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 86
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teson, a native of Ontario, and spent his later life engaged in farming pursuits in Milan, Michigan, until four years prior to his death, when he became a member of the household of his son, Dr. Hafford. Here he died on October 4, 1902, and his widow survived him until March 15, 1904, when her death occurred at the advanced age of seventy-six years.
Dr. Hafford as a boy pursued his early studies in the common schools of the vicinity of Milan and when he was thirteen years old entered the printing office of the Monroe Democrat, at Monroe, Mich- igan. He continued to be employed there for two years, when he was forced to give up the work, owing to an attack of lead poisoning. The boy had not neglected his studies, however, and when he recovered from his illness, while it was not deemed expedient for him to return to the print shop, he secured a position as a teacher, having success- fully passed the examination for that work, and for one term he was engaged in teaching. He then entered the office of Dr. Pyle of Milan, Michigan, who directed his medical reading for a year, at the end of which time he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He matriculated in the autumn of 1883, pursued a full three years' course, and was duly graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1887. He then entered the office of Professor Frothingham at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in the succeeding spring went to the Upper Peninsula of Mich- igan, where in the newer country he hoped to find greater advantages for a beginner in the profession. He located in Manistique, and was there engaged in the general practice of medicine until 1895, in that time building up a wide patronage. He was in that place during the time when the Soo Line was being built, and his practice extended over many miles of the road. In 1895, when the depression in business as a result of lumber conditions was at its height, Dr. Hafford left Manis- tique, severing his connection with the Soo Line and became surgeon for the Bay de Noquet Lumber Company, at Nahma, Delta county, Michigan, and was engaged thus for three and a half years. His grow- ing family, however, awakened in him the desire to provide better edu- cational advantages for them than was possible in his surroundings at Nahma, and although making rapid progress in his profession and having a wide practice in that district, he gave up his work there and moved with his family to Albion, where he has since been located.
While located at Nahma, Dr. Hafford pursued a course in the Post Graduate school in New York, spending the summer of 1893 in that in- stitution, and he afterwards took special work in Chicago in the study of the diseases of women, and modern surgical practice. In May, 1897, he located at Albion,, as the successor of Dr. H. D. Thomason, and he has since come to be recognized as one of the most capable gen- eral practitioners in this section of the state. In the summer of 1903 Dr. Hafford took special work in the University of Michigan, and his general and specific knowledge of the science of medicine has been con- sistently and continuously widened by the most careful study at va- rious noted clinics in different parts of the country and rigid investiga- tions.
Dr. Hafford was formerly president of the Calhoun Countv Med- ical Society, and is now the first vice president of the State Medical Society. He has also held other important positions in connection with that organization, including that of chairman of the surgery section. He is a member of the Tri-State Medical Society, the American Med- ical Association and is a member of various county medical societies in Michigan. His standing in his profession is clearly indicated by the numerous official honors which his confreres have bestowed upon
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him in connection with the various organizations with which he is affiliated.
On the day that he was graduated from the State University, June 30, 1887, Dr. Hafford was united in marriage with Miss Cora E. Ul- saver, of Saline, Michigan, a daughter of Stephen Ulsaver. Five chil- dren have been born to them: Alpheus Tisdale; Clinton S .; Doris; Cora and Clarence E. Dr. Hafford and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church. The doctor is fraternally identified by his membership in the Masonic order, and was first made a Mason at Man- istique, Michigan, when he became a member of Lakeside Lodge No. 371, F. & A. M. but is now a member of Murat Lodge, No. 14, of Al- bion. He is likewise a member of the chapter and council and com- mandery. He is a member of both the subordinate lodge and the uni- form rank of the Knights of Pythias and was formerly surgeon-major of the First Battalion of the Third Regiment of the Michigan Brigade, comprising the four companies of Battle Creek, Charlotte, Albion and Mason. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and various other fraternal societies.
