USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 115
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On the 6th of October, 1881, Mr. Deuel was married to Miss Lillias Walker of Detroit, who passed away January 14, 1892. On the 2d of September, 1896, Mr. Deuel was married to Miss Jane M. Miller of Grand Rapids, a native of Scotland. The children of
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his first marriage are his son, Arthur W., previously mentioned, and a daughter, Margaret C.
Mr. Deuel is a member of the Exchange Club of Detroit, also of the Board of Commerce, and the nature of his interests is further indicated in the fact that he gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Baptist church. His career has been marked by a steady progress that has brought him prominently forward in business circles. He is among the oldest of the native sons of Detroit, having been continuously identified with this city during all of his business career and a witness of the changes which have occurred, making it a great metropolitan center, fourth in population in the United States and the leader in several of the important industries of the country.
WILLIAM C. NOACK, successful jewelry merchant and well known sportsman of Detroit, his activities in either direction well entitling him to prominent mention in the history of this city, was here born on the 31st of August, 1863, his parents being John William and Louise (Jacob) Noack, both of whom were natives of Indiana and in early life came to Detroit. The father was widely known in connection with the oil business, being for many years associated with the Bently Oil Company of Detroit, with which he continued to the time of his death in 1897. For a number of years he had survived his wife, who died in 1880. They were parents of six children: William C., Charles, Herman, Frederick, Emma and Louise.
After attending the public schools of Detroit, William C. Noack, the eldest of the family, became office boy in an attorney's office and later entered the employ of Eugene Dimmel, a prominent jeweler, with whom he thoroughly learned the business, remaining with Mr. Dimmel until the latter's death, when he purchased the business, which had been established in Detroit in 1873 and was conducted under the name of the Eugene Dimmel Jewelry Company. When Mr. Noack acquired the business he admitted a partner under the firm style of Noack & Gorenflo, whole- sale jewelers and also dealers in automobile accessories, and theirs is today the oldest and best known jewelry house in Detroit, while the firm employs from fifteen to twenty-five experienced salespeople most of the time. Something of the success that Mr. Noack has achieved is indicated in the fact that he started to work at a salary of but a dollar and a half per week, having to put in many hours and work most industriously for that sum, while today he is at the head of a large establishment bringing to him substantial profits. Something of the change in labor conditions, too, is indicated in the fact that at the present he pays eighteen dollars per week for boys less efficient than he was when he was receiving but a dollar and a half. The company not only handles jewelry for the wholesale trade but also automobile ac- cessories and the business is now one of the most reliable in the city.
On the 12th of January, 1898, Mr. Noack was married
to Miss Ethel MeKeen, daughter of Seth and Belle McKeen. They now have three children. William Theodore, who was born November 22, 1898, entered the University of Michigan following his graduation from the Detroit high school but during his student days enlisted in the United States army and received his discharge December 18, 1918, with the rank of sergeant. During his attendance at the Detroit high school he was captain of the high school military corps. Like his father, he is an expert in water sports, excelling in boating, and is the stroke of the eight and four sculls of the Detroit Boat Club. Harold R., the second son, born August 29, 1901, is also an athlete of note and possesses, moreover, marked me- chanical genius. He was graduated from the Detroit high school and is now attending Junior College. During the war he was assigned to the production department, U. S. A., in connection with the Liberty motors and was the youngest mechanic in the country to receive this high honor. At one period he had entire charge of seventeen thousand employes of the Ford Motor Company's plant in the accounting and cost departments, and his work there was a record for production which will stand as a historical fact on the books of the Ford Company. After his services were no longer required as a military neces- sity he was tendered a high position by the Ford Company but preferred to continue his studies and is now attending the Junior College of Detroit. Walter Maurice, the third son, born in 1902, like his two brothers, possesses con- ยท siderable mechanical skill and ingenuity and has also dis- played marked literary ability, having written some splen- did articles for the Free Press of Detroit along athletic lines. He is now attending the Central high school.
