USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. II > Part 46
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employed by the company to journey to America and superintend the mines. On arriving at Wythe- ville, Va., the supposed seat of the company's offices, he found neither land nor mines, and learned to his disgust that the whole concern was a swindle. He sent a detailed report of the fraud to the Police Department of France, and had the satisfaction of hearing that the offices of the company were closed and the manager imprisoned. Mr. Colliau then determined to remain and cast his lot with this country. He earned a living by teaching French and by occasionally drawing a few plans. In two years he had saved a little money and set up a general store in Wytheville. When the war broke out he had acquired a considerable fortune, which was wiped out by a raid of the Federal troops, and then the Rebels gave him sixty days to join the army or leave the country. He determined to go north and started out with his wife and two children in a carriage drawn by mules. After a long jour- ney full of thrilling incidents he finally arrived in New York, where he spent six months looking for a situation. He was finally engaged as mechanical superintendent of the copper mines controlled by the Lafayette and Carp Lake Mining Company, situated at Ontonagon, Michigan. Shortly after reaching the mining region, Lincoln was assas- sinated, and in the panic which followed, the com- pany by which Mr. Colliau was employed, failed, and he was compelled to return to Detroit, where he had stopped a few days before going to Ontonagon. Shortly after his arrival in Detroit he was given the position of chief draughtsman of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, and for six years served also as professor of mechanical drawing for the Mechanic Society, and had from thirty to sixty pupils every winter, some of whom are now foremen and head draughtsmen in large shops. In 1876 he resigned and made a trip to France, where he studied the question of saving fuel in iron-melting. He then returned to Detroit and patented an invention by which the number of pounds of iron meltable by a pound of coal was increased from six to ten. He soon organized a company of which he was Presi- dent, but was finally "frozen out " of it. He how- ever was not discouraged, but kept on working at his cupola, and in 1884 invented the present Col- liau Cupola, which melts 1372 pounds of iron to one pound of coal. He is at present engaged in the building of cupolas and over 500 Colliau Cupolas are now in successful operation in every State in the Union, and in Canada and Mexico. In addition to his cupola he has invented the "Colliau Washing Machine " and the " Colliau Smelting Furnace," and has eclipsed all his former efforts by the invention of the Colliau Steam Generator, an invention which will effect a great saving of coal in generating steam.
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In personal appearance Mr. Colliau is below the medium height, of portly build, with clear cut fea- tures and a cast of countenance that indicates his Gallic origin. His predominant trait is a dogged determination, which he has shown during his whole career, and which has spurred him on to renewed efforts, even under the most discouraging circum- stances.
He was married in England in 1857 to an Eng- lish lady. They had nine children, seven of whom are still living, namely, Francis, who is married and is superintendent of the cupola shop, Lucie, now Mrs. Archibald MacMillan, Clara, Victor, Jr., Emile, Charlotte, and Harry.
SIDNEY B. DIXON was born May 19, 1841, in the village of Whitesborough, near Utica, Oneida County, New York, and is the son of Richard and Cornelia Dixon. His father, who had been the foreman in a large cotton manufactory, removed to Detroit in 1852, where he went into the meat business at the corner of Brush and Clin- ton Streets. Sidney B. Dixon attended a public school until fourteen years of age, and then went to work for his father, continuing with him for six years. In 1861 he married Catherine C. Langley, daughter of Henry Langley, a retired builder. The following year, on August 7, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. G, Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry, going to the front a few weeks later. He participated in all the campaigns on the Potomac, and in 1865 re- turned to Detroit, where he was mustered out of service. After his return home he worked for William A. Owen, who was then located at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Rivard Street. After serving Mr. Owen for nine months, he entered the employ of Geo. H. Hammond. Here his talent and ability for business was soon manifest, and from a subordinate position he rose rapidly until 1872, when he became a partner. In 1882 a cor- poration was formed, and Mr. Dixon became the Vice-President and has continued as such. He is also interested in the H. C. Hart Manufacturing Co., the Detroit and Montana Cattle Co., the Fire and Marine Insurance Co., the Michigan Savings Bank, the Detroit Spiral Tube Co., the Congress Mine, of Breckenridge, Colorado, and many other business enterprises.
