USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 111
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On the 3d of August, 1911, Mr. Hartenstein was united in marriage to Mrs. Mabel F. (Haynes) Wilson of New York, who survives him. Mr. Hartenstein belonged to the Masonic fraternity and to the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and was also a member of the Country, Harmonie, Cosmopolitan, Germania Country, Detroit Yacht and Mendelssohn Clubs, the Turners Society and the Arbilla Society. He enjoyed the high respect of his fellow townsmen by reason of the sterling traits of his character and his devotion to duty in every relation. The circle of his friends was almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of many with whom he was associated.
EDMUND G. HOCK, ladies' tailor of Detroit, re- ceived his patronage from those who bear the reputa- tion of being the best dressed women of the city. Not only did he develop skill in workmanship, but he has ever made a study of the business, so that he has been able to adapt style and material to individual needs, and the clothing sent out from his establish- ment has an air of distinction which many others in the same line of business have sought to secure, mak-
ROBERT F. HARTENSTEIN
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ing his establishment the standard and example of their own activities.
Mr. Hock is a native son of Detroit, his birth having occurred here January 6, 1888. His parents, Jacob and Josephine (Winiker) Hock, were natives of Ger- many, but came to America in early life. The father was a tailor by trade and soon established a reputa- tion as a skilled workman. His attention was first given to the tailoring of men's clothes, but later he took up ladies' tailoring as well and in this also showed superior skill. He prospered in his chosen call- ing as the years passed, and in time erected a special building for the accomodation of his tailoring estab- lishment. At the time of his death, which occurred in Detroit in 1916, he was succeeded by his son, Ed- mund G., who has since successfully carried on the business. The wife and mother passed away in De- troit in 1892. In the family were three children, of whom one has passed away, the surviving daughter being Mrs. James R. Sprankle, now residing in Cleve- land, Ohio.
Edmund G. Hock, the youngest of the family, was a pupil in St. Mary's parochial school of Detroit in his early boyhood, and after leaving school he entered upon a clerical position in the Home Savings Bank of this city. When he severed his connection with the bank he turned his attention to the real estate business, which he carried on in Detroit for three years, and then became connected with his father's tailoring establishment. He thoroughly mastered the business, so that upon his father's death he was well qualified to take over the management and has since successfully carried on the trade. He has been ac- corded a most liberal patronage and his success is growing year by year.
In 1913 Mr. Hock was married to Miss Ann Mary Hammond of Chicago, daughter of Harry A. Ham- mond. She passed away in 1916, leaving one child, John Hammond, who was born in Detroit in that year.
Mr. Hock is of the Roman Catholic faith and is a fourth degree Knight of Columbus. He is also con- nected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a member of the Board of Commerce. A pro- gressive spirit has actuated him at each point in his career. Steadily he has advanced and since entering into the tailoring business he has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. Therefore he has put forth most earnest effort to please those who have given him their trade and the results achieved have been satisfactory to purchaser and pro- prietor alike.
JOHN McLEAN, who in the course of an active business life extensively engaged in cigar manufactur- ing in Detroit, was born at Grimsby, Ontario, Sep- tember 20, 1846, and was one of a family of three children. At the usual age he became a public school pupil, passing through consecutive grades to the high
school, and when his textbooks were put aside he learned the trade of manufacturing cigars, thoroughly acquainting himself with every phase of the busi- ness. Later he established a cigar factory on his own account, conducting his business under the name of the MeLean Cigar Manufacturers. Of this enterprise he continued the president to the time of his demise, which occurred on the 28th of May, 1908, and through all the years he had enjoyed an enviable reputation as a reliable and progressive business man.
On the 24th of September, 1878, Mr. MeLean was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Patton, a daugh- ter of the Hon. John Patton, at one time a carriage manufacturer of Detroit and for many years a prom- inent figure in democratic political circles, serving as mayor and in various other public offices. He is mentioned at length on another page of this work. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McLean was blessed with three children: George and Archer, both living in Detroit; and Elsie, at home. The family are mem- bers of the Congregational church and are highly esteemed in this city, their home at No. 7451 Wood- ward avenue being widely known for its warm- hearted hospitality.
