The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 48

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

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Clemens, Michigan; Louis, a vice president of the Burton Abstract & Title Company; Fred, also a vice president of the Burton Abstract & Title Company; Frank, now commissioner of buildings and safety en- gineering of the city of Detroit, who served as a captain of engineers in France during the World war; Harriet B., the wife of Roland Reed of Detroit; and Ralph, associated with his father in the abstract business, who was a captain in the Red Cross service overseas during the late war. All of the above named children were students in the University of Michigan and all of them graduated therefrom except the last two. Mrs. Burton passed away at Detroit on February 6, 1896. On December 25, 1897, Mr. Burton was mar- ried to Mrs. Lina O. Grant. Her death occurred October 4, 1898. Mr. Burton's third marriage was on June 21, 1900, to Mrs. Anna (Monroe) Knox. One daughter, Elizabeth, now attending the MacDuffie School at Springfield, Massachusetts, was born to this union.

In summing up this all too brief sketch of Clarence M. Burton, we quote from another writer, who stated: "Mr. Burton is a man of large physique and dig- nified bearing, of pleasing address, of genial disposi- tion and cordial manners; loyal to his friends, generous to his employes, and courteous to everybody. He combines in an uncommon way the qualities of a business man who pursued literary investigations without injury to his business, and of a student whose business does not interefere with his researches."

PAUL PLESSNER, manufacturing chemist of De- troit, is one of the well known representatives of that line of industry and his long connection therewith in various capacities has brought to him a place of prom- inence in the trade circles of the city, where his reputation is of the highest. He was born in Stettin, Germany, April 14, 1848, his parents being Dr. Michael C. T. and Amalie (Fittenger) Plessner, who came to America when their son Paul was an infant of but six months. The family home was established in Saginaw, Michigan, where the father entered upon the practice of medicine and surgery, continuing to actively and successfully follow his profession there throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1891, while his widow survived for a considerable period, her death occurring about 1909.

Paul Plessner acquired his education in the public schools of Saginaw, Michigan, and of Toledo, Ohio, before entering Columbia University, from which he was graduated in 1868 with the degree of Ph. G., and eleven years later, upon the completion of a course in medicine, the University of Michigan conferred upon him the M. D. degree.

Mr. Plessner has led a busy, active and useful life. He was associated with the firm of MeKesson & Robins from 1874 until 1876 and in the latter year came to Detroit as chemist for Farrand, Williams & Com- pany, with whom he continued for a decade. In 1887

PAUL PLESSNER

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he became the vice president of the Trommer Com- pany of Fremont, Ohio, there remaining until 1908, when he went east to Boston and was president of the Marey Company of that city from 1905 until 1910. In the latter year he organized the Paul Pless- ner Company, manufacturing chemists of Detroit, and has since been at the head of this business. In the intervening years his powers had gradually devel- oped through experience and broad study and he has become a prominent figure in manufacturing chemical circles of the middle west and is well known as a mem- ber of the American Pharmaceutical Association.

Mr. Plessner has been married twice. By his first marriage he had a son and a daughter: Norman C., who is connected with the Detroit Free Press; and Genevieve, the wife of E. E. Clarke, of Kansas City, Missouri. In 1911 Mr. Plessner wedded Miss Marion Zoeller, of Saginaw, Michigan, and they are well known in the social circles of Detroit.

Politically Mr. Plessner is a republican who, without ambition for office, has always been keenly interested in the success of the party and the adoption of its principles, fully believing that the best interests of the country are conserved thereby. He belongs to the Episcopal church and in Masonry has attained high rank, being connected with Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Peninsular Chapter, R. A. M .; and the Michi- gan Sovereign Consistory, in which he has reached the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of Moslem Temple he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is likewise connected with the Knights of the Maccabees and he enjoys the high regard not only of his brethern of these fraternities but of all with whom he has come in contact. He is an exceptionally well preserved mau, for though he has now attained the age of seventy-two years, he has always been fond of outdoor life, has engaged largely in golf and other outdoor recreation and pos- sesses the vigor and energy attributable to men who are many years his junior.

