USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 60
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In May, 1914, Mr. Bemb was married to Miss Inez
De Costa of Detroit. He is well known in elub cireles, being a member of the Detroit Athletic, Bloomfield Hills Country, Oakland Hills Country, Detroit Auto- mobile, Bloomfield Open Hunt and the Question Clubs. He also belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce. Mr. Bemb's country place-Sleepy Hollow-in the Bloomfield Hills section, is one of the attractive homes in that beautiful residential suburb. He is not with- out his hobby, which may be said to he his kennels, which contain some of the finest police dogs in the state. While very successful in business, Mr. Bemb is appreciative of life's pleasures and lives to enjoy them. He is a self-made man in the fullest meaning of the term and has become prominently known in club and social circles as well as through business connections, wherein he has steadily advanced to a point of prominence.
CHARLES E. FALES. Under the name of the C, E. Fales Company, Charles E. Fales is conducting a manufacturers' agency for all types of metal work- ing machinery, of which he is also a general jobber and in this connection he has played an important part in the installation of metal working machinery in many of Detroit's largest industrial establishments. Mr. Fales is a native of Medway, Massachusetts. He was born February 12, 1879, of the marriage of James E. and Mary C. (Ballou) Fales, whose family num- bered five children, the others being: Fred L., living in Milford, Massachusetts; James M., who is asso- ciated with his brother Charles in business; Mrs. Ada J. MeBurnie, of Medway, Massachusetts, and Almon L., who is chief chemist and civil engineer for the firm of Metcalf & Eddy of Boston.
Charles E. Fales acquired his early education in the public schools of Boston and was afterward graduated from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Upon the completion of his course he followed the trade of a machinist and toolmaker with various companies in the east, during which time he gained a wide degree of familiarity with all types of metal working ma- chinery, his experience in this connection being of great value to him and a factor in his subsequent success.
After coming to Detroit, Mr. Fales was employed by several of the city's foremost manufacturing and in- dustrial concerns as foreman in shops and for a time he was head foreman with the Packard Motor Car Company. In 1908 he became a salesman for the C. Wormer Manufacturing Company, handling all kinds of metal machinery. He continued with that house until 1913, during which time he formed a large busi- ness acquaintance and familiarized himself with the needs of the local trade for various types of ma- chinery. This knowledge and his laudable ambition led him to establish his present business in April, 1913. He is the sole owner of the interests conducted under the name of the C. E. Fales Company, which acts as agents and jobbers of metal working machinery. The
WALTER J. BEMB
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success of the enterprise is due to the promptness of delivery, the character of the product handled and the service rendered after installation. The company numbers among its patrons many of the largest auto- mobile manufacturers in the state and the trade of the house has assumed extensive proportions. The success of Mr. Fales is based upon his liberal education and subsequent broad experience in both the east and the west. He has made a close study of everything that he has undertaken and from cach new experience has learned the lessons therein contained. With him each day has marked off a full-faithed attempt to know more and to grow more, and each step in his career has been a forward one.
On the 28th of September, 1911, Mr. Fales was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Thompson of Vermont and of Medway, Massachusetts. Their mar- riage has been blessed with one child, a daughter, Margaret, born August 3, 1919. Mr. Fales is a Mason of high standing, belonging to Michigan Sovereign Consistory of Detroit, S. P. R. S., and to the Mystic Shrine, while in the York Rite he has taken all of the degrees and is a member of Detroit Commandery. He belongs to the Detroit Automobile Club, the Ex- change Club and the Board of Commerce. He has always been a supporter of the republican party and a stalwart advocate of its principles. As a business man he enjoys a well earned reputation for honor- able dealing and progressive methods and he has ever devoted his personal efforts to insuring the satisfaction of his patrons, being accounted one who holds to the highest ideals in his relations with others in the busi- ness world.
HUGH T. WILSON, president of the H. T. Wilson Coal Company and also of the North Chesapeake Coal Company and of the I. T. Becker Coal Company, has long been prominently known as a mine operator and is serving as a director in a number of other coal corporations besides those mentioned. His knowl- edge of the business is of a most comprehensive char- acter, for he began working in the coal mines of Pennsylvania when a lad of but eleven years and from that humble start has worked his way steadily upward through all the various phases of mining and handling coal, until he is now one of the foremost wholesale coal dealers in Michigan.
