The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 96

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 96

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for the first year reached the noteworthy aggregate of nearly twenty thousand dollars. Mr. Pingree bent his splendid energies and ability to the upbuilding of the business thus instituted, and its record con- stitutes an important phase in connection with the industrial and commercial advancement of the Mich- igan metropolis, the concrete results being shown in the status of the Pingree Company today. The large and modern plant has an annual output that is ex- ceeded in volume by but few shoe factories in the Union, and this result was achieved primarily and em- phatically through the able direction of Hazen S. Pingree. The history of the concern during the interven- ing years was not lacking in perplexities, great respon- sibilities and innumerable obstacles, but the honored head of the institution was never known to flinch from responsibility in any of the relations of life, his reso- lute purpose counting no obstacle as insuperable and his mastery of expedients being almost phenomenal. With the increase of business from year to year the facilities necessary for the handling of the same were carefully supplied, several removals having been made to accommodate the expanding enterprise. In 1883 Mr. Smith retired from the firm and Messrs. Frank C. Pingree and John B. Howarth, who had been the able assistants of the head of the concern, were ad- mitted to partnership. In March, 1887, the entire plant was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss that threatened to sweep the firm out of existence, but the courage and energy and resourcefulness of the interested principals proved equal to the emergency and the business was renewed on an even larger and firmer basis. The Pingree Company now stands at the head of all western shoe manufacturers, with a magnificent modern plant owned by the company and fitted with the most approved appliances and facilities. Apropos of the building up of this splendid industrial enterprise, one of the most valuable and important contributions to the commercial precedence of De- troit, the following statements have been made: "Over this very extensive business Hazen S. Pingree had supervision from the beginning, and it is owing prin- cipally to his wise and faithful control that the concern has made such a remarkable success in a field where so many others had failed."

The accomplishment of Mr. Pingree in connection with this one enterprise alone would entitle him to lasting honor in Detroit, as he had in the meanwhile clearly demonstrated his invincible integrity of pur- pose and civic loyalty, as well as his great initiative and administrative ability. Though he had gained recognition as distinctively a man of affairs and had won secure vantage ground in the confidence and esteem of the community, his intense devotion to his business interests could not be interrupted by activity in public affairs until he was finally drawn into it after many years of residence in Detroit.

During these years of earnest and productive ap- plication to business affairs of broad scope and im-

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portance, Mr. Pingree had continuously shown a deep and helpful interest in all that touched the ad- vancement and well-being of his home city and state, and had become known as a citizen of great public spirit and of most progressive ideas. In 1889, after having refused many previous overtures to become a candidate for municipal office, he was made the un- animous nominee on the republican ticket for the office of mayor of Detroit. His acceptance of the nomination was prompted by a sense of civic duty and fealty, since at this election was to be made the attempt to overthrow the corrupt "ring" administra- tion in municipal affairs. He was accorded the sup- port of the better class of citizens, irrespective of party affiliations, and was elected by a splendid majority over all other candidates. Touching his election and his administration as mayor the following pertinent record has been given: "His inclination to decline the nomination was headed off by the importunities of some of the best men in both parties. He then practically delegated his private business to his part- ners, Mr. F. C. Pingree and Mr. J. B. Howarth, the former being his younger brother, and threw himself heart and soul into the duties of his new office. With characteristic energy and discrimination he set about righting wrongs and reforming many of the antiquated ways of doing the city's business. He especially confronted the street railway companies and .the city gas companies, and secured for the people many valuable concessions. He exerted a favorable influence in. settling the great street-car strike which occurred shortly after his inauguration. He also, by his veto, averted the extending of the street railway franchise, which would have been most detrimental to the city. In 1891 he received a renomination for mayor and was again triumphantly elected. In 1893 the same thing occurred, and in 1895 he was once more presuaded to accept the nomination for mayor, with subsequent election by a majority that fully attested the strong hold he had gained upon the popular confidence and esteem. His entire incumbency as mayor of Detroit was largely devoted to the opposition of monopolistic corporations. During this time also the city entered upon many modern improvements, very notably in the case of paving many of her more important thoroughfares with asphalt, and Detroit has come to be known as one of the cleanest and most beautiful cities in the Union."

