History of Detroit, a chronicle of its progress, its industries, its institutions, and the people of the fair City of the straits, / by Paul Leake ... [Vol. 3]

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HISTORY OF DETROIT

termines for himself his political issues, and invariably supports the
candidate of cleanest character, regardless of party. He has been a
member, since its organization, of the National Manufacturers Association, the National Founders Association, the National Metal Trades
Association, and the United Order of the Golden Cross. He is also
active in numerous trade and benevolent organizations. While' in the
east he was a member of the Pearl Street Baptist church of Providence,
Rhode Island, but has been a member and official of the Westminister
Presbyterian church since first coming to Detroit.
Mr. Leland was married September 25, 1867, at Millbury, Massachusetts, to Ellen R. Hull, daughter of Elias Hull,an enterprising and successful farmer of Millbury. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Leland
are: M. Gertrude, Wilfred Chester and Miriam (deceased). Gertrude is
the wife of Anson C. Woodbridge of Detroit.
WILFRED CHESTER LELAND. Quiet, unassuming, yet possessed of
splendid insight and judgment, Mr. Leland is a good type of the clean
cut, modern business man. A master organizer and an indefatigable
worker, he has risen to his present well merited position of general manager of the Cadillac Motor Car Company, recognized as one of the most
prosperous automobile concerns in the country.
Born at Worcester, Massachusetts, November 7, 1869, Mr. Leland
has already carved out a notable business career, and as he has probably
many years ahead of him, he will emulate his father, having many of the
characteristics which so conspicuously contributed to the success of the
elder Leland. Wilfred C. Leland laid the foundation of an excellent
education in the public schools of Worcester, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island, later attending the Ohio University and Brown
University.
Upon finishing his course at the university Mr. Leland associated
himself with his father, Henry M., in the manufacture of machinery,
particularly marine and automobile engines. An apt scholar under so
capable a teacher, he soon mastered all the details of the business and
became thoroughly capable. By successive stages the business in which
he was interested developed into the Cadillac Motor Car Company of
the present day, with Mr. W. C. Leland as its general manager and leading spirit.
He is popular in business and social circles; a member of Zeta Psi
fraternity, Corinthian Lodge, No. 241, F. & A. M.; Detroit Club, Detroit
Boat Club, Detroit Automobile Club; Detroit Board of Commerce; and
is also a member of the Westminister Presbyterian church, as well as
being upon the official board of the National Young Men's Christian
Association.
On June 27, 1907, he was united in marriage to Blanch Millineau
Dewey, daughter of the late Judge Dewey, of Detroit. Mr. and Mrs.
Leland have one child, Wilfred Chester, Jr., born April 6, 1908.
CADILLAC MOTOR CAR COMPANY. The Cadillac bears the distinction
of being the oldest manufacturer of motor cars in Detroit, the world's
center of the motor car industry. Its inception dates back to June in
the year 1902, only a few years ago in point of time, yet "in the long
ago" in motor car history. At that time several of Detroit's prominent
citizens and capitalists, Messrs. Clarence A. Black, Lem W. Bowen, William H. Murphy, A. E. F. White and a few others organized, with Mr.
H. M. Leland, the Cadillac Automobile Company. The company proceeded at once with preparations to manufacture cars on a somewhat
more extensive scale than had heretofore been undertaken. They had a