USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 61
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WILLIAM C. DEVEREAUX is a manufacturer of Detroit whose interests have featured in making this one of the great industrial and commercial centers of the country, ranking fourth among the cities of the United States. Mr. Devereaux has spent his entire life in Michigan, being a native of Bancroft, born April 9, 1886. His parents were Eugene L. and Alice E. (Carruthers) Devereaux. The Devereaux family went to England from Normandy during the time of the Norman conquest in the eleventh century and has been represented on American soil for many genera- tions.
William C. Devereaux acquired his education in the
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schools of Owosso and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1910. He then took up the carriage making business in the employ of the Durant-Dort Carriage Company at Flint, Michigan. He became advertising manager for that house, but at the end of three years he gave up the position to become salesman for the Chalmers Motor Company, with which he continued for a year. He was later associated with the Keeler Brass Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, for six months and afterward with the American Brass Novelty Company of Grand Haven for three years, representing these different concerns as salesman.
On the expiration of that period Mr. Devereaux joined with others in forming the Ferro Stamping & Manufacturing Company, of which he is now the secretary and general manager. This company was or- ganized in December, 1915, by W. A. Detwiler, Rollo W. Detwiler, John A. Bryant and W. C. Devereaux, and they are now engaged in the manufacture of auto- mobile hardware, the volume of their business being indicated in the fact that they employ two hundred and fifty people.
In June, 1913, Mr. Devereaux was married to Miss Harriet Detwiler and they have become the parents of three children: Richard Cameron, William Arnold and Shirley Jane. Mr. Devereaux belongs to Genesee Lodge, No. 23, F. & A. M., the Detroit Athletic Club, Board of Commerce, and also to the Beta Theta Pi, a college fraternity. He is an alert, progressive young business man, ready for any emergency or any oppor- tunity, and each step in his career has been a forward one, bringing him a wider outlook. Today he is con- trolling important manufacturing interests and finding ready solution for all the complex problems of business.
THEODORE F. SHOTWELL, a distinguished repre- sentative of the Detroit bar, passed away June 10, 1920. His life record was especially creditable and he worked his way through college, being a self- educated as well as a self-made man. He was ever actuated by a laudable ambition to make the most of his opportunities and step by step he advanced until he occupied a place in the front rank among the lead- ing lawyers of Michigan. His birth occurred in the state of New York, July 30, 1852, and he was one of a family of three children born to Rev. and Mrs. John M. Shotwell. The father, also a native of the Empire state, was a minister of the Baptist church, but like most ministers his financial resources were limited and thus it was that Mr. Shotwell had to depend largely upon his own resources from an early age, although sharing in the advantages of a cultured home environ- ment. He was a pupil in the public and high schools of New York state and then ambitious to advance along educational lines he planned a course in Oberlin College at Oberlin, Ohio, notwithstanding the fact that he knew his own labors must provide the neces- sary expenses. He began teaching school at the age
of fourteen years and in this way helped to earn the funds to put him through college. Eventually his col- lege course was completed aud in the year 1877 he was admitted to practice at the Ohio bar. He then opened an office in Bucyrus, that state, and while ad- vancement in the law is proverbially slow he soon gained recognition of his ability and step by step progressed in his chosen calling. He continued a resident of Bucyrus for nine years, winning a sub- stantial clientage during that period, after which he removed to Pauling, Ohio, and there continued in the practice of law for nine years, until he came to De- troit. He was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1893 and for nearly a quarter of a century was a resident of Detroit. His clientage here was extensive and of an important character, connecting him with much notable litigations tried in the courts of the district and he was regarded as a wise counselor as well as an able advocate. He always held to the highest ethical standards of the profession and he was notable for the thoroughness and care with which he prepared his cases and the clearness and precision with which he presented his arguments.
