USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 88
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Mr. Clark was a member of the Board of Commerce as well as of the Chamber of Commerce of this city and also held membership in the Automobile Club and Trade Union of Detroit. Politically he maintained an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. When he passed away high tributes were paid to him by many who had been his asso- ciates from early life, some of these being his class- mates in college. One writing of him said: "Clark and I were always on terms of confidence and real companionship. He was the quiet kind, sincere to the core, honest and straightforward." Another said of him: "He was a man of much reserve, and especially little inclined to be interested in the affairs of others. But he was most courteous and considerate of the rights of others. And my impression of him was that he exhibited the soul of honor, fairness and justice to other people. He seemed to accept the duties which fell to him in this workaday world and to carry them out with fidelity and without complaint. He was not what the college world called a 'jolly good fellow.' But-when anything had to be done that required patience, industry and fidelity, he could be depended upon to do it. He could laugh with the rest of us over our jokes and over our follies. But he had learned, early, to take both pleasure and work in moderation. He was the kind of a man that makes what we call a good citizen." One of his most intimate friends wrote a fitting memorial to him in the following words: "Many might be glad to present as white a soul and unsullied a record-as husband, father and citizen, to their Creator." Such is the record of Charlemagne Clark, who left behind him a memory that is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him and which is a blessed benediction to those who were closely associated with him. It was on the 13th of April, 1920, that he was called to his final rest.
THEOPHILUS FRANCIS HENRY. Prominent among the younger representatives of the Detroit bar is Theophilus Francis Henry, who since 1912 has engaged in the practice of his profession in this city. He was born in Jackson, Michigan, September 12, 1888, a son of Michael A. and Rose (Steger) Henry,
CHARLEMAGNE CLARK
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the former a native of Detroit, while the latter was born in southern Michigan. For thirty-five years the father was prominently identified with the Michigan Central Railroad Company as an official and is now living at Jackson, Michigan. The mother, however, is deceased, her demise occurring in that city in 1915. Their family numbered two children: Pauline, who is still residing in Jackson; and Theophilus F., of this review.
After completing the work of the grades Mr. Henry attended the St. Francis College at Trenton, New Jersey, after which he became a student at Pio Nono College of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in 1906. He then entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, which conferred upon him the LL. B. degree upon his graduation with the class of 1910, and shortly afterward he came to Detroit, where he became connected with the law office of Messrs. Brennan, Downey & Van De Mark. After two years' identification with that firm he opened an office of his own and has since engaged in independent practice, specializing in insurance law. He has been counsel for a number of large corporations, including
the Manufacturers' Insurance Agency, the Michigan Reciprocal Association, the Republic Casualty Com- pany and several fire insurance companies. During the World war he was engaged in closing up the af- fairs of the Frankfort Insurance Company, has since been attorney for the Michigan Reciprocal Associa- tion, and is likewise serving as vice president of the Manufacturers Underwriters' Association.
On the 23d of January, 1915, Mr. Henry was united in marriage to Miss Edna B. Tygh, a daughter of Robert Tygh, of Jackson, Michigan. To this union has been born a son, Michael Richard.
In his political views Mr. Henry is a republican, interested in the welfare and success of the party, and in religious faith he is a Catholic, being a mem- ber of St. Charles church. He is an active mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus, in which he has attained the fourth degree, and is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a valued member of the Detroit Bar Association, the Lawyers' Club and the Detroit Yacht Club. He is an ardent devotee of yachting and is well known in aquatic circles. Mr. Henry holds to high standards in professional service, has great respect for the dig- nity of his calling and zealously devotes his energies to his profession.