Dr. Hafford is a Democrat, and has served his city in a public way as alderman from the Fourth ward to fill a vacancy, and later for a full term. He has been chairman of the finance committee, and great credit has been laid at his door as having done more than any other one man in Albion to establish the first city paving, the work being effected in 1903. He also was especially active in securing the passage of the ordinances granting street lighting and the electric railway franchise. He has also served a number of years as health officer of the city and is at present a member of the school board, and while at Manistique was a member of the pension board.
WILLIAM EDWARD WARE was born in Allegan county, Michigan, December 19, 1850. His parents were Sylvester S. and Judith E. (Watkins) Ware. His father was born in Vermont and his mother at Naples, near Watkins' Glen, New York. They were married in Indiana, and soon thereafter removed to Allegan county, where they resided but a short time when they came to Athens, in this county. They continued living at Athens until 1861, when they located at Colon, Michigan, where they continued to reside until 1863, when they again removed to Athens.
While living in Colon the father built a mill for the manufacture of interior finishing materials, and continued in the operation of it while he remained there. Soon after his return to Athens he improved the water power and constructed another mill of the same character which he operated there for many years. During that time he con- structed many dwellings and other buildings throughout the county, a considerable number of which are still in good condition as proof of the stability of his work. While a resident of Athens, he went to North Dakota, where he made entry upon a considerable tract of government land, but his frail constitution could not endure the rigors of that climate and he died there January 23, 1873. Physical disability prevented him from serving in the field during the war, but he took a very active part in his vicinity in raising troops and funds and sub- scribed liberally to the Union cause. He was an ardent anti-slavery Whig in politics, a student and debator of more than average ability and was a member of the Masonic order. He and his wife, for many years and up to the time of their death, were members of the Methodist church. The wife died at Union City, Michigan, February, 8, 1877. His father, who died in early manhood while he was yet a small boy,
MYG Nau. Nace.
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located in Michigan previous to 1836 and was one of the early pioneers and ministers of the Presbyterian church in that state.
Sylvester S. and Judith E. Ware were parents of four children, one of whom died in infancy. William E. is the oldest. His brother, Charles Clark Ware, for nearly twenty-five years has been connected with the Toledo (Ohio) Humane Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals and children, having for the past twenty-one years and upwards been its superintendent and chief agent, a position which he still holds. During that time he has made a remarkable record for efficiency. He is one of the organizers and officers of the State Federa- tion of Humane Societies for Ohio, and is an active worker in the National Humane Association. The only daughter, Carrie Belle, who died near Mendon, in September, 1909, was the wife of Charles Gun- thorpe, who died in 1907, and their one child, Veva, is now living near Union City, Michigan.
William E. Ware, after his education in the village schools of Athens and Colon was completed, began the study of law at Marshall, Michigan, under James A. Minor, one of the leading lawyers of the place at the time and afterwards a federal judge in Utah, his death occurring while on the bench. When young Ware began the study of law in June, 1872, he was a green country boy, wearing a salt-and-pepper suit two sizes too large for him. His father approved of the suit, however, saying the boy would soon grow so it would fit him. Despite such equipment, the lad settled down to hard study and after the first few months maintained himself without expense to his father, and in a few years was in the midst of a career full of public activity.
In January, 1875, he moved to Union City, Michigan, and it was during that summer and the following winter that he became especially interested in the currency question. This question was beginning to agitate the people at this time and there were few who had given the matter as much thought as had the young law student. As early as March, 1876, widespread interest had developed in the question and he was invited by a large number of the older citizens of LeRoy township to speak to a political meeting in their schoolhouse. This was the first speech of the many to come in his long and active career.
From this time forth Mr. Ware was deeply involved in politics. During the summer of 1876 and the campaign that followed, he made many speeches throughout southern Michigan and northern Indiana, everywhere speaking to houses that were crowded to their utmost capa- city, or to open air meetings attended by several thousand people. His main subject was the currency.
