USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 97
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In the graded and high schools of his native county Henry Shearer acquired his education and on start- ing out in life on his own account he entered the office of the county clerk of Berrien county, after which he became connected with mercantile pursuits, being thus associated until 1892. He then entered railroad circles, securing a minor position with the Michigan Central Railroad Company, and by close application and the thorough mastery of every task assigned him he won advancement from one position to another of larger responsibility until he at length . was made general manager of one of the largest rail- road systems in the country. He is thoroughly qualified to discharge the duties of this important position, for he possesses the foresight, the self-reliance and the business sagacity necessary to carry on great en- terprises successfully. He is distinctively a man of large affairs who combines marked executive ability with the power to coordinate and unify seemingly diverse elements. As an executive he is highly esteemed by the employes of the road, to whom he has ever shown a spirit of fairness and consideration, thus winning their hearty cooperation and goodwill, which has resulted in increased efficiency in the op- eration of the business.
Mr. Shearer has been married three times. His first union was with Miss Matilda Gallow, of Bay City, Michigan, whom he wedded in 1894. She was a daugh-
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ter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Gallow, prominent resi- dents of that city, and her demise occurred in Detroit in 1908. Four children were born of that union: Franklin, the eldest of the family, was born in Porter, Indiana, in 1896, and is a graduate of Assumption College. He is a veteran of the World war, in which he served as a member of the Second Michigan In- fantry, attached to the Eighty-sixth Division and spent eighteen months overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces; Carl H., born at Chicago Heights, Illinois, in 1897, is also a graduate of As- sumption College, and during the war with Germany he was sent to the Great Lakes naval training station at Lake Bluff, Illinois, being there at the time of the signing of the armistice; the two younger children are William and Louise, born respectively in 1901 and 1903 in the city of Chicago, and both are at- tending school in Detroit. Mr. Shearer's second mar- riage took place at Marshall, Michigan, in 1910, at which time he wedded Miss Mary Elizabeth MeDer- mott, a representative, of a well known family of that city. She passed away in 1914, leaving a son, Henry, whose birth occurred at St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, in 1911, and who is now attending a Catholic school. At Marshall, Michigan, in 1916 Mr. Shearer was united in marriage to Miss Winifred MeDermott, a sister of his second wife, and they have one son, John H., who was born in 1917.
In his political views Mr. Shearer is a republican, interested in the welfare and success of the party, but without aspirations for public office. He is a mem- ber of the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Trans- portation Club and the Oakland Hills Country Club and in religious faith he is a Catholic. He has not become identified with any fraternal organizations, preferring to spend his leisure hours with his family, to whom he is most devoted. He is preeminently a business man whose record is written in terms of suc- cess. The story of his life is the story of earnest endeavor, marked by an orderly progression that has bronght him out of humble surroundings to a foremost position in railroad circles of the country. He is a big man-big in that power which under- stands conditions, grasps situations and molds op- portunity into tangible assets-and Detroit is for- tunate in numbering him among her citizens. He re- sides at No. 938 Lawrence avenue, Detroit, Michigan.
WILLIAM F. V. NEUMANN, president of William F. V. Neumann & Sons and in point of years in business the oldest antomobile dealer in Detroit, is also one of the city's pioneers in that enterprise. Mr. Neumann's connection with the automobile trade dates back to 1899, in the days when power driven vehicles were objects of curiosity, and the intervening years show an unbroken period of identification with it, com- prising a record that is without an equal among Detroit dealers. He was born in Minonk, Illinois, February 26, 1872, a son of John and Mathilda (Metz-
ger) Neumann, both of whom were natives of Ger- many, whence they came to America in early life. The father was a minister of the gospel and became a resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was promi- nent in the pulpit for twenty-six years prior to com- ing to Detroit. After taking up his abode in this city he contributed much to its moral development, social uplift and benevolent work. He built the new orphans' home in Detroit that stands as a monument to his memory and an expression of his love for the unfortunate of the world. He died at Bradentown, Florida, in 1917, in his seventy-sixth year, and his memory remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us, is the meas- ure of our success," wrote a modern philosopher, and judged by this standard Rev. Mr. Neumann was a most successful man. His wife, who shared with him and aided him in all of his good work, passed away in Ottawa, Illinois, in 1905. In their family were five children: Mathilda, now the wife of Rev. Robert Schreiber of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Mrs. Johanna Greiner, residing in Sparta, Michigan; Mrs. Adele Widenmann of Detroit; Amanda, now Mrs. William Kemnitz of Detroit; and William F. V.
