The ABCs of Lowell History is back for another round. This popular series explores a wide variety of topics in Lowell area history in weekly online articles and is written by volunteers and staff from the Lowell Area Historical Museum.
F is for Fineis
Peter and Hulda (McCormick) Fineis were married in Portland and came to Lowell around 1912. Their children were Heleen, Erwin Peter, Leon, Gerald and Robert Allen. They were large figures here, and their presence is still felt in Lowell today.
Pete’s career was in the oil and fuel business. He owned a station on the corner of Main and Hudson, where the Shell Station is today. In June of 1930, at the formal opening of the new station on the northwest corner of the East Main and Jefferson intersection, Fineis Oil Co. went all out. There were carnations for the ladies, ‘smokes’ for the men, and balloons for the kids. The modern station advertised complete service to the motorist with greasing, washing, tires, batteries, etc., and a restroom. Fineis Oil Company grew to 22 stations throughout West Michigan, selling Texaco, then later Dixie oil and gas products.
Pete also had a successful orange ranch at Howie-in-the-Hills Florida. The Fineis trucks hauled wheat, oats, onions and potatoes south, then brought back citrus from the Fineis fruit ranch. The amazing taste was attributed to the fact that fruit ripened on the trees, then were in Lowell within three days of being picked. The fresh grapefruit and oranges were a hit with the people of Lowell.
Pete Fineis was considered one of the best dancers in Lowell. He was called a permanent fixture on the showboat. He performed in specialty dancing acts, and he was an Endman for the 1935 and 1936 showboat seasons. It was pointed out that despite his 280 pounds, he was a fast stepper who had poise. He was one of the outstanding performers on the program. His son Gerald joined him as an Endman. Fineis was likened to many other Lowell businessmen, as putting his whole heart into the Showboat program each year and also helped financially in its success. He literally kept the Showboat afloat, well, the used oil drums from his gas station did!
Fineis was widely known in Kent County by sponsoring semi-pro baseball teams. The first team he bought to represent Lowell was Fineis Oils. In 1931 the Fox Colored Giants Negro team reorganized and became the Fineis Oils Colored Giants. Later, while still a Negro team, they changed the name to the Dixie Gas Stars. The team was very successful and brought the community considerable prestige and renown. They were called “West Michigan’s Greatest Attraction”. The four infielders had all played in the National Negro League. * When they played at East Grand Rapids’ Ramona field, it was said they were the fastest infield that had ever played on that field. The team played National Negro league teams along with local teams such as The Ramonas of EGR, The Freeport Independents and The Lansing Elks. Semi-pro baseball was popular and attracted crowds. Games were also a big attraction during the Showboat Week Celebration.
Hulda Fineis loved flowers. She belonged to the Garden Lore Club and served as its president. In 1931, Hulda, along with Mrs. F.E. White, and Mrs. Elizabeth Lalley met with Mrs. (State Representative) D.G. Look at Lansing at a meeting of Doctors of Science held in the state capitol.
Pete Fineis died unexpectedly in 1936 of a heart attack at the age of 52. Hulda lived until 1984, passing away a couple of months short of her 102nd birthday. She continued with her community work after the loss of her husband. In 1939, Mr. O.I. Gregg, landscape extension specialist of Michigan State College came to Lowell to consult with Mrs. Hulda Fineis, Garden Lore Club landscape chairman, along with E.C. Foreman and Mrs. R.B. Mill in regard to the landscaping around the gateways to the city. Gregg listened to the vision of the women and then was to put together sketches for the group. Hulda started the Showboat Garden Club in 1949. She also started the local Santa Claus Girls group. Their mission was to make sure the area’s needy were fed and clothed. After her death the Showboat Garden Club placed and maintained the “Hulda Fineis Memorial Planter” outside what was then the Library and YMCA, now the Historical Museum.
Pete and Hulda Fineis experienced tragedy in the early deaths of their children Leon, who died at 7 months, and daughter Heleen, who died in 1927, at the age of 22.
Hulda, as a widow, would see her son Robert die while serving his country in World War II. Ensign Robert A. Fineis was with the U.S.N.R. Squadron 27 when he died in a plane crash. Robert was buried in the family plot in Portland. His pallbearers included Ensign Bruce Lindsley, Cadet Arthur Curtis Jr, Lee R. Miller, Carroll Burch, Bruce McMahon and Bernard Kropf. He was the youngest commissioned officer at the Norfolk base.
Erwin Peter Fineis died in 1959, and only Gerald outlived his mother.
Gerald Fineis continued his father’s oil business after the death of his father. Though the business is now gone, along with the baseball team representing Lowell, the memories of the Showboat and its importance to Lowell remain. The Showboat Garden Club also continues to beautify the City of Lowell, and Lowell still greets visitors at its entrances with landscaped displays around the “Welcome to Lowell” signs.
*For additional information on Lowell’s National Negro League Connections, see The ABCs of Lowell Round 2, “H is for Hall of Fame”, and for more information on the Fineis Oil Colored Giants and Dixie Gas Stars, please see the upcoming “S is for Shackelford and Speed McCall, Lowell’s Baseball Stars”.
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