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 30
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The Bock residence is in Springfield Place, at 119 Twenty-second street. Springfield Place is another monument to Mr. Bock's activity. He saw the future possibilities of the district and planned its streets and buildings. September 17, 1883, Mr. Bock married Miss Ina A. Gregory, daughter of Myron and Emily (Shepard) Gregory, of Battle Creek. Mrs. Bock was born and educated in Battle Creek, where her mother still resides, her father being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bock are the parents of four children : Mrs. Joseph L. Hall, of Indianapolis; Rob- ert G., mentioned above; Mrs. Harry Mott and Miss Frances. Robert is a graduate of the high school. Mrs. Mott finished at St. Mary's Acad- emy in South Bend, and Frances is now in high school.
CHARLES S. ANDREWS. A self-made man in every sense implied by the term, Charles S. Andrews has accomplished a satisfactory work both as a farmer and a merchant, and having accumulated a fair share of this world's goods is now living retired from active pursuits, en- joying the pleasures of a well-earned leisure. A native of Michigan, he was born, September 28, 1842, in Kent county of pioneer stock.
His father, Sylvester Andrews, was born, in 1798, in New Jersey, where his parents were life long residents. Well educated and a fine musician, he came to Michigan soon after it became a state, and engaged in professional work, being a school teacher, and a teacher of music, until his death, while he was yet in manhood's prime, in 1843, before his son Charles was a year old, and before he had accumulated any means. His widow, whose maiden name was Mary Guyant, was born in Connecticut in 1801, and came to Michigan with her parents, who located in Jackson county, and there spent their remaining days. She married a second husband and continued to live in Michigan until her death. In those early days the country roundabout was in its virgin wildness, the Indians claiming the forests as their happy hunting grounds, and making frequent calls upon the new settlers while Mr. Andrews was a boy, and he remembers hearing his mother tell that one day when he was a babe in the cradle the Indians came into the house and his sister a little older than himself being too small to carry him pulled him from the cradle and dragged him out to where his mother was.
Availing himself of the limited educational advantages of his day, Charles S. Andrews attended the district schools during his youthful days, obtaining a practical knowledge of the common branches of study. In 1861 he enlisted as a soldier in Company "H," Merril's Horse, after- wards the Second Missouri Cavalry, and was with his command in numerous engagements, including those at Wilson's Creek, Memphis, Moore's Mill, Kirksville, Crampton Ferry, Ashley Bayou, Bear Skin Lake, Princeton, Camden, Franklin and at other places of minor im- portance, being with his command all of the time with the exception
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of six months, when he was ill at Saint John's Hospital, Little Rock. At the end of three years he was honorably discharged from the service.
On returning from the seat of war, Mr. Andrews was for several years engineer in a saw mill, but finally bought a small farm, and en- gaged in tilling the soil for awhile. Subsequently opening a store in Sonoma, Michigan, he was there engaged in general mercantile business for seventeen years, building up a substantial trade, and making money. Disposing of his stock in 1902, Mr. Andrews bought forty acres of land near Battle Creek, and is now living there retired, taking life easy.
Mr. Andrews married on March 3, 1875, Helen Owen, a daughter of Vri Owen, who came from New York to Michigan, and was here suc. cessfully employed in farming until his death. Mrs. Andrews is a most charming woman, and is a valued member of the Methodist Epis copal church.
An active member of the Republican party, Mr. Andrews was town- ship supervisor for nine years, during the last year serving as chair- man of the board.
FRANK COOPER, a well known farmer of Marengo township, was born on what is known as the Church farm, in this township, Calhoun county, on February 16, 1859, and is the last and youngest of the four children born to his parents, John and Mary (Buckley) Cooper, natives of Ire- land. The subject was educated in the district school near his boy- hood home, and as soon as he left school began farming in association with his father. He remained on the home farm so engaged until 1893, when he decided to establish a home of his own, and he accordingly purchased the farm upon which he now lives. With the sole excep- tion of two years which he spent in Albion, Mr. Cooper has always lived in Marengo township.
