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 42
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After receiving his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine, Dr. Wattles returned to Birmingham, where he continued in successful practice until May, 1868, when he came to Battle Creek, which has continued the stage of his protracted and notably successful work in his profession during the long intervening years. No local physician and surgeon has attained to a higher degree of success and prestige and none is held in higher esteem in the community. An idea of the extent of his service in a professional way may be gained from the statement that he has been present as attending physician at the birth of fully two thousand children, and that he has thus ministered in ushering into the world children of a goodly number at whose birth he likewise attended. He is striving to retire from the more exacting work of his profession, but there are a number of the older families and loyal friends who will consent to having no other physician.
Dr. Wattles has within recent years in connection with his brother, Ralph D. Wattles started a model fruit farm, which is situated four miles west of the city, in Bedford township, and which is being conducted on thoroughly scientific lines. He takes great interest in this place, and has over one thousand fruit trees of different varieties, and in attending to the "Wattles Fruit Farm," as it is known, he finds both recreation and satisfaction. In politics the Doctor has ever given stalwart allegiance to the Republican party ; he is a charter member of A. T. Metcalf Lodge, No. 419, Free & Accepted Masons ; and is a zealous and liberal member of the Independent Congregational church, of which his wife likewise was a zealous adherent. During his long years of practice he has kept in touch with the advances made in both medical and surgical sciences and has availed himself of the most approved methods and remedial agents.
On the 4th of November, 1863, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Wattles to Mrs. Caroline Whitney, who was born and reared at Oneida, New York, and who came in her girlhood to Michigan, her father, the late David Seymour, having been one of the honored pioneers of Oak- land county. Mrs. Wattles was a woman of most gentle and gracious personality and her memory is revered by all who came within the sphere of her influence. She was summoned to the life eternal on the 14th of January, 1905, and is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Eudora E. Webb, who was born in Birmingham, Michigan, and whose home is now located near the old homestead of her father, at 116 North avenue, the latter having been the residence of the Doctor since 1876 and his loved wife having made it a center of most refined and gracious hospi- tality. Mrs. Webb has one son, Jervis B., who was graduated in the mechanical engineering department of the University of Michigan in June, 1912, and who is destined to achieve marked success in his chosen profession. He was president of the Delta Upsilson fraternity at the University at the time of his graduation, and now holds an important position in a new field of "Acoustical Engineering" with the Johns Mansvill Co., of New York City.
BERNARD J. ONEN. Of the younger members of the bar in Calhoun county, Bernard J. Onen is one of the most prominent. He has prac- ticed for a little over ten years, and has succeeded in building up a practice which an older lawyer might envy. He is a clean, wholesome
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young man, of the best type that our big universities turn out, and who in themselves are irrefutable proofs of the fallacy of the late Mr. Crane's remarks concerning college and university inen. He is ar- dently enthusiastic over his work, and his personal charm has had much to do with his success. He has much tact, and yet is frank and open in all of his dealings. His training for his profession was very thorough and he has never ceased to study and to keep abreast of the times. He is of Irish descent and inherited two of his most striking character- istics from this parentage, his wit and his love of a good fight. He is a fighter to the last gasp, and when he is enlisted in an affair he will never give up until the case is absolutely settled one way or another. This fondness for battle, as well as his belief that every man should take an active part in politics or at least as far as possible, has led him into the political field. He has been as successful a politician as a lawyer, and further triumphs are waiting him in the former capacity.
Bernard J. Onen was born at Dowagiac, Michigan on the 20th of January, 1878. His father was James Onen and his mother was Cecelia (Duffy) Onen. Both of his parents were born in New York state and both were of Irish blood. His mother has been dead for twenty-two years, but his father is still living. His parents were married in the state of New York and came out to Michigan about 1856 or 1858. His father has been interested in various industries, at different times. He has been a miller and interested in the meat business, and he now is in the hardware business at Dowagiac. He is a fine old man, of that sturdy class who have spent their lives helping to make Michigan a great commonwealth, and although we are now beginning to give the credit that is due them to that first group of early pioneers who opened up the land and first ran a plough through the soil, we are in danger of forgetting that those who followed somewhat later, also had much to do with the industrial, and commercial development of the country. Bernard Onen was the youngest of five, the other children being Mary, Frances, Dennis H. and Helen. All four live at home, and Bernard is the only one of the family who is married.
