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 78
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Washington Teeters was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 4, 1827, and was married April 19, 1858, to Ethalinda Cupp, who was born September 7, 1838, in Stark county, Ohio. They had a family of seven children, of whom Samuel S. is the second in order of birth. Dur- ing his younger years Mr. Teeters had been a carpenter, but after his marriage he took up farming as a vocation, and followed that occupa- tion in DeKalb county, Indiana, until his death, September 1, 1885. He became prominent in politics, serving as justice of the peace for sixteen years, and as trustee of the township and in various other offices, was successful in his business ventures, and was very highly re- garded throughout his community, being often consulted on various subjects by those of the community who were not so well informed. Fraternally he was a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and his religious con- nection was with the Presbyterian church, to which his widow, who survives him and resides at Auburn, Indiana, also belongs.
Samuel S. Teeters received his early education in the public schools of Auburn, Indiana, and as a youth entered the hardware business and also clerked in a private bank owned by John L. Davis. He re- turned to the hardware business, however, and for seventeen years owned a large establishment in Garrett, Indiana, which he developed into one of the most successful business ventures of that section of the state. In 1907, however, Mr. Teeters heard the call of the soil, and, disposing of his large interests in Indiana, came to Michigan and purchased his present farm in Clarendon township. This tract of 368 acres is devoted to general farming, but Mr. Teeters also devotes a great deal of atten- tion to the raising of fine livestock, specializing in Guernsey cattle and Shropshire sheep, and also breeding a fine grade of hogs. It has been the policy of Mr. Teeters to strive for personal success, for he be- lieves that the prosperity of the individual is the keystone to national prosperity. He has always labored systematically, and with a definite end in view, and the marked success which he has attained testifies to the efficacy of his system. Politically a Democrat, while in Garrett he served as president of the town board, and his religious belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of Garrett Masonic Lodge No. 127 and Chapter No. 129, and to Kendallville Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar, and also holds membership in Garrett Lodge No. 602, I. O. O. F.
On August 23, 1885, Mr. Teeters was married to Miss Effie McDanel, daughter of the late Henry McDanel, a farmer of Richland county, Ohio, and nine children have been born to this union: Frank, engaged in the
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insurance business in Chicago; John, a hardware clerk at Tiffin, Ohio; Paul, who assists his father on the home farm; Boyd, a graduate of the Tekonsha high school, class of 1912; William, a member of the class of 1913 at that institution; Catherine, Thompson and George, who are attending the graded schools; and Jessie, the baby, at home.
FRANK EDWARD DEMING. Prominently identified with the advance- ment of the mercantile prosperity of Calhoun county, Frank Edward Deming, of Homer, has built up a substantial business as manager of one of the largest, best-kept and best managed department stores in this part of the state. The representative of an early and highly esteemed pioneer of this county, he was born, August 12, 1866, in Clarendon township, Calhoun county, Michigan, at Bentley's Corners.
His father, Col. A. L. Deming, was born in New York state, in 1808, and there grew to manhood. He was active in public affairs, very patriotic and public-spirited, and during the Black Hawk War com- manded a body of troops. Subsequently locating in Homer, Michigan, he won an extended reputation as an able and influential lawyer, and became quite prosperous, acquiring some property ere his death, which occurred in 1870, when he was but sixty-two years of age. He was twice married. The maiden name of his second wife, to whom he was married in 1865, was Isabella Bentley. She was born, in 1844, in Clar- endon township, Calhoun county, where her parents were prominent pioneers. She is still living, and was the wife of the late Albert Winter- stein. Col. Deming was a Democrat in politics, and quite influential in party ranks. Fraternally he was a member of Humanity Lodge, No. 29, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, and served as master of his lodge. Religiously he was an Episcopalian.
