USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 107
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Mr. Ducharme comes from an honorable and dis- tinguished ancestry and is fortunate in that his lines of life have been cast in harmony therewith. His position in business circles is in accord with that of the family name and position. On the 3d of April, 1894, he wedded Caroline M. Canfield of Detroit, and they have one daughter, Elsie. Their home at 982 Burns avenue is most attractive by reason of its warm-hearted hospitality which is enjoyed by a very extensive circle of friends.
WILLIAM C. STOEPEL, a well known business man of Detroit, has spent practically his entire life in this city although he is a native of Saxony, Ger- many. He was born October 17, 1850, of the marriage of William and Catherine (Koehler) Stoepel, and was brought by his parents to the new world during his infancy, the family home being established in Detroit.
Here at the usual age he became a public school pupil and started out in the business world in an office position with the firm of R. Hawley & Son, maltsters, with whom he remained for seven years, his fidelity and capability being indicated in his long retention in the service of one firm. He afterward became the secretary and treasurer of the Michigan Malleable Iron Company, assuming the duties of that position on its organization and so continuing until 1885. In the latter year he became connected with the firm of A. C. MeGraw & Company and in 1895 the business was reorganized under the name of the Michigan Shoe Company, of which Mr. Stoepel was elected secretary. On the 18th of May, 1898, upon the reorganization of the business, he was elected secretary and treasurer and in 1908 was chosen for the presidency. This company has now practically withdrawn from busi- ness and Mr. Stoepel is giving his attention to his invested interests, being numbered among the retired capitalists of Detroit. His labors have been most carefully directed, and never failing to utilize wisely the opportunities that have come to him, he has in the course of his long connection with business affairs in Detroit made for himself a most creditable posi- tion among the prosperous men of the city.
Mr. Stoepel is a member of the Congregational church. He has largely found his recreation in pe- destrian exercise and in the cultivation of flowers, of which he is a great lover. For sixty-five years he has lived in Detroit, witnessing almost the entire growth and development of the city, and his memory forms a connecting link between the period of village- hood and the present, when Detroit ranks as fourth city of the Union and one of the greatest manufac- turing centers on the face of the globe.
EDWARD POKORNY, a native son of Detroit and an able representative of the bar of this city, has here practiced bis profession since 1905 and in the intervening period has made steady advancement, owing to his close application, untiring energy and natural talent for the work in which he is engaged. He was appointed friend of the court and is also serving as assistant prosecuting attorney, in both of which connections he is making a most creditable record, characterized by the conscientious and efficient discharge of the duties that devolve upon him. He was born July 4, 1879, and acquired his early educa- tion in the public schools of his native city, after which he entered the Detroit College of Law, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905. In the same year he was admitted to the bar of Michigan and entered upon the practice of his profession with Thomas W. Payne, with whom he has since been associated, being for a time in partnership with Mr. Payne. He engages in general practice but has spe- cialized in law pertaining to domestic relations, along which line he is a recognized authority. He is a capable lawyer, well informed in all branches of juris-
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prudence, and his ability is manifest in the logic of his deductions and the clearness of his reasoning. For ten years he was attorney for and in charge of the Legal Aid Bureau of the Detroit Bar Association and when the office of friend of the court was created Mr. Pokorny was chosen to fill the position, in which he has since served. He has charge of the work of promoting the welfare and happiness of children of divorced parents and in this connection is doing most important and valuable work, which touches the very foundation and heart of the nation. He is also at the head of the domestic relations department of the circuit court, which during the year 1920 received over three hundred thousand dollars in alimony pay- ments. He is likewise serving as assistant prosecut- ing attorney and his record as a public official is a most commendable one, characterized at all times by marked devotion to duty.
