USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. IV > Part 98
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Mr. and Mrs. John L. Lane, residents of this city. Three children have been born of this union: Ray- mond L., the eldest of the family, was born in December, 1898, and following his graduation from the Highland Park high school he entered the Michi- gan Agricultural College and subsequently became a student in the University of Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1919. He is a member of the faculty in the chemistry department of the Michigan Agricultural College; the other two children are John Donald, who was born in 1906, and William Maurice, born in 1910. Both are attending the Highland Park high school.
In his political views Mr. Baxter is a republican, stanchly supporting the principles and candidates of the party. He is an active and earnest member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, heartily cooperat- ing in its plans and projects for the expansion of the trade interests of the city, and he is also connected with the Michigan Insurance Exchange and the Na- tional Insurance Association. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to hoth the York and Scottish Rites and to the Knights Templars, Detroit Com- mandery. He is also a member of the Masonie Coun- try Club and the Detroit Automobile Club. He is rec- ognized as a most progressive and energetic business man and through the capable management of his affairs has not only gained individual prosperity but has also contributed in substantial measure to the development and improvement of his city.
DAVID STOTT. There is something thoroughly consistent in presenting the life history of David Stott in connection with the records of Detroit, in- asmuch as he contributed in large measure to the business development and progress of the city and to many interests which were vital forces in Detroit's upbuilding and development. He was a man of marked force of character and of splendid ability and he so exercised his powers as to produce substantial and beneficial results for the community in which he lived, while at the same time advancing his individual for- tunes. The story of his life should be of stimulating and inspirational interest to all who read it.
Mr. Stott was a native of England, born on the 9th of July, 1853, and was one of a family of three children. On attaining the usual age he entered the public schools, passing through consecutive grades as he mastered the various branches of learning until he became a high school pupil. He dated his residence in Detroit from the age of thirteen years, at which time the family home was established in this city. In early manhood he turned his attention to the dairy business, in which he continued active until he em- barked in the milling business and from that time was associated with the manufacture of flour until his death, on June 4, 1916. Gradually his activities in that field broadened in scope and importance and event- ually he became president of the David Stott Flour
Mills, Incorporated, president of the Morehead Manu- facturing Company, president of the Stott Realty Company, and secretary and treasurer of the Detroit Barrel Company. He also served for a number of years until his death as a director of the Peninsular State Bank.
Mr. Stott was married twice. He was first married to Miss Julia Albro, who passed away in 1911. On Feb- ruary 24, 1914, he was married to Miss Helene Austin, a daughter of Thomas H. and Anne (Neville) Austin. The family of Mr. Stott numbered seven children, all born to the first marriage. He belonged to the Cath- olie church, of which his family are still communicants and at all times he was a generous supporter of the church and its work. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus and along strictly social lines was connected with the Detroit Athletic Club, the De- troit Boat Club and the Country Club, of which Mrs. Stott is also a member. His political endorsement was given to the republican party and at all times he kept well informed concerning the vital questions and issues of the day, hut political preferment had no attraction for him. He found his satisfaction and in- terest in the upbuilding of his business and his close application and thoroughness constituted the important element which proved the foundation of his prosperity.
RAYMOND W. SUMMERS, secretary and treas- urer of the Detroit Universal Solvent Company, manu- facturers of Universal Solvent, a rust preventative liquid and paint oil, born at Sulphur Springs, Texas, August 18, 1887, and is a son of G. W. and Esther W. (Gough) Summers. The father was born in Ala- bama in 1849 and his marriage was celebrated in 1872. In 1879 he and his wife took up their abode in Sulphur Springs, Texas, where Mr. Summers estab- lished a drug store, while later he extended the scope of his business to include the. sale of groceries and dry goods. He afterward removed to St. Louis and became prominent in the business life of the city. He was a noted inventor and analyst, not only producing the product now manufactured by the Detroit Universal Solvent Compay but was also the inventor of the automatic coupler and air brake, which he sold to the Westinghouse Company and which they still use. He died in Dallas, Texas, in 1914.
