USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II > Part 66
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The banquet and ball room, which opens from the balcony, is a revela- tion of magnificence in finish and decoration in harmonious colors. To soft tones of white and gold there are added pale blue and deep pink tints, which lend a pleasing effect to the walls and arched ceiling, while red plush curtains complete the artistic interior. The floor is of Terazzo marble. The light- ing arrangements are perfect; the four exquisite electric chandeliers of Austrian glass suspended by crystal fixtures, being among the beautiful fea- tures of the hotel.
On the Genesee Avenue front is the elegantly appointed cafe opening on the corridor which leads from the ladies' entrance to the rest room and lobby. It is richly decorated in white and gold, and the small-paned windows and large mirrors set in the opposite wall are exceedingly attractive features. At the west end of the cafe is a private dining room, fittingly decorated and furnished in the prevailing style.
The large and conveniently arranged kitchen is back of the lobby and grill, with double doors leading to the cafe near the west end. In the com- plete equipment is an ice-making plant for producing eight hundred pounds of ice daily, and its own filtration plant furnishes running water in all rooms. The large ice chests, cold storage rooms for meats, ovens, warming tables, etc., are of ample size and of the best type. Efficiency in this all important department is one of the watchwords of the hotel management.
ATTRACTIVE LOBBY OF HOTEL BANCROFT
MAGNIFICENT BALL ROOM OF HOTEL BANCROFT
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1
CAFE OF HOTEL BANCROFT, ELEGANTLY APPOINTED
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For more than half a century the old Bancroft House maintained a reputation for comfort and excellence of its cuisine excelled by no hotel in Michigan, and today the new Hotel Bancroft is holding that reputation and adding such prominence as comes to a new house elegantly furnished and ably managed.
Like the old Bancroft, the new hotel is a center of social activities. Its brilliant interior, warmth of color and comfort draws to it Saginaw's prom- inent people as well as the travelling public. The excellent service in every department and the attention given the wants of all within its walls, is in keeping with the perfect appointments and beautiful surroundings. The mag- nificent ball room, which is often the scene of brilliant gatherings, affords every facility for dances and banquets ; and small conventions, patriotic and civic meetings are also held there. It is a popular place for holding musicales, recitals and lectures, and a course of recitals was held there in the Winter of 1917-18.
In Summer the attractive carbaret, or roof garden, which covers the one- story annex on Washington Avenue, is a popular resort for persons seeking pleasure and entertainment. The sides are veritable gardens constructed with trellis, clinging vines and flowering plants. In these surroundings the tables are set and tempt the visitor with offerings of popular beverages and dainty lunches. At the south end a rustic stage is an attractive setting for the entertainment afforded. The roof garden is easily reached by a short flight of stairs, opening from a short corridor to the hotel lobby : and has the same satisfactory service which has made a name for the Hotel Bancroft.
At the time of opening the new Hotel Bancroft the officers and directors of the Bancroft Realty Company were: Hiram A. Savage, president : Edwin C. Forrest, vice-president : Harry E. Oppenheimer, treasurer ; William S. Linton, secretary, and John A. Cimmerer, Gilbert B. Goff, J. Will Grant, Ralph C. Morley, John C. Thomson ; and the builders were Nelson & Lewin of Chicago.
John C. Thomson, the popular and efficient hotel manager, who is well known to the traveling public and the citizens of Saginaw, was the first manager of the Bancroft. Under his able direction the hotel was constructed, furnished and equipped and opened July 20, 1916. Much of the success attending its operation was due to his experience and ability, and it was with sincere regret that he resigned in January, 1918, to assume the management of the new Hotel Shelby, in Detroit. Mr. Thomson was succeeded at the Ban- croft by F. II. Irish, an old and experienced hotel manager.
Benjamin Franklin Hotel
A commanding feature of the business section along South Franklin Street is the high grey front of the Benjamin Franklin Hotel. Rising far above the adjoining buildings this hotel adds a dignity to the aspect of the busy street. It is a quiet, home-like hostelry, seven stories in height, and has one hundred and twenty-five rooms. The facing of grey stucco and ornamental porte-cochere, iron railing and lattice work with hanging baskets of flowers and ferns lends an impression of distinction which clings to one as he passes within.
