USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 106
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Mr. Wheeler is a thirty-second degree Mason. He is widely known as the organizer of Acacia fraternity, which he formed in the University of Michigan and which is now connected with thirty-two colleges throughout the country. He was elected its first president and also became the first national president. He was likewise instrumental in acquiring the property of the fraternity at Ann Arbor and was one of the first trustees there. Along professional lines he is connected with the Michigan Bar Association and the Detroit Bar Association and with the Lawyers Club. Fraternally he belongs to the Wood- men of the World and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, while in political belief he is a republican. Mr. Wheeler started out in life as have hundreds of others who are now successful business and professional men, by selling papers. Such a course is often indicative of the spirit of the American boy, who early learns that this is a land of opportunity and uses his chances to gain a start in the business world. Steadily Mr. Wheeler has advanced as the years have passed, prompted always by a laudable ambition and never stopping short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose.
WALTER GEHRKE, engaged in the real estate business as president of the Walter Gehrke Company, is a native son of Iowa, although his boyhood and youth were largely passed in Detroit, where he attended the public schools until he had completed the work of the grades and then continued his education in the Central high school and afterward in the Detroit College of Law. During this period he was spending his days under the roof of his parents Rev. August L. and Aurelia (Klein- smith) Gehrke, his father being now a retired minister of the German Evangelical church. The parents were ambitious for the son to enjoy good educational. oppor- tunities, and Walter Gehrke continued his studies until he reached the point of graduation with the class of 1912, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. He afterwards pursued a special course in real estate law at the University of Michigan. While thus engaged he was handling real estate and as soon as he completed his legal studies he embarked in that business and began to operate as a real estate dealer before the big boom in realty values in Detroit. During this initial period he thoroughly acquainted himself with all the property upon the market and for that reason has been remarkably successful. He has negotiated many important realty transfers so that he is classed today as one of the big men in real estate circles in Detroit. He was first associated
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with F. C. Shipman and afterwards with B. F. Stephenson, and later he became one of the organizers of the Gherke & Jensen Company, of which he is now the president. Still further extending the scope of his efforts he formed the Walter Gehrke Company, of which he is likewise the president. He also fills the presidency of the Plymouth Avenue Subdivision Company and the Cheyenne Avenue Land Company. He is connected with the Bloomfield Farms Company as its secretary and is interested in all classes of real estate, both vacant and improved. His long experience and close study enable him to speak with authority upon Detroit's property, its values and the possibilities of purchase and sale. Although but twenty- nine years of age he is today one of the prominent figures in real estate circles in Detroit and has advanced to his present enviable position through his industry and ability.
In 1917 Mr. Gehrke was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Ransford of Cairo, Michigan. He gives his political support to the republican party, which he has endorsed since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is interested in everything that pertains to the city's welfare and progress, and loyalty to any cause which he espouses has always been one of his marked characteristics. He displayed patriotic devotion to his country after America's entrance into the World war, enlisting as a private. He was stationed for a time at Camp Custer, Michigan, and then transferred to Camp Reid, Virginia, and later to Camp Bowie, Texas, and was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant four months after he joined the army. He is now a member of Charles A. Larned Post of the American Legion. He belongs also to the Masonic fraternity as a member of Corinthian Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He is likewise a member of the Board of Commerce and belongs to the Real Estate Board, so that he keeps in touch with the trend of business progress, not only along the specific line in which he is active but in all that has to do with the trade relations of Detroit at large. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the Oakland Hills Golf Club and the Detroit Yacht Club and his membership in these organizations also indicates much concerning the nature of his recreation and diversion.
THAD. EMORY LELAND is one of the best known real estate men in Detroit, where for more than a decade he has been prominently identified with that line of business activity. He was born in Northfield township, Washtenaw county, Michigan, June 11, 1871, a son of Emory Ezra and Sarah Catharine (Sawyer) Lelaud, and comes from one of the most highly re- spected families in that section of the state. The father is a resident of Ann Arbor and is now serving his fourth term as probate judge of Washtenaw coun- ty, while the mother is deceased.