The last named, the only son of the family and the second in order of birth, obtained his education in the public and high schools of Ann Arbor and then entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1897, with the degree of Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. He entered upon the practice of his profession as an engineer with the harbor department of the United States government and with the Chase Construction Company on electric rail- way and lighting work. He was sent by the govern- ment to Paris, France, to supervise the wiring of buildings for the United States government at the Paris Exposition. He continued in this work until it was nearly completed and was then called back to work on harbor construction again. After a time he resigned his government position and in 1899 entered into business in Detroit with William E. Metzger, automobile dealer, remaining in that connection until the retail business was discontinued. He then entered into business on his own account with George E. Lane, under the firm style of the Neumann & Lane Company, automobile dealers. In 1916 he purchased the interest of Mr. Lane and has continued the busi- ness, which has been incorporated under the name of William F. V. Neumann & Sons. This firm handles quality cars, selling the Pierce Arrow line of passen- ger cars and trucks, and has built up probably the highest class business enjoyed by any Detroit dealer. Mr. Neumann was the first dealer to establish busi- ness on Woodward avenue and has made but two re- movals since he first went into business. The present location at 6022 Woodward avenue provides all the equipment of an up-to-date salesroom and service sta- tion. From his earliest connection in the automobile
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business, William F. V. Neumann has aimed at the highest standards in both his merchandise and busi- ness methods, with the result that no merchant in Detroit, in any line of trade, enjoys a higher reputa- tion for commercial integrity or has made a greater effort to place his business in the highest class.
On the 6th of March, 1894, Mr. Neumann was mar- ried to Miss Lydia Dittman of Romeo, Michigan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Dittman. They have become the parents of two sons: John W., born in 1895, in Romeo, Michigan, was educated iu the Uni- versity of Michigan as a mechanical engineer, grad- uating in 1917, and is now a member of the firm of William F. V. Nenman & Sons. During the war he was at the League Island Navy Yards under Commander Rowen, attached to the mechanical division. Ile married Miss Martha Wilcox of Detroit, and they have two children, Martha, born in 1919, and John William, born January 13, 1921; Carl W. Neumann, born in Romeo in 1896, was also educated at the State University, completing a commercial course by grad- uation in 1918, and is now a member of the firm of William F. V. Neuman & Sons. During the war he was in training in the naval aviation department.
Mr. Neumann is a Mason and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Detroit Athletic Club and the Detroit Automobile Club. Mr. Neuman's greatest hobby, aside from pleas- ing his customers and standing back of his merchan- dise, is probably that of fishing and hunting. His enthusiasm for these sports has for years taken him regularly, in season, to various sections of the coun- try frequented by hunters and fishermen. He has a cottage in the Georgian Bay district, where he goes for recreation of that kind. He belonged to the Under- hill Club when that property was conducted as such and was one of the original contributors to the Gray- ling fish hatchery. For a number of years he has been a member of the Michigan Sportsmen's Associa- tion and has taken a keen interest in the work of that organization. Mr. Neuman is also a member of the Bimini Club and his interest in community affairs is indicated in his connection with the Board of Com- merce, which in its varied activities for the upbuilding of the city, for the spread of its business connections and for the support of its civic honor and standards, receives his most earnest support and cooperation.
