USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 69
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HERBERT ALFRED WHEELER, a man of notable artistic taste and ability, has become the recognized authority on decorating and home beautifying in the city of Detroit and his services in connection with the William Wright Company are proving of great value to the firm, which is known throughout the country as high class decorators, drawing its patronage from all sections of the United States. Mr. Wheeler is a native of England and his early education was acquired in that country, after which he took up the study of decorating and home beautifying at South Kensington Schools, in connection with the South Kensington Museum, England. When a young man of seventeen years he came to the United States and has since made many trips back to England and also over Europe for the purpose of collecting an- tiques and perfecting himself in his artistie work. Endowed by nature with notable artistic skill and ability and appreciative of all that is most beautiful in art, he has devoted his entire life to the work of decorating and home beautifying, in which he has attained the highest possible degree of perfection, being the recognized authority on home decorating, furniture and furnishings in Detroit. For five years he has been identified with the William Wright Com- pany of decorators, whose business is conducted in the old residence of Harrington Walker, which has since been enlarged and remodeled. Their studio is one of the most artistically beautiful and interesting places in the city of Detroit, constituting a mag- nificent illustration of the art of decorating. They do all of their own furniture carving, maintaining the most expert force of carvers in the world, and are recognized as the leaders in this line on this side of the Atlantic. They are conducting an extensive busi-
ness, being consulted by people of wealth in all parts of the country in connection with the art of home decoration, and Mr. Wheeler's reputation as an art connoisseur has greatly added to the prestige of the house.
He was united in marriage to Margaret Emerson George of Providence, Rhode Island, and they are well known in social circles of the city. He is iden- tified with the Detroit Athletic Club, the Lochmoor Club, the Old Colony Club, the Oakland Hills Golf Club and the Lotus Club of New York, finding recrea- tion and enjoyment in a game of golf. As a decora- tor he has attained a position of distinction, ranking with the best in the country, and his success is due to inherent talent as well as to the fact that he has con- tinued to follow the line in which as a young man he first engaged, thus acquiring a specialized knowledge of the art of home decorating and beautifying. He is a cultured, refined gentleman of pleasing personality and his many admirable traits of character have gained for him the high regard and esteem of a large circle of friends.
WALLACE GILBERT KAY is the secretary and treasurer of the firm of Kay & Company, Inc., con- ducting an investment banking and corporation se- enrities business. He is one of the more successful of the younger set of financiers in Detroit and, more- over, is well known as a representative of a prom- inent family of this city. He was born in Detroit, July 8, 1883, and is a son of John and Carrie (Gar- lick) Kay and a grandson of John and Margaret (Cavan) Kay, who were natives of Scotland and in 1851 crossed the Atlantic to Canada, taking with them their son, John Kay, who was born in Scotland in 1850. After residing for a time at Paris, Canada, they removed to Galt, where the grandfather of Wallace G. Kay engaged in the jewelry and watch- making business to the time of his death. Ilis widow afterward removed to Detroit, where she passed away. Extended mention of Johu Kay, father of Wallace G. Kay, is found on another page of this work, as he is one of Detroit 's prominent jewelers, known through- ont the country as an expert on diamonds and other precious stones.
In the public schools of Detroit, Wallace Gilbert Kay pursned his edneation, passing through consecu- tive grades to the high school and afterward spending a year and a half in educational institutions of Europe. On his return to this country he entered his father's store and learned the jeweler's trade. Five years later he became a member of the firm of John Kay & Company and at length withdrew from that con- nection to enter into partnership with his brother in the investment bonds and securities business. As the years passed the business assumed such proportions that the brothers decided to incorporate under the style of Kay & Company, Inc., investment bankers, in 1917. They conduct an extensive business in financing
HERBERT A. WHEELER
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and bonding large enterprises and the firm is known in financial eireles throughout the country. Theirs is a close corporation, with J. Wilbur Kay as the president and Wallace G. Kay as the secretary and treasurer. They have manifested the soundest judg- ment in all financial interests and are justly numbered with the foremost financiers of Detroit. Wallace G. Kay is also secretary-treasurer of the Western Knit- ting Mills, Inc., and is interested in a number of concerns.
