USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. II > Part 46
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tion that have always been characteristic of him, worked along un- tiringly and unflinchingly, meeting every obstacle cheerfully and fighting every discouragement energetically. As a result, his publi- cation is today accounted one of the leading weeklies of Kent county, having a large subscription, not only in Kent, but in the adjoining counties, among the best and most representative class of people. As one of the reliable sheets of the county (a reputation which has been carefully built up and guarded carefully), the Clipper wields no in- considerable influence in the molding of public opinion and it is fortu- nate that it is in such safe and trustworthy hands. Its matter is clean and timely and it is receiving good support at the hands of the ad- vertising public. Mr. Sellers owns the building at Main and Beech streets, in which the plant is situated, and a modern newspaper of- fice, fully equipped, and a job printing department are several of the features. Mr. Sellers is a good business man, having interests in a number of profitable enterprises, and in this connection seems to combine the best qualities of his Irish and Scotch ancestry. For many years he has been a prominent figure in the ranks of the Re- publican party, having been a hard worker and a delegate to the na- tional convention of his party in 1892, and he has served two terms as a member of the state legislature. President McKinley appointed him postmaster without any request on the recipient's part for this honor, and for sixteen years he served Cedar Springs capably in this position, resigning when his last term still had two years to run. Mr. Sellers is a supporter of education and religion. He has never mar- ried.
Archer H. Shank .- During the five years of his incumbency as secretary of the Builders' & Traders' Exchange, Archer H. Shank has won distinctive prestige in an organization which has been one of the prime factors in the solidifying and advancement of the build- ing interests of Grand Rapids. He is a man of firm convictions and settled purpose, who is practical in his aims, and has been effective in the realization of those projects which are advanced by good citi- zens of modern tendencies. Mr. Shank was born at Salem, Va., Dec. 4, 1879, a son of Peter A. and Ida J. (Strickler) Shank. He secured excellent educational advantages in his youth, attending the gram- mar and high schools of Salem and Hampden-Sidney college, and then spent two years in Roanoke college, at Salem, and one year in Washington and Lee University, at Lexington, Va. Coming to Grand Rapids, Oct. 19, 1902, he was first identified with the Voigt Milling Company for two years, and then was with the Pere Marquette rail- way and later the Grand Rapids & Indiana railway, acting in vari- ous capacities. On Sept. 15, 1913, he was elected secretary of the Builders' & Traders' Exchange of Grand Rapids, and has since con- tinued to efficiently discharge the duties of that position. Mr. Shank has for a number of years been identified with movements and organ- izations which have had as their object the building up of the city, its institutions and its industries. He is a member of the Association of Commerce and of the Greater Grand Rapids Association and his prac- tical suggestions, progressive ideas and energetic work have assisted materially in the success of these bodies. As a Mason, he is past master of Doric Lodge No. 342, F. & A. M., and a member of Co-
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lumbia Chapter and the Council. He belongs to the First Presby- terian church and for the past ten years has served as trustee. Mr. Shank was married, June 3, 1903, to Miss Cora Brown, of Port Huron, Mich., and they have one child, Leonidas, who is attending the public schools. The Builders' & Traders' Exchange of Grand Rapids was organized Oct. 14, 1885, at which time its officers were: G. H. Davidson, president ; J. H. Hosken, vice-president ; J. D. Bo- land, recording secretary ; C. W. Davidson, corresponding secretary, and L. C. Davidson, treasurer. Its reorganization was effected April 1, 1911, at which time it was incorporated, and S. A. Morman served as president of the body during the next six months, G. C. Schroeder then occupying the chief executive office for three years. He was suc- ceeded by C. M. Emmerson, who was president for one year, and Glendon A. Richards took office Jan. 1, 1916, and still retains the position. From the time of the reorganization, Guy Martin was sec- retary until Sept. 15, 1913, when Mr. Shank went into office. L. P. Oltman is now vice-president, C. G. Kuenner, treasurer, and C. L. Leonard, assistant secretary. Francis D. Campau is advising counsel and the directing board consists of the following well-known business men: T. J. Beyne, R. H. Haven, W. C. Hopson, C. G. Kuennen, Francis Letellier, L. P. Oltman, Edwin Owen, Glendon A. Richards and LeRoy Spears. At the present time the Builders' & Traders' Ex- change has a membership of 209. Four people are employed in the exchange proper, and the office and exhibition rooms, which have been occupied since Jan. 1, 1914, are located on the ground floor of the Association of Commerce building. This is an organization made up of, and is the