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]

HISTORY OF DETROIT

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nected with the police force, being engaged in special duty. Grace
Baker became Mrs. Potts and is the mother of one little daughter, Edna
Potts, aged two years.
Captain Baker is known throughout the city as a man who is unflinchingly devoted to duty and to the improvement of the service.
More men like him and it were better for the improvement of the
government and safety of our American cities.
CYRENIUS ADELBERT NEWCOMB, JR. In all walks of business life,
individual genius and ability leave their impress upon the history
of the times, and in every community there may be found commercial
and mercantile establishments which so become a part and parcel of the
growth of that community as to become inseparably connected in the
public mind with each step of progress. Among firms which have held
such a position in Detroit, may be mentioned Newcomb, Endicott Company, and one who has had much to do with the perpetuating of the
splendid reputation gained by this representative concern is Cyrenius
Adelbert Newcomb, Jr., who is secretary of the company.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 14, 1871, Mr. Newcomb is
the son of Cyrenius Adelbert and Mary E. (Haskell) Newcomb. The
father was born on November 10, 1837, and is the son of Col. Hezekiah
and Nancy (Rounds) Newcomb, both of whom were born in Franklin
county, Massachusetts. The family is an old and honored one in the
annals of American history, and traces its genealogy back through
authentic records as far as the twelfth century, the Harlein Manuscripts
in the British Museuml recording the names of the Newcombs of
Devonshire from the year 1189. A full account of the parents of the
subject, with more comprehensive details concerning the family origin
and records of its line of descent, may be found in the biographical
sketch of Cyrenius Adelbert Newcomb, Sr., in other pages of this
volume, so that it is not deemed necessary to further elaborate upon
the family of the subject in the brief space which is permitted.
Mr. Newcomb was educated in the public schools of his native city,
and was graduated from the Central high school with the class of '89.
He thereupon entered the University of Michigan, from which fine old
institution of learning he was graduated in 1893, with the degree of
B. L. lie soon thereafter entered the employ of the firm of Newcomb,
Endicott Company, and in 1897, less than four years after leaving college, he had so far advanced in the knowledge and understanding of
the business that he was promoted to the position of department buyer.
In 1903, having further demonstrated his ability and capacity as a man
of keen business judgment and acumen, he became secretary of the
concern, a position which he still retains.
Mr. Newcomb is a member of various organizations of a social nature, among which are the University Club of Detroit, of which he was
secretary for three years, retiring from the office in February, 1911;
the Detroit Boat Club, of the Detroit Country Club; the Fine Arts Society; the Aldine Association of New York City; and the Psi Epsilon
fraternity. He is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, and
has taken an active interest in the work of that body, which includes
the live and representative business men of the city.
On December 16, 1896, Mr. Newcomb was united in marriage with
Miss Brownie Jenness Kellie, of Detroit, and to them have been born
three children: Cyrenius Adelbert, 3d; Alice Jenness, and John
Jenness.