On the 30th of December, 1912, in Mount Clemens, Michigan, Mr. Kay was married to Miss Ethel Wood- worth McArthur, daughter of Mrs. J. C. McArthur of that place, and granddaughter of General Mc- Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Kay have two daughters, both born in Mt. Clemens: Margaretta Woodworth, born in 1915; and Jean McArthur, born in 1921.
Mr. Kay is the owner of a fine country estate at Grosse Pointe, devoting much time to the place and finding his greatest pleasure in his association with his family. He is a member of the Detroit Automobile Club and the Detroit Stock Exchange.
HARVEY GLEN WILSON. One of the representa- tive automobile dealers of Detroit is Harvey Glen Wilson, distributor of the Auburn line for Michigan, and in the conduct of his business he displays a most progressive spirit in giving to the public adequate service as well as in the sales department. He was born in Flint, Michigan, June 11, 1878, and is a son of Arthur and Eliza (Douchlow) Wilson, who were natives of Ireland and of Canada, respectively. The father was born December 25, 1820, and came to the new world in early youth, becoming an early settler in Genesee county, Michigan, where later he took up the occupation of farming, becoming one of the pros- perous and well known agriculturists of that county, where he is still living. Although now in his one hundred and first year, he retains all of his faculties. His wife passed away in January, 1917. She had reared a family of nine children, five of whom are living, namely: Harvey Glen; and James, Mrs. Lizzie Hubbard, Mrs. Bertha Butcher and Mrs. Mary Good- win, all residents of Flint.
In his boyhood days Harvey G. Wilson attended the country schools of Genesee county, Michigan, and his training and experiences were those of the farm bred boy, who divides his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground aud the work of the farm. He assisted his father until his twenty-third year and then began dealing in horses and cattle. He became a very successful stock buyer and continued in that business until 1913, when he came to Detroit and turned his attention to general building lines. He prospered in his new undertaking, but at the time of America's entrance into the World war was compelled to give up his building operations, as building materials could not be secured. As soon as he could make arrangements he entered the auto-
mobile business, first handling the Saxon Six, when in February, 1920, he became Michigan distributor for the Auburn Beauty Six, as well as the other cars in the Auburn line. The Harvey G. Wilson salesroom and office at 5931 Woodward avenue is one of the at- tractive and commodious headquarters of its kind iu Detroit, where in addition to having a showroom of sufficient floor space to display the complete Auburn line there is also an exchanged car display room forty by two hundred feet. A general garage and repair department is maintained at No. 57 Harper avenue, where is supplied a twenty-four hour service, skilled mechanics being constantly in attendance, and the business has steadily grown.
On the 15th of September, 1901, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss May Belle Parsons of Flint, Michigan, daughter of Charles H. Parsons of Caro, Michigan. They have two children: Howard F., born in Flint February 18, 1903; and Leona R., who was born in Flint in September, 1909. Starting out in life with- out unusual advantages, but possessing industry and determination, Harvey G. Wilson has made steady prog- ress in business, displaying ready adaptability to conditions, and he is now occupying a creditable place in the automobile circles of Detroit. Mr. Wilson's residence at 54 Farrand Park is one of the pleasant homes in the North Woodward section.
BYRON G. MONKMAN, M. D., a prominent member of the medical fraternity of Detroit, is specializing in orthopedic surgery, in which he is a recognized expert, and since 1891 he has followed his profession in this city, having built up an extensive practice along this line. He was born in the city of Toronto, Canada, but when only five years of age was brought to Detroit by his parents, so that practically his entire life has been passed in the United States. He is a son of Elias and Sarah (Gill) Monkman, the former a native of Toronto, Canada, and the latter of Ireland, and in the public schools of Detroit he acquired his early education. He then took up the study of medi- cine, entering the Detroit College of Medicine, and was graduated with the class of 1891. He began the practice of his profession in Detroit and for the past five years has maintained his offices at No. 1633 David Whitney building. He makes a specialty of ortho- pedic surgery and is the only doctor in Detroit whose practice is limited exclusively to treatment of the feet. In this important department of medical prac- tice he covers the field of foot surgery and corrects all deformities of the feet. He also advises as to the proper footwear for ailing feet and performs all necessary surgical operations. He has made a thorough study of the feet and has gained expert ability in this branch of the profession. From 1912 until 1916 Dr. Monkman practiced in Portland and eastern Ore- gon and for some time he was in Umatilla on the United States government's irrigation project for the reclamation of arid lands.
