The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 89

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 89

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RALPH E. DUNHAM

Vol. IV-49

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square feet of floor space at 2270 Franklin street, where it makes tools, dies and special machinery. It also does designing and Mr. Anderson is not only an expert tool and die maker but is a designer of superior ability, in fact has already designed a ma- chine for making dies that is a marvel of efficiency and accuracy, which will stamp out dies to the one- ten-thousandth of an inch. He is likewise an able and energetic business man, who takes great pride in his work and in the successful accomplishments of the company. The firm stands behind everything it makes and guarantees perfect satisfaction.

On the 12th of May, 1916, Mr. Anderson was mar- ried to Miss Marie Evelsizer, and they reside at 1088 Drexel avenue. They have gained many friends in Detroit and are highly esteemed by those who know them, while the position which Mr. Anderson has reached in manufacturing circles is a most ereditable and enviable one.

WALTER JAMES BOTHWELL. Numbered among the energetic, farsighted and successful young business men of Detroit is Walter James Bothwell, who has occupied during the past eight years the important position of district sales manager of the Union Drawn Steel Company. His birth occurred at Carrollton, Ohio, on the 13th of December, 1888, his parents being George J. and Elizabeth (George) Bothwell, who were likewise natives of that part of the Buckeye state, where they became well known and highly esteemed. In the year 1902 they removed to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where the father held a re- sponsible position with the Union Drawn Steel Com- pany at the time of his death in 1921. The mother survives. Their family numbered six children, as fol- lows: Charles G., who is a resident of Detroit; Mrs. Charles W. Wagner, living at Beaver Falls, Pennsyl- vania; Mrs. Paul W. Golden, who makes her home in New Brighton, Pennsylvania; Mrs. J. R. Hughes of Beaver Falls; Grace, also a resident of Beaver Falls; and Walter James, of this review.

Walter James Bothwell obtained his early educa- tion in the graded and high schools of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and subsequently pursued a thorough course of study in the metallurgical institute at Pitts- burgh. He then entered the Beaver Falls plant of the Union Drawn Steel Company, with which he has been identified continuously until the present time and which he has represented as district sales manager for Michigan since 1914, having come to Detroit in that year. Here he established a branch of this mammoth industrial concern, which has extensive mills at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and Gary, Indiana, as well as branches in many of the leading manufacturing cen- ters of the country. Mr. Bothwell has devoted his en- tire time and attention to the development and up- building of the business in this district and soon secured a most desirable list of customers for the com-

pany, which recognizes him as one of its most cap- able and efficient representatives. He has been no small factor in the growth and success of the Detroit branch of the Union Drawn Steel Company and has become one of the well known men in connection with the steel trade in this section of the country. Among other business connections, Mr. Bothwell is a director of the Lake Huron & Northern Ontario Railway Com- pany of Bruce Mines, Ontario. He has won and main- tained an enviable reputation in the business circles of his adopted city.

On the 20th of September, 1911, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Mr. Bothwell was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Barger and their many sterling traits of character have made them popular in Detroit's social gatherings. Their religious faith is indicated by their membership in the United Presbyterian church, while fraternally Mr. Bothwell is identified with the Masonic order, in which he has attained the thirty-second de- gree of the Scottish Rite and has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and the nature of his interests and activities is further indicated by his membership in the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Detroit Athletic Club and the Red Run Golf Club. He has gained a host of warm friends during the period of his residence in Detroit, being beloved for his many splendid personal characteristics, for his generous disposition and his benevolence. His prosperity is all the more creditable by reason of the fact that it has been acquired en- tirely through his own efforts and his future career will be well worth watching.

JAMES S. GOODRICH, during the course of an active business life, was identified with banking and later with real estate, loans and insurance. He had been a lifelong resident of Michigan, his birth having occurred in Blissfield, Michigan, April 26, 1843. He was one of a family of three children, born to Nelson La and Ruth (Pease) Goodrich. The father was also a native of Blissfield and became a well known farmer of that part of the state. He was twice married, his second union being with Miss Cornelia P. Hobert and to them was born one son, Joseph P.

