Pages 473 - 477

Special Thanks to Edie Dees for transcribing these pages.

WESTCOTT, John Ward, ship reporter and broker; born, Warnersville, Mich., Dec. 19, 1848; son of David H. and Mary Jane (War Westcott; educated in public schools of Michigan; married at Detroit Dec. 30, 1878, Henrietta E. Crane. Began active career as cabin boy passenger steamer on Great Lakes; held all positions up to master vessel; home post at Marine City, Mich., until 1874, when removed to Detroit; agent for Pittsburg Steamship Co., boats of Pickands-Math Co. and other steamship lines. Alderman, 4th ward, Detroit, 1884-8 Episcopalian. Republican. Recreation: Traveling. Office: 8 Woodward Av. Residence: 142 W. Hancock Av.

WETHERBEE, George C., manufacturer and jobber; born, Harvard, Mass., July 27, 1840; son of Zophar and Sarah (Collidge) Wetherbee; educated in public schools of Massachusetts; married at Harvard, Mass., January, 1867, Mary E. Phelps. Began active career as clerk in provision store, at Boston, i858; enlisted in Co. H, 23d Massachusetts Volunteers, 1861, was appointed first lieutenant and quartermaster of the regiment by John A. Andrews, governor of Massachusetts, in spring of 1863, and commisisoned captain and commissary subsistence, U. S. Vols., by Abraham Lincoln, 1863; resigned after close of war and was brevetted major; came to Detroit and entered produce business, 1865, later in grocery business as Farquhar & Wetherbee, sold out and bought into wholesale wooden and willow ware business of William Saxby & Co., 1869; firm became George C. Wetherbee & Co., 1873, incorporated, 1882; has been president and general manager of the company since its incorporation. Also president United States Truck & Brush Co.; vice president Standard Savings and Loan Association. President Boys' Temporary Home, of the d' Arcambal Home of Industry Association; member Board of Managers State Soldiers' Home, Grand Rapids, for past nine years; ex-member Detroit Board of Park Commissioners; member Board of Commerce, and of The Wholesalers' Association of Detroit. Member New England Society, Sons of Revolution, Loyal Legion, and Post No. 348, G. A. R. Clubs: Old, Detroit Golf, Detroit Boat. Republican. Unitarian. Recreation: Gardening. Office: 49-51 Jefferson Av. Residence: 777 Cass Av.

WETHERBEE, William Henry, lawyer; born, Stone Hill, Medina Co., O., Sept. 8, 1858; son of Cyrus W. and Hannah M. (Thomas) Wetherbee; educated in public schools of Cleveland and private and night schools of Detroit; married, Detroit, Oct. 15, 1888, Martha M. Noble. Came to Detroit with parents, 1870; began study of law in office. of Claude N. Riopelle at 19 and continued for one year; studied in office of Horace E. Burt nearly a year when he entered employ of Lester Peacock, in coal and wood business, to recuperate financially; continued in commercial business for twelve years, at the same time continuing the study of law; was admitted to the bar, 1891, and has since practiced in Detroit; instructor, member board of trustees and treasurer Detroit College of Law; director Simon J. Murphy Co., Murphy Heater Co., Murphy Power Co., Murphy Storage and Ice Co. Chief census enumerator, 1894; member Michigan legislature, 1897-98. Republican. Congregationalist. Member Detroit and Michigan State Bar Associations. Mason. Club: Y. M. C. A. Recreations: Automobiling, power boating. Office: Penobscot Bldg. Residence: 59 Langley Av.

WETZEL, Bernard C., architect; born, Milwaukee, Mich., Mar. 18, 1876; son of Ernest and Mary A. (Huss) Wetzel; educated in Saginaw (Mich.) public and high schools; married at Detroit, 1901, Miss Mary Winter. Began active career by learning carpenter's trade. which he followed for four years in Northern Michigan and Detroit; entered upon study of architecture, 1895, and followed it in offices of representative architects at Detroit; has been in office for himself as B. C. Wetzel & Co., since January, 1907. Director of the Detroit Steam Engine Co. Member Detroit Architectural Club. Lutheran as to church affiliation. Office: 404-405 Hammond, Bldg. Residence: 65 High St., E.

