USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 102
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George Wadman January was born June 13, 1810, at West Union, Ohio, and died October 16, 1897, at the old homestead. When he was about twenty-one years of age his father moved from a place in Highland county, Ohio, to Greene county, about forty miles northwest of Hillsboro, where he bought eighty acres of heavy timber land which divided the waters of the Scioto and Miami rivers. George assisted his father in the arduous work of improving this land, until the father, a small man by stature and not of rugged physique, broke under the strain and died. The further task of completing the work fell upon George, also the care of the mother and smaller children. The mother died in 1865, at the age of seventy-three. On March 28, 1843, George W. January was married to Mary Sandifore Garnett, the daughter of Colonel Armstead Garnett of "Oak Row" plantation, Buckingham county, Virginia. Colonel Garnett, her father, was a wealthy planter and slave owner of Vir- ginia. As a pioneer of southern Ohio, George Wadman January, the father of William L., was known as a "black abolitionist," being opposed to slavery. The homestead owned by him once formed a part of the underground railway between Kentucky and Canada. William L. January's mother, one of that rare school of innate re- finement belonging to the early planters and families of old Virginia, was given her early education by private tutors upon her father's plantation. She was an expert on horseback riding and in those days only side saddles were permissible for ladies. She was, with her father and brother, able "in the chase." Twice in her early married life she made two trips on horseback over the Blue Ridge mountains and to Ohio-once on a thorough- bred race horse. On one occasion she was thrown from her horse, which became frightened by a deer bounding
around a curve on the top of Blue Ridge. Her views were strictly against slavery and she maintained this attitude from the time she surreptitiously taught the little pickaninnies to read and write until the close of the Civil war. She died October 13, 1888, near James- town, Ohio, and was survived by her devoted husband and three sons: Robert Perry, James Mathias and Wil- liam Louis. She was a cousin of General Garnett, who, while a member of General Robert E. Lee's staff, was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, also was a cousin of General Robert S. Garnett, killed at the battle of Cheat Mountain, and General Garnett, killed at the engage- ment of Roanoke. Upon the father's side of the family, William L. January's relatives were ministers and lawyers. His uncle, the Rev. Benjamin F. January, served in an Ohio regiment. Another uncle, Joseph Houston January, was an attorney at Atlanta, Illinois, during the early settlement of that state. A cousin, John W. January, was a member of an Illinois regiment. The last named was taken prisoner and confined at Ander- sonville prison, suffering from his wounds. Gangrene set in upon his feet and to save his life, he (with the aid of his comrades), amputated both of his feet with a pocket- knife and survived the ordeal. He and the Rev. J. J. Geer obtained release from prison and were to return home, Geer taking charge of his brother on their return.
William L. January, the immediate subject of this sketch, received his early education in the district and high schools of his native county and in 1879 matriculated in the University of Michigan, pursuing an elective course in the literary department. He was later transferred to the law department in 1883, receiving the degree of LL. B. upon his graduation. During his years in the law depart- ment Mr. January formed an association which did much toward giving him the right start in the pursuit of his profession. This was in consequence of his posi- tion during that period as private secretary to ex-Governor Alpheus Felch, then the "Tappan professor" of law in the university. Governor Felch took a kindly interest in the young man and upon the latter's graduation pre- sented him with a letter of recommendation which, in part, stated: "Mr. William L. January, the bearer of this note, is a graduate of the law department of the University of Michigan, where he proved himself a good student, a gentleman of exceptional moral conduct and a zealous devotee to the study of law. My acquaintance- ship with him as a member of the faculty during his entire course in the law department enables me to give this testimony in his favor. As Mr. January is about to establish himself in the practice of his profession, prob- ably among strangers, I take pleasure in recommending him as a gentleman entitled to confidence and regard for his intelligence and moral worth; and I feel confident that his acquirements in the study of the law, his ability, his persevering industry and his love for legal science will secure for him more than ordinary success in his profession."
