The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 66

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 66

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Sous company is one of the largest operating in this field in Detroit. The concern owns and eonduets two extensive establishments, one at 501-15 Michigan avenue, another at 523-535 Gratiot avenue. Mr. William Brushaber has become the secretary and treasurer of the company, which handles a very fine grade of furniture and household goods of all deserip- tions, together with a standard line of phonographs aud records. The firm has an extensive carpet de- partment and indeed nothing which adds to the com- fort, utility and beauty of the home is lacking in any of its three large stores, all of which are under one management. The business was incorporated in 1908 and the officers are Charles Brushaber, president and George C. Becker, vice president, while from the incorporation the subject of this review has occupied his present official position. They employ a very extensive force of sales people and the business is conducted along the most progressive lines.

On the 15th of October, 1902, William Brushaber was married to Miss Edith Doolittle of Detroit, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Doolittle, and they have one child, Beatrice, who was born in Detroit in 1904, and is attending high school.

Mr. Brushaber belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has attained the Knights Templar degree in Detroit Commandery, while with the Nobles of Moslem Temple he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is also a member of the Cosmopolitan Club, of which he is the president, now serving his fifth consecutive term, and he belongs to the Exchange Club and the Detroit Board of Commerce. His political en- dorsement is given to the republican party, and he is thoroughly informed concerning the vital principles and questions before the public, but does not seek nor desire political office. He has concentrated his energies and attention upon the furniture trade since making his initial step in the business world and throughout his career he has followed constructive business methods, winning suceess through wisely formulated plans, through earnest effort to please patrons and by fair and honorable dealing. The con- stant growth of the business has enabled the company to carry a most extensive line of goods of both domes- tie and foreign manufacture and the Brushaber estab- lishments are most pleasing features in the mercantile eireles of the city.

WILLIAM TAIT. For more than a half century William Tait was closely associated with the business interests and development of Detroit through his extensive real estate operations. He remained an active factor in business eireles to the time of his death, which occurred when he was nearing the eightieth milestone. He was born in Ottawa, Canada, August 6, 1841, his parents being Henry and Eliza (Lamarock) Tait, both of whom were of Canadian birth and spent their lives in the Dominion. They lived on the farm on which the father of Henry Tait

WILLIAM BRUSHABER

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broke the virgin soil and as the years passed the labors of the father further developed and improved the property. He was highly respected by reason of his indefatigable industry and unassailable honesty and he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tait were born five children, three of whom are living: Mrs. Mary Payne, Mrs. Eleanor Davidson and John Osborn.

William Tait, whose recent death was a matter of deep regret to his legion of friends, spent his youth- ful days in attending the country schools and in the work of the farm, the summer months being devoted to the task of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, while the winter seasons were devoted to the mastery of such branches of learning as were taught in the rural schools. In the school of experience, too, he learned many valuable lessons and became a man of wide general information and sound judgment. He worked on his father's farm until he decided to try his fortune in a city, believing that opportunities were greater and success might be more quickly secured. Looking about him for a favorable location he decided upon Detroit as his future home and made his way direct from the old homestead in Canada in 1865 to the City of the Straits. This was just about the time the Civil war ended.

Mr. Tait initiated his business career here by secur- ing employment at the Campau House on Jefferson avenue, then a most popular hostelry in Detroit, and there he remained for twelve and a half years. In the meantime he was studying conditions and opportuni- ties, aud desirous of engaging in business on his own account he bent every energy toward that end until he was able to establish a real estate agency. He began buying and selling city realty and later he entered the broader field of activity offered in the development and handling of subdivisions. He platted and sold thousands of acres of city property in this way, on which are almost a countless number of handsome residences and comfortable homes. He or- ganized the William Tait Realty Company in 1914 and operated under that name until his demise, being associated in the undertaking with Charles E. Beymer and Dudley W. Abbott. The integrity of his business methods, the enterprise which he always displayed, his firm purpose and undaunted energy were the basic elements upon which he built a most substantial success.

