USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens > Part 82
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Mr. Galbraith was born in Ayrshire, Scot- land, December 25, 1845, and is a son of Don- ald and Catherine Galbraith, who came to Can- ada in the boyhood of their son. They settled near Toronto and there Archibald was reared and attended the schools of Durham District. The father engaged in lumbering, but the son preferred a less active life and engaged in bus- iness in a grocery store at Bowmanville. Later he embarked in a dry goods business for him- self, at Guelph, which he continued until 1892.
He was gifted with natural mechanical ability and it was during his mercantile life that he saw what might be accomplished if a high grade of hosiery could be placed on the market at a reasonable price and manufactured with- out a large outlay. He entered upon the bus- iness as an experiment, with hand knitting ma- chines, and manufactured a very superior ar- ticle for his own retail trade. The business increased rapidly, the experiment proving a success, so much so that in 1890 he disposed of his store and devoted all his energies to the manufacture of hosiery for the wholesale trade. He was prospering and a bright future seemed before him, when the financial panic of 1892 brought embarrassment upon him as to the number of large concerns which he carried on his books, and the result was absolute failure.
Mr. Galbraith then came to West Bay City. He still had faith in the line of business that he had developed, and started in again with a few hand knitting machines, all of the busi- ness being confined to the family circle. One member disposed of the product by canvassing from house to house and met with most encour- aging success. The capital with which Mr. Galbraith and family began operations at West Bay City consisted of two hand knitting ma- chines and $100, and the product had to be finished by hand. Within the first six months the orders exceeded the capacity of the work- ers and it became necessary to employ help, this being but the beginning of the expansion which has continued to the present day.
Early in January, 1899, the business was moved to Bay City and a store was opened at No. 410 Washington avenue in which to retail the finished product, but two years later the store was discontinued as that room was re- quired for additional manufacturing purposes. In the spring of 1901 the company built an ad- dition to the store and soon was obliged to rent
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an adjoining store at No. 412 Washington avenue, all the space being used for factory pur- poses. In July, 1902, the company purchased the McDonald flouring mill property. This they remodeled to suit the requirements of their business, equipped it with the best of modern machinery which enabled them to still turn out the best of goods with less cost of production. The business still continued to expand, making necessary, in 1905, still larger additions. The company has a main building 96 by 180 feet, with three stories and basement, and the ma- chinery is operated by electricity. The com- pany has a modern power plant for generating electricity which is conducted to the individual motors connected directly with each machine. This does away with shafting and belting and not only materially adds to the cleanliness of the work and surroundings but also to the safety of the employees. This plant furnishes employment to 200 operators, while 500 sales- men are required to carry the finished product to consumers, the policy of the house continu- ing the same as at its beginning, the selling of the product directly from factory to home, one which the remarkable growth of the business has shown to be satisfactory to all concerned.
The company has recently opened another department, installing machinery in its newest mill for the knitting of underwear. Each gar- ment is custom made, built according to the measurements of the purchaser. This prom- ises to be one of the most appreciated depart- ments, people of taste gladly supplying them- selves with garments so perfect in fit and finish. The company has been so well managed that there has been little or no friction. It has been generous in providing comforts and conven- iences for its employees, facilities being af- forded for providing hot meals at the factory, and a rest room has been set aside where all the luxuries of a home may be enjoyed during
the periods of relaxation, including the supply- ing of periodicals and other literature. A cor- dial feeling of mutual esteem makes this great hive of industry like one big family.
One of the main factors in the almost un- paralleled success of this company has been the maintenance of the quality of the goods with- out fluctuations in price, regardless of the cost of material. Another has been the marketing of the goods through agents directly to the con- sumer. In 1899 the business was incorporated as the Bay City Knitting Company and under this name its goods have gone all over the world. For this very reason the name became too local and one of wider significance became a matter of policy. Thus it came about, that in 1905, the old name was abandoned and the present one-World's Star Knitting Company -was adopted, which is more in consonance with the great territory covered by the com- pany's sales. Through all the changes and growth of this great industry, Mr. Galbraith has been one of its leading spirits and to his courage, perseverance, judgment and ability, much of its success is due. He continues the master mechanic of the mills.
