USA > Michigan > American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-made Men.: Michigan Volume > Part 19
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ous voyage of eighty-eight days, landed in New York, and immediately started for the West. In the fall, the family settled on a farm six miles from Buffalo, Erie County, New York. The five and a half years passed by Doctor Klein in working on the farm gave him a distaste for agricultural labor; his unpleasant relations with his step-father intensified the dissatisfaction, and he determined to leave home. He had devoted much of his time to reading, and acquiring the English lan- guage,-doubtless with the view of preparing himself for the decisive step which he finally took. Knowing that, as soon as he became of age, he would receive his patrimony from Europe, he left home one morning in company with a neighbor's son. He had but seventy- five cents, and with this capital went to Buffalo, osten- sibly, to put himself under the care of a physician, but purposing never to return: After six weeks of medical care, he entered the office of his physician as a student, and spent four years of diligent study. The subsequent years were devoted to the study and the practice of medicine in Rochester, Buffalo, and St. Katherine's, Ontario, Canada. In the winter of 1844, he entered the medical department of King's College, Toronto; and, the following year, attended the medical lectures at Geneva, and graduated in the spring of 1846. He immediately opened an office in Detroit, Michigan, where he has since remained in the practice of his profession. In 1846 Doctor Klein became a member of the Syden- ham Association of the regular practitioners in medicine, his professional practice and railroad duties, he has kept | in Detroit; later, of the Wayne County Medical Society, up his studies so thoroughly that he could, at any time, of which he was one of the Censors, and, subsequently, President. His fellow-citizens have shown their confi- dence by twice giving him the office of City Physician. In 1847 he was appointed County Physician, which office he held several years. He is also a member of the State Medical Society, and of the American Med- ical Association. In 1854 a joint stock-company was organized for the establishment of a German Democratic resume his position as a college professor. He has a fine library, including the best editions of all the Greek, Latin, French, and English classics. Mr. Joy has never touched tobacco, nor intoxicating drinks in any form. His great success in life is a fine proof of the wisdom of his early training, which formed a character able to resist all evil. Through the instrumentality and energy of Mr. Joy, large sums of money have been paper,-the Volksblatt,-of which he assumed the entire. brought from the East and scattered over the West by responsibility. Its success was largely due to his efforts; it still exists, and has a large circulation. Doctor Klein has disposed of his interest in it to the present proprie- tor. Doctor Klein is a stanch Democrat, and has for years been identified with the party, giving much of his time and labor to advancing its interests. From December, 1863, to May, 1866, Doctor Klein was in the the great chain of railway constructed from Detroit to Baxter Springs and Fort Kearney. Thousands of people now live in fine homes obtained through his railway enterprises and disbursements. No living man has done more, during the last half century, to develop the common schools and other public interests of the North-west. 12
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United States army service, as Surgeon-in-charge at the | majority of twenty-four thousand one hundred and sev- Exchange Barracks, Detroit. In 1869-70, and again in enty-five votes. Mr. Kirchner, besides doing earnest work in his profession, has devoted much time to the study of history, political economy, and kindred subjects. By travel through the United States and Canada, he has become well acquainted with the peculiarities of the different sections of the country. In 1869 he married Isabel Graham Beave. They have had two children. 1875-76, he was a member of the House of Representa- tives. Although born and educated in the Lutheran faith, he is extremely liberal in his religious views. He has been for twenty-four years a member of the Masonic Fraternity ; and, for a long time, an Odd-Fellow. Octo- ber 29, 1853, Doctor Klein married Sevilla Demaret, widow of the late Dr. Henry C. Lemcke, and daughter of the late Hans Demaret, of Odense, King's Council, Denmark.
