The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 101

Author: Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932, ed; Stocking, William, 1840- joint ed; Miller, Gordon K., joint ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Detroit-Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1022

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 101

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It would seem that to control business interests such as Mr. Seldon directed would require practically all the time of any individual and yet Mr. Seldon was a man of distinctively social nature and one who made valuable contribution to the social life of the city. His Masonic affiliations were with Cor- inthian Lodge, No. 24I, F. & A. M., and the Scottish Rite bodies, including the Michigan Sovereign Con- sistory. In the York Rite, too, he was a member of King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M., Monroe Council, R. & S. M., and Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He had likewise crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Seldon's deep interest in Masonry was shown in his gift of twelve thousand five hundred dollars toward the building of the four-million-dollar Masonic Temple at the initial drive for this fund, held on the 19th of March, 1920, he being a member of the executive committee in the drive. At the same time he pledged an equal amount to the Detroit Masonic Foundation, of which he was the originator, it being a fund to assist Masons, their wives and children and which will be promoted as soon as the fund for the temple has been raised. The consistory class of October, 1920, was named in honor of Mr. Seldon. Mr. Seldon was a charter member of the Bloomfield Country Club, a member of Detroit Golf and of the Detroit Athletic Club and the Cleveland Athletic Club, besides a number of business club organizations. In 1919 he

was made a trustee of the Masonic Country Club and was chairman of the committee on stunts. His man- agement of the affair was so successful that in nine days one man brought in a hundred applications for membership and in teu days from the beginning of the campaign a party was held which, for the first time, found the Masonic Temple too small and the Elks Hall opposite was requisitioned to hold the over- flow. Mr. Seldon also took a most active interest in the Electric Supply & Jobbers Association, and when in I9II the organization held its meeting in Cali- fornia, there was chartered the largest passenger train that crossed the continent up to that time. Member, Calvary Presbyterian church.

In 1908 William H. Seldon, Jr., was married to Miss Grace Priscilla Johnson of Detroit, who died Novem- ber 2, 1920. They became the parents of four chil- dren: Earl William, Grace Elizabeth, Ardell Annie, and Ruth Eleanor. Men who kuew William H. Seldon, Jr., well, speak of him as having been a "live wire." We have designated him as a dynamie force; but whether the one term or the other is more appropri- ate, it is sure that throughout his life there was always manifest the electric spark of activity. He possessed an intensive nature, he made extremely warm friends and whatever he undertook he entered into with his whole heart and soul. He was at all times ready for any emergency, ready for any op- portunity, and his intelligently directed efforts never failed to reach the desired result. Mr. Seldon's un- timely death occurred on August 28, 1920.

WILLIAM F. TRIPPENSEE, well known in the manufacturing circles of Detroit as the president of the Trippensee Manufacturing Company, is now at the head of a growing business and, if James Russell Lowell was correet in his statement that "an insti- tution is but the lengthened shadow of a man," the enterprise of which he is at the head indicates on his part the possession of splendid powers of organi- zation, initiative and executive force. Mr. Trippensee comes to Michigan from New York, his birth having occurred at The Rapids, Lockport, January 30, 1876, his parents being William F. and Rufina (Teachout) Trippensee. The removal of the family to Michigan occurred in his early boyhood, so that he pursued his education in the public schools of Flint, where the family home was established. He then started out in his business career by securing factory employment in that city and later was connected with the laun- dry business iu Flint.

Mr. Trippensee dates his connection with Detroit from 1898, when he became associated with the Grand Laundry Company, then the Norris Laundry Company. He afterward went to the Pacific coast and spent four years as a carpenter of Los Angeles, California, but satisfied that Detroit offered as excellent business op- portunities as could be secured elsewhere, he returned to this city in 1906 and became associated with his

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two brothers, Albert W. and Frank J. Trippensee, in the manufacture of the Trippensee Planetarium and wood specialties under the name of the Trippensee Manufacturing Company, of which he is the president. This business has steadily grown and they are now prominent among the makers of automobile bodies, with a company that is capitalized for one million dollars and has an average of seven hundred employes on its pay roll. The steady development of the trade is indicated in the fact that a second plant is now being constructed on Grand boulevard, near Russell street, which will greatly enlarge the scope of the business.

