The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 87

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

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 87

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In March, 1889, Mr. Palmer was tendered the post of minister to the court of Spain, a post of great interest and importance. He accepted and remained at Madrid thirteen months, when he resigned and re- turned to his home in Detroit. In June, 1890, Presi- dent Harrison appointed him one of the commissioners at large to the World's Columbian Exposition, and he was later unanimously elected president of the com- mission.

Citizens of Michigan may well be proud of this finan- cier and statesman, who continually subordinated his personal ambition to the public good and who always sought rather the benefit of others than the aggran- dizement of self. Endowed by nature with high intel- lectual qualities, to which were added the embellish- ments of culture, his was a most attractive and inter- esting personality. As a man of affairs all his dealings were characterized by fair and straightforward meth- ods. As a public speaker his convincing eloquence was tested on many occasions of his long career.

On the 16th of October, 1855, Senator Palmer mar- ried Miss Elizabeth P. Merril. She was born in Port- land, Maine, and was reared in Michigan, being a daughter of the late Charles Merril, the well known lumberman previously mentioned. A woman of rare

charm and accomplishments, Mrs. Palmer has been an esteemed leader in many social circles. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer had no children.

As a citizen of Detroit, Senator Palmer was instru- mental in the erection of a soldiers' monument in the city, and it was largely through his influence that the fine memorial on Campus Martius was erected. He was one of the founders and the first president of the Detroit Museum of Art, an institution that has since had an important influence on the esthetic cul- ture of the city. To this institution he contributed sixteen thousand dollars. As a token of his venera- tion for his mother, he built the Mary W. Palmer Memorial church, Methodist Episcopal, in Detroit. Mr. Palmer passed away June 1, 1913.

Two and one half miles from the city of Detroit, on its chief thoroughfare, is the famous Palmer Park, with its world-renowned log cabin. The park was originally a part of the Palmer farm of six hundred acres, and was a gift from Mr. Palmer to the citizens of Detroit. Experts have pronounced the Witherell Woods, a part of the park, to be the finest in the world. This park is but one of the many gifts which endeared Senator Palmer not only to the people of his own city, but to those of this state and country.

GUSTAV A. LINDKE, president and manager of the Lindke Shoe Company, has the unusual record of having been connected throughout almost the entire period of his business career with the enterprise of which he is now the head. He was born in Casco, St. Clair county, Michigan, July 4, 1876, and is a son of Christian and Wilhelmina (Mackelburg) Lindke. The public schools of his native town afforded him his educational opportunities and when a youth of thir- teen years he sought employment in order to provide for his own support. He entered the employ of the firm of Valpey & Company and thus received his early commercial training along the line in which he is now engaged. In 1892 he established business on his own account under the name of the Triangle Shoe Company on Grand River avenue and ten years later, or in June, 1902, he bought out Valpey & Company and conducted his business for a further decade under the name of the Valpey Shoe Company, Ltd. In 1912 he incorporated his interests under the style of the Lindke Shoe Company, of which he has since been the president and manager. Through the intervening period the business has steadily grown and developed until he has now a large and profitable trade that is most gratifying. As the years have passed he has made heavy investments in Detroit real estate. Mr. Lindke owns a very valuable property at Woodward avenue and Peterboro which contains nine stores and a hotel building. He is also extensively inter- ested in subdivision property at Grand River and the Seven Mile Road.

On the 20th of February, 1901, Mr. Lindke was married to Miss Anna Staynor of Chicago. Mr. Lindke

GUSTAV A. LINDKE

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is also identified with the Young Men's Christian Association. He belongs to the Detroit Board of Com- merce, which indicates his interest in the public welfare, and he has membership in the Exchange, De- troit Athletic and Red Run Golf Clubs. Ifis career illustrates what can be accomplished through individ- ual effort, for without assistance at the beginning of his career Mr. Lindke has worked his way steadily upward, his industry, determination and capable man- agement constituting the foundation upon which he has built his success.