Mr. January was, in truth, "about to establish himself in the practice of his profession," but where, was another matter. The state of his mother's parentage, Virginia,
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first came to his mind and with this in view he corres- ponded with Alexander Hamilton and J. Randolph Tucker of Virginia. Both of these men advised him to seek a field in the large cities-where his talent might find greater opportunities. Accordingly he chose Detroit, having become acquainted with the city during his university career, and after passing his examination at Ann Arbor for admission to the state bar he came here. Six months after his arrival he entered the practice alone, a status which he has maintained umil thepresent.
Mr. January had not been long in Detroit before public attention was turned in his direction; he acquired very quickly a reputation as a writer upon topics of vital interest to the citizens and their property. Later it was his pen which, attacking the proposed location of the high school building on an undesirable site on the east side of the city, caused the building to be erected at a different and better place. This is cited not as an his- torical fact but as an example of Mr. January's avidity, even as a newcomer, in taking up the live issues of that day. From this time his clientele grew, corporations and individuals sought his counsel and his practice fre- quently brought him not only into the courts of his own state but into the courts of nearby states.
Recognition of his conspicuous ability came in 1896, when he was elected as a representative to the state legislature upon the republican ticket. In the regular session of 1897 Mr. January was the first to bring for- ward a bill providing for the abolishment of the caucus and convention system in elections to public office and the replacement of these with a primary election, which should determine the candidates as the officers them- selves are determined. Mr. January was the only member from Wayne upon the committee on city corporations; he was chairman of the committee on state public schools and a member of the committee on appropriations. All the bills affecting the city of Detroit, with few exceptions, were introduced by him, the majority of which became laws. He introduced and passed the bill protecting the Belle Isle Bridge approach, making it a part of the city's parks. He also introduced a bill to allow the board of public works to contract directly for paving and repair- ing streets, in order to give employment to thousands of laborers, then out of work. This bill passed the house but failed in the senate. He also introduced and passed what is known as the "January Law" for the commence- ment of suits by and against voluntary unincorporated clubs and societies and for the service of process in such cases. This law excited the labor element, created dis- cussion and was declared to be a means to "end boycots," but after the labor unions understood its legal effect they endorsed the law as beneficial to the workingman. Again, as a committeeman upon city corporations, he was able to introduce a very commendable innovation in the proceedings of the Michigan legislature by induc- ing it, with the committee on cities and villages as a joint committee, to go to Detroit and there in the presence of its common council hear the views the citizens desired to express for or against the proposed legislation intended to affect their city. This was a notable accomplishment
of Mr. January while a member of the legislature. He likewise took an active interest in promoting the reduc- tion of taxes and the repeal of the Michigan Central Railroad charter.
The influence of Mr. January as a legislator can be well illustrated by stating that more than fifty per cent of the bills introduced by him became laws upon the statute books of the state. While gifted with oratorical ability, Mr. January wasted no time in useless debate or ornate eloquence; he spoke directly and fearlessly upon whatever question brought him to his feet and in his argument depended chiefly upon logical facts, clearly stated.
Mr. January also rendered notable service to his country in support of the sound money campaign of 1896, his clear comprehension of the issues before the people making him a valuable adviser upon the ques- tion. He became an active worker in the campaign, delivering many enlightening public addresses and also writing largely for the press in response to the public demand for authoritative information upon the subjects under discussion. His article on "University of the Street" during the sound money campaign attracted the attention of many politicians and particularly Pro- fessor C. A. Kent, his old instructor, and was largely the means of establishing the "noonday meeting" in the then unfimished ground floor of the Majestic build- ing, which took the hundreds of idle men off the campus and educated them against Bryan's fallacious scheme of 16 to I. He is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and cooperates heartily in all the plans and projects of that organization.
