USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 76
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At the usual time Walter F. Tant entered the public schools, mastering the work of the various grades, and eventually becoming a high school pupil, while later
he attended the Detroit Business University. He started out in the business world as an employe of Wright, Kay & Company, jewelers, with whom he con- tinued until 1910, when he resigned to accept a posi- tion with the Michigan Stamping Company, which at that time was a modest but growing concern. In 1911 the business was incorporated under the present name and Mr. Tant was elected secretary and treasurer. He has continued in this connection and his efficiency, thoroughness and progressiveness, have been potent elements in attaining the success which has made this institution one of the foremost of the kind in the country. The plant now employs seven hundred and fifty people. A new building was erected in 1917. which covers six and a half acres of ground and is equipped in a thoroughly modern way.
On the 15th of July, 1911, Mr. Tant was married to Miss Alice Andrews of Detroit, and they have one child, Alice Elizabeth, who was born in this city in 1913. Mr. Tant is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, the Rotary Club, the Lochmoor Country Club, the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Michigan Manu- facturers Association, and the Episcopal church. His connection with these varied organizations indicates the nature and breadth of his interests and activities. He is neglectful of no duty or obligation that de- volves upon the loyal American citizen, holds to those high moral standings which church teachings inculcate, and holds to the highest ethical standards of commer- cial life, his entire record being an illustration of the fact that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously. Mr. Tant's residence is at 970 Lake Shore road, Grosse Pointe Shores.
HENRY F. KLOCK was one of the old-time cafe men of Detroit. For many years he carried on busi- ness here and was well known to a large number of the leading citizens and politicians of Michigan. A native of the Empire state he was born in Syracuse, May 7, 1837, his parents being Cohen and Marie (Farrington) Klock, whose family numbered eleven children. The father devoted his life to the occupa- tion of farming.
The son attended the public schools of his native state, but when a lad of only twelve years he began to earn his living by working as mule driver on the canal. He was ambitious, however, to improve his education and he used his earnings to pay his way through night school. He continued his work on the Erie canal until the fall of 1868, when he came to Michigan and secured a position as a lumberjack in the pine forests near Saginaw. Thus he was employed until 1873, when he established a cafe business at Sagi- naw, Michigan, there remaining for three years. In 1877 he removed to Detroit, where he opened a cafe and continued in the business until 1911, when he re- tired. It is said that he ever conducted one of the most orderly establishments of the city. He never swore himself nor would he permit any one to do so
WALTER F. TANT
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in his place of business. His place became the head- quarters of many political leaders, especially the fol- lowers of Hazen S. Pingree, the latter being long num- bered among the warm friends of Mr. Klock, as well as many other men in public life.
Mr. Klock was united in marriage August 11, 1876, to Miss Sarah G. Gwynn, a daughter of Joseph Gwynn, a native of Ireland, who crossed the Atlantic and took up his abode in Canada, in which country the birth of Mrs. Klock occurred. By her marriage she became the mother of a son, Benjamin F., born Au- gust 27, 1878, who is engaged in the brokerage busi- ness in Detroit.
Mr. Klock always gave his political allegiance to the republican party and did everything in his power to further its growth and insure its success. He was well known for many years as a lover of fine horses and at one time was the owner of Tootsie D., a fast pacer, and George H. Ray, a fine trotter. These horses he sold to Terry McGovern, who afterward, with George H. Ray, won the championship on the New York city speedway. Mr. Klock was a member of St. John's Episcopal church, of which his wife and son are also communicants. When he passed away on the 4th of April, 1921, his remains were laid to rest in Evergreen cemetery. For almost a half century he had made his home in Detroit, where he was widely known, his friends being many and embracing repre- sentatives of the young and the old, the rich and the poor.
