USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 27
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James M. Berry was born in Detroit, February 13, 1868, his parents being Thomas H. and Jennie (Par- sons) Berry. The father was born in Ontario, Can- ada, and the mother in Detroit, representing a prom- inent early family of this city. Thomas H. Berry was young when he came to Detroit and for many years he was closely associated with the business life of the city, organizing the Thomas H. Berry Company in 1869 for the sale of rugs and carpets. This has developed into one of the most exclusive business enterprises of this character in the city, and the founder is still interested in the business although, not very active on account of his advanced age, largely leaving the weight of business cares and re- sponsibilities to his son and grandson. During earlier years he was also active in connection with various public enterprises for the benefit and upbuilding of the city, and one time served as a volunteer fireman. His wife passed away in Detroit in 1905. They were the parents of two sons, of whom George P. is de- ceased.
James M. Berry spent his youthful days as a public school pupil, and after his textbooks were put aside he became the active assistant of his father in the rug and carpet business. He thoroughly learned the trade, so that he was soon able to distinguish readily every kind of carpet or rug carried and every grade of the firm's stock. Thus thoroughly acquainting himself with the business, he more and more relieved his father of the weight of responsibility in this enter- prise and is today the directing head of the business, in connection with which he carries some of the finest rugs, carpets and household decorations that can be found in any commercial establishment of the country, and his opinions concerning the value of any floor coverings are considered those of an expert. 4
In 1890 Mr. Berry was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kelly of Detroit and they have become parents of five children: the eldest, Sister Mary James, is a member of the I. H. M. order. She was educated in the Catholic schools and Convent of Detroit, is now connected with the Catholic sisterhood and is a teacher; Thomas H., born in Detroit in 1893, was
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educated in the Trinity Catholic school and is now in business with his father. He married Miss Kath- leen Holliday of Detroit; Mrs. Adelaide Yarr, born in Detroit in 1897, and educated in the Trinity Cath- olie school, resides in her native city and has become the mother of one son, James Berry Yarr, who died January 29, 1920; Johanna, born in Detroit in 1902, is attending the Trinity Catholic School; William G., born in Detroit in 1906, is a pupil in the same school.
As indicated, the religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church, the parents being communicants of Trinity church. Mr. Berry is a fourth degree Knight of Columbus. He is well known in business circles, his position being an enviable one because of the progressiveness and reliability of the methods which he has ever followed and which have brought him to the front in connection with the rug and carpet trade of the city. He is also a public- spirited man and his interest in the public welfare has been manifest in many tangible ways.
CHARLES TILDEN HOLCROFT, president of Hol- croft & Company, contracting engineers, was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1883, the son of William H. and Sarah Elizabeth Ford Holcroft, the former also a native of the Keystone state, while his mother was born in Maryland. The parents have spent practically their entire lives in Chester, where the father is a prominent contracting engineer at the head of the firm of W. H. Holcroft & Company. In the family were seven sons and two daughters, all of whom are living except the youngest son.
Charles Tilden Holcroft attended the Chester high school and afterward entered the employment of his father, serving four years' apprenticeship as a brick- layer and then several years in the engineering and construction departments until he had thoroughly mas- tered every detail of the business. In 1910 he came to Detroit and organized the firm of Holcroft & Company, of which concern he is still president. His company does a large volume of business for the most important foundries in the country and their services are widely sought as experts in heavy oven and fur- nace designing and construction. He is also the sec- retary and a director of The Barrett-Cadwell Company and a director of the Hare Stoker & Furnace Company.
On the 10th of December, 1904, Mr. Holcroft was married to Miss Mary Cook Ayars of his native city, daughter of Benjamin D. Ayars. In his fraternal re- lations Mr. Holeroft is a Mason and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the Con- sistory and is a member of the Shrine. He is a member of the Exchange, Canopus and Shoepeck Out- ing Club and a charter member of the Michago Golf Club of Ludington, Michigan. He is also a member of the Board of Commerce and of other live organiza- tions. In religious connections he is a member of Central Methodist church, where he is chairman of the board of stewards and secretary of the board of
trustees. Whatever he does, whether along the lines of social, church or business activity, he attacks with contagious enthusiasm that always makes his presence felt. In his business career, thoroughness has figured as one of the important elements of his success, there being no phase of the business with which he is not familiar, and thus he has been able to direct the affairs of his concern with a masterly hand.
