USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 39
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On the 18th of October, 1876, Mr. Wilkie was married to Miss Adah Z. Warren, a daughter of John L. Warren, a native of England, and one of the pioneer manufacturers of oval pietnre frames in America. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilkie: Warren, whose birth occurred February 7, 1879; Edith L., born May 13, 1882, and now the wife of Joseph Marks; Hazel B., born September 21, 1883; J. Chester, born April 1, 1885; and Adah M., who is the wife of James S. Southwick. The family are members of the Swedenborgian church.
Mr. Wilkie was quite prominent in public affairs. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party, served on the water board of Detroit in 1919, filled the office of street commissioner under Mayor Marx and was also one of the street railroad com- missioners. He was a member of the Engineers Society and was prominently known in club eireles, having membership in the Detroit Athletic Club, the Curling Club, and numerous organizations of a similar nature. Anyone who met Mr. Wilkie face to face would have known at once that he was an individual embodying all the elements of what in this country we term a "square" man-one in whom to have confidence,
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a dependable man in any relation and any emergency. His easy dignity, his frankness and cordiality of address, with the total absence of anything sinister or anything to conceal, marked him as a man who was ready to meet any obligation of life with the confidence and courage that come of conscious per- sonal ability, right conception of things and an habit- ual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities. He was a member of Oriental Lodge, F. &. A. M., the Michigan Sovereign Consistory, and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Mrs. Wilkie resides at No. 5165 Second boulevard, in Detroit.
PHILIP A. MeHUGH. The extent and importance of his law practice at once establishes the high standing of Philip A. MeHugh as a member of the Detroit bar, where he has engaged in practice since June, 1904, following his graduation from the Detroit College of Law. He was born in Essex county, On- tario, Canada, July 12, 1880. His parents were Philip and Jane (MeGuigan) MeHugh, who were natives of Ireland and have now passed away.
Philip A. MeHugh, one of a family of thirteen chil- dren, came with his parents to Detroit in 1885, when a little lad of but five years, and pursued his educa- tion in the public schools and in St. Peter and St. Paul's parochial schools, after which he entered the Detroit Business University. He subsequently pre- pared for a professional career in the Detroit College of Law, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree on the 11th of June, 1904. In the same month he became associated with George F. Monaghan, with whom he remained until January, 1907, when he formed a partnership with Charles P. O'Neil, which continued for a year. From April, 1908, until July 1, 1911, he practiced as senior partner in the firm of McHugh & Gallagher, his associate being William H. Gallagher. In July, 1911, they were joined by Fran- cis T. McGann under the style of MeHugh, Gallagher & McGann and on the 1st of May, 1913, a fourth partner was admitted under the firm style of McHugh, Gallagher, O'Neil & McGann. That relationship was maintained until January, 1916, when the firm be- came MeHugh & O'Neil and in May of the same year they were joined by Benedict H. Lee under the style of MeHugh, O'Neil & Lee, so continuing until April 3, 1917, when Mr. O'Neil withdrew and the firm of MeHugh & Lee then practiced until January, 1919, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. MeHugh his since followed his profession independently. He belongs to the Detroit, Michigan State and American Bar Associations and also to the Lawyers Club. He has been president and treasurer of the McHugh Realty Company since its organization in 1915.
On the 30th of June, 1919, Mr. MeHugh was married to Miss Verna M. Sullivan of Monroe, Michigan. Their religious faith is that of the Catholic church and Mr. MeHugh is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of Equity, Young Men's Order, Catholic
Mutual Benefit Association, Ancient Order of Hiber- nians, Catholic Knights and Ladies of America and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a member of the Detroit College of Law Alumni Association, Cooley Chapter of Theta Lambda Phi, the Detroit Yacht Club, the Fellowcraft Club, the Cathedral Club and the Detroit Board of Commerce. He turns to motoring, horseback riding, boating and outdoor sports for rest and recreation, for his growing professional interests make strenuous demands upon his time and energies. Almost from the beginning of his connection with the Detroit bar he has been accorded a liberal clientage and his devotion thereto has become pro- verbial.
