USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 75
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CHARLES A. CHAMBERS, who since 1912 has been manager at Detroit for the Consolidation Coal Company and in this connection is recognized as one of the leading coal dealers of the city, was born in Paris, Kentucky, April 5, 1867. His parents, Charles Thomas and Marie Antonetta (Cefalo) Chambers, re- moved to Cincinnati during his boyhood days and therefore acquired his education in the public schools of that city. On starting out on his business career he secured employment with the Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway Company, and fol- lowing his initial step in business, was appointed gen- eral agent, freight department, for the Detroit, Lima & Northern Railroad, now a part of the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad. From that position he was advanced to general freight and passenger agent with the same road and he later became general freight and passenger agent for the Detroit, Toledo & Milwaukee Railroad, now a part of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern system. He resigned his con- nection with railroad interests to enter the whole- sale coal business as general manager of sales with the Luhrig Coal Company of Cincinnati and he came to Detroit in 1903 as representative of the Fairmont Coal Company, with which he remained for six years. In 1909 he entered the employ of the Consolidation Coal Company, successor to the Fairmont Coal Com- pany, representing its interests here, and in 1912 was made manager of the Detroit branch of that cor- poration. He has thus for many years been actively identified with the coal trade and has developed a business of extensive proportions for the Consolidation Coal Company.
On the 10th of June, 1888, in Cincinnati, Mr. Cham- bers was united in marriage to Miss Blanch J. Fisher and they have become the parents of a daughter, Blanch Marie, now the wife of Captain H. H. Miller, and has a son, Charles H., born August 8, 1919, in Detroit. Mr. Chambers' military experience covers fourteen years' service as a member of the First
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Regiment of the Ohio National Guard. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, his religious faith is that of the Methodist church and in club circles he is a member of the Fellowcraft. He is much interested in farming and has become the owner of valuable agri- cultural land, to the supervision of which he turns for recreation. His business career has been marked by consecutive progress, resulting from the wise use of his time and advantages, and each forward step in his career has brought him opportunities of wider scope, which he has judiciously used.
ALEXANDER PATON was born on July 18, 1864, in Detroit, the only son of Alexander and Isabella (Mckay) Paton, was educated in the Detroit public schools, and was married on September 10, 1890, to Miss Nettie Hayes of this city. They have three daughters: Isabella Grace, the wife of Morgan J. Hammers of Chicago; Rowena Jane, the wife of H. Ross Mack of Detroit; and Miss Helen.
Mr. Paton became a member of the T. B. Rayl or- ganization in 1880, and as a young man was taught the business in detail in all the departments of the store. He became a member of the firm in 1894, and has held the position of vice president for many years.
He is a member of Zion Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., Michigan Sovereign Consistory and Moslem Temple, Mystic Shrine; Detroit Boat Club; Detroit Golf Club; Automobile Country Club; Meadowbrook Country Club; Ingleside Club; Detroit Automobile Club; and Exchange Club.
CHARLES B. VAN DUSEN was born in Detroit, January 28, 1871. Obliged by force of circumstances to earn his own livelihood while very young, he has gradually progressed to a position of prominence in the business circles of the fourth city. Mr. Van Dusen is vice president and general manager of S. S. Kresge Company, one of America's large mercantile corpora- tions.
For a few months after finishing a common school education he worked as a messenger for the Bankers & Merchants Telegraph Company, and in July, 1885, entered the employ of the wholesale dry goods firm of Allan Shelden & Company, remaining with them until their retirement from active business, January 1, 1891.
Mr. Van Dusen then formed a connection with Edson Moore & Company and was associated with them for fourteen years, leaving in December, 1904, to become identified with Mr. S. S. Kresge of the firm of Kresge & Wilson, in the operation of a number of five and ten cent stores. In 1912, when the S. S. Kresge Company was organized, he was elected to the board of directors and made secretary and treasurer of the company, serving in that capacity until 1914,
when he became vice president and general manager of the corporation.
