USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. II > Part 36
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inception. From seven to ten men are employed in the plant, in- cluding the clerical force. Frank J. McMahon, superintendent of the Lowell Light & Power Plant, was born July 13, 1875, in Ver- gennes township, Kent county, Michigan, son of Owen and Margaret ( Byrnes) McMahon, and a grandson of Irish immigrants who located in New York. In that state his parents were born and came as a young married couple to Vergennes township, where Owen McMahon engaged in farming until his death, in 1897, his widow now being a resident of Lowell. There were eight children in the family: Mrs. Mary McGee, of Lowell; Maggie, deceased ; Arthur, of Lowell; Frank J .; Mrs. Katherine Ronau, of Grand Rapids; James, of Lowell, connected with the power plant; Mrs. Elizabeth Lally, of Lowell; and Charles, with a bank at Detroit, Mich. Frank J. McMahon received his education in the public schools of Vergennes township and the Lowell high school, and began his business experience with the groc- ery conducted by Christ Bergin, with which he was connected twelve years. At the end of that time, in 1900, he accepted his present office, and this he has held without interruption to the present time. An efficient official, thoroughly conversant with every detail of the work of the plant, he has held the confidence of the public and has always vindicated the faith which they have reposed in him. Mr. McMahon was for several years village treasurer of Lowell. He is an inde- pendent voter, and a member of the Board of Trade, and is fra- ternally connected with the Knights of Columbus, at Grand Rapids ; Grand Rapids Lodge No. 48, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Loyal Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose. With his family, he belongs to St. Mary's Catholic church, at Lowell. Mr. McMahon was married, Oct. 18, 1897, to Lotta, only child of George and Elizabeth (McWilliams) Sayer, natives of Canada, who came to Michigan as young people, Mrs. Sayer still being a resident of Lowell. Mr. and Mrs. McMahon have four children: Marion, born April 8, 1903; Byrne, March 18, 1906; Roger, April 7, 1911 ; and Bruce, May 17, 1915.
Charles McPherson .- Among the law firms of Grand Rapids which have come rapidly to the forefront during recent years, one of the most prominent is that of Norris, McPherson, Harrington & Waer, with offices in the Grand Rapids Savings Bank building. In this association is found Charles McPherson, who by reason of sound ability, versatility and comprehensive training for his profession has taken a leading place in the ranks of the fraternity of Kent county. He is a native son of Michigan, having been born on a farm in Eckford township, Calhoun county, Dec. 2, 1873, his parents being William and Katherine (Walker) McPherson, who came from Liv- ingston county, New York, in 1867, and spent the rest of their lives in farming in Calhoun county. Charles McPherson was educated at Marshall high school and Albion college, in which latter institu- tion he was graduated with the class of 1895, and at that time became a student of law in the office of Mark Norris, at Grand Rapids. He was admitted to the bar in 1898 and remained with Mr. Norris until 1900, when he went to Detroit and entered the legal department of the Pere Marquette railway. His experience in this connection lasted over a period of ten years, following which he spent one year in work of a special nature at Manistee, and then, in 1911, he returned
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to Grand Rapids and rejoined Mr. Norris, forming the firm of Norris & McPherson. With the admission of Leon W. Harrington, in 1912, the concern became Norris, McPherson & Harrington, and in 1913 the style was changed to its present nomenclature, when Oscar Waer became a partner. These lawyers have made choice of no special branch of the law, for they possess that mental grasp that makes it an easy matter for them to discover the salient points in any case, and consequently a general practice is carried on by the firm. From the time he began practice Mr. McPherson's ability and ready resource made considerable mark for him in his profession. Every case he took charge of was conducted conscientiously and most carefully, and while he has a natural courage sufficient to provide him with resource in any emergency, yet ample preparation is bestowed when- ever the opportunity is accorded. He is a good speaker and has that peculiarly effective power which is the result of a clever under- standing of the circumstances, and an earnest conviction of the justice of the case. Mr. McPherson is a member of the Grand Rapids and Michigan State Bar associations. Among his professional breth- ren he is held in the very highest regard, for his acquirements com- mand their respect and confidence. He was married, Sept. 30, 1903, to Miss Helen Mitchell, of Toronto, Canada.
