USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 91
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In 1910 Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Emma Walters and they have one son, Walter. Mr. Johnston is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to University Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Highland Park Chapter, R. A. M., while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church. He assisted in organizing the Pilgrim Congregational church, acted as one of the trustees when the house of worship was in course of construction and is now chairman of the finance committee of the church. Mr. Johnston also belongs
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to the Board of Commerce and is serving as secre- tary of the Taxpayers' Association of Detroit. Lib- erally educated, broad-minded and of unquestioned ability in the line of his profession, he has already gained a most creditable position as an attorney, while his popularity in social circles is attested by his many friends.
FRANK WILKS BROOKS, contracting engineer and railway official, was prominently known as the president of the Detroit United Railway, until he re- signed on May 25, 1921, because of ill health. He was born in Cherokee county, Texas, Mareli 4, 1864, a son of Joseph Wilks and Frances Josephine Brooks. His youth was passed in his native state, where he acquired his education, and he became identified with railway interests in 1882, when he was made assistant in the engineering department of the Texas & Pacific Railroad. He afterward obtained experience of sim- ilar character with various lines of the Queen & Crescent Railroad and the Illinois Central, being thus connected until 1895. Each change of position marked a forward step in his career and in every position which he occupied he made friends as the result of the thoroughness and efficiency of his work and his gentlemanly demeanor. With his removal to Detroit he became interested in electric railway enterprises in and near the city and in 1901 was made general manager of the Detroit United Railway system, while later the duties of vice president were added to that position. From this point he stepped into the presi- dency of the Detroit United Railway, nor did this cover the scope of his activities along this line, for he was the president of the Detroit, Jackson & Chi- cago Railway, president and general manager of the Rapid Railway system and president of the Detroit, Monroe & Toledo Short Line Railway. His resignation tendered on May 25, included the offices held in all of these companies. Through all these years Mr. Brooks has been a close student of everything relating to steam and electric railway management and eon- trol. There is perhaps no man who is subject to such general criticism as the one who is connected with public utilities and Mr. Brooks has not escaped his share of the attacks of the uninformed public, who according to their opinions know how to manage railroads without having been in a railway office. Nevertheless Mr. Brooks has pursued the even tenor of his way, learning his lessons in the school of ex- perience, promoting his efficiency through the exercise of effort and displaying at all times initiative and progressiveness. Even in the recent period of De- troit's marvelous growth and development-a growth that may well be termed one of the wonders of the age-he managed to keep the Detroit railway system abreast of public demands through the splendid sys- tematization of the work and his ability to gather around him an able corps of efficient assistants.
At Ruston, Louisiana, Mr. Brooks was united in
marriage to Miss Mary Pauline Neilson and they have become the parents of five children: Jere Hutchins, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, in 1909, is a lieutenant com- mander in the United States navy; Viola Josephine is the wife of Major John J. Fulmer of the United States army; Frank Wilks, Jr., is the assistant general su- perintendent of the Detroit United Railway; Pauline is the wife of Addison E. Holton of Detroit; and Helen is the wife of John G. Hunter of Syracuse, New York. Mr. Brooks is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is connected with the Detroit Board of Commerce. He has membership in the Yondotega, Detroit, Detroit Country, Detroit Athletie, and the Bloomfield Hills Country Clubs and also the Harmonie Society and aside from his association in these organizations he largely finds his recreation in fishing. He is also a member of the Engineers Club of New York. He is rather quiet and reserved in demeanor but is a pro- found thinker and close student while a man of few words, and his ready insight into human nature and the springs of human conduct has constituted one of the strong forces of his character in dealing with his employes and the general public. The resignation of Mr. Brooks from the presidency and directorate of the Detroit United Railway, and from his other official positions in connection with the various roads, was re- ceived with unanimous expressions of regret by the officials and all with whom he had been associated.