GEORGE R. KELLER, secretary of the Ockford Printing Company, was born September 18, 1886, in the city which is still his home, and is a son of Robert and Sarah Grace (McConville) Keller. After attend- ing the public schools of Detroit and the Detroit Central high school George R. Keller entered busi- ness life as a salesman in the employ of the Robert Keller Ink Company, of which his father was the founder and is still the president. The son continued in the business until 1909, when he become connected with the Ockford Printing Company, engaged in rail- road and commercial printing. He was elected secre- tary of the company and still occupies this position. They employ ninety experienced people and occupy a fireproof building that was erected expressly for the business. In adidtion to his official connection with this business George R. Keller is the secretary of the Robert Keller Ink Company and secretary of the Ock- ford Land Company.
On the 23d of September, 1909, Mr. Keller was mar- ried to Miss Lillian Ockford, daughter of William T. Ockford, the founder of the Ockford Printing Com- pany. He is now deceased. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Keller are two children: Dorothy Grace, who was born December 25, 1911, in this city and is at- tending school; and Mary Virginia, born October 5, 1919. The religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal church. Mr. Keller is a member of Detroit
Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M., Michigan Sovereign Con- sistory and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce, De- troit Automobile Club, Detroit Athletic Club, Oakland Hills Country Club, Detroit Masonic Country Club, De- troit Riding and Hunt Club, the Detroit Real Estate Board, and the Typothetae Franklin Association of Detroit, associations which indicate the nature of his interests and also the line of his activity outside of business. His office is at No. 608 Howard street, while his residence is at No. 2080 Chicago boulevard.
JOHN H. SWIFT. The makers of Detroit history are not alone the pioneers who laid the foundation for her greatness nor the men who have shaped her political development but also the men who have been the promoters of her wonderful industrial growth and progress. In this connection mention should be made of John H. Swift, who is now the secretary of the Morgan & Wright corporation. He was born in Derby, Connecticut, and was educated in the high school of his native town while spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, Robert Z. and Amarilla (Chamberlin) Swift. When his school days were over he took a position with the A. H. Andrews Company of Chicago, manufacturers of bank and office fittings, and was with that concern for six years. He then be- came connected with Morgan & Wright, accepting an office position in 1896. Through the intervening period he has been with this house and has been pro- moted through intermediate positions until in 1912 he was made assistant secretary and treasurer and in 1914 was elected to the secretaryship, in which office he has continued. He is thus active in the manage- ment of one of the largest and most important pro- ductive industries of Detroit, his previous business training and experience well qualifying him for the responsibilities that now devolve upon him.
In 1911 Mr. Swift was married to Miss Elizabeth Van Rensselaer Devendorf, daughter of Dr. Devendorf. He belongs to the Board of Commerce of Detroit and is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution through descent from Revolutionary soldiers on both the paternal and maternal sides.
WILLIAM GEIST. In the passing of William Geist, who died on the 27th of February, 1912, Detroit lost a substantial citizen who had long been well known here as one of the leading undertakers of the city. He was born in this city July 31, 1861, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Geist. The father, who was of German birth, became' one of the pioneers in the under- taking business in Detroit and successfully conducted his establishment for many years. To him and his wife were born seven children, which number included William Geist, who in the public and high schools of Detroit pursued his education and after his textbooks were put aside learned the machinist's trade. He did not believe this offered any great future, however, and
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when a young man twenty-four years of age he turned his attention to the undertaking business, which had long claimed the efforts of his father. William Geist became the senior partner of the firm of Geist Brothers and remained at the head of the business until his death, which occurred February 27, 1912. He kept pace with the advancement continually being made ยท in the undertaking business and utilized the most im- proved and scientific methods in carrying on his work.
On the 10th of March, 1887, Mr. Geist was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Breitmeyer, a daughter of John Breitmeyer, a well known citizen, who was extensively engaged in business as a florist of Detroit. His establishment is still condneted under the firm style of John Breitmeyer & Sons. Mr. and Mrs. Geist became the parents of three children: Viola A., who is the wife of David A. Scully; Arthur W., who is engaged in the undertaking business in Detroit; and Edgar J., who is conducting a brokerage business in this city.
