USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. III > Part 97
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"On the 27th of September, 1902, Governor Bliss appointed General Alger a member of the United States senate, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator James McMillan, and on the 20th of the following January he was regularly elected to the same office, by the legislature of the state. Owing to failing health he declined to become a candidate for reelection and his term of office as senator would have expired March 4, 1908. He distinctively honored his state by his services in the United States senate, of which he was a member at the time of his death, which occurred in the city of Washington on the 24th of January, 1907." In 1921 a bronze memorial monument was erected in Grand Circus park, Detroit, to the memory of General Russell A. Alger, one of Detroit's most distinguished and honored sons.
BYRON G. NICHOLSON, secretary and treasurer of the Frederick C. Mathews Company of Detroit, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, September 15, 1876, and is a son of James and Hannah (Herod) Nicholson, both of whom are of English lineage and are now residents of Oakland, California. Their family num- bered six children, who became pupils in the public schools of Palmerston, Ontario, Byron G. Nicholson advancing through intermediate grades to the high school. He started out to provide for his own sup- port when a youth of fourteen years, working at Pal-
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merston, Ontario, where he learned the printer's trade on a country newspaper, there remaining for five years.
It was in 1894 that Mr. Nicholson became a resident of Detroit and entered the employ of the Acme White Lead Works, with which he was connected for a year and eight months. He afterward became fore- man of the composing room of Friesema Brothers, continuing for four years, and later he spent five years with the Bookkeeper Publishing Company. His next position was with the printing house of Frank J. Stroup, his identification with that business cover- iug two years in the capacity of superintendent. Later he was for five years with the old Peninsular En- graving Company, now the Evans-Winter-Hebb Com- pany, and four years ago he came with the Frederick C. Mathews Company, of which he is now the sec- retary and treasurer. Thus step by step he has ad- vanced and his ability was recognized in his election to executive position in his present connection.
On the 15th of September, 1897, Mr. Nicholson was married to Miss Pauline Weiso of Detroit, and they have a daughter, Rosalie, eighteen years of age. The parents are members of the Episcopal church and Mr. Nicholson also has membership relations with the Masonic fraternity, being a worthy exemplar of the craft. In politics he is a republican, well informed on the questions and issues of the day but without ambition to hold office.
REZIN ORR, who for twenty-three years was the international treasurer of the Amalgamated Associa- tion of Street and Electric Railway Employes of America, was one of the most influential men in labor circles in the country. This was due to his splendid character which awakened the confidence, regard and esteem of all who knew him. He held to the highest standards of honor and was ever prompted by a broad humanitarian spirit that caused him to reach out a helping hand wherever assistance was needed. Mr. Orr was born in Licking county, Ohio, June 8, 1854, and in 1863 removed with his parents from that lo- cality to Whitney county, Indiana, where he attended school, supplementing his preliminary studies by a high school course in Columbia City, Indiana. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed until 1889, when he entered the street rail- way service at Fort Wayne, Indiana. From that time forward he was associated with the street railway in- terests as an employe and later as representative of the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employes of America. One of his biog- raphers at the time of his death wrote of him in this connection as follows: "Coming as he did from his teaching experience, with broadened sympathies, he was well prepared to understand the afflictions of labor and their natural remedy. His previous work had also cultivated in him an understanding of the responsibility of the individual to society. During
his six years service in Fort Wayne, following his work of organization, wages were increased and work- ing conditions improved. As master workman, rep- resenting a local of the Knights of Labor, he entered the initiative convention of the Amalgamated Asso- ciation held in Indianapolis, Indiana, in September, 1892, when the association was organized. The fol- lowing January he succeeded in transferring his Knights of Labor local at Fort Wayne into the Amal- gamated, as Division No. 14. Thus his membership in the Amalgamated Association officially dates from January 18, 1893. Late that year he was elected a trustee of the International Association. What is now known as the general executive board was then the board of trustees, composed of three members, to which Mr. Orr was elected. He