WHAN Thomas Hooper, dry goods; born, Chatham, Ont., Dec. 1, 1868; son of James and Catherine (King) Whan; educated in public schools and collegiate institute, Chatham, and military academy, London, Ont,; married at Detroit, Dec. 25, 1894, Miss Eleanor Henning. Came to Detroit, 1885, and began active career as clerk with McClellan Dry Goods Co.; entered employ of William H. Elliott, as salesman, 1889, later became department manager and has been vice president of the company since its incorporation, 1901. Republican. Presbyterian. Member Masonic order. Clubs: Detroit Athletic, Detroit Curling. Recreations: General athletic sports. Office: 207-209 Woodward Av. Residence: 21 Prentis Av.

WHEELER, Eben S., U. S. assistant engineer since 1867; born in Wayne County, Pa., Aug. 27, 1839; son of Ransom and Adeline Wheeler; graduated Michigan University, C. E., 1867; B. S., 1897; married at Detroit, Clara P. Fuller. Engineer in construction of Sault Ste. Marie locks; chief engineer Nicaragua Canal Commission of 1897; since then in U. S. Engineers' office, Detroit. Member American Society Civil Engineers, Michigan Society of Engineers, Detroit Engineering Society. Clubs: University, Old, Detroit Golf. Office: Jones Bldg. Residence: 76 Delaware Av.

WHEELER, Edgar S.; patent attorney; born, Dowagiac, Nov. 5, 1859; educated in public schools of Dowagiac and Niles read law in the office of J. W. Finney, Detroit. Commenced patent practice in 1888 and has since practiced in Detroit, specializing as patent solicitor and expert in patent causes. Republican. Unitarian. Club: Fellowcraft. Office: 72-73 Buhl Blk., Detroit. Residence: 76 Pingree Av. Detroit; summer cottage, St. Clair Flats, Mich.

WHEELER, Frank D., physician; born, Kendallville, Ind., Aug. 5, 1855; son of Herman H. and Loretta (Mather) Wheeler; educated in public and high schools, Kendallville, graduating 1874; taught school in Noble Co., Ind., 1875-76; studied commercial course at Kalamazoo, Mich., 1876; M.D., Detroit Medical College, 1880; post-graduate study Edinburgh, Scotland, 1895; married at Ithaca, N.Y., June 4, 1895, Ella A. Kingsley. In general practice in Detroit since 1881. Republican. Protestant. Member American Medical Association, Michigan State and Wayne County Medical societies. Recreations: Traveling, fishing. Address: 151 E. High St.

WHELAN, John Brown, collector of customs; born in Lenawee Mich., Mar. 26, 1860; son of Alvinza and Adelia (Wetherell) Whelan; educated in public schools and at University of Michigan; married at Tecumseh, Mich., Mar. 26, 1884, Myra Reynolds. Studied law, was admitted to the bar and began practice at Detroit, 1884; associated in practice with Gen. Henry M. Duffield until 1888 and then was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney under James V. D. Willcox; was partner in law firm of Willcox & Whelan, 1890-92; served as police justice, 1892-July, 1905, and as police commissioner, July, 1905-March, 1906; has been collector of customs for the port of Detroit since March 1, 1906. Member Michigan National Guard, 1882-85. Republican. Member Detroit Board of Commerce. Mason, Knight Templar (Detroit Commandery); member B. P. 0. E. Recreation: Trout fishing. Federal Bldg. Residence: 286 Merrick Av.

WHELDEN, Frank H., secretary and treasurer Detroit Wheel Co.; born, Proctorsville, Vt., Nov. 29, 1869; son of James H. and Rilla L. (Giddings) Whelden; educated in public schools of Detroit; married at Ypsilanti, Mich., Aug. 10, 1892, Lillian M. Hopkins. Left school at 15 and entered employ of hardware firm of Charles A. Strelinger & Co.; was made assistant superintendent, Detroit Emery Wheel Co., at 21, and three years later became superintendent; since June 9, 1904, has been secretary and treasurer of the company, manufacturers of grinding machinery and of grinding wheels made of emery, corundum and carbo-alumina. Republican. Unitarian. Member Oriental Lodge No. 240, A. F. & A. M. Clubs: Detroit Automobile, Detroit Golf, Detroit Bowling. Recreation: Automobiling. Office: Field and Jefferson Avs. Residence: 121 Field Av.

