USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 12
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William J. Nagel supplemented his private school education, acquired in Detroit, by study in the Uni- versity of Detroit and in the Detroit Business Uni- versity but put aside his textbooks in order to enter his father's store, thus obtaining his initial business experience. He was afterward connected with the Dime Savings Bank and later filled a position in the office of deputy collector of internal revenue (income tax department). Subsequently he accepted the posi- tion of chief bookkeeper in the city treasurer's office under William B. Thompson, city treasurer, and later became deputy controller of Detroit under Hon. Frank E. Doremus, controller. He was also employed along various other lines and was secretary of the Michigan Bonding & Surety Company. On the 30th of August, 1913, he was appointed postmaster of Detroit and has since occupied that position, his administration being most businesslike, all of the duties of the office being promptly and efficiently performed.
On the 23d of February, 1903, Mr. Nagel was mar- ried to Miss Emma Martz of Detroit, a representa- tive of one of the old families of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Nagel have become the parents of three children: Dorothea, who was born in 1905; Gretchen, born in 1907; and William A., in 1910.
Mr. Nagel is a member of the Roman Catholic church and is well known in club circles, belonging to the Detroit Racquet and Curling Club, the Har- monie Society and the Detroit Yacht Club. A stanch supporter of universal military training, Mr. Nagel entered the first class at Fort Sheridan, where he received the training in the infantry branch of serv- ice. Later he was at Plattsburg, New York, where he had cavalry training. He received a commission as captain and was located at Fort Niagara, New
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York, where he had charge of finances under General S. W. Miller, at that time colonel. Mr. Nagel was on the executive committee of the old military train- ing organization, the object of which was to give military training to its members. When the Mexican trouble started and the National Guard was called to the Mexican border, Mr. Nagel was the prime mover in the organization of the Detroit Patriotic Fund and became its executive head. This splendid organization had for its object the care of the families of the men in the service, raising funds for that purpose. When the American Red Cross formed its civilian relief department for the home service section, its function to care for and assist the dependents of men in the United States service, Mr. Nagel became chairman of the civilian relief committee and is still serving in that capacity. His political allegiance has been given to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he has ever been active in support of its principles, doing everything in his power to secure their adoption. It was recognition of his services for the party that led to his appoint- ment to the office of Detroit's postmaster and through the intervening period he has shown constant watch- fulness to improve the postal service. He has made the Detroit post office one of the best conducted public institutions in the country, introducing modern meth- ods for this purpose. He has instituted a school for the employes, where they are taught efficiency in the handling of a large volume of mail. All of his time and attention is devoted to the responsibilities of his office and for diversion Mr. Nagel turns to outdoor sports and pursuits, enjoying athletics, such as base- ball, handball, swimming, racquet and boxing. Mr. Nagel was one of the prime movers in the effort, made perhaps a score of years ago, to popularize bowling and to place it on the firm foundation that branch of recreation now occupies in Detroit. He delights in baseball and when the Detroit Tigers are in town he can be seen wearing the uniform in prac- tice on the field with the players. The team counts him indeed a friend and he is a familiar figure in practice to tens of thousands of baseball fans. As postmaster he is one of the most popular that Detroit has ever known, always approachable, kindly and courteous, yet he is stern in his support of what he believes to be right and unswerving in his loyalty to his honest convictions.
JOSEPH N. ESPER, conducting business under the name of the Joseph N. Esper Coal Company, was born in Wayne county, Michigan, February 3, 1875. His parents, Anthony and Elizabeth (Reuter) Esper, were also natives of this state, their respective parents having emigrated to America at an early date. They settled in Wayne county, Michigan, where Peter Esper, the grandfather in the paternal line, took up his abode in pioneer times and in the midst of the virgin forest built a home and hewed out a farm, devoting his
attention to the further development and cultivation of his fields until his death. The old house is still standing where he built it when he came to Mich- igan and is one of the old landmarks of that section of the state. The maternal grandfather, Frank Reuter, also arrived in a very early day and is still living in Michigan at the venerable age of ninety-six years.
