USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II > Part 68
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At the time the business was rapidly increasing, the sales of tea amount- ing to two thousand chests annually, and one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds of coffee in the same period. By keeping their stock up to the highest standard of quality and giving the trade every advantage in prices, combined with uniformly fair and accurate dealings, they built up a large business covering a large portion of Michigan.
Since removing to this city in 1883 the business has increased from two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars to three million dollars in 1917, a period of thirty-four years, and it is still increasing. Their warerooms on North Washington Avenue became much crowded with stock and about 1900 the firm removed to the four-story brick building at Washington Avenue and Tuscola Street. In 1910, having again outgrown their quarters in this large building, the company purchased a plot of ground on South Washington Avenue between Millard and Thompson Streets, and erected thereon a large five-story and basement brick warehouse, salesrooms and offices. This is a perfectly arranged and appointed building, having a floor space of about two hundred and twelve thousand square feet, and has direct railroad connection with the Michigan Central and Grand Trunk railways.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
Among the men who are still connected with the house, who have been with it since its early days are: John W. Symons, president. the founder of the business: Samuel E. Symons, treasurer, who cast his lot with the new firm before removing to East Saginaw; J. Will Ilall, secretary, who came to the firm as office boy in 1884; and Henry P. Goppelt, vice-president, who came to the house direct from school in 1887. Rudolph Otto, a director of the company, came as warehouseman in 1888, and J. W. Symons, Jr., and S. E. Symons, Jr., sons of the founders, are also directors. P. T. Green, who came to the company in 1912 from Harrisville, Michigan, and S. E. Symons, Jr., are the buyers.
From time to time new lines have been added to the regular wholesale grocery lines formerly carried in stock. About five years ago the company saw that there was a field in Saginaw for a jobbing dry goods business, and this department has now been developed until the company stands in the fore- front of Michigan's wholesale dry goods houses, as well as being second to none as wholesale grocers. Walter J. llarris is manager of this growing department.
George A. Alderton & Company
George A. Alderton, the veteran wholesale grocer of the West Side and head of the company which bears his name, enjoys the distinction of being one of the first men in this city to engage in the business. He is now the dean of an extensive jobbing business in Saginaw, and none holds a higher place in the estimation of the grocery trade. His entry into commercial life was in the early days of big lumbering operations, and he has never relinquished his active participation in supplying the needs of the people.
The origin of this company dates from the eighteen-sixties, when Mr. AAlderton was actively engaged in the spice business. The firm was Taggart. Lindley & Company. and their place of business was on North Water Street at Tuscola Street. Mr. Alderton withdrew his interest and for a time oper- ated the Kull Salt Block at Saginaw City. Ilis preference, however, was for trade and barter and he entered the grocery business, keeping a retail store in what is now the Nineteenth Ward. These enterprises were but prelim- inary to the real and successful work of his life.
In 1875. when the great lumber industry was approaching its height and the woods were full of logging camps, he perceived the increasing demand for lumbermen's supplies, and established a wholesale grocery and supply house at 315-17 South Water Street, Saginaw City. The business proved success- ful and the two-story warehouse, fifty by one hundred feet in dimensions, was filled with everything in the line of staple and fancy groceries, shelf goods, and teas, coffees, spices and tobaccos. As the forests fell before the advanc- ing lumberjacks and the country began to be settled, towns and villages sprang up in favored places; and the needs of farming communities over a wide territory were supplied by the wholesale houses of Saginaw. In this increasing trade George A. Alderton enjoyed a large share.
At length the business increased to such volume that incorporation was expedient, and in July, 1900, this forward step was effected. George A. Alderton is president of the company. Alfred A. Alderton is vice-president, and Clifford W. Alderton is secretary. These officers and Frederick W. Gensiver compose the board of directors. Mr. G. A. Alderton is also identi- fied with some of Saginaw's leading commercial houses, being president of the Commercial National Bank, the Saginaw Valley Trust Company, and of the Melze, Alderton Shoe Company.