JOHN P. WICKER. In art circles of America John P. Wieker has long occupied a prominent place and as head of the Detroit School of Fine Arts he has done notably effective work, building up one of the leading institutions of the kind in this country. He was born at Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he attended the public schools, and later took up the study of art. He spent seven years in Paris, where his work was directed by artists of world-wide fame, his instructors being Wil- liam Bougereau, Robert Fleury and Fernand Cormon,
the last named gentleman being now dean of the cele- brated Ecole des Beaux Arts.
In 1903 Mr. Wieker became connected with the Detroit School of Fine Arts and for the past twelve years he has been its head, directing its affairs most successfully. His studios are located in the Chalmers building, on Parsons street, a few doors west of Wood- ward avenue. He teaches straight fine arts, namely: Black and white and color; illustrations; easel pic- tures; and in fact everything requiring work in flat. He is not only a finished artist but also excels as a teacher and under his directorship the school has steadily increased in fame and patronage. From three hundred to three hundred and fifty students are regularly enrolled, each of whom receives Mr. Wick- er's personal attention and instruction, and three ses- sions are held daily, there being morning, afternoon and evening classes. He has attained a national repu- tation as an artist and an instructor of superior ability and one of the leading art schools of the country stands as a monument to his enterprising spirit, his notable talent and his untiring labors. He is a man of high aspirations and ideals, who is devoting his life to a work that is of great worth to the world, and Detroit has greatly benefited through his activities.
VERNOR CHARLES FRY, a most progressive and enterprising real estate operator of Detroit, who has been instrumental in securing for the city many needed improvements, has been remarkably successful in his investments and is now conducting a business of extensive proportions, handling his own property. He is a farsighted, alert and progressive business man who has never feared to venture where favor- ing opportunity has pointed out the way, and his success is the direct result of his industry, energy and close application, guided by sound judgment.
Mr. Fry is a native of Canada. He was born at Selkirk, in western Ontario, and in the public schools of that country he acquired his education. On starting out in the business world he became clerk in a whole- sale dry goods house of Toronto, with which he was identified for seven years, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of general merchandising. In 1890 he came to Detroit and for thirteen years had charge of the notions department of a large establishment of this city. At the end of that period he entered the real estate field, in which he has continued, conducting his interests independently and handling his own prop- erty. He has gained a comprehensive and accurate knowledge concerning property values and has pro- moted many important realty transfers. He put Sherwood Forest on the market, also Palmer Highlands and the Somerset Road subdivision at Grosse Pointe. He also platted one hundred and twenty acres at Seven-Mile Road and Livernois street, which he named Ridgefield, and owing to his efforts Livernois street is being paved with two sixteen-foot pavements with a space of eighteen feet between, instead of one twen-
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ty-four-foot pavement. A chairman of a committee of property owners he succeeded in raising the sum of forty thousand dollars from the taxpayers to pay the street commission for the extra pavement, which has greatly improved the street, and his efforts were no small factor in determining the admirable route of the outer boulevard. He is the owner of two val- mable farms one with a large water frontage on Lake St. Clair, located about one mile above Lakeside Corners, and his investments have been most judici- ously placed. His plans are carefully made and promptly executed and his capable conduct of his ex- tensive business interests has resulted in the attain- ment of a large measure of success.
Mr. Fry has been married twice. His first union was with Anna Louise Franees Colby, who died, leaving two sons, Stanley E. and Colby Fry. Subse- quently he married Helen Gourlay, a daughter of Alfred Gourlay, and they have three children: Grace Ethelwyn, Margaret Jean and John Alfred.
In his political views Mr. Fry is a republican and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Church of Christ, situated at the corner of Tuxedo street and Hamilton boulevard. With industry and determination as dominant qualities he has made steady progress in the business world and his record is one that any man might be proud to possess. De- troit owes much to his progressive methods and initiative spirit, which have enabled him to formulate plans which have resulted in the substantial develop- ment and upbuilding of the city, and the worth of his work is widely acknowledged. His is a most success- ful career, characterized at all times. by a progressive spirit in business and by a public-spirited devotion to the general good, and Detroit is fortunate in elaim- ing him as a citizen, for he is a man who would be a decided acquisition to any community. He has re- sided at No. 604 Hazelwood, for a number of years.
