USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens > Part 80
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works at Sault Ste. Marie. Mr. Thompson spent one year at Lansing, Michigan, as city engineer and then returned to the Sault where he was assistant engineer on the Water Power Canal until 1891, when he became city engineer of West Bay City, a position he has filled ever since.
Mr. Thompson married Kate M. Whitmore, who is a daughter of George R. and Frances (Nims) Whitmore, of Champaign, Illinois. Mrs. Thompson was born in Vermont. Her father, the late George R. Whitmore, was a son of Perley Whitmore and was born in Win- field, Vermont, in 1835 and died March 8, 1897. He was a school teacher the greater part of his life, and came to Wenona, now West Bay City, in 1873, from Marine City, Michi- gan, where he had taught school for many years. In 1880 he left West Bay City and re- moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he engaged in the fire insurance business until his death. He married Frances Nims, who was born December 5. 1832, and is a daughter of Warren Nims, a native of New York. They had two children : Mrs. Thompson and Perley Nims. Mrs. Whitmore makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.
Politically the family voters have been identified with the Whig and Republican par- ties. Mr. Thompson has served in several po- litical offices, having been deputy treasurer of Bay County for several terms and in 1882 and 1883 was city recorder of West Bay City. He is a member, like the other masculine members of the family. of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs toWenona Lodge, No. 296, F. & A. M. of which he is past master ; of Blanchard Chap- ter, No. 59, R.A. M., and all the Scottish Rite bodies up to the 18th degree in Bay City. He is a 32d degree Mason, having taken the de- grees from the 18th to the 32d in Michigan
Sovereign Consistory, S. P. R. S., at Detroit. He belongs also to Bay Tent, No. 194, Knights of the Modern Maccabees.
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have three chil- dren : Ray W., Jessie S. and Leone. The fam- ily attend the Presbyterian Church.
RANK SERMEYER, who owns a valuable truck and fruit farm situ- ated near Bay City, consisting of 30 acres in section 19, Hampton town- ship, was born June 18, 1858, at Bay City, and is a son of Joseph and Theresa (Sattler) Sermeyer.
The parents of Mr. Sermeyer were born in Bavaria, Germany, the father in 1809 and the mother, in 1816. The former died at Bay City at the age of 62 years, and the mother died on March 12, 1895, aged 79 years. Joseph Ser- meyer came to America in 1852, a stone-mason and carpenter, trades he followed for a time and then engaged in farming. He was one of the first Republicans in his locality. In re- ligious faith he was a Catholic. The children of Joseph Sermeyer and wife were: Jacob, who died in Germany ; John N., of Bay City ; J. B., of West Branch, Michigan; Joseph, who has been lost sight of; and Martin (deceased) and our subject, who were both born in America.
Frank Sermeyer has lived in Bay County all his life and was 10 years of age when the family removed to Hampton township. His little farm is one of great fertility and is in a high state of cultivation. He raises garden produce and fruit and makes a specialty of the tuber known as the "six weeks potato."
On July 10, 1883. Mr. Sermeyer was united in marriage with Margaret Lynch, who was born at Bay City, October 24, 1865, and is a
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daughter of Thomas and Hannah ( Reardon) Lynch, both of whom were born in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Sermeyer have no children.
Ever since attaining his majority, Mr. Ser- meyer has been identified with the Republican party, and on numerous occasions he has served in township offices. He is the present treas- urer of Hampton township, has been constable and path-master, and in November, 1894, was a member of the Bay County grand jury. He bears the reputation of being one of the honor- able and upright men of his section. He has owned his fine farm for the past 10 years, hav- ing acquired it through his own efforts. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Catholic Church.
RANK ELLIOTT TYLER, an enter- prising business man of Bay City, president of the Bay City Omnibus Company, president of the Wood's Opera House Company, one of the managers of the Crapo Building Company and one of the managers of the Shearer Brothers Building, was born April 4, 1852, at Flushing, Michigan, and is the only surviving son of the late Dr. Columbus V. and Marie (Herrick) Tyler.
Mr. Tyler was 19 years old when he accom- panied his parents to Bay City, where he worked as bookkeeper for the old dry goods house of Munger & Company for two years and then en- tered the Bay City Bank. In this institution he filled every position from bookkeeper to as- sistant cashier and is still associated with it as a member of its directing board.
