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 70
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"Mr. Decker was a man possessed of untiring energy, and that trait was ever in evidence, the while his manly Christian character and sterl- ing qualities always made him a most valued citizen and worthy friend. He was an active member and faithful worker in the First Presbyterian church. He left his home in this city a few weeks before his death, ac- companied by his wife and his daughter Genevieve, for a western trip, thinking that the change might benefit him. They went to California and other points on the Pacific coast and the change seemed to do him
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considerable good. A short time before his death he left his wife and daughter in the west, for a more extended visit on their part, and started for the east. He stopped at Hinsdale, Illinois, for a brief visit with his elder daughter and while there an acute attack of indigestion terminated in his death."
In politics Mr. Decker gave his support to the cause of the Republican party and while he never sought or desired public office he was ever . ready to lend his co-operation in the furtherance of measures and en- terprises projected for the general good of the community. He filled a large place in the business activities of Battle Creek for many years, and here his memory will be honored as long as there remains those who knew him and had appreciation of his noble and kindly life.
On the 7th of January, 1863, in the village of Climax, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Decker to Miss Jennie M. Bellows, who was born at Climax, Mich., and who was a daughter of Wm. E. Bellows, a representative pioneer of Kalmazoo county. Mrs. Decker, a woman of gentle and gracious personality and a devout member of the Presbyterian church, did not long survive her honored husband, as she was summoned to the life eternal on the 6th of October, 1911, at the age of seventy-one years. After the death of her husband she broke up the old home and thereafter passed her time with her children, her death having occurred at the home of her youngest child, Mrs. Laurence W. Smith, of Ionia, Michigan. Concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Decker the following brief record is entered, in conclusion of this memoir : Dr. Charles E., who attained to distinction in the medical profession, was in charge of the United States marine hos- pital at San Diego, California, at the time of his death, in 1902; J. New- ton, who still resides in Battle Creek, is individually mentioned on other pages of this work; William B. was a student of medicine at the time of his death, which occurred in Battle Creek, in 1898; Edward H., who was graduated in the law department of the University of Michigan, is now a member of the faculty of the law school of the University of Illinois : he was engaged in the practice of his profession in Battle Creek for five years and during three years of this period held the office of city attorney ; Anna Louise is the wife of Charles Atkinson, who is president of the publishing house of Atkinson, Mentzer & Company school-book publishers in the city of Chicago, and he and his wife now reside at San Diego, California; Genevieve is the wife of Laurence W. Smith, who is a representative member of the bar of Ionia county, Michigan, and who maintains his home and professional headquarters in the city of Ionia, the judicial center of the county. All of the children were graduated in the Battle Creek high school and all were also graduated in the University of Michigan except J. Newton, whose predilections led him into business activities.
J. NEWTON DECKER. Elsewhere in this volume is entered a memorial tribute to the late Garrett Decker, who was one of the most honored business men and a representative citizen of Battle Creek for more than half a century, and thus it is not requisite to make further reference to the family history in this article touching the career of the elder of the two surviving sons.
J. Newton Decker was born in Battle Creek, on the 12th of January, 1867, and duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools of his native city. He was graduated in the high school as a member of the class of 1884 and forthwith became actively associated with the pros- perous dry-goods business here conducted by his honored father. He was finally admitted to partnership in the business, which was there-
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The Lewis Publishing Co.
Enq. by E.G Willams & Bre N.Y.
Charles 2. Thomas
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after conducted under the title of Decker & Son for a period of about twelve years. Since that time Mr. Decker has been consecutively in the employ of the Standard Manufacturing Company of Jackson, Michigan, and as traveling representative of this concern he has charge of its sales in all of the most important commercial centers from Chicago to the Pacific coast, his success as a commercial traveler having been of a pleas- ing order, as is indicated by the fact that he has been in the employ of the one concern for nearly fifteen years and has represented it in a wide and important territory.
Mr. Decker has continuously maintained his residence in his native city. He here erected, in 1910, his modern residence, which is located , at the corner of Calhoun and Chestnut streets. Mr. Decker is a Repub- lican in his political allegiance, both he and his wife hold membership in the Independent Congregational church, and he is a charter member of the Athelstan Club.