Mr. Galbraith was married in Canada to Angeline Van Camp, who was a daughter of Thomas Van Camp, a resident of Durham Dis- trict. She died in 1880, leaving two children : Clarence A. and David Leonard. The former was born March 24, 1873, and has been asso- ciated with the business since its inception. He is now the capable superintendent of the fac- tory. He is a well-known citizen, respected in business circles all over the country, and is a member of the Knights of the Loyal Guards. The second son, David Leonard, was born April 24, 1877 and he, too, has always been connected with the family concern. He is now the secretary and treasurer of the company, and in addition has charge of the office and man-
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ages the selling force. He is a member of the Knights of the Loyal Guards; Eden Tent, No. 225, Knights of the Modern Maccabees, and is an official in Lodge No. 88, B. P. O. E. He married Helen Pearl, who is a daughter of Anton Pearl, of Bay City, and they have one son, Stuart Dranoel.
In 1882 Mr. Galbraith was married to Els- peth MacRobb, who was born at Oshawa, On- tario. They have one son, Frederick Norman. The family has always been identified with the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Galbraith belongs to the Canadian Order of Foresters.
ALENTINE KNODLE, a prosperous farmer of Bay County, whose farm is located in section 20, Fraser town- ship, was born in Germany in 1836, and when an infant was brought to America by his parents. They lived on the corner of Clin- ton and Scranton streets, Rochester, New York, and in that home two more children were born to them : Peter, who died in Bay City in 1903 ; and John, who died in the army during the Civil War.
The father of our subject was a soldier in Company I, 16Ist Reg., New York Vol. Inf. and served in Grover's division during General Banks' expedition. He died in the Soldiers' Home at Bath, New York, in his 85th year. The mother died when she was about 84 years old.
The subject of this sketch attended school in Rochester, New York, and when the family moved to Danville, Livingston County, New York, he went to work on a farm. In 1864 he came to Bay City and was employed in boiling salt, continuing thus for 13 years. In 1875 he located on his present farm of 80 acres. It was then a dense forest, and Mr. Knodle has
cleared every foot of the tract, having logs piled 40 feet high. He now has a fine orchard of 100 trees, covering two acres, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is also occupied in threshing.
On November 17, 1859, Mr. Knodle was married to Christiana Sick, a daughter of Philip and Christiana (Kiefer) Sick, both na- tives of Germany, who were engaged in farm- ing near Danville, New York.
Mr. and Mrs. Knodle have had eight chil- dren, as follows: Sophia, Julia C., William, Catherine, Charles, Frank E., Lewis Henry and Dorothy. Sophia was born in Danville, New York, January 4, 1860. She is the wife of James Coughill, and lives at Harbor Beach, Michigan. Julia C. was born November 19, 1862. She married John Lameraux, and has eight children, among which are the following : Thomas, Isabelle, Martha, Hollis, Pearl and Dewey. William was born April 3, 1864. Catherine was born November 5, 1865. She married Hugh Dining, and has five children : Lilly, Sophia, Valentine, Pearl and Roy. Charles was born November 8, 1867; Frank E. was born September 29, 1874. Lewis Henry and Dorothy are deceased.
In political action, the subject of this sketch is a Republican. Fraternally he is a Mason. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church.
ON. JAMES VANKLEECK, soldier, lawyer and statesman, was born in Exeter, Monroe County, Michigan, September 26, 1846. He is a direct descendant on the parental side of Baltus Van- Kleeck, who came to New York from Holland in 1610. His grandfather moved across the Canadian border, where his father, Robert VanKleeck, was born and grew to manhood,
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later seeking again the land of his forefathers, by coming to Michigan.
James VanKleeck was an ambitious student in the Monroe High School, when Fort Sumter was fired on, and he promptly came forward when less than 16 years old, in answer to Abra- ham Lincoln's call for volunteers. But none of the first regiments would have him as he was too young and too small. But he was not to be denied the privilege of serving his country, and in 1862 his patriotic ardor triumphed over the scruples of the commander of Company D. 17th Reg., Michigan Vol. Inf., who mustered him in as "drummer boy," that being the only legal way of enrolling the 16-year-old vol- unteer. But from the first he shouldered the musket with the rest of Company D, bearing all the hardships of Mcclellan's Peninsular campaign with as much fortitude as many older men.