On June 22nd, 1893, Mr. Cooper was united in marriage with Miss Mary Boughton, daughter of Charles and Emily (Merritt) Boughton, both of whom are still living at the advanced age of seventy-seven and seventy-three years, respectively. Mr. Boughton is one of the oldest settlers in Calhoun county, having come to the district when he was but four years old in company with his parents, and settling with them in Marengo township, and he has always resided near to the home of his boyhood.
ARTHUR B. WILLIAMS. During the last twenty years the bar of Cal- houn county has contained no abler or more successful trial lawyer than Arthur B. Williams, now acting as general counsel for the Pos- tum Cereal Company Ltd., and Mr. C. W. Post. Previous to accepting his present duties, which have caused his virtual retirement from gen- eral practice, he was retained on one side or other in nearly every im- portant case tried in the courts of this county during the last ten or fifteen years. His ability in the law and his high standing in the pro- fession and as a citizen give him rank as one of the leaders in the modern activities and life of this county.
Mr. Williams was born at Ashland, Ashland county, Ohio, January 27, 1872. His parents, are now living retired at Charlotte, Michigan. His father, likewise a native of Ashland, was of Scotch-Irish stock on the paternal side and Pennsylvania German on the maternal side, the family having long been identified with the state of Pennsylvania. The father, after obtaining his early education in Ohio, was engaged in farming there until about 1877, since which time he has been a resident of Charlotte, this state.
As the oldest of three children who reached mature years, Arthur
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B. Williams attended the country schools of Eaton county, Michi- gan, up to the time he was fourteen, and then entered Olivet College, which is honored as his alma mater and of which institution he is now a trustee. Both his academic and collegiate studies were pursued there, ending with his graduation as bachelor of letters in 1892. In college he was an active member and president of the Adelphic Society. Dur- ing his career at Olivet he had already begun the study of law. His bar examination was successfully passed at Detroit in 1893.
Early in the next year he located at Battle Creek, where his talent and energy and initial success quickly won him a very liberal patron- age so that in a few years he was known as one of the busiest lawyers of the city. From a general practice at the beginning he confined him- self more and more to corporation and commercial law. As a pleader before judge or jury, he has few equals in this part of the state. His power as an impressive speaker has reinforced his long-continued habit of earnest and thorough study, so that in any case that he undertakes he is prepared for all its issues and a powerful opponent in every phase of the trial. His law library now is one of the best selected and largest in Battle Creek. Mr. Williams has lived at Battle Creek during his entire professional career. During his practice he has been the senior partner in several law firms. Associated with him during various periods have been Andrew W. Lockton (now deceased), Ira A. Beck and Edwin C. Lewis. Mr. Lewis was associated in the firm, under the name of Wil- liams & Lewis for several years previous to April, 1911, at which date Mr. Williams retired from active practice to accept the responsible place of general attorney for the great cereal manufacturing firm of Battle Creek.
On January 12, 1897, Mr. Williams was married to Miss Sue M. Wilson. John T. Wilson, her father, was well known in financial affairs at Charlotte, where he resided many years before his death. Her mother is still living in Charlotte. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Williams is at 231 Maple street.
He is a director of the Old National Bank of Battle Creek and affi- liates with Battle Creek Lodge No. 12, A. F. & A. M., and is also a Knights Templar, and a member of the Knights of Pythias B. P. O. E., and I. O. F. For two years he was president of the Athelstan Club, and was president at the time the elegant club quarters were arranged for in the Post building. He is a member of the Country Club, and of the Independent Congregational church. His service as a citizen and lawyer has been helpful to the charter revision commission of Battle Creek, of which he is a member. During the twenty years since he left college Mr. Williams has gained more than ordinary distinction and success.
MARK MCCAMLY. Probably there is no better known family in Calhoun county than that of McCamly, nor is there one whose repre- sentatives have filled positions of greater trust or importance or have rendered greater service to the community. One of the highly esteemed citizens of this name, and one who is widely known throughout this section, is Mark McCamly, one of the oldest living native-born citizen of Calhoun county, now living a retired life in the city of Battle Creek. He was born in Marshall, Michigan, June 2, 1832, the third white child born in the county, a son of Judge Sands and Eliza M. (Coleman) Mc- Camly.