Mr. Shotwell was united in marriage on November 3, 1876, to Miss Amanda Mckinstry of Bucyrus, Ohio, a daughter of James Mckinstry, of a well known and prominent Ohio family, her father being engaged in agricultural pursuits in that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Shotwell were born: A son, Carlos W., who has be- come a prominent physician of Detroit, with offices in the David Whitney building; Rebecca, now the wife of Nathan T. Viger; and the youngest of the family is Herbert C. Shotwell of Detroit. Theodore F. Shot- well was a member of the Woodward Avenue Pres- byterian church, with which his family is also identified, and he likewise belonged to a number of the leading clubs of the city, including the Ingleside. Mr. Shotwell was fond of travel and accompanied by Mrs. Shotwell made a trip around the world, and previous to that had made several trips to Europe. He was a man of fine personal appearance, of marked intellec- tual vigor and of high ideals. He was never content to choose the second best in life, at all times making the best possible use of his opportunities and from an obscure position he worked his way upward to a place of prominence in connection with the legal pro- fession of his adopted city.
HERMAN A. ZELLER is a native son of Detroit. He was born December 25, 1890, his parents being Henry A. and Katherine (Clinton) Zeller, both of whom were of European birth but came to America when eighteen and twenty years of age, respectively. Making his way to Detroit, the father secured the position of foreman with the Farr-Nord Company of Detroit, thus continuing for many years. He passed away in this city in 1916, while the mother's death occurred in 1917. In their family were three chil- dren: Henry A .; Arthur G .; and Herman A.
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The last named attended the public schools of Detroit and after putting aside his textbooks became an apprentice in the engineering department of the United States Motor Company, now the General Motor Company, serving a full term of indenture in connec- tion with automobile engineering. He there continued until 1912, when he associated with his brothers in establishing the automobile training school known as the Michigan State Auto School, Incorporated, which became the largest institution of its kind in the world. Mr. Zeller continued his connection with the school until 1920, when he disposed of his interests therein.
Mr. Zeller was united in marriage in 1912, to Miss Della Delor of Detroit, and they have one child, Ed- ward, who was born April 16, 1913.
Mr. Zeller is a republican in politics and has served as deputy sheriff under Sheriffs Oakman, Stein and Coffin. Fraternally he is a Mason and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and has membership in the Detroit Automobile Club, the Masonic Country Club, the Detroit Board of Commerce and the Caravan Club. The nature of his interests is thus plainly indicated and at all times his aid and influence can be counted upon to further plans and measures for the general good.
HOWARD PIERCE BALLANTYNE. A popular young business man of Detroit, occupying a prominent position in insurance circles, is Howard P. Ballan- tyne, of the firm of Ballantyne & Trego, 214 Murphy building. Mr. Ballantyne is connected with several of Detroit's old and prominent families, whose activi- ties have had much to do with the city's growth and development. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, on the 9th of October, 1893, a son of Rev. James and Hettie (Ford) Ballantyne. The father, a native of Pittsburgh, was a prominent clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church and passed away in that city in 1901. Three children were born to Rev. and Mrs. Ballantyne: Ford, who is connected with the Michigan Alkali Corporation and is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Howard Pierce; and Dorothy, now the wife of Lloyd P. Jones of Detroit. His mother, in 1907, married Elmer D. Speck of Pitts- burgh, now retired, and a native of Kentucky. They reside on Lake Shore drive, Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
In the acquirement of his more advanced educa- tion Howard Pierce Ballantyne attended the prepar- atory school at Lawrenceville, New Jersey, from which he was graduated with the class of 1913. He then entered Princeton University, where he pursued special studies, remaining a student there for two years, and he was a member of Tiger Inn Club. He afterward took a special course in architecture in the University of Pennsylvania. But all personal and business considerations were put aside when his coun- try needed his aid. On the 25th of July, 1917, he
enlisted in the United States navy and was assigned to special patrol duty. He was made chief boatswain's mate and was stationed on Patrol Boat, No. 623, lo- cated on the lakes in the vicinity of Detroit. He con- tinued in the service until April, 1919, when, having received his discharge, he entered the insurance field in connection with Carroll Trego, organizing the firm of Ballantyne & Trego. This firm has enjoyed a most rapid and healthy growth and already has won a prominent place among the leading insurance firms of the city. It occupies commodious offices in the Mur- phy building.
