USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume II > Part 23
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Alfred Wilson was fourteen years old when he accompanied his parents to Monroe county, Michigan, and his education begun in the district schools of Seneca county, New York, was concluded in the public schools of Dundee township, attending during the winters until about seventeen years of age and working on the farm during the summers. He remained at the home of his parents until twenty-four years of age, or until his marriage on June 2, 1873, to Miss Mary A. Miller, daughter of Phelps L. Miller and Mary (Van Vleet) Miller. Both parents of Mrs. Wilson were natives of the Empire state. The mother was born in Seneca county, New York, in 1823, and in 1834 came with her parents to Dundee township, Monroe county, Michigan, where she lived to the advanced age of eighty-five years and passed away in 1908. Her husband had preceded her in death over half a century, his demise having occurred in 1852. Of the five children born to their union, three are living at this time (1912), namely : Dudley Miller, a farmer in Dundee township, Monroe county, who married Miss Jennie Kempton; Jennie, who became Mrs. George Bunce and resides in Dundee, Michigan; and Mrs. Wilson. Nine children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and are as follows: Clyde, born March 5, 1874, who married Miss Chloe Kent and resides in Dundee township; Floy, born March 27, 1877, who is now the wife of Roy Reynolds and resides in Macon, Michigan; Charles M., born October 16, 1879, who married Miss Ollie Anstead and resides in Dundee township; Nell, born November 16, 1881, now Mrs. Warren J. Brewer, of Dundee, Michigan; Naamah, born December 16, 1883, who is at home; Lewis M., born October 23, 1887, who married Miss Alice Brown and is a resident of Dundee town- ship; Camilla, born December 28, 1889, who taught in the public schools of this county prior to her marriage to Charles Downing, of Lenawee county, Michigan; John A., born April 17, 1892, a graduate of the
REV. FRANK A. O'BRIEN
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Dundee high school; and Seaton A., born January 22, 1898, who is at home.
In politics Mr. Wilson gives his allegiance to the Republican party and has taken a prominent part in local political affairs. In 1901 he was elected supervisor of Dundee township and in 1902 was reelected to that office on an independent ticket, and during both terms served in a manner that was highly acceptable to his fellow citizens and that bestowed credit upon himself as an official. He has also served in a number of other minor offices, has been a school director twenty years, and with the exception of two years has served as a school officer in one capacity or another ever since his marriage.
In the way of business activity his whole attention has been given to agriculture and his farm, which is located in sections 16 and 17 of Dundee township, comprises one hundred acres of good land. The homestead of forty acres on which Mr. and Mrs. Wilson reside forms a part of this property and was entered from the government by Phelps L. Miller, the father of Mrs. Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are affable people whose genial ways have made them pleasant associates and have drawn to them many friends, and as honest and upright citizens they stand high in the regard of their community. Their beautiful country home is known as "Pleasant View Farm."
THE VERY REVEREND FRANK A. O'BRIEN, LL. D. This eminent clergyman of the Catholic church is a native of Monroe, in whom great pride is felt, and who is held in the highest regard, for no one in this state is entitled to have his name written higher on the pinnacle of fame as a builder of good works, for charity and benevolence. Him- self of humble birth, his life has been mainly spent in the noblest of occupations-that of benefiting his fellow beings-in educating and raising to a plane of usefulness those whose circumstances and environ- ments precluded successful efforts by themselves.
To receive a special blessing from the pope, written in his own hand, and with it high praise from Cardinal Falconio, who recently visited America as the pope's personal representative, is a most unusual thing. But it is an honor that was recently bestowed upon Father O'Brien, an honor probably no other Catholic priest in the United States ever received from the head of the great Roman church ; publicly, it signifies the high estimation in which his magnificent and successful efforts in educational and philanthropic work in his native state are held by the highest authorities in his church. While Father O'Brien had occupied parishes in Monroe and Detroit, it has been in the parish of Kalamazoo that his labors have been so efficiently crowned with resultant honor to himself and the good of his fellow men. The establishment of hospitals, schools and public halls, having for their object the betterment of social conditions in his community, the care of young children and the reformation of irresponsible men are beyond all praise. Another institution called Barbour Hall is under process of construction, the means for the erection of which has largely been derived from the bequest of Mrs. Barbour of Detroit, the mother of Hon. Levi S. Bar- bour. Father O'Brien is an honored member of the State Pioneer and
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Historical Society, in which he has taken a lively interest, and to whose collection of papers he has contributed many of great interest.