Mr. Trippensee is of the Protestant faith and he has membership with the Milwaukee Junction Manu- facturers' Association. When opportunity permits he indulges in fishing and hunting. His attention, how- ever, is mostly concentrated upon his business affairs and he has made for himself a most creditable place among the manufacturers of Detroit. Obstacles and difficulties have never seemed to bar his path but have served as an impetus for renewed effort on his part, and his determined purpose has carried him steadily forward to success.

PAUL J. SCHMIDT, a well known shoe merchant of Detroit, was born in New Baltimore, Michigan, March 25, 1869, his parents being William and Helen (Shaffer) Schmidt. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and also attended the night sessions of the high school in Detroit, where he studied under the direction of Professor Gorton. In the spring of 1891 he entered the employ of the Valpey Shoe Company as a salesman and thus received his initial training in the line of business in which he is now engaged. He continued with that firm until November 1, 1894, at which time he resigned his position to engage in business on his own account at the corner of Cass and Grand River avenues, opening there a retail shoe store which he conducted for three years. He then sold out and established his present store, in which he specializes in Ralston health shoes and ladies' Red Cross shoes. He employed two sales- men and also gave personal attention to the trade at the beginning and he now has twenty employes in his store. He continues to supervise personally the busi- ness, which has enjoyed a remarkable growth, due to the high grade shoes which he handles and the courteous treatment rendered to patrons. Moreover, he is thoroughly reliable as well as progressive and he has drawn his trade from the best class of De- troit's citizens.

In 1891, in New Baltimore, Michigan, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Louise Brandt and they became the parents of two children: Russell W., who was born November 24, 1891; and Evelyn L., born February 26, 1897. In 1901 the wife and mother passed away and in 1903 Mr. Schmidt was again married, his second union being with Miss Laura

Williams of Lenox, Michigan. To them have been born a son and a daughter: Paul J. Jr., whose birth occurred July 24, 1904; and Laura, born August 26, 1918. The son Russell is engaged in the real estate business in Detroit. He is married and has two sons, Russell, Jr., and Robert.

Mr. Schmidt is identified with the Board of Com- merce of Detroit. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is an intensely patriotic citizen, public-spirited to an eminent degree and giving active support to all those interests and measures which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Zion Lodge, and he has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since attaining his majority. His re- ligious faith is evidenced in his connection with the North Woodward Avenue Congregational church. He is held in high regard by all who know him, is esteemed by his customers and is ever given a warm welcome at the fireside of his friends because of his cheery disposition and genuine worth. The Schmidt family home is at 370 Chicago boulevard.

SID A. ERWIN, attorney of Detroit, is a native of Clinton, Ontario, born on the 14th of April, 1874. His parents, David and Mary (Orr) Erwin, emigrated from Ireland to Ontario and the father who was a miller by trade, followed his pursuit in that country for a time and afterward removed to Mason, Michigan, where he new resides. At present he is living retired from active business. His wife passed away in 1899. They were the parents of six children, five sons and a daughter, of whom Sid A. Erwin is the eldest, the others being: William H. and Hal E., both of Howell, Michigan; Arthur J. and Fred W., of Detroit; and Mrs. Anna Johns, who resides at Jackson, Mich- igan.

Sid A. Erwin attended the public schools of Clinton, Canada, and also the University of Michigan, being an undergraduate in the literary and law departments. He afterward pursued the pharmacy course, winning a special degree, and engaged in the drug business at Battle Creek, Michigan, for some time. He became a member of the state pharmacy board, serving thereon from 1903 until 1910, under appointment of Governor Bliss. During this time he read law and pursued a three years' course in the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the class of 1910. He began practice in Detroit and was not long in establishing himself as one of the successful lawyers of the city, a liberal clientage being accorded him through the intervening period of ten years.

