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 65
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
burg, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth and Murphysboro. He was with Gen- eral Sherman for the most part, then with General Thomas, and was twice wounded in action. After the war he went to Nevada, the spirit of adventure not yet wholly subdued, and there he followed mining,- an occupation in which he was especially fortunate. In 1868 he returned to Michigan and located on a farm adjoining the old homestead. He later bought thirty-five acres, and still later bought his father's farm of one hundred and fifteen acres.
In 1870 Mr. Kidney married Miss Eliza M. Fox, the daughter of Daniel M. Fox of Fredonia, a prominent farmer and early settler of this section of the country, who located here in about 1855. Two chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kidney,-Alma, now Mrs. Charles Katz, and Annie E., the wife of Clarence E. Miller of Eckford township.
Mr. Kidney is recognized for one of the leading citizens of his town- ship, in which he has always taken a prominent part with relation to the administration of municipal affairs. He has held various offices, cal- culated to evidence the confidence which his fellow townsmen place in him, and has been township treasurer for one year, as well as justice of the peace. He is prominent fraternally, holding membership in St. Alban's Lodge No. 20 at Marshall in the Masonic Order, and being a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Marshall.
WILLIAM C. KATZ, SR., a prominent cement contractor of Marshall, Michigan, and a leader in that business in the county, has been identified with the cement business in an active way since 1902. He has learned the business from beginning to end, and is known for one of the compe- tent and capable cement contractors of the county.
Mr. Katz was born in Fredonia township, Calhoun county, in No- vember 21, 1864, and has passed his life thus far within the confines of his native state. He is the son of William and Caroline (Marshall) Katz. The father died in 1866. The mother, born in Germany, died April 3, 1911.
Their son, William C., Sr., acquired his education in the public schools of Marshall. After finishing with his high school course he learned the trade of a cooper and followed the business for several years. In 1902 he first became connected with the cement business, and after learning well the art of successfully mixing and blending the materials, he en- gaged in cement contracting, in which business he has continued since that time, doing a thriving business in season. He now employs a large force of men, and commands a good share of the cement business which is annually let in Marshall. He is a heavy purchaser of the materials used in his work and purchased his supplies by the car load, thus secur- ing bottom prices. He procures his cement from Lansing and Chicago, as well as such other materials as he has use for in the business. In addition to the building of walks, curbs, foundations, etc., he also manu- factures cement blocks for use in building, and his work may be found on every street in Marshall, where he has a reputation not alone for per- forming well-appearing work, but work of the greatest permanency and durability.
On December 23, 1886, Mr. Katz married Miss Anna D. Wackenhut, a native daughter of Michigan, her parents being pioneer settlers of the state. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Katz: John F., William C., Jr., who is associated with his father in the cement business ; Ernest C., Irwin F., Arthur G. and Viola May.
Mr. Katz is a member of the Maccabees, also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 5, and the Knights of Pythias. The family home is
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maintained at No. 938 South Marshall avenue, and is a large residence, in every way suited to the needs of the household.
OSCAR J. FREDENBURG. For more than forty years located on the same farm and conducting its operations, during half of the period for another man and the remainder for himself; keeping up to date with the science of agriculture and making his enterprise in this respect pay him well; standing high in the councils of his political party, with influence in its management and an undisputed force in local public affairs, whether political or otherwise; and chosen to one official position of im- portance and responsibility after another, Oscar J. Fredenburg, one of the leading farmers and most esteemed citizens of Pennfield township, Calhoun county, Michigan, presents in his career a fine illustration of the value of thrift, enterprise and sterling manhood in this country, in spite of all the madness of our politics, the diversity of our interests, and our sometimes intense sectional pride.
Mr. Fredenburg was born far from the region of his present home, his life having begun in Columbia county, New York, on November 1, 1849. He is a son of James P. and Paulina (Ashley ) Fredenburg, the former born in Vermont on July 4, 1824, and the latter in the state of New York on July 1, 1827. The father was educated in the state of New York, whither he went as a boy. He was a millwright, and after working at his trade in New York a number of years, came to Michigan in 1854, bringing his family with him.