recognized medium of organization for contractors in all lines of building construction, from the breaking of the ground and excavation for cellars and foundations to the last finishing touches prior to occupancy of the building, and of firms and individ- uals who sell the contractor his building material of all sorts, as well as those concerns or individuals who handle and sell, or install, equip- ment of any sort, or who are interested, either directly or indirectly, in the building or equipping of buildings of all descriptions. Its membership also includes those engaged in selling the contractor his surety bonds or employer's liability insurance, as well as those who sell him his tools, machinery, etc. It is an organization not for profit, for every dollar received is expended for benefits of one kind or an- other to its members, having for its object primarily the encourage- ment and protection of the building interests of the city, and to pro- vide and regulate suitable rooms and offices for its members for fa- cilitating the transaction of their business. It stands for the highest things in the building business, whether it be through the contractor, the material supply man, the architect or the owner, and through its social features is accomplishing much that is good for the city and contributing to its progress. The exchange belongs to the National Association of Builders' Exchanges of the United States and to the Associated Builders' Exchanges of Michigan.
Arthur F. Shaw .- Young and energetic, forceful and well fa- vored, Arthur F. Shaw is another of the young lawyers of Grand Rapids whose quick rise to prominence proves an example of the good results which obtain when natural gifts are combined with thorough
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training and hard, energetic work. He has been engaged in practice in the Furniture City since 1909 and is now in the enjoyment of a large and important clientele as a member of the firm of Nichols & Shaw. Mr. Shaw was born at Grand Rapids, Sept. 29, 1884. He is a son of Solomon B. and Etta E. (Sadler) Shaw, the former born near Crown Point, Ind., and the latter at Sturgis, Mich. Solomon B. Shaw was an evangelist of the Methodist Episcopal church when he came to Grand Rapids, in 1883, but in 1891 he turned his attention to the publishing business, which he followed here for seven years. At that time he went to Chicago and followed the same line of endeavor, and in 1908 returned to Grand Rapids, where he has since lived in retire- ment. He is a member of the National Evangelists' Association and the Michigan Evangelists' Association. Mrs. Shaw is a lecturer of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and has been national evangelist in that organization for a number of years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have been the parents of nine children, as follows: Roland W., who was employed in a bank at Phoenix, Ariz., at the time of the outbreak of the Mexican border trouble, when he became captain in the First Arizona infantry, and is now stationed at Camp Kearney, California, with Company F, One Hundred Fifty-eighth infantry ; Arthur F .; Elton R., who is a teacher of oratory in the Kansas Wes- leyan University, Salina, Kas .; Mark R., who is a student at the Boston (Mass.) Theological Seminary; Laura V., who is a teacher of oratory at the Illinois Women's College, Jacksonville, Ill .; Jay J., who is an aviator with the One Hundred Twenty-third aero squad- ron; and Ida Grace, Edith M. and Samuel B., who are attending the graded schools. Arthur F. Shaw attended the graded schools of Grand Rapids and a Chicago high school, having been taken to the latter city when he was fourteen years of age, and he was then given further training in private schools, this preparing him for entrance in the Ohio Wesleyan University, in which he was graduated in 1906, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He next attended the Cin- cinnati Law School, being graduated with the class of 1908, and he took a post-graduate course at the University of Chicago Law School. For three years while attending the Cincinnati Law School he was a teacher in the Ohio Military Institute. Later he taught mathematics and military tactics in the Culver Military Academy, but in 1909 com- menced the practice of law at Grand Rapids, and in 1911 formed a partnership with George E. Nichols, their office now being at No. 501 Grand Rapids Savings Bank building. The firm carries on a general business and has a large clientele. Mr. Shaw is a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, a member of the Lodge, Chapter, Council and Consistory of Masonry and of the Subordinate Lodge and Encampment of the Odd Fellows. He is a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he attends as a member of the Benton Heights congregation. He was married June 29, 1910, to Josephine, daughter of John and Sadie (Collins) Moore, of Grand Rapids, and they have two children-Mildred Madeline and Collins M. On Aug. 27, 1917, Mr. Shaw entered the second officers' training camp at Fort Sheridan, Ill. He was commissioned a first lieutenant on Nov. 27, 1917, and was ordered to duty with the Eightieth division
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at Camp Lee, Va. He is now assigned to Company K, Three Hun- dred and Seventeenth infantry.