The youthful days of James Sylvester Goodrich were spent in the usual manner of the farm boy. He received his education in the district school, Adrian College Preparatory School, and the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College. He came to Detroit as a young man and secured employment in the banking house of David Preston, with whom he continued until Jan- nary 1, 1884, or for a period of twenty years. On the expiration of that period he organized the real estate firm of Goodrich Brothers, not only handling realty but also loans and insurance. They built up a business of extensive proportions, gaining a large clientele as the years passed. The association between the broth-

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ers was maintained until 1907, when John C. Goodrich passed away. James S. Goodrich thereafter conducted the business alone to the time of his demise, which oc- curred September 25, 1917. No man was better in- formed concerning the real estate market or was more correct in his valuation of property and he also de- veloped a large and gratifying business in the loan and insurance departments. He was regarded in authoritative business circles as a man of unimpeach- able integrity.

On the 22d of February, 1876, Mr. Goodrich was married to Clara Isabella Jenness, a daughter of John S. Jenness. Mr. Jenness was an extensive lumberman for many years and afterward embarked in merchan- dising, in which he continued until his retirement from business. He died in 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich was born one son, Walter Jenness, whose birth occurred Jnly 7, 1877, and who passed away on July 19, 1878. Mr. Goodrich had reached the age of seventy-four years when he was called to his final rest, his remains being interred in Woodmere ceme- tery. He always gave his political allegiance to the republican party, was keenly interested in its success and in all matters pertaining to the public welfare. He was a member of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation and in earlier years was very active in its affairs. He was a charter member of the Detroit Boat Club, which indicated the nature of his recrea- tion and he was also an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and a faithful follower of the teachings of the Congregational church.

PAUL A. SORGE, a well known figure in real estate circles in Detroit, being the president of the Kirby- Sorge-Felske Company, one of the leading firms of the city in its line of business, was born in Germany on the 21st of December, 1873, a son of Gustav M. and Catharine (Noetzel) Sorge. The father served in the Franco-Prussian war and in 1877 he brought his family to the United States, settling in Detroit. He was for many years engaged in business as a con- tractor and builder but is now living retired, he and his wife making their home in Wayne county, Michi- gan.

Paul A. Sorge was a lad of four years when brought to the new world. He attended the public schools of Detroit and also the Detroit Business University and likewise was for a time a pupil in night schools. When sixteen years of age he started upon his business career as a clerk in a grocery store and while thus employed during the day he continued his education in night schools for four years. He afterward turned his attention to the meat business, conducting a mar- ket for twelve years, or until 1905, when he entered the real estate field and has since operated in this connection, handling real estate and general insurance and also doing speenlative building. In addition to his interests in the Kirby-Sorge-Felske Company, Mr. Sorge is secretary of the Ecorse Land Company and of the Bagley Realty Company, treasurer of the Fern-

dale Building Company and treasurer of the Patten- Corns Building Company.

In January, 1902, Mr. Sorge was united in mar- riage to Miss Marie Hedke of Rochester, New York, and they have one child, Ruth Anna.

Mr. Sorge is a supporter of republican principles and fraternally is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He belongs also to the Evangelical church, to the Harmonie Club, the Detroit Automobile Club, the Wolverine Automobile Club and the Huron Shooting Club. He is likewise a member of the Board of Com- merce and is keenly interested in everything that has to do with the development of the city and the main- tenance of higher civic standards. He was a member of the city plan commission for three years under Mayor Oscar Marx, is now serving on the boulevard commission and was for two years on the building code commission. During the period of the war he served on all of the bond drives. His activities have developed to important proportions in the field of labor in which he is now directing his efforts and his operations as a builder and as a real estate man are contributing in substantial measure to Detroit's im- provement.

HARRINGTON E. WALKER, president of Hiram Walker & Sons, Limited, is one of Detroit's prom- inent business men, whose various interests and activi- ties are contributing factors of material benefit net enly to this city, but the border cities, as well.

Harrington E. Walker was born September 10, 1884, a son of J. Harrington and Florence A. (Holcomb) Walker, and a grandson of Hiram Walker. An ex- tended mention of both the grandfather and father may be found elsewhere in this work.

