History of Calhoun County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 29

Author: Gardner, Washington, 1845-1928
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 838

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 29

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LEOPOLD WERSTEIN. A man of integrity and worth, Leopold Wer- stein occupies an assured position among the substantial and respected citizens of Battle Creek, where, having by dint of energy, thrift and business ability, accumulated a competency, he is now living retired from active pursuits, enjoying a well-deserved leisure. A native of Germany, he was born, September 25, 1840, in Baden, and was there reared and educated.

His father, Francis Werstein, spent his entire life in Germany, passing away in 1850. He married Theresa Rice, who died in.1867. Five sons and one daughter were born of their union, and all of the boys served in the German Army. The daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Heinsman, of Germany, an aged woman of eighty-two years, and Leopold, the sub- ject of this sketch, are the only members of the family now living, the latter being the only one that ever crossed the Atlantic.

After completing his early education in Baden, Leopold Werstein learned the shoemaker's trade, and at the age of nineteen he entered the army and served six years.

At the expiration of the service, he decided to find out for himself what advantages the new world had in store for a poor young man. Im- migrating to America, he landed in New York City, August 6, 1865. He spent just a week in the city, and then proceeded to Marshall, Mich- igan, where he remained two weeks. Coming from there to Battle Creek, he has since made this place his home. For a number of years he fol- lowed his trade of a shoemaker, being first in the employ of Mr. Ray-

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mond, and later working for Nicholas Lang. Later for about forty years he was a representative of the Pabst Brewing Company. Public- spirited and generous, Mr. Werstein has ever taken a genuine interest in local affairs, contributing liberally toward all beneficial enterprises, in his esteem nothing being too good for Battle Creek. Although he is now retired from business, he is serving as vice-president of the American Steam Pump Company, and as a director of the Central National Bank of Battle Creek.

Mr. Werstein is associated with various social and fraternal organiza- tions, belonging to the Athelstan and Country Clubs, and being a mem- ber of the Free and Accepted Order of Masons, and is a Knights Templar of Saladin Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Grand Rapids, Michigan; of the Knights of Pythias ; and of the Benevolent. and Protective Order of Elks.

At Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1866, Mr. Werstein was united in mar- riage with Miss Wilhelmina Weickgenant, whose death occurred four years later. He married second, at Jackson, Michigan, April 11, 1877, Miss Josephine Boos, who was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and edu- cated in Marshall, Michigan. Mr. Werstein's oldest child, Leopold, died at the age of two and one-half years, and he has three children living, namely : Louis F., of Battle Creek; Frank J .; and Josephine Amelia, wife of Richard R. Hicks, of Battle Creek.

HOWARD W. CAVANAGH. Widely and favorably known in the legal circles of Calhoun county, Howard W. Cavanagh, of Battle Creek, holds high rank among the able and successful lawyers of his com- munity, and as a public spirited citizen is ever ready to lend his aid and influence toward the establishment of enterprises designed to benefit his fellow-men. A son of James Cavanagh, he was born, June 12, 1867, in Alpena, Michigan, of excellent Irish ancestry. His paternal grand- father, Michael Cavanagh, a native of Ireland, immigrated to New York state in 1826, and subsequently married in this country.

James Cavanagh, was born in Jefferson county, New York, in 1833, and was there bred and educated. In 1860 he settled in Alpena, Mich- igan, and for several years carried on a thriving business as a lumber- man, being associated with such men as the Burts, the Gilchrists, and others of note. In 1873 he moved with his family to Oakville, Canada, where he is still a resident, being now actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. Although he has lived so many years in Canada, he has never voted there, being a citizen of the United States still. While in Michi- gan he took much interest in politics, and for four years served as sheriff of Alpena county. He married Mary Williamson, who was born in Oakville, Canada, in 1835, their marriage taking place in Toronto, Canada, at the home of the bride's uncle. Her father, James William- son, emigrated from Ireland to Ontario, Canada, in 1826, about the time that Michael Cavanagh, who was a Roman Catholic in religion, settled in New York, Mr. Williamson being a Protestant. Two sons and two daughters were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. James Cav- anagh. One child, a daughter, died in early life, and three children are living, as follows: Fred; Howard W .; and Mrs. Laura M. Mckay, of Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

Fred Cavanagh, the eldest child of the parental household, was born at Alpena, Michigan, July 27, 1865. He was educated primarily in Canada, after his graduation from the Oakville High School teaching school for a year. In 1888 he was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan with the degree of LL. B., and in the spring of the same year was admitted to the bar on his university

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diploma. From January, 1909, until November, 1909, he practiced his profession at Battle Creek, but since that time has been located at Homer, Michigan.

