USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 52
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
On the 3d of December, 1859, Mr. Ferguson was married to Miss Mary McKay, a daughter of Archibald McKay, and they had one child, Archibald, who passed away in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson traveled life's journey most happily together for more than sixty years, sharing with each other the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity, which enter the careers of all, their mutual love and confidence increasing as time passed. Then death separated them, Mr. Ferguson passing away May 13, 1920, his remains being interred in Elmwood cemetery. Mrs. Fergu- son, who was born and educated in Scotland, is still enjoying excellent health at the age of eighty-three years and spending her declining days in comfort and ease in a pleasant home at 103 East Willis avenue, Detroit.
In his political views Mr. Ferguson was a republican from the time when he cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also of Pal- estine Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Central Pres- byterian church and was loyal to the teachings and purposes of all these different organizations. He took a most active interest in church and charitable work and was constantly extending a helping hand where aid was needed. He was a member of St. Andrew's Society and his life at all times was actuated by the highest principles manifest in the integrity of his business career and his reliability in every relation. Mr. Ferguson attributed his financial prosperity to God's guidance in all matters, and so, when he bought property for a home at Grosse Pointe, he decided to leave it, by his will, for the furtherance of Christ's kingdom, as a loving memorial of God's goodness to him. Owing to changing circumstances and the greatly increased value of the property, Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson sold their beautiful suburban home and fulfilled a long cherished desire, by giving the proceeds for home mis- sion work. Seventy thousand dollars was given to the Board of Ministerial Relief and Sustenation and
twenty-five thousand dollars to the Board of Publica- tion and Sabbath School Work-both boards of the Presbyterian church of the United States of America. A wonderful gift, expressing the love of this devoted Christian couple for little children and the aged vet- erans of the Cross. The history of no man in Detroit may better serve as an example and inspiration to the young than that of Samuel Ferguson.
ROBERT C. RESTRICK, president of the Restrick Lumber Company, was born September 12, 1885, at De- troit, a son of Charles W. and Jane (Cowie) Restrick. A sketch of Charles W. Restrick appears elsewhere in this publication.
Robert C. Restrick received his early education in the public schools and afterward entered the Detroit University school, from which he was graduated upon the completion of a literary course as a member of the class of 1904.
He then turned his attention to the lumber busi- ness which was then conducted by his father. He took a minor position in the lumber-yard and learned every phase of the business in order to become thoroughly qualified for active management and control. In 1909 he was elected secretary and treasurer of the com- pany and after the death of his father in March, 1920, he succeeded to the presidency, although he had been practically the head of the business for the previous three years.
The Restrick Lumber Company is a large concern, having several branches in Detroit, and the extent of the trade has reached very large proportions. Robert C. Restrick has acquired a knowledge of every feature of the lumber business, consequently is cap- able of most wisely controlling the trade and pro- moting the steady development of the enterprise. It is true that he entered upon an established busi- ness, but in enlarging and directing it a man of less resolute spirit would have failed. He has, however, been actuated by a most progressive spirit and by his unassailable commercial integrity has upheld the name of Restrick as an honored and forceful one in the commercial cireles of the city.
In 1910 Mr. Restrick was united in marriage to Miss Marian Dunlap and they have two children: Robert C., Jr., and Jean. Fraternally Mr. Restrick is a Mason, belonging to Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M., and to Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T. In club life he is well known, having membership in the Detroit Athletic, Fellowcraft, Detroit Golf, Automobile Coun- try and Masonic Country Clubs. He likewise belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce, also the United States Chamber of Commerce, the headquarters of which are in Washington, D. C., and the purpose of which is the constant study of the problems of busi- ness and the possibilities of commercial development. A Presbyterian in religious faith, Mr. Restrick be- longs to the Westminster Presbyterian church of De- troit, and is serving as one of the trustees of that
ROBERT C. RESTRICK
Vol. IV-29
451
CITY OF DETROIT
body. He is everywhere spoken of in terms of the highest regard as a representative young business man who measures up to the highest standards of American manhood and citizenship and who is a worthy scion of an honored family of Detroit.
