The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 41

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 41

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On December 28, 1898, Mr. Berkey was married to Miss Eva Lois Reid, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Reid, an old and prominent family of Oxford, Mich- igan. They have become parents of three children: Charles Reid, born July 10, 1902, attended the Fair- banks school of Detroit and the high school of High- land Park, and is now engaged in business with his father, being secretary and treasurer of the company; Jean, born in Detroit November 4, 1910, is in school;

and Stanton Malian, born May 8, 1915, completes the family.

Mr. Berkey has always been a republican and is a firm believer in the party's principles. He is well known through his fraternal connections, being a member of Palestine Lodge, No. 357, F. & A. M .; Michigan Sov- ereign Consistory, King Cyrus Chapter, No. 133, R. A. M .; Monroe Council, Detroit Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar; Shadukiam Grotto, Moslem Temple A. A. O. N. M. S .; Oxford Chapter O. E. S .; Detroit White Shrine, No. 20, Detroit Lodge of Elks, No. 34; Damon Lodge, No. 3, Knights of Pythias; Highland Park Lodge of Odd Fellows; American Eagle Encamp- ment of Odd Fellows; State Camp, No. 1, Sons of Veterans; Detroit Board of Commerce, the Caravan Club, Noontide Club, Detroit Masonic Country Club and Aderaft Club. He was the founder of the Detroit Exchange Club and one of the organizers of the Na- tional Exchange Club and its first president. It was largely through his efforts that both the National Wholesale Jewelers Organization and the National Retail Jewelers Association were brought into being.

A self-made man, he has worked his way upward entirely through individual effort and capability. He had no special advantages at the outset of his career, but he soon recognized the indispensable elements of success, and step by step has advanced until his posi- tion in the wholesale and manufacturing jewelry cir- cles of the middle west is a creditable and enviable one.

NICHOLAS J. SCHORN, a young and prominent business man of Detroit, whose advance to the front rank has been rapid, is a native of the city, born on April 12, 1882, a son of Andrew and Johanna (Hiller) Schorn, both of whom are living, the former a native of Luxemburg and the latter of Wurttemberg, and during their long residence in Detroit they have made many friends.

Nicholas J. Schorn was educated at St. Joseph's Catholic school and later St. Joseph's Commercial Col- lege, where he obtained a sound business training. He started to work on his own account at the age of fif- teen as stenographer in the business of Carl E. Schmidt, and at the end of a year he took up the study of chemistry and bacteriology at the Detroit College of Medicine, leaving college well trained in these sciences.

At the age of eighteen Mr. Schorn became connected with the laboratory of Carl E. Schmidt & Company, having charge of the laboratory. Four years later he was promoted to the responsible position of buying manager, and some nine years later, in 1913, he had by ability and energy reached the position of general manager of the business, also becoming the vice presi- dent of the company. Mr. Schorn was thirty-one years of age when he became general manager, and it will thus be seen how rapid has been his promotion, all advancement being the outcome of his own efforts.

CHARLES A. BERKEY

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On October 20, 1904, Mr. Schorn was united in mar- riage to Miss Walburga Victoria Krieg, and they are the parents of three living children: Carl, Ralph and Elizabeth, their eldest son, George, dying in 1916. Mr. Schorn is a member of the Board of Commerce, in the affairs of which he is closely interested. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and gives a good citizen's attention to civic movements intended to promote community welfare, but he has never been a seeker after political office.

OLIVER E. BARTHEL, consulting and mechanical engineer of Detroit, is a man who has made possible the success of many of the leading motor cars of the country. Twenty years ago he was designing engineer for Henry Ford and since 1895 has designed over eighty-five different types of gasoline motors. His contribution to the world's work is almost immeasur- able, and it is but. natural that he should be a resident of Detroit, which is the world center of the automobile industry. Moreover, he is a native son of Detroit, his birth having here occurred on the 3d of October, 1877, his parents being Albert and Elizabeth (Harter) Bar- thel, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to America after their marriage in 1870. The father was a civil and mechanical engineer and was also in the patent business. He was also employed by the Michigan Stove Company as superintendent, but eventually resigned that position to introduce the American-made stove in Europe. Later he introduced American inventions abroad and in this capacity trav- eled through various foreign countries. While thus en- gaged he became ill in London, England, in 1894, and there passed away. His widow survived him for a dec- ade and died in Detroit on December 18, 1904. In their family were four children, one of whom passed away in infancy, while the others are: Theodore E. A., Otto F. and Oliver E., all of Detroit.

