USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 18
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
Mr. Truxell was married to Miss Katharine Koon of Auburn, New York, on the 12th of November, 1904. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larned Koon of Auburn. Four children have been born of this mar- riage: Waldo, born in 1906; Margarette, born in 1907; Betty, born in 1909, and Katharine, born in 1913. All were born in Detroit. Mr. Truxell is a member of the Ingleside, Detroit Automobile, Wolverine and Oak- land Hills Country Clubs, Brooklands Golf Club, and the Detroit Board of Commerce, and is a most pro- gressive citizen, prominent both in his business con- nections and socially.
GEORGE C. BECKER, prominently identified with the furniture trade of Detroit for many years, and popular in business circles throughout the state, is vice president of The J. Brushaber Sons. He was born in Detroit, October 30, 1872, a son of Joachim and Sophie (Albrecht) Becker, who were born on the border line between France and Germany, and came to America in 1869, settling in Detroit, where the father established a grocery business. He after- wards sold his store and engaged in the sale of milk, cream, butter and cheese, thus conducting a dairy business to the time of his retirement. He is now enjoying well earned rest in Detroit, and both he and his wife are nearing the eightieth milestone on life's journey, both being hale and hearty. They have two children, one son being Henry Becker, a prominent grocer of Detroit.
The other son, George C. Becker, who is the elder, attended the high school of Detroit, and was afterward apprenticed to the upholsters' trade, acquiring a thor- ough knowledge of the business, after which he estab- lished the George C. Becker Company on Michigan avenue, between Brooklyn and Eighth avenues, which in 1905 was consolidated with the business of J. Brushaber Sons, under the name of the Brushaber Company, and later it was changed to the present style of The J. Brushaber Sons. The firm has three large establishments in Detroit, and an extensive
CLYDE W. TRUXELL
153
CITY OF DETROIT
warehouse for storage purposes. In fact it owns and controls the largest furniture and household supply business in the state, carrying a very extensive line of goods, and employing eighty people. The con- tinuous growth and development of the business is attributable in no small measure to the efforts of Mr. Becker, who is thoroughly familiar with the fur- niture trade of every department and who has so directed his efforts that most satisfactory results have been achieved.
Ou the 8th of November, 1893, at Rockwood, Michi- gan, Mr. Becker was married to Miss May Gretzler, daughter of a prominent family of that locality, and they have become parents of two children: Hazel, who married Carl Buhrer, and they have one child, Gordon Carl Buhrer; and Helma Becker, who resides with her parents.
Mr. Becker belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is a member of the Vortex Club, of which he is a vice president, the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Detroit Automobile Club, and the Mes- siah Lutheran church. These associations indicate clearly the nature of his interests and the rules that govern his conduct. He stands as a man among men, self-made in the best sense of the term, and ac- counted one of Detroit's representative citizens.
CAMPBELL HAMILTON LEITH, for twenty-two years a resident of Detroit and now senior partner of the firm of Leith & Young, engaged in the men's tailoring business, was born at Point Edward, On- tario, Canada, November 26, 1881, his parents being Thomas B. and Louisa Anne (Saunders) Leith. He was, however, but an infant when the family crossed the border, becoming residents of Michigan, and in the public schools of Saline he pursued his education until he had completed a high school course. He there resided until 1898, which year witnessed his arrival in Detroit, and through the intervening period he has been identified with commercial interests of this city. From 1905 until 1909 he was engaged in the men's furnishing goods business and in August of the latter year he organized the firm of Leith & Young, of which he has since been senior partner. They conduct a men's tailoring establishment, having a well appointed store and turning out work of the highest grade and most attractive styles. Their pat- ronage is now extensive, making the business one of substantial profit.
On the 25th of June, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Leith and Miss Cynthia E. Dean of Detroit, and they have become the parents of three children: Marion Elizabeth, Dean Hamilton and Don- ald Campbell. Mr. Leith and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. He belongs also to Pal- estine Lodge, No. 357, A F. & A. M., of which he was at one time master. His interest in community affairs is shown in his connection with the Detroit
Board of Commerce and Oakland Hills Country Club. Politically he is a republican and he recognizes the duties and obligations as well as the privileges and opportunities of citizenship and his worth in every relation of life is attested by all with whom he is associated.