In turning his steps in the direction of the setting sun he looked for larger opportunities for himself and a better future for his family than the old states of the east seemed to offer, and he was not mistaken in his judgment of the situation. On his arrival in this state he found his services as a millwright in great demand to harness the enormous water power of this great, although then undeveloped region for the service of the fast coming hosts of civilization and empire. And as the country around him developed the chances for advancement for the next genera- tion constantly improved and were quickened into larger proportions.
The father worked at his trade for one man twenty-eight years. He bought a farm in this state but never found time to cultivate it, although he lived to the age of seventy-eight, dying in 1902. The mother passed away in 1900. They were the parents of four children of whom Oscar J. was the second born and is the only one living except his sister Jennie, the wife of Charles Fonda, whose home is in California. Julia, the first child, and Libia, the fourth, have died. The father was first a Whig in politics and afterward a Republican, and his religious connection was with the Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers. The mother be- longed to the Congregational church, and was a consistent member of it.
The paternal grandparents were Peter and Sarah (Powell) Freden- burg, who passed all of their years as farmers in New York state. The maternal grandfather was Alden Ashley, who was also a New York farmer. After many years of profitable industry he died in his native state on a tract of land granted to his father by the king of England, then and afterward known as Ashley Hill, and conspicuous in the his- tory of its locality in peace and war, while the oboriginal Red Man was still roaming and dwelling around it, and later, when the "Red Men" of Great Britain were fighting to retain their hold on their abused and insulted colonies on this side of the Atlantic.
Oscar J. Fredenburg was but five years old when his parents brought him to Michigan and Calhoun county. He was educated in the schools of Battle Creek in part. He also attended a school in Poughkeepsie, New York. During a portion of his attendance at school he worked in a drug store, and he also worked three years for a water wheel company.
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
On May 24, 1871, Mr. Fredenburg was united in marriage with Miss Olive A. Bordine, a daughter of Samuel W. and Mercy Ann (Van Ness) Bordine, the former born in Orleans county, New York, in 1811, and the latter born in the same state in 1817. They came to Michigan in 1844, and here the father bought a farm of 200 acres in Pennfield town- ship, this county, on which he died on March 24, 1882, and the mother in 1902. They had five children, three of whom are now living, Mrs. Fredenburg having been the last born of the five, and the last one left at home with her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Fredenburg have seven children : Mertie A., who is the wife of A. C. Miller; Clara, who married Bert Ellis; Maggie, the wife of Calvin Shanzenbaker; James H .; Samuel W .; Charles A., and Laverne A. The two last named are still at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis own and live on a fine farm in Pennfield township, and all the rest are residents of Battle Creek, where they stand high in public esteem and are prominent in desirable social circles.
Mr. Fredenburg has taken a prominent part in the fraternal life of the community as a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and in the political affairs of his township and county as a Republican. He has served as treasurer of Pennfield township and on its board of review, and is now its highway commissioner. He is very influential in his party, and has represented his county in many of its county, state and congres- sional conventions. He is prosperous in his business, doing general farming and handling live stock extensively. The farm he lives on is the one that formerly belonged to his father-in-law. He farmed it for twenty years after his marriage for that gentleman, and at his death came into possession of it. He began his work on it in 1871, and has resided on it continuously ever since. It is well improved and has great value as a farm and attractiveness as a rural home.
GEORGE J. GENEBACH. One of the most prominent and progressive men of Battle Creek is George J. Genebach, correspondent with the Nichols & Shepard Company, his intimate connection with which during the past several years has made him an influential factor in its develop- ment and prosperity. Prominent alike in social, public and business affairs, with versatile talents and abilities, he is a citizen at once promi- nent and useful, filling with credit to himself and with satisfaction to others the multiform duties and obligations imposed upon those whom talent and industry have placed in positions of responsibility and trust. George J. Genebach was born in Brooklyn, Jackson county, Michigan, June 29, 1874, and is a son of Charles F. and Barbara (Stocker) Gene- bach. His father is identified with real estate interests of Brooklyn, where he and his wife still reside.