At the battle of Antietam the 17th Michi- gan was in the forefront of battle, and his older comrades to this day delight to recall the fight- ing ardor of "Young VanKleeck," as they still call him. Late in the day, when the fortunes of battle were going against the Union Army, the little volunteer received a minie bullet in his left side, which he still carries, and from this wound he has suffered to this day. He lay for hours on the battle-field, among the dead and dying. He was finally carried to a field hospital, and later taken to the town made fa- mous by Whittier's immortal song "Barbara Frietchie," the quaint hamlet of Frederick, Maryland, where he was placed in a German Lutheran Church, which was being used as an emergency hospital for the thousands wounded in that campaign, and for eight long, dreary months, he lay under the belfry, too weak to be moved. This long siege has earned for him among Michigan's veterans the record for longest continuous church attendance! The
German pastor was indefatigable in his care for the wounded, being with them often day and night, together with the army nurses. Many anecdotes are told of this venerable preacher. Comrade Hopkins of the 17th Michigan died from wounds in this church hospital, and his brother, now Maj. George Hopkins, of De- troit, and once private secretary to General Alger, Secretary of War, wanted to escort the remains to their native heath in far-off Michi- gan. It was a critical period for the Army of the Potomac, and furloughs were out of the question. But the resourceful pastor concluded the soldier's uniform needed alterations, so he furnished Hopkins with civilian clothes, also passports for a friend to see the dead soldier safely home, and ere many days had passed, that uniform was mended, returned to its owner, and thereafter saw much active service. But VanKleeck was less fortunate. The wound would not heal, and on November 17, 1863, he was discharged for disability.
Refreshed by the cool breezes of Lake Erie he read law with Baldwin & Rafter at Monroe, entered the University of Michigan in 1868, and graduated from the law department in June, 1870. Shortly after he located at Mid- land, with a "cash paid-up capital of $4" to begin life and practice for himself. Pluck car- ried the day. He served two terms as city attorney and two terms as county prosecutor. In 1882 he was elected to the State Legis- ture, where he served for several years on the judiciary and University of Michigan com- mittees.
In 1885 he crossed the county line to the east, and entered into a partnership with George W. Mann in Bay City. He was appointed com- missioner of immigration by Governor Alger in 1885, and elected prosecuting attorney in 1886. He served four years on the Board of Educa- tion, two years as president, and contributed
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much to the development of the present splen- did school system. In 1890 he was the Re- publican candidate for Congress in the 10th Congressional District of Michigan, when that district was favorable to the opposition, T. A. E. Weadock, Democrat, winning out by a nar- row margin.
Mr. VanKleeck is a past commander of U. S. Grant Post, No. 67, G. A. R. He was unanimously chosen department commander for Michigan, 1901-02, being presented with a beautiful, solid gold past commander's badge. It is inscribed : "Presented to Comrade James VanKleeck, Department of Michigan, G. A. R., as a token of their appreciation of his services as department commander for the term ending January 13, 1902." In his annual ad- dress the retiring commander covered vigor- ously all the various departments and features of Michigan's G. A. R., lauded the army nurses of the South as well as the North, and praised the loyal service of the volunteers then serving in the Philippines, who were being assailed at home and abroad as inhuman, insisting that men who are brave are also humane and tender- hearted. ' The address was widely circulated and heartily endorsed.
In addition to being a member of U. S. Grant Post, No. 67, G. A. R., Mr. VanKleeck is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Sher- idan Camp, No. 5, National League of Vet- erans and Sons.
In 1872 Mr. VanKleeck wooed and won Juliette C. Carpenter, daughter of Thomas J. Carpenter, one of Midland's most prominent pioneers. Three children have blessed the union : James C., aged 21, now in the Attorney General's office at Lansing, assisting in the fa- mous State case against the railroads of Michi- gan, who are trying to evade State taxation; Edith A., graduate of the literary department
of the University of Michigan; and Delia, a student at Michigan's famous University. The family are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and reside on Fifth avenue. Few men in Michigan are more widely and favorably known than Mr. VanKleeck.
