USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 28
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Mr. Bromberg became a naturalized citizen of the United States as soon as possible after his arrival in this country, and he is deeply appre- ciative of the land of his adoption, where he has found opportunity for the gaining of large and worthy success and where he has won a host of loyal friends. He is essentially liberal and progressive in his civic attitude and his political allegiance is given to the Republican party. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Battle Creek lodge of
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Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and also holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and the Athelstan Club. He was associated in the organization of the Country Club, but is not identified with the same at the present time. He finds his chief interests centered in his home, which is one of ideal associations, and there he is usually to be found when not engrossed in the affairs of business. He and his family hold membership in the Independent Congregational church and he has been one of its liberal supporters for a score of years. The attractive home of Mr. Bromberg is a fine property and is owned by him, the same being located at 136 Fremont street, at the corner of Henry street, and being a center of gracious hospitality.
On the 5th of March, 1889, Mr. Bromberg was united in marriage to Miss Etta A. Squire, who was born and reared in Battle Creek and who is a daughter of Daniel Squire, an old and honored citizen of Calhoun county. Her twin sister, Eva, is now the wife of Charles A. Broceus, manager of the Oppenheimer Cigar Company's establishment in Battle Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Bromberg have four children: Flora, who is the wife of C. B. Powers, of Battle Creek; Margaret, who is a member of the class of 1911 in Wells College, at Aurora, New York; and Henrietta and Clara, who remain at the parental home.
Louis J. Gregory, the business associate of Mr. Bromberg, learned the jeweler's trade under his direction nearly a quarter of a century ago and was admitted to partnership, as junior member of the firm of Bromberg & Gregory, on the 1st of July, 1911.
ARTHUR S. KIMBALL, M. D. The life of the city physician and sur- geon in these modern days is one of unceasing activity. Modern methods and the high rate of speed with which civilization pursues its relentless way, makes demands upon the time and energy of the physician greater, perhaps, than upon men in any other profession. The extent to which specialization is pushed, the deep study required to keep abreast of the discoveries of the age and the everlasting call of the suffering public all combine to sap the vitality of the most rugged.
But as modern days are strenuous, so the modern man has some- thing of power in his make-up which works best under pressure. Dr. Arthur S. Kimball, the well-known Battle Creek physician and sur- geon, is a modern instance of a man well-equipped to handle the re- sponsibilities of high medical positions. He is a native of New England, that cradle of so much of our national history, his birthplace being Cummington, Massachusetts, and the date of the event April 25, 1878. He is a son of Dr. Arthur H. Kimball, who died in this city August 6, 1894. He had removed to this city from Cummington some thirteen years prior to his death. The mother, whose maiden name was Marian Baker, survives and makes her home in this city, her residence being at the old homestead at 196 Maple street. She, likewise, was a native of the old Bay state, her life record having begun in the town of South Dennis. Dr. Kimball's only brother, Frank H., is deceased.
Dr. Kimball was a child five years of age when his parents removed to this city from Massachusetts. His preliminary education was acquired in the excellent public schools of Battle Creek, and he was graduated from their higher department with the class of 1896. He then entered Dartmouth College at Hanover, New Hampshire, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from that time-honored institution in 1900. Having in the meantime come to the conclusion to follow in the footsteps of his deceased father in the matter of choosing a life work, he matriculated in the medical department of the University of Mich- igan and in 1903 received his professional degree. He entered upon
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his practice at this place and here has ever since remained, early receiv- ing wide-spread recognition for his unusual attainments. He does a general practice, and also makes a specialty of the diseases of children. In evidence of the confidence in which he is held was his selection as health officer under Mayor Bailey. At the present time he is a member of the committee appointed to revise the city charter and in all matters his counsel has proved of the most enlightened order. In addition to his profession, Dr. Kimball has several interests of large scope and im- portance, being a stockholder in the American Steam Pump Company. He was formerly one of the directorate, but resigned this office upon going abroad in the year 1909.