EDWARD A. WATERFALL, engaged in the insur- ance business, is a native of Detroit, born here May 28, 1862. He is a son of John and Christine (Currie) Waterfall, natives of England and Scotland, respec- tively. In early life they came to the new world, the father crossing the Atlantic with his parents on one of the old-time sailing ships, the voyage cov- ering several months. They located in Detroit, where John Waterfall attended school. Later he met and married Christine Currie and about that time he turned his attention to building operations and con- tract carpenter work. He was a pioneer home builder of the city and the first to establish the monthly payment plan for acquiring a home-a plan that has been of the greatest value, assisting many wage earn- ers thus to acquire property. A lover of the beau- tiful, Mr. Waterfall planted very many of the shade trees in the then newer parts of the city, and thus added much to the beauty and to the value of the property. Both he and his wife passed away in De- troit, after many years of residence in the city. They had a family of ten children, two of whom survive: Edward A .; and Emma Christine, the wife of Dr. Grant McDonald of Detroit.
Edward A. Waterfall attended the public schools and the high school of Detroit for three years and then, with a view of making journalism his life's work, obtained a position in the news room of the Detroit Free Press, remaining with the paper for three years, after which he left his position to become associated with his father in the building line-a business relation that was maintained until the death of the father. The present insurance busi- ness in which Mr. Waterfall is engaged is the out- growth of his association with building activities. He is the Detroit representative of many of the old line companies and conducts a large general insurance business, of which he is sole proprietor. He has thoroughly familiarized himself with every phase of the insurance business and ranks in the best class of Detroit's representatives in this line. He is likewise known through his historical collection of early scenes in Detroit.
On the 31st of October, 1894, Mr. Waterfall was married to Miss Lillian Linn of Detroit, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Linn of this city. Miss Linn's father was one of the pioneer shipbuilders on the Great Lakes. Mr. and Mrs. Waterfall have one child: Jessie Christine, who was educated in the Detroit schools and at the University of Michigan. and who is the wife of Mr. R. L. Carpenter, con-
154
CITY OF DETROIT
nected with the law firm of Stevenson, Carpenter & Butzel.
In his political views Mr. Waterfall is a stanch republican, but has never been an aspirant for office. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Paul's cathedral of the Episcopal church. He is a member of the Insurance Federation of Michigan, the Insurance Exchange of Detroit, the Detroit Real Estate Board, and the Exchange Club. He represents one of the old families of the city in the third gen- eration, and from its earliest connection with Detroit the Waterfall family has been an element in the growth and progress of the city and its development along the lines of high ideals in municipal life.
FREDERICK C. CRONIN, whose residence in De- troit dates from 1881, has through the steps of an orderly progression made steady advancement in the business world and has for six years been the gen- eral manager of the Cronin Coal Company. He was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, May 14, 1879, and is a son of Richard B. and Susan (Peer) Cronin. After enjoying the advantages offered in De La Salle Acad- emy at Hamilton, Ontario, he started upon his busi- ness career. He had been brought by his parents to Detroit in 1881, when but two years of age, and after his education was completed he secured employment in a retail grocery store of this city and still later was employed at the Detroit Stove Works. He then went on the road as a traveling salesman, represent- ing a wholesale coal business, and through all the intervening years has been connected with the coal trade. Upon the organization of the Cronin Coal Company six years ago he was made general man- ager and has so continued to the present. The busi- ness has been developed along substantial lines and the increase in trade is due in large measure to the enterprising methods, the close application and the thorough business reliability of Frederick C. Cronin.
On the 12th of June, 1907, Mr. Cronin was mar- ried to Miss Julia Miner and they have become the parents of two daughters: Irene Caroline and Mary Berenice. Mr. and Mrs. Cronin are of the Catholic faith and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He also has membership with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and with the Detroit Wheelmen. He has always turned to the great out-of-doors for recreation and enjoys various phases of outdoor life.
