The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 100

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: 1024

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 100

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In presenting the life of Dr. George Duffield, it is perhaps well to quote the record prepared by his loved personal friend, Dr. W. P. Manton-a record that was embodied in the memorial of the Detroit Academy of Medicine and which reads as follows: "Dr. George Duffield, a former president of the Academy, was born at the family residence on Congress street, West, on April 28, 1859. He came of excellent stock on both sides, his mother's relatives, the Buells, being well known and prominent people in New York state, while his father's ancestors, coming from Pensylvania, were particularly distinguished · in scientific lore, theology, law and literature. Educated in the public schools of this city, the Philo M. Patterson Private Classical and Mathematical school, he finished his pre- liminary course at the Orchard Lake Military Academy, where a thorough training, both literary and physical,

DR. GEORGE DUFFIELD

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fitted him for the battle of life. Having shown from his early boyhood a peculiar interest in all that per- tained to sickness and suffering, it was natural that he should turn his attention later to medicine, and he was graduated from the Detroit Medical College in 1882. Following this he spent two years in post- graduate study in Berlin, Vienna and Heidelberg, where he took up a general review of medicine, paying particular attention to pathology and obstetrics. Re- turning to this city in 1883, he began practice, opening an office in his father's house, 480 Woodward avenue. Some years later he became associated with Dr. Henry A. Cleland, one of the oldest and best known prac- titioners in the city, and occupied offices with the latter in the old Cleland block, State and Griswold streets. He remained here for many years, succeeding to the practice of Dr. Cleland following the latter's death, and, when the Peter Smith building was erected on the same site, he continued in the old lo- eality. In 1918 he removed to 80 Griswold street, a downtown location being more convenient to his professional work.

"Dr. Duffield was elected to the Detroit Academy of Medicine in 1983, became vice president in 1896 and president in 1899. He was greatly interested in the work of the society and, during the earlier years, did much to advance its interests. Although a fairly active and voluminous correspondent, he did not con- tribute extensively to medical literature, but what he did write was always practical and timely. In looking over the list of papers read before the Academy during the past thirty years, Dr. Duffield's name occurs several times, and the titles include such subjects as Carcinoma; Urinary Casts; The Treatment of Typhoid Fever; The Use of Antitoxin in Diphtheria; Plea for the Earlier Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis; Treatment of Diseases of the Heart Associated with Tachycardia. These papers were pre- pared at an early date when interest in these special subjects was just awakening, and evidence a keen and alert interest in progressive medicine. During the early years of Dr. Duffield's experience, he devoted much time to pathology; indeed he and the late Dr. Frank W. Brown were the only men in Detroit who had had special training in that subject. As a result they both did quite a laboratory business. Dr. Duf- field specialized in internal medicine. For many years he was a visiting physician to Harper hospital, and professor of medicine in the Detroit College of Medi- cine, in both of which he later became emeritus. For four years he was secretary of the State Medical Society and, together with a committee, edited its transactions. He was one of the editors of The Micro- scope, a scientific journal devoted to microscopy in all its branches. For years he edited the Harper Hospital Bulletin, a staff publication, in the interests of the hospital. Early in his career Dr. Duffield be- came examiner for several insurance companies, and so greatly did his work along these lines prosper, and

so popular did he become with the soliciting force that, during the past decade or so, this occupation crowded out most of his private practice, and he gave practically his entire time and attention to this department. At the time of his death he was the Michigan medical director for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, and had the envi- able distinction of making more examinations each year than any physician in the United States.