On the 21st of June, 1916, Mr. Ballantyne was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Trego, a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Trego, of a well known family of New York city. They have become parents of two children: Barbara Ford, born April 2, 1919, and Howard Pierce, Jr., whose brith occurred on the 15th of May, 1921. Mr. Ballantyne is promi- nent in club life in Detroit, belonging to the Prince- ton Club of Michigan, the University Club, the De- troit Club and the Detroit Country Club. His social qualities make for personal popularity wherever he is known. He is a typical American young man, who, college bred, has utilized his opportunities to the best advantage, and who, alert and enterprising, is steadily pushing forward to his objective in business, and who has already achieved success in what he has undertaken. Mr. Ballantyne is a nephew of E. Leyden Ford, Mrs. Nell Ford Torrey and Mrs. Stella Ford Schlotman, all of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Ballantyne reside at 25 Mckinley place, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan.
HARRY T. BUMP, vice president of the J. L. Mar- cero Company, wholesale dealers in cigars and con- fections, was born in Adrian, Michigan, December 18, 1875, a son of Bartlett H. and Mary (Treadwell) Bump, also natives of Michigan. The mother died in Adrian, but the father is still living at Hillsdale, Michigan, serving as superintendent of the poor and also as pro- bation officer for that county, having charge of the placing of children in the various schools in the dis- trict.
Harry T. Bump was one of two children, the other having passed away. He attended school in Adrian, Michigan, and then went to the Church Academy there, after which he engaged in the cigar business in Toledo, Ohio, serving as factory representative for a time, while afterwards he engaged in the bicycle business, representing the Tallyho-Tandem Company, bicycle manufacturers, for four years. About this time the automobile was being introduced and he had opportu- nity to become identified therewith but declined it, con- sidering the horseless carriage a fad. Giving up the bicycle business he again became connected with the cigar trade, as traveling representative of various manufacturing concerns, covering twenty-two states in his semi-yearly travels. He was regarded as one of
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the most successful salesmen on the road, but resigned his position to join the J. L. Marcero Company, whole- sale cigar dealers and confectioners of Detroit. Since then he has been vice president of the company in which connection he handles a full line of high grade cigars, and the finest confections, representing the confectionery house of Walter M. Lowney. His busi- ness affairs have been most carefully and wisely con- ducted and success, in large measure, is attending his efforts. He is also a director of the Star Land Company of Detroit.
On the 7th of April, 1915, Mr. Bump was married to Miss Grace Forrester, a daughter of James A. Forrester, and they have become parents of three children: Marcia, born in 1917; Geraldine, born in 1919; and Robert Treadwell, born in 1920.
Politically Mr. Bump follows an independent course. Fraternally he is connected with King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M., of the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to the lodge, Detroit Commandery, K. T., and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Fellowcraft Athletic Club, of the Kiwanis Club, the Brookfield Golf Club, and the Auto Golf and Country Club. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. A native son of Michigan, he has spent the greater part of his life within the borders of this state, although business activities, have, at different periods, taken him elsewhere. His entire life has been actuated by a progressive spirit, and step by step he has advanced, until he has become one of the officials in a leading mercantile enterprise of the city.
HENRY J. STECKER, president of the H. J. Stecker Paper Box Manufacturing Company, with plant at No. 21 Atwater street in Detroit, is widely known through his business connections and is essen- tially a self-made man, the success of his labors being the direct outcome of his close application, thorough- ness and laudable ambition. He was born in Pet- tisville, Ohio, May 16, 1878, his parents being Fred- erick and Barbara (Miller) Stecker, whose family numbered nine children, the other members of the household, in order of birth being: Alfred J .; Julia, now the wife of Frank Mitchell; Charles A .; Walter C .; Emma, the wife of Charles Weber, who is con- nected in business with Henry J. Stecker as secretary and treasurer of the company; Luella F .; Edwin L .; and Fred R.