WALTER EWING OXTOBY, member of the law firm of Keena, Lightner, Oxtoby & Hanley of Detroit, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1876, and is a son of John T. Oxtoby, D. D., and Mary (Veech) Oxtoby. With the removal of the family to Michigan he pursued his education in the schools of Saginaw and Ionia, this state, and determining to practice law he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he was gradu- ated with the LL.B. degree in 1898. He located for practice in Detroit, where he was a member of the firm of Keena, Lightner & Oxtoby from 1898 until 1913, and from 1913 to the present time a member of the firm of Keena, Lightner, Oxtoby & Hanley. The court records bear testimony to the high standing of this firm and the importance of the litigated in- terests with which they have been connected.

On the 12th of June, 1906, Mr. Oxtoby was married

at Grosse Pointe Farms, Detroit, to Miss Emma W. Schmidt and they have three children: Carl S., Alice Mary and Dorothy. The family hold membership in the First Presbyterian church of Detroit and Mr. Oxtoby gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He belongs to the Bar Association of Detroit, and to the Michigan and American Bar Associations. He is also a member of the Country Club, the Bloom- field Hills, the Lochmoor, the Detroit Boat and the Detroit Athletic Clubs.

E. J. McCOLLISTER, manager of the O'Neil De- tective Agency at Detroit, was born in Uhrichsville, Ohio, and educated in the public schools of Cleveland, Ohio. When his textbooks were put aside he entered upon the secret service work and was with the Coch Agency until 1910, when he joined the Woodward Com- pany, with which he was connected until 1912. He then bought out the old O'Neil Detective Agency in Detroit, which he has since conducted with admirable success. This agency was founded in 1880 by Patrick O'Neil, who was one of the most noted detectives in America. Since that date this agency has been recog- nized as the leader in its line in the state and never has its efficiency been greater than under the manage- ment of Mr. MeCollister. He has played a very impor- tant part in the recent history of Detroit, although his influence has been exerted so quietly that it has not attracted the attention and recognition it deserves. The value of his work is exemplified in the fact that in these days of labor unrest and I. W. W. and Bol- shevik activities there has never been a strike in any plant where Mr. MeCollister had charge. Not only has he kept strikes from occurring, which is his method of supervising a plant, but he has also per- formed a vast amount of high-class work in settling strikes for those who have not availed themselves of his services until the strike was upon them. He has worked on a large number of noted cases and has uncovered losses reaching as high as half a million dollars, but owing to the policy of his office special mention cannot be made of these. Mr. MeCollister also broke down the first Bolshevik and I. W. W. strike in Detroit. This was fomented largely by alien ene- mies and was directed at the packing houses. All of these houses were placed in his charge and the strike was frustrated in a surprisingly short time. Mr. Me- Collister has handled practically every big strike in Detroit during the last two years and the value of his service can scarcely be overestimated in bringing about and sustaining tranquillity and productiveness in labor circles. In the past year branch offices have been opened in Chicago, Illinois, and Indianapolis, Indiana.

In 1906 Mr. MeCollister was married to Miss Elma Smith. He is a member of the Brooklands Golf and Country Club, the Business Men's Club, the Y. M. C. A., the Automobile Club and the Board of Commerce. His interest in Detroit's welfare is shown in many

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tangible ways and his business is of a character that has contributed in most substantial measure toward maintaining the business equilibrium that must pre- cede all business progress.

PAUL ROBERT GRAY, banker and manufacturer, was born in Detroit, July 24, 1867, and is a son of John Simpson and Anna (Hayward) Gray. His father was for many years a notable figure in the business eireles of Detroit and is mentioned at length on another page of this work. The son was a pupil in the Detroit high school from 1882 until 1886 and then matriculated in the University of Michigan, where he pursued a four years' course, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation with the class of 1890. His father had become a candy manufacturer of De- troit and at the beginning of his business career Paul R. Gray became associated with the undertaking, the business being developed to extensive proportions. Eventually it became the Detroit branch of the Na- tional Candy Company, of which Mr. Gray was the manager from 1902 until 1908. Manifesting the same forcefulness and resourcefulness in business affairs that characterized his father, he extended his efforts into other fields, becoming vice president of the Gray Motor Company, in which office he continued from 1905 until 1910. He is likewise vice president of the First State Bank, of the Gray Estate Company and of the John S. Gray Estate. He ranks today as one of the capi- talists of Detroit, and was a stockholder in the famous Ford Motor Company, of which his father was the president from its organization until the time of his death in 1906.