Sands McCamly was born in Orange county, New York, October 16, 1793, his parents being David and Phoebe (Sands) McCamly, who emi- grated to Orange county, New York, from Ireland, the family becom-
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ing prominent agriculturists. In June, 1831, Sands McCamly emi- grated from Cayuga county, New York, to Michigan, and endeavored to secure the present site of the city of Battle Creek, on account of its general eligibility and because of the presence of water power much to his liking. Failing, however, to secure this tract of land, he moved to Nottawa prairie, where he and his family lived for about a year, and in the summer of 1832 settled in Marshall, Michigan, where he resided until November, 1835, at that time locating in Battle Creek. In Feb- ruary, 1834, he bought an undivided half of the Garnsey purchase from a Mr. Sackett, who had previously entered it from the government, General Convis having control of the other half, it being agreed between the two that Judge McCamly should have full possession of the water power if he would improve it. Later he bought the whole original tract here and undertook its development, but subsequently sold a part to Jonathan Hart and Abraham and Isaac Merritt, who were pioneers, and to other actual settlers. He was the first postmaster of Battle Creek, and on the admission of Michigan into the Union as a State, was elected from his district as a State senator. He possessed a strong, clear intellect and sound judgment, was a good judge of men and things, and was inclined to view the sunny side of everything. His death occurred April 30, 1864. On November 8, 1823, he was married in Orange county, New York, to Miss Eliza M. Coleman, who was born there November 5, 1805, and she died in Battle Creek in 1859. Merritt Coleman came to Battle Creek at an early day and died in this city aged ninety-three years. Judge and Mrs. McCamly were widely known for their charity and kindness, and their names are still affectionately men- tioned here, although they passed away many years ago. They had three daughters and two sons, Mark being the only survivor. The old homestead is now the Nichols Memorial Hospital.
Mark McCamly was educated in the public schools, and reared to the vocation of an agriculturist, which he has followed throughout his life, although he now lives retired. He owns one and one-fifth acres where his home is now located, next to the Nichols Memorial Hospital, on West Main street. He is a stockholder in the Merchants Savings Bank. On September 29, 1856, Mr. McCamly was married on the old farm to Miss Celina Whitmore, who was born in Vermont, daughter of Giddings and Susan G. (Houstain) Whitmore, of Fredonia town- ship, who were early settlers there, coming from Vermont and New Hampshire in 1832, when Mrs. McCamly was one year old. They died in Battle Creek after living with Mr. and Mrs. McCamly for over thirty years. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McCamly : Annie, who resides with her parents; Mrs. Harry Leon, of Decatur, Illinois; Mary, the wife of Dr. L. C. Smith, a well known dental prac- titioner of Bay City, Michigan; and Harry C., of Battle Creek, time- keeper for the Postum Cereal Company, Limited. All were born in Battle Creek and educated there.
Mr. McCamly has seen marvelous changes take place during his long residence here, and is an interesting conversationalist, with a stock of anecdotes and reminiscences of the early days. He well remembers . walking every step of the way from the Missouri river to California, when a lad a little past seventeen years of age, but with the exception of that trip has spent practically all his life in Battle Creek, where he is regarded as one of his city's most highly esteemed citizens.
LE VANT D. HOBBS comes of one of the pioneer families of Mich- igan. His father Alfred D. Hobbs was born in Brookport, New York, on April 1, 1828, and moved to La Salle county, Illinois in 1832. He
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was one of the early pioneers and helped his father clear the land on which they located. He remained on the home place until 1850, when with some of the neighboring youths he got the California gold fever. They prepared a raft and made their way down the Illinois and Mis- sissippi Rivers until they reached St. Louis, where they bought a full equipment and struck out across the plains. So severe were the hard- ships encountered that during the half-year required to reach the coast, several of the party succumbed, but the rest pressed bravely onward. After nine years on the coast Mr. Hobbs returned home, desiring to enlist for the Civil war, but conditions at home were such that he could not be spared and he was reluctantly compelled to relinquish his plan. In 1862 he married Eugenia Bernard, who was a worthy, af- fectionate and conscientious helpmate.
