USA > Michigan > A history of northern Michigan and its people, Volume II > Part 13
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On the 1st of September, 1863, Mr. Giesman was united in mar- riage to Miss Caroline Gablemann, who was born and reared in the state of New Jersey and who went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when a young girl. Her father died when she was a mere child and her mother, who lived to the patriarchal age of ninety-two years, was summoned to eternal rest in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Giesman became the parents of five
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children, namely .- Georgie C., Cora, Lillia, Byron and Finicie, two of whom are now deceased- Cora and Byron.
CHRISTIAN A. OPPENBORN .- Among the distinctively prominent and brilliant lawyers of the state of Michigan none is more versatile, talented or well equipped for the work of his profession than Christian A. Oppen- born, who maintains his home and business headquarters at Alpena. Throughout his career as an ahle attorney and well fortified counselor he has, by reason of unimpeachable conduct and close observance of the unwritten code of professional ethics, gained the admiration and respect of his fellow members of the bar, in addition to which he commands a high place in the confidenee and esteem of his fellow citizens. During the greater part of his life thus far Christian A. Oppenborn has resided in Alpena, where he is now engaged in the active practice of law and where he has taken a decidedly prominent part in public affairs. For two terms he was incumbent of the office of county treasurer and in 1910 he was elected to represent Alpena county in the state legislature of Michigan.
Christian A. Oppenborn was born at Alpena, Michigan, on the 31st of Jannary, 1873, and he is a son of Henry L. and Minnie (Wiesigat ) Oppenborn, the former of whom was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1848, and the latter of whom was born in Konigsburg. in Prussia, the date of her nativity having been 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Oppenborn were united in marriage at Alpena and they became the parents of eight ehil- dren, seven of whom are living at the present time, in 1911, and of whom the subject of this review was the firstborn. The father immi- grated to the United States in 1869 and eame directly to Michigan, set- tling first at Detroit and later at Alpena, where he engaged in general farming and horticulture. In 1890 he established the family home in the city of Alpena, where he resided until 1902, at which time he re- moved to Alabama on account of the impaired condition of his health. He is a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party in his political proclivities and in his religious faith is a devout member of the German Lutheran church.
To the public schools of Alpena Christian A. Oppenborn is indebted for his preliminary educational training and after leaving school he was variously engaged nntil 1900, when he was elected county treasurer of Alpena county, being re-elected to that office in 1902. In 1905-06-07 he was a student in the Detroit College of Law, in which excellent institu- tion he was graduated as a member of the class of 1907, duly receiving his degree of Bachelor of Laws. Immediately after graduation he opened up offices at Alpena, where he has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative clientage and where he has gained prestige as one of the most capable lawyers in this section of the state. In 1909 he was appointed circuit court commissioner, an office of which he is incumbent at the present time. On the 8th of November, 1910, he was elected to represent Alpena county in the state legislature and in discharging the duties connected therewith acquitted himself with all of honor and dis- tinction. During the session of 1910-11 he served on a number of im-
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portant committees and he was successful in securing a great deal of important legislation for his district.
On the 25th of December, 1900, Mr. Oppenborn was united in mar- ried to Miss Annie L. Gardner, whose birth occurred in Sanilac county, Michigan, and who is a daughter of Stephen and Emma (Switzer) Gardner. Mr. Gardner was born in the state of New York and his wife is a native of Michigan. Both are now living at Croswell, Michigan. They became the parents of three children of whom Mrs. Oppenborn was the second in order of birth. Mr. Gardner is a farmer by occupation and in his political allegiance he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Oppenhorn have one daughter, Dorothea Lovice, whose natal day is the 16th of January, 1906.
