The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 114

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


USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 114


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The other surviving member of the family is Henry Kemp whose name introduces this review and who in his boyhood days was a pupil in the public schools of Calnmet, after which he started out to provide for his own support as an employe in a general store at that place. He remained in the position for five years, and then came to Detroit, where he entered the employ of John Ward, an abstractor, with whom he continued until the death of Mr. Ward. He then became connected with Charles Chase, in whose office he served until Mr. Chase passed away in 1911, since which time he has been associated with Mr. Alfred W. Chase in representing the Chase Estate. He has also conducted most successfully an extensive general real estate and building business on his own account and has been identified with others in placing several subdivisions upon the market. His operations in the field of real estate have been profitably conducted and through his efforts as a builder various unsightly vacancies have been transformed into attractive resi- dential properties. He was one of the organizers and is a director of the Continental Real Estate Trust Company, in which he has held the office of seere- tary since its inception, while since the fall of 1917 he has also been its treasurer.


On the 23d of June, 1892, Mr. Kemp was married to Miss Elizabeth Achatz of Detroit, who passed away in 1905. There were three children of that marriage: George W., who was born in Detroit and completed his education in the high school of this city, is married and resides in Detroit and has two children, James H.


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and George W .; Henry L. Kemp, the second son, horn and educated in Detroit, was for two years connected with the United States navy in the radio service, attached to the S. S. Vestal and Savannah; Frank W., horn in Detroit, is attending school. On the 24th of October, 1907, Mr. Kemp was again married, his second union being with Anna Schumaker of Hancock, Mich- igan, daughter of Fred Schumaker.


Mr. Kemp belongs to the National Union Lodge, to the Detroit Board of Commerce and the Detroit Automobile Club, and in politics is a supporter of the republican party. His life has been passed in Mich- igan, where his interest centers, and as a Detroit citizen he has deep concern for all those activities and interests which promise to promote the welfare of the city and add to its attractiveness as a place of residence.


MARK FLEISCHMAN. When a lad of five years Mark Fleischman became a resident of Detroit and here continued to make his home until his death, which occurred on the 23d of January, 1914. For many years he had figured prominently in connection with business affairs of the city as the vice president and secretary of the Sullivan Packing Company. He was a native of the city of New York, where his birth occurred on the 25th of May, 1852, his parents being Charles and Henrietta (Davidson) Fleischman, who in the year 1857 came with their family to De- troit, so that Mark Fleischman was here reared and educated, attending the public and high schools. He completed his studies in the Barstow school of Detroit and when a young man engaged in the cattle business, continuing in active connection with live stock inter- ests until 1908, when he became one of the organizers of the Sullivan Packing Company, of which he was elected vice president. He had been associated in the live stock business with James J. Sullivan from 1880 and their business connection continued with mutual pleasure and profit for a period of more than a third of a century. He was thoroughly ae- quainted with every phase of the packing business and his labors constituted a valuable contributing ele- ment to the success of the undertaking.


Mr. Fleischman was twice married. His first mar- riage was in 1888 to Miss Sarah Schroeder of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and by this marriage there was one son, Charles L., of Detroit. Mrs. Fleischman died in 1895, and on the 27th of January, 1897, Mr. Fleisch- man was married to Miss Rebecca Schroeder of Cin- cinnati, a daughter of William Schroeder, representa- tive of one of the well known families of that city. To their marriage was born one son, William M., of Detroit.


In politics Mr. Fleischman was a republican, always giving stanch support to the party. He belonged to the Phoenix Club, and B'nai B'rith, and he found his recreation in dramatic performances and in motoring. The long period of his residence in Detroit brought


him an extensive circle of friends and he was highly esteemed by all, so that his death was a matter of deep and widespread regret. In all of his business affairs he displayed keen discernment and his efforts were characterized by close application, thoronghness, enterprise and reliability. These qualities enabled him to build up a business of very substantial propor- tions and leave his family not only a goodly estate but also the priceless heritage of a good name.


