USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 24
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In his political views Mr. Sward is a republican, keenly interested in the vital questions of the country yet never an aspirant for office. He has membership in the University Club of Detroit and along the line of his profession he is a member of the Detroit Bar Association, the Michigan Bar Association and the American Bar Association, being well known in the social as well as the professional circles of the city.
J. CARL DANZIGER, secretary and treasurer of the Detroit Motor Castings Company and thus well known in the manufacturing circles of the city, is a native of Indiana, born at La Fayette, February 4, 1868, a son of Abram and Marian Danziger. He was educated partly in the schools of that state while spending his youthful days under the parental roof. He comes of German ancestry, for his grandfather was a native of Germany and in 1833 crossed the Atlantic, settling in Baltimore, Maryland, where the birth of his father occurred. Later, however, the family home was es- tablished in Indiana and when J. C. Danziger was a lad of ten years his parents removed with their family to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he continued his education. Subsequently he pursued a course in the Stevens Institute at Hoboken, New Jersey, and won the degree of Mechanical Engineer as a member of the class of 1889. He then entered the employ of the Bethlehem Iron Company, now the Bethlehem Steel Company, and remained with that corporation for six years, his position being in the physical laboratory, iu connection with which he did research work.
In 1896 Mr. Danziger came to Detroit and opened a consulting office in connection with the Bethlehem Steel Company but soon afterward severed his con- nection with that corporation and continued to carry on the office independently. He was thus occupied for three years, after which he turned his attention to the manufacture of steel drums and was the pioneer in making such drums. In this undertaking he was associated with A. A. Cowles. In 1902 the Sterling & Skinner Company was formed, with Mr. Danziger as one of the members. They began the manufacture of brass goods and with the business Mr. Danziger has since been associated, contributing much to the continued success of the undertaking. In 1906 the automobile business began to develop and he initiated the idea of a new company, in which Sterling & Skin- ner joined him with the result that the Detroit Motor Castings Company was incorporated, and Mr. Danziger has since been the secretary, treasurer and general manager. The company is an independent one, but the stockholders are the same as those of the Sterling & Skinner Company. The firm makes finished auto-
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mobile bushings and its trade extends to every place where engines are built. Recently it has broadened the scope of its activity to include the manufacture of agricultural machinery bushings and in 1920 the company erected a new building, doubling the capac- ity of its plant.
Mr. Danziger was united in marriage to Miss Elsa Kiefer, a granddaughter of Herman Kiefer. Her an- cestors on her mother's side came to America as early as 1654. To Mr. and Mrs. Danziger have been born two children: Frederick, born January 9, 1910; and Katherine. Mr. Danziger is a book lover and has spent many of his most pleasant hours in the com- panionship of the men of master minds of all ages, whose works feature in his library. He is also pro- prietor of a fine farm in Southfield township, Oakland county, and he finds recreation and enjoyment in the development of this property. In a word his inter- ests are broad and varied and he is widely recognized as a brainy man of unusually fine executive ability, who by reason of his thoroughness, his capacity and his splendid powers of organization has won a well merited success. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a member of the Antomo- bile Country Club, the Real Estate Exchange and the Board of Commerce.
WILLIAM H. GEHRING, president of the Brass Products Company, is one of the most experienced and practical manufacturers of Detroit. He has always been a resident of this city and was educated in its public schools, while spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, Henry and Mary (Fritz) Gehring, the former a native of America, while the latter was born in Germany. After leaving school William H. Gehring entered the shops of the Machine Screw Company and has been continuously connected with manufacturing interests of the city since that time. He was with the Machine Screw Company for eleven years, working his way steadily upward and acquiring an intimate and valuable knowledge of the business. On the expiration of that period he became superintendent in the Peninsular Brass Works and on leaving that position he joined W. C. Ouellette in forming the Brass Products Company for the manu- facture of automobile accessories and plumbers' sup- plies. Their trade now extends to all parts of the United States, although two-thirds of their output is sold in Detroit, thus obviating the necessity of ship- ments. The Brass Products Company was organized in 1910 and on the 1st of May of that year they began business as a partnership, with Mr. Gehring and Mr. Ouellette as principals, but in October of the same year they incorporated the company and from the start the enterprise has been a pronounced success. In 1920 they built an addition to their plant and thus doubled its capacity. A shop man all his life and an expert in his chosen line, Mr. Gehring gives his personal attention to the manufacturing end of the
business, which insures the high quality of all their products.