Raymond W. Summers pursued his education in the public schools of St. Louis following the removal of the family from Texas to that city. He continued a resident of St. Louis, the Indian Territory and Texas until 1915 and was associated with his father in busi- ness to the time of the latter's death in 1914. In the succeeding year he became an organizer of the Lacquer-All Corporation, holding the office of see- retary until 1921, when he resigned. In that year he organized the Detroit Universal Solvent Company, the factory location heing at No. 4221 Michigan ave- nue. Although a young company, it already has a trade that extends to all parts of the country and
DAVID STOTT
Vol. IV-54
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CITY OF DETROIT
many of the notable industrial and manufacturing concerns of the country are numbered among its regular customers. Mr. Summers is a progressive young business man, alert and enterprising, keeping in touch at all times with the market, and his energy and determination in business affairs bring about most gratifying results.
CHARLES H. AYERS, vice president of the Peoples State Bank of Detroit, is well known as an able financier and banker of more than ordinary ability who has promoted the success of the institution with which he is connected by systematic and progressive work. He is well versed in the details of modern banking and his knowledge is guided and directed by his general business ability. He is a native of this city and was born February 9, 1866, a son of Lewis H. and Mary J. (Riker) Ayers, who reared a family of two children, the sister of Mr. Ayers being now the wife of Robert S. Holmes.
In the public schools of Detroit, Charles H. Ayres acquired his education and when twelve years of age started to work in a book store located on the old site of the Fyfe shoe store, receiving for his services a wage of three dollars per week. The next two years were spent as a student in a commercial college, after which he entered the employ of Mumford, Foster & Company, engaged in the leather business, their es- tablishment being located at No. 16 Gratiot avenue. For four years he remained with that company in the capacity of entry clerk, but was obliged to abandon his work, owing to ill health, and going to Texas he there spent one year on a ranch, being greatly benefited by the outdoor life. He then returned to Detroit and in 1887 entered financial circles of the city as assistant bookkeeper for the Preston National Bank. His faithfulness and efficiency soon won him merited advancement and he became bookkeeper, later was placed in charge of collections and finally was made paying teller. He remained with the bank until 1896, when he became identified with the firm of Ayers & Reynolds, of which his father was a member, and was placed in charge of office finances. Subse- quently he was employed in the state bank examiner's department and in 1906 was appointed to that re- sponsible position, serving under Commissioners George W. Moore and H. M. Zimmerman. He proved most efficient in the discharge of his duties in that con- nection and was instrumental in securing the arrest and conviction of a number of defaulting bank officers, his services being of great value to the state. In 1909 he became associated with the Peoples State Bank as assistant cashier and his excellent work in that ca- pacity led to his election to the office of vice president in 1920, in which position he is now serving, being well fitted by training and experience for the re- sponsible duties which devolve upon him in this con- nection. He manifests excellent judgment in extend- ing the credit of the bank and in all things tempers
progressiveness by a safe conservatism. With keen insight into business affairs and situations and with a thorough understanding of every phase of banking, he has been largely instrumental in promoting the growth and success of the institution, which ranks with the leading financial enterprises of the city.
In his political views Mr. Ayers is a republican and fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M., of which he served as high priest in 1907. That he comes of honorable and distinguished ancestry is indicated by his membership in the Sons of the American Revolu- tion and the Society of Mayflower Descendants and he is also connected with the Detroit Athletic Club and the Detroit Boat Club. He is secretary of the Detroit Bankers Club and he occupies a high position in financial circles of the city, while he is recognized as a public-spirited and loyal citizen whose influence is ever on the side of advancement and improvement. The story of his life is the story of earnest endeavor, marked by an orderly progression that has brought him out of humble surroundings into a foremost place among the business men of his native city. His record is a most creditable one and should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.
