USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 19
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WESLEY L. NUTTEN
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having membership in the Detroit, Detroit Golf and Fine Arts Clubs. He has ever been keenly interested in those things which are of educational and cultural valne, has found his closest friends among the men of learning of the country, and association with him means expansion and elevation.
GEORGE W. HOFFMAN, an energetic and pro- gressive business man of Detroit, is the vice president of the Central Oil & Gulf Company, maintaining large and well appointed offices in the Farwell building. Although the business has been in existence for but a year it has enjoyed a very rapid growth and is already in a most flourishing condition, due in large measure to the well directed efforts and close application of Mr. Hoffman. He was born in London, Canada, April 23, 1874, a son of Andrew E. and Jessie (Duffus) Hoff- man, the former a native of Canada, while the latter was born in Scotland and in early life emigrated to Canada. Soon after their marriage they crossed the border into the United States, becoming residents of Pontiac, Michigan, where the father engaged in the building and real estate business, in which he con- tinues active, ovenpying a prominent place in commer- cial eireles of that city. The mother also survives. Their family numbered two children: Mrs. Harry Go- ing, a resident of Pontiac; and George W.
In the schools of Thamesville, Ontario, Mr. Hoffmau pursued his education, after which he attended a college at Woodstock, Canada. On completing his studies he returned to Pontiac, where for a time he followed various occupations, subsequently becoming a traveling salesman for the International Correspond- ence Schools of Seranton, Pennsylvania. He was very successful in that line of work, representing the schools in Kansas City, Missouri, Chicago, Illinois, Lexington, Kentucky, and northern Michigan. For ten years he was identified with the organization, during which period he acted as manager of the stoek department at Chicago and later at Lexington, ren- dering faithful and efficient service. He then re- signed and established a fruit farm in Alabama, which he brought to a high state of productiveness, and for four years continued its operation. His success in that enterprise led to the establishment of the Central Oil & Gulf Company, which has extensive investments in gulf lands in Alabama and oil property in Ken- tueky and Indiana. The business was organized in 1920 with Mr. Hoffman as the vice president and from its inception has proven a most successful ven- ture, owing to the executive ability and untiring efforts of its founder.
In October, 1910, Mr. Hoffman was united in mar- riage to Miss Bessie Greenwood of East Jordan, Michigan. He is independent in his political views, voting for the candidate whom he regards as best qualified for office, irrespective of party ties. In religious faith he is a Baptist and he is a member of the Detroit Automobile Club, while fraternally he is
identified with the Masons, belonging to the lodge at Flint, Michigan. He is a veteran of the Spanish- American war, in which he enlisted as a volunteer, Lecoming a member of Company E of the Thirty-third Michigan Infantry. He was sent with his command to Cuba and participated in the battle of Santiago. His time and attention are concentrated upon the con- duet of his business interests and his persistency of purpose, his intelligently directed efforts and his initia- tive have been strong elements in his growing success. Ile is alert, ready for any chance for advancement, and equally ready to meet any emergency and his determined spirit enables him to carry forward to a successful termination whatever he undertakes.
FREDERICK F. INGRAM, JR., general manager of the Frederick F. Ingram Company, manufacturing chemists, was born in Detroit and after graduating from the public schools in his native eity, attended the Michigan University, where he pursued a phar- maceutical course, being graduated with the degrees of Pharmaceutical Chemist and Bachelor of Science as a member of the class of 1911. He afterward went to Europe, where he took up the study of perfume manu- facture in Grasse, France, there remaining for a year and gaining valuable practical experience.
Upon his return to Detroit Mr. Ingram became asso- ciated with the Frederick F. Ingram Company, of which his father is the president. He worked in the factory for two years, so that he learned the business thoroughly in principle and detail and was made gen- eral manager in 1921. The firm is doing an extensive business as manufacturing chemists and perfumers. Its output is extensive, its goods being sold throughout the United States and Canada, with many active agencies abroad.