FRANK H. JOYCE, secretary and treasurer and general manager of the American Auto Trimming Company, was born in the city of Windsor, Ontario. He received his early literary education in the Wind- sor high school, and then took up the wholesale sad- dlery business with Armstrong & Graham. He was in the harness trade for twenty-two years, but toward the close of that period the growing use of the auto- mobile was making itself felt in the reduction of
horses and consequently restricting the demand for harness. Mr. Joyce early saw the possibilities of the automobile trade, and the opportunity presenting itself to buy a defunct manufacturing plant, he asso- ciated himself with others and formed the Ameri- can Auto Trimming Company, which was incorporated in November, 1909, with Benjamin Gotfredson as president, Frank H. Joyce as vice president and M. H. Coleman as secretary. The company was rein- corporated in 1910 with the same officers, Mr. Joyce assuming the offices of secretary and treasurer in place of the vice presideney.
The American Auto Trimming Company is a strong corporation and has plants in Cleveland, Ohio, and Walkerville, Ontario, besides the extensive plant in Detroit. The company is very snecessful and has grown greatly since its inception. In the last few years it has increased the dimensions of its plants by eight hundred thousand square feet of space; five hundred thousand of this increase has been added to the Detroit plant, one hundred and seventy-five thou- sand in Walkerville and one hundred and fifty thou- sand in Cleveland. The firm makes auto trimmings and tops and supplies all the big companies in the middle west with its products.
Frank H. Joyce married Miss Calla Noble and they have three sons living: William N., Philip A. and Herbert. Their eldest son, Frank H., Jr., is de- ceased. He was a member of the Royal Air Force in the British army during the World war. William N. was also a member of the Royal Air Force, which he joined at the age of eighteen.
Mr. Joyce is a member of Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M., Windsor Preceptory, Knights Templar, and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. His clubs include the Detroit Athletic Club, the Bloomfield Hills Golf Club, the Essex County (Ontario) Golf Club, the Windsor Club, the Ontario Club of Toronto and the Lambs Club of New York city.
LUTHER V. BARKER, , a funeral director of Detroit, was born in North Adams, Michi- gan, July 29, 1888, a son of Lauren J. and Min- nie (Carr) Barker. The father was also a native of North Adams, his parents having located there at a very early period in the settlement of the state. The mother was born in Scotland and came to America with her parents when a maiden of eight years, the family home being established in Michigan, where she was reared, educated and married. Lauren J. Barker devoted his life to the occupation of farming and stock raising and carried on business along that line very successfully in the neighborhood of Hillsdale until 1915, when he retired from active life and re- moved to Detroit, here spending his remaining days. He passed away in February, 1920, at the age of about sixty years, his birth having occurred in 1861. His widow is still a resident of Highland Park. They were the parents of three children: James L., who is
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manager of the Moss-Hamilton branch of the Ameri- can State Bank of Highland Park; Luther V .; and Julia, the wife of Dr. R. W. Moore of Highland Park.
Luther V. Barker obtained his early education in the graded schools of his native city and afterward at- tended Hillsdale College. He then entered upon pri- vate banking business with the firm of Barker & Barker at Stanwood, Michigan, the bank being or- ganized hy himself and his brother, James L. Barker. This they conducted successfully for some time but eventually sold the bank to ex-Governor Woodbridge N. Ferris, who has since been owner and manager of the institution. When disposing of the business in 1917, Luther V. Barker enlisted in the service of his country for active duty in the World war. He entered the officers' training school at Camp Custer and was afterward transferred to Camp Grant, where he received his discharge following the signing of the armistice in 1918. Immediately afterward Mr. Barker came to Detroit, where he engaged in the undertaking business and has since become well known here as a funeral director, being today one of the leading under- takers of Highland Park. His previous experience in this line of work was obtained while he was engaged in the banking business at Stanwood, Michigan. This work he conducted in connection with his other activi- ties at Stanwood from 1915 until 1917, and develop- ing considerable efficiency in this line of endeavor, he is now successfully carrying on business as a funeral director at Highland Park, his patronage being quite extensive.
On the 16th of July, 1919, Mr. Barker was mar- ried to Miss Erma Kollar of Elkhart, Indiana, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Kollar, representing a prominent family of Elkhart. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Barker is that of the Methodist Epis- copal church. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and while residing at Stanwood he served as city clerk but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He belongs to the B. X. C. Club of Detroit and is a consistent follower of Masonic teachings, having membership in Honor Lodge No. 444, F. & A. M., and Michigan Sovereign Consistory, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and of the David M. Vincent Post, No. 120, American Legion, Highland Park, thus maintaining pleasant relations with those who, like himself, volunteered for service in the World war.
