USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 61
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Mr. Bingham was married on the 25th of December, 1916, in Cheboygan, Michigan, to Miss Minnie Blendell, who was born at West Branch, this state. They have become parents of one child, Harriett Susan, born in Detroit in October, 1919. Mr. Bingham has mem- bership in the Bloomfield Hills Country Club, the Detroit Athletic Club and the American Iron & Steel Institute. He is prominently known through his trade relations throughout the entire conntry, and he stands as a splendid example of the American self-made man, for he has worked his way upward entirely through his own efforts and ability. Starting out in
the business world as a clerk, he has gained a high and enviable position, is ever ready to meet any emer- geney or any demand of his business and he faces the world in the consciousness of his own strength, that arises from a right conception of things and that habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities.
Mr. Bingham is a member of the Board of Commerce and the Detroit Association of Credit Men, and he also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Those who know him- and he has a wide acquaintance- speak of him in terms of the highest regard as a most progressive and resourceful business man as a citizen of high standing and worth and as a friend whose loyalty is an unquestioned fact in his career.
J. H. DAVIS. No better example of success ac- quired through enterprise and honesty can be found anywhere than in the career of J. H. Davis, who is now widely known in the business circles of Detroit. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, January 15, 1887, and is a son of I. Davis and Mary Davis, the father a grocery merchant of Toledo for many years. He is a brother of Edward Nathaniel Davis, who was one of the brave young Americans who lost their lives in France in the World war. He enlisted in Chicago in a Machine Gun Battalion, but when he reached France he was transferred to the Intelligence depart- ment, because of his education and ability. He took another man's place in the dangerous advance in which all of the company, with one exception, were killed, but he did not hesitate in the performance of duty, and made the supreme sacrifice, turning the star of blue into one of gold.
J. H. Davis acquired his early education in the public schools of his native city and remained at home until twenty-one years of age. He was then married, at which time he was earning a salary of fifteen dollars per week. He decided that he must obtain a better position and came to Detroit, where he secured employment as a bookkeeper at twenty- five dollars per week, and thus made permanent lo- cation in the city. He was first connected with the Eagle Brass Works, the president of which was also the president of the Riverview Park Association, and Mr. Davis was given charge of handling the cash at the park for ten dollars per week extra, bringing his income up to thirty-five dollars weekly. He worked until six o'clock daily at his books, and then at the park until midnight. In addition to this he began taking orders for coal on a commission basis, and it was in this manner that he became connected with the coal trade, in which he is today one of the leaders in Detroit.
It was on the 28th of October, 1909, that he started in the coal business on his own account, with capital in the bank amounting to seven hundred and sixty- three dollars and twenty-six cents. His first place of business was at No. 55 Mullet street, and he ex-
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pended all of his little capital in fixing up and equip- ping his office and yard. Having no delivery wagons of his own he contracted with a cartage company to furnish a rig to make deliveries. His business on Mullet street was a basket business at first. He solicited trade himself and made a specialty of selling coal by the basket at twenty cents per basket, or six baskets for a dollar. In this way he built up the biggest basket coal business in Detroit. After a year he purchased a horse and delivery wagon, and soon began increasing his business and his equipment as well. In two years he had outgrown his quarters in Mullet street, so that he removed to the corner of Third street and York avenue. This move required added equipment and was a big venture. It was about this time that a serious illness overtook his wife, so that for sometime a heavy demand for money was made upon him, but he met the situation by hard work and superior business ability, and ultimately converted his business into one of pronounced success. He remained for five years at his second location, then sold his lease to the property and bought the site to his present fine coal yard on Riopelle street and the Michigan Central Railway. His premises here cover three acres of ground and include his yards and a well appointed office building. He has made improvements in the method of handling coal in his yards, and has erected an elevator, and constructed a large under- ground pit which will hold ten thousand tons of coal. He also has three railway sidings extending into his yards and manages always to take care of his customers, although his business is very large. This is owing to his initiative and carefully planned methods. For example, during the severe coal tie-up in the summer of 1920, he spent two weeks at the mines, sizing up the situation and arranging to keep up the shipment of coal to his yard, so that he could supply his eustomers without stint. When he has per- fected all of his present plans he will have the best equipped coal yards in the state of Michigan. Today a quarter of a million dollars would not buy his equip- ment alone, yet it represents but twelve years of efficient effort on the part of this thoroughly pro- gressive and energetic business man. He is a member of the Detroit Coal Exchange and also of the American Wholesale Coal Association.
