USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 34
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In 1902 Mr. Mann was married to Miss Katherine F. Macdonald of Detroit, daughter of Peter Macdonald, and they have become parents of three children: Donald C., Ernest E. and Katherine. Mr. Mann be- longs to Palestine Lodge, No. 357, A. F. & A. M., and also to the Oakland Hills Country Club, the Detroit Athletic Club and the Board of Commerce. He is one of the supporters of the republican party and is also one of the live business men of the city, his activities making him a dynamic force in the industrial develop- ment of Detroit.
LOUIS G. PALMER. Real estate interests of De- troit find a prominent and enterprising representative in Louis G. Palmer, who, as owner of the Louis G. Palmer Company is conducting a business of exten- sive and profitable proportions, specializing in the de- velopment of subdivisions. He does not fear to ven- ture where favoring opportunity points the way and his energy and determination have carried him for- ward to a substantial point on the highroad to success. A native of Michigan, he was born in Canton town- ship, Wayne county, October 13, 1885, his parents being J. G. and Katherine (Morey) Palmer, both of whom were born near Wayne, Michigan, each of the families coming from the New England states. Mr. Palmer's grandfather, Aaron B. Palmer, was a native of England, wbence be emigrated to the United States, taking up his residence in the state of Vermont.
. Reared on a farm, Louis G. Palmer attended the public schools, also pursuing his studies in night schools, and when thirteen years of age left home, taking up the trade of a barber, which he followed
during the day, while in the evenings he attended school, for he was determined to obtain a good edu- cation. He also took a preparatory course in medicine and subsequently went to Hibbing, St. Louis county, Minnesota, where he engaged in mining. He also became interested in other lines of activity, conduct- ing a hotel at Hibbing, and while following mining pursuits was associated with the Oliver Mining Com- pany, owners of the largest open iron ore pit in the world. Subsequently he became connected with real estate activities in association with the firm of Reed & Bower, which was engaged in moving the townsite of Eveleth, Minnesota, and rebuilding the same. He also participated in the rebuilding of Virginia, Min- nesota, a city of twelve thousand, situated between Eveleth and Hibbing, which was destroyed by forest fires. Virginia is considered one of the most modern constructed cities in the state of Minnesota. He thus also obtained valuable experience in the real estate business and later became joint proprietor of the Neeley House at Chisholm, Minnesota, which he con- ducted for six months, at the end of which period the entire town was destroyed by fire, resulting in giving renewed impetus to real estate activities in this sec- tion. Mr. Palmer's hotel at Hibbing was also burned down the same year, thus causing his financial ruin, and returning to Detroit he resumed work at the bar- ber's trade in order once more to gain a start.
In 1908 he reentered the real estate field, becoming associated with Will St. John & Company, in the sale and management of Indian Village property, a rela- tionship that was continued for three years. He then embarked in the general real estate business inde- pendently, organizing the Louis G. Palmer Company, of which he has since been the head, subdividing the several classes of property and establishing depart- ments for the handling of each class, under the super- vision of a competent department manager. He has secured a large patronage in all of his business and has a thorough knowledge of realty and other invest- ments. He is a keen, intelligent business man with a rapid grasp of details and a shrewd discrimination in investment, and has negotiated many important realty transfers.
In March, 1916, Mr. Palmer was united in marriage to Miss Marian Brooks, a daughter of Joseph and Mabel Brooks of Detroit, and her demise occurred on the 28th of July, 1919.
Mr. Palmer is a member of the Detroit, Michigan and National Associations of Real Estate Boards and fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belong- ing to City of the Straits Lodge, F. & A. M. He is an active and earnest member of the Chamber of Commerce and his social nature finds expression in his membership in the Grosse Ile Country Club, of which he is a director and was one of the founders, the Birmingham Club and the Detroit Athletic Club. He is alert and energetic in the conduct of his business interests and his thorough reliability, as well as his
LOUIS G. PALMER
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industry, constitutes an important factor in his grow- ing success. He is regarded as an expert valuator and through his operations in the real estate field, has sub- stantially contributed to the improvement and devel- opment of his city. He has ever been keenly interested in all that pertains to public progress and prosperity and he is accounted one of Detroit's most valued citizens.
