USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 68
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The last named, the youngest of the four surviving members of the family, attended school in Minne- sota and in Detroit, passed through consecutive grades to the high school and afterward became a student in the Detroit Business University, from which he was graduated in 1886. Starting out in the business world, he became identified with mercantile interests at the old Nos. 174 and 176 Woodward avenue, where he was a partner for five years in a store conducted under the firm name of P. A. Billings & Company, dealers in mantels, grates, gas and electric fixtures, also electrical supplies, and which, for many years, was the most important business in this line between New York and Chicago.
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Mr. Welch turned his attention to the real estate business in 1892 and through the subsequent period of twenty-eight years has been one of the most con- sistent and persistent developers of Detroit real estate and surrounding property. He condnets his interests under the name of the John M. Welch Realty Com- pany, but is sole proprietor. In the last few years he has subdivided Seminole Heights, containing one thonsand lots, size fifty by one hundred and twenty- five feet cach, on both sides of Grand River avenue near the town of Redford, and has promoted all the improvements there. He also subdivided Liberty Heights, located on the Seven-Mile drive and con- taining five hundred lots each, fifty by one hundred and twenty-five feet, of which he is sole owner. He subdivided the Murray Hill allotment on Greenview avenue, and was sole owner there of one hundred and fifty lots which are each one hundred and twenty by one hundred and sixty feet in size. His Empire Heights property, located at Ecorse, on State street, contains three hundred lots, each thirty by one hun- dred and ten feet, and he is part owner of the Em- mons Orchard subdivision of twenty-five hundred lots, each forty by one hundred and thirty feet.
In developing these subdivisions all modern im- provements have been added, including electric lights, gas, sewerage and all things which add to the value of property in the residential districts. These subdivi- sions have sold rapidly and, in addition to those al- ready mentioned, Mr. Weleh has fifty lots, averaging two hundred and forty by one hundred and sixty feet, at Nursery Park, West Fort and Enreka avenue. Many other properties are listed among Mr. Welch's pos- sessions.
On the 16th of September, 1890, in Detroit, Mr. Welch was married to Miss Elizabeth B. Kean, dangh- ter of Thomas G. and Ellen E. Kean of this eity. They have four children: John M., born in Detroit in 1894 and a gradnate of the high schools of the city, is now in business with his father. He married Miss Marion Boynton, of Detroit, and they have two chil- dren, Mary Jane and John M. (II1); Harold A., born in Detroit in 1896 and a high school gradnate, en- listed in the navy radio service during the World war and is now in business with his father; Raymond A., born in Detroit in 1899, also attended high sehool, and like his brothers, is associated with his father in the real estate business; Helen Elizabeth was born at Detroit in 1900, and on September 24, 1921, married Morgan J. Sullivan of Detroit.
The religions faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Welch is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He belongs to the De- troit Automobile Association, the Grosse Ile Country Club and the Island Golf Association, connections which indicate the nature of his interests and reerea- tion. His political allegianee is given to the repub- lican party and while he has never been an office seeker, he is a member of the Board of Commerce, is
intensely interested in the welfare of the city and co- operates heartily in all organized movements for the benefit of Detroit and the upholding of its eivic standards. Mr. Welch's residenes is at No. 109 Vir- ginia Park.
ARTHUR F. FEHN, president of the Detroit Blne Print & Supply Company, has proved himself capable, progressive and farsighted. Dealing in drafting-room supplies, he has kept his business abreast of the fast growing automobile and manufacturing industry of Detroit.
He was born in Chicago in 1881, a son of John and Margaret (Sauerman) Fehn, natives of Germany, but pioneers of the western metropolis since 1858.
He received his education in the public schools of that city, together with a practical course in the Chi- eago Mannal Training school. Very soon after finish- ing his schooling he entered his present line of work and has stayed with it. His practical experience, before engaging in business for himself in Detroit, was gained from eleven years connection with the two largest drawing material eoneerns in the conntry, Kenffel & Esser Company of New York, and Eugene Dietzgen Company of Chicago.
