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 5
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William Newton Joslyn was ten years of age when he accompanied his parents to Michigan, and his education was secured in the district schools of Homer township, Calhoun county, which he attended when he could be spared from the duties of the home farm. In 1868 his parents removed to Battle Creek township, and there he assisted his father in cultivating the old homestead, a tract of 160 acres, located one- half mile from the city limits of Battle Creek. He has been identified with agricultural pursuits all of his life, but during the past twenty years has lived somewhat retired, his activities being confined to super- intending the operation of the farm and looking after his various city real estate holdings. The residence, at No. 31 Fountain street, west, was erected under the direction of Mr. Joslyn and his father, and there he lived with his parents until their death, tenderly caring for them in their declining years. Although his father had been somewhat promi- nent in public matters, Mr. Joslyn has never cared to enter the public arena. On one occasion he was finally persuaded to make the running for alderman of his ward, but on realizing the number of enemies he would make and the hard feelings that were sure to prevail, he recon- sidered the question and declined to act as a candidate. He supports the principles and candidates of the Republican party.
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Mr. Joslyn was married March 29, 1906, in Hillsdale, Michigan, to Miss Frank Louella Willard, who was born in Ithaca, New York, and educated in Litchfield, Michigan, also attending Albion College, from which she was graduated in instrumental music in the class of 1887. She is a daughter of D. F. and Elizabeth P. (Conklin) Willard, of Hillsdale. Formerly Mrs. Joslyn played the pipe organ in the church at Hillsdale, and was a general favorite at recitals. She now is well known to the members of the Presbyterian church, is active in religious work, and belongs to the Women's League of Battle Creek, in which she is known as an energetic worker. She and her husband have nu- merous warm friends throughout the city, and both are held in the highest esteem by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
JOSEPH MOUNT BROKAW. One of the most touching characteristics of the people of the Far East those races of the Orient which we knew comparatively little about until recent years, is their filial devotion. Travelers are astonished and impressed by the affection and care lavished by the children upon their parents, a love which endures as long as life lasts, and which is something deeper and stronger than the meed of re- spect that is too frequently the only manifestation in the hurrying, scurrying people of our nation. Sometimes there is a refreshing instance in our own busy times. Friends of the late Joseph Mount Brokaw, of Battle Creek, love to remember that this was one of his strongest charac- teristics. Upon his widowed mother he lavished the tenderest care, and during the twenty years that she lived with him he accorded to her a devotion which anticipated her every want, surrounded her with an atmosphere of affection and repaid her day by day for the attention and love that she had bestowed upon him in his tender years. It was a beautiful phase of his life.
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Joseph Mount Brokaw was born in Ovid, Seneca county, New York, on October 9, 1834, being a son of Tunis and Almira Brokaw, who in 1838 'removed to Ypsilanti, Michigan. The father died soon thereafter. The son acquired a common school education and at the age of fifteen went to Detroit, where he started in for himself as a machinist ap- prentice. When he had completed his trade he worked there as a journeyman for three years and afterwards went south to New Orleans. He had a brother in that city who died of yellow fever, just prior to the Civil war. His other brother, Austin Brokaw, was a very prominent and well-to-do merchant of Angola, Indiana, but he too, has passed away. The mother, early left a widow, resided as has been stated, with Joseph for twenty years, and died in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Mr. Brokaw remained in the south for some time and was markedly successful. He was promoted to the position of master mechanic of what was then the shops of the Jackson & Illinois Railroad Company. After the outbreak of the Civil war he was arrested and taken from the office, charged with being an abolitionist. The accusation was made by some of the older men in the department, over whose heads he had been promoted, and who were in consequence jealous of his preferment, although the latter was due solely to his superior ability.
In order to get out of the city he let it be known that he was going to St. Louis on business for the company. In the meantime, in June, 1858, he had been married to Miss Mary Dowling, and he was doubly anxious that she be removed from the possibility of danger. Their de- parture was dramatic. Mr. and Mrs. Brokaw, surrounded by an escort of three hundred loyal men from the shops who had worked under Mr. Brokaw, marched to the wharf. The men acted as bodyguard and re- pelled the advances of the mob, which made angry manifestations. Thus they boarded the steamer, which was the last vessel to make the trip up the river until after the close of the war.