attended the second national convention held in Cleveland and at the third national convention, held in Milwaukee, he was elected first vice president. In July, 1895, while he was serving as first vice president, there came a vacancy in the secretary-treasurership, by the resig- nation of James Grant of Detroit, and Mr. Orr was elected to fill the vacancy. At the next convention he was again elected to that office. At the fifth con- vention held in Dayton, Ohio, in May, 1907, the con- vention abolished the office of secretary, imposing the duties thereof upon the international president, and retained the office of treasurer, to which Mr. Orr was again elected, which position he retained until his death, remaining the incumbent thereof for twenty- three years. Indestructible woven into the fabric of the twenty-five years of the Amalgamated Association was the last and best twenty-five years of his life. He lived to see effectually established upon a per- manent basis this wonderful progressive and munificent association. His name stands among its founders and will be so honored as long as the association lives. As a mark of the esteem in which he was held the Amalgamated Association has erected a monument to him in Woodmere cemetery, Detroit, but it remained for the city of Chicago to be the first great American municipality as a whole definitely to place its seal of approval upon the great labor movement. It has built a new public school building which is of the most advanced and modern type in its equipment and con- venience as an elementary educational institution, con- tains thirty-two rooms, and wondrous advantages, spacious grounds surround it, and the board of edu- cation has named this fine structure the Rezin Orr public school, in honor of the late international treas- urer. The school occupies the entire block between North Keeler avenue and West Thomas street. The corner stone was laid March 31, 1918, and was made a special event by the Chicago board of education and Mrs. Rezin Orr, widow, was present among the many labor delegates from many points of the country. On the day of the dedication of the Rezin Orr public school, a fine oil painting of Mr. Orr was presented
REZIN ORR
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to the school by the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employes of America.
On the 20th of September, 1874, Mr. Orr was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Miller and they became parents of five children: Etta, is the wife of George W. Kinerek of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and they have four children, Myrtle, who is Mrs. Carl Hornberger of Fort Wayne, and Rose, Gale and Virginia; Rose Orr is the wife of Walter Wesley of Detroit, and their two children are Robert Orr and Rosemary; Faith is Mrs. John W. Beamer of Detroit, and their two children are John Orr and Faith Agnes; Walter Miller Orr, who is living at Waterloo, Iowa; and Harold John Orr, deceased. The wife and mother passed away at Fort Wayne, Indiana, February 21, 1892. On the 8th of June, 1897, Mr. Orr was again married, his second union beiug with Mrs, Evelyn (Mummery) Elwell of Detroit, who survives him.
In relation to his death the Detroit Chronicle wrote: "On Sunday morning, October 21, there passed from this life a man who was intimately known from coast to coast and from the Gulf of Mexico to the wilderness and fastnesses of the Dominion of Canada. In Mr. Rezin Orr there had been developed traits, with the passing of time, which grew to such an extent that millions of workers today offer up fervent prayers, that such a man had been. For many years, yes. decades, Brother Orr keenly realized the thralling and galling conditions forced and imposed upon the men who operated the old horse-cars, then the cable lines aud later the swiftly moving electric lines. When oppression grew to the point where it became intoler- able, Rezin Orr was called upon for a solution, and during all his long and useful life a call did not come to him in vain. Home comforts, bodily comforts, even his very life was at the service of his fellowmen. No plea was too small and no problem too great for his master mind to cope with. With a wonderful per- sonality he made friends by the legion and rare indeed was there a man in whom he misplaced his confidence. Endowed with wonderful intuitive powers, which at times seemed almost superhuman, he was able to leave a heritage at the time of his passing that in the quality is not overshadowed by any president of these United States. As a general in the battle line of the American organized labor movement, he won many battles and lost but few and those that were apparently lost for a time but proved the stepping- stones for a counter attack and in the finality victory came to those who followed his banner with better attendant working conditions. The Amalgamated As- sociation of Street and Electric Railway Employes of America has lost a master mind and the American labor movement a man seldom equalled and never excelled. The work accomplished during his lifetime will live long after the present conditions have passed away and it will have been the gainer that Rezin Orr had lived."