Mr. Noack has always been fond of outdoor life and athletic sports, greatly enjoying golf and pedestrian exercises, while since 1902 he has been a member of the Detroit Boat Club, and he also belongs to the Detroit Golf Club and the Ingleside Club. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church, his membership being in St. Paul's cathedral. His own interest in water sports has led him to encourage the activity of his sons in this direc- tion. The Outing Mazagine of June, 1897, had this to say: "The paddling trophy also was won by a newcomer with a new method, W. C. Noack of the Detroit Boat Club and the Western Canoe Association, though some famous paddlers, including D'Arcy Scott, the champion of 1893, and R. O. King, then the holder of the trophy, were in the race. He defeated Mr. King by thirty-eight seconds. * *
* Mr. Noack began canoeing in 1893. He has never been defeated in an open race. His first race was won in an open regatta-the tandem canoe race in 1894 of the Northwestern Amateur Rowing Associa- tion. He was one of the winners in the same event in 1895, winning in record time for a half mile-three minutes and forty seconds. He again won in the same event in 1896. Thus he has been the holder of the Northwestern Amateur Rowing Association championship for three years in succession. Mr. Noack won his first single canoe open race in 1895, when he succeeded in securing the Northwestern Rowing Association championship,
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making a half mile in three minutes and twenty seconds, but sixteen seconds slower time than the record tandem event was paddled in. That time also is record time. Mr. Noack claims to have made the full mile, measured in seven minutes and forty-three seconds, against a head wind in practice without being pushed. He also won the championship in 1896, thus holding the Northwestern Amateur Rowing Association single canoe championship for two years. Last summer, at the meet of the Western Canoe Association, he won three first prizes: the Minne- haha championship paddling cup (being the single canoe championship of the Western Canoe Association); class one paddling; and hurry-scurry. This last race was as follows: run twenty-five yards; swim twenty-five yards; climb into canoe, paddle twenty-five yards, capsize, climb into canoe again and paddle twenty-five yards to finish. The winning of the American Canoe Associations' trophy was Mr. Noack's tenth successive victory for the season." His interest in nautical sports has never diminished, although his activities are now largely manifest in other directions.
JOHN JAMES McLEOD. A decade has passed since John James McLeod was called to his final rest, but there are yet many in Detroit who tenderly men- tion his name and revere. his memory, for he was a man who made for himself a large place in the affec- tions of those with whom he was closely associated. The high esteem in which he was uniformly held was the direct result of his many sterling qualities as manifest in his business and social relations and in his citizenship.
Mr. McLeod was of Canadian birth and of Highland Scotch descent, representing one of the distinguished families of the Highlands of Scotland, the names figuring prominently upon the pages of the history of that country. His parents were Luther M. and Johanna (McLeod) McLeod, who had a family of six children, the father providing for their support by the conduct of a lumber business and his enterprise and diligence made him one of the successful lumbermen of his locality, conducting a business of substantial propor- tions.
John James McLeod was born in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, on the 15th of September, 1852. His youthful days were spent in the acquirement of a public and high school education in Baddeck and later he at- tended the Academy of Baddeck, from which in due course of time he was graduated. He later had the benefit of instruction in the Mayhew Business College of Detroit, from which he was graduated in December, 1873, being then a young man of twenty-one years. The following year, or only a brief period after his graduation from commercial college,he entered the employ of Standart Brothers, in the capacity of bookkeeper. His faithful service and capability won the attention of his employers and gained for him promotion from time to time. In 1891 he was taken into the firm as a partner and upon the incorporation
of the business as Standart Brothers, Limited, he was elected its secretary and so continued to the time of his demise.
