The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 11

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 11

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).

Richard Henry Connor attended the public schools of Grosse Pointe but put aside his textbooks when quite young, the conditions of frontier life necessitat- ing his work on the farm. He began farming at the Connor place on Connor's Creek and there he continued until within ten years of his death. As the country became more and more thickly settled the land nat-

urally rose in value and prosperity attended the efforts of Mr. Connor, who in the later years of his life made his home in Detroit, his financial interests being represented by valuable real estate.

On the 30th of August, 1841, Richard H. Connor was married to Theresa St. Aubin, a daughter of Bo- salique St. Aubin, and they became parents of three children: Richard; Frank; and Marie Elizabeth, the wife of Charles G. Moran.

Following the death of his first wife Richard H. Connor wedded Catherine Rivard, who was born in Strassburg, Alsace-Lorraine, January 27, 1818, and came to this country when seven years of age with her parents. She was about sixteen or seventeen when she became the wife of Charles Rivard, by whom she had five children, three of whom were living at the time of her death: M. J. and Abel Rivard of Detroit; and Theodore of Muskegon. Soon after Cath- erine Rivard became the wife of Richard H. Connor they located on the old homestead at Connor's Creek and there Mrs. Connor continued to reside until her death in 1894. By her second marriage she became the mother of eight children, the first two being twins: Celia, wife of James Fisher; and Cornelia, wife of Richard Long; Josephine, wife of L. H. Lancashire; William J .; Rose, wife of Franklin C. St. Aubin; Augustus P., who is mentioned below; Delia, wife of Gilbert Moran; and Ida, wife of Phillip Beaubien. At the time of her death one of the Detroit papers spoke of her as a "truly excellent Christian woman whose death occasioned the most poignant sorrow among her numerous relatives and friends in this city." An- other paper said: "Mrs. Connor was an ideal wife and mother, and although the children she raised constituted three families, yet her fond, motherly heart knew no favoritism, and all shared alike the bounty of a mother's love. * * * She was much given to charity and great hospitality. She possessed the happy faculty of making her guests completely at home, and no one ever applied to her for assistance in vain. She was a free giver to many of the notable charities of the city, especially the Little Sisters of the Poor and St. Vincent's orphan asylum."

The religious faith of the Connor family has always been that of the Catholic church. Richard H. Con- nor was a member of the old St. Anne's parish at Bates and Larned streets and drew the stone and aided in building the first church. He afterward joined the parish of Our Lady of Help and was buried from St. Joachim's church, when on the 10th of August, 1903, he was called to the Home beyond. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he was once a justice of the peace at Grosse Pointe. He also represented his district in the state legislature for one term. In all that af- fected the welfare, progress and development of the city and state in which he lived he was keenly inter- ested and cooperated in many plans and measures for the general good. His activities were of great

CITY OF DETROIT

breadth, contributing to the material, social and moral progress of the community in which he lived. Notable were the changes which occurred during his lifetime and his memory formed a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. So closely is the family name associated with the early settlement of this section of the state and so active have been the members of the family in promoting the work of upbuilding that no history of Detroit would be complete without ex- tended reference to the honored subject of this memoir.

WILLIAM J. CONNER, a well known representa- tive of a prominent pioneer family of Wayne county, was born in Detroit, November 18, 1853, his parents being Richard H. and Catherine (Bour-Rivard) Con- nor, mention of whom is made above. He acquired his early education in the public schools near his father's home and afterward attended the Sandwich College of Ontario, Canada, and also the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Detroit. He started upon his business career as a general merchant at Muskegon, being associated with his brother, Augus- tus P., under the name of A. P. Conner & Company, and afterward was engaged in the same line of busi- ness at Ashland, Michigan. For many years he con- dueted his store, carefully and wisely directing his business affairs until about fifteen years ago, when he retired from active business, save for the manage- ment of his real estate interests, which are exten- sive and important, the rise in property values bring- ing him a most gratifying annual income.