On the 23d of January, 1900, in Detroit, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Frances Noble and their three children are: Frances, Elizabeth and Anne.

Paul R. Gray has membership with the leading clubs of his native eity, including the University, Detroit Athletic, Detroit, Country and Detroit Boat Clubs. He was at one time a member of the Michigan Naval Re- serves for three years. Paul R. Gray was elected to the Library Board in 1912, served a six year term as commissioner, and was re-elected in 1918 for another term. He has membership with the Detroit Board of Commerce and with the Psi Upsilon fraternity and he has followed the religious teachings of his parents, retaining his membership in the Christian church. The subjective and objective forces of life are in him well balanced, making him cognizant of his own capabilities and powers, while at the same time he thoroughly understands his opportunities and his ob- ligations. To make his native talents subserve the demands which conditions of society impose at the present time is the purpose of his life, and by reason of the mature judgment which characterizes his ef- forts he stands today a splendid representative of the prominent banker and capitalist to whom businees is but one phase of life and does not exclude his active participation in and support of the other vital inter-

ests which go to make up human existence. The Grays have contributed in large amounts to worthy Detroit enterprises, never hesitating to lend their assistance even to the extent of many thousands of dollars and at the same time forhidding any publicity in connec- tion therewith. Detroit backed her soldiers to the limit during the World war and it is to such men as the members of the Gray family that the wonder- ful success of Detroit, in at all times raising her quota in loan and other drives, is due. Not only did they give heavily of their funds but of their time and energy, swayed by a devotion to the city and the country that has always been a dominant factor in the history of the family.

JULIUS BONNINGHAUSEN was for thirty-seven years a business man of Detroit, while the period of his residence in this city covered six decades. He became well known through his extensive operations in the field of real estate and insurance. Mr. Bon- ninghausen was born in Utica, Michigan, September 3, 1860, and was a son of William and Minnie (Piel) Bonninghausen. The father was a native of Germany and came to the United States in 1848, locating in Detroit, where he resided until 1860, after which he spent one year in Utica. He was a merchant. In 1861, when his son Julius was but a year old, he returned to Detroit, Michigan.

Julius Bonninghausen pursued his education in the German-American Seminary, from which he was grad- uated. From an early age he showed an ambition to advance in business circles and when still quite young obtained a position as parcel boy in various mercan- tile establishments. Later he engaged in the insur- ance business, being associated with William Park- inson, ex-city treasurer, under the name of Parkinson & Bonninghausen. This relation was maintained for several years, or until the death of Mr. Parkinson, when Mr. Bonninghausen purchased the interest of Mr. Parkinson and became sole owner of the business, which he continued quite successfully until his demise.

On the 10th of October, 1888, Mr. Bonninghausen was united in marriage to Miss Louise E. Broeg, a daughter of Max Broeg, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1847, at the age of eleven years, and later engaged in the market business with notable success, retiring about 1888. His death occurred February 12, 1907. Mr. Broeg left a family of children as follows: Clara K., the widow of Anton Kuehn1, who died in 1920; Louise E., now Mrs. Bon- ninghausen; Adele Broeg of Chicago; and Eleanor, the widow of Bruua Lipke. One son of the family, Max Broeg, Jr., passed away in 1920. To Mr. and Mrs. Bonninghausen were born three children: Arthur J., whose birth occurred September 9, 1896, and who com- pleted his education at the Michigan Agricultural Col- lege; Richard I., who was born May 5, 1899, and was graduated from the Michigan Agricultural College in 1921; and Eleanor L., born May 18, 1905. Messrs.

PAUL R. GRAY

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Arthur J. and Richard I. Bonninghausen are suc- cessors to the business of their father, which is now conducted under the name of the Julius Bonninghausen Insurance Agency, and they are members of the Fel- loweraft Club.

The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 11th of March, 1921, Mr. Bonninghausen passed away after a residence in Detroit of sixty years. During this time he had gained a prominent position in business circles and also won the high regard of all who knew him. He was a popular mem- ber of the Fellowcraft and Harmonie Clubs. His widow and children belong to the North Congrega- tional church. To his family Mr. Bonninghausen left the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.