Thad E. Leland was born and reared on a farm and completed his education by a literary course in the University of Michigan. He had previously de- voted two years to teaching in the district schools
and subsequently for one and one-half years was a teacher in the Kirkwood Military Academy at Kirk- wood, Missouri. During his college days he had volun- teered for missionary service in connection with the Methodist church and in that line of duty spent four and one-half years in Cuba. This was during the restoration period, following the Spanish-American war, under General Leonard Wood. Mr. Leland reached Cuba at the beginning of the American oc- cupaney and while there he organized and established Candler College, named in honor of Bishop Warren A. Candler of Georgia. This educational institution is now in a flourishing condition. It is fully equipped with both American and Spanish teachers and in ad- dition to the college course a primary course is also maintained. Candler College is located at Puentes Grandes, a suburb of Havana, and the student body is composed entirely of native Cubans. In later years the Southern Methodist Episcopal church built a me- morial edifice in honor of Mr. Leland's mother, Sarah Catharine (Sawyer) Leland. The structure stands on grounds adjacent to the college buildings.
While in Cuba, Mr. Leland became a victim of yel- low fever and when convalescent he returned to the United States, locating in Detroit, where he entered the Hannan real estate office. After a year spent in that connection he began handling property for De- Witt H. Taylor and later he formed a partnership with Thomas H. Sherwood, a connection that was maintained until April, 1912, when Mr. Leland pur- chased his partner's interest in the business and has since been operating as an individual. He has de- veloped and put upon the market a number of im- portant subdivisions, including Leland Heights, Leland Highlands, Leland-Dodge, Fair Oaks and Aqua Park, one of the Royal Oak subdivisions. He is also in- terested in the Stevenson-Leland Land Company and the Stevenson Land Company, besides having various other business projects. Mr. Leland's high standing among his contemporaries is best shown by the honors that have come to him from the representative or- ganizations of real estate men in both local and na- tional circles.
In 1915 he was secretary of the Detroit Real Estate Board, while in 1916 he was vice president and in 1917 was president and in 1918 and 1919 was a mem- ber of the executive committee of that organization. In 1917 and 1918 he served as a member of the ex- ecutive committee of the National Association of Real Estate Dealers. There is no phase of the real estate business with which Mr. Leland is not thor- oughly familiar and he has at all times been actuated by a most progressive spirit that has been manifest in his alertness, his enterprise and his initiative. He has been successful, at the same time has established a reputation for clean, straightforward business meth- ods and commercial integrity that is not surpassed by any firm or individual in Detroit realty circles.
In 1899 Mr. Leland was married to Miss Agnes W.
THAD E. LELAND
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Pfeifle and they have become the parents of four daughters and a son: Sarah Catharine; Frances Dor- othy; Marion Agnes; Adah Jeanette; and Thad Emory, Jr., who was born in Birmingham, January 22, 1914. The family home for more than ten years has been in Birmingham.
Mr. Leland belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Golf Club, the Oakland Hills Golf Club and the Shoepae Outing Club. He is also a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and has served on various committees of that organization. In his fraternal relations he is a thirty-second degree Scot- tish Rite Mason. He holds membership in the Bir- mingham Methodist Episcopal church and is a member of the executive committee of the Methodist Union of Detroit. For a number of years he has been a mem- ber of the executive committee of the state Young Men's Christian Association and in 1918 acted as Y. M. C. A. secretary at Camp Custer, also as state edu- eational secretary for the Y. M. C. A. during the ac- tivities of the S. A. T. C. Mr. Leland was finally asked to become a member of the executive board of the Students Christian Association at the Uni- versity of Michigan and is at present a member of that board. He is a life member of the Michigan Union by virtue of financial aid in building the home for the Union at Ann Arbor.
