USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117
has had a long and successful career, the development of its trade being due to honorable business dealings and thoroughly progressive methods. They handle everything for men except shoes and carry an exten- sive and attractive stock, supplying to their customers all that the latest markets afford and all that is in- dicative of valuable material and good style in dress.
In 1914 Mr. Gorman was united in marriage to Miss Grace Minahan of Detroit, and they have one son, John J., Jr., born June 30, 1917, in Detroit. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Gorman is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is also a well known club man, holding membership in the Oakland Hills Golf Club, the Island Country Club, and the Detroit Athletic Club. For many years the name of Gorman has been a well known one in Detroit's business circles. Four generations of the family have been here represented, for John J. Gorman, father of our subject, was born in Detroit and lived all of his life here. He made an enviable record for successful achievement and for uprightness in all of his business methods and his son has fully sustained the honorable family record, being today accounted one of the most progressive and courteous young business men of the city. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but in enlarging and developing this in accordance with the demands of the times and the city's growth, many a man of less resolute spirit would have failed. However, he has at all times been ready to meet any emergency and ready for any condition that has arisen, and the intelligent direction of his efforts has brought about most gratifying financial returns.
HERMAN C. REINDEL. Thirty-eight years' expe- rience in commercial circles has brought Herman C. Reindel to a most ereditable position as a furniture dealer in Detroit, where he is conducting business under the firm style of George J. Reindel & Company, the senior partner being his brother. They have es- tablished a gratifying trade as dealers in general lines of furniture and have always made a specialty of handling office furniture. Herman C. Reindel has also become connected with other business interests and his entire career has been marked by steady ad- vancement, the steps in his orderly progression being easily discernible. He was born in Roseville, Michi- igan, April 30, 1867, his parents being Frederick and Margaret (Zapf) Reindel. He is indebted to the public school system of Wayne county for the educa- tional privileges which he enjoyed and which qualified him for life's practical and responsible dnties. In 1882 he made his initial step in the business world, being at that time a youth of fifteen years. He se- cured employment in a grocery store and later became connected with the grocery trade, to which he has devoted the major part of his time and attention throughout the intervening years. He joined his brother, George J. Reindel, in organizing the present
432
CITY OF DETROIT
firm of George J. Reindel & Company for the sale of office furniture in 1892. While handling everything in that line they have since extended the scope of their activities to include furniture of all kinds and the business has now reached gratifying and profitable proportions. Into other fields Herman C. Reindel has also made his way and is now identified with profitable concerns as the secretary and treasurer of the Gen- eral Realty Company and also as the secretary of the John R Heights Land Company. The rapid growth of Detroit in recent years, owing to its great industrial development, has offered a splendid field to the real estate dealer and in that connection Mr. Reindel is also meeting with substantial success.
On the 12th of May, 1892, in Detroit, Mr. Reindel was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Roseneau and they have become the parents of a son and three daughters: Arthur F., Edna M., Lillian G. and Flor- ence. Mr. Reindel is a republican in his political views but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the Board of Commerce and through such agencies and as a private citizen performs his public service, supporting all those interests and measures which he deems of value to the community at large. He gives his religious support to the Lutheran church and fra- ternally he is connected with the Masons. He is also a member of the Fellowcraft Club and he finds recrea- tion in hunting and fishing.
C. RICHARD BRAND, president of the Richard Brand Company, conducting an investment business in Detroit, is actuated by a most progressive spirit that has resulted in the accomplishment of his purpose and has won for him a creditable position in the busi- ness circles of the city. He was here born at 208 Park street, December 5, 1873, his parents being Charles R. and Elizabeth (Jack) Brand. The father was born in Germany and came to America when a youth of fifteen in order to escape becoming a part of the German military machine. He made his way direct to Detroit and it was in this city that he met and married Miss Elizabeth Jack, who was born at the corner of Randolph and Gratiot streets, represent- ing one of the old families of Detroit. The father took up the business of house painting and decorating and in this connection was known by thousands of people as the best house painter and decorator of Detroit. He was found to be at all times a man of his word and one who gave the best possible service to those who employed him. The honesty and integrity of his methods were never called into question, and while he did not leave a fortune to his family, he left them something better-the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. He passed away in Detroit in 1909, while his wife survived until March, 1919. They were the parents of six children: Fred W .; Mrs. Mary T. Macleod; Mrs. Maude B. Kutsche; Mrs. Edith A. Chamberlin; Stanley J., who is connected with the
United States army; and C. Richard, of this review. The first four are residents of Detroit.