Though interested in various business ventures, Mr. Dixon does not permit them to absorb all his attention. He takes an active interest in masonic affairs and is Past Eminent Commander of the De- troit Commandery. Of strong social predilections, he is frequently present at evening gatherings, is a prominent member and director of the Rushmere Club, and a worthy example of a self-made man. As a business man he has been energetic and
upright, and as a citizen, public-spirited and enter- prising, and his genial nature has won for him a host of friends. Modest and unassuming, kind and generous at heart, he easily secures the esteem, confidence and good-will of all with whom he is associated. His family consists of himself, his wife, three sons and a daughter, namely, Sidney R., Edward M., Maud M. and Frederick S. One son, Eugene H., died during 1889.
WALTER JOHN GOULD was born in the town of Kenton, Somersetshire, England, seven miles from the historical Glastonbury Abbey, De- cember 25, 1830, and is the only son of John and Mary Elizabeth (Hill) Gould.
When Walter was but six years of age, his father being desirous of bettering his financial condition, and realizing that much greater inducements were offered in the new world, sailed for America with his wife and son, and settled in Detroit in June, 1836.
Young Walter's first schooling was obtained in a little school house situated near the corner of Bates and Larned Streets, where now the large drug house of Williams, Sheley & Brooks is located. He next attended school in the University building, located near the corner of Bates and Congress streets.
His father upon reaching Detroit opened a grocery store on Randolph Street, near where the Biddle House now stands, but during the financial troubles of 1854 went West, and was never heard from thereafter.
In 1839 his mother died. The principles of hon esty and integrity, however, which she had instilled in his youthful mind, and to which he continued to adhere, have won for him the respect and esteem of all who know him.
At the age of eighteen years, Walter J. entered the employ of the widely known financier, Capt. E. B. Ward, and while with him he obtained a business education that was of great value. He remained with Mr. Ward for seventeen years, filling in a commendable manner the position of clerk on the steamers, Samuel Ward, Huron, Pacific, Cleveland, Forrester, and Planet, and attended Goldsmith's Commercial College during the winter months.
Indomitable will and energy soon gave him a good business education, and in 1864 he launched forth for himself and opened a wholesale grocery house at No. 22 Woodward Avenue with a Mr. Fellers, under the name of Gould & Fellers.
In 1873 the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Gould renting the stores known as Nos. 82 and 84 Jefferson Avenue, continued the business alone.
His generosity and warm-heartedness and his sterling qualities soon won for him a wide reputa
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tion and many friends, and in 1881 his business had reached such a magnitude, being constantly on the increase, that he was obliged to seek more commodious quarters. The stores Nos. 59, 61 and 63 Jefferson Avenue were then obtained, and he became senior member of the firm of W. J. Gould & Co., the largest wholesale grocery house in Michigan.
Mr. Gould is a large subscriber to charitable organizations, and many a poor family have had reason to be grateful for his benevolence in time of need.
In politics he is a Republican, but does not engage actively in political life.
