USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117
In his political views George Dingwall is a repub- lican. He twice served as alderman of Detroit, first in 1889, from the first ward, and during that service he was made chairman of the committee on ways and means and also of the committee on street openings. During his second term, which began in 1898, when be represented the second ward, he was made chairman of the committee on charter and city legislation and also of the committee on rules.
Mr. Dingwall belongs to the Detroit Real Estate Board and the Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of Detroit Post, No. 384, Grand Army of the Republic, and a companion in the Military Order of the Loyal
134
CITY OF DETROIT
Legion of the United States. Through half a century he has been a valued and popular resident of the city. He is a man of tall stature, with a military bearing, and one who in business life has maintained ceaseless activity, reaching the autumn of his days without the retardation of any of his faculties.
GEORGE J. REINDEL is the senior partner in the firm of George F. Reindel & Brother, dealers in office furniture in Detroit, and his entire life has been devoted to commercial pursuits. He was born in this city July 18, 1864, and is a son of Frederick and Margaret (Zapf) Reindel. At the usual age he be- came a pupil in the public schools of Detroit, thereby acquiring his education, and he started out in the business world as a clerk in the retail store of Aertz, Meyers & Company. His capability and faithfulness won him promotion from time to time until he be- came manager of the store and superintendent of the office and factory. Thus his business experience was constantly broadening and at length he felt justified in establishing business on his own account. He then began dealing in office furniture and has since conducted the business most successfully, being joined in 1892 by his brother, Herman C. Reindel, under the firm style of George J. Reindel & Brother. They handle all kinds of office furniture and have built up a trade of large and gratifying proportions, theirs being one of the leading houses of the kind in the city.
In Chicago, in 1892, Mr. Reindel was married to Miss Amelia Zopf and they have become the parents of five sons and two daughters: Roy E., Ira H., Howard, Mildred, George J., Jr., Dorothy and John D. The religious belief of the family is that of the Lutheran church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Reindel is a republican in his political views and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club and the Harmonie Society and he indulges in hunting and fishing as a means of recreation. His entire career has been characterized by an enterprise and progressiveness that have brought splendid results and he is today regarded as one of the repre- sentative business men of Detroit.
HUGO H. ZANDER. To all familiar with the mer- cantile interests of Detroit the name of the Zander Brothers Tailoring Company is a familiar one, and active in the management of the business carried on under this firm style is Hugo H. Zander, who was born in Detroit, April 18, 1885, his parents being Albert F. and Henrietta (Liphart) Zander. The father was born on the other side of the Atlantic, coming to America in early life, where he became prominently identified with Detroit as a contractor, continuing in the business up to his demise. His wife was born, reared and educated in Detroit, and she has spent her life here. By her marriage she became the
mother of nine children, all of whom she reared to adult age, namely: L. W., A. E., George E., Ernest, Mrs. Anna Otto, Lorraine, Edna, Henrietta and Hugo H.
The last named, in his boyhood days, attended De- troit's public schools and after putting aside his textbooks decided to learn the tailor's trade. He therefore entered upon an apprenticeship with one of the leading tailors of the city and subsequently estab- lished business in connection with his brother in 1908, forming the Zander Brothers Tailoring Company. They started business in a modest way, but their establishment soon became known on account of the fine materials and excellent work turned out. The trade, therefore, has gradually developed until at this period they have one of the finest and best stocked tailoring establishments in Detroit, and rank with the leaders in this line of business. They carry fine woolens and imported cloth of various grades and patterns, and they employ a score of experienced op- eratives in their shops at No. 2222 Michigan avenue. The latest and most attractive models are to be seen in their establishment. They make the most fash- ionable clothes for the young and meet as well every demand for the more conservative middle aged busi- ness man.
On the 4th of November, 1908, Mr. Zander was mar- ried to Miss Freda Miesler of Detroit and they have become parents of four children: Alice, who was born in Detroit in 1909; Milton, born in 1912; Alvin, born in 1914; and Carol, born in 1918. The three eldest are in school.