Entering this attractive hotel the first impression of comfort and cheer continues as the traveller goes from floor to Hoor. The floor of the lobby is of tile, the wainscoting of white marble, while the upper walls and ceiling are artistically decorated in light bronze tone relieved with gold. The furni- ture is of mahogany and the big, comfortable chairs are upholstered in rich tapestry. Oriental rugs in perfect harmony with the surroundings give an air of elegance and home-like comfort.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
The Benjamin Franklin was completed and opened to the public on July 5, 1915, the occasion being one long remembered by the citizens of Saginaw. At six o'clock in the evening the first dinner was served in the attractive grill, and was enjoyed by a number of prominent people and guests of the management.
The Hotel Vincent
This popular and comfortable hotel, which for a long period has met with the favor of the travelling public, enjoys a reputation of being one of the well appointed and attractive hostelries in this part of Michigan. The five-story brick and stone building, at Washington and Germania Avenues, was erected in 1890 by the late Arthur Hill and James E. Vincent. All the furnishing and equipping of the hotel was under the personal supervision of Eugene Kirby, a well known and experienced hotel man, who conducted the house for a number of years. The opening of the hotel was an event in the history of Saginaw.
The Hotel Vincent is well provided with beautiful parlors, large sample rooms, an attractive dining room, and pleasant bed rooms provided with private baths. Its dining room and buffet service is excellent, and the man- agement shows every feature of modern hotelkeeping and every appointment that pleases the guests. For several years W. 11. Aubrey & Company have been the proprietors and operators of the hotel.
Other Well Known Hotels.
Another old-time hostelry which, because of its central location, has been well patronized, is the Everett llouse at the corner of Genesee and Franklin Streets. The three-story brick building was erected in 1864 with stores on Genesee Street and a main entrance for the hotel on Franklin Street. For several years the house was conducted by Marshall G. Smith, a popular and experienced hotel man, and later by Smith & Crouse. Mr. Smith withdrew from the firm and took the active management of the Marshall House, one block south on Franklin, with which he was very successful. In 1873 Walsh Salisbury became proprietor of the Everett, with Eugene W. Farmer as chief clerk, and continued in charge for more than twenty years, in which the hotel increased in popularity. During the hard times following the decline of the lumber business, the Everett House, as well as others, suffered from the prevailing depression, and was closed several times for more or less extended periods. About ten years ago the property was purchased by E. A. and B. Goff, of this city, who remodeled the build- ing and put it in good condition. Since that time Walter C. Mckinney has been the popular landlord and manager, and has established for the hotel a wide reputation for excellent service.
The Sherman House, built and conducted for many years by the late Martin Baum, and afterward by his sons, Martin and Sherman, has been a landmark of the East Side for upwards of forty years. This hotel was well patronized in the old lumber days, and since the return of Saginaw's pros- perity, it has enjoyed a wide patronage of country folk and travelers in general. From time to time various improvements have been made in the building, at Baum and Tuscola Streets, so that it may be classed as a modern hotel.
The Naegely House, at Jefferson and Tuscola Streets, for many years conducted by Captain Naegely, is another of the old-time hotels. It was a rendezvous of lumber-jacks and river men, in the days when life in Saginaw was rendered indescribably gay and boisterous by the "red sash brigade." In more recent years the hotel has been known as the Wesley House, and at present is conducted by Emerson P. Whaley, a popular landlord.
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The Hardware Trade.
From the pioneer stores familiar to our early settlers, with their varied stocks of general merchandise, there gradually developed separate and dis- tinct lines of business. The population of the county increased rapidly preceding the Civil War, and the needs and requirements of frontier life demanded still more diversified stocks of trade, the accumulation and dis- tribution of which could be more readily made in separate stores.
One of the first lines to draw away from the general stores was hardware and metal ware; and as early as 1854 a store of this kind was opened on North Water Street by Byron B. Buckhout. He had been employed in the hardware stock of Beach & Moores, one of the large general stores of the early pioneer period, and was familiar with the trade and needs of the public. His stock included lumbering tools, mill supplies, then in demand, and for many years he did a large and profitable business. The old stand on Water Street was occupied by this business for more than fifty years, in fact long after the retail trade had moved up Genesee Street beyond Jefferson. The same business is now conducted by Fred J. Buckhout at 613 Genesee Avenue.