HERBERT J. PUTNAM, a prominent and success- ful business man of Detroit, where he is well known in commercial circles, was born across the border, in the province of Ontario, Canada, near the city of London, in 1862, a son of Thomas R. and Elizabeth (VanVliet) Putnam, but was brought to Detroit hy his parents when three years old, in 1865.
Thomas R. Putnam, father of the subject of this sketch, for fifty years a well known resident of Detroit, died on July 10, 1916. Some four years earlier he had suffered a stroke of paralysis, and from that time on he had not been much in the public eye.
Thomas R. Putnam was born in Ontario, Canada, in February, 1841, and came to Detroit in 1866, at the age of twenty-five. He found immediate employment in one of the city departments, and from that time until his retirement because of illness, he was a faith- ful and honored servant of the public. During a con- tinuous period of thirty-six years he was in the service of the water department, with the workings of which he was perhaps more familiar than any other one man in that hranch of the municipal government. His integrity was proverbial and his agreeable person- ality made him a favorite with all those whom he met in business.
Mr. Putnam's ancestry is traced unbrokenly back to John Putnam, who emigrated from England in 1641, of whom General Israel Putnam of Revolutionary re- nown, was also a descendant. His high sense of honor made him a marked figure among those who comprised his large acquaintance. Exemplary in his private life, a model of probity in relation to his public respon- sibilities, he passed away, leaving behind him a clean record and a host of sorrowing friends.
Herbert J. Putnam, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the schools of Detroit, after which he began his active career as clerk in the city waterworks office, where he remained for three years. He then became associated with Captain S. B. Grummond, for three years, when that gentleman was mayor of Detroit. At the end of this period Mr. Putnam en- gaged in the music business with C. J. Whitney for three years, and at the same time was treasurer of the Grand Opera House, which stood where the post office was subsequently erected.
Mr. Putnam spent the next six years in the office of the city assessor, and on retiring from this office in 1890 he went into the manufacture of confectionery, which kept him occupied until 1895, when he became connected with the Thomson Meter Company, a New York concern, later becoming western sales manager, and still holds this position, each year showing in-
creased business, the result of his experience and energy.
In 1906 the Gies Gear Company, manufacturers of reversible gears, was formed, with Howard E. Putnam, brother of Herbert J. Putnam, as president. The Put- nam family gradually acquired all the stock, and when Howard E. Putnam enlisted to enter the World war in 1917, Herbert J. Putnam took charge of the business, filling the offices of secretary-treasurer and general manager. He is also vice president of the Esco Manu- facturing Company, and has other business interests in the city.
In 1884 Herbert J. Putnam married Blanche L. Brooks, a native of Albany, New York. Mr. Putnam was one of the original organizers of the old Detroit Athletic Club, in the affairs of which he took a warm interest. He is a member of the Fellowcraft Club and of the Corinthian Lodge of Masons.
JAMES B. HODGE. M. D., an able member of the medical profession of Detroit, practicing ac- cording to the principles of the school of homeopathy, was born in Niagara county, New York, on a farm, April 15, 1869, his parents being James and Katherine (Crozier) Hodge. They spent their entire lives in New York state. The father always de- voted his attention to the occupation of farming, residing for many years in Niagara county, New York. Both he and his wife have now passed away. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom are deceased, while those living are: J. W., a practicing physician of Niagara Falls; William H., who is also a member of the medical profession at Niagara Falls; Mrs. M. T. Lurch of Detroit; James B., of this review; Carrie A., living in Detroit; and Mrs. Cora Kimball, also of this city.
