USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 30
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DR. GEORGE H. SHERMAN
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aim is to take advantage of nature's immunizing methods and to utilize them for prophylactic and curative purposes." The Sherman Laboratory is owned and managed by Dr. Sherman, with the assistance of his son, Arthur, and other members of his family. He belongs to the Wayne County and Michigan State Med- ical Societies and also to the American Medical Asso- ciation and numerous others.
On the 16th of February, 1886, Dr. Sherman was married to Miss Mathilde Huegli of Detroit, and their children are: Estella, now the wife of Edgar Marty and the mother of a son and daughter, Carl and Eleanor. Edgar Marty is a graduate of the mechan- ical department, University of Michigan, and is asso- ciated with the Sherman Laboratory; Gertrude, the wife of A. M. Rovin of Detroit, by whom she has one son, George. A. M. Rovin is a highly educated man, has taken the bacteriological course in the University of Michigan and is associated with the Sherman Laboratory; Adelaide is private secretary to her father; and Arthur finished the course in the bacterio- logical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and is now associated with his father in laboratory work. He wedded Mary Coumans of Bay City, and they have two sons, Arthur and George H.
While Dr. Sherman's scientific researches and his manufacturing interests are making constant demand upon his time and energies, he finds opportunity to inform himself concerning vital general questions and problems. His economic belief is that of the socialist philosophy and in 1892 he was a candidate for governor of Michigan on the people's party ticket. He is an advocate of direct legislation, was formerly a member of the executive committee of the National and State Direct Legislation League and is a member of the executive committee of the Public Ownership League of America. He belongs to the Fellowcraft Club and is appreciative of the social amenities of life. After all, however, his interest is chiefly concentrated upon the work in which he is now engaged and he stands today as the most eminent representative of vaccine therapy in the United States. The family home is on Ashland avenue, in which neighborhood the different members of the family occupy homes erected by Dr. Sherman.
J. HARRINGTON WALKER was born at the "Cottage" in Walkerville, Ontario, in 1859, removing to Detroit with his parents in 1864, but later returning to Walkerville, living there until 1883. He was the youngest son of Hiram and Mary Abigail (Williams) Walker, his father being the founder of the town of Walkerville and one of the most distinguished citizens of Detroit.
In 1883 he married Florence A. Holcomb of Bridge- port, Connecticut, who died in 1887, leaving two sons, Harrington E. and Hiram H. In 1889 he married Margaret Caldwell, daughter of the late William S. Talman of Detroit, and by this marriage had another
son, F. Caldwell, and two daughters, Mary Margaret (Mrs. Sidney R. Small) and Elizabeth Talman.
In 1895 he built a home at 873 Jefferson avenue, where he resided until the erection by him of the splendid Garden Court apartments, after which he lived there and at his beautiful summer place-Rock- ledge-at Magnolia, Massachusetts, to the time of his death. Mr. Walker became associated with his brothers in the distillery business in 1880, taking an active interest in it until a short time before his death, which occurred in New York city on December 16, 1919 .-
The duties which devolved upon him and his brothers were quite complex, including not only the management of Hiram Walker & Sons, Limited, the great distillery in Walkerville, established by their father, but many other kinds of business activities which had been promoted by him in Detroit and Walkerville. These different interests consisted of large holdings of farm lands in Canada and improved and unimproved city and town property. In all these he showed himself a resourceful business man of strong purpose and clear vision in the management of important commercial and financial interests. He was prominently known in the social as well as the business circles of Detroit, being a valued member of the Detroit, the Detroit Country, Detroit Athletic, Yondotega and the Essex County (Massachusetts) Clubs. He was a communicant of Christ church, of which he was for years a warden and vestryman, and was always a generous supporter of many projects looking to the welfare and benefit of the community at large.
As his life was passed practically in Detroit and Walkerville, he had an extremely wide acquaintance in both places and the sterling worth of his character won for him a most extensive circle of friends, who were always assured of his keen interest and co- operation in any plans and measures for the public good.
