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 68
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Mr. Blue is a member of the A. F. & A. M., while his wife is connected with the Eastern Star at Marshall. In politics a Republican, Mr. Blue served as town clerk of Clarendon township for eleven years and as supervisor for two years. He resigned the latter office on coming to Fredonia township, and in 1912 was here elected a member of the board of supervisors in 1912, a position which he at present holds. He was secretary of the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company of Calhoun county for six years, and a delegate to county and state conventions, ably dis- charging whatever duties he has been called upon to perform.' He believes in progress along all lines, and as a man who has the welfare of his com- munity at heart has the esteem and friendship of a wide circle of ac- quaintances.
ROBERT P. WISNER. An Athens man who is progressive and enter- prising in business, who is genial and agreeable in domestic and social relations and whose interest in public welfare especially in matters of education makes him a particularly valuable citizen, is Mr. Robert P. Wisner.
Mr. Wisner may well claim Michigan as his home, for his paternal ยท grandparents, Abram Wisner and wife located near Adrian at an early period. Their son, Alpheus Wisner, was well known as one of that en- ergetic class of men, who, in the formative period of many of our middle western states, combined clerical with agricultural work. Reverend Alpheus Wisner was one of those spiritually ambitious men who real- ized the need of the scattered population in the matter of religious min- istration, recognizing besides the fact that such a work needed to be supplemented by material resources gathered in some other way when the support of a family was entailed. He came to Calhoun county in the early forties, located in Athens and purchased a farm, a part of which was a government claim. The real purpose of his life, however, was the performance of his work as a Baptist clergyman; and this mission was
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accomplished by means of the methods of that class of preachers called circuit riders. The importance of such work in the building up of this denomination throughout this section is inestimable and much gratitude still accrues to Reverend Alpheus Wisner, who passed from this life in 1893. His memory has been treasured by many who remember his ministerial services to this region in times of peace and to his country as a chaplain in time of war.
His son, the subject of the present biography, was born in Athens township on November 21, 1860, and received his early educational training in the schools of Athens. His first experience in farming was gained from his working of his father's farm. Here he continued to reside until his marriage.
The first Mrs. Robert Wisner was Phoebe Barneblee, a daughter of James and Sarah (Jacobs) Barneblee. Two children were born to this marriage, of whom one died in infancy. The other is now Mrs. Harle Spore of Battle Creek. During Mr. Wisner's first marriage, he spent several years in residence on his father-in-law's farm in Mendon town- ship. Later he moved with his family to Leonidas township where they lived for three years. After his wife's death he lived for some time in California, later returning to Calhoun county and located in Athens. For seven years he was engaged in the hardware business in Athens, the firm being known as Wisner Bros. During this time occurred his second marriage, when he was united to Mrs. Bell Snell, a daughter of Charles and (Carpenter) Worden, of Leonidas township. The children born of this marriage are Arthur L. and Francis, twelve and ten years, respectively.
Later Mr. Wisner sold out his business in Athens and removed to Battle Creek, where he had interests in the Malta-Vita Food Company. Then the lure of the agricultural life led him to purchase a farm of 130 acres ; this property, which is one of the early farms of the county. Here Mr. Wisner now has a beautiful farm, well improved and conveniently near the village, where so many of Mr. Wisner's activities lie. One of his farm specialties is that of dairying, a vocation which of course relates him closely with the life of the village. The creamery which he initiated in Athens is an enterprise of particular interest. Further data regarding it will be noted in the sketch of J. J. Snyder.
A number of official responsibilities have devolved upon this public- spirited man. While in Mendon township he was supervisor. He has held the office of village president. He is now president of the village school board, having held this position of trust for eight years. During his administration the construction of the new Athens high school has taken place. His political theories are Democratic, his individual decisions being nevertheless unhampered by party dogmas. His socially fraternal affiliations are with the Athens Chapter number 146, Blue Lodge and Chapter Royal Arch Masons. From his neighbors and acquaintances one hears only commendatory words of Robert P. Wisner.