C. E. STEPHENS is the secretary of the Arctic Ice Cream Company of Detroit, with which business he has been connected through a period of twenty- eight years, being elected to his present position in 1908. He was born in Southville, Michigan, Novem- ber 5, 1876, and is a son of Chalin and Margaret M. (Fiero) Stephens. A public school education qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties and he was a youth of sixteen years when he came to Detroit and entered the employ of his elder brother, Alfred F. Stephens, then engaged in ice-cream manufacturing in this city. He acquainted himself with every phase of the business and the thoroughness and efficiency of his work led to his steady advancement. From 1906 to 1908 he was connected with the Seamless Steel Bath Tub Company, having charge of the mill room and powder. In 1908 his brother, Alfred F. Stephens, founded the Arctic Ice Cream Company, and C. E. Stephens was elected to the position of secretary of that company. He is thus active in con- trol of one of the chief productive industries of the city, for the Arctic Ice Cream Company is the second enterprise of the kind in size in Detroit and its business connections cover a very extensive territory. While the main plant is located in this city, the com- pany has condensing plants at Grand Ledge, Fenton and Hastings, while milk receiving stations have been established at Richmond, Birch Run, Shear's Station and Shotke Station, Michigan. Something of the vol- ume of the business transacted by the company is indicated in the fact that it now utilizes forty-five
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trneks and thirty-five wagons for the collection of products and the distribution of their output and employs an average of one hundred and fifty men. The company receives thirty thousand gallons of milk per day and between the 1st of May and the 1st of October its daily output of ice-cream is eight thousand gallons. From its condensing plant it makes ship- ments to all parts of the United States and the name of the Arctic Ice Cream Company is everywhere rec- ognized as a synonym for excellence of products and for high standards of business conduct. From the first the firm has recognized that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and has put forth every possible effort to please those who have given them their support.
On the 25th of July, 1900, C. E. Stephens was united in marriage to Anna P. Hill and they have a daugh- ter, Margaret Elizabeth, who is four years of age. Mr. Stephens belongs to the Fellowcraft Athletic Club, also to the Detroit Automobile Club and frater- nally is associated with Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M. He votes with the republican party, to which he has given his support since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church and its teachings have been a guiding force in all of his life's relations.
CHARLES E. DRUM. The record of Charles E. Drum furnishes one of the best examples of the suc- cessful American, who, starting out in the world without prestige or prospects, has achieved success and won an honorable name and reputation. He was born on a farm in Fulton county, Ohio, but was left without a father when in his second year. He afterward lived with his grandmother until six years of age, when he went to live with his mother and stepfather. At the age of nine he began to learn the alphabet in a lumber camp, and thereafter while working on the farm in the summer he attended school in the winter season until he reached the eighth grade, at the age of fourteen. But no matter where or how he was em- ployed he continued to read and study assiduously as opportunity offered, utilizing every spare moment to promote his knowledge, for he had come to a realization of the value of education as a factor in life. When sixteen years of age he went to Toledo, Ohio, a penniless boy, to look for a job, thus beginning his business career. In Toledo he secured work in the barns of the old Street Railway Company, and con- tinued his studies at night, actuated by a most com- mendable desire for education. In his spare time he worked in the company's feed mill and at the end of two years had won promotion until he was in charge of the feed mill. Soon afterward his ambition outgrew his employment and he joined the Jewel Sewing Machine Company, in the employ of which he learned to be a machinist. After he had become acquainted with the trade he was made foreman and continued with the company for nineteen years. At
length the company turned its attention to bicycle manufacturing and Mr. Drum acquainted himself with every detail of the building of a bicycle. Next he worked for the Pope Toledo Steam Car people, and afterward had a position in the Willys plant for a year and a half.
It was in 1908 that Mr. Drum arrived in Detroit, and for a year was in the employ of the Chalmers Motor Car Company, after which he was connected with the Packard Company for two years as superin- tendent of the finishing division and inspection de- partment. He then became factory manager for the Keeton Motor Car Company, but at the end of a year joined the Hayes Manufacturing Company as factory manager. Three years later he accepted a position with the Springfield Body Company and was manager of its factory for a year and a half. He next went to Flint, Michigan, with the Buick people and managed plant No. 4 for two and a half years, on the expira- tion of which period he returned to the Hayes Mau- ufacturing Company, on the 1st of January, 1920, as works manager. In March, 1921, he was elected vice president and general manager of this company. It was Mr. Drum who put in the first system of progres- sive assembling of automobiles in Detroit for the Chalmers Company and also installed his system in the Jeffrey's plant. He has been actuated by a most progressive spirit in all that he has undertaken, and his services have been an acknowledged value to the corporations which he has represented.