ALEXANDER IMLAY, a progressive, energetic and successful business man, is proprietor of the Imlay Dry Cleaning Company, one of the oldest and largest establishments of this character in Detroit, and in the conduct of his interests he is proving farsighted and efficient. He was born in the province of On- tario, Canada, June 25, 1863, a son of Peter and Johana (Gordon) Imlay, who reared a family of six children, the brothers and sisters of Mr. Imlay being: John, Isabel, Peter, Johana aud George, but all have
passed away, with the exception of John and Peter. The former is still residing in Canada, while the latter is a resident of Detroit. The father was a miller by trade, operating a combination grain and sawmill, as was the custom in those early days. It was an old- fashioned water-power and steam mill and was limited to about two hundred and fifty barrels per day.
In the public schools of Ontario, Alexander Imlay acquired his education, subsequently pursuing a course in a business college at Belleville, Ontario, where he was a student for a year. He then became identified with the Pack Woods Company and was employed in the lumber woods in the upper part of the lower peninsula, living an outdoor life for a few years. Having always been desirous of following the occupa- tion of a sailor, he entered the employ of the Boutell Transportation Company, which was at that time oper- ating the largest fleet of tugs on the Great Lakes, hauling logs between Canada, Bay City and Saginaw, but owing to the newly imposed tariff the business was discontinued, the Canadian interests deeming it better policy to build their own sawmills than to pay the tax. Mr. Imlay next became connected with the Mills fleet of vessels as steward and for three years sailed the lakes, touching at nearly every port. At that time there was but one small lock on the Canadian side and this usually necessitated a delay of twenty-four hours before the vessel could proceed on her way. During the winter months, when navi- gation was closed, he was employed as a boiling pan helper in a sugar factory in West Bay City, and for about five years he continued to sail on the Great Lakes. In 1901 he abandoned a seafaring life and became manager of the American Garment Cleaning Company of Bay City, which in 1904 opened a branch store in Detroit. Shortly afterward Mr. Imlay en- tered upon an independent business venture, establish- ing his enterprise in the Harvey block on Woodward avenue. From its inception the business enjoyed a steady growth and in 1911 he was obliged to seek larger quarters, moving to No. 2955-57 Grand River avenue, where he is now located. The Imlay Dry Cleaning Company cleans and presses all kinds of garments, household goods and tapestry and is one of the best equipped enterprises of this character in the city. The firm bandles large quantities of ladies and gentlemen's garments and household articles each year and the work is all done directly under Mr. Imlay's supervision, thus insuring the highest pos- sible degree of perfection, for his employes are most thorough and painstaking and nothing is ever care- lessly done. The company operates eighteen clean- ing and pressing machines and generally has on its payrolls thirty employes. It maintains an ex- cellent delivery system and prompt service has always been its aim. The work turned out is first-class in every particular and the reliable and pro- gressive methods of the company have secured for them a large patronage, so that this has become one
ALEXANDER IMLAY
157
CITY OF DETROIT
of the leading establishments of the kind in the city. Mr. Imlay is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business and is thus able to direct intelligently the labors of those in his employ, while his initiative spirit and executive ability have enabled him to build up an enterprise of extensive proportions. He is a member of the National Association of Cleaners and Dyers and is now one of eight representatives of that organization in connection with its insurance feature. He is also a member of the Michigan State Cleaners & Dyers Association, of which he is president.
On the 17th of July, 1911, Mr. Imlay was united in marriage to Mrs. Anna R. Dork, formerly a resident of Bay City, Michigan. She was the widow of Joseph Dork of Bay City. In his political views Mr. Imlay is a stanch republican, giving earnest support to the principles and candidates of the party. His public spirit is indicated in his membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce, whose plans for the development of the city meet with his hearty cooperation. He is prominent in Masonry, belonging to Ashlar Lodge, F. & A. M., to the Consistory, Shrine and Grotto and also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is likewise identified with the Young Men's Christian Association, the Fellowcraft Club, the Caravan Club, the Detroit Yacht Club, and the Automobile Club and he is a great lover of light harness horse racing, being an enthusiastic follower of the track. He has always had great faith in the future of Detroit and through the successful conduct of an extensive business enterprise has been a large contributing factor in the wonderful industrial development of the city. The experiences of his life have been broad and varied and his career has been an active and useful one, characterized by close application, enterprise and strict integrity. He is a man of pleasing personality, whose sterling qualities have gained for him the high regard of a host of friends.
