USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 103
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CHARLES WILLIAM CASGRAIN, clerk of the recorder's court at Detroit and a member of the bar of the city since 1883, was born in Canada on the 24th of May, 1859, and spent his youthful days in the home of his parents, Hon. Charles E. and Char- lotte (Chase) Casgrain. Liberal educational oppor- tunities were accorded him. His preliminary course was followed by study in Assumption College in 1879 and thereafter he entered upon the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1883. In the same year he opened an office in Detroit, where he has engaged in practice for thirty-seven years, and from 1890 until 1892 he filled the office of city attorney. He has remained in the general practice of law and in September, 1919, he was appointed by Judge Wilkins
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to the office of clerk of the recorder's court, in which capacity he is now serving.
On the 25th of February, 1886, in Detroit, Mr. Casgrain was married to Miss Annie Hammond and their children are: Charlotte Chase, Adelaide, Ham- mond and Wilfred. The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Cas- grain belongs to the Catholic Club of New York. He also has membership in the Detroit Athletic, Detroit Boat and Detroit Clubs and with the Knights of Columbus. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party, but he has neither sought nor de- sired office outside the strict path of his profession.
FRANK J. WHITNEY was born in Owosso, Michi- gan, September 14, 1873, and was educated in the schools of Owosso and of Laingsburg. During the succeeding fifteen years he was identified with a hardware business in Laingsburg. In 1906 he entered the real estate field in Detroit and for the past fifteen years has been highly successful in the business. His independent operations have covered subdividing and general real estate. He is well known as a builder of large warehouses throughout the country for such nationally known concerns as the F. J. Heinz Pickle Company, the Simmons Bed Company, the Western Electric Company, the Westinghouse Electric Company and others.
Mr. Whitney is the president of the Whitney-Hol- linger Company, organized in November, 1919, for the purpose of subdividing and developing land adjacent to the city of Detroit. This is a Michigan corporation, capitalized at one million dollars. Thomas T. Hollin- ger, for some years a partner of Mr. Whitney, is vice president, with Calvin T. Graves as secretary and John A. Grogan, United States collector of in- ternal revenue, as treasurer. This company 's opera- tions have been confined chiefly to development in the Grand River avenue and the Bloomfield Hills sections and is one of large extent and importance. It is to this business that Mr. Whitney's energies are chiefly devoted, although he is also identified with the Detroit Real Estate Security Company as its president and is president of the Detroit Fence Machine Company, vice president and one of the founders of the Chesaning National Bank and also has other important financial interests.
Mr. Whitney is a Consistory Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine, also a trustee of the Detroit Baptist Union and a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce. He belongs to the Detroit Automobile Club, to the Fellowcraft Athletic Club and the Old Colony Club. A determined diligence and stanch integ- rity have been the salient features of his business career and the passing years have chronicled his steady advance until he is today a prominent figure in real estate circles in Detroit.
Mr. Whitney is the only son of Jared and Carrie (Stichler) Whitney, both of whom were natives of
the state of New York but established themselves as pioneers in Michigan in the period of early devel- opment here. Jared Whitney was engaged in the egg, butter and cheese business in Owosso for some years and afterward removed to Laingsburg, where he con- ducted a general merchandise business to the time of his death in 1882. Mrs. Carrie Whitney, his widow, resided in the old homestead in Laingsburg until her death in March, 1921. The only sister of Frank J. Whitney is Mrs. Lyda M. Zander, a resident of Sag- inaw, Michigan.
In 1900 Frank J. Whitney was united in marriage to Miss Louise Shepherd, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Shepherd of St. Charles, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney have one son, Earl C., born in Owosso, Michigan, and educated in Detroit. He saw war serv- ice in France as corporal with the Twenty-sixth United States Engineers and he is now associated with his father in the building division of his business. Michi- gan numbers Frank J. Whitney among her native sons who have been most active in promoting her up- building along lines leading to future development.
