John M. Donaldson

Following that he returned to Europe where he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Germany, at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France, finishing his European art studies in Venice, Italy.

For this building Donaldson made a model of a statue of Pere Marquette that was carved in stone by Julius Melchers.

When the building was demolished in the 1950s the statue was salvaged and now stands on the campus of Wayne State University.

Donaldson was a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Sculpture Society.

In 1900, Donaldson wrote a letter for the Detroit Century Box time capsule.