Mr. Wilson was born at Arnot, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 20, 1870, a son of Thomas and Jeannette (Glen- denning) Wilson, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in Scotland. The father was brought to America by his parents when a lad of five years and the mother came to the new world with her parents when but a year old. The respec- tive families settled in Pennsylvania and there Thomas Wilson was reared to manhood. He turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, which he continued to follow until his death.
Hugh T. Wilson, the eldest in their family of six
children, obtained his early education in the public schools of Arnot and Covington, Pennsylvania, but was only fourteen years of age when he put aside his textbooks to begin earning his living by working in the coal mines of the Keystone state. There he was employed in various capacities, continuing his labors underground until he was twenty years of age. He then left that locality and removed to Glen Richey, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, where he became a clerk in the store of the Glen Richey Coal Mining Company, continuing at that place for five years, on the expiration of which period he went to Piedmont, West Virginia, and took up merchandising on his own account, successfully operating in that field for two years. On selling out he went to Dingess, West Virginia, where he engaged in the coal and coke busi- ness on his own account. At length he disposed of his interests there and removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he conducted a retail coalyard for three years. In 1903 he came to Detroit, seeking a broader field of labor, and here established a wholesale coal trade, at the same time becoming interested in the operation of coal mines. He is now one of the heavy stockholders in the Norfolk & Chesapeake Coal Com- pany and is the president of the H. T. Wilson Coal Company, conducting a wholesale coal business exclu- sively, with mines located at Logan, West Virginia. He is also the president of the I. T. Becker Coal Com- pany and is a director of various other companies of similar character and different business enterprises.
On the 4th of December, 1895, Mr. Wilson was mar- ried at Piedmont, West Virginia, to Miss Maime Little, a daughter of Captain and Mrs. James Little of that place. They have one daughter, Jeannette Wilson, who was born at Dingess, December 19, 1896, and is a graduate of the Liggett School for Girls at Detroit and the Castle School for Girls at Tarrytown, New York.
The parents are consistent members of the Wood- ward Avenue Presbyterian church and Mr. Wilson is a loyal representative of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is also a member of the Detroit Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar, and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he maintains an independent course and in social circles he is well known, belonging to the Detroit Athletic, Detroit Golf, Fellowcraft and Detroit Curling Clubs, connections which indicate much of the nature of his recreational interests. There is perhaps no biographical record in this volume which indicates more clearly the possi- bilities and opportunities before the young than does the career of Hugh T. Wilson. An eminent educator, sociologist and lecturer said: "Do not teach your ehil- dren to be proud of an honored ancestry, but teach them that before them lies the opportunity to make an honorable record for themselves." This is what Mr. Wilson has done. A worker in the coal fields at the age of fourteen years, the boy 's industry and the thor-
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oughness with which he did his work won him pro- motion and from the initial point in his business career he has advanced step by step, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and wider oppor- tunities. Freely using the latter, he has come to a position among the leading coal operators and mer- chants of Michigan, his business now being one of mammoth proportions, bringing him large financial re- turns.
GEORGE J. GNAU, president of the Detroit Insur- ance Agency, belongs to that class of men who make a close and thorough study of everything which they undertake and by reason of developing capability have reached the point of success. He was born in Detroit, June 25, 1871, his parents being Caspar and Elizabeth (Pfeiff) Gnau. Having attended the public schools, he continued his education in the Detroit Business University and started out in the business world as errand boy with the firm of Frank J. Martz & Company in 1883. In 1886 he became office boy with the Pingree Shoe Company and was advanced steadily through various promotions until in 1898 he was made bookkeeper and cashier. He so served until 1902, when he went on the road as Pacific coast rep- resentative for the firm. His laudable ambition, how- ever, prompted him to engage in business on his own account and at length he organized the Detroit In- surance Agency, of which he has been president and general manager from the beginning. He has also extended his efforts into other fields, becoming presi- dent of the Campus Realty Company in February, 1920, while for three years he was a 'director of the Rosedale Park Land Company. He has made a most thorough and comprehensive study of insurance and is constantly seeking to broaden his knowledge and promote the efficiency of his activities in this direction. To this end he has become identified with the Insurance Exchange of Detroit, the Michigan As- sociation of Local Insurance Agents and the National Association of Local Insurance Agents.