Mr. Geist was well known as an exemplary fol- lower of Masonic teachings. He attained high rank in the order, becoming a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belonged to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Turners and was a member of the Concordia Society and the Harmonie Club. In pol- ities he was a stanch democrat, always giving his sup- port to the party and its principles, yet never seeking nor desiring office as a reward for party fealty. His life was spent in Detroit and that his career demanded the respect and confidence of all who knew him was indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends were those who knew him from his boyhood until his life's labors were ended.
HARRY A. SMITH. Starting out to learn the moulder's trade after completing his high school edu- cation, Harry A. Smith has steadily worked his way upward by reason of the thorough knowledge and efficiency which he has gained in connection with his chosen life work and is today president of the Smith Matthews Foundry Company, engaged in the manu- facture of contractors' specialties. The business is one of substantial proportions and back of its success is the well trained efficiency, thorough knowledge and progressive spirit of the man who is at the head. Mr. Smith is a native son of Detroit. He was born June 12, 1879, his parents being Robert and Agnes (Aber- nathy) Smith. The father was also born and reared in this city, obtained his education in the Detroit schools and was here united in marriage to Miss Agnes Abernathy, a native of Dundee, Canada, who, how- ever, came to Detroit in early girlhood and pursued her education here. The Smith family was founded in Detroit at a very early period in its development by Robert Smith, grandfather of Harry A. Smith, who was one of the pioneer blacksmiths of the city and spent his remaining days here. His son, Robert Smith, Jr., after completing his education learned
the moulder's trade and became a trusted employe of the Michigan Stove Works, with which he remained for a long period. He then entered the employ of the Detroit Dry Dock Engine Works, which later be- came a part of the American Shipbuilding Company, and acted in the capacity of moulder and foreman for some time, while later he served as superintendent with that corporation for thirty years or until he became interested in business with his son, under the name of the Smith Matthews Foundry Company. The father was the president of the concern until his death, which occurred in 1911. His widow survived him for but a few years, passing away in 1916. Their family numbered four children: Arthur T .; Edgar Frank; Stella, the wife of Robert Campan; and Harry A. All are residents of Detroit.
The last named pursued his education in successive grades of the public schools until he left the Central high school to make his initial step in the business world. He learned the moulder's trade under his father's supervision, and having gained thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the work, he remained an employe of the Detroit Shipbuilding Company for twelve years, or until 1910, when he joined his father and Edward H. Matthews in organizing the Smith Matthews Foundry Company, to engage in the manu- facture of grey iron castings and contractors' spe- cialties. His father remained president of the busi- ness until his death, when he was succeeded by Harry A. Smith, who has since continued as president and general manager. The company employs from forty to fifty people throughout the year, in hard times as well as in good, and the business has enjoyed a sub- stantial growth, being one of the reliable enterprises of Detroit.
On the 24th of August, 1903, Mr. Smith was mar- ried to Miss Alma Huebner, a daughter of Gottleib and Pauline Huebner, and they have become parents of two children: Arthur Harry, who is now a pupil in the Eastern high school; and Robert Alexander. The religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal church and in political belief Mr. Smith is a republican. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Ma- sons, belonging to Acacia Lodge, No. 447, F. & A. M .; Palestine Chapter, No. 159, R. A. M .; Michigan Sov- ereign Consistory, thirty-second degree, and is a worthy follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. His life has been that of a thoroughgoing business man, free from spectacular phases, his persistency of purpose and well defined plans constituting the basis of his progress, and throughout his life he has steadily moved forward toward his objective.