Mr. Pokorny was united in marriage to Miss Marie Medlin and they have become the parents of a son, John Edward, whose birth occurred on the 15th of March, 1901. He is a member of the class of 1922 of the law department of the University of Detroit. In his political views Edward Pokorny is a stanch re- publican and was active in the councils of his party until his appointment to the office of friend of the court, since which time he has devoted his entire time and attention to his professional interests. In relig- ious faith he is a Presbyterian and fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias. He also be- longs to Havlicek Lodge, and the Detroit Sokol So- ciety, being of Bohemian descent, and has made many addresses to the people of that nationality in Detroit, who number about twelve thousand, speaking to them in their native tongue and inspiring them with the spirit of true Americanism. He is a most public- spirited and patriotic American whose loyalty to his country none can question. He is an able lawyer, a conscientious and efficient public official, and his labors have been attended by results that are far-reaching and beneficial. His life is an exemplary one in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to benefit humanity, while his own personal worth is deserving of the highest com- mendation.
MAX FREDERICK WOLLERING, vice president and general manager of the Studebaker Corporation, automobile manufacturers, is also one of Detroit's well known and most popular citizens. Born in Watertown, Wisconsin, May 12, 1879, he is a son of Frederick and Sophie (Waltman) Wollering. His father was of Eu- ropean birth, his natal day being April 16, 1840. He came to America, however, in the early '50s, taking up his abode in Wisconsin, where he afterward mar- ried Miss Sophie Waltman, who was born in Water- town, that state. He is now a resident of Detroit, and is living retired, having for many years conducted business affairs that brought to him the measure of
success that now enables him to rest from further labors. His wife passed away in Milwaukee, Wis- consin. Their family numbered four sons and a daugh- ter, of whom the following are living: Ernest, a resi- dent of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Oscar, who is with the Ford Motor Company of Detroit; Werner, who is with the Studebaker Corporation; and Max Frederick.
The last named, after acquiring a common school education in Milwaukee, entered upon a four years apprenticeship in the mechanical department of the International Harvester Company, and for two years after completing his term of indenture he continued to work at the bench. On the expiration of that period he took charge of the experimental drafting and tool room for the International Company and occupied that position for two years. He next went to Cleveland, Ohio, and became superintendent of the Thero Foun- dry and Machine Company, remaining in charge of that place for one year. Mr. Wollering next arrived in Detroit and entered the employ of Henry Ford, as superintendent of the Ford Manufacturing Company, having charge of that department in which all of the early Ford motors were built. He continued to serve in that connection for three years and then entered the employ of Walter E. Flanders and William E. Metzger, as superintendent of the E. M. F. Company, manufacturers of the E. M. F. motor cars. He re- mained with the Detroit house and with Mr. Flanders at Pontiac, Michigan, until 1913, when he again came to Detroit, and was made vice president, superintend- ent and general manager of the Studebaker Corpora- tion, builders of the Studebaker cars. This is one of the largest manufacturing establishments devoted to the building of motor cars in the country, and Mr. Wollering as general manager and superintendent has entire charge over this immense business, his word being supreme in connection with the labors of thou- sands of employes. His experience has ever been of a character to qualify him for the responsibilities that now devolve upon him. He is familiar with every branch of mechanical construction having to do with the building of motor cars, and, moreover, he possesses marked executive ability and displays splendid power in administrative direction.
On the 14th of May, 1902, Mr. Wollering was mar- ried to Miss Flora Hilgendorf, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hilgendorf of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have become parents of two children: Elmore F., who was born in Milwaukee, June 29, 1904, and is now attending the Highland Park high school; and Mildred S. A., who was born in Detroit, March 16, 1906, and is a pupil in the parochial school. The religious faith of the family is that of the Lutheran church and fraternally Mr. Wollering is a Mason. He has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise connected with the Detroit Athletic Club and the Detroit Golf Club. He belongs to that class of men who have risen to prominence through their
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own efforts. He may well be termed one of Detroit's captains of industry. His activities have constituted a factor in the industrial growth and development of the city, while at the same time he has promoted his own fortunes as a result of his close application, his thoroughness, his discrimination, and his laudable am- bitions. Detroit classes him with her most forceful and resourceful men, one who is ready to meet any emergency or any circumstance, and one who in every relation of life has stood "foursquare to every wind that blows." Mr. Wollering resides at 36 McLean avenue, Highland Park.