The early education of Oliver E. Barthel was ob- tained in the Detroit public schools and he was after- ward sent to a private school, where he received preparatory instruction in mechanical engineering. He later entered the Detroit Business University for a mechanical course and subsequently studied mechan- ical engineering. He entered upon the practice of his profession independently in 1894 as representative of the Charles B. King Company, with which concern he remained for six years. He resigned to engage in pri- vate practice and has continued alone. His services are constantly in demand by Detroit automobile man- ufacturers and others seeking expert advice and newer methods and designs in mechanics. He has designed motors and engines for automobile manufacturers, which have made their owners wealthy. He was en- gaged in the designing and building of the first prac- tical car for Henry Ford and the automobile trade was revolutionized thereby. He built and designed the first engines and cars for the Henry Ford Com- pany, which was later the reorganized Cadillac Motor

Car Company, and through his professional skill has contributed to the development of many of the most successful cars placed upon the market. He was with Charles B. King from 1894 until 1901, engaged in de- signing and experimental work on gasoline marine engines and automobiles. He designed the first motor for B. J. Carter and in 1901 and 1902 was associated with Henry Ford as designing engineer and designed Ford's first racing ear. His connection with the Ford Motor Company continued until 1904 and in November of that year he entered the experimental department of the Olds Motor Works and his labors there resulted in the six-cylinder motor for the Olds speedboat "Six Shooter." In August, 1905, he resigned his position to take up professional practice as a consulting engineer and throngh the intervening period has designed many motors, including those for the Seripps Motor Com- pany, the Waterman Marine Motor Company, Fairbanks Morse & Company and many others. He it was who designed the Seripps motor used by Captain Lar- sen in his trip through the Niagara Gorge on the 29th of October, 1911, and also the Scripps motor that suc- cessfully drove the thirty-five foot boat "Detroit" across the Atlantic from Detroit to St. Petersburg, Russia, in the summer of 1912. The extent and im- portance of his labors is indicated in the fact that in the past quarter of a century he has designed over eighty-five different gasoline motors for stationary, marine and automobile purposes. He also specializes in working out inventions or ideas and making them of commercial value and in this connection has de- signed agricultural machinery, bakery machinery, steam specialties, printing, embossing and lithograph- ing presses, pneumatic tools and appliances, automobile accessories and various other machines. He was re- tained in the capacity of consulting engineer for the Standard Steel Car Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, from 1912 to 1919, and in this connection de- signed their "Standard Six" and "Standard Eight" automobiles. There is perhaps no man in the country more widely known in this connection than Mr. Barthel and none who enjoys a higher or more deserved repu- tation.

The United States Patent Office has granted the following patents to Mr. Barthel: April 5, 1904, muffler for explosive engines; July 11, 1905, design patent on automobile body; Jannary 5, 1909, explosive engine; May 11, 1915, piston; May 8, 1917, piston; July 31, 1917, motor vehicle; July 31, 1917, explosive engine; December 31, 1918, internal combustion en- gine; April 1, 1919, motor vehicle frame.

Mr. Barthel has also a number of applications for patents pending in the United States Patent Office that are awaiting issue. He is the chief engineer for both the Detroit Elevated Corporation and the Michi- gan Elevated Railway Company, and to him largely belongs the credit for solving the many problems en- countered in reducing the original idea of the system to an economical, practical and safe working basis.

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He is also vice president of the Michigan Elevated Railway Company.

