The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 2

Author: Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932, ed; Stocking, William, 1840- joint ed; Miller, Gordon K., joint ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Detroit-Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1024

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 2

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Mr. Weadock was reared in the democratic faith and his study of political conditions has but strength- ened his convictions. Having to make his own way in the world without the aid of money, prestige or influential friends, he has ever appreciated the op- portunities which American institutions offer and has always been opposed to class legislation and to all policies to give wealth undue advantage under the law. In every campaign since 1874 he has been on the stump in support of democracy. In that year he made his first political speech at Clare, Michigan, in support of Hon. George Fred Lewis, candidate for congress. He served as chairman of the democratic county and city committees. He was chairman of the democratie congressional convention of 1884 and the joint congressional convention when the greenback

party united with the democrats. The convention was a notable one, lasting from two in the afternoon until half past three the following morning. The ability and fairness of the chairman were uniformly praised and constituted a potent factor in the suc- cessful results of the work of the convention. In 1885 Mr. Weadock was the permanent chairman of the democratic state convention at Bay City, which nominated Judge Allen B. Morse, who was elected by a large majority. In 1894 he was president of the democratic state convention at Grand Rapids, which nominated Judge Morse for governor. In 1890 Mr. Weadoek was unanimously nominated at Alpena for representative in congress and was called away from a trial in court to accept the nomination. The canvass that followed was a notable one in the political his- tory of Michigan. No sort of personal or partisan abuse was resorted to by either republican or demo- eratie opponents and the discussion was confined to legitimate issues. Mr. Weadock was elected by a plurality of sixteen hundred and sixty-six over his republican opponent, Hon. Watts S. Humphrey, then of Cheboygan, later a prominent attorney of Sag- inaw, Michigan.

In congress Mr. Weadock supported Hon. Charles F. Crisp for speaker. He served on the committee on rivers and harbors and secured large appropriations for Michigan in this connection. He was the author of a bill increasing the pay of the keepers and surf- men of the life saving service-a bill which became a law. He also carried through the fifty-second congress a joint resolution authorizing the state of Wisconsin to place the statue of Pere Marquette in statnary hall of the capitol. In 1892 he was unanimously renomi- nated and although he met bitter opposition he was reelected by a larger vote, though a smaller plurality, than was given him at the first election. In 1893 he made an extensive tour of Europe, sailing from New York to Genoa by way of Gibraltar and the Riviera. He visited Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Florence and Venice, thence to Vienna via Treviso and the Cornice Alps. Having always been an admirer of Napoleon as a warrior, ruler and lawmaker, he visited various places connected with the history of the French emperor. From Vienna he went to Carlsbad, thence to Mayence and down the Rhine to Cologne. From there he went to Brussels, Paris and London, and at Paris by a special pass was permitted to enter the tomb of Napoleon. He also visited Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin, Wexford, and various other points in Ireland, England and North Wales. He sailed by way of Queenstown to New York, arriving in time for the special session of congress held in that year. In 1907 he made a second trip to Europe, sailing from Montreal and landing at Philadelphia on his return. He traveled in Scotland, Ireland, England, France, Belgium, Hol- land and the Isle of Man.

In the fifty-third congress Mr. Weadock was chair- man of the committee on mines and mining and was

CITY OF DETROIT

the only Michigan member on Pacific railroads. He supported the Wilson tariff bill, although favoring higher duties than it imposed. He voted for the income tax, the repeal of the Sherman law, the repeal of the election law and for the increase of the navy. His most notable speech was delivered June 8, 1894, in support of the Indian appropriation bill. This speech was circulated by millions of copies, being widely read and favorably commented upon by the press throughout the country. The bill was carried in the house by a vote of one hundred and fifty-four to twenty-three and became a law. In the same session Mr. Weadock secured the passage of a law dividing the eastern district of Michigan into northern and southern divisions and establishing the seat of the northern division at Bay City. In 1894 he declined a renomination for congress. He was never popular in the ordinary sense of the word. He was always unfaltering in the support of his opinions and while he made strong friends, he made enemies, whom he opposed with the same tenacity and determination that he manifested in support of his friends. His deep convictions, dauntless courage and unyielding persistence were among the sources of his power. He always attributed his great degree of success to his brother, John C. Weadock, who managed both of his political campaigns. In 1896 Mr. Weadoek was chosen one of the delegates from the state at large to the democratie national convention at Chicago. In 1904 he was the democratic nominee for judge of the supreme court. In 1895 he opened a law office in Detroit, where he has since enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. For several years he was pro- fessor of law in the Detroit College of Law, and the University of Detroit. Among his Detroit cases are: Hammond vs. Casgrain; Hammond vs. Edison Com- pany; Detroit Salt Company vs. National Salt Com- pany; Chesbrough vs Woodworth; Weir vs. Union Trust Company; Mt. Clemens Sugar Company vs. Grand Trunk Railway Company and the MeIntyre will case.