In 1908 Mr. Davis was married to Hattye Ofshie of Detroit, and they have three sons: Joseph Bernard, born July 25, 1913; Russell Sterling, born November 3, 1915; and Leonard Frederiek, born November 5, 1917. Mr. Davis is a thirty-second degree Mason, affiliated with Ashlar Lodge, F. & A. M .; King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M .; Michigan Sovereign Consistory, A. A. S. R .; and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Shadukiam Grotto. His re- ligious faith is that of Temple Beth El, and his club associations are with the Caravan, the Phoenix, the Redford Country Golf, and the Detroit Automobile Clubs. He is also connected with the Knights of
Pythias and with the Board of Commerce. Mr. Davis is notable for two things, his sterling honesty and his broad charity. His marvelous success is attribut- able in no small degree to the first, for those who know him have the fullest confidence in his integrity and uprightness. A benevolent disposition is one of the salient features of his character, but he is very modest coneerning his philanthropy, and the vast majority of his benefactions are unheralded. He is known as a model employer. Every man who works for him feels that he has his share in making the business a success. Each employe recognizes his re- sponsibility and all feel a wholehearted interest in the progress of the trade. Mr. Davis's interest in the welfare of his men accounts for this. In 1920 Mr. Davis completed his home at 2224 Chicago boulevard, which is one of the attractive residences in that section of the city.
ALBERT EDWARD GRIMSHAW. One of the most popular and attractive mereantile establishments of Detroit is the men's furnishing goods store owned and conducted by Albert Edward Grimshaw. In faet he is proprietor of two establishments of this character and his business methods are of a character that makes patronage of his stores a pleasant expe- rience to those who give him their trade. Mr. Grim- shaw is of Canadian birth, the place of his nativity being Orangeville and the date August 21, 1876. His parents were William A. and Dora Tinley (Douglas) Grimshaw and his grandparents came to the new world from Leeds, England.
When but six years of age A. E. Grimshaw was brought to the United States, the family home being established in Detroit, where he pursued his educa- tion. He earned his first money as a newsboy, be- ginning to sell papers in 1888, when a lad of but twelve years. He spent four years at that task, thus making a start as do so many successful business men, for there are comparatively few city boys who do not at one time or another sell papers. His next step in the business world was to enter the employ of Van Gallow Brothers, hatters and furriers, with whom he continued in 1892 and 1893. Through the suc- ceeding two years he was with the J. L. Hudson Company. Constantly he was learning more and more about business methods and the trade that was to claim his attention later. He was from 1895 until 1909 in the employ of F. W. Baumgartner, hatter, furnisher and clothier, and during this period, pos- sessed of a laudable ambition, he accumulated the capital that enabled him to engage in business on his own account in 1909 as senior partner of the firm of Grimshaw & Stevens, of which he is president. The house deals in all kinds of men's furnishings except shoes and the business is one of extensive and gratify- ing proportions. With the development of the trade a second store was opened, the two establishments being located, one at 34 West Grand River avenue
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and the other at the corner of Woodward and Char- lotte. Mr. Grimshaw keeps in close touch with the market as well as the trend of business in other par- ticulars and has thus been able to buy advantageously and sell profitably. He also belongs to the Detroit Credit Men's Association.
