USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens > Part 71
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township; Katherine, wife of William Hubner, of Portsmouth township; Sophia, wife of Ed- ward Schuman, of Bangor township; and Mary, the wife of the subject of this sketch. The Oeder family are members of the German Lutheran Church.
Mr. Arnold is best known, perhaps, for his connection with the coal industry of this sec- tion. He has been interested in the discovery of some of the most prominent and best known coal mines of Bay County. On September 18, 1896, he found and struck the first coal on the Albert Pfundt place, at a depth of 121 feet. The following year two shafts were erected, and the two mines are known as the Michigan and Central mines. On January 6, 1898, in the presence of Messrs. Maxon, Flower and Lewis Howe, he found a vein of coal on the Von Alstein Place, in Bangor township, at a depth of 124 feet. This was the first test-hole put down for coal in that vicinity ; it was some- what outside of what has been found to be the main vein and consequently only a small quantity of coal was struck. But one year later, however, Messrs. Voss and Jackson had a good shaft erected three-quarters of a mile east of the test-hole and have been mining ever since. This is the well-known Wenona mine. Mr. Arnold also enjoys the distinction of hav- ing been the first one to discover Wolverine coal here. While drilling on his farm in the southern part of section 10, in Monitor town- ship. on December 6, 1898, he discovered coal. From there the vein runs directly southwest to the present shaft of the mine called Wolverine mine No. 2. A litttle over a year later, while drilling on the Everson farm, he located an- other coal bed, and struck on March 20, 1900, in the presence of his helper, Henry Erbisch, and Messrs. Everson, Johnson and Gunter, what has proved to be one of the best-paying coal mines in the State of Michigan, which is
known as Wolverine No. 3. Views of the Wenona and Wolverine No. 3 are shown earlier in this work, on a foregoing page. As these mines have been very extensively operated ever since their discovery, and as the Pere Marquette Railroad to the Wolverine mines was built especially for the purpose of provid- ing transportation for the product of the mines, it can be said that Mr. Arnold, through his dis- coveries of coal, has been of great assistance in developing Bay County and bringing prosperity to the doors of its inhabitants.
About the same time that he made these discoveries of coal, he leased some 3,000 acres of land of the farmers in his neighborhood for coal development purposes, but on May 29, 1901, he sold all his leases and machinery to the Handy Brothers Mining Company, of Bay City, with the exception of the famous drill that has brought him so much wealth. He has no intention of parting with it.
Mr. Arnold is a progressive and enterpris- ing man, one who has shown judgment and foresight in business life, and he stands well in his community. In politics he is a Republican.
R EV. EDWARD AUGUSTIN LE- FEBVRE, pastor of St. Michael's Catholic Church at Pinconning, was born at Saginaw, Michigan, in 1868, and is a son of Augustin and Rachael (Viau) Lefebvre. His father died in 1878, in his 47th year, and his mother now resides with him at the parsonage in Pinconning.
Father Lefebvre received his primary edu- cation at St. Andrew's Academy and the High School at Saginaw, and afterward took an academic course at Assumption College, Sand- wich, Ontario, from which he was graduated in 1886. He then completed his philosophical
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and theological courses in the Grand Seminary at Montreal, Province of Quebec, and was then ordained to the priesthood. He became as- sistant pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, West Bay City, and at the end of seven months was transferred to Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Au Sable, Michigan, as assistant pastor. He remained there until March, 1893, when he was called to St. Michael's Catholic Church at Pinconning, of which he has since had charge. The parsonage, which was under course of construction at his coming, he com- pleted, adding improvements to the amount of $1,000. He has also added $2,500 in im- provements to the church, increasing its seating capacity by one-third, and under his direction the congregation has purchased a cemetery of five acres lying along the river.
Prior to the organization of a parish here, Pinconning was visited by a Jesuit missionary, Father Shular, whose devoted work through this section of the county was of such value to the church as to live as a monument to his memory. He discontinued his visits here in 1889 and was succeeded by Rev. John G. San- son, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church at West Bay City, whose mission it continued until 1891. In that year Rev. C. H. Dequoy was appointed pastor of St. Michael's Catholic Church and its missions, which included Lin- wood, Gladwin, Standish and AuGres. He was succeeded in 1893 by Father Lefebvre, who was assisted from October, 1893, until April of the following year by Rev. L. H. Gourin, D. D., and again from April. 1899, to November, 1901, by Rev. Arthur La Mon- tague. In 1894, the Linwood mission was de- tached and made the parish of St. Ann, and in 1901 the Standish mission was detached and made the parish of St. John the Baptist. But one mission remains attached to St. Michael's, that of the Sacred Heart, at Gladwin. St.