C. Richard Brand was a pupil in the public schools of Detroit from the age of six years until he had taken the high school course and later he spent some time as a student in the Cooper Union school of New York city. Returning to Michigan, he then began learning the decorating business under the direction of his father but did not find the trade congenial and turned his attention to the advertising business in connection with the Michigan Street Rail- way Advertising Company. He was associated with the firm of W. H. Rose & Company for six years and in March, 1919, he organized the Richard Brand Com- pany, of which he is the president. This company handles investment securities, stocks and bonds. While it has been in existence for but a brief period, it has already made a remarkable record for successful achievement and its clientage is steadily growing. November 21, 1916, he organized Brand Realty Company, of which he has since been president. They engage in business along the lines indicated, also now handle subdivision property and in this way are contributing to the growth and substantial improve- ment of the city. Mr. Brand is a director and one of the original stockholders of the Men's Service Station Company of Detroit.
On the 13th of September, 1906, Mr. Brand was married to Miss Helen M. Burr, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Burr of New York city. Mr. Brand is fond of outdoor life and maintains a country home on Maceday lake. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he is identified with a number of the leading clubs and social organizations of Detroit, including the Oakland Hills Country Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, the Rotary Club, the Players Club and the Fine Arts Society and Arts and Crafts. He is likewise a member of the Board of Commerce and a member of the Loyal Legion and he has gained for himself as favorable a position in social circles as he has won through merit and close application in business circles.
ALBERT J. GILLIGHAM. The death of Albert J. Gilligham at Atlantic City, New Jersey, on the 3d of September, 1920, deprived Detroit of one of its foremost citizens, and theatrical and real estate in- terests of the city of a worthy and successful repre- sentative. The character of the work which he did during his life and the importance of the place to which he attained are evidenced by the deep and widespread regret which followed his death. Of a retiring disposition, he attached greater value to the friendship and popularity which he gained and quiet domestic happiness than to business prominence and he was fortunate in the attainment of both.
Mr. Gilligham was born in New York, September 17, 1867, a son of James and Johanna (Dugan) Gillig- ham. He attended the public schools of New York,
C. RICHARD BRAND
Vol. IV-28
435
CITY OF DETROIT
after which he pursued a course in the Cooper Union Business College, beginning his active career as a clerk in the employ of Shoemaker, Dillon & Company, prominent bankers and brokers of New York city, with whom he remained for two years. He then became connected with the theatrical business, traveling all over the country in that connection. In 1905 he came to Michigan, taking up his residence in Grand Rapids, where he entered the motion picture field, becoming one of the pioneers in that line of activity. He grad- ually extended his operations until he became the owner of every theatre in the city. In 1910 he be- came connected with the General Film Company, being made branch manager for the Detroit office, while sub- sequently he served as president of that corporation, which was one of the largest enterprises of the kind in the country but has now passed out of existence. His initiative spirit and powers of organization led him into important connections and he became presi- dent of the National Vaudeville Film Company of De- troit, the Valley City Theatre Company and senior member of the firm of Gilligham & Smith, controlling six theatres, located in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, Michigan, and Indianapolis, Indiana, but later he dis- posed of these interests. He operated extensively in connection with the motion picture business, entering the field when this industry was in its infancy, there being at that time but twenty theatres of this char- acter in the entire country, while at the present time it has become the fifth industry in volume of business in the United States. At the time of his demise he was serving as president of the Empire Theatre Com- pany and the Albert J. Gilligham Realty Company and of late years had been devoting the greater part of his attention to his realty interests, which were ex- tensive and important, gaining him rank with the leading operators along that line in the city. He possessed the foresight, the self-reliance and the busi- ness sagacity necessary to carry out large enterprises successfully and was a man who would have been an acquisition to any community, his irreproachable char- acter, no less than his achievements, giving him a commanding position and compelling his recognition as one destined to lead in anything he undertook. His success was rated not only by material gain but also in the high regard which he won, his commercial in- tegrity ever remaining unsullied.