On the 20th of May, 1901, Mr. Decker was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Harrison, of Chicago, who was born and reared at Ottawa, Illi- nois, and who is a daughter of Hiram B. Harrison, a representative citi- zen of that place. She is a popular factor in the social affairs of Battle Creek.
CHARLES EDWIN THOMAS. Biographical sketches of those who have attained merited distinction in American law have a charm and force in them that commend them to every sound thinker. An interest is naturally felt in tracing the footsteps of those who have reached elevated positions in public confidence, and have wielded their influence for public good; who, loving truth and integrity for their own sakes, have undeviatingly followed their dictates, no matter what the personal con- sequences might be. Records of this kind are calculated to raise the ministrations of law in public estimation, and are guides for the junior members of the profession in their pursuit of reputation, distinction and position. Charles Edwin Thomas, of Battle Creek, is one of the distin- guished members of the Michigan bar, but it has not been alone as a legal practitioner that he has been known to the people of his native city. Rather has it been as a man who, taking pride in his city's growth and development, has spared neither time, influence or means in promot- ing any and every movement calculated to be of benefit to its interests, and as a public official who has held every duty a sacred trust.
Charles Edwin Thomas was born in Battle Creek, November 28, 1844, and is a son of Thomas H. and Marinda (Whitford) Thomas, natives of New York, whence the paternal grandparents of the former came from Wales in 1806. On his mother's side he is of English and Irish descent. The parents of Mr. Thomas came to Michigan in 1835, and Thomas H. Thomas became one of the leading contractors and builders of this part of the State, most of the first bridges of the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad having been constructed by him, as well as a number of the early mills of Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties. He died December 27, 1850, and his wife July 13, 1881.
The early education of Charles E. Thomas was secured in the pub- lic schools of Battle Creek, and at the age of fourteen years he entered the family of Dr. Edward Cox, a pioneer physician of Michigan, for whom the Dr. Cox Block, built by Mr. Thomas on the site of the old Cox residence on West Main street, was named. A sketch of the Doctor appears elsewhere in this work. In 1864 Mr. Thomas entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated with the class of 1868. During the progress of his law course he was a student in the law offices of Judge Ben-
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jamin F. Graves and Myron H. Joy, of Battle Creek, and in 1869 be- came a member of the legal firm of Dibble, Brown & Thomas, a partner- ship which continued until 1871, when the firm of Brown & Thomas was established. Upon the death of Mr. Brown, in 1887, Mr. Thomas suc- ceeded to the business, and for some years practiced alone. On May 1, 1881, Mr. Thomas became connected with the Advance Thresher Com- pany, being one of the original five stockholders and was soon after its organization its secretary. As a director and legal advisor and member of the executive board continuously from the date of its organization, he was connected with this great industry until November, 1911, at which time the business of the Advance Thresher Company was purchased by the Rumely Company of Indiana, which also absorbed the Gaar, Scott & Company plant of Richmond, Indiana. He was one of the organizers of the Union School Furniture Company, which burned out with a loss of over a half million of dollars. No man has taken more pride in the growth of his native city, and few done more in promoting the city's finances, the city's industries and conducting them on firm business principles.