As will be seen, Mr. Leland's activities have by no means been confined to business pursuits or with the object of pecuniary gain. The effect and influence of his work have not only been far-reaching but offer unmistakable evidence of his value as a citizen. He takes a great interest in the community and in the country and in public affairs in general. Someone has said of him: "He is typically American in his energy, versatility and success and he also has a dis- tinct personality of his own. He is a live wire with a benign voltage."
LOUIS A. RABAUT. There is scarcely a resident of Detroit to whom the name of Louis A. Rabaut has not been familiar for many years Through four decades he was an active factor in business circles here and for an extended period conducted a wholesale business in fire- works, flags, toys, dolls and novelties at 117 East Congress street. Progressiveness characterized all that he under- took and his persistency of purpose and well directed energy brought to him substantial success.
Mr. Rabaut was born in Detroit, January 23, 1862, and was a representative of one of the oldest Belgian families of this city, his parents being Charles P. and Palmyra (Prengiers) Rabaut, who were the parents of four children. The father was a surveyor and followed that vocation until he organized the business that was long carried on by his son and which was first established as a partner- ship affair under the style of Rabaut & Dingman. Ma- . dame Rabaut was equally well known in mercantile circles of Detroit, conducting an exclusive lace shop, carrying an extensive line of fine laces. The family was
established in Detroit just prior to the Civil war and has since been represented here.
After acquiring his education in Detroit schools, Louis A. Rabaut started out in the business world, and turning his attention to the manufacture of fireworks and flags, of toys, dolls and novelties, he built up a business of gratifying and extensive proportions. For some time he carried on the business in the same building in which his mother conducted her lace shop. In fact he was associated with his mother in the conduct of that business until 1895, when he turned his attention to the line that later claimed his energies and which under his direction was developed into a business of extensive proportions. For many years the house had no competition and for a long period furnished favors, toys and decorations for virtually all the large banquets, parties and social functions of the city, while the city's fireworks for the celebration of the Fourth of July were also largely sold by this house.
Mr. Rabaut was married twice. He first wedded Miss Clara Leann, and to them were born two children: Louis C., born December 5, 1886; and Marie C., who is now a member of the order of Sisters of Charity and is known as Sister Marie Celeste. The wife and mother passed away January 16, 1890, and Mr. Rabaut afterward wedded Mary M. Humphrey of Buffalo, New York, who was born October 17, 1875. They became parents of the following named: Palmyra M., who also joined the order of Sisters of Charity; Charles P .; Mary Louise; Paul; Dolores; Joseph; Marguerite Mary; John C .; and Bernard.
Mr. Rabaut- was a devout member of the Catholic church, of which his family are also faithful adherents. He did everything in his power to advance the work of the church and was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, which he joined on its organization. He was also the treasurer of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and he and his father were the only two treasurers of this charitable organization from its inception until the death of Louis A. Rabaut. The interests and activities of his life brought him a wide acquaintance and wherever he was known he was held in high esteem because of his fidelity to his principles and his close adherence to ad- vanced standards of manhood and citizenship.
F. HENRY WURZER. The firm of Wurzer & Wurzer is well known in legal circles of Detroit, the partners being lawyers of pronounced ability, who have successfully handled much important litigation. F. Henry Wurzer was born in Detroit, December 17, 1876, his parents being Carl and Theresa (Kuhn) Wurzer, who were born on the other side of the Atlantic and came to America in 1870, settling in Detroit, where later the father engaged in the dry goods business but is now living retired. The mother also survives and they have a wide acquaintance in Detroit, where they have long made their home. In their family were three sons: F. Henry; L. C., who is associated with his brother in the firm of Wurzer & Wurzer; and Edward C., who is division engineer with the Michigan Central Railway Company at Detroit.