GRANT LYLE COOK is one of the younger repre- sentatives of the Detroit bar who entered upon prac- tice here in 1917. Following his graduation on the completion of a law course in 1917, he joined the army, becoming identified with the aviation branch of the service. He is a native son of Michigan, his birth having occurred in Brant, July 8, 1894, his parents being Theodore Arlington and Edna (Jennings) Cook, the former a cheese and butter manufacturer.
Grant L. Cook obtained his early education in rural schools while spending his boyhood days under the parental roof and also attended the high school at St. Charles, Michigan. He next entered Alma College, where he pursued a two years' literary course, and later became a student in the University of Michigan, where he completed a law course in 1917, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. He had just made the initial step in his profession when he joined the army, becoming a private in the aviation department on the 22d of January, 1918. He received his ground school training at Cornell University and was then sent to Camp Dick at Dallas, Texas, from which place he was transferred to the call fields at Wichita Falls, Texas. He received his discharge on the 14th of December, 1918, and at once returned to Detroit, where he resumed the practice of his pro- fession. He is making substantial progress in this connection, and endowed by nature with keen men- tality and possessing laudable ambition, his friends do not hesitate to predict for him a successful future. He is a member of the Lawyers Club, also of the Felloweraft Club and the American Legion, while his membership relations in the University extend to the Michigama, Griffins, Gamma Eta Gamma, the Archons and the Muse. He greatly enjoys athletic sports and recognizes the fact that an even balance must be maintained between physical and mental development.
KENNETH LOREN WATKINS. While there has been nothing spectacular in the career of Kenneth L. Watkins, there are few men who have risen so rapidly in insurance circles in Detroit, for today he is occupying the position of vice president and man- ager of the large general insurance agency of H. H. Neale & Company, occupying the entire second floor of the Empire building. Mr. Watkins was born at
Grass Lake, Michigan, August, 8, 1881, and is a son of Arthur and Grace E. (Swift) Watkins, both of whom were born at Grass Lake and are now residents of Battle Creek. In earlier life the father was con- nected in an official capacity with the Commonwealth Power Company of Jackson, Michigan. To him and his wife were born two children, the daughter, Fannie, being the wife of Edgar Mulberry of Cleveland, Ohio, who is now with the Packard Motor Company.
In his boyhood days Kenneth L. Watkins attended school in Duluth, Wisconsin, Buffalo, New York, and Battle Creek, Michigan, as his parents resided in the various towns and also the high school of Jackson, Michigan. When his textbooks were put aside he be- came an employe of the Holton Company, founders and machinists of Jackson, with whom he continued for four years. In the meantime he made rapid ad- vancement with the firm, acquired an interest in the business and was vice president of the company at the end of that period. The condition of his health, however, obliged him to dispose of his holdings in the company and after recuperating he entered the insurance business in 1913 with the General Accident Insurance Company of Lansing, Michigan, becoming state manager. He remained with that corporation until 1916, when he resigned and purchased an in- terest in the firm of H. H. Neale & Company at Detroit. He was made vice president and general manager and throughout the intervening period has devoted his energies solely to the upbuilding and extension of the business, which under his direction has made won- derful strides. His excellent management is shown in the steady increase in the patronage of the firm, which is now doing a vast volume of business in general insurance and underwriting and occupies spacious and elegant quarters in the Empire building.
On the 31st of December, 1910, Mr. Watkins was united in marriage to Miss Iva B. Scott, daughter of Charles B. Scott, well known in Jackson, Michigan. They have one child, Kenneth L., Jr., born in Jack- son, Michigan, April 14, 1913, and now a pupil in the public schools of Detroit.
Mr. Watkins is a member of the Fellowcraft Ath- letic Club, the Detroit Automobile Club, the Meadow- brook Country Club, the Aviation Country Club, the Detroit Curling Club and also of the Board of Com- merce. He is keenly interested in everything that pertains to the welfare of the community, the com- monwealth and the country, standing at all times for that which is progressive in citizenship as well as in business.