Michael's Church has a congregation of mixed nationality, and in 1904 the Polish element erected a chapel at Nine Mile, a flag station in Mount Forest township. Father Lefebvre has labored faithfully and well over his charge, and many are the kind deeds and charities traceable to his door.
The subject of the above sketch has been transferred to St. Ann's Catholic Church, Cadillac, Michigan, since he was interviewed.
ORTON GALLAGHER, M. D., one of the leading medical practi- tioners of Bay City, was born May 19, 1863, at Portland, Ontario, Canada, and is a son of William Gallagher.
The father of Dr. Gallagher was born in the North of Ireland, and the mother, in Canada. William Gallagher was a pioneer in his sec- tion of Ontario, where his 10 children were born. All survive with one exception, and our subject is the ninth member of the family.
Morton Gallagher was educated in the pub- lic schools at Portland and the Athens (On- tario) High School and then taught a country school for several years. During these years, 1882 and 1883, he prepared for entrance to the Queen's Medical College, at Kingston, On- tario. The records of that institution show that at the end of his third year he stood third in a competitive examination and was awarded the position of interne for six months. He was graduated with the class of 1887, but was then obliged to pass still another examination, that of the physicians and surgeons, before he could practice in Ontario, where the rules gov- erning medical practice are more strict than this side of the border. Each student passes three searching examinations : the primary, the intermediate and the final. To the public this
ISAAC H. HILL
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seems as it should be, for upon the physician's knowledge and in his trained hands rest respon- sibilities of vast consequence to his fellow mortals.
After Dr. Gallagher was thus well prepared to enter upon practice, he settled in the town of Campbellford, Ontario, where he remained for seven years. In looking about for another location where he would find a wider field of effort, he selected Bay City and came here in May, 1894, previously having taken, in 1893, a post-graduate course at the Polyclinic Col- lege and Hospital, New York City. Dr. Gal- lagher is well known to the public of Bay City, both professionally and otherwise, and is held in universal esteem. He is president of the Bay County Medical Society and belongs also to the American Medical Association and the Michigan State Medical Society.
Dr. Gallagher was married in Ontario to Emily Tucker, who was born in Canada. They have a family of seven children, viz : Sherman G., Florence E., William H., Fletcher T., Helen J., Marion M. and Pauline.
Dr. Gallagher has served as a member of the Board of Health of Bay City and also on the Board of Education. He is an active mem- ber of a number of social bodies and fraternal organizations, including the Odd Fellows and the Masons.
1 SAAC H. HILL. Among the history builders of Bay City, Michigan, was the late Isaac H. Hill, whose portrait accompanies this sketch. He was pres- ident of the Michigan Pipe Works, manager of the Bay City Bridge Company and closely identified with many of the other great busi- ness interests of this section. Mr. Hill was born in Tompkins County, New York, in 1814. After the death of his first wife, he moved to
Tyrone, Schuyler County, and after his long and useful life had closed, his remains were taken back and laid to rest with the dust of his ancestors.
Mr. Hill was of great service to Bay City in many capacities. His business abilities, exec- utive power and high sense of commercial in- tegrity made his service of great importance. He was one of the moving spirits in the found- ing of numerous industries and the present prosperity and scope of the Michigan Pipe Works are due directly to his efforts. In many other departments of activity, he was promi- nent. His was a busy life, one which reflects credit and honor upon this city and his name will long be perpetuated by what he succeeded in accomplishing.
In 1848, Mr. Hill was married, in Steu- ben County, New York, to his second wife,- Mrs. Susan Ann Hale, widow of Samuel P. Hale and daughter of Henry S. and Margaret (Teeple) Williams. Mrs. Hill was born June 30, 1829. Her two children by her first mar- riage are deceased. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill, the two survivors being : Mary, who is the wife of H. B. Smith, of the Michigan Pipe Works; and Charles H. Hill, also financially interested in the Michigan Pipe Works and a resident of Bay City, who married Bertha Hay.