Mr. Weadock has been twice married. He first wedded Mary E. Tarsney, a sister of Hon. Timothy E. Tarsney and John C. Tarsney, both members of con- gress. She died March 11, 1899, leaving six children: Thomas J., who died in 1912; Lewis J., a practicing attorney of Bay City; Paul, who practices law in Detroit; Mrs. J. H. Porter and Isabel, of Detroit; and Mrs. R. L. Morrison, of Birmingham, Alabama. For his second wife Mr. Weadock chose Miss Nannie E. Curtiss, and of this marriage has been born a son, George P., who was a student in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor but left to enter the army as a member of the Sixth United States Marines, the famous command that won undying fame at the battles of Belleau Wood, Soissons, St. Mihiel, the Champagne, and in the terrible drive through the Argonne forest.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church. He began and led the move-

ment in the A. O. H. by which fifty thousand dollars was raised to establish a chair of Gaelic literature in the Catholic University at Washington, and made the presentation in October, 1895. Mr. Weadock is a member of the Detroit, Michigan and American Bar Associations and he belongs to the Detroit Club. If he can be said to have a hobby it is his private library, which, though not large, is very select. It contains collections on Napoleon, General Jackson and Pere Marquette. His ideal lawyer is Daniel O'Connell, his hero Napoleon and his favorite author Shakespeare.

JOHN EMORY GRIFFITHS, who was one of the most prominent officials of the Michigan Central Rail- road System, which he served as treasurer and cashier, passed away in Detroit on the 26th of December, 1912, when sixty-eight years of age. His birth occurred in Battle Creek, Michigan, April 8, 1844, his parents being John J. and Charlotte (Kewney) Griffiths, both of whom were natives of England, the latter born on the Isle of Man. The grandfather of John Emory Griffiths was Sir James Jenkins Griffiths of Hartford, England.

John Emory Griffiths obtained his education in the public and high schools of his native city and when a youth of sixteen years secured a position as messenger in the telegraph office of the Michigan Central Railroad Company at Battle Creek. Subse- quently he was placed in charge of telegraph offices in Battle Creek and in Detroit, later was transferred to the freight department and by further promotion became private secretary to the general superintendent of the corporation and then private secretary to James F. Joy, president. He was made local treasurer in 1895, receiving this appointment direct from Cornelius Vanderbilt, continuing in that dual position of re- sponsibility to the time of his demise and discharg- ing his important duties in a highly satisfactory man- ner that won him the admiration of his associate officers and contributed largely to the successful con- trol and management of the railroad. His foremost position as a railroad official was widely acknowl- edged. At different times he served as local treasurer of the Canada Southern Railway, the Toronto, Ham- ilton & Buffalo Railway and the Detroit River Tunnel Company; as treasurer of the Detroit & Charlevoix Railway and the Railroad Young Men's Christian Association; and as cashier of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Railway and the Buchanan & St. Joseph Rail- road Company.

On the 31st of July, 1868, in Detroit, Mr. Griffiths was united in marriage to Miss Ella Granger, a daughter of Hiram Granger, representing a prominent and well known family of the Buckeye state.