E DGAR B. FOSS. Among the repre- sentative, public-spirited business men of Bay City, no one stands higher in the esteem of his fellow-citizens than the gentleman whose career is here briefly traced. Edgar B. Foss was born in Williman- tic, Connecticut, in 1853. His parents, John and Sarah (Slade) Foss, were natives of New England, his father having been born in Rhode Island, of English parents, while his mother, the daughter of a Quaker minister, was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. There were IO children in the family, one of whom, Sam- uel S., served through the Rebellion as adju- tant of the Eighth Regiment, Connecticut Vol. Inf., receiving a wound at Fort Darling.
Edgar B. Foss, the youngest of the family, was reared to young manhood in Rhode Island, attending the common schools of Woonsocket and later a business college at Providence, Rhode Island. At the age of 17 he came to Michigan and entered the employ of D. A. Ballou, of Kawkawlin, Bay County, a lumber manufacturer of that place. As he was unac- quainted with the work, he began at the bottom but soon worked his way up and in 1872 ac- cepted a very desirable position which was ten- dered him by Van Etten, Kaiser & Company as their representative, his territory being the en- tire State of Ohio. Six years later, with his brother Samuel, he formed the company of S. S. & E. B. Foss and purchased the lumber of his former employers, Van Etten, Kaiser &
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Company, continuing the business there until 1879, when they disposed of it and moved to Bay City to take advantage of the better facil- ities for putting their stock on the market. Their first location was on the West Side, but they later moved to their present yards in Bay City, where they have every convenience for ship- ping. In 1883 Samuel S. Foss was thrown from a buggy and killed. His interest in the business was then purchased by our subject, who soon after took J. M. Leiter into partner- ship. In 1888 Mr. Leiter retired, since which time Mr. Foss has managed the large business alone. In addition to his lumber-yard, which is one of the largest and best situated in the county, Mr. Foss operates a large plant for the manufacture of dressed lumber, turning out the best grades; the business requires a number of salesmen to keep it up to the standard at which he has placed it. He is a director of the Old Second National Bank, and treasurer and manager of the Wenona Coal & Mining Company.
While Mr. Foss has never sought political preferment, he has always given the weight of his influence to all public movements which promised increased prosperity for Bay City. He served the city efficiently for four years as a member of the Board of Aldermen. In 1905 Mr. Foss was given the honor of carrying the Michigan electoral vote to Washington. His name was suggested when, after a spirited con- test in the Electoral College, it became evident that none of the aspirants for the honor could win, and he was chosen on the 26th ballot. He enjoyed the privilege of admission to the floor of the Senate on January 15th, it being one of the electoral messenger's perquisites. He was also the recipient of many courtesies from the United States Senators from Michigan. He was presented to President Roosevelt in the White House.
Mr. Foss was married in 1871 to Eliza- beth Fitzgerald, a native of Limerick, Ireland, by whom he has three children,-Walter I., Edgar H. and Edith H. Mrs. Foss is a mem- ber of the Protestant Episcopal Church and a lady whose kind, motherly heart and sympa- thetic manner have won her a host of warm friends among both old and young. Mr. Foss occupies a prominent place in both social and business circles. He has taken every degree in Free Masonry to the 33rd degree. He is a mem- of Joppa Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M .; Blanch- ard Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M .; Bay City Com- mandery, No. 26, K. T .; and Bay City Coun- cil, No. 53, R. & S. M., all Scottish Rite bodies in Bay City; and Michigan Sovereign Consis- tory, S. P. R. S., and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Detroit.
e YRELLE RABY, one of the well- known citizens of Bay County, whose 30 acres of well-improved land in section 29, Hampton township, he has owned and occupied since 1885, was born December 15, 1842, at Ottawa Lake, some 36 miles north of Montreal, Canada. He is a son of Hyacinth and Joset (Charlette) Raby.
The father of Mr. Raby was born at Quebec, of French parents. The mother was of Ger- man and French extraction. Hyacinth Raby, who was a farmer by occupation, was 65 years of age when he came to Bay County, Michigan. For years prior to his death, at the age of 87 years and four months, he lived retired. The mother was a native of Montreal and spent the last few months of her life with our subject, who was one of her II children, dying at the age of 62 years.