GEORGE JOSEPH HAAS, prominently identified with public affairs in the village of Hamtramck, where he served as president for several terms, and also well known as an architect of wide experience and pronounced ability, was born in Detroit, August 25, 1889, his parents being Ernest and Mary (Louzon) Haas, the former born in the state of New York, while the latter was born in Canada. They came to Mich- igan in early life and the father was for many years engaged in cigar manufacturing but has retired from business. He and his wife make their home in Ham- tramck, which is now practically a part of Detroit. They have reared a family of eight children: Isabella, Florence, Evelyn and Fred, all in Hamtramck; Ernest, who is a member of the United States navy; Oscar and William, also in Hamtramck; and George J., of this review.

The last named attended the Berry public school of Detroit and also the Eastern high school, and when he had completed his course he entered the office of the J. L. Hudson Company as office boy. Later he became connected with the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company in a clerical capacity, and mentally review- ing the broad field of business, at length deter- mined to take up the profession of architecture. Ac- cordingly he became an apprentice in the office of Harry C. Stevens, a prominent architect of Detroit, starting in the draughting department. He paid the strictest attention to every phase of the business, which he mastered in principle and detail. Gradually, by working nights and developing his powers through practical experience and broad study, he won promo- tion to a commanding position in prominent architec- tural firms of the city. He was employed for a time by Joseph E. Mills, also by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, Harry J. Rile and others. By the time he reached the age of twenty-three years he felt justified in estab- lishing business on his own account and became one of Detroit's youngest architects. Since that time the recognition of his ability has won him a liberal pat- ronage, leading to the erection of many prominent structures in the city that stand as a monument to his ability for creative design. He was the architect of the beautiful city hall at Hamtramck and also the city hall of River Rouge and Grosse Pointe. He has made the plans and supervised the erection of many of the fine apartment buildings, schools, publie works,

beautiful homes, also churches and other structures for public use. Aside from his business of this char- acter he is vice president of the Peoples National Bank of Hamtramck.

On the 25th of August, 1910, Mr. Haas was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Taylor, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Taylor, and they have two children: Grace Elizabeth born in Detroit in 1912; and George Kenneth, born in Hamtramck in Novem- ber, 1914.

In public affairs of the village Mr. Haas has been a most prominent factor. He was elected mayor in March, 1919, and discharged the duties of the office with such capability and fidelity that he was re- elected in March, 1920, for a second term. He is also senior justice of the peace of the village of Hamtramck. He is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Friendship Lodge, No. 417, A. F. & A. M., while in the Michigan Sovereign Consistory he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine and is a life member of the Masonic Country Club. He likewise has membership with the Loyal Order of Moose and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He belongs to the Fellowcraft Athletic Club, to the Caravan Club, to the Detroit Automobile Club, to the Men's Athletic Club of Hamtramck and to the Hamtramck Board of Commerce. He is like- wise identified with the N. A. A. C. P., a national organization, the American Institute of Architects and the Michigan Society of Architects. His political en- dorsement has always been given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Grace Reformed church. His life has ever been actuated by high and honorable principles and permeated by worthy motives which have found their expression in many activities for the public good as well as for the ad- vancement of his individual fortunes.

HENRY B. JEWELL has for more than four dec- ades been a resident of Michigan, where he is well known as the sales manager for the Scripps-Booth Cor- poration. He was born in Akron, New York, March 12, 1876, his parents being George A. and Alice (Ains- worth) Jewell, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. They left New York, however, in 1876 and removed to Michigan, settling on a farm in Macomb county, where the father concentrated his efforts and attention upon the development and im- provement of his land. The old homestead property is now in his possession.

Henry B. Jewell was an infant when the family came to Michigan, and took up their abode on a farm in Macomb county. He was reared in the usual man- ner of the farm bred boy and when not busy with the work of the fields he attended the country school, thus pursuing his education. At length, however, he left the farm and turned his attention to the automobile business in Detroit. He was with the Oakland inter-

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ests for six months and later spent five years in connection with the Overland people as a salesman. He then joined the Scripps-Booth Corporation in 1917 as a salesman and such was his business ability that he was promoted to the position of manager of their sales department at 8231 Woodward avenue, on the 1st of January, 1920. He is not only a superior salesman but also a strong executive.

