The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 85

Author: Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932, ed; Stocking, William, 1840- joint ed; Miller, Gordon K., joint ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Detroit-Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1022

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 85

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The latter, after mastering the branches of learn- ing taught in the graded and high schools of Newport, Kentucky, came to Detroit and entered the office of Wells W. Leggett, a prominent patent attorney of this city. At a later period he formed a partnership with Charles H. Fisk and the association was main- tained until the death of Mr. Fisk in 1908, since which time Mr. Thomas has practiced alone. He has become one of the most successful patent attorneys of Michi- gan and is a recognized anthority on this branch of the profession.

On the 7th of October, 1890, Mr. Thomas was mar- ried to Miss Mary E. Hummel, a danghter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hummel of Detroit. Her death oc- enrred in Detroit, December 13, 1918, and she is sur- vived by three children: Lloyd Evans, who was born in Detroit, July 29, 1891; Wayne Stoke, born October 31, 1897; and Phyllis Childe, born January 27, 1902. The elder son is a graduate of the Detroit Central high school, also of the Detroit College of Law and is now connected with the Packard Motor Car Com- pany. He wedded Miss Mary L. Glass of Detroit. The younger son is a graduate of the Detroit Central high school and is now a midshipman at the Annap- olis Naval Academy. The daughter is attending the Northern high school at Detroit.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Thomas is a Mason and is an exemplary representative of the spirit and purposes of the craft. He is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 240, F. & A. M .; King Cyrus Chapter, No. 133, R. A. M .; Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T .;

Michigan Sovereign Consistory, has taken the thirty- second degree, Scottish Rite, and has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine He is an active member of the order of Knights of Pythias and a past chancellor of Damon Lodge, No. 3, K. of P. He is a member of the Lotus Lake Country Club, and the Detroit Rotary Club and gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never songht nor desired office as a re- ward for party fealty. He is nevertheless keenly in- terested in everything that pertains to the welfare of the city and to the adoption of high ideals in relation to civie affairs, and his cooperation can be counted upon to further any plan or project for the general good.

While residing in Detroit he has a beautiful country place of seventy acres, known as "Sheltered Gables," on one of the inland lakes of Oakland county, near Waterford, Michigan, where he and his family delight to spend their vacations.

SAM SMITT. One of the successful and progres- sive merchants of Detroit is Sam Smitt, who ranks with the leading tailors of the city, enjoying a large and exclusive patronage. He was born in Riga, Russia, September 8, 1865, a son of Peter and Eliza- beth Smitt, in whose family were three children. He acquired his education in the schools of his native land and there learned the trade of a tailor, which he continued to follow in that country until his eighteenth year, when he emigrated to the United States, taking ns his residence in New York city. There he worked at his trade for a period of seven years and in 1892 came to Detroit, where he engaged in business independently, opening a tailoring estab- lishment at No. 98 Michigan avenue, but owing to the rapid growth in his business was soon obliged to seek larger quarters, removing to the corner of John R street and Woodward avenne. In 1917 a fine building at No. 426 West Fort street was erected for him by the owners and here he has since conducted his in- terests, being recognized as one of the leading mer- chant tailors of Detroit. He gives employment to thirty people and has built up a business of extensive proportions, drawing his patronage from the repre- sentative men of the city. He has an expert knowl- edge of his trade and employs none but the most skilled labor, giving his personal supervision to every detail of the business. His business methods have ever been characterized by integrity, progressiveness and reliability and the service of his establishment is un- excelled in regard to style, material and workmanship.

In March, 1890, Mr. Smitt was nnited in marriage to Miss Ernestine Gilbert, a native of Berlin, Ger- many, and they have become the parents of two children: Helena, who is the wife of H. G. Warren; and Max, who was born in October, 1891, and is now a rising young attorney of Detroit, his office heing located in the Penobscot building.

