USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 83
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On the 9th of May, 1918, Mr. Burke was married to Miss Alice Wilkins of Pittsburgh, a daughter of Edward J. and Elizabeth J. Wilkins of that city. They have one child, David W., Jr., who was born in Detroit, March 30, 1919. Mr. Burke belongs to the Masonic fraternity, Michigan Sovereign Consistory and Moslem Temple, and is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, the Detroit Auto Club, and the Society of Automotive Engineers, and his social qualities make for popularity in these different organizations. His life has been one of intense and well directed activity, and his progres- siveness has won for him a most ereditable position in business circles.
GEORGE R. COOKE. While a young man, George R. Cooke is nevertheless recognized as one of the masters of construction in the United States and he has done much splendid work in connection with public improvement in Detroit, where for several years he has made his home. He was born at East Spring- field at the head of Otsego Lake, in New York, and in the acquirement of his education attended the Springfield Academy, while later he became a student
in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Bos- ton, being there graduated with the class of 1908. Before going to New England to continue his educa- tion he had had much engineering experience in con- nection with the Lackawanna steel plant at Buffalo, New York, being there employed for three years. He also spent three years as resident engineer for the' Buffalo & Susquehanna Railroad and thus after six years' connection with business activities he received his technical training. The year subsequent to the close of his college work was spent in the Cobalt dis- trict on the north shore of Lake Superior and in the employ of a timber company at Port Arthur. He then came to Detroit and entered the business cir- cles of this city as a contracting engineer, making a specialty of concrete dock work and municipal im- provements. He has been closely connected with work of this character in Detroit and he is well known not only in this city but throughout the country. He built and equipped the great Cleveland terminal for the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company and the Cleveland & Buffalo Transit Company, a contract that was two years in its execution.
In 1909 Mr. Cooke was united in marriage to Miss Madelaine Bell of Buffalo, New York, and they have three children: Evelyn; George R., Jr., born June 20, 1913, in Detroit; and Rosalind. Mr. Cooke is a mem- ber and ex-president of the University Club of Detroit. He belongs also to the Country Club, to the Oakland Hills Country Club, and to the Lochmoor Golf Club. He is also an associate member of the American So- ciety of Civil Engineers and is a member of the board of directors and president of the Builders & Traders Exchange. While still young in years, he has attained a professional position that many men of twice his age might well envy.
HARRY BENNAVILLE LEINBACH, president of the Leinbach-Humphrey Company, one of Detroit's leading real estate firms, has advanced in his busi- ness connections until his labors have constituted a potent force in the city's improvement and adornment.
Mr. Leinbach was born in Centerville, Michigan, September 6, 1881, a son of Henry S. and Sarah Ann (Gentzler) Leinbaclı, and comes from a most highly respected family in that section of the state. His father served as treasurer of St. Joseph county and was connected with farming as well as other interests, which included the insurance business.
Harry B. Leinbach was educated in the schools of the town where he was reared, graduating from Cen- terville high school in 1899, and was but a young man when he became identified with the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company of New York. During this connection he was advanced to the position of sales manager, which he successfully filled for some years.
Mr. Leinbach came to Detroit in 1912 and soon after became identified with the real estate business,
GEORGE R. COOKE
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an association which he has maintained ever since. In 1915, associated with Rex Humphrey, he was one of the organizers of the Leinbach-Humphrey Com- pany, and from its inception has continued as its executive head. There was a time when real estate dealings consisted of little more than a matter of purchase or sale, but today real estate interests are as thoroughly organized and the business as care- fully systematized as in any other field of commercial activity. The Leinbach-Humphrey Company is one of the most efficient organizations in Detroit realty circles. The important character and broad scope of its operations have been attended by a measure of success that reflects no small amount of credit upon those who have shaped its destinies. Aside from the local interest of this company, there are those of Leinbach, Humphrey & Hyer of Flint, Michigan; Leinbach, Humphrey & Shipman of Hamilton, Ohio; Leinbach, Humphrey Company of Plymouth, Michigan; Leinbach, Humphrey & Kise of Pontiac, Michigan; Leinbach, Humphrey & Prevatt of South Bend, In- diana; Leinbach, Humphrey & Towey of Lansing, Michigan; and Leinbach, Humphrey & O'Harra of Port Huron, Michigan. All of these companies are de- voted to the development of big subdivisions in the various cities where they operate.