The early education of George J. Genebach was secured in the public ยท schools, and subsequently he took a course in Cleary Business College, Ypsilanti, where he was graduated in 1891, this being supplemented by attendance at the State Normal College, where he took a special course. In 1892 he matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan, and was graduated in June, 1894, having been previously ad- mitted to the bar. He had early formulated plans, and thus his pre- liminary training had tended toward a business and law education, while it might be noted that he was the youngest member of a class of two hundred and seventy students. While a student in college he took a great interest in athletic sports and was a member of the track team. Immediately after his graduation he established himself in the practice of his profession in Jackson, where his energy and ability soon gained
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
him recognition. On January 1, 1895, he entered into a co-partnership with Elmer Kirkby, who had just retired from the office of prosecuting attorney, although at the expiration of one year the partnership was dissolved. In February, 1898, Mr. Genebach was tendered the position of deputy county clerk, of which he remained the incumbent until July 1, 1900, when he resigned to enter upon his duties as justice of the peace, having been elected to that position during the preceding spring. His personal popularity was clearly indicated in this election, since he re- ceived a majority of three hundred and seventy-three votes, while the head of the ticket upon which his name appeared was defeated by more than four hundred votes. Mr. Genebach entered upon the discharge of his official duties on July 4, 1900, and during the administration which followed his rulings were in accord with justice and free from partiality, meeting the approval of superior courts wherever reviewed. On the completion of his service in the office of justice of the peace Mr. Gene- bach became connected with the International Harvester Company, in their Jackson office, as assistant to the manager, and acted in that ca- pacity from 1904 to October, 1907. On October 7th of the latter year he came to Battle Creek and became connected with Nichols & Shepard Company, as correspondent, a position which he still holds. He is also connected with the United Steel and Wire Company, formerly the Battle Creek Oven Rack Company, which was organized in Battle Creek, in February, 1909, by Mr. Genebach. In April, 1912, this became the United States Steel and Wire Company, of which he is now secretary and manager, and to which he gives a part of his time, and during the year 1912 a new factory was erected in Battle Creek, at the corner of Burchard street and Fonda avenue.
In politics Mr. Genebach is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. For three years he was a member of the National Guard of Michigan, and while residing in Jackson belonged to the fol- lowing fraternal organizations: Independent Order of Foresters, which he joined in January, 1897; Elks, which he joined in July, 1898; Mac- cabecs, with which he became connected in February, 1900, and Jackson Lodge, F. & A. M., with which he affiliated in September, 1901. He was also a member of the Jackson City Club, held the office of vice chief ranger of the Foresters, was later elected chief ranger, a position which he held for three years, and in February, 1901, was made high chancellor of the high court of this order for the western jurisdiction of Michigan. At the present time he belongs to Battle Creek Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M., Battle Creek Lodge No. 131, B. P. O. E., and the Country and Athelstan Clubs of Battle Creek. With his family, Mr. Genebach attends the Baptist church, and the comfortable modern family home is situated at No. 7, North Jay street.
Mr. Genebach was married November 18, 1896, in the city of Jackson, Michigan, to Miss Ida B. Stevens, who was born in Titusville, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of Henry C. Stevens, who was formerly one of the lead- ing oil operators of the Keystone state, and is now a resident of Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Genebach have had two children: Carleton Grey, who was born September 16, 1897; and Lowell Burke, born October 13, 1898, both of whom are attending the Battle Creek schools.
HENRY CLARENCE HUGGETT. Enterprising, progressive and studious as a farmer, live stock man and manager of an extensive and active dairy business, and universally admired for his energy, ability and intelligence in each of his lines of endeavor ; wide awake, alert and zealous in regard to the progress and development of the locality of his home and the welfare of all its residents, and held in high esteem on this account
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as a citizen ; and straightforward and upright in all his daily walk and conduct as a man, Henry Clarence Huggett of Convis township, Calhoun county, holds a high rank among the people of this part of Michigan, and whatever he is, he is wholly a product of this region, and representa- tive of all that is best in its citizenship.
