USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 100
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JOHN PARSHALL ANTISDEL is a member of the bar of Detroit, in which city his birth occurred Jan- uary 31, 1861, his parents being John Francis and Sarah Jane (Parshall) Antisdel. He is descended in both the paternal and maternal lines from early colo- nial families that were represented in the Revolu- tionary war. His father and grandparents became residents of Michigan prior to the admission of the state into the Union and his father was for many years one of the most prominent hotel men of Michi- gan. The record of his life is given at length on another page of this work.
During the boyhood days of John P. Antisdel the family removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and there he pursued his education in the public and high schools. Later a return was made to Michigan and he became a student in the Detroit College of Law, in which he pursued a full course, winning his LL. B. degree
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upon graduation on the 13th of June, 1903. For a time he was associated with his father and brother in the conduct of the Fraser house at Bay City, Michigan, and afterward in the condnet of the Mettawas hotel at Kingsville, Ontario, Canada. He was thus engaged until 1900, when he took up the study of law, con- tinning a student in the Detroit College of Law to the time of his gradnation, as indicated. He has since been a member of the Detroit bar and as the years have passed has gained a large and distinc- tively representative clientage. He belongs to the Detroit Bar Association, the Michigan State Bar As- sociation and the American Bar Association and has ever held to the highest ideals and ethical principles of the profession.
Mr. Antisdel belongs also to the Lawyers Club, to the Sons of the American Revolution and to the Young Men's Christian Association, while his interest in affairs vital to Detroit is indicated in his connection with the Board of Commerce. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church and he is thus holding to the teachings in which he was reared. Politically he is a republican and while he has never been an office seeker, he has done much active and valnable public work. During the connection of America with the World war he served on the legal advisory board, was also one of the Four-Minute men and a speaker for the Red Cross. He served as chairman of the board of instruction of draft board, No. 1, did volunteer work in navy reerniting and was active in all of the Lib- erty Loan drives.
EUGENE A. KLEIN is engaged in the general insurance and also in the real estate and building busi- ness and in the latter connection makes a specialty of handling family apartment and store buildings. He was born in Detroit, December 15, 1885, and is a son of August Godfrey and Bertha (Graf) Klein, who are of Enropean birth and in early life became residents of Detroit. The father embarked in the insurance business here and has been prominent along that line for many years. Both he and his wife survive.
Engene A. Klein, their only child, obtained his education in publie and parochial schools of Detroit and also attended St. Joseph's Commercial College, after which he became connected with the firm of Jacob Gnthard & Son, conducting a general insur- ance agency. He entered their employ in a minor position and won advancement from time to time until he was made cashier. In 1907 he resigned to engage in business on his own account and through the in- tervening period his interests have steadily grown and developed until he has now one of the large agencies of the city. He handles real estate, engages in speculative building and has a large general in- surance department. He has done much in the way of promoting real estate operations in family apart- ment and store buildings and he is carrying on his
operations under his own name and also as the vice president of Montgomery & Klein, Incorporated.
On the 12th of June, 1912, Mr. Klein was married to Miss Ellennora T. Jacob of Detroit, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Jacob. They have one child, Eleanor Jeanne, who was born in Detroit, January 5th, 1916. Mr. Klein belongs to the Detroit Yacht Club and to the Harmonie Club and is also connected with the Board of Commerce and he finds recreation . and interest in water sports. Those who have known him from boyhood, and he has a wide acquaintance in Detroit, remember him as a newsboy selling the daily papers on the streets of the city. They have watched with interest his continnous progress and recognize that the qualities which he has always dis- played in his business career will make for larger success in the future.
DAVID MOFFAT GRAY, second vice president and secretary of the firm of Frederick Stearns & Com- pany, manufacturing pharmacists of Detroit, was called to his present official position in 1921 and his connection with the house covers a period of four decades- a fact indicative of most capable and efficient service and fidelity to the interests which he has represented. A native of Ohio, he was born in Cincinnati, September 21, 1862, and is a son of Adam and Jessie (Moffat) Gray, both of whom were of Scotch lineage. He pursued his education in the public schools of Detroit until the year 1876, and in 1878, when a youth of sixteen years, he entered the employ of Frederick Stearns & Company and for twelve years was one of the traveling representatives of the honse. In 1892 he became sales manager for the company and in 1912 was elected to the position of secretary. Forty-three years' connection with the business have made him thoroughly familiar with every branch and have well qualified him for duties as an executive of what is today one of the foremost enterprises of its character in the United States.