On the 14th of May, 1898, Mr. Oppenborn enlisted as a soldier in Company B, Thirty-third Michigan Volunteers, for service in the Span- ish-American war. He participated in the battle of San Juan Hill and received his honorable discharge and was mustered out of service on the 28th of December, 1898. He retains a deep and sincere interest in his comrades in arms and signifies the same by membership in Arthur Heney Camp of the Spanish-American Veterans. In fraternal channels Mr. Oppenborn is affiliated with Myrtle Lodge, No. 432, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is past grand of the Grand Lodge of the state. He is also connected with Alpena Lodge, No. 505, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and with the Arbeiter Unterstuetzungs, a German aid society. In politics he is an uncompromising Republican and in religious circles he is connected with the German Lutheran church, in the different departments of whose work they are most active and zealous factors. Mr. Oppenborn is a man of broad human sympathy and great benevolence. Charity in its widest and best sense is practiced by him, and his kindness has made smooth the rough way of many a weary traveler on life's journey. In his private life he is distinguished by all that marks the true gentleman. Endowed by nature with high intellectual qualities, to which are added the discipline and embellish- ments of culture, his is a most attractive personality. Well versed in the learning of his profession, and with a deep knowledge of human con- duct, with great sagacity and extraordinary tact, he stands in the fore- most ranks of the legal fraternity of Michigan and he is everywhere ac- corded unqualified confidence and esteem by reason of his exemplary life.
GEORGE E. UPTON .- A man of fine initiative, one who not only has ideas but who also knows how to carry out a project, how to make be- ginnings, is George E. Upton, who through his own well directed en- deavors has built up a large enterprise in his particular line and who now ranks as one of the most influential merchants in Onekama. He was born in Nottingham, England, on the 9th of January, 1857, and is a son of Edmund C. and Alice (Winterton) Upton, the former of whom came to America in 1863 and the latter of whom, with the six children, came to this country in 1864. For about three years the family home was maintained at Cleveland, Ohio, from which place they
Vol. II-7
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removed to Michigan, where Mr. Upton entered a homestead of one hundred and sixty aeres in Empire township, Leelanau county.
George E. Upton was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father. His educational training was of the most meager order, being obtained in the institutions of a sparsely settled country where school was conducted but a few months during the year. When fifteen years of age he went to Traverse City, this state, where he entered upon a three-year apprenticeship at the harness-maker's trade, after the completion of which he continued in the employ of his instructor, George Hicks, as a journeyman for the ensuing six years. After spending some months in carriage trimming in Cleveland, Ohio, he then worked six years more for J. T. Beadle in the harness business. Then, in February, 1885, he started in business for himself, at which time he came to Onekama, where he opened a harness shop, being obliged to take an upstairs room as the place of his business operations, as no other place could be secured. At the expiration of nine months he moved into a building which been erected for him, remaining there until 1896, when he moved to a larger place in the east end of the town. He continued to operate an exclusive harness shop until 1905 when, the harness business not demanding all his time, he added a stock of shoes, hats and hosiery. He has built up a thriving business and is now contemplating the erection of a still larger place of busi- ness. In politics Mr. Upton is a Republican and he has been incumbent of various public offices of local trust, including that of town clerk, to which he was elected in 1886 and of which he was in tenure for a period of thirteen years, only resigning it on account of the urgency of busi- ness affairs. He has been president of the village for several terms and he has contributed in generous measure to all matters projected for the good of the community. He is a member of the Knights of the Tented Maccabees and his religions faith is in harmony with the teachings of the Congregational chureh. He is a God-fearing, law-abiding, progres- sive citizen who unwaveringly does the right as he interprets it and no one holds a higher place in the confidence and regard of his fellowmen than does he.
On the 16th of May, 1896, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Upton to Miss Elizabeth White, of Onekama. She was born in Wales, whence she came to America with her parents when she was a young girl. Mr. and Mrs. Upton became the parents of one child, Russell J., who was born on the 27th of April, 1897. Mrs. Upton was summoned to the life eternal in 1897, after which the infant Russell was taken into the home of his grandparents, where he was carefully nurtured until three years of age, when he returned to his father, at Onekama. Russell is at school and is developing a marked talent for music, being a member of the school orchestra and taking part in various local entertainments.
