USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 76
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children: Raymond, Harold, Milton and Geraldine. Mr. and Mrs. Anders are also members of the Luth- eran church and he, too, is an advocate of republican principles. Both Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Anders are progressive business men, who in a partnership rela- tion have built up a business of very substantial proportions. They are now accorded a liberal patron- age and are popular with their many customers.
HON. MALCOLM J. McLEOD, well known in busi- ness circles as state manager for David Lupton's Sons of Philadelphia, manufacturers of steel windows and other steel products, is of Canadian birth, the place of his nativity being Huron county, Ontario, and the date January 22, 1868. He is a son of John and Flora (Mckinnon) McLeod and during his infancy was brought by his parents to Michigan, the family home being established in Attica, where he attended the public schools and also pursued a part of his edu- cation in Sarnia, Ontario. He started out in the business world as clerk in a grocery store and from 1888 until 1891 was employed on construction work in connection with the building of the St. Clair tunnel. He dates his residence in Detroit from 1891 and here was employed as a street-car conductor until 1895. Through the succeeding five years he acted as business agent for street-car employes and from 1901 until 1905 was deputy lahor commissioner. He filled the office of state labor commissioner from 1905 until 1907 and in the latter year became collector of internal revenue, a position which he capably filled until about the first of the year 1914. He became associated with David Lupton's Sons of Philadelphia about 1908 and interested financially in the business in 1914. He is now filling the responsible position of state manager in connection with this corporation, which is exten- sively engaged in the manufacture of steel windows and special construction for light and ventilation. The business has been built up to extensive proportions under the capable management of Mr. McLeod, whose enterprise is constantly seeking out improved methods and whose lahors are far-reaching and resultant. Mr. McLeod is also a director of the Detroit Life Insur- ance Company and is the president and manager of the Detroit Safety Signal Company, a device for automobiles.
At Sarnia, Ontario, on the 19th of May, 1890, Mr. McLeod was married to Miss Christina Darvoux and they have become parents of a daughter and a son: Florence, is the wife of Harold G. Carra of Detroit, and has two sons; Clarence J., is an attorney of De- troit and on the 2d of November, 1920, was elected to the lower house of congress from the thirteenth con- gressional district to fill out the unexpired term of Charles A. Nichols. Mr. McLeod was the youngest man ever to sit as a member of congress. Mr. Mal- colm J. McLeod's family are members of the Holy Rosary parish of the Roman Catholic church and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus. His political
support is given to the republican party and in 1899 and 1900 he was a member of the state legislature. He also was at one time a candidate for the nomina- tion for mayor of Detroit and received a large vote at the primary election. In 1905 he filled the office of president of the National Association of Factory Inspectors. He belongs to the Detroit Board of Com- merce and is well known in club circles through his membership in the Rotary, Detroit Golf and Detroit Automobile Clubs. He has long been a deep student of the important sociological, economic and political problems before the country and keeps well abreast with the thinking men of the age in all these par- ticulars.
JOHN A. MERCIER, a native son of Detroit who enjoys a most enviable reputation as a highly re- spected and representative citizen, has here been suc- cessfully engaged in the general contracting business for the past thirty-six years. He was born on the 2d of May, 1862, a son of John and Adaline (DeMars) Mercier. In the acquirement of his education he attended the public schools of Detroit and after put- ting aside his textbooks learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father. When twenty years of age he went to Chicago, where he was em- ployed in the Charles Smith Roofing Works for two years, at the end of which time he returned to De- troit and has here since been engaged in the general contracting business, having developed his interests of this character to extensive and profitable propor- tions. He is the president of the Mercier-Bryan- Larkins Brick Company, the vice president of the National Twist Drill Company, vice president of the Howie Roofing Company, and is also identified with financial interests as one of the organizers and presi- dent of the Springwells State Bank, and director of the Wayne County & Home Savings Bank. He is a member of the Builders & Traders Exchange, of which he has served as president.