Mr. Holeroft resides at 668 Edison avenue, but much of his summers are spent at Ludington, where he gives full vent to his recreational proclivities, especially in the role of golf enthusiast and patient fisherman.
JOHN H. ENGEL, attorney at law, 1014 Penobscot building, came to Detroit from Dallas, Texas, in 1910.
He graduated from Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington, Missouri, and from Detroit College of Law in 1914, and has practiced successfully since that time.
Mr. Engel was married in 1917, to Miss Marjorie Bell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Bell of Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Engel have one son, Robert Clayton, born November 6, 1918, at Detroit.
Mr. Engel is a member of Delta Theta Phi, law fraternity, the Detroit Athletic Club, Meadowbrook Country Club, the Detroit Bar Association and the Lawyers Club.
E. C. HOFF, M. D., who began the practice of general surgery in Detroit seventeen years ago, has won and maintained an enviable reputation as one of the foremost representatives of the profession in this city. He was born at Carey, Ohio, the eldest in a family of six children whose parents were Charles D. and Anna (Beebe) Hoff. The father, who won prosperity and prominence in business circles as a contractor, passed away in 1906, but the mother sur- vives and makes her home in Detroit. The brothers and sisters of Dr. Hoff of this review are Weldon B., Winifred S., Robert H., Mabel A. and Laura.
E. C. Hoff attended the public and high schools of his native town and then in preparation for his chosen profession entered the Cleveland Medical Col- lege, now connected with the Ohio State University, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1901. Following the completion of his course he served as an interne in the Maternity hospital of Cleveland, Ohio, while from 1902 uutil 1904 he was an interne in Grace hospital. In the latter year he took up the practice of general surgery in Detroit and in this connection has gained a most creditable name and place for himself in professional ranks. He is a member of the attending staff at Grace hospital and keeps in close touch with the progress of the medical fraternity through his membership in the Wayne County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the American College of Surgeons, the
CHARLES T. HOLCROFT
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American Institute of Homeopathy and the Michigan State Homeopathie Society.
In 1918 Dr. Hoff was united in marriage to Miss Helen Parlette of Detroit, and they have two dangh- ters: Laura Alice, who was born August 9, 1919, and Helen Lucile, born October 31, 1920. Fraternally Dr. Hoff is identified with the Masons, belonging to King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M., and Detroit Command- ery, K. T. His professional ability is recognized in an extensive practice and his popularity in social circles is attested by a large circle of warm friends.
J. LEE BAKER, well known as a real estate op- erator and also in connection with the handling of various subdivisions of Detroit, was born in Lansing, Michigan, February 19, 1886, his parents being Julius M. and Julia A. Baker, natives of Ohio and Michigan, respectively. The father came to this state in early life and afterwards served as a publie official in the state house, where he was appointed state armorer. He continued to hold that office for many years, and passed away at Lansing in 1918. His widow now makes her home in Detroit. Their family numbered twelve children, but only six are living: Frank A., a resident of Lansing; Edward H., living in Flint, Michigan; Herbert W., also of Flint; Philip C., of Detroit; Mrs. C. F. Klingensmith, of Detroit; and J. Lee.