JOHN A. MILOTTE, a prominent representative of the Detroit bar, who is a member of the firm of Butzel & Butzel, leading attorneys of this city, was born in Dresden, in the province of Ontario, Canada, January 22, 1882, a son of Joseph and Alice (Whitson) Milotte, who became the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters. When Mr. Milotte was three years of age the family crossed the border into the United States, taking up their residence in Oakland county, Michigan, and he attended the public and high schools of Highland and South Lyon. In 1902 he en- tered the law department of the University of Michi- gan, from which he was graduated in 1905 with the LL. B. degree. He immediately entered upon the work of the profession and in 1906 formed his present asso- ciation with the well known law firm of Butzel & Butzel, whose offices are in the Union Trust building. He is a capable attorney, well informed in all branches of the law, and is specializing in the examination of abstracts and real estate law, being regarded as an expert in that branch of the profession.
In 1912 Mr. Milotte was united in marriage to Miss Marvel Wylie and they have become the parents of a daughter, Ellen, whose birth occurred in 1915, and a son, John A., Jr., who was born in 1918. In his po- litical views Mr. Milotte is a republican, stanchly supporting the principles and candidates of the party. Through his membership in the Detroit Bar Association he derives much pleasure and benefit from his associa- tion with his fellow practitioners, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Corin- thian Lodge, No. 241, F. & A. M., and he is also a member of the Masonic and St. Clair River Country Clubs. He holds to high standards in professional service, has great respect for the dignity of his calling and zealously devotes his energies to his legal work. His mind is analytical and logical in its trend and in a profession demanding keen intellectuality and in- dividual merit he is making continuous progress, be- ing numbered with the leading attorneys of Detroit.
GEORGE VALENTINE POTTLE, Detroit architect, was born in Dayton, Ohio, March 23, 1875, his par- ents being David E. and Sarah Louise (MeLaughlin) Pottle, both of whom have passed away. While spend- ing his youthful days in his native city, George Val- entine Pottle pursued his public school education there and later went to Boston, where he entered the Mas- sachusetts Institute of Technology. Attracted toward the architect's profession, he entered upon his active career in this connection in a Dayton office in 1893.
Subsequently he was employed as draftsman in offices in Massachusetts and Virginia and in 1901 he came to Detroit, where he occupied a position as draftsman until 1905. Since that time he has practiced his pro- fession on his own account and has gained a most creditable position among the leading architects of the city. He has been a close and thorough student throughout his professional career and his ability has brought him prominently to the front. He is now a member of the American Institute of Architects and his contemporaries and colleagues in the profession acknowledge his skill and ability.
On the 1st of April, 1902, Mr. Pottle was mar- ried to Miss Grace M. Lockyer, of Dayton, Ohio, and they have become the parents of two children: John L. and Georgiene. Mr. Pottle is a member of the Masonie fraternity, in which he has attained the Knights Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with the Mystic Shrine he is likewise identified. He be- longs to the Detroit Athletic Club and to the Ingleside Club. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and in politics he is a republican. He has never been an aspirant for office, however, preferring always to concentrate his efforts and energies upon his professional duties, which have been of growing extent and importance.
WILLIAM PHELPS McFARLANE. It must be a matter of gratification to many of the leading busi- ness men of Detroit that they have been important factors in bringing about the present industrial great- ness and consequent prosperity of the city. William P. McFarlane is numbered among the native sons of Detroit who have contributed largely to her advance- ment and upbuilding. Originally connected with car- riage manufacturing, he kept abreast with the trend of the times as the motor-driven car was introduced and perfected and has long been connected with the industry. He was born March 8, 1865, and is a son of James K. and Emeline (Edwards) McFarlane. His father was a native of the city of Glasgow, Scotland, but came to America when a young boy.