THOMAS E. ANDRESEN .- Constancy and perseverance are the qualities that inevitably lead to success and these are the attributes which have contributed in such generous measure to the fine achievement of Thomas
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E. Andresen, who conducts the "Three in One" store at Manistee. Michigan. He was born in Denmark in 1858 and in his native land, in the early part of 1881, he wedded Hansino Hensen, likewise a native of that country. Immediately after that important event they set out for America, coming directly to Manistee, landing in this place with but fifty cents. Mr. Andresen secured work in one of the mills in this vicinity on the day following his arrival and he occupied various posi- tions in the lumber mills for the ensuing five or six years. He then began operations as a bill-poster, following this line of enterprise for two years, at the expiration of which he opened up a butcher shop in Manistee. In 1900 he established his business in a fine new building which he had erected on Sixth street, this building having been so constructed that he could add to it should be wish so to do. In 1903 he built an adjoining apartment, in which he opened up a grocery store, laying in a complete stock of staple and fancy groceries. Three years later he built a third addition, of the same size as the two former ones, each being twenty-five feet by eighty feet in lateral dimensions, putting into the third store a full line of notions and variety stock. He named the block so constructed the "Three in One" and under this unique title he is now conducting a most thriving business, he being a man of fine executive ability and unquestioned integrity. His annual business now represents from forty-five to fifty thousand dollars and it is most gratifying to contemplate in view of the fact that his success is entirely the outcome of his own well directed endeavors, he himself having built the ladder by which he has climbed to affluence ..
Mr. Andresen is a staunch Democrat in his political convictions and though he has never manifested aught of ambition for the honors or emoluments of public office, he has represented his ward as alderman for two terms of two years each. Hs is deeply interested in all matters tending to raise the standard of civic and industrial affairs in Manistee and he holds a secure vantage ground in popular confidence and esteem. He and his family attend the Lutheran church, to whose work and charities he has contributed most generously. Mr. and Mrs. Andresen have five children, namely,-Thorvall, Harry, William, Edward and Ella, the three elder of whom are associated with their father in the work and management of the store.
THOMAS HORNE, one of the most extensive shippers of farm produce and live stock, West Branch, Michigan, was born in England in 1862, the son of English parents, Thomas and Mary Horne. His mother died in England some years ago and his father still resides there. At the age of nineteen, in 1881, Thomas Horne left his native land and came alone to America, where without financial aid or backing of any kind he has worked his way to the front and established himself in a flourish- ing business. This has been accomplished by living up to the Golden Rule and paying close attention to true business principles. For seven- teen years Mr. Horne was a resident of Lansing, Michigan, and it was there in 1888, twenty-two years ago, that he began his present line of business. He owns valuable property at West Branch, consisting of
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thirty-one acres, eleven and a half of which are within the corporation limits.
On February 11, 1887, Thomas Horne and Miss Dora Van Dyke, daughter of Samuel Van Dyke, were united in marriage, and to the encouragement and help of his wife Mr. Horne attributes much of the success he has attained. Mrs. Horne is a native of Canada, who in early life accompanied her parents to Michigan, their settlement being in Livingston county, where she was reared and educated. She is a woman of sound judgment and rare tact. While they have no children of their own Mr. and Mrs. Horne have an adopted daughter, May.
JOHN BORUCKI, one of the general merchandise men of Manistee, Michigan, who is essentially loyal and public-spirited in his civic atti- tude and who has done much to maintain the high standard of the in- dustrial world of this city is John Borucki, who was born in German Poland, the date of his nativity being March 22, 1866. He came to America in 1883, at which time he was a youth of seventeen years of age. He established his home in Oak Hill, where he began working in the mills. Prior to his emigration to America he had learned the shoe- maker's trade, and being qnite expert in that particular enterprise he began to spend the evenings repairing shoes for the men at the mill. He was thus engaged for eight years and in 1891 he opened up a shoe store in Oak Hill, later erecting a building in which he carried fine stocks of shoes and groceries. In 1907 he further enlarged his scope of opera- tions by adding a meat-market to his already well established concern. On the 14th of April, 1908, his place of business was destroyed by fire, thus wiping out what represented many years of earnest toil and en- deavor. With characteristic plnek and a determination to conquer all obstacles, however, he immediately began building and in August, 1908, he opened his present large and commodious store, adding notions and clothing to the other departments. A fine business amounting to from twenty-five to thirty thousand dollars a year is now controlled by Mr. Borucki and his two elder sons, all of whom hold a high place in the regard of their fellow men.