WILLIAM F. KEGEL. Among the native sons of Detroit who have come to the front in connection with the business development that has resulted in making this one of the great industrial and com- mercial centers of the country is William F. Kegel, now the secretary of the Standart Brothers Hardware Corporation, wholesale hardware dealers. He entered the employ of this conmpany as a boy in a very minor position and through energy, industry and loyalty to the house he has steadily advanced until he has reached official connection with the business, which is one of very extensive proportions.
Mr. Kegel was born in Detroit, November 13, 1869, his parents being Julius and Christine (Pfeifle) Kegel, who were of European birth but came to America at the ages of thirteen and seven years, respectively. Reared in Detroit, they were married in this city and the father afterward engaged in business as a furni- ture manufacturer and also conducted a large retail furniture business. He became successful in this con- nection and with substantial prosperity retired in 1889, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He passed away in 1909 and is survived by his widow, who yet makes her home in this city. They had a family of six childen, three of whom are deceased. Those still living are: William F., of this review; Otto F., a resident of Seattle, Washington; and Katherine, liv- ing in Detroit.
William F. Kegel mastered the branches of learn- ing taught in the public and high schools of Detroit and started out in the business world on the 22d of March, 1886, in the employ of the Standart Hardware Company as office boy. He rose through various de- partments, promoted from one position to another, until eventually he acquired an interest in the busi- ness and is now the secretary of the company and a representative of its directorate.
On the 25th of June, 1900, in Detroit, Mr. Kegel was married to Miss Amelia M. Shepard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Shepard, who are still residents of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Kegel have one son, Wil-
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liam E., who was born in Detroit in 1907, and is now a grammar school pupil.
Politically Mr. Kegel is a republican. He belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce, and the Detroit Golf Club, also to the Credit Men's Association and to the United States Chamber of Commerce and is keenly interested in all questions and conditions that affect business or have to do with the material devel- opment and progress of the community. He is promi- nently known in Masonic circles, belonging to Zion Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M .; Monroe Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .; and Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T., Noontide Club of Detroit Commandery, and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of St. Joseph's Episcopal church and belongs to the Church Club of Detroit. The principles which have governed his life are those which will always bear the closest investigation and serutiny. His course has been guided by high motives aud the integrity of his character and of his life is attested by all with whom he has been brought into contact.
CLARENCE A. SMITH, of the Smith-Glines Sales Company of Detroit, was born in Findlay, Ohio, Octo- ber 21, 1875. He acquired a public school education and in early life learned the trade of a machinist, which was the first step toward the automobile busi- ness, to which he has long devoted his energies. His first work in this line was in the plant of the old Hupmobile "Twenties" and in 1916 he joined Ben- jamin F. Glines in organizing the Smith-Glines Sales Company, which was at that time incorporated. For many years they handled the Hupmobile ear but this make has been discontinued and the firm now engages in the sale of the MeFarlan & Stephens cars, made at Connorsville, Indiana. The lower peninsula of Mich- igan constitutes the firm's territory, over which it has developed an extensive business, now having a very wide sale. Mr. Glines is also interested in the Detroit Steering Wheel Company.
In his political views Mr. Smith is a republican and fraternally he is connected with the Masons and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is likewise a member of the Detroit Automobile Deal- ers Association and the Detroit Automobile Club. He is married and has a family of three children. His long residence in Detroit has made him widely known, especially in automobile eireles, and the enterprise and industry which he has ever displayed in his busi- ness, have constituted the secret of his growing pros- perity.
ALBERT H. CRAMER, secretary and treasurer of the National Soap Company of Detroit, was born March 25, 1865, in the city which is still his home. He was educated in the public schools and in Gold- smith's Bryant & Stratton Business College. He started out in the business world to earn his living as an errand boy in the employ of Frederick Buhl in
1879 and subsequently became associated with S. A. Plumer in the real estate business, while still later he entered the employ of the Star Line and was purser on this company's boats for twenty-three years. In 1902 he became interested in the R. L. Hall Soap Company, which he reorganized in 1905 as the Na- tional Soap Company, of which he became secretary and treasurer, still occupying the dual position. Ilis thorough understanding of the business, his capable management and his enterprise have been dominant factors in the attainment of the success which has attended the company through the intervening period.
