USA > Michigan > A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its people; its mining, lumber and agricultural industries, Volume III > Part 29
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In his present position Dr. Breitenbach will have charge of the health of approximately 400 men now in the employ of the lumber com- panies in that district and it is his purpose to within a short time es- tablish a hospital at Watersmeet, where plans are being made by the William Bonifas Lumber Company to establish a mammoth sawmill in addition to the one the company is now operating at Bonifas.
Dr. Breitenbach is a member of various medical societies, including the American, the Mid-state, and the Delta County Medical Associa- tions. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He married November 9, 1903, Margaret M. Foley, a daughter of M. Foley, a pioneer resident of Evanston, Illinois, and of Chicago.
EDWARD DEMAR .- Endowed by nature with much mechanical skill and artistic tastes, and the possessor of good business ability and judg- ment, Edward Demar ranks among the leading architects of Sault Ste. Marie. During the twenty-five years that he has been a resident of the Upper Peninsula, he has superintended the erection of many of its larger and more imposing buildings, and is well and favorably known in many of the larger cities of this section of the country. A native of Vermont, he was born, July 10, 1864, at Rouse's Point, com- ing on the paternal side of substantial New England ancestry.
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John Demar, his father, was born, in 1835, in Vermont, among its green and rugged hills growing to man's estate. During his earlier life he was master mechanic for the Vermont Central, or, as it is now called, the Central Vermont Railway. During the early '80s he re- moved with his family to Toronto. Ontario, where he was employed as a contractor and builder until his death, in 1898. He was a stanch Democrat in politics, and a faithful member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. He married Elizabeth Garton, who was born in London, England, in 1843, and is now living in Toronto, Ontario. Four daugh- ters and three sons blessed their union, and of these the sons survive, as follows: Edward, the special subject of this brief sketch; and Walter and Clifford, residing in Toronto, Ontario.
A regular attendant of the public schools between the ages of six years and fifteen years, Edward Demar acquired a practical education in the necessary branches of study. Subsequently making good use of his native talent, he studied architecture in Toronto, and there en- gaged in business as an architect. He was afterwards employed for awhile in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as a draftsman, and in 1884 engaged in business for himself in Brandon and Regina. Coming to the Upper Peninsula in 1886, Mr. Demar located a main office in Marquette, and opened branch offices at Ishpeming and Hancock. Beginning work immediately, he erected many buildings of prominence, including the Clifton Hotel, and many other public buildings and residences in Mar- quette; the Superior Savings Bank Building, and the Catholic Convent in Hancock ; and numerous large public and private buildings in Hough- ton and Calumet. Going then to Wisconsin. Mr. Demar made his head- quarters at Milwaukee for two years, being a member of the firm of Charlton, Gilbert & Demar. Withdrawing from that firm in 1901, Mr. Demar opened an office at Sault Ste. Marie that year, and subsequently erected the Masonic Temple, the Newton Block, the Presbyterian church, and the Loretto Academy, and in 1903 erected the Adams Building, the finest office and bank building in the Upper Peninsula. Mr. Demar has likewise other financial interests, being associated with R. W. Mur- dock in the Canadian Soo.
Mr. Demar married, August 28, 1890, Kate Hoffenbacher, who was born in England, the birthplace of her parents, John W. and Hannah Hoffenbacher. Coming with his family to the United States during the '70s, Mr. Hoffenbacher opened a bakery business in Hancock, Mich- igan, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a man of fine character, and a member of the English church. Mr. and Mrs. Demar have three children, namely : Howard J., Evelyn Branch, and Edward, Jr. The latter is deceased. Politically a firm supporter of the prin- ciples of the Republican party, Mr. Demar has never been an aspirant for official honors, his business interests demanding his entire atten- tion. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 552, B. P. O. E. Re- ligiously he belongs to the Episcopal church.
EDWIN M. MONROE .- Inheriting in no small measure the sterling traits of industry, honesty and thrift that characterized his English ancestors, Edwin M. Monroe occupies a noteworthy position among the substantial and respected citizens of Ironwood, which has been his home since pioneer days. A native of Michigan, he was born, December 7. 1838, at Mount Clemens, Macomb county, a son of William Monroe. Ilis grandfather, Royal Monroe, a native of England, emi- grated with his brothers, Samuel and Nathaniel, to America when young. He lived for a time in Walpole, New Hampshire, from there
E Miz Mouse
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moving to Crown Point, New York, and thence to Greenville, Mont- calm county, Michigan, where he spent his last years. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Seaver, was born in Walpole, New Hampshire, and spent her last days at Crown Point, New York.