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In 1904 Dr. Monkman was united in marriage to Miss Nelle M. Saner, who is a graduate of the Farrand Training school, maintained in connection with Harper Ilospital. For two terms he has been health officer of the village of Delray and he is identified with the Wayne County Medical Society, the East Side Medical Society of Detroit and Nu Sigma Nu, a college fra- ternity, while the nature of his recreation is indicated in his membership in the Island Golf Club. He has ever been a close and discriminating student of his profession, in which he has attained high standing, and the worth of his work is widely acknowledged.
CHARLES EDWARD PARTRIDGE. The career of Charles Edward Partridge, vice president of the Dime Savings Bank of Detroit, presents a notable example of a self-made man. Starting as a messenger boy in this institution, he has advanced with the growth of of the bank, his faithfulness and ability winning him promotion from one position to another of greater im- portance and responsibility until he now ranks with the leading financiers of the city. His record is a most creditable one and should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do. In thor- oughness and the mastery of every task assigned him lies the secret of his success, for throughout his career he has closely applied himself to the work in hand.
Mr. Partridge was born in Washington, D. C., and when three years of age was brought to Battle Creek, Michigan, by his parents. His father, G. W. Part- ridge, became private secretary to Zach Chandler and for several years was actively identified with him in political affairs. The Partridge family is of Scotch extraction, the original American ancestor having come to this country from Berwick, Scotland, as early as 1645.
In the schools of Battle Creek and Detroit, C. E. Partridge acquired his education, becoming a resident of this city in 1878. He was graduated from the Central high school in 1886 and in the same year en- tered financial circles as messenger boy in the Dime Savings Bank, which was then a small institution, being no larger than one of the present branches of the bank. His ready adaptability and faithful, effi- cient service soon won him merited recognition and he was advanced from one position to another of greater responsibility until he was made assistant cashier, while in 1919 he was elected to the vice presidency. He has advanced with the growth of the institution and has been with the bank longer than any other employe or official, so that the prosperous financial enterprise of today is largely the outgrowth of his indefatigable labor, initiative spirit and enter- prising methods. The complex problems of banking are thoroughly familiar to him, for comprehensive study and broad practical experience have acquainted him with every phase of the business and his powers of organization and executive forec have enabled him
to formulate plans which have resulted in the sub- stantial growth and development of the institution, which now ranks with the leading banks of the city. His labors have ever been of a constructive character and his business activities have at all times bal- anced up with the principles of truth and honor.
In 1902 Mr. Partridge was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Harding of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and they are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. In his political views Mr. Partridge is a republican and in religious faith he is a Presbyterian. He enlisted in the United States navy in the Spanish-American war, as a former member of the Michigan State Naval Brigade. He served on the U. S. S. Yosemite in West Indies waters. He is adjutant of Gilbert Wilkes Company of the Spanish-American war veterans. He is serving as treasurer of Evergreen cemetery and is a member of the Bankers Club, the Detroit Boat Club and the Automobile Club. Industry has been the key which has unlocked for him the portals of success and his career proves that prosperity and an honored name may be won simultaneously. His efforts has also contributed to the development and prosperity of the city and he is recognized as one of the leading financiers and foremost citizens of Detroit. He re- sides at 4080 Vicksburg avenue.
IRVIN HUSTON, the president of the Recreation Company, has shown a spirit of marked initiative, originality and enterprise in the development of what may be well termed the public elnb. The company of which he is the head owns the Recreation building, which is the only one of its kind in the world. Here are furnished all the forms of amusement and all of the comforts of the best organized clubs, and the enterprise is meeting a long-felt need in the field of recreation.
