USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 77
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Michigan, which position he occupied until the return of the former incumbent. In recognition of this service, the University of Michigan conferred upon him the degree of M. D., in the spring of 1919. He is president of the Michigan State Homeopathic Medi- cal Society, elected for 1920-21. He is likewise a director of the American State Bank.
Dr. Kelly was united in marriage on the 29th of June, 1909, to Miss Merl Brock of Windsor, Canada, a daughter of William D. Brock. The children of this marriage are two in number: William John, born in Detroit, May 31st, 1912, and now attending the University School; and Mary Louise, who was born in 1913 and is also in school.
There is an interesting military chapter in the life record of Dr. Kelly, who in 1898 enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war as a private of Company A, Thirty-second Michigan Infantry, and was stationed at Tampa, Florida. He had previously become a mem- ber of the Second Regiment of the Michigan National Guard, and continued his connection therewith from 1897 until 1900. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the lodge and the Scottish Rite bodies and he is also a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Along more strictly social lines he is connected with the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Automobile Club, the Essex Golf and Country Club, also the Country Club of Grosse Pointe. Dr. Kelly is a charter member of the Academy of Surgeons of Detroit and a member of the original executive committee of that organization. The Detroit Board of Commerce like- wise finds in him a loyal and faithful member, who manifests his public spirit in active support of many plans and measures for the general good. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. The activities and interests of his life are evenly balanced, making his a well rounded character. Well chosen recreation and diversion relieves the strain of the arduous duties of his calling, and at the same time he keeps in close touch with the trend of professional thought and progress and has shown originality and initiative in much of his work.
MATTHEW FINN, lawyer and banker, who has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Detroit since 1888, was born August 5, 1867, in the city which is still his home, his parents being Matthew and Margaret (Coleman) Finn, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The youthful days of the son were here passed and when his preliminary educa- tion had been completed he determined upon the prac- tice of law as a life work and with that end in view matriculated in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he completed his preparation for the bar in 1888, heing graduated with the LL. B. degree. Advancement at the bar is proverbially slow and yet no dreary novitiate awaited Mr. Finn, although nat- urally the character of his practice has increased in
DR. FRANK A. KELLY
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importance as the years have passed and he has dem- onstrated his ability to cope with involved and in- tricate legal problems. He has comprehensive knowl- edge of the law, with ability accurately to apply its principles, and his presentation of a cause is always clear, forceful and logical. As the years have passed he has also become a large investor in real estate, his property holdings being now very extensive. He organized the Peoples National Bank of Hamtramck and was its president until March, 1920, when is was sold to the First and Old Detroit National Bank. He is now president of the Matthew Finn Bank.
On the 5th of December, 1910, Mr. Finn was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Mccullough, a daughter of William Ross MeCullough, and they have two children: Matthew Mccullough and Mary Elizabeth. The re- ligious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and in political belief Mr. Finn is a democrat, having supported the party since attaining his ma- jority. He belongs to the Bloomfield Hills Country Club and to the Essex County Golf Club, these asso- ciations indicating something of the nature of his recreation. His advancement and progress in life are attributable entirely to his individual merit and abil- ity. Without special advantages at the outset of his career he has steadily worked his way upward, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportunities, and the latter he has eagerly and wisely utilized in a provisional outlook for the fu- ture. He stands today a representative member of the bar, displaying equal efficiency in other lines of business, and that his life has ever been well spent is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boy- hood to the present time.