Mr. Huggett was born in Convis township on November 25, 1867, and is a son of Jesse and Fannie (Calendar) Huggett, the former born in England in 1832 and the latter in Calhoun county, Michigan, in 1840. They were married in 1856, and became the parents of six chil- dren, five of whom are living, Henry C. being next to the youngest of them. The father came to the United States with his parents, Thomas and Mary Ann ( Wickham) Huggett about 1834. The family history is given at some length in a sketch of Jesse's brother, James, elsewhere in this volume.
Jesse Huggett attained his manhood in the state of New York, and then moved to this county and located on the farm of 160 acres in Convis township which he still owns and lives on. He is now eighty years of age, but still leads an active life, not much bent or worn by his burden of years. This year (1912) he planted an acre of his land in potatoes all alone, and has done plenty of other work on his farm. The mother is also still living, and she too is hale and vigorous. In political rela- .tions he is a Republican, and has always taken a warm, practical and helpful interest in the public affairs of his township and county. He served as township treasurer at one time, and afterward on the board of review and in several other local offices from time to time in the past, but for many years he has neither had nor desired any part in official life.
Henry C. Huggett's education was obtained in the district schools of Convis township, and after leaving school he began farming in asso- ciation with his father. At the age of twenty-seven he bought eighty acres of his present farm to start on, and he has since bought eighty more, owning now 160 acres, nearly all under cultivation and highly productive. The rest of the farm is valuable woodland. Mr. Huggett carries on general farming to the limit of his resources in land for the purpose, and he also conducts an extensive and active live stock business, raising large numbers of cattle. In addition to these industries he has a large and profitable dairy trade, especially in cream, which he sells in large quantities in Marshall.
On October 23, 1895, Mr. Huggett was married to Miss May Brown, a daughter of Ezekiel and Mary (Templeton) Brown, long residents of Convis township but both now deceased. The farm on which the Hug- gett family now lives was the old family home of Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Huggett's mother. Six children have been born in the Huggett house- hold, and all of them are living. They are: Jesse, Marvin, Mary and Gladys, who are attending school, and Victor and Russell, who are as yet too young for school.
In politics Mr. Huggett is a pronounced Republican. He was a member of the school board for six years. When the office of school auditor was in operation he also held that position. In fraternal rela- tions he is connected with the Order of Good Templars. . He is well known throughout the county and in all parts of it is highly esteemed. Mrs. Huggett's father was notary public for many years. He came to Michigan in 1852 and died here April 19, 1895.
JAMES E. WALKINSHAW. Born and reared in Convis township, Cal- houn county, near the scene of his present well directed and fruitful labors, and having won success and consequence among the people by his
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fidelity, ability and sterling manhood, James E. Walkinshaw is like the skylark, as described by Wordsworth, having learned
" To soar but never roam,-
True to the kindred points of Heaven and home."
Mr. Walkinshaw's life began on July 15, 1866, and he is a son of David and Sarah (Van Fleet) Walkinshaw, also natives of Calhoun county, the former born in the city of Marshall in 1844 and the latter in Convis township in 1848. The father has been a farmer and also given a great deal of attention to public affairs in the county from the dawn of his manhood. He located on a farm in Convis township in 1876, and remained on it until he was elected sheriff of Calhoun county in 1884: He served four years as sheriff, and also four as supervisor of Convis township. At this time (1912) he is superintendent of the poor in the county and resides in Marshall.
During the Civil war Mr. Walkinshaw, the elder, was a soldier in the Union army, enrolled in Company M, Merrill's Horse Brigade, and since the war he has risen to a position of great influence in the local councils of the Republican party, of which he has always been a member, and for which he has been an active and effective worker for a long time. He is also a great advocate of prohibition and lets his faith on this subject be known at all times and under any circumstances.
He and his wife are the parents of two children, James E. and his sister May. The latter is a teacher in a graded school in Marshall and has her home with her parents in that city. The paternal grandfather also James Walkinshaw, came to this country from Scotland and settled in Michigan and Calhoun county at a very early date in their history. He acquired land from the government, and as this improved and be- came productive under his skillful husbandry, he bought additions until he became the owner of hundreds of acres, and made the greater part of them productive.