Although Dr. Kimball's father was a staunch Democrat, the subject gives hand and heart to the men and measures of the "Grand Old Party." He is affiliated with the Athelstan Club and with all the organizations intended to advance and unify the profession and its members, namely : the Calhoun Medical Society of which he was for five years secretary, and the State and American Medical Societies.
Dr. Kimball established an independent household on October 20, 1903, his chosen lady being Minnie G. Osterbind, daughter of H. C. Osterbind and Mrs. Osterbind of Richmond, Virginia. In that south- ern city, Mrs. Kimball received her public school education and subse- quently was a student at the Randolph-Macon College for Girls at Lynchburg, Virginia, from which she received her Bachelor of Arts de- gree. She afterward completed a two years course in the medical de- partment of the University of Michigan, where she met Dr. Kimball, and at his solicitation abandoned her professional career. Their mar- riage was celebrated at Richmond at the home of Mrs. Kimball's parents. Mr. Osterbind is superintendent of the Tredegar Iron Works of that city. The union of the subject and his wife has been blessed with the birth of twin daughters, Virginia M. and Eleanor C., Battle Creek being their birthplace. Their delightful and hospitable household is situated at 245 Upton avenue while the Doctor's offices are at 310 Ward Building.
On April 14, 1912, two children, Arthur S. Jr., and Mary O., were born. In 1909 the Dr. went abroad and took special work in the Chil- dren's Hospital at London, Belfast and Edinburgh. In July, 1912, he was appointed councilor for the 3d district of the Michigan State Medical Society.
WALTER S. POWERS. As an active and successful attorney for the past thirty-five years, Mr. Walter S. Powers has had a varied and broad experience in his profession, and has long occupied a prominent place among the lawyers of southern Michigan. Since 1899 he has been identified with the citizenship of Battle Creek, his offices being in the Winslow block at 55 West Main street.
Mr. Powers was born in Genesee county, New York, January 14, 1849. His family history dates back into colonial New England and his forbears were highly respected and substantial citizens. His grandfather was John Powers, who married Eunice Squires, both being natives of Vermont, and had settled in western New York in the early years of the century. Eunice Squires had lived at Rochester when the site contained only three houses. John Powers spent practically all of his active career in farming in western New York. Late in life he came to Michigan on a visit and died in Barry county, this state. One of his sons, William, was a soldier in the war of 1812.
Another son of this New York farmer was John Richard Powers, the father of the Battle Creek lawyer. He was born in Bedford town-
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ship, Cayuga county, New York, about twenty-five miles from Auburn, on November 28, 1818. He married Hannah Johnson. When he was eight years old his parents moved from Cayuga to Genesee county, and there he lived until he came west to Michigan. His early educa- tion was limited. For a time he attended the district schools, but most of his education he acquired in the home chimney corner by the light of the fire. This method of self instruction qualified him for teaching, an occupation he followed several terms, until his father's failing health made it necessary for him to take up the work of the home farm, where he remained until 1850. In the fall of that year, with his wife and three children, he set out for Michigan. Railroad communication had recently been completed between the east and the middle west. His journey was made by rail to Buffalo, thence by lake boats to Detroit, and thence by rail to Battle Creek. From here he drove to his destination in Barry county. His first homestead in that county consisted of one hundred and twenty acres, with a rude shanty, and with hardly any improvements to distinguish it from the original wilderness. His entire capital was one hundred dollars, with which he made a partial payment on the land, and by the time he had estab- lished his family here only ten dollars of the cash store was left. He paid this as part of the sixteen dollars' purchase price of a cow, and arranged to split rails at fifty cents a hundred to pay for the balance. For two seasons he obtained the necessities for his family by outside work for other settlers, and in the intervals of this period he was en- gaged in making a substantial cabin of side-logs, and the shingles he made by hand. After some years, filled with hard labor, this period of economic stress had passed, and he had a very productive and valuable home. In 1884, having traded this first farm for land upon which the Battle Creek suburb of Urbandale is now located, he removed to Bed- ford, having bought a farm of sixty acres in Bedford township, Cal- houn county. The property about Urbandale he afterwards sold, with the exception of about twenty acres, to his youngest son. There were four sons and four daughters in his family, namely: Lydia A., a teacher in the Battle Creek schools; James M .; Walter S .; Agnes, wife of John Wing of Bedford township ;. Herbert A., city physician of Battle Creek; Eunice, now Mrs. Walter Stringham, of Battle Creek; Daniel J., of Bedford township; and Lida, who resides at the old home in this county.
