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 9
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building on Bates street, paying for his tuition by services rendered the preceptor.
When twelve years old he became an errand boy in the drug store of Dr. Chapin, remaining with him several years, and making himself so useful that when only twenty years old he was taken in as a partner, his energy and faithfulness being placed against the capital of his former employer. Sub- sequently the firm became J. Owen & Co. In 1853 he retired from trade, and the present firm of T. H. Hinchman & Son is the successor of the old firms of Chapin & Owen and J. Owen & Co.
After he retired from mercantile life, Mr. Owen gave his attention largely to vessel and banking interests. He was one of the earliest and largest stockholders in the Detroit and Cleveland Steam Navigation Company, and for many years president of the corporation. He is also largely interested in the Detroit Dry Dock Company. He was presi- dent of the Michigan Insurance Co. Bank, and of its successor, the National Insurance Bank, and in 1857, while serving as president of the first named institution, it was the unbounded personal confidence that the people had in him that enabled the bank to go safely through those perilous times, and his integrity and good name was the wall that pre- vented the financial breakers from overwhelming not only the bank but scores of individuals as well. It was also fortunate that he was at the head of the State treasury from 1861 to 1867, for in the first years of the war, without his personal credit and well known honesty, it would have been almost impossible for the State to have met the demands then made upon it in paying for the equipment of the troops.
Aside from the office of State Treasurer, the only public offices he has held were those of Alderman at Large in 1836, and of the First Ward in 1844 and 1845. He also served as one of the School Direc- tors in 1839 and 1840, as Commissioner of Grades from 1859 to 1870, and as one of the Board of Water Commissioners from 1865 to 1879. From 1841 to 1848 he was one of the Board of Regents of Michigan University. During his earlier years he was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, serv- ing as foreman of Company No. 1 in 1837, and as president of the Department Society from 1841 to 1843. He has also been actively interested in various philanthropic and patriotic societies, serving as treasurer of a State Temperance Society in 1837, as president of the Michigan Soldiers' Relief Society in 1864, and as trustee and treasurer of the cor- poration of Elmwood Cemetery from its organiza- tion, for over forty years.
His connection with the Central Methodist Epis- copal Church as trustee and treasurer covers even a longer period, and he diu more than any other
person during a period of nearly fifty years to pro- tect and preserve its credit, by the prompt payment of all bills, without regard to the possession of church funds at the time. During all this time he was recognized as the foremost member in the State of the church of his choice, and contributed very largely to its building up, not only in Detroit, but in the State at large. He is one of the prin- cipal trustees of Albion College, and has given largely to that institution.
His benefactions have not been confined within denominational lines, but whenever time and influ- ence and means could help solve social problems, he has been ready to help. His long residence in the city, his upright life and careful judgment, and the many services he has rendered the public, have made his name a synonym for character and worth, and he occupies a position that comparatively few attain.
DAVID PRESTON was born September 20, 1 826, in Harmony, Chautauqua County, N. Y., and was the son of Rev. David Preston, for thirty years a member of the Erie Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was educated in that vicin- ity and his earliest occupation was that of a teacher, in which he continued four years.
In 1848 he came to Detroit and found employ- ment in the banking office of G. F. Lewis. He remained with him four years, his total salary for that time being $950. Out of this amount he saved a few hundred dollars, and in May, 1852, began business as a banker and broker. From the very outset he was successful, and from time to time was compelled to change his location in order to obtain room to meet the demands of his growing business. His longest tarry and most successful years were while located on the southeast corner of Woodward avenue and Larned street, and while there located, in connection with S. A. Kean, he established a banking office in Chicago. During his stay in the location named, John L. Harper was a partner with him, the partnership being dissolved in 1881. The Chicago bank was organized as a National bank in 1884, and the Detroit bank as the Preston Bank in 1885, and after his death reorgan- ized as the Preston National Bank.
During his entire career as a banker Mr. Preston possessed the almost unlimited confidence of the public, and even those who differed from him in judgment were compelled to respect his evident sin- cerity and honesty of purpose. In addition to his banking business he was a very large dealer in pine lands as well as in city real estate.