The only son of his parents, Frank Edward Deming received his preliminary educational training in the district schools of Homer township. Subsequently, having been left fatherless when but four years of age, and dependent to some extent on his own resources, he worked by the month or day on a farm until attaining his majority. His health becoming impaired from overwork while thus employed, Mr. Deming took charge of a district school the following winter, and at the end of the term went to Albion to continue his studies. The ensuing winter found him again at the teacher's desk, and when completing that term he took a business course at Cleary's Commercial College, in Ypsilanti. Unable on account of his health to then enter upon a profes- sional career, Mr. Deming accepted a position in a store at Ypsilanti, where he remained a year, receiving three dollars a week as wages to start. The following year he was similarly employed in Charlotte, Michigan, from there coming to Homer, and entering the mercantile establishment of Mr. Linn, for whom he worked six years as a clerk. In 1902 Mr. Deming took over the business of Mr. Linn, and is now manager of a very large and attractive department store, which is owned by a company, and in which he is the controlling stockholder.
Mr. Deming married, in 1898, Miss Ella M. Collins, of North Adams, Michigan, a daughter of Norman and Helen Collins, of Homer, Mr. Collins being associated in business with Mr. Deming. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Deming, namely : Helen Isabelle, Ruth Ella, and Donald C. Politically Mr. Deming is independent, voting for the best men and measures, regardless of party restrictions. Both he and Mrs. Deming are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, which which he united when about twenty years of age. He is a member of its board of trustees, and for many years has served as superintend- ent of its Sunday School.
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GEORGE A. HAYNES, M. D. Identified with one of the most useful and exacting professions to which a man may devote his time and energies, George A. Haynes, M. D., of Homer, has won a place of distinction among the able and successful physicians of Calhoun county, and by his genial manners and kindly courtesy has endeared himself to all classes of people. Coming from honored New England stock, he was born, May 15, 1858, in Princeton, Massachusetts, which was also the birthplace of his parents, Joshua Albert and Charlotte (Per- kins) Haynes. He is a grandson of Captain Aaron Haynes, who won fame as an officer in the Revolutionary army, and traces his ancestry back in a direct line to the sixteenth century, while mention of that branch of the Haynes family from which he is descended is frequent in the early history of New England.
. The sixth child in order of birth of the parental household, George A. Haynes gleaned the rudiments of his education in the public schools of Princeton, Massachusetts, and in 1880 was graduated from Wesleyan Academy, at Wilbraham, Massachusetts. He subsequently served as principal of the high school in Dalton, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and afterwards studied medicine in New York, having for his preceptor a graduate of the University of Michigan. He entered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was there graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1884. Immediately begin- ning the practice of his chosen profession in Homer, Dr. Haynes met with encouraging success from the start. The Doctor is a member of both the Calhoun County Medical Society, and the Michigan State Medical Society.
Politically Dr. Haynes is affiliated with the Republican party. Fra- ternally he belongs to Humanity Lodge, No. 29, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; and to Homer Lodge, No. 88, Knights of Pythias. Both the Doctor and Mrs. Haynes are valued members of the Presbyterian church.
Dr. Haynes married Dec. 1, 1892, Kittie A. Dorsey, a daughter of Thomas and Frances (McCarthy) Dorsey, of Homer, and they have two children, namely : Fannie L., and Theodore Parsons, born in 1901, who attends the public schools of Homer.
SUMNER ORLANDO BUSH. Conspicuous among the real builders and promoters of Battle Creek is Sumner Orlando Bush, who possesses a rare combination of qualities that has, even in this competitive age, won him eminent success in the business world, and placed him in a position of prominence and influence among his fellow-citizens. A na- tive of Michigan, he was born, May 7, 1847, in Jackson county, where his childhood days were spent.
His parents, Frederick E. and Cynthia M. (Willard) Bush, were born, reared and married in Portage Falls, New York. Following the tide of emigration westward soon after their marriage, they lived sev- eral years on a farm in Jackson county, Michigan. In 1853 they removed to Le Roy township, Calhoun county, Michigan, where they purchased land, and continued farming until ready to retire from active pursuits. They spent their closing years at the home of their son Sumner, at Battle Creek. Both were valued members of the Congregational church, and the father was a Republican in politics.
