USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. I > Part 62
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The Penberthy Injector Company was incorporated in 1886 with a capital stock of $100,000 and an original executive corps as follows: Homer Pennock president; William Penberthy, vice president; S. Olin Johnson, secretary and treasurer. The organization was effected for the purpose of manufacturing the improved steam injector invented by Mr. Penberthy. The original plant was in a small room in the building occupied by the Detroit Knitting & Corset Works, of which Mr. Johnson was manager. Gradually the company developed and the business inereased until November 21, 1901, when the Abbott Street plant was wreeked by the explosion of defective boilers. Immediately after- ward the company bought 512 acres on Greenwood, Holden and the Grand Trunk Railway, and ereeted a modern factory, which has been greatly enlarged from time to time to meet the increasing business. The company was reineor-
THE J. W. MURRAY MANUFACTURING COMPANY
出國工程
D. M. FERRY AND COMPANY
607
CITY OF DETROIT
porated July 8, 1919, under the laws of Delaware. The product at the present time consists of injectors of different types for boilers, ejectors for elevating liquids, valves, lubricating devices, gasoline and oil gauges, carburetors, re- atomizers, flometers, etc. During the World war, the Penberthy Injector Com- pany manufactured carburetors for tanks and ordnance materials of various kinds, and for this work received a citation from the United States Government. A second plant of the company has been opened on Goldsmith Avenue, Detroit, for the manufacture of steel parts, and this is under the managership of C. B. Johnson. The officials of the Penberthy Injector Company are: S. Olin Johnson, president; Homer S. Johnson, vice president; Clarence L. Lamson, secretary; and Charles B. Johnson, treasurer. The authorized capital stock is $550,000.
The Timken-Detroit Axle Company, Clark Avenue, southwest corner Oak and Waterloo and the Detroit Terminal Railway, is one of the largest axle manufactories in the country, employing, when operating at full capacity over four thousand five hundred people. The company was incorporated in Ohio, June 11, 1909, and took over the automobile axle business of the Timken Roller Bearing Company of Canton, Ohio. The company entered into a contract with the Canton company for the exclusive rights to use the Timken roller bearings for automobile axles. The company also owns the rights of the worm gear machinery of David Brown & Sons, Huddersfield, England. Five plants are operated, four of them in Detroit and one in Canton, Ohio, the latter being the steel foundry for making malleable iron and steel castings. The company is capitalized under authorization for $45,200,000, and the officers are: H. H. Timken, chairman of the board; A. R. Demory, president; H. W. Alden, vice president; E. W. Dickerson, vice president and secretary; C. G. Rowlette, treasurer.
The Wadsworth Manufacturing Company, at Kercheval and Connors Creek, is engaged in the manufacture of automobile bodies. This company, during seasons of normal production, employs over two thousand people. The author- ized capitalization of the company is $1,000,000 and the officers are: Frederick E. Wadsworth, president; H. E. Bodman, vice president; H. E. Cronenweth, secretary and treasurer.
The J. C. Widman Company, at Fourteenth and Kirby avenues, had its inception in 1899, when John C. Widman established the business, which was incorporated in 1905 under the original title. At the time of incorporation Mr. Widman became president and general manager and the product of the company consisted of art mirrors, dining room and hall furniture. The concern now makes automobile bodies a specialty. The company now employs close to five hundred people in its Detroit plant. The authorized capitalization is $250,000, and the officers are: J. C. Widman, president and treasurer; C. H. Widman, vice president; C. David Widman, assistant treasurer; F. E. Widman, secretary.
L. A. Young Industries, Inc., was incorporated in May, 1918, with an author- ized capitalization of $2,500,000. Leonard A. Young started the Durable Top Specialties Company in 1909, incorporating the same in August, 1911. Mr. Young also was a heavy stockholder in the Detroit Wire Spring Company and was the inventor of a spring construction which caused the last-named company to grow into one of the leading factories of the industries allied to the automotive trade. The L. A. Young Industries is the outgrowth of these
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CITY OF DETROIT
enterprises and is located at 9200 Russell. Cushion springs are now the principal product and during the normal production season fully one thousand men are employed. L. A. Young is president and treasurer of the company; Thomas Mahoney is vice president ; and A. D. Coffin is secretary.