In 1903 Mr. Cramer was married to Miss Theresa C. Monemee. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer have resided con- tinuously in Detroit. In fact he is a representative of one of the old families in the city, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Dash) Cramer. The father was born in Germany but came to America in 1848. The mother, too, was a native of that country but was brought to the new world by her parents in 1836, when but six months old. Through many decades the Cramer family has been represented in Detroit and Albert H. Cramer of this review takes great interest in the welfare of the city, in its fame and its good name. As a member of the Board of Commerce he cooperates heartily in all plans and projects put forth by that organization for the benefit and upbuild- ing of Detroit and his labors have been far-reaching and effective in upbuilding the general good.
JOHN H. JENKS, who has devoted almost his entire life to the lumber trade and is a forceful factor in lumber eireles in Detroit, was born in St. Clair, Michigan, December 4, 1866, his parents being Robert and Mary S. (Clark) Jenks, whose family numbered nine children. In his student days John H. Jenks attended the public schools of his native city and afterward Bryant and Stratton Busi- ness College, thus receiving thorough training for active business life. He was first employed by the firm of Woods & Perry, a lumber concern of Cleve- land, Ohio, acting as doekman in unloading lumber vessels. His capability, thoroughness and trustworthi- ness led to his promotion to the position of superin- tendent of the gang after six months and from 1887 until 1893 he occupied the responsible position of man- ager with the firm of Woods & Perry. He was am- bitious, however, to engage in business on his own account and utilized every opportunity toward that end. At length his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to justify the step and in 1893. associated with his brothers Robert H. and Ben L. Jenks, he organized the Robert H. Jenks Lumber Com- pany, with R. H. Jenks as the president; John H. Jenks, as vice president; and Ben L. Jenks, as treas- nrer. The company continued actively in business in that connection until 1910, when John H. Jenks with- drew from the firm and established a lumber business independently. In the meantime the Robert H. Jenks
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Lumber Company had become one of the leading concerns of Cleveland, doing an enormous business.
John H. Jenks remained in Cleveland as a lumber merchant until 1913, when he came to Detroit, fore- seeing something of what the future had in store for the city in connection with its rapid growth and development through the automobile industry. Mr. Jenks opened offices in the Campau building under his own name as a wholesale lumber dealer. His patron- age has steadily increased year by year and his ad- vancement has been the dircet outcome of his per- sisteney of purpose, his thorough knowledge of the lumber trade, his initiative and his reliability in all trade transactions. Ile largely handles southern pine and west coast products, selling exclusively to lumber- yards. The growth of his business has been tremen- dous and Mr. Jenks, owing to his knowledge of human nature, has been enabled to surround himself with a corps of expert salesmen and among his patrons are many of the leading corporations of the city engaged in construction and building.
In 1913 Mr. Jenks was married to Miss Carrie Mather of Detroit, and they reside at No. 111 Glad- stone. In his political views Mr. Jenks has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but while he keeps well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day he has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs in which he has won notable success. He is now a member of the Detroit Lumber Dealers Association and of the Michigan and National Lumber Dealers Associations and is prominently known in trade eireles throughout the country.
WIRT IRA SAVERY, a member of the Detroit bar since 1904 and now senior partner in the firm of Savery & Drake, was born in Madison, Virginia, October 24, 1873, his parents being Isaac Sanford and Tryphena Cornelia (Rogers) Savery. The father is a native of Lee, New York, born in 1843, and is a son of George C. Savery, who was born in Massa- chusetts, and was a son of Isaac Savery, also a native of that state. Both the grandfather and the great- grandfather of Wirt I. Savery were sea captains. The immigrant ancestor was William Savery, a native of England, who crossed the Atlantic on the William and Mary in 1630. Since then representatives of the name have been identified with the development of New England and of the middle west. Isaac S. Savery in his childhood days accompanied his parents to a farm in Washtenaw county, Michigan, where he was married to the daughter of Mathew P. Rogers. He resided in Dexter, Michigan, until his death, February 28, 1920, and his wife passed away September 25, 1917. She was a representative of one of the old families of Vermont. At the time of the Civil war Isaac S. Savery responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting at Jackson, Michigan, as a private of Com-
pany D, Twentieth Michigan Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, being then mustered out in the city in which he had joined the army. He was twice wounded. Throughout his life he has followed the occupation of farming.