In 1891 Mr. Conner was united in marriage to Mrs. Ida M. (Hill) Harding, a native of Maine, and they have two children: Mrs. Winogene Kirsten of De- troit; and Arthur of Seattle, Washington. While De- troit had passed beyond the earliest point of primitive pioneer development when W. J. Conner entered upon the scene of earthly activities, he has nevertheless been a witness of the growth and progress of the city through sixty-seven years and the stories of the early days, as related by his father, and his experi- ences through more than six decades, have made him thoroughly familiar with the history of Detroit and its steady development into a great metropolitan center.

Augustus P. Conner, youngest son of Richard Henry Connor, was born in Detroit on September 30, 1858, and received his education in the public schools of his native city. He entered on a business career in mercantile lines in Detroit and in 1882 went to Mus- kegon, Michigan, where he established the mercantile firm of A. P. Conner & Company. He continued his business operations very successfully in Muskegon until 1907, when he went to British Columbia, where he was engaged principally in the lumber business until 1917, when he retired and now resides at Har- per, Washington. He married Louise Spitzley, daugh-

ter of Henry and Margaret Spitzley of Detroit, and their children are: Mrs. L. H. Walker of Muskegon, Michigan; Mrs. F. M. Gray of Detroit; Mrs. L. B. Denton of Oakland, California; Ruth J. and Richard H. at home.

Richard H. Conner of the above family voluntarily enlisted in the United States army in 1916, before his country entered the World war, and received a com- mission as first lieutenant at the Presidio, San Fran- cisco. He was in the field artillery branch of the service and saw two years service in France, partici- pating in a number of the great battles fought by the American troops. He was en route to Europe on the ill-fated transport "Tuscania," which was tor- pedoed by the Germans, and he left a sick bed to take to the boats.

COLONEL JULIUS F. HENKEL, M. D., deceased, who was known as one of the foremost physicians and surgeons of Michigan, spent his life in Detroit, where his birth occurred January 26, 1876. His par- ents were Peter and Julis (Nordhorst) Henkel, na- tives of Germany. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Henkel were six children, of whom three sons and two daughters are living.

The early educational opportunities enjoyed by Dr. Henkel were a select school at Saratoga Springs, New York, and a private school at Marburg, Germany, while later he continued his studies in the University of Michigan and completed his course in the medical department. He afterward became a student in the University of Heidelberg, and took postgraduate work in Berlin and Vienna, and throughout his professional career he read broadly, keeping in touch with the advanced research and scientific investigation of the members of the medical profession. His con- stantly developing ability brought him to prominence as a physician and surgeon and he was a valued member of the Wayne County, Michigan State and American Medical Associations.

For many years Dr. Henkel took a most active and helpful interest in the Michigan National Guard, which he joined as a private in 1891. He won successive promotions and rose steadily until he became first commanding officer of what later was known as the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Ambulance Company attached to the Forty-second division. With this com- mand he held the rank of lieutenant colonel and at one time he was president of the Detroit Light In- fantry.

On the 20th of April, 1900, Dr. Henkel was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Lichtenberg, a daughter of Christian Lichtenberg, also a native of Germany. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which Dr. Henkel also belonged. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and while never an aspirant for office he gave loyal support to its principles. About 1907 Dr. Henkel had a fall from a horse and the injuries thus sustained rendered him

CITY OF DETROIT

an invalid throughout his remaining days. His death occurred July 23, 1919. A lifelong resident of Detroit, he had a wide acquaintance in this city, where his friends were legion and by reason of his ability in his profession he ranked with the leading physicians and surgeons not only of the city but of the state. Mrs. Henkel now resides at 118 South Gramercy place, Los Angeles, California.

HARRY J. HEIDEN. In the younger generation of Detroit business men Harry J. Heiden, a real estate dealer, has won a creditable place. He was born in Monroe, Michigan, July 31, 1886, a son of John C. and Sarah C. (Brost) Heiden. The father was of European birth but came to America in his twelfth year, settling at Monroe, Michigan, where he attended school, and after reaching adult age, was married and engaged in farming, being still numbered among the successful agriculturists of that section of the state. His wife was born at Oak Harbor, Ohio, but their marriage was celebrated in Michigan, where they are now well known, having won many warm friends in the county in which they reside. They became the parents of four children, the others beside Harry J. being: Alvin G., a resident of Monroe, Michigan; John F. and Kathryn, also of Monroe.

