USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 116
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On the 17th of October, 1914, Mr. Bullock was married to Miss Gertrude Cone, a daughter of Charles and Bertha Cone, of Detroit. In political belief he is a republican and fraternally is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, to the Detroit Commandery and to the Mystic Shrine. He also has membership in the Masonic Country Club and is a member of the Ingleside and the Island Country Clubs. The Episcopal church numbers him among its communicants and the sterling worth of his character shows how loyally he lives up to his profession in every connection. He has many friends in this city and as a business man commands the highest respect and con- fidence of all who know him.
RAYMOND J. HOTCHKISS, president of the National Pattern & Manufacturing Company of Detroit, engaged in the manufacture of patterns of all kinds, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, December 17, 1884, and is a son of Edward and May (Elliott) Hotchkiss, who were natives of England and of Vincennes, Indiana, respec- tively. The father came to America in early life with his parents, who first located in Troy, New York, whence they afterward removed to St. Louis, and it was in that city that Edward Hotchkiss wedded May Elliott. He turned his attention to the business of pattern manu- facturing, which he followed throughout his active life in St. Louis, Missouri, and Detroit, Michigan. He is now deceased, but the mother survives and is yet living in Detroit. In their family were two sons, Raymond J. and Elliott, both residents of this city.
In his boyhood days Raymond J. Hotchkiss attended the public schools of Detroit, his parents removing with their family to this city in his early boyhood. After leaving the grades he attended the Detroit Business
University, from which he was graduated in 1906 on the completion of a commercial course. He afterward learned pattern making with his father and when he had mastered the trade he became an employe of the Gray Motor Company. He was subsequently connected with other motor and automobile manufacturing interests until 1915, when he organized the National Pattern & Manufacturing Company, starting in a modest way. The business, however, has grown rapidly until it is now one of large proportions, employing fifty people. Lowell has said: "An institution is but the lengthened shadow of a man," and the plant of the National Pattern & Manu- facturing Company is but the visible evidence of the ability, enterprise and commendable ambition of Ray- mond L. Hotchkiss, who from the beginning has been president and general manager. He brings to bear the lessons learned in the school of experience and supplements these with a spirit of initiative and determination that enables him to bring forth new ideas and to reach his objective at all times in the conduct of his business affairs.
Mr. Hotchkiss resides with his mother in Detroit and is widely known in this city, where practically his entire life has been passed. He is a member of Christ church and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks. The nature of his interests and activities is further indicated in the fact that he has membership in the Detroit Auto Club and in the Detroit Board of Commerce.
CLYDE B. WISENBAUGH. Extensive business interests claim the time and attention of Clyde B. Wisen- baugh, who is filling the position of sales manager for the Standard Steel Bearings Company, with offices in the Kresge building of Detroit. He was born in Coshocton, Ohio, September 31, 1885, a son of Herman A. and Emma (Haselton) Wisenbaugh, the former also a native of Coshocton and the latter of Circleville, Ohio. They have spent their entire lives in the Buckeye state and the father is successfully engaged in merchandising at Coshocton.
Clyde B. Wisenbaugh, the elder in a family of two . children, acquired his education in the public and high schools of his native city and subsequently pursued a course in a business college, on the completion of which he secured a position with the Marlin-Rockwell Cor- poration, manufacturers of automobile parts. He was at first connected with the sales department and sub- sequently represented the company upon the road, creating a good demand for the ball bearings, wire wheels and other products manufactured by the concern. In 1907 he came to Detroit as sales manager for the Standard Steel Bearings Company, in which connection he occupies a position of large responsibility, having supervision over the branches at Buffalo, New York, and Indianapolis, Indiana, and also of all sales agencies in the state of Michigan. He has a thorough knowledge of the business and his forceful personality and aggressive methods have been potent factors in building up a large trade for the corporation which he represents.
At Cleveland, Ohio, on the 1st of May, 1917, Mr.
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CITY OF DETROIT
Wisenbaugh was united in marriage to Miss Alice Benoit, a representative of a prominent family of that city. He is a popular member of the Detroit Automobile Club, and the Detroit Athletic Club, and fraternally he is identi- fied with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masons and in the last named organization is ser- ving as master of his lodge. He is recognized as an enterprising and alert business man and as a public- spirited citizen and his personal qualities are such that he has gained the warm friendship of many.
