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 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
SEBASTIAN LIEDEL. One of the important industries of Monroe county, which, starting in a humble manner, has become the leading enterprise of Maybee, is the department store of S. Liedel & Sons, the senior mem- ber of the firm being Sebastian Liedel, who is universally recognized as one of his community's foremost citizens. Mr. Liedel's talents and abili- ties have not been confined to one line of endeavor, as in addition to mer- cantile pursuits he has engaged extensively in farming and stock buy- ing and shipping, and withal has found time to interest himself in be- half of his community, where he is always found at the head of pro- gressive and beneficial movements. Mr. Liedel was born in London township, Monroe county, Michigan, July 15, 1860, and is a son of Albert and Mary (Sturm) Liedel, natives of Baden, Germany, who came to the United States as young people and spent their last years in Mon- roe county, the father dying at the age of seventy-five years and the mother when she was seventy. They had a family of eight children, as follows: Henry, Sebastian, William, Rhinehart, Rosa, Bertha, Matthew and Josie. All the children were given good educational advantages, and were fitted for whatever position in life they might be called upon to fill.
Sebastian Liedel resided on the home farm and secured his education
-
la Prochaine
579
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
in the district schools, but in 1887, left the parental roof and went to Chicago, Illinois, where he learned the trade of carpenter. He was en- gaged in work at the World's Columbian Exposition in the Illinois metropolis in 1893, in the fall of which year he came to Maybee, in the vicinity of which town he was engaged in farming for some time, and still owns one hundred and five acres of finely-cultivated land. How- ever, he decided to enter upon a business career, his first venture being as the proprietor of a meat market in Maybee, and this has grown and flourished and is now the leading market of the town. Encouraged by his success in this enterprise, Mr. Sebastian embarked in a mercantile business in a humble way, and his rise in this line has been almost phenomenal, the firm of S. Liedel & Sons now owning the largest depart- ment store in Maybee, an establishment that has a county-wide reputa- tion. This reputation has been built up through honest business meth- ods, Mr. Liedel recognizing early in life that strict integrity and fair dealing, coupled with an appreciation of the rights of others, was the sur- est method of gaining success. Consequently, the motto of the firm has been "Good Goods for Good Money," and the manner in which the peo- ple of Maybee and the surrounding country have patronized the firm has vindicated Mr. Liedel's belief in the efficacy of his principles. The firm deals in dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, carpets, notions, and everything that is desired by the people of the community. His estab- lishment has seventy feet frontage and one hundred feet depth, and with his other holdings covers an entire half block. For nineteen years, Mr. Liedel has been engaged in buying and shipping live stock, disposing of his cattle in Toledo, Ohio, Buffalo and Cleveland. As Mr. Liedel always buys for cash he is able to take advantage of discounts, and is, therefore, enabled to compete successfully and undersell any mail order house. In his store may be found all of the best quality of goods to be found in the largest cities, as he often sends east for his goods, and he still has numerous customers on his books who started to deal with him when he first engaged in business here.
September 8, 1885, Mr. Liedel was united in marriage with Miss Susan Greashaber, who was born at Raisinville, Michigan, and they have had fourteen children, as follows: Bernard, manager of the department store, born August 2, 1887, reared and educated in this county, married in October, 1910, Nellie Hitchenham, who was also born here, daughter of Daniel Hitchenham, and they have a son, Daniel; Otto, resident of Detroit; Sebastian, who has charge of the meat market and is a partner in the business; Luke, who is conducting his father's farm; Carl and Harry, who are twins, also living on the farm ; Elmer ; Lorilla; Margaret; Leonard ; Marcella; Mabel; Omar, and Roy and Ruth, who are twins.
Mr. Liedel is a Democrat, politically. Mr. and Mrs. Liedel and chil- dren are members of the St. Joseph Catholic church at Maybee, Michigan.