The last named, after enjoying the educational op- portunities accorded by the public and high schools of Lansing, attended the Michigan Agricultural Col- lege at Lansing, Michigan, and was there graduated in 1907. He then came to Detroit and entered the real estate business in connection with the Storm- felz-Loveley Company, with whom he continued for eight years as a representative of the sales force and later as department manager. In 1912 he became a student in the Detroit College of Law, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1915. During this entire period he was with the Stormfelz- Loveley Company, utilizing all of the hours outside of school in the sale of real estate. He thus gained a broad and valuable experience and in 1915 organ- ized the Marantette-Baker Company to handle real estate, and the business was soon placed upon a sub- stantial basis. The enterprise was successfully con- ducted until 1918, when the firm sold out, Mr. Baker anticipating a call for war service. He was then in the internal revenue office for a time and on the 1st of February, 1919, he organized the J. Lee Baker Real Estate Company, of which he is sole owner. He handles general real estate and subdivision property and now has the Monroe Boulevard subdivision, the Monroe Boulevard annex subdivision, the Dearborn Estates and Long's River Rouge Park, the Mayfair Park and Grand River in Detroit and Nagel's Golf Club subdivision and still other properties. Mayfair Park is a community for homes in the greater Detroit metropolitan distriet. It is in every respect up to
the highest standards of a distinctive home community. Mr. Baker holds to the highest standards in his real estate operations, recognizing his excellent opportunity to aid in making Detroit a beautiful city. To this end he is constantly working and his labors are bring- ing excellent results.
Mr. Baker is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, of the Detroit Athletic Club and of the Lochmoor Club, while along the line of his chosen business he also has membership, being a member of the Detroit Real Estate Board, at one time as treas- urer and now first vice president. He has worked his way upward entirely through self effort, prompted by a laudable ambition that has called forth his industry and determination, his dominant qualities, and today he is one of those who are contributing much to Detroit's advancement and improvement.
FRANCIS T. MeGANN, who for a decade has been a member of the Detroit bar, was born in this city March 4, 1888, his parents being Thomas F. and Cath- erine (Dolan) McGann, who still make their home in Detroit. The father was born in Milford, Massachu- setts, July 14, 1857, and is a son of Cornelius McGann, a native of Ireland, who came to the United States in the early '40s and established his home in Massa- chusetts. The mother of Francis T. MeGann was born in Marshall, Michigan. When fifteen years of age Thomas F. McGann became a resident of Mich- igan and for many years was engaged in the retail meat business, but several years ago retired and has since enjoyed a well earned rest.
After attending the parochial schools Francis T. McGann continued his education in Detroit College, now the University of Detroit, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1907. With broad literary training to serve as the foundation upon which to build the superstructure of professional knowledge, he began preparing for his profession in the Detroit College of Law and completed his course there in 1910, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession in Detroit and received ready recognition of his ability. On the 1st of De- cember, 1910, he was appointed assistant attorney general for Michigan and proved a most efficient officer in that connection until July 1, 1911, when he resigned to become a member of the law firm of MeHugh, Gallagher & MeGann, which continued until the dissolution of the firm. In a profession where ad- vancement depends entirely upon individual merit, learning and capability Mr. MeGann has made steady progress and is now enjoying a large clientage.
On October 1, 1919, in Detroit, was celebrated the marriage of Francis T. McGann and Miss Florence C. Steinmetz, daughter of the late Ferdinand Stein- metz of Detroit.
Mr. McGann belongs to the Theta Lambda Phi, to the Young Men's Order, to the Knights of Columbus
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and to the Detroit Yacht Club. He is a supporter of the democratic party and during the war period he served on the legal advisory board. In the strict line of his profession he is connected with the Detroit Bar Association, and concentrating his efforts and at- tention upon his profession, he is making steady progress in the line of his chosen life work.