"Every man places, however unconsciously, a valu- ation on himself; but it is impossible to determine just how Dr. Duffield appraised his personal assets. He seldom spoke in serious mood of his own qualifications, and one can judge of him solely by his acts. One mentions the dead only from memory, and at this time memory troops in such overwhelming masses that selection becomes difficult, and what might be put down soon appears trivial compared with that unmentioned. Four characteristics, however, stand out in Dr. Duffield's life-steadfastness, kindliness, self-sacrifice and service. The deaf, the halt and the blind were his friends and brothers in so far as he could reach out a helping hand in their extremity; he enjoyed in service, and let no personal gain or com- fort stand in the way of doing what he could. The 'cup of cold water' in his hands became the kindly, cheering word, the fragrant flower, the box of candy, placed where it would do most good. In his moral code he was firmly founded; no exigency of occasion could tempt him to depart from that which he thought to be right. He was a stanch and steadfast friend and, come weal, come woe, with his broad shoulder to the wheel would push with all his energy, or, if those he loved lacked vigor, he was quick to assume the total burden to himself. Helpfulness and service were his foremost thoughts and, harking back over the past years, one fails to find him ever wanting. By nature sympathetic, he sometimes seemed to pass too lightly over serious things, but always at the bottom of his heart he searched for that which would best bring comfort, cheer and quick relief. So, truly we may say of him, as Anthony said of the great Roman:

'His life was gentle, and the elements

So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, This was a man!' "

In the foregoing the home life of Dr. Duffield was not touched upon, but it is well known that his interest centered at his own fireside and he found his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare and comfort of his wife and children. On the 2d of October, 1888, Dr. Duffield was married in Detroit to Miss Clara Wood Cowie, daughter of Dr. Henry Cowie, a prom- inent dentist of Detroit. They became parents of three children: George Bethune, Henry Cowie and Frederick Hodges. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when Dr. Duffield passed away in Detroit, Michigan, November 12, 1919. He was long a consistent member and officer of the First Presby-

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terian church and his political belief was that of the republican party. He had membership in the Detroit Golf Club, the Country Club, the Detroit Boat Club, the Detroit Academy of Medicine, of which he was at one time president, the Mississippi Valley Medical Association, the Michigan State Medical Society, the Wayne County Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He likewise belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution. He added new laurels to an honored family name and by reason of his contribution to professional activity and also by reason of his upright life the world is better for his having lived.

HORACE KENDRICK is the president of the Ken- drick Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of brass, bronze and manganese castings. The city has no bet- ter known nor more popular business man and he is specially worthy of mention in that his success is the direct result and outcome of his own labors. While he has made for himself a notable place in business cireles, philanthropy, courtesy and kindliness also fea- ture in his career, winning him the esteem and high regard of his fellows.

Mr. Kendrick was born in Stratford-on-Avon, Eng- land, December 7, 1871, his parents being Charles and Mary A. (Walters) Kendrick, who were also natives of Stratford, where they were reared, educated and married. They came to Detroit in 1874, remaining for a period of seven years and then removing to Windsor, Ontario, just across the border. The father was active along mechanical lines, possessing expert ability as a machinist, and he followed the business throughout his active life. In later years, however, he lived retired and passed away in Windsor in August, 1921, at the age of eighty-two years. The mother survives and yet occupies the old homestead at Windsor. In their family were six children, all of whom have passed away, with the exception of Horace Kendrick.

In his youthful days Horace Kendrick was a pupil in the schools of Goderich and of Windsor, Ontario, bnt when only twelve years of age began to provide for his own support by making his initial step in the business world. He possessed natural mechanical skill and ingenuity and decided to direct his labors along that line. Accordingly he became an apprentice at the machinist's trade, serving the term of his ap- prenticeship with A. Harvey & Sons, wholesale dealers in plumbers' supplies in Detroit. When he had com- pleted his term of indenture he worked as a journey- man in various shops of Chicago and Detroit, spending two years with the American Injector Company, while he was also in the employ of the General Electric Company at Peterboro, Canada, and of the Detroit Sheet Metal and Brass Works, now the Detroit Ship- building Company. Later he became superintendent of the Globe Brass Works in Detroit and ultimately was with the Pullman Company of Chicago for a period of four years in the mechanical department. He then

