History of Calhoun County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 31

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 31

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

814

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

followed piano tuning at Battle Creek, and while attending' to his professional duties was impressed with a fact that had much to do with the founding of his unique school of instruction. As stated in the beginning of this brief biography pianos are being purchased in rapidly increasing numbers all over the country, and of a necessity, in order that they may be equal to the demands made upon them, there must be well equipped doctors to attend to their ailments, especially to keep up their tone. It was Professor Bryant's own idea that here was the path which might be opened up before ambitious and industrious men who were seeking foothold among the over-crowded professions. The story of how he made a practical application of his idea and de- veloped it into the Niles Bryant School of Piano Tuning, is more than interesting, it is absorbing, but present space permits only the outlines. In 1898, starting with one pupil, by September, 1906, the school was incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan, owned one of the most prominent business sites in the city of Battle Creek, and had established its reputation for thoroughness of instruction and at the present time of writing has its satisfied students in almost every country on the globe.

Mr. Bryant is not only a musician, a piano tuner along scientific lines, and a builder of a great educational enterprise, but he is also an inventor and his own words may be quoted concerning how he dis- covered the principles which resulted in the construction of the Tune- a-Phone, the perfect instrument that simplifies the teaching of the art of tuning. Mr. Bryant says:

"About this time I had attained a series of most gratifying results from certain researches in acoustics, which I had long been prosecuting with the fixed purpose of getting at the ultimate foundation of certain obscure and little understood phenomena underlying the theory of temperaments and temperament building. Through long and patient application and frequent employment of special apparatus for the study of acoustic principles, much of which was of exceeding delicacy and had cost me a small fortune to design and perfect, results had at last been realized that had suggested to me the feasability of the Tune-a- Phone, and in an instant the field of my future work flashed upon me. The Tune-a-Phone made correspondence instruction in piano tuning practical."

The Niles Bryant School of Piano Tuning not only imparts skill to its students but it does more, it teaches them how to market that skill which Mr. Bryant justly regards as an exceedingly important feature. Through the efforts of this school there is no doubt but that hundreds have been put on the path whereby at least a comfortable competency has been secured. In addition to the Tune-a-Phone, Mr. Bryant has invented other musical tools and assistants and one of these is a disc for a phonograph for tuning pianos. He is interested in other concerns, being a director of the Roman Cut Stone Company of Battle Creek, and of additional enterprises, but his business interests have mainly been in the line above indicated. He introduced the first piano-player at Battle Creek and gave the first exhibition here, in the Annex Block on South Jefferson street.

In politics, Mr. Bryant is a Republican and was a member of the Board of Public Works under Mayor George Barnes for two years and then resigned. He sold the City Hall site to the city for the sum of thirty thousand dollars, on which the new City Hall of Battle Creek is to be erected in 1912, the location being opposite the Post Office. There was a three year's warfare over this transaction but Mr. Bryant secured justice.

815

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

On August 27, 1892, Mr. Bryant was married to Miss Jennie Gorman, who was born, reared and educated at Toronto, Canada. They have two sons: Niles, Jr., who was born at Chicago, Illinois; and James Gor- man, who was born at Toronto. Both sons are athletes and they are also bright high school pupils. Mr. Bryant and family enjoy a spacious residence at No. 75 Garrison avenue, Battle Creek, and a delightful sum- mer home at Gull Lake, where they have twenty-five acres, eighteen of which is still in timber. Mr. Bryant is a member of Battle Creek Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M., and belongs to Saladin Shrine at Grand Rapids, Michigan; belongs also to the Elks at Battle Creek, and is a member of the Athelstan and Country Clubs.