William P. McFarlane was a little lad of but six summer when his parents removed to Romeo, Michigan, where he acquired his early education in the public schools. He afterward learned the trade of carriage trimming and at the age of twenty-five years took charge of a factory in Port Huron for the Anderson Carriage Company. He acted as foreman of the car- riage trimming department from 1886 until 1892 and was then made superintendent of the factory. In 1895 the plant was removed to Detroit. In 1900 he was elected to official position, being made secretary as well as superintendent of the company, thus serving from 1900 until 1911. In the latter year the firm name was changed to the Anderson Electric Car Com- pany, of which Mr. McFarlane has since been the sec- retary and factory manager. This company has one
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of the large industrial plants of the city as builders of high grade automobile bodies. During the World war this company built a large number of ambulance bodies for the government. In 1918 Mr. Anderson withdrew from the company. Something of the im- mense volume of its business is indicated in the fact that it employs fifteen hundred men and in 1919-20 the firm doubled the size of its plant. The success of the business has been largely due to Mr. McFarlane's ability as factory manager. He early learned that the secret of success is the accomplishment of maxi- mum results with minimum expenditure of time, labor and material. The business has therefore been most carefully systematized in every particular and the results achieved have been most gratifying.
In 1890 Mr. McFarlane was united in marriage to Miss Emaline Smith. He belongs to the Detroit Ath- letie Club, the Detroit Golf Club, the Fellowcraft Club, the Detroit Auto Club, and also to the Board of Commerce. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of The Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen of America. The things he has accomplished through an active career place him with the ablest business men of Detroit, his splendid powers being the direct outcome of his early training and the thoroughness which he has manifested in everything he has under- taken.
BERTRAND CURTIS SPITZLEY, president of the Houseman-Spitzley Corporation of Detroit, is one of Detroit's best known and successful real estate men. He was born March 13, 1880, in New York city, a son of Jacob Henry and Eliza Ann (Barney) Spitzley and one of a family of seven boys. The father was a well known contractor and builder in Detroit and here met an accidental death on the 9th of June, 1920. The mother survives and is still a resident of this city.
Bertrand C. Spitzley received his earlier education in the public schools, after which he entered the employ of the Detroit Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Com- pany. Here he received his first practical lesson in mechanical engineering and coincident with his prae- tical work in that line he studied under private in- structors for several years, perfecting himself in this profession. While yet in his teens he went to Port- land, Oregon, where he was employed at mechanical engineering. Subsequently he became acting chief draughtsman of the bureau of steam engineering at the Puget Sound navy yard at Bremerton, Washing- ton, and afterward spent four years in engineering work and installation of the mechanical work on the United States battleship Nebraska at Seattle, Wash- ington.
Returning to Detroit, Mr. Spitzley accepted a posi- tion with the Abbott Motor Company in 1906 and there rose from assistant purchasing agent to assistant general manager, leaving the company in 1910 to enter the real estate field, where he has made one
of the most notable successes in connection with the real estate business in Detroit.
In 1912 Mr. Spitzley, in connection with Mr. and Mrs. Houseman, planned for the establishment of the business which was first known as the Houseman- Spitzley Company, incorporated in April, 1913, and was subsequently reorganized, becoming the House- man-Spitzley Corporation, incorporated July 18, 1916. The original capital stock of the Houseman-Spitzley Company was sixteen thousand dollars, which was increased to one million four hundred thousand dollars at the time of the reorganization into the Houseman- Spitzley Corporation. The original company first con- ducted a general real estate and building business, erecting twenty-five homes during the first five months, and also had a small brokerage department in addition. The first subdivision opened was out Mack avenue, seven miles from the Detroit city hall. Subsequent operations of the company and its successor have been no small factor in Detroit's growth and devel- opment. The Houseman-Spitzley Corporation is not only one of the foremost firms in real estate circles in Detroit but represents one of the strongest and most efficient organizations in that line of business. Mr. Houseman withdrew from the corporation in 1918. The officials now are: B. C. Spitzley, president; D. L. Robinson and Luman W. Goodenough, vice presi- dents; W. J. Carlyle, treasurer; and William A. Neer, secretary; while other members of the directorate are H. W. Noble and George Kirchner. The firm's offices, probably the best appointed and most com- modious of any realty firm in the city, occupy the entire second floor of the Madison Theatre building on Madison avenue, at Broadway.
