The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 38

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

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 38

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mittee, which was formed to convert the great auto- mobile industry into war production. Thus through the avenue of his business ability Mr. Copland ren- dered very signal service to the country of a patriotic nature, while he has long been a contributing factor to the material development and upbuilding of Detroit. He was born in Detroit, November 27, 1867, and comes from one of the old and highly respected fam- ilies of the city, his parents being Alexander William and Elizabeth R. (Lee) Copland. The family num- bered six children, the others being: Frances, now the wife of F. F. Wormer; Rosella, the wite of G. W. Thompkins; Sarah, the wife of J. Wareham Strong; Henry B .; and Dr. Stanley M. Copland.

In his youthful days Alexander W. Copland was a pupil in the public schools of Detroit and afterward attended the Shattnek School at Faribault, Minne- sota. He then pursued a special extension course in the University of Cincinnati and thus by liberal edu- eational training became well qualified for life's prac- tieal and responsible duties. ITis first business ex- perience was gained as an errand boy with the Part- ridge & MeClellan Company. He afterward occupied the position of stock elerk in the Kadi Japanese store on Woodward avenue and during his father's incum- beney as postmaster of Detroit, Alexander Copland became assistant eashier of the money order depart- ment at the post office. He subsequently purchased a half interest in the Detroit Cracker Company and later went to Cincinnati, where he acted as local manager for the National Biscuit Company. In 1898 he became associated with his brother in the bakery business in Boston and from 1900 and 1910 he spent his time in inventing and building biscuit machines. During three years of that period he was abroad and with his return to Detroit he organized the Detroit Gear & Machine Company, of which he is president and general manager, the business being located at 670 East Woodbridge street. The extent and importance of his interests have made him a prominent factor in automotive eireles. The business was incorporated and capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars and something of its marvelous growth and development is indicated in the faet that the present capitaliza- tion is two million dollars. This company is the only one engaged in the commercial manufacture of trans- missions, elutches and hardened steel gears in Detroit. The company has a plant containing over one hundred thousand square feet of floor space and the building is thoroughly modern and fireproof. Its equipment is of the finest and employment is given to eight hundred men, who are experts in their respective lines. The business, in its broad seope and success, is the visible outcome of the initiative, the enterprise and the pro- gressive spirit of the man who stands at the head and who has been the directing foree in the undertaking since its inception. Mr. Copland is a director of the Motor Accessory Manufacturers' Association.

Mr. Copland was united in marriage to Miss Ann

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Biddle, youngest daughter of W. S. Biddle, and their two daughters are: Marie Rosella and Susan Dayton, the latter having been graduated from Vassar College in 1919. The wife and mother passed away and Mr. Copland chose for his second wife Charlotte C. Campau, a member of one of the very oldest and most dis- tinguished families of Detroit. Mr. Copland is as well known in club circles as in business circles in his native city, having membership in the Detroit Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Racquet Club, the Country Club, the Bloomfield Hills Country Club, the Bloomfield Open Hunt Club and the Grosse Pointe Riding & Hunt Club. He is also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Automotive Engineers. He is likewise iden- tified with the Board of Commerce and his cooperation is ever a forceful factor in support of well defined plans and projects for the advancement of Detroit's civic interests. In politics he maintains an independent course. Mr. Copland's residence, Strawberry Hill Farms, in the Bloomfield Hills, is one of the attractive country homes around Detroit. The improvement and development of his estate may be said to be his hobby and chief recreation. The close study he has given agricultural and breeding problems is reflected in the modern and scientific methods of farming employed on his estate and also in the superb herd of sixty- five head of pure bred Holstein cattle that he owns.

HENRY LAIDLAW, who since 1899, has been the Detroit sales manager for the International Steam Pump Company and its successor, the Worthington Pump and Machinery Corporation, is one of the best known men in connection with his line of business in the middle west.