LEONARD L. SZYMANSKI, an attorney with of- fices in the Hammond building, is regarded as one of the leading Polish lawyers of Detroit. While en- gaged in the general practice of law he has developed marked capability and resourcefulness in criminal law and has been most successful in the conduct of his cases. Mr. Szymanski is of Polish birth, the place of his nativity being Lopienna, Poland, and the date being October 21, 1883. He is a son of Louis F. and Louisa (Skarbinski) Szymanski and the family came to America in 1886, making their way to Detroit.
Leonard L. Szymanski was at that time but three years of age. He pursued his early education in St. Casimir's parochial school and afterward attended St. Joseph's Commercial College and also the Polish Seminary, thus gaining comprehensive knowledge of the language spoken in his native land. He deter- mined upon the practice of law as a life work and with this end in view entered the Detroit College
Vol. IV-17
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of Law, from which he was graduated in June, 1912. In the meantime he had provided for his own support through five years' service as a clerk in the office of the city treasurer under Max Koch. With his admission to the bar in 1912, he gave up the position and entered upon the active practice of law, with office in the Home Bank building. He was elected on the city charter commission in which connection he rendered very valuable service. The major part of his time and attention, however, through the past nine years has been given to his law work and he has won distinction as a criminal lawyer through the ability with which he has defended his clients. His success has come by reason of his thor- ough knowledge of the law and the power with which he marshals the evidence in the case.
On the 29th of September, 1915, Mr. Szymanski was married to Miss Jennie F. Bruski and they have become parents of two daughters, Jean and Dorothy. Politically Mr. Szymanski is a republican and was an alternate delegate to the republican national con- vention in 1920. He belongs to the Detroit Bar As- sociation, also to the Michigan State Bar Association and to the Detroit Lawyers Club and he is a member of a number of Polish societies. He has always held to high professional standards, is ethical in his prae- tice and has won his success through merit and ability.
EMIL JOHN BOLLIN. Detroit owes much to the business enterprise and well directed efforts of the members of the Bollin family, who have contributed in large measure to her present development and great- ness through their activities as building contractors. As president and general manager of the John Bollin Company, Emil John Bollin is successfully carrying forward the interests established by his father and he is regarded as one of the most progressive and en- ergetic young business men of the city. He is one of Detroit's native sons, his birth having occurred on the 12th of November, 1892. His parents were John and Anna (Schmick) Bollin, both of whom were of foreign birth and in early life emigrated to the United States, becoming residents of Detroit. In young man- hood the father served an apprenticeship to the build- er's trade, which he continued to follow throughout the remainder of his life, developing expert ability in that line of work. He became the organizer of the John Bollin Company and for about thirty years was identified with business interests of Detroit as a building contractor, during which period he erected many of the city's most substantial publie buildings, while his business integrity was ever unquestioned. He also constructed many large buildings in the states of New York, West Virginia and Massachusetts and his operations were conducted on a very extensive scale. He occupied a leading position in business eir- eles of Detroit and was also well known and popular as a clubman. The mother still resides in this city and is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.
In the family were five children: Walter, who was killed while testing airplanes for the United States government on the Packard grounds; and Mrs. Mar- garet Dixon, Mrs. Clara Oldenburg, Mrs. Elsie Desel- eries and Emil John, all residents of Detroit.
. Mr. Bollin acquired his early education in the graded and high schools of his native city, after which he entered the University of Michigan, where he pursued a special course, but left that institution before his graduation in order to enter into business with his father. Starting in a minor position, he gradually worked his way upward, thoroughly mastering each department of the business, and was thus well quali- fied to assume the office of president and general manager, this being a close corporation. He gives careful oversight to every detail of the business, and in its control displays marked executive ability, initia- tive and mature judgment, proving a worthy successor to his honored father. He is at the head of one of the largest building and contracting firms in the city and for over thirty years the name of Bollin has stood as a synonym for business integrity and enterprise in commercial cireles of Detroit. Among the most notable structures in Detroit that stand in silent testimony of the high-class work of the John Bollin Company, is the Scott fountain at the foot of Belle Isle. Mr. Bollin is also a director and the largest stockholder in a private real estate company of Detroit and his carefully formulated and promptly executed plans have resulted in the attainment of a gratifying measure of prosperity.