WILLIAM H. HUMPHREY is engaged in the stock and bond brokerage business in Detroit as the presi- dent of the W. H. Humphrey Company. He was born in Lansing, Michigan, August 28, 1878, his par- ents being Henry and Martha (Boyce) Humphrey. The father, a native of the state of New York, removed to Michigan in his early youth in company with his parents and later took up the business of accounting and similar occupations, which led him in time into the field of banking and he became a well known financier of Lansing, Michigan, where he re- sided until his death in December, 1919. His wife, who survives, was born in this state. In their fam- ily were four children. Their daughter Mary is prominent in literary circles and is now one of the editors of the Sunday issue of the Detroit Free Press. The others of the family are: Jane, Mrs. T. W. Koch and William H., of this review.

In his youthful days William H. Humphrey attended the public and high schools of Lansing and later entered the University of Michigan, where he con- tinued his studies for two years. In 1903 he went to Chicago, where he engaged in the brokerage, stock and bond business until 1909, thus gaining the broad experience which constitutes the foundation of his present-day success. In that year he returned to Mich- igan and settled in Detroit, where he organized the W. H. Humphrey Company for handling stocks and bonds, investments and preferred stocks, and in this connection has met with a very gratifying measure of success, being considered one of the most reliable investment brokers of Detroit. He informs himself thoroughly concerning the real value of commercial paper and his clients know that his opinion can be relied upon.

On the 22d of November, 1905, Mr. Humphrey was married to Miss Kathryn Dix of Berrien Springs, Michigan, and they have two children: Dix, who was born in Chicago; and Kathryn Patricia.

In politics Mr. Humphrey maintains an independent course. He belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Automobile Club, the Detroit Club and the University Club and is popular in these organizations,

his geniality, his progressive spirit and his reliability winning for him the confidence, good will and friend- ship of many with whom he has been brought into contact.

JAMES J. BRADY. One of the best known citizens of Michigan is James J. Brady, who has recently re- tired from the office of internal revenue collector and will devote his attention more largely to his duties as vice president of the American State Bank and to other business interests. But it is not alone as a business man nor as an official that Mr. Brady's name has become familiar throughout the length and breadth of the state. He is widely known as the newsboys' friend and has done more for the assistance and uplift of the unfortunate boy thrown upon his own resources thau perhaps almost any other man in Detroit. Yet from Mr. Brady's lips this story is seldom heard, his labors being attended by a becoming modesty that seeks to shield him from publicity in this connection. The story, however, should serve as an inspiration and example to others for similar service.

James J. Brady was born in Detroit, May 3, 1878, and is a son of Francis J. Brady, who was a well known botanist and hortienlturist and died November 17, 1907. He was twice married, the first time to Isabelle Dunn, who died when James J. Brady was at. small boy. She was the mother of the following chil- dren: Frank J., of Rexford, who died March 10, 1917; Lulu M., who is the wife of Martin Brady of Detroit; James J., of this sketch; Edward M., who died in Detroit February 28, 1916; Joseph A., of Detroit; and Mamie, who died young. For his second wife Francis J. Brady married Mary Ann Dunn, a younger sister of his first wife. She died July 19, 1897. Their chil- dren were six in number, five of whom reached adult ages, a daughter, Nellie, having died in infancy, the others being: Anna, wife of Frank La Vigne of Detroit; Frances, who is now Mrs. Frank McGowan of Detroit; Dollie, who is deceased; Ida of Detroit; and Ella, wife of Stephen Sharp of Detroit.