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Mr. Smitt is an active and earnest member of the Board of Commerce, whose plans and projects for the development and upbuilding of the city he heartily indorses, and he is also connected with several other civic bodies, being deeply interested in all that per- tains to the welfare and progress of his community. He is a member of the Merchant Tailors Association and fraternally is identified with the Knights of Py- thias, the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith and the Masons, belonging to Ashlar Lodge, F. & A. M., to King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M., and to the Consistory and Shrine and also to the Masonie Country Club. He is widely and favorably known in commercial eireles of Detroit, with which he has been identified for nearly three decades, and through persisteney of purpose, close application and untiring energy he has built up a business of extensive proportions. He has led an active and useful life, employing every oppor- tunity to advanee, and his present sueeess is entirely attributable to his own labors, thus entitling him to classification with the self-made men of his city.

WILLIAM H. MARTIN, assistant superintendent of mails at the Detroit post office, was born Feb- ruary 8, 1876, in the city which is still his home, his parents being Henry T. and Nellie T. (Falvey) Martin. The father was born in New York in 1855 and in his youth came with his parents to Detroit. Here he wedded Nellie Falvey, a native of this city, where she still makes her home. The father passed away in 1893.

William H. Martin acquired his early education in the schools of Chicago, Illinois, to which city his parents removed in 1882, there remaining until 1892. He finished a high school course in Chicago and after- ward returned to Detroit with his parents. In 1895 he entered the Detroit post office, where he has re- mained for a quarter of a century. Steadily he has won advancement and in January, 1912, was made acting superintendent and on the Ist of May, 1912, was promoted to the position of assistant superintend- ent of mails, in which capacity he has since served.

Mr. Martin belongs to the Catholic church and to the Knights of Columbus and he holds membership in the Cosmos Club. He also belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and is keenly interested in every- thing that has to do with the welfare and upbuilding of the city.

JAMES SABINE HEATON, vice president and treasurer of the Standard Accident Insurance Com- pany of Detroit, was born at Cliff Mine, Michigan, July 24, 1857, his parents being Dr. Abram S. and Lydia J. (Sabine) Heaton, the former a native of Virginia, while the latter was born in New York. The father came to Michigan in 1849, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of this state. He was a physician of prominence and followed his profession here for many years, continuing active in his chosen

field of labor to the time of his death. His widow is still a resident of Detroit and is a remarkably well preserved woman for one of eighty-seven years, pos- sessing all her faculties unimpaired, while her activity is that of a woman of fifty. To Dr. and Mrs. Heaton were born two children, the daughter being Marie L., also a resident of Detroit.

James S. Heaton attended the publie schools of Detroit and afterward continued his education in the Kalamazoo College. He next entered the Univer- sity of Michigan and also became a law student and assistant in the office of William A. Moore of Detroit, being admitted to the bar in 1883. His health had become impaired and he was advised to engage in out- door pursuits. He therefore "roughed it" through- out the south for a period of five years and in 1893 he returned to Detroit to become connected with the Standard Accident Insurance Company. From a minor position he has risen steadily until he has become an officer of the company, being now vice president and treasurer, which dual position he is most acceptably filling. He is also a director of the Casualty Insur- ance Company and is thus a well known figure in insurance circles in the state.

On the 12th of October, 1898, Mr. Heaton was united in marriage to Miss Millicent Hunt, a daughter of Major and Mrs. Thomas Hunt of Alpena, Michigan. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being identified with Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Detroit Club and the Detroit Golf Club, which indicates much of the nature of his inter- ests and relaxation from business cares. His progress has been the direet result of his close application, firm purpose to attain success and intelligently di- rected effort. Much of his life has been passed in Detroit and the sterling worth of his character is recognized by all with whom he has come into con- taet through business or social relations.

EDMUND J. STAFFORD, an attorney at law of Detroit, was born in Flint, Michigan, October 17, 1884, his parents being Jasper W. and Mary (Walsh) Staf- ford, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in Michigan.

In the acquirement of his education Edmund J. Stafford attended the public and parochial schools of his native city and also the high school of Flint. De- sirous of becoming a member of the bar, he entered the Detroit College of Law and after pursuing the reg- ular course of study was there graduated in 1908, the LL. B. degree being conferred upon him. Immediately afterward lie began practice in Detroit, where he has remained. He first entered into partnership with George W. Trendle in an association that was main- tained for two years, and later he spent two years in connection with George D. Scott and Edward C. Moran, while subsequently he was a partner of Mr. Scott alone for a year. Since that time Mr. Stafford has practiced independently and has continued in

JAMES S. HEATON

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the general work of the courts. He is a lawyer of good reputation and ability. The cases entrusted to him he tries well and he has won many verdicts for his clients.

