USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 14
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CLAYTON A. GRINNELL, one of Detroit's suc- cessful business men whose activities are inseparably interwoven with the history of the Grinnell Brothers Music House, was born near Albion, New York, De- cember 2, 1859, a son of Ira and Betsy (Baleom) Grinnell. He spent his life until fourteen years of age in the state of New York, on a farm, his parents both dying in 1865, only four weeks intervening be- tween their deaths.
Clayton A. Grinnell acquired his early education in the district schools of Orleans county, New York, and later entered school at Ann Arbor, where he finished his education. When fourteen years old he went from New York to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where his older brother, Ira L., was then representative for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. In that city the firm of Grinnell Brothers was organized, the original mem- bers thereof being Ira L., Clayton A. and Herbert B. Grinnell. Confident that Detroit afforded greater op-
portunities, they removed to this city in 1882, taking the agency for the White sewing machine. The energy and business enterprise which they had displayed from the outset continued to make itself felt in their busi- ness, which grew rapidly. Their first location was at 218 Woodward avenue. The development of the musical instrument business resulted from a modest be- ginning, when a few organs and pianos were added to their stock merely as a side line to their trade in sewing machines. About 1886, however, the sewing machine business was discontinued and Herbert B. Grinnell retired from the firm, his brothers purchas- ing his interest. The growth of the musical instru- ment trade soon necessitated larger quarters and the business was removed to a small store then on the site of the present Healey building. In 1896 the business was transferred across the street to the west side of Woodward, where it remained until they erected the magnificent Grinnell building at 243-245- 247 Woodward avenue, which was completed in 1908. From a most humble beginning there has been devel- oped the largest business of its kind in the country, with twenty branch stores in Michigan alone, besides branches in other states as well as in Canada. The business has grown to proportions requiring one thou- sand employes to care for it. In 1901 the firm began manufacturing pianos and since that time several factories have been added to the plant for the various branches of the business. The firm's large plant at Holly, Michigan, is one of the most thoroughly equipped piano factories in the country and it has also a piano factory in Canada. The establishment of an enterprise of this magnitude has not been without a self-denying effort at times, and most earnest ef- fort throughout the entire period. From the beginning it has always been the policy of Grinnell Brothers to avoid false, standards, with the result that not only has an immense business in musical merchandise been built up but also an unassailable reputation for com- mercial integrity and close conformity to the highest standards of commercial ethics. Clayton A. Grinnell, as first vice president of the company, has been no small factor in its growth and development and is today one of the best known men in the country in the musical instrument trade, having been president of the Retail Music Merchants Association of the United States and Canada, and two years ago was given the highest possible honor in the music industry by being made president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Allied Music Industries of America. He is first vice president of Grinnell Brothers and is also vice president of the Grinnell Realty Company. He holds membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Young Men's Christian Association, the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Motor Boat Club, the De- troit Automobile Club, Wolverine Automobile Club and the Detroit Club, and in five other golf clubs. He is a director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and in his church affiliation is a
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Methodist. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and in politics maintains connection with the republican party. Nearly forty years of identification with the city's business interests have given him a wide ac- quaintance and he has come to be regarded as the peer of any business man in the city in knowing every detail of his business, while at the same time he has thoroughly mastered the great principles upon which business development and success depend.
ROY HERALD, attorney at law, was born in Liv- ingston county, Michigan, March 7, 1883. His father, Willard L. Herald, also a native of this state, has throughout his life engaged in farming and is num- bered among the prominent and representative resi- dents of Livingston county. He married Miss Martha Beach, who was reared in Michigan and passed away in 1883.