Under the caption "The Passing of a Grand Old
Man" the Union Leader of Chicago wrote: "Rezin Orr is dead, the end coming Sunday morning, October 21, 1917, at the Ford Hospital in Detroit, where he underwent an operation from which he never rallied. Mr. Orr became ill last August (1917) during an organizing trip in the south. He was forced to abandon his labors and returned to his home in Detroit. Re- covering somewhat he attended the recent convention at Providence, Rhode Island, and with the indomitable spirit he showed throughout life he insisted upon de- livering his report to the delegates in person, which had been his custom for twenty-three years. The day following the rendering of his report he was again stricken and had to be removed to a hospital and after a few days was entered at the Ford Hospital, where an operation was performed which failed to save his life.
"International treasurer Rezin Orr attended the first convention of the Amalgamated Association held in Indianapolis in September, 1892, as a representative of the local street railway employes of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and thereafter attended each succeeding con- vention. Starting in life as a horse-car driver, when electricty was substituted he became a motorman. He was a most successful organizer, his sincerity invited confidence and his sympathetic nature gripped men and endeared him to all who knew him. Next to the president of the association Rezin Orr was the man best known to the electric railway employes throughout the continent wherever a local of the Amalgamated Association exists. Throughout the labor world every labor official lovingly numbered him among his warm personal friends. In years of service as in age Mr. Orr was the oldest official under President Mahon, with whom he helped to found the Amalgamated Association and was in the harness in its interests in the stormy days when members were few and opposition was powerful and effective. He braved defeat and repeated disappointment in the early struggle to organize the car men, but he never lost heart and continued until he saw his efforts help to round into form the best organization of electric railway employes in the world. He was possessed of a magnetic personality that was distinct and seldom met with. Never forgetting how to be a boy, ra- diating more happiness and more mirth and youth than many twenty-five years his junior, he became endeared to all. There will be a deep sadness in the hearts of those who knew him, for to know him was to love him." He labored untiringly for what he believed to be the best interest of his fellowmen, accomplished much for their benefit and no one ever questioned the integrity of his purpose nor his high ideals.
CHARLES W. BACON, president of the William Wright Company, decorators and collectors of odd for- niture and antiques in Detroit, comes to this city from New England. He is a native son of New Britain, Connecticut, born October 16, 1880. His
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parents were George W. and Evelyn (Atwood) Bacon, the former a native of the state of New York, while the latter was born in Connecticut. In early life the father devoted his attention to invention and many valuable devices, now iu constant use, are the result of his skill in electrical lines. For an extended period he was connected with the Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing Company, and in his earlier career he was also a builder. During the past few years he has lived retired and now resides at Sterling, Colorado, where he is enjoying well earned rest. His wife also survives and they are pleasantly situated at Sterling. They reared a family of three children: Floyd E. and Edna, both of Sterling, Colorado; and Charles W., who was the second in order of birth.
