USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. II > Part 44
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Miss Esther Robinson .- One of the families which is well known, honored and respected, both for the length of time it has lived in Kent county and for the many things accomplished by it is that bearing the name of Robinson. Members of this family have been identified for the most part with agriculture, but the name is not un- known to the professions and to business, while numerous public officials have borne it. A worthy representative of this name is found in the person of Miss Esther Robinson, of Solon township, whose life has been one of generosity, unselfishness and devotion, and than whom there is no one more beloved in the community. Miss Robinson was born on her father's farm in Solon township, Kent county, Michigan, daughter of Munson Robinson and a granddaughter of David Robin- son. The latter was the original immigrant of the family in America, founding it here some time after the War of 1812, the first settlement being made in New York. It was in that state, March 20, 1820, that was born Munson Robinson. He grew up to be a youth of ambition and determination, and in the days when Michigan was still a wilder- ness he started out upon a journey which he felt would end in his fortune. It was necessary for him to cut trails through the forest in order to get to his destination in Solon township, where he had secured a government claim, but he proved a hardy and industrious workman
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and at the time of his death was the owner of 400 acres of fine land, a large part of which was cleared. Some of this is now included in the farm of Miss Robinson, and some is included as a part of the large farm of his son, Sherman M. Munson Robinson was united in mar- riage with Miss Esther Clark, of Canada, and of this union were born five children: Mary Ann, James, Ella, Esther and Sherman M. Of these children, Esther, like her brothers and sisters, received country school educational advantages. She was brought up to place a proper value on the benefits of good housekeeping and the various arts of the home, and she devoted herself most assiduously to caring for the wants of her parents. She was thus engaged when called upon to perform a new duty. Her elder sister, Mary Ann, had mar- ried Albert E. French, a member of another old and honored family of this county, and who had been at one time a city official at Grand Rapids and later a farmer in Solon township. Mr. French died when still in the prime of life and he was soon followed in death by his wife, leaving their six children orphaned and homeless. Miss Rob- inson at once assumed charge of the children, and from that time on until they had reached maturity she showered upon them all the love and tenderness of a mother. . They have grown to be worthy and sub- stantial men and women and they feel an everlasting gratitude for the blessing of their aunt's great-heartedness in the time of their need. The children are: Munson, a farmer of Solon township, mar- ried Florence Shotwell; Otto is single and is conducting operations on his own farm in Solon township; Howard K. married Merrell Furgeson, daughter of John and Sina Furgeson, and has a son and a daughter, Howard K., Jr., and Margaret Elizabeth ; Emily, wife of John Hess, a farmer of Solon township, has four children-Munson J., Leland, Otto and Elbert, the first two being in school; and Esther E. and Geraldine G. are attending the State Normal school. In the community in which she has made her home for so many years, Miss Robinson is greatly beloved. Possessed of sterling qualities of mind and heart, she has attracted people to her, and when she has made friends she has never lost them. Her life has been an example well worthy of emulation and its reward is found in the affection and rev- erence that is now hers.