The father of Mrs. Hill was a merchant in Steuben County, New York, for many years, also county judge for several years, in which office he was serving at the time of his death. Mrs. Hall was reared and educated in Steuben County, being one of a family of six children. Her interests have been centered in Bay City for more than half her life-time and there are few ladies in private life here who are more beloved or esteemed for noble qualities of mind and heart. She can recall all the various steps by which Bay City has climbed from a small
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lumber town to its present prosperity, and in the furthering of all those agencies looking to the establishment of schools, churches and char- ities, she has taken an active part. Her beauti- ful home is situated at No. 1403 Fifth street, Bay City.
OHN C. ROWDEN, a well-known citizen of Auburn, Bay County, Mich- igan, is a lawyer by profession and en- joys a fair land and pension practice. He was born in Devonshire, England, Febru- ary 9, 1844, and is a son of John and Mary (Crispin) Rowden.
John Rowden, the father, was born in Eng- land and came to this country with his wife and four children in the fall of 1854. The voyage from Plymouth, England, to Quebec, Canada, on the sailing vessel "Oriental" con- sumed more than seven weeks. They proceeded straightway to Detroit, Michigan, thence to Williams township, Bay County, the latter part of the journey taking three weeks, as there were no roads. They followed bridle paths and fre- quently found it necessary to go ahead and cut a way. His oldest son, Samuel, had preceded him by two years, and together they took up 80 acres under the preemption act. They cleared the virgin land of its timber and under- brush, erected a cabin and then set to work to cultivate the land. Provisions were exceedingly scarce and they experienced all the hardships incidental to pioneer life. The father was a Republican in politics, and a man of a high order of intellect. He possessed a wonderful memory, and, although not a member of any church, was able to tell the book and verse of any passage in the Bible when he heard it. He died in 1877, at the age of 79 years, and his wife died one month later, at the same age. He had two brothers, William, a private in the
Queen's Guards, of the English Army, who probably lost his life in the siege of Sebastopol, as he was last heard of there; and Robert, who was commander of the battleship "Warrior," in the English Navy. Mr. Rowden married Mary Crispin and they had the following chil- dren : Samuel, of West Bay City; Mrs. Mary Ann Kent, a widow; Mrs. Susan Dutton, who died in 1903 and was buried at Fentonville, Michigan ; John and Martha, who died in Eng- land; and John C., our subject.
John C. Rowden's schooling was limited to two years, and his education was mainly ac- quired by private research in such books as he could borrow. He frequently walked a dis- tance of 10 miles to borrow a book, which he would peruse thoroughly and carefully. He developed a taste for study and began reading law, gaining his knowledge in a slow way as opportunity presented itself. He passed the ex- aminations of the Department of the Interior in 1881, and in 1895 was admitted to the bar of Bay County. He has established a remunera- tive land and pension practice, and maintains his office at Auburn. He voted the Republican ticket until 1866, since which time he has been independent in politics. In 1901, he was elected representative from the Second District, on the Industrial ticket, receiving the endorsement of the Democratic party. He served one term in that capacity, two terms as supervisor and two terms as justice of the peace.
On August 2, 1862, at the age of 18 years, Mr. Rowden enlisted in Company F, 23rd Reg., Michigan Vol. Inf., and was mustered in on September IIth for a term of three years. He was shot in the hip joint while serving at Dal- las, Texas, May 28, 1864, and on November 30th of that year received a bullet wound in the head at the battle of Franklin. Tennessee. He rose from private to 2d sergeant as a re- sult of bravery in carrying ammunition to the
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firing line in the face of severe fighting, being promoted over II non-commissioned officers, who magnanimously congratulated him for merited reward. He later was advanced to be Ist sergeant, April 5, 1865, and was discharged at Salisbury, North Carolina, June 28, 1865. He participated in the following engagements : Campbell's Station, Lenoir, siege of Knoxville, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Altoona, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, Fort Anderson, Wilming- ton and Goldsboro. He is a member of Mar- shall Post No. 407, G. A. R.
On December 31, 1865, Mr. Rowden mar- ried Alice Moore, a daughter of Joseph and Eleanor Moore, and they have three children : Joseph, of Beaver township; Robert, who lives at home ; and George Vleit, who at the death of his mother, in March, 1880, was taken to raise by the Vleit family. Our subject was again married July 20, 1881, to Selina Gilbert, a daughter of Joseph and Chastina Gilbert.
