USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 4
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realty transfers which have led to the business pro- gress of the city. Entering financial circles, he became the president of the Hamtramck State Bank and served in that capacity for a number of years.
On the 7th of March, 1882, in Peoria, Illinois, Mr. Simons was united in marriage to Miss Laura S. Broudy and they have reared a family of eight chil- dren: Charles C .; Sarah, who is the wife of W. Kap- lan; Nathan; George; Sol M .; Mildred; Sylvia; and Seymour. The last named served with the rank of lieutenant in the Aviation Corps of the United States army.
Fraternally Mr. Simons is connected with the Masons, the Elks and the Knights of the Loyal Guard. He holds to the religious faith of his forefathers and is president of the Shaaryzedeck Synagogue. He belongs to the Detroit Real Estate Board and the Detroit Board of Commerce and in both connections has done much to further the welfare and advance the progress of the city. Moreover, he has served his city in several public capacities. He was appointed commissioner of public lighting in Detroit in 1898, filling that position until 1902 and serving for two terms as president of the commission. He was then reappointed for a six years term but resigned. He is now a member of the Detroit city council to serve for a term expiring in January, 1922. He served on all the Liberty Loan drives during the period of the war, doing splendid work in this connection. He is the treasurer of the United Jewish Charities, of which he was the first president, and he is a man of broad humanitarian spirit, prompting him to extend constantly a helping hand where aid is needed. His charity and his patriotism, like his business ability, are outstanding features in his career. His business record is truly a notable one, for he started out in life empty-handed, working his way steadily upward through the wise utilization of each opportunity that came to him, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and greater chances for successful business achievement. Since entering the real estate field he has made notable advancement and is today numbered among Detroit's men of affluence.
FRED E. HOLMES. Detroit's early development was like that of most cities-a gradual growth of busi- ness interests and the establishment of stable indus- tries which laid broad and deep the foundation of future greatness. At length, however, it became the center of a trade that has made it one of the foremost industrial cities on the face of the globe and a leader in the line of automobile manufacturing. The busi- ness opportunities thereby created have been utilized by men alert, energetic and determined, who have not only seen but have anticipated the needs and possi- bilities of business in connection with the automobile trade. Among this number is Fred E. Holmes, now president of the Fred E. Holmes Company, manufac-
turers' agents and dealers in automobile materials. Along substantial lines he has developed his business to gratifying proportions, nor has he confined his efforts alone to this single industry, for he is at the same time identified with several other important cor- porate interests which have made him one of the real factors in the development and upbuilding of the city. Born at Port Huron, Michigan, November 5, 1872, he is a son of Almon J. and Sarah Louise (Adams) Holmes, the former a native of New York, while the latter is a native of Canada. Both came to Michigan in early life. The father was a well known marine engineer and followed that business largely on the Great Lakes, passing away at Port Huron in 1900. His widow is now a resident of Royal Oak, Michigan. They were the parents of five children, of whom Fred E. is the eldest, the others being: John H., of De- troit; Nellie M., the wife of George Deckebach of Royal Oak, Michigan; Almon C., treasurer of the Fred E. Holmes Company and rated as one of the prominent young business men of this city; and Gladys, the wife of Clinton J. Allen of Detroit.
Fred E. Holmes acquired his education in the pub- lic schools of Port Huron. When his textbooks were put aside he started out in the business world as an employe in the Lowell State Bank of Lowell, Michi- gan, of which he subsequently became cashier, there remaining until 1898, when he removed to Detroit and entered the employ of H. Scherer & Company, with whom he continued for several years. He then re- signed to enter business on his own account in 1907. He had become interested in the automobile industry and bis activities along that line quickly developed into the handling of automobile materials. He or- ganized the Fred E. Holmes Company, manufacturers' agents for automobile materials and parts, and of this company has since been the president. Under his careful guidance, resulting from sound judgment and keen discrimination in business affairs, the com- pany has become one of the largest concerns of the kind in the state, its annual sales being represented by many figures. As he has prospered, reaching a place among Detroit's capitalists, he has also extended his efforts into other fields and has become particularly active in connection with the commercialized amuse- ment interests of Detroit. He is now the secretary and treasurer of the Washington Theatre Company, having one of the finest motion picture houses in America. He is likewise the treasurer of the Orpheum Theatre Company of Detroit, conducting first-class vaudeville theatres in a number of the leading cities of the country. Mr. Holmes has likewise become a director of the Detroit Motor Appliance Company, a director of the Federal Discount Corporation of De- troit and is financially or officially connected with sev- eral other important business concerns. His judgment is at all times sound and reliable and that his plans have been most carefully formulated and executed is indicated in the high position which he has reached as
FRED E. HOLMES
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a representative of commercial enterprises in Detroit, a city in which big business is rated by the millions.
