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 39
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CHARLES N. KANE. Among the successful and enterprising mer- chants of Battle Creek, Charles N. Kane has a prominent place as pro- prietor of the South Side grocery at 259 Lake avenue. In his advertis- ing he emphasizes the fact that this is "The Clean Store," and in that respect as in his other methods he is up-to-date and vigorous in secur- ing the best class of trade and keeping it continually patronizing at his place.
Mr. Kane, who represents one of the oldest and best known families of Calhoun county, was born in Battle Creek township, November 1, 1859. His parents were Andrew M. and Jane Elizabeth (Hart) Kane.
The late Andrew M. Kane, who died at his home in Battle Creek township, May 2, 1908, had a varied and eventful career, beginning in this county when it was just emerging from the conditions of the wild- erness. He was born in Burnt Hill, New York, in 1824, coming to Michigan with his parents when he was fourteen years old, and though he experienced many hardships and always was a vigorous and active worker, attained to the advanced age of eighty-four before he died. His father was one of the early coopers who settled in this part of Michigan, and the son learned that trade under him and was engaged in the work for some years. After the outbreak of the Civil war, and soon after the first battle of Bull Run, he followed the example of many younger men and enlisted and became a private in Company I of the Second Missouri Cavalry, better known as Merrill's Horse Guards. He was advanced to the rank of second lieutenant, but a serious illness in his family called him home and ended his military career.
In 1850 he had engaged in the milling business, and for many years he was known through this enterprise in South Battle Creek as proprie- tor of the flouring mill on Langley creek. He also owned a farm of eighty acres, where his children were born and where one of his sons still resides. In 1862 an accident in the mill caused him the loss of an arm, but despite this handicap he was successful both as a miller and farmer, and did his work as well as many men better physically equipped. Before the war he was one of the strong abolitionists of this section, and with the formation of the Republican party became one of its stanch adherents. Then when other public questions rose into prominence, he allied himself first with the Greenback party, and in later years adopted the general principles and usually voted for the labor ticket. In local affairs he served his township in the office of treasurer and also as high- way commissioner.
He was married at the age of twenty-two to Miss Elizabeth Jane Hart, who died June 29, 1873, and she was the mother of his three sons who survive him. He was again married in 1874. His three sons are : Eugene F., who resides on the old Kane homestead; Henry P., a grocery- man of Battle Creek; and Charles N., the youngest.
Charles N. Kane during his boyhood attended the common and high schools in Battle Creek, and has always followed a business career. For about fifteen years he was a bookkeeper. half of that time keeping the books for the board of public works, and the other half being emploved by the Advance Thresher Company (now the Rumely Company). For about four years he was on the road, covering the states of Iowa and Minnesota, selling the Champion harvesting machinery and implements for the Warder-Bushnell & Glessner Company. In 1907 he established
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his South Side Grocery, and has since built up a large trade, and is one of the independently successful merchants of Battle Creek.
Mr. Kane is a Democrat in politics, and is affiliated with the Battle Creek Lodge No. 35 of the Knights of Pythias. He was married on July 29, 1891, to Miss Alta A. Stewart. Her death occurred February 25, 1911. Mr. Kane still keeps his home at 256 Lake avenue, his store being across the street from his residence.
J. LYMAN READE. A resident of Battle Creek nearly all his life, Mr. J. Lyman Reade has been identified with this city's business and public affairs in many ways that give his name prominence in the history of this vicinity.
For the past nine years he has been the active head of the J. L. Reade Company, insurance, real estate, bonds and loans. This is a co- partnership with a silent partner, Mr. Reade having developed the busi- ness from the start, and it is now one of the best known and most re- liable agencies of the kind in the county. The offices of the company are in the New Kapp building at 24-26 Main street West.
