The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 59

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

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 59

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1911. He is carrying on business as president of the Roney Land Company and in this connection he devel- oped Hawthorne Park, a fine subdivision of Grosse Pointe.

Mr. Roney was married April 28, 1897, to Miss Marie Chapoton, and to them have been born eight children: William, Edward, Richard, John, Isabelle, Josephine, Virginia and Rita. The eldest son en- listed in the navy for service in the World war before he was twenty years of age and was for six months in the training school at Detroit.

Mr. Roney belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club, also to the Lochmoor Golf Club, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, associations which indicate something of the nature of his interests and recreation. He is a quiet, gentlemanly business man, who dis- criminates readily between the essential and the non- essential in all business affairs, who manifests a clear understanding of human nature and who has displayed the highest qualifications of salesmanship in the con- duct of his real estate interests.

WILLIAM CHARLES ROWLAND, certified public accountant and manager of the Little Taxation Bu- reau and the Little Audit Company, has gained a wide reputation in connection with his chosen profession, his ability bringing him prominently to the front. Mr. Rowland was born in St. Thomas, in the province of Ontario, Canada, January 16, 1891, his parents being Zack and Sarah Jane (Bredin) Rowland, whose family numbered three children: William C., Harry and Ella.

At the usual age William Charles Rowland became a pupil in the public schools of his native city and eventually mastered the branches taught in the high school at St. Thomas. He came to Detroit in 1909 when a youth of eighteen years and here attended the Detroit Technical Institute and also the Detroit Col- lege of Law, in which he was a student for two years, his training of this character being of great value to him in his later professional career. Mr. Rowland passed the examination for certified public accountant in 1914 and for three years thereafter he was iden- tified with the accounting department of the Detroit Trust Company. He later spent two years in business, which he conducted under the firm name of William C. Rowland & Company, certified public accountants, with office in the Vinton building. During that period he conducted a general public accountancy business and gained a liberal clientage. Mr. Rowland entered the army, however, in 1918 and following his return to civil life he became an associate accountant with the Little Audit Company, on the 1st of January, 1919. In January, 1920, he was advaneed to the position of manager of the company and also made manager of the Little Taxation Bureau. These are the largest en- terprises of the kind in the state of Michigan, em- ploying twenty-five people all of the time and as many as sixty during the rush that comes with the

WILLIAM E. RONEY

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income tax work. Mr. Rowland is thoroughly reliable, accurate and systematic in all that he does and has won for himself a creditable professional position.

On the 5th of June, 1917, Mr. Rowland was mar- ried to Miss Kathleen White of Detroit, and they reside at No. 2215 Hazelwood. Mr. Rowland belongs to Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his interest in community affairs is shown in his membership in the Board of Commerce. He likewise belongs to the American Association of Public Ac- countants, to the American Institute of Public Ac- countants and is president of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, of which he has been a director for the past three years. Those who know him and his work bear high testimony to his pro- fessional standing and to the many admirable traits of his character as manifest in social and private rela- tions aside from business.

CHARLES E. CHAMBERLIN has seen Detroit grow from a small place, whose only boast was that it was a "pretty city" to its present metropolitan dimensions and its world-wide fame as an industrial center. Its beauty has not been sacrificed in its residential district, while at the same time its busi- ness has been developed to marvelous proportions, and Mr. Chamberlin has been connected throughout all of this growth, with the manufacturing interests, which have been the prime cause of the phenomenal development of Detroit, and which is today the source of the city's great prosperity. Charles E. Chamber- lin was born March 4, 1852, in the province of Que- bee, Canada, at Dunham Flat, about fifty miles east of Montreal, but was only six months old when his parents removed to New York state, where they re- mained until his third year. They then removed to Canada and settled about thirty-five miles east of Tor- onto, and during the succeeding eight years continued their residence in that place. They next went to Brooklyn, Ontario, where they resided for ten years. Accordingly Charles E. Chamberlin acquired his early education in Canadian schools, but his opportunities for study were quite limited. His father was a carriage and wagon maker, and he early entered the shops to assist him in carrying on the business. Woodworking was very natural to him, and he soon mastered that phase of the business and also learned thoroughly the trade of handling the iron works in connection with the building of carriages and wagons.