In 1915 Mr. Ingram was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Meyer of Detroit, and they have become par- ents of two daughters: Marjorie and Barbara.
Mr. Ingram is independent in polities, supporting men and measures rather than party. In matters vital in citizenship, however, he stands at all times for progress and improvements and his aid and support ean be counted upon to further all measures for the general good. He belongs to the Phi Delta Chi, a college fraternity, and is a member of the Detroit Automobile Club, Alliance Francaise, and University of Michigan Club.
DAVID HENRY CROWLEY, attorney at law of Detroit, was born at Leslie, Michigan, September 5, 1882, his parents being Daniel and Margaret (Smith) Crowley. The father was born in Ann Arbor, Michi- gan, in 1850, and they were married in Jackson, this state, while at the present writing they make their home in Leslie.
It was in the schools of the latter place that David Henry Crowley pursued his early education. His interest in the courts led to his determination to
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become a member of the bar and in 1905 he was grad- uated from the University of Michigan on the com- pletion of a law course, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. The same year he was admitted to the bar at Lansing and on the 15th of January, 1917, he became a member of the firm of Monaghan, Monaghan, O'Brien & Crowley in Detroit. This connection continued until after the death of George F. Monaghan, the senior partner. In 1920 the name was changed to Monaghan, Crowley, Reilley & Kellogg. The firm today enjoys an extensive clientage that connects them with much of the most important litigation heard in the courts of the district.
On the 17th of August, 1909, in Cheboygan, Michi- gan, Mr. Crowley was married to Miss Nina C. Bar- rett. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Co- lumbus and also with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He likewise belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club and to the Detroit Bar Association. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and during the war period he was government appeal agent, to whom all appeals from the Detroit local board were taken. He had previously served as prose- cuting attorney of Cheboygan county, Michigan, from the 1st of January, 1909, until the 31st of December, 1912. He was made assistant attorney general of the state on the 1st of January, 1913, and continued to fill that office until November 1, 1916, when he re- signed and was appointed by Governor Ferris to the state railroad commission, serving out an unexpired term to the 15th of January, 1917. At the latter date he came to Detroit, entered upon his present professional connection and through the intervening period has continued in active practice in this city. His previous experience had been broad and compre- hensive and, added to his thorough knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, he soon became well estab- lished in the foremost ranks of the legal profession in Detroit.
LEOPOLD A. KOSCINSKI was the organizer and is the president of the Polonia Publishing Company, engaged in the publication of the Polish Daily Record, a newspaper which has a wide circulation in Detroit and throughout the surrounding community. He was also the organizer and is the president of the Detroit Steamship and Traveling Exchange Agency, conduct- ing the Foreign Exchange Bank of Detroit, and is a prominent attorney. In fact his position is that of one of the leading and representative residents of his adopted city. He was born in the province of West Prussia, Poland, April 1, 1878, a son of Anthony and Mary (Lulla) Koscinski, both of whom were na- tives of Poland and in 1888 came to America with their family, taking up their abode in Detroit, where the father established his home and later became iden- tified with educational interests, being a teacher in St. Mary's Catholic school. He was also an organist of
marked talent and played the organ in various De- troit churches. He passed away in this city in 1912 and his widow died November 18, 1920. Their family numbered ten children, of whom Leopold A. is the eldest, the others being: Max, Angela, Alphonse, Stephanie, Arthur, Casimer, Helen, Joseph and Roman, all of Detroit.