While a notable figure in the public life of Detroit, those who know Mr. January through his social relations perceive a still different side to his nature. His home life is most attractive. He was married on the 25th of May, 1886, in Shelby, Ohio, to Miss Carrie B. Brucker, daughter of Ferdinand Brucker, well known Michigan lumberman. Mr. and Mrs. January are the parents of one daughter, Marie Margueretta, who graduated under Victor Benham in the Detroit Conservatory of Music, also graduated from the Michigan Conservatory of Music and attended the Oberlin Conservatory. Later she was chosen director of music in the public schools of Dela- ware at Milford that state. Having given up the pur- suit of music on account of ill health, Miss January is trying to build up her health by extensive travel, prin- cipally in the west, and last year was spent mostly in southern California, where she did a little literary work.
Mr. January turns for recreation to outdoor sports and he is a member of the Detroit Yacht Club. He is also identified with many organizations of social merit and others formed to stimulate scientific interest and research. He belongs to the Ohio Society of Detroit, is a member of the University of Michigan Club of Detroit, of the Association Bar of Detroit, Michigan State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, of which he served for seven years as a member of the general council and as vice president, and for a number of years a member of the special com-
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mittee to suggest remedies and propose laws to prevent delay and unnecessary costs in litigation in federal courts, of which committee he was chosen secretary. Mr. January is likewise connected with the International Law Association, L'Institut de Droit Compare of Brus- sels, and with the Loyal Legion of France, receiving membership in the latter while serving in the legislature. In 1904 Mr. January was appointed by the president of the American Bar Association as a delegate from Michigan to the World's Congress of Lawyers and Jurists at St. Louis. Mr. January was also selected by the Detroit and Michigan Bar Associations to write and compile the memorial of John Marshall for the John Marshall day celebration. His biographical treatise upon the late chief justice, to whom he is distantly related, forms an authoritative work. The fact of his relationship as well as close family acquaintance was kept a secret from the committee who chose him to prepare the work, the chair- man of which committee was the late Alfred Russell, nestor of the Detroit bar. When the work was completed it disclosed some theretofore unpublished stories of Justice Marshall which came to Mr. January through his mother and the close family connection, but he modestly omitted to set forth any other connection or relationship.
Mr. January, though in his sixty-ninth year, is vigorous and active as a mau of forty-five and, with well equipped law offices at 12, 13 and 14 Buhl building, is actually engaged in the practice of his profession.
WELLINGTON F. EVANS, of the Standard Screw Products Company of Detroit, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1872, and is a son of Joseph Benjamin and Susan Edith (Denny) Evans, both of whom were natives of Baltimore, Maryland. The father was engaged in the printing and publishing business in Pittsburgh for many years and there passed away. The mother is still a resident of that city.
Wellington F. Evans attended the public schools of Pittsburgh, becoming a high school student and afterward engaging in the manufacturing business as an employe until 1910, when he came to Detroit as representative of the Westinghouse interests of Pittsburgh. Here he was called to the responsible position of general superintendent of the Westinghouse Machine Company and so continued to serve until he resigned with the purpose of becoming one of the organizers of the Metal Products Company. After the latter organization was effected, however, he withdrew and in 1913 founded the Standard Screw Products Com- pany, which at that time was a small concern but has gradually grown until today it is one of Detroit's repre- sentative manufacturing interests, now employing five hundred people. They own their grounds, buildings and equipment and a new structure is now in course of erection, so that further opportunity will be given for the expansion of the business that already has become one of the im- portant productive industries of the city. The officers of the company are: E. E. Keller of Rochester, New York, president; Wellington F. Evans, vice president and general manager; and F. P. Reinhardt, secretary and
treasurer. Mr. Evans is also the vice president of the Hardened Steel Products Company of Detroit and was one of the organizers of the Detroit Auto Bus Company, which has recently inaugurated a system of passenger busses along Woodward and Jefferson avenues, with the purpose of installing five hundred busses in the service along the principal thoroughfares of Detroit. These busses are similar to those in use along Fifth Avenue in New York.
