USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. II > Part 5
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
which order he has attained high standing. He is one of the public- spirited citizens of his community and has assisted numerous move- ments which have contributed to the general welfare. Although he has reached the age of seventy years, he is still active in body and alert in mind, in full possession of his faculties, showing the results of a well-lived career. In his neighborhood he is known as a noted hunter of big game, having never lost the zest and thrill that comes from bringing down some noble animal of the forest. Every year he makes a trip to some favored hunting spot, having visited every coun- ty in the upper peninsula, and can now show a photograph of a 198- pound buck which fell a victim to his rifle in the fall of 1916. Mr. Barber was first married to Miss Ruth Campbell and they had a son, Claude R., of Chicago, assistant superintendent of the Western Un- ion and Postal Telegraph and Bell Telephone Company offices. Mr. Barber was married, second, Oct. 25, 1892, to Mrs. Allie Dibeler, daughter of Benjamin Fulton, of Ohio. Claude R. Barber has two children-Dorothy and Donald.
Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch Company .- Among the business houses of Grand Rapids which have come prominently to the front during recent years, taking advantage of the unusual opportunities which are here offered and attaining thereby creditable success, one that is well known not only in this city, but throughout Michigan in its spe- cial field, is that of Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch Company. This con- cern, which handles mill and factory supplies, pipe valves, fittings, transmission, roofing, etc., is composed of business men who have years of experience behind them and consummate ability as one of their principal assets. As a sound and progressive enterprise this business is contributing materially to the prestige of the city in com- mercial circles, and in its membership reflects the spirit of energy and integrity that has been a determining factor in giving Grand Rapids a place among the cities whose reputation extends to far-distant points. This business was founded in 1875 by E. G. Studley, who continued alone until 1890, in which year W. Y. Barclay bought an interest and the firm of Studley & Barclay was formed. In the summer of 1907 the firm was reorganized by John Bertsch, W. Y. Barclay, and others, and a corporation was formed known as Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch Company, with the following officials: John Bertsch, president; W. Y. Barclay, vice-president and general manager ; C. A. Ayers, secre- tary ; and C. H. Bertsch, treasurer; with a capital stock of $52,000. The same officers and directors now control the affairs of the company that were chosen at the time of the incorporation. By 1909 the busi- ness had grown to such proportions that it was found necessary to have larger quarters, and accordingly the present building was erected by John Bertsch. This was the first concrete building in Grand Rapids to be devoted to a mercantile business, is fireproof, six floors in height, and 50x100 feet in dimension. Fifteen people are employed by the company, in addition to which there are four traveling sales- men on the road, the entire western part of Michigan being covered as a territory for the sale of the concern's product. This as noted in- cludes mill and factory supplies, pipe valves and fittings, a specialty being made of roofing and of transmission, which the firm handles as distributor for the Dodge Manufacturing Company.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Warren Y. Barclay, vice-president and general manager of the Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch Company, is one of the self-made men of Grand Rapids of whom the city has every reason to be proud. Forced to begin his battle with life at a tender age, he was denied many of the advantages which it is assumed youth should enjoy, and his suc- cess has been attained without the aid of outside influences, having been acquired in spite of obstacles and discouraging circumstances. Mr. Barclay is a product of Kent county, having been born in the lit- tle community of Smyrna, March 27, 1851. His father was Charles Barclay, who came to Grand Rapids in 1854 and established a brick yard, but in 1860 transferred his attention to agricultural pursuits and passed the remainder of his life therein with the exception of the time that he spent as a soldier of the Union during the Civil war. Warren Y. Barclay was educated in the public schools, and when but fourteen years of age was compelled to give up his studies to work on the home farm, his father having joined the army. From 1860 until 1870 he was in the employ of W. D. Foster, and in the latter year transferred his services to E. G. Studley as a salesman, until he was taken into partnership in the firm of Studley & Barclay, in 1890. From that time to the present his history has been that of the com- pany with which he is now identified, and the credit for the success of which rests largely in his splendid business ability and persevering energy. Mr. Barclay is not only ranked with the able business men of Grand Rapids, but stands high as a citizen who is ever ready to do his full part in constructive work. He is a Republican in his politi- cal views and an attendant of the Fountain Street Baptist church. He was first married in 1863 to Miss Dora A. Bigelow, of Grand Rapids, and they had three children: J. Myrtle, widow of Ralph Munn, of Auburn, N. Y .; Estella B., wife of Bert Fell, of Chicago, Ill., and Wallace G., of Grand Rapids. Mrs. Barclay died in 1889, and in 1893 Mr. Barclay married Mrs. Maude J. Fleming, of Trenton, Mich.