On the 6th of June, 1917, Mr. Stafford was married to Miss Alice Craig of Detroit, and they have two children: a son, Edmund Craig, and a daughter, Pat- ricia Gail. Mr. Stafford and his family are connected with Annunciation parish of the Catholic church. He belongs to the Delta Theta Phi, a college fraternity, to the Knights of Columbus and to the Detroit Yacht Club. His political endorsement is given to the re- publican party and along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Detroit and the Michigan State Bar Associations, in the ranks of which he has many friends among the lawyers who recognize his fidelity to high professional standards and his close observation of professional ethics.

LOUIS ROTHSCHILD needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for his entire life has been passed in Detroit. He was born here, June 18, 1863, a son of Sigmund and Bertha (Leeser) Rothschild, who are mentioned at length on another page of this work. The public school system of the city accorded him his educational privileges and when he started out in the business world he became associated with the leaf tobacco business that has been established and was for many years successfully conducted by his father, who had entered the business in Detroit in 1854. At a later period their interests were carried on under the firm style of Rothschild & Brothers until 1910, but at the present time he is giving his attention to the insurance business being associated with the Michigan agency of The Berkshire Life Insurance Company of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He married Maude H. Gibson of Detroit and they have one son, Gibson L.

ALBERT E. WILLIAMS, who as an architect has gained prominence and renown in Detroit, was born in Bristol, England, September 14, 1877, a son of William E. and Mary J. (Lowney) Williams, who were also natives of England and came to America with their family in 1888, settling in Windsor, Canada, whence they afterward removed to Detroit. The father was engaged in business as a building contrac- tor and died in this city in 1919. His widow survives and yet makes her home in Detroit. In their family were four children: Albert E., William T., who resides in Pasadena, California; Mrs. A. M. Stirton of De- troit; and Mrs. Florence Show, also of this city.

Albert E. Williams obtained his early education in the public schools of Windsor, Ontario, and when his school days were over he entered an architect's office, first working with S. C. Falkinburg and later with Speir & Rohns. In 1900 he started in business as an architect in partnership with his brother, William T. Williams, but in later years has conducted

business independently. He has been connected with the erection of some of the fine buildings of the city and state, among which are the buildings of the Belle Isle Creamery on East Forest avenue, the Highland Park Municipal building at Highland Park, Michigan, the public schools at Windsor, Canada, the Immaculate Conception church at Windsor, and many of the fine apartment buildings of this city, together with some of the most beautiful residences. He was also the builder of a large and fine garage on Grand River and Hobson avenues in Detroit. The Redford State Savings Bank, at Redford, Michigan, and many other substan- tial structures stand as monuments to his skill and in- genuity.

On the 22d of April, 1906, Mr. Williams was mar- ried to Miss Nellie B. Remey of Detroit, daughter of Alva B. Remey, and they are now parents of one child, Alberta June, born in June, 1908. Mr. Williams is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Palestine Chapter, R. A. M .; and Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T. Along professional lines he has connection with the Michigan Chapter of the Institute of Architects and the Michigan Society of Architects. He is constantly studying along the line of his profession and is familiar with the best types of architecture which have come down through all the ages. In his building opera- tions he considers utility, comfort and beauty and combines these three in most attractive design, add- ing to the value of property and to the architectural adornment of the city.

WILLIAM T. BERDAN, president of the Michigan Electrotype Company of Detroit, was born in Belle- ville, Michigan, July 18, 1872, a son of Dixon and Martha (Batty) Berdan, both of whom were natives of this state. During the Civil war the father en- listed in a Michigan company and served throughout the period of hostilities. He has passed away but the mother survives and is living in Detroit. In their family were four children.