On the 11th of August, 1903, Mr. Grimshaw was married to Miss Emma Nollett and they have become parents of a son and a daughter, Frederick J., born August 6, 1904, in Detroit; and Carmen Marie. Mr. and Mrs. Grimshaw are members of the Presbyterian church and he also is a follower of the high stand- ards of Masonry, belonging to Palestine Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M .; Monroe Council, R. & S. M .; Michigan Sovereign Consistory, A. A. S. R .; and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; also Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and he is a member and one of the directors and charter members of the Canopus Club; a member of the Associated Retail Credit Men of Detroit; a member of the Detroit Yacht Club; and a director of the General Discount Com- pany. His elegance of manner, his cordiality of ad- dress and his thorough reliability make for popularity both in social and business circles. Well defined pur- pose has characterized him since he sold newspapers as a lad of twelve, and commendable ambition has guided his course until he is now occupying a place of leadership in mercantile ranks in Detroit. Mr. Grimshaw's residence is at 2963 West Grand boulevard.
ALBERT POCHELON, proprietor of the L. Bemb Floral Company of Detroit, was born in Wuerttemberg, Germany, March 7, 1874, the only child of Anton and Louise (Kenngott) Pochelon. He attended the Real school of his native country, there pursuing a course in modern languages and the sciences and when his education was completed he went into the mountains of Saxony, where he entered the employ of a dress trimming establishment, where laces and other such goods were made, the firm selling to patrons all over the world. Through American buyers Mr. Pochelon heard of the wonders and opportunities of the new world and in 1893, the year of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, he came to the United States with his mother, Mrs. Louise Bemb, who in the mean- time had married again. Mrs. Bemb and the children of her second marriage located in Detroit, but Mr. Pochelon made his way to Chicago and worked in various capacities in connection with the exposition for a year. On the 4th of July, 1894, he made his way to New York and for a time was employed in an architect's office, remaining in the eastern metropolis for a year and a half.
In November, 1895, Mr. Pochelon returned to De- troit and assisted his mother in the conduct of the L. Bemb Floral Company, for in the meantime she had founded the business, opening a florist estab- lishment in the old central market. She conducted
her flower stall there for a few months, but her business grew rapidly, necessitating larger quarters. She then selected a residence at 815 Bates street, which is the site of the present beautiful establishment. .The business seemed to advance almost by leaps and bounds and ere Mrs. Bemb's death it had become one of the largest floral establishments in the state. In 1896 her son, Mr. Pochelon, took charge of the busi- ness, following his mother's demise and he has made for the establishment a reputation that is unexcelled anywhere. In 1913 he erected a four-story building of fireproof construction. The front section includes the main office and sales room with a wonderful conservatory above. The rear section is built to the height of four stories. In the rear of the main floor display room is the garage and the delivery room; on the second floor, overlooking a grand staircase, is Mr. Pochelon's studio. The two floors above are utilized as workrooms and for storage. There are automatically operated elevators running from the basement to the top floor and the building has been constructed in such a way that two more floors can be added at any time. This is one of the most artistic florist establishments in the country today and is the expression of the highly developed and refined taste of Mr. Pochelon, who specializes not only in handling all kinds of cut flowers, but in arranging the floral pieces for every occasion. In this his love of beauty and his artistic nature find expression and whatever he does seems eminently fitting, his work having won the admiration of florists as well as the general public. The methods employed by the L. Bemb Floral Com- pany and many of the designs which they use have been copied by the foremost floral institutions of the country. There is nothing in the way of floral deco- ration that cannot be secured through this establish- ment and by reason of most progressive methods Mr. Pochelon has made the enterprise one of the most important commercial interests of Detroit.
On the 21st of November, 1904, Albert Pochelon was married to Miss Julia Weitzmann, a native of Detroit, and they have become parents of five chil- dren: Albert, Jr., born November 16, 1905; Julius, who was born October 28, 1907; Emma Louise, born August 23, 1908; William, born June 12, 1910; and Norma, born September 16, 1912.
Mr. Pochelon is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club and is also identified with the Board of Commerce and with the real estate board of the city. He belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, to the Turners and to the Detroit Florists Club and is likewise a mem- ber of the Society of American Florists and of the Florists Telegraph Delivery Association, of which he has been the secretary for ten years. This organiza- tion has a membership of more than two thousand throughout the world and insures the prompt delivery of flowers anywhere. Mr. Pochelon has been very active in the development of this association, organiz- ing the Florists of the World from fifty-seven members
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to the strength of two thousand, five hundred members in 1921, with the object: "For better and more efficient floral service to the public as well as from florist to florist." Mr. Pochelon has been secretary of this organization for the past ten years. He is one of the most progressive florists of the country and stands for all that means progress in the trade, improvement in the nature of the service they render patrons and in fact in everything that has to do with the upbuild- ing of the business. A laudable ambition brought him to the new world and continued courage, undaunted purposes and earnestness in his business affairs have carried him steadily forward to a point of leadership in his chosen vocation. Mr. Pochelon resides at 533 East Grand boulevard.
