death, was incorporated in August, 1892, with a capital of $50,000, and has since enjoyed a steady and continuous growth. Its first officers were J. C. Herkner, president ; W. S. Hull, vice-president; C. H. Annin, secretary, and William J. Stuart, treasurer. Three years later Louis Russell became vice-president, J. W. Thompson was made treasurer, and William J. Stuart assumed the secretarial duties. At the time of Colonel Herkner's death in 1914, Mr. Russell ascended to the presi- dential office and also has the title of manager, while Miss Elizabeth Herkner, only daughter of the founder of the business, became vice- president. When William J. Stuart died, Jan. 20, 1915, Ralph H. Wanamaker became treasurer of the concern and James W. Thomp- son secretary. The firm carries the largest and most complete stock of jewelry, diamonds and other precious stones, sterling silverware, plated wares and optical goods in Western Michigan and the name of the house is an absolute guarantee of high quality and masterly workmanship. Louis Russell, president of the company, was born at Utica, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1865. He attended the Utica public schools, and after his graduation from Utica Academy, in 1883, became a gold- smith apprentice in the establishment of W. S. Taylor, a well-known Central New York jeweler. He completed his trade there and when still a young man went to Indianapolis, where he held a position with one of the leading houses of that city, and Sept. 1, 1892, arrived in Grand Rapids to enter the J. C. Herkner Company. He was elected vice-president of the company Feb. 12, 1906, and president, March 20, 1914, at the time of Colonel Herkner's death. Mr. Russell has passed thirty-five years in the jewelry business and has a remarkable record for faithfulness to duty, having never missed a day through sickness or accident in the last twenty-five years. He is one of the best-known men in the jewelry business today and is an honored and trusted figure in commercial circles, where he has connections with several enter- prises. He is a member of the Association of Commerce and the Pen- insular club, in which he has held membership for some years. Mr. Russell is unmarried.
Louis T. Herman .- The claim of Louis T. Herman to a position of importance among the professional men of Grand Rapids rests upon ten years of successful law practice, during which period he has been connected with a number of noteworthy cases in the courts and litigation which has represented material and personal interests of prominence. He is one of Kent county's native sons, having been born at Caledonia, Oct. 23, 1874, in which locality, his parents, John and Sophia (Schroeder) Herman, had settled in 1866. John Herman was a farmer by vocation and from the time of his early arrival in the county contributed to its agricultural advancement and develop-
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HENRY J. HEYSTEK
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ment until called away by death. While reared on the farm and in a more or less agricultural atmosphere, Louis T. Herman did not care for a career amid rural surroundings, and at an early age decided that his life work would lie amidst professional workers. After attending the public schools of Caledonia and graduating in the high school there, he took a course at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., as a preparatory matter, and subsequently furthered himself by a course at Ferris Institute, Big Rapids, Mich. For eleven years he was con- nected with educational work, eight of which he served as superin- tendent of the Caledonia High School. His preparation for entrance upon the work of his chosen calling was completed at the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in law in 1908 with his degree. Admitted to the bar in the same year, he centered his activities at Grand Rapids, where he has since worked his way steadily upward to an enviable position in the ranks of his calling. Mr. Herman's clientele, which is a large and representative one, is composed of some of the leading interests of the city. His practice is a general one in character and he is considered equally at home in any of the departments of his profession. His well-appointed offices are located in the Grand Rapids Savings Bank building. A man of broad learn- ing, he continues to be a scholar, and keeps abreast of his profession by constant study and membership in the various law associations. He is a Republican politically. Like other public-spirited men, he takes a keen interest in the welfare of Grand Rapids and his services at all times may be commanded by his city. For four years Mr. Her- man served as a member of the county board of examiners of Kent county, and for five and one-half years he was assistant prosecuting attorney of Kent county.
