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 32
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HON. JAMES HENRY, of Battle Creek, who has been a resident of the city for the past thirty years, is especially well known for his participa- tion in public affairs. He is an able and popular citizen, and has given much valuable service in return for the public honors bestowed upon him.
Mr. Henry was born at Pittsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1859. He comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the stock which was most prominent in the early settlement of western Pennsylvania. At Pittsburg he received his education in the public schools, and at the age of twenty-three, in 1882, came to Battle Creek, with which city his life and interests have since been identified.
As an influential unwavering Republican he has been promoted from one degree of public responsibility to another. His first office was as justice of the peace. Then he was a member of the board of super- visors for twelve years, and during that time was chairman of the board for several years. As a member of the board in 1899 he insisted on an investigation of the County Officers and as a result of his efforts as chair- man of an investigating committee, there was $4,800.00, money misap- propriated, returned to the county treasury. In 1900, 1903 and 1906 he was elected to the office of city assessor. In 1900 the unanimous
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nomination of his party was given him for the office of probate judge, but he was defeated in the election. In 1906 he was first elected as representative from the second district of Calhoun county, and his subsequent service in the legislature is well known to all and has given him a place among the leading legislators at the capital. Mr. Henry was the first man from his district to be given a third term and at this writing he has been renominated by his party without opposition for the fourth.
In 1902, Mr. Henry platted Urbandale, a beautiful and prosperous village, just west of Battle Creek and so well has he fathered and promoted the growth of the town that he has been dubbed "King Henry of Urbandale" and many people of the county know him by no other name.
Mr. Henry resides at No. 247 West Van Buren street, city of Battle Creek, and has a wife and two sons, T. J. Henry and David R. Henry.
WILLIAM E. TAYLOR. A live, wide-awake, enterprising man of busi- ness, William E. Taylor, head of the well-known firm of Taylor Broth- ers Company, is identified with one of the leading industries of Battle Creek, the "Taylor Made" candy which the firm manufactures, having acquired not only a state-wide reputation for purity and quality, but being known and approved of by the wholesale and retail trade of every state in the Union. Starting in a very modest way, Mr. Taylor took for his motto "Quality first, price secondary," and he believes that his strict adherence to this motto is what has brought him his suc- cess. Although the prosperity of the Taylor Brothers firm is largely due to the fine quality of the output, yet it is also due to some extent to the splendid management and the fine business qualities of Mr. Taylor.
William E. Taylor was born, on the 22d of April, 1875, in Oakland county, Michigan, a son of Reverend William A. Taylor and a grandson of the Reverend William Taylor, one of the early circuit riders of Michi- gan. He is the fifth in direct line of descent to bear the name of Wil- liam, three of his ancestors having been ministers and it was naturally supposed that he would embrace the same profession, but he turned the energy and courage which made it possible for his forefathers to live the lives of hardship and sacrifice, which their profession entailed in the earlier days, into carving out an honorable business career for himself, when the odds were surely not in his favor. His father, the Reverend William A. Taylor was born near Romeo, Macomb county, Michigan, and as a young man entered the ministry, continuing as a preacher of the Methodist Episcopal denomination until about four years ago, when he retired. His last charge was in Bellevue, Michigan, and since his retirement he has been associated with his sons in business, at present being vice-president of the Taylor Brothers, Incorporated, as such having supervision of the trade in the far west. Before entering the ministry and since Mr. Taylor has always been one of the old War Horse Prohibitionists, being state lecturer, and serving for ten years as secretary of the State Committee, and for a time being its chairman also. He married Della A. Mosher, who was born at Holly, Michigan, and died at Battle Creek, Michigan, on the 27th of December, 1908, leav- ing three children, namely : William E., D. M. Taylor, secretary and treasurer of Taylor Brothers Company, Incorporated; and Miss Beulah J. Taylor, living at home. The two younger children were born in Lansing, Michigan, and were educated in Albion College.
Completing his early education in the schools of Lansing, Michigan, William E. Taylor learned the trade of a candy maker, and began work with the Johnson Baking and Candy Company of Owosso, Michigan.