In July, 1895, Mr. Van Dusen was married to Min- nie Thornton Buick, and they have four sons: David L .; C. Theron; Bruce B .; and William D. Mr. Van Dusen is a past master of Palestine Lodge, No. 357, F. & A. M., and is an officer of Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He is also a member of the Detroit Ath- letic Club, Detroit Boat Club, Detroit Golf Club, Cross Country Riding Club, Bloomfield Hills Country Club, Ingleside Club, Detroit Automobile Club, Masonic Country Club and Detroit Rotary Club. He gives a good citizen's attention to civic affairs but has never sought public office.
ALBERT J. KLEFFMAN, president of Burr, Pat- terson & Company, manufacturing jewelers of Detroit, was born in this city July 30, 1889, a son of Leo and Mary (Einheuser) Kleffman, both of whom were natives of Westphalia, Germany, whence they came to America in 1879, settling in Detroit, where the father engaged in various lines of business. For the past six years or more he has lived retired from business activities, and he and his wife now reside at Halfway, Michigan. In their family were five children, two of whom are deceased, the others being: Leo, Marie and Albert J., all of Detroit, the last named being the second in order of birth.
In early life Albert J. Kleffman attended parochial schools of Detroit and afterwards continued his edu- cation in the Detroit Business University and in the Business Institute of Detroit. He then entered the employ of Burr, Patterson & Company, manufacturing jewelers, and throughout his business career has been identified with this house. Though he started in a humble capacity as office boy in 1905, he was destined to become the president of the concern, for energy, close attention to business and thorough reliability won him rapid promotion until he was chosen as the chief executive head of the house, being elected to the presidency by the board of directors in August, 1917. The firm of Burr, Patterson & Company is more than manufacturing jewelers, for it is known all over the country as manufacturers and specialists in high grade college and fraternal jewelry and as special designers of artistic emblems, etc. Its busi- ness is now extensive, its trade covering a very wide territory. In addition to being the head of this large enterprise, Mr. Kleffman has other business interests, being now a director of the Lynhurst Realty Company, a director of the West Norwood Realty Company, a director of the Grand River Park Corpo- ration and also of the Helmich Manufacturing Com- pany, engaged in the manufacture of auto parts.
On the 27th of November, 1913, Mr. Kleffman was married to Miss Dorothy Peitz of Detroit, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Casper Peitz of that city and they have two children: Doral, born in Detroit, July 31, 1916; and Stella, born August 22, 1919. Mr. Kleff-
CHARLES B. VAN DUSEN
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man and his family are members of the Roman Cath- olie church and he belongs to the Kuights of Columbus, to the Knights of St. John and to St. Vincent DePaul Society. He is also a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce. He has never sought to figure promi- nently in any public life outside of business, his entire time and attention being concentrated upon the lines which he entered at the outset of his career. His success is undoubtedly due in large measure to the fact that he has always continued in the field in which he embarked as a young tradesman, thus gain- ing an efficiency and developing a thoroughness that have constituted basic elements for his later pros- perity.
CHARLES W. MOORE, president of the Detroit Princess Manufacturing Company, was born in the state of New York and is descended from one of the old prominent families of the central section of the Empire state. The Moores come of Scotch an- cestry but have long resided on American soil.
Charles W. Moore arrived in Detroit in 1897 and through the intervening period has been connected with the business interests of this city. He estab- lished the Detroit Princess Manufacturing Company in December, 1900, and in 1915 the business was in- corporated but Mr. Moore is practically sole owner thereof. He is engaged in the manufacture of women's and children's dresses and today the trade covers the entire United States from coast to coast. He em- ploys a most efficient corps of assistants, including first class designers and maintains the highest stand- ard in connection with his output. He has a large force of operatives in his factory, and ever recog- nizing the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement he has endeavored to please his cus- tomers and the number has grown year by year.