Arrived at his boyhood home at Ypsilanti Mr. Brokaw found that he did not wish to be triumphed over by the men who had caused him to leave the south, so he determined to go once more to the Crescent City. He sailed from New York to Havana and thence to New Orleans, arriv- ing there just prior to the capture of Vicksburg and Port Hudson. There were but two vessels insured against the "Alabama" and on one of these he took passage, accompanied by his faithful wife, who declared that she would brave any dangers that he cared to, and expressed the determination to remain by his side. They remained in New Orleans about nine months and then returned to Ypsilanti, Michigan. After two years' stay they removed to Hudson, Michigan, which was their home for eighteen years following. Mr. Brokaw was engaged in the grocery and produce business there, with marked success. After a short residence at Grand Rapids and Owosso he removed to Battle Creek on September 18, 1883, where he spent the remainder of his life.
He purchased an uncompleted residence on West Fountain street, now known as the Austin place. This he finished and later sold, remov- ing to East Main street, where he erected a dwelling. He also began a business block and later put up several other business houses and some dwellings, as well as a flat building. At the time he purchased property on East Main street there were comparatively few buildings in that locality, and his development helped to boom that portion of the town. He also became active in other fields of enterprise. In 1884 he began dealing in dry-picked poultry, which he shipped by the car load to New York and Chicago. He followed this until 1888 and then operated a coal and wood business for fifteen years, selling out in 1900 in order to devote all his time to the real estate business. The improvements which
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he placed in the section of the city where he had invested, added greatly to the general values of that neighborhood.
Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brokaw, of whom six died in childhood. Those who reached mature years were: Almira, wife of Dr. J. J. Lawless, of Grand Jet. Colo. She died and was buried in Battle Creek, as was also one of her children, Carroll, but the other son, Fred, is living. Josephine resides at home; Joseph M. spent seven years as a student at Assumption College, Sandwich, Ontario, a year at Monroe, Mich., and two years at Baltimore, Md., where he graduated in June, 1898, coming thence to Battle Creek. He was ordained to the priesthood on November 27, 1898, by Bishop Foley and is now the be- loved pastor of a Catholic church in Reese, Michigan, twelve miles from Saginaw and Karo. Charles married Selina M. Dowling, of Pontiac, Michigan, and they have three children : Clair, Pauline, and Charles. A fourth child, Leo, is deceased. Austin, who is single, resides in St. Louis, Mo., where he is a representative of Pabst Brewery of Milwaukee.
During the later years of his life Mr. Brokaw adhered to the tenets of the Democratic party. In 1884 he was elected alderman of his ward, but after a short time resigned the post on account of his impaired hearing. He was always a supporter of the Catholic church and in his later years became one of its communicants. One of the strongest and most commendable elements in his life was his deep interest in young men and their welfare. He gave them his sympathy, encouragement and counsel and when it seemed desirable was not slow to extend material assistance with an unstinted hand. He seemed to readily comprehend the nature of young men and possessed the power of bring- ing to the surface latent and perhaps unsuspected qualities and develop- ing what was best in the youth of his day. They had confidence in him and readily responded to his advances. His heart was full of sym- pathy and his life was guided by broad humanitarian principles.
Perhaps the most touching tribute to his worth was paid when death had sealed the lips that spoke such kindly admonitions and veiled the eyes which knew only the glance of kindness. Mr. Brokaw died on August 17, 1902, and the funeral was held in St. Philip's Catholic church, where gathered one of the largest and most representative con- gregations seen in the parish in many years. The solemn requiem mass was sung by his son, the Reverend Father J. M. Brokaw, assisted by the Fathers Sadlier and Fisher and the body was laid to rest in Mount Olivet Catholic cemetery. In the Sacred Heart church at Hudson, Mich., there is a memorial window as a tribute to his life.