PAUL ALVIN WEISE. Among the substantial business men and loyal, progressive and public-spirited citizens of Detroit is numbered Paul Alvin Weise, whose extensive operations in the field of real estate have not only resulted in the attainment of individual success, but have also constituted an important ele- ment in the development and progress of the city. He is of foreign birth, his natal day being February 7, 1860. His parents were Dr. Carl and Mary (Her- bach) Weise. They were also of European birth and the father won distinction as a physician and sur- geon, passing away in 1873, while the mother's demise occurred in 1876. Their family numbered three child- ren, of whom two are living, Paul and Carl, both residents of Detroit.


In the schools of his native land Paul Alvin Weise acquired his education and after laying aside his textbooks became an apprentice to the meat business, specializing in the making of sausage. When a young man of twenty he sought the opportunities presented in the United States and took up his residence in Detroit, where for a time he worked for others, grad- ually assimilating the language and customs of the country. Having accumulated sufficient capital, he established a business of his own at the corner of Russell street and Gratiot avenue, where he engaged in the manufacture of sausage, catering to the whole- sale trade. The excellence of his output commanded for it a large sale and the business enjoyed a rapid growth, but owing to ill health he was compelled to abandon this line of activity. In the meantime, with great faith in the future greatness of the city and with remarkable foresight, he had been investing his surplus earnings in unimproved property on Fairview and Jefferson avenues, in direct opposition to the advice of his friends, but time has proven the cor- rectness of his judgment, for East Jefferson avenue is now a leading business thoroughfare and the Fair- view district has become one of the fine residential sections of the city. He at once began to improve his property, erecting a block of store buildings with apartments above at the corner of Fairview and East Jefferson avenues, and on Fairview and adjoining streets he built numerous residences, greatly enhane- ing realty values and the attractiveness of that sec- tion of the city. He is now the owner of six store buildings and fifteen fine dwellings on Fairview and from the rental of these various properties is deriving a substantial income. He is vice president of the


PAUL A. WEISE


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Charles A. Schiewe Contracting Company and is a man of marked business ability and enterprise, whose plans are carefully formulated and promptly executed.


At Detroit, on the 16th of March, 1881, Mr. Weise was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Seeley, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Seeley, formerly well known residents of Monroe, Michigan. Her father was a pioneer flour manufacturer of that city and both Mr. and Mrs. Seeley have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Weise have become the parents of three children: The eldest, now Mrs. W. W. DeLange, at- tended the grammar schools and the Eastern high school of this city and then took up the study of music, which she successfully taught in Detroit prev- ious to her marriage. She has two sous, Paul Weise DeLange and William DeLange, who are now attend- ing school; Walter, the second of the Weise family, pursued his education in the grammar and high schools of the city and the Detroit Business College and for the past eighteen years has been identified with the Detroit Beef Company, for whom he is now acting as general manager. At Windsor, Ontario, he was married to Miss Grace Livingston and they have two daughters, Ezna and Lillian Esther; Alvin P. Weise completed the work of the grammar and high schools and also attended a business college, being now a prominent commission merchant of this city. He married Miss Vivian La Bondy of Fair- haven, Michigan, and they have a son, Alvin P., Jr., who is now attending school.


Mr. Weise owns a fine residence on Fairview avenue and a most delightfully situated summer home on the shores of Clam Lake, where he also owns a large tract of land. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a devotee of the rod and gun, being frequently accompanied on his fishing trips by his two grandsons, Paul and William DeLange. Mr. Weise has a very fine collection of game birds and deer heads, superbly mounted, all of which he killed himself. Mr. Weise has constructed his own success, his life history constituting an example of industry, determination and honorable dealing that others might profitably follow. Preeminently public- spirited, his interest and cooperation can always be aroused in behalf of any project for the welfare of city or state. His efforts are of a most practical character, the sound judgment of an active business man being manifest in all of his opinions concerning the best methods of improving the city along lines of material and intellectual progress and municipal growth.


W. BARCLAY DEYO, a prominent citizen of De- troit, where for years he has been engaged in han- dling automobiles, is the owner of the W. B. Deyo Company. He is a native of Detroit, born on October 21, 1888, and has been living in this city ever since.