WHIPPLE, Frank F., lawyer; born, Bunker Hill Township Co., Mich., Sept. 16, 1874; son of Henry P. and Juliet (Nash)Whipple; graduate Belding (Mich.) High School, 1894; State Normal School, Ypsilanti, 1897; Dramatic Academy, New York City, 1903; Detroit College of Law, 1905, degree of LL. B.; unmarried. Began active career as a school teacher; taught one year at Starrville, Mich., 1895, one year in Joliet, Ill., one year principal Marseilles (Ill.) High School (on university list), two years principal Ecorse (Mich.) graded schools. one year instructor in Methodius' Seminarius (a seminar)r) Detroit; had charge of public play ground, Detroit; theatrical actor part of two seasons; has engaged in practice of law since 1905. Served ten months in Spanish-American War and was honorably discharged as corporal Co. M, 35th Michigan Regiment. School board attorney; special assessor. Nominated as candidate for Constitutional Convention, Wayne Co., I907. Democrat. Member A. F. & A. M., Woodmen of the World and A. 0. F. Club: Shakespeare. Recreations: Outdoor sports. Office: Suite 311 Majestic Bldg. Residence: Kercheval and St. Clair Avs.

WHIPPLE, George W., president The Advance Lumber and Shingle Co.; born, Novi, Mich., May I5, 1873; son of O. M. and Lucreti Whipple; educated in public schools of Novi, Northville, and State Normal School, Ypsilanti, Mich. Began active career with his father in 1893, becoming a partner in the Whipple Lumber Co. in I896; established yard at Farmington in 1901, selling out all interests in retail business in I907; was for six years traveling representative of Fred Ross, wholesale lumber, Detroit; assisted in organizing The Advance Lumber and Shingle Co., Dec. 1, 1905, incorporated, December 1906, of which he has been president since time of incorporation. Member Michigan Lumber, Sash and Door Salesmen's Association, Hoo-Hoo,Knights of Pythias, U. C. T. of America. Republican. Recreations: Baseball, fishing. Office: 1123 Majestic Bldg. Residence: 8o7 Maybury AV.

WHIRL, John J.; born, Coshocton, O-, July 30, 186o; son of John and Annie (Sweeney) Whirl; educated in schools of Kankakee Co., Ill.; married at Chicago, Oct. 9, 1884, Emma Sparks. Came to Detroit, 1898, with the Ideal Manufacturing Co., in charge of gas stove department, remaining until October, 1902; in December, 1902, became secretary Employers' Association of Detroit, which started with sixteen members and now has over 300; commissioner Builders' Association. Republican. Member Board of Commerce. Mason (Dearborn Lodge and Palestine Council, Chicago), Knight Templar . (Chevalier Bayard Commandery, Chicago). Club: Detroit Golf. Recreation: Golf. Office: Stevens Bldg. Residence: I 13 Palmer Av., E.

WHITAKER, Charles, general insurance; born Detroit, Nov. 6, 1854; son of Byron and Fidelia (More) Whitaker; educated in Detroit public schools; married at Detroit, May 15, 1889, Edith Farquhar. Began-active career at 18 years of age in office of his father, who was vessel agent, and engaged in marine and fire insurance business; was admitted to partnership in the firm at the end of three years, the title becoming B. Whitaker & Son; purchased father's interest, with brother, I890, and title was changed to Whitaker Bros.; in 1904 a half interest in the business was purchased by Henry C. Penny, Jr., and the firm became Whitaker Bros. & Penny, general insurance and surety bonds, also state agents Fidelity Deposit Co. of Maryland. Member Detroit Underwriters' Association, Detroit Board Of Commerce. Protestant. Recreation: Baseball. Office: 613-618 Chamber of Commerce. Residence: 828 2nd AV.

WHITBECK, Ansel E.; born, Hudson, N.Y Feb. 20, 1873; son of A. McK and Emmaline (Ellis) Whitbeck; educated in Albany public and high schools; married at Philadelphia, 1896, Grace Bates. Has been identified with insurance business since 1899; senior partner of the firm of Whitbeck, Burwell & Chapman. Clubs: Detroit Athletic, Fellowcraft. Office: 209-211 Majestic Bldg. Residence: Manhattan Apartments.

WHITCOMB, Edgar B.; born, Boston, 1866; son Of Cummings D. and Mary G. (Webber) Whitcomb; educated in Detroit, 1891, Anna V- Scripps. Began active career in employ of the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Co., 1881, and was general passenger agent of the company, 1886-91; manager Tribune Printing Co., 1891-93; has been engaged in business on his own account, principally real estate, since 1893. President The James E. Scripps Corporation, Gordon Vinegar Co.; vice president Evening News Association; director Bay City Times Co. Member Detroit Real Estate Board. Independent in politics. Presbyterian. Club: Detroit Automobile. Office: 65 Shelby St. Residence: 40 Pitcher St.

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