On the 20th of August, 1908, Mr. Erwin was mar- ried to Miss Madge Myers of Battle Creek, Michi- gan. The family numbers five children, Don B., the eldest, whose birth occurred at Charlotte, Michigan, in 1894, being the child of a former marriage. The others are: Sidney Lyle, who was born in Detroit in 1912; Alfred, whose birth occurred in Detroit in 1913;

PAUL J. SCHMIDT

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Marguerite, who was born in this city in 1916; and Albert, who passed away on the 1st of January, 1915, at the age of two and a half years.

Mr. Erwin was a member of the city council of Battle Creek, serving for two terms, and his political allegiance has always been given to the republican party. He was special prosecuting attorney for Wayne county for a period during the years 1917-18. Along professional lines he has connection with the Detroit and Michigan State Bar Associations and the Lawyers Club, while the nature of his recreation is indicated in his connection with the Island Golf Club. He is also a devotee of aeronautics and is closely studying the possibilities of travel through the air and as the owner of a Curtiss-4 machine is often seen flying about Detroit and the surrounding country, while his trips have sometimes taken him into distant parts of Can- ada and the United States. Mrs. Erwin frequently accompanies him on his flights. In Masonry he is a member of Ionic Lodge, F. & A. M., Palestine Chap- ter, R. A. M., Detroit Commandery, Knights Templar and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while both Mr. and Mrs. Erwin are members of the Episcopal church, Mr. Erwin being secretary of the vestry of St. Mat- thias' church since 1915. He was for a number of years connected with the Michigan National Guard, becoming sergeant-major in the Thirty-first regiment and was very active in the mobilization of that regi- ment for service on the Mexican border when war was threatened with that country a few years ago. Mr. Erwin was one of the organizers and became first secretary of the Detroit Patriotic Fund, established for the relief of the families and dependents of men in the United States service.

JOHN L. CRANDELL, who in the practice of his profession has specialized in corporation law and espe- cially as relating to the automobile industry, was born in Memphis, St. Clair county, Michigan, on the 28th of October, 1885, and is a son of John S. and Ellen (Learned) Crandell, the father also an attorney. Whether inherited tendency, environment or natural predilection had most to do with shaping the career of John L. Crandell it is perhaps impossible to determine, but in early manhood he started in the profession which his father followed and the success which he has already attained indicates that nature well quali- fied him for activity of this character.

His public school education was acquired in San- dusky, Michigan, and he completed a high school course, after which he entered the Detroit Business University and thus received thorough training along that line. He next became a student in the Detroit College of Law, where he completed his course in 1913. He has remained throughout his professional career a close student, constantly reading and study- ing, so that he is continuously broadening his knowl- Vol. III-56

edge and thus promoting his efficiency. While he has continued in the general practice of law he has made a specialty of corporation law and has particularly studied the law relative to the automobile industry and has done much professional business of that char- acter.

On the 26th of August, 1918, Mr. Crandell was mar- ried to Miss Florence Rice of Wayne, Michigan. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the degrees of lodge and chapter, and he also belongs to the Fellowcraft Club. He is interested in all mat- ters of public concern, yet confines his efforts and attention largely to his professional duties, and by reason of his close application and thoroughness is making steady progress.

ALBERT KAHN, architect, was born March 21, 1869. He held an American scholarship in architec- ture for study abroad, where he qualified for his profession in 1890 and 1891. Since 1904 he has been engaged in practice in Detroit and in the meantime has been awarded many of the most important com- missions filled by any architect in this section of the country, among them being the Burroughs Adding Machine plant, the Packard, Ford, Hudson, Chalmers and Lozier Motor Car plants, the Detroit Free Press building, Detroit Athletic Club building, Detroit News building, buildings of the Detroit Golf Club, Hill Au- ditorium at Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan library building and the Science building of that institution. Mr. Kahn is also the architect of the following buildings now in course of construction: Durant building for the General Motors Corporation, Cadillac motor car salesroom, the Betsy Barbour dor- mitory at Ann Arbor, the First and Old Detroit Na- tional Bank building, Standard Accident & Insurance Company building and the plant of the Fisher Body Corporation of Ohio at Cleveland, which will be the largest of its kind in the United States. These struc- tures are all notable examples of the importance of Mr. Kahn's work and of the confidence and respon- sibility so freely given by his patrons. In addition to his professional interests Mr. Kahn is a director of the Truscon Steel Company.