CHARLES AUGUST BOEHME. So long as there remain in Monroe county those who knew the late Charles August Boehme, so long will his memory be honored and cherished, and the record of his achievement as one of the world's workers can not fail to offer perpetual lesson and incentive. He not only became one of the foremost figures in the local
-
580
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
business community, where he was the prime factor in the development and upbuilding of one of the greatest and most prosperous industrial enterprises in the county, but he was also signally appreciative of the higher ideals and more refining influences in the scheme of human exist- ence and was specially prominent in connection with musical affairs in his home community. A musician of fine talent, he found time and opportunity to do much in advancing musical interests in Monroe, and indeed in the state, and many will best remember him for his splendid activities in this direction. It is not often that a business man who carries as great a burden of cares and responsibilities as did Mr. Boehme will divert attention to the idealistic agencies which make for human happiness, but it was his to do much along both lines and to do well in each. A genial, kindly personality was his, and his abiding sympathy and great heart won to him the loyal friendship and affection of those with whom he came in contact. Well may it be said that he will not soon be forgotten in Monroe county, and it is a matter of consistency as well as gratification to be able to offer in this publication a brief tribute to the memory of this honored citizen and noble man, who was summoned to the life eternal on the 23d of December, 1909, at the age of seventy- one years.
Charles August Boehme was born in the historic and beautiful town of Jena, in the principality of Saxe-Weimar, Germany, and the date of his nativity was September 22, 1838. He was a child at the time of his parents' immigration to America, in the '40s, and his father established the family home in Monroe, Michigan, soon after coming to this country. The father had learned in his native land the trade of ropemaking and was a skilled artisan in this line. In Monroe he established a modest rope factory in the old grove on Washington street, but in the early '60s he bought the property on the corner of Jerome and First streets, where he erected his rope factory on the north side of the property and his residence along the First street frontage. The enterprise was continued by the founder until his death and thereafter the son, subject of this memoir, conducted the business in an individual way for many years, his close application, thorough technical knowledge and correct methods bringing a constant expansion to the industry, which eventually became the most important manufacturing enterprise in Monroe county. Con- cerning the business career of Charles H. Boehme, a better record of succinct order can not, perhaps, be given than that which appeared in the Monroe Democrat at the time of his death, and from the article are taken the following quotations, with but minor paraphrase :
In 1893 Edward C. Rauch sold his clothing business and formed a partnership with Mr. Boehme-a transaction that was to prove the first step in the development of the city's greatest industrial institution. Mr. Rauch assumed charge of the commercial department of the business and Mr. Boehme was thus enabled to devote his undivided attention to the manufacturing department. They greatly enlarged the rope and cord- age business, in connection with which they leased the building now occupied by Harrington & Schmidt, on Washington street. The business outgrew the capital of the two interested principals, and became too great for only the two to supervise. Four years later, therefore, John P.
581
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Bronson, of Toledo, Ohio, a brother-in-law of Mr. Boehme, was admitted to partnership and the capital of the concern was increased. A year later the firm, experimented with the manufacture of binder-board, and the venture proved so successful and the future possibilities were so alluring, that this soon became the principal business of the firm. The old Eagle mill was purchased and shortly afterward was doubled in size. The rope and cordage business was abandoned entirely and the Boehme & Rauch Company was organized and incorporated. A large mill was erected near the docks, and this in turn was united with the Monroe Folding Box Company. In the summer of 1909 the new addition, which doubled the capacity of the plant, was brought into commission. Though retaining his office of vice-president and having a large interest in the company, Mr. Boehme had taken less active part in the management of the concern during the period of about two years prior to his death, and he confined his attention principally to the super- vision of some of the departments, a work that did not tax severely his strength in his advanced age. He was one of the founders and a director of the Monroe State Savings Bank, and was a valued official of the Merchants' & Manufacturers' Club. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party, he was a charter member of Custer Tent, No. 116, Knights of the Modern Maccabees, as is also his widow, who still maintains her home in Monroe and who has long been a gracious and loved factor in the city's social life.
As has already been intimated, Mr. Boehme was specially influential in connection with the activities of local musical circles, and he was a leader in musical affairs for many years. Largely through this medium he gained his remarkably wide circle of friends in this and other states of the Union, and he did much to give to Monroe its distinctive prestige as a center of high-grade musical art. Early in the '60s Mr. Norman organized the first orchestra in Monroe, and of the same Mr. Boehme became one of the most valued members. As a matter of historical record it is but just that the personnel of this original organization be noted in this connection : Mr. Norman, first violin; William Hubble, second violin; Charles H. Boehme, first flute; August Vergho, second flute; Alfred Stewart, violoncello; and H. L. Stoddard, double-bass.