On the 10th of December, 1886, Mr. Mercier was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Huson of Detroit, and they have become parents of a daughter, Lillian G., now the wife of Frank W. Shuell of Detroit. Mr. Mercier is fond of hunting and the nature of his recreation is further indicated in the fact that he belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit Golf Club, Oakland Hills Country Club, and Detroit Boat Club. He is likewise a member of the Bankers' Club. Mr. Mercier is a member of Oriental Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and Damascus Commandery, Knights Templar. He has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is a Noble of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. In Social circles of Detroit he has won a host of warm friends by reason of his many admirable personal characteristics, while as a successful contractor he has long occupied a leading position in business circles of the city. Mr. Mercier has a two hundred acre farm in Bloomfield township,
JOHN A. MERCIER
Vol. III-42
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Oakland county, Michigan, where he has a fine herd of pure bred Holstein cattle. This farm-"Red Gate" -is occupied by Mr. Mercier as a summer home and is thoroughly modernized in every way.
O. Z. IDE. Although one of the younger repre- sentatives of the Detroit bar, O. Z. Ide has already established himself in the public regard as an able lawyer and has won a liberal clientage for one of his years. He was born at Ypsilanti, Michigan, May 26, 1891, a son of Orville and Agnes (Stauffer) Ide, and following his graduation from the Kalamazoo high school he became a student in Kalamazoo Col- lege, after which he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, which he attended for two years. His last year in law was pursued at Yale University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1915, winning the LL. B. degree, and in the same year he was admitted to the Michigan bar. He at once opened an office in Detroit and engaged in the practice of his profession, which he continued to follow until the 12th of May, 1917, when he enlisted for service in the World war. He was sent to the officers training camp at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and was commissioned second lieutenant, being assigned to the Field Artillery. He was sent to nearly all of the army camps in the United States and during the last six months of his service was battalion adjutant and also judge advocate. He was honorably discharged at Camp Taylor on the 1st of December, 1918, with the rank of captain and returned to Detroit, where he resumed his law practice, in which he has suc- cessfully continued. His ability as a lawyer soon be- came recognized and in May, 1920, he was made assistant prosecuting attorney, handling examinations and having charge of special work in the recorder's court. He filled that position until January 1, 1921, and then opened law offices in the Dime Bank building of Detroit. He is a capable lawyer, well informed in all branches of jurisprudence, and his ability is mani- fest in the logic of his deductions and the clearness of his reasoning. He has much natural talent, is withal a hard student and is never content until he has mastered every detail of his cases. He has been connected with a number of important law cases and the list of his clients has already become an ex- tensive one.
On the 15th of August, 1917, Mr. Ide was united in marriage to Margaret Louise Bryant, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, a representative of the family to which belonged William Cullen Bryant, one of America's best beloved poets. Two children have been born of this union, Agnes Elizabeth and Eleanor Jane. In his political views Mr. Ide is a republican, and in religious faith he is a Presybterian. He is a member of Gamma Eta Gamma fraternity of the University of Michigan and of Sigma Delta Psi, at Yale, and he is also identified with the Lawyers Club of Detroit, Detroit Yacht Club, and the Yale Club. He is like-
wise connected with Larned Post of the American Legion, of which he is an active and helpful member. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of his city and his influence is always on the side of advancement and improvement. He believes in the maxim: "There is no excellence with- out labor," and he follows it closely. To his chosen life work he gives his undivided attention and he is making continuous progress in his profession, being recognized as one of the rising young lawyers of De- troit.
JOSEPH WOOD, vice president of the Barcy-Nich- olson Company, manufacturers of automobile electrical supplies, was born in Leeds, England, May 23, 1880, a son of Joseph and Eliza (Prince) Wood, who came to America in 1881, settling in Manistee, Michigan, where the father followed the machinist's trade until 1905. He then removed to Chicago, where he con- tinued to engage in the same line of business until his death in 1917, and his widow is still a resident of that city. They were the parents of fourteen children, nine of whom are living: Ralph P. and Walter, who are business men of Chicago; George, also in Chicago; Mrs. Alice Uphouse of Rockford, Illinois; Mrs. Ada Stender, Mrs. Nellie Quigley, Maude, and Mrs. Myrtle Meyers, all of Chicago; and Joseph, the subject of this review.