Their only child, Roy Herald, attended the district schools, also the South Lyon public schools and later entered the Michigan State Normal school, from which he was graduated in 1905. Desiring to become a member of the bar, he then removed to Detroit to enter the Detroit College of Law, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in the class of 1908. He at once began practice in this city, as- sociated with Fred R. Schmalzriedt and John C. Spaulding, with whom he was thus connected for six years. He has since been alone, conducting a general law practice, although specializing to a con- siderable extent in corporation law. The thorough- ness and earnestness with which he prepares his cases enables him to find ready solution for intricate legal problems and his presentation of a case always com- mands the close attention of the court, his fellow members of the bar and others.
On the 21st of October, 1908, Mr. Herald was mar- ried to Miss Mabel G. Miller of Howard City, Michi- gan, daughter of Henry and Eunice Miller. They are the parents of two children: Eunice Elizabeth, who was born in Detroit in 1912 and is attending school; and Louise Ellen, born in Detroit in 1916.
Mr. Herald is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the Lawyers Club and the Fellowcraft Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Throughout his professional career he has been connected with the Detroit bar and in a calling where advancement is proverbially slow he has made steady progress, bringing him to a creditable position as a representative of the Detroit bar.
GERALD AUSTIN DOYLE. The record of Gerald Austin Doyle stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, for in the city of his nativity, where he has spent much of his life, he is accorded a liberal elientage as a member of the bar and is making steady progress in a profession where advancement
depends entirely upon individual ability and merit. Born in Detroit, February 25, 1886, Gerald A. Doyle is a son of Michael Joseph and Maria B. (Fitzpatrick) Doyle. The father was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1852, and was married in Hamilton, Ontario, to Miss Fitzpatrick. Their home is now in Menominee, Michi- gan. The father is a practicing attorney there and at the present writing is filling the position of mayor. He has long been prominent in the public life of city and state. He served in 1890 and 1891 as a member of the Michigan general assembly, and for two terms he was prosecuting attorney of Menominee county. He has likewise been president of the school board for two terms, was custodian of alien property in northern Michigan, was city attorney for Menomi- nee and Iron Mountain and is now supervisor of the United States census for the twelfth district of Mich- igan.
Gerald A. Doyle acquired a public school education at Menominee, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school with the class of 1903. He afterward spent two years as a student in St. Norbert's College at De Pere, Wisconsin, and returning to his native city, entered the Detroit Col- lege of Law, from which he was graduated with the class of 1910. He then located for practice at Me- nominee, where he remained for two years, after which he removed to Los Angeles, California, where he prac- ticed for a period of three years. In 1915 he returned to Detroit, where for five years he has been an active member of the bar and his ability in the presentation of his cases before the courts, following the most careful preparation, has brought to him an enviable clientage.
On the 23d of February, 1915, in Los Angeles,, California, Mr. Doyle was married to Miss Adele Seims. Mr. Doyle is a member of the faculty of the University of Detroit, law department (Jesuit Col- lege). He is identified with several social organiza- tions, including the Fellowcraft Athletic Club and the Delta Theta Phi fraternity. He is a Catholic in religious faith and belongs to the Knights of Colum- bus. In politics he is a democrat and his interest in the success of his party has beeen tangibly manifest on many occasions. He is connected with the Board of Commerce, served on the legal advisory board of his district during the World war and was also active in connection with the Red Cross and Liberty Loan drive committees. There is no call for public service to which he does not make ready response, and his efforts are always far-reaching and beneficial.
FRANK L. SCHWARZ, JR., one of the younger business men of Detroit, is well known as secretary- treasurer of the Schwarz Foundry Company, which is one of the leading industrial enterprises of the city, engaged in the manufacture of iron castings and patterns and all kinds of special machinery. He is a native of this city and has here spent his
ROY HERALD
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life, his birth having occurred on the 12th of March, 1882. His parents were Frank L. and Emma (Sotier) Schwarz, who reared a family of two sons, Frank L., Jr., and Elmer.