On the 1st of June, 1887, Mr. Gray was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Austin, a native of De- troit, and they have become the parents of four children: Hazel Marie, who is the wife of Robert M. Drysdale of Detroit; Moffat A., who served in the army during the World war; Donald F., who was a member of the navy and who married Yola Darm- staetter of Detroit; and Alan S.
Mr. Gray is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club and the Detroit Golf Club-associations that indicate something of the nature of his interests. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church.
E. DEAN ALEXANDER is one of the successful of the younger lawyers of Detroit, where he has engaged in practice since 1914. He was born in Decatur, Illinois, March 6, 1890, a son of Edgar and Emma (Strohm) Alexander, who established the family home
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in St. Louis, Missouri, during the childhood of their son. Following the completion of a high school course in the latter city, E. Dean Alexander took up the study of law in Washington University of St. Louis, from which he was graduated with the class of 1911 and in the same year was admitted to the Missouri bar. He chose Detroit, however, as the scene of his professional activity and here began practice in 1914. He makes a specialty of insurance work and employers' liability and is also accorded a general practice of extensive and gratifying proportions.
In 1915 Mr. Alexander was married in Detroit to Miss Pearl Pottinger of this city, by whom he has one daughter, Jane. He is an exemplary representa- tive of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M., and is also a popular member of the Masonic Country Club and the St. Clair Country Club. His career has been characterized by steady progress and his position in professional circles is an enviable one.
LEW WHITING TULLER, president of the Tuller Hotel Company in Detroit, was born at Jonesville, Michigan, January 4, 1869, and is a son of Hiram Whiting and Clara (Nimocks) Tuller, both of whom were natives of the state of New York, whence they came to Michigan in 1832, settling at Jonesville. The father was a contracting architect and builder and designed and erected many of the leading buildings in Jonesville as well as in other parts of the state. Dur- ing the later years of his life he was a resident of Detroit, where he passed away in 1897, while his widow survived for a decade, her death occurring in 1907. Their family numbered four children: Lew W .; Charles A., residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mrs. James Monroe of Detroit; and Mrs. Edmond Haug also of this city.
Lew W. Tuller attended the public schools and be- came a high school pupil at Jonesville, Michigan, and after his textbooks were put aside removed to Detroit, where he became identified with the building trade. He also studied and practiced architecture in con- nection with his father and started for himself in that line in 1894. He was the builder of the Wetherell, Valencia and Saragossa apartment houses and many other important structures of the city. At length he acquired the ground on which he erected in 1907 the hotel facing Grand Circus Park, which he called Hotel Tuller. Failing to lease the property he opened the hotel, assuming management himself, and with notable rapidity its popularity increased. So successful has he been in its conduct that he has found it necessary on two occasions since to build additions until today he is the owner of one of Detroit's large and fine as well as popular hotels. If present indications are a gauge of the future, he will soon be required to double the space which he now has, affording accommodation to six hundred guests. The hotel is thoroughly equipped according to modern methods and measures
up to the highest standards of hotel service from every standpoint. At the time Mr. Tuller began the erection of the hotel this district was considered un- favorable for a business of this kind, because of its being away from the hotel and business district of Detroit. Mr. Tuller had fullest confidence in his judg- ment and today his property is in the heart of the hotel district and the accuracy of his judgment and foresight have been proven. He is a member of the Detroit Hotel Men's Association and he is constantly on the outlook for new ideas or plans that will further the interests of his hostelry and add still more to its popularity.
On the 6th of December, 1898, Mr. Tuller was mar- ried to Miss Florence C. Reiff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Reiff, prominent in Detroit. Mrs. Tuller passed away on the 15th of September, 1910, leaving two children: Lew W., Jr., who was born in 1899; and Florence C., who was born in 1902. Both are graduates of the Central high school of Detroit. Mr. Tuller was married the second time on December 28, 1919, to Miss Narcissa Holland of Detroit.