Fred S. Robinson .- The profession of architecture undoubt- edly offers a great future to those equipped by nature and study for this line of work. It demands, however, perhaps as thorough a technical knowledge as any other vocation in which a man may en- gage; but its rewards are commensurate with its difficulties. Those who go abroad to gaze in wonderment upon the pyramids of Egypt, or the well-preserved ruins of Rome, rarely stop to consider that in the United States there are to be found architectural achievements far outclassing those accomplished by the ancients, although they may take the somewhat prosaic proportions of a modern office build- ing or the definite lines of a Twentieth century community. The modern construction ideas are of such a nature that all engaged in building lines not only have to know everything that the builders of ancient times drew upon, but be able to solve the problems of sanita- tion, progressive construction and fire-proof protection. It requires much more ability to rear a modern office building and render it safe
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in every respect than it did to erect above the moldering bones of a Pharaoh the monuments which have challenged the ancients. Owing to the demand for modern methods along building lines at Grand Rapids, in recent years this city has been the field of operation for some brilliant men of this profession, and one who has attained some- thing more than ordinary reputation and standing as an architect is Fred S. Robinson, junior member of the well-known firm of Campau & Robinson. Mr. Robinson is a native son of Grand Rap- ids and was born Nov. 8, 1870, his parents being William S. and Ann Maria (Marriott) Robinson, the former born at Lundy's Lane, On- tario, Canada, in 1834, and the latter in England, in 1838. There were four children in the family, Mr. Robinson's three brothers be- ing: James G., a resident of Sturgis, Mich .; Alexander W., whose home is at Spokane, Wash., and Francis M., of Galesburg, Ill. Mr. Robinson received his education in the public schools of Grand Rap- ids, and practically all of his training for his profession was obtained here. He early developed remarkable ability and capacity for work, and after some noteworthy achievements as an independent architect he formed the present partnership with Mr. Campau. This firm has rapidly come to the forefront among architects of Grand Rapids and has to its credit the designing of a number of the larger office build- ings of the city, as well as of numerous church edifices, public struc- tures and innumerable residences. The greater part of Mr. Robin- son's attention is devoted to the duties of his profession, but his im- portant connections and energetic spirit have led him to identify him- self with other business lines, and at present he is secretary-treasurer of the Grand Rapids Textile Machinery Company. In his profession he is recognized as a man of marked, even distinguished, talent, and in business circles his ability and his integrity combine to give him repute and to attract and hold the confidence and respect of his asso- ciates. He belongs to the Peninsular and O-wash-ta-nong clubs of Grand Rapids, and is a member of the board of trustees of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. In September, 1895, Mr. Robinson was unit- ed in marriage with Miss Jean Harriet Reavely, who died in 1902, leaving a daughter, Margaret, born in August, 1898. In 1907 Mr. Robinson was again married, being united with Miss Julia E. Smith.
Sherman M. Robinson .- Among the honored citizens of Kent county whose lives have been devoted to agricultural pursuits must be noted Sherman M. Robinson, who owns and operates some 500 acres of land in his native township of Solon. He has made of his special field of industry an eminent success, his home farm of 120 acres, in section 20 is a model of neatness, fertility and attractive- ness, and his course in life has ever been such as to gain for him the confidence and high regard of those with whom he has been brought into contact. Sherman M. Robinson was born on 'his father's farm in Solon township, Kent county, Michigan, April 25, 1868, son of Munson Robinson and a grandson of David Robinson, the original immigrant of the family, who came to this country shortly after the close of the War of 1812 and located in New York. In that state was born, March 20, 1820, Munson Robinson, who grew up an ambi- tious and adventurous youth, filled with an earnest desire to make something of himself in the world. Munson Robinson was one of
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the early settlers of Michigan and when he came to Kent county was compelled to cut trails through the forest to get to his destination. Once his government claim was secured, he settled down to clearing and developing a farm, and at the time of his death he was owner of 400 acres of fine land, a large part of which was cleared and yield- ing big crops, and a portion of which now forms the large farm of his son, Sherman M. This sturdy and industrious pioneer settler of Kent county married Miss Esther Clark, of Canada, and of this union were born five children: Sarah A., James, Ella, Esther and Sherman M. Sherman M. Robinson secured his educational instruction at the Solon Center school, a district school not far from his father's home, al- though it would not be so considered by the youth of today. During his boyhood he spent a good part of the summer months in hard work in the fields and in this manner became thoroughly familiar with farming, which he had decided to make the business of his life. So industriously and untiringly has he worked and so well has he directed his labors that today he is owner of 500 acres of land in Solon town- ship. of which 120 acres are included in the home place. Mr. Robin- son has a splendid set of buildings, taking a just pride in the appear- ance of his estate, and he also has the latest machinery and equip- ment, appurtenances, implements and conveniences. He married Cath- erine Wilson, daughter of Bradley and Sarah Wilson, farming people of Solon township and early settlers of this community. There were ten children in the Wilson family: John; Lucy, wife of Warren Wil- kins, a farmer of Solon township; Catherine; Nettie; Sadie, wife of Washington Easterday, a hotel proprietor at Grand Rapids; Eva, wife of John Verrand, a carpenter and builder at Grand Rapids; and Harvey, James, Arthur and Belle, all deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have been born seven children: Munson, Jr., a farmer of Solon township, who married Veta Robinson, daughter of Leman Robinson, of Ensley, Mich .; Clark, also a farmer of Solon township, who married Beatrice Bloomfield; Jeanette, who married Wesley Rau, of Solon township, a farmer, and has an infant child, Derald; Esther and Ula, who are deceased ; and Margaret and Lela, who reside with their parents and attend school. Mr. Robinson has never held office in the township, nor has he had a desire to do so, being content to show his citizenship in supporting worth-while movements and giving his assistance to worthy objects. He is a popular member of the local order of Gleaners.