On the 8th of February, 1898, Mr. Gnau was united in marriage to Miss Adele R. Widman and to them have been born two sons: Howarth W., born August 10, 1900, in Detroit, who is a member of the class of '22, University of Michigan and belonged to the United States navy during the World war; and Arthur W., born June 9, 1904, in Detroit, and now a student at Detroit University school.
Mr. Gnau is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and also of the United States Chamber of Commerce. Something of the nature of his interests outside of business is indicated in the fact that he has membership in the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Automobile Club, and the Bloomfield Hills Country Club, the Ingleside Club of Detroit, the North- port Point Country Club, the Church Club of Detroit, and the Y. M. C. A. of Detroit. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and his political be-
lief that of the republican party. His entire life has been passed in Detroit and that his course has ever been worthy the confidence and goodwill of his fellowmen is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present.
CHARLES CASH WINTERS. Determined activity in business circles, overcoming all obstacles and rec- ognizing no defeat, has brought Charles Cash Winters to an enviable place in connection with the wholesale coal trade, and other business enterprises have like- wise profited by his energy, close application and keen sagacity. He is vice president and general manager of the Mancourt-Winters Wholesale Coal Com- pany and the president of the Elkhorn Collieries Cor- poration, while other concerns of importance name him as a stockholder and official. He was born in San- dusky, Ohio, June 21, 1880, and is a son of H. A. and Belle (Neill) Winters, both of whom are natives of Ohio, where they still reside. The father, who for many years was a prominent merchant of Sandusky, is now living retired. In the family were seven children, one of whom has passed away, while those living are Allen, Lewis, Daniel, Charles C., Neill and Edith.
Charles Cash Winters attended the public schools of Sandusky, pursuing his course through the high school, being an athlete of no mean ability during his school days. This led him to go on the road with the Proctor & Keith vaudeville circuit, in which he was associated with Billy Lester, their turn comprising a mixed bag punching and boxing exhibition, which won them the plaudits of the multitude wherever they appeared. Mr. Winters continued in connection with the theatrical world for four years and during a part of that time was a sparring partner of the famous heavyweight champion, Robert Fitzsimmons. On these tours he traveled across the country many times and was widely known to the theatre-goers of every city. At length he decided to quit the profession and enter upon commercial pursuits. He became connected with the S. J. Patterson Coal Company of Dayton, Ohio, and upon resigning five years later he came to Detroit and entered the employ of the Consolidated Coal Com- pany as assistant to the general manager. Three years later he entered into partnership with A. Lester Man- court, under the firm style of the Mancourt-Winters Coal Company, of which he has since been the vice president and general manager. Prospering in this undertaking, he has greatly extended his efforts in connection with the wholesale coal trade and is now president of the Elkhorn Collieries Corporation, vice president of the Elkhorn Coal Company and also is a director of the Lincoln Brass Works of Detroit. He has thus constantly broadened the scope of his busi- ness interests and is now controlling important com- mercial and industrial concerns.
On the 22d of June, 1906, Mr. Winters was married
GEORGE J. GNAU
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to Miss Charlotte Bergmoser of Sandusky, Ohio, a daughter of George and Carrie Bergmoser. Mr. Win- ters is fond of outdoor sports and athletics, including baseball, boxing and similar interests. He is as well a member of the Detroit Golf Club and the Detroit Athletic Club, while in Masonry he has advanced through both routes, becoming a Knights Templar, a Consistory Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. The varied activities of his life have brought him an acquaintance in all parts of the country and in Detroit, where he has centered his interests for many years, he is regarded as a representative and progres- sive business man.