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At the age of eighteen he embarked in business on his own account in a modest way, for two years, while living at Reading, where his father was preaching, manufacturing candy at home, and selling and deliver- ing in Reading and surrounding towns. He bought his sugar by the dollars' worth and his chocolate in five and ten pound lots, making a little handful of samples in a granite sauce-pan, soliciting orders from these. He subsequently worked for four years in different candy factories, gaining valuable experience, and perfecting his knowledge of the trade. Locating in Battle Creek, in 1902 Mr. Taylor and his wife opened a retail candy store at 11 West Main street, and during the ensuing year organized the Honey Chocolate Chip Company of which he became secretary and manager, his brother in the meantime having charge of the retail store. A year later he and his brother organized what was called Taylor Brothers Company, Limited, and placed the two stores that they were then running under the charge of one of their trusted employees, R. W. H. Crabb, who is now owner of one of the finest candy stores in Battle Creek, it being located at 44 West Main street. The two stores which the Taylor Brothers then owned, were merged into one, the present company being incorporated about 1905.
This company manufactures chocolates almost exclusively, making a specialty of Sorority Chocolates and Honey Comb Chocolate Chips, manufacturing for the wholesale trade and shipping all over the United States, and across the Atlantic, their foreign trade being quite large and constantly increasing. They now have six branch houses, and the factory now occupies three buildings erected for the purpose. In 1910 they did a five hundred thousand dollar business in the United States alone. They use about nine hundred thousand pounds of sugar a year, and about four hundred and fifty thousand pounds of chocolate. The plant is equipped with especially designed machinery, such as French dip- ping machines, which make it possible to manufacture over two million pounds of Honey Comb Chocolate Chips per year besides other choco- lates. The packing rooms where the candy is placed in boxes and pails, as well as the large stock room, are refrigerated by a special refrigeration plant, the method and installation of same was planned especially by the Taylor Bros. They are reported by refrigeration engineers to be the most modern and satisfactory refrigerated rooms used in the manu- facture of chocolates in the United States-and, so far as they know, the only plant of its kind in the United States. This special system changes the air entirely every three minutes, as well as washing, filtering and drying it. The firm maintains its own printing and paper box making department, where their labels, stationery, advertising matter and boxes are manufactured.
Recently Mr. Taylor has invented a new kind of cream which is described in the following clipping taken from the Battle Creek Enquirer for December 30, 1911: "W. E. Taylor of the Taylor Brothers candy company, has just perfected a chocolate cream on which he has been experimenting for ten years. It is a filling which congeals instant- ly upon being exposed to the air. It is Mr. Taylor's intention to sell the cream at a dollar the pound. They are said to be a very choice variety and are to be marketed soon after the first of the year. In order to insure this innovation in the candy lines against imitations and in- fringements, Mr. Taylor contemplates having the formula patented. When Mr. Taylor first went into the candy manufacturing business with his brother more than twelve years ago he made several attempts at producing a cream that would be almost in a liquid form when the chocolate covering was broken, but which instead of running would form a hardened coating of its own when coming in contact with the
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atmosphere. Nothing along the line of Mr. Taylor's cream has ever before been realized although it has been tried by many of the large candy makers of the United States."
Socially Mr. Taylor is a member of the Athelstan and Country Clubs of Battle Creek, and fraternally he belongs to Battle Creek Lodge, No. 12, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; to Battle Creek Chapter, No. 19, Royal Arch Masons; to Zabud Council, No. 9, Royal and Select Masters; to Battle Creek Commandery, No. 33, Knights Templar; to the Michigan Sovereign Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, of Detroit; and to Moslem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Detroit.
At Grand Ledge, Michigan, on the 15th of June, 1897, Mr. Taylor married Miss Katherine M. Pratt, daughter of the late Reverend B. S. Pratt, and they have one daughter, Willa Elizabeth, who was born at Battle Creek, Michigan. Mrs. Taylor's mother is still living, her home being with Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, at 84 Meacham Avenue.
