USA > Michigan > A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its people; its mining, lumber and agricultural industries, Volume III > Part 21
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On the 16th of November, 1887, Mr. Arnold was united in marriage to Miss Susan Brenckman, who was born at Holland, Michigan, and who is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Beffel) Brenckman, both of whom were born in the city of Berlin, Germany, and both of whom passed the closing years of their lives in Michigan. Mr. Brenckman immigrated to America when a young man and for a number of years he followed the trade of tanner.
CHARLES R. NEUGEBAUER .- A man of culture and marked ability, Charles R. Neugebauer, of Crystal Falls, possesses far more than aver- age business tact and judgment, and as manager of the financial affairs of the Finnish-Swedish Mercantile Association is meeting with great success. A native of Austria, he was born, April 30, 1861, in Bohemia, where his parents were life-long residents, his father, an extensive property holder, having been a dealer in real estate.
Charles R. Neugebauer, the only member of his family to come to the United States, acquired a substantial education in his native land, and there began his active career as a teacher. Emigrating to America in 1885, he located at Austin, Texas, and there taught in a German
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school for a year and a half. Desirous of becoming more familiar with his adopted country, Mr. Neugebauer travelled through various states of the Union, and spent three years in Idaho and Washington. Coming then to Crystal Falls, Michigan, he was variously employed until 1899, when he accepted his present position as business manager for the Fin- nish-Swedish Mercantile Association. This organization has a thriving trade, its business being conducted in the commodious and handsome brick building which it erected at the corner of Superior avenue and Fourth streets. The upper part of this building is used largely for office purposes, the remainder of it being occupied by the association. The store is equipped with modern fixtures, and modern improvements, and has always on hand a bountiful supply of groceries, provisions, fruits, vegetables, confectionery and cigars, and also carries a full line of china and glass ware, and of kitchen utensils and furnishings, the aim of Mr. Neugebauer being to supply the demand for anything of value or use in any department of the household. All goods are attrac- tively arranged, and the display maintained in this establishment would be a credit to a city of much larger proportions.
Mr. Neugebauer married, in 1899, Anna Ripka, who was born in Bohemia, and into their attractive home two children- have been born, Emily and Charles. Mr. Neugebauer is independent in his political views, and in religion he and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church.
WILLIAM F. FERGUSON .- For a score of years Mr. Ferguson held prestige as one of the representative business men and honored and influential citizens of Sault Ste. Marie, in which city he continued to reside until his death, which occurred on the 14th of August, 1908. His career as a business man and as a citizen is without spot or other blemish and his fine energies and excellent administrative ability en- abled him to gain a large and worthy success in connection with the practical activities of life. His home city had none who took a deeper interest in its welfare and progress and he ever exemplified high civic ideals and unqualified loyalty. He gave his influence and co- operation in connection with all measures tending to advance the best interests of the community, and such was his standing as a citizen that he is specially entitled to a memorial tribute in this publication.