GEORGE M. WELCH, general manager of the Mich- igan State Telephone Company of Detroit, was born at St. Charles, Illinois, January 29, 1891, a son of George and Ann (Lawler) Welch, the latter also a native of Illinois, while the father was born in Ire- land. He came to America, however, in early life and after entering business circles won a prominent place as a contractor and builder. He and his wife are still residents of St. Charles, Illinois. Their fam- ily numbered seven children.
The fourth in order of birth was George M. Welch, who attended the public schools of his native city and after pursuing a high school course entered upon his business career. His early experiences were those of most boys of that locality and, like others, he tried several business lines until he entered the employ of the Northwestern Telephone Company, connected with the Bell System, at Minneapolis, Minnesota. There he held a clerical position in the superintendent's office until 1908, when he resigned and removed to
Detroit. Here he became connected with the Bell Telephone System as contract agent, so continuing from 1908 until 1911. He was then promoted to the position of commercial superintendent and acted in that capacity from 1911 until 1916. In the latter year he was made general manager and has most satis- factorily filled the position to the present time. He is now a director of several telephone companies, in- cluding one at Adrian, Michigan, also one at Muskegou, Michigan, and one in Ionia, Michigan.
On the 3d of August, 1912, Mr. Welch was married to Miss Sarah Frances McElligott of Minneapolis, Minnesota, daughter of James MeElligott of that city. Four children have been born of this marriage: Mar- garet, George Martin, James and Julia. All were born in Detroit and the eldest is now in school.
Mr. Welch is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and also of the Detroit Athletic and Detroit Auto Clubs. He has gained popularity during the period of his residence in this city and now has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
PETER A. KIRSTEN, whose untimely death oc- curred on September 12, 1920, was a pioneer in the practice of costhetic dentistry in Detroit and devel- oped expert ability in this branch of the profession, becoming one of the best known dental mechanics in the middle west. He was born in Germany, No- vember 15, 1887, a son of Peter and Anna (Schaaf) Kirsten, who came with their family to the United States when the subject of this review was but five years of age, establishing their home in Wyandotte, Michigan.
In the parochial schools and St. Joseph's Commer- cial school of Detroit, Mr. Kirsten acquired his edu- cation and on starting out in life for himself entered the employ of the H. J. Caulkins Company, a large dental supply house of Detroit, as a dental mechanic. He developed great skill and proficiency along this line and became the most expert workman employed by the company. After completing his apprentice- ship Dr. Kirsten went to Chicago, where for three years he engaged in the practice of costhetic dentistry, and then returned to Detroit in 1910, opening an office at No. 106 Broadway, where he continued for five years, and in 1915 removed to the David Whitney building. He was one of the pioneers in this branch of the profession in Detroit and many of the later practitioners in costhetic dentistry in this city served their apprenticeship in his office. He built up a pat- ronage of extensive proportions, numbering among his clientele the leading members of the dental profession in Detroit. He excelled in bridge work and was re- garded as a genius in his line, his highly developed skill and technique enabling him to execute the most difficult and delicate work. The practice is continued by skilled workmen under the name of the P. A.
158
CITY OF DETROIT
Kirsten Dental Laboratory, of which Mrs. Kirsten is the proprietor.
In 1912 Mr. Kirsten was united in marriage to Miss Lillian A. Wittbrodt and they became the parents of two children: Peter Nicholas and Jeanette Virginia. He was a republican in his political views, a devout member of the Catholic church and also affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, of which he was an active and earnest member. His life was one of diligence and determination and success in substantial measure came to reward his efforts. His business ac- tivity ever balanced up with the principles of truth and honor and in all of his work he never sacrificed the high standards which he set up for himself. He was energetic and persistent and his close applica- tion and laudable ambition brought him to a position of prominence in his line of work.