Abraham J. Shellman .- Engaged in business at Grand Rapids for nearly thirty years, Abraham J. Shellman has the distinction of being the pioneer optometrist of the city. Prior to entering upon this line of endeavor his activities had carried him into a variety of pur- suits, and while his energetic nature and sound ability had given him partial prosperity in his former enterprises, it was not until he estab- lished his present venture at Grand Rapids that he really entered upon his career and placed himself in a position to gain a full meas- ure of success. As a veteran business man he has shared in the advancement and progress made here during the past three decades and his standing in commercial and manufacturing circles rests upon an honorable participation in the competition that the later years have brought. Mr. Shellman was born in Allegan county, Michigan, Feb. 4, 1851, a son of Abraham and Mary Ann (Shellman) Shellman, natives of the State of New York, both of whom are deceased. His father, who came to Michigan in 1835, was a farmer in Allegan coun- ty, and there Abraham J. Shellman was reared amid agricultural surroundings, securing his early education in the district schools. This was supplemented by a course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Chicago, and with the intention of pursuing a professsional career, Mr. Shellman studied law for a time at Martin, Mich. Later he gave up his law studies to engage in farming on the home place in Allegan county, but again left the farm, to enter mercantile lines. In 1888 he came to Grand Rapids, and, having taken a course in op- tometry, he engaged in the optical goods business as a manufacturer, being the first in this line to begin business in the city. He has since built up a large trade, both wholesale and retail, and ships his goods to numerous far-distant points. Mr. Shellman is a business man of ability and a master of his profession. He is independent in his po- litical views and is fraternally a Mason. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Shellman was Miss Harriet A. Scott, of Hutchinson, Kas. They have a son, Ernest A., a successful business man of Grand Rapids, asso- ciated with his father.
Horace D. Shields .- No individual is placed in an important offi- cial position with a large and reliable concern without having earned such a promotion. To properly discharge the duties of an executive office requires certain traits of character, unusual capabilities and the power to sway others and direct their actions. Every man is not fit- ted for such a task; many are developed for such work through suc- cessive promotions, while others are born with the power to lead their associates. Of the men of Grand Rapids who are now holding offices of importance in large concerns, one who has fairly won the position which he occupies is Horace D. Shields, treasurer of the Sherwood Hall Company. Mr. Shields came to this concern thirty years ago, taking a minor clerkship, and has since steadily advanced until he is now one of the guiding spirits in this large enterprise. Horace D. Shields was born at Fairfield, Pa., Dec. 17, 1868, son of Maxwell P. and Susan (Musselman) Shields. His parents came to the West about the year 1880 and settled in Allegan county, Michi- gan, where the father combined the two occupations of agriculture II-22
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and merchandise, being the operator of a farm and the proprietor of a general store. Maxwell P. Shields died in Allegan county, and sub- sequently his widow came to Grand Rapids, where she passed away at her home at Wyoming Park. Horace D. Shields commenced his education in Pennsylvania, subsequently went to a district school in Allegan county, and completed his studies at Wayland (Mich.) High School. As a youth of eighteen years, in 1886, he came to Grand Rapids and for one year was employed in the service of the Pere Marquette and Michigan Central railways, but in 1887 he accepted the post of assistant bookkeeper with the firm of Brown, Hall & Com- pany, a concern dealing in buggies, wagons, harness, etc., which had been established in 1865. Mr. Shields was ambitious and enterpris- ing, industrious and loyal, and soon showed capability that warranted his promotion to better positions. He gradually rose in the concern, and when the business was incorporated as the Sherwood Hall Com- pany, Aug. 1, 1902, he took the posts of secretary and treasurer. Later the secretaryship was turned over to Clyde E. Brown, Sherwood Hall being president of this $60,000 corporation. The company deals in saddlers' hardware, harness supplies, automobile supplies, etc., with its market covering a wide stretch of territory, and about thirty people are employed. Mr. Shields is an astute business man, with a knowledge of the field which his company's business covers that could have been gained only through thirty years of close ob- servation. He is widely known to the trade and is considered an au- thority upon many matters pertaining to this line of commercial ef- fort. He holds membership in the Grand Rapids Chamber of Com- merce, is a Mason of high stand and a Pythian Knight, and in poli- tics supports the Republican party. With his family, he belongs to the Westminster Presbyterian church. Mr. Shields was married June 24, 1909, to Miss Gladys Doty, daughter of A. H. Doty, an ag- riculturist of Cascade township, Kent county, and of this union have come three children-Paul, Howard and Lyman.