During the World war Mr. Kahn was very promi- nent in those activities whereby civilians could render valuable aid to the government and in his professional capacity he had charge of some of the most extensive and important building projects made necessary by that conflict. He planned and supervised the con- struction of the training schools for the United States Air Service at Langley Field, Hampton, Virginia, and Rockwell Field, San Diego, California. These projects, with the hangars and various other buildings, were immense undertakings and not emergency structures, as they are now permanent training schools.

In 1896 Mr. Kahn was married in Detroit to Miss Ernestine Krolik and they are the parents of a son and three daughters: Edgar, Lydia, Ruth and Rosalie.

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Mr. Kahn belongs to the Phoenix Club, the Bloom- field Hills Country Club and the Detroit Golf Club. The nature of his interests is further shown by the fact that he is a member of the Fine Arts Society of Detroit and of the American Institute of Architects, thus coming into association with the most prominent representatives of the profession throughout the country.

CAPTAIN JOSEPH H. GRAHAM. For many years Captain Joseph H. Graham wore the little bronze button that proclaimed him a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, for through the years from 1861 until 1865 he had fought in defense of the nation's starry banner and aided in preserving the Union intact. He then became a resident of Detroit and for a half century was closely associated with its commercial interests as an importer of and dealer in fine coffees and teas. He sold to the wholesale trade and for many years enjoyed a liberal patronage, remaining active in the business to the venerable age of eighty years, when death called him. He was born in Detroit, July 27, 1840, and was a son of Robert and Ann Graham, whose family numbered six chil- dren. The father was a native of Ireland and on crossing the Atlantic to the new world settled in De- troit, where he established business as a merchant. For many years he lived on the site of the old Endicott building.

In his boyhood days Captain Graham of this review, attended the public schools of Detroit and when his textbooks were put aside secured employment as a salesman, but with the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861, he responded to the country's call for aid and raised a company of volunteer soldiers in Chicago. He was first chosen second lieutenant and afterward was promoted to the rank of captain of Company H, Thir- teenth Illinois Cavalry, and served with distinction until mustered out, having in the meantime partici- pated in various hotly contested engagements.

When the war was over Captain Graham returned to Detroit, and soon afterward established a wholesale tea, coffee and spice business. For fifty years he re- mained at the same location, at what is now 1073 Michigan avenue, having purchased the block in 1881, and was there attending to the wants of his patrons to the time of his death, which occurred February 7, 1921. As the years had passed he had built up a substantial business that gave employment to ten people. During his long business career Captain Gra- ham employed many elerks, a number of whom in after years became men of prominence in Detroit, and some of whom expressed to him their gratitude for the excellent business training they received. For a long time he carried on the business under the name of the American Tea Company, but later this was reorganized under the name of the Graham Coffee Company and his son and widow still conduct the business.

Captain Graham was united in marriage in 1877 to Miss Amelia C. Clark, a daughter of Isaac Clark, representative of a well known New Jersey family and descended from French and Dutch ancestry, being of Dutch lineage on the paternal side and of French in the maternal line. To Captain and Mrs. Graham were born four children: Edna, died young; Vivian, also died young; Harry R., whose birth occurred May 1, 1891, and who pursued his education in the public schools and in the Assumption College of Canada. Immediately after leaving school he embarked in business with his father and has since remained active in the conduct of the trade; and Culleu, who died young.

Captain Graham was a member of St. Peter's Epis- copal church and belonged to the Masonic fraternity, being a life member of Ashler Lodge, having been affiliated with that lodge for sixty years. Through his military connection he became identified with Fair- hanks Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and a com- panion of the military order of the Loyal Legion. He was a member for many years of the old volun- teer fire department of Detroit. In matters of citizen- ship he was always as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the old flag on southern battle fields, and he greatly enjoyed his association with his military comrades of former years. Moreover, the story is frequently told of his interest in the boys of the neighborhood, who delighted in gathering around him and hearing his stories of Sumatra, Java, China and other lands from which he imported teas, coffee and spices, stimulating their wholesome interest in different countries and bringing to them many points of knowledge that left a deep impress on their minds. At the time of the death of Captain Graham, one who knew him well spoke of his as a "modest, honest straightforward character; that he was a faithful unfailing friend, a kindly and generous man to every other man. He was liberal in his views and opinion and ever helpful to those in need.

