The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-04-28
1HOS. OL|FF RET|RES AS
BRICK MANUFACTURER
BRICK YARD PROPERTY SOLD TO
DETROIT FIRM
Mr.. Oliff Had Been Engaged in the
Brick Making Business for Nearly
SO Years; 26 Years in Clio

On Wednesday last deal which has
been pending for number of months
was consummated, whereby the Clio
Brick Yards passed from the ownership
of Thomas Oliff to Leonard J. and
Charles E. Scholl, the latter contract
ing firm which has been engaged ex-
tensively in the building trades in De-
troit and throughout Michigan.
Mr.. Oliff has been connected with the
manufacture of brick for nearly half
century, forty-six years to be exact,
forty-four years of which have been as
proprietor of his own yards. He began
the business at Milford, whittier he
went after serving for time as loco
motive engineer on the M. G. r. R.,
and where he engaged in the brick
making industry with mis- brother for
two years, when the latter retired, Mr..
Oliff continuing alone for many years
with gratifying success. In 1890 he
came to Clio, his first yard being locat-
ed on the farm now owned by |. r.
Field, and nine years ago moved to his
present location, near which he built
the beautiful home where he now re-
rides. Mr.. Olff has been one of the
substantial business men of the COM
munity. whose word las always been
as good as his bond, and the fact of his
retirement will bring feeling of re-
gret to all those who have known of
the sterling qualities of his character,
while at the same time they will realize
that he is fully entitled to the leisure
which retirement will bring.
1t is undoubtedly true that Mr.. Oliff
has been the largest employer of labor
in the history of this place and has paid
out to his workmen hundreds of thous-
ands of dollars in the twenty-six years
he has been in business, which fact has,
of course, been an important factor in
the upbuilding of the community. He
estimates that since he came to Clio
there have been turned out at his yards
at least ninety millions of bricks, an
almost incomprehensible quantity that
would, perhaps, build pyramid like
those in Egypt
The product Of Mr.. Cliffs yards has
always been of the most dependable
quality, resulting in a ready sale that
never left an unsold brick at the end of
the season. This is splendid record
to maintain through period of 26
years and it has been won because of
the untiring attention given by the pro-
prietor to his business. He has been
on the job, working and directing af-
fairs, night and day for many years, in
addition to making an intelligent study
of his business, and all who know of his
untiring industry will congratulate him
upon the success which he has attained
and join in the hope that he may live to
enjoy its fruits in health and happiness
for many years to come. We feel, too,
that this article would be scarcely COM
plete did we not mention the faithful
support that Mrs. Oliff has always ac-
corded her husband. To her, as much
as to him, perhaps, is due the hard won
success that has come to them, and SO,
we are going to congratulate both. and
wish them many years of health and
happiness and leisure. Just what Mr..
diff will busy himself about in future
time he will undoubtedly spend amid
the beauties of nature, on fishing trips,
he will find something useful to do. as
mere retirement from business cannot
change the habits of a lifetime.
The gentlemen who have purchased
the brick business Of Mr.. Diff come
with the highest recommendations as
practical and capable business men.
Their connection with the building in
dustry has necessarily made them more
or less familiar with the brick business
and we understand it is their intention
to run the plant as nearly as possible
after the plans used so successfully by
Mr.. Oliff. The new firm name will be
Leonard j. and Chas. E Scholl, of
whom the former superiptended the re-
building of the Condensed Milk Factory
and thus became acquainted with the
facts which resulted in the purchase of
Mr.. Cliffs business. These gentlemen
expect to take up their residence here
sometime within few months and we
are sure we are but voicing the senti.
ment of the entire community when we
bid them welcome and extend best
wishes for their unqualified success.