REDERICK BEYER, a prosperous farmer residing in section 8, Merritt township, was born in Michelbach, Bavaria, Germany, September 6, 1844, and is a son of Christian and Christine (Brunenmeyer ) Beyer.
Christian Beyer was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, August 1, 1813, and came to America in 1854, locating in Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, Michigan. He worked in sawmills and cut cord-wood until he retired and went to live at the home of his son, Frederick, where he lied July 6, 1900, at the age of eighty-seven years. He was always a very active and ener- getic man and continued so to the time of his death, having been walking around the house within a half hour of the final summons. He was a Democrat in politics. Religiously, he
was a member of the German Lutheran Church, and three times assisted in building the German Lutheran Church at Madison avenue and Eighth street, Bay City. He married Christine Brunen- meyer, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and died in Bay City, at the age of 69 years and five days. They were parents of four children, as follows: Adam, a farmer of Portsmouth township; Frederick, our subject; John, who died at the age of 15 years; and Mary, of Muskegon, Michigan.
Frederick Beyer when a boy came to this country with his brother, their parents having preceded them to this country about one year. They made the journey from Hamburg to New York in a sailing vessel, the voyage consuming 42 days, and during this period occurred the IIth anniversary of the birth of our subject. The law at that time was such that Frederick and his brother were too young to travel alone, so a friendly lady took oath that she would see the boys safely to their parents. She took them to Buffalo, Detroit, Toledo and Chicago, finally leaving them in the latter city. There they remained for seven weeks, the landlord of their house taking excellent care of them, and when he finally sent them to their uncle in Aurora, Illinois, returned their money to them. They lived with their uncle two months and then went to Pontiac, Michigan, by rail, thence by stage to Saginaw, where they joined their father and mother. All the trouble had been caused by letters being missent. Frederick lived at home until he reached the age of 23 years, working in a sawmill as early as he was able. Later, in partnership with his brother, he conducted a lath and stave mill for some years. Later they both moved to Portsmouth township, Bay County, each buying a tract of 40 acres of good farm land. which they cul- tivated. Frederick Beyer sold his 40 acres to
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good advantage and purchased a farm of 120 acres in section 8, Merritt township, where he has since resided. He has since disposed of 60 acres of this farm by sale, and one acre by donation to the church, retaining 59 acres at the present time. At the time he acquired it, the property was all woodland and unimproved. He cleared it of its timber and erected a num- ber of good substantial buildings, necessary for the successful pursuit of farming. With the hardheads he cleared from his place he built the foundation for his home, which is one of the best farm houses in the township. He has en- gaged in general farming and stock-raising ; making a specialty of Jersey and Durham cat- tle of a high grade, and keeps an average of about 12 head, of which five are usually milch COWS.
On April 28, 1869, Frederick Beyer was united in marriage with Rosena Armbruster, who was born in Ohio, February 12, 1850, and was a daughter of William Armbruster, of Wurtemburg, Germany. She died May 8, 1889, having given birth to the following chil- dren : Fred, of Bay City ; Mary, wife of George Berndall, of Bay City; William, of Muskegon, Michigan; Annie, wife of John Kamiscke, of Detroit ; Adam, who died young ; Maggie, wife of Walter Pertenfelder, of Bay City; Adam, who lives in Bay City; Matthew, of Bay City; and Dora.
On September 20, 1890, Mr. Beyer mar- ried Mrs. Justina Mayer, nee Koebres, widow of Fred Mayer and a daughter of Adam Koebres of Germany. She was born in Wurt- emburg, Germany, February 24, 1850, and after her first husband's death came to this country with her two children : Charles Mayer, of Merritt township: and Maggie (Man) of Bay City. As a result of this union Mr. and Mrs. Beyer have a son, Henry, who is attending school at Bay City.
Our subject was a Democrat in politics un- til recent years; he is now a Republican. He served as highway commissioner three years, as drainage commissioner two years, as justice of the peace eight years, as treasurer of Merritt township two years, and as township clerk 13 consecutive years, filling that office at the pres- ent time. Owing to the delicate condition of his health he has refused offices of greater re- sponsibility. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, to which he donated one acre of his farm, and assisted in the erection of the present church.
EORGE LEARNED MOSHER, president and manager of the George L. Mosher Company, of West Bay City, Michigan, retail dealers in hardware, house furnishings, farm implements and carriages, was born in West Troy, New York, January 16, 1850, and is a son of Alfred and Amaretta (Learned) Mosher.