Completing the course of study in the Oakville, Canada, High School, Howard W. Cavanagh subsequently attended the University of Toronto until 1885, when he entered the Law Department of the Uni- versity of Michigan. In April, 1887, he was admitted to the Michigan bar, and in June, 1887, was graduated with the degree of LL. B., being then but nineteen years of age, and the youngest member of his class. The following winter he spent in Detroit, in the office of Hon. John W. McGrath, who was afterwards chief justice of the Supreme Court of Michigan.

On attaining his majority, Mr. Cavanagh returned to Alpena, his birthplace, and practiced law there for five years. While he was there, during a political campaign, a committee called at his office to ask him to accept a nomination as justice of the peace on the Republican ticket, but he happened to be out at the time. His uncle, a brother of his father, was there, and on being told of the committee's errand declined the nomination for Mr. Cavanagh, saying that being a Democrat Mr. Cav- anagh could not run on a Republican ticket, but that he, himself, would become the party's nominee. Mr. Cavanagh worked hard throughout the campaign for his uncle, who secured the election, many who voted for him thinking they were casting their ballots for Mr. Cavanagh, whose father had formerly become widely known as sheriff of the county. Until after the election Mr. Cavanagh was entirely ignorant of the fact that he had ever been considered as a candidate for the office, and as he was then a young man, just beginning the practice of his pro- fession, he thinks it probable that had he known it he might have consented to run for the office, which paid about three thousand dollars a year, and might have joined the Republican ranks instead of clinging to the Democratic party, but is now satisfied he did not.

On account of ill health, Mr. Cavanagh, in 1893, left Alpena, going back to Oakville, Canada, for rest and recreation, and while there studied Canadian law, and to some extent became interested in politics, helping to secure votes for others. Returning to Michigan in 1896, Mr. Cavanagh opened an office at Battle Creek, it being the office now oc- cupied by Mr. Salisbury, for two years being in partnership with C. R. Mains, under the firm name of Mains & Cavanagh, but has since con- tinued the practice alone, being now one of the leading attorneys of the city. He also opened an office at Homer, Calhoun county, in 1896, and made that place his home until November, 1909, when he removed with his family to Battle Creek, where he has since lived, his residence being at No. 35 Broad street.

Mr. Cavanagh was for thirteen years a resident of Homer, and was quite active in public affairs. He served as village trustee, or alderman, two years, and was afterwards candidate for president of the village, but was defeated at the polls; he was justice of peace for the township four years; village attorney five years ; and for four years was secretary of the Homer Board of Education. In 1909 and 1910 he was prose- cuting attorney for Calhoun county, in the latter year his brother Fred, who is an expert abstractor, having worked in the abstract office at Marshall for three years, being the assistant prosecuting attorney.

Socially Mr. Cavanagh belongs to the Athelstan Club, of Battle Creek. and to its Conversational Club, and is also vice-president of the Irish Historical Society for the state of Michigan. Fraternally Mr. Cavanagh is identified with many prominent organizations, being a member of Battle Creek Lodge, No. 12, Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of

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Battle Creek Chapter, No. 19, Royal Arch Masons, of Zabud Council, No. 9, Royal and Select Masters, of Battle Creek, of Battle Creek Com- mandery, No. 33, Knights Templar, of Battle Creek, Michigan; of Homer Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, of Homer; of Moslem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Detroit; of Homer Lodge, Knights of Pythias; of Homer Tent, Knights of the Modern Maccabees, of Homer Camp, Modern Woodmen of America; of Battle Creek Lodge, No. 131, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and of the Loyal Order of Moose, of Battle Creek. Religiously he holds membership with the Episcopal Church of Alpena.