Mr. Jewell was uuited in marriage to Miss Jessie Lewis and to them has been born a daughter, Elma. Mr. Jewell belongs to Ashlar Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M. and also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Board of Commerce. His success may be attributed to hard work, earnestness of purpose and intelligence manifest in all that he has undertaken. The sales of the Scripps-Booth Corporation have taken on a new impetus under his direction and he has con- tributed to the success of every concern with which he has at any time been associated during his active business career. He is well known in this section of the state where practically his entire life has been passed and his own progress should serve as an im- petus and encouragement to others.

HENRY J. PARKER, one of Detroit's well known business men in real estate and insurance circles, is the senior partner of Parker, Schunk & Fry, a firm doing an extensive general real estate and general insurance business in this city. Henry J. Parker was born on a farm in Redford township, Wayne county, Michigan, September 24, 1867, a son of Calvin Parker, whose birth occurred in Farmington, Mich- igan, while the father of Calvin Parker, John Parker, was born in the state of New York, as was his father before him. Throughout his life Calvin Parker fol- lowed the occupation of farming and was a man thor- oughly upright and reliable, who at all times did his full duty in every position which he filled. He was married in Redford, Michigan, to Miss Sarah Fidelia Smith, who came of direct Mayflower descent. Both have passed away.

Henry J. Parker obtained his education in the country schools of Wayne county, Michigan, and in attendance at night schools in Detroit. In the interval between his early educational training and his study in the Detroit night schools he was on the Great Lakes for five years, beginning at the age of fifteen years. Soon afterward he was married and located in Detroit, where he became an employe of the Fort Wayne & Belle Isle Street Railway Company, first as a driver and later as a conductor. He continued in the latter position until 1892, when he received an appointment on the police force of Detroit and so served until 1906, during which time he won promotion to the rank of sergeant, which he was holding when he retired from the force. He was one of the first of the mounted police of the city and did splendid work in that connection. When Mr. Parker left public office he turned his attention to the real estate busi-

ness and a short time later, or in 1908, in company with John M. Schunk and Fred A. Fry, he organized the firm of Parker, Schunk & Fry to conduct a gen- eral real estate business. The business of the firm was soon afterward enlarged so as to include general insurance, which branch of the business has been added to in the meantime until it now includes prac- tically every form of underwriting except life in- surance. In the management of its rapidly growing business, the firm has won a large and desirable clientage and maintains a position of high standing in realty and insurance circles. Its personnel was unchanged until 1917, when Mr. Fry withdrew. The firm style, however, remains the same as when organ- ized. Aside from his firm interests Mr. Parker is the president of the Oak Grove Land Company and is extensively interested in a number of other land and real estate projects. He has acquired from time to time a most desirable tract of land on the west side of Lake Maceday, Oakland county, embracing more than a mile of lake frontage, where he plans to develop a country estate in keeping with places of this character owned by many of Detroit's prom- inent citizens. This property, in addition to its admirable location, includes three wooded islands, numerous small streams and perpetual springs, in all comprising an ideal tract, the development of which may be called Mr. Parker's hobby. His business affairs have been ably and carefully conducted, thor- oughness being manifest in everything that he does, so that his success seems but a just reward.

On the 30th of June, 1889, in Detroit, Mr. Parker was married to Miss Clara Perry, a daughter of the late Thomas A. Perry, a farmer of Redford township, Wayne county. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Parker, Austin Winthrop Parker was born in Detroit, August 20, 1894, and is associated in business with his father. He was married in this city to Miss Florine, a daughter of Florimond DeMan, and they have a daughter, Virginia Florine Parker, born June 15, 1919.

Mr. Parker is a republican in his political views. At the time of the war, when all partisanship was made subservient to the country's needs, he took an active part in selling Liberty Bonds. He is well known in Masonic circles as a Consistory and Knights Templar Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Caravan Club and is a life member of the Masonic Country Club. He is likewise associated with the Board of Commerce of Detroit and with the Real Estate Board and through these associations seeks to further his own efficiency in his chosen line of work and promote the business con- nections and development of the city.