It was in 1885 that Mr. Chamberlin came to De- troit, where he joined Joseph N. Smith, who was then located on Jefferson avenue, and was engaged in the nickel plating business and the manufacture of buggy trimmings. Mr. Chamberlin entered the Smith estab- lishment as a workman in the shops, but after a time, joined E. L. Ackerman in the purchase of the busi- ness and began the manufacture of automobile trim-

mings, although they retained the old company name. Mr. Chamberlin has been practically manager of the plant since the new company took over the busi- ness, and for some years previous had occupied the position. He has been with this honse altogether for thirty-five years, and was president of the company for a few years, but is now out of the office, as he could be of more service to the corporation as factory man- ager, owing to his practical knowledge of every phase of the business and his ability to handle men, his treatment of them winning their loyal support and earnest cooperation. Mr. Chamberlin trimmed the first automobile ever made in Detroit. These were the Olds cars which he trimmed for William Raud, and the Cadillacs for William Metzzer, Mr. Metzzer giving him the contract on the condition that he could turn back the trimmings if he couldn't sell the ears. History says that the trimmings did not come back.

Mr. Chamberlin was married near Whitby, Ontario, to Miss Jennie Lawrence, and they have a family of five children: George Edwin, who married Maud Mc- Pherson; Effie May, who is the wife of Hans Park; Lottie, who married Anson McCorquodale; Clarence Paul, who married Esther Lewis; and Luella, the wife of Dr. Charles Wilson of Detroit. Mr. Chamberlin and his wife occupy one of the finest homes in Bir- mingham, the most beautiful of Detroit's suburban cities. He has been a very successful man and is highly esteemed by all who know him. His course has at all times been free to bear the closest inves- tigation and scrutiny and measures up to the highest standards of commercial life.

HERBERT L. BERDAN. As executive and finan- cial agent for a number of leading Detroit corpo- rations Herbert L. Berdan has been closely and effec- tively associated with real estate enterprises of broad scope and importance and is one of the successful representatives in this field of constructive business in the Michigan metropolis, where his office head- quarters are maintained in the Union Trust building.

Mr. Berdan was born at Plymouth, Wayne county, Michigan, on the 23d of February, 1875, and is a son of Byron J. and Mary J. (Stewart) Berdan, both na- tives of the state of New York and both small children at the time of the removal of the respective families to Michigan. Byron J. Berdan eventually became one of the successful and influential exponents of farm industry in the vicinity of Plymouth and both he and his wife continued their residence in Wayne county until their death.

After leaving school in 1893, Herbert L. Berdan obtained a clerical position in the Third National Bank of Detroit, which he resigned soon afterward to become identified with the City Savings Bank of Detroit. In 1895 he severed his connection with the latter institution and entered the offices of The Detroit National Bank, in which he remained until 1912,

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when he accepted a position with Charles B. Warren, now American ambassador to Japan. Af.er becoming associated with Mr. Warren he turned his attention vigorously to the real estate business, in which he has conducted large and important operations, as repre- sentative of Mr. Warren and various corporations for which Mr. Berdan is financial and administrative agent in this special field of enterprise, his clientage being one of notable character.

Mr. Berdan is one of the loyal and appreciative citizens of his native county, is a republican in politics and is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, the Meadowbrook Country Club and the Detroit Real Estate Board.

Mr. Berdan chose as his wife Miss Blanche E. John- son, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Johnson of De- troit. They have two children: Barclay G. and Marian W. Mr. Berdan has through his own ability and well directed activities achieved worthy success and pres- tige as a business man, takes loyal interest in all that touches the welfare and advancement of his home city, and in both business and social circles his friends are in number as his acquaintances.