Mr. Tyler then embarked in an extensive livery business, building for its accommoda- tion the fine brick stable on Saginaw street, which is now occupied by the Bay City Omni- bus Company. He was one of the organizers
of this company and has ever since been its president. He has many other large business interests here, all of which are pushed with the vigor and success of an able business man. Al- though he has always shown commendable in- terest in the development of Bay City, he has never taken as active a part in city politics as have many of his contemporaries, usually cast- ing his influence in the direction of tried, true men, oblivious of party ties. In 1890 he was elected alderman but an attack of typhoid fever prevented him taking as prominent a stand on the leading questions of that time as he desired. Until 1896 he was a Democrat, by sympathy and rearing, but since then has been identified with the Republican party, voting first for the late President Mckinley .. He is a member of the Board of Police Commissioners and one of the directors of the Elm Lawn Cemetery Com- pany.
In 1875 Mr. Tyler married Ella Fay, who is a daughter of Hon. William L. Fay, who was one of the first mayors of Bay City. His son, La Fountain, is a student in the Detroit University and will graduate in the class of 1905 in mechanical engineering. The family belong to Trinity Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Tyler has been a vestryman for a number of years. Fraternally he is a member of Joppa Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M., Bay City Chapter, No. 136 R. A. M., and the Scottish Rite bod- ies in Bay City to the 18th degree, and Scot- tish Rite bodies at Detroit from the 18th to the 32d. He is a member of Michigan Sovereign Consistory, S. P. R. S., and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., both of Detroit. Mr. Tyler assisted in the organization of the first lodge of Elks in Bay City, although he is not now con- nected with that body. Socially he belongs to the Bay City Club.
Mr. Tyler stands deservedly high in the estimation of his fellow citizens. To the
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stranger he appears, in addition to being a cap- able, polished man of affairs, a sincere, cour- teous, refined gentleman.
R ICHARD GILLESPIE, principal of the Bay City Business College, is one of the well-equipped educators of Bay County. He was born near Cobourg, Canada, September 24, 1869, and is a son of Edward and Martha (Davies) Gillespie.
The parents of Mr. Gillespie have passed their lives in the Dominion of Canada and now reside in the vicinity of Hamilton, Ontario, where they located about 1870. The father was born near Cobourg, December 7, 1824, and although he has passed his 80th milestone he is still active, both in mind and body. He has always led an agricultural life. He married Martha Davies and they had seven children, viz: William, of Battle Creek, Michigan; Elizabeth, wife of Wesley Packham, of Hamil- ton, Ontario; Sarah Jane, wife of George T. Packham, living near Hamilton, Ontario; Charles, of Perry Sound, Ontario; Mary, wife of D. D. Springsted, living near Hamilton ; Margery, wife of Robert Lewis, of Hamilton, Ontario; and Richard, of this sketch.
Richard Gillespie comes of sturdy old Scotch ancestry, his paternal grandfather hav- ing left his native land on account of religious persecution. He settled at Belfast, Ireland, and some years later was an early settler in the Province of Ontario. Our subject was edu- cated in the public schools at Hamilton, the Hamilton Collegiate Institute, the Albert Col- lege at Belleville, Ontario, and later secured a Ist grade teacher's certificate from the Hamil- ton Institute. He then engaged in teaching in the suburbs of Hamilton for some four years, filling important and responsible positions. In
1897 he turned his attention especially to com- mercial work and subsequently came to Bay City to become principal of the business depart- ment of the college here, and in 1903 was ap- pointed principal of the college. Notable changes have been made since his connection with the school, resulting in increased attend- ance and extended facilities. The graduates have no trouble in securing good positions, the thorough preparation given them here making them familiar with every form of a bus- iness education. Special attention is given to penmanship, Professor Gillespie giving this his personal direction. He secured his training at the Zanerian Art College at Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Gillespie was married to Edith Will- iams, who is a daughter of Henry Williams, of Hamilton, Ontario, and they have three chil- dren : Margery, Cora and Florence. The fam- ily are adherents of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is a member of Joppa Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M. He has made a name for himself in Bay County as an educator and has won many personal friends on account of his courteous manner and sterling character.
OHN M. ARNOLD, one of the leading men of Monitor township, who owns a fine, well-improved farm of 70 acres in section 30, Monitor township, and 30 acres in section 19, Bangor township, was born June 27, 1868, at Salzburg, Bay County, Michigan, and is a son of John G. and Anna B. (Zill) Arnold.