CHARLES WESTFIELD FOX, vice president of the Kelsey Wheel Company, was born in England, No- vember 26, 1860, and was but seven years of age when his parents came with their family to the new world, crossing the Atlantic to Canada. They settled upon a farm near Schomberg, Ontario, and there Charles W. Fox spent the days of his boyhood
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and youth, being reared in the usual manner of the farm bred boy. He acquired his education in the local school and afterward learned the trades of the cabinet-maker and millwright in Schomberg. Later he went to Duluth, Minnesota, where he assisted in building sawmills and elevators, spending four years in that city. He moved to Detroit in November, 1887, and was connected with the firm of Gray and Baffy, furniture manufacturers, in the capacity of superin- tendent and designer of their factory until 1892, when he organized the firm of Fox Brothers and Company, manufacturers of special furniture and wood mantels which he conducted until 1912, and since the latter year he has been associated with the Kelsey Wheel Company which at that date was organized. He has been a prominent factor in carrying on the operations of this strong and growing concern and from the first has served as its vice president. Associated with Mr. Kelsey, he bought the old Herbert Manufacturing Company and consolidated the business with that of the Kelsey Wheel Company. He has been the busi- ness associate of Mr. Kelsey since 1892. Together they have labored in the upbuilding of the business which is now one of extensive proportions, their output finding a ready sale in the Detroit market and else- where.
Mr. Fox has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Mary Bell Shaver, who died leaving a daughter, who is now Mrs. Peter Muirhead, and occupies the old homestead in Canada, which Mr. Fox purchased and gave to her. Mr. Fox later wedded Miss Nina Hague, and they have a daughter, Nina Virginia, and a son, Charles Westfield Fox, Jr. Mr. Fox belongs to the Detroit Golf Club, the Detroit Board of Commerce, Bloomfield Hills Country Club and Detroit Athletic Club, associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests outside of business. He is, however, recognized as a thoroughgoing business man, very successful in everything that he undertakes. He knows his business thoroughly in every way and is a splen- did executive. He has complete charge of the Body Division of the Kelsey Wheel Company, Inc., and his thorough management has been a most important ele- ment in the success of the enterprise. He is likewise interested in other concerns, and his opinions are eagerly sought by reason of the recognized value of his business judgment and his progressiveness.
Mr. Fox's city residence at 858 West Boston boule- vard is one of the most attractive homes in the north Woodward section.
HARRY M. WARNER is the senior partner in the firm of Warner & Warner, civil engineers and surveyors of Detroit. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio, No- vember 29, 1887, and is a son of Harry E. and Ida (Miller) Warner, the former a native of Ashtabula and the latter of Steubenville, Ohio. Coming to Mich- igan in 1879, they settled in Detroit, where the father was recognized as one of the best veterinary surgeons
of his day. In later years he has lived retired, still making his home in this city. To him and his wife were born two children, the younger being Burton Warner, junior partner in the firm of Warner & Warner.
Harry M. Warner was a high school pupil in De- troit and afterward took up the study of civil engi- neering and surveying. He continued his studies and investigations along that line until 1916, doing various kinds of work in the employ of others, and then formed a partnership with his brother under the firm style of Warner & Warner. Through the intervening period of four years they have gained a large patron- age, having many clients in both branches of their profession. Their acknowledged skill and ability has gained them prestige in their chosen field and success in considerable measure is attending their labors.
Harry M. Warner makes his home with his parents. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the Royal Arch degree, and he has member- ship with the Fellowcraft Athletic Club, while along more strictly professional lines his connection is with the American Association of Civil Engineers and the Surveyors & Civil Engineers Society of Detroit, of which he is the vice president. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day but has never been an office seeker. He is fond of out- door life, hunting and fishing, turning to these pur- suits for recreation.
MATTHEW BEALE WHITTLESEY, of the firm of Whittlesey, McLean & Company, handling investment securities, was born in Detroit, June 25, 1876, his par- ents being John Jacob and Agnes (Martine) Whittle- sey, the former a native of Danbury, Connecticut, while the latter was born at White Plains, New York, and in the early '70s came to Detroit. The father was a partner in the well known wholesale dry goods company of Hitchcock, Essleton & Company of De- troit and passed away in 1879, his wife surviving him for about sixteen years, her death occurring in 1896. Their family numbered two children: John Jacob, living at Boston; and Matthew B., who is the elder.