William Monroe was born, July 9, 1806, in Walpole, New Hamp- shire, but was brought up in Crown Point, New York, where he began life as a sawyer in a mill. Migrating to Michigan in 1832, he came by way of the Erie canal and the Great Lakes to Detroit, thence by team to Mount Clemens, becoming one of the original householders of that place. After operating a saw mill for a few years, he bought, in 1848, a near-by farm, only two miles from the city, and was there engaged in tilling the soil until his death, February 11, 1868, at the age of sixty-two years. He married Polly Turner, who was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, a daughter of Thomas and Jemima (Woodworth) Turner. Her father was born, it is thought, in Ver- mont, but resided a number of years in Canada, from there moving to Crown Point, New York, then to Mount Clemens, Michigan, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. William Monroe reared six children, namely : Augustus, Thomas, Cyn- thia, Edwin M., James E. and Laura. All of the sons served in the Civil war, belonging to the Twenty-second Michigan Volunteer In- fantry, Thomas being killed at the battle of Chickamauga.
Reared on the home farm, Edwin M. Monroe remained with his parents until after the breaking out of the Civil war. On August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, went south, and was with his regiment in all of its expe- riences with the exception of eleven days, among the more important engagements in which he took an active part having been the following: Those at Danville, Kentucky; at Nashville and Stone River, Tennessee; at Lookout Mountain, better known as the Battle Above the Clouds; at Eagle Mountain; at the siege and capture of Atlanta, after which, his regiment being assigned to Hood's army, he fought at Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Monroe was twice wounded, once being hit in the neck by a sharpshooter when he was out foraging, and once, while guarding the levee, meeting with an ac- cident which kept him in confinement eleven days. On July 11, 1865, he was honorably discharged from service.
Returning home, Mr. Monroe purchased seventy-seven acres of timber land adjoining his father's estate, made an opening in the woods, and erected a log house. Selling out in 1869, he went to Keeseville, New York, where he learned the carpenter's trade and was busily employed for nearly a score of years. An expert workman, he built the first flight of stairs that led down the Au Sable Chasm, a rope held by a man above being fastened around his waist while he was thus dangerously employed. In 1887, while all of this part of the country was in its virgin wildness, he came to the new town of Ironwood, which was then a part of Ontonagon county, and immedi- ately began to work at his trade, being extensively and profitably en- gaged as a contractor and builder until 1905. Since that time, being afflicted with rheumatism, he has lived retired from active pursuits. In 1889 he was appointed sexton of the Ironwood Cemetery, and has held the position ever since. From his boyhood days, when cheerfully each morning he walked five miles through the woods to reach the little log schoolhouse in which he obtained his first knowledge of books, Mr. Monroe has been a good reader and an intelligent ob- server, gaining a vast fund of general information and keeping in
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touch with current events, taking a great interest in the public wel- fare.
On October 10, 1865, Mr. Monroe married Lucy M. Gaines, who was born at Au Sable, Clinton county, New York, August 12, 1840, a daughter of Hiram Gaines and grand-daughter of Frederick Gaines. Her great-grandfather, Jude Gaines, the descendant of a Scotch fam- ily, was for many years a prominent resident of New Hampshire. Frederick Gaines was born at Canaan, New Hampshire, and there was bred and educated. An iron manufacturer by trade, he conducted business at Pittsfield, Massachusetts for a while, subsequently being similarly engaged both in Essex and in Clinton county, New York, his death occurring in the latter county in 1848. His wife, whose maiden name was Azubah Simmons, survived him and died in 1868. Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Hiram Gaines was an iron manufacturer in his early life, but afterwards turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and he died on his farm in Essex county, New York, in Jan- uary, 1864. He married Sarah Monroe, who was born at Crown Point, New York, a daughter of Royal and Betsey Monroe, and died, in April, 1891, at Keeseville, New York. She reared eight children, as follows: Lavina M .; Jane I .; William H .; Abram, who enlisted in Company I, Seventy-seventh New York Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, and died while in service; Lucy M., now Mrs. Monroe; Emily Ann ; Clarinda; and Fred. Mr. Monroe cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has since been a Republican and a strong advo- cate for temperance. He belongs to General Pleasanton Post, No. 429, G. A. R .; to Ironwood Lodge, No. 149, I. O. O. F .; to Gogebic Encamp- ment ; to Iron Ore Tent, K. O. T. M .; to the Sons of Malta; and to Iron Wood Grange. Both Mr. and Mrs. Monroe are members of Lily of the Valley Lodge, No. 240, Daughters of Rebekah.