J. Lyman Reade was born at Kalamazoo, Michigan, December 2, 1864, a son of George W. and Mary A. (Nolan) Reade. The Reades are a very old and prominent family in this state. The mother was a native of Monroe, Michigan, and the father was born in New York, and both now rest in the Oak Hill cemetery of Battle Creek. The grandfather, whose name was J. L. Reade, was among the early settlers at Bellevue, Michi- gan, along with the Hinmans and others well known in that vicinity. He was a man of high character and aristocratic manners, dressing in the ruffled shirt and silk hat of the olden fashion, and he was a strict churchman of the Episcopal faith. He was an early manufacturer, and for some years lived in Battle Creek. George W. Reade, the father, was by trade a cabinet maker. Before the Civil war he had established at Memphis, Tennessee, a furniture factory and had built up the busi- ness so that it employed about fifty hands. His northern sympathies and principles prevented him from fighting the Union and his refusal to assist the south resulted in his factory being burned, and he barely escaped himself from the southern soldiers. By sleeping in the day and traveling on foot at night, he finally came within the Union lines and then returned to Michigan. He was a resident of Battle Creek about twenty-five years, and then moved to Chicago, where for twenty years before his death he was associated with his brother in the brokerage business. His wife died at Kalamazoo. J. Lyman is the older of their two children, and his brother, George W., who was born in Jackson, Michigan, now resides with him in this city. The grandparents on both sides are buried at Kalamazoo.
Mr. J. L. Reade was reared and educated in Battle Creek and was a student in the Adventist College for three years. At the age of seven- teen he began learning telegraphy with the Michigan Central, and for six years was operator and train dispatcher for that railroad, until his usefulness in this capacity was terminated by operator's paralysis. For a year and a half he was associated with his father in general contract- ing, and then returned to the railroad business as telegrapher and freight clerk for the old Cincinnati, Jackson & Mackinaw road. The company promoted him to the position of general agent, an office which he filled for sixteen years, with headquarters in Battle Creek.
Mr. Reade took an active part in the organization of the Battle Creek Breakfast Food Company, and left the railroad to become secretary of the company. The chief products manufactured by this company were the popular cereals-Egg-O-See and E C Flakes. The factories of the
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company are now located at Quincy, Illinois, and Buffalo, New York, and the general office in Chicago. While the office was in Battle Creek Mr. Reade was officially identified with the company.
The present J. L. Reade Company was established August 3, 1903, and has handled some of the largest real estate deals in this city during the last ten years. As representative of some of the best known fire insurance companies, he has developed a business of very large propor- tions.
Mr. Reade for a number of years has assumed responsibilities in connection with the municipal government and is also one of the leading Democrats of the county. He is now closing a four-year term as police commissioner. He succeeded the late H. M. Rathbun by appointment, serving four months as alderman from the Second ward, and in the fol- lowing election he was the only Democrat chosen on the city ticket. Under Mayor Metcalf he was a member of the board of public works, and was its secretary three years and president one year. Fraternally he affiliates with the Elks and the Knights of Pythias, has been a mem- ber of the Athelstan Club for the past twenty-five years, and also be- longs to the Country Club. A great lover of horses, he has at this writ- ing eight colts of fine trotting stock which he is raising and training to sell later.
Mr. Reade's residence, at 55 Fremont street, is one of the most beauti- ful homes in the city and is located in one of the best residence districts. He has a wife and one daughter. December 7, 1887, he was married to Miss Carrie E. Cowles, daughter of Truman H. Cowles, of Battle Creek. Her father died before their marriage, and her mother now lives with Mr. and Mrs. Reade. Mrs. Reade, who was born at Johnstown, Barry county, is a graduate of the Battle Creek schools, is a member of the Independent Congregational church, and belongs to the Woman's Club and the Woman's League. Their daughter, who is now in high school, is Marion Mary, named after her two grandmothers.
REUBEN J. SPAULDING. One of the progressive real estate men who are promoting the development of Battle Creek and vicinity is Reuben J. Spaulding. The R. J. Spaulding Realty Company, of which he is proprietor, with offices in the Post building, has a large clientage and has an excellent reputation among owners and buyers of real estate.