EDWARD STANGE, who was well known in the business circles of Detroit as one of the organizers and incorporators of the American Brewing Company, con- tinued at the head of the business as president of the corporation to the time of his death, which oc- curred August 28, 1913. He was a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Nordhausen, in the king- dom of Saxony, October 26, 1842, his parents being
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Frederick Stange, who had a family of five children. The parents were also natives of Saxony and the father became a mason contractor, following that business with good success. He worked at his trade in Germany until 1844, when he came with the family to the United States and took up his resi- dence in Detroit, where he continued to follow his trade and eventually became a contractor. He was a resident of the city for nearly forty years ere death called him in 1882. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1858, only fourteen years after their arrival in the new world. They were consistent members of the German Reformed church.
Edward Stange was but two years old when brought by his parents to Detroit and in the public schools of this city he pursued his education. In 1856 he started out in the business world by entering upon an apprenticeship at the bookbinding trade in the estab- lishment of Richmond & Backus. He continued to work along that line until 1864, when he accepted a clerkship in a grocery store, and later he established business on his own account as a grocer at the corner of Elizabeth and Beaubien streets. Gradually he de- veloped his trade through his enterprising methods and thorough reliability and for many years continued as one of the prosperous grocers of the city. In 1890 he removed from his first location to the corner of Gratiot and Brush streets and there he gave his attention largely to the manufacture of vinegar until 1893, when he disposed of his business of that char- acter, having in 1890 become one of the organizers of the Exposition Brewing Company, of which he was secretary and treasurer until 1892. He then largely lived retired from active business until 1900, when he aided in organizing and incorporating the Ameri- can Brewing Company, of which he became a director. With the reorganization of the business in 1902 he was elected to the presidency of the company and continued at its head throughout his remaining days, the success of the enterprise being largely attributable to his efforts. This business is now the American Products Company, manufacturers of soft drinks and ice.
On the 10th of November, 1874, Mr. Stange was united in marriage to Miss Minna Brumme, a daughter of Dr. Carl Brumme, a leading physician of Detroit. Their marriage was blessed with several children, some of whom died in infancy, but those reaching mature ages are: Emelia, born September 23, 1876, is the wife of Edward M. Thurher, formerly a resident of Detroit but now of Cottage Grove, Oregon; Dorothy, whose birth occurred September 14, 1878, is the wife of Otto H. Anger of Detroit; Meta, who was born March 23, 1883, is the wife of Walter T. Biske, chief clerk of the Wayne County & Home Savings Bank; Fred C., who was born in 1890, married Blanche C. Hock. He is treasurer of the American Products Company; Hugo A., born September 15, 1892, is superintendent of the American Products Company.
EDWARD STANGE
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Mr. Stange and his family attended St. John's Evan- gelical church and he was a well known member of the Masonic fraternity from 1867 and was master and treasurer of Schiller Lodge, No. 263, F. & A. M., of which he became a charter member on its organi- zation and was made a life member of that lodge in 1909. He was also identified with Scottish Rite Masonry and was a member of Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise was a member of the Harmonie Club and an honorary member of the Ger- man Salesmen's Association. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party, believing its plat- form contained the best elements of good government, and at all times he contributed to the support of projects and plans for the city's upbuilding and im- provement. He had many friends among Detroit's substantial citizens, having practically spent his life in this city.