On the 18th of May, 1906, Mr. Barthel was married to Miss A. Gertrude Vargason of Detroit, and they have one child: Oliver Edward, born in Detroit, May 1, 1917. Mr. Barthel is a life member of the Detroit Yacht Club and a life member of the national ad- visory board of the Old Colony Club, and also belongs to the Ingleside Club, the Felloweraft Athletic Club, the Wilderness Club, the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Sabean Society, the Detroit Engineering Society, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Society of Automotive Engineers. His contribu- tion to the work of making Detroit the automobile center of the world has been a most valuable one. From his early days to the present he has given his attention to professional interests and today occupies a most prominent position among his contemporaries.

MAJOR EDWARD EDGAR HARTWICK, who was every inch a man, prominent in business, not only honored but loved by the soldiers who served under him and at all times loyal to the highest ideals of life, made the supreme sacrifice on the 31st of March, 1918. He was glad of life because of the opportunity it gave him to work and to serve, to do his part in promoting the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the race and to serve his country to the utmost in her hour of danger. But, as one of the privates under his command wrote, "he outgrew his calling-a greater field was required. He has answered that call." Major Hartwick was born at St. Louis, Michigan, in 1871, and was one of the family of three children whose parents were Michael Shoat and Jane Augusta (Obear) Hartwick. His father had settled in Grayling in pioneer times. There the son pursued a public school education and was afterward appointed a cadet in the United States Military Acad- emy at West Point, where he was graduated with high honors and earned a commission as lieutenant in the Ninth Cavalry. For eight years he was with the regular army, during which time he was squadron adjutant to Major Chaffee in the Indian campaign during the summer of 1895 in the Jackson Hole country. Although one of the youngest officers, his selection was a tribute to his ability. He served with his regimeut through the Spanish-American war. His was one of the regiments which gained undying fame by reason of the brilliant charge made up San Juan Hill, and in two different chapters of his book, "The Rough Riders," Colonel Theodore Roosevelt made mention of Mr. Hartwick, who was then a second lieutenant, referring to his bravery and skill in handling men under fire. The following telegram from Ex-President Theo- dore Roosevelt was received by Mrs. Hartwick at the time of Major Hartwick's death:

"My dear Mrs. Hartwick:

"I have learned with genuine concern of the death of your gallant husband. His going to the war as

he did was entirely characteristic of him. These are very hard days for all of us. One of my sons has been grievously wounded; and at least I can assure you of my most heartfelt sympathy.

"Very respectfully yours,

"Theodore Roosevelt."

The following is an extract from the official report of M. M. McNamee, first lieutenant, commanding Troop H, Ninth Cavalry, in the battle of San Juan, Cuba, July 1st, 2d and 3d, 1898:

"In this connection much credit is due Second Lieutenant Hartwick of the Ninth Cavalry, who con- ducted the movements of the 'Point' and 'Flankers' in the advance. Lieutenant Hartwick pushed steadily forward until he was fired on by the enemy and directed by me to halt. This officer displayed great coolness in a very trying position. During the assault and through the entire day by his courage and prompt- ness I was enabled to get the best results from the troop. I recommend him for consideration." After the war closed Lieutenant Hartwick was brevetted captain by congress, for bravery.

After peace was declared between the United States and Spain Captain Hartwick resigned his commission in the army and took up the pursuits of private life. He was married soon afterward-in Grayling, Mich- igan, on the 19th of October, 1898, to Miss Karen B. Michelson of that city, a daughter of Nels and Mar- guerite (Jenson) Michelson, both natives of Denmark. Her father, who has attained the age of eighty years, was for an extended period a well known lumberman of Michigan, becoming connected with the lumber trade in this state in 1866. His wife, however, passed away February 28, 1893. To Major and Mrs. Hart- wick were born three sons: Edward N., who was born May 3, 1903; Robert G., born May 5, 1906; and Edward Ernst, who was born in 1911 and passed away in 1912.