ARTHUR S. DUMONT. One of the foremost figures in commercial circles of Detroit is Arthur S. Dumont, president of Dumont, Roberts & Company, grain mer- chants, in which connection he is controlling extensive and important interests. He has also acquired large real estate holdings and is a man whose plans are carefully formulated and promptly executed. Along the path of opportunity open to all he has achieved notable success, his progress being largely due to his excellent business judgment and foresight. Mr. Dumont was born in Albany, New York, April 13, 1873, a son of William L. and Rosina (Castle) Dumont, who in 1876 removed to Decatur, Illinois.
It was in the latter city that Arthur S. Dumont, the only son in the family, acquired his early educa- tion and after completing his public school course he entered the University of Michigan as a member of the class of 1895. In 1897 he formed a partnership with C. A. Burks and four years later the business
was incorporated. In 1903 Mr. Dumont assumed entire charge of the affairs of the company, which had undergone reverses due to unwise management, and under his capable direction the business has en- joyed a continuous growth, having now reached very large proportions. The company has a large trade in the United States and also operates extensively in Canada, the field of its activities extending from Windsor, Ontario, to Sydney, Nova Scotia. The com- pany handles in the neighborhood of three million bushels of grain annually, one-half of its business being done in Canada. It is one of the largest enterprises of the kind in the country. From its organ- ization Mr. Dumont has been president of the com- pany and the present extensive undertaking stands as a monument to his initiative spirit and marked ex- ecutive ability. He has also directed his activities
FRANK J WHITNEY
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into other channels, has acquired large real estate holdings, and has become well known through his development of the Dumont subdivision, an attractive suburban district of the city. He has likewise made profitable investments in western property and is characterized by his ability to think in large terms and to carry out his plans to successful completion.
In April, 1898, Mr. Dumont was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Roberts of Decatur, Illinois, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Rachel, who was born June 30, 1900. He is a republican in his political views and his standing in commercial circles of Detroit is indicated by the fact that during 1911 and 1912 he served as president of the Board of Trade, of which he is at present one of the directors, and he is also a valued member of the Board of Com- merce. He is deeply interested in everything that tends to promote civic progress and development and his influence is at all times on the side of advance- ment and improvement. He possesses those qualities which make for personal popularity and is a prom- inent member of the Detroit Club, the Detroit Boat Club, the Grosse Pointe Country Club, and the Oak- land Hills Country Club, and he is fond of all kinds of athletic sports. The force of his personality, the keenness of his insight and the soundness of his judgment have brought him to a position of promi- nence among the city's strong and able business men, and while he has gained financial independence, he has also been a factor in promoting the growth and improvement of Detroit, where he is widely known and highly esteemed. Mr. Dumont resided for several years on Edison avenue, prior to taking up his resi- dence in the Pasadena, where he now lives.
EUGENE TELFER, president and manager of the Telfer Coffee Company, wholesale dealers in coffee and tea, was born in Detroit, December 23, 1883, his parents being Edward and Lois (Hanford) Telfer, the former a native of Canada, while the latter was born in Rochester, New York. The father's birth occurred in Oshawa, Ontario, June 13, 1850, his parents being James and Marion (Williamson) Telfer. He was educated in the public schools of Ontario and in the Commercial Business College of Detroit, having removed to this city from Canada in 1869. His first position after entering the business world was in con- nection with the lumber-yard of the Michigan Central Railroad during the winter of 1869-70. He was after- ward employed in the stockyards of the same road in 1870-71 and later engaged on a steamboat plying between Escanaba, Michigan, and Chicago, in 1872. The following year he returned to Detroit and from April until September, 1873, was in the employ of James Beeson, a commission merchant. He after- ward entered the wholesale grocery house of Walter J. Gould & Company, with whom he was associated until 1885, when he removed to Grand Rapids, Mich- igan, and organized the Telfer Spice Company, there Vol. III-57
continuing in business until 1892, when he again came to Detroit and formed a partnership with Walter J. Gould & Company. From this connection he with- drew in 1898 and in the following year organized the Telfer Coffee Company and took up the business of importing coffee and tea. He became a leading factor in the coffee trade of the city, conducting an extensive wholesale business. He imported the green coffee, which was roasted at his plant, and he devel- oped an extensive jobbing trade in both coffee and tea. He remained at the head of the business for many years but at length retired, turning over the business to his son, since which time he has enjoyed a well earned rest in Detroit. His first wife passed away in 1904. He was married twice. On the 25th of December, 1881, in Rochester, New York, he wedded Lois Hanford, who died in 1904, leaving two sons, Eugene and Edward Hollister. On the 10th of Feb- ruary, 1908, he married Clara Foljon and they became the parents of two children, James F. and Marion. The father enjoys a reputation as one of the substan- tial business men and highly respected residents of Detroit. He has always given his political support to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally he is a Mason and is a past commander of Detroit Com- mandery, No. 1, K. T. He likewise holds member- ship in the Detroit Curling Club and was its presi- dent in 1906.