returned to Detroit and has been a permanent resident of the city since 1903. He occupied the position of mechanical superintendent with the Capitol Brass Works until 1907, when he embarked in business on his own account by becoming one of the organizers of the Thiery & Kendrick Manufacturing Company in June of that year. He was secretary and treasurer from the organization of the business until October 1, 1913, when he became the president. He later pur- chased Mr. Thiery's interest in the business and now owns seventy-five per cent of the stock. The major portion of the remaining stock Mr. Kendrick bought in the open market at an advantageous time and re- sold to the department heads of the company on terms that were exceedingly attractive, thus making them partners in the business. He thus gave practical rec- ognition of their faithful and devoted service, mani- festing his appreciation of their worth in a tangible way. This plan permitted him to shift some of the burden of responsibility to other shoulders, leaving him more leisure. The name of the company was changed in 1922 to the Kendrick Manufacturing Com- pany, and the business has grown to extensive propor- tions, necessitating the employment of two hundred people.

Mr. Kendrick has been married twice. On the 21st of November, 1894, he wedded Miss Dorothy Lamp- man, who was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lampman, well known and highly respected residents of Detroit. She passed away in March, 1909, leaving one child, who is now Mrs. Hazel White, a native of Detroit, educated in the graded and high schools of this city. She resides in Danbury, Connecticut, and has three children. On the 3d of May, 1911, Mr. Ken- drick was again married, his second union being with Miss Adeline Vince, a daughter of Robert Vince, of Brantford, Canada.

In politics Mr. Kendrick maintains an independ- ent attitude, supporting men and measures rather than party. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Ashlar Lodge and having at- tained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He has membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Michigan Manufacturers Association and the American Manufacturers Association, and also belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club and is a director and treasurer of the Red Run Golf Club. Motoring, baseball and golf are his chief sources of recreation. He is very fond of travel and he spends almost every winter in southern California, residing at the best hotels in that part of the country, from which he and his wife take long motor trips into va- rious interesting sections of the Pacific coast country. Starting out to provide for his own support when a lad of twelve years, Mr. Kendrick has long been a leading figure in manufacturing circles in Detroit and as the years have passed he has gained notable success that enables him at the present time to put aside

HORACE KENDRICK

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many of the cares and responsibilities of business life and enjoy those pleasures and opportunities which leisure affords. The course which he has always pur- sued should well serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished through individual effort when laudable ambition is intelligently directed and rests upon the broad foundation of commercial integrity and enterprise.

Mr. Kendrick's residence is at No. 1772 Seyburn.

J. HOWARD TEAGAN, one of the alert, energetic and progressive young business men of Detroit, is well known to the automobile trade of the city as export manager for the Hupp Motor Car Company. He is thoroughly familiar with the automobile busi- ness, owing to his long connection therewith, and his services are very valuable to the corporation which he represents. He was born in Detroit, May 7, 1889, and represents the third generation of the family in this city. His paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George S. Teagan, were numbered among the early residents of Detroit. The grandfather was a cabinet- maker by trade and one of the first to follow that occupation in the city. Both he and his wife passed away at an advanced age, the demise of the latter occurring when she was ninety years of age. The maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Horace H. Connor, who were also pioneer settlers of Detroit, the former being connected with business interests of the city as superintendent for the firm of Dean & Godfrey, artists, which position he filled for many years. He was an honored veteran of the Civil war, serving with the Michigan Cavalry. Their daughter, Harriet Emma Connor, a native of Adrian, Michigan, married Jonathan E. Teagan, who was born in Detroit and has here spent his life. As a young man he secured a situation with the American Car & Foundry Company, with which he has been identified for a period of forty-two years-a remarkable record of continuous and faithful service-and he has the dis- tinction of being the oldest employe of the company. His services are highly valued by the corporation and he has a wide circle of friends in this city. To Mr. and Mrs. Teagan were born four children: William S., a traveling salesman, representing the United States Radiator Company; George H., manager for the firm of Buchanan & Huff, large coal dealers of Detroit; Avery E., adjuster for the Goodyear Tire Company of this city; and J. Howard, of this review.

