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 74
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Politically Mr. Strong holds high rank in the Democratic party, and has rendered excellent service as a member of the Homer Board of Edu- cation, and as an alderman. Fraternally he belongs to Humanity Lodge, No. 29, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; and of Homer Lodge, No. 88, Knights of Pythias. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr Strong married, September 15, 1884, Ella J Dorris, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Boyd) Dorris, who spent their last years in Tekonsha. Into their pleasant home circle six children have made their advent, namely : C. Bruce, employed in his father's store; Roswell B., also working in his father's shops; Gerald D., attending Albion College; Arda Mae, a student at the Michigan Agricultural College, in Lansing; Ralph W. ; and Margaret Esther.
ANDERSON G. DICKEY. One of the most beautiful country homes in Calhoun county is that of Anderson G. Dickey in Sheridan township, which is surrounded by a landed estate of 205 acres that for fertility and productivity will rival any Michigan homestead of similar size. Its owner is a native son of Calhoun county and his accomplishments stand representative of the large intelligence and enterprise which for the greater part have characterized the efforts of agriculturists of this county and have placed it well to the fore among the wealthiest counties of the state.
Anderson G. Dickey was born in Fredonia township, Calhoun county, Michigan, November 22, 1846, was educated in the district schools and at Albion College, and when he began life for himself he did so as a farmer. To this vocation he has devoted his subsequent career, with the excep- tion of thirteen years which he spent as an electrician in Albion, and the appearance of his fine estate is in itself the most impressive testimony as to Mr. Dickey's attitude toward advanced agricultural methods and as to the character of his business ability. He removed from Albion to his present home in 1900.
Mr. Dickey is of Irish descent on the paternal side and is a scion of an old New England colonial family which originated in this country with John and Margaret Dickey, emigrants from Londonderry, Ireland. who settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire, in 1729. Marsh Dickey, the father of Anderson G., was born in Acworth, New Hampshire, July
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12, 1808, to Benjamin and Isabella (Marsh) Dickey, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire. When he was fifteen years old he accom- panied his parents on their removal to the north part of Vermont, where he continued a member of the parental household until he had attained his majority. The summer of 1830 he spent in Brockport, New York; then in 1831 he came to Michigan and after visiting different parts of the state he finally located in Fredonia township of Calhoun county, arriving there in November, 1840. There he purchased 120 acres, cleared and improved it, but in 1864 disposed of it, together with other lands he had acquired, and bought a farm of 205 acres lying in Sheridan and Marengo townships. This remained his homestead until his death in 1899. In politics he was a Whig and in religious faith he was a Methodist. In 1834 he wedded Susan Smith, who was born in New York and was a daughter of Orrin and Rhoda (Branard) Smith, natives of Connecticut. To this union were born the following children : Sylvester B., now a resi- dent of Kankakee, Illinois; George, who died in infancy; Albert L., de- ceased, in 1907; Frances, who died at the age of sixteen; and Anderson G,. the subject of this review.
On May 4, 1870, was solemnized the marriage of Anderson G. Dickey and Miss Elizabeth Ott. Mrs. Dickey is the daughter of John and Chris- tina (Emery) Ott, both natives of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, who came to Calhoun county, Michigan, in 1864. They located on a farm in Albion township and became numbered among the most prosperous residents of that community. Mr. Ott was a Republican in his political views and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ott, seven survive, the parents and five of them reside in Calhoun county, namely : Peter Ott, of Marengo township; Mrs. John Smith, of Marshall township; and Mrs. Catharine Aldridge, Susan Ott and Mrs. Dickey, all residents of Sheridan township. James Ott, a brother, was a soldier in the Civil war and now resides in Buffalo, New York.
Mr. Dickey is a Republican in political views and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOHN HELMER was for many years a leading and influential citizen of Battle Creek and his activity in business affairs, his co-operation in public interests and his zealous support of all objects that he believed would contribute to the material, social or moral improvement of the com- munity kept him in the foremost rank of those to whom the city owes its development and present position as one of the leading metropolitan centers of Michigan. His life was characterized by upright, honorable principles and it also exemplified the truth of the Emersonian philosophy that "the way to win a friend is to be one." His genial, kindly manner won him the high regard and good will of all with whom he came in contact and thus his death was uniformly mourned throughout Battle Creek and the surrounding district. Mr. Helmer was pioneer druggist in this city, where he resided for a period of about sixty years.