FRED WELLS has been a resident of Battle Creek since his boyhood days and has here risen to a secure position as one of the representative business men of the city, as well as one who has stood exemplar of the utmost civic loyalty and public spirit. He was for a number of years actively identified with banking interests in Battle Creek, having initi- ated his efforts in the capacity of messenger boy and having eventually risen to executive position of responsibility and trust. He is at the present time president of the Rathbun & Kraft Lumber & Coal Company, one of the important industrial concerns of the metropolis of Calhoun county, and one to which more specific reference is made on other pages of this work,-in the sketches dedicated to Stephen J. Rathbun and Arthur J. Kraft, who are respectively treasurer and secretary of the company, of which the remaining executive officer is Edward Henning, who is vice-president.

Fred Wells claims the old Empire state of the Union as the place of his nativity and is a scion of honored pioneer families of Onondaga county that state, where both his father and mother were born and reared and where their marriage was solemnized. He himself was born in the town of Otisco, that county, on the 29th of June, 1864, and is a son of Charles and Esther (Cummings) Wells. Charles Wells was engaged in the hotel business during the greater part of his active career but was an invalid during the last twenty years of his life. He came with his family to Battle Creek in 1878, and here he lived virtually retired from active business until his death. He was a Republican in politics and was a man of ability and sterling character,-one who ever commanded secure place in the confidence and esteem of those who knew him. His widow, now venerable in years, still resides in Battle Creek and maintains her home at 49 Upton avenue.

Fred Wells, the only child in the family, gained his rudimentary education in the schools of his native state and was a lad of about four- teen years at the time of the family removal to Battle Creek, where he continued his studies in the public schools until he had completed the curriculum of the high school, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1883.

Soon after leaving school Mr. Wells assumed the position of mes- senger in the Old National Bank of Battle Creek, and by effective and faithful service he won promotion to the position of bookkeeper in this institution, with which he continued to be identified for a period of four years. He then became assistant cashier of the Merchants' Saving Bank, and he continued as one of the valued and popular office execu- tives of this institution for twelve years, at the expiration of which he resigned, to devote his attention to other interests. In December, 1900, he became treasurer of the Rathbun & Kraft Lumber Company, Limited, and he retained this incumbency until the 4th of April, 1906, when the concern was reorganized and reincorporated, without the prior liability Vol. II-14

816

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

limitation, under the present title of the Rathbun & Kraft Lumber & Coal Company. He is now president of this substantial and progres- sive concern and gives to its administrative affairs the greater part of his time and attention. He is a stockholder of the Hygienic Food Company, Maple Flake Mills, of Battle Creek and is secretary of its board of directors, and he is also a stockholder in the Old National Bank.

Mr. Wells has shown a lively interest in all that has tended to foster the civic and material progress of his home city, is a stanch Republican in his political allegiance. In 1901 Mr. Wells was appointed a member of the city board of education, to fill the vacancy caused by the resig- nation of Judge Joel Hopkins, and the most effective voucher for the effectiveness of his services and the popular estimate placed upon the same is that he has since been elected as his own successor on three different occasions, his present term expiring in 1913. He is now sec- retary of the board and is also treasurer of the Battle Creek Chautauqua Association. He is a charter member and was one of the incorporators of the Athelstan Club, and served as treasurer of the same during the first seven years of its existence. He has an attractive home at 53 Upton avenue and the same is a center of much social activity of repre- sentative order.

On the 25th of June, 1885, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Wells to Miss Ora M. Flagg, who was born and reared in Battle Creek and who was graduated in the high school as a member of the same class as her husband. She is a daughter of Eli W. Flagg, long numbered among the influential business men of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Wells have two children,-Ruth M. and Dean J.