Mr. Tait was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Hughes of Detroit, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Hughes. They won many friends during the long period of their residence in this city and none knew Mr. Tait but to speak of him in terms of high regard. He held membership in the Fourth Street Presby- terian church, to which Mrs. Tait still belongs, and he was an equally consistent member of Detroit Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M. He was offered many political positions and tendered nominations to various offices but steadfastly declined to mingle politics with busi-

ness and always maintained an independent political attitude, voting according to the dictates of his judg- ment. While visiting in Spencerville, Canada, he passed away on the 18th of August, 1920. He was then entering upon the eightieth year of his life and had remained an active factor in the world's work up to that time. The sterling worth of his character was widely recognized and all who knew him enter- tained for him that warm personal regard which is the unconscious tribute to integrity, reliability and all those personal characteristics which express them- selves in justice and kindliness to all.

HENRY C. WALTERS, president of the Detroit Bar Association and an active practitioner in the city of Detroit, was born in British Columbia, Canada, on the 24th day of August, 1870. His parents were John and Margaret (MacDonald) Walters. He entered the University of Michigan in 1892, and graduated in 1894 with the degree of LL.B. He immediately opened an office in Detroit, where he has since prac- ticed, specializing in Insurance Law. His only busi- ness activity has been that involved through member- ship on the board of directors of the National Casualty Company of Detroit.

On the 7th of March, 1908, Mr. Walters was married to Miss Charlotte G. Smith of Detroit.

Mr. Walters has taken a deep interest in civic affairs and is a member of the Detroit Board of Com- merce, and the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. He was Chairman of the Lawyers War Relief Committee of the Detroit Bar Association and of the Lawyers Club of Detroit, during the late World war, and was also a member of the civilian relief committee of the Detroit chapter of the American Red Cross; he served as local attorney for the Detroit chapter during the war period and for a considerable time thereafter.

Mr. Walters is a member of the Detroit Athletic, Detroit Automobile, Automobile Country, Detroit Boat, Detroit Curling, and Detroit Golf Clubs, and of the Alpine Club, of Canada. He is an honorary member of Delta Theta Phi, a law fraternity, holds membership in the Detroit Bar Association, the Lawyers Club of Detroit, Michigan State Bar Association, the American Bar Association and in the American Society of Inter- national Law. He served two terms as first vice presi- dent of the Detroit Bar Association, the latter half of one term as acting president, and two years as president, his term of office ending in 1921.

HARRY A. WRIGHT is president of the Wright- Pike Company, wholesale hat dealers of Detroit. He was born in Canada, February 14, 1863. His parents were residents of Detroit, and he was only three weeks old when brought by his mother to this city. He is a son of Harry A. and Sarah (McDermott) Wright, both of whom were natives of Ireland, whence they came to the new world in 1862, settling in Detroit.

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The father was for many years with the firm of G. & R. MeMillan, groeers, but afterward withdrew from that connection and engaged in the grocery bus- iness on his own account, continuing active in that field until his death. His wife also passed away in Detroit, her demise oeeurring in 1899. They were the parents of four children, two of whom have departed this life, while the surviving brother is Fred T. Wright, a traveling salesman for the Wright-Pike Company.

In his boyhood days Harry A. Wright was a pupil in the Barstow school and when his textbooks were put aside seeured a position with the Buhl Newland Company, and later was with the Henry A. Newland Company until 1899, when he became one of the organ- izers of G. H. Gates & Company, wholesale dealers in hats. He continued with that firm until 1914, when they sold out to the Wright, Fendler & Pike Company, wholesale dealers in men's hats, in which connection an extensive business was developed among depart- ment stores and also among men's hat stores. In October, 1919, Mr. Fendler withdrew, since which time the business has been carried on under the name of the Wright-Pike Company, wholesalers and jobbers in men's hats, of which company Mr. Wright is the president, with Mr. Pike as secretary and treasurer. They are alert and energetic merchants, thoroughly in touch with the trade in every particular, and their business, by reason of their capable management and thorough reliability, is constantly increasing.

On the 26th of September, 1894, Mr. Wright was married to Miss Leora M. Rivard, a daughter of Max- ime J. and Leora P. Rivard of Detroit. The daughter of this marriage is Evadne Rivard Wright, who was born in Detroit in 1898, attended the high school and also the University of Michigan. She is now teaching in the English and literature departments of the North- western high school of Detroit.