Laying a substantial foundation for his future education in the
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country schools, Sumner Orlando Bush subsequently entered Olivet College, in Olivet, Michigan, where he was graduated in 1870 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. During his collegiate course, he taught in the institution a part of the time, and later, after teaching one term in Le Roy township, was elected superintendent of the Le Roy town- ship schools, a position which he held several years. After his mar- riage, Mr. Bush managed his father's farm for a number of seasons, and also bought and shipped stock, wool, and apples, carrying on an exten- sive and successful business. Ere leaving the farm, Mr. Bush became financially interested in the Advance Thresher Company of Battle Creek, and on March 1, 1888, was elected a member of its board of directors. During the same year, being elected vice-president of the organization, he removed with his family to Battle Creek to assume active connec- tion with the company, and, owing to the absence of its president, Mr. Wright, of Alma, Michigan, the duties of that office also devolved upon him to some extent. On February 16, 1889, he was elected general manager, and in the control of the Company's affairs, Mr. Bush showed marked ability, greatly enlarging the scope and magnitude of its business. When he first became associated with the Company, its plant was small, occupying but one of the two buildings now used, and giv- ing employment to about a hundred people. From time to time, as the demands of the business required, other buildings were erected, until now it is one of the largest threshing machine plants in the country, sending out an annual product valued at more than three million dol- lars. The plant now covers forty acres of land, and is situated on two great railroad lines, the Grand Trunk and the Michigan Central, and furnishes employment to nearly one thousand men in addition to the one hundred and fifty commercial salesmen traveling all the time throughout the Union. The Company likewise has branch houses in all the principal cereal growing states of our country, its business hav- ing assumed gigantic proportions. In November, 1911, this great Com- pany with which Mr. Bush was so long associated was sold to the Rumley Company, of New York, but he still remains one of its stock- holders.
Mr. Bush is connected with other enterprises, being vice-president of the Peerless Portland Cement Company, of Union City, Michigan ; vice-president of the Silexoid Portland Cement Company, of Chicago; and is chairman of the Consolidated Ice Company, Limited. He still owns the parental estate of three hundred and sixty acres, five hundred and twenty acres in all, in Le Roy township, where he raises both stock and grain, more as a source of pleasure and recreation than for profit, although the latter is almost inevitable.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Bush was president of the Battle Creek Board of Public Works for five years, during which time work on the sewer system was inaugurated. In 1896 he served as presidential elector, casting his ballot for William Mckinley. He has frequently been a delegate to state conventions, but has never been an aspirant for official honors, doing his best public service as a private citizen. Socially he is a member of the Athelstan Club.
Mr. Bush married, September 26, 1877, Miss Vernellie Daley, a daughter of Elijah and Mary (Shean) Daley, and of their union three children have been born, namely: Vernon E., Charles S., and Bertha V. Both of the sons are graduates of the University of Michigan, and each has taken post graduate work. Miss Bertha was graduated from the Battle Creek high school, and later was a member of class 1904, in the Mount Vernon Seminary, at Washington, District of Columbia. The Vol. II-34
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pleasant home of Mr. Bush and his family, at No. 182 Maple street, is a center of social activity, and the scene of many a brilliant function.
AUSTIN WHITE ALVORD, A. M., M. D. Occupying a prominent posi- tion as a member of the medical profession not only in Battle Creek but throughout the state of Michigan, Dr. Austin White Alvord, an eminent physician and surgeon, comes of an old and honored family that was established in New England only a few years after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth Rock. It was in 1635 that the first of the name came to the New World, crossing the Atlantic and locating near Gloucester, Massachusetts, others of the family removing later to Granby, in the same state.