The Briggs Manufacturing Company, makers of automobile bodies, with a plant in Hamtramck, was established in 1905, when Walter O. Briggs became identified with B. F. Everitt in painting and trimming automobile bodies, becoming a partner in the concern after three years. In 1909, he acquired con- trolling interest, which was then reincorporated under the present title. The number of employes in 1919 was 1,279.
The Michigan Smelting & Refining Company was established in the year 1895. At this time John Schroeder and Jacob Schaefer formed a partnership for the purpose of trading in old metals. Joseph Sillman entered the group in the year 1900. The business was incorporated in 1903. Mr. Schroeder was the first president; Mr. Schaefer, secretary; and Mr. Sillman, vice president and treasurer. In the year 1912 the plant was moved to larger quarters at the present site on Joseph Campau Avenue, in Hamtramck. Nine acres were acquired here. At the death of Mr. Sehroeder in 1914, Mr. Sillman became president of the company. During the World war material of rigid specification was furnished by the company in enormous quantities to the Navy, Arieraft, Ordnance Depart- ment, Emergency Fleet Corporation, Shipping Board, etc. In addition, the company furnished personnel for the consulting staffs at Aircraft Headquarters, Norfolk, Washington and League Island Navy Yards. The company, in co- operation with the Bureau of Mines, was largely responsible for the development of electric furnaces for non-ferrous melting, and has, at the moment, one of the largest installations of this kind in the world. There are 252,000 square feet of floor space under roof. The plant is equipped with many types of melting equipment, handling machinery, eranes, etc., and inside its own yards has 2.400 feet of traek. The capacity of the plant approximates seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds daily. Among the products are brass and bronze ingots, brass billets, brass slabs, solder, babbitt, lead and tin pipe, brazing spelter and die castings. Joseph Sillman died in February, 1919, and a year later John R. Searles was made president of the company, with Norman Sillman vice president and Henry Levitt secretary and treasurer.
The Flower Valve Manufacturing Company, at Clayton and Parkinson avenues, was incorporated in 1919 and has an authorized capitalization of $600,000. This company is the outgrowth of the James Flower & Company, makers of water works supplies and hydrants, which was established and organ- ized as early as 1852. The present officers of the company are: John W. Flower, president; Thomas Flower, vice president : Charles C. Flower, secretary and treasurer. The number of employes in 1919 was 260.
The Sewel Cushion Wheel Company, 6468-70 Gratiot Avenue, manufactures the cushion wheel invented by William H. Sewell, who came to the United States in 1907 and died in 1909. The business was incorporated in 1920 and has an authorized capitalization of $1,000,000. The officers of the company now are: Herbert J. Sewell, president; John H. Hammes, vice president; Walter T. Sewell, treasurer: Ralph S. Moore, secretary.
The Sherwood Brass Works, 6331 Jefferson Avenue, was incorporated in March, 1907, for the manufacture of brass goods. The authorized capitaliza- tion is $30,000 and the officers of the company are: William Sherwood, presi-
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CITY OF DETROIT
dent; W. C. Sherwood, vice president; A. L. Waltensperger, secretary and treasurer. There were 413 men employed in 1919.
The Stroh Castings Company, 216 Chene Street, was incorporated in 1918 and in the next year had 350 people on the payroll. The authorized capitaliza- tion is $500,000 and the officers are: Bernard Stroh, Jr., president and treasurer; Edwin R. Stroh, vice president; Ernest H. Mercil, secretary. An outgrowth of this company, a separate business, is the Stroluminum Company, organized in 1922 to produce improved types of molded aluminum cooking utensils. This company is under the control and ownership of Bernard Stroh, Jr., and Edwin R. Stroh, president and vice president respectively. The product will be made at the castings plant on Chene Street.