The Detroit firm has been no small factor in the city's development and expansion. It has placed on the market a large number of valuable properties, in- cluding the Grand River Suburban division, Grand River Park, Zoological Park subdivision, Pioneer snb- division, the Marshall-Kohn subdivision, Hawthorn Park, Evergreen subdivision, and Leinbach-Hum- phrey's Woodward Avenue subdivision, consisting of fourteen hundred building sites. The success of the Leinbach-Humphrey Company and the high standard of its business methods have long since given it a foremost position among the big and strong real es- tate firms in Detroit. The home office on the fourth floor of the Holden building is extremely commodious and well appointed. Mr. Leinbach is a member of the Detroit Real Estate Board, also the Board of Com- merce. He has shown excellent judgment in the val- uation of property and marked enterprise in the con- duct of his business affairs: his success is the legitimate outcome and direct result of the use of these talents. He is included among the city's best class of citizens and representative business men.
On October 7, 1908, Mr. Leinbach married Miss Rose Ruffner of Charleston, West Virginia, daughter of Augustus J. Ruffner, one of the prominent families of Charleston, which for years has been connected with the commercial, banking and industrial circles of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Leinbach have two sons, Harry B., Jr., and Chapin Ruffner.
In his church affiliations Mr. Leinbach is a Presby- terian. In club circles he is well known, holding membership in the Detroit Athletic, the Oakland Hills Country, the Meadowbrook Country Clubs, and the
Ox-Box Fishing and Hunting Club. He belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution, while in his fra- ternal relations he is a prominent Mason, having at- tained the thirty-second degree. Mr. Leinbach's resi- dence in Detroit is at 135 Calvert avenue.
EDWARD H. LERCHEN, JR., a representative of one of the old families of Detroit, is widely and favor- ably known in this city, where he has spent his life. He is an energetic and capable business man and since 1917 has been secretary and treasurer of the Fort Shelby Hotel Company. He was born September 3, 1877, a son of Edward Henry and Malena Ann (Roe) Lerchen, prominent residents of this city. The father was formerly engaged in the meat business but is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.
In the graded schools and the Central high school of Detroit Edward H. Lerchen, Jr., acquired his educa- tion and on starting out in life independently he followed in the footsteps of his father, also engag- ing in the meat business. He next entered the employ of the government, being connected with the Detroit post office for about two years, after which he took up Y. M. C. A. work, with which he was identified for fifteen years, and during the latter part of that period was business manager. Since December, 1917, he has been secretary and treasurer of the Fort Shelby Hotel Company, conducting one of the leading hos- telries of the city, and he displays marked alibity in managing the interests under his care.
On the 19th of February, 1909, Mr. Lerchen was united in marriage to Miss Elsie M. Cross of this city, and they now have four children: Robert Arthur, James Cross, Helen Barbara and Margaret Elsie. Mr. Lerchen is a prominent Mason, his membership being with Highland Park Lodge, No. 468, F. & A. M .; Michigan Sovereign Consistory, A. & A. S. R .; and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is recognized as an enterprising and alert business man and as a public-spirited citizen and his personal qualities are such that he has gained the warm friendship of many.
HARRY WASHINGTON FROST, president of the Frost Railway Supply Company, in which business he has been engaged for a period of sixteen years, was born in Felicity, Ohio, February 22, 1860, a son of Marcus O. and Mary S. (Carter) Frost. His edu- cational opportunities were those offered by the public and high schools of Marshall, Illinois, and he started out in the business world as office boy with the Mar- shall Herald, published at Marshall, Illinois. Grad- ually acquainting himself with the various phases of newspaper publication, he purchased a half interest in the business in 1881 and was associated therewith under the firm style of M. O. Frost & Son until 1883. He then sold out and went to Topeka, Kansas, where he undertook the publication of the Saturday Eve- ning Lance in June, 1883, spending nine years in the
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west. In 1892 he became a resident of Chicago and was made secretary and western business manager of the Railway Age, thus continuing in the same line of business in which he had been engaged from the outset of his business career. Five years were passed in the metropolis and in 1897 he came to Detroit, where he was made general manager of the Monarch Brake Beam Company. In 1902 he entered the employ of Berry Brothers, Limited, and was thus associated until 1905, when ambitious to engage again in busi- ness on his own account, he organized the Frost Rail- way Supply Company, of which he has since been the president. In this connection he has built up a business of substantial proportions and his enterprise and sound judgment have brought him to the front in his particular line.