Of Mayor Pingree it could be said, in the language of Vietor Hugo, that he "could toil terribly," and he was emphatically loyal and fearless in his admin- istration during his four consecutive terms of service, which were marked by the insistent policy of secur- ing the greatest good to the greatest number. He was sure in his premises as to matters of civic con- trol, he was the friend of the people and the protector of their rights. He would make no compromise for the sake of expediency and stood bravely and un- flinchingly for right and justice. No mayor of De-

troit has given a more elean, business-like and able administration, and the Pingree standard is one to which reference is invariably made as representing the ultimate of excellence in this line. Publie char- ities and benevolences gained from the mayor careful consideration and aid, and he did a noble work in alleviating the distress and suffering of the poor within the gates of the fair metropolis of Michigan, his heart ever beating in sympathy for the lowly and unfortunate, whose friendship he valued more than that of those represented by pomp and power.

To a man who had thus proved himself and had shown such illuminating ideals, it was but natural that higher honors should come through the gift of the people. His reputation had permeated the state, and in 1896 he was made the nominee of his party for governor of Michigan. He was elected by a large majority, and in 1898 similar mark of popular approval was given by his election as his own successor. It is scarcely necessary to say that in his administration of state affairs Governor Pingree held to the same enlighted, honest and progressive policies that had marked his regime as mayor of Detroit. His fame can not be other than enduring, for it rests upon the highest plane of humanitarianism and justice.

The hold maintained by Governor Pingree upon the affections and admiration of the people of Michigan is measurably typified in the magnificent bronze statue of heroic size, which stands in Grand Circus park, Detroit, and which represents him in a striking and characteristic pose of marked fidelity. This fine statue represents the contributions of all classes of citizens throughout the state, and the inscription on the bronze entablature is as follows: "The citizens of Michigan erect this monument to the cherished memory of Hazen S. Pingree, a gallant soldier and enterprising and successful citizen, four times elected mayor of Detroit, twice governor of Michigan. He was the first to warn the people of the great danger threatened by powerful private corporations, and the first to initiate steps for reforms. The idol of the people. He died June 18, MDCCCCI, aged sixty years."

Within the regime of Governor Pingree was pre- cipitated the Spanish-American war, and he showed the deepest solicitude for the Michigan soldiers who were arrayed for the service. Another memoir has said of him in this connection: "Governor Pingree was known as the soldiers' friend, for day and night he devoted himself and all of his energies to the wel- fare of the troops that Michigan supplied; he saw to their proper clothing and other equipment, claiming that the state had a right to provide her men with the best of everything they required; he visited the camps and individually looked after the well-being of the Michigan troops; when many were lying in southern hospitals, sick of the deadly southern fevers, he caused a thoroughly equipped hospital train to be sent to the southern camps to bring home all of those

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who were able to travel, and thus was probably the means of saving the life of many a man who had nobly offered himself to the service of his country."

Hazen S. Pingree was a man who kept the needle of life true to the pole-star of hope, and he guided his course firmly and surely, with a full sense of his stewardship and with the strength of conscious integrity of purpose, of earnest desire to help his fel- low men. His name merits a large place in the history of the city and state to which he gave such abundant, noble and fruitful service. He completed his second term as governor and then returned to Detroit to resume control of his important business affairs. He died in London, England, after an extensive tour through South Africa, on the 18th of June, 1901, and a city and state mourned his loss; the world lost a really great man. Governor Pingree was ever un- swerving in his allegiance to the republican party and was an effective exponent of its principles and policies, with well fortified opinions concerning eco- nomie and general political measures and conditions. The social side of his nature was most attractive, and those who knew him best were those whom he grappled to his soul with "hoops of steel." In the time-honored Masonic fraternity he received the thirty- second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; he was an honored and valued member of Detroit Post, No. 384, Grand Army of the Republic, and ever mani- fested a deep interest in the welfare of his old com- rades of the Civil war. In his home city he was further identified with various social and semi-busi- ness organizations of the more representative type.