The business continued to grow and the old warehouse became over- crowded with goods. A larger and more conveniently arranged building was imperative, and in 1902 the company acquired the property adjoining at the
G.A.ALDERTON & CO
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THE MODERN STRUCTURE OF LEE & CADY, SAGINAW
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WHOLESALE GROCERS
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VARIED COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
corner of South Niagara and Cass Streets. On this site there soon rose by the enterprise of the company, a large three-story and basement brick build- ing, eighty by one hundred and twenty feet in dimensions, and which was opened for business on December 28, 1903. This structure is equipped and arranged for the efficient and economical handling of all orders, and is a decided advantage to their customers. A railroad siding of the Michigan Central along one side of the building affords quick handling of merchandise which is received in car load lots.
Within this fine business structure is carried a large and varied stock of general groceries, coffees, spices, tobaccos and notions. The last named line is quite extensive and comprises, not only the numberless small articles of that trade, but overhauls, jackets, blouses, gloves, etc. There is a large de- mand for workingmen's gloves, the well-known "Wolverine" brand made in Saginaw, being the favorite. The company makes a specialty of "Fairy Bow" flour - a Minnesota flour of highest quality, and the "Flag" brand of canned goods, which is very popular with the trade. They are agents for the famons "Sparrow" candies and enjoy a splendid business in this line. In all kinds of tobaccos the company also has a satisfactory trade.
The growing business of the company extends over the greater portion of Western and Northern Michigan and the "Thumb" section reached by the Pere Marquette, the Michigan Central and Detroit & Mackinac rail- roads. Six energetic travelling salesmen cover this large territory, and there is a considerable mail order business due to the confidence of the trade in the fair and liberal policy of the house in all its dealings.
Lee & Cady ( Saginaw Branch)
The origin of this old established grocery house was in the pioneer business established in the eighteen-sixties, known as the Valley Coffee & Spice Mills. The proprietors were Taggart, Lindley & Company, and their place of business was on North Water Street at the foot of Tuscola. Frank Plumb was the silent partner in this concern, and in 1872 he purchased the interest of Mr. Lindley, and soon after interested Ben MeCausland in the enterprise, the firm name then becoming Plumb & MeCausland. This firm extended its business by the addition of a general line of wholesale groceries and lumbermen's supplies, and a large trade was soon developed.
In 1876 the business had expanded to such a volume that more capital was needed, and Waldo A. Avery entered the firm and furnished unlimited financial backing to the new firm of Plumb, MeCausland & Company. The business was then located at 121-23 North Water Street, in the three-story brick building formerly occupied by Shaw, Bullard & Company.
An extensive business was carried on for about eight years, the annual sales amounting to several hundred thousand dollars. As might be expected the profits at this period were large. The lumbermen were gaining riches from the forests and few were inclined to haggle over prices. For goods they needed in their logging operations they were willing to pay reasonable prices ; and progressive wholesalers who supplied them were entitled to fair profits.
In 1892 this successful business was purchased by George A. Alderton, A. C. Melze and James S. Smart, Jr., who organized the firm of MeCausland Grocery Company. James S. Smart, Jr., was the active manager of this enterprising firm, whose business was established in the Exchange Block, at Genesee Avenue and Water Street, formerly occupied by Robert Boyd in the same line. The firm transacted a large volume of business in lumbermen's supplies, their trade extending over a wide territory including towns on the bay and lake shores reached by the Shore Line Steamers.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
In 1894 the name of the firm was changed to Melze, Smart & Company, the stockholders and officers being: George A. Alderton, president: Fred J. Fox, vice-president : A. C. Melze, treasurer. and James S. Smart, Jr., secretary and manager. Two years later Mr. Melze retired and Mr. Smart assumed the office of treasurer thus left vacant. Shortly after a wholesale drug department was started as a profitable adjunct to the business. In 1899 the name was changed to The Smart & Fox Company, with the same officers and directors.
About 1902 the three-story and basement brick building, which had been erected at the foot of Tuscola Street especially for the wholesale house, was occupied by The Smart & Fox Company, and the drug business was moved to quarters there. The company soon after purchased the wholesale grocery business of W. I. Brotherton & Company at Bay City, and conducted it for a number of years under the name of H. W. Jennison Grocery Company. Later it was known as the Bay City Grocery Company. The company rapidly extended its business, and in 1906 purchased the wholesale house of Phelps, Brace & Company, at Detroit, and a few months later purchased that of Ward L. Andrews & Company. At about this time they disposed of the drug business, which had assumed large proportions under the management of John W. Smart, with William B. Moore as assistant, to the Michigan Drug Company of Detroit.