On the 12th of September, 1883, In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mr. Frost was married to Miss Nellie M. MeCord and they became parents of two children, Mary McCord and Harry Washington. Mr. Frost finds his recreation in outdoor sports and he is promi- uently known in the club cireles of the city, belonging to the Detroit, Detroit Golf, Oakland Hills Country and Detroit Athletic Clubs and also to the Union League Club of Chicago. The military chapter in his life record covers service with the Seventeenth Battalion of the Illinois National Guard during his young manhood and in that connection he was ad- vanced to the rank of captain, so serving when he resigned in 1881. Later he became a lieutenant- colonel of the Third Regiment of the Kansas National Guard, resigning in 1892. His political support has always been given to the republican party, but while never failing to endorse the party candidates at the polls, he has never been ambitious for office. His busi- ness career, quiet and uneventful, is of that class which constitutes the true stability of a community.
EDWIN STROH, vice president and secretary of the Stroh Casting Company and thus closely associated with industrial activity in Detroit, his native city, was born January 23, 1888, and is a son of Bernhard and Elizabeth (Salzman) Stroh. After mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools he continued his education in the University of Mich- igan, in which he pursued the literary course as a member of the class of 1908. When his college days were over he entered the brewing business in con- nection with his father and was thus associated until 1914, when he organized the Stroh Casting Company. Through the intervening period this business has been remarkably successful, enjoying notable growth and development. In 1914 the business amounted to one hundred thousand dollars, while in 1920 it reached more than the two million and a half mark, and the demand for the product is so great in Detroit alone that the firm has cut off large business in other cities like Cleveland, Toledo and Buffalo so as to be able to take care of the home trade. The company is plan-
ning to build a much larger plant, so that it will thus be able to increase its output. By reason of the excellence of its product, its reliable business methods and progressiveness, its trade has increased with most gratifying rapidity and it has become one of the im- portant industrial enterprises of the city.
On November 16, 1918, Edwin Stroh was married to Miss Katherine Remick, daughter of Jerome H. Remick, and Mr. and Mrs. Stroh have become parents of one son, Edwin, Jr., born June 19, 1920. Mr. Stroh's mother is still living, but his father passed away in 1916. Mr. Stroh is a member of the Country Club, also of the Detroit Club and of the Psi Upsilon, a college fraternity. He is a most energetic young man of broad vision, who sees beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities and possibilities of the future and is constantly building along broader lines, his efforts at all times proving effectively re- sultant.
JAMES G. ALBRIGHT, devoting his time to cor- poration insurance, in which he is an acknowledged expert, and a well known figure in the local, state and national insurance associations, was born in Bucy- rus, Crawford county, Ohio, September 30, 1859, and while spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, Daniel B. and Mary Ann (Smith) Albright, he attended the Bucyrus Union school, completing a high school course in 1875. Early in his business career he chose insurance as the field in which he wished to labor and in 1887 became identified with the Union Central Life Insurance Company, which he long represented. He was state manager for Wisconsin from 1889 until 1907, when twenty-three companies left the state on account of adverse legislation. In the latter year he was made state manager of Michi- gan and so continued to serve until July, 1919, since which time he has devoted his attention to corporation insurance and is an acknowledged authority upon that phase of the business. In fact there is no branch of life insurance with which he is not thoroughly familiar in its every phase. He knows the limitations and the opportunities, the laws relative thereto, the business requirements necessary for the upbuilding of the busi- ness and thus is well qualified for the important work which he has undertaken.