FREDERICK SCHULER. The advantages of birth, education or capital count for much in the career of any man, but what he is and the use he makes of his abilities and opportunities finally determine his status in society. Frederick Schuler is a native son of Monroe county and from German parents has inherited abilities characteristic of the nation- ality of his forebears. In his career as a farmer has been evident not only the proverbial thrift and industry of his fathers but also the wide- awake spirit of the advanced agriculturist of the day. With the marked fertility of southern Michigan soil as an added advantage, Mr. Schuler has made farming a profitable business.
He was born in Dundee township, Monroe county, Michigan, March 17, 1864, to Frederick and Charlotte (Westfall) Schuler, both of whom were natives of Germany and were married in the Fatherland prior to their emigration to the United States. They first located in Dundee township of this county, where the mother died, and later the father removed to Summerfield township, where he bought a farm, then finally sold it and moved to Toledo, Ohio, and made it his abode until his death. Of the eight children born to their union, five are living at this date (1912), namely : William; Lena, now Mrs. Elbert Hammond; Frederick of this review; and Charles and Eliza.
Frederick Schuler, Jr., was reared in Dundee and Summerfield townships and there obtained the usual common school education. At the age of nineteen he left home and started out to make his own way in the world, first engaging as a farm hand by the month. He practiced strict economy, saving of his earnings until he had acquired sufficient capital to make an independent start as a farmer, and then bought the farm of 130 acres on which he now resides and where from time to time he has completed the improvements which have made it a most comfort- able homestead. Thus by persistent and untiring effort and the exercise of a good business ability Mr. Schuler has advanced steadily toward personal success and at the same time has been a factor in promoting the material advancement of his community. He has given his attention to che general lines of farming and to stockraising and has well upheld the prestige which is almost universally accorded the German agriculturist.
Mr. Schuler has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Louise Custer, to whom he was united in December, 1900, and who bore him three children, Carl, Ada and Herman, now aged respectively eleven, nine and seven years (1912). She died in the fall of 1904, and in 1906 Mr. Schuler wedded Miss Johannah Kruempel, who was born in Ger- many, March 24, 1872. She received a good education in the thorough public schools of Germany, where her father was a teacher for many years. She came to the United States in 1904, locating first in North Dakota, but later formed the acquaintance with Mr. Schuler which culminated in their marriage.
Mr. Schuler is a member of the German Lutheran church at Dundee, in the faith of which denomination he was graciously reared by his parents, and he is now one of the directors of that church. He carries
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a good policy in the New York Life Insurance Company, and in politics is a Democrat. Mr. Schuler is well known to the people of this section, among whom his reputation is that of an enterprising citizen of sterling worth.
GEORGE M. LANDON was born in Monroe, July 4, 1837, the son of Dr. George Landon, an old and highly respected physician of the city. He attended the public and private schools in Monroe, where he was prepared for college. He entered the University of Michigan in 1853, and was graduated therefrom in 1857.
He studied law in the offices of Ranney, Backus and Noble, in Cleveland, and Isaac P. Christiancy, of Monroe. His first law practice was in Grand Rapids, Michigan; removing to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he remained until the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, when he returned to Monroe, and entered his father's office of county treasurer; he received an appointment in the Fourth Regiment in 1862, and was mustered out of the volunteer service in 1865. He then entered® the Chicago Theological Seminary, graduating in the spring of 1868. Entering the ministry, he occupied within a few years pulpits in Wis- consin, Minnesota and Iowa. Leaving the ministry in 1875, he returned to Monroe, and was appointed city attorney, later being elected as county prosecuting attorney. He practiced his profession in Monroe, and served as judge of probate. At the time of his death he was treasurer of the First Presbyterian church of Monroe.