George Schram, whose store was on Water Street, south of Genesee, and C. M. Curtis, "near the ferry," were early hardware dealers. C. & T. B. Spencer, in the Commercial' Block at 106 South Water Street, carried in stock "hardware, stoves, and tin, copper and sheet iron ware." Another well known firm was Reynolds & Choate, in the Derby Block on North Water Street, who carried general and shelf hardware, rubber and leather belting, stoves and hollow ware. George R. Bridgeman, on South Water Street. was a gas and steam fitter and dealer in stoves, tin, copper and ironware, and "gas fixtures of every description," and James L. Ketcham was engaged in much the same business, including "iron fittings for steam, water and gas."
One of the oldest hardware concerns in Saginaw City was that of Blackmar & Eaton, which in 1853 was purchased by David H. and Tiff Jerome, and conducted under the firm name of D. H. Jerome & Company for more than forty years. The business occupied a three-story and base- ment brick building on Court Street between Hamilton and Water Streets. stocked from cellar to roof with "vast supplies of mill and lumbermens' supplies, builders' and house furnishing hardware, painters' and plumbers' supplies, wagon stock and bar and sheet iron, well tubing, steam pipe and fittings, leather belting, etc."
A. W. Achard & Son, wholesale and retail dealers in heavy and shelf hardware, mill supplies, stoves, etc., was established in 1864 by William Seyffardt and A. W. Achard. Later the firm became Achard and Schoene- berg, and in 1884 was taken over by Mr. Achard alone and conducted under his name. The firm owned and occupied a spacious two-story and basement brick building, sixty by eighty feet in size, which was erected in 1884, at Hamilton and Adams Streets. \ full assortment of builders' and shelf hardware, tools, cutlery and metalware was carried on the main floor, while bar and sheet iron was kept in a separate room at the rear. In the large warehouse on Water Street was a "large stock of agricultural implements, wagons, sewer pipe, drain tile, etc., and paints, oils, glass, brushes and painters' supplies." Later the firm was incorporated as the Saginaw Hard- ware Company, which occupies the same building and has an increasing business in their lines of trade.
At South Saginaw, formerly called Salina, the hardware business was long represented by Emil Jochen, one of the pioneer merchants of that section of the city. Ile started his hardware business in 1873, and built
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
THE SOUTH SIDE BUSINESS CENTER AT WASHINGTON, FORDNEY AND CENTER AVENUES, 1888.
up a large trade not only in the city but also among the farming community. In his store, which originally was twenty by one hundred and fifty feet in dimensions, he carried a general stock of hardware, stoves, tinware, paints, oils, glass, putty and agricultural implements.
The firm of Yawkey & Corbyn, at 508-10 Genesee Street, of which Cy. C. Yawkey and Ralph F. Corbyn were the partners, was established in 1883. and carried a "completely diversified stock of heavy and shelf hardware, builders' materials, stoves, tinware, paints, oils, glass, etc.'
Another successful hardware concern was that of Seyffardt & Walz, at Genesee and Webster ( Weadock) Streets, which was founded in 1869 by William Seyffardt and George Walz. They occupied a two-story brick build- ing, eighty by one hundred feet in size, filled with "everything in the line of heavy and shelf hardware, building materials, stoves, house furnishing goods, agricultural implements, paints, oils, brushes, etc." They were agents for the celebrated Columbia bicycles and tricycles ; and enjoyed a large trade to the north and west throughout the State. Afterward the firm became Walz & Keller, and at length was incorporated in the Saginaw Hardware Company and operated for them by Emil Bernhard with success. A few years ago the business was sold to Bernhard & Janke, who have continued the same general line at the old location.
Other well known hardware concerns of twenty or thirty years ago. which with some changes in personel and management are still in business, are Bruske & Schwartz Hardware Company, now G. W. Bruske, on Gene- see Avenue; l'opp & Wolf, at Genesee and Park Streets, who have met with phenomenal success and very popular with the trade. At Saginaw City are: Paxson & Company, located on Hamilton Street, between Franklin ( llan- cock) and Ames Streets; and Solms Brothers, at 514 Gratiot Avenue. The same general lines were also carried by several smaller dealers in different sections of the city.
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Dry Goods and Notions.