Harold M. Barnes .- Belonging to the young and energetic ele- ment so typical of twentieth century progress and advancement, Har- old M. Barnes has had a career characterized by steady development of abilities, and today occupies a position of prominence with one of the well-known manufacturing concerns of Grand Rapids. The treas- urer and general manager of the Grand Rapids Brush Company is by birth, nurture, education and training a true son of the Middle West. He was born May 6, 1880, at Marshalltown, Ia., where his early edu- cation was secured, following which he took a course in the University of Colorado, and then enrolled as a student at the University of Chi- cago, in which he was duly graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. His first employment was in the field of journalism, for upon leaving college halls he secured a position with the Chicago Tribune, and worked with that paper until 1904, the year of his advent in Grand Rapids. For six months following his arrival he was em- ployed on the Grand Rapids Herald, but resigned his post with that publication to join the advertising department of the Michigan Arti- san, where he remained about a half a year. He was next connected with the advertising department of the International Harvester Com- pany for two years, leaving that concern to become assistant adver- tising manager of the National Cash Register Company, of Dayton, Ohio. He next gained added experience as advertising manager for
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
the Standard Varnish Works, of New York and Chicago, and re- mained with that company for three years, then going to Minneapolis in a like capacity for the Russell-Miller Milling Company. After three years with that house, he became advertising representative for Everybody's Magazine, leaving that publication after one and one- half years, Aug. 15, 1915, when he became general manager of the Grand Rapids Brush Company. He continues to retain the general managership, has also assumed the duties of treasurer, and is likewise a member of the directorate. This company was organized in 1873, with a capital stock of $50,000, by A. B. Watson, president ; Julius Berkey, vice-president ; W. M. Clark, secretary, and O. B. Wilmarth, treasurer. Since that time many changes have been made, and the capital stock of the concern is $100,000, with the following officials : C. C. Converse, president ; J. A. Covode, vice-president ; H. M. Barnes, treasurer and general manager, and Mrs. K. E. Green, secretary. More than 150 people are given employment in the manufacture of all kinds of brushes, and four salesmen are on the road, with the entire country as their territory. Mr. Barnes and the members of his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is one of the enthusiastic members of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, and holds membership also in the Anti-Tuberculosis Association, the Credit Men's Associa- tion, the Association of Commerce, Peninsular Club, and Highlands Country Club. He is also a member of the college fraternity of Sigma Nu. Since his permanent location at Grand Rapids, he has interested himself actively in various public-spirited movements and his name is frequently found upon the lists of those backing beneficial movements. Mr. Barnes was married June 20, 1906, to Miss Jennie E. Hall, of McGregor, Tex., and of this union there have been born.two children -Jane and Harold M., Jr.
Charles H. Bender .- Included in the ranks of successful Grand Rapids bankers are to be found many men who have been the archi- tects of their own fortunes, who, imbued with ambition in early youth, set about to better their conditions and to make a place for themselves among men of recognized standing and prominence. Not all who start out in life with such worthy ideals and ambitions reach their cherished goal. In some cases circumstances over which they have no control thwart them; in others they aim too high for their abilities. However, Charles H. Bender may be said to have achieved many of his aims, for at a time in life when he finds his energies still unabated and his intellect fully alert, he occupies an accepted position of distinction as president of the City Trust & Savings Bank. Mr. Bender was born at Batavia, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1860, and is a son of William and Josephine (Hamberger) Bender. His parents, natives of Germany, immigrated to the United States in 1842 and passed their lives in the East, where both died, the father having followed the business of a general contractor for many years. The early edu- cation of Charles H. Bender came from the public schools of Batavia, and when he removed to Buffalo he improved himself by study at a night school there. The youth seized the opportunity offered to study shorthand and prepared himself for stenography in Buffalo, where he secured his first employment. He remained in an office there as stenographer and general clerk until 1881, in which year he came to Grand Rapids and became identified in a clerical capacity with M. H.