Mr. Landon died very suddenly of heart failure, at his home in Mon- roe, on Monday evening, December 16, 1912, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery on Thursday, December 19th. He is survived by his wife, Kate Chapman, a daughter Lucia, wife of Frank B. Warren of Lake Forest, Illinois ; two brothers, Doctor Henry B. of Bay City, Michigan ; and John E. of Monroe; and a son, Major Edwin, U. S. A. The Board of Super- visors, in session passed resolutions of respect, and the Monroe Bar Association took appropriate action.
CHARLES R. WING, son of Talcott E. and Elizabeth Johnson Wing, was born in Monroe, April 2, 1853, and received his education in the schools of Monroe and the University of Michigan. Upon his return to Monroe, he was admitted to the bar, and entered upon the practice of his profession. He has been associated with his father in business, and was assistant to him in the preparation of a history of Monroe county, published in 1890. He is interested in looking after financial invest- ments for clients, and matters pertaining to them. He resides with his sister, Mrs. J. G. Little of Monroe.
BERT J. NICKELS. The career of Bert J. Nickels is a noble illustra- tion of what independence, self-faith and persistency can accomplish in America. He is a self-made man in the most significant sense of the word, for no one helped him in a financial way and he is self-educated. As a young man he was strong, vigorous and self-reliant. He trusted in his own ability and did things single-handed and alone. Today he stands supreme as a successful business man and a loyal and public- spirited citizen. He is engaged in the restaurant business at Monroe, Michigan, is a Spanish-American war veteran and takes an active part
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in local politics, being supervisor of the First ward at Monroe, in 1912.
Bert J. Nickels was born on a farm in Monroe county, Michigan, in the vicinity of Dundee, the date of his nativity being the 7th of October, 1874. He is a son of Fred R. and Mary (Slaman) Nickels, the former of whom was born in Mecklenberg, Germany, and the latter of whom was a native of the same place. Fred R. Nickels was reared and educated in his native land and as a young man immigrated to the United States, landing in New York City, from which place he went directly to Monroe county, Michigan, here settling upon a farm near Dundee. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life time and passed to the life eternal in 1905, at the age of seventy-four years. His cherished and devoted wife, whose maiden name was Mary Slaman, died in 1904. In politics Mr. Nickels was a stanch supporter of the Republican party and he voted for every president after becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States.
To the parochial schools of Monroe, Bert J. Nickels is indebted for his preliminary educational training and subsequently he attended the public schools of Monroe. After leaving school he became a clerk in the grocery store of J. J. Weier, in whose employ he remained for a number of years. In 1904, he embarked in business on his own account, opening a restaurant in Monroe, the same being on the corner of Monroe and Front streets. A fine business is controlled and the restaurant ranks as one of the best in the city. Mr. Nickels is an unswerving Republican in his political convictions and he takes an active part in the local councils of that organization. He has served as a member of the Central Republican Committee and also as a member of the Congressional Repub- lican Committee. In 1907 he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to the office of supervisor of the First ward; he is now serving his fourth term in that connection and his incumbency has been charac- terized by an ardent devotion to duty. At the time of the outbreak of the Spanish-American war Mr. Nickels enlisted as a volunteer for service in a Michigan company and he served for thirteen months, during which time he was in Savannah, Georgia, and in Cuba. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Monroe. He is a member of the United Spanish-American War Veterans, being connected with John M. Goodman Camp, No. 8.
In 1901 Mr. Nickels married Miss Gertie Navarre, a daughter of Sylvester Navarre, who came to Monroe county in the pioneer days. This union has been prolific of four children, namely-Luella, Burton, Ellsworth and Gertrude. Mr. and Mrs. Nickels are popular citizens of Monroe, where they are accorded the unalloyed confidence and esteem of all who know them.