In 1893 Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Louise L. Wieand and they have one daughter, Eleanor, now the wife of Louis R. Brossy of Detroit. Mr. Moore takes great interest in fine horses and owns two notable stock farms at Coldwater, Michigan, one of which is the old F. B. Smith farm, long famous for its Jersey cattle, while the other is the old Fish farm, at one time the center of horse breeding in the north. This farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres and has a half mile track on it. It is a most pleasing place by reason of its equipment, and its beauty is heightened by the row of maple trees which surround it and which were planted in 1857. Mr. Moore feels a justifiable pride in his farms and in their management, as well as in his manufacturing interests, he displays his superiority as a business man and executive.
In religious belief Mr. Moore is an Episcopalian. He belongs to the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the city. He is also connected with Pal- estine Lodge, F. & A. M., and is a worthy follower
of the teachings and purposes of the craft. Something of the nature of his recreation is indicated in the fact that he belongs to the Detroit Golf Club. He has a most wide and favorable acquaintance in De- troit, where he has made his home for almost a quarter of a century, and today the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance. Mr. Moore's residence is at 12044 Woodward avenue.
JAMES CHRISTIE MeGREGOR, who is now living practically retired after years of close connection with important business interests of Detroit, having for a considerable period been the superintendent of the Michigan Car Company, was born August 11, 1860, on Fort street, East, between what was then Prospect and Rivard streets. His parents were James and Susan (Christie) McGregor, both of whom were na- ties of Scotland and have passed away.
A public school education fitted James C. McGregor for life's practical and responsible duties and when a youth he entered the employ of the Michigan Car Company. No higher testimonial of his capability, fidelity, diligence and determination can be given than the statement of the fact that he was advanced steadily from one position to another of larger re- sponsibility and more important service until he be- came superintendent. For twenty years he remained with the company, resigning his position in 1897. Since that time he has lived practically retired, save that he is managing his own property-for he had made extensive investments in realty-and is a direc- tor of the Wayne County & Home Savings Bank. His real estate interests have greatly risen in value with the growth and development of Detroit and return to him a most substantial yearly income.
On July 3, 1890, Mr. McGregor was married to Miss Adele Beland of Detroit, and they have two sons, both in this city, namely: James Christie, Jr., born July 8, 1897; and Allan Beland, born October 16, 1898. The former son, now engaged in the garage business in Detroit, went overseas with an artillery company during the World war and was subsequently transferred to the Engineers, with which command he returned.
The religious faith of Mr. McGregor is that of the Presbyterian church, and his life has been guided by its teachings, causing him to choose those interests and activities which make for character building and which are of cultural and intellectual value. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and fraternally he is a Mason, being a member of Detroit Lodge, No. 2, Monroe Chapter, Detroit Com- mandery, No. 1, Michigan Consistory and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. MeGregor belongs to a number of the city's best clubs, including the Detroit, Detroit Athletic, the Country and Detroit Curling Clubs.
For over twenty years Mr. McGregor's residence
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was on the corner of Woodward and Rowena, or until the encroachment of business upon those thor- oughfares. He now resides at 66 Peterboro.
ALEXANDER C. REEKIE. Though about eighteen years have come and gone since Alexander C. Reekie was called to his final rest, he is still remembered by many residents of Detroit, for here his life was spent and here he won well merited success and recog- nition as an expert accountant. He died October 9, 1903, at the age of forty-one years, his birth having occurred in Detroit on the 9th of June, 1862. His parents, Alexander and Mary (Hutton) Reekie, reared a family of six children. The father, a native of Scotland, was also an accountant.
In the acquirement of his education Alexander C. Reekie attended the public and high schools and in young manhood, having determined to follow in his father's footsteps, he became an expert accountant. This profession claimed his attention and energies continuously to the time of his demise and marked success rewarded his skill and efficiency in that con- nection.
On the 21st of April, 1885, Mr. Reekie was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. McCormick, a daughter of David McCormick, and a representative of a promi- nent and well known family of Detroit. Mr. Reekie gave his political allegiance to the republican party and was a member of the Detroit Light Infantry. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the First Presbyterian church, to which his widow also belongs. His remains were interred in the Woodmere cemetery of Detroit. In his passing the city lost one of its substantial and esteemed citizens, and that his life was ever an upright and honorable one is indicated in the fact that he was most highly regarded where best known. Mrs. Reekie, who resides in an attractive residence at No. 57 Pingree avenue, is also most favorably known in this city, the circle of her friends being almost coextensive with the circle of her acquaintance.
