The Detroit times., 1908-10-29

i While the number OF Industries and
commercial houses established q half
century ago 10 comparatively small for
the whole country. census OF those
who have stood the thousand dangers
Of time and have been in business for
a5 years Ii pride to Detroit II mer-
chants. manufacturers and financiers
OF the city were called together 10
celebrate the twenty-nfth anniversary
OF their bukness foundation, 1t would
be found that about 100 firms have TO
NAMED unchanged during that period.
and It Is but fitting that some recogni-
ton should be made OF the fact that
they have been able 50 long to weather
stormy financial periods and ride safe
ly through panice which drove other
concerns to the wall.
| Some. OF these firms are still doing
business at the "old stand" but in
most cases the .old stand. has grown
many times larger. and through all the
victssitudes OF commerce has kept
pace with advancing thought and de-
mand. Some Of the members Of these
25-year>old firms were taught as wage
earners that:
Economy is OF itself a great rev.
enue,- and "A little. but often, fills
the purse"
| With such maxims instilled into
their minds. the men who laid the
foundation business walls Is years ago
felt that they were building a CONNER
cial structure that would stand the
storms of time. With passing years
came an expansion OF trade that has
not ceased
Detroit firms OF quarter OF CEN
fury ago had not the same facilities
for carrying on trade that they now
have. but they made the best use OF
the means at their disposal and adopt
ed new methods and ideas as they
arose. 1t may be remembered that.
comparatively speaking, there was no
rapid transit.
Some Of the merchants. manufac-
turers and financiers who were young
men In their respective places OF bust
ness % years ago. and who became
members of firms, have handed down
their interests to their sons and others.
but the Arm name has been continued
IN numerous instances. In several
cases veterans still have an active par
ticipation. and while they have grown
gray in the service. their counsel,
based on years OF experience, is con-
sidered OF inestimable value.
The directory OF 25 years ago gives
the names OF several firms Just as
they are given today. and the fact
that they are still engaged In the same
line OF business, but on a larger scale.
Is testimony TO the fact that their
builders OF organizers were able men
who made the foundations deep and
strong
twenty-five years ago. business in
Detroit was concentrated In a compar-
atively small area Some OF the old
buildings remain as they were 20
years ago and there are many trades
men who take delight in paying a
visit there and to other sections Of
the city which marked their early
stamping ground"
How these 25-year-old firms have
stood the test of time would make an
interesting story. The ledgers and
invoice books could furnish exceed
Iingiy readable material, but with An
creased facilities for handling the
trade, business conditions have neces-
sarily changed. The rock-bottom
methods. however, that guided the ear
lly foundations have kept these old
time firms intact. A glance at their
names will show that they are synony-
nous with ability and integrity.
The change, to a certain extent, Is
emblematic OF the change that has
occurred In business methods. Quicker
facilities mean often quicker results
The old-time firms have the advantage
OF the experience Of % years. Their
names are Indicative OF prosperity
Farrand Company.
The Farrand company, located over
Sheehan's bookstore on Woodward
ave. is the oldest piano firm in Michi
gan. IL began in the manufacturing
business "a years ago. the firm name
at that time being the Farrand a
Votey Organ company. This firm has
} L I.