Henry J. Heystek .- Aggressive and progressive methods, keen insight into commercial conditions, a thorough and far-reaching ap- preciation of the needs of the trade, and a reputation for integrity that was beyond reproach, were some of the characteristics which developed the late Henry J. Heystek into a successful factor in the business competition of the city of Grand Rapids and resulted in the establishment and growth of a large enterprise identified with the wall-paper and paint industry. Great enterprises are being conducted along somewhat different lines from those pursued several decades ago, but the older ones have attained to their present prosperity through the manipulations of their founders, who, their work com- pleted, have passed from their sphere of usefulness, leaving behind as a valued heritage the firm foundations upon which their business houses have been erected. So with Mr. Heystek. It was his fortune and ability to so build his business structure that it survives today as a monument to his industry and capability. Mr. Heystek was born in Holland, Dec. 6, 1862, and was ten years of age when brought to the United States, his education being completed in the city schools of Grand Rapids. He was industrious and ambitious as a youth and when still in his early 'teens obtained a position in a large furniture factory. After a period spent in this kind of work he became a clerk in the wall-paper and paint store of H. M. Gobel, on old Canal street, where he thoroughly mastered the business. Later he was with C. Harvey, and in 1893 with that gentleman founded the firm of Har- vey & Heystek, this business continuing successfully for five years,
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when the partnership was mutually dissolved. In 1898 was formed the concern known as Heystek & Canfield Company, with Mr. Hey- stek as president and F. C. Canfield vice-president, and with this en- terprise Mr. Heystek continued to be identified until his death, which occurred Jan. 22, 1912. The present officers of the company are Da- vid Wolf, president ; H. J. Heystek, Jr., vice-president, secretary and general manager, and H. E. Wilson, treasurer. The buildings of the company are completely equipped in every way, are modern and sani- tary, and are commodious in size and attractive in architecture. The company does a wholesale business, handling wall-paper, paints, oils, etc., and employs about seventy people in the plant, with eighteen salesmen on the road, a branch office at St. Louis, Mo., and a district office at Cincinnati. The products of this company have a large sale in Indiana, Ohio, part of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Missouri, Okla- homa, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. Mr. Hey- stek had the reputation in business circles of being a man of absolute integrity, a capable, cool-headed man in business, and a good friend to have at all times. His death removed a useful and public-spirited citizen who had done much for his community. Henry J. Heystek, Jr., son of the founder of the above business, was born at Grand Rap- ids, July 27, 1892, and received his early education in the graded and high schools of this city. Later he attended the Detroit University school and the Michigan Agricultural College, until the death of Hen- ry J. Heystek, Sr., at which time he returned to Grand Rapids and be- gan to familiarize himself with the details of the business of which his father had been the head. At the time of the reorganization and incorporation of the business he was elected secretary, vice-president and general manager, and these offices he has retained to this time. He is a young man of spirit and energy, with much of his father's resource and initiative, and his work is doing much to make the com- pany's operations a success. In politics he is a Republican and his religious connection is with Grace Episcopal church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he also holds membership in the Grand Rapids Rotary club and the Grand Rapids Association of Commerce. Mr. Heystek was married Aug. 20, 1913, to Miss Gertrude Bolden, and of this union there has been born a son, Henry J. III., deceased.
Albert S. Hicks .- Every live community demands of its press representatives a certain amount of honorable publicity, and this kind of matter can be presented to the public only by firms and men who are qualified for such work through knowledge and experience. At Grand Rapids, acknowledged to be the leading furniture manufactur- ing city of the country, competition is so strenuous in all departments that to be a leader means that one is entitled to much more than or- dinary prestige. Therefore, it is to be stated without fear of contra- diction that the Dean-Hicks Company should be given a prominent place when the archives of this city are annotated. This printing, publishing, engraving and book-binding company, which makes a special feature of publicity matter, has come into the front rank dur- ing recent years and has become known as one of Grand Rapids' best boosting organizations. Much of the credit for the growth and de- velopment of this thirty-year-old concern should be given to Albert S. Hicks, who is president of the firm and has been a Michigan resi-
