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

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

1281

In 1876, at the age of twenty-six, Mr. Avery became interested in
the ownership and operation of a number of tugs and lumber vessels
engaged in the handling of logs and lumber on the Saginaw river. These
interests he retained and managed until 1883. The business was then
extended and several large lake vessels were added to the fleet, and the
entire establishment was operated under the name of Hawgood & Avery
Transit Company, with headquarters in the city of Cleveland. This
company is still in existence and has a large fleet of vessels in commission in general freight transportation on the Great Lakes.
After I906 Mr. Avery had retired from practical lumbering, but
remained in the timber land business, and was a member of the firm of
Richardson & Avery of Duluth, Minnesota, dealers in pine lands and
large manufacturers of lumber. Formerly Mr. Avery was president
of the Alabaster Company of Detroit, Chicago and Alabaster, Michigan.
When the interests of the company were merged into the United States
Gypsum Company, he continued as a stockholder in the latter corporation
and was also a director. His oldest son is president of the United States
Gypsum Company. The gypsum mines of the original company are
located at Alabaster, Iosco county, Michigan, and it was this company
which furnished the plaster for the staff utilized in the construction
of the buildings of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in I893.
In I887 Mr. Avery removed his home and business headquarters to
Detroit, and lived in a residence on Woodward avenue until 1902. In
that year he occupied a beautiful suburban home at Grosse Pointe Farm,
where his death occurred. During his residence in Detroit Mr. Avery
manifested notable public spirit in helping along many measures designed
for the welfare and progress of the city. His accumulated interests made
him prominent in banking, real estate and constructive enterprise. From
I899 he was president of the American Exchange National Bank of
Detroit until its merger with the old Detroit National Bank. Other best
business interests were directorships in the United Limited Bank and
the Second National Bank of Saginaw. Of his holdings in Detroit the
most noteworthy is the Majestic building on the Campus Martius, one
of the most modern and imposing business blocks in the entire country.
Mr. Avery owned that building jointly with E. H. Doyle.
The source of his general success in life may be ascribed almost
entirely to his own ability and efforts. As a business man of integrity
and high principle he stood second to none in the great commercial
center of Detroit. Mr. Avery was a traveler as well as a business man,
and especially in later years never denied himself an opportunity for
culture and enjoyment which comes through a broad knowledge of the
world and its people. In outdoor sport he was especially enthusiastic,
and it is said that his last illness was caused by over exertion at his
favorite game of golf while in Florida. At Detroit he held membership
in the Detroit, the Country and Old Clubs. In politics his support was
always given to the Republican interests, though never allowing his name
to be used in connection with the candidacy for any public office.
Mr. Avery is survived by his widow and sons: Sewell L., president
of the United States Gypsum Company, with headquarters in Chicago;
and Waldo A., Jr., whose home is in Portland, Oregon, and who is
prominently identified with the timber land business on the Pacific
coast.
WILLIAM HENRY CHIVERS, M. D. One of the older members of the
medical fraternity of Jackson, Dr. William Henry Chivers, has practiced his profession for thirty-six years, and half of that time has been