CHARLES R. SCHEWE, who as president of the Charles R. Sehewe Company was prominently identi- fied with building operations in Detroit for a number of years, his untimely death terminating his labors on December 1, 1920, was born in Germany May 23, 1871, but was only seven or eight years of age when brought to the United States by his parents. Soon afterward the family home was established in Detroit and he acquired his early education in the German Luth- eran schools of this city. Here he lived almost continu- ously from 1879 until his demise, although absent from the city for brief periods on several occasions. When his school days were over he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he worked for six years, constantly broadening his knowledge and experience along these lines. Later he became superintendent in charge of mill work and supplies for various lumber companies and in that capacity gained much valuable experience in handling production for contractors and architects. When a young man he had been employed by the Pullman Car Company, in Pullman, Illinois. He re- turned to Detroit in order to wed his affianced bride and with her went again to Pullman, where he lived for two years. He then once more came to Detroit but later removed to Chatham, Ontario, where he acted as superintendent of the Hadley Lumber Com- pany for about two years and theu again took up his abode in Detroit, becoming a permanent resident this time. He was for two years in the drafting de- partment of the architectural offices of Louis Kamper, the well known Detroit architect. He then became connected with the Otto Misch Company for about three years, leaving there to establish business on his own account and from that time until his demise he was president of the Charles R. Schewe Company. He was connected with the construction of several of the notable buildings of the city, including the Regent theatre, the Ferry- field theatre, St. Mathias church, the Crawford spice mills factory and the Ford City high school. Mr.
Sehewe was united in marriage to Miss Clara G. Schulz, whom he had known from early childhood and who is a native of Detroit. They became the parents of three children: Lillian, Ralph and Clara. Mr. Schewe held membership in the Evangelical Luth- eran church and belonged to the Evangelical Luth- eran Aid Society. He was a member of the Master Mason's Association, a trade organization. In politics he maintained a liberal attitude, voting for men and measures rather than party. His demise was the oe- casion of deep regret to many friends. For the greater part of four decades he had lived in Detroit and had not only been a witness of the progress of the city but had contributed to its development and, moreover, had gained many friends throughout this and other cities in which he had labored. He held to high standards of public service and it seemed that he should have been spared for many more years of activity and usefulness, but fate intervened and he passed on, leaving behind a good name and an enviable record.
MRS. MADGE A. FRASER is a native of Elba township, Clinton county, Michigan, and a daughter of John C. and Ellen P. (Rohrenbacher) Kahler. Her father came to Michigan from the state of New York, while her mother was born in Pennsylvania. Their family numbered three children, the elder brother being Charles F. Kahler of Elsie, Michigan, occupying the position of district manager for the Bell Telephone Company, while the younger brother was Lawrence. J. Kahler, deceased.
The only daughter, Madge A. Kahler, received her graded schooling at Bannister, Michigan, and later attended high school at Owosso, this state. In her early childhood she manifested the natural talent for interpretive dancing, which she did in her child- ish way for the entertainment of her playmates, act- ing parts conjured out of her imagination and always seeking some method of artistie expression. Conse- quently when her high school course was completed, her inclination and desire was to develop and perfect her natural talent through specific instruction. To this end she attended the Kretlow School of Dancing at Chicago and while a pupil in that institution she also taught in the school. In 1906-07 she studied dramatic art at the School of Elocution and Oratory at Val- paraiso, Indiana.
It was during her student days in Chicago that Madge A. Kahler became the wife of Alfred L. Fraser. After residing for two years in that city they removed to Oklahoma City, where Mrs. Fraser gave private lessons in dancing to a select coterie of pupils. In 1914 she became a resident of Detroit and here again she gave private instructions in danc- ing until the United States entered the World war. When the call came for women to take the place of men in the business world, Mrs. Fraser responded by driving a taxi, besides doing much Red Cross work
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in connection with the Woman's Navy Corps, of which she is a member, and also assisting for a time at the post office. After the armistice was signed and the country settled down to the ways of peace she again resumed charge of her dancing classes and opened a studio on Kirby avenue. There she taught ballroom dancing, aesthetic dancing, ballet, toe, eccentric, folk dancing and huck and wing dancing. Mrs. Fraser makes yearly trips to New York, where she studies the latest faucy dancing, having been a ballet student under Chaliff and studied ballroom dancing under Alexis Kossloff. She was responsible for introducing the new dance, the cat step, to Detroit and is the originator of the popular dance known as the Detroit walk. These she presented before the Detroit Federa- tion of Women's Clubs and later before many indi- vidual clubs.