His early education was received in the public schools of his native town, and he was graduated from the high school in 1896. He received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1900, having spent three years at Ann Arbor. He was admitted to the bar the same year that he was graduated, the scene of this event being. Ann Arbor, Michi- gan. In November of this same year he came to Battle Creek and went into practice. He entered the office of Hulbert and Mechem, leading firm of old practitioners, and started in by himself in March, 1902. He had the necessary self confidence, and learned the lessons that all young men have to learn by experience. He has had his offices in the Post building for practically the whole time, and his practice has been general.
In politics Mr. Onen is Republican, and in the campaign of 1912, he takes an active interest, and is willing to do his share for the grand old party. He has represented his fellow citizens as alderman from the Third ward, and during the four years, from 1904 to 1908, in which he served, he was ever ready to back any bill or movement that was progressive, or beneficial to the people. He is greatly in demand in the social world of Battle Creek, and is a member of the Athelstan Club and of the Elks.
On the 20th of April, 1906, the marriage ceremony was performed between Bernard Onen and Miss Louise C. Crispell. The bride was the daughter of Theora and Alice H. (Hamblin) Crispell. Her parents were old residents of Battle Creek, and her grandfather. Alexander C.
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Hamblin, was one of Battle Creek's first bankers and did much to build up the town in a commercial way. Mrs. Onen' was born on the site where the Post building now stands. She was educated in Battle Creek and in New Mexico, where her father spent fourteen years in an attempt to regain his health. He was finally forced to give up the strug- gle and died in that far away state. On coming back to Michigan, Mrs. Onen attended the Sherwood Conservatory of Music in Chicago, and is an accomplished musician. Her mother is still living, and she and Mr. Onen are the parents of a little baby girl, who was born in Battle Creek, on the 5th of September, 1910. The residence of Mr. Onen is 130 Fre- linghuysen avenue, and his offices are 303 Post building.
JOHN F. HALLADAY. Few famihes have been longer and more ac- days. In the present generation the name is most familiarly associated tively identified with the interests of Calhoun county than the Halla- with the flourishing wholesale grocery concern of J. F. Halladay & Son at Battle Creek, but back in the pioneer times the men of this name were also widely known as successful farmers and land owners.
Calvin Halladay, the grandfather of the late John F. Halladay, was the founder of the family in this county, and was the original owner of an entire section of land in Bedford township, where by his enter- prise and pioneer endeavor he helped promote the material develop- ment of this county out of the conditions of the wilderness. One of his sons was James C. Halladay, who died at Battle Creek in 1872, and he in turn was the father of John F. Halladay.
At his death on May 8, 1895, John F. Halladay had attained con- spicuous business success and a place of high honor among his asso- ciates and in the community. Fifty years of age when his career closed, he was born in Battle Creek in 1845. After a few years spent in school he began the serious work of life at an early age, both in the fields on his father's farm and in his brick yard. He was still a youth when he and his brother, Austin S., engaged in the retail grocery business, with which he was identified for thirteen years. In 1882 he became the rep- resentative for the sale of the Standard Oil Company's products in this territory, and continued in this business until his death. In 1885 he established the wholesale grocery which has had such an important posi- tion in the larger trade of Battle Creek for over a quarter of a century, and he himself was the active head of the business until his death. The original location of this establishment was at 41 East Main street. By legitimate and honorable business methods he acquired material in- dependence, and throughout his career had a reputation for just and considerate dealings with all men.
He was a member of the St. Thomas Episcopal church, and his poli- tics was Republican. A charter member and prominent in the Knights of Pythias lodge, he served as representative to the grand lodge. His wife, whose maiden name was Caroline M. Squire, a daughter of Daniel Squire, died on May 8, 1896, just one year after her husband and within fifteen minutes of the same hour as his death occurred. They were the parents of two children: Frank E., whose sketch is given below; and Blanche E., the wife of Hilliard Lyle, of Detroit.