John G. Arnold was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, and came to America in 1853, on a sail- ing vessel which was tossed on the ocean for nine weeks. Two years prior to this his two sisters had come to Bay County and were mar- ried and settled in Frankenlust township. Mr.
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Arnold joined them and was a resident of the county from that time until his death, which occurred July 30, 1900. At first the young man sought any kind of work that he could do, providently saved his money and in 1854 bought 20 acres of wild land in Salzburg, which he placed under a fine state of cultiva- tion and then added 40 acres more. Then, in partnership with two others, he bought 80 acres in Monitor township; in 1868, 30 acres in Bangor township; and in 1888, another 30 acres in Monitor township. All these lands he redeemed from the wilderness, draining, clear- ing and cultivating them. He also owned 20 acres on Center street, Bay City, of which prop- erty all was sold but five acres. Prior to his death, he gave 66 1-3 acres to his son George L., and 30 acres to our subject, the latter being a wedding present. Politically he was a stanch Democrat. He was one of the leading mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church, of which he was a trustee and for two years was treas- urer. His remains were laid to rest in Monitor township. His children were : Margaret ( Mrs. A. G. Hufnagel) ; Barbara E., wife of George Feinauer ; Michael, deceased; George L., a farmer of Monitor township; Maria A., who married J. L. Hufnagel, and at her death left two children,-Andrew M. and Clara A .; Anna B., wife of George Leiberger ; John M., of this sketch; and Kunigunda, deceased.
Our subject was educated in the schools of Frankenlust township and enjoyed the advan- tages of one term at Salzburg. When he mar- ried, his father gave him 30 acres in Monitor township and he purchased 40 acres, and he has continued to carry on general farming ever since. He has a very valuable property and an exceedingly pleasant home.
On May 1, 1890, Mr. Arnold was married to Maria K. Kolb, who is a daughter of Thomas G. and Margaret (Gerhaenser) Kolb, and they
have had seven children, all of whom survive, except the eldest, George L., namely : John G., Adam G., Edwin G., Emily A. B., Alfred G., and Edmund L., the eldest 13 years old and the youngest, a babe of two years. This is a bright, merry, happy family, who will be given every chance to develop into first-class Ameri- can citizens.
Grandfather Kolb was born in Germany in 1821, and his wife, in 1818. They came to America with their son, Thomas G. Kolb, in 1852, and Mr. Kolb worked in the lumber mills until he had earned enough to buy II acres of wild land in Frankenlust township. This was his home for many years. He adopted the principles of the Democratic party and was very highly thought of, and served as road- master and as township treasurer. He was buried in West Bay City. Mrs. Arnold's father was six years old when the family came to Michigan. He assisted his father until the age of 24 years, and then married, and became the father of II children, viz: Maria R. (Mrs. Arnold) ; Margaret E., wife of Leonard Ger- linger; Caroline A., wife of John Scherzer; George, of Brooks, Bay County; Barbara A. (Mrs. Heaberland) ; Johanna, wife of John Huber; John H., of Monitor township; Anna B., deceased; Fred J., of Monitor township; Michael G., deceased; and Emma, of Monitor township. Mr. and Mrs. Kolb reside in sec- tion 30, Monitor township.
Mr. Arnold has always taken part in poli- tics and is one of the stanch Democrats of the county. In 1892 he was elected township treas- urer and in 1893 he was reelected. The largest vote ever known in the township was polled and at the next election he had no opposition what- ever. This was a pretty fair evidence of the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. In 1894 he was appointed census taker by his friends' efforts, without his knowledge. In
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1896 he was elected township clerk and after- wards was reelected, serving in all six years. His capable management of the clerk's office has resulted in general satisfaction through the township, and by his courteous and oblig- ing manner he has won hosts of friends. These regret the partial loss of hearing, which was caused by a serious accident in 1899.
ACOB F. BOES, proprietor of a meat market at No. 705 Adams street, Bay City, is also the owner of a large stock and fruit farm near the city. He is one of the enterprising and progressive busi- ness men of this locality, having risen to a posi- tion of importance in the community from the lowest round of the ladder. He was born at Port Washington, Ohio, July 12, 1862, and is a son of Charles J. and Caroline (Eckfield) Boes.
