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 3
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Jacob Weickgenant was born at Marshall, the judicial center of
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Calhoun county, Michigan, on the 11th of January, 1863, and is a son of John and Appolina (Thoma) Weickgenant, both of whom were born in the grand duchy of Baden, Germany, and the latter of whom died when the subject of this review was about two years old. About three years later he came with his father and step-mother to Battle Creek, where he has maintained his home during the long intervening years and where he has won success worthy of the name. His father was en- gaged in saloon and tavern business during the major part of his active career and continued to reside in Battle Creek until his death, as did also his second wife. Jacob Weickgenant gained his early education in the public schools of Battle Creek and his ambition as a mere boy was one of definite action,-a trait that has significantly characterized his entire business career. When about seventeen years of age he secured employment in the local dry-goods store of Wakelee & Griswold, and with this firm he remained for two years, during which he applied himself earnestly and effectively, with the result that even at that early period in his life his employers predicted that he would eventually become one of the successful merchants of the city. After leaving the employ of the firm mentioned he was for eight years a popular and valued salesman in the dry-goods establishment of Peter Hoffmaster, and thereafter he passed eighteen months as a clerk in the dry-goods store of Edwin E. Trump. In the meanwhile Mr. Weickgenant had carefully conserved his resources and had also gained high reputation in local business circles, as he had familiarized himself thoroughly with all departments of the mercantile enterprise with which he had been associated and had shown himself resourceful, self-reliant and invariably courteous.
On the 10th of August, 1891, Mr. Weickgenant made his first inde- pendent business venture, by opening a well equipped dry-goods store at No. 4 Main street, east, where he continued in successful business for more than twenty years. To his original stock he finally added women's suits, cloaks, etc., as well as carpets, rugs and draperies. His main establishment is now located at Nos. 6 and 8 Main street, east, and in the same are carried large and well selected lines of dry goods, women's ready-to-wear garments and shoes, this being one of the best equipped stores of this order in the metropolis of the county. On the 20th of October, 1908, Mr. Weickgenant expanded the scope of his business en- terprise by opening another establishment, at 37-41 Main street, west, and this store is devoted to the handling of furniture, carpets, rugs and draperies, the stock being the largest of the kind in the city. In May, 1909, further evidence of the progressive enterprise and broad executive capacity of Mr. Weickgenant was given by his opening of the thoroughly metropolitan grocery store which he now conducts, at 15 Jefferson avenue, north. At the time of establishing his business on Main street, west, he purchased the stocks of Charles W. Eccles and Carl F. Beach, which he combined in the new store, and in opening his grocery estab- lishment he purchased the business which had been conducted in the same location by Frederick Robbins, consolidating with the same a stock of groceries which he purchased from James Redner, who was engaged in business on Main street, west. He gives a careful supervision to all departments of his large business enterprises, and has energy enough for many men. His success has been not an accident but the logical result of progressive policies, wide and varied experience, careful and honorable methods and unequivocal personal popularity. As a boy he gained many friends in the community, and as a representative business man he has held the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact, so that his standing in the city is one of distinctive prominence and influence. In March, 1905, Mr. Weickgenant became Vol. II-2
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one of the interested principals in the Weickgenant & Riede Company, which conducts a large and prosperous enterprise at No. 5 West Main street in the city of Kalamazoo, this establishment being devoted to the handling of dry goods and women's apparel.
In 1910 Mr. Weickgenant became associated with Edward Coe in the purchase and platting of a summer-resort at Waubascon lake, in Bed- ford township. They have made successful development of this prop- erty, which has been equipped with an attractive pavilion, ice house, sheds, etc., besides a small store in which are handled groceries, confec- tions and other supplies in demand at such a resort. The place is known as Waubascon Lake Resort and it is becoming one of the popular places of this section of the state, a number of lots having been sold and cottages having been erected on the same, while the projectors of the enterprise maintain a due complement of boats for rent, as well as other equipments for the entertainment and comfort of those who seek this attractive place of rest and recreation.
This review could scarcely be consistent were there failure to men- tion the fact that in the past years Mr. Weickgenant was a most loyal devotee of the great national game, base ball, and that he was one of the most prominent and influential factors in maintaining the local base ball association, in which he owned the controlling stock for a number of years. He was also the owner of Athletic Park, at Goguac lake, this being the ground on which the ball games were played, but he sold this property in 1910. He was interested in the Michigan base ball league about fifteen years ago, when the Battle Creek team known as the Cero- Fruito ball club held precedence as the best in the entire league.