Anthony Esper was born in Wayne county and after attending school and remaining upon the home farm until he had attained his majority he took up farming on his own account and devoted his life thereto, passing away in 1918, at the age of seventy- one years. The mother is still living near the old home place. She, too, was born in Wayne county and her life has been passed in Michigan. Their children are: Frank, Barney, Tony, Leonard, Albert, Joseph N., Veronica, Dorothy, Genevieve and Loretta. Of this number all are living with the exception of Leonard. The daughter Veronica is the wife of Wil- liam Horger.
In his boyhood days Joseph N. Esper attended the public schools at McDonald, Michigan, and later walked three miles to Detroit in order to pursue his education in a parochial school. When his education was com- pleted he went to work on his father's farm and was thus employed until he reached his twenty-fourth year. He then began farming on his own account in Wayne county but eventually tired of agricultural life and returned to Detroit, where he entered into partnership with B. Horger in the coal business, under the firm style of Horger & Esper. This arrangement did not bring results desired and Mr. Esper decided to with- draw from the business, but his partner also con- cluded to retire and their assets were placed on the market. Mr. Esper succeeded in securing the busi- ness at about forty cents on the dollar and with a debt of eighteen thousand dollars he started out in business on his own account. Within a few years he succeeded in wiping out the entire indebtedness and in accumulating a considerable surplus, and through the years which have since elapsed he has been decidedly prosperous. He has developed the busi- ness to large proportions and is now sole proprietor of interests which are carried on under the name of the Joseph N. Esper Coal Company. Through industry, thrift and perseverance he has forged to the front and is now prominent as a representative of the coal trade of Detroit.
On the 18th of October, 1898, Mr. Esper was mar- ried to Miss Emma Horger of Detroit, daughter of Anthony Horger, and they have become parents of seven children: Leonard, born in Detroit in September, 1901; Florence, born in 1902; Julia, born in 1904; Joseph, born in 1906; Richard, born in 1908; Gene- vieve, born in 1910; and Ralph, born in 1914. All have been educated in the schools of Detroit.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Esper belongs to the Be- nevolent Protective Order of Elks and also to the
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Detroit Board of Commerce, while politically he sup- ports the independent party. Outside interests, how- ever, have had a comparatively small share of his time and attention, as he has concentrated his energies upon his business, with the result that close application and unremitting diligence have brought to him sub- stantial success.
JOHN GILLESPIE, manufacturer and broker, was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts, November 3, 1877, his parents being George and Agnes (Adams) Gilles- pie. After attending the public schools of his native city he secured his first position as office boy with the Ames Sword Company, in 1890, and continued with that corporation until 1899. For his fidelity, diligence and enterprise he was recommended by his employers to fill a position with the Armstrong Regalia Company of Detroit and thus initiated his business career in this city. In 1904 he established his own business, under the name of the Detroit Regalia Com- pany aud shortly afterward consolidated his interests with the Morgan, Puhl & Morris Company, also of Detroit. In 1908 the business was sold to the Hen- derson-Ames Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan, at which time he retired from the uniform and regalia business and immediately entered the retail automobile business.
In 1910 Mr. Gillespie was appointed water com- missioner by Mayor Philip Breitmeyer. During his term of service the Detroit News said of him: "As water commissioner Mr. Gillespie has shown a desire to give courteous attention to complaints of the public. It has happened sometimes in the past that water consumers felt that they did not receive satisfaction when they voiced protests. Since John Gillespie be- came water commissioner this policy has been discon- tinued. Mr. Gillespie has suggested frequently 'the people of Detroit own this water system, they have a right to complain and tell us how to improve the . service. We are their servants and should not forget it for an instant.' "' He remained as water commis- sioner of Detroit until May 17, 1913, when he was appointed police commissioner hy Mayor Oscar B. Marx and was in active control of the police depart- ment until September 30, 1916, on which date he ten- dered his resignation to the mayor, which was ac- cepted with the following message: "It is with much regret that I have this day received your resignation as commissioner of police and inasmuch as you insist upon my acceptance of it, I hereby accede to your wishes. In leaving my cabinet at this time I want you to know that I fully appreciate the many construc- tive acts of your administration and I wish you to feel that I shall always carry with me the firmest belief in your integrity and loyalty."