FRANK E. HALLADAY, son of . the late John F. and Caroline M. (Squire) Halladay, is joint owner with his sister (Mrs. Hilliard Lyle) of the wholesale grocery at 54-58 East Main street which for many years has been conducted under the name of J. F. Halladay & Son.
Mr. Halladay was born in Battle Creek, June 16, 1865, and is the great-grandson of the Halladay who in 1837 settled in Battle Creek, his
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being the seventh family to locate in this little community. As a boy he attended the local schools and after his graduation joined his father in the business which the latter had established largely for the benefit of this son. For several years the wholesale house was conducted under the name of J. F. Halladay, until 1889, when the present title was adopted. Frank E. Halladay had a thorough business training, and through his energy and commercial initiative has made this establish- ment rank high among the jobbing houses of southern Michigan. He and his sister own the property in which the business is conducted and also the adjoining Halladay Inn Hotel, besides other real estate in the city.
One of the progressive citizens, he has co-operated with the move- ments for the commercial and civic upbuilding of his home city, and for four years held the office of alderman from the fourth ward. In politics he is Republican. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Elks, and of the Athelstan Club. His home is at 158 Fremont street.
Mr. Halladay was married October 17, 1887, to Miss Jennie Louise Hunsiker. She is a native of Bellvue, Michigan, where her parents, now deceased, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hunsiker, were one of the pioneer fam- ilies. At the time of his death her father was in the general merchandise business at Bellvue. Mrs. Halladay received her education in that town, and there she was married. The three sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Halla- day are all preparing to take an active part in the wholesale grocery business. They are Clare E., Robin E. and John F. They received their schooling here in Battle Creek, the first two being graduates of the high school, and the youngest being still in school.
ALBERT N. FORD. A successful counselor at law and the present cir- cuit court commissioner, Albert N. Ford has been identified with his profession in Battle Creek for the past six years, and has an influen- tial place in the affairs of this city.
Mr. Ford is a native of Battle Creek, born here January 17, 1882. His father is Duane D. Ford, who for more than thirty years has con- ducted a real estate business here. His mother, whose death occurred October 4, 1910, was Mrs. Sadie H. (Avery) Ford. Both parents were natives of Bellvue, Michigan, and soon after their marriage they moved to Battle Creek. Before their marriage the father was a steward for the Goodrich Transportation Company on the lakes, with his head- quarters in Chicago, but since locating in Battle Creek he has given most of his attention to real estate and insurance. Of the two chil- dren, the other is Mrs. C. E. Patterson, of Toledo, Ohio. She received her education in the St. Mary's convent at Monroe, this state, being graduated from that school.
From the Battle Creek high school, where he was a member of the class of 1901, Albert N. Ford went to the Michigan Military Academy at Orchard Lake, one year, and then entered the University of Michi- gan, where he was graduated in the law department in June, 1906. The same year he successfully passed his bar examinations before the supreme court at Lansing, and during the following year was in the employ of the Title Guarantee & Trust Company of New York City. Returning to his home city in 1908, he began his practice in associa- tion with Arthur B. Williams and Ira Beck, their offices being over the Old National Bank. After a year Mr. Ford withdrew and has since conducted his own practice. September 1, 1909, Governor Warner ap- pointed him to fill the vacancy in the office of circuit court commissioner,
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and in the fall of 1910 he was chosen at the regular election for this office.
Mr. Ford is chairman of the city Republican committee and takes an active interest in local politics. He is a member of the Calhoun county and the State bar associations, and belongs to the Episcopal church. His office is over the Central National Bank, and he resides at 35 Adams street. Mr. Ford has always taken an active part in social affairs and the activities of the school and community. He was presi- dent of the high school class during his senior year, and was a member of both the baseball and football teams during his four years in high school, being captain of the baseball team in his senior year. Before the abolition of fraternities in high school, he became a charter member of the Kappa Iota Gamma of the Battle Creek high school. At Orchard Lake he was a Kappa Phi, and a Sigma Chi in the university. He was also on the junior hop committee at the university.