After his retirement from the army in 1898 Major Hartwick became identified with the lumber trade in Michigan and won prominenec in this connection in the state. He organized, in 1900, the Hartwick-Mich- elson Lumber Company at Mason, Michigan. In 1901 he removed to Jackson, where he organized the Hart- wick-Woodfield Company, of which he remained a member until his demise. Later he organized two lumber companies in Detroit and during the last ten years of his life made his home in this city. His op- erations here were carried on under the name of the Hartwick Lumber Company, of which he was the president, and he built up a business of large and substantial proportions, winning a very enviable measure of success. The present Hartwick Lumber Company, which was organized by Major Hartwick in 1901, controls four lumberyards and one extensive coal yard. He also promoted and served as director of the Michelson Land & Home Company, one of the largest real estate firms in Detroit. Upon the death of Frederick E. Michelson, who had been manager of this company since its organization, Major Hart-

MAJOR EDWARD E. HARTWICK

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wick became manager and continued in that capacity until his death. He displayed keen insight in business affairs and his close application, combined with untir- ing energy and a ready discrimination as to the es- sential factors in any business situation gained him both prominence and prosperity.

While residing in Jackson, Michigan, Major Hart- wiek served as a police commissioner. He was ever interested in the welfare and progress of his com- munity and he cooperated heartily in every plan and project for the publie good and for eivie im- provement and righteousness. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, attained the Knights Templar degree and was a member of the Mystic Shrine and of the Consistory. He belonged to the Detroit Board of Commerce, had membership in the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Golf Club, the Exchange Club and other organizations and was a man of notable prom- inence in social, business and club circles in Detroit. He was first vice president of the Guaranty Trust Company. He also figured in trade circles as a member of the Detroit Real Estate Exchange and was president and director of the Michigan State Retailers Lumber Association, as well as a member of the Mil- waukee Junction Manufacturers Association. He was a regular attendant and a substantial supporter of the Northwood Congregational church, with which his family is still connected. In his political views Major Hartwick was a stanch republican, studying closely the vital questions and issues of the day and giving earnest support to all measures for the public good.

When America entered the World war Major Hart- wick at once prepared for service overseas and be- came identified with the First Battalion, (Forestry) Twentieth Engineers. That his military record was just as valuable and just as brilliant in France as in Cuba is shown by various letters written to him by superior officers and by the comments that followed his death when he was called "west." Major Hartwick was in command of the First and Second Battalions of the Twentieth Engineers and after crossing with his men to France he received from Edward Watson, U. S. N., commander of the U.S.S. Madawaska, the following letter:

"So noteworthy has been the conduet, discipline and bearing of the troops under your command while embarked in this vessel, that it calls for some ex- pression from me, as commanding officer of the ship. Your men have distinguished themselves by orderly quietness and promptness at abandon ship drill and at all other times; by keeping their quarters, wash- rooms and latrines serupulously clean, and by standing an earnest, interested and excellent lookout. They have won the admiration and liking of the officers and men of this ship, who have been proud and glad to be associated with them, and feel sure that in the future they will render an excellent account of themselves. (Signed) Edward Watson."

A letter from N. F. MeClure, colonel of the Twenty-

second Cavalry, written December 20, 1917, to Major Hartwick, is as follows: "My dear Major: Allow me to express to you, and to your officers and men, my appreciation of excellent discipline displayed by your command and the good conduct which charac- terized it, while in this camp. Notwithstanding the heavy details of men for building dams, and other important engineer work, you have been able to im- prove the barracks and the grounds which you occupied. I inspected your barracks after your regiment left and found all property in excellent condition and properly cared for, and the grounds in the vicinity well policed. Every effort seems to have been made by your com- mand to leave everything in better shape than it was when you arrived. For this reason, we look upon your stay with us as a blessing, which I am sorry to say has not been the case with a number of organiza- tions. You may well feel that you have helped us along in our great work here instead of retarding us. My best wishes go with you and all of the other officers and men of the Twentieth Engineers."

That Major Hartwick made an enviable record while in France is shown by the following letter from Dr. C. G. Doney, an official of the Young Men's Christian Association: "At the Y. M. C. A. headquarters I first heard of the outstanding record made by Major Hartwiek and his men, for months the best moral and disciplinary achievement in the entire base section. Dr. Exuer, who studied army conditions on the Mex- ican border, says in his report that the officer in com- mand of soldiers is responsible to the extent of at least seventy-five per cent for their goodness or badness. The devotion of the men to Major Hartwick is touch- ing. One private said to me: 'There is not a man in all these companies who would not die in his tracks for the Major.' That is quite a contrast to what I have found elsewhere. All of these men have loved ones who are anxiously concerned for their welfare. I wish they might know the man who looks after their boys, might know how he has protected them and given them esprit de corps which will bring them home again better than when they left. Coming to this place, I was prepared to find an excellent situation, but everything is better than anticipated. The camps are delightful and healthfully located, and the quarters of the officers and men are so comfortable that one wishes to remain. The food is better than we had in the States, is well served and of wide variety."