On the 2d of October, 1915, Mr. Holmes was married to Miss Mabelle A. Carroll, of Logansport, Indiana, and they are well known in the leading social circles of the city. They have one child, Jean Carroll, whose birth occurred in Detroit, October 14, 1919. Mr. Holmes is a Knights Templar Mason, has also taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite and is a Noble of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs likewise to the Red Run Golf Club, the Wolverine Automobile Club, Detroit Automobile Club, the Auto- mobile Country Club aud the Detroit Yacht Club. All those forces which make for material, intellectual, social and moral progress receive his endorsement, and as a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce he cooperates in various projects which are put forth for the benefit and upbuilding of the city and the endorsement and promotion of high civie standards. The subjective and objective forces in his life are well balanced and the purpose of his life is to meet the obligations which the conditions of society impose at the present time. Thus while he has developed and controlled mammoth business enterprises, he has al- ways recognized his duties and obligations in other connections and Detroit has benefited much by his activities. He is the president of the Fellowcraft Athletic Club of Detroit, on the membership roll of which are found the names of the city's most promi- nent business and professional men.
WILLIAM EDWIN MOSS, whose business career has followed cumulative processes and whose adapta- tion of constructive methods has led to the develop- ment of some of the important corporate interests of Detroit, has since 1898 been engaged in the bond and investment business under the firm name of W. E. Moss & Company and at the same time has become financially aud officially interested in many corpora- tions that have had to do not only with Detroit's up- building but with business advancement in various other sections of the country. A native son of In- diana, he was born at Rensselaer, June 24, 1859, his parents being Gordon A. and Lydia (Greenfield) Moss. After acquiring a public school education in his native town he removed to Detroit in 1880, then a young man of twenty-one years. He made his initial step in the business circles of this city as an employe of the hardware establishment of T. B. Rayl & Company and later he became associated with the Detroit Stove Works, with which he remained until 1898. In that year he organized the bond and investment business that has since been conducted under the style of W. E. Moss & Company and for many years he has figured prominently in financial circles and in con- nection with public utilities at various points in the state. He has likewise become financially interested in and is treasurer and director of the Coldwater Gas Light & Fuel Company, Monroe Gas Light & Fuel
Vol. IV-3
Company, Hillsdale Gas Company, Columbus (Ind.) Gas Company, the Grand Haven (Mich.) Gas Com- pany, the Citizens' Gas Company of Hannibal, Mis- souri, the Winston-Salem (N. C.) Gas Company, the Fulton (N. Y.) Fuel & Light Company and in the Drake Cattle Company, of which he is the president. Among the numerous other directorates of which he is a member are the Interstate Fire Insurance Com- pany and the Security Mortgage Company. In pro- moting these public utilities he has contributed to the development and upbuilding of various sections, his labors being far-reaching and resultant. He also has numerous smaller interests and his cooperation is eagerly sought in behalf of business projects be- cause of his recognized enterprise and executive ability, which enables him to discriminate readily between the essential and the non-essential in business affairs.
In 1884 Mr. Moss was married to Miss Lelia Drake of Detroit, and their children were: Edith L., now the wife of Major Russell A. Osmun of Detroit; and Helen L., who became the wife of Howard S. MeGregor and died in September, 1918. Mr. Moss was again married in February, 1919, when Eudora Elliott Gallant of Los Angeles, California, became his wife.