WILLIAM JOHN GRIFFIN, member of the Detroit bar, was born at Blissfield, Michigan, on the 29th of April, 1880, his parents being Charles and Mary A. (Probert) Griffin. In his youth he was taken to Eng- land and pursued his early education in the grammar schools of Warwickshire. With the return to Michi- gan he became a pupil in the high school at Ann Arbor and was there graduated with the class of 1901. He then entered the State University for the study of law and won his LL.B. degree as a member of the class of 1905.
Locating in Detroit for the practice of his pro- fession, Mr. Griffin became associated with Messrs. Wade Millis and John J. Jackson in a partnership that was maintained until January 1, 1906. A change in the personnel of the firm then occurred, leading to the adoption of the style of Millis, Culver, Griffin & Lacy, which was continued until January 1, 1912, and with the withdrawal of Mr. Culver from the firm the style of Millis, Griffin & Lacy was adopted. Upon the ap- pointment of Mr. Laey, circuit court judge, the pres- ent firm of Millis, Griffin, Seely & Streeter was organized. Throughout his professional career Mr. Griffin has remained a member of the Detroit bar, the consensus of public opinion placing him with its emi- nent representatives. Aside from his professional identification Mr. Griffin is secretary and a director of the Harry Svensgaard Sales Corporation and also of the Motor Spindle Corporation.
On the 29th of April, 1914, in Detroit, Mr. Griffin was united in marriage to Miss Effie M. Staley, a daughter of the late Emanuel Staley. They attend the Episcopal church and fraternally Mr. Griffin is con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also well known in club circles as a member of the Detroit Athletic and the Wilderness Clubs. He has served as a trustee and the secretary and treas- urer of the Arnold Home and during the war period he was an alternate director of the legal advisory board of Highland Park. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. Along professional lines he maintains various membership connections, be- ing a representative of the American Bar Associa- tion, the Michigan State Bar Association, the Detroit Bar Association, the Lawyers Club of Detroit and the
Commercial Law League of America, and he is also identified with the Credit Men's Association. He finds diversion in outdoor life and the interests and activities of his life are of great breadth, indicating his keen interest in all those forces which have to do with the world's progress.
CHARLES R. BENNETT, partner in the Detroit Vixen Company, file and tool mannfacturers, was born in Trenton, New Jersey, January 7, 1884, a son of Charles K. and Mathilda (Hill) Bennett, who were also natives of New Jersey, in which state they have spent their lives. The father is a well known and successful contractor in painting and decorating, and has actively followed this calling for fifty years. He has now reached the age of seventy-five. During the Civil war he enlisted in the service on three different occasions, first as a drummer boy with the Thirty- seventh New Jersey Infantry, and later as a private in the ranks. He saw active service in several im- portant engagements, the most prominent of which was the battle of Petersburg. His wife also survives and has reached the age of seventy-three. Their fam- ily numbered five children, one of whom, Walter M., the first in order of birth, has passed away. The others are: Mrs. John W. Bunger and Mrs. Walter D. Craft of Trenton, New Jersey; William A., living in Newark, New Jersey; and Charles R. of this review.
The last named attended the public and high schools of his native city and afterward took up the painting and decorating business with his father, with whom he was thus associated until 1915. During much of this time, too, he also played baseball, starting with the club of Morristown, Tennessee, and playing sec- ond base and outfield during the twelve years he was connected with professional baseball. He was signed up with various minor league clubs through the south- ern league and eastern league teams.
In October, 1916, Mr. Bennett came to Detroit, as factory representative of the Vixen Tool Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and now of Newark, New Jersey. He continued to act in that capacity until 1918, when he took over the agency and changed the name to the Detroit Vixen Company. He is now a partner in the business, handling all the Vixen tool products for the district and has built up a very successful business.
On the 25th of June, 1913, Mr. Bennett was mar- ried to Miss Lillian H. Stewart of Yardville, New Jersey, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Stewart of that state, and they have one child: Howard B., born in Yardville, in April, 1914, and now attending school in Detroit. Mr. Bennett is a republican in his political belief. He belongs to Palestine Lodge, No. 357, A. F. & A. M., also Palestine Chapter, No. 159, Royal Arch Masons, and he also belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics at Yardville, New Jersey, the National League of Masonic Clubs; also Detroit Ma-
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sonic Country Club, the Detroit Curling Club, and the Detroit Board of Commerce and Credit Men's Asso- ciation. He is thus connected with organizations having much to do with business conditions in Detroit and co-operates heartily in well formulated plans to promote development and progress along commercial and industrial lines.