In his youthful days Charles W. Bacon was a pupil in the public and high schools of Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, and afterwards attended school in Boston, Massachusetts. Subsequently he returned to Pitts- burgh, where he remained for ten years and during that time he learned the business of house decorating. He later went to New York city, where he became an employe of the firm of William Baumgarten & Com- pany, decorators, with whom he remained for seven years, acquainting himself with every phase and detail
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of the business. It was in 1914 that he arrived in Detroit, where he entered the service of William Wright Company, decorators, and subsequently he became connected with Herbert A. Wheeler, and pur- chased the business of which he is now the president. Their interests are still carried on under the name of the William Wright Company, and theirs is un- doubtedly the most extensive and best equipped dec- orating establishment in this section of the country. They are manufactures of special furniture, also col- lectors of antiques, ornaments, statues and old pieces of wall coverings, rare pieces of art and fine and rare rugs and floor coverings. There are more pieces for home and special decorations in possession of this com- pany than in any similar concern on the continent. In fact, many familiar with business interests of this character claim that the William Wright Company leads all others in America in the line which they carry. Two trips are regularly made abroad for the special purpose of buying up the rare and unique in art in the old world and the Far East. Their establish- ment contains many beautiful pieces of almost price- less value, and through the agency of this house many splendid decorative features have found their way into the costly homes and the museums of art through- out the country. In many instances Mr. Bacon has been given entire charge of the furnishing and de- signing of the decorations of handsome homes and villas. Only recently he was called to Southern Cali- fornia to take charge of the decoration of a well known millionaire's suite in an apartment. His rep- utation is known throughout the country and his work is of the very highest character. He is a recognized authority upon art as exemplified in every form of
house furnishings and decorations and his opinions are largely accepted as authority wherever he is known.
On the 8th of August, 1899, Mr. Bacon was united in marriage to Miss Grace Cole of Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Louis F. Cole, the former archdeacon of the western Pennsyl- vania Episcopal Diocese. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have become parents of three children: Theodore, who was born in Pittsburgh in 1903 and who is attending the University of Pennsylvania; Charles, born in Pitts- burgh in 1907; and Eugene, born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1911. The two younger sons are also in school.
Fraternally Mr. Bacon is connected with the Masons, being a member of Lodge 45 of Pittsburgh. He is well known as a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, the Lochmoor Country Club, the Oakland Hills Coun- try Club, of which he is a director, the Scarab Club of Detroit and the Lotus Club of New York city. His many trips abroad, his study of art in its various forms, and his broad general knowledge have made him a most interesting and agreeable companion and his friends are legion.
JAMES R. MURRAY, who on the 1st of July, 1920, succeeded to the presidency of the J. W. Murray Manufacturing Company upon the retirement of his father, was born in Saginaw, Michigan, and is the son of John William and Harriet E. (Rapin) Mur- ray, both of whom are natives of Michigan, so that the subject of this review is a representative of two of the old families of the state. He attended the parochial schools of Chicago and also Loyola Uni- versity of that city, leaving the latter institution in 1906. He initiated his business career as an employe of Benjamin H. Sanborn & Company, book publishers of Chicago, with whom he continued for two years, after which he sought the opportunities of the Pacific northwest, making his way to Spokane, Washington. He engaged in civil engineering throughout the north- west for two years and then returned to Spokane, where he spent a year and a half in connection with John W. Graham in the book and stationery business. On the expiration of that period he removed to Port- land, Oregon, and afterward went to Bayocean, Ore- gon, where he was assistant general manager in con- struction work.
Mr. Murray returned to Detroit in 1911 and here became connected with the Michigan Stamping Com- pany, of which his father was production manager. He continued at the plant until 1913 and thoroughly learned the processes of sheet metal work. He after- ward became secretary and treasurer of the J. W. Murray Manufacturing Company and on the 1st of July, 1920, succeeded his father in the presidency upon the latter's retirement, his father assuming the posi- tion of chairman of the board of directors. The other officers are: George D. Shanahan, vice president; and Fred J. Krumm, secretary and treasurer. This company is engaged in the manufacture of sheet metal parts for
J. R. MURRAY
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motor cars and employs an average of one thousand men. The growth of the business is indicated in the fact that in December, 1919, a large subsidiary plant was completed at Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to his connection with the J. W. Murray Manufacturing Company, Mr. Murray of this review is the president of the Murray-Ohio Manufacturing Company of Cleve- land.
On the 21st of January, 1918, Mr. Murray was mar- ried to Miss Eva Mary Ross of Detroit, and they have one son, James Ross, born April 19, 1919, in Detroit. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Murray belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He votes with the republican party and gives earnest support to the projects of the Detroit Board of Commerce to further the upbuilding, to ad- vance the business connections and uphold the civie standards of the city. He is a prominent figure in club cireles, holding membership in the Detroit Ath- letie, Detroit Golf, Detroit Automobile, Oakland Hills Country, Lochmoor, Detroit Yacht, Old Colony and Wolverine Auto Clubs. He finds pleasure and recrea- tion in a game on the links or in sailing, and his well planned diversions constitute an even balance to his intense business activity.