In his political views Mr. MeLean was a republican, always stanchly supporting the party. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons receiving the thirty- third degree of that order and was also a member of the Elks and he likewise belonged to the Loyal Guards. His interests centered in those principles, activities and projects which command the respect and call forth the cooperation and support of men of high ideals and of advanced standards in citizen- ship, and when he passed away there were many friends who mourned the loss of his companionship outside the immediate circle of his home, where his death was an irreparable loss.
FRANK G. ROBINS, treasurer of the Horton-Cato Manufacturing Company of Detroit, is a native of Hillsdale county, Michigan, born in 1879, his parents being Edwin and Ella (Gilman) Robins, who were also natives of this state. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, lie pursued his early educa- tion in the public schools of his native county and afterward attended the Detroit Business University, thus becoming well qualified for life's practical and responsible dnties. He made his initial step in the business world as a bookkeeper in the employ of David Wallace & Sons, with whom he remained for two years, and he later spent one year with Andrew Hair. On the expiration of that period he became connected with the Horton-Cato Manufacturing Company as bookkeeper in 1906. Gradually he acquainted him- self with the business and won various promotions through recognition of his capability and fidelity, and in 1918 he was called to official position by elec- tion to the treasurership of the corporation, which is engaged in the manufacture of Royal salad dressing
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and Royal Mayonnaise, as well as other lines. This business has become one of extensive proportions, the sales now covering the entire United States and Canada, and in addition to its large Detroit plant the Horton-Cato Manufacturing Company has a Can- adian factory in Windsor, Ontario. The firm has always maintained the highest standards in the ex- cellence of its product and thus its business has steadily grown. Mr. Robins is recognized as a relia- ble, trustworthy young business man, giving almost his entire time and attention to the interests of the company.
In his political views Mr. Robins is a republican but without ambition for office. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and he finds his recreation in automobiling.
WILLIAM D. BLOCK, one of Detroit's best known and most popular automobile distributors, now presi- dent of the W. D. Block Motor Company, was born in Saginaw, Michigan, March 30, 1879, a son of Louis and Elizabeth (Patzer) Block, both of whom were of European birth but came in early life to the new world. The father was engaged in various occupations in Saginaw, Michigan, where he resided to the time of his death, which occurred in 1909. His widow sur- vives him and is now a resident of Detroit. She became the mother of four children, one of whom has passed away. William D. was the second of the family and the others are: Mrs. Jerome Pycha of Detroit, and Mrs. LeRoy Lomax of Los Angeles, California.
In early life William D. Block attended the public schools of his native city and passed through con- secutive grades to the Saginaw high school, after which he received private instruction. He later went to Los Angeles, California, where he engaged in the wholesale produce business and became one of the successful dealers in that line in the southern Cali- fornia metropolis. After three years he disposed of his interests in California and returned to his native state, where he became comptroller for the Saginaw Farmers Handy Wagon Company, manufacturers of wagons and silos. He remained with that company for six years and then established an agency for the General Motors Company, under the name of the Mar- quette Motor Company, of which he was made assistant general manager. The business was located at Sag- inaw, where he continued for five years and on the expiration of that period he came to Detroit as chief statistician for the General Motors Company. In 1912 he was transferred to the Carter Car Company, a branch of the General Motors Company, being made comptroller at the factory. After three years of serv- ice with this company he resigned and returned to Detroit, where he organized the Radford-Block Com- pany, dealers in automobiles. This partnership was maintained for a year and a half, at the end of which time Mr. Block took over his partner's interest and reorganized the business, changing the name to the
W. D. Block Motor Company. This he has developed . into one of the largest distributing automobile inter- ests of the city. He handles the Marmon and Lexing- ton cars, having the agency for the state of Michigan. The company erected, owns and occupies one of the finest retail automobile sales, repair and office buildings in the country, the structure being situated at 5940 Cass avenue, which is fast becoming the automobile center of Detroit. The company maintains branches in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo and is preparing to open branches in Jackson and Saginaw. Mr. Block is the president of this company and in all that he undertakes displays a most progressive spirit. He has developed an unusual automobile service for closed-car customers by personally superintending the designing and building of special closed cars for the Marmon chassis. Business experience taught him that many automobile owners like to have that which is original and distinctive, just as many like to have clothes that are of special make and not those worn by the great mass. The W. D. Block Motor Company has won a large clientele of this character and is conduct- ing a business of constantly growing importance, Mr. Block using the services of such famous closed-car designers as Rubay of Cleveland and Graff & Kimball of Chicago. At a recent automobile show held in Detroit, one of the interesting features was the op- portunity to see a Marmon engine torn down and rebuilt three times a day. Such an exhibit had pre- viously been tried in New York and Chicago, and through the efforts of Mr. Block was brought to De- troit. He is also an officer and one of the directors of the Golden Gate Land Company of this city.