On the 3d of November, 1903, Mr. Evans was married to Miss Edith Leslie Williams of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of the Hon. Nathan S. Williams, United States district attorney of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a granddaughter of Judge Gerdis Williams, a judge of the United States supreme court. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have become parents of two children: John Alden, born in Pittsburgh in 1904; and Barbara, born in 1911. Both are now attending school in Detroit.
Mr Evans is a Master Mason and is recognized as a loyal follower of the craft. He belongs to the Detroit Club, the Bloomfield Hills Golf Club and the Oakland Hills Country Club and in outdoor life and sports finds his recreation and enjoyment. His position as a business man is most enviable and commendable. He started out in life empty-handed and through ambition, progressive methods and energy that never flags has worked his way upward until he occupies a place in the foremost ranks of the manufacturers of Detroit.
GEORGE M. HEINRICH. It was not necessity but ambition that caused George M. Heinrich to start out early in the business world to earn his living by selling newspapers. Later he became interested in printing, served an apprenticeship to the trade and through the intervening years has steadily worked his way upward until he is now active in the control and ownership of the business carried on under the name of the Wayne Printing Company in Detroit, his native city. Of this company he is the secretary and treasurer and is taking a helpful part in the successful management of the enterprise. He was born August 31, 1867, a son of Carl F. T. and Amelia (Weber) Heinrich, who were natives of Berlin, Germany, and came to America in 1848. Most loyal to his adopted land, the father enlisted for service in the Civil war, doing Home Guard duty. He afterward be- came established in the floral and horticultural business in Detroit and was one of the most successful florists of the city. Here he passed away in the '90s, while his wife died in 1891. There were eight children in their family, of whom only three are living.
George M. Heinrichs attended the public and high schools of Detroit and it was his desire to become a money maker that led him to engage in selling newspapers. After a short time, however, he decided to learn a trade and entered upon an apprenticeship to the printing business with the Charles M. Rosseau Printing Company, with which he continued until 1901, when he became superintendent and director of the Curtis Advertising Company, having in the meantime gained a thorough
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and comprehensive knowledge of the printing business. He remained with the Curtis people until July 26, 1913, when he became financially interested in the Wayne Printing Company, one of the oldest printing concerns in Detroit. He has been chosen secretary, treasurer and manager of this business, which is a general printing and binding business, in which twelve people are employed, while the plant is thoroughly modern in its equipment and the output is entirely satisfactory to a large patronage.
On the 6th of August, 1890, Mr. Heinrich was married to Miss Anna L. Teed, of Detroit, a daughter of James Jefferson and Katherine (Leary) Teed, the former a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Waterford, Ireland, whence she came to the United States in early life and in Detroit was married. The father was a well known shoe dealer and manufacturer of Detroit for many years. Mrs. Heinrich was educated in the public schools of this city, being a graduate of the Capital high school, and she is connected with many of the leading women's clubs and organizations of the city, being a member of the Northwestern Woman's Club, of the King's Daughters, of Wayne Chapter, No. 136, O. E. S., and of various other organizations formed for uplift work and for the support of high civic interests and standards. She also occupies an enviable social position. To Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich have been born two children: Kenneth Warren, born September 2, 1893, was graduated from the Detroit high school and the University of Michigan, where he studied architectural engineering. During his college days he was a leader in athletics and excelled in handball and football. He also organized the Seventh and Eighth Michigan Students Naval Militia and turned over two well drilled companies to the state. In January, 1917, he was detailed as an ensign to deliver these two com- panies over to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station near Chicago, which he did, and was then made executive officer of these two organizations. His next assignment was as assistant quartermaster at Camp Paul Jones and later he was promoted to commissary officer. He after- ward had charge of aviation and installation of hangars at the Great Lakes Training Station and this was followed by promotion to the rank of quartermaster for Camp Ross. He was also one of the three officers of the day at Camp Ross. Subsequently he was transferred to the Phila- delphia navy yard as assistant superintendent of machine division and was next made a first lieutenant on board the United States battleship Iowa. He served all during the submarine raids and after the armistice was declared he was transferred to the Philadelphia navy yard as senior naval lieutenant of corps naval construction. After receiving his discharge he secured a position with the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation as head of the cancellation department and is now assistant to the technical manager at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Howard C. Heinrich, the younger son, born June 7, 1901, in Detroit, pursued his education in the public schools and in the University of Michigan, entering the latter in September, 1920, after completing his course in the Northwest high
school of Detroit. He has been prominent in athletic circles and particularly a leader in basket ball and football.