Zabad Mosher, grandfather of our subject, was born in Vermont, followed the occupa- tions of farming and teaching, and died in 1872, aged 81 years. His son Alfred Mosher, father of our subject, was born April 14, 1819, at Royalton, Vermont, and died September 12, 1898, at Watervliet, New York.
Alfred Mosher left home when about 16 years of age and became a grocery clerk in an establishment at Troy, New York, which per- mitted him to serve in this capacity during the winters and to spend his summers on a sloop sailing on the Hudson River. He became mas- ter and then owner of a vessel and continued on the river some 12 years. He then went into a lumber business at West Troy, his facilities for freighting on his own vessels making this very profitable. He became a prominent citizen of
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West Troy, served on the Police Board and was elected president of the village. The opening up of the great lumber interests in this section of Michigan attracted him hither in 1870, and he immediately began operating in timber lands. In 1879 he formed a partnership with his son Alfred, the firm name being Mosher & Son, and the business continued until it became finan- cially embarrassed in 1895. While this proved disastrous in a monetary way to Mr. Mosher, it proved to him the high regard in which he had been held by his fellow-citizens. They had implicit confidence in his business integrity and they showed that his great misfortune had not caused it to be withdrawn. On account of the large operations and connections of this firm, its failure was a public disaster in the sister cities, but Mr. Mosher's honesty was never for one moment questioned. Five of his nine children reached maturity, viz : George L., of West Bay City; Emily R., wife of George H. Tilden, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts ; Charles A., who died in 1885; Ella, who died in 1881 ; and Alfred, of Bay City. Our subject's parents were members of the North Dutch Reformed Church of West Troy.
George L. Mosher came to West Bay City in 1873 and was employed for about two years in his father's lumber office. Then he pur- chased an interest in his present business, which at that time was conducted by the firm of Moots & Rupff, and the firm style became Motts, Crane & Mosher, which continued two years, at the close of which period Mr. Mosher pur- chased his partners' interests and conducted the business alone from 1877 to 1896. In the latter year it was incorporated as the George L. Mosher Company, with our subject as president and manager, and his son, Alfred Locke Mosher, as secretary and treasurer. This is the oldest hardware house in West Bay City and probably has a larger trade than any other
retail concern of its line. Mr. Mosher is a care- ful, conservative man of business and stands very high with the trade and the public.
Mr. Mosher married Sarah J. Locke, who is a daughter of Charles Locke, of West Troy, New York, and they have three children : Al- fred Locke, Ambrose R. and Emily. The fam- ily belong to the Westminster Presbyterian Church, of West Bay City. Mr. Mosher is past master of Wenona Lodge, No. 296, F. & A. M .; and is a member of Bay City Chapter, No. 136, R. A. M .; and Bay City Commandery, No. 26, K. T.
EORGE E. WEDTHOFF, register of deeds for Bay County, Michigan, is one of the well-known, reliable and 0 substantial citizens of Bay City. Mr. Wedthoff was born at Bay City, February 20, 1870, and is a son of the late Albert R. and Louise (Schultz) Wedthoff.
Our subject's parents were both born in Germany. They are both deceased and are survived by four sons, our subject being the youngest. One brother, William F., is asso- ciated with the New York Life Insurance Com- pany.
George E. Wedthoff is one of Bay City's sons who has attained prominence through per- sonal endeavor. His school days ended at the age of 15 years and in 1885 he entered Judge Webster's office. In 1889 he was employed by Webster & Pettipiece, who were engaged in the abstract business. He was apt, careful and observing and after the formation of the Bay County Abstract Company he became its man- ager in 1895. He continued with that corpor- ation until his election as register of deeds in 1900. In 1903 he purchased a set of abstract books and has continued in the business for
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himself ever since. His careful, accurate, thorough work in this line has made his serv- ices of the greatest value. Mr. Wedthoff is also interested in other enterprises and is vice- president of the Mutual Building & Loan Asso- ciation of Bay County.
On September 12, 1894, Mr. Wedthoff was united in marriage with Nellie H. Crippen, who was born at Saginaw, Michigan. They have one son, Guy G. Mr. Wedthoff is a Republi- can in politics. Fraternally he is associated with many of the leading organizations, viz : Masons, Elks, Modern Woodmen of America, Foresters and Loyal Guards.
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