James E. Walkinshaw obtained his education in the district school in the vicinity of his father's farm, augmenting its course of instruction by attending a graded school in Battle Creek one winter. After leaving school he went to work on the family homestead and has followed farm- ing and raising live stock ever since. He and his father now have 440 acres of superior land of his own, which he cultivates with skill and profit, and he is also extensively engaged in raising and feeding stock for the markets. His specialty in the breeding line is thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle, but he raises and handles all kinds of live stock, es- pecially feeding large numbers of cows. He is well known in the stock markets, where the output of his stables has a high rank because of the care with which it is reared and fattened and the excellent condition in which it is shipped.
On October 25, 1888, Mr. Walkinshaw was united in marriage with Miss Clara M. Andrus, a daughter of Ira Andrus, who was among the pioneer farmers of Convis township. Three children have been born of the union: Vernice, who has recently completed her education at an institution of advanced learning in Ypsilanti; and Mildred H., who is a graduate of 1912 from the same school, and Harold J., deceased when one month old. These young ladies are now at home with their parents, and they add greatly to the light, life and attractiveness of the family circle and the entertainment of the hosts of friends of the household who visit it.
In fraternal relations Mr. Walkinshaw is a Knight of the Maccabees, a Woodman and a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. His polit- ical faith is embodied in the principles and theories of government of the Republican party, and he gives his allegiance loyally and without
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
stint to that organization. He has given the people excellent service as a justice of the peace and as treasurer and supervisor of Convis town- ship. In other avenues of effort, outside of political activities, he has also been of service to his township and county by his energy and intelli- gence in helping to promote progress and improvement, and his earnest and effective support of all undertakings in which the advancement of this part of the state is involved. The residents of his township regard him as one of their most representative and useful citizens, and all agree that he is worthy of the high rank they give him and the general esteem which he enjoys among them. He has a very cordial interest in the region in which his life began, the soil from which he has drawn his stature and his strength, and the people with whom he has mingled from childhood, and this he shows in every political and helpful way open to him.
WILLIAM J. CLARK, one of the representative citizens of Calhoun county, Michigan, identified with the agricultural interests of Fredonia township, dates his birth in the State of New Jersey on the 23rd of January, 1853. He is a son of William and Phoebe Clark, and was sixth in their family of eight children. When he was a mere infant they all came to Michigan and the new home was established in frontier style on a rented farm in Marshall township, Calhoun county. And while he was yet a small boy his mother died. His father subsequently married a Miss Tower. Both his father and mother were natives of New Jersey. The former was born in 1830, and died in 1900.
William J. received his education in the district schools of Marshall township and in the high school at Marshall. At an early age he left the parental home and started out to make his own way in the world, securing employment as a farm hand. And he has since followed farm- ing. He bought a portion of his present farm and moved on to it in 1904. Since then he has increased his holdings to 135 acres. He has erected the most of the buildings on this place and made other improve- ments, and to-day has one of the best farms in his locality, devoted to general farming and stock raising. With the exception of two years, when he resided in Marshall, Mr. Clark has continued to make his home on his farm.
In 1874 Mr. Clark was married to Miss Martha J. Tadman, daugh- ter of William Tadman of Fredonia township. The fruits of this union are eight children, seven sons and a daughter, of whom record is as follows: Frank W., Edward H., Alonzo W., Fred G., Cyrus, Warren, Ethel B., Donald D. Frank W. married a Miss Thomas and lives in Eckford township, Calhoun county, has two children; Cyrus, who mar- ried Miss Lucy Thomas, lives in Marengo township, this county, also has two children; Edward, also of Eckford township, is married and has two children, the youngest deceased; Fred, who married a Miss Bailey and has two children, is a resident of Marshall; Alonzo W., of Jackson, Michigan, married Miss Zella Houston; Warren J. married Miss Pame- lia Schnaitman; Ethel, wife of John E. Hoyt, of Fredonia, has two chil- dren; Donald, is attending school.
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