WESLEY L. NUTTEN, one of the successful at- torneys at the Detroit bar, was born in Moscow, Michigan, July 6, 1869, and is a son of John B. and Marie (Crane) Nutten, the former a native of New York and the latter of Massachusetts. They became early settlers of Hillsdale county, Michigan, where the father engaged in farming, and both he and his wife are still living in that locality. They had a family of seven children: Albert M., Fred, Mrs. Maude Hughes, Mrs. May Ransom, Mrs. Gertrude Rose, John and Wesley L.
In his boyhood days the last named attended the schools of North Adams, Michigan, and later spent three years in study at Hillsdale College. He next entered the University of Michigan, where he remained for a year, after which he began reading law in the office of Judge MeGrath and Henry M. Cheever. In 1895 he was admitted to the bar and began practice in Detroit. For five years he was associated with his former preceptor, Judge MeGrath, although not in a partnership relation. Since then he has practiced in- dependently and as a general practitioner he has ac- quired a very high class clientele, being elassed as one of the ablest members of the profession in Detroit.
On the 25th of December, 1895, Mr. Nutten was married to Miss May Van Vleck of Detroit, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Van Vleck. Mrs. Nutten is a grad- uate of Hillsdale College and has been accorded the Master of Arts degree. Three children have been born of this marriage: Clyde V., born in Detroit, March 17, 1897, and now attending the University of Michigan, was with the Naval Reserve Corps during the World war; Wesley L., born in Detroit July 21, 1899, is attending Dartmouth College and is a member of the class of '22. He was also for seven months in active service with the navy; Ada V., born in De- troit March 6, 1902, is likewise a student in the University of Michigan.
The interests which claim the attention of Mr. Nutten outside of his profession are broad and varied. For three years he has been the president of the North
Woodward Civic Association, is serving on the board of trustees of the First Universalist church, and he be- longs to the Detroit and to the Michigan Bar Asso- eiations. Aside from his professional activities Mr. Nutten is interested in a number of business enter- prises that have been factors in the city's industrial growth.
CHARLES HUGH STEVENSON, a Detroit writer and lawyer whose name is well known in scientific circles throughout the country, was born at Snow Hill, Maryland, December 6, 1869, his parents being Hugh Saunders and Jane Catharine (Bailey) Stevenson, the former a planter of Maryland. In the acquirement of his education the son attended Lehigh University of Pennsylvania for two years and later entered Co- lumbian University, now the George Washington Uni- versity, for the study of law. In 1897 the degree of Master of Laws was conferred upon him and that of Doctor of Civil Law in 1899. His study and investi- gation along scientific lines has always been of the broadest scope. From 1891 until 1909 he was assist- ant to the United States Fish Commission and in the latter year he was special agent of the Bureau of Census, in charge of fishery work. Something of the scope of his interests and researches is indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Washington Eco- nomie Society, the Detroit Zoological Society, the Michigan Authors Association, the American Statis- tical Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amer- ica, the American Historical Society and the American Fisheries Society. At the fourth international fishery congress, held in 1908, he was awarded the Smith- sonian prize. In 1909 his International Regulation of Fisheries on the High Seas was published by the Smithsonian Institution and republished in several languages. In 1908 he was co-author with Dr. Fred- erick Kunz in The Pearl Book, published by the Cen- tury Company, New York. His writings also include: Preservation of Fishery Products; Foreign Fishery Trade; The Shad Fisheries; Fishery Legislation; Oys- ter Industries; Fishery Products in Arts and Indus- tries, and numerous other reports and articles relating to fisheries. His work in fishery legislation has brought him into contact with many of the best thinkers on the face of the globe and he has won well mer- ited recognition in such circles.
On the 2Ist of April, 1909, Mr. Stevenson married Miss Elizabeth Helson, daughter of Richard Helson of Detroit, and they have two sons: Charles Hugh, Jr., and Richard Helson. In 1915 Mr. Stevenson erected in Detroit the Hotel Stevenson, one of the finest and most exclusive residential hotels of the city, a build- ing of nine floors with accommodations for two hun- dred and thirty guests. The appointments and the cuisine are of the highest order. It is through this interest that Mr. Stevenson is now vice president of the Detroit Hotel Association. Mr. Stevenson is a well known figure in the leading clubs of the city,
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.