HARRY AARON WEBSTER, president and gen- eral manager of the Webster Lumber Company, is one of the well known men in connection with the lumber trade in Detroit. A native of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, Mr. Webster was born February 17, 1880, a son of Hiram P. and Sarah (Pickard) Webster, both of whom were natives of the state of New York and came to Michigan in the early '60s. Hiram P. Web- ster engaged in business at Coldwater, Michigan, and subsequently removed to Eaton Rapids, engaging in the lumber business, and there he and his wife re- sided to the time of his death, which occurred April 25, 1921, at the home of his son, Harry A., in Detroit. He and his wife had spent the winter in Florida, and on their way home had stopped to visit their sons in Detroit, when the summons came to the home beyond. He was practically retired but maintained a general supervision over his business affairs, leaving the active work to others and spending his time between his home, visits to his sons in Detroit and winter so- journing in Florida. In the family were two children: Hon. Clyde I. Webster, circuit judge, mentioned else- where in this work; and Harry A.

Harry A. Webster attended the schools of Eaton Rapids, after which he became associated with his father in the lumber business and thoroughly ac- quainted himself with every branch and phase of the trade, working in the various departments of the in- dustry. He continued actively in business at Eaton Rapids until 1912, when he came to Detroit, and on the 13th of September he organized and incorporated the Webster and MeCausey Lumber Company, becoming its president and general manager. In November, 1920, the Webster Lumber Company, a Michigan corporation, succeeded the Webster and MeCausey Lumber Com-

pany, but Mr. Webster continued as president and general manager.

The steady growth and development of this business is largely attributable to the efforts of Mr. Webster, who brought to the undertaking broad experience and thorough knowledge of the lumber trade and who has most wisely and carefully directed the interests of the business, so that success in substantial meas- ure has come to them. The Company manufactures its own sashes, doors, casings, etc., and employs more than fifty people. It has a large yard and mill at 1159 Holden avenue, with a railroad spur into the yard, thus facilitating shipment, as well as the han- dling of coal, which is a part of the business.

On the 20th of February, 1900, Mr. Webster was married to Miss Myrtie L. Ranney of Eaton Rapids, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carey W. Ranney, of a prominent family of that city. Three children have been born of this marriage: Aaron H., born in Eaton Rapids, December 1, 1901, is now a student in the University of Michigan, class of '22; Murl R., born in Eaton Rapids in 1904, is attending the northern high school of Detroit; Dorothy, born in Eaton Rap- ids in 1907, is a student in the Liggett school of Detroit.

In his political affiliation Mr. Webster is a stanch republican, while in fraternal circles he is a Mason, being a member of Detroit Commandery, No. 1, while with the Nobles of the Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is a member of the Michigan Lumber Dealers' Associa- tion and thus takes active part in that organized effort which is looking to the development of the trade. His interest in community affairs is shown in his membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce. Appreciative of the social amenities of life, Mr. Web- ster holds membership in the Detroit Athletic, Detroit Golf, Detroit Yacht, the Canopus, Red Run Golf, St. Clair Country, and Detroit Automobile Clubs. His chief recreation is golf and his enthusiasm for this wonderful game has developed a skill ranking him among the city's well known gentlemen golfers.

E. MACK MORRIS, a thoroughgoing business man, who since 1914 has engaged in business in Detroit as a dealer in tires and automobile supplies, was born in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada, in 1881, but was brought to Detroit when seven years of age by his parents, Henry M. and Mary (Cuyler) Morris. His early education was obtained in the schools of this city, which he entered at the usual age, completing the work of consecutive grades until he became a high school student. He next entered the offices of the Griffin Wheel Company, with which concern he remained for five years. He afterward became assist- ant secretary of the Northern Motor Car Company and so continued for five years. Later he was gen- eral manager of the Great Western Auto Company at Peru, Indiana, where he continued for a time, but in

HARRY A. WEBSTER

Vol. IV-33

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1914 he returned to Detroit and here established busi- ness on his own account as a dealer in tires and automobile supplies. He handles all standard makes of tires and carries a large stock of automobile sup- plies and accessories, enjoying an extensive trade by reason of the excellent stock which he carries and his straightforward and thoroughly reliable business methods.