Mr. Zander is well known in Masonic circles, be- longing to the Michigan Sovereign Consistory, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and he is also a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise has mem- bership in the Masonic Country Club and his interest in community affairs is shown in his connection with the Detroit Board of Commerce. His aid and support are generously given to all measures for the public good, for citizenship has never been to him a mere idle term. His business record, too, is commendable, for he has worked his way upward entirely through in- dividual effort, thus indicating the strength of his character, his forcefulness and resourcefulness.
ALFRED A. TREADWAY, a successful young busi- ness man, is well known in commercial circles of De- troit as the president of the A. A. Treadway, Incor- porated, sales engineers, with offices in the Penobscot building. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, January 10, 1884, and is a son of Elmore A. and Caro- line (Platt) Treadway. The father was a native of Vermont and in early life came to Michigan, sub- sequently becoming division freight agent at Grand Rapids for the Michigan Central Railroad. During his later years he lived retired and his demise oc- curred on the 23d of July, 1920. The mother was born
HUGO H. ZANDER
137
CITY OF DETROIT
in Grand Rapids and there spent her entire life, passing away in 1912. In the family were three chil- dren, two of whom survive: Howard Platt, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri; and Alfred A., of this review.
In the public and high schools of his native city Mr. Treadway acquired his early education and then entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the degrees of B. S. in C. E. in 1908. Coming to Detroit, he entered the service of the Detroit City Gas Company, becoming assistant engineer, and remained with that corporation until 1919, when he organized the A. A. Treadway Com- pany, Incorporated, industrial heat treating furnaces and japanning oven sales engineers, becoming president of the enterprise, with Homer T. Hood as the vice president and Charles E. Buysse as secretary and treasurer. Although one of the newer commercial organizations of the city, they have already succeeded in building up a good patronage, being recognized as experts in their line of work.
On the 2d of September, 1911, Mr. Treadway was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Elizabeth Hyde, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Hyde, Jr., who formerly resided in Saginaw, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Treadway have become the parents of four children: Robert Hyde, who was born in 1912 and is now at- tending the graded schools of Detroit; John Platt, whose birth occurred in 1915; Alfred Alanson, Jr., born in 1917; and Howard W., born in 1921.
The family attend the North Woodward Congre- gational church, and in his political views Mr. Tread- way is a republican. He is a member of the Ingleside Club, Riverview Golf Club, the Steel Treating Re- search Club, the Detroit Engineering Society and the Phi Delta Theta college fraternity. He is thoroughly reliable in all business affairs and his elose application and laudable ambition have carried him into import- ant commercial relations. He is accounted one of the progressive men of his community and is highly es- teemed by all who know him.
GEORGE WILLIAM RENCHARD, whose merchant tailoring establishment is one of the important busi- ness enterprises of Detroit, where he has figured prominently in commercial circles since January, 1899, was born December 16, 1875, in the city which is still his home, his parents being William J. and Eliza- beth (Dormer) Renchard. At the usual age he be- came a public school pupil, passing through consec- utive grades to the high school, and when his educa- tion was completed he took up the tailoring trade and thorough training and wide experience developed his skill in this connection until he felt justified in en- gaging in business on his own account. In January, 1899, he opened the merchant tailoring establishment of Detroit, which he has since conducted, carrying on his business interests as a member of the firm of Marshall & Renchard.
On the 30th of July, 1904, Mr. Renchard was united in marriage to Miss Elsie M. Guenther of Detroit, and they have become the parents of two sons: George W. and Jack V. Mr. and Mrs. Renchard are mem- bers of the Roman Catholic church and he is identi- fied with the Knights of Columbus. His political sup- port is given to the republican party, of which he has been a follower since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. He finds recreation in motoring, golf and our national game of baseball and he belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Automobile Club and the Detroit Golf Club.