LUKE BYRON WOOD. Distinguished as one of the more prominent cattle and stock buyers of Southern Michigan, Luke Byron Wood is carrying on an extensive and highly remunerative business as a mem- ber of the widely known firm of Wood Brothers & Outman, his brother, A. L. Wood, of whom a brief sketch appears elsewhere in this work, being a member of the same firm. A son of Smolleff and Martha (Johnson) Wood, he was born, October 10, 1853, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Coming with his parents to Calhoun county, Michigan, when three years old, Mr. Wood was educated in the district schools of Athens town- ship, and on his father's farm was well drilled in all branches of agri-
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culture. Endowed by nature with sound sense and excellent business judgment, he began while yet in his teens to buy stock, and cattle, and has the distinction of having shipped the first car load of stock ever sent over the Battle Creek Division of the Michigan Central Railroad. In company with his brother and Mr. Outman he has since built up a very large and satisfactory business, shipping each week from three to fifteen car loads of stock to the eastern markets, having a heavy trade in cattle. Mr. Wood also owns a good farm of sixty acres, lying south of Athens, which is not now his home, his land being rented. For several years he dealt extensively in wool.
Mr. Wood has been twice married. He married first, February 17, 1875, Harriet G. McNeal, a daughter of Robert and Huldah (Stevens) McNeal, early settlers of Calhoun county, where Mr. McNeal cleared and improved a good farm, on which he resided until his death, at an ad- vanced age. She passed to the higher life September 13, 1892, leaving two children, as follows: Leo, engaged in the lumber business with Frank Woodruff; and Leona M., wife of Carl Gaw, of Athens, who is in business with Mr. Wood. Mr. Wood married second, April 11, 1901, Mrs. Jennie (Lewis) Wells, widow of Abe Wells, and daughter of Will- iam and Ann (Stancer) Lewis, pioneer farmers of Saint Joseph county. Politically Mr. Wood is a Republican. Fraternally he is a charter member of the Knights of the Maccabees at Athens. He is a stockholder in the Athens State Bank, one of the stable financial institutions of the county.
EUGENE H. HILL. There is probably no class of people who quickly grasp anything new and progressive like the prosperous farmer. While he resides away from the hustle and bustle of the city and is not near the manufacturing centers, as a rule, it is really surprising to see how familiar he is with improvements that relate to farming. He is always on the alert for anything that will economize, in fact, there is no more shrewd and hard-headed class of business men than the farmers. The hustling farmer is always on the alert for new inventions which will minimize cost and production, and it is indeed interesting to visit a well-equipped farm and scrutinize the various implements used in pre- paring the products of the ground for general use. One of the best equipped farms in Eckford township is that of Eugene H. Hill, an enter- prising and progressive agriculturist who has spent his entire life within the borders of Calhoun county. Mr. Hill was born in Eckford township, December 1, 1856, and is a son of William N. and Martha E. (Matthews) Hill.
William N. Hill was born in Pittsford, Monroe county, New York, February 15, 1822, and in 1852 came to Calhoun county, Michigan, purchasing 120 acres of land, on which he resided until his death, July 29, 1900. In 1845 he was married in New York to Martha Elizabeth Matthews, and five children were born to this union: Mary E., who mar- ried George W. Hinkle, of Illinois. son of Abner Hinkle who came to Michigan and spent the rest of his life with his son ; Clinton N. a painter in the Advance shops, Battle Creek; Ida M., who married Carleton Clark and resides in Kalamazoo; Eugene H .; and Mrs. Phenie Joslin, who is deceased. The mother of these children died June 8, 1899, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, she and her husband having been early members of the congregation at Eckford. Mr. Hill was one of the self-made men of his community, having started out on his career with little but energy, industry and enterprise to assist him in his struggles for independence. In his political views he was a Republican, but public life held out no attractions to him, and his agricultural opera- tions satisfied his ambitions.
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Eugene H. Hill was married in 1892 to Miss Ida Gaus, daughter of Michael Gaus, the latter being a native of Germany, where he was born September 29, 1826. His wife was born in Germany in 1840, bearing the maiden name of Katherine Goodrich, and came to the United States when seven years of age with her parents, who located in Washtenaw county, and later in Fredonia township, Calhoun county. Mr. `Gaus was thirty years of age when he emigrated to this country, and also located in Washtenaw county and later removed to Calhoun county, where he passed away in 1908, being survived by his widow, who is re- siding in Marshall. They had eleven children, Mrs. Hill being the fifth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have had four children: Harold, Norma, Arol and Robert William.