Mr. Bollin is a veteran of the World war, enlisting as a member of the ordnance department, while later he was transferred to the Engineers Corps and sub- sequently to the construction division. He was com- missioned a second lieutenant, after which he won pro- motion to the rank of first lieutenant, and later of cap- tain and finally obtained the rank of major. He saw twenty-six months of active service, a large portion of the time being spent overseas in connection with the engineers and ordnance departments. On account of his expert knowledge of construction he was ordered to return to the United States and placed in charge of the construction of buildings and shops at the various cantonments and camps, being highly com- plimented by the government for the valuable services which he rendered in this connection. He was most kind and considerate to the men under his charge and was one of the most popular and highly respected officers in the service.
In his political views Mr. Bollin is a stanch repub- lican, interested in the welfare and success of the party and at all times keeping well informed on the leading questions and issues of the day. He is a valued member of the General Builders Association, the Master Masons Association, the Builders and Trad- ers Exchange and the Detroit Board of Commerce and in elub circles of the city is well known as a member of the Fellowcraft, Dynamic, Detroit Athletic, Red
EMIL J. BOLLIN
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Run Golf and Detroit Yacht Clubs. Mr. Bollin is a well known figure in business circles of Detroit, conducting one of the chief enterprises that have figured in connection with the material upbuilding of the city which now occupies fourth place among the great metropolitan centers of this country. While it is true that he came to a business already estab- lished, he has demonstrated in its control that he has the same executive power and keen discrimination be- tween the essential and the non-essential which char- acterized his father and placed him at the head of interests of magnitude. His life has been an exem- plary one in all respects and he stands as a high type of American manhood and chivalry.
ARTHUR H. BUHL. Many forces and agencies enter into the making of a great city. Business enterprise, political interests and civic activity all feature in bringing about the progress and upbuild- ing of a community but perhaps the most potent force is found in the industrial and commercial enter- prises which not only serve as the basis of local trade but also connect the community with outside interests. Prominent among the merchants of Detroit is Arthur H. Buhl, the president and manager of the Buhl Sons Company. He was born in this city, February 11, 1878, his parents being Theodore De Long and Julia Elizabeth (Walker) Buhl. The father was for many years engaged in the hardware trade in Detroit, being president for an extended period of the wholesale hardware house conducted under the style of the Buhl Sons Company, which was founded by his father, Christian H. Buhl. The latter was also interested in many other prominent business concerns of Detroit, including manufacturing and banking. Theodore De Long Buhl was born in Detroit, August 20, 1844, and attended the public and high schools, while later he acquired an excellent academic education in the east. He started upon his business career as a clerk in the employ of his father about the time he attained his majority and after thoroughly mastering various phases of the business was admitted to a partnership. He continued as a member of the Buhl Sons Company and later became the head of the corporation, acting as president for many years. He was also associated with his father in the purchase and development of the Sharon Iron Works at Sharon, Pennsylvania, and he was one of the organizers of the Detroit Copper & Brass Rolling Mills, while at the time of his death he was the president of the Buhl Malleable Company, also president of the Buhl Stamping Company, of the Diamond Stamp Ware Company and the National Can Company. His name was likewise a familiar one in financial circles, for he was the vice president of the Detroit National Bank and vice president of the De- troit Trust Company. Along still further lines he extended his activities, becoming one of the organ- izers of the Parke Davis & Company, pharmaceutical manufacturers, of which he was elected the first presi-
deut, so continuing to the time of his death. He was a man of remarkably keen insight and sagacity in relation to business affairs. He quickly differentiated between the essential and non-essential in all busi- ness matters and had the faculty of readily separating the important features of a situation from its inci- dental and accidental elements. Successful achieve- ment seemed to crown his every endeavor. This was not because he failed to meet obstacles and difficulties but because he realized that from such he could learn valuable lessons of business and make them serve as an impetus for renewed effort and for successful achievement on his part. In club circles Mr. Bnhil was widely and favorably known, holding membership with the Detroit Club and with the Detroit Country Club. His political endorsement was given to the republican party. He died in New York city, April 7, 1907, his death resulting from a stroke of apoplexy. In early manhood he wedded Miss Elizabeth J. Walker, a daugh- ter of Hiram Walker of Walkerville, Ontario, Canada, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom two sons are living, Arthur H. and Lawrence D.