The last named attended the schools of Manistee, Michigan, to the age of sixteen years, when his par- ents removed to Chicago, and he began work for the McCormick Harvester Company, with which he remained for several years. He served an apprentice- ship at the machinist's trade and at length resigned his position with that corporation to become an employe of the American Can Company of the same city. While in the employ of the latter company he removed to Detroit to assist in the mechanical work for the company, after which he continued in the Chicago plant for two years more. He then returned to Detroit and purchased an interest in the Barcy- Nicholson Company in 1912, this company being en- gaged in the manufacture of automobile electrical sup- plies. He has since been vice president of the com- pany, which has a modern plant erected in 1916 and is employing one hundred and fifty people. This firm furnishes the wiring sets used on cars and trucks, and its business is steadily growing.
In June, 1901, Mr. Wood was married to Miss Lena Dorman of Chicago, and they became parents of two children: Roy W., born in Chicago in 1902, was edu- cated in the schools of that city and of Detroit, and is now at work with his father; Earl J., born in Detroit in March, 1904, is a high school pupil.
Mrs. Wood died of heart trouble February 2, 1908, while visiting her mother at Chicago. In March, 1910, Mr. Wood was married to Miss Marie Edgerton of Hunter, Illinois, and they have become the parents of three girls: Marjorie E., born in Buffalo, New York,
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March, 1911, is attending grade school; Grace Eileen, born in 1913, is also attending school; and Ruth Marie, born at Detroit in July, 1918.
Mr. Wood is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the city, and to its develop- ment along all lines of substantial growth. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He has made good use of his time, talents and opportunities as the years have passed by, and the enviable position which he occupies in the industrial circles of Detroit is attributable entirely to his discrimination and capability.
ARTHUR E. STEVENS, of the Chope-Stevens Pa- per Company, numbers among his friends many of Detroit's prominent and influential business men and is admired and respected by all who know him, for he possesses those qualities which make for enterprise, reliability and progressiveness in all business affairs. A native son of Detroit, he was born December 19, 1866, his parents being John and Mary (Covert) Stevens, whose family numbered eight children, the others being: Frederick J., Edwin S., Emma A., Mark B., Ella A., William S. and George H. The father was engaged in the furniture business in connection with Marcus Stevens in the Wright-Kay building for a number of years and was well known in the mercan- tile circles of the city.
Arthur E. Stevens attended the public schools and also the high school of Detroit and in 1887 entered the employ of the Merchants & Manufacturers Na- tional Bank. His position was a humble one, but he steadily worked his way upward and in 1889 was made collection teller. His rapid rise was due en- tirely to his hard work and the unusual ability which he displayed in mastering the tasks assigned him. The same qualities have been the outstanding fea- tures in the attainment of his ultimate success in the business world. He remained in the bank until 1890, when he became identified with Paige & Stracham in the paper business at No. 142 Jefferson avenue in the capacity of bookkeeper. In 1897 the firm of Paige & Chope Company was incorporated and Mr. Stevens was elected treasurer. Mr. Paige retired from the business in 1902 and at that time their interests were reorganized under the firm style of the Chope-Stevens Paper Company. The firm deals in all kinds of paper products and is one of the largest concerns in the state. Its growth has been remarkable, yet it has been the legitimate outcome of industry, close appli- cation and progressive methods. That a man of Mr. Stevens' high business caliber stands at the head of the enterprise indicates the results achieved to be but a logical outcome. Such has been the development and growth of the undertaking that today the busi- ness transacted by the company in ten days is equiva- lent to that of its first year's output.
On the 24th of September, 1890, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Miss Susie G. Brodie, of Detroit. They have become parents of three children: Dorothy B., who was born in 1892 and is now the wife of James L. Buchanan; Margery Locke, born in 1895, who is the wife of Gray E. Mather; and Suzanne Erwin, born in 1900.
Mr. Stevens is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, the Grosse Ile Country Club, the Detroit Auto- mobile Club, the Business Men's Club and also of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is also a mem- ber of the Detroit Board of Commerce, of which he has served as director and vice president. Fraternally Mr. Stevens is a member of Palestine Lodge, No. 357, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; is past high priest of King Cyrus chapter, R. A. M., and is past grand high priest of the grand chapter, R. A. M. of Michigan. He belongs to Detroit Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar, and to the Michigan Sover- eign Consistory. For the past eighteen years he has been a trustee of the Masonic Temple Association. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. The interests and activities of his life are many, making him a man of well balanced character, and the strength, versatility and resourcefulness which he has displayed in his business affairs have given him high standing among the leaders of commercial interests in his native city.