A Democrat of the old school, Mr. Thomas in his younger days was recognized as the "boss" of his party in this part of the State, and although his party was for the most time in the minority, he was fre- quently elected to positions of responsibility and prominence. In 1873 he was elected a member of the school board, and for eighteen years served in that capacity, being secretary all of that time. During this period an indebtedness of $81,000 of ten percent bonds was completely wiped out, and three new school buildings were erected, this accom- plishment being credited in great part to Mr. Thomas's persistent and untiring labors. In 1871 he was sent to the council as alderman for two years, in 1873 reelected and in 1887 was appointed to fill vacancy and then the following spring elected for full term. As chairman of the ways and means committee provided the way in the payment of $200,000 railroad aid bonds, the payment of which had been stopped by the Michigan courts and enforced by the United States Supreme Court, after the lapse of five years. The bonds bearing eight and ten percent interest accumulated to a large indebtedness. While a member of the council or school board, no bonds or indebtedness were created except the bonds for construction of water works. Mr. Thomas was chairman of the committee that negotiated their sales, being the first low rate interest bonds. Mr. Thomas has always been a firm believer that pos- terity should not shoulder the burden created by the former generation. While in the common council he represented Calhoun county before the State Equalization board. In 1882 he was chosen a circuit court commissioner being one of three candidates elected on the Democratic ticket for the first time in Calhoun county in twenty-four years. Dur- ing Mayor Whitcomb's term and Mayor Bailey's first administration, Mr. Thomas served Battle Creek as city attorney, and drew up many of the ordinances of the city. In 1894 President Cleveland appointed him postmaster of Battle Creek, and during his term of office the post office at Battle Creek, was raised from a second-class to a first-class office and many improvements in the service made. Mr. Thomas is a member of the charter commission of Battle Creek, and by the commissioners was delegated to make the first draft. He also assisted Mr. Dibble in drafting the present charter. He is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arch Masons, and also holds membership in the Athelstan and Country Clubs. During the last fifteen years he has been clerk of Oakhill Cemetery and takes interest in it. He owns considerable
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valuable real estate in Battle Creek, including the Thomas Block in which the Central National Bank is located, the Dr. Cox Building, and his own handsome residence at No. 216 South Jefferson street.
On November 25, 1873, Mr. Thomas was married at Pennfield, Michi- gan, to Miss Isabelle Adams, of Penfield, and they have one daughter, Maud A. who was born in the old family home which stood on the pres- ent site of the Michigan Central Passenger Depot, and where Mr. Thomas was also born.
The passing of his old home to make way for the erection of the great railroad depot is only one of the many changes Mr. Thomas has witnessed during his long residence in Battle Creek. He has seen it grow from a struggling village into a center of commercial and indus- trial activity, a city whose fame has spread all over the world. Ever since reaching man's estate he has been constantly and untiringly striv- ing to bring its interests to the front, often giving of his best effort in behalf of his city to the detriment of his private affairs. Such loyalty and public-spirit have earned a well-merited reward in the unqualified confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen.
Together with Hon. E. W. Moore, Mr. Thomas was executor of the will of the late Charles Willard and carried out his wishes in the building of the Young Men's Christian Association Home and the Charles Willard Library in Battle Creek, and also the dedication to the city of the Charlotte Willard Park. As executor of the estate of Charlotte M. Rogers, the Charitable Union received $23,000 donated by her which enabled that society to built the Jabez L. Rogers annex to the Nichols Hospital. Many other estates have been intrusted to the care of Mr. Thomas by citizens now departed.
CHARLES W. LEWIS. One of the enterprising and public-spirited farmers of Eckford township, Calhoun county, is Charles W. Lewis, who, although educated with the intention of entering the field of busi- ness or finance, listened to the call of the soil, and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Lewis was born in Stafford, Genesee county, New York, September 13, 1856, his paternal grandparents being Richard and Mary Lewis, who died in New York state. John Lewis, the father of Charles W., born in Lancastershire, England, came to the United States in 1844, and was here married to Miss Livilla Gleason, a daughter of Fortunatus and Joanna (Farwell) Gleason. Her father was born in New Hampshire and her mother in Vermont. After the death of his wife he went to Burlington, Michigan, to live with his son, surviving but a short time thereafter and being buried in Burlington. Mr. and Mrs. John Lewis began life in the Empire State, where the former died when his son, Charles, was about four years of age. In 1865 Mrs. Lewis came to Michigan and settled upon the farm now occupied by Charles W. Lewis, bringing with her her two children.
At that time Charles W. Lewis was only nine years of age, and had been able to secure no educational advantages whatever. However, he was bright and enterprising, and on coming here soon mastered the studies of the district and graded schools and subsequently took courses at the Homer high school and Hillsdale College, from which he was graduated at the age of twenty-one years. During this time he had in- tended entering a bank when he had finished his education, and, in fact, had a position awaiting him, but instead chose the life of a farmer, which has since been his vocation. On November 15, 1877, he was married at Homer, Michigan, to Miss Addie Wait, daughter of Nelson and Orpha
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(Sylvester) Wait, she born in Calhoun county, and her father a native of Vermontville, Vermont. His parents were Greene and Lydia (Moon) Wait. The mother was born in Monroe county, New York, and was a daughter of Seth and Laura (Burton) Sylvester, both born in the East. The former died in Eckford township and the latter at Litchfield, Michi- gan. About 1840 the parents of Mrs. Lewis came to Michigan, settling in Eckford township and subsequently removing to Newton township, and then later returning to their former location. There Mr. Wait died, while his wife passed away in Jonesville, Michigan, having been the mother of five children.