Major Hartwick's last written message to his men appeared in a little publication, La Petite Voix, in the Easter number published after his death. He had carried the copy personally to the editor of the little paper and the article contained a beautiful acknowledgment of his deep faith in Christ. His interest in the welfare, physical, mental and moral, of his men was constant and La Petite Voix relates how two days before he became ill he requested some of the boys who were playing ball near his office not to swear, saying: "Boys, I wish you wouldn't

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profane so much. You can't tell when you might be called from this life; and I'd hate for any of you boys to die so unprepared." One of the privates under his command wrote: "When the news reached the men of Companies A, C and Headquarters that Major Hartwick had passed away it east a pall of sorrow over the camps. The Major had won the profound respect of every man under his command because he possessed that acumen, which is an essence of greatness, to see and understand the position of every soldier regardless of how menial his labor or how humble his station. His personal interests were sub- ordinated to those of his country and fellowmen. Every human being has an individuality but few have what Major Hartwick possessed-a strong personality. He was tender-hearted and sympathetic, strong-willed and influential. His deep love for home ties marks him as the type of American fatherhood that has elevated us to the foremost position of the world in the Christianity of the hearthstone. The writer remembers the eventful night that this battalion, just at dusk, marched quietly out of Camp American University on our way to France. The Major's wife and children were sitting in an automobile. When he kissed his little boy goodbye, the little fellow shook with sobs; he did not realize that that was the last time he would ever see his daddy. Many are the homes that will be depleted by this war, but may the great God that we all worship grant that the end will justify the prodigious cost. In years to come we will glance through the shadowy realms of mem- ory and recall the kindness and devotion that dis- tinguish real men from their likenesses that only move in an individual sphere. We mourn the loss of a man who was taken at a time when his country most needed him."

It was also in La Petite Voix that Sergent Thomas V. Coleman wrote: "The soul of the man whose first thought was ever the welfare of his 'boys' has winged its flight to that happier land and the hand of sorrow lays heavily, miserably across our hearts. The man who brought us safely through the trials, whose kindly consideration for the boys in the ranks endeared him to us beyond the power of expression, is gone forever; but his memory shall be always with us and at every turn we shall see countless reminders of our bitter loss. For sunlight will not dispel the pall of gloom that enshrouds us, nor can dragging time lessen the pain of the parting, and we cannot keep the tears from gathering when we try to realize that we can see him no more. Over his grave the gentle rains of springtime will kiss the earth that marks his resting place, and the grass and flowers will come to beautify the mound where he is peacefully sleeping- and those flowers will bloom and wither and die- but ever in our hearts will be enshrined the memory of the man we loved so well-for he was our Major, our constant example of all that should be-and always, always, he was our friend. We are better men for

having known him and our hands go up in salute to the memory of that splendid soldier,-to our Major, who has gone forever."

It is most appropriate that the letter written by his commanding officer should also be given.

Headquarters, 20th Engineers, N. A.,

U.S.M.P.O., No. 717, A.E.F., 31 March, 1918. Regimental Special Order) Number 2)

1. It is with deep regret that the commanding officer announces the death of Major Edward E. Hart- wiek in Dax, Landes, at three twenty-five P. M., today, of cerebro-spinal meningitis.

2. Major Hartwick was a graduate of West Point and for several years an officer of cavalry in the United States army. He resigned during the period of peace and engaged in the lumber business, where he promptly rose in prominence. At the time of the declaration of war against Germany he was presi- dent of the Hartwick Lumber Company, Detroit, Michi- gan, but he put aside personal interests in order to serve his country, and accepted a commission as major of the First Battalion, Twentieth Engineers.

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The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 41

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

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