In early life Leopold A. Koscinski attended the public school, St. Joseph's Commercial College and the Polish Seminary, while later he became a student in the Detroit College of Law. He was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1902, after which he took up active practice and for two and one-half years was with the law firm of Brennan, Donnelly & Van De- marek. In 1904 he took a trip through Europe and on his return to Detroit he was associated from 1905 to 1908 with C. Leidich in the practice of law, while from 1908 to 1912, he was assistant in the prosecuting attorney's office, serving under Philip T. Van Zile and Hugh Shepherd, and conducted a campaign against quacks, with gratifying results. Since that time he has successfully engaged in law practice on his own account. In 1913, recognizing the need of a Polish newspaper as the best method of educating the people of his own nationality in the way of becoming good American citizens, in April of that year he organized the Polonia Publishing Company and began the pub- lication of a daily Polish paper. He met with much opposition from radical elements of his and other races, who at first even resorted to violence, being deter- mined upon the absolute destruction of his property and the thwarting of his efforts in that direction. Nevertheless, he persevered and today has the gratifi- cation of knowing that he is publishing the largest and most popular foreign language paper in the city, with a circulation of about twenty-five thousand. He has been president of the company since the begin- ning. He is also interested in many other worthy enterprises and is the owner of valuable real estate, including a fine home in Detroit. He served for some time as a director of the Detroit Building & Loan Association. He is likewise the representative of the Polish consul in Michigan on legal matters.
On the 17th of February, 1909, Mr. Koscinski was married to Miss Frances Mikitynski of Chicago, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ignatius Mikitynski of that city. They have become the parents of two children: Marion, born in Detroit in March, 1910; and Leopold J., born on the 13th of August, 1913. The parents are members of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Koscinski is also identified with the Loyal Order of Moose. He belongs to the Lawyers Club, to the Michigan State Bar Association, to the Detroit Bar Association and the Detroit Board of Commerce. Dur- ing the World war he was chairman for three years of the Citizens Committee, besides taking a most active and helpful part in the various work and drives in connection with that struggle. He has worked his way upward entirely unassisted and has done much to
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elevate the standards of the people of his own na- tionality, who have come to America to make this country their home. His labors have been a potent force for good and his influence has heen far-reaching and resultant in hehalf of the dissemination of Ameri- can ideals and the adoption of American customs among the Polish people of the city. His work has indeed been an important element for growth and progress here.
MARK W. ALLEN, a successful manufacturing chemist, is well known in business circles of Detroit as the secretary and treasurer of the firm of Mark W. Allen & Company. He was born in this city on the 9th of March, 1873, his parents being Richard Webber and Sarah Jane (Sears) Allen, while his ancestry in both the paternal and maternal lines dates back in America to 1635. In the acquirement of his educa- tion he attended the graded and high schools of De- troit, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston and the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University. After leaving college he spent four years in the service of the New York, New Haven & Hart- ford Railway and then became identified with business interests of Detroit as a manufacturer of toilet articles and cosmetics. In this line of activity he has since been engaged as the secretary and treasurer of the firm of Mark W. Allen & Company, of which concern his father was the founder. Energetic, progressive and enterprising, he has developed his interests to sub- stantial proportions and as a manufacturing chemist has won a prominent position in the business eireles of his native city. He is also the president of the firm of R. A. Carmichael & Company and a director of the Woodmere Cemetery Association.
On the 5th of June, 1905, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Alice L. Maslen of Bath, England, and they have become parents of two children, Sarah Irene and Richard Webher. The religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal church. Mr. Allen belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolu- tion and the Theta Xi, a Greek letter fraternity. while in eluh circles he is popular, having membership relations with the Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit Boat Club and the Detroit Yacht Club. He is likewise identified with the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion. His life has ever been actuated by high and honorable principles and in every relation he has commanded the esteem and confidence of those with whom he has been associated.