JAMES J. LARMOUR. A Battle Creek man who is doubtless more closely associated with the government service, and more widely known in that service, than any other in this state, as well as other states, is James J. Larmour, who also enjoys the distinction of having lived here from early childhood, more than a half-century ago. His parents, James J. and Jane ( Winant) Larmour, were natives of New York and New Jersey, the latter having been born at Hackensack, where their marriage took place. The original stock being that of the Huguenot French and the Dutch of the Netherlands. James J. Larmour, the subject of this sketch was born in New York City, on October 4, 1852. When a child of four years, the family came to Battle Creek, where the father pursued his vocation, which was that of architecture. It was he who built the first brick Methodist church, where the present one stands, and also the first public hall, which was known as Stuart's Hall, and which building is now occupied by the Bock-Walker Hard- ware Company. Col. Stuart occupied the first two floors with his store originally, the hall was on the third floor, and was for many years the only public hall in the city. The elder Mr. Larmour's first residence was built on the lot where the residence of E. C. Nichols now stands, corner of Maple and Fremont streets. The lot with others, was taken from a cultivated field at that time. He died here in 1886. His first wife had died in 1861 and he had subsequently married Miss Susan Clark, of Battle Creek. Of the first marriage were born four girls and three boys; of these only James J. and two sisters are now living. Of the sons he was the youngest. Alpheus, lived in and was identified with, El Paso, Texas, but died in a sanitarium at Los Angeles, Cal., in 1901, and William W. died in Waco, Texas, in 1909. Jane died in New York, while a mere child; the death of Sarah occurred at Bangor, Michigan, in 1881, she was Mrs. James E. Westervelt, having married

817

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

in New Jersey. Mr. Larmour's sister Matilda is the widow of Daniel Schoonmaker, one of the prominent figures in New York City real es- tate life in his time, and where she still resides. The other sister, who is Mrs. DeForest Gilbert, lives in Battle Creek. The only child of the father's second marriage is Mrs. Annie Chambers, also a widow, and a resident of this city. Her mother died here in 1910.

James J. Larmour was educated in the schools of Battle Creek. His first position as a boy was his employment in and about the postoffice. But his earliest service to the postal department was fraught with mis- fortune. For, since his father was a member of the old school Dem- ocratic party, and the boy himself too young to demonstrate by his vote the loyalty he felt for the party in power, he presently lost his position. Politics work wonders, and make strange bedfellows, for later the postmaster who was responsible for his temporary severance from the postal service because his father was a Democrat, when he lost his postoffice became the nominee, and ran as a Democrat on the Dem- ocratic ticket for Congress, but was defeated, and in later years fre- quently spoke of the incident to Mr. Larmour. His next experience was in the office of the Battle Creek Journal, during which time the Daily Journal was started, and Mr. Larmour who was running the press, or assisting, at the time, preserved and still possesses the first copy of the press of this paper, a most interesting souvenir of early journalism.

The postal service had always great attractiveness for Mr. Larmour, who was not long in demonstrating his efficiency for it. In 1875 he received an appointment in the postal service on the railroad, as what was then known as Route Agent, and was assigned to what is now the Grand Trunk, and was later transferred to the Michigan Central when the service on that road was enlarged. In 1880 he was appointed a Postoffice Inspector, which position he still holds. This service is at- tached to the office of the Postmaster General, and is directly under his control through a Chief Inspector. The headquarters for this section is located at Chicago and covers three states. Detroit is in the terri- tory covered by Mr. Larmour, and which city occupies much of his time. His affiliations with the city are of many sorts. He was one of the first two aldermen of the Fifth Ward, when it was created. Was an active member for many years of the volunteer fire department. As a member of fraternal societies he has been exceptionally popular, hav- ing been a charter member of the original organization here of the Improved Order of Red Men, a member of the United Workmen, the National Union for many years, and the Elks. His extensive absence from home, however, have led him to discontinue his membership in these societies, retaining only his active connection with the Knights of Pythias, of which order he is one of Battle Creek's oldest members.

Mr. Larmour, notwithstanding the injustice he suffered in youthful days, has always been a stalwart Republican. As such he has profited by many enlightening experiences, especially in his acquaintance and association with such men of the party as the lamented Senator Zach- ariah Chandler, Governor John J. Bagley, Victor P. Collier, C. M. Wakelee, William Wallace, et al. It was his privilege, while yet a young man, to hear the discussions of these men, to hear Senator Chandler, while Chairman of the National Republican Committee, recite in private conversation all the events in detail in connection with the exciting close of the President Hayes campaign; to hear him say, had it not been for the attitude of, and the loval support given him by General, then President Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes would have fallen short of entering the White House as President of the United States.