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BIOGRAPHICAL .
Ford, as his assistant as court stenographer. The experience which he gained in this direction enabled him to embark in a like business on his own account, which he conducted with success for a number of years, constantly gaining more and more prestige. In 1910 he was called to the vice-presidency of the Grand Rapids National Bank, which he still retains. In January, 1915, he was made president of the City Trust & Savings Bank, in which capacity he still remains. Mr. Bender is a cool-headed banker, progressive yet conservative, forceful yet careful. The confidence in which he is held by the de- positors of his institution is shared by that of his business associates and few names carry more weight or influence in banking circles or stand for a higher grade of business integrity and personal probity. Mr. Bender is a banker and not a politician, but he is also a good citizen who recognizes and realizes the responsibilities of citizenship, and for ten years was a member of the Police and Fire Commission of the city. He votes the Democratic ticket. He was married Feb. 5, 1891, to Miss Sallie Knapp, of New Orleans, La., and they have two children, Theodore K. and Josephine.
Reuben F. Benton .- Because of the intelligence and good judg- ment of many of the large farmers of Kent county, this section of the state has contributed much to the general food supply, and few other industries, when properly conducted, have been so well worth engag- ing in or so compensating when everything is taken into considera- tion. One of the industrious and enterprising farmers, who during a long period contributed largely to his county's prestige in an agri- cultural way, was the late Reuben F. Benton, who was a resident of Bowne township from 1878 until his death, July 26, 1913. Mr. Benton was born in the State of Ohio, July 22, 1852, son of Asa E. and Sarah Benton, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Pennsyl- vania. They were farming people in Ohio throughout their lives and during their last few years retired from active pursuits and moved to a village near the old homestead, where they passed peacefully away. Their four children were Mary, deceased; Reuben F .; Charles, a col- lege professor and president of the Valparaiso (Ind.) Bank; and Gil- bert, a successful medical practitioner of Cleveland, Ohio. Reuben F. Benton attended the public schools of Ohio until he was sixteen years old, at which time he began to learn the trade of brick mason and plasterer. He followed his vocation in Ohio until 1878, in which year he came to Michigan and began renting land, and through his tireless industry and good management accumulated sufficient means with which to purchase eighty acres of land in Bowne township, to which he later added a like acreage. He carried on general farming in a successful way, and at one time was a breeder of blooded Jersey cattle, and at all times was known as a dependable and reliable citi- zen. He made all the improvements on his farm, and after his first home had been destroyed by fire built a new and modern residence, where his last years were spent. He had various interests in a busi- ness way, and was connected with the creamery at Freeport, and the honorable and straightforward manner in which his transactions were always conducted earned him the confidence of his associates. As an agriculturist, always willing to adopt new methods when shown to be practicable, he belonged to the Grange, and his fraternal connec- tion was with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
was a Republican. Mr. Benton served his community as highway commissioner and in other ways, and, all in all, was a representative of the best agricultural element of Bowne township. Mr. Benton was married March 15, 1879, to Adelaide, daughter of James and Angeline (King) Brew, both now deceased, natives of the State of New York, from whence they migrated at an early date to Barry county, Michi- gan. These worthy farming people were the parents of eight chil- dren: William, of Hastings, Mich .; Augusta, residing at Grand Rap- ids, wife of D. H. Mosher, a contractor of that city; Charles, de- ceased; Adelaide, now Mrs. Benton; Cora, wife of A. Newman, of Grand Rapids; Jay, who lives in Canada; Kittie, wife of Edward Johnson, of Grand Rapids ; and Frank, of Alto. Mr. and Mrs. Benton had two children: Wayne, who is farming the home property and has three children-Werner and Russell and Doris; and Gertrude, wife of Watt Thomas, a farmer of Bowne township, who has one daughter, Beatrice.