William F. Ferguson was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 10th of November, 1866, and the place of his nativity was in the city of Brampton, Peel county. When he was a child his father, Adam Ferguson, removed from Ontario to St. Joseph, Missouri, where the family took up their residence in 1871. There he was afforded the advantages of the public schools and when fifteen years of age he came to Michigan with his parents, who established their home in Bay City. There he initiated his business career as clerk in a mer- cantile establishment in which were handled dry goods and boots and shoes. He gained practical experience in the latter branch of the busi- ness and upon the failure of his employer he was made manager of the business though a mere youth at the time. In 1887 at the age of twenty- one years, Mr. Ferguson came to Sault Ste. Marie, where he held a clerical position until the following year, when he engaged in the boot and shoe business for himself, at 80 Ashmun street. In 1893 he erected a substantial brick building at 406 Ashmun street and there amplified his enterprise by the addition of a dry goods department. At this time was formed the firm of W. F. Ferguson & Company, and later the business was incorporated under the same title, Mr. Ferguson be-
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coming president of the company and retaining this office until his death. The demands placed upon the establishment by its large and constantly expanding business eventually rendered expedient the se- curing of additional store accommodations, to provide for the same. The P. C. Keleher building on the opposite side of the street,-405 Ashmun street .- was taken, where the stock of boots and shoes was installed, together with a well equipped department devoted to men's furnishing goods. The business, under the able and careful super- vision of Mr. Ferguson, became one of the largest and most prosperous in the city and he continued in active charge of the same until 1906, when impaired health rendered it absolutely necessary for him to secure complete release from business cares and responsibili- ties. In search of rest and recuperation Mr. Ferguson, in company with his devoted wife, went to California, and the last two years of his life were largely spent in that state and in travel, but he was unable to recoup his wasted physical energies and finally passed to the life eter- nal, secure in the high regard of all who had known him and mourned by a wide circle of devoted friends in his home city. He was a stock- holder and director of the First National Bank of Sault Ste. Marie, and was interested in other local enterprises of an important order, being also a stockholder of the Soo Hardware Company, in which his brothers were interested with him. He was a charter member of the Curling Club, was a valued member of the Sault Ste. Marie Club and other representative organizations, including the local lodge of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks of which he was a charter mem- ber. Though never a seeker of political preferment he was a stanch supporter of the cause of the Republican party and was essentially loyal and public-spirited as a citizen. He was a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, as is also Mrs. Ferguson, and his was the faith that makes faithful in all the relations of life.
On the 15th of March, 1892, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ferguson to Miss Augusta A. Adams, who is a daughter of Robert N. Adams, one of the influential and representative citizens and substan- tial capitalists of Sault Ste. Marie. A sketch of Mr. Adam's career appears on other pages of this volume, so that further reference to the family history is not demanded in the present connection. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson became the parents of four children,-Clarence New- ton, born July 24, 1893, William Herbert Gordon, born May 5, 1895, Lillian Margaret, born January 9, 1897, and Willa, all of whom are living except the last mentioned, who died in infancy, in 1906.
CHARLES E. WALTON .- As manager of two important mining proper- ties in the vicinity of Wakefield, Gogebie county, Charles E. Walton is actively identified with the development and advancement of the indus- trial interests of this part of the Upper Peninsula, and meanwhile is faithfully performing his obligations as a man and a citizen. A son of Captain John Walton, he was born, May 15, 1865, at Port Henry, Essex county, New York. His paternal grandfather, Mathew Walton, was a native of England. Born and bred in New York state, Captain John Walton began his career as a sailor when a boy, and when but nineteen years old was made captain of a lake steamer. He subsequently sailed the lakes and the Hudson river as commander of his vessel for many years, after which he was engaged in lumbering in the Adirondacks for some time. Locating in Ishpeming, Michigan, in 1881, he entered the employ of his brother, who was extensively engaged in lumbering, remain- ing there a few years. Going then to Marquette county, he spent his last
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days at Negaunee, dying in 1904. Captain Walton married Eliza Cham- pion, who was born in New York state. She now resides with a daughter in Birmingham, Alabama. She reared five children, as follows: Jennie ; William; Charles E., the subject of this sketch; Bertha; and Hervey, who is engaged in mining at Goldfield, Nevada.
Obtaining his rudimentary education in the public schools of his native place, Charles E. Walton completed his early studies at the Sher- man Academy, in Moriah, New York. Then, after spending one summer in the hay-fields, he came with his parents to Michigan, and while living at Ishpeming gained his initial experience in mining while assisting in operating a drilling machine at one of the mines near by. After a while he began exploring in the Gogebic range, and continued the work about two years. Subsequently, after spending a short time at Bessemer, Mr. Walton was captain of mines at Negaunee, in the Marquette range, for two years. Going from there to the Western Mesaba range, he assisted in opening the Hawkins and LaRue mines, which were owned by the Deering Harvesting Company, Joseph Sellwood being manager. In 1902 Mr. Walton came to Wakefield as manager of the Brotherton and Sunday Lake mines, and of the Mikado mine, all located in this vicinity, and he has retained the position until the present time, being a most able and popular superintendent.
