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

897

this time he had about a dozen store rooms, six on each side of the street,
and he started a general department store, in which he sold everything
imaginable. This was the first department store in Detroit. He then
established stores at Flint, Michigan, Toledo, Cleveland and Cincinnati,
Ohio, but always retained his old store at 126 Woodward avenue, the
point at which he built up his splendid reputation as a merchant prince.
A number of these stores are known to this day as Mabley's.
Mr. Mabley was a man of strong and interesting personality. The
word "Fail" was not contained in his lexicon. If any one said to him,
"Mr. Mabley, this thing is impossible," he immediately insisted that the
impossible should be done and it usually was. He had a great heart,
whose sympathies were ever extended to those less fortunate than himself. One of the finest of many fine acts was his advertising in dull seasons, when all other stores were dismissing their clerks, for more employes, and thus keeping many families from want.
Mr. Mabley was a Mason of high rank and he delighted in out-door
life, belonging to the old Detroit Boat Club and the St. Clair Fishing
Club. In politics he was a Democrat, but was very broad in his views,
voting for the best man regardless of party affiliations. He would never
accept public office, although several times approached with a request
to accept the nomination for mayor. He was a valued member of the
Universalist church. The demise of this prominent and fine man
occurred June 30, 1885, and his remains are interred at Pontiac. His
widow survives, making her residence in the city of New York.
Mr. and Mrs. Mabley were the parents of six children. Catherine
Ellenor became the wife of Sidney Corbett, deceased; Helena married
George Granger, deceased; Maude married Marshal Knight, of New York;
Edith married Proctor Smith, of Yonkers, New York; Alice married
George Post, of Mt. Vernon, New York; and C. R. is living in New York
City.
Sidney Corbett, who married the eldest of Mr. Mabley's daughters,
was born in Indiana, attended school there and became a prominent newspaper writer on the Chicago Tribune. He came to Detroit in 1887 and
was with the Detroit Free Press and later started a paper for himself,
known as the Critic. Later he engaged in the stock brokerage business
which he followed up to the time of his death, May 19, 1901. At the
time of his demise he was thirty-seven years of age. He was buried at
Woodlawn cemetery. Mr. Corbett was very fond of his home and his
books, always spending his evenings in his own home. He was a great
lover of sport, especially of hunting, thinking the world of his dogs. His
father was an Episcopal minister. Sidney Corbett's marriage to Miss
Mabley occurred May 27, 1890, and they had two children, both of whom
live at home with their mother. His widow after his death removed
from their old home on Ferry avenue and built a handsome terrace on
Champlain street, where she now lives with her children, Sidney Corbett III, (the father was Sidney Corbett, Jr.) and Christopher M.
EDWARD J. HICKEY. The study of the career of a self-made man
is always interesting to the biographist or student of human nature.
The persistency and industry which finally terminate in success offer
lesson and incentive to the younger generation and are worthy of admiration in every connection. On the 15th of March, 1911, was celebrated
the tenth anniversary of the corporation known as the E. J. Hickey
Company, the same representing one of the largest and most prosperous
mercantile concerns in Detroit.
Edward J. Hickey was born in the city of Detroit, Michigan, on the
18th of November, 1863, and he is a son of Patrick B. and Mary (Ready)