In Albion, Michigan, August 29, 1899, Mr. Cavanagh was united in marriage with Ula M. Cunningham, a daughter of James P. and Helen Cunningham, of Albion township, where her birth occurred. Her father is still living, but her mother has passed to the higher life. Mr. and Mrs. Cavanagh have one child, Helen M. Cavanagh, born July 1, 1904 at Homer, Michigan, a school girl.

CLARK E. WILDEY. Numbered among the prosperous agricultur- ists of Calhoun county is Clark E. Wildey, a well known and much respected man, noteworthy for his good citizenship and many excellent traits of character. A son of William Wildey, he was born in Jackson county, Michigan, November 1, 1866, and is of honored pioneer stock, his paternal grandfather, Gersham Wildey, having migrated from New York to Michigan at an early day.

William Wildey was born in New York state. He came to Michi- gan while it was yet a territory, in March, 1836, walking from Detroit to Jackson. He took up government land, and later purchased an- other tract of timbered land, and with heroic courage began the ardu- ous task of reclaiming a farm from the woods. He there spent the greater part of his life as a tiller of the soil, although he later bought a farm in Calhoun county, and was there a resident until his death, in 1894. He was a Republican in politics, and a man of high character and standing. He married Harriet Packard, who was born in Jack- son county, Michigan, and is now living in the vicinity of Lansing. Both she and her husband united with the Methodist Episcopal church in early days. He was a man of much business ability, and though he had but three hundred dollars in money when he made his advent in Michigan, he increased it many hundred fold, at his death leaving a good estate. Harriet Packard was a daughter of Enos Packard, who came from Vermont, his native state, to Michigan at an early period of its settlement, and died in Jackson county, on the farm which he improved from its original wildness.

The only child of his parents, Clark E. Wildey completed his early studies at the Spring Arbor Seminary, and on the home farm gained a practical experience in general agriculture. Locating in Calhoun county, Mr. Wildey bought, in 1891, his present farm of eighty acres, and has since devoted his attention to its improvement, each year add- ing to its value. One of the political leaders of his township, Mr. Wildey supports the principles of the Republican party, and for the past six years has rendered able service as supervisor. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 333, Free and Accepted Order of Masons, at Burlington, in which he has filled all of the offices except that of master, at the present time being secretary.

Mr. Wildey married, in 1888, Avis Mathewson, a daughter of Ashal Mathewson, a native of New York, and for years a farmer, and a preacher in the Free Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Wildey have one child, Gena C., who attended school in Albion two years, and is now at home.

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BERIAH P. GARDNER. Among those who were closely identified with the business interests of Battle Creek, Michigan, and are now gone to their long homes, none are more deserving of prominent mention within the leaves of this work than the late Beriah P. Gardner, who after spending more than a half a century in business in this city, passed away April 17, 1897. Mr. Gardner was born in the town of Pekin, Niagara county, New York, and was fifteen years of age when he was brought to Michigan by his parents. He received his education and was reared in Barry county, being brought up to agricultural pursuits, but as a young man learned the trade of wagon maker, which he fol- lowed throughout the remainder of his life. Coming to Battle Creek as a pioneer business man of the city, and starting in business in a small way, he so conducted his affairs as to build up an extensive and far-reaching business, and to gain a place for himself among the sub- stantial men of Battle Creek. When he passed away, at the age of seventy-four years, a useful life was terminated, and a loving husband and true friend was called away. In political matters Mr. Gardner was a stalwart Republican and always supported that party's principles and candidates, but could never be induced to accept political preferment of any kind. Although not a regular member, he attended the Independ- ent Congregational Church, contributing liberally towards its support as he did to all worthy movements. He had the welfare of his adopted city wholly at heart, and was always found in the front rank of any enterprise that promised to be of benefit to Battle Creek.