Arthur H. Buhl, after attending the public and high schools of Detroit, went to Sharon, Pennsylvania, where he became connected with the Sharon Iron Com- pany, thus remaining from 1892 until 1895. He started in the business world in a humble capacity and grad- ually worked his way upward through his determina- tion and industry until he became secretary of the Sharon Iron Company and Buhl Steel Company. Later he returned to his native city and entered the whole- sale hardware house of which his father was the head. He was afterward made secretary and general mana- ger and eventually became vice president and general manager, continuing to discharge the important du- ties of this dual position after his father's death until 1915, when he was elected president and general man- ager. The company employs three hundred and fifty people and the task that Mr. Bnhl faces is by no means a holiday affair. His excellent executive abil- ity has been demonstrated in the immense volume of business conducted and in the improvement of the methods followed. He is thoroughly acquainted with every phase of the trade, understands the business in principle and detail and has so directed his efforts as to produce most substantial results. In addition to his connection with the business he is president of the Buhl Land Company, president of the Sattley Company, vice president of the Buhl Stamping Com- pany, vice president of the Detroit Copper & Brass Rolling Mills Company, president of the Griswold Land Company, a director of Parke Davis & Company, a director of the Detroit Trust Company, the Metalwood Manufacturing Company, the Detroit Union Railroad, Depot & Station Company and still other important corporate interests which constitute vital features in the business development and upbuilding of Detroit.
In November, 1902, Mr. Buhl was married to Miss Clara E. May of St. Clair, a daughter of Mr. and
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Mrs. Charles May of St. Clair, Michigan. They have three children: C. Henry, who is attending the Hill school, Pottstown, Pennsylvania; Julia E .; and Arthur H., Jr.
Mr. Buhl is fond of outdoor life, particularly en- joying yachting, hunting and motoring. He is well known in club circles as a member of the Detroit, Detroit Athletic, Detroit Boat, Bloomfield Hills Coun- try and Lochmoor Country Clubs and the Old Club. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks, while his religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church. His sterling character- istics and qualities are many and there are few men who have so fully realized and met the obligations and responsibilities of life, while his signal dnties and responsibilities have received due attention, with results that are most gratifying, bringing him promi- nently before the public as one of the foremost busi- ness men and citizens of Detroit.
CLIFFORD HEATH BEEGLE. Among the younger business men of this city who are demonstrating their ability successfully to manage important interests, is numbered Clifford Heath Beegle of the Detroit branch of the Union Drawn Steel Company, one of the largest corporations of this character in the United States. He was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Jannary 11, 1896, and is a son of Frederick N. and Nellie (Heath) Beegle, both of whom are natives of Ohio, the former born at Millersburg and the latter at Amherst. As a young man the father went to Penn- sylvania and became connected with the steel industry, to which he has since devoted his attention, becoming a dominant figure in that field of activity. He organ- ized the Union Drawn Steel Company, of which he is the president, and his constructive genius and progres- sive spirit have enabled him to develop a business of very extensive proportions. They mannfacture all kinds of cold drawn steel and their main plant, which is of substantial construction and supplied with the most modern equipment, is situated at Beaver Falls, Pennsyl- vania, while they also maintain factories at Gary, Indiana, and Hamilton, Ontario, as well as branch establishments in many of the manufacturing centers of the country, including New York city, Boston, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chicago, Illinois, Cleveland, Ohio, and Detroit. Mr. Beegle, Sr., is also interested in several other enterprises of im- portance in Western Pennsylvania, and is a man of notable business ability who deserves classification with America's captains of industry.