Engene Telfer of this review, attended the publie and high schools of Detroit and afterward pursued a two years' course in the University of Michigan. He then returned to his home and became associated with his father in business. He worked his way upward through the various departments, thoroughly learning every phase of the coffee and tea trade, and upon his father's retirement he became the presi- dent and treasurer of the Telfer Coffee Company, which was incorporated in November, 1899. His as- sociate officers are Manley Jones, vice president, and Paul J. Develin, secretary. They employ from four- teen to twenty people and have a complete coffee roasting plant in their own building at Eighth and Lafayette streets. The most progressive business methods are followed in conducting the trade and the house sustains an unassailable reputation for the integrity as well as the enterprise of its business methods.
Mr. Telfer was united in marriage to Miss Emma Warner at Grand Rapids, Michigan, on the 7th of July, 1905. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Warner and by their marriage they have become the parents of two children: Lois Hanford, who was born in Detroit in 1906 and is now attending the Northern high school; and Richard W., who was born in June, 1908, and is also in school.
Mr. Telfer maintains an independent attitude in politics. He belongs to the Fellowcraft Athletic Club, also to the Detroit Curling Club, to the Detroit Phil-
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atelic Society and to the Sigma Chi fraternity. He has been a lifelong resident of the city in which he still makes his home and is highly esteemed as a progressive and representative business man, while his social qualities are such as make for popularity among a wide circle of friends.
SHIRLEY HART PITCHER, who for more than a decade has been a member of the Detroit Real Estate Board and for many years has conducted a growing and profitable real estate business in this city, was born at Eagle, Wisconsin, October 21, 1877, a son of Jerome H. and Harriet (Hart) Pitcher. He obtained a public school education in his native town and was reared on a farm to the age of twenty years, but thinking to find better business opportunities in other connections, he spent ten years as a traveling salesman in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, rep- resenting the Smith-Premier and the Remington Type- writer Companies, also the typewriting firm of L. C. Smith & Brothers.
Mr. Pitcher became a resident of Detroit in the fall of 1905 and in the following spring turned his at- tention to the real estate business, in which he has since engaged. As the years have passed he has gained a large clientage and has won a prominent position among the real estate dealers of the city. His high standing is indicated in the fact that for more than ten years he has been continued as a member of the Detroit Real Estate Board and he is also identified with the state and national associations.
On the 12th of October, 1912, Mr. Pitcher was married to Miss Henrietta Southworth of Grand Ledge, Michigan, and they now have a son, David Jerome, born November 23, 1917, in Detroit. The fam- ily residence is at No. 678 Lawrence avenue in Detroit. If Mr. Pitcher has a hobby it can be said to be shooting, and he is a member of the Pastime Gun Club and the Birmingham Gun Club. In politics he is a republican and he belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce, thus manifesting his interest in all things that have to do with the welfare, progress and upbuilding of the city.
FREDERICK WILLIAM PEARCE. Extensive amusement enterprises claim the time and attention of Frederick W. Pearce, operating as Josiah Pearce & Sons, with general offices in the Equity building, Detroit. He is principally engaged in the construc- tion and operation of roller coasters, old mill and other outdoor park amusements, in which his remark- able success has been due to his initiative and forceful personality, combined with dynamic executive ability.