In the public schools of Detroit, Frank L. Schwarz, Jr., acquired his education and at an early age be- came identified with manufacturing interests, enter- ing the shops of the Russell Wheel & Foundry Company of Detroit as a pattern-maker. He became an expert mechanic and continued with that corporation for a period of six years, or until he had attained the age of twenty-two, when he accepted a position with the Lloyd Construction Company, located on Greenwood street, being given entire charge of the plant, thus indicating his unusual business ability and capacity for successful management. The company engaged in the manufacture of complete gas plants and for four years Mr. Schwarz continued as manager of the plant, most capably discharging his duties in that connec- tion. In 1908 the Schwarz Foundry Company was organized with Frank L. Schwarz, Sr., as the presi- dent and the subject of this review as secretary- treasurer, while his brother, Elmer Schwarz, is also connected with the business. The company was organ- ized with a capital of but five hundred dollars and its assets today total more than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, thus indicating its remarkable growth during the thirteen years of its existence. The firm manufactures steel castings and patterns and all kinds of special machinery and has been given many large contracts, numbering among its patrons the largest industrial enterprises of the city. That its work is first-class in every particular is indicated in the fact that the company was employed to man- ufacture the steel work on the Michigan Central tunnel and the Livingston tunnel, two notable en- gineering projects. The concern's first location was No. 611 East Fort street, where it continued for five years, when the present plant at No. 2001 West Fort street was erected. It furnishes employment to over sixty people, fifty of whom are skilled mechanics, and it is one of the leading foundries in the city. Frank L. Schwarz, Jr., owns a one-third interest in the busi- ness and in addition to serving as secretary-treasurer of the company he also acts as its chief engineer, doing excellent work in this connection. He is an expert mechanic and his previous experience with large manufacturing enterprises has well qualified him for his present position of responsibility, the success of the undertaking being due in large measure to his intelligently directed efforts, close application and initiative spirit.
In 1904 Mr. Schwarz was united in marriage to Miss Alice Gowan of Detroit, and they have become the parents of four children: Eleanor, Dorothy, Frank and Mary Alice. The family reside in an attractive home at No. 105 Monterey avenue, in the Highland Park suburb of Detroit, and they have many friends in the city.
In his political views Mr. Schwarz is a republican and his interest in the welfare and progress of Detroit is indicated by his membership in the Board of Com- merce, in whose plans and projects for the develop- ment and upbuilding of the city he heartily cooperates. His business connections also include his membership in the Detroit Credit Men's Association, the Mich- igan Manufacturers Association and the American Foundrymen's Association. Fraternally he is identi- fied with the Masons, belonging to Friendship Lodge, No. 417, F. & A. M., and in his life exemplifies the beneficent teachings of the order. He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his native city and his enterprise and business judgment have enabled him to accomplish much, although he is still a young man. His life in every relation has measured up to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship and Detroit may well feel proud to claim him as one of her native sons.
ARTHUR H. WILLIAMSON, sales manager at De- troit for the American Radiator Company, was born in Dayton, Ohio, April 30, 1877, a son of Charles Wesley and Henrietta (Miller) Williamson, both of whom were natives of Dayton, where they were reared, educated and spent their lives. The father was en- gaged in the wholesale grocery business for many years but is now living retired. Three children were born to them: Charles Calvin, who follows farming near Dayton; Mrs. W. S. North, living at Vandalia, Ohio; and Arthur H.
The last named attended school in Dayton, passing through consecutive grades to the high school and afterward attending a commercial school. Following the completion of his studies he took up salesman- ship. He made one trip to South America, visiting all the different countries on the southern hemisphere. Following his return to Ohio he was made manager of the Minneapolis Branch of the National Cash Register Company and was connected with the sales depart- ment of that company altogether for seven years, making a splendid record for large sales. On the expiration of that period he resigned his position to accept a similar one with the American Radiator Company, with which he has been identified since 1906. He was first in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and later was an assistant to the general manager of sales at Chicago, Illinois, where he continued for a year. He was then transferred to Omaha, Nebraska, as manager and resided in that city until 1913, when he came to Detroit as sales manager of the Michigan branch and in this connection has won a well deserved reputation, his efforts resulting in a large growth in the sales. He also has charge of the Detroit office and under his direction there are thirty sales people, with twenty-eight in the office force. His territory covers all of Michigan except from Battle Creek to the state line and under his guidance a business of most gratifying proportions has been built up.