An episode of Mr. Larmour's journalistic days has been of great

818

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

importance in the development of his domestic life. In the printing office was employed as type-setter, a young lady named Miss Emily Kernen, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Kernen, a Swiss family who had in early days settled in Charlotte, and finally in Alma, Mich- igan. This young lady was educated in Michigan and was a school- teacher for a few years. In 1874 she became the wife of Mr. Larmour. Two sons and two daughters have come to their home, both of the former and one of the latter of whom are still living. Madalyn, the eldest, is Mrs. Louis Lytton; both she and her husband are in theatrical work. A. Fred. Larmour, the older son, is a successful druggist on South Kendall street, where he established his business in 1909. Kathryn, who had been graduated from the Battle Creek High School, died in Jan- uary, 1910. James J., the youngest, is engaged in newspaper work, and makes his home with his parents.

As a representative of "Uncle Sam" Mr. Larmour has been seen forty-two years of service, during which time he has successfully handled many important cases. Not, however, to experience, but rather to his own inherent strength of character is due Mr. Larmour's exceptional efficiency and his reputation for superior executive ability.

GEORGE P. WIRT. Belonging to that steady, reliable class of business men who have gained prestige and high position through the medium of their own efforts, George P. Wirt, manager of the commercial depart- ment of the Battle Creek Gas Company, is recognized as an able, shrewd and active factor in the operation of one of his city's most important enterprises. Like many of the successful business men of Battle Creek, he is a product of the farm, having been born on his father's home- stead at Arrowsmith, Illinois, January 17, 1875, his parents, J. B. and Hattie (Howell) Wirt, being natives of Ohio. At the present time they are residing on a farm two miles from Battle Creek, to which they moved in January, 1912, the elder Wirt having always followed agricultural pursuits. In the family there were three sons and two daughters, one of the sons now being deceased, while George P. is the third in order of birth and the only member of the family living in Battle Creek.

George P. Wirt attended the district schools in the vicinity of his father's farm, and as a youth followed farming. However, the life of an agriculturist did not appeal to him, and at the age of twenty-two years he left the parental roof in Illinois, and came to Battle Creek, Michigan, where in 1900 he entered the service of the Battle Creek Gas Company. Hard, faithful work won its reward in various promotions, and in October, 1906, he was made manager of the commercial depart- ment, a position which he has since filled in a most capable manner. At- tending strictly to business, he has always had the interests of his company at heart, and has done much to advance its growth and develop- ment. For three years Mr. Wirt was a member of the Michigan State · Militia, belonging to Company L, of Battle Creek, and then secured his honorable discharge. Fraternally, he is connected with Columbia Lodge No. 272, I. O. O. F .. in which he is very popular.

On September 25, 1903, Mr. Wirt was united in marriage in Battle Creek with Miss Edith Hewgill, daughter of H. P. and Mrs. Hewgill of Battle Creek, the former now deceased, and the latter living in this city. Mrs. Wirt was born at Crown Point, Indiana, and secured her education in the schools of Battle Creek. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wirt. namely: James Bruce. George Howard, Mal- comb Lewis and Virginia Louise. The family home is situated at No. 160 West street.

819

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

WILLIAM J. SMITH. A leading figure in the financial world of Southern Michigan, whose management of both men and affairs has won for him a reputation that extends far beyond the limits of the state, William J. Smith, vice-president of the Old National Bank, is rec- ognized as one of the foremost citizens of Battle Creek. Coming to this city twenty-two years ago, he immediately became an important factor in various movements which were interesting the leading business men and financiers of the rapidly-growing city, and since that time has risen to a position of almost national importance in the ranks of the Repub- lican party. Mr. Smith was born in Charleston township, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, October 26, 1865, and is a son of John and Kath- erine (Joyce) Smith. His father was born in Genesee county, New York, and came to Michigan in 1857, settling in Kalamazoo county, where he resided until 1866, then removing to LeRoy township, Calhoun county. He became one of the leading farmers of his day and locality, held various public offices, and at the time of his death, March 29, 1891, his community lost one of its best and most highly esteemed citizens. The family is of German ancestry, having been founded in New England at an early date in the colonization of this country. Katherine (Joyce) Smith was also a native of Genesee county, New York, and a daughter of John Joyce, a soldier of the War of 1812, who was of Scotch-Irish origin, the family having come to America at an early day. Mrs. Smith still resides on the old Calhoun county homestead, and is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which her husband also belonged.