JOHN FUNKEY .- Industrious, capable, and enterprising, John Fun- key holds a position of note among the prosperous business men of Hancock, where he has built up an extensive patronage as a plumber and a dealer in hardware. A native of Germany, he was born, Decem- er 12, 1839, in Westphalia, the birthplace of his father, Prof. John Funkey, and the life-long home of his grandparents.
Talented and accomplished, Prof. John Funkey received a fine liter- ary and musical education in the Fatherland, and was there engaged in teaching school until 1843. In that year, accompanied by his wife and six children, he came in a sailing vessel to America, after a weari- some voyage of nine weeks landing in Baltimore, Maryland. Making his way westward to Michigan, he located in Detroit, where he was success- fully employed as a teacher, and a tuner of organs and pianos, until his death in 1851. His wife survived him, and in 1857 removed to Houghton, Michigan, where she spent her last days at the home of a danghter. To her and her husband six children were born, as follows: Josephine, who married first August Weber, and married second Casper Schulte; Eliz- abeth, wife of Fred Seeger; Joseph; John, the subject of this sketch ; Casper; and Minna, wife of Michael Gitzen.
A lad of four years when he came with his parents to Michigan, John Funkey was educated in the public schools of Detroit, and in 1855 began learning the machinist's trade in Detroit. Coming to the Upper Peninsula in 1857, he completed his apprenticeship at the Cliff Mine, after which he worked for a time at the Portage Lake Machine Shop. He was subsequently engineer and master mechanic at the Franklin, Menard, Pewabic, Osceola, Allouez, and Wolverine mines.
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In 1891, having previously operated the Franklin Mill for awhile, Mr. Funkey went to Great Falls, Montana, where he erected a steam stamp mill, which he operated three years. Returning to Hancock, Michigan, in 1894, he embarked in the hardware, heating and plumbing business, which he has conducted successfully ever since, having a good business.
Mr. Funkey married, in 1860, Catherine Ester, who was born in the city of Andernach, on the River Rhine, Germany. Her father, Math- ias Ester, a native of the same village, came with his family to the United States, locating first in Detroit, Michigan, then at Eagle River, Keweenaw county, from there going to Marytown, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he bought land, and was actively engaged in farm- ing during the remainder of his active career. He spent his last days in Hancock, with Mr. and Mrs. Funkey, dying at the venerable age of eighty-four years. Four daughters and eight sons blessed the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Funkey, namely : Josephine, Louisa, Gertrude, Sophia, John F., Henry C., August J., William M., George F., Frank O., Charles, Howard. Josephine, who married John Munn, died at the age of forty-seven years, leaving four children, Ethel, Gertrude, Violet, and May. Louisa, wife of Horace Hall, has one child, Horace. John F. married Minnie Wagner, and they have three children, Florence, Le Roy, and Lyman. Henry C. married Amelia Dritler, and they are the parents of two children, Henry and Ruth. August married May Ocanal. William married Ellen Merrick. Frank married Bessie Whit- comb, and they have two children, Esther and Franklin.
DAVID G. POVEY .- Prominent among the well known and most highly respected residents of Sault Ste. Marie is David G. Povey, Inspector in the United States Immigration service, his home being at 527 East Spruce Street. A son of William Povey, he was born, April 23rd, 1857, at Barrie. Simcoe county, Ontario, Canada, of English ancestry.
William Povey was born in Devonshire, England, in 1827, and as a young man emigrated to America, locating in Barrie, Simcoe county, Canada, where he established the first blacksmith's shop opened in that part of the province. He built up a substantial business, employing at times as many as seven men in his smithy. He was a great lover of good horses, owning several fine ones, and was especially expert in shoeing race horses, his services being in great demand by the turf men. He continued his residence in Barrie until his death, November 21, 1882, when but fifty-five years of age. He married in Barrie, Char- lotte Partridge, who spent her entire life in that town, her birth occur- ring in 1831, and her death in 1876. To them for children were born, namely : Charles H., who served in the Union Army during the Civil war, died in 1897; Annie, wife of James R. Jennett, of Detroit, Mich- igan ; John H., the first government light keeper on Hay Lake, was drowned in Hay Lake; and David G., the subject of this sketch.