A. F. AVERY. Among the prominent business men and citizens of Battle Creek in the generation about Civil war times, one of the most honored and successful was A. F. Avery, who was born in 1835, and came to Battle Creek in 1856. Here he learned the business of jeweler with Mr. Claude Avery, and soon afterward went into business for him- self. His ability resulted in the accumulation of a handsome property, though he was still a young man at the time of his death.
Mr. Avery died at the age of forty-one, at Bellvue, Eaton county, Michigan, February 27, 1876. He was laid to rest in Battle Creek, where he had so many friends and business associates, with the Masonic rites. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and one of the few at that time who had taken so many degrees in this state. Mr. Avery's jewelry business was conducted in a store where the Central National Bank now stands. Bellvue was his home for a number of years, though his busi- ness was always at Battle Creek.
About 1859 Mr. Avery was married to Miss Frances Newton. Her death occurred in 1861. Their only child became the wife of Mr. D. D. Ford, and the mother of Albert N. Ford, the present circuit court com- missioner of Calhoun county.
HONORABLE WILLIAM E. BOSLEY. One of the more successful busi- ness men of Calhoun county, Hon. William E. Bosley, president of the Peerless Fixtures Company, and a wholesale and retail dealer of hard- ware, has been a commanding figure in the mercantile and industrial circles of Marshall for upwards of thirty years, his personal attributes being such as would make him a leader in any sphere. He was born, March 30, 1837, in Geneseo, Livingston county, New York, a son of Daniel Bosley, and grandson of Edmund Bosley, who was born in New England, of English ancestry.
Daniel Bosley embarked in business for himself when young, and was prosperously engaged in mercantile pursuits in Livingston county, New York, until his death, at the venerable age of seventy-nine years. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Lucia Richmond, six children were born, as follows: B. R., of New York; Daniel B., of New York; William E., the subject of this brief sketch; George H., for many years a practicing physician in New York City; Lucia M., wife of Charles Neff, of Livingston county, New York; and Ella, wife of Herbert Mcclintock, also of Livingston county, New York.
Brought up in his native county, William E. Bosley was educated principally in the Geneseo Academy, where he completed a full course of study. He subsequently became familiar with the details of trade in
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his father's store, and soon after attaining his majority embarked in business on his own account, for twelve years thereafter being a gen- eral merchant at Lakeville, New York. In the spring of 1871, per- ceiving the rapid development of the middle west, Mr. Bosley migrated to Calhoun county, Michigan, and for five years was engaged in gen- eral farming in the town of Marengo. Locating in Marshall in 1876, he opened a store, putting in a good supply of machinery and implements, and here built up a good trade with the near-by farmers. Succeeding well in his venture, Mr. Bosley, in 1882, enlarged his stock, putting in a line of shelf hardware, tinware, cutlery, and general house furnish- ings, and now carries a complete stock of everything connected with an up-to-date hardware and implement establishment. Upright and square in his dealings, and possessing good business tact and judgment, he has built up a large and profitable wholesale and retail business. He is a stockholder in other enterprises of note, and is president of the Peer- less Fixtures Company, one of the leading industries of the city, and is president of the B. B. Buggy Company. He is also one of the direc- tors of the Commercial Savings Bank, a position which he has held since its organization.
Politically a Republican, Mr. Bosley has served as a member of the City Board of Aldermen, and in 1890 was elected mayor of Marshall. In 1904 he represented the First Legislative District of Calhoun county in the state legislature, and while a member of that august body was ever true to the highest interests of his constituents. Fraternally he is a member of St. Albans Lodge, No. 20, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; and of the Knights of the Maccabees.
Mr. Bosley married, in 1863, Miss Julia A. De La Vergne, who was born in Batavia, Genesee county, New York, a daughter of the late Samuel and Marie De LaVergne. Mrs. Bosley passed to the higher life in 1905, leaving two children, namely: Mary A. and Daniel W.