Mr. Walton married, in 1888, Hattie Adelle Richards, who was born in Greenland, Ontonagon county, Michigan, a daughter of John and Sarah Richards, natives of England and pioneer settlers of the Upper Peninsula. Eight children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Walton, namely : Elmer, Elsie, Louis, John, Jennie, Hazel, Earl and Gordon. Mr. and Mrs. Walton are held in high esteem throughout the community, and are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Wal- ton is a trustworthy Republican, and has served ably as a member of the County Board of Supervisors; of the County Board of Road Commis- sioners ; and as a member of the Wakefield Board of Education. Frater- nally he belongs to Bessemer Lodge, No. 390, F. & A. M .; to Minerva Chapter, No. 122, R. A. M .; to Gogebic Commandery, No. 46, K. T .; to Ahmed Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Marquette; to Ishpeming Tent, No. 490, K. O. T. M .; and to Rock Island Tent, No. 26, M. W. A.
JOSEPH T. BERRY, M. D .- Actively identified with one of the more important of the various professions and pursuits to which men de- vote their time and energies, Joseph T. Berry, M. D., of Houghton, is widely known as one of the successful physicians of this section of Northern Michigan, his practice in the city and its suburbs being large and remunerative. A son of Edwin T. Berry, he was born, March 15, 1873, in Otisco, Ionia county.
The Doctor's grandfather was born, reared and married in New York state. Subsequently lured to the wilds of Michigan, he became a pioneer settler of Montcalm county, where he purchased a tract of land, from which he began the improvement of a homestead. Intensely patriotic, he responded to the call for volunteers when the Civil war broke out, enlisted in a Michigan regiment, and with his comrades went to the front, and like many another brave soldier, never returned to his home. He died while in the service, his remains being buried in the South.
Born in the Empire state, Edwin T. Berry was a small lad when he came with the family to Michigan. He assisted in the pioneer labor of redeeming a farm from the heavily-timbered land, and when the tocsin of the Civil war rang throughout the land his enthusiasm was
Vol. III-10
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aroused, and he enlisted, in 1861, in Company B, Twenty-fifth Michi- gan Volunteer Infantry. With his comrades he went South, and ere the expiration of his term of enlistment had expired, re-enlisted, and served gallently until the close of the conflict, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Michigan, he bought land in Otisco, Ionia county, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1903. He married Frances E. Tower, who was born in Ionia county, Michigan, where her father, Joseph Tower, settled on coming to Michi- gan from New York state, being numbered among its pioneer farm- ers. Mrs. Berry survived her husband, passing away in January, 1909. They were the parents of two children, namely: Joseph T., the sub- ject of this brief sketch; and Lena, wife of Fred A. Thompson, of Belding, Michigan.
Gleaning his first knowledge of books in the village schools of Belding, Michigan, Joseph T. Berry was graduated from the Belding high school with the class of 1896. He subsequently served as clerk in the postoffice for five years, during which time he studied medicine, for which he had a strong predilection. In 1902 Mr. Berry entered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was there graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1906. Coming imme- diately to Houghton, Dr. Berry has given proof of his professional skill and ability by his successful treatment of the many patients to whom he has been called, and has gained the esteem and confidence of the community.
The doctor is a member of the Houghton County Medical Society ; of two college fraternities, the Phi Rho Sigma and the Nu Phi Alpha societies; of Fortuna Lodge No. 120, K. of P .; and of Houghton Lodge No. 218, F. & A. M.
GARRETT GILBERT, a man well known in railroad circles in this part of the state, was born in Dakota county, Minnesota, November 1, 1863. His parents were John and Katherine (Hanley) Gilbert, both of them natives of Ireland. The father was born in county Kerry, in 1826, and died November 2, 1877, and the mother, who was born in Roscommon. survives and makes her home with her sons. John Gilbert came to America in 1847, his ship landing at New York sixty-seven days after its departure. It was not long before he secured employment on the York & Erie Railroad, making his headquarters at Binghamton, New York. Like many other foreigners, as soon as he got his bearings in the new country, he decided to come west and took up his residence in Peoria, Illinois. His next move took him to Columbus, Wisconsin, where he contracted in the building of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, the firm being known as Gilbert and Graham. They were also concerned in the building of the old Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Railway, whose way led from Milwaukee through to Craw- ford county, Wisconsin, touching the Mississippi, and going thence up the Mississippi on the steamer Milwaukee to St. Paul, Minnesota. The father later abandoned railroad building and entered the hotel business at Farmington, Minnesota, where he spent his last days. He and his family were members of the Catholic faith, and he subscribed to the policies of the Democratic party. Of the five children, two are living, Mr. Gilbert and George, who makes his home in Carlton, Min- nesota.