NATHANIEL BREWSTER WEBBER, M. D. Public opinion is unanimous in naming Dr. Nathaniel Brew- ster Webber as one of the able physicians of Detroit, in which eity he was born September 11, 1882. His birthplace was on the present site of the Detroit Moose Temple on Rowland avenue, now in the heart of the business district of the city. His parents were Nathaniel Wilbur and Catherine (Brewster) Webber. A contemporary writer has said: "Nathaniel Wilbur Webber was an eastern man, born at Gardiner, Maine, on the 9th of February, 1839. He was a son of Nathaniel Webber and his mother was a Miss Wads- worth previous to her marriage. His parents came to the west at an early date and settled at Chicago. At that time the city did not possess more than ten thousand inhabitants and life was exceedingly crude and seemed very strange to these easterners. They sent their son to the public schools, and after finishing his work in Chicago he was sent to Rock River Semi- nary. He had always cherished an ardent desire to study medieine and he was not more than twenty when he assumed it. This was in 1859, and he at- tended the first two courses of lectures that were offered at what is now the medical department of Northwestern University, Chicago. After completing these courses he was compelled to reside for a time iu Colorado and while living there was appointed hospital steward in the Third Regiment of Colorado Infantry.
FRANK W. BROOKS
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'After a time spent in the west Dr. Webber re- turned to Chicago on a furlough and while there he went before the board of examiners, from whom he received the appointment as assistant surgeon in the Sixteenth Regiment of Illinois Cavalry. Later the surgeon of this regiment was forced to resign on account of poor health and Dr. Webber received his promotion to fill the vacancy. He served with this regiment until the close of the war in 1865, when he was mustered out of the service. He was a most suc- cessful army surgeon because of his courage and cool- ness, which he never lost iu the most crucial cir- cumstances. He was as daring as any soldier in the regiment and never hesitated to go into the thickest of the fight if his duty called him there. He always chafed at the necessity that kept him beyond the range of fire, for, although he knew that upon his safety depended the lives of many, it was hard for him to realize that while others were giving away their lives for their country he could not be with them. He did not have time for many regrets, how- ever, for the life of an army surgeon during that period was very strenuous-indeed, it was work all day and ofttimes all night, with snatches of sleep at intervals. He was with his regiment through all the campaigns of General Sherman and during this period was once taken captive and held as a prisoner of war for a time. He was under the command of Gen- eral Thomas at the siege of Nashville. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Chicago and took his third and last course at the Northwestern University; but, although still the student, he had probably seen more actual suffering and death than many of his instructors, nd after his years of prac- tical surgery it must have been at least a novel experience to become again a regular pupil. In 1866 he was graduated with the degree of M. D. and im- mediately assumed the practive of his profession in Chicago.
"Dr. Webber rapidly rose to prominence in his profession and gained a reputation for self-sacrifice and courage (which after his war experience were ingrained in his nature), when he had charge of the cholera hospital of Cook county during the epidemic of 1866. He served one term as county physician of Cook county, Illinois, and in a very short period his reputation had spread beyond the limits of Chicago. In fact, he became so well known that in 1869 he was invited by the Detroit College of Medicine to take the chair of anatomy in that institution, and he will- ingly accepted the honor. He then moved to Detroit and took up his work in this city. Upon the death of the late Dr. Edward W. Jenks, the first president of the Detroit College of Medicine, as well as its founder, Dr. Webber was appointed to succeed him in his position of professor of gynecology. He con- tinued to fill that chair until his death and was undoubtedly one of the ablest men of the college faculty.
"In addition to the above honors Dr. Webber was many times honored with various public positions. In 1885 he was appointed health physician of the city of Detroit. He held that position for only a few months and then resigned on account of his physical condition, which was none too robust at the time. The work of the office was not congenial to him and his own constantly growing private practice made such demands upon his time that he found it impossible to do justice to the office; hence his resignation. For sixteen years he was a member of the board of pension examining surgeons for Wayne county and he was always interested in this work, through his old-time connection with the army. For many years he was medical examiner for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, and for the last few years before his death he was state referee of that company in the state of Michigan. These duties were arduous, and together with his failing health, forced him to relinquish partially his private practice. In 1905 he removed to Birmingham, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, and there he lived quietly until his death in 1907.