In 1844 Mr. Gardner was united in marriage with Miss Fidelia B. Harris, who was born in the city of Tenterton, County Kent, England, the second of a family of four children. She was three years of age when brought to America by her parents on a sailing vessel, and two years later her mother died. She was then placed in a boarding school by her father, whom she remembers as a man of the greatest kindness of heart, and who had been married again. He died years ago and is buried near Springport, Jackson county, Michigan. While Mr. Gard- ner was a gentleman of excellent character, possessing a genial and obliging disposition, and being beloved by everybody who had the good fortune to know him well, and respected by all who knew his life and record, Mrs. Gardner was a fit companion for him. She is a highly cultivated and well-balanced lady, who has much of the knowledge of the schools and much also of that more practical kind which comes from experience. Born May 14, 1824, she is now eighty-eight years old, but would easily pass for one a quarter of a century younger, so re- markable are her strength and vitality. Until five years ago she never wore glasses, and her sight is still so excellent that she can easily read and write without them, and attributes much of her good health to the fact that she has followed Dr. Kellogg's advice in regard to plain living and plenty of out-of-door exercise, and to the fact that she has not eaten meat for over twelve years. Possessed to the fullest degree of all of her faculties, she attends to all of her own business matters, while her many lovable characteristics have drawn around her a large circle of warm friends. Her comfortable home is situated at No. 145 Van Buren street, West. Mrs. Gardner built the finest home on Main Street, and the first house in Battle Creek with bay windows. She was a fine singer and both Mr. and Mrs. Gardner sang in the choir both here and in Albion. Mr. Gardner was a fine musician and was a member of the first band in Battle Creek, and also the first fire department.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gardner two sons and two daughters were born: Charlotte F., died at age of six years; Frances A., wife of George C. Morrow, a clothing merchant of Battle Creek, no children, both deceased,

BERIAH P. GARDNER

Midelia B. Gardner ..

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she died at the age of thirty-four; Frederick B., died at age of four years; Robert C., died at age of three months. Mrs. Gardner's only brother, William Harris, a wealthy farmer and stockman of Kansas died in 1907 at the age of seventy-five. Mrs. Gardner is a member of the Congregational church, and is one of the most cheerful givers to the poor and benevolent and Christian societies.

CHARLES F. BOCK. Those who were intimately acquainted with the movements which really promoted civic and material progress in Battle Creek during the last half century, and those who inquire care- fully as to the prominent personalities in those movements, are aware of the great importance of the life and services of the late Charles F. Bock, the successful business man, the energetic but disinterested civic leader, the kindly and helpful factor in many of the organized under- takings and institutions which comprise the city of Battle Creek. Few men deserve to rank higher in the memories of their fellow citizens than Mr. Bock.

Charles F. Bock was born at Buffalo, New York, December 23d, 1836, and died at Battle Creek, November 16, 1903. He was the oldest in a family of ten children, of whom these still survive :- A. F. Bock, of Battle Creek; Mrs. Mary Mills, of Buffalo; and Emma, of Chicago.

At the age of eighteen Charles F. entered the large wholesale hard- ware house of Pratt & Company at Buffalo, and during the next seven years gained a thorough knowledge of this business. About 1860 he moved to Michigan, and in 1861 settled at Battle Creek, which was his home until his death. His employment for a time was in V. P. Collier's hardware house, which he left to become a partner in the firm of Arnold & Company, who for four years were among the hardware merchants of this city. He next became senior member of the firm of Bock & Peters, a prosperous partnership for fourteen years. In 1884, having sold his interests to his partners, he then formed the firm of Charles F. Bock & Son, a business which has been conducted with progressive success down to the present date, and throughout that time in the loca- tion at 18 West Main street. The title of the business was changed in 1909, after twenty-five years under the old name, to the Bock-Walker Company. During his active career the late Mr. Bock never ceased to give his energetic direction to this business, and he also possessed the faculty, amidst so many changing methods in commerce, of keeping his business arrangements up to date.

December 29, 1858, he married. Mrs. Bock is still living, her resi- dence being at 85 Maple street. They were the parents of two children : Frank F., for nineteen years his father's partner (see sketch below) ; and Mrs. George G. Tanner, whose husband is a member of the whole- sale metal and hardware house of Tanner & Company at Indianapolis. Mrs. Tanner was born at Adrian, Michigan, where her parents resided a short while before coming to Battle Creek, and she was graduated from the Battle Creek high school.