Walter S. Powers was about one year old when the family moved west to Michigan. The old homestead on which he was born was in that part of Genesee county which later was set off as Wyoming county, New York. His boyhood was all spent on the farm in Barry county, and he obtained his early education from the local district schools. While a boy on the farm he one day resolved that he would become a lawyer, and the steady pursuit of this object has been the foundation of his successful career. At the age of twenty-two he became a country schoolmaster in Newago county, having gone up into the pine woods to find work in the lumbering region during the winter, where this opportunity for teaching was presented to him. For some time later he was a successful teacher in his home county, and afterward taught in the village schools of New London, Ohio. While there he began the study of law under the direction of his cousin, Rollin Powers, and was admitted to the bar. Not being satisfied with his equipment for the profession, he then entered the law department of the University of Michigan, where he was graduated with the class of 1877.
His first place of practice was Bellevue, in Eaton county. His brother James having graduated from the University just a year later
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than himself, now came to Bellevue and succeeded the former in prac- tice. Walter S. then removed to Nashville, Michigan, where he prac- ticed for a period of about twenty years and had a large and repre- sentative clientage. Since coming to Battle Creek in 1899 he has also built up a profitable practice, and has a reputation for ability only equalled by the leaders in the profession of this county. He purchased the block in which his offices are located, and until recently when he sold the property it was known as the Powers block. He has dealt to a considerable extent in real estate. At the present time he is owner of the building at 60-64 East Main street, in which the sessions of the circuit court are held, Battle Creek being one of the two cities of Mich- igan, not county-seat towns, where the circuit court holds regular sessions .. Some other city property is also owned by him.
Mr. Powers was married at Battle Creek on May 24, 1877. He has two children, both of whom were born in Nashville, this state. Blanche, the older, is a graduate of the Nashville high school and the Detroit Con- servatory of Music. She was a successful teacher of music in the schools of Charlotte and in the Battle Creek schools, and since September, 1911, has been teaching in the grades at Grand Rapids. C. B. Powers, the son, has since 1908 been engaged in the seed and feed business at Battle Creek. He married Miss Flora Bromberg, daughter of H. A. Bromberg, and they are the parents of one daughter, Marion. On June 5, 1910, Mr. Walter S. Powers married Miss Alice Feighner of Battle Creek. Their home is at 132 North avenue.
Mr. Powers is a member of the Athelstan Club, is a Mason and a member of the local Knights of Pythias, having been transferred from his original lodge in Nashville. He became a Mason while living in New London, Ohio, and filled some of the chairs in that lodge. His membership is now in Battle Creek Lodge No. 12. He was a charter member of the Independent Order of Foresters at Nashville. He also belongs to the Calhoun County Bar Association. In politics he has been Republican for some years, but was formerly a Democrat. While at Nashville he was president of the village board two years, was presi- dent of the school board, and was also appointed by President Cleve- land to the office of postmaster of that town.
HERBERT A. POWERS, M. D. Many of the men in the medical pro- fession to-day are devoting themselves in a large measure to the pre- vention of disease as well as its cure. They are exerting all the force of their authority towards persuading people to use better methods and are spending their time and money in the endeavor to find more satisfactory methods of handling disease, and to make the general public realize that in their own hands lies the prevention of a great deal of disease and ill health. Among these men is Doctor Herbert A. Powers of Battle Creek, Michigan, who in his position as health officer of the city, has been able to accomplish considerable along these lines.
