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

II Is easy TO make friends. but II
is hard to hold them. When a man
both makes and holds friends, he is
worthy OF careful consideration.
Such a man is Alex. j. Groesbeck,
Of Detroit, a candidate for the Repub.
lican nomination for governor.
il Is but necessary to shake the
hand OF Mr.. Groesbeck TO feel the
strong personality OF the man. He
impresses all who meet him as a
strong man-strong In both character
and In body. He is dark, a heritage
Of his Dutch and French ancestry,
with big brown eyes that look out
fearlessly, but kindly. His voice is
strong and even, with tone that has
made him a great orator, although In
his speeches he Is not given TO fam
b6yahcy.
He is a man who grows on one
n man who wears well. He is a deep
and constructive thinker and is not
swayed of his feet by the pressure
of current happenings. He possesses
great determination
After the SCATTERING OF the Repub.
lioan party, in 1912, he did not throw
up his hands, but Immediately set
to work as Republican state chair.
man TO rehabiitate the party. He
gathered together the torn ends and
won a great victory in the spring
campaign OF 1913. He did not rest
there, but has continued since 20
form the party members into "a united
force. His success IS evidenced by
the welfare conference" held In De
troit on May PC. which was attended
by nearly 5000 Republicans from all
parts Of Michigan.
Mr.. Groesbeck is a successful man
OF AFFAIRS. Not rich. but well to do.
as the saying Is lie was one OF those
who saw the great growth that was
TO come TO Detroit and he prohted in
real estate In tho metropolis. Forced
by virtue OF his position as attorney
for one Of the creditors. into the
tangled affairs OF the Flint and Sag.
NAV railroad, an interurban line. he
finally took over the property. with
others, completed the road between
Flint and Saginaw and afterwards
extended the line 20 Bay City. lie
was president OF this company and
while in this position. clearly demon.
etTated his ability as an executive.
In 1912, Mr.. Groesbeck and his as.
sociates disposed OF the railroad 20
the Saginaw Valley Traction Co, and
today he has no interests In any pub.
lie utility. During his iucumbency OF
the presidency OF the railroad. the
wages OF the men were raised from
16 cents 10 % cents per hour. and
every Christmas the men were re.
membered with present Never
once did they ask for a raise or pre-.
sent a grievance 10 the officials OF
the road.
From Old Stock.
Mr.. Groesbeck is a self-made man,
but in his veins flows the blood OF
those who first dared the wilds of the
interior OF this continent On his
fathers side, he Is directly descended
from the old Dutch and French set.
tiers. The name "Groesbeck" came 20
this country from Holland. with VIM.
Groesbeck In 1870. lie was the great.
grandfather OF Alex. J. Groesbeck
Mr.. Groesbeck's grandmother was
Catherine St Aubin. direct descend.
ant OF John Cass, one OF the intrepid
souls who came 10 the present site OF
Detroit In 1901 with Cadillac for the
purpose OF founding Fort Fontchar.
train.
The name OF Cass became 81. Au.
bin by n process OF evolution. IL was
customary among the early French
settlers 60 better identify each other
by attaching the name OF the pro
vince. or parish, In France from
which the person came. John Cass
was originally from the parish OF ST
Aubin. near Bordeaux. ia France. and
he became known as "Cass, OF ST
Aubin." 20 give a fairly literal trans.
lation Gradually this shortened TO
"Cass St. Aubin' and then became
st Aubin" alone Tho family was
90