In early life Harry J. Heiden attended the district schools and afterward the Monroe high school, while still later he was a student in the Monroe Business College, from which he was graduated in 1904. He then came to Detroit, and for seven months was with the S. S. Kresge Company. He afterward accepted clerical work with the Parke-Davis Company, but a little later entered the office of the J. &. T. Hurley Coal Company, with whom he continued for several years, after which he was for a period connected with the Pittsburgh Shafting Company, but subsequently renewed his association with the J. & T. Hurley Coal Company. Later he was connected with the Kirby- Sorge-Felske Company, in a clerical capacity. He rose to the position of secretary and director of the company and continued with them for five years. In March, 1919, feeling that his broad experience and knowledge fully justified the step, he organized the real estate firm of Heiden-Mann Realty Company and began handling property on his own account. A little later he purchased the interest of his partner, and has since successfully conducted the real estate busi- ness, having now a large number of satisfied patrons, for whom he has carried on various realty negotia- tions and transfers. He is also a director and the treasurer and manager of the Wolverine Home Build- ing Company, and is thus identified with the building operations of the city, whereby many vacancies have been transformed into beautiful residential districts. He closely studies the real estate market and is thor- oughly acquainted with valuations and everything that has to do with real estate activity in Detroit.

On the 26th of March, 1908, Mr. Heiden was mar-

ried to Miss Julia McDonald of Detroit, and they have become parents of three children: Delbert J., who was born on March 6, 1910, in Detroit; Harriet K., born in 1917; and Lois N., born in 1919. Mr. Heiden is a member of the Detroit Board of Com- merce, is identified with the Masonic fraternity in which he has taken the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, the Knights Templar degrees, and has also become a member of the Mystic Shrine. He like- wise belongs to the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, and in these various membership connections are indicated the interests and activities of his life. Along business lines he has connection with the Detroit Real Estate Board.

WILLIAM E. SCHAEFER, vice president of Owen & Company, dealers in furniture, carpets and stoves, is a prominent figure in commercial circles of the city and the substantial growth and development of the undertaking are largely attributable to his executive ability and keen business insight. He is widely and favorably known in Detroit, as he has here spent his life, covering a period of fifty-seven years, for he was born in this city on the 4th of October, 1864, a son of Henry and Helen Schaefer and one of a family of four children. His education was acquired in the public and high schools of Detroit and upon laying aside his textbooks he engaged in the merchant tailoring business, opening an establishment on Broad- way. He was most successful in that undertaking, employing a staff of tailors, while he attended to the sales end of the business, and he continued active along that line for a period of fifteen years. He then became identified with the Owen Stove Exchange, under which title the enterprise was at that time conducted, and he progressed with the growth of the business, being made vice president in 1906. He is a large stockholder in the undertaking, which is now operated under the style of Owen & Company, and has charge of the carpet department, to which he gives the greater part of his attention, although he also keeps well informed as to what is being done in all other branches of the establishment. He combines a thorough knowledge of the principles of merchan- dising with executive ability of a high order and has succeeded in maintaining a high degree of efficiency in the operation of the business. Owen & Company carry a complete stock of the best the market affords in their lines and their well known reliability and progressive business methods have secured for them an extensive patronage which entitles them to elassi- fication with the leading furniture firms in the city. Mr. Schaefer is devoting every energy to the legitimate expansion of the business, with which he has long been identified and which is largely the outcome of his well formulated plans and progressive policy.