The firm of Josiah Pearce & Sons, was organized in 1902, by the father and his two sons, Frederick William and J. Engene. The company was a pioneer in the motion picture industry, operating the third moving picture theatre in the United States and the first one south of the Mason and Dixon line. They have constructed and operated theatres in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Memphis, Tennessee; Vicksburg, Mis- sissippi; Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama; New Or- leans, Lake Charles and Monroe, Louisiana; Port Arthur, Dallas and Houston, Texas, and at one time operated seven motion picture houses in New Orleans, where they maintained their general offices until 1918. They also operated the largest independent film ex- change in the United States.
In 1906 they turned their attention to outdoor amusements, erecting some of the largest roller coast- ers in the world. They have constructed coasters and other riding devices at Boston and Springfield, Massa- chusetts; Bridgeport, Connecticut; Baltimore, Mary- land; Norfolk, Virginia; Patterson, New Jersey; Lex- ington, Kentucky; Detroit and Sugar Island, Michi- gan; Chicago, Illinois; Lincoln, Nebraska, and Denver, Colorado.
After the death of the father in 1918 the motion picture interests and film exchange were taken over by J. Eugene Pearce, while Frederick William Pearce took over the coasters and other outdoor amusement enterprises, establishing his general offices in Detroit, which has been his headquarters for a number of years.
In addition to being the head of the several corpo- rations subsidiary to Josiah Pearce & Sons, he is a director of the Ingersoll Engineering & Construction Corporation and is constantly adding to his extensive interests, having several new enterprises under way at the present time.
In November, 1915, Mr. Pearce was united in mar- riage to Miss Ethel Hayward of New Orleans, Louisi- ana, and they have become the parents of two chil- dren: Ethel Hayward, who was born March 6, 1917; and Frederick William, Jr., who was born February 6, 1920.
He is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and a director of the National Association of Amuse- ment Parks, and is fraternally identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masons, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree.
He is an enterprising, alert and progressive young man, whose extensive interests and success in his chosen line entitles him to classification with Detroit's prominent citizens and men of affairs.
EDGAR RAYMOND, a member of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Michigan, in which state he has spent his life, has attained high standing in business circles of Detroit, being at the head of a large undertaking establishment. In the conduct of
Mr. Pearce was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1885, a son of Josiah and Emma (Clapp) Pearce, who reared a family of eight children, four of whom survive. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, where he continued to reside until he entered business in association with his father. ' his business interests he is alert, enterprising and pro-
FREDERICK W. PEARCE
ONE OF THE MANY LARGE ROLLER COASTERS BUILT AND OPERATED BY FRED W. PEARCE
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gressive and success in substantial measure has re- warded his efforts. He was born in Lapeer and is a son of Archibald and Elizabeth (Clute) Raymond, who were pioneers of Michigan. As a boy the father at- tended a school in which all of the pupils, with the exception of four, were Indians, for in those early days the red men far outnumbered the white settlers. On reaching maturity he devoted his attention to farm- ing, hewing a farm out of the wilderness, and to its development and cultivation he devoted many years. In the maternal line the great-grandmother of the subject of this review was a native of New York state and the grandmother was a member of the Bea- gle family. The great-grandfather drove with an ox team from New York to Detroit and after reaching this city his rifle was stolen from his wagon. The family settled in Genesee county, Michigan, becoming numbered among the very early settlers of the state.
Edgar Raymond pursued his education in the public schools of his native state and has remained through- out his life a diligent student, becoming well informed on a variety of subjects, including bookkeeping, ge- ology and astronomy. In 1893 he became identified with the undertaking business in connection with V. Geist & Son, with whom he remained for five years. On the expiration of that period he became associated with E. H. Patterson, one of the pioneer undertakers of Detroit, continuing until the latter's demise, having been admitted to a partnership relation in 1916. Fol- lowing the death of his partner Mr. Raymond suc- ceeded to the business, which he has since successfully conducted. He has been at his present location on Fourth avenue for a period of nineteen years and has justly won a place among the leading business men of Detroit. He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the undertaking business, owing to his long connec- tion therewith, and is bending every energy to the legitimate advancement of his interests. He is tactful, courteous and obliging in dealing with the public and he is conducting one of the leading undertaking estab- lishments of the city, being accorded a most liberal patronage.