MAURICE A. ENGGASS, vice president of the Adolph Enggass Jewelry Company of Detroit, was born November 14, 1889, in the city which is still his home. He is a son of Adolph and Barbara (Hirsh- man) Enggass. The father was born in Germany while the mother was born iu Detroit. The father came to America when a youth of thirteen years, making the trip alone to this country. He faced the necessity of securing immediate employment and after saving his earnings for some time he was able in 1865 to establish what has become one of Detroit's most reliable jew- elry houses. The business grew and developed under his careful supervision and he remained the owner until his death, which occurred November 21, 1908, when he had reached the age of sixty-seven years. He had a wide acquaintance and was respected and esteemed by all who knew him. His widow is still a resident of Detroit. In their family were three children: Clarence H., living in Detroit; Mrs. Max P. Heavenrich of Saginaw, Michigan; and Maurice A., who is the youngest of the family.
In the public schools Maurice A. Enggass mastered the elementary branches of learning, passing through consecutive grades to the Central high school. He later attended the University of Michigan at Auu Arbor, but put aside his studies in order to enter the jewelry business when eighteen years of age. He started at the bottom and gradually worked his way upward through the various departments, becoming acquainted with every phase of the business, as well as with the commercial methods of handling the pro- duct. He is considered today one of Detroit's expert jewelers and an authority on rare and beautiful stones. Vol. III-54
The business of which he is now the vice president was incorporated in 1903 by his father as the Adolph Enggass Jewelry Company. It is a close corporation, and the stock is fully paid in. The firm has twenty- eight experienced employes and has a most beautiful and attractive establishment at No. 1218 Randolph street, where an extensive line of watches, precious stones and the finest productions of the jewelers art are to be found. The business has steadily grown and developed under the guidance of Clarence and Maurice A. Enggass, whose position among the retail merchants of the city is a most creditable one.
Mr. Enggass is a member of the executive com- mittee of the Retail Merchants Bureau of the Detroit Board of Commerce. He is also a member of Ashlar Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M., and the University of Michigan Club in Detroit and belongs to the Redford Country Club, and to the Phoenix Club, being well known in the club circles of the city. His life has beeu passed in Detroit and many there are who have kuowu him from his boyhood who testify not only to his business capability but to his sterling worth of character as well.
WILLIAM L. DAVIS, a substantial and progressive business man of Detroit and a member of the firm of Feuton, Davis & Boyle, investment bankers of this city, has devoted his life to financial activities and few men are more thoroughly informed concerning the value of investments in various lines. He has dis- played sound judgment, energy and ability in the management of his business interests and success in substantial measure has rewarded his efforts. A native of this state, Mr. Davis was born in Allegan, his parents being John E. and Rosa M. (Luce) Davis, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction.
In the public and high schools of his native city the son, William L. Davis, acquired his education and on starting out in the business world he entered financial circles, becoming identified with the First National Bank of Allegan, after which he secured a position in a bank owned by General Pritchard, a distinguished officer in the northern army and to whom Jeff Davis surrendered at the close of the Civil war. Mr. Davis was connected with that bank from 1902 until 1907, when he joined the Peabody, Houghteling Company, investment bankers of Chicago, acting as their traveling salesman and financial representative in Michigan. He continued with that firm for four years and then became financial representative in Michigan for the Continental & Commercial Trust & Savings Bank of Chicago, with whom he remained from 1911 until 1918. In the latter year he was made manager of the Detroit office of the National City Company and subsequently joined the official staff of the First National Company of Detroit. At the end of a year he withdrew from that organization and purchased a one-third interest in the firm of Fen-
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