ERNEST M. KRAETKE, secretary and treasurer of Kraetke Brothers, tool manufacturers, was born in Detroit, March 26, 1877. His parents, Louis and Minnie (Nageborn) Kraetke, were of German birth and came to America in early life, settling in Detroit, where the father was well known for many years as an iron moulder, associated with the Russell Wheel Foundry of this city. Here he passed away in Oeto- ber, 1905, having for three years survived his wife, who died in Detroit in March, 1902. They were the parents of six children: Richard E., who is the presi- dent of the firm of Kraetke Brothers of Detroit; Wil- liam, vice president of Kraetke Brothers; Mrs. Helen Fiedler of Detroit; Mrs. Elizabeth Gersehler, also of this city; Mrs. Alfred Chambers of Chicago; and. Er- nest M.
At the usual age Ernest M. Kraetke became a pupil in the public schools of Detroit and subsequently at- tended the Seminary school of this city. He was also a pupil in night schools for a time and after his
education was completed he secured a position with the J. V. Campbell Brokerage Company, with which he continued after it became Cameron Currie & Com- pany. He was connected therewith until 1908, when he entered the employ of the Hayden Stone Company, with which he remained for six years, or until 1914. He then joined his brothers in business as a member of the firm of Kraetke Brothers, tool manufacturers. This company had been organized by Richard and William Kraetke in 1911 and through the intervening period its development has continued until the business is one of the foremost in the manufacture of tools, gigs and fixtures in Detroit. The brothers have one of the best equipped plants of the city and furnish em- ployment to fifty people. Ernest M. Kraetke has for several years bent his energies and efforts to the steady growth and development of the business and is oceu- pying the position of secretary and treasurer.
On August 17, 1903, Mr. Kraetke was married to Miss Margaret Farrell of Detroit, a native of Troy, New York, and a daughter of Michael and Sarah (Martin) Farrell. Mr. and Mrs. Kraetke have become the parents of seven children: Marjorie Farrell and Dorothy Alice, twins, born August 4, 1904; Ernest F., born March 1, 1908; Sarah D., born May 29, 1912; Pauline H., born June 11, 1914; Richard W., born March 11, 1916; and Louis E., born April 25, 1918.
Fraternally Mr. Kraetke is connected with the Be- nevolent Protective Order of Elks and. something of the nature of his recreation and interests outside of business is shown in his identification with the Detroit Yacht Club. He is a progressive man, who has worked his way steadily upward through earnest and persist- ent effort and step by step he has reached the point of success which is today his. Mr. Kraetke resides at No. 5338 Burns avenue.
JOHN G. AND THOMAS G. BARBAS, owners and founders of the Home Candy Works, 33 Cadillac square, are among Detroit's energetic and progres- sive young business men who have achieved a wonder- ful suecess, and in the operation of their business they conduct one of the leading confectionery and refreshment stores in the city and cater to an ex- clusive and high-class trade.
These gentlemen are brothers and were born in 1884 and 1886 respectively, near Tripoli, Greece, sons of Constantine and Arite Barbas. The parents, both deceased, were highly respected. Of their family of nine children, five came to America.
John G. and Thomas G. Barbas were youths in their teens when, in 1901, they came to the United States and began their business careers in Toledo, Ohio, operating a concession at Walbridge Park in that city. Their start was in a modest way, as their capital was largely their energy and ambition. In the fall of 1907 they began business in Detroit by establishing at their location on Cadillac square a
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eandy and ice-cream parlor, which was the nucleus of their present extensive business.
Their enterprise was a success from the start, big factors in which have been high-class merchandise and particular attention to the smallest detail of op- eration. The growth of the trade necessitated the complete remodeling of the store, which is one of the most attractive and tasteful in its appointments of any of its kind in Detroit. They manufacture prac- tically every article that they dispense and it has always been their aim to have their product just a little better than that of their competitors. More than fifty people are employed in the conduct of their business.