HARRY ALLEN, a member of the firm of Race, Haass & Allen, attorneys at law of Detroit, was born on a farm in Oakland county, Michigan, February 19, 1882. His father, John Allen, also a native of Michi- gan, was born in 1856 and was a son of Francis Allen, who was born in England, where he resided until after his marriage. He then came with his wife to the new world, settling in Michigan about 1846, his last days being spent in Oakland county, where he passed away in 1912. His father also came from England to the new world and was a resident of Oak- land county until his demise. Thus five generations of the family, including the children of Harry Allen, have been residents of Michigan. His father, John Allen, was married in Mount Clemens, Michigan, in 1880, to Miss Susie Raynor, who was born in Ma- comb county, this state, and they now reside in Bir- mingham, Oakland county.
Harry Allen was a pupil in the Birmingham schools, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school with the class of 1902. With the intention of making the practice of law his life work he entered the Michigan State University, from which he won the degree of LL.B. on completing the law course in 1909. He then located for practice in Detroit and in 1917 entered into his present partner- ship relations as a member of the firm of Race, Haass & Allen. They specialize in corporation law, in real estate and bond securities and the firm is one of the strong forces at the Detroit bar.
On the 24th of June, 1914, Mr. Allen was married in Birmingham, Michigan, to Miss Marion R. Clizbe, a daughter of Warren D. Clizbe, and they have two children: Eleanor and James C. Mr. Allen gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and during the war period he served on the legal ad- visory board. His interest in politics is that of a progressive citizen and not that of an aspirant for office. He has thus far limited his club relations to membership in the University of Michigan Club.
HERBERT VIVIAN BOOK, one of the most promi- nent of Detroit's younger business men and well known in the financial, club and social life of the city, where he was born May 5, 1895, is the youngest son of his parents, Dr. James Burgess and Clothilde (Palms) Book. His father was one of the most virile and versatile men known to Detroit in the days just prior to the big boom and is mentioned at length elsewhere in this work.
Herbert V. Book prepared at the Detroit University
school, continuing his education abroad, first as a student in the University of Paris and later in the University of Munich. Extensive European travel dur- ing vacation periods was a broadening influence. Mr. Book returned home in July, 1914, and the break- ing out of the World war soon afterward, with the subsequent closing of European universities, prevented the resumption of his studies. A business rather than a professional career appealing to him, he entered his father's office to acquire a practical knowledge of the handling of the extensive real estate and commer- cial interests controlled by that parent. Since then Herbert V. Book has been intimately connected with these interests, which since the death of Dr. James Burgess Book have been known as the Book Estate, comprising among many other very valuable proper- ties in the best business sections of Detroit, the magnificent Book building on Washington boulevard and the Real Estate Exchange on Cadillac square.
In November, 1917, Mr. Book entered the service of his country in the World war and was sent to Camp Custer. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the motor vehicle section of the quartermaster's de- partment and was subsequently attached to the motor transport service, with which he remained in active connection until May, 1919, when he received his dis- charge.
On the 22d of June, 1916, Mr. Book was married to Miss Eleanore Everard of a prominent Detroit family, a daughter of the late Herbert H. Everard. Mr. and Mrs. Book have two daughters: Eleanore Elizabeth and Vivienne.
Among his more important business connections Mr. Book is a trustee of the Book Estate, a director of the Palms-Book Land Company and vice president of the Development Corporation of Detroit, which was incorporated under Michigan laws for the purpose of facilitating and strengthening the very large financial transactions of the family and is the foremost concern of its kind ever organized in Michigan. In politics he is a stanch republican. Appreciative of the social amenities of life, Mr. Book is a member of the Detroit, the Detroit Athletic, Detroit Country, Lochmoor, Old and Detroit Automobile Clubs. He is also a member of the Board of Commerce.
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