William Erastus Upjohn was born on June 15, 1853, and died on October 18, 1932. He was an American doctor who started and led The Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company. A newspaper in Kalamazoo, Michigan, called him Person of the Century.
Early life
Upjohn was one of twelve children born to Dr. Uriah Upjohn, a pioneer doctor, and his wife, Maria Mills Upjohn, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 1875, he graduated from the University of Michigan's medical school.
Career
Dr. W.E. Upjohn worked as a doctor in Hastings, Michigan, for 10 years. At home, he tested new ways to help people take medicine more easily. In 1885, he created a pill that was easy to digest and received a patent for it. In 1886, he started The Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to make these pills. He was president of the company for 40 years.
In 1895, Dr. Upjohn bought a 40-acre (160,000 m²) farm in Augusta, Michigan. This land later became Brook Lodge Hotel & Conference Resort. One building on the property was a creamery, which he changed into a summer home for his family.
This home became a place for hosting guests and business meetings. In 1956, 24 years after Dr. Upjohn’s death, The Upjohn Company bought Brook Lodge from his family and turned it into a conference center for employees.
While the creamery was being changed into a home, Dr. Upjohn built a building that combined a garage and guest house. This building was later moved to become the Carriage House. In 1910, he built Brookside Cottage for his gardener.
The original design of Brook Lodge included a swimming pool, tennis court, and walking paths. Dr. Upjohn planted many trees and flowers. Though he loved irises, he later focused on growing peonies. Reports say he grew between 400 and 675 different types of peonies, covering 40 acres (160,000 m²) with red, white, and pink blossoms.
Dr. Upjohn did not like the smell of cooking while working. In 1927, he built the Dining Hall for hosting events. The original carpet in the Dining Hall was later replaced with a custom design that includes images of peonies.
Dr. W.E. Upjohn had a heart attack and died at Brook Lodge in 1932.
Near the mill pond is a Japanese garden. In 1967, a Japanese guest who enjoyed his stay at Brook Lodge sent an authentic temple lantern as a gift. A Japanese architect helped design the garden so that every part looked and felt natural.
In 2000, Brook Lodge and its surrounding 557 acres (2.25 km²) were given to Michigan State University. The resort closed at the end of 2009.
Humanitarian contributions
Dr. Upjohn helped create a government system with a commissioner and a manager in Kalamazoo. He helped start the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. He also created the W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. Additionally, he supported the building of the Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium. Dr. Upjohn loved flowers and created gardens at Brook Lodge, his summer home located near Augusta.
Personal life
Dr. Upjohn married Rachel Phoebe Babcock on December 24, 1878. Together, they had five children: Rachel Winifred Upjohn Smith Light (1880–1929), William Harold Upjohn (1884–1928), Mary Upjohn (1889–1889, died as an infant), Dorothy Upjohn DeLano Dalton (1890–1981), and Genevieve Upjohn Gilmore (1894–1990). Rachel Phoebe Babcock Upjohn passed away on July 4, 1905, after 27 years of marriage.
On December 25, 1913, Dr. Upjohn married again. His second wife was Carrie Maria Sherwood Gilmore, who was the widow of James F. Gilmore, one of the founders of the Gilmore Brothers department store.
Suzanne Upjohn DeLano Parish, Dr. Upjohn’s granddaughter through his daughter Dorothy Upjohn DeLano Dalton, served as a Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II. She also founded the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum, which was later renamed the Air Zoo.