Mr. Deyo was educated in the public schools and high school of Detroit. He began his business career


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as a clerk at the Burroughs Adding Machine Company, where he remained for some time, and then went to the Ford Motor Company, acquired a very sound knowledge of the products of the Ford factory and continued in that employment for twelve years. Dur- ing this time Mr. Deyo had an ambition to go into business on his own account, and in 1916 he started in the automobile sales business, snecess attending his efforts from the commencement. In 1917 he organized the W. B. Deyo Company, of which he is sole owner. The company handles a large volume of business, the principal line being the popular Ford cars, and each year witnesses an ever-increasing trade, due in great degree to Mr. Deyo's unfailing energy and business tact.


In August, 1918, during the progress of the World war, Mr. Deyo enlisted in the aircraft service and was commissioned captain. He was called to Washington and placed in charge as assistant director of purchase and storage, being assigned to Detroit for the purpose of carrying out the duties. He held this position until after the signing of the armistice.


In 1915 Mr. Deyo was married to Marjorie Cleland. He is a member of the Masonic order, affiliated with the Palestine Blue Lodge, Michigan Sovereign Con- sistory and Moslem Temple of the Shrine. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, the Oakland Hills Country Club, the Board of Commerce, and the Detroit Automobile Club. Mr. Deyo is a member of the First Presbyterian church, in the good works of which he takes a practical interest, as he also does in all matters pertaining to civic affairs, although eschewing politics in the strictly partisan sense.


ARTHUR DAVID PATRICK MAGUIRE, member of the Detroit bar, is a native of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, while his father, Patrick Maguire, was born in Enniskillen, Ireland. Crossing the Atlantic to Canada, he was there married to Miss Margaret Walsh and throughout his remaining days he resided in Ham- ilton, where he passed away in 1892.


The early education of Arthur D. P. Maguire was obtained in the public schools of Hamilton, where he was graduated from the Central school, while subse- quently he became a high school pupil there. He afterward spent six years as a student in St. Mary's College in Montreal and for three years was a student in the law department of the Catholic University at Washington, D. C. In the meantime, or in the year 1892, he had matriculated in McGill University of Canada as a student in the medical department. It was subsequent to this time that he determined to engage in law practice and prepared for the bar in the Washington (D. C.) institution, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in June, 1899. He also spent one year in attendance at the Detroit Law School, which conferred upon him the LL. B. degree in June, 1904. He had previously served as private secretary to Congressman Alfred Lucking


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and was secretary of the congressional committee of the first district of Michigan. He took up the private practice of law in Detroit in June, 1904, and has since practiced his profession, his clientage constantly grow- ing in volume and importance as the years have passed by. In law practice he is forceful and resourceful and his naturally analytical mind enables him to see readily the relation between the facts and the prin- ciples of law.


In Brooklyn, New York, in 1900, Mr. Maguire was united in marriage to Miss Irene Lydia Uffreduzi and they have one daughter, Kathleen Frances.


Mr. Maguire was formerly very active in democratic polities and was at one time the organizer and sec- retary of the Woodrow Wilson Club of Wayne county. He was an active worker in the presidential campaign of 1912, but he now maintains an independent political attitude, voting according to the dictates of his judg- ment in relation to the vital questions which are be- fore the public for settlement. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church and he belongs to the Catholic Club of New York. His stanch Ameri- canism is shown in the fact that he is a member of the American Protective League and during the pe- riod of the war was one of the Four-Minute men. He belongs to the Detroit Bar Association and to the Michigan State and American Bar Associations and enjoys the confidence and high respect of his col- leagues and contemporaries of the profession.


ELMER E. CARPENTER, who for many years made his home in Detroit, passed away at his winter residence in Los Angeles, California, on the 2d of May, 1921. He was long known as an active and representative business man of Michigan's metropolis, being president of the Carpenter Chemical Company. His enterprise, diligence and persistency of purpose enabled him to overcome all the difficulties and ob- stacles in his path and to work his way steadily upward to success, and the story of his life constitutes an example that others may well follow. He was born in Hinckley, Medina county, Ohio, on the 2d of May, 1862, a son of Otis H. and Adelia (Williams) Carpenter, whose family numbered three children.


