Charles Stewart Mott Charles Stewart Mott ______1 by Dr

Official publication of the Ypsilanti Historical Society, featuring historical articles and reminisces SPRING 2007 of the people and places in the Ypsilanti area. In This Issue... Charles Stewart Mott Charles Stewart Mott __________ 1 By Dr. Jack Minzey Jack Minzey describes the many associations between C.S. Mott and Eastern Michigan If there ever was such a thing as a University. renaissance man, Charles Stewart Mott would certainly have fit that Dolls in the Dow House ________ 5 definition. This tall, handsome, Reprint of an article about the YHS doll distinguished man had a life filled collection that was initially published in the Doll Castle News. with exceptional accomplishments. He was a very successful industrialist, unique politician, distinguished citi- St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Ypsilanti – 1830-2007 __________ 8 zen, excellent family man, dedicated A history of St. Luke’s Episcopal of Ypsilanti community supporter and willing including bricks and mortar and works of art. philanthropist. Recollections of Mr. Mott was born on June 2, James Harland Fuller __________ 14 1875, in Newark, New Jersey. His Jerry Gooding has transcribed the mother was descended from immi- recollections of James Harland Fuller of York grants from Ireland, and his father’s Township about the 1832 to 1842 period in relatives came from England. His Washtenaw County. mother’s parents had been in the hotel business, and his father owned Was That You, Minerva? _______ 15 a cider and vinegar business. At an George Ridenour describes a “sighting” in early age, Mr. Mott showed an apt- an upper window of the Dow House and ness for invention. He had designed also provides historical information about The stained glass portrait window of C. S. Mott Minerva Miles Dow. some of his toys and built a work- donated to the Society by Dr. Jack Minzey. ing camera. His plans were to be a How Did the States Get draftsman, and he was interested in Their Names? _______________ 18 being a bridge engineer. of England, Ireland, and Europe. He then returned to the family business where he set John Salcau reports on the research he did concerning the origin of the names of the After high school, he attended Stevens Insti- up an installment system in which customer’s states. tute of Technology, but he dropped out after indebtedness was documented on post cards. his first year and joined the New York Naval Whenever a person discharged a portion of Richard Streicher Murder ______ 19 their debt, they were sent one of the post State Militia. He always had a great interest Researchers are somewhat baffled by the lack in the sea, and his sailing experience led him cards as a receipt. He completed his degree in of information available related to a 1935 into service with the United States Navy dur- mechanical engineering at Stevens Institute in murder in Ypsilanti. ing the Spanish-American War. In that war, 1897. One of his notable accomplishments, he participated in several major naval engage- at that time, was his invention of a carbonat- Society Briefs: ments, serving as a gunner’s mate. ing machine which was displayed at the 1901 From the President’s Desk _______ 2 Worlds Fair in Buffalo, New York. Society Board Members _________ 2 Following his military service, Mr. Mott en- tered into his father’s business (the Genesee Charles’s Father and his uncle bought the Fletcher White Archives ________ 20 Fruit Company) and was sent to Denmark Weston-Mott company which manufactured Gleaning’s Sponsors ___________ 24 wire wheels. Their customers were primarily and Munich to study yeast culture and sugar. Gleaning’s Advertisers __________ 24 He also used this time to take a bicycle tour continued on page 3 Board of Trustees: From the President’s Desk Virginia Davis-Brown By Alvin E. Rudisill Ward Freeman Kathryn Howard Gerald Jennings Although the Museum has been closed in “backlighting” system that brings out the full Jack Livisay January, February and March, there has been beauty of this work of art. Denis Schmiedeki Karen Nickels a great deal of activity behind the scenes. designed the cabinetry that houses the win- Maxe Obermeyer dow and the adjoining library shelves and John Pappas Renovation of the Museum basement is in is coordinating the entire restoration effort. Alvin Rudisill process with new electrical service panels Plans are to refinish the wood floors in the Diane Schick installed, repair of the rock exterior walls and library and living room prior to the reopen- Bob Southgate the brick supporting walls, and the installa- ing of the Museum. tion of new cellar doors and windows. Work Museum Advisory Board: is expected to begin in a few days on the new Karen Nickels has coordinated the efforts Virginia Davis-Brown handicapped entrance to the