FLORANCE D. EATHERLY. When one enumer- ates those forces that have contributed to the sub- stantial upbuilding and development of Detroit, men- tion must be made of the service which Florance D. Eatherly rendered in this connection. He was for many years one of the prominent lumbermen of the city and afterward president of the United States Frumentum Company. He also became a stockholder in other important business enterprises and at all times his efforts were of a character which contributed to public progress and prosperity as well as to in- dividual success. Throughout his life he manifested the sterling traits of the Scottish race, of which he was a representative, his ancestral history being traced back in unbroken lineage through many generations of a most sturdy and honored family, residents of the land of hills and heather. His birth occurred in Coldingham, Scotland, November 22, 1834, his par- ents being John and Isabella (Sherlock) Eatherly, who were also natives of the same locality in Scotland, where both represented old and well known families. The father devoted his attention to engineering in his native country until attracted by the opportunities of
the new world. He brought his wife and two sons to the United States in 1850. He landed at New York and started westward with the purpose of becoming a resident of Wisconsin, but was so pleased with Detroit and its prospects when the lake vessel brought him to this port that he determined to remain, and here resided for a number of years. Later he removed to Minnesota, where he secured a govern- ment claim, which he transformed into a rich and valuable farm, taking active part in the pioneer devel- opment of that state, where he and his wife continued to make their home until called to their final rest. They were both consistent members of the Presby- terian church and in that faith reared their family. Their youngest son, Joseph Eatherly, became a suc- cessful farmer of Minnesota, where he continued to reside until 1884, when he removed to Detroit, where he passed the remainder of his life.
Florance D. Eatherly was the last surviving member of the family. He pursued his education in the schools of his native country to the age of sixteen years, when he accompanied his parents to the new world and later attended night school in Detroit. Long be- fore pursuing this course, however, he had made his initial step in business, for soon after arriving in Detroit he entered the employ of Hugh Moffett, a carpenter, under whom he learned the trade, working in that way for about a year and a half. Mr. Mof- fett then retired from the contracting business to con- centrate his efforts and attention upon his lumber business and retained Mr. Eatherly in his employ as a clerk in connection with the lumber-yard. He con- tinued to act as clerk and bookkeeper under Mr. Moffett, later becoming manager, until about 1870 and was then given a share in the business under the firm style of Moffett & Eatherly. Their interest steadily grew and expanded and not only did they conduct a large lumber-yard in Detroit but also dealt extensively in timber lands in Michigan and other sections of the country, while a large saw and planing mill was operated by them in Detroit. The business relation between them was maintained until the death of Mr. Moffett in August, 1884. Thus for more than a third of a century Mr. Eatherly had been associated with the senior partner of the firm, first as employe and then for fourteen years as part owner in the business. The most pleasant and cordial relations ever existed between them and that the junior partner had the entire confidence of Mr. Moffett is indicated in the fact that the latter named him as one of the execu- tors of his estate. With the death of Mr. Moffett Mr. Eatherly purchased the interest of the heirs in the business, under the direction of Mr. Moffett's will, and became sole proprietor, conducting his varied lumber, timber and planing mill interests until 1895, when he sold out, having for more than four decades been prominently associated with the lumber trade of the city. In 1891 he had assisted in the organization of the United States Frumentum Company of Detroit,
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of which he was elected president and he also became actively and financially interested in other very im- portant business concerns of the city. He owned con- siderable stock in the great pharmaceutical house of Parke, Davis & Company of Detroit, the largest con- cern of the kind in the world, aud he made invest- ments in the Detroit Creamery Company and in several banks, acting as president for many years of the Union National Bank of Detroit or until it was merged into the Dime Savings Bank, of which he continued a stockholder. While in a measure he had retired, he nevertheless continued an active factor in the world's work to the time of his death, which occurred on the 3d of February, 1916, when he was in the eighty- second year of his age. His landed possessions in- cluded valuable farm property and his country home, "Braeside," comprising one hundred and ten acres, situated near Northville, in Wayne county, is one of the most beautiful country homes in this section of the state. Mr. Eatherly there spent the summer months, while the winter seasons in his later years were largely passed in some attractive district of the sunny southland.