"Dr. Webber was a member of the Masonic order and past master of Oriental Lodge of Detroit. He was a firm believer in the principles of Masonry, as was shown by his own life, and, more than most men had an opportunity to see the practical good that this ancient order does among all classes of people. He was married to Miss Catherine Brewster, a native daughter of Detroit and the child of the late Captain Brewster, who for many years was in charge of the Hudson Bay Trading Post for the state of Michigan. Mrs. Webber died in 1901. They were the parents of five children: Nathaniel B .; Stanley H .; Arthur; Edith, now the wife of John Mason; and Wilford."
Nathaniel B. Webber pursued his education in the public schools of Detroit, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, while later he attended the University of Michigan, there pursuing a two years' literary course. This constituted the broad founda- tion upon which he has builded the superstructure of professional knowledge. Whether inherited tendency, natural predilection or environment had most to do with shaping his career it is perhaps impossible to determine, but inspired by the example of his father, he resolved to become a representative of medical practice and studied in the Detroit College of Medi- cine, from which he was graduated with the class of 1902. The same year he became assistant surgeon to the Santa Fe Railway Company at Raton, New Mexico, where he resided for a year, during which period he gained considerable experience in surgery. Returning to Detroit, he entered upon active practice in partnership with his father and the association between them was maintained until the latter's death in 1907. In 1906 Dr. Webber of this review was appointed health officer of the village of Highland Park and continued to fill the position for many years.
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While he is well versed in all departments of medical and surgical practice, he is now specializing in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear and nose and has gained distinction in this field. He belongs to the Detroit Medical Society, to the Michigan State Medi- cal Society and the American Medical Association and through constant reading and research keeps in touch with the trend of modern scientific thought and investigation. In the early days of his practice he was surgeon to the village police and fire department of Highland Park.
In February, 1905, Dr. Webber was united in mar- riage to Miss Marion Holznagle, her father being a well known florist of Detroit. Dr. and Mrs. Webber have four children: Emily Loraine, who was born in Detroit in 1907; Marion Elizabeth, born in 1908; Na- thaniel Wilbur, born at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1915; and Robert Bruce, born in Detroit, in 1917.
Dr. Webber belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a member of the Fellowcraft Athletic Club and the Aviation Country Club. His political support has always been given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. He has not only followed professionally in his father's footsteps but also emulated his example as a man of high integrity and character and of noble purpose, and thus for many years the name of Webber has been an honored one in Detroit.
ROBERT T. TEAKLE, president of the Detroit Drop Hammer Board Company, was born in Sandwich, On- tario, December 21, 1851, a son of Henry and Mary (Jessop) Teakle, both of whom were natives of Eng- land. In 1834 they crossed the Atlantic to Canada and later the father became the owner of the Cottage Inn at Sandwich, Ontario, where both he and his wife passed away.
Robert T. Teakle is the only survivor of a family of nine children. He attended the schools of his native town but was a boy in his teens when he came to Detroit. Here he worked at various occupa- tions in order to gain a start in life, and as the result of his developing powers and ability he es. tablished a contracting and building business in 1880. During his active life as a contractor he erected many of the prominent buildings of the city and he con- tinued successfully in that business until 1910, when he began the manufacture of drop hammer boards, which he makes for iron manufacturers. The factory plant is located at Nos. 3824-30 Grand River avenue, where he employs from fifteen to twenty people. He is the president of the company and has made the business a profitable one through his capable manage. ment and sound judgment.