The next important line of business to separate itself from the general pioneer store was that of dry goods and notions, closely followed by cloth- ing and men's furnishing. In the former line of business was the firm of Schupp & Barie, dealers in dry goods and groceries, composed of the popular dry goods merchant, William Barie, and Augustus Schupp, for a long period treasurer of the Savings Bank of East Saginaw. They were located in the Crouse Block, which occupied the site of the present Eddy Building. When the partnership was dissolved Mr. Barie took the dry goods part of the business and removed to a store across Genesee Street. Afterward he pur- chased the stock of W. W. Fish, and combined the stocks at the location of the latter on Genesee Street near Cass (Baum) street.
From that time the business expanded rapidly and Mr. Barie soon became the leading dry goods merchant in Saginaw Valley. About twenty years ago he began wholesaling of dry goods and notions, this part of the business being carried on in a three-story brick building on South Baum Street, formerly the Aldine Hotel property, which was remodeled to suit the require- ments of the business.
In 1899 the William Barie Dry Goods Company, which succeeded to the business, moved into the spacious and finely appointed building at Genesee Avenue and Baum Street, which had been erected especially for them by the Germania Society, on property bequeathed to it by Anton Schmitz more than thirty years before. Since that time the retail trade of the company has shown marvelous gains, and "Barie's" is regarded as the leading depart- ment store in this section of Michigan.
Other dry goods houses of the early formative period of East Saginaw were: E. P. Penfield, located at 104 Genesee Street "near the bridge," dealer in "dry goods, hosiery, ingrain and Brussels carpets, floor oil cloth, mats and matting." Benjamin Geer, at 207 Genesee Street and on South Water Street between Court and Adams, Saginaw City, transacted a profitable business ; and J. R. Livingston & Company, at Genesee and Water Streets, enjoyed a large trade, the business afterward being conducted by Mr. Living- ston in the Chase Block on North Washington Avenue. Another successful house was that of J. W. Howry, at 506 Genesee Avenue, later removed to 218 Genesee, one door west of Franklin Street with a back entrance on that street. This business was afterward purchased by Anderson Brothers, com- posed of Peter and Charles A. Anderson, who continued the trade at the old stand for a number of years.
Contemporary with these stores was the dry goods business established by D. B. Freeman, at 304-06 Genesee Street. After a successful career Mr. Freeman sold the business some ten years ago to Margaret C. Murray, who for a long period had been manager of the business. Soon after she removed to the rebuilt double store at 206-08 Genesee, where a large and increasing business is carried on. Seitner Brothers is another successful dry goods house, which was first located on Genesee between Washington and Franklin Streets; but since 1900 they have occupied the fine double store at 314-20 Genesee Avenue.
About fifteen years ago the Metropolitan Dry Goods Company was formed to carry on a wholesale and retail dry goods business in the four- story iron-front building of the Bearinger Estate, on North Franklin Street. This building had been previously occupied by the Floyt Dry Goods Com- pany, and well arranged and equipped to carry on such a trade. After several years of competitive business, which was said to be not profitable, the
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
Metropolitan Company wound up its affairs and dissolved. The very favor- able location for such a business is now occupied by the large dry goods house of M. W. Tanner Company, which is an outgrowth of the Saginaw Dry Goods Company, established many years ago on Court Street, West Side. The M. W. Tanner Company have the reputation of dealing in as fine a grade of dry goods as is sold by any dealers in the State, and enjoy a good trade in that line.
At Saginaw City the distinctive dry goods houses were those of George W. Bullock, at Hamilton and Ames Streets; Scheib & Company, located in Khuen's Block on Hamilton Street, north of the Post Office; and J. Bauman (uncle of the Seitner Brothers), wholesale and retail dealer, whose business was established in 1867 upon a comparatively modest scale. The trade of this store, which had a frontage of forty-five feet on Court and a depth of two hundred feet on Washington ( Michigan) Street, expanded rapidly from year to year, and "the stock embraced everything in staple dry goods, dress goods, cloaks, notions, and Brussels, tapestry and ingrain carpets, rugs, etc." About twenty-five years ago the business was purchased by Porteous, Mitchell & Company, who carried on the same general lines for a number of years. Afterward it was sold to the J. W. Ippel Company. who still conduct the prosperous business at the old stand.
Other successful merchants in this line are: Philip Ittner, at 416-18 Han- cock Street ; A. D. Phillipe, at 121-25 North Hamilton Street; William H. Miller, at 405 West Genesee ; Schwemer & Witt, at 719-23 Genesee Avenue : and Charles H. Becker, at 2723 South Washington Avenue, South Saginaw.