On March 1, 1907. The Smart & Fox Company interests were consoli- dated with the large wholesale house of Lee & Cady, of Detroit, and the name was changed to Lee, Cady & Smart, with branch houses at Saginaw under the name of The Smart & Fox Company, the Bay City Grocer Company, Lee & Cady, Kalamazoo, and the Lee & Cady Eastern Market Branch, Detroit.
In 1911 the name of The Smart & Fox Company, Branch of Lee & Cady, was discontinued, and the local business has since been known as Lee & Cady, Saginaw Branch, with Fred J. Fox as manager. Mr. Fox came to Saginaw on August 29, 1887, and became associated with MeCausland & Company, and has since been actively identified with this grocery business.
The present officers and directors of Lee & Cady are: Gilbert W. Lee, president : David D. Cady, vice-president : George R. Treble, secretary and treasurer; R. F. Galwey, assistant treasurer: and R. W. Collins, assistant secretary and auditor.
Melze, Alderton Shoe Company
A commercial house of which the average citizen has little knowledge or realization of its importance to this part of Michigan, is the Melze, Alderton Shoe Company. This large institution, which is situated in the four-story and basement brick building at Washington and Tuscola Streets, is one of the largest wholesale shoe and rubber houses in the State. Starting in a very small way its history is interesting as showing what intelligence, dili- gence and thorough knowledge of the business, rightly directed, will accom- plish in building up a large trade.
The origin of this successful house was in the retail business of Jen- nings, Lacy & Company which, some twenty-five years ago, occupied a small store at 215 Genesee Avenue. It was a successful business, and, in order to meet a need of other retailers of shoes and rubbers, developed a wholesale de- partment. The outlook for this part of the business was such that the firm was incorporated September 10, 1895, with George A. Alderton, president ; N. M. Lacy, vice-president; S. W. Jennings, treasurer and manager, and James S. Smart, secretary. The capital stock was fifty thousand dollars : and the place of business was at 111-13 Genesee Avenue, to which location it had meanwhile been removed.
WHOLESALE SHDES & RUBBERS
MELZE . ALDERTON SHOE CO.
MELZE - ALDERTON SHOE CA. WHOLESALE SHOES & RVALERE
ESTABLISHED 1895 "MICHIGANS
PROGRESSIVE SHOE
HOUSE
PUSNER
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
Changes in stockholders and in the personnel of the officers occurred in the following years. E. P. Waldron of St. Johns, Michigan, came to the company Angust 12, 1899, in the capacity of manager and treasurer, an office which he held until January 1, 1907. lle then resigned and removed from the city. On February 24, 1900, N. M. Lacy retired and .A. C. Melze was elected vice-president and director. This change in officers was followed on Jan- uary 1, 1901, by the resignation of S. W. Jennings, whereupon the name of the company was changed to Waldron, Alderton & Melze.
Under able management the business grew and in May, 1903, was re- moved from the cramped quarters on Genesee Avenue to the three-story brick buikling at Franklin and Tuscola Streets. On March 24, 1904, the capital stock was increased to one hundred thousand dollars, a measure made necessary by the greatly increased business and stock carried. Mr. Waldron was succeeded by O. D. Gilbert as manager ; and the following men were added to the board of directors: O. D. Gilbert, H. B. Washburn, C. A. List, G. 11. Hillman and C. W. Taylor.
On March 19, 1907, the capital stock was again increased to one hun- dred and twenty-five thousand dollars ; and the name was changed to Melze. Alderton Shoe Company. From that time the business expanded more rapidly than before, and began to assume proportions of the greatest im- portance to a large portion of Michigan. On February 11, 1911. O. D. Gilbert resigned his position and George H. Hillman, who had been connected with the concern since its earliest days, was elected to succeed him as buyer. So great was the expansion of the business that on January 20, 1913, the capital stock was increased to two hundred thousand dollars, of which fifty thousand is preferred stock.
The present location of this prosperous business was purchased in Jan- uary, 1916. The large building, sixty by one hundred and twenty feet in dimensions, was built expressly for a wholesale house, and has a floor space of thirty-six thousand square feet, which is more than double that of the build- ing formerly occupied. The necessity for ample storage space and shipping facilities is best illustrated by the remarkable increase in sales in twenty years, from seventy-six thousand dollars in 1896 to four hundred and eighty- five thousand dollars in 1917.