CAPTAIN DOUGLAS CAMPBELL, a veteran of the World war and well known in the business, pro- fessional and social life of Detroit, was born in this city and is a son of Henry Monroe and Caroline (Bur- tenshaw) Campbell, the former being one of Detroit's leading attorneys and mentioned at length elsewhere in this work. The son pursued his education in the public schools of Detroit and in the Detroit University School. He then entered the University of Michigan, completing his more specifically literary course in 1910, in which year he was graduated with the Bach- elor of Arts degree. He then went east to become a law student at Harvard, which conferred upon him the LL. B. degree in 1913. He entered the active practice of his profession in this city as a member of the firm of Campbell, Bulkley & Ledyard and so continued until 1917, when, soon after the United States declared war against Germany, he entered the officers' training camp at Fort Sheridan and on the 27th of August, 1917, was commissioned first lieuten- ant. He was then sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, as a member of the Three Hundred and Thirteenth Field Artillery. Later he was transferred to the Sixth Regiment Field Artillery at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, and was promoted to the rank of captain. He was transferred to the Fourth Corps, Artillery Park, at Camp Wadsworth, Spartansburg, South Caro- lina, and was sent overseas on the 30th of August, 1918. He was with the army of occupation until injuries caused him to be returned to the United States as a patient, reaching Newport News, Virginia, March 13, 1919. Later he was in the Ford Hospital at Detroit until discharged on the 10th of July, 1919. Captain Campbell resumed his law practice with the firm of Campbell, Bulkley & Ledyard, giving his entire attention to professional work, acquiring an enviable position among the younger members of the Detroit bar. On the 1st of December, 1920, he became sec- retary and treasurer of the Superior Sand & Gravel Company of Detroit, with the gradual relinquishment of his professional activities giving his attention to industrial lines as mentioned. He belongs to the De- troit Bar Association and also to the Lawyers Club.
On the 26th of May, 1917, Captain Campbell was married to Miss Marion Howe Douglas of Grosse Pointe, and they have one son: Douglas, Jr., born May 6, 1920. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon, a Greek letter fraternity, and he also has membership with the University Club, De- troit Club, Country Club, Detroit Racquet and Curling Club and Grosse Pointe Riding and Hunt Club. He
has a wide acquaintance in the city in which his entire life has been spent and all who known him speak of him as one who measures up to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship.
PERCY WYLIE GROSE, one of the younger rep- resentatives of the Detroit bar, was born at Battle Creek, Michigan, October 6, 1881, and comes of English ancestry. His paternal grandfather, John W. Grose, was born in Cornwall, England, and crossing the Atlantic, became a wholesale grocer in Montreal, Canada, where he continued to make his home until his death in 1893. His son, Thomas H. Grose, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1852 and came to the new world with his parents in 1858, the family home being established in Montreal, Canada. He afterward removed to Port Huron, Michigan, and subsequently to Battle Creek. For many years he was active as a railroad man. He passed away in 1908 and is still survived by his wife, who is now living in Detroit.
Percy W. Grose studied in Detroit schools and graduated from the Detroit College of Law in 1903. He has practiced in Detroit since that time.
Mr. Grose was married on the 19th of May, 1908, in Detroit, to Miss Mary Stewart McGregor, a daugh- ter of Thomas B. McGregor, and they are the parents of a daughter: Mary Elizabeth. In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Grose are Episcopalians. Mr. Grose also has membership with the Elks, with the Detroit Athletic Club, the Bloomfield Hills Club, the Auto- mobile Country Club, the Lawyers Club, Detroit Bar Association and the Michigan Bar Association. He also belongs to the Masonie order. In politics he is an earnest democrat and from 1907 until 1909 he served as assistant prosecuting attorney of Wayne county. Iu 1913 he was made city commissioner of the health board of Detroit and occupied that position until 1917, serving as president of the board during the last year. While America was at war with Germany he was a member of the intelligence de- partment in Detroit, which department was under the direction of the army to investigate war contracts, being officially known as the War Department Intelli- gence Divisiou, General Staff.
ARTHUR E. SCHREITER, member of the Detroit bar, was born in Leipzig, Germany, May 20, 1869, but was only two years of age when brought to America by his parents, Edward and Emma Schreiter. The mother is living but the father has passed away. The family home was established in Detroit and he pursued his education in the German-American Sem- inary and also in the Caton College of Commerce at Detroit, being graduated from the latter institution with the class of 1895. Two years before this time he had accepted employment as clerk in the probate court and filled that position until 1903. It was this which awakened his interest in the profession of law, and entering the Detroit College of Law, he com-
CAPTAIN DOUGLAS CAMPBELL
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pleted the course by graduation with the class of 1902, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. On the 1st of March of the following year he entered upon the active work of his profession aud has since practiced at the bar of Detroit, where his recognized ability has won for him a large clientage. He is also a director of the Continental Real Estate Trust Company.