In his boyhood days William T. Berdan attended the public schools of Jackson, Michigan, there also pursuing his high school course, after which he became an apprentice to the electrotyping trade at Battle Creek, Michigan, and there remained from 1887 until 1901. He then went to Lansing, Michigan, where he had charge of the interests of the Smith Electro- typing Company for eight years. At length he re- signed his position as manager and came to Detroit, organizing the Michigan Electrotyping Company as the successor to the N. S. Rand Electrotype Com- pany. In 1914 the business was taken over by the Michigan Electrotype Company and has grown to be one of the most prominent enterprises of this char- acter in Detroit. From a one-man shop it has devel- oped until in a plant supplied with all modern equip- ment necessary for the business they employ sixty people and turn out the highest grade of electro-

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type work. Mr. Berdan remains president of the company, with Walter Huetter as secretary and treas- urer.

In September, 1894, in Petoskey, Michigan, Mr. Berdan was married to Miss Eva L. Stanton, a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Stanton of that place. They have become the parents of seven children: Lucille, now the wife of Ernest Herrman, who was horn in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1895, pursued 'her education in the schools of that city and in Detroit; Kenneth, born in Battle Creek in 1897, was educated in Detroit and is now in business with his father. He was in the service of his country for two years as a representative of the Marines and was on the S. S. Frederick, being discharged in June, 1919; Labora, born in Battle Creek in 1899, was educated in Detroit; Maxwell, born in Lansing, Michigan, in 1903, is attending the Northwestern high school of Detroit; Virginia, born in Lansing in 1908, and Donnahell, born in Lansing in 1910, are both pupils in the public schools of Detroit; W. Ralph was born in Detroit in 1912 and is also in school.

In politics Mr. Berdan maintains an independent course, voting without regard to party ties, consid- ering rather the capability of the candidate for of- fice. He is a member of the Fellowcraft Club, also of the Adcraft Club of Detroit and of the Board of Commerce, while in Masonry he has attained high rank, having membership in Friendship Lodge, in De- troit Consistory and in the Mystic Shrine. He is truly a self-made man, in that his success is attributable en- tirely to his own efforts and diligence. Thoroughly mastering the work which he undertook as an appren- tice, he has continued in the line in which he em- barked as a young tradesman and his efficiency in this field is now attested by the large interests under his control.

MILTON A. VAN WAGONER. In the course of an active business career Milton A. Van Wagoner made for himself a most ereditable position in the com- mercial circles of Detroit, where from 1892 until the time of his death he was at the head of the Detroit Music Company. A spirit of progress and enterprise actuated him at every point in his business career. He was born at Oxford, Michigan, November 11, 1843, his parents being Alfred and Betsey (Travis) Van Wagoner. In the acquirement of his education he attended the high school of Oakland county, Mich- igan, from which he was graduated with the class of 1869. He then secured a state teachers' certificate and for three years engaged in teaching at Goodrich, Genesee county, and at Oxford and Lakeville, Oak- land county. He proved a capable educator, impart- ing clearly and readily to others the knowledge he had acquired, but believing that other fields of busi- ness were more fruitful he turned his attention to the music trade in 1870, and for two years was a partner of C. J. Whitney of Chicago. He then returned to

Michigan, settling at Lapeer, where he was again connected with the music trade, conducting his store at that place for about twenty years, or until 1892. He later sought a still broader field of labor in De- troit and, removing to this city, he purchased the business of the Detroit Music Company, of which he remained the head until his demise. In this connec- tion he built up a business of extensive and substan- tial proportions and his house became the center of a very gratifying patronage. He carried the best that was to be found in music lines and his thorough reliability and earnest desire to please his patrons led to the development of a most gratifying trade.

It was in 1899 that Mr. Van Wagoner was united in marriage to Miss Phillis Clark of Detroit. Mr. Van Wagoner had a military chapter in his life record that covered service as a private in Company I, Fourteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, at the time of the Civil war. He was but a youth in his teens when he joined the army and went to the front in defense of the Union but his valor and loyalty were not measured by his years. Politically Mr. Van Wag- oner was always a stalwart republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party and seeking ever their adoption because of his belief in their potency as factors in good government. Fraternally Mr. Van Wagoner was a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias and he exempli- fied the beneficent spirit of these organizations in his life. Those who knew him, and he had a wide acquaintanceship, testified to the many sterling traits of his character-his kiudliness, his faithfulness in friendship, his reliability in business and his progres- siveness and loyalty in citizenship-and by reason of these qualities Detroit lost a substantial and valued citizen when on the 19th of December, 1913, he was called to the Home beyond.