PETER PATTERSON, who since 1906 has been identified with business interests of Detroit, is well known in commercial circles of the city as manager of the Investment Mortgage Corporation and the In- vestment Building Company and in the control of his business interests displays marked ability and enter- prise. He was born in Trenton, New Jersey, Decem-
ber 27, 1867, a son of John and Winifred (Robin) Patterson, whose family numbered twelve children. His education was acquired under private tutors, from whom he received instruction in the higher branches of learning, and on starting out in the business world he became an employe of the firm of Stryker, Manley & Buck, handling mortgages and real estate loans in Duluth, Minnesota. For four years he was connected with the mortgage department of that company, during which period he availed himself of every opportunity to acquire a thorough knowledge of the business. He then formed a partnership with a Mr. Hartman and for eight years they successfully conducted a mort- gage loan business, operating under the firm style of Hartman & Patterson. In 1906 he came to Detroit and in association with V. P. Cliff organized the Fed- eral Casualty Insurance Company, which enjoyed a continuous growth, its assets having reached the sum of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars in 1915, in which year Mr. Patterson disposed of his interests in the enterprise to Mr. Cliff. The next year Mr. Patterson devoted to a tour of the world and follow- ing his return to Detroit organized the Investment Mortgage Corporation, of which he has since been manager, his offices being located in the McGraw building. He deals in land contracts and mortgage loans and has built up a good business in both con- nections, owing to the fact that he thoroughly under- stands the line of activity in which he is engaged and also because of his progressive methods and straight- forward, reliable dealing, which have won for him the confidence and support of the public.
Mr. Patterson is a republican in his political views and in religious faith he is a Catholic, his membership being with St. Aloysius' church. He is also connected with the Knights of Columbus, the Detroit Athletic Club and the Detroit Boat Club. Industry has been the key which has unlocked for Mr. Patterson the portals of success. Thoroughness and diligence have characterized all of his work and in business circles he has become recognized as a man to be trusted, while as a citizen he is loyal and public-spirited.
WILLIAM H. BLACKFORD. One of the highly re- spected citizens and substantial business men of Detroit is William H. Blackford, the president of the Detroit Casket Company. He was born at Paw Paw, Michigan, February 1, 1859, his parents being John and Ann (Hutchins) Blackford. His educational op- portunities were those accorded by the public school system of the state. He lived on a farm during the first twenty years of his life and his experiences and environments were those of the farm bred boy. During this period he worked in the fields and through the winter seasons attended the district schools. With his removal to Detroit in 1881 he immediately became connected with the Detroit Casket Company and in this connection has worked his way steadily upward. He has been employed in almost every department of
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the business, advancing from the position of salesman to that of superintendent and later to the vice presi- dency and to the presidency, being now one of the chief executive heads of the business. His energy and enterprise have contributed in no small degree to the success of the establishment. The Detroit Casket Company was organized about the time that Mr. Blackford removed to this city, opening its place of business on Park place. Iu 1882 a removal was made to Larned street and in 1883 to West Congress, where its location has since been maintained. However, within a brief period the business will be estab- lished in a new building, at Grand River and Ash street, for the one which it now occupies has been purchased by the railroad company for warehouse and trackage purposes. The company manufactures the finest quality of textile covered burial cases and is a jobber of everything demanded in its line of business, including hardware, robes, linings and also the cheaper kind of caskets. Their business is con- stantly increasing and has now reached large propor- tions. This company was among the first to introduce colors in caskets. The company is represented on the road by a force of traveling salesmen, who are con- stantly employed. The success of the business is due in no small measure to the excellent management of the president, who was the second to fill this office, becoming the successor of John H. Kapel, at his death. Mr. Blackford is also now the president of the Toledo Casket Company, extensively engaged in the manu- facture and jobbing of burial caskets.
On the 30th of June, 1903, Mr. Blackford was mar- ried to Miss Leonette Plumer of Detroit, daughter of Samuel A. Plumer, who was a prominent citizen here but has now passed away. He became an extensive and prosperous operator in real estate and he won for himself a most creditable position in the business cir- cles of the city. A contemporary writer said of him while he was still an active factor in the world's work: "He is cautious, somewhat reticent, careful to make no promises unless confident of being able to fulfill them." His daughter, Mrs. Blackford, a most estimable lady, has been liberally educated and is a woman of natural culture and refinement. Recently Mr. Blackford has erected a new residence on Chicago boulevard, a structure of beautiful design and hand- somely and tastefully furnished. In his political views Mr. Blackford is a republican but has never been an office seeker. His religious faith is that of the Presby- terian church and to its teachings he is always loyal.