This company is the largest dealer in rubbers in Michigan, being State agents for the celebrated Lycoming Rubbers. Five travelling salesmen cover practically all of Michigan as far North as the Straits of Mackinac. Recently a complete line of automobile tires was added to their stocks for distribution throughout Michigan.
In 1917 the officers of the company were: George A. Alderton, presi- dent : 1. C. Melze, vice-president and treasurer: E. C. Cramer, secretary, and George H. Hillman, general manager.
Packing and Meat Trade
Spencer Barclay was a leading beef and pork packer in the early days, his packing house being located at 204-6 North Water Street, and the retail store at 127 North Washington Street. Stingel Brothers were wholesale and retail butchers, "all kinds of meat constantly on hand." at 114-16 North Washington Street. Fred Ilubert was a wholesale and retail butcher at the same stand; and John M. Tholl, with fresh and preserved meats, saus- ages, etc., was located at South Washington and Hovt Streets. Jacob Meier was a manufacturer of "pork, ham, frankfort, liver and bologna sausages," at 408 Genesee Street, while John Stolz & Son conducted a meat business at 807 Genesee, which was founded in 1852. Ernest Wilke con- ducted a very successful meat market at 504 Potter Street ; and Michael Kundinger was a prominent dealer at 216 Hamilton Street, Saginaw City.
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LEWIS CORNWELL
The Cornwell Company
It was in 1863 that the Cornwell Company, or the business to which it succeeded, was founded by the late Lewis Cornwell, who in that year began supplying Saginaw, Bay City, Lansing and Jackson with cattle on the hoof. Attaining a remarkable success as a pioneer in this field, Mr. Cornwell - twenty years later -opened up the first wholesale meat establishment in the Saginaw Valley. In a comparatively small building the Saginaw Beef Com- pany had its inception, and in eight years the business had developed to such an extent that larger quarters were necessary. A new and enlarged storage and shipping establishment was erected in 1891, at Thompson and Franklin Sts.
By closely adhering at all times to Mr. Cornwell's firm policy of supply- ing only the highest grade meats to the trade, and through the deep personal interest of Mr. Cornwell in the success and welfare of each of those whom his company served, rapid strides were made in the development of the con- cern. At the death of Lewis Cornwell, in 1903, the large business was con- tinued by the four sons -William C. Cornwell, Charles E. Cornwell, Elmer J. Cornwell and L. W. Cornwell - all of whom had grown up in the business. They followed the maxims of their father, "Never attempt to fool the trade
WM. C. CORNWELL C. E. CORNWELL E. J. CORNWELL President Vice-President
L. W. CORNWELL Secretary-Treasurer Manager Jackson Branch
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
or it will fool you. Offer nothing but the best and back it up with a square deal - it's the only way to win success in the meat business.
On July 1, 1915, the business was reincorporated under the name of The Cornwell Company, in perpetuation of the memory of the honored founder.
It was service and a progressive, business-like spirit, which dominates the entire organization, that won the large bulk of Michigan's meat trade, and made possible the erection of one of the finest cold storage plants in the country - the new home of The Cornwell Company. In all Michigan there is not another meat establishment to compare with this modern, six-story structure, with its complete facilities for the sanitary and careful handling of choicest meats, poultry, butter, eggs and provisions. Cleanliness and sanita-
COMPANY
THE CORNWELL Swifts Premium Hams and Bacon
THE NEW PLANT OF THE CORNWELL COMPANY
tion go hand in hand with the supplying of high grade meats, and in this respect the new Cornwell plant has no equal. Strictest attention was paid to provide a system of mechanical handling of meats in so far as possible to minimize the human contact and to increase the purity of the products pass- ing through the establishment. Plenty of light and air are admitted to all parts (except, of course, the cold storage rooms) by huge windows which greatly improve working conditions.
The Cornwell Company is the Michigan distributor for Swift's Packing llouse products, with so perfect a system and service that the company is enabled to make deliveries to the trade in almost every community in the State within from two to five days from the time the meat is dressed in the Chicago packing house. Besides this large business the company handles an immense quantity of poultry, having facilities for keeping and feeding forty- five thousand birds. The butter, egg and provision departments of the busi- ness are also extensive and constantly growing.