After completing his early education, David G. Povey remained be- neath the parental roof tree until seventeen years of age, when he be- gan working in a general store, receiving four dollars a month wages the first year. Going then to Detroit, where his sister was living, he was for three months employed in a sash and blind factory, and then went to Corunna, Michigan, where he was similarly employed for a time. Going over into Indiana from there, he remained a short time in Lafayette, and then proceeded to Indianapolis, finding employment there in a factory engaged in the manufacture of school and church furniture. Mr. Povey subsequently worked for a time in the wood working department of the Howe Sewing Machine Company, at Peru,
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Indiana. On May 16, 1877, he located at Sault Ste. Marie, and soon after began farming with his brother in Chippewa county, near the Soo. He subsequently helped build the log school house in District No. 2, Sanlte Ste. Marie township, it being afterwards replaced by a substantial briek building now standing on Mr. Povey's farm. He taught the second term of school taught in that distriet, and subse- quently taught four consecutive winters in the old log schoolhouse. Mr. Povey then bought the south half of his brother's farm, but after- wards sold it, and in the early "nineties" bought the farm which he now owns.
Four years after his marriage, Mr. Povey eame to the Soo, built a house for himself and family, and engaged in the earpentering busi- ness. Returning then to his farm, he resided on it until 1898, when he was appointed Inspector of Customs for the United States, remaining in that department four and one-half years. He was then transferred to his present position as Immigration Inspector, in which capacity he has performed the duties devolving upon him with ability and fidelity. being one of the best and most popular men on the force.
Mr. Povey married. November 21, 1882. Carrie A. Shepard, who was born in Canada, on the shores of Lake Simeoe, a daughter of Israel Shepard. Mr. Shepard was born in Ireland, and when a mere boy came with his parents across the ocean to Canada, where he grew to man- hood, and for a few years was engaged in general farming. Migrat- ing with his family to Chippewa county, Michigan, in 1879, he located in Bruce township, on the Pickford road. where he located a homestead. Another man laid claim to the land, and its ownership was contested in the courts, being settled in Mr. Shepard's favor at the end of seven years. From this forest-covered traet of land he hewed a good farm. and is there still engaged in tilling the soil. He married Jane Glass- ford, and to them five children have been born, namely : John W .. Car- rie A., now Mrs. Povey; Sarah J .; Annie L .; and Percy H.
Eight children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Povey. three of whom died in infancy, the others being as follows: Charles W., who was drowned in Hay Lake when seventeen years of age: Etta, attend- ing the State Normal School ; Mamie, wife of Henry Warfield. died in November. 1909, at Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wellington H., in the high school : and Ernest R., attending school.
Politically Mr. Povey is a Republican, and has served two terms as school inspector in the township, and two terms as township treasurer. Fraternally he is a member of Bethel Lodge. No. 358. F. & A. M .; Lodge. No. 552, B. P. O. E. ; also a member of the K. of P. and Mac- cabees.
EDWARD F. W. NEIDHOLD .- The able and substantial business men of Gogebie county have no better representative than Edward F. W. Neidhold, the leading general merchant of Wakefield and a member of the County Board of Supervisors. A son of Carl N. Neidhold, he was born, November 20, 1869, in Weyauwega, Waupaca county. Wisconsin, of German ancestry.
Born in Saxony, Germany, Carl N. Neidhold and his brother, Fritz Neidhold, were the only members of the parental household to come to this country, and it is not known for certainty that the latter made a permanent settlement in the United States. Soon after completing an apprenticeship at the cabinet maker's trade. Carl N. Neidhold left the Fatherland, coming to America. the land, seemingly, of peace and plenty. Desirous of establishing a home of his own, he soon made his
Ed. neidhoes
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way to the wilds of Wisconsin, settling as a pioneer in Weyauwega. Buying from the government a tract of heavily timbered land, he be- gan the arduous task of reclaiming a farm, laboring with untiring in- dustry and true pioneer grit. In due course of time he cleared the land, established his family in a comfortable home, and was there pros- perously employed in agricultural pursuits for many years. Having accumulated a competency, he is now living retired at Weyanwega, Wisconsin, enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. He married Frede- rika Winter, who was also born and educated in Saxony. Her father, Samuel Winter, who was talented, cultured and progressive, differed with his native government in some matters, and having expressed himself too freely was for a time imprisoned. On being released, he came with his family to the United States, and was an early settler of Waushara county, Wisconsin. There he secured a tract of government land, and on the farm which he cleared and improved, and which is now in the possession of a son, he spent the remainder of his life. Mrs. Carl N. Niedhold died in 1905. To her and her husband eleven chil- dren were born, namely: Emma, Carrie, Minnie, Charles, Alvin, Ed- ward F. W., Otto, Nora, Lydia, Addie and Oscar. Oscar died at the age of nine years, and Carrie, when thirty-nine years old.
