USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 104
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115
Mr. Stroh was a republican in his political views but cared little for polities beyond the casting of his vote. He was a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and in Masonry attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite and was a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He also belonged to the Elks and was a member of the Munoskong Hunting and Fishing Club. The death of Mr. Stroh occurred on May 12, 1916.
CHARLES P. PARSONS, numbered among the lead- ing representatives of industrial interests in Detroit, is the president of the England Manufacturing Com- pany, which has built up a business of gratifying pro- portions in metal stamping and automobile accessories. His birth occurred in St. Clair, Michigan, April 8, 1878, his parents being Warren J. and Jennie (Husel) Parsons. His paternal grandfather settled in St. Clair, Michigan, in 1850, and the old farm is still in possession of the family.
Charles P. Parsons acquired his education in the public schools of his native city and remained on the home farm until eighteen years of age, when he took up the work of salesmanship, being for some time employed as a salesman in various lines. During the years 1899 and 1900 he was engaged in mining in the Cripple Creek district but with the exception of that period has been continuously identified with the busi- ness interests of Detroit. He became purchasing agent for the Monroe Manufacturing Company and subse- quently accepted the position of chief elerk in the body division of the Cadillac Motor Company, from which position he resigned to become purchasing agent of the C. R. Wilson Body Company, holding this position two years, while through the succeeding five years he was in charge of the metal stamping work of the Fisher Body Corporation. In November, 1918, he purchased a third interest in the England Manufactur-
ing Company, becoming its vice president and general manager, and on the 1st of January, 1920, was made president thereof. This is the only plant in the world that specializes in the manufacture of a one-piece door panel for automobile bodies. The business is steadily growing under the capable direction of Mr. Parsons, who eondnets his interests along most pro- gressive and modern lines and has made for himself a creditable place among the foremost manufacturers of the city.
In early manhood Mr. Parsons was united in mar- riage to Miss Jennie M. Bathey, a representative of an old and well known family of Michigan. It was her grandfather who built the Gratiot road. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons are the parents of five sons, namely: Warren A., Ralph E., Walter W., Charles F. and Arnold J.
In his political views Mr. Parsons is a stanch re- publican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church, to which his wife and children also belong. He became one of the charter members of the Island Country Club, with which he is still identified as a director. He is also a member of the Board of Commerce. He possesses social qualities which have gained him many warm friends and is uniformly esteemed and respected. Mr. Parsons' residence at No. 2309 LaSalle Gardens, South, is one of the attractive homes in that choice resi- dential section.
LESLIE CLAYTON HATCHER. One of the most popular clothiers of Detroit is Leslie Clayton Hatcher, of the firm of Hughes & Hatcher, controlling a busi- ness of extensive proportions, the store in every way measuring up to the highest standards of this line of trade. From a clerkship Mr. Hatcher has worked his way upward, the steps of an orderly progression bringing him to the point of leadership which he now occupies.
Of Canadian birth, the place of his nativity is Comber, Ontario, and the date, October 20, 1886. He is a son of Thomas and Amy Bessie (Mellish) Hateber, the former a native of Bradford, Canada, and the latter of England. In her girlhood days the mother came to the new world and was married in Canada, where the family home was maintained for many years. The father was a manufacturer of fine carriages and other vehicles and both he and his wife have now passed away. They were parents of two sons, one of whom is Harold R. Hatcher, who resides in Cuba, a grower of oranges, grapefruit and small stuff.
Leslie C. Hatcher, the other son, attended the graded and high schools in his native city, after which he became a buyer for the Oak Hall stores of St. Thomas and Windsor. Later he went on the road as a travel- ing salesman for a men's wholesale furnishing goods house of Toronto, his territory being west of that eity. In his field he made Detroit and at the end of the first year he took up his abode in this city
CHARLES P. PARSONS
905
CITY OF DETROIT
and became a salesman in one of the well known clothing and gents' furuishing stores, with which he remained for a period of about four years. He then entered into partnership with Fred A. Hughes, under the firm style of Hughes & Hatcher, opening their store in 1911 and handling an extensive line of eloth- iug and men's furnishings. The business has since grown to very extensive proportions, so that they now employ more than forty experienced sales people. The entire building which they occupy is devoted to the business of the firm. It was erected a few years ago and theirs is one of the exclusive clothes shops of the city. Their building is one of the finest of its kind in Detroit and they cater to the high-class trade, carrying the numerous styles with just that dash and vigor which appeal to the young, together with the more conservative designs in rich, quiet materials that lend an air of refinement and culture appealing to every man of good taste.