The Russel Wheel & Foundry Company had its beginning in 1876, when the works were started by George H. and Walter S. Russel, who incorporated the company in January, 1883. Car wheels and castings were the first product and the plant was located at the foot of Walker Street. In 1892 the business was removed to Chene Street. About four hundred people are employed by the company. Dr. George B. Russel, the father of the founders of this company, made the first gas and water pipe ever manufactured in Michigan and was the founder of the Hamtramck Iron Works. In this manufactory was turned out the first car wheels made in the West. The plant of the company, the Russel Wheel & Foundry, is now located at 8102 Joseph Campau and the officers of the company are: Walter S. Russel, president; Albert W. Russel, treasurer; C. W. Russel, vice president and general manager; Sydney R. Russel, secretary.
The Sterling & Skinner Manufacturing Company of Detroit, makers of brass goods for steam, water, gas and automobiles, was organized in 1902 by Ruluff R. Sterling, Frederick G. Skinner and Edward J. Roney, the latter now deceased. The plant of the company is located as it always has been at 2672 East Grand Boulevard, the authorized capitalization is $35,000, and the officers now are: Mr. Sterling, president; J. C. Danzigerm, vice president; Mr. Skinner, secretary and treasurer. About 125 men are employed during the height of production.
The Detroit Motor Casting Company, at 1067 Beaufait, was organized in 1906 for the manufacture of automobile parts. The officers are: Frederick G. Skinner, president; R. R. Sterling, vice president; J. C. Danziger, secretary and treasurer. This company had 117 employes in 1919.
The Detroit Gear & Machine Company, 674 Woodbridge, was incorporated April 13, 1910 for the manufacture of automobile transmissions, clutches, gears, etc. In 1919 there were 507 employes of this company. The authorized capital- ization is $2,000,000 and A. W. Copeland is president of the company.
The Detroit Steel Casting Company, 4069 Michigan Avenue, was organized in March, 1902, and succeeded to the business of the Detroit Steel & Spring Company. The original enterprise was founded by John S. Newberry, father of J. S. Newberry, the present executive head of the concern.
The Detroit Sulphite Pulp & Paper Company, 9131 West Jefferson Avenue, was incorporated in 1905 and has an authorized capitalization now of $2,500,000. The state labor bureau reports for 1920 gives the number of employes in 1919 as 428.
The Detroit Twist Drill Company, employing at the height of production about seven hundred men, and with plant located at 2056-210S Fort west, was incorporated in 1904. Muir B. Snow is president of the company.
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CITY OF DETROIT
The Foundry & Machine Products Company, 1-17 Fordyce Avenue, manu- facturers of automobile parts and castings of various kinds, was incorporated in 1915 and now has a capitalization authorized at $50,000. Frank L. Bromley is president of the company.
The Gemmer Manufacturing Company, 741-47 Merrick Avenue, manufac- turing automobile steering gears, etc. and employing in good seasons close to six hundred men, was incorporated in 1907 and is capitalized for $2,000,000 authorized to be issued. E. P. Hammond is president of the company.
The Hayes Manufacturing Company, makers of sheet metal automobile parts, with plant located at Maybury, Grand Avenue and the Grand Trunk Railway, was incorporated in 1904. $2,300,000 is the authorized capitalization of this concern, which is under the presidency of Hal H. Smith. In 1919 there were 1015 employes.
The C. M. Hall Lamp Company, 1035 Hancock Avenue, cast, was incor- porated March 20, 1909 for the manufacture of motor, motorcycle and bicycle lamps and accessories for electric and acetylene equipment. In January, 1917, the plant of the Badger Brass Manufacturing Company at Kenosha, Wisconsin, was purchased. The authorized capitalization is $1,000,000 and the president of the organization is J. F. Hartz. There were 303 employes in 1919 according to state official reports.
Ireland & Matthews Manufacturing Company, steel metal stampings, Beard and Chatfield Avenues, was first incorporated in 1SS9. The officers of the company now are: George H. Barbour, president; Charles H. Matthews, vice president; Edward Bland, secretary; F. T. Ducharme, treasurer; and D. M. Ireland, general manager. There were 640 people employed by this company in 1919.
The Jenks & Muir Manufacturing Company, 6441 Hastings Street, was incorporated May 24, 1894. The officers of this company now are: Charles C. Jenks, president; W. Howie Muir, vice president and treasurer; Albert A. Aikens, secretary. Approximately four hundred people are employed by this company during normal period of production.