A lifelong Republican, though never concerned in practical politics or office seeking, Mr. Bock's official service to his community was repre- sented by two terms in the city council from the Fourth ward. In Ma- sonry he attained the Knights Templar degrees and was a member of the Shrine, and had held the various chairs in the local bodies. He was one of the presidents of the Athelstan Club, which for a number of years has been a strong civic and business as well as social organiza- tion. He also served for a time as president of the State Hardware Men's Association. During the closing years of his life he was stock- holder and director in various companies and organizations: was a

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director in the City Bank, was president of the Oak Hill Cemetery board, was one of the organizers of the Citizens Electric Light Com- pany, and was a member of the building committee which erected the Post Theatre. Though not a soldier himself, he spent a great deal of money and time in efforts to secure the proper recognition of the ser- vices of those who fought in the rebellion. To him certainly as much as any other citizen is due the credit for the erection of the handsome Soldiers and Sailors' Monument in Battle Creek. His remarkable energy found many outlets besides his regular business, and afforded him occu- pation up to the last days of his life. The St. Thomas Episcopal church was one of the institutions to which he gave much service. For over forty years he was a vestryman, and was senior warden at the time of his death. His last activity outside his home was in attention to his church duties, and it rarely happened in the course of many years that he was absent from the church on Sundays.

In recalling these varied activities, the larger work of his career will need no further commentary to his old friends. In his case, the energy and efficiency which in early years were directed to private business in later life were not allowed to sink into disuse but were applied to those social endeavors which are not less useful than private enterprise in the wholesome development of a community. Idleness was never to him a phase of happiness, and for this reason he was a worker all his life, and never really retired. His presence and influence as a citizen were as beneficial to Battle Creek as years of official service, from lesser men would have been. A city's character is molded by the characters of its citizens, and his was one of the most effective in producing what is best in the modern civic life of Battle Creek. It was in recognition of this fact, as well as a beautiful tribute to his personality, that every place of business in the city was closed during the hour of his funeral, a mark of respect which has been unique in the history of Battle Creek.

FRANK F. Bock, son of the late Charles F. Bock and Harriet Bock, was for nineteen years associated with his father in business, and both as a business man and a citizen has represented in his generation the same fine qualities and services which made his father's name so es- teemed in this city.

He was born at Buffalo, New York, September 18, 1859, and has lived in Battle Creek since he was two years old. From the public schools of the city he went to Olivet College, and then returned, when still young, to begin his business career under the direction of his father. The store at 18 West Main street has been managed by the business skill of three generations, since Robert G. Bock, son of Frank F. and grandson of Charles F., is now the secretary and treasurer of the company. From the time Frank F. was taken into the business, the style of the firm was Charles F. Bock & Son, which was continued until 1909, since which time it has been the Bock-Walker Company. At that date Mr. Arthur Walker became vice president and general man- ager of the company. Mr. F. F. Bock, though president of the com- pany, retired several years ago from any active part in its manage- ment.

In the general advancement of the community he has borne a promi- nent part. He was one of the six men who were the organizers of the Athelstan Club, which has ever since been a factor not only in social life but has contained in its membership much of the civic idealism and practical expression of the community's life. He is also a charter mem- ber and actively identified with the Country Club. To him more than any other individual was due the organization of the Battle Creek Busi-

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ness Men's Association, which has since become known as the Battle Creek Industrial Association. He was its president at the time the Grand Trunk shops were located in this city, and led the local enter- prise to secure that industrial boon. The location of a branch of the Quaker Oats manufactories, and of several smaller concerns, also re- ceived much encouragement and practical aid from him. At the pres- ent time he is secretary and general manager, and the third largest stockholder, in the Post Land Company. In politics, while a Repub- lican in national affairs, he belongs in that new alignment of political activity that insists on principles and efficiency of the individual candidates rather than on party labels. Fraternally he affiliates with the A. T. Metcalf Lodge No. 419, A. F. & A. M., and with the Elks lodge of this city.

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History of Calhoun County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 29

Author: Gardner, Washington, 1845-1928 Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago New York, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 838

Author: Gardner, Washington, 1845-1928
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 838