Mr. Eatherly was married twice. He first wedded Miss Mary Gillis. Following her death he was mar- ried to Miss Kate K. Moss on the 19th of November, 1879. She is a daughter of Albert and Ellen (Knapp) Moss. Her father, who devoted the major part of his life to the tannery business, was of Scotch descent. He passed away June 3, 1913, having for a decade survived his wife who passed away on the 4th of July, 1903. Mr. Eatherly always found his greatest happiness at his own fireside or when traveling in the companionship of his wife to the various points which had for them interest. In his political views Mr. Eatherly was ever a stalwart republican and labored earnestly and effectively for party success, his opinions carrying weight in republican councils. From his warm friend, Mayor Pingree, he received the appointment of police commissioner of Detroit and he also served at one time as a member of the city council. He ever manifested the keenest interest in the history of his native land and for many years was president of St. Andrew's Society of Detroit. His fraternal relations were with the Masons and he took all the degrees of both York and Scottish Rites. He was long a devoted member of the Central Presby- terian church, served as a member and president of its board of trustees and did everything in his power to promote the work of the church and extend its beneficent influence. No good work done in the name of charity or religion sought his aid in vain and he was constantly extending a helping hand where assist- ance was needed. Coming to America when a youth of sixteen years, he remained a resident of Detroit throughout the remainder of his days, covering more than two-thirds of a century and in every relation of life he commanded the confidence, respect and goodwill of his fellowmen. Scotland made valuable
contribution to the citizenship of Detroit when she sent Florance D. Eatherly to the shores of the new world.
JOHN B. TROSSEL, dealer in motorcycles, bicycles and automobile accessories, was born in Detroit, Feb- ruary 10, 1874, a son of Peter and Angelica (Matgen) Trossel, who were of European birth but in early life came to the new world. The father was an in- speetor in the employ of the Michigan Central Rail- way Company for many years, but both he and his wife have passed away. They were the parents of three children: Peter, who is with the Detroit Jour- nel; John B .; and Anthony, who is manager of the Old Colony Life Insurance Company in Detroit.
In early life John B. Trossel was a pupil in St. Boniface parochial school and afterward attended the Detroit Business University. In 1896 he entered busi- ness circles on his own account by establishing the John B. Trossel Bicycle Agency, handling the Na- tional bicycles. He has since developed this into one of Detroit's representative business interests. He has found it necessary on several occasions to enlarge his space and is today sole owner of an extensive business which is still growing. Today he handles not only bicycles but motorcycles and automobile accessories.
On the 12th of September, 1900, Mr. Trossel was married to Miss Sarah Quinn of Detroit, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Quinn. They have two children: Marion J., who was born in Detroit in 1901 and is a graduate of the Ursuline Academy; and Sarah A., who was born in Detroit in 1903 and is now attending the Nazareth Academy at Kalamazoo, Mich- igan. The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Trossel is a third de- gree Knight of Columbus. He belongs to the Detroit Auto Club and is well known in the city in which his life has been passed and in which he has so directed his efforts that progress has brought him to the goal of success.
CLARENCE WADSWORTH DICKERSON, who in January, 1920, became vice president of the Timken- Detroit Axle Company, with which he has been con- nected for a decade, is a native of Brooklyn, New York, and a son of O. C. Dickerson, a Congregational minister. He pursued a high school education in Ver- mont and Minnesota and also attended Brown's Busi- ness College of Illinois. When sixteen years of age he started out to provide for his own support and since that time has been steadily engaged in business. Before he attained his majority he went to Chicago and became connected with a wholesale drug house and after ten years established a hardware specialties business which developed into the Sterling Cycle Works, of which he was president, conducting that enterprise until he sold out to the American Bicycle Company, becoming an officer in the latter organiza-
CLARENCE W. DICKERSON
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tion, his headquarters being in New York city. He next went to Baltimore as president of the Henry McShane Company and later was vice president of a trust company in Middletown, Connecticut. He dates his residence in Detroit from 1910, when he joined the Timken-Detroit Axle Company as assistant treas- urer. From that position he was promoted to treasurer, then secretary and treasurer and in January, 1920, became vice president and secretary of one of the important industrial concerns of the city.