RICHARD EDWARD ROGERS has been identified with the firm of Kunz & Rogers, dealers in wholesale jewelers' supplies, since 1901 and his concentration of effort, his capable management and untiring in- dustry have been salient features in bringing about the success of this firm. A lifelong resident of Mich- igan, he was born in Jackson on the 22d of April, 1857, and is a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Fitz- simmons) Rogers. He comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry and exemplifies in his life many of the sterling traits of the people whose ancestral lines could be traced back to those two virile peoples of the British isles.
In the acquirement of his education Mr. Rogers attended the high school at Bellevue, Michigan, and started out in the business world in the position of bookkeeper with the firm of Beatty, Fitzsimmons & Company, wholesale grocers, in 1881. His capability and trustworthiness are indicated in the fact that he remained with that house until 1893, winning gradual promotions and gaining a constantly broaden- ing business experience. In 1894 he accepted the posi- tion of office manager with the Peninsular Lead & Color Works and so continued until 1903. He was then made sales manager of the Detroit White Lead Company and discharged the duties of that position for four years. In the meantime he had secured an interest in the jewelers' supply house of Kunz & Rogers in 1901 and on severing his connection with the Detroit White Lead Company he became an active factor in the management and further development
ARTHUR E. STEVENS
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of the wholesale jewelers' supplies business. He has since contributed to the growth of the trade and his energy has been a dominant force in the development of the business.
On the 27th of November, 1886, Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Mattie Hudson of New Haven, Michi- gan. He belongs to the Detroit Wheelmen's Club and to the Exchange Club and in Masonry he has attained the Consistory degree in the Scottish Rite. He is also identified with the Jewelers Board of Trade and is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce. His interest in political affairs is indicated by the sup- port which he gives to the republican party, which has received his allegiance since he attained his majority, but he has never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty.
OLIVER PHELPS, one of the widely known resi- dents of Detroit, long prominent in business and social circles, was born at Canandaigua, New York, Decem- ber 12, 1859, his parents being Oliver and Sara Humes (Porter) Phelps, the latter a daughter of Governor George B. Porter of Michigan.
Liberal educational advantages were accorded the son, who won the Bachelor of Philosophy degree upon graduation from Yale University, with the class of 1881. He afterward began reading law, devoting two years to that study, and in 1882 he came to Detroit, where he has since made his home. Here he entered into business connection with the Michigan Car Com- pany, with which he remained until it was consolidated with the American Car & Foundry Company in 1898. In the latter year he became general manager of The Lorain Foundry Company of Lorain, Ohio, and thus continued until 1903, when he accepted the posi- tion of general western sales agent for M. A. Hanna & Company. He is now the exclusive representative or agent for several manufacturing interests.
On the 15th of December, 1881, Mr. Phelps was married at Dubuque, Iowa, to Miss Sarah Porter Shissler and they have become parents of two children: Oliver VI, is secretary of the Miller-Seldon Electric Company; and Louis S.
Mr. Phelps gives his political allegiance to the republican party and he is widely known in club circles, being a member of the Detroit, Yondotega and Detroit Boat Clubs. He finds his recreation in out- door sports and his social qualities make for popu- larity wherever he is known.