HOWELL P. TROXELL, manager of the Indian Re- fining Company at Detroit, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 18, 1873, and is a son of John J. and Amanda (Fleck) Troxell, who were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Ohio at an early day. The father later engaged in the wholesale millinery business in Cincinnati and continued to reside there throughout the remainder of his active business career. Following his retirement the family removed to Delaware, Ohio, and there both parents passed away. They had four children: Mrs. Amos Glover, now a resident of North Dakota; John A., of Cincinnati, Ohio; Theodore S., living in Delaware, Ohio; and Howell P.
The last named acquired his education in the public schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, and in the high school of that city, after which he made his initial step in the business world by securing a position in the office of a lumber company. There he remained until he was able to obtain a more lucrative position with the Standard Oil Company in 1907. He became identified with the Indiana Oil Company of Evansville, Indiana, and thence came to Detroit to establish the business and assume the manage- ment of the Indian Oil Company of this city. The present plant was built under his supervision and he became manager, since which time he has controlled the business at this point and has developed it to its present state of efficiency and strength. Today the company has one of the largest plants in the city and the patronage is one of most gratifying proportions.
In 1910 Mr. Troxell was married to Miss Jeanetta E. March, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Butler March, of a well known family of Detroit. In his political views Mr. Troxell is a republican and fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason, being a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. He also belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and is thoroughly interested in the plans and purposes of the organization for the upbuilding of the city, the advancement of its trade relations and the maintenance of all those civic standards which make for high municipal service and the adoption of advanced municipal idcals. His own record has been one of con- tinuous progress from a minor position to one of promi- nence in the commercial circles of his adopted city.
.
WILLIAM T. BOHN, vice president of the Charles Bohn Foundry Company and thus actively connected with one of the most important interests of the iron industry in Detroit, was born in Toledo, Ohio, February
11, 1882. His parents, George and Thresa (Burkhart) Bohn, were natives of Cleveland, Ohio, where they were reared, educated and married, the father becoming a representative business man of that city, where he en- gaged in carriage painting throughout his entire life. Both he and his wife are now deceased. In their family were six children, four of whom are yet living.
William T. Bohn attended the public schools of Cleve- land, passing through consecutive grades to the high school and when his textbooks were put aside he became an employe of the White Motor Car Company, of that city, with which he remained for a year. He next en- tered the hardware business and was thus engaged until 1908 when he left and came to Detroit. Here he became cashier for the Aluminum Castings Company and he worked his way upward to that of manager, which position he occupied at the time he resigned in 1917, when he became associated with his brother, Charles Bohn, in the Charles Bohn Foundry Company, of which he became manager, then a director and is now vice president. He is also the president of the Peninsular Smelting Company of Detroit and president and a director of the Peninsular Body Company of this city. His business interests are thus extensive and important and his enter- prise has been a dominant element in the continued growth and development of the concerns with which he is identi- fied.
On the 23d of December, 1904, Mr. Bohn was married to Miss Isabella Ann Brandt, of Cleveland, Ohio. He belongs to the City of Straits Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. He is also connected with the Masonic Country Club and he has membership as well in the Red Run Golf Club and in the Detroit Athletic Club-associations that indicate the nature of his interests outside of business.
BENJAMIN H. THOMPSON, manager of the Detroit Veneer & Panel Company and also acting as sales manager for this business, has from the outset of his commercial career displayed a thoroughness and adaptability that has led to steady progress, so that in the course of years he has become an important factor in the conduct of this enterprise, which is the only business of the kind in Detroit. His father, Charles T. Thompson, is the president and founder of the company, which has its manufacturing plant in Cadillac, Michigan, and its sales office in Detroit.