Clothing and Furnishing Trade.
The flourishing clothing and furnishing trade of the pioneer days was represented by H. Bendit, the "Star Clothing House," at 115 Genesee Street, "opposite the Bancroft House," but afterward at 203 Genesee; M. & II. Koch & Company, in the Hess Block on Genesee Street, with a "special department for boys' and children's clothing, entrance on Washington Street." and Browning & Penny, dealers in hats, caps and furs, at 302 Gene- see. "Ilighest market price paid for shipping furs." Wilkin & Mack succeeded to this business, and later was conducted by James Mack alone, under the title of "Mack the Hatter." Late in the eighteen-nineties, Mr. Mack retired from business and the store, which had known the men's furnishing trade since 1867, was taken by Peck & Tredo, the same business that is now conducted by William P. Tredo.
Probably the best known clothier of this period was S. Bond Bliss, facetiously termed "Steamboat Bliss." He was a genial, companionable man. a good advertiser, and had the faculty of keeping himself in the public eye. His store had a large trade at one time. He was a forceful character, of unquestioned integrity and pleasing personality, but his business enterprises were not always successful, and he suffered severe reverses of fortune.
Seeley & Spencer was another popular clothing house, which in after years was purchased by Griggs & Ryan, old employees of the store, and is now conducted by William H. Ryan, at 215 Genesee Avenue. Rich Brothers were successful clothiers and general furnishers for a number of years, but following a disastrous fire their building on Genesee Avenue, near Jefferson, was remodeled into a vaudeville theatre and moving picture house, to which uses it has since been put. Meyer & Brix, afterward II. II. Brix, at 323 Genesee Avenue, were engaged in the fur and furnishing business, and is still a successful business though in furs alone, and is conducted at 607 Genesee Avenue.
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VARIED COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
"LITTLE JAKE" SELIGMAN
"Little Jake" Seligman.
By far the best known and notable character in the clothing business of Saginaw, was "Little Jake" Seligman, one of the most public-spirited citizens of thirty or more years ago. Coming to East Saginaw in 1871, at the beginning of the city's remarkable growth, he acquired valuable property at Genesee and Franklin Streets, and under the title "Little Jake" established and built up a large and profitable clothing business. Ile also dealt in real estate and accumulated some of the most valuable realty on Genesee and adjacent streets ; and he was regarded here and elsewhere as one of Saginaw's mnost substantial citizens.
It is related that he and the late Michael Jeffers used to dicker for business property with avidity, in the days when it was customary for each to buy or sell a valuable piece of property before dinner every day. Among the large deals in real estate put through was the sale of the Central and adjoining blocks on Genesee Street to the Heavenrichs; the Tower Block, containing the city clock (presented by him) and a bronze statue of him- self surmounting the tower, to Michael Jeffers; a two-thirds interest in the Everett House property, also to Mr. Jeffers; and the brick block at the northwest corner of Genesee and Washington Streets, to the late T. F. Thompson. He was also the promoter and builder of the Saginaw Union Street Railway, which linked together the outlying sections of Potter Street, Court Street and South Saginaw. About 1880 he sold a two-thirds interest in his clothing business to Max and Carl Heavenrich, and in February, 1882, disposed of his remaining interest to Sam Heavenrich, of Detroit; and the business has since been conducted under the name of Heavenrich Brothers & Company.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
Mr. Seligman was also interested in banking and large investments, for a long period being proprietor of Seligman's Bank of Commerce, on South Franklin Street, which had the full confidence of the public. George W. Emerick was cashier of the bank and private secretary to Mr. Seligman in his extensive business interests.
About 1892 Mr. Seligman closed out his Saginaw interests and moved to Detroit where, in association with Edward Doyle and others, he erected the Majestic Building, a large store and office building at Woodward and Michigan Avenues. In 1894 he removed to Salida, Colorado, largely on account of impaired health : and became interested in light and power invest- ments, banking, mining, etc. ; and for a time was vice-president of the Salida State Bank.
"Little Jake" stood high in Elkdom, and was everywhere hailed as the "smallest Elk in captivity." He had an exceedingly interesting personality, aside from his diminutive size, and was a good disciple of the doctrine that "to the hustler belongs the spoils."
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