Garrett Gilbert spent his boyhood days in his native state and until the age of fourteen attended school. At this early age he engaged as track hand on the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Farmington, Min-
Paul Schweller
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nesota, receiving one dollar per day for his services. He later became wiper in the round house at St. Paul, then freight brakeman, and then conductor. He resigned and secured employment with the Northern Pacific at St. Paul as yard master, following this with a similar posi- tion with the Chicago, St. Paul & Omaha Railroad. He made a radical change by giving up railroading and engaging in farming, securing land in Traverse county, Minnesota, which he operated up to 1890, in which year he sold his farm and went to live in St. Paul. After a short residence in that city he removed to Marquette, Michigan, and assumed charge of the construction work in the building of the Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad. He later became agent and general yard master at Ishpeming, remaining in this capacity for five years and four months, when he resigned to become superintendent of ter- minals at Sault Ste. Marie for the Canadian Pacific Railroad, the Du- luth South Shore & Atlantic Railroad and the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway. He ultimately became joint freight agent for the above named roads, the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie and the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic. He at present holds these offices and in addition that of superintendent of the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Company and finds time to conduct his farming in Tra- verse county, Minnesota. He has held several public offices and rendered able service as deputy sheriff and township trustee of Traverse county, Minnesota. He gives allegiance to Republicanism and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Order of Railway Conductors and other or- ganizations.
Mr. Gilbert's wife before her marriage was Miss Mary Sullivan, and their union was celebrated July 15, 1885. She was born at Wi- nona, Minnesota, her parents being John King and Mary (Alton) Sul- livan. They were both natives of county Kerry, Ireland, the father being born in 1824, and his demise occurred in July, 1902. The mother is now living at Sault Ste. Marie. They were married after coming to this country, in Peoria, Illinois, and fourteen children were born to them, Mrs. Gilbert being the third of these. The father came to the United States in 1848, the sailing ship which carried him and his relatives landing at New Orleans. He and his brothers, Daniel and Patrick, drifted north, Daniel buying a farm near Mason City, Iowa, where he lived the rest of his life. John located in Winona county, Minnesota, and was one of the contractors in the building of the Wi- nona and St. Peter Railroad, now known as the Chicago & North- western. He spent the last thirty years of his life farming in Winona county, Minnesota. He held several township offices among them those of school director and supervisor. He was Democratic in politics and a communicant of the Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are the parents of two sons, John L., who was graduated from St. Thomas college at St. Paul, Minnesota, and is now associated with his father as yard master ; and George H., who completed the eighth grade of the public schools of "The Soo," and was graduated in the commercial course at St. Boniface College, in Manitoba, and is also associated with his father in the railway service.
PAUL SCHNELLER .- Preserving in purpose, enterprising and ener- getic, Paul Schneller has gained an assured position among the fore- most business men of Calumet, where he is an extensive dealer in real estate, and the representative of various insurance companies of high standing. He was born, December 13, 1871, in Austria, a son of John and Maria (Barich) Schneller. His father spent his entire life in
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Austria, his widow, however, coming to America after his death, and being at this time a resident of Butte, Montana.
Emigrating to the United States in 1887, a boy of fifteen years, Paul Schneller attended the public schools of Calumet, Michigan, for a time, and while still a student was an employe of the Tamarack Mining Company. He was afterwards for five years, from 1893 until 1898, a clerk in the department store owned and operated by Edward Ryan. Entering then the employment of John B. Wertin, he remained with him until his death, eighteen months later, when the business was sold to Redding & Son. Mr. Schneller was subsequently in business on his own account for a short time as head of the firm of Schneller & Plantz, his partner having been John Plantz. He subsequently ac- cepted a position with Peter Ruppe, a general merchant, with whom he was associated as clerk until 1905.