IRCHNER, OTTO, of Detroit, Michigan, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Oder, in Prussia, July 13, 1846. His father, Rudolph Kirchner, was
employed in the service of the Prussian Government. [ ant of the Second Artillery Corps. During the war, he
While on leave of absence from his official duties, he planned and superintended the construction of the tun- nels on the line of the Berlin and Cologne Railway, between Cologne and Aix-la-Chapelle,-the first rail- way tunnels ever constructed in Europe. In 1854 he emigrated to America, and settled in Berlin, Waterloo County, Ontario. Ilere his son, Otto Kirchner, received an academic education, and began the study of law, which he subsequently continued at Toronto, attending lectures at Osgoode Hall. His close application to study having impaired his health, he visited Lansing, Michi- gan; and, in the fall of 1864, engaged as corresponding clerk in the office of his uncle, Hon. Emil Anneke, then Auditor-General, meanwhile continuing his legal studies. In the winter of 1865, he was appointed Secretary to the House Judiciary Committee of the Michigan State Legislature. While in this position, he gained a knowl- edge of public business and very valuable legislative experience. He removed, within the same year, to Detroit, where he entered the law office of Maynard, Meddaugh & Swift, and there completed his studies. In November, 1866, after examination by the Supreme Court of the State, he was licensed to practice law in any of the courts of the State; and, the same day, was admitted to practice in the Federal courts. In 1867 Mr. Kirchner formed a partnership with Walter Elliott, which lasted until Mr. Elliott withdrew from the pro- fession, in 1868. As a politician, Mr. Kirchner has always been identified with the Republican party. He traveled through the State quite extensively in 1872, making stump speeches for Grant and Wilson. In 1876 he was Chairman of the Republican City Committee of Detroit, and was elected alternate to the National Re- publican Convention at Cincinnati. He refused all public offices until August, 1876, when he received the nomination for Attorney-General of the State by accla- mation, and was elected, in November, by the large
FARSLEY, JONATHAN, Detroit, a Veteran of the War of 1812, was born in 1786, and died in 1859. He was, by birth, a Virginian, and gradu- ated at Washington College in 1811. The following year, he was appointed, by President Madison, First Lieuten-
was commissioned Assistant Adjutant-General, Captain, and Major. Ile was engaged in the battles of Stony Creek and Chrysler's Field, in 1814, and in the sortie from Fort Erie. In the latter engagement, he received a wound which resulted in the loss of a leg. This was a source of life-long pain to him; the amputation was delayed by the surgeons in the hope of saving the limb, and was then improperly performed. In this connec- tion, he many times remarked upon a phenomenon peculiar to such cases, namely: the existence of seeming pains in the lost portion of the limb. Major Kearsley was held in high estimation in the army for his attain- ments and bravery; and it was much regretted when his wounds compelled him to retire to private life. His services in behalf of the country were acknowledged and rewarded by the Government. In 1817 he was ap- pointed Collector of Revenue Taxes in Virginia, which position he held until 1819, when he was appointed Receiver of Public Moneys for the District of Michigan. Ile then removed to Detroit, where he continued to reside until the time of his death. He held the office of Receiver, consecutively, under various administra- tions, for a period of thirty years. Although a stanch Democrat and an active partisan, of the type found in the era of President Jackson, the Whig regime of 1840 respected the old soldier too much to displace him. The name of Major Kearsley was intimately associated with our early territorial and State history. He was, at one time, Mayor of Detroit; and was a Regent of the University during the whole of the territorial ad- ministration, after the administration passed into the second, or representative grade, in 1824. He was a man respected for his upright and honorable character, and for his ability and fidelity in the administration of his public trusts. The old Kearsley mansion, a two- story brick house, still standing on the corner of Jeffer- son avenue and Randolph street, in Detroit, - but now
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occupied for business purposes, -was his residence at | tution from the time of its foundation, in 1861, until the time of his death, and for many years previous. In |1872, when he resigned, his ideas having conflicted with the minds of the older residents, he is still associated with the old homestead. No man was better known than he, and few have left a better record; for, while in his public life he was guided by exact business habits, in his social life he was governed by a conscientious and rigid devotion to his religious principles.