On the 3d of June, 1886, Mr. Albright was united in marriage to Miss Helen Isabel Twiss of Columbus, Ohio. To them have been born two children: Arthur S., who is superintendent of the meter department of the Detroit Edison Company and who wedded Do- rothy Becker of this city; and Susan R., who is the wife of C. F. Smith and resides in Berkeley, Cali- fornia.
There is much indicated concerning the nature of a man, his characteristics, his ideals and his interests, by his membership associations and in this connec- tion one may read much of the life of James G. Al- bright in the statement that he was one of the found-
EDWIN STROH
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ers of the Wisconsin Archaeological Society, that he is a member of the American Civic Association, that he belongs to the Ohio Society of Detroit and that he is a thirty-second degree Mason and Mystic Shriner and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He like- wise belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, Ingleside Club, Board of Commerce, and the Detroit Citizens League. He is appreciative of the social amenities of life and at all times recognizes the duties and obligations as well as the privileges and opportunities of citizenship.
DWIGHT LEWIS SEYMOUR, president of the in- vestment banking firm of D. L. Seymour & Company, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, August 29, 1886, and is a son of Walter Henry and Gertrude (Sheldon) Seymour, deceased. He obtained his early education in the public schools of Cleveland. In 1906 he came to Detroit and entered the Detroit University School in October of that year, graduating in June, 1908. The following year he entered the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, graduating with the class of 1912 and obtaining the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He began his business career in July of the same year by entering the employ of the Standard Oil Company in New York city. In 1913 he came to Detroit to become associated with the firm of Paine- Webber & Company, and continued with this house in the bond department until December, 1915. In Jan- uary, 1916, he organized the firm of D. L. Seymour & Company, and he has since conducted an investment banking business. He has also specialized in reorgan- izing, financing, and operating industrial and man- ufacturing concerns. He is secretary-treasurer and one of the directors of the Sturgis Steel Go-Cart Company. He is also secretary-treasurer and one of the directors of the Federal Steel Company. He is a director of the Detroit Farm Products Company. Mr. Seymour is well known in club circles. He belongs to the Book and Snake Society and the Cloister Club, both of the Sheffield Scientific School; the Yale Club and the Bankers Club of New York city; the Country Club of Grosse Pointe Farms, the Detroit Athletic Club, the University Club of Detroit; the Lochmoor Club, and the Oakland Hills Country Club. He is a devotee of outdoor sports, such as golf and swimming, to which he turns for recreation. In the years of his connection with Detroit, dating from 1913, he has made for himself a creditable place in the financial circles of the city and has been the promoter of a business which is now one of its important financial enterprises.
S. WIGHTMAN STEWART, attorney at law of Detroit, was born December 29, 1852, his parents being Robert and Martha F. (Taylor) Stewart. The father, who was a native of Ireland, was a saddle- maker by trade. The mother's birth occurred in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The public schools afforded S. Wightman Stewart his educational opportunities and in 1871 he entered the law offices of D. B. and H. M. Duffield, prominent representatives of the Detroit bar at that day, under whose direction he studied for three and a half years. In 1873 Mr. Stewart was admitted to the bar and a year later entered upon the practice of law in De- troit, where he has remained, specializing in real estate law, of which he has comprehensive knowledge, so that he is able to speak with authority upon many questions that have to do with litigation of this character. He at one time practiced in partnership with George Wenzell, now deceased, but for a long period has been alone.
Mr. Stewart is a member of the Board of Com- merce and is interested in all those activities featured by the organization for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. In politics he is an independent democrat and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church.
GILBERT B. SEYMOUR was prominent as a man whose constantly expanding powers took him from humble business surroundings to the field of large en- terprises and continually broadening opportunities. As the years passed he brought to bear a clear under- standing that readily solved complex problems and united into a harmonious whole unrelated and even diverse business interests. His position was a most creditable and enviable one in the commercial circles of Detroit, where for many years he made his home.