On the 5th of July, 1903, Mr. Schaefer was united in marriage to Miss Laura Wuerth, a resident of De- troit, and they have become the parents of three

HARRY J. HEIDEN

CITY OF DETROIT

children: Pauline, Laura and Owen. He is inde- pendent in his political views, voting for the man whom he considers best qualified for office without regard to party ties at local elections, but where national issues are at stake he casts his ballot in favor of the candidates of the republican party. His interest in the welfare and progress of his city is indicated by his membership in the Board of Com- merce, whose plans and projects for the development and upbuilding of a greater municipality he heartily indorses. He stands high in Masonry, belonging to Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M., to the Michigan Sov- ereign Consistory and to Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the New York Car- pet Club. He is a man of pleasing personality, with the faculty of making friends wherever he goes. A spirit of enterprise and progress has actuated him throughout the period of his connection with business affairs, bringing him to a point where he ranks with the leading merchants of the city.

CARL BERGLUND, who is the president of the Acme Manufacturing Company and is also engaged in the general insurance business, was born in Stockholm, Sweden, June 17, 1880, and is a son of Robert and Bertha (Frendberg) Berglund, who are also natives of Stockholm, where they still reside, the father being there engaged in the retail shoe business. To Mr. and Mrs. Berglund were born six children: Mrs. Eleonora Vestrom, living at Sundsvall, Sweden; Mrs. Marie Nelson of Stockholm; and Greta, Rosa and Gustave, all with their parents in Stockholm.

The other member of the family is Carl Berglund of this review, who after attending the high school in his native city continued his education in a technical school, in which he pursued a mechanical course and was graduated with the degree of M. E. in 1899. He later became connected with the Stockholm Gun Works, with which he remained for four and one-half years. He afterward worked for two years in the Dental Technical Laboratory of Stockholm and sub- sequently became connected with the Svea Cream Separator Works at that city, staying with that busi- ness from 1902 until 1903, when he resigned in order to come to the new world. He arrived in New York, June 27, 1903, and on the 4th of July of that year reached Detroit. A few days later he secured a posi- tion, which he continued to occupy until 1905, when he determined to obtain a location where he might engage in business for himself. He went to northern Canada and then to St. Paul, Minnesota, and from there to St. Louis, Missouri. Later he was in Chicago, Illinois, but decided that the best opportunity for advancement was to be found in Detroit and in 1906 returned to this city. He was employed by the Na- tional Can Company for a year and a half, and was later with the Packard Motor Company, but resigned to enter business on his own account, opening a stamp- ing establishment, which he conducted successfully

Vol. IV-7

until 1910, when he organized the Acme Manufac- turing Company, manufacturers of tools, dies, fixtures, etc. Of this he has since been the president and direct- ing head. The business is located at No. 355 Howard street and the firm employs from twenty to twenty- five people. The company owns the property on which the plant is located and the business is being conducted along developing and profitable lines. In 1914 Mr. Berglund also entered the insurance business as gen- eral agent for the Union Trust Life Insurance Com- pany and the National Union Fire Insurance Company and in this field of labor he has likewise been suc- cessful. He is also a director and the treasurer of the New Era Building Company, home builders. He possesses the determination, forcefulness and resource- fulness which enable him to carry forward to success- ful completion whatever he undertakes. In a review of his life it will be noticed that he has worked his way upward entirely on his own account, starting out with extremely limited means. He devoted his days to work and in the evenings attended night school in Detroit in 1910 and 1911 and throughout his career he has made the best possible use of his time and opportunities, thus gaining a commendable place in the business circles of his adopted city.

Prior to coming to America Mr. Berglund had served for one year with the coast artillery forces in his native land. He is a member of the Sons of Sweden and the Svea and Du Nord Societies. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to leave Sweden and become an American citizen, for in this country he has found the opportunities which he sought and has also found pleasant relations among a constantly increasing circles of friends.