Wirt I. Savery, after pursuing his preliminary edu- cation in the country schools of Washtenaw county, Michigan, continued his studies in the high school at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated with the elass of 1896. He then entered the University of Michigan for a literary course and won the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1901. Remaining a law student there he gained his LL. B. degree in 1904. In the meantime some interesting and valuable experiences had come to him. In 1901 he was one of the teachers sent by the United States to the Philippines, where he remained for a year, gaining an intimate knowledge of the islands and conditions there existing. With his ad- mission to the bar in 1904 Mr. Savery entered upon the practice of law in Detroit and in 1918 the present firm of Savery & Drake was formed. He has also been identified with business interests of the city as the vice president of the L. Londy Company, also as secretary and treasurer of the Detroit Surgical In- strument Manufacturing Company.
On the 10th of July, 1902, in Dixboro, Michigan, Mr. Savery was married to Miss Edith Adele Quack- enbush, a daughter of John H. Quackenbush, and they have one daughter: Carol Elizabeth. The par- ents hold membership in the Preston Methodist Epis- copal church, of which he is one of the trustees. He served on the legal advisory board during the war and assisted the registration and draft board. His politieal allegiance is given to the republican party and fraternally he is identified with Detroit Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M., of which he is past master; Monroe Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .; and Damascus Commandery, No. 42, K. T., of which he is Junior Warden. He is also a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and a member of the Masonic Temple Asso- ciation Board as well as of the publication committee of the Detroit Masonic News. He likewise belongs to the Lawyers Club and to the Detroit Bar Association and when leisure permits he turns to hunting and fishing for recreation.
PERCY MORGAN LOVETT, engaged in the general practice of law in Detroit since October, 1915, was born in Miles City, Montana, September 28, 1890, and is a son of Stephen Henry and Caroline (Ken- nedy) Lovett. The father is a live stock dealer, and at the time of his retirement he was conducting an extensive business in the west.
The son was educated in the public schools and in the University of Michigan, in which he pursued his academic course and then entered upon the study of law, which he completed by graduation with the class of 1915. He was admitted to the bar in October of the same year, but his professional activity did not
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constitute his initial step in the business world. For six summers he had acted as special agent for the New York Central Railroad in the shipping and han- dling of wool, his territory covering the western states and also western Canada. After preparing for the bar, however, he concentrated his efforts and energies upon his professional duties and is now accorded a large clientage of a distinctively. representative character. He is a member of the Detroit Bar Association and enjoys the high regard of his professional brethren. He also has business interests, being secretary and treasurer of the United Petroleum Company.
On the 6th of September, 1916, Mr. Lovett was married to Miss Katherine Burritt of Mauston, Wis- consin, and they have two children: Charles Morgan and Frederick James. Mr. Lovett belongs to the Gamma Eta Gamma. He is a young man possessed of western enterprise and progress, combined with land- able ambition, and his course has been marked by a steady advancement, resulting from the development of his powers and his native ability.
ELMER H. SCHWARZ, engaged in the foundry and machine business in Detroit, his native eity, rep- resents a family that has -long been associated with the commercial development and substantial progress of Michigan's metropolis. His grandfather was Frank Schwarz, who came to the new world from Holstein, Denmark, and was a citizen of the United States as early as 1856. His son, Frank Schwarz, was born in Detroit and here married Emma Soeter. They became the parents of two sons, Elmer H. and Frank Schwarz, Jr., who have made their mark among the leading and progressive business men of the city. For almost two-thirds of a century now the family in its differ- ent generations has been connected with the devel- opment and progress that has been carried on until Detroit ranks as the fourth city of the Union.