EDWARD H. MATTHEWS is the secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Smith Matthews Foundry Company. He was born in Detroit and the attrac- tiveness of the city as a place of residence and as a favorable business location is indicated in the fact that Mr. Matthews and many other of its enterprising
HARRY A. SMITHI
EDWARD H. MATTHEWS
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citizens have remained within its borders, nor have they felt that better advantages could be secured elsewhere. In his boyhood he was a pupil in the Irving school and Central high school and afterward attended the Detroit College of Law, from which he was graduated with the class of 1906. The same year he was admitted to the bar but has never practiced. His knowledge of law has been of great value to him in other connections. He was credit man for A. Harvey's Sons Manufacturing Company for some time and thus received excellent business training, which constituted an initial experience for his present line of work. Eventually he organized the business in which he is now engaged, under the name of the Smith Matthews Foundry Company, of which he has been secretary-treasurer and general manager since its in- corporation in June, 1910. The present company does a great amount of work for builders, and caters espe- cially to the Detroit trade, making it a point to take care of the city trade in every possible way. It manufactures grey iron castings and contractors' specialties and they are the only people in Detroit who make this line. The business has been thor- oughly organized and systematically conducted under the direction of Mr. Matthews, whose thoroughness and efficiency are manifest in every department of the plant.
In 1906 Mr. Matthews was married to Miss Mary Edith Walker of Walkerville, Ontario, and their chil- dren are: Esther Mary and Edward Walker Mat- thews. The religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal church. Mr. Matthews is a member of the Board of Commerce, of the Builders & Traders Exchange, and of the Detroit Credit Men's Associa- tion. He is enterprising, progressive and determined and is classed with the active business men whose records will bear close investigation and scrutiny, and whose success is the legitimate outcome of well directed energy and progressivness, at all times guided by sound judgment.
ALPHONSUS JOSEPH BOUSHY is the vice pres- ident of the Ockford Printing Company, with which he has been identified for more than a quarter of a century. A native son of Detroit, he was born on the 7th of March, 1875, his parents being Alphonsus and Malvina (Morrand) Boushy, both of whom were natives of Quebec. He obtained his education in the public schools of Detroit and also attended St. Ann's parochial school. Leaving school he started out as an employe of the Calvert Lithographing Company of Detroit and in October, 1893, became connected with the Ockford Printing Company in a minor capacity. He worked his way up through the various depart- ments of the printing business and on the 9th of June, 1909, was made vice president of the company, which official connection he has since maintained. The Ockford Printing Company occupies a fireproof build- ing which was erected especially for its extensive busi-
ness. The firm does railroad printing and commercial work of the highest character, while the plant is one of the most modern to be found anywhere. Mr. Boushy is also the vice president of the Ockford Land Com- pany.
On the 18th of December, 1907, in Detroit, Mr. Boushy was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Ockford, daughter of Enos and Margaret Ann Ockford of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Boushy reside at No. 1406 Chicago boulevard.
In his political views Mr. Boushy is a republican. He belongs to the Oakland Hills Country Club, the Detroit Automobile Club, the Detroit Board of Com- merce and the Typothetae Franklin Association.
JOHN C. FROST. Few men attain to positions of leadership, the great majority being followers. In hu- man achievement, however, it is the leader who makes for progress, who organizes and marshals forces to success. To this class belongs John C. Frost, who wields a wide influence in business circles of Detroit, being now president of the Michigan Elevated Rail- way Company. He possesses initiative, combined with marked executive ability, and to him opportunity has spelled success. He was born at Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, where he acquired his education, and follow- ing his graduation from high school he entered the business world as an employe of T. Woodbridge & Company. Later he took up the paint business, of which he gained a thorough knowledge, becoming one. of the best known men in that line of activity in the United States. He was reputed to be the best paint salesman in the country and became the inventor of Frost's flexible mixed paint and fadeless green paint. He established himself in the paint business and subse- quently the Detroit White Lead Works offered him a royalty on his inventions, which he accepted, and the business was taken over by that corporation. He was getting the greater part of the mixed paint business in the United States when The Sherwin-Williams Com- pany bought out the Detroit White Lead Works and terminated his contract. He then became a salesman and was identified with that line of work for five years, or until 1911. Mr. Frost is the author of a book called Modern Paint Science. He devoted much thought and study to this subject, which he thor- oughly mastered, and became recognized as an author- ity on paint throughout the United States. In 1915 he was induced to take up the monorail business, to which he has since devoted his entire time and atten- tion. This system is highly recommended by leading engineers of America as the best solution of the transportation problem for the metropolitan centers of the country. Mr. Frost organized the Michigan Ele- vated Railway Company, of which he is president and general manager, and is now actively engaged in negotiations to place the monorail system in Detroit and other large cities. The monorail is now known as the Detroit Elevated System and the Michigan Ele-
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vated Railway Company owns the exclusive rights under letters patent for the entire United States. It is predicted that this system will prove the logical solution of the traffic congestion not only of the large cities but will eventually revolutionize long distance travel. He possesses the foresight, the self-reliance and the business sagacity necessary to carry on large enterprises and is characterized by his ability to think in large terms and to carry forward his plans to suc- cessful completion. He has ever based his activity in business affairs upon strict integrity and close appli- cation and his name has become a synonym for enter- prise and progressiveness in commercial circles of Detroit.