Charles J. Boes was born in Birkenfeld, Germany, October 2, 1830, and died September 15, 1881. His father, John Boes, was a wealthy dealer in linseed oil and was a manufacturer of linen on the river Rhine. Charles J. Boes was a young man when he came to America and lo- cated at once in Cleveland, Ohio, where he be- came a malt buyer for a big malting concern. He traveled extensively through New York State, Michigan and Canada until 1852, in which year he entered the employ of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company as construction foreman. He had charge of a gang of 1,000 men in the construction of the "Panhandle" Railroad from Pittsburg to Columbus. He continued with that road until 1863 or 1864, then proceeded to Port Washington, Ohio, where he conducted a general store and meat market until 1872. In that year he moved to Coshocton, Ohio, where he leased and con-
ducted a brewery with success for some years. In the winter of 1874-75 he purchased ice from Saginaw, Michigan, at $20 per ton F. O. B., but as he could not get a sufficient quantity $25,000 worth of beer was lost. He closed out the brewery and returned to Port Washington, where he went into the grocery and saloon bus- iness, at which he continued until his death. He was a Democrat in politics and served as alder- man and held other minor offices. He was a very popular man, was generous to a fault and a good friend to all who knew him. He married Caroline Eckfield, who was born in Birkenfeld, Germany, February 2, 1836, and was a daughter of Jacob Eckfield, who came to this country from Germany in 1840 and lived at Mount Eaton, Ohio, where he followed farm- ing. Eight children blessed this union, seven of whom grew up, namely: Caroline, wife of Edward J. Schmidt, of Unionville, Michigan; Elizabeth, deceased; Otto C., deceased; Jacob F .; George B., a carriage manufacturer of Bell- ingham, Washington; Christina, wife of Fred C. Leyer, of Unionville ; and Theodore C. All were members of the German Lutheran Church. The Eckfield family is noted for its longevity, nearly all reaching the age of 84 years or more. The father of Mrs. Boes died in 1875, aged 72 years, while his wife attained the age of 84 years.
Jacob F. Boes received a common-school education and when 13 years old started to make his own way in the world, working on a farm for $8 per month. He continued until October of the same year, then served an ap- prenticeship of three years to the tanner's trade, working at this eight months of the year, the other four months being spent in a planing-mill and in attendance at night school. He next served two years at learning the butcher's trade, after which on April 21, 1883, he came to Bay City, his capital at that time being $73.20,
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which he had saved out of his earnings. Two days later he began work for W. E. Tapert, on Center avenue, and two months later for George W. Mansfield, with whom he remained until January 18, 1889. Two days later he entered the employ of L. Bertch & Son, and on August 26, 1890, formed a partnership with E. W. Funnell, under the firm name of Funnell & Boes. After one year the partnership was dis- solved and on September 14, 1891, he opened his present meat shop. In 1896 he bought the old Partridge farm on the Tuscola road, where he lives and raises stock and fruit. He feeds more cattle than any man in Bay County, also sheep, hogs and poultry, and does much of his own killing. He is secretary of the Retail Butchers' Association. He is a member of Joppa Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M .; Lodge No. 88, B. P. O. E., and Camp No. 1328, M. W. A., being venerable councillor for three years, dur- ing which time the membership of the lodge was increased from 14 to 140 members.
Jacob F. Boes was united in marriage with Katherine Hoffmann, a daughter of Frank H. Hoffmann, of Bay City, who came here in 1854. This union resulted in the following issue : Lillian M., aged 15 years; Helen L., aged 10 years; Katherine May, aged five years ; Dolores C., aged three years. Our subject and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.
€ DWARD M. WRATTEN. a well- known and popular railroad official of Bay City, occupies the position of freight agent of the Detroit & Mack- inaw and Pere Marquette railroads.
Mr. Wratten was born in Utica, New York, March 29, 1845, and is a son of Richard and Mary E. (Messenger ) Wratten.
Richard Wratten was born in Kent, Eng-
land, where he learned the trade of a carpenter. He was a young, unmarried man when he came to America. After following his trade in New York City for some time, he went to Utica, New York, where he worked as a carpenter during the remainder of his active life. He married Mary E. Messenger, a daughter of John Messenger, of Jamaica, Long Island, and later of Sodus, New York. Their union re- sulted in three children, namely: Edward M .; Amy (Mrs. Dagwell), of Utica, New York; and Mary Elizabeth, who is married and re- sides in Utica. Richard Wratten died in 1898, at the age of 82 years, his wife having passed away in 1894, when 84 years old. Both were members of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Mr. Wratten's grandfather was a native of Kent, England, and a carpenter by trade. He came to America at the same time as did his son Richard, and for many years carried on business as a carpenter and joiner in Utica. He lived to the age of 88 years. On the maternal side, Mr. Wratten's great-grandfather (Mes- senger) was an early settler on Long Island.