In April, 1882, Mr. Teakle was married to Miss Jeanette E. Holden of Sandwich, Ontario, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. James Holden of that place. One daughter was horn of this marriage, Marjorie W., who was born in Detroit and received her education in the Detroit high school, Ossining School for Girls at Os- sining-on-the-Hudson, New York, and later attended Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York. She is now the wife of Harold G. Gumpper, who was captain in the United States Coast Artillery during the World war.
Mr. Teakle belongs to the Detroit Automobile Club and the Detroit Athletic Club. He is also identified with the Employers' Association and the Board of Commerce and his membership relations extend to the Red Run Golf Club and to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of both York and Scottish Rites. He is also a member of the Old Guard of Detroit Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar. In polities he maintains an independent course. During the World war he was very active in connection with the Red Cross, serving as a committee member of the chapter in Detroit, and was one of the most ardent, earnest and effective workers for the organization, giving his time freely for the cause without compen- sation. He was also treasurer of the Detroit auxiliary of the Canadian Patriotic Fund and did everything in his power to promote war service.
GEORGE HOWARD LOVEQUEST, one of the younger representatives of the Detroit bar, was born in Chicago, May 9, 1888, his parents being Oscar and Clara Maude (Beaumont) Lovequest. His father was a steamfitter, following that pursuit through his active business life.
George H. Lovequest, following the removal of the family to Racine, Wisconsin, pursued his education in the Racine high school and afterward entered the University of Wisconsin, in which he devoted two years to the pursuit of a literary course and three years to the study of law, and was admitted to prac- tice in Michigan, April 20, 1917. He has since en- gaged in general practice and has made steady prog- ress as a representative of the Detroit bar, displaying thoroughness in the preparation of his cases and re- sourcefulness in the presentation of his cause before the court. He is a member of the Detroit Bar Asso- ciation, American Bar Association and the Lawyers Club of Detroit and is fast winning the goodwill, confidence and respect of his professional colleagues and contemporaries.
On the 24th of June, 1915, Mr. Lovequest was mar- ried to Miss Laura Beck of Racine, Wisconsin, their marriage being celebrated in Detroit, where they make their home and where they have already won many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Lovequest are the parents of a daughter: Marion Margaret, born November 22, 1920.
L. F. MURPHY is a member of the firm of Essel- styn-Murphy, architects and engineers of Detroit. He was born May 14, 1885, in the city which is still his home, a son of Michael J. Murphy, mentioned else-
ROBERT T. TEAKLE
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where in this work. In the acquirement of his edu- cation he attended the public and high schools of De- troit and then went east to enter Cornell University, where he studied engineering and was graduated in 1909.
Returning to Detroit, Mr. Murphy became connected with the Detroit Edison Company, with which he was an engineer for a year and later he spent a year with J. G. White & Company of New York city. On the expiration of that period he again came to Detroit and for a time was once more with the Detroit Edison Company and later was for two years with the Walker interests. In 1914 he entered business on his own account as an engineer and operated independ- ently until 1916, when he became a member of the firm of Esselstyn-Murphy, architects and engineers, in which connection he has remained, the firm gaining a substantial position in professional circles, while a liberal patronage is accorded them.
On the 20th of November, 1917, Mr. Murphy was married to Miss Margaret Coate of Memphis, Ten- nessee, and they now have one child: Stenning Coate Murphy. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and in political belief Mr. Murphy is a republican. He belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, to the Country Club, to the University Club and to the Detroit Racquet & Curling Club. He is likewise a member of the Detroit Engineering So- ciety and through that association, as well as by private reading and study, keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress.
JAY ROBERT MeCOLL, a mechanical engineer of Detroit, practicing as a member of the firm of Am- merman & MeColl, was born in Webster, Michigan, March 24, 1867, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert MeColl, both of whom have passed away. He completed his early education in the Ann Arbor high school and later entered the engineering department of the Michi- gan Agricultural College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1890. He later pursued a special postgraduate course there and also continued his stud- ies in Cornell University at Ithaca, New York. In fact throughout his active career he has been a close student of the profession, improving every opportunity that would promote his knowledge and advance his efficiency. In 1890 he was appointed a member of the United States Geological Survey but did not accept the proffered position.