A native of New York, John Helmer was born August 29, 1836, in Otsego county, that state. He was summoned to the life eternal at Bat- tle Creek, April 22, 1911. His father was Philip Helmer, Jr., and his mother was Sarah (Woodburn) Helmer, the former of whom died in August, 1844, and the latter of whom passed away in September, 1844. There were three children in the Helmer family, namely, Mrs. David Young, now deceased; Andrew, who resides on the old homestead farm in Battle Creek township; and John, the immediate subject of this re- view. John Helmer came to Calhoun county with his parents in 1844, at which time he was a lad of but eight years of age. After the death of
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his parents he resided with his brother Andrew, who reared him to maturity. He was educated in the district schools of Battle Creek town- ship and he removed with his brother Andrew to Galesburg, in 1854. They returned to this county in 1856 and two years later Mr. Helmer, of this notice, began to clerk in Mr. Andrus' drug store at Battle Creek, subsequently becoming a partner in the drug business, which was known under the firm name of Andrus & Helmer. In 1866 Mr. Helmer pur- chased the site where the present drug store is located, that is, the Hel- mer Block, at No. 9 East Main street. The firm then became that of Amberg & Helmer and a short time later this partnership was dissolved, Mr. Amberg opening a drug store of his own in another section of the city. Thereafter Mr. Helmer continued to conduct his business alone for a time but eventually admitted Mr. Martin H. Goodale as a partner. This was in 1909 and the concern has since been known as the Helmer- Goodale Company.
Mr. Helmer was the oldest business man in Battle Creek at the time of his death and he had occupied his present store for a period of forty years. He was a shrewd business man and was possessed of remarkable foresight. In earlier years he manifested a keen interest in business and social affairs, but after the death of his wife he gradually dropped all other affairs in order to devote his entire attention to his extensive business interests. In politics he was a stalwart supporter of the prin- ciples and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor and he was affiliated with a number of representative fraternal organization at Battle Creek. His business is now owned and controlled by William Helmer, a nephew. At the time of his demise, Mr. Helmer was the owner of the Helmer Block, at No. 9 East Main street, and he also owned a tract of four hundred acres of land in Battle Creek and Bedford town- ships. His death occurred April 22, 1911, and the funeral was held at the First Presbyterian church, the Rev. William S. Potter officiating. His remains lie in Oak Hill cemetery. Mr. Helmer is survived by one brother, Andrew Helmer; three nephews: William Helmer, Edward Young and Myron Young; and two nieces : Mrs. Nathaniel Huyler and Mrs. Mattie Stillson.
At Battle Creek, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Helmer to Miss Mattie Beach, who was born and reared in New York State, a daughter of Emmett Beach. Mr. and Mrs. Helmer had no children. Mrs. Helmer passed away in Battle Creek.
Mr. Helmer was a man of great philanthropy but there was a modesty and lack of all ostentation in his work as a benefactor. In this day, when disinterested citizenship is all too rare a jewel, it is help- ful to reflect upon a course of high-minded patriotism such as that of Mr. Helmer. His deep sympathy and innate kindliness of spirit make his memory an enduring monument more ineffaceable than polished marble or burnished bronze. "To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die."