On the 20th of September, 1911, Mr. Hatcher was married to Miss Florence Glennie Pulfer of Walker- ville, Ontario, and they have become parents of two children: Jean, who was born in Detroit, in 1915; and Jack, in 1919.
Mr. Hatcher gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and his religious faith is that of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and the Detroit Credit Men's As- sociation and through these organizations is cooperat- ing in all of the plans for the city's upbuilding, the ex- tension of its trade relations and the maintenance of its high civic standards. He is also a member of the Oakland Hills Country Club. In Masonry he has taken the degrees of the Consistory and of the Mystic Shrine. He turns to hunting and fishing for recreation but is never neglectful of business and his close appli- cation and indefatigable energy have been the salient features in the attainment of success that has given the firm of Hughes & Hatcher a position of leader- ship in the commercial circles of Detroit.
HARRY COHEN. Among the younger members of the Detroit bar who are demonstrating that thorough training, close application and laudable ambition spell success in law practice, is Harry Cohen, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1892. He is a son of Maurice Bernard and Nellie (Sohn) Cohen, the former an etcher by profession. The son was edu- cated in the Central high school of Philadelphia and in 1911 came to Detroit. Here he entered the De- troit College of Law, completing his course of study with the class of 1914. Through the intervening period of six years he has engaged in the general practice of law and has gained a clientage that many an older representative of the bar might well envy. He is proving competent to handle important and in- volved legal problems, the court records bearing testi- mony to his efficiency in the trial of a case.
On the 15th of September, 1918, Mr. Cohen was
married to Miss Florence Greenberg of Chicago, 1Il- inois. A few days before, on the 7th of September, 1918, he had enlisted for service in the United States army, going to Camp Custer, Michigan. He became a corporal of his command and was discharged on the 1st of December, 1919. Fraternally Mr. Cohen is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the In- dependent Order of B'nai B'rith. Along professional lines he has counection with the Detroit Bar Asso- ciation and with the Lawyers' Club.
WALTER W. SMITH, who since 1884 has been engaged in the real estate business in Detroit and whose high position is indicated in the fact that he is now president of the Detroit Real Estate Board, was born on a farm in Washtenaw county, Michigan, October 10, 1863, and is a son of John S. and Cordelia (Bruce) Smith. His youthful days were spent under the parental roof and he acquired a common school education while through the summer months he worked in the fields and became thoroughly familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On attaining his majority, however, he left home and made his way to Detroit, where he worked for J. L. McCloud for his board and attended the old Bryant & Stratton Business College. After leaving college he began work for Mr. MeCloud at sixteen dollars per month and board. The arrange- ment, however, did not prove a satisfactory one and he later returned to his home but afterward came again to Detroit and entered the real estate business in 1886. In 1901 he took a position in the real estate and loan department of the Citizens Savings Bank, with which he continued until 1910, when that bank was consolidated with the Dime Bank. In the same vear Mr. Smith entered iuto a real estate partnership with the late Arthur Bassett, who died in 1916 and was succeeded by his son, Arthur F. Bassett. They have handled a large amount of acreage near Dearborn and Pontiac. They were also pioneers in subdivision work between Detroit and Royal Oak. For thirty- six years Mr. Smith has been continuously engaged in real estate dealing and also handles loans and fire insurance. There are few men whose knowledge of realty conditions is as comprehensive and exact as is that of Mr. Smith, whose high position in business circles is indicated in his election to the presidency of the Detroit Real Estate Board, to which he was elected in December, 1919. He is also a member of the Michigan State and National Real Estate Asso- ciations.