The last named acquired his education in the graded schools and the Central high school of Detroit and his initial business experience was gained in the specifications and body department of the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, where he remained for two years. He was then transferred to the factory at Buffalo, New York, where he continued to work in the same department for a period of two years, after which he returned to Detroit and became connected with the Hupp Motor Car Company, being

employed in its specifications department for five and a half years. Having thoroughly mastered the details of that branch of the business, he was pro- moted to the position of assistant export manager and is now at the head of this department, having full charge of all exports and shipping. He is well qualified to discharge the important duties which de- volve upon him in this connection, owing to his long identification with automobile interests, and has made many trips abroad as representative for the firm, who place a high valuation upon his services.

In Detroit, on the 4th of January, 1914, Mr. Teagan was united in marriage to Miss Margaret C. Mohr, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Mohr, natives of Buffalo, New York. In his political views Mr. Teagan is a stanch republican and in religious faith he is an Episcopalian. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic and Detroit Automobile Clubs and fraternally is iden- tified with the Masons, belonging to Michigan Sov- ereign Consistory and to the Grotto. In business affairs he has made steady progress, his advancement being due to the fact that he has never been afraid of hard work, while his diligence and close applica- tion have ever been supplemented by unquestioned integrity and reliability. He has never dissipated his energies over a broad field, but has concentrated his attention upon the line of activity which he first entered upon, starting out in life independently, and bis specialized knowledge has gained for him a fore- most position in connection with the automobile in- dustry of Detroit.

THOMAS THEODORE HOLLINGER, a well known figure in real estate and business circles of Detroit, is vice president of the Whitney-Hollinger Company, one of the city's leading real estate firms.

Mr. Hollinger was born in Wayne county, Ohio, March 6, 1855, a son of Joseph and Amanda (Metz- ler) Hollinger, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. The father went to Ohio with his parents when eight years of age and was reared to manhood in Wayne county. He learned the painter's and decorator's trade and followed those pursuits for many years. He specialized in what is known to the trade as graining, a particular branch of the painting business. Eventually, however, he gave up the trade and turned his attention to commercial lines in Detroit, having removed with his family to this city in 1885. Here he continued in mercantile pursuits up to the time of his death; his wife also passed away in this city. Their family numbered five children, three of whom are living: Thomas T .; Mrs. Ida M. Vorce, residing in Cleveland, Ohio; and Mrs. Flora J. Lockard, who makes her home in Detroit.

In early life Thomas T. Hollinger attended the schools of Mansfield, Ohio, and after his textbooks were put aside he devoted his attention to research work and invention, finally resulting in the develop- ment of a product known as a wood-graining material.

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This he manufactured for commercial purposes and his product became widely known and extensively used. He manufactured this wood-graining material in De- troit from the time he secured a patent until 1909, at which date he sold out his interests in the business. He afterward erected several large apartment buildings as a speculative measure and these he subsequently managed and controlled, continuing successfully his operations along that line.

The Whitney-Hollinger Company was organized to subdivide and develop land adjacent to the city of Detroit. This is a Michigan corporation, capitalized at one million dollars, and Mr. Hollinger has been vice president since its organization. This company 's operations have been confined chicfly to development in the Grand River avenue and Bloomfield Hills sec- tions, which activities are of large extent and im- portance. The other officials are: F. J. Whitney, president, who has been for years a partner of Mr. Hollinger; Calvin T. Graves, secretary; and John A. Grogan, United States collector of internal revenue, treasurer. The Whitney-Hollinger offices, on the fourth floor of the Detroit Savings Bank building, are ex- tremely commodious and well appointed. Mr. Hollinger has shown excellent judgment in the valuation of property and marked enterprise in the conduct of his affairs. His success is the legitimate outcome and direct result of the use of these talents.