Dr. James B. Hodge was reared on the farm where he was born. He supplemented his district school education by study in the high school at Lockport, New York, and determining upon the practice of medi- cine, he at length began to qualify for that calling. In the meantime, however, he had taught school for several years, and for a period was engaged in the wholesale and retail drug and grocery business in Niagara Falls. In 1902 he came to Michigan, where he entered the Detroit Homeopathic Medical College, and was graduated as a member of the class of 1906, at which time his professional degree was conferred upon him. During his last year and a half in college, he served as interne in Grace Hospital, and thus gained valuable clinical experience. He later spent two years as house surgeon and resident physician in Grace Hospital, and then entered upon the general practice of medicine in which he has continued with excellent success. He is still serving on the obstetrical staff of Grace Hospital. He is a member of the Detroit Medical Society, the Wayne County and the Michigan State Medical Societies, and the American Institute of Homeopathy. He holds to the highest professional
452
CITY OF DETROIT
standards, and by continuous study and research is constantly promoting his efficiency and broadening his skill. Dr. Hodge's religious belief is that of the Episcopal church. Politically he is a republican and at all times is thoroughly informed concerning the vital questions and issues of the day, but he does not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty. He never allows anything to interfere, however, with the trend of professional duties and interests, being most conscientions in the performance of every task that devolves upon him as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Hodge's residence is at No. 438 Warren avenue, West, where he maintains offices in addition to his down town office at No. 607 Fine Arts building.
WILLIAM SHALLENBERGER POWER is the pres- ident of The Power, Alexander & Jenkins Company, advertising specialists of Detroit, under which style a business of extensive proportions and of a most important character has been developed, their patron- age being now national in its scope. Mr. Power was born in Rochester, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1864, his parents being Edward Miller and Susan (Shallen- berger) Power. He is a descendant of Sir Roger LePoer, who was sent to Ireland by William the Con- queror to subdne rebellion, and since that time the family has been represented on the Emerald isle. The family was founded in America about 1640 by Dr. Henry Power, who settled in Virginia. In the maternal line William S. Power comes of Swiss ances- try, his mother's people having lived in the canton of Uri, Switzerland, whence representatives of the name crossed the Atlantic and settled in Pennsylvania in 1637.
William S. Power, reared in the Keystone state, pursued his education in the Mount Pleasant Institute of Pennsylvania and at Geneva College at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. His early business activity was in the newspaper field, and advancing step by step in that connection, he afterward held important editor- ial positions on the Pittsburgh Dispatch and the Pitts- burgh Press. He early turned his attention to the advertising business and has contributed much to its development. He built up a large business of this kind under the name of the William S. Power Com- pany of Pittsburgh and in 1910 merged his interests with those of the MacManns Company and removed to Detroit. 1Ie became vice president and chief of the service department of the MacManus Company. The present large advertising firm of The Power, Alexander & Jenkins Company is an ontgrowth of the old firm of advertising specialists known as the MacManus Company which was taken over in 1912. The business was carried on under the old name until 1915, when it was reincorporated under the present style. The firm handles general advertising and con- duets a business that is now national in scope, having its main offices in Detroit, with a branch office main- tained at Dayton, Ohio.
On the 1st of May, 1890, Mr. Power was united in marriage to Miss Julia Blake Myler of Pittsburgh. They occupy an enviable social position in Detroit and Mr. Power is well known in the club circles of the city, having membership in the Detroit Athletic, Detroit Golf and Meadowbrook Clubs. He is also a member of the Dayton Country Club and the Dayton City Club of Dayton, Ohio, and also of the Detroit Automobile Club. He is likewise connected with the Detroit Board of Commerce and was formerly a di- rector of the Detroit Technical Institute and of the Young Men's Christian Association. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church and his political endorsement is given to the republican party. All the activities and interests of his life are evenly balanced, for he has learned to place a correct valua- tion upon all those things which feature as factors in his life work. At all times he has been actuated by a spirit of enterprise that has brought him to a position of leadership in his chosen field of labor. He has displayed much originality in the development of the business and initiative in aiding his patrons in promoting their advertising projects. His clientage is now one of extensive and gratifying proportions and the business of which he is the head is the tangible evidence of his well directed energy and capability.
G. CORRELL DAMON, for years connected with the wholesale tobacco business in Detroit, successful in the various enterprises with which he has been identified and popular with all who know him, is a native of Michigan, born on a farm near Saginaw, a son of LeRoy and Sarah (Culver) Damon, the former of whom was brought to Michigan when a year old, by his father, Ephraim Damon, who was one of the early settlers of the state.