Mr. Tuller is a Christian Scientist in religious belief. For many years he was in delicate health and all efforts to regain his normal condition failed through the ordinary channels. Having heard much concerning the good that had been done through Christian Science, he took up its teachings and it seems that a miracle has come to pass in that he has steadily improved in health until he is today in excellent physical condition. He is a public-spirited citizen, charitable and kindly, and in all matters that pertain to the public welfare he gives his earnest support and endorsement. He belongs to the Fellowcraft Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, Old Colony Club, the Meadowbrook Club and the Detroit Auto Club, also to the Benevolent Protec- tive Order of Elks and the Detroit Board of Com- merce. His life illustrates what can be accomplished through individual effort, for his success is the direct outcome of his own labors. He now spends his winters at Palm Beach, Florida, where he has a home on Bra- zilian avenue, while the remainder of the year is passed in Detroit, where he has won a most creditable position in business circles. He is now erecting a beau- tiful home at Grosse Pointe Park on Lake St. Clair.
W. EGERTON N. HUNTER. A most fruitful field has opened up in Detroit for the real estate man, the architect and builder through the marvelous growth and development of the city. W. Egerton N. Hunter, a well known architect, is now at the head of a business which makes constant demand upon his time and energies, and utilizing the opportunities which have come his way, he has progressed far toward the goal of prosperity. He was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, February 16, 1868, his parents being William and Dina (Sutton) Hunter, the former a native of England, while the latter was of Canadian birth. William Hunter crossed the Atlantic to Canada
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in early life and became a brass worker there and eventually proprietor of a foundry, which he continued to operate to the time of his death, having for a long period been numbered among the prominent rep- resentatives of productive industry in Hamilton. His wife also passed away in Hamilton, where they had reared their family of three children, the daughters being Mabel and Edith, who are still living in Ham- ilton.
William E. N. Hunter of this review attended the publie schools of his native city and the Hamilton Collegiate Institute, after which he entered an archi- iteet's office and on leaving his employ there removed to Buffalo, New York, where he worked in the same capacity. He followed his profession at Buffalo for a year and then came to Detroit, where he entered the office of Mortimer L. Smith & Son, architects, by whom he was employed for seven years. He was next connected with the office of John Scott & Company, prominent architects of Detroit, with whom he con- tinued until he decided to engage in business on his own account. Since that period he has become recog- nized as a leading architect of the city, having made the plans for many of Detroit's residences and fine churches in which he specializes. His designs are always attractive in that they embody the highest standards of architectural beauty and are at the same time fully adapted for the purposes required. He has recently completed the plans for the North Wood- ward Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, which will be erected at a cost of one million dollars and will be one of the finest church structures ever built for this denomination. He also designed and built the Shaarey Zedek synagogue and is the architect of E. C. Kinsel's fine home on Chicago boulevard and also the beautiful residence of E. A. Laitner on the same thoroughfare. He likewise built the home of F. M. Sibley, together with many other of the notable residences of the city.
In July, 1893, Mr. Hunter was married to Miss Elizabeth Kaye of Dundas, Ontario, daughter of Rev. William Kaye. The three children of this marriage are: Elsie, the wife of Jesse H. Hubel; E. Kaye, who was born and educated in Detroit and is now pursuing a course in architecture at Cornell University, member of the class of 1921, while during the period of the World war he was with the Officers Reserve; and Donald W., who was born in Detroit and is now a student in the University of Michigan, taking a course in civil engineering, class of 1921. During the war he was with the engineering department of the United States government in the naval aviation service and was having training in that connection when the armistice was signed.
Mr. Hunter is a Mason, having membership in Cor- inthian Lodge. He belongs to the Michigan Society of Architects and his high standing in his profession is indicated by the notable commissions awarded him. With all the underlying rules and scientific principles of his profession he is thoroughly familiar and at
the same time he possesses that initiative which results in new and attractive designs, adding much to the beauty of the city in which he has operated.