Mr. Drum was united in marriage to Miss Rieka Wackle, and they have a family of six children: Wel- come, Verner, Ruth, Helen, Dorothy and Charles E., Jr. Mr. Drum is a member of Union Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M. and also belongs to King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M. He is also a member of Michigan Sovereign Consistory and Moslem Temple, A. A. O N. M. S. While loyal to the teachings of his fraternity he is strictly a business and home man. He has a fine farm near Toledo, Ohio, where he and his family enjoy country air and life. His has been an active and varied career, one in which he has systematically de- veloped his powers and talent and wisely utilized his opportunities until today he is recognized a most forceful and resourceful business man in connection with the industrial interests of Detroit.
RICHARD PICKERING JOY. Strong in his pur- pose and purposeful in his strength, Richard Pickering Joy, president of the National Bank of Commerce of Detroit, belongs to that class of American business men to whom the possession of wealth has not an- nulled energy, enterprise or ambition. From the out- set of his career he has recognized the responsiblity of the individual as a factor in the world's work and has met and discharged the obligations as well as utilized the opportunities of citizenship.
Mr. Joy is a full-fledged Detroiter. His birth, his rearing and his most important business activities
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CHARLES E. DRUM
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CITY OF DETROIT
have all been in Detroit. He was born January 25, 1870, a son of James F. and Mary (Bourne) Joy, and descends from an old New England family, the ancestry of which is traced in direct line back to Thomas Joy, who came from England aud settled in Boston about 1632. The father, James F. Joy, was one of the most illustrious citizens Detroit has known and is mentioned at length elsewhere in this work.
Richard P. Joy received his early education in the public schools of Detroit, later attending the Phil- lips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, from which he graduated in the class of 1890. With an iuelina- tion more towards business than the professions, his active business career began soon after attain- ing his majority, when he became connected with the engineering department of the Fort Street Union Depot Company. Subsequent activities in public and private life were followed by his connection with the city's banking interests. At a time when Detroit's rapid growth had rendered its banking facilities inade- quate Mr. Joy became interested in organizing the National Bank of Commerce, becoming its first presi- dent, in which capacity he has ever since remained. The growth of this financial institution has been re- markable and began from the very first day it opened for business-June 1, 1907, steadily working its way into the estimation of the people, while its conser- vative, energetic course during the panic of 1907 placed it still more firmly in the confidence of the public. From the beginning Mr. Joy has maintained the policy that the bank is most worthy of trust that most carefully safeguards the interests of its deposi- tors and he has therefore always tempered progres- siveness by a safe conservatism. The success of this policy, together with other features of up-to-date bank- ing prevailing in the National Bank of Commerce, is probably best reflected in the nearly thirty-five mil- lions of dollars of resources shown by that institution and its position as one of Detroit's strongest and most ably managed banks. Mr. Joy's interests are varied and extensive. He is the president of the Detroit Union Railroad Depot & Station Company, the vice president of the Detroit Copper & Brass Rolling Mills, a director of the Packard Motor Car Company, and interested in various other commercial and in- dustrial enterprises.
In 1908 Mr. Joy was united in marriage to Miss Mary Moore. His appreciation of the social ameni- ties of life is indicated in his membership in the Yondotega, Detroit, Country and Old Clubs of Detroit.
Early in his connection with the business life of Detroit, Mr. Joy was also called upon for public service and in 1898 was elected alderman, filling the office until 1901. In 1906 and 1907 he served as comptroller of the city of Detroit and he has been an active member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, co- operating heartily in all of its well defined plans and projects for the upbuilding of the city. His political
allegiance has always been given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Presby- terian church. Opportunity has ever been to him a call to action and no little of his sustained power is due to the moral and social characteristics of this many-sided man. In social intercourse he is genial, kindly and humanly sympathetic; in business he is the personification of its highest ethics and the most rigid integrity.