On the 14th of June, 1902, Mr. Spitzley was married to Miss Ida May Bullene, a daughter of George W. and Hannah Ann Bullene. Mrs. Spitzley is a native of the state of Washington, Seattle being her birth- place, in which city Mr. Spitzley met and married her. Mr. and Mrs. Spitzley have two children: Richard Karl, horn March 10, 1913; and Hannah Ann, born July 20, 1917.
Mr. Spitzley is a member of the Real Estate Board of Detroit, also of the Board of Commerce, and is well known in club eireles, belonging to the Detroit Athletic, Bloomfield Hills Country, Doe Lake and De- troit Automobile Clubs. He is likewise a blue lodge Mason. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and iu politics he is a republican. His sport activities are confined to hunting, fishing and golf and in these he finds recreation from the strenuous duties of business, for his activities have constantly increased, making most heavy demand upon his time and energies. Mr. Spitzley resides at Grosse Pointe Park.
JULIAN H. HARRIS, attorney at law and member of the firm of Beaumont, Smith & Harris, lawyers, and of the firm of Harris, Small & Lawson, investment bankers of Detroit, was born in Chicago, Illinois,
B. C. SPITZLEY
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June 22, 1876, and is a son of the Rt. Rev. Samuel S. and Mary (Pickett) Harris, who were natives of Alabama and became residents of Chicago in 1875. The father afterward became the second Episcopat bishop of Michigan, being assigned to this diocese in 1879. He was an eminent representative of the Episcopal clergy and in 1888 died in London, England. His wife survived him for a number of years, her death occurring in Detroit in 1900. In their family were three children: Sallie Harris Gayley, the wife of Professor Charles M. Gayley, of the University of California at Berkeley; William P., of Detroit; and Julian H., of this review.
The last named was but a young lad at the time of the removal of the family to this city, so that he was educated in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, from which he was in due time graduated. He later attended the University of Michigan as a student in the literary and law departments, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1898. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in the Detroit high school for a year and a half. In the meantime he read law and in 1900 was admitted to the bar, after which he entered the law office of Brennan, Donnelly & Van De Mark and subsequently was admitted to the firm. He continued successfully in practice in that con- nection until 1908, when he became a member of the firm of Beaumont, Smith & Harris, which is today one of the strong law firms of the city. His practice is extensive and of an important character. His mind is analytical, logical and inductive, and with a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the fun- damental principles of law he combines a familiarity with statutory law and a sober, clear judgment which make him a formidable adversary in legal combat. At different periods he has been identified with im- portant business interests of Detroit, becoming a director of the Detroit Trust Company, president of the Gear Grinding Machinery Company and vice presi- dent of the Stephens Lumber Company. His present connection along business lines was entered upon in July, 1919, when he formed a partnership with Sidney R. Small for the conduct of an investment and bond business, and on January 1, 1920, Carroll H. Lawson was admitted under name of Harris, Small & Lawson. The firm of Harris, Small & Lawson now handles municipal and corporation bonds and investments and is rapidly becoming a recognized factor in investment banking in the city.
On the 11th of December, 1915, Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Jacqueline Stephens of Detroit, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stephens. They have one child, Sallie Gail, born in 1917. Their religious faith is that . of the protestant Episcopal church and Mr. Harris is identified with various social organizations, having membership with the Detroit Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Country Club. the Grosse Pointe Riding & Hunting Club, the
Bloomfield Hills Country Club, the Old Club and the University Club. He is also a member of the Alpha Delta Phi, while along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Detroit Bar Association, the Michigan Bar Association and the American Bar Association. During the period of the World war he was on duty at Washington with the air service of the United States army and held a commission as colonel. He belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and his political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he is not an active party worker, his time and at- tention being fully claimed by his important busi- ness and professional interests. Endowed by nature with keen mentality, he has so directed his efforts as to win prominence among the lawyers and bankers of his adopted city.