For five years prior to his death he was a great sufferer, but never lost hope and was only confined to his bed for five days prior to his demise. He bore his pain with Christian fortitude and resignation and when the end came was cheered and solaced by the loving ministrations of his family and uplifted by the last sacrament of the mother church. Mr. Brokaw was a self-made man and was possessed of his own con- victions. He left the South because he did not wish to join the Southern army, but his widow today, who shared his experiences during the war scenes is not sure that the southern people were treated right, in tak- ing the slaves away from them. She knows that many of the slaves had no means of support and firmly believes that many of them must have starved to death afterwards. Her observation is that while some of the slave owners were cruel more than seven-eights of them were good to their slaves and merely guided their activities in a helpful way and provided better quarters and food and raiment than the negroes had after they were liberated. She feels a deep conviction that the ethical idea of equal rights was no means sufficient justification for the terrible
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toll of bloodshed and death and the laying waste of property that came with the years of war.
Mrs. Brokaw still owns and maintains the family residence at 257 East Main street, which Mr. Brokaw built and where he died. Leo died in Dearborn, Mich., and was brought back to Battle Creek for burial. Mrs. Brokaw has disposed of a good deal of her property and now owns her residence on Main street and the Brokaw Block on East Main. At the time of Mr. Brokaw's death they were possessed of twenty-one rent- able places in Battle Creek. Feeling that in her advanced years she did not care to look after so many she disposed of most of them. The home at 257 East Main street, which she keeps for sentimental reasons is too far from church to suit her, so she rented a home at 18 Cherry street, next door to the Catholic church, and is a regular attendant at St. Philip's.
HOMER W. CLARK. Among the well known and influential citizens of Battle Creek is Homer W. Clark, who for a number of years was one of the substantial agriculturists of this state and for the past six years has resided in this city and managed his interests in real estate.
Mr. Clark was born in Coylton township, Tuscola county, Michigan, September 25, 1870, and was the only son of John Quincy Adams Clark and Betsey M. (Moore) Clark. The parents were both natives of New York state and were married there, and about the close of the Civil war moved west to Michigan. Settling in Tuscola county, the father took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land, and with a shanty to live in began the arduous undertaking of making a home in a new country and subduing the soil and the wilderness to cultivation. He was a farmer all his life and a good citizen and neighbor. In 1876 he moved to Mecosta county, where he acquired a new farm of eighty acres, on which he lived until his death, in 1893. He was a member of the Masonic order. Of the two children in the family the daughter is now Mrs. Flora M. Bristol, wife of John Bristol, of Harbor Springs, Michi- gan.
Mr. Homer W. Clark received his early schooling in Mecosta county, but at the age of sixteen, when his father died, took hold of the farm work and from that time was vigorously employed in striving with the realities of life. He was a practical and progressive farmer, and has always been known as a successful man. In January, 1906, he and his mother moved to Battle Creek, where they both own considerable valu- able realty, and Mr. Clark now gives most of his time to its manage- ment. He and his mother reside at 50 Poplar street.
In politics Mr. Clark gives his support to the man he considers best fitted for the office. He and his mother are both members of the First Church of Christ Scientist in this city, and he is chairman of the board of directors and treasurer of the building fund. Mrs. Flora M. Bristol, the daughter, lost her husband by death in 1909. but she still makes her home in Harbor Springs. Her one son, Mahlon D. Bristol, was born in Mescota county in August, 1889, and is now in his third year of the dental department of the University of Michigan, preparing to begin his profession as soon as he graduates in 1913.
JOHANNES DECKER. There was perhaps no better known man in Battle Creek than Johannes Decker, and in his passing away on Janu- ary 18, 1910, the city lost a man who had been a resident of the city since his earliest manhood, and during whose life, his highest interests had been synonymous with these of the community which he called home. During the best part of his life, Mr. Decker had devoted himself Vol. II-3
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to the dry goods business in one capacity or another, but the past ten years of his business experience found him engaged in real estate mat- ters, and he was largely identified with realty and building interests up to the time of his death.