WILLIAM T. GAGE, general agent for the North- western Mutual Life Insurance Company is probably the dean of insurance men in Detroit. For thirty- seven years he has been in insurance and for thirty- one years has occupied the same office in the Hammond building, facing the clock on the City Hall. He was born at LeRoy, Genesee county, New York, March 16, 1844, and has therefore passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey but gives one the impres- sion that somewhere along the road he has skipped about twenty years. Clear of brain and eye, with a kindly outlook upon the world at large, he bears none of the marks and scars of the battle and he handles the large amount of business that comes be- fore him daily as easily and as promptly as a man of forty would do.
When eleven years of age Mr. Gage removed with his family to Concord, New Harmpshire, and after graduating from the high school at the early age of sixteen years he attended Dartmouth College and graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1864, when he was but twenty years of age. He then en- gaged in teaching and in 1867 the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater.
Mr. Gage was president of the Highland University in Doniphan county, Kansas, for several years during his career as a teacher. He was then elected pro- fessor of English and History at the University of Kansas, receiving the magnificent (?) salary of eigh- teen hundred dollars per year and in the fall of 1873 removed to Lawrence, Kansas. The following year Kansas was devastated by grasshoppers and as a result the state legislature decided it must retrench on expenses, and therefore refused to make the usual appropriation for the State University. The regents called the faculty together and proposed that the teachers continue on a greatly reduced salary. Mr. Gage was offered one thousand dollars instead of eighteen hundred, but at that juncture he received a call to take charge of the Hartford Female Seminary at Hartford, Connecticut. Accordingly he resigned and returned to New England, remaining at the head of the Hartford institution until 1883, when he gave up teaching to engage in the business of life insurance,
138
CITY OF DETROIT
in which he has continned np to the present time. He came to Detroit as general agent for the Aetna Life, but after six years with that company was made general agent for the Northwestern Mutual Life, which position he has occupied since 1889 or for a period of more than thirty-two years. He has long been recognized as an insurance expert. He has fully met every responsibility that has devolved upon him, has ever displayed the utmost loyalty to the com- pany's interest and close and keen attention to busi- ness has characterized his daily course throughout all these years.
There are other interesting features in the life of Mr. Gage, who is numbered among the veterans of the Civil war, for at the age of seventeen years he enlisted with a company of students, being recruited at Dartmouth College for cavalry service. The gov- ernors of New Hampshire and Massachusetts declined to accept the students in that branch of the army, but Governor Sprague of Rhode Island was organizing a squadron of cavalry and the men enlisted from that state. There were two companies in the command, one wholly of college men, the other made up of the usual class of enlisted men and they were mustered into service in Washington, D. C., and were on duty in the army of the Potomac. At Harpers Ferry Mr. Gage and five of his comrades were taken prisoners but were afterward paroled and sent to the Annapolis Parole Camp. These six privates, who had no officers to draw supplies for them and whose term of enlist- ment had expired, were entirely without means of subsistence, except for some small private resources, and in this situation they deputed one of their num- ber to go to Washington and attempt to secure their discharge and transportation to Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. Gage was selected as the one for this mission and went to Washington, where he saw General Halleck, and arrangements were made for the honor- able discharge of himself and associates in the capital city and their transportation was furnished to Provi- dence, Rhode Island.
Mr. Gage is now a member and a past commander of Detroit Post, No. 384, G. A. R. He is also a Mason of high rank, belonging to Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M .; Michigan Sovereign Consistory; and to Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise a member of Detroit Club and the Country Club at Grosse Ile. His residence is Grosse Ile, Michigan, from which place he goes daily to business in Detroit.