Mr. Gehring was united in marriage to Miss Evan- geline St. Louis and they have one daughter, Annette. They occupy a fine home on the St. Clair river during the summer months and maintain their residence in the winter seasons in the city. Mr. Gehring is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and is affiliated with Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also with the Grotto. He exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft and at all times is loyal to any cause or interest which he espouses.
THOMAS W. PAYNE is one of Detroit's lawyers who has come to this city from the east, his birth having occurred in Lee, Massachusetts, September 10, 1876. His father, Michael Payne, was born in Queens county, Ireland in 1843 and is a son of Thomas Payne, also a native of Ireland, who for fifteen years was a member of the British East India Company, serving in Africa, Arabia and India. Michael Payne, born and reared in Massachusetts, became a paper manufacturer who operated a plant at Lee, Massachu- setts, for many years. He wedded Elizabeth Kennedy, also a native of the old Bay state, and they now reside in Detroit, having established their home in this city in 1911.
Thomas W. Payne attended the schools of Lee, Massachusetts, and in 1895 was graduated from the Lee Academy. Coming to Detroit, he became a law student in this city and while preparing for the bar put aside his textbooks and all personal considerations to join the United States army in the war against Spain, enlisting on the 25th of April, 1898, as a pri- vate of Company D, Thirty-first Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until April, 1899, being honorably discharged at Havana, Cuba. He had sailed for that island on the 25th of January and was on active duty there until discharged. Return- ing to Detroit, he resumed his preparation for the bar, was admitted to practice and has since been a well known figure in the courts of his district. Recog- nition of his powers as an attorney has brought to him a liberal clientage and his name has been asso- ciated as counsel or defense with many of the im- portant cases tried in the courts of Michigan. He is also interested in business affairs as the president of the Commercial Trailer & Tractor Company of Chi- cago. He is a member of the advisory board of the Atlas Commerce Company of New York. When he was graduated from the Detroit College of Law in 1905, the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him and he was made class orator. Throughout his professional career he has displayed marked oratorical power that has been one of the strong elements in the attainment of his success, supplementing a comprehensive under- standing of the principles of jurisprudence.
On the 7th of May, 1898, in Jackson, Michigan, Mr. Payne was married to Miss Grace M. Smith, a
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daughter of Thomas Smith of Hillsdale, Michigan. The religious faith of Mr. Payne is that of the Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Co- lumbus. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protec- tive Order of Elks and is a member of the advisory board of the Old Colony Club. He is president of the Brooklands Golf & Country Club of Detroit, with the Lawyers Club and the Detroit, Michigan, and American Bar Associations. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, and he has been often urged to accept office but always declined. During the war period he served as secretary of the seventh district draft board. He is a past department commander of the Spanish War Veterans of Michigan and also a member of Johnson Post of the Foreign Wars. His ability as a speaker, his study of interesting and vital publie questions and his social, genial manner have made him a popular figure in public gatherings. He is fond of outdoor life, and is especially interested in golfing, fishing and hunting and his frequent trips to the Rocky mountains have given him intimate knowl- edge of that country.
EARL BURCH BEAVER, vice president and treas- urer of Capper & Capper, was the founder of the branch of the business in Detroit, establishing here a fine men's clothing and furnishing goods house in the David Whitney building. The record of Mr. Beaver is an interesting one, for he started out in the employ of Capper & Capper at a salary of but fifteen dollars per week. Steadily he has been ad- vanced to his present position of trust and responsi- bility and is today classed with the leading merchants of the city. He was born in Macomb, Illinois, Jan- uary 11, 1886, and is a son of A. L. and Apha (Burch) Beaver, natives of Illinois and Iowa, respectively. The mother went to Illinois in early girlhood and there became the wife of A. L. Beaver, who was en- gaged in mercantile pursuits in Macomb for a time and afterward removed to Stronghurst, Illinois, where he is still engaged in business. His wife passed away in that place in 1912. In their family were three sons: Ray B., president of the Hemlock State Bank at Hemlock, Michigan; Earl B .; and Elzie S., who is assistant cashier of the Hemlock State Bank.