In 1874 Mr. Boehme effected the organization of Boehme's orchestra, of which he became conductor and first flutist, the names and assignments of the other members being as here noted : Charles Vetter, cornet; Adolph Rupp, trombone; William Uhl, violoncello; Henry J. Mann, first violin ; Philip Mann, second violin; and Conrad Kiburtz, clarinet. Of this orchestra, which gained high reputation and wide popularity, Mr. Boehme continued conductor until 1894. In the meanwhile he had also been a member of the old Monroe cornet band, of which he was the leader for about twenty years. Under his regime in this position were held the two mammoth band tournaments that are still mentioned with pride and admiration by the citizens of Monroe, who witnessed or took part in the same.
On the 21st of February, 1871, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Boehme to Miss Mary Lee, who was born at Toledo, on the 8th of
582
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
October, 1848, and who is the daughter of the late Albert Lee, an hon- ored pioneer of Monroe county. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. Father Maes, who is now bishop of the diocese of Covington, Kentucky. The domestic chapter in the life history of Mr. Boehme was one whose every relation was ideal, and his interests ever centered in his home, in which he was the soul of devotion and of buoyant cheer. Mrs. Boehme survives her honored husband, as do also five daughters, namely : Helen, Matilda, Camilla, Ida, and Julia, who married Edward W. Bas- sett of Toledo. One child, a daughter, died in infancy, and the only son, Albert, died on the 4th of April, 1894, at the age of twenty-one years. He was a young man of fine characteristics and great promise, and his death was a grievous blow to his parents. In conclusion of this brief memoir quotation is made from the appreciative article that appeared in a Monroe paper at the time of Mr. Boehme's death :
"Mr. Boehme was of open, simple nature-he was quiet and un- affected in demeanor and his pleasures were also marked by simplicity and moderation. His home and family were always his greatest joy. In addition to that, a quiet game of whist or '500' with congenial friends, . or an evening spent at a concert or other musical entertainment appealed most strongly to and completely satisfied his need of amusement. Pleasure walks and drives about the city were his favorite recreation, and his love for travel was appeased by summer trips on the Great Lakes, with occasional journeys to the fatherland. The funeral services were marked by the simplicity that had been characteristic of the man. They were held at his late home, corner of Jerome and First streets, which he had recently sold and from which he had intended to move in the following spring. The services were conducted by Rev. W. C. Burns, D. D., who offered prayer and gave a brief address. The cornet band, according to the oft-declared wish of the deceased, attended the funeral in uniform and headed the cortege. Among the selections was 'Nearer My God to Thee,' as arranged for band by Mr. Boehme when he was leader of the organization. The body was placed in the vault at St. Joseph's cemetery, where the band rendered 'The Sweet Bye and Bye,' which had always been one of Mr. Boehme's favorites. The pallbearers were chosen from the employes of the Boehme & Rauch Company and the directors of the company acted as honorary pallbearers. The directors of the Monroe State Savings Bank attended in a body, and members of the Merchants' & Manufacturers' Club, the Maccabees, likewise employes of the Boehme & Rauch Company, together with hundreds of close friends of the de- ceased, escorted the body to its last resting place."
MICHAEL ECKHOF. With some men there seems but one line which they can follow, one vocation in which they can meet with any degree of success, one business on which they must needs concentrate their entire abilities and activities. The combination of human attributes which go to make for success in varied fields of endeavor are rarely found, but are possessed by the subject of this sketch, Michael Eckhof, an old settler of Exeter township, who during a period of forty years has met with equal success in agricultural pursuits and in the mercantile field. Mr. Eckhof was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 3, 1850,
583
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
and is the son of Michael and Lena (Billings) Eckhof, both of whom were born in the Fatherland. They emigrated to the United States as young people, and settled first in the city of Milwaukee, where the father of Mr. Eckhof established himself in business as the proprietor of one of the first cooper shops in the Cream City. In 1861, the family left Milwaukee, Michael then being a stalwart lad of eleven years, and came to the woods of Monroe county, Michigan, where Mr. Eckhof se- cured a farm in Exeter township. . Here he continued to carry on agri- cultural operations throughout the remainder of his life, firmly estab- lishing himself in the esteem and confidence of his neighbors, and accu- mulating a comfortable competency in worldly goods. He and his wife had a family as follows: Philip, who enlisted as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, and met his death on the field of battle; Michael; Lena ; Fred, who is deceased; Lizzie; George; Mary ; Frank and Minnie. The parents were consistent members of the Lutheran church, and reared their children in that faith, inculcating in them habits of in- dustry, morality and sobriety and fitting them for useful lives.