On the 26th of April, 1894, Mr. Smith was united in marriage in Detroit to Miss Beulah Havens and their children are: Raymond H., who was born in Detroit, July 13, 1899, and is now a student in the University of Michigan; and Adelaide. Mr. Smith is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and belongs also to the Detroit Athletic Club, the Ingle- side Club and the Detroit Automobile Club. He has
906
CITY OF DETROIT
attained high rank in Masonry, having taken the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and aside from the consistory he has membership with the Mystic Shrine. He is also a life member of the Masonic Country Club.
Mr. Smith has been very prominently connected with the work of the Baptist church, having member- ship in the Woodward Avenue Baptist church, serving as chairman of the board of trustees and doing every- thing in his power to promote its varions activities, extend its influence and advance its growth. He is serving as one of the deacons of the church and he is also treasurer of the Michigan Baptist Convention, on the board of trustees of Kalamazoo College, a mem- ber of the board of trustees of the Baptist Ministers' Aid Society, a member of the board of directors of the New Church" World Movement, president of the De- troit Baptist Union and a member of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association. His life activities have never beeu confined to those interests which have to do merely with the material development of the community but have reached out along broadening lines of usefulness, reform, advance- ment and improvement for the benefit of his fellow- men and the adoption of higher moral standards.
EDWARD F. KLEIN, president and treasurer of the Michigan Plumbing Supply Company, was born in Detroit, October 18, 1872, his parents being Charles W. and Mary (Klavon) Klein, both of whom were natives of Germany, but came to Detroit in 1870. The father was identified with the Michigan Stained Glass Company for many years and later entered mercan- tile business, while for four years he was prominent in public life as one of the aldermen of the city under Mayor Pingree. During his term of service he intro- duced various important measures for the good of the city. He was chairman of the parks and boulevards committee and was instrumental in securing various sites for city parks and also instrumental in converting a number of public highways into boulevards, connect- ing the park system and providing beautiful drive- ways for the city. He died in Detroit in February, 1916, at the age of sixty-two years, while his wife passed away in 1911, at the age of fifty-six. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, five of whom are living: George J., Edward F., Mrs. Charles Priebe, Mrs. Charles J. Goldner, Jr., and Mrs. Leonard Bogardus, all of Detroit. Two sons, Walter and Alfred P., are deceased.
In early youth Edward F. Klein attended the Web- ster school and afterward was a student in the Central high school, while later he continued his education in the University of Michigan and in the Detroit Busi- ness University, being graduated from the latter in- stitution in 1890. He started out in the business world as a stenographer with James Walker & Son, and remained with that house for fifteen years. He re- signed to become Detroit branch manager for the
Federal-Huber Company of Chicago, and thus served until May, 1910, when he purchased the business of what is now the Michigan Plumbing Supply Company, then a small, struggling concern. He began the task of building up the industry, which has become one of the important houses in this line in Detroit, with Mr. Klein as president and manager from the incor- poration. The company is engaged in the wholesale distribution of plumbing and heating supplies, pipes, etc., and the business has now reached gratifying proportions. Mr. Klein's thorough understanding of the trade aud his close application have been potent elements in the attainment of the present success of the enterprise.
On the 18th of August, 1896, Mr. Klein was mar- ried to Miss Emma E. Ellman, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Ellman. Mrs. Klein was born in England and was educated iu Detroit, coming to this city in early girlhood. Two children have been born of this marriage: Vera Lillian, who was born June 23, 1898, and was graduated from the Western high school of Detroit; and Edgar Richard, who was born March 9, 1901, and also attended the Western high school.
In politics Mr. Klein is a republican. Fraternally he is a Mason, having taken the degrees of both the York and Scottish Rites, becoming a Knights Templar of Damascus Commandery, and a Consistory Mason, and he is also a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks, and his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the Presbyterian church. He is interested in all those forces which make for civic righteousness and improvement and for the benefit and uplift of the individual. His own career illustrates the force and value of industry, en- terprise aud integrity, for these qualities have been the salient features in the attainment of his present- day prosperity. Mr. Klein's residence is 4201 Bran- don avenue.