SANBORN TENNEY MeGRAW, who long occupied a prominent place on the stage of financial activity in Detroit, was born in this city September 7, 1870, and was one of two children whose parents were Thomas S. and Maria L. (Dickinson) MeGraw. The family has long been represented in this city. The father was here born February 28, 1843, his parents being Virgil W. and Ann (Cullen) MeGraw. He was educated in the public schools and served during the Civil war in the Sixteenth Michigan Volunteer In- fantry of the Army of the Potomac. In 1864 he started in business in the employ of A. C. McGraw & Com- pany, wholesale dealers in boots and shoes and in 1895 this firm became Baldwin, MeGraw & Company, with Thomas S. MeGraw as a partner until 1911, when he retired. He was a republican in his political views, an Episcopalian in religious faith and he belonged to the Detroit, Yondotega and Old Clubs. He mar- ried Maria L. Dickinson and they had two sons, the elder being Stanley D. Maria L. Dickinson was a daughter of Moses T. Dickinson, and was born in De- troit. She was a member of the first class to grad- uate from Vassar College.
The younger son, Sanborn Tenney MeGraw, pur- sued his education in the Detroit schools and in young manhood became identified with the mercantile in- terests of his father. He afterward entered the First National Bank of Detroit in a position that was created especially for him. He proved his worth by the able assistance which he rendered, mastering all the prin- ciples of the banking business and serving with dis- tinction in the old National Bank to the time of his death, which occurred August 30, 1914.
In young manhood, Mr. MeGraw was united in marriage to Miss Grace Renick of Detroit, a daughter of James H. Renick. To Mr. and Mrs. McGraw there were born two children: Dickinson, whose birth oc- curred July 2, 1899; and Josephine, who was born October 2, 1905. The family are members of the North Woodward Congregational church, to which Mr. MeGraw belonged. He was also identified with the Detroit, the Detroit Athletic Club and the De- troit Boat Club, and at one time he was president of the latter. His political endorsement was given to the republican party. Mr. MeGraw served for a number of years as a member of the board of fire commis- sioners and for a time was president of the board. He was of the third generation of the family resid- ing in Detroit-the family that has always made liberal and valuable contribution to the upbuilding and development of the city. The grandfather was associated with Michigan's metropolis in the pioneer period and the father bore his part in its business development at a later date. Under different con- ditions Sanborn Tenney McGraw took bis part as a
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factor in the work of promoting Detroit's material and civic interests and made for himself a most creditable position in banking circles. He possessed, too, at- tractive social qualities which made for popularity and he had a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
GEORGE W. AGNEW is the president of the Mid- States Coal & Dock Company, wholesale dealers in coal at Detroit, and has been identified with the busi- ness for nearly twenty years. He was born in Quincy, Kentucky, July 10, 1883, a son of William W. and Sina (Truitt) Agnew, who in the year 1899 removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where George W. Agnew attended the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. When his education was completed he entered the employ of the J. T. Hesser Coal Com- pany and thus initiated his business career in the line of trade with which he is identified. He started in a humble capacity and after serving as bookkeeper and in various other positions was promoted to that of cashier. He remained with that firm for twelve years and while thus associated he gained wide and valuable information pertaining to the various phases of the coal business. He next became identified with the Coal Bell Coal Company as sales manager, this being a Pittsburgh concern. In 1913 he came to Detroit as their representative in the middle west, having an office in the Ford building and handling the majority of the output of this company for five years. In 1918 the Mid-States Coal & Dock Company was formed, with Mr. Agnew as president, and his associates in this undertaking are R. R. Andrews of Detroit, John Wolf of Pittsburgh, and W. J. Derringer of West Alex- andria, Pennsylvania. Mr. Agnew has gained a posi- tion of prominence among the wholesale coal dealers of the city. His identification with the coal trade cov- ers nearly twenty years, during which time he has served in various capacities in connection with the wholesale coal business. He has an extensive ac- quaintance among coal dealers throughout the middle west and has acquired a complete knowledge of every phase of the coal trade, which renders him a capable and fitting head of the business now under his control. He has always given it his personal attention and care- fully considers all matters connected therewith. He handles the output of fourteen different coal opera- tions, Pittsburgh No. 8 being the largest. The com- pany also represents mining interests of Kentucky and West Virginian fields, famous for their superior grade of coal.