The early education of Michael Eckhof was secured in the public schools of Milwaukee, and after coming to Michigan he attended the district schools of Exeter township. Reared to agricultural pursuits, as a young man he engaged in farming, and has continued to be a tiller of the soil to the present time, although this has not demanded his entire attention. In young manhood he established himself in business as the proprietor of a general store, and at this time he has a large and valuable stock of dry goods, groceries, hardware and notions, supplying the farmers of his vicinity with the best quality of goods, and carrying on a flourishing trade. The honorable methods which he uses in conduct- ing his business have won the entire confidence of his fellow-citizens, and he is looked upon as one of his community's alert and active busi- ness men and skilled agriculturists. Personally, Mr. Eckhof is frank and genial in his manner, and his policy of always holding in high re- gard the rights and opinions of others has made him numerous warm, personal friends.
On October 6, 1891, Mr. Eckhof was united in marriage with Miss Fredericka Engler, who was born and reared in Germany, and was brought from the Fatherland in girlhood by her parents. Her father, a native of Baden, died in Fremont, Ohio, while her mother, also a native of that principality, passed away in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Eckhof have one daughter, Ada, who was born in Monroe county and reared there. She was married December 10, 1911, to Edward H. Hueb- ner, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, a son of John and Augusta Huebner, who were born in Germany. Mrs. Huebner was educated in the public schools, and has taken music instruction.
Mr. and Mrs. Eckhof are both members of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, one of the best fraternal organizations of Carleton, Mich- igan. Mr. Eckhof was vice-chief Gleaner for some years in this locality.
JOHN W. ZINK. This prominent and successful farmer, who is one of the best known and most esteemed citizens of Exeter township, Mon- roe county, has lived on the farm he now occupies for forty-three years,
584
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
and during the whole of that period he has so demeaned himself as to stand well with the people around him and win their increasing approval and regard, although he was only eleven years old when his parents came to this county and located on the farm on which he now has his home.
The standing Mr. Zink has in the township is well shown by his elec- tion to the office of justice of the peace in the spring of 1908 and his occupancy of it ever since. He has performed the duties of the office in a manner that has given general satisfaction and shown a high order of ability, good judgment and rare common sense. The people commend him for his fairness, strict uprightness and faithful attention to duty, administering justice without fear or favor, protecting the rights of all who have business before him, but also looking zealously after the inter- ests of the community in every way within his jurisdiction.
Mr. Zink was born in Niagara county, New York, on April 30, 1857, and is a son of Henry and Julia (Wittenberg) Zink, natives of Germany, the father born in Bavaria and the mother also in Bavaria, in that coun- try. Henry was eight years old when his father, John Zink, came to this country and located in Niagara county, New York. He grew to manhood on a New York farm, and was reared, educated and married in that state. His wife was a daughter of John Wittenberg, who was also born in Germany.
In 1869, Henry Zink and the family he then had, came to Michigan and Monroe county and took up their residence on the Exeter township farm which has been in the family ever since. The father bought a saw mill, which was destroyed by fire the next year, 1870. He at once built another, which he operated for a number of years. He also cultivated his farm and became prominent in the township by the excellent service he rendered it as drain commissioner for a continuous period of eight years. He was also a good carpenter and helped to build several of the early residences and other structures in the township.