Johannes Decker was born in Ulster county, New York, on March 27, 1839, and was seventy-one years of age when he died. He was the son of Josiah and Mary (Elma) Decker, both of Holland ancestry, and the family came from New York when their son Johannes was a boy. He received the major part of his education in this community, and quite early in life began his career as a dry goods man by accepting a clerkship in one of the stores of Battle Creek. Later he was engaged as a clerk in the silk department of A. T. Stewart, a prominent dry- goods merchant of New York city, and during his experience there, which lasted throughout the war period, the young man learned much of dry goods and business methods that was of immense value to him in later years. In 1866 he returned to Battle Creek and accepted a clerkship; the year following he made his first independent business venture, engaging in a partnership with S. M. Ashby, and the two con- ducted business here for a number of years under the firm name of Decker & Ashby. Following his connection with the firm of which he was a partner, Mr. Decker engaged as a traveling salesman for Mills & Gibbs of New York City, dealers in dry goods and notions, and he con- tinued with them until the year 1899, when he severed his connection with this firm and thereafter gave his undivided attention to the real estate business. His careful methods and honest open manner of conducting his business affairs won him the confidence and esteem of the public and he was known for one of the most reliable and trustworthy men in his line of business in the city. He attained a high degree of success in this line, his later years being the most pros- perous ones of his life. He was a man who possessed a wide circle of trusting friends, and his disposition and character were of a nature to render him entirely worthy of every confidence placed in him, however, great. Mr. Decker was a Republican, and active in a highly intelligent way in affairs of a political nature, although he could never be pre- vailed upon to accept an office of any kind. He was a member of the Athelstan Club of Battle Creek, and in his churchly relations, was a member of the Independent Congregational church.
Mr. Decker married Miss Ruth A. Whitmore, the daughter of Gid- dings and Susan (Houston) Whitmore of Fredonia township, Calhoun county, the marriage occurring on September 4, 1867. Mrs. Decker was born in Fredonia township and there educated. Her father was of English descent, while her mother was of Scotch-Irish parentage. Both were born in New Hampshire. The father was born on Septem- ber 18, 1799, and died in Battle Creek in October, 1881, at the age of eighty-two years. The mother passed away in 1886. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Decker, both of whom died in infancy,-Lila and one yet unnamed at its death.
In April, 1911, the sorrowing widow of Mr. Decker caused to be erected at his burial place a handsome memorial. The solid granite square, about six feet in height, was shipped to Battle Creek in its rough state from Barre, Vermont, and was cut by A. G. McNaughton, of this city. The magnificent bronze figure of a woman which forms a part of the monument typifies Memory, and is a notable piece of work, from the design of Nellie V. Walker, a Chicago sculptor. A working model of this figure was awarded first prize at the Art Institute in Chicago. The memorial is by far one of the most beautiful in Oak Hill ceme- tery.
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WILLIAM D. WOOD, a resident of Battle Creek since 1902, has been actively engaged in the contracting and building business in this city for the past four years. In that time he has made phenomenal progress with his business, and now occupies a prominent place among the builders and contract men of the city. He is a native of the state, born in Union City, Calhoun county, on February 12, 1871, and is the son of Frederick Duane and Clara (Reynolds) Wood, both born and reared in Chenango county, New York, in which place they were married. Following their marriage the young couple came to Michigan, settling in Union City, and they remained there for about ten years, when they returned to their old eastern home. They remained there but a short time, however, and on their return to Michigan located on a farm, three miles north of Athens. Here they lived for about eleven years, and later the mother died at the home there, her death occurring on July 16, 1900. The father died in Battle Creek in September, 1908, in which place he had lived for six years previous to his demise, making his home with one of his sons. They were the parents of a goodly family of eleven children, all of whom are yet living but one girl, Mrs. Marion Hulce. The living are: Mrs. C. H. Avery is a resident of LeRoy, this county ; W. E., a resident of Battle Creek; Mrs. Emery Birmingham ; Frederick, living at Paw Paw Lake; Ernest, Frank, Arthur and Bert, of Battle Creek; Myrton, of Factoryville, St. Joseph county; William D.