Dr. Herbert A. Powers was born in Assyria township, in Barry county, Michigan, on the 15th of March, 1855. His birthplace was a farm, and here he grew up, receiving his elementary education in the Assyria township district schools. When he was about twenty, hav- ing obtained as much knowledge as the district school teachers were able to give him, he became a teacher himself, and for several years taught in various sections of Barry county, Michigan. He saved his money with the intention of some time attending a medical school, and with this in mind he took up the study of medicine with Dr. A. L. Van Horn, of Dowling, Barry county. He worked under his direction
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for about two years and then matriculated at the University of Mich- igan in the medical department, where he remained for a year. He then attended the Toledo Medical College where he was graduated with the class of 1888. He returned home, to Barry county, and there took up the general practice of medicine. He soon won success, and stayed among his old friends for twelve years. In 1900, however he moved to Battle Creek, where he has been able to build up a large general prac- tice. In April, 1911, the stability with which he had builded was proved by his election as health officer of the city, a position which he was glad to accept since it gave him an opportunity to put into effect some reforms which he had long wished to see in use. He is now hoping to see the reform which is closest to his heart become effective. This is the substitution of sanitary paper milk bottles for the glass ones now in use. No one knows better than a doctor the uses to which these glass bottles are put, and he also knows that there is often a question as to whether they are thoroughly washed before being re-filled. The paper bottles can be manufactured by machinery, and after they have been used once they can not again be used, consequently the public would escape much dirt and filth as well as danger from infectious diseases. Dr. Powers hopes to secure his end with a little agitation, but the fight will be an uphill one, for he will not only have to fight the disinclination of the public to change its habits but the men who are interested in the manufacture of milk bottles.
In politics Dr. Powers is a Republican, and before coming to Battle Creek was township clerk continuously for a number of years, in As- syria township. He was also alderman for one year from the Second ward of this city, and was elected in April, 1910, for another term of two years. He resigned, however, to accept the office of health officer, considering himself more especially fitted for the latter position, and seeing here a greater opportunity for good. In the fight for nomina- tion as alderman, Dr. Powers won the coveted honor from a man whom every one said could not be beaten. The people, however, stood firm in their faith that the doctor would give them the best service and that he stood for good government and clean methods, therefore they cast their votes for the man whom they trusted. Dr. Powers is also much interested in educational matters and was director of the school district in Assyria, when he resided there. He is an advocate of the most modern methods in education and did much to raise the standard of the schools in his district. He owns considerable real estate, con- sisting chiefly of twenty acres a half mile north of Urbandale, a suburb of the city, and of his home at 391 West Main street. Dr. Powers has his office at 59 West Main street with his brother W. S, Powers, the well known attorney, who is spoken of elsewhere in this volume.
Dr. Powers was made a Mason at Bellevue, and was transferred to the local chapter, being a member of Battle Creek Lodge No. 12. He is also a Modern Woodman of America and a member of the Eastern Star. In his own profession. he is a member of the county and state medical societies, and of the American Medical Association. During 1910 he was president of the Calhoun County Medical Association.
Dr. Powers has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Martha A. Davis of Assyria, Michigan, and the marriage took place in that town. She died on the 22nd of December, 1905, leaving three children. Grace A. graduated from the Charlotte high school, and taught for a while in the schools of Battle Creek. She then entered the University of Michigan, where she is a member of the class of 1912, and will gradu- ate from the literary course this year. Pansy O. was educated in the Charlotte and Battle Creek schools, and is now Mrs. Charles Marsh
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of Battle Creek. Herbert A. received his elementary education in the Battle Creek schools, afterwards taking a course in the Michigan Busi- ness and Normal College of Battle Creek, from which he was graduated in 1908. He then went to St. Ignace, Michigan, where he entered the St. Ignace National Bank, being eighteen years old at the time. He is now assistant cashier of this bank. On the 30th of June, 1909, Dr. Powers was married to Mrs. Mary Tossell, of Battle Creek.
JAMES HENRY MUSTARD in the five years that he has been a member of the Calhoun county bar has acquired a position in the profession which older lawyers might envy, and is recognized today as one of the strongest attorneys of this vicinity. He began practice at Battle Creek in 1907, having arrived in this city on June 3d of that year. He first occupied offices with D. C. Salisbury" over the Old National Bank, though they were not in partnership. Since September 1, 1909, he has occupied No. 212 in the Ward building.