Mr. Spaulding was born in Bellevue township, Eaton county, Michi- gan, May 2, 1881, and his family is one of the oldest in the state of Michigan. His great-grandfather, Captain Daniel Spaulding, settled in this state when it was a wilderness. His grandfather is John A. Spauld- ing, still living at Bellevue, who for a number of years was treasurer of Eaton county and a very prominent citizen. R. J. Spaulding's parents are George G. and Ella E. (Nelson) Spaulding, who have resided in Battle Creek since 1911. The father was born in Bellevue township, Eaton county, and the mother in Assyria township, Barry county, where her parents owned a large farm at Section Hill. Until his removal to Battle Creek Mr. George G. Spaulding was a farmer and stock buyer for many years. In this city he has become interested in business with his sons. He is president of the Spaulding Cigar Company (Inc.), in the Ward building at 35 North Jefferson avenue. His three sons are all connected with this business, R. J., being vice president, Roy D., sec- retary and treasurer, and Clifford N., manager. Besides these three sons there is one daughter, Mrs. Fred Bowen, of Addison, Michigan, where she taught school two years previous to her marriage. All the children were born in Eaton county and are graduates of the Bellevue high school. R. J. and Roy D., both graduated in the class of 1901, while
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Mrs. Bowen was a member of the class of 1904 and Clifford in the class of 1906. R. J. and his brother Roy also attended Olivet College two years, and their sister was a graduate of the Ypsilanti Normal in 1907.
Mr. R. J. Spaulding began his business career in Battle Creek in 1903, in August of that year starting a retail grocery here. Afterwards his brother Roy joined him in this enterprise, under the name of Spaulding Brothers, and their store was on Maple street across from the No. 5 school. In April, 1909, Mr. Spaulding sold his interest in that business, and then engaged in real estate and insurance under the business name already given. His first office was in the Ward build- ing, from which he removed to the Post building on June 11, 1911.
On November 19, 1902, he was united in marriage with Miss Edith M. Hamlyn, daughter of Richard Hamlyn, who was also one of the early settlers of Eaton county. Her mother died about 1900, while her father, who has been in the meat business all his life, is now owner of a market in Grand Ledge, this state. Mrs. Spaulding, who was born in Bellevue, graduated from the same class in high school as her hus- band, and they were married in Bellevue. They are the parents of two children, Adriel H., aged seven, and Aylond R., aged four. The Spaulding residence is at 105 Van Buren Street, East.
ROBERT P. ROE. Civilization will hail riches, prowess, honors, pop- ularity, but it will bow humbly to sincerity in its fellows. The ex- ponent of known sincerity-singleness of honest purpose-has its exem- plification in all bodies of men; he is found in every association and to him defer its highest honors. Such an exemplar, whose daily life and whose life work have been dominated as their most conspicuous characteristic by sincerity, is Robert Percy Roe, who formerly owned and conducted an art store in the city of Battle Creek but who is now engaged in the supervision of the art department of the F. C. Root Art & Paper Store, owned by F. C. Root. Mr. Roe has ever manifested a great interest in public affairs and while he is not an office seeker he does all in his power to forward the best interests of his home city.
Robert Percy Roe was born in Brooklyn, New York, February 22, 1874, and he has been a resident of Battle Creek since early childhood. He is a son of Robert and Mary J. (Duncan) Roe, further data con- cerning whose lives appear in the sketch dedicated to Mary J. Roe. In 1878 the Roe family came to Michigan, settling in Battle Creek, where Robert P. was a pupil in the public schools until 1896. As he early manifested an aptitude for artistic work, he entered the art store of F. M. Hopkins, working there afternoons. Later he was in Kala- mazoo, where he worked as a clerk in one of the leading art stores of that city. Upon his return to Battle Creek, in 1897, he assisted Warren Wright in establishing an art store in this city. From 1897 to 1899 he attended the University of Michigan. A short time thereafter he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was foreman in the extensive and beautiful art establishment of Barton-Mackey, in which place his artis- tic talents were given full sway. He proved to be one of the most valuable employes in the above establishment as his ideas, being so unusually artistic, were of the greatest importance in the decoration of store and display windows. In the spring of 1900 he purchased the store of Mr. Wright and conducted the same under the name of the Roe's Art Store, at No. 54 West Main street, for the ensuing four years. His taste in framing and mounting pictures is unexcelled as he combines artistic ideas with the best possible workmanship. He is so eminently well fitted for his particular line of work that he is con- sidered the art criterion by all lovers of art in this community. After
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disposing of the Roe's Art Store, mentioned above, Mr. Roe went to California, remaining in that commonwealth for three months, at the expiration of which he returned to Battle Creek, where he lived re- tired for the following year. In 1906 he assumed charge of the art department in the store owned by Mr. Root and he has continued the efficient incumbent of that position to the present time, in 1912. In addition to his art work he is the owner of the Roe Flats of Battle Creek and other valuable city real estate.
