History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

1503

Dr. Thomas C. Irwin received his early education in the public graded
schools, and later went to the Collingwood (Ontario) High school. He
next became a student in Trinity University, from which institution he
was graduated in medicine in I89I, and then went to Creemore, Ontario,
and practiced one year. Doctor Irwin came to Grand Rapids in I893,
and this city has since continued to be his home and field of practice to
the present time, with the exception of one and one-half years when he
was doing post-graduate work in London, Berlin and Dublin. Doctor
Irwin's achievements have been such as to distinguish him as one of the
ablest general practitioners in this part of the state, although he has
also been successful in the practice of surgery. He has always been a
close student of his profession and has kept fully abreast of the advancement made therein, also doing much personal investigation and research
work. In the line of his calling he belongs to the Kent County Medical
Society, the Michigan State Medical Society and the American Medical
Association, and is on the staff of the U. B. A. Hospital. His offices are
located in the Ashton Building. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masons, in
which he has attained to the Chapter degree. His political belief is that
of the Republican party.
In i905 Dr. Irwin was married to Miss Grace Kohlhepp, of Grand
Rapids, daughter of Henry Kohlhepp, bookkeeper and manager for a large
retail shoe business of this city. Two children have been born to Dr. and
Mrs. Irwin, namely: Thomas C., who is attending school; and Robert
A., who is two years old. Mrs. Irwin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is widely and favorably known in social circles of the
city.
M. WILLIAM CLIFT. Since graduating in medicine in 1905, Dr. Clift
practiced the first two years in Saginaw, and since then in Flint, where he
has become particularly well known as a specialist in internal medicine
and X-ray work.
Born in Bay City, Michigan, April I4, I883, Dr. Clift is a son of William 0. Clift, who was born at Syracuse, New York, and for many years
has been one of the leading men in general insurance and real estate at
Bay City. William O. Clift married Ella Gertrude Stocking, who was
born in Painesville, Ohio, was married in that state, and came to Michigan with her husband. She died August 29, I9I2. Of their three children one died in infancy, and the other is Lysle M., of Bay City. The
oldest of the family, Dr. Clift grew up in Bay City, and was a pupil in
the public schools there. For his literary training he was a student in
Olivet College in this state, and was graduated in medicine from the University of Michigan in 1905. Two years were spent in Saginaw, where
he did his first serious work in the profession, and since coming to Flint
he has enjoyed a very large practice, with special emphasis on internal
medicine and X-ray work. The doctor has membership in the County and
State Medical Societies, and is a former secretary of the County Society.
In politics he is a Republican. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge,
and belongs to the Episcopal church. &
On October 20, I909, at Flint, Dr. Clift married Miss Eliza Denham,
a daughter of Giles L. Denham, a native of Flint, and representing one of
the old and respected families of the city. Dr. Clift and wife reside at
227 West First street, and his office is in the Armory Building.
HENRY R. PIERCE. One of the prosperous business enterprises of
Grand Rapids, which has grown out of the needs of its community, with
which it has grown, and with the prosperity of which it has prospered,
is the wholesale and retail ice cream business of Benjamin T. Pierce,