PERRY FIELDS KIMBALL, president and general manager of the Kimball-Eisenberg Company of De- troit is one of the best known men in connection with the wholesale plumbers supply trade in this section of the country. Mr. Kimball's identification with this line of business began as a young man just after leaving school and extends through more than twenty- seven years, and previous to his going into business for himself he was for fifteen years connected with the biggest manufacturing concern in this line in the United States. Mr. Kimball is a man yet in the prime of life, possessing broad vision in business matters, and actuated at all times by laudable ambition and a progressive spirit. He was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1872, and is a son of Henry Clay and Mary (Morden) Kimball. The father was born in the state of New York, while the mother's birth occurred in Canada, whence she removed to Pennsylvania in early girlhood. For a long period the father was engaged in merchandising in Craw- ford county, Pennsylvania, and was successful in his business undertaking. Both he and his wife continued residents of Crawford county until called to their final rest. Their family numbered five children, two of whom are living, the brother being Clyde Kimball, who makes his home in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Kimball obtained his early education in the schools of his native county, and in entering on his business carcer became an employe of the Standard Manufacturing Company in Buffalo, New York. He was advanced from one position to another and dur- ing the seven years he was connected with the Buffalo office be was for some time a traveling representa- tive covering the territory in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. In 1900 the company be- came a part of the consolidation of the porcelain enam- eled ware interests of the United States, known as the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company and in the fall of 1901 Mr. Kimball was called to the general office in Pittsburgh and was made manager of the company's quotation department. This important po- sition he continued to fill until 1908, when he resigned and came to Detroit. In that year he was one of the
organizers of the Kimball-Eisenberg Company, his associate in the business being Edward N. Eisenberg. They established a wholesale business in plumbers, steam, gas, water and mill supplies that has taken a foremost place among Detroit's business houses in that trade. Mr. Kimball is the president and manager of the business and is also a director of the Naco Building Company of Detroit, and is a director and sales manager of the Allen Air-Turbine Ventilator Company.
Mr. Kimball was married to Miss Bertha B. Birch in Erie, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Birch. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having taken the various degress of both the York and Scottish Rites, is a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and Detroit Commandery, No. 1. His interest in community affairs is shown in his con- nection with the Detroit Board of Commerce. That he has appreciation for the social amenities of life is indicated in his membership in the Oakland Hills Country Club, the Noontide Club, the Detroit Auto- mobile Club and the Colonial Club. He has ad- vanced continually in the regard of his fellowmen and in his business career, working his way upward through his own capability and business resources, and his record is that of a self-made man.
CYRIL A. B. MIDWORTH was born in Newark, Notts, England. His father was Rev. Harry Mid- worth and his mother, Elizabeth (Brooks) Midworth. Occupation: Business Executive. Fraternities: De- troit Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M .; Monroe Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .; Monroe Council, R. & S. M .; Detroit Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar; Moslem Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. Clubs: Detroit Yacht Club, Masonic Country Club, Detroit Board of Commerce.
HARLEY GREEN HIGBIE, member of the firm of Keane, Higbie & Company, investment bankers of Detroit and New York, was born in Chicago, Illinois, August 20, 1892, a son of Nathan B. and Corda E. (Terwilliger) Higbie. The father was a native of the state of New York, while the mother was born in Chicago. Nathan B. Higbie has for many years been connected with Swift & Company, becoming one of the officials of that firm. Later he extended his efforts into numerous other fields, becoming prom- inent in business and financial circles of Chicago. His family consists of five children: Geraldine W., the wife of P. B. Palmer, Jr., a clothing manufacturer of Chicago; Carlton M., of the firm of Keane, Higbie & Company of Detroit; Harley G .; Nathan B., Jr., and Willis T.