On the 21st of June, 1881, Mr. Hollinger was mar- ried to Miss Helen L. Hawley of Cleveland, Ohio, daughter of Edwin Hawley of that city. Three chil- dren have been born to them: Ralph H., born in Cleveland in 1887 and educated in the high school of Detroit, is now connected with the Whitney-Hollinger Company. He married Edna Provan of Detroit, and they have one child, Dorothy; Theodora, the second of the family, was born in Evanston, Illinois, was educated in the high school of Detroit and in the Michigan Agricultural College. She is now engaged as teacher of domestic science in the Hamtramck high school; Harold Albert, born in Evanston, Illinois, also attended the Detroit high school and the Mich- igan Agricultural College and is now associated in business with his father. During the World war he was in the service of the government, connected with the entomology department. He married Miss Jessie Hill of Columbia, Missouri, and they reside in Detroit.

CONRAD KELLER. On March 16, 1916, Conrad Keller passed away after more than a half century's connection with building operations in Detroit. As the architect of his own fortunes, too, he builded wisely and well and a genial nature and sterling worth enabled him to surround himself with a large circle of warm friends. He was born in Switzerland, January 14, 1842, his parents being Michael and The- resa (Winga) Keller, both of whom passed away in the land of the Alps, where the father had followed

cabinet-making and farming and was also a vine- yardist.

While spending his youthful days in his native coun- try Conrad Keller pursued a public school education and afterward entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, so that he became a skilled work- man ere he emigrated to America in 1864, attracted by the opportunities of the new world. For a year and a half he was employed as a journeyman carpenter in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and then came to Detroit. For a decade or two he was employed in the line of his trade and then established business on his own account, eventually organizing his interests under the name of the Conrad Keller Company, Incorporated, for the conduct of a general contracting and building busi- ness. It was in 1882 that he made his initial step as an independent contractor and for many years he fig- ured as a leader in his line. He erected many fine residences and substantial business strnetures, and not- withstanding Detroit's marvelous development during the last three or four years, some of the finest build- ings of Detroit still stand as monuments to the labors, ability and enterprise of Conrad Keller. It was on the Ist of January, 1912, that the business was organ- ized and incorporated with Mr. Keller as the presi- dent, Joseph Alfes as vice president and manager, and Clara Keller as secretary and treasurer. The officials of the firm remained unchanged until after the death of Mr. Keller, when Joseph Alfes became president, E. B. Keller, vice president, and C. T. Keller, secretary and treasurer.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Keller in young manhood married Barbara Orth, a native of De- troit, and they became parents of three daughters: Clara; Emma, the wife of John Henk; and Elmira. Mr. Keller and his family were communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Keller belonged to the Detroit Builders and Traders Exchange and also to the Master Carpenters Association. He was widely known for his fairness to his employes as well as his enterprise in business and all who knew him entertained for him high respect. The family home, at 5409 Seminole, is one of the most attractive in that section of the city.

JAMES M. KEENAN is the treasurer of one of the old established business houses of Detroit, that of Keenan & John, devoted to the manufacture of fur- niture, and he is today a recognized authority on high grade furniture in this city. He was born in Detroit, October 18, 1873, and is a brother of Joseph W. Keenan, in connection with whose sketch on an- other page of this work, mention is made of the parents and the family history. He attended the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, and when his text books were put aside, joined his father in the furniture business, his father having been the founder of the well known firm of Keenan & John, now one of the largest manufacturers of and dealers in high grade furniture, and also agents

CONRAD KELLER

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for the Artcraft phonograph in Detroit. James M. Keenan started in a minor position with the house, and worked his way up gradually, thoroughly learning every phase of the business through the various de- partments, until today his opinions carry weight with all who are interested in or are judges of fine furni- ture. He now holds the position of treasurer with the firm, while his brother, Joseph W., is secretary, and both are very active, wide-awake and progressive young business men, popular with the trade. James M. Keenan is also a director of the Detroit Cabinet Company, and in all that he undertakes in commer- cial lines he displays a marked spirit of progressiveness that never stops short of the successful accomplish- ment of his purpose.

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The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 100

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: 1024

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: 1024