There were eight children in their family, the two oldest dying about the time they attained their majority. Henry G. who was born in 1863, died at the age of twenty, and John A. who was born in 1865, passed away when twenty-five. Doctor Edward J. Hobbs now resides in Galesburg, Michigan, and has a fine practice. He was born in 1868. The next child was Nora May, who is now Mrs. Wirt C. Henry, of Battle Creek. In succession came L. D. Hobbs and Byron Hobbs, who are now partners in the grocery business. Ernest C. resides in Birm- ingham, Alabama. Mable is now Mrs. Dwight C. Fuller of Cullaman, Alabama. All of the children were born in La Salle, Illinois, and re- ceived their education in Battle Creek, John, Edward and Nora attend- ing the old Battle Creek College. Byron is a graduate of the No. One School of Battle Creek, and L. D. Hobbs completed the High School with the exception of one year.
The parents were great believers in education and gave their chil- dren all the advantages at their command. They remained on the farm until 1889 when they moved to Battle Creek, where Mr. Hobbs, who had been an endless toiler, continued active in a number of lines. Feel- ing the weight of years coming upon him he decided in the fall of 1901 to remove to the southland, where he could escape the severity of the northern winters. He selected Cullaman, Alabama, and removed there with his wife, his daughter Mabel, and also his son Ernest, and family. In January, 1912, it was thought best to bring the old folks back to Battle Creek as Mr. Hobbs had shown such a material improvement. He stood the trip well, but began to fail a week after his return and soon lapsed into unconsciousness, passing away at midnight, Tuesday, February 21, 1912, at the age of 83 years, 10 months and 20 days. Mr. Hobbs and the members of his family were of the Adventist faith, which noble precepts soothed and cheered his declining days. He was sincerely mourned by all.
Le Vant D. Hobbs was born in La Salle, La Salle county, Illinois, December 5, 1872. The life of his father has been commented upon. His mother was Eugenia Bernard and she now divides her time between the children in Battle Creek and those in Alabama. L. D. Hobbs went from the school-room directly into business for himself and has never worked for anyone else. He and his brother Byron decided to embark in the grocery business, although neither one of them knew a single thing about it. They had plenty of enthusiasm however, and signal- ized their independence by opening a store at 231 West Main street, July 4, 1897. The firm was known as Hobbs Brothers, and the partnership lasted until the fall of 1898, when Byron went to Chi- cago, and L. L. Swank, father-in-law of Mr. Hobbs bought out Byron's interest. The firm of Swank & Hobbs continued for some years. Then Mr. Hobbs bought out his partner and continued alone
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until 1895 when he sold out to Satterlee & Son. He then took charge of the retail store of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, located on North Washington Avenue, also having charge of the booths in the Sanitarium proper. This did not satisfy Mr. Hobbs after having been in business for himself so long, and he resigned the position at the expiration of his year's contract, forming a partnership with L. H. Weldin, under the name of Weldin & Hobbs. They dealt in general merchandise at 245- 247 and 249 West Main street. The partnership continued until 1907 when it was dissolved and Mr. Hobbs took over the grocery end of the business and conducted it alone. In 1908 he and his brother Byron got together again and formed their second partnership, which has endured ever since, the firm name being Hobbs Bros.
Mr. Hobbs is a Republican and was alderman from the Third Ward for two terms in succession, a total of four years, two of them being under Mayor C. C. Green and two under Mayor John Bailey. Mr. Hobbs was chairman of the Civic Improvement Association, and also Chairman of the Park Committee. The Community Club Park was one of his ideas when in the Council and he was further responsible for the putting out of shrubs of various kinds in the parks. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen, the Tribe of Ben Hur, and the Industrial Association.
On September 7, 1900, Le Vant D. Hobbs was married to Miss Bertha D. Swank, daughter of L. L. and Jennie (Null) Swank, of Battle Creek. His wife was born in Belleville, Ohio, and educated at Delaware, Ohio, graduating from the Delaware High School in the class of 1888. Her parents reside at 388 Champion street, Battle Creek, and Mr. Swank conducts a grocery store at the corner of Lincoln and Aldrich Street. Mr. Hobbs resides at 199 Manchester Street and the store at 245 W. Main street.
His public and private life have been such as to command the respect and esteem of everyone, and no one is held in higher regard.