FRANK FILER, who since 1901 has been engaged in the lumber business in Detroit, being now presi- dent of the O. S. Hawes Lumber Company, was born in Manistee, Michigan, August 21, 1854, and is a son of Delos L. and Juliette (Golden) Filer. After at- tending the public schools of his native city he be- came identified with the lumber trade at Ludington, Michigan, in 1872, and there operated as a member of the firm of Gibbs & Filer and later under the firm style of Carter & Filer for a number of years, becoming one of the prominent lumber dealers in that section, which was long a center of the lumber industry of Michigan. For fifteen years he was also at the head of the Ludington Electric Light & Power Company and his business enterprise made him a leading factor in industrial circles of that city.
With his removal to Detroit in 1901 Mr. Filer became
associated with the Standard Tie Company and in 1902 was elected to the presidency, so continuing until December, 1911. He is now a director of the Gray- ling Lumber Company but largely confines his ac- tivities to the management of the O. S. Hawes Lum- ber Company, of which he is the president. There is no feature of the lumber trade with which he is not thoroughly familiar. He became connected there- with in his youth, being a lad of but eighteen years when he first entered lumber circles at Ludington. Through all the intervening period he has gained broad experience and wide knowledge of the trade and most capably directs the interests now under his control, winning thereby substantial success.
In 1883, in Ludington, Michigan, Mr. Filer was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle L. Carter and they have become the parents of a daughter, Golden M., who is now the wife of A. L. Le Gro of Detroit, and they have three children: Catharine Myrtle, born June 7, 1909; Frank Filer, born September 6, 1911; and Barbara Louise, born December 25, 1919. Mr. Filer gives his political endorsement to the republican party. He is a Congregationalist in religious faith and he has become a thirty-second degree Mason and Knights Templar and also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is well known in the club circles of the city, where he occupies a position that is indicative of his personal popularity. He now has membership in the Detroit, Detroit Athletic, Country and Old Clubs. He is a man whose constantly expanding powers have taken him from humble surroundings to the field of large enterprises and continually broad- ening opportunities, while his experience has brought to him a clear understanding that readily solves com- plex problems and unites into an harmonious whole unrelated and even diverse interests. He has become recognized as a man of pronounced ability in con- nection with the lumber trade and his business is extensive and profitable.
RICHARD WALTER RUNDE, starting out in his present business with a cash capital of but five hundred dollars, so that his start was modest and his equipment small, is now the president of the R. W. Runde Ma- chine, Tool & Die Company, an organization capital- ized for two hundred thousand dollars and engaged in the manufacture of tools, dies and special ma- chinery. That Detroit offers extensive business oppor- tunities to her citizens is indicated in the fact that many of her native sons have remained here and by sterling effort have reached the goal of success. Mr. Runde was born in this city, April 9, 1880, his par- ents being Henry and Jennie Runde. After attending the public schools he began to earn his living when still quite young, entering the employ of the Great Lakes Engineering Works, where he learned the trade of a machinist and toolmaker. He afterwards was employed at various places in the line of his chosen trade, at which he became an expert. Gradually as
FRANK FILER
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he advanced the desire to engage in business on his own account was formulated and crystallized in his mind and his purpose saw its initial fulfillment when in 1913 he organized the R. W. Runde Machine, Tool & Die Company, and opened a plant on Congress street. While his resources were small, his capital amounting to only half a thousand, the business was a success from the beginning and even though a fire in 1914 caused a total loss of his equipment, he started in again with renewed courage and determination. Following the fire the plant was opened at 203 Mon- roe street and in October, 1917, was removed to the present building at 2671-73 East Grand boulevard, occupying the old quarters of the Palm Vacuum Cleaner Company. Something of the volume of busi- ness is indicated in the fact that at the incorporation in 1920 the capital was increased to two hundred thousand dollars. The company is engaged in the manufacture of tools, dies and special machinery and an average of seventy-five men are employed. Mr. Runde remains as the directing head of the business in the office of president.