The only municipal office he ever held was that of Alderman of the Fifth Ward of Detroit in 1872 and 1873. He voted and worked with the Repub-
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Dand Preston
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lican party until a few years prior to his death when he gave his time, and money, and influence, to the full, to the cause of Prohibition, and this not as an office-seeker, but because he believed that through that party the liquor traffic could be destroyed. His labors were ardent, unceasing, and laborious, especially in trying to promote the adoption of a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of liquors, and there is little doubt but that those labors were the immediate cause of his death. His health had been poor for several years and he had made two trips to Europe to secure needed rest. Both journeys resulted in good, but he was not strong enough to endure the fatigue of the duties which his prominence in the church and in the cause of prohibi- tion imposed upon him, and he might have said truth- fully, " the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."
It is safe to say that up to the time of his death no other person in Detroit was as widely known, for general and generous benevolence. He gave liberally, he gave unostentatiously, he gave system- atically, he gave constantly, and it may be doubted whether he ever refused any legitimate call for aid. The local charities, patriotic memorials, and bene- volences of every kind were all gladly aided. In his own denomination he stood at the head of all the givers in the State. Through his own efforts, in 1873, he raised $60,000 for Albion College, and in the raising of funds for the building of the various Methodist Episcopal churches of Detroit he was particularly useful. His manner of presiding and his methods at any meeting where money was to be raised were peculiarly his own. His appeals were unique and sometimes wonderfully thrilling and persuasive, and he not only induced others to give, but always gave himself. Although a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he was large hearted in his feelings towards those of other creeds and often helped in their plans.
In 1869 and 1870 he served as president of the Y. M. C. A., and was always interested in its work. Personally he was simple hearted and approachable, with a warm and kindly nature. He was often humorous in his remarks and yet apparently al- ways devotional and considerate. His place was rarely vacant, either in the public services or in the prayer meeting. He held for many years the offices of trustee and class leader in the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, and his departure was regarded as a personal loss by the entire member- ship. He died on Sunday, April 24, 1887.
He was married to Jane B. Hawk, of Conneaut, Ohio, on May 5, 1852. They had a large family of children of whom seven are now living. Their names are : William D., Frank B., and Ellery D., Mrs. F. W. Hayes and Misses Minnie, Mabel and Bessie Preston.
THOMAS WITHERELL PALMER was born in Detroit, January 25th, 1830, and is the only sur- viving child of the nine children of Thomas and Mary A. (Witherell) Palmer. Part of his boyhood was spent in the village of Palmer, now the city of St. Clair, where he attended a school taught by Rev. O. C. Thompson. He subsequently entered the University of Michigan, but owing to ill health did not fully complete his course and received no degree until he had proved his fitness for it by travel and experience in the broader university of the world.
On leaving Ann Arbor he visited Europe, traveled through Spain on foot, and subsequently spent sev- eral months in South America. Returning to De- troit in 1853, he engaged in buying and selling pine lands, and soon became a partner with the late Charles Merrill, a large operator in pine lands and lumber. Mr. Merrill, Mr. J. A Whittier and Mr. Palmer were engaged for years in the manufacture of lumber at East Saginaw, and on Mr. Merrill's death the business was continued under the old firm name of C. Merrill & Co., Mrs. Palmer inheriting her father's interest. Mr. J. B. Whittier has since been added to the firm.
In addition to other business interests, Mr. Palmer is a director in the American Exchange National Bank, the Wayne County Savings Bank, and the Security and Safe Deposit Company, and the Gale Sulky Harrow Company, and is interested in the Detroit Steam Navigation Company, the Michigan Lake Navigation Company, the Frontier Iron Works, the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Iron Silver Mining Company of Leadville, Colorado, and other important and profitable enterprises.
He is fortunate in being able to have no less than three residences. One of them, an elegant house with extensive grounds is in Detroit, another a log house, that cost many thousand dollars, is located a few miles out of the city in Greenfield, on his farm of about a mile square, a third, a palatial establish- ment, is located in Washington. His log house, and the 657 acre farm upon which it is located, are his especial pride. Here he has scores of valuable Per- cheron horses, and Jersey cows, and all the appur- tenances of a large stock farm, which is kept up in the most admirable manner.