In his youthful days Matthew Beale Whittlesey at- tended the schools of Green Bay, Wisconsin, com- pleting the high school course there, after which he entered the literary department of the University of Michigan and was graduated with the class of 1899. Thus with broad classical training to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge, he took up the study of law in the Detroit College of Law and was graduated with the class of 1901. He then entered the office of Bowen, Douglas and Whiting, prominent lawyers of Detroit, and later began practicing independently. He successfully followed his profession for fifteen years and in 1916 decided to withdraw from law prac- tice in order to enter the bond business, organizing
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the firm of Whittlesey, MeLean & Company to handle municipal bonds and corporation investment securities. He has since gained a large clientele and his business is now one of substantial proportions, bringing him a very gratifying financial return. He is also a director of the Michigan Fire & Marine Insurance Company and of the Wabash Portland Cement Company, and is a director and the vice president of the F. A. Thomp- son Company, manufacturing pharmacists of Detroit.
On the 25th of April, 1908, Mr. Whittlesey was married to Miss Ellen Ruth Hargreaves, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Hargreaves of Detroit, and they have become the parents of four children: Fred- erick Driggs, who was born in Detroit in 1909 and is now attending school at Birmingham, Michigan; George Hargreaves, born in 1911 and also a pupil at Birmingham; Matthew B., Jr., born in 1912; and John Martine, born in 1914. Mr. Whittlesey's home- "Eight Acres"-in Bloomfield Hills, was erected by him in 1917, and is one of the attractive suburban homes around Detroit.
Mr. Whittlesey is a trustee and the secretary of St. Luke's Hospital and is keenly interested in various forces for the welfare and betterment of the com- munity at large. He is a trustee and the secretary of the Mariners church of Detroit and he has mem- bership in St. John's church, of which he is a ves- tryman. He belongs to the Psi Upsilon fraternity, to the Detroit Club, Detroit Athletic, Detroit Tennis, Bloomfield Hills Country, Bloomfield Hunt, Church and University Clubs and also to the Detroit Board of Commerce. He seeks at all times the benefit of the city along the lines of material, intellectual, social, political and moral advancement and his efforts and influence in these directions have been far-reaching and resultant.
WILLIAM TEN EYCK GREGORY, managing ex- tensive and important real estate interests in Detroit, has been an interested witness of its marvelous growth and development.
Mr. Gregory was born October 29, 1859, in the old toll-gate dwelling which stood opposite the present location of the famous Navin Field baseball park, his parents being Charles and Jane Elizabeth (Whalen) Gregory. The father was a native of Yorkshire, Eng- land, and immigrating to the United States he became one of the pioneer residents of Michigan, acting for many years as toll gate keeper on Michigan avenue and later as steward of the Old Club at St. Clair Flats. The maternal grandmother of the subject of this review was Elizabeth Cole and his great-grand- mother was Betsie Gunn, a native of the state of New York. In 1880 he entered the employ of the American Express Company, with whom he continued until 1916, when he resigned to form his present con- nection as agent for the personal real estate interests of Henry Ford.
Mr. Gregory was united in marriage to Miss Mar-
garet Conney, and they have become the parents of three children: Charles J., William T., Jr., and Marion Elizabeth. The elder son enlisted for service in the World war on the 7th of April, 1917, the day after the United States entered the conflict, becoming a member of the navy. He was assigned to duty on the U. S. S. De Kalb, which took the first marines across the Atlantic to France and which made sixteen round trips while engaged in transporting American troops, Mr. Gregory remaining continuously upon this vessel during his service of twenty-eight months, the De Kalb being the first ship to dock in France with American troops.
William T. Gregory has also a military record in his life history, having served for a period of eleven years as a member of the Detroit Militia. Frater- nally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he is also a well known and popular member of the Detroit Transportation Club. He has studied closely the possibilities of the city, not only with a view to his own business, but also with a public-spirited interest in its civil welfare, improve- ment and advancement, and as the years have passed he has given tangible evidence of his faith in Detroit and her future and his desire is that her interests should be promoted along the most substantial lines of municipal development. He is a representative of one of the old families of the state and his upright, hon- orable life has gained for him the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends.
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