In politics Mr. Borucki and his sons are staunch Republicans and they have done much to advance the civic and material welfare of the community. On the 9th of November, 1908, Mr. Borucki was appointed postmaster of Oak Hill, in which connection he is giving most efficient service. He and his family are devout communicants of the Catholic church, holding membership in St. Joseph's Polish church, and they are liberal contributors to its work and charities. Mr. Borucki is a mem- ber of the Polish Roman Catholic Union, which maintains headquarters in the city of Chicago, Illinois.
On the 22nd of November. 1886, Mr. Borucki married Miss Mary Krolikowski, who was born in German Poland on the 14th of March, 1866, she having made the trip to America alone, landing in the United States. September 14, 1884, and locating at Manistee, where she secured work as a cook in a boarding house. Mr. and Mrs. Borneki have seven children,-Stanley J., Blanche. Leon, William. Victoria. Jennie and Florence. Stanley J. is connected with his father in the work and man-
C. H. Reynolds
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agement of the store and he is deputy postmaster of Oak IIill. In the spring of 1909 he was elected town clerk of Filer township and in 1910 he was chosen as his own successor in that office. He is a member of the Polish Roman Catholic Union, besides which he is also affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. Blanche is the housekeeper and a dress- maker by trade. Leon, who was born on the 1st of April, 1892, has charge of the meat department of his father's business, and William, Victoria, Jennie and Florence are attending school.
CHARLES H. REYNOLDS,-When cognizance is taken of the lives and achievements of those who have been dominating forces in connection with the development and upbuilding of the thriving city of Alpena and its tributary territory, there is all of consistency in according special recognition to the honored and influential citizen and sterling business man to whom this brief memoir is dedicated. For fully thirty years prior to his death Mr. Reynolds was engaged in the jewelry business in Alpena, but his progressiveness and generous civic ideals also led him into other fields of enterprise through which the best interests of the community were significantly advanced. He was broad-minded and liberal, sincere, earnest and upright in all the relations of life, and he ever held the uniform confidence and esteem of his fellow men. He played a large part in the social and business life of Alpena and there his name shall be held in perpetual honor as one of the city's resource- ful upbuilders and strong and generous characters. Further interest attaches to his career by reason of the fact that he was a native son of Michigan and a member of one of its sterling pioneer families.
Charles H. Reynolds was born at St. Joseph, Berrien county, Michi- gan, on the 14th of May, 1855, and was summoned to eternal rest on March 2, 1910. His parents were early settlers of Berrien county, Michigan. He whose name initiates this review received his early educa- tion in the common schools of St. Joseph and when a mere boy he became familiar with the active duties of life. He was employed in a lath mill when but fourteen years of age and thereafter served a thorough ap- prenticeship to the trade of jeweler. Finally he removed from his native town to Genesee county, where he was engaged in the work of his trade for several years, during the latter part of which period he was em- ployed by George Childs, the leading jeweler of the city of Flint, that county. In 1878 Mr. Reynolds came to Alpena, and within a short time thereafter he assumed charge of the jewelry store of Frederick S. Good- rich. In 1880 he purchased the business from Mr. Goodrich and he con- tinued the enterprise thereafter until the time of his death, thirty years later, as he assumed control of the business on January 8, 1880. Mr. Reynolds kept pace with the march of progress and his store was ever maintained with the best of facilities and with a select and comprehen- sive stock, adequate to meeting all demands. On the site of his store, which is still conducted by his sons, there stood at one time the residence of E. K. Potter, the eldest of the well-known Potter brothers of Alpena, and this house was destroyed in the disastrous fire that swept the city in 1873. The store built on the site by Mr. Goodrich has been almost made over again and is now thoroughly up-to-date.