On the 12th of October, 1904, Mr. Block was mar- ried to Miss Emma Buck, a daughter of Charles and Caroline (Wasserman) Buck, who were of European birth but in early life came to the new world, settling in Saginaw, Michigan. The mother is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Block have become parents of two children: Beatrice Elizabeth, born in Detroit in 1906 and now attending the Highland Park high school; and Charles Louis, who was born May 12, 1914, and is a pupil in the grades.
Mr. Block belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has become a Knights Templar in the York Rite and a Consistory Mason in the Scottish Rite and a Noble of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in club circles is widely known, being vice president of the Lotus Lake Club and a member of the Detroit Athletic, Bloomfield Hille Country, Oak- land Hills Country, Ingleside, Vortex and Detroit Auto Clubs, while in 1918 he was one of the organizers of the Wilderness Club and has been a director ever since. His political allegiance is given to the re- publican party and his interest in community affairs is indicated in his membership in the Board of Commerce. He belongs to the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, of which he is serving as treasurer, and is a promi-
WILLIAM D. BLOCK
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CITY OF DETROIT
nent figure in the trade circles of the city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Block are members of the North Wood- ward Methodist Episcopal church and the latter is prominently known in social and club circles, having membership with the Federation of Women's Clubs of Detroit, also with the Ingleside Club, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the Detroit New Cen- tury Club and others. She is equally well known as a charming hostess in their beautiful home in Detroit. Fortunate circumstances and inheritance have played no part in the history of Mr. Block, whose advance- ment is due entirely to his own efforts and who is indeed a self-made man, working his way steadily upward to prominence in business circles and to popu- larity among all by whom he is known. Mr. Block's city residence is at 104 Tennyson street, while his country place-Beacha Farms-in Genoa township, Liv- ingston county, Michigan, comprises one hundred and sixty acres and is a most attractive farm home.
CHARLES REEBER. One of the leading commer- cial enterprises of Detroit is the Reeber Furniture Company, of which Charles Reeber is the president, in which connection he has become widely known, having engaged in that line of business in this city since 1879, and he is therefore numbered with the oldest furniture dealers in Detroit. In the conduct of his interests he has displayed sound judgment and keen discernment, which combined with his persist- ency of purpose and spirit of initiative have resulted in the attainment of a gratifying measure of success. He was born in Hessia, Germany, April 29, 1850, a son of Joseph and Mary Anna (Kirchner) Reeber, who reared a family of five children. He attended the public schools of Germany and in 1866 emigrated to the United States in order to avoid the compulsory military service imposed by the Prussians upon the people of his nationality.
Mr. Reeber was at that time a young man of six- teen years and after reaching New York at once made his way to Detroit, entering the employ of Anthony Kirchner, a dry goods merchant whose establishment was located at No. 18 Monroe street. He filled a clerical position with Mr. Kirchner until July 23, 1879, when he entered commercial circles on his own ac- count, becoming associated with his brother in estab- lishing a dry goods and furniture business. This partnership was maintained until July 2, 1916, when the Reeber Furniture Company was organized with Charles Reeber as the president, in which capacity he has continued, bending his energies to administrative direction and executive control. The firm handles all kinds of furniture and practically everything that is needed in the household, including stoves, ice boxes, rugs, etc., and has built up a large trade in this con- nection, due to the untiring efforts, close application and executive ability of Mr. Reeber, who enjoys the distinction of being one of the oldest furniture dealers in the city. The name has long stood as a synonym
for business integrity and reliability and the firm has ever found that satisfied customers are the best advertisement.