On the 12th of January, 1909, Mr. Morris was mar- ried to Miss Mabel Alice Langley of Detroit, a daugh- ter of George H. Langley. His wife's mother was the adopted daughter of James Mott Williams, a son of John R. Williams, the first mayor of Detroit.

Mr. Morris votes with the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and fraternally he is connected with Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and with the Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Canopus Club, but above and beyond all else he is a thoroughgoing business man, energetic, deter- mined, upright and courteous and at all times popular with the public.

FRED GILMER MeGRAW, a worthy representative of one of the prominent old families of Detroit, had been for a number of years successfully identified with manufacturing interests of this city when he passed away on the 4th of November, 1897, at the compara- tively early age of forty-two years. He was born in Detroit on the 1st of September, 1855, being the young- est son of Virgil W. and Ann (Cullen) MeGraw, whose family numbered nine children, of whom there is only one survivor, Alexander H. MeGraw of Cleveland, Ohio. The father was also extensively identified with manufacturing interests to the time of his demise.

Fred G. McGraw obtained his education in the public schools of this city and in early manhood initiated his business career in the employ of the wholesale dry goods firm of Charles Root & Company. . of the Detroit Federation of Labor and also secre-

Later he organized the Detroit Umbrella Company, of which he became president and so continued for several years, or until he disposed of his interests in 1896, when the business was removed to New York. He was a man of keen discrimination and sound jndg- ment, and his executive ability and excellent manage- ment brought to the business with which he was con- nected a large degree of success.

On the 26th of October, 1886, Mr. MeGraw was united in marriage to Miss Caroline I. Hunter, a daughter of Mulford Thomas and Caroline S. (Schuy- ler) Hunter, the father a well known citizen of Detroit, who was a native of the state of New York and who came to this city in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. McGraw be- came the parents of a daughter, Carolyn Schuyler, who resides with her mother at No. 77 West Hancock avenue in Detroit. Mr. MeGraw passed away in the faith of the Presbyterian church, while Mrs. MeGraw and her daughter are devoted and consistent members

of the Congregational church. In his demise the city lost one of its representative and substantial resi- dents-one well known and prominent in business cir- eles and a man who in his private life and social rela- tions manifested qualities which commended him to the regard and friendship of all.

GEORGE W. DUNCAN, who since September, 1879, has been identified with newspaper interests and the printing business in Detroit and who in 1908 organized the firm of Duncan & Ferschneider, conducting a high- class job printing establishment, was born in Lockport, New York, June 28, 1857. He was educated in the schools of his native city and there learned the print- ers' trade, which he followed in Lockport until he attained his majority. He came to Detroit in 1879 and through the intervening years has made this city his home, working at his trade in various employs until January, 1884, when he joined the Detroit Journal, which had been established in September of the pre- vious year. He acted as compositor on that paper, first on the case and later as linotype operator, until 1908, in which year he established the printing busi- ness of Duncan & Ferschneider at 94 West Fort street. The business has been carried on successfully through the intervening years and the patronage is now extensive and profitable.

While with the Journal Mr. Duncan was elected a member of the state legislature, and public endorse- ment of his service came to him in two reelections, so that he served for three terms as a member of the general assembly. He was one of the eleven elected out of fifty-seven candidates in 1902 and reelection came to him in 1904 and 1906, after which he volun- tarily withdrew from public life. He was chairman of the committee on labor under three different speak- ers, all of whom insisted upon him taking the chair- manship of that committee because of his prominence in the Typographical Union. He has been president tary of the State Federation. He is now a member of the National Union Assurance Society, the Ty- pothetae-Franklin Association and the Typographical Union.

Mr. Duncan has lost his wife but has two sons, Roy Thomas and J. Howard. He is a genial, courteous gentleman and an A No. 1 business man, thoroughly familiar with every phase of the work with which he is connected and thus able to direct the labors of those in his employ. For more than four decades he has made his home in Detroit and has witnessed the growth of the city from a place of two hundred and fifty thousand to a million population.