Mr. Wright is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity. He belongs to Oriental Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Seottish Rite in Detroit Consistory. He is likewise a member of the Mystic Shrine, and he belongs to the United Commerieal Travelers. De- termination and energy have ever been among his salient characteristics, and thoroughness and persis- tency of purpose have brought him to his present enviable position in the business circles of the city. His standing is high and all who know him speak of him in terms of respect and warm regard.

HENRY LAETHEM, president of the Belle Isle- East Side Creamery Company, is a splendid example of the foreign born citizen and bis record would adorn the page of any American history. It would be of incalculable value to this country if every man and boy coming to our shores from foreign lands could read it. He was born in Belgium, February 16, 1876, and came to America with his parents in 1885, at the age of nine years.

Mr. Laethem's father resided on a farm where at present the Hudson Motor Car Company is located, and started a milk route, selling milk from his own cows. In 1901 he moved to what was then Champlain street, now Lafayette avenue, East, and Henry Lae- them continued with his parent until 1904 when he purchased the business and with his brother-in-law established the Belle Isle Creamery Company, the partnership being dissolved three years later. Mr. Laethem began the erection of a creamery at 421 Baldwin avenue, but before its completion, owing to building restrictions, he was compelled to abandon the project. This hard setbaek did not turu the struggling young man into a dissatisfied radical. With sound business sense and manly courage he started over again and after a few months spent in temporary quarters on the corner of Kercheval and Baldwin avenues, he built a small ereamery at 282 Sheridan avenue, operating with one horse and one wagon, but at the end of ten years he was operating twenty wagons. This business was the Belle Isle Creamery and in 1918 he consolidated the Belle Isle Creamery with the East Side Creamery under the present name of Belle Isle-East Side Creamery Company, becoming president and general manager of the company.

His career is one of wonderful success in the face of difficulties and discouragements. Fifteen years ago he had one horse and one wagon; today he has eighty-five delivery wagons; is president of a flourish- ing company; owns stock in other enterprises and lives in his own fine residence on East Grand boule- vard. He has operated considerable in real estate and with his sound business judgment has made wise and profitable investments. He is still largely inter- ested in Detroit realty.

He married Renilde De Meulenaere. His social affiliations are with the Knights of Columbus and the Canopus Club, and he is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce. In religion he is a Catholic and in politics a republican.

REV. FRANCIS W. HEWLETT, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo's Roman Catholic church of Detroit, was born in Jackson, Michigan, May 10, 1875, his parents being Frank and Mary (Tobin) Hewlett. The father, who was an attorney at law, has passed away, while the mother is a resident of Detroit.

In the public schools Father Hewlett received his early education and then entered upon a preparatory course at Assumption College, Sandwich, Ontario, where he continued his studies for seven years. He afterward attended St. Mary's of the West at Cincinnati for a period of three years and afterward came to Detroit, where he was ordained to the pristhood on the 2nd of July, 1899. His first appointment was to the pastorate of St. Felix parish, located two miles from Pinnebog, in Huron county, Michigan, where he remained for twelve years. In 1911 he was appointed pastor of St. Charles Borromeo's parish in Detroit. His pastor-

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ate here is notable for the erection of a magnificent church building, Father Hewlett purchasing the site at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. The structure is of the Romanesque type of Renaissance architec- ture, the corner-stone of which was laid June 24, 1918, while the building was completed in the latter part of 1919. The church and furnishings cost two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars and was dedicated June 13, 1920, by Bishop Gallagher. It is one of the largest Catholic edifices in the diocese and a school building and rectory were erected in 1912 at a cost of more than fifty thousand dollars and is in charge of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, of Monroe, Michigan. Thus the church property of the parish has heen greatly extended, its realty holdings being very valuable. The work of the church through its organized societies has also been carried steadily forward and the labors of Father Hewlett have been directly beneficial and resultant in the further up- building and development of the parish.