Charles A. Berry .- The roster of public officials of Kent county contains the name of no more efficient public servant than that of Charles A. Berry, who is now serving his second term in the office of sheriff. While a native of the East, he was brought to Michigan as a boy and the greater part of his life has been passed at Grand Rap- ids, where for more than twenty years he has been engaged, in one or another capacity, in safeguarding the lives and property interests of the people. Sheriff Berry was born at Pleasant Valley, N. J., Oct. 17, 1872, being a son of Paul and Anna (Gunneson) Berry. His fa- ther, a native of Sweden and a laborer by vocation, immigrated to the United States in 1870, and after a short stay in New Jersey went to Dallas, Tex., from whence he came to Michigan in 1881. He contin- ued to be engaged in various employments during the remainder of his life and died at Grand Rapids in 1905. He belonged to the Swed- ish Lutheran church, of which Mrs. Berry, who survives him and re- sides with her son at Grand Rapids, is also a member. Charles A. Berry secured a public school education at Newaygo, Mich., follow- ing which he learned the trade of cabinet maker, which he followed until 1895. In the meantime, in 1891, he came to Grand Rapids, where he was employed by the Widdicomb Furniture Company, but in 1895 resigned his position to enter the city police department as a patrolman. He became widely known to the citizens of the commu- nity as traffic officer at the corner of old Canal and Pearl streets, where he held his post for seven years, and was then selected by Clay H. Hollister as guard at the Old National Bank, where he re- mained nine years. His long experience as an officer and the ability that he had shown in handling those criminally inclined brought Mr. Berry forward as a reliable and efficient man for the shrievalty, and in 1914, when nominated on the Republican ticket, secured a large majority at the polls and was duly installed in office. During his first term as sheriff of Kent county he gave evidence of marked ability and a conscientious desire to rid the community of its criminal class, and his efforts met with such success that he gained and held the con- fidence of the Kent county people, who elected him to a second term in the Fall of 1916. His energetic and faithful work has abated not one whit, and his official record has made him decidedly and de- servedly popular. Sheriff Berry is a man of marked courage, great
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BIOGRAPHICAL
resource in his line of work, and of detective ability far above the or- dinary. He belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church, is a member of the Grand Rapids Association of Commerce, and is fraternally identi- fied with the local lodges of the Masons, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Woodmen of the World. He was married May 1, 1895, to Miss Anna Carlson, daughter of Carl and Anna Carlson, of Sweden, and they are the parents of four children, namely: Hazel Louise, Walter Charles, Fred Roger and Myrtle.
Charles Harley Bertsch, treasurer of the Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch Company, is one of the younger generation of business men and has had a career of steady advancement. He was born at Grand Rapids, July 27, 1879, a son of John Bertsch, and received his educa- tion in the public schools of the city, following which he gained his first business experience in the employ of the Michigan Leather Com- pany, with which he remained for nine years. He then transferred his services to the Cappon & Bertsch Leather Company, at Holland, Mich., but after two years there returned to Grand Rapids to assist in the organization and to assume the duties of his present position. Mr. Bertsch is essentially one of the men of action of Grand Rapids and one who is interested in many of the city's activities. He is a member of the board of directors of the Grand Rapids Building and Loan Association, belongs to the Association of Commerce and the Builders' and Traders' Exchange, and for six years was secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association. He has been on the official board of stewards of the First Methodist Episcopal church for twelve years, and in his political views he is a Republican. In Masonry he has taken the York and Scottish Rite degrees and is a Shriner, and his social connections include membership in the O-Wash-ta-nong Club and the Highlands Country Club. He was married Nov. 28, 1912, to Lucile A., daughter of Oscar B. Wilmarth, of Grand Rapids, and they have three children: Marion Louise, Ruth Adelaide, and John Wilmarth.