RICHARD G. NEIGHBORS was the president and directing head of Thorp, Hawley & Company, candy manufacturers of Detroit. Mr. Neighbors was a native of Roanoke, Virginia. He was born February 18,

HENRY J. PARKER

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1880, of the marriage of James W. aud Virginia (Whorley) Neighbors, both of whom were born in the Old Dominion and have there spent their lives, the father being a well known planter. Their family num- bered three sons and a daughter: Richard G., Henry F. and Charles C., living in Cleveland, Ohio; and Annie R., who became the wife of Raymond Paul Baker of New York city.

Richard G. Neighbors was a pupil in the public schools of Roanoke, passing through consecutive grades to the high school and later becoming a stu- dent in Roanoke College. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he joined the army as a staff officer under General Fitzhugh Lee, chief of the expe- ditionary force in Cuba, where he remained for two years. He was commissioned a first lieutenant and after the close of the war he entered the government service, acting as special commissioner of United States emigration. He served on this commmission in Europe for two years, on the expiration of which period he resigned and returned to his native land. He became a resident of Detroit in 1910, at which time he entered the general sales department of the Hupp Motor Company in the capacity of sales manager. He remained with that corporation until 1916, when he resigned and purchased an interest in the firm of Thorp, Hawley & Company, wholesale dealers in and manufacturers of candy. He became the president and manager of the company, in which capacity he re- mained until his death, which occurred on November 5, 1920.

On the 10th of October, 1910, in Detroit, Mr. Neigh- bors was married to Miss Mary Bethune Duffield, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bethune Duffield, prominent and honored residents of Detroit. The three children of this marriage are: Richard Graham, born Septem- ber 13, 1913; Eise Mnir, born May 20, 1915; and Ann Fletcher, horn December 26, 1917. Mr. Neighbors was a member of the Detroit Boat Club.

THEODORE GOULD FLETCHER was one of the organizers and for several years secretary-treasurer of the Superior Sand & Gravel Company, and bore the reptuation of being one of the substantial and reliable business men of Detroit, and one whose personal characteristics won for him the highest re- spect and honor of all with whom he came into con- tact. So enviable is his record in every connection that Detroit is proud to number him among her native sons. In the acquirement of his education he attended the high school and then prepared for Yale, but changing his plans, did not enter the uni- versity. Instead he went west to Denver, Colorado, where he accepted a position in the Denver National Bank, there remaining for a period of four years and gaining valuable experience through his western so- journ.

Returning to Detroit, Mr. Fletcher became connected with the Fletcher Hardware Company, of which his

father, Charles G. Fletcher, was the head. He was then active in the conduct and management of the business until 1913, when they closed out their inter- ests, and in 1914 Theodore G. Fletcher became the secretary-treasurer of the Superior Sand & Gravel Com- pany, which had been in existence for some time. Mr. Fletcher, because of poor health, severed his connec- tion with that concern some time prior to his death, which occurred on September 13, 1921.

Mr. Fletcher was married to Miss Lonise M. Hecker, a daughter of Colonel Frank J. Hecker, of Detroit, and they became parents of two children: Anna and Charles Henry. Mr. Fletcher belonged to the Detroit Club, the Detroit Athletic Club and the Grosse Pointe Country Club, thus indicating his appreciation of the social amenities of life, while his religious faith was that of the Episcopal church and served as vestryman and treasurer of St. Paul's cathedral.

RUSSELL T. WALLACE. A record of advancement through personal ability and effort marks the career of Russell T. Wallace, the efficient and popular cashier of the American State Bank of Highland Park, and he is one of the representative young business men of the vigorous, industrial and residential city of High- land Park, which has become an important part of the vital commercial district of the Michigan metrop- olis. Mr. Wallace is well justified in the pride which he takes in the institution of which he is the cashier, this bank owning and occupying a modern building of the best architectural design and with specially at- tractive and consistent interior equipment, and its business being one of substantial importance in con- nection with financial activities in the metropolitan district of Detroit.