Clifford H. Beegle attended the grammar schools of Beaver Falls and afterward became a student at the Hill Preparatory School of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, completing his course in that institution in 1915. He then entered Cornell University at Ithaca, New York, class of 1919. Going to the Grass Creek district of Wyoming, he there engaged in the oil business, with which he was connected until the United States entered
the World war, when he enlisted for service, being sent to a training camp in Wyoming, from which he was sent to the Lonisville, Kentucky, Field Artillery school, was commissioned a second lientenant and at- tached to the Field Artillery. The armistice was signed before he had an opportunity to meet the enemy in the front line trenches of France and in 1919 he returned to Beaver Falls, entering his father's steel mills, where he received a thorough course of instruc- tion in the business, beginning at the bottom of the ladder and working his way steadily upward through the faithful performance of each task assigned him. In May, 1921, he was promoted to the office of the Detroit branch of the business and is well qualified to fill his responsible position. He attacks his duties with a contagions zeal and enthusiasm and is devoting every energy toward broadening the scope of the com- pany in this territory, being watchful of every new avenne opened in the natural ramifications of trade.
At Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, on the 2d of July, 1921, Mr. Beegle was united in marriage to Miss Frances Agne, a danghter of Dr. and Mrs. John B. Ague, the former a prominent physician and surgeon , of that city, in which Mrs. Beegle received her ednca- tion, being a graduate of the high school. Mr. Beegle belongs to the Detroit Yacht Club and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is a member of Beaver Valley Lodge, No. 478, F. & A. M., Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; Cornell University Asso- ciation of Michigan; and the Society of Antomotive Engineers. He worthily bears a name that stands for the highest ideals in business and social life and in the development of his talents he has already estab- lished himself in a creditable position in commercial circles of Detroit.
J. WILL WILSON, of the firm of Wilson & Catto, architects and builders of Detroit, was born in Chat- ham, Ontario, April 2, 1881, and is a son of James L. and Patience (Mneller) Wilson, who were also of Canadian birth and spent much of their lives there. The father was a well known architect but is now living retired, making his home in Detroit. The mother passed away in Jannary, 1916.
J. Will Wilson, an only child, attended the schools of Chatham, Ontario, and also studied in Toronto, where he pursned an architectural course in the Prac- tical School of Science. He was graduated in 1902 with the A. O. A. A. degree and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he followed in Chat- ham and Toronto and was also associated with the firm of Hagle & Davis at Montreal. There he remained until February, 1912, when he came to Detroit, where he opened an office, and through the intervening pe- riod he has erected some of the fine buildings of the city. He built the Mineral Bath House at Wayne, which was erected at a cost of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. In this undertaking he was asso- ciated with Frank M. Newell of Chicago. He is also
CLIFFORD H. BEEGLE
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the architect of the Fourteenth Avenue Baptist church at Fourteenth avenue and Marquette street, erected a fine building for the old Michigan Savings Bank at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars and has done work for the Security Trust Company. He has in recent years largely concentrated upon the building of apartments and was the architect for David Saffir in the erection of a large apartment building at Hague and Oakland streets, was the builder of a two hundred and fifty thousand dollar apartment build- ing for Mrs. Katherine West at 174 Charlotte street and is now engaged on the construction of a forty apartment building for Captain John and Ada Bell at Alfred and John R streets, which is being erected at a cost of 'one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Wilson has attained high rank in his profession. His training was thorough, his study has been broad and his experience has been of such a character as further to develop his powers and he ranks today as one of the leading architects of Detroit. He belongs to the Michigan Society of Architects, holds a degree from the Ontario Association of Architects and is identified with several prominent societies of the profession. He has attained to this position entirely through individual effort, and without the aid of wealth or influence he has gained a place in the front rank of the architects and builders of Detroit.
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