Mr. Griffiths gave his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith was iudi- cated by his membership in St. John's Episcopal church, in the faith of which he passed away De-

JOHN EMORY GRIFFITHS

CITY OF DETROIT

cember 26, 1912. His remains were interred in the Elmwood cemetery. He was a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Corinthian Lodge, No. 241, F. & A. M., of which he was twice master. His death was felt as a distinct loss in railroad circles, for he had been identified with the Michigan Central for more than a half century and had gained wide recognition as a capable and valued official. His home life was ideal and in social circles he won a host of warm friends, who since his demise have cherished his memory, which remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. Honorable in busi- ness, loyal in citizenship, charitable in thought, kindly in action, true to every trust confided to his care, his life was the highest type of Christian manhood. His widow, who resides at No. 80 Stimson place in Detroit, has also become widely and favorably known during the long years of her residence in the city, so that the circle of her friends is an extensive one.

CAPTAIN HARRY W. FORD is numbered among those who made the supreme sacrifice for the country in the World war. He did not die on the field of battle, but lived to reach New York, where he became ill of pneumonia and there passed away on the 18th of December, 1918. Before going into the army he had reached a most prominent and enviable position in the business circles of Detroit, where he established his home in 1908.

Captain Ford was born at Knobnoster, Missouri, May 4, 1880, and was the eldest in a family of ten children, whose parents were Robert L. and Cornelia (VanAusdall) Ford. The father was born in St. Charles, Missouri, and in young manhood learned the machinist trade, which he followed for many years. His son, Captain Ford, pursued his early education in the public and high schools of his native city and at the age of sixteen years went to Chicago, and here continued his studies until graduated from the Chicago University in 1904.

Starting out in the business world Captain Ford first engaged in newspaper work in Chicago, devoting two years to that activity. He then located in Dayton, Ohio, where he became identified with the National Cash Register Company, in the advertising department. He filled the position with marked capability for a period of three years and then came to Detroit in 1908, initiating his business career here as a represent- ative of the Chalmers Motor Company. He was made general manager of its advertising department and later secretary and general manager of that company for several years. He was tendered the presidency and the position of general manager of the Saxon Motor Company and acted in that connection up to the time of his enlistment for service in the World war. He was also president of the Federal Bond & Mort- gage Company. Each change in his business connec- tion marked a forward step and placed him in a posi- Vol. IV-2

tion of prominence among the young business men of the city.

When the country needed the aid of her loyal sons Captain Ford enlisted on the 11th of August, 1917. He was sent to Camp Joseph E. Johnston at Jackson- ville, Florida, for training. He was given the com- mission of captainey. Following the signing of the armistice his sailing orders for December 1 were can- celled and he was mustered out December 6, 1918, with the rank of captain. By the time he reached New York he was ill with influenza, which developed into pneumonia and his death occurred in that city a few days later.

Captain Ford was married in 1908 to Miss Lola B. Woolfington, a daughter of John N. Woolfington, of Muncie, Indiana. The children of this marriage are: Jane, born March 21, 1910, and Mary, born July 6, 1912.

Captain Ford gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was prominently known in club circles, having belonged to the Detroit Club, the De- troit Athletic Club, and the Detroit Golf Club. His ability had brought him prominently to the front in business connections, while his social qualities had made him most popular in the organizations with which he was identified, but when the country became involved in war with Germany, patriotism dominated every other quality of his life and he cheerfully responded to the call of duty.

HENRY L. WILLING, president and treasurer of the H. L. Willing Company, manufacturers of pants and overalls, was born in Detroit, August 8, 1877, a son of Samuel G. and Sarah (Harris) Willing, both of whom were natives of Michigan, their marriage being celebrated in Detroit. The father afterward hecame a well known pattern maker and in later years was associated with his son Henry in business. The mother passed away in Detroit in 1908. In their family were four children: Fred S., Frank G., Mrs. Bertha Gaylord and Henry L., all residents of Detroit.

A public school training fitted Henry L. Willing for life's practical and responsible duties and he made his initial step in the business world by securing a small store room in the Sun building, where he began the manufacture of pants and overalls. His trade steadily increasing, he was later obliged to seek larger quarters and removed his factory to No. 53 Porter street. He had had nine years' experience as an employe of the Hamilton Carhartt Company, manu- facturers of overalls, when he opened his own factory and the knowledge of the business thus gained proved of immense benefit to him when he started out inde- pendently. He has ever based the upbuilding of his trade upon the value of the goods which he turns out and gradually his business has increased to satisfactory proportions. He removed from 53 Porter street to 34 Bates street in order to secure still larger quarters and at the latter place he now has a modern factory

CITY OF DETROIT

equipped with all the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work. The company is engaged in the manufacture of the "Fast Mail" overalls and the Willing brand of men's pants both for dress and work wear. They employ from sixty to seventy-five people and follow the most improved methods in the manu- facture of their garments. Mr. Willing remains as president and manager of the business and his careful direction of its interests has led to its very substantial growth. He belongs to the Garment Makers Associa- tion and is constantly studying everything that will benefit the trade.