In a fraternal way Mr. Roe is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and he is likewise connected with the Athelstan Club, being on the entertainment committee of that organization, and the Xi Psi Phi college fraternity. In politics he is a stalwart supporter of the prin- ciples put forward by the Republican party. Religiously, he and his wife are devout members of the Independent Congregational church,
March 20, 1901, Mr. Roe was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Mead, a daughter of Marion and Electa (Ray) Mead, the former of whom is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Roe was born in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, and received her elementary educational training in the public schools of Battle Creek, where she was graduated in the high school in 1896. She was also a student in the University of Michigan for two years and is a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority. The Roe home is at No. 159 North avenue and Mrs. Roe's mother is a member of the household, her husband being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Roe are popular in connection with the best social activities of their home community and they command the unalloyed confidence and esteem of all with whom they have come in contact.
MARION MEAD. The family of Marion Mead was one of Michigan's early families. His father, Thomas Mead, who was born in 1804 and whose former home had been at Ithaca, New York, came to this state in 1833 and took up government land in Washtenaw county. It was here that Marion Mead was born on May 4th, 1836. Three years later his father sold his land and removed to Kalamazoo county, where he purchased 148 acres of land. Thomas Mead was one of the earliest settlers of this county, his first home here being a little log cabin of his own building. It is interesting to record the fact that he, with the breaking team which he kept, was one who broke ground on the spot where Battle Creek now stands. He was a well known figure in those pioneer days and outlived many of his contemporaries. His last days were spent in Battle Creek township, Calhoun county, where his death occurred in May, 1878. His wife, who in girlhood was Fanny Bloom of Tompkin county, New York, died in 1886.
Of the four sons and four daughters in Thomas Mead's family, Marion was the third child and second son. His early education was begun by attendance at classes taught in a private house in Bedford township; he next attended school in a building partly in Calhoun and partly in Kalamazoo county; and his studies were completed in the public schools of Bedford township. Having been always energetic in the work of the home farm, where at ten years of age he had first driven oxen in helping his father to break sod, he continued with his parents until he had attained the years of his majority. At this time he began his first independent enterprise, which was the threshing business and with the outfit he had purchased continued this work for four years.
In 1860 he married Miss Electa Roy, a daughter of William and Harriet (Harris) Roy, of Phelps, Ontario county, New York. Her parents were both New Yorkers, the father a native of that county and
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the mother of Dutchess county. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mead settled in the northeast corner of Charleston township, where he entered upon the pioneer task of developing a farm. On this land he built the first house and barn and here he lived for fifteen years. Having developed this farm, he later removed to another in the same section, which he also improved. His work so prospered that he was the owner of four excellent farms which, altogether, consisted of nearly five hundred acres of land, at the time when he left farming to make his home in Battle Creek. His last rural residence was two miles from Au- gusta, in Kalamazoo county and the present city home of the family is one of the old land marks of Battle Creek where it was long known as the Metcalf home. Although built about sixty years ago, it has now all modern improvements and is beautifully kept. He died in Battle Creek on the fifth of November, 1896, only two weeks after his retire- ment from his agricultural activities.
Mrs. Mead now resides at the home on 159 North avenue, which is her property. She has disposed of her farms and has invested in other property. The two daughters, who were the only children of Marion Mead and his wife, are both married. The elder, Stella L., was married before her father's death to Elmer R. Cowles and now lives in Berkeley, California, which has been her home since 1901. Her son, Russell R., is a graduate of the University of California, which is located in Berkeley. The younger daughter of the Meads, Mabel, was married in 1901 to Mr. Percy Roe, whose life is reviewed elsewhere in these volumes. She is a graduate of the Battle Creek high school and was for two years a student in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. She and her husband live with Mrs. Mead in the family res- idence at 159 North avenue.