Mr. Seymour first saw the light of day in the state of New York on the 6th of June, 1846, his parents being Alvin and Sallie (Bloomer) Seymour, who had a family of nine children. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof he obtained a public and high school education. His ambition always led to thor- oughness, enterprise and industry in anything that he undertook. In young manhood he worked his way upward until he became recognized as an expert auditor and subsequently he turned his attention to the safe and bank vault business, in which connec- tion he won a national reputation. He became a most extensive dealer in bank vaults and installed the greater part of the vaults in the various banks of Detroit. For many years he was one of the officials of the Hall Safe Company, while later he embarked in the business independently and again he secured a liberal patronage. He studied the business from every phase and was able to present most clearly the valuable and salient features of the vaults which he handled.
On the 25th of December, 1888, Mr. Seymour was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Burns, daughter of Bernard Burns, of a prominent family of Glasgow, Scotland, and later of Cooperstown, New York. After a happy married life of thirty years they were sepa- rated by the hand of death on the 17th of October,
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1918. Mrs. Seymour is a consistent member of the Unitarian church, to which Mr. Seymour also belonged. She likewise has membership in the Chamber Music Society, in the Drama League and in the Michigan Hospital School for Children. She is interested in all those elements of cultural value in the community and in all of the projects promoting benevolent work or seeking to ameliorate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate. Mr. Seymour found his greatest happiness at his own fireside and in the companionship of his wife. He was a man of most kindly spirit and generous disposition and continually aided in a financial way those who needed assistance. In a word he was constantly extending a helping hand and he found his reward not in the applause of the multi- tude, for his generosity was of a most unostentatious nature, but in the consciousness of duty faithfully per- formed.
Mr. Seymour gave his political allegiance to the republican party, while fraternally he was identified with the Masonic order. He was also a member of the old Detroit Athletic Club, the Rotary Club and the Felloweraft Club.
FRANCIS JOSEPH MARTIN is treasurer of Burn- ham Stoepel & Company, wholesale dry goods mer- chants of Detroit, conducting the largest enterprise of this character in the city. He is a native of De- troit and a member of one of its old and prominent families. He was born August 23, 1875, a son of Joseph and Martha (Sinclair) Martin, being the only boy in a family of eight children. His father was a native of England and in 1851 came to the United States, making his way to Detroit during an early period in its development. He became well known in business circles of the city as a large hotel owner, at one time operating several of the old railroad hotels which were established before the advent of the dining car, and he here continued to reside until called by death, being highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.
His son, Franceis Joseph Martin, acquired his edu- cation in the public schools of the city, afterwards entering the employ of Strong, Lee & Company as a billing clerk. He continued in that capacity until 1895, when he became identified with the credit de- partment and subsequently was placed in charge of that branch of the business. Upon becoming con- nected with Burnham Stoepel & Company he took charge of their credit department, his previous ex- perience having well qualified him for work of this character, and he continues as its actual head. In 1912 he was made a director of the company and in Jannary, 1918, he was appointed to the office of treas- urer, in which capacity he has since served, most cap- ably discharging the duties of this responsible position. He is faithful, systematic and accurate in his work and is bending every energy toward the legitimate advancement of the business. Burnham Stoepel &
Company is one of the old and substantial business enterprises of the city, conducting the leading whole- sale dry goods establishment in Detroit, and the name has ever been a synonym for reliability, integrity and enterprise.
On the 26th of April, 1906, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Beyster, a daughter of John Beyster, and they have become the parents of three children: George B., who was born in 1908; Francis J., born in 1910; and Richard T., whose birth occurred in 1911.
In his political views Mr. Martin has always been a stanch republican, loyally supporting the principles and candidates of the party, and that he is a public- spirited citizen is indicated by his membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce, whose projects for the development and upbuilding of the city receive his hearty cooperation. He is a charter member of the National Credit Men's Association and fraternally is identified with the Masonic order, Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M., whose beneficent teachings guide him in all life's relations. He is also connected with the Ingleside Club and the nature of his recreation is demonstrated by his membership in the Detroit Golf Club. He is also a member of the Ohio Society of Detroit. What he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents. Early in his career he realized that success can be won only at the cost of earnest, self-denying effort and per- sistency of purpose and along those lines he has labored for advancement, winning promotion because people have believed in him and because he has proven to them his worth. He occupies a foremost position in business circles of Detroit and his worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged.
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