Harrington E. Walker prepared for Yale at St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire, completed his university course and received his Ph.B. degree with the class of 1905. A business, rather than a pro- fessional career appealing to him, he at once after graduation became connected with the extensive Walker interests in Detroit, Walkerville and else- where. In this connection Mr. Walker had, for a num- ber of years before his father's death in December, 1919, taken an active part in the general manage- ment of the business, so that in becoming an executor of his father's will it was but little more than a continuation of responsibilities he had previously borne.

Mr. Walker is now president of Hiram Walker & Sons, Limited; president and managing director of the Walkerville Land and Building Company, Limited; president of the Walkerville & Detroit Ferry Com- pany; president of the Garden Court Realty Company of Detroit; vice president of Walker & Sons, Lim- ited; vice president of the Walkerville Construction Company; vice president of the Walkerville Water Company, Limited; president of the Walker Twist Drill and Tool Company; vice president of Hiram

PAUL A. SORGE

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Walker & Sons Metal Products, Limited; a director of the Commonwealth Chemical Company, as well as other business and industrial enterprises.

Mr. Walker is well known in club circles, holding membership in the Detroit Club, Detroit Athletic Club, University Club, Detroit Country Club, Lochmoor Country Club, Walkerville Boat Club, Detroit Yacht Club, the Old Club, St. Clair Flats Shooting Club, Player's Club, Beach Grove Country Club, of which he is president, and the Yale Club of New York city.

On June 5, 1907, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Helen Macfie, a daughter of R. C. Macfie of London, Ontario, and they have three children, Florence Har- rington Walker, Franklin Harrington Walker, and Virginia Harrington Walker. Mr. Walker resides at 2570 Iroquois.

DR. JAY F. POOL, a dentist of Detroit, has fol- lowed his profession in this city since 1902 and in the intervening period has built up a larger clientele, as he has demonstrated his skill and ability in the prac- tice of dental surgery. He was born in Augusta, Michigan, March 2, 1869, a son of N. F. and Sarah (Kendall) Pool and a representative of a family that has long been established in America. His grand- father, Abijalı Pool, came to Michigan from Ohio in 1852, taking up his residence in Kent county.

In the public schools of his native city Dr. Pool pursued his early education, after which he became a student in Albion College of Albion, Michigan, and subsequently entered the dental department of the Detroit College of Medicine, from which he was grad- uated in 1902, with the degree of D. D. S. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession, opening an office in the Gladwin building in Detroit, where he has since been located. He possesses a high de- gree of mechanical skill and is very efficient and thorough in all of his work. His office is equipped with the most recent appliances and devices used in the successful practice of dental surgery and the list of his patients is an extensive one.

On the 20th of June, 1905, Dr. Pool was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Edson of Detroit, and they have become the parents of a son, Edson K. In his political views Dr. Pool is a republican and in re- ligious faith he is an Episcopalian. His is a prom- inent Mason, belonging to Zion Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., and to Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He is a member of the board of trustees of the new Masonic Temple, which is now being erected, and served as president of that body in 1920, at which time the plans for the project were brought to a suc- cessful termination. He is a past master of his lodge and an exemplary follower of the craft, and he is also identified with the Detroit Automobile and Fellow- craft Clubs and Delta Sigma Delta, a college fra- ternity. That he is progressive and enterprising is shown by the modern methods which he utilizes and through broad reading and study he keeps abreast

with the advancement that is being made along the line of his chosen vocation. He holds to the highest ethical standards of the profession and his ability is not only attested by his fellow practitioners but by the general public as well.

CHRISTIAN M. LARSEN, the president of John- son, Larsen & Company of Detroit, conducting a business that has to do with heating and power equip- ment, was born at Thisted, Denmark, July 7, 1869, his parents being Paul and Elsa (Jensen) Larsen. The public schools of his native country afforded him his educational opportunities and iu 1888, when a youth of nineteen years, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He afterward learned the trade of steam- fitting in New York and was employed as a journey- man along that line for fifteen years, thus gaining broad and valuable experience to serve as the founda- tion upon which to build his later success.