ANDREW HELMER. After many years spent in cultivating the soil in any one vicinity, the average Michigan farmer is loath to turn over his life work to other hands, but on coming to the realization that the time has come for him to retire from active pursuits and settle down to the enjoyment that his years of toil have earned for him, he invari- ably moves to the nearest town or village and there becomes one of its best citizens. Andrew Helmer, a well known and highly esteemed, re- tired farmer of Battle Creek, was born in the town of Cherry Valley, Otsego county, New York, June 29, 1827, and is a son of Philip and Sarah (Woodman) Helmer. Mr. Helmer's parents were both natives
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of the Empire State, and soon after the birth of Andrew they located in the town of Oneonta, where the father was engaged in farming until 1844, then making preparations to come West. By wagon he traveled to Utica, New York, where passage was taken on a canal boat on the Erie Canal, and the journey to Buffalo accomplished without incident. From Buffalo the trip was made to Detroit via lake vessel, and from Detroit to Battle Creek was made by wagon. There were seven people in the party beside Mr. and Mrs. Helmer and their two sons and one daughter. They started on May 20th and reached Battle Creek, June 7th, settling on the prairie and making their residence in a log cabin in pioneer style. The mother did not live long after coming here, pass- ing away in August, 1844, and in September of the same year the father died and both were buried in the Young Cemetery. In politics, Mr. Helmer was a Democrat. He had had time to accumulate only eighty acres of land, and soon after his death the family separated, Andrew, then a lad of seventeen years, beginning to work by the month and as a farm hand, and was thus employed for seven years. Starting at a salary of eight dollars a month, his wages were gradually increased until he was receiving fourteen dollars per month, and, being indus- trious and economical, soon saved enough to purchase land on his own account. In 1849 he became the owner of eighty acres on section 10, Battle Creek township, this being all covered with timber which it was necessary for him to clear before he could begin planting. He improved forty acres of this land and then sold it. In 1854 he was married to Miss Marcia L. Andrus, who was born in Binghamton, New York, in 1834, and was brought to Michigan by her parents in Septem- ber, 1835. The young couple began their wedded life in the township of Comstock, in Kalamazoo county, where Mr. Helmer engaged in the improvement of a farm of 180 acres for two years. He then sold out and returned to Calhoun county, locating in Battle Creek township, where he bought 160 acres of land located on the southeast quarter of section nine. Much of it was improved, and he made many more im- provements and resided there until 1890. In that year he removed to the place where he now resides with his son, this farm being located on section 4, Battle Creek township, devoted to general farming, fruit raising and gardening, and a specialty being made in the cultivation of celery.
Mr. and Mrs. Helmer have five children: Harriet, the eldest, be- came the wife of William Graham, of Battle Creek township, and died leaving one daughter, Iva, who makes her home with her maternal grandfather; Frank, the second in order of birth, died in childhood; William A., a resident of Battle Creek township; Nellie A. is the wife of Vannatin B. Huyler of Emmett township and has two children, Marcia and John; and Mattie is the wife of Fred C. Stillson, of Battle Creek, and has one child, Donald R. In his political proclivities, Mr. Helmer is a stanch and unwavering Democrat, and has served six times as township supervisor of Battle Creek. The confidence in which he is held and the strong popularity that is his have been shown by the fact that although he lives in a strong Republican district, yet he has never been defeated when nominated as a candidate for any political position. Mr. Helmer is an excellent example of the self-made man. Successful in business affairs, prominent politically, popular among a wide circle of friends, beloved by his family, he is indeed a man to be envied, and when it is remembered that it was a poor boy with but limited educational advantages who attained his present position, some idea may be gained of what he has accomplished, and a proper amount of credit be given him.
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WILLIAM ANDRUS. In the death of William Andrus, who passed away May 4, 1912, at Canton, Ohio, the city of Battle Creek, Michi- gan, suffered a distinct loss, as for years he had been an important factor in promoting and developing its various interests and through precept and example encouraging others to emulate his persistent in- dustry. Mr. Andrus was born at Binghamton, New York, August 9, 1826, and his ancestors can be traced back to John and Mary Andrews, as the name was spelled, who were early settlers of New England when this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. The line of descent is traced down through Daniel, Joseph and Joseph Andrews, Jr., the latter a native of Farmington, Connecti- cut, and the father of Ebenezer Andrews, who wedded Mary Beckwith. They were the great-grandparents of William Andrus. Levi Andrus, the grandfather, was born in Southington, Connecticut, and wedded Mary Judd. Among their children was Giles Andrus, who was born in Oquaga, New York, in 1780, and was reared in Binghamton, New York. There he wedded Miss Betsy Shaw, and there their children were born. Giles Andrus followed carpentering and joining, and built some of the finest homes in Binghamton in his day. In the spring of 1835 he went West, in company with his son Charles, going by canal from Oswego, New York, to Buffalo, thence by lake to Detroit, and from there followed the territorial trail to the site of the present city of Battle Creek, which was then the town of Milton and contained only a few log houses but no postoffice, it being necessary to go to Verona for mail. Giles Andrus selected a location on Goguac Prairie, where he purchased farms for himself and three sons. Only the homestead building on the place was a little log cabin. He made some improve- ments preparatory to receiving his wife and children, who joined him in August of the same year. He was not long permitted, however, to enjoy his pioneer home, for he died in November, 1838, aged fifty-eight years. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and one of the first of that denomination to locate in this section. He left a widow and eight children and the mother survived for only four years and died January 14, 1842. The children were: Henry; Charles; George; William and James, who died in New Orleans, while on his way home after serving as a soldier during the Mexican War; Elizabeth, who became the wife of David Smith; Mary; and Marcia, the wife of An- drew Helmer, and all are now deceased except Mrs. Helmer.