In 1905 he married Miss Emma Feltes of Chicago. A son, John, was born to them in Seattle, where Mr. Fehn represented the interests of Kenffel & Esser Company for four years.
While on a visit to Detroit, Mr. Fehn noticed that drawing materials were handled as a side line bv stationery stores and realized that an establishment specializing in this line exelnsively, must surely pros- per. In 1910 he located in the then fast growing city and started snch a business. His firm leads in this line, with a business of many thonsands of dollars annually. Mr. Fehn's experience and foresight have been backed by a broad-minded spirit of fair dealing.
Mr. Fehn is not a member of any religions or fra- ternal organizations, but belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerec and the Detroit Automobile Club and enters into all publie-spirited movements wholeheart- edly.
STUART ALEXANDER FRASER, who sinee June, 1911, has figured aetively in insurance eireles of De- troit, was born in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada, Febru- ary 24, 1872. He spent his youthful days in the home of his parents, Alexander and Mary Mead (Tor- rance) Fraser. His father having died, the family re- moved to Detroit in May, 1883. Here he completed his edneation, pursning his studies in the public schools of both Cobourg and Detroit. Starting out in his business career he became connected with the firm of Stanley B. Smith & Company, coal dealers of Detroit, with whom he remained for sixteen years. He next became manager for A. Y. Malcolmson, a coal dealer, and the successive steps in his business career
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brought him to the position of assistant cashier of the Citizens Savings Bank, from which he resigned in April, 1907. In June, 1907, he established a wholesale coal business, which he continued until 1911, when he embarked in the general insurance business. He has made steady progress in this field and during the ten years of his connection therewith has developed a large clientele and is now at the head of a prosperous business.
On the 25th of October, 1898, Mr. Fraser was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Agnes Noble of Detroit. Mrs. Fraser died April 17, 1916, leaving four children: Stuart A., Jr., born October 9, 1899; Charles Noble, born May 31, 1901; Mary Frances; and Donald Tor- rance, born April 6, 1916. All were born in Detroit. Mr. Fraser gives his political allegiance to the re- publican party but does not consider himself bound by party ties, neither does he hesitate to cast an independent ballot if his judgment so dictates. He belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and is interested in all that has to do with the welfare and progress of the city. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, and he is also an exemplary representative of Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M., while in club circles he is well known as a member of the Detroit, Detroit Athletic, Indian Village, Country and Detroit Boat Clubs. He enjoys boating, golf and field sports, but allows no outside affairs to interfere with his business interests and his obligations of that character. His entire course has been marked by a steady progress that indicates the wise utilization of his time, talents and opportunities.
MAJOR GEORGE H. PENNIMAN, deceased, who for many years ranked with Detroit's brilliant attor- neys, was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, April 11, 1833. His father was a tanner by trade but he expe- rienced financial reverses during the early youth of his son George and the latter, with an elder brother, was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade. He did not find the pursuit congenial, however, and ran away, making his way to New Jersey, where he taught school and also studied music. Later he traveled south but after reaching New Orleans retraced his steps north- ward as far as St. Louis and there worked at the shoemaking trade, with which he had become familiar in early life.
Major Penniman arrived in Michigan in 1853, when he paid a visit to a distant relative at Plymouth. Pleased with the state and the business conditions and opportunities here, he continued to work at his trade at Plymouth and took up the study of law at the same time, devoting his leisure hours to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence. After a year he removed to Detroit, having a cash capital of but one hundred dollars when he arrived in this city. Here he entered the law office of Robert P. Toms with whom he studied until 1856, when he was admitted to the bar and at once entered upon the active practice of
his profession. Advancement in the law is proverb- ially slow, but he soon demonstrated his ability to handle involved and intricate legal problems and gradually his clientage grew. In 1860 he was married and went to St. Louis with the purpose of opening an office there, but the growth of the war feeling caused him to return to Michigan and he settled at Marshall. There with the outbreak of hostilities be- tween the north and the south he enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Michigan Infantry and wou distinction in his service for the Union, especially at Nashville and at Kingston. Within eight months he had been promoted through successive positions to the rank of major. At length he suffered a severe wound in the spine through a shell fragment and this was a con- tributory source to the illness which came upon him later in life and eventually caused his death.