Mr. Frost was united in marriage to Miss Grace Josephine Furlong and they have become the parents of two children, John Crawford, Jr., and Edna Olive. He is an active and earnest member of the Board of Commerce, whose plans and projects for the develop- ment of the trade interests of the city receive his hearty support, and in religious faith he is an Epis- copalian. He is connected with the Detroit Athletic, Ingleside and Oakland Hills Country Clubs and fra- ternally is identified with the Masons, belonging to Michigan Sovereign Consistory. A constructive policy has been followed by Mr. Frost throughout his busi- ness career. In every sphere of life in which he has acted he has left an indelible impress through his strong mentality, his ability and his tireless energy, which never falls short of the attainment of its pur- pose. He has pushed forward the wheels of progress in Detroit and his contribution to the world's work has been most valuable.
J. LEE GILLESPIE, secretary and treasurer of the American Seed Company of Detroit, is a native Vir- ginian, born September 8, 1861, at Lick Run, Bote- tourt county, and was reared and educated in the south. He is a representative of one of the old families of that state and his parents, William and Mary Magdalene (Nicely) Gillespie, were also natives of Virginia. It was in the year 1881 that J. Lee Gillespie arrived in Detroit, where he entered the employ of the D. M. Ferry Company, with which he remained for twenty years, thoroughly acquainting himself with every phase and detail of the seed busi- ness. In fact he is today prominently known as a seedsman and is one who has done much to develop the trade in this section of the country. On severing his connection with the Ferry Company in 1901 he established a seed business on his own account in a modest way and was later joined by others, so that in 1903 he organized and incorporated the American Seed Company, of which he is the secretary and treasurer. Their present modern business block, corner of Fort and Twenty-first street, was completed in in 1915. Their trade covers all of the United States east of the Mississippi river and they have sixteen thousand customers on their books, besides handling
their own retail stores in this territory. The busi- ness has grown steadily until it is now one of exten- sive proportions and the success of the undertaking is attributable in large measure to the efforts, ability and experience of the founder and promoter, Mr. Gillespie.
Iu 1886 Mr. Gillespie was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth MeKay of Hamilton, Ontario, and they have two children: Orrin W .; and Eileen E., who is now the wife of Waldo Emerson Fellows of Detroit. Orrin W. Gillespie married Vera Van Wagener and they have one daughter, Yvonne. Mr. Gillespie has a summer home at Lake Orion as well as a most attrac- tive residence in Detroit. He is a member of Zion Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., and also of Monroe Chapter, R. A. M., having been identified with the Masonic fraternity for thirty years as one of its exemplary representatives. He is also a member of the Exchange Club and of the Board of Commeerce and throughout the period of his residence in Detroit he has been an active supporter of those measures which have looked to the upbuilding of the city, the extension of its trade relations, the development of its cultural interests and the progress of all those things which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride. He has never sought to figure prominently in public affairs, however, but has concentrated his ef- forts and given his attention to his business interests and his home.
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