The Book of Detroiters 

Edited by Albert Nelson Marquis

1908



BOUTELL, Alexander A.    

     BOUTELL, Alexander A., president Detroit Graphite Manufacturing Co.; born, Avoca, N.Y., Jan. 13, 1840; son of Samuel and Caroline (Billsen) Boutell; educated in common schools and high schools of Milford and Ypsilanti, Mich.; married at Ypsilanti, (Washtenaw Co) July 20, 1868, Harriet J. Carpenter (now deceased). Began active career in Detroit as bookkeeper for Mowry & Co., tobacconists, Aug., 1867; acted as executor of estate of J. Mowry, 1871-Jan. 1, 1874; in banking business with Bowen & McGowan, Coldwater, Mich., 1874-76; in employ of Walker McGraw Co., Detroit, 1876-78; became secretary-treasurer Globe Tobacco Co., Windsor, Ont., 1878, and was secretary-treasurer and manager of the company at Detroit, 1880-Jan. 1, 1892, when he resigned after having built up an extensive business; was for 4 years secretary of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce; began manufacture of paints, Dec. 1892, as the Detroit Graphite Manufacturing Co., in which has since continued. Enlisted in 1st Michigan Lancers, fall of 1861. Member Detroit Board of Commerce. Republican. Episcopalian. Clubs: Detroit, Wayne, Detroit Boat, Old. Recreations: Social life of the club and traveling. Office: 10 12th Residence: 423 2nd Av. {Submitted by: Christine Walters}
 

BOWMAN, CHARLES J.

     BOWMAN, Charles J., secretary, treasurer and general manager American Butter and Cheese Co.; born, Gang Mills, N.Y.,   (Steuben Co)    Aug. 31, 1873; son of Lucius S. and Elizabeth Ann (Hurd) Bowman; educated in common schools; married, Indianapolis, Ind., July 22, 1903, Olive F. Pursell. Has been engaged in butter, cheese and egg business since 1893 and has been executive officer of the American Butter and Cheese Co. since Feb. 22, 1904. Also president American Butter and Cheese Co., Cleveland; member firm Sakewitz, McMillan & Bowman, and the Michigan White Clover Honey Co., both of Detroit; director American Butter and Cheese Co., Louisville, Ky., and American Dairy Co., Indianapolis. Member Chistian Church. Office: 31-33 Griswold St. Residence: 192 Westminster Av. {Submitted by: Christine Walters}

HILL, WILLIAM H.

     HILL, William H., president W. H. Hill com, proprietary medicines; born, Cohocton, N.Y., (Steuben Co)    July 16, 1852; son of John J. (M.D.) and Emeline (Tracy) Hill; attended public school of Kings Ferry, N.Y., until 15; spent two years at Cayuga Lake Academy, near Aurora, N.Y., (now Cayuga Lake Military Academy) and worked for tuition and board while at the academy; at 20, mother, sister and sister's two children came upon his hands for support; took care of them unit he was 35, at which time mother died, sister married, neice remaining with him until she was marrried and nephew then able to take care of himself. Married, Grass Lake, Mich.,  (Jackson Co) March 15, 1882, Alice Dwelle. Clerked in dry goods store at Coldwater, Mich., one year; acted as head clerk in chare of dry goods store, at Kalamazoo, Mich., two years; remover to Pittsburgh, PA., and followed drug business as clerk and traveling salesman until 1880, when he began manufacture of proprietary medicines at Gariport, NY., un title of W. H. Hill & Co.; was burned out, February, 1885; bought out partner's intrest and moved to Detroit, where he continued in business as W. H. Hill Co. until September, 1895, when the firm was incorporated as W. H. Hill company, of which he is president and general manager, now doing business of a half-million dollars a year. He was an extensive traveler, 1880-92, covering the entire United States while introducing his line of goods. President Ideal Register and Metallic Furniture Co. and the Detroit Silk Glove Co. Republican. Congregationalist. Clubs: Wayen, Rushmere, (member board of directors of both clubs), Detroit, Golf, Detroit Power Boat Club. Recreation: Yachtomg (owner of yacht Titania), automobiling, golf. Address: 700 Cass Av.  {Submitted by: Christine Walters}
 

LEE, ADELBERT R.

     LEE, Adelbert R.; born, Steuben Co., N.Y., Jan. 5, 1846; son of Lester and Salina (Brundage) Lee; educated in public schools; married at Dresden, N.Y., Jan. 18, 1887, Jeannette Graves. Began active career as clerk in drug store, 1865, continuing for ten years; then became purser on steamer plying between Bay City and Alpena, Mich., and continued for four years; general passenger and freight agent same line of steamers until 1891; has been general manager Star-Cole line Steamers with headquarters in Detroit since 1892. Republican. Protestant. Office: 21 Atwater St. Residence: 244 North Grand Blvd.,E. {Submitted by: Christine Walters}