The Long Manufacturing Company, 2776 East Grand Boulevard, manu- facturers of automobile radiators, etc. was incorporated in 1912 with an author- ized capitalization now amounting to $400,000. In 1919 about five hundred people were employed. Frederick H. Rike is president of the company.
McRae & Roberts Company, manufacturers of brass goods and located at Campbell Avenue and the Wabash Railroad, had 243 employes in 1919. The officers of this company are: Milton A. McRae, president; W. S. Killam, vice president; Lindsay S. McRae, secretary; William S. Chiman, treasurer.
One of the important manufacturing interests of Detroit, but which has been moved to Kentucky, was the Murphy Chair Company, established in the middle '80s and incorporated in 1889. In 1919 there were 658 people em- ployed. M. J. Murphy is president of the company.
In compiling this information concerning the manufacturing establishments of Detroit, it is regrettable that a more detailed history of each of the 2,226, more or less, companies cannot be presented, but lack of space forbids. Of the establishments employing more than 100 people, the important facts follow. The number of employes given for each is based upon the 1920 report of the state department of labor. The capitalization is that authorized.
COMPANY
PENBERTHY INJECTOR COMPANY
ROBERTS BRASS WORKS
CITY OF DETROIT
Incor-
Authorized No. of
Name of Company
porated
Product Capitalization Employes
American Lady Corset Co. . . . . 1905
$350,000 650
John J. Bagley & Co. 1879-1909
Tobacco
500,000
183
Banner Cigar Mfg. Co.
Cigars
127
Banner Garment Mfg. Co.
120
Bower Roller Bearing Co 1910
Bearings
600,000
285
John Brennan & Co. 1882
Boilers, tanks. 200,000
216
Brown-McLaren Mfg. Co
Automatic machinery 250,000
141
Brown-Morris Co. 1914
Tools
10,000
107
Capitol Brass Works 1908
Brass goods. 500,000
50,000
151
Arthur Colton Co 1906
Special machinery
100,000
292
Commonwealth Brass Corp 1906
Brass goods
350,000
229
Crown Hat Company. 1911
Ladies' Hats
150,000
203
Detroit Accessories Corp. 1915
Auto parts
200,000
184
Detroit Auto Specialty Co.
Sheet metal
250,000
250
Detroit Automobile & Machine Works
Machinery
286
Detroit Electric Car Co. 1919
600,000
250
Detroit Forging Co.
400
Detroit Foundry Co. 1901
Castings
125,000
220
Detroit Gray Iron Foundry Co. . 1916
35,000
146
Detroit Insulated Wire Co. 1906
2,000,000
130
Detroit Piston Ring Co. 1917
100,000
101
Detroit-Princess Mfg. Co. 1913
Dresses
200,000
239
Detroit Range Boiler & Steel Barrel Co 1919
1,000,000
201
Delphie Specialty Co 1912
Auto hardware
20,000
153
Douglas & Lomason
1902
Metal specialties
50,000
209
Eastern Production Co.