After the war Major Penniman was appointed judge advocate of the Freedmen's Bureau at Raleigh, North Carolina, with the rank of lieutenant colonel, and he was granted a life pension in recognition of the in- juries he had sustained in the service of his country. In 1866 he returned to Detroit, where he resumed the practice of his profession, in which he continued until ill health came upon him in 1885 and he entered upon a constant fight for life. He succumbed to the grim reaper September 21, 1896. In his profession he had been recognized as one of the brilliant attorneys of Detroit. He possessed marked oratorical and dramatic ability, which he used with splendid effect in pre- senting his cause before the court. He possessed a commanding presence, a splendid voice and was a strenuous fighter, although uniformly courteons to his opponents and at all times ethical in his profession. In criminal cases he won a notable reputation and he never lost but one case of this nature-the celebrated Stevens case. He was the successful attorney in many cases, known to the public as Hugh Peoples, Dr. Hollywood, Dr. Cox, "Mother" Curtis, Ferguson and James Cumerford cases. He seemed ready at all times to meet every statement of the opposing counsel and his deductions were always clear, logical and con- vincing.
It was in 1860 that Major Penniman wedded Miss Julia Johnson of Royal Oak, Michigan, a woman of much ability and literary talent. She contributed to the press frequently under the nom de plume of Irene Ironmonger. She passed away in 1887, leaving four children: Mrs. Pauline Paulus, Mrs. Georgia New- man, Mrs. Herman F. Schneider and Thomas P., the last named a worthy successor to his father in the practice of law and now assistant corporation counsel of Detroit.
JOHN W. WATLING, of Watling, Lerchen & Com- pany, investment bankers of Detroit, was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, June 17, 1883, a son of John A. and Eunice (Wright) Watling, the former a native of Illinois, while the latter was born in the state of New
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York. Both became residents of Michigan in early life and the father was a well known dentist who be- came the founder of the dental college of the Uni- versity of Michigan and was a member of the faculty for many years. He passed away in Washington, D. C., in January, 1919. The mother still resides in the national capital.
John W. Watling, their only son, was a pupil in the public and high schools of Ypsilanti and afterward entered the literary department of the University of Michigan, being there graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1904. He then went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he entered the investment bank- ing business in the employ of others, and later he was in the same line of business in Chicago. Event- ually he came to Detroit and established the present business, which in 1915 was incorporated under the name of Watling, Lerchen & Company. They are conducting a very successful business in investment securities and municipal bonds and are prominently known as investment bankers of Detroit.
On the 3d of October, 1906, Mr. Watling was married to Miss Sallie Rice of Detroit, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Rice, and they have become the parents of three sons: John W., who was born in Detroit and is now attending school at Birmingham; and Palmer and William B., who were also born in Detroit and are in school.
Mr. Watling gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He belongs to the Detroit Club, to the University Club of Detroit, the Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit Boat Club and the Bloomfield Hills Country Club.
WALTER HUGH WITT is one of the well known attorneys of Detroit and in addition to caring for a large and representative practice occupies a prominent place in business circles of the city as president of the Inter-State Finance Corporation, of which he was the organizer. He has also taken an active part in public affairs, discharging his duties with faith- fulness and efficiency. Mr. Witt was born in Almont, Michigan, February 19, 1876, a son of Arthur and Belle (Donaldson) Witt, the former a native of Eng- land and the latter of Canada. As a young man the father emigrated to Canada, where his marriage oc- curred, and in the carly '50s he crossed the border into the United States, taking up his residence at Al- mont, Michigan, where he subsequently engaged in the manufacture of shoes, harness and leather goods of various kinds. He passed away at Almont, but the mother survives and still makes her home at that place. They reared a family of twelve children.