As may well be inferred, Mr. Weickgenant is essentially broad- minded and public-spirited in his civic attitude, and he is ever ready to lend his co-operation in the furtherance of measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community. In a generic sense he is a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, in the faith of which he was reared, but in local affairs he gives his support to the mean and measures meeting the approval of his judgment, without refer- ence to strict partisan lines. He has never held public office and has never had any desire for the same. He and his family are communi- cants of the Catholic church, in which they hold membership in the parish of St. Philip's church. He and his wife and children are most zealous and devout churchfolk, and for more than thirty-five years he has never failed to attend mass on Sunday and other important church days, except when absent from home and in a locality in which there was no Catholic church. Mr. Weickgenant is affiliated with the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, the German Workingmen's Be- nevolent Association, the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and the Knights of the Modern Maccabees. The attractive family home, at 202 North avenue is known as a center of cordial hospitality and is a favorite resort for the many friends of the ideal family circle.
On the 5th of March, 1889, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Weickgenant to Miss Margaret Grant, of Kalamazoo, this state. She was born at Albion, Michigan, and is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Hodgins) Grant, both of whom are deceased. In conclusion of this brief sketch is entered record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Weickgenant : Winifred L., who gained her early education in the parochial school of St. Philip's church and who was graduated in the Battle Creek high school as a member of the class of 1908, remains at the parental home and is a popular factor in the social activities of the community ; Grant J. died in infancy; Norine, also attended the St.
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Philip's parochial school and graduated from the Battle Creek high school in 1912; and La Verne A., Ruth H., Charles J., Margaret, and Catherine all remain at the parental home, the children all having been afforded the advantages of the parochial schools except the ·youngest, who is not yet of school age, and the older children having also attended the public schools of their home city.
VERNUM WESTON. A long and useful business career has been that of this well known and highly honored citizen of Battle Creek, and his character and achievement render it most consonant that he be accorded special recognition . in this publication. He came to Michigan in his youth and was one of the early representatives of the telegraphic art in the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad Company.
Mr Weston is a scion of families, of English lineage, that were founded in New England in the colonial era of our national history, and he himself claims the Empire state of the Union as the place of his nativity. He was born in Cayuga county, New York, and is a son of Joseph and Lovina (Dresser) Weston, the former of whom was born in Vermont and the latter in Massachusetts, her father having been a valiant soldier in the War of 1812. Joseph Weston became one of the rep- resentative agriculturists of Cayuga county, New York, and both he and his devoted wife continued to reside on their old homestead until they were summoned to the life eternal, when venerable in years. Of their seven sons and two daughters three sons and one daughter are now living, the subject of this review having been the sixth in order of birth of the nine children. Henry R. resides at 31 Cherry street, in Battle Creek; Sylvia Francelia is the widow of Benjamin F. Webster and resides in Los Angeles, California; and Albert M. is a resident of Bos- ton, Massachusetts.
Vernon Weston passed his boyhood days on the old homestead farm and after availing himself of the advantages of the common schools he attended commercial college in Poughkeepsie and Syracuse, New York. In his native state he learned telegraphy, and he followed the same, in a commercial relation, at Lockport and other points in New York and later at Titusville, Pennsylvania. In 1866 he came to Michigan and entered the service of the Michigan Central Railroad Company, in whose employ he continued for thirteen years, during the greater part of which period he was train dispatcher,-first at Kalamazoo and later at Jack- son. The close and sedentary employment finally brought about severe impairment of his health, and at the expiration of thirteen years of active service he resigned his position and purchased a farm of eighty acres in Albion township, Calhoun county, about one mile west of the city of Albion. There he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for the ensuing five years, within which he fully regained his physical strength, and he then rented his farm and went to South Dakota, where he secured a government homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres and purchased an additional tract of three hundred and twenty acres. This property, situated in Spink county, he later rented and finally sold. He returned to Calhoun county and became associated with Harvey Mann in the building and operation of the first creamery es- tablished in the city of Albion, this being known as the Mann & Weston Creamery. He continued to be identified with the enterprise for two years, at the expiration of which he sold his interest and became associ- ated with his former partner in the agricultural-implement business at Albion, the original firm name of Mann & Weston being retained. Two years later Mr. Weston sold his interest in this business and he then removed to Battle Creek, where he took up his residence on the 1st of
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February, 1890, and where he entered the employ of the Battle Creek Electrical Company, for which he superintended all of the early wiring for incandescent lights the first of which in the city he installed, nearly a quarter of a century ago, in the residence of Dr. Austin W. Alvord, on the present site of the Post Tavern. About two years after . coming to Battle Creek Mr. Weston was made superintendent of the company with which he had identified himself, and he held this position until the company consolidated with the Jackson Light & Power Company, the Albion Power Company and the Kalamazoo Valley Elec- tric Company, under the present title of the Commonwealth Power Com- pany. With the consolidated corporation Mr. Weston remained as superintendent in Battle Creek until July, 1912, when he resigned his position, as already noted. He had been a most valued factor in the de- veloping of the plant and service of the local electrical company and was recognized as especially well fortified both in technical knowledge and executive ability. His devotion to his work was shown emphatically in the fact that during the last twelve years of his service he did not ask for or receive a vacation. In accepting his resignation William A. Foote, president of the Commonwealth Power Company, wrote, in part, as fol- lows: "As you say, you have been twenty-two years in the harness, and must be getting along to the place where most men feel like laying down strenuous activities. I fully appreciate the difficulties under which you have worked. While I shall very much regret to have you leave us, I can only accept your resignation. In doing so I wish to express my appreciation of the interested service you have rendered the company, without regard to hours or conditions. I hope the pleasure derived from your well earned leisure will be strengthened by the remembrance of duties faithfully performed."