The year 1880 witnessed the arrival of the Stecker family in Detroit and Henry J. Stecker here attended the public schools. Upon the completion of his course and when still a lad in his teens he started out upon his business career, entering the employ of the Pin- gree Company, with which he was connected in sev- eral capacities for a period of sixteen years. He won gradual advancement and promotion and eventually had sole charge of the paper box department. It was while with this company that Mr. Stecker gained the
wide experience and knowledge that made it possible for him to attain the notable success that has crowned his efforts since starting in business independently. In 1910 he purchased the paper box manufacturing interests of A. F. Haischer, who had been engaged in this line of business. Under the old name the business was carried on until 1912, when, in connection with Mr. Weber, he reorganized under the name of the H. J. Stecker Paper Box Manufacturing Company. The firm manufactures paper boxes for laboratories, also all kinds of folding boxes and boxes for use in the packing of candies, shoes and perfumes. In fact it produces everything in the paper box line and employs sixty people in the conduct of the business. Mr. Stecker has met with remarkable success in in- creasing the volume of trade, which is today ten times in excess of that which the firm enjoyed during the first year of its existence. This result is due largely to the fact that it has given to the public the best possible service, using high grade materials in manu- facture and producing a product that is unsurpassed in workmanship. Mr. Stecker has given personal su- pervision to all branches and details of the business and his thorough understanding thereof has been one of the strong features in the growth of the trade.
On the 10th of September, 1903, Mr. Stecker was married to Miss Eda Gregg of Detroit, daughter of Thomas Gregg, a highly respected and much beloved citizen of this city. They have become the parents of two children, Helen L. and Wendell G., and the family resides at No. 34 Wilson avenue in Detroit.
Mr. Stecker is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Palestine Lodge. He is also connected with the Board of Commerce and with the U and I Club, but has devoted his leisure time to his home rather than to club affairs. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is much inter- ested in music, being a member of the choir of the Boulevard Methodist church. He stands very high in business circles and his position is an equally enviable one in social connections.
FREDERICK WILLIAM BREDE, JR., secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Modern Laun- dry Company, was born in Detroit, June 13, 1881, a son of Frederick W. and Emma (Helling) Brede, both of whom were natives of Germany but came to Amer- ica in early life, the father being but three years of age when brought by his parents, John J. and Marie (Scherer) Brede, to the new world, the family home being established in Detroit in 1854, where Frederick W. Brede, Sr., attended school. The mother also at- tended school in Detroit, completing her education here, and they met and were married in this city. Mr. Brede afterward engaged in the hardware business in con- nection with the Standart Brothers Wholesale Hard- ware Company, with which he was associated for many years. Later he became identified with the Goebel Brewing Company of Detroit and was so connected
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until he retired from business. He still makes his home in this city, but his wife passed away in 1891. In their family were five children, four of whom are living: Sophia, who is now Mrs. C. H. Flinter- mann of Detroit; Emma, the wife of Dr. W. G. Hutch- inson of Detroit; Frederick W., Jr., and Cora, who is now Mrs. John List, living in New York city.
Frederick William Brede, Jr., obtained his educa- tion in the public schools, passing through consecu- tive grades to the high school, and after his text- books were put aside he obtained a position with the Richmond & Backus Stationery Company. His capability and faithfulness are indicated in the fact that he remained with this company for a decade. He then left the firm and entered the bond brokerage house of Baker, Ayling & Company and in 1911 he bought the business of George W. Cummings, who was conducting a small laundry at 1160 Jefferson avenue, East. He soon succeeded in building up a substantial business and at the end of two years found that his trade had far outgrown his quarters and it was necessary to secure enlarged facilities. He then erected a new building at No. 3705 Jefferson avenue, East, which was equipped with the latest laundry machinery. At the time Mr. F. W. Brede, Jr., secured the business, less than fifty people were employed and today it requires one hundred and twenty-five people, with nine delivery auto trucks, to cover the city trade. Frederick W. Brede, Sr., is the president of the com- pany, with Frederick W. Brede, Jr., as secretary, treas- urer and general manager. The company caters to high class family trade and enjoys a most liberal patronage. Mr. Brede of this review belongs to the Laundrymen's Association and is interested in all that pertains to maintaining high standards in the trade.
On the 9th of March, 1910, Frederick W. Brede, Jr., was married to Miss Clara Dodds of Detroit, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Dodds, and they have become parents of two daughters: Elizabeth and Jane, the former born February 22, 1913, and the latter July 26, 1917. Mr. Brede is a member of Oriental Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and he also belongs to the Detroit Golf Club and to the Detroit Board of Commerce. His interests are broad and varied and his activities have ever been of a character that make for progress, so that he is now occupying a creditable position in the business circles of his city. He built his own home about May, 1917, at 56 Rhode Island avenue, Highland Park, Michigan, where he has since resided.