DE WITT C. GAGE was born April 6, 1836, in Seneca County, New York, and is the son of Justice and Ruth (Tinkler) Gage. His father who was born in Oneida County, New York, was a minister of the Universalist Church, and was one of thirteen children, the youngest of whom, Eli, is the father of Lyman J. Gage, a prominent Chicago business man and banker, and now a member of the World's Fair Commission. When but a year old De Witt C. Gage removed with his parents to Cass County, Michigan, and in its district schools he received his early education. When fourteen years of age he left home, going to the village of Dowagiac, then just started, where he remained for one year, attending school in the winter and serving as clerk for Henry Lybrooks, the leading merchant of the place. The following winter he taught school, and with the money he earned he entered the Normal School at Ypsilanti the next autumn. In the winter of 1857 he again taught school at Waterford, in this State, and the next summer worked his father's farm, whilst the latter was on a visit to New York. That winter he traveled for a Chicago publishing house, to obtain subscriptions, and in the spring went north with a party looking for lands, walking from Kalamazoo to Grand Traverse City, through what was then a perfect wilderness. Failing to find suitable land, he re- turned by way of Chicago to Dowagiac, but im- mediately started out in the same spring with five others to take a drove of cattle over the plains to California. On arriving in California, he sold his horse for six hundred dollars in gold, and this was the extent of his wealth. He there hired out to an old Frenchman who ran a garden-farm near San Jose. The latter had one hundred and fifty head of cattle, but being without a range upon which to pasture them, he proposed to Mr. Gage to take the cattle and find a range, and for his com- pensation take half the increase. Mr. Gage con- sented to the proposition, and securing another hundred and fifty head on the same conditions,
started out to look for a location, which he found on the Middle Range of Mountains, midway be- tween Stockton and San Luis, seventy-five miles away from the nearest post-office. He remained on this range for five years, during three of which he did not see a post-office, town or store. At the end of the five years he returned to his home at Dowagiac by the way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York. He secured employment with his brother, who was then running a lumber mill in Berrien County, and after working a week for him, bought the mill, which he controlled for four years. At the end of that time he sold out and went to Boulder City in Colorado, which was then a Territory. Remaining there for the summer and winter, he returned at the solicitation of his brother, who was book-keeper for Backus Brothers, lumber manufacturers of Detroit, who had written to him that they wanted a foreman for the lumber yards. For six years Mr. Gage worked in this capacity for that company, and in 1872, in connec- tion with W. A. C. Miller, started a lumber yard at the corner of Tenth and Fort Streets. At the end of nine years they dissolved partnership, Mr. Gage retaining the old stand. One year later he entered into partnership with Mr. Hebert, establishing a yard at the corner of Fifteenth and Fort streets. In May, 1889, he sold his interest, and since that time has not been engaged in active business.
He was married in 1874, to Jane Schneider, who is a native of Marengo, Michigan. They have two children, named Minnie and Jennie.
JOHN ALLEN GRAY was born in Glasgow, Scotland, March 24, 1854, and is the son of John and Margaret (Allen) Gray. When he was but a year old his parents, with their family of four children, emigrated to America, and settled at Utica, New York. In 1856 they removed to Hamilton, Canada, where five more children were born. In 1863 the family came to Detroit, where two more children were added to the already large family, making in all eleven children, nine of whom are now living, namely, Mary, Andrew, Maggie, John H., William N., Robert, Eliza, Alice and Edward. The mother died in 1884, but the father is still living, and serves as engineer in his sons' carriage manufactory. John Allen Gray attended the public school for a few years, the rest of his education being acquired at night school and by private reading. When but twelve years old he went to work, working part of the time at garden- ing and again at making measures. Subsequently, for five years he served as an engineer. At seven- teen years of age he began learning the general smithing trade, and in 1879 engaged in the smith-
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ing, wagon-making and repairing business with a capital of forty-one dollars.
Amongst his first orders was one given by the Diamond Fanning Mill Co. for twelve wagons. He had neither material nor money with which to buy them. Nothing daunted, however, he went to several business houses, explained the situation, and asked for thirty days credit, at the end of which time he said the wagons would be completed, and he would have the money to pay for them. Several firms to which he applied refused to aid, but he found others who did have faith in him, and these same houses have since received the benefit of his large patronage, and naturally he has always felt grateful to those who were willing to take his word in an hour of need. From this modest beginning the business rapidly grew, and the firm now gives employment to thirty or thirty-five men. In 1881 he established himself on Cass Avenue, and in 1882 entered into partnership with his brother, under the firm name of J. A. Gray and Brother. In 1886 they reorganized, and were incorporated under the name of Gray Brothers. In addition to their other manufactures they also make wire nails, their factory being on Trumbull Avenue.
Mr. Gray was married in February, 1878, to Eliza Smith. They have two sons, Chester M., and Allen S., and one daughter, Elsie.
Mr. Gray is a prominent Odd Fellow, being Past Grand of Wayne Lodge. In religion he inclines to Presbyterianism, having been brought up in the faith of that denomination. In politics he is inde- pendent, acknowledging allegiance to neither of the parties, but supporting for office whoever in his es- timation is the best.
Unaided by others, and by his own perseverance and hard labor, he has raised himself to a position of independence. He is quiet in disposition, but his strong determination and personality soon im- press themselves on any one who meets him.
