My City September 2022

Edwin C. McLogan 1944-46 Born in Chicago, IL in 1889, McLogan moved to Calumet, MI at the age of nine. His father, John C. Mc Logan, owned and operated music stores under the name of McLogan & Pierce with locations in Calumet, Hancock and Iron Mountain. Edwin McLogan learned the ways of business working for his father until the breakout of World War I when he enlisted in the United States Army. He was promoted to major of the 10th U.S. Infantry and commanded his regiment through many important cam paigns in France. After the armistice, McLogan stayed for a time in France, returning home in 1919. Months after his return, he moved to Flint to start a business with his partner Edward D. Austin. Within a year, they opened The China Closet at 517 S. Saginaw St., (near the current location of Blackstone’s Smokehouse) selling fine china and dinnerware. In 1938, he became a member of the Genesee County Board of Supervisors and as mayor, he lobbied heavily to bring more natural gas to the city to help heat the new developments and homes. McLogan was a member of the rotary club, Order of the Elks, a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and Freemasons. During his tenure, Flint was op erating as a big-time producer of tanks and weapons of war with nearly every factory converted and dedicated to the effort. On August 14, 1945, a spontaneous victory celebra tion erupted in the city followed two days later by a victory parade. Also during this time, the Big Brother Association was started by Joseph T. Ryder and the Mott Foundation moved into the Union Industrial Bank building where it now resides. Edwin C. McLogan died in 1949.

Edward J. Viall 1946-48

Born in 1890 in Plattsburgh, NY Viall grew up and became an engineer with the Lozier Motor Company which specialized in luxury cars. During his short time with the firm, Lozier produced the nation’s most expensive vehicles.The company would close in 1918, sending Viall to Flint as an engineer at General Motors. Being civic minded, he served on the city commission and then as mayor, guiding the city through its worst flood in 1947. In 1939, Viall released a book of poetry entitled An Evening In …and other Poems , to be followed by three more: Passing Through (1940), Yankee Spirit (1942) and Looking Forward (1944). His poem “To the Blue Star Mothers” was read in Congress to honor the Blue Star Organization.The final verse reads:

“So, let’s pay an honored tribute, To the mothers of today, Who have within their window, A blue star upon display. Let their names go down in history, As an army strong and great, For they also serve their country, Who just stand aside and wait.”

Edward J. Viall died in 1950. 

67