Mr. Mustard was born at Seaforth, Ontario, February 25, 1880, and is of Scotch descent. His father, Donald Mustard, was born in Edin- burgh, Scotland, and his mother, Catherine (MacDonald) Mustard, was a native of Glengarry, Ontario, her parents having come from Scot- land. The father and mother, who were married at Seaforth, are now residents of Midland, Michigan. The father was engaged in farming for many years, but is now retired. He is one of the influential Repub- licans of his town and county. There were four sons and two daugh- ters in the family, but the daughters and one of the sons died in infancy and childhood. James H. is the eldest; his brother John is now county school commissioner of Midland county; and his brother Russell is a student in the Midland high school.
Mr. Mustard began his advancement in public life at an early age. He was graduated from the Midland high school in the class of 1899 and then took up school work. On February 24, 1901, the day before his twenty-first birthday, he was nominated for the office of county school commissioner of Midland county. With three candidates in the field, he was successful, and after serving the two-year term was elected again to the office, which at that time had its term changed to four years. During the six years of his official career he was steadily pre- paring himself for his chosen profession. Every other week he spent at Ann Arbor in the law department of the university, where in 1906 he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. On the expiration of his term as school commissioner he at once located in Battle Creek.
In politics he is a stanch Republican. He is a member of St. Philip's Catholic church of Battle Creek, and is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and the Loyal Order of Moose, and is also a member of the Country Club. He belongs to the Calhoun County Bar Association. His residence is at 211 Fremont street. Mr. Mustard was married at Mount Pleasant, Michigan, June 30, 1908, to Miss Blanche Garvin. Mrs. Mustard, whose father was M. E. Garvin of Mount Pleasant, was born and reared there, and graduated from the high school in 1897 and from the Central State Normal School in 1899.
WALTER D. KLINE. A successful attorney of Battle Creek, Walter D. Kline is an energetic, upright young man, well versed in legal lore, and is rapidly winning for himself a fine reputation for professional skill and judgment. A son of George W. Kline, he was born, February 4, 1883, in Homer, Calhoun county, Michigan.
Born in Trumbull county, Ohio. George W. Kline has spent the larger part of his life in Michigan, being engaged in agricultural pur- Vol. II-13
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suits. His farm of one hundred and twenty acres, lying five miles south of Homer, is well improved, and under his management produces abund- ant harvests each year. His wife, whose maiden name was Ida A. James, was born in Allegan county, Michigan. They are the parents of two children, namely: Walter D., with whom this sketch is chiefly con- cerned; and Dora M., who was graduated from the Homer high school with the class of 1904, and three years later was graduated in music from Hillsdale College. She is an accomplished musician, and is now successfully employed in giving lessons on the piano, being quite a pop- ular instructor.
Receiving his diploma at the Homer high school in 1899, Walter D. Kline completed the literary course at the Tri-State College, in Angola, Indiana, where he was graduated with the class of 1904. In 1907 he was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan with the degree of LL. B., and subsequently the Tri-State College con- ferred upon him the degree of Ph. B. Beginning the practice of his profession in Oklahoma, Mr. Kline located at McAlester, where he met with good success, in addition to his general practice serving as as- sistant county attorney of Pittsburg county one year. Returning to Michigan in the spring of 1908, Mr. Kline has since been actively and prosperously engaged in the practice of law at Battle Creek, his office now being at No. 305 Post office building, and his residence at No. 130 College street. Politically Mr. Kline is a steadfast Republican, and fra- ternally he is a member of A. T. Metcalf Lodge, No. 419, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; and Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Kline married, June 29, 1909, at Logansport, Indiana, Miss Mary Studebaker, a daughter of David and Priscilla (Burrous) Studebaker, of that city. Her father, a veteran of the Civil war, is now living re- tired from active business. Mrs. Kline was born and educated in Cam- den, Indiana, and after her graduation from the Camden High School, entered the Tri-State College, where she and Mr. Kline first met. Their only child, George Burrous Kline was born November 25, 1910.
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