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On the 5th of October, 1904, in Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Williamson was married to Miss May Scott, a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Scott, former treas- urer of the Stoddard Manufacturing Company of Dayton. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have one child, Nan B., who was born in Minneapolis on September 12, 1905, and is now attending the North Detroit high school.
In politics Mr. Williamson maintains an independent course, considering the capability of the candidate rather than his party ties. He belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club and also to the Wilderness Club and has made many friends during the seven-year period of his residence in Detroit, where he has gained a well merited reputation as a representative business man and substantial citizen. His course illustrates what can be accomplished through individual effort, for he started out in the business world emptyhanded and today occupies a remunerative position and one of large responsibility.
CLARENCE SHERMAN VAUGHN, one of the well known and prosperous business men of Detroit, where for years he has been engaged in the real estate busi- ness and where he is owner of the Vaughn Roofing Company and otherwise connected with commercial pursuits in the city, is a native of Michigan, born on Brooklyn avenue between Temple and Perry streets, in Detroit on December 9, 1871. He is a son of Frank B. and Mary (Dawson) Vaughn, the former one of the prominent contractors of Detroit in the latter half of the last century.
Mr. Vaughn was educated in the public schools of the city and in the Detroit Business College. He be- gan active business life as a messenger in the Home Savings Bank, at which he remained for a brief period. . When he was twenty-six years old Mr. Vaughn went into the real estate business, with which he has been identified ever since; he conducted the real estate operations alone until 1907, when he formed a part- nership with Walter A. Drolet, and they now carry on a general contracting and real estate business, with spacious and well-appointed offices in the Buhl building.
In 1909 Mr. Vaughn started the Vaughn Roofing Company, of which he is the sole owner. Another undertaking, the Vaughn Plumbing and Heating Com- pany, is owned by him and Mr. Drolet, and the com- bined businesses are carried on with considerable success, due in no small degree to Mr. Vaughn's energy and ability. Both Mr. Vaughn and his partner are well known in the commercial life of Detroit, where they stand in the forefront among the business classes.
On March 16, 1897, Mr. Vaughn was married to Miss Kate Seaman Dupont, who is a descendant of an old French family, having their residence for many years in Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn are the par- ents of one child, a daughter, Catherine Southard Vaughn. Mr. Vaughn is an active member of the Masonic order; a member of the Blue lodge, Chapter,
Commandery and Shrine. He also holds membership in the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Golf Club, Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club, and the Ingleside Club, in the affairs of which he takes a warm and practical interest. He and his wife share in all social and cultural movements calculated to advance the best interests of the community in which they live. Mr. Vaughn resides at No. 635 Putnam avenue, which home he built in 1909.
GEORGE GREENFIELD HALL. Extensive and important operations in real estate have brought George Greenfield Hall to a prominent position among the leading business men of Detroit and as vice presi- dent of the Hall-Doyle Real Estate Company he is identified with one of the largest enterprises of this character in the city. He was born at Dundee, Mich- igan, June 15, 1889, a son of Melvin and Eliza (Miller) Hall, the former also a native of the Wolverine state, while the latter was born in Ohio. The father was for many years prominently connected with construc- tion work in this state as superintendent of bridge construction for the Ann Arbor Railroad Company. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are now residents of Detroit and are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. To their union three children were born: Cortez R., presi- dent of the Hall-Doyle Real Estate Company and also a prominent dentist of Detroit; George G., of this review; and Judson W., likewise a resident of this city.