Mr. Hill bought his present home in 1901, and now has a farm of 120 acres, 115 acres of which are under cultivation. He carries on general farming and raises cattle, horses and sheep, and has achieved considerable success in all his ventures. Modern methods and machinery are used in the cultivation of his land, and as a result he has one of the best and most productive properties in the township. Fraternally Mr. Hill is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, at Marshall, and his political belief is that of the Republican party, having served his township very satisfactorily in the office of highway commissioner. As a man who stands for progress, education, morality, and good citizen- ship, he is respected as one of his community's representative citizens, and his many admirable characteristics have gained and retained for him a wide circle of warm personal friends.
CHARLES H. KATZ. One of the enterprising and industrious agri- culturists of Calhoun county whose activities are promoting the rapid growth and development of the county's interests, is Charles H. Katz, of Fredonia township, who has spent his entire life within its borders. Mr. Katz was born in Fredonia township, January 25, 1869, and is a son of Charles and Catherine (Hess) Katz, natives of Germany. Mr. Katz's father was born March 30, 1838, and came to the United States as a baby with his parents, Peter Katz and wife. Reaching this country during the forties, he was given such educational advantages as the country school of that day could afford, and was reared by his parents to habits of industry, integrity and thrift, so often found in the German nature, and to the vocation of an agriculturist, a vocation which he has followed ever since attaining manhood. He is now the owner of 262 acres, a great deal of which he assisted in clearing and is known as one of his township's most prosperous and public-spirited citizens. In politics he is a Democrat. He and his wife, who was born in 1845, and died May 15, 1902. had fourteen children, eleven of whom are still living, six sons and five daughters, of whom Charles H. is the third in order of birth.
Charles H. Katz was educated in the district schools and began his business life as a carpenter, at which trade he was employed something over fifteen years. He subsequently spent two years in California, in a lumber camp, and was moderately successful there, but in 1892 returned to Michigan and began working by the day. In 1902 he turned his at- tention to farming, first purchasing a tract of 120 acres, which he cleared and spent four years on, and still owns his original purchase, although in 1906 he bought his present 205-acre farm. Here he has erected large and commodious buildings of the best material and of modern archi- tecture, and has gradually developed this land into some of the finest in the township. He uses modern machinery, carries on intensive general farming, and has shown himself a thoroughly competent agriculturist in every department of his work.
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Mr. Katz was married in 1894, to Miss Alma Kidney, daughter of William Kidney, an early settler of this part of Calhoun county, and to this union there have been born six children, as follows : Carl, who received a district school education and also attended school for one year in Battle Creek; Donald, Leona, Theodore Roosevelt and George W., who are attending school ; and Charles, the baby, two years old.
In his political belief Mr. Katz is a Democrat, but has never cared to enter the political field, his business activities satisfying his ambition. However, he takes a good citizen's interest in all matters that effect his county, and any movement for its betterment finds in him a valuable co-worker and stanch supporter. He has a wide circle of acquaintances and numerous friends in Fredonia township.
WILLIAM C. KLAWITER. It is one of the most encouraging facts which can anywhere exist that, in this country, a large proportion of those individuals who by their acquirements and talents have attained a greater or less degree of prosperity, have risen by their own exertions. In the lives of such men as William C. Klawiter, of Battle Creek, there is always to be found something to encourage the exertions of those youths who, without fortune or influential friends, are struggling to overcome obstacles in the acquirement of position and independence. Mr. Klawiter, who is vice president of the firm of John Brennan & Company, and a forceful factor in the industrial life of Battle Creek, entered upon the active duties of life with naught but his own energy and ability to aid him, and has been the sole architect of his own fortunes, molding his own character and shaping his own destiny. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, August 27, 1864, and is a son of William and Katherine (Hilbert) Klawiter, natives of Germany who came to the United States in childhood.