In the meantime he continued his studies under the direction of Marc. A. Merrifield, a prominent lawyer of Union City, and was admitted to the bar at Coldwater upon examination in open court, in June, 1878. While living at Union City, he held the position of city attorney from 1876 to 1879, in the fall of 1879 removing to Coldwater. In the cam- paign of 1878, Mr. Ware was nominated for the office of prosecuting attorney of Branch county upon the Greenback ticket. At this time there were three tickets in the field, Republican, Democratic and Green- back. Mr. Ware made numerous speeches that summer throughout the southern part of the state, in defense of the principles for which his party stood. The Republicans carried most of the offices, Mr. Ware being defeated by a majority of sixty-seven as shown by the official count. These were in the days before the Australian ballot system was in operation, and Mr. Ware learned ten years later that ballots bear- ing his name were taken out and others substituted by one of the inspectors of election so that his defeat was assured.
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Upon removing to Coldwater, Mr. Ware became the junior mem- ber of the firm of Thompson and Ware, his partner being the late Judge Thompson, one of the old members of the Branch county bar. Severing his relations with Judge Thompson, he opened an office of his own at Coldwater, in the spring of 1880, where he continued in the practice of his profession for a number of years, his reputation as an attorney of ability increasing from year to year.
During this time Mr. Ware had been extremely busy in politics. During the campaign of 1880 he took only a nominal part, not being in sympathy with the arrangement between the Democratic and Green- back parties whereby a joint ticket was agreed upon. He was nomi- nated on this ticket for prosecuting attorney but was defeated with the rest of the ticket. In 1882, when throughout the state the Greenback and Democratic parties united forces, Mr. Ware could no longer support his party and again affiliated with the Republican party, making a large number of speeches throughout Southern Michigan. From that time forward he worked actively, delivering many speeches in each cam- paign for the standard of the Republican party to 1896. During all of these campaigns, his name was always a prominent one among the speakers listed for meetings all over the state, and since this was in the days when men obtained their political ideas, not from the newspapers, but from listening to the speeches of the men who really knew some- thing about the questions of the day, his influence was telling and effect- ive. He was ever the advocate of policies in advance of the time. In the campaign of 1884 he was especially active in the support of James G. Blaine for the presidency of the United States. He regarded him at the time, and still looks upon him, as one of the most brilliant and able men the country has ever known, an opinion that, as people are able to get a proper perspective, is becoming more and more general; and historians of today are exceedingly regretful that James G. Blaine was not per- mitted to hold the highest office in the gift of the people.
The position which Mr. Ware took on the currency question, and which he supported ardently until this question was settled once and for all in 1896, was in favor of the bimetallic standard. He believed and advocated government control of not only silver and gold, but paper money. He believed also that every dollar of whatever material, should be just as good as every other dollar, and one of his greatest fears for the country was that the money would come into the control of private interests. He foresaw that if this happened the result would be panics, great combinations of capital for the enriching of the few, and general unrest in the world of business. He was never in favor of the "fiat money" theory, but during the times when the greenback was being taken out of circulation and the National bank currency established by the government, his slogan was "Save the greenback."
Among other reforms that Mr. Ware advocated was the establishment of a Postal Savings bank; the conservation of natural resources; the holding of public lands for actual settlers; a tariff system to offset the difference between the cost of labor here and in foreign countries; and the doctrine of reciprocity, which was first advocated by James G. Blaine, met his hearty approval and received his enthusiastic support. The national surplus he believed should be used for internal improve- ments, and he thought the financial system of the country should be so controlled by the government that its elasticity would be such as to prevent the possibility of a scarcity of currency. One might suppose that his political interests would have taken him away from his law prac- tice to a considerable extent, but not so. He was still the same hard work- ing lawyer as of old, and his practice had now grown to be a large and
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important one. In 1887 he went into partnership with Elmer E. Palmer, who was then a young attorney in Coldwater, and who is now one of the ablest lawyers in southern Michigan. Mr. Ware was a member of the Coldwater board of education in 1881 and 1882, having been elected to the office on the Republican ticket. In the campaign of 1886 he was elected on that ticket as prosecuting attorney of Branch county, an office which he held for two successive terms, also receiving his second election as a Republican. A third nomination was offered him by a vote of eighty-nine of the one hundred and nine delegates in the county con- vention, but he declined the nomination, and in the fall of 1891 removed to Jackson, there entering a partnership with Richard Price, then, as now, a lawyer of that city, the new firm being known as Ware & Price. In September, 1892, Mr. Ware entered into a partnership with Charles H. Smith, one of the prominent attorneys there, who for some years past has been a federal judge in the Philippines, still holding that position.