JAMES G. PIERCE. Various corporations have felt the stimulus of the enterprise of James G. Pierce and profited by his cooperation. He has accomplished so much within a comparatively short space of time that almost by leaps and bounds has he seemed to have reached his present position as a prominent figure in the business circles of Detroit. He was born at Owosso, Michigan, April 7, 1870, and is a son of George and Eliza (King) Pierce. He was quite young when his parents removed to Lorain, Ohio, where in the public schools he continued his education that had begun in the common schools of Owosso. He after- ward learned the machinist's trade in Cleveland and displayed such thoroughness, capability and loyalty that he had risen to the position of department man- ager in a big manufacturing plant of Cleveland before coming to Detroit in 1893, when but twenty-three years of age. His business career in this city has been a notable one. In connection with his brother, George W. Pierce, he organized the Pierce Brothers Company, which was incorporated in 1903 and of which he has always been the president. He is also the president of fifteen building and land development companies and of the Union Insurance Company of Detroit. Thus he has constantly broadened and ex- panded his business connections, which, becoming wider and wider in their scope and importance, have placed him in the front rank of the business men of this city. No resident of Detroit bas been more active in the development of the great metropolitan center which Detroit has become, winning a place among the four largest cities of the country. The efforts of Mr. Pierce have been a potent element in meeting the conditions of Detroit's growth. He has developed many subdivisions and has carried on extensive building operations, principally in the matter of erecting homes. His offices embrace the entire twelfth floor of the Vinton building, where he has

gathered about him an able corps of assistants, who recognize the fact that promotion depends upon efficiency and cooperation. From the beginning of his residence in Detroit Mr. Pierce has closely studied business conditions here and his prescience and saga- city have enabled him to foretell something of what the future had in store, and thus he has been able to aid in meeting the growing needs in the matter of housing. His reputation is built not only upon indus- try and enterprise but also upon unassailable integrity and reliability.

In May, 1899, Mr. Pierce was united in marriage to Miss Emma Allen and they have become the parents of four children: Alline, James, Robert and Donald. Fraternally Mr. Pierce is a well known Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is a man of pleasing personality, always courteous and affable, and his geniality arises from a true appreciation of the best in his fellowmen. His life history contains much that is of inspirational value, indicating what may be accomplished through individual effort when there is a will to dare and to do.

LAFAYETTE CROWLEY. With the arrival of Lafayette Crowley in Detroit in 1880, the city gained a most substantial and valued resident and progressive business man, one whose life was ever the expression of high ideals as manifest in his business career, in his public relations and in his associations with his fellowmen. As the architect of his own fortunes he builded wisely and well and yet the attainment of success was never the sole end and aim of his life. He planted seeds of kindness wherever he went and these bore fruit in the kindly regard and respect entertained for him wherever he was known. For twenty-nine years he remained a resident of Detroit and the city is better by reason of the fact that he was so long identified with her interests.

Mr. Crowley was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 16th of August, 1846, and came of Irish ancestry, his parents being John B. and Julia (McCarthy) Crowley. At the usual age be entered school, but his opportunities for continuing his studies were quite limited. However, he devoted many evening hours to further study and his carefully directed reading brought to him wide knowledge and in the school of experience he learned many lessons of great value and of comprehensive scope. In his early youth he entered upon an apprenticeship in a fonndry in Cin- cinnati and there acquainted himself with every prae- tical detail of the business and also acquired an intimate knowledge concerning the scientific princi- ples underlying the work. In fact as the years passed he became an expert in his chosen line and was re- garded as an authority concerning the details of iron manufacture. His increasing ability therefore enabled him to command good positions.

At length Mr. Crowley left Cincinnati and removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he entered the employ

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of the Excelsior Manufacturing Company, and such was the recognition of his capability that he was steadily advanced until he became one of the execu- tive officers of the concern. He resided in St. Louis until 1880, when Detroit entered upon the advantage of his citizenship and connection with her business interests. With his removal here he became the sup- erintendent of the Detroit Stove Works and one of the stockholders in the company. He brought his broad practical knowledge and wide training to bear upon the management of this great industry and through the years of his connection therewith the business steadily developed, his progressive spirit being manifest at all times in the methods followed in the manufacture of its product. He was constantly alert to opportunity and he never hesitated to make the best of the chances which were offered. When any business emergency arose it seemed that he was ready with other plans which would enable him to accomplish his purpose when his first avenue seemed blocked. Men soon recognized the fact that they could rely upon his word and his promise, which were as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal. They found that what he promised he would do and that he never stopped short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose.