Harley G. Higbie attended Harvard school and University high school in Chicago and later continued bis education at the University of Wisconsin as a member of the class of 1917. He entered the banking business in Chicago, where he remained until he came
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to Detroit and here has since been connected with Keane, Higbie & Company.
Mr. Higbie entered the army for service in the World war in May, 1917, and was discharged in January, 1919. He held the rank of second lieutenant in the Air Service, U. S. A., serving as a pilot at Gerstner Field, Lake Charles, Louisiana, and at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas. He belongs to the Chi Psi fraternity and is a well known member of the Country Club and the University Club of Detroit.
SIGMUND ROTHSCHILD. Every legitimate and sneeessful business enterprise has contributed to the growth and development of Detroit. Well known as an extensive dealer in leaf tobacco, Sigmund Roths- child ranked with the representative business men of the city. His ability, his innate powers, his en- terprise and laudable ambition were qualities which advanced him from a humble to a prominent position in business circles.
Mr. Rothschild was a native of Germany, his birth having occurred near Frankfort-on-the-Main, July 1, 1837, and he was a lad of but sixteen years when he came to the new world. He was one of a family of five children, whose parents were Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rothschild. The father and mother were also natives of Germany and in that country in his young days the father became an expert judge of horse flesh. His opinion in this connection was so frequently sought that he finally embarked in the business.
It was in 1853 that Sigmund Rothschild bade adieu to his native land and crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He embarked in business in Detroit in 1854, having previously had considerable business exper- ience as an apprentice to the dry goods trade and as a traveling salesmau for a year. He had also spent a year in learning the trade of cigar-making in New York and with his arrival in Detroit he took charge of the cigar stand in the old National hotel, which later became the Russell House. His business enterprise and laudable ambition, however, prompted him to enter larger fields and he established a wholesale tobacco house with his brother, Feist, as a partner. In 1865 they were joined by a third brother, Kaufman S., who passed away in 1905, while the death of Feist Rothschild occurred in 1890. While carrying on the business Sigmund Rothschild attended to the foreign end of the trade, establishing a house in Amsterdam and another in Havana, Cuba. He was a man of sound business judgment and studied closely the conditions of the trade and anything relating to the growth of their business. In fact, he became one of the largest and most daring buyers of leaf tobacco in the world and conceived the idea of buying tobacco directly from the farmers in Cuba. Several times he stayed in the field when other dealers were driven out by yellow fever and he rendered signal service to the Cubans by purchasing their crops which were piled up and spoil- ing. Business demands took him to all parts of this
country and to various other countries on the face of the globe and it is said that he was almost as much at home on the train or on the steamboat as in his own dwelling. A contemporary writer has said of him: "Mr. Rothschild's connection with affairs immediately attendant upon the historic explosion of the battleship ' Maine' should not be permitted to pass unnoticed in this all too brief tribute to his memory, for at the time he showed in a most sig- nificant way how strong was his humanitarian spirit, charity and sympathy. Early in 1898 he when to Cuba to protect as far as possible his plantation interests against the event of any possible war. Weyler, the motorions Spanish officer, had issued orders to the effect that no cameras were to be taken onto the island, but with characteristic daring Mr. Rothschild had carried one along. He arrived in the port of Havana on the night of the 15th of February and was sitting on the deck of his steamer looking at the battleship 'Maine' and viewing with gratification the stars and stripes of his home land, when there occurred the great explosion whose result was the ultimate wiping off of Spanish power on the western hemi- sphere. Mr. Rothschild was one of the first citizens of the United States to render aid to the injured men of the lost ship, working arduously all night in at- tending those who were brought to the vessel on which he was a passenger, supplying funds to secure necessary facilities and comforts for the unfortunate men and even donating his own extra clothing to meet the requirements of the case. In the morning he secured the first photographs taken of the wreck, and later he received letters of thanks from many of the naval officers and other officials who wished to manifest their appreciation of his benefactions and tender and sympathetic ministrations. In his photo- graphs he was able to bring home priceless mementos of the wreck.
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