CHARLES W. LEECH. The name of Charles W. Leech is well known to the lumber trade of Detroit. He is a dealer in general hardwood lumber, selling largely to the factory trade and other lumbermen, and the development of his business has placed him in a position of leadership among the lumber dealers of the city. He has always handled a high grade product and has maintained the highest standards in
the service rendered to patrons, so that he enjoys a most enviable reputation in business circles.
Mr. Leech was born in Newboro, Canada, March 11, 1856, and is a son of Robert and Ann (Barber) Leech. His father was engaged in the general flour mill and sawmill business, it being the custom in those days to operate along the two lines in conjunction. When Charles W. Leech was but three years of age the family removed to Gorrie, Canada, where he attended the public schools, and subsequently became a high school pupil at Brantford, Ontario. He was one of a family of five children, the others in order of birth being: Robert J .; Edward W .; Mrs. T. G. Holmes of Trenton, Michigan; and Mrs. Thomas Evans of Alberta, Canada. The children were all given good educational opportunities and after completing his schooling Charles W. Leech became associated with his father, with whom he worked until he was twenty- two years of age, when he entered into a partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Holmes, in Detroit, in the conduct of a men's furnishing goods business. He continued in that line for three years and then sold his interest to his partner, turning his attention to the lumber trade. He began this business in con- nection with his brother, Edward W. Leech, at Twelfth and Michigan streets in Detroit, taking charge of the general sales and remaining with the firm until 1890, when he entered into partnership with William Roche and operated under the firm style of Leech, Roche & Company, dealers in hardwood lumber. This firm maintained its existence until 1907, when owing to the advanced age of Mr. Roche, who wished to retire from business, the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. Leech then became associated with Messrs. Bert Hanna and W. H. Grigg, under the firm style of the Charles W. Leech Lumber Company, with offices and plant at Michigan and Bangor streets. Since the inception of this business the growth has been continuous and gratifying, increasing from annual sales of thirty-five thousand dollars to more than a million dollars. Mr. Leech has always given every detail of the business his personal attention and is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the lumber trade, so that he is most capable of directing the important and growing interests under his control.
On the 15th of November, 1894, Mr. Leech was united in marriage to Miss Anna Jackson of Canada, and to them have been born six children: Grant, whose birth occurred in May, 1896; Gertrude, who was born in August, 1898; Virgil, born in July, 1900; Frederick, born in October, 1905; Dorothy, born in April, 1907; and Anna Jean, born January 1, 1912. The family reside at No. 6719 Taft avenue in Detroit. Mr. Leech is a member of the Board of Commerce and is much interested in the work of that organization for the benefit and improvement of the city. He belongs to the Hardwood Club and for the past five years has been an associate worker in the Order of Gideon. He has never been active in club circles, preferring home
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life and church work to the activities of the clubs. He is a member of the Grand River Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a liberal supporter, is chairman of the board of trustees and has been for a number of years, and he does everything within his power to advance the growth and promote the interests of the church. In polities he has usually voted with the republican party, especially on national issnes. but does not hesitate to cast an independent hallot if his judgment so dietates. He has always been vitally interested in all movements tending to the betterment of the community and of mankind in general, is a self-made man in a business way and one who in every relation of life has won a host of friends.
WILLIAM CORNEHL, JR. The name of Cornehl has long been prominently associated with the printing business in Detroit and as head of the firm of William Cornehl & Son, William Cornehl, Jr., is ably carrying forward the interests established by his father in 1886. He is conducting one of the most modern printing plants in the city and his elose application and pro- gressive methods have been resultant factors in the continued growth and development of the enterprise. He is widely and favorably known in the city as he has here spent his entire life, covering a period of forty-seven years, for he was born April 22, 1874. He is a son of William and Auna (Muehlman) Cor- nehl, who became the parents of four ehilden, the other members of the family being: Albert, now de- ceased; Frederiek G .; and Julia.
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