In his boyhood days Earl B. Beaver attended the public schools at Stronghurst, Illinois, and after leav- ing high school decided to see something of the world. Accordingly he traveled all over the United States and Mexico, gaining much valuable experience, work- ing his way wherever he went and going from place to place as his fancy dictated. At length, however, he decided to give up this mode of life and made his way to Chicago, securing a position in electrical work with the Chicago Tunnel Company, with which he remained for a year and a half. He next became con- nected with the men's furnishing goods store of Cap- per & Capper at a salary' of fifteen dollars per week. He began work as a clerk, but at the end of a year
had so far demonstrated his ability and won the con- fidence of the house in such measure that he was sent to Detroit to find a suitable location and establish a branch of the business in this city. In March, 1915, accordingly, he opened up the Detroit house, of which he was made manager, and in the same year he was elected vice president and treasurer of the Detroit business. So fully has he met every expectation of the Chicago house that he enjoys in the fullest degree the confidence and goodwill of the company which he represents. He is now in charge of a large men's furnishing goods store in the David Whitney build- ing and the house has won a most liberal patronage by reason of his close application and progressive methods. It occupies one of the best business situa- tions in the down-town district and Mr. Beaver is recognized as one of the most alert, energetic and farsighted young business men of the city. Under his control the trade of the house has increased ten- fold during the period of its existence, and while business was begun with a force of three salesmen, today the Detroit company employs twenty-two sales- people.
On the 22d of January, 1913, Mr. Beaver was mar- ried to Miss Margaret G. Capper of Chicago, daughter of John S. Capper, president of the Capper & Capper Company. They have become parents of two children: Marjorie Jeane, born in Chicago, April 22, 1914; and John Capper, born in Detroit, October 19, 1915.
In his political views Mr. Beaver adheres to the republican party. He is interested in Detroit's wel- fare as a public-spirited citizen and cooperates in various plans for the benefit and upbuilding of the city as a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce. He also belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, the De- troit Golf Club and the Oakland Hills Country Club. Upon his experience and ambition as a foundation for success he has built a satisfactory superstructure, for he is now numbered among the capable and pro- gressive merchants of Detroit and one whose care- fully formulated plans have brought him a substantial measure of prosperity.
F. L. WYCKOFF. Active in the field of com- mercial photography is F. L. Wyckoff, the president and manager of the firm of Spencer & Wyckoff of Detroit. He came to this state from New York, his birth having occurred in Lodi, January 9, 1886, his parents having been Vernon and Emma (Dripps) Wyckoff, also natives of New York, where they spent their lives. The father was widely known in educa- tional circles and for many years served as principal of the schools of Lodi, but both he and his wife have passed away. Their family numbered five children.
F. L. Wyckoff, the third in order of birth, had the advantage of thorough public school training in his native city and after leaving the high school continued his education in the Rochester (N. Y.) Business University. He next attended the Illinois
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College of Photography, in which he pursued an eighteen months' course, and when he had completed his studies there he came to Detroit in 1913 aud here organized the Spencer-Wyckoff Photo Company for the conduct of a commercial photography business. They are without doubt one of the best known firms in their chosen field in the country and are constantly active in various sections not only of the United States but of Canada. Their work speaks for itself. It is of the highest character, bringing out all of the beauties of nature and of design in their pictures of plants, buildings and scenery. Mr. Wyckoff is constantly studying for the best effects and his pho- tography deserves rank with the works of art in this field.