Mr. Gilligham was twice married and by the first union had a son, Albert J., Jr., who is now fourteen years of age. His second wife was Miss Beatrice M. Dignon of Detroit, whom he wedded on the 6th of February, 1919.
In his political views Mr. Gilligham was a repub- lican and an active and earnest member of the De- troit Board of Commerce. He always took an active interest in civic matters, supporting those plans and projects which he deemed of greatest value in the improvement and upbuilding of the city along lines leading to its material, intellectual, social, political
and moral progress. He was greatly interested in child welfare work and his was a nobility of char- acter. Kind-hearted, sympathetic and generous, he was ever ready to extend a helping hand to a fellow traveler on life's journey and his many benefactions were always made quietly and unostentatiously. He was a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty- second degree in the Consistory, and he was also a member of the Detroit Automobile and Detroit Ath- letie Clubs and of the Friars Club of New York city. His labors were ever of a character that contributed not only to individual success but also to the general welfare and prosperity. Long acquaintance with him made friendship stronger, for his life in its various phases stood the test of intimate knowledge and close association. His was an admirable character, worthy of all praise, and he enjoyed to the fullest ex- tent the confidence and high regard of his fellow townsmen.
THOMAS MEARS, engaged in the roofing business iu Detroit, was born at Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada, September 20, 1854, his parents being William and Eleanor (English) Mears. At the usual age he en- tered the public schools and after acquainting him- self with the branches of learning that constituted the curriculum there, he began to learn the trade of sheet metal working and roofing in Canada. He dates his residence in Detroit, however, from 1873, so that he has lived in the city for about forty-eight years, during which period he has witnessed notable changes here as the work of growth and progress has been carried steadily forward. In an early day he would cross from Windsor, Canada, and walk to his work, returning in the same way every evening after work ing for ten hours per day. His salary while thus engaged was but fifteen cents per hour. Indolence and idleness, however, have had no part in his make-up throughout his life. On the contrary diligence and determination have guided his path, and prompted by a laudable ambition, he saved his earnings until his capital was sufficient to enable him to engage in busi- ness on his own account. He started in business in 1887 with Mr. Leadley under the firm style of Lead- ley & Hutton, which afterward became Robert Hutton & Company. It was in April, 1913, that Mr. Mears became sole proprietor, having purchased the interests of his partners in the undertaking. He does all kinds of roofing, including slate, tin, iron, asphalt and gravel, and all kinds of sheet metal work. He likewise takes contracts for the installation of ventilating systems. He is a practical tradesman and is sole proprietor of the business but retains the former firm name of Robert Hutton & Company. He has done work on many of the notable buildings of Detroit, including the Newcomb-Endicott building, the J. L. Hudson building, the Baptist church at Woodward and Winder streets, the Masonic Temple on La Fayette boulevard, the Ford Hospital, the Federal Motor Truck Company 's
436
CITY OF DETROIT
plant, the Lincoln Motor Company's plant, the Tim- ken-Detroit Axle Company's plant, the Packard plant, and still others. Thus his work has been of a most important character and the contracts awarded him have' given him place among the business men of af- fluence in Detroit.
In 1878 Mr. Mears was married to Miss Elizabeth Lassaline and they have become the parents of three children: Etta, now the wife of William J. Hutton; Grace, the wife of Walter Fick; and Eleanor. Mr. Mears and his family are members of the Episcopal church and politically he is a republican. He has connection with the Vortex Club and the Detroit Curling Club and through his social relations has gained popularity and wide regard. It is as a thor- oughgoing business man, however, that he is best known. He is now in the sixty-seventh year of his age and for almost a half century has lived in Detroit, during which time he has worked his way upward from a humble position in the business world to a place of prominence and success. Early realizing the fact that industry wins, industry became the beacon light of his life, leading him to a point where a comfortable competence precludes the possibilities of want or dis- tress and on the contrary provides him with many of the luxuries of life.
