USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. II > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
Hosted by Google
244
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
clubs and societies throughout the country, has sung the leading baritone roles in some twelve or fifteen operas and his repertoire of oratorios is almost unlimited. In his career as teacher he has placed a large number of successful students in important positions through- out the country. Mrs. Frances Morton-Crume, formerly of New York, removed to Grand Rapids to become a member of the faculty of the Malek School of Music. Her musical education began at the age of five years, since which time she has studied piano under Mary Wood Chase, and voice under Mme. Ragna Linne, in Chicago. In New York she studied extensively under Douglas Powell and Arthur Lawrenson. Mrs. Morton-Crume possesses a beautiful contralto voice of unusual range and great volume and uses it in a manner which shows faithful work for mastery of voice and technic. She has ap- peared as soloist with the Damrosch Orchestra of New York, the Cincinnati and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, and has made brilliant concert appearances in many cities of this country. Besides singing in concert, Mrs. Morton-Crume was unusually successful in teaching, leaving behind a large class of pupils in New York to follow the call to Grand Rapids. Alexander Sebald, one of the most important violin virtuosos of the present time, was born in Budapest, Hungary. When thirteen, he became a pupil of the Royal Musical Academy in Ofen, studying besides violin, organ and composition. Franz Liszt, who heard Sebald in Budapest, said: "Watch that youngster. He will be a great violinist." And so, on Liszt's responsibility, it was decided that young Sebald should devote himself to music. Be- ginning with his fifteenth year, he played chamber-music, so that today he stands a thoroughly educated musician. After studying with Cesar Thompson, Sebald has been concert-master under all the im- portant directors of the present time-Mamler, Nickisch, Hans Richter, Mott1, Richard Strauss, Dr. Muck, Franz Steinbach, Felix Wein- gartner. With the Gewandhaus-Quartet of Leipzig he made tours through Europe. Later, with wonderful rapidity, the Hungarian violinist began to draw the attention of the public to himself, especial- ly in Berlin and Leipzig, when he played in three evenings all the Sonatas of J. S. Bach and the Caprices of Paganini for violin alone- played them masterfully and in the true style. He immediately thereafter received a call to the position as first concert-master in the Kaim-Orchestra in Munich under Felix Weingartner. Later he gave up this position in order to devote himself to the career as soloist. Two months after settling at Berlin, Sebald was paid the honor of being made first concert-master of the Royal Orchestra in Berlin. The artist later resigned this position, to become a free artist. Since then his career as soloist has been crowned with brilliant success. He was chosen as judge and prize awarder in the Berlin Musical Exposition, in 1906. He was also invited to be the successor of Emile Sauret in the Chicago Musical College, but had to decline at that time, since he was engaged for the season of 1906-7 for a tournee of sixty concerts through England, Scotland and Ireland. After finishing this tour, Sebald accepted the position as director of the violin department of the Chicago Musical College and became known in this country as one of the greatest artist-teachers of the violin. Perry Parton Weid, a violinist of many years of experience, is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory in violin, piano and harmony ;
Hosted by Google
245
BIOGRAPHICAL
studied in Boston for two years with C. N. Allen, a violinist of the Paris school. After this Mr. Weid became pupil of Waldemar Meyer, of Berlin, for a period of five years. Mr. Weid concertized in Italy, Germany and England and became teacher of violin at the Royal College of Music in London. Upon his return to this country he was engaged as regular teacher in the Oberlin Conservatory, Mt. Holyoke (Conn.) Seminary, Delaware University and as private teacher in Chicago. His enthusiasm and patience in helping the pupils over the many obstacles, coupled with the fact that he devoted himself exclusively to the science of teaching, are some of the things that contribute to his success as a pedagogue. Sherman A. Tuller, who has been favorably known in Grand Rapids for over ten years, is a serious student who has neglected no opportunity to make him- self master of his chosen instrument. His first instruction was received from Wilbur B. Force, one of Grand Rapids' foremost violin- ists. Max Fischel, a pupil of the great technician, Cesar Thomson ; Mr. Callow, of Chicago, who is an exponent of the Sevcik School, which will be remembered as the school upon which Kubelik's fame rests, were his next teachers. Since Alexander Sebald's engagement as the head of the violin department, Mr. Tuller continued his study under this famous teacher. Aside from his thorough knowledge of the violin, Mr. Tuller combines rare taste with a splendid ability to inspire his pupils with confidence and ambition. His enthusiasm and personality, combined with untiring patience, make him especially successful with beginners and young students. Mrs. Myrtle Koon Cherryman has been for years a teacher of elocution and English and a public speaker and reader of acknowledged ability. Miss Ruby E. Hughes, having lived several years on the Mexican border, and two years in Mexico, had abundant opportunity to secure a thorough knowledge of Spanish, which language she has taught very success- fully in Grand Rapids. Mr. Malek was married, July 9, 1908, to Florence, daughter of Albert and Dorothy (Imeroth) Krumme, of Chicago, and they are the parents of three children: Ottokar, Jr., Anita and Eleanor. Mr. Malek is a member of the Masonic order, of the O-Wash-ta-nong club, and of the Association of Commerce.