On the 10th of October, 1914, Mr. Wyckoff mar- ried Miss Bessie Jennings of Detroit, daughter of Ira J. Jennings. They are members of the Dutch Reformed church and Mr. Wyckoff is a Consistory Mason. He likewise belongs to the Fellowcraft Ath- letie Club, to the Vortex Club and has membership with the Detroit Board of Commerce. There have been no spectacular phases in his life history. He came to a realization of the value of industry, thor- oughness and close application when still a young man and cultivating these qualities, he has advanced steadily in his business career until success has crowned his efforts, while his work has won him a notable reputation in his chosen art.
BENJAMIN RUSH HOYT, M. D. Many sterling qualities endeared Dr. Benjamin Rush Hoyt to his fellowmen. He was a physician of notable ability and this was due not only to his comprehensive under- standing of the principles of the science of medicine but also to a keenly sympathetic nature that prompted him to put forth the greatest possible effort in behalf of his patients. In every relation of life he held to high standards and was a man whom to know was to respect and honor. He passed the allotted Psalm- ist's span of three score years and ten, for he had reached the age of seventy-two when called to his final rest on the 19th of May, 1921. Michigan num- bered him among her native sons, his birth having ocenrred on the 3d of March, 1849, at Walled Lake. The ancestry of the family can be traced back in America to 1639 when the first of the name came to the new world from England and established his home in the Massachusetts colony. Later generations re- moved to Erie county, New York, and the grandfather, Dr. Jonathan Hoyt, long engaged in the practice of medicine in the city of Aurora and there his son, Dr. James M. Hoyt, father of Benjamin R. Hoyt, was born in 1820. He, too, took up the practice of medicine as a life work and was graduated from the Geneva (N. Y.) Medical College. In 1846 he re- moved to Michigan, settling at Walled Lake, where he continued in active practice to the time of his death, which occurred in 1897. In this state he wedded
Miss Margaret Barrett, who was born in Wheeling, Steuben county, New York, in 1829, and died in 1859. She was a daughter of the Hon. Hiram Barrett, a native of New England, who came to Michigan at an early day and here devoted his life to farming. He became quite prominent in public affairs and served as a member of the first legislature of the state, which at that time met in Detroit.
Dr. Benjamin Rush Hoyt, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, attended the public schools of Walled Lake and the Northville high school. Whether inherited tendency or natural predilection had most to do with his choice of a profession it is perhaps impossible to determine, but at any rate he resolved to follow in the professional footsteps of his father and grandfather and matriculated in the med- ical department of the University of Michigan, in which he completed his course with the class of 1872. the M. D. degree being at that time conferred upon him. He also pursued postgraduate work in the Detroit Medical College. He then located for practice in this city, opening an office on the west side and in 1880 he removed to 935 Vinewood avenue. His ability was soon recognized and his practice steadily grew in volume and importance as he demonstrated his skill and efficiency in the line of his profession. He al- ways kept in touch with the latest scientific researches and discoveries and was the loved family physician in many households of Detroit. He belonged to the Wayne County Medical Society, Michigan State and American Medical Associations and his professional colleagues and contemporaries entertained for him the warmest regards.
In early manhood Dr. Hoyt was united in marriage to Miss Lorena Anita Kimball, who passed away soon afterward. He later wedded Miss Jennie Stark and they became the parents of three children: Susie, the wife of Herbert Seymour of Detroit; Jeanie; and Mar- garet. Dr. Hoyt was again married, this time to Miss Ada E. Noble, daughter of Dr. Alonzo E. Noble, a well known medical practitioner of Port Huron, Mich- igan.