On the 15th of September, 1881, Mr. McLeod was united in marriage in St. Joseph, Michigan, to Miss Emma A. Langley, and to them was born a daughter: Hazel D., who is the wife of Earl C. Whitney, a con- tractor of Detroit, and they have four children: John MeLeod and Earl C., Jr., twins; Dorothy Hoff; and Jared Murdock. Mr. and Mrs. McLeod were members of the Methodist church and his life was ever guided by most high and honorable principles. He was also a faithful follower of the Masonic fraternity, and he belonged to various other organizations having to do with the social life or the civic and material welfare of the city. He belonged to the National Union Club, to the Commercial Club, to the Detroit Credit Men's Association, to the Board of Commerce of Detroit and to the Wholesalers' Association. He likewise had membership with the Recreation Club, the Automobile Club and still others. In his early life he was an ardent devotee of outdoor sports and won local fame as an athlete. He was especially fond of the water, indulging in aquatic sports and at one time he was a member of some of the old Detroit boat clubs and at various times the owner of sailing craft and motor boats. He commanded and enjoyed the respect of all, by reason of a life that measured up to high standards. He was never content to choose the second best in anything that he undertook but sought the highest possible points of excellence and achievement. The worth of his work in business life is indicated by the fact that he reached a prominent position in commercial circles, standing in the front rank of De- troit's merchants as a wholesale hardware dealer through his connection with Standart Brothers, Lim- ited. In politics he was a republican and always a warm friend and ardent admirer of Governor Pingree. He never was active in politics but never failed to cast his vote for the principles in which he believed and in every possible way he sought the adoption of the highest standards of citizenship for community, commonwealth and country. His contribution to the world's work was well worth while. He died Novem- ber 2, 1911, and his remains lie in Woodmere cemetery.
EDWIN B. NALL, active in real estate circles in Detroit, was born in this city February 27, 1866. He is a son of James and Isabella F. (Baird) Nall, the former born in England, while the latter was a native of Con- necticut. The father came to America in his boyhood days, settling in Detroit, where he later married and engaged in merchandising. He passed away in this city in 1912, having for a number of years survived his wife, who died in 1899. In their family were four children: Edwin B., Frank C., Louis A. and Mrs. George V. Candler, all of Detroit.
Edwin B. Nall attended the public and high schools of Detroit, being graduated at the age of eighteen years.
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He then entered upon a clerical position in connection with his father's business, conducted under the name of Nall & Company, and continued with the firm until 1898, when he started out in business independently as a real estate dealer, organizing the firm of Edwin B. Nall & Company. This was incorporated in 1906 and Mr. Nall has since been the president. From the beginning he has prospered in this undertaking and he is spoken of as a conservative and thoroughly reliable real estate man. He is widely known throughout Detroit by reason of his business activities and connections and his success is the legitimate outcome and logical sequence of his intel- ligently directed efforts.
Mr. Nall is a member of the Spanish-American War Veterans Association, for during the period of America's hostility with Spain he enlisted in the Naval Reserves from Detroit and served through the Cuban and Porto Rican campaigns as a seaman. He belongs to the Jef- ferson Avenne Presbyterian church and for twenty years was a deacon of the Fort Street Presbyterian church. He is also a member of the Detroit Athletic Club and the Detroit Boat Club, which indicates much of the nature of his activities and recreation outside of business. He is thoroughly public-spirited, doing everything in his power to make known the advantages of Detroit and to promote the substantial progress and upbuilding of the city.
ROBERT L. HUGHES, secretary and treasurer of the firm of Dumont, Roberts & Company, grain dealers of Detroit, was born in Wales, August 20, 1874, and is a son of John and Ann (Lewis) Hughes, who are also natives of that little rock-ribbed country. The parents came to America in 1887 with their family, settling on a farm near Scranton, Pennsylvania, the father there engaging in agricultural pursuits to the present time. His wife is also living.
Robert L. Hughes was the third in order of birth in their family of eight children. He began his education in the schools of Liverpool, England, and after coming to this country continued his studies in the rural schools of Pennsylvania. Following the time when he put aside his textbooks he gave his attention to various occupations until 1900, when he became connected with grain buying in Buffalo, New York, and was thus engaged until 1907. In the latter year he removed to Detroit and became a member of the firm of Dumont, Roberts & Company, grain merchants, of which he has since been secretary and treasurer. They conduct an extensive grain business, buying and exporting, and success in large measure has attended the enterprise. Mr. Hughes, like his associates, has had long experience in the business and his capability is a potent force in its continued growth and success.
On the 10th of October, 1900, Mr. Hughes was married to Miss Premella Bennette of South Gibson, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Bennette, representing a prominent family of South Gibson. They have two children : Ronald Hughes, born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1902 and now attending the Northern high school of Detroit; and Thelma, born in Buffalo, New York, in
1904, and also a pupil in the Northern high school. Mr. Hughes belongs to the Detroit Grain Exchange and also to the Detroit Wheelmen's Club. He has gained many warm friends during the period of his residence in this city and has reached a most enviable position in business circles, being today identified with one of the foremost grain firms of Detroit.