It was in that year that Mr. McColl became adjutant professor of mechanical engineering in the University of Tennessee, with which institution he remained until 1902. Through the succeeding scholastic year he was associate professor of thermodynamics in Pur- due University and was associate professor of steam engineering, in charge of the department of steam engineering in Purdue, from 1903 until 1905. In the latter year he became mechanical engineer for the American Blower Company and filled the position until
1910. He then entered into a partnership relation under the firm style of Ammerman, MeColl & Ander- son, consulting engineers, a partnership that continued until 1913, when Mr. Anderson withdrew, leaving the firm in its present form of Ammerman & McColl. Mr. Ammerman has charge of their second office at In- dianapolis, Indiana, while Mr. McColl now is in per- sonal control of the Detroit branch of their business. Their type of engineering work is distinctive. They have charge of everything which goes into the con- struction of any new building, including heating, ventilating, plumbing, electric work, power plants, etc. Since 1911 Mr. McColl has been dean of engineering in the University of Detroit. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and was identified with the American Society for the Promo- tion of Engineering Education from 1892 until 1909. He likewise belongs to the Detroit Engineering So- ciety, the American Society of Heating and Ventilat- ing Engineers, of which he was one of the vice presi- dents and in 1919 president of the Michigan chapter. He was elected vice president of the American Society of Heating & Ventilating Engineers at the society's annual meeting in Philadelphia, January 29, 1921. He was also elected chairman of the bureau of research in connection with that society.
On the 3d of January, 1900, at St. Johns, Michigan, Mr. McCool was united in marriage to Miss Belle G. Baldwin and they have become the parents of a daughter, Jennette Baldwin. Mr. and Mrs. MeColl hold membership in the Congregational church. Mr. MeColl has never sought to figure prominently in club circles nor in other connections outside of his profession, giving his undivided time and attention to his professional interests, which have been of con- stantly broadening scope and importance, his place being now one of the leadership among the engineers of the middle west.
CLARENCE H. BOOTH, of Detroit, became con- nected with the Studebaker Corporation in 1909, reach- ing the position of general manager in 1913. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, and is a son of George and Myrtilla Camelia (Smith) Booth. He pursued his education in the Model School and Collegiate Institute of Toronto and then entered upon his business career in connection with the firm of Booth & Son, copper- smiths, in 1890. A change in the personnel and organi- zation of the business led to the adoption of the firm style of the Booth Copper Company, and Clarence H. Booth continued with this firm until 1897.
In that year he became a resident of Detroit and accepted the position of manager with the Steel Bath Manufacturing Company, purchasing the business in 1900 and conducting it under his own name until 1907. He then organized the Pressed Steel Sanitary Manufacturing Company, of which he was the presi- dent until 1909. At this date the company was merged with the Studebaker Corporation. He thus became
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identified with the automobile industry, which has been the chief factor in Detroit's notable upbuilding. He was made assistant general manager of the Stude- baker Corporation and so continued until 1913, when he was advanced to the general managership. His constantly developing business powers have made him a man of marked initiative, which, combined with his indefatigable energy and enterprise, have brought him to a commanding position in the commercial circles of his adopted city. In 1916 Mr. Booth assumed the presidency of the Scripps-Booth Corporation and ar- ranged the sale of this corporation to the General Motors Corporation. For many years he has been closely connected with the newspaper business and is at present a director and member of the executive committee of the Booth Publishing Company, owning many afternoon papers throughout the state of Michi- gan. The latest enterprise to engage his attention is the banking business. He organized and is the presi- dent of the Motor Bankers Corporation, whose busi- ness is loaning money to automobile dealers to enable them to finance the time sales of this great industry.
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