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SAGINAW HARDWARE
SAGINAW HARDWARE COMPANY
Saginaw Hardware Company
This old and prosperous company, whose wholesale and retail stores are located at 200 to 204 South Hamilton Street, was founded in 1864 by William Seyffardt and A. W. Achard. For nine years the business was conducted by these enterprising men, and was then taken over by Mr. Achard. In 1873 the firm was known as Achard & Schoeneberg, and in 1878, when Mr. Achard was joined by his son, Emil F. Achard, the firm name was changed to A. W. Achard & Son.
In 1884 the firm owned and occupied a spacious two-story and basement brick building, sixty by eighty feet in dimensions, at the present location ; and in 1887 a large addition was erected at the rear, giving a total floor space of twenty thousand square feet. The business increased very rapidly, the trade reaching west and north into the lumber districts and northeast into the "Thumb." The retail trade of the firm at this stage of its history was extensive, being by far the largest at Saginaw City.
On the main floor was carried a heavy stock and full assortment of tools, cutlery, builders' and general shelf hardware and mill supplies, while in a separate room at the rear, which was connected with the receiving and ship- ping room, was a large stock of bar and sheet iron. In a large warehouse on Water Street there was to be found a complete assortment of agricultural implements, wagons, sewer pipe, drain tile, and paints, oils, glass, brushes and painters' supplies. The high and water-proof basement and the upper floor were stocked with surplus goods.
Later the firm's business was incorporated under the name of The Sagi- naw Hardware Company, by which it is known today. As the trade has broadened and new territory opened by a staff of travelling salesmen, im- provements have been made in the building to afford increased facilities for handling the business in an economical manner. In 1909 a large three-story addition was erected at the corner of Water and Adams Streets, adjoining the rear of the main building, which gave practically one hundred thousand square feet of floor space to the establishment. To the large lines already carried there have been added in recent years a full stock of automobile tires and rubber goods, in which the company enjoys a satisfactory trade.
HINLOMS AT14OHM
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MORLEY BROTHERS WARE HOUSE AND STORAGE
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MORLEY BROTHERS
POWER HOUSE
THE MAMMOTH ESTABLISHMENT OF MORLEY BROTHERS
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VARIED COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
Morley Brothers
Fifty-five years ago, in a one and a half-story frame building standing on stilts over a bayou, which in those days spread its slimy waters over the greater part of East Saginaw, a middle-aged German by the name of Anton Schmitz conducted a small hardware shop. Schmitz had two competitors. His little store was the smallest of the three; but the rapid growth of the town, which then boasted a population of five thousand, and the cry of its saw mills and logging camps for tools and hardware, had created a demand for all three stores.
Inspired during the day by the hum of saws and the crack of the wood- man's axe and lulled through the long Summer evenings by the croak of big throated frogs in the mysterious bogs beneath and all about his shop, Schmitz tended his business. Besides his stock of hardware and lumbering tools he carried a layout of crockery for the housewives and toys for the children.
For some time Schmitz had been on the lookout for a desirable partner. Most of the store work he had done alone and, suffering from asthma. he often found the combined duties of buyer, salesman and bookkeeper too exacting. He realized that during the boom period of a wide-awake lumber- ing town, added capital in his business would mean a more than proportionate increase in profits. This was in 1863, four years after the incorporation of the city of East Saginaw.
In Painesville, Ohio, at the time were two brothers, George W. and Edward W. Morley, awaiting a business opening through which they might convert their combined energy and talents into dollars and cents. Their father was willing to back them so that it was simply a proposition of their discovering the best business opportunity. They heard tales of the pros- perity of Saginaw, the town in the Michigan forests, and of the discovery of salt there, all of which made a deep impression upon their minds.
But it was not the wealth of timber nor the fortunes to be pumped out of salt wells that interested them most. Theirs was a purely mercantile spirit - a hankering for trade and barter; and they foresaw that Saginaw was destined to become a business center. So they came to East Saginaw. liked the place and met Schmitz. A deal was soon made and the people of Saginaw awoke one morning to see the old board sign of Anton Schmitz gone, and in its place hung another which displayed in fresh paint the words, "Schmitz & Morley."
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