G. C. Damon was educated in the public schools and in business colleges at Kalamazoo and Ypsilanti, at the close of his business course going into the general merchandise line at St. Charles, Michigan, where he remained for four years, and for the next succeeding twelve months he was with his father in the same kind of enterprise. He then joined the Harry W. Watson Company of Flint, Michigan, starting as a clerk in their retail store. By 1910 he had so de- veloped and expanded their trade that the company was induced to start in the wholesale business in that year in Detroit. In 1910 Mr. Damon came to Detroit and launched the branch of the company's en- terprise, which has now assumed very large propor- tions, due in considerable degree to his untiring energy and commercial sagacity. Since 1916 Mr. Damon has been vice president and general manager of the com- pany, positions earned by his zeal and perseverance.
In 1912 Mr. Damon was united in marriage to Miss Loretta Rivett. He is a member of the Board of Commerce and of the Detroit Credit Men's Association, in the affairs of which he takes a keen interest. He
WILLIAM S. POWER
455
CITY OF DETROIT
also holds membership in the Elks, the Fellowcraft Club, the Detroit Automobile Club and the Wolverine Club. Mr. and Mrs. Damon take a proper part in the social and cultural activities of the city and their efforts are always directed to the support of all move- ments designed to advance the public welfare.
W. J. McMICHAEL, president of the B. & M. Detective Agency of Detroit, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and comes of Scotch-Irish an- cestry in both the paternal and maternal lines. He pursued his education in his native state completing a high school course at Beaver Falls. Removing to Ohio, he there became chief of police in the town of Kent and has been connected with secret service work throughout his life. He was connected with the Erie Railroad in secret service work for four years and for an equal period he filled the office of sheriff of Portage county.
Removing to Detroit, Mr. McMichael established the B. & M. Detective Agency, which he has since con- ducted. He has had large experience in this line of work and is considered a very able man. The agency maintains the highest standard of efficiency and is devoted entirely to efficiency and inside work in fac- tories and plants.
In 1887 Mr. MeMichael was united in marriage to Miss Belle Carlisle, who passed away leaving three children. In June, 1916, he married Pearl Williams of Detroit, and they are highly esteemed socially, having many friends in the city. In politics Mr. MeMichael is a stalwart republican and was quite active in poli- ties when in Ohio. Fraternally he belongs to Unity Lodge, No. 12, A. F. & A. M., of Portage, Ohio; and also has membership in Tyrian Chapter, No. 91, R. A. M., of Ravenna, Ohio; while his Knights Templar mem- bership is in Damascus Commandery in Detroit; he also belongs to Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He holds to the highest standards of the fraternity, ex- emplifying in his life its beneficent spirit. He is a hig man, of strong personality, determined, resource- ful and efficient, and in his chosen profession has at- tained high position.
FRANK COLE PINGREE. The history of Detroit's manufacturing and commercial development would be incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make reference to Frank Cole Pingree, long identified with shoe manufacturing in this city. Moreover, his social position and his high character left their im- press upon Detroit's annals, his position as a most publie-spirited citizen being recognized by all who knew aught of his career. He came to Detroit in 1868 from one of the hillside farms of New England, his birth having occurred near Denmark, Oxford county, Maine, on the 8th of September, 1848. His opportunity of acquiring an education was limited to the advantages offered by the district schools of that period and while he was yet a young lad he went to
Hopkinton, Massachusetts, where he began earning his living by serving an apprenticeship to the shoe- maker's trade, of which he gained thorough practical knowledge. While he was thus employed his brother, Hazen S. Pingree, afterward governor of the state, had come to Detroit and had established a shoe manu- facturing business as senior partner of the firm of Pingree & Smith, which in the course of years became the Pingree Shoe Company. When Frank C. Pingree had completed his apprenticeship his brother sent for him to come to Detroit, where he arrived in 1868 and at once was given employment by the firm of Pingree & Smith, taking charge of the sole leather department in the factory. His capability was soon manifest and added responsibilities were given to him from time to time until he was made manager of other depart- ments and eventually had practical supervision over the entire manufacturing interests of the firm. In 1883 C. H. Smith, the original junior partner, with- drew, although the business was continued under the firm style of Pingree & Smith until the death of the founder, Governor Pingree, on the 18th of June, 1901. With the retirement of Mr. Smith, Frank C. Pingree and John B. Howarth were admitted to the partner- ship, so that Mr. Pingree of this review was asso- ciated in the ownership and executive control of the business from 1883 until his death more than a quarter of a century later. With the death of Governor Pin- gree Frank C. Pingree assumed the heaviest of the responsibilities in connection with the practical de- tails of the business and in time he was joined by his eldest son, Everett W. Pingree, mentioned else- where in this work, and by Sherman L. Depew, who had married the only daughter of Governor Pingree.