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dent since 1866. Mr. Hicks was born at Machias, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1863, and was three years of age when brought by his parents to Michigan, the family settling at Wayland. In that community the youth gained his initiatory educational training, passing his vacations in assisting his father, who was a manufacturer of bent work for buggies and wagons. Subsequently, young Hicks was a student at Swensberg's Business College at Grand Rapids, and when he left that institution he entered upon his business career as a clerical work- er in the Grand Rapids National Bank, where he spent one year. After this he returned to Wayland, where he remained as his father's assistant for two or three years and then came back to Grand Rap- ids as bookkeeper for the O-Wash-ta-nong club, with whom he re- mained two years. Mr. Hicks then commenced his connection with the firm of which he is now president. This was established, in 1889, as the Dean Printing & Publishing Company, the first officers being as follows: William Dunham, president; S. E. Watson, vice-presi- dent ; A. S. Hicks, treasurer ; J. H. Brownell, secretary ; H. K. Dean, manager. This was an incorporated company and its offices were located on the fifth floor of the Blodgett building, about fifteen people being employed. Later, it was reincorporated as the Dean-Hicks Printing Company and in 1911 the present style was adopted, the company being now The Dean-Hicks Company. In that year the company moved into its new building, at 215-225 Ellsworth avenue, S. W. Here they have four floors, each with a floor space of 141x110 feet. On the pay-roll of the company there are more than 100 people, and in addition to the work which the concern does in the way of job printing, engraving, commercial photography and binding, it is- sues "Good Furniture," a magazine devoted to the furniture trade. The present concern is a $200,000 corporation, its officers being : Al- bert S. Hicks, president; J. H. Neeland, vice-president, and J. G. Groberg, secretary. Mr. Hicks' standing in the business circles of Grand Rapids is one of the kind that cannot be questioned. While re- sponsibility in citizenship has always appealed to him, he has not cared to enter the lists for candidacy on any party's list in politics and has always maintained an independent stand. He is a Mason and a Shriner and is also socially inclined, holding membership in the O-Wash-ta-nong and Highlands Golf clubs. Like other good busi- ness men of the Furniture City, he boosts civic affairs, being one of the members of the Association of Commerce and the Greater Grand Rapids Association. Mr. Hicks was married Sept. 17, 1890, to Miss Lelia F. Wicks, daughter of John H. Wicks, of Allegan county, Mich- igan. Two sons have blessed this union: Russell A., who is wearing his country's uniform as a member of the United States marine corps, and Kenneth K., with his parents.
Sylvester P. Hicks was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, Jan. 15, 1844, son of John and Jane (Winegar) Hicks, natives of Rensse- laer county, New York. The father was reared in that county and later removed to Wayne county, in the same state, where he followed farming, and he came to Michigan in 1836. The journey was made by the way of the Erie canal and Lake Erie to Detroit, from which place he drove through to Lenawee county, where he entered 160 acres of land. He erected a log house for his first habitation and finally developed a fine homestead, where he and his wife both died,
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he at the age of seventy-three years and she at sixty-eight. In com- pany with other New York state residents, they organized what was known as the West Rome Baptist church and were very active in re- ligious work. John Hicks was an early Whig in politics, and later became an abolitionist, and was very active in the movement known as the "Underground Railway," keeping a "station" and aiding escap- ing slaves to reach Canada. To him and his good wife were born three children. Roswell H. lived on the home farm and died there at the age of sixty-three years. Joseph W. graduated in Kalamazoo College in 1859 and in 1863 bought a farm at Plainwell, Mich., living thereon three years and then moved into the village of Plainwell, and he served as surveyor of Allegan county twelve years, platting the village of Plainwell. He served for a time as professor of mathe- matics in Kalamazoo College and in the early '70s engaged in the banking business under the firm name of Soule & Hicks. He was a very successful business man and at his death, in 1893, he left a sub- stantial fortune in Plainwell, giving to that village "Hicks Park." He was an active member of the Baptist church and his residence was given to his widow and at her death it was to be given to that religious denomination as a parsonage. He married Nellie Davis, who was one of the first graduates in Kalamazoo College. Sylvester P. Hicks, whose name introduces this biographical review, received his preliminary education in the Adrian High School and in the Au- tumn of 1860 entered Kalamazoo College. In April, 1861, he en- listed in the Second Michigan infantry for three months. Owing to parental objection he did not enter the three-year enlistment with that regiment, but in 1862 he became a member of the Fifth Michigan cav- alry, with which he served until April, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability. But he saw considerable service with the regiment. In August, 1864, he joined the American navy and served on the flagship "Black Hawk" in the Mississippi squadron until the close of the war. After the close of hostilities he returned to Kala- mazoo and completed his college course, graduating in June, 1867. He worked at surveying in Allegan county the following season and then engaged in teaching. For two years he was superintendent of the high school at Douglass and in the Autumn of 1870 he came to Lowell, where he officiated as superintendent of schools for seven years, and he has since made this place his home. In 1877 he opened an insurance office in Lowell and has been thus occupied continuously up to the present time. Mr. Hicks chose as his life partner Miss Emi- ly Dwight, and their married life was a happy one until her death, which occurred in March, 1911. Both of them were active in the work of the Baptist church. Mr. Hicks is a member of Joseph Wil- son post, G. A. R., at Lowell, having served five years as commander and is now adjutant. He is also a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Knights Templars, and in the auxiliary organiza- tion, the Eastern Star, he has served four terms as worthy patron. Mr. Hicks is a Republican in politics and his worth as a citizen has been recognized by election to a number of official positions.