JAMES LOUIS LEE. Prominent among the large industrial enterprises of Detroit is the firm of W. M. Finck & Company, extensively engaged in the manu- facture of overalls. James Louis Lee, its secretary and treasurer, has been identified with the business since its inception and his enterprise, initiative and close application have been important factors in the attainment of its present-day success. He is a native of Michigan, his birth having occurred at Brighton, July 25, 1858, and his parents were James B. and Samantha B. (Chadwick) Lee. In the public schools of Brighton he acquired his education and in 1876, when eighteen years of age, came to Detroit. He secured a situation with James Nall & Company and subsequently entered the employ of Charles Root & Company, wholesale dry goods merchants. He devoted every energy to learning the business, faithfully per- forming each task assigned him, and was advanced from one position to another of greater importance and responsibility until he became the junior member of the firm in 1888. Upon the death of Mr. Root four months later the firm of Strong, Lee & Company was organized and for fifteen years they conducted one of the largest dry goods houses of the city. In 1902

CITY OF DETROIT

Mr. Lee became associated with W. M. Finek in estab- lishing the firm of W. M. Finck & Company, of which he became treasurer and general manager, which offices he has continued to fill, and he is also serving as secretary. He acts as purchasing agent, has charge of the financing of all advertising for the firm and is also sales manager, in which connection he has built up a very efficient corps which comprises twenty-five aggressive, energetic and successful young salesmen, who are securing more orders than the factory can conveniently fill. The firm is engaged in the manu- facture of overalls on an extensive scale and the excellence of the output has secured for it a world- wide sale. Employment is given to over a thousand persons and the business is thoroughly systematized, so that a most efficient organization has been built up. In the control of this large enterprise Mr. Lee dis- plays notable executive ability, foresight and self- reliance and he is also a director of the Bower Roller Bearing Company.

At Brighton, Michigan, on the 27th of November, 1879, occurred the marriage of James Louis Lee and Miss Mary Lawson, a sister of George E. Lawson, a prominent resident of Detroit. Three children have been born of this union: Edna M., who married A. K. Root; Fanny L., the wife of C. Y. Judson; and How- ard B., who is a representative of the Guaranty Trust Company of New York. He married Miss Helen Joy, a daughter of Henry B. Joy, one of Detroit's fore- most citizens.

In his political views Mr. Lee is independent, voting for the candidate whom he regards as best qualified for office, without regard to party ties, and in religious faith he is a Presbyterian. He is a member of the Detroit, Detroit Boat and Detroit Country Clubs and fraternally he is identified with the Masons. He is a man of marked strength of character and his con- stantly expanding powers have brought him from humble surroundings to the field of large enterprises and continually broadening opportunities. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and he is today a dominant figure in business circles of Detroit.

WILLIAM J. NAGEL. A notable fact in connec- tion with the history of Detroit is that many of the men who are recognized leaders in her business, polit- ical and social circles are native sons of the city- men who have grown up here, who recognized the advantages and opportunities that Detroit offers and who have most eagerly availed themselves of the chances to further her greatness and establish her position among the ten great cities of the nation. Such an one is William J. Nagel, who is filling the office of postmaster and who was here born on the 11th of September, 1873. His parents, William and Theresa (Schulte) Nagel, were both natives of West- phalia, Germany, but in early life came to America and settled in Detroit, where they were married. Wil-

liam Nagel afterward engaged in the grocery business and became a leading factor in political circles, rep- resenting the third ward in the city council for a number of terms. His brother, Joseph Nagel, was likewise a member of the city council and was also water commissioner, being appointed to the latter office by Mayor Chamberlain. He. was, moreover, state senator and was elected to the office of county auditor but passed away before he was installed in that position. The father of William J. Nagel passed away in Detroit in 1914 and the mother's death oc- eurred in 1899. They were the parents of eleven children, two of whom are deceased. Harry, who was with the American Expeditionary Forces, died in France. The others are: Joseph F., Theodore R., Otto, Frank, Theresa, Caroline, Anna, Dorothy, and William J., of this review, all residents of Detroit. A brother of Mrs. Nagel, Dr. Joseph Schulte, is living retired in Detroit. He was city physician of Detroit and later served as a member of the board of health. At the time of the smallpox epidemie which assumed such menacing proportions Dr. Schulte was appointed health officer to combat the spread of the disease and was highly successful in stamping it out.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 11

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