NELSON D. BAIRD. After many years spent in cultivating the soil of 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 invariably retires to the nearest town or village and there becomes one of its best citizens. Among this class stands Nelson D. Baird, highly esteemed re-
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tired citizen of Milan and ex-soldier of the great Civil war, who for forty-four years cultivated the soil of Milan township. He is a native of the Empire state, and was born in Scoharie county, December 17, 1836, a son of David Baird, who was born in the town of Jefferson, County Sco- harie, New York, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. The family orig- inated in the highlands of Scotland, and the Baird clan was always noted for its bravery and honor. David Baird married Susan Arnold, who was born in Otsego county, New York, a daughter of Phineas Arnold, a soldier of the War of 1812. In 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Baird came to Michi- gan, settling first at Lockport, St. Joseph county, and removing later to Monroe county. The father died at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother when seventy-five years old, and they were the parents of eight sons and four daughters, four of the sons being soldiers, namely : Nelson D .; Chauncey, who served in the Eighty-third Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry and died in 1904 at Three Rivers, Michigan ; Charles, of the Eleventh Michigan Infantry, was discharged on account of sick- ness, reenlisted in Battery E, First Michigan Light Artillery and died in Tullahoma, Tennessee; and Olintheus, of Battery E, First Michigan Light Artillery.
Nelson D. Baird received his education in the schools of New York, and came to Michigan in 1855, as a young man of eighteen years. He remained under the parental roof in Florence, St. Joseph county, Mich- igan, until February 25, 1864, when he enlisted at St. Joseph, Michigan, in Company E, First Michigan Light. Artillery, under Captain Devries and Colonel Loomis, who was later promoted to brigadier-general. Bat- tery E was a post battery at Nashville, Tennessee, till after the battle at Nashville in 1864, and participated in the battle of Nashville, against General Hood's Confederate forces, pursuing the Rebel forces to Pulaski, Tennessee, and on to Huntsville, Alabama, from whence they removed to Decatur, Alabama, where it remained till the close of the war. It was mustered out at Jackson, Michigan, July 30, 1865. Returning home, he took up the peaceful vocation of farming, and continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1903, achieving success in his ventures and cultivating a handsome property of seventy acres. This he sold in 1903 and retired to the village of Milan, where he has since made his home. He has a handsome residence of eight rooms, with a large, well-kept lawn and handsome shade trees.
Mr. Baird was married at the age of twenty-three years at Sturgis, Michigan, to Miss Harriet Richardson, who was born at Florence, St. Joseph county, Michigan, daughter of Dr. Richardson and Electa (Inger- soll) Richardson, the former a pioneer physician and surgeon, who came from Watertown, New York. Mrs. Baird died at the age of twenty- seven years, leaving two children, namely: Lena, the wife of Ed E. Ceas of Milan; and Frank, who is deceased. Mr. Baird's second mar- riage was to Miss Clara Bunce, and three children were born to them : Hattie, Jessie and Mrs. Ada Ellis. She died in December, 1880, and in 1884 Mr. Baird was married (third) to Miss Emma E. Hazen, who was born in Milan, daughter of Daniel C. and Elizabeth (Webster) Hazen, early settlers of Milan township, both of whom are now deceased.
Mr. Baird is a Republican in his political views, and has been active
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in the ranks of his party, but not to the extent of seeking public pre- ferment. However, he takes an interest in all that pertains to the wel- fare of his community, and at all times is ready to support movements calculated to be of a progressive or beneficial nature. He takes a lively interest in the work of the Grand Army of the Republic, and belongs to Taylor Post No. 274, of Milan, in which he has many friends.
GUSTAV C. MAINZINGER. In a history of Monroe county, it is emi- nently fitting that at least a brief mention be made of the life and work of Gustav C. Mainzinger, member of the well known Monroe firm of Mainzinger Brothers, dealers in wool, hides, furs, leather, etc. Of this firm a detailed account is given in the life sketch of Charles Mainzinger, elder brother of Gustav C., and thus not more than a cursory mention will be made of the origin of the firm and its growth and broadening out under the management of the three capable sons who came into the business upon the demise of their father and the founder of the business.