basement after of a group of volunteers in the process of Kathleen Campbell final approval of building permits by the City completely restoring the Craft Room on Midge Fahndrich of Ypsilanti. the second floor of the Museum where the Kathryn Howard Dorothy Humphrey Tiffany window was installed prior to it’s Jack Livisay The antiquated hot water heating system removal for restoration. Karen Nickels in the carriage house behind the Museum Joy Shulte decided to “die” during one of the coldest Steve Pierce is coordinating the work of our Bob Southgate days of the year in early February. We had Endowment Fund Board in the design and Nancy Wheeler hoped we could nurse the system along until execution of a fundraising effort for the pur- spring arrived but we were advised by experts chase of the Museum and Archives property Archives Archives Board: that the system could not be resusitated. and the many maintenance and rennovation Margaret Best Jerry Jennings, in addition to supervising efforts currently underway. Maria Davis the ongoing work in the Museum basement, John Pappas coordinated the installation of three new The Museum is expected to open again Gerry Pety furnaces (one on each floor) of the carriage in mid to late April after rennovation and Marcia Phillips house. maintenance efforts on the first and second Hank Prebys floor are completed and the rennovation Diane Schick The work on the installation of the restored of the basement is beyond the “excessive Jane Schmiedeki Tiffany window continues and is expected dust” stage. In the meantime if you have Kelly Simpson Lisa Walters to be completed in early April. The window questions or comments about any of our has been installed in the library on the first efforts please contact me at 734-476-6658 Endowment Fund floor of the Museum and is complete with a or [email protected]. ■ Advisory Board Peter Fletcher Ward Freeman Paul Kuwik Dan Maloney Jack Minzey Karen Nickels Maxe Obermeier Steve Pierce John Salcau Susan Rink Alvin Rudisill Ypsilanti Historical Society 220 North Huron Street Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197 Tel: (734) 482-4990 www.ypsilantihistoricalsociety.org 2 Ypsilanti Gleanings • Spring 2007 Charles Stewart Mott – continued from front page bicycle and wheel chair manufacturers, and Charles became a sales representative for the company. Then, his father passed away (Charles was 24), and Charles became the chief executive officer for the company, and he eventually bought out his uncle’s share of the business. It was at this same time that the automobile business was beginning to develop. Mr. Mott, operating out of Utica, New York, was able to obtain contracts with R.E. Olds, J.W. Packard and Cadillac. Most of the auto activity was taking place in Flint, Michigan Flint had been a lumbering community Charles Stewart Mott. Frank Manley was awarded an honorary of about 2,000 people. When the lumber Master’s Degree from Michigan State played out, the city took on a new phase in Normal College in 1937. its development, due primarily to the kinds of people who lived there. These men had for life and was responsible for hiring Wil- Mr. Mott was a devoted family man. His the ingenuity and acumen to move this town liam Knudsen, Albert Champion, and Alfred first wife, Ethel Harding, suffered from a into becoming a major automobile center. Sloan. He was also responsible for the use great deal of ill health. She died as a result of ethyl gasoline, Ducco paint and using of a fall, and Mr. Mott married for a second One of the geniuses of the automobile move- common bodies for various vehicles. At one time. This marriage was annulled, and ment in Flint was Will Durant, the grandson time, his employees were getting 27 cents per a third marriage ended in a divorce. His of William Crapo, a lumber baron and for- hour, and were the highest paid auto workers marriage to his fourth wife, Ruth Rawlings mer governor of Michigan. Mr. Durant had in the nation. Mott, took place in 1934. Mr. Mott was a partnered with J Dallas Dort, a prominent strict disciplinarian with his children. He carriage maker in Flint, to build automo- Mr. Mott was very interested in politics, was also a very frugal man, and the stories biles. One of the basic needs of building motivated by his desire to be of service to his abound relative to his JC Penny suits (which an automobile was to develop a metal axle community. In 1912, he ran against Flint’s lasted him for 20 years), his inexpensive car which could handle the speeds at which socialist mayor. His platform included the (which he drove himself), and his common automobiles might travel. In 1903, David belief that schools should be open for com- activities in which he could be seen daily Buick had begun his operation in Flint, and munity use.

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