Edward C. Mangold .- In the isolated cases where ambition is satisfied and all ultimate aims have been accomplished, efforts cease and enterprise disappears. The possibilities of successful attainment of a goal, however, continually incite to the exercise of energy and perseverance and it is found that in nearly every case those who stand highest in public esteem and have reached positions of influ- ence in business circles are those who have steadily applied them- selves and have not let their ambitions be deterred. Among those who figure prominently in business circles of Grand Rapids, one who has been a steady and industrious worker since he entered upon his career, is Edward C. Mangold. For nearly a quarter of a century he was identified with the milling business, but during the last ten years has been connected with the knitting industry, and is now secre- tary and treasurer of the Sanitary Knitting Company. Mr. Mangold was born at Michigan City, Ind., April 13, 1866, son of Simon and Louisa F. (Wurster) Mangold. His father was born on the Rhine river, in Wurttemberg, Germany, in 1822, and was a lad of eleven years of age when brought to this country, in 1833, the first home of
Hosted by Google
246
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
the family being in New York City. When still a young man he turned his face toward the West and for a time lived at Toledo, Ohio, where he followed the business of a miller. Subsequently he moved to Michigan City, Ind., where he took up the brewing business. He came to Grand Rapids, in 1869, and again became a miller, being a member of the firm of Mangold, Hibbard & Company. He was connected with this concern until his death, in 1877, when he was fifty-five years of age. Mr. Mangold was a Democrat in politics and his religious faith was that of the German Lutheran church, the same as that of his wife. She was born in Michigan and died at Grand Rapids, June 5, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Mangold were born seven children: Mathilda S., of Grand Rapids; Richard C., a resi- dent of Chicago; George A., of Grand Rapids; Edward C., of this notice ; Albert H., of San Diego, Cal .; and Clara D. and Malinda E., of Grand Rapids. Edward C. Mangold was still a child when brought by his parents to Grand Rapids, and in the public schools of this city he obtained his early education. He fitted himself for a business career by a course in the Grand Rapids Business College, and then learned the milling business. To this he applied himself for twenty- four years, but in 1908 gave it up to assist in the organization of the Sanitary Knitting Company, of which he is still secretary and treas- urer, E. A. Clements being president and Carl A. Clements vice- president. At the outset, the capital of the concern consisted of a small capital but today it is one of the leading industries of Grand Rapids. There were but twenty people employed at the start, while at present there are from seventy-five to eighty employees engaged in making sanitary knitted custom underwear. In addition to a large regular trade, the company has at this time a large Government contract for use during the war. Mr. Mangold has shown himself a capable man of affairs, well versed in the business in which he is engaged, and possessed of force and executive capacity. In addition to the business mentioned he is interested in several banks and other concerns as a stockholder, and in each enterprise possesses in full the confidence of those associated with him. Mr. Mangold is inde- pendent in his political views, preferring to make his own choice of candidates and formulate his own views on public questions, to being held down by party lines or directed in his thoughts by party leaders. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and has numerous friends in both orders. He also belongs to the Grandview Automobile club. Mr. Mangold was married Dec. 2, 1916, to Miss M. Cressy Geer, daughter of William R. and Dolly (Cressy) Geer, of Grand Rapids, and the family residence is at 1448 Robinson road.