NILES BRYANT. An art, science and language-thus has music been called by one of the masters. To some degree musical sounds affect every race and condition of people, and it has even been demonstrated that poor, distraught minds may be awakened and wild emotions be controlled by musical compositions when every other influence has failed to arouse interest. Perhaps no record has ever been found of the first musical instrument, so far back in the buried ages must the historian search, but one may be sure that even the fabled pipes of Pan had to be properly attuned in order to render the harmonies which entranced the Arcadian nymphs.
Probably at no time in the world's history, has musical taste been so highly cultured or musical perfection so demanded as at the present day, when musical instruments are considered almost necessities in every home. In the front rank of choice, stands the piano, that incompar- able merchanism that seems so perfect that improvement does not ap- pear to be possible, but that will never be supplanted. A piano, well tuned, may be a constant joy to musician and music lover, but a piano capable of producing only discords or dissonant chords must be a source of irritation and keen disappointment and will never be tolerated by one who understands and values true musical vibrations. Hence, far back arose the acknowledged necessity for the services of an ex- perienced piano tuner, one who must have trained and dextrous fingers as well as quick and responsive ear. In this profession, as in others, there undoubtedly is a right and a wrong way, or, to put it as perhaps would Niles Bryant, president and founder of the Niles Bryant School
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of Piano Tuning, at Battle Creek, Michigan, a way and a still better way and his army of successful graduate students will endorse his better way.
Niles Bryant is a well known figure in the business world of Battle Creek. He was born in Porter township, Van Buren county, Michigan, August 15, 1868, and is a son of John R. and Harriet A. (Smith) Bryant. Both parents were born in New York and accompanied their parents to Van Buren county, Michigan, when children, attended school together in Porter township and subsequently were married there and resided on their farm until 1876, when they moved to Battle Creek. Early in the Civil war, John R. Bryant enlisted in the Federal Army, at Lawton, Michigan, becoming a member of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, in which he served for three years. Afterward he became a passenger engineer on the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad and continued in railroad life for about twenty-five years. His death occurred at his home in Battle Creek, March 24, 1895, his age being fifty-three years. He was well known all over the state and possessed social qualities that endeared him to a wide circle. He was a Knight Templar Mason, be- longing to Battle Creek Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M. and Commandery No. 33, and was also identified with the Odd Fellows at Battle Creek. He was one of the charter members of the Eastern Star at Battle Creek and this lodge bears his name. His widow survived until April 19, 1909, and her burial was conducted by Bryant Chapter of the Eastern Star, of which she also was a charter member. John R. Bryant and wife were members of St. Thomas Episcopal Church at Battle Creek. Two sons and one daughter were born to them: Niles; George M., who is a resident of Cincinnati; and Edith, who died when about four years of age.
Niles Bryant attended the public schools of Battle Creek and the old Battle Creek College, securing thereby excellent educational train- ing in a general line, but Nature had bestowed musical gifts on him and very soon his natural bent became apparent. At Battle Creek he was under instruction, from Prof. Edwin Barnes for two years and from Prof. Cobb for five years more and then taught music for some two years. All this time he was quietly studying out for himself a perfect, tuning method, and learned the art of tuning with Leo Betten- dorf, of Jackson, Michigan, going then to Detroit, Michigan, where he remained for one year with the firm of Miller & Thompson, as salesman and piano tuner. His mother's home was yet at Battle Creek and he returned then to this city and employed the following year with his music classes. There has always been, in Mr. Bryant's composition, a very practical strain running along with what might be termed the emotional one as represented by his musical talent, and about this time he decided to enter a piano factory and for himself learn every detail of the man- ufacture of these instruments with which his life seemed so naturally connected, and thus became a factory workman with the Smith & Barnes Piano Company, of Chicago, Illinois. For five years Mr. Bryant remained with that well known music firm, in the days when each work- man made his own piano, hence there is nothing in the construction of one of these instruments that is not familiar to Mr. Bryant. He was advanced through every department of the Smith-Barnes Company, and became inspector for the house, where he was held responsible for the mechanical construction, finish and tone of every piano that was sent out. What better preparation could he have had for his future work?
For several years afterward, having been thoroughly drilled while with the above company in the art of tuning, voicing, regulating and repairing pianos by Superintendent C. R. Ellias, he taught music and
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