William Klawiter entered upon his business career as an employe of John Brennan, who conducted a boiler shop in Detroit, and continued his connection with the works after the incorporation of the business under the firm style of John Brennan & Company. In fact, his associa- tion with the industry was only terminated by his death, which occurred after thirty-five years relation with the house. He was successively pro- moted until he reached the position of foreman, and afterwards was made superintendent, and in 1883 when the company established a branch house at Battle Creek, for the manufacture of boilers more especially, (the Detroit plant being also devoted to the manufacture of boilers.) Mr. Klawiter moved to this city and as superintendent had charge of this plant until his death, October 1, 1892. He had the unqualified confidence and good will of those whom he represented and was a most capable man in the position which he occupied. He and his wife, who survives him and lives in Battle Creek, were the parents of three children : William C .; Mrs. Harry P. Lewis, of Battle Creek ; and Mrs. C. J. Austin, of Toledo, Ohio.
William C. Klawiter was educated in the common schools of De- troit, and on completing his literary course there, learned the trade of boiler maker as an apprentice in the shop of John Brennan & Company, remaining at the boiler works in Detroit for a year and then coming to Battle Creek with his parents. Here he completed his apprenticeship, and after becoming a journeyman was promoted through successive stages until, upon his father's death, in 1892, he was made his successor, becoming superintendent of the establishment in Battle Creek. He has since given his time and attention almost exclusively to the supervision of the plant, having control of the largest boiler works in this part of the State. He is a stock holder and director of the company, which
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William C. Klawiter
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owns the works at Battle Creek and Detroit, the Detroit plant still being larger than the one at Battle Creek, and is vice-president of the company, the other officers of which are: F. S. Werneken, president; C. T. Kingston, secretary ; and F. E. Werneken, treasurer. This com- pany manufactures all manner of work made from steel plate, welded or riveted, and its products include marine and stationary boilers, up- right and locomotive type boilers for tug boats, steam shovels and dredges, boilers for sawmills, locomotive boilers, mounted and unmounted, and feed water heaters, separators, filters, steel piping, steel tanks and heavy plate work. The Battle Creek works are situated at Fountain street and the Michigan Central Railroad tracks. In addition, Mr. Klawiter is a stockholder in the Old National Bank, the Citizens Elec- tric Company, the Battle Creek Brewing Company and the Gartner Baking Company.
In political matters Mr. Klawiter is a Republican, and during 1908 and 1909 served as alderman of the First Ward. At one time he was a member of Battle Creek Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M., but upon the organization of Metcalf Lodge No. 419, demitted to that lodge and be- came a charter member. He also belongs to Battle Creek Chapter, R. A. M., and Battle Creek Commandery No. 33, K. T., and to the Elks Lodge of this city.
As will be seen, Mr. Klawiter is a typical self-made man, one who by his own ability, perseverance and acumen has risen from a comparatively obscure and poor boyhood to his present condition of independence. He has never married, but resides with his mother at No. 6, East Fountain street, where he has an elegant and comfortable modern home, sur- sounded by a beautiful lawn. He has a wide business acquaintance throughout the State, and enjoys to an enviable degree the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, who recognize in him those sterling at- tributes of character which have done so much to advance and develop Battle Creek's industrial and commercial importance.
FRANKLIN E. ESTES. Conspicuous among the intelligent, enterpris- ing and able men who are largely contributing towards the advancement of the financial prosperity and material interests of Calhoun county is Franklin E. Estes, cashier of the Athens State Bank, in which he is a director, and one of its heaviest stockholders. A son of Freeman Estes, he was born, January 20, 1874, in New York state, where his childhood days were spent. His grandparents, Thomas and Sarah (Franklin) Estes, were life-long residents of New York, both living to be upwards of eighty years of age.
Born in the Empire state, April 11, 1855, Freeman Estes was there educated and married. Coming to Saint Joseph county, Michigan, in 1882, he located in Mendon, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, on which the only improvements were a log house and log barn. He immediately began the pioneer task of redeeming a farm from its pristine wildness, and in his labors met with excellent success. He has erected new buildings of modern construction, placed his land under an excellent state of culture, and has now a fertile and productive farm worth at least one hundred dollars an acre, his estate being one of the most valuable in the neighborhood. He is a Republican in his political relations, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is also a member. He married Sarah Franklin, who was born in New York state, in July, 1856, and they have seven children living, as follows: Arthur C., of Goshen, Indiana; Susie, wife of J. L. Mischler, of Goshen, Indiana; Franklin E., the subject of this brief biographical
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review; Fred C., a farmer, living near Kalamazoo; Ernest L., cashier of the First State Bank of Mendon; Raymond S., of Weiser, Idaho; and Mabel, living at home.