On the 25th of June, 1895, Mr. Schreiter was united in marriage to Miss Louise Breitmeyer of Detroit, and they are now parents of two daughters: Evangeline, who is the wife of Horace Caulkins, Jr., of Detroit, and the mother of one daughter; and Genevieve. Mr. Schreiter belongs to the Yacht Club, the Lawyers Club, the Detroit Athletic Club and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He belongs to the local and state bar associations and in his practice he has largely specialized in probate matters, his preliminary training being along that line, thereby awakening his interest in that field of law work.
ARTHUR F. BASSETT, of the firm of Bassett & Smith, real estate dealers of Detroit, in which city he was born June 9, 1893, is a son of Arthur and Elizabeth C. (Fancher) Bassett. The father was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, January 17, 1851, and was a son of Nehemiah and Mary (Foster) Bassett. In the district schools he pursued his early education and later attended the high school of East Saginaw, Michigan. He started out in the business world as a clerk in a drug store when fifteen years of age and was afterward connected with a wholesale drug house, while later he spent three years in banking. He subsequently engaged in the drug business on his own account for nineteen years, being for an extended period a representative merchant of Detroit. In 1895 he became special loan agent for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company at Detroit and he continued an active factor in real estate circles up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1916. His political belief was that of the republican party and his religious faith led him into membership relations with the Baptist church. In November, 1883, in Detroit, he married Elizabeth C. Fancher. who still makes her home in this city. They became the parents of two children, Gilbert L. and Arthur F.
In his youthful days Arthur F. Bassett attended the Irving school of Detroit for eight years and for four years was a pupil in the Central high school. He next entered the University of Michigan and was graduated upon the completion of a course in the engineering department in 1914. For a time he fol- lowed his profession in connection with the Detroit Steel Products Company, spending four years with that corporation, during a part of which time he was as- sistant engineer. He later resigned his position to
take up the real estate business, in which his father had been engaged, and he became a partner in the firm of Bassett & Smith, with offices in the Vinton building, his attention being then given to general real estate activity, to snbdividing property and also to handling acreage property. The firm has become prominently known as real estate operators in Detroit and has handled such well known divisions as Vinsetta Park, Westwood Park, Woodward Park, a one-hundred acre tract on West Woodward avenue and still others of equally large acreage. Mr. Bassett is the president of the Vinsetta Land Company and a director of the Van Alstine Land Company. Mr. Bassett served for two years during the World war, from July 1917, to April, 1919, as lieutenant (J. G.) in the United States navy.
On the 19th of June, 1917, Mr. Bassett was married to Miss Jessie I. Lyon of Detroit, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Lyon, representatives of a well known family of this city. They have two children: Eliza- beth Mary, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, May 7, 1918; and Margaret Jean, born in Detroit, August 13, 1919.
Mr. Bassett is a republican in his political views and keeps well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day but never seeks nor desires office. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic Lodge. He is also a member of the Detroit Athletic Club and of the Pine Lake Golf Club. He has a wide ac- quaintance in this city, where his life has been passed and where he has won a creditable position as a representative young business man. The name of Bassett has long been associated with real estate interests here and along progressive lines Arthur F. Bassett has kept abreast with the trend of real estate activity in connection with Detroit's rapid growth and development.
MAJOR WILLIAM PITT PUTNAM, whose title came to him through his connection with the ordnance department of the United States army during the World war, is well known in business circles as the president of the Detroit Testing Laboratory. A
native son of Ohio, he was born at Belpré, November 12, 1870, and is a son of Israel W. and Harriet (Ripley) Putnam. He continued his public school education until he had completed his course in the Belpré high school, after which he was a student in Buchtel College, which conferred upon him the Bache- lor of Science degree in 1893. He also studied for two years in the Case School of Applied Science at Cleveland, Ohio, and he entered upon the active work of his profession in the office of W. J. Rattle of Cleveland. In 1894-5 he was engaged in mining engineering and in 1896 was connected with the Pittsburgh Steel & Iron Company of Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania. Since 1897 he has made his home in Detroit and for two years was connected with the Superior Charcoal & Iron Company, while later he entered the
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