Mr. Laidlaw is a native of Scotland, his birth having occurred in the land of hills and heather on the 6th of June, 1860, his parents being Robert and Jennie (Euman) Laidlaw. He is indebted to the public school system of Scotland for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed and which qualified him for the practical and responsible duties of life. He came to America in 1880, when a young man of twenty years, after having previously served an ap- prenticeship to the machinist's trade in Scotland. Be- coming a resident of Cincinnati he was there con- nected with the McGowan Pump Company for five years and for four years was employed on the con- struction of the soap plant for the Proctor & Gamble Company at Ivorydale, Ohio. He later spent a year in the engineering department of the Laidlaw-Dunn- Gordon Company and then went on the road as traveling salesman, representing the firm in the middle states until 1897, when he located in Detroit as man- ager for the company, of which he was also secretary until 1908. In this connection Mr. Laidlaw represents Henry R. Worthington, the Laidlaw-Dunn-Gordon Company, the Blake-Knowles Steam Pump Works, the Deane Steam Pump Company, the Holly Manufactur-

ing Company, the Snow Steam Pump Works, the Clayton Air Compressor Works, the Janesville Iron Works Company and the Fred M. Prescott Steam Pump Company. His thorough understanding of en- gineering principles makes him splendidly qualified to emphasize the salient features in the output of these different companies and to stress to these salesmen the points which make for effective salesmanship. He maintains high business standards and is responsible for the building up of an excellent organization in connection with the Detroit office.

In Cynthiana, Kentucky, in 1895, Mr. Laidlaw was united in marriage to Miss Leah M. Greenlees and they are the parents of three sons: Robert J., born February 24, 1897, in Detroit, was a lieutenant in the Thirty-second Red Arrow Division, Machine Gun Bat- talion and was eighteen months overseas. He was wounded at Chateau Thierry, took part in the Ar- gonne and later served with the Army of Occupation in Germany. He had previously served on the border as a member of the Michigan National Guards, with the rank of sergeant, and is now connected with the Cleveland office of the Worthington Pump and Ma- chinery Corporation; H. Gordon, born January 28, 1903, in Detroit, is a student at the Missouri Military Academy, Mexico, Missouri; Walter C., born Feb- ruary 14, 1907, in Detroit, is a student at Detroit Northern high school. In his political views Mr. Laidlaw has always been a republican since becoming a naturalized American citizen. Fraternally he is a Mason and has attained the Knights Templar degree in Detroit Commandery, No. 1, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Exchange Club, the Merchants Marine League of the United States and the Detroit Engineering Society. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the business oppor- tunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has advanced to a position of prominence in business circles of Detroit.

WILLIAM A. C. MILLER, SR., deceased, who was instrumental in building up one of the large retail lumber enterprises of Detroit, was born in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, July 5, 1848. The period of his boyhood and early youth was passed in his native country and about the time of the elose of the Civil war he accompanied his parents, who at that time left the land of hills and heather to become residents of the new world. They first made their way to Canada but William A. C. Miller did not accompany his family to the Dominion. They had landed in New York and he remained in the eastern metropolis, where he secured a position in a jewelry store in Maiden Lane, then the great jewelry district of the city. While there employed he formed the acquaintance of M. S. Smith who was for many years one of the leading jewelers of Detroit and who recognized in the young man certain

HENRY LAIDLAW

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business qualities that caused him to offer him a posi- tion, which offer was accepted by Mr. Miller in 1868. Thus he became a resident of Detroit and continued thereafter in elose connection with the commercial in- terests of the city. Hle remained in the employ of Mr. Smith until 1874, when, desirous of living more in the open air, he became identified with the Inmber industry as junior member of the firm of Gage & Miller, their place of business being at the corner of Tenth and Fort streets. Their association was maintained for two years, when in 1876 the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Miller organized the W. A. C. Miller Lumber Company, opening yards at the foot of Adair street, on the river. There he built up a business of ex- tensive and gratifying proportions and it was his plan to dispose of his interests in 1904 and retire, but death intervened ere his project had been carried forward to completion. Aside from the large lumber business which he developed Mr. Miller became inter- ested in various other business enterprises of Detroit. For years he was a member of the Masonie Lodge and also of the Felloweratt and Old Clubs. Every- thing that concerned his fellowmen and their wel- fare was a matter of vital interest to him and he cooperated with many plans and projects for the publie good.

Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Annette I. MeGowan of Buffalo, New York, a daughter of James McGowan of that city, and they became the parents of two sons and two daughters: William A. C .; Mae, now the wife of Raymond P. Lipe of Toledo, Ohio; Jessie A .; and Albert C.

The family cirele was broken by the hand of death when on the 12th of June, 1904, Mr. Miller passed away in Detroit. Those who knew him felt that the eity sustained the loss of a most substantial business man and representative resident. For more than a third of a century he had lived in Detroit and had made for himself a ereditable place in its commercial circles, while the sterling qualities which he dis- played in every relation caused him to be numbered among Detroit's most representative and honored residents.

JAMES SHAND. From across the Canadian border have come many of the substantial citizens of De- triot and their contribution to the upbuilding and the progress of the city has been of notable scope. Connected with the manufacturing interests of the City of the Straits is James Shand, of Canadian birth, who is now the vice president of the Joseph N. Smith Company. He was born at St. Marys, Ontario, Can- ada, July 28, 1860, and was educated in the public schools of his native town, after which he learned the trade of carriage blacksmithing at St. Marys.

The year 1883 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Shand in Detroit and for some time thereafter he was in the employ of the Detroit Carriage Company, oe- eupying the position of superintendent of the plant

for three years before he resigned his position to become connected with other interests. In April, 1906, he joined the Joseph N. Smith Company and repre- sented that house as a traveling salesman on the road for three years, at the end of which time they began the manufacture of locks and Mr. Shand was given charge of the manufacturing department. Later the business was extended to include the making of wind- shields and he also took charge of that department, his capability, efficiency and mechanical skill making him well qualified for the duties that devolved upon him. In 19II he was elected to the vice presidency of the Joseph N. Smith Company and is one of the most active and practical men of that concern. Ile is thoroughgoing in every way and his marked capa- bility is widely recognized by all.

Mr. Shand has been married twice. Ile first wedded Jane Cunningham of St. Marys, Ontario, who passed away leaving four children: Artea, Mary, Donald C. and James A. In 1914 Mr. Shand was again married, his second union being with Mrs. MeCallum, the widow of Neil MeCallum. She was born in Scotland and by her previons marriage had become the mother of three sons and a daughter: James, Jessie, Neil and Duncan.

Mr. Shand has always voted with the republican party, since becoming a naturalized American citizen. His religious belief is indicated in his membership iu the church of the Disciples of Christ and he is a loyal follower of its teachings, seeking ever to uphold those interests which make for higher ideals among men and a more thorongh adoption of those principles and purposes for which the church stands.

JAMES D. BURNS, proprietor of the Ste. Claire hotel, one of the leading hostelries in the downtown district of Detroit, was born at Springwells, now a part of the city, Judy 28, 1865, his parents being Peter and Hanora (O'Callaghan) Burns, the former a native of Ogdensburg, New York, while the latter was born in Cork, Ireland, and came to America with her parents, who settled in the Empire state. After the marriage of the parents they came to Michigan . and took up their abode at Springwells, which is now ineluded within the corporation limits of Detroit. The father engaged in the manufacture of briek and developed a business of extensive proportions, many of the present substantial buildings of Detroit having heen erected from material furnished from his briek- yard. Both he and his wife passed away in Detroit and were laid to rest in Holy Cross cemetery. They had a family of six children, four of whom are living: Peter, Eugene, Mathew and James D., all yet resi- flents of Detroit.