George L. Medes .- One of the important commercial assets of any live community is the modern laundry. In these days, when cleanliness and sanitation are considered necessary adjuncts to right living and healthful conditions, such establishments as the U. S. Laundry, of Grand Rapids, have their recognized place in every locality, and when this enterprise was founded, in 1911, it filled a long-felt want. The proprietor of this laundry, George L. Medes, is a progressive business man, who has made his own way and has achieved success through his own efforts and abilities. He was born in Cortland county, New York, April 1, 1862, son of Edwin and Augusta (Wood) Medes, who came to Michigan about 1869 and located in Montcalm county, where the father was engaged in mer- cantile business. George L. Medes received his early education in the public schools of Montcalm county and came to Grand Rapids to attend business college. When he had completed his course, he accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Jenning & Smith Extract Company. He subsequently became connected with the Chippewa Lumber Company at Chippewa Lake, Mecosta county, as bookkeeper, and after the company discontinued their operations, he accepted a position with Bradley & Kelly, of Milwaukee, Wis. After a period of about two years he became one of the organizers of the Herold- Bertsch Company, of Grand Rapids, and subsequently was with the Caffon & Bertsch Leather Company, of Holland, Mich., until that firm sold out to Armour & Company, in 1910. In 1911 Mr. Medes came back to Grand Rapids, this time to establish himself permanently in business. Here he erected a one-story building, 80x100 feet, at 542-552 Division avenue, South, in which he installed laundry ma- chinery of the latest invention and threw open the doors of the U. S. Laundry to the public. Since that time he has enjoyed an ever- increasing patronage, attracted by good workmanship and a policy of honesty and straightforward dealing, and at this time forty people are employed and five wagons are necessary to make collections and
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deliveries. Mr. Medes is an example of the self-made man who has recognized his opportunities and made the most of them in a legiti- mate way. He has an excellent standing in business circles and is respected alike by his associates and competitors. Politically, he votes the Republican ticket, and fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the Chapter at Holland, Mich. He was married, Sept. 19, 1887, to Rose A. Bole, of Grand Rapids, and they are the parents of a daughter, Harriet Rose, a graduate of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, class of 1918.
A. H. Meeker .- The appointment of A. H. Meeker to the post- mastership at Sparta, in 1914, came after many years of successful business operations in this thriving village of Kent county. Mr. Meeker's career has been one in which he has engaged in a number of lines of endeavor, in each of which he attained a creditable suc- cess. During the time that he has been an active factor in com- mercial affairs, it has been his fortune to have built up a substantial reputation for straightforward dealing and honesty of purpose, and his services in his public capacity has but resulted in strengthening his hold upon the public confidence. Mr. Meeker is a product of the agricultural community of Sparta township, Kent county, Michigan, and was born June 6, 1852, son of Allan and Electa M. (Hilton) Meeker. His parents, natives respectively of New York and Ohio, came to Kent county as young people and were married there, in 1849, following which they settled on a farm in Sparta township. They were industrious, hard-working and God-fearing people, who passed their lives in the pursuits of agriculture and when they died left behind many friends in the community, where they had been greatly esteemed and respected. They were the parents of three chil- dren : A. H., David and Ella. A. H. Meeker received his education in the public schools of Sparta township and the high school at Lis- bon, where he spent three years. As a boy and youth he spent much of his time assisting his father in the work of the home farm, but eventually decided to enter mercantile lines and accordingly went to Lisbon, where he became proprietor of a meat market. Subsequently, he entered the hoop mill at Sparta and for a time was engaged in sawing hoops, after which he returned to the farm and remained for three years in tilling the soil. The call of the village and its business operations, however, proved too strong, and when he again left the parental roof it was to locate at Sparta, where he engaged in the produce and fruit business. From this occupation it was but a short step into the business of apple drying and handling fruit and produce, and this occupied his attention for several years. Mr. Meeker was thus engaged when, in 1914, he received the appointment from President Wilson as postmaster at Sparta, and this post he still re- tains. The people of this enterprising village have had no reason to complain of their mail service since Mr. Meeker's appointment, and as he is always courteous, obliging and efficient, he has added to his many friendships. Mr. Meeker is a Democrat and for a num- ber of years has been accounted one of the strong and influential men of his party here, although he has worked principally for his friends rather than for himself. He is a supporter of good civic movements and has been variously connected with progressive civic bodies. Mr. Meeker was first married to Miss Ida Boorom, daughter of Anthony
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and Sarah Boorom, of Kent county, and of this union was born a daughter, Blanche, who is the wife of George Baker, of Sparta. After the death of his first wife Mr. Meeker married Miss Nora Brown, and of this union have been born five children: Juanita, who is the wife of Ferris Reed and has a daughter, Doris; Inez, wife of Harvey A. Stebbins; Hilda and Donna, who reside with their parents, and one child died in infancy.