On the 30th of September, 1879, Mr. Reeber was united in marriage to Miss Helen Lutticke, a sister of Albert Lutticke, a well known dry goods merchant of this city, who is serving as vice president of the Reeber Furniture Company. Mrs. Reeber passed away February 17, 1917, leaving a family of nine children, namely: Clara, Bertha, Helen, Edna, Carl, Edmond, Sylvester, Arthur and George. The son Edmond mar- ried Miss Henrietta Frick in 1919.
In his political views Mr. Reeber is a republican, interested in the welfare and success of the party, but is not an office seeker. He has never become identi- fied with any clubs or fraternal orders, preferring to spend the hours not devoted to business with his family, whose happiness and welfare have ever been his greatest concern. He has led a busy, active and useful life, employing every opportunity to advance, and his present success is attributable entirely to his close application and laudable ambition. For fifty- five years he has been a resident of Detroit, coming here at an early period in the city's development and witnessing its rapid growth, to which he has contributed in substantial measure through his business activities. His life has been 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 high commendation.
WILLIAM A. MONTGOMERY, a well known citi- zen of Detroit, where for years he has been identified with building and contracting, and where formerly for a time he practiced law, is a native son of De- troit, born in 1887, a son of William R. and Hannah (Farwell) Montgomery, the former of whom is a . lawyer long established, who has lived for sixty years in Detroit, where he has been a popular and prom- inent figure in legal circles.
William A. Montgomery was educated in the public schools, the high school, and at the Detroit Law School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1909, and was admitted to the bar in the same year. Mr. Montgomery has never practiced his profession ex- clusively, his principal occupation having at all times been real estate and building, being recognized as one of the progressive men in his line of business in De- troit. He buys lands, builds homes, apartments, stores, etc., and sells them, in this line as in his regular con- tracting work, being very successful. Mr. Montgomery, while he has been in the contracting and building business, has done much to add to the value of prop- erty in and about Detroit, his enterprise in this con- nection being a practical asset to the city's welfare.
In 1912 Mr. Montgomery was united in marriage to Pearl Cryderman, and they have become the parents of two daughters: Jessie and Hannah Montgomery. Mr. Montgomery takes a good citizen's part in the
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advancement of all projects of a civic character de- signed to promote the well-being of the community, but he has never been a seeker after political prefer- ment. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, in the affairs of which he takes a warm interest.
GEORGE E. HUTTON. Since the year 1889 George E. Hutton has figured in real estate circles in Detroit. His life record is an illustration of the fact that activity does not tire; it gives resistance and develops strength. A life of intense and intelligently directed industry has brought George E. Hutton to an enviable position in real estate circles, his activities contrib- uting much to the upbuilding and improvement of the city. He comes to Michigan from New England, his birth having occurred in Hartford, Connecticut, October 5, 1861, his parents being George and Anna (McGinnis) Hutton, the former a native of Glasco, New York, while the latter was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, whence she came to America when nine years of age in company with her sister and brother, the latter being the pioneer brickmaker of Glasco, New York, and with him Anna McGinnis remained until her marriage. The father, George Hutton, was a marine engineer on the Fall River and old Empire State Steamship lines. Coming to Michigan, he was engineer on the first lighthouse tender on the Great Lakes in 1868 and was very successful in his mari- time ventures. He died at his summer home at Red- ford Center, Michigan, in 1909, after living retired from business for several years, and his widow passed away in Detroit in 1914. In their family were eleven children, three of whom have passed away. Those who survive are: George E .; Anna, now the wife of Charles Perry of Redford, Michigan; Mary, the widow of John Ford of Dearborn, Michigan; Charles T., residing in Birmingham, Michigan, where he is super- intendent of the water plant; Adella, the wife of H. Isaacs of Royal Oak, Michigan; Mrs. Nellie Port- zel and Mrs. Mattie Prest, both of Detroit; and J. William, living at Flint, Michigan.