Elmer E. Carpenter received his education in the public and high schools at Gaylord, Michigan, where later, in 1880, he engaged in general merchandising and where he won substantial success through the capable conduct of his business, which he extended in scope to include the wholesale handling of produce, in connection with which he also conducted a large stock farm.


In 1892 Mr. Carpenter removed to Detroit and here continued in the live stock enterprise, shipping cattle on an extensive scale. In 1898 he organized the Carpenter Chemical Company for the manufacture of waterproof liquid court plaster and became the sole owner of the business, remaining at its head until 1915, when he retired from active affairs. The suc-


cess achieved by the Carpenter Chemical Company reflected the splendid executive ability of Mr. Car- penter. He was the principal stockholder and the secretary and treasurer of the Seven Lakes Stock Ranch in Otsego county, Michigan, a corporation owning eight thousand two hundred and forty acres of land. He was also the president of the East Cuba Plantation Company, a corporation growing citrus fruits in Cuba. His business interests were thus ex- tensive and important and the wise direction of his affairs brought to him a notable measure of success. His activities were always of a character that con- tributed to public progress and prosperity as well as to individual success and thus he became one of the most valued residents of his adopted state. The last six years of his life, however, were spent in retirement, during which period he traveled exten- sively over the country. Mrs. Carpenter always ac- companied her husband on his travels and was with him when he passed away in Los Angeles.


On the 21st of October, 1882 at Gaylord, Michigan, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Marian L. Warner of that place, a daughter of Dr. H. Wells, and Esther E. (Holmes) Warner, the former a native of Clifton Springs, New York, while Mrs. Warner was a native of Lockport, New York.


In his political views Mr. Carpenter was ever a stalwart republican, giving earnest support to the party and its principles. He was prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Ashlar Lodge, No. 91, A. F. & A. M .; Peninsular Chapter, No. 16, R. A. M .; Monroe Council, No. 1, R. & S. M .; and Detroit Com- mandery, No 1, K. T. He attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, Michigan Sovereign Con- sistory, was a Noble of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine and belonged to Shadukiam Grotto, the Eastern Star and the White Shrine. He was a member of the Noontide Club, the Detroit Rotary Club and the Board of Commerce and was popular among the members of these organizations. He also belonged to the Auto- mobile Club of Southern California at Los Angeles. Mr. Carpenter was a Spiritualist in religious faith and one of the leading members of the church in Michigan. He served for more than twenty years as a member of the board of the Michigan State Spirit- ualists and was president of the board for seventeen years. He also served as president of the First Spirit- ual Temple. The sterling traits of his character were many and all who knew him prized his friendship and appreciated his warm regard.


In his personal habits Mr. Carpenter's life was above reproach. He never used tobacco and it may be said of him, as of Abraham Lincoln, "of liquors he did not know the taste." Nothing base or un- clean appealed to him. A man of brilliant wit, of quick sallies, of flashing repartee, yet his sense of humor never drew him beyond the bounds of a true gentlemen.


It was on the fifty-ninth anniversary of his birth


ELMER E. CARPENTER


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that he passed away. It seemed that he should have been spared for many years to continue his labors as a factor in the world's work. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what can be accomplished through individual effort when guided by sound judgment.


A good man has gone on!


FRANK FELDMAN. For many years the name of Feldman has figured prominently in insurance circles of Detroit and since 1900 Frank Feldman has had charge of the business established by his father, rep- resenting several of the old line companies. He is one of Detroit's native sons, his birth having here occurred on the Ist of July, 1877, and his parents were Theodore and Louise (Schulte) Feldman, who reared a family of five children. He acquired his education in the parochial schools of the city and also completed a course in the Detroit Business University. His initial commercial experience was obtained as head bookkeeper for the Dreskell-Jupp Paper Company, with which he remained for five years. In 1900 he took charge of the insurance business established by his father and has since successfully conducted the undertaking, displaying sound judgment, energy and enterprise in the management of his affairs. He rep- resents the American Insurance Company, the New York Underwriters Insurance Agency, the Northern Insurance Company of New York, the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company of England, the National Ben Franklin Fire Insurance Company, the Michigan Fire & Marine Insurance Company, the Mar- quette National Fire Insurance Company and the In- surance Company of the State of Pennsylvania. His business has now reached large proportions and he ranks with the leading insurance men in the city.