Dow MOSHER TAYLOR. Associated with his brother William E. Tay- lor in the firm of Taylor Brothers Company, extensive manufacturers of high-grade confectionery and owners of the well-known brands of 'Taylor-Made,' 'Honey Comb,' and 'Sorority' Chocolate Specialties, is Dow Mosher Taylor.
He too is notable for the characteristics of conscientiousness and tho- roughness, the heritage of a long line of ministerial ancestors. When William A. Taylor and Della Mosher Taylor, his wife, were living in Lansing, Michigan, this son Dow Mosher Taylor was born, on March 25, 1882.
The education of D. M. Taylor was gathered from the schools he at- tended in various places while his father was in the ministry. He was in each a short time, at Bath, Maple Rapids, Jonesville, Reading, Grand Ledge, Holly and Ithaca, all in Michigan. He was a pupil in these public schools for about two years at a time. He spent one summer in Mt. Pleasant Summer Normal School, and at the age of 17 was grad- uated from the Ithaca High School, the youngest member of his class.
Mr. Taylor gained his business experience in such ways as his en- terprises and ambition developed. He began working for his brother outside of school hours and during vacations, in the baker and candy business, when he was 10 years old, and continued to learn the con- fectioners' trade in this manner until he finished school. He then began his vocational life by driving a delivery wagon for which services he accepted the small stipend of $1.00 per day. This work was pursued in Ithaca, where he later held position as bookkeeper and billing clerk. He then tested the possibilities of the bicycle business in Ithaca, and after a short time engaged in this way, went to Weston, West Virginia, where he worked in the jewelry and bicycle business.
Being practically brought up in the candy business, he then next joined his brother at Ashland, Kentucky, in running a small candy fac- tory there for about one year, at the end of which time on the persua- sion of his father, he entered Albion College. He enjoyed the advan- tages of the courses of that institution for a short time after which he accepted a position in a bicycle establishment in Battle Creek for one season. He then accepted an offer with the central sales manager of a Soda Fountain Trust, and in this capacity he was manager, and opened a store for them in Charlevoix, where he remained one sea- son. The next season he held a similar position at Sault Ste. Marie.
In 1901. Mr. Taylor permanently located in Battle Creek and en- tered into the confectionery business in this city with his brother, tak-
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ing charge of the retail store. One year later they organized the Taylor Brothers Company, Ltd., of which he was secretary and manager, es- tablishing permanent quarters on Champion street. In 1903, the Taylor Brothers Company, Ltd., and the Honey Comb Chocolate Chip Company, Ltd., were consolidated under the firm name of Taylor Brothers Com- pany, of which firm he is secretary and treasurer. The business has steadily grown in prestige and pecuniary returns until it ranks high among business enterprises of the city and state.
Mr. Taylor resides at 61 Poplar street. Mrs. Dow Mosher Taylor was formerly Miss Belle Loder, a daughter of William Loder of Albion, Michigan and alumnus of Albion College. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor took place in October 1908, and they are parents of a baby daughter named Della Mable Taylor, who was born on October 9, 1910.
Mr. Taylor like his brother is popular in clubs and fraternities of Battle Creek. He is a member of the old Masonic Lodge-Battle Creek Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M. In 1909 he held the honored position of Worshipful Master of this lodge, this giving him the additional honor of being the youngest Master in the history of Battle Creek Masons. During his incumbency he established the record of having initiated over twice as many members during the year of his administration than any year before or since. He is also a member of the other Battle Creek Masonic bodies as follows: Battle Creek Chapter No. 19, Zabud Coun- cil, Battle Creek Commandery Knights Templar No. 33. He is also affiliated with the Scottish Rite Masonry, being a thirty-second degree man of the Michigan Sovereign Consistory of Detroit, as well as being a member of the Moslem Shrine.