CHARLES J. BURGESS, member of the law firm of Burgess & McDowell, was born in Oxford county, Ontario, February 18, 1871. His father, Joseph L. Burgess, was likewise a native of Oxford county and his parents were also natives of Canada. After reaching adult age he became a merchant of his native county and continued in the business to the time of his death. He married Harriett Rounds, who was likewise born in Canada, as were her parents, and she, too, passed away in Oxford county. They had a family of nine children, of whom the following are living: Dr. James E. Burgess of Detroit; Dr. J. M. Burgess, also practicing in this city; Mrs. H. L. D. Smith of Detroit; Mrs. S. J. Crosby, residing iu Toronto, Canada; and Charles J.
In early boyhood Charles J. Burgess attended the schools near his home and after completing the work of the higher grades in the Collegiate Institute at Woodstock he became a student in the Chicago Col- lege of Law at Lake Forest University. There he was graduated with the class of 1896 and in the same year was admitted to practice at the Illinois bar. He entered upon his professional career in Chicago, where he soon gained a good practice, to which he devoted his attention for about eighteen years or until 1914, when he decided to remove to Detroit, believing that this city offered a still better pro- fessional field. Here he entered into partnership with Joseph S. McDowell, under the present firm style of Burgess & McDowell, and the firm today occupies an enviable position as representatives of the Detroit bar. In a profession where advancement is proverbially slow Mr. Burgess has made steady pro- gress, at all times giving proof of his capability to handle intricate and involved legal problems.
On the 11th of October, 1911, in El Paso, Texas, Mr. Burgess was united in marriage to Miss Irene Essinger, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Essinger, representatives of a prominent family of Santa Fe, New Mexico. They have one child, David Burgess, born in Chicago in 1914.
Mr. Burgess is a Master Mason and he gives his
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political allegiance to the republican party. He be- longs also to the Lawyers Club, the Board of Commerce and to the Vortex Club and along strictly professional lines is connected with the Detroit Bar Association and the Illinois and the Michigan State Bar Associa- tions. During the World war he was one of the Four-Minute speakers selected to instruct the public concerning the vital questions and issues of the day and the nature of existing conditions. He is known far and wide as an eloquent and able speaker and is at all times forceful in his arguments, while his labors are resultant whether in connection with public affairs or the practice of his chosen profession.
MARK McFADDEN. A notably successful career is that of Mark McFadden, a well known business man of Detroit, who from a small beginning has built up an enterprise of large proportions, being recognized as one of the leading coal dealers of the city. He was born in County Armagh, Ireland, March 7, 1866, and acquired his education in the schools of that country. When a young man of twenty-four years he left his native land and sought the broader opportunities pre- sented in the United States. Coming to Detroit, he opened a small coal yard at No. 8642 West Fort street and with the passing years his business has steadily grown until his trade has now assumed large pro- portions, his yards now covering an area of nearly three acres. He has always conducted his business in the locality which he first selected and is recog- nized as a dominant force in the field in which he operates, which includes coal, ice, moving and storage.
Mr. McFadden was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Parker and they have become the parents of a son, John, born March 20, 1902, in Detroit, who is associated with his father in business. Mr. McFadden is a prominent Mason, belonging to Michigan Sover- eign Consistory, in which he has taken the thirty- second degree, and to Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine, while his public spirit finds expression in his membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce, whose well formulated plans for the extension of the industrial interests of the city receive his earnest support. His career has been marked by steady advancement, due to his close application, his study of the business in which he is engaged and his un- questioned integrity and reliability in all commercial transactions. He enjoys the esteem of many friends and fully deserves the honor that is accorded the fortunate individual who has fought and won in the great battle of life. His residence is at 1422 West Grand boulevard.
CARL K. RIX, a practicing attorney of Detroit, was born in Le Roy, Michigan, December 7, 1877, his parents being Hiram and Bettie Ann (Neal) Rix, the former a farmer by occupation. The son obtained his early education in the common schools, the Uni- versity of Michigan and the Detroit College of Law.
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