The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1890-02-08

William A. Hazel, whose portrait a.
dorns this page, is the latest contribu-
ton of the race to the professional and
business ranks Of St. Paul having come
to this city from Minneapolis at the be-
ginning of the year. By profession Mr..
Hazel is an architect and decorative art
ist, and as such fills the position of de-
signer, in addition to that of manager of
the St. Paul branch of Brown & Hay
woods stained glass works; the main
house being in minneapolis. 5.'.-s' =es.''.
The subject of our sketch was born in
Wilmington N. G. in 1854 and is conse-
quently IS years of age. When 3 years
old, the shadow of coming events caused
his parents to remove to Oberlin, O. and
few years later to Cambridge Mass.
Young Hazel attended the public
schools in that city until at the age of Is
years he began to earn his own living by
engaging as indoor servant in the family
ofCharles Russell Lowell, brother of
the poet. One month of this service con-
vinced Hazel that it was not the kind to
suit him, and he looked about for some
thing a little more independent. OBJ
tanning employment as assistant to a
janitor in Boston, it became part of his
duty to take care of the Office of an ar
chltect, who, liking his appearance, en-
gagged him to run errands, sweep the
Office an grind ink" for the draughts-
men, and do other similar service. Ha-
eel soon conceived the idea of learning
to draw; but, as he himselfsays, he hard
ly dared to aspire to such work; howev.
er, he'mentioned his desire to his en-
ployer and requested that he might be
taken as a student. Young men were
constantly being taken in the Office as
students, but black student in archi-
lecture! that had never been. in Boston,
and was sufficient reason for denial OF
his request, William" was welcome to
all he could learn if he would continue
to do the mental work. and do it he did
He learned easily and soon began to be
useful with his pen and pencil, SO that
in few years he was almost altogether
employed in drafting. But finding that
if he lived to be as old as MethuseIah be
could never, in that Office, arrive at the
full dignity ola 'draughtsman,' Hazel
after serving seven years, packed his
grip and started for New York, where
he would not be handicapped by lis
past. With trepi.iation he applied to
Office after Office, seeking employment
as q draughtsman; after many re.
butts and discouragements he was given
a trial by the late Mr.. Chas. u. Gam.
brill, former partner Of the creates,
architect Of the age, the late H. H
Richardson, this was twelve years ago
and since then Hazel has never been
without employment in his profession,
After remaining year in New York,
Hazel returned to Boston and gave bis
attention to the study Of decorative art
particularly stained glass designing
After filling one position continuously
8 years Mr.. Hazel, years ago wat
offered the position Of designer for the
stained glass department of Forman
Ford & Co. Of Minneapolis, he accepted
and during his incumbency made sc
good q reputation that "The Tiffany
Glass Co, ]" Of New York appointed hin
their representative in Minneapolis
this position he re,igned al the begin
ming Of this year to accept the one he
now holds.
One of his achievements Of which Mr.
Hazel feels proudest, is his connection
with the Grand Opera House Mime
apolis last summer. He was employed
as architect to remodel the interior
He made ell Of his drawings at night
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