In the year 1872 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Pingree to Miss Frances A. Gilbert of Mount Clemens, Michigan. She was born at Mount Clemens, on the 7th of March, 1841, and was a daughter of Thomas Gilbert, an honored pioneer of Michigan. Mrs. Pingree was a woman of gentle and unassuming nature but of great strength of character, and she endeared herself to all who came within the sphere of her gracious influence. She survived her husband by about seven years and was summoned to the life eternal on the 24th of July, 1908. Of the three chil- dren two survived the honored parents: Hazen S., Jr., whose death occurred on the 7th of May, 1910; and Hazel, who married Sherman L. Depew, a repre- sentative business man of Detroit. Gertrude Eliza- beth, the eldest daughter, died in her nineteenth year, March 26, 1893.

MAX HENRY FINKELSTON, member of the De- troit bar, was born in Germany, October 9, 1883, a son of Leon and Charlotte (Blumenthal) Finkelston, the father a lumberman, devoting his life to that pursuit. The family came to the new world in 1889 and Max H. Finkelston pursued his education in the public schools of Kansas City, Missouri, and of Alpena, Michigan, as the family home was established suc- cessively in the two cities. He afterward became a

student in the University of Michigan and won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1903 upon the completion of his literary course. He then entered upon the study of law at Ann Arbor and is also a law grad- uate of the State University, having gained the LL. B. degree in 1906. Locating for practice in De- troit, he has made a specialty of bankruptcy law and has developed a high degree of skill in the trial of cases of this character. He belongs to the Wayne County Bar Association, Michigan Bar Association and the American Bar Association and also to the Law- yers Club.

On the 27th of February, 1917, Mr. Finkelston was united in marriage to Miss Doris Virginia Weiss of Detroit, and they have a little daughter: Virginia Doris. Mr. Finkelston turns to fishing and hunting for recreation and diversion from the onerous duties of the profession. He is the secretary of the Detroit Transmission Company, secretary of Ray Battery Company and vice president of the Schaefer Heights Land Company, thus extending his efforts into business lines, and he is well known in other relations in his adopted city, being a member of the Board of Com- merce, a member of the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias.

CARL G. SCHOEFFEL of Detroit, who since July, 1915, has engaged in law practice in this city, spe- cializing in corporation and real estate law, was born in Freeport, Illinois, February 3, 1891, his parents being Christian and Heromine (Brokhausen) Schoef- fel. The father was also a native of Freeport, Illinois, and the parents were there married. In September, 1919, they removed to Detroit, where they are now living, the father being a retired commission mer- chant.

Carl G. Schoeffel obtained his education in the public schools of Freeport, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school with the class of 1909. He next entered the University of Michigan and won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1913. He continued at Ann Arbor as a student in the law department of the State University and his LL. B. degree was conferred upon him in 1915. The same year he was admitted to practice, becoming as- sociated with the firm of Anderson, Wilcox & Lacey, and in February, 1917, he began practicing alone, specializing in corporation and real estate law. In both of these branches he has wide knowledge and his ability is recognized in the able manner in which he handles litigation of this character.

On the 29th of August, 1914, in Omaha, Nebraska, Mr. Schoeffel was married to Miss Helen King, a daughter of Charles H. King, a native of that city. Mrs. Schoeffel passed away February 21, 1919, leaving a daughter, Helen Frances, and a son, Carl King, who was born February 18, 1919.

Mr. Schoeffel is a republican in his political views.

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During the war he served on the legal advisory board and was also one of the Four-Minute men. He helongs to the Alpha Tan Omega, is a member of the Detroit Boat Club, the Lawyers Club, the Detroit Bar Asso- ciation and the First Congregational church-connec- tions that indicate the nature and high value of his interests aside from his profession.

RUSSELL A. ALGER. Michigan claimed Russell A. Alger but his activities were by no means local. He was a man of national character and one whose entire career reflected credit and honor upon the title of American citizen. The loftiest principles and highest ideals governed him in every relation of life. He was devoted to the welfare of his fellowmen as individuals and to their best interests in the matter of the commonwealth.

A native of Ohio, Russell Alexander Alger was born in a pioneer log cabin in Lafayette township, Medina county, February 27, 1836, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 24th of Jannary, 1907, when he passed from the scene of earthly activities, leaving a most honored memory. His parents were Russell and Caroline (Moulton) Alger and in the pat- ernal line he was descended from English ancestry, the first representative of the family coming to America in 1759. Representatives of the name re- moved to Ohio early in the nineteenth century and the boyhood of Russell A. Alger was passed in that state, where he enjoyed the usual advantages of the average boy until left an orphan at the age of twelve years. He was thus thrown upon his own resources and upon him also devolved the care of a younger brother and sister. He bravely faced the situation and soon secured employment on a farm near Rich- field, in Summit county, Ohio, and as opportunity offered attended a neighboring academy during the winter months. He displayed special aptitude at his studies and embraced every opportunity that promoted his knowledge, seeming at all times athirst for educa- tion. He made such progress that he finally became a teacher in a district school, devoting the winter seasons thereto, while the summer months were spent at farm work. He entered upon the study of law in March, 1857, as a student in the office of Wolcott & Upson of Akron, Ohio. He applied himself to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence with the same thoroughness and determination that had characterized his previous work and in 1859 he passed the required examination before the supreme court of Ohio. Re- moving to Cleveland, he secured a position in the law office of Otis, Coffinberry & Wyman, but his health had become impaired through his close confine- ment and arduous study and he was obliged to abandon his chosen profession.

Removing to Michigan in 1859, he settled at Grand Rapids, then a small town, and there he became identi- fied with industrial interests. His business prospered under his wise and careful direction, but at the time of

the Civil war he put aside all business and personal interests and tendered his services at once to the government, being among the first to enlist from Mich- igan. In August, 1861, he became a private in the Second Michigan Volunteer Cavalry and when his regiment was mustered into the United States service he was commissioned captain and assigned to the command of Company C. His war record has been reported in "Michigan in the War" by Adjutant General Robertson- as follows: "Captain Second Cav- alry, September 2, 1861; major April 2, 1862; lientenant colonel Sixth Michigan Cavalry, October 16, 1862; colonel Fifth Michigan Cavalry, February 28, 1863; wounded in action at Boonesboro, Maryland, July 8, 1863; resigned September 20, 1864, and honorably dis- charged. Brevet brigadier general United States Vol- unteers, for gallant and meritorious services, to rank from the battle of Trevilian Station, Virginia, June 11, 1864; brevet major general United States Vol- unteers, June 11, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services during the war."

Another writer has said of his military career: "From private to brevet major general within so short a period is, indeed, a creditable record. The advancement did not come through favoritism or other fortuitous agencies, for each successive promotion was honestly and gallantly won. The qualities that had distinguished General Alger in civil life were brought to play in the field and made him one to whom others naturally turned in hours of emergency or danger. In the earlier years of the war he was active in the south and west, but the larger portion of his service was with the Army of the Potomac. As colonel of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry he entered Gettysburg on the 28th of June, 1863, his being the first Union regiment to reach the village, and there he and his men received a most noteworthy ovation on the part of the loyal citizens. In the official reports of en- gagements General Alger was frequently mentioned for distinguished services-notably by Custer in his report on the battle of Gettysburg. On the 8th of July, 1863, he was seriously wounded in a hot fight near Boonesboro, Maryland, and he did not resume service until September. He served with marked distinction during the campaigns of 1863-64, took part in all of the engagements of the Army of the Potomac within this period, and with his brigade accompanied Sheridan to the Shenandoah valley in 1864. In all, General Alger participated in sixty-six battles and skirmishes, and hy bravery and faithfulness he richly merited the distinction which he gained."