Frank C. Pingree entered into no other business re- lations save with the City Savings Bank, of which he became one of the organizers and of which he re- mained president until the bank failed in January, 1902. In this connection one of the local papers, at the time of his demise, said: "The complications fol- lowing the bank failure first affected Mr. Pingree. At the time he suffered a nervous collapse, accompanied by a slight stroke of apoplexy, from which he never really recovered. His devotion to his work after this trouble caused his physical decline. His physicians advised him to give less time to his business and friends and to seek needed rest, but it worried him to be idle." He paid little heed to their request until finally realizing that he must drop his heavy cares for a time, he planned a trip to California for the benefit of his health. However, his illness became so severe that it was impossible to carry out the plan and he passed away on the 2d of April, 1910.
It was in 1875 that Frank C. Pingree was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Louise MeKeon, who sur- vives him, as do their two sons, Everett W. and Roy E., who are engaged in business under the name of the F. C. Pingree Sons Company. Mr. Pingree was a most consistent and faithful member of the First Congrega-
456
CITY OF DETROIT
tional church and for many years was chairman of its board of trustees. He also belonged to the Detroit Club and the Detroit Country Club and he likewise had membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce. He served for some time as chairman of the executive committee of the National Boot & Shoe Manufactur- ers' Association and he was most highly esteemed by his contemporaries and colleagues in trade circles as well as by those whom he met in the social relations of life. When death ealled him, Dr. Nehemiah Boyn- ton of Brooklyn, New York, formerly of this city and an old-time friend, conducted the funeral services and the foremen of the Pingree Company were the active pallbearers. Mr. Pingree was a man who ever eujoyed the highest esteem, trust and goodwill of those in his employ. They felt at his passing that they had indeed lost a friend and champion and one to whom they could always go with any grievance, knowing that full jus- tice would be meted out to them. Mr. Pingree was a loyal supporter of the republican party and in every way a most publie-spirited eitizen, eooperating ear- nestly and beartily with every projeet for the public good. He commanded in unusual degree the confidence and esteem of all who knew him, for he was a man of inflexible integrity of purpose and tolerant and kindly in every relation of life.
DETROIT SHOW CASE COMPANY. Prominent among the industrial concerns of the city is that conducted under the name of the Detroit Show Case Company, which was established in 1903 and whose plant is located at Nos. 1652 to 1694 West Fort street. The company is engaged in the manufacture of show cases, store fixtures and copper store-front construction, their trade in this connection extending throughout the United States and into many foreign countries as well. The business is steadily growing and expanding under the capable direction of the following officers: John Petz, president; Edward Bland, vice president; and Herbert Malott, secretary and treasurer.
CARL B. PARSONS, president of the Parsons Man- ufacturing Company, is not only a splendid example of the successful business man, but also a model for all foreign-born citizens to meditate upon and strive to emulate. He came to this country at the age of seventeen and at onee took upon himself the duty of becoming a thorough American, as well as the task of making himself a successful man, and both of these things be accomplished, and for both he is recognized and honored. None ean start any poorer than he started, but all can cherish the same high purposes and principles, the foundations of honest success.
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.