Mr. Gage was married first to Elizabeth Goodwin, a member of the Parke Goodwin family, to which William Cullen Bryant was likewise related. Their children are: William Henry Gage, Alexander Kim- . ball Gage and Major Philip Stearns Gage. The last named is a graduate of the West Point Military Acad- emy and was overseas for about two years in the World war. He is at present an instructor in the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Three years after the death of his first wife
Mr. Gage was married to Miss Julia Eugenia Bury of Grosse Ile, whom he had known throughout nearly her entire life. Mr. Gage was one of the incorpora- tors of the Central Savings Bank and for many years director and vice president of that bank. This is the only commercial interest with which he has been identified. In politics Mr. Gage is a republican. His religious connection is with the Episcopal church. His business affairs, his home life and his farm absorb his entire attention. He has never cared for nor songht publie office, yet he knows the history of De- troit for the last thirty-eight years most intimately, and has seen the city grow from a small and beautiful town to its present metropolitan dimensions. His memory of men and events that have shaped its history is remarkable, and in all the bustle and stir of this seething city, there is no more active, nor more busy man than Mr. Gage. Notwithstanding his years he retains the virility of the prime of life, and in his outlook upon the world his mental horizon is wide and cloudless.
MeKEE ROBISON, an able representative of the Detroit bar and member of the well known law firm of Oxtoby, Robison & Hull, has successfully prac- ticed his profession in this city since 1911. Mr. Rob- ison was born at Ypsilanti, Michigan, July 25, 1886, a son of Walter A. and Cornelia E. (Jacob) Robison. In the public schools of his native city he acquired his early education and after the completion of his course in the Ypsilanti high school in 1905 he en- tered the literary department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1909 with the A. B. degree, while in 1911 that institution con- ferred upon him the degree of J. D. He was admitted to the bar on the 27th of June of that year and coming to Detroit he entered upon the active prac- tice of law. The zeal with which he follows his profession and the careful regard evinced for the in- terests of his clients have brought him a large and rep- resentative clientage. For several years he continued alone in practice, or until he formed his present asso- ciation, during which time he has been connected with much important litigation heard in the courts of the state.
On the 16th of May, 1914, Mr. Robison was united in marriage to Miss Vivian Gilpin of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and they have become the parents of three children: Helen Elizabeth, who was born April 24, 1915; Douglas McKee, born November 26, 1916; and Ralph G., whose birth occurred on the 14th of July, 1918.
Mr. Robison's interest in the development and advancement of his city is indicated by his member- ship in the Detroit Board of Commerce. He is a member of the Meadowbrook Country Club, the Wash- tenaw Country Club and the University of Michigan Club and his professional connections are with the Detroit and Michigan State Bar Associations. He
McKEE ROBISON
141
CITY OF DETROIT
holds to high standards in professional service, has great respect for the dignity of his calling and zeal- ously devotes his energies to his chosen life work,
CHARLES NEIL McNAUGHTON, well known in the legal, financial and insurance circles of Detroit, was born at St. Clair, Michigan, June 7, 1877, his parents being Neil and Margaret (Bannatyne) Me- Naughton. The father was born in Campbelltown, Scotland, and in that country wedded Miss Banna- tyne. Coming to America, their home was established at St. Clair, Michigan, where he resided until 1884 when they removed to Detroit where for some years he was connected with the firm of G. and R. McMillan. Here the father passed away in 1908. The mother is still living and makes her home with her son, Charles N.
In the schools of Detroit, Charles N. McNaughton obtained his early education, passing through consecu- tive grades to the high school. His choice of a life work fell upon the law and he began preparation for practice at the bar by entering the Detroit College of Law, in which he won his LL. B. degree in 1900. The same year he was admitted to the bar and through- out his professional career he has engaged in special practice as attorney for the American Bonding Company and the Fidelity & Deposit Company of Maryland. He also entered the field of general insurance as a mem- ber of the firm of McNaughton & Livingston, of which he is the president. This company was incorporated and has engaged in handling general insurance and surety bonds. He is also the president of the firm of Me- Naughton, Livingston & Reinke, Incorporated, like- wise conducting a general insurance business.
On the 8th of August, 1903, Mr. McNaughton was married in Detroit to Miss Pearl MeInerney, who passed away October 30, 1907, leaving a daughter, Ardath Margaret.
Mr. McNaughton gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He belongs to the Detroit Ath- letic Club, the Bloomfield Hills Country Club, the Detroit Bar Association, the Lawyers' Club, the Board of Commerce and the Rotary Club-associations which indicate the nature of his interests and of his ac- tivities. He is also connected with the Episcopal church. During the war period he served on the legal advisory board, also as a member of the American Protective League and was actively identified with the Wayne county Liberty Loan drives.