Gad Alvord, grandfather of the Doctor, married Phoebe White, a direct descendant of Peregrine White, the first white child born in the Plymouth colony. The grandfather was killed by accident when about forty-five years of age, there having been eleven children born to him and his wife, the tenth in order of birth being Alanson Alvord, the father of Dr. Alvord. His birth occurred in Granby, Massachusetts, June 26, 1803, and he acquired a liberal education, largely through the medium of his own efforts. After spending two years in Yale Col- lege, he entered the Union Theological Seminary, of New York, and on completing the course of study in that institution was graduated and ordained as a minister of the Congregational church. He entered upon his ministerial labors at Chester, Massachusetts, in 1835, and during the years that followed his earnest efforts proved a potent force in the moral development of the community. In 1847 he was one of the seven home missionaries who went from Massachusetts to Illinois to inaugu- rate the work of the Congregational church in that state, and was pres- ent and assisted in the founding of the First Congregational church of Chicago, Illinois, in 1851, Dr. Alvord also being present on that occa- sion. The new organization began its existence with thirteen members, and at this time is one of the largest congregations in Chicago. Rev. Alvord became the pastor of the Congregational church at Downer's Grove, Illinois, where he remained until accepting a call to the pastorate of the church at York, Pennsylvania, in which place he continued his labors up to the time of his demise, in 1862. His influence was of no restricted order and there was not denied to him the harvest nor the aftermath of his labors. A man of scholarly attainments and untiring zeal, he became recognized as one of the leading representatives of the Congregational ministry, and his death was mourned not only among the members of his own congregation and his immediate family, but by all who had ever come in contact with him either as minister or as friend, his many admirable qualities of mind and heart having drawn all to him. Rev. Alvord was married to Miss Barrows, of Brimfield, Massa- chusetts, a lady of broad education, culture and refinement, who was chosen by Mary Lyons as one of her teachers when she founded her seminary for young ladies at Mount Holyoke. She traced her ancestry back to the year 1640, when a member of the Barrows family located in Salem, Massachusetts. Her grandfather was a soldier during the Revolutionary war, and her father, Abner Barrows, was a farmer of Brimfield, Massachusetts. To Rev. and Mrs. Alvord were born four children, of whom Austin W. is the eldest. The mother died in 1849 and was buried at Concord (now Chapin), Illinois.
In his early youth Dr. Austin W. Alvord obtained a good, practical education in the common schools, 'and afterwards prepared for college at Oberlin, Ohio .. He entered Oberlin College, but during his junior year left that institution and entered the literary department of the
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University of Michigan, from which he now holds the degree of Master of Arts, an honorary degree conferred upon the Doctor by the uni- versity of 1902. On the completion of his literary course, he engaged in teaching for a number of years, being superintendent of the schools of Owego, New York, at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. At that time Dr. Alvord enlisted in Company H, 109th Regiment, New York Volunteer, Infantry, and went to the front as captain of his com- pany, many of his former students going with him as members of his company. Going into camp at Binghamton, New York, they went from there to Washington, D. C., where they were engaged in guarding the railroad for some time. Later the regiment became a part of the Ninth Army Corps of the Army of Potomac and participated in all the cam- paigns up to the time of the surrender of Gen. Lee at Appomattox. Early in 1864 Dr. Alvord was promoted to the rank of Post quarter- master of the Department of the South, on the staff of Gen. Foster, with headquarters at Hilton Head and Beaufort, South Carolina. . He acted as surgeon during the greater part of the closing year of the war, for, although he had not graduated, he had spent two years as a student in the medical department of the University of Michigan. By the order of the Secretary of War, he was finally honorably discharged on ac- count of disability, in October, 1864, for he was broken in health and was discharged by order of Secretary of War on recommendation of Board of Army Surgeons, although his release came greatly against his own wishes. On regaining his health to some extent, he completed his course in medicine, graduating in 1868 from the medical depart- ment of the University of Michigan, from which institution he now holds two degrees.
At that time Dr. Alvord established an office at Clinton, Lenawee county, Michigan, where he was engaged in practice in 1882, when, in order to avoid the arduous duties of a large country practice, he came to Battle Creek. Here he has risen to an eminent place in his profes- sion, and although he has given a great deal of attention to general practice is probably best known for his success in surgical cases. Dr. Alvord is a member of the Calhoun County Medical Society and the State Medical Society, and of each has served as president, and a member of the American Medical Association. He was also a member of the first State Board of Registration that attended to the registration of medical practitioners in Michigan; is chairman of the committee on colleges and standards and sole examiner in surgery. He has served as surgeon of the Nichols Memorial Hospital of Battle Creek. In political matters he is a stanch Republican.