In 1895 Mr. Raymond was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Sullivan and they have become the par- ents of three daughters: Agnes; Zeila, now the wife of Raymond Radimaker; and Eileen. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and has passed through all of the chairs of the order, being a past chancellor commander. He is also connected with the Modern Brotherhood, the Knights of The Maccabees and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Jubilee Lodge, No. 482, of the last named organi- zation. He takes a deep interest in all that has to do with publie progress and his aid and influence are always on the side of advancement and improvement. He is a man of broad views, who keeps in touch with all questions that are of vital significance to man- kind and constitute factors in our advancing civiliza- tion. With industry and determination as dominant
qualities he has made steady progress in the business world and his record is one that any man might be proud to possess, being characterized at all times by strict honesty and integrity.
CHARLES M. CARRAN, a leading figure in grain trade circles, was born in Oakland county, Michigan, September 21, 1557, and is a son of James and Anne (Herbage) Carran, whose family numbered five chil- dren.
Charles M. Carran attended the public schools of his native connty and upon the completion of his education he entered the employ of a Mr. Jossman, proprietor of a general merchandise store at Clarkston, Michigan, with whom he remained for about eleven years as an employe and was then admitted to a part- nership, continuing in that connection for four years.
Iu 1883 Mr. Carran came to Detroit and initiated his business career in this city by joining the firm of Lichtenberg & Sons, general commission merchants, whom he represented in a elerical capacity for about three years. He was afterward a traveling salesman for George C. Langdon, malt operator, for a corre- sponding period of time. In 1890 he entered into part- nership with Aaron Conn and engaged in the grain commission trade under the firm style of Carran & Coun. This association was maintained until 1895, when the firm of Caughey & Carran was organized, the business being carried on by them under a partnership relation until 1912, when they incorporated their in- terests under the name of Caughey, Carran & Company, of which he became vice president. In recent years Mr. Carran has been operating alone, dealing directly with the farmers and handling his grain through the medium of country elevators in which he is interested. He buys and sells throughout the country and is today at the head of a business of large volume, being recog- nized as one of the prominent grain operators in the state.
In 1891 Mr. Carran was united in marriage to Elvira Morris, who has passed away. He belongs to the Detroit Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the Board of Trade and the Masonic order, and his political en- dorsement is given to the republican party. He has a host of social and business friends, being widely known in Michigan, where he has spent his life. Mr. Carran resides at No. 658 West Forest avenue.
GEORGE STROH. The manufacturing interests of Detroit found a worthy representative in George Stroh, whose position in business circles was an envia- ble one, his course at all times having commanded for him the respect, confidence and goodwill of all who knew him. Mr. Stroh was born in Detroit on April 15th, 1861, son of Bernhard and Eleanor (Houser) Stroh. He completed his schooling in the German- American Seminary and the Detroit Business Cơ]- lege. After leaving school he went west and for several years was located at various points, principally
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in Colorado, where he was engaged in mining ventures. His identification with the manufacturing interests of Detroit began in 1888 when he became general superintendent and director of the Michigan Ammonia Works, and continued in that capacity for thirty years, until his demise.
Mr. Stroh was the prime factor in the organization of the American Tap Bush Company and served as secretary and treasurer of the corporation from the time of its inception. He was also one of the organ- izers of the American Evaporator Company, of which he became president and was also organizer and president of the Detroit Overall Company, which was later merged with the H. L. Willing Company, Mr. Stroh becoming vice president of the new corporation.
On August 5, 1887, Mr. Stroh was married to Miss Lillie A. Benoit of Detroit and they became parents of four children: Eleanor, who is the wife of Arthur E. Cole of Detroit, and they have two sons, James and Robert; Irene; George, Jr., secretary and treasurer of the American Tap Bush Company; and Adele.
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