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]

898

HISTORY OF DETROIT

Hickey, both of whom are now deceased. In the public schools of
Detroit he received his preliminary educational training and in 1873,
when a lad of but ten years of age, he began his active career as a cash
boy in the dry-goods store of George Peck. Subsequently he was in the
employ of C. R. Mabley, a clothing concern, and in 1877 he began to
work for J. L. Hudson, of Detroit. In 1881 he was made general manager of the Hudson business, remaining in the employ of Mr. Hudson for
a period of twenty-four years. On the 15th of March, 1901, however, he
decided to launch out into the business world on his own account and at
that time commenced operations as a merchant in a little store at No. 201
Woodward avenue, this city. With the passage of time his business
increased so rapidly that he was kept constantly on the alert enlarging
store rooms. In 1909 he erected a five-story building, whose lateral
dimensions are forty by one hundred feet, the same being specially
designed and equipped for his particular line of enterprise. Even now,
only two years later, he is planning for more commodious quarters.
In 1909 the business was incorporated under the laws of the state with
a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars and those who are financially interested in the concern are E. J. Hickey, E. Wolfel, J. W.
Bolger and M. J. Keveney. Men's clothing and furnishings and boys'
and girls' wearing apparel are the specialties that are handled.
Concerning the admirable success in life achieved by Mr. Hickey,
the following paragraph is here inserted, the same having appeared in
the Detroit Times, under date of March 15, 1911.
"Mr. Hickey when asked what in his opinion most contributed to
his success was prompt to say: 'The training I received under J. L.
Hudson, and the longer I live the more and more I appreciate that fact.
The detail, knowledge and business methods thus acquired, and carried
out here, have been all important. Then, of course, we have always
made it our special effort to handle only goods of quality. I do not
mean by that only high-price, costly garments, but merchandise of intrinsic value and merit, that we could safely guarantee to give satisfaction
when put to the test of personal service. The growth of our business,
the fact that our old customers continue with us, and that new ones are
constantly being added to our list of patrons, encourages us in the
belief that our vigorous efforts in this respect have been successful.
There is no foundation on which to build a business equal to a pleased
customer. Reliable, trustworthy, up-to-date merchandise, at honest,
steady prices, appeals to intelligent, discriminating purchasers, makes
for a, stable, desirable business and creates a good will of commercial
value. So-called special sales of merchandise made or sold for such
purposes and "Hurrah" advertising methods, are never indulged in
here. It would be detrimental to our business. I know some businesses
seem to prosper when such methods control, but you will find that their
average life is short. Such gains are but temporary, there is no stability
or inherent strength in a business so conducted. It is built on a foundation of sand and the first move of commercial depression sees a sudden
and complete change.' "
At Detroit, in the year 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Mr.
Hickey to Miss Mary L. Mehling, a native of this city and a daughter
of Frederick Mehling. Mr. and Mrs. HIickey have four children: Joseph
S., Edward J., Jr., Helen and Frederick. In their religious faith Mr.
and Mrs. Hickey are devout communicants of the Catholic church, in the
different departments of whose work they are most ardent workers. In
a fraternal way he is connected with the Knights of Columbus and in
politics he is a liberal Democrat. In connection with his business interests he is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce.