- One of the truly great men of Detroit passed away when on the 14th of May, 1917, James D. Standish was called to his final home. A native of Michigan, he had spent the greater part of his life in this state and as the years were added to the cycle of the centuries he made for himself a most prominent position in connection with the business life not only of Detroit and of Michigan but of the entire country, becoming one of the central figures in connection with the packing; industry of America. His powers were developed through the exercise of effort and from each experience of life he learned the lesson therein contained. He made splendid use of his time, his talents and his opportunities, and step by step he advanced to a position of leadership, gaining not only notable success but also the respect and confidence in all with whom he was associated. Mr. Standish was born in Pontiac, Michigan, (Oakland County) November 12, 1849, and is a son of John Dana and Emma Lee (Harrow) Standish. The former was a son of Samuel Standish and a direct descendant of Miles Standish in the eighth generation. The mother was born in Old Lyme, Connecticut, and the Standish family was also long represented in that state. Samuel Standish, the grandfather, was born in Norwich, Connecticut, May 8, 1753, and was married to Lois Curtis of Woodbury, Connecticut, a daughter of Eldad Curtis. Samuel Standish removed to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and, in April, 1776, volunteered for service under Captain Haines, with whom he was on duty for twenty days. In September, 1776, while residing in Stockbridge, he again volunteered under Colonel Simonds of Williamstown, Massachusetts, and Major Rossiter of Richmond, Massachusetts, and was in Hie battle of White Plains, New York, on the 25th of October, of that year, receiving his discharge in the latter part of November. On the 8th of July of the following year, he was called out with the militia at Stockbridge, marched through the towns along the way to Fort Aon and then joined Captain Rouleys company of Richmond, Massachusetts. While on picket duty at Fort Edward he was taken prisoner and while held as a prisoner of war saw the Indians kill and scalp Jennie McRea. He was taken to Fort Tieondcroga, where he was made to drive a team, hauling provisions for the British. On the third trip he escaped and went to Arlington, Vermont, and from there proceeded to his homo in Stockbridge, arriving in September, 1777. Later he moved to Burlington, Vermont, and after the Revolutionary war he resided in Granville, New York, to which place he went about 1782. His son Samuel was born there at that date, and in 1800 the father served as collector of the town. His name is mentioned in the national official register list of pensioners residing in Granville in 1840 at the age of eighty-six years. He died March 18,1841, and was buried in the cemetery at North Granville, New York. There his son Samuel, the grandfather of James I). Standish, lived. The family removed to Detroit when James Darrow Standish was a young lad of nine years, and he attended the public schools of this city, while later he became a student in Kalamazoo College, thus qualifying by liberal educational training for life's practical and responsible duties. On the 22d of May, 1873, Mr. Standish was united in marriage at Adrian, Michigan, to Miss Jennie C. Hart.

For five years prior to his marriage James P. Standish was with the packing firm of Standish & Ives, and was the original Standish of the Hammond, Standish Company. Paring the last twenty years of his life he was connected with many financial business and social organizations of the city and was recognized as a man of prominence in Detroit. He entered the employ of Standish & Ives in 1867 and two years later was given a working interest in the firm which became Standish & Company. Subsequently he assisted in organizing the firm of Hammond, Standish & Company, being associated in the enterprise with George H. Hammond and Sidney B. Dixon. This was in 1872, and in 1880 the business was incorporated. They became well known as packers and wholesale and retail dealers in provisions, Mr. Standish remaining secretary and treasurer of the company from its organization until his demise. In 1881 be also became secretary and treasurer of the Hammond Company, which transferred its general offices to Chicago in 1889, at which time he removed to that city. When the company was merged into the National Packing Company in 1902 ho became secretary and treasurer of the amalgamated organization and so continued until 1904. He then again took up his abode in Detroit and assumed his duties with Hammond, Standish & Company as secretary and treasurer. Still further he extended his efforts and activities by becoming president of the Detroit Beef Company, president of the Cattle Feeders' Loan Company of South Omaha, Nebraska, a director of the Commercial National Bank of Detroit, the Security Trust Company and the Michigan Savings Bank and also of the South Omaha National Bank of South Omaha. By reason of the extent and importance of the business interests which be developed and controlled be was one of the best known men in the packing industry, and Detroit, indeed, lost one of her foremost representatives when Mr. Standish passed away.

He and his family long occupied a prominent position in the social circles of the city. To him and his wife were born two children: James D., Jr., and Jane H., the wife of H. C. Van Voorhis, now residing in Brookline, Massachusetts. They have two children, Standish and Peter. Mr. Standish made his home at No. 1411 Burns avenue. He had long been a devoted member of the Episcopal church and along social lines was connected with the Detroit, Detroit Athletic, the Detroit Country, and Lake St. Clair Fishing and Shooting Clubs. He was also a member of the Board of Commerce and interested in all that had to do with the city's welfare, development and progress. He enjoyed golf, to which he turned for recreation. The interests and activities of his life were well balanced. He gave due thought to his important business affairs, yet never allowed these to so monopolize his time as to exclude his active participation in the social amenities of life or his earnest support of all those plans and projects which have to do with cultural progress or the material, intellectual and moral advancement of mankind.
Source; History of Detroit 1702 - 1922 from S.J. Clarke Publishing 1922

From the Book of Detroiters --
James D. Standish, secretary and treasurer Hammond, Standish & Co.; born, Pontiac, Mich., Nov. 12, 1849; son of John Dana and Emma Lee (Darrow) Standish; educated, Detroit public schools and Kalamazoo College; married at Adrian, Mich., May 22, 1873, Jennie C. Hart. Entered employ of Standish & Ives, 1867, and two years later was given a working interest in the firm, which became Standish & Co.; assisted in organizing firm of Hammond, Standish & Co., with George H. Hammond and Sidney B. Dixon, 1872, incorporated, 1880, packers and wholesale and retail dealers in provisions, of which has been secretary and treasurer from time of organization. In 1881 he became secretary and treasurer of the G. H. Hammond Co., whose general offices were transferred to Chicago in 1889, and he went there; when this company was merged into the National Packing Co., in 1902, he became secretary and treasurer of the latter, continuing until 1904; returned to Detroit and assumed his duties with Hammond, Standish & Co. Also president Detroit Beef Co.; president Cattle Feeders’ Loan Co., South Omaha, Neb.; director Commercial National Bank, Security Trust Co., Michigan Savings Bank, and of South Omaha National Bank, South Omaha. Episcopalian. Member Board of Commerce. Clubs: Detroit, Detroit Country, Lake St. Clair Fishing and Shooting Club. Recreation: Golf. Office: 20th St. and M.C.R.R. Residence: 74 Alfred St.