After his marriage Mr. Lewis located on a farm of his mother's, and this he rented and operated on shares for a number of years, but subse- quently purchased eighty acres of land in section 26. Here he spent the time until the death of his parents, since which event he has resided on the old homestead, which he has entirely remodeled, having one of the finest country homes in Calhoun county. He and his wife are faith- ful members of the Free Will Baptist church, and his fraternal connec- tion is with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Modern Macca- bees. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, he having cast his first presidential vote for Garfield in 1880 and has taken an active interest in political affairs. He was elected to Board of Review in 1886 and has served four terms; 1894 appointed census enumerator; elected and served two terms as township treasurer; 1901 elected town- ship supervisor ; 1902 appointed a member of the building committee, consisting of two persons to supervise repairs on the county buildings, and served about six years. In 1903 he was elected chairman of the Board of Supervisors and is still holding the office of supervisor and is one of the auditing committee of the county at the present time.
Arthur W. Lewis was born March 23, 1889, in Eckford township, Calhoun county, the only child of Charles W. and Addie (Wait) Lewis. He was graduated from the Homer high school in the class of 1905, and for the past five years has been connected with the Postum Cereal Com- pany, of Battle Creek, as an accountant. In November, 1908, Mr. Lewis married Miss Velma Kay, of Homer, daughter of Samuel Kay, who is now deceased.
JOHN J. SNYDER. At this juncture attention is directed to a brief history of the career of John J. Snyder, a representative citizen of Cal- houn county, Michigan, and one who has ever been on the alert to forward all measures and enterprises projected for the general welfare. He has served his community in various important official positions of trust and responsibility, having been highway commissioner for one year, township clerk for four years and being, in 1912, trustee of the village board of Athens.
A native of La Grange, Indiana, John J. Snyder was born Novem- ber 28, 1873, and he is a son of Reuben A. and Christina (Mallow) Sny- der, the former of whom was born at Lockport, New York, in 1838, and the latter at Burr Oak, Michigan, in 1849. The father was reared and educated in his native state and as a young man was employed on the Erie canal. At the time of the inception of the Civil war he entered the Union army as a member of Company M, First New York Light Artillery, and he served as such for a period of three years and eight months, during which time he participated in a number of important engagements marking the progress of the war, including the battle of Bull Run and the conflict at Antietam. After the close of hostilities he returned to his home in New York, where he engaged in farming ; sub-
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sequently he emigrated to Indiana, remaining in that state for one year. In 1873 he came to Michigan and located in Athens township, Calhoun county, where he purchased a tract of one hundred and ninety acres of land, which he cleared and cultivated. This estate is now owned by his son William H., a sketch of whose career appears on other pages of this work. R. A. Snyder engaged in diversified agriculture and the raising of Durham cattle. He was a stalwart Democrat in his political convictions and at the time of his demise, February 4, 1908, was con- sidered one of the most prominent and influential citizens in Athens town- ship. His cherished and devoted wife, who is now living in the village of Athens, bore him three children, concering whom the following brief data are here incorporated. William H is a farmer in Athens township, living on the old homestead; John J. is the immediate subject of this review ; and Maude Mae, who married Joel Shutt, is deceased.
John J. Snyder was a mere infant at the time of his parents' removal to Michigan and he was educated in the public schools of Athens. As a youth he assisted his father in the work and management of the old home farm and for a period of five years, after reaching his majority he worked on the farm belonging to his father-in-law. In 1901 he engaged in the hardware business at Athens, being associated in that enterprise with L. E. Doty for some ten years, at the expiration of which, in 1900, he withdrew in order to engage in the creamery business. The Athens Creamery Company is incorporated under the laws of the state of Michi- gan with a capital of three thousand, two hundred dollars of which Mr. Snyder is general manager, secretary and treasurer. This enter- prising concern has an output of over a ton of butter per week and is recognized as one of the best creameries in Calhoun county.