JOHN M. CORBIN, a prominent banker and lead- ing attorney, passed away on the 18th of June, 1909, after a residence of six years in this city. Prior to coming to Detroit he made his home at Eaton Rapids, Michigan, where for forty years he was identified with the banking business, being for two decades president of the Michigan State Bank. His birth oc- curred in the state of New York on the 8th of Sep- tember, 1844, his parents being Israel H. and Elmira (Mills) Corbin, who reared a family of five children. The father became a well known lawyer of Michigan. He assisted in the organization of the republican party at Jackson, this state. The family comes of New England ancestry.
John M. Corbin attended the public and high schools in the acquirement of an education and completed his studies in a private institution known as the Charlotte Academy. In young manhood he began reading law with the firm of Crane & Montgomery,
EDWARD F. KLEIN
909
CITY OF DETROIT
well known attorneys of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and on the 20th of June, 1870, was admitted to the bar of this state. He had gained his initial knowledge of legal principles by reading under the preceptor- ship of his father and was well trained for the solu- tion of the intricate problems of the profession when he entered upon practice at Eaton Rapids. There he remained an active and successful representative of the legal fraternity for more than three decades or until 1901, when seeking a broader field, he took up his abode in Detroit. Here he was accorded an ex- tensive and gratifying clientage in recognition of his pronounced ability and professional learning. In con- nection with his professional activity he was identified with banking interests at Eaton Rapids for forty years and during half of that period acted as president of the Michigan State Bank of that city, the institution enjoying continued growth and success under his capa- ble guidance.
Mr. Corbin was twice married. He first wedded Miss Helen M. Scott, who passed away April 4, 1877, leav- ing two children, one dying in infancy and the other died at the age of eight years. On the 18th of September, 1878, Mr. Corbiu was united in marriage to Miss Artie Scott, a double cousin of his first wife. The latter is the daughter of Daniel and Susan H. (Covert) Scott, representing a prominent New York family. John M. and Artie (Scott) Corbin became the parents of a daughter, Anna L., who is the wife of Charles A. Hughes, a prominent citizen of Detroit and the secretary of the Detroit Athletic Club. To Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have been born two children: Harriet Jane, whose birth occurred. March 10, 1912; and Mary C., whose natal day was March 4, 1915.
In his political views Mr. Corbin was a stanch republican, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the North Woodward Congregational church, to which his widow and daughter also belong. He was an exemplary Mason and likewise belonged to the Detroit Golf Club and the Fellowcraft Club, while in the strict path of his profession he was iden- tified with the Eaton County Bar Association, the Detroit Bar Association and the American Bar Asso- ciation. His demise occurred at Eaton Rapids, Mich- igan, where his remains were laid to rest. Mrs. Cor- bin resides at No. 159 Taylor avenue, Detroit.
HUGO MILLER, one of Detroit's enterprising and progressive young business men, who is now secretary and treasurer of the firm of H. Scherer & Company, started out upon his business career as an office boy with the firm of which he is now one of the executives. He was born in Detroit, January 27, 1885, and was educated in the public schools to the age of thirteen years, when he started out to provide for his own support. At that time he made his initial step in the business world by securing the position of office boy with the firm of H. Seherer & Company. Grad- ually he has worked his way upward. His developing
powers, his fidelity to the interests of the house, his interest in his work and his capability won him promo- tion from time to time and at different periods he served as billing elerk, as stenographer, as bookkeeper, as auditor and in 1910 was elected to official position, being made secretary and treasurer. He is thus active in directing the policy and promoting the development of the business with which he has been associated for twenty-four years. Ife is also the secretary of the Detroit Forging Company, which is controlled from the office of H. Scherer & Company, and he is likewise the secretary of the H. Scherer Land Company, which was organized in 1916.