On the 30th of March, 1918, Mr. Runde was mar- ried to Miss Muriel Shiltz, and they are well known in the social circles of Detroit. Mr. Runde gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and in social and recreational lines he is connected with the Detroit Yacht Club and the Detroit Automobile Club. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while his trade relations are with the Michi- gan Manufacturers' Association and his interest in publie progress is evidenced in his membership in the Board of Commerce.
SAMUEL MILTON LONDY, dating his residence in Detroit from October, 1906, has through the inter- vening period been identified with the firm of L. Londy & Company of Chicago and Detroit, dealers in ladies' coats, suits, etc. The development and growth of the business in Detroit are attributable to his efforts and enterprise, for throughout that time he has been the local manager. He was born in Germany, December 20, 1879, but in early life was brought to the new world by his parents, Jacob and Miriam Londy, the family home being established in the state of New York, where he pursued a public school education. In fact he resided for many years in the Empire state and for three years of that period was a resident of New York city. On his removal to the middle west he took up his abode in Chicago, where he remained for six years, and then in October, 1906, came to Detroit, at which time was established the Detroit house of the firm of L. Londy & Company. They have developed an excellent busi- ness as dealers in ladies' cloaks, suits, etc., and they carry at all times a most attractive line of goods, for which they find a ready sale, their progressive methods, their commercial reliability and their enterprise bring- ing to them the confidence and support of the public.
On the 25th of July, 1918, Mr. Londy was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Friedman of Flushing, Long Island, and they have become the parents of a son: Samuel M., Jr., who was born June 25, 1919. Mr. Londy indulges his love for hunting and fishing when business interests permit, thus spending his leisure time. Fraternally he is a Mason and he belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce, thus manifesting his interest in municipal affairs, his en- dorsement being given to all those measures which tend to promote the trade relations of the city, to upbuild the interests of Detroit in every way and to uphold its civic standards. His own career has been marked by that consecutive progress which argues a wise use of time, talents and opportunities.
EAGLE CORNICE & ROOFING COMPANY. The Eagle Cornice & Roofing Company is one of the sub- stantial business enterprises of Detroit. The business was established in 1900 by Otto A. A. Schmidt under the name of the Eagle Cornice Works, which name was changed to the present style in 1903. The founder, Mr. Schmidt, is a native son of Detroit and acquired his education in the schools of this city. After his textbooks were put aside he learned the sheet metal business, working for other concerns for about five years prior to establishing business on his own account. He was in various partnership connections for a dozen years or more and then conducted the business alone for six years, at the end of which time he ad- mitted Reinhold Anders to a partnership and this relation has since been maintained. Mr. Schmidt is an able and successful business man, thoroughly un- derstanding the work which claims his attention, and his energy and enterprise have been dominant factors in winning for him the success which is now his.
In 1904 Mr. Schmidt was married to Miss Anna C. Walters and they have become parents of two chil- dren: Dorothea and Arthur. Mr. Schmidt is a thirty- second degree Mason, belonging to Schiller Lodge, No. 263, A. F. & A. M., Michigan Sovereign Consistory and to Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a member of the Masonic Country Club and of the Harmonie Society. His political support is given to the republican party and his religious faith is indicated by his membershp in St. Mark's German Lutheran church.
Reinhold Anders, partner of Mr. Schmidt, is also a native of Detroit and pursued his education in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until he started out to provide for his own support. He early learned the sheet metal and roofing trades with the Eagle Cornice Works and was afterward em- ployed by various firms until he became a partner of Mr. Schmidt in 1916. He has worked on many of the finest and largest buildings of Detroit and is rated as an expert in his line.
In 1909 Mr. Anders was married to Miss Lena Gitschlag and they have become parents of four
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