William Andrus was educated in the Binghamton schools of New York, and afterwards the district schools of the vicinity of his home on Goguac Prairie. He remained at home until he was seventeen years of age, at which time he came to what was then the village of Battle Creek and here obtained employment and attended a private school for a year. In 1845 he accepted a position in a drug store owned by Allen T., Havens, who died in 1852, when Mr. Andrus purchased the stock and succeeded his former employer. This was the first and largest drug store here, and was located at No. 6 East Main street. He continued the business successfully and in 1867 built the Andrus Block. at Nos. 6 and 8 East Main street, one of the first three-story substantial brick blocks in Battle Creek. He conducted a drug store there until he sold out the business in 1872 to Grandine & Hinman, after which he became an important factor in manufacturing circles of this city. He was instrumental in establishing a number of manufacturing con- cerns in Battle Creek, including the Battle Creek Machinery Company, now known as the American Steam Pump Company and was its pres- ident for some time. He was connected with this concern for some fourteen or fifteen years. In the meantime, he assisted in reorganizing
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the Advance Thresher Company, now the Rumely Company, here, and during the second year of its existence served as its president. During the nineties he sold out his interest in this company and from that time until his death he gave his attention to personal investments and to looking after his own estates and also supervising others placed in his care. He erected many residences and numerous business blocks here, which he later sold. His residence stood from 1860 to 1903 on the present site of the postoffice. Mr. Andrus was one of the organizers and one of the first directors of the Old National Bank.
Mr. Andrus was married June 2, 1852, to Miss Frances L. Mc- Camly, daughter of Samuel W. and Janet McCamly, but she died June 26, 1854. On January 27, 1858, he married Nellie Grandine, daughter of Edgar and Harriet Grandine of Waterford, New York, and she died in December, 1876, at Atlanta, Georgia, where she and her husband had gone in the hope that she might recover her failing health. She belonged to the Episcopal church, and was very active in its various works. For many years Mr. Andrus served as one of the vestrymen of St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Battle Creek, but in 1902 resigned and refused re-election, as he was to leave the city. He was chairman of the building committee during the erection of the church and con- tributed most liberally to the fund. Fraternally, Mr. Andrus was con- nected with Battle Creek Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M., in which he was a past master; Battle Creek Chapter No. 19, R. A. M., Zabud Council No. 9, R. & S. M., of which he was thrice illustrious master and Battle Creek Commandery No. 33, K. T. In politics he was a Democrat, but never was an aspirant for public office, his business and social duties satisfying his ambitions. Mr. Andrus was buried in Battle Creek with Masonic honors, and a large concourse of people followed to the grave all that was mortal of a man, who, throughout his life had so conducted his affairs as to win and retain the unqualified esteem and confidence of all with whom he came into contact.
ARTHUR E. LEACH. Having his farm in Homer township almost entirely under cultivation, Arthur E. Leach is deserving of the posi- tion he has attained among the agriculturists of Calhoun county. A son of the late Elihu H. Leach, he was born, August 7, 1869, on the farm adjoining the one which he now owns and occupies. He is of honored pioneer stock, his grandparents having migrated from New York state to Michigan in the spring of 1834, taking up wild land in Homer township, where he cleared a farm from the wilderness, and otherwise improved it.