John Bertsch, late president of the Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch Company, who died at his home in Grand Rapids, Sept. 29, 1917, was a resident of Grand Rapids for sixty-three years, with the excep- tion of three years spent at Holland, and during the greater part of this long period was identified with business affairs of large magni- tude. He was born at Phillipsburg, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, Feb. 9, 1834, a son of Christopher Bertsch, who came to Grand Rap- ids in 1864 and died in the following year. The education of John Bertsch was secured in the public schools of Ohio, to which state he had been taken when a lad, and when eighteen years of age he began to learn the trade of tanner, which he followed for some years. When he came to Grand Rapids, in 1854, it was as a journeyman tanner and for two years he worked at his trade in this city, then going to Hol- land, Mich., where he remained until 1860. While at Holland he had started a tannery, but on his return to Grand Rapids he embarked in the shoe business, and in this industry continued successfully for many years. In 1897 he built a tannery and founded the Michigan Leather Company, but in 1906 disposed of his interests therein and in the following year assisted in the incorporation and organization of the firm of Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch Company. He was variously and prominently connected with the business life of Grand Rapids,
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
was the builder of the Michigan Hardware Company building, and was a stockholder in the Globe Knitting Works. Mr. Bertsch always placed a due valuation upon honor, integrity and determination. Pos- sessing these qualities as capital, he entered upon his business career, and during the course of years that followed won for himself a no- table name and an enviable place in Grand Rapids business circles, proving his worth by capable management and careful direction of his affairs which constituted an element in the city's development as well as in his personal success. Mr. Bertsch may be designated as a pioneer of Grand Rapids, coming here as he did in 1854, at which time he found a struggling town, eager for greatness, but with compara- tively little system as to development and improvement. He lived to see it come into its own as a great manufacturing city and as the home of thriving, prosperous concerns in every branch of industry. Mr. Bertsch was a Republican, but his energies were expended rather in the direction of business than public affairs, and politics had but a small place in his life. He was married first in 1862, being united with Miss Agnes Cartwright, of Grand Rapids, who died without issue. Mr. Bertsch was again married, May 5, 1875, being united with Miss Caroline L. Harley, of Defiance, Ohio, and they became the par- ents of five children : Amy, wife of David H. Brown, of Grand Rap- ids; Miss Nellie, who resides with her mother; William Frederick, born Oct. 23, 1877, died April 21, 1898; C. Harley, treasurer of Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch Company; and Florence, the wife of C. A. Ayers, secretary of the Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch Company.
John W. Bickert became chief musician of the Thirty-second Michigan band in 1910, and band leader in 1916. He was with the band at the encampment at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis ; at Port Huron, Ludington and Grayling, and led the band during four weeks of service in the upper peninsula during the strike of 1913. With the band he left for Grayling, June 23, 1916, and reached El Paso July 18, where he remained on duty until Jan. 18, 1917, leav- ing Fort Wayne for the return to Grand Rapids on Feb. 15, 1917. While on the border the band was employed to hearten the soldiers, and made ninety-mile trips in motor trucks to play for the various companies. Mr. Bickert was born in Hessen Cassel, Germany, Oct. 11, 1866, son of Karl and Elizabeth (Moller) Bickert. He came to Canada in 1871 and learned the trade of a shoemaker. He first came to the United States in 1892. Throughout his youth he had shown marked musical talent and soon became known as a band director. In this capacity he was employed at Buffalo, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago and other cities, coming to Grand Rapids in 1900. His mili- tary band service began when he enlisted from the Wellesley county band at Berlin, Canada, and entered the band of the Twenty-ninth battalion of Canada volunteers, one of the best bands in Ontario. At Buffalo he was with the Sixty-fifth New York regimental band; at Detroit, with the Pingree and Smith band, and director of the Steel and Spring Works band. At Ravenna he directed the Pythian band, and at Rossville was instructor of the City band and the Ladies' band. At Grand Rapids he made music his sole occupation, directing and instructing the Street Railway, Pere Marquette, Sacred Heart, Polish Casino and the battalion bands, and also giving instructions at Wayland, Dorr, Casnovia and Walker, being instructor of seven bands
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