Truman Rodgers .- The successful handling of a farm of ap- preciable size in a community where competition is rife and high stan- dards prevail pre-supposes the possession of a thorough knowledge of agricultural science, as well as of shrewd business ability. When these requisites are met in a man who is still in the prime of life and who has spent his entire career in the community in which he resides at present, the combination forms a winning and important one. In this connection interest is attached to Truman Rodgers, who is suc- cessfully engaged in farming in Solon township, in which part of Kent county he has lived for more than forty years. The Rodgers family is an old and respected one in this part of Michigan. John Rodgers, its founder here, and father of Truman Rodgers, was a native of New York State who came to Michigan in the early days II-21
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and found his first employment in the timber industry. That business was one of the main ones in the early days, when it was necessary to clear off the land before cultivation could begin, but with the coming in of the farms the industry gradually died and John Rodgers, like many others, turned his attention profitably to agriculture. The ardu- ous and unending labor connected with putting the farms under culti- vation after the timber was cleared away cannot be realized by the younger generation ; it is known only to the older few who still remain with recollections of the past when the great commonwealth of Michi- gan was still in the throes of early development. It was on his father's farm in Solon township, Kent county, that Truman Rodgers was born, March 18, 1878. He attended the district school for his education, and while much of the hardest work had already been accomplished before he reached years where he was able to assist in the farm labor, there was still enough to be done to keep his time reasonably occupied. He grew up in an agricultural atmosphere, in agricultural surround- ings and with agriculturists for his friends and acquaintances, so that it was but natural that he should adopt that vocation for his own when he reached years of maturity. He has had no reason to regret his choice, for he has found a full measure of prosperity in his achieve- ments and has gained for himself reputation and standing. Mr. Rodgers married Miss Jane Grace and they reside in their pleasant home in section 28, Solon township, not far from the village of Cedar Springs. They have all the conveniences and comforts of life and are surrounded by a wide circle of sincere friends attracted to them by their genial and attractive manner. Mr. Rodgers is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Re- publican, but not a politician.
Theodore B. Rogalewski .- An illustration of the awards attain- able in property and character through a life of industry and probity is found in the career of Theodore B. Rogalewski, who is owner of a fine farm in Nelson township. When he first came to this country he was possessed of little save ambition and a desire for honorable employment, and with these as a basis has built up a substantial in- come and placed himself among the independent men of Kent county. Mr. Rogalewski was born in Prussia, Jan. 5, 1846, his parents being Albert and Mary (Besewski) Rogalewski. Mr. Rogalewski is the only member of his family to come to the United States, the others remaining in their native land, where for the most part they were farming people, a vocation which the father followed throughout his life. They had the following children: Frank, who is engaged in farming on the old home place in Prussia; Madeline Schemekowski, Anna Gruchal, Theodore B., and Agathe Vrobel, all deceased but the two last named. Theodore B. Rogalewski was educated in the public schools of his native country and as a youth was trained to agri- cultural pursuits, which he followed for some years in a small way. Conditions under which he worked, however, were not satisfactory and his outlook for the future was not promising, so he decided to change his residence to this side of the Atlantic, and accordingly, in 1873, arrived in the city of Milwaukee. His monetary capital was about exhausted by the time he reached the Cream City, but he still possessed the ability to work and soon found employment as a mem-
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ber of the street department. This labor he gave up after a short time and went to Elmer's Mills, Allegan county, Michigan, where he was a woodsman, as he was also at Lower Center for about one year. In the meantime he had carefully saved his earnings, with the end in view of buying land and resuming the occupation of his youth, and this ambition was realized when he purchased twenty acres of timber land in Nelson township. He could not devote all of his own time to his farm at first, because it was necessary that he secure some working capital, and on occasion he would journey to neighboring farms and assist the owners in their work of stumping, clearing, etc. In fact that first year and the next he was pretty busily engaged in this way. Finally, however, he became more independent as to financial re- sources, and after harvesting several good crops he began to add to his acreage. He