Benjamin H. Thompson was born at Boyne Falls, Michigan, August 5, 1892, a son of Charles T. and Lucina (Tyler) Thompson, who were also natives of this state. The father learned the woodworking trade in early life and afterward took up the business of manufacturing the finer grade of grained woods for veneers and panels, for commercial purposes, developing the business on a large scale. He established the enterprise on the 1st of Febru- ary, 1914, and for a number of years conducted business on his own account at Cadillac, Michigan, but on the Ist of January, 1920, reorganized his interests under the name of the Detroit Veneer & Panel Company, which at
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CITY OF DETROIT
that time was incorporated. He established a large warehouse and office in Detroit and of this Benjamin H. Thompson is the manager and also the sales manager. The business had developed far beyond all expectations of the members of the company and its prospects for the immediate furure are most ripe, for with the expected increase in the building of homes and other building operations it is believed that the business of the Detroit Veneer & Panel Company will double what it has been in the past years. The company carries a stock in Detroit of fine veneer and panels worth seventy-five thousand dollars and used in fine interior finishing, for window display finish, for door panels and in other places where woodwork of superior quality is desired. This company is the only one engaged in business of the kind in this section of the state and the trade is steadily increasing. The officers are: Charles T. Thompson, of Cadillac, Michigan, president; Morris Thomas, of Cadillac, vice president; Perry F. Powers, Jr., of Cadillac, secretary; George Wilcox, of Cadillac, treasurer; and Benjamin H. Thompson, manager at Detroit.
No events of unusual importance occurred to vary the routine of life for Benjamin H. Thompson in his boyhood and youth. That period was largely devoted to the ac- quirement of an education and to the training which qualified him for business in later years. He became associated with his father and with the growth and de- velopment of the business it was decided to establish a warehouse and sales office in Detroit, where the company enjoys an extensive patronage. Accordingly Benjamin H. Thompson assumed charge here and his progressive methods and thorough reliability have been important factors in the continuous upbuilding of the trade.
On the 14th of February, 1914, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Margaret Boadway, of Manton, Michi- gan, a daughter of Mrs. James M. Sheehan, her mother having married a second time. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have two children: Betty Kathleen, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1918; and Margaret Lucina, born in Detroit in 1919. The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Thompson has never sought nor desired political preferment or been active in public affairs, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business and his close application and indefatigable energy have been salient features in the growing success of the company.
FLOYD C. KING, of King Works, toolmakers, of Detroit, was born in Adrian, Michigan, December 13, 1879, his parents being Charles and Linda (Ames) King, who were also natives of this state. The father became a well known manufacturer of Adrian, Michigan, and afterward removed to Detroit, where he is now actively identified with the King Company. His wife is also living and they have reared two sons: Floyd C. and R. H., both of Detroit.
In his boyhood days Floyd C. King attended the public schools of Adrian and following his graduation from the high school, which concluded his educational opportuni-
ties, he became an apprentice in mechanical engineering, thoroughly acquainting himself with the business while employed by various concerns. Later he traveled ex- tensively throughout the country, working along this line and finally came to Detroit in 1915. Pleased with the city and its opportunities he decided to remain and in a short time he organized the King Company, which has steadily grown and developed under his careful guidance and a result of the stimulating effect of his industry and perseverance until it is today one of the important indus- trial interests of the city, employing from fifty to sixty people. Mr. King has from the beginning been president and manager and the prosperous condition of the business is attributable in large part to his capability, his enter- prise and his wise guidance.
On the 20th of September, 1902, Mr. King was married to Miss Grace Shoemaker, of Denver, Colorado, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Shoemaker, of Massillon, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. King have one son, Stockton, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, October 3, 1905, and is now a high school pupil in Detroit.
Mr. King belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and is interested in the high purposes and plans of that organization for the city's benefit and upbuilding. His own record shows much that should be of stimulating interest to the student who wishes to acquaint himself with the best methods of attaining success. Thorough- ness, industry and reliability have been strong points in his career and he has now become well known in con- nection with toolmaking in Detroit.
GEORGE F. TITUS. Among the prominent manu- facturers of Detroit who have come to the forefront in the past year is George F. Titus, president of the Detroit Wax Paper Company and one of the organizers of the industry. He was born in Erie county, New York, August 17, 1852, and is a son of George and Sophia (Briggs) Titus, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of the Empire state. They removed from New York to Norwalk, Ohio, and the father became an employe of the Lake Shore Railroad, advancing to the responsible position of foreman of the shop, in which capacity he served from 1854 until his death, which occurred at Norwalk, while his wife also died in that city. They had a family of three children: Willis A., of Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Millie Burkhart, living in Akron, Ohio; and George F.