Orton Hill .- An early settler of Lowell, whither he came in 1867, the late Orton Hill was for many years connected with the business interests of this community, and at the time of his death was president of the City State Bank of Lowell, of which he had been
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the reorganizer. Mr. Hill, during the long period of his residence in Kent county, maintained an unblemished record for business fairness 'and integrity, while his home community knew him as a citizen whose energies and support were always at the call of worthy move- ments, whether of a civic, educational or charitable nature. Orton Hill was born at Cherry Creek, Chautauqua county, New York, March 21, 1848, son of Horatio and Sophia (Weatherly) Hill, natives of that state. He received his education in the public school of his native place, and when, at the age of seventeen years, President Lincoln made his last call for volunteers, was one of the youths to answer the summons and form a company from his home locality, although this unit was never called out of the state. In 1867 Mr. Hill came to Lowell and located near the Grand Trunk railroad, being employed by the Brown-Hinman Company, with which he remained five years. In 1873 he transferred his services to the Reading Hardware Com- pany, of Reading, Pa., and for a number of years was the traveling representative of this concern through the states of the Middle West. He became one of the best-known figures in the hardware trade in this section of the country, and his friends were legion in all the large cities. After a long and successful career as a traveling sales- man, Mr. Hill settled down at Lowell, where he had numerous busi- ness interests, and in 1907 succeeded in the reorganization of the City State Bank of Lowell, which was capitalized at $25,000, and of which he was president from that time until his death. He passed away Feb. 24, 1912, and was laid to rest in the Lowell cemetery. Mr. Hill was married Feb. 4, 1880, to Mary A., daughter of Artemus R. and Mary (McDowell) Hoag, and of this union were born five chil- dren : LeRoy, connected with the firm of Foster, Stevens & Com- pany, at Grand Rapids; Artemus H., proprietor of a shoe store at Lowell and the father of five children-Mary Janet, James B., Helen Rose, Robert Orton, and Elizabeth ; Marion, who is the wife of Ralph Nixon, and has one child-Lawrence H .; Florence, who is the wife of G. C. Conklin, of Grand Rapids, and has two children-Russell and Norman Jack ; and Helen, who died in infancy. Artemus R. Hoag was born in New York in 1817, of English descent, and in 1841 came to Michigan, where he experienced all the hardships and privations of the pioneers, while at the same time sharing in the great work that brought about civilization. When he arrived the country was still teeming with wild life, wolves and deer being found in abundance, while the Indians had not yet left their hunting grounds and were a constant menace to the white settlers. He engaged in farming, cleared a large amount of land, and at his death was one of the substantial men of his community. He was a member of the Masons and of the Grange and in every way had the respect of his fellow-citizens. He was married Feb. 22, 1844, at Ypsilanti, Mich., to Mary McDowell, who was born in 1822, in Wayne county, New York, and died Dec. 3, 1894. Mrs. Hill, who survives her husband, is still a resident of Lowell, where she is known for her activities in church work and her charity, and where she has many sincere friends.
Robert G. Hill .- Since 1904, Robert G. Hill has been identified in one or another capacity with public offices at Grand Rapids, and from 1915 has been the incumbent of the position of county clerk of Kent county. The greater part of his life has been spent in this com-
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