those of other members, who wished to make it a secta- rian school. Doctor Kiefer held that no belief or creed should be taught in the school. In 1866-67, as a mem- ber of the Board of Education, he tried to influence the other members in favor of teaching the German la.i- guage in the public schools. He agitated the question at different times, but his petition failed to meet with favor. He had been an active member of many of the German societies, representing the German population at different times and on important occasions. He was their representative at the Singer's Festival, in 1857, at Detroit; at the Centennial Festival of Schiller in 1859; at the Festival of Humboldt, in 1869; and at the great Peace Celebration at the close of the Franco-German War, May 1, 1871; upon which occasion he was Presi- dent and orator of the day. He is a member of the Wayne County Medical Society, the State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. In all his public life, Doctor Kiefer has sought to convince the people that the German-born element of the United States should be respected as fully equal to the native-born population; and that due consideration should be given to their lan- guage, customs, and social manners. The members of his family use exclusively the German language. Doctor Kiefer does not claim for his German fellow-citizens any prerogative as Germans; he only insists that they be regarded as American citizens, and be fully entitled to all rights as such. In politics, he has adhered to the Republican party since its organization, in 1854, at which time he was President of the German Republican Executive Committee of the State of Michigan. In 1872 he was one of the Presidential Electors of the State ; and, in 1876, was a delegate to the National Republican Convention, held in Cincinnati, in which he had an influential part in uniting the Michigan del- egates, on the fifth ballot, for Governor Hayes. In each Presidential campaign he has taken an active part as a public speaker, his opinions having influence wi.h the Germans. In 1873 he spent six months in Germany.
IEFER, HERMAN, M. D., of Detroit, Michi- gan, was born November 19, 1825, at Sulzburg, Grand Dukedom of Baden, Germany, and is the only son of Doctor Conrad and Frederica. (Schweyckert) Kiefer. He attended the high schools of Freiburg, Mannheim, and Carlsruhe, from his ninth to his eigh- teenth year, graduating at the last-named place in 1844. He then began the study of medicine at the University of Freiburg, and continued it the next year in Heidel- berg ; after which he attended the medical institutions of Prague and Vienna. He was a scholar of Arnold, Henle, Oppolzer, Stromeyer, Pitha, and Scanzoni; and, in May, 1849, graduated, with the highest honors, before the State Board of Examiners at Carlsruhe. At the opening of the Revolution in Baden, the young doctor, who espoused the people's cause with all the ardor and energy of youth, was appointed surgeon of the volunteer regiment Emmendingen. He was present at the battle of Philipsburg, June 20, 1849, and at that of Upstadt, June 23. It was at the former that Prince Carl, now Field-Marshal of Germany, was wounded and nearly captured by this volunteer regiment. After the submis- sion of the revolutionists, Doctor Kiefer was compelled, with thousands of others, to leave his country, and escape to Strasburg, then a city in the Republic of France, with Louis Napoleon as President. The spies of this most infamous tyrant soon discovered his place of refuge; he was arrested and forced to flee the coun- try. Accordingly, August 18, he took passage in a sailing vessel, bound for the United States, and landed in New York, September 19, 1849. After a short stay Doctor Kiefer was reared in the Protestant religion, but his views have greatly changed. He claims to have no religious belief, insisting that every one should be judged by his acts. July 21, 1850, he married Fran- cisca Kehle, who, with his mother, had come from Germany to seek him; his father followed one year later. His parents, however, returned to Germany after a short residence in this country. Of the seven sons and two daughters born to Doctor Kiefer, five sons and one daughter survive. Alfred, the eldest son, is now studying in the Mining Academy of Freiberg, Saxony; Arthur, the second son, is attending the Polytechnic in the great metropolis, he started West, intending to make his home in St. Louis; but, meeting with a coun- tryman who had settled at Detroit, Michigan, several years previous, he concluded to remain there. October 19 he opened an office, and soon became one of the most popular practitioners of the city, gaining an exten- sive practice. Doctor Kiefer has always taken a deep interest in educational matters. IIe was one of the founders of the German-American Seminary, a school incorporated by the State for finished instruction in all departments of learning, to be given equally in the German and English languages, as far as practicable or School at Carlsruhe, Baden ; the other sons and daugh- desired. He was President and Treasurer of this insti- | ter are still attending the schools of Detroit.