Mr. Huston is a native of Blandinsville, Illinois. He was born September 20, 1882, a son of Theodore and Anna (Burhans) Huston. The father was also a native of Illinois, while the mother was born in the state of New York but pursued her education in Wisconsin, her parents having removed to that state during her girlhood. The father was educated in New York and later in life was appointed American consul to Juarez, Mexico, where he passed away. The mother's death occurred in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in February, 1910, after a number of years' residence in this state. In their family were three children: Roscoe B., who is the secretary of the Recreation Company; Irvin and Corwin, the last named also a resident of Detroit.
With the removal of the family from MeDonough connty, Illinois, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, Irvin Huston pursued his education in the public and high schools of Ann Arbor and in the University of Michigan. Following his graduation he opened a billiard and bowling parlor at Ann Arbor and made this a most successful undertaking. He conducted the business
CHARLES E. PARTRIDGE
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as a gentlemen's club and maintained it as such, catering to the best class of students. Farsighted and sagacious in business affairs, he at length con- ceived the idea of a Recreation building where the tired business man could find time for rest and eu- joyment of clean pleasures. He came to Detroit iu 1914 and in connection with his brother Roscoe or- ganized the Recreation Company. They secured a ninety-nine year lease ou the ground and began the erection of what has since been known to the public as the Recreatiou building, a seven-story fireproof structure devoted to billiards and bowling. There is no establishment equal to it in all the world. No- where under one roof are there assembled so many billiard tables, the company having at present one hundred and forty-two billiard tables, and nowhere else are there so many bowling alleys under a single roof, for those in the Recreation building number eighty-eight, while the plans of the company are to add still more. Moreover, it is planning to erect other stories which will include showers, swimming pools, baths and guest rooms. The Recreation building is a vast publie elub and is the last word in physical elegance and atmospheric gentility. It was erected at a cost of a million and a quarter dollars and pro- vides a place in which over one thousand people can have exercise and entertainment at a single time. The Detroit Times, in commenting on the opening of the Recreation building, said: "This institution, so plainly the result of the promoter's keen discernment looking toward a dry Michigan and a dry Detroit, will cater not only to the entertainment of Detroit men, but will afford a kind of entertainment that will be health-building rather than health-dissipating, and will stand in the community for the building up of our man- hood rather than its tearing down. Games such as billiards and bowling supply healthful and body-build- ing exercise, amusement and diversion, with nothing whatever to be said against them except for their long association with the saloon." Therefore in the Recreation building the Recreation Company has de- veloped an institution in response to the growing demand for a recreation center of the strictest moral tone and environment, whore ladies and gentlemen may participate in their favorite pastimes. Today five thousand League bowlers, ladies and gentlemen, are entertained every week in the Recreation building, and one hundred thousand people, approximately ten thousand women and ninety thousand men, visit the various departments of the building weekly, a large percentage of these being actual patrons. The tem- perature of the building is automatically controlled by thermostats and the atmospheric conditions regu- lated by an elaborate washed air system. It seems that nothing has been forgotten that can add to the comfort, convenience and delight of the patrons, from the well equipped barber shop to the attractive lunch- rooms. As president of the company Mr. Huston is wisely directing the management of this splendid rec-
reational institution and in so doing has builded up an enterprise of which the city has every reason to be proud.
In Macomb, Illinois, on the 3d of July, 1905, Mr. Huston was married to Miss Ruth Lipe, daughter of W. M. Lipe, of that city. He is a Masou and a member of the Christian church. He belongs also to the Uni- versity of Michigan Club, to the Detroit Rotary Club, the Detroit Golf Club and the Detroit Athletic Club. He enjoys nothing better than a game of golf and is frequently seeu on the links of the Detroit Golf Club. Mr. Huston started out in business with a working capital of one thousand dollars and with this start he has built up a business of mammoth proportions aud also maintains his origiual business at Ann Arbor, which he also couducts along successful lines. He is today one of Detroit's well known and progressive business men who, recognizing the truth of the homely old adage that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," has endeavored to introduce into the life of the city clean and wholesome recrea- tion, giving the public a place where such may be obtained without sacrifice of social or moral stand- ards. His residence is at 18914 Parkside avenue.