FRANK MORTIMER BALDWIN. The name of Frank Mortimer Baldwin is well known through his connection with important business interests of De- troit, for he is the president of the United Fruit Auction Company and also of the F. M. Baldwin Company, wholesale produce dealers. He has been a resident of Detroit since 1892, arriving here when a young man of twenty-five years, his birth having
occurred at Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Novem- ber 29, 1866. His parents were Joel and Nancy Maria (Winegar) Baldwin, the latter a native of Amenia, New York, while the former was born in Egremont, Massachusetts. The ancestors of the family came to America from England in 1680, the first of the name in the new world being James Baldwin, who settled at Malden, Massachusetts, while later his son removed to Great Barrington, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and the latter's son, Ezekial Baldwin, was the first white settler at Egremont, Massachusetts. They were all farming people and the family was represented in the early colonial wars and in the Revolutionary war. The father of Mr. Baldwin of this review was a farmer near Great Barrington, Massachusetts, residing on the original homestead of the family until his death, which occurred in 1893, when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife died at Great Barrington in 1902. when seventy-six years of age. They were parents of six children, four of whom are living: Frank M .; C. W., of Great Barrington, Massachusetts; E. H., of Jacksonville, Florida; and Mrs. A. E. Wattrous of White Plains, New York.
Having pursued his high school education in his native city, Frank M. Baldwin afterward attended the Bryant & Stratton Commercial school in Boston, Massachusetts, and was graduated there when eighteen years of age. He then returned to his home city and for two years engaged in teaching but at the end of that period severed home ties and made his way westward to Aurora, Illinois, securing a position in the freight office of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. There he continued until 1892, when he came to Detroit and accepted a position with the Alfred Rush & Sons Commission Company. He served in that connection until 1908, at which time he engaged in business for himself under the firm name of the F. M. Baldwin Company, wholesale dealers in and car-lot jobbers of produce. Mr. Baldwin's success is attributable to his close application and persistency of purpose, guided at all times by sound judgment and keen discrimination. He is likewise interested in many other substantial business enter- prises, for he is the president of the United Fruit Auction Company, auctioneers of carload lots of fruit and produce, is the president and one of the directors of the Lincoln Mill Land & Coal Company and a director of the Cornfield Wheel Company.
On the 2d of October, 1895, Mr. Baldwin was mar- ried to Katherine Hudson Woodyard of Spencer, West Virginia, daughter of William Woodyard, well known in Spencer. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have two children: Marie Louise; and Isabella Woodyard, the latter the wife of Walter H. Sweet and a resident of Pasadena, California. Both daughters were ed- ucated in the schools of Detroit. Fraternally Mr. Baldwin. is a Mason, belonging to Friendship Lodge, F. & A. M., and his religious faith is indicated by his connection with the First Presbyterian church. High
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and honorable principles actuate him in all that he undertakes and at every point in his career. He has ever carefully guarded the rights and interests of others and has followed those lines of conduct which have established his position as that of a man among men.
WILLIAM D. LANE. As sole owner of one of the leading wholesale produce concerns in Detroit, oper- ating under the title of William D. Lane & Company, the progressive citizen, William D. Lane, is consistently to be designated as one of the representative figures in this sphere of industrial enterprise in his native city. The headquarters of the business is established at the corner of Eighth street and Jefferson avenue, West.
Mr. Lane was born in Detroit on the 16th of July, 1874, and was the second child and oldest son of the five children born to Dennis W. and Johanna (O'Con- nell) Lane. The public and parochial schools afforded him his early education, which was supplemented by a course in the Detroit Business University. At the age of sixteen years he entered the employ of Alfred Rush, long one of the leading wholesale prod- uce merchants of Detroit, and this fortifying con- nection was continued for the long period of thirteen years, during which he gained thorough knowledge of all details of the business, the while his continued alliance with the concern for so long a period is evi- dence of the value placed upon his services.
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