EDWIN A. WOLF. One of the young men of Detroit who is making his mark in connection with the business activities of the city is Edwin A. Wolf, the secretary and treasurer of the Victor Knitting Mills Company. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 19, 1883, and is a son of A. I. and Viola (Wolf) Wolf, who were also natives of Cleveland, where the father engaged in mercantile pur- suits, while later he became a merchant of Detroit, re- moving to this city in 1892. Here he established and conducted a highly successful business enterprise, re- maining active therewith to the time of his death. His wife is still a resident of this city. In their family were three children: Edwin A., Grover C. and Mrs. S. T. Gold- berg, all of Detroit.
Edwin A. Wolf attended the grammar and high schools of Detroit and then started out in the business world as a clerk with the Taylor Wolfenden Company, dealers in dry goods. He rose from a humble clerkship to the im- portant position of advertising manager, remaining with the company for five years. He then became identified with the wholesale dry goods trade as an employe of A. Krolik & Company and remained with that house for ten years, advancing to the position of department manager. Later he became a partner in the Detroit Alaska Knitting Mills Company, of which he was made secretary and treasurer, retaining this dual position for four years, at the end of which time he became secretary and treasurer of the Victor Vassar Knitting Mills Company and is still identified therewith, proving one of the capable executive officers of the concern. He is thoroughly con- versant with every phase of the business and his sound judgment and indefatigable enterprise are strong features in the growth and success of the undertaking. He is also the president of the Republic Knitting Mills of Detroit, vice president of the Wolverine Knitting Mills of Bay City, Michigan, part owner of the retail dry goods and furnishings business conducted under the style of Wolf Brothers of Detroit and is a director of the Cohen Brothers Manufacturing Company of New York city, of the Con- neaut Woolen Mills Company of Conneaut, Ohio, and of the Western Association of Sweater Manufacturers. His business relations likewise extend to other substantial enterprises and he is today a most prominent and widely known figure in connection with the knitting industry of the middle west.
On the 7th of January, 1907, Mr. Wolf was married to Miss Retta Frank, of Detroit, daughter of Isaac and Celia (Solman) Frank, of a prominent family of Holly, Michigan. They have two children: Virginia C., who was born in 1911 and is now attending the Liggett school of Detroit; and Edwin A., born in 1917. In his political
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views Mr. Wolf has always been a republican, giving stalwart support to the party. He is a member of the National Credit Men's Association, also of the Detroit Board of Commerce and the Bay City Board of Com- meree. Ileis likewise well known in club circles, having membership in the Redford Country Club, the Phoenix Club and the Bay City Country Club. His social quali- ties make for popularity in the circles in which he moves and in business connections he has made for himself a notable name and place. Starting out without any un- usual advantages he has worked his way steadily upward, early recognizing the eternal principle that industry wins. Step by step he has advanced until his steady progression has made him an outstanding figure in connection with the knitting industry and he is regarded as a valuable addition to the commercial circles of Detroit.
RANSOM GILLIS. Every American is proud of the fact that this land offers unlimited opportunities to her citizens and there is no record which is held in higher esteem than that of the self-made man. The one who by sheer force of character, ability, de- termination and laudable ambition works his way upward. Such was the career of Ransom Gillis, who became one of the prominent wholesale dry goods merchants of Detroit. His plans were definitely formed and he was untiring in their execution. Year after year he directed his labors along lines that pro- duced results and none ever questioned the integrity and honor of his methods.