Mr. Dickerson was married to Miss Evelyn Cum- mings of Bushnell, Illinois, and they are parents of two children: John C. and Mrs. Robert Rea Ware. The son married Bernice Rote and they have three children: Barbara Courtney, Jean Wadsworth and Bernice Victoria. Mrs. Ware has two children, Robert Rea, Jr., and Evelyn Pearson.
Mr. Dickerson has membership with the Sons of the Revolution through his direct descent from Captain Peter Dickerson of Morristown, New Jersey, and he is now a member of the board of governors of the Michigan Society of that organization. He belongs to Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., also to the Society of Colonial Wars, the Detroit Athletic Club, the De- troit Boat Club, the Detroit Auto Club, the Auto Country Club, the Board of Commerce and the First Presbyterian church, of which he is a trustee. He is also vice president and a director of the Michigan Mutual Liability Company. These various member- ship relations plainly indicate the nature of his in- terests and the rules which govern his conduct. He is blessed with the saving sense of humor, combined with strong intellect and ready adaptability. He has the faculty of making anyone feel at ease in his presence, has an excellent understanding of human nature and the motives of human conduct and to this quality is attributable at least in part his success in business. He never measures anything by the inch rule of self but by that broader measurement of public knowledge, and his purposes of life are high, his measures progressive.
ALBERT M. HENRY. Comparatively few men of his years-for he has now passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey-continue actively in busi- ness as has Albert M. Henry. For more than a half century he has given his attention to real estate in- terests, his ability long since gaining him prominence and success in this field. In 1875 he came to Detroit and through the intervening period his course has caused his name to be inscribed high on the keystone of the arch of Detroit's progress and prosperity.
Mr. Henry was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, September 20, 1845, his parents being William G. and Huldana (Squier) Henry, who were pioneer residents of western Michigan. The boyhood and youth of Albert M. Henry were largely passed in his native city and after graduating from the high school there he became a student in the University of Michigan at
Ann Arbor, completing a literary course with the class of 1867, while he won his LL. B. degree upon grad- uation with the law class of 1869. He had previously won the degrees of B. S. and M. S. and his broad collegiate training constituted an excellent foundation upon which to build the superstructure of professional knowledge. Mr. Henry was admitted to the bar at Omaha, Nebraska, and there engaged in active prac- tice from 1869 until 1875, when he came to Detroit. Here he has continued in the practice of law but has also figured prominently in other connections, for he was one of the organizers and the first president of the Dime Savings Bank of Detroit and has done important public work, serving as a member of the first state board of pardons. He has likewise been a member of the city council of Detroit and a member of the board of estimates and has done important work in connection with the Detroit Board of Commerce, serving as chairman of its education committee.
On the 23d of January, 1875, Mr. Henry was mar- ried in Detroit to Miss Frances M. Burns, a daughter of the Hon. James Burns, long a leading citizen of Detroit. Mrs. Henry passed away February 1, 1879, leaving a son and a daughter, the former, Burns Henry, becoming associated with his father in business, while the daughter, Edith F., is the wife of Edwin S. Bar- bour, treasurer of the Michigan Stove Company of Detroit.
The nature and breadth of Mr. Henry's interests aside from the lines already indicated have found manifestation in his connection with the Psi Upsilon, a fraternity of the University of Michigan, with the Sons of the American Revolution, and with the Ma- sonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite and has become a Mystic Shriner. He is a member of the Board of Commerce and also belongs to the Detroit, Old, Coun- try and Grosse Pointe Riding & Hunt Clubs and his home-Longacres-is at Grosse Pointe Farms. He has exerted considerable influence over public thought and action as the years have gone by, many recognizing the value of his leadership because of his sound judg- ment and his known devotion to the public welfare.
JOHN D. ABRAM. In commercial circles of De- troit John D. Abram occupies a foremost position as the head of the Abram Cement Tool Company, en- gaged in the manufacture of cement finishing tools, a product of his own inventive genius. This is one of the largest industrial enterprises in its lines in the city with a large domestic trade, while its products are also shipped to many European countries. In the control of his interests Mr. Abram has displayed marked executive ability and initiative spirit and success in substantial measure has rewarded his la- bors. He was born in Greene county, Indiana, a son of Frank H. and Margaret (Christie) Abram and a representative of an old American family. The father at first followed agricultural pursuits and subsequently
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engaged in the building of bridges in Indiana, at- taining a position of prominence in that connection.