This useful citizen and man of many parts died at the age of seventy- six, and the mother resides in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of seventy- nine. They were the parents of eleven children: Julia, John W., Eliza- beth, Catherine, deceased at age of two years, Mary, Henrietta, Margaret, Philopena, Rosa and Clara. Catherine died in infancy and Rosa at the age of nineteen. The parents were members of the Lutheran church and ardent supporters of the congregation to which they belonged.
John W. Zink was reared from the age of eleven years on the family farm on which he still lives, received a common school education and helped to clear and improve the homestead. This is known as Green Valley Farm, and is one of the best in the township. It comprises seventy- five acres, is improved with a good modern dwelling house, large barns and sheds and well built and attractive fences, is cultivated in the best methods of present-day farming and is located four miles west of Carle- ton. In addition, Mr. Zink owns a tract of forty acres one mile and a quarter west of this home farm, which is also in an advanced state of improvement and cultivation, for its owner is an excellent farmer.
On November 27, 1889, Mr. Zink was united in marriage with Miss Anna Geistaker, a native of Germany, where she was educated and lived
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY 585
to the age of eighteen. Her father died when she was a child and her mother when the daughter was but eleven years old. She and her hus- band have five children: Lydia, who is a popular and successful public school teacher in this township; and John H., Kunda Gunda, Alice and Karl W. They have all been well reared and educated, and are highly creditable to their parents and the community in which they live. All the members of the family belong to the Lutheran church at Sandy Creek and zealously assist in its evangelical work and support it in every way open to their efforts.
ROBERT DRINKHAHN. The family name Drinkhahn has for many years been associated with substantial worth and steady prosperity in the township of Exeter, and the homestead on section 15 is one of the pleasantest and best improved in the township.
Robert Drinkhahn, who has spent nearly all his life on the farm where he now resides, was born in Monroe county on the 20th of February, 1879. His father, Lewis Drinkhahn, now deceased, was born, reared and educated in Germany, and when a young man, emigrated to the United States and became a settler in Monroe county. He married Reke Kaine, and in 1881 they moved to the land which has ever since been the home of the family. In 1888 the father died from being kicked by a horse. He was then about forty-two years of age, and his son Robert was only nine years old. The mother never fully recovered from the shock of this tragic death. Her death occurred July 7, 1911. She left four sons and three daughters, namely : Theodore, a merchant in Scofield ; Robert ; Mary ; Sophia; Louise; Fred; and Lewis. The family were Reformed Lu- therans. The father was one of the industrious men of the township and popular with everybody. He had made a good home for his fam- ily, and had his farm improved with first class barns and cultivated to the best advantage.
Mr. Robert Drinkhahn, who received his early education in the schools of this vicinity, has been a farmer all his active career, and raises grain and stock. He is a bachelor and he and a sister keep the old home.
GEORGE H. BORDINE. In every branch of industry, the advance of Monroe county has been remarkably rapid during the past few decades. and its progress has been equal to that of any other part of the state of Michigan. The present prosperity of the county is well represented by its agriculturists, and among these may be mentioned George H. Bordine, one of the self-made men of this locality, and the owner of sixty-seven acres of finely cultivated land in Section 2, Exeter township. Mr. Bordine was born May 23, 1871, on the old family homestead farm, located near his present home, and is a son of Charles and Eliza (Mott) Bordine. His grandfather, Allen Bordine, was of German ancestry, and at an early day located at Oakville, Washtenaw county, Michigan, where Charles Bordine was born. As a young man Charles Bordine was married at Plymouth, Michigan, to Miss Eliza Mott, who was born at Canton, Michigan, and after their marriage they removed to Exeter township and settled on the old Johnson farm of 120 acres, where Mr. Bordine built a log house and barn. He continued to cultivate this
>
586
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
land all of his life, and passed away in Exeter township, at the age of sixty-seven years. During the Civil war he served gallantly for twenty- one months as a member of the Twenty-eighth Regiment, Michigan Vol- unteer Infantry, and on his return from the war proved himself just as faithful in the discharge of his duties as a private citizen as he had been as a soldier. Mrs. Bordine passed away at the age of fifty-three years, having been the mother of six children, of whom five survive: Allen, George H., Lucy, Charles and Ada. Mary, the twin sister of Lucy, is deceased.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.