Mr. Larsen has been a resident of Detroit since 1906. Here he entered business as a member of the firm of Dodson & Larsen and in 1910 purchased the interest of his partner, while later he became active in or- ganizing the firm of Johnson, Larsen & Company, of 693 Monroe avenue, of which he has since been the president. This company has developed a business based upon the combined application of scientific re- search and practical experience to the design and installation of heating and industrial piping systems. The economy in first cost and continued economy through efficient operation, with resultant satisfaction to its clients, has been responsible for the growth to its present proportions. Mr. Larsen is a member of the Master Steam and Hot Water Fitters' Association and is constantly studying along lines to improve and develop his business.

The marriage of Christian M. Larsen to Annie L. Johnston of Boston was celebrated January 5, 1902. They are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Larsen is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and his interest in community affairs is manifest in his membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce and also the Fellowcraft Club. He has never regret- ted his determination to come to the new world, for on American soil he has found the business opportuni- ties which he sought and step by step has made steady progress toward the goal of success. Mr. Lar- sen built his home at No. 441 Philip avenue about 1912 and has since then resided there.

NAT C. WRIGHT. The ancestors of Nat C. Wright were English-Scotch, who came to America before the Revolutionary war, and he has a large circle of rela- tives, who live along the east coast. His early ances- tors were active during Colonial days, the descendants of whom fought for the Union.

Nat C. Wright was born at Fredericton, New Bruns-

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wick, on the 30th day of May, 1875. He is the son of Zebedee and Sarah (Wheeler) Wright. His father followed agricultural pursuits and engaged in the lum- ber business during his active life. He is now retired, making his home in Boston, Massachusetts. His wife still survives. They became the parents of nine chil- dren: Lanchard, William Emerson and Alice Lucinda have passed away; those living are, Nathaniel Clowes; Charles Wesley Havelock; and Mrs. Lillian Ethel Hol- man, Thomas Mitford, Mrs. Matilda Ann Hawkins, and Mrs. Edith Nichols, all of Boston, Massachusetts.

In his youthful days Nat C. Wright attended the schools of Fredericton, New Brunswick, and later was a student in the Provincial Normal School, from which he graduated with a teacher's degree. He then turned his attention to educational work for a num- ber of years, abandoning that profession to take up mercantile pursuits in Boston, Massachusetts. Later he went to Winnipeg, Canada, and entered the real estate business, and in 1912 came to Detroit, Michigan.

On the 3d day of October, 1910, was celebrated the marriage of Nat C. Wright and Katherine C. Cum- mings of Montreal, Canada, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Cummings of a prominent family of Strath- roy, Canada.

Mr. Wright is a Presbyterian and is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to the lodge, chapter, con- istory and Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Board of Commerce and the Real Estate Board, and manifests a keen interest in everything that has to do with the welfare and progress of the city. He is ready to meet any emergency with the consciousness of strength that comes from a right conception of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activity.

LOUIS TARABUSI. Though of foreign birth Louis Tarabusi has entered most loyally and effectively into the progressive spirit of the land of his adoption, has proved himself a vital exponent of Americanism and has done must to foster the assimilation of others of foreign nativity into the body politic of the United States, as well as to promote in them a better under- standing and appreciation of American ideals and in- stitutions. As a business man he has made a splendid impression through his activities in the handling of Detroit real estate, and has contributed worthily to the civic and material advancement of the city. He controls a substantial and important real estate and fire insurance business, with offices in the Breitmeyer building, at the corner of Gratiot avenue and Broad- way, and is one of the vigorous and representative exponents of these important lines of business enter- prise in the Michigan metropolis.

Mr. Tarabusi was born in the fair old province of Florence, Italy, on the 16th of November, 1877, and is a son of Vincent and Maria (Brunelli) Tarabusi, likewise natives of the province of Florence, in which province the father became a successful representative

of farm industry, as well as an influential citizen of his community, both he and his wife having passed their lives in their native province. Besides the sub- ject of this sketch two other of the sons, Anthony and Ludovic, are residents of Detroit; Rev. Attilio Tarabusi is a priest of the Catholic church and resides in the province of Florence, Italy, as do also Pompeo, Paolo, and Josephine, who is now Mrs. Leoni.