With various organizations and clubs Mr. Moss is connected. He belongs to the Detroit Stock Exchange, to the Detroit Club, Detroit Boat Club, Detroit Coun- try Club, Bankers Club, the American Bankers Asso- ciation, the Investment Club Association and the In- diana Society of Chicago. He has long been recog- nized as a strong and resourceful business man who has ever employed constructive methods, so that his path has never been strewn with the wreck of other men's failures. Responding readily to the call of opportunity, his activities have not only been force- ful factors in the upbuilding of his own fortunes but in the development and advancement of public pros- perity as well.
C. LESTER FRENCH, secretary and treasurer of the Model Body Corporation, is a native of Detroit and a son of George S. and Mary (Redwood) French, both of whom were natives of England. The father came to the United States in 1871 and, establishing his home in Detroit, made for himself a most credit- able position in the business circles of the city, be- coming vice president of the Houghton & French Ice & Coal Company.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, C. Lester French continued his education in the Eastern high school of the city and afterward attended the Detroit Business Institute. He early occupied a position as bookkeeper in the Dime Savings Bank and through capability, fidelity and diligence won promotion to the position of teller in the bank. In 1919, however, he resigned in order to engage in business on his own account and joined the Model Body Corporation on the Ist of November, becoming
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its secretary and treasurer. This company does its own designing and makes open and enclosed bodies, sample bodies and also hoods. The bodies contain trays and other automobile equipment, and the firm has already established a high reputation for its "model bodies." Mr. French is today the moving spirit in the company. Quiet in demeanor, he is nevertheless a forceful and resourceful business man, ready to meet any emergency and constantly studying the questions and problems that in any way relate to the trade in the point of manufacture and of sales. His thoroughness and energy have been potent forces in the attainment of the success of the company, which is constantly growing.
Mr. French is of the Episcopal faith, being a com- municant of the Church of the Messiah, and his po- litical endorsement is given to the republican party.
ADAM RICHARD DEMORY, president of the Tim- ken-Detroit Axle Company, is numbered among the prominent industrial heads of Detroit. He is a south- erner, and was born on a farm near Berkeley Springs, Virginia, a son of Adam Link and Sarah (Daily) Demory. On his father's side Mr. Demory is of French and German extraction, while his maternal ancestry in- cludes both English and Irish lineage. The Demory family goes back a number of generations in the Old Dominion, among its connections being the Link fam- ily, which is also an old and highly respected one in that state.
Adam R. Demory spent the early years of his life on a farm in Virginia and received his preliminary edu- ucation in the public schools of that state. He was but five years old when his father died and subsequent changes in the family led to his making his home with relatives, the Links, after his tenth birthday. The limited opportunities of that part of the country for a young man thrown on his own resources caused Mr. Demory to leave Virginia when about eighteen years of age. Locating in Cleveland, Ohio, he remained there for several years. In the meantime he con- tinued his education, taking a course in commercial law and bookkeeping. He also studied as a drafts- man and acquired a practical knowledge of the manu- facturing business. His connection with the Timken interests has been continuous and dates back to 1903, when he became identified with the Timken Roller Bearing Company at Canton, Ohio. In 1909 he and several of his associates came to Detroit and founded the Timken-Detroit Axle Company, now the foremost industrial enterprise of its character in America, oper- ating a number of plants in Michigan and one in Ohio. Step by step Mr. Demory advanced through interme- diate positions until he became the vice president and general manager of this company. He thus served for a number of years and in January, 1920, was elected to the presidency, this being the sequent result of his thorough understanding of every phase of the business combined with administrative powers and ex-
ecutive ability. Among his other business connections he is president of the Auto Crank Shaft Corporation and a member of the board of directors of the National Bank of Commerce of Detroit.
Mr. Demory has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Grace Artz, of Cleveland, whose death occurred in Detroit. The present Mrs. Demory was previous to her marriage Miss Florence Selden of New York and is a descendant of one of the old colonial families of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Demory have a daughter, Florence Virginia, born in Detroit; and a son, Richard Selden, born September 18, 1920.