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UIIN, JOSEPH, Detroit, Michigan, was born | district schools until he was fifteen years of age. After in Neustadt, Hesse-Cassel, Germany, March 9, teaching a year, he prepared for college at Elder Ridge Academy, in Indiana County; and graduated, taking the degree of A. B., at the Western University. He then began the study of medicine under Dr. Thomas Murray, attending his first course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, and graduating at the Cleveland Med- ical College in 1854. The first ten years of his profes- sional life were spent near his birthplace; he then removed to the southern part of Ohio; but, on account in the Superior Court of the city of Neustadt, and filled ; of the malarial fevers prevailing at the time, returned to his native State and settled near Pittsburg. In 1865 Doctor Kier removed to the city of Detroit, where he has ever since resided. Having confined himself strictly to the duties of his profession, and never seeking polit- ical prominence of any kind, he has built up a large practice, gaining the confidence and esteem of his brother practitioners and.of the community. He mar- ried, in 1846, Miss Martha Jane McBride, daughter of the Hon. Henry McBride, an extensive farmer and drover of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and a member of the State Legislature for several terms. Doctor Kier has three sons,-Henry M., William F., and Jonas A.,-two of whom have adopted the profes- sion of medicine. The oldest is practicing at Knight's Landing, California; the second at St. Louis, and the youngest is a druggist in Detroit. Doctor Kier has one brother, -the Rev. Samuel M. Kier,-who is a minister in the United Presbyterian Church. He has also a sister living in Ohio, the wife of John Armstrong, Esq. Doctor Kier, and the brother and sister above mentioned, are the survivors of a family of eight,-two sisters and three brothers having died. In his political views, Doctor Kier firmly adheres to the Democracy. Ile was ordained elder in the United Presbyterian Church of Saltsburg, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, twenty years ago. 1826. Ilis parents were in humble circum- stances, but were highly esteemed for their Christian virtues. The father, Henry Kuhn, married, in 1815, Regina Reifel, the daughter of a peasant; they had six children, of whom Joseph Kuhn was the fourth. At the age of fourteen, Mr. Kuhn finished the course of instruction given in the elementary schools of his native place. The next year, he accepted the position of clerk it creditably for five years. He was an earnest believer in the Roman Catholic faith, in which he was educated, and determined to become a priest. In 1846 he emi- grated to this country, and entered the Dominican Col- lege, at St. Joseph, near Somerset, Perry County, Ohio. Here he remained for three years, when his failing health obliged him to give up his intention of entering the priesthood. In 1849 he taught a select school in Detroit, and obtained the appointment of Notary Pub- lic. In this capacity, his knowledge of the laws of Germany, and the forms of legal documents used there, enabled him to render considerable aid to his country- men. Since 1850 he has been engaged in the insurance and real estate business. He issues and sells foreign drafts, and manages a foreign passenger agency for sev- eral lines of steamers. Ile has been of great service to thousands of his countrymen, and has induced a large number of Germans to emigrate to Michigan. By hon- orable dealings, his business has grown, year by year, until it has become quite lucrative. All his leisure ha- been occupied in the study of law. He was naturalized in 1851, and joined the Democratic party, to which he has since adhered. From 1859 to 1868, he was Justice of the Peace; during that time, he was appointed Assist- ant Police Justice. He has served the city of Detroit as a member of the Board of Education, a member of the Board of Estimates, and a member of the Common Council. He married, August 19, 1851, Mary, daughter of John and Gertrude Look, of Prussia. They have had twelve children, ten of whom are living. Dr. Fer- dinand Kuhn, of Grand Rapids, is their oldest son.
ATIIROP, HENRY KIRKE, JUN., D. D. S., Detroit, was born at Orion, Michigan, Decem- ber 27, 1847. His father, H. K. Lathrop, M. D., was a native of West Springfield, Massachusetts; and his mother, Elizabeth ( Abbott) Lathrop was born at Bath, New Hampshire. The Lathrops came from England in 1634; and the Abbotts, in 1640. Doctor Lathrop at- tended school until he was seventeen years of age, when he began the study of dentistry in the office of White & Lathrop, at Detroit. He remained with this firm for more than three years, and then attended one course of lectures at the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, at Cincinnati. After this, he engaged in the practice of his profession at Detroit, for nearly two years. Ile then returned to
IER J. S., M. D., of Detroit, was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, May, 1821; and is the son of William and Anna (Lyon) Kier. His grandfathers-natives of Scotland-were both engaged in the Revolutionary War, his maternal ancestor having distinguished himself at the battle of Cowpens. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was an extensive farmer, owning land in both Indi- ana and Armstrong counties. Mr. Kier attended the | Cincinnati, where he graduated,-delivered the valedic-
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tory address, and received the degree of D. D. S. Upon | most eloquent advocates of the North-west. He was his return to Detroit, he entered into partnership with Attorney-General of the Territory during Governor Joseph Lathrop, with whom he remained until April, 1872, when he opened an office for himself. Doctor Lathrop is the most prominent dentist, of his years, in the city. He believes in the steady advancement of the science of dentistry; and has, in this early stage of his professional career, acquired an extensive and increasing practice. He married, June 1, 1871, Mary W. Gillett, daughter of R. W. Gillett, of Detroit. They have two sons. Doctor Lathrop is a member of the American, and the Michigan Dental Associations.