Mr. Crowley was married January 4, 1890, to Miss Lavinia Cecelia Borgman, a native of Detroit and a daughter of Martin V. and Bessie A. (Welbon) Borg- man, the former of whom is deceased while Mrs. Borg- man is still a resident of this city. Mr. Borgman long figured prominently in public affairs as well as in business eireles. He was for many years chief of the Detroit police department and for an extended period served as superintendent of the Detroit House of Correction. To Mr. and Mrs. Crowley were born two daughters: Fayetta Cecelia, born March 15, 1891, who married Donald M. D. Thurber of Detroit, and they have two children, Catherine Cecelia, and Donald M. D., Jr .; and Catherine B., who was born January 13, 1893, and resides with her mother in an attractive home or Van Dyke avenue.

Mr. Crowley and his family always attended the Protestant Episcopal church. He gave his political support to the republican party hut was never am- bitious to hold office. He belonged to the Detroit Club, but his interest centered in his home and his family and he found his greatest happiness in promot- ing their comfort and welfare. He passed away at Atlantic City, New Jersey, where the family main- tained a summer home, his death occurring on the 10th of May, 1909. His remains were brought back to Detroit for interment in Woodlawn cemetery. He had many sterling qualities, among which was his progressiveness and loyalty in citizenship, his de- votion to high commercial standards and his loyalty to family and friends. The expansion of his busi- ness powers brought him to prominence in the iron manufacturing cireles of Detroit, while his optimism,

his kindly spirit and his many good deeds established him firmly in the affectionate regard and friendship of those with whom he was brought into contact.

DAVID WHITNEY, JR. For many years the de- velopment of Michigan rested upon the utilization of its great lumber resources and the prominent repre- sentatives of husiness life in the state were those who were actively connected with the manufacture and handling of lumber. In that field of labor David ' Whitney, Jr., won a notable place and position; yet extensive and important as were his private business interests he ever found time for cooperation in those activities which led to the development and sub- stantial improvement and upbuilding of his city. He came to Michigan from New England, his birth having occurred at Westford, Massachusetts, August 30, 1830. His parents were likewise natives of that state, being representatives of old Massachusetts families. David Whitney was named for his father and always retained the use of the "Jr." after his name, even following his father's death. He was reared on a farm and his early education was ac- quired in the common schools. From early boyhood he knew the value of labor and never failed to ap- preciate its true dignity and worth. Upon attaining his majority he left the farm and secured a clerk- ship with a lumber company which conducted a yard and box factory. For three years he remained with that firm and gained considerable knowledge of the business while thus employed. He steadily advanced, winning promotion after promotion, until he became superintendent of the business, so serving at the time he severed his connection with the plant. He was twenty-nine years of age when in 1857 he came to Detroit, and from the time of his arrival here he was a member of the firms of C. & D. Whitney, Jr., and Skillings, Whitney Brothers & Barnes, his brother Charles being largely interested in these two enter- prises, which maintained their headquarters in the east. David Whitney, Jr., assumed personal charge and management of the western business, which con- sisted principally in buying and shipping lumber and also in the purchase of pine lands and logs. For a considerable period these two firms ranked with the largest lumber dealers of the country and David Whit- ney, Jr., had charge of their extensive operations in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, while his partners supervised the business in the east and in Canada. In the late '70s each of these firms dissolved and thereafter David Whitney, Jr., gave his attention more largely to investing in pine lands, principally in Michigan and Wisconsin. He recognized something of what the future had in store for the lumber industry and his investments were accordingly placed. He became in time one of the most extensive lumber op- erators of the middle west and was interested in the manufacture of timher products and became the owner of large tracts of valuable timber land, his business

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The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 66

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