RALPH COLE GARRETT was one of the organizers of the business which is now conducted under the name of the Hilton, Hart & Garrett Company, stationers, printers and office outfitters. The business had its inception in February, 1910, and has steadily grown until it is one of the important interests of the kind in Detroit, Mr. Garrett being continuously identified therewith from the beginning and throughout the entire period a moving factor in its development and advancement. A native of Indiana, he was born at Greencastle, September 29, 1870, his parents being James Henry and Emma (Mathers) Garrett. He pur- sued a public school education in Terre Haute, Indiana, and also in the states of Missouri, Illinois and Iowa, where the family lived at different periods. He turned his attention to his present line of work in 1886 at Terre Haute and has since traveled all over the United States in connection with the line of business in which he is still active. In 1904 he removed from Dayton, Ohio, to Detroit, and here entered the employ of a firm of stationers, with whom he remained until 1910. In February of the latter year the firm of which he is now the president was organized, which was first conducted under the firm style of Hilton, Hart & Koehn, his associates in the undertaking being Thomas L. Hilton and Henry G. Hart. The first officers were: Thomas Hilton, president; Mr. Garrett, vice presi- dent; Mr. Hart, treasurer; and Mr. Koehn, secretary. The last named withdrew from the company on the 10th of May, 1913, and on the 29th of August, 1914, the firm style was changed to the Hilton, Hart & Garrett Company and Mr. Garrett was elected to
the presidency on the 10th of May, 1915, since which time he has been the chief executive officer, giving his attention to constructive effort and administrative direction. His associate officers are: Lynn B. Emory, vice president; A. F. Merrill, secretary; and T. L. Hilton, treasurer. The business has been developed to extensive proportions. The firm handles stationery and office furniture and also does printing, occupying five floors and the basement of one of the large busi- ness blocks of the city, and its trade is now one of the largest of the kind in Detroit. The firm employs one hundred and fifty people on an average and their work largely covers Michigan.
On the 28th of February, 1888, Mr. Garrett was married to Miss Carrie J. Smith of Terre Haute, and they have a daughter: Myrtle S., who is the wife of Rev. King D. Beach of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and they have three children: Virginia Jane Beach, John Garrett Beach, and Ralph King Beach. In his political views Mr. Garrett is a republican, giving stanch support to the party. He belongs to the Ty- pothetae-Franklin Association and to the Board of Commerce of Detroit, manifesting keen interest in the work of the latter organization as a factor in the upbuilding and development of the city. Mr. Garrett was one of the organizers of the Island Country Club, Grosse Ile, and became its first presi- dent, in which capacity he is yet serving. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Masonic Country Club and his life is actuated by his belief as a member of the Methodist church.
EVERETT W. PINGREE. A notable example of forcefulness of character, of resourcefulness in busi- ness, of ability to overcome obstacles and difficulties and to push steadily forward to his objective is found in the record of Everett W. Pingree, who in 1914 be- came one of the organizers of the F. C. Pingree Sons Company, of which he has since been the president. This company is engaged in the manufacture of men's fine shoes and from the beginning Everett W. Pingree has been one of its directing spirits, formulating his plans carefully and carrying them forward to suc- cessful completion.
Mr. Pingree is a representative of one of the dis- tinguished families of Detroit and Michigan, being a nephew of Governor Hazen Pingree and a son of Frank C. Pingree, who made for himself a notable place in manufacturing circles in Detroit and who is mentioned on another page of this work. Everett W. Pingree was born in this city on the 24th of April, 1881, and after leaving the Detroit Irving school be- came a student in the School for Boys, from which he was graduated in 1900. He has been continuously identified with shoe manufacturing interests since 1901.