Fraternally, Dr. Alvord is connected with A. T. Metcalf Lodge, F. & A. M., is past high priest of Battle Creek Chapter No. 19, R. A. M., past commander of Battle Creek Commandery No. 33, K. T., and a member of the Shrine, at Grand Rapids. He is a member of the Loyal Legion, of Detroit, the only other member from Battle Creek being Col. Hale, a sketch of whose life also appears in this work. He is past com- mander of Farragut Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Dr. Alvord examined nearly all of the boys who left Battle Creek for service dur- ing the Spanish-American war, has been a member of the State Medical Board since the passage of the law authorizing it in 1899, and is an enthusiast along the line of improved standards in medical education. This is the only board in America that is recognized by the medical bodies of Europe. Dr. Alvord formerly belonged to the Athelstan and Country Clubs in Battle Creek, but as only a part of his time is now spent in the city he has given up his membership. At this time he is employed by the government as a member of the board of pension
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examiners, and he is also medical examiner for more than twenty life insurance companies. Dr. and Mrs. Alvord are consistent members of the First Presbyterian church.
In 1861 Dr. Alvord was married (first) to Miss Eliza Barnes, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and four children were born to this union, of whom two are living: Grace, now the widow of the late T. J. Kelleher, of Battle Creek, mentioned elsewhere in this work; and Dr. William Roy, of Detroit, Michigan, a practicing dentist. These two children were born at Clinton, Lenawee county, Michigan. Mrs. Alvord died June, 1877, and in 1878 Dr. Alvord was united in marriage with Miss Fannie R. Little, of Grinnell, Iowa, who died in August, 1901. Two children were born to this union: Louise, who was born and education in Battle Creek, and Grinnell, Iowa, and here married in 1906 to Paul Plato Meyers, of Grinnell, Iowa; and Max, born May 25, 1910, in Battle Creek, who died May 25, 1910. Dr. Alvord's third marriage occurred July 25, 1902, when he was united with Mrs. Addie S. Anderson, widow of the late Dr. Anderson, and a niece of Dr. Alvord's first wife. Mrs. Alvord is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Dr. and Mrs. Alvord now spend the winter months at St. Petersburg, Florida, and their summers at their beautiful home at No. 29 Wendell street. They are widely known for their many charities, liberally con- tributing to all movements which have for their object the advance- ment of education, morality and good citizenship. Their home is a center of culture and refinement and no family in Battle Creek has more valued friends.
GEORGE A. DYKEMANN. Among the successful young business men of Battle Creek, George A. Dykemann has won a place solely as the result of his industry and perseverance, without any of the aids and advances which fortune or family often extend to young men when be- ginning their careers.
Mr. Dykemann was born in this city on the 12th of December, 1876, a son of Albert and Agnes (Richardson) Dykemann. As a boy he had only limited opportunities for acquiring an education, and to his ex- perience and his own efforts he owes more than to the schools. At an early age he began to labor, and has always been known as a hard worker. By trade he is a machinist, and he learned it during several years of employment in the Grand Trunk shops of this city. Then for five years he was connected with the Duplex Printing Press shops, and his last work at his trade was in the tool room of the Advance Thresher Company, now the Rumley Company.
Mr. Dykemann bought property at the corner of Lake and Prairie avenues when this plat of the city was first placed on sale. Here in 1903 he built the residence where his family make their home, and in 1908 on the same ground he built a store building, and in the following year put up a barn. This is now a fine property, in a good residence neighborhood, and on the Lake avenue car line. On the 8th of April, 1908, he began business as a grocer in his store building, and during the past four years has built up one of the best grocer trades in the city. He prides himself on keeping a clean store, modern and sanitary in arrangement, with a first-class stock, and his trade has been gained by reliable dealing at judicious prices.
Mr. Dykemann gives a good citizen's attention to local and general government and politics, but votes only for the best man without re- gard to party. He and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church of this city. He was married on the 14th of July, 1902, to Miss Mary R. Rall. Her father, the late J. H. Rall, was for a number of
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years well known as a wagon maker of this city and conducted a good shop and had a prosperous business. Her mother, who is still living, is Mrs. Josephine E. Rall, whose home is on Upton avenue. Mrs. Dyke- mann is a graduate of the Battle Creek high school with the class of 1896, and is now one of the teachers in the No. 4 city school. They were married in Marshall, this county. Their home is on the corner of Prairie avenue at No. 630 Lake avenue, and the store is 16 Prairie avenue West.
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