EARL I. HEENAN has resided in Detroit since 1904. He was born in Dryden, Michigan, in 1881, and is the son of John and Rachel A. Heenan, the former a native of the state of New York, the lat- ter of Michigan. His father came to this state and engaged in the banking business, and is now residing in Detroit. His wife is also living. They have two children: John R. Heenan, who is engaged in the real estate business in Detroit; and Earl I. Heenan.
Earl I. Heenan attended the public schools of Dryden, and the high school of Romeo, Michigan, and later entered the University of Michigan, being graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1902, and that of Bachelor of Laws in 1904, at which time he opened a law office in Detroit. Since then he has been in general practice in Detroit. He is a director of the Peoples State Bank of Imlay City, Michigan, and president of the Detroit Securities Company.
On the 24th day of May, 1911, Mr. Heenan mar- ried, in South Pasadena, California, Miss Bernice E. Palmer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Palmer of Imlay City, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Heenan have three children: Bernice Rosemary, born March 8, 1915; Earl I. Heenan, Jr., born February 2, 1919; and Palmer T. Heenan, born December 13, 1921.
Mr. Heenan is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, the Ingleside Club, the Lawyer's Club, and the Detroit and Michigan State Bar Associations.
W. B. VAN DRESSER, of the firm of Van Dresser Brothers, makers of tools and special machinery in Detroit, is numbered among Michigan's native sons, his birth having occurred at Battle Creek, October 25, 1879. His parents were William and Cornelia (Leinar) Van Dresser and the father is descended from the prominent Van Dresser family of Herkimer county, New York, who were of Holland ancestry. His mother was born in Holland but came to America in her girlhood days.
W. B. Van Dresser was educated in the public schools of Battle Creek and by reason of a natural inclination turned to mechanical pursuits when he started out in the business world. He learned the trade of tool-making in his native city and the de- velopment of his skill in that direction at length won for him the position of assistant superintendent in a printing house in Grand Haven, Michigan. He came
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to Detroit in 1914 and had charge of the machinery department in the Packard plant before starting in his present business. His brother, W. C. Van Dres- ser, had charge of the tool department of the Gemmer Manufacturing Company and the two brothers eventu- ally joined their interests to organize the firm of Van Dresser Brothers, makers of tools and special machinery. They are rated as experts in their line. They established the business on the 15th of August, 1915, and in 1919 they built their present extensive and well equipped factory, in which they are turning out work of the highest grade.
W. B. Van Dresser was married to Miss Olive A. Thayer and they are well known socially in Detroit, where the hospitality of many of the best homes is cordially extended to them. Fraternally Mr. Van Dresser is a Mason, belonging to A. T. Mitchell Lodge, No. 419, A. F. & A. M., and his interest in community affairs is indicated in his connection with the Board of Commerce and his cooperation in all those projects and plans of the board to advance the city's interests, to extend its trade relations, to upbuild its fortunes and to promote its civic standards.
DUDLEY WOODBRIDGE ABBOTT. One of the prominent figures in real estate circles of Detroit is Dudley Woodbridge Abbott, secretary-treasurer of the William Tait Realty Company and copartner of the firm of Abbott & Beymer, the latter firm also main- taining offices in Buffalo, New York. He is a native son of Detroit and has witnessed much of its wonderful growth and development, to which he has contributed substantially through his business activities. He was born April 26, 1878, and was the eldest son of William Woodbridge and Hattie E. (Abbott) Abbott, repre- sentatives of old American families. His grandfather, John S. Abbott, married Lucy Marie Woodbridge, a daughter of Governor William Woodbridge of Mich- igan, and the Abbotts were prominent among the older settlers of Detroit. The old homestead at the foot of Trumbull avenue, on the river front, was later moved to the corner of Church and Tenth streets.
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