When the country no longer needed his aid upon the field of battle General Alger returned to Michigan and early in 1866 became a resident of Detroit, where he at once entered business circles as a member of the firm of Moore, Alger & Company, dealers in pine lands and lumber, thus continuing in the line of business in which he had engaged at Grand Rapids. Later changes in the partnership resulted in the adop-

GENERAL RUSSELL A. ALGER

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tion snecessively of the firm styles of Moore & Alger, R. A. Alger & Company and Alger, Smith & Company. General Alger remained as president from the be- ginning until his death and became recognized as one of the most prominent lumbermen of the country. He was also interested largely in various other im- portant business enterprises having to do with the lumber industry and also with mining. His name was on the directorate of scores of important business concerns and of many more as a stockholder. He contributed in notable measure to the industrial de- velopment of Michigan and he also had large and productive investments in the west and south.

Before entering the army Mr. Alger was married in Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 2, 1861, to Miss Annette H. Henry, daughter of William G. Henry of that city. Her death occurred in 1919. Nine children were born of this marriage. His interest centered in his home and he gave to it a due proportion of his time, notwithstanding the enormous demands made upon his energies by his business and political affairs. A contemporary writer has said of him in this con- nection: "Unwavering in his allegiance to the re- publican party and an able and effective exponent of its principles and policies, General Alger never permitted the use of his name in connection with any political office until 1884, when he was elected a dele- gate to the republican national convention held in Chicago. In the same year he was the nominee of his party for governor of Michigan and was elected by a plurality of three thousand, nine hundred and fifty-three, thus returning the state to republican rule, after a period of defection. As chief executive of the great state his administration compares favor- ably with that of any of Michigan's governors. At the expiration of his term as governor General Alger positively refused to become a candidate for a second term, owing to the demands and exigencies incidental to his private affairs.

"At the republican national convention of 1888 General Alger was one of the most prominent of the presidential candidates, and with the continuous bal- loting he increased his strength in the convention to one hundred and forty-three votes. In the sixth ballot, however, a break was .made in the ranks of his followers, and General Harrison, then second choice, was brought forward and received the nomina- tion. In the autumn of the same year General Alger's name headed the list of presidential electors from his state. In the national convention of the republican party in 1892 he was again a popular candidate for nomination and again showed his strong hold upon the confidence and esteem of the leading members of his party.

"The one feature of his political career that brought its chalice of regret and sorrow to the lips of General Alger was that connected with his service in the office of secretary of war in the cabinet of President MeKinley and at the time of the Spanish-American war. Time has already shown how unjust were the

criticisms directed against this loyal, honorable and patriotic citizen and able official. In 1896 he was called to the cabinet of President MeKinley, in the portfolio of secretary of war, and he assumed the duties of the office on the 4th of March, 1897. The unpleasantness which marked his administration was the direct result of 'long existent conditions revealed by the stern test of war.' It is not necessary here to record the history of the case, but naught of vindication is demanded for General Alger, concerning whom, in this connection, the New York Post spoke as follows, at the time of his death: 'He was a victim of the wretched organ- ization of the army and the department, which elung to the system of the Civil war that had long been outgrown.' He resigned his post as secretary of war in August, 1899, and gratifying to him must have been the enthusiastic and sympathetic reception which was given him by the people of his own state after the criticism which had been leveled at him with so great injustice. When he passed from the scene of life's mortal endeavors his successor in the office of secretary of war, Hon. William H. Taft, now presi- dent of the United States, gave the following appre- ciative estimate of his services in the office: 'General Alger was patriotic, earnest and most devoted to the interests of the army, and especially considered the welfare of the enlisted men. He was a gentle, kindly man with great confidence in his friends and asso- ciates, and was much beloved by his subordinates. He was the subject of unjust criticism because of the country's lack of preparedness for war when war came, although for this he was in no wise responsible.'

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The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III, Part 96

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