In politics Mr. Snyder is an uncompromising Democrat. For one term he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to the office of highway commissioner and he served in that capacity for a period of four years. He was likewise township clerk of Athens township for four years and he is now a member of the board of trustees of the village council. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a business man of marked ability and it is principally to him that the Athens Creamery Company owes its prestige as one of the important business concerns in this county.
October 7, 1897, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Snyder to Miss Lina Estelle Carpenter, a daughter of Rial A. Carpenter, a brief out- line of whose career appears in the following paragraph. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are the proud parents of four fine children : Carroll C., Mary R., Merna L. and Neil A., all of whom are attending school in Athens.
Rial Allen Carpenter was born at Naples, Ontario county, New York, the date of his nativity being the 28th of October, 1844. He was a son of Calvin L. Carpenter, who removed with his family to Michigan in 1853, locating in Sherwood township, Branch county. R. A. Carpenter celebrated his ninth birthday while en route from New York and as a boy he was a student in the public schools of Athens for a number of years. In March, 1865, he enlisted as a soldier in Company A, Twelfth Michigan Infantry, serving at Camden, Arkansas, until his honorable discharge, in 1866. After the war he returned to Michigan, where he worked on different farms until 1870, when he married and began farm- ing on an estate of his own. At the time of his death, September 27, 1905, he was the owner of a farm of 180 acres in the vicinity of Athens. He was one of the promoters of the American Cement Post Company, of Athens, and was prominent in public affairs in Calhoun county during the latter years of his lifetime.
Mr. Carpenter married Melvina E. Doty, who was born in Bristol,
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Ontario county, New York, February 12, 1846, and who is a daughter of Chester Doty, a native of East Bloomfield, New York, where he was born January 11, 1816. Mrs. Carpenter's grandparents were Chester and Cynthia (Reed) Doty, natives respectively of Massachusetts and New York. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter became the parents of one child, Lina Estelle, now Mrs. John J. Snyder. Fraternally, Mr. Carpenter was affi- liated with the time-honored Masonic order of Athens, with the Protec- tive League, and the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Carpenter is still living and she is a valued and appreciative member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She resides at Athens.
CHAUNCY M. BREWER, one of the oldest, best known and most highly respected citizens of Marshall, died August 20, 1889.
Mr. Brewer was born October 11, 1814, at Oneonto, Otsego county, New York, and was the second child of his parents, Peter and Emma (Marble) Brewer. His father died when he was nine years old, leav- ing his mother with six young children. Chauncey remained with the family on the home farm, attending district school during the winter seasons, until March 1, 1827, when he went to the village and began to work in the country store of John Deitz. Those qualities which in after life made for his financial success were early discernible in the young man, for he was always at his post of duty and remained in the same store for eight years and eight months. On November 1, 1834, being then of legal age, and having agreed with a schoolboy friend, Charles T. Gorham, that they would seek their fortunes in the west, he left his employer and in a few days started with his friend for Michigan.
During the winter of 1835-6 he had employment in a store in Clin- ton, Lenawee county, and in the spring he was joined by Mr. Gorham and the two made a somewhat extended tour of the southern portion of the state, finally deciding to locate in Marshall. In June, 1836, they opened a general country store on the spot which is now the southwest corner of Hon. M. V. Wagner's of "Marshall House" fame. In 1838 they bought land at the northeast corner of State and Eagle streets and erected the first brick building in the western part of the village. This partnership continued until 1840, when Mr. Gorham retired to establish himself in the banking business, in which he arose to con- siderable prominence and power. Mr. Brewer took his brothers-in-law, Edward Butler and John Dusenbury, as partners, but they retired in 1845 and Mr. Brewer continued uninterruptedly in the business until he turned it over to the management of his sons, Charles D. and Ed- gar G., in 1873, on the completion of the rebuilding of the old store, at which time he was the oldest merchant in Marshall, in point of estab- lishment.
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