The schools of his native land afforded Louis Tara- busi his youthful education, and thereafter he con- tinued his active association with the operation of his father's farm until 1907, when his ambition led him to sever the home ties and set forth to seek his for- tunes in the United States. After a brief sojourn in New York city he proceeded to Seneca Falls, New York, where he found employment as a laborer in a pump factory. There he remained until December, 1911, and on the 27th of that month he arrived in Detroit, his financial resources having by this time been re- duced to sixty dollars. In the meanwhile he had lost no opportunity to familiarize himself with Ameri- can customs and institutions, and his ambition and self-reliance have proved potent in his advancement to a position of prominence and influence in the civic and business life of Detroit. He is distinctively one of the world's workers, and has deep appreciation of the dignity and value of honest toil and endeavor, no matter what a man's station in life may be. Looking ever for the opportunity to establish himself in an independent position in which he might be assured of material success and also be helpful as a citizen, his good judgment finally led him to become a representa- tive of the real estate business, with special attention given to the requirements of the large element of Ital- ian citizenship in Detroit. His capital was limited, but his energy and determination unlimited, besides which his ultmate success has fully attested his marked initiative and executive ability. He has worked hard, has enjoyed his work, has been circum- spect and progressive in his buying, improving and selling of real estate, and as a home builder he has done splendid service in the metropolitan district of Detroit. He has platted and developed a number of excellent subdivisions, and at the time of this writing is giving special attention to the exploitation of the Electric Gardens subdivision, in the village of Oak- wood, Wayne county. This subdivision is within a short distance of the great Ford manufacturing plant in River Rouge and in the heart of the most important and rapidly growing industrial district of Detroit, with frontage on the new Detroit boulevard system known as the Outer Drive. Mr. Tarabusi is meeting with much success in placing this valuable tract on the market, and in addition to his large and important real estate interests, through which he is placed in a position of financial stability and influence, he controls a substantial fire insurance business, as a representa- tive of a number of solid companies of high reputa- tion. He is a valued member of the Detroit Board of

LOUIS TARABUSI

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Commerce and the American-Italian Citizens League, holds membership in the Detroit Automobile Club, and he and his wife are earnest communicants of the Catholic church.

On the 12th of November, 1917, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Tarabusi to Miss Mary Sciacero, daughter of August Sciacero of Detroit, and to this union has been born a winsome daughter, Dora, the date of whose nativity was November 11, 1918.

The American career of Mr. Tarabusi offers lesson and incentive, not only to those of foreign birth but also to young Americans who, like himself, must de- pend upon their own resources in making their way to the goal of worthy success. In 1917 Mr. Tarabusi erected at No. 60 Trowbridge avenue, his home, which is one of the attractive residences of the north Wood- ward section.

W. HOWIE MUIR, a conspicuous figure in the com- mercial, civic and social circles of Detroit, was born May 28, 1867, in the city which is still his home, his parents being William Ker and Christina (Hendrie) Muir. The father was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, March 20, 1829, and in early life he turned his attention to railroad mechanical engineering, spending the latter part of each school day in some engineering establishment. After his textbooks were put aside he was employed in the ticket office of an Ayrshire railroad, and filling various positions, gained a detailed knowledge of railroad work. When con- nected with an English railway he met C. J. Brydges, managing director of the Great Western Railway of Canada, who offered him a position, which he accepted, and in October, 1852, he undertook his work before the first section of the railway between Niagara Falls and Hamilton was opened. For five years he remained with that railway company and then removed to Detroit to become general manager of the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad, in the com- pletion of which to Lake Michigan the Great Western had become financially interested. Mr. Muir took charge of the completion of the road, its equipment with rolling stock and also the work of securing two steamships to connect with Milwaukee. He remained as general manager until December, 1865, when he resigned and accepted an appointment as assistant general superintendent of the Michigan Central Rail- road under R. N. Rice. A few years later he ac- cepted the proffered position of general superintendent of the Great Western Line and while in charge greatly improved the property until the road was one of the best in the country. He changed it from the Canadian broad-gauge of five feet, six and one-half inches to the American gauge of four feet, eight and one-half inches and thoroughly organized and equipped it as an eastern and western link. On the completion of that work he again became superintendent of the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee, but soon afterward retired to manage a new railroad through Canada, with

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The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV, Part 89

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