Jacob Earl Meengs, M. D .- The modern man of medicine shares in the progress of the age, for science has reached a degree bordering upon perfection in matters pertaining to his profession. Indeed, were it not that the man of the Twentieth century is developing new dis- orders by reason of his complicated activities and unnatural mode of life, doubtless the scientists could prevent decay and prolong life indefinitely. As it is, what in former years would have seemed miracles are being daily performed and methods approved that seem beyond the comprehension of the layman, however much he may benefit from their application to his individual case. One of the men who has attained to a high position among his contemporaries in the medical profession, not only as a practitioner in Kent county, but in the various societies to which he belongs, is Dr. Jacob Earl Meengs, of Grand Rapids. Dr. Meengs was born at Holland, Ottawa county, Michigan, Aug. 4, 1881, and is a son of Dirk Regnold and Henrietta (Bolhuis) Meengs, also natives of that place, and grandson of Hendrick Meengs, a native of the Netherlands, who founded the town of Holland upon his arrival in this country. Dirk R. Meengs was educated at Hope college, Holland, following which he opened a drug store at his native place and conducted it for several years. While thus engaged, he became interested in medicine and, eventually deciding to adopt the profession, commenced its study. He completed his education in this direction at Rush Medical college, in which he was graduated with the class of 1884, and from Chicago went to Muskegon, Mich., where he practiced until 1893. In that year he came to Grand Rapids and here has since been in the enjoyment of a constantly increasing practice, having made a place for himself among the leading practitioners of the city. He is a Republican and while a resident of Holland served for several years as city treasurer, and his fraternal connections are with the Knights of the Macca- bees, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Foresters. Both he and Mrs. Meengs are members of the Dutch Reformed church. They have had three children: Anna Marie, Jacob Earl and Archibald, of whom Jacob E. is the only survivor. Jacob Earl Meengs attended the public schools of Grand Rapids and the Union high school to secure his preliminary education, following which he went to the University of Chicago and pursued a course, and then, like his father, to Rush Medical College for his medical degree, which he secured in 1904. In that year he commenced practice alone at Grand Rapids, where he remained until 1910, when he went to Alton, Ia., this being the scene of his endeavors for the next one and one-half years. In the latter part of 1911 he went to New York City, where, associated with Max Einhorn, he had charge of the German Hospital, a private insti- tution, and in the fall of 1913 crossed the Atlantic and located at Berlin, Germany, where he was associated with Professor Ewald, at the Victoria Augusta Hospital, for four months. He next spent
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one month at Munich, following which he went to Vienna, Austria, and remained until March, 1914, being engaged in X-Ray work. On his way home he visited Heidelberg and Paris, and in June, 1914, arrived again in Grand Rapids, where he has since been specializing in diseases of the stomach and intestines. In his special field, Dr. Meengs has won high distinction, and as a member of the Kent County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, has contributed valuable ideas which have attracted considerable attention. While at Berlin, he was a member of the Anglo-American Medical Association. In politics, the Doctor is a Republican. He belongs to Westminster Presbyterian church, is a Mason and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is not bound by his professional knowledge, but is able to take a broad, humanitarian view of life and join with others in working towards effecting improvements that will raise the average man and woman and develop the best quality of citizenship.
Charles H. Mehrtens .- Becoming every year a more and more important industrial and commercial center, as well as a terminal point for railroads, the business interests of Grand Rapids have increased by leaps and bounds and its transient population has be- come of a magnitude which has been a constantly growing tax upon the capacity of its hotels. Thus it has devolved upon men of enter- prise, courage and confidence in the city's development to supply hostelries for the accommodation of the city's guests, and one of these men in recent years was Charles H. Mehrtens, who built the New Hotel Mertens. Mr. Mehrtens, who proved himself a genial boniface, and was well known not only to the traveling public but to business men of Grand Rapids as a man of the highest ability and strictest integrity, has passed away, having been succeeded by Charles M. Luce as proprietor of the hotel. Charles H. Mehrtens was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, Aug. 9, 1857, and came to the United States at the age of fourteen years, locating at Sand Lake, Mich., where he worked in the shingle mills for a time. He was industrious and ambitious, carefully saved his earnings, and eventually engaged in business on his own account, in 1883, having as partners in his milling enterprise a Mr. Kinney and his brother, George Mehrtens. This association continued for about five years, when Mr. Mehrtens went to White Cloud, Mich., and had his first experience in hotel keeping, purchasing the Hotel Atlantic and Pacific, which he conducted successfully for about fourteen years. This was followed by one and one-half years in the same line at Albion, Mich., a short period at Detroit, and five years at Manistee, Mich., where he con- ducted the Dunham House. Coming then to Grand Rapids, he took over the Crathmore Hotel, of which he was the proprietor for seven years, at the end of which time he lived retired for one year, and when the New Hotel Mertens was finished he again took up business activities. He did not live long to enjoy the success which greeted his last venture, as his death occurred, Aug. 7, 1914. Mr. Mehrtens was a man who had an excellent standing in business circles in what- ever community his activities were centered, and he was a citizen of public spirit. He was a Republican, a member of the German Luth- eran church, and belonged to the German Arbeiter, the Masons, the Elks and the Association of Commerce. He was married, Oct. 10,
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1884, to Libby, daughter of Frederick and Catherine Greiner, of Ottawa county, Michigan, and of this union was born a daughter, Gertrude Ann, who is the wife of Charles M. Luce.