CHARLES C. MCDERMID. A citizen of Pennfield worthy of honor- able mention is Charles C. McDermid.
He was born near Waukesha, Wisconsin, February 22, 1844, came to Cambria, Hillsdale county, Michigan, in 1848, with his parents, An- drew J. and Harriet Hall McDermid, was educated at home and in the early district schools, and in Hillsdale College, from which he gradu- ated in 1865. He was married August 15, 1866, to his classmate, Miss Lydia E. Bouton, who has been a most worthy and efficient helper in all his undertakings, and is still the good genius of his pleasant home. He removed to Pennfield late in 1869, where he has ever since resided, except for four years at Marshall as county clerk, and a year at Lansing in de- partment work. His lifelong occupation has been farming; he has been locally prominent as a Grange and Farmers' Institute worker; is now making a specialty of dairying, and has a fine herd of Jersey cows.
Mr. McDermid has invariably aimed to be an intelligent citizen, larger and broader than his immediate work, whatever it might be. He has never ceased to be a reader and a student, and to keep fairly in touch with the world's progress. His later diversions are botanical study and amateur photography.
On the father's side Mr. McDermid is descended from John Mc- Dermid, Sr., who came from Scotland at an early age, and lived and died near Saratoga, New York. His immediate ancestor, Andrew Jack- son McDermid, was born shortly after the battle of New Orleans, and was named from the hero of that engagement. In the early 30's he came to Michigan with his brother John McDermid, the two exploring a large part of southern Michigan looking for fine farming lands and water power, sleeping in the open woods with the camp fire keeping the wolves at bay. Together they located the power and mill site at
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Cambria, Hillsdale county, where they afterward built and operated lumber and flouring mills for many years, in addition to extensive farming operations, and were prominent and influential citizens. An- drew J. died April 14, 1861, the sad day to the loyal north, of the surrender of Fort Sumter, after its heroic but hopeless defense by the gallant Major Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. McDermid have seven chil- dren: Mrs. Eva M. Woodworth of Pennfield; George W. McDermid, of Assyria, Barry county, a thriving farmer; Clara E. McDermid, teacher, Grange and Institute worker, at the old home; Mrs. Junia E. Pierce, Assyria; Herbert B. McDermid, mechanical engineer, Keo- kuk, Iowa; Fred C. McDermid, farmer at the old home; and Frank H. McDermid, horticultural expert, Missoula, Montana. Mr. McDer- mid has been a lifelong Republican, influential in his party, and in local enterprises; "Forgetting those things which are behind and reach- ing forth unto those things which are before," he cannot now be other than a Progressive.
HENRY A. SHURTLEFF, M. D. Noteworthy among the successful physicians and surgeons of Calhoun county, Henry A. Shurtleff, M. D., has a long and valuable professional experience to his credit, and is now enjoying an excellent patronage in Marshall and its vicinity. He was born, September 7, 1857, in Washtenaw county, Michigan, near Ann Arbor, on the homestead of his father, Hon. Seldon Shurtleff, and is of substantial pioneer stock, his paternal grandparents having settled in Michigan in territorial days.
Born in Canadaigua, New York, Hon. Seldon Shurtleff lived there until twelve years old, when he came to the southern part of Michigan with his parents, and subsequently assisted his father in the arduous task of redeeming a farm from its original wildness. Selecting for his life occupation the independent work to which he was reared, he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Washtenaw county, about five miles from Ann Arbor, and was there successfully engaged in general farming until his death, at the age of sixty-four years. A man of sound sense and good judgment, he became one of the foremost agriculturists of the county, and gained prominence in public affairs, having been one of the leading supporters of the Republican party. He held many offices of importance, representing his district in the state legislature one term, serving as a member of the Board of County Supervisors twelve years, and having been justice of the peace a num- ber of terms. He died in 1887, his death being mourned as a loss to the community in which he had so long lived and labored. Hon. Seldon Shurtleff married Margaret Johnson, who was born in Canadaigua, New York, and died in Michigan, in June, 1890, having survived him three years. Six children were born of their union, Henry A., the subject of this brief sketch, having been the second child in succession of birth.
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