WILLIAM A. GRAY is of Scotch descent. His father, John, and his mother Margaret (Allen) Gray were born in Glasgow, Scotland. They came to America in 1855, and took up their residence at Utica, New York. From there, in 1856, they re- moved to Hamilton, Canada, and here, on August IIth of the same year, the subject of this sketch was born. In 1863 the family came to Detroit, and owing to the number of children, the boys were obliged to shift for themselves at an early age, and William was deprived of any extended school- ing. He at first engaged in the manufacture of cigar boxes, and continued in this occupation for several years, and then went to learn the trade of carriage-body making at John Patton's carriage es- tablishment. The faithful and diligent manner in
which he applied himself to his trade made him a thorough workman at the completion of his ap- prenticeship, and in 1882 he entered into a partner- ship with his brother, John A. Gray, who had already acquired a large general smithing trade, and together they engaged in the manufacture and repairing of wagons and carriages. In 1886 the firm was reorganized and incorporated under the name of Gray Brothers. The high quality of their work has brought them a large trade, and they now give employment to between thirty and forty persons. They are also engaged in other manufac- turing enterprises, amongst which is the manufacture of wire nails.
Mr. Gray is a thorough master of his trade, ener- getic and upright, and his perseverance, industry and abilities have raised him to an enviable position. His education has been largely acquired through contact with the world. He is a believer in the tenets of the Presbyterian church and is indepen- dent in politics, although he inclines to the Repub- lican party. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the National Union Benefit Association.
In 1877 he married Sarah M. Arnold. They have a family of three children, Florence Sibyl, Arthur John, and William.
ANTHONY F. GROSFIELD was born in Westphalia, Prussia, in 1843, and is the son of Theodore and Francesca (Grobbel) Grosfield. His mother died in Germany, leaving five children to mourn her departure. Anthony attended the higher schools of Germany, and received a classical education. In 1863 he came to Detroit and en- gaged in manufacturing cutlery, sabres and army implements ; three years later he started in the grocery business on Michigan Avenue, and soon after increased his stock, adding hardware and builder's materials. He has also dealt extensively in real estate, and owns considerable property in various parts of the city. Mr. Grosfield was elected Alderman for the Twelfth Ward in 1874, and was subsequently elected a member of the Board of Education, remaining on the Board from 1883 to 1887. He was a member of the Board of Esti- mates in 1889, and in 1888 was elected State Sena- tor for the Third District by a large vote. In 1885 he gave up his grocery and hardware business, and in company with Peter Schulte is engaged in the real estate and insurance business
He is a firm believer in Democratic principles, and works hard for the success of his party. His religious views are those of a Roman Catholic, and he has done much towards building up St. Boni- face's Church, of which he was a trustee for ten or twelve years. By economy and shrewd business
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foresight, he has accumulated considerable wealth. He has a quiet and modest disposition, but makes himself heard and felt in public affairs. His un- questioned integrity and solid worth have secured to him the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Faithful to his friends, with an even tempered mind, and taking life's cares easily, he is a valuable friend and well thought of by those with whom he is associated.
He was married on November 14, 1871, to Eliza- beth Vogt, who was born in Grosse Pointe. They have a family of five sons, Theodore, John, Frank, Charles, and Frederick.