George M. Mantle was born at Birch Run, Saginaw county, Mich- igan, Feb. 4, 1861, son of Francis and Margaret (Woodman) Mantle, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Canada. At the age of sixteen the father went to St. Lawrence county, New York, and later to Canada, where he was married, and he then came to Saginaw, Mich., near which city he purchased forty acres of wild land, which he cleared and made a home for himself and family. He afterward traded this farm for forty acres of land in Tuscola county, where he resided until his death, at the age of eighty years. His wife died at the age of sixty-four. They were parents of ten children-six sons
Hosted by Google
247
BIOGRAPHICAL
and four daughters-and those living are John, Eliza J., who resides in Tuscola county; George M., and Samuel, the last named also residing in Tuscola county. George M. Mantle was educated in the schools of Tuscola county and for a number of years followed the occupation of teacher in Emmet and Ogemaw counties. He then com- menced work at the carpenter trade and followed that occupation until he was seriously injured, in 1888, while working on the Grand Hotel at Mackinaw Island. He fell thirty-three feet and as a result of his injuries was incapacitated for work for a period of two years. In 1890 he came to Grand Rapids and again commenced work as a carpenter, being thus employed for about five years. He then pur- chased what was known as the Huff farm, containing eighty acres, in Byron township, where he has since made his home. Mr. Mantle was married, Oct. 15, 1891, to Miss Lillie LeBaron, daughter of Erastus M. and Phoebe Ann (Wright) LeBaron, of York, Washtenaw county, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Mantle are parents of two children : Adele, born May 12, 1893, and Frances, Feb. 20, 1903. In addition to superintending his farm, Mr. Mantle still devotes considerable time to working at the carpenter trade.
Hon. Carl E. Mapes was born in the township of Kalamo, Eaton county, Michigan, Dec. 26, 1874, son of Selah W. and Sarah Ann (Brooks) Mapes, the former a native of New York and the latter of Washtenaw county, Michigan. Selah W. Mapes was a lad of seven years when brought by his parents to Michigan, and after his educa- tion had been secured in the primitive schools of the day, he himself became a country district school teacher. He resided on the original homestead in Kalamo township, Eaton county, until 1887, when he moved with his family to Olivet, Mich., where he is now living in retirement. He is a Republican and has held various township offices within the gift of his fellow-citizens and was for a number of years president of the Barry and Eaton Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company and the Michigan Tornado and Cyclone Insurance Company. Mr. and Mrs. Mapes were married, April 12, 1857. Mrs. Mapes passed to her final rest Oct. 5, 1917, after a married life of over sixty years. There were eight children in the family, of whom four survive: Carrie, wife of Charles E. Matteson, of Rapid City, S. D .; S. Ira, of Eaton county, Michigan; John A., of Seattle, Wash., who is now serving as chaplain in the Medical Reserve Corps, and Hon. Carl E. After attending the graded and high schools of Olivet, Carl E. Mapes was sent to Olivet College, being graduated therein with the class of 1896. He chose the profession of law and graduated with his degree in the University of Michigan, in 1899. In the fall of that year he embarked in practice at Grand Rapids, and in 1901 he entered the prosecuting attorney's office as an assistant under Judge William B. Brown. He continued in the prosecuting attorney's office until Jan. 1, 1905, when he was sent to the lower house of the Michigan legisla- ture and served one term in that body. In 1909 he was made a state senator and remained in the upper house of the legislature until 1912, when he was chosen as representative to Congress from the Fifth Congressional District of Michigan. He was re-elected in 1914 and 1916. Congressman Mapes belongs to the Park Congregational church. He was married, Aug. 14, 1907, to Miss Julia Pike, daughter of Abram and Eliza (Roberts) Pike, of Grand Rapids, and of this
Hosted by Google
248
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
union have been born four children: Robert W., John Pike, Jane Elizabeth and Ruth.
Harry D. Marshall .- By birth, training, education and business experience, Harry D. Marshall is a Grand Rapids man. He also be- longs to the class of business workers who have found in this city the opportunity to develop their own fortunes and to bring about a standing and position for themselves while still in the prime of life. Ten years have served to bring Mr. Marshall from a salesmanship to the dual office of secretary and treasurer of the Rathbone Manu- facturing Company, a concern which is listed among Grand Rapids' most prominent business organizations. Harry D. Marshall's birth- date was March 11, 1879, when he came to grace and bless the home of Joseph and Estelle (Barnes) Marshall. His parents gave him a public school education, and the youth started his business career with the Alabastine Company. During the twelve or fourteen years that he was connected with that firm he arose from office boy to the position of traffic manager. In 1907 he transferred his services and allegiance to the Rathbone Manufacturing Company, which concern had offered him a position as salesman. He at once justified their confidence in his ability by displaying a proper amount of ability and energy and, in 1917, after a number of other promotions, he was chosen as secretary and treasurer. Mr. Marshall is a business man and nothing else. He has had his time fully occupied in earning his advancement and establishing his position, therefore he has not been able to figure prominently in public affairs ; nor has it been his desire to do so. He is known as a good citizen, who withholds his support from no movement promulgated for the public welfare, but his co- operation is given as an individual, not as a seeker for official honors. He is not so busy, however, that he does not care to mingle with his fellows in a social way, and is one of the popular members of the Peninsular club. Mr. Marshall was happily married, Sept. 10, 1913, to Miss Edith Butler, of St. Louis, Mo. They have one child, Harry D., Jr.