Mr. Witt acquired his education in the graded and high schools of Almont and following his grad- uation in 1893 started out in life for himself. For four years he engaged in teaching school in order to secure the means to pursue his law course and thus displayed the clemental strength of his character,
working at various occupations until he had accumu- lated sufficient funds to cover the expense of a col- lege course. He then entered the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he was grad- uated in 1900, and at once entered upon the active work of the profession, opening an office at Marlette, Michigan, where he remained for one and a half years. He then removed to Brown City, Michigan, where he continued iu practice for fifteen and a half years, winning a substantial measure of success, and during that period he filled many position of public trust, serving for four years as postmaster, later as circuit court commissioner, and for two terms was president of the school board. He made a most creditable record as a publie official, distinguished by strict integrity and the utmost devotion to duty. He remained a resi- dent of Brown City until 1918, when he came to Detroit and has continued to practice his profession in this city. He has also become well known as a capable business man, organizing the Inter-State Finance Corporation for the financing of corporate en- terprises and the placing of investments, and has since been president of this company, in which connection he has built up a most successful business. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Inyo Chemical Com- pany of Bigpine, California, manufacturers of chem- icals and potash, and in the conduct of his business affairs he displays marked executive ability, energy and enterprise. He is regarded as an able advocate and safe counselor and has built up a large clientele, having been intrusted with much important litiga- tion. He is well informed in all branches of the law and his ability is manifest in the logic of his deductions and the clearness of his reasoning.
On the 25th of November, 1903, Mr. Witt was united in marriage to Miss Delia Mathews, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William L. Mathews of Marlette, Mich- igan. Five children have been born to this union: Kathro Louise; Isabel Mae; Walter Harlan, who was born November 20, 1913, and passed away February 19, 1918, in Brown City; and Barbara and Dorothy, twins. All were born in Brown City.
In his political views Mr. Witt is a republican, stanchly supporting the principles and candidates of the party, and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is an active and earnest member of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce, whose plans and projects for the expansion of the trade in- terests of the city receive his hearty support. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protec- tive Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons, holding membership in the Royal Arch Chapter of the last named organization. Mr. Witt is a man of determined purpose, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes, for he possesses the resolute spirit and energy which enables him to overcome all difficulties and ob- stacles in his path. His present success is attributa- ble entirely to his own efforts and his record should
WALTER H. WITT
Vol. IV-38
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serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do. Mr. Witt resides at 110 Josephine avenue.
EDWARD N. BARNARD, who has the distinction of being one of the youngest students ever graduated from the high school of Grand Rapids and also one of the youngest graduates of the law department of the University of Michigan, is now a successful member of the Detroit bar. He was born in Grand Rapids, July 13, 1885, and is a son of Bertram W. and Mary Jane (Higginbotham) Barnard, who are natives of Boston, Massachusetts, and in early life came to Michigan. The father entered the building business and became one of the most extensive builders of Grand Rapids, where he is still very active along that line. The mother is also living. In their family were five children: Jennie M., the wife of Robert T. Blake, who is master mechanic with the Northern Pacific Railroad at Farwell, North Dakota; Ethel, the wife of Willard Conger, living at San Bernardino, Cali- fornia; Bertram J., who is with the Central Michigan Paper Company at Grand Rapids; Edward N., of this review; and Mrs. Floyd G. White of Los Angeles, California.
Edward N. Barnard was reared in Grand Rapids and became a pupil in the public schools of that city, completing his course as previously mentioned, after which he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was graduated with honors as a member of the class of 1905, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. He did not receive his diploma for some time thereafter on account of being under age. He entered upon the practice of his pro- fession in his native city and remained there until 1917, when he sought the broader field offered in Detroit, since which time he has gained a large client- age here that has connected him with much important litigation. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Kent county, Michigan, for the term of 1915 and 1916, during which period some of the most note- worthy and important cases ever tried in the district were vigorously prosecuted by him. It is said that he tried more murder cases during his term than any other prosecuting attorney in Michigan during the same length of time and enjoys the unusual record of never having lost a murder case during that time.