JUDGE WALTER HARPER NORTH, since 1906, circuit judge of the Thirty-seventh Judicial District, consisting of Calhoun county, in his important position has made a record for efficiency and judicial bearing that has won the respect and admiration of the bar of this part of the state of Michigan. He is a native son of the state, his birth having occurred in the township of Somerset, Hillsdale county, this state, No- vember 1, 1871. He is the son of William H. and Amarantha (Harper) North, both natives of Lodi, Washtenaw county, Michigan. The father began life as a farmer, but after a good many years abandoned the great basic industry and became a railroad man and it was while engaged in such duties that he met with his death in an accident. He had also at one time in his career been a merchant and in any and all capacities he enjoyed the respect of his fellow men. The mother sur- vives and makes her home at the present time in Battle Creek. Judge North has two sisters, as follows: Jeanette, now Mrs. Homer S. Weth- erell, of Chicago; and Mary L., now Mrs. Wm. A. Smith, of Chicago.
Judge North spent the earlier part of his boyhood amid the rural surroundings of his father's farm, and had his first introduction to Minerva in the District schools and graduated from the North Adams high school. He subsequently entered Hillsdale College in 1892 and was graduated from that institution of learning in 1896, receiving the degree of A. B. Following that he became a student at Ann Arbor, where he made preparation for the profession to which he was to become an ornament, in 1899, receiving the well-earned degree of LL. B. In that year Hillsdale College also conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts.
When it came to choosing a location, Battle Creek was favored by Mr. North, and he located here in the fall of 1899, entering into partner- ship with Jesse M. Hatch, who was at that time prosecuting attorney and remaining in association with Mr. Hatch for about a twelve month,
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under the caption of Hatch & North. Ensuing upon that Mr. North formed a professional association with Duane C. Salisbury, under the firm name of North & Salisbury and remained with him until after his election to the circuit judgeship in the spring of 1905. He entered upon the duties of his office on January 1, 1906, and has ever since remained in this capacity. It is the consensus of opinion that he is eminently qualified by literary and legal attainments, professional success and experience, integrity of character and judicial qualities of mind and heart for the high place which he occupies. Previous to going upon the bench, Judge North was circuit court commissioner. In politics he is Republican, having upheld the standard of the "Grand Old Party" since his earliest voting days.
Judge North is a member of the Presbyterian church. He stands high in Masonry, and is eligible to the white-plumed helmet of the Knight Templar. At the present time he is president of the Masonic Temple Association of Battle Creek.
Judge North was happily married on the 24th of December, 1901, to Miss Myrta Phelps, daughter of Josiah Phelps of Marshall, Michigan, becoming his wife. Mrs. North is a graduate of Hillsdale College of the class of 1893 and it was while attending that institution that they became acquainted and the romance had its beginning which was to end so happily. Mrs. North was born in Fredonia township, this county and taught music before and after her graduation, her musical gifts being unusual. Judge and Mrs. North share their charming household with three children, as follows: Vera Onolee, born January 12, 1906; Walter Phelps, born July 12, 1907; and Robert Harper, born November 8, 1910. Battle Creek is the birthplace of all of them.
WILLIAM E. HICKS. The establishment of the firm of Titus & Hicks, the representative millers of Battle Creek, Michigan, dates back to the year 1837, the original. proprietors being Nobles & Whitcomb. Ellery Hicks and B. B. Hicks purchased the business in 1852 and operated it for a year, B. B. Hicks then selling out his interests to Chester Buckley and a year later Mr. Buckley's interest was bought by Richard F. Titus. Since 1853 the mill has been conducted continuously under the firm name of Titus & Hicks, although Ellery Hicks died in 1861 and Richard Titus in 1868. The former was succeeded by his son, William E. Hicks, and the latter by his son, Samuel J. Titus, the present pro- prietors of the business. The Titus & Hicks mill was thoroughly re- fitted with modern milling machinery in 1885 and is today one of the best mills in this section, being operated by water power exclusively and has a capacity of 200 barrels of flour and 1,000 bushels of ground feed daily. All flour is manufactured by the full roller system.