ARTON E. YOKOM, a civil engineer, at present conducting an office devoted chiefly to consultation in professional affairs, was born across the border at Petrolia, Ontario, Canada, August 15, 1880. His par- ents were Canadians, his grandparents were Americans, and his ancestry for generations lived in the United States. The original member of the Yokom family to settle in this country came from Holland.
Arton E. Yokom was educated in the University
of Michigan, from the engineering department of which he was graduated with the class of 1904, with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineer- ing. Some short time later he went to Panama and was engaged in engineering work on the Canal for a time, after which he was appointed on the United States Lake survey, being thus engaged for two years. Mr. Yokom received an important appointment from Cor- nell University, where he was instructor in civil en- gineering for one year, following which he was en- gaged on structural steel work in Pittsburgh and New York, remaining in that line for some time prior to coming to Detroit.
It was in 1914 that Mr. Yokom opened an office in Detroit on his own account, where his work mainly consists of acting in a consulting capacity, and where he has broadened his sphere of operations in the in- tervening years. Mr. Yokom has undertaken and executed some ambitious work since coming here. He designed the structural features of the Majestic theatre, of the Adams theatre, the Madison theatre, and many other fine buildings recently erected in De- troit.
Mr. Yokom was married in 1917 to Miss Verona Simpson and they have become the parents of one son: Robert Yokom. Mr. Yokom is a member of the Detroit Engineering Society, of the Detroit Athletic Club, and of the Detroit Tennis Club.
EDWIN E. MEIER. For many years the name of Meier has figured prominently in connection with con- struction work in Detroit and as junior member of the firm of Talbot & Meier, building contractors and interior decorators, Edwin E. Meier is also contrib- uting to the development and improvement of the city in which his life has been spent. He was born in De- troit, March 18, 1890, a son of Henry J. and Matilda (Aertz) Meier, the former of whom was a prominent architect of this city, successfully following his pro- fession for over thirty-seven years, and many of the finest buildings in the city stand as monuments to his skill and ability. In the family were eight chil- dren, the brothers and sisters of Edwin E Meier being: Walter; Harry; Adeline, the wife of Edward Posse- lius; Florence, who married Karl L. Heinkelman; Francis; Marie; and Frederick.
In the pursuit of an education Mr. Meier attended the parochial and high schools of Detroit and the University of Michigan. He then became timekeeper for the Schmied & Sisman Company, later winning promotion to the position of chief estimator, while subsequently he was made construction superinten- dent. He remained with that company for a period of six years and in May, 1919, became a member of the firm of Talbot & Meier, organized for the purpose of conducting a general building construction and interior decorating business, Mr. Talbot having charge of construction work, while Mr. Meier attends to the office end of the business. They confine their efforts
142
CITY OF DETROIT
to the construction of factories, stores, schools, office buildings and churches and have completed many large projects, including the remodeling of Baumgart- ner's clothing store, and the Union Trust building, the building of the Federal Tool Company's plant, the Cathedral, Holy Name, Visitation and St. Alphonsus schools. From its inception the business has enjoyed a steady growth and the office force now numbers six persons, while the firm furnishes employment to about one hundred skilled artisans, including masons, car- penters, painters, plasterers and interior decorators. In the execution of contracts the company is prompt and reliable, adhering to the spirit as well as the letter of an agreement, and although but recently organized its business has already assumed extensive proportions.
On the 9th of October, 1918, Mr. Meier was united in marriage to Miss Venus Erickson of Big Rapids, Michigan, and they have hecome the parents of a daughter, Marjorie, who was born November 24, 1919. In religious faith Mr. Meier is a Catholic and he is a member of the Detroit Automobile Club and is also identified with the Board of Commerce, being deeply interested in everything that pertains to the welfare and development of his native city. He is yet a young man but he has already accomplished much, and all who know him esteem him for his energy, his progressiveness and his sterling integrity.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.