Gustav C. Mainzinger was born in the city of Monroe, Michigan, on the 26th day of January, 1868, and he is the youngest son of his parents, Charles and Sophia M. (Glass) Mainzinger, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in early life. The boy, Gustav, was educated in the public schools of Monroe, and later attended the parochial school, graduating some time after from the Monroe high school. Following that he attended night school for some time in the study of business methods, after which he assisted his father in the meat shop of which his father was the owner and proprietor. When the elder Mainzinger extended his interests to the hide and pelt business, with its adjuncts, Gustav Mainzinger, with his brothers, became his father's helper, and thus they learned the details of a business which eventually came into their ownership when the father passed away June 9, 1909. Many changes have been brought to pass in the methods of operation in recent years, but all have been for the advancement and upbuilding of this sturdy and prosperous firm.
Mr. Mainzinger is a Republican in his political convictions and assumes his full share of civic duties and responsibilities. He is a prominent Mason and is affiliated with various bodies of that order, among them being Monroe Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., River Raisin Chapter No. 22, R. A. M., and Monroe Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar. He is a thoroughly progressive citizen, broadminded and enterprising, and is widely and favorably known throughout the county.
In 1887 Mr. Mainzinger was united in marriage with Miss Cyrene Renaued, a daughter of Herbert Renaued of Monroe.
ANTON WEIER. The death of Anton Weier in his eightieth year, on December 3, 1907, removed from the citizenship of Monroe county, one of the few remaining pioneers of the fifties. He had long been closely and prominently identified with the business affairs of his home city, and was noted for his rugged honesty, great industry and high character.
The late Mr. Weier was born June 17, 1829, at Wackernheim, Rhein Hesse, Germany, was educated in his native land, and in 1854 came to
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America and direct to Monroe. Shortly after his arrival he was married to Miss Barbara Schumann, who had emigrated from Germany at the same time and to whom he had been betrothed in the fatherland. He had already served his apprenticeship and journeyman experience in the baker's trade, and this was his first business enterprise in Monroe. He prospered in the business, and later erected on West Front street the Weier building which remained his place of business and home until his death.
Anton Weier deserves particular mention in this history as being one of the founders of the grape growing industry in this county. About ten years after his settlement he and others imported some Concord grape vines from New York and for some years were engaged in extended experiments to ascertain whether viniculture could be profitably fol- lowed in this locality. The result was successful as all modern residents know, and due to this early enterprise of Mr. Weier and associates grape growing and wine making received its start in this section of the state. Mr. Weier thereafter engaged in the industry on a large scale, and in 1891 founded the Weier Wine Company, of which he was president up to the date of his death. He continued to supervise the manufac- ture of his wines in person until the last few weeks of his life, and it was largely due to this careful management that he gave his products such a widely extended reputation for excellence.
The late Mr. Weier was an active member of the St. Michael's church, having joined it soon after the congregation was organized. He was also throughout the period of his American citizenship a Democrat, though never engaged in practical politics. Mr. Weier was devoted to his family circle, in which and in the community at large he always re- tained high esteem. His widow and the following children survived him : Mrs. J. L. Hoffman; Joseph, a former alderman of Monroe; and August J., whose sketch follows. At the time of his death Anton Weier also had sixteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
AUGUST J. WEIER, son of the pioneer Anton Weier, is one of the active business men and a leader in the public life of Monroe. He was born in this city October 21, 1871, and received his early education in the public and parochial schools and in St. Francis College.
Throughout his career he has been identified with this city, and on leaving school his first practical experience was in his father's vineyard. He learned the vintner's business in detail, and was one of his father's capable assistants until 1907. On the death of his father he assisted in settling up the estate, after which he associated himself with the First National Bank, with which institution he has since been identified.
Soon after attaining citizenship Mr. Weier began taking an active interest in political affairs, and has been one of the prominent Demo- crats in this part of Michigan for a number of years. In 1896 he was elected to the legislature, serving during the sessions of 1897-98, and reelected in 1898, sessions of 1899-1900, and was member of the commit- tees of ways and means, city corporations, revision of the statutes and state fishery and game. He has also been chairman of the Democratic county committee and city committee and member of the state central Vol. II-12
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