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

JOHN CONLON. A lifetime of eighty years' duration, a business career
of success and integrity, and the lasting esteem of family and friends
are the lot of John Conlon, for many years a contractor of Detroit. He
has made his own success in the world, for he began as a lad without
money or influence, and has never had fortune's favors except as he
earned them by compelling work and business ability.
Born in 1831, in Kilrona, Ireland, he was the fifth in the family of
seven whose parents were James and Bridget (Gaffnay) Conlon. Of
all this family now, John is the only survivor. He was reared and spent
a number of years of his early career in Ireland, where he attended
school only to his twelfth year, and then began the labors of a farm. He
continued to follow this vocation, earning a modest livelihood, and
married, but in 1867 he brought his family to America. It was a voyage of forty-five days, an event more memorable in the lives of travelers
then than in this rapid age of rapid travel. His first home was at Dexter,
Michigan, where he was in business as a brick-mason contractor. This
was a trade he acquired in the old country, and it has been the
basis of a successful business. He has always been a hard worker, and
with the aid of his faithful wife and many years of steady effort he
has made a competence. No one has deserved the rewards of enterprise
more than he, for he has held to the strictest ideals of honor throughout
his life and has never asked any favors of the world. Since 1889 he has
been a resident of Detroit and has been a brick contractor here. He is
not identified with any secret organizations, and outside of family and
business he has given his steadfast allegiance only to the Catholic
church.
Mr. Conlon was married in Kilrona, Ireland, in 1857, and is the father of four children; Catherine, a resident of Chicago; Mary, who
lives at home, Teresa, at home; and Eliza, at home.
WILLIAM EDMUND SCRIPPS. Head of one of the greatest daily papers of Michigan at the early age of thirty years, handling an immense
marine engine industry, and a director in other enterprises, besides
keeping a close watch on real estate interests, William E. Scripps, a
most estimable citizen, worthily carries on the business founded by his
father, James E. Scripps, vice president of the Detroit News Publishing
Company and the guiding spirit in the Scripps Motor Company.
Born at Detroit, May 6, 1882, the son of James E. and Harriet Josephine (Messenger) Scripps, he received his early education in the
public schools of this city. He then attended the University School of
Cleveland, Ohio, and later the Michigan Military academy at Orchard
Lake, Michigan. He began his active business career in 1900, when he
served as treasurer of the Evening News Association, as secretary of
the James E. Scripps Corporation, and president of the Scripps Motor
Company, manufacturers of gasoline marine engines. In all of these
various enterprises he has exhibited an executive ability seldom found
in men of greater age and larger experience. He inherits his fathers
love of literature and art, and also his business acumen, and is looked
up to as one of the leading young citizens of this city. He is a member
of the Board of Commerce; of the Associated Press and is Commodore
of the Detroit Motor Boat Club.
Mr. Scripps was united in marriage to Miss Nina A. Downey, of
Detroit, June 27, 1901, and their children are: James E. Scripps, born
in January, 1903, and William J. Scripps born in August 1905.
CIIARLES H. JASNOWSKI. Among the many members of the legal
profession who have reflected great credit upon the bar of Detroit and