Frank H. Mathison, vice-president and general manager of the Michigan Lithographing Company, is a former Chicago man who has spent his entire career in the line with which he is now identified and has trodden the well known but difficult road to self-made success. Commencing in the humble capacity of errand boy, he has worked his way up through the various departments, mastering each as he passed through, and thus it is that he is one of the most thoroughly informed men connected with this business. Mr. Mathison was born at Chicago, Ill., June 8, 1870, son of Harry Mathison. After securing a public school education he entered the services of the Hughes & Johnson Lith- ographing Company, first to run errands and carry packages. Later, he was given the opportunity to learn the trade and remained with the concern for six years, at the end of that period going to St. Louis for ten months and to Kansas City for two years and two months. Returning to Chicago, in 1890, he embarked in business on his own account as a member of the firm of Mathison & Wagner, but in the following year moved the plant to Grand Rapids, where the name of Grand Rapids Lithographing Company was assumed. In 19II he severed his connection therewith and sold his interest, subsequently becoming one of the organizers of the Michigan Lithographing Com-
Hosted by Google
249
BIOGRAPHICAL
pany, the first officials of which were: A. D. Rathbone, president; Mr. Mathison, vice-president and general manager, and W. E. Raiguel, secretary and treasurer. The first incorporation papers were for $10,000, but this has been successively advanced until it is now an $80,000 concern. L. D. Darby has since replaced Mr. Raiguel as sec- retary and treasurer. As noted, Mr. Mathison is an authority in his line and is widely and favorably known in the trade. He takes an active part in civic affairs as a member of the Association of Commerce and the Greater Grand Rapids Association, but has not sought official honors, and his political activities have been principally confined to casting his vote for the candidates of the Republican party. He is an Elk and a Thirty-second Degree Mason, and belongs to the Penin- sular, Highlands, Plainfield and Grandview Automobile clubs, as well as to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Mathison was married, Aug. 20, 1900, to Miss Rhoda Mills, daughter of John Mills, of Lowell, Mich., and she died March 31, 1916, leaving a son, Gerald W., a student at the Howe Military School, Howe, Ind.
Reuben Maurits, M. D .- The professional career of Dr. Reuben Maurits, of Grand Rapids, has covered a period of a quarter of a century, in which time he has steadily advanced to a foremost place among the medical practitioners of Kent county. His accomplishments in the field of general practice have been noteworthy, but he is prob- ably best known in scientific medicine for his achievements as an anæsthetist, in which connection he has gained much more than a local reputation. Doctor Maurits was born in the village of Vriesland, Ottawa county, Michigan, Oct. 29, 1870, and is the youngest of a family of twelve children born to William J. and Margaret (Rychel) Maurits. His parents, who were natives of Holland, were young unmarried people when they came to the United States as members of a colony of their countrymen who settled at Grand Rapids in 1847. Two years later occurred the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Maurits, who, during the next twenty years, continued to make their home at Grand Rapids, William J. Maurits successfully following his trade of car- penter and builder and eventually developing into a substantial busi- ness man engaged in contracting. About the year 1869 they moved to Ottawa county, where, in the vicinity of Vriesland, they settled on a farm, and there continued to pass the remainder of their active lives. When they had reached advanced years they retired from farming activities and moved to Zeeland and later to Grand Rapids, in which city they rounded out their useful and well-ordered lives and both passed away. They were highly esteemed in their community as honest, industrious, God-fearing people, kind neighbors and excellent citizens, who brought their children up to lives of honesty and industry and fitted them to take honorable positions among their fellow men. Of the twelve children of this worthy couple, those who now survive are Antonia, Joseph, Peter, Maud and Reuben. Reuben Maurits attended the public school in the vicinity of the home farm in Ottawa county and passed much of his boyhood in assisting his father and brothers in the cultivation of the broad and fertile acres. Later, he attended Hope College, at Holland, Mich., where he took a course in literature and the classics, and entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, being graduated there
Hosted by Google
250
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