Moses P. Merren .- Most intimately associated with the growth and development of any community are its business interests. They mold the lives of the people, give direction to their efforts, and crystallize the present and future possibilities of the locality into concrete form. The leading business men of a locality are its greatest benefactors, silently controlling the forces that bring progress and prosperity, and the measure of the credit that is due them is not fully appreciated. When the development of the extreme northern part of Kent county, and particularly of Sand Lake, is under discussion, a name that is always mentioned is that of Moses P. Merren, who as a leading business man has made his influence felt for many years, and always for the good of the community. Mr. Merren was born, Jan. 24, 1870, on a farm in Kent county, where his father, John Merren, has for many years been one of the leading agriculturists. A man of industry and business ability, he worked his way to independence and a substantial position in the community, solely through his own ef- forts, and left his posterity the heritage of a spotless name. Moses P. Merren grew up on the home farm, assisting his father during the summer months and attending to his studies in the district schools during the winter terms. When he had completed his educational training he returned to the home farm for a short time, but the life of the agriculturist did not appeal to him and he soon turned his attention to mercantile matters, establishing himself in business as the proprietor of a general store, in 1902. In the management of this enterprise Mr. Merren has displayed splendid ability, and the work which he has put into it has resulted in his building up a trade that extends all over this part of the county. He keeps a close watch upon the needs and desires of the community, and purchases, ar- ranges and prices his stock accordingly, and in this way holds his old customers and constantly attracts new ones. His reputation for integrity and fair dealing, built up by years of straightforward transactions, has assisted in gaining him patronage and is some- thing appreciated also by his business associates. Mr. Merren is pre-eminently a business man, but has found time from the duties of his private interests to contribute to the general welfare. He has been village trustee of Sand Lake for several terms and has also served as a member of the village council, and in both capacities has rendered good and satisfactory service. His political support has always been given unswervingly to the Democratic party and its candidates. Mr. Merren was married at Sand Lake to Grace, daugh- ter of Alfred Giddings, one of the leading merchants of Sand Lake for years and a member of one of the old and honored families of this part of Kent county, the name being well known both in agri- cultural and mercantile circles, as well as in connection with educa- tional advancement and public life. Mr. and Mrs. Merren are the parents of two sons, John and Wendle, both of whom are attending the graded school at Sand Lake.
Rev. Charles W. Merriam .- One of the large and influential con- gregations of Grand Rapids is that which has its public worship at the Park Congregational church, long one of the city's beautiful
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church edifices. Since December, 1915, the pastor of this church has been Rev. Charles W. Merriam, an earnest, pious and zealous minis- ter, and one who has won and held the respect and esteem of all creeds and denominations. Reverend Merriam was born at Rochester, N. Y., Jan. 5, 1876, and two years later was taken by his parents to Springfield, Mass., where he secured his early education in the public schools. As a lad he was studious and industrious in gaining his learning, and was president of his class three years, but was not what is known as a "grind," for he always found time for exercise and wholesome recreation, being a member of the football team four years and captain the last year, a member of the track team in his third year, and a member of the banjo club the last three years. En- tering Amherst College in the fall of 1894, he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science, following which he went to Hartford, Conn., and became a student at the theological school of that city. In 1899 he entered Yale Divinity School, in which he was duly grad- uated, and soon thereafter became pastor of the Second Congrega- tional church at Cohasset, Mass., being ordained and installed in June, 1901. Doctor Merriam remained in that charge two years, and in 1903 went to Greenfield, Mass., where he remained until being called to the Park Congregational church, at Grand Rapids, in December, 1915. Here he has been successful in building up a large congre- gation and in making numerous enduring friendships. He has been a hard and untiring worker in the faith of his Master and has won the confidence and co-operation of numerous influential people, so that his work has been prolific in results. Doctor Merriam was married, Sept. 5, 1900, to Julia B. Sturtevant, of Springfield, Mass., a graduate of the Springfield high school and Smith College, from which she holds the degree of Bachelor of Arts, class of 1897. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. To Rev. and Mrs. Merriam have been born three children: Warren Sturtevant, Charles Walcott, Jr., and Julia Elizabeth.