William J. Smith was still in his infancy when he was brought to Calhoun county, and he was reared on the old homestead, there becoming familiar with the duties of the farmer. He attended the common schools of West LeRoy until he was fifteen years of age, at which time he entered the Battle Creek High School, and after spending two years there took a three-year course in Albion College. Subsequently he took a course in the Detroit Business University, and being thus well equipped for a business career, at the age of twenty-three years established the Exchange Bank, at Climax, Michigan, which he conducted successfully for two years. At this time, however, his health failed, and he dis- posed of his interests and spent several months in the South, but in the fall of 1890 returned North and assisted in the establishment of the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank, of Smith. Cole & Company, a private banking institution of Battle Creek, of which he acted as cashier until the spring of 1898. In the meantime this institution had grown to be an important factor in the financial life of Battle Creek, carrying on a most extensive business and enjoying an unassailable reputation for reliability. The close confinement made necessary by his arduous duties, however, had undermined Mr. Smith's health, and he was obliged to put aside all active business affairs for a time, the Farmers and Mechanics Bank being then consolidated with the Old National Bank of Battle Creek, Mr. Smith being made a member of the directing board. In 1906 he became vice-president of this institution, a position which he has held to the present time. Although not actively engaged in outside operations he has various large manufacturing interests both here and elsewhere, and is the owner of considerable farming property, regardless of his various interests he gives his entire personal attention to the Old National Bank.

Until 1896 Mr. Smith was a supporter of Democratic principles, but in that year transferred his allegiance to the Republican party, and since that time has risen to a high position in its councils. He has been a delegate to various conventions, but has never aspired to

820

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

public office, preferring to limit his activities to the directing end of political life. His acquaintance among the leaders of the party through- out the country is extended and confidential, and during the past eight years he has been a prominent figure in national affairs. He made the first canvass in Michigan for President Taft, and during 1912 was offered the management of the President's campaign in this state, but owing to the multiplicity of his business interests was forced to de- cline. When the President made his now famous trip throughout the country, it had been originally planned that there were to be but three stops made in Michigan, but through Mr. Smith's influence the route was. changed so as to include Battle Creek and smaller points in Michigan, the President speaking in Battle Creek, September 21, 1911. Fraternally, Mr. Smith is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and also holds membership in the Athelstan and Country Clubs, and the Sigma Chi college fraternity. With his family, he attends the Independent Congregational Church.

On November 5, 1890, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Mary Lovell, daughter of Hon. L. W. Lovell, of Climax, Michigan, and they have one son : Wendell Lovell, born November 16, 1892, a graduate of the Battle Creek High School, class of 1910, and now taking a literary course in the University of Michigan, where he expects to graduate in 1914. The home of the Smith family, at No. 161 Maple street, which was erected by Mr. Smith, is located in the ideal residence district of the city, and is a center of culture and refinement. Mrs. Smith has been active in social and charitable work, and is one of the best known members of the Women's League.

Probably there is no man in Michigan who has a wider acquaintance among bankers or men in public affairs throughout the country, who is more highly esteemed by them, than Mr. Smith. He has been distin- guished for his faithfulness and single-hearted devotion to the interests of the banking institution with which he is connected, but this is char- acteristic of the man, for fidelity to trust and conscientious discharge of every duty is part and parcel of his nature. Personally, he is a man whose nature has not been spoiled by prosperity, and he has made friends in and out of business and political life, and, what is more, has retained them.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Calhoun County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 31

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