Mr. Palmer's natural disposition did not lead him into public life, but he has been gradually pushed into it, and once in the arena he has been kept there. His first political office was as one of the first Board of Estimates elected from the city at large in 1873. In 1878 he was elected to the State Senate from the city of Detroit, and while there he introduced, and pushed to its passage, the bill creating the reform school for girls, and aided by Representative E. W. Cottrell, he secured the passage of the bill provid- ing for a boulevard about the city of Detroit. He
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also served as chairman of the caucus which nomi- nated Z. Chandler to the United States Senate. In 1883 he was elected by the Legislature as the suc- cessor of Thomas W. Ferry in the United States Senate. In this body he ranks easily with its best speakers and most influential members.
One would think that with means to gratify every wish, and with strong literary tastes, he would be unwilling to serve in any position involving so much self-denial and labor. He, however, seems to enjoy what to many would be martyrdom, and being inde- pendent in all his thoughts and actions, he is able to serve his native commonwealth as well as any of its previous Senators could have served it in the same period.
A thorough philosopher, he accepts the inevitable gracefully, and somehow or other reaches the goal. Some would say of him he is "lucky," but his luck is of the kind that is born of sound judgment and a general mastery of the situation.
His addresses give evidence not only of wide reading but of extensive travel, thoughtful observa- tion and a clear conception. His thoughts and words are neither plain nor monotonous, but full of bright- ness, beauty, and vigor, and abundant in sentiment and sagacity. His language is always clear, choice, forcible, elegant, and especially noticeable for per- fect classical allusions and abundant historical references. His illustrations and figures are his own, and always appropriate, effective, and pleasing. He is by turns humorous, grave, and pathetic, and his addresses withal are packed with facts, and if need be, with statistics, in support of his positions.
His principal addresses, and the occasion of their delivery, have been as follows : Oration on Decora- tion Day, May 30, 1879, at Detroit; speech on Uni- versal Suffrage in the Senate, February 6, 1885; response at reunion of the Army of the Cumber- land, at Grand Rapids, on "The Soldier as a Schoolmaster," September 17, 1885; speech on "Governmental Regulation of Railroads," in Sen- ate, April 14, 1886; speech on "Dairy Protection," in Senate, July 17, 1886 ; eulogies on “ John A. Logan, of Illinois, and A. F. Pike, of New Hamp- shire," in Senate, February 9 and 16, 1887 ; address on "Relation of Educated Men to the State," delivered at the semi-centennial celebration of the University of Michigan, June 29, 1887 ; "The Sol- dier Dead," a response made at the banquet of the Army of the Tennessee, at Detroit, September 15, 1887 ; speech in support of his bill for the restric- tion of immigration, January 24, 1888; address at Arlington Cemetery, Virginia, May 30, 1888, on "The Nation's Dead and the Nation's Debt." Ile was the first to suggest the erection of a soldiers' monument in Detroit, and was the first secretary of the organization that secured the erection of that
memorial. Mr. Palmer has also for many years served as president of the Society for the Preven- tion of Cruelty to Animals.
In his social life he is an excellent conversation- alist and entertains generously. He is broadly philanthropic, earnestly patriotic, and thoroughly democratic in all his thoughts and doings. In reli- gious views he is a cosmopolite, believes in all the virtues, and practices most of them, and perhaps all. An ardent admirer of his mother, he com- memorated her memory in a church largely erected at his expense. He makes friends, not through his wealth, but because his wealth does not prevent him from acting the part of a whole-souled, manly man. He is so universally esteemed, that nothing but strict party discipline would prevent those of oppo- site political faith from praising and endorsing him.
He was married on October 16, 1855, to Miss Lizzie P. Merrill, who makes and retains friends universally, and although they have no children, they contrive, by gathering in young and old, to keep the spirit of youth in their home.