After leaving the Mendon high school Franklin E. Estes took a course of study at a business college in Petosky, after which he spent a year at Buchtel College, in Akron, Ohio. Thus prepared for a professional career, Mr. Estes taught school eight years, four years in the country, and four years in the Mendon high school. Going then to Centerville, Michigan, he was for five years associated with the Wolf Brothers State Bank. In 1908 Mr. Estes organized the Farmers State Bank at Athens, and it was subsequently consolidated with the Athens State and Savings Bank under the name of the Athens State Bank. This flourishing finan- cial institution, of which Mr. Estes is not only the cashier, but a director, and one of the leading stockholders, is capitalized at $30,000.00, and has a surplus and undivided profits of $8,000.00, while its average deposits amount to $135,000.00.
Politically Mr. Estes affiliates with the Republicans, and while in Centerville served as village treasurer and as assessor. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, and religiously he belongs to the Congregational church.
Mr. Estes married, August 2, 1901, Georgia Hall, a daughter of George W. and Clarissa Ann (- ) Hall, natives of Vermont, and early settlers of Saint Joseph county, Michigan, where her father was a prominent carpenter and contractor until his death, in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Estes are the parents of two children, namely: Gertrude Helen, and Hall J.
FRANK G. WOODRUFF. Among the native-born citizens of Calhoun county who have spent their lives within its precincts, aiding in every possible way its growth and development, whether relating to its agri- cultural, manufacturing, mercantile, or financial prosperity, stands Frank G. Woodruff, of Athens, a prominent lumber dealer, and a banker. He was born, July 11, 1860, in Athens township, a son of Nelson Wood- ruff, and grandson of Gurdon Woodruff, who migrated from New York, his native state, to Ohio in pioneer times, and was there a tiller of the soil until his death.
Born in New York in 1822, Nelson Woodruff went with his parents to Ohio, where he grew to man's estate. He came with his wife to Michigan, locating in Athens township, Calhoun county. Purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of heavily wooded land from the man who had originally bought the tract from the government, he cleared a large portion of it, placed it in a fine state of cultivation, and occupied it continuously until his death, in 1883. He married Sophia Boughton, who was born in New York, and died on the home farm in Michigan in 1907. Of the children born of their union, three are living, as fol- lows: Melvin, a farmer in Athens; Frank G., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned; and Ralph, a resident of Arkansas. Nelson Wood- ruff was a Democrat in politics, and held numerous township offices, always serving faithfully and ably in any position to which he was elected. His wife's father, maternal grandfather of Mr. Woodruff, was Truman Boughton, was born and reared in New York, and while yet a young man served in the War of 1812. He subsequently settled on a farm in Iowa, and there resided thirty years and the remainder of his life in Denver, Colorado.
Receiving his preliminary education in the district schools of Athens township. Frank G. Woodruff completed his early studies in Union City, and subsequently taught school a year. Returning then to the
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home farm, he assisted his father in its management until becoming of age, when he rented it on shares. In 1884, a few months after the death of his father, Mr. Woodruff bought the interests of the remaining heirs in the parental acres, and was there profitably engaged in agricultural pursuits about twenty years, and still owns the entire property. Mov- ing to Athens in 1904, Mr. Woodruff looked about for awhile for some congenial employment, and in 1906, in partnership with Mr. Leo E. Wood, embarked in the lumber and coal business, and has since built up an extensive and lucrative lumber and coal business, carrying in stock large amounts of finishing lumber and builder's material and many carloads of coal. He is also connected with one of the substantial finan- cial institutions of the county, being president of the Athens State Bank, which has a paid up capital of $30,000.00, with a surplus and un- divided profits of $8,000.00 Mr. Woodruff has shown marked ability in the management of his business affairs, having begun life for him- self with but $1,500.00, a sum which he has since increased many fold, having now a handsome competency. A Democrat in politics, he has served as supervisor and as highway commissioner.
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