Russell T. Wallace was born in the city of Saginaw, Michigan, on the 3d of April, 1883, and is a son of Morrison and Margaret (Coleman) Wallace, both natives of the Dominion of Canada. The father be- came a skilled machinist and in this connection was prominently identified with the manufacturing indus- try at Saginaw, Michigan, until his removal to Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred in 1911, his wife having died in 1892, at Saginaw.

In the public schools of his native city Russell T. Wallace continued his studies, with diligence and profit, even after he had initiated a boyhood associa- tion with business affairs by taking a minor position in the old Bancroft House, a leading hotel of Saginaw. In January, 1900, shortly prior to his seventeenth birth- day anniversary, he became a messenger in the employ of the Bank of Saginaw, an institution with resources of eighteen million dollars, and his fidelity and ef- fective service eventually won for him promotion to the position of assistant cashier of this institution, with which he continued his alliance until February, 1919, when he came to Highland Park, and assumed the posi- tion of which he is the incumbent, that of cashier of the American State Bank of Highland Park, later also

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becoming a director. He has here proved an ideal executive and to his unfailing courtesy and punetilious care in meeting the requirements and wishes of pa- trons has been due in large measure the splendid de- velopment of the bank with which he is connected and the fine building which was completed in 1920.

In 1904 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Wal- lace to Miss Elsa S. Schwemer, daughter of Ludwig Schwemer, a prominent business man in the city of Saginaw. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have two daughters, Jean and Margaret; and a son, Ned.

Mr. Wallace is one of the most loyal and pro- gressive citizens and business men of Highland Park, is independent in politics, is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, is a member of the Rotary Club of Highland Park and is president of the Recreation Commission of Highland Park. Both he and his wife are zealous members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church of Highland Park.

CHARLEMAGNE CLARK, whose activity in busi- ness brought him success, whose upright conduct and high ideals gained for him the respect, confidence and goodwill of his fellowmen, was for many years well known in manufacturing circles of Detroit as the founder of the Phoenix Wire Works, which was estab- lished in 1885 and with which he was continuously connected to the time of his demise. Michigan num- hered him among her native sons. His birth occurred at Clarkston, Oakland county, December 1, 1850, his parents being Milton H. and Hannah (Lapham) Clark, whose family numbered three children. The father was a native of the state of New York, and after his marriage he removed to Michigan, settling at what is now Clarkston, a town that was named in honor of his father, Judge Jeremiah Clark, of the supreme court of New York state, who owned much land in that section of Michigan. Milton H. Clark there carried on mercantile pursuits.

Charlemagne Clark pursued his education in the public schools until he had completed a high school course at Clarkston, and then entered the University of Michigan, where he received his Master of Arts degree. He likewise studied law in the office of a Mr. Edwards, in Detroit, and was admitted to prac- tice at the bar. On account of poor eyesight he gave up the practice of law. He then turned his attention to manufacturing business in Detroit, where he began with a capital of three hundred dollars. Later he established and became the owner of the Phoenix Wire Works and in this connection developed one of the extensive plants of Detroit, devoted to the manu- facture of wire cloth and also doing wire work and ornamental iron work. The business grew steadily, reaching most gratifying proportions, and is still being conducted by his widow. One of the elements of his success which displayed as well one of Mr. Clark's strong characteristics, was his treatment of his employes. He was always kind and considerate

and it was his pleasure to view and inspect his fac- tory pay roll and plan to conduct his business so that his working force should share prosperously in the liberal prices which he put upon the factory products. The regard entertained for him by those in his service was indicated at the time of his funeral, when his employes attended in a body and showed their respect and regard for him through their generous contribu- tion of flowers.

On the 22d of April, 1876, Mr. Clark was married at Holland, Michigan, to Miss Donnie B. Smith, the daughter of William H. Smith. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark was born a daughter: Lillian M., who is now the wife of Ernest J. Klintworth of Detroit, and they have one son, Robert Ernest.

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The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 87

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

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