JOSEPH BEDALE WOOLFENDEN
for many years an outstanding figure in mercantile circles and one whose opinion is yet sought by the newer as well as the older generation of Detroit's merchants, although since 1017 he has lived retired from active business, was born in Belfast, Ireland, on the 23rd of May, 1840, and is a son of James and Anne (Bedale) Woolfenden. His education was acquired in private schools of his native city and of Manchester, England. He made his initial step into the business world in 18.15 at Manchester, England, in the silk and dress goods department of the American shipping house of Firth, Flingsby & Company, with which he was associated until 1861.

Attracted by the opportunities and business conditions of the new world Mr. Woolfenden determined to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and, severing home tics, ho sailed for America. From August until December, 1861, be was associated with the dry goods house of James Davis in Kingston, Ontario, and then removed to Brockville, Ontario, where for about a year he was in the employ of J. & R. Blyth. He came to Detroit in 1862, at the request of James W. Farrell, then a leading merchant of Detroit. The latter *s father, John J. Farrell, had been associated with James Woolfendcn, the father of Joseph B., in Manchester, England. Joseph B. Woolfendcn continued with Mr. Farrell until 1869 and remained with the house when his employer sold out to the firm of Newcomb, Endicott & Company, continuing in the store until 1977, when he resigned his position to engage in business on his own account. Mr. Woolfenden went to Saginaw, Michigan, and took over the dry goods business of A. W. Wright, establishing the arm of J. B. Woolfenden & Company, with Mr. Wright remaining a partner. This business was conducted in Saginaw consultation with Mr. Wright, the details of the transaction were completed even to adoption of a firm name—the Taylor-Woolfenden Company, which was decided by tossing a coin. Mr. Taylor won and his name thus appeared first in the firm name. The sale of the Saginaw lease to Mr. Burnham was followed by the establishment in Detroit of the Taylor-Woolfenden Company, which opened its doors for business on the 1st of October, 1880, at the northwest corner of State street and Woodward avenue, in a building that was especially erected for the firm by William B. Wesson. From the beginning the new undertaking prospered. The long experience of the proprietors In connection with the dry goods trade well qualified them to carry on business of this character, and their enterprise and progressive methods were soon manifest in the growth of their patronage. To all the employees the firm's instructions were: "When you are dealing with a child or with a person unfamiliar with merchandise, give him the benefit of your judgment and supply him with the best value in the store." Year after year the business grew in volume and importance. On the 1st of February, 1910, the Taylor-Woolfenden Company and the William H. Elliott Company were consolidated under the name of Elliott-Taylor-Woolfenden Company and occupied the William H. Elliott building on the northwest corner of Woodward and Grand River avenues, until the new building erected for the firm by Mrs. William H. Elliott, on the southwest corner of Woodward avenue and Henry street, was completed. The removal of the store to the latter location took place early in May, 1911, and on May 7th it was opened for business. From the beginning Mr. Woolfenden took a leading part in shaping the policy and directing the activities of the house. Tho firm always maintained the highest standards in its personnel, in the line of goods carried and in the treatment accorded patrons, and it wan not long before the business became one of the most important commercial interests of Detroit, retaining a position of leadership to the present time. In 1917 Mr. Woolfenden retired from active business and now holds the position of honorary president.

It was after coming to Detroit in April, 1862, that Mr. Woolfenden was married to Miss Elizabeth Agnes Lumsden, who passed away in 1878. In this city he was married again in 1880, his second union being with Miss Rachel J. Lumsden. His living children are five in number: Annie Rachel, Mrs. Josephine Elizabeth Mills, Henry Lumsden, Florence May and John Joseph, James, the youngest, having died in infancy.

Mr. Woolfenden has always been a pioneer, in business as well as in private life. The firm was the first to occupy a building of any magnitude, north of State street, and after the consolidation with the Elliott Company was the first to move north of the. Grand Circus Park, a location in which many citizens gave them about six months to live. There is now an almost unbroken line of business for several miles north of the company's store.

In 1870 Mr. Woolfenden had an option on several lots on Woodward avenue, or as it was then called, the Pontiac Plank road. The lots were one hundred feet front and about five hundred feet deep, runningthrough to the line where Cass avenue was opened later. The location was nearly half a mile beyond any city residences and the Plank road elevated about three feet above the adjoining land. Mr. Woolfenden transferred part of his options to Mr. Charles Endicott and building operations were commenced in the spring of 1871. Application was then made to the Water Board, asking it to extend the main to the new buildings. One of the members of the board said we would have no city improvements in ten years. Mr. Woolfenden told them if they would come around in the fall he would show them what city improvements we could get. He then carried petitions around to all the property owners and when the houses were finished September 1st they had water, gas, sewer, cedar block pavement and sleepers for the street car rails. Other residences and subdivisions quickly followed. Antoinette street is now opened through Mr. Woolfenden's former lot and it is largely surrounded by places of business.

Mr. Woolfenden's political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. He has ever been a great lover of flowers and has found his chief source of recreation in their cultivation. With his wife and two daughters ho occupies a home of comfort, enjoying the rest which has come to him after so many years of active and prominent connection with the commercial life of Detroit. He is still a man of influence in its mercantile circles, despite the fact that he is retired. His old associates and many representatives of the newer generation of business men in the city manifest their respect for his sound judgment, displayed through a half century of commercial activity. Throughout his business career he followed constructive methods, seeking success along the legitimate lines of trade and winning an honored name to leave as a heritage for his family.