Tools, dies
160,000
291
Enterprise Foundry Co. 1897
30,000
149
Federal Bearing & Bushing Corp.1919
Brass goods
350,000
160
Griswold Motor & Body Co. .1909
Auto bodies
20,000
154
C. H. Haberkorn & Co
Furniture
200,000
150
J. S. Haggerty .
Brick
100
Hemmeter Cigar Co. 1913
Cigars
1,000,000
205
Holley Carburetor Co 1917
250,000
136
Hoskins Mfg. Co 1908
Heating appliances
500,000
155
Howie Co. Inc
Metal Roofing
150,000
108
International Metal Stamping Co.1916
300,000
253
Johnson Co. 1914
Carburetors
30,000
143
Lalley Light Corporation
Lighting plants
162
Lewis-Hall Iron Works 1914
Structural steel
175,000
161
Mail-O-Meter Co. 1906
200,000
137
Mansfield Steel Corp
500,000
129
Mazer Cigar Mfg. Co. 1906
75,000
401
Metalwood Mfg. Co 1909
155,000
100
Michigan Bolt & Nut Works 1880-1910
300,000
276
208
Central Specialty Co 1915
Castings
613
Locke Pattern Works 1917
119
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CITY OF DETROIT
Incor-
Name of Company porated
Michigan Gray Iron Castings Co. 1907
10,000
134
Michigan Steel Castings Co. .1907
400,000
291
Tools
75,000
129
Modern Pattern & Machine Co .. 1919 Monarch Foundry Co. 1907
100,000
146
Monarch Steel Castings Co. 1905
200,000
129
Murphy Iron Works. 1904
350,000
380
Switchboards, etc
1,000,000
143
Cranes, etc
500,000
183
Palmer-Bee Co. 1905
Mach. & Tools
100,000
136
Parsons Mfg. Co. 1914
Auto hardware
300,000
114
Peninsular Milled Screw Co 1902
Screw machines
34,000
193
Roberts Brass Mfg. Co. 1906
Brass goods
300,000
373
Joseph T. Ryerson & Son
Steel and iron
176
San Telmo Cigar Co 1898
500,000
367
Schlieder Mfg. Co 1911
Auto parts
250,000
245
Scott Valve Co. 1919
500,000
119
Scotten-Dillon Co 1901
3,000,000
558
Shepard Art Metal Co 1919
Auto hardware
250,000
163
Jos. N. Smith & Co 1899
Auto parts
1,000,000
419
Standard Brass Works 1899
75,000
117
Standard Computing Scale Co. 1899
180,000
162
Standard Motor Truck Co. 1912
500,000
173
Standard Screw Products Co. 1913
1,050,000
319
Steel Products. (Mich. Plant) 1909
250,000
207
Wm. Tegge & Co. 1913
100,000
133
Ternstedt Mfg. Co
Closed body hardware
154
Hugh Wallace Co.
1904
Robes, coats
400,000
119
Welded Steel Barrel Corp 1905
150,000
146
Wood Hydraulic Hoist & Body Co
Steel dump bodies, hoists, etc.
263
Zenith Carburetor Co. 1911
320,000
426
D. J. Ryan Foundry Co. (Ecorse)
689
American Radiator Co. (Hamtramack)
515
Briggs Mfg. Co. (Hamtramck) ...
Auto bodies
1279
Jeffery-Dewitt Co. (Hamtramck)
Spark plug enameling
531
Michigan Steel Tube Products Co. (Hamtramck)
309
Russell Gear Works (Hamtramck)
112
Swedish Crucible Steel Co. (Hamtramck)
186
Truscon Laboratories (Ilamtramck)
177
Product
Authorized No. of Capitalization Employes
Michigan Tool Co. 1917
100,000
148
Mutual Electric & Machine Co. . 1902
Northern Engineering Works. 1899
Premier Cushion Spring Co 1915
250,000
216
Cigars
CHAPTER XXIV BANKS-COUNTY AND CITY FINANCES
CLARENCE M. BURTON AND WILLIAM STOCKING, CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
WAYNE COUNTY AND DETROIT FINANCES (BY WILLIAM STOCKING)-PRIMITIVE CURRENCY ISSUES-THE FIRST BANKING VENTURE-THE FIRST TERRITORIAL BANK (C. M. BURTON)-OTHER EARLY BANKS-FIRST GENERAL BANKING LAW (WILLIAM STOCKING)-THE WILD CAT BANKS-THE OLDEST BANK IN MICHIGAN -FIRST NATIONAL BANK IN DETROIT-WAYNE COUNTY AND HOME SAVINGS BANK-PEOPLES STATE BANK-NATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE-MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK-DIME SAVINGS BANK-OTHER BANKS OF DETROIT-THE TRUST COMPANIES-HOUSING COMPANIES-WAYNE COUNTY BANKS.