A. H. Simpson, secretary of the Grand Rapids Wood Finishing Company, is one of the leading business citizens of Grand Rapids, where his name is inseparably connected with commercial and manu- facturing interests. His thorough American spirit and his great energy have enabled him to mount from a modest place in business affairs to one of standing and importance. Mr. Simpson was born at Grass Lake, Jackson county, Michigan, Dec. 30, 1869, and received his education in the public schools of that place, where his first posi- tion was that of deputy in the postoffice. He was about nineteen years of age when he came to Grand Rapids. After about one year he entered the service of the G. R. & I. railroad and for eight years was employed as a clerk in the general freight offices, later becoming maintenance-of-way clerk in the city offices. In 1901 he went to Fort Wayne, for the same company, but after four years, in 1905, returned to Grand Rapids to become identified with the Grand Rapids Wood Finishing Company, in the capacity of secretary. This concern had been founded under the style of the Grand Rapids Paint & Color Company, in 1894, by John G. Carroll and D. C. Scribner, manufac- turing paints, colors and fillers, with a plant at No. 51 North Market street. On Jan. 17, 1903, the style was changed to Grand Rapids
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Wood Finishing Company and was incorporated for $20,000, the officers being B. J. Reynolds, president; S. M. Van Namee, vice- president ; and D. C. Scribner, secretary and treasurer. At that time the concern was still a modest and unassuming one, employing five or six people, but the spirit and capability were there in sufficient force to push it forward in the face of brisk competition, and by 1904 it was found necessary to seek larger quarters to meet the constantly increasing demand for the company's product. Accordingly, a new location was found at 61-71 Ellsworth avenue, the present address, and a substantial building was erected. At the same time a reorgan- ization of the company occurred, with a capital of $30,000 and the following officials: D. C. Scribner, president and treasurer ; S. M. Van Namee, vice-president, and A. H. Simpson, secretary. The new building, which had been thought sufficiently large for some time to come, was found inadequate for the necessary increased production, and in 1907 additions were erected. In 1915 the capacity of the plant was doubled and the buildings now cover a floor space of 150x100 feet, being three stories in height. In October, 1915, a reincorpora- tion was effected, with $140,000 common stock, and no preferred. About thirty people are employed in the modern, sanitary plant, where the latest machinery has been installed, and five traveling salesmen are constantly on the road, their territory being every- where east of the Rocky Mountains. The concern is now the largest in the world in the exclusive manufacture of all kinds of wood filling materials, and its product is known and finds a ready market wher- ever there are discriminating users of these articles. During the past thirteen years there has been no change in the organization, and this long experience together has allowed the officials to perfect a work- ing organization that for efficiency and expediency in labor is hard to equal. Mr. Simpson, a man of superior ability and knowledge in his field of endeavor, has been an integral force in developing the company's usefulness and has the full confidence of his associates and others in the business world with whom he has come into con- tact. He is independent in his political views, acknowledging no con- nection with any party. He belongs to Doric Lodge and the Chap- ter and Consistory of Masonry and to the Shrine, and is a Woodman. He likewise holds membership in the Rotary, Peninsular and Grand View Automobile clubs. While he has not been an office holder, he has shown an interest in civic affairs and as a good citizen has con- tributed his share of work, material and moral, to the development and furthering of beneficial enterprises and institutions. Mr. Simpson was married April 7, 1891, to Miss Lilly M. Hooker, daughter of Joseph and Emma (White) Hooker, of Grand Rapids.
