Charlevoix county herald., 1914-07-18

a noted one in the early days of the
settlement on the Detroit River.
From his mother, Mr. Groesbeck
received 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. J. Groesbeck was born on o
farm in Warren township, Macomb
county, ia 1873, on Nov. Z, The son of
Louis Groesbeck. He is one of nine
children. Louis Groesbeck was a pc.
pular man in his community and serv-
ed as justice of the peace and as
supervisor, although he was also
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 he was 13 years old, he
attended the manual training school
at Notre Dame and waited on table
for his education. But family re-
verses made it impossible for him TO
continue, and he was forced to quit
school with less than a years op-
portunity and the family moved to
Wallaceburg. Ont, when Mr.. Groes-
beck was but Ia years old.
Here he entered the army of toll
ers, working in stave mill and driv-
ing a team. He added to his educa-
ton by attending night school. This
was largely because of the insistence
of his mother, who was ambitious for
her boy to succeed in life. Mr.. Groes-
beck continued to work hard at Wan
stead, Onta and it 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 in Macomb county.
He was then but 16 years old At
the age of II he went to Port HUI
ron, and entered the law Office of
Stevens and Merriam, then one of the
best known firms III 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 a certificate to
practice. He therefore attended the
law school in the university of Mich
igan for year and was given his de-
gree in 1898, when he was not yet 20
years old. He came to Detroit Ina
July OF that year and began the prsc-
tice of law. the age limit not being
enforced quite as strictly then as il
is now. Mr.. Groesbeck has since
continued the practice Of law in De-
troit.
A Strong Republican.
Mr.. Groesbeck early took an inter
est In politics and for years has
been recognized as one of the strong
Republicans of Wayne county, al
though he never sought elective or,
fee. In 1912. when the party was
disrupted ne accepted the chairman
ship or the Republican committee
when others who we're approached
SHE'D away from the appointment
Despite the bitterness of that cam
paign he fought steadily on for Re-
publican principles, and has continued
to do so since.
Just a word on the candidacy of
Mr.. Groesbeck. Il 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 to minor Of
ficials, are all supporting Mr. 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 32nd degree Ma
son and is also a member of the Elks,
the Loyal Order of Moose, the Mac
cabees and the X, OF z.