On the 25th of December, 1910, Mr. Willing was married to Miss Vera B. Campbell of Akron, Ohio, daughter of Josiah Campbell of that city. They have three children: Corwin J., born in 1913; Chester S., born in 1915; and Jane Elizabeth, born in 1918. Mr. Willing and his wife are well known in Detroit, where he has spent his life, so directing his affairs that the outcome has been most satisfactory. He is preeminently a business man, having concentrated practically his entire time and attention upon the development of his factory, and music has been to him the source of pleasure and relief from business which is necessary for the maintenance of a well balanced character in every individual.

HOMER MeGRAW figured for many years as one of the prominent and honored business men of Detroit. He possessed initiative, energy and a dynamic power which was strongly felt as a potent force in the com- mercial circles of the city and his death therefore was the occasion of deep and widespread regret when he passed away on the 26th of January, 1915, after au illness of only a few days. He was born at New Baltimore, Michigan, January 22, 1856, his parents being Richard and Jane (Chapman) MeGraw. His paternal grandfather, Redmond McGraw, came to America in 1825 from County Limerick, Ireland, and settled first in the northern part of New York state, where he cleared land and established his home. Later he removed to the vicinity of St. Thomas, Ontario, and in 1835 located in Canon township, Wayne county, Michigan, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1852, at the age of seventy-five years. He was a man of liberal education and personal cul- ture and a steadfast upholder of the Protestant relig- ion. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza- beth Faught, died soon after her arrival in America. Richard McGraw, father of Homer McGraw, conducted a general store at New Baltimore for some time and afterward turned his attention to farming but died when his son Homer was only fifteen years of age. The other son of Richard McGraw is William T. Mc- Graw of Detroit.

Homer McGraw was educated in the country and public schools, attending the Union school at New Plymouth, Michigan, and also the Detroit Business University. He had been reared to farm life to the

age of fifteen years and upon his father's death he started out in the business world to provide for his own support, obtaining a clerkship in a general store at Plymouth, where he continued until 1878. Through the influence of his uncle, Thomas MeGraw, Homer MeGraw came to Detroit and was first employed as a bank messenger and then entered the wool house of Thomas McGraw, with whom he continued for five years. He next went on the road as a traveling salesman in Canada for the Globe Tobacco Company, which he thus represented for three years, when he joined his brother in the wholesale tobacco business under the name of the Detroit Tobacco Company. This partnership was maintained for four years, at the end of which time Homer MeGraw returned to Thomas MeGraw and took charge of his private busi- ness affairs, at the same time conducting a fire insur- ance business. He thus remained active for an ex- tended period. He was made executor of the estate of Thomas MeGraw, manager of the MeGraw build- ing, became the president of the Globe Tobacco Com- pany and otherwise figured prominently in the busi- ness circles of Detroit.

On the 1st of October, 1884, in this city, Homer McGraw was married to Miss Anna Anthony, a daughter of Benjamin M. Anthony of Detroit, who was one of the notable citizens of the last generation, being for many years connected with the Michigan Stove Company. To Mr. and Mrs. McGraw were born four children: Howard A., who completed his schooling at the Detroit University School and is now in New York city, married Miss Mary Heath of Battle Creek, Michigan. He served overseas with the automotive department of the Red Cross, complet- ing his service at Coblenz, Germany; William Harold, now of Detroit, Michigan, received his preparatory education at the Detroit University School and the Asheville School for Boys at Asheville, North Caro- lina. He then entered the University of North Caro- lina. During the World war he served in the ordnance department and took a very active part in the Am- erican Protective League, in which he held the rank of lieutenant. Elizabeth J. and Marguerite A. are at home with their mother. Mrs. McGraw is giving her daughters the advantage of superior education, they being now in attendance at the Miss Liggett School of Detroit, preparing for finishing courses in the east. Recognizing the encroachments of the man- ufacturing district in what had been a most exclusive residential neighborhood of Detroit, Mrs. McGraw disposed of her beautiful property on Cass avenue in 1919 and established her residence at her former sum- mer home, Pinecroft, on Pine Lake, near Pontiac, Michigan. She has been a very active factor in the social circles of Detroit and her home has always been a center of entertainment for her many friends and acquaintances.