F. Henry Wurzer was a public school pupil in Detroit,
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passing through consecutive grades to the high school, while later he entered the University of Indiana. He was graduated therefrom in 1898 with the Bachelor of Arts degree, having completed the more specifically classical course, and in 1899 he gained the LL. B. degree upon the completion of a course in law. For a short time he engaged in practice in Detroit and then removed to South Bend, Indiana, where he followed his profession for fourteen years. He was also a prominent figure in the political circles of that state and served on the republi- can state central committee, also becoming a nominee for the office of attorney general in Indiana on the republican ticket. He was defeated, however, in the general election of 1913. Later Mr. Wurzer returned to Detroit, where he has since successfully followed his profession, being asso- ciated with his brother, L. C. Wurzer, under the firm style of Wurzer & Wurzer. He is a discriminating student, possessing intimate and comprehensive knowl- edge of the principles of jurisprudence, and he is seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of these principles. He belongs to the Detroit, the Michigan State and the American Bar Associations and aside from his professional interests he is a director in several worthwhile business enterprises and real estate companies of the city.
On the 20th of November, 1901, Mr. Wurzer was married to Miss Katherine Banderhoff of South Bend, Indiana, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. Banderhoff. Four children were born of this marriage: F. Henry, Jr., who was born in South Bend in 1903, and is now attending school in Detroit; Beatrice, who was born in South Bend in 1904; Rosemary, who was born in South Bend in 1908; and Lincoln, born in Detroit in 1913.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Wurzer is identified with the Knights of Columbus. He helongs also to the Detroit Boat Club and to the Detroit Athletic Club and his personal qualities are such as make for popularity among his many friends, while in business circles his course has ever commanded for him the respect and confidence of those who know him.
PRESCOTT GEORGE BROWN, president of Mason L. Brown & Son, civil engineers, was born in Detroit, February 4, 1891, and while one of the younger repre- sentatives of the business circles of Detroit, he has made for himself a creditable position that indicates that his future career will be well worth observing. His parents were Mason L. and Mary (Vanier) Brown, the father born in Perry, Maine, and the mother in New York city. In 1888 Mason L. Brown came to Detroit and here resided until the time of his death, which occurred in July, 1918, when he was fifty-three years of age. Throughout the intervening period he ranked as one of the leading civil engineers of the city. His widow survives and still resides in Detroit. Their family numbered four children: Leslie T., Marie, Christine and Prescott G., all of Detroit.
Prescott George Brown, the eldest of the family, was graduated from the high school of Detroit with
the class of 1909 and then entered the University of Michigan, where he won his Civil Engineer degree upon graduation with the class of 1914. He entered business life as an associate of his father, Mason L. Brown, and this connection was continued until the father's death. He then succeeded to the presidency of the company and has done important work through the intervening period, specializing in municipal con- tracts, including sewer paving and water systems, also suburban development and city planning. The com- pany is now engineers for the city of Wyandotte, also the village of Ford, the village of Grosse Pointe and Grosse Pointe Shores. It makes surveys and does general engineering work, employing about thirty people. Mr. Brown and his brother, Leslie, are sole proprietors of the business, which is still conducted under the old firm style of Mason L. Brown & Son.
Prescott George Brown resides with his mother at No. 5442 Second avenue, and theirs is one of the most attractive homes in that section of the city. During the World war he served as captain of engineers with the American Expeditionary Forces, and was two years in the service, ten months of which were spent over- seas. Mr. Brown is a member of the Delta Tau Delta, a college fraternity, also of the Detroit Engineering Society, the Detroit Board of Commerce and the Detroit Real Estate Board. He is likewise well known in club circles through his membership in the Loch- moor Country, Meadowbrook Country and Oakland Hills Country Clubs, and his social qualities have won for him many warm friends. Moreover, he is regarded as one of the representative young business men of Detroit, and while he entered into business with his father, he has been connected with a profession in which individual merit, ability and knowledge must constitute the basis of success.