William E. Hicks, senior member of the firm, was born in Perry, New York, June 21, 1838, son of Ellery and Meribah (Wilcox) Hicks, who were born and married in Palmyra, New York. They came to Mich- igan in 1851 and settled in Battle Creek, where Mr. Hicks spent a short time in the mercantile business, and in 1852, with his brother, B. B. Hicks, engaged in the milling business. He continued to be con- nected with the firm until his death, in February, 1861, and built up a reputation as an industrious and progressive man of affairs. His wife passed away some few years later, having been the mother of two sons and three daughters, of whom one son is deceased.
The education of William E. Hicks was secured in the schools of New York, and when his parents came to Battle Creek in the fall of 1851, he accompanied them. As a youth he entered his father's mill, and since his early boyhood has been receiving a training in the busi-
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ness, with the minutest details of which he is thoroughly familiar. On April 28, 1860, Mr. Hicks was married to Miss Theresa Lawhead, of Battle Creek, who was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and to this union there have been born five children: Charles; Mrs. Jennie Frank, Fanny and James, all of Battle Creek, and Mrs. Mary Detrich, of Eastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Hicks' fraternal connection is with the Athelstan Club. He is not a member of any religious denomination, but for the past half a century has attended the Episcopal church, and has con- tributed liberally to all its worthy movements. His wife and children are members of this church. The family home is at No. 61 Marshall street, and is the center of gracious refinement, all the members of the family being general social favorites. Mr. Hicks is a public spirited citizen, and takes an active part in all movements that tend to benefit his adopted city in any way. As a business man he is held in the highest esteem by his associates, and fully merits the confidence in which he is regarded by his fellow citizens.
WILLARD A. KNIGHT. In no profession is there a career more open to talent than that of the law, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of human rights and privileges. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom and determination fully to utilize the means at hand, are the con- comitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great pro- fession, which stands as the stem conservator of justice; and it is one into which none should enter without a recognition of the obstacles to be encountered and overcome and the battles to be won, for success does not perch on the banner of every person who enters the competi- tive fray, but comes only as the legitimate result of capability. Pos- sessing all the requisite qualities of the able lawyer, Willard A. Knight stands today among the eminent practitioners of Calhoun county. He has also given "a taste of his quality" as a legislator, having represented the county in the state assembly in most public-spirited and effective fashion.
Mr. Knight is a native son of Battle Creek and is of the type which the city is particularly proud to claim as its own. The date of his arrival upon this mundane sphere was November 10, 1876, his parents being Andrew and Delia A. (Dilley) Knight. The father was a native of Marshall, Michigan, and the mother of New York. These estimable people are residents of Battle Creek, their household being at 52 West Van Buren street. The father is retired.
Mr. Knight is the elder of two children. He received his prelimi- nary education in this city and was graduated in 1897 from the high school. For the acquiring of his higher education he matriculated in the University of Michigan and later entered the law and literary de- partments, where he received his professional training, and in 1902, received the well-earned degree of LL. B. Also previous to this, having a desire for a broad business training, he had taken an extensive course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Chicago. In 1902, shortly after finishing his law studies at Ann Arbor, Mr. Knight began his practice in his native city and in a short time made evident those unusual gifts and attainments which characterize him. He won speedy recognition and also began to take an important part in the affairs of the Republican party, at present being identified with the Republican organization of this city, his word being of weight in the same. In 1905, he was elected to represent the interests of the people of Calhoun county in the state legislature and in that body he made an enviable
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record. It was during his term in that office that a signal service was performed for the county of Calhoun. The litigation and general court business of the county had become so large in 1905 that an improved condition was imperative. It was through Mr. Knight's efforts that the bill was passed which gave to the county the alternate terms of the circuit court and gave the city of Battle Creek the circuit court as at present located.
The first municipal courts with justices paid a salary, thereby abol- ishing the pernicious fee system formerly in vogue, were inaugurated by amendments to the city charter fathered by Mr. Knight in the legis- lature. Also the county salary system was instituted whereby all. county officers were paid a salary instead of fees which will save the county thousands of dollars for years to come. His stand has always been for progressive legislation in the interests of all the people. He preceded Hon. James Henry. It is safe to say that such gifts as Mr. Knight has shown will doubtless be ripened in the sun of future political preferment.
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