The last named attended the public schools of Norwalk, Ohio, and afterward was a student in a business college, while later he made his initial step in commercial circles by securing a position in a grocery store. After a time, however, he gave up work of that character and began the manufacture of tobacco, selling to the wholesale trade. He built up an enormous business and continued as a wholesale tobacconist of Norwalk for forty years. The company of which he was the founder operated under the name of the Titus Tobacco Company and Mr. Titus was associated therewith until 1919, when he sold his interest and came to Detroit. Here he entered into business association with his son-in-law, Arthur J. Trum-
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CITY OF DETROIT
bull, in the organization of the Detroit Wax Paper Com- pany, which within an almost incredible short space of time has become one of the important manufacturing enterprises of the city. It was started largely as an experiment but is today filling a long-felt want in the business circles of Detroit. The plant is one of the most modern and best equipped in the state and Mr. Titus as president of the industry is largely directing the develop- ment, conduct and expansion of the business. He is also a director of the Citizens National Bank of Norwalk, Ohio, and a trustee of the Water Works Company of that city.
On the 4th of January, 1876, Mr. Titus was married to Miss Mary Ann Cook, of Huntington, Indiana, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phineas Cook. Their three children are: Clara M., the wife of Arthur J. Trumbull, who is vice president of the Detroit Wax Paper Company, and who have one son, George, born at Norwalk, Ohio, in 1904; Mrs. W. A. Fisher, who was born in Norwalk, Ohio, and resides in Detroit, her husband being W. A. Fisher, one of the founders of the Fisher Body Corporation; and Mrs. Gertrude Fyle, who was born in Norwalk, Ohio, and is now a resident of Los Angeles, California. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have one child, Louis Fisher, who was born in Detroit, and Mr. and Mrs. Fyle have two children: Mary Elizabeth and Gretchen Fyle.
While residing in Norwalk, Mr. Titus took a prominent part in public affairs and served as a member of the board of education, while for two terms he was a member of the city council. Since coming to Detroit he has acted with the Detroit Board of Commerce, in which he has membership and he also belongs to the Birmingham Gun Club. He has a fine summer home on Lake Erie, where he spends much of his time during the summer months. For a long period he concentrated his efforts and attention almost solely upon his business but his success has enabled him in later years to enjoy many of those pleasures which leisure permits.
OTTO A. KOSS. One of the large and reliable printing and binding establishments of Detroit is that of which Otto A. Koss is the proprietor and manager and which is conducted under his own name. It was during his early childhood that he became a resident of Detroit, although his birth occurred in New York city, March 28, 1882, his parents being John A. and Caroline (Scholtz) Koss. The father died during the infancy of his son Otto, who was the youngest in a family of three · children, one of whom is now deceased, while a sister is · Mrs. Emma Swenson of Chicago, Illinois. The mother survives and makes her home in this city.
In his youthful days Otto A. Koss was a pupil in the graded and high schools of Detroit and subsequently became an apprentice to the printer's trade, serving with the Joseph Mack Printing Company of Detroit, and later gave up a position with that house to enter the printing business on his own account in 1914. From a small beginning he has built up a high-class and lucrative
business as the result of his square dealing and honorable methods as well as by the excellent work turned out from his establishment. He specializes on high-grade book and catalogue work and his business has largely grown through the commendation of satisfied customers.
On the 2d of June, 1918, Mr. Koss was married to Miss Lillian M. Ubelhoer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Ubelhoer of Detroit. Mr. Koss belongs to Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and has become a Con- sistory Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the Fellowcraft Athletic Club, the Detroit Auto Club and the Detroit Board of Commerce, his connection with the last named organization indi- cating his interest in the city, its business development and the promotion of those projects which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride.
NEWELL B. WALLACE, a capitalist whose large invested interests are indicated in the fact that he is serving as director of various important corporations, was born in Fowlerville, Michigan, May 16, 1884, and is a son of James H. and Elizabeth (Mawer) Wallace, who were natives of Canada and of Michigan, respectively. The father came to this state in early life and afterward engaged in merchandising at Fowlerville. Some time later he removed his family and business to Williamson, Michigan, and eventually became a resident of Lansing, where he also conducted a profitable business, continuing therein to the time of his death. His wife passed away in Detroit in 1909.