His partnership with Mr. Smith continued about four years, and during that period their offices were Republican headquarters, both being active as Silver Republicans. In 1896 his views on the currency question led him to support Bryan instead of Mckinley. In doing this he contends that he did not leave the party, but that the party left him and, in support of his position, calls attention to the Republican platforms in this state prior to that year. He was present at the con- ference convention held in Lansing that year, at which was inaugurated the movement towards the consolidation of the opposition in Michigan to the gold standard plank in the Republican national platform: He "walked out" of the Mckinley convention, following Teller, DuBois, Towne and others and, returning to Jackson, called a Silver Republican county convention. The response was immediate and enthusiastic, eighty- nine "old line" Republicans of the county met in convention and organized a county committee with representatives from each ward and township in the county. The chairman of this committee was Mr. Ware. The campaign that year was opened in Jackson by the calling of three conventions, the Populist, the Democratic and Silver Republicans, all of whom were in opposition to the gold standard. Conference committees were appointed by each of the three and a joint ticket was agreed upon, in which Mr. Ware was named for register of deeds. He was at the time city attorney of Jackson, but after a most exciting campaign, in which he delivered many earnest appeals in the county and throughout the state against the establishment of a gold standard, he was elected to the office of register of deeds. The state convention of the Silver Republi- cans that year was attended by more than seven hundred and fifty Republican members, and Mr. Ware, being one of the conference com- mittee appointed, became the author of the famous party vignette which was placed at the head of the ticket, consisting of the silver dollar with the words, "Sixteen to One."
In 1896, Mr. Ware dissolved his partnership with Mr. Smith, and, except while serving as register of deeds, practiced alone in Jackson until 1903, when he removed to Battle Creek where he has since main- tained his offices in the Post building. He held the office of register of deeds until 1898, but since 1900 has not been active in politics. Dur- ing 1909 and 1910 he was city attorney of Battle Creek.
Since the settlement of the currency question Mr. Ware has continued to affiliate with the Republicans, but is in hearty sympathy with the progressive element of that party. He has always believed that a man should decide political questions for himself and exercise independence in voting, not casting his ballot for a man because he is the candidate of his party, but because he himself considers him the best man for the
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position, or that the principles he stands for are the best for the nation.
Mr. Ware is a member of the Masonic order and affiliated with the A. T. Metcalf lodge, No. 419, Free and Accepted Masons of Battle Creek, and Jackson Chapter No. 3, Royal Arch Masons, of Jackson. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Modern Maccabees, of Jackson. His church is the Presbyterian and he and his family have long been members of it. Their home is at the corner of Cleveland and East Fountain streets.
On October 22, 1879, Mr. Ware was united in marriage with Miss Elva V. Wood. Her father, S. H. Wood, was for many years proprietor of the "Old Pine Creek House," one of the old time hotels on the Battle Creek road, four miles north of Athens, and was well known as an extensive stock buyer as well. Mrs. Ware was born at Athens in the Old Pine Creek House, which in its palmy days was a popular stopping place for the many farmers and others driving to and from Battle Creek, which was then the market for that territory. She received her education in the country schools near her home and at the Union City high school, from which she graduated. Mr. and Mrs. Ware have one son, Donald R. Ware, who was born at Coldwater, September 7, 1884, and was educated in the Jackson schools. He is now a stock and bond salesman and insurance man. He was married in August, 1910, to Miss Maud McTaggart, of Battle Creek, which is still their home.
As a citizen, Mr. Ware has always maintained a high standard for business integrity and fair dealing and, while holding well defined and clear . opinions upon the important questions arising from time to time, he has always respected the opinions of others when honestly expressed, and met in a spirit of fairness those opposed to him in business, political or social affairs.