In the public schools Elmer H. Schwarz pursued his education until he completed a high school course and then turned his attention to the foundry bnsi- ness. The father, Frank Schwarz, Sr., with his two sons, Frank, Jr., and Elmer H., established their pres- ent foundry on the Ist of January, 1906, under a partnership relation and on the 23d of August, 1917, the business was incorporated with the father as president, Frank Schwarz, Jr., as treasurer and Elmer II. Schwarz as vice president and general manager. All three continue in those positions to the present time. They do contract work, making all kinds of tools, fixtures and machinery. They are not only expert foundrymen but also skilled engineers, de- signers and pattern-makers and they have a reputa- tion second to none for expert work in all of the lines and departments of their business. They have an extensive machine shop and foundry and have built some of the finest machinery to be found in the United States today.
On the 19th of November, 1913, Elmer H. Schwarz
was nnited in marriage to Miss Alicia Conlon and they have become parents of a daughter, Mary Jane. The political belief of Mr. Schwarz is that of the republican party. He is interested in many questions that have to do with business progress and the im- provement of trade conditions. He belongs to the Employers Association, also to the Credit Men's As- sociation, the American Foundrymen's Association and to the Detroit Board of Commerce. He is also appre- ciative of the social amenities of life and has thus become a member of the Detroit Auto Club. He is likewise a member of Friendship Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is always loyal to the teachings and purposes of the eraft. Above all he is a most progressive and patriotic citizen and the position of the family during the great World war is indicated in the fact that they operated their foundry ninety-eight per cent for war work. The name of Schwarz has long been an honored one in Detroit, standing for progressiveness in business, for loyalty in citizenship and for integrity in every relation of life. The grandfather won the respect and confidence of his fellowmen in an early day by his splendid qualities and the same sterling traits of character have been manifest in the sue- ceeding generations, so that Elmer H. and his brother, Frank Schwarz, are classed with the leading and valued citizens of Detroit.
JOHN P. O'HARA. Among the leading law firms of Detroit is that of Cook & O'Hara, of which John P. O'Hara is the junior member. He has been a resi- dent of this city for a period of seven years and has a well established reputation for ability in his chosen field. He was born in Geneva, New York, June 29, 1890, a son of Martin and Elizabeth (Dean) O'Hara. His professional training was acquired in the Univer- sity of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1914 with the degree of LL. B., and in June of that vear he was admitted to the bar of the state. He has since practiced his profession in Detroit and is now associated with Frank C. Cook under the firm style of Frank C. Cook & John P. O'Hara, their offices being located in the Majestic building. The list of their clients is an extensive one and they have been very successful in the condnet of cases intrusted to their care. Mr. O'Hara is an earnest and discrim- inating student, thoroughly familiar with the prin- ciples of jurisprudenee, and in their application is seldom at fault.
On the 15th of May, 1917, Mr. O'Hara was united in marriage to Miss Otilia R. Leuchtweis and they have become the parents of two sons: John Paul, Jr., who was born May 4, 1918; and Richard Francis, born January 31, 1920. He is a member of the Catholic church and is also connected with the Knights of Columbus, in which he has taken an active and promi- nent part, serving as chancellor and also as chair- man of all initiation committees. In 1914 he filled the office of secretary of the University of Michigan
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Alumni Association and his professional connections are with the Detroit and Michigan State Bar Associa- tions. Mr. O'Hara is a young man of much natural ability and talent, modest and unassuming in manner, and his close application, energy and enterprise have already brought him to a prominent position in legal circles of his adopted city.
GEORGE VERTNER LUX, for seven years a mem- ber of the Detroit bar, devoting his attention to the general practice of law, was born at Topeka, Kansas, September 4, 1891, being a son of George F. and Jennie (Vertner) Lux. The father of George V. Lux was for some years master car builder for the Chicago and Alton Railroad. Later he was engaged in the flour milling business, under the firm style of Starrs and Lux at Delavan, Illinois. Subsequently he engaged in mer- cantile pursuits. He died at Highland Park, Mich- igan, in August, 1916.
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