Immediately upon retiring from the police com- missioner's office, Mr. Gillespie entered the real estate and insurance business and has continued active, be- ing at the present time secretary and treasurer of the
Gillespie-Krimmel Company. Mr. Gillespie is also president of the New Egyptian Portland Cement Company of Fenton, Michigan, president of the Peer- less Portland Cement Company of Union City, Michi- gan, and a director of the Fort Shelby Hotel Company of Detroit.
Mr. Gillespie was married in Detroit on April 21, 1910, to Miss Hazel K. Horton and they now have two sons: John Philip and Robert Horton. Mr. Gil- lespie belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce, is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Knights Templar. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club and Red Run Golf Club. His city residence is at the Fort Shelby hotel, and his country residence is at Royal Oak, Michigan.
JAMES D. MAY. The name of May has been associated with public life in Detroit for many years. James D., Thomas, William and David, the four sons of Thomas and Eliza (Shannon) May, all are known as public-spirited men in their respective vocations. Both parents were natives of Ireland and came to the United States in 1848, remained in New York for one year and thence came to Detroit. Thomas May secured employment at E. B. Ward's warehouse at the foot of Wayne street, in which position he remained for a period of twenty-eight years. At one time the family lived on the corner of Woodward avenue and Congress street.
James D. May has occupied an enviable. position at the Detroit bar for over thirty-three years, practicing as one of its most able and eminent representatives. Thoroughness and care in the preparation of his cases have won the respect of his contemporaries as well as his clients.
James D. May was born in Detroit October 23, 1863. He attended the public schools for five years, then old Trinity school, which was established on Porter street between Fifth and Sixth, where he studied for three years. He then attended Detroit College for two years, after which he entered the law department of the University of Michigan and secured his professional degree from that institution in 1887. His splendid work as a law student attracted the attention of George Jerome, then general counsel for the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad and an effort was made to secure for him a position with that railroad company, in the legal department. Mr. May was given many letters of recommendation by noted men, among them Henry Wade Rogers, William P. Wells and Levi T. Griffin, but just when success seemed to have crowned his efforts the general offices of the railroad were moved from Detroit to Montreal, Canada, and his chances were gone.
It has been customary for the graduated classes from the University of Michigan law school to go to the court in Washtenaw county and pass a perfune- tory examination. Mr. May desired a more thorough examination, accordingly came to Detroit, went before
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Judge Chambers, then sitting in the circuit court of Wayne county, and requested that a committee be ap- pointed to give him the examination. The committee named consisted of John G. Hawley, George S. Hos- mer and C. J. Reilly, who tested the legal knowledge Mr. May had brought out of the classroom and found it highly satisfactory.
On August 15, 1887, Mr. May opened a law office in Detroit and for nine years continued the practice alone, gradually winning a clientage of wide extent. He afterward hecame a partner in the firm of Flowers, May & Maloney, with which he was associated for five years, and in 1901 he entered into partnership with Harry J. Dingeman, under the firm style of May & Dingeman. This connection was maintained until the latter was elected to the Wayne County Circuit Court bench in 1919, since which time Mr. May has again practiced alone.
To trace back a few years it may be said that during the first campaign for Grover Cleveland, Mr. May was one of the most active in the organization of the First Voters' Club, under the title Young Men's Democratic Club. Mr. May was a candidate for circuit judge in 1905 and after a spirited contest came in second to P. J. M. Hally. At various times in his career Mr. May has given his attention and interest to other business connections, but never to the detri- ment of his chosen profession. He is now president of the Civil Service Commission. He is a member of the Association Bar of Detroit, Michigan Bar Association and American Bar Association, also is a member of the Lawyers Club. Politically Mr. May has always been affiliated with the democratic party and relig- iously is a Catholic. In the early '90s he gave much attention to athletics and was a member of the Detroit Boat Club and the Michigan Athletic Club.