Willis D. Sinclair .- In the case of many men there seems to be but one line which they can follow with success, one vocation which fits their abilities, one special occupation in which they can attain prosperity, and until they have settled themselves in that special groove they are able to make but little headway. To the man of versatile talents and abilities, however, any line of occupation which presents itself is acceptable, and if he be persistent enough he will win success in whatever field he finds employment. The career of Willis D. Sinclair is an illustration of diversified activity and of success
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won in several fields of endeavor. He is not only known as a lead- ing and substantial business man, but as one of the citizens of Sand Lake who have been instrumental in advancing their community's welfare, interests and institutions. Mr. Sinclair is a native son of Montcalm county, born on his father's farm, Sept. 11, 1860, son of Asa Sinclair, a native of New York State. He received his education in the district schools and grew up on the home farm, where in his boyhood and early youth he acted as his father's assistant, but shortly before attaining his majority began teaching in the country schools. While accounted a capable educator, he felt that better success lay before him in some other line, and he accordingly learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for several years before branching out into the building business, and he was for twelve years at Belding in the lumber business. It was in this connection that he came into contact with the hardware trade, which attracted his interest and at- tention and in which he eventually engaged, in 1906. How well he has prospered in this field is shown by the fact that he now has the leading establishment of its kind at Sand Lake and controls a large share of the business of this thriving community and its surrounding territory. Mr. Sinclair, as an astute business man, realizes that his best profits will come through handling a large volume of business and having the confidence and good will of his customers, and his trade has increased accordingly. He carries a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, acts as agent for farming machinery concerns, and handles all such other articles that are demanded by his trade and which are adjuncts of the hardware business. That Mr. Sinclair holds the confidence of the community is shown in his presidency of the village of Sand Lake for several years and his former treasurership of the school board. His public services were rendered in a faithful and highly efficient manner and served to further stamp him as a citizen of worth and value. Politically he is a Republican, but de- clines to be bound absolutely by the dictates of party leaders, and at times is inclined to take an independent stand on matters of public policy. His fraternal connection is with the local lodge of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America and Cedar Springs Lodge No. 213, F. & A. M. Mr. Sinclair married Dora, daughter of Ira Scott, an agri- culturist of Kent county, and they are the parents of a son, Clyde, who is a successful traveling salesman in the employ of the Art Stove Company, with headquarters at Detroit, Mich.
Captain James Sinke was born at Ludington, Mich., Oct. 28, 1884, son of Adrian and Johanna (Lamb) Sinke. He received his education in the public schools and began to make his own way in life as a printer at the age of sixteen. Coming to Grand Rapids in 1904 as an employee of the Dean-Hicks Company, he became the head stoneman of that concern and Nov. 15, 1915, entered business for himself as head of the Sinke-Sautter Printing Company. When the call came for Mexican service, he was obliged to leave his busi- ness, and upon his return, eight months later, he sold his interest in the business, since devoting his entire time to the military service. He began his military career as a bugler with the National Guard at Ludington and on March 12, 1906, joined Company K at Grand Rapids, as bugler. On July 10, 1907, he gained the rank of corporal
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and March 21, 1909, was promoted to sergeant and detailed as first sergeant. On Feb. 27, 1911, he was commissioned second lieutenant and he became captain of the company on Feb. 7, 1917. He was married Oct. 28, 1908, to E. Orel Randall and their son, Donald A., is now a charming lad of nine years. Captain Sinke is proud of his Dutch ancestry. He is an expert rifle man and is the owner of many medals received in military competition. He has perfected himself by work in officers' training schools and has seen service not only on the Mexican border, but in strike service on the upper peninsula. In August, 1917, he went with his command to Waco, Tex., and re- mained there until Jan. 20, 1918, when he was stationed at Camp Mer- ritt, New Jersey. On Feb. 16, 1918, he sailed for France and is now doing valiant service for his country in the great world war.
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