FRANCIS PALMS, for many years the largest land owner, and one of the most prominent factors in the commercial affairs of Michigan, was born at Antwerp, Belgium, in 1810. His father, Ange Palms, was a commissary in the French army, while the first Napoleon was in the zenith of his power. Mr. Palms followed the fortunes of his great com- mander until the disastrous battle of Waterloo put an end to the Emperor's career. He then returned to Antwerp, and engaged in manufacturing and conducted an extensive business. In 1831 the en- tire establishment was destroyed by fire, and he gathered the remnant of his fortune and with a family of four sons and two daughters came to America, settling in Detroit in the summer of 1833. The father remained here a few years, and then with all his family, except Francis and his daugh- ter, the late Mrs. Daniel J. Campau, he removed to New Orleans. Establishing himself in a manu- facturing business, he remained there until his death, in 1876, at an advanced age. Of his children the only one now living is Ange, who resides in Texas.
Francis Palms received a liberal education in the public schools of Antwerp, and when a young man of twenty-three began his business career in Detroit as a clerk for a Mr. Goodwin, but soon after com- menced the manufacture of linseed oil at the corner of Gratiot Avenue and St. Antoine Street. Dis- continuing this enterprise in 1837, he entered the employ of Franklin Moore & Co., wholesale gro- cers, and remained in their service until 1842, when he became a partner in the reorganized firm of Moore, Foote & Co., remaining four years, and
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during this period acting as financial manager of the house. His connection with this firm proved a profitable one, and upon his retirement, with the capital he had accumulated, he began buying and selling land. Perhaps the largest of his early land transactions was the purchase of 40,000 acres of government land in Macomb and St. Clair counties, a venture made when the State of Michigan was still suffering from the panic of 1836-7. In the tide of prosperity ten years later his lands were readily sold, and it is said he realized from this trans- action alone between $300,000 and $400,000. The success of this venture was the stepping-stone to great wealth. It revealed to him the vast possi- bilities lying in the pine forests, which then cov- ered nearly three-quarters of the State of Michi- gan. He immediately invested all his means in pine lands, obtaining the title to immense tracts in the States of Michigan and Wisconsin, and became not only the largest land owner in the northwest, but possibly the largest individual land owner in the United States. At one time he owned a large tract of timber land in Wisconsin, on a river which another company unlawfully assumed to control and ob- structed, rendering navigation impossible. Mr. Palms ordered his foreman to get force enough to cut away the obstructions. The foreman replied that the opposing company had 250 men. Mr. Palms then said, "get 1,000 men if necessary, but the river must be opened." The contest cost him $250,000; but the river being opened his lands increased in value $800,000. In many cases he sold only the timber, and retained the fee interest, especially when there was any evidence of mineral deposit. His foresight in this was evinced by the subsequent discovery of many valuable mines in lands thus retained. All of his vast property was under his personal care and supervision. Aided by careful and thorough meth- ods, and a wonderful memory, with little assistance he was able to thoroughly grasp and manage every detail. A few years ago, finding his business very much extended and involving an immense amount of attention, he began contracting his land business and investing in Detroit city property. He built the block on Jefferson Avenue now occupied by the Heavenrich Brothers, and also the large block occu- pied by Edson, Moore & Co., on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Bates Street ; the block oppo- site the Michigan Exchange; two large blocks on Gratiot Avenue, and numerous smaller business buildings in various parts of the city. . He was also largely interested in manufacturing enterprises and touched the business life of Detroit at many points, and wherever his energies were directed he was a helpful factor. For many years he was the presi- dent and largest stockholder in the People's Sav- ings Bank, and in the Michigan Stove Company;
president of the Michigan Fire and Marine Insur- ance Company, and interested in the Galvin Brass and Iron Company, the Union Iron Company, the Vulcan Furnace and the Peninsular Land Company. His largest railroad investment was in the Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette road, of which he was vice- president and director. He also had large interests in other railways in the Upper Peninsula.