The last named was a pupil in the Springwells dis- triet school in early boyhood and afterward attended the city schools. Later he worked with his father, continuing with him in brick manufacturing until his death, subsequent to which time Mr. Burns and his

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three brothers conducted the brick manufacturing plant for ten years. On the expiration of that period James D. Burns disposed of his interests and became proprietor of the Detroit Baseball Club in 1901. He conducted the Detroit Tigers as owner for two years and then sold his interests, after which he was nom- inated for sheriff of Wayne county, being elected by a large majority. He continued to fill that office for four years and upon the expiration of his term erected the Burns hotel, which he afterwards sold. He later became associated with Mr. Guthart in the purchase of the Ste. Claire hotel, which has been made one of the popular hostelries of the city. It contains one hundred and forty guest rooms and was the first fireproof hotel ever erected in Detroit. It is situated in the downtown district, conveniently lo- cated near theatres, business houses and the civic center of the city.

In June, 1894, Mr. Burns was married to Miss Katherine Walsh, daughter of Patrick Walsh of Jackson, Michigan. Mrs. Burns died August 23, 1920. For many years she was active in Catholic charity work, notably with the Providence auxiliary. Mr. and Mrs. Burns became the parents of two sons: James Anthony, born in Detroit in 1899, was educated in Assumption College, where he pursued the arts course, and in the University of Detroit, in which he studied law. During the World war he enlisted in the United States Navy and won a commission. He served on the U. S. S. Mississippi, with the naval aviation department and was discharged at Hampton Roads, Virginia. He is assistant manager and sec- retary of the Ste. Claire hotel; Francis, born in 1905 at Detroit, is attending Assumption College.

Mr. Burns gives his political support to the demo- cratic party and was a delegate to the national con- ventions of 1908, 1912 and 1916. For the past thirty years he has been identified with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and is also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.

HOWARD STREETER, member of the firm of Millis, Griffin, Seely & Streeter, attorneys, of Detroit, and one of Michigan's native sons, was born at Cal- umet on the 8th of September, 1878, his parents being Albert T. and Nina (Worrall) Streeter. At the usual age he became a public school pupil in his native city and afterward had the benefit of instruction in St. John's Military Academy at Delafield, Wisconsin, where he pursued a preparatory course that enabled him to enter the University of Michigan. There he won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1901. He after- ward devoted two years to the study of law and was admitted to practice at the Michigan bar in 1903, since which time he has followed his profession in Detroit. His practice has steadily grown with the passing years until his elientage is now one of sub- stantial proportions. He has also figured in the busi- ness circles of the city as the secretary of the De-

troit Steering Wheel Corporation and a director of Hercules Machinery Company.

Mr. Streeter was married June 23, 1917, to Signe A. Granholm of New York city. Mr. Streeter is a republican in his political views, giving stalwart sup- port to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. During the period of the war he served on the legal advisory board. He belongs to the Detroit, Michigan and American Bar Associations, and to the Lawyers Club, and that he is appreciative of the social amenities of life is further indicated in the fact that he has membership in the Detroit Athletic Club aud the University Club.

JOSEPH S. McDOWELL, a Detroit attorney who throughout his life has been connected with the city of his residence, was born April 5, 1882 his parents being Leo S. and Ellen (Kelly) MeDowell. The father, who was a railroad man, has passed away, but the mother remains a resident of Detroit.

Joseph S. MeDowell is indebted to public and parochial schools of this city for his educational op- portunities supplemented by private study until he entered upon preparation for a professional career, when he became a student in the Detroit College of Law, which conferred upon him the LL. B. degree at his graduation with the class of 1903. During his school days he was in the office of the law firm headed by Elliott G. Stevenson, one of Detroit's most eminent representatives of the bar and after his graduation he remained in the same office until 1915. At that time he entered upon active practice with Charles J. Bur- gess and the firm of Burgess & MeDowell has since maintained its existence. They engage in general practice, paying particular attention to corporation, probate and real estate law, and the volume of busi- ness accorded the firm marks the partners as suc- cessful members of the bar.

On the 25th of August, 1908, Mr. MeDowell was married to Miss Mabel A. Carolin of Detroit, and they have three children: Kathryn, Winifred and Charles J. Mr. McDowell is a member of the Bar Association of Detroit and the Lawyers Club. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Foresters. A Catholic in re- ligious faith, he is a communicant of St. Ambrose's church. Politically he maintains an independent at- titude, voting according to the dictates of his judg- ment concerning the capability of a candidate and the issues before the people.