Benjamin P. Merrick .- Few of the lawyers at the Grand Rapids bar are generally acknowledged to have a more ready and sound judgment in broad and intricate matters of civil jurisprudence than has Benjamin P. Merrick, who is a member of the firm of Travis, Merrick & Warner, and has been identified with this concern and its predecessor, Bundy & Travis, since his arrival in the city fifteen years ago. Mr. Merrick was born at Holyoke, Mass., March 19, 1877, son of Timothy and Sarah Brown (Congdon) Merrick. His father, one of the most prominent business men of his day in New England, built up the great thread manufacturing business which bears his name. After attending the public schools of Holyoke, Benjamin P. Merrick took a course in the Boston Latin School and then entered Harvard University, where he was graduated in 1899 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1903 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was almost immediately admitted to the bar of Massachusetts, but did not practice there, for in October, 1903, he came to Grand Rapids and began practice in the office of Bundy & Travis, already well known lawyers here. He was admitted as a member of the firm, May 1, 1904, and has been connected therewith ever since. He is chairman of the Red Cross Civilian Relief committtee, president of the Social Welfare Association, president of the Federation of Social Agencies,
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and in 1916 he served as chairman of the Michigan state commission to investigate public outdoor relief, which was an appointment under Governor Ferris.
Joseph W. Mishler .- One of the representatives of the agricul- tural industry of Kent county who is now living in retirement after a long and successful career is Joseph W. Mishler, still the owner of a fine farm located on section 13, Bowne township. Prior to coming to this community, in 1886, he had secured much experience in the states of Indiana and Pennsylvania, and was able at once to enter actively into the affairs of the locality in which his new home was made, and to win success in the face of stern competition. He has proved a valuable asset to this township, both in an agricultural way and from the standpoint of citizenship. Mr. Mishler was born in Pennsylvania, July 2, 1851, son of William and Gertrude (Garber) Mishler. His father was born and reared in Pennsylvania, was engaged in farming there, and married and had three children before moving to Elkhart county, Indiana, where he resided several years. Next he removed to White Cloud, Newaygo county, Michigan, where his death occurred. Throughout his career he was engaged in the pursuits of the soil, and in all his transactions was known as an honor- able man of business. He and Mrs. Mishler were the parents of chil- dren as follows: Joseph W .; Catherine, widow of Josiah Weaver, of Goshen, Ind .; John, who lives at White Cloud, Mich .; Polly, widow of Jacob Miller, of Idaho; Jacob, whose home is at Middlebury, Ind .; Henry, of Elkhart, that state; and Barbara, wife of Julian Miller. Joseph W. Mishler was educated in the public schools of Elkhart county, Indiana, to which locality he had been taken as a child, and worked on his father's farm until he reached his majority. At that time he went back to Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in farming for a period of thirteen years, and in 1886 came to Kent county and settled on 160 acres of land located in Bowne township. Later, he sold one-half of this tract, but subsequently added to his holdings by a purchase of forty acres, and now is the owner of 120 acres. During the active period of his career Mr. Mishler followed general farming with much success, and through an intelligent treatment of the soil and hard, industrious and well-directed work was able to make his labors pay him commensurately. As a result, he accumu- lated a handsome competency, a fair share of which he invested in improvements on his farm buildings and equipment, and this is one of the best improved properties in the township. Mr. Mishler is a Republican, and while He has not been a seeker for public preferment, or particularly interested in politics, has shown himself a good citi- zen, willing to bear his share of the labors and responsibilities of civic improvement. With his family he belongs to the Mennonite church. He was married, March 5, 1876, to Lena, daughter of Joseph and Lucinda (Weaver) Blough, who passed their entire lives in Pennsyl- vania. Ten children were born of this union: Simon, who follows farming in Bowne township; Polly, wife of A. T. Eash, of that town- ship; Catherine, who died as the wife of Addison Erb; Lucy, wife of Simon Graybill, of Freeport, Ill .; William, of Bowne township; John, whose home is at Freeport, Mich .; Emma, wife of Warren Roush, of Bowne township; Ervin, a farmer in Barry county; Ella, married Charles Lindsey, of Lansing, Mich., and died July 7, 1917; and Edna, the wife of Merle Hostetler, of Bowne township.
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