George E. Hutton attended the Duffield and Barstow schools of Detroit and afterward continued his educa- tion in the Patterson College, a private school of this city, which he attended for two terms. He then entered the United States lighthouse service on the Great Lakes and was thus employed in the summer seasons, while for two years he worked in the winter or attended school. For five years he was connected with the United States lighthouse service and then took up the occupation of farming at Redford, Mich- igan, for his father, the summer months being devoted to agricultural interests, while in the winter season he was employed for three years by the J. F. Adams Hardware Company of Detroit. Later he entered the employ of the American Express Company, with which he remained for three years, and taking up his abode in Detroit in February, 1889, he secured a position with W. W. Hannan in the real estate business. A
year later he became a member of the firm of Adams, Peck & Hutton, organized for the conduct of a real estate business, and they opened up the Adams sub- division, selling all of the lots. Later Mr. Hutton withdrew from that connection and joined James Car- michael and George Duck. In 1904 he formed a part- nership with Frank C. Nall, under the firm style of Hutton & Nall. They opened up and sold the St. Jean Farm subdivision; also the Glover subdivision; the Hutton & Nall Point View subdivision of three hun- dred lots; Hutton, Tigchon & Nall subdivision of three hundred and fifty lots; High View Park, containing one hundred and twenty-eight lots; Brussell Heights, one hundred and twenty-eight lots; Grand River Park; the Highland and High Point subdivisions; the Moran- Hutton subdivision of three hundred and fifty lots; and the Hutton & Pitcher Seven Mile Drive sub- division. Mr. Hutton in company with Mr. Nall, pur- chased ten acres in the city of Detroit, where the water board buildings are now located and afterward sold that property to the water board. Since Sep- tember, 1919, Mr. Hutton has been operating as an individual.
In 1891 Mr. Hutton was married to Miss Minnie Leaycraft, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Leaycraft of Baltimore, Maryland. She passed away in July, 1907. For his second wife Mr. Hutton chose Miss Nellie Doucher, whom he wedded at Cleveland, Ohio, her parents being Mr. and Mrs. Edward Doucher of Port Huron, Michigan.
Politically Mr. Hutton is a republican and for five years was a member of the board of estimates of Detroit and for five years a member of the Detroit board of education, serving as vice president of the board for one term and as president pro tem. He has been a member of the Detroit Real Estate Board since its organization in 1890. He was president and secretary of the Detroit Matinee Driving Club while driving was still a popular sport. This connection brings up a characteristic of Mr. Hutton that dates back to boyhood-his love for a good horse. When but a small boy, his father bought him a very fine hobby horse, which created an interest and enthusiasm for horses that have not diminished in the man. As a gentleman driver he is widely known and skillful and has owned at different times some excellent horses. He was one of the organizers, nearly twenty-five years ago, of the Michigan Short Ship Circuit and for a number of years has been its president. This is one of the leading organizations of its kind in the country outside of the Grand Circuit. Mr. Hutton has always been an advocate of clean, light harness racing and his influence has been beneficial to the sport in many ways. Fraternally he is a Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the Consistory, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. Mr. Hutton has been a successful man, not by living
GEORGE E. HUTTON
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solely to accumulate, for he has always enjoyed life and is just as familiar with its pleasures as he is with its trials. He started on his own resources and his success is but the reward for the energy, initiative and straightforward business methods he has employed. He enjoys a wide acquaintance among Detroit's best citizens and rightfully is accorded a high position in that class of men. His long residence in Detroit and his progressive spirit have awakened in him the keenest interest in the welfare and ad- vancement of the city and his cooperation can be counted upon to further all measures for the general good. Since April, 1918, he has resided in Birming- ham, where at 711 North Woodward avenne his residence is one of the most attractive homes in that suburb.
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