"If it is 'only noble to be good,' he was a noble man. If 'kind hearts are more than coronets,' then he deserved a crown. Everybody who knew him spoke well of him." His memory thus lingers in the hearts of many men of Detroit who were then boys, as well as in the hearts of those who were his mil- itary comrades and associates throughout the years of his active business career.

GEORGE H. CUMMINGS. As long as Detroit's home for crippled children stands, so long will the name of George H. Cummings be known and honored in Detroit. His life became a benefaction to the world. As he lived and prospered he gave generously of his means to the interest of others and the crown- ing work of his career was made in his notable gift to the crippled children of Michigan. He was a native of this state, his birth having occurred on the old family homestead near Goodrich, September 7, 1855.

CAPTAIN JOSEPH H. GRAHAM

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He was one of a family of five children born to Lewis and Martha (Pender) Cummings, but when death had removed the parents there were but two of the chil- dren living: George H .; and his sister, Nellie G., who became the wife of Ellis S. Rockafellow. The latter was born in Davison, Michigan, June 11, 1859, and at his demise left a widow and only daughter, Martha Louise, who is now the wife of Howard W. Locker, a prominent citizen of Detroit.

George H. Cummings spent many years of his life in his native city. He attended the district schools and also the Goodrich and Flint high schools and then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for several years near his home. He afterward turned his attention to merchandising by conducting a general store at North Branch, but later sold his business and took up the study of law. Subsequently he became engaged in the real estate business and found it a congenial field of operation.

The last twenty-five years of Mr. Cummings' life were spent in Detroit and here he engaged in the metal furniture business, while to some extent he continued his operations in real estate, which he found to be a lucrative line. He was the organizer and promoter of the Detroit Rack Company and built up a business of large proportions, which he sold a short time prior to his death, his attention being given during his remaining days to his real estate interests. He was a most thorough and systematic man in all of his business undertakings. He neglected no detail and at the same time gave due attention to the principal points and interests of his manufactur- ing plant.

The religious faith of the Cummings family was that of the Congregational church, while Mrs. Rocka- fellow, the sister of Mr. Cummings, is now a member of the Congregational church. It was with her that Mr. Cummings resided, and there his death occurred on the 7th of June, 1920, his remains being taken back to his home town of Goodrich for burial. All through his career Mr. Cummings had displayed the utmost thoughtfulness for others. He was constantly extending a helping hand and his nature was one of extreme kindliness. He was quiet, modest and retiring, never seeking public office nor public notice, but was constantly on the alert for the opportunity to do good to his fellows. . In his will he remembered the home and foreign missionary societies of the Michi- gan conference of the Congregational church and also Olivet College at Olivet, Michigan, institutions in which his mother was extremely interested. The major part of the estate which he had accumulated was left to endow a home for crippled children. The amount was a million dollars, believed to be the largest testamentary gift for such a purpose ever made in the city of Detroit. He had long cherished the hope of founding a large charity and this hope met its fulfillment in the terms of his will which leaves the greater part of his fortune to the splendid work

indicated. It will always stand as a monument to its founder and benefactor and the name of George H. Cummings will be known and honored by hundreds of the unfortunate who have suffered at the hands of a cruel fate. George H. Cummings builded his own success. He rose from a humble position in the financial world to rank with the millionaires, but at the same time he builded a character that will endure in his good work, for never did prosperity warp his kindly nature.

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The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 101

Author: Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932, ed; Stocking, William, 1840- joint ed; Miller, Gordon K., joint ed Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Detroit-Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 1022

Author: Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932, ed; Stocking, William, 1840- joint ed; Miller, Gordon K., joint ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Detroit-Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1022