In his political views Mr. McGraw was a republican and for four years he served as one of the aldermen

HOMER McGRAW

CITY OF DETROIT

of Detroit and also as a member of the board of estimates. In 1914 Mr. MeGraw was elected repre- sentative from the first district of Wayne county to the state legislature and had only taken his seat a short time before his death. An editorial at the time of the demise of Mr. McGraw said: "We can never know how many or how great hopes of public service died with Homer MeGraw, who took cold in Lansing one week ago and died in his Detroit home, Tuesday. Mr. McGraw is remembered in public life for his service as alderman, but he had spent most of his years as a quiet, unpretentious citizen, loving the garden and fishing stream. When he came out of private life to be a candidate for the legislature, it was a tribute to him and to other McGraw families that he led the ticket. He was elected without a public campaign and he took his seat quietly; he was in the best possible position to work independ- ently, fearlessly and consistently under the endorse- ment of his fellow citizens, and his fellow citizens needed such representatives. His city and the legisla- ture will lose the promise of his serious judgment and thoughtful counsel, an influence withdrawn by death before it was felt in life." He was likewise con- nected with the Board of Commerce and cooperated heartily in all well defined plans and measures put forth by that organization for the upbuilding and benefit of the city. His religious faith was that of the Episcopal church and he was prominent in Masonic circles, attaining the Knights Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scot- tish Rite. He likewise held membership with the Mystic Shrine and he belonged to the Detroit, Country and Detroit Automobile Clubs, while in periods of leisure he turned to fishing and motoring for recrea- tion. He was a man of many splendid qualities, highly esteemd for his initiative and enterprise in business, for his loyalty and progressiveness in citi- zenship and for his devotion to the ties of home and friendship.

WILLIAM R. GROVER, who for many years has been engaged in the practice of law, both on his own account and also in conjunction with Mr. James H. McDonald, a prominent member of the legal pro- fession, is a native of Kansas, born in that state on November 22, 1879, a son of Eugene and Ellen R. (Gleason) Grover, who came to Michigan in 1880, bringing their infant son with them.

Mr. Grover was educated at Kalamazoo College and at the George Washington University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1911, but had been admitted to the bar, in the preceding year, 1910. Following his admission to the bar, Mr. Grover hegan practice with James H. McDonald, at 5981 Woodward avenue, where he still carries on legal business. Mr. McDonald has large and varied interests and Mr. Grover assists him in his affairs, besides carrying on a general law practice of his own, and in the latter

connection he has succeeded in securing a large and influential legal practice, which has been advancing from the very first.

In 1914 Mr. Grover was united in marriage to Miss Anna O'Shea, and they have become the parents of two children: Anna R., and Lynn W. Mr. Grover is a member of the Masonic order, affiliated with Climax Blue Lodge, No. 59, Ionic Chapter, No. 161, and Mon- roe Council, No. 1, R. & S. M. He takes an active part in all civic movements designed to advance the welfare of the community, and he and his wife are prominent in the social and cultural activities of Detroit.

FREDERICK R. AUSTIN, president of the Ameri- can Legal News Corporation, and a member of the Detroit bar, is numbered among the native sons of Detroit, his birth having occurred on the 29th of January, 1877. His parents were John and Esther A. (Cook) Austin, to whom were born six children, the other members of the family being: John L. Austin, Elizabeth E. Vanderslice, E. Jane Lange, William C. Austin and Joseph H. Austin, all of whom were born in Michigan and still reside within the borders of the state.

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The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 2

Author: Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932, ed; Stocking, William, 1840- joint ed; Miller, Gordon K., joint ed Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Detroit-Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 1024

Author: Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932, ed; Stocking, William, 1840- joint ed; Miller, Gordon K., joint ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Detroit-Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1024