The subject of this sketch attended the pub- lic schools of Utica, and after completing his early mental training was employed as clerk in a store until 1871. In that year he came to Michigan and located in Bay City, where he en- tered the employ of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad Company, as a clerk in the freight office. In the course of time he was promoted to be cashier, and in 1888 was again promoted to the position of freight agent.
At the beginning of Mr. Wratten's service with the company here, but three men includ- ing himself, were employed in the freight office. The number of clerks and warehouse men now employed in the freight department in Bay City is 26. Much of the increase in business indicated by this fact is attributed to the faith- ful management of Mr. Wratten.
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The subject of this sketch was married to Hester Jane White, a daughter of Thomas White, of Utica, New York. Four sons re- sulted from their union, namely : Arthur D., of Bay City, warehouse foreman for the Pere Marquette Railroad Company; and three who died in infancy. Mrs. Wratten died in Janu- ary, 1902, aged 55 years. She was a member of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church of Bay City.
In politics, Mr. Wratten is a Republican, but is not ambitious for political preferment. Fraternally, he is a member of Joppa Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M .; Blanchard Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M .; Bay City Commandery, No. 26, K. T .; and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Detroit.
€ DWARD C. BABCOCK, a well- known citizen of Bay City, is engaged in the business of a general decorator and dealer in wall-paper and painters' supplies.
Mr. Babcock was born in Buffalo, New York, February 3, 1861, and is a son of Ed- ward V. and Sarah (Cornwell) Babcock. His father was a native of the same city, and learned the painters' and decorators' trade when a boy. This he followed as a journeyman in Buffalo until 1865. He then came to Bay City and pursued the same occupation about six years. At that period he established the busi- ness which the subject of this sketch now car- ries on. He was the first man engaged in this line of work in Bay City, and was active until the time of his death, which occurred in 1896, at the age of 56 years. His first location was at No. 508 Jackson street.
Edward V. Babcock married Sarah Corn- well. of Buffalo, and they had three children,
namely : Edward C .; George R., of Portland, Michigan; and Lucy, wife of Louis Koch, of Bay City. The father of this family attended the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his widow is a member. Fraternally, he was a member of Bay City Lodge, No. 129, F. & A. M., of which he was worshipful master sev- eral years. He also belonged to Blanchard Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M., of which he was past high priest ; and to Bay City Commandery, No. 26, K. T.
Edwin Babcock, the father of Edwin V., was a native of Buffalo, New York. There when a boy he learned the carpenter's trade, and pursued that vocation throughout his life. The subject of this sketch received his early mental training in the public schools of Bay City, after which he learned the trade of painter and decorator with his father. He also gave considerable study to portrait and figure work, in which line he is the only artist in the city. He was in business with his father from 1884 until the latter's death under the firm name of E. V. Babcock & Son.
In 1896 Mr. Babcock opened a store at No. 909 Center avenue, where he continued two years, and then moved to No. 816 Washington avenue, where he remained until 1905, when he located in his own building on Jefferson street, near the Pere Marquette Railroad Sta- tion. This was formerly the home of Devlin's Business College. At first Mr. Babcock merely dealt in wall-paper, paints and oils. Now he does an extensive business throughout the State in decorating churches and theaters and resi- (lences of the higher grade. He has done work on about 50 churches outside of Bay County and employs on an average 20 men throughout the year.
Mr. Babcock married Rosa Belle Schune- man, a daughter of Isaac N. Schuneman, of Metamor ?. Michigan, and they have one son,-
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Harry N. The family attend the Congrega- tional Church. Politically, Mr. Babcock is a Republican, and has served a term as member of the Board of Education. He is not an as- pirant for office.
Fraternally, the subject of this sketch is a 32d degree Mason, being a member of Joppa Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M .; Michigan Sov- ereign Consistory, S. P. R. S., at Detroit; and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Detroit. He is also a member of the Maccabees and of the Modern Woodmen of America.
ELSON LETOURNEAU, who is a successful farmer and prosperous merchant in section 9, Kawkawlin township, and the owner of a farm of 40 acres here and of 160 acres in section 2, Garfield township, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1846, and is a son of Eustache and Zoe (Ramon) Letourneau.
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