with his degree in 1892. He immediately began practice at Grand Rapids, where, by his skill, konwledge and success, he soon attracted to himself a remunerative practice, which grew steadily in size and impor- tance. Until 1908 he was engaged in general practice, but in that year began to devote himself as a specialist in anæsthetics, a subject to which he had given a great deal of time, thought and study for some years. He was the first to use in Grand Rapids, about the year 1909, the nitrous oxide-oxygen anesthetic, and has won a deservedly high place in this field of medical science. Dr. Maurits is a member of the Kent County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the American Associ- ation of Anasthetics, and has served as visiting surgeon to the Kent county infirmary for a number of years, having been elected to that office as a Republican by the Kent county board of commissioners. He has also served as county coroner two years. Fraternally, he is a Mason, and his social connections include membership in the Knick- erbocker and Kiwanis clubs, Highlands Country club and the O-wash- ta-nong club. Thanksgiving Day. Nov. 25, 1897, Dr. Maurits was mar- ried, at Chicago, Ill., to Miss Angeline De Bey, who was born in the Illinois metropolis, a daughter of the late Dr. William and Eva (Tak- ken) De Bey, and a granddaughter of Rev. Dr. De Bey, of Chicago, who was for many years an active and progressive worker in the Reformed church there. Mrs. De Bey, mother of Mrrs. Maurits, was born in Holland, but has been for a number of years a resident of Grand Rapids, where she makes her home with her daughter and son-in-law. Mrs. Maurits is a lady of culture, refinement and ad- vanced education, being a graduate of the Chicago High School and the Cook County Normal School, and for two years was a teacher at Chicago and for a like period in the schools of Grand Rapids, prior to her marriage. Dr. and Mrs. Maurits are the parents of one child, Marguerite Evangeline. They are consistent members and generous supporters of the First Reformed church of Grand Rapids. Mrs. Maurits is an accomplished vocalist (soprano) and is leader of the quartet in the M. E. church. She is a member of the St. Cecelia Society and of the Ladies Literary club.
Edgar G. Maxwell .- In 1899 the retired colony of Grand Rapids was augmented by the arrival in this city of Edgar G. Maxwell, who, during a long period of years, had been identified with the lumber business of Western Michigan. From that time until his death, in 1915, he was not associated actively with any business organization, although maintaining an interest in commercial and industrial affairs, while he took an interested participation in the social and civic life of the community and established numerous friendships that have served to preserve the memory of his residence in the Furniture City. Mr. Maxwell was born, Feb. 2, 1843, at Thompkins, Delaware county, New York, a son of Silas and Polly (Carpenter ) Maxwell, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Delaware county, New York. The parents, who were agricultural people, passed their entire lives in the East and there died. Edgar G. Maxwell was reared as an agriculturist and received his education in the country public scchools in the vicinity of his birth. When he left school, he began working as his father's assistant on the home farm, but when he
Hosted by Google
Hosted by
FretaMaynard
Hosted by
251
BIOGRAPHICAL
reached his majority decided to seek his fortune in the West and accordingly came to Michigan, where he secured employment in a lumber camp on Pentwater river, in Oceana county. Industrious and thrifty, he worked with the determination of becoming an em- ployer of labor on his own account, and applied his energies so well that before many years had passed he was able to establish himself as a proprietor in the lumber business, in partnership with a Mr. Sands. Their business, located at Pentwater, grew and flourished under their energetic management, until they were the owners of several mills and allied interests, to the development of which Mr. Maxwell applied himself until his retirement, in 1899. At that time he came to Grand Rapids with his family, and lived quietly here until his death, June 27, 1915. Mr. Maxwell was a Republican, and took an interest in the success of his party, although not as a seeker for person- al preferment. After coming to Grand Rapids he attended the Foun- tain Street Baptist church and at the time of his death was a member of the board of trustees. He held membership also in the Plainfield Country and Peninsular clubs and in the Association of Commerce. Mr. Maxwell was married, Nov. 27, 1879, to Melinda A., daughter of Obediah and Dianitia (Mallard) Sands, of Belvidere, Ill. By a former marriage Mr. Maxwell became the father of two children: Jessie, widow of Robert Babcock, of Oak Park, Ill., and Ora, wife of P. A. Van Black, also of that place. Mrs. Maxwell, who survives her hus- band is one of the well known ladies of Grand Rapids, and resides in the comfortable family home at No. 415 Madison avenue, S. E.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.