Since his retirement from the executive position referred to above, Mr. Weston has been by no means idle, as he is giving his attention to the erection and sale of houses, with the intention of building an average of four each year. Within the past few years he has erected seven attractive residences in Battle Creek, including his own modern home, at 81 West Van Buren street, and in addition to this he erected and is the owner of the Weston block, on Marshall street, and the Weston block on east Main street, east, near the First Methodist Episcopal church. He has shown much progressive enterprise in this line and has contributed materially to the upbuilding of the fine metropolis of Cal- houn county. He has won success through his own well ordered en- deavors, is a man of strong and symmetrical character and holds secure place in the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
In politics Mr. Weston has ever given a stalwart allegiance to the Republican party, and he is well fortified in his opinions concerning matters of public import. He has been a liberal supporter of religious activities and his wife and daughter are zealous members of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Battle Creek. From the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Weston have made it a rule of voluntary stewardship to devote a tenth of their income to the furtherance of charitable, religious and educational causes, and their contributions at times have exceeded the tithe which they assigned to themselves, the while they have found pleasure in thus aiding in works for the general good of their fellow men, even as they are grateful for the prosperity and happiness which have been vouchsafed to them. Mrs. Weston is. identified with the Woman's League and the Travelers' Club in her home city, is a delegate from her church to the Nichols Memorial Hospital, and both she and her daughter are popular factors in the representative social activities of the community.
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On the 20th of May, 1872, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Weston to Miss Emma G. Howard, who was born at Weedsport, Cayuga county, New York, within seven miles of his own birthplace, though neither was aware of this fact at the time when their acquaintanceship was formed, at Albion, Michigan, where their marriage was celebrated. Mrs. Weston is a daughter of William and Mary Elizabeth (Greenfield) Howard, both of whom were born in England. Mrs. Weston was a child at the time of the family removal to Albion, Michigan, and she was about five years old at the time of her mother's death. Her father became one of the pioneer clothing merchants at Albion, where he established his home about sixty years ago and where he continued to reside until his death. He was one of the honored and influential citizens of Calhoun county and served two terms as county clerk in the early days. Mr. and Mrs. Weston have one daughter, Glennie Gertrude, who was born in Albion, this county, and who was graduated in the Battle Creek high school, after which she was a student for one year in Lake Erie College, at Painsville, Ohio. In June 1912, she was grad- uated in Albion College, in her native city, and received the academic degree of Bachelor of Arts.
TIMOTHY J. KELLEHER. No member of the business community of Battle Creek occupied a higher place in the general esteem and ranked higher as a successful man than the late Timothy J. Kelleher, whose death on January 21, 1906, was an occasion of sincere mourning among all his numerous friends and associates.
Timothy J. Kelleher spent practically all of his life in this county. He was born on a farm near Marshall, October 9, 1854, so that his death occurred before he was fifty-two years of age. Spending his boyhood days on a farm and attending the public schools, he began his business career as clerk with the firm of Phelps & Murphy of Marshall, and con- tinued with them for twelve years. In 1882 he located at Battle Creek and with Mr. Murphy established the mercantile house of Murphy & Kelleher. Later he became sole proprietor, under the name of T. J. Kelleher, a business title which has had a substantial reputation in this vicinity for many years.
August 19, 1891, Mr. Kelleher married Miss Grace Alvord, daughter of Dr. A. W. Alvord, a well known physician of this city (see sketch elsewhere.) Mr. Kelleher was survived by his wife and two children, Philip A. and Josephine A., besides two sisters and four brothers -Misses Lizzie and Mary Kelleher of Marshall, B. A. Kelleher, of Marshall, T. A. Kelleher, of Battle Creek, and Dennis and Charles of Cadillac. The son Philip A. is now a junior in the high school and the daughter Josephine is in the grades.