DR. HENRY K. LATHROP occupied a position of prominence in connection with the dental profession in Detroit and had not a little to do with shaping legis- lation relative to the profession in the state of Michigan. He was born in Oregon, Michigan, December 27, 1847, and was a son of Henry K. and Elizabeth (Abbott) Lathrop, whose family numbered four children. Through- out his life Dr. Lathrop remained a resident of Michigan. He determined upon the practice of dentistry as a life work and with that end in view he matriculated in the Cincinnati College of Dental Surgery, from which he was in due course of time graduated. He then entered upon active practice and located at Detroit, soon taking rank among the leading members of the profession in the city. Dr. Lathrop felt the keenest concern as to stabilizing the profession and advancing the standards under which representatives of dentistry work. To this end he took an active part in formulating and securing the passage of laws having to do with dental practice and in this way he did much to promote professional ideals.
In June, 1871, Dr. Lathrop was united in marriage to
PRESCOTT G. BROWN
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Miss Mary W. Gillette, a daughter of Rufus Woodward Gillette, and to them were born three sons: Rufus G., whose birth occurred April 7, 1872, is now a prominent attorney of Detroit; Kirke, born September 12, 1873, is engaged in railroad building, conducting an extensive business of that character; and Charles G., whose birth occurred April 5, 1880, is engaged in manufacturing. He saw service in the United States army during the World war, being connected with aircraft production with the rank of captain.
Dr. Lathrop was a member of the Congregational church, to which his family belongs. His political en- dorsement was given to the republican party, but never did he seek or desire political office. He had member- ship, however, with the various dental societies and through their proceedings kept in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress in the field of dentistry. He continued in active practice to the time of his demise, which occurred April 24, 1916. All who knew him entertained for him warm regard, for his life measured up to advanced standards. He was the possessor of many of those qualities which men admire and which make for honorable manhood and citizenship.
MAJOR FREDERICK DANA STANDISH, a very successful business man of Detroit, with a notable record in connection with the army and the navy, is perhaps best known by reason of his championship as an oars- man, having engaged in more than two hundred rowing races, long holding the American championship. For fifty-three years he has rowed on the Detroit river, and while it has been many years since he has engaged in racing he yet clings to the sport as a source of health, recreation and keen enjoyment. Michigan is proud to number him among her native sons. His birth occurred in Rome, November 15, 1852, and in the public schools of Detroit he pursued his early education, while later he attended the Mount Pleasant Military Academy of Peekskill, New York. Following his return home he became associated with his father in business in Detroit, and spent several years in that connection. He was later identified with the wholesale hardware trade as representative of several Detroit houses, and afterwards assisted in organizing the Detroit Seating Company and was its treasurer until the company sold out to the trust. His next step in the business world was in connection with the organization of the Kurtz Paper Box Company, of which he remained the treasurer for twenty-four years, and contributed largely towards making this one of the successful business enterprises of the city. Since his retirement therefrom he has given his attention to real estate and speculative building, has erected a large num- ber of houses for workmen and in this way has done much for the development and progress of the city.
Mr. Standish was married to Miss Carrie Hubbard, and they have become parents of two sons, William Colburn and Sherwood Hubbard.
Mr. Standish is a splendid type of American manhood and citizenship and he comes from a family that is dis-
tinctively American in its lineal and collateral branches through many generations. He is a direct descendant in the eighth generation from Miles Standish, and a great grandson of Samuel Standish, who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His parents were the Rev. John D. and Emily (Darron) Standish, and to their early training he attributes not a little of his success in later years. Like his ancestors he was ever ready to render military aid to his country. and became a charter member of the Michigan Naval Reserve, with which he was identified for seventeen years. He served in the Spanish-American war on the Yosemite and was in command of the Mid-State Naval Militia for eleven years. He also had command of the United States ship Yantic for five years and of the Don Juan de Austria for two years. He has been senior commander of the National Association of Spanish War Veterans, and for ten years he was a member of Governor Warner's staff and for ten years a member of the Michigan State Mili- tary Board. During the World war he was a major of the Fifty-third Regiment of Infantry (Reserve). He belongs to the Mayflower Society, to the Sons of the Revolution, to the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is a life member, to the Detroit Club, the Old Club of the Flats, the Detroit Curling Club and the Detroit Boat Club.
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