LOUIS W. SCHIMMEL. Various business inter- ests claim the time and attention of Lonis W. Schim- mel, a prominent figure in commercial and financial circles of Detroit, and his record is written in terms of success. A native of this city, he was born March

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9, 1860, his parents being Louis and Katherine (Boen- witz) Schimmel, and his education was acquired in the German Seminary and Goldsmith's Business Col- lege. His initial commercial experience was obtained as parcel boy for A. Williams & Company, whose es- tablishment was located on the present site of the Majestic building. At the end of two years he won promotion to the position of bookkeeper and then went to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where for a year he filled the position of assistant bookkeeper and all-around man, after which he engaged in business independently in that city as a jeweler and also conducted a crockery store, continuing active along those lines for four years. He then returned to Detroit and for about a year was employed in the silk department of the W. H. Elliott establishment, after which he became bookkeep- er for the Eckert & Becker Brewing Company, retain- ing his connection with that firm for a period of ten years, and during that time he gained a comprehensive knowledge of the industry. He next became the or- ganizer of the Tivoli Brewing Company, of which he served as president until the 1st of January, 1921, when he resigned that office. He is likewise connected with financial interests as vice president of the Amer- ican State Bank, is a director of the Gray Iron Foun- dry Company and the Multi-Products Company, and is on the executive committee of the Detroit Fidelity & Casualty Company. His interests are thus ex- tensive and important, showing him to be a man of superior business ability, whose plans are carefully formulated and promptly executed.

On the 4th of June, 1890, Mr. Schimmel was united in marriage to Miss Julia Kling and they have be- come the parents of a daughter, Clara, who is now the wife of Hugh C. Martin of Detroit. In his polit- ical views Mr. Schimmel is a republican, stanchly supporting the principles and candidates of the party. He is a member of the Harmonie Club and the Grosse Ile Golf Club and fraternally is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masons, belonging to Schiller Lodge in the last named organi- zation. His business career has been marked by steady progress, resulting from close application and the com- plete mastery of each position which he has held. His prominently marked characteristics are those which make for personal popularity, while in business affairs he manifests the forcefulness, keen discrimination and ready understanding of involved interests which make him one of the foremost figures in commercial and financial circles of Detroit.

WILLIAM S. SHERWOOD, president of the Sher- wood Brass Works of Detroit, was hora in Lincoln- shire, England, October 20, 1851, his parents being William and Phoebe Sherwood. He acquired his edu- cation in the schools of his native land and in early manhood, seeking the best business opportunities and advantages, he came to the United States at the age of twenty years, equipped with the knowledge of

the brass-moulder's trade, which he had learned in London.

Mr. Sherwood at once made his way to Detroit, where he entered the employ of James Flower & Brothers, remaining with that firm for eight years. He next took up work of importance in his present connection and has advanced steadily until he is now president of the Sherwood Brass Works. The company was organized in March, 1903, by Mr. Sherwood and his son, William C., and son-in-law, A. L. Walten- sperger. It was a new business venture for the manu- facture of brass auto parts and sanitary fixtures and was incorporated in March, 1907. The splendid devel- opment of the undertaking is indicated in the fact that there is an average of five hundred employes at the splendidly equipped plant at No. 1167 East Jef- ferson street. The company belongs to the Michigan Manufacturers Association and during the war period devoted its energies largely to the making of war munitions.

On the 2d of August, 1873, Mr. Sherwood was married to Miss Mary Porties, a native of Scotland, and they have become the parents of five children: William C., Mrs. A. L. Waltensperger, Carrie, Hazel and David. Mr. Sherwood gives his political endorse- ment to the republican party and keeps well informed on the vital questions and issues before the country but does not seek nor desire office. His efforts and energies have been concentrated upon his business affairs and from each experience in life he has learned the lessons therein contained and from the faithful performance of each day's duties has found courage and inspiration for the labors of the succeeding day. Step by step he has advanced as the result of his constantly expanding powers and his utilization of opportunity and he is today well known in the manu- facturing circles of Detroit as a leading and highly respected representative.

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The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 59

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

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