Forming in that year a partnership with Webb & Van Orden, Mr. Schneller purchased a half interest in the insurance business of the Van Orden Brothers and on January 11, 1907, bought out the entire share of the Van Orden Brothers' interests, and a little later, having bought out W. J. Webb, became sole owner of the business, which he conducted successfully for a time. In January, 1909, wishing to broaden his field of action, Mr. Schneller formed a partnership with Leonard F. Lawrence, and the firm name was Schneller & Lawrence until January, 1910, when John Malnar was admitted to the firm, the name being changed to its present form, Schneller, Lawrence & Mal- nar. This firm is one of the best known in the insurance circles of Houghton county, representing twenty-one of the most reliable insur- ance companies of the United States, and in addition to its insuring deals extensively in real estate, many of its transactions being of much importance. Mr. Schneller is a notary public, and in making out papers, transferring and corresponding, has communications for dif- ferent patrons in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Mr. Schneller married, in 1896, Annie Wertin, a daughter of Mat- thew B. and Agnes Wertin, old residents of Calumet, and to them five children have been born, namely : Agnes, Genevieve, Paul, Jr., Mar- garet and Frederick. Mr. Schneller is a most loyal and valued citi- zen, faithful in the performance of his civic duties, and for two years was treasurer of the village of Red Jacket. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of Calumet Lodge, No. 404, B. P. O. E .; of the Knights of Colum- bus; of the Independent Order of Foresters; and also of St. Peter's Austrian Society.
GEORGE FREDERICK BROWN .- Prominent among the best known citi- zens of the Upper Peninsula is George Frederick Brown, of Crystal Falls, who, as the genial, accommodating, and popular host of the Lockwood Hotel, has gained an enviable reputation among the travel- ing public, his house being one of the best patronized of any in Iron county. A native of New Brunswick, he was born, August 9, 1842, near Frederickton, the capital of the province, a son of Samuel Brown. His paternal grandfather, Mr. Brown, was born and reared in Ire- land, and on emigrating to America, located near Frederickton, New Brunswick, where he was engaged in farming and lumbering the remainder of his life.
Samuel Brown was born in New Brunswick, and was there brought up and educated as a farmer's son, and chose for his life work the oc- cupation of his immediate ancestors, engaging in farming and lum- bering. Removing to Aroostook county, Maine, in 1851, he bought
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land at Portage Lake, and was successfully employed as a general farmer and lumberman until his death, at the age of seventy-two years. He married Statira McNeil, and she survived him, passing away on the home farm, in Maine, at the venerable age of eighty-five years. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lyman McNeil, were born in the United States, of Scotch parents, who were loyal to the Crown during the Revolutionary war, and subsequently settled in New Brunswick, near Frederickton, where Statira McNeil was born. Ten children were born of the union of Samuel and Statira Brown, namely; George Frederick, William, Lavina, Julia, Rachel, Mary, Harriet, Eunice, Lud- low and Woodford.
Nine years old when his parents settled in Aroostook county, Maine, George Frederick Brown there grew to manhood, obtaining his early education in the district schools, and being thoroughly drilled in agri- cultural pursuits under his father's tutelage. Following the march of civilization westward, he came, in 1877, to the Upper Peninsula, which was then practically in its virgin wildness, the settlements being few' and far between. Entering the employ of Kirby & Carpenter, pioneer lumber dealers, he worked in the woods of Dickinson and Iron coun- ties, ere the sites of Iron Mountain, Iron River or Crystal Falls had been laid out, the present site of the latter named city having then been covered with a dense growth of timber. Mr. Brown made his headquarters at Menominee for a few years, and then located at Crys- tal Falls, where he operated a lumber yard for five years. Selling out, he then bought a farm at Fortune Lake, about three miles out, where he was profitably employed in agricultural pursuits until 1904. In that year Mr. Brown disposed of his farm, and bought the Lockwood Hotel, with which he has since been actively identified.
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