On the 30th of April, 1895, in Detroit, was cele- brated the marriage of James D. May and Miss An- gelique Monnier, daughter of F. X. Monnier, an old established French family of Detroit.
RICHARD GEORGE BEEGEN, engaged in the gen- eral hardware business in Detroit, took up his abode in this city on the 4th of July, 1883, in the midst of a joyous Fourth of July celebration. He had just crossed the Atlantic from Meissen, Germany, where his birth occurred June 1, 1852, his parents being Carl Gottleib and Wilhelmina (Grellmann) Beegen, who spent their lives in Germany, where the father engaged in merchandizing.
Richard George Beegen attended school in his native country and afterward learned the tinsmith's trade, serving a regular apprenticeship and then working as a journeyman, until he became qualified to engage in business on his own account. He was a young man of but twenty-one years when he came to the new world, reaching Detroit on Independence Day of 1883. His financial condition rendered it imperative that he immediately seek employment and this he
found in the Pullman car shops, where he worked for a time and later secured a position in the hardware store of L. Gottfield on Michigan avenue. His capa- bility and faithfulness are indicated in the fact that he remained with Mr. Gottfield for sixteen years, and at the end of that time purchased the business of his employer. Since then he has greatly enlarged and improved the establishment and is now conducting his interests under the name of R. Beegan. He handles all kinds of shelf and heavy hardware and stoves and is also the manufacturer of the polished stove pipe. In fact he is a pioneer in manufacturing stove pipes of that character. He thoroughly learned the business in his native land and such has been his success in this particular branch of the business that today thirty carloads of polished stove pipes are shipped annually and it requires some thirty-five people to take care of the manufacture and sale of this output.
On the 22d of June, 1875, Mr. Beegen was married to Miss Bertha Ketscher and they have become par- ents of five children: Rose, who is the wife of Ulrich Cody of Montreal, Canada, and has one child, Nor- man; Elsa, who is the wife of Max Schloemp and has one child, Margaret, born in Detroit; Rudolph G., who married Miss Emma Livermore and has three children, Richard, Jane and Beverly, who are with their parents in Detroit; Clara, the wife of Otto Frederick, and the mother of four children, Richard, Edward, Helen and Lilian; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Carl Munch, who was a corporal in the World war and was killed in action in France.
Mr. Beegen gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is a member of the Retail Hardware Dealers Association of Detroit and he be- longs to the Order of Harugari of this city. When he arrived here his cash capital consisted of but twenty-nine dollars and thus he started out in the business world in Detroit, since which time he has worked his way steadily upward and his persistency of purpose has brought him the success that is his today. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the business opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has gained a most comfortable financial competence.
ALBERT E. CHARLESWORTH, who as president of the Wolverine Optical Company is conducting an extensive business as a manufacturing optician in Detroit, was born in Leicester, England, March 19, 1869, and in his early childhood was brought to the new world by his parents, James and Ellen (Woofen- den) Charlesworth, who established their home in Toronto, Canada, where he pursued a public school education. He resided in Toronto from 1873 until 1882 and then at the age of thirteen years came to Detroit. He started out in the business world as an employe of the Johnston Optical Company in 1884,
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when a youth of fifteen, and throughout the inter- vening years has continued in the same line of busi- ness, which he has found not only a congenial but a profitable field of labor. He remained with the John- ston Optical Company for fourteen years and in 1898 organized the Charlesworth Optical Company, which in 1912 was consolidated with the Wolverine Optical Company and the Kennedy Optical Company under the name of the Wolverine Optical Company, of which he is now the president. A large and substantial business has been developed, the output of the company main- taining the highest standards of scientific achieve- ment in their line. Mr. Charlesworth is also the presi- dent of the Detroit Motor Lock Company and one of the directors of the Jenney Engineering Company.