now has a cleared farm of eighty acres, upon which he has made numerous improvements, his buildings being substantial and attractive and his farming machinery and implements of the best. Mr. Rogalewski married Eva Homernak, and to them were born the following children: Joseph, engaged in farming on the home place; Albena, living at home with her father; Martha, who resides near Grand Rapids; Emma and Florrie, both residents of Milwaukee; Theodore, who is his father's assistant; John, who is the owner of a farm and follows other occupations also; and Frank, who is now in France with Company 55 of the Engineers Corps. Mrs. Rogalewski died, July 18, 1911. Mr. Rogalewski has been too busily engaged in working out his business independence to aspire to public position, but he has not neglected the duties of citizenship, having been con- nected with several movements promoted for the general welfare. He votes with the Democratic party. As a man of integrity who lives up to his engagements, business and otherwise, he has an excellent repu- tation in his locality. He is a member of the Catholic church.
Louis A. Roller, M. D .- Actuated by motives and impelled by forces which we cannot fully comprehend, individuals pursue their various ways in life, some attaining the heights and others walking in the valleys, and both paths are beset with many difficulties. How- ever, it is worth while, for the encouragement of those whose advan- tages are limited and whose environment holds little that is inspiring, to tell the story of one who faced such a lack of opportunity and who, alone, found a way to climb the heights. Such a story is that of Dr. Louis A. Roller, recognized as one of the leading specialists in dis- eases of the eye, ear, nose and throat in Michigan, and who for more than a quarter of a century has been engaged in practice at Grand Rapids. Dr. Roller was born in New York City, N. Y., Feb. 23, 1855, a son of William and Louise Roller. Beyond the fact that his parents were born in Germany, the father in 1822, he knows little of his fam- ily, for his mother died when he was a lad of seven years and almost immediately thereafter the father disappeared and was never again heard from. Thus, at a tender age, Dr. Roller was thrown upon his own resources and was forced to develop qualities of self reliance and initiative, which have since assisted him over the rough places of life. In how large a degree these were developed is shown in the fact that in spite of hardships of the most discouraging character he was able to work his way through school and college, to secure a thorough and
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comprehensive training for his difficult profession, and to persevere in his determination to reach a high place in the ranks of medical men. He was a lad of eleven years of age when he came to Michigan, and the grammar and high schools of Greenville furnished him with his preliminary training. When he was still little more than a lad in years, although not in experience, he secured an appointment as teacher in the country schools, and for three winter terms followed this occupation, in the meantime working as a farm hand during the summer months. He saved his earnings carefully and never lost a chance to honestly add to his income, in the meantime employing such leisure as he could snatch from his working hours to gain some rudimentary knowledge of the science of medicine. Finally, he entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he remained for one year, and in 1879 became a student at the famous Rush Medical Col- lege, Chicago, where he completed the prescribed course and was duly graduated with his degree. Returning to Michigan, he established himself in a general practice at Edmore, where he was again called upon to face disadvantages caused by a lack of financial resources. However, his persistence pulled him through this period, and after practicing for nine years he decided to enter the field of special prac- tice, to prepare for which he went to Detroit and became assistant to Dr. J. C. Lundy, a well known specialist in and authority upon diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. This experience was sup- plemented by post-graduate work at New York and a special course in the Chicago Polyclinic, and in the spring of 1891 Dr. Roller came to Grand Rapids, where he has since been engaged in a practice that has grown as greatly in importance as it has in size and emoluments. He is a member of the Grand Rapids Board of Health, with which he has been connected for nine years, two years as its president, and belongs to the Kent County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otology, and is a member and has served as president and secretary of the Academy of Medicine. Fra- ternally, the Doctor is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, in which order he is a past chancellor, and belongs to the Masons. He has always supported the Republican party in political matters, and his religious connection, shared by his family, is with the Baptist church. Dr. Roller was married, April 10, 1884, to Miss Carrie Gibbs, daughter of J. H. Gibbs, a lumberman of Edmore, Mich., and they have one daughter, Nellie Louise, who is the wife of Dr. Williams, of Grand Rapids.