James J. Brady had extremely meager educational opportunities, for when a lad of seven he left school to earn his living as a newsboy, in which connection he displayed industry and determination, so that his sales rapidly increased. Out of his meager earnings he saved enough money to hire a tutor and in this way secured a liberal education. From the sale of papers he entered a printing shop and there learned the trade, but about the time that he had mastered the business, then largely hand work, the printing machines of the present day came into use and he felt that he might enjoy more remunerative labor by taking up telegraphy. In 1898 he abandoned that line of work to enter a comparatively new field of business -the manufacture and sale of automobiles. In this he became associated with R. E. Olds and Frederic L. Smith, the firm manufacturing the first really success- ful motor car, and about the same time Henry Ford

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was perfecting his car. Mr. Ford and Mr. Brady would start out with their respective machines on the streets of Detroit and would pass each other, each driving the machine of his own manufacture, but they would never stop to discuss its merits for fear they could not get started again. Such was the be- ginning of the automobile industry in Detroit. Mr. Brady and his associates began the manufacture of a commercial and pleasure car under the firm name of the E. R. Thomas Detroit Company, being asso- ciated with E. R. Thomas, Roy D. Chapin, F. O. Bizner and Howard E. Coffin, the name of the com- pany being later changed to the Chalmers Automobile Company. The same partners afterward organized the Hudson Motor Company and in 1910 Mr. Brady sold his holdings in both the Chalmers and Hudson companies, and with two of his former business asso- ciates, Walter Sorenson and Benjamin Allen, organized the S. & A. Machine Company, now extensively and successfully engaged in the manufacture of tools and machinery, their establishment furnishing employment to more than one hundred and fifty people. Mr. Brady holds a third interest in the business. He is also connected with many of the leading financial institu- tions of Detroit, being vice president of the American State Bank and director of the American State Bank of Highland Park, as well as a stockholder in other financial institutions. In banking circles his judgment is regarded as particularly sound and his keen sagacity and progressive spirit have been salient forces in the successful conduct of the institutions with which he is now identified.

On the 16th of March, 1914, Mr. Brady was ap- pointed internal revenue collector for this district, which covers Michigan from Mackinaw to the south- ern boundary and is known as the first district. He proved a most efficient and fearless officer in the dis- charge of his duties, being relentless in his prosecution of lawbreakers. One of the local papers said: "His tenure of office has been one of the most interesting in the history of the department in Detroit. Some idea of the development of the duties he has per- formed can be gained from the fact that when he assumed office, March 16, 1914, the internal revenue collections of the district were at the rate of seven million dollars a year. On his retirement they had tipped one hundred and fifty million dollars for the last twelve months. 'Few men have entered into the spirit of the service so effectively as have you, and still fewer have been so successful as administrative officers. I congratulate you on having rendered such distinctive service to your country,' wrote Daniel C. Roper, commissioner of revenue, to Mr. Brady on the occasion of the latter's resignation." There were one hundred and twenty-five employes in the depart- ment under his direction and to a man they were loyal to their chief. On only one occasion did he ever find his confidence misplaced and that was only a slight infraction of his rule. When Mr. Brady re-

tired from his government office he was presented with a fine diamond ring purchased by subscription among the business men of his district as a token of appreciation and admiration for the splendid manner in which he discharged the affairs of his office. Mr. Brady was at one time commissioner of the water board of Detroit, serving for five years and resign- ing as its president in 1917.

On the 10th of June, 1903, Mr. Brady was married to Miss May A. Kreis, daughter of Charles and Anna Kreis of Detroit. They now have three children: Frederic Arthur, born in Detroit in 1905; Mildred, born in 1910; and Helen Grace, born in 1912. All are at- tending school.

In politics Mr. Brady has always been a democrat. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church and he is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus. It was he who inaugurated what is known as the Newsboys' Day in Detroit. His own youthful experiences have caused him to have deep sympathy with the newsboy, especially the one who is unfor- tunate enough to be early thrown upon his own resources without home or family influences to guide him. In almost countless instances he has proven a friend to such lads, seeking ever to stimulate their best qualities and prove to them that the way to success lies open to them. Such proof is indeed found in his own career, for he is today rated as one of the capitalists of Detroit.

ALEXANDER F. WALKER is the vice president of the firm of Walker Brothers, conducting the largest catering and restaurant business in the state of Michi- gan, while his activities of this character make constant demand upon his time and energies, he has also been an earnest supporter of many public-spirited measures, contributing largely to their success through his labors. The high regard in which he is held by all who know him is attributable to the fact that as a business man he has ever maintained the highest stand- ards of integrity and progressiveness, and his success is due to his energy and persistency of purpose.

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The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 48

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