Since his removal to Detroit, Mr. Barnard's pro- fessional services have been constantly in demand and he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice as well as making a notable name and place for him- self in legal circles. He was a candidate for pros- ecuting attorney of Wayne county in 1920 and more recently was the attorney for the defense in the now famous trial of Michael and Morris Greeson. A pro- found, astute and versatile lawyer, Mr. Barnard's career, before attaining middle age, has been one of conspicuous brilliancy and ranks him among the highly successful members of the Detroit bar.
An ardent republican, since becoming a voter he has taken a most active part in political affairs. His first important political speech was delivered before the Grand Rapids Republican Club in the Roosevelt campaign and since that time he has been heard on many occasions in all subsequent campaigns. A force- ful and entertaining talker, with a pleasing personality and ability to hold the attention of his audience, his work on the stump has been of distinct value to the party.
A. MACOMB CAMPAU. The name of Campau is inseparably interwoven with the history of Detroit and one of the prominent representatives of the family in the city was Alex M. Campau, who founded the A. M. Campau Realty Company, of which his grand- son, A. Macomb Campau, is now secretary and treas- urer. Mr. Campan comes of honorable and dis- tinguished ancestry in both the paternal and maternal lines, the name of Macomb having been perpetuated in the family for more than a century. He was born in this city, a son of George T. and Mary Livingston (Woolsey) Campau, the former of whom died at the early age of thirty-one. The mother survives. She is a direct descendant of Chancellor Livingston and one of her ancestors was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Her father, Commodore Melancthon Brooks Woolsey, was a son of Commodore Melanethon Taylor Woolsey of the United States navy.
In the acquirement of an education Mr. Campau attended Howe school at Howe, Indiana, and after- ward pursued a literary course in the University of Michigan, with the class of 1897. His initial business experience was obtained in connection with the lumber industry, with which he was identified for four years, and he then turned his attention to life insurance, in which he continued active for a similar period. He was afterward interested in various lines of ac- tivity, among them the manufacture of marine motors, being secretary and treasurer of a company organized for that purpose. Finally he concentrated his attention upon the real estate business and is now secretary and treasurer of the A. M. Campau Realty Company. They handle the large holdings of Mr. Campau's grand- father, Alex M. Campau, and are engaged in selling off the vacant property and investing the proceeds in improved realty, conducting their operations on an extensive scale. Mr. Alex M. Campau incorporated his estate and in addition to the subject of this re- view the other officers of the corporation are: Char- lotte Campau Copland, president; and M. Woolsey Campau, vice president. The company also deals in fire insurance and both branches of the business are proving profitable.
Mr. Campau was united in marriage, in 1913, to Miss Nettie Humrichouse, who was formerly a resident of the state of Maryland, and April 25, 1921, they became the parents of a daughter, Elizabeth Annette. Mr. Campau is a veteran of the Spanish-American
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war, having enlisted in the navy for the duration of the war, and was a fellow seaman of the present secretary of the navy, Edwin Denby, on board the U. S. S. Yosemite. Mr. Campan also served for twenty- one months during the World war as a lieutenant, junior grade, in the pay corps of the navy, being sta- tioned at Detroit as pay and supply officer for naval activities at this point. He is an active member of the Board of Commerce and is also a member of the Detroit Real Estate Board, and the University Club, the Indian Village Club and the Detroit Boat Club. His grandfather, Alex M. Campau, was one of the founders of the Detroit Boat Club. He is a gentleman who has read broadly and thinks deeply and is classed with the substantial business men and highly re- spected residents of the city. By inheritance he bears a name that has for two centuries been an honored one in connection with the pioneer development and later progress of Detroit and he is actuated by the spirit of advancement and enterprise which dominated his forebears and which has been a most effective force in the upbuilding of the city. His residence is at 1038 Seyburn avenne.
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