EDWARD W. LEECH was born at Newboro, Province of Ontario, Canada, on January 20, 1849, and is the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Earl) Leech. His great grandfather on the maternal side was killed at Wexford, Ireland, in the Rebel- lion of 1798. His grandfather emigrated about 1810 from Ireland to Canada, settling in the County of Leeds, Ontario, then a complete wilderness. His father and grandfather were both wood-work- ers, the former in his early years manufacturing lumber. His father who was born in Leeds county, Ontario, lived there until 1859, and then moved to the Queen's Bush, Ontario, where he built a lumber and flour mill, and established the village of Leech- ville. It was at the public school of this village that E. W. Leech received his education. At the age of sixteen he went to work in his father's mills. After he had mastered this business he became a partner with his father in the flour and saw mills, and in the dry goods business. He rapidly acquired wealth, but in 1879, lost all that he possessed by the failure of a relative, whose paper he had in- dorsed. He then determined to go to Winnipeg, Manitoba, but on arriving in Detroit, in 1880, he changed his mind, and determined to remain here and engage in the lumber business. Having but little money, he was obliged to start in an humble scale, buying a car-load of lumber at a time and selling it from the car. By strict economy and close attention to business he was soon able to es- tablish a yard, and within ten years he built up the largest business in hard-wood lumber in Detroit. In March, 1890, he and P. M. Gamble of the well-known firm of Lindsay & Gamble, manufac- turers of pine lumber, entered into partnership un- der the firm name of E. W. Leech & Co., and con- solidated the business of their pine and hard-wood lumber yards, running them separately. They have leased for a term of years the yards, ware-houses, planing mill, dry-kilns, etc., of Lindsay & Gamble, and have restocked the yards with a large assort- ment of pine and hard-wood lumber, made exten- sive improvements in the mill and dry-kilns, and
now have unrivaled facilities for drying, working and handling lumber.
Mr. Leech has never held any political office, is rather inclined to free trade tendencies, and is a be- liever in the principles of the Prohibition party. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of the Iron Hall, and when in Canada was an active mem- ber of the Good Templars. He is one of the lead- ing members and an official in the Simpson Methodist Episcopal Ghurch.
He possesses a quiet, good-natured disposition, but is of a determined spirit, and is the same in adversity or prosperity. He is strong in his likes and dislikes and blunt of speech, always speaking his mind openly and freely, and is intensely demo- cratic in his ways, abhorring ostentation and dis- play. His kind treatment of his employees has won for him their esteem and affection, and he never fails to give them aid in hours of sickness and dis- tress. Self-made, self-educated, he is esteemed as a successful business man, a worthy citizen, and a desirable friend.
He was married on February 27, 1878, to Rachel May Jackson, a farmer's daughter, and a native of Glengarry County, Ontario. Mrs. Leech possesses much business ability, and supervised the office work in connection with her husband's business for about six years. They have one son, Earl, who is nine years of age.
CHARLES H. PRESTON was bornin Lenawee County, Michigan, September 9, 1854, and is the son of Simon B., and Julia E. Preston. His father, who was a miller by occupation, was a Lieutenant in the Mexican War, and again entered the service as First Lieutenant in the late Civil War. For gallant services on the field he was promoted to the captaincy of Company F, of the old Fourth Michigan Regiment. He was wounded in the battle before Richmond, and died in Libby Prison as a result of the amputation of his arm. His wife is still living at Hudson, in Lenawee County.
C. H. Preston was educated in the public schools of Hudson. When twelve years of age, he began to work on a farm in the summer, attending school during the winter months. He continued in this manner until 1870, when he came to Detroit. and went to work in the Michigan Central Locomotive Works, learning the machinist's trade. After he had mas- tered this trade he entered the mechanical depart- ment where he became an expert draughtsman. He remained with this company for six years, and only left it when it removed its works to Jackson, Michigan. After this he went to Chicago, where he remained off and on for three years. During the latter part of his stay in Chicago he had charge of a match factory, but lost this situation by the burning
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MAJOR FIRST MICHIGAN REGIMENT IN WAR WITH MEXICO, AND LIEUT. COLONEL SIXTEENTH MICHIGAN REGIMENT IN WAR WITH THE SOUTH.
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of the buildings. A few days subsequently he met the late D. M. Richardson, of Detroit, who was then in Chicago endeavoring to secure the help of Chicago capitalists in reopening his match factory which had shut down because of his failure a short time before. Mr. Richardson engaged him as en- gineer, and in July, 1879, he became engineer and machinist of the Richardson Match Factory. In April, 1880, he was advanced to the position of Superintendent, and during that same year the com- pany became known as the Diamond Match Com- pany. Mr. Preston held the position of Superin- tendent until February, 1889, and at that time, on the resignation of D. M. Richardson, he succeeded him as manager, which position he still holds.
In the fall of 1888 he joined the Free Masons and became a member of Kilwinning Lodge. He advanced rapidly through the different degrees of Masonry, and is now a 32° Mason, a member of the Michigan Sovereign Consistory, Scottish Rite, and has passed through the Enrolled Chapter.
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