Mr. and Mrs. George M. Heinrich are members of the Protestant Episcopal church and he is well known in connection with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Ashlar Lodge, No. 91, A. F. & A. M .; King Cyrus Chapter, No. 133, R. A. M .; and Detroit Commandery No. 1, K. T. He likewise belongs to Detroit Lodge, No. 34, B. P. O. E., and is a member of the Vortex Club. His entire life has been passed in this city and his business course has been marked by steady progress, leading to substantial success. The sterling worth of his character, moreover, is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time and have witnessed his entire career.
ELMER H. DEARTH. Initiative and enterprise have been salient features in the business career of Elmer H. Dearth from the outset, and resulted in his organiz- ing, in 1915, the General Casualty & Surety Company of Detroit, a corporation writing general casualty insurance, fidelity and surety bonds, and the first Michigan insurance company to conduct a general bonding business. The story of Elmer H. Dearth is an interesting one of steady progression. Mr. Dearth was born at Sangerville, Maine, June 6, 1859, his parents being Henry Leonard and Mary B. (Drake) Dearth. He is the only one of his name in Detroit. The patronymic indicates his French ancestry and the name was originally D'Arth. Representatives of the family came to America in 1740, first settling in Maryland.
In the acquirement of his education Elmer H. Dearth completed a high school course and then attended Foxcroft Academy of Maine, from which he was graduated in 1879. He turned his attention to the profession of teaching, which he followed in 1879-80 and in the latter year became engaged in newspaper work on the Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, spend- ing two years in that connection. He has been identi- fied with the middle west since 1883, in which year he removed to St. Paul, Minnesota. From 1884 until 1886 he was manager and editor of the Henderson (Minn.) Independent and from 1886 until 1891 pub- lished and edited the LeSeuer News. He first became interested in insurance in 1889, when he was appointed deputy insurance commissioner of Minnesota by Gover- nor Merriam, occupying that position for three years, at the end of which time he resigned his office to be- come a representative of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York. In 1897 he entered upon a two years' term as insurance commissioner of Minnesota through appointment of Governor Clough and in 1899 he became president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. In January, 1901, he was again appointed insurance commissioner of Minnesota, Governor Van Sant making the appointment, and was reappointed in 1903. With his retirement from the office in 1905 he established a general insurance
ELMER H. DEARTH
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agency at St. Paul and condneted business in that connection until 1912, when he came to Detroit and organized the Michigan Workmen's Compensation Mutual Insurance Company, of which he became secre- tary and general manager. Three years passed in that connection, at the end of which time he organized the General Casualty & Surety Company, of which he has been president since its organization. There is no phase of the insurance business with which Mr. Dearth is not thoroughly familiar, so that he is able to speak with authority upon all vital questions relat- ing thereto.
On the 26th of June, 1889, was celebrated the mar- riage of Elmer H. Dearth and Miss Nellie G. Doran of St. Paul, Minnesota, and to them have been born four children: Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. Fred E. B. Foley of St. Panl, Minnesota; Josephine, the wife of Major Samuel G. Rae of New York city; Maurice E., who died in infancy; and Michael D., who was graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, with the 1920 class and is now an ensign in the navy.
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