Cyrelle Raby was 19 years of age before he left his father's Canadian farm. In 1861 he
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and a brother came to Bay County which has been his home ever since. For several years he worked at carpenter work and then bought a comfortable home on 18th street, Bay City, which he occupied for 23 years and still owns. He entered the Bradley mills, where for 17 years he was superintendent and millwright, with 100 men in his employ, having complete charge. After 23 years in mill work, Mr. Raby decided to try farming, securing his present place when it was still wild land. This he cleared himself and placed under cultivation, operating it for some time but now having his son take charge of affairs. Its many improve- ments make this one of the most attractive and comfortable homes on the Center avenue road.
On July 16, 1866, Mr. Raby was married to Mary Bauer, who was born June 20, 1842, at Quebec, Canada, and came to Bay City, with her brother, a few months prior to her mar- riage. Mr. and Mrs. Raby have four children, namely : Emma (Mrs. Gregory), of Bay City, who has two sons and one daughter : Cyrelle, who married Mary Spegel and operates the home farm; James, an officer in the United States Navy, who was married in 1896 to Jan- etta Callahan and has one daughter; and Jo- seph, of Bay City, who married Cora Conlon. Mr. Raby and family belong to St. John's Catholic Church at Essexville.
Mr. Raby's son, Lieut. James Raby, has made an honorable record in the navy. He was born September 17, 1874, at Bay City, and was 16 years old when he was admitted to the great United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. On July 1, 1897, he was commis- sioned ensign, and later was advanced to lieu- tenant and the latest advices received in No- vember, 1904, from his ship, the "Monadnock," then stationed at Shanghai, China, were to the effect that he was to be made navigator and have charge of the target practice as ordnance
officer. He seems to have a brilliant future in store. His home is at San Francisco, Cal- ifornia.
OHN L. WEBER, who owns one of the fine homes of Portsmouth town- ship, consisting of 63 acres of well- cultivated land in section I, where is located one of the modern residences of the lo- cality, 20 acres in section 36 and 40 more acres in section 33, is a native of Bay County, and was born February 24, 1860, in Hampton township. He is a son of Philip and Mary (Saxlinger) Weber.
Philip Weber was born in Germany some 80 years ago and now resides at Bay City. The mother of our subject was also born in Ger- many and has passed her 61st birthday. They have a comfortable home on Park avenue, Bay City. They have six children, namely : Mrs. Mary Rodel, of Bay City ; John L .; Mrs. Min- nie Gies, of Portsmouth township; Mrs. Maggie Boehringer, of Bay City ; George, who is farming the old homestead; and Mrs. Bar- bara Weber, of Hampton township.
John L. Weber was reared in Hampton township and attended school there but has lived on his present farm for the past 20 years. When he located on it, only 15 acres of the property had been cleared; all the subsequent clearing was done by him. He has erected a fine home and substantial barns and shelters and has placed his land under a fine state of cultivation. He carries on general farming, paying most attention to grain and hay, and keeps 40 head of cattle. He is ranked with the successful and enterprising agriculturists of the county.
In August, 1882, Mr. Weber was united in marriage with Rosa Schabel, who was born in Merritt township. Bay County, Michigan, Au-
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gust 15, 1861, and is a daughter of Paul and Barbara Schabel, natives of Germany. Their family of four children-Fred John, Minnie, William Philip and Leo Charles-are all at home yet and make a happy, united family.
Mr. Weber has never taken any very active part in politics beyond voting-the duty of every good citizen-and he has always sup- ported at such times the candidates and meas- ures of the Republican party.
EURIG LLOYD DAVIES, secre- tary and treasurer of the North American Chemical Company, whose plant is located in Bay City, was born in Liverpool, England, October 3, 1865, and is a son of William H. and Eliza- beth Lloyd (Griffith) Davies.
Mr. Davies' father was born in Liverpool, England, September 11, 1830, and still resides in his native city. The greater part of his life has been spent in business as an estate agent.
Mr. Davies of this sketch was educated at the Liverpool College and the Liverpool Uni- versity and received his business training with the noted chemical firm of James Muspratt & Sons. In 1890 that firm, together with the greater number of the large chemical operators, was absorbed in the United Alkali Company, Ltd., capitalized at $42,000,000. This is the parent company of the North American Chem- ical Company.
The North American Chemical Company was incorporated April 21, 1898, with John Brock, of Liverpool, England, as president ; and Meurig L. Davies, as secretary and treas- urer. The company purchased the McGraw mill property and erected mills suitable for the manufacture of its products, locating the plant on the Saginaw River south of 40th street.
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