WAYNE COUNTY AND DETROIT FINANCES
BY WILLIAM STOCKING
There have been a few changes of methods in conducting the finances of Wayne County. In the early days its financial affairs were in charge of three county commissioners appointed by the court of quarter sessions. In 1818 the appointment of the commissioners was given to the governor, and in 1825 they became elective. In the absence of sufficient funds to meet expenses the com- missioners began, as early as 1818, to issue due bills in amounts of $1.00, $1.25, $1.3712, $1.6212 and so on up to $10.00. These bills had considerable use as currency. In 1830 they were held at 25 per cent discount, but the commissioners and their successors kept on issuing them until 1840. In 1827 the office of county commissioner was abolished. It was revived in 1838, but finally discontinued in 1842, its duties then having been turned over to the board of supervisors.
The latter body was created by act of March 20, 1827. Its members were elective, one from each township. As first constituted, Detroit was rated as a township and had only one member of the board. In 1842 the six ward assessors were made members, in 1842 the senior alderman from each ward, and in 1857 all the aldermen became members. Under the apportionment existing in 1919- 20 the city had thirty-four members, and the rest of the county twenty-five. Under the act creating the Board, the members were authorized "to examine, allow and settle all accounts", estimate the expenses of the county and make the tax levy. They were also authorized to repair the county buildings, and, illustrative of the condition of the young community, they were authorized to offer bounties for the killing of wolves and panthers. Their sessions were limited to one of eight days annually and their pay was $1.00 a day for the time they were actually in session. In 1832, the pay was raised to $2.00, later on to $3.00 and finally to $4.00. From 1832 to 1846, the board was required to hold two sessions a year, but the revision of that date fixed upon an annual session com- mencing on the second Monday of October. During most of the time since then this has been the only regular session, though special sessions are frequently
615
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CITY OF DETROIT
called in the spring. The board has quite a wide range of legislative duties, inasmuch as it is sometimes termed "The County Legislature", but its financial functions are limited. It equalizes the valuations of property for assessment purposes, and apportions to each city and township its share of the annual tax levy. Its approval is also necessary for the submission of bond issues to popular vote.
THE COUNTY AUDITORS
The board of county auditors has, during a large part of its existence, been supreme in financial affairs. It was created by act of March 11, 1844, and con- sists of three elective members, with three year terms. The original act provided that no city or village should have more than one member of the board. In actual practice Detroit frequently had none at all, although paying two-thirds or more of the taxes. An act of 1883 remedied this by providing that two members of the board should be residents of Detroit.
The powers of the board are great. As originally constituted, it was their business to estimate the amount needed for county expenses, to audit all bills, to make all disbursements, to appoint three superintendents of the poor and two county physicians. By the constitution of 1850 they were given "exclusive power to prescribe and fix the compensation for all services rendered for, and to adjust all claims against, the county and the sum so fixed and adjusted shall be subject to no appeal." This remained in force until the constitution of 1908 was adopted, giving the right of appeal to the circuit court in such manner as may be prescribed by law. By act of May 24, 1879, the auditors were further empowered to determine the number of clerks in all county offices, and the wages to be paid them, and to fix the compensation of the coroners and the salaries of all county officers. They also keep a record of all receipts and expenditures of the county treasurer, countersigning all tax receipts made by him. Under these enlarged powers, and with usually one or two men of dominant personality on the board, the auditors came to be known as "The Kings of Wayne County." . This system of concentrated authority has had the merit of efficiency and
generally of prudent counsel. The affairs of the county have been well managed and the debt is small. The county tax for 1919-20, including $800,270 for good roads, was $3,367,602, of which $2,638,978, or over seventy-eight per cent, was apportioned to Detroit.
THE CITY FINANCIAL SYSTEM
In the various stages of its growth the city has had diverse methods of assess- ing property, levying and collecting taxes, of making appropriations and of safeguarding expenditures. A recital of them all would be tedious. A state- ment of the methods reached after a wide experience is sufficient. The assess- ments of property for purposes of taxation are made by a board of three assessors appointed by the mayor. Each assessor has a personal assistant, and there is an ample clerical force. The constitution requires that all assessable property shall be rated at its full cash value, and assessments in recent years have approxi- mated that basis. The field work on real estate occupies nearly all the fall and winter and the assessment rolls are completed in May. The common council, sitting as a board of review, holds sessions to listen to complaints from interested property holders, and the rolls are then turned over to the City Treasurer for making out the tax bills.
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