Newell B. Wallace, their only child, attended the graded and high schools of Williamson and afterward the Michigan State Normal College at Ypsilanti. He took up the profession of teaching in Commerce, Michi- gan, but gave up educational work to enter commercial circles, becoming an employe of the D. M. Ferry Seed Company, with which he filled various important posi- tions, serving in the office and also spending ten years upon the road as a traveling salesman. On the 1st of January, 1916, he resigned this position and became a member of the brokerage firm of MeCrone & Company, remaining actively in the business until the present year. He is still a director of the company and is also identified with various other important business interests, being a director of the Northern Surety Corporation of Mason City, Iowa; a director of the Minnesota Sugar Company, with plant at Chaska, Minnesota; and a director of the Michigan Copper & Brass Company of Detroit.
Politically Mr. Wallace maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. Fraternally he is a Con- sistory Mason and Mystic Shriner and he belongs to the Detroit Golf Club and also the Detroit Athletic Club, being a devotee of athletics and manly outdoor sports. ' His business career has been marked by a steady pro- gression that has taken him from the realm of small .. things into the field of large undertakings and his enviable position is the direct reward of indefatigable effort and capability.
INDEX
Abbott, D. W.
856
Becker, G. C ..
150
Ackerman, E. L.
114
Bedford, A. G.
796
Adams, W. H.
958
Beechler, R. G.
567
Alden, D. G ..
221
Beegen, R. G ..
105
Alexander, J. C.
74
Beegle, C. H. 262
516
Allan, A. E. D.
720
Begle, H.
615
Allen, J. J.
201
Benmosche, Moses
875
Allen, M. W.
165
Berdan, H. L. 511
97
Anderson, Glenn
768
Bergner, C. N.
283
Andrews, C. .
369
Berlin, David.
22
Andrews, H. E.
619
Berns, J. :
950
Andrus, F. D.
246
Berry, J. M.
229
Andrus, S. D.
353
Beymer, C. E.
480
Antisdel, J. F.
70
Biddle, A. P.
740
Atkinson, J. E.
807
Bingham, H. H.
524
Atkinson, John
796
Blackford, W. H.
165
Atlas, E. A.
708
Blake, W. F. 608
275
Austin, J. L.
643
Blodgett, F. F.
897
Ayers, C. H ..
851
Bloomgarden, A. J.
560
Bailey, W. R.
476
Bogart, F. E.
Baird, Andrew
812
Bogue, G. G ..
Baker, H. L.
499
Bohn, W. T.
998
Baker, J. L ..
233
Bolasny, J. R.
314
Baker, R. D.
440
Bollin, E. J.
258
Ballantyne, Ford
890
Bolton, E.
941
Barbas, J. G.
844
Book, J. B.
318
Barbas, T. G.
844
Booth, E. J.
969
Barbour, E. S.
723
Booth, R. H.
383
Barker, L. V.
763
Born, A.
631
Barkume, E. J.
Bornman, John
174
Barnard, B. S.
687
Bothwell, W. J.
771
Barnard, E. N
595
Boulter, J. H .. 38
Barry, C. S ..
221
Bourg, J. N. 213
663
Bassett, A. F.
237
Bowen, F. E.
664
Bauer, D. W.
226
Boydell, John.
249
Baumgartner, F. W.
408
Brabant, F. X
946
Bawden, George
687
Brand, C. R.
432
Baxter, H. M.
847
Brand, G. E.
126
Bayne, D. C.
576
Breakey, J. E. 322
Beal, A. W ..
495
Bredin, C. H .. 548
Beasley, Norman
879
Breisacher, Leo 611
Beaver, E. B.
206
Bright, G. B.
488
Beck, C. H ..
69
Broehm, Carl. 957
Beck, T. E.
893
Brown, G. D ..
724
1001
Austin, F. R.
21
Bleil, G. E ..
563
Bodde, J. R.
981
Allen, W. S.
712
Berglund, Carl.
Alfes, Joseph ..
624
Begg, G. O.
958
Barthel, O. F.
269
Boushy, A. J ..
893
1002
INDEX
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