WESLEY TAYLOR, M. D., engaged in medical prac- tice in Detroit, was born in Wheelersburg, Scioto county, Ohio, December 18, 1876, his parents being Dr. James L. and Melissa (Folsom) Taylor, who are also natives of Scioto county, where they resided until their removal to Detroit. The father practiced his profession in Ohio for many years and was recog- nized as a prominent member of the medical profes- sion. He died in Detroit in 1920. He and his wife were the parents of three children: Kate, who died in Ohio in 1899; Dr. John B. Taylor, who died in De- troit in 1906; and Wesley Taylor of this review.
Following his graduation from the high school of Ann Arbor, Wesley Taylor became a student in the medical department of the University of Michigan and gained his M. D. degree in 1899. He afterward served as an interne in the Lakeside Hospital at Cleveland, Ohio, and subsequently went to Europe, where he did postgraduate work in the Vienna Hos- pital from 1901 until 1902 and later studied under Professor Dejerine in Paris from 1902 until 1904. Re- turning to his native land, he engaged in practice for six years at Atlanta, Georgia, and in 1913 opened an office in Detroit, where he has since built up an extensive practice, specializing in neurology and mental diseases. He became attending neurologist to Harper Hospital and served as professor of neurology and therapeutics in the Atlanta School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He is chief of the neurological staff of the Highland Park Hospital. He belongs to the American Medical Association, the Michigan State Medical Society, the Wayne County Medical Society, the Detroit Medical Society, the Detroit Neurological Society and is a member of the staff of the Michigan
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State Hospital school. He likewise belongs to the Phi Rho Sigma, a college fraternity.
On the 22d of December, 1917, Dr. Taylor was mar- ried to Miss Catherine Bosson of Indianapolis, In- diana, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Bosson, the former a prominent representative of the Indianapolis bar. Dr. Taylor belongs to the Ingleside Club and also to the Detroit Athletic Club and he has other social relations of an attractive character. He is a member of the Methodist church and his life has ever been guided by high and honorable purposes and principles. His course has been characterized by a conseentive progress that has made him well known in Detroit and his work is at once a eredit and a stim- ulus to the profession, his opinions being largely ae- eepted as authority by representatives of the medieal fraternity.
THERON CANFIELD RICE-WRAY, a man of ex- ceptional business ability who has beeome recognized as one of the most sneeessful salesmen in the United States, occupies a prominent place in commercial eir- eles of Detroit as agency manager for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, and his influenee is one of widening activity in the field in which he is operating. He was born on a farm in Moniteau county, Missouri, and completed his high school course at St. Louis, that state. In that city he started in the publishing business, with which he was connected for three years, afterward being sent to Baltimore, Maryland, as manager for Ferd P. Kaiser, publisher, being at that time but eighteen years of age. He next went to Washington, D. C., as a member of the sales force of the Chamberlain Metal Weather Strip Company and was very successful in this line of work, purchasing after a time the patent rights for the metal weather strip in five counties of New Jersey and establishing an office in Newark, that state. He conducted his interests under the style of the T. C. Riee-Wray Company and in addition to the weather strip handled other building specialties, developing a good trade in that connection. At the end of seven years he disposed of his interests in Newark and ae- eepted the position of sales manager for the Hern- sheim Company, Ltd., of New Orleans, Louisiana, which is controlled by the American Cigar interests. For two years he continued to aet in that eapaeity, resigning his position while in Los Angeles, Califor- nia, on a western trip for the firm. He next became assistant manager at the home office in Los Angeles of the Paeifie Mutual Life Insurance Company, with which he was connected for two years. He then eame to Detroit as manager of the accident and health de- partment of that company, of which he had charge for four years, when he sold his business with that firm and became ageney manager at Detroit for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, which position he is now filling. He is a man of marked enterprise, energy and determination,
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