Mr. Gillis was born in Washington county, New York, December 20, 1838, and was one of a family of eight children, whose parents were Alexander and Jane (Wilson) Gillis, who were also natives of Wash- ington county, where they spent their lives, the father always following the occupation of farming. In his youthful days Ransom Gillis attended the public schools and afterward had the advantage of study in Argyle Academy. He started out to pro- vide for his own support when fourteen years of age by obtaining employment in a merchandise es- tablishment. He was a young man of twenty-six years when he arrived in Detroit, after having had two years experience in a dry goods house in Argyle, New York. He afterward entered the employ of John Stevenson of North Argyle, with whom he re- mained until December, 1864. With his arrival in Detroit he became an employe of the Allen-Shelden Dry Goods Company and was thus engaged until 1872, when he became one of the organizers of the firm of Edson, Moore & Company and assumed the general management of the business. He concentrated his efforts and energies upon the upbuilding of the trade, studied the market and the wishes of the people and 80 directed his activities that most substantial re- sults accrued. His administrative direction and exce- utive ability were important factors in the successful conduct of the enterprise throughout his remaining days and Detroit's business circles suffered a great
loss when he passed away on the 31st of December, 1901. Aside from his connection with the wholesale dry goods trade he was a director of the Citizens Savings Bank and was interested in other local enter- prises. He achieved success by reason of persistent purpose, keen sagacity and thorough reliability-qual- ities that may be cultivated by any-and his course should well serve as a source of inspiration and en- couragement to others.
On the 20th of July, 1870, Mr. Gillis was united in marriage to Miss Helen A. Gaylord, a daughter of Josiah C. Gaylord, a representative of one of the old and well known families of the state of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Gillis became the parents of three chil- dren: Ransom F., who died in 1900; Gaylord W .; and Grace M., who became the wife of David S. Carter and died in 1901. Gaylord W. Gillis succeeded to his father's interests in the business of Edson, Moore & Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer.
In his political views Mr. Gillis was always a stal- wart republican and kept thoroughly informed con- cerning the questions and issues of the day, but never sought nor desired political preferment. He was one of the organizers of the Old Michigan Club and was long a factor in promoting republican inter- ests in Michigan. He held membership in the First Presbyterian church from 1865 and in 1873 became one of its elders, continuing in the office to the time of his death. He was a member of the board of trustees of Grace Hospital from its organization until his death, and for a considerable period served as secretary of the board. He was a man of broad hu- manitarian spirit, constantly extending a helping hand where aid was needed. He found recreation through his membership in the Lake St. Clair Fishing and Shooting Club. He was but sixty four years of age at the time of his death and it seems that he should have been spared for many more years of usefulness and activity, for he was accomplishing a most excel- lent work in the world. Not only was he contributing to Detroit's commercial greatness and development, but he stood at all times for those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride. His life was an expression of high American ideals and he was a splendid example of American manhood and citizenship.
CYRIL N. BULLOCK. Among the well known and thoroughly reliable chartered public accountants of Detroit is Cyril N. Bullock, who was born in Saginaw, Michigan, July 8, 1891, and is a son of Julian and Mary (Northwood) Bullock, who are also natives of this state and have spent their entire lives here. The father has been a successful farmer of Saginaw county for many years and is still actively engaged in the cultivation of a large farm. He is a representative of one of the old New England families, being a son of Frank Bullock, who was born in Vermont and became a pioneer resident of Michigan, settling in Saginaw county. The maternal grandfather of Cyril N.
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Bullock, was Frank Northwood, who came to the United States from London, England, and settled first in Detroit, but afterward removed to Saginaw county. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Julian Bullock numbered but two children: Alice M. and Cyril N.
Cyril N. Bullock, the only son, attended the graded and high schools of Corunna, Michigan, after which he became a student in the University of Michigan, pursuing a literary course there for a year. He afterward took a course in higher accounting at the Detroit School of Technology, pursuing a night course, and was graduated with the degree of public accountant in 1915. During the time he was studying to perfect himself in his chosen profession he was also engaged in clerical work for the Security Trust Company of Detroit. When he had graduated he resigned his position and formed a partner- ship with Mr. Morton under the firm style of Morton & Bullock, chartered public accountants. This relation- ship was pleasantly maintained until March 1, 1920, when the partnership was dissolved and since that time Mr. Bullock has been associated with George R. Gibbs and William Leslie under the firm style of Gibbs, Leslie & Bullock, all being chartered public accountants. The firm has been very successful and is doing the higher accounting for a number of large and important corpora- tions and also in connection with the income tax service.
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