My Genealogy Hound

R. F. Monroe, who has been engaged in carriage manufacturing throughout his entire career, is secretary and general manager of the Pontiac Body Company, which at the present time engages exclusively in the manufacture of automobile bodies. It is a very prosperous enterprise, there being only one other of its kind in Pontiac, and employment is given to a large force of men.

Mr. Monroe was born at Kokomo, Indiana, in 1870, and remained there until he reached the age of 14 years, attending the public schools. He is a son of Thomas D. and Sarah A. (Thomas) Monroe, and is of English descent. Thomas D. Monroe was captain of the 3rd Reg. Indiana Vol. Inf., in the Union Army and served with credit from 1861 to 1866. He was subsequently treasurer of Howard County, Indiana, for four years. His death occurred in 1881. His wife, whose brother was at one time chief of police of Chicago, died in 1897. To their union were born four sons and one daughter, namely: S. A., a contractor and builder, of South Bend, Indiana; Stephen L., proprietor of a bakery at Indianapolis, Indiana; W. H., who is traveling representative of the Star Windmill Company, of Kendallville, Indiana; R. F., the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. M. Kirby, whose husband is a coal dealer of Anderson, Indiana.

Upon reaching the age of 14 years, R. F. Monroe went to Chicago and began work in the plant of the Staver Carriage Company, and he has always been engaged in the same line of work since. At the early age of 19 years he was foreman of a department in this large plant, and when 21 had charge of both the machine and body rooms. He is thoroughly practical and worked his way to the front by his natural adaptability and strict attention to business. He began business for himself in 1896, assuming active management of a plant at Columbia City, Indiana, and from there came to Pontiac, Michigan, in 1900, to take charge of the Pontiac Body Company’s plant. The incorporators of this company were Hon. James A. Jacokes, H. F. Messenger, Chauncey Brace, Albo Green, and R. F. Monroe. The business was partially started in the fall of 1899, but was practically begun by Mr. Monroe, January 25, 1900. Several buildings have been added under the present management and the floor space now utilized is about 22,000 square feet, some 80 to 100 men being employed by the company, with the prospects that this number will be largely increased in the near future. The officers of the company are: Hon. James A. Jacokes, president; Chauncey Brace, vice-president; H. F. Messenger, treasurer; and R. F. Monroe, secretary and general manager.

Mr. Monroe was united in marriage with Eva McClain of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and they have two sons, Raymond and Ralph, both of whom are attending school. In politics, our subject is a Republican. He is a Mason and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of the Maccabees, while Mrs. Monroe is a member of the Ladies of the Maccabees. Religiously, they are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have a very comfortable home, situated at the corner of Cottage and Center streets, and although they have resided in Pontiac but a few years they have become firmly entrenched in the good will and esteem of their fellow citizens.