In his political views Dr. Hoyt was always an earnest democrat, giving stalwart support to the party and he took quite active interest in political and civic affairs. For many years he served as a member of the Detroit school board and for some time after this as president, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. During the adminis- tration of Mayor William C. Maybury he was ap- pointed on the 22d of June, 1897, a member of the park and boulevard commission and in that connec- tion did valuable public service to the close of his term on the 28th of June, 1898. Fraternally he was a Mason, belonging to Oriental Lodge, F. & A. M., and he attained the thirty-second degree of the Seot- tish Rite in Michigan Sovereign Consistory, being president of the class of 1910. The high regard in which he was held by all was evinced in the great
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concourse of people that gathered at his funeral, when death called him on the 19th of May, 1921. His life had been one of valuable service to his fellowmen. He was constantly reaching out a helping hand and in his profession he made ready response to every call whether from the rich or the poor. He did not hesitate even though he knew there would be no pe- cuniary reward for his service. He exemplified in his life the Masonic teaching that recognizes the brotherhood of man and he went about doing good, giving his service wherever needed and in every pos- sible way.
ALFRED JOHN MAYER. An eminent writer has said: "An institution is but the lengthened shadow of a man." It is the visible expression of definite plans, promptly and capably executed, combined with keen sagacity and a thorough understanding of points bearing upon a particular line of activity. In the great blank book manufacturing plant of Gregory, Mayer & Thom there are many evidences of the enterprise, energy and sound judgment of Alfred John Mayer, who is the vice president of this company and whose con- nection with book binding and blank book manu- facturing dates from the outset of his business career.
Mr. Mayer was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Feb- ruary 2, 1870, his parents being John and Christine (Sittenhelm) Mayer. The father came to the United States when eighteen years of age, leaving his native land of Germany because he was opposed to the mil- itaristic policy in vogue in that country. After fifty days spent on the sea he landed on the American coast in 1862 and made his way to Ann Arbor, where he passed away in 1905. His wife, who came from Ger- many to the new world in 1860, is still living in Ann Arbor and is in her seventy-ninth year.
Alfred J. Mayer, after pursuing his education in the schools of his native city, there served a five years' apprenticeship at the bookbinding trade and then sought the broader field of labor offered in Detroit, where he took up his abode in October, 1890, so that he has now been a resident of this city for three dec- ades. For eight years he was in the employ of The Richmond & Backus Company, after which he be- came associated in 1898 with Messrs. Gregory and Thơm in the manufacture of blank books and in the conduct of a stationery and printing business. While they began in a small way, their trade steadily increased and in 1909 the business was incorporated under the style of the Gregory, Mayer & Thom Company. Their patronage has continually grown until today their plant is one of the largest of the kind in the state and for some years Mr. Mayer has been the vice president, giving his attention to constructive effort, to administrative direction and to executive control of this constantly developing business.
On the 20th of June, 1905, Mr. Mayer was married to Miss Emma M. Friedrich of Detroit, and they have become the parents of two daughters and a son:
Louise C., Alfred John, Jr., born September 7, 1908, in Detroit; and Eveline F. Mr. Mayer is a member of the Jefferson avenue Presbyterian church and also of the Young Men's Christian Association. He is identified with the Board of Commerce and enters into all of the well defined plans and projects of that organization for the upbuilding of the city, the promotion of its trade interests and the various practical methods put forth toward meeting civic problems and upholding civic standards. He belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, to the Detroit Auto Club, and to the Lochmoor Club. He is one of those citizens of German extrac- tion who so emphatically proved their Americanism during the World war. He was thoroughly and above all sincerely behind the country of his birth in sup- port of the high ideals which occasioned America's entrance into the struggle and was bitterly opposed to kaiserism and its associations. Detroit has numbered him among her valued residents for three decades, during which he has ever measured up to the highest standards of American manhood and citizenship. He has resided at 576 East Grand boulevard since 1909.
JOSEPH REISS, president of the Reiss Body Com- pany and one of the leading designers and builders of automobile bodies in Detroit, has for a number of years been closely associated with this line of business and has made distinct advance in his chosen field of labor. Initiative, originality, perseverance and reliability have ever been recognized as salient fea- tures in his career. He has been employed by many of the leading auto body manufacturers as a builder and designer and has made a thorough study of body structure, thus becoming a master craftsman. His training was of that thorough character received in European shops, owing to the unusual attention which he paid to detail in structural building there, and thus it was that he was well equipped to carry on a successful enterprise when he established business on his own account in Detroit.
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