Always with implicit faith in Detroit's future, these brothers have made extensive investments in real estate and are now large holders of city realty. Both are active and earnest members of the Detroit Board of Commerce and public-spirited citizens, while John G. Barbas was one of the organizers and since then a director of the Continental Bank. Their his- tory is the chronicle of men who, without assistance of any kind, have risen to a position among Detroit's strong and able business men. Their success is but the merited reward of well directed and straightfor- ward business efforts. They reside at the Hotel Statler.
LOUIS GOLDMAN, vice president and general man- ager of the Riverside Machinery Company, was born in Detroit, October 17, 1882, and after obtaining a publie and high school education he attended a busi- ness college, thus being qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. He started out in the business world in connection with the Riverside Serap Iron & Metal Company, with which he has been associated continuously since, covering a period of about a quarter of a century, being now the vice president and general manager of the corporation. It was in 1908 that the Riverside Machinery Company was founded by his father, H. L. Goldman, and Louis Goldman had been associated therewith through the interven- ing period. In 1916 the business was incorporated with H. L. Goldman, as the president; Louis Goldman, vice president and general manager; and I. Payne, secre- tary. The stockholders, officers and directors of the Riverside Machinery Company and the Riverside Scrap Iron & Metal Company are all the same. The Riverside Machinery Company buys and sells both new and used machinery of all kinds and acts as agent for manufacturers.
In 1902 Louis Goldman was married to Miss May Cohen, and they have become parents of two children: Harvey, seventeen years of age; and Irene Betty, a maiden of eleven summers. Mr. Goldman is a Mason, belonging to Perfection Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Monroe Chapter, R. A. M .; and he also bas membership with the Detroit Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 129, and the Knights of Pythias. He is likewise a member of
B'nai B'rith, identified with both the lodge and club organizations. In politics he is a republican, thoroughly in sympathy with the purposes and prin- ciples of the party. His religious faith is Hebrew. He is thus allied with many activities which are of vital worth as factors in the materal, intellectual, social and moral progress of this city. Moreover, he is recognized as a superior executive and an all- around business man.
HARRY M. BAXTER. As secretary and treasurer of the firm of Baxter & Baxter, Harry M. Baxter is well known in insurance circles of Detroit and is also operating extensively in real estate. He is a man of marked executive ability, business acumen and enterprise and through the capable management of his affairs has won a substantial degree of suc- cess. A native of this city, Mr. Baxter was born December 20, 1878, his parents being John A. and Lily E. (Gibbs) Baxter. The father was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1846, and the mother was a native of Bath, England, and at the age of sixteen years crossed the Atlantic to the United States, becoming a resi- dent of Detroit. The father came to this city in 1860 and here their marriage occurred, following which he became connected with the firm of George R. Angell & Company, dealers in artists' materials. He continued active along this line until he retired from active business .pursuits and is still a resident of Detroit. The mother, however, is deceased, her demise occurring on the 29th of March, 1917, when she was sixty-nine years of age. In their family were ten children, of whom but three survive, namely: A. Wil- liam, president of the firm of Baxter & Baxter; Mrs. Ethel B. Rouse, a resident of Highland Park, Michi- gan; and Harry M.
After completing his education, which was acquired in the graded and high schools of this city, Harry M. Baxter entered commercial circles in connection with the insurance business and later became his brother's associate in the firm of Baxter & Baxter, which was incorporated in 1918, with A. William Baxter as the president, while the subject of this re- view was made secretary and treasurer and is now filling those offices. They conduct a general insurance business and have built up an undertaking of exten- sive proportions, writing a large amount of insur- ance annually. Harry M. Baxter has also become in- terested in other lines of activity, being a director of the Michigan Home and Realty Company and of the Baxter Realty Company, both prosperous business enterprises of this city. He is also a director of the Commercial State Savings Bank. He is very enter- prising and does not hesitate to extend his interests as opportunity offers and he possesses the sound judgment and executive ability which enable him to carry his plans to successful completion.
On the 4th of March, 1898, Mr. Baxter was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Lane, a daughter of
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