In the acquirement of an education George G. Hall attended the grammar and high schools of Ann Arbor, Michigan, after which he became a student at the University of Michigan. He then went to Cleveland, Ohio, and for six years was connected with the retail shoe business, following which he entered the Law School of the Baldwin-Wallace College at Berea, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. de- gree in 1915. He at once engaged in the work of his profession, opening an office in Cleveland, where he successfully continued in practice for two years. He then came to Detroit and on the 25th of March, 1918, in association with his brother, Dr. Cortez R. Hall, organized the Hall-Doyle Real Estate Company. They are numbered among the enterprising and pro- gressive real estate operators of Detroit and their business has reached extensive proportions. They have negotiated many important realty transfers and have developed a number of attractive subdivisions, including that of Wyoming Heights, while they are also operating in Ojibway, on the Canadian side of the river. The present members of the company are: Dr. Cortez R. Hall, president; Geo. G. Hall, vice presi- dent; L. E. Doyle, former member of the faculty of Northeastern high school in Detroit, treasurer; Rev. W. F. Kinsey, secretary; and Judson W. Hall.
In Detroit, on the 28th of June, 1916, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Jessiebell Ertell, a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. James J. Ertell of this city.
CLARENCE S. VAUGHN.
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Mr. and Mrs. Hall have a son, Theodore T., born Jan- uary 8, 1921. Mr. Hall is a republican in his political views and his religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Congregational church. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, in which he has attained the master's degree, and he is also connected with the Masonic Country Club. He is a member of Delta Theta Phi fraternity and the Lawyers Club of De- troit. In the management of his business affairs he has been progressive, energetic and capable and while winning individual prosperity he has also con- tributed in marked measure to the development and upbuilding of the city. Mr. Hall resides on Ilene boulevard.
JOHN OWEN, manager of the John Owen estate, was born in Detroit, August 18, 1861, his parents being John and Jane (Cook) Owen. The father was born near Toronto, Canada, March 20, 1809, and was very young at the time of his father's death. In 1818 he accompanied his mother to Detroit but when only twelve years of age began providing for his own support as an errand boy in the drug store of Dr. Chapin. When he was only twenty years of age he was admitted to a partnership and later the firm became J. Owen & Company, with which Mr. Owen remained until 1853. He afterward became extensively interested in banking and lake marine navigation, being one of the earliest and heaviest stockholders of the Detroit & Cleveland Steam Navigation Company, of which he was president for many years. He was also one of the principal stockholders of the Detroit Dry Dock Company and became its first president. He held the presidency of the Michigan Insurance Bank during the financial panic of 1857, in which connection it was said: "The fact that the bank weathered the storms of that period was very largely due to the unbounded confidence which the business public had in his ability and integrity." Apropos of the same subject another appreciative article contains the following equally pertinent words: "His integrity and good name constituted the wall that prevented the financial breakers from overwhelming not only the bank but scores of individuals as well." Such statements as these indicate the character and repu- tation of this honored pioneer of Detroit. He became the first president of the old National Insurance Bank, which in 1869 was consolidated with the First Na- tional Bank largely through his efforts, and he re- mained a director of the latter until 1880. Upon his resignation the board of directors passed the following resolutions :
"Whereas, The Hon. John Owen, after an official connection with this bank and its immediate pre- decessor of over forty-four years, has decided to retire from the directorship of this hank, to which he was first elected on March 3, 1869, be it
"Resolved, That it is with deep regret that we, the officers and directors of this bank, learn of this
determination on the part of Mr. Owen, and that we desire to place on record our high appreciation of his character, and to acknowledge the great benefits we have derived from his counsels, and the larger ad- vantage to the bank for his faithful attendance upon the meetings of this board, and his ever watchful and careful attention to the interests of the bank.
"Resolved, That we attribute no small share of the present prosperous condition of the bank and its free- dom from losses to Mr. Owen's wise and disinterested advice in all matters pertaining to the administration of the bank's affairs during the eleven years he has been connected with it.
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