THURLOW EMMETT COON, who is devoting his life to power plant engineering and since October, 1909, has been president and mechanical engineer with the Coon-De Visser Company, Inc., of Detroit, based his business success and advancement upon thorough professional preparation and his subsequent study and experience, which have been of a broad and valuable character. A native son of Michigan, he was born at Baldwin, December 25, 1881, his parents being Emmett
and Julia B. (Bryant) Coon. Liberal educational op- portunities were accorded him and these he eagerly embraced, recognizing their value as factors in prepa- ration for the world's work. He attended the Univer- sity of Michigan, from which he won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1903, and then took up a course in en- gineering, gaining the Bachelor of Science degree in 1906. He entered upon his active business career in the east by accepting a position with the Mechanical Engineer of the American Locomotive Company, Cooke works, in Paterson, New Jersey. There he remained until 1908, in which year he became registrar of the Carnegie Technical Schools at Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, where he continued through the scholastic year. In 1909 he became mechanical engineer with Fair- banks, Morse & Company at Detroit, occupying this position until the month of October, when he organized the Coon-De Visser Company, becoming president, and has uninterruptedly so served to the present time, covering a period of more than a decade. He has always kept in touch with the trend of modern pro- fessional thought and progress and finds the keenest interest in solving intricate and involved engineering problems. He is a member of the Detroit Engineering Society, of the American Society of Mechanical Engi- neers and the American Society of Heating and Ven- tilating Engineers. He is also an associate member of Detroit, No. 7, National Association of Stationary Engineers.
On the 24th of November, 1909, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Coon and Miss Susan E. Diack of Detroit. Mr. Coon is well known in club circles, be- longing to the Detroit Athletic, Ingleside and Oak- land Hills Country Clubs. His military experience came to him as a member of the Michigan National Guard from 1899 until 1906 and during the last two years of that period he served with the rank of second lieutenant. He is a progressive republican in politics, keeping in touch with the vital interests of the day.
JEROME A. UTLEY, a contracting engineer of Detroit who has executed many important contracts, has had broad experience in this line of work and his standing in engineering circles of the city is an enviable one. He was born at Stanton, Michigan, January 7, 1881, a son of Rev. Wells H. and Emma (Adams) Utley, and acquired his education in the public schools and the Central high school of Detroit, after which he entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1903 with the degree of Mechanical Engineer, since which time he has practiced his profession in Detroit.
In his political views Mr. Utley is a republican and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Congregational church. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club and the Michigan Club at Ann Arbor
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and while attending the university was for four years a member of its baseball team. Industry has been the key which has unlocked for Mr. Utley the portals of snecess and thoroughness and diligence have characterized all of his work. Ilis professional stand- ing is of the highest and through his labors he has contributed in substantial measure to the development and improvement of Detroit, being recognized as a most progressive and public-spirited citizen, whose influence is at all times on the side of advancement and improvement.
FRANK A. KELLY, M. D., physician and surgeon of Detroit who prepared for the onerous and resposi- ble duties of the profession by thorough study in America and abroad, was born in Alpena, Michigan, May 8, 1880, a son of John A. and Sarah Ann (Hand) Kelly, the former a native of Canada, while the latter was born near Coldwater, Michigan. The father came to this state in early life and was prominently con- nected with the lumber industry at Alpena and at Coldwater. He passed away in 1889, at the age of thirty-eight years, while his wife survived him for three decades, dying in Nebraska in 1919. Their family numbered five sons and a daughter, two of whom have passed away. The others are: Morris A., living in Detroit; Frank A. of this review; Cyrus E., a resident of Patt, Colorado; and Florence E., now Mrs. Starr Bray of Union City, Michigan.
Dr. Kelly began his education in the schools of his native town and afterward attended high school at Coldwater, Michigan. Later he came to Detroit, and having determined to make the practice of medi- cine his life work he entered the Detroit Homeopathic College of Medicine, from which he was graduated in 1903. After completing his course he spent two years as house surgeon in the Grace Hospital of Detroit and then located in the village of Fairview, where he conducted his practice until the village was an- nexed to the city. Here he has devoted his attention to surgery and has gained wide distinction in this field. He went abroad in 1914 for a further study in the medical centers of Europe and he has also studied in the Chicago Post Graduate School and the New York Post Graduate School, specializing in major sur- gery. He is recognized as one of the eminent mem- bers of the profession in Detroit and is now attending surgeon to the Grace Hospital, while at the same time he enjoys an extensive private practice. He keeps in touch with the latest advancement in the profession through his membership in the Wayne County and Michigan Medical Societies and the American Medical Association, and he is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His activities include his service as a member of the State Board of Registration and as pension examiner for the Michigan district. During the World war Dr. Kelly volunteered and was ap- pointed to fill a vacancy in the surgical staff of the Homeopathic Medical School of the University of
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