The demand for Mrs. Fraser's instruction among many of the exclusive clubs of the city is growing rapidly and already she has as many pupils as she can personally instruct. She specializes in technique and self-expression, correcting the faults of uncon- scious wrong foot action and wrong posture. She occupies the entire building at No. 111 Watson street, where she conducts most of her classes and her vocal evenings open only to her pupils are much enjoyed.
Mrs. Fraser is at present assisted by competent professional help, in the professional arts, both vocal and dramatic, and is gradually extending the field of her activities, until she shall have accomplished what she has in mind. She expects to develop an institute composed of all lines of artistic endeavors-dancing, vocal, musical and dramatic arts, opening studios for the various lines in the building which she now occu- pies. She is planning on a recital in February, 1922, at the Detroit Federation building, at which she will introduce two new and original dances. One which will be danced to popular fox-trot time is called the "Panther Walk," and a new combination of steps to waltz time which is called the "Conversational Waltz." Her juvenile students will give groups of classical dances and solo dances of a classical nature, featuring the result of the season's training.
RALPH EDWIN DUNHAM, president of the Dun- ham-Folks Real Estate Company of Detroit, was born in Jackson county, Michigan, January 18, 1894, a son of L. S. and Margaret (Hart) Dunham, who are still living. Their family numbered four children and, like the others of the household, R. E. Dunham pursued his early education in the public schools near his father's home. After attending high school he became a student in the Michigan Agricultural Col- lege and likewise studied in both the literary and law departments of the University of Michigan, so that liberal educational training well qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. He en- tered upon active connection with the real estate busi- ness in 1914 in association with R. H. Taylor of Detroit
and remained in that position for three years, gain- ing valuable experience and knowledge concerning the real estate market and methods of real estate sales- manship. In 1917 he organized the Dunham-Folks Real Estate Company, of which he has since been the president, Mr. Folks, his partner, being secretary and treasurer. The business was incorporated June 12, 1917, and at first they conducted a general real estate business and following the institution of the work of the steel corporation at Ojibway, Canada, they be- gan handling subdivisions in that locality. They have placed a large amount of property on the market and their sales have reached a most gratifying figure. The general offices of the company are at 327 Farwell building.
On the 5th of October, 1917, Mr. Dunham was united in marriage to Miss Eva Bennett of Windsor, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Mar- garet Louise. Mr. Dunham is a republican in his polit- ical views and his religious faith is that of the Episco- pal church. He has many sterling qualities, his life being characterized by high principles and laudable purposes, and his success in business is the direct out- come of his close application and his energy.
GLENN ANDERSON, vice president and superin- tendent of the Accurate Tool Company, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Christmas day, 1892. He is therefore a representative of one of the younger generation of the business men of Detroit, but already has made for himself a creditable position in industrial and commercial circles. His parents were Lewis and Anna Wierick Anderson, and the family comes of Swedish ancestry. While spending his youthful days under the parental roof in his native city, Glenn Anderson attended the public schools to the age of fourteen years, when he began railroading, spending a short time in the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company, by which his father was also em- ployed. When a youth of fifteen he entered the shops of the Atlas Engine Works at Indianapolis, and there continued for five years. He later went to Columbus, Ohio, and worked in the Columbus Bolt Works, for a year and a half, on the expiration of which period he came to Detroit and after six months with the Studebaker Corporation he spent a year and a half with the Zenith Carburetor Company.
It was in April, 1918, that Mr. Anderson joined the Accurate Tool Company, of which he is now the vice president and superintendent. This company was in- corporated on the 6th of April of that year and be- gan the operation of its plant in May. From that time until the signing of the armistice the firm did a great deal of tool and die making for manufacturers engaged on munition work for the United States gov- ernment, and right at the start achieved a high repu- tation for its tools and dies. The business was begun in a moderate way, but has steadily developed until the company now has seven thousand, five hundred
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