The old Pingree Company of shoe manufacturers was dissolved in 1918, but Everett W. Pingree and his brother, Roy E., had left the company in 1914
RALPH C. GARRETT
439
CITY OF DETROIT
and in May of that year had organized the F. C. Pingree Sons Company, of which the former became president and the latter secretary-treasurer. These two retain the offices which they have held sinee the organization and Leonard Schadden is now the vice president of the company, which was organized for the manufacture of men's fine shoes. Their first location was at 32 West Fort street and they removed to their present location on Woodward avenue in 1916. The business has grown steadily from the beginning until the trade now reaches out to all parts of the United States. While belonging to one of the dis- tinguished and prominent families of Detroit and the state, Mr. Pingree has depended upon his own offorts for advancement, progress and success. Vicissitudes have arisen in business controlled by the family and he has been forced to meet situations which one of lesser courage or inferior stock would have quailed before or probably would have acknowledged defeat, but with the loving guidance and strengthening force of a wonderful mother behind him and with the family honor and prestige to maintain-for the name of Pingree has been a synonym for integrity and high purpose through many decades in Michigan-Everett W. Pingree has come out successfully in everything that he has undertaken, being today a prominent figure in the manufacturing circles of the city.
Mr. Pingree belongs to the National Manufacturers Association and in the social organizations of Detroit has ever maintained a prominent place. He belongs to the Detroit Club, the Detroit Athletic Club and the Detroit Boat Club and of the last named was for nine years a director, for two years vice president and for two years president. His friends are legion and the number is constantly increasing as the circle of his acquaintance broadens.
WILLIAM E. DRAYER, prominent in the com- mercial life of Detroit, where for years he has been identified with engineering and toolmaking, and at present secretary-treasurer of Drayer & Garman, tool- makers, is a native of the Buckeye state, born in Columbus, Ohio, December 5, 1877.
Mr. Drayer was educated in the public and high schools of Columbus, Ohio. He started his working career by learning the sheet metal trade, in which he remained for eight years. His next step was to become engaged in the manufacture of automobile lamps, at which he spent fourteen years in Columbus and seven years in Detroit.
At the close of the latter period Mr. Drayer branched into engineering and toolmaking, working for the Blodgett Company in these lines for a time. He then embarked in the toolmaking business for himself, and from the beginning his success was assured. In May, 1918, the Drayer & Garman Company was formed to carry on the toolmaking on a more extensive scale, and the company's trade now covers not only Detroit but the entire state of Michigan and the state of
Ohio. The products of the company find a ready market, due no less to their quality than to Mr. Dray- er's engineering and toolmaking skill. He is a capa- ble engineer as well as toolmaker, and is an intensely practical man.
On August 15, 1911, Mr. Drayer was married to Miss Frances Suttmiller of Cincinnati, Ohio. He gives รก good citizen's attention to civie matters, but has never been an aspirant for political honors. He threw himself warmly into the Liberty Loan drives during the World war and his factory had the distinction of having made a very creditable record. Mr. Drayer and his wife take a proper part in the social and cultural activities of Detroit and their support is al- ways extended to movements having for their object the advancement of community interests along all legitimate lines.
JOSEPH EDWARD GEORGE WADDINGTON, M. D. Most thorough preparation for the medical profession, supplemented by postgraduate courses in various insti- tutions of learning in the country, have made Dr. Joseph E. G. Waddington one of the most successful of the physicians and surgeons of Detroit. Constant study and investigation keeps him in touch with ad- vanced thoughts and improved methods of the pro- fession, and his work has been attended by results most satisfactory to his patrons and to the scientific world in general. A native of Manchester, England, he was born April 28, 1865, his parents being John H. and Eliza (Jones) Waddington, who were also na- tives of England, while one of the uncles of the father was John Waddington, D. D., a writer of note, and the author of a history of Congregationalism. John HI. Waddington was engaged in the insurance business in England throughout his active life, and there both he and his wife remained until called to the Home beyond.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.