In his religious affiliations Mr. Demory belongs to the Presbyterian faith and is chairman of the board of trustees of the Jefferson Avenue church of that denomination. He has been a constant student not only of every phase of business with which he has been brought into contact either directly or indirectly but also a student of men and measures and of those forces which have to do with public progress and im- provement. His appreciation of the social amenities of life is indicated in his connection with the Detroit Club, the Country Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the Lochmoor Club, the Huron Mountain Club and also the Greenwich (Conn.) Country Club. The Detroit home of Mr. Demory is in the Grosse Pointe section, while his summer home is in the Belle Haven dis- trict, overlooking Long Island Sound at Greenwich, Connecticut.
JOHN H. McPHERSON, for years identified with the business life of Detroit, founder and proprietor of the Commerce Electric Motor Company, was born across the border in Goderich, Canada, March 17, 1872, a son of John and Agnes (Newton) MePherson, who came to the United States in 1886 and located in Detroit.
John McPherson, father of the subject of this sketch, had the distinction of being the first foreman in the old car barns at Buffalo, New York, when street cars were hauled by horses.
Mr. McPherson was educated in the public schools and started his business life with the old Detroit Motor Company, of which W. C. Mayberry was then the head, and here Mr. McPherson remained until 1893, when the company went out of business. While in this employ he lost no opportunity to increase his knowledge of the motor industry, his application in this direction serving him well in later times.
The next step taken by Mr. McPherson was to become associated with the Commercial Supply Com- pany, with whom he remained for seven years. He then moved to California, but at the end of a year, in 1901, he returned to the Commercial Supply Com- pany, spending the next eight years with that com- pany. It was in 1909 that Mr. McPherson went into business on his own account, establishing the Com- merce Electric Company, of which he is the proprietor, and under his control and supervision all kinds of
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ADAM R. DEMORY
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electrical repairing work is done, the company's rep- utation along this line being widely known.
On Thanksgiving Day, 1909, Mr. McPherson was united in marriage to Helen II. Hassett, and they have become the parents of one daughter, Marie. Mr. and Mrs. McPherson take an interested part in the social and cultural activities of Detroit, and their support is always unstintingly given to all projects intended to promote the welfare of the community.
JOHN EDMUND MOLONEY, a prominent member of the Detroit bar, was born October 3, 1868, in the city which he still makes his home. His father, Will- iam E. Moloney, born in 1847, was a native of County Tipperary, Ireland. He came to the United States with his parents about 1855 and the family home was established in Detroit about 1862. Four years later William E. Moloney wedded Gertrude Fey and they continued residents of this city until called to their final rest. Mr. Moloney was very prominent in the public life of the community, served for two terms as alderman, and in 1885 was president of the city council, in which connection he exercised his official prerogatives in support of many progressive measures that constituted a valuable contribution to the upbuilding and welfare of Detroit. He was also very active in promoting the National Guard move- ment here and was one of the organizers of the Mont- gomery Rifles. He passed away in 1912, having sur- vived his wife one year.
John E. Moloney pursued his education in the schools of Detroit, after which he spent five years as a student in Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, completing his course there in 1887, after which he returned to Detroit and became associated with his father in business. This connection was maintained until 1892.
He entered upon the study of law in February, 1892, and on the 14th of December of that year was ad- mitted to the bar. He at once took up the work of the profession and as the years passed became more and more intrenched in the ranks of Detroit's leading and capable lawyers. For a considerable period he was associated with the Hon. Charles Flowers, under the name of Flowers & Moloney, and subsequently was associated with Morrey N. Mendelsohn. The firm of Moloney & Mendelsohn continued until the latter's death in 1920, and soon afterward Mr. Moloney formed his present partnership with Ernest P. La Joie under the firm name of Moloney & La Joie.