Among the members of his own profession Mr. Ware is known as a careful and efficient lawyer, and it is said of him that he possesses an unusually keen and analytical mind which invariably grasps the im- portant elements of a question and is quick to take advantage of every opportunity. As a trial lawyer he always carefully prepares his cases, and, when the trial begins starts an aggressive fight which never ends or waivers until the case is submitted for the decision of the court or jury. Although a skilful trial lawyer he never depends upon forensic eloquence alone to win his cases, but by hard and persistent work in his office prepares for every contingency which can be foreseen, giving to the slightest detail the same careful attention which characterizes all of his work. He will always be remembered by those who have known him as a good citizen, a true friend and genial companion, an able lawyer loyal to his clients, and an indefatigable worker and per- sistent and tireless fighter for any cause which he espouses.
ZACHARIAH B. MOHLER, one of the most successful and prosperous farmers in Le Roy township, is the descendant of one of the oldest Ger- man families in the United States today. The Mohlers came to America from Germany in about 1660, and settled in the eastern part of the country. The family has spread in numbers and is now to be found in practically every state in the Union, and wherever they are found, the family name is upheld by the staunch and sturdy German blood that flows in the veins of all who bear the good old name.
Born in Canton, Ohio, on April 12, 1865, Z. B. Mohler, is the son of Henry and Harriet (Beck) Mohler. The father was born in Canton in 1839, and the mother in Akron, Ohio, in 1843. He was a farmer and coal miner, and still lives in the state where he was born. He was a soldier in the Sixteenth Ohio Volunteers and served two and a half
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years in the Civil war. Returning from the war, he took up his life where he had left it off, and he still lives in the old Ohio home. He is the son of John Mohler, born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who moved to Ohio in early life and there settled. The maternal grand- father of Mr. Mohler of this review, was a native of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Mohler was educated in the public schools of Canton, Ohio, and when he was twenty years old he made his way to Michigan. He found himself in Battle Creek in the year 1885 with three dollars in his pockets, which constituted his entire wealth at that time. He went to work on a farm and in 1894, nine years from the date of his arrival here, he bought his first farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres. This he has increased until he now owns two hundred and forty acres, and he has erected fine buildings of every required variety on the place. The farm is a model of convenience and modern improvements, and is easily one of the finest kept places in the township. In addition to this splendid farm, Mr. Mohler is the owner of two houses and lots in Battle Creek.
Mr. Mohler is one of the popular men of his community and oc- cupies a prominent place in the affairs of the township, as well as in the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens. He has been a member of the school board for nine years, and is in every way a citizen worthy of the name.
In 1890, Mr. Mohler married Miss Minnie Frohm, a daughter of Joseph Frohm, a native of Germany, but who passed the latter years of his life in Michigan. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Moh- ler,-May B., who became the wife of Shirley Lossing, and Laura H., who is single and remains in the parental home as yet. The family are members of the Congregational church.
ARTHUR LAMBERT GRAVES, one of the successful farmers of Calhoun county, and a native of the state, was born in Barry county on May 31, 1865. He is the son of James I. and Amanda (Aldrich) Graves, a farmer, born in Monroe county in 1838, who was reared and educated in that county. In his young manhood he went to Barry county and undertook the clearing up of a piece of wild land, and in 1867 he moved to Calhoun county and there bought a small farm of eighty acres. Later he was able to add to his holdings an additional forty acres, and this farm, which he improved and worked until it had reached a high state of cultivation, was his home until he died in 1908. Mr. Graves was one of the important men of his community, and for twenty years was a member of the school board. He was a well known and successful farmer, and one who took a leading part in all the affairs of the civic life of the community. He was a Republican in his political allegiance. His father, Isaac Graves, was born in New York, and came to Michigan in his young manhood. He settled in Monroe county, where he passed the remainder of his life. He died young, and his son, James I., the father of Arthur Lambert Graves, was adopted by one Mr. Lambert, a friend of the family living in their community, and reared by him. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Graves of this review was Joseph Ald- rich, who came to Michigan in early life and settled on a farm in Barry county. He passed the remainder of his days there, passing away on his farm home after a well spent life. The mother of Arthur Graves died in 1906, at the age of sixty-four years.
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