Percival Seaman Ives

     Percival was born on Sunday, 5 June 1864 at Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. He was the son of Lewis Thomas Ives and Margaret Wright Leggett. He also went by the name of Percy. Percival married Elize Caron on 16 June 1890 at Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Percy was a portrait painter. He was educated in the grammar and high schools of Detroit to age 17 then he studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts for four years, and in Paris, France, for six years. He has painted portraits of many of the prominent men of Michigan and of a number outside of the state, including ex-President Cleveland. He has exhibited in Paris, New York, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Boston, Chicago, Buffalo. He received honorable mention in the Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo, in 1901. He was a member Jury of Admission, Art Department, St. Louis Exposition, in 1904. He was a Republican. He was a ember of the Detroit Museum of Art (incorporator and trustee), He belonged to the Society of Western Artists, the Fine Arts Society, the Archaeological Society (treasurer Detroit Branch), the Detroit Post G.A.R. Clubs, the Detroit Boat Club, & the Prismatic Club. He enjoyed outdoor sports. His studio & residence was at 22 Montcalm Street in Detroit. 1 June 1900, Percival and his wife, Elize, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at 485 Bush Street, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Percy S. Ives [35 Michigan - June 1864], Elise M. [35 Canada - June 1864], Lewis T. [6 Michigan - March 1894] They had been married ten years with one child, one living.² 19 April 1910, Percival and his wife, Elize, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at 500 Cass Avenue. Enumerated in this household were Percy Ives [45 Michigan], his wife: Elsie [45 Canada] & Lewis T. [16 Michigan]. They had been married 19 years with 1 child still living. He is a portrait painter workink out of his studio.³ Percival's wife, Elize, died before 7 January 1920 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan,, leaving him a widower. 7 January 1920, Percival was listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Percy Ives [55 Michigan - New York & New York], Lewis T. [25 Michigan - Michigan & Canada]. Percy was a portrait painter & Lewis worked as a machinist in a motor factory.⁴ Percival departed this life on Wednesday, 15 February 1928 at 2964 Cass avenue, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, at age 63 years, 8 months and 10 days.

Obituary: DEATH COMES TO PERCY IVES - Noted Portrait Artist Succumbs To Four-Day Illness At His Home
Percy Ives, nationally known artist and famed for his canvas work and frescoes, died at his residence, 2964 Cass avenue, at 7:30 o'clock last evening after a four day illness. He had suffered a stroke last Saturday, and so grave was his condition that physicians dared not move him to a hospital. His brother, Dr. Augustus W. Ives, who had been called from New York, and his son Lewis were at his bedside.
He was born June 5, 1864, in Detroit, and received his early education in the Detroit schools. Like his father, Lewis T. Ives, who in his time painted all the prominent men of Detroit and Michigan, Percy Ives has devoted most of his energy to portraits.
Trained By His Father
He received his first training in his father's studio according to Joseph W. Gles and Francis P. Paulis, who was with Mr. Ives have formed the triumvirate of artists born in Detroit and active in the city's active life since their connection as faculty members with the first fine arts school in the city, conducted by the Museum of Art between 1887 and 1897.
His first important commission was a portrait of President Grover Cleveland. Later, prominent paintings were portraits of Mrs. Ives, of General Alger, then secretary of war, and of professor Robert M. Wesley, a quarter-centennial portrait for the University of Michigan. His "Brittans Fishermen" was shown at the World's Columbian exposition. Murals in Cass High School have made him familiar to thousands of students.
Paints Many Detroiters
Among old Detroiters whom he painted were S. M. Cutcheon, N. W. Meddaugh, Judge George S. Hebert and Senator Thomas W. Palmer.
Among his works in the Detroit Institute of Arts is a group portrait of early creators of the Founders Society of the Museum of Art, among whom are Senator Palmer, James K Kripps, William Brexley, and L. T. Ives.
Percy Ives himself served the old Detroit Museum of Art before it became a city owned institution as incorporator, trustee, and treasurer.
With Mr Gles and Mr Paulis, Mr Ives was a charter member of the Society of Western Artists which for over 20 years gave annual exhibitions of works by the members in Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and St Louis.
Studies in Paris and Rome
Before settling down to his long and successful career, Mr Ives studied for four years at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, going to Philadelphia when he was 17 years old. He later studied abroad for six years, part of the time at the Julian academy in Paris and the Gigi academy in Rome.
Returning to Detroit, he established himself in his father's studio on Mountcalm street, just west of Woodward. He taught classes in the art school of the museum with Mr Gles and Mr Paulis as fellow teachers.
His brother, Dr. A W Ives for some time was associated with James Hannah as and art dealer, and Joseph Gles recalls that his first exhibition on his return from study abroad, was held in the gallery of Hannah and Ives.
Pictures Over State
Many portraits by Percy Ives hang in Lansing, Ann Arbor and in the county building and the city hall here. Like his father, Ives painted the preminent men of his time, and professors, legislators, and jurists have been among his subjects.
For nearly 20 years he lived at his residence on Cass avenue, conducting his studio in the same building.
Of his paintings of historical interest, "The Treaty of Saginaw" which hangs in the Cass Technical high school is the most important. When the original Cass Technical building on the land donated by General Cass in 1869, was completed in 1911, there was a desire on the part of the faculty to provide some memorial to the donor of the site. Ercy Ives was engaged to produce a life sized bust of General Cass.
A complete list of the portraits of Ives would serve as a roster of the leading people of the state and nation. He was working on 10 portraits in his studio at the time of his illness and death.
Work Highly Recognized
His work received the highest recognition both here and abroad. While he studied in France he was the first of three Americans to pass the Beaux Arts examination. He also received a first prize in composition and first mention in portraiture, besides being an exhibitor in the Paris salon.
After his return home, he had his work accepted for exhibition in the World's fair, Chicago, the St Loius, Loiusiana and the Buffalo Pan American expositions, and the New York academy of Design.He was a member of the jury at the St Louis exposition.
His work received honorable mention at the Buffalo exposition. He also won many first prizes at the Searab exhibits and Founder's exhibits in Detroit.
Funeral Services Friday
Funeral services for Mr Ives will be held in the William R Hamilton company chapel 2975 Cass avenue at 10:30 o'clock Friday. Burial will be private.

Percival was laid to rest in the Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.⁵