William D. Wood received his education principally in Athens, and while yet.in his teens began to learn the carpenter's trade in that place. In the year of the World's Columbian Exposition he worked in Chi- cago, and gained much of valuable experience in his trade in that year. Following his Chicago experience he returned to Athens and worked at his trade until his marriage in November, 1894, after which he engaged in the meat business, continuing in that line for about three years in Athens. He once more took up the carpenter business, carrying on that work in Athens until 1902, in which year he made his advent into the industrial life of Battle Creek. He did not engage immediately in his own trade, however, as it was his intention to ultimately enter the con- tracting field, and he was desirous of becoming more familiar with busi- ness methods in the city before he committed himself to the responsibili- ties of an independent business. He went to work for the Advance Thresher Company, known now as the M. Rumely Company, and he was in their employ for nearly six years, at the end of which time he set up in business for himself. His efforts were crowned with success from the beginning, and his business has expanded in a most satisfactory manner. From a small beginning, Mr. Wood is now able to build and sell his houses on contract, dealing principally with the laboring class of people, who find it an advantage to be able to buy a neat and well- built home on the contract plan. His fair and honest methods make his propositions of peculiar interest to his patrons, and Mr. Wood experi- ences no difficulty in securing orders for as many houses as he can build. He has become the owner of a considerable quantity of valuable Battle Creek property, his residence on the corner of Kendall and Grove streets being his own property, as well as the residence next to his home. He has also acquired other city property in desirable parts of the city. He employs an average of fifteen men, and is busy the year around with his contracts.
Mr. Wood is an independent thinker with regard to politics. He may always be depended upon to support the best man in any political issue regardless of politics, and his support when accorded, is valuable and appreciated. He has kept well out of politics in the years of his.
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residence in Battle Creek, and although he has been solicited on numer- ous occasions to run for the office of alderman, he has always declined, firmly believing that business and politics cannot be mixed successfully. He is a member of Calhoun Tent No. 54 K. O. T. M., of Battle Creek, and with his family, is a member of the Upton Avenue Methodist Epis- copal church. Mr. Wood is an earnest churchman, and aside from his regular church duties as a member of the board of trustees, he has charge of a class of forty boys in the Sunday-school.
On November 1, 1894, Mr. Wood was united in marriage with Miss Allie A. Nees, at Athens, Michigan. She is a daughter of W. M. and Celestia (Ward) Nees, who came from near Marborough, Ohio, and settled in Athens, where the father was employed as a tinsmith. Pre- vious to that he had been engaged in the hardware business as the proprietor of a store, and at one time taught school in Alliance, Ohio, and in Uniontown, that state. He died in Battle Creek on February 14, 1911, and his widow resides with her daughter, Mrs. Wood. The lat- ter was born in Marborough, Ohio, and when she was about eight years of age her parents moved to Schoolcraft, Michigan, where she attended school until she was about sixteen, finishing in Bellevue, Eaton county, Michigan, after which her parents moved to Athens.
The Wood family occupy a warm place in the hearts of their many friends and acquaintances in this city, where they are well and favor- ably known, and where Mr. Wood's business standing is wholly con- sistent with his high character and general uprightness.
WILLIAM I. FELL, to whom Battle Creek owes much for his business talent manifested in so many ways for the benefit of the community, and particularly for the part he has played in contributing to its in- dustrial importance, is secretary, treasurer and manager of the Michi- gan Carton Company, and identified with other enterprises of an ex- tensive nature. Mr. Fell was born in Belleville, Wayne county, Michi- gan, January 1, 1861, and is a son of William K. and Charlotte (Bush) Fell. William K. Fell was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and was born in a Quaker community, his parents being members of the Society of Friends. During his earlier years he was a miller, but later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and at the time of his death was the owner of a farm of 200 acres in Wayne county, about twenty miles from Detroit, on which his widow, who is a native of Belle- ville, Michigan, now resides. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters, as follows: Mrs. F. L. Robbe, deceased, who was a resident of French Landing, Michigan; Mrs. R. E. Gorden, deceased, who resided at Ypsilanti, Michigan; Henry L., a carpenter and builder, residing in Battle Creek; William I .; Mrs. R. E. Gorden, of Ypsilanti, who married her older sister's widower; Mrs. A. J. Hosmer, who mar- ried Dr. A. J. Hosmer, of Salt Lake City, one of the noted surgeons of the West and chief surgeon of Holy Cross Hospital, Salt Lake City, and a stockholder in the Michigan Carton Company, of Battle Creek; David J., a teacher in the commercial department of the Central High school, Detroit; and Robert M., who lives on the old homestead in Wayne county with his aged mother.
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