ROSCOE CONKLING WIXSON, manager of the Detroit & Northern Michigan Building & Loan Asso- ciation, was born in Lexington, Michigan, July 19, 1880, his parents being Philip L. and Helen (Smith) Wixson, the latter also a native of this state. The father was born in Pickering, Ontario, Canada, and came to Michigan at the age of fourteen years with his father, the Rev. Mr. Wixson, who was a Baptist minis-

HOWARD STREETER

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ter. They drove a team of horses from Port Huron to Lexington, where the Rev. Mr. Wixson took up a claim of three hundred and twenty aeres, and while performing his duties as a clergyman he also cleared the land and began the development of his property. His son, Philip L. Wixson, was reared in Michigan amid the wild scenes and environment of frontier life. Ile early learned the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the erops and later engaged in farming on his own account, clearing a quarter section of land through his own efforts. He was also a prominent man in community affairs, serving as registrar of deeds and as county treasurer in Sanilac county, filling the latter position for six consecutive terms of two years each. He passed away in Lexington in 1901, at the age of seventy-seven years and his widow is now living at Caro, Michigan. They had a family of four children: Elmer A., now a resident of Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Elizabeth W. Selden, living at Wee- hawken, New Jersey; Walter S. of Caro, Michigan; and R. C., of this review.

Having mastered the branches of learning taught in the public and high schools of his native city, R. C. Wixson seenred a clerical position, which he filled for two years, working at Caro and at Vassar, Miel- igan, during that period. He afterward engaged in banking at Vassar, at Columbiaville and at Harbor Beach, Michigan, during which time he advanced from a minor position to that of bank cashier, serving as cashier of the Huron County Savings Bank. He devoted ten years to financial interests of this ehar- aeter and then resigned to accept a position under E. H. Doyle, state bank commissioner, with whom he remained for two years, while for a similar period he served under F. W. Merrick. He resigned his initial position to become manager of the Detroit & North- ern Michigan Building & Loan Association and under his able direction the business of the company has grown to large proportions. Each stage in his business connections has marked a forward step, bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportunities, which he has eagerly embraced, for he has at all times been actuated by a laudable ambition. His determination and energy have enabled him to overcome difficulties and obstacles in his path and press steadily forward to the goal of snecess.

In Croswell, Michigan, on the 11th of July, 1916, Mr. Wixson was married to Miss Louise Nims, a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Nims. They have two children: Elizabeth, born in Detroit May 20, 1918; and Philip Leslie, born April 23, 1920, in Detroit. Mr. Wixson is a republican in his political views and he belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, to the Felloweraft Athletic Club of Detroit and to the Board of Commerce. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the city and its people and is a loyal supporter of all those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civie pride. His own career illustrates what can be achieved through indi-

vidual effort, intelligently directed, for he started out in the business world empty-handed and through the foree of his character and his unabating energy he has reached a creditable place among the business men of his adopted city.

JAMES WILKIE. While more than for years have passed since James Wilkie was called to his final rest, his memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of his many friends by reason of a pleasing personality, a kindly spirit, marked capability in business eireles and unfaltering loyalty to the public welfare. De- troit numbered him among her native sons, for he first saw the light of day here on the 23d of No- vember, 1853, his parents being David and Elizabeth (Buick) Wilkie, whose family unmbered six children. Both parents were natives of Scotland but in early life came to the new world and for many years the father was a prosperous merchant of Detroit.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, James Wilkie attended the public schools. Ile early displayed laudable ambition and unfaltering industry, however, and when bnt twelve years of age began learning the tinner's trade. Gradually he worked his way upward in business connections and in the year 1901 established business on his own account. Later, however, he became identified with Parke, Davis & Company and continued as general super- intendent of the mechanical division to the time of his death on April 22, 1917. His position was one of large responsibility and his capability and effective labor constituted potent elements in the attainment of the company's success. He introducted many im- provements and was also the inventor of a process in the manufacture of capsules now so widely used.

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The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 38

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

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