Clyde L. Ross .- During the twenty-one years that Clyde L. Ross, cashier of the Commercial Savings Bank, has been identified with the financial life of Grand Rapids, he has proven his ability as a banker and his worth as a man. He entered upon his career in bank- ing at the bottom of the ladder and has risen to his present important post through his own ability, fidelity and industry, and to prominence in connection with a number of the largest of the enterprises of the Furniture City. Mr. Ross was born at Baldwin, Mich., April 19, 1877, a son of Cassius M. C. and Frances H. (Taylor) Ross, the former a native of Milwaukee, Wis., and the latter of near Lockport, N. Y. Cassius M. C. Ross was one of the prominent men of his day in Lake
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county, Michigan, and served as register of deeds and county poor superintendent, but died in 1879, when his career was most promising. He served as a soldier of the Union during the Civil war. Mrs. Ross still survives him as a resident of Grand Rapids, and makes her home with her daughter. She is a member of the Christian Science church. Clyde L. Ross has one sister : Florence A., who is the wife of William C. Hertz, of Grand Rapids. Clyde L. Ross attended the graded schools of Baldwin and Reed City, and was twelve years of age when he came to Grand Rapids, where he attended high school, this being supplemented by a commercial course in the Western Michigan Col- lege. He was a lad of ambition and industry and began his career by working in various business houses, including the Grand Ledge Chair Company, by which concern he was employed two years. Fol- lowing this, he spent a like period on the farm of his uncle, Charles H. Chick, but agricultural life did not appeal to him and he returned to the city to enter the employ of Carter's Grocery, which was situated on the corner of Eighth and Scribner streets. In 1896 he was placed in charge of the factory of Alex Dodge, but after one year left that plant to gain his first experience in the financial field. This was as clerk and messenger with the Fifth National Bank of Grand Rapids, in the employ of which institution he rose from position to position, his industry and fidelity attracting attention, commendation and pro- motion, until, in 1907, he was made cashier. This position he was holding at the time of the consolidation, and when the new Commercial Savings Bank came into existence, in 1908, he was retained in the same capacity and has occupied the position to the present time. From time to time Mr. Ross has given the benefit of his financial experience and ability to other institutions, and is now connected with a number of the leading business houses of the city, having been treasurer of the Grand Rapids Credit Men's Association for five years, treasurer of the Grand Rapids Clearing House for three years, secretary of the Grand Rapids Custom Shirt Company, treasurer of the Grand Rapids Furniture Polish Company, and formerly for three years was treas- urer of the Grand Rapids Realty Company, resigning from that posi- tion in 1917. A man of wide information along many lines, Mr. Ross keeps in touch with all that pertains to modern banking and finance. In Masonry he has reached the thirty-second Scottish Rite degree, and is a member of Valley City Blue Lodge No. 86, A. F. & A. M .; Grand Rapids Chapter No. 7, R. A. M .; Tyre Council, S. R. M .; DeWitt Clinton Consistory ; and De Molai Commandery, K. T. He also be- longs to Saladin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and in 1914 was president of Arab Patrol, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. When he can find leisure from his manifold and important duties he is usually to be found engaged in some kind of sport, his chief recre- ation being trout fishing, of which he is inordinately fond. With Mrs. Ross, he belongs to the Congregational church. Mr. Ross was mar- ried, Jan. 24, 1900, to Miss Retha Pearl Hosken, daughter of John H. Hosken, of Grand Rapids, and they have one son, Armand Clyde, born Feb. 11, 1901.
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