On the 19th of February, 1919, Mr. Agnew was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brennan of Cincin- nati, Ohio. Fraternally Mr. Agnew is a Mason, be- longing to Detroit Lodge, No. 2, and he is also identified with the Scottish Rite and the Mystic Shrine. He has membership in the Masonic Country Club, the Birch Hill Country Club, is a member of the Detroit Coal Exchange, of the American Whole-
sale Coal Association and in his political views is a democrat, giving loyal support to the party and its candidates. Billiards, tennis and outdoor sports con- stitute his source of recreation, but business has ever claimed the major part of his time and attention and he has made steady progress along the line to which he has devoted his life, his success being due at least in part to the fact that he has continued in a single field, never dissipating his energies over a wide territory, but thoroughly mastering everything connected with the coal trade.
WILLIAM H. SELDON, JR., was recognized as a dynamic force in the business circles of Detroit. Promptness and initiative were among his salient characteristics and whenever opportunity called he made quick response. He was the secretary-treasurer of the Miller-Seldon Electric Company, also of the Miller-Seldon Realty Company and vice president of the Elliott Electric Company, while other corpora- rations were benefitted by the stimulus of his en- terprise and activity. Mr. Seldon was born, October 29, 1879, across the border, being a native of Strat- ford, Ontario, and he was brought to Detroit in 1881 and educated in the public schools of this city and in the Detroit Business University. He made his initial step in the business world at the age of fifteen years as bookkeeper in the store of Scott Brothers Electrical Company and his efficiency and faithfulness won him promotion to the head of the supply depart- ment. In 1901 he began business on his own account in partnership with Arch Miller, under the firm name of Miller & Seldon, on State street near Griswold. In 1908 the Miller-Seldon Electric Company was in- corporated, with offices and plant at Nos. 31 and 33 State street. The business steadily developed and, requiring more space, a removal was made to 208 Griswold street, while the following year two hundred per cent more space was secured, adjoining the former property. In 1906 the company purchased a lot on Park place and erected a three-story building. Still the business continually expanded and in 1910 the company purchased a lot one hundred by thirty feet, adjoining its other property. In 1911 the realty hold- ings, which were then in value much in excess of the paid-up capital, were transferred to a land investment company known as the Miller-Seldon Realty Company. In 1913 the latter purchased property directly facing down State street, on the west side of Cass avenue, and soon thereafter acquired the old Joseph Mack building, which adjoined the Cass avenue property. Next the company added to its holdings in that sec- tion, making most judicious investments. At length the Michigan State Telephone Company discovered that this property was within two hundred feet of the geographical center of all its lines in the Detroit district and naturally desired it. After long nego- tiations the Miller-Seldon Realty Company sold to the Michigan State Telephone Company, which thus
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secured the largest exclusive telephone offices in the United States.
In 1913, to assist a friend, Mr. Seldon established a small business in Cleveland, Ohio, under the name of the Motor Rental & Sales Company. The new undertaking was established upon a firm foundation and in the second year of its existence Mr. Seldon bought out a well known motor house there and com- bined the two interests under the name of the Elliott Electric Company, while later he organized the Elliott Company, jobbers and distributers. His interests con- stantly enlarged and developed and his life was an illustration of the fact that "activity does not tire- it gives strength and resistance." Each forward step he made in his career brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunity and steadily he advanced until he became the head of extensive and important in- terests bearing large revenue. For a long period he was secretary-treasurer of the Miller-Seldon Electric Company and of the Miller-Seldon Realty Company, also the vice president of the Elliott Electric Com- pany of Cleveland and was interested in a number of other important corporations, all of which were benefitted by his keen discrimination and sound judg- ment. His great success as a business man was due to his energy, his ambition and his method of always doing things promptly and doing them in a way that did not follow the beaten track. In other words he possessed initiative and originality and worked out along new lines productive of valuable results.
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