ALFRED H. TUTTLE, a practical and thriving farmer of Clarence township, has devoted all of his responsible years thus far to the oldest and most honored of occupations, the tillage of soil, and by honest and fruitful endeavor has earned a place among the representative agricul- turists of Calhoun county. He was born in Marengo township, Cal- houn county, Michigan, February 25, 1865, was reared and received a common school education there, and began in early life to make his way by his own efforts. For a number of years he worked by the month as a farm hand; then in 1900 he bought his present farm of forty acres in Clarence township where he has since given his attention to general farming. He has improved the property to considerable extent since he has been its owner and has a pleasant rural home. In political views he is aligned with the Republican party.
On the paternal side Mr. Tuttle springs from an old New York family, there still being many residents in that state bearing his family name, and on his mother's side he comes directly of Irish ancestry, she having been born in Ireland. Harvey Tuttle, the father, was born near the city of Rochester, New York and married Rosana Graham. They came to Michigan about 1853 and settled on a farm of eighty acres which they bought in Sheridan township, Calhoun county, and on which they resided a number of years. He was a blacksmith by trade. The wife and mother passed away in 1870 and the father later joined her in death. They were the parents of six children, of whom three are now living and of whom Alfred H. was fourth in order of birth.
In 1890 was solemnized the marriage of Alfred H. Tuttle and Miss Anna Cole, daughter of Franklin and Susan (Palmer) Cole. Both
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Mr. and Mrs. Cole were born in New York, he in 1819 and she is 1822. He came to Michigan in an early day and in 1865 bought a farm in Cal- houn county, but later removed to Ottawa county, Michigan, where he died. A Republican in politics, he at one time served as supervisor of Clarence township, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle have no children.
CHARLES E. WALKER. The agricultural and stock interests of Cal- houn county have an enterprising representative in the person of Charles E. Walker, of Clarence township, who is one of the most prosperous farmers of that community and is especially interested in the breeding of fine horses. He owns and handles the imported French coach stal- lion, Serious, also owns several Percheron mares, and is much interested in the raising of fine draft horses. He is a member of the Michigan State Breeders' Association. He was married in 1872 and shortly after- ward bought the farm of 125 acres in Clarence township on which he has since resided. That was not the beginning of his identification with the industry of agriculture, however, for he was reared a farmer boy and had worked by the month for different farmers for several years prior to taking up the occupation independently. He has put thought as well as labor into his efforts and has been well rewarded. Besides this comfortable homestead he also owns another of eighty acres near Brookfield, Eaton county, Michigan, and has given his attention prin- cipally to general farming.
Charles E. Walker was born in Ohio, January 12, 1849, and is a son of the venerable John T. Walker, of Eaton county, Michigan, who has reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. The father is a native of Pennsylvania, in which state he was born October 30, 1826, was reared and educated. John T. Walker was wedded in Ohio to Mary Ann Lewis, who was born in New York in 1828 and died on January 12, 1861. She bore him four children: Charles E. of this review; Horace J., now a resident of Clarence township; Amelia, the wife of Austin Price, one of the representative farmers of Clarence township; and Edgar E., who resides in the village of Burlington, Calhoun county. In 1865 Mr. Walker took as his second wife Miss Emily Ferguson, who died in 1900. No children came to this union. From 1850 until 1867 he farmed in Ohio; then in the latter year he removed to Eaton county, Michigan, and located near Brookfield, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres and still resides on it. In earlier years he was a Whig, but for the last half century he has given his political allegiance to the Republican party and has held different of the township offices. In religious faith he is a Methodist and has served on the board of stewards of his church.
Charles E. Walker was entering young manhood when the family removed from Ohio and in that state he had received a practical com- mon school education. Shortly after coming to Michigan he took up work by the month as a farm hand and was thus employed until his marriage in. 1872 to Annie M. Armstrong, daughter of John Armstrong, of Eaton county. Soon afterward he settled on his present homestead in Clarence township and for nearly forty years has been numbered among the sterling citizens of that community. He is a Republican in politics. Death entered the family circle on April 12, 1905, and claimed the loving wife and mother. The four children that came to Mr. and Mrs. Walker are: John A., associated with his father in his farming and stock business ; Elmer A., who conducts his father's Eaton county farm; Stella, the wife of Claude Towns, a Jackson county farmer; and Nannie, who is now Mrs. Horace Barnum, of Eaton county. Mr. and
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