ARNED, GENERAL CHARLES, late of Detroit, Michigan, was a native of Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. His father, Simon Lar- ned, was High Sheriff of Berkshire County. He came to America when young, and, during the Revolutionary War, was Colonel of the 9th Regiment United States Infantry, and aid-de-camp to General Washington. In the War of 1812, he resumed the command of his old regiment, and fought at Flatbush, while his sons, Charles and George Larned, were defending the frontier, at Fort Wayne, the River Raisin, and Detroit. Charles Larned graduated at Williams College in 1806; and studied law in Kentucky with Hon. Henry Clay. While Henry Clay was in Congress, Mr. Larned was the guest of Colonels Thomas, Dye, and Owen, of Shelby County, Kentucky. One day, while he was dining with forty or fifty of the first men of the county, a dispatch came to Colonel Owen, from Governor Shelby, announc- ing that General Harrison was in great peril at Fort Wayne, pressed by Proctor and the Indian allies, and
· urging Colonel Owen to raise a regiment to march to his relief. Colonel Owen immediately proposed to his guests that they should form the nucleus of a regiment. The proposition met with favor, and in ten days the regiment was equipped and on the march. This was the famous Kentucky regiment that was decimated at the battle of the Raisin, the remnant being incorporated into the regular army. Mr. Larned rose rapidly to the rank of Major, and participated in the battle of the Thames and other engagements. Among the private papers of General Larned, is a document signed by Colonel Brush, General Cass, David Cooper, Charles Larned, and others,-eighty in number,-in which they agree to seize and depose Governor Hull, and so pre- vent the shameful surrender of Detroit. Governor Hull frustrated this plan by sending General Cass, Colonel Brush, and others, with their commands, to distant forts. At the close of the war, General Larned practiced his profession in Detroit, and soon ranked among the |
George B. Porter's administration; and conducted the difficult negotiations which grew out of the Black Hawk War. He was the adviser and friend of General Lewis Cass. General Larned and General John R. Williams reduced the militia system of Michigan to efficient work- ing order. As a lawyer and advocate, he was brilliant and epigrammatic; as a counsel for defendants, he rarely lost a case. His defense of Simmons, the wife murderer, and of Canby, accused of the murder of the Government paymaster on the Fort Gratiot road, ranked among his ablest efforts. Ilis voice was clear and sweet, his pres- ence grand and commanding. He was always ready to help the poor, and to assist young lawyers to rise in their calling. August 13, 1834, Charles Larned, beloved by all who knew him, died. He left a family, a city, and a State in mourning.
A FERTE, DANIEL, M. D., of Detroit, was born at Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada, January 3, 1849. His ancestors on his father's side were natives of La Ferte, a province in France. They emi- grated to America during the earliest days of its settle- ment. His mother's family name is Langlais; she traces her origin to the French nobility. Daniel La Ferte was educated in the public schools of Amherstburg and Windsor, both in the province of Ontario. Having completed his course at Windsor, at the age of sixteen, he was examined for admission as a teacher to the public schools of Ontario. This examination was very rigid, but he passed it with high honors. At the age of fourteen, he determined to study medicine; and spent the two succeeding years in the study of the classics, preparatory to entering upon his medical course. Three months after the examination before mentioned, he began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. W. Lambert, of Amherstburg. After reading 'for three months, a difficulty presented itself,-the standard of education necessary for a student of medicine was raised, and the time of study extended one year. Mr. La Ferte immediately began reviewing the study of natural phi- losophy, in which he felt deficient. Shortly after, he presented himself before the Examining Board, in To- ronto; and, acquitting himself creditably, was admitted as a student of medicine for the province of Ontario. After having studied one year, he was overtaken by pecuniary embarrassment; and, in order to acquire means to carry out his plans, devoted the next two years to teaching in the public schools. He attended his first course of lectures at Detroit Medical College, in Detroit, Michigan ; and his last,. at Jefferson Medical
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