In Detroit, in 1910, occurred the marriage of John E. Moloney and Miss Martha Wilson. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks and Knights of Pythias and his political support is given to the republican party. In 1912 Mr. Moloney was exalted ruler of the local lodge of Elks, during which time plans were begun for the erection of the present Elks building, considered the finest structure of its kind in the coun- try. Mr. Moloney was the prime mover in this project
from its beginning until its completion. He is a mem- ber of the Lawyers Club, Detroit Bar Association, Board of Commerce and the Automobile Club.
Among those who studied law in the office of Mr. Moloney who have reached prominence in the pro- fession are: Judge Harry J. Dingeman of the circuit court and ex-Prosecuting Attorney Matthew H. Bishop.
LLOYD H. STRADLEY. As president of the com- pany which bears his name Lloyd H. Stradley is well known in commercial circles of Detroit, being at the head of a business of extensive proportions. He handles the candies made by the Bunte Company- one of the high class and most popular grades on the market-and his interests are conducted most wisely and capably, resulting in the attainment of a gratify- ing measure of prosperity. He was born in Dresden, Ohio, August 13, 1873, a son of Harvey and Sarah (Lewis) Stradley, who became the parents of six children, one of the brothers of the subject of this review, Carl R. Stradley, being now associated with him in business.
In the attainment of his education Lloyd H. Strad- ley attended the public schools of Coshocton, Ohio, and the high school of Martinsburg, after which he became a student in Dennison University at Granville, Ohio. On completing his studies he took up educa- tional work and for two years taught in the rural schools of the state, while for four years he was principal of schools at Mount Vernon, Ohio, doing ex- cellent work as an educator. He then took up busi- ness pursuits, becoming traveling salesman for the Swisher Brothers Cigar Company of Newark, Ohio, and also representing the Deshler Cigar Company and the A. Kiefer Drug Company. In 1911 he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, and there engaged in business for himself as a cigar broker, thus continuing until 1912, when he became associated with the Harry W. Watson Company of Flint and Detroit, Michigan. He was identified with that firm until the 1st of January, 1913, when he again established an inde- pendent enterprise, opening an office on Bates street in Detroit and conducting his interests under the name of the Lloyd H. Stradley Company. He is at present located at No. 61 Jefferson avenue, having been obliged to seek larger quarters in June, 1918. He handles the well known Bunte confections, a pop- ular and high grade candy, and employs one of the most efficient sales forces in Detroit, having ever made it a point to secure experts in this line, for he has found that the return in service more than offsets the increase in salary. As he ever treats his employes with the utmost consideration and fairness he has secured their hearty cooperation and goodwill and this has resulted in increased efficiency in the operation of the business. He caters to the retail trade in Wayne county and his well known reliability and integrity, combined with his enterprising and progressive
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methods, have secured for him the confidence and trust of the public, so that his patronage has now reached extensive proportions. He carefully supervises every detail of the business and that he possesses executive ability of a superior order is indicated in the fact that within the past three years the volume of his sales has grown from thirty-seven thousand to five hundred thousand dollars annually, this being one of the largest enterprises of the kind in the city. He has always handled a first-class product in a first- class manner and has commissioned his sales force to educate the retail dealers to demand a superior article and then supply them with it and this is undoubtedly one of the chief factors in his success.
On the 4th of June, 1902, Mr. Stradley was united in marriage to Miss Ida Hopkins and they have be- come the parents of two daughters: Mary Elizabeth, who was born March 2, 1907; and Marjorie Ellen, born December 3, 1915. In his political views he is independent, casting his ballot in favor of the can- didate whom he regards as best fitted for office with- out considering party ties. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Highland Park Lodge, F. & A. M .; to Highland Park Commandery, K. T., No. 53, and to the Consistory and Shrine, and he is also a member of the Birch Hill Country Club and the Detroit Board of Commerce. He is a man of kindly, sympathetic nature and a generous contributor to many charitable projects. His aid and cooperation have been found on the side of progress and advance- ment, at all times and he has ever stood for those forces which work for the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community at large. What he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents. He is alert, ready for any chance for advancement and equally ready to meet any emergency, and a substantial enterprise stands as a monument to his energy, industry and superior business ability.
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