The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1914-07-11

noted one In the early days of the
settlement on the Detroit River.
From his mother. Mr.. Groesbeck
| received a touch OF the Yankee
shrewdness. Her name was Julia
Coquillard, the daughter OF Leonard
Coquillard and Harriet Andres Co.
quillard. The Andres family came to
Michigan from Connecticut Mr..
Groesbeck's mother was born in
Washtenaw county.
Born In Macomb County.
Alex. ]. Groesbeck was born on a
farm in Warren township, Macomb
county. In 1873, on Nov. 7, the son OF
Louis Groesbeck. He Is one OF nine
children. Louis Groesbeck was a po-
pular man in his community and serv.
ed as justice OF the peace and as
supervisor, although he was also a
farmer He was afterwards sheriff
Of Macomb county.
Alex. Groesbeck attended school at
the district school house and in the
schools OF Mt. Clemens after the
family moved there. He also sold
papers on the streets Of the resort
city. When be was 13 years old. he
attended the manual training school
at Notro Dame and waited on table
for his education. But family re.
verses made IL impossible for him to
continue. and he was forced 20 quit
school with less than years OPP
portunity and the family moved to
Wallaceburg. Ont. when Mr.. Groes-
beck was but II years old
Here he entered the army Of toll
ers, working ia a staye mill and driv-
ing q team. lie added to his educa-
ton by attending night school. This
was largely because OF the insistenee
OF his mother, who was ambitious for
her boy TO succeed I'm life Mr. Groes-
beck continued TO work hard az Wan
stead. Ont, and IL was there that he
began the study OF law, his first books
being the few volumes his father had
saved from the days when he was jus.
tice OF the peace Ia Macomb county.
He was then but l6 years old. At
the age OF IL. he went 10 Port HUI
ron. and entered the law Office OF
stevens and Merriam. then one OF the
best known firms in the eastern part
OF the state. When but 10 years old
he took the bar examination and pass.
ed with honors, but because OF his
age he was denied certificate to
practice He therefore attended the
law school in the university OF Mich.
igan for year and was given his de.
gree in 1893, when he was not yet 20
years Old He came 10 Detroit in
July OF that year and began the prsc.
tlce OF law, the age limit not being
enforced quite as strictly then as II
is now. Mr.. Groesbeck has since
continued the practice OF law In De.
troit.
A Strong Republican.
Mr.. Groesbeck early took an inter.
eat In politics and for years has
been recognized as one OF the strong
Republicans OF Wayne county, al.
though he never sought elective OF.
fee In 1912. when the party was
disrupted he accepted the chairman.
ship OF the Republican committee
when others who were approached
shied away from the appointment.
Despite the bitterness of that cam.
paign he fought steadily on for Re
publican principles. and has continued
20 do so since
Just n word on the candidacy OF
Mr.. Groesbeck. II is the claim OF
his friends that he Is the candidate
supported by Detroit and WAYNE
county officials. including the sheriff.
clerk. treasurer register OF deeds.
three auditors and three road com.
missioners, In addition 10 minor OF.
ficIals. are all supporting MIR. Groes.
beck in his candidacy for governor.
that the same Is true OF the city gov
eminent where the city officials from
Mayor down, including a majority OF
the aldermen. are with Mr.. Groesbeck.
Mr.. Groesbeck Is a 32nd degree Ma.
son and Is also a member of the Elks.
the Loyal Order OF Moose, the Mac.
cabees and the X. OF r.