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Energetic, self-reliant and sagacious, Mr. Reynolds was ever ready to lend his co-operation in enterprises tending to promote the industrial and civic progress of his home city and county. He became interested in timber lands in both Michigan and Wisconsin and in Douglass county of the latter state, he was associated with George B. Holmes in lumber- ing operations, including the ownership of a saw mill. He was a stock- holder and director in the Alpena National Bank; was one of the organ- izers of the Alpena Mutual Benefit Telephone Company, of which he was elected president and remained such for the last ten years of his life., He was also one of the organizers of the Alpena Portland Cement Com- pany, which was incorporated in 1899, and of which he served as vice- president and secretary until his demise, having been specially en- thusiastic in the promotion of the important industrial enterprise of this corporation. He was the first citizen in Alpena to construct a cement walk in front of his business property and his residence premises were also the first in the city to show this altogether admirable im- provement. The first cement walk thus laid in Alpena was that in front of his jewelry store on Second avenue, and other enterprising citizens soon began to emulate his example. It was also primarily due to the progressive ideas and earnest efforts of Mr. Reynolds that the first con- crete street paving was done in Alpena and he was associated with John Monaghan in assuming the contract for the completion of this original work,- on Chisholm street. In 1905 Mr. Reynolds organized the Lake- side Cranberry Company for the development of the cranberry marshes secured in Alpena county, and he was president of this company. He also did much to add to the attractiveness of the business section of his home city. In 1909 he built the Reynolds garage of reinforced cement construction, and the same is now occupied by Charles F. Steele. To- gether with Mr. George B. Holmes they erected during the summer of 1909 a modern two story brick and steel building on their property on Second avenue. This building is used for mercantile business and office purposes on the second floor.
In politics, though well-fortified in his opinion and essentially public- spirited, Mr. Reynolds never manifested predilection for official prefer- ment, though he served several terms as supervisor of the First ward and was also a valued member of the Board of Education for two or more terms. He was a stanch advocate of the principles of the Repub- lican party and his religious faith was that of the Congregational church, of which his wife also has long been a devoted member. While Mr. Rey- nolds won large and worthy success through his own efforts, he was not self-centered, but was generous, kindly and tolerant, ever genial and always ready to assist those in affliction or distress. He was actively identified with various fraternal and social organizations and his popu- larity in each was on a parity with that which he enjoyed in all other relations of life. He was one of the organizers and served as the presi- dent of the Union Life Guards, and in the time-honored Masonic fra- ternity his local affiliations were as here noted: Alpena Lodge, No. 199, Free and Accepted Masons; Thunder Bay Chapter, No. 74, Royal Arch Masons: and Alpena Commandery, No. 34, Knights Templar. He also held membership in Moslem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles
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of the Mystic Shrine. He was likewise identified with Alpena Lodge, No. 70, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Alpena Lodge, No. 505, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The various fraternal orders with which he was identified passed earnest resolutions and testimonials of sorrow at the time of his death, and from the Commandery of Knights Templars came the following appreciative resolutions:
"It is with profound sorrow and a feeling of deep personal afflic- tion that the eminent commander and Sir Knights of Alpena Com- mandery, No. 34, again place on record the loss of one of its members. Sir Knight Charles H. Reynolds was called by the Master of all Good Workmen on the second day of March (1910) to rest from his labors. From boyhood he was a resident of Alpena. He was a good citizen, active in every sphere and trusted and respected by all who knew hin. Ile was wise in counsel, cautious in judgment and prompt in action. In disposition he was genial; in bearing, courteous; in dealing, just. Through his short illness he remained calm, brave and gentle. From first to last no word of complaint nor any sign of impatience escaped him. He died as he lived.
"Of Sir Knight Reynolds' life amid the sacred privacies of home- filled, as it was, with all that makes home dear-it is not our privilege to speak; but to his bereaved family we respectfully tender the assur- ance that while our full sympathy goes out to them in their sorrow, we share also in their thankfulness that the sorrow is softened by so many considerations of memory and touched with the light of a glorious hope. We extend to his family our deepest sympathy in their bereavement and sorrow and desire that a copy of this minute be sent to them and that the same be spread upon our records."
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