Following his graduation from the high school at Worthington, Indiana, John D. Abram there became connected with mercantile interests, with which he was identified for three years, and then went to Nebraska. Locating in Custer county, he acquired a section of land and engaged in stock raising, con- tinuing active along that line for three years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his interests and erected a hotel in a western town. This he later sold, and removing to Tekamah, Nebraska, he there entered the lumber and coal business, with which he was identified for fifteen years. In 1905 he came to
Detroit and was employed by the Pearson & Hough Company until the 1st of May, 1916, when he estab- lished his present business as a manufacturer and dealer in cement finishing tools, conducting his in- terests under the style of the Abram Cement Tool Company, with offces at 3818 Grand River avenue. These tools are manufactured from Mr. Abram's own patent and have revolutionized the cement tool busi- ness. The prime principle upon which they work is an automatic double action, which prevents the tool from digging into the cement. As the value of the output has become recognized his patronage has in- creased and his trade now covers every state in the Union as well as extending into Canada and many European countries. He has direct exporting connec- tions in New York city and also maintains a direct agency at Dundee, Scotland. During the progress of the World war Mr. Abram supplied large quantities of these tools to the United States government, having a standing contract to ship a certain quantity of tools monthly, but on the day the armistice was signed he voluntarily stopped work on the contract, thus saving the government additional expense. While engaged on this work he received an unsolicited order from a firm in the Argentine Republic, calling for forty-five thou- sand dollars worth of cement tools, but fearing that the tools were destined for Germany, Mr. Abram laid the matter before the United States government, which confirmed his suspicions and warmly commended him for his public-spirited action in the matter. It is needless to add that Mr. Abram refused to execute the order, thus giving unmistakable proof of his in- tense loyalty and patriotism. He is an astute, far- sighted business man with the ability to control ex- tensive interests and his business activities have ever measured up with the principles of truth and honor.
On the 24th of June, 1897, Mr. Abram was united in marriage to Miss Luella M. Houston and their many admirable traits of character have endeared them to a large circle of friends in this city. They are earnest members of the Christian church and guide their lives by its teachings. Mr. Abram is deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of De- troit and is the president of the Builders Show Asso- ciation, of which he was one of the organizers and
which, owing to the liberality of Mr. Abram and other public-spirited citizens, has become a successful and popular institution, although at its inception it ex- perienced many vicissitudes. His connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it is in his nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His initiative spirit and notable ability have carried him into im- portant relations and while attaining financial inde- pendence he has also been a factor in promoting the industrial development of Detroit, in which city he is widely known and highly esteemed.
ALBERT A. GRINNELL, second vice president and treasurer of the firm of Grinnell Brothers, manufac- turers of and dealers in musical merchandise of Detroit, was born at Shelby, Orleans county, New York, June 12, 1865. He pursued a high school education at Albion, New York, while spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, Willis A. and Lura M. (Avery) Grinnell. He afterward attended the Roches- ter Business University at Rochester, New York, and starting out in the world on his own account he be- came identified with general mercantile interests at West Barre, New York. He conducted the store under his own name from 1886 until 1888 and then removed to Oakfield, New York, where he engaged in dealing in coal, lumber and produce under the name of A. A. Grinnell Company, Incorporated. He there continued until 1910 and in the meantime broadened the scope of his activities by organizing the Akron Produce Com- pany, under which style business was carried on at Akron, New York, from 1905 until 1910, and from 1907 until 1910 at Alabama, New York, under the name of Alabama Produce Company. In 1900 he also became a manufacturer of lumber and cooperage stock at Elba, New York, where he conducted his interests under the style of the Genesee Cooperage Company until 1910.
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