Acquiring a practical education in the public schools, Edward F. W. Niedhold began when a boy to assist in his father's store, and in 1885 became a clerk in a drug store. Coming to Wakefield in 1889, he, in partnership with his brother Charles, was for ten years engaged in the provision business, having an extensive trade. In 1899 Mr. Neid- hold with others organized the Wakefield Store Company, buying from the Stannard Brothers their general store, which was the pioneer mercantile establishment of the village, and was at once elected presi- dent of the company. In 1902 he was made general manager of the concern, and under his wise supervision the business is extensive and highly remunerative. His store is well stocked with fancy and staple groceries, provisions of all kinds, while its varied assortment of gen- eral merchandise contains almost everything demanded by the up-to- date housekeeper.
Mr. Neidhold married, in 1896, Retta Christiansen, who was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, a daughter of David and Mary (Davis) Chris- tiansen, natives respectively of Norway and Wales. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Neidhold, Carl and Gladys. Mrs. Neidhold is a most estimable woman and a valued member of the Con- gregational church. Fraternally Mr. Neidhold is a member of Besse- mer Lodge No. 390, F. & A. M .; of Minerva Chapter No. 122, R. A. M .; of Gogebic Commandery No. 46, K. T .; and of Ahmed Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Marquette.
ROBERTS P. HUDSON .- Distinguished not only for the high standing he has achieved among the active and successful lawyers of the Upper Peninsula, but as a descendant on both sides of the house of honored pioneer families of Michigan, Roberts P. Hudson, of Sault Ste. Marie, is eminently deserving of special mention in a work of this character. A son of Edwin Hudson, he was born in Howell, Livingston county, Michigan, September 9, A. D. 1872. His paternal grandfather, Dr. Alanson Hudson, located at Farmington, Oakland county, Michigan, in pioneer times, was there engaged in the practice of medicine many years, and was one of the most prominent of the older physicians in the vicinity of Detroit and Wayne county. He subsequently moved to Lansing, Michigan, where his last days were spent.
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Edwin Hudson was born December 19, A. D. 1850, in Farmington, Michigan, and after leaving the public schools began studying medicine with his father. During the progress of the Civil War, although but a boy, he enlisted in the Twentieth Volunteer Infantry, and on October 20th, A. D. 1864, was commissioned by Governor Henry H. Crapo, first lieutenant of his company. He served until the close of the war, but his brother Herbert, a soldier in the same regiment, was stricken with fever while in the army, and died in the service. Returning to Lansing, Michigan, where his parents had in the meantime located, Edwin Hud- son embarked in mercantile pursuits. Subsequently taking up his residence in Howell, Livingston county, he carried on a substantial business as a general merchant and a grain dealer until 1880, remov- ing then to Flint, Michigan, he was the first Secretary of the United Commercial Travelers of America, and from that time until his death, April 2, A. D. 1898, he traveled for Scotten & Company, a wholesale tobacco firm of Detroit. He was a Republican in politics, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and belonged to Howell Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; and to Howell Commandery, K. T.
Edwin Hudson married Frances Martha Griswold, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, and died in Flint, Michigan, in 1889, leaving five children, as follows: Roberts P., the special subject of this sketch; Mary C., wife of George B. Church, of Reno, Nevada; Alanson, of San Antonio, Texas; Sarah, wife of Charles Angel, of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia, and Frances, wife of C. L. Miner, of Rochester, New York. Her father, Hon. George R. Griswold, represented the First district of Wayne county, Michigan, in the state legislature in 1848 and 1849, and again in 1853 and 1854, while her uncle, Elisha Roberts, was the first person appointed prosecuting attorney of Chippewa county, receiving his appointment when the county extended into the Copper region, his headquarters having been at Houghton, Michigan.
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