Elihu H. Leach was born in Wayne county, New York, July 22, 1823, and as a lad of eleven years came with his parents to Calhoun county, Michigan, where, as soon as strong enough to wield an axe, he assisted the pioneer task of felling the giant progeny of the forest, and placing the land under cultivation. Subsequently serving an appren- ticeship at the trade of harness maker, he embarked, in 1855, in busi- ness on his own account, engaging in the manufacture of harnesses in the village of Homer, and also opening a branch shop in Jonesville. Selling out his shops in 1868, he purchased from Henry Churchill the farm now owned by his son Arthur E., and, with the exception of the years of 1884 and 1885, which he spent in Nebraska, was there success- fully engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. He was very prominent in Masonic circles, having been a charter member of Hu- manity Lodge, No. 29, Free and Accepted Order of Masons, with which he was identified for upwards of forty years, and which he served as
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master. He was a Democrat in politics, and, with his good wife, be- longed to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Elihu H. Leach was first married, October 6, 1847, to Mary J. Tal- mage, who was born in New York state, March 27, 1829, and died in Calhoun county, Michigan, October 5, 1850. He married second, June 16, 1852, Elizabeth Eslow, who was born in New York state in 1830, and died in Calhoun county, Michigan. Of the six children born of their union, three are living, Arthur E. being the youngest child of the family.
Acquiring a practical education in his youthful days in Homer township, at the Agnew school house, Arthur E. Leach subsequently acquired skill in breaking horses, and for a time followed that business. He afterwards learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed stead- ily for four years, and then took charge of the parental homestead. On the death of his father, Mr. Leach bought the interests of the re- maining heirs in the estate, and has since been engaged in general farm- ing.
Mr. Leach married, October 19, 1892, May Chamberlain, daughter of Henry and Deborah (Riblet) Chamberlain, who spent the later years of their lives on a farm in Hillsdale county, where Mr. Chamber- lain, who learned the tinner's trade when young, was a pioneer farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Leach have two children, namely: Herbert Elihu and Louisa Delia. Politically Mr. Leach is a sound Democrat. Religiously, both Mr. and Mrs. Leach are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ABRAHAM A. GARLINGHOUSE. A prominent and prosperous business man of Calhoun county, Abraham A. Garlinghouse is identified with one of the leading industries of Homer, being proprietor of the large marble and granite works of that place. A son of the late Benjamin Garling- house, he was born in Grant county, Indiana, January 15, 1839. John Garlinghouse, his paternal grandfather, was born in New York state, and his father, Joseph Garlinghouse, the great grandfather of Abraham A. Garlinghouse, was high sheriff of New York county, New York, when William Morgan, of Batavia, New York, made his exposure of Masonry in 1826, and he arrested Mr. Morgan to keep him from being lynched by the Masons, who charged him with violating his oath, and publishing the secrets of the order. Mr. Morgan was subsequently taken from his home at night, and was never heard from afterward, saith history.
Benjamin Garlinghouse was born near Onondaga, New York, in 1815, and while yet a young man migrated to Ohio. About 1837 he removed with his family to Indiana, where he remained two years. He then re- turned to Ohio, and after living there awhile again turned his footsteps westward, going to Kansas, where he continued in business as a worker in marble and granite until his death. He married, in 1834, in Ohio. Maria Williams, who was born in that state in 1815, a daughter of Abra- ham and Catherine Maria Williams, who moved to Ohio from New York, their native state. Six children were born of their marriage, three of whom are now living, in 1912, Abraham A. being the second child of the parental household. The parents were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father was a steadfast Republican in politics. The mother, Catherine Maria Williams was a descendant of Roger Williams.
Having learned the trade of a marble worker in Illinois, Abraham A. Garlinghouse began business on his own account in Topeka, Kansas, where for twelve years he had a large yard, and was extensively pat- ronized. Coming from there to Michigan in 1890, Mr. Garlinghouse
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began the manufacture of tombstones at Homer, where he has built up a very large and highly remunerative business, his artistic tastes and talents finding expression in enduring monuments of marble and granite. He is now doing an annual business of about $16,000, much of his work being shipped to different parts of Michigan, and to other states.
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