In 1875 Mr. Palms was prostrated by a paralytic stroke, and from that time his physical force gradu- ally declined. His mind, however, remained vigor- ous, and to the very end he participated in numerous business projects. For several weeks preceding his death he suffered from disease of the heart, but attended to his usual business, and only two days before his death walked from his residence to the People's Savings Bank, to attend a meeting of the directors. He died on Wednesday, November 4, 1886. Long one of the most prominent characters of Michigan, his death called forth wide comment. The officers and stockholders of the People's Sav- ings Bank, with whom he had been long and inti- mately associated, adopted the following tribute to his memory :
Resolved, That we learn with deep sorrow and regret of the death of our late president and associate, Francis Palms. He was a man of high honor, strict integrity of character, and "honest in all things," diligent in the fulfillment of every duty, and punctual in the discharge of every obligation. Character- ized by gentleness and amiability of manner, and of a modest and retiring disposition, he was incapable of inflicting injury on any man, yet in defense of justice and fair dealing he exhibited cool and stern determination, unflinching courage, and remarkable strength of character. Clear-headed and prompt in arriving at conclusions, patient, persevering and resolute in purpose, he was a man of indomitable will, of great intellectual force, of broad and comprehensive mind, and of unusual foresight.
Physically Mr. Palms was of slight figure and rather below the medium height. The expression of his face indicated a man of great character and force. He was polite, affable, and approachable, never haughty or arrogant, and self-conceit or false pride was foreign to his nature. Every person intent upon business, no matter how trifling the matter to be presented, was invariably treated with attention. Among his friends he was social, and being a man of classical education and an accom- plished linguist, he was a delightful companion with those who shared his full confidence. In religious faith he was a Catholic, and a regular attendant at the church of SS. Peter and Paul. He was married in 1836 to Miss Martha Burnett, a lady of refinement and culture. They had one son, Francis F. Palms ; shortly after his birth Mrs. Palms died, and three years later Mr. Palms married the daugh- ter of the late Joseph Campau, by whom he had one daughter, Clothilde Palms. Soon after his father's second marriage, his son became an inmate of his grandfather's family at New Orleans, and on
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the outbreak of the war of the rebellion he entered the Confederate Army, and remained in the field until the war ended in 1865. For several years prior to his father's death he was closely associated with him in the management of his various enter- prises, and inherits his father's genial and careful nature. The Palms estate, aggregating in value several millions of dollars, was equally divided between Francis F. Palms and his sister, Clothilde Palms.
MARTIN S. SMITH was born at Lima, Liv- ingston County, New York, November, 12, 1834. His parents, Ira D. and Sarah Smith, were natives of Columbia County, New York. When M. S. Smith was but a small child his parents removed to Gene- seo, Livingston County, New York, and when he was ten years old, he accompanied them to Michigan .. where they located near Pontiac. His early education was received in the district school. When fourteen years old he commenced work in a clothing store at Pontiac and was afterwards employed in the office of the Pontiac Gazette, then owned by Wil- liam M. Thompson. At end of two years he left the Gazette to accept a position in the dry goods store of J. C. Goodsell, where he remained about a year.
In 1851 he came to Detroit, and after one year's service in the dry goods house of Holmes & Co., he became a clerk in a jewelry store, and after nearly eight years' experience in this line of trade, during which he became proficient in every department of the business, he purchased with limited capital the stock and business of his employers and began business for himself. As the result of his diligence and thoughtfulness his success was rapid and unin- terrupted, and for many years the house of M. S. Smith & Co., of which he was long the recognized head, has held the first place among the jewelry firms of Michigan. From the small trade of 1859 the business has increased to about half a million dollars yearly. Their first store was located at No. 51 Woodward Avenue. In 1863 it was moved to the northwest corner of Woodward and Jeffer- son Avenues, remaining there until 1883, when the fine building on the corner of Woodward Avenue and State Street was completed and occupied. In 1879 the firm was incorporated under the name of M. S. Smith & Co., and at that time Mr. Smith retired from its personal management and has since devoted his time to other important business inter- ests.
His substantial and well earned success in the jewelry trade gives but a limited idea of the versa- tility of his business capacity. For many years his active energies have been directed to other chan- nels, where his success has been even more marked.
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