On the 29th of June, 1898, Mr. Charlesworth was married to Miss Laura Bell of Detroit, and they have become the parents of two sons and a daughter: Albert E., Jr., born September 26, 1899; Marjorie Bell and Donald E., the last named born May 20, 1914.
The religious faith of the parents is that of the Congregational church. In the line of his profession Mr. Charlesworth is connected with the American As- sociation of Wholesale Opticians. He belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce, is interested in the plans and projects of that organization for the upbuilding and benefit of the city, and is a member of the Fire Prevention committee from that body. His political support is given to the republican party. In fra- ternal relations he is known as a thirty-second degree Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine and he be- longs to the Rotary Club. In a word, his interests and activities are those of the high-minded American citizen and representative business man whose career is actuated by a spirit of progress, not only along the line of individual achievement, but also for the benefit of community, commonwealth and country. Mr. Charlesworth resides at 1200 Longfellow avenue.
HON. PHILIP TAYLOR VAN ZILE. For more than two decades the Hon. Philip T. Van Zile was a representative of the Detroit bar and also served as circuit judge. Before removing to this city he had engaged in the practice of law for many years in Charlotte, Michigan, and he was widely known in that and other sections of the state. He came to Michigan from Pennsylvania, in which latter state his birth occurred at Osceola, Tioga county, on the 20th of July, 1843, his parents being David M. and Elvira (Taylor) Van Zile, and he was descended from Holland Dutch stock. Their family numbered two children, the sister being Catherine, who married Charles H. Colgrove and died in Minneapolis. The father followed the occupation of shoe manufacturer. He, too, was a native of Pennsylvania, but for a number of years resided in Michigan and passed away in Potterville, Michigan.
Judge Van Zile obtained his early education in the public schools of Osceola and Union Academy at Wells-
boro, Pennsylvania, later continuing his studies in Alfred University, which in 1903 conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL. D. After his graduation from Alfred University he enlisted for service in the Civil war in September, 1864, from Rochester, Ohio, in Battery E, First Ohio Light Artillery, he having declined a commission as captain from the governor of Ohio, which was offered him because of his skill as a drillmaster in the home guards. His regiment was assigned to the army of the Cumberland, taking part in the battles of Nashville and Franklin, where General Hood was defeated. Mr. Van Zile served ten months, until after the close of the war. He had early determined upon the practice of law as a life work and his preparation therefor was very thorough, well equipping him to take up the onerous duties of the profession. He then entered the law department of the University, from which he was graduated in 1867. He was admitted to practice in 1867 and opened an office in Charlotte, Michigan, where he soon came into prominence, for no dreary novitiate awaited him. He early gave proof of his ability to handle success- fully intricate and involved legal problems and his clientage steadily increased. He was soon chosen to serve for two terms as prosecuting attorney of Eaton county and was likewise probate judge of Eaton county for a period of four years. His ability won him further judicial appointment, and at the age of thirty-two he was elected judge of the fifth judicial circuit court and while on the bench was appointed by President Hayes, United States district attorney to Utah, where he made a most creditable record from 1878 until 1884. After seven years of stormy experi- ences, endeavoring to compel respect for the law on the part of the Mormons of Utah and vicinity, Judge Van Zile resigned his position in the west in order to resume law practice in Charlotte, and seeking a wider field for his profession, he afterward came to Detroit in 1890. He filled the office of prosecuting attorney two terms and was later elected circuit judge of the Third Judicial district, serving until failing health caused him to decline reelection. His course upon the bench was characterized by a masterful grasp of every problem presented for solution and the utmost fidelity in discharging the duties of his position. He possessed an analytical mind and his application of legal principles was seldom at fault. In 1890 he was appointed special lecturer in Detroit College of Law and in 1892 became dean of the college and continued to fill this chair until failing health compelled him to resign in 1914. He was the author of authoritative works on the law, having published Bailments and Carriers and Equity, Pleading and Prac- tice. He also served on the board of state bar ex- aminers for several years.
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