Mr. Kelleher's death occurred in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he had gone to regain his health. He had been a resident of Battle Creek twenty-four years, and citizens of all classes felt that one of the strongest and best members of the community had been taken. The resolutions of the business men paid a fine tribute to his life and character. He had been active in the organized effort which resulted in the Grand Trunk shops being located in this city. Though of con- servative temper, he was progressive in the best sense of the word, in that he was always willing to co-operate for the permanent welfare of his home city. His death was a special bereavement to his family, for his home was his lodge and he had given it his affections and loyal service. In business his success was honorable, and in private life he never failed in the courteous high-mindedness which is the finest element of manly character. He was a member of the Athelstan Club, and in politics was Republican.
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Mrs. Kelleher, who with her children resides in the beautiful home at 72 Fremont street, was educated in the Battle Creek high school and at Olivet College, and before her marriage was a teacher in the city schools. She still owns the dry-goods establishment founded by her husband. It is conducted under the name of T. J. Kelleher Company, at 43-45 Main street, west, and its active manager is Thomas A. Kelleher, brother of the late merchant.
THOMAS A. KELLEHER. Among the energetic business men of Battle Creek, Thomas A. Kelleher holds an enviable position. As manager of one of the best known dry-goods stores in the city he has an opportunity to display to good advantage the necessary business qualities which he must have in order to have succeeded in this business. Before coming to Battle Creek he had gained a thorough practical knowledge of the business by his work elsewhere, and has been increasingly successful in his chosen career during the succeeding years.
Thomas A. Kelleher was born in Marshall, Michigan, on the 11th of August, 1870. He was the son of Bartholomew Kelleher and of Mar- garet (O'Brien) Kelleher. He has the combination of Irish and English blood in his veins, for his father was born in Ireland, while his mother was a native of London, England. The father was a lad of about ten years when his parents came to this country and settled in New York state. Later in life he came to Michigan and settled in Marshall, in this state. He married Margaret O'Brien in Jackson, Michigan, and they spent their lives in Marshall.
Bartholomew Kelleher died about twenty years ago and his wife fol- lowed him about five years later. Both died in Marshall and are buried there. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity, and six of whom are now living. Of the four boys and two girls who are now alive Thomas A. Kelleher is the youngest. His brothers D. A. and C. A. are living in Cadillac, Michigan, and his two sisters, Mary and Elizabeth are in Marshall as is also his brother, Bar- tholomew, who is in the shoe business.
Thomas A. Kelleher received his education in Marshall, and as soon as he was allowed to, went to work. His first position was with John Butler in Marshall, as a clerk. This was in the grocery business, re- maining in this business for two years. At the end of this period he went to work for George Coleman, as a clerk in his grocery store. He then left Marshall and came to Battle Creek where he went into his' brother's dry-goods store. This was on the 11th of February, 1891, and he has been in this store ever since. Since the death of his brother, Timothy J. Kelleher, who is given a more extended notice elsewhere in this work, he has been manager of the store and has built up a large business. The widow of Timothy is the owner of this store, and she should be congratulated on having a man who is not only a keen business man, but also an honest one at the head of her affairs.
In his fraternal affiliations Mr. Kelleher is a member of Tent No. 54 of the Knights of the Modern Maccabees. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, attending St. Philip's church in Battle Creek.
On the 16th of April, 1904, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Kelleher and Miss Pearl H. Vanneter, of Williamstown, Michigan. This was the town of her birth and her education, though after her ele- mentary education was finished she attended the state normal school at Ypsilanti, Michigan. She then taught school for about ten years at school number Nine, in Battle Creek, and at the time of her marriage was principal of this school. Mr. and Mrs. Kelleher are the parents of
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two children, Elizabeth and John Thomas, both of whom were born here in Battle Creek.
ELIAS C. MANCHESTER. In the venerable and honored citizen who died at his home in Battle Creek, June 11, 1904, the city possessed not only its oldest resident, but also a man who represented in his long career the prominent social and civic elements which composed the citizenship of this community throughout its growth from a frontier settlement to a modern municipality. The late Elias C. Manchester was a very remarkable man. Ninety-one years old at the time of his death, he had spent sixty-eight of these years at Battle Creek. He was both a witness and actor in the changing developments of this long time. A substantial degree of material prosperity rewarded his industrious ef- forts, but the honor paid to his memory is more specially due to his fine independence of character, his active influence in the social and political movements experienced at different times in the last century by this locality. He was a pioneer, a successful business man, and a broad-minded vigorous citizen.
Elias C. Manchester was born in the township of Scipio, Cayuga county, New York, June 29, 1813. Brought up on his father's farm, he spent his summers in work and attended the common schools which existed in New York state at that time. He was a first-class scholar and when he was eighteen was employed to teach the home district school. The family were of the Quaker faith, and he was one of the prominent members of that sect which colonized in Calhoun county during the period of first settlement. About the time he reached his majority he turned his attention to the undeveloped west. His brother- in-law was a close friend of Squire Meachem, an owner of large tracts of land in southern Michigan, and it was due to this relation that young Manchester pointed his investigations toward Calhoun county.
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