JOHN E. MARTZ, practicing at the bar of Detroit, was born in Salem, Ohio, July 8, 1887, and is a son of Joshua D. and Emma A. (Keyser) Martz, who were pioneer residents of the Buckeye state. His grand- father, Solomon Martz, removed to Ohio from eastern Pennsylvania, and gave up his life as a soldier in the Civil war.

In his youthful days John E. Martz was a pupil in the public schools of his native town and after- ward attended St. Jolin's Military Academy at Man- lius, New York, from which institution he was grad- uated with the class of 1907. He later became a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University and there won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1910, while later he pursued his law studies and gained his LL. B. degree in 1913. He immediately entered active prac- tice in Detroit in the office of the firm of Bumps & Bishop and in February, 1919, he became a partner of Bethune D. Blain, an association that still main- tains. He has always engaged in general practice and his knowledge of law is comprehensive and exact,

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while his ability in the presentation of his cause is widely acknowledged.

On the 2d of June, 1917, Mr. Martz was married to Miss Edith Cruikshank of Port Huron, Michigan. Dur- ing the World war he enlisted in the United States navy in February, 1918, and was mustered out just a year later. He belongs to Larned Post of the Amer- ican Legion. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He also has membership con- nections with the Detroit Bar Association, the Michi- gan State Bar Association, American Bar Association, the Lawyers Club, the Old Colony Club, the Phi Kappa Psi, the Delta Theta Phi and in Masonry has attained the Knights Templar degree.

ROWLAND WELLS FIXEL, member of the Detroit bar, practicing as a partner in the firm of Fixel & Fixel, was born at Saginaw, Michigan, December 6, 1887, and is a son of Adolphus and Bertha (Klein) Fixel. He began his education in the public schools of his native city and afterward became a pupil in the Central high school of Detroit, following the re- moval of the family to Wayne county. His literary course was pursued in the University of Michigan, where he won the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912. A review of the broad field of labor, with its manifold professional, industrial, agricultural and manufactur- ing interests, led him to the determination to make the practice of law his life work, and continuing as a student at the University of Michigan, he there gained the LL. B. degree in 1914. He was associated with his brother, Arthur E. Fixel, in law practice until 1916, when he formed a partnership with him.

Mr. Fixel was making steady professional progress when on the 15th of August, 1917, he enlisted in the United States army as a private in the Quartermas- ter's Corps. He was afterward made instructor of finance, subsistence and property accounts at the quartermaster officers' school at Camp Johnston, Flor- ida, where he served from May until November, 1918. On the 13th of September of that year he was com- missioned a second lieutenant of the Quartermaster's Corps and on the 8th of November, 1918, was relieved for duty as judge advocate of a special court martial at Camp Joseph E. Johnston, Florida, thus continuing until his discharge on the 6th of December, 1918. On March 22, 1919, he was commissioned Second Lieuten- ant Quartermaster Reserve Corps, United States army.

Mr. Fixel then resumed the practice of law in De- troit and is making steady advancement as a repre- sentative of the bar of this city. He belongs to the Detroit Bar Association, the Michigan Bar and Amer- ican Bar Associations, and also to the Lawyers' Club of Detroit. When in the University of Michigan he was a varsity debater in 1912. He also became a member of the Delta Sigma Rho, the Mimes, Druids, Barristers and Griffins.

Mr. Fixel turns to golf, motoring and tennis for

recreation and in fact greatly enjoys all kinds of out- door sports. He belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose, is a member of Detroit Lodge, No. 55, Knights of Pythias; a member of Perfection Lodge, No. 486, F. & A. M .; and is also Commander of Charles A. Larned Post, No. 1, of the American Legion, a post of the splendid organization of soldiers of the World war, to whom the country is looking for the adjustment of many of the grave problems which America is facing today.

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The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 85

Author: Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932, ed; Stocking, William, 1840- joint ed; Miller, Gordon K., joint ed Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Detroit-Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 1022

Author: Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932, ed; Stocking, William, 1840- joint ed; Miller, Gordon K., joint ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Detroit-Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1022