In politics Mr. Feldman maintains an independent attitude, voting for the candidate whom he regards as best qualified for office without considering party ties. He is a member of St. Elizabeth's Catholic church and is also connected with the Knights of Columbus, in whose activities he takes a prominent part. He is also identified with the Detroit Insurance Exchange. He is a worthy successor of his honored father and by inheritance bears a name that has long stood as a synonym for business integrity and enterprise in commercial circles of Detroit. He has won success by industry, ability and common sense, and these qualities unite to make him an upright man and a useful citizen.


WILBER R. MAGEE, proprietor of the Magee Sheet Metal Machinery Company, is not only a successful business man but an inventor as well and one who plays a very important part in connection with the great manufacturing industries that have made Detroit the marvelous city that it is today.


Mr. Magee was born in Shelby county, Ohio, and comes of an American family for generations back.


IIe was educated in the public schools and learned his trade in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, and Indianap- olis, Indiana. In addition to possessing a natural ability for handling machinery, he early developed a genius for invention and evolved the machine which today is the product of his factory and which adds to the product of the automobile plants of the city. Like many other inventors, he was not allowed the legitimate fruits of his brain without a hard struggle. Men who saw his device and realized its worth sought to get control of it, and only after a long, hard battle could he come into his own. Finally he secured his first patent in 1909 and a second patent in 1912 for the Magee sheet metal wiring and edging machine. In 1913 he came to Detroit and organized his present company, which was incorporated in 1914 under the name of the Magee Sheet Metal Machinery Company. In 1918 he took over the entire business, which he has since conducted alone. He builds machines and sells them not only in the United States and Canada but also makes shipments throughout the world. His machine handles sheet metal with the facility that the tucking and hemming devices on a sewing ma- chine handle cloth, and he is doing all the edge turning and wiring for the automobile factories in Detroit, so that it is needless to say that his business is very prosperous.


In 1904 Mr. Magee was married to Miss Dessie Pearl Morrow and they have become parents of four children: Ruth, Emma, Genevieve and John. Mr. Magee and his family are members of the Fourteenth Avenue Methodist church and have won a wide ac- quaintance during their residence in Detroit. Mr. Magee is a typical American in his business methods as well as in that inventive quality of mind which has placed America in the forefront of all nations.


C. N. WHITE, secretary and general manager of the Frederick Kahl Iron Foundry Company of Detroit, was born in Findlay, Ohio, September 30, 1890, his parents being Harry Samuel and Alice Lucille (Mar- tin) White, the former a native of Hartford, Con- necticut, while the latter was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in which city their marriage was celebrated. They afterwards removed to Findlay, Ohio, and Mr. White became connected with the Eureka Manufacturing Company, with which he remained for several years, and then resigned in order to become one of the organizers of the Bordentown Steel & Tool Company of Bordentown, New Jersey. Of this concern he is now the president and general manager, having been called to the office in 1918, since which time he has directed the affairs of the company. His wife is also living, as are their three children: Harry E., a resi- dent of Chicago; C. N., of this review; and George, who resides in Bordentown, New Jersey.


C. N. White, following the removal of the family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, there pursued his studies through various grades and in the high school, while


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later he entered the Pennsylvania State College, but left that institution in his junior year in order to engage in the automobile business at Cleveland, Ohio. He became a representative of the sales end of the automobile industry and continued in Cleveland for a year and a half. He then came to Detroit, the center of the motor car business of the world, and here was made sales manager for the Bemb-Robinson Company, distributors of the Hudson cars. He occupied that position until March 20, 1918, when he became con- nected with the Frederick Kahl Iron Foundry as man- ager, and on the 1st of August, 1919, was elected secretary as well as general manager. This company manufactures all kinds of jobbing castings and in fact almost anything in the iron line, and something of the volume of the business is indicated in the fact that the firm's employes now number one hundred.




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