Mr. Miller is a member of the Fellowcraft Club and also of the Detroit Athletic Club. During the World war he had charge of all patriotic work and subscriptions for the firm and the results achieved in this direction were most excellent. He is a young man of marked enterprise and of notable devotion to the general good, giving generous aid and support to all plans and projects which look to the better- ment of the community and the welfare of the state.
HENRY ERNEST CANDLER, organizer and man- ager of the Candler Realty Company of Detroit, has throughout his life been a resident of this city, his parents being William R. and Eleanor S. (Van Husan) Candler.
After attending the public schools Henry E. Candler entered the University of Michigan, in which he pur- sued his more specifically literary course, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1892. He then took up the study of law and was graduated in 1894 with the LL. B. degree. He entered at once upon the active practice of his profession but later turned his atten- tion to the banking business, becoming cashier of the Delray Savings Bank, which position he filled for five years. He then entered the general real estate field and in 1910 organized the Candler Realty Com- pany, of which he has since been the manager.
On the 5th of October, 1905, Mr. Candler was mar- ried to Miss Clara Pearl Boyer of Detroit, and they have a son: Joseph Boyer Candler, born July 26, 1907, in Detroit. Mr. Candler finds his recreation in golf and in literature and reads widely. He belongs to the De- troit Athletic Club, also to the Detroit Country Club, the University Club and the Detroit Boat Club. These associations have brought him a wide acquaintance and his friends throughout the city are legion.
ADOLPH W. EHRMAN. The attractiveness of Detroit as a place of residence and the opportunities offered for business advancement are indicated in the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her borders and have here advanced to success through the diligent following out of a course which has made them active factors in the business world. Among this number is Adolph W. Ehrman, public ac- countant, who founded and is the head of the firm of
910
CITY OF DETROIT
A. W. Ehrman & Company and is one of the best known representatives of the profession in Detroit. He was boru January 16, 1867, a son of Michael and Mary (Winstock) Ehrman, both of whom were of European birth. They came to America at an early age, settling in Detroit, where the father afterward engaged in the manufacture of cigars, which he sold to a select trade of smokers. He passed away in Detroit about 1903, and the mother, surviving, is yet a resident of this city. In their family were six children: Mrs. William Rindskopf of Detroit; Jacob W. Ehrman of Detroit; Adolph W. Ehrman of Detroit; Mrs. S. Salberg of Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Bernard Marx of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Miss Delia Ehrman of Detroit, who is best known as a contributor of shopping notes by Deal Ehrman in local publications.
Adolph W. Ehrman attended the public schools of Detroit and afterward became a student in the De- troit Business College, where he qualified for commer- cial work. He then entered the field of banking as an employe of the Commercial National Bank and worked his way upward from a minor position through various departments until he became auditor and later assistant cashier. On leaving the Commercial National he entered the employ of the Old Detroit National as assistant cashier. He was active in the banking business for twenty years, when he resigned and turned his attention to mercantile and manufac- turing lines, in which he was engaged for several years. In 1909 he established an auditing and account- ing business and has since been the sole owner. He has developed his interests along this line until he has a business of extensive proportions, employing from twenty to twenty-five experienced auditors and ac- countants and having a large clientele that embraces many of the prominent business firms and corpora- tions of the city and elsewhere.
In November, 1891, Mr. Ehrman was married in Jackson, Michigan, to Miss Katherine Stinson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Stinson, representa- tives of a prominent family of Jackson, Michigan. They have one child, Hazel Dell, who is the wife of Dr. Charles Joseph Foley, a prominent surgeon of this city. Mrs. Foley was born in Detroit, attended the high school and afterward entered and graduated from St. Mary's College at Monroe, Michigan. Dr. and Mrs. Foley have a daughter, Margaret Mary, born April 19, 1920.
In his political views Mr. Ehrman has been a stal- wart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He belongs to Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M., and also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he has membership in the Ma- sonic Country Club, the